Author: Daily Post Nigeria

The Taraba State Commissioner for Basic Education, Dr Augustina Godwin, has raised alarm over a growing shortage of science teachers in the state, particularly in physics and chemistry, warning of potential long-term consequences for critical sectors.

Godwin disclosed this during an in-person training programme for Science, Technology, Mathematics and Agriculture (STEMA) teachers held in Jalingo and attended by educators from senior secondary schools across the North-East region.

According to the commissioner, the inadequate number of qualified science teachers poses a serious threat to the state’s educational development and could undermine the future production of professionals such as doctors and engineers.

She stressed the urgent need for teachers to actively encourage students to take up science subjects.

“This trend is inimical to the development of the state and could affect our capacity to produce skilled professionals in the near future,” she said.

To address the challenge, Godwin pledged to revamp the Guidance and Counselling Department to intensify sensitisation efforts aimed at motivating students to pursue science-related careers.

She also assured that her ministry would collaborate with the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools to develop strategies for encouraging interest in science and technology subjects among students.

The training programme was organised by the Office of the Vice President in partnership with the North-East Development Commission. Godwin commended the initiative, noting that continuous teacher training is essential for improving classroom delivery, strengthening STEMA education, and enhancing learning outcomes.

Speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development, Mariam Masha, said the programme targets teachers from Gombe, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Taraba States.
She explained that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Masha added that the programme is designed to bridge educational gaps and equip teachers with digital and technical skills needed for effective teaching in a 21st-century economy.

“The programme enhances teachers’ capacity to integrate technology into teaching methods to boost education outcomes in the region,” she said.

Taraba raises alarm over shortage of science teachers

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello says legislative experience is a vital ingredient that Kogi State indigenes must consider ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Bello made this known in a recent event organized by Leke Abejide, the lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi and chairman of the House Committee on Customs.

In his remarks, Bello explained that lawmakers with multiple terms in office often have greater influence and effectiveness due to their familiarity with legislative procedures, networks, and institutional knowledge.

He noted that such experience can enhance the ability to contribute to policy making, committee leadership, and constituency development.

According to him, the structure of the National Assembly places value on seniority and accumulated expertise, which can enable more seasoned legislators to navigate complex processes more efficiently and sustain ongoing projects.

“I understand the aspirations of our brothers and sisters in Mopa-Muro.

“It is indeed your turn, but there is wisdom in timing. Allow Abejide to complete a third term and bring greater development to the constituency. After him, the opportunity will come, and it will come stronger,” he stated.

He further urged Abejide, who was elected into the 10th National Assembly under the African Democratic Congress, to join the APC to seek re-election.

“We want him to join our party, the APC, and return to the House of Representatives for a third term.”

2027: Legislative experience important for re-election — Yahaya Bello

In compliance with the order of the National Industrial Court, Innocent Bola-Audu has assumed office as President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants in Nigeria, (ASCSN) and has also taken over the National Secretariat of the Association in Abuja.

Justice Rakiya Bosede Haastrup had on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 affirmed Bola-Audu as the legally elected President of the ASCSN and directed him to take over the national Secretariat of the organization.

The union leader in company of police officers from Zone 7 of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja on Friday enforced the judgment thereby laying to rest, the more than four-year legal battle on the leadership of the association.

Although, the enforcement of the court verdict was initially resisted by a group of workers loyal to the opposing camp by locking the gates against the police and Bola-Audu team, they later bowed to pressure when reality dawned on them that a lawful court order was being executed.

Police men from the Mabushi Divisional Police Station who initially gave their backing to the opposing camp by locking out the Zone Seven officers were ordered out to give effects to the court judgment.

Before they were ordered out, the police men from Mabushi had declined to open the gate of the National Secretariat despite the repeat that an order of the Assistant Inspector General of Police AIG in Zone Seven was being carried out.

In the drama that ensued, the superiority of Zone seven officers led by a Superintendent of Police (SP) was enforced leading to the take over of the Secretariat by Bola-Audu group as ordered by the court.

The union leader expressed happiness that the rule of law had eventually prevailed in the leadership tussle of the association, assuring that he would continue to be peaceful and law abiding in the task ahead of him.

The Industrial Court on April 15, ordered that Bola-Audu be allowed to take over leadership of the largest trade union, including its National Secretariat unhindered and without molestation, disruption or harassment by the defendants in the suit.

In a judgment on the second round of the legal battle, Justice Rakiya Bosede Haastrup held that Sheu Mohammed and Apebo Joshua, who have been parading themselves as National President and Secretary General of ASCSN, have no law or authority to back up their actions.

In the judgment on the suit marked NICK/ ABM/169/2025, Justice Haastrup upheld the election of August 10, 2024 which returned Bola-Audu for a second term of four years for being conducted in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the association.

In the same vein, the Court nullified and set aside, the factional election held in Lagos and which produced Sheu Mohammed and Apebo Joshua as factional leaders.

According to the Court, the Lagos election was held in flagrant disregard to the ASCSN constitution and was therefore a product of fraud and illegality that cannot stand in the face of the law or produce legitimacy.

The Accountant General of the federation, who was one of the defendants in the suit was ordered to release check off dues of the association members to the Bola-Audu leadership.

Justice Haastrup had recalled the judgment of the same Court delivered on July 9, 2024 by Justice Oyewumi Oyebiola, now in the Court of Appeal which upheld the Presidency of ASCSN under Bola-Audu, adding that the judgment remained valid, subsisting and binding on all ASCSN members, since Sheu Mohammed and Apebo Joshua faction did not appeal against it.

The court held that the earlier purported suspension of Bola-Audu by the Central Working Committee of the ASCSN and his subsequent expulsion by the National Working Committee had in the earlier judgment been declared unlawful, illegal, null and void.

It held that the suspension was based on a false allegation that was earlier quashed by the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Maitama.

The National Agency For The Prohibition Of Trafficking In Persons, NAPTIP, had on February 22, 2021, arrested and detained Bola-Audu over an allegation that he was involved in human trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable persons.

However, he was discharged and acquitted of the allegation by an Abuja high court.

She took a swipe at Sheu Mohammed and Apebo Joshua for their conduct against the judgment, adding that orders made by law courts are meant to be obeyed and not to be mocked by Sheu Mohammed and Apebo Joshua who are 1st and 2nd defendants in the instant suit.

The judge imposed a fine of N10 million each on the two defendants, to be paid to the claimants for being vindictive, conducting themselves in contempt of court and acting in defiance of the subsisting court judgment.

Justice Haastrup also imposed another N50 million fine on the two defendants to be paid to the claimants as exemplary and aggravated damages.

The court held that the actions of the two defendants in instigating members and other government officials against the claimants through frivolous letters and correspondences despite court judgment recognizing their leadership were tainted with malice.

She subsequently voided and set aside all letters written to individuals and government officials and establishments by the two defendants against the claimants.

The Judge issued a restraining order against the two defendants prohibiting them and their agents from disrupting the claimants from functioning as the authentic officers of the association and from accessing all properties of the association.

Besides, the tenure of office of the claimants was extended by six months being the period they were not allowed to access the National Secretariat of the association.

Bola-Audu leadership takes over ASCSN National Secretariat in line with court order

 

The Nigerian military has inaugurated a general court – martial to try officers accused in an alleged coup plot, marking the formal commencement of proceedings.

The officers were brought to the venue of the sitting, the guards brigade scorpion mess, Asokoro, at about 8:53 a.m. 24th April 2026 under tight security.

However, journalists were denied access into the courtroom as proceedings commenced behind closed doors, while several civil lawyers were observed arriving at the venue ahead of the inauguration, suggesting the presence of legal representatives for the defendants.

The sitting signals the beginning of the military’s internal trial process following months of investigation into the alleged plot.

The matter dates back to October 2025 when about 16 serving military personnel, comprising senior and junior officers, were arrested over alleged acts of indiscipline.

Subsequent investigations by military authorities, however, established that some of the officers had cases to answer bordering on an alleged attempt to overthrow the constitutional government, leading to the decision to subject them to court-martial.

Statement By Ministry Of Defence 

DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS INAUGURATES GENERAL COURT MARTIAL TO TRY 36 SERVING PERSONNEL OVER BREACH OF NATIONAL SECURITY

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has today 24 April 2026, inaugurated a General Court Martial to try 36 serving military personnel over alleged mutiny, aimed at overthrowing the government of the day. This is in furtherance of the DHQ’s statement issued on 26 January 2026 which dwelled on the subject. 

The inauguration marks a significant step in reinforcing discipline, accountability and the commitment of the Armed Forces to safeguarding national integrity and constituted authority. Proceedings of the court will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness, impartiality and strict adherence to due process guaranteeing that justice will be served without fear or favour. All cases will be addressed within extant legal frameworks of the military justice system. 

The DHQ remains resolute in upholding professionalism, discipline and the rule of law while ensuring that the rights of all personnel are respected and the tenets of fair hearing upheld.

SAMAILA UBA

Major General

Director, Defence Information

24 April 2026

UEFA on Friday, handed Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni a six-match ban following alleged racist insults directed at Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior during both sides’ UEFA Champions League play-off match in Lisbon some weeks ago.

Benfica announced the news in an official statement, saying the Portuguese club received a notification from UEFA.

According to the statement, Prestianni was suspended for “six matches” for the use of homophobic language during Benfica’s Champions League tie with Real Madrid in March.

Recall that the Champions League playoff was overshadowed by several troubling incidents, most notably when Vinicius accused Prestianni of using racist slurs against him.

The Champions League playoff first leg encounter was played in Lisbon, and UEFA later banned Prestianni for the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Vinicius: UEFA finally bans Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni

Abdullahi Ganduje, the immediate past national chairman of the All Progressives Congress and former Kano State Governor, has urged governors in Northern Nigeria to invest in persons with disabilities to reduce the menace of begging in the region.

Ganduje made the call Friday at an event in Abuja.

According to him, with adequate investment in technological gadgets, education is now easier for those with special needs in society, and they could become more useful to themselves and society.

The event brought together experts in disability education, federal and state government officials, staff, alumni, and students of Tudun Maliki Special School, Kano, with a keynote speech from the vice principal of the school, Ibrahim Abdukabir, on the impact of the Let’s Talk Humanity Initiative.

He noted if governors and other stakeholders adopt the approach of human investment, there’s no doubt there will be a big change in our society.

“Yes, they are neglected because they are physically challenged. This has affected their psyche and motivation, and they cannot even think they are human beings like other beings, but unveiling this kind of program, we are making them to be like any other human being in our society.

“Finally, I urge those in authority and development partners to make a great change; it’s fishing. Those physically challenged can’t stop begging. They can develop to the extent that they can even be employers of labor. They can develop to the extent that they can be geniuses in various fields of endeavors.”

On his part, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Dr Bernard Doro emphasized that society must bear in mind that before a program or device is designed, the people living with disabilities should be considered.

“When we develop assisted devices or technology in general, this has to be done with people living with disabilities in mind.

In her speech, the founder of Let’s Talk Humanity, Fatima Ganduje Abiola-Ajumobi, stressed that empowering PWDs is key to societal development.

Invest in PWDs to reduce begging in Nigeria — Ganduje tells Northern governors

Nigeria Premier Football League, side Abia Warriors have crashed out from the 2026 President Federation Cup.

Abia Warriors were bundled out of the tournament following a 4-3 penalty loss to Nationwide League One side Ahudianynem FC.

The fiercely contested encounter game ended goalless in regulation time.

DAILY POST recalls that Abia Warriors were runners-up in the 2024 President Federation Cup.

They lost 2-0 to El-Kanemi Warriors in the final in Lagos.

The Umuahia-based club will shift focus to their chase for a continental ticket in the NPFL.

Abia Warriors currently sit in fourth position on the NPFL table with 55 points.

Imama Amapakabo’s side will take on Rivers United, Kun Khalifat FC and Warri Wolves in their last three games of the campaign.

Abia Federation Cup: Abia Warriors crash out after defeat to Ahudianynem FC

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Muttaqha Darma as the new Minister of Housing and Urban Development after his Senate clearance.
Darma from Katsina State replaced Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who recently resigned.

This is contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday.

The president congratulated Dr Darma for coming on board at this very challenging time of national development.

“You have a very rich and interesting background. As a leader, we need competent hands like yours.

“There is no doubt that you have rendered valuable services in all the assignments you have embarked upon; You are a fitting peg in the right position,” he said.

The President urged the new Minister to be ready to serve in any capacity in which he is called upon.

DAILY POST reports that Darma is a distinguished Nigerian scholar, administrator, and development expert who holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the University of Liverpool and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Atlantic International University, USA.

Tinubu swears in Darma as Housing Minister

A trial date has finally been fixed for the long-running case involving former domestic workers of ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan, after years of adjournments, allegations of judicial interference and growing public pressure forced the hand of the court.

The workers, numbering fifteen in total, have been in detention since 2019 on allegations that they stole jewellery reportedly worth hundreds of millions of naira from the former First Lady. After more than six years in custody, the case had reached the stage at which the defendants were expected to open their defence, but repeated delays, prolonged absences of the presiding judge and failures to fix hearing dates have stalled proceedings.

The new date of May 22 was set following renewed media attention on the case, with a source familiar with the matter saying the Chief Judge eventually responded to mounting pressure from press coverage.

Family members of the detained workers have maintained that the prosecution has failed to prove its case and that key confessions tendered against their relatives were obtained under duress. Some of the defendants testified in court that they were tortured during interrogation. Relatives have also alleged that Bayelsa State government officials have been working behind the scenes to keep the accused in custody and to prevent the Chief Judge from progressing the matter, with suggestions that political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections may be driving the interference.

The long years of detention have taken a severe toll on the accused. One of the fifteen, Sahabi Liman, died in custody after his health deteriorated beyond recovery.

His son recalled that Liman had been granted bail several years earlier to seek medical treatment, appeared to improve for a time, but eventually worsened and died. Family members attributed his death to the physical and psychological burden of prolonged incarceration without resolution.

Several of the remaining defendants are said to be battling serious health conditions with limited access to adequate medical care.

Court Sets Trial For Patience Jonathan Ex-Workers After Six Years is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The decision by Nigerian Exchange Limited to extend its trading hours is a commendable and forward-looking reform that aligns Nigeria’s capital market with evolving global standards. It is pertinent to note that in several advanced and emerging jurisdictions such as the United States, where exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange operate for extended hours and markets across Europe with similarly long trading windows, longer trading periods have consistently supported deeper liquidity, better price discovery, and improved investor participation.

When you also look at other dynamic frontier and emerging markets such as the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, which trades from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or the Bombay Stock Exchange, which operates from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m, it becomes clear that a truncated trading day limits ambition.

These jurisdictions have long understood that longer trading windows attract deeper pools of foreign portfolio investment and allow for better price alignment with global events. So, by shifting from a 9:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m schedule to a full 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m window, the NGX is finally aligning itself with global best practice.

In terms of its significance, it is a positive development. First, the extension enhances price discovery. With our current equities market capitalization sitting comfortably above N140tn and year-to-date returns exceeding 35 per cent, the market is already on a strong footing. A longer session means that news flow- whether it is an early morning policy announcement by the CBN or a midday earnings release- can be immediately priced in, rather than forcing investors to wait for the next day’s open. This reduces the kind of overnight gap risk that often frustrates traders. Second, it broadens access for the average Nigerian worker who cannot place a trade during a lunch break that falls after 2:30 p.m. Now, the retail investor has until 4 p.m. to react.

From an impact perspective, the likely outcome is a gradual deepening of liquidity and a broadening of participation Liquidity should improve noticeably because overlapping trading hours with major European and even early US sessions will allow for more real-time hedging and arbitrage. More trading time typically translates into higher volumes, tighter bid-ask spreads, and more accurate price formation.

This is particularly relevant given Nigeria’s recent recognition by FTSE Russell as a Frontier Market, which places the country more firmly on the radar of global portfolio investors.

We are already seeing a more diversified product landscape- equities, bonds, ETFs, commercial paper, and even early-stage derivatives- so a longer session gives these products the airtime they need to mature. Overall, the extended hours will make the NGX more accessible to international investors operating in different time zones, thereby enhancing cross-border capital flows. Additionally, it could stimulate greater activity in fixed income and derivative instruments, supporting the Exchange’s ambition to evolve into a truly multi-asset marketplace.

That said, I must acknowledge that longer trading hours are not without risks. There is the potential for increased market volatility, particularly during the newly added early and late trading periods when liquidity may initially be thinner. Operational risks may also arise, including system strain, surveillance challenges, and the need for market participants to adjust their internal processes and risk management frameworks.

Indeed, research has shown that extended hours increase operational demands on trading firms, broker-dealers, and the exchange’s own technology infrastructure. There is also the risk of afternoon fatigue leading to impulsive trades if market makers are not adequately capitalized to support the extra hours.

This is where the roles of NGX Regulation Limited and the Securities and Exchange Commission become even more critical. Both institutions must intensify market surveillance to detect and deter manipulative practices, especially during extended hours. There should also be continuous monitoring of liquidity patterns and volatility dynamics to ensure orderly market behavior. Investor education will be essential, as participants need to understand the implications of trading in different sessions.

Furthermore, robust technological infrastructure and contingency systems must be maintained to handle the increased operational demands. I also expect the NGX Reg Co to issue clear guidelines on market maker obligations during the final hour to prevent any artificial widening of spreads.

And the SEC, for its part, should mandate a public post-implementation review after the first three months, looking specifically at volatility patterns and investor complaints.
In sum, this reform is a positive and strategic step that reinforces the NGX’s positioning as a modern, globally competitive exchange. If well managed, it will not only deepen liquidity and improve market access but also strengthen Nigeria’s overall financial ecosystem and its capacity to support sustainable economic growth.

Prof Uche Uwaleke is the President, Capital Market Academics of Nigeria

OPINION: NGX Aligning Wth Global Best Practice With Longer Trading Hours is first published on The Whistler Newspaper