Author: Daily Post Nigeria

Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun East Senatorial District have unanimously endorsed Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.

The endorsement was announced on Monday at a well-attended gathering held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode, bringing together a broad coalition of party leaders and grassroots representatives from across the district.

The event drew members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), former and serving local government chairmen, past and present lawmakers at both state and national levels, councillors from all wards in the district, as well as women and youth leaders.

In attendance were: all councillors across Ogun East; all ward chairmen; all ward executives; all local government chairmen; all local government executives; all serving members of the National Assembly; all serving members of the State House of Assembly; all past members of the State and National Assembly; and all members of the Elders Advisory Council.

Speaking on behalf of stakeholders, former Ogun East senator, Lekan Mustapha, said the decision was driven by a shared conviction that Governor Abiodun possesses the capacity to represent the district effectively at the Senate.

According to him, party leaders would formally communicate the endorsement to the governor, including a commitment to purchase his nomination forms for the 2027 election.

“We will put a body together to deliver this message to our Governor that he has been adopted as the consensus candidate,” Mustapha said, describing Abiodun as a leader of strong character and sound intellect.

In his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, noted that the governor’s track record in governance and party cohesion made him deserving of the Senate seat.

“This endorsement is historic and unanimous. It reflects the collective belief that Prince Dapo Abiodun is the right person for the position,” he stated.

Also speaking, House of Representatives member, Femi Ogunbanwo, representing Odogbolu, Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu North East Federal Constituency, said the governor’s administration has fostered peace and development across the state, expressing confidence that he would attract more dividends of democracy to Ogun East at the national level.

Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Hon. Afolabi Odulate, commended the governor’s performance and reiterated the district’s collective appeal for him to accept the senatorial bid.

The event witnessed participation from all 103 councillors across the nine local governments in Ogun East, alongside youth leaders and key grassroots mobilisers.

Prominent figures in attendance included former senators Gbenga Kaka and Lekan Mustapha, Ogun East APC Chairman Adedoyin Adeleke, and respected party elders such as Kola Ogunjobi, Bayo Dayo, Durojaye, Pegba Otemolu, James Dina, and Osibote Amoran.

Also present were notable political figures and mobilisers including Femi Nuberu, Yinka Adeleye, Jokotade Kasimawo, Toyin Jekami, Kuburat Arigbabu, Aremu Babatunde, Ojuroye, Tajudeen Adedeko, Adefowora Akeem, Blessed Ogunsola, Ogunnde Razaki, and Sakiru Folorunso.

Members of the House of Representatives from the district — Adesola Elegbeji, Joseph Adegbesan, and Femi Ogunbanwo — also attended in solidarity, underscoring the widespread backing for the governor’s anticipated senatorial bid.

Ogun East APC endorses Dapo Abiodun for Senate ahead of 2027 polls

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has urged deposit money banks to take full advantage of the enabling environment created by the apex bank to unlock up to $1bn in monthly diaspora remittances by the end of 2026.

Cardoso made the call during engagements at the 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Washington, where he highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms and the growing confidence of investors in the country.

According to him, the CBN’s target of achieving $1bn in monthly remittance inflows remains firmly on track, stressing that banks must play a critical role in ensuring that Nigerians in the diaspora can seamlessly send funds home through formal financial channels.

He noted that improved policies and reforms in the foreign exchange market, alongside efforts to enhance transparency and efficiency, have created a conducive environment for increased inflows.

“The target is achievable, but it requires the active participation of banks in leveraging the opportunities provided by the current reforms,” Cardoso said.

He emphasised that simplifying remittance processes, reducing transaction costs, and improving customer experience for Nigerians abroad would be key to realising the ambitious target.

Cardoso further explained that boosting diaspora remittances would not only strengthen Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves but also support macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth.

He pointed out that remittances remain a vital source of foreign exchange for the country, often exceeding foreign direct investment and official development assistance.

The CBN governor also highlighted broader reform efforts by the apex bank, including measures to stabilise the naira, enhance liquidity in the foreign exchange market, and restore investor confidence.

He reiterated that Nigeria’s reform agenda continues to gain global recognition, noting that the country’s progress stood out despite prevailing global economic uncertainties.

Cardoso maintained that the apex bank would continue to pursue data-driven policies aimed at sustaining stability, strengthening institutions, and creating opportunities for economic growth.

He added that collaboration with international partners and financial institutions would further support Nigeria’s efforts to deepen financial inclusion and improve the efficiency of its financial system.

ENDS

CBN Pushes Banks To Unlock $1bn Monthly Diaspora Inflows is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Some disengaged staff of the Bauchi State Ministry of Education have urged the government to reinstate them.

They also urged the state government to review the decision and accord priority to them in the ongoing recruitment exercise.

This is contained in a statement on Monday by Musa Alfa, Chairman, Association of the Bauchi Fingerprint Terminal Operators.

The affected staff worked as Fingerprint Terminal Operators saddled with monitoring teacher attendance in public schools.

Alfa said that the workers served the state for over seven years, who engaged in monitoring teachers attendance and promoting discipline across public schools.

He said that their duties supported effective teaching and learning by ensuring that teachers resumed work promptly and carried out their classroom responsibilities.

The chairman argued that the disengagement was carried out without prior notice or fair hearing, describing it as painful and unjust.

“Our disengagement has thrown over 2,000 households into hardship, many of us rely entirely on this job for our livelihoods,” he said.

Alfa advocated a holistic review of the disengagement, stressing that the affected workers were experienced, trained, and held relevant qualifications.

“The state government should consider their reinstatements or absorb them into the civil service.

“We are law-abiding citizens who believe in peaceful engagement and dialogue. We are hopeful that the government will consider our appeal with compassion and a sense of justice.”

Sacked Bauchi Education Staff Seek Reinstatement is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has appealed to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing to call off the indefinite strike embarked on Monday, over unresolved welfare issues.

Dr Danlami Hayyo, Mandate Secretary, FCT Education Secretariat, made the appeal during an inspection tour of schools in the territory on Monday.

The NUT, on Friday, directed primary and secondary school teachers in the FCT to begin an indefinite strike on Monday.

The union explained that the decision was due to the continued silence of the FCT on the legitimate demands of teachers amid prevailing harsh economic realities in the country, particularly in the territory.

Hayyo, who appealed to the NUT to suspend the industrial action, described the timing as “psychologically demoralising” for students scheduled to begin the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations on Tuesday.

He expressed concern over reports that the union members were forcibly removing students and teachers from classrooms.

“I don’t think it is constitutionally right for the NUT to come and chase students out of the classrooms. How can you expect your sons and daughters to write exams tomorrow when you are chasing them out today? This could lead to mass failure, and WAEC will not reschedule the examinations for FCT students alone,” he said.

He said that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has renovated over 100 schools and paid 40 per cent of teacher entitlements in 2025.

According to him, the bulk of the union’s current grievances are the responsibilities of the Local Education Authorities and Area Council Chairmen, and not the FCT Administration.

The mandate secretary urged the union leaders to return to the bargaining table to avoid worsening the out-of-school children crisis in the territory.

“I am tired of this strike. If we continue to discourage these children now, they will retaliate when they become the leaders of tomorrow. I appeal to the NUT to set aside these interests and prioritise the future of our students,” he said.

NAN reports that the NUT had appreciated Wike for the implementation of the N70,000 Minimum Wage and payment of the nine months arrears to the primary school teachers in the FCT.

The union, however, decried the non-response to other outstanding demands of the teachers. It noted that the Minister had constituted a committee on July 7, 2025 with a mandate to, within two weeks, harmonise all outstanding entitlements of primary school teachers.

“The committee was also directed to make appropriate recommendations that would lead to a permanent solution to the frequent industrial disputes involving FCT Primary School Teachers. The committee concluded its assignment and submitted its report in August 2025, however, the report is yet to be made public,” it said.

According to the union, some of the outstanding issues included the non-implementation and payment of 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increment, and non-implementation and payment of 40 per cent peculiar allowance.

FCTA Urges NUT To Call Off Strike is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Social media commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has announced a temporary withdrawal from

Nigerian music superstar, Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has revealed a troubling experience of being drugged by women in his early days as a youngster.

The ‘Calm Down’ crooner stated this in the lyrics of his new song ‘Moviestar’ released over the weekend, featuring French singer Sofiane Pamart.

According to him, he felt exploited from the experience as an upcoming artiste.

He said: “Girls always give me drugs.

“My happiness is zipped in their little purse

“Friends always make me feel robbed….”

Rema adopts a more introspective tone in the hit single, departing from his signature upbeat style to address personal struggles, including the alleged drug encounter that left him feeling vulnerable and exploited.

He reflects on the darker side of early fame, especially how success came with pressure and questionable influences in a chaotic and exploitative environment.

The singer further explained in the lyrics that it was hard for him to quit after he signed a record deal, stressing that the label wanted him to sing and entertain fans without considering his feelings.

NAN reports that Rema, born in 2000 in Benin City, came to limelight in 2019 after signing with Mavin Records.

His rising profile has continued to highlight Afrobeats on global stage, as his hit song ‘Calm Down’ featuring Selena Gomez became the most-streamed Afrobeats track in history, earning him multiple platinum certifications.

The song also broke records as the first African-led track to surpass a billion on Spotify streams, dominating international charts.

‘Calm Down’ became number one hit on the world’s first regional streaming chart and first-ever official chart in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA),earning Rema a Guinness World Record.

Among other global showcases, Rema has also made history as the first African artiste to perform at the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony, when he thrilled audience at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, France.

I Was Drugged By Women, Says Rema is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Retired police personnel, alongside their families under the Police Retired Officers Forum of Nigeria (PROF), have staged a protest in Abuja over the continued inclusion of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in the contributory pension scheme (CPS).

The demonstrators blocked one of the gates leading to the Presidential Villa on Monday to press home their demands.

They described the scheme as “fraudulent, illegal, inhumane, and obnoxious”.

The protest was led by Raphael Irowainu, the national coordinator of the group and a retired chief superintendent of police (CSP).

The retirees said their protest was aimed at urging President Bola Tinubu to assent to the Police Exit Bill passed by the national assembly on December 4, 2025, and forwarded to the presidency on March 16, 2026. 

They argued that the proposed law would remove police personnel from what they termed a “slavery and untimely death inducing pension scheme”.

Speaking to journalists, Irowainu said the group’s primary objective was to ensure the President signs the bill into law.

“Our major aim here is to prevail on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign our bill the bill exiting the police from the Contributory Pension Scheme passed by the National Assembly on 4th December 2025 and transmitted to him on 16th March, 2026, into law, nothing more than that,” Irowainu said.

“The soldiers have been exited, the SSS has been exited, the Air Force has been exited, the Navy has been exited, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has been exited. The police, who are the father of them all, are trapped in this obnoxious Contributory Pension Scheme.” 

They were subsequently received by Akpabio who said the senate would immediately align with the house of representatives, which had passed a bill to exempt the NPF from the CPS. 

A statement issued by Jackson Udom, special assistant on media to the senate president, quoted Akpabio as saying the policy was “not well thought out” and had imposed unnecessary hardship on police personnel who risk their lives to secure the country.

“Take it that you have to disperse from the gate. That problem, as far as the law is concerned, is over,” he said.

The senate president said he is confident that President Bola Tinubu, “being a listening president”, would sign the legislation into law.

He stated that the scheme is “certainly not good for security personnel”.

Akpabio questioned why the police had remained under the CPS while other security agencies, including the military, DSS and NIA, had been exempted.

Retired Police Officers Storm Villa Gate Over Pension Scheme is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi has returned to full training at Beşiktaş, DAILY POST reports.

Ndidi sustained a hamstring injury in Beşiktaş’ away defeat at Fenerbahçe last month.

The defensive midfielder was pictured in training with his teammates on Monday.

The Black Eagles will face Alanyaspor in the quarter-final of the Turkish Cup on Thursday.

The 29-year-old is expected to be available for the game.

Ndidi, who joined Beşiktaş from Leicester City last summer has scored twice in 26 appearances across all competitions for the club.

Turkey: Ndidi returns to Beşiktaş’ training after injury layoff

No fewer than 200 delegates of the Nigerian Medical Association will meet on Wednesday in Abuja for an Emergency Delegates Meeting to address a growing leadership crisis within the association.

A statement issued on Monday in Lokoja by Dr Oreyemi Ifedayo, Chairman of State Chairmen, said the meeting was triggered by the controversial disqualification of candidates for the forthcoming elections.

He alleged that the candidates for the Annual Delegates Meeting and elections were disqualified by the NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, without due process, sparking widespread concern among stakeholders nationwide.

According to him, the disqualification has drawn criticism from state chairmen, caucuses, and the Committee of Past Presidents over the past two weeks, amid calls for adherence to constitutional provisions.

Ifedayo said in spite of appeals from stakeholders to reverse the decision ahead of the Annual Delegates Meeting, the NMA President declined, further deepening tensions within the association’s leadership structure.

He stated that the Emergency Delegates Meeting was convened to address the crisis before it escalated, noting that members had strongly rejected what they described as an illegal disqualification process.

He emphasised that under the NMA constitution, the Committee of Past Presidents served as the final authority on constitutional interpretation and had recommended reversing the disqualifications to ensure fairness.

Ifedayo described it as regrettable that the committee’s resolution had been ignored; warning that continued disregard for due process could undermine unity and credibility within the professional body.

Organisers said more than 200 delegates had confirmed attendance, adding that the meeting would review the issues and chart a course toward restoring peace, unity, and institutional integrity.

NMA Delegates To Meet Over Leadership Crisis is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Abia Warriors technical adviser, Imama Amapakabo has expressed excitement with his team’s 2-1 win over Ikorodu City.

Paul Samson and Valentine Ugwu were on target for the hosts in the game, while Aderemi Adeoye scored for Ikorodu City.

Amapakabo was happy with his team’s performance in the thrilling encounter.

“It’s an exciting victory especially against a team that we are both chasing the same goal,” Amapakabo told Abia Warriors media.

“We dedicated this win to Chukwuemeka Obioma because of the new addition to the family, we are excited about his performance for the team.”

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

NPFL: Amapakabo elated with Abia Warriors’ win over Ikorodu City