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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nasarawa State University chapter, Keffi (NSUK) branch, has warned the Nasarawa State Government that continued neglect of pressing staff welfare issues could lead to industrial action.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, the branch chairperson, Abdulmumini Loko, said the briefing was necessary to draw attention to long-standing concerns that remain unresolved despite multiple engagements with the authorities.

He cautioned that the situation may escalate if urgent steps are not taken to address the union’s demands, particularly the payment of outstanding entitlements.

“Industrial harmony cannot be assured if the Nasarawa State Government fails to urgently clear all outstanding arrears and respond to our demands,” Loko said.

Among the demands listed by the union are the immediate implementation of a 40 per cent salary increase earlier agreed with the Federal Government, improved funding for the university, and the payment of professorial allowances.

The union also called for the settlement of arrears of Earned Academic Allowance, outstanding salary increments of 25 per cent and 35 per cent, as well as arrears linked to the N70,000 minimum wage and the N35,000 wage award.

In addition, ASUU urged the state government to domesticate the contributory pension scheme and ensure timely remittance of its counterpart funding, enforce the approved retirement age for professors, constitute visitation panels regularly, and guarantee that retired professors receive their full salaries as pensions.

Loko warned that failure to address these issues could negatively impact the university system, citing risks such as declining educational standards, increased brain drain, disruption of academic activities, and deteriorating staff welfare.

Reaffirming the union’s preference for dialogue, he, however, noted that members were growing increasingly impatient.

“While we remain open to dialogue and constructive engagement, our members’ patience is not limitless,” he said.

He added that continued inaction by the government could leave the union with no choice but to pursue lawful measures to defend the interests of its members and protect the integrity of the university system.

ASUU threatens industrial action over unresolved issues in NSUK

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has raised fresh concerns over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, warning that funding shortages, declining aid support and alarming displacement are placing thousands of lives at risk.
The warning was contained in a press statement signed by Abdulkareem Yakubu, Field Communication Officer (Press), Médecins Sans Frontières, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), and issued to DAILY POST.

The organisation said years of conflict and repeated displacement have left communities across Gwoza with severe humanitarian and medical needs, while health facilities remain under intense pressure.

The situation has been further aggravated by recent violence in Ngoshe, Borno State, which has forced more than 5,000 people to flee to Pulka. According to MSF, many of the displaced families escaped with only minimal belongings and are now living in overcrowded conditions with limited access to food, clean water, sanitation facilities and shelter.

MSF noted that the growing number of displaced persons has increased pressure on already limited resources in Pulka and surrounding communities.

“Funding gaps and a broader reduction in humanitarian assistance across Borno State are putting critical healthcare and life-saving services at serious risk,” an MSF representative, Mahmoudoune, said.

In response to the emergency, MSF said it launched a four-week intervention beginning from April 10, focusing on water supply, sanitation services and the distribution of essential relief materials to affected families in Pulka.

The medical charity also disclosed that it has been supporting Gwoza General Hospital since August 2025 by providing emergency medical care and facilitating referrals for critical patients.

It added that maternal and newborn healthcare services are being supported in Kushari in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, while nutrition programmes are ongoing in Maiduguri for children under five suffering from acute malnutrition.

MSF called on humanitarian organisations to urgently scale up assistance in Pulka, particularly in food aid, water, sanitation and hygiene interventions, to prevent further deterioration of conditions among displaced families.

The organisation also appealed to donors to provide sustained funding for healthcare and humanitarian operations in northeast Nigeria, warning that continued shortfalls could undermine access to life-saving services for vulnerable communities.

MSF warns of deepening humanitarian crisis in Gwoza as fresh displacement hits Pulka

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has rejected pessimism about Nigeria’s future, arguing that while the situation is not hopeless, but also cannot be solved by wishful thinking.

Gov. Otti disclosed this on Thursday while delivering a public lecture at the 5th Annual Lecture Series of The Niche held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, with the theme – “Governing the Economy: Choices, Trade-offs and National Priorities.”

The Governor warned that Nigeria’s economic challenges cannot be resolved through quick fixes, stressing that the country’s difficulties are structural and demand courageous and tough decisions rather than emotional policy responses.

He however urged Nigerian citizens to pay closer attention to leadership choices, insisting that political decisions remain the strongest determinant of economic outcomes.

“There is a direct correlation between political choices and the daily experiences of the population,” Otti said, adding that competent leadership and sound institutional framework and behaviour remain central to reversing economic decline.

The Governor therefore advocated competent governance, active citizenship, and informed political participation as essential tools for achieving sustainable economic recovery, noting that citizens must move beyond voting to actively scrutinizing political actors and their economic philosophies.

Governor Otti emphasized that economic governance is inseparable from politics, warning that apathy amongst citizens worsens institutional decay and economic hardship. He noted that leadership selection is not merely electoral but constitutes a serious economic decision with long-term consequences.

Governor Otti pointed at Abia as a practical illustration of how political choices translate directly into economic and social outcomes. He recalled that in 2015, the State suffered severe governance disruptions that pushed it into economic decline, with basic services collapsing and public trust in institutions eroding.

Gov. Otti noted that experience has shown clearly that when leadership is captured through flawed political processes, the consequences extend beyond politics into everyday life, affecting workers, businesses, and families.

He stressed that Abia’s later recovery under a different leadership approach demonstrates that governance, when anchored on competence and service, can restore institutions, attract investors, and gradually rebuild public confidence.

Ukoha Njuko Ukoha, the chief press secretary to Governor Otti reports that the Governor further urged Nigerians to understand that poor governance structures, especially those driven by political opportunism have consistently undermined development, stressing that institutional strength cannot exist without political discipline and integrity.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Acclaim Publishers and Editor-in-Chief of The Niche, Mr Ikechukwu Amaechi, in his opening remarks, described the lecture series as a civic platform designed to redirect national attention to governance and accountability.

He noted that the 2026 theme was deliberately chosen especially as Nigeria approaches another election cycle. Amaechi also described Governor Otti as a deliberate choice for the lecture, commending him as a leader who has demystified governance in less than three years and demonstrated that effective leadership is achievable through clarity of purpose and disciplined execution.

He further stressed that the lecture series exists to provoke national reflection on leadership responsibility, civic awareness, and the economic consequences of political choices.

The event was Chaired by the Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, CON, who while speaking, commended Governor Otti’s intellectual depth and leadership capacity, describing him as one of the very few public office holders, bridging economic knowledge with governance practice.

He emphasized that public office is a responsibility, not a profit-making venture, stating that, leaders are given the opportunity to write their names in gold and impact people’s lives, not to accumulate personal wealth. The revered Emir warned against the commercialization of politics, noting that governance must be anchored on service, discipline, and long-term national interest.

Also speaking, the Royal Father of the Day, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, expressed concern over Nigeria’s current governance structure while maintaining optimism about the country’s future.

He called for constitutional reforms to allow independent candidates, arguing that the dominance of political parties often fuels conflict and reduces governance to money-driven contests, noting that politics is increasingly becoming about money rather than governance, a trend he warned must be reversed.

The monarch acknowledged Governor Otti’s transition from the private sector to public service as a continuation of his proven leadership capacity, noting that such experience strengthens governance outcomes. He also highlighted persistent bureaucratic and institutional barriers affecting national development, urging for more sustained reforms and collective support for reform-minded leaders.

The event also featured a high-level panel session featuring Prof. Ano Anyanwu, Dr. Jumoke Ogunleye, and Comrade Joe Ajaero as discussants

The panel session moderated by Anthony Kila agreed that while reflecting on past mistakes is necessary, it must not become a distraction from current governance responsibilities. The panelists emphasized the need for measurable short-term deliverables within political tenures, insisting that leadership must be judged by tangible outcomes rather than promises.

The panel discussion reinforced Governor Otti’s position that governance should prioritize efficiency, strengthening institutional framework, and direct impact on citizens’ welfare.

In his goodwill message, General Ike Nwachukwu (Rtd), commended Governor Otti’s ongoing transformation of Abia State, urging the citizens to brace up to support the continuity of Otti’s government, stressing that good performance must be rewarded to sustain development gains.

The event attracted several prominent figures including Dr. Uma Eleazu, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (Rtd), Prof. Pat Utomi, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, Chief Ken Ahia, SAN, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Dr. Mrs. Uju Ifejika, Admiral Iwuoha, Chief Okey Nwadinogbe, and the former Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Abia State, Mr Kazie Uko, among other political, academic, and industry leaders.

Nigeria’s Economic Crisis Needs Tough, Structural Reforms, Says Otti is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Sumner Sambo, Director of News, Arise News, has noted that the best political alliances Nigeria has always had is between the North and Southeast.

He said that from the first republic with Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa and in the second republic with Alex Ekwueme, alongside Shehu Shagari, Nigeria had its best political alliances.

Sambo was particularly commenting on Peter Obi alliance with Rabiu Kwankwaso and the coming together of their support groups to work in synergy ahead of the general elections.

He also spoke about the significance of Peter Obi’s recent visit to Bauchi State, which according to him, was massive.

“I was in that company of Obi when we went around the country in 2022. The very first place we went was Bauchi, where we had to even visit the Abubakar Tafa Balewa Mausoleum and some of the visuals about Obi, whenever I take a look at them, I’ll see that very first act that we took going around there, and then see him going there today again, but this time around, not going alone, not going with a few people.

“I mean, when we went there in 2022 Obi was relatively unknown, though the Governor hosted him then, but now Obi was going to the same state, and this time around, going with huge political weight and then very strong politicians. I mean, some very top leaders from the South East. You will see that that delegation was actually very, very strong.

“And I’m thinking that the rhetoric that will come out of that meeting will be something that will help to forge an alliance between the North and the South, especially the South East, build bridges more and then help to reduce this tension that we’ve always had.

“Look, the best political alliances that we’ve always had in the country between the North and south have always been between the North and the South East. That is from the First Republic. There has always been that arrangement. Those are the kind of mature politics that we should be seeing at this moment, not the kind of rhetoric that comes out, and it looks like Nigeria is going to war. And then some people are saying that, look, the south east will never be given opportunity.

“When I saw Peter Obi at the Government House in Bauchi I was really happy, because he was received wholeheartedly.”

North, South-East best political alliance ever – Sambo

England international, Jadon Sancho, has informed Borussia Dortmund that he is ready to rejoin the Bundesliga club once he leaves Manchester United as a free agent this summer.

Sancho had joined the Red Devils from Dortmund back in 2021 for £73 million, but he failed to excel at Old Trafford.

The 26-year-old has spent this season on loan at Premier League side Aston Villa, and United decided earlier this campaign that they would let him leave the club as a free agent at the end of the season.

Man United are desperate to get Sancho’s £300,000-a-week wages off the books, so they won’t be triggering the option to extend his contract by another year just to try and get a fee for him.

However, according to Sky Germany, Sancho has already been in talks with Dortmund, and during their most recent chat, he made it clear he’d love to return to the German club.

The winger also has plenty of offers from clubs around the world, but now the ball’s in Dortmund’s court to decide if they want to push ahead to bring him to Germany.

Dortmund manager, Niko Kovac, has also given the green light for Sancho’s return this summer.

Sancho decides next club to join when he leaves Man Utd this summer

 

President William Ruto has criticised Nigeria’s economic conditions and English usage, pushing back against comments by President Bola Tinubu that Nigerians are better off than citizens of other African countries.

The exchange followed remarks by Tinubu during a visit to Bayelsa State, where he inaugurated key infrastructure projects and defended his administration’s economic policies despite rising fuel prices.

“It is very important that we are honest with our people. Yes, I hear you from various angles of the economy. The fuel price is biting hard, but look around, let us thank God together, that you are better off. Listen to them in Kenya and other African countries and what they are going through. We will not look back. We will continue to fine way to ameliorate the sufferings of the vulnerable,” Tinubu had said.

In a now-viral video response, Ruto dismissed the comparison, pointing to Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges, particularly its persistent power supply issues, and taking a swipe at its English usage.

“Our education is good. Our English is good. We speak the best English in the world. If you listen to a Nigerian speak English, you’ll need a translator. We’ve the best human capital anywhere in the world,” Ruto said, using humour to defend his country’s standing.

The remarks come amid broader economic pressures across Africa, including rising fuel prices linked to global supply disruptions, partly driven by tensions in the Middle East and concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.

The exchange has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many users criticising both the comparison and the tone of the remarks

On X (formerly Twitter), a user, Bureau-39, wrote, “Let’s not drag the whole country into this shit between two incompetent mad corrupt politicians. Both the countries speak good English, Kenya leans toward a clearer, more British-influenced style, while Nigeria mixes it with rich local flair and pidgin that can sound like its own dialect.”

Another commenter, Frank Bryant, questioned the basis of the debate, saying, “Why should Africans be competing over who speaks the colonial masters language very well?”

Xave added, “and you think they would listen to you the only thing Africans are good at is fighting amongst themselves.”

Obiridike commented, “They will do that Ghanaians and South Africans say all Nigerians are thieves and drug peddlers.”

Similarly, Michael James echoed, “They will do that Ghanaians and South Africans say all Nigerians are thieves and drug peddlers.”

While Nigeria remains one of Africa’s largest do oil producers, it continues to grapple with inflation, currency instability and erratic electricity supply.

Kenya, on the other hand, has positioned itself as a regional hub for finance and technology, though it also faces economic challenges, including rising debt and cost-of-living pressures.

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has shifted its presidential primary election to Saturday, May 23, 2026.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Durosinmi Meseko, disclosed this after the 186th meeting of the party’s National Working Committee NWC on Thursday in Abuja. 

Meseko, who was accompanied to the briefing by the party’s National Leader of Persons with Disabilities, Tolu Bankole, said the new schedule supersedes an earlier timetable published only days ago and has been formally communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in line with extant regulations.

Under the revised calendar, the sale of nomination forms begins this Saturday, April 25, and runs until Saturday, May 2, 2026. Completed forms and accompanying documents must be submitted no later than Monday, May 4.

Screening of aspirants for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship will hold between Wednesday, May 6 and Friday, May 8, while Presidential aspirants will face their screening panel on Saturday, May 9. Screening results across all categories will be published on Monday, May 11, with appeals to be heard on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 12 and 13.

Primary elections will then roll out in sequence: House of Representatives on Friday, May 15; Senate on Monday, May 18; State House of Assembly on Wednesday, May 20; Governorship on Thursday, May 21; and the Presidential primary on Saturday, May 23. Post-primary appeal committees will sit in the days immediately following each primary.

The NWC also adopted a dual-mode primary system — direct and consensus — as provided in the Electoral Act, with a significant condition attached.

Aspirants are free to indicate their preference, but where any single aspirant in a consensus arrangement withholds agreement, the process automatically reverts to direct primaries.

Meseko moved to put to rest what he described as a rumour that nomination forms would be restricted to certain individuals. “Nomination forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the All Progressives Congress are open,” he declared. “Nomination forms are open for all members of the All Progressives Congress contesting elections.”

On party membership, he said the updated list of all newly registered APC members has been transmitted to INEC, bringing the party into full conformity with established rules.

Separately, the NWC approved a timetable for ward, local government area, and state congresses in Zamfara State, kicking off Tuesday, April 28, with screening of aspirants for ward executive positions. Ward congresses hold on Thursday, April 30, with LGA and state congresses following in the days after, and all resulting appeals to be resolved by Sunday, May 3.

Meseko said the APC “is now fully ready for the upcoming primary elections.”

 

Justice Lawu Lawan of the Yobe State High Court, Damaturu on Thursday 23, April 2026 convicted and sentenced one Abubakar Sadiq Abubakar to 37 years imprisonment. 

The defendant was arraigned by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a four- count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, criminal misappropriation, forgery and used forged documents as genuine to the tune of N29,175,000. (Twenty Nine Million, One Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Naira).

Count one reads: “That you, Abubakar Sadiq Abubakar, sometimes in 2023, at Potiskum, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud did obtain the gross sum of N29,175,000 (Twenty Nine Million, One Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Naira) from one Ibrahim Zakari Waziri, Shittu Ali Firi and Afreebak Nigeria Limited a company registered in Nigeria under the pretence that the said amount represent payment for the supply of 38.9 metric tons of white sorghum when you represented yourself as a Procurement Officer of Bua Food Plc which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act,2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

Count three reads: ” That you, Abubakar Sadiq Abubakar, sometimes in 2023, at Potiskum, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did fraudulently make a false documents to wit: (1) a BUA Food Plc supply agreement dated 10th December, 2024, in the name of Afreebak Nigeria Limited, Potiskum, Yobe State purportedly issued by BUA Food Plc for the supply of 38.9 metric tons of white Sorghum (2) as official statement purported to emanate from BUA Food Plc dated 7th October, 2014 (3) and acknowledgement of receipt of 38.9 metric tons of white sorghum purported to emanate from BUA Food Plc knowing all to be forged and handed same to Ibrahim Zakari Waziri, Shittu Ali Firi and Afreebak Nigeria Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 364 and punishable under Section 366 of the Penal Code Law Cap 102 Laws of Yobe State.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him by the court, prompting the EFCC to put him to trial.  

In the course of trial, prosecution counsel Mukhtar Ali Ahmed presented five witnesses and tendered several documents as exhibits before the court.

Justice Lawan thereafter, convicted and sentenced Abubakar on count one with an option of fine to the tune of N100,000.00 or serve ten years imprisonment. While on count two the convict is to pay a fine of N5,000 or serve two years imprisonment. 

On count three, the convict is to pay a fine of N100,000 or serve eight years imprisonment while on count four the judge ordered him to pay a fine of N60,000 or serve seven years jail term.

The judge further ordered the convict to pay the sum of N29,175,000 to the petitioner or serve additional ten years imprisonment. 

The convict’s journey to the prison started when he approached the petitioners and introduced himself as a procurement officer of BUA Foods Plc and issued fake receipts to them for the purchase of sorghum from the company. He collected the sum of N29,175,000 from his victims. He was thereafter arrested, prosecuted and convicted.

The governorship ambition of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, received a boost on Thursday following backing from key figures within the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Among those who expressed support were the Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and Senator Ganiyu Solomon, alongside other party stakeholders.

This came during a series of consultation visits by Hamzat to party leaders across the state.

He first visited the APC secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, where he met with Ojelabi and members of the State Working Committee.

He also held separate consultations with Obasa and Solomon at their residences.

Speaking during the engagements, Hamzat outlined his vision for Lagos, emphasising the strategic importance of the state to national stability and development.

“The truth of the matter is that if Lagos fails, Nigeria will have problems and we must not fail.

“We must ensure what happened in 2023 should not happen again in 2027. We must ensure a resounding victory for our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the next election and ensure a similar victory for APC in Lagos.

“Our opponents are trying to de-market our election, simply because they cannot win. This is why they’re doing everything possible to disapprove of the good things that have been done by the Tinubu administration,” he said.

In his response, Ojelabi assured Hamzat of the party’s backing, expressing confidence in his leadership qualities.

“We will support you, we trust you and we are very confident of your competency and humility,” he stated.

At a separate meeting hosted by Obasa, former Minister Musiliu Obanikoro also commended Hamzat, describing him as capable of sustaining Lagos’ growth trajectory.

“Lagos must not decline, but must grow higher and higher. With Dr Hamzat at the helm, Lagos will continue to soar,” Obanikoro said.

Obasa, in his remarks, described Hamzat’s candidacy as settled, stating that his emergence had effectively been “sealed.”

Similarly, Solomon urged residents of Mushin to participate actively in the electoral process, stressing that voting remains the clearest demonstration of loyalty to the party and its leadership.

Lagos 2027: Hamzat’s governorship bid gains momentum as Ojelabi, Obasa, others declare support

The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Thursday, April 23, 2026, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with a prosecution witness narrating how huge cash lodgments were converted to dollars and handed over to a key associate.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Bello on an alleged money laundering amounting to ₦80,246,470,088.88.

Testifying, the witness, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator and Prosecution Witness 12, PW12, while being led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, told the court that several cash deposits were made on different dates into the account of E-Traders International Limited by one Abba Adaudu.

“Yes, my lord, there are more cash deposit transactions on different days into E-Traders International Limited,” the witness stated when asked to confirm whether such deposits extended beyond previously identified dates.

Referring to Exhibit 33(6), Abdullahi confirmed that there were cash inflows on March 10 and 11, 2022, but clarified discrepancies in the names of depositors appearing on the transaction records.

“My lord, I need to explain that the names indicated in the cash deposits—Abdullahi Jamilu, Jamil Abdullahi, and Jamilu Abdullahi—were used as narration. However, I was not the one who made the cash deposits at the Lokoja branch,” he said.

The witness further identified Abba Adaudu as the depositor in transactions dated October 8 and 11, 2021, maintaining that all dealings were conducted directly with him.

“Abba Adaudu, my lord. In all these transactions, I dealt with Abba Adaudu,” he said.

Abdullahi disclosed that upon receiving the cash lodgment, he converted the naira sums into United States dollars and handed them over to Adaudu.

“I converted them into US dollars and handed them over to Abba Adaudu,” he said.

While examining Exhibit 37, relating to Kunfayakun Global Limited—his company—the witness confirmed receiving ₦100 million and ₦400 million on December 15 and 17, 2021 respectively, from a firm identified as Keyless Nature Limited, which he said belonged to Adaudu.

“The transfers were for dollar purchase. Upon receipt, we agreed on the rate, I converted the funds and handed the dollars over to Abba Adaudu,” he explained.

The witness further testified that on February 18, 2022, he received ₦600 million in six tranches into the account of Ejadams Essence Limited, also allegedly linked to Adaudu, for the purpose of purchasing dollars. Additionally, he confirmed receiving ₦325 million on February 21, 2022, via RTGS for the same purpose.

According to him, the physical handover of the dollars took place either at his office or that of Adaudu, located in Area 8, Abuja.

“What I can recall is that he always comes to my office to pick up the dollars, my lord,” he said.

Proceedings were, however, briefly stalled following an objection by defence counsel, J. B. Daudu SAN, who argued that the prosecution was attempting to contradict the witness without first declaring him hostile.

“If the witness wants to contradict himself, he should be declared a hostile witness,” Daudu submitted.

In response, Pinheiro maintained that the witness had been consistent in his testimony, noting that his recollection of events spanning several years could not be construed as contradiction.

“The witness was very unequivocal and unambiguous… His statement reflects his recollection of transactions that occurred about five years ago,” he argued, citing relevant provisions of the Evidence Act.

After listening to arguments from both parties, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter till April 24, 2026, for ruling on the objection and continuation of trial.