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Civil servants in the employ of the Enugu State government, weekend, begged the state to provide them with laptops to enable them to contribute to the digitisation of the state operations.

The selected civil servants, numbering 675, are those participating in the ongoing Digital Literacy Training in the state. The event, tagged “Digital Literacy Training for Civil Servants 2026”, will last for two weeks.

THE WHISTLER reports that the participants at the workshop are junior and senior officers drawn from various ministries, departments and agencies of the state government.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Economy, Hon Ndubuisi Ede, disclosed that the training is the initiative of Gov Peter Mbah to digitize Enugu State Civil Service “by upgrading the workers’ computer capacity to enable them to execute their duties and obligations with high degree of professionalism”.

Pastor Chukwu Ogbonna, from the Office of the Surveyor General of the state, lauded Gov Mba for the training, adding that, “the provision of the laptops will go a long way to improve workers’ productivity and quality service delivery”. He appealed to the governor “to respond urgently to this noble request of the trainees”.

Mrs Jovita Oha, a trainee, stated that training workers on computer literacy without providing them with individual laptops “is like sending trained farmers to farm without implements”. She stressed that computers “are veritable electronic tools workers deserve to key into the state’s e-governance agenda”.

A computer trainer, Miracle Joseph, appreciated the trainees for their commitment and cooperation, assuring them that the digital knowledge they gathered would make their work more efficient.

Enugu Civil Servants Demand Computers To Enhance E-Governance is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A massive traffic gridlock has crippled movement along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leaving motorists stranded for several hours and disrupting travel on the busy route. Nigerian comedian Bayegun Oluwatoyin, popularly known as Woli Arole, who was among those caught in the congestion raised concerns over the situation in a video shared on Facebook on Saturday. He […]

The post VIDEO: Massive gridlock hits Lagos-Ibadan Expressway appeared first on Tribune Online.

Former Kwara United captain Kabiru Muhammad is on the verge of sealing a move to Ranchers Bees ahead of the 2026-27 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season.

Mohammed left Kwara United at the end of his three-and-a-half-year spell with the club.

Ranchers Bees are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.

The Kaduna-based side see Muhammad as a key addition to shore up their defence.

Mohammed is expected to bring NPFL experience and leadership to the Bees. 

Talks between Muhammad’s representatives and Ranchers Bees is reported to be progressing well. Both parties are close to agreeing terms on a deal.

NPFL: Kabiru Muhammad nears Ranchers Bees move

Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Igboho, has issued a two-hour ultimatum to Fulani leaders to release the corpse of a pregnant woman who was kidnapped.

Suspected Fulani gunmen had kidnapped a pregnant woman and her sibling in the middle of the night in the Igboho area of Oyo State.

The gunmen were said to have demanded a ransom of N300 million but later reduced it to N150 million.

However, Igboho declared that the ransom should be paid by Fulani leaders in Igboho town, stressing that the victims will never pay the money.

Addressing Fulani leaders in Igboho Town, the Yoruba nation agitator, who spoke in Yoruba said: “You can’t be kidnapping in my father’s land and expect me to keep quiet, I’m an original indigene of Igboho land.

“You kidnapped a pregnant woman, and the person who brought the ransom, you killed him and killed the pregnant woman, for what? In Igboho? You people are not even afraid of me in my father’s land?

“This should be the last and it must end, my father has urged me to address you people patiently. What I’m fighting in other people’s land, you can’t come here and be doing it in my father’s land.

“You people kidnapped a pregnant woman, killed the person that brought the ransom and left one person, you are not even afraid of God, it’s your boys that did the job.

“Since you have been kidnapping here, have they ever abducted Fulani? No, it’s the Yorubas they have been kidnapping and it should be like that. This should be the last, and let us stay in harmony.

“I give you people two hours to release the woman, her children, and her sibling who were kidnapped in the middle of the night. If I don’t see them within the next two hours, we will face each other.

“When we first tracked that number, it led us to Alhaji’s residence and they removed them from there in the middle of the night to Bani’s compound, they took them to Baale’s compound, where they currently are.

“We don’t have any ransom to pay, you Fulanis should raise that ransom among yourselves and pay because we don’t have such money to pay. They started from N300 million and brought it down to N150 million.

“Fulanis should contribute the ransom and get the woman, children and her sibling released. If they are killed, we will have a problem.”

Watch video

Release kidnapped pregnant woman in two hours – Sunday Igboho to Fulani leaders

The Forum of Governing Council Members in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions (FOGOCOM) has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, citing what it described as unprecedented support for the country’s tertiary education sector under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The endorsement was announced on Saturday during a national press conference in Abuja by […]

The post 2027: Tertiary institution governing councils endorse Tinubu appeared first on Tribune Online.

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Otunba Peter Obafemi, has dismissed rumors about his withdrawal from the race, affirming that he is fully committed to remaining on the ballot and is determined to win. Obafemi made this clarification on Saturday after casting his vote at Ikole Ward 4, Polling Unit 16, in […]

The post EkitiDecides2026: SDP candidate denies stepping down, laments vote buying appeared first on Tribune Online.

Heavy downpour has disrupted the ongoing senatorial bye-election in Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State.

The rain started at about 3pm, and has trapped some eligible voters who are yet to vote and not within the voting locales.

“I was at my Ugwu Nkwo polling unit early, but voting materials hadn’t arrived then,” explains Charity, a resident of Nru in Nsukka LGA. “I then returned home. I wanted to rush back, but the rain started. I won’t go back again. Goodluck to whoever wins. I did my best.”

Monica Onah said the rain disrupted voting activities at her unit. “When it started, we moved to an enclosure, but already, our queue was disorganized. But the main thing that forced me to leave was to take care of my household. Our roof is leaking, and I should be home to avoid damage in my house.”

Meanwhile, a resident of Ibagwa in Igboeze South LGA, Chika Ojobo, has called for the extension of the exercise beyond Saturday to avoid disenfranchising eligible voters.

“Electoral materials did not arrive early at some units, especially in Udenu,” he explains. “With the tensity of this rain, the downpour will not end too soon. Many people haven’t voted. The best is to extend the voting time beyond today. The fault is partly from INEC for not commencing the voting as stipulated in its timetable.”

Meanwhile, the state police command says the exercise has been peaceful. The state Commissioner of Police, CP Bitrus Giwa, while touring the affected areas, said, “So far, the election process has remained peaceful and orderly, with no reported security breaches or significant complaints. Security agencies continue to maintain a strong presence across the senatorial district to ensure a safe, free, fair, and credible electoral process.”

THE WHISTLER reports that the bye-election followed the death of erstwhile Senator Okey Ezea past year.

Rain Disrupts Enugu Senatorial Bye-Election is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The EFCC operatives had reportedly arrived at the centre as part of efforts to monitor and curb…

The post VIDEO: Ekiti voters chase EFCC operatives from polling unit appeared first on Tribune Online.

The traditional institution in Abia State has thrown its weight behind Governor Alex Otti for a second term in office, with over 500 traditional rulers across the state unanimously endorsing him as their preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

The endorsement followed a statewide sensitisation and mobilisation tour conducted by the enlarged Executive Committee of the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, which included principal officers and chairmen of the 17 Local Government Traditional Rulers Councils.

The monarchs said the exercise was aimed at consulting traditional rulers across the state while encouraging grassroots participation in the ongoing voter registration process and the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Announcing the decision on behalf of the council, the Chairman of the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Eze Dr. Linus Nto Mba, said the endorsement was the outcome of extensive consultations and a collective assessment of the governor’s performance over the last three years.

“The over 500 Traditional Rulers in Abia State have unanimously endorsed and adopted Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, the incumbent Governor of Abia State, as our sole candidate for the 2027 Governorship election,” he stated.

According to him, the decision reflects the confidence traditional rulers have in the governor’s leadership and the visible transformation witnessed across the state since he assumed office.

“In our collective assessment, we have seen the remarkable turnaround and transformational achievements recorded under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti over the past three years as the basis for our endorsement and continued support,” Eze Mba said.

The council chairman noted that the endorsement was formally conveyed on behalf of all traditional rulers in the state and was supported by the council’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd deputy chairmen.

In a press release by the Monarchs on Saturday, they urged eligible citizens to participate actively in the electoral process by registering and obtaining their PVCs, stressing that voter participation remains critical to sustaining democratic governance.

They further cautioned political actors against actions capable of undermining the democratic process.

“We wish to caution individuals aspiring to the office of Governor who may contemplate employing unlawful or unconventional means to influence the electoral process to desist from such actions and respect the democratic will of the people of Abia State,” the statement reads.

The endorsement is expected to further strengthen Governor Otti’s political standing ahead of the 2027 governorship election, as traditional rulers remain influential stakeholders in grassroots mobilisation and community development across the state.

The statement was jointly signed by the State Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Eze Dr. Linus Nto Mba, alongside the 1st Deputy Chairman, HRM Eze Nelson Nmerengwa, 2nd Deputy Chairman, HRM Eze Franklin Nwosu, and 3rd Deputy Chairman, HRM Eze Uwakwe Ukaegbu.

Abia Traditional Rulers Endorse Otti For 2027, Hail Development Strides is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Ekiti Renaissance Movement (ERM), a group led by Isaac Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, has alleged incidents of vote buying, voter intimidation and other electoral irregularities in parts of Ekiti State during the ongoing governorship election.

In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its Team Lead, Olanrewaju Ojuuoluwa, the group said reports from its Electoral Observatory Team indicated incidents capable of undermining the credibility of the election in several polling units across the state.

According to the statement, the alleged incidents were reported in Ido-Osi Local Government Area, Unit 14; Ilogbo Ward 5; Ijero Local Government Area, Ward A Unit 4; and Ado Local Government Area, Ward 1, Idofin Unit, among other locations.

“The Ekiti Renaissance Movement (ERM) has expressed serious concern over reports of alleged electoral irregularities emerging from different parts of Ekiti State during the ongoing electoral process,” the statement read.

It added, “From the beginning of this electoral journey, the Movement has consistently advocated for a peaceful, transparent, and credible process where every citizen is allowed to freely exercise their democratic rights without intimidation, inducement, or interference.”

The group said it had received reports and observations from some polling locations that raised concerns about activities capable of compromising the credibility of the election.

“Reports and observations received from some polling locations have raised concerns about activities capable of undermining the credibility of the exercise,” the statement said.

ERM maintained that elections should be decided by the free choice of voters rather than practices that could influence or suppress the electorate.

“The Movement believes that democracy is strengthened when political actors compete based on ideas, achievements, and the confidence of the electorate, rather than through actions that may compromise the will of the people,” it stated.

The organisation called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and other stakeholders to take urgent steps to protect the integrity of the election and investigate all reported incidents.

“The ERM therefore calls on all relevant stakeholders, including electoral authorities, security agencies, political actors, and citizens, to take every necessary step to ensure that the integrity of the process is protected and that all reports of irregularities are properly investigated,” the statement added.

It further disclosed that its Electoral Observatory Team would continue monitoring the election through peaceful observation and documentation.

“The Movement’s Electoral Observatory Team remains committed to its responsibility of peaceful observation, responsible documentation, and preservation of credible information that may assist in ensuring accountability,” the statement said.

The group also appealed to residents to remain peaceful throughout the electoral process.

“We urge all citizens to remain calm, law-abiding, and committed to the principles of democracy. The power of the people lies not only in casting their votes but also in ensuring that their choices are respected,” it stated.

ERM reaffirmed its commitment to promoting good governance, accountability and democratic values, saying it would continue to advocate for an electoral process that reflects the genuine aspirations of the people of Ekiti State.

Ekiti Election: Fayose Group Alleges Vote Buying, Intimidation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper