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Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has said he will not tolerate any act capable of threatening peace in the state ahead of the forthcoming primary elections, warning politicians and their supporters against violence.

In a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, the governor stated that the decision followed disagreements among some aspirants despite efforts by the APC Elders’ Committee and the party’s State Executive Committee to build consensus around endorsed candidates.

The governor explained that some weeks ago, with the support of the APC Elders’ Committee and the State Executive Committee, members of the APC made spirited attempt to explore the consensus option.

Former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, has rejected the consensus arrangement which favoured Dr Jamilu Isiyaku Gwamna and the Senator representing Gombe Central District, Muhammadu Danjuma Goje, and protested the arrangement that ousted him after serving for 16 years.

Governor Yahaya said, “The party will now proceed with direct primaries in accordance with Section 87(2) of the Electoral Act.”

The governor, who said he would enter the final year of his administration on 29 May, said that preserving peace and stability in the State remains his top priority as political activities intensify.

Yahaya said the conduct of party primaries was critical because of its implications for democracy, social cohesion and internal stability in the state, warning that security agencies will not tolerate attempts by politicians or their supporters to exploit the primaries to cause trouble.

He stated that there are unpatriotic politicians and conflict entrepreneurs who seek to hide behind the upcoming primary elections to stoke chaos and conflict.

The governor further warned that anyone found culpable in disrupting public peace before, during or after the primaries will face the full weight of the law, assuring that anybody found wanting will not go unpunished.

The governor called on political stakeholders to put the interest of the State above personal ambitions, reminding residents that Gombe has remained relatively peaceful since its creation in 1996, despite security challenges confronting parts of the North-East.

APC primaries:  Gov Yahaya warns politicians against violence in Gombe 

Suspected kidnappers have reportedly killed two customs officers during confrontation with suspected bandits, known as Lakurawa terrorists, in Kebbi State.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, while disclosing this at the fourth biennial international conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, said the incident occurred on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 in a broad daylight.

He Identified the slain operatives as Assistant Superintendent of Customs, Bamigboye and Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Dom, adding that the attackers reportedly invaded two security check points in the Bagudu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The Customs chief described the incident as deeply painful, noting that operatives of the service have continued to play frontline roles in security operations alongside the military.

“This morning, two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service paid the supreme sacrifice while warding off threats from Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi.

“Apart from the military, the Nigeria Customs Service remains the last shield in several of these border communities,” Adeniyi said.

He assured that the deaths of the officers would not weaken the resolve of the service in confronting criminal networks operating around Nigeria’s borders.

Customs CG laments as suspected terrorists kill two officers in Kebbi

Healthy yam stored correctly in a cool, dry, and ventilated environment can last several months, often until August or longer depending on the variety and storage conditions.

The post Best ways to store yam tubers so they don’t rot before August appeared first on Tribune Online.

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has dismissed the emerging opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying the politicians involved are driven more by a “hunger for power” than by alternative ideas for governance.

Oshiomhole spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday while defending President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms and responding to criticism of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration over worsening economic hardship.

The former APC national chairman argued that many opposition figures now criticising the Tinubu government had campaigned on the same economic reforms during the 2023 presidential election.

“Playback your coverage of the 2023 election and the interviews with all the presidential candidates, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Bola Tinubu and Kwankwaso. They all said they would remove the subsidy,” Oshiomhole said.

He acknowledged that the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira had contributed to inflation and rising living costs, but insisted the reforms were necessary because the previous subsidy regime had become unsustainable and corrupt.

“You said that because the subsidy was removed, prices skyrocketed. You are talking to the wrong person because when I was fighting against the removal of subsidy, that was my fear,” he said.

“But when subsidies became a cover for stealing in high places, I didn’t think I should be a tool to provide a facade for people to continue to bleed the economy dry.”

Oshiomhole challenged opposition leaders to openly state whether they would reverse Tinubu’s policies if elected in 2027.

“Ask Atiku one by one: will you restore the subsidy? Ask Amaechi, will you restore the subsidy? Ask whether they will create two exchange-rate regimes again as was the case before,” he stated.

The senator maintained that President Tinubu was taking difficult but necessary decisions to rebuild the economy.

“President Tinubu, like an engineer, has gone into very difficult terrain to re-engineer the Nigerian economy,” he said.

According to him, criticism from the opposition lacked substance because many of those now campaigning against the APC had no fundamentally different economic agenda.

Oshiomhole said the only thing seemingly uniting the opposition coalition was a desire to take power from the ruling party.

“What they have in common is that they are hungry for power,” he declared.

He specifically referenced former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who recently admitted being “hungry” during a public appearance.

“The only person who almost spoke the truth was Amaechi, who said he was hungry, but he did not define the nature of his hunger,” Oshiomhole said sarcastically.

The senator also dismissed concerns that the APC was threatened by the coalition being built around opposition figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and Amaechi.

“You mean APC would be worried about which of the parties now?” he asked.

He argued that the opposition parties were already divided and attacking one another despite attempts at alliance-building.

“I saw Atiku attacking Obi. I saw Obi attacking Amaechi. I saw Amaechi saying Obi is a regional player,” he said.

Oshiomhole, however, excluded former President Goodluck Jonathan from his criticism, describing him as “a complete gentleman” for conceding defeat in the 2015 presidential election.

“That is a gentleman who conceded defeat and said Nigerian blood is not worth his ambition,” he added.

During the interview, Oshiomhole also defended the APC government against accusations that it had failed Nigerians economically since taking office.

The lawmaker insisted that Tinubu was implementing reforms that previous administrations avoided due to political considerations.

He further argued that economic hardship alone should not automatically disqualify the APC from seeking re-election in 2027.

“Even in a regular university, if a student fails and feels unfairly failed, he can ask for a remark,” he said while defending the administration’s performance.

The former labour leader also accused some critics of ignoring the long-term objectives of the reforms while focusing only on immediate hardships.

He maintained that the administration remained committed to restructuring the economy despite mounting public dissatisfaction over inflation, rising food prices and currency instability.

Opposition United By Hunger For Power, Not Ideas – Oshiomhole is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is no longer a distant or abstract scientific concern; it is a rapidly escalating global health emergency that threatens to undermine decades of medical progress. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve in ways that render medicines ineffective, making once-treatable infections harder, and sometimes impossible to cure. The World Health […]

The post How gender inequality, violence deepen global antimicrobial resistance crisis  appeared first on Tribune Online.

… Medicine, Law, Sciences Oversubscribed As Over 500,000 Seek Placement

… Education, Agriculture Struggle With Weak Candidate Demand

As of May 11, 2026, Nigeria’s 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) admission cycle has placed 1,009,736 candidates across tertiary institutions, but 706,418 spaces remain vacant, leaving 41.16 percent of the total 1,716,154 quota unused.

The figures, released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), show a stark contrast between high-demand professional courses and low uptake in teacher education, agriculture and basic sciences.

Degree-awarding institutions recorded the highest uptake, admitting 785,180 candidates out of 1,060,919 spaces, which is 74.01 percent, leaving 25.99 percent unfilled.

National Diploma programmes followed with 198,760 admissions against a quota of 409,229, or 48.57 percent, leaving 51.43 percent vacant.

The gap is widest in National Certificate of Education (NCE) and National Innovation Diploma (NID) categories.

Colleges of Education admitted only 24,736 candidates out of 234,981, representing 10.53 percent, while Innovative Enterprise Institutions admitted 1,060 out of 11,025, or 9.61 percent, leaving 90.39 percent of their quota unused.

The faculty-level breakdown for degree programmes reveals why the system remains strained despite available spaces.

Medicine, Pharmacy and Health Sciences attracted 433,298 applications for 148,486 spaces, but admitted 120,241 candidates, leaving 19.02 percent of the quota unused.

Sciences drew 323,828 applications for 239,082 spaces and admitted 181,799, leaving 23.96 percent vacant. Engineering, Technology and Environment had 161,501 applications for 111,422 spaces and admitted 86,358, leaving 22.49 percent unused.

Social Sciences recorded 256,364 applications for 161,337 spaces with 120,414 admissions and 25 percent of the quota unfilled.

Administration saw 127,556 applications for 70,478 spaces and admitted 55,338, leaving 21.48 percent vacant. Arts and Humanities attracted 106,128 applications for 75,369 spaces and admitted 56,491, leaving 25.05 percent unused.

Agriculture had 42,809 applications for 44,553 spaces and admitted 32,805, leaving 26.37 percent vacant. Education, with the largest quota at 198,661, received 146,418 applications and admitted 122,064 candidates, leaving 38.56 percent unused.

Law had the most disproportionate demand, with 58,033 applications for 10,874 spaces, but only 9,724 admissions, leaving 10.58 percent of the quota unfilled.

For NCE programmes, Arts courses admitted 9,792 candidates while Sciences admitted 5,049.

In ND programmes, Technology courses accounted for 137,040 admissions compared to 72,240 in Non-Technology courses.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ish-aq Oloyede during the recent JAMB Policy Meeting explained that the persistent vacancies are driven by candidate rigidity in programme choice, particularly for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery ( MBBS) Nursing, Law and other professional degrees.

Many applicants also present mismatched demand and supply, lack interest in existing vacancies in NCE, Education, Agriculture and Basic Sciences, and include trial candidates without O’Level results or those awaiting results.

Others are underage, have wrong O’Level subject combinations, low post-UTME scores, UTME combination deficiencies, or fail to accept offers due to inflexibility.

Absence from post-UTME screening and mismatch of catchment institutions further contribute to the gap.

In a bid to address the shortfall in teacher education and agriculture, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa that UTME requirement has been abolished for NCE programmes in Colleges of Education and for ND Non-Technology Agriculture and Agriculture-related programmes in Polytechnics and Colleges of Agriculture nationwide.

The decision followed a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and is aimed at expanding access, strengthening teacher education and agricultural manpower, and reducing the number of out-of-school adolescents.

Under the new policy, candidates will still obtain the JAMB application form and process admissions through the JAMB platform and CAPS.

All admissions must be conducted strictly through CAPS, and existing minimum admission requirements remain unchanged.

Applicants must upload their O’Level results on the JAMB portal, and admission letters for the affected programmes will continue to be issued exclusively by JAMB after verification.

While the data underscores a system where competition is fierce for a few courses while thousands of spaces in critical areas remain empty, the Education minister expressed hope that with the policy shift now in effect, more candidates will take up places in education and agriculture.

JAMB Admission Paradox: 706,418 Spaces Empty Amid Rush For Elite Courses is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, and ex-presidential adviser, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, have described Governor Biodun Oyebanji as a performer and builder of a modern Ekiti, who deserves to be re-elected for a second term. They spoke on Wednesday during the final leg of Oyebanji’s campaign tour of the 16 local government areas […]

The post Ekiti guber: Fayose, Ojudu describe Oyebanji as a builder of modern Ekiti appeared first on Tribune Online.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest edition in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 national teams competing across North America from June 11 to July 19.

Co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the month-long event will culminate in the final at the New York/New Jersey venue, with matches staged in major cities including Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City and Monterrey and others. 11 major US cities, two Canadian cities and three Mexican cities will host football fans

Spanning an entire continent, the tournament is expected to draw massive global crowds, from packed stadiums in the United States to key fixtures across Canada and Mexico.

US says international fans planning to attend will need to complete all necessary travel and visa requirements to be part of what is billed as a record-breaking global spectacle.

Nigeria will not be participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026 after losing out to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in qualification, and a check by our correspondent on Thursday on the U.S. Department of State website further shows that Nigerians—alongside nationals of some other countries—are subject to limited entry into the United States under Presidential Proclamation 10998, a restriction in effect since January 1, 2026.

In February, the Federal Government stated that it was engaging the United States through diplomatic channels to seek Nigeria’s removal from the list of countries affected by Washington’s recent immigrant visa restrictions.

Three months later, there has been no visible change in the status of the policy as the tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11, our correspondent reports.

This means sports writers and football fans may face constraints but can still apply for visas under specified conditions, although eligibility for issuance or admission is not guaranteed, while checks on countries such as Ghana returned different, more detailed travel guidance.

“This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase the beauty and the greatness of America. And we can’t wait to welcome soccer fans from all over the globe,” President of the United States, Donald Trump, was quoted to have said.

As obtained from the website, here are all you need to know:

Step-by-Step Visa and Travel Requirements for World Cup Fans

If you need a U.S. visa and don’t have one yet, NOW is the time to apply! The Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and its citizens — as well as all of the teams and fans participating in FIFA World Cup 2026 events — by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.

If you’re not sure what travel documents you need to visit the United States, click on the country-specific information below.

Please click on your country here: FIFA World Cup 2026™ Visas – United States Department of State

Foreign travelers planning to visit the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ should ensure they have the correct travel documents:

All visitors traveling to the United States are required to be in possession of passports that are valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay in the United States, unless they are a citizen of an exempt country. For more details, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Canadian and Bermudan passport holders do not require any additional authorisation to seek entry into the United States as tourists.

Foreign visitors from any of the 42 countries who participate in the Visa Waiver Programme can apply using the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).

Fans from all other countries are required to have a valid U.S. visitor visa (B1/B2) to travel to the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

The FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS) gives those who purchase FIFA World Cup 2026™ tickets directly from FIFA and who opt in to FIFA PASS the chance to interview for a B1/B2 visitor visa before the tournament begins. Additional information on FIFA PASS and answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.

FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS)

The FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS) gives those who purchase FIFA World Cup 2026™ tickets directly from FIFA and who opt in to FIFA PASS the chance to interview for a B1/B2 visitor visa before the tournament begins.  Here’s how FIFA PASS works:

Step 1: Log into your FIFA.com* account and submit the FIFA PASS opt in form.

Step 2: Complete the visa application process (you can get started here):

Select your country of nationality or residence where you’ll be applying;

Fill out the online DS-160 visa application form, upload a current photo and pay the visa fee.

Step 3: Schedule your visa interview appointment. If asked if you’re a FIFA ticket holder, be sure to answer “Yes.”

If the information you entered in the FIFA PASS opt in form matches your visa application information, you’ll get access to a FIFA PASS Appointment!

*If you received your ticket via FIFA’s Ticket Transfer feature, you must create a FIFA ticketing account (if you do not already have one), agree to all applicable terms and conditions, and accept the transfer before you can submit the FIFA PASS opt in form.

Scheduling an interview appointment via FIFA PASS does not guarantee the visa will be issued. Like all visa applicants, ticket holders must undergo thorough screening and must demonstrate they qualify for a visa.

The prices of rams, foodstuffs, and other essential commodities have suddenly skyrocketed as Muslims prepare for celebrations across the country.

Muslims are preparing for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, during which animal sacrifices are performed as part of the religious rites.

In Kaduna State, several markets visited during the survey showed that although there were many rams, goats, and chickens for sale, prices had increased beyond expectations. However, the prices of these animals differ according to size, ad many prospective buyers complained about the hike in prices.

For example, rams in some markets, such as the Central Market, are priced between N300,000 and N1 million, depending on their sizes.

Although Muslims sometimes use chickens when they cannot afford to buy rams, the prices of chickens have also risen marginally. A three-month-old chicken now sells for between N20,000 and N30,000, while a bag of rice rose to N80,000 as of Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

In an interview, Alhaji Bulama, Senior Manager of the Rams Sellers Association, said the prices increased due to the shortage of rams, coupled with insecurity that has left many families homeless across the country.

“Many families, especially those rearing animals in local villages, have deserted their homes due to insurgent attacks. They are not rearing animals anymore. Only a few people are rearing animals nowadays. Again, the cost of feeding these animals is extremely high,” he said.

Also, Mallam Musa Adamu, who sells various animals at Television Market, said the cost of transporting the animals is extremely high, which has necessitated the increase in prices.

“Since insecurity has continued  across the Northern region, and residents are unable to rear household animals, we buy these animals and transport them from far distances. The cost of transportation, added to the selling price, makes them expensive,” he said.

However, Dr. Musa, who has vowed to slaughter a ram this season, said he must buy one no matter the cost, adding that “as Muslims, slaughtering an animal is a necessity, though not compulsory. It depends on the size of your pocket,” he said.

“I have made up my mind to slaughter a ram this season, no matter the cost, because I planned for it a long time ago.

“I advise all our Muslim brothers to be cautious during the celebration and pay only for what they can afford. They should not borrow money to celebrate. Sallah is a yearly celebration; if they cannot afford it this year, maybe they will be able to in the years to come.”

Eid-el-Kabir: Prices of rams, other commodities skyrocket as Muslims prepare for celebrations

 

Mashelia Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank Plc, says the bank filed a suspicious transaction report (STR) in respect to the transactions on an account linked to Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice. 

Bata appeared before the federal high court in Abuja on Wednesday in the ongoing trial of Malami, his wife, and son

The defendants are being tried on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of N8.7 billion. They had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to a statement released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the compliance officer was cross-examined by Adebayo Adedeji, counsel to the defendants

Under cross-examination, the witness admitted that the deposits in the account statements complied with the guidelines of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

However, the compliance officer said the bank “had to file a suspicious transaction report” in respect of the deposits.

During the proceedings, Jibrin Okutepa, EFCC counsel, asked the witness to explain the meaning of a suspicious transaction report.

But Adedeji opposed the question, arguing that there is no ambiguity in the term.

Responding, Okutepa said section 215(3) of the Evidence Act did not preclude him from re-examining the witness while urging the court to allow the question for proper explanation.

Joyce Abdulmalik, the presiding judge, overruled the defence and permitted the witness to answer the question.

The witness told the court that when fund deposits come in a repetitive pattern, banks are required to report to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

“Any deposition of funds seen in a pattern or repetitive, you must escalate it to the NFIU,” he said.

After the testimony, the compliance officer was discharged from the witness box, while the judge adjourned the case to May 22 for continuation of trial.