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The Federal Government has banned the use of the prefix ‘Dr’ by honorary degree holders in official, academic or professional contexts.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa announced this on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while briefing State House correspondents after a Federal Executive Council meeting.

According to him, “The recent trend we’ve seen with the award of honorary degrees has revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege.

“We’ve seen awards being used for political patronage, for financial gain, as well as the conferral of awards on serving public officials, which, as part of the ethics of honorary degree awards, should not happen.”

Under the new directive, individuals who receive honorary degrees will no longer be permitted to use the title ‘Dr’ before their names.

Instead, they are required to state the full honorary designation after their names.

BREAKING: Nigerian Govt bans honorary degree holders from using ‘Dr’ title

A gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State, Emmanuel Bwacha, has alleged that the state is grappling with unprecedented corruption under the current administration, despite what he described as a sharp increase in federal allocations over the past three years.

He described the condition of the state as deteriorating, likening it to “a fish that jumped from the frying pan into the fire,” an expression he used to portray what he called a decline in infrastructure and basic services.

According to him, the volume of federal allocations received by the state in the last three years exceeds what was obtained during the previous eight years, yet there are no visible projects to justify the funds.

“Despite the huge federal allocations received in the last three years, there is nothing to show for it. No single tangible infrastructural project has been commissioned or is ongoing,” Bwacha said.

The senator also compared the current administration with previous governments, pointing to projects carried out under former governors such as Jolly Nyame, Danbaba Suntai, and Darius Ishaku.

He cited infrastructure including the Jolly Nyame Stadium, hospitals, Taraba State University, and road networks, among others, as evidence of development achieved by past administrations.

Bwacha further accused the current leadership of failing to provide transparency in the management of the state’s finances, particularly regarding monthly income and expenditure.

He called on residents of Taraba state to support his governorship ambition, assuring that his administration would reposition the state and deliver development within months of assuming office if elected.

Bwacha made the allegation on Tuesday in Jalingo while receiving his PDP governorship nomination form, which was procured and presented to him by a group of youths from across the state.

No visible project to justify huge allocations – Bwacha alleges rising corruption in Taraba

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday challenged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, faction led by Tanimu Turaki to open an official party bank account and secretariat if they truly believe they control the opposition party’s structure.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike accused some party leaders of misleading Nigerians and violating court judgments in the lingering leadership crisis rocking the PDP.

The former Rivers State governor insisted that the faction opposing the party’s recognised leadership lacked legal standing and could not lawfully operate the affairs of the party.

“You cannot continue to deceive Nigerians. If they are sure they are the authentic leadership of the PDP, let them open an official PDP account and tell party members to pay nomination fees into it,” Wike said.

He specifically challenged Taminu Turaki, SAN, and other leaders of the rival camp to test their claims by opening a bank account in the name of the PDP.

“Let Turaki, as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, open an account for the PDP. Let them announce it publicly for members who want to contest elections. That day, you will see what will happen,” he stated.

Wike argued that no bank would recognise such an account because the faction allegedly lacks the legally recognised party structure and documentation required to operate.

“That bank will be in trouble because to open such an account, you must provide the party’s authentic documents and recognised leadership. Who has those documents?” he queried.

The FCT minister also warned against attempts to establish what he described as illegal party offices, vowing that any action capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in Abuja would not be tolerated.

“If anybody goes ahead to open an illegal office in the name of the PDP in Abuja, I will seal it. I will not allow any breach of peace because my duty is to maintain law and order in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

Wike maintained that court judgments had already settled the dispute over the PDP leadership and convention issues, accusing some actors of twisting judicial pronouncements for political convenience.

“People should stop deceiving Nigerians. The judgments are clear. You cannot ignore court decisions and begin to create parallel structures,” he added.

The minister further dismissed claims that the Supreme Court ruling favoured the rival faction, insisting that the legal processes and decisions available supported his position and that of the recognised party leadership.

According to him, attempts to reinterpret the judgments outside the established legal context were aimed at confusing party members and the public.

Wike said he remained a committed member of the PDP and was only defending what he described as constitutional order and due process within the party.

PDP has remained embroiled in internal leadership disputes following disagreements over the party’s convention, caretaker arrangements and recognition of key national officers ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Open bank account in PDP name, see what will happen – Wike dares Turaki faction

A House of Representatives member, Afam Ogene, says former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, should be applauded for his recent political move.

Ogene made this statement on Wednesday on ‘Sunrise Daily’, a programme on Channels Television.

DAILY POST recalls that Obi alongside former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, on Sunday dumped the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

Airing his own opinion, the lawmaker said, “I thought people should applaud Obi. Would you rather stew in crisis or move to a conducive atmosphere.

“I don’t want this to be a ‘We vs Them’ scenario, else I would have simply asked you, why didn’t Atiku Abubakar stay back in the PDP and manage the crisis that erupted as a result of his candidacy only four years ago.

“Why didn’t he stay back in the several political parties that he came out to run on as their presidential candidate and thereafter left?

“What Mr Peter Obi seeks is a country that works for everybody. It’s not a political party that is bogged down by several shenanigans by competing interests in house and by government seeking to make sure that he doesn’t even appear on the ballot.”

Defection: Why Peter Obi should be applauded – Rep Ogene

Scientists at the Geneva University Hospital, HUG, a collaborating centre of the World Health Organisation, have identified the hantavirus strain linked to three deaths aboard a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

The strain has been confirmed as the Andes variant, the only known hantavirus capable of human-to-human transmission.

A statement from HUG said the identification followed analysis of a sample taken from a passenger on the MV Hondius, who tested positive via PCR at the Centre national de référence pour les infections virales émergentes (CRIVE), the hospital’s virology laboratory, on 5 May 2026.

Dr Manuel Schibler, head of the HUG virology laboratory, said the finding is significant because the Andes strain remains the only hantavirus with documented person-to-person spread.

The results, he said, have already been shared with Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health and the WHO.

Hantavirus: Deadly Andes strain identified as cause of cruise ship deaths

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday took a swipe at Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, accusing him of neglecting governance.

According to Wike, the governor is aggressively pursuing his second term agenda when he is yet to submit a budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Wike spoke during a press briefing in Abuja.

The FCT minister expressed disappointment over what he described as misplaced priorities by the governor.

“The governor is yet to submit his budget to the House of Assembly but he is busy running for second term ambition,” Wike said.

Wike criticised Fubara for focusing more on political campaigns and re-election efforts at the expense of key governance responsibilities.

The minister warned that the delay in budget presentation could hamper the smooth running of government activities and the delivery of essential services to the people of Rivers State.

You haven’t submitted budget but busy running for 2nd term – Wike blasts Fubara

At the 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Zenith Bank Plc, which took place on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, shareholders approved the proposed final dividend payment of ₦8.75 per share, bringing the total dividend for the 2025 financial year to ₦10.00 per share, with a total value of ₦410.69 billion.

The The annual general meeting also marked the formal retirement of Founder, Jim Ovia, CFR, as Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, following the expiration of his tenure in line with regulatory requirements. As disclosed in a corporate notice issued in Lagos on May 5, 2026, Mr. Ovia completed the mandatory 12-year tenure stipulated under corporate governance guidelines for financial holding companies, non-interest banks, and payment service banks in Nigeria. Subsequently, Engr. Mustafa Bello, former Minister of Commerce and longest-serving Non-Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc, was appointed as the new Chairman of the Bank.

In his remark, Jim Ovia stated “Distinguished shareholders, it gives me great pleasure to address you this morning. This meeting will be the last Annual General Meeting that I will be attending as Chairman of this Bank. In line with the CBN’s corporate governance provision, I am expected to serve for 12 years. Having served for that term, I’ll be retiring at this AGM. For continuity, the Board met and nominated Engineer Mustafa Bello as the next Chairman. Engineer Bello is the longest serving Board Member and has a good understanding of the Bank. This appointment has been approved by the Central Bank. I thank you for supporting me for this tenure. I hope you give him the same support that you gave me. Thank you and God bless Zenith Bank.”

Zenith Bank has maintained a track record of nominating top management staff and Directors from within the Bank; the entire Executive Directors having been appointed from the ranks. The appointment of Engr. Mustafa Bello as the new Chairman represents a deliberate and strategic step to ensure continuity, stability and the sustained effectiveness of the Board. As the longest serving Non-Executive Director on the Board, having joined since 2017, he brings unparalleled institutional memory, and deep understanding of the Bank’s operations, culture, values and ambitions.

A distinguished engineer, statesman and corporate leader who served as Federal Minister of Commerce of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1999 to 2002, where he led the development of the country’s WTO-consistent Trade Policy and championed several landmark reforms, including the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on-line project of 2002. He was subsequently appointed Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investments Promotion Commission (NIPC), a role he held with great distinction from November 2003 to February 2014, attracting substantial foreign direct investment into the country and strengthening Nigeria’s positioning as a destination for global capital. Before this appointment, he had served on the Board of many other reputable companies and corporations.

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, who is serving as the Bank’s 5th internally appointed CEO, expressed appreciation to shareholders for their continued commitment and support, highlighting Zenith Bank’s delivery on its 2025 promises and reaffirming its commitment to sustained growth and enhanced shareholder returns. She stated: “Thank you very much for your continued interest in Zenith Bank, and your confidence. During our AGM of 2025, we made a commitment and promised to deliver exceptional results to our shareholders, and today, I am pleased to announce that we have fulfilled our promise. We promised shareholders a quantum leap in dividends, and we have delivered that mandate with a 100% increase in our dividend payment. We are very determined to ensure we continue to work on shareholders’ value.”

Responding, the shareholders commended the Bank’s performance, particularly its ability to sustain strong profitability, having become the first and only Nigerian bank to record Profit Before Tax (PBT) and Profit After Tax (PAT) above the ₦1 trillion mark in two consecutive years. The Bank posted a Profit Before Tax of ₦1.26 trillion and a Profit After Tax of ₦1.04 trillion for the 2025 financial year, reflecting the strength of its core banking operations and resilience in an evolving macroeconomic environment.

Speaking on the dividend payout, Mrs. Bisi Bakare, National Coordinator of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, expressed satisfaction with the Bank’s performance and confidence in future returns. She noted: “As shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc, we are very happy because what we are after every year is return on our investments, and today we are getting a ₦10 dividend, and I believe by year end 2026, they are going to pay more. We believe that the new Chairman will continue from where Jim Ovia stopped, and come next year, we are going to be paid nothing less than 50 naira or more per share.”

Chief Timothy Adesiyan, President of the Shareholders Solidarity Association of Nigeria, also commended the Board and Management of Zenith Bank for their consistent performance, improving shareholder returns, and strong succession planning, expressing confidence in the Bank’s continued stability and growth. He noted: “today we thank the Board, Management and Staff for their performance, innovation and the dividends which keeps improving year on year. We received ₦10 total dividend this year and we are expecting much better returns in years to come. We are not worried that Jim Ovia is retiring because he has laid a very good foundation for the success of the bank.”

Zenith Bank’s performance in the 2025 financial year remained underpinned by strong earnings growth and balance sheet expansion. Gross earnings rose by approximately 6% to ₦4.19 trillion, driven by a significant increase in interest income. Customer deposits grew by about 9%, while total assets expanded by approximately 11%, supported by sustained customer confidence and effective liquidity management. Asset quality also improved, with the non-performing loan ratio moderating to 3.82%, reflecting prudent risk management.

The Bank continues to receive recognition from reputable international and domestic institutions for its performance, corporate governance standards, and market position within the Nigerian banking industry.

Zenith Bank rewards investors with ₦410.69bn dividend payout at AGM

Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie is aiming to win the golden glove in the Women Super League, WSL, DAILY POST reports.

Nnadozie, who joined Brighton on a free transfer last summer has kept six clean sheets in 18 league appearances this season.

The 24-year-old is behind Ayaka Yamashita, Hannah Hampton, and Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who have all kept seven clean sheets.

The shot stopper has won the Save of the Month twice this season.

Nnadozie is also targeting her first trophy with the Seagulls.

They will face Liverpool in the semifinal of the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday at BrewDog Stadium on Saturday.
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WSL: Nnadozie targets golden glove in debut season

An Abuja High Court on Wednesday ordered that a 32-year-old man, Israel Friday, should be remanded in a corrections facility for allegedly stabbing his neighbour.

The police charged Friday with attempted culpable homicide.

Trial judge, Justice M. S. Idris, gave the order after the Prosecution Counsel, Donatus Abah complained that the defendant will be a threat to the victim.

Justice Idris after hearing submissions from parties, adjourned until May 13 to rule on the bail application and for trial.

Abah told the court that Friday, who lives in Angwan Tiv, zone 7, Lugbe stabbed his neighbour, Theophilus Edache during an argument.

Abah said the stabbing caused a grievous injury to Edache whose left hand was later amputated.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 229(1) and 248 of the Penal Code law.

The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The defendant’s counsel, Noah Abdul, urged the court to release his client on bail on liberal terms.

He said the offence is not a capital offence and therefore attracts a bail.

Objecting, Abah told the court that he filed a counter affidavit opposing the bail application and attached the amputated arm of the victim.

”When the victim had the two hands, he could defend himself against the defendant. What will happen now that he has become vulnerable.

‘If the defendant is released on bail, there is every likelihood that he will end the life of the victim,” he argued.

He urged the court to dismiss the bail application.

Man lands in prison for stabbing neighbour

The Bauchi State Government says it is aiming to reach about 2.6 million children in the ongoing Supplemental Immunisation Plus Days (SIPDs) campaign for Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).

The Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, disclosed this during the official flag-off of the exercise at Bayan Fada Primary Health Care Centre in Bauchi metropolis.

According to him, about 1.7 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed across the state to support the campaign, which is being implemented simultaneously in all 20 local government areas.

Mohammed explained that trained vaccination teams have been deployed for a house-to-house outreach to ensure that no eligible child is left behind in the exercise.

He added that the integrated immunisation campaign is designed to reach children aged 0 to 59 months with the Oral Polio Vaccine, while children between one and 59 months will also receive Azithromycin to help protect them against common life-threatening childhood infections.

“We are optimistic that this round of the campaign will significantly reduce the number of zero-dose children in Bauchi State,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, raised concern over missed opportunities in previous rounds, noting that more than 2,000 children were not vaccinated due to parental refusal.

She called for stronger community engagement and intensified awareness campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy and ensure wider acceptance of immunisation services.

Bauchi targets 2.6 million children in polio vaccination drive