Month: June 2026

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged the 5,876 soldiers who successfully completed the Nigerian Army’s 90 Regular Recruit Intake training to be decisive in confronting terrorists and other criminal elements while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and respect for human rights.

Speaking during the Passing Out Parade held on Saturday at the Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, Kaduna State, the Army Chief said the recruits had undergone rigorous military training, including Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency operations, and were fully prepared to contribute to ongoing efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s security.

Lieutenant General Shaibu emphasized that the Nigerian Army remains committed to denying criminal elements any safe haven across the country. He, however, stressed that all military operations must be conducted in strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement and the Law of Armed Conflict.

The COAS also highlighted the continued support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, in strengthening the capacity of the military. He noted that Nigerians expect the new soldiers to demonstrate discipline, operational excellence, and unwavering loyalty to the Constitution.

He further cautioned the recruits against the misuse of social media, warning that unprofessional online conduct and the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information could compromise operational security and undermine efforts to defeat insecurity.

Reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property, Lieutenant General Shaibu expressed confidence that the newly inducted soldiers would play a vital role in sustaining ongoing offensives and restoring peace, stability, and security across the country.

A total of 6,001 recruits commenced the training programme, while 5,876 successfully completed the course and participated in the Passing Out Parade.

A group of long-standing friends under the J-Town Ambassadors (JTA) has carried out a major educational intervention at Famous Secondary School in Jos, Plateau State, improving learning facilities and supporting vulnerable students through scholarships and infrastructure development.

The initiative, which has also attracted international collaboration from a United Kingdom-based school, is being described by stakeholders as a model of community-driven support for education rooted in unity, friendship, and shared responsibility.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of J-Town Ambassadors (JTA), Mr. Abubakar, said the group is made up of friends from diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds who have remained united for over five decades.

“We are from very diverse tribes, religions and cultures, but we have maintained our common humanity and shared purpose for over five decades,” he said, stressing that unity in diversity has been the foundation of their long-standing relationship and service.

He explained that JTA’s intervention at Famous Secondary School represents a strategic commitment to education, adding that the school has now been adopted as one of the group’s priority institutions for continuous support.

According to him, the association will continue to intervene through fundraising, infrastructure development, training, donations, and other collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening the school system.

He further noted that earlier interventions such as payment of school fees and support for teachers had already begun to improve the learning environment, describing the response from beneficiaries as deeply encouraging.

“We have seen the excitement generated by our interventions and have been deeply moved by the gratitude expressed by parents and beneficiaries. The impact on the people we have supported and on the institution as a whole has been significant,” he stated.

Speaking on the partnership angle, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Mrs. Odessa Chuwang, said the intervention reflects the fulfillment of a promise made after the group first visited the school and witnessed its poor learning conditions.

She highlighted the international dimension of the project, revealing that JTA partnered with Down House School in the United Kingdom, which became interested in supporting the initiative after learning about the challenges faced by students, especially girls.

According to her, contributions from students in the UK helped fund scholarships, classroom improvements, and the provision of furniture, showing how global solidarity can support local education.

She added that the involvement of young girls in the UK, who contributed to fundraising efforts, made the intervention even more meaningful and impactful for the beneficiaries in Jos.

Giving a technical overview of the project, Amb. Salis Abdulsalam Mohammed said JTA’s intervention was driven by firsthand observation of the school’s poor infrastructure during a visit.

He said the group focused on practical needs, including cementing classroom floors, installing whiteboards, and improving basic learning conditions that were previously inadequate.

He also disclosed that the association sponsored 40 vulnerable students, paid the school’s annual rent, and provided stipends for volunteer teachers to encourage continuity in teaching.

In addition, he noted that JTA distributed textbooks and exercise books to support academic work, stressing that the intervention was designed to address both physical infrastructure and learning materials.

The Proprietor of Famous Secondary School, Mallam Abubakar Nasiru, commended JTA for its timely intervention, describing it as a major relief to the school community.

He said he established the school to make education affordable for children from low-income families, especially after observing how financial constraints affected academic performance during his years as a principal.

Parents of beneficiaries also expressed appreciation to JTA for the scholarship support.

Mrs. Rahaitu Iliyasu said the intervention had eased the financial burden on her family and prayed for the continued success of the organization.

Similarly, Mr. Habibu Adamu commended JTA for supporting vulnerable students, noting that the scholarship scheme would significantly improve access to education for families facing economic challenges.

A group of married women in parts of Enugu State staged a protest against alleged sex workers operating within their communities, accusing them of contributing to family instability and marital crises.

The women, who marched through major streets carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Ashawo Must Go” and “Leave Our Husbands Alone,” expressed concern over what they described as the growing influence of commercial sex activities in their neighborhoods.

According to the protesters, the alleged activities of the sex workers have led to increased cases of broken homes, marital disputes, and moral decline, as they claimed many married men and young men in the area have been drawn away from their families.

One of the protest leaders said the demonstration was aimed at attracting the attention of government authorities and community leaders, urging them to take immediate steps to address the situation and restore what they termed “decency and order” in the community.

The protest caused temporary disruption of movement in some parts of the city, as the women blocked roads, sang solidarity songs, and demanded the removal of the alleged sex workers from the area.

Meanwhile, in a separate development in neighbouring Anambra State, a popular clergyman has reportedly been arrested over allegations of inappropriate relationships involving married women.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Ejimofor Opara, confirmed the arrest in a Facebook post, stating that the pastor had been handed over to the police for investigation.

According to reports, some church members accused the cleric of encouraging wife-swapping practices and engaging in relationships with married women within the congregation.

Opara disclosed that a joint investigation involving the state government and the police has commenced and called on members of the public with relevant information to assist authorities in their inquiries.

The incidents have sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians debating issues relating to family values, morality, and community responsibility.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking a stay of execution of a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alongside four other political parties.

INEC also informed the appellate court that it supports the notice of appeal filed by the affected political parties.

At the resumed hearing before a three-member panel on Tuesday, INEC’s counsel, Mr. Haliru Mohammed, expressed surprise over the ruling delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, despite an earlier order allegedly restraining the delivery of the judgment.

He told the court that the commission was not officially informed of the judgment date and only became aware of it through media reports.

“We were not aware of any notice from the court regarding the delivery of the judgment. We only saw it as breaking news in the media,” he said, adding that INEC would not oppose the application seeking to stay execution of the ruling.

Counsel to the African Democratic Congress, Mr. Shuaibu Aruwa (SAN), also told the court that the judgment was communicated to the party via WhatsApp, describing the development as improper and capable of undermining judicial order.

He urged the Court of Appeal to invoke its disciplinary powers, arguing that the lower court’s action disregarded a subsisting order and could lead to institutional confusion.

Other affected parties, including the Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), also urged the appellate court to suspend the judgment, warning that enforcement ahead of upcoming by-elections could disrupt the electoral process.

The parties argued that INEC’s scheduled by-elections across six states on June 20 could be affected if the ruling is implemented.

The Court of Appeal is still hearing arguments from the parties involved.

It will be recalled that the Federal High Court had ordered the deregistration of the five political parties, holding that they failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration. The court further restrained INEC from recognising them, accepting their candidates, or allowing them to participate in future elections, including the 2027 general elections.

The judgment followed a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which argued that the affected parties consistently failed to meet constitutional thresholds such as winning electoral seats or securing a minimum percentage of votes in elections, as provided under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Plateau State Chapter, in collaboration with Usiju World Event Center, has announced plans to host the Jos Creatives Industry & Governor’s Award 2026, a prestigious event aimed at celebrating excellence, creativity, and talent within the state’s creative industry.

According to the organizers, the event is designed to recognize and honour individuals, brands, and stakeholders whose contributions have played a significant role in advancing the creative sector in Plateau State and beyond.

The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Usiju Event Center in Jos, with activities expected to commence at 3:00 p.m. Organizers have also announced that attendance will be free, allowing creatives, industry stakeholders, and members of the public to participate in the celebration.

PMAN stated that the event will provide a platform to spotlight outstanding achievements across various segments of the creative industry while fostering networking opportunities among artists, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and supporters of the sector.

The association noted that the Jos Creatives Industry & Governor’s Award is intended not only to reward excellence but also to inspire upcoming talents and encourage innovation within the creative community.

Guests are expected to enjoy an evening of recognition, entertainment, and interaction as the event showcases the achievements of individuals and organizations making meaningful impacts through creativity.

Speaking on the initiative, the organizers described the award ceremony as a celebration of the resilience, ingenuity, and accomplishments of Plateau’s creative talents, emphasizing the importance of supporting and promoting local creatives.

Further enquiries about the event can be directed to the organizers through the contact number provided for the programme.

The Jos Creatives Industry & Governor’s Award 2026 is expected to bring together key players in the entertainment and creative industries as PMAN continues its efforts to strengthen and elevate the sector in Plateau State.