Vice-President Kashim Shettima will on Saturday, May 3, depart Abuja for Libreville, Gabon, to represent Nigeria at the inauguration of the country’s President-elect, Brice Nguema.

Mr Shettima will attend the event at the instance of President Bola Tinubu.

The spokesperson for the Vice-President, Stanley Nkwocha, who made this known in a statement, said Nigeria remains supportive of the peaceful democratic transition in Gabon.

Mr Nkwocha also reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s broader strategic interest in promoting democratic governance and regional stability in Central Africa.

He said that the vice-president was expected to return to Nigeria after the inauguration.

Mr Nguema, who had served as Gabon’s interim leader since August 2023, secured a decisive victory in the country’s April 12 presidential election.

According to results released by Gabon’s Constitutional Court, Mr Nguema garnered 58,074 votes—equivalent to 94.85 per cent of the total votes cast.

Mr Nguema faced seven challengers in the race, including former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who finished second with three per cent of the vote. Other candidates failed to surpass the one per cent threshold.

United States President, Donald Trump has ignited a mix of laughter, disbelief, and debate after sharing what appears to be an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope on his Truth Social platform.

The digitally altered image, later reposted by the White House’s official X account on Saturday, shows Trump in full papal regalia; flowing white robes, a golden crucifix, and a mitre, with one finger raised skyward.

The post comes just days after Trump jokingly told reporters, “I’d like to be pope, that would be my number one choice,” when asked who he backed as the next head of the Catholic Church.

His comment came just ahead of the conclave set to elect a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21.

While Trump didn’t endorse any contender, he alluded to “a very good” cardinal in New York, widely believed to be Archbishop Timothy Dolan, a staunch theological conservative with a clear stance against abortion.

Trump also attended Pope Francis’ funeral last week, marking his first international appearance since returning to office.

The Federal Government said it disbursed N1.48 billion in loans to 29,000 small business owners in Imo State.

The Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi said this at a town hall meeting on the Federal Government’s loan scheme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Owerri, on Friday.

Mr Olusi, represented by the bank’s Divisional Head, MSME South, said that the loan scheme was intended to address challenges facing businesses in the state, such as access to finance and cost of doing business.

He said that business owners could access up to N5 million each at an interest rate of nine per cent per annum with a three-month moratorium and a tenure of up to three years.

He added that the disbursed funds were part of the Federal Government’s N200 billion Special Intervention Fund in line with President Bola Tinubu’s prosperity agenda.

He, therefore, urged business owners to take advantage of the opportunity to grow their businesses.

He also urged stakeholders such as the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) to mobilise their members to be able to access the loan.

He stated, “Application is open to the public and the Bank of Industry facilitates the verification of applicants’ data to facilitate disbursement. We, therefore, call on all stakeholders – MSME owners, community leaders, youth groups, women associations, and Local Government authorities to be active advocates of the scheme. It is our shared prosperity, and we need to empower our young people to be architects of their own future.’’

Speaking, the Secretary of NASME in Imo State, Ugochukwu Ohaegbu, called on owners of registered businesses to identify with the association for optimal benefits.

One of the beneficiaries and pig farmer, Nduka Norbert, thanked the bank for a grant of N50,000 which he had earlier received, adding that it provided a major boost to his business at a time when some of his animals were dying.

Highlight of the meeting was the visual display of a documentary about the success stories of beneficiaries of the FG’s grants and loans.

Kano Government has asked the sacked Secretary to the State Government, Dr Abdullahi Baffa Bichi to quicken his exposures of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as he promised, otherwise the Government will in turn open a can of worms on him.Responding to series of threats by the sacked SSG, Baffa Bichi that, “I will soon expose mishandling of governance and other misappropriation of public Treasury by the Government of Abba Kabir Yusuf”, the State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, said they were patiently waiting for Baffa to do so.

“We want you to expose the Government of Abba Kabir Yusuf quickly but let me promise you that if you fail to do so, we will open your Pandora Box of financial misappropriation and siphoning of government funds you perpetrated serially,” he warned.The Commissioner further alleged, “we are aware that you were not sacked for reported ill health but because of stealing of government monies and other anti-government activities you were conducting using your office”.

Ibrahim alleged that the sacked SSG was using his office to enrich himself not until he was cut unawares and shown the doors, “but now he thinks he has guts to talk about the Government”.

He warned the former SSG to either expose Governor Yusuf or face the consequences.

The suspended Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, has refuted claims linking her to the disruption of the Renewed Hops Initiative empowerment programme hosted in honour of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Rivers State.During the event on Friday, some women staged a walkout on the wife of the Sole Administrator of the state, Theresa Ibas, who was representing the First Lady.

The women demanded to be addressed either by Senator Tinubu herself or by Mrs. Valerie Fubara, wife of the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.Responding to allegations made by a group she identified as the Concerned Rivers Youth Organization, Dr. Oreh described the claims as entirely baseless and a fabrication intended to malign her reputation.

She said those allegations were a product of the “sick imagination of rumour peddlers and conflict entrepreneurs whose sole aim is to tarnish my image and sow discord.”

Dr. Oreh challenged the group to present credible evidence to support their accusations.She further clarified that she has neither sponsored nor supported any efforts to embarrass or disrupt the activities of the federally appointed administration overseeing the state’s affairs, following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Doctor Oreh added that during her suspension, she has focused on personal endeavours, including her ongoing doctoral studies.

She said, “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has returned to the state after a two-week vacation overseas.

He touched down at the international wing of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, at about 7PM on Friday.

A viral video seen by our correspondent shows the Governor being received by some aides at the Airport.

He was escorted to a waiting Sports Utility Vehicle, which immediately zoomed off.

Though he had travelled to Germany, it was gathered that he met with President Bola Tinubu behind closed doors in London, United Kingdom, recently.

President Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly after he declared a state of emergency.

The President had hinged his decision on the attacks on oil pipelines by some militant groups in the state in the heat of the feud between the Governor and the 27 lawmakers, citing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

At least 20 persons held hostage by a Ponzi scheme syndicate in Oba Ile, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, have been rescued, the police say.

Wilfred Afolabi, the state police commissioner, disclosed this to journalists at a briefing in Akure on Friday after a sting operation by detectives from the command.

Mr Afolabi said one Sakariya Sadiq, 26, was arrested following the complaints by some parents over the sudden disappearance of their children who are from Osun and Oyo States.

The police boss said the victims were declared missing from their various homes since November 2024, after they were supposedly called up for a job in Akure introduced to them by their friends.

He said the command’s surveillance team swung into action on April 24, leading to the rescue of the victims, who were allegedly lured into joining a Ponzi scheme called “Quest International Company” under false promises of profit.

“During the operation, one Sakariya Sadiq ‘m’ was discovered to be the prime suspect involved in the alleged criminal activities,” Mr Afolabi said.

Mr Afolabi said the victims were Rafiu Kehinde (male), Adebayo Nafisat (female), Mohammed Aishat (female), jesujuwon Osuntoki (male), Mustapha Gbolahan (male), ibukun Samuel (male), and gbolahan Wasiu (male)

Others are Aminu Ifasina (male), Mohammed Sheifff (m), Adebayo Rohemat (female), Saheed Ibrahim (male), Ibrahim Adebayo (male), Adebayo Sukurat (female), and Olawoyi Wasilat (female).

Also included are: Sholagberu Shakirat (female), Adeyemi Skukurat (female), Basari Saadiqq (male), and Raji Taofeek (male).

“Each victim is demanded to pay ₦1,500,000.00 each and also instructed to refer two others to the scheme as criteria to become a member of the group, after which they are denied access to their relatives.

“The suspect claimed that the money was for the victims’ Chi-pendants, Bio-Discs and accommodation. The suspect will be charged to court upon the completion of the investigation while efforts are also in progress to reunite the victims with their families,” he added.

This comes after the cryptocurrency trading platform Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) scheme crashed, with the Nigerian authorities currently investigating a N1.2 trillion fraud, which has affected over 600,000 Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the police, on April 28, apprehended a suspect, Oyebode Oluwakemi, for job racketeering after she allegedly defrauded her victim of N5.3 million.

The police said she had pretended to be securing government jobs for her victims with the intent of defrauding them.

“In the course of investigation, it was discovered that the suspect had defrauded many people running to the tune of two hundred and fifty million naira (#250,000,000.00). The suspect will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.”

A US-based activist, Dr. Sandra Duru, also known as Professor Mgbeke, has submitted evidence of phone conversations between her and suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to relevant authorities in the US and other parts of the world for forensic analysis.

The activist, who made this known during a Facebook live session on Thursday night, while showing some of the evidences, said the conversations revealed the unknown ideas behind the sexual harassment allegation levelled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by the embattled Senator.

She exposed call logs and conversations to debunk Natasha’s claim that she had never spoken to her before.

Duru, popularly called Prof. Mgbeke, added that Natasha offered her N200 million to accuse the Senate President of organ harvesting, linking him with the death of a young girl who died a few years ago when she wasn’t getting anywhere with her sexual harassment allegation.

She called on international security agencies, which she had petitioned, the IPU and the Nigeria Police Force to probe Natasha’s allegations and what she claimed to know about the murder of Umoren, having kept mute for years before coming out to accuse Akpabio.

The activist and journalist, in her one hour, eight minutes live broadcast, claimed that Natasha was out to destroy men, insisting that the suspended Senator had revealed she had no evidence of harassment against Akpabio.

She said this while displaying call logs and messages sent to her Whatsapp by Natasha.

“One, there is no sexual harassment of any kind, two, there is no evidence of organ harvesting. I told Natasha, you are a pathological liar, you have disgraced us Nigerians. She said Nigerians were G and H – ‘Gullible and Hungry’ and you want to add to their problems?

“I told her to make peace with the Senate members but she insisted that they want to destroy Yoruba government, I don’t know she meant by that.

“A lawyer that is very lousy and careless in her utterances. Natasha is not teachable, Natasha lacks humility, Natasha lacks moral values, she does not care. If it doesn’t go Natasha’s way, you are her enemy. Natasha is on a mission to destroy men… I cannot watch her destroy our men, I cannot watch her destroy our sons, I cannot watch her destroy our girls who are following her blindly. She called Dr Oby Ezekwesili a useful idiot,” Duru revealed.

She added: “The Nigerian Police should handle the case of Natasha and her false allegations. She said she wants to force the Senate President to step down so that they will have their way to remove what they call Yoruba government.

“Umoren died in 2021. Autopsy was done and there was no organ harvesting.

“I already wrote the international agencies about a senator that claimed to have known something about the murder of a young lady and she kept it to herself. She must explain what she knows about the death.

“She said the reason for the fight was not really about the Senate President but it is about the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that they don’t want Yoruba government to go beyond four years. She said no sexual harassment evidence of any kind,” Duru insisted.

According to her, during one of their conversations, Natasha revealed that she had been promised governorship of Kogi State or Minister of Petroleum Resources if she could accomplish the mission of getting the Senate President out.

Scientists from the University of Liverpool detected earth tremors at Anfield as Liverpool trashed Tottenham Hotspur 5–1 to clinch their 20th English league title
They confirmed that the celebrations of over 60,000 fans created mini earthquakes powerful enough to be picked up by sensitive monitoring equipment.

The strongest tremor was detected at a magnitude of 1.74 on the Richter scale and was registered when Alexis Mac Allister scored Liverpool’s second goal in the 24th minute.

There were other seismic spikes to goals from Mohamed Salah (1.60), Cody Gakpo (1.03), and a Destiny Udogie own goal (1.35). Even a disallowed goal by Luis Díaz showed a seismic spike of 0.64.

The study was conducted by Antoine Septier, Farnaz Kamranzad, and Professor Ben Edwards from the university’s Department of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences in collaboration with the football club.

According to Mr Edwards, the seismic activity mirrored that of natural events, with each goal triggering bursts of vibration driven purely by fan excitement.

“The enthusiasm of Liverpool fans was powerful enough to move the earth,” he said.

The researchers noted that while the tremors were too subtle to be felt by fans in the stadium, they were strong enough to be permanently captured by underground sensors.

Mr Kamranzad described the findings as a “seismic fingerprint of collective joy,” a record of fans’ emotions in the earth’s memory long after the final whistle.

Mr Septier hoped the data gathered from the study could inspire fresh ideas in seismology and even lead to creative ways of enhancing live matchday experiences.

The match marked a statement performance by Liverpool under new manager Arne Slot, who became the first Dutch coach to win the Premier League in his debut season. He joined an elite group of only five managers in Premier League history to win the league title in their first season, alongside Tom Watson, José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Manuel Pellegrini.

Despite an early opener from Spurs’ Dominic Solanke, Liverpool’s response was ruthless, with goals flowing freely and the Anfield crowd erupting.

For many Liverpool fans, this triumph was especially sweet. Their last league win in 2020 came during the COVID-19 lockdowns, with empty stadiums and muted celebrations.

The club has confirmed a victory parade through the city on 26 May, giving fans the chance to celebrate alongside the players. Slot’s side is now level with Manchester United’s record of 20 top-flight titles.

App-based drivers have threatened to switch to new indigenous ride-hailing apps should Uber, Bolt, inDrive and others fail to meet their stated demand
Steven Iwindoye, the public relations officer of the Lagos council of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, issued the warning in a statement on Friday.

Mr Iwindoye said drivers demand fair compensation for services rendered and safer working conditions for drivers and passengers.

He added that other demands include reducing high commission rates to five per cent and the recognition of drivers’ rights and welfare.

The union leader expressed dismay over the alleged prioritisation of profits by Uber, Bolt, inDrive and Lagride at the expense of drivers’ rights and welfare.

“If these companies fail to comply, we will move en masse to indigenous app firms willing to meet our demands.

“Three such apps are already operational. Additionally, our community is developing its own platform to end exploitation and modern-day slavery,” he added.

Mr Iwindoye said the recent May Day celebrations and a 24-hour operational shutdown marked a new era of resistance among app-based drivers.

He noted that the union’s national leadership had submitted a formal petition to the National Assembly to press for change.

Mr Iwindoye said the union’s Lagos council will also petition the Lagos State House of Assembly and other concerned authorities.

“After this, we’ll announce a picketing date to take our demands directly to these app companies.

“We won’t rest until our goals are met. All relevant authorities, including the government, will feel our impact,” Mr Iwindoye added.

On May 1, the union joined a global 24-hour strike targeting major platforms like Uber, Bolt and inDrive.

The protest was against low fares, high commission charges, and substandard working conditions faced by app-based transport workers.

Nigeria has introduced a fully digital e-visa regime and an automated landing and exit card system as part of major reforms under its 2025 Visa Policy.

The NIS, in a statement on Friday by its spokesperson, Akinsola Akinlabi, said the initiative was a collaboration between it and the Federal Ministry of Interior.

The service said the new development aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and took effect from May 1, 2025.

It added that the e-visa application system is an end-to-end online platform designed to enhance national security, streamline application processes, and eliminate visa-on-arrival arrangements.

“The new e-visa platform introduces 13 categories under the Short Visit Visa (SVV) class. The full details are available on the official portal: https://evisa.immigration.gov.ng,” it said.

The NIS said applications would be processed within 48 hours or less, and successful applicants would receive e-visas and QR codes via their registered email addresses.

The service also announced that the Visa on Arrival policy would be discontinued from May 1, 2025, and that visas issued under that policy remain valid only until May 30, 2025.

The service said the e-visas were non-extendable, urging applicants to apply for visas that best match the duration and purpose of their visit.

“The new policy also introduces strict overstay penalties, effective September 1, 2025, and a daily fine of $15 will apply for all overstays.

“Foreigners who overstay for three months and above will incur a $15/day fine and a five-year entry ban.

“Also, those who overstay for one year and above will face the same fine plus permanent blacklisting from entering Nigeria.

“In addition to the e-visa rollout, the government is replacing the manual embarkation and disembarkation forms with a fully automated landing and exit card system, available at: https://lecard.immigration.gov.ng.

“All inbound passengers, except Nigerians, are required to complete the electronic landing card online before boarding, while outbound passengers must complete the exit card before departure,” it said.

The NIS explained that the exit card system was synchronised with the Visa Processing Centre to enforce penalties, including automatic visa bans for non-compliance.

It said a three-month window period from May 1 to August 1, 2025, has been granted to ease the transition.

“During this period, foreigners currently residing in Nigeria with expired visas may return to their home countries without incurring any penalties.

“We urge all stakeholders to comply with the revised immigration policies and timelines.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to implementing a more efficient, transparent, and secure immigration system that aligns with global best practices,” the NIS said.

The Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square annexe has sentenced Bus Rapid Transport driver Andrew Ominikoron to death by hanging for killing fashion designer Bamise Ayanwola.

In the judgment, which lasted almost three hours on Friday, Presiding Judge Sherifat Sonaike ruled that the prosecution, which is the state government, proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt against the defendant.

Ms Sonaike ruled that “For the death of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy upon you.”

The court and the prosecution relied on the doctrine of “last seen”, and the 22-year-old victim sent messages before her demise to arrive at the verdict against Mr Ominikoron.

The convict faced a five-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony, rape, murder, and sexual assault, although he had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The victim, who went missing on February 26, 2022, after she boarded a BRT bus driven by Mr Ominikoron in Ajah, was found lifeless on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island, nine days later.

A Nigerian nurse based in Leeds, United Kingdom, Nnena Miriam, has been found dead in her apartment, sparking grief and shock within the nursing community both in the UK and Nigeria.

According to Fellow Nurses Africa, an organisation dedicated to advancing the nursing profession in Africa, Miriam’s body was discovered by the police after a missing person report was filed.

Concerned about her sudden absence from work and repeated unanswered calls, one of her close friends eventually filed a missing person report.

The police were said to have later found her lifeless body in her home.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the organisation stated, “It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we report the sudden passing of one of our own, Nnena Miriam, a dedicated and professional nurse based in Leeds, United Kingdom.

“Nurse Miriam was found dead in her room earlier this week under heartbreaking circumstances. According to reports, her last shift was on Sunday of last week.

“Alarm bells were raised when her close friend tried reaching out to her repeatedly from that Sunday without success. Growing increasingly worried, the friend filed a missing person report—only for the police to later discover her lifeless body in her apartment.”

It was further stated that Miriam had just returned to the UK after having her introduction ceremony in Nigeria, ahead of her traditional marriage.

The statement further read, “Tuesday, April 29, was meant to be her special day — a day of joy, celebration, and new beginnings.

“Instead, her sudden death has left colleagues and loved ones overwhelmed with unspeakable grief and unanswered questions.”

Colleagues described Miriam as one who practised her profession with a beacon of kindness, dedication, and resilience.

“Her untimely passing is a profound loss to the healthcare family she served with pride and to the many patients whose lives she touched with care and compassion.

“As the investigation continues, we join the family, friends, and the global African nursing community in mourning this tragic loss,” the statement further disclosed.

A similar tragic incident occurred in March 2024, involving another Nigerian woman, Chidimma Ezenyili, who was working in the United Kingdom.

Ezenyili reportedly collapsed on February 22 while attending to an elderly client, Ian Hale, at a residence on Scott Road.

She died two days later.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed his intent to rename both May 8 and November 11 “Victory Day” in his latest attempt to alter the country’s nomenclature.

“I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Victory Day, observed by the European Union on May 8 and in former Soviet countries on May 9, marks the anniversary of the formal acceptance of Germany’s unconditional surrender.

The war continued in Asia until the surrender of Japan in early September 1945 after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Though some in the United States mark the occasion, May 8 is not a public holiday or celebrated as widely as in Europe.

“Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II,” Trump’s post said.

November 11 was originally named “Armistice Day” by former US president Woodrow Wilson to mark the anniversary of 1918 armistice ending the armed conflict in World War I.

It is now a public holiday celebrated in the United States as “Veterans Day” and meant to honor Americans who have served in the US armed forces.

“We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything — That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so!” Trump continued. “We are going to start celebrating our victories again!”

During World War II the Soviet Union, in which Russia was the largest of 15 republics, was allied with Britain and the United States against Nazi Germany.

The USSR suffered the greatest number of casualties in the war, with more than 20 million killed.

No executive order or proclamation enumerating the holiday name changes has been formally issued yet by the White House.

Trump in his second term has repeatedly sought to rename parts of US public life, whether it be a national holiday — such as changing “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” back to “Columbus Day” — or a geographical feature, like renaming the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America.”

American rapper and music executive Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has rejected a plea deal in a federal s*x trafficking case, which could result in a life sentence if he is found guilty.

On Thursday, Mr Combs, who appeared at a court hearing in Manhattan, New York, confirmed rejecting a plea deal as he turned down the prosecutors’ offer, making it possible for his trial to proceed as scheduled.

U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, overseeing his trial in New York, asked Mr Combs if he had “rejected the government’s offer” of a plea deal.

“Yes, I did,” replied the hip-hop mogul.

Maurene Comey, a Manhattan U.S. attorney’s prosecutor, said, “Combs risks facing a more severe sentence if convicted of the accused crimes at the trial than if he accepts the plea deal.”

Another prosecutor, Madison Smyser, revealed that Mr Combs had rejected the offer during a previous week’s hearing.

According to the prosecution, the embattled rapper has been accused of using his business ventures to coerce women into participating in prolonged, drug-fuelled s*xual acts with male sex workers.

In September 2024, Mr Combs was also accused of s*x trafficking, rape, and the molestation of a 16-year-old boy.

He pleaded not guilty to all allegations.

However, Mr Combs’ legal team condemned these tactics as “clear attempts to garner publicity” by his accusers.

They argued that his s*xual relations with the said women were consensual and a part of a “swingers” lifestyle shared between him and his long-time partners.

Mr Combs, a highly respected American music sensation credited with launching the careers of stars like Usher, Mary J. Blige, and the Notorious B.I.G., has had his reputation severely damaged by dozens of lawsuits and criminal indictments in recent times.

The Labour Party members representing Igboeze/Udenu and Igboeze South/Nsukka federal constituencies, Dennis Agbo and Mark-Chidi Obetta, respectively, on Thursday defected to the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu.

Defecting with them was the member representing the Nsukka West state constituency, Malachi-Okey Onyechi.

On Tuesday, two Labour Party chieftains, Emeka Mamah and Titus Odo, defected to the PDP barely two weeks after the Labour governorship candidate for the 2023 elections, Chijioke Edeoga, defected to the PDP.

The decampees were members of the PDP who dumped the party during the 2023 general elections for Labour.

During the defection at the PDP Secretariat in Enugu, Mr Onyechi expressed happiness at having united with his former party, pledging to work harmoniously to move the party forward.

He praised Governor Peter Mbah’s developmental strides, saying that he had instituted a N2 billion project domiciled across 260 political wards in Enugu.

Mr Obetta explained that his return to the PDP was predicated on the development indices in Enugu, especially in transport, education, health, and hospitality.

“Enugu state will achieve more if everyone partners with Mbah,” he said.

Mr Agbo also thanked his constituents for their understanding, describing them as great people.

After their defection from the party, he boasted that there would be no Labour again in Enugu, saying it would be difficult for the opposition in Enugu.

He lauded Mr Mbah for his visionary leadership, saying he deserved a second term.

The PDP Chairman in Enugu, Martin Chukwunwike, welcomed them and expressed happiness and excitement over their decision to return to their former party.

“With their defection, the trouble we encountered in the 2023 election is over. The tsunami is over, and 2027 will be seamless,” Mr Chukwunwike said

On Thursday, President Donald Trump reshuffled with National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, who left his position after the messaging app Signal group chat security breach that marred his tenure.

On Thursday, Mr Trump announced this in a TruthSocial post.

“I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States ambassador to the United Nations,” Mr Trump said. “From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our nation’s interests first. I know he will do the same in his new role.”

Meanwhile, Mr Trump announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will subsequently take over as the National Security Advisor on an interim basis alongside his job at the Department of State.

“In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as National Security Advisor, while continuing his strong leadership at the State Department. Together, we will continue to fight tirelessly to Make America and the world safe again,” Mr Trump stated.

Mr Waltz’s removal was inevitable after he inadvertently added The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal group chat containing Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others where they were discussing upcoming U.S. secret military strikes in Yemen targeting Houthi militias in March.

UN ambassador nominees require Senate approval, and Mr Waltz would need to face what could be uncomfortable questions at confirmation hearings.

The organised labour in Abia has appealed to Governor Alex Otti to ensure the implementation of the new minimum wage of N70,000 for some categories of workers.

The organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, made this appeal during the 2025 May Day celebration on Thursday in Umuahia.

The state NLC chairman, Ogbonnaya Okoro, delivered the joint address prepared by him and his TUC counterpart, Ihechi Enogwe.

Mr Okoro listed the people affected, including environmental health officers, health workers in the ministries, and Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba.

According to him, veterinary officers in the Ministry of Agriculture and local government areas, the Ministry of Social and Women Affairs and the Secondary Education Management Board are also affected.

Mr Okoro said the unions could not guarantee industrial peace in those sectors, for anything short of the minimum wage implementation.

He expressed deep appreciation to the governor for successfully negotiating and implementing the new minimum wage for the state and local government workers.

The NLC chairman further thanked the governor for his outstanding work since he assumed office, especially in infrastructural development, education and agriculture.

He further called the attention of the governor to the outstanding arrears of the minimum wage and its consequential adjustment.

Mr Okoro commended the governor for rolling out the contributory pension scheme for the state workers. He, however, urged the state government to complement the contributory pension scheme by contributing its own percentage.

Mr Okoro decried the arbitrary and high taxation on workers’ salaries while urging the governor’s intervention on what he described as “economic evil imposed on Abia workers.”

Responding, the governor said he had paid careful attention to all the requests and assured that they would be painstakingly considered.
Otti said that his administration would continue to prioritise the welfare of workers in the state and appreciate them for their contributions to the economy.

He assured the workers of prompt and regular payment of their salaries, usually on or before the 28th of every month.

Mr Otti said his administration had since assumed office in 2023, defrayed over N30 billion salary arrears owed to workers by his predecessor.

He said the government would continue engaging and interacting with workers in building a new Abia.

Police commissioner Miller Dantawaye, on Thursday, urged Nigerian workers to shun corruption and lawlessness in their service to the nation.

Mr Dantawaye made the call in a statement as he felicitated with workers on the 2025 May Day celebration.

“As we celebrate 2025 May Day, I urge all Nigerian workers to continue to remain law-abiding as they go about their lawful businesses and activities.

“You should endeavour to report anything you reasonably suspect within your neighbourhood to the police for appropriate action,” he said.

The commissioner also commended workers for their collaboration, partnership, and support to the police command in the ongoing fight against crime in Kogi.

“I further appeal to workers to take the issue of security seriously. Continue to volunteer credible and timely information on the activities of criminals within your locality to the police,” he added.

Mr Dantawaye also lauded the officers and men of the command in Kogi for their dedication and unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property.

He highlighted the strong synergy between the police and other security agencies in achieving the goal.

The commissioner urged the officers to double their efforts to ensure seamless and enhanced service delivery to the people of Kogi.

He also assured the public of the command’s continued focus on improving the operational capacity of its personnel through ongoing in-house refresher training to ensure effective policing in the state.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has launched the National Livestock Transformation Programme at the Grazing Reserve in the Wase LGA of Plateau.

Livestock minister Idi Maiha launched the programme during a visit to the grazing reserve on Thursday.

Mr Maiha said the initiative was part of the renewed hope agenda of the federal government, aimed at creating a value chain in the livestock industry.

He added that the programme would not tackle the rising security challenges in the area but would create job opportunities for residents.

“We are here in Wase grazing reserve to launch the pilot scheme of the livestock transformation programme of the federal government and demonstrate that this is possible under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

“We will construct mass housing for the herders and their families and earth dams for dry season irrigation of pasture so that once the animals are here, there will be no reason to leave this place for greener pastures.

“We will also construct and equip veterinary clinics for the health of the animals and primary healthcare clinics for the families of the herders. It is going to be completely solarised; we will rely on renewable energy so as to also fight issues of climate change,” he said.

The minister explained that his visit to the state also meant meeting with critical stakeholders to ensure the smooth commencement of the programme.

He added that the programme would also boost the state’s economy, insisting it would attract other businesses to Plateau.

The minister promised that the government would also construct road networks within the grazing reserve as part of the programme.

Sunday Akpa, Plateau’s livestock commissioner, said the initiative would complement the state government’s efforts toward boosting the livestock industry.

He said the state government would provide the necessary support for the programme’s success