Abuja, Nigeria

Distinguished Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife, CON, has reaffirmed her commitment to national development, youth empowerment, and inclusive leadership as she joined top political leaders, stakeholders, party faithful, women, and youth groups at the commissioning of the Tinubu Torch Bearers (TTB) National Secretariat in Asokoro, Abuja.

The event brought together prominent figures within the political space to celebrate the establishment of the TTB National Secretariat, a platform aimed at promoting grassroots mobilization, leadership development, and citizen engagement in support of Nigeria’s development agenda.

Speaking during the ceremony, Senator Ekwunife commended the APC National Woman Leader and Convener of the Tinubu Torch Bearers, Hon. Dr. Mary Alile Idele, PhD, for her dedication to women empowerment, youth inclusion, and the advancement of the Renewed Hope Agenda. She described the initiative as a significant step toward strengthening political participation and fostering greater engagement among Nigerians.

The former senator emphasized the need for unity, purposeful leadership, and active citizen participation in building a stronger and more prosperous nation. According to her, the commissioning of the secretariat represents more than the opening of a physical structure; it symbolizes a strategic platform for nurturing future leaders and driving national transformation.

Senator Ekwunife further urged Nigerians, particularly women and young people, to remain committed to the collective responsibility of nation-building by promoting peace, strengthening democratic institutions, and supporting initiatives that encourage sustainable development across the country.

She reiterated her resolve to continue championing policies and programmes that uplift communities, empower citizens, and create opportunities for growth and development.

As stakeholders gathered in solidarity and shared a common vision for progress, Senator Ekwunife’s message underscored the importance of hope, collaboration, and collective action in shaping a brighter future for Nigeria.

The commissioning of the Tinubu Torch Bearers National Secretariat marks another milestone in efforts to deepen grassroots engagement and strengthen support structures aimed at advancing national development and inclusive governance.

See her full speech below

Dr. Bashir Kurfi, a lecturer in International Finance at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has warned that Nigeria’s economic failures and reliance on foreign currencies are creating openings for terrorism financing through Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.

Speaking on Trust TV on Wednesday, Kurfi said terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) depend on international financial networks to move funds across borders.

“When you talk of terrorism, it has an international dimension. Groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP have networks across countries, so there will naturally be international movement of funds,” he explained.

Kurfi noted that BDCs, which largely deal in cash and foreign currencies, can easily be exploited for illicit transactions. He emphasized that the US dollar remains the dominant currency in both legal and illegal international dealings.

He blamed Nigeria’s weak economy and poor leadership for the growing preference for the dollar over the naira, describing currency as a symbol of national dignity.

“Once it loses value and public confidence, people begin to look for alternatives,” he said.Kurfi further linked insecurity to illegal mining, stressing that mineral resources often fuel conflicts across Africa.

He called for stronger regulation of the financial sector, improved economic policies, and closer monitoring of mining activities to curb insecurity and illicit financial flows.

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The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank of renowned constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Professor Mike Ozekhome.

The decision was taken at the committee’s 173rd General Meeting, according to a statement signed by Kabiru Eniola Akanbi, LPPC Secretary and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court.

Akanbi explained that the suspension was carried out under Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the SAN Rank, pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings before the LPPC’s Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee.

“The suspension of Ozekhome is intended to safeguard the integrity, dignity and prestige of the SAN rank,” the statement read.

The committee further directed that Ozekhome must not parade himself or hold out to be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria until the disciplinary process is finalized.

The LPPC emphasized its commitment to upholding the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and discipline within the legal profession, stressing that the SAN title must continue to command public confidence and respect.

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The Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC) has welcomed the decision of the United States to sanction three bureau de change (BDC) firms and individuals over alleged links to terrorism financing.

On Tuesday, the US Treasury Department designated Mukhtar Adamu and three Nigerian BDC firms for allegedly facilitating financial transactions on behalf of ISIS.

The US said Adamu used his businesses in Lagos and Kano as conduits for moving funds linked to the terrorist group.

The firms named by Washington are Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited, Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited, and
Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited.

The sanctions were part of a broader crackdown targeting individuals and entities across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa accused of helping ISIS move funds across borders.

In a statement on Wednesday, the committee said the US action followed the inclusion of Adamu and his companies in the Nigeria Sanctions List published on June 18, 2026.

“The Nigeria Sanctions Committee welcomes the recent inclusion of Mukthar Muhammad Adamu, Nine to Nine BDC and Generation BDC
Limited by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
yesterday,” the statement reads

The committee said the designation was based on extensive intelligence gathering, financial investigations, and inter-agency assessments.

According to the NSC, there were reasonable grounds to believe that the affected individuals and entities “facilitated, financed, supported or otherwise contributed” to the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and associated terrorist networks.

The federal government reiterated its directive to financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions to comply with sanctions obligations, including freezing assets, filing suspicious transaction reports, and reporting relevant matches to authorities.

The committee also commended the federal ministry of justice, office of the national security adviser (ONSA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)
for their roles in disrupting terrorist financing networks.

The NSC added that Nigeria remains committed to ensuring that terrorists and their financiers have no safe haven within the country’s financial system.

The committee said the government would continue to collaborate with domestic and international partners to strengthen financial integrity and combat terrorism financing.

Those added to the Nigeria sanctions list include:

1. Ibrahim Yakubu Ogirima (NLISWi.19)

2. Mukhtar Muhammad Adamu (NLISWi.20)

3. Adamu Chiroma (NLISWi.21)

4. Ibrahim Abubakar (NLISWi.22)

5. Abdullahi Umar Usman (NLISWi.23)

6. Babangida Muhammed Adamu Hammajam (NLISWi.24)

7. Abbal Bako & Sons Bureau De Change Limited
(NLISWe.25)

8. Generation Currency BDC Limited (NLISWe.26)

9. Nine to Nine BDC Limited (NLISWe.27)

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The Lagos Business School (LBS) and the French Government have spotlighted agribusiness and food systems as priority areas for deeper cooperation between Nigeria and France, emphasizing partnerships in value chains, logistics, agro-processing, and agricultural technology.

The call was made at the France-Nigeria Business & Human Capital Development Forum held in Lagos on Wednesday, where stakeholders underscored agriculture’s role in driving innovation, food security, and rural development.

Speaking during a high-level dialogue with LBS Dean, Prof. Olayinka David-West, the French Ambassador to Nigeria and Representative to ECOWAS, Marc Fonbaustier, said Nigeria has yet to realize its full potential as Africa’s agri-food powerhouse despite its abundant resources.

“You should become the agri-food hub of Africa one day. France has expertise in value-added chains, food preservation, processing, and distribution systems. On this field, there is really common ground not for transfer but co-construction, respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty,” Fonbaustier said.

He stressed that agriculture remains a central pillar of France-Nigeria cooperation, extending beyond food production to include innovation, climate resilience, digital transformation, and sustainable farming practices.

He pledged France’s support for Nigerian universities, researchers, start-ups, and businesses to strengthen competitiveness across the agricultural value chain.

Prof. David-West highlighted agriculture as a critical sector requiring stronger collaboration, noting LBS’s ongoing agribusiness programmes and research initiatives aimed at addressing structural challenges such as poor data availability.

She also called for greater faculty and student mobility, knowledge exchange, and co-created systems to deepen bilateral cooperation.

The forum also emphasized human capital development as a defining pillar of future relations, with Fonbaustier noting that the number of Nigerian students studying in France has surged by 283 per cent in the past five years.

“France is committed to walking this journey alongside Nigeria, not as a competitor but as a trusted, renewable, and long-term partner,” Fonbaustier added.

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Mary Alile-Idele, the national women leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has unveiled a situation room designed to monitor political activities and track developments across Nigeria’s 176,846 polling units.

Alile-Idele announced the initiative on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Tinubu Torchbearers (TTB) national secretariat in Abuja.

She said the facility would provide real-time monitoring of the activities of the Tinubu Torchbearers nationwide while also serving as a strategic election-monitoring platform.

“Your Excellency, permit me to also inform you that one of the innovative facilities within this secretariat is the women situation room,” she said.

“This state-of-the-art platform will enable real-time monitoring of TTB activities nationwide.

“Beyond campaign activities, the women situation room will serve as a strategic election-monitoring and coordination centre capable of tracking developments across Nigeria’s 176,846 polling units.”

Alile-Idele said details of the initiative would be formally forwarded to the presidency for further consideration and engagement.

The APC women leader said the Tinubu Torchbearers movement has expanded significantly since its inauguration, with structures established in all 774 LGAs and 8,809 wards across the country.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that all 774 local government coordinators have successfully exchanged the torchlight with the 8,809 ward coordinators across Nigeria,” she said.

“This extraordinary achievement reflects the strength, structure, and reach of the Tinubu Torchbearers movement.”

She added that the movement is promoting the achievements and policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration at the grassroots.

“The message of the achievements, policies, and programmes of the President is reaching communities, wards, local governments, and states
throughout the country,” she said.

Alile-Idele described the newly inaugurated secretariat as a strategic facility that would coordinate and drive the activities of the organisation nationwide.

“The commissioning of this national secretariat is therefore both symbolic and strategic. This secretariat will serve as the operational hub of the Tinubu Torchbearers movement nationwide,” she said.

“It will coordinate, administer, monitor, and drive the activities of TTB across all levels of engagement.”

She added that several states, including Abia and Edo, have already secured offices for the movement.

Alile-Idele also unveiled the “Do Know & Benefit” digital wristband initiative, which she said would enable citizens to access information on government programmes and achievements through their mobile devices.

“With a simple scan of the wristband, users can instantly access comprehensive information on the programmes, achievements, and benefits
of the Renewed Hope administration through their mobile devices,” she said.

According to her, the initiative is aimed at strengthening political communication and engagement with young people, market women, farmers, artisans, and grassroots communities.

Alile-Idele reaffirmed the support of women across the country for the Tinubu administration and pledged continued mobilisation for the APC and the renewed hope agenda.

“We are prepared. We are organized. We are mobilised. We shall continue to strengthen the grassroots, illuminate communities with the message of Renewed Hope, and work tirelessly to ensure the success of this
administration,” she added.

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Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, has directed traditional worshippers across Edo-south senatorial district to embark on a spiritual warfare against kidnappers, armed robbers and other violent criminals operating in Edo state.

According to NAN, the monarch gave the directive on Tuesday during a meeting with native doctors, priests, priestesses and other adherents of traditional religion at his palace in Benin City.

The Oba of Benin said the exercise would involve prayers and spiritual interventions aimed at restoring peace and security in the state.

“The message is from the ancestors. Edo people at home and in the diaspora should hear this,” he said.

“The criminals should know that God Almighty and our ancestors will not allow their evil to prevail in Edo.”

Speaking through Osaigbovo Osamwonyi, Akenuwa of Benin, the
monarch said the growing wave of insecurity and other social vices in the state had become a source of concern.

“Today is a great day. I welcome you with the power of our ancestors. Many things that are not supposed to be happening are happening in this state. We have to pray. Those who want to destroy the kingdom will not
succeed,” he said.

The monarch said the spiritual exercise was intended to complement efforts by the Edo state government and security agencies to maintain peace and order.

“You all know what is happening. The Oba is trying to bring peace. All the bad things are what we want to wipe away. Use all that you have to send all the wicked ones away so that we can sleep with our eyes closed.

“We don’t want kidnapping, armed robbery and other social vices in this state. We want peace. The palace has done much behind closed doors. Use all that you have to chase away wicked ones.”

Oba of Benin instructed the traditionalists to continue the
spiritual exercise over the coming days before returning to the palace on July
2.

“After 10 days, you all will return to the palace with all you have to place curses on those involved in these evil acts. We want to see
change,” he said.

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Abuja, Nigeria – June 24, 2026

In a commendable effort aimed at promoting adolescent health and empowering young girls, the Nri Progress Union (NPU) Youth Wing, Abuja Branch, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, organized a menstrual hygiene sensitization programme for female students of St. Aloysius Secondary School, Garki, Abuja.

The outreach, themed “Sensitization on Menstrual Hygiene for the Girl Child,” formed part of the Union’s ongoing commitment to community development, health education, and social responsibility.

Recognizing the challenges many young girls face due to misinformation, cultural stigma, and limited access to menstrual hygiene products, the programme was designed to provide accurate knowledge and practical guidance on menstrual health management.

During the interactive session, facilitators educated the students on the biological processes associated with puberty and menstruation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining proper hygiene during menstrual periods. Discussions also focused on the correct use and disposal of sanitary products, prevention of infections linked to poor menstrual hygiene, nutritional needs during menstruation, and the importance of self-confidence and self-esteem among adolescent girls.

A major highlight of the programme was the open-question session, which allowed students to freely engage with facilitators and seek clarification on issues surrounding menstrual health. The enthusiastic participation of the students underscored the growing need for continuous awareness campaigns and education on menstrual hygiene.

Speaking during the programme, members of the NPU Youth Wing stressed the importance of breaking societal stigmas associated with menstruation and encouraging open conversations that foster understanding, confidence, and dignity among young girls.

As part of the outreach initiative, the Union also distributed sanitary pads to the students. The gesture was aimed at promoting menstrual dignity, encouraging healthy hygiene practices, and supporting girls who may face difficulties accessing menstrual hygiene products. The distribution was warmly received by both the students and the management of St. Aloysius Secondary School.

The initiative aligns with broader global efforts to improve health outcomes, promote gender equality, enhance access to quality education, and empower young women. Experts have consistently noted that improving menstrual hygiene awareness can significantly reduce school absenteeism among girls, improve academic performance, and contribute to their overall well-being.

The successful execution of the project was led by Madumelu Chinelo Ekene, who served as Team Lead, alongside other dedicated members of the NPU Youth Wing Abuja Branch, including Blessing Nwabukwu (Program Facilitator), Ogudinma Chinelo M., Ebuka Offordile, Francis C. Oraeki, Emmanuella Ifeyinwa Ejide, and Nwagbo Ogochukwu Victoria.

The union President, Amb. Francis also used the opportunity to express his gratitude on behalf the entire members to its donors and supporters whose contributions made the programme possible.

In a statement after the event,by the NPU Youth Wing Abuja Branch president Amb. Francis C. Oraeki, appreciated the management, staff, and students of St. Aloysius Secondary School for their cooperation and warm reception, reaffirming its commitment to initiating impactful projects that promote sustainable development and improve the lives of young people.

The Menstrual Hygiene Sensitization Programme and Sanitary Pad Distribution Exercise was widely regarded as a success, reflecting the Union’s dedication to community service, health advocacy, and girl-child empowerment.

Through education, awareness, and direct intervention, the NPU Youth Wing Abuja Branch continues to contribute towards building a society where every girl is informed, supported, confident, and equipped to thrive.

See pictures from the event below

A member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Aisha Yesufu, on Wednesday disclosed that she begged former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to be the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s running mate four years ago.

Yesufu, who noted that some things take longer than they should, vowed never to be distracted in her support for Obi and Kwankwaso.

Posting on X, the activist wrote: “Some things in life take longer than they should. Like the saying goes, better late than never.

“4 years ago, I literally begged @KwankwasoRM to be Peter
Obi’s running mate.

“Now that it is happening, you think I am going to be
distracted? No way. Let’s get it done.”

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