JUBILATION AS FINANCE MINISTER WALE EDUN EMERGES PRESIDENT OF NIGERIAN BOXING FEDERATION.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has emerged as the new President of the Nigerian Boxing Federation (NBF) after a unanimous vote at the federation’s elective congress held at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Edun, a passionate boxing supporter, was elected unopposed, securing all 12 delegate votes. His election marks a new era for Nigerian boxing, with expectations of reforms and renewed energy in the federation.

In his acceptance speech, Edun pledged to restore the sport’s glory through transparency and grassroots development.

“Our goal is to restore Nigerian boxing to its rightful place on the global stage through transparency, inclusion, and strong grassroots development,” he said.

The Vice Presidential election was closely contested, with Hon. Omonlei Imadu (South-West) defeating Mighty Mike (North-Central) by eight votes to four. Imadu described Edun’s emergence as a “new dawn” for the sport, commending his passion and long-standing support for young boxers.

The election, supervised by the National Sports Commission (NSC) under Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, was praised for its fairness and accountability.

Beyond his ministerial role, Edun is the Chairman of the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF), a non-profit founded in 2010 to nurture amateur boxing talent and organize tournaments like the Governor’s Belt Championship. He also serves on the board of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation and chairs Livewell Initiative, a health-based NGO.

With the elections concluded, the new leadership faces the task of reviving Nigeria’s boxing legacy, expanding opportunities for young athletes, and restoring the nation’s pride in the global boxing scene.

Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki Steps Aside Ahead of 2027 after 14-years in politics, Says Leadership Must Make Room for Youth.

A member of the House of Representatives representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki, has announced that he will not seek re-election in the 2027 general elections.

Dasuki described his decision as a personal sacrifice to give younger Nigerians the opportunity to contribute fresh ideas to governance. “This is not a decision born out of fatigue or frustration, but a higher calling rooted in hope and belief in Nigeria’s future,” he said.

The lawmaker, who began his political career in 2011, has served in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, and now in the National Assembly. He also chairs The Future Is Now Project, a youth inclusion initiative advocating that 70 percent of House of Representatives seats be occupied by Nigerians under 40 by 2027.

Dasuki said his decision to step aside aligns with the principles he has long promoted. “I am still a youth by many standards, but having crossed the 40-year threshold, it is time to match words with action. This is my sacrifice for the vision we proclaimed,” he stated.

Expressing gratitude to his constituents and political mentor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Dasuki thanked them for their trust and support over his 14-year political journey.

“To the youth of Nigeria, I say no more waiting, no more excuses, no more silence. Take your place, lead with courage, integrity, and vision,” he added.

He assured that even as he exits elective politics, he remains committed to mentorship, youth empowerment, and policy advocacy. “As I step aside, I hope to set a new precedent that true leadership also means knowing when to make space for others,” Dasuki said.

Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya has been declared the winner of the country’s disputed presidential election by the Constitutional Council.

Official results show Biya won 53.7% of the vote, defeating his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who secured 35.2%. The victory extends Biya’s rule, making it his eighth consecutive term since he first came to power in 1982.

Bakary had earlier claimed victory, alleging that the results were manipulated and warning that the Council’s announcement would be “tainted.”

Tension has spread across the country following the declaration. In Bamenda, streets are deserted amid fears of unrest, while reports from Douala indicate that at least four people were killed during clashes between protesters and security forces.

Opposition supporters have defied a government ban on protests, accusing the ruling party of trying to “steal victory.”

Despite the allegations, the government insists the election was conducted peacefully and in line with the law.

Hisbah Cancels Court-Ordered Wedding of TikTok Celebrities in Kano After the Man Confessed He Lied About Being in Love With the Lady.

The Kano State Hisbah has cancelled the controversial court-ordered marriage between two TikTok celebrities after the groom withdrew his consent.

The union between Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda was initially ordered by a magistrate court following the circulation of their viral video showing them kissing and cuddling—an act considered indecent in Kano’s conservative Islamic society.

Kano, one of Nigeria’s northern states operating under Sharia and common law, had directed Hisbah to conduct the wedding within 60 days. However, preparations were halted when Mai Wushirya confessed that he lied to the court about being in love with Yar Guda to avoid prosecution.

Following his confession, Hisbah announced the cancellation of the planned wedding and said the matter would be referred back to the court for further action.

Before the cancellation, Mai Wushirya’s parents had consented to the marriage, and the state government had agreed to provide a house for the couple to meet the bride’s condition.

The court’s decision to compel the marriage had earlier drawn mixed reactions across Nigeria, with many describing it as a violation of human rights. Legal experts also criticized the ruling, noting that no court has the authority to force individuals into marriage against their will.

Kano remains a deeply conservative state and home to Kannywood, the Hausa-language film industry known for its strict moral and cultural codes.

ABU Debunks Viral Claim Linking It to Nuclear Weapons Development.

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has dismissed a viral social media video alleging that the institution was secretly involved in developing nuclear weapons for Nigeria.

In a statement by the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Malam Auwalu Umar, ABU described the AI-generated video as false, misleading, and deliberately crafted to misinform the public about Nigeria’s peaceful nuclear energy program.

The video had claimed that Nigerian scientists in the 1980s enriched weapons grade uranium in Kaduna, with ABU researchers allegedly obtaining centrifuge equipment from Pakistan’s AQ Khan network.

Umar, however, debunked these allegations as baseless and unsubstantiated, clarifying that during the 1980s, most scientists at ABU’s Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) were still undergoing training abroad and could not have been involved in any uranium enrichment activity.

He emphasized that all of Nigeria’s nuclear activities have been transparent and strictly for peaceful purposes, in line with the country’s commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Pelindaba Treaty, which ban nuclear weapons development.

According to Umar, the Centre for Energy Research and Training, founded in 1976, operates in partnership with the IAEA and other international collaborators from the U.S., Russia, and China and has never engaged in any secret weapons project.

“ABU has consistently focused on the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology to promote national development,” he stated, adding that the university’s founder, Sir Ahmadu Bello, had shown early interest in peaceful atomic research after visiting the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the U.S. in 1960.

He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to advancing science and technology for the benefit of humanity and to upholding Nigeria’s international obligations on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

'Nigerian Muslims Also Victims’ — Vatican Cardinal Counters Christian Genocide Claim.

Vatican Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, has dismissed claims that Nigeria’s insecurity is rooted in religion, saying the violence is driven mainly by social and economic factors.

Speaking in Rome during the presentation of a report on religious freedom by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Parolin cited farmer-herder clashes in north-central Nigeria as an example of non-religious causes of conflict.

“Many Muslims in Nigeria are themselves victims of this same intolerance,” he said. “These are extremist groups that make no distinctions in pursuing their goals. They use violence against anyone they see as an opponent.”

At a parallel launch of the ACN report in the UK parliament, John Bakeni, Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, agreed that the causes of violence are complex pointing to poverty, climate change, and land competition but noted that some attacks clearly carry a religious tone, targeting churches, priests, and Christian symbols “with impunity.”

Their remarks come amid rising global concern and claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria an allegation the federal government continues to reject.

Following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Rome, Massad Boulos, Senior Adviser to former US President Donald Trump, also dismissed the genocide narrative, stressing that terrorists are killing more Muslims than Christians. He said the US would continue to support Nigeria in tackling insecurity.

China Reportedly Tightens Rules for Influencers; Mandates Proof of University Qualifications before discussing professional subjects.

China has introduced stricter regulations for social media influencers, requiring anyone who discusses professional topics such as medicine, finance, law, or education to provide proof of their qualifications before posting content.

Under the new rules issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), influencers must show evidence of formal training, a university degree, or verified professional expertise before they can share advice in these sensitive fields.

The move is part of Beijing’s ongoing effort to tighten oversight of online content and curb the spread of misinformation. Platforms including Douyin, Weibo, and Bilibili are now responsible for verifying the credentials of creators. Influencers who fail to comply risk account suspension or permanent closure, as well as fines of up to 100,000 yuan (about $14,000).

Authorities say the policy aims to ensure that professional advice shared online comes from credible sources, protecting users from misleading or inaccurate information. However, digital analysts warn that the move could further centralize control over online discourse and limit independent voices, especially in areas where social media has become an alternative source of information.

The new rules come amid broader efforts by Beijing to regulate influencer activity and enforce “orderly and healthy” communication on Chinese social platforms, reflecting the government’s growing influence over how expertise and public opinion are expressed online.

"Nigeria Records $50bn in Crypto Transactions"— SEC Boss, Agama, reveals.

Nigeria recorded cryptocurrency transactions worth over $50 billion between July 2023 and June 2024, according to the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama.

At an exchange rate of ₦1,500 to the dollar, this amounts to about ₦75 trillion, nearly two-thirds of the ₦98.8 trillion capitalization of the Nigerian equities market as of October 24.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Agama said the massive volume of crypto activity reflects the financial sophistication and risk appetite of Nigerian investors traits the traditional capital market has failed to capture.

Despite this enthusiasm, he lamented that fewer than four percent of Nigeria’s adult population actively invests in the capital market, while over 60 million Nigerians participate in daily gambling worth an estimated $5.5 million.

“This paradox is revealing,” Agama said. “Nigerians clearly have a strong appetite for risk, but not the confidence or access to channel that energy into productive investment.” He warned that the dominance of speculative behavior over structured investment indicates a deeper erosion of trust in the nation’s financial system.

"Everything Is Under Control"— Senator Ned Nwoko assures concerned Nigerians amid his marital crisis with Actress Regina Daniels.

Senator Ned Nwoko has responded publicly for the following recent allegations of domestic violence made against him by his wife, Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, and her siblings.

Appearing as a guest on a Channels TV programme , the lawmaker from Delta North was asked about the controversy that has dominated social media in recent days.

The host began by saying, “Thank you so much indeed for making time to join us. It’s good to see you your face has been all over the media in the last few days for personal reasons. I hope everything is calm and under control?”

Responding, Nwoko said simply, “It happens.”

When the interviewer noted that many people often underestimate his capacity, the senator replied, “Well, I am who I am.”

The host went on to describe him as “an Old Testament man,” to which Nwoko responded, “Yes, I am.”

Pressed again on whether everything was now under control, the Delta-born politician reaffirmed, “Yes, thank you.”

Nwoko’s brief but composed remarks mark his first public reaction since Regina Daniels’ accusations surfaced, sparking widespread debate across social media and within political circles.

23-YEAR-OLD UNIJOS STUDENT ARRESTED FOR KILLING, BURYING COLLEAGUE IN SHALLOW GRAVE IN HIS ROOM.

A 23-year-old student of the University of Jos, identified as David Nanpon Timmap, has been arrested for allegedly killing and burying his colleague, Peter Mata Mafurai, 22, in a shallow grave inside his room at Rusau village, Jos North Local Government Area.

Timmap, a 300-level student, reportedly attacked and hacked Mafurai to death in his residence. According to a security source, the incident came to light after operatives of the Plateau State Police Command, attached to the Laranto Division, received a distress call on Saturday morning.

“Following the distress call received at about 9:30 a.m., the Divisional Police Officer of Laranto Division led a team of officers to the scene, where the suspect was arrested,” a police source stated.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect buried the victim in a shallow grave he had dug inside his room. The remains of the deceased have since been exhumed and deposited at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Police sources confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to determine the motive behind the gruesome act.

Authorities have assured the public that a full investigation is underway to ensure justice is served.

"EVERY MAN SHOULD MARRY MORE THAN ONE WIFE" — SENATOR NED NWOKO.

During a recent interview on Channels Television, Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District and is known for his polygamous lifestyle, shared his bold views on marriage, saying that “every man should marry more than one wife.”

When asked by the interviewer how he managed to successfully live with four wives, Nwoko replied, “I’m sure you have a wife and you also have girlfriends.

Just imagine me telling you to stand on one leg you know how difficult that is. But to stand on two, three, four legs is much more balanced. That’s the example.” He added jokingly, “I feel sorry for those who have only one wife because it’s difficult to stand on one leg.”

The interviewer pressed further, noting that the Bible does not support polygamy. Nwoko countered, “Well, the Old Testament does, and I am a man of the Old Testament and also a man of faith.”

When asked if he plans to marry more wives, the senator laughed and said, “Well, look, that’s not what we are here for.” However, when asked if he would make the same choice again, he confidently replied, “Of course, yes. I’ll do the same thing again and again.”

Addressing a comment about his taste for young and beautiful women, Nwoko smiled and said, “That’s just the way it is and the way it should be.”

Responding to allegations of domestic violence, the senator dismissed them outright, saying, “No, come on. I’m not a violent person. I respect my wives, I love them, and I love my kids. So, no not at all.”

Ned Nwoko, a lawyer, politician, and businessman, is well known for his marriage to popular actress Regina Daniels and his advocacy for polygamy, which he often defends as both traditional and practical.

"I GO ON MY KNEES AND PRAY BEFORE I KISS ON SET"– ACTOR DANIEL ETIM-EFFIONG.

Nollywood actor and filmmaker Daniel Etim-Effiong has opened up about his approach to filming romantic scenes, revealing that he prays before every intimate moment on set. He said his faith keeps him grounded despite the demands and temptations of his profession.

The actor, who made his directorial debut with The Herd, explained that before shooting any romantic scene, he seeks divine guidance, describing the act as part of his worship.

“I get all my inspiration from God,” Etim-Effiong said during an interview on Channels TV’s Rubbin’ Minds. “I go on my knees and pray before I go to set and kiss.”

Etim-Effiong, who has faced public criticism for his romantic roles especially after a viral scene in Summer Rain where he kissed actress Bolaji Ogunmola clarified that his focus remains on storytelling, not controversy.

“The fact that I play a lot of romantic roles means I get to have kissing scenes sometimes. But the question should go to the producers, why are they expressing affection only one way? There are other ways to show intimacy,” he said.

The 37-year-old actor, who left a successful career in engineering to pursue acting, said his decision was driven by purpose and faith.

“My family is my garden, then my work. Acting feels like a calling to me, a way to worship through storytelling,” he added.

Speaking further, the actor explained that producers often include romantic scenes in movies because of audience preference.

“The average Nollywood script says, ‘kiss passionately,’ because that’s what sells. But I believe there are braver ways to explore affection on screen,” he said.

Despite the attention his roles attract, Etim-Effiong maintained that faith, focus, and family remain his guiding principles.

“When you’re a focused person, you don’t let naysayers get to you,” he said. “You just do your job and move with purpose.”

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has appointed his elder brother, Alhaji Adamu Mohammed, as the Emir of the newly created Duguri Emirate in Alkaleri Local Government Area.

The appointment letter was presented at the Duguri palace on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Aminu Hammayo, on behalf of the governor. He urged the new emir to support government policies & programmes aimed at achieving sustainable growth & development.

In his remarks, Alhaji Adamu Mohammed thanked the governor for the honour & pledged loyalty to the State Government & the Bauchi Emirate Council, praying for Allah’s blessings on the state leadership.

At the same event, Alhaji Jibrin D. Hassan was presented with his appointment letter as the Emir of Bununu Emirate. The SSG advised him to uphold the rule of law, promote peace among all tribes & contribute to the state’s progress.

Emir of Bununu expressed gratitude to the governor, promising to serve both the government & the people with dedication & integrity.

In its ruling, the court wrote:

“Rape is, in many cases, considered an exceptionally serious offense that could lead to the deportation of a refugee, but an assessment must be made based on all circumstances in the individual case. Given the nature and duration of the offense in question, the Court of Appeal finds that while the crime is serious, it does not constitute an exceptionally serious offense that would warrant a deportation order for Yazied Mohamed. The request for deportation is therefore rejected.”

The decision has provoked widespread outrage, with critics describing it as another example of Sweden’s overly lenient approach toward offenders with refugee status.

"Nigeria, South Africa May Exit FATF Grey List Next Month" — Bloomberg.

Nigeria and South Africa could be removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “gray list” as early as next month, signaling a major turnaround for two of Africa’s largest economies, according to a Bloomberg report. The Paris-based FATF recently conducted on-site assessments in both countries, as well as in Burkina Faso and Mozambique, and found they had made significant progress in strengthening measures against illicit financial flows.

Nigeria and South Africa were placed on the FATF gray list in February 2023 for deficiencies in combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Their potential removal, experts say, could boost investor confidence and affirm ongoing economic reforms.

“It would confirm that the reforms and measures put in place after the gray listing are both significant and sustainable,” said Lauren van Biljon, senior portfolio manager at Allspring Global Investments UK Ltd.

A spokesman for Nigeria’s government, Temitope Ajayi, described the anticipated delisting as “the culmination of the remarkable work the government is doing to fulfill global obligations and attract investors.” South Africa’s National Treasury said it would respond publicly once FATF announces its final verdict but noted that the country had already completed 22 required action items.

The FATF gray list identifies countries under increased monitoring due to weaknesses in their anti–money laundering systems. Under the leadership of Mexican official Elisa de Anda Madrazo, the FATF has recently restructured its approach, focusing more on wealthier economies that pose higher systemic risks, while also addressing emerging threats like online fraud and sextortion.

Canadian Court Upholds Deportation of Nigerian Pastor Over Fake Documents and bribery.

A Canadian federal court has refused to review the asylum denial of Nigerian pastor Lucky Bidemi Olorunfemi, ruling that the documents he submitted were fraudulent and tainted by bribery infractions that cleared the way for his deportation.

In a judgment delivered on October 16 in Toronto, Justice McHaffie upheld an earlier decision by the Refugee Protection Division (RPD), which found that Olorunfemi’s supporting evidence lacked credibility and appeared doctored.

The self-proclaimed pastor from Akure, Ondo State, had applied for refugee status in 2023, claiming his pro-LGBTQ stance and tolerance for gay members made him a target of “Muslim Jihadis” who allegedly burned down his church and hunted him in 2022.

To back his story, Olorunfemi tendered four documents a newspaper report, a police invitation letter, his wife’s medical report, and a wanted poster purportedly issued by the “Odoua Peoples Congress.” But the RPD described the materials as “riddled with spelling and grammatical errors,” and resembling “brown envelope journalism.”

Justice McHaffie noted that the supposed OPC poster contained several blunders including misspellings of “Oodua” as Odoua and “Yoruba” as youruba and even identified Olorunfemi under a different name.

The court also flagged contradictions in the Nigerian’s testimony, including his claim of poor English proficiency despite speaking fluently during the hearing.

“The only fact established in his case was that he is Nigerian,” the judge said, dismissing his appeal for review.

UK-based Nigerian Man, One Other Jailed for Life Over 2017 East London Murder.

A UK-based Nigerian, Lekan Akinsoji, and Sundjata Keita of St Margaret’s Court have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the 2017 murder of Ahmed Deen-Jah in East London.

The pair, both 27, were convicted of murder on October 9 and sentenced on Friday at the Old Bailey, London’s Central Criminal Court.

“Lekan Akinsoji, 27, of no fixed address, and Sundjata Keita, 27, of St Margaret’s Court, E12, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, 24 October. They both received life sentences,” the UK police said in a statement.

“Mr Akinsoji was jailed for a minimum term of 28 years, while Keita received a minimum term of 22 years.”

Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen, who led the investigation, said, “I hope the long sentences provide some measure of closure to Ahmed’s family, who have waited almost a decade for justice.”

She added, “Akinsoji and Keita launched a cold-blooded and unprovoked attack. Worse still, they then sought to evade the law—and were able to do so until 2023, when damning forensic evidence came to light.”

The case dates back to April 2, 2017, when Deen-Jah was stabbed in a convenience store near Custom House station in Newham. Both men were initially arrested but later released due to lack of evidence.

A 2023 review uncovered fresh forensic findings and detailed phone analysis that placed Keita’s device in the car used for the killing. The vehicle was later discovered burned in Epping Forest.

According to police, “the court heard how Ahmed’s murder was a result of ‘tit for tat’ violence between gangs and that both men had been driving around the area in a stolen car, looking for people they suspected of being in a rival gang.”

“CCTV played in court showed Akinsoji ambushing Ahmed and following him into the shop before stabbing him,” police added.

Presidency Explains Sack of Defence Chief, Others, Says Move Is Routine.

The Presidency has clarified that the removal of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and other service chiefs is a routine exercise aimed at strengthening national security.

Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare stated this in an interview with DAILY POST on Friday, following President Bola Tinubu’s announcement of the new security appointments earlier in the day.

General Musa has been replaced by Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff. Other appointments include Major General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff. Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Dare explained that such changes are within the President’s constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief.

“This is routine, meant to boost security across the nation. The Commander-in-Chief can at any time make these changes to both ministerial and service chiefs. In the same way, commanding officers of mechanized divisions can be moved or removed,” he said.

The reshuffle in the military hierarchy comes amid unverified rumours of a possible coup, which both the Presidency and the Nigerian Army have dismissed as false.

Postgraduate Student Arrested for Criticising Niger Governor on Facebook.

A postgraduate student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL), Abubakar Isah Mokwa, has been arrested by the police for allegedly criticising Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State on Facebook.

Mokwa, a student of the Department of Agricultural Economy and Extension, was picked up by police from his off-campus residence in Lapai on Thursday.

Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said Mokwa was detained following a complaint bordering on cyber-related offences.

“The Niger State Police Command received a criminal complaint bordering on cyber bullying, cyber stalking and other Cybercrime related offences against one Abubakar Isah Mokwa, 29yrs, of Mokwa, and a postgraduate student of IBBUL,” Abiodun said.

He added that the suspect was “invited and arrested by the Lapai Division on 23rd October, 2025, at about 11pm and transferred to the State Police Command Headquarters, Minna for further investigation.”

According to him, “the suspect is in custody and further development will be made public.”

This arrest adds to a growing list of incidents involving the Niger State government and critics of Governor Bago.

In August, the state government suspended Badegi 90.1 FM, an independent radio station in Minna, over alleged criticism of the governor.

Reacting to the latest arrest, the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria condemned what it described as “a growing pattern of repression against the press under Governor Bago’s leadership.”

“In January 2025, Yakubu Mustapha, the Niger State correspondent for Peoples Daily and Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ, was detained for three days after allegedly circulating an article critical of the governor’s media adviser,” IPI recalled.

“Similarly, in November 2023, Mustapha Nasiru Batsari, the Niger State correspondent of the Voice of America (VOA), was reportedly assaulting by a commissioner in Governor Bago’s cabinet after requesting an interview regarding a violent clash between farmers in Beji,” it added.

EFCC Arrests Akwa Ibom School Owner over ₦3 million Alleged Visa and Scholarship Scam.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, has arrested Mrs. Imaobong Cyril Okpong, owner of Michael Udonquak Schools, Mbierebe, Akwa Ibom State, for allegedly running multiple visa and foreign scholarship scams.

According to the EFCC, Okpong’s arrest followed a petition by Dr. (Mrs.) Blessing Nse Bassey, who accused her of defrauded her of ₦3 million under the pretext of securing university admission and processing Canadian visas for her and her husband.

Bassey said the suspect approached her in February 2024 with an offer to help secure a foreign scholarship. She stated that she only made payment after Okpong signed a notarized indemnity agreement, after which she transferred ₦3 million to the suspect’s First Bank account.

However, after receiving the money, Okpong allegedly became unreachable and began rejecting calls, failing to fulfill her promises despite the signed agreement.

Bassey further alleged that Okpong had defrauded several other victims. “I met one of her victims in China who got stranded when she discovered there was no scholarship. Some of her victims travelled abroad with fake documents and were either stranded or deported, losing huge sums of money,” she said.

The EFCC confirmed that the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

FG Approves just $1bn for Modernisation of Apapa, TinCan Ports in Lagos.

The Federal Government has approved $1 billion (₦1.4 trillion) for the modernisation of Apapa and TinCan Island seaports in Lagos — Nigeria’s busiest commercial gateways.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced this on Wednesday at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria Conference in Lagos. 

He said the project aims to enhance cargo handling, expand capacity, and align operations with global standards under the ministry’s 10-year marine and blue economy strategy.

“We are working closely with stakeholders to achieve a paperless, technology-driven port environment that enhances efficiency, reduces turnaround time, and curbs corruption,” Oyetola stated.

He added that similar port upgrades are being planned outside Lagos to ensure balanced development nationwide.

Though the government has not released full details or a timeline, reports earlier this year indicated that ITB Nigeria — owned by Lebanese-Nigerian businessman Gilbert Chagoury — had been awarded a $700 million contract for the Lagos port renovation, expected to begin in mid-2025. 

The project is to be financed through a Citibank loan backed by UK Export Finance, with additional support from Afreximbank.

APM Terminals, operators of the Apapa port and a subsidiary of Maersk, has also proposed a $500 million investment.

Oyetola noted that the ministry is fostering private sector participation through regulatory reforms, public-private partnerships, and incentives to drive innovation and job creation.

Lagos ports, despite high fees and ageing infrastructure, remain vital trade hubs for West Africa and continue to attract major global shipping companies.