Tinubu Orders Immediate End to Doctors’ Strike, Moves to Restore Health Services Nationwide

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to take urgent steps to ensure that resident doctors return to work immediately, following the indefinite strike declared by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

The directive was disclosed by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, during a press briefing in Abuja. He expressed the government’s regret over the hardship caused to Nigerians due to the strike and assured that the president had ordered a swift and legitimate resolution of the crisis.

According to Salako, the government is actively addressing the 19 demands presented by NARD, including wage concerns, recruitment gaps, and improved working conditions. He revealed that over 14,000 health workers were recruited in 2024, with plans to employ over 23,000 more across 78 tertiary health institutions in 2025.

The minister also confirmed that President Tinubu had approved the increase of the retirement age for clinical workers to 65 years and released over ₦21 billion to settle outstanding arrears and allowances owed to health professionals.

Dr. Salako urged striking doctors to return to their duty posts, emphasizing that President Tinubu remains committed to revamping Nigeria’s healthcare system and ensuring a sustainable, fair resolution for all health professionals.

Lagos Government Re-Arraigns Convicted Kidnapper, Evans, Over Alleged Murder of Police Officers.

The Lagos State Government has re-arraigned notorious kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, on fresh charges of murdering two police officers.

Evans was re-arraigned on Monday alongside his co-defendant, Joseph Emeka, before Justice A.O. Ogala on a five-count charge bordering on murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to kidnap. Both defendants pleaded not guilty.

The duo, currently held at the Kirikiri Maximum Custodial Centre following convictions in separate cases, were previously being tried before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo before her retirement.

Prosecutors alleged that Evans and Emeka murdered police officers Peter Nweke and Chijioke Ngozi on August 27, 2013, in the Festac area of Lagos. They are also accused of attempting to kidnap Vincent Obianodo, chairman of Young Shall Grow Motors.

The case, which has seen multiple adjournments and was previously marked by a plea bargain attempt by Evans, has now been reassigned to a new judge. Both defendants continue to face several other criminal trials in various courts for related offences.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has approved a new policy that extends teachers’ retirement age from 60 to 65 and increases the required years of service from 35 to 40, effective immediately.

Tinubu Breaks Decades of Career Stagnation in Paramilitary Services – Interior Minister

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ending decades of career stagnation within Nigeria’s paramilitary services through reforms anchored on merit, welfare, and transparency.

Speaking in Abuja during the decoration of newly appointed senior officers across the four agencies under the ministry — the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Federal Fire Service (FFS) — the minister said the promotions reflected competence and integrity.

According to him, the new ranks, which include Deputy Comptroller Generals, Deputy Controller Generals, and Deputy Commandant Generals, were not merely promotions but presidential appointments based on performance and fairness.

“Your appointment is not courtesy. If you are good enough to be a DCG, then you are good enough to be a CG,” Tunji-Ojo emphasized.


He revealed that the officers’ examinations were independently conducted by the National Army Resource Centre and later ratified by the appropriate board. While federal character was applied to ensure inclusiveness, merit and seniority remained the guiding principles.

The minister commended President Tinubu for reforms that have restored dignity to the services, noting that more than 52,000 officers have been promoted in just two years, reversing years of irregular promotions that forced many competent officers into premature retirement.

Tunji-Ojo highlighted welfare improvements, including increased salaries, peculiar allowances, eradication of career stagnation, and approval of life pensions for retired DCGs and CGs.

He also tasked the agencies with renewed responsibility:

Immigration Service – secure and strengthen border governance.

Correctional Service – transform prisons into centres of rehabilitation.

Fire Service – evolve into a frontline rescue agency.

NSCDC – safeguard critical national assets.


“The time to rise to your responsibility is not tomorrow. It began yesterday. Be catalysts of change and show that the government did not make a mistake in entrusting you with these mandates,” he urged.


The minister also underscored the fairness of the promotion system, recalling how a female officer narrowly missed promotion in the past by just 0.25 marks, but has now been elevated based on merit.

Representing the newly decorated officers, Dr. Ngozi Odikpo expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his trust and vision, pledging that they would serve Nigeria with dedication, discipline, and integrity.

She also lauded the Minister of Interior for his leadership and the CGs of the various services for their mentorship, assuring Nigerians that the new appointees would uphold the highest standards of service.

Source: NAN

Jamaican Track Legend, Usain Bolt, Admits Retirement Made Him Feel ‘Human’ as He Gets Out of Breath Walking Up the Stairs

Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt has revealed that life after retirement has reminded him he is “human” again, admitting he now gets out of breath just walking up the stairs.

Speaking to reporters at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the 39-year-old Jamaican still the world record holder in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, explained that a ruptured achilles means he no longer runs, relying mostly on gym workouts instead.

“No, I mostly stick to gym workouts. I’m not a fan, but I think now that I’ve been out for a while, I have to start running again because, when I walk up stairs, I get out of breath,” Bolt said. “Once I get serious about it again, I’ll probably need to do some laps just to fix my breathing.”

Bolt, who retired from professional sprinting in 2017, also gave a glimpse into his daily routine, noting he spends most of his time with his children.

“Normally I wake up just in time to see the kids off to school. If I have nothing planned, I just chill, maybe work out if I’m in the mood, or watch some series until the kids get back. Then I hang out with them until they start annoying me, and after that, I just relax, watch movies or play with Lego,” he said with a laugh.

On why today’s sprinters haven’t matched the times set by his generation despite advances in technology, Bolt was blunt: “You want the real answer? We were just more talented. That’s it. You can see it especially in the men’s races. The women, on the other hand, are improving a lot and running faster times. But for the men, it comes down to talent.”

Three Austrian nuns in their 80s have run away from the retirement home where they were placed and gone back to their former convent.

Court Strikes Down 15-Year Compulsory Service Rule, Upholds Military Officers’ Right to Resign Freely

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has declared unconstitutional the policy requiring Nigerian military officers to serve a minimum of 15 years before resigning.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Justice Emmanuel D. Subilim ruled that members of the Armed Forces cannot be compelled into what he described as “modern-day sl@very under the guise of national service.” He affirmed that officers have the constitutional right to resign at any time.

The case, filed by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong on behalf of Flight Lieutenant J. A. Akerele, challenged the policy after the officer faced persecution, delayed allowances, career disruptions, and mental d+stress following his attempt to leave the Air Force.

Effiong argued that under Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Akerele had an undeniable right to resign, and that the label “voluntary retirement” could not override the substance of his resignation.

Justice Subilim upheld this position, striking down provisions of the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) mandating a 15-year service period before resignation or retirement. He further barred the Chief of Air Staff and the Nigerian Air Force from detaining or compelling Akerele to remain in service.

Effiong welcomed the verdict, calling it a “well-researched decision” that reinforces judicial protection of officers’ rights to resign from the military.

BREAKING: Bishop Emeritus of Nsukka Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Francis Emmanuel Ogbonna Okobo, has died at the age of 89.

Okobo, the first Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, passed away early Friday morning after a brief illness, according to priests in the diocese.

Appointed on November 19, 1990, and ordained on January 6, 1991, he led the diocese until his retirement in 2013. Born November 4, 1936, he was ordained a priest in 1966.

Tributes are pouring in, honoring his legacy as a pioneer who nurtured and shaped the Nsukka Diocese.

#BreakingNews #CatholicChurch #Nsukka

I would never advise my son to play for this country— Ex-Super Eagles Defender, Taribo West says as he Laments Neglect of Late Peter Rufai, Blasts NFF and Lagos State at Funeral.

Former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, could not hold back his emotions on Friday as he spoke to journalists at the funeral of ex-Nigeria goalkeeper, Peter Rufai. The ex-Inter Milan star, visibly shaken, expressed deep grief over the treatment meted out to Rufai after retirement, describing it as a shameful reflection of how Nigeria handles its football heroes.

“I share the pains and burdens with the Rufai family,” West said. “It is disheartening that Lagos State and the Nigerian Football Federation dropped the buck on them. This is not how a nation should treat those who gave everything on the field.”

Struggling to keep his emotions in check, West recounted how the news of Rufai’s death hit him harder than the loss of his own parents. “When my mother passed, I didn’t shed tears. When my father died in my hands, I didn’t cry.

But when Rufai died, I had goosebumps and tears rolled down my cheeks. What kind of nation treats its heroes like this?” The former defender accused football authorities of neglect, pointing to similar cases of late Nigerian stars Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha, all of whom, he said, were abandoned in their final years.

“Imagine a family crying and begging among themselves just to raise money to bury a national hero. That is madness,” West fumed. “With this kind of example, I would never advise my son to play for this country.

Do we even have a football federation in this Nigeria?” Taribo West ended his remarks by urging authorities to wake up to their responsibilities in honoring and supporting retired players who sacrificed for the country.

It’s a sort of a warning that we really need to have a long-term plan. It is not something that we just wish it away,” he said. Drawing comparisons with the fight against COVID-19, Buratai highlighted the massive investments that went into information campaigns, communication, palliatives, and preventive measures during the pandemic, which eventually saw the entire country shut down.

“The whole nation was locked down because of COVID-19. But we can do the same thing. We can lock down this country to make sure that everybody concentrates and deals with this crisis of so-called terrorists and bandits and kidnappers,” he noted.

He stressed that insecurity, like a pandemic or natural disaster, requires nationwide mobilization and shared responsibility, not just the efforts of security forces. Buratai also cited last year’s Maiduguri flood as an example of how the country rallied together to provide relief and rehabilitation, urging that the same level of urgency should be applied to the fight against insecurity.

Former Super Eagles Forward Ideye Retires From Football

Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 36, bringing an end to a career that spanned more than a decade across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

The ex-Enyimba forward confirmed his decision in a message on Tuesday, describing it as one taken with “mixed emotions” and expressing gratitude to coaches, teammates, fans, and others who supported his journey.

Ideye featured for clubs including Dynamo Kyiv, West Bromwich Albion, and Olympiakos, winning titles and building a reputation as a consistent goalscorer.

Most memorably, he was part of the Nigerian squad that lifted the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa under late coach Stephen Keshi.

Reflecting on his career, Ideye said football gave him “incredible joy, sad days, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable memories.”

Though stepping away from the pitch, he pledged to remain connected to the sport as he begins a new chapter.

#SuperEagles #BrownIdeye #AFCON

Pension funds: Strike countdown begins as PenCom, Labour disagree.

PenCom reacts, NSITF silent as Labour issues seven-day strike notice over alleged 40% pension fund diversion

The Nigeria Labour Congress has threatened a nationwide strike if the Federal Government fails to return what it claims to be billions of naira taken from workers’ insurance contributions. It also demanded that the government fill the leadership gap in the country’s pension regulatory commission within a week.

The NLC accused the Federal Government of syphoning 40 per cent of contributions from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund into the national treasury. The fund, which is financed by payroll deductions from millions of workers, is meant to protect them in the event of injury or job loss.

However, the National Pension Commission argued that the Contributory Pension Scheme remains secure and continues to grow, as it kicked against claims of missing funds.

“The (NLC) Central Working Committee expressed outrage at the ongoing assault on workers’ social protection rights through the Federal Government’s diversion of 40 per cent of workers’ contributions to the national coffers as revenue, in flagrant violation of the statutes establishing the NSITF,” NLC President Joe Ajero said in a communique shared on Thursday.

The union noted the move violated the laws establishing the NSITF and stripped it of its role as a safety net. “Pension funds are deferred wages, not government revenue,” Labour stated, warning that any further interference would trigger industrial action.

The group also criticised the government’s failure to appoint a governing board for the National Pension Commission, leaving the administration in sole control of billions in retirement savings. The union said the vacuum created heightened risks of mismanagement and political interference in the pension sector.

The standoff comes amid broader disputes over pension management across the country. In July, a coalition of labour unions in Ogun State gave state officials 72 hours to halt the planned rollout of a contributory pension scheme, citing a 17-year backlog of unpaid contributions worth over N82bn. They called for a return to the old pension system or a delay until the arrears are cleared.

BREAKING: President Tinubu Orders Swift Rollout of Free Healthcare for Low-Income Pensioners


President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a directive for the immediate and expedited implementation of the Free Healthcare Access Initiative targeting low-income retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

The President emphasized that the initiative is a vital pillar of social protection and a testament to the administration’s commitment to preserving dignity in retirement for senior citizens who have served the nation.

The move is expected to ease the healthcare burden on thousands of vulnerable pensioners, ensuring that retirement does not equate to neglect or hardship.

As preparations for the rollout begin, stakeholders in the health and pension sectors are gearing up to deliver on the President’s directive with urgency and efficiency.

#TinubuCares #FreeHealthcareForPensioners #CPSInitiative #RetireWithDignity #SocialProtection #HealthcareForAll

SOLDIERS UNDER FIRE: Nigerian Troops Accused of Burning Homes, Looting Property in Imo — Rights Group Demands Urgent Probe

Alarming reports from Umualumaku, Imo State, have sparked outrage after Nigerian soldiers were accused of looting and burning homes during a controversial military operation. Victim Anayo Njoku says his ancestral and retirement homes were destroyed, and relatives threatened at gunpoint.

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Chief of Defence Staff, demanding an independent investigation into the July 23rd incident. The group condemned the alleged reprisals as unconstitutional and warned against unchecked military actions that could worsen insecurity in the region.

RULAAC is calling for justice, sanctions against those involved, and urgent humanitarian relief for affected residents.

#ImoCrisis #MilitaryAbuse #JusticeForUmualumaku #RULAAC #HumanRights #AccountabilityNow

Pres. Tinubu Appoints Adeyemi as Controller-General of Federal Fire Service.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Deputy Controller-General Olumode Samuel Adeyemi as the new Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), effective August 14, 2025.

The announcement was made in a statement by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), signed by its Secretary, Abdulmalik Jibrin. Adeyemi takes over from Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji Olola, who retires on August 11 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60.

A seasoned officer, Adeyemi began his career with the FCT Fire Service before transferring to the Federal Fire Service. He rose through the ranks to become Deputy Controller-General in charge of Human Resources at the FFS headquarters.

Throughout his career, he has completed all mandatory in-service and command courses, both locally and internationally. He is also affiliated with several professional bodies, including the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), the Institute of Corporate Administration, the Institute of Public Administration, and the Chartered Institute of Treasury Management.

The CDCFIB thanked the outgoing Controller-General, Engr. Olola, for his years of dedicated service and his contributions to the growth and modernization of the Federal Fire Service.

Aliko Dangote retires from Dangote Cement Plc.

Foremost entrepreneur and founder of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote has announced his retirement as a Director and the Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective July 25, 2025. He is relinquishing his position as chairman and retiring from the board so as to focus more attention on the Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertiliser and Government Relations, in order to drive the company’s five-year businesstrajectory to a superlative height.

The board of Dangote Cement Plc has therefore announced the appointment of Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman, Board of Directors. In the same vein, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote was also appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company while Prof. Dorothy Ufot retired from the Board.

Reputed as Africa’s leading investor, Aliko Dangote leaves giant footprints as he retires from the board. His vision and tenacity redefined not just a company, but the entire cement industry landscape by becoming Africa’s largest cement producer and largest exporter of cement and clinker in Sub Saharan Africa.

Aliko Dangote’s journey with cement began with a bold dream: to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in cement production. Through strategic investments in state-of-the-art plants, and a commitment to local content, he not only met that goal but exceeded it.

Dangote Cement Plc has 52.0Mta capacity across African continent with Nigeria accounting for 35.25Mta. Currently, additional greenfield plants are coming up in Cote Ivoire (3.0Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0 Mta) and on completion this year will push total capacity to 61.0Mta.

Under his visionary leadership, Dangote Cement Plc recorded the highest revenue and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) in the history of the company. According to the unaudited results for the six months ending 30th June 2025, the group revenue went up by 17.7 percent, from N1,760 billion at the same period in 2024 to N2,071.6 billion, representing the highest revenue in the history of the company.

Group Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) grew by 41.8 percent to N944.900 billion from N666.22 billion. EBITDA (Nigeria Operations) grew by 82.4 percent to N845.4 billion. Profit before tax went up from N292.96 billion to N730 billion indicating 149 percent increase while profit after tax surged by 174.1 percent to ₦520.5 billion, in contrast to N189.90 billion in the same period at the preceding period. In the six months, export volumes from Nigeria increased by 18.2 percent, with 18 successful clinker shipments made to Ghana and Cameroon.

Aliko Dangote’s legacy will be counted in the millions of jobs created, the infrastructure built, and the confidence restored in African industrial potential. He has proven that Africa can produce, compete, and lead on the global stage. It is on record that subsidiaries under Dangote Group paid over N402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.

Dangote retires from Dangote cement, replacement named.

Nigerian businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has retired from Dangote Cement, The Eagle Online was told on Friday

Before his retirement from the cement arm of his multisectoral businesses, Dangote had served on the board of the company and was its Chairman.

It was learnt that a replacement has been named to replace him on the board as chairman.

The Eagle Online was told that Emmanuel Ikazoboh will take his position on the board.

“She Slapped Me in Front of the Whole School Because I Couldn’t Pay My Fees.”
15 Years Later, I Sponsored Her Retirement — And Paid Her Salary for Life.

She humiliated me.
Called me “a charity case.”
Told me I’d never make it without my father’s name.

But pain doesn’t always break you.
Sometimes, it builds an empire with your name on the gate.

From Broke Student to Multimillionaire — What He Did for the Teacher Who Once Publicly Shamed Him Left Everyone in Shock
Written by Rosyworld CRN

2008. Anambra, Nigeria.

I owed ₦2,700 in school fees.
My mother had sold all her jewelry.
My uncle had stopped answering calls.

One day during morning assembly, the principal announced:

> “All students owing school fees — come forward!”

We did.

Then Mrs. Obasi, our economics teacher, pointed at me and shouted:

> “Chijioke! You again? Third term, still owing?!

What kind of poverty runs in your blood?”

Before I could respond —
She slapped me.

In front of everyone.
I stood there — broken.
Laughed at. Shamed.

That evening, I told my mother I wanted to drop out.

She said:

> “No. Even if I die, you must finish.”

She started cleaning people’s compounds secretly to pay the fees.

I passed.
Graduated.
Hustled.

I sold recharge cards.
Managed social media for businesses.
Taught myself code from a borrowed phone.

In 2020, I launched a fintech app.
It grew fast.

By 2023, I was worth more than ₦400 million.

Then one day, I saw a GoFundMe post:

“Please help. Retired teacher needs funds for eye surgery and basic needs.”

It was Mrs. Obasi.

People were commenting.
Donating ₦1k, ₦2k…

I said nothing.
But I booked a flight.

One week later… I knocked on her rusty gate.

She opened it — frail, older, shocked.

> “Do you remember me?” I asked.

She squinted.

> “You’re… Chijioke? Oh my God. My son, I’m so sorry for how I treated you.”

I nodded.

Then I handed her an envelope.

Inside:

Full payment for her surgery

₦5 million cheque

A letter stating I would pay her ₦100k monthly for life.

She collapsed.
Neighbours gathered.

I said:

> “You beat me when I was poor.

Now, let me bless you because I’m rich.”

Today, I call it Healing with Honour.

Because not every wound needs revenge.
Some need a reminder that grace speaks louder than shame.

From slapped… to celebrated.
From “charity case”… to cheerful giver.
From insulted boy… to investor in dignity.

Learn from this story guys

Nigeria’s Victor Boniface has hinted at possible retirement from international football in a recent Instagram post.

The Super Eagles forward has 13 caps to his name, with just one goal scored.

Sellers, Buyers Groan As Soaring Livestock Prices Dampen Sallah Cheer.

It was the eve of the Eid-ul-Adha celebration and the chaos occasioned by last-minute sales and purchases at the popular Kara cattle market along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was palpable.

A flock of sheep bleated helplessly as loaders pulled them towards a waiting truck. On the highway, horns blared as some vehicles parked on the surface course of the road waiting to convey some cows, rams, and goats tethered around the solid line, ground vehicular movement on both lanes of the expressway to a halt.

A few metres away, Alhaji Ibrahim Suleiman stared at the sea of livestock in the market in bewilderment. He stood, arms akimbo, as he pondered his next move.

Since his retirement, Suleiman had resolved to live with his family on a moderate budget to enable them to cope with the biting economic reality in Nigeria, but the cost of returning home without a ram worried him.

The rams this year are very costly, I budgeted ₦500,000 for two rams but with what I’m seeing now, I have to change my budget. I am willing to buy if they will sell two rams for ₦550,000, otherwise, I’ll have to go home, look for additional money, and return tomorrow,” he lamented.

“Last year, I bought two rams for ₦450,000 and they were very big. The sellers say they are bringing the rams from Niger Republic and they said their government over there closed the border stopping the rams from coming to Nigeria and making the ones available very expensive,” he added