Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to persist in their prayers for the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as for peace, stability, and progress in the nation.

Acknowledging that prayer is a ‘great weapon’ against despair, the number two citizen specifically requested prayers for divine guidance, asking God to bestow wisdom and strength upon the President to lead the country towards peace, unity, and prosperity.

Naija News reports that Shettima made this request during the closing ceremony of the Tafsir (Quranic recitation) held at the State House Mosque in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

The VP emphasized that prayer serves as a stronghold for believers, a refuge where aspirations are cultivated and destinies are formed.

Shettima reminded those present that governance is a shared responsibility, not solely the duty of the government. He highlighted the crucial role of religious leaders, who reflect the moral conscience of society, in shaping values and guiding the community.

“It is our greatest weapon against despair and the most powerful armour for those entrusted with leadership. In this spirit, I urge us all to continue praying for our beloved nation and the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he stated.

“May Almighty Allah grant him the wisdom, strength, and resolve to continue steering the ship of our great nation towards peace, unity, and prosperity. May He protect him from harm, fortify his heart with courage, and guide his every effort in service to the Nigerian people.

“Their service reminds us of the ideals that must define us: integrity, justice, and an unyielding commitment to the welfare of others. To them, we owe our deepest gratitude.”

He enjoined the Muslim faithful to embody Ramadan’s values, including sacrifice, discipline and love in their daily lives, maintaining that as they prepare to bid farewell to the holy month, they must not forget the essence of the sacred month.

Shettima added: “The days of devotion, self-restraint, and reflection must not be confined to Ramadan alone; rather, they must illuminate the path we walk every day. Fasting has not only taught us sacrifice and discipline; it has also awakened in us a profound sense of empathy. It has reminded us of the struggles of the less privileged, the hunger of the destitute, and the responsibilities we bear toward those in need.

“But as Ramadan draws to a close, we must ask ourselves: What have we truly gained if we revert to old habits of neglect, indifference, and discord? The true test of faith is not how we worship during Ramadan, but how we embody its values after it.

“Let us, therefore, carry the spirit of this sacred month into our daily lives. Let us extend kindness where there is cruelty, offer generosity where there is want and radiate love where there is division. Let us be ambassadors of Islam not only in public but also in our most private moments, embodying the goodness that defines our faith.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed claims linking former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to the investigations of Nigerian businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu.

Naija News reports that Atiku had claimed that the EFCC was probing him concerning financial activities involving Sanwo-Olu.

However, the EFCC’s Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, in a statement on Friday, March 28, disclosed that Achimugu is being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering and has no correlation with Atiku and Sanwo-Olu.

The anti-graft agency maintained that it was non-partisan and non-sectarian, urging the public to keep faith with the professionalism of the Commission without imputing any extraneous consideration to its works.

The statement added, “We wish to state unequivocally that the investigations of Achimugu have no correlation of any kind with the two political actors. She is being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering and has since been declared Wanted by the Commission.

“The EFCC commenced investigation of Achimugu in 2022 and though she approached the court to obtain an injunction restraining the Commission from arresting, investigating, inviting or detaining her for any alleged criminal act, the injunction was challenged and vacated on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

“The court ruled that “…no court has the power to stop the investigative powers of the Police or EFCC or any agency established under our laws to investigate crimes when there is reasonable suspicion of commission of a crime or ample evidence of commission of an offence by a suspect”.

“The court further upheld the interim order of forfeiture of assets of Achimugu suspected to be proceeds of crime, dismissing her suit against it as lacking merit .

“The foregoing clearly establishes that the EFCC’s case against her has no immediate or remote nexus with any politician or any veiled or open reference to any political engagement or transaction.

“The EFCC is non-partisan and non-sectarian. We enjoin the public to continue to keep faith with the professionalism of the Commission without imputing any extraneous consideration to its works.”

First Lady Remi Tinubu has downplayed a viral video of nursing students allegedly mocking her during her visit to Delta State

Naija News reported that the students of the nursing school rejected a song introduced by the Master of Ceremony (MC), calling the wife of the President the mother of the nation.

The students said Mrs. Tinubu was the MC’s mother and not theirs nor that of the nation.

Reacting in a statement on Friday, SSA Media to the First Lady, Busola Kukoyi, said that educational institutions should foster an environment where students feel safe to express themselves while maintaining decorum.

According to her, First Lady’s visit was intended to inspire and uplift healthcare professionals.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been drawn to a video circulating on social media, showing chants welcoming both the First Lady of Delta State and the First Lady of Nigeria during the Renewed Hope Initiative’s donation of 10,000 Professional Kits to Midwives in the South-South zone held at the Dome Event Centre, Asaba, Delta State, on Tuesday, 25th March, 2025.

“The event was primarily to motivate midwives across the nation, with the aim of reducing infant and maternal mortality, and morbidity in Nigeria. Her Excellency deeply appreciates the warm reception by the Delta State Government, the people of Delta State, as well as enthusiasm shown by nurses, midwives, women groups, and student nurses present at the event.

“However, a section of the video, allegedly recorded by some students at the event, showed a spontaneous and playful twist to the welcome song. Sequel to that, it has come to our attention that some of the students of the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences have been issued a query regarding their participation in the chants. While the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria respects the right of institutions to uphold discipline, it is important to recognize that students, in moments of excitement, often express themselves in a light-hearted and jovial manner.

“The Office of the First Lady believes that educational institutions should foster an environment where students feel safe to express themselves while maintaining decorum. The First Lady’s visit was intended to inspire and uplift healthcare professionals, and it is our hope that this event remains a positive and motivating experience for all involved.

“We trust that the Delta State College of Nursing Sciences will handle this matter with understanding and fairness, ensuring that students continue to thrive in an environment that balances discipline with free expression.”

The Kaduna State Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has disowned the immediate-past governor of the State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, saying it has no record of his membership.

Assistant National Secretary of SDP in North-West, Idris Inuwa, made the disclosure at a press conference on Friday in Kaduna where he advised the former governor to follow the proper procedures if he intends to officially become a member of the party.

“It has come to our notice that certain individuals, including Mal. Nasir El-Rufai are being rumored to have joined the SDP. However, neither the Chairman of the Kaduna North Local Government Chapter, nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward, has any record of these memberships.

“El-Rufa and his co-travelers are not recognised members of the SDP in Kaduna State at this time. We advise him and any other interested individuals to follow the proper procedures if they wish to officially become members of the party.”

Inuwa added that, “The State Executive Committee of SDP categorically rejects the purported dissolution of the State Working Committee as contained in a letter from the National Secretariat dated 25 February, 2025”.

According to Inuwa, the letter has no reference number, no tracking identity and did not have the proper mailing/correspondence address of the Kaduna State SDP.

“We state unequivocally that the action contained in the letter is an exercise in futility, and of no consequential effect whatsoever.

“The Kaduna State Executive Committee is a product of a duly conducted State Congress and holds a four-year mandate that remains valid and binding.”

He maintained that any attempt to dissolve the legitimately constituted leadership of the party in the State is not only unconstitutional, but also a direct affront to the principles of due process and internal democracy.

“This therefore underscores the nullity of the purported setting up of a caretaker committee under one individual,” Inuwa said.

He called on the National Secretariat of the party to immediately withdraw the letter purporting to dissolve the Kaduna State Working Committee.

He threatened that failure to do so will leave them with no option but to seek redress through appropriate channels, including the courts of law.

Suleiman Nazif, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resigned from the party.

Nazif, an ex-senator who represented Bauchi north, announced his defection from the PDP to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in a statement released on Friday.

“This decision comes after extensive consultation, and in response to the admonition of the people whose voices I have always valued and respected throughout my political journey,” the statement reads.

“However, my dedication to democracy, nation-building and a brighter future for Nigeria remains unwavering.

“Consequently, I hereby declare my decision to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to establish a strong robust political platform that upholds democratic principles and fosters a more effective leadership recruitment system in Nigeria.”

Nazif was a member of the PDP national working committee (NWC) and board of trustees (BoT).

The PDP has seen a wave of defection of members to other parties over the protracted crisis in the party.

A bill seeking to bar persons above the age of 60 from contesting for president, governor, vice president, and deputy governor has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Rep Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, the bill is part of the proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution on the review of eligibility criteria for the positions.

If passed and assented to by the president, the law would affect the eligibility of President Bola Tinubu, 73, Atiku Abubakar, 78, Peter Obi, 63, and others in their age categories for the 2027 presidential election.

The bill proposes changes to Section 131 of the Constitution to introduce a 60-year age limit for presidential candidates.

The age restriction will be captured in Section 177 of the constitution for the governorship category.

Similarly, potential aspirants for the presidential and governorship elections must have at least a first degree to qualify for elections.

In a related development, the Senate on Thursday slated for consideration a bill seeking to make it mandatory for all categories of elections to be conducted in one day.

Sponsored by Senator Salihu Mustapha (Kwara Central), the bill, if it scales all legislative requirements, will mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all elections in a single day.

The categories of elections to be affected are the presidential, national assembly, governorship, and state assemblies.

A number of the senators, however, argued over the practicability of the bill, doubting the capacity of INEC to cope with the demand.

They pointed out the uneven terrain across many states, especially in the reverine areas where movement and distribution of electoral materials take many hours to accomplish.

Other senators also picked holes in the bill, pointing out that voters, especially those in rural areas, might not be able to cope with a high number of ballot papers at once.

Delta State College of Nursing, Agbor, has issued a query to one of its students, Osato Edobor, over her involvement in a viral video that showed student nurses allegedly ridiculing First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.

The query, dated March 27,2025 and signed by the provost, Evbodaghe Rita Ogonne, accused Edobor of singing, recording, and circulating the video, which the institution considered a “malicious act” and a punishable offence according to the Student Handbook.

The incident occurred during the First Lady’s official visit to the Dome Event Center in Asaba, where she launched the Renewed Hope Initiative Health Programme and distributed 10,000 professional kits to midwives.

In the video, the students rejected Mrs. Tinubu as their mother, singing “na your mama be this o eh” in response to the MC’s praise song.

The college has given Edobor 24 hours to respond to the query, which states: “It has come to the notice of the school authority that you, Student Nurse Osato Edobor… was found to be engage in malicious act of recording/singing and posting unofficial response to song during the arrival of the First Lady.”

A key suspect in the kidnapping and killing of a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kafachan, Kaduna State, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu, has given a shocking explanation as to why the priest was kidnapped and killed.

Speaking at the headquarters of Operation Safe Haven in Jos on Thursday, the suspect said he kidnapped Okechukwu because he needed ₦200,000 to solve a personal problem.

Okechukwu was abducted on March 4 at his home in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area.

His body was found the next day, March 5, but the suspects were arrested on Tuesday following a raid by troops in a settlement at the Warsa-Piti community of Lere LGA of the state.

While the suspect admitted to planning the abduction, he denied ordering the priest’s murder.

“Fr. Okechukwu was living in our house in Tachira. I planned his kidnapping because I needed ₦200,000 to solve a problem.

“I invited some guys from other places to help, but I never told them to kill him. I don’t know why they did it because I had already left before it happened,” he said.

Another suspect, also in custody, confirmed that the chief suspect pressured him into joining the crime.

“At first, I refused, but he insisted. We grew up in the same community, so I later agreed. On that day, I left my place in Warsa-Piti, Lere Local Government, to join in the kidnapping.

“He also brought in others from Bokkos in Plateau State, and they came with guns. After we took the priest and walked some distance, we left him with them. We don’t know why they killed him,” he said.