A 16-year-old Senior Secondary School two student of Ilimi School, Ramlat Ahmed, has been sworn in on Monday  as the Speaker of the Gombe State Children’s Parliament.

Also sworn in was  14-year-old Christopher Ngale, who emerged as Deputy Speaker. 

They were sworn in along  10 other principal officers who will steer the affairs of the seventh assembly of the Children’s Parliament in the state.

Government officials, legislative officers, and child rights advocates were at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to witness the inauguration.

Speaking at the event,  Principal Legislative Officer at the Gombe State House of Assembly, Aminu Aliyu, counselled the youngsters to conduct themselves properly.

He said, “You are to see yourselves as ambassadors of other children; you must carry yourselves in a manner that reflects the responsibilities of your offices,” he said. 

Also speaking at the event was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Modi Shelpidi. said the inauguration marked a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to promote child welfare.

Shelpidi said, “Since 2022, the state has not had a functioning Children’s Parliament. This assembly will go a long way in advancing not only children’s rights but also broader issues concerning women.”

On her own part,  the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Asma’u Iganus, commended the state governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for committing to the welfare of children in the state.

“The Governor’s assent to the Child Protection Law and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law is a clear demonstration of his passion and fatherly concern for children in the state,” she said

Orji Kalu, senator representing Abia north, says the wave of endorsements for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election is based on his performance.

Speaking to journalists at the national assembly on Tuesday, Kalu said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not threatened by any political alliance ahead of the 2027 elections. 

Kalu, who chairs the senate committee on the South-East Development Commission, said Tinubu’s leadership has inspired confidence across party lines. 

“No, no, no. I don’t think a party like APC has anybody to fear,” Kalu said.

“We are the ruling party. We love Nigeria. That’s why many of us are building industries across the country to create jobs even outside government.

”The opposition must fight. That’s their job. But our job is to deliver, and we are doing our job perfectly well. In the coming years, Nigerians will appreciate what Mr. President is doing.” 

On the president’s recent visit to the Vatican, Kalu said it was done at the personal invitation of Pope Francis.

“It would have been disrespectful if he ignored the Pope’s invitation,” he said.

“About 1.8 billion Catholics, including myself, appreciate that gesture. In 2027, Catholics will remember that.”

Kalu said the southeast caucus of the APC endorsed Tinubu’s re-election long before other groups did.

“We endorsed him weeks ago, chaired by Governor Hope Uzodinma and co-chaired by the governor of Ebonyi and the deputy speaker. We initiated the national endorsement,” he added.

Kalu praised Tinubu’s economic policies, including subsidy removal and exchange rate unification.

“I’m not a politician. I’m a businessman. And this is the first president who ended the cheap money culture,” he said.

“People made money from (doing) nothing before. This president is telling us: make money the right way or don’t make it at all.”

He said the benefits of Tinubu’s reforms would soon trickle down to ordinary Nigerians.

“Tinubu is not just a southern president. He will be re-elected by both north and south because it’s in the national interest. We don’t want the country to break, we want it to thrive,” he said.

Asked about his political future, Kalu said he remains focused on delivering development to his constituents.

“You must love people to serve them. That’s why I work hard. I don’t even keep a bank account. Everything I have goes into helping people—through roads, schools, agriculture, and my foundation,” he said.

Kalu noted that his priorities have been infrastructure and education, but will shift towards agriculture by 2027.

Adizatu Dazumi, a 75-year-old pilgrim from Edo state, has died in Saudi Arabia after a ”brief illness” while observing the 2025 hajj.

Dazumi, a native of Jattu Uzairue in Etsako west LGA of Edo, died on Monday at King Fahad General Hospital in Makkah. 

Musah Uduimoh, chairman of the Edo Muslim pilgrims welfare board, confirmed the development on Tuesday. 

He said the pilgrim fell ill shortly after completing the Tawaaf — the ritual of walking round the Kaaba — and was taken to hospital on Sunday.

“She died the following day despite receiving medical attention,” he said.

“In line with Islamic rites, she was buried in Makkah on the same day and her family in Jattu Uzairue has been formally notified.”

Uduimoh conveyed the board’s condolences to the deceased’s family and assured other pilgrims of continued efforts to protect their health and safety.

About 206 pilgrims from Edo state were airlifted to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj exercise on May 15.

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted three members of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry in Ondo State.

The victims were kidnapped while returning from a bible study seesion at Kasemola axis of Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

According to sources, the kidnappers had waited for the victms before attacking and whisking them into the bush.

The abduction of the victims was confirmed by one of the members of the church, who craved anonymity in a message ssaying, “Good morning, beloved. Kindly pray along with us. Three of our members were kidnapped yesterday (Monday) after bible study at Kasemola inside the Ogbese axis.

“Members of the church are seeking divine intervention to secure the release of the kidnapped members. The case has been reported to the police and Amotekun Corps in the state.”

One of the sources disclosed that the kidnappers had made contact demanding a ransom of N5 million for the release of the abducted victims.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, stated that security operatives have been deployed to the community.

Ayanlade emphasised that the security personnel are already combing bushes and forests in the community in effort to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of the victims.

President Bola Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives, requesting legislative approval for a new external borrowing plan amounting to over $21.5 billion, alongside a domestic bond issuance of ₦757.9 billion to settle outstanding pension liabilities. 

In a detailed communication to the Green Chamber, President Tinubu highlighted the strategic significance of the 2025–2026 borrowing plan, noting that it spans key sectors of the economy. 

“The 2025–2026 borrowing plan covers all sectors with specific emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, growth, security, and employment generation, as well as financial and monetary reforms, among others,” the President stated.

According to Tinubu, the total facility sought under the external borrowing plan includes USD 21,543,647,912, EUR 2,193,856,324.54, and 15 billion Japanese Yen, in addition to a grant of 65 million EUR.

He noted that the proposed borrowing is crucial in light of the removal of fuel subsidy and its economic implications.

“In light of the significant infrastructure deficit in the country and the paucity of financial resources needed to address this gap amid declining domestic demand, it has become essential to pursue prudent economic borrowing to close the financial shortfall,” the President wrote.

Tinubu assured lawmakers that the proposed funds would be channelled into critical infrastructure projects, especially in the areas of railways, healthcare, and nationwide development programmes across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“This initiative aims to generate employment, promote skill acquisition, foster entrepreneurship, reduce poverty, and enhance food security, as well as to improve the livelihoods of Nigerians,” he emphasised.

On a separate note, President Tinubu also sought the House’s approval for the issuance of Federal Government bonds in the domestic market to settle accrued pension liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) amounting to ₦757,983,246,572.

Citing the Pension Reform Act 2014, Tinubu noted that the government had been unable to comply with some statutory pension obligations due to revenue challenges, leading to a buildup of arrears and increasing hardship for retirees.

“The House of Representatives is invited to note that the federal government has not been compliant with the implementation of the above provisions of the PRA 2014 over the years due to revenue challenges leading to accumulation of pension arrears with the attendant ICU retirees,” he stated.

He added that the proposal to issue bonds for the settlement of the liabilities had received approval from the Federal Executive Council in its meeting of February 4, 2025.

According to the President, settling the pension arrears will improve retirees’ welfare, boost confidence in the pension system, and inject liquidity into the economy.

“It will enable the Federal Government of Nigeria to meet obligations under the CPS and restore confidence in the pension industry. “It will also ensure positive welfare even for the retirees, as this will enable them to meet their basic needs… improve health and avoid untimely death,” the letter stated.

President Tinubu concluded by appealing to lawmakers for timely approval, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

“While I look forward to the progression and timely approval of the House of Representatives, please accept, Your Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my high regards,” he wrote.

The request has been referred to the House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development and the Committee on Pensions for further legislative action.

Chief Olabode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and member of the party’s Board of Trustees, has blasted Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for supervising the sealing of the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja. 

While reacting to the sealing of the secretariat in an interview with Ariste Television on Monday, George accused Wike of betraying the party that had nurtured his political career. 

He said the Minister’s action was both disrespectful and politically dangerous.

“In regards to the locking up of our Party Secretariat, it is absolutely sacrilegious, unacceptable and culturally inadmissible. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike — this is the party that brought you to life,” George said.

The PDP chieftain likened the situation to a man sealing off his family house over an issue that could have been easily resolved.

“It’s like going back to your village and your family house hasn’t paid some ground rent, and you, as the local government chairman, lock it up. How much were we owing? Seven million naira — which you could easily pay,” he said.

George recalled how Wike rose politically within the PDP, saying the party gave him the platform to become a local government chairman, chief of staff, two-term governor of Rivers State, and even Minister of State.

“I want to challenge him that they should go and check that the property being used by APC at their headquarters in Abuja, could probably be the same thing. People could be careless. It is not a monumental amount of money,” he stated.

George described the sealing of the PDP secretariat as deliberate and malicious. The building was sealed hours before the party was scheduled to hold a crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

With the 2027 elections still two years away, a former Attorney General of the Federation and ex-minister of justice, Abubakar Malami has accused the All Progressives Congress of abandoning governance.

The former AGF said that Nigeria has been bedevilled with all sorts of challenges like insecurity, hardship and poverty while the leadership of the APC and its members have chosen to concentrate on campaigning for the 2027 general elections.

Malami said this at the National Political Consultative Group (North) meeting which took place in Abuja.

He described the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu by key members of the party including governors of states as premature.

He also accused the party of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians by prioritising politics over governance.

Condemning some of the policies of the present administration led by Tinubu, the former minister said the removal of the fuel subsidy was unplanned.

He said, “Just a few days ago, the ruling party held its national summit and instead of addressing the serious issues of insecurity, economic hardship and rising poverty, it chose to focus on politics, endorsing President Bola Tinubu as sole candidate for the 2027 election that is still two years away.”

The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lere Olayinka, has dismissed claims that the recent sealing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat was politically motivated.

The FCT Administration, on Monday, sealed the PDP National Secretariat along with several other properties for failing to meet ground rent obligations.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Olayinka clarified that the operation was a standard enforcement action targeting over 4,000 defaulting properties across the city, and not an act of political retribution.

“We are not here for politics. If you are talking about a political witch-hunt, we have been to Ibro Hotels, we have been to Access Bank, we have been to FIRS, we have been to Total Petrol Station, and tomorrow we will go to other places,” he said.

“This exercise will continue as long as we are able to conclude taking possession of those over 4,000 properties,” he added. “So, are we also going to say all those that I mentioned are political?”

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has granted a 14-day grace period for all affected property owners to settle their outstanding payments and avoid further sanctions.

A former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has congratulated the ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi on his 60th birthday celebration.

In a photo post made on X on Tuesday, May 27, Atiku said Amaechi’s impact on the growth and development of Nigeria is quite inspiring.

He described the former Rivers State governor as a thoroughbred statesman.

According to Atiku, within his 60 years on earth, Amaechi has worn the cape of excellence in public service with ease.

The former vice president wrote, “My dear friend Chibuike Amaechi. The impact you continue to have on the development of our country is inspiring. It cannot be questioned that you are a thoroughbred statesman.

“Within the space of 60 beautiful years, you wear the cape of excellence in public service,” Atiku said.

The former vice president and two-time presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said he joins family, friends and loved ones of Amaechi to celebrate his 60th birthday.

He also prayed for God’s blessings, abundant grace, honour and peace throughout his days on earth.

A 40-year-old woman, Adeosun Adepeju, was on Tuesday arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan for allegedly stabbing her colleague, Stella Mago, during an altercation.

The incident reportedly took place in the early hours of May 21 around the Ring Road area of the city. According to the police prosecutor, Cpl. Helen Ojo, an argument had broken out between the two women, both of whom are said to work in the same line of trade. In the heat of the moment, Adepeju allegedly attacked Stella with a pair of scissors, stabbing her in the stomach.

The court heard that the victim sustained injuries as a result of the attack and was rushed for medical attention. The charge brought against Adepeju falls under Section 335 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000, which deals with assault causing bodily harm.

Standing before Magistrate M. M. Olagbenro, Adepeju pleaded not guilty. The magistrate granted her bail in the sum of ₦300,000 and requested two sureties in like sum.

The case has been adjourned to May 30 for further hearing.