President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rome, the capital of Italy, on Saturday at the invitation of Pope Leo XIV.

Accompanied by top Catholic leaders, “President Tinubu will attend a solemn mass marking the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement he signed Thursday.

The statement is titled ‘Pope Leo XIV invites President Tinubu to his inauguration on Sunday.’

In the Papal invitation sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Leo XIV underscored the need for President Tinubu’s physical presence “at this moment of particular importance for the Catholic Church and the world afflicted by many tensions and conflicts.”

The Pontiff further stressed: “Your great nation is particularly dear to me as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s.”

President Tinubu’s entourage includes the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Archbishop of Owerri and President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, and Alfred Martins of Lagos.

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, is also in the president’s entourage.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, will be formally installed to the exalted office on Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.

The Conclave of Cardinals elected him 27 days after his predecessor, Pope Francis, died on April 21.

President Tinubu will return to Abuja on Tuesday, May 20

In a shocking twist, kidnappers who abducted Nelson Adepoyigi, the All Progressives Congress chairman in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, have also detained two individuals sent to deliver his ransom.

The abductors are now demanding a fresh ransom of ₦30 million for the release of all three captives.

The two individuals who delivered the initial ransom—identified as Bayode Loco and Isimeri—had taken ₦5 million in cash and some food supplies to the kidnappers as agreed during earlier negotiations. However, upon arrival, they were reportedly held hostage by the same gunmen.

Adepoyigi, a ward chairman in Ose LGA, was abducted from his residence in Ifon town at around 10 p.m. on Monday.

Reports indicate that the attackers beat him with sticks before dragging him away.

His wife, upon hearing his cries, rushed outside only to find that he had already been taken by the armed men.

Vanguard gathered that the kidnappers had initially demanded ₦100 million but later reduced the amount to ₦5 million along with food supplies. After receiving the items, they reversed course and issued a fresh demand.

A party chieftain familiar with the matter revealed, “Those who took the ransom to them, as agreed during negotiations, were held by the same kidnappers.”

“They have now turned around to demand a fresh ₦30 million before they can release all three of them.”

Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Local Government, Hon. Kolapo Ojo, confirmed the kidnappers’ initial agreement to reduce their demand.

“The abductors initially agreed to reduce the ransom to ₦5 million and the provision of some food items,” he said.

Ojo expressed concern over the unfolding events and called for calm, assuring that security agencies are actively handling the situation.

Former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili has criticised the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over the error that affected the 2025 UTME results.

Recall that JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede, during a press conference, apologised for errors in UTME results and announced that affected students would retake the exams.

Ezekwesili, in a post shared on the X platform on Thursday, asked why JAMB did not address earlier complaints with humility and prompt investigation.

“Why could the authorities not have immediately acted with humility and done an unbiased and swift system check once unusual trends emerged instead of immediately impugning citizens who expressed concern?” she asked.

She also criticised JAMB’s handling of unusual results in the South East States, saying that technical matters require professionalism.

Ezekwesili shared screenshots of her 2018 and 2023 tweets, including one where she called for the redeployment of a former Minister of Education and another where she suggested an independent tech investigation into the controversy surrounding a 2023 UTME candidate.

“If I were President and my Minister of Education concerned herself with the ‘revenue & remittance” of the exam body, JAMB, rather than fixing the integrity & competence testing of the exam system, process & infrastructure, I would immediately REASSIGN her to Airport Toll Gate,” Ezekwesili said in one of her posts.

The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, has urged the National Assembly to prioritise funding for the effective development of existing tertiary institutions rather than focusing on the establishment of new ones.

He made this call on Thursday during a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education.

The public hearing, held in Abuja, focused on three critical bills:

1. A Bill to Establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Hawul Local Government Area, Borno State (HB.1797).

While the minister expressed support for technical education and skills development, he opposed the establishment of the proposed Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Borno State, citing the federal government’s policy of equitable distribution of federal institutions across states.

He noted that currently, every state—except Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory—already has one federal polytechnic.

“Given the limited resources available, the federal government’s focus should be on strengthening and fully developing existing institutions to ensure they can provide quality education and meet national needs,” Alausa stated.

He emphasised that the expansion of tertiary institutions should not come at the expense of diluting available resources.

Alausa further encouraged states and private investors to establish more private tertiary institutions through the Federal Ministry of Education’s expanded channels.

Meanwhile, the sponsor of the Insecurity and Unemployment Bill, Rep. Usman Balami (PDP–Borno), defended the proposal, arguing that the college would address pressing challenges of insecurity and rising unemployment in Borno State.

He said the institution would offer vocational and entrepreneurship training tailored to equip youths with practical skills for self-reliance and economic empowerment.

“This proposed college will help bridge the gap between academic theory and practical industry needs. It will nurture innovation, promote self-employment, and stimulate economic activities in the region,” Balami asserted.

Of the two proposed amendments to the Federal Polytechnics Act, Alausa raised no objections to most of the provisions.

However, he expressed reservations regarding a clause seeking to include representatives of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on the Governing Councils of polytechnics.

“While these organisations play vital roles, their core mandates do not align with the governance functions of polytechnic councils.

“NBTE is a regulatory body, and MAN focuses on advocacy for manufacturers. Including them on the councils could create conflicts of interest and administrative complexities,” he explained.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education, Rep. Fuad Laguda (APC–Lagos), acknowledged the importance of technical education and skills acquisition in addressing Nigeria’s unemployment crisis.

“There is a general consensus on the need to expand access to skills-based education to empower our youth. This hearing is an opportunity for robust engagement with stakeholders to ensure that any legislative action taken reflects the best interests of the country,” Laguda said.

He assured stakeholders that all submissions would be carefully considered and commended the Speaker of the House and other House leaders for their support of the committee’s mandate.

“Our goal is to ensure that Nigerians gain greater access to quality education in arts, sciences, technology, humanities, and vocational training, which are essential for national development,” he added.

The committee is expected to deliberate further on the recommendations and concerns raised before presenting a final report to the House of Representatives for legislative action.

The Defence Headquarters on Thursday night dismissed a viral video circulating on social media, which purportedly shows terrorists overrunning a military base in Marte, Borno State, and killing soldiers.

According to the DHQ, the video is part of a disinformation campaign and is unrelated to the recent incident in Marte.

The footage, they clarified, originated from a different location and was first posted online on December 7, 2020.

Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, explained that the video was subjected to forensic analysis and determined to be fake.

He stated, “The attention of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has been drawn to a video currently circulating on social media, falsely presented as footage from the recent attack on troops in Marte, Borno State.”

“Following a thorough analysis by relevant authorities, it has been confirmed that the video is not related to the Marte incident in any form.”

“The visual content, terrain, and operational context clearly indicate that the footage is from an occurrence at a different location which was first posted on 7 December 2020.”

Major General Kangye added that the video is being recycled and manipulated by criminal elements and sympathisers of terrorist groups with the intent to mislead the public and create panic. He said this effort was designed to undermine public confidence in the military’s operations.

He explained, “The video clip is being deliberately recycled and manipulated by criminal elements and sympathisers of terrorist groups to mislead the public and sow seed of fear, while aiming at dissuading the public from the gains being recorded by troops of the AFN in the ongoing operations across the country.”

Providing context to the actual event, he said, “For the avoidance of doubt, troops of AFN in Marte came under attack on Monday 12 May 2025 at about 0300hrs (3 am).”

“However, the troops were able to repel the terrorists after a fierce gun battle, with a large number of terrorists neutralized while others escaped with bullet wounds.”

“Following this, the terrorists resorted to sharing an old clip as propaganda to mislead gullible members of the public.”

The DHQ strongly condemned the spread of the false video and reassured Nigerians of the military’s resolve.

“This act of misinformation is not only malicious but also a failed attempt to demoralize our gallant troops and undermine the confidence of Nigerians in the Armed Forces.”

“The AFN condemns in the strongest terms this reckless dissemination of fake content and warns that those behind such disinformation campaigns will be identified and held accountable in accordance with the law.”

Major General Kangye concluded by reaffirming the military’s commitment: “The Nigerian military remains fully committed and unwavering in its efforts at defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation. Our troops in the North East and across all theatres of operations remain resolute and are making significant progress in dismantling terrorist networks.”

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested five individuals in connection with the abduction and sale of a two-week-old baby for N3m.

The suspects, including a woman entrusted with the care of the baby’s teenage mother, are currently in custody following a detailed investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

According to the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Thursday, the case was initially reported at the Ajah Police Division on May 5 by a man who disclosed that his 16-year-old cousin, identified as Miss Happiness, had become pregnant by an unknown individual.

Due to financial hardship, the complainant’s mother had entrusted the pregnant teenager to one Nonye Osi for shelter and care until she gave birth.

However, investigations revealed that Osi conspired with others to relocate the girl to an undisclosed location.

When she was eventually found, she no longer had her pregnancy, and the baby was missing.

Upon transferring the case to SCID for further investigation, detectives arrested five suspects: Osi, Akintan Adedayo, Jimoh Bashiru, Elizabeth Bishop, and Bukola Oladapo.

The suspects were found to have conspired in the sale of the baby.

Following extensive investigative efforts, the two-week-old baby boy was recovered safely from the Agemuwo area of Badagry.

Hundeyin said the child was found in good health.

The case is now being handled by the Gender/Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, which is providing care for the infant pending his reunion with his biological mother.

Hundeyin reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Lagosians.

“The child was found safe and sound. The Gender/Anti-Human Trafficking Unit is currently handling the case and attending to the baby, who is in good health, pending his reunion with his biological mother.

“While investigations are ongoing to bring all involved parties to justice, the Lagos State Police Command reiterates its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents,” he said.

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hashimu Argungu, has identified conflicting roles among security agencies due to unclear mandates as one of the major threats to effective implementation and compliance with criminal justice procedures in Nigeria.

Speaking at a one-day programme titled “The Executive Forum for Efficient Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Regime in Nigeria,” Argungu said it was pertinent to review and explore the challenges of compliance with the administration of criminal justice instruments.

The programmme was organised by CLEEN Foundation in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force, the statement by the PSC Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, reads.

Argungu emphasised the urgent need for clearly defined roles among Nigeria’s security agencies to “eliminate ambiguity and conflict in their operational mandates” while calling for the review of the “country’s passive justice systems” as currently practised at both the federal and state levels.

In his address, Argungu highlighted several other drawbacks affecting the criminal justice system, including “lack of funding, the impact of globalisation and computerisation, inter- and intra-service conflicts, unnecessary competition, and petty jealousy”.

He further noted that “poor coordination and collaboration, ignorance of institutional roles and responsibilities, and the politicisation of crime and security issues” continue to undermine the administration of justice.

This is as he urged both the federal and state governments to urgently review the justice systems in their jurisdictions.

Argungu also appealed to the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to “update Nigeria’s laws to reflect current global realities affecting law enforcement and justice delivery”.

Subsequently, he recommended that the Attorney General of the Federation, along with the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs, should organise workshops for investigative and prosecutorial agencies on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

These workshops, he said, should also “cover the admissibility and use of electronic evidence to enhance successful investigation and prosecution, especially in cases involving suspects residing abroad”.

Argungu further advocated for coordinated efforts among democratic institutions and components of the criminal justice system, stating, “The democratic institutions and other components which constitute the criminal justice system should be encouraged to work in coordination of justice as any organ that acts wrongly may affect the whole system.”

He also urged the National Human Rights Commission to collaborate with key stakeholders involved in the daily operations of the criminal justice system and engage the public for operational support.

…Bans Trousers For Female Soldiers

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, has sparked fresh controversy after declaring that citizens who oppose his father in the upcoming general election will be banished.

He also announced a new policy banning female soldiers from wearing trousers.

Ugandans are expected to head to the polls in January, but the political climate has been growing increasingly hostile, with alleged frequent crackdowns on the opposition.

“Those who do not support Mzee (respectful term for his father) wholeheartedly better be very careful!” he warned in a post on X.

“We will deport all the traitors in public view!!” he added.

The army general, widely seen as Museveni’s heir apparent, is known for his provocative online remarks. Earlier this month, he claimed responsibility for the assault and torture of Eddie Mutwe, bodyguard to opposition leader Bobi Wine.

“I take FULL responsibility, including the long overdue beating of Eddie Mutwe… That was an appetiser!” Kainerugaba boasted.

In another post, Kainerugaba imposed a new dress code for women in the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), mandating skirts instead of trousers.

“Trousers are for men, not for women,” he stated, adding that “Anyone who forces our sisters to put on trousers on parade again will have a very bad day.”

Although women make up a small percentage of the UPDF, they have historically been issued the same uniforms as male soldiers, with skirts typically reserved for ceremonial events.

The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bonny has successfully deactivated an illegal refining site at Peterside Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The operation, conducted on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, resulted in the impounding of approximately 19,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

According to Lieutenant Commander Sirajo Almustapha, Base Operations Officer of FOB Bonny, the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence reports received by the Base.

Acting on the intel, the anti-crude oil theft team, comprising armed personnel, was deployed on an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission to validate the intel and subsequently deactivate any illegal refinery site sighted.

During the operation, the team discovered an active illegal refining site behind the community, equipped with cooking tanks, storage tanks, plastic tanks, and a dug-out pit.

He explained that further assessment revealed that one storage tank was laden with about 5,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, the plastic tanks were laden with about 1,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil, while the dug-out pit contained about 1,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

Additionally, a large wooden boat carefully concealed at the entrance of the community was discovered, laden with about 2,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.

He stated that the boat was confiscated in line with extant regulations.

In a related development, operatives of the FOB Bonny stationed at the Oputumbi general area, acting on received credible intelligence, intercepted a wooden boat conveying suspected stolen crude oil and promptly confiscated both the boat and its cargo.

The wooden boat was found to be laden with about 10,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally stolen crude oil.

The Base Operations Officer reiterated the determination of the Nigerian Navy to sustain its bullish aggression against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities, warning perpetrators to consider alternative business options.

He reassured stakeholders in the maritime sector of the commitment of the Navy to ensure safe waters for both maritime commuters and businesses within the nation’s maritime domain.

The FOB Bonny confirmed that an investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend the operators of the site.

The Nigerian Navy’s continued efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities have been commended by stakeholders, who appreciate the Navy’s commitment to protecting the nation’s maritime domain.

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate fell to 23.71 per cent in April 2025, down from 24.23 per cent in March 2025, according to new statistics issued by the National Bureau of Statistics.

This signifies a 0.52 percentage point decrease from last month, suggesting a more gradual increase in the overall price level of goods and services across the country.

The relaxation aligns with a major revision to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), following the NBS’s completion of a long-anticipated rebasing of the CPI structure.

The rebasing replaces out-of-date reference periods from 2009, putting the CPI in line with current economic conditions.

According to the Bureau, “Rebasing aligns the price and weight reference periods with the current economic environment, ensuring methodological accuracy, updating the composition of the goods and services basket, revising item weights, and incorporating necessary improvements.”

The newly updated CPI now uses 2024 as the price reference year (base year) and 2023 as the weight reference period. It covers 934 product varieties across 13 divisions under the international COICOP 2018 classification framework.

Month-on-month, the inflation rate in April stood at 1.86 per cent, significantly lower than March figure of 3.90 per cent

“This means that in April 2025, the rate of increase in the average price level is lower than the rate of increase in the average price level in March 2025,” the NBS noted.

The CPI for April stood at 119.52 points, representing a 2.18-point increase from the previous month.

The latest CPI data comes ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting slated for May 19 and 20, 2025.

Recall that Nigeria’s inflation rose to 24.23 per cent in March for the first time after the CPI rebase in January 2025.

In February, the CBN MPC paused interest rate hikes after inflation dropped.