Residents of Kaduna have expressed frustration over the delayed arrival of electoral officials and materials at polling centers during the local government elections on Saturday. Voters criticized the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) for the mishap, which affected the timely commencement of the electoral process in the 23 LGAs.

Despite KADSIECOM’s announcement of the election date in July, reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that by 9 a.m., many polling units across the metropolis still had no officials or election materials. Voters, including youths and women, who had arrived as early as 7 a.m., were left disappointed, with groups of residents discussing the situation while security agents maintained a presence at key locations.

Abigail Musa, a resident of Narayi, expressed her dismay at the lack of election activity despite the enthusiastic turnout. “It’s rather saddening as you can see a lot of people with enthusiasm but are shocked as this is rather unusual,” she said.

Similarly, Sani Bege of Ungwan Sunday polling station reported that people had gathered as early as 6:30 a.m. but were still waiting for the exercise to begin. The delay has sparked concerns over the organization and management of the electoral process in Kaduna.

The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), NAFDAC Branch, has pledged to persist with its ongoing strike until its demands are addressed. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna, the chapter’s Chairman, Adetoboye Ayodeji, emphasized that the union is awaiting the agency’s management to initiate negotiations and show concrete steps toward resolving the workers’ grievances.

The strike, which began on October 7, is centered on demands for a review of the 2024 promotion examinations and concerns that many staff members, despite being qualified, were not promoted due to an alleged “vacancy slot” policy from the Head of Service. Ayodeji also highlighted that some employees hired in 2022 had not received statutory arrears and other benefits owed to them.

According to Ayodeji, an agreement was signed in 2022 between the union, NAFDAC management, and the government regarding the workers’ conditions of service, but none of the issues have been resolved. He lamented that allowances due by December 2022, as well as other terms outlined in the agreement, remain unapproved.

The union has repeatedly written to NAFDAC management to address these concerns but has not received an adequate response. The strike will continue until the demands, including the promotion of staff who passed the 2024 exams, are met.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has stated that the Federal Government is making efforts to prevent another strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). She highlighted that the various reforms and policies introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are aimed at addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges comprehensively, offering long-term solutions despite the initial difficulties.

Speaking during her 17th annual free medical outreach in Isuochi, Abia State, the Minister expressed optimism that the issues raised by ASUU, including salary arrears and the transition to the University Transparency and Accountability System (UTAS), would soon be resolved. She reassured that the government is actively working with Organized Labour to prevent a looming nationwide strike.

Onyejeocha acknowledged that the reforms may be painful in the short term but urged Nigerians to be patient and support President Tinubu in his efforts to revitalize the economy. She explained that decisive actions, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, are necessary to prevent the total collapse of the economy and ensure long-term stability.

The Ogun State government is set to recruit an additional 1,000 interns under the Ogun Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel (Ogun TEACh) initiative to address existing vacancies in public schools across the state.

This recruitment exercise is being coordinated by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in collaboration with the State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and Ogun State Technical and Vocational Education Board (OGSTVEB).

In a statement released by the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, prospective applicants are required to possess at least a National Certificate in Education (NCE) or a B.A. (Edu)/B.Sc. (Ed)/B.Ed. with a Second Class Lower in relevant subjects or courses. For those coming from different disciplines, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education from reputable universities is necessary. Additionally, applicants targeting technical colleges must hold a B.Sc. in Technical Education/B.Sc. in Engineering/B.Eng./HND in engineering fields.

Interested candidates can apply through the Ogun State Job Portal at www.teach.ogunstate.gov.ng between October 16 and November 6, 2024.

Successful applicants, referred to as TEACh Interns, will be deployed to Local Government Areas in need of their services and will receive a monthly stipend for two years. After this period, they will be evaluated based on various criteria, including expertise, commitment to duty, punctuality, respect for authority, and willingness to work in their assigned locations.

This recruitment marks the final batch of 5,000 interns promised by Governor Dapo Abiodun, with the first 4,000 now being offered permanent appointments and serving as permanent teachers.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a N5.5 billion defamation lawsuit against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), accusing it of making false claims about the agency. The legal action was initiated before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the DSS alleged that SERAP falsely reported that its Abuja office had been invaded by DSS operatives.

In the lawsuit, the DSS claimed that the false allegations had adversely affected its corporate reputation and that of two of its officials, Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, who are also listed as claimants in the case. The suit, marked CV/4547/2024, names SERAP and its Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare as defendants.

According to the DSS, the two officials visited SERAP’s office on September 9 as part of the agency’s practice of engaging with officials from non-governmental organizations in the FCT to establish relationships with their new leadership. During the visit, they met a staff member named Ruth, who informed them that none of SERAP’s management staff was in the country and suggested that a formal invitation letter be sent by the DSS.

The claimants, who stated that their interactions were recorded, expressed surprise when SERAP later posted on its X (Twitter) account, alleging that DSS officers were unlawfully occupying their office. They also noted that SERAP published a statement on its website, widely reported by various media outlets, claiming that officers described as “a tall, large, dark-skinned woman” and “a slim, dark-skinned man” had invaded their office and interrogated the staff

A Kenyan high court has issued a temporary suspension of the Senate’s decision to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, following a petition that cited “monumental constitutional issues.”

Earlier today, Gachagua approached the court to halt the implementation of his impeachment. Presiding Judge Chacha Mwita ruled to temporarily pause the impeachment process pending a hearing.

The court also suspended the appointment of a new deputy president, which had seen Kenya’s President William Ruto nominate Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki. The National Assembly had approved Kindiki’s appointment earlier on Friday.

Judge Mwita emphasized the constitutional significance of the case, stating, “I am satisfied that the petition raises fundamental constitutional issues concerning the rule of law and human rights.” The case is set for review on October 24, when a bench appointed by the Chief Justice will address the matter.

The political drama surrounding Gachagua’s impeachment has captivated the East African country, which is generally regarded as a stable democracy in a turbulent region.

Kenyan President William Ruto has nominated Kithure Kindiki, the current Interior Minister, as his new deputy, following the Senate’s recent impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Gachagua, who was hospitalized during the impeachment proceedings and unable to defend himself, faced 11 charges and was ousted on five counts, including undermining the judiciary and gross misconduct. Despite Gachagua’s lawyer Paul Muite requesting a delay in the vote due to Gachagua’s health issues, the impeachment vote proceeded with 281 MPs voting in favor, 44 against, and one abstention.

Moses Wetang’ula, Speaker of Parliament, announced on Friday that President Ruto had formally nominated Kindiki, a close ally who has served as Interior Minister throughout Ruto’s presidency. Kindiki previously represented Tharaka Nithi County as a senator and was a strong contender for Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 election.

Parliament is set to vote on Kindiki’s nomination before he can be officially sworn in as deputy president. Gachagua, who claims the impeachment was politically motivated, has vowed to fight the charges against him.

A Chinese investor, Liu Yangxi, managing director of BN Ceramics Industry Nigeria Limited and NB Ceramics Ltd, has filed a lawsuit in a High Court in Abuja, seeking N5 billion in damages over reports that falsely implicated him in an alleged N17 billion fraud.

In his suit, marked: CV/3993/2024, Yangxi claims he was maliciously defamed by two articles published in Nigeria on August 3 and August 7. The defendants in the case include Peoples Gazette Ltd (publisher of the Peoples Gazette, an online newspaper), Media Trust Ltd (publisher of the Daily Trust newspaper), and Fidelis Akumatu, described as a correspondent.

Yangxi asserts that one of the offensive articles was titled: “Petitions to EFCC, SSS accuse Chinese expatriate of colluding with bank manager to steal N17 billion from two Nigerian ceramic companies,” while the other was titled: “Bank Manager, Chinese expatriates’ N17 billion fraud: A dangerous economic sabotage.”

He contends that both publications have severely damaged his reputation, exposing him to public disdain and opprobrium. Yangxi claims the defendants published these libelous articles without verifying the facts or conducting proper investigations, knowing the information was false.

The publications allegedly portrayed him as a fraudulent individual involved in money laundering, tax evasion, and other criminal activities. Yangxi states that the articles have tarnished his image and reputation, which he has built over the years as a law-abiding expatriate and morally upright individual.

Social media influencer Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has revealed why Don Jazzy, the founder of Mavin Records, donated ₦100 million to his Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). In an Instagram post on Thursday, VDM acknowledged the generous donation, stating that Don Jazzy’s support is rooted in the initiative’s focus on humanity.

VDM wrote, “Let it be known that on October 16, 2024, this man named Michael Collins Ajereh, aka Don Jazzy, donated ₦100 million to give public school kids advanced education with the aim of providing them a good educational foundation. Let it be known that Don Jazzy gave money to someone named Martins Vincent Otse aka VeryDarkMan because he believes in his work for humanity.”

He shared that he and Don Jazzy have only met once, and their interaction was brief. “I and him met once, shook hands, and that was it. We didn’t even talk for one minute; it’s not like he knows my background or anything,” VDM added.

VDM recently unveiled his NGO, which aims to transform public education in Nigeria through the integration of cutting-edge technologies and innovative teaching methods, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). Following the launch, he raised over ₦35 million within 24 hours and has continued to receive support from various sectors.

A fire incident occurred at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, shortly after workers resumed their duties on Friday. The fire was attributed to a spark from a faulty circuit breaker located on the ground floor but was quickly contained before any significant damage occurred.

Mohammed A. Ahmed, the Director of Press and Public Relations for the Ministry, confirmed the incident, stating that the fire broke out at 11:30 am in Block A of the Ministry. He explained, “The incident was a result of a spark from a faulty circuit breaker in the electrical control room on the ground floor.”

The Station Commander of the Federal Fire Service at the Ministry, Mr. Kekai Bekebi, reported a prompt response from his team, who effectively managed the situation by utilizing available fire extinguishers. Additionally, a successful evacuation exercise of staff was conducted.

Mr. Aliyu Abdullahi, the Director of Human Resource Management, added that there were no injuries, casualties, or loss of documents during the incident. He praised the staff for their commendable conduct throughout the situation.

Normal operations have since resumed, with maintenance staff actively cleaning up debris and restoring order in the affected areas.

Palestinian militant group Hamas confirmed the death of its leader, Yahya Sinwar, on Friday, a day after Israel announced his demise in Gaza. Khalil al-Hayya, a Qatar-based Hamas official, expressed condolences in a video statement, mourning Sinwar as a significant leader of the group.

Sinwar became a primary target for Israel following the October 7, 2023 attack, which was the deadliest in Israeli history. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Sinwar’s death as a significant blow to Hamas amid ongoing military operations in Gaza.

The October 7 assault led to the deaths of 1,206 individuals, predominantly civilians, and saw 251 people taken hostage. A total of 97 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza, with Israeli officials reporting that 34 of them are dead.

In his statement, al-Hayya insisted that Hamas would not release the captives until the war in Gaza concluded, urging Israel to withdraw and free Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

According to the health ministry in Gaza, Israeli operations against Hamas have resulted in the deaths of 42,500 people, most of whom are civilians, figures that the UN regards as reliable.

Al-Hayya asserted that Hamas would draw strength from Sinwar’s death, likening him to previous leaders and symbols of the movement

Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, has called on state governors to prioritize the health sector alongside road infrastructure development. During her 17th annual free medical outreach held in Isuochi, Abia State, she emphasized that while road construction is important, neglecting healthcare could result in a “sick population,” which she deemed more devastating than poverty.

Onyejeocha stated, “Governors should diversify their focus to include the health sector, agriculture, and security. A crumbling health sector means we are fostering a sick population.” Her remarks highlight the critical need for a balanced approach to state governance that addresses health needs alongside infrastructure improvements.

The minister, who previously served as the Deputy Whip of the House of Representatives, expressed her passion for the health and well-being of underprivileged communities. She shared that her medical outreach initiative is funded from her personal savings, a commitment she has maintained for 17 years as part of her “covenant with God.”

Dr. Humble Chimaobi, leading the medical team from the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, reported that over 120 patients had been treated during the outreach, including 35 surgical cases. The initiative aims to provide medical assistance to 600 patients and 400 surgical cases, addressing prevalent health issues such as hernias, malaria, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Beneficiaries of the outreach expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Onyejeocha, describing her as “God-sent” and sharing how her efforts have alleviated financial burdens associated with healthcare costs for their families.

The minister reiterated her commitment to ensuring free healthcare for those in need, vowing to continue the initiative regardless of the financial implications. Her dedication reflects a strong advocacy for improved health services in underserved communities.

The Labour Party (LP) has strongly refuted accusations made by the Nigeria Labour Congress Political Commission (NLC-PC), which claimed that the leadership of the party, under Julius Abure, is acting in the interests of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, addressed the allegations, highlighting that they emerged following a landmark court ruling affirming Abure’s position as the national chairman of the Labour Party.

Ifoh stated, “Some individuals, including former Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo and the acting chairman of the NLC Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, have attempted to promote the narrative that the Labour Party is working for the APC due to our success in court cases.” He characterized these claims as misleading and a deliberate effort to tarnish the party’s image.

He emphasized the LP’s critical stance towards the APC, stating, “The LP has been and remains more critical of the APC than the NLC. We maintain that the NLC has failed the Nigerian workers across the board. Today, Nigerian workers are oppressed, the economy is struggling, and there is little to no advocacy for workers’ rights, except from the current leadership of the Labour Party.”

Ifoh highlighted the accomplishments of the Abure-led leadership, noting that the party achieved a significant electoral victory in the 2023 presidential elections, securing a majority of votes, along with the election of a governor, eight senators, and 35 House of Representatives members, among others.

He declared, “Since the 2023 general election, the Labour Party has been a vibrant and strong opposition force against this government.” He firmly stated that it is the LP that has been consistently critical of the current administration, contrasting this with the NLC’s position.

Ifoh concluded by asserting that any claims suggesting that the LP leadership is colluding with the APC are unfounded and represent a misguided attempt to undermine the party’s credibility. He suggested that if any organization is aiding the current government, it would be the Nigeria Labour Congress itself.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced a significant financial initiative, depositing N30 billion in the Bank of Industry to support the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the nine states in the Niger Delta region.

Chief Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made this announcement on Friday during a sensitization event in Akure focused on the establishment of the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines, and Agriculture (NDCCITMA). Ogbuku was represented by Mr. Otito Atikase, the Ondo State Representative in the NDDC.

Ogbuku stated that the N30 billion serves as the commission’s counterpart fund for disbursement to entrepreneurs and other beneficiaries, particularly targeting those unable to secure loans from conventional financial institutions. He emphasized that this initiative is part of a sincere effort to address the persistent challenges faced by businesses in the region.

“This initiative will ensure that development reaches the people of the Niger Delta through genuine economic empowerment processes,” he said, highlighting the importance of capturing as many interested individuals as possible.

The establishment of NDCCITMA will facilitate connections between the NDDC and local entrepreneurs, supporting their business sustainability. Ogbuku assured attendees that the commission is dedicated to collaborating with NDCCITMA to create a pathway to prosperity that complements ongoing projects like HOPE and IFAD.

Mr. Victor Antai, Executive Director of Projects at NDDC, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the goal of raising awareness about NDCCITMA and exploring the extensive opportunities available across various economic sectors in the region.

The Petroleum Compressed Natural Gas Industry (PCNGI) has issued a statement, signed by the Programme Director, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, extending heartfelt sympathy to those injured in the recent incident at the NIPCO CNG Station in Ikpoba Hill, Benin City.

Oluwagbemi reported that an examination of the cylinder involved in the incident revealed it had been welded, modified, and was not approved for use with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event, which is being conducted in collaboration with the police, regulatory authorities, and NIPCO management.

Highlighting the incident’s seriousness, Oluwagbemi stated that it emphasizes the urgent need for the upcoming Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System. This initiative, a joint effort between PCNGI and various partners—including the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)—aims to identify and address bad practices within the ecosystem. The goal is to ensure that CNG remains a safer, cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable fuel source for everyone.

Oluwagbemi urged the public to only use accredited conversion centers to ensure their safety, reinforcing the importance of adhering to safety standards in the gas industry.