The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has imposed a ban on the use of hot plates, ring boilers, and gas cookers in its hostels to address rising energy costs. This prohibition, detailed in a circular signed by the university’s Registrar, Ademola Bobola, is aimed at reducing the institution’s electricity expenses, which recently surged from ₦88 million to ₦250 million per month.

The increased billing from the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) led to a power crisis and subsequent student protests, which prompted the university’s Senate to temporarily close the campus.

The circular stipulates that any student found violating the ban will be rusticated from the university. It also emphasizes that students must settle any outstanding school fees before resuming classes and that adherence to the new electricity management policies is mandatory. Additionally, students are warned against engaging in any unauthorized gatherings or demonstrations on campus.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made several significant drug seizures recently.

On August 7, 2024, at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos, the NDLEA intercepted 532 parcels of “Loud,” a synthetic strain of Cannabis Sativa, which weighed a total of 265.25kg. The drugs were found inside a black Toyota Sienna bus that was part of a container from Montreal, Canada. This interception occurred during a comprehensive joint examination with the Customs Service and other stakeholders.

The following day, the NDLEA seized an additional 75 parcels of the same substance, weighing 37.5kg, from another container coming from Canada.

In a separate incident, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa detained 49-year-old Joseph Peter with 425 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa, totaling 291.2kg, found in his Toyota Camry. Peter claimed he was transporting the drugs from Edo to Yola.

In Kano, two suspects, Adekunle Adebayo and Yahaya Mamuda, were apprehended with 29.5kg of cannabis.

Furthermore, NDLEA operatives in Lagos recovered 1,169kg of cannabis from a bus along Orchid Road, Ajah. Additionally, 1,230kg of cannabis was destroyed at a farm in Kogi, with the farm owner, Danjuma Maji, being detained.

These actions are part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and ensure the integrity of Nigeria’s borders.

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has issued a stern warning to Local Government Chairmen and Coordinators of Development Centres about contractual sabotage and “empowerment diversion” within his administration. Speaking during a church service at the Government House Chapel in Abakaliki, he emphasized that any form of sabotage in government contracts would not be tolerated.

Nwifuru instructed that Town Unions and other community development groups should oversee local projects to ensure compliance with government specifications. He stressed the importance of local officials being actively involved in their communities, stating that coordinators should handle projects worth at least ₦10 million monthly, while local government chairmen should manage projects of no less than ₦20 million monthly.

The governor also praised the youth for their restraint in not participating in a recent nationwide protest. He acknowledged that while the government is not perfect, their decision to refrain from protesting is a challenge to government officials to improve. He highlighted that the empowerment programs are intended to benefit the youth and urged officials to manage public utilities with a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has sharply criticized Nigeria’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the country failed to win any medals despite substantial financial investment. Obi expressed his frustration through social media, accusing Nigerian sports authorities of “rascality and recklessness” in managing the Olympic project.

He highlighted that Nigeria’s Olympic contingent, consisting of 88 athletes and costing around ₦12 billion, yielded no medals, a stark contrast to Jamaica, which spent significantly less yet won six medals, including one gold. Obi questioned how Nigeria could spend so much and achieve so little compared to Jamaica’s minimal investment.

Obi criticized the mismanagement of resources and the prioritization of personal interests over competence in Nigerian sports leadership. He cited specific issues, such as the removal of sprinter Favour Ofili from the 100m race list and the frustrations of Annette Echikunwoke, who switched allegiance to the U.S. and won a medal for them.

He also condemned the presence of injured and unfit athletes in Paris, receiving allowances, and the embarrassment faced by cyclist Ese Ukpeseraye, who had to borrow a bicycle to compete.

Despite the disappointing results for Nigeria, Obi acknowledged the successes of Nigerian-born athletes representing other countries, such as Yemisi Ogunleye, Annette Echikunwoke, and Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu. He also praised Nigerian-American Rena Wakama, named the best coach at the Olympics.

Obi called for a reevaluation of Nigeria’s leadership and sports management, urging for reforms to build a “New Nigeria” with a focus on competence and accountability.

As Edo and Ondo States prepare for their gubernatorial elections in September, a group of concerned Kogi State citizens is urging the Supreme Court to address alleged irregularities in the recent Kogi governorship election. They have expressed strong objections to the reported overvoting and misuse of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which they claim violated INEC regulations.

The group has criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for dismissing these issues on technical grounds and has called on the Supreme Court to consider the substantive evidence rather than technicalities. They argue that ignoring BVAS fraud undermines democratic integrity and are appealing for justice to ensure the electoral process remains fair and transparent.

The Nigerian Senate has strongly denied former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s allegations that its members determine their own salaries and receive special financial packages from the presidency.

In response to Obasanjo’s claims, Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu described the accusations as misleading and “satanic.” Adaramodu emphasized that the Senate’s salaries are determined by the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) and not by the lawmakers themselves. He also refuted suggestions of monetary patronage from the presidency, stating that such claims are baseless.

Adaramodu explained that any constituency projects funded by the federal government are part of the federal budget and are managed by relevant ministries and agencies, not directly by the legislators. He asserted that the Senate remains committed to responsible governance and economic growth, rejecting any attempts to malign its reputation through what he termed “political hypocrisy.”

The German Government, led by Weert Borner, the German Consul General to Nigeria, has expressed a strong interest in deepening economic cooperation with Enugu State. During a recent visit to Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House in Enugu, Borner highlighted Germany’s commitment to collaborating with the state in areas such as agriculture, energy, trade, and investment.

Borner noted that Enugu was chosen as one of the three key business and investment destinations in southern Nigeria due to the improved ease of doing business under Mbah’s administration. This visit is part of ongoing discussions initiated in Lagos in 2023 to enhance German cooperation with the state.

Governor Mbah welcomed the partnership, emphasizing Enugu’s ambition to achieve a $30 billion GDP target through private sector investments and international cooperation. He highlighted agriculture as a crucial sector for economic growth, aiming to develop Special Agro Processing Zones for local and export markets. Mbah also mentioned the advancement of the international wing of Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the construction of a cargo terminal to boost exports.

This collaboration reflects a growing interest in regional partnerships to drive Nigeria’s economic development, with Enugu positioned as a strategic partner in this endeavor.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced an online feedback mechanism to enhance citizen participation in governance. Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement, North Central, announced this initiative during a town hall meeting in Minna. The meeting, titled “Presidential Community Engagement and Feedback Gathering,” aimed to address challenges, concerns, and aspirations of Nigerians.

Essiet emphasized the importance of transparency and citizen feedback in achieving growth and development. She noted the government’s commitment to improving the economy, infrastructure, youth empowerment, and agriculture over the past 14 months.

Participants at the meeting voiced their concerns about the high cost of living and urged the government to use funds from fuel subsidy removal to improve living standards and address corruption and security issues. Calls were made for a reduction in the prices of petroleum products and foodstuffs, the completion of the Minna-Abuja road, and increased empowerment for women and youths. The meeting highlighted the need for a collaborative approach among government tiers to tackle insecurity and boost socio-economic activities.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has condemned the assassination of Chris Terfa, a prominent humanitarian worker and health rights advocate, who was killed on Friday in Makurdi. Terfa, who was the National Chairperson of the National Key Population Health and Rights Network (NKPHRN) and the Executive Director of Concerned Youth for Development Initiative (CYDI), was attacked by unknown assailants at his office.

Governor Alia, accompanied by top government officials, visited Terfa’s family on Sunday to offer condolences. He highlighted Terfa’s significant contributions to health and human rights, particularly his advocacy work against HIV/AIDS. Alia praised the quick response of the Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Daniel Ezeala, and his team, and urged them to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for Terfa’s death. The governor assured the public of the state government’s commitment to achieving justice in this case.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently criticized members of the National Assembly for allegedly determining their own salaries and allocating what he termed frivolous allowances. In response, the House of Representatives, represented by Deputy Spokesperson Philip Agbese, defended the current lawmakers.

Agbese emphasized that the 10th House of Representatives operates with a commitment to transparency and accountability, distinguishing itself from past practices during Obasanjo’s presidency. He assured that the current leadership, under Speaker Tajudeen Abass, is focused on the welfare of Nigerians and not driven by narrow interests.

Regarding rumors of financial contributions from President Bola Tinubu to National Assembly members, Agbese refuted these claims, attributing the support for Tinubu to diplomacy and consultation rather than financial incentives.

Rep. Alhassan Doguwa, a federal lawmaker from Kano State, has pledged to secure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. His commitment came in response to criticisms from Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin, who had accused Doguwa of being a liability to the APC’s electoral prospects in Kano State.

Doguwa, who represents Tudun-Wada/Doguwa Federal Constituency and chairs the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), expressed his desire to serve as the Director-General of the APC’s 2027 campaign in Kano State. He refuted Jibrin’s claims, asserting that he is an asset to the party rather than a hindrance.

Jibrin, from the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), had earlier labeled Doguwa as a threat to peace in Kano State, intensifying the political clash between the two lawmakers.

Amid the recent anti-immigrant riots in the United Kingdom, several Nigerians have shared their experiences, revealing how they managed to stay safe during the unrest. These riots, which erupted following the tragic stabbing of three young girls in Southport, were fueled by misinformation that the suspect was a black Muslim migrant. The false claims were spread by influential figures, leading to far-right extremists targeting black and Muslim communities across the UK.

Shola, a Nigerian student living in Sunderland, recounted how he and his wife were forced to stay indoors for hours as a police helicopter hovered over their home for over five hours. He described the chaos that unfolded in the city, with several businesses and even a police station being attacked by rioters.

Another Nigerian, Janet, who lives on the street where the first protest took place, fled her home before the unrest began. She noted that local taxi drivers had warned people of color to stay indoors, anticipating that the “peaceful” protest could turn violent.

In contrast, Mayor, a Liverpool resident, and Yemi, who lives in Manchester, reported less direct impact but emphasized the need for caution during such volatile times. Yemi particularly noted that while Manchester remained relatively peaceful, areas like Piccadilly were best avoided.

The UK government, through its High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has reassured Nigerians of their safety, emphasizing that discrimination or attacks against any community would not be tolerated. This statement followed a travel advisory from the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging citizens to exercise caution when visiting the UK and avoid large gatherings or protests.

In Edo State, the Police Command has detained a 14-year-old boy accused of raping a minor in the Sobe community, Owan West Local Government Area. The incident reportedly occurred when the teenager lured the victim into his room and defiled her.

The suspect was detained after the victim’s father reported the case to the local police station. However, the father later sought to withdraw the case, claiming he had reached an agreement with the family of the accused to settle the matter privately. Despite this, the police decided to proceed with the case, transferring it to the command headquarters in Benin.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident and stated that the matter had been escalated to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has launched an investigation after a viral video surfaced showing a woman tearing a Nigerian passport, allegedly belonging to her husband, at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage, occurred upon their arrival in Nigeria.

In response to the act, NIS spokesperson Kenneth Udo confirmed that the individuals involved have been identified and summoned for further investigation. Udo emphasized that if the allegations are confirmed, the woman’s actions would constitute a violation of Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015. This could result in severe penalties, as outlined under Section 10(h) of the Act.

The punishment for passport mutilation, as stipulated in the Act, includes a possible five-year imprisonment term or a fine of One Million Naira, or both, for altering or assisting in the alteration of travel documents without lawful authority. Additionally, for offenses under the Act where no specific penalty is provided, the convicted individual may face a one-year imprisonment term, a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira, or both, and the court may also order the deportation of the offender.

Udo reiterated the NIS’s commitment to enforcing the Immigration Act, highlighting the importance of maintaining the integrity of the country’s legal documents and national security.