NIGERIAN NOTCH

The Youth Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Worldwide Diaspora Network, Hon. (Dr.) Abdul-Malik Rabiu Jaafar, has raised concern over the growing wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that the trend poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic stability. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Jaafar acknowledged that political realignment is a constitutional right but cautioned that the mass and strategic movement of elected officials and political actors into a single ruling party is pushing the country toward a de facto one-party system. According to him, such a development weakens opposition parties, erodes checks and balances, and undermines the foundations of participatory democracy. “A vibrant democracy thrives on strong opposition that questions policies, holds government accountable and provides credible alternatives,” the statement read. “What we are witnessing, however, is the systematic weakening of opposition parties...

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has said the Command recorded significant security successes in 2025, including the rescue of 35 kidnapped victims, the arrest of over 300 criminal suspects and the recovery of more than 2,000 arms and ammunition across the state. CP Orutugu disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Anambra State Police Command Headquarters in Awka, as part of an end-of-year assessment of security operations in the state. Speaking on behalf of officers and men of the Command, the Commissioner noted that while total security is yet to be achieved, the cooperation, trust and timely support of residents played a critical role in the progress recorded during the year. He explained that crime patterns fluctuated in 2025 due to prevailing socio-economic realities and evolving security challenges nationwide. However, through proactive policing, intelligence-led operations and enhanced community engag...

Former Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, PhD, on Tuesday, 16th December received the 2025 Maltina Teacher of the Year, Ms. Sarah Yusuf, at his Abuja residence, where she formally presented her award following her emergence as the national winner of the Maltina Teacher of the Year award 2025.  Yusuf, an English teacher at Wisdom International School of Excellence (WISE), Lugbe, Abuja, and a member of the Young Nigerian Voices (YNV), Abuja Chapter, clinched the prestigious award after a rigorous nationwide selection process, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Congratulating her on the achievement, Hon. Nwajiuba described the feat as a testament to excellence, dedication, and the transformative power of education. He commended Yusuf for her commitment to teaching and social development, noting that her recognition had brought pride not only to herself, and the FCT but to the country at large. The former minister offered fatherly adv...

Olakunle Churchill, the former husband of Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh, has taken to social media to reflect on healing and personal growth, shortly after the actress publicly shared details of her past struggles with addiction and emotional challenges. Ms. Dikeh, 40, made the revelations during a church testimony, where she spoke candidly about battling alcohol addiction, smoking, prolonged anger issues and other personal difficulties. She described her experiences as a form of “demonic oppression,” adding that she was able to overcome them through faith and spiritual renewal. According to the actress, her journey to recovery began with a renewed spiritual life, which she said brought about significant changes. She disclosed that she had taken up smoking at a very young age and had struggled for years with various addictions before experiencing what she described as divine healing. She further stated that she was recently delivered from deep-seated anger, which she said h...

The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has presented certificates of participation to staff members who successfully completed a training programme on career development and coaching. The presentation took place on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, when the beneficiaries were formally received by the Rector. Dr. Awuzie congratulated the participants for completing the programme and urged them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to the benefit of students and the overall development of the institution. The training, themed “Discovering Career Paths in This Modern Age,” was organised by the Directorate of Career Services as part of ongoing capacity-building efforts aimed at equipping staff to serve as career coaches and mentors for students. Leading the participants to the Rector’s office, the Director of Career Services, Mr. Chioma Nwankwo, expressed appreciation to Dr. Awuzie for facilitating the training and ensuring its successful execution....

The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, has approved the appointment of Dr. Kenneth Ezekwe as the new Director of Academic Planning (DAP) and Chairman of the institution’s Ceremonial Committee. The appointment was conveyed to Dr. Ezekwe through official letters issued by the Rector on December 16, 2025. He is expected to assume duty in his new role as Director of Academic Planning with effect from December 17, 2025. Dr. Ezekwe, who is the immediate past Deputy Rector (Administration), takes over from Dr. Ferguson Ezeokafor, who has been appointed Deputy Rector (Administration). During a brief handover ceremony, Dr. Ezeokafor congratulated Dr. Ezekwe on his appointment and expressed confidence in his capacity to deliver effectively. He also prayed for divine wisdom, grace and strength to enable him discharge his responsibilities efficiently and contribute to the continued growth and development of the Polytechnic.

The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, has provided detailed clarification on the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of its former Registrar, Mr. Anthony Umeozor, amid widespread reactions and commentary on social media. In a statement aimed at setting the record straight, the institution noted that the matter predates both the current Governing Council, chaired by Senator Engr. Dr. Barnabas Gemade, and the incumbent Rector, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie. While the 12th Governing Council was inaugurated in July 2024, the Rector assumed office in February 2025, making claims of vendetta or victimisation unfounded, the Polytechnic said. Mr. Umeozor was appointed substantive Registrar by the 11th Governing Council in June 2022. However, the Federal Ministry of Education later identified procedural irregularities in the appointment process and subsequently nullified it. Following this decision, an Acting Registrar was appointed with the approval of the Ministry. Dissatisfied with the dev...

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EEDC) has attributed the recent decline in power supply across the South-East to low system frequency caused by gas constraints affecting electricity Generation Companies. In a statement issued on Tuesday, by the company’s group head, corporate Communications,  Emeka Ezeh explained that the gas-related challenges had forced the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to implement load shedding of available energy on the national grid, thereby reducing power allocation to distribution companies. EEDC said the development has adversely affected the volume of energy allocated to it and, consequently, the level of electricity supply to customers served by its subsidiary companies—MainPower, TransPower, FirstPower, NewEra and EastLand. The company noted that relevant stakeholders in the electricity supply industry are working to resolve the challenges and restore normal power distribution as soon as possible. EEDC apologized...

An information security expert and Doctor of Information Security,  who is also an European engineer, Dr. Kingsley Chibuzor Aguoru, has cautioned that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and France’s tax authority, the Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP), may expose Nigeria to latent data security and digital sovereignty risks, despite official assurances that no Nigerian taxpayers’ data will be accessed or compromised. Dr. Aguoru warned that from an information security standpoint, tax and revenue systems constitute some of the most sensitive elements of national digital infrastructure. He noted that such systems hold vast amounts of personally identifiable information, financial records, behavioural data and strategic economic intelligence. According to him, data compromise does not occur only through direct database access or copying, but can also arise from system visibility, architectural influence and process a...

Dauda Usman Zamani, a popular political figure in Yobe State and a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has resigned his membership of the ruling party and defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Zamani, who is widely known across the state and within the APC as a Special Adviser to the Yobe State Government, announced his decision in a formal resignation letter addressed to the APC Ward Chairman of Bolawa B Ward, Potiskum Local Government Area. The resignation takes immediate effect. He said the decision followed extensive consultations and engagements with his political associates, stressing that his defection to the ADC was driven by the desire to actualise the ARISE agenda for the development and progress of Yobe State. According to him, the move was taken after careful consideration and in the best interest of the state, as he believes the ADC provides a viable platform to pursue policies and programmes that would enhance good...