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Atiku to Nigerian Youths: ‘Don’t Give Up’ — You Cannot Be Spectators in Your Nation’s History

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Atiku to Nigerian Youths: ‘Don’t Give Up’ — You Cannot Be Spectators in Your Nation’s History

Former VP Urges Dialogue and Resolve in Building a United Nigeria

ABUJA, NIGERIA — Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has delivered a powerful message to Nigerian youths, urging them to resist despair and become active participants in shaping the nation’s future.

Abubakar made the appeal while delivering a keynote address on Monday, during the 28th anniversary commemoration of the passing of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, a former Chief of Staff, renowned politician, and influential figure in Nigeria’s democratic history.

The Call to Action

The former Vice-President emphasized that the youth hold the key to the country’s unity and progress, asserting that withdrawal or apathy is not an option.

“Don’t give up on Nigeria,” Abubakar urged. “You can’t be spectators in your nation’s history.”

He called on the younger generation to rise above the current economic and political challenges by actively engaging in constructive nation-building. His message stressed the necessity of dialogue and resolve as the primary tools for forging a cohesive and prosperous Nigerian society.

The address positioned the late Shehu Yar’Adua’s legacy—characterized by bridge-building and unity—as a template for contemporary youth engagement. Abubakar, who was a political associate of Yar’Adua, used the anniversary to inspire a renewed commitment to democratic principles and national cohesion among the youth demographic.

Senator Abiru Empowers Lagos East: $₦$480M Grant Fuels 48 Cooperative Societies

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Senator Abiru Empowers Lagos East: $₦$480M Grant Fuels 48 Cooperative Societies

A Major Boost for Market Women, Farmers, and Artisans

Senator Tokunbo Abiru, representing the Lagos East Senatorial District, has launched a significant economic empowerment initiative by providing a collective start-up grant of $₦$480 million to 48 cooperative societies within his constituency.

The initiative is specifically designed to bolster grassroots economic activities across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) that make up the district.

Focus on Key Economic Sectors

The 48 cooperatives selected for this substantial grant were strategically drawn from three vital economic sectors that form the backbone of local economies:

  1. Market Women Associations

  2. Farmers’ Groups

  3. Artisans

This targeted approach ensures that the funds directly benefit groups poised to create immediate and measurable impact on local trade, food production, and vocational skills development.

Commitment to the ‘Greater Good’

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony on Monday, which saw the attendance of traditional rulers, political leaders, party members, and various community groups, Senator Abiru affirmed that the initiative is a consistent demonstration of his legislative and community agenda.

Abiru stated that the launch marked a continuation of his commitment to delivering the “greater good to a larger number” of his constituents across Lagos East. The cooperative structure is intended to ensure shared growth, sustainability, and accountability among the beneficiaries.

The $₦$480 million investment is expected to significantly enhance the operational capacity of these groups, leading to increased productivity, job creation, and overall economic vibrancy in the district.

Senate Summons Education Minister, WAEC Boss Over Controversial 2025/2026 SSCE Guidelines

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Senate Summons Education Minister, WAEC Boss Over Controversial 2025/2026 SSCE Guidelines

Legislators Raise Alarm Over Changes Threatening Mass Failure

ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Nigerian Senate has escalated its intervention in the nation’s educational policy by summoning the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Head of the National Office of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mr. Amos Dangut.

The high-profile summon is in response to the recently announced new guidelines for the 2025/2026 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), which legislators argue could disrupt students’ preparations and lead to widespread academic failure.

The Motion and the Warning of Mass Failure

The Senate’s resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West), who brought the issue to the floor during plenary. Senator Karimi expressed grave concern that the new guidelines had significantly altered the subject requirements for senior secondary students preparing for the forthcoming 2025/2026 May/June examinations.

In presenting his motion, the Senator issued a stark warning regarding the timing and nature of the changes.

“These sudden changes to the examination guidelines are highly disruptive. Candidates who have spent years preparing based on established curriculum and requirements will now be compelled to sit for papers for which they were not adequately prepared,” Senator Karimi stated.

He further emphasized that the eleventh-hour alteration of subject requirements could severely compromise the students’ performance, directly increasing the likelihood of a mass failure in the crucial SSCE examinations.

Mandate of the Senate

The Senate’s primary goal in summoning the key education sector leaders is to thoroughly scrutinize the rationale behind the new guidelines and understand the methodology used in their formulation and release.

Both the Minister and the WAEC Head are expected to appear before the relevant Senate Committee to provide:

  • A detailed explanation of the specific changes introduced in the 2025/2026 SSCE guidelines.

  • The justification for implementing the changes at this critical stage of students’ academic calendars.

  • The measures being put in place to mitigate the potential adverse effects on students, particularly those who have already chosen their subject combinations.

The legislative action underscores the Senate’s commitment to ensuring stability and fairness within the national examination system, safeguarding the academic future of millions of Nigerian youths.

Court Orders Substituted Service on Wike in Tonye Cole’s $₦$40 Billion Defamation Suit

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Court Orders Substituted Service on Wike in Tonye Cole’s $₦$40 Billion Defamation Suit

FCT High Court Grants Request as Personal Service Proves Difficult

ABUJA, NIGERIA — The legal battle between Tonye Cole, the former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), escalated today as a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court granted an order for substituted service on the Minister.

The ruling, delivered by Justice M.A. Hassan at the court sitting in Gwarinpa, Abuja, pertains to a massive $₦$40 billion defamation suit filed against Wike by Cole.

The Application for Substituted Service

The court’s decision was made on Tuesday following an ex parte application moved by Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), lead counsel to Tonye Cole.

Mr. Okutepa informed the court that his legal team had faced significant difficulty in effecting personal service of the court processes, including the originating summons, on the FCT Minister. Due to the high-profile nature and the security surrounding the defendant, personal delivery had proven unsuccessful.

The counsel therefore prayed the court to permit service through substituted means, which is a method allowed when the defendant is evading personal service or when personal service is otherwise impractical.

Court Rules in Favour of Cole

Justice Hassan, after considering the arguments and the difficulty encountered by the claimant’s team, granted the order. The ruling permits Tonye Cole’s lawyers to serve the court documents on Wike through an alternative, approved method, which typically involves:

  • Pasting the processes at a conspicuous location at his last known official or residential address.

  • Publication in a national newspaper.

This order clears a procedural hurdle for Cole, allowing the $₦$40 billion defamation suit to proceed to the next stage of judicial action.

Kaduna Cleric Ahmad Gumi Reignites Controversy: Kidnapping Schoolchildren a ‘Lesser Evil’ than Killing Soldiers

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Kaduna Cleric Ahmad Gumi Reignites Controversy: Kidnapping Schoolchildren a ‘Lesser Evil’ than Killing Soldiers

Gumi Defends Comparative Statement, Citing Moral Hierarchy in BBC Interview

KADUNA, NIGERIA — Controversial Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has once again sparked debate after stating that the abduction of schoolchildren constitutes a “lesser evil” when compared to the killing of soldiers.

Speaking in an interview published by the BBC on Tuesday, Gumi addressed the ongoing security crisis in Nigeria, which has seen an alarming rise in both banditry and attacks targeting security personnel.

The Comparison of Evils

Gumi did not mince words, acknowledging that while both acts are severely condemnable, they do not possess equal severity in a moral context. He defended his earlier remarks by asserting that his comparison was rooted in establishing a moral hierarchy rather than endorsing any form of criminality.

“Saying that kidnapping children is a lesser evil than killing your soldiers — definitely it is lesser,” Gumi was quoted as saying.

Context and Previous Stances

The cleric has been a figure of national scrutiny for several years due to his perceived role as a mediator between security agencies and bandit groups responsible for mass kidnappings in Nigeria’s North-West region.

His latest comments are likely to draw further criticism from security experts, government officials, and the public, particularly given the immense psychological and socio-economic trauma caused by the mass abduction of students—an issue that has severely hampered education in the region.

The core of Gumi’s argument appears to hinge on a perceived difference in the loss of life and the nature of violence, placing the killing of state security agents at a higher level of moral

IKEDC Announces Outage in Lagos Over ‘Jumper Cut’ at TCN Substation

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IKEDC Announces Outage in Lagos Over ‘Jumper Cut’ at TCN Substation

Ogba, Ikeja, and Alausa Axis Affected as TCN Works to Restore Power

LAGOS, NIGERIA — The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has informed its customers of a significant power outage affecting key parts of its franchise area in Lagos State.

The DisCo pinpointed the cause of the disruption to a technical fault within the critical infrastructure managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Areas Affected by the Outage

The power disruption is currently impacting residents and businesses in the following major axes:

  • Ogba

  • Ikeja

  • Alausa (home to the Lagos State Secretariat and other vital institutions)

Cause Identified: A ‘Jumper Cut’

In a public message sent to customers on Tuesday, IKEDC attributed the service interruption to a “jumper cut” at the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s (TCN) Injection Substation (ISS).

A jumper cut is an electrical fault that occurs when a jumper cable—a short piece of conductor used to bridge two points in an electrical circuit—is damaged, disconnected, or intentionally severed. Such faults can significantly impede the flow of bulk power from the transmission infrastructure to the DisCo’s network.

Restoration Efforts Underway

IKEDC confirmed that the responsibility for resolving the issue lies with the transmission network operators.

According to the DisCo’s communication, TCN’s technical team has already been mobilized and is actively working on resolving the electrical fault. The statement assured customers that power supply would be restored as soon as the TCN team successfully rectifies the jumper cut at the substation.

Over 200,000 Children Vaccinated Against Malaria in Kebbi and Bayelsa, Says NPHCDA

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Over 200,000 Children Vaccinated Against Malaria in Kebbi and Bayelsa, Says NPHCDA

National Primary Healthcare Agency Targets High-Burden States in Ongoing Immunisation Drive

ABUJA, NIGERIA — The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced a significant milestone in the country’s fight against malaria, revealing that 202,860 children have been successfully vaccinated against the disease in the states of Kebbi and Bayelsa.

The figure was disclosed by Dr. Rufai Ahmed, Director of Disease and Immunisation at the NPHCDA, during a media briefing held in Abuja on Tuesday.

Targeting High-Burden Areas

Dr. Ahmed explained the strategic rationale behind selecting the initial states for the malaria vaccination campaign.

“We started the malaria vaccination in Kebbi and Bayelsa because those were the states we identified as having a high burden [of malaria]. So far 202,860 children in Kebbi and Bayelsa have been reached with malaria vaccines,” he stated.

The initial success of reaching over 200,000 children underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging the new malaria vaccine as a critical tool for reducing childhood morbidity and mortality caused by the disease. Malaria remains one of the leading causes of death in Nigerian children under five years old.

The NPHCDA’s targeted approach aims to achieve maximum impact by focusing resources on areas where the health risk is most pronounced, paving the way for a potential expansion of the programme to other states in the future.

Playwright Jeremy O. Harris Released from Custody in Japan After Drug Allegations

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Playwright Jeremy O. Harris Released from Custody in Japan After Drug Allegations

Tony-Nominated Creator of ‘Slave Play’ Detained for Three Weeks Over Alleged MDMA Smuggling

TOKYO, JAPAN — American playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris has been released from Japanese police custody following a three-week detention related to allegations of attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the country.

Harris, known for his groundbreaking Tony-nominated work Slave Play and his acting role in the series Emily in Paris, was released on Monday, December 8, after being held since his arrest on November 16 at Naha Airport in Okinawa.

The Allegations and Detention

The 36-year-old playwright was detained after Japanese customs officials at the Naha Airport reportedly discovered approximately 780 milligrams of crystal containing Ecstasy (MDMA) in his carry-on tote bag. The amount is roughly equivalent to less than a gram. Harris had arrived in Okinawa for sightseeing, traveling from Britain via Taiwan.

Following the discovery, he was arrested on suspicion of violating Japan’s stringent Customs and Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Acts. The case was later forwarded to local prosecutors for further investigation and potential indictment. Japan is known for maintaining some of the world’s strictest anti-drug laws, where a conviction for smuggling could carry a sentence of up to seven years in prison, even for small quantities.

Released Without Charges

While local police declined to comment on whether formal charges were filed upon his release, a representative for Mr. Harris told media outlets that the playwright was released without charges.

The representative added that Harris plans to remain in Japan to continue conducting research and writing for an upcoming creative project. The lengthy detention period, nearly the maximum 23 days permitted under Japanese law before indictment, had drawn attention to the country’s often-criticized “hostage justice” system.

Jeremy O. Harris has received critical acclaim for pushing boundaries in theatre and film, including co-writing the screenplay for the A24 film Zola and serving as a producer on the HBO series Euphoria.

EFCC Intensifies Probe: Ex-AGF Malami Interrogated Over ’46 Bank Accounts’

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EFCC Intensifies Probe: Ex-AGF Malami Interrogated Over ’46 Bank Accounts’

Former Attorney-General Spends Night at EFCC Headquarters as Investigation Continues

ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has significantly ramped up its investigation into Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.

TheCable has learned that Malami spent Monday night at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency as intense interrogations commenced.

Overnight Questioning at EFCC

According to an associate of the former Minister, Malami was formally invited for questioning on Monday. However, his late arrival in the evening necessitated his prolonged stay, forcing him to spend the night at the facility to ensure the continuity of the intense questioning session.

The associate revealed that Malami was cooperating with investigators as he responded to a series of queries related to the ongoing inquiry.

Focus on ’46 Bank Accounts’

The investigation appears to center on a substantial number of financial dealings allegedly linked to the former AGF. The associate disclosed that a major part of the EFCC’s line of inquiry involves the scrutiny of 46 bank accounts purportedly linked to Malami.

The EFCC is expected to be probing the sources of funds, transaction patterns, and beneficiaries associated with these accounts as part of its wider investigation into the former Minister’s tenure and assets.

The questioning of a high-profile former cabinet member like Malami marks a significant development in the administration’s stated commitment to tackling corruption.

No More Cash: FG Mandates E-Payments, Gives MDAs 45 Days to Deploy PoS Terminals

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No More Cash: FG Mandates E-Payments, Gives MDAs 45 Days to Deploy PoS Terminals

Government Bans Physical Cash Collection for Revenue, Citing TSA Violations

ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Federal Government has taken a definitive step to enforce digital financial transparency by prohibiting all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from collecting physical cash for revenue transactions.

The move comes in response to persistent violations of the existing e-payment and Treasury Single Account (TSA) policies, which are designed to centralize and secure government revenues.

The 45-Day Ultimatum

The directive was formally communicated through four treasury circulars, all dated November 24, and issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF). The circulars were signed by Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, the Accountant-General of the Federation.

To ensure immediate compliance, the MDAs have been given a strict 45-day deadline to fully implement the new policy by deploying appropriate Point of Sale (PoS) terminals and other electronic channels at all their collection points.

Reason for the Ban

Mr. Ogunjimi expressed deep concern in the circulars over the continued practice of physical cash collection at government revenue points, despite explicit guidelines issued in earlier circulars designed to mandate electronic collection methods.

The ban is intended to plug revenue leakages, improve accountability, and consolidate government funds through the TSA system, ensuring that all public finances are channeled transparently and directly to the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The reliance on cash has long been cited as a major vulnerability to corruption and financial mismanagement within government agencies.

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