Tinubu Promises Economic Revival if Re-elected

By: Manoah Kikekon

UYO, NIGERIA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians of a revitalized economy and sustainable national development while launching sharp critiques against major opposition figures during a political rally in Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters in Uyo, the President urged citizens to back his administration's long-term economic reforms and advocated for continuity under Governor Umo Eno to sustain regional development projects.

Key Takeaways from the Presidential Address

Infrastructure Approval: President Tinubu officially granted Federal Government authorization for the long-awaited Ibom Deep Sea Port, emphasizing its potential to transform Akwa Ibom into a vital maritime economic hub.

Economic Defense: The President defended his administration's difficult fiscal policy choices including the removal of fuel subsidies arguing that structural interventions saved the nation from imminent financial collapse.

Educational Funding: Proceeds recovered from anti-corruption enforcement will henceforth be channeled directly into the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to ease the burden of higher education costs on families.

Civic Engagement Call: Urged young citizens to secure their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of upcoming elections, describing voting power as the primary democratic tool for economic stability and progress.

During his address, President Tinubu took direct aim at prominent political opponents, questioning their capacity to manage national affairs. He criticized African Democratic Congress (ADC) leader Peter Obi over his governance record in Anambra State and targeted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over frequent political realignments.

"Will you grant an opportunity to someone who demonstrates a lack of leadership stability and organizational responsibility?" President Tinubu asked the crowd, asserting that opposition platforms lack the strategic vision required to govern Nigeria effectively.

Recalling his early career as an auditor for Mobil Oil in Eket, the President described his trip to Akwa Ibom as a professional homecoming. He highlighted the state's natural resources, advocating for aggressive investment in palm oil processing and agricultural industrialization.

Following the main event, President Tinubu visited the Ibom Palm Resort a project built on 73 acres of reclaimed gully erosion land praising Governor Eno's approach to environmental management and infrastructural continuity.

 Tragic Road Incident Shadowing Event

The presidential visit was marred by a severe vehicular collision along Oron Road in Uyo. An Akwa Ibom State Transport Corporation (AKTC) bus transporting women to receive the President collided with a security patrol vehicle.

Local responders reported one fatality and several severe injuries at the scene. Representatives from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Akwa Ibom State Command confirmed that emergency response teams were deployed immediately to render assistance and clear the wreckage.

University of Ghana Directs Undergraduates with CGPA Below 1.00 to Withdraw

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

The University of Ghana (UG) has mandated the withdrawal of undergraduate students who fail to attain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 1.00 by the conclusion of the 2025/2026 academic session.

The directive was formally communicated in an official circular issued by the institution’s Academic Affairs Directorate, which referenced Section 9.26 of the 2017 University Regulations for Junior Members.

Under the existing policy framework, students must maintain a minimum CGPA threshold of 1.00 alongside fulfilling all department-specific academic criteria to qualify for advancement to subsequent levels. Notably, the policy emphasises that no academic probation period is granted to students who fail to meet this benchmark.

According to the official communication, students whose final cumulative scores drop below the required standard after all course grades are finalised will be classified as not being in good academic standing and must consequently exit their respective degree programs.

“Accordingly, students whose CGPAs fall below 1.00 upon receipt of all grades for their registered courses at the end of the 2025/2026 Academic Year are not in good academic standing and are required to withdraw from their programmes of study.”

To complete the formal exit process, affected individuals are instructed to access their portal via the university’s Management Information System (MIS Web). Students must log in using their student ID and PIN, navigate to the Student and Academic Services Portal, and select the “Withdrawal Request” option. For specific specialised programs, the withdrawal procedure will be processed directly by the respective faculty or departmental boards.

The university administration has advised students requiring further clarification to consult their respective College Academic Offices. Additionally, the Careers and Counselling Directorate has been designated to offer guidance and transitional support to affected students.

Apapa Customs Boss Murtala Mu'azu Unveils Automated Overtime Cargo System

 By: Manoah Kikekon

Muritala Mu'azu 

Comptroller Murtala Mu'azu, Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Apapa Area Command, has launched a comprehensive stakeholder sensitisation program centered on the newly automated overtime cargo clearance framework.

The interactive session, convened on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, brought together senior customs officers and vital maritime industry stakeholders including port operators and importers to transition operations away from sluggish manual approvals toward a seamless digital process.

Opening the event, Comptroller Mu'azu stressed that moving away from legacy, paper-reliant methods was imperative. Under the former structure, identifying long-standing cargo and transmitting manual reports to headquarters created severe operational lags and administrative mismatches.

"The determination of the duration of stay of cargo, as well as the compilation and referral to headquarters, were all done manually. But we realised that there were usually gaps in the processes, particularly between the period when these compilations were made and when decisions were taken," Mu'azu stated.

He further illustrated how real-time discrepancies hampered operations under the legacy framework:

"Before now, command officers might examine cargo that had stayed for 31 or 32 days and submit a report to headquarters. Before a decision was taken, the cargo might have moved into another category, thereby creating an issue with the appropriate level of clearance."

The new automated platform eliminates repetitive documentation, redundant physical submissions, and prolonged waiting periods. By digitizing tracking and authorization workflows, clearance responsibilities are streamlined without relying on multi-tiered manual referrals.

Mu'azu noted that the primary goal of the workshop was to equip command officers with immediate expertise to validate and approve overtime cargo applications swiftly. He added that broader training sessions tailored to terminal operators and other port users will follow shortly.

Concluding the session, the CAC reassured the maritime community that dedicated ICT teams and technical facilitators remain on standby to offer ongoing guidance, guaranteeing a smooth operational transition across the Apapa corridor.

2027: Layode-Led Group Inaugurates 4,120 Polling Unit Ambassadors, Unveils Badagry Campaign House

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Members of Renewed Hope Ambassadors 

Hon. Ibrahim Layode, the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, has inaugurated the Lagos Chapter of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) has launched its Badagry Federation operational hub, commissioned fleet campaign vehicles, and sworn in 4,120 polling unit ambassadors to drive grassroots engagement across the zone.

The launch, held in Badagry on Friday, gathered top political heavyweights, including local government chairmen across the Badagry Division, state and national legislators, All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearers, community leaders, traditional rulers, and youth delegations.

The party leaders in attendance included Cardinal James Odunmbaku, RHA Lagos Chairman and Governance Advisory Council (GAC) member; Princess Damilola Sonayon James, Lagos APC Deputy Governorship Candidate; Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor and RHA State Coordinator; and Fatai Ayoola, Vice Director-General for PBAT/KOH in Lagos West.

Delivering the keynote message on behalf of Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos APC governorship candidate, Princess James-Sonayon guaranteed that the commitments outlined in Hamzat’s policy document, The Lagos Promise, will be systematically implemented upon victory in 2027.

She emphasized that the incoming administration plans to entrench grassroots-oriented governance, ensuring every zone in Lagos benefits from balanced infrastructure distribution and effective public service delivery.

Furthermore, she outlined plans to decentralize state administrative services and establish periodic town hall sessions, allowing citizens to directly channel their feedback and influence governance priorities.

Addressing the newly inducted polling unit reps, she urged them to maintain high-voltage mobilization across local wards, stressing that internal party cohesion remains vital as election preparations escalate.

Echoing these sentiments, Tayo Ayinde tasked the field coordinators with maintaining continuous dialogue with community residents to build trust and strengthen grassroots support.

Ayinde, who joined Princess James-Sonayon in officially opening the new secretariat and unveiling the campaign fleet, reiterated RHA’s focus on delivering total electoral success for all APC candidates across Lagos State.

Detailing the organizational architecture, Hon. Ibrahim Layode RHA Coordinator for the Badagry Federation and Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs announced that the initiative has deployed 10 dedicated ambassadors to each of the 412 polling units across the division, totaling 4,120 field agents.

"Our ambassadors have been fully oriented on their operational guidelines and are holding structured briefings with their directorates to ensure seamless coordination and voter outreach across every neighborhood," Layode stated.

Layode voiced high confidence in the deployed structure, highlighting that the operational hub and dedicated mobility assets will dramatically expand RHA’s capacity to execute targeted political outreach throughout the Badagry Federation.

This extensive activation signals a key milestone in APC’s campaign strategy for 2027, as the Renewed Hope Ambassadors systematically organize local networks to rally voters behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and party flagbearers across Lagos.

Badagry Chairman Hunpe Breaks Ground on Historic Badagry Heritage Estate Housing Project

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

In a step toward urban renewal and affordable homeownership, the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, has officially flagged off Phase I of the Badagry Heritage Estate Housing Scheme in Ajara-Agamathen.

Executed under the administration’s overarching Greater Badagry Rising Agenda, the pioneering development is being brought to life through a strategic Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with developer Sall Properties Limited. Upon completion, Phase I will feature 14 modern two-bedroom apartments structured across three dedicated residential blocks (Blocks A, B, and C).

The housing layout is designed with top-tier security and sustainable amenities, including 24/7 CCTV surveillance, perimeter gatehouses, automated remotely operated access gates, dedicated resident parking, and an independent solar-powered lighting infrastructure.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Hon. Hunpe celebrated the venture as a historic milestone for the local government area, highlighting the power of collaborative development models to spur local economy and urban development.

“This initiative represents an innovative public-private partnership model aimed at promoting homeownership, attracting vital private investment, creating jobs, and substantially improving the overall quality of life for our residents,” Hunpe stated, adding that success in this initial pilot phase will unlock future estate expansions across Badagry.

The project has garnered widespread approval from local governance leaders, administrative heads, and traditional institutions who gathered to witness the unveiling.

The Council Manager, Mrs. Ogundiran Aderonke, underscored the management's role in seeing the commercial agreement through to completion while ensuring strict oversight.

“This project is simply a promise becoming reality,” Mrs. Ogundiran remarked, reaffirming the administration’s unyielding commitment to operational transparency and rigorous project execution.

Echoing her sentiments, the immediate past Council Chairman, Hon. Onilude Segun Adeniran, praised the initiative as an exemplary display of administrative continuity, recalling that the project site was initially identified and secured for residential development during his term.

The flag-off ceremony drew a distinguished delegation of political leaders, Executive Cabinet members, local councillors, and community stakeholders headlined by the host monarch, HRM Aholu Agano Toniyon I all of whom pledged their continued support toward driving sustainable development and infrastructure growth across Badagry.

Lady Atinuke Memorial Home Appeals for Public Support for Persons with Disabilities

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Lady Atinuke Oyindamola Memorial Home, a facility dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of persons living with disabilities, has called on the government and public-spirited Nigerians to assist the home with vital operational and nutritional resources.

The appeal was made on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, during the official launch of the facility's Awareness Month 2026, held at the home’s premises located at No. 4, David Akerele Street, Idi-Iroko Bus Stop, Opposite Elijah Bus Stop, Araromi-Ale, Badagry, Lagos State. The month-long campaign is centered on the theme: "Embrace Differences, Celebrate Ability."

Addressing members of the press during the flag-off ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of the home, Mrs. Akerele, outlined the scope of their operations and the pressing challenges facing the facility.

According to Mrs. Akerele, the home currently accommodates and rehabilitates 41 children and adults living with various health conditions, including Down Syndrome, Autism, Epilepsy, and Cerebral Palsy. The facility relies on a workforce of 27 paid staff members and 13 dedicated volunteers to maintain round-the-clock care.

The CEO described the mission as deeply fulfilling yet financially straining, highlighting three major operational hurdles: Nutritional Needs: Securing continuous funding to provide daily meals for all 41 residents..Medical Supplies: Ensuring an uninterrupted supply of regular prescription drugs and healthcare support for residents. Staff Welfare: Meeting monthly salary commitments for the staff members providing daily care and therapy.

"These are not complaints; they are the plain facts of what it takes to keep the doors of this Home open, and we are not ashamed to say that we need help," Akerele stated.

To sustain its operations, the management has appealed to corporate organizations, philanthropic foundations, religious bodies, and private individuals for donations and partnerships. Key areas of assistance requested include, Direct food items and nutritional supplies. Medical drugs, healthcare sponsorship, and therapeutic equipment. Financial contributions toward staff salaries and administrative welfare. Direct sponsorship of the ongoing Awareness Month activities.

Donation Details: 

Account Name: Lady Atinuke Oyindamola Memorial Home

Bank: Zenith Bank

Account Number: 1013874880

The month-long campaign features four main events structured to educate the public and celebrate the capabilities of individuals with special needs.

Charity Walk (Saturday, November 7, 2026): A public awareness march through Ojo Local Government Area and the Alaba International Market axis to sensitize residents to the plight of persons with special needs.

Public Seminar (Thursday, November 12, 2026): An educational workshop hosted at Ola-Oki Medical Centre, Badagry Expressway, Ibereko, Lagos, focused on inclusion, understanding, and community support.

Recreational Excursion (Thursday, November 19, 2026): An outdoor educational outing for residents to Crown City along the Lusada Expressway.

Talent and Culture Showcase (Saturday, November 21, 2026): A grand finale at the home’s headquarters where residents will showcase their skills, creative talents, and cultural performances.

Gunmen killed six, Many Hospitalised in Makoko

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

Victims of the attack 

Gunmen suspected to have come from Iwaya have killed at least six men and left several others critically injured in Sogunro community of Makoko, Lagos State.

The violent outbreak, which began late Sunday night, November 1, 2026, has sparked urgent calls for state intervention to prevent further casualties and avert potential inter-community clashes between Awori and Ogu residents.

According to accounts gathered by News Peddlers, the violence originally stemmed from a minor disagreement among local youths that escalated into a targeted midnight raid.

Describing the initial dispute, a local resident stated that, “Some kids were playing football on Sunday and they had a disagreement and fought. Some elderly men then intervened to settle the fight.”

However, despite the attempt at mediation, unidentified assailants armed with firearms and dangerous weapons invaded the community hours later, targeting residents.

Recounting the terrifying raid, a community source said, “On getting to Sunday midnight, some unidentified people who we believe are from Iwaya invaded the Sogunro community and began shooting and macheting Ogu people, where six people were killed and two critically injured and have been hospitalised." 

He added that, "The police came in the morning and arrested the relatives of those who were killed again; it took the intervention of the Local Government Chairman before they were released.”

Community members reported that the violence did not end on Sunday. The armed group returned to the area on Monday night, prompting residents to alert law enforcement agencies once again.

“The killers came back again this night (Monday night). Again, we called the police and we were able to arrest two of the killers; they are now in police custody,” a resident confirmed.

In an effort to de-escalate tensions, community leaders have approached traditional authorities and appealed directly to the Lagos State Government for immediate security reinforcement.

A resident noted, “We have reported to the king, HRM Oba Suleiman Owolabi Ogun-Oloko, the Oniwaya of Yaba and Iwaya Kingdom, who has apologised on behalf of his people and promised to intervene.”

“We are calling on the Lagos State Government too to intervene so that it won't degenerate into a tribal crisis between the Awori and the Ogu people,” he added.

More Details coming soon..