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Anambra 2025: Federal might won’t save you, APGA tells APC candidate

The All Progressives Grand Alliance has told the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Anambra State governorship election, Nicholas Ukachukwu, that federal might will not save him from defeat in the November 8, 2025 governorship election.

Recall that the APC candidate, Ukachukwu, on Monday, said his party is set to defeat the incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo at the November 8 governorship elections.

Ukachukwu, who stated this after he and his running mate, Uche Ekwunife, met with President Bola Tinubu, premised his claim on the wide support for his candidacy, especially from supporters who joined him to defect from the APGA, Soludo’s party, to the APC.

“When I left APGA, I left with all my supporters. That makes APC stronger,” Ukachukwu told State House correspondents after Tinubu handed him the symbolic APC flag at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

The APC candidate said he was more than ready to deliver Anambra to the APC and end what he described as the state’s “one-party system.”

However, reacting to the development in a press statement released on Tuesday, the National Coordinator, APGA Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe, averred that Ukachukwu is desperately hatching a plot to rig the November 8 governorship election, thinking “presidential might” will help him.

Obigwe also insisted that the move by the APC National Chairman, Umar Ganduje, to package Ukachukwu and his running mate before Tinubu at the Villa will not save them from defeat.

The statement read, “Ukachukwu is desperately hatching a plot to rig the November 8 governorship election with Presidential might because he knows very well that he is not electable and that there is no gospel that he can preach to Anambra electorates that will make them vote for him.

“Ganduje packaging of Ukachukwu and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, like ‘Belgium rats’ for presentation to President Tinubu at the villa, will not save them from defeat. Ukachukwu will lose the forthcoming November 8 governorship election woefully.

“Not even his packaging like by Ganduje for presentation to Tinubu can save him from the defeat that is staring him at the face. President Tinubu has nothing to do with his financially induced emergence as an Anambra APC governorship candidate.

“We will continue saying this without minding whose ox is gored. Ukachukwu will be rejected at the poll. Especially now that the people of the State are enjoying dividends of good governance from Governor Soludo’s administration.”

“Anambra is now the envy of other states in Nigeria, courtesy of Soludo’s good work in our state. Those supporting Ukachukwu’s mission in our state are enemies of the state, and they will be defeated as common enemies by patriotic citizens of Anambra State on November 8.

“No vacancy in Anambra State government house. It is Governor Soludo for Governor or nothing till March 17, 2030.”

75-year-old Edo pilgrim dies during Hajj in S’Arabia

A 75-year-old woman from Edo State, Adizatu Dazumi, died during the 2025 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Dazumi was from Jattu Uzairue in Etsako West Local Government Area.

PUNCH Online gathered that the pilgrim died on Monday at King Fahad General Hospital in Makkah after a short illness.

The Chairman of the Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Musah Uduimoh, confirmed her death on Tuesday.

Uduimoh said Dazumi became ill shortly after performing Tawaaf (walking around the Kaaba) and was taken to the hospital on Sunday. She passed away the next day.

“She was buried in Makkah on the same day, according to Islamic tradition, and her family in Jattu Uzairue has been informed,” Uduimoh said.

He sent his condolences to her family and assured other pilgrims that the board is committed to their health and safety.

Benue APC seeks Tinubu’s help over insecurity

The All Progressives Congress in Benue State has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the incessant killings in the state.

The party stated that the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, can no longer address the worsening insecurity.

The state publicity secretary of the party, under the leadership of the Austin Agada faction, Daniel Ihomun, made this known in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday.

This was in reaction to the recent killing of a police officer and 41 people in four communities in the Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.

The APC described the latest massacre as another tragic addition to the growing list of unprovoked attacks on the defenceless people of the state.

Ihomun said, “It is now crystal clear that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia has no strategy or capacity to address the persistent security crisis ravaging Benue communities.

“The government’s inability to stem the tide of bloodshed has left our people vulnerable, and the silence from the corridors of power is both deafening and damning.”

The party also criticised what it described as the “conspicuous silence” of the Benue State House of Assembly and condemned the lawmakers’ sudden recess.

“As representatives of the people, their inaction and failure to speak out against these atrocities is utterly unacceptable.

“The leadership of the Assembly has sadly turned its back on those they were elected to serve. At a time when our state is engulfed in what amounts to a genocide, there is absolutely no justification for legislative recess or passivity.

“As defenders of our people, the APC Benue State Chapter calls on His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to urgently intervene by deploying more security personnel to the state to protect lives and restore peace.

“The state government has clearly run out of ideas and lacks the political will to confront this menace,” the party’s publicity secretary said.

The party, however, reiterated its call for a stakeholders’ security meeting to address the rising insecurity in the state.

It suggested that such a meeting should include critical stakeholders across party lines—National Assembly members, government appointees, youth representatives, clergy, traditional rulers, and security agencies.

“Our people deserve to live without fear. We will not keep silent in the face of continuous attacks and governmental indifference,” the factional party added.

Meanwhile, Alia, in a statement condemning the killings, reaffirmed his commitment to the safety and security of the people of Benue State.

According to a statement issued by his media aide, Kula Tersoo, the governor expressed support for traditional institutions in the state that have mandated Fulani herdsmen to vacate the state.

The statement reads, “He (Alia) stands resolute with the traditional institution, which has recently mandated the immediate evacuation of criminal herders and their accomplice terrorists from Benue lands.”

Governor Alia also urged security agencies to intensify their efforts to safeguard Benue communities, stating, “It is imperative that these criminal elements and their accomplices are apprehended and dealt with swiftly and justly in accordance with the laws of our land.”

Police summon officers after viral ₦5,000 extortion video

The Nigeria Police Force has identified and summoned a group of officers featured in a viral video extorting motorists.

The video, which circulated widely on Monday, captured the moment a police officer demanded either ₦5,000 or five litres of fuel from motorists who were unable to provide proof of Electronic Central Motor Registry.

Responding to the incident, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, condemned the behaviour in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

He wrote: “This action is utterly condemned. The officers have been identified and summoned to Force Headquarters for necessary action.

“We will not tolerate any act of indiscipline or unprofessionalism. We will update the public on our decisions as soon as possible. Thanks.”

Nigeria’s internet penetration hits 48.15%

Nigeria’s telecommunications sector is grappling with a complex landscape as internet penetration reached 48.15 per cent in April 2025, up slightly from 47.73 per cent in March, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission.

However, this modest gain is overshadowed by a second consecutive month of declining data consumption, driven by steep tariff hikes and mounting economic pressures that are forcing consumers to scale back on internet usage. Nigeria has missed its internet penetration target for 2025.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP 2020–2025) set an ambitious goal of achieving 70% broadband penetration by the end of 2025.

Stakeholders confirm that Nigeria is “still a long way from achieving its 70 per cent penetration target” and that the current trajectory makes it unlikely the goal will be reached by the end of the year.

The slow progress is attributed to several persistent challenges, including high costs and bureaucratic delays in obtaining right-of-way for infrastructure deployment, with only a few states waiving these fees.

The NCC reported that data usage dropped to 983,283.43 terabytes in April, down from 995,876.10 terabytes in March. This decline follows a sharp fall earlier in the year, when data consumption plummeted from a record one million terabytes in January to 893,054.80 terabytes in February, accompanied by a loss of approximately one million internet subscribers.

While March saw a partial recovery with an 11.5 per cent increase in data usage and subscriptions rebounding to 142.05 million, April’s figures slipped again to 141.99 million subscribers, signalling renewed strain on the sector.

Despite the uptick in internet penetration, Nigeria’s digital economy faces significant challenges. The country’s appetite for data remains robust, driven by digital lifestyle trends, network expansion, and the internet’s vital role in education, commerce, and social connectivity.

However, affordability issues are threatening to stall progress, with internet penetration still below the 50 per cent mark. Industry experts warn that without addressing these cost barriers, Nigeria’s nascent digital economy could falter.

The NCC data also highlighted a surge in subscriber porting, with 6,789 customers switching networks in April, a 121 per cent increase from 3,064 in March. MTN Nigeria led the market, gaining 3,960 subscribers, followed by Airtel with 1,860 and Globacom with 966.

In contrast, 9mobile added just three subscribers, underscoring the fierce competition in a price-sensitive market. Additionally, the NCC noted 208,482 active subscribers for data services across licensed providers, likely representing a specific segment of the market.

EU, World Bank back FG’s skills programme

The European Union and the World Bank are backing the Federal Government of Nigeria as the country scales up its Three Million Technical Talent programme with support in a renewed push to equip young people with digital skills and connect them to global job opportunities.

The 3MTT programme is a flagship initiative of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. Its primary goal is to train three million Nigerians in key technical skills by 2027, thereby building a robust digital workforce to power Nigeria’s economy and position the country as a global exporter of tech talent.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani, said the 3MTT initiative, billed as the world’s largest talent accelerator, is central to President Bola Tinubu’s vision for human capital development.

“When we came in, he said we must create one million technical jobs,” Tijjani told TVC recently. “That’s why we started the 3MTT programme… Every state I travel to, I meet young participants who are now gaining new skills and access to real opportunities.”

The programme, which began in 2023 with a pilot phase involving one per cent of its target, is now expanding rapidly. “We shifted to 10 per cent last year to learn what’s working,” Tijjani said. “Now we’re going full scale.”

According to the minister, the European Union has committed over €11m to support the programme. The World Bank is also analysing the initiative’s impact as part of a broader effort to scale up youth employment solutions.

Unlike past government-led training schemes, 3MTT has emphasised job placement alongside skills acquisition. Tijjani said partnerships with private companies and international organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme, which pays internship salaries for participants, have helped thousands of beneficiaries gain practical work experience.

He added that the government will soon launch Talent City, a new initiative that will convert public buildings into business process outsourcing hubs capable of hosting global service firms. The move is aimed at tapping into the growing demand for English-speaking talent in the BPO industry, a sector long dominated by countries such as India and the Philippines.

“We’re starting with the Digital Bridge Institute in Lagos and working with state governments to renovate iconic buildings like the Standard Building to house more outsourcing operations,” he said.

Tijjani stressed that the government is taking a data-driven approach. “We’re not just throwing numbers around. This is about people’s lives,” he said.

Ogun senator decries low school enrolment

The Senator representing Ogun Central, Shuaib Salisu, has lamented the dwindling enrolment of school pupils in the state.

The Senator has therefore called for a concerted efforts by all stakeholders including traditional rulers, parents, community leaders, government officials, and advocacy groups among others to tackle the situation.

Shuaib, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security expressed his dissatisfaction on Monday at a two-day capacity building workshop and empowerment of Ogun traditional rulers with the theme “Role in Ensuring Improved Enrolment of Students in Secondary Education”, held at the Ake Palace, Abeokuta.

The workshop, was organised by Shuaib, in conjunction with the National Secondary School Commission and development partners.

The senator described education as the “most sustainable form of empowerment,” warning that the region faces a serious future threat, if current trends are not reversed.

He expressed displeasure on the decreasing enrolment of students in secondary education level in Ogun Central, saying that he organised the sensitisation workshop to rally the support of the royal fathers on the matter.

The lawmaker said, “Our royal fathers are closer to the people than any institution of government and if their influence is properly harnessed, it can drive the change we need.”

He added, “The preeminent position of Ogun Central Senatorial District, with the first Chief Justice of Nigeria, the first lawyer, was premised on education. But if you look at it critically now, you will notice that the quest for education is wanning.

“The enrolment trend is going down. In 10 years, 20 years time, are we going to be able to say as Ogun State or as Ogun Central that we are still in preeminent position as we used to be?

“I therefore want to address the problem from the root. First, by imploring our traditional rulers to serve as education advancement champions.”

In his remarks, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, acknowledged that education is the genuine tool of development, saying that they should be role model in building characters of young ones.

He commended Salisu for organising the workshop and for realising the important roles that they can play in order to ensure that more children are enrolled in schools.

On his part, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said education remains the cornerstone of sustainable development, stressing that it is the most powerful weapon use to fight poverty, ignorance, and inequality.

He noted that “despite the efforts of government and other stakeholders, we continue to face serious challenges in enrolment, retention, and learning outcomes, especially in some rural and disadvantaged communities.”

SHAREHOLDERS COMMEND WEMA BANK AT 2024 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

SHAREHOLDERS COMMEND WEMA BANK AT 2024 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETIN
…Express confidence in stable future following FY 2024 Financial Performance

Reinforcing its position as one of Nigeria’s most profitable financial institutions, Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank, most innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has received a unanimous vote of confidence from its shareholders across Nigeria as it disclosed a record-breaking financial performance at its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Wema Bank 2024 AGM held virtually in Lagos on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

According to the Bank’s 2024 Annual Report, Wema Bank, in 2024, recorded an all-time-high performance, with Gross Earnings growing by 91.51% from N225.75 billion in FY 2023 to N432.34 billion in FY 2024; Profit before Tax (PBT) increasing by 135.16% to N102.51 billion in FY 2024 from N43.59 billion in FY 2023, and Profit After Tax (PAT) increasing by 140.13% to N86.29 billion from N35.93 billion reported in FY 2023; Total Deposits rose by 35.65% to N2,523.82 billion in FY 2024 from N 1,860.57 billion in FY 2023 and Total Assets stood at N3,585.05billion in FY 2024, representing a 60.04% increase over the N2,240.06billion recorded in the corresponding year of 2023 and placing the Bank squarely above the One trillion Naira mark, a milestone the Bank surpassed in Q3 2021.

The Bank also grew its loans to customers by 49.94% to close FY 2024 at N1,201.21 billion from the N801.10 billion recorded in 2023. Impressively, the Wema and ALAT brands continue to win public acceptance and market relevance as the Bank continues to record growth in its retail deposit drive. 2024 has proven beyond doubt to be an exceptional for the Bank with earnings growing by 91.51% year on year with earnings per share at 483.2 kobo. Additionally, the Bank’s Non-Performing Loan rate closed at 3.86%, a reduction from FY 2023 position. It is no surprise that the Bank received unanimous commendation from shareholders, with both internal and external stakeholders expressing full confidence in the Bank’s stable outlook and successful financial future.

Among the shareholders who expressed a vote of confidence in Wema Bank were Mr. Matthew Akinlade, who commended the Management for a performance he regarded as “very outstanding”, and Ambassador Doctor Olatunde Okelana, who described the 2024 financial performance of Wema Bank as “historical”, commending Wema Bank’s proactive approach to employee well-being.

Mrs. Bisi Bakare, National Coordinator of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, also added, “I want to start by commending Wema Bank’s outstanding performance despite the challenging macroeconomic performance. On gender inclusion, I would also like to commend Wema Bank for an impressive gender diversity on the board with 5 out of 11 directors being female, representing a remarkable 38% ratio. Furthermore, I want to seriously commend the succession plan of Wema Bank, and the board for achieving 100% attendance in meetings, which shows a full commitment on their part”.
Anchoring the Wema Bank 2024 AGM, Dr. Oluwayemisi Olorunshola, the Chairman of Wema Bank, expressed the Bank’s gratitude and appreciation to its shareholders, customers, employees, regulators, partners and other stakeholders, for their continued support and contributions to the Bank’s outstanding performance for the year in view, reiterating the Bank’s commitment to sustain the upward surge in its performance in the decades to come.

Alluding to the Bank’s plan for sustaining the gargantuan growth recorded in 2024, Moruf Oseni, the Bank’s MD/CEO, added, “We will continue to deliver best-in-class financial solutions, invest in second-to-none technology, reinforce our internal framework for maximum efficiency and remain fully committed to innovation and service excellence, as we continue to provide optimum returns for every stakeholder of Wema Bank. The N150 billion Rights Issue window ended yesterday May 21st, 2025. However, we have raised a motion to raise another N50 billion through private placement, and with your permission, we will proceed with that, come June 2025”.

“At the end of it all, what we expect is that Wema Bank will have qualifying capital slightly north of N267 billion, which allows us to sustain the resilient and robust franchise that we have built together, to keep Wema Bank thriving as a force to be reckoned with in the industry. Wema Bank stands strong at 80 and in the decades to come, I can assure you that the growth we are experiencing today, is just a tip of the iceberg”, Oseni concluded.

Wema Bank 2024 AGM saw the Bank’s shareholders authorise a number of decisions including the re-election of board members, remuneration of Audit and Board members, and payment of dividends of N1 per share.

From marking the incredible milestone of its 80th anniversary to making significant strides towards meeting the CBN recapitalisation benchmark for 2026 and achieving a record-breaking 2024 financial performance that has sustained an unparalleled growth streak over the past decade, Wema Bank has proven its capacity to remain at the forefront of the African financial industry without compromising on delivering unmatched value to stakeholders.

Uzodimma sacks Imo attorney general

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has dismissed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Cyprian Akaolisa, with immediate effect.

No official reason was provided for the announcement, which was made public on Monday afternoon by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba.

The directive instructed Akaolisa to hand over all government property in his possession to the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice without delay.

The statement, titled “Imo State Government Special Public Service Announcement,” read: “The Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, has approved the immediate removal from office of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister C.O.C. Akaolisa.

“The former commissioner is hereby directed to hand over all government property under his care to the State Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, immediately.”

Prior to Uzodimma’s tenure as governor, Akaolisa was a close ally and was considered a potential Deputy Governor candidate in 2019.

However, tensions arose between them, notably when Akaolisa was mistakenly omitted during a cabinet reshuffle. Emelumba later clarified that Akaolisa was not among the commissioners dismissed at that time.

In 2021, Akaolisa was barred from practising law by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for alleged professional misconduct.

The ban followed the findings of a six-member Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Dauda J.B. (SAN).

On July 9, 2021, the committee found Akaolisa guilty of the allegations and imposed a five-year suspension from legal practice due to misconduct.

It was reported that Akaolisa had allegedly used his position as Attorney General to facilitate the bail of a murder suspect who had been in custody since 2013, standing trial before Justice Onii Egbunighe of Orlu High Court (2).

The suspect, Mr Paulinus Nwanochie, was on trial for the murder of Mr Alphonsus Akuma, both from Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

Akaolisa was purportedly the suspect’s legal counsel prior to his appointment as Attorney General.

However, in April 2025, the Supreme Court of Nigeria overturned the five-year ban following appeals against the LPDC’s decision.

In a unanimous judgment, the Supreme Court found the committee’s ruling flawed and set it aside.

Justice Mohammed Baba Idris, leading the five-member panel, stated: “Having considered the arguments presented by counsel, the court finds the appeal meritorious and hereby allows it.

“The decision of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee delivered on July 9, 2021, which found the appellant liable for infamous conduct and suspended him from legal practice for five years, is hereby set aside.”

Oyetola outlines stakeholder roles in driving national reforms

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has listed roles expected to be played by various stakeholders in the affairs of the country for the current reforms championed by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to achieve desired results.

Oyetola gave the list on Monday, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, at the first International Conference on Public Policy, Governance and Development Agenda organised by the Department of Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

He specifically said that for the reforms to work as envisaged by the policymakers, the government must demonstrate courage, while the public would have to exercise patience as the members of academia provide support for the process with intellectual honesty during transitional hardships for lasting gains to be recorded.

Represented by the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, accompanied by many members of his AMBO political movement, a group in the fold of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Oyetola, who served as the chairman of the occasion, commended President Bola Tinubu, for his willingness to engage and re-evaluate public policies for greater results.

“At this point, please permit me to mention that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the Visitor to this great University, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has demonstrated his willingness to engage and re-evaluate public policies for greater results.

“His trajectory in the last two years has revealed him as an unapologetic reformist who deserves our collective support as a nation. I urge us all to continue to support Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief.

“As we gather to re-evaluate policies, we must confront the unconfrontable reality: that reform requires not just government courage, but citizen patience, and intellectual honesty to endure transitional hardships for lasting gains,” Oyetola said.

He further posited that Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda offers hope of a stronger economy that would enable prosperity for all.

He subsequently urged Nigerians to collectively support the lofty initiatives of the federal government, packaged in policies and programmes that would directly benefit the masses and strengthen the economy for the betterment of all and sundry.

In his remarks, the Chairman, OAU Governing Council, Siyan Oyeweso, emphasised the need for contributions of all Nigerians towards the economic stability of the nation, saying everyone must rise up and support the government’s efforts aimed at rebuilding the nation.