Events News October 03, 2026 NanaSmile Project Africa Foundation Reaches Abuja IDPs in ‘Operation Feed 2000’ Outreach

The NanaSmile Project Africa Foundation has taken its humanitarian campaign to two Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Abuja, providing food and relief materials to vulnerable families as part of its “Operation Feed 2000” outreach to mark her birthday.

The annual birthday outreach, which took place on September 17, 2026, was organised as part of activities marking the birthday of the foundation’s founder, Chukwuneke Nana, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of De_africana by Nana (DNA) Fashion Brand.

Driven by the slogan, “Keep Smiling…,” the initiative was designed to provide immediate support to displaced persons, particularly by helping to meet their basic food and dietary needs while offering them a sense of care, hope and inclusion.

Volunteers and supporters of the foundation participated actively in the exercise, turning out in the organisation’s official T-shirts and jeans bearing the NanaSmile inscription.

Beyond the distribution of food and relief items, the outreach provided an opportunity for the volunteers to interact with residents of the camps and share moments of encouragement with people facing the challenges of displacement.

The foundation said the initiative reflects its commitment to putting smiles on the faces of vulnerable people and extending humanitarian support to communities in need.

Through “Operation Feed 2000,” NanaSmile Project Africa Foundation reaffirmed the message behind its campaign, that even in difficult circumstances, a simple act of kindness can give people a reason to smile.

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News October 03, 2026 Respect power rotation, back Tinubu’s 8-year presidency – Yari tells North

The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar, has urged the North to respect the informal power-rotation arrangement and allow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to complete his constitutionally permitted eight-year tenure.

Yari made the call while addressing journalists at the Government House,Kano, after a meeting with Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The former Zamfara State Governor said the North should understand and respect the political arrangement that brought the presidency to the South in 2023, arguing that the presidency had been held by a northerner for several years before the emergence of Tinubu as President.

“Since our independence 66 years ago, the country was led by northerners for 47 years,” adding that Nigerians should recognise the importance of maintaining unity and understanding how the country’s political system operates.

According to him, Nigeria remains a country that all citizens must work together to protect, regardless of regional or political differences.

“As we love this country, we don’t have any country other than Nigeria. Nigerians should come and understand how this country works. It is also better than many nations,” the APC chieftain said.

He explained that his role as Director-General of the campaign council was not limited to promoting President Tinubu but also included promoting national unity and understanding among Nigerians.

He said the current political arrangement should be respected, noting that former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, governed the country between 2015 and 2023 before power shifted to Tinubu from the South in 2023.

“Having said this, this country, Nigeria, from 2015 to 2023 was led by a northerner, and now from 2023 to 2026 it is being led by a Southerner,” he said.

The lawmaker,therefore, appealed to northerners not to seek to overturn the existing zoning arrangement on the basis of the region’s population, explaining that the political understanding was important for national stability.

“If we say we want to uproot the zoning arrangement because of our numbers, then my call for northerners is to understand how it works. They even understand more than I do,” Yari said.

He acknowledged that President Tinubu’s administration, like every government, is not perfect, but argued that the challenges facing Nigeria should not solely be attributed to the administration.

“Nobody is perfect. The southerners have also experienced what we are complaining about today when President Buhari was in power,” he said.

Yari also argued that insecurity is not peculiar to Nigeria, saying countries across the world, including the United States, continue to grapple with security challenges despite their level of development.

“On problems, no problem of a country is solved by any government, including even in the United States. They are managing insecurity as we are managing it,” he said.

The director-general further cited gun violence in Chicago as an example of the security challenges faced by other countries, stressing that every nation has its own problems that require continuous efforts to address.

Turning to the economy, Yari said Nigerians should assess the Tinubu administration based on economic indicators and compare the situation at the time the president assumed office in 2023 with the current position.

“When you look at when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu came to power in 2023, go and check what was the state of our reserves and what it is today, and what was the rate of inflation in 2023 and what it is today,” he said.

Yari maintained that the administration is making efforts to address the country’s economic and security challenges, while acknowledging that governments at both federal and state levels are working to improve the situation.

He, therefore,urged Nigerians, particularly those in the North, to give the political arrangement time, arguing that the presidency would return to the region after Tinubu’s tenure if the existing rotation principle is maintained.

“I am calling on northerners to note that by the time Bola Ahmed Tinubu finishes in 2031, power will definitely come back to the North. So, this is how the arrangement is,” Yari said.

He added that federal and state governments are making efforts to address the challenges confronting the country and urged Nigerians to support measures aimed at strengthening national unity and development.

News October 03, 2026 Kano state govt assures safety of journalists, residents, visitors

Kano State Government has assured working journalists, residents of the state and visitors of safety of their lives and property.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf gave the assurance while receiving members of the state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR) and members of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ whom were on a Road Walk to the Government House.

Represented by the Director-General Media and Publicity, Government House, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa,the Governor said:”Despite the little or the spots of crisis we are facing in the border and local governments,we are committed to providing more welfare, more respect, more coordination to the media industry and public relations so that your work can be easy, can be simple and can be done in a professional manner.”

He also stated that his administrationvis willing to invest and partner with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR) in the training and retraining of its new members to ensure adherence to the ethics of the practice of public relations.

On the activities of his office,the Director-General recalled that the Governor had in 2025 spent over N200 million as support to various categories of the media and PR practitioners within and outside the state.

“I am happy to also report to you that in this 2026, under my office, we have spent over N150 million as a welfare to different categories of media and public relations professionals, some directly, some indirectly, some openly, some behind the scenes.

“These cut across provision of mobility, provision of working tools, provision of shelter, and provision of medical assistance to various members of this profession.

“So,it is with a great pleasure that I also report to you that any need, any valid request from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, from the Nigeria Union of Journalists, from the Correspondents’ Chapel will be welcomed to the Kano State Government for onward approval,” he added.

Earlier, a member of the NIPR Board of Trustees,Prof. Sule Ya’u Sule, said the Walkout was organized to sensitize the people of the state and other Nigerians on the forthcoming convergence of all practitioners of public relations in Abuja from November 15th to November 21.

“And as part of activities to create awareness about this Forum, Kano State chapter and other chapters in the country decided to stage what is called Walkout. Meaning, to track, to sensitize Nigerians and the people of Kano State that this event is coming up in November.

“And we are terminating this walk here at the Government House to deliver our message to the Governor through you, the Director-General, so that you also notify the Governor that this event is coming up.

“If you may recall, in our studies in public relations, we came up with a definition of public relations that was coined in Mexico in 1978. It has remained a reference point for all students of public relations.

“That was the first time such a Forum was staged in 1978 in Mexico City. So now, this Forum is coming to Abuja so that we can have another declaration. Since 1978, the definition of public relations has not been reviewed.

“Now,we are meeting in Abuja so that we can look at some of the emerging trends in the profession and incorporate them in the definition of public relations.This is the purpose of the forum coming up in Abuja in November 2026,” Prof.Sule added.

News October 03, 2026 Wike challenges Amaechi over claim Tinubu’s policies led to mother’s death

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has faulted former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, over his claim that President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies contributed to the death of his mother.

Wike accused Amaechi, who is the African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, of bringing his late mother into political debates in an attempt to attract public sympathy.

The FCT Minister spoke on Saturday while addressing members of the Uzugbani Ekpeye National Executive Council at Ekpeye House in Ahoada, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Amaechi had alleged during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday that the economic policies of the Tinubu administration made medicines unaffordable for his mother, thereby contributing to her death.

“Tinubu’s policies killed my mother. Before Tinubu came, my mother was healthy. After 2023, it was difficult for me to buy drugs for my mother,” Amaechi said during the interview.

Reacting to the allegation, Wike questioned how Amaechi, who had occupied several prominent political offices, could claim that he was unable to afford medication for his mother.

He pointed to Amaechi’s political career, noting that he served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years, Governor of the state for another eight years and Minister of Transportation for eight years.

“Again, you said it was Tinubu that killed his mother. It was Tinubu’s administration that led to not being able to buy drugs for his mother.

“This one, a speaker for eight years, from 1999 to 2007. This one, a governor for eight years, from 2007 to 2015. This one, a minister for eight years, from 2015 to 2023.

“And your mother was sick, and you are telling the whole world that because of the policy of Tinubu, you couldn’t buy drugs for your mother, and so your mother died,” Wike said.

Wike also questioned the circumstances surrounding Amaechi’s claim, referring to his comments about his family and describing his wife as an industrialist.

“Yet, an industrialist couldn’t give you money to buy drug for your mother,” he said.

The minister further argued that Amaechi had influential associates who, according to him, could have assisted with his mother’s medical expenses before her death.

“Yet, you didn’t know that you had friends who had private jets, who would come down to bury a mother whom you could not buy drug for, for her to survive?

“You didn’t tell them, ‘My mother was sick, can you help me? Give me money, let me buy drug.’ Let me tell you the truth, they gave you money. And then they came to bury your mother, and you accepted it,” he said.

Wike also criticised Amaechi’s reference to his late mother in relation to the outcome of the 2027 general election.

According to the minister, Amaechi had stated in a video that his mother would be happy if the ADC emerged victorious in the election.

“In one of his videos, he said if ADC wins election, his mother will be very happy. So, the only condition is that his mother will not be happy if ADC does not win.

“Too bad! She will not be happy that ADC will not win. You are the one who said your mother would be happy if ADC wins. How can you bring a loved one who’s gone to bring in politics?” Wike said.

Describing the development as inappropriate, the FCT Minister accused Amaechi of bringing his late mother into political discussions.

“It is unfortunate people can descend so low to use their mother to play politics,” he said.

Wike appealed to people to allow the deceased to rest, while praying for the peaceful repose of Amaechi’s mother.

“But all of us should pray that the old woman who died would have rest, would have peace with her Creator,” he added.

Amaechi’s mother, Mary Amaechi, died in July 2026 and was buried in September in Ubima, Rivers State. Several prominent political figures attended the burial.

The exchange adds to the long-standing political differences between Wike and Amaechi, who were once political associates before becoming prominent opponents in Rivers State politics.

Earlier in the week, Wike had also challenged Amaechi to account for his achievements in Rivers State during his 24 years in senior political positions.

News October 03, 2026 Police locate camp holding 19 abducted corps members, give reason for delaying rescue operation

The Imo State Police Command has located the suspected camp where 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in the state are being held, but security operatives have yet to storm the location because of fears that the area may have been rigged with improvised explosive devices.

The state Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, disclosed this on Saturday while providing an update on efforts to rescue the victims.

According to Bosso, security operatives deployed drones on Friday after tracking the suspected kidnappers into the bush, leading to the discovery of the location where the victims were believed to be held.

He said the operation was being handled cautiously following intelligence indicating that explosives had been planted around the suspected kidnappers’ camp.

“Any moment, we’ll still move into the bush. Yesterday, we were in the bush, we trailed them up to a particular location.

“But at that point in time, we couldn’t move in to where the coordinate showed us where they are because we ran drones yesterday. And the drone actually showed us exactly their location.

“But our predicament is that with the intel we have, the IED is—the camp is mined with IEDs,” the commissioner said.

Bosso explained that security agencies were making preparations to enter the area with heavy-duty equipment, including bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers, to facilitate the safe rescue of the abducted corps members.

“We are moving in there with high, you know, high-velocity vehicles, that is, bulldozers, we’re moving in with bulldozers and APCs to see how we’re going to rescue these victims unhurt,” he added.

The development followed the abduction of the prospective corps members, who were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The victims were reportedly travelling in two buses when gunmen intercepted them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road around the Umunoha area of Imo State on Thursday.

The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, had said that 19 passengers, all prospective corps members, were taken into the bush by the attackers.

Akpan said the drivers managed to escape and subsequently alerted security personnel at a nearby checkpoint, prompting security agencies to begin searching the area.

The kidnappers have reportedly demanded N50m for each victim, bringing the total ransom demand to N950m. Some of the victims’ families were allegedly contacted through the phones of their abducted relatives.

A mother of one of the victims, Mrs Oladosu, also said that the kidnappers contacted her family using her daughter’s phone. She said the family was able to see some of the abducted persons during a video call.

Earlier, the Imo State Police Command had announced that 10 victims were rescued. However, the command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said he could not confirm whether those rescued were part of the prospective corps members abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.

With the latest development, security operatives have reportedly identified the location of the remaining victims as efforts intensify to secure their safe release.

(PUNCH)

Crime News October 03, 2026 Shocking: Police ‘run into’ man r@ping pregnant 12-year-old girl inside tinted car in Abuja

Men of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Friday made a shocking discovery after accosting a shaking vehicle at the Airport Bridge Taxi Park in Abuja, only to discover a man allegedly sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl inside the car.

According to a statement signed by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on Friday, the suspect, identified as Zayyanu Haliu, was caught by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit while conducting a routine patrol of the area.

The operatives reportedly noticed a fully tinted navy blue Volkswagen with registration number KMC56.. parked with its windows wound up.

According to the police, the officers became suspicious after observing that the vehicle was shaking.

The operatives approached the vehicle and opened it, where they allegedly found Halilu sexually abusing the minor.

“Following the discovery, the suspect was promptly arrested and the victim was rescued. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had, on several occasions, lured and sexually abused the underaged victim in the said vehicle parked at the same location, with threats to “deal with her” if she reveals the abuse to anyone.

” Medical examination also revealed that the victim is about three months pregnant as a result of the abuse,” the police said.

According to the statement, the victim is currently receiving medical care and undergoing further assessment, while the suspect remains in police custody.

The Command said Halilu would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and pay close attention to the whereabouts, safety and welfare of their children and wards.

The police also appealed to members of the public to remain security-conscious and report suspicious activities or persons to the nearest police station.

The Command urged residents to use its emergency lines, 08032003913 and 08028940883, to report incidents requiring police attention.

Entertainment News October 03, 2026 Real reason younger men now showing more interest in older women – Nigerian actress

Nollywood actress Damilola Adegbite has observed that younger men are becoming increasingly open about their attraction to older women, describing the development as a notable change in Nigeria’s dating culture.

Adegbite, 41, made the observation during an episode of her podcast published on her YouTube channel, where she reflected on changing attitudes towards women and relationships.

According to the actress, older women were previously made to believe that they should withdraw from the dating scene after reaching a certain age, while younger women were perceived to command greater attention.

“When society made older women feel like once we have crossed a certain age, you should basically leave the dating market quietly. Meanwhile, the younger girls were supposedly getting all the attention. But now, the tables are turning,” she said.

Adegbite drew an analogy from the Bible, referencing Psalm 118:22, which describes a rejected stone becoming the cornerstone. She used the passage to illustrate what she described as the changing perception of older women, who she said are now being viewed as highly desirable.

“Honestly, I think Psalm 118:22 was onto something. You know that scripture about the stone which the builders rejected becoming the cornerstone? Maybe we should just say the older woman who was once overlooked has become the premium package,” she stated.

She further noted that younger men are increasingly confident about approaching women in their late 30s and early 40s, adding that such confidence can itself be attractive.

“But seriously, why is this happening? A younger man will see a woman who is 38, 40 or 42 and say boldly, ‘I like you.’ And you are sitting there thinking, ‘Sorry, wait, are we doing this?’ And he is looking you dead in the eye like, ‘Yes, we are.’ And I think that confidence is attractive,” she said.