News November 13, 2026 BREAKING!!! Abuja Entertainment Industry Mourns As Pageant Organiser, Duke Bassey Dies Moments ago

The Convener of African Royalty Awards and Executive Director of Face of Royalty Beauty Pageant, Mr. Duke Bassey has reportedly passed away moments ago following a seizure attack. 

According information from a neighbor, the corpse of the deceased is currently at Kelina hospital, Gwarimpa as efforts are being made to contact his family members.

The late Duke Bassey had not been in Abuja for sometime now but recently got back and had made couple of event appearances including yesterday at 2026 LEEX AWARDS at NAF Conference Centre,  Abuja. 

Speaking to the National pageant president, King Fajag, expressed sadness over the news as popular Entertainer, Nick B confirmed the report from the hospital.

News November 12, 2026 ICPC recovers N5.3bn from local government accounts in 7 states, FCT

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recovered more than N5.3bn from local government accounts across seven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following investigations into their financial activities.

The commission also announced plans to collaborate with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to ensure that all 774 local government areas in the country make their financial records and other relevant information accessible to the public through dedicated websites.

The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, disclosed this during the launch of the ICPC-NITDA Local Government Websites Pilot in Nasarawa State.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the commission’s spokesperson, John Odey, the initiative is aimed at promoting transparency, strengthening accountability and preventing corruption in local government administration through digital platforms.

Aliyu said the recovery of the funds exposed the financial irregularities that could occur at the grassroots level when public resources were not adequately monitored.

“The ICPC has recovered over N5.3 billion from a review of local government accounts in seven states and the Federal Capital Territory, and is now moving to make councils across the country publish their finances online.

“The recoveries show both the scale of the risk at the grassroots and what scrutiny can achieve, and the websites are the preventive side of the same effort,” he said.

He explained that the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment affirming the financial autonomy of local government councils, including the direct payment of their statutory allocations, had made effective financial oversight more important.

The ICPC chairman stressed that the autonomy granted to councils must be accompanied by responsible management and transparent utilisation of public resources.

“Autonomy brings responsibility. Funds that now flow directly to the councils must be spent openly and for the benefit of the people,” he said.

Under the proposed arrangement, local government councils will be required to upload details of their budgets, statutory allocations, internally generated revenue, expenditure, audit reports, debts, procurement activities and human resources.

The platforms will also provide channels through which residents can engage with their councils, submit complaints and report suspected cases of financial misconduct.

Aliyu said making such information publicly available would empower citizens and the media to scrutinise government spending while helping relevant oversight agencies identify possible irregularities.

“When these records are published regularly, citizens can follow the money, the media can ask informed questions and oversight institutions can detect risks early, before they become losses,” Aliyu added.

He said NITDA would provide the technical support required to establish the platforms, including domain registration, website development and hosting services for a minimum of one year.

The ICPC, on its part, would develop the content requirements and accountability framework to guide the publication of financial information.

Aliyu urged local government chairmen to appoint officials responsible for managing the websites and ensuring that information uploaded was accurate and regularly updated.

He maintained that the commission intended to implement the programme as a corruption prevention initiative rather than a tool for witch-hunting public officials.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the project would strengthen governance, improve citizen participation and create new economic opportunities.

He noted that digital platforms would make it easier for residents to obtain information about government activities and projects, as well as communicate their concerns to public authorities.

“Our people are online; therefore, government needs to be online to serve them better,” he said.

Abdullahi said NITDA would establish operational standards, develop website templates and provide training for citizens to support the effective use of the platforms

He added that the project was designed to extend beyond the pilot phase in Nasarawa State to cover all 774 local government areas nationwide.

“Our ambition is not 774 websites. It is 774 digitally empowered local governments delivering better experience to millions of Nigerians,” he said.

News Politics November 12, 2026 Why INEC will obey court verdict on Atiku’s 2027 presidential eligibility – Amupitan

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said the commission will comply with any final court judgment concerning former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Amupitan gave the assurance on Thursday while speaking at Chatham House in London, where he addressed questions about Atiku’s political future following a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) faction led by Senator David Mark.

Atiku emerged as the ADC’s presidential candidate under the disputed leadership structure.

The INEC chairman explained that the commission was constitutionally required to implement judicial decisions, particularly those handed down by the Supreme Court, regardless of the political implications.

“If he eventually fails, well, I’m obligated under Section 285 of the Constitution of Nigeria to obey every court order, especially if it is from the Supreme Court,” Amupitan stated.

He, however, expressed concern over the growing number of pre-election litigations confronting the electoral commission, warning that the cases could complicate preparations for the January 2027 general election.

According to him, INEC is currently dealing with more than 300 pending court cases, despite the limited time remaining before the polls.

“Some of those issues we have with court cases—over 300 cases hanging on the neck of INEC, and elections are just about 66 days away,” he lamented.

Amupitan disclosed that the commission had already commenced procurement of sensitive election materials, noting that prolonged legal disputes and judgments delivered close to election day could disrupt its operational arrangements.

He recalled that when the ADC leadership dispute emerged in April, INEC had advocated an expedited hearing to ensure that the matter was resolved within three weeks.

The commission, he explained, wanted the legal uncertainty settled early enough to enable it to conclude its preparations without disruptions.

However, the dispute remained unresolved at the lower court and has now proceeded to the Court of Appeal following the ADC’s decision to challenge the judgment.

Amupitan called for reforms to the electoral legal framework, proposing that all pre-election disputes should be concluded between six months and one year before an election.

He argued that allowing such cases to linger until shortly before voting creates difficulties for INEC, which often bears the burden of implementing court decisions amid public criticism.

The chairman said the situation could make the commission appear responsible for controversies arising from judicial decisions, even when it is merely complying with the law.

“The danger is that whenever there is such a decision, and it’s up to you to now implement it, you become the problem. The problem now is transferred unto you,” he said.

News November 12, 2026 Youths on Ground Mentorship Initiative Empowers 60 FCT Youths Through Agro-Tech Training and Entrepreneurship Programme

60 Youths Trained and Empowered

ABUJA, NIGERIA 

The Youths on Ground Mentorship Initiative has successfully concluded an Agro-Tech Training and Empowerment Programme aimed at equipping young people in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with practical agricultural skills, entrepreneurial knowledge and the resources to become economically self-reliant.

The programme, which represents a significant step towards youth empowerment and sustainable development, saw 60 selected youths receive specialised training in agro-technology, alongside starter kits and cash seed money to enable them to establish and grow their own agricultural ventures.

The event was attended by the National Coordinator of the initiative, Dr. Obioma Nwuba, and Princess Hadiza Offoboche Musa Ujah, representing the Directorate of Youth Mobilisation, APC Presidential Campaign Committee.

Their presence underscored the importance of strategic partnerships, youth mobilisation and sustained investment in initiatives that translate empowerment promises into tangible opportunities for young Nigerians.

Speaking on the significance of the programme, the FCT Coordinator, Emmanuel Eyaba, described the initiative as more than a training exercise, noting that its ultimate objective is to move young people from dependency to productivity by providing them with relevant skills, mentorship and start-up support.

He emphasised that agriculture remains a viable pathway to wealth creation, food security, employment generation and economic transformation, particularly when combined with modern technology and entrepreneurial innovation.

The initiative reaffirmed its commitment to identifying, mentoring, training and empowering young people through practical interventions that create sustainable opportunities and encourage self-reliance.

With 60 beneficiaries taking their first steps towards building sustainable agro-based businesses, the programme sends a strong message that the future of Nigerian youths must be built on access to opportunities, skills, mentorship and the right support systems.

This is more than empowerment. It is an investment in the future. It is the dawn of a new era for Nigerian youths!

Signed:

Emmanuel Eyaba (NIPR) 

FCT Coordinator Youths on Ground Mentorship Initiative.

News November 12, 2026 INEC flags staff in 10 states over AI voter photos

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed artificial intelligence-generated photographs uploaded to the national voters’ register and flagged officials implicated in the practice across 10 states for disciplinary action.

INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this on Wednesday during a webinar organised by the PUNCH Media Foundation, titled ‘AI, Misinformation and Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Safeguarding the Truth, Protecting the Vote’.

Haruna, who is also Chairman of the commission’s Information and Voter Education Committee, described the development as a major challenge, noting that the commission had already taken down AI-generated photographs identified on the voters’ register.

He, however, acknowledged that INEC faced limitations in preventing members of the public from manipulating or enhancing their photographs before uploading them during voter registration.

The commissioner said the commission had also identified cases involving its own personnel and was taking steps to address the violations.

“We have already seen one of the challenges, which is that a lot of AI-generated photographs were posted onto the voters’ register, which, as we have said, we have had to take down,” he said.

Haruna explained that while it might be difficult for the commission to prevent members of the public from manipulating their photographs before submission, it had greater control over violations involving its officials.

“But the ones involving our own staff, where it is our own staff that did so, that one is within our control. We are in the process of addressing it. They have been flagged,” he said.

He disclosed that the commission had obtained the names of the officials involved across about 10 states, adding that they would face disciplinary action.

“We have their names across about 10 states, and obviously, they are going to face disciplinary action,” he added.

On INEC’s preparedness to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections, Haruna said the commission had developed an AI policy but was working to finalise it.

He noted that the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence had created regulatory challenges for countries across the world, including advanced democracies.

According to him, the evolving nature of the technology has made it difficult for governments to establish comprehensive and specific regulatory frameworks.

“As you know very well, it is new territory out there. Even the most advanced countries don’t have what you might call concrete, specific policies about AI because these things are evolving,” he said.

Haruna, however, said INEC had developed ideas on how it intended to deploy and regulate the technology, assuring that the policy would soon be finalised and made available to the media.

“But we have at least some ideas of what we want to do and how we want to use that. We have that policy. Very soon, we will concretise it, and we will be able to share it with the media,” he said.

News November 12, 2026 Zamfara commissioner dies at 50

The Zamfara State Commissioner for Commerce, Tasiu Musa Shinkafi, has died at the age of 50 following a brief illness.

Shinkafi reportedly died on Wednesday in Kaduna, throwing the state government and his associates into mourning.

Governor Dauda Lawal, who expressed sadness over the development, described the commissioner’s death as a major loss to the state and its people.

In a condolence statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the governor said Shinkafi’s death was a painful development for his family, the government and the entire people of Zamfara State.

He said, “With heavy hearts and in total submission to the will of Almighty Allah (T), we received the shocking news of the passing of the Commissioner for Commerce, Tasiu Musa Shinkafi.

“Tasiu’s death is a great loss not only to his family and the state government, but also to the people of Zamfara.

“He will be remembered for his dedication, honesty, and commitment to Zamfara State.

“He served diligently as Commissioner for Youth and Sport before being redeployed to the Ministry of Commerce.

“As a valued member of my administration and a brother in service, his contributions to governance, politics, and public service will be remembered.

“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and give his family the strength to bear this great loss.”

The late commissioner previously served as Commissioner for Youth and Sports before his redeployment to the Ministry of Commerce.

News November 12, 2026 Relegation-struggling Man Utd fire Carrick, close in on Pochettino

Manchester United have dismissed head coach Michael Carrick following the club’s disappointing start to the 2026/27 Premier League season, with former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino emerging as the leading candidate to take over.

Carrick’s dismissal was announced on Thursday after United managed just eight points from their opening 10 league matches, leaving the former English champions in the relegation zone.

The former United midfielder had enjoyed a successful spell last season, guiding the club to third place after winning 12 of their remaining 17 matches in the 2025/26 campaign.

However, the team’s poor performances this season, including just three victories in 15 matches across all competitions, reportedly convinced the club’s hierarchy that a managerial change was necessary.

In a statement confirming his departure, Manchester United said: “Manchester United can confirm that Michael Carrick has departed his role as men’s first-team head coach,” the club said in a statement.

“Michael rejoined the club in January and guided the team to a third-placed Premier League finish by winning 12 out of the remaining 17 games of the 2025/26 season, accumulating the highest points tally in the league during that period.

“After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary to achieve our ambitions.”

Carrick’s final match was Sunday’s dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa. Despite the disappointing result, he had indicated that he was not prepared to resign from his position.

Reports suggest that the decision to part ways with the former midfielder was reached on Wednesday at a meeting in Monaco attended by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.

Carrick had initially earned praise for stabilising the team following the departure of Ruben Amorim, whose tenure ended with his dismissal in January.

However, United’s struggles this season have been compounded by what was described as an underwhelming transfer window and growing tensions within the squad.

The former manager also faced disciplinary and dressing-room challenges, including dropping captain Bruno Fernandes after the midfielder reportedly criticised his tactical approach following a 4-1 defeat to Champions League newcomers Como.

Defender Lisandro Martinez also publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the club’s hierarchy over what he considered a lack of quality recruitment.

Meanwhile, Pochettino is increasingly being linked with the vacant managerial position at Old Trafford.

The Argentine has considerable experience in English football, having previously managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. He also had a spell in charge of French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Although Pochettino signed a contract extension with the United States national team just three months ago, committing his future to the country until the 2030 World Cup, reports indicate that negotiations with Manchester United have progressed.

Sky Sports reported on Wednesday that United have “reached a verbal agreement in principle” with the Argentine to become the club’s next head coach.

Pochettino has been linked with the Manchester United job on several occasions in the past, but his potential appointment would present a major challenge as the club seeks to restore its former status in English football.

United have struggled to replicate the success they enjoyed under legendary former manager Alex Ferguson, who retired 13 years ago. The club have yet to win another Premier League title since his departure.

Once the dominant force in English football, Manchester United have since been overtaken by rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.

The club’s next fixture is a high-profile encounter against arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield on November 22.