News October 21, 2026 NIMENA Congratulates Three Members on Elevation to Professorial Rank

The Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA) has congratulated three of its distinguished members on their elevation to the rank of professor in the Department of Marine and Offshore Engineering at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

The newly elevated professors are Engr. Professor Kombo Theophilus-Johnson, FNSE; Engr. Professor Daniel Tamunodukobipi, MNSE; and Engr. Professor Ugochukwu Charles Orji, MNSE.

In a congratulatory message signed by its National General Secretary, Engr. Dr. Azubuike John Chuku, the institution described the elevation as a remarkable academic achievement and a source of pride to NIMENA and the wider marine and offshore engineering profession.

The message, issued on behalf of the National Chairman, Engr. Dr. Eferebo Ibietela Sylvanus, FNSE, the Council of NIMENA (CONIM) and the entire membership, commended the professors for their sustained contributions to scholarship, research, engineering education, mentorship and professional development.

NIMENA noted that their elevation went beyond personal accomplishment, describing it as recognition of their contributions to advancing knowledge and developing the next generation of engineering professionals.

NIMENA expressed confidence that the professors would continue to use their academic expertise, professional experience and leadership to promote innovation in marine and offshore engineering, maritime technology and the blue economy.

It also expressed hope that their new academic status would create greater opportunities for impactful research, mentorship, professional service and national development.

“Congratulations, Distinguished Professors! NIMENA proudly celebrates you,” it said. 

The elevation of the three engineers highlights the importance of academic excellence, research and professional development in strengthening Nigeria's marine and offshore engineering sector and building the expertise required to harness opportunities in the maritime industry.

Crime News October 20, 2026 ‘$2.1m fraud’: Wike’s son claimed his father approved Abuja land allocations, businessman tells EFCC

Safwan Garba, a businessman, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that Jordan Nyesom-Wike, son of FCT minister Nyesom Wike, claimed he had his father’s approval to facilitate the allocation of 60 hectares of land in Abuja.

In a petition dated December 11, 2025, and signed by their lawyer, Hamza Dantani, the petitioners alleged that Jordan promised to secure 30 hectares each in Katampe and Guzape, assuring them that he routinely facilitated land allocations and had his father’s backing.

They accused Jordan of fraud, obtaining by false pretences, criminal misappropriation and conversion of $2.1 million allegedly paid for the proposed land allocations.

According to the petition, Jordan reinforce his claims by calling his father on the telephone in the businessman’s presence, ostensibly to inform him of the proposed transaction.

“Our client met Jordan Nyesom-Wike in London, following which the two developed a rapport,” the petition reads.

“Upon returning to Nigeria about three months ago, Jordan met with our client. He promised to facilitate the acquisition of land within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), based on his prior representations that he routinely provided such facilitation and that he had his father’s knowledge and approval, as the Honourable Minister of the FCT.

“To strengthen these representations, Jordan placed a telephone call to his father in the presence of our client, ostensibly informing him of the intended transaction.

“Jordan thereafter assured our client that he could secure 30 hectares of land in Katampe and 30 hectares in Guzape.

“Jordan demanded and received the sum of USD2,000,000 (Two Million United States Dollars) as the fee he would deliver to his father, the Honourable Minister, to facilitate the land allocation.

“Additionally, our client paid USD100,000 (One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) to Jordan as his personal facilitation fee.

“These amounts were paid in cash on 17th October 2025, at the insistence of Jordan Nyesom-Wike, in the presence of the following witnesses: Adamu Sani and Aliyu Sarki. Jordan was accompanied by one Onor Sandy, whom he introduced as his friend and associate.

“Jordan promised to deliver the land allocations within one month. After receiving the funds, he failed to deliver on the agreement and became incommunicado.

“The UK phone number he provided is no longer reachable, and all attempts by our client, including through individuals known to the Honourable Minister, to establish contact with him have failed.

“Based on the foregoing, our client reasonably believes that Jordan Nyesom-Wike has committed offences, including but not limited to: Obtaining by False Pretence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act; Fraud; Criminal Misappropriation; and Criminal Conversion of the sum of USD2,100,000 entrusted to him.

“Our client hereby requests that the Commission: commence an immediate investigation into the actions of Jordan Nyesom-Wike; arrest and interrogate Jordan Nyesom-Wike; and initiate prosecution where the investigation establishes criminal liability.

“Our client is prepared to provide all necessary help, including the witnesses and any further information that may assist the Commission.

“We trust in the professionalism and diligence of the EFCC and kindly request prompt action on this matter. Attached is the Acknowledgment of Payment signed by Jordan Wike.”

Addressing journalists at the federal high court in Abuja on Monday, Ibrahim Waru, counsel for the claimants, said the EFCC had acknowledged receipt of the petition but had yet to act on it.

Waru said the petition was intended to prompt an investigation into the alleged criminal aspects of the dispute, separate from the civil proceedings already pending before the FCT high court.

Meanwhile, Silvanus Oriji, judge of the FCT high court, has fixed December 1 for the continuation of hearing in the civil suit, marked CV/008/2026, filed by the claimants against Jordan.

Jordan has denied the allegations, telling the court that he was not in Nigeria on the date the claimants said they handed the money to him.

He tendered his international passport in support of his position, maintaining that he travelled outside the country with his American passport during the period in question.

The claimants have also petitioned the chief judge of the FCT high court, seeking Oriji’s removal from the case over an alleged relationship with the minister’s family.

Business News October 20, 2026 Dee Utensils Set To Launch Bigger And Bolder Showroom Complex In New Location In Abuja In November

Renowned kitchenware brand, Dee Utensils, has announced plans to relocate its Kokkies Mall branch in Wuse 2, Abuja, to a bolder new location.

The move, according to the management, is part of the brand’s effort to create a bigger and more comfortable shopping environment for its growing customer base.

The Chief Executive Officer of Dee Utensils, HRM. (Dr)Amb. Lois Andrew Ihwo said the decision was driven by the need to provide customers with a more spacious and bigger retail space designed to enhance their overall shopping experience.

She said, “This move is borne out of the need to offer our customers a more spacious and bigger space, designed to give them the exceptional shopping experience they truly deserve.”

The CEO expressed appreciation to customers and clients of Dee Utensils for their unwavering support, trust and patronage over the years, noting that their loyalty had played a significant role in making the next chapter of the brand possible.

She added that the relocation represents another step in Dee Utensils’ commitment to improving its services and creating a better experience for customers.

The company has to announced the address as Cappador's Place

Plot 134, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja. Landmark: By Oti Carpet as the new location while Sunday, November 29th 2026 at will be the grand opening, as customers look forward to continuing their relationship with the brand at its new operational office.

Entertainment News October 20, 2026 Celebrity Bus Conductor Set to Thrill Abuja With ‘Conductor My Change’ Comedy Show November 28

Abuja is set for an evening of laughter and entertainment as popular entertainer Celebrity Bus Conductor, prepares to host his forthcoming comedy show, tagged Conductor My Change, on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The event, themed “The Biggest Traffic of Entertainment,” is scheduled to commence at 6:00 p.m. at the Lagos/Osun Hall of the hotel, bringing together comedy lovers, entertainment enthusiasts and fun seekers for an evening of humour and memorable performances.

Organised under the Celebrity Bus Conductor brand, the show promises to deliver an exciting entertainment experience built around the familiar Nigerian bus conductor culture, creatively blending everyday experiences with comedy and showmanship.

The forthcoming event is expected to attract a diverse audience, particularly residents of the Federal Capital Territory seeking an opportunity to unwind and enjoy live entertainment as the year gradually draws to a close.

Celebrity Bus Conductor, whose real name is Wisdom Erivwode Ilolo, is a renowned comedian, content creator, master of ceremonies and live entertainer known for transforming everyday Nigerian experiences into relatable comedy.

His entertainment brand has built an online community of over one million followers, recording more than 15 million likes and 20 million views across its digital platforms where he publishes his contents. 

His growing popularity has also been driven by his innovative Comedy in the Bus concept, which takes stand-up comedy beyond conventional venues by turning a moving bus into an entertainment arena.

In November 2025, he organised the maiden public edition of the initiative in Abuja, featuring comedians including Chuks De General, Mazi Prosper and Cee Dee. The event brought together passengers and entertainers for live performances while travelling through the city. 

The forthcoming Conductor My Change show represents another step in expanding his entertainment brand, this time bringing the experience to a conventional event venue.

News October 20, 2026 NCC moves to expand phone number fraud checks across sectors

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it is planning to extend phone number verification across sectors to reduce fraud risks associated with recycled numbers and compromised digital identities.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said this at the 95th Telecom Consumer Parliament organised by the commission on Tuesday in Lagos.

Maida said the proposed expansion of the Telecommunications Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) would help organisations identify recycled phone numbers and those flagged for fraudulent activities.

He explained that phone numbers had become essential to accessing financial services, managing pensions and shopping online, making their security increasingly important to Nigeria’s digital economy.

“A phone number has also become part of our digital identity, used to access financial services, manage pensions and shop online,” Maida said.

He said the commission, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), planned to extend the system’s use to other sectors that rely on phone numbers to identify customers and facilitate transactions.

Maida said the initiative would help organisations recognise recycled numbers and numbers flagged for fraud, reducing the risk of unauthorised access to people’s accounts and services.

Beyond identity protection, Maida disclosed that the commission had recorded more than 6,500 network interventions in 2026, including equipment upgrades and capacity expansion to improve connectivity.

He said operators were expected to translate their investments into more reliable calls and internet connections, while the commission monitored network performance and required providers to address shortcomings.

The NCC boss also urged communities to help protect telecommunications infrastructure by reporting vandalism and suspected theft, noting that damaged fibre cables and stolen equipment could disrupt services across several communities.

Also, Maida disclosed that 75 million subscribers had received airtime compensation for poor service in 2026 under the commission’s Consumer Compensation Framework.

He, however, stressed that compensation could not recover lost business opportunities or disrupted communication, adding that the commission’s priority remained preventing service failures rather than merely compensating affected subscribers.

“Compensation matters, but it cannot recover a lost business opportunity or an important conversation that could not take place,” he said.

Maida further disclosed that nearly three million subscribers had received refunds for failed airtime and data purchases under a framework developed with the CBN, telecom operators and financial service providers.

He said the framework was designed to trace failed transactions and ensure timely refunds, preventing consumers from being passed repeatedly between banks and network operators when seeking redress.

On data transparency, Maida said the Commission’s forthcoming usage notification guideline would provide clearer information about daily data consumption, remaining balances and detailed usage breakdowns to help subscribers monitor their spending.

He said tariff simplification measures would also make bundle prices, allowances and validity periods easier to understand, while operators were expected to investigate disputed data usage fairly and explain their findings.

He also advised consumers to verify mobile devices before purchase through the commission’s Device Checker by dialling *315# or calling 315, to check compliance with its Type Approval requirements and avoid unsafe or counterfeit products.

On complaints, Maida urged subscribers to contact their service providers first, obtain complaint reference numbers and escalate unresolved cases to the commission through its toll-free line, 622.

Earlier, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Ms Rimini Makama said the parliament should produce practical commitments on reliable connections, transparent billing and timely complaint resolution, with service providers held accountable for improvements.

She urged consumer groups to continue bringing subscribers’ experiences to the Commission, stressing that open discussions and clear responsibilities were necessary to ensure that consumer protection translated into better services.

Makama recalled that consumers at the 94th Parliament had raised concerns about network quality, unclear billing, failed transactions and delays in resolving complaints, adding that the commission would review actions taken to address the issues. (NAN)

Health News October 20, 2026 Fed Govt warns against replacing doctors with telemedicine

The Federal Government says telemedicine must complement human expertise and physical healthcare infrastructure rather than replace the human touch essential for quality healthcare delivery.

Telemedicine involves delivering healthcare services remotely through digital communication technologies, including telephone calls, video consultations and online platforms, without requiring patients and healthcare professionals to be physically present together.

Dr Salma Ibrahim-Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health, said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Nigerian Telehealth Conference 2.0, themed “The Future of Healthcare is Connected: Click and Brick,” organised by Mobihealth International.

Ibrahim-Anas said the conference came at a critical period in Nigeria’s health sector transformation, emphasising that the future of healthcare depended on combining digital technology with physical healthcare systems.

“The future of healthcare is connected, click and brick,” she said, adding that digital health must combine “the reach and convenience of digital technology with human touch, professional expertise and physical infrastructure.”

She emphasised President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening health systems, expanding access to essential services, improving healthcare financing, revitalising primary healthcare and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

She said that telemedicine could help bridge gaps in maternal, newborn and child healthcare by enabling pregnant women in remote communities to access professional guidance, referrals and specialist support.

“A mother seeking advice about her infant should not be left without appropriate guidance simply because she does not have access to a specialist paediatrician in her community,” she said.

Ibrahim-Anas, however, cautioned that telehealth could not replace healthcare workers, diagnostic services, essential medicines and emergency care.

“Telehealth is not simply about deployment; it is not a replacement for our competent health workers,” she said.

She emphasised the need to preserve human connection in healthcare delivery, noting that technology should support healthcare professionals rather than replace their judgment and compassion.

“As health professionals, we have to have that human touch to it,” she said.

She said nationwide telemedicine implementation required addressing key challenges, including unreliable electricity, limited connectivity, sustainable financing, regulation, data privacy, cybersecurity and interoperability of health information systems.

The presidential aide also emphasised the importance of ensuring that digital health services reached rural communities, women, persons with disabilities, older people and Nigerians with limited digital literacy.

She urged stakeholders to measure the success of digital health initiatives by improved health outcomes rather than the number of platforms inaugurated.

“Our progress must be measured by outcomes rather than by the number of platforms inaugurated,” she said.

Ibrahim-Anas called for practical solutions from conference participants, saying the proposed Abuja Declaration on Telehealth 2026 should provide clear recommendations, identify responsible institutions and establish realistic implementation steps.

Earlier, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mobihealth International, Dr Funmi Adewara, said the conference theme reflected the need to integrate digital healthcare with physical health infrastructure.

Adewara said technology must connect patients with professionals, communities with hospitals, pharmacies with prescriptions, laboratories with clinicians, and primary healthcare facilities with specialist care.

“Technology must strengthen, not replace, our healthcare workforce,” she said, adding that telehealth success should be measured by improved healthcare outcomes and lives saved.

Also, World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative and Head of Mission to Nigeria Dr Pavel Ursu said the goal was not merely to increase digital health platforms but to build connected systems capable of delivering measurable improvements.

“Our ambition is not simply more digital health, but more connected health systems that use digital technology to deliver measurable impact,” Ursu said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference brought together health stakeholders, technology experts, policymakers and development partners to discuss strategies for advancing telehealth and achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria. (NAN)

Education News October 20, 2026 Alausa welcomes military medical college listing on JAMB portal for 2026/2027 admissions

The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, has welcomed the listing of the Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences (AFCOM-HS) on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal for the 2026/2027 academic session.

Alausa disclosed this in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Folasade Boriowo, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He described the development as a significant milestone in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in advancing education, healthcare delivery and national security.

The minister said AFCOM-HS was established to strengthen military healthcare services, develop specialised medical personnel and address critical manpower shortages in the country’s health sector.

He explained that the institution, located within the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, was preparing to admit its pioneer cohort of 100 cadets.

According to him, the college had secured approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer Medicine and Surgery, leading to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree, and Nursing Science, leading to the Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc.) degree.

Alausa said the institution would integrate medical education with military officer development to equip cadets with clinical competence, professional ethics and leadership skills required to serve effectively.

He added that the initiative would improve healthcare delivery for Armed Forces personnel while strengthening Nigeria’s national health security through the training of qualified and specialised medical professionals.

The minister described AFCOM-HS as a pioneering institution designed from inception to train military cadets in medicine, nursing and other related healthcare disciplines to meet the specialised needs of the Armed Forces.

He said the establishment of the college aligned with the Federal Government’s education reform agenda, driven by the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which seeks to improve the quality and relevance of education nationwide.

Alausa commended the Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen. Christopher Musa, and the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, for their contributions towards the establishment of the institution.

He also acknowledged the leadership of the Armed Forces, the Technical Working Group chaired by Brig.-Gen. Dr Idris Babatunde Solebo, the NUC, JAMB and relevant professional regulatory authorities for their roles in advancing the project.

The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to academic oversight, quality assurance and regulatory collaboration to ensure that AFCOM-HS maintained the required educational and professional standards.

He emphasised the importance of collaboration among relevant government agencies and regulatory bodies in ensuring that the college delivered quality medical education and produced competent healthcare professionals capable of meeting the country’s military health needs.

Alausa advised prospective applicants to consult official AFCOM-HS and JAMB channels for accurate information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, military selection requirements and admission dates for the 2026/2027 academic session. (NAN)