A gas explosion rocked the Alake Sports Complex in Ijeja, Abeokuta, just after 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, sending shockwaves through one of the major venues of the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun State.
Eyewitnesses reported that a gas truck supplying fuel to the complex’s generating set suddenly went up in flames, causing panic among athletes, officials, and spectators in the vicinity.
Security operatives and emergency responders quickly moved to the scene and are currently battling to contain the fire. As of the time of filing this report, there are no confirmed reports of casualties.
The extent of the damage is yet to be determined, and festival organizers are expected to release a formal statement soon.
Amidst a wave of high-profile defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Senate Caucus of the PDP on Tuesday declared that the party remains unshaken and robust at the grassroots. Speaking after plenary in Abuja, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), said the party was neither intimidated nor weakened by the exit of governors, senators, and lawmakers, insisting that PDP’s strength lies in its widespread grassroots appeal.
“We are not rattled,” Moro said. “We remain confident that the ordinary party members across the country still believe in the PDP. No amount of defection by political elites will erase the party’s connection to the people. Our optimism is high that the reconciliation committee led by Senator Bukola Saraki has the capacity to resolve or minimize all internal issues within the party.”
While acknowledging the recent defections as a challenge, the caucus described them as temporary setbacks that do not diminish the PDP’s stature as a national political force. Moro assured that the party was actively engaging in reconciliation processes, planning zonal congresses, and preparing for a national convention to usher in new leadership. Flanked by Senators Seriake Dickson, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Abdul Ningi, and others, Moro emphasized that PDP remains Nigeria’s leading opposition and a strong alternative to the ruling party.
On the prospect of political coalitions, the caucus welcomed the idea but maintained that such alliances must be party-led, not driven by individual ambitions. “As Nigeria’s foremost opposition party, our umbrella is big enough to accommodate all groups desiring a united front,” Moro said. Responding to questions on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s olive branch to Labour Party’s Peter Obi, Moro clarified that Atiku, like any politician, has the right to seek alliances, but the Senate caucus’s statement was focused on party direction, not personal ambitions. The caucus concluded by urging party members to remain loyal, warning that the celebration of opposition party disintegration only threatens democracy.
Tension gripped parts of Ibadan on Tuesday following the tragic death of a secondary school student, Taiwo, who was fatally struck by a stray police bullet along the Gbagi/Alakia road. The boy was being driven to school by his father when the incident occurred, allegedly during a police chase targeting suspected internet fraudsters, popularly known as “Yahoo Boys.”
Narrating the ordeal through tears, the bereaved father explained that he had been stopped by officers of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) for driving against traffic while taking his twin sons and their older brother to school. During the encounter, policemen pursuing a vehicle stormed the scene. “I was pleading and explaining that we were late for an exam when I suddenly heard a gunshot,” he said. “Before I knew it, my son was bleeding and gasping for air.” Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Taiwo was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The tragic incident sparked immediate protests as enraged residents, commercial motorcyclists, and traders marched to the Oyo State Government Secretariat, carrying the lifeless body of the teenager and demanding justice. The demonstration led to heightened security around the premises. In swift response, the Oyo State House of Assembly, during plenary, condemned the killing as “painful and avoidable.” Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Olasunkanmi Babalola, raised the matter under urgent public importance, confirming the student was en route to his WAEC examination when the bullet struck. The House called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of the officer responsible, as well as financial and psychological support for the grieving family. A committee led by the Deputy Speaker was constituted to engage the State Commissioner of Police, while the Assembly urged the Inspector General of Police to enforce stricter control over the use of firearms and prioritize the training of officers in responsible suspect apprehension.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday appealed to its South East chapter not to carry out its threat to exit the party over unresolved issues surrounding the position of the National Secretary.
The appeal follows a resolution reached at a recent meeting of the South East PDP caucus in Enugu, where members expressed strong dissatisfaction with the party’s delay in officially recognizing Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary. The caucus warned it could consider severing ties with the PDP if its demand was not addressed.
Receiving the resolution at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum — represented by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja — urged the South East leaders to remain calm and committed to the unity of the party.
Damagum assured the delegation that the concerns raised would be thoroughly reviewed and that justice would be done. He emphasized that the matter would be deliberated upon by the National Working Committee (NWC) and forwarded to the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for next week.
Addressing the delegation, Arapaja said:
> “I understand your frustration. But in any political family, disagreements are inevitable. This is a party of the people — where every voice matters. Let’s not abandon our house simply because the roof is leaking. Together, we can fix it.”
He described the PDP as a democratic platform where members can freely express their views and urged the South East not to allow the disagreement weaken their longstanding commitment to the party.
> “This is a zone that has always stood with the PDP. You have made sacrifices for the party. I believe we will find a solution that restores confidence and morale.”
Earlier, the leader of the South East PDP caucus and Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, formally presented the region’s resolution, reaffirming their unanimous endorsement of Rt. Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye — a former National Youth Leader of the party — as their preferred candidate for the role of National Secretary.
Ngwu reminded the NWC that the South East remains a stronghold of the PDP, having consistently delivered electoral victories in past elections, and urged the party not to ignore the zone’s request.
> “We’re not creating a new precedent. There are examples in the past where NWC members were replaced based on zonal consensus. We ask for fairness. This is about reviving the confidence of our people and charting a path of recovery for the PDP,” Ngwu said.
He appealed to the leadership to treat the matter on its merit and act in the collective interest of the party’s future, warning that failure to address the issue could alienate one of PDP’s most loyal zones.
The PDP is expected to make a decision on the matter at its NEC meeting in the coming days.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has appealed for calm among intending pilgrims scheduled for the third flight to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj, following a temporary delay in their airlift.
The Board’s Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Lawal Aliyu, made the appeal while addressing the stranded pilgrims at the Hajj Camp in Bassan Jiwa, Abuja, on Monday.
Aliyu attributed the delay to a logistical bottleneck in Madina, where accommodation constraints have stalled the arrival of new pilgrims.
“There’s simply no available space in Madina at the moment. Until the current batch of pilgrims is relocated to Makkah, fresh arrivals cannot be accommodated. This is why outbound flights from Nigeria, including from the FCT, are temporarily suspended,” he explained.
He stressed that the issue is not isolated to the FCT but affects all Nigerian contingents participating in this year’s pilgrimage.
“We are fully prepared at our end—the aircraft is ready and on standby. Once clearance is given, the third batch will depart without delay,” Aliyu assured.
Tension mounted at the Hajj Camp as many pilgrims, some of whom had arrived as early as Sunday, expressed frustration over the delay and the lack of timely communication.
“We’ve been waiting since yesterday with no clear update. It’s frustrating and mentally draining,” one of the pilgrims told Aso Radio.
In response, Aliyu and other senior officials of the board moved through the camp to reassure the pilgrims, provide updates, and encourage patience.
The FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board reaffirmed its commitment to the wellbeing of all pilgrims under its care, adding that it remains in constant liaison with Saudi authorities to resolve the accommodation issue as quickly as possible.
“As soon as we get the go-ahead, the flight will take off. We sincerely ask for your continued understanding and cooperation,” the PRO reiterated.
Meanwhile, families and loved ones of the affected pilgrims remain hopeful that the delay will be short-lived, allowing them to continue their sacred journey without further complications.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been cautioned not to honour an invitation by the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to commission just one project.
A former political ally of Governor Otti, Prof. Moses A. Orji, who stated this on Tuesday, asked in which state has the President even come to commission a single project, adding Governor Otti needs time to put his house in order.
The President is reportedly scheduled to visit Abia State on May 23, to among other things, commission the 6.5 kilometre Port Harcourt Road in Aba, which was rebuilt by the administration of Governor Alex Otti administration.
In an open letter to the President, Prof. Orji said, “it could even be in the personal interest of Governor Otti that the President doesn’t come now. Perhaps Otti needs time to put his house in order.”
Orji cautioned that it is not enough to drag the President of the Federal Republic about just because the governor’s cousin is a Federal Minister, and ‘one of those who has the ear of Mr. President.
He said: “In which state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria has the president gone to commission just a single completed project, and nothing more?
“Why would Mr. President go to Enugu state to inaugurate seven (7) different key projects completed (by a fellow first termer with Otti), and then feel the same sense of duty to be called upon to inaugurate just one in Abia?
” Why would the President go to commission the dazzling wonderland called Funcity built by Governor Soludo of Anambra state, and not ask us questions about the whereabouts of Abia’s ‘Recreational Facilities,’ which was completed last year at the cost of over N7 billions but is nowhere to be found? Or do we think the presidency is not aware?
“Why would we want to drag the President into our numerous cases of ‘flag-offs’ when work has not commenced on any of the previous flag-offs?
“What about our flagged-off Seaport, Fertilizer Plants, Refineries etc at the proposed Owazza Integrated Industrial Park? Has anybody seen the feasibility study report, or the Environmental Impact Assessment Report of any of them? But they have been flagged-off.
“What about the Pensioners who are proposing to come out in their numbers to make their case before the President? What are we going to tell Mr President? That we are the only state in the South East still owing Pensioners their arrears. What would be our governor’s excuse for wanting Abia pensioners to forfeit their earned pensions when our monthly inflows has quadrupled?.”
Prof. Orji, who recalled that Governor Otti, about a year ago, nearly pulled off a similar stunt when he tried to drag Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state to Abia state, accused his administration of employing propaganda and brinkmanship.
Orji said: “Our Governor wanted his colleague from Lagos state to come and commission a 200 metre track road (Yellow Avenue) on the outskirts of Aba, a street leading to the private residence of one of his business friends. Of course his intended guest caught wind of it, and refused to show up.
“I am therefore of the opinion that this make-believe approach to scoring dubious political points by an administration that is grossly underperforming should be exposed and discouraged.
“For example, what if the President decides to have a breather at the Government House, Umuahia which has a Presidential Lounge? Would Mr Otti tell the President to follow him to his private residence at Isiala Ngwa? Remember the President is not coming on a social visit? Or would our Governor tell his august guest that tortoise, vulture and other animals were used to lay the foundation of our Government House?
“Again the Abia ‘Medical City’ at Owerrinta is within the precincts of our Owerrinta Rice Complex. What if the President decides to have a glimpse of the ‘Owerrinta Rice Mill. The proximity of the ‘two projects’ could tempt the President to kill two birds with one stone.”
Orji submitted that Abia state have been wallowing in the morass of propaganda and brinkmanship while states like Enugu and Anambra have taken a quantum leap forward, adding, “yet we may not have learnt our lessons as our governor continues to fire broadsides at his predecessors, and as he continues to blame the rate of the Dollar to the Naira for the inflated value of his contracts.
The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has formally apologized to Nigerians over the recent error that disrupted the conduct of the April/May 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Speaking during a world press conference on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Abuja, the Committee’s Deputy Chairman, Hon. Aboku Abonsizibe Oforji, who represents Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, described the incident as “an avoidable human error” and extended heartfelt sympathy to the affected candidates and their families.
“This is an unprecedented situation in the history of JAMB. We express our deepest sympathy to the students impacted and sincerely apologize to all Nigerians on behalf of JAMB,” Hon. Oforji stated.
He commended JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, for swiftly owning up to the error and apologizing publicly, but stressed that the Committee would pursue accountability and reform.
“We must now demand accountability—not tomorrow, but today. Education is the backbone of our national progress, and we cannot afford another breakdown of this nature,” he said.
Responding to questions from journalists, Hon. Oforji acknowledged that lapses in oversight may have contributed to the error. He confirmed that the Committee has begun preliminary investigations and will intensify oversight across all six geopolitical zones to improve examination monitoring.
“Our findings so far indicate it was a human error—not a system failure or technical malfunction. However, we are committed to ensuring that those responsible are identified and held accountable,” he added.
On suggestions by some lawmakers that the entire UTME should be cancelled, Hon. Oforji said such a decision would depend on the outcome of the investigation. He noted that JAMB had already acted to mitigate the damage by organizing a retake for affected candidates.
“JAMB quickly directed a retake of the compromised exam. That alone indicates there was no malicious intent. We’re investigating the matter thoroughly, and Nigerians can be assured we will do what is right,” he said.
When asked if Nigerians should simply “forgive and forget,” given the emotional and academic impact of the error, Hon. Oforji replied: “We are not asking anyone to forget. What we are doing is apologizing and assuring Nigerians that serious corrective actions are underway.”
He reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to full transparency and promised to provide public updates once investigations are concluded.
“This is a painful episode—one we would never wish on even our fiercest critics. Our thoughts are with the candidates and families affected. We also appreciate Nigerians for their patience and understanding as we work to fix the system,” he concluded.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill proposing the establishment of a National Ear Centre in Bende, Abia State, as part of efforts to tackle the growing public health crisis of hearing loss in Nigeria.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Ear Centre, Bende for the Prevention, Management and Cure of Ear Defects and Diseases; and for Related Matters,” was jointly sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, alongside six other lawmakers.
In his presentation, co-sponsor Hon. Kama Nkemkanma described hearing loss as a national development issue, not just a medical concern, calling for urgent federal intervention to assist the millions of Nigerians affected by auditory health conditions.
He pointed out that ear-related diseases and impairments affect all demographics—ranging from children hindered in learning to speak, to the elderly grappling with age-related hearing decline—yet access to specialized care remains limited.
“The proposed centre will significantly improve access to expert diagnosis and treatment, enhance training for ENT specialists, and serve as a centre of excellence in auditory healthcare,” Nkemkanma stated.
Citing statistics from the World Health Organization, he noted that over 1.5 billion people globally suffer some form of hearing loss, with Nigeria bearing a considerable portion of that burden. He lamented that the country currently relies on just one National Ear Care Centre in Kaduna, which is overwhelmed and under-resourced.
“This bill does not seek to duplicate but to complement existing services. The new centre in Bende will serve as both a referral hospital and a training institution, boosting capacity to meet rising national demands,” he said.
He stressed that hearing loss cuts across ethnic, religious, and regional lines, and called on lawmakers to support the bill as a statement that access to ear care is a fundamental right.
“No child should be left behind in school due to an untreated ear infection. No adult should lose livelihood because of a preventable or manageable hearing condition,” he added.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, who presided over the session, put the bill to a voice vote. It passed without opposition and has now advanced to the committee stage for further legislative action.
— 19 New Projects Cleared to Accelerate Abuja’s Urban Development
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Executive Committee (EXCO) has approved a total of 19 new projects aimed at upgrading waste management, urban infrastructure, and street lighting systems across Abuja, with contracts valued at approximately N2.6 billion.
The approvals were granted during the 14th EXCO meeting chaired by the FCT Minister and held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Speaking to journalists after the session, Mr. Chidi Amadi, Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to fast-tracking infrastructural development across the territory.
“By the special grace of God, this is the 14th EXCO chaired by the Honourable Minister himself. A total of 13 memos were presented, three were stepped down for technical reasons, and 19 were critically reviewed and approved,” Amadi said.
He noted that while detailed reforms in land administration were presented by the Director of Lands, further announcements will be made separately to allow for proper clarity and communication. “It’s too crucial to rush,” he said.
On the environmental front, Chief Felix Amechi Obuah, Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), disclosed that three major environmental and sanitation service contracts received EXCO approval.
These include:
Operation and maintenance of the Apo Erector sewage facility,
Extension of services at Wupa Basic Sewage Treatment Plant,
Solid waste collection and management across 40 locations in the FCT for an additional two months.
Obuah said the approvals underscore the administration’s drive to enhance environmental sanitation, sewage processing, and waste management in the capital city.
Also speaking, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), said seven FCDA memos were approved, covering critical infrastructure and public safety projects.
Key among them is the upgrade of outdated streetlights along the 14-kilometer, 10-lane Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway (Ring Road 1) from Maitama through Gudu-Garki. “These lights were installed nearly two decades ago. We are replacing them with a hybrid lighting system to boost visibility and road safety,” Dauda explained.
Other approved projects include:
Construction of a new magistrate court in Jabi, replacing a previously proposed Maitama site,
Fencing and access control at 12 road interchanges to curb criminal activity and open defecation,
1.7-kilometre road and drainage works in Durumi District near the Apostolic Church,
Comprehensive infrastructure in Mabushi District, including roads, drainage, streetlights, and water supply,
Complete renovation and technical upgrades at the DSS headquarters,
Erosion control measures to protect a major pipeline from the Lower Usman Dam through Gwagwalada—already completed by CGC Construction Company.
“These projects are designed to strengthen the city’s resilience, enhance security, and improve residents’ quality of life,” Dauda said.
The FCT EXCO’s latest decisions reflect the Minister’s renewed push to transform Abuja into a modern, efficient, and sustainable city through strategic investments in public infrastructure and service delivery.
The Director of Development Control at the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Tpl. Mukhtar Galadima, has been formally turbaned as the Madaki Gini of Gumel by the Gumel Emirate Council in recognition of his distinguished service and contributions to urban planning and public administration.
The colourful turbaning ceremony was held in Abuja on Monday, within the AMMC Conference Room, Wuse Zone 6, with the AMMC Coordinator, Hon. Felix Amechi Obuah, presiding over the symbolic presentation on behalf of the traditional institution.
Describing the conferment as a well-deserved honour, Obuah lauded Galadima’s leadership, professionalism, and humility. “This is a welcome development. It will inspire him to continue his impactful and exemplary service not just within the FCTA, but to the nation at large,” he said.
Obuah praised Galadima’s unwavering commitment to discipline, fairness, and urban development, qualities he described as consistent with the expectations of a traditional titleholder.
The title of Madaki Gini, conferred by the Gumel Emirate Council under the leadership of His Royal Highness, Ahmad Muhammad Sani II, holds a significant position within the emirate’s traditional hierarchy. The emirate, located in Jigawa State, was founded around 1750 by Dan Juma and remains one of the few Hausa kingdoms that withstood incorporation into the Sokoto Caliphate after the 19th-century Fulani jihad.
Galadima hails from Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State, and is an accomplished urban planner. He attended Government College, Katsina-Ala, and later earned a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Benue State University.
A seasoned professional with over 23 years of experience within the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), he has served in various capacities at both the Department of Development Control and the Satellite Towns Development Agency.
He was appointed Acting Director of Development Control by the then FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, on August 10, 2016, and has since led several high-level committees, including the Abuja Master Plan Restoration Task Team, the Review of Revoked Titles, and the Change of Land Use Committees.
Galadima is also internationally certified and a member of various professional bodies in the field of urban development and physical planning.
With this latest traditional recognition, the new Madaki Gini of Gumel now bears both administrative and cultural responsibilities, bridging modern governance and traditional heritage.
