News

There are guardrails against abuse of state police – Tinubu

Published

2 hours ago

July 31, 2026

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the proposed creation of state police will include safeguards to prevent abuse by state governors.

The President gave the assurance on Thursday, July 30, while receiving members of the Oyo State Council of Obas, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the State House in Abuja.

Tinubu said the proposed state police structure would operate with checks and balances, adding that traditional rulers would also have a role in ensuring accountability. “There will be state police. That state police will have guardrails from abuses. We’ll protect it from abuses, and you traditional rulers too will have roles to play,” he said.

He also said the Federal Government is strengthening the country’s security architecture by enhancing the capacity of forest guards. “We are equally enhancing the capacity and capability of the forest guards; they are not just to chase antelopes and animals. We are going to have them chase the criminals and deal with them in various forests,” Tinubu added.

The President disclosed that the Federal Government recently created four additional divisions of the Nigerian Army, bringing the total number to 12, to improve the military’s ability to respond swiftly to security threats across the country. NigerianState Politics

He commended members of the armed forces for rescuing abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying the operation succeeded because the government refused to negotiate with the kidnappers.

“Congratulations on the Oriire rescue that succeeded. I think we succeeded with your support, prayers, and I agree with you that we should commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance. On behalf of them, I accept your message, and I will forward the same message on,” he said.

“We refused to negotiate. These criminals wanted us to review the release from detention, members of their criminal gangs that were already arrested. That was one of their conditions, aside from the money they’re looking for. And I said, ‘no deal,’ we are not going to negotiate with criminals. They committed murder.

“Some of them are non-Nigerians, you know, you see the problem of insecurity in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic is adding more fuel to our challenges.” Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals and activities within their communities, describing intelligence gathering as essential to tackling insecurity.

On the economy, the President said Nigeria’s fiscal position has improved and that state governments are now receiving higher allocations than before. He advised governors to prioritise the construction and rehabilitation of roads that improve connectivity and allow security agencies easier access to remote communities, rather than building unnecessary flyovers.

Earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, thanked the President for the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers and commended his administration’s achievements. The monarch also advocated true federalism, saying it would accelerate development across the country’s regions, and called for constitutional roles for traditional rulers.

“We believe in your Renewed Hope Agenda. It is clear you are Renewing our Hope in infrastructure and fixing our abandoned roads,” Ladoja said. “We traditional rulers must ensure this administration completes its tenure. We know it’s a difficult job, and we are ready at any point in time to give you our own opinion, our own advice, and also our own prayers. We continue to pray for you, Mr. President, so that by the time you do your bit, and I look at it that you are, now, and that has been shown in the Oriire issue.”

Earlier this month, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said one of the proposed safeguards against abuse of state police would be an independent funding mechanism from the Federal Government.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 19

News

CJN bans Nigerian lawyers from using ‘Barrister’ title with immediate effect

Published

13 minutes ago

July 31, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers and court officials to immediately stop using the title “Barrister” before their names in all official dealings with the Supreme Court.

The directive, which takes immediate effect, was issued as part of efforts to strengthen professionalism and standardise official documentation at the nation’s apex court.

Justice Kekere-Ekun said the practice was inconsistent with the professional standards expected in the Supreme Court.

The directive applies to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and all lawyers conducting official business with the apex court.

The decision was conveyed in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.

According to the circular, the Chief Justice held that the continued use of “Barrister” as a prefix does not align with the level of professionalism the Supreme Court seeks to uphold in its official processes.

“Consequently, all officers concerned are hereby directed to discontinue the use of the title ‘Barrister’ before their names in all official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials, and any other official engagements with immediate effect,” the memo stated.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 8

News

FG to phase out power sector subsidy from next year

Published

1 hour ago

July 31, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has announced plans by the Federal government to phase out subsidy payments in the power sector from 2027.

Tegbe made the announcement during a media parley with newsmen in Abuja on Friday, July 31.

According to the Minister, the subsidy will be gradually removed, but noted that Nigerians will not be deprived of any benefits.

He also ruled out any plans to increase electricity tariffs in the immediate term.

Nigeria’s power sector has long been weighed down by a gap between what distribution companies collect from consumers and what it actually costs to generate and transmit electricity, a shortfall the government has covered through subsidies over the years

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 19

News

Ban on sale of sachet alcoholic drinks remains – NAFDAC

Published

1 hour ago

July 31, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed that it will not reverse its ban on small-volume alcoholic drinks in Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview, the agency’s South-East Zonal Director, Dr Festus Ukadike, said enforcement of the ban is already underway, targeting manufacturers and distributors of sachet alcoholic beverages. Ukadike said the next phase of the enforcement would involve removing the remaining affected products from the market.

He added that the ban would not disrupt legitimate businesses, noting that companies can continue producing alcoholic beverages in bottles of 200ml or more. According to him, arrests and seizures have already been recorded across the South-East, including in Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Anambra states.

Ukadike said protecting children from early exposure to alcohol was a major reason behind the policy. “If our children are no longer exposed to sachet alcohol, they will live healthier lives, curb antisocial behaviours and promote the country’s fight against cancer and other terminal diseases,” he said.

He also urged consumers to moderate their alcohol consumption, saying the absence of sachet alcohol should not be viewed as a major setback. Addressing concerns about affordability, Ukadike maintained that public health considerations take precedence over commercial interests.

He added that within the next 12 months, Nigeria is expected to have a regulatory framework under which no alcoholic drink will be sold in packaging smaller than 200ml. Some consumers expressed mixed reactions to the ban. Charles Otubo said the restriction should apply only in motor parks to help reduce road accidents caused by drunk driving.

Another consumer, identified simply as Godwin, said he had seen schoolchildren buying sachet alcoholic drinks, putting them in their school bags and taking them to school. He suggested that alcoholic drinks should instead be sold only at designated liquor stores.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 48