The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has described the tragic fire incident in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, following the fall of a petroleum tanker, which led to a fire involving several vehicles, as painful and unfortunate.

Naija News reports Okpebholo, in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Akhere Ebojele, condoled with Otaru of Auchi, Aliru H. Momoh Ikelebe III, and the people of Auchi sacred kingdom, noting that the incident has brought grief and distress to families, motorists, and residents of the area.

Okpebholo assured the people of Auchi that the Edo State Government is working closely with relevant emergency and safety agencies to assess the situation, support affected victims, and implement measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

He also urged motorists and tanker drivers to strictly adhere to safety regulations and traffic laws to safeguard lives and property across the state.

Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the safety and well-being of Edo people and called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with authorities as investigations continue.

The statement added, “On behalf of the Government and people of Edo State, the Governor commiserate with the Otaru of Auchi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh Ikelebe III, and the entire people of Auchi Sacred Kingdom over the tragic occurrence.

“This unfortunate incident is a painful reminder of the dangers associated with the transportation of petroleum products on our highways. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Auchi Sacred Kingdom at this difficult time.

“Governor Okpebholo extends heartfelt sympathies to all those who suffered losses, including individuals whose vehicles and properties were destroyed in the inferno, and prayed for the repose of the souls of those who may have lost their lives, as well as quick recovery for the injured.”

SOURCE PAGE

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday evening attended the National Caucus meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, alongside key stakeholders of the party.

The President arrived at the venue of the meeting at about 7:41 p.m. in the company of Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as well as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

The ongoing meeting is being attended by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen; APC governors; members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC); and principal officers of the National Assembly.

Also present at the meeting are former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and governors who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. They include Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri; Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah; Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; and Taraba State Governor, Kefas Agbu.

Former Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, who was recently released from detention, is also in attendance.

Details later.

Please follow and like us:

SOURCE PAGE

The Jigawa State government has raised concerns over a sharp rise in blindness cases, warning that a severe shortage of eye care specialists is worsening the crisis.

According to official records, 81,797 cases of eye-related complications were reported in the state in 2024 alone, highlighting a growing public health crisis driven largely by cataracts and a shortage of eye care specialists.

The Acting Chairperson of the Jigawa State Eye Health Committee, Usman Muhammad, said the state is operating with only a fraction of the eye specialists it needs.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Dutse on Wednesday, Mr Muhammad described the manpower gap as alarming.

He attributed the worsening crisis to the “brain drain” phenomenon, where medical professionals migrate abroad in search of better opportunities

“In Jigawa, there is only one practicing ophthalmologist employed by the state government. At the two federal institutions, we have three ophthalmologists, meaning that we have a deficit of over 24 ophthalmologists in the state,” he said.

He added that regarding optometrists, the state has only three in the state.

“Unless we have a significant number of eye care specialists, we will not be able to reduce the backlog of eye diseases that cause blindness, especially cataracts, glaucoma, and others,” he said.

The burden of disease

The crisis is particularly acute among rural populations.

Mr Muhammad noted that the state currently lacks a practicing pediatric ophthalmologist and a glaucoma specialist.

“We treat no fewer than 50 patients daily. Out of these, 15 to 20 are typically found to be totally blind,” he said.

He confirmed that cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness, accounting for roughly 50 per cent of cases, a trend consistent with global and regional data.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, there should be a minimum of four ophthalmologists and 10 optometrists per one million people.

With a population of over seven million, Jigawa requires approximately 28 ophthalmologists and 70 optometrists to provide adequate eye care services across the state.

Barriers beyond manpower

Abalis Dasat, Eye Health Manager at the Health and Development Support Programme (HANDS), said poor access to healthcare facilities, lack of public awareness of preventable eye conditions and the need for facilities to be accessible to persons with disabilities continue to fuel the crisis.

Mr Dasat said the HANDS initiative focuses on strengthening the healthcare system to ensure that even those in difficult-to-reach locations receive care.

Data from the Federal Ministry of Health indicate that 24 million Nigerians live with some form of sight loss, while 1.3 million adults are completely blind.

Experts say 84 per cent of blindness in Nigeria is preventable or treatable, but gaps in awareness, funding and specialist care persist.

READ ALSO: Global leaders adopt historic declaration on non-communicable diseases, mental health

Geographically, the North-west, where Jigawa is located, and the North-east zone experience higher prevalence rates up to 6.1 per cent compared to the South-west, roughly 2.8 per cent, driven by ecological factors and a lack of specialised care.

Cataracts remain the leading cause of avoidable blindness, accounting for 43 to 45 per cent of cases, while glaucoma, often called the “silent thief of sight,” causes about 16.7 per cent and remains the leading cause of irreversible blindness.

Source link

December 18, 2025December 18, 2025

0

A civil society organisation (CSO), Centre for Leadership Legacy International (Centre LLI), has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to uphold the highest integrity in his government by ensuring that any act capable of bringing his government into disrepute is not entertained.

In a statement signed by the Spokesman of the Centre, Davies Isaiah Ijele, the group urged President Tinubu to look deeply into the serial allegations of certificate forgery against his Minister of Interior, Hon Olubumi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the statement, these allegations have become too weighty to be ignored, saying if not properly handled, can constitute a burden to the integrity rating or credibility of the government.

The group noted that Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s declaration in his official profile presented before the National Assembly for his 2019 House of Representatives run (INEC/EC9) listed his education as including a first degree from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and postgraduate study at London Metropolitan University, and that the
degree from OAU has no date or year of graduation, while the master’s degree
from London university has 2006 as year of graduation.

Secondly, the group alleged that during his 2023 Senate screening for a ministerial appointment, Tunji-Ojo presented a NYSC discharge certificate as part of the vetting paperwork of which the date was 2023 with explanation that he had been first mobilised in 2006 but absconded, then remobilised later (and the discharge certificate was printed/issued in February 2023). That NYSC clarification is widely reported in the press.

The group therefore concluded that the interior minister of Nigeria, handling the internal security for the country, has a degree certificate from Obafemi Awolowo University with no record of year of graduation, and has master’s degree from London Metropolitan University in 2006 while mobilised for NYSC service in Nigeria in the same 2006, hence his NYSC couldn’t be completed for him to be remobilised in 2019 while already elected as a House of Representative member in 2019, and his NYSC certificate couldn’t be printed in 2023 for presentation as his highest qualification for ministerial screening in 2023.

The group urged President Tinubu to wade into these discrepancies in Tunji-Ojo educational controversies in the interest of the integrity and accountability of his government.

SOURCE PAGE

• A Nigerian lady who is a single mother of a daughter has declared on TikTok that she can’t marry a single father
• She maintained that she would not even settle for a single father of one and offered a reason for her decision
• The single mum’s post and explanation triggered reactions on social media, with some ladies agreeing with her

A single mother of a daughter, @mhaycakes, has publicly stated that she can’t walk down the aisle with someone who is a single dad.

Stressing her standpoint, she said she can’t even marry a single dad who has only one child.

A single mother says she can’t marry a single father and gives a reason.
Photo Credit: @mhaycakes
Source: TikTok

In a TikTok post, the single mum, who identifies as a feminist, said it is something she can’t see herself doing.

Words overlaid on her TikTok video read:

“Even as a single mom, I can never marry a single father.”God no fit gree!”Even if na single father of 1!

Read also

Pregnant lady rejoices as her man proposes marriage to her inside room, video melts hearts

“I no do.”

Why single mum detests single dads

According to the single mum, she would only consider a single dad if his baby mama is deceased. In her words:

“I can consider only If the Babymaa Is De*d! single girls getting married to them while the woman is alive! una de try.”

In the comment section, she noted that she can’t be a stepmother.

“Who wan be stepmother? Abeg! not me.”

When a netizen asked her why she can never marry a single dad, she said they usually go back to their children’s mums. She wrote:

“They usually go back to their bms. Not all tho.”

Her sentiment about single dads stirred reactions on TikTok.

A single mum says she can’t marry a single father.
Photo Credit: @mhaycakes
Source: TikTok

View her TikTok post below:

Single mum’s post stirs mixed reactions

Legit.ng has compiled some reactions to the single mum’s post below:

Natty’s Emporium ♍ said:

“My sister na true u talk ooo.”

Read also

Lady cries out, shares breakup text she got from boyfriend days after urging him to join Shiloh

Godfather said:

“My baby mama dead,so am free.”

Georgina said:

“I actually can date a responsible comfortable single father of 1.”

Dammie Unbroken 🔥 said:

“I think say na only me😂😂…my own single mother get choice and standard!!!!”

In a related story, Legit.ng reported that a single mum of four girls had bragged as she got married traditionally.

Children advise their single mum

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a single mum burst into laughter as her children advised her on the kind of man to marry.

A clip, which gained massive attention on TikTok, revealed the youngsters’ distinct requirements for their potential stepfather. The mother’s video showed her children sharing their honest opinions about an ideal man. In the video, the siblings emphasised their utmost desire for a stylish and modern stepfather.

They sought someone who understands contemporary trends, rather than an outdated “uncle” figure. They jokingly warned potential suitors, “If you don’t know what hair closure means, stay away from mum!” Their mother, who was surprised by her children’s demand, shared the video and expressed her amazement. Social media users reacted to the viral clip.

Read also

“He didn’t like suits”: Lady goes viral online after sharing her parents’ wedding photos

Source: Legit.ng

SOURCE PAGE

Fans are still buzzing after yesterday’s unforgettable interaction between Kolu and Davido, so much so that Kolu now wants a tattoo to remember it forever!

During a recent meet on Carter Efe’s Twitch livestream, Afrobeat superstar Davido touched Kolu’s head, leaving him overwhelmed and emotional.

Shortly after, Kolu posted a video of himself getting a tattoo exactly where Davido had touched him. “I just want to carry this moment with me forever,” Kolu said, pointing to the spot.

The encounter has since gone viral on social media, with fans expressing shock, excitement, and admiration for Kolu’s extreme dedication.

While some call it a bit overboard, many see it as a touching tribute to the superstar’s influence and kindness. Either way, Kolu’s tattoo plan has everyone talking.

Social media users reacted with amusement and awe. One commentator wrote, “Only in Nigeria! A tattoo for a touch 😳” while another added, “I would faint if it were me 😂.”

From a simple touch to a permanent mark, Kolu’s story shows just how much impact Davido has on his fans. One thing is clear: this memory isn’t going anywhere, especially on Kolu’s head.

Watch video below…

Kolu wan draw Davido tatoo for head cos Davido touched his head yesterday 😭🫵🏽💔 pic.twitter.com/xGnN44jTbN

— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) December 18, 2025

SOURCE PAGE

President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over a meeting of the National Caucus of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

DAILY POST reports that the meeting is the party’s second caucus gathering in 2025, following an earlier session held on February 25.

The meeting is also the first since Prof Nentawe Yilwatda emerged as APC national chairman in July.

It comes a few days after the party rescheduled its National Caucus and National Executive Committee, NEC, meetings from December 15–16 to 18–19, with the NEC now expected to hold on Friday at the Presidential Villa.

Present at the meeting are governors and top party chieftains, including serving APC governors, former governors and principal officers of the National Assembly.

DAILY POST reports that the APC National Caucus is a meeting of the party’s top leadership.

SOURCE PAGE

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Boro, has said addressing migration without confronting poverty is incomplete, while stressing that poverty remains one of the strongest drivers of irregular migration, internal mobility and vulnerability. 

He also revealed that Nigeria currently hosts over six million internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom live not in camps, but within host communities, a reality, he said, reinforces the need for policies that go beyond emergency response and focus on durable solutions, community stabilisation and social cohesion. 

Boro stated this on Thursday in Abuja during the commemoration of the 2025 national migration dialogue with the theme ‘The Revised National Migration Policy: Setting a New Momentum for National Migration Governance.’ 

He said climate change has further intensified migration pressures, particularly in rural communities affected by flooding, desertification and loss of livelihoods.

He lamented that rural-urban migration, particularly among young people, is accelerating due to socio-economic pressures, limited livelihoods and uneven development. These realities demand a policy framework that is responsive, humane and people-centred.

He noted that through key social protection and livelihood interventions such as the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), and targeted humanitarian assistance, the ministry has continued to address the root causes that compel people to move in distress.

He said it was therefore critical that the reviewed National Migration Policy deliberately integrates humanitarian considerations, addresses internal migration dynamics and strengthens Nigeria’s national capacity to respond to displacement, vulnerability and mobility within our borders.

“These programmes, while they may be seen as welfare interventions, they are equally migration governance tools; because by supporting livelihoods, empowering women and youth, and strengthening household resilience, we reduce forced mobility and promote safer, more informed migration choices.

“The reviewed National Migration Policy appropriately recognises climate-induced mobility and internal migration as emerging humanitarian challenges. Aligning policy implementation with early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, and adaptive social protection will be critical in the years ahead,” Boro said.

In his speech, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Ahmed Tijani, said the revised policy represents the culmination of an inclusive, deliberate and truly Nigerian process, led by the commission.

He said from the onset, the commission was clear in its conviction that Nigeria’s National Migration Policy must be homegrown, evidence-based and reflective of in the nation’s unique national realities. 

SOURCE PAGE

The Federal Government on Thursday officially presented and validated the Revised National Migration Policy (NMP) 2025, alongside its Integrated Implementation Plan.

The policy was unveiled during the 2025 Migration Dialogue organised by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) in Abuja.

Following the validation, the documents are expected to be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for formal adoption.

What Tinubu told stakeholders 

Speaking at the event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, charged stakeholders to focus on innovative solutions, collaborative approaches, and effective implementation of the policy.

According to him, the revised framework introduces innovations, strengthens institutional coordination, and provides a clear implementation and monitoring plan.

“We must adopt a governance model that is evidence-based, people-centred, and development-oriented. The Federal Government is fully committed to its operationalisation, and we will work tirelessly with all stakeholders to ensure its effective implementation at national and sub-national levels,” Tinubu said.

Addressing migration realities and displacement 

President Tinubu further noted that the revised policy reflects evolving migration realities and aligns with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while ensuring coherence with regional and global instruments.

He commended the support of international partners, including the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), for strengthening Nigeria’s migration governance.

Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, highlighted Nigeria’s current hosting of over six million internally displaced persons, many of whom live outside formal camps.

“This reality reinforces the need for policies that go beyond emergency response and focus on durable solutions, community stabilisation and social cohesion. The revised policy rightly strengthens provision on the internally displaced persons, return, reintegration and community-based recovery,” Sununu said.

He identified poverty as one of the strongest drivers of irregular migration and vulnerability, stressing that migration challenges cannot be addressed without tackling poverty.

NCFRMI and international collaboration 

Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, said the commission has provided strategic guidance that has led to notable progress in the migration sector. He announced that Nigeria will chair the Rabat Process Senior Officials Meeting in January 2026, focusing on climate-induced mobility.

Ahmed explained that beyond policy development, the commission has delivered tangible results.

“In collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration and other partners, the Commission facilitated the voluntary return of over 21,000 stranded Nigerian migrants through more than 97 flights from Libya, Niger, and Chad. In addition, the Commission has coordinated the humanitarian reception of over 2,500 Nigerians who were forcibly returned from Europe and other parts of the world,” he said.

Chief of Mission of IOM, Ms. Dimanche Sharon, described the dialogue as timely.

“Migration is not just about movement across borders or within them but about whether movement leads to dignity or despair, opportunity or uncertainty,” she said, urging institutions at federal, state, and local levels to work together to ensure migration positively impacts lives.

More insight 

The Revised National Migration Policy 2025 aims to strengthen institutional coordination across migration-related agencies and align Nigeria’s migration governance with international best practices, including the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

Key objectives include: 

• Improving protection and rights of migrants within Nigeria and abroad.
• Reducing irregular migration while harnessing remittances, skills, and diaspora contributions.
• Addressing challenges such as brain drain, insecurity, and labour migration dynamics.

The Federal Government emphasized that the policy is designed to make migration safe, orderly, and beneficial, positioning Nigeria as a leader in regional migration governance.

What you should know 

Last month, Nairametrics reported that Nigeria ranked fourth among non-EU+ nationalities sending migrants to the United Kingdom in the year ending June 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The data highlights continued shifts in UK migration patterns, driven by fewer arrivals for work and study alongside modest increases in emigration.

A total of 40,000 Nigerians immigrated to the UK in the year ending June 2025, including 25,000 for study, 12,000 for work, and 3,000 via other routes.

Follow us for Breaking News and Market Intelligence.




SOURCE PAGE

*Say reckless issuance of licenses distort market dynamics

*Urge new NMDPRA chief to prioritise national interest

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday opposed the uncontrolled importation of petroleum products as well as what it described as the ‘reckless’ issuance of import licenses by the downstream/midstream regulator.

In a briefing in Abuja on recent happenings in the sector, National President of IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi, stated that the position of the organisation remains the deepening of domestic refining to eradicate imports of petroleum products into Nigeria.

Maintaining that the continuous import of fuel is not an acceptable parallel business model in the sector, IPMAN expressed delight over the recent agreement by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to begin the supply of petroleum products directly to its registered members.

IPMAN also applauded the support of the Chairman of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Aliko Dangote, to the federal government, which, according to the group, has become evident in the regular reduction of petroleum pump prices nationwide.

He added that as the group with the highest number of players in the petroleum supply chain in the downstream sector, controlling over 80 per cent of the petrol retail market, there will be no gap or scarcity in supply to Nigerians.

Maigandi also lauded the recent agreement by the Dangote Refinery to begin the supply of PMS products directly to registered IPMAN members, and its free delivery to their filling stations anywhere and everywhere in Nigeria which will commence in January 2026.

This, he said, will lead to further decrease in the pump price of the products at the filing stations and called on all IPMAN members nationwide to prioritise patronising the Dangote Refinery in the purchase of products, since the facility already offers the most affordable prices for all marketers today.

“At IPMAN we have no doubt as to the viability of the oil and gas policies being initiated by the federal government, and we have ceaselessly called and sought for enhanced cooperation across all levels of governance in the oil and gas sector. Hence our repeated persuasion to always partner the Dangote refinery, to ensure the steady availability of PMS products.

“The focus of the Dangote and IPMAN partnership has always been geared towards making life better for Nigerians. And of course, this blooming partnership would never have been possible without the pragmatic leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his sound judgment in readjusting the leadership of the NMDPRA and the NUPRC.

“Our position has always been to deepen domestic refining in order to eradicate imports of petroleum products. Continuous import is not an acceptable parallel business model because issuing import licenses recklessly distorts market dynamics, drains foreign exchange, enthrones poverty, destroys jobs, and scares potential investors away,” IPMAN pointed out.

While congratulating the new heads of the oil and gas regulatory bodies, IPMAN reminded them of the outstanding bridging claims owed to its members, totalling over N190 billion.

It specifically called on the NMPDRA’s new leadership to immediately make the debt a cause for serious concern as he assumes his new position.

“The independent petroleum marketers normally consider the interest of the government. Since Bola Tinubu has already allowed them to go and do other things, and he has brought in new leadership, actually we support what Mr. President has done.

“And our advice to the new leadership is to let him think of his country. Let him put Nigeria forward in all decisions that he wants to make. Because we cannot import products that we have in the country.

“Let him have a policy whereby the marketers, like we independent petroleum marketers, we can be able to have our refinery and be refining in the country, rather than going outside to be importing,” he argued.

SOURCE PAGE