The Acting Commander, 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Colonel Joseph Umaru, has directed commanders and troops under the brigade’s area of responsibility in Kebbi State to intensify intelligence-led operations against bandits and other criminal elements.

Umaru gave the directive during his familiarisation tour of units in the state from September 8 to 9, 2026, according to a post by the Nigerian Army on X on Thursday.

He urged troops to strengthen intelligence gathering, information sharing and cooperation with sister security agencies, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders to deny criminals freedom of action.

The commander also directed troops and commanders to sustain coordinated and proactive operations while remaining professional and adhering strictly to the rules of engagement and the protection of civilians.

He stressed the importance of troop welfare, motivation, training and professional development, urging commanders to embrace the Chief of Army Staff’s “Soldiers First” mantra.

Umaru said properly led, motivated and equipped troops would be better positioned to sustain operational pressure and accomplish their assigned tasks.

During the tour, the commander assessed the operational readiness and challenges of units under the brigade, including 223 Light Tank Battalion, Zuru; COAS Intervention Battalion III, Sakaba; and 1 Battalion, Birnin Kebbi.

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has appointed commissioners, board chairmen and others to pivotal positions within the state government.

The government described the appointments as a strategic move to accelerate the administration’s development agenda and deepen institutional reforms.

In a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibraheem Musa, the governor appointed Ben Kure as Commissioner for Sports Development; Amina Akilu Dalhat as Commissioner for Special Duties I; Abdullahi Garba Abbas as Commissioner for Special Duties II; and Dr Halliru Soba as Deputy Chief of Staff, Administration.

According to the statement, Governor Sani also appointed new members to key boards.

Those appointed include Alhaji Munir Jafaru, Board Chairman, Kaduna State Health Care Board; AVM Bashir Gamagira Saidu, Board Chairman, Kaduna Vigilance Service Board; Hon. Justice Gideon Isa Kurada (Rtd), Board Chairman, College of Education, Gidan Waya; Esther Bago, Board Chairman, Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development; Dr Yusuf Aliyu Bature, Board Chairman, Kaduna Hospital Supply Management Agency; and Engr. Namadi Musa, Board Chairman, Kaduna Rural Access Roads Authority.

The statement said the appointments were aimed at accelerating the administration’s transformational agenda, optimising public service delivery and fostering sustainable economic growth.

While congratulating the new appointees, Governor Sani said they had been carefully selected based on their proven track record of excellence, integrity and dedication.

The governor charged them to bring fresh perspectives, reject complacency and align completely with his administration’s vision of a transformed and resilient state.

The Southern Youth Forum has called for dialogue between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Osun State Government over the controversy surrounding the tenure extension of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Prof. Clement Adebooye.

The socio-cultural group urged stakeholders in the university community to prioritise peace and the interests of students while resolving the disagreement over the decision to extend Adebooye’s tenure by two years.

The National President of the group, Olajide Olakunle, made the appeal while addressing journalists in Osogbo on Thursday.

Olakunle said the group decided to intervene after considering the possible consequences of a prolonged disagreement within the institution, particularly its impact on students and academic activities.

He appealed to the leadership of ASUU at UNIOSUN to embrace dialogue and allow the relevant authorities to address the matter in accordance with the provisions of the law establishing the university.

The controversy followed Governor Ademola Adeleke’s decision, in his capacity as Visitor to the university, to extend Adebooye’s tenure by two years.

ASUU had rejected the extension, alleging that it violated provisions of the university’s enabling law and the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.

Following an emergency National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on September 5, the union directed its UNIOSUN branch to mobilise against what it described as a flagrant violation of the relevant legal provisions.

ASUU also constituted a visitation team to engage the university administration, governing council and the Visitor in an effort to resolve the dispute within two weeks.

Responding to the union’s position, the Osun State Government said it respected the right of recognised staff unions to express their views on issues concerning the university’s administration and welfare.

The government, however, maintained that the administration of UNIOSUN was governed by law, with statutory responsibilities assigned to the Visitor, governing council and other organs of the institution.

It also rejected suggestions that the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure extension was imposed arbitrarily or outside the due process established by law.

The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the existing tenure of Adebooye remained valid until January 2027.

According to Alimi, “the current tenure of the vice-chancellor subsists until January 2027,” adding that the government had therefore not taken any retroactive decision regarding his tenure.

The government explained that following the Visitor’s decision, the Osun State House of Assembly commenced and completed the process of amending the UNIOSUN Establishment Law to provide a statutory basis for the tenure extension.

Olakunle urged ASUU to respect constituted authority and avoid actions capable of creating division, saying, “We must consider the negative implications of crises, especially on the students, who belong to our own group. Laws should be respected.”

He added, “ASUU should allow the constituted authority to manage the institution according to the laws governing the institution. External influences should be disregarded. The union should not cause crises over the matter.”

The youth leader also appealed for the continuation of peace at UNIOSUN, saying, “I won’t end this address without appealing to the UNIOSUN ASUU to kindly allow the peace that has been existing in the university to continue, as the VC remains father to all and he will continue to practise the open-door policy he is known for.”

Olakunle also highlighted projects and academic expansion recorded under Adebooye, claiming that 35 building projects and 28 laboratories had been constructed or renovated across the university’s campuses.

He stated that the number of bachelor’s degree programmes had increased from 66 to 128 in about four years, while the university’s student population rose from approximately 14,600 to 42,348.

The Southern Youth Forum consequently urged ASUU, the state government, the university management and other stakeholders to use dialogue and the applicable legal framework to resolve the disagreement.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has appealed to voters in the South-East to support the re-election of her husband, President Bola Tinubu, in the 2027 presidential election.

Mrs Tinubu said she wanted to enjoy a better Nigeria in her old age, adding that she and the President were committed to working for the development of the country.

The First Lady made the appeal on Wednesday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during an official visit to the South-East for the empowerment of women.

“Make una vote for Mr President, we go work for una and Nigeria go better.

“I want to enjoy Nigeria at old age, so I will work for Nigeria, for my old age,” she said.

Mrs Tinubu said the empowerment programme was being implemented through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to her, the programme would benefit 18,500 women across the country upon completion.

She said 500 women from each of the five South-East states would receive items including generators, industrial grinding machines, gas cylinders and ovens to support their businesses.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and former member of the House of Representatives, Elder Chidi Wihioka, has vowed that Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State would be delivered to the ruling party in the 2027 general elections, urging the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, not to worry.

DAILY POST reports that Ikwerre LGA is the hometown of the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi.

Apparently making reference to Amaechi, Elder Chidi, in a viral video, said the former Minister of Transportation would be caged during the election.

According to him, the ADC presidential running mate would be pressured to announce his decision to boycott the election.

He said, “Our leader Nyesom Wike shouldn’t bother about the Ikwerre Local Government votes.

“The person that said he wants to do this and that, I know him. We grew up together, and we know how to cage him. At the appropriate time, we will cage him, and that will be the story.

“When he announces that he is boycotting the election, we shall escort him to the airport to fly back.”

The Federal Civil Service Commission, FCSC, has released the dates and designated centres for the 2026 Directorate-Level Promotion Examination.

The examination is scheduled in accordance with Circular Ref. No. FC.6243/GOV/2026/VOL.III/22, dated Sept. 8, 2026, and signed by the Chairman of the Commission, Prof Tunji Olaopa.

Ibraheem Zakariyya, Head of Press and Public Relations of the Commission, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

Zakariyya quoted Olaopa to have informed all accredited candidates of the scheduled dates for the local and foreign legs of the examination.

Olaopa advised candidates to carefully note the examination date indicated on their examination cards and report at their designated venues by 7:00 a.m. prompt.

He said the local leg of the examination would hold from Monday, Sept. 21 to Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, for candidates across all applicable grade levels.

The examination, he said, would be conducted across the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He listed the designated centres as Lafia, Nasarawa State, for the North-Central zone; Kaduna, Kaduna State, for the North-West zone; and Bauchi, Bauchi State, for the North-East zone.

According to NAN, others are Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for the South-South; Ibadan, Oyo State, for the South-West; Enugu, Enugu State, for the South-East; and Abuja, FCT, for the FCT and Commission headquarters.

He urged candidates to sit for the examination only at the venue specifically indicated on their examination identity cards.

“The Commission therefore urges all accredited candidates to verify their examination details ahead of time and make adequate arrangements to arrive at their respective centres early to avoid any inconvenience,” he said.

The Yobe State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed Mallam Dauda Alhaji Idi and Dr. Abubakar Bukar Kagu as members of the State Executive Council.
The nominees appeared before the House on Wednesday and were confirmed after responding to questions from lawmakers on their qualifications, experience, competence, and readiness to serve the people of the state.

Speaking after the confirmation, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Chiroma Buba Mashio, said the nominees were approved based on their professional competence, proven integrity, and extensive working experience.

He described the two new commissioners as individuals who have held various positions in public service and political appointments within the state.

Mashio commended Governor Mai Mala Buni, for nominating “deserving people” to fill vacant positions in the State Executive Council.

He urged the newly confirmed commissioners to work diligently and justify the confidence reposed in them by the state government and the people of Yobe.

In another development, a bill seeking to amend the law establishing the Yobe State Universal Basic Education Board has scaled through its second reading on the floor of the House.

The bill was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Basic and Secondary Education for further legislative action.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the appointment of Prof. Badejo Ayodeji Olawunmi as the new Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU).

The appointment was announced on Wednesday by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement.

Badejo, a professor of Guidance and Counselling, was born on August 4, 1962.

She holds a Ph.D. in Guidance and Counselling as well as a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in the same field, both obtained from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Her appointment follows the completion of the five-year tenure of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who is retiring from the university.

The development marks a transition in the leadership of the institution following the expiration of Olatunji-Bello’s tenure.

According to the state government, Governor Sanwo-Olu approved Badejo’s appointment on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.