The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Thursday, July 16, 2026, as the first day of Safar 1448AH after the non-sighting of the new crescent moon across Nigeria.

Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Professor Sambnoon Wali Junaidu, made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday.

He said the National Moonsighting Committee, in collaboration with various moonsighting committees across the country, did not receive any authenticated report confirming the sighting of the Safar crescent on Tuesday, July 14, corresponding to the 29th of Muharram 1448AH.

“The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, in conjunction with the National Moonsighting Committee, did not receive any report from various moonsighting committees across the country confirming the sighting of the crescent of Safar 1448AH on Tuesday, 14th July, 2026, equivalent to 29th Muharram 1448AH.

“Therefore, Wednesday, 15th July, 2026, will be the 30th of Muharram 1448AH,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the Sultan approved the completion of the current Islamic month and declared the commencement of the new month on Thursday.

The declaration marks the beginning of the second month of the Islamic calendar and serves as the official guide for Muslims across Nigeria in observing religious activities tied to the Hijri calendar.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Wednesday, announced successful candidates for enlistment into Air Force BMTC 46/2025.

Announcing the successful candidates in a statement on Wednesday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the names of successful candidates have been published on the official Nigerian Air Force recruitment portal.

“The candidates whose names appear on the published list were successful at the selection interview and are to report to the NAF Military Training Centre (MTC), NAF Base, Kaduna, on Sunday, 19 July 2026, to commence training,” the statement said.

It said all successful candidates are required to report with the originals and photocopies of their credentials, as well as other items specified in the instructions.

Candidates are advised to carefully review all instructions provided on the recruitment portal before reporting.

The statement further added that the Nigerian Air Force recruitment exercise is entirely free of charge.

Successful candidates and members of the public were advised to beware of fraudsters and refrain from making any payment to individuals or groups claiming to facilitate recruitment or enlistment into the force.

Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, along with Hon. Francis Shoga, has urged supporters of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign to adopt a more proactive approach.

They made this appeal in Abuja on Monday while addressing their followers, emphasizing the need for members to enhance grassroots mobilization in support of Tinubu.

They asserted that politics is not a pursuit for those who remain passive, stressing that now is the time to organize, mobilize, and convey their message to every street, community, and household.

Seyi Tinubu encouraged supporters to become “communicators, educators, mobilizers, and ambassadors of hope” by engaging with Nigerians through facts, empathy, and responsible leadership.

In his remarks, Shoga stated, “We must inform, engage, and empower Nigerians with clarity, facts, and conviction.

“Our mission is clear. Our target is 10 million votes. Our strength lies in our people. And our time is now. These 10 million votes will not be secured through slogans or social media; they will come from genuine individuals, established structures, meaningful engagement, and diligent work at the grassroots level.

“If you believe in this movement, bring someone into it. Get involved. Get organized. Get to work.

“History will one day inquire what we did when we had the opportunity to serve. Let our response be straightforward: we stood up, we organized, we worked, we mobilized, and we delivered,” he added.

Some former executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Misau Local Government Area of Bauchi State have defected to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), citing dissatisfaction with the leadership and internal affairs of the ruling party.
The defectors announced their decision at a gathering coordinated by Hon. Maiwada Bakoji Misau and Hon. Shehu Dubagari Misau, describing the move as a “political awakening” aimed at promoting justice, fairness and inclusive leadership in Bauchi State.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the former APC officials said their decision to leave the party was driven by what they described as a lack of internal democracy, poor leadership and the neglect of grassroots members.

“We are joining the PRP because politics should be about service to humanity, empowerment and meaningful development,” the group said.

The new members pledged to mobilise support for the PRP ahead of the 2027 general election, expressing confidence in the party’s vision and leadership.

Welcoming the defectors, PRP leaders assured them of equal opportunities and active participation in the party’s activities.

They also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to justice, unity, transparency and people-oriented leadership, urging members to remain united as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

The Director General (DG) of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in disaster risk management, research, capacity building and institutional resilience.

Mrs. Zubaida Umar gave the assurance on Monday, 13th July, 2026, while receiving the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, who led the university’s management team on a courtesy visit to the NEMA Headquarters in Abuja.

Welcoming the delegation, the Director General assured the university of NEMA’s commitment to scaling up the existing partnership between the two organizations. She said that partnerships with academic institutions are critical to strengthening evidence-based disaster management, advancing research and innovation, and building national resilience.

Mrs. Zubaida Umar said that NEMA has continued to reposition disaster management in Nigeria by placing greater emphasis on disaster risk reduction, early warning dissemination, public awareness, preparedness and resilience-building, rather than relying solely on emergency response.

She explained that the Agency has also sustained nationwide sensitisation campaigns, strengthened collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), and promoted the establishment and effective functioning of Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) to enhance community-based disaster risk management.

She emphasized that disaster management begins at the community level and underscored the importance of collaboration with tertiary institutions in promoting disaster risk education, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, emergency preparedness, research and institutional capacity development.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, commended the Director General, NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar for her exemplary leadership and the remarkable progress recorded by NEMA in disaster management and humanitarian coordination.

He described Mrs. Zubaida Umar as one of the university’s distinguished alumni whose professionalism, integrity and dedication to public service continue to bring pride to the institution.

Prof. Ahmed explained that the visit was also to appreciate NEMA’s longstanding support for the ABU Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies, which has trained professionals serving in disaster management institutions across Nigeria.

He said the university was seeking to deepen its collaboration with NEMA in research, capacity building and disaster risk reduction to address the growing complexity of disasters associated with climate change, rapid urbanisation and other emerging risks.

He also appealed for the Agency’s support in strengthening emergency preparedness within the university, particularly in addressing risks associated with ageing infrastructure, erosion, fire incidents and other hazards.

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare, security and well-being of Corps members serving in the state, describing them as critical partners in the government’s development agenda.

Governor Ododo gave the assurance while receiving the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, at the Government House in Lokoja.

Congratulating the Director General on his appointment, the Governor expressed confidence in his leadership, saying his tenure would be remembered for reforms that would further strengthen the Scheme and enhance its contributions to national development.

He assured the NYSC leadership that his administration would continue to provide a safe, secure and conducive environment for Corps members throughout their service year in Kogi State, stressing that the security of every resident and visitor, including Corps members, remains a top priority of his government.

Governor Ododo disclosed that he had personally visited the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Asaya on several occasions to assess its condition, noting that his administration places premium on firsthand evaluation of projects rather than relying solely on reports.

He announced that the state government had concluded plans to undertake a comprehensive renovation and upgrade of the orientation camp to improve its infrastructure and position it among the best in the country. According to him, consultants had already been engaged and architectural designs were being prepared for the project.

On the payment of the monthly state allowance to Corps members, Governor Ododo expressed surprise that this had not been sustained, describing the development as unacceptable. He immediately directed the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development to work with relevant government officials to review the matter and ensure prompt action, stressing that Corps members deserve adequate support and encouragement while serving the nation.

He further appealed to the NYSC to deploy more teachers and medical doctors to Kogi State to strengthen service delivery in critical sectors. The Governor noted that his administration had introduced attractive incentives, including special allowances for medical personnel, to improve healthcare delivery across the state.

The Chairman of the Kogi State NYSC Governing Board and Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe, commended Governor Ododo for prioritising the welfare of Corps members. He noted that the Governor recently inaugurated the State NYSC Governing Board, describing the development as a landmark achievement in the history of the Scheme in Kogi State.

Anyebe added that the Governor has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the Scheme through improved welfare packages, transportation support, enhanced camp feeding, prompt intervention in infrastructure challenges and the planned comprehensive renovation of the orientation camp.

In his remarks, the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, commended Governor Ododo for his unwavering support for the Scheme, particularly in the areas of security, infrastructure and Corps members’ welfare.

He described Kogi as one of the safest states for Corps members, noting that all the state’s 21 local government areas currently receive Corps members owing to the government’s effective security architecture.

The Director General also lauded the Governor for inaugurating the State NYSC Governing Board and appealed for sustained collaboration between the state government and the Scheme to further enhance service delivery and the welfare of Corps members.

Gunmen had opened fire at people after a funeral in north-central Nigeria killing eight, Police said Monday.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue state. Five others were wounded, state Police spokesperson Udeme Edet said.

It wasn’t clear what triggered the attack. Herders and farmers have often clashed over resources in Benue, a key food-producing state in Nigeria. Last year, 150 people were killed in the Yelewata community.

Edet said thatched houses and a motorcycle were also set ablaze, adding that more officers have been deployed in the area.

Amnesty International Nigeria said at least 10 people were killed. Police in Nigeria often report more conservative casualty figures.

The rights group said protests by youth in the aftermath of the attack showed that people have had enough and seek an end to raids and abductions that have made “life a hell” in many parts of Benue state.

“The government must live up to its main obligation of protecting lives and property,” the group said.

A faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, led by its National Chairman,  Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe has successfully uploaded credentials of its presidential, vice presidential and national assembly candidates on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC portal.

Nafiu, who disclosed the development in a statement he issued on Sunday, didn’t give details of the faction’s candidates whose names were submitted to the commission.

“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, under my leadership, has successfully completed the upload of our Presidential, Vice-Presidential, and National Assembly candidates on the INEC portal for the 2027 General Elections”, he said.

He said the party under his leadership is focused on fielding credible, competent, and people-centered candidates for the 2027 elections.

“This achievement demonstrates our Party’s firm commitment to safeguarding the interests of our founding and legacy members in the face of anti-democratic tendencies.

“As a Party, the ADC remains resolute in its mission to field credible, competent, and people-centered candidates who will provide purposeful leadership, promote good governance, and bring hope to the Nigerian people”, he added.