The Senate Committee on Finance has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for launching Nigeria’s National Halal Economy Strategy, describing it as a bold and strategic initiative to position the country within the global halal market, currently valued at an estimated $7.7 trillion.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Senator Sani Musa, the committee said the initiative was timely and aligned with global best practices, noting that countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Brazil, Thailand, and Singapore have successfully leveraged halal frameworks to boost manufacturing, agricultural exports, financial services, and foreign investment.
The committee highlighted Nigeria’s strong fundamentals, including its vast agricultural resources, large domestic market, youthful population, expanding manufacturing base, and growing services sector, as key drivers that could make the halal economy strategy successful. It added that the strategy complements the Tinubu administration’s broader economic reforms, particularly efforts to diversify exports, increase non-oil revenue, create jobs, support SMEs, and strengthen foreign exchange earnings. The National Halal Economy Strategy was officially unveiled on Thursday, February 6, 2026, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing President Tinubu.
The Senate committee urged stakeholders to fully support the initiative to ensure Nigeria maximizes its potential in the global halal market. If you want, I can also create a four-paragraph concise version for easier reading or media circulation. Do you want me to do that?
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated Majority FM 89.5, a new radio station in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, aimed at supporting the re-election campaign of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The station is located inside the Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ office and will serve as a platform for political messaging and grassroots mobilisation.
The facility is part of a broader campaign infrastructure, which includes office facilities, vehicles, and a situation room designed to strengthen communication and engagement across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State. Wike personally inspected the studios and interacted with staff during the commissioning ceremony.
Speaking at the launch, Wike stated that the station would play a key role in mobilising support for Tinubu, highlighting that Rivers State is “battle-ready” for the 2027 elections. He described the initiative as concrete action to galvanise voters rather than mere rhetoric.
Wike also emphasized that the state does not require backing from a sitting governor to support Tinubu, underscoring the importance of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and other political leaders in rallying grassroots support. The launch signals the intensifying political activity in the South-South region as parties and stakeholders position themselves for the upcoming elections.
A Presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Hashim has described the recent killings in Woro community of Kwara State as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of rural communities in Nigeria, warning that the country risks drifting into an era where mass attacks occur without swift or effective state response.
In a statement issued over the weekend, Hashim said the scale of the attack demands more than expressions of sympathy, calling for urgent accountability from security authorities.
“This killing is unprecedented in its scale and unmatched in its barbarity. I offer my condolences to the Woro community, but condolence is not enough this time around,” he said.
Hashim urged the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights to initiate an international probe into the incident, insisting that the public deserves clarity on why intelligence about the impending attack was allegedly ignored.
According to him, the tragedy underscores how exposed rural populations have become.
“The killings in Woro have demonstrated how easy it is for any group of deranged men to take hundreds of lives without resistance,” he stated.
The former presidential candidate raised concerns over the absence of aerial intervention during the attack, arguing that Nigeria’s air capabilities should make claims of “remoteness” untenable.
Referencing the Nigerian Air Force presence along the Wawa–New Bussa axis, which he said is less than a 15-minute flight from Woro, Hashim questioned why no emergency air support was deployed.
“I hear the unacceptable explanation that it takes hours to access the remote village. So what happened with the Air Force?” he asked.
Hashim also pointed to what he described as inconsistencies in military responsiveness, recalling past operations beyond Nigeria’s borders.
“The world needs to know why the Air Force that could fly to Benin Republic to save the Beninois President from mutiny could not save the Woro people within the same geographical axis,” he said.
He further criticised the military high command, noting that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically intervened decisively in regional conflicts such as those in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
“The conduct of the military high command falls short of Nigeria’s standard. Nigeria’s Army stopped killings in Sierra Leone and Liberia before. Why then can it not stop the slaughter of Nigerians in their own communities?” he queried.
Hashim said reports indicated that attackers had sent a threat letter to the community and that authorities were notified. He also questioned claims that soldiers were deployed but later withdrawn.
“Nigerians deserve to know who ordered that withdrawal and why,” he said.
He described as deeply troubling reports that security agencies were alerted during the attack but arrived only after the assailants had fled, asking how nearly 200 people could be killed without arrests or credible information about the perpetrators days later.
Hashim warned that repeated delays in security response are emboldening attackers while widening the trust gap between citizens and the government. “This is the tragedy of rural Nigeria today. Citizens are attacked, yet the state arrives after the attack, not during the attack,” he said.
He cautioned that persistent failure to protect remote communities could push residents toward self-help measures such as vigilante reprisals, ethnic profiling, and unregulated armed groups.
“When communities feel abandoned, they will begin to seek survival outside the state. That is how societies slide into deeper instability,” he warned.
Hashim called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian Air Force, and other security agencies to provide a detailed operational account of the incident, including timelines of distress calls, response actions, and reasons for the absence of aerial deployment.
He also advocated reforms aimed at strengthening rural protection through rapid-response systems, aerial surveillance, helicopter deployment, and forward operating bases in vulnerable border areas. The Woro killings, he added, should not be treated as an isolated episode but as a signal of expanding insecurity across the North Central corridor, particularly communities bordering Niger State and the Kainji Lake region.
Without decisive action, he warned, Kwara State could emerge as a new frontline for banditry and rural terrorism, threatening agriculture, livelihoods, and social stability.
“Nigeria must not normalize massacres. If a village can be attacked for hours and the state still cannot respond, then we are facing a serious national emergency,” Hashim said.
The Lagos State Government has sealed the Ladipo Spare Parts Market along the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road (Apapa–Oshodi Expressway) due to repeated environmental infractions. The action targets indiscriminate refuse disposal on the median and highway as well as illegal street trading, which have persisted despite previous warnings.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that the closure aligns with the state’s “zero tolerance” policy on environmental abuse and unregulated trading. The enforcement aims to protect public health, traffic flow, and sanitation standards in one of Lagos’ busiest automotive hubs.
Ladipo Market has faced similar sanctions in the past, with traders only allowed to resume operations after complying with environmental and waste-management regulations. Officials emphasized that adherence to these standards is mandatory for reopening, highlighting the government’s commitment to sustainable urban management.
Residents and motorists have long complained about the obstruction, litter, and safety hazards caused by indiscriminate dumping and roadside trading. The current closure serves as a strong warning to other markets and traders in Lagos to maintain environmental compliance or face similar sanctions.
FUTA Bans Neolife, Faith Heroic Group Activities on Campus, Warns Students The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has announced an immediate ban on the activities of Neolife and the Faith Heroic Group (FHG) within the university community, warning students to steer clear of the organisations.
The directive was contained in an official circular issued by the university management, citing concerns over the operations of the groups and their potential impact on students’ academic focus and overall welfare. According to the management, neither Neolife nor FHG is recognised or approved to operate within the institution.
FUTA authorities stressed that the university maintains strict guidelines governing the activities of associations, religious bodies, and commercial groups on campus. Any organisation found operating without approval, the statement noted, is considered to be in violation of university regulations and subject to sanctions.
The management further advised students to be vigilant and avoid engaging with unauthorised groups, especially those that may involve financial commitments, recruitment drives, or activities capable of distracting students from their primary academic responsibilities.
The university reiterated its commitment to providing a safe, disciplined, and academically focused environment, adding that security operatives and relevant units have been directed to enforce the ban. Students were also encouraged to report any continued activities of the banned groups to appropriate university authorities for necessary action.
Activities marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of Ogun State continued on Thursday with a vibrant cultural carnival and road show that brought colour, music and excitement to major streets of Abeokuta, the state capital.
The procession featured six beautifully decorated floats representing the state’s major regions — Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba (RIYE) — alongside a symbolic fish float highlighting the riverine communities, all celebrating Ogun’s rich cultural diversity.
Speaking at a reception held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto, Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun reaffirmed the state’s growing prominence in Nigeria, attributing its progress to the resilience, creativity and hard work of its people.
He described the carnival as a powerful showcase of Ogun’s cultural strength and organisational capacity, noting that it reflected the state’s ability to excel both economically and socially.
“Just as we demonstrated during the National Sports Festival, we have once again shown that Ogun State is not only the gateway to Nigeria’s prosperity, but also the gateway to tourism, culture and social awakening,” the governor said.
“Our sense of state pride is at an all-time high. What we witnessed today — from morning till now — has been remarkable, spectacular and truly inspiring.”
Governor Abiodun expressed gratitude to past leaders for laying solid foundations for the state’s development and to civil servants whose dedication has helped build a thriving economy.
According to him, Ogun’s current achievements are built on decades of sacrifice, perseverance and collective effort, which have shaped the state into a proud cultural hub experiencing steady growth across sectors.
The governor noted that the carnival was designed to promote unity, heritage and resilience, adding that the golden jubilee celebration reflects the shared identity and pride of the people.
He assured residents of his administration’s continued commitment to people-focused policies and sustained development across the state.
No fewer than 3,000 indigenes from the 20 local government areas participated in the festivities, alongside dancers in traditional attire, drummers, masquerades, folkloric performers, skaters and bikers, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the city.
The highlight of the celebration was a colourful procession that moved from Oke-Igbein through Omida and Oke-Ilewo before ending at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, where cultural displays, acrobatic performances and music further thrilled spectators.
Says Donor Targets Are Replacing Patient Safety and Urges Emergency Review
The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has expressed urgent concern over rising reports from Nigerian women experiencing medical complications linked to family planning methods, particularly implants and other modern contraceptives, calling for immediate reforms in patient centered care, complication management, and ethical standards in public health facilities across the country.
In a statement issued over the weekend, PeacePro Executive Director Abdulrazaq Hamzat said the organization has documented multiple complaints from women nationwide, most recently in North Central Nigeria, reporting symptoms including breast pain and swelling, abnormal bleeding, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, and blood pressure fluctuations.
PeacePro stressed that while family planning remains an important component of reproductive health, no intervention can be considered successful if women experiencing complications are unable to access timely care or feel discouraged from reporting symptoms.
“PeacePro supports voluntary and informed family planning. However, women’s safety, dignity, and autonomy must remain the foundation of every reproductive health intervention,” Hamzat stated.
“When women suffer preventable harm and are silenced in public hospitals, it deepens distrust in the state, increases household tension, and fuels resentment, all of which directly undermine peacebuilding and social stability.”
The organization reported that many cases have led to hospital admissions in private facilities lasting days, indicating serious medical consequences. PeacePro also raised concern that even after contraceptive implants are removed, pain and complications often persist for weeks and months, yet public facilities provide little or no structured follow-up care, forcing women to rely on private hospitals for ongoing treatment.
According to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) analysis of 6,365 contraceptive discontinuation episodes, 15.2% of all respondents discontinued modern family planning because of perceived adverse effects/health concerns.
The same national survey shows that method discontinuation within 12 months occurred frequently and 37% of contraceptive use episodes were discontinued within 12 months, with about 24% of implant episodes discontinued due to side effects/health concerns.
Hamzat further explained that, clinical research on the Jadelle contraceptive implant in Nigerian women found that 31.1% developed irregular uterine bleeding by six months of use, and 16.6% became amenorrheic (ceased menstrual bleeding) by 12 months of use.
PeacePro also stated that, a facility level study at a Nigerian teaching hospital reported that among Jadelle users, 48.5% reported side effects, with menstrual irregularities (55%) and amenorrhea (24.4%) among the most common manifestations.
Additionally, a broader review of modern contraceptive discontinuation among sexually active married women in Nigeria showed 35.8% overall discontinuation, with injectables (25.2%) and implants/Norplant (22.4%) as leading methods discontinued and side effects/health concerns as a prominent reason in many cases.
Hamzat maintained that, these data illustrate real patterns of discontinuation and side effects in Nigeria, grounded in national surveys (NDHS) and peer reviewed clinical research on implants, not anecdotal claims.
PeacePro highlighted reports that women who request discontinuation of certain methods are sometimes faced with discouraging counseling, administrative delays, or fees for removal, practices that violate informed consent, reproductive autonomy, and patient centered care.
The organization warned that donor driven programs that emphasize targets without adequately prioritizing safety risk erosion of public trust in health systems, widening health inequalities, especially in rural areas and increased reliance on unsafe alternatives due to fear of side effects.
“Family planning must never become a numbers driven system,” Hamzat said. “It must remain a health driven system that respects women’s choices and protects their safety.”
PeacePro is calling on the Federal and State Ministries of Health, development partners, and implementing agencies to pause further aggressive family planning campaigns pending a comprehensive safety review.
The federal government should conduct a nationwide audit of family planning processes, patient follow-up, and complication management in all public facilities, establish an independent patient safety review body to assess how complications and discontinuation requests are handled, documented, and resolved, Guarantee barrier free discontinuation, including removal without unofficial fees, delays, or coercion and Strengthen reporting systems to ensure complications are systematically captured and addressed through evidence based policy.
“Any system that discourages reporting, delays discontinuation, or ignores complications is unacceptable and must be corrected immediately,” Hamzat concluded.
PeacePro emphasized that addressing these issues is not only a public health necessity but also a peacebuilding imperative, as preventable suffering and institutional neglect erode social trust and community stability.
The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its readiness for the official commencement of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), in line with the Federal Government’s directive for a gradual transition from pen-and-paper examinations to full digital testing. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
According to the release, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Olusegun Olayiwola, made the disclosure while receiving the Zonal Coordinator and Deputy Registrar of WAEC, Mr. Waheed Amode, and his management team during a courtesy visit.
Olayiwola revealed that Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has directed that the cost implications for the procurement of over 60,000 laptops for public senior secondary schools across the state be worked out. He said the initiative is aimed at positioning Oyo State ahead of the full adoption of CBT examinations nationwide.
The Education Commissioner commended WAEC for the proactive steps taken to address challenges encountered during the 2025 examinations, while assuring the Council of the Ministry’s continued support in curbing examination malpractice and preventing vandalisation of school facilities.
In his remarks, Amode said the visit was to appreciate the Oyo State Ministry of Education for its support during the 2025 WAEC examinations and for its consistent collaboration with the Council, describing the Ministry as a critical stakeholder in WAEC’s operations.
He disclosed that registration for the 2026 May/June WAEC examination closed on February 2, 2026, noting that the forthcoming examinations would be conducted using a hybrid of CBT and pen-and-paper modes, depending on the level of preparedness of individual schools.
Amode added that schools willing to participate fully in CBT examinations must formally indicate their interest through official correspondence. He also warned that severe penalties await candidates found with mobile phones in examination halls, stressing that such infractions could lead to the cancellation of an entire school’s results, depending on the gravity of the offence. He urged school principals and teachers to uphold integrity and discipline in order to strengthen educational standards across the state.
Chief Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has faulted any attempt by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to determine or impose leadership on the opposition party, insisting that only the PDP constitution and its members can decide who leads the party.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Bode George reacted to reports suggesting that INEC was recognising a Wike-aligned faction of the PDP, following the appearance of its representatives at a recent INEC consultative meeting. He cautioned that such developments, if mishandled, could deepen the party’s internal crisis and threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
The PDP chieftain stressed that INEC’s role is purely regulatory and administrative, not arbitral, adding that engagement with any faction should not be misconstrued as legal or constitutional recognition. According to him, unresolved court cases and internal party processes must first be concluded before any leadership claims can be considered valid.
Bode George called on party leaders to put the PDP’s survival above personal interests, urging reconciliation, respect for court rulings, and strict adherence to the party’s constitution. He warned that failure to resolve the leadership crisis transparently could weaken the PDP ahead of future elections and undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
The Oyo State House of Assembly has raised urgent concerns over the recurring cases of illegal revenue collection, multiple stickers, and harassment of commercial drivers, tricyclists, and motorcyclists across the state, vowing to take decisive steps to protect the rights and welfare of these critical operators in the transport sector.
The motion, titled “Need to Curb Illegal Revenue Collection, Multiple Stickers, and Harassment of Commercial Drivers, Tricyclists, and Motorcyclists in Oyo State”, was co-sponsored by Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, Speaker of the House, alongside Hon. Rasak Mabaje (Ido), Hon. Sanjo Onaolapo (Ogbomoso South), Hon. Babajide Adebayo (Ibadan North II), and Hon. Akintunde Olajide (Lagelu).
The Motion was presented on Thursday during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.
In moving the motion, the lawmakers highlighted the vital role played by commercial motorcyclists, tricycle operators, bus and taxi drivers in ensuring mobility, employment, and livelihood for thousands of Oyo State residents across both urban and rural communities.
They noted that operators are mandated to pay annual revenue stickers covering statutory state-imposed levies totaling N10,500, as well as a daily ticket of N300, which is meant to cover operational levies.
Despite compliance with these official requirements, commercial drivers reportedly continue to face illegal roadblocks, arbitrary collection of additional stickers, extortion, threats, and even physical harassment by individuals posing as government agents or park officials.
Unauthorised levies reportedly range from N2,500 to N5,000, often imposed without receipts or accountability.
The Assembly expressed deep concern that such practices undermine the credibility of government revenue systems, fuel fare increases, discourage compliance, and expose drivers, commercial motorcyclists and tricyclist to economic hardship and physical risk.
They emphasized that unless urgent harmonization of transport-related stickers and daily tickets is implemented, the menace will persist across the state.
Consequently, the House resolved to urge the Executive Arm of Government to harmonise all transport-related revenue systems and collections into a single, universally recognised framework.
This includes publishing and gazetting the harmonised ticketing system, enforcing compliance through Oyo State Road Traffic Management Agency (OYRTMA) and security agencies, dismantling illegal roadblocks, prosecuting offenders, and ensuring collaboration with drivers’ unions and park management authorities to protect the rights of commercial operators.
The motion also tasked the Assembly’s Committees on Transport, Finance, Appropriation, and State Economic Planning to liaise with relevant ministries, agencies, and drivers’ associations to ensure the full implementation of the harmonised system.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, praised the motion, emphasizing its timeliness and necessity.
He said he personally co-sponsored it to demonstrate the Assembly’s commitment to securing the welfare of the state’s transport operators and strengthening compliance with government revenue policies.
