Author: Najeeba Oyerinde

The Kwara State Government has reiterated its unwavering commitment to boosting the creative industry and expanding opportunities for practitioners across the state.

This assurance was given this weekend by the Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, while receiving an Award of Exceptional Leadership and Transformative Support for the Creative and Tourism Sectors on behalf of the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the 2025 Actors’ Summit, organized by Moyinnet Entertainment & Tourism in partnership with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Kwara State Chapter.

Represented by the Ministry’s Director of Personnel, Finance, and Supply, Hajia Yahaya Salamat Mohammed, the Commissioner highlighted key initiatives of the present administration geared towards strengthening the creative economy.

According to her, “First, I want to appreciate the organizers of this event for deeming His Excellency worthy of this award. There is no gainsaying the fact that His Excellency truly merits this recognition, as his government is doing amazingly well in boosting the creative industry. The establishment of the Sugar Factory Film Studio is one of the boldest steps taken to support creatives with a world-class production environment.”

She explained that the administration’s infrastructure development drives are deliberate efforts to attract investment.

“The rural and urban renewal projects being executed across Kwara are part of long-term strategies to give our state a befitting look and expand opportunities for investors, including those in the creative economy,” she said.

Giving his presentation at the event, the Artistic Director of Centre Stage Productions and Lecturer at Lagos State University, Professor Sola Fosudo, praised the Governor’s sustained investment in the creative sector.

According to him, “The Governor is supporting entertainers and artists in the state, giving them the platform and visibility needed to thrive. This level of commitment is rare and deeply commendable.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Kwara State Chapter, Chief Adedotun Adebayo Ajala, expressed gratitude to Governor AbdulRazaq for supporting the 2025 Actors’ Summit.

“This support lends credence to what people already know the Governor for—as the biggest supporter and promoter of the creative industry in the state,” he said.

He assured that AGN members would continue to be worthy ambassadors of the state, assuring that “In return, members of our Association will continue to represent Kwara State well and use our platform as a catalyst for development”.

The highlight of the event featured lectures from stakeholders in the acting industry, as well as dance and stage performances by the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture troupe and students from various institutions, including the Kwara State College of Education.

At least 11 residents have been kidnapped following a violent invasion of Isapa, a community neighbouring Eruku in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, on Monday evening.

The attack, which occurred around 6:00 p.m. on November 24, 2025, saw between 20 and 30 armed bandits storm the community with a large herd of cattle, firing shots indiscriminately. An elderly woman was hit by a stray bullet during the incident.

A Community leader who confirmed the development to National Pilot under strict anonymity, revealed that 11 people were abducted, with seven victims belonging to the same family. The kidnapped victims include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several young children.

The abducted individuals have been identified as:

Talatu Kabiru (Female, 20)

Magaji (Male, 6)

Kande (Female, 5)

Hadiza (Female, 10)

Mariam (Female, 6)

Saima (Female, 5)

A house wife, Habibat

A housewife, Fatima Yusufu

A pregnant woma, Sarah Sunday (Female, 22)

Lami Fidelis (Female, 23, nursing mother)

Haja Na Allah (Nursing mother)

Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers moved through parts of the town, leaving bullet holes in walls and doors. Expended AK-47 shells were found scattered across the community after the gunmen fled.

Residents remain in fear as security agencies and local vigilantes intensify efforts to track the kidnappers and rescue the abducted victims. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The National Pilot

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, has urged fellow Muslim

s to use the occasion of Maulud to reflect on the virtues of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The Federal Government had declared Friday, September 5th, 2025, a public holiday to commemorate Eid-ul-Maulud, the celebration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

Senator Barau, in a message to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), signed by his Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, described the noble Prophet as a role model to all.

“As we celebrate the birthday of our noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW), let us reflect on his virtues and teachings and follow his examples in our daily activities. Let us imbibe the lessons of compassion, peace and support for one another as preached by our noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he said.

He urged the Muslim community and all Nigerians to pray for peace, stability, and prosperity, stressing the importance of unity in overcoming the nation’s challenges.

Senator Barau, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, rereiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to continue enacting the necessary legislation to address the gaps in the country’s laws to address the nation’s challenges.

“The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, under my chairmanship, is working hard to amend the laws as canvassed by Nigerians. We recently conducted zonal public hearings in the six geopolitical zones.

“The public hearings convened to gather citizens’ inputs on the proposed amendments to the country’s constitution were successful, with a massive turnout of all stakeholders across the country.

“Critical national issues, including local government autonomy, electoral and judicial reforms, state creation, state police and inclusive governance, were all examined. We are not leaving any stone unturned in our quest to address the gaps in our laws for the benefit of all,” the statement reads.

The National Assembly will resume from its annual recess on September 23rd, 2025.

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Mai-Martaba Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, has expressed his heartfelt felicitation to Hajia Raliat Ajike Bolajoko Laaro on her elevation to the rank of Comptroller of Customs.

Alhaji Sulu-Gambari specifically commended the brand new Comptroller of Customs for her outstanding performances that has earned her the new rank stressing that, “You are indeed a role model to younger generation especially the women folk of Ilorin Emirate and beyond”.

In a congratulatory message issued by his spokesman, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir expressed deep joy over the avalanche of elevations beaconed on personalities in the Ilorin Emirate in which Comptroller of Customs Raliat Laaro is also one of them.

He thanked the authority of the Nigeria Customs Service for considering Hajia Raliat Laaro is eminently worthy and qualified to hang the enviable rank of Comptroller of Customs.

The monarch also rejoiced with the newly elevated Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service across the nation and prayed that Almighty Allah should grabt them the strength and guidance to service the nation and humanity in their respective positions.

President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on all members of the Super Falcons squad for winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The president also pledged the equivalent of $100,000 in naira to each of the 24 players and an additional $50,000 to members of the technical crew.

Each player and official in the team will also be getting a three-bedroom apartment in the Renewed Hope Estate in the Federal Capital Territory.

Also, the Nigeria Governors Forum also pledged a separate reward of N10 million for each of the players.

The Super Falcons won Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title on Saturday in Morocco.

The team came from two goals down to defeat the host country 3-2 in the final at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi and Jennifer Echegini were the goal scorers for the Falcons in the dramatic triumph.

While receiving the team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, Tinubu honoured every member of the WAFCON-winning squad with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) award.

The president then praised the team’s resilience, sportsmanship and can-do attitude.

Barely less than 24 hours of settlement, the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, attended a burial ceremony with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt.

ROYAL NEWS reports that hours earlier, Fubara and Wike attended a late-night peace meeting hosted by President Bola Tinubu at the presidential villa in Abuja.

On Saturday, the Minister’s Spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, shared in an X post that Wike was in Port Harcourt for the burial of his uncle.

“Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, alongside the Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, at the burial of Wike’s Uncle in Rumuepirikom, Rivers State today,” Olayinka posted.

Some lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly, and Martin Amaewhule, the suspended speaker of the assembly, also attended Thursday’s truce meeting.

The Kwara State Government on Monday announced that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, for the month of June, will hold on Saturday, 28th from seven o’clock to ten o’clock (7:00am to 10:00am).

It also called for total compliance, warning
against violation of environmental law of the state.

The statement signed by the Press Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Shakirat Muritala enjoined residents to participate fully in the sanitation exercise, by clearing and cleaning both their residential and business environments, to avoid the transmission of diseases.

It reads: “There will be no vehicular and human movement within and outside the metropolis, during the period of the exercise.” The statement warned.

“The Ministry will collaborate with relevant community based organisations, to ensure that water channels/drainages are debris and sandy materials free, so as not to obstruct the flow of rain waters to prevent floodings.”

The statement however warned that it is a punishable offence by law, to dump refuse on pedestrian walkways, road side, in drainages, canals, and any unapproved locations, adding that, erring members of the public, will be sanctioned accordingly.

It thereafter enjoined the public to give cleanliness top priority and encourage others to do the needful to sustain a cleaner and safer Kwara.

In his determination to ensure that every segment of society is sufficiently catered to within the ambit of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Abba Isa to serve as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters.

Mr. Mohammed Abba Isa is a distinguished champion of persons with disabilities with over a decade of experience in local and international advocacy on matters concerning persons with disabilities.

The new presidential aide is a graduate of Public Administration with honours from the University of Maiduguri where he would go on to earn a Masters in Public Administration at the same institution in 2017.

The President tasks the new appointee to proactively create avenues of opportunity for inclusion through the inculcation of PWD requirements and perspectives in the policies and programmes of all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the Federal Government while working closely with sub-national authorities to build a national consensus on PWD-friendly policy and environmental conditions in collaboration with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

November 9, 2023

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of twenty (20) qualified Nigerians to serve as Federal Commissioners in the National Population Commission (NPC) with nine current Federal Commissioners being appointed to a second term in office:

(1) Hon. Emmanuel Trump Eke — Abia

(2) Dr. Clifford Zirra — Adamawa — Reappointed

(3) Mr. Chidi Christopher Ezeoke — Anambra — Reappointed

(4) Barr. Isa Audu Buratai — Borno — Reappointed

(5) Bishop Alex Ukam — Cross River

(6) Ms. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba — Delta

(7) Dr. Jeremiah Ogbonna Nwankwegu — Ebonyi

(8) Dr. Tony Aiyejina — Edo — Reappointed

(9) Mr. Ejike Ezeh — Enugu — Reappointed

(10) Mr. Abubakar Damburam — Gombe — Reappointed

(11) Prof. Uba Nnabue — Imo — Reappointed

(12) Ms. Sa’adatu Dogon Bauchi Garba — Kaduna

(13) Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa — Kano

(14) Hon. Yori Afolabi — Kogi

(15) Hon. Olakunle Sobukola — Ogun

(16) Hon. Temitayo Oluseye Oluwatuyi — Ondo

(17) Sen. Mudashiru Hussain — Osun — Reappointed

(18) Ms. Mary Ishaya Afan — Plateau

(19) Mr. Ogiri Itotenaan Henry — Rivers

(20) Mr. Saany Sale — Taraba — Reappointed

The President charges the new and returning NPC Federal Commissioners to successfully implement all measures taken by his administration to produce and effectively appropriate accurate population data with which lasting solutions to Nigeria’s socio-political and economic challenges can be conclusively developed and executed.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

November 8, 2023

President Bola Tinubu has expressed commitment to attract businesses and additional Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as he attends two major summits.

Tinubu’s spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale who briefed State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa said the President will be heading to Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this week to attend the Saudi-Africa summit and the Arab African summit.

ROYAL NEWS reports that both events are scheduled to hold on the 10th and 11th November, 2023 respectively.

According to the presidential spokesman, President Tinubu in Saudi Arabia, would discuss several issues of mutual concern with respect to economic ties between the regions and with respect to the issues of counter terrorism, the environment and agriculture.

Ngelale said other areas for discussion will be in terms of accelerating the level of trade and investment between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the African continent.

“Obviously, President Tinubu, is very keen on ensuring that the Federal Republic of Nigeria within the context of the continent is in a position to maximally leverage on opportunities that will be afforded by the implementation of the African continental Free Trade Agreement, where we will be having a single trade market of over 1 billion Africans.

“The expectation according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa is that by the year 2050, our market here on the continent would have surpassed $29 trillion,” the presidential aide said.

Ngelale explained that President during the trip will be very active and leading that effort from the forefront.

At the Arab African summit holding on November 11, Ngelale said, President Tinubu in his capacity, also as the chairman of the authority of heads of government ECOWAS will be taking part in the summit ensuring that he is at the forefront of advocating for deepening partnership of the two regions that is the League of Arab nations as well as the African Union with respect to integration in terms of infrastructure, facilitation and the establishment of a new high speed train network that would tie Arab nations from the Middle East and Northern Africa, to the rest of the African continent.