BANNER NEWS

Year: 2026

  • Nyong Urges ADC to Free Itself From PDP Shackles

    Nyong Urges ADC to Free Itself From PDP Shackles

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    Former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State, Dr Effiong Nyong, has urged the party’s national leadership to urgently “rescue itself” from what he described as the clutches of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) politicians allegedly hijacking its structure and ideals.
    Nyong made the call in a letter addressed to the ADC National Chairman, in response to a communication signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, titled “Composition of the ADC 50 Wise Men and Women Policy Manifesto Committee.”
    He faulted the inclusion of some individuals listed as leaders of the ADC in Cross River State, insisting that those recognised by the party’s national headquarters were neither members of the ADC nor had they resigned their membership of the PDP.


    “If in truth the ADC is out to rescue Cross River State and Nigeria, then it must first rescue itself from the clutches and shackles of these impostors,” Nyong said, accusing the individuals of seeking to use the ADC platform for “narrow-minded interests” while shutting out genuine members.
    He specifically denounced the inclusion of Senator Gershom Bassey and Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, both of the PDP, among those listed for the committee, stressing that neither was a registered member of the ADC in the state.
    According to him, the politicians “have never identified with the ADC in Cross River State,” adding that they do not possess ADC membership cards, are unknown in any ward or chapter of the party, and have never contributed financially or otherwise to its activities.
    Nyong argued that what was being presented nationally as the ADC structure in Cross River State was “simply a faction of the PDP that has transfigured into the ADC,” describing the development as a pattern of impunity within a coalition of multiple blocs.
    He recalled that during the 2023 general elections, the ADC—then dismissed by critics as “colourless”—collapsed its structures to work with the Obedient Movement, a collaboration that delivered about 72 per cent of the presidential votes in the state.
    Nyong lamented that the same ADC and Obedient Movement were now being undermined by a fractured PDP faction that had shared the remaining votes with other parties, including the ruling APC, warning that “never again will the people of Cross River State be taken for a ride.”
    He disclosed that several other blocs within the coalition were unhappy with the appointment of non-members, insisting that foundation members who have invested time, effort and personal resources—many of whom have never held public office—should be prioritised for critical roles within the party.

  • Insecurity: 1,000 Plateau Youths to Be Recruited as Forest Guards

    Insecurity: 1,000 Plateau Youths to Be Recruited as Forest Guards

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    Plateau State is set to recruit 1,000 youths as forest guards in a bid to tackle the state’s longstanding insecurity.

    The approval was given by President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, during a reception for Governor Caleb Mutfwang into the All Progressives Congress (APC). The move aims to address security challenges that have plagued the state for over two decades. Research indicates that more than 11,000 people have been killed in Plateau in the last 20 years.

    Insecurity has been most pronounced in rural areas, where clashes between farmers and herders are frequent. Shettima, speaking on Tuesday, described the recruitment as a strategic step to strengthen security in the state.

    He assured that the dividends of democracy under the Tinubu administration would soon reach Plateau, urging residents to support the government’s developmental initiatives.

    “The president has authorized the recruitment of 1,000 youths as forest guards in Plateau. Implementation will begin within the next three weeks,” Shettima said.

    He also highlighted key infrastructure projects, noting that contractors would soon mobilize for the construction of the Akwanga–Jos road, describing it as vital to the people of Plateau.

    Shettima added that Plateau will host the nationwide livestock development project, calling it “just the tip of the iceberg” of the administration’s planned interventions in the state.

    He concluded by promising continued development and investments, emphasizing that more benefits would flow to Plateau under the current government.

  • Workers-Wike Face-off: NLC Vows to Sustain Strike

    Workers-Wike Face-off: NLC Vows to Sustain Strike

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to sustain the ongoing strike by workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), dismissing the National Industrial Court’s order to resume work.

    The Congress also criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for threatening to sack striking workers less than two hours after the court ruling.

    The National Industrial Court, sitting in Abuja, had on Tuesday ordered the FCTA workers to immediately return to work, despite their grievances remaining unaddressed. Speaking on the development, Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, questioned why the court ignored the alleged injustices meted out to the workers.

    Upah cited the non-remittance of National Housing Fund (NHF) contributions and pension deductions, in violation of the NHF Act and the Pension Reform Act 2014 (as amended), as key issues.

    He insisted the court’s ruling was inadequate, stressing: “If the intention of the court is to break the strike and weaken the resolve of injured workers, then it is mistaken. Our hearts cannot be broken, and workers must remain resolute in their convictions.”

    The NLC leader accused the court of failing to address continuous offenses by the Minister and FCTA, noting the breaches carry heavy penalties. On NHF non-remittance, he highlighted that failure to remit within one month could attract fines between N50,000 and N100 million, including potential imprisonment for responsible officers.

    Similarly, Upah said the Pension Reform Act stipulates that pension deductions must be remitted within seven working days after salary payment. Defaults attract penalties of 2% per month or 24% per annum, payable into employees’ retirement savings accounts alongside the principal.

    He noted additional violations by the FCTA that were not detailed in the statement.

    The NLC described the court’s long adjournment and denial of injunctive relief as “irreparably damaging” to the workers’ cause. Upah condemned the Minister’s immediate threats of dismissal as toxic to any dialogue, warning against undermining workers’ rights.

    He further stated that the NLC had placed all organisations or individuals violating the Pension Fund and NHF Acts on notice, vowing serious engagement to ensure compliance.

    Upah urged workers and NLC organs to remain vigilant, adding, “We must ensure the enforcement of workers’ rights in case anyone doubts our resolve.”

    The NLC’s statement signals an unrelenting stand in the dispute, insisting that legal orders alone will not resolve systemic violations affecting FCTA workers.

     

  • C’River Takes Delivery of UNFPA Family Planning Commodities, Pays ₦22m Counterpart Funding

    C’River Takes Delivery of UNFPA Family Planning Commodities, Pays ₦22m Counterpart Funding

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    Cross River State Government has received a fresh consignment of family planning commodities procured through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), following the payment of ₦22 million as counterpart funding.
    The items were formally received at the state warehouse on Barracks Road, Calabar, by the Ministry of Health, marking another step in the state’s drive to strengthen reproductive, maternal and child health services.
    Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, who received the commodities, confirmed that the ₦22 million represented about 25 per cent of the state’s total financial commitment to reproductive health logistics.
    He commended Governor Bassey Edet Otu for prioritising family planning and reproductive health, noting that the timely release of funds made the procurement and delivery possible.
    Dr Ayuk disclosed that the commodities arrived in good condition in December 2025 and would now be immediately distributed to primary and secondary health facilities across the 18 local government areas of the state.

    1. “This official handover clears the way for deployment to health facilities statewide,” he said, assuring that the supplies would be efficiently utilised to improve access to family planning services.
      UNFPA Head of Office and Programme Coordinator in Cross River State, Dr Andrew Kirima, described the handover as evidence of effective domestic resource mobilisation by the state government.
      He confirmed the delivery of 936 units of Implanon NXT and 118,656 male condoms, noting that Cross River has joined the growing number of states funding family planning commodities from their own resources.
      Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Nursing Education, Mrs Uduak Spencer Efem, stressed that skilled health workers were critical to reducing maternal mortality and maximising the impact of family planning services.
      The State Family Planning Coordinator, Mrs Katame Triumph, described the delivery as a major milestone, adding that priority would be given to reaching women and families in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
      The event ended with the adoption of a distribution roadmap to ensure immediate movement of the commodities to health facilities, in line with the state government’s “People First” agenda.
  • Wike Warns FCTA Workers to Return to Work or Face Legal Action

    Wike Warns FCTA Workers to Return to Work or Face Legal Action

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned striking staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to return to work or face legal consequences, following a National Industrial Court ruling ordering an end to the industrial action that has paralysed services in Abuja for over a week.

    Wike issued the warning on Tuesday while briefing journalists shortly after the court’s decision, insisting that the rule of law must prevail and accusing political actors of exploiting the strike for motives unrelated to workers’ welfare.

    He said the FCTA approached the court after concluding that the strike had been “hijacked by politicians,” despite ongoing efforts by the administration to resolve the dispute through dialogue and by meeting many of the workers’ demands.

    “The administration was already in the process of mediation when some politicians hijacked the strike,” Wike said, adding that several of the workers’ demands were “frivolous” or had already been addressed.

    The minister highlighted that the FCTA had taken substantial steps to address staff concerns, including the recent approval of over ₦12 billion for the payment of January salaries, and the introduction of civil service reforms aimed at improving efficiency.

    Wike also cited improved revenue performance under his leadership, noting that the FCT had generated more than ₦30 billion in internally generated revenue—a significant increase compared with previous years—and urged workers to acknowledge these reforms.

    He dismissed claims circulating on social media that he had been forced out of his office during strike-related protests, saying he had merely stepped out to see President Bola Tinubu off at the airport. “I was never chased out of office,” he said.

    Adopting a hardline stance, Wike warned that any further disruption of government operations, including attempts to lock government premises, would attract severe consequences, describing such actions as illegal and punishable.

    He concluded by stressing that workers’ representatives had been engaged with management throughout the dispute and warned that those who fail to comply with the court order and resume duties would face legal action, signalling a tougher enforcement phase as the FCTA seeks to restore full public services in Abuja.

  • Lagos Fire Service Saves 84-Year-Old Man from Suicide Attempt

    Lagos Fire Service Saves 84-Year-Old Man from Suicide Attempt

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    A swift response by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service saved the life of an 84-year-old man who attempted to take his own life on Tuesday morning in the Aboru area of Lagos.
    The elderly man reportedly tried to jump into a well in the community, prompting concerned residents to alert emergency services.
    Eyewitnesses said officials of the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service arrived promptly after receiving the distress call and intervened just in time to prevent the tragedy.
    Margaret Adeseye, Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the incident in a statement. She said the distress call came in at 10:09 a.m. concerning a rescue at No. 35A, Fadeyemi Street, Pipeline, Aboru, Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area.
    According to Adeseye, the Agency’s Rescue Crew, along with personnel from the Abesan Fire Station, were dispatched immediately and reached the scene by 10:20 a.m.
    “The incident involved an 84-year-old male who reportedly fell into a well estimated to be about 140 feet deep,” she said. “Preliminary observations suggest a suspected case of attempted suicide, as the well was adequately protected and securely covered.”
    She added that the victim was successfully recovered and handed over to family members for further care. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation.
    The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reiterated its commitment to prompt emergency response, urging the public to seek help and report emergencies through the appropriate channels.
    Residents of Aboru expressed relief at the successful rescue, praising the quick intervention of the emergency responders, which they said likely prevented a fatal outcome.
  • Kano APC Defection Triggers High-Profile Exits as Commissioners, Aides Quit Yusuf Cabinet

    Kano APC Defection Triggers High-Profile Exits as Commissioners, Aides Quit Yusuf Cabinet

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has triggered a wave of resignations across his cabinet and key government agencies in Kano State.

    Within 48 hours of the political switch, several commissioners and top aides who declined to follow the governor into the APC formally resigned their appointments, citing loyalty to the Kwankwasiyya movement led by former governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

    The first major exit was Alhaji Laminu Rabiu, Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board and son of Yusuf’s former political benefactor, Senator Kwankwaso, who resigned on January 25, citing political realignment and party loyalty.

    Rabiu said stepping aside would allow him to fully align with the strategic direction of the Kwankwasiyya movement, while preserving internal cohesion, and thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve.

    On January 26, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Umaru (rtd), also resigned, describing the decision as difficult but necessary in view of recent political developments.

    Umaru said his service was guided by the principles of the Kwankwasiyya movement, emphasising justice, discipline and service to the people, and expressed gratitude to Governor Yusuf for the trust reposed in him.

    Similarly, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Nasiru Sule Garo, tendered his resignation the same day, thanking the governor for the opportunity to serve and pledging cooperation to ensure a smooth handover.

    Garo described his tenure as an honour and wished the state continued progress, while stopping short of directly referencing the governor’s defection.

    The political shake-up also extended to state agencies, with the Managing Director of the Kano State Roads Maintenance Agency (KARMA), Hassan Danbappa, resigning his appointment with immediate effect.

    Although Danbappa did not publicly state his reasons, his exit further deepened the sense of uncertainty within the state government following the defection.

    In their separate letters, the resigning officials largely expressed appreciation to Governor Yusuf, while stressing the need to realign politically in line with their convictions.

    The resignations underscore the deep political fault lines reopened by the governor’s departure from the NNPP, the party that rode on the Kwankwasiyya platform to victory in the 2023 elections.

    Political observers say more resignations could follow as the administration undergoes rapid restructuring to reflect its new partisan alignment.

    As of press time, the Kano State Government had yet to officially announce replacements for the vacated positions.

  • Francis-Aribia Becomes First Female Chairman of Pelican Stars

    Francis-Aribia Becomes First Female Chairman of Pelican Stars

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    In an effort to restore lost glory of Pelican Stars FC, the female football team of Cross River State, the state sports commission has appointed Safia Francis-Aribia as the first female chairman of the Pelican Stars management board.
    Lawrence Itanya, chairman of the commission who made the announcement yesterday said Francis-Aribia is a seasoned manager with decades of experience in Nigeria’s banking sector.
    He expressed confidence that her leadership skills and corporate discipline would translate effectively into football administration.
    Pelican Stars FC was about the most popular women’s football team in Africa, but current struggles contradict its heritage.
    Towards this is he state government has resolved to revamp the cou, and sports generally.
    Itanya noted that the Pelicans Stars decline into Nigeria’s lower championship tier remains unacceptable, given its past achievements and massive fan base.
    He stated that, “Pelican Stars is a team across our hearts,” emphasizing public expectations surrounding the club’s future.
    The sports commission chairman charged the Francis-Aribia’s management to focus on reviving the club’s “lost glory” through discipline, professionalism, and strategic planning.
    He warned that anything short of promotion and improved performances would amount to repeating the failures of previous administrations.
    According to Lawrence, visible progress would distinguish the new leadership from the past and justify public confidence invested in them.
    The chairman stressed that restoring Pelican Stars would symbolize the success of ongoing sports reforms in the state.
    Lawrence revealed that the state executive had already conveyed readiness to collaborate with the new management team.
    He described Pelican Stars as one of the best sporting assets Cross River State has produced, citing personal memories of the club’s glory years.
    Accepting the appointment, Francis-Aribia expressed gratitude, assuring that the confidence reposed in her will be consolidated.
    She pledged commitment, diligence, and accountability, assuring stakeholders that her tenure would be defined by hard work, purpose, and a clear departure from past administrative failures.
    According to her, passion alone would not drive success without structure, teamwork, and attention to welfare and performance.
    Francis-Aribia stated that her immediate priorities include player welfare, administrative efficiency, and synergy with the technical crew.
    She said the management would work hand-in-hand with experienced football professionals to reposition the club competitively.
    “I’m going to work hand in hand with people that are experienced in this whole thing,” she explained.
    The chairman stressed that understanding players’ challenges would form the basis for improved performances and renewed motivation.
    She emphasized dialogue with existing players before embarking on major recruitment decisions.
    End
  • Bandits Abduct 26, Burn Shops in Zamfara Community

    Bandits Abduct 26, Burn Shops in Zamfara Community

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    Bandits on Monday launched a deadly attack on Tashar Kuturu community in Jangebe District of Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, abducting at least 26 persons, mostly women and children, and setting several shops ablaze.
    The attack occurred between 1:00am and 3:00am when heavily armed bandits stormed the village, firing sporadically and causing residents to flee into the bush. Community sources said the attackers operated for nearly two hours and overpowered local security presence with superior firepower.
    Chairman of Talata Mafara Local Government Area, Hon. Yahaya Abubakar Yari, confirmed that 23 persons were initially abducted from Tashar Kuturu, but one later escaped, leaving 22 currently in captivity. He added that the victims include women and children.
    Yari also confirmed that the bandits shot a mentally unstable man in the legs and hands during the attack. The victim, he said, is presently receiving medical treatment.
    Earlier, Chairman of Muryar Talata Mafara, Comrade Kabiru Jangebe, had given a higher preliminary figure, saying more than 40 persons, including nursing mothers and children, were missing after the attack. He explained that confusion arose as families fled and data was yet to be fully compiled.
    An elderly community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, later said a house-to-house search helped reconcile the figures, confirming that 22 persons remain missing from Tashar Kuturu, including five nursing mothers, while one young boy escaped from the abductors.
    The bandits also looted and set ablaze several shops during the raid. Residents said at least nine shops were affected, including three major provision stores, with medicines, food items and mobile phones carted away.
    Security sources said troops from nearby Anka responded to the distress call with armoured vehicles, forcing the bandits to retreat. However, the attackers reportedly split into groups and diverted security attention, allowing some of them to escape.
    Meanwhile, Hon. Yari disclosed that the bandits had, a day earlier, attacked Matura village in Kagara District of the same local government area, where three persons were abducted and one killed, raising renewed concerns over escalating insecurity in the area.

  • OPINION. Rivers State Not Venezuela

    OPINION. Rivers State Not Venezuela

    By
    Justice Osai Ahiakwo
    The concluded 17-day tour embarked upon by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, widely reported in the media, was presented as a tour of appreciation to supporters from the 2023 general elections. While gratitude in politics is not objectionable and often a precursor to renewed ambition, the timing and context of this exercise make its underlying intent impossible to ignore.
    Politics, by Nyesome Wike’s estimation resumed in January 2026, and the tour coincided with renewed and ill-advised attempts to politically arm-twist the Governor of Rivers State.
    What should have been a benign political engagement instead assumed a confrontational posture.
    Most troubling was the Minister’s public remark likening political developments in Rivers State to the capture of a Venezuelan President through a United States military operation. That analogy is deeply flawed and intellectually careless.
    The U.S. action in Venezuela, whether justified or not, was executed by a sovereign state exercising international power under a specific geopolitical framework.
    It bears no resemblance whatsoever to the crude attempt by a political actor to impose a so-called “gentleman’s agreement” or force a single-term agenda on an elected Governor.
    Rivers State indeed is not Venezuela. The powers exercised by U.S. President cannot, by any stretch of logic, be equated with the deployment of raw political intimidation to unseat Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
    One is a matter of state sovereignty; the other is political coercion masquerading as influence.
    This comparison exposes a deeper problem: a fixation on power devoid of democratic restraint. What is on display is not political sophistication but a troubling erosion of democratic values.


    Incivility, arrogance, and intolerance blur the sanctity of democracy and create space for uncultured political conduct to dominate public life.
    Good governance thrives only where power is exercised with restraint. Democracy suffers when politicians become obsessed with absolute control rather than service.
    The moral lesson is simple but profound: restraint is indispensable in leadership. Pride, arrogance, and unchecked ambition corrode institutions and damage society. Family upbringing, social values, and communal norms all play a role in shaping political character, because society ultimately mirrors the values it tolerates.
    Rivers State must not descend into political chaos driven by ego and entitlement. Greed, avarice, and acrimony have no place in modern democratic politics. The enduring lesson remains—live and let live.