News
COVID-19: Buhari approves recruitment of 774, 000 Nigerians
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, says President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the engagement of 774, 000 Nigerians on Special Public Works programme in the country to cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.
Mrs Ahmed disclosed this at a press conference on fiscal stimulus measures in response to COVID-19 pandemic and oil prices fiscal shock, on Monday in Abuja.
She explained that 1, 000 people were expected to be recruited from each of the 774 local government areas in the country.
According to her, the sum of N60 billion for allowances and operational cost has been earmarked from the COVID-19 crisis intervention fund for the initiative.
She disclosed that President Buhari had previously approved a pilot special public works programme in eight states to be implemented by the National Directorate of Employment, NDE.
She added that Buhari had now approved that this programme be extended to all 36 States and the FCT from October to December 2020 and the selected time-frame was to ensure that it was implemented after the planting season.
“The Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning is also evaluating how best to extend the Special Public Works Programme, to provide modest stipends for itinerant workers to undertake Roads Rehabilitation and Social Housing Construction.
Ahmed said: “And also Urban and Rural Sanitation, Health Extension and other critical services. This intervention will be undertaken in conjunction with the key federal ministries responsible for Agriculture, Environment, Health and Infrastructure, as well as the states, to financially empower individuals who lose their jobs due to the economic crisis.
“Mr. President has approved the establishment of a-N500 billion COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund. The establishment of the Fund will involve drawing much-needed cash resources from various Special Funds and Accounts, in consultation with and with the approval of the National Assembly.
“The N500 billion is proposed to be utilized to upgrade healthcare facilities as earlier identified by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and approved by Mr. President.
“This will help to finance the Federal Government’s Interventions to support states in improving healthcare facilities, finance the creation of a Special Public Works programme and Fund any additional interventions that may be approved by Mr. President”.
The minister noted that although similar challenges were experienced in 2008/2009 as well as in 2015/2016, Nigeria had considerably lower fiscal buffers now than in previous economic downturns.
According to her, the decline in international oil prices and domestic production may be magnified if a severe outbreak of COVID-19 occurs, despite ongoing efforts to curtail the spread of the pandemic through compulsory lockdown of Lagos and Ogun States, as well as the FCT.
The minister said to directly address these health and economic challenges, the president approved the Fiscal Stimulus Package among others as part of an Integrated Policy Framework to ensure that Nigeria’s healthcare system, fiscal position and economy were sufficiently supported to weather these shocks.
NAN
News
Oluyede Appointed New CDS as Tinubu Sacks Service Chiefs
President Bola Tinubu has announced major changes in Nigeria’s military leadership, appointing General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), replacing General Christopher Musa.
The shake-up, revealed on Friday in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, also saw new appointments across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Under the new military hierarchy, Major-General W. Shaibu becomes the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke takes over as the Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas assumes office as the Chief of Naval Staff.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his position.
According to the statement, the changes are part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” the statement read.
“He charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by further enhancing the professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
All the appointments take immediate effect.
General Oluyede’s elevation to CDS marks a rapid rise within the military leadership. He was appointed acting Chief of Army Staff in December 2024, following the death of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
News
Nottingham Forest Beats Porto in Sean Dyche’s Europa League Debut
Nottingham Forest began a new chapter under manager Sean Dyche with an impressive 2-0 victory over FC Porto in the Europa League on Thursday night at the City Ground.
The win marked Forest’s first European triumph since the 1995/96 season, ending a decade-long wait for continental glory.
Morgan Gibbs-White opened the scoring in the 19th minute from the penalty spot after a handball in the area, while Brazilian forward Igor Jesus sealed the result with another spot-kick in the 77th minute.
The disciplined performance also saw Forest earn their first clean sheet since April, signaling an immediate impact from Dyche’s trademark defensive organization.
READ ALSO: Nottingham Forest Appoint Sean Dyche as Head Coach Until 2027
The hosts, who had gone 10 games without a win prior to Dyche’s arrival following Ange Postecoglou’s sacking, frustrated a Porto side that entered the fixture unbeaten in 11 matches across all competitions. Dyche’s compact 4-4-2 setup neutralized Porto’s attacking threat, with goalkeeper Matt Turner rarely tested throughout the encounter.
The victory lifts Forest into a promising position in their Europa League group and gives fans renewed optimism for the rest of the campaign. Dyche hailed the result as “a foundation to build on” as he looks to restore stability and resilience to the side.
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News
BREAKING: Omoyele Sowore Arrested at Federal High Court, Abuja After Meeting Nnamdi Kanu
Human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore was reportedly arrested on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja shortly after meeting the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Eyewitnesses said Sowore was whisked away by security operatives on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, moments after leaving the courtroom where he had exchanged greetings with Kanu.
The activist, known for his outspoken stance on governance and civil rights, had earlier shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) confirming his meeting with Kanu, describing him as “powerful and unrelenting.”
Reacting to the arrest, prominent human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong condemned the incident on X, calling it “preposterous” and a violation of judicial integrity.
Effiong wrote:
“The arrest of Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja moments ago is preposterous.
The police and the Tinubu regime are making a mockery of our judicial system.
He should be freed immediately.
Stop the shenanigans.”
As of press time, the reason for Sowore’s arrest remains unclear, and authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
A video circulating online shows the moment the activist was surrounded by police officers before being taken away from the court premises.
This development comes just hours after Nnamdi Kanu told the court he would be representing himself following the withdrawal of his legal team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).
World News
Two Killed, Two Injured as Plane Bursts Into Flames After Takeoff Crash in Venezuela
A tragic plane crash in Venezuela has claimed two lives and left two others injured after a Piper Cheyenne I aircraft erupted into flames shortly after takeoff on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
The incident occurred at Paramillo Airport in Táchira State, with the aircraft crashing within the vicinity of San Cristóbal National Park moments after takeoff.
A shocking video circulating online shows the aircraft struggling to gain altitude before tilting sharply, striking one of its wings on the ground, and exploding into a massive fireball.
Witnesses nearby can be heard screaming in horror as the plane hit the ground and burst into flames.
According to Mail Online, local authorities identified the deceased as Toni Bortone and Juan Maldonado, while two other passengers survived but sustained serious injuries.
Preliminary reports suggest the pilot may have lost control after one of the aircraft’s tires exploded during takeoff.
Emergency services, including firefighters, Táchira Civil Protection, and the Bolivarian National Police (PNB), responded swiftly to the crash site around noon, battling the blaze and rescuing survivors from the wreckage.
Officials confirmed that the aircraft was being used for government logistics operations, although further details about its mission remain under investigation.
The ill-fated plane, identified as a Piper Cheyenne I (PA-31T1), is a twin-engine turboprop model manufactured by Piper Aircraft in the late 1970s. The aircraft type is widely used in both civilian and governmental operations due to its reliability and performance.
Aviation authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash, focusing on potential mechanical failure or maintenance issues.
This latest tragedy follows another aviation accident in Venezuela last month. In September 2025, a Learjet 55 crashed near Simón Bolívar International Airport outside Caracas during takeoff amid adverse weather conditions, leaving two passengers injured.
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Biafra
Nnamdi Kanu Tells Court He’ll Defend Himself as Lead Counsel Kanu Agabi, Others Withdraw
The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on Thursday informed the Federal High Court that he would be representing himself in his ongoing trial after his legal team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), withdrew from the case.
Agabi, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, told the court that the entire defence team was stepping down, explaining that the defendant had decided to personally take over the conduct of his case.
“All counsel in the defence have agreed to withdraw as the defendant has chosen to represent himself,” Agabi announced before the presiding judge.
Confirming the development in open court, Kanu stated that he had opted to handle his own defence “for now,” though he might reconsider that decision at a later stage. When asked by the judge whether he wanted the court to assign him another lawyer, Kanu declined, insisting he would proceed on his own terms.
In his brief oral argument, the IPOB leader maintained that the court lacked jurisdiction to try him, reiterating his long-standing position on the matter.
Meanwhile, confirming Kanu’s presence in court, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore shared an update on his X (formerly Twitter) account, saying he met with the separatist leader in person.
Sowore wrote:
“Finally, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and I met at the Federal High Court today. The man is powerful and unrelenting. We greeted and hugged and the bond is strong!”
Thursday’s proceedings mark another dramatic twist in the long-running legal battle between the Nigerian government and Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody facing charges related to treasonable felony and separatist activities.
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