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2027: I’m Ready To Abandon My Presidential Ambition, Support Younger Candidate – Atiku

Atiku Abubakar, a leading figure in the opposition coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC), has indicated that he may step aside for a younger presidential candidate in 2027, provided certain conditions are met.

Atiku expressed willingness to abandon his presidential ambition for a younger, vibrant and acceptable candidate under the ADC.

The former Vice President disclosed this in an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday.

Atiku noted that his interest in the 2027 race is not about personal ambition, but about providing a credible alternative to rescue Nigerians.

The former VP charged younger Nigerians to actively participate in politics, stressing that he would fully back them if picked to contest for the presidency.

Atiku denied claims that he was desperate for the seat of the president declaring that he was only interested in rescuing Nigeria from the people that have held it hostage.

“My being in the 2027 race does not prevent anyone from contesting. If a vibrant and widely accepted younger candidate emerges, I am willing to step aside,” Atiku said.

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Independence Day: The Worst Is Over, Nigeria Has Turned The Corner – Tinubu Assures

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the worst is over.
According to him, Nigeria is better than it was ten years ago.
Speaking at the commissioning of projects during his one-day working visit to Imo State, President Tinubu said Nigeria has achieved a great milestone as it celebrates its 65th independence anniversary on October 1.
He also commended the nation’s founding fathers for making sacrifices that strengthened the unity of the country.
The President assured Nigerians that they would soon start enjoying the full benefits of various reforms implemented by the government and urged those speaking ill of the country to refrain from doing so.
“Nigeria has just turned the corner. You will see prosperity; you will have it. Those who are talking ill of this country should stop doing so. Sixty-five years of independence is not a joke.
 
“We are proud of our forefathers—we are proud of what they believed: that Nigeria should be one, that it should be an all-inclusive government, that we must take care of the elderly, care for the vulnerable, educate our children, and build a welfare system that will strengthen our healthcare.”
 
“Nigeria is no longer where it was 10 years ago, we have passed that. We promised change, and today I can confidently tell you that the worst is over,” Tinubu declared.
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Google Celebrates Nigeria’s 65th Independence With Doodle

Google has celebrated Nigeria on its 65th independence.
Google featured a special doodle on its homepage, adopting the green-white-green colours of the national flag and an eagle motif to commemorate the day.
A click on the doodle directs users to key historical facts and milestones about Nigeria’s journey to nationhood.
Meanwhile, in his Independence Day address, President Bola Tinubu expressed confidence that the nation is turning a corner, insisting that the “worst is over” after the pains of economic reforms.
Tinubu pointed to Nigeria’s second-quarter GDP growth of 4.23%, the strongest in four years, inflation easing to 20.12%, rising foreign reserves, and increased oil output as proof of recovery.
He also announced that the government has distributed N330 billion to eight million vulnerable households under its social investment programme and affirmed its commitment to accelerated infrastructure development.
Tinubu urged citizens to embrace peace, tolerance, and cooperation across all divides, stressing that differences are natural but must not hinder collective progress.
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Runs Girls, Influencers to Pay Tax – FG

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele has revealed that runs girls will pay tax in the new tax reform laws.
According to him, this is because the new tax reform laws make no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate sources of income.
The reforms, signed into law in June, consolidate four major legislations: the Nigerian Tax Act (NTA), the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA), the Nigerian Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (NRSEA), and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act (JRBEA)
The NRSEA and JRBEA will take effect on 26 June 2025, while the NTA and NTAA will commence on 1 January 2026.
Speaking during a “Tax Compliance and Planning” session hosted by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and streamed live on YouTube on 26 September, Oyedele stressed that anyone earning income from providing services would be required to pay tax.
 
“If someone is rendering a service, such a person will pay tax. There’s this extreme example that you probably should not even say in a church, but just to bring it home, if somebody is doing runs with girls. They go and look for men to sleep with. You know, that’s a service. They will pay tax on it. One thing about the tax law is that it does not separate whether what you are doing is legitimate. It doesn’t even ask you. It just asks you whether you have an income. Did you get it from renting a service or providing a good, you pay tax? So if you give upkeep to anyone, they’re free. They won’t pay tax.”
 
He added that the reforms also extend to social media influencers and Nigerians working remotely for foreign companies, especially those paid in foreign currency.
Oyedele, however, emphasized that the new laws are designed to ease the tax burden on 90 per cent of Nigerian workers, reflecting the government’s broader efforts to generate revenue amid dwindling oil income and growing fiscal pressures.
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Federal Government Cancels 65th Independence Day Parade

The customary Independence Day parade earlier scheduled to hold on Wednesday, October 1 has been cancelled.
The parade had been organised in celebration of Nigeria’s 65th anniversary.
In a statement signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, the government explained that the decision does not reduce the significance of the milestone, adding that other programmes lined up for the anniversary will still take place.
The statement also urged Nigerians to continue supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms, while expressing regret for any inconvenience the cancellation may cause.
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Another Strike Looms As ASUU Gives FG Deadline

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government.

ASUU said FG must settle its unresolved issues or lecturers will embark on another strike.
ASUU made the decision following a National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.
The national president of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna made this known in a copy of strike action he personally signed, The PUNCH reports.
The notice read: “At the National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on the 28th of September, 2025, the Union decried the neglect of the University system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.
 
“Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an Ultimatum of fourteen (14) days within which to address these issues. If at the end of the fourteen-day ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the Union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.”
Recall that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education set up a committee headed by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Abel Enitan to look into a proposal for ASUU in a bid to ensure stability across universities.
ASUU’s demands remain renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, adequate revitalisation funds for univer­sities, settlement of outstanding salary arrears, and sustainable funding mechanisms.
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FG Declares Public Holiday To Celebrate Independence Day

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 as a public holiday.
The holiday is to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government on Monday.
The Minister congratulated all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on this historic occasion.
In a statement signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Dr. Tunji-Ojo enjoined citizens to continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960.
According to him, Nigerians should keep faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, (GCFR), which is anchored on national rebirth, economic transformation, and collective prosperity.
The Minister expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of all Nigerians, the country will continue to grow stronger in peace, progress, and development.
He wished Nigerians a happy and memorable 2025 Independence Day celebration.
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How My Husband Was Betrayed in 2023 – President Tinubu’s Wife, Oluremi

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the Nigerian President has revealed that her husband’s political allies betrayed him.
According to him, this happened during the 2023 presidential election.
In her new 52-page book, The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things, released to mark her 65th birthday, the First Lady said Tinubu mused on the idea of presidency for over 14 years.
According to her, most people she thought would “support the idea, because past relationships were not forthcoming”.
She said after consultation with stakeholders, some of the political allies indirectly decided to steer clear while others watched to see the outcome.
She noted that some of the consultations“were favourable, while others were neither here nor there. Some said no indirectly, while others would rather want to see the outcome before taking a position.
 
“I realised that whatever good you do in life, it is only God who rewards you and not man”.
 
The First Lady, however, said she currently has nothing against anybody, stressing that with the help of the Holy Spirit, she decided to let go.
 
“Letting go is what I did; doing good is what matters most. Like my Saviour Jesus Christ in Acts 10:38, who, after He was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power, went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him.
 
“So I do not have anything against anyone, and that also shows the frailty of man. Man is not God. We should never put our trust in any man; when they help, it is God using them to be a blessing.
 
“When they stop, it means their assignment for you from God has ended. Jeremiah 17:5-8. So look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Hebrews 12:2,” she added.
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Students Must Submit Final Year Projects for NYSC Mobilisation – FG

The federal government has announced a new criteria for mobilization for the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps.

According to FG, graduating students intending to embark on the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps will now provide their projects and thesis before mobilization can be effected.

This is coming after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a reform linking the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation process to the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD). By invoking Sections 2(4)(4) and 16(1)(C) of the NYSC Act, Tinubu directed that no graduate — whether from a Nigerian or foreign institution — will be mobilised for or exempted from NYSC without proof of compliance with the NERD policy.
The directive, conveyed through a circular by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, takes effect from October 6.
Under the NERD framework, students are required to deposit academic outputs, including thesis and project reports, as part of a national effort to curb certificate fraud and preserve Nigeria’s intellectual assets. According to Section 6.1.23 of the policy, this requirement serves as an independent quality assurance measure and proof of academic enrolment.
Earlier in March 2025, while issuing the Declaration of Effectiveness for NERD, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said that following the declaration, “the approved stipulations for mandatory submission of academic outputs as provided in Sections 2.3, 4.3(1), and 7.6.11(c), among others, of the approved National Policy for the NERD Programme shall become obligatory requirements in Nigeria.”
Highlighting the importance of the directive, NERD spokesperson Haula Galadima explained that every student submission will include the full names of the student, supervisor, co-supervisor (where applicable), and Head of Department, along with the sponsoring institution and department.
 
“Apart from the mandate to verify for authenticity as a national flagship, the NERD digitisation programme has a clear objective – to raise the bar in the quality of academic content, output and presentation nationwide.
 
One way NERD intends to accomplish this task, based on its mandate, is to strengthen the supervision processes in the nation’s higher institutions without getting involved in the processes.
 
If our eminent scholars are aware that their names will appear next to those of the students they supervise on a globally available digital platform, there is the likelihood that each lecturer would up his or her standard.
 
Very few lecturers would want their names associated with poorly produced academic works. NERD is therefore poised to help each lecturer earn his ‘earned allowances’ by providing thorough supervision.”
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I Will Ensure That My Reputation Is Not Toyed With – Otedola Files N1 Billion Suit Against Sani

Nigerian businessman, Femi Otedola, has taken Umar Sani, a former aide to Vice President Namadi Sambo to court.
Otedola filed a N1 billion libel suit against Sani over his recent comment linking Otedola to the fuel subsidy fraud under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Sani has alleged that over ₦2 trillion was siphoned through questionable subsidy claims under the Jonathan administration.
He had claimed that “Otedola himself enjoyed enormous privileges during the era”.
However, in a statement released late on Sunday night, Otedola described Sani’s claims as “malicious lies.
Recalling his role in exposing the subsidy scam, Otedola said he was the first to alert former President Goodluck Jonathan and then Senate President Bukola Saraki of the fraud at the time, wondering how he could be accused of benefiting from the same scam he blew the whistle on.
Dismissing Sani’s attempts to link him with the subsidy scandal, Otedola declared that his company, Zenon Petroleum, never traded in petrol and therefore could not have accessed the subsidy funds.
Announcing his decision to sue the former presidential aide over the alleged defamatory remarks, Otedola insisted that he would not allow anyone to toy with his hard-earned reputation.
He said, “Because of these deliberate lies and unfounded allegations, I have instructed my lawyers to file a ₦1 billion libel suit against Umar Sani. People must learn that reputations are not to be toyed with for cheap propaganda and to serve as a deterrent for other mischief makers in the future. I will go to every extent that this is achieved.
Continuing, the businessman appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release the full report of the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede panel set up during the Jonathan administration to probe the monumental petrol subsidy fraud.
According to him, Nigerians deserve to know the truth about those who looted the treasury through the fraud perpetrated under the Petroleum Subsidy Fund scheme.
“I implore President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the full Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede report on subsidy fraud as Nigerians deserve to know the truth. It is on record that the Presidency at the time called on the late Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, to halt the investigation. Let the report be made public so the real subsidy thieves can be unmasked,” Otedola said.
Otedola said, “My attention has been drawn to a mischievous and malicious publication written by one Umar Sani, a former Special Adviser (Media) to former Vice President Namadi Sambo, attempting to twist facts and drag my name into disrepute and allegations of complicity in the subsidy fraud.
 
“His insinuations are false, baseless, and a shameless attempt to pander to lies and rewrite history. Let me set the record straight for the overall benefit of the discerning public.
 
“Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited was wholly an importer and trader of diesel with a market share in excess of 90 per cent, never traded in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and as such could not have claimed for subsidy under the Petroleum Subsidy Fund scheme. Diesel had been long deregulated even before the adoption of the PSF and did not fall under petroleum products to be claimed under the PSF regime.”

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