The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has promised to reward councillors with N10m each if they deliver their political wards to President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress candidates in the 2027 general elections. Wike made the promise at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders' meeting in Kwali Area Council, where he urged the councillors to mobilise residents and community groups for the party. He also endorsed Senator Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.
Babcock University has confirmed that a student seen in a viral video at one of its hostels is alive and responding to treatment at the institution's teaching hospital. The university dismissed reports suggesting that the student had died. In a statement, the Associate Vice-President, Communication, Media and Branding, Johnson B. Akintayo, said the student was receiving necessary medical care. The student's roommate, who sustained injuries while trying to rescue him, had been treated and discharged.
The Presidency has cautioned Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, against politicising national sports teams. Obi alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation stopped him from greeting members of the Flamingos at an airport. The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, said national athletes represented the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria, not any specific political party or individual ambition.
Canada has made its Rural Community Immigration Pilot a permanent programme, creating a pathway for skilled foreign workers to settle in smaller communities facing labour shortages. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lena Metlege Diab, announced the decision, saying it would help rural communities attract and retain essential workers. The programme will initially continue in 14 participating communities, with 5,500 admission spaces allocated.
Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko has announced her appointment as Senior Special Assistant to Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah on Youth Engagement and Creative Economy. Etiko expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity, saying she was honoured to take on the responsibility. She added that she would make a meaningful impact in her new role.
Wike's promise to councillors is seen as a move to strengthen the APC's presence in the FCT ahead of the 2027 elections. The minister's endorsement of Aduda and Chiya is also expected to boost their chances in the party's primaries. The development is likely to have implications for the party's performance in the FCT.
The various developments have sparked reactions from different quarters. While some have hailed Wike's promise as a strategic move, others have expressed concerns about the potential consequences of such a reward system. The confirmation of the Babcock student's safety has also been welcomed by many, who had been worried about his fate.
Key points
- Wike promises N10m to councillors who deliver their wards to the APC in 2027.
- Babcock University confirms student in viral hostel video is alive and receiving treatment.
- Canada makes rural immigration programme permanent to attract skilled workers.
