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Reps Give Transport Minister 48 Hours To Appear Over Kaduna Train Derailment

 

The House of Representatives Committee on Land Transport has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, to appear before it following his failure to attend a hearing on the recent Kaduna-bound train derailment.

The train, which was carrying 618 passengers, derailed last week, prompting the committee to launch an investigation.

Chairperson of the committee, Hon. Blessing Onuh, expressed disappointment over the minister’s absence, describing it as a snub to the Nigerian people during a time of crisis.

“We are on recess, but many of us travelled from across the country to attend this hearing. Our brothers and sisters were endangered. This is not a joke,” she said.

“We are suspending this meeting and mandating the Minister to appear within 48 hours.”

Other lawmakers were equally critical. Deputy House Spokesman, Hon. Philip Agbese, said the minister’s absence was a sign of incompetence and disregard for Nigerians.

“This shows he is not competent to hold office. It’s clear he does not care about the lives of Nigerians or the reputation of this government,” Agbese stated.

“If he fails to appear, Nigerians should know they effectively have no Minister of Transportation.”

Hon. Cyril Hart, also a committee member, noted the irony of Alkali, himself a former lawmaker, disregarding a legislative summons, especially in the wake of a potentially deadly incident.

“Over 618 Nigerians could have died. For a former lawmaker to shun this committee at a time like this is a betrayal,” he said.

The committee suspended its hearing and warned that any further act of defiance by the minister would be escalated to the President.

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PDP Condemns Attempt To Stop Senator Natasha From Resuming Duties

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized what it described as an attempt by the Clerk of the National Assembly to prevent Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her duties, following a six-month suspension from the Senate.

In a statement released on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said the Clerk’s action appears to be a coordinated move by the Senate leadership under Senator Godswill Akpabio and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to silence opposition voices in the National Assembly.

The party described the move as unconstitutional and a violation of the Senate’s Standing Rules, saying it undermines the democratic rights of the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District, whom Senator Natasha represents.

“This action is provocative and poses a threat to democracy and national stability,” the statement said.

The PDP further accused the APC-led government of using institutions of state to stifle the opposition, alleging that the Clerk’s actions reflect ongoing efforts to suppress women’s voices in politics.

The party also referenced past allegations of harassment against Senate President Akpabio, urging him to address those issues rather than allegedly using official channels to target Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The PDP demanded the immediate withdrawal of the letter barring the senator from resuming, advising the Clerk to remain neutral and not allow himself to be used for political purposes.

It also called on the international community, human rights groups, and pro-democracy organizations to speak out against the development.

The PDP reaffirmed its support for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, urging her to disregard the reported letter and resume her duties as an elected senator without fear.

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Israeli Airstrike Targets Hamas Officials In Qatar, Leadership Survives

 

Israel has launched an airstrike on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar’s capital, in what appears to be a dramatic escalation of the Gaza conflict.

According to Al Jazeera sources, top members of Hamas survived the attack, which reportedly occurred while the group’s negotiating team was discussing a U.S proposed ceasefire deal.

A senior Hamas official, Suhail al-Hindi, confirmed the survival of the leadership and denounced the attack as a “heinous crime.”

He called on the global community to respond with more than just condemnations.

The Qatari Interior Ministry confirmed the death of a Qatari security officer and injuries to others.

The ministry stated that the affected area located near embassies and a busy school zone has been secured, with bomb squads continuing inspections.

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Nepal PM Resigns As Protests Escalate, Parliament Set Ablaze In Kathmandu

 

Nepal’s Prime Minister, K.P. Sharma Oli, has resigned following the country’s most intense civil unrest in decades.

The protests, largely led by young people angry over corruption and government censorship, turned violent after security forces clashed with demonstrators, resulting in at least 19 deaths on Monday.

On Tuesday, protestors stormed and set fire to Nepal’s parliament building in Kathmandu, with thick black smoke rising from the Singha Durbar complex.

Several government offices and homes of political leaders, including the prime minister’s residence and the headquarters of the ruling Nepali Congress Party, were also attacked and burned.

The demonstrations began after the government banned 26 social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, in an effort to curb fake news and online fraud.

Although the ban was lifted late Monday, the protests had already escalated into a nationwide anti-corruption movement, with calls for accountability and leadership change.

In his resignation letter, Oli said he was stepping down “to facilitate the solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically in accordance with the constitution.”

President Ramchandra Paudel has accepted his resignation and initiated talks to find a new leader.

Meanwhile, law and order have continued to deteriorate.

On Tuesday, three more people reportedly died, and about 900 inmates escaped from two western prisons amid the chaos.

The army chief has warned that the military is prepared to intervene if the unrest continues.

Protesters, many of them in their teens and twenties, have expressed frustration over corruption, nepotism, and a lack of opportunities in the country.

The movement was fueled by a viral “nepo kid” campaign on social media, which highlighted the lavish lifestyles of politicians’ children.

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Colonial Legacy Replaced As Imo Assembly Renames Douglas Road After Governor Uzodimma

 

The Imo State House of Assembly has passed a motion to rename the popular Douglas Road in Owerri after the current Governor, Hope Uzodimma.

The decision was made during Tuesday’s plenary session as the lawmakers resumed sitting after a three-month break.

The motion, sponsored by Hon. Chisom Ojukwu, who represents the Nkwerre State Constituency, called on the state government to direct the Executive Chairman of Owerri Municipal Local Government to implement the change.

The Assembly also resolved that all relevant government agencies should update official records, signage, and documents to reflect the new name, “Governor Hope Uzodimma Road.”

In his presentation, Hon. Ojukwu criticised the colonial legacy of Harold M. Douglas, the British District Commissioner of Owerri Province in 1902, after whom Douglas Road and Douglas House were named.

He alleged that Douglas ruled with brutality, citing incidents such as the Eziama Massacre (1904), the war on Norie (1905) and the Ahiara Massacre (1905).

According to Ojukwu, it is inappropriate for such a central landmark in the state capital to honour a colonial officer with a history of repression against the Igbo people.

“Douglas Road should be renamed to Governor Hope Uzodimma because he has performed very well in every sector,” Ojukwu stated, adding that state landmarks should celebrate local leaders and heroes rather than colonial figures.

Deputy Speaker Amara Iwuanyanwu also supported the motion, praising Governor Uzodimma’s performance in various sectors.

He noted that the governor deserves to be appreciated while alive and suggested that naming a major road after him was a fitting way to immortalise his contributions.

“This is how we show love and gratitude to our leaders by naming landmark projects after them while they are still with us,” Iwuanyanwu added.

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NUPENG Calls Off Strike As Dangote Refinery Agrees To Unionisation

 

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has officially suspended its planned strike after reaching an agreement with Dangote Refinery on the right of workers to unionise.

The decision followed a high-level closed-door meeting convened by the Department of State Services (DSS), with the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) representatives also in attendance.

Confirming the outcome, Acting NLC General Secretary, Benson Upah, said the two parties had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ensuring the enforcement of union rights, in accordance with Nigeria’s labour laws.

A formal statement from the Ministry of Labour and Employment is expected soon.

The agreement followed a conciliation meeting held on Monday, September 8, 2025, after NUPENG threatened to down tools over Dangote Refinery’s initial refusal to recognise workers’ right to organise under a union.

According to the MoU:

  • Unionisation is affirmed as a legal right, and employees of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals will be allowed to unionise.
  • The unionisation process is to begin immediately and be concluded within two weeks (from September 9 to 22, 2025).
  • No employee will face retaliation or victimisation for being part of the union or for participating in strike-related activities.

As part of the agreement, NUPENG has suspended its strike action with immediate effect.

All parties are expected to report back to the Minister of Labour one week after the conclusion of the unionisation process.

The MoU was signed by representatives of both the Dangote Group and the labour unions.

Signatories included:

  • Sayyu Dantata, Managing Director, Dangote Group
  • O.K. Ukoha, for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)
  • Ojimba Jibrin, Dangote Group
  • Benson Upah, NLC
  • N.A. Toro, Trade Union Congress (TUC)
  • Akporeha Williams, President of NUPENG
  • Afolabi Olawale, General Secretary of NUPENG
  • Amos O. Falonipe, Director of Trade Union Services & Industrial Relations, who signed on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

 

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Transpower Blames Imo Govt Contractors For Widespread Power Outages

 

The Management of Transpower Electricity Distribution Limited (TEDL), a subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), has condemned what it described as the indiscriminate destruction of its power infrastructure by contractors allegedly engaged by the Imo State Government.

TEDL, which operates under a license issued by the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ISERC), is responsible for distributing electricity across the state.

In a statement released on Tuesday in Enugu by Mr. Emeka Ezeh, Group Head, Corporate Communications of EEDC, the company said the actions of the contractors had plunged several parts of the state into darkness.

According to him, both Low-Tension (LT) and High-Tension (HT) poles have been damaged, along with transformers serving affected communities.

Ezeh said the company “regretted the inconvenience and impact of the activities of government contractors who destroyed its equipment without notice.”

He stressed that the contractors should have coordinated with TEDL to arrange a smooth relocation of the facilities.

“We are not against the state government carrying out developmental projects, but we are concerned with the continued destruction of our facilities without recourse to the company.

“To make matters worse, the state government’s contractors have continued to construct and extend distribution lines in an uncoordinated manner without consideration for safety standards,” he said.

One notable incident occurred on August 30 in Orlu, where six High-Tension poles located behind Orlu Hotel, which supply electricity to Mgbee, Ogboko, Omuma, and Ugbelle communities, were knocked down by excavators reclaiming land on behalf of the government.

Ezeh explained that this led to the tripping of the Orlu 33KV line on earth fault, cutting off electricity to the entire area.

When the case was reported to the Chairman of Orlu Local Government Area, he confirmed that the land reclamation project was authorized by the state government and promised to contact those executing it.

However, TEDL’s efforts to file a formal report at the Orlu Police Station were unsuccessful.

“However, efforts by the company to formally report the matter at Orlu Police Station were frustrated, as the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) declined to record the case or arrest the excavator operators.

“The DPO instead advised the company to dialogue with the state government to resolve the matter,” he said.

Ezeh also recounted a previous incident that occurred on May 14, 2025, when the company’s Orlu District Office was allegedly targeted by another excavator sent by the authorities.

“The Management of Transpower expressed concern that these repeated incidents look like orchestrated plans to frustrate its operations, which is almost crippling electricity distribution in the state.

“The company, therefore, appealed to the Executive Governor of Imo State to urgently intervene and address the situation.

“As a critical stakeholder that shares in the developmental vision of the government of Imo State, we are committed to supporting it to actualise its goals.

“But, we must be carried along in the plan so that it will be seamless,” he added.

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Nigeria’s World Cup Dream In Jeopardy After 1-1 Draw With South Africa

 

The Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, further denting Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a tense Group C encounter, Nigeria fell behind early after a costly own goal by captain William Troost-Ekong.

However, Calvin Bassey brought the Super Eagles level with a crucial equalizer, salvaging a point for the visitors.

Despite the result, the draw is a major blow to Nigeria’s qualification ambitions.

The Super Eagles now sit third in the group with 11 points, trailing group leaders South Africa (17 points) and Benin Republic, who also have 11 points but a game in hand.

With only two qualifying games left, Nigeria’s path to the World Cup now depends not just on their own performance, but also on other results going their way.

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September 9: Today Is ‘International Buy A Priest A Drink Day’

 

“International Buy a Priest a Drink Day” observed annually on September 9, is one of those quirky, light-hearted “unofficial” holidays that gained popularity through social media and Catholic blog circles.

It appears to have started as a tongue-in-cheek response to the often intense workload and pressures of the priesthood.

Some credit Catholic humor blogs or Reddit threads in the early 2010s for popularizing it.

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Drone Strikes Hit Sudan’s Capital, Disrupt Power, Oil Facilities

This handout photo courtesy of the US Department of Defense taken on December 14, 2021 shows the US Army conducting live fire tests of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. - US President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use long-range American missiles, such as ATACMS, against military targets inside Russia, a US official told AFP on condition of anonymity, confirming media reports. (Photo by John Hamilton / DoD / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / JOHN HAMILTON / US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

 

Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, was rocked by a series of drone attacks early Tuesday, as paramilitary forces targeted critical infrastructure and military sites in a renewed escalation of the country’s ongoing civil conflict.

According to eyewitnesses and military sources, the strikes occurred around 5:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) and were reportedly carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The attacks hit a power station in Omdurman, the Al-Jaili oil refinery, a weapons factory in Khartoum and a military air base at Wadi Seidna, among other targets.

Eyewitnesses told AFP that four drones struck the Al-Markhiyat substation, sparking a fire and causing temporary blackouts in parts of the capital.

Photos shared on social media showed smoke billowing from affected sites.

A source at Sudan’s national electricity company confirmed damage but described it as “minor”, although localized power outages were reported.

A military source claimed that the Wadi Seidna air base attack was intercepted by air defense systems.

However, another drone strike reportedly hit an army installation in Kafuri, injuring several soldiers.

The RSF’s Tasis administration, which controls parts of the country and claims to be a legitimate government, described the drone attacks as “precise and successful”, targeting military and logistical hubs in and around the capital.

The strikes ended several months of relative calm in Khartoum, which had seen a slow return to normalcy following the military’s recapture of the capital in March.

According to the United Nations, more than 600,000 people had returned to their homes amid government-led reconstruction efforts.

The conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s regular army began in April 2023 and has since plunged the nation into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

The war has led to the deaths of tens of thousands, and displaced over 10 million people internally, while four million have fled across borders.

Famine-level hunger threatens large swathes of the population, exacerbated by continued violence and a collapsing economy.

While Khartoum has experienced some stability in recent months, intense fighting continues in the south and west of the country, especially in Kordofan and Darfur.

In El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur and the last major army-held city in the region, RSF forces have maintained a siege since May 2024, resulting in what the UN recently described as “myriad crimes against humanity.”

Despite multiple international mediation attempts, no lasting ceasefire has been reached.

The army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, continues to fight RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, with both sides trading blame for atrocities and human suffering.

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