News
Women Threatens Husbands, Children Against Violent During Election
By Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA
Ahead of this month’s general election, the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), has threatened their husbands and Children against involvement in election thuggery.
The women have also appealed to Nigerians especially women not to vote for Money.
Also, WOWICAN has urged the women to caution their children and husbands against any form of vote buying in the 2023 general elections.
Speaking at a town hall meeting to mobilize and sensitize women to participate in the 2023 general elections, WOWICAN Chairperson, Mrs Victoria Bolanle said they have gone to the three states – Ekiti, Cross River and Ebonyi and now in FCT to encourage women to participate in the elections.
According to get: “Our members have been to Market places, Churches, Mosques and various communities. I can tell you that we have to sensitize not less than 400,000 women.
“We have told women that they should not allow anybody to buy their vote because we learned that people are going around mopping up PVCs from people especially women and that is not good.
“If they collect your PVCs, you are already disenfranchised and that is why we are sensitizing them that they should not sell their vote, they should not collect 2,000 naira because of what they are going to eat today, and tomorrow your children will suffer,” Victoria said while commending the UN Women for their sustained visionary support to Nigerian women.
“The UN women has been supporting WOWICAN in dealing with diverse challenges especially those that seek to deepen the gender gap and negatively impact the productive and reproductive roles of women. WOWICAN cherishes this partnership as demonstrated by the commitment of our women.
In her keynote address, one of the invited guest, Mrs Mabel Ade said the 2023 election is very critical for her adding that women need to be very intentional in casting their votes.
“Because what women in Nigeria in particular are experiencing today is something that requires our deliberate efforts in correcting the wrongs that have been done to them.
“We cannot repeat the same mistake by just casting a vote without reflecting on who we are voting for and whether we can trust those individuals that we are voting for with our future and the future of our children, “she said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acting gender desk officer for FCT, Mrs. Princewill Matina said: “we are out to sensitize the women by telling them that their votes will count. All they need to do is to come out and cast their vote.
In a significant restructuring of its management, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd has terminated the services of a number of senior staff members, ELANZANEWS understands.
Among those departing immediately are Bala Wunti, former chief of National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), and Ibrahim Onoja, managing director of the Kaduna Refinery.
Also asked to leave was Lawal Sade, the chief compliance officer and former managing director of NNPC Trading.
They are believed to be very close to Mele Kyari, who was removed as group chief executive officer (GCEO) on April 2, 2025.
ELANZANEWS understands that over 200 employees have been impacted, marking the beginning of what may be a series of staff changes.
This restructuring has resulted in an increased representation of women in senior leadership roles, including the appointment of Maryam Idrisu as managing director of NNPC Trading — responsible for all crude oil transactions — and Obioma Abangwu as chief liaison officer for board matters.
TheCable further understands that the changes have been positively received by the staff.
The directors were sacked four weeks after Bayo Ojulari took over from Kyari.
Three days after he assumed office, NNPC appointed an eight-member senior management team.
News
2025/2026 Academic Session: Federal University Of Applied Sciences Kachia, Get 18 Courses Approval From NUC
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has officially approved 18 full-time programmes for the Federal University of Applied Sciences Kachia (FUASK). The approval was granted by Nigeria’s National Universities Commission (NUC), positions the university as a beacon of advanced learning and practical skills development in applied sciences and technology.
The announcement was made by FUASK’s inaugural Vice-Chancellor, Professor William Qurix, via an official release issued by the University Registrar, Professor Sanusi Gambo, on Tuesday in Abuja. Professor Gambo said that the newly approved courses will commence with the 2025/2026 academic calendar.
According to the registrar the approved courses reflect a strategic response to both domestic and international workforce demands, particularly within the sectors of science, healthcare, computing, and architecture. “The introduction of these programmes will enable FUASK to equip students with the professional expertise and hands-on experience required for modern job markets” He stated.
The programmes which include:
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
B.Sc. Software Engineering
Doctor of Pharmacy
B.Sc. Information Technology
B.Sc. Computer Science
B.Sc. Cyber Security
B.Sc. Environmental Resource Management
B.Sc. Microbiology
B.Sc. Biotechnology
B.Sc. Anatomy
B.Sc. Physiology
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
Bachelor of Radiography
Bachelor of Health Information Management
Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.NSc.)
B.Sc. Architecture
B.Sc. Quantity Surveying
B.Sc. Industrial Chemistry
Speaking on the significance of the NUC approval, Professor Qurix expressed that the development marks more than just regulatory progress it is a clear indication of FUASK’s commitment to becoming a centre of excellence in applied scientific education and research.
“This achievement is a testament to our vision of delivering a modern, practice-oriented academic experience,” said Qurix. “It showcases our dedication to equipping students with innovative skills tailored to meet real-world challenges across vital sectors such as medicine, information technology, pharmacy, and environmental science.”
The Vice-Chancellor also emphasised that the approval wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering efforts of the university’s academic and administrative staff. He praised their dedication in working meticulously to ensure that FUASK met the strict standards required by the NUC for programme accreditation.
News
Group Accuses Gov Dauda Lawal of Imposing Impunity, Suspending Constitution for Selfish Reasons
Gives Reasons for State of Emergency in Zamfara State
The Northern Democratic Watch (NDW) has accused Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State of imposing impunity and suspending the constitution for selfish reasons, leading to a constitutional crisis in the state.
According to NDW President, Amb. Mahmud Abubakar, the governor’s actions have resulted in the emergence of two rival factions of the State House of Assembly, creating a constitutional nightmare that has left citizens bewildered and abandoned.
Abubakar cited the unlawful suspension of ten duly elected members of the House of Assembly without credible legislative procedure or fair hearing, effectively disenfranchising thousands of Zamfara citizens.
The NDW demanded an immediate and independent investigation into the crisis, reinstatement of the suspended lawmakers, nullification of the 2025 budget process, and declaration of emergency rule in Zamfara State to restore law, order, and constitutional governance.
The group described the crisis as a fundamental threat to Nigeria’s democracy, urging the National Assembly to act with courage and urgency to restore democracy and protect citizens’ constitutional rights.
The NDW called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invoke his constitutional powers to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State, temporarily suspending existing political structures to restore peace, stability, and constitutional governance.
“In flagrant violation of the Constitution and the principles of natural justice, ten duly elected members of the Zamfara House of Assembly were suspended indefinitely,” Abubakar said at a press conference.
“No credible legislative procedure was followed, no fair hearing was granted, and no constitutional safeguards were respected. These actions, based solely on political differences and personal vendettas, have effectively disenfranchised thousands of Zamfara citizens, stripping them of their constitutional right to representation.
“Worse still, a bizarre situation has emerged where two parallel legislative houses are operating independently of each other, enacting conflicting resolutions, and creating a constitutional nightmare that has left the citizens of Zamfara bewildered and abandoned.
“Under this atmosphere of impunity, the state government has gone ahead to claim the passage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill; a process so compromised, so fraught with illegality, that it calls into question the very foundation of governance and fiscal responsibility in the state.
“The existence of two parallel Houses of Assembly in Zamfara State is not just a local embarrassment; it is a direct assault on Nigeria’s democracy. It is a violation of the rights of the electorate who entrusted their votes to their representatives. It is a repudiation of the rule of law and a dangerous slide into lawlessness that must be urgently arrested.
“Given the seriousness of the situation, the Northern Democratic Watch (NDW) makes the following demands:
“Immediate and Independent Investigation:
We call on the National Assembly to immediately launch an independent, transparent, and credible investigation into the unlawful suspension of the ten lawmakers and the emergence of parallel legislative factions in Zamfara State.
“We demand the immediate reinstatement of the ten illegally suspended members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly. Their suspension is unconstitutional, illegitimate, and represents an unacceptable violation of their rights and the rights of the people they represent.
“The purported passage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, conducted under such illegal and chaotic circumstances, must be immediately nullified. We urge the National Assembly to supervise a proper legislative process that respects constitutional order, due process, and democratic norms before any budget can be deemed valid in Zamfara State.
“We call on the National Assembly to, without delay, advise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invoke his constitutional powers by declaring a state of emergency in Zamfara State.
“The world is watching. Nigerians are watching. History is watching. The National Assembly must act with courage, patriotism, and urgency.”