NEWS
Governor’s Nominees: Benue Assembly Halts Screening over Unmet Demands
The Benue State House of Assembly has declined to screen Gov. Hyacinth Alia’s commissioner nominees until the executive complies with its earlier resolutions. This decision was taken on Friday in Makurdi immediately after Speaker Hyacinth Dajoh read the governor’s letter presenting his proposed cabinet members.
Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West) said screening nominees was their constitutional duty and they had no objection to it in principle. He stressed that members had always supported the governor but insisted unresolved concerns must be addressed before further correspondence from the executive would be considered. Supporting this, Simon Gabo (APC/Mata) said the submission of nominees showed the governor recognised their legislative role, meaning they should work in synergy. Gabo complained that he had not received his first constituency allowance, thereby denying his constituents some planned projects. He added that sittings had yet to begin in the Chamber because renovation works, started by the governor, remained incomplete. He also said seven members had not been given official cars. Gabo urged colleagues to adjourn sittings sine die, saying the governor should proceed alone if he preferred, but must treat legislators fairly. Elias Audu (APC/Gwer East) lamented that the situation felt like a “state of nature”, even though they were not. He noted that resolutions, such as unfreezing state accounts, had not been implemented despite being passed. Manger Manger (APC/Tarka) said they were denied constituency service funds, despite the allocation being included in the budget. He called for the correspondence to be stood down, allowing the leadership to keep engaging the executive on their demands, and supported sine die adjournment. Kennedy Angbo (APC/Otukpo-Akpa) decried the executive’s nonchalant attitude to resolutions, saying it discouraged ministry and agency heads from honouring invitations. He described the lack of official cars for seven members as unacceptable and urged standing down the correspondence. Bemdoo Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala) opposed sine die adjournment but agreed the screening should wait until the governor complied with resolutions. He also condemned alleged insults from social media aides of SUBEB Chair, Dr Grace Adagba, against legislators. Michael Audu (PDP/Adoka-Ugboju) urged members to avoid sine die adjournment, noting they must meet the minimum sitting days required per legislative session. Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South) questioned how they could function effectively when welfare matters were treated as an afterthought. He said they had avoided confrontation and given their all, and would continue doing so, but supported standing down executive correspondence. Abu Edoh (PDP/Agatu) also opposed shutting down the Assembly. William Ortyom (PDP/Agasha) said they were not trying to destroy the state, noting they could have continued sitting on plastic chairs for over two years. He said the Assembly was the only one in the country still sitting on plastic chairs. Majority Leader Saater Tiseer urged colleagues to remain calm, promising continued engagement with the executive until their goals were achieved. Ruling, Speaker Dajoh directed the governor to obey the resolutions and suspend the SUBEB Chair, Otukpo Council Chairman, and Sports Lottery Board Executive Secretary. He warned that without meeting demands, including provision of seven vehicles, the Assembly would not honour any further correspondence from the governor. (NAN)NEWS
Peller Announces Livestream with Peter Obi
Popular Nigerian TikTok streamer, Hamzat Adelaja, popularly known as Peller, has announced an upcoming livestream with the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi
He disclosed this in a TikTok livestream, saying Obi’s team had reached out to him.
Peller, however, clarified that the planned session was purely for content and platform engagement, and not a political endorsement of Obi’s 2027 presidential ambition.
According to Peller, he would only be livestreaming with the former Anambra governor and not endorsing his presidential ambition.
He said he was not supporting any presidential candidate or asking Nigerians to vote for Obi, adding that the proposed session would be limited to a question-and-answer interaction with Obi.
“Peter Obi’s people want to stream with me on TikTok. They want to do a stream with me on TikTok.
“Guys, listen, because una dey quick to judge a person. I don’t tell una make una vote anybody. I am not a presidential supporter.
“Me, I just want stream with them on my livestream on TikTok, question and answer.
“Make una give me questions to ask them and I go ask them. E no concern me,” he said.
Peller said his followers would submit questions for the proposed livestream, which he would ask during the session.
He explained that the questions would come from his followers and that he would not use the platform to raise personal issues. (NAN)
NEWS
Nigeria’s inflation drops from 15.39 Per Cent to 14.63 Per Cent in September
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday disclosed that Nigeria’s inflation has eased from 15.39 percent in August to 14.
63 percent in September 2026.According to NBS “On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate for September 2026 stood at 14.
63%, when compared to 15.39% and 20.98% recorded in August 2026 and September 2025, respectively.“The month-on-month headline inflation rate in September 2026 was 0.06%, which was 0.65% lower than the rate recorded in August 2026 (0.
71%).According to a statement signed by the Statistical General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, NBS explained that at the divisional level, the three major contributors to the headline inflation were Food and non-alcoholic Beverages: 5.85%, Restaurants & Accommodation Services: 1.89%, and Transport: 1.56%; while the least contributors were Recreation, Sport, and Culture: 0.05%, Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco, and Narcotics: 0.05%, and Insurance and Financial Services: 0.07%.
“The Food inflation rate in September 2026 was 19.59% on a year-on-year basis, lower than 20.16% recorded in September 2025. Also, on a month-on-month basis, the Food Inflation rate in September 2026 was -1.55%, down by 2.57 percentage points from August 2026 (1.02%).
“This can be attributed to the rate of change in the average prices of Guinea corn flour, sold loose, Maize (Corn) Flour White (sold loose), Rice Local, short-Grained, Egg, Onion Fresh, Palm oil, Green Beans Fresh, Irish Potatoes, Okra, Tomatoes Fresh, Green Peas (Dried), Plantain, among others.
“Core Inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce and energy, stood at 12.95% in September 2026 on a year-on-year basis. On a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was 1.11% in September 2026, up by 1.17% compared to August 2026 (-0.06%).
NBS further stated that the inflation rate of the sub-indices for September 2026 shows that the monthly changes recorded were Farm Produce (-2.86%), Energy (5.38%), Services (0.41%), Goods (0.10%), and Imported Food (0.04%).
Meanwhile, the inflation rates on a year-on-year basis were as follows: Farm Produce (18.85%), Energy (10.85%), Services (14.51%), Goods (14.31%), and Imported Food (9.18%).
“On a year-on-year basis, the urban inflation rate in September 2026 was 15.64%. On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 0.53% in September 2026, up by 0.25% compared to August 2026 (0.28%).
“The rural inflation rate in September 2026 was 12.46% on a year-on-year basis. On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate in September 2026 was -0.89%, down by 2.68% compared to August 2026 (1.79%).
“In analysing price movements under this section, it should be noted that CPI is weighted by consumption expenditure patterns that differ across States and locations. Accordingly, the weight assigned to a particular Food or Non-Food item may differ from State to State making interstate comparisons of consumption baskets inadvisable and potentially misleading”.
The statement further noted that “in September 2026, the All-Items inflation rate on a Year-on-Year basis was highest in Imo (30.04%), Enugu (22.38) and Niger (22.05%), while Taraba (1.78%), Bauchi (2.84%) and Adamawa (3.66%) recorded the lowest rise in Headline inflation on a Year-on-Year basis. On a Month-on-Month basis, however, September 2026 recorded the highest increases in Imo (8.64%), Kaduna (4.46%), and Sokoto (3.01%), while Adamawa (-6.10%), Bauchi (-5.31%), and Kano (-4.49%) recorded the lowest rise in the Month-on-Month inflation.
“In September 2026, Food inflation on a Year-on-Year basis was highest in Lagos (34.40%), Imo (33.79%), and Ondo (31.49), while Taraba (-7.47%), Yobe (-0.37%), and Borno (2.18%) recorded the slowest rise in Food inflation on a Year-on-Year basis. On a Month-on-Month basis, however, September 2026 Food inflation was highest in Imo (5.15%), Ondo (4.46%), and Oyo (3.82), while Adamawa (-13.84%), Kano (-11.01%), and Bauchi (-10.21%) recorded the slowest rise in Food inflation on a Month-on-Month basis.
The NBS said the report is centred on a new CPI base year of 2024 and a weight reference period of 2023. Hence, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased to 146.38 in September 2026 and reflects a 0.08-point increase from the preceding month.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday disclosed that Nigeria’s inflation has eased from 15.39 percent in August to 14.63 percent in September 2026.
According to NBS “On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate for September 2026 stood at 14.63%, when compared to 15.39% and 20.98% recorded in August 2026 and September 2025, respectively.
“The month-on-month headline inflation rate in September 2026 was 0.06%, which was 0.65% lower than the rate recorded in August 2026 (0.71%).
According to a statement signed by the Statistical General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, NBS explained that at the divisional level, the three major contributors to the headline inflation were Food and non-alcoholic Beverages: 5.85%, Restaurants & Accommodation Services: 1.89%, and Transport: 1.56%; while the least contributors were Recreation, Sport, and Culture: 0.05%, Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco, and Narcotics: 0.05%, and Insurance and Financial Services: 0.07%.
“The Food inflation rate in September 2026 was 19.59% on a year-on-year basis, lower than 20.16% recorded in September 2025. Also, on a month-on-month basis, the Food Inflation rate in September 2026 was -1.55%, down by 2.57 percentage points from August 2026 (1.02%).
“This can be attributed to the rate of change in the average prices of Guinea corn flour, sold loose, Maize (Corn) Flour White (sold loose), Rice Local, short-Grained, Egg, Onion Fresh, Palm oil, Green Beans Fresh, Irish Potatoes, Okra, Tomatoes Fresh, Green Peas (Dried), Plantain, among others.
“Core Inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce and energy, stood at 12.95% in September 2026 on a year-on-year basis. On a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was 1.11% in September 2026, up by 1.17% compared to August 2026 (-0.06%).
NBS further stated that the inflation rate of the sub-indices for September 2026 shows that the monthly changes recorded were Farm Produce (-2.86%), Energy (5.38%), Services (0.41%), Goods (0.10%), and Imported Food (0.04%).
Meanwhile, the inflation rates on a year-on-year basis were as follows: Farm Produce (18.85%), Energy (10.85%), Services (14.51%), Goods (14.31%), and Imported Food (9.18%).
“On a year-on-year basis, the urban inflation rate in September 2026 was 15.64%. On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 0.53% in September 2026, up by 0.25% compared to August 2026 (0.28%).
“The rural inflation rate in September 2026 was 12.46% on a year-on-year basis. On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate in September 2026 was -0.89%, down by 2.68% compared to August 2026 (1.79%).
“In analysing price movements under this section, it should be noted that CPI is weighted by consumption expenditure patterns that differ across States and locations. Accordingly, the weight assigned to a particular Food or Non-Food item may differ from State to State making interstate comparisons of consumption baskets inadvisable and potentially misleading”.
The statement further noted that “in September 2026, the All-Items inflation rate on a Year-on-Year basis was highest in Imo (30.04%), Enugu (22.38) and Niger (22.05%), while Taraba (1.78%), Bauchi (2.84%) and Adamawa (3.66%) recorded the lowest rise in Headline inflation on a Year-on-Year basis. On a Month-on-Month basis, however, September 2026 recorded the highest increases in Imo (8.64%), Kaduna (4.46%), and Sokoto (3.01%), while Adamawa (-6.10%), Bauchi (-5.31%), and Kano (-4.49%) recorded the lowest rise in the Month-on-Month inflation.
“In September 2026, Food inflation on a Year-on-Year basis was highest in Lagos (34.40%), Imo (33.79%), and Ondo (31.49), while Taraba (-7.47%), Yobe (-0.37%), and Borno (2.18%) recorded the slowest rise in Food inflation on a Year-on-Year basis. On a Month-on-Month basis, however, September 2026 Food inflation was highest in Imo (5.15%), Ondo (4.46%), and Oyo (3.82), while Adamawa (-13.84%), Kano (-11.01%), and Bauchi (-10.21%) recorded the slowest rise in Food inflation on a Month-on-Month basis.
The NBS said the report is centred on a new CPI base year of 2024 and a weight reference period of 2023. Hence, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased to 146.38 in September 2026 and reflects a 0.08-point increase from the preceding month.
NEWS
Senate Oders Investigation into Corps Member’s Death in Enugu
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The Senate has ordered an investigation into the death of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Etimbuk Daniel, at the Enugu State orientation camp, following concerns over medical care and emergency response services in camps across the country.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death and determine whether there were lapses in the medical attention provided to him.
The probe will be handled by the Senate Committees on Police Affairs, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, Youth Development, and Health, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Senator Aniekan Bassey, who called for a review of medical services in NYSC orientation camps nationwide.
> Bassey expressed concern over Daniel’s death, describing him as a patriotic young Nigerian who had gone to serve his country with hopes of contributing to national development.
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> He said the incident had raised questions about the quality of healthcare available to corps members during their mandatory national service.
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> According to the senator, the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s death highlighted concerns about inadequate medical facilities, a shortage of qualified emergency personnel and delays in referring corps members to hospitals when necessary.
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> He stressed that the government had a responsibility to protect young graduates deployed away from their homes for national service.
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> Bassey warned that the incident pointed to wider problems in the healthcare arrangements at orientation camps, including allegations of negligence and ineffective emergency response systems
> He maintained that corps members deserved prompt and adequate medical attention throughout their service year.
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> Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Bassey said the security and welfare of citizens remained the primary purpose of government.
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> He added that Daniel’s death had plunged his family, friends, the student community and the people of Akwa Ibom State into mourning, making a thorough investigation necessary.
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> The Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North Senatorial District, seconded the motion.
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> Also speaking, Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, sympathised with Daniel’s family, Senator Bassey and the people of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria over the loss.
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> Ningi urged the relevant committees to come up with practical recommendations that would help prevent similar incidents in the future.
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> The Senate subsequently observed a minute of silence in honour of the deceased.
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> Daniel, who was the immediate past President of the Students’ Union Government of Akwa Ibom State University, reportedly died at the Enugu State NYSC orientation camp following allegations that he was given fake medication and did not receive timely medical attention.
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> Reports indicated that he initially complained of a headache and was given medication, but his condition reportedly worsened afterwards.
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> In a statement issued a few days ago, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Afeez, said Daniel had asked to be taken to a hospital after his condition deteriorated.
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> Afeez alleged that approval for further medical attention came too late, and Daniel died before he could be taken to the hospital.
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> The allegations have heightened calls for accountability and improved healthcare services at NYSC orientation camps.
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> Thousands of graduates pass through the camps every year, taking part in drills, physical exercises and other activities before being deployed to their places of primary assignment.
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