News
State Governments Can Offset, Waive Minor Fines Owed By Inmates – Aregbesola
The Federal Government has revealed that state governors can offset or grant waivers to inmates with fines less than N1 million.
This is according to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, during the commissioning of a 20-bed space medical facility at Port Harcourt maximum security custodial centre.
Aregbesola said while the Federal Government is finding long time solutions to the challenge of prison decongestion, the State Government can in the meantime provide basic supports, like offsetting the meager fines and debts, building court houses at the correctional services premises or try the defendants virtually from the Correctional Centres for speedy determination of cases.
He held that some of the inmates are held behind bars for minor offences that can be easily waved by the states.
The Minister further stated that he recently asked the comptroller of Correctional centres to compile the list of inmates whose reason for incarceration is a fine or a debt not more than one million naira that are meant to be paid to the state governments.
According to him, about 5,000 inmates where shortlisted under this category and most of them have stayed long enough in the care of the Federal Government to consume foods worth more than they are supposed to pay as fines and debt to the states.
According to him, in Rivers State, there are about 22 of such inmates and the 22 of them are collectively owing a little above 3million naira, an amount he thinks the State Government can offset or wave for the inmates to be freed.
The minister noted that apart from reducing the financial burden on the Federal Government, such decisions by the state will also help in decongesting the correctional centres.
He said for instance, the Maximum facility in Port Harcourt was built 1,800 inmates, but as of May 12, 2023 the centre was holding 3,100 inmates.
While emphasizing that the situation in Port Harcourt is a reflection of the cases in most of the facilities across the country, the minister said Additionally, the Federal Government is building 6 mega facilities with at least 3,000 capacity in the six geopolitical zones to further decongest the existing facilities.
The one for the South-South is located in Bori in Khana Local Government Area of the Ogoni ethnic group in Rivers State.
News
BREAKING: Uche Nnaji Resigns as Tinubu’s Minister
In a letter thanking President Bola Tinubu for having allowed him to serve Nigeria, Nnaji said that he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents, citing some allegations against him.
Geoffrey Uche Nnaji resigned today as the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.
In a letter thanking President Bola Tinubu for having allowed him to serve Nigeria, Nnaji said that he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents, citing some allegations against him.
In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dated October 7, 2025 ,President Tinubu has accepted Nnaji ‘s resignation , thanks him for his service to the nation and wished him well in future endeavors.
President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.
News
President Tinubu Decorates INEC’s Mahmood Yakubu with “CON” National Honour
Yakubu was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission for an initial term of five years. The appointment, which was renewed in 2020, has now expired due to the passage of time.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday conferred the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the outgoing Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying that the award was in recognition of Yakubu’s dedicated service to the nation.
Yakubu was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission for an initial term of five years. The appointment, which was renewed in 2020, has now expired due to the passage of time.
President Tinubu thanked Professor Yakubu for his services to the nation and his efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure.
Consequent upon this, President Tinubu also directed that Professor Yakubu should hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will direct the affairs of the commission until the completion of the process to appoint a successor.
In the letter dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve the nation as chairman of the commission since 2015.
News
OpenAI’s Global Actors to Grace 2025 UNILAG International Week
Director of International Relations, Professor Ismail Ibraheem, emphasised the importance of the event in shaping Africa’s voice in the global tech space, stating that the week serves as a platform for practical collaborations between academia, industry, and government.
Prominent figures, including Emmanuel Lubanzadio from OpenAI, Yvonne Ike of Bank of America, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications Dr. Bosun Tijani, and entrepreneur Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, are set to participate in the 2025 University of Lagos (UNILAG) International Week.
The event, themed “Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa,” will take place from October 13 to 17, 2025, at UNILAG’s Akoka campus.
The week-long program will bring together government officials, global partners, academics, and tech innovators to discuss artificial intelligence and collaboration.
Keynote speakers will include Dr. Tijani, Mr. Lubanzadio, and Ms. Ike, while sessions on digital governance will feature Nigeria’s BPP boss, Dr. Adedokun.
Young innovators like Adeleke Eniola, who developed an AI-powered malaria diagnostic tool, will also be highlighted.
Plenary sessions will cover topics such as ethical AI, data governance, and educational innovation, aiming for actionable outcomes like policy recommendations and investment linkages.
Director of International Relations, Professor Ismail Ibraheem, emphasised the importance of the event in shaping Africa’s voice in the global tech space, stating that the week serves as a platform for practical collaborations between academia, industry, and government.
UNILAG continues to strengthen its international partnerships for research and skills development, reinforcing its role in global engagement.
BREAKING: Uche Nnaji Resigns as Tinubu’s Minister
President Tinubu Decorates INEC’s Mahmood Yakubu with “CON” National Honour
OpenAI’s Global Actors to Grace 2025 UNILAG International Week
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Entertainment2 days agoImisi Wins Big Brother Naija Season 10
-
Sports2 days agoFIFA U-20 World Cup: Nigeria to face Argentina on Wednesday , following Colombia 1-1 draw
-
News2 days agoHon Rotimi Olowo, Chief Zebrudaya alias 4.30, and other top Nigerians for Virtuous Widows Int’l Foundation Awards
-
News3 days agoFormer President Jonathan’s Comments on Boko Haram Were Misrepresented
-
News2 days agoNational Assembly warns parliamentary staff against picketing during plenary
-
News2 days agoFubara in closed-door meeting with Wike and Loyalists in Port Harcourt
-
Business2 days agoBeer manufacturers reject tax stamps rollout by govt
-
Business1 day ago“Nigeria Is Bigger Than PENGASSAN, Any Trade Union – Shettima