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FG Launches First University Innovation POD, Targets Research-Led Industrial Growth

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The Federal Government has launched Nigeria’s first Manu-Tech University Innovation Pod at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, as part of a broader strategy to transform universities into hubs of innovation, manufacturing, entrepreneurship and enterprise development.

The initiative is designed to connect academic research with industry and accelerate economic growth.

Speaking at the launch in Umudike, Abia State, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said universities must move beyond producing graduates and academic publications to becoming centres that create industries, generate jobs and provide practical solutions to national challenges.

He stressed that education must serve as a catalyst for production, innovation and national prosperity, and
explained that the Innovation Pod aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and is the product of collaboration between the Federal Government, the United Nations Development Programme, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, MOUAU and other stakeholders.

“The facility is expected to bring together researchers, students, innovators, manufacturers and investors within a single innovation ecosystem”. the centre integrates emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing systems, agro-processing, industrial automation and entrepreneurship”.

“The facility will support the development of ideas from research and design stages through prototyping, production and eventual commercialisation”.

The Minister noted that the location of the Innovation Pod in Abia State is strategic because of its proximity to the renowned Aba manufacturing cluster, creating opportunities to link local enterprise with university research and investment.

He said the initiative would strengthen local manufacturing, promote value addition, create jobs and improve the competitiveness of Made-in-Nigeria products within the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Alausa also disclosed that the Innovation Pod model will be replicated across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones based on regional economic strengths, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to building an education system that equips young Nigerians with future-ready skills, supports research commercialisation and contributes to the nation’s goal of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy.

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Police Raise Alarm Over Terrorists and Informants Spying on Schools, Other Targets

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Police authorities have raised a serious alarm over intelligence indicating that terrorists and their informants are actively spying on schools and other sensitive targets across the country.

According to security sources, the surveillance activities form part of a broader effort by extremist groups to gather information on soft targets, with educational institutions identified as particularly vulnerable. Officials warn that such reconnaissance could be a precursor to planned attacks and have called for immediate heightened vigilance by school administrators, security personnel, and the general public.

The police statement urges institutions to strengthen access controls, report suspicious individuals or activities promptly, and cooperate fully with security agencies. “We are treating these reports with the utmost seriousness,” a senior police official said, noting that the involvement of local informants makes the threat more difficult to detect.

The military has responded by confirming that it is closely monitoring the situation. In a brief statement, military authorities said relevant formations have been placed on alert and are working in coordination with the police and other security agencies to track and disrupt any potential threats.

Security experts note that schools and public gathering places have increasingly featured in the operational planning of terrorist groups in recent years, making continuous intelligence sharing and community awareness critical to prevention. Authorities continue to appeal for calm while stressing that proactive measures are already underway.

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Dangote Refinery IPO: SEC Warns Investors, ‘Don’t Pay Into Wrong Hands’

The warning effectively places investors on notice that interest in the IPO should not override basic due diligence, particularly in verifying where subscription applications are submitted and where payments are made.

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Aliko Dangote , flanks by her daughters and capital market regulators, during the gong opening ceremony on the NGX, Monday September 14,2026

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned prospective investors in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Initial Public Offering (IPO) against fraudsters and unauthorised platforms seeking to divert subscription funds.

The warning came as the refinery’s was quoted on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Monday, September 14, 2026, marking a major milestone in the company’s planned public offer.

With strong public interest expected around one of Nigeria’s largest capital-market offerings, the SEC urged investors to deal only with officially designated and approved receiving agents, subscription channels and platforms.

“The public is hereby advised to exercise caution and ensure that all applications and payments relating to the IPO are made only through the officially designated and approved receiving agents/subscription channels and platforms,” the Commission said.

The regulator’s alert highlights growing concerns over the possibility of fake investment websites, cloned platforms, fraudulent payment channels and individuals posing as authorised agents to exploit the huge interest generated by the Dangote Refinery offer.

The SEC therefore advised prospective investors to obtain information about the IPO only through the Commission’s official channels, the issuer’s official channels and other channels specifically established and approved for the offer.

The warning effectively places investors on notice that interest in the IPO should not override basic due diligence, particularly in verifying where subscription applications are submitted and where payments are made.

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Bamanga Tukur, former Adamawa gov, ex-PDP Chair dies at 90

Tukur, who died three days before his 91st birthday, was one of the prominent political figures whose career cut across Nigeria’s military and civilian administrations, the private sector and continental business circles.

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BAMANGA Tukur, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and former governor of Gongola (now Adamawa)State, is dead, aged 90.

Family’s sources confirmed his death on Saturday, although details surrounding his passing were not immediately made public.

Tukur, who died three days before his 91st birthday, was one of the prominent political figures whose career cut across Nigeria’s military and civilian administrations, the private sector and continental business circles.

Born on September 15, 1935, he began his public service career at the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, where he served as General Manager from 1975 to 1982.

He moved into elective politics and won the Gongola State governorship election in 1983, but his tenure was cut short by the military coup in December of the same year.After leaving office, Tukur turned to business and founded BHI Holdings, popularly known as the DADDO Group of Companies.

He later returned to government as Minister of Industries between 1993 and 1995 under the military administration of General Sani Abacha.Tukur also played prominent roles in African business and economic affairs, serving as Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group.

He held advisory positions with several international trade organisations.

In March 2012, he returned to partisan politics when he was elected National Chairman of the PDP with the backing of then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

His tenure, however, was overshadowed by prolonged internal disagreements within the party, culminating in his resignation as national chairman in January 2014.

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