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We are ready to receive Wike into APC says Party chieftain
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha has said the party is “ready to receive” the immediate past governor of the state, Nyesom Wike when he decides to defect to the ruling party.
This is coming amid speculations that Wike who apparently worked to ensure the victory of President Bola Tinubu during the February 25 presidential election, is getting set to dump the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike and some of his loyalists in the opposition party had been accused of lobbying for ministerial positions in Tinubu’s government.
The former governor had also confirmed that he is ready to serve if appointed by President Tinubu.
Tony Okocha, a former Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, who made the remarks about Wike’s possible defection at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said the former governor has the right to join any party of his choice.
“In the leadership of the Tinubu family in Rivers State, we are at peace 100 per cent with His Excellency, Barr Nyesom Wike, the immediate past Governor of Rivers State as our leader”, he added.
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FG approves 6-month maternity leave for female lecturers without pay
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the presentation of the renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU.
Photo: Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa (right), and Minister of State for Education
The Federal Government has announced that qualified female academic staff shall be entitled to a maternity Leave of six months as provided in the subsisting Public Service Rules,” Section 3.4(vii) reads.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the presentation of the renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU.
He clarified that the Section 3.4 of the agreement, which focuses on ‘Non-salary conditions of service’, makes provision for six-month maternity leave as a fringe benefit.
Alausa described the agreement as a historic turning point that symbolises renewed trust, restored confidence and a firm commitment to uninterrupted academic calendars in Nigerian universities.
Alausa emphasised that the agreement reflects the resolve of President Bola Tinubu to prioritise education as the foundation of national development, noting that it marked the first time a sitting president took full ownership of the long-standing challenges confronting the university system.
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Insurgency: Trump allocates N587bn to US Africa Command for military operations in Nigeria, others
The allocation is contained in the US National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The funds were approved under Title XLIII – Operation and Maintenance.
The United States plans to spend N587 billion ($413.046 million) on counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026 amid worsening security conditions across West Africa.
The allocation is contained in the US National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The funds were approved under Title XLIII – Operation and Maintenance.
The security budget for the US Africa Command comes against the backdrop of the Christmas Day attacks on terrorists’ hideouts in Sokoto State by the Donald Trump administration.
On Tuesday, AFRICOM delivered a consignment of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security operations across the country.
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Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day 2026, in pictures
Remembering the fallen heroes and the living soldiers



Location: Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Thursday, 15 January, 2026
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