The announcement is contained in a letter by the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Mr Kamorudeen Ogunlana, and signed on his behalf by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Essien Eyo Essien.

The letter reads: “I am directed to inform you that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, is presenting the 2026 proposed Budget to a Joint Session of the National Assembly.

“Consequently, all accredited persons must endeavour to be at their duty posts by 11:00 am, otherwise they would not be allowed access into the Complex for security reasons.

“Non-accredited persons should stay away from the National Assembly on that day, except for the CNA, Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly (DCNA).

“Others are, Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives and their deputies.

“Every other member of staff is required to park his/her vehicle at available spaces at the Annex or the new car park by the national assembly gate.”

Source: NAN

READ ALSO: 

Madam Ayodele Lawal: Family releases burial programme

JUST IN: Farouk Ahmed resigns as Tinubu nominates successor

Driver absconds as truck kills two, injures three in Lagos

Tinubu seeks Senate approval of 2024 Appropriation Repeal, Re-enactment Bill

APC chair, Yilwatda, reaffirms party stability drive as TPI emerges as ideological nerve centre

Thrifto: Nigeria’s digital platform for group savings goes public

BOOK REVIEW: Exploring the power of patience, resilience for ambition

Police detain TikToker Peller over reckless driving, suicide attempt

The masquerade who drank palmwine quietly, By Funke Egbemode

The post Tinubu to present 2026 Budget to NASS on Friday appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Assistant Controller General of Corrections, ACG, in charge of Medical Services, Dr Glory Essien, disclosed the figure during a public hearing on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture, and Other Inhumane Treatment by the NCoS, began the third public hearing on Monday.

Essien, however, highlighted the harsh reality of incarceration and its impact on mental health during her address to the panel.

“We have 8,246 inmates with mental health conditions in our custodial centres.

“From the moment someone is brought in, those who have seen a custodial centre know what I mean.

“The police escort them to the gate and it’s opened, they’re admitted, and then that gate locked behind them.

“That instant loss of freedom can trigger something. Some begin to show signs of disturbed behaviour almost immediately, as if something in their mind has shifted,” she said.

Essien explained that the prison system relied on an internal network of trained inmate-leaders who assisted staff in identifying those showing signs of psychological distress.

According to her, these leaders are trained to alert the staff when they notice concerning behaviour.

“They might say, ‘This inmate seems dazed, hasn’t eaten, hasn’t spoken to anyone.’ That helps us intervene early,” she said.

Essien said in spite of these efforts, the scale of mental health issues far exceeded the available resources.

She said: “If you’re in a facility housing 500 to 1,000 inmates, and you’re the only attending doctor, nurse, or psychologist, it’s simply not possible to monitor everyone individually.

READ ALSO: Passengers with disruptive behaviour shall be sanctioned –FAAN

“That’s why we rely on these trained inmates to help us identify those in need, so we can provide care as best as we can,” she said.

She, however, underscored the logistical challenges of delivering mental healthcare in correctional facilities.

“Mental illness is chronic. It’s not like malaria where you give a dose and it clears up,” she said, pointing to transportation issues, limited drug supplies, and staff shortage as ongoing obstacles.

“We’re not operating in a five-star environment. But with the little we have, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of our work,” she maintained.

Similarly, the Assistant Controller General of Corrections in charge of Pharmaceutical Services, Mohammed Bashir, addressed concerns around drug provision and mental health treatment.

He said that the federal government had actually been doing its enormous best to see that it catered for the health needs of the inmates.

“Money has been appropriated, but is the money enough? No.

“Out of 81,122 inmates in 256 correctional facilities nationwide, about 2.3 per cent are female,” he said.

Bashir revealed that a single item such as sanitary pads for menstruating inmates costs over “four million naira monthly.”

On mental healthcare, Bashir confirmed that a psychological services unit had been created within the service to focus on treatment.

“We have partnership with this psychiatric and psychological association. We have the consultants who usually go to about 12 designated custodial centres that have a large number of these cases,” he said.

He, however, admitted that drug supplies often ran out within weeks due to inadequate funding and staffing.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, PS, in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, called for urgent support and systemic changes.

Ajani made a passionate appeal to the Nigerian Medical Association and pharmaceutical companies for support.

“Please come to Macedonia and help us. We are in dire need for psychiatric and psychological aid in remote states beyond Abuja and Lagos.

Ajani, who chairs the panel expressed concern over the mal-distribution of mental health professionals.

“Let them not only be centered in Abuja and Lagos. We need them to go out to the fields. Because if we even put two in the states, it will help them,” she added.

The PS stressed the need for transparency and collaboration with private companies, noting that public-private partnerships would be beneficial.

According to her, we can approach companies that can give us drugs as CSR.

“So, don’t let us sit in the office and forget our primary responsibility.

“Do it now. Build a bridge and empower younger people to be able to sustain that bridge that you are building,” she emphasised.

The post 8,246 mentally ill inmates in custody nationwide –NCoS appeared first on Frontpageng.

Neliaku was re-elected on Thursday, at the ongoing  2025 Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, conference in Uyo.

He was re-elected into the Governing Council by members and subsequently returned as President by the Electoral College.

Also, Prof Emmanuel Dandaura was re-elected  Vice President, while 15 others were elected council members, representing various states of the country.

The elected council members include Mr Akin Agbejule, Niger; Mrs Olubunmi Badejo, Federal Capital Territory;  Prof. Kate Omenugha, Anambra; Malam Bashir Chedi, Kaduna; Dr Saudat Abdulbaqi, Kwara; and Ini Essien; Akwa Ibom.

READ ALSO: When legacy meets preparedness – Olusegun Alebiosu as CEO, FirstBank group

Others are, Malam Kabir Kobi, Bauchi;  Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, Rivers; Prof. Sarah Lwahas, Plateau; Mr Adaramola Temitope, Ogun and Dr Adewale Oyekanmi, Osun.

Chief Patrick Uka, Delta;  Sajoh Ibrahim, Adamawa, Comfort Nwankwo, and Olusegun Mcmedal, Lagos were also elected as council members .

The elected council members will run the affairs of the council for the next two years.

Source: NAN

The post Neliaku re-elected NIPR president appeared first on Frontpageng.

The first item that caught my attention on Facebook penultimate Wednesday was Mr. Nsikak Essien’s page. It reads: “Christianity is not a primitive accumulation of wealth, an obscene display of opulence”. The photograph of the Catholic Church’s Pope Francis blessing a white car followed. A horde of executives clad in black (business) suits stood behind him. Nsikak’s narrative continued: “This latest Lamborghini car, which costs $200,000.00, was donated to Pope Francis by the car company. After blessing (the car), His Holiness (that is, Pope Francis) donated it (the car) to be auctioned and the proceeds donated to four charity organizations in his (Pope Francis’s) name. How many men of God would do that?”

Before I continue, let me introduce Mr. Nsikak Essien to those who may not know him. Nsikak was the editor of the National Concord during those turbulent June 12, 1993 years when I was the editor of The PUNCH and Saturday PUNCH. He also was – and still is – one of the finest writers this country has produced. The National Concord was the flagship of numerous publications owned and bankrolled by Chief MKO Abiola. The PUNCH and CONCORD newspapers led the way in the battle against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election that was won free and square by Abiola. That election remains the most credible in the history of elections in this country, judged so by both local and international observers and commentators, private and governmental.

Back to Nsikak’s post. We now know that the cost of a (brand new) Lamborghini car is about $200,000.00. At an exchange rate of N1,700.00 to a dollar, that translates to N340,000,000.00 (Three Hundred and Forty Million Naira) only! Since the car was said to have been donated by the “car company”, which I understand to mean the company that made the Lamborghini, we should presume that it is a brand new car, not a “Tokunboh” or refurbished car. It is also sure to be a delectable, state-of-the-art car, possibly with special made-for-maximum-pleasure fittings and accessories.

Despite this, the pope, obviously, was not blown out of this world because of this gift. He did not see, describe or exclaim it as a miracle from God or as evidence of answered prayers. There was no nexus or connection between the car gift and the anointing of God upon the head, life or ministry of the pope. The pope didn’t need the car in the real sense of the word. He must have had other cars that he had been riding before this gift came. So, it most likely did not solve any car needs for him.

Possibly as a result, he had no problems giving it away. Possibly, too, it is a function of his state of mind and philosophy of life not to engage in what Nsikak described as “primitive accumulation of wealth (and) obscene display of opulence”. Marxists define it as “primitive capitalist accumulation” because, in Marxian theory, capitalism and capitalists thrive on primitive accumulation, whether or not they have a need for that which is being accumulated.

Rather than bask in the glory of a new Lamborghini as an addition to what may be an intimidating array of all manner, make and class of cars in his garage that may be bursting at the seams, and show it off to his congregation who would scream and yell and shout hallelujah as they struggle to touch the exotic car as a “point of contact” for their own miracle to tumble down from heaven swiftly, the pope gave his Lamborghini away to charity. He asked that the car be auctioned and the proceeds given to four charity organisations in his (the pope’s) name.

What must have gone through the pope’s mind, informing him to make that decision? Is it the bible passage that says what shall it profit a man if he inherits this world but loses his soul? (Mark 8:36 – 37). Or is it the other one that commands us to lay up our treasures in heaven and not here on earth? (Matthew 6: 19-21). Can it be the story of the young rich ruler who, thinking he could flaunt his own righteousness, came to Jesus and asked him what he must do to inherit the kingdom of God? He scaled all the hurdles listed by Jesus except one: sell what you have and give the proceeds to the poor (Mark 10: 17 – 31).

Could this have been what informed the pope’s decision? Luke 12: 15 admonishes us to “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possessions.” Not in the abundance of Lamborghini and Rolls Royce; private jets; palatial homes and exquisite wardrobes; and out-of-this-world riches that make the possessors some of the richest pastors on planet earth!

Pope Francis directed that his Lamborghini be auctioned and the proceeds shared among four charity organisations. Lucky organisations! If auctions are what we know them to be, that car, on auction, will attract far more than its factory price. The fact that it has had the pope’s name attached to it – he even blessed it – would certainly raise its value and make it a collectors’ item.  There are wealthy people who love to pluck up such items. Four charity organisations will be blessed by the pope’s large-heartedness. They are the ones who have received a miracle. They are the ones whose prayers have been answered.

READ ALSO: Tinubu commiserates with Mele Kyari over daughter’s death

If you are not current, Nsikak’s post will appear innocuous; you can simply read it, wonder what it is all about and move on. But for those who are current, it is pregnant with meaning. It is loaded. As our people will say: The witch cried yesterday and the child died today; who does not know that it is the witch that cried yesterday who killed the child that died today! A Nigerian man of God celebrated a landmark birthday a few days earlier and he reportedly got the gift of how many Rolls Royce cars!

A Rolls Royce Cullinan, the type this man of God reportedly received, costs around $391,750.00, which is about N665, 975,000.000 (Six Hundred and Sixty-Five, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Five Million Naira, far more expensive than (almost double the price of) Lamborghini. And he got not just one but two – that is double portion and (evidence of?) double anointing! I am not aware if he took or will take the same steps as Pope Francis. Has he or will he auction his own Rolls Royces and give the proceeds to the poor? At no time other than now do the Nigerian poor need a helping hand and a large heart as Pope Francis’s!

My guess is that Nsikak was not just interested in criticising but wanted to draw attention to, and recommend, the example of the pope to his Nigerian counterpart. After all, a man of God is a man of God, be he black, be he white; and whether in Europe or Africa, God’s standard is the same. It is not impossible that the Nigerian man of God might not have seen the pope’s laudable example; that being the case, Nsikak’s post will be of immense help. Our elaborating it here should also be icing on the cake. Maybe the Nigerian man of God will chance upon this. Maybe someone will chance upon it and bring it to his attention. Maybe he will read Nsikak or this piece and be grateful that he did. Maybe not! Maybe he will read it, take umbrage and fly into a rage. What insolence! How dare they teach me what to do with my Rolls Royce? What audacity! Why try to ruin my birthday bash?

My guess is that Nsikak was not just interested in criticising but wanted to draw attention to, and recommend, the example of the pope to his Nigerian counterpart. After all, a man of God is a man of God, be he black, be he white; and whether in Europe or Africa, God’s standard is the same.

If he reacts like that, it could be real trouble! In 1973, the Port-Harcourt-based correspondent of the Bendel State Government-owned OBSERVER newspaper, Minere Amakiri, wrote a story deemed unpalatable by the then military governor, Alfred Diete-Spiff, simply because the story, which detailed the plight of teachers in the state, coincided with the governor’s birthday (30th July, 1973). The governor ordered that Amakairi be arrested and his head shaved with broken bottles! Decades later, after he had retired and was now a traditional ruler in the same Rivers State, I had the opportunity of interviewing Diete-Spiff. There was nothing really aghast in Amakiri’s story; the young and irascible governor’s hubris and uncontrollable anger were the issues.

And such elements are everywhere, churches and mosques inclusive. Some 12 or so years ago, I counselled a man of God and leader of the church against his incessant visit to the Presidential villa of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Reduce your frequency there, I told him in one of my columns. Rather than take heed, he took advantage of his position and reported me. I was summoned. I explained myself and was discharged and acquitted. Months later, this same man of God’s private aircraft got entangled in the cash-for-arms fiasco in South Africa. Do you remember that scandal? His vibrant voice became muted. He is yet to recover and regain his swagger!

Those that have ears, let them hear!

 FEEDBACK

You have thoroughly researched your discourse on the nation’s politics and elections. The 1993 presidential election turned out to be what it was: Fair, free, credible, and successful because of the quality of the main contestant, Chief MKO Abiola. He knew what he wanted and prepared adequately for it. It was MKO’s long-term project . He knew that he had a lot of work to do and was prepared for it. Contestants since the 1993 elections just want power for the sake of power to satisfy their selfish interests and greed, with no intention to serve.  That is why they buy votes and force themselves on the people. There can never be another 1993 presidential election, never again in this country! Modern-day contestants have no interest in the people who vote for them. But with people like you consistently pontificating, maybe our politicians will have a change of heart! Don’t get discouraged! Maybe, someday, there will be sanity! – Wale Ojo.

The solution to our myriad problems is a return to the collective destiny begun under the Western Regional Government, by which every Yoruba was conscious of his/her existence. The atomization engendered by the creation of states under the neutralization of the autonomy of regional governance must be reversed; otherwise; we shall suffer a continuous lamentation of our plight. This is why the Yoruba Referendum Committee is advocating a “Yoruba Referendum” to legitimize our aspiration, which will address these issues. The Western Region did not wait for the rest of the country before pursuing self-government. There is no reason, therefore, for us to wait for countrywide restructuring before taking steps towards self-government. Other parts of the country so interested can emulate our example. A Bill to that effect has been sent to the Houses of Assembly in the South-west and the state governors. There is no point having a “Yoruba National Anthem” if we cannot determine our own destiny. -Femi.

*Bolawole (turnpot@gmail.com 0807 552 5533), former Editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, was also the Managing Director/ Editor-in-chief of the Westerner newsmagazine. He writes the “ON THE LORD’S DAY” column in the Sunday Tribune and “TREASURES” column in the New Telegraph newspapers. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.

The post Of men of God, Lamborghini and Rolls Royce… appeared first on Frontpageng.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, opened the T-shaped Oyingbo Overpass Bridge to traffic, marking the delivery of another ancillary infrastructure of Lagos Rail Mass Transit, LRMT, Red Line.

Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on invitation of Sanwo-Olu, commissioned the project undertaken by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA.

Inauguration of Oyingbo Flyover came three days after Yaba Flyover – another key Red Line infrastructure – was commissioned by Sanwo-Olu.

READ ALSO: Minister of Power: NSIB begins investigation into aircraft accident

The Oyingbo Flyover serves as a major transit link between Lagos Island and Mainland, ascending from Murtala Mohammed Way in Ebute Metta and dropping traffic into two separate arterial roads – Iddo and Costain.

The project solved vehicular congestions and delays, which hampered free movement in the vicinity.

The overpass also eliminated pedestrian and vehicular interference on the rail tracks, significantly reducing the risk of accidents and collisions between trains and vehicles.

Sanwo-Olu said the investment would not only enhance uninterrupted flow of vehicular traffic at level crossings along the Red Line corridor, but the infrastructure would also improve commerce and life quality of the residents.

He said: “Today, we are opening another Overpass Bridge constructed to ensure safety of lives and uninterrupted flow of vehicular traffic at level crossings along the Red Line. This key project, which is the second of the five bridges undertaken by Lagos State Government along the rail corridor, has been delivered in Oyingbo, famous for being a thriving centre of commerce.

“The siting of this infrastructure in this area is strategic and intentional to achieve a seamless integrated intermodal transport system for the people. Oyingbo Flyover is an important bridge connecting Oyingbo Station of the Lagos Red Line to the Oyingbo Bus Station. The infrastructure has also opened new connectivity for motorists and commuters going to the Island from the Mainland.”

Sanwo-Olu said the opening of Oyingbo Bridge came at the right time in view of the announced maintenance work on Third Mainland Bridge, which prompted the closure of Ebute Metta sections serving as passageways for motorists going to Lagos Island.

Oyingbo Flyover, the governor said, would now provide alternative routes to access Lagos Island.

He warned against misuse of the facility, stressing that the state government would not tolerate illegal activities, including trading, under the bridge.

Sanwo-Olu noted that the contract for the bridge had not only harnessed the local engineering expertise, the infrastructure had also enabled skill transfer and developed local engineering solutions.

The governor disclosed that students of engineering from tertiary institutions based in Lagos were engaged throughout the period of the construction for them to learn and derive value.

Oyebanji said Lagos had become a model for transformative leadership, progressive reforms and good governance, praising Sanwo-Olu for fulfilling his electoral promise to the people.

The Ekiti governor said: “The commissioning of this massive infrastructure project speaks to what is possible when you have a thinking leadership and a government that works with a vision at the helm. We have seen Lagos evolve to become a great city under the grand vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who laid the foundation for the development initiatives being implemented by his successors in Lagos.

READ ALSO: Two suspected gun manufacturers arrested, weapons recovered

“Ekiti State has a lot to learn from Lagos in terms of creating a practicable development vision that will be passed on to successive administration. This is the first time, in several years, which Ekiti is witnessing unbroken transition to Government by same political party. Ekiti is toeing the same path, as we are committed to build on the foundation laid by my predecessor.”

Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the flyover further attested to the drive of the governor’s development blueprint, known as THEMES Plus Agenda, to deliver an integrated transportation master plan aimed at making Lagos a competitive city.

LAMATA Managing Director, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, praised Sanwo-Olu for demonstrating courage to ensure timely completion of the Red Line infrastructure.

Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, Hon. Omolola Essien, described the event as “momentous occasion”, noting the bridge was “a symbol of progress” for the Lagos Mainland residents.

She promised to galvanise residents in protecting the bridge and prevent illegal trading under it.

“I sincerely extend the appreciation of Lagos Mainland residents to Mr. Governor for his unwavering commitment to the transformation of Lagos and our city. I believe this infrastructure will improve the quality of life of the people and ease transportation within this axis. We promise zero tolerance to trading under the bridge and we will preserve the infrastructure,” she said.

The post Sanwo-Olu delivers, inaugurates Oyingbo flyover appeared first on Frontpageng.

The suspect was arrested following the report lodged at Agbara divisional headquarters by the suspect’s wife, Bright Essien, who reported that sometime in October 2021, her husband, Kingsley Essien, informed her that he had secured a job for her in Bamako Mali.

That was after he told her that he had assisted many people to that country for greener pastures before.

According to the spokesman of the police in Ogun State, , DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the woman explained further that being her husband, she didn’t suspect any foul play.

However, when she got to Mali she discover that she had been sold to human trafficker cartel headed by a woman at the rate of N1.4 million.

She sad while in Mali, she was forced into prostitution, but later found her way to Nigerian embassy in Bamako where she was assisted back to Nigeria.

On getting to Nigeria, she discovered that her two years old son in care of her husband was nowhere to be found.

Upon the report, the DPO Agbara division, SP Abiodun Salau, detailed his detectives to go after the suspect, and he was eventually arrested.

On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime.

He confessed further that he sold the two years old son to somebody at the rate of N600,000.00

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole, has ordered the transfer of the suspect to anti-human trafficking and child labour unit of the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for discreet investigation.

He equally ordered that the buyer of the son be traced and arrested in order to recover the stolen child.

The post Man arrested for trafficking wife, selling son for N600,000 appeared first on Frontpageng.