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DTF Set To Raise N100bn For Military, Paramilitary Families

The Atlantic Bell
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DTF Set To Raise N100bn For Military, Paramilitary Families

In a bid to support the families of Nigeria’s military and paramilitary personnel, the Defend Trust Fund (DTF) has announced plans to raise ₦100 billion through a national empowerment and welfare initiative.

Speaking at a press conference held on Monday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Kaduna, the campaign’s lead advocate, Mohammed Thompson, said the movement seeks to gather 100,000 citizen signatures in support of the project over the next four months.

According to Thompson, the campaign—which commenced on October 6, 2025, and will run until January 14, 2026—is designed to provide scholarships, business grants, vocational training, cooperative financing, and psychosocial support for the families of uniformed men and women.

He explained that the initiative would lead to the establishment of the Defence Families Empowerment and Development Fund (DEFDF), an endowment aimed at restoring dignity and hope to the often-forgotten families of fallen officers.

“Every day, men and women of Nigeria’s armed forces and paramilitary services put on their uniforms to defend the nation often at great risk.
Behind each of these brave individuals stands a family, spouses, children, parents, and loved ones who carry silent burdens,” he said.

Thompson described the campaign as “deeply personal,” noting that he grew up in a military barracks where he witnessed the struggles of bereaved families firsthand.

“I have seen too many non-commissioned officers’ families live in abject poverty because of meagre salaries and the absence of structured support.
This campaign is about justice, dignity, and hope for the families behind the uniform,” he added.

He further stated that the Defend Trust Fund would serve as a sustainable national social justice mechanism to institutionalize support for uniformed personnel and their dependents, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s economic inclusion agenda and ongoing reforms to protect vulnerable groups.

“Establishing a sustainable trust fund for military and paramilitary families aligns perfectly with these priorities and provides a structured mechanism to uplift those who have long been underserved,” Thompson emphasized.

The campaign will run in partnership with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), which will help drive nationwide awareness and advocacy. Thompson noted that the DTF draws inspiration from successful international models, including the Armed Forces Covenant Fund in the UK, the Military Families Fund in Canada, and several veteran and service family trust programs in the United States and Australia.

“Nigeria must not be left behind,” he stressed.

In a related development, Engineer Nurudeen Adeyemi, a member of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board of Trustees, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to advancing tertiary education as a driver of growth, innovation, and societal transformation.
He said the fund continues to pursue a change-driven policy agenda anchored on the Renewed Hope Vision, following the inauguration of the board by President Tinubu.

By Miracle Chidinma Amaechi

Rivers Civil Servants Go Wild With Joy As Fubara Visits Burnt Secretariat Building

The Atlantic Bell
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Rivers Civil Servants Go Wild With Joy As Fubara Visits Burnt Secretariat Building

It was a scene to behold on Tuesday morning as Rivers State Civil Servants went wild with joy as the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara visited the scene of yesterday’s fire which consumed a part of the ground floor of the Podium block of the Secretariat complex.
It was the governor’s first visit to the Secretariat Complex since the end of the emergency rule and his reinstatement on September 17.

Governor Fubara, who arrived at the complex at about 11.30 a.m., could not help but respond with smiles to the enthusiastic crowd who had gathered on learning of his visit.

The governor went straight to inspect the area that was consumed by the inferno yesterday.

 

Governor Fubara declined to comment on the fire and what the government’s response would be to the unfortunate scenario.

Some civil servants who spoke with The Atlantic Bell at the Secretariat said that in spite of the unfortunate situation, they were overjoyed to see the governor and could not resist expressing their joy.

It would be recalled that a raging inferno destroyed a wing of the ground floor of the Podium Block yesterday. The area mostly affected was the Audit Unit, which lost valuables, although no life was lost.

Yesterday, the Head of the Civil Service in the state, Dr. Inyingi Brown, who visited the scene, said there were no casualties during the fire incident that occurred at the State Secretariat Complex on Monday.

Speaking to newsmen on the ground floor of Podium Block, location of the incident, the Head of Service disclosed that on noticing the fire outbreak, the State Fire Service and other agencies were promptly called to contain the inferno.

“We were informed that there was a fire incident at the right wing, ground floor of Podium Block and we immediately made calls to the Rivers State Fire Service, and they responded promptly.

“We also called other partners of the state, such as Renaissance, Federal Fire Service, and the military, who all promptly sent their fire trucks. It was a combined effort, and as we speak, you can see that the fire has been contained,” she stated.

“We thank God, and we thank His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for being proactive in rehabilitating the fire service before this time. If not for his investment in the fire service, this situation would have been worse,” she stressed.

She disclosed that no life was lost, even though the state medical service was on the ground to curtail any emergency.

She explained that preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been as a result of electrical faults and thereby called on all civil servants to be responsible in putting off all electrical services at the close of work.

“We urge all civil servants to take responsibility in safety. Put off our sockets and our lights. Not just putting off the sockets, but unplug to ensure there is no residual charge because these buildings are heritage buildings, and we don’t want anything to happen to them,” she admonished.

Dr. Brown further assured that Governor Fubara was working on measures to refurbish the secretariat buildings, which will be made known soon.

“Why Suit On Jonathan’s Qualification For 2027 Election is Abuse Of Court Process”

The Atlantic Bell
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“Why Suit On Jonathan’s Qualification For 2027 Election is Abuse Of Court Process”

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Oba Maduabuchi, has described the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election as an abuse of court process.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Maduabuchi said the issue of Jonathan’s qualification had already been settled by a competent court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and no appeal has been filed against that judgment.

He stated that until the existing judgment is overturned, it remains the valid legal position, adding that anyone attempting to relitigate the matter is “simply abusing the process of the court and is a busy body”.

The senior lawyer explained that the 2018 constitutional amendment — Section 137(3), which limits a person to one further term if they have previously completed another’s tenure — did not exist when Jonathan first took the oath of office in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Maduabuchi maintained that the law cannot be applied retroactively and that there was no legal restriction preventing Jonathan from seeking two full terms as President under the constitutional provisions in effect at the time.

He said: “Let me start by saying that that suit in the Federal High Court Abuja is an abuse of court process.

“An abuse of court process is when you want to relitigate a case or an issue that has already been settled by a court of competent jurisdiction.

“The issue of the qualification or non-qualification of Dr Goodluck Jonathan have been settled by the court in Yenagoa. Nobody has taken that issue on appeal. And until that judgment is set aside, it remains what the law is, and anybody who decides that he wants to take it to a court of coordinate jurisdiction is simply abusing the process of the court and is a busy body.

“But what controls a given situation is the position of the law when the act in the issue was done. What was the position of the law in 2011?

“When Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan took the oath of office as President of Nigeria, what was the position of the law? Was Section 1373 part of our laws, then? You already said the law came into effect in 2018.

“So when Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was taking the oath of office to complete the tenure of Yar’Adua there were no statutory limitations in existence then which could inhibit him from running his constitutionally guaranteed two terms.

“There was no inhibition. When in 2018 you brought in the amendment of 1373, did Goodluck Ebele Jonathan take an oath as president after the amendment?”

Hold INEC Officials Responsible For Their Actions, Soludo Demands … Chidoka Carpets Judiciary For Nigeria’s Electoral Woes

The Atlantic Bell
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Hold INEC Officials Responsible For Their Actions, Soludo Demands … Chidoka Carpets Judiciary For Nigeria’s Electoral Woes

Governor of Anambra, Prof. Charles Soludo, has stressed the need to hold Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials accountable for their actions.

He said those who violate electoral laws should be prosecuted and jailed to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process.

Soludo, former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, stated this in a virtual message at the Athena Centre’s Review of INEC’s Innovation in Electoral Technology 2015–2025.

The event was organised by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership with the theme, ‘A Balanced Assessment of Progress, Gaps and Opportunity’,

According to him, some collation officers had declared results in breach of INEC guidelines, making it wrong to protect such officials from prosecution.

“My idea is simple. During elections, you should not need to know any security agents or election officers.

“The political parties themselves must be eternally vigilant. We’ve made progress, but we can achieve much more and faster,” Soludo said.

He commended INEC’s innovations but criticised a proposal to limit its power to review election results.

The proposal seeks to restrict INEC’s review powers to only cases where results were declared under duress.

“I think that is where the problem lies. Why would INEC seek an amendment limiting its capacity to review results declared unlawfully?” he questioned.

Soludo highlighted the need for transparency and accountability throughout the electoral process.

He stressed the importance of gradual improvement and constant vigilance to ensure credible elections.

Also speaking, Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), called for a new direction in Nigeria’s politics.

He said a fresh approach was vital for building a democratic and prosperous nation.

According to him, the present political system is flawed and must be reformed to guarantee free and fair elections.

“We need an environment that allows visionary and honest individuals to contest and win elections,” he said.

Aregbesola warned against corrupt party structures and political godfathers that discourage credible candidates.

“Nigeria is the hope of the black race. If this country fails, God forbid, it will be a huge setback for Africa,” he added.

He urged the judiciary to respect the will of the people and uphold merit, integrity, and transparency.

The Chancellor of the Athena Centre, Mr Osita Chidoka, said the judiciary remains the greatest obstacle to Nigeria’s electoral progress.

Chidoka lamented that in spite of technological advancements, court rulings often undermine electoral reforms.

“The greatest challenge is the judiciary. They keep reversing the progress we have made through technology.

“Their job is to ensure compliance. Where there is none, the election should simply be redone,” he said.

Chidoka called for judicial education on the electoral process and said the Athena Centre would host a forum to address this.

Responding, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to credible elections in Nigeria.

Yakubu, represented by Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, INEC National Commissioner, said the commission was dedicated to continuous reform.

“INEC is committed to using technology to improve elections and ensure integrity in the process,” he said.

He acknowledged the challenges faced in past elections and assured that INEC was addressing them.

Yakubu added that INEC values contributions from civil society, political parties, and the public in its reform efforts.

“By engaging with stakeholders and tackling these challenges, INEC aims to ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent,” he said.

Nigeria Begins Large-scale Vaccination Campaign To Protect 106m Children

The Atlantic Bell
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Nigeria Begins Large-scale Vaccination Campaign To Protect 106m Children

Nigeria is rolling out one of the largest integrated vaccination campaigns in its history, aiming to protect around 106 million children against measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says.

According to WHO, in a statement on Monday, the nationwide initiative will combine multiple vaccines and child health services in a single drive, ensuring efficient delivery to children across the country.

The campaign targets children 0–14 years for measles and rubella and 0–59 months for polio.

It will be implemented in two phases: phase one, launching today, covers 20 high-risk northern states and Oyo state in the southwest; phase 2 begins in January 2026, and will be expanded to the remaining southern states.

To reach every community, health workers will deliver services through fixed posts, temporary outreach points, and house-to-house “sweep teams,” ensuring that even children in the most remote and underserved areas are reached.

In addition to measles-rubella and polio vaccines, the campaign integrates routine immunization and other essential child health services, including treatment for neglected tropical diseases and seasonal malaria chemoprevention in high-risk areas.

This holistic approach supports Nigeria’s “Primary Health Care Under One Roof” strategy and advances the Health Campaign Effectiveness agenda towards universal health coverage.

The initiative responds to persistent outbreaks of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) as well as measles and rubella outbreaks in Nigeria and across the Lake Chad Basin.

Nigeria is coordinating with Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad and Niger through a cross-border action plan to stop active outbreaks by the end of 2025 and eliminate remaining risks by the end of 2026.

“On behalf of the Government, I want to express our deep respect and gratitude to Nigeria’s frontline health workers for their unwavering dedication.

“I urge you to approach this campaign with the same resilience and commitment you have shown over the years.

“As a parent myself, I know that no parent would ever refuse something that protects their child. Vaccines are safe, and they save lives,” Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria, Dr Ali Pate said.

“This campaign builds on the success of two recent “In-between Round Activities” in 11 northern states (August–September 2025), which reached over 3.1 million children with vaccines, provided nutrition supplements to 500 000 malnourished children, and delivered anti-malaria interventions to 150 000 children.

“Nigeria’s integrated approach sets a strong example for the Region.

“By uniting efforts against measles, rubella and polio, and by working hand-in-hand with communities and partners, we are moving closer to the day when no African child suffers or dies from these preventable diseases,” Dr Mohammed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

In preparation for this nationwide rollout, Nigeria has also strengthened systems to ensure smooth implementation.

Trainers have been mobilised across states, payment processes for frontline workers have been redesigned for greater efficiency, and campaign systems have been upgraded to integrate data more effectively and safeguard integrity.

These investments will ensure that every health worker is supported and every child vaccinated is recorded accurately, bolstering accountability and trust in the programme.

Nigeria is also introducing a new combined measles-rubella vaccine to replace the measles-only vaccine.

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease, particularly for malnourished children, while rubella can cause severe birth defects (Congenital Rubella Syndrome) if contracted during pregnancy.

The campaign is led by the government with support from the WHO,UNICEF; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, civil society organisations, and traditional and religious leaders.

Robust coordination mechanisms are in place for financing, social mobilisation, training, vaccines and logistics to ensure success.

35 Years After, NUGA Returns To Calabar … Gov Otu Says Calabar Safe, Ready To Host

The Atlantic Bell
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35 Years After, NUGA Returns To Calabar … Gov Otu Says Calabar Safe, Ready To Host

Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has assured that the state is fully prepared and safe to host the 2026 edition of the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA).

He gave the assurance on Tuesday when he led a NUGA delegation and the management team of the University of Calabar on an inspection tour of facilities at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

The governor described Calabar as a youth-friendly, peaceful, conducive, and welcoming city with a serene and green environment that makes it ideal for hosting national and international sporting events.

“The field we are standing on today has produced some of Nigeria’s greatest football icons, including Uwenm Ekarika, Etim Essien, and John Okon, among others.

“The first captain of the national football team was a Calabar man, who led the team to England for competitive matches,” Otu said.

Expressing gratitude for the return of NUGA to Calabar after 35 years, Otu said he was confident the event would be a huge success.

He expressed optimism in the capacity of Dorncklaimz Enamhe, Executive Secretary of NUGA 2026 Local Organising Committee (LOC), to deliver memorable games.

The governor highlighted Calabar’s deep historical connection to sports, noting that it was the first city in Nigeria where football was played.

“ Enamhe is known for his dedication and commitment to any responsibility entrusted to him. I have no doubt he will deliver on this national assignment,” he said.

Otu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sports development, saying that in the past two years, the state government has significantly promoted sporting activities and restored their pride of place in Cross River.

Enamhe said that Calabar has the greenest stadium in Nigeria, the best basketball court, and a world-class Olympic-size swimming pool, among others.

He said that Calabar is home to table tennis, with world-class champions.

“Calabar is home to the biggest carnival in Africa, where youths will properly interact. Unical hosting NUGA after the 35th is huge for the state,” he said.

Update On Rivers Secretariat Building Fire: No Casualties Recorded, Says HoS … Assures Maintenance

The Atlantic Bell
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Update On Rivers Secretariat Building Fire: No Casualties Recorded, Says HoS … Assures Maintenance

The Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. Inyingi Brown says there were no casualties during a fire incident that occurred at the State Secretariat Complex on Monday.

Speaking to newsmen on the ground floor of Podium Block, location of the incident, the Head of Service disclosed that on noticing the fire outbreak, the State Fire Service and other agencies were promptly called to contain the inferno.

“We were informed that there was a fire incident at the right wing, ground floor of Podium Block
and we immediately made calls to the Rivers State Fire Service, and they responded promptly.

“We also called other partners of the state, such as Renaissance, Federal Fire Service, and the military, who all promptly sent their fire trucks. It was a combined effort, and as we speak, you can see that the fire has been contained,” she stated.

“We thank God, and we thank His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for being proactive in rehabilitating the fire service before this time. If not for his investment in the fire service, this situation would have been worse,” she stressed.

She disclosed that no life was lost, even though the state medical service was on the ground to curtail any emergency.

She explained that preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been as a result of electrical faults and thereby called on all civil servants to be responsible in putting off all electrical services at the close of work.

“We urge all civil servants to take responsibility in safety.
Put off our sockets and our lights. Not just putting off the sockets, but unplug to ensure
there is no residual charge because these buildings are heritage buildings and
we don’t want anything to happen to them,” she admonished.

Dr Brown further assured that Governor Fubara was working on measures to refurbish the secretariat buildings, which will be made known soon.

Fire Guts Rivers State Secretariat Building …Audit Unit Affected, As Union Alleges Sabotage

The Atlantic Bell
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Fire Guts Rivers State Secretariat Building …Audit Unit Affected, As Union Alleges Sabotage

The Rivers State Civil Service Union has alleged that sabotage might not be ruled out from a fire outbreak that gutted the ground floor of the Podium block of the State Secretariat Complex Monday evening.

The ground floor of the block houses Audit and Pension units while the top side houses the Ministry of Establishment.


Eye witness account said the fire started around 4.30 pm, a few minutes to close of work, as workers and other people ran to douse the fire overly late arrival of fire services.

Meanehile, State Chairman of State Civil Service Union. Comrade Chukukah Osumah has expressed fears that the incident may not be disconnected from act of sabotage.

He said”, in my years of service and as a civil servant, I have not seen anything like this. This has not happened before.”

The civil service union leader claimed that an act of sabotage may be linked to the fire.

His claim may be a result of the State Governor declaration of investigating some activities of civil servants and complicity during the six months emergency rule.

On her part, Head of Service,Dr. Inyingi Brown attributed the incidence to electrical fault, as no life was lost, and thanked the governor for reviving the state fire service that helped to douse the fire.

About five fire services from Shell, Federal , Agip, and the state battled to put out the fire.

Alleged NNPCL Fraud: Court Freezes Aviation Company’s Account

The Atlantic Bell
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Alleged NNPCL Fraud: Court Freezes Aviation Company’s Account

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a temporary freezing of Mars Aviation Ltd’s account domiciled in Fidelity Bank Plc over alleged link with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)’s fraud.

Justice Musa Liman gave the order following an ex-parte motion moved by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Geraldine Ofulue, to the effect.

Ofulue had told the court that the account was currently being investigated in a case of criminal misappropriation and money laundering.

She prayed the court to make the order freezing the account pending the conclusion of investigation.

After moving the motion, Justice Liman said that the application was meritorious and was accordingly granted.

The order was made on September 22, its certified true copy was sighted on Monday.

The anti-graft agency had filed the ex-parte motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1299/2025.

It was dated and filed on July 1.

The agency had sought an order empowering its Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, or any other authorised officer of the commission to instruct the managing director of the bank stated in the schedule to the application, to freeze the account contained in schedule.

According to the motion, the account number is 5250350283 (C03651082) with account name: Mars Aviation Limited.

In the affidavit in support of the motion ex-parte, Abdulganiyu Olayide, an EFCC investigator in the Special Duties Committee, averred that his team was assigned to handle the case.

Olayide said the anti-graft agency received an open source intelligence alleging that some monies had been paid by NNPCL to Mars Aviation Ltd for purported contracts that were phony and granted in default of the provisions of the Procurement Act.

He said that based on this, the commission launched an investigation and found that huge sums of money had indeed been paid to the account of Mars Aviation Ltd by NNPCL, in various instalments.

He said an order of the court instructing the MD of Fidelity Bank to freeze the account as contained in the schedule would be imperative to enable further investigation on the case and prevent any transaction on the account.

According to the investigator, this interim application is basically to preserve the funds and prevent any transaction on the accounts, pending conclusion of investigation.

He said it was in the interest of justice to grant the application.

“That I make this affidavit in good faith believing its contents to be true and correct and in accordance with the Oaths Act,” he concluded.

Jewish Community Disowns Group Linking Jewish Faith To IPOB Activities

The Atlantic Bell
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Jewish Community Disowns Group Linking Jewish Faith To IPOB Activities

The Judaism Fellowship Initiative (JFI), the umbrella body of Nigeria’s Jewish community, has disowned the Eastern Judaism and Jewish Communities group operating in the South-East.

Chief Arthur-Regis Odidika, President, JFI, made the clarification on Monday in Awka while reacting to a publication titled “Judaism Adherents in South-East Plead with Tinubu to Release Kanu, Pray for His Health”.

The report stated that the group held a prayer session in Abia, and called on President Bola Tinubu to use his prerogative powers to release detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Odidika, who is also the Vice-President of the Commonwealth Jewish Council, Africa (Nigeria), said JFI was not connected to the group or its activities.

He said that while the fellowship had nothing against expressions of concern for anyone, including Kanu, Judaism as a faith should not be mixed with political, social or economic causes.

“Even though Mazi Nnamdi Kanu professes the Jewish faith, the Judaism Fellowship Initiative of Nigeria is not associated with any separatist movement,” he said .

Odidika further debunked claims of the existence of a so-called Biafra National Rabbi.

He said that JFI was a duly registered Incorporated Trustee with the Corporate Affairs Commission and that none of the individuals named as leaders of the Eastern Judaism group was known to the organisation.

“Judaism in Nigeria has nothing to do with IPOB or any political agitation. Separatist pressure is not the agenda or pursuit of the Judaic faith in Nigeria.

“We want to state clearly that JFI has no relationship or affiliation with these individuals, though we have no authority to stop their activities,” he said.

Odidika reaffirmed JFI’s commitment to peace, mutual understanding and harmonious coexistence among Nigeria’s diverse regions and religions.

He also announced that Mr Clive Lawton, Head of the Jewish communities of the Commonwealth Nations, is expected to visit Nigeria in November.

According to him, the visit would mark a new chapter in the growth of Judaism in the country.

 

“I believe the visit will usher in unprecedented light and open various opportunities for Jewish economic, social and cultural advancement in Nigeria,’he said.

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