[IN THE NEWS] 10 Things You Need To Know This Friday Morning

1. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will today depart Abuja to commence a 10-day working vacation in Europe, the State House has announced. A statement issued by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President will spend the period between France and the United Kingdom before returning to the country.

2. The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has said 58 passengers have been rescued and over 30 dead in the recent boat mishap at Gausawa community in Borgu LGA of Niger State. The Director General of, NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, directed the Agency’s Minna Operations Office on site to intensify the ongoing rescue efforts.

3. ‎The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the appointment of CSP Benjamin Hundeyin as the new Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO. ‎CSP Hundeyin holds a BA (Hons) in English Language from Lagos State University and an MSc in Legal Criminology & Security Psychology from the University of Ibadan.

4. The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has been summoned by the Kaduna State Police Command. He was summoned alongside key members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC in Kaduna.

5. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, said Nigeria’s political atmosphere was full of betrayals and lies. Jonathan stated this in Benin City, Edo State, during the 70th birthday ceremony of his former Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe. Jonathan said Oghiadomhe was an ally that can be trusted all time.

6. A large number of retired Nigerian soldiers on Thursday blocked the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, protesting the alleged delay in releasing funds to the Military Pensions Board, MPB, for the payment of their outstanding entitlements.

7. The Taraba State Police Command has arrested a suspect linked to the abduction of a 100-year-old man, Joshua Magani Ubandoma, in Sabon Pegi, Ibi Local Government Area. Ubandoma was kidnapped from his residence on August 6, 2025, by three armed men. Police spokesperson, ASP James Lashen Saminu, said officers tracked the kidnappers into a nearby forest.

8. The number of associations seeking registration as political parties has risen to 171, following the submission of 19 additional letters of intent, the Independent National Electoral Commission confirmed on Thursday. In a statement, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the updated list has been published on the commission’s website and other official platforms.

Also Read: CAF Suspends Egypt Duo For Super Eagles Clash

9. Former Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure substantial votes from the South-East in the 2027 election. Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS, Shittu dismissed suggestions that the so-called “Obi factor” will dent the president’s prospects in the region.

10. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to producing ten billion Standard Cubic Feet, SCF gas per day by 2030. This is contained in a statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations in the Ministry of Fiance, Mr Mohammed Manga, in Abuja on Thursday.