Matawalle, who visited the site on Saturday, said the situation was “fully under control” and urged the public to disregard misleading or exaggerated reports about the incident.

A statement by his media aide, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, explained that the Minister was briefed by DICON’s Director-General, Major General B.I. Alaya, and the Director of Production, Air Commodore E. Benson.

During the inspection, Matawalle confirmed that the explosion was limited in scope, involving “only a single bulk of expired ordnance material” which was quickly contained by the disposal team.

“There was not even a broken window or structural damage,” the Minister said, adding that factory buildings, storage facilities, the diesel reservoir and surrounding communities were unaffected.

He stressed that the Federal Government remained committed to the safety and protection of all personnel, pledging that the incident would lead to stronger safety measures in line with global best practices.

Meanwhile, a Board of Inquiry has been set up to investigate the cause of the explosion.

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From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

The PEACECORE project, an initiative by GIZ funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), recently launched a three-day capacity-building training program for media practitioners in Kaduna.

In her opening remarks, Myriam Wedraogo, Head of PEACECORE II, explained that the training aims to equip journalists, broadcasters, and storytellers with the necessary tools for conflict-sensitive reporting, effective peace messaging, and countering hate speech and misinformation.

She emphasized the crucial role of the media in shaping narratives and promoting peace, highlighting the importance of responsible storytelling in building bridges and fostering understanding among diverse communities.

The PEACECORE project operates across Plateau, Kaduna, and Taraba States, with a mission to promote peace, transform conflicts, and improve livelihoods.

It particularly focuses on vulnerable groups, including children, youth, women, farmers, herders, internally displaced persons, and individuals living with disabilities. The project has achieved significant milestones during both its phases.

Key achievements include:Addressing 81 conflicts over natural resource use, training 60 mediators and 60 peace committee members in mediation, training 7,675 farmers and herders, with 52% of participants being women and
Providing mental health and psychosocial support to 56 children

In Phase 2, additional achievements included: Providing mental health and psychosocial support to 112 children training 300 youths in peacebuilding and deradicalization training 2,160 individuals on hygiene promotion and
Supporting 784 individuals with cash for business startup

The training’s objectives include: Equipping media practitioners with conflict-sensitive reporting skills, promoting peace messaging and countering hate speech and misinformation, and fostering a culture of peace and inclusivity in Kaduna and Nigeria at large

By empowering media practitioners, the PEACECORE project aims to promote peaceful coexistence and stability in Nigeria’s Central Zone.

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Nigeria, a major global oil producer was, for decades heavily depended on imported refined petroleum products while exporting crude oil. With the coming of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Company Limited, Nigeria’s fortunes changed but without serious in-fighting.

In a joint press statement signed by Comrade Ogwuche O. Jonathan and Hauwa Umar; Secretary General of RUN and Deputy coordinator of
CAACASVI respectively, a copy of which was sighted by our correspondent, the groups insisted that the era of dubious enrichment in the oil and gas sector at the expense of vulnerable Nigerians is over.

The release read in part, “since the coming on board of the Dangote Refineries and Petrochemical Limited with full operations in 2024, different, diverse and entrenched economic forces of darkness have not rested. They have devised various schemes to sabotage the refineries, including collusion with regulatory agencies at some points to frustrate the game-changing investment.

“We are not surprised that those forces, which are manifesting today, primarily as Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and their pretentious associate and tool, Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have to fight for survival. It is a natural thing to do since the Dangote Refineries have clearly destroyed their exploitative business interest.

“Who is better, between Dangote Refineries which has made Nigeria an exporter of refined petroleum products, providing lasting jobs in hundreds of thousands, increasing government revenue and bringing down prices of petroleum products or a cabal who profiteered and plundered the country at the expense of its hapless citizens through phoney oil importation and subsidy claims?

“Would Nigerians rather trust a company which has consistently brought down prices of products and eliminated scarcity which were most times artificial? Or would they listen to their former slave masters and mistresses simply because they now claim to be fighting an imaginary monopoly that does not exist in the first place?

The groups submitted that, competition is unhealthy for any sector of the economy but insisted that, instead of hiding under the cloak of fighting monopoly, those behind the attacks should channel their resources and energy into building refineries either as individuals or in partnership with others, rather than attacking the only one that is currently running in the country.

“Of course Nigerians do not want any monopoly, because it could become exploitative. But if DAPPMAN and their members were patriotic, they would have individually or as a group built refineries, even if they were modular ones. Dangote Refinery has nothing to do with the failure of NNPLC to run our refineries. The issue of monopoly is therefore, does not arise”, the release stated.

The groups praised Dangote as a man of integrity whose business transactions are transparent and devoid of any mischief, compared to those scheming to discredit him and $20 billion investment he has established in Nigeria with manifold benefits.

“The people fighting Dangote and not different from the people who have consistently tried to blame every problem of Ngeria on petroleum subsidy removal. The claim by DAPPMAN that Dangote Refineries sell products cheaper to other countries has been confirmed to be a blatant lie. On the the contrary, it is DAPPMAN that wanted to impose a 70 naira per litre, a decision that was rejected by Dangote Refinery.

“DAPPMAN is at liberty to continue it’s importation, but resorting to blackmailing Dangote Refineries for crashing prices to lessen the burden of Nigerians is unacceptable. Fair competition eschews sabotage and blackmail”, the release added.

While advising DAPPMAN to cooperate with Dangote Refineries pending when they’ll build their refineries, the group called for an “outpouring of support for Dangote Refineries across different strata of society”, even as they encouraged on its management to remain calm, undeterred and focused”

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Prof. Omonisi made these remarks during the 9th Annual Cancer Awareness Walk organized by the Okapi Children Cancer Foundation, held in Abuja, under the theme “Hope Every Step – Fighting Cancer.” The NCS led a strong delegation to the event in support of ongoing advocacy and awareness efforts.

In a Statement issued by Bashir Mohammed, National Director of Publicity, Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) Prof Omonisi said “It is disturbing that in 2025, some Nigerians — including key decision-makers — still do not believe that children can get cancer,” Prof. Omonisi said. “As President of the NCS, I regularly engage with policymakers, and I am alarmed by the ignorance that still exists at the highest levels. This shows just how critical our advocacy efforts remain.”

He commended the Okapi Foundation for its unwavering support for children living with cancer for over a decade and described the awareness walk as a vital tool for public sensitization and building solidarity with patients and their families.

Addressing the issue of funding, Prof. Omonisi acknowledged that the inclusion of childhood cancer in the 2025 National Cancer Health Fund (NCHF) with a ₦100 million allocation was a milestone in national advocacy. However, he stressed that the amount was grossly inadequate.

“We need to go beyond tokenism. I am calling on the National Assembly to increase this allocation to at least ₦1 billion in the 2026 budget, and for the Federal and State Governments to begin offering free treatment for all children diagnosed with cancer,” he said.

On the need for Strengthening Data Systems, Prof. Omonisi highlighted the lack of reliable data on childhood cancer as a major impediment to progress. Currently, Nigeria has only one Population-Based Childhood Cancer Registry — located at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos — and even that, he noted, is not adequately supported.

“Science is driven by data. Unfortunately, we do not have updated or comprehensive data on childhood cancers in Nigeria. Without this, we cannot plan or measure impact effectively,” he said.

“We need at least one population-based childhood cancer registry in each of the six geopolitical zones. This is the only way to capture the true picture and plan appropriately for the future.”

He also advocated for early screening programs, noting that most childhood cancers are highly treatable when detected early, and urged stronger public-private partnerships to improve treatment access and palliative care.

The NCS president emphasized for Collaboration and Continued Advocacy saying that the event served as a powerful reminder of the role of civil society in keeping cancer care on the national agenda. Prof. Omonisi reaffirmed NCS’s commitment to collaboration with NGOs, survivors’ groups, and government agencies, describing the walk as more than symbolic:

“This walk is not just an event — it is a platform for national advocacy, a chance to amplify the voices of patients and survivors, and a reminder that we must all do more.”

The NCS team, which included Dr. Chi-kadibia Ukoma (Vice President), Dr. Tessy Ahmadu (Asst. Secretary-General), Dr. Olayinka Popoola (Chairman, FCT Chapter), Dr. Hannatu (Abuja Chapter), and Eunice Ali (Program Officer), engaged participants, distributed educational materials, and reinforced the Society’s commitment to national cancer control.

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According to a statement signed by Hajiya Fatima Usara, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, NAHCON, this is to conclude service agreements ahead of the 2026 Hajj.

Usara said that the trip was part of preparations in line with the operational calendar released by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU).

The Saudi authorities had earmarked Sept. 6 to Sept. 23 (15–29 Safar 1447H) for early contracting and payment for Mashair (camps).

They fixed Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 (1–2 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1447H) as the deadline for contracting essential services such as transportation and accommodation.

In addition, the Ministry announced Oct. 12 (20 Rabi’ al-Thani 1447H) as the final date for the announcement of pilgrims’ registration and submission of data for grouping via the Nusuk platform.

Usara said that the commission had set Oct. 8 as the cut-off date for State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare boards, agencies, commissions and licensed Hajj tour operators to remit Hajj fares for the 2026 pilgrimage.

She said that the idea was to align with the deadlines set by theSaudi authorities.

The commission assures all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the deadlines in order to ensure smooth operations and guarantee a successful Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims,” she said.

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Mr Chidi Igboji, Ebonyi TUC Chairman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abakaliki that they were not silent but focused on protecting the rights of workers.

Igboji told NAN workers welfare remains their priority, especially those in the private and informal sectors.

The chairman said that the congress would continue to stand against unfair treatment of workers.

On proposed plans to increase the salary of political office holders, Igboji said it was not good enough when workers are still trying to overcome the current economic difficulties.

“The proposed upward review of salaries for political office holders by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) is not good enough, especially given the present economic difficulties faced by the citizens.

“I said it is not good enough, because these are the people that usually kick against the workers whenever they propose a minimum wage increase.

“It’s too bad; the politicians have chosen to be less concerned about the welfare of the workers.

“They are the ones that usually discourage the president and governors from the implementation of the minimum wage.

“So for them to accept that their own allowances and salaries should be increased shows that they are a very selfish set of people.

“The politicians have refused to understand that workers remain the engine of the economy. The workers guide and protect the economy,” he stated.

Igboji, therefore, urged governments at all levels to consider workers as assets and partners in development rather than liabilities.

“We wish to remind our political leaders that the security and welfare of the people should be the chief priority of any government’s policy.

“We resolve to continue to push for the prioritisation of the welfare and security of all citizens, especially workers of all classes,” the chairman stated.

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Egbetokun made the call on Monday in Abuja, at the opening capacity building workshop organised for top leadership of the police in collaboration with the Society for Peace Studies and Practice.

He said the theme for the workshop is, “Managing Fast-Paced Security Challenges in a Protracted Conflict Environment” was apt and had spoken directly to the paradox of current realities, where conflicts stretch across years, changing form and intensity daily.

According to him, we face adversaries who are not only persistent, but adaptive.

“Criminal syndicates exploit technology to expand their reach. Terrorist networks rebrand and reorganise to avoid defeat, while local conflicts, once contained, now spill across borders, amplified by social media and transnational alliances.

“This complexity demands more from us than courage alone. It demands foresight, creativity, and the agility to lead in an environment of constant flux.”

He said the police leadership under him must combine patience with speed, endurance with imagination, and strategy with unshakable resolve.

He said that the theme of the workshop was carefully chosen to prepare police leaders to anticipate, adapt, and act decisively.

“To this end, this one-day workshop has been thoughtfully designed to enrich your leadership journey and cover critical topics.

He listed the topics to include, conflict Analysis and Effective Response Strategies in Policing Environment and Conflict-Sensitive Decision-Making.

“Other topics to be covered are strengthening capacity for Early Warning (EW) and Early Response (ER) and Linking Conflict-Early Warning to Policy Development,” he said.

The I-G said the topics were not abstract concepts, but practical leadership tools to equip participants to command with clarity, manage crises with precision, and inspire confidence in the men and women under your charge.

He said the workshop was designed, not only for individual learning, but collective transformation, adding that the Nigeria Police Force must grow into an institution, agile in planning, bold in execution, and united in vision.

“Our success will not be measured by the brilliance of one commander or the courage of a few units.

“It will be measured by the strength of our collective capacity to anticipate threats, respond as one body, and to deliver security that Nigerians can see and feel everyday,” he said.

In his remark, Mr Nathaniel Awuaila, the President of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice said the workshop was organised to enhance strategic leadership in the Nigeria Police Force.

He said the idea was to reposition the force as a proactive, intelligence-driven institution capable of fostering peace, justice, and national cohesion.

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The Northern Elders Forum on Monday announced the maiden edition of the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit, aimed at tackling insecurity, underinvestment and other challenges slowing the region’s growth.

The summit, scheduled for September 29 and 30, 2025, will be held in collaboration with the 19 northern states and the New Nigeria Development Company.

Spokesperson of the Forum, Prof. Abubakar Jika Jiddere, disclosed this during an international press conference in Abuja. He said the event had been in development for over 18 months.

According to him, the summit would “launch a deliberate patriotic agenda, designed to strengthen the region’s development efforts and open new doors of opportunity.”

Jiddere described the gathering as “not just another conference” but “the unveiling of a fresh vision, an economic call to action, an appeal to conscience, and a strategic plan to unlock the promise of Northern Nigeria.”

He stressed that the focus was not political but strictly economic—built on opportunities, prosperity and partnerships.

The summit will spotlight the region’s vast resources, including arable land, untapped minerals, a youthful population, and infrastructure potential such as roads, railways, dams and energy.

“Northern Nigeria is land-linked, a strategic gateway to Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Benin, Mali and the Central African Republic,” Jiddere noted, adding that its 160 million people represented “an opportunity, not a burden.”

He questioned why a region that produced global leaders such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Amina Mohammed had yet to fully showcase its economic strength.

“This summit is not for Northern Nigeria alone. It is for Nigeria, Africa, and all global partners who believe in shared prosperity,” he said.

“When Northern Nigeria rises, Nigeria rises. When Nigeria rises, Africa rises.”

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The center, named Khadi Usman ADR Center, a private body, is first of its kind since creation of the state.

Speaking to newsmen in Gusau on Monday, Barrister Sirajo Haske, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the center, said it was established to complement the National Policy on Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) 2024.

Haske noted that the center is willing to support Federal Government’s efforts in promoting dispute resolutions in Nigeria.

According to him, the ADR center will work under the guidelines of the law towards achieving faster collaboration and understanding among members of the general public.

“The center has fulfilled all the requirements of the law to perform major ADR functions.

“It was approved by the Institute of ADR Registrars, a body responsible for coordinating the ADR activities in the country,” Haske said.

He revealed that the center had also been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a legitimate body.

“We have the board of trustees and executive body as well as office accommodation, all required by the law,” he added.

Haske observed that court cases are often prolonged, taking more time than necessary for resolution.

He added that legal practitioners and other stakeholders with common interest had been engaged to contribute in dispute resolution among members of the public.

“In this ADR centre, cases can be resolved within few months than 10 to 30 years of waiting, without being resolved in courts.

“I believe the ADR center will complement government’s efforts in fast-tracking various court cases to reduce congestion in our courts,” he said.(

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the N2.4 trillion is part of payment by the government for project implementation.

The request followed the confirmation by the Office of the Accountant-General that about N2.4 trillion had been approved for payment to contractors.

This is contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Chief Levinus Nwabughiogu in Abuja on Monday.

Similarly, the parliament also urged the contractors on projects authenticity, emphasising the need for scrutiny to ensure that payments were made for legitimate and completed projects,

The aim, he said, is to prevent situations where payments are made for projects that do not benefit citizens.

Speaking, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, said the parliament welcomed the government ‘s approval of payment of contractors.

Kalu, who is also the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on Budget implementation, said that a follow-up meeting has been scheduled for Oct. 5, for further appraisal of the agreement between the government and contractors.

“You may recall we had the first meeting on the 4th of September, borne out of the desire to attend to what took them to the streets, because they were protesting

“So, we decided to use the instrument of legislative diplomacy to do an intervention, which actually worked. We succeeded in getting them out of the streets after so much negotiation on the phone,” he said.

The deputy speaker who affirmed the parliament’s commitment to the Nigerian people, said they brokered peace between government and contractors.

According to him, So, today, the Ministry of Finance is represented by the legal adviser, and the Accountant General’s office was represented by the Director of Funds, as well as the Chief of Staff to the Accountant General

He explained that during the appraisal, they were able to find out that, 25 per cent of the payments as agreed have been done within the two weeks,.

Kalu confirmed that from their intervention, nothing has been done about the cash back and the warrant for the remaining months that the contractors complained about.

“We invited the bureaucrats to respond to that, and they said, yes, they have about N2.4 trillion that was approved for payment, and out of this amount, they have paid up, leaving only 160 billion unpaid out of N2.4 trillion. ”

He therefore commended the government for having approved such an amount of money irrespective of the economic challenges.

“Within eight or nine months of this government, under the reform we are going through, and the stress we are going through,

“To be able to approve this amount of money for the payment of contractors shows that the government is a listening government.’

Kalu said that the contractors left the meeting with a feeling of relief and satisfaction that steps were being taken in the right direction.

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