Today’s Headlines: Adelabu Denies Calling on Nigerians to Reject APC; Council Chair Disburses Grants

Adebayo Adelabu, the immediate past Minister of Power, has denied reports that he urged Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the circulating video as misleading. His media office said the footage was extracted from a 2022 interview he granted while contesting the Oyo State governorship election under the Accord Party, arguing that his comments about political parties disappointing Nigerians were taken out of context.

Adelabu’s media office maintained that he remained committed to the APC and loyal to President Bola Tinubu, stressing that his demand for transparency and internal democracy during the party’s disputed Oyo governorship primary did not amount to disloyalty. It challenged those circulating the video to publish the full, unedited interview and urged the public to verify information before sharing it.

Etim Ekpo Local Government Area Chairman, Gideon Uwa, has disbursed N50 million in grants to 100 young entrepreneurs across the 10 political wards in the council area of Akwa Ibom State. The initiative, announced during a thanksgiving service marking the second anniversary of his administration, followed an assessment to identify business owners needing financial assistance to expand their enterprises and become self-reliant.

Uwa urged beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly to grow their businesses and boost the local economy, while guest speaker Ofonmbuk Akpan encouraged them to build sustainable enterprises capable of creating jobs. The chairman also expressed confidence in the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections and inaugurated a grassroots support group for President Bola Tinubu, the state governor and other APC candidates.

A fresh Houthi attack struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, a day after an earlier strike killed at least 12 people and injured 309 others. The latest attack sparked a fire and caused an unspecified number of injuries, while Saudi air defences intercepted another missile nearby. The Houthis claimed responsibility for multiple attacks and threatened further strikes, prompting authorities to suspend airport operations amid damage to communications and radar equipment.

The attacks have heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi group, which has intensified strikes on Saudi infrastructure, including airports and oil facilities. The Saudi-led coalition condemned Saturday’s attack as a “full-fledged war crime” and vowed a decisive response, while the United Nations and international leaders expressed condemnation. Several foreign embassies warned their citizens to avoid Riyadh airport as fighting continued in Yemen, where Saudi-backed government forces were engaged in a counter-offensive against the Houthis.

The Nigerian Army has pledged to strengthen security measures for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling to Rivers State for orientation exercises. The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Major-General Everest Okoro, gave the assurance during a visit by an NYSC delegation to the division’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, expressing concern over the security risks faced by corps members travelling to their places of primary assignment.

Okoro described the NYSC scheme as vital to national unity and cultural integration, commending its contributions to nation-building. Earlier, Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Moses Oleghe, thanked the Army for its support and called for continued cooperation to ensure the safety and well-being of corps members serving in the state.

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