Today’s Headline:Defend your record in live presidential debate–Utomi dare Tinubu;Okonkwo mourn Duru

Renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi has challenged President Bola Tinubu to defend his administration’s record in a live presidential debate ahead of the 2027 general election.

Utomi threw the challenge in a post on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said, “If Tinubu believes his government has performed well, let him defend his record in a live presidential debate.”

The challenge comes days after Utomi, a staunch supporter of Peter Obi of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), called on the president to face opposition candidates in a televised debate, describing avoidance of such engagement as dishonest to the electorate.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kenneth Okonkwo, has mourned the death of a Nollywood actor, Francis Duru, who died at the age of 57 years after a brief illness.

Taking to his official X handle, Okonkwo described Duru as a talent that will never be forgotten.

He said he was heartbroken to bid farewell to Duru who he called a dear younger colleague, a rare talent whose light shone brightly and whose humility spoke even louder than his talent.

The Nollywood veteran-turned politician further eulogised Duru, saying he was exceptionally gifted, passionate about his craft, respectful, and remarkably humble.

A convict in Adamawa State has narrated how he stole N700,000 to buy handsets for his girlfriends only for them to abandon him when he was sent to jail over the theft.

The 25-year-old man, Suleiman Idi from Ngurore in Yola South Local Government Area, is serving a jail term at the Yolde Pate Correctional Centre where he had cause over the weekend to tell his story.

Idi who was arrested in June 2026 was arraigned before the Ngurore Area Court which sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment, and was on June 22, 2026, sent to serve the term at the Yolde Pate correctional facility.

Luck, however, came his way on Friday, October 23, 2026 when the Adamawa State Jail Delivery Committee reviewed his six-year sentence to two years.

Fears over Nigeria’s preparedness for Ebola have intensified, with concerns over a reported N10 billion response fund, delayed diagnosis and inconsistent contact figures threatening public confidence as health experts warn that early detection is critical to containing the outbreak.

Co-Chair, G7 Investment Initiative on Global Health, Dr. Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija, raised the alarm over the delay in diagnosing Nigeria’s imported Ebola case, warning that the next two weeks would be critical to preventing further transmission.

Olatunbosun-Alakija, while speaking on a national TV station, urged hospitals, particularly private facilities, to strengthen surveillance, promptly report suspected cases and ensure adequate supplies of personal protective equipment, warning that poor preparedness could expose more people to infection.

Alakija also called for intensified public education and regular handwashing, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant without panicking. She said decisions on restricting large gatherings and political rallies should be guided by scientific evidence, contact tracing and testing.