Today’s Headlines: Tinubu Deserves Second Term — Obidients; US Hails Venezuela Talks

A former Personal Assistant to the late Dr Doyin Okupe and South-West Coordinator of the Batified Obidients, Banwo Mayowa, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves a second term in 2027 to consolidate ongoing economic reforms. Speaking in Abuja in an address titled “2027: Look beyond politics, think about Nigeria’s future,” Mayowa urged Nigerians to prioritise long-term national interest over political rivalries and examine the evidence of difficult but necessary reforms initiated since May 2023, including the removal of fuel subsidies and correction of foreign exchange distortions. He acknowledged the significant hardship these reforms have imposed on households and businesses but argued that continuity is essential so that the progress already made can be deepened rather than abandoned with a change in leadership. Mayowa pointed to reported GDP growth of 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, more than 2,700 kilometres of roads under construction, and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) that has supported over 1.5 million students as signs of a clearer development direction that now needs stronger implementation to deliver local manufacturing, agricultural productivity, jobs, and shared prosperity.

𝗨𝗦 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘇𝘂𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀

The United States on Thursday praised the conclusion of the latest round of talks towards a democratic transition between Venezuela’s interim government and opposition representatives.

The US-sponsored talks on transitioning from the hardline socialist rule of ousted ex-president Nicolas Maduro began in August.

Washington is under pressure to organise democratic elections following its January ouster of Maduro.

It nudged interim President Delcy Rodriguez, a former Maduro loyalist who was his vice president, to negotiate with an opposition delegation led by Dinorah Figuera.

President Bola Tinubu has described the death of veteran actor Richard Francis Duru as a painful moment for Nollywood and the nation’s creative community which benefited immensely from his dedication, talent, and contributions as a pioneer in the sector.

President Tinubu said this in a statement of condolence to family, friends, colleagues, admirers and the Nigerian film industry on the death of Duru who died on Friday at 27.

The President, in the statement signed by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, acknowledged the important role veteran actors like Duru played in the growth and development of Nigeria’s film industry, particularly in shaping its artistic identity, nurturing emerging talent, and projecting Nigerian stories, culture, and values to audiences at home and abroad.

𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺’𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆

Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department, Special Tactical Squad, in collaboration with vigilante operatives and other security agencies, have arrested seven suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate operating in the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State.

The police said the operation also led to the recovery of the remains of Miss Oluwadamilola Adedayo from the gang’s camp in Tukuba Forest, Kuje, Abuja, on October 19.

The victim was abducted alongside her mother, Mrs Nancy Adedayo, her 12-year-old brother, David Adedayo, and their housemaid, Jennifer David, during a gunpoint operation at their residence on Adedayo Adeosun Street, Kuchiyako, Kuje, on August 23, 2026.

According to the police, the kidnappers released the victim’s mother about an hour after the abduction to arrange ransom payment, while the housemaid and the 12-year-old boy were assaulted and abandoned unconscious in a forest.

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