October 9, 2025 – Standard Focus News

Insecurity in Nigeria Not Religion-Driven, Senate Insists

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

....To Hold Executive Session on U.S. ‘Religious Persecution’ Debate ....Withdraws Motion on Alleged ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative The Senate has clarified that Nigeria’s insecurity and terrorism challenges are not driven by religion but by geography, circumstance, and socio-economic factors. This position was made clear during plenary on Thursday as lawmakers debated a motion titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported... Read more

ECOWAS Moves to Resolve Staffing Shortages After Member States’ Exit

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has begun major reforms to address a growing staffing crisis across its institutions, following prolonged recruitment delays, workforce shortages, and the recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc. Speaking at an extraordinary session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers held on Thursday in Abuja, the President of... Read more

ADC to Amupitan: Serve Nigerians, Not the Ruling Party

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

ADC to Amupitan: Serve Nigerians, Not the Ruling Party The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, to place the interests of Nigerians above those of the ruling party as he takes charge of the nation’s electoral body. The party described Amupitan’s appointment as a... Read more

Reps to probe NECO over alleged illegal virements, budget implementation

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the National Examination Council (NECO) over alleged irregularities in its budget implementation, internally generated revenue (IGR) utilisation, and possible unauthorised virements between 2023 and 2025. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah on Thursday during plenary. Presenting the motion, Hon. Ogah... Read more

Passenger caught for stealing N290,000 on Ibom Air flight

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

A passenger was arrested for allegedly stealing N290,000 from a foreign traveller moments before takeoff aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Abuja on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The incident occurred around 7:00 a.m., shortly after boarding had been completed. According to eyewitnesses, the foreign passenger raised an alarm after discovering that the money he had kept in his... Read more

Reps Probe $20bn decommissioning, abandonment compliance gap in Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

…as lawmaker raises alarm over environmental fiscal risks The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the alarming level of non-compliance with decommissioning and abandonment (D&A) regulations in Nigeria’s petroleum industry. Following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Zakaria Nyampa, member representing Madagali/Michika Federal Constituency of Adamawa during plenary, Nyampa warned that Nigeria could face environmental, financial,... Read more

Reps Order Probe Into $18bn Spent on Moribund Refineries

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

…to investigate 14 years of failed rehabilitation projects kingsley Emeka The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to investigate the continued non-functionality of Nigeria’s three state-owned refineries, Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna despite over $18 billion reportedly spent on their rehabilitation over the past two decades. This followed the adoption of a motion on the “Non-functionality of State-owned Refineries” moved... Read more

Zulum Orders Immediate Investigation Into MURIC’s Claims of Hijab Harassment in Maiduguri Hospitals

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, received with great concern a statement by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) alleging the harassment of muslim women for wearing hijab in some hospitals in Maiduguri. He noted that while the government is not aware of any official report or complaint regarding such incidents, his administration has taken the allegations with utmost seriousness. In... Read more

Tinubu Approves Clemency for 175 Inmates, 959 Nigerians to Receive National Honours

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

President Bola Tinubu has granted the prerogative of mercy to 175 inmates across the country, as part of efforts to decongest correctional centres and promote restorative justice. The decision followed the approval of the National Council of State, which met on Thursday under the President’s chairmanship at the State House, Abuja. Justice Tempered with MercyBriefing journalists after the meeting, Governor... Read more

Customs Intercepts ₦1.2bn Expired Flour at Seme Border, Records 182% Revenue Surge

October 9, 2025 (updated October 9, 2025) Published by Standard Focus

By Bukola Akintola The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted five truckloads of expired flour valued at ₦1.2 billion while recording an impressive 182 percent revenue increase in September 2025. Addressing journalists at the COWA Complex, Seme Border, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, said the 10,000 bags of flour were seized in a joint operation... Read more

Day: October 9, 2025