NCAA BANS AIRPLANE MODE DURING TAKEOFF AND LANDING

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The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has stated that all mobile phones must be completely switched off during take-off and landing.

The Director General of Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo, stated this during a stakeholders’ meeting themed National Civil Aviation Security Committee Meeting in Abuja.

He declared that all passengers must now completely switch off electronic devices during flights, ending the long-standing flight mode practice.

He said the regulation concerning phones and other electronic devices in Nigeria has now been unified, stressing that the widely accepted flight mode option will no longer be permitted.
He said, All mobile phones, I repeat, all mobile phones and other portable electronic devices should be switched off during at least the critical phase of flight on all Nigerian airlines. Switched off.

Rejecting the use of flight mode, he stressed, There’s nothing like anything like flight mode any longer. Must be switched off. Nigerian air operators are therefore required to amend their operations manual to reflect this requirement and submit to the NCA for approval, if different from this resolution.

He announced a series of tough measures to address the growing trend of unruly passenger behavior across the country’s airports, warning that the era of business as usual is over.

159 POLICE OFFICERS ELEVATED TO ASSITANT SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE RANK IN OYO STATE

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The Oyo State Police Command has promoted 159 Inspectors to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in recognition of their dedication, professionalism, and exceptional service.

This was revealed in a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, who noted that the promotions reflect the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s commitment to rewarding excellence within the force.

During the official decoration ceremony, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, commended the newly promoted officers for their courage, discipline, and dedication to duty. He emphasized the importance of a structured reward system to encourage consistent performance and inspire others in the service.

Haruna added that the promotions not only acknowledge the officers’ past efforts but also serve as a call to maintain the high standards expected of them in their new roles.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DEFENDS REMAND OF COMFORT EMMANSON, DIFFERENT STANCE ON KWAM 1

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The Federal Government has clarified the differing responses to two recent in-flight incidents involving Comfort Emmanson and Fuji star Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1.

Emmanson was remanded after allegedly assaulting Ibom Air crew members on a Uyo–Lagos flight, sparking public criticism and claims of selective justice. In contrast, Kwam 1, who reportedly disrupted a ValueJet flight in Abuja, faced no court action.

According to Mike Achimugu, spokesperson for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the two cases are fundamentally different. In Kwam 1’s case, the airline opted not to press charges, prompting the NCAA to advise the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to impose a ban on him.

Emmanson’s incident involved physical assault, and Ibom Air chose to pursue legal action immediately. As a result, she was remanded and also placed on a lifetime no-fly list, a measure within the legal rights of airlines. Meanwhile, Kwam 1 remains under an indefinite flight ban pending further investigation.

TETFUND POURS 100 BILLION NAIRA INTO MEDICAL TRAINING

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The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has disbursed over 100 billion naira to selected tertiary institutions across Nigeria to strengthen medical education and address the shortage of healthcare professionals.

As part of the initiative, three institutions in each geopolitical zone received 4 billion naira each to expand infrastructure and training capacity in medical sciences. The intervention aims to increase the number of trained doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health workers in the country.

The project is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to curb brain drain in the healthcare sector. TETFUND has also deployed monitoring teams to ensure proper use of the funds.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ROLLS OUT E-TAX SYSTEM TO FIGHT TAX EVASION

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The Federal Government has officially launched a national Electronic Fiscal System (EFS) aimed at curbing tax evasion, enhancing transparency, and modernising Nigeria’s tax administration.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) confirmed that the platform powered by the Merchant-Buyer Model (MBM) electronic invoicing solution went live on August 1st, 2025, following a pilot phase that began in November 2024.

The rollout targets large companies with annual turnovers of 5 billion naira and above, offering real-time tracking of commercial transactions and verifying the authenticity and accuracy of invoices.

According to FIRS spokesperson Dare Adekanmbi, over 1,000 companies, 20 percent of the more than 5,000 eligible firms have already begun integrating with the system. While the original deadline was August 1st, the FIRS has extended it to November 1st, 2025, to allow more companies to complete onboarding.

IRAN SIGNS SECURITY DEAL WITH IRAQ BEFORE LEBANON VISIT

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Ali Larijani, the newly appointed head of Iran’s top security council, is embarking on his first foreign trip since taking office last week. He will visit Iraq to sign a bilateral security agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two neighbors.

Following his visit to Iraq, Larijani will travel to Lebanon, where he plans to meet with senior Lebanese officials. His visit comes at a sensitive time as the Lebanese government has approved a plan to disarm Hezbollah, a powerful militant group and close ally of Tehran.

Iran has expressed strong opposition to the Lebanese government’s disarmament plan, describing it as a threat to regional stability. In response, Beirut has condemned Tehran’s stance, calling it a blatant and unacceptable interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs.

Larijani’s visits underline the complex regional dynamics and Tehran’s ongoing efforts to maintain its influence across neighboring countries.

INDIA BUYS MORE NIGERIAN CRUDE AS DANGOTE REFINERY IMPORTS UNITED STATES OIL

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In an unexpected turn in global oil trade, Indian refiners are stepping up purchases of Nigerian crude, even as Nigeria’s 20 billion dollars Dangote Refinery increasingly relies on United States oil imports.

Indian Oil Corporation recently bought one million barrels of Nigeria’s Agbami crude for September delivery via trader Trafigura, as part of India’s push to diversify away from Russian supplies.

Meanwhile, the Dangote Refinery in Lagos imported an average of 10 million barrels of United States crude in July, despite a local naira-for-crude deal with the Nigerian government.

Industry experts have called the situation an oil trade irony, with Nigerian oil heading to India while the country’s own refinery looks abroad for feedstock.

ADC ACCUSES APC OF IGNORING NIGERIA’S SUFFERING TO CHASE 2027 AGENDA

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly prioritizing early re-election efforts for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite worsening economic and security conditions in the country. In a statement released by its interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused the APC of violating electoral laws and displaying insensitivity to the suffering of ordinary Nigerians through premature political activities.

This condemnation comes just days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) warned political parties and aspirants against early campaign activities, which it said contravene the Electoral Act. INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, reiterated that the commission has not yet released a timetable for the 2027 elections and emphasized that public campaigning is prohibited until 150 days before polling day. Despite this, the ADC pointed to growing instances of political posters, endorsements, and rallies as clear signs of illegal early campaigning by the ruling party.

Abdullahi noted that while the country grapples with a collapsing naira, soaring inflation, rising fuel costs, and rampant kidnappings, the APC has focused on orchestrated endorsements and campaign billboards for Tinubu’s second term. He cited rallies in cities like Port Harcourt, Minna, Kano, and Akure, along with a declaration by the Abuja national caucus naming Tinubu the sole candidate, as examples of brazen disregard for electoral guidelines. The ADC warned that such moves not only flout INEC regulations but also reflect a troubling disconnect from the real challenges Nigerians face daily.

TINUBU MOURNS MKO ABIOLA’S WIDOW, DOYINSOLA

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President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of veteran journalist and former Managing Director of the Concord Group of newspapers, Dr Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, describing her as a pioneering media figure and a devoted advocate of democracy.

Dr Abiola, who died on Tuesday at the age of 82, was the wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.

In a statement issued by the State House on Wednesday, President Tinubu hailed her for breaking gender barriers in journalism and for her significant contributions to the media industry, democratic governance, and the advancement of women’s rights in Nigeria.

He also reflected on her active role in the political struggles that followed the annulment of the 1993 election, highlighting her resilience and unwavering commitment to justice during one of the most defining moments in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

The President extended his condolences to the Abiola and Aboaba families, her only daughter, Doyinsola, as well as the governments and people of Lagos and Ogun States, while urging all to honour her legacy of courage and service.

DECLINE IN WASSCE RESULTS FUELS FEARS OVER CBT IMPLEMENTATION

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the worst performance in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in over a decade, sparking widespread concern among education stakeholders. Only 38.32 percent of the 1,969,313 candidates who sat for the 2025 examination obtained credits and above in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

The announcement was made on Monday by the Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, Dr Amos Dangut, who described the sharp drop as significant. The last time Nigeria recorded a pass rate this low was in 2014, when just 31.28 percent of candidates achieved the same benchmark. This year’s result represents a dramatic decline from the 72.12 percent recorded in 2024 — a drop of 33.8 percentage points.

Performance rates in WASSCE have fluctuated over the past ten years, but the 2025 outcome is the most concerning. While 2015 saw a similarly low pass rate of 38.68 percent, results improved in the following years, peaking 81.70 percent in 2021. Between 2021 and 2024, the pass rate consistently remained above 70 per cent. Education analysts have described the latest figures as a major setback for a system already grappling with multiple challenges.

WAEC has attributed the decline in part to newly introduced anti-malpractice measures, including the serialization of objective papers in key subjects to curb cheating. Dr. Dangut said these reforms made collusion more difficult and contributed to the lower success rate. He also raised concerns about the growing role of rogue websites and social media platforms that distribute fake or outdated examination answers, deceiving students under the guise of providing “expo” materials.

The 2025 WASSCE also featured a hybrid Computer – Based Test model for the first time in subjects such as English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Economics. Candidates were given the option of either the traditional pen-and-paper method or the new hybrid format, where questions were displayed on a screen and answers written manually. Despite the challenges, WAEC revealed that 87.24 percent of candidates obtained credits in at least five subjects — whether or not English and Mathematics were among them.

The performance slump comes just one year before WAEC’s planned full transition to Computer-Based Testing for all WASSCE papers in 2026, following a directive by the Federal Government. Dr. Dangut confirmed that the council is finalizing preparations for the shift, even as over 450,000 results are still being processed due to technical or administrative issues. Additionally, 9.75 percent of results (192, 089 candidates) are being withheld due to suspected examination malpractice — a slight drop from last year’s 11.92 per cent.