IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The Federal Government has published the full list of 26 trade areas approved under its revised technical-education curriculum. A statement signed on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Bon Folasade, said the revised curriculum will convert all Federal Science and Technical Colleges to Federal Technical Colleges from the 2025/2026 academic year.

Announced by Education Minister Dr. Maruf Alausa and Minister of State Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, the overhaul requires each college to offer a minimum of six and a maximum of ten trade courses. Students are expected to offer between nine and ten subjects (one core trade, five to six general subjects, two to three trade-related subjects, and one elective).

The ministry said the streamlining and modernisation of these trades responds to current industry demand across construction, energy, agriculture, automotive, creative media, and digital services sectors.

“The reform is designed to reduce overload, build strong trade competencies, align with global standards, and prepare young Nigerians for the jobs of the future,” the statement read. The reform also introduces Citizenship and Heritage Studies alongside core science and language subjects.

Below is the full list of the 26 approved trades:

1. Brick laying, block laying and concreting

2. Woodwork, carpentry and joinery

3. Plumbing and pipe fitting

4. Computer hardware & GSM repair and maintenance

5. Refrigeration & air-conditioning works

6. Mechanised agriculture (mechanisation / smart agriculture)

7. Autobody works

8. Catering craft practice

9. Solar PV installation and maintenance

10. Fashion design and garment making

11. Livestock farming/animal husbandry

12. Fish farming (aquaculture)

13. Motorcycle & tricycle repairs

14. Painting, decoration and finishes (interior design)

15. Welding & fabrication

16. Auto-electrical wiring

17. Automobile mechanics

18. Beauty therapy & cosmetology

19. Creative media (digital media production/operations)

20. Electronic systems maintenance craft

21. Furniture making & upholstery

22. Networking & system security (including satellite TV antenna installation and maintenance)

23. Social media content creation and management

24. Tiling & cladding (tiling and decorative stonework / floor-cover installation)

25. Automobile CNG conversion and maintenance

26. Leather works 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially recognised the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by a former senate president, David Mark. The confirmation which was displayed on the website of INEC on Wednesday.

The recognition came after an internal restructuring that resulted in the emergence of national officers to reposition the party further ahead of the 2027 general elections. Aside from Mark, who was appointed as the interim chairman, INEC listed a former Osun governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary. Other principal officers now officially recognised by the electoral body are a former Edo governor, Oserheimen Osunbor, as National Legal Adviser; Ibrahim Mani as National Treasurer, and Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary.

The opposition coalition officially adopted the ADC as it political platform on July 2, 2025, with the aim of contesting the presidential and other elections in 2027. The coalition said it was set to rescue the country from collapse and rebuild its democracy. “Let it be known to all that this coalition of national political opposition groups goes beyond gaining political power. It is a concerted effort to rebuild the crumbling pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.

“The mission is clear: Rescue Nigeria. Rebuild Nigeria. Return power to the people,” said Mark. The former leader of the senate alleged that the Federal Government led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) had hijacked all democratic institutions, and sent the country on a “creeping descent into total civilian dictatorship” in the last two years. Mark also said the current government was “consumed with politicking” and had abandoned governance.

“The blatant destabilisation and infiltration of all major opposition political parties is aimed at achieving only one objective: to enhance total state capture and leave Nigerians with no alternative or options in 2027. This coalition is to prevent our country’s descent into a one-party sadded. he added. 

Former Leicester striker Jamie Vardy said "age is just a number" as he opens a new chapter of his career with Italian side Cremonese. The 38-year-old, who is regarded among Leicester's greatest players, left the club at the end of last season, calling time on a 13-year spell at the club where he scored 200 goals in 500 appearances.

He notched 24 of those in their Premier League title-winning 2015-16 season. Vardy signed for newly-promoted Serie A side Cremonese on a free transfer earlier this month and he could make his debut for the northern Italian side on Monday, against Verona. Asked if he, and other veterans such as Kevin de Bruyne and Luka Modric who have also moved to Serie A this summer, are still motivated to perform at the highest level, he replied: "You must be one of the doubters. You're one that I'll have to prove wrong.

"For me age is just a number. As long as my legs are doing exactly what they used to and still feel as fresh as they do then I will carry on. "At the moment there are no signs of them slowing down so I'll keep going and I will be giving my all for this club. "I will learn Italian, but [for now] it is not a problem: football has its own language, with the ball," he said. Cremonese have enjoyed an impressive start to the season, opening their campaign with a surprise 2-1 win over AC Milan before beating Sassuolo 3-2.

"The main task is making sure we stay in the league, and that's how it was when I was at Leicester," Vardy said. "It was never any, 'we are going to go for this', it was always, 'we need to stay in the league', that's the main thing. So all you do, you go out, you take each game one-by-one, give your all, what will be will be." 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has faulted what it described as “premature” campaigns by political parties and candidates in the lead up to the 2027 elections. INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, who spoke at a One-Day Stakeholders’ Roundtable on Premature Political Campaigns organized by The Electoral Institute (TEI) at its headquarters in Abuja, highlighted the commission’s major challenge in tackling the issue: a gap in the electoral legal framework.

Citing Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which stipulates the 150-day campaign period. Yakubu revealed that “there is no sanction whatsoever concerning breaches for campaigns earlier than 150 days to an election. Here lies the challenge for the Commission.” The INEC chief said the action, “undermine the Commission’s ability to track campaign finance limits as politicians, prospective candidates, and third-party agents expend large amounts of money that cannot be effectively monitored.”

In his keynote address at the event, a former INEC chairman, Attahiru Jega described premature campaigns as a “serious threat to elections” that “undermine the integrity of the entire electoral process.” Jega was particularly critical of the use of third-party groups and incumbent officials. The former INEC chief said, “premature election campaigns are actually being perpetrated by premature democrats,” and proposed that “all candidates and their parties, and especially incumbent office holders and their political parties, should be vicariously held responsible and penalized for premature campaigns for them by third parties.”

The roundtable featured presentations from the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, the Inspector General of Police, and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), alongside contributions from the IPAC Chairman. Meanwhile, INEC has recognised the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by a former senate president, David Mark.

The development was displayed on the INEC website which indicated Mark as the party’s chairman. The recognition came after an internal restructuring that resulted in the emergence of national officers to reposition the party further ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned two senior commanders of Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation. The suspects are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a Abbas/Mukhtar, and his deputy, Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also called Malam Mamuda.

The DSS filed a 32-count charge against them at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suspects allegedly attacked the Nigerian Army’s Wawa Cantonment in Kainji, Niger State, in 2022, causing mass casualties.

They also allegedly received training in weapons handling, war tactics, and improvised explosive device (IED) fabrication from terrorist camps. The suspects are also accused of receiving training in war tactics from a terrorist organisation in Mali.

Security officials allege that Mamuda trained in Libya between 2013 and 2015 under foreign jihadist instructors. Justice Emeka Nwite is presiding over the arraignment of the suspects at the Federal High Court in Abuja. 

The city of Asaba came alive on Friday as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, officially declared open the 9th National Youth Games, with athletes from 33 states and the FCT Abuja set for ten days of thrilling competition, Jazzy News can exclusively report.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sports as a tool for unity, empowerment, and global competitiveness, President Tinubu said the Games remain a breeding ground for future champions.

“From these young athletes, future national and international stars will emerge. Our government is committed to nurturing them with the right structures, facilities, and policies. Sports is not just recreation; it is a unifying force and a driver of national pride,” the President said.

The opening ceremony was a spectacle of color and culture, with a vibrant parade of athletes lighting up the Stephen Keshi Stadium. Nigerian music star Victor AD set the crowd buzzing with an electrifying performance that got fans on their feet.

Welcoming the participants, Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by Speaker of the State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, hailed the Games as a symbol of unity through healthy rivalry.

“The National Youth Games have produced stars now flying Nigeria’s flag globally. Delta is proud to host again, and we are ready to give athletes a safe, competitive, and memorable experience,” he said.

Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, urged the athletes to embrace fair play and give their best.

“This is where greatness begins. Compete with heart because you carry the hope of your states and the pride of Nigeria,” he charged, vowing that no raw talent will be left undiscovered.

The ceremony also featured the traditional athletes’ and officials’ oath-taking, led by Obiagu Faith and Comrade Obioha George respectively.

Over the next ten days, 37 sports will be contested as Delta—the defending champion of all eight previous editions—hunts for a record ninth straight title.

Asaba is now set for a festival of youthful energy, raw talent, and national pride, with the National Youth Games once again proving that sports is Nigeria’s greatest unifier.