The Kano Emirate Council has dismissed as false a viral video alleging that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II obtained a carry-over in one of his law courses at Northwest University, Kano.

The video, which circulated widely on social media platforms on Sunday, purportedly suggested that the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor had failed to meet the academic requirements for one of his courses.

Sanusi is currently enrolled as a 200-level undergraduate student in the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) programme in Common Law and Sharia at the university.

However, Muhammad Ado, Secretary in the Office of the Emir, described the claim as untrue, insisting that the Emir remained on course to graduate with a first-class degree.

According to Ado, the Emirate’s records showed that Sanusi needed only one additional point to attain a first-class grade.

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“We attended a programme organised by Law Students in the university on Saturday, and a student took the video. But it’s not true.

“In our calculations, it remains only one point for the Emir to attain first class. Sunday Dare was a visiting lecturer at the programme,” Ado said.

A student of the university, Ibrahim Abubakar-Danmasani, also dismissed the claim, saying examinations at the institution had not commenced as of Sunday.

He said the examinations were expected to begin on Monday.

Sources within the university also corroborated the position of the Emirate Council, saying the viral video did not reflect the Emir’s actual academic standing.

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The sources attributed the video to some youths who allegedly recorded and circulated it as a prank.

Former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and APC House of Representatives candidate for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms are delivering measurable results, dismissing recent criticisms by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a “frozen snapshot taken at the hardest moment of reform.”

In an article titled “Facts Over Fiction and Fear: Why Tinubu’s Reforms Are Working for Nigeria,” Orji argued that the administration’s economic reset has produced tangible improvements across key indicators, including GDP, debt servicing, government revenue and fiscal capacity at the subnational level.

He noted that dollar-denominated GDP, which fell to about $253 billion in the immediate aftermath of the exchange-rate reset, has since recovered to approximately $377 billion — a roughly 49 percent increase from the trough. In naira terms, he said GDP had expanded from about ₦314 trillion in 2024 to around ₦530 trillion.

“No one pretended these reforms would be painless. They were sold as necessary structural corrections to distortions that built up over decades, including the years 1999 to 2007 when warnings about subsidy and fiscal leakages were ignored. The difference now is that government finally acted instead of postponing,” Orji wrote.

On debt, the former Speaker said Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio stands at about 40 percent, which he compared with South Africa at 85 percent, Egypt at 80 percent and Kenya at 75 percent. He also noted that the debt-service-to-revenue ratio had fallen from nearly 100 percent in December 2022 to below 60 percent today.

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“Debt in itself is not the measure of health. What matters is the size of the economy, revenue capacity, cost of servicing, and what the money is used for,” he stated.

Orji said borrowing under the Tinubu administration is tied to productive sectors and infrastructure, including roads, rail, power, healthcare and education.

He described the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the administration’s most significant structural reforms, arguing that the policy had become fiscally unsustainable. According to him, the resulting increase in Federation Account allocations has given states and local governments greater fiscal space to invest in roads, schools, hospitals, salaries, pensions and other public services.

He also defended the administration’s tax reforms, saying the design protects people earning ₦1 million and below per annum and small businesses with turnover of ₦100 million and below, while expanding the contribution of higher-income individuals and profitable enterprises.

Orji highlighted progress in healthcare, education and infrastructure as evidence of increased public investment. He said more than 3,000 Primary Healthcare Centres had been revitalised, over 78,000 frontline health workers retrained, and over 100 public facilities expanded to provide free caesarean sections for eligible indigent mothers. He also cited three world-class cancer centres now operational in Kubwa, Enugu and Katsina, alongside additional state-level cancer facilities.

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In education, he noted that the Universal Basic Education Commission had embarked on more than 11,000 projects to rehabilitate schools and expand technical and vocational training. He said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had disbursed more than ₦303 billion to over 1.64 million students across 300 institutions.

“For the first time in a long while, students are not losing a year to strikes. A four-year course is finishing in four years,” he wrote.

On infrastructure, Orji pointed to ongoing federal highways, bridges, rail modernisation, power transmission projects, airport redevelopment and digital connectivity as components of the government’s broader economic strategy.

On inflation, Orji acknowledged Nigerians continue to face pressure but said the trajectory shows improvement. He noted inflation fell to 14.4 percent in November 2025, rose to 15.91 percent amid global shocks, and is projected to decline toward 12 percent by year end.

He also challenged claims of an alleged ₦7.98 trillion oil windfall, arguing that crude oil revenue cannot be calculated simply by multiplying prices by production. He said production levels, operating costs, government and company shares, and loan obligations must be considered.

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To cushion the adjustment, Orji said the Federal Government has rolled out intervention programmes including cash transfers and community-based initiatives in healthcare, education and social protection.

While acknowledging that Nigeria is not yet where it aspires to be, Orji maintained that important structural distortions have now been confronted.

“Let us be honest. Nigeria is not yet where we aspire to be. But we are also not where we were at the height of subsidy waste, multiple exchange rates, and revenue leakage,” Orji wrote.

He said the ultimate test of the reforms should be stronger revenues, lower debt-service pressure, improved infrastructure, and better access to education and healthcare.

“A mature national conversation should examine outcomes, not slogans,” he stated.

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Orji concluded that the most difficult phase of the adjustment occurred in 2023 and 2024 and that Nigeria had now entered a recovery phase.

“History will not remember us for how popular a decision was on the day it was taken. It will remember whether the decision strengthened the nation. Nigerians need facts, not fabrications.”

MTN Nigeria has warned subscribers against fraudulent 25GB anniversary giveaway offers circulating online, urging customers to rely only on the company’s official platforms to access the promotion.

The telecommunications giant issued the warning through its support account on X on Saturday, cautioning subscribers against clicking suspicious links, sharing personal information or making payments on unauthorised platforms claiming to offer the anniversary data bundle.

MTN said the genuine 25GB anniversary giveaway is available exclusively through the MyMTN NG App and the MTN eShop.

The company stated: “Please beware of fake MTN 25th Anniversary 25GB giveaway offers circulating online.

“The official MTN 25GB Anniversary Giveaway is available ONLY via the MyMTN NG App and MTN eShop.

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“Do not click on links, share your personal information or make payments on any other platform claiming to offer the giveaway.

“Only trust official MTN channels.”

In a separate message, MTN explained how eligible subscribers can redeem the offer, directing customers to log into the MyMTN App and select “Redeem Now” on the anniversary banner or access the promotion through the MTN eShop.

“To access the 25GB offer, kindly visit the MyMTN App or the MTN E-Shop and follow the prompts to activate the bundle, if you are eligible for the offer,” the company said.

It added: “You may also click on the link contained in the SMS notification you received regarding the offer.”

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MTN urged subscribers to verify promotional messages and information through its official communication channels before taking any action.

The company also said the 25GB free data bundle would remain valid until 11:59pm on the stated expiry date, advising eligible customers to redeem the offer before the validity period ends.

The warning follows the circulation of various online posts and links purporting to offer free MTN data as part of the company’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

Subscribers have consequently been advised to avoid unauthorised websites and platforms that request personal information, payments or other sensitive details in exchange for the purported giveaway.

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Prophet Itunu Onadeko, fiancé of late Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba, has claimed that the actress died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos State, contrary to reports and social media speculation linking her death to complications from breast cancer.

Onadeko made the claim in an interview with the Celestial Reality Check, the media investigative unit of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), on Saturday.

The prophet, who is the Shepherd-in-Charge of CCC Onibuore Cathedral in the Bogije area of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, also denied several allegations surrounding Osoba’s final days, including claims that she was poisoned, maltreated or subjected to harsh treatment before her death.

According to him, he learnt of the actress’ death from an unidentified caller around midnight.

“It was a random person that called me around 12 am that she died in a police station in Ikorodu,” he said.

Onadeko said he did not know the particular police station where Osoba allegedly died but reported himself at a nearby station after receiving the information.

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He explained that Osoba had insisted on visiting one Mrs Kehinde Osoba, who he said also runs a church, shortly before her death.

“She had insisted to see Mrs Kehinde Osoba, she also has a church, although she said she wanted to see me too. When they left for there, I told them that I wasn’t chanced to go that day because of church programmes,” he said.

According to him, the hairdresser with whom Osoba was staying accompanied her on the trip.

“The hairdresser that Tope was sleeping in her place was the person that went with her. We maintained communication and she even posted ‘Ogo tun tun’ until I heard that she died in the police station,” he added.

Fiancé denies cancer caused death

Osoba had previously spoken publicly about her battle with breast cancer, including undergoing treatment and surgery. In 2024, she announced her return to the public after the experience, describing the period as one that brought healing, growth and empowerment.

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However, Onadeko insisted that although Osoba had battled cancer and undergone surgery, the illness was not responsible for her death.

“When I first met her, after I did a redemption prayer for her, she told me she wants to do a surgery on cancer. I prayed for her. In fact, the day she planned for her surgery, she did a skit with Boda Wasiu and then we moved to Evacare Hospital,” he said.

He also denied allegations that he had access to money donated to Osoba for her surgery or that he used the funds to build his church.

“Who has an evidence that the money she got for her surgery is N30m? It wasn’t my account they sent the money to, it was hers. And I didn’t use the money to build church as rumoured,” he said.

Onadeko said several people, including businessman Mike Adenuga, supported Osoba financially during her treatment, but maintained that he never had access to the money.

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“I met Tope like two years ago and the church has been there since 20 years ago. The church is complete before she even joined us. It has been roofed and painted,” he added.

He denies claims she was prevented from driving

The prophet also rejected claims that Osoba was prevented from driving her car, saying she drove herself when she travelled to Iperu shortly before her death.

“She drove the car out herself. She was going to Iperu one Sunday. I don’t know Iperu that she went to neither do I know who she’s going to meet there but I think it is her mother’s side,” he said.

He said Osoba had reservations about visiting her maternal family because she believed they had not treated her well, but that he encouraged her to maintain contact with them because they were planning to get married.

Onadeko denies maltreatment allegations

Onadeko also denied allegations that Osoba was maltreated before her death, including claims that faeces or urine were poured on her body as punishment for allegedly stealing biscuits.

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He said there had never been a situation in which Osoba was subjected to such treatment or placed under duress.

“When we were living together, we borrowed each other money. She bought gold for herself and me. But she eventually sold them and we both spent the money, there has never been a time that we were under duress,” he said.

According to him, the house where Osoba lived belonged to her uncle and was not rented by the couple.

“After the surgery, she gave her uncle N1m when he insisted that he gave her something at least for staying in the house,” he added.

He also dismissed allegations that Osoba drank poison before her death.

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Actress had left church weeks before death

Onadeko said Osoba left the church about three weeks before her death.

He said that after learning of her death, he contacted one of her uncles, identified as Taiwo, but that the relative refused to speak with him.

“She’s left the church about three weeks ago before her death. Since she died, I didn’t call any of her family. It was one of her uncles, Taiwo that I called but he was really mad at me and insisted that he doesn’t want to speak with me,” he said.

The prophet also disclosed that Osoba had struggled with smoking and that he had encouraged her to quit.

“She was dealing with smoking habit. And I wanted her to leave it. All the church members know about her smoking habit,” he said.

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Osoba died on Wednesday at the age of 40. She is scheduled to be buried on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in Iperu Remo, Ogun State.

However, Onadeko’s claims about the circumstances of Osoba’s death could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report, and the exact cause and location of her death remain unconfirmed.

A Foundation Member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving a substantial salary increase for members of the Armed Forces.

Okechukwu, who is the former Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), gave the commendation in a statement issued on Sunday in Enugu while reacting to the recent Armed Forces salary review and expansion of Army divisions.

It would be recalled that recently President Tinubu approved salary increases of 80 per cent for Privates to Staff Sergeants.

The president also approved salary increases of 50 per cent for Warrant Officers to Colonels, and 30 per cent for Brigadiers to Generals, alongside creation of four additional army divisions.

Okechukwu, however, cautioned that improved remuneration alone cannot guarantee victory over insurgency, terrorism and banditry without corresponding investment in superior technologies that define modern warfare.

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He said that Nigeria must avoid fighting 21st century wars with 20th century military orthodox doctrines.

According to him, like millions of Nigerians, I wholeheartedly applaud President Tinubu for improving the welfare of our gallant Armed Forces, who daily risk their lives in defence of our nation.

He said, “However, patriotism compels one to ask a fundamental question?

“How will our administration, in an era of lean fiscal resources and under budget implementation; sustain such a significant increase in recurrent expenditure while adequately funding critical sectors such as healthcare, education and infrastructure without triggering hyper-inflation?”

“Dear President, my candid concern in the midst of huge debt is the big elephant in the room.

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“For a pay rise of almost 30 per cent across the board with little or no export product outside fluctuating oil price may trigger off hyper-inflation and monetary paralysis?”

He noted that it is clear to the President that police, other paramilitary agencies and the wider civil service would naturally demand aggressively for comparable salary adjustments, to face the same market.

Offering an alternative approach, Okechukwu called for 30 per cent budget addition to kitchen table welfare enablers to the greatest number of Nigerians among which are members of the Armed Forces and other public servants.

“More investment in comprehensive healthcare, quality educational opportunities and an affordable mortgage home schemes, will better spread joy, strengthen purchasing power, encourage productivity and employment.

“It is on record that 80 per cent of the Armed Forces have no mortgage homes,” he said.

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On the expansion of the army, Okechukwu argued that military superiority in the 21st century is determined less by the size of an army than by the sophistication of its technology.

“Today’s battlefields are dominated by drones, satellite surveillance, electronic warfare, cyber operations, precision-guided weapons, artificial intelligence and real-time intelligence.

“Victory no longer belongs to the side with the largest number of boots on the ground, but to the side with superiority of AI-driven intelligence capabilities,” he said.