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11th February 2026 07:03 PM 
The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, has nominated Ambassador Ismail Abba-Yusuf as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
The nomination was disclosed in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Meanwhile, that the appointment, is subject to confirmation by the Senate in line with the provisions of Section 3 of the NAHCON Act.
Yusuf is a career diplomat and served as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Türkiye between 2021 and 2024.
Usman’s resignation on Monday, barely 14 months into his tenure, came at a delicate period for the commission, with preparations for the 2026 Hajj already underway.
NAHCON is the federal agency responsible for the regulation and coordination of Hajj and Umrah operations in Nigeria, including the licensing of tour operators and the welfare of pilgrims.
===========================================================================================================================IN THE MEANTIME;
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has vowed to resign if the ongoing Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road project is found to be substandard, declaring his readiness to subject the work to independent testing.
Umahi said this while defending his budget before a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.
During the session, questions were raised over the award of a section of the project to a company some legislators described as unknown and previously associated with generator sales.
Adams Oshiomhole who represents Edo North, demanded to know why the contract was taken from an established construction firm and awarded to another company whose reputation was not widely known in road construction.
Responding, Umahi dismissed concerns about the contractor’s background, insisting that the focus should be on the quality of work delivered rather than perceptions.
===========================================================================================================================MOVING ON TO OTHER STORIES;
NAPTIP DG — TRAFFICKERS NOW TARGET YOUTHS WITH IT SKILLS
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued and repatriated 23 Nigerian youths suspected to be victims of human trafficking from Thailand.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, disclosed this on Wednesday while alerting the public to a new trend of trafficking to the South Asia region for cyber-enabled crimes.
The Head of Press and Public Relations Unit of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, conveyed the development in a statement titled ‘DG NAPTIP alerts on new trend of trafficking to the South Asia region for cyber-enabled crimes as the agency rescues 23 victims from Thailand.’
According to the statement, the operation was carried out with the support and collaboration of Eden (Myanmar), with critical assistance from the British Government.
The victims, who have arrived in Nigeria, were deceived, recruited, and trafficked to Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia for cyber-enabled crimes such as romance scams, cryptocurrency-related fraud, and investment scams.
============================================================================MMEANWHILE;
US LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE BILL TO SANCTION MIYETTI ALLAH, KWANKWASO, FULANI MILITIA
Five United States lawmakers have introduced a bill to the US Congress, seeking to impose sanctions on former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore for alleged violations of religious freedom.
The bill, “Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026,” was introduced by Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.
Details of the bill, which was posted on the US Congress website, claimed that Kwankwaso was one of the individuals contributing to systemic religious “persecution of Christians that has persisted” in Nigeria.
If the proposed legislation, introduced to Congress on Tuesday, becomes law, the Departments of State and Treasury are expected to impose sanctions, including a visa ban and asset freeze, on “individuals or entities responsible for severe religious freedom violations” in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, some of the provisions of the proposed legislation mandate the Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias in Nigeria qualify as a foreign terrorist organisation.
As of the time of this report, neither Kwankwaso nor the groups have commented on the allegations contained in the proposed legislation.
The move came months after US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, over what he described as the persecution of Christians in the West African nation, a development the sponsors of the bill said was justified.
But the Nigerian authorities have denied claims of persecution, saying they respect all religions.
===========================================================================================================================NOW;
ARMY RESCHEDULES SCREENING FOR CHILDREN OF FALLEN SOLDIERS
The Nigerian Army has announced a nationwide rescheduling of the Screening and Verification Exercise for children of deceased personnel under the Education Sponsorship Scheme for the 2025/2026 academic session.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by Major Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, Yemi Sokoya, the Army said the exercise, initially scheduled from February 2 to March 6, will now hold from February 9 to March 13 nationwide.
The Army explained that the adjustment is meant to ensure a “seamless, transparent, and well-coordinated screening and verification process for all qualified beneficiaries.”
Parents, guardians, and beneficiaries have been advised to present all relevant documents as previously directed.
The statement also reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to the welfare and education of the children of its fallen personnel, noting that the scheme supports those who “paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
===========================================================================================================================MOVING ON TO THE EDUCATION SCENE;
FG VOWS CONTINUOUS SECURITY PRESENCE IN SCHOOL
The Federal Government of Nigeria has stepped up efforts to protect schools nationwide, strengthening the Safe Schools Initiative in partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, stated this during an official visit to the NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, on Wednesday, just as he revealed that Federal Government is exploring sustainable financing to ensure school security remains fully funded.
He therefore reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to keeping children safe, while he also announced that a dedicated Safe Schools department is being established within the Ministry of Education to oversee nationwide implementation and improve collaboration with the NSCDC.
He also said technology-driven systems, including panic buttons linked to command centres, would be introduced for faster emergency response.
The minister further confirmed that the NSCDC had been appointed as the lead agency for school protection, replacing fragmented security arrangements.
===========================================================================================================================WE TAKE A QUICK STOP AT THE NORTHERN PART OF NIGERIA, WHERE;
The government of Adamawa State, has eased the curfew in Lamurde Local Government Area, permitting movement from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with immediate effect.
The development is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Humwashi Wonosikou.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri also cautioned residents against breaching the law, stressing that the relaxation should not be abused, just as he urged law-abiding citizens to conduct their activities peacefully, assuring them of government protection.
The governor further appealed to all parties to maintain peace and order in Lamurde.
===========================================================================================================================MOVING ON TO THE ENTERTAINMENT SCENE;
The family of veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has dismissed viral rumours circulating on social media claiming that the film icon is dead.
Reacting to the reports in a video shared on his Instagram page, the actor’s eldest son, Leo Edochie, described the claim as false and malicious.
Leo added that the actor is alive and in good health, condemning those responsible for spreading the rumour.
Recall that the rumour had sparked concern among fans before the family’s clarification.
===========================================================================================================================IN BUSINESS;
NIGERIA’S CAPITAL IMPORTATION RISE BY 75% IN FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 2025
Nigeria has recorded a total capital importation of approximately $21 billion in the first ten months of 2025, representing a 75 per cent increase from the $12 billion recorded in 2024 and a more than 425 per cent rise from under $4 billion in 2023.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Jumoke Oduwole, during the budget defence of the ministry before the House Committee on Commerce on Wednesday.
Speaking further, the minister said the ministry conducted more than 100 bilateral investment engagements both domestically and internationally, strengthening ties with new partners such as the UAE, Brazil, and Japan, as well as longstanding strategic partners, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
She highlighted that UK investors accounted for approximately 65 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign capital inflows in 2025.
On trade and exports, Mrs. Oduwole informed lawmakers that Nigeria recorded a trade surplus in 2025, with total trade valued at approximately ₦113 trillion in the first three quarters.
Exports grew by about 11 per cent year-on-year to $6.1 billion, marking the highest ever in both value and volume.
Capital importation into Nigeria includes foreign direct investment, FDI, portfolio investment, and other forms of investment.
The United Kingdom emerged as the leading source of these investments.
=======================================================================================================IN A DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENT;
STOCK MARKET GAINS N881BN AMID NEW PENSION INVESTMENT LIMITS;
The Nigerian stock market sustained its positive performance on Wednesday, adding N881 billion to investors’ wealth as renewed buying interest in key stocks lifted overall sentiment.
Buying interest in large- and mid-cap stocks like: Meyer, Nestlé Nigeria, Fortis Global Insurance, Consolidated Hallmark Holdings, Zichis Agro Allied Industries and 44 other price gainer stocks lifted the broad market performance.
Also, the market has continued on a positive momentum due to PenCom’s reviewed investment regulation to increase the allowable limits for investments in ordinary shares under the RSA funds.
Under the new limits, RSA Fund I has been raised from 30 per cent to 35 per cent; RSA Fund II from 25 per cent to 33 per cent; RSA Fund III from 10 per cent to 15 per cent; and RSA Fund VI Active from 25 per cent to 33 per cent.
Specifically, the market capitalisation, which opened at N113.496 trillion, added 881 billion or 0.78 per cent to close at N114.377 trillion.
The All-Share Index also gained by 0.78 per cent or 1,375.11 points, to settle at 178,184.54 against 176,809.43 recorded on Tuesday.
Consequently, the Year-To-Date (YTD) return increased to 14.50 per cent, just as market breadth closed positive with 49 gainers and 32 losers.
The Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Sports has increased the proposed 2026 budget of the National Institute for Sports from N2.8bn to about N60bn.
The Chairman of the Committee, Kabiru Ahmadu, disclosed this on Wednesday during the institute’s budget defence session in Abuja.
He said the upward review followed consultations between the committee, the management of the institute and the leadership of the Budget Office of the Federation.
Ahmadu also commended the Director-General of the NIS, Mr Philip Shuaibu, for what he described as transformative leadership since his appointment by President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, Shuaibu has repositioned the institute and expanded its scope of operations despite funding challenges, including the non-release of capital funds in the 2025 fiscal year.
He described the institute as a critical pillar in the country’s sports architecture and decried years of inadequate funding, which he said had limited its capacity to perform optimally.
The lawmaker stressed the need for sustained and improved budgetary support to enable the NIS fulfil its mandate effectively and pledged the committee’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to ensure better funding for the institute.
=======================================================================================================MEANWHILE;
The Lagos State Government has announced a comprehensive traffic diversion plan ahead of the 2026 Lagos City Marathon scheduled for Saturday, February 14, 2026, outlining routes to be affected and movement restrictions for motorists.
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