Nigeria News (Standard)
Anambra Government Invests ₦80 Million in 80 Tech Startups, Graduates 400 ICT Professionals
State initiative aims to boost digital economy as officials celebrate milestone for local entrepreneurs and skilled youths
State initiative aims to boost digital economy as officials celebrate milestone for local entrepreneurs and skilled youths
The Anambra State Government has invested ₦80 million in 80 technology startups and graduated 400 information and communications technology (ICT) professionals as part of efforts to strengthen the digital economy in the South-East state. The announcement was made on Saturday, 20 June, during a ceremony marking the successful completion of the latest cohort of tech trainees in Awka.
According to state officials, each startup received ₦1 million in seed funding to support early-stage development and innovation. The 400 ICT professionals were trained under government-sponsored programmes targeting software development, digital marketing, and other high-demand tech skills relevant to both local and international markets.
The initiative is expected to address youth unemployment and encourage entrepreneurship by providing young people with practical skills and financial backing. Technology sector observers say such interventions are critical for positioning Anambra as a regional hub for innovation, especially amid Nigeria’s rising demand for digital services and the global shift towards remote work.
While details of the selection process were not immediately disclosed, the government said beneficiaries were chosen through a competitive application involving project pitches and aptitude tests. Officials expressed optimism that these investments will yield measurable economic benefits for the state. “This marks a new dawn for Anambra’s tech ecosystem,” an official said at the event.
Stakeholders have called on other states to adopt similar strategies to harness Nigeria’s youth potential. The government says it will monitor progress among startups and graduates over the coming year to assess impact and inform future interventions.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Officer Woos Threatens Legal Action Over Viral NAFDAC Drug Trafficking Allegation in Lagos
Comedian’s lawyers demand public apology within 48 hours, citing Nigerian defamation and cybercrime laws
Comedian’s lawyers demand public apology within 48 hours, citing Nigerian defamation and cybercrime laws
Popular Nigerian skit maker, Jubril Oladapo Gbadamosi, known as Officer Woos, has threatened legal action against individuals behind viral social media claims alleging his arrest by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over drug trafficking. The incident, which trended widely on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), reportedly originated from anonymous posts accusing Officer Woos of importing cocaine-laced bread and brownies from Mexico to Lagos in 2025.
Officer Woos, through his legal representatives Versed Attorneys, described the allegations as entirely false and fabricated. In a formal statement released on Thursday in Lagos, his lawyers stated that Gbadamosi has never been arrested, investigated, or charged with any drug-related offence by NAFDAC or any other authority. The legal team further accused the originators of the rumour of orchestrating a “deliberate and malicious campaign” aimed at damaging their client’s reputation.
The controversy gained momentum after a tweet on 18 June 2026 claimed that Officer Woos had been detained by NAFDAC since 2025 for alleged drug trafficking. The post also suggested he stopped creating content to focus on a supposed bread business. However, Versed Attorneys firmly refuted both claims, clarifying that Officer Woos has not made any announcement regarding the death of an associate or changed his professional activities due to legal trouble.
According to the statement signed by his legal counsel, “Our client categorically denies the said publications in their entirety and demands an immediate and unconditional retraction from all pages, handles, and individuals responsible for the publication and circulation of these false statements.” The lawyers warned that failure to issue a public apology within forty-eight hours would trigger civil proceedings for damages under Nigerian defamation law and petitions to relevant law enforcement agencies under the Cybercrimes Act.
The case highlights growing concerns over misinformation targeting public figures on social media in Nigeria. While neither NAFDAC nor any regulatory body has issued any official comment on the incident as at press time, Officer Woos’s legal team insisted they would pursue all available remedies should defamatory content continue to circulate. Nigerians have been urged by the lawyers to disregard unverified claims online and rely only on credible sources.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Edo Police Arrest Kidnap Gang, Recover ₦4.5 Million and Weapons in Benin City Abduction
Governor Okpebholo pledges special courts for kidnapping cases after suspect claims security chief supplied firearms
Governor Okpebholo pledges special courts for kidnapping cases after suspect claims security chief supplied firearms
Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested suspected members of a kidnapping gang in Benin City, recovering over ₦4.5 million in cash, firearms, and a Lexus SUV following the abduction of a woman at the city’s Vegetable Market on 14 June. The operation, which led to the death of one suspect during a gun battle, was confirmed by Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika on Thursday.
According to police accounts and video evidence from the scene, the gang—comprising four men—carried out a daylight attack using an RX 350 Lexus SUV. They targeted a parked vehicle at the market, shooting its tyre before dragging out two occupants. While the male victim managed to escape, the female was pursued and eventually abducted by the attackers.
One of the suspects, Marvellous Isaac (32), told investigators that his group sourced their weapons from a community security chief in Oredo Local Government Area identified as Liberty. Isaac claimed that fellow gang member Precious—who was killed during police operations—facilitated contact with Liberty and that the security chief received ₦1.5 million from the ₦8 million ransom paid by the victim’s family. Isaac also said that firearms rented from Liberty were used by multiple groups in Benin City.
Commissioner Agbonika stated that intelligence-led efforts by the command’s Intelligence Response Team led to several arrests and the recovery of ₦2.25 million cash believed to be part of the ransom, another ₦2.25 million from crime proceeds, a pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, a motorcycle and the SUV used in the abduction. He confirmed that investigations into alleged internal sabotage and collusion among local security personnel are ongoing.
Governor Monday Okpebholo (APC) commended security agencies for their swift action during a briefing on Thursday and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fighting kidnapping and violent crime in Edo State (South-South). The governor announced plans to establish special courts dedicated to handling kidnapping and cultism cases for faster prosecution and sentencing. The state government says it will also review community security structures following allegations against local chiefs.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ekiti State Records High Deployment of Voting Materials, Security Ahead of 2026 Polls — Yiaga Africa
Yiaga Africa observes increased presence of electoral materials and security operatives across major Ekiti local governments ahead of governorship election.
Yiaga Africa observes increased presence of electoral materials and security operatives across major Ekiti local governments ahead of governorship election.
Yiaga Africa, an election monitoring group, has reported a significant deployment of voting materials and security personnel across various local government areas in Ekiti State on Saturday, 20 June 2026, as preparations intensify for the forthcoming governorship election. The group stated that this increased deployment was observed in several parts of the state as at the weekend.
According to Yiaga Africa, the distribution process for sensitive and non-sensitive election materials commenced early, with most polling units in Ado-Ekiti, Ikere, Oye, and other LGAs receiving their allocations before midday. Security operatives—including police officers and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel—were also stationed at key distribution centres to ensure safe passage and prevent disruptions.
The high level of preparation comes amid heightened public interest in the Ekiti governorship contest, which observers say is a litmus test for Nigeria’s South-West zone ahead of the 2027 general elections. Yiaga Africa noted that timely deployment is critical to minimising delays that have previously marred voting processes in the region.
In its preliminary assessment, Yiaga Africa described the logistics so far as “commendable” but urged authorities to sustain momentum through to election day. “Early arrival of materials will boost voter confidence and help INEC maintain credibility,” the group said in its report released on Saturday. No major opposition party statement had been issued regarding logistics as at press time.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to continue monitoring logistics while security agencies maintain patrols across Ekiti State. Stakeholders are hopeful that improved deployment will translate into a smooth and credible electoral process.
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