Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos State Disburses ₦15bn, Creates 320,000 Jobs Through Employment Trust Fund
LSETF says over 20,000 small businesses received funding as agency marks decade of job creation in South-West state
LSETF says over 20,000 small businesses received funding as agency marks decade of job creation in South-West state
Lagos State Government has announced the disbursement of more than ₦15 billion to over 20,000 small and medium-scale businesses across the state through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), leading to the creation of more than 320,000 direct and indirect jobs within the last ten years. The disclosure was made on Monday in Ikeja by the Executive Secretary of LSETF, Feyisayo Alayande, during a media parley where she presented the agency’s ten-year impact report.
Alayande stated that LSETF, established in 2016 to tackle unemployment and foster entrepreneurship in Lagos, has become a vital instrument for economic empowerment. She highlighted that access to finance, skills development initiatives, market opportunities and technology support provided by the fund have enabled thousands of residents and enterprises to thrive despite Nigeria’s challenging business environment.
According to Alayande, LSETF interventions have also helped safeguard more than 173,000 jobs that were at risk of being lost due to economic headwinds. Over 82,000 small businesses have benefited from capacity-building programmes organised by the fund during its decade of operation. She said: “Our focus remains on empowering Lagosians with resources and knowledge needed for sustainable livelihoods.”
She explained that since inception, LSETF has focused on inclusive growth by targeting young people and women-owned enterprises among its beneficiaries. The agency’s support covers various sectors including trading, manufacturing, hospitality and creative industries. Alayande noted that partnerships with local and international development partners have strengthened the fund’s impact across Lagos’ five administrative divisions.
While presenting the impact report, Alayande affirmed that LSETF would continue scaling up interventions in job creation and enterprise support as Lagos State aims to further reduce unemployment rates in South-West Nigeria. The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment regarding the agency’s reported achievements.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Abuja Court Jails Three for Boko Haram Links After Mass Trial
Judgement comes amid ongoing clampdown on terror suspects; rights advocates urge transparency in prosecution process
Judgement comes amid ongoing clampdown on terror suspects; rights advocates urge transparency in prosecution process
An Abuja court has sentenced three individuals to prison after finding them guilty of having links to the Boko Haram terrorist group. The verdict, delivered on Monday, follows a mass trial of suspects accused of supporting or participating in activities connected to the insurgency that has plagued Nigeria’s North-East for over a decade.
The convictions were handed down as part of a broader judicial process targeting those alleged to have aided Boko Haram operations. Details regarding the specific charges or length of sentences were not immediately made public. Security officials confirmed that the judgement is part of continued efforts by government to dismantle terror networks and bring collaborators to justice.
The prosecution of terror-related cases has drawn attention from both local and international observers due to its significance in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency. Mass trials have previously raised concerns among human rights groups, who insist on adherence to due process and fair trial standards. However, authorities maintain that such measures are necessary given the scale and complexity of terrorism cases in the country.
Security agencies have repeatedly stated their commitment to rooting out supporters of terrorist groups. Rights advocates continue to call for greater transparency and independent monitoring during high-profile cases involving alleged Boko Haram members. The latest convictions are expected to bolster efforts by security agencies even as calls persist for improved rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for former suspects found not guilty.
Further details about the identities of those convicted or possible appeals were not available as at press time.
Nigeria News (Standard)
INEC Deregisters ADC, Others in Abuja as Opposition Parties Vow Court Action
Move sparks backlash from opposition, who describe the decision as undemocratic and threaten to challenge INEC in court
Move sparks backlash from opposition, who describe the decision as undemocratic and threaten to challenge INEC in court
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deregistered the African Democratic Congress (ADC) along with several other political parties in Abuja on Monday, 15 June 2026, a decision that has drawn sharp reactions from opposition figures who say they will seek redress in court. The electoral body announced the move citing non-compliance with registration requirements and poor performance during recent elections.
According to INEC officials, the affected parties failed to meet constitutional criteria including winning a minimum number of seats in legislative assemblies and scoring sufficient votes in national elections. The commission said this step is aimed at streamlining Nigeria’s crowded political space and ensuring that only viable parties remain active participants.
The deregistration has immediate implications for the country’s political landscape, especially as Nigeria approaches another round of key elections. Many opposition leaders argue that such actions undermine multiparty democracy and restrict voter choice. In previous cycles, similar decisions by INEC have faced legal challenges, some of which resulted in reinstatement of affected parties.
Reacting to the announcement, leaders of deregistered parties described INEC’s decision as arbitrary and vowed to contest it in court. “This is a deliberate attempt to silence alternative voices,” one opposition figure said. Another chieftain warned that the action could set a dangerous precedent for future elections. Meanwhile, supporters of the move insist it will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy by encouraging more serious contenders.
The next steps will likely involve protracted legal battles between deregistered parties and INEC, with broader implications for political participation across all six geopolitical zones. Observers say the outcome could shape how Nigeria regulates party registration ahead of upcoming polls.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Cross River Police Arrest 49-Year-Old After Fatal Knife Attack in Calabar
Suspect allegedly pursued and stabbed unidentified youth following altercation; police launch investigation into incident
Suspect allegedly pursued and stabbed unidentified youth following altercation; police launch investigation into incident
Police in Cross River State have arrested a 49-year-old man, Idris Abdullahi, over the alleged killing of a young man during a knife attack in Calabar. The incident occurred along Mary Slessor Road on Friday, 14 June, according to a statement by the state police spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah.
Eitokpah said Abdullahi was involved in an altercation with several street boys at about 6:05 p.m., during which he reportedly sustained injuries. The spokesperson explained that after the initial confrontation, Abdullahi traced one of the alleged attackers to Chronicle Barracks Road, opposite Akim Police Barracks. There, he allegedly chased and stabbed the youth, who later died from his injuries.
The case has raised concerns among residents of Calabar North LGA about rising street violence and personal disputes escalating into deadly confrontations. Security analysts note that knife attacks remain a persistent threat in urban centres across Nigeria, often linked to unresolved quarrels and insufficient mediation mechanisms at community level.
Confirming the arrest on Monday, Eitokpah said the suspect is currently in police custody as investigations continue. “The Command is committed to ensuring justice is served and will not tolerate acts of violence within the state,” Eitokpah stated. Efforts are ongoing to identify the deceased youth and notify his family.
Police authorities have called on members of the public with relevant information about the incident or those involved to come forward. The Command also assured residents that patrols would be intensified in known hotspots as part of broader measures to prevent further incidents. As at press time, no charges had been formally filed against Abdullahi.
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/man-arrested-after-youth-dies-in-calabar-knife-attack/
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