NAPTIP Raises Alarm Over CSOs Being Used as Fronts for Human Trafficking

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned that some civil society organisations (CSOs) are allegedly being used as fronts by human traffickers to gain access to vulnerable communities and traffic children.

The agency said traffickers were taking advantage of communities affected by insecurity, including farmer-herder conflicts, by posing as NGO representatives and offering support to families.

NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a joint press briefing involving spokespersons of security agencies.

Adekoye said the agency had uncovered cases where suspected traffickers entered troubled communities under the guise of providing education and humanitarian assistance.

He revealed that NAPTIP recently rescued four children in Onitsha, Anambra State, who were allegedly trafficked from Kajuru in Kaduna State in 2023.

According to him, some of the children were found in a high-rise building, while another was rescued from the custody of a nurse at the Federal Medical Centre in Onitsha.

Adekoye said NAPTIP would begin profiling CSOs, especially community-based and faith-based organisations operating in vulnerable areas, to stop criminals from using their reputation to facilitate trafficking.

He said the agency had so far rescued 118 children allegedly trafficked from Nasarawa, Benue and three other states in the North-Central region.

He urged Nigerians to remain alert and report suspicious organisations or individuals attempting to take children away from their families.

The warning follows recent NAPTIP operations in which more than 180 children were reportedly rescued from trafficking networks allegedly operating under the cover of civil society organisations and promising educational support to vulnerable families.

NAPTIP also raised concerns about the growing use of technology in human trafficking, noting that traffickers are using social media to lure young Nigerians with promises of well-paying jobs and better living conditions in Asian countries.

Norway’s King Harald dies at 89

Norway’s King Harald V has died at the age of 89 after a prolonged period of health challenges, the Royal Palace announced on Friday.

The monarch died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35 a.m. local time on August 28, after being admitted to the hospital on August 17 with haemolytic anaemia, a condition involving the rapid destruction of red blood cells.

Crown Prince Haakon, 53, is set to succeed his father as Norway’s new monarch.

King Harald’s health had deteriorated in recent years, with several medical complications leading to the installation of a pacemaker and a reduction in his official duties.

His family, including Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, his wife Mette-Marit and their children, gathered at the hospital as his condition became critical.

Flags at the Royal Palace in Oslo were lowered to half-mast as mourners gathered outside the palace to pay their respects.

Harald became king in 1991 and served for 35 years. Despite his declining health, he repeatedly rejected calls for abdication, maintaining that his commitment to the Norwegian throne was lifelong.

NFF President Gusau, Board Members Resign

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, and other members of the NFF board have resigned from their positions.

The resignations come amid mounting criticism over the administration and management of Nigerian football under the current leadership.

The pressure intensified following the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, marking the first time the team has missed the tournament.

The NFF leadership had also reportedly come under scrutiny from security agencies over the management and utilisation of funds released by the Federal Government for the national football teams.

The Department of State Services was said to have joined other security agencies in investigating the federation’s handling of the N17 billion intervention fund approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024.

The funds were released to settle outstanding wages, bonuses and other financial obligations owed to players representing Nigeria’s national teams.

Dolly Parton Dies at 80 After Six-Decade Music Career

Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80.

Her death was reportedly announced on Tuesday by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in an emotional post shared on Instagram.

Seaver described the moment as deeply painful, saying he had anticipated the weight of the loss but only fully understood it after her death.

Parton rose from humble beginnings in Tennessee to become one of the most influential figures in country music, enjoying a career that spanned more than six decades.

She sold more than 100 million records worldwide and earned the title “Queen of Country” through iconic songs such as “Jolene”, “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You”.

The singer-songwriter wrote more than 3,000 songs and won 11 Grammy Awards during her illustrious career. She also established herself as an accomplished actress, featuring in films including 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Joyful Noise.

“Jolene”, one of Parton’s most recognisable songs, was written around the same period as “I Will Always Love You”. Both tracks appeared on her 1974 album Jolene, which helped expand her popularity beyond the country music audience.

Concerns about Parton’s health emerged publicly in September 2025 when she postponed her Las Vegas residency. She had also reduced her public appearances in recent weeks amid reports of ongoing health challenges.

Her death comes months after the passing of her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 at the age of 82.

Parton and Dean were married in 1966 and remained together for almost 60 years.

Tears as Nollywood Icon Ogogo Is Laid to Rest

Tears and grief filled Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday as the remains of veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, were laid to rest.

Family members, friends, colleagues and sympathisers gathered in the actor’s hometown to observe the burial rites of the 66-year-old thespian.

Footage from the funeral procession showed mourners carrying Ogogo’s remains to his final resting place in line with Islamic burial traditions.

Among those present was Ogogo’s longtime friend and colleague, Yinka Quadri, who broke down in tears as mourners tried to comfort him.

The emotional moment underscored the depth of sorrow among the actor’s colleagues, relatives and loved ones as they paid their final respects.

Several Nollywood stars, including Jide Kosoko, Faithia Balogun, Femi Adebayo, Mr Latin and Toyosi Adesanya, had earlier travelled to Ilaro to attend the burial.

Other actors, including Ireti Osayemi and Bisi Omo Logbalogba, were also present alongside family members, friends and sympathisers.

The burial followed the arrival of Ogogo’s remains in Ilaro on Sunday, shortly after the actor died at the age of 66.

FG Spends N6.47tn on Infrastructure as Highways Take Lion’s Share

The Federal Government spent N6.47 trillion on strategic infrastructure projects between June 2023 and December 2025, with major highway projects accounting for more than half of the total expenditure.

An analysis of the newly released Federal Government Nigeria Reform Scorecard on savings from fuel subsidy removal, titled “The Benefits, Costs and Harm Prevented,” showed that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway received the largest allocation among the strategic infrastructure projects listed, with N2.23tn disbursed for its construction.

The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway ranked second with N1.11tn, while N489.3bn was spent on the Trans-Sahara Superhighway. Combined, the three highway projects accounted for about N3.83tn of the N6.47tn allocated to strategic infrastructure during the period under review.

The scorecard, which covered June 2023 to December 2025, outlined how the Federal Government deployed additional fiscal resources generated or made available through its economic reform measures.

According to the document, the government recorded incremental expenditure of N30.64tn during the period, with N6.47tn directed towards strategic infrastructure development.

On Wednesday, the Federal Government disclosed that it had spent N30.64tn to cushion the impact of petrol subsidy removal and other major economic reforms, while the reforms generated N15.8tn in savings for the Federation.

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market helped mobilise N15.8tn in additional resources for the Federation during the period.

Further analysis of the scorecard showed that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, one of the four legacy road projects of the current administration, received N2.23tn, representing about 34 per cent of the N6.47tn spent on strategic infrastructure.

The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway received N1.11tn, while N489.3bn was allocated to the Trans-Sahara Superhighway. Other significant expenditures included N366bn for emergency road intervention projects and N304.2bn for Section II of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road.

The Federal Government also allocated N291.3bn to the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road, N250bn to the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support Programme and N228.4bn to the Ilesha-Akure-Benin road section.

The scorecard also recorded N124.7bn for the construction of 1,550 housing units for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, while N109.9bn was spent on Operation Lake Sanity, a multinational security operation.

The Ministry of Finance said the infrastructure interventions were designed to tackle longstanding constraints to investment and economic growth.

The spending comes as the Federal Government continues to pursue major road and transport infrastructure projects amid growing pressure from rising debt-service obligations, wage adjustments and other recurrent expenditures.

Veteran Nollywood Actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ Dies at 66

Veteran Nollywood actor and Yoruba film icon, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has died at the age of 66.

Hassan passed away at about 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2026, according to an announcement by fellow veteran actor, Jide Kosoko. The development has sparked grief across the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Kosoko disclosed that the late actor’s remains would be taken to his hometown, Ilaro, in Ogun State, on Sunday ahead of his final rites.

A lying-in-state ceremony has been scheduled for Monday, August 24, at 11 a.m. at the Pavilion in Ilaro, Ogun State.

Taiwo Hassan was one of the prominent figures in Yoruba-language cinema, with a career spanning several decades as an actor, filmmaker and screenwriter. He was widely recognised for his memorable roles and contribution to the growth of the Nigerian film industry.

His death comes days after his family appealed for medical assistance as he battled a serious health condition. Colleagues, fans and other members of the entertainment industry had rallied around the actor before his death.

FG Declares Tuesday Public Holiday for Eid ul Mawlid

The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, August 25, 2026, a public holiday to commemorate this year’s Eid ul Mawlid, marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister conveyed warm greetings to Muslims in Nigeria and across the diaspora.

Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to reflect on the virtues and teachings exemplified by the life of Prophet Muhammad during the celebration.

He also called on citizens to pray for peace and national unity, noting that building and sustaining cohesion remains a shared responsibility.

The minister appealed to Nigerians to celebrate peacefully and with moderation, while encouraging mutual respect among citizens and wishing the Muslim faithful a joyful and peaceful Eid.

Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property and maintaining peace across the country.

The declaration means workers nationwide will observe Tuesday, August 25, as a public holiday in commemoration of Eid ul Mawlid.

FG Stops Payments for Unapproved Foreign Trips by Appointees

The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to suspend the processing of payments for official foreign trips undertaken by government appointees without prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The directive was contained in a circular dated August 13, 2026, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, ministers, Heads of the Civil Service, service chiefs, heads of federal agencies, as well as chief executives of parastatals and government-owned companies.

The circular, referenced PRS59648/S.13/TI/335, stated that despite existing regulations governing official foreign travel, “some Federal Government appointees continue to embark on official foreign trips without obtaining prior approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, contrary to extant government directives and established administrative procedures.”

The government noted that it had issued no fewer than five circulars since 2012 aimed at regulating foreign travels by cabinet members and other public officials. However, the circular observed that cases of non-compliance have persisted, describing the development as one that undermines efforts to promote effective coordination, accountability, transparency and prudent management of public funds.

Under the new directive, accounting officers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and heads of Federal Government agencies are required to ensure that no expenditure connected to official foreign trips by government appointees is processed without evidence that the necessary approval has been obtained from the OSGF.

The circular also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make the presentation of valid OSGF approval a mandatory condition for processing Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and visa applications for government appointees travelling outside the country on official assignments.

In addition, foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria are to be formally informed that applications for official, diplomatic or service visas submitted by government appointees must be accompanied by valid approval for the proposed foreign trip from the OSGF.

Ogun Declares August 20 Public Holiday to Celebrate Isese Day

The Ogun State Government has declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a public holiday to mark this year’s Isese Day celebration.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said the declaration demonstrates the administration’s commitment to preserving and promoting Yoruba culture, heritage and traditional values.

The government noted that August 20 was officially recognised as a public holiday in Ogun State in 2023, following a resolution by the Ogun State House of Assembly and the approval of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

It said Isese Day offers adherents of the Yoruba traditional religion an opportunity to honour their ancestors, perform traditional rites and uphold the values and teachings associated with their spiritual and cultural practices.

According to the government, the celebration also strengthens the bond among practitioners and creates an avenue for members of the wider society to understand, appreciate and respect the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

The statement added that the observance of Isese Day demonstrates the administration’s recognition of the role of culture and traditional institutions in preserving Ogun State’s identity and promoting social cohesion.

The government consequently called on residents to mark the celebration peacefully and responsibly, while respecting the beliefs, rights and practices of others.