*SOME NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER HEADLINES+, 18/07/2025*

Tinubu renames University of Maiduguri after Buhari

Shocking surge: Electricity subsidy jumps 220% to nearly N2tn

36 commissioners oppose Senate-proposed Electricity Act Amendment Bill

Troops reject ₦13.7m bribe from terrorists in Plateau – DHQ

Dangote halts fuel discount scheme amid fraud allegations

Court remands influencer Scott Iguma over alleged defamation of PWAN

Junior D’Tigress face Argentina in classification round

Pillars Sign N100m Sponsorship Deal With RFI Hausa, Unveils New Kits

Fraud probe opened into Mbappe payments to police officers

Trump diagnosed with vein issue after leg swelling, hand bruising

Interpol probes importation of N3.3bn damaged solar panels

London Mayor explores fintech opportunities in Lagos


*DID YOU KNOW?*

* July was named after the famous Roman general Julius Caesar by the Roman senate; as it was the month he was born in.

* The national flag of Denmark, the Dannebrog, is considered the oldest continuously used national flag in the world. According to legend, it fell from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse on June 15, 1219 when King Valdemar II was fighting a crusade against Estonian pagans.
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Not perfect, but honourable, Tinubu lauds Buhari at special FEC meeting

Tinubu to visit Kano today on condolence mission

Govt will uphold Buhari’s family dignity, says Shettima

Buhari left his boots in corridors of power – Akpabio

Buhari’s words guided my actions as Speaker- Abbas

S’Court strikes out AMCON’s appeal in N24.6bn debt case against firm

Appeal Court affirms Kabir Ibrahim’s sack as Nigerian farmers’ association’s president

Two to face trial for illegal waste dumping in Lagos

Medical travel: Your passport not in our file, Court tells ex-Gov Bello

Five ADC state chairmen sue Mark, others

24 pro-Biafran detainees freed after four years in Ebonyi

Navy intercepts 1,575kg cannabis, foils Lagos waterway drug operation

Electricity Amendment bill will worsen consumers’ financial burden – Commissioners

FG seeks Galaxy Backbone’s support on paperless governance

Africa’s security rests on collaboration, unity – Badau

FG to host international air show December

FG, Bi-Courtney may resume talks on Lagos airport mega projects

Invest in Nigeria’s health sector, minister urges Nigerians in diaspora

Anambra governorship elections: INEC register 96,085 new voters in nine days

Gov poll: INEC extends Anambra voter registration

FG targets N23tn GDP boost through value addition

NELFUND plans job portal to connect graduates, employers

NIMASA shuts two fuel-loading terminals over security breach

Ekiti, Ondo doctors set for showdown over FG pay review

RMAFC grills oil firm over neglect of Anambra host communities

16 MDs in 25 years stall NDDC progress – Ogbuku

UNILORIN rallies support for 50th anniversary celebrations

UniAbuja Didn’t Grab Land, Acting VC Replies Wike

Nigeria’s global labour rights ranking a national embarrassment – NLC

Patriots demand new constitution, support independent candidature

Awujale was national figure, voice of wisdom – NSCIA

Nnamdi Kanu’s trial politically-motivated — IPOB

RCCG pastor steals $8,000, begins new life in US – Mummy G.O

ICSAN to hold investiture for Ukpanah as 30th president

South-South contributed N34tn to Nigeria’s economy in 2024 – Banker’s institute

Dana Motors Targets 18,000 Electric Cars Annually

NGX gains N833bn on cement stock surge

Lagos, Diageo train 250 youths in hospitality

POFON pledges to stabilise palm oil price

Buyout deals trigger scramble for First Holdco’s shares

Refinery sale without audit after $2.8bn waste criminal – ADC

Sokoto Govt House was in darkness before Aliyu’s emergence – APC chair

Asue Ighodalo’s campaign DG dumps PDP

Dumebi Kachikwu rejects alleged ADC takeover, insists party is not for sale

Sanwo-Olu unveils market, office complex in Mushin

Okpebholo promises to make Edo power house of sports

Brain drain crippling Sokoto health sector – Commissioner

Oyo returns 60,000 pupils, doubles teachers in schools

Borno warns against reselling of UNICEF donated therapeutic food

Benue uncovers 4,000 substandard schools

E-call up: Lagos enforces N10,000 fee on Lekki-Epe corridor

Edo to improve health planning with digital platform

Lagos to increase number of technical colleges, harps on skills

Jigawa to roll out HIV drugs at PHCs

Kwara holds JSS placement exam July 26

LAMATA resumes compensation for persons affected by bus corridor project

Awujale stool: Ruling house kicks off selection, insists on tradition

Fusengbuwa ruling house rolls out traditional ‘Gbedu’ for selection of new Awujale

11 nabbed over two schoolboys’ murder in Kano

Ondo horror: Landlord, accomplices nabbed over varsity students’ murder

Keffi bridge collapses, kills 2 persons

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*TODAY IN HISTORY*

* On this day in 1870, the first Vatican Council, also known as Vatican I, decreed the doctrine of Papal infallibility. The doctrine claims that the Pope cannot err when speaking on issues of morality and/ or faith.

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If people are crazy enough to dare, impossible things happen. – Richard Branson

Good morning

*Compiled by Hon. Osuji George osujis@yahoo.com +234-8122200446*

Today's Biggest Headlines

Here are some of the news that you shouldn’t miss this morning

1. Shocking surge: Electricity subsidy jumps 220% to nearly N2tn

=== https://punchng.com/shocking-surge-electricity-subsidy-jumps-220-to-nearly-n2tn/

2. NIMASA shuts two fuel-loading terminals over security breach

=== https://punchng.com/nimasa-shuts-two-fuel-loading-terminals-over-security-breach/

3. ADC kickstarts 2027 manifesto drive

=== https://punchng.com/adc-kickstarts-2027-manifesto-drive/

4. FG, Bi-Courtney may resume talks on Lagos airport mega projects

=== https://punchng.com/fg-bi-courtney-may-resume-talks-on-lagos-airport-mega-projects/

5. Tinubu immortalises Buhari with UNIMAID renaming amid FEC glowing tributes

=== https://punchng.com/tinubu-immortalises-buhari-with-unimaid-renaming-amid-fec-glowing-tributes/

6. Awujale stool: Ruling house kicks off selection, insists on tradition

=== https://punchng.com/awujale-stool-ruling-house-kicks-off-selection-insists-on-tradition/

7. Dangote halts fuel discount scheme amid fraud allegations

=== https://punchng.com/dangote-halts-fuel-discount-scheme-amid-fraud-allegations/

8. Ekiti, Ondo doctors set for showdown over FG pay review

=== https://punchng.com/ekiti-ondo-doctors-set-for-showdown-over-fg-pay-review/

9. Ondo horror: Landlord, accomplices nabbed over varsity students’ murder

=== https://punchng.com/ondo-horror-landlord-accomplices-nabbed-over-varsity-students-murder/

10. WAFCON q’final: Madugu rallies Falcons for Zambia battle

=== https://punchng.com/wafcon-qfinal-madugu-rallies-falcons-for-zambia-battle/

For more updates, kindly follow our page>>> https://facebook.com/punchnewspaper

UKPABI ASIKA THE GREAT!

By Emeka Obasi

No individual did more for the Igbo after the genocidal Civil War than Ajie Ukpabi Asika, a First Class Economist produced by the University of Ibadan, who was appointed Administrator of East Central State in 1967. Strangely, those who should praise him only remember that he did not support Biafra.

Asika and his wife, Chinyere, returned from the United States with chains of University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) degrees and settled down to work at the University of Ibadan. By 1966, they had moved to Tanzania and later Zambia.

It took another Economist, Dr. Adebayo Adedeji, to recommend Ajie to Gowon through Col. Olu Obasanjo. He was the only civilian among the twelve new governors. Had Gowon appointed a Federal officer to administer the East, perhaps everything Biafra would have been completely destroyed.

Asika behaved like a statesman. He welcomed and rehabilitated all those that were on the Biafran side and put their ingenuity to good use. Those who fuelled inventions through Research And Production (RAP) got a new agency, Project Development Agency (PRODA) headed by one of the brains behind Ogbunigwe, Gordian Ezekwe.

The ECS cabinet had an array of achievers, carefully selected. There was Ukwu I. Ukwu, with PhD, Cantab. Samuel Ikoku, Economist, politician and University lecturer, Charles Abangwu, former Deputy Speaker, Eastern Region House of Assembly, Magnus Adiele, another University teacher and Dan Ibekwe, lawyer, former Federal minister, also made it.

Flora Nwapa, novelist and University administrator, joined Philip Nnaemeka Agu, a lawyer, Martin Elechi a former District Officer (DO), Dan Njemanze, another lawyer, Osita Okeke, Zackhaeus  Dibiaezue, and Anthony Ofo - Mogboh, to move the new state to greater heights. They were supported by Chu Okongwu, Vincent Aniago and Innocent Nwoga, among others.

What many did not know was that before the war ended, Asika moved swiftly to secure Igbo investments across the nation. He was successful in the West, in Kano, in Ilorin but Port Harcourt gave him so much headache. Rivers State governor, Alfred Papapreye Diette - Spiff, hardened his heart and supported what became known as Abandoned Property.

It was sad that Spiff who attended St. Joseph's College, Sasse Buea, Western Cameroon, did not consider men like Prof.Theodore Okeahialam and his brother, Heron, who also passed out from the same school, before him.

Heron was the Engineer behind Radio Biafra, who made the world believe that the studio was in Enugu all through the war. Fact is, he moved the station round. At a time, signals came from a palm tree in Otulu, Ahiara, Mbaise. Prof. Okeahialam did not only head the Biafran Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Libreviile, Gabon, he pioneered inventions.

Biafran doctors produced Kwashiorkor Mixture for malnourished children, a formula later adopted by the World Health Organisation. F. Udekwu and David Nwafor used fresh coconut as intravenous fluids to treat wounded soldiers. Nelly Obiayo separated Siamese twins. Humphrey Anyanwu did well with surgery.

In 1974, Anyanwu and Nwafor had jobs at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu. They performed two major heart surgeries with Egyptian turned Briton, Bagdi Yacoub.

Asika did not like the unforgiving spirit of Spiff. The Amanyanabo of Bonny, William Dappa Pepple, was exiled, for following Gen. Emeka Ojukwu to one of the Peace Meetings in Addis Ababa, in 1968. The king lived in Enugu. Ojukwu was worried but relief came when Asika found a place for Pepple in Aba, nearer home. He died there in 1972. Today his son, Asimini Dappa People III, sits on the throne as Perekule XI, Amanyanabo of Bonny.

Asika had the most efficient Civil Service in the country, that applied IBM computers through the Eastern Data Processing Centre, manned by Dr. Ofia Nwali and supervised by Ukwu I. Ukwu. Scholarships to Europe, America and other parts of Nigeria were awarded and handled perfectly. 

In Sports, Asika was excellent. Enugu Rangers remain the first Nigerian team to become double champions. This was achieved in 1974. That foundation also makes the Flying Antelopes the only club to have won the Challenge Cup three times consecutively.

East Central State Academicals lifted the Manuwa/ Adebajo Cup in 1971. East Central State Spartans grabbed soccer gold at the First National Sports Festival, Lagos 1973 and retained it in 1975. Rangers had won the first league, the Amachree Cup, although informally, in 1971.

All the players and managers of these teams were Biafran combatants. Coach Dan Anyiam, was Brigade Major of the 60 Brigade that fought gallantly in Oguta. Skipper Godwin Achebe was at the School of Infantry. Godwin Ogbueze was a teenage commando, just like Dominic Nwobodo. Patrick Ekeji moved from the Air Force to Army Signals. Emma Okala and Christian Chukwu, fought as well. Nwabueze Nwankwo was tough in the Mid - West.

Today's leaders would have distanced themselves from Biafrans who painted Asika in bad light. Ajie welcomed them with open arms and was the one who coined the phrase, No Victor , No Vanquished. He visited fellow governors, to be sure that harm did not befall returnee Ndigbo.

I got chatting recently with multi talented Obi Asika, Ajie's son who has continued from where his father stopped. The Junior Asika is into music, soccer, administration, name it. He said : "No Victor, No Vanquished was actually a book written by Ajie. He also negotiated General Amnesty for Biafran soldiers and kept almost everyone out of prison. There is a road named after him in Kano, and another in Ilorin, for his work of rehabilitating the Igbo, securing their property and giving them a way back. I celebrate him every day."

Some of the Biafran officers who were in detention beyond Asika's tenure, were set free in August 1975 by Murtala Mohammed. They included 1966 coup plotters, Humphrey Chukwuma, who remained in Biafran detention through out the war and Ganiyu Adeleke, who commanded the Biafran School of Infantry after he was injured in battle. Peter Adomokai, Aide de Camp to David Ejoor was an Instructor at the School of Infantry. There was also the soldier, Peter Odili. Both men were not in detention.
Benneth Ochei was also set free alongside, Ojukwu's aide, Kanayo Esinulo, who was whisked away from the Lagos Airport, on his way to Frankfurt, by security operatives, on August 23, 1973.

Prof. Ken Post who once lectured at the University of Ibadan told Esinulo that Asika "was one of the most brilliant students I ever taught in all my teaching career." Ajie founded the ECS Writers Workshop and loved Arts and Entertainment. At the First National Festival of Ars and Culture, his state emerged tops. Nkpokiti dancers were also spectacular, globally.

Born in Barkin Ladi and moulded at St. Patrick's College, Calabar and Edo College, Benin, the Umuezearoli, Onitsha man explored the world and brought his experience home. Asika married Chinyere, whose dad was the super public servant, Nathan Ejiogu of Egbu, Owerri. Her sister, Kema Chikwe, became a Federal minister. South - East governors need to be schooled about what Ajie Anthony Ukpabi Asika( Dona Meche ) did for the Geo Political Zone.

PLEASE SHARE TO OTHER PLATFORMS: For our SE Leaders attention and information. May history and posterity honor for the sake of our children.
REV UKANWA ULU

Success is neither magical nor mysterious.success is the natural consequences of consistently applying basic fundamentals.
.Emmanuel James Rohn

You Hurt Me More Then I Deserve, How Can You Be So Cruel? I Love You More Then You Deserve, Why Am I Such A Fool?

I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY PARENTS SEND THEIR CHILDREN WHO ARE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL ABROAD

MY GRANDMOTHER WAS MY BEST TEACHER GROWING UP

HELP YOUR CHILDREN TO KNOW THEY MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN ORDER NOT TO END UP A LIABILITY

THE CAPITAL PROOF OF OUR LOVE FOR GOD IS UNTIRING PASSION TO SEE SOULS SAVED

- Bishop David Oyedepo on UNVEILING THE BREAKTHROUGH POWER OF LOVE (2A) at Covenant Day Of Marital Breakthrough Service || 13th July 2025 || Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland|| First Sunday Service || Part B.

Young people listen to me, my grandmother was my best teacher growing up and she must be older than me, so don't turn deaf ears and say no, "those are old people", you're wasting your life. Church Gist. It said, "Children, obey your parents!" Don't pamper this children oh. "We are going out", "you people can go", your adult grown something is telling you "you can go" and you even go and say, "okay, I'll soon be back". What kind of life? I want you to have rest, He gave me rest. Church Gist. Help them to know they must take responsibility not to end up a liability.

The battles of life are real, you can't lie with them in bed, they live in different cities, I'm different countries, what will be their defense if they don't know God? Church Gist. Please listen, and then children in primary school, you're sending them abroad, what kind of disease? I can't understand anymore. Church Gist. Parents, train your child before he gets old and cannot be trained anymore. Only God can bend a dry fish without breaking it. A child is not behaving you said they should send him abroad, aha, so they can go and behave? Under your nose, he is not behaving, you say, "I think he should just go abroad", what are you looking for? Do you want rest tomorrow? You too, take responsibility today. Church Gist. If you want rest over your children tomorrow, take responsibility today. Ask them, "what are you doing in this season of glory?"

That boy that testified this last Sunday was an SS3 student, made excellent throughout by engaging in Operation Push. He's already learner how to go up.
-somebody's story is changing.

There was a Gallup poll years ago that 80 percent of children of successful people don't succeed. 80 percent, you know why? Church Gist. They lack the opportunity to exercise themselves to excel. They lack it, especially spiritual things, they lack the opportunity to move forward. When he (Pastor David Jnr) had that terrible accident in UK, I wasn't there. Over to you, I decree that every child that is not connected to your God will come awake in the name of Jesus! Your generation will not derail. Church Gist. When your fullness of time comes and you're looking down from the gallant of Heaven, you'll be seeing them triumphing and breaking forth on every side, in the name of Jesus Christ!

There's no new generation truth. Delightsome obedience is a proof of our genuine love for God. John 14:21. 1 John 5:3.

Another proof which I call the capital proof of our love for God is untiring passion to see souls saved. We all know it in this Church. Jesus defined it as the capital proof of our love for God. Church Gist. As long as you remain committed to it, willingly so, you have committed God to keep changing your story from one realm of glory to another.

I said at the Covenant Hour Of Prayer that Soulwinning should be seen as an investment, not as a Church activity or a Church program. We should see it beyond just going, see it as an investment into tomorrow. Church Gist. Why do I call it an investment? Mark 3:14. Mark 10:28-30. Hundredfold means 100 by 100 which means 10,000 percent returns.

When we subscribe to His commandments, He said, Psalm 112:2-3. What's His commandment? John 15:16. That's a commandment and as you do that, you're proving your love for him and what happens? Psalm 112:2-3. Church Gist. Every soul passionate believer secures the generation after him if he cares to take responsibility and connect them to the same source. Eli did not succeed, his two sons crushed that lineage. Samuel the anointed one did not succeed oh, his two sons did not walk in his ways and he never took responsibility. Church Gist. So, it takes responsibility on our path to keep that lineage going by ensuring we connect them to the same source to which we are connected, that's Jesus. Can I hear your Amen?
-somebody's story is changing.
Luke 22:28-30. It holds returns here, it extends to our generation after us and secures a throne for us in Heaven. Church Gist. Praise God. John 21:15-17. The lambs are the children, go after them. Thank you Jesus.

Paul the passionate lover of Christ said, Romans 1:16. 1 Corinthians 9:16-17. May each one's passion for souls come alive today. Church Gist. So, it's beyond Church building, goes to future building, building of our generations and securing a place in eternity, it covers all of that. Praise God.

When we stay in love with God, He will make anything marvelous out of our lives. Remember, we are redeemed to be marveled at. 1 Peter 2:9. Church Gist. We're redeemed to be marveled at. In the name of Jesus, that's your portion.

Broken Heart:- My Absence May Not Make Any Difference To U.. But, I Know I Loved U Truely.. And Wont Give The Same Moments To Anyone New..

Once I Loved Someone Very Truely She Broke Mah Heart Into Pieces Nd Walked Away.. Now Each Part Of Mah Heart Loves Sepretely And Peoples Call Me FLIRTY.

We don't need fuel to Pump water.

Give them a name