Politics

Rev. Samuel Gbinde, the Benue pastor abducted alongside two church members after gunmen attacked the NKST Church residence in Andyar.

Church seeks prayers as pastor, two members kidnapped in Benue

Gunmen have abducted a pastor, Rev. Samuel Gbinde, and two members of his congregation from his residence in Benue State. According to Punch Newspapers, the victims were kidnapped in the early hours of Tuesday at the NKST Church, Andyar, in Ishan Classis, Benue State. In a statement issued by the Executive Committee of the NKST Church, the church confirmed that Rev. Gbinde and the two worshippers were taken from the pastor’s residence. The church described the incident as tragic and called on its members, clergy and supporters to pray for the safe and unconditional release of the abducted victims. It also appealed to security agencies, the Benue State Government and the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible for the attack. The church urged both governments to adopt more proactive measures to tackle kidnapping and worsening insecurity, stressing the need to prevent such crimes rather than only responding after they occur. The Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident as of the time the report was published by Punch Newspapers.

LASEPA, Lagos noise pollution, Westgate Arena Club, Dave Premium and Suites, Lagos environmental enforcement, Tokunbo Wahab

LASEPA shuts Lagos nightclub, hotel over noise pollution

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has sealed a nightclub and a hotel in separate enforcement operations over persistent noise pollution and repeated violations of environmental regulations. The affected facilities are Westgate Arena Club in Olowora and Dave Premium and Suites in Alapere, Ketu. Both premises were shut on Monday after repeatedly failing to comply with environmental directives and abatement notices. According to a statement published on LASEPA’s X account on Tuesday, the enforcement was carried out on the directive of the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, as part of the state government’s drive to enforce environmental laws and protect public health. LASEPA said Westgate Arena Club, located on Apostolic Church Close in Olowora, was sealed for persistent noise pollution and non-compliance with regulatory directives. Dave Premium and Suites, situated on Alhaji Irorun Street, off Kazeem Street in Alapere, Ketu, was also shut over similar environmental violations. The agency said the enforcement followed repeated environmental infractions, particularly noise pollution, and the establishments’ failure to comply with abatement notices and other regulatory requirements aimed at safeguarding residents and the environment. Speaking on the operation, LASEPA General Manager Babatunde Ajayi said the agency remained committed to promoting a cleaner, safer and more sustainable environment across Lagos. “Environmental compliance is a collective responsibility. Individuals and corporate organisations must adhere strictly to environmental laws and regulations,” Ajayi said. He added that the agency would continue to intensify enforcement against violators to curb environmental nuisances and protect residents from the harmful effects of pollution. Ajayi also urged residents, business owners and operators of hospitality and entertainment establishments to adopt environmentally responsible practices and cooperate with regulatory authorities, stressing that LASEPA would continue to enforce compliance without compromise.

APC finalises Kaduna Senate candidates as Shehu Sani, Katung, Yero get INEC clearance

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has completed the nomination of its senatorial candidates for Kaduna State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with former Senator Shehu Sani, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung and former Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Yero receiving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Form EC9. According to Channels Television, the issuance of the statutory nomination forms marks the commencement of the party’s upload of Senate and House of Representatives candidates to INEC’s nomination portal after the National Working Committee approved the final list. The exercise, conducted in line with INEC’s nomination guidelines, also addressed candidate-related issues in Ondo, Benue, Kwara and Kogi states. In Kaduna Central, the presentation of Form EC9 to Shehu Sani ended speculation over a possible last-minute replacement of his candidacy. Although the former senator initially declined to comment, he later shared a photograph on his WhatsApp status showing Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani presenting him with the form. He captioned the image: “Officially the confirmed candidate, In Shaa Allah.” The development is seen by party members as confirmation of Shehu Sani’s position as the APC’s candidate for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 2027 elections. For Kaduna South, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung also received Form EC9, confirming his nomination for a second term in the Senate on the APC platform. His media aide, Midat Joseph, confirmed the development. Katung, who was elected to the Senate in 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party before defecting to the APC, had attributed his decision to the infrastructure and development projects executed by the administrations of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani. Former Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Yero received Form EC9 as the APC’s candidate for Kaduna North Senatorial District, completing the party’s list of senatorial nominees in the state. With the issuance of the nomination forms, the APC has concluded the documentation process for its three Kaduna senatorial candidates, paving the way for their participation in the 2027 general elections, subject to INEC’s final nomination procedures.

World Bank to end lending to China by 2031 under new strategy

The World Bank will stop lending to China by 2031 under a new country partnership framework, marking a significant shift in its relationship with the world’s second-largest economy. According to AFP, as reported by Channels Television, the new framework reflects China’s economic transformation after decades of rapid growth and declining poverty. A World Bank official, speaking anonymously, said China has achieved substantial development gains with support from the institution and other international partners. “Now we are reaching a new phase of our relationship, reflecting that reality,” the official said. The World Bank said its role in China is evolving from that of a lender to a knowledge partner, providing technical expertise rather than financial support. Lending to China has steadily declined in recent years. After peaking at $2.42 billion in 2017, World Bank financing fell to $750 million in 2025. The decision comes after years of criticism from the United States over continued lending to China. During his first term, US President Donald Trump called on the World Bank to end all loans to Beijing, arguing that the country no longer required development financing. While he has maintained a tough stance on China during his second term, he has not renewed that specific demand. Despite the planned end to lending, China remains a major contributor to global development through the World Bank. Under the latest replenishment of the International Development Association, which supports the world’s poorest countries, Beijing pledged $1.5 billion, making it the fund’s fifth-largest donor. The World Bank recently announced a similar approach for Poland, saying it intends to reduce lending to zero by 2031 while continuing to provide technical assistance.