Breaking News
INEC Assures Preparedness for Ekiti Guber Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it is fully prepared for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, noting that comprehensive measures are in place to ensure a credible, transparent, and peaceful exercise.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing on the Commission’s level of preparedness.
He assured voters and stakeholders that all critical aspects of the election have been adequately addressed.
Omoseyindemi said INEC had made “substantial progress” in line with its timetable, noting that the final register of voters is being compiled and will soon be displayed for public scrutiny and made available to political parties.
He added that the schedule for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would be announced shortly, urging registered voters to pick up their cards once distribution begins, stressing that “no PVC, no voting.”
On staffing, the REC revealed that recruitment and screening of ad-hoc personnel are ongoing, with training to commence immediately after the process. According to him, the training will cover electoral procedures, including the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and result management protocols.
He further stated that procurement of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials is on schedule, while arrangements have been concluded for their secure storage and movement. INEC, he said, is working closely with security agencies to guarantee the safe delivery of materials to all polling units.
Highlighting the role of technology, Omoseyindemi confirmed that BVAS would be deployed for voter accreditation and authentication, while results would be transmitted electronically to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to enhance transparency.
On security, the REC said the Commission is collaborating with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to ensure a peaceful process, warning political actors and their supporters against violence and misconduct.
Omoseyindemi also identified key risk areas specific to Ekiti State, including vote buying, political thuggery, logistical challenges in hard-to-reach communities, misinformation, low voter turnout, and possible weather disruptions due to the rainy season.
To curb vote trading, he said security personnel would be strategically deployed around polling units, with support from anti-graft agencies to monitor and deter financial inducement. He added that movement would be restricted on election day to limit illegal activities.
Addressing concerns over political violence, the REC disclosed that security agencies would deploy personnel, including rapid response teams, to identify flashpoints such as Ado, Ikere, and Oye local government areas, while strict enforcement of the no-campaign rule on election day would be ensured.
For remote areas like Ilejemeje, Ise/Orun, and Moba, he said INEC would adopt early deployment of materials to Registration Area Centres, with the use motorcycles for last-mile delivery, and engage local guards to ease access.
On misinformation, Omoseyindemi said INEC would activate rapid response communication teams and provide regular updates through verified platforms, in partnership with the media for fact-checking.
He noted that voter education campaigns have been intensified across the state, targeting women, youths, and persons with disabilities, with civil society organisations deployed to all local government areas to boost participation.
The REC added that inclusivity remains a priority, with provisions such as braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, and priority voting for persons with disabilities, alongside efforts to promote gender inclusion.
While calling on voters to turn out peacefully, Omoseyindemi urged political parties to abide by electoral rules and avoid inflammatory rhetoric, and charged the media to continue disseminating accurate information.
He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to delivering a credible election that reflects the will of the people, assuring that the Commission would continue to update the public as election day approaches.
Breaking News
BREAKING NEWS: OPay Partners CBN to Advance Youth Financial Literacy at Global Money Week
L-R: Nelson Amuwa, Head, Consumer Education and Evaluation Division, CBN; Akano Joy Ruth, State Manager Apps & Card, OPay; Eric Alana, Area Manager Apps & Card, OPay; Dr. Aisha Isa-Olatinwo, Director, Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion, CBN; Paul Iwunwa, Senior Marketing Manager, OPay; Ani Amarachukwu Favour, Business Development Manager, OPay; and Chidozie Chijioke, Head, Complaints Management Division 2, CBN, at the Global Money Week 2026 held in Abuja.
OPay, a leading fintech company in Nigeria, partnered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the Global Money Week 2026 Financial Literacy Fair and Exhibition held on Tuesday, 28th April 2026 at CBN’s headquarters in Abuja. The event, themed “Smart Money Talks,” brought together students from secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory, including Doveland International School, Living Fountain International School, Government Day Secondary School, Wuse, and Government Science School, Maitama, among others, to promote financial awareness and responsible money management among young Nigerians.
Global Money Week is a worldwide awareness initiative designed to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make sound financial decisions. The initiative ensures long-term economic stability by preparing the next generation for an increasingly digital and interconnected financial ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Aisha Isa-Olatinwo, Director of Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion, CBN, highlighted financial literacy as a cornerstone of national development. She noted that in today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, financial literacy is no longer optional but essential for individuals, families, and the broader economy.
Also reinforcing this message, Nelson Amuwa, Head of Consumer Education and Evaluation Division, CBN, stated that the initiative is part of a broader effort to equip young people with the confidence to make informed financial decisions. He emphasised that encouraging open conversations about money is key to building a secure financial future.
OPay Partners CBN to Advance Youth Financial Literacy at Global Money Week 2026
Cross-section of participants at the Global Money Week 2026 held in Abuja.
Commenting on OPay’s participation, Chukwudinma Okafor, Chief Compliance Officer, OPay, said:
“Our partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria on Global Money Week reaffirms our strong alignment with regulatory priorities around consumer protection, financial literacy, and responsible financial services usage. At OPay, compliance goes beyond regulation; it is about building trust and ensuring that individuals, especially young people, are equipped with the right knowledge to engage safely and confidently in the financial system. Initiatives like this play a vital role in advancing financial inclusion and supporting the sustainable development of Nigeria’s digital economy.”
Paul Iwunwa, Senior Marketing Manager, OPay, also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to advancing financial inclusion through early education initiatives. He noted that OPay sees financial literacy as the foundation of true financial inclusion and by engaging students at this critical stage, OPay is not only helping to shape better money habits but also contributing to a more financially responsible and economically resilient future for Nigeria.
The Financial Literacy Fair and Exhibition featured engaging sessions that provided students with hands-on experience in money management and savings. Participants also had the opportunity to engage directly with OPay’s interactive booth, gaining exposure to innovative financial products tailored to support their financial journey.
OPay’s participation at the fair reinforces its commitment to supporting initiatives that advance financial inclusion, deepen consumer education, and promote responsible usage of digital financial services.
About OPay
OPay was established in 2018 as a leading fintech company in Nigeria with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology. The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfer, bill payment, card service, airtime and data purchase, and merchant payments, among others. Renowned for its fast and reliable network and strong security features that protect customer’s funds, OPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by the NDIC with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.
A video filmed by a passenger on board the MV Hondius shows its captain saying that a man who had died there passed away due to “natural causes”.
The captain aboard the hantavirus-hit cruise ship can be seen telling passengers on 12 April that a doctor had said the individual was “not infectious”.
Three confirmed and five suspected cases of hantavirus – a rare but severe disease usually spread by rodents – have since been identified.
Turkish YouTuber Ruhi Çenet, who was on board the cruise ship and filmed the announcement, told the BBC that no immediate safety precautions were taken at the time.
Around 150 people from 23 countries are currently stranded on the vessel near Cape Verde, off the west coast of Africa.
Oceanwide Expeditions, the cruise ship operator, told the BBC the first report of hantavirus came “after disembarkation at St Helena” and says it “acted as we reported via our press updates” following the first identified hantavirus case on 4 May.
Read more about this story here.
-
Breaking News5 months agoTerrorists Want ₦2m ‘levy’ in Katsina Community Despite Peaceful Agreement
-
Breaking News4 months agoBreaking News: Nigerian Air Force Reportedly Kills 750 Terrorists in Borno State
-
Breaking News7 months agoNiger Delta Group hails Tinubu, NUPRC for ₦373bn host community fund and 536 life-changing projects
-
Breaking News6 months agoEx-EFCC Exhibit Keeper Kaduna Zonal Directorate, Allegedly Steals ₦22m
-
Breaking News7 months agoUCL: Osimhen Statement after Galatasaray’s 3-1 Win over Bodo/Glimt
-
Breaking News6 months agoBreaking: Robbery Suspects Caught After Leaving Phone At The Scene
-
Breaking News4 months agoNasarawa Insecurity: Suspects Apprehended, Man Hunt Ongoing – Gov Sule
-
Breaking News6 months agoINSECURITY: Reputable Varsity In Kebbi State Shut Down