1. Amid rising unrest in South Africa, the Nigerian Consulate in the country, in collaboration with the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, has offered a free repatriation flight to Nigerians willing to return home permanently.
The President of NICASA, Frank Onyekwelu, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH, acknowledged that the situation had forced many Nigerians to shut their shops and businesses.
2. Many top leaders of the African Democratic Congress are planning to defect to the National Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections, Saturday PUNCH has gathered. Our correspondents learnt that among those at the centre of the unfolding realignment is the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
3. President Bola Tinubu on Friday assured the nation’s workforce that his administration would “not rest on its oars” in tackling insecurity and poverty. The president gave the assurance during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration at the Eagle Square, Abuja where he was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
4. Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf on Friday ordered an investigation into the alleged deduction of N1.5 billion from workers’ salaries by the former Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa. The governor issued the directive during the Workers’ Day march-past in Kano, in response to concerns raised by the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Kano State chapter, Kabiru Inuwa.
5. Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have rescued six women and children abducted by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Ngoshe village, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The rescue was disclosed in a statement on Friday night signed by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, OPHK, Lt. Col. Sani Uba.
6. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved a N50,000 wage award for public sector workers in Lagos State. The governor announced the award on Friday during the International Workers’ Day celebration held at Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
7. Former Adamawa State governorship candidate, Senator Aishatu Binani, on Friday formally joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, marking her latest political move ahead of the 2027 election. Her defection comes nine months after she left the ruling All Progressives Congress for the African Democratic Congress.
8. Nigerian streamer and entertainer, Carter Efe made a winning boxing debut, securing a dominant 3-0 unanimous decision victory over controversial singer Portable in their much-anticipated celebrity boxing showdown. The bout, which drew significant attention across social media, saw Carter Efe take control from the opening round.
9. The Nigerian Navy has imposed 13 hours of curfew from 5am to 6pm on all maritime activities along the Calabar waterways as part of efforts to curb kidnapping and other criminal activities along Calabar-Oron channel. This is contained in a statement by Lt.-Cdr. Suleiman Bala, spokesperson for the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY.
10. Air Peace has responded to concerns raised by Nollywood actress Funke Akindele over the treatment of passengers stranded at London’s Gatwick Airport following a disruption on its London–Lagos route. In a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Osifo-Whiskey Efe, the airline confirmed that the incident was caused by a bird strike involving the aircraft scheduled for the London (Gatwick)–Lagos service
