The National Press Newspaper cover for Wednesday June 3, 2026
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/the-national-press-newspaper-cover-for-wednesday-june-3-2026/
NUT protest spread nationwide over Oyo Pupils, Teachers abduction
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/nut-protest-spread-nationwide-over-oyo-pupils-teachers-abduction/
As teachers and pupils recently abducted in Oyo State remain in captivity, members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) hold a protest nationwide yesterday, calling for the immediate release of the victims.
In Abuuja, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, launched a nationwide solidarity protest demanding the immediate, unconditional release of 39 students and seven teachers who were abducted in Oyo State.
The mass demonstrations hit major state capitals and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, following a direct mandate from the national leadership of the union.
It would be recalled that May 15, 2026, heavily armed bandits riding motorcycles invaded three educational institutions—Baptism Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School (Esiele)—located in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and abducted both pupils and teachers to an unknown destination.
An assistant headmaster, a mathematics teacher named Michael Oyedokun, and a local motorcyclist were brutally killed by the attackers.
A total of 46 victims, including primary and secondary school pupils, remain under terrorist custody in nearby forests. Similar concurrent school mass-abductions were reported in Borno State.
The NUT directed public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to launch an indefinite strike starting Monday, June 1, 2026, completely shutting down academic activities.
This escalated into simultaneous nationwide solidarity rallies across all 36 states yesterday. Teachers marched from the Federal Ministry of Education headquarters to Area 11 carrying placards reading “Release our teachers and learners unconditionally”.
Lagos State: Protesters converged at the Ikeja Bus Stop and marched down to the Alausa Government Secretariat.
Extensive peaceful protests and classroom service withdrawals were explicitly documented by NUT wings in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Plateau, Edo, Taraba, Kano, and Adamawa states.
Immediate military intervention to rescue the victims, total implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration, and the provision of dedicated security personnel and perimeter fencing for all public schools.
The national outrage prompted a wave of social advocacy, including high-profile mobilization calls from online activists.
In response to the crisis, President Bola Tinubu deployed a specialized rescue team and approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards while considering a dedicated military base in the region to counter the heavily armed bandits.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, lamented the operational security limitations, stating that over 200 Amotekun operatives had already lost their lives fighting rural insecurity. Adddressing the crowd of protesters yesterday at government, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo state, governor Seyi Makinde assured the protesters that both pupils and teachers kidnapped will rescue alive. Stressing that both Federal Government, State Government and the Local Government are working tirelessly for safety return of the kidnapped.
tinubu
Tinubu back in Abuja after Ed el Kabir holiday
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Abuja after the Eid-el-Kabir holiday in Lagos, during which he undertook a series of important political, governmental, and national engagements.
President Bola Tinubu, whose plane touched down at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at exactly 5:17 pm, was received by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu; and other senior government officials.
During the holiday period, the President received the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and several groups for the traditional Sallah homage, including the leadership of the Senate, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum under the leadership of its Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; APC stakeholders from Oyo State, including its governorship candidate, Sen. Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, as well as APC candidates for the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly from Lagos State, also visited the President.
President Tinubu on Monday attended the International Fleet Review at Eko Atlantic City Waterfront as part of activities commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Nigerian Navy. He commissioned three Nigerian Naval vessels: NNS Oloibiri, NNS Mambila, and NNS Gurara on the occasion.
On the same day, the President also received His Excellency Romuald Wadagni, President of the Republic of Benin, in a meeting that reinforced the longstanding bond of friendship, regional cooperation, and economic partnership between the neighbouring countries.
Before the Eid-el-Kabir holiday, the President had also visited Lagos to participate in the primaries of the All Progressives Congress, electing candidates for the state house of assembly, governor, House of Representatives, the senate and the presidency.
President Tinubu voted in Lagos at his own primary and was overwhelmingly endorsed nationwide by close to 11 million voters as the party’s torchbearer in the 2027 presidential election.
hajj
Nigerian pilgrims return from hajj today says NAHCON
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/nigerian-pilgrims-return-from-hajj-today-says-nahcon/
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has said that the transportation of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia will begin today, Wednesday.
The commission urged the returning pilgrims to comply with baggage and documentation requirements to avoid delays.
The Head of Aviation, Operations Department, NAHCON, Alhaji Habib Bello, made this known while addressing the media in Makkah.
Bello said that flight schedules were determined by airlines and approved by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, GACA, which allocates operating slots to all carriers.
According to him, Max Air will begin return flights on June 3 with pilgrims from Nasarawa State, while Flynas and Air Peace will commence operations on June 4 with pilgrims from Ogun and Oyo states.
He urged pilgrims to adhere to the approved baggage allowance of two 23kg bags and one 8kg hand luggage.
“Non-compliance can result in delays or removal from flight manifests.
“Pilgrims are also required to notify officials at least 48 hours before departure to facilitate passport release, luggage processing and transportation arrangements,” he said.
Also speaking, the Head of the Makkah Passport Committee, Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, said that the commission had successfully concluded the first phase of the 2026 Hajj operation and was processing passports for returning pilgrims.
Mohammed said that passports were kept in safe custody to prevent loss, damage and cases of abscondment, adding that pilgrims must submit their travel details at least 48 hours before departure for seamless processing.
He said that mechanisms were in place to recover misplaced passports or secure Emergency Travel Certificates where necessary.
exchange
SECURITY AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION MOVES FROM T+2 TO T+1 SETTLEMENT CYCLE: NOW GLOBALLY ALIGNED CAPITAL MARKET
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/security-and-exchange-commission-moves-from-t2-to-t1-settlement-cycle-now-globally-aligned-capital-market/
The Nigerian capital market has recorded a milestone with the transition from a T+2 to a T+1 settlement cycle.
At the Closing gong, the CEO of CSCS Shehu Yahaya Shantali said the achievement was far more than a reduction in settlement timelines but a reflection of the commitment to building a more efficient, resilient, competitive, and globally aligned capital market.
For the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Dr Emomotimi Agama, the transition will help Nigeria to achieve the one trillion dollar economy.
investors can now buy or sell shares on the exchange by completing the transfer of cash and securities within one business day.
Which allows for faster access to funds and improved capital circulation across the market.
Actor
Actor Okiki Adeshina dies in car accident
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/actor-okiki-adeshina-dies-in-car-accident/
Okiki Adeshina, the Nigerian actor better known as Janmole, has passed away following a tragic accident.
Bolaji ‘Mr Latin’ Amusan, the president of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), announced the actor’s death in an Instagram post.
The association’s leader disclosed that the theatre practitioner died from injuries sustained in the crash.
Mr Latin also offered prayers for the late actor, asking for peaceful rest and divine comfort for the grieving family.
merger
Supreme court approves Unity Bank and Providus Banks merger
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/supreme-court-approves-unity-bank-and-providus-banks-merger/
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a suit challenging the merger between Providus Bank Limited and Unity Bank Plc, bringing an end to legal disputes over the consolidation of the two financial institutions.
A five-member panel of the court, in a unanimous judgement, dismissed the appeal seeking to upturn the judgement of the Court of Appeal.
In the judgement delivered by judge Tijani Abubakar in appeal, the court held that the appeal lacked merit and ordered the appellants to pay N10 million in costs to each respondent.
Beyond dismissing the appeal, the Supreme Court invoked Section 22 of the Supreme Court Act to directly sanction the merger, effectively clearing the way for the transaction to proceed without further legal obstruction.
U.S visa
Lagos not affected by U.S reduction of visa processing in Africa says Consular
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/lagos-not-affected-by-u-s-reduction-of-visa-processing-in-africa-says-consular/
Lagos unaffected as US moves to reduce visa processing embassies, consulates in Africa to 20
The US state department has unveiled plans to reduce the number of embassies in Africa that handle visa processing for foreign travellers, the Associated Press (AP) reports.
Citing officials and an internal memo, AP reported on Monday that the nearly 50 US embassies and consulates currently processing visa applications across Africa would be reduced to 20 in the coming weeks.
The decision was communicated to US diplomats, including consular chiefs, during a conference call last Friday.
