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Edo govt recovers over 500 properties from encroachers

The Edo State Government has said that it has recovered over 500 government-owned properties from individuals who unlawfully took over such properties across the state.

The government added that such encroachers into Edo State-owned property are in for a rough ride, as the state government has enacted a law prescribing a 10-year jail term for anyone who unlawfully enters any government land, with Governor Monday Okpebholo assenting to the bill passed by the state House of Assembly.

Violators of the provisions of the new law will also have a speedy session with the court, as a special court for their prosecution has been approved to try such infractions.

Making the disclosure in Benin on Wednesday at a press conference, the Chairman of the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, Mr Eugene Okoloise, vowed that the Committee would implement the spirit and letter of the new law, as no sacred cow would be spared in its enforcement.

Okoloise, who said that his Committee had recovered over 500 state-owned properties from encroachers since he took office, assured that he was determined to ensure that all government properties in the hands of individuals were recovered.

He warned that no one would be treated as a sacred cow in his bid to recover government properties, adding that ignorance would not be accepted as an excuse for breaking the law.

‘Before now, there was no law empowering us to prosecute offenders. But now that the governor has signed this law, there is no excuse. Anyone caught will be prosecuted in accordance with the law. To this effect, the government has set up a special court to prosecute anyone who sells or encroaches on government property.

‘And I want to assure Edo people that anyone caught shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law, no matter how highly placed. We are not going to spare anyone or treat anyone specially because of his or her status.’

He disclosed that to make the law known to the public, his Committee had begun enlightenment through media houses and a community-to-community awareness campaign.

‘We are going to sensitise the general public, including rural dwellers, that there is a new law to prosecute anyone who forcefully enters government property.

‘I have plans to go round media houses to sensitise our people. Briefing you on the new law is part of the enlightenment campaign,’ Okoloise reiterated.

Senate okays 14-year jail term for lecturers, others guilty of sexual harassment in schools

The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill prescribing up to 14 years imprisonment for lecturers and other educators convicted of sexually harassing students in tertiary institutions across the country.

The concurrence Bill, titled: ‘Sexual Harassment of Students (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2025 (HB.1597),’ seeks to curb a persistent pattern of exploitation in Nigerian campuses, where students, especially women, are coerced into sexual relationships in exchange for grades, admission, or other academic favours.

The bill, presented for concurrence by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), established clear legal standards to punish offenders and protect students from all forms of sexual misconduct in schools.

Bamidele, who was represented by his deputy, Oyelola Ashiru, said the legislation aims to ‘promote ethical conduct, preserve the sanctity of the educator-student relationship, and uphold respect for human dignity in academic environments.’

Under the new law, any educator convicted of the offences specified in Clause 4 (1-3) will face imprisonment of between five and 14 years, without an option of a fine.

Those found guilty under Clause 4 (4-6) risk two to five years in jail, also without an option of a fine.

The proposed law also allows victims or their representatives to file civil actions for breach of fiduciary duty, with the standard of proof consistent with civil proceedings.

The offences specified in the Bill include: ‘Demanding or receiving sexual favours to grant academic benefits;

Making unwelcome sexual advances or gestures;

Inducing others to commit harassment; and unwanted physical contact or conduct of a sexual nature.

The bill stipulates that marriage between the educator and the student is the only valid defence, and that consent cannot be used as a defence where an educator-student relationship exists.

It further provides that sexual harassment complaints may be lodged by the victim, relatives, guardians, or any concerned party to the Police or Attorney-General, with copies forwarded to the institution’s Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committee.

During debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) urged the Senate to expand the scope of the law to cover workplaces and other sectors, arguing that harassment was not limited to schools.

‘There is no need to restrict sexual harassment issues to students. We should craft this law in a way that gives it universal application,’ he said.

However, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over plenary, explained that the bill was already passed by the House of Representatives and was before the Senate only for concurrence.

He added that existing laws already address harassment in workplace settings.

The bill was thereafter adopted and passed for third reading.

The passage comes amid a series of sexual harassment scandals reported in universities across Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Nsukka, Kano, Benin and Abuja, which have often gone unpunished due to fear of victimisation, stigma, and opaque internal disciplinary systems.

Rights groups have hailed the move as a significant step toward ending impunity for sexual abuse in academic institutions and empowering victims to seek justice without fear.

Sanwo-Olu urges renewed African solidarity, self-determination

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for renewed African solidarity and self-determination, stressing that the continent’s future must be shaped by Africans themselves.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made the call through his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, during a courtesy visit by the Regional Governor of Ohangwena Region, Republic of Namibia, Kadiva D. Hamutumwa, held at the Official Residence of the Deputy Governor, Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu recalled Nigeria’s role in the early 1980s when students from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and other African countries were educated by the Nigerian government as part of its commitment to African unity.

‘I recall as a young person in the early 1980s when Nigeria hosted students from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, creating a strong African bond. Our destiny as Africans must be determined by us, not by outsiders, and we must work together, as Europe has done through the European Union,’ he said.

The governor expressed concern that such continental bonds were weakening, calling on African nations to strengthen cooperation for collective progress, even as he noted that greater collaboration across the continent remained vital for economic growth, stability, and development.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, however, assured that the Lagos State government was ready to work with the Ohangwena Region, Republic of Namibia, in key areas such as infrastructure, transportation, and energy, among others, to aid development within the region.

The governor, while highlighting Lagos State’s efforts to address the challenges of rapid urbanisation, emphasised that the state government had continued to invest in transport infrastructure, agriculture, and healthcare.

He added that the state had successfully developed intra-city rail lines, introduced electric ferries to promote cleaner energy, and established maternal and child care centres to improve healthcare delivery and urban management to meet the demands of its expanding population.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to innovation and sustainable growth, noting that his government was also building logistics and industrial hubs to ensure food security and economic resilience within the state.

In her remarks, the Governor of Ohangwena Region, Republic of Namibia, Hamutumwa, stated that the team was in Lagos to learn and tap into the knowledge of the state and explore collaboration opportunities to transform Ohangwena into Namibia’s economic hub.

Hamutumwa explained that Lagos’s success in commerce, infrastructure, and innovation presented a valuable model for emerging African regions seeking to drive growth and industrial transformation.

According to her, Ohangwena Region’s goal over the next five years is to become a commercial hub for northern Namibia by focusing on agriculture, logistics, and industrial expansion, given the region’s proximity to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, and Botswana.

She further noted that the region is currently 80 per cent rural and semi-urban, declaring that her vision was to commercialise the region, ‘turn it around, and develop key industries within the region that will not only serve the region itself but also the rest of the country and Africa as a whole.’

‘Our region is well-positioned to serve as a gateway for regional trade within southern Africa, and when I looked at which countries we would collaborate with in order to gain learnings and tap into the knowledge and commerce within those countries, Nigeria was the first country I identified to visit. So the first stop is Lagos, as the state is the commercial hub of Nigeria,’ she said.

Tinubu writes Reps, seeks N1.15tr borrowing approval to fund 2025 budget deficit

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives seeking approval for a borrowing programme of ?1.15 trillion to fund the 2025 budget deficit.

In a letter addressed to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas dated October 31, 2025, the President explained the request became necessary to bridge the unfunded deficit arising from an increase in the total budget size by the National Assembly.

The letter was read during plenary on Wednesday by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie, who presided.

Tinubu noted that while the National Assembly passed a ?59.99 trillion budget, an increase of ?5.25 trillion from the ?54.74 trillion earlier proposed by the Executive, this adjustment created a budget deficit of ?14.10 trillion.

However, the borrowing plan approved in the budget amounted to ?12.95 trillion, leaving an unfunded gap of ?1.15 trillion.

‘In view of the foregoing, it is necessary to increase the domestic borrowing limit in the 2025 budget by ?1,147,462,863,321.39 to close this gap,’ the President wrote.

The President’s request, which was made in line with Section 44 (1-2) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, seeks the National Assembly’s approval to establish the borrowing programme in the domestic debt market.

Tinubu expressed confidence in the lawmakers’ prompt consideration of the request, assuring them of his ‘highest consideration and personal regards.’

The letter was referred to the Committee on Aids, Loans and Budget Management for further legislative action.

Nigeria unveils bold social transformation blueprint at global summit in Doha

Nigeria has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to inclusive social development and people-centred governance at the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) held in Doha, Qatar.

Delivering the country statement on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, in a statement issued to newsmen by her Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr Jonathan Eze, on Wednesday, declared that Nigeria is implementing transformative policies designed to expand opportunity, reduce poverty, and strengthen national cohesion.

‘Nigeria fully aligns with the statement delivered on behalf of the African Group. Our vision for social development is guided by the Nigeria Agenda 2050 and anchored on the priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda – focusing on people-centred governance, poverty eradication, human capital development, and inclusive growth,’ the Minister stated.

She highlighted the establishment of Regional Development Ministries and Agencies across all six geopolitical zones to drive balanced territorial development, alongside Ward Development Initiatives aimed at ensuring no community is left behind.

Among the flagship reforms, the Minister announced the institutionalisation of the National Social Investment Programmes through a standalone agency, with millions of Nigerians benefiting from conditional cash transfers, youth employment schemes, school feeding programmes, and enterprise support. These interventions, she said, are ‘triggering multidimensional prosperity anchored on a National Social Register.’

In what she described as a ‘major leap toward efficient service delivery,’ Sulaiman-Ibrahim revealed that Nigeria has launched an enhanced National Digital Identity Portal to promote governance efficiency, social inclusion, and transparency. The initiative, she said, ‘ensures access to public services, ease of travel, and targeted social protection delivery.’

Highlighting youth empowerment as a central pillar of the administration’s vision, the Minister noted that the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) and the Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF) are unleashing innovation among young Nigerians, particularly women, while boosting investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and STEM education.

She further disclosed that the government is adopting a lifespan approach to social development, including the introduction of Universal Child Grants, the establishment of a National Council for Social Work, and the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act, 2018, through the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

Under the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention 774 (RH-SII774), Nigeria aims to empower over 10 million women in five years, strengthen family systems, and institutionalise care structures through comprehensive social workforce reforms.

The Minister emphasised that the government is also scaling investments in primary healthcare, maternal and child health, early education, and clean energy access, while tackling climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.

‘In Nigeria, inclusive social development is not an aspiration but an obligation,’ she declared. ‘It demands shared responsibility, political will, and renewed multilateral cooperation.’

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the Doha Political Declaration and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Sulaiman-Ibrahim called for stronger global solidarity to ensure that ‘every woman, every child, and every family thrives in dignity.’

The Minister concluded by urging nations to uphold social protection as a universal right, and to measure progress not merely by economic growth, but by ‘human resilience, gender equality, and collective well-being.’

Ex Imo Deputy Governor, Madumere mourns father’s passing

Former Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere has lost his father, His Royal Highness, Eze Henry Anoruo Madumere, JP.

The late monarch from Ezi-Mbieri autonomous community in Mbaitoli local government area of Imo State, passed away at the age of 93.

The passage was announced by the elder son of the late traditional ruler, Prince Chijioke Madumere.

According to him, the monarch’s reign was characterized with fear of God, peace, wisdom, and fatherly guidance to his subjects. He urged the community to put the Madumere royal dynasty in their prayers as they pass through this period.

The interim leadership of the community, led by President-General Emmanuel Ihentuge, along with Royal Cabinet members and the Eze In Council, announced a period of mourning across Ezi-Mbieri.

They said that during this period, all major community activities, celebrations, including pending elections, and social gatherings, are suspended until after the burial rites of the late monarch.

‘The Eze-In-Council shall continue to operate in its advisory capacity, while Chief Vincent Oparaji, the Palace Secretary, has been appointed to serve as the regent of the community.

‘Similarly, Mrs. Ebere Nwaneri has been reappointed as Acting Women Leader, and Comrade Uche Agoha as Acting Youth Leader, both to serve until the conclusion of the burial rites’.

In his comment, the President-General, Ihentuge highlighted that a burial committee would be constituted to plan and coordinate the funeral arrangements of the departed royal father, Eze Anoruo Madumere.

Speaking, the former deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, described his late father as a God-fearing and compassionate personality who loved humanity deeply.

Prince Madumere prayed for divine wisdom, strength and courage for the royal family and the entire kingdom to bear the irreparable loss.

The former deputy governor assured that the date for the burial ceremony of the departed monarch would be announced in due course.

He said, ‘May the soul of HRH Eze Henry Anoruo Madumere, JP, find eternal rest, in the bossom of the Lord and may his legacy of peace, humility, and service to God and mankind, continue to guide the citizens of Ezi-Mbieri towards sustainable future’.

Prominent community leaders and custodians of Mbieri culture who attended the official announcement include, the Chairman of the Mbieri Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Dr. Peter Opara; Prof. Chinedu Anosike (Cona); Barr. Victor Iwuagwu; Interim Secretary-General of Ezi-Mbieri, Princess Ada Ngozi Madumere -Oguwuike, Prince Henry Nnayereugo Madumere and Chief Martins Iwuajoku among others.

Equities market dips further as investors lose N1.5trn

The Nigerian equities market extended its losing streak on Wednesday as sustained profit-taking continued to weigh on overall performance, pushing the market further into negative territory.

At the close of trading, the Nigerian Exchange All-Share Index (NGX ASI) declined by 1.19 percent to settle at 150,812.02 points, trimming the year-to-date return to 46.52 percent. The persistent sell pressure led to a significant erosion in market value, with investors losing approximately N1.15 trillion. Consequently, the total market capitalisation of listed equities fell to N95.82 trillion.

Market sentiment remained weak, reflecting a negative market breadth as 15 stocks advanced while 46 declined.

Top gainers for the day included NCR, Legend International, Cornest, UPDC, and Linkage Assurance, which managed to attract buying interest despite the overall downturn. On the flip side, CandI Leasing, Transcorp, Skyway Aviation, Beta Glass, and RT Briscoe recorded the highest losses, topping the decliners’ chart.

Sectoral performance was broadly negative as profit-taking dominated key sectors. The Banking, Insurance, Oil and Gas, and Commodity indices fell by 0.19 percent, 0.08 percent, 1.02 percent, and 1.16 percent, respectively. However, the Industrial Goods and Consumer Goods sectors offered mild relief, each appreciating by 0.22 percent on renewed interest in select blue-chip stocks.

Despite the bearish close, overall market activity showed signs of improvement. While the number of deals declined by 17.98 percent to 27,303 transactions, total traded volume and value increased by 63.36 percent and 46.16 percent, respectively, to 1.12 billion units and N29.78 billion.

Market analysts attributed the ongoing correction to investors locking in profits following a strong rally in October. They noted that while short-term volatility may persist, bargain hunters are expected to return to the market as attractive entry points emerge, particularly in fundamentally strong large-cap stocks.

They added that the market’s medium-term outlook remains broadly positive, supported by resilient corporate earnings and expectations of continued policy reforms aimed at deepening investor confidence.

FULL LIST: Nigeria third-largest recipient of US foreign aid in September – Report

Nigeria has emerged as the third-largest recipient of US foreign aid in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to a new analysis by Cable Index.

The report tracked disbursements across 20 African countries as of September 2025.

The report revealed that the United States disbursed over $516.69 million in foreign aid to Nigeria during the period, placing it behind Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which received $617.35 million and $571.35 million respectively.

According to the index, U.S. foreign assistance remains heavily focused on humanitarian support, health programs, education, and governance initiatives aimed at promoting stability and development across the African continent.

Other notable recipients include Zambia ($214.42 million), Senegal ($205.74 million), Burkina Faso ($202.22 million), and Mali ($183.07 million).

At the lower end of the list, Ghana received $114.56 million, ranking 20th among the Sub-Saharan nations.

Here are the beneficiaries of U.S. foreign aid in September 2025:

1. Ethiopia: $617.35m

2. Congo: $571.35m

3. Nigeria: $516.69m

4. Sudan: $514.55m

5. Kenya: $402.84m

6. Somalia: $402.57m

7. Mozambique: $325.41m

8. Uganda: $324.17m

9. South Sudan: $308.43m

10. Tanzania: $288.80m

11. Zambia: $214.42m

12. Senegal: $205.74m

13. Burkina Faso: $202.22m

14. Mali: $183.07m

15. Malawi: $181.98m

16. Zimbabwe: $173.48m

17. South Africa: $166.08m

18. Niger: $162.08m

19. Côte d’Ivoire: $129.59m

20. Ghana: $114.56m

Why I move around Nigeria donating to schools – Peter Obi

The former Anambra State Governor and Presidential candidate of Labour Party in 2023 elections, Peter Obi has disclosed the reason he goes around donating funds to schools.

Tribune Online gathered that Obi, has for years since after his eight years tenure in Anambra as governor been going around donating to schools, especially colleges where healthcare practitioners are trained.

Donating the sum of N15million to College of Nursing Sciences, Adazi Nnukwu in Anaocha local government area of Anambra State, on Wednesday, Obi said he has dedicated his life to one of purpose, and the purpose is to uplift humanity.

He said: ‘I believe that life must have a purpose and my own purpose is to give support to people as a way to uplift humanity.

‘I go around Nigeria supporting schools because it is critical for us. The number one measurement indices of life in the world today is life expectancy. We need to invest in health and nurses are the human capital we need for this investment.

‘That is why I’m going about and making donations in my own little way. Today, life expectancy in Nigeria is 54, and that is among the least you can find anywhere in the world.’

Obi praised the proprietor of the college, Rt Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, saying he was among the first people he approached when he became governor, to help get accreditation for such colleges.

‘The Bishop has done much in this school. When I became governor in 2006, no single school of nursing, medical laboratory of midwifery college was accredited.

‘So, I approached the church and begged them to help us in this area, and we supported them and today this place is very big.’

Obi also visited Practicing Nursery and Primary School in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area, which was razed by fire in December 2024.

The headmistress of the school, Comrade Eucharia Egwuonwu who received Obi lamented that the school had been abandoned since after the fire incident, leaving children studying under harsh weather without roof.

She said a lot of parents had withdrawn their children from the school as a result of the incident.

Obi however said he would facilitate the rebuilding of the school, saying work would commence in January 2026, so as to give the children a befitting place to learn from.

Earlier at the College of Nursing Sciences, Adazi Nnukwu, the Acting provost of the college, Mrs Okafor Chibugo thanks Obi for his continuous zeal to donate to colleges.

She said: ‘Your visit is a boost to us and will spur us in our activities and will inspire us to dedication and hardwork, just as the students too. Thank you for always having our college in mind with your donations.’

Kwara govt funds tech startups, innovators with N30m

Ilorin Innovation Hub of the Kwara state government is set to splash about N30 million on 10 young technology innovators at the end of a three-day innovation challenge and hackathon pitch sessions.

Speaking at the event in Ilorin on Wednesday, one of the facilitators of the programme and managing director, Co-creation Hub, Nissi Madu, said that the event, tagged, Ilorin Innovation Challenge and Hackathon, focused on supporting startups and innovators in Ilorin and environs, by empowering them with access to funding, mentorship to enable them build solutions that will address pressing problems in the area.

Madu, who said that the programme started about three months ago with a road show, added that over 1,384 individuals participated through campus and hub engagements, while over 500 applications were submitted before the August 18, 2025, deadline.

She also said that the young innovators had myriad areas of focus, such as building solutions in Artificial Intelligence (AI), fashion, education technology, green and sustainable energy, themes in logistics solutions, and real estate, among others.

‘In total, 10 of the youth techies will be supported with funds. Out of 17 teams for the hackathon and 10 teams for the innovation challenge, seven of them will be selected from the hackathon and three from the innovation challenge, the end of it all.

‘The fund would help to turn their ideas to actual prototype and start they’ll start to build their startups.

‘It’s N2 million each for hackathon and N5 million each for start-ups for them to be able to put the fund into key areas of their businesses and grow. It’s aimed to address critical challenges and needs within the region and Nigeria as a whole in the areas they propose to address the problem.

Also speaking, the managing director, the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Temi Kolawole, said that the Innovation Challenge and Hackathon 2025 is a programme designed to discover and accelerate the most tech-enabled solutions addressing challenges in our communities.

Kolawole also said that the initiative is aimed at identifying and nurturing high-potential entrepreneurs and early-stage startups, ‘tackling regionally relevant challenges through technology’.

He said the programme aimed to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and foster an enabling environment for entrepreneurship, connecting startups with ecosystem actors and resources.

‘Part of the aim is to promote economic growth and job creation, develop sustainable, locally relevant business models contributing to economic diversification in Kwara State,’ he said.