Author: user user

Sir: The future of farming in our region doesn’t lie solely in the soil; it’s being built on digital highways and powered by express innovation. It’s time to recognize and invest in the fusion of technology and logistics as the most powerful tool for agricultural promotion.

Our farming communities are currently hampered by a critical lack of cohesion and market insight. We must implement practices that aggressively boost interactions among farmers. This isn’t just about social networking; it’s about building a robust, shared infrastructure that strengthens their price information ability.

When digital tools provide real-time, verified market data, the ‘difference information’ gap is closed. This transparency is the foundation for fair trade; ensuring farmers stop losing out to middlemen and begin selling with the confidence that comes from market knowledge. This is where meaningful agricultural promotion begins.

The modern farmer must be more than just a cultivator; they must be a competent manager and entrepreneur. Digital innovation is essential for addressing the managerial and business aspects of farming. This includes:

Farm Management Software: Digital tools that simplify inventory, labour, and financial tracking, transforming the farm into a streamlined business.

Facility Development: Using data to guide investments in crucial supportive infrastructure, like cold storage and processing centres, rather than relying on guesswork.

By focusing on the development of facilities and providing training in these business-centric skills, we empower farmers to move beyond mere subsistence into commercial success.

Ultimately, the goal is to increase both the yields and distribution efficiency of our agricultural produce. Using digital tools to promote agriculture means deploying precision farming technologies-sensors, drones, and AI-to maximize output while ensuring sustainable resource use.

Crucially, digital platforms can revolutionize the distribution of food, goods, and services. By connecting producers directly to buyers via efficient, ‘express’ logistics and supply chain systems, we drastically reduce post-harvest loss and enhance food security. This seamless flow, driven by different ideas for better distribution, is the ultimate measure of successful agricultural practice promotion.

We must make the commitment now to fully integrate digital tools and robust express logistics into every facet of our agriculture. The prosperity of our farmers and the stability of our food supply depend on it.

A few days ago, United States President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account, later shared on the official White House X (formerly Twitter) handle, announced that Nigeria had been designated a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ over what he called the ‘genocide of Christians’ and an ‘existential threat’ to Christianity in Africa’s most populous nation. His words were emotional and intended to draw global attention. But as a concerned Nigerian, I believe such a sensitive issue deserves not only attention – it deserves understanding, context, and truth.

The statement understandably stirred emotions at home and abroad. Yet beyond the rhetoric and statistics, we must respond with clarity and diplomacy – because what Nigeria faces is not a war of religion, but the scourge of violent extremism that has affected all faiths and ethnic groups across our vast nation.

Let us state unequivocally: Nigeria does not condone the killing of any citizen, regardless of faith or ethnicity. Every life lost – whether Christian, Muslim, or of any creed – is a national tragedy. Our government, through the military, intelligence agencies, and community-based interventions, continues to confront terrorism in all its forms. What some portray as ‘genocide against Christians’ is, in truth, a broader campaign of terror waged by extremist elements such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandit groups – enemies of humanity who recognise neither church nor mosque.

To frame Nigeria’s security challenge as a religious crusade is not only inaccurate but dangerous. Extremism – not Islam – drives the violence. In Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, hundreds of Muslims, including imams and scholars, have been brutally murdered by these same extremist factions for refusing to accept their distorted ideology.

In 2014, Boko Haram massacred over 600 Muslims in Baga, accusing them of cooperating with the Nigerian military. A year later, a suicide bombing at the Kano Central Mosque during Friday prayers killed more than 120 worshippers – all Muslims. In 2017, extremists attacked a convoy of Muslim clerics travelling from Maiduguri to Gamboru, leaving dozens dead. These incidents, among countless others, reveal the complex nature of Nigeria’s security struggle – one that transcends religion.

It is therefore regrettable that a leader of President Trump’s stature would characterise Nigeria’s situation as Christian persecution without acknowledging the shared suffering of all faiths. If America truly seeks to help, it must begin with understanding – not division.

Indeed, the United States itself remains a work in progress when it comes to protecting lives and promoting equality. The Black Lives Matter movement, born out of repeated instances of police brutality and systemic discrimination against African Americans, reminds us that no nation is immune to internal challenges. Just as we do not judge America solely by its racial conflicts, the world must not judge Nigeria through a narrow religious lens.

Every nation grapples with its demons. America’s racial tensions, school shootings, and hate crimes mirror Nigeria’s own struggles with ethnic suspicion, poverty, and insurgency. What defines a nation is not its problems, but its commitment to solving them.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to unity and tolerance, stating: ‘Nigeria remains a secular, multi-religious state. Our constitution guarantees freedom of worship, and the Nigerian people – both Christians and Muslims – have lived together for centuries in peace. The few who choose violence do not represent us, and they will not prevail.’

This reflects the truth that Nigeria’s challenge is not about religion, but about a shared determination to defeat the forces of extremism.

Similarly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, emphasised that the U.S. designation misrepresents the situation on the ground, saying: ‘We have consistently engaged our international partners to understand that Nigeria’s security challenge is rooted in extremism and underdevelopment, not religion. To tag it as genocide against one faith community distorts reality and undermines the collaborative effort we need to fight global terrorism.’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his renewed commitment to national stability, has also declared that his administration will ‘continue to work with international allies to strengthen our internal security and address the root causes of conflict – poverty, illiteracy, and misinformation.’ The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a slogan – it is a deliberate, people-centred effort to rebuild trust and reinforce the pillars of unity and progress.

At this delicate stage of national consolidation, divisive narratives do not serve the cause of peace. The United States, a global partner and friend, should recognise the nuances of Nigeria’s struggle – as a battle against extremism, not between religions. What we need is cooperation in intelligence sharing, humanitarian aid, and capacity building, not designations that stigmatise and polarise.

Nigeria is not at war with Christianity. We are at war with extremism. Our Christian and Muslim leaders have long worked side by side for peace. Across our nation, churches and mosques continue to preach coexistence and tolerance – values deeply ingrained in the Nigerian spirit.

As Cardinal John Onaiyekan, former Archbishop of Abuja, once noted: ‘Those who kill in the name of God do not know God. Nigerian Christians and Muslims have a duty to defend peace and expose those who profit from hatred.’

The call, therefore, is for partnership, not punishment; for empathy, not exclusion. The United States should stand with Nigeria in solidarity, not stand above her in judgment. Because when we see the humanity in each other – whether Black or White, Christian or Muslim – only then can we build the peaceful world we all desire.

The best path forward is not in trading accusations, but in building bridges of empathy. Nigeria and the United States have long shared historical, educational, and cultural ties that must be deepened – especially now. It is time for both nations to consider establishing a Nigeria-U.S. Interfaith and Peace Collaboration Forum, where faith leaders, civil society actors, scholars, and youth advocates can come together to counter extremist ideologies and foster community resilience.

We must shift global conversations from blame to collaboration. A joint initiative on counter-extremism and interfaith education could empower young people with knowledge, tolerance, and opportunity – the true antidotes to radicalisation. America’s experience in civil rights and community dialogue could complement Nigeria’s grassroots peacebuilding to form a model for other nations confronting extremism.

As a Nigerian who believes deeply in the unity of our diverse people, I see immense value in dialogue built on respect and empathy. Our story is not one of endless conflict, but of resilience, faith, and shared humanity.

If the world must remember Nigeria, let it remember us not for our challenges – but for how we overcame them, together.

While scouring the streets of Facebook dats, ago, I stumbled on a post by Hon Ifunanya Nwanegwo, who happens to be the Chairman, Mbaitoli LGA, Imo state. In the post, she was appreciating the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for empowering ten people in the LGA to help them boost their small businesses.

What struck me the most wasn’t the post, but the comments that ensued. It was laden with emotion-laced testimonies of how the DSS boss has always been benevolent. Expectedly, my initial reaction was that this must have been a political move. However, it struck me that the name didn’t sound Igbo. In fact, he is Ijebu from Ogun state. And from my little knowledge of the Yoruba, I know that they are considered the most thrifty, if not the stingiest, of the Yoruba race.

When I enquired if this gesture was because his wife is from Imo State, I discovered that she isn’t. Therefore, I ruled out politics. This is humanity at play, combined with leadership, purpose and achievement of national security objectives. In that moment. I decided to dig a bit further to attempt the difficult task of unraveling the man, mystery and the motive.

While researching the background of Mr. Ajayi from colleagues, superiors and subordinates at the DSS, it dawned on me that the man has what I would describe as a ‘special place in his heart’ for the less privileged in the society. For instance, I got to learn that as far back as in 1994, when he was still a budding officer, Ajayi’s hobby was providing financial assistance to orphanages and leper homes in Akure, Ondo State. As he rose in rank and got transferred to other states, he improved on the scope of the support. Now, as the DG of the DSS, I heard, he carries out outreaches at orphanage homes across all states at different times of the year.

Friends and former colleagues describe Mr. Ajayi as an uncommon humanitarian. ‘He is led by principles of humanity, not of politics, nor religion nor tribe or any sentiment whatsoever, ‘ said one of his university classmates. While serving in Bauchi state, offered a now retired deputy director of the Service, Ajayi renovated a mosque at Tafewa-Balewa. He rebuilt the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) which was in near ruins, even as he reportedly renovated the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) church there.

He didn’t stop at providing assistance to churches and mosques. The DSS boss, I learnt, made it a point of duty to host Christian and Muslim leaders yearly as a means of fostering unity while also extending humanitarian assistance to them. He would feed those fasting during Lent and Ramadan, and provide assistance to any who met him for pressing issues.

As I dug deeper, I was struck by awe as to how a security chief could be so moved by passion for humanity to do all he did and is still doing.

In my home state, Kogi, where I served as Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to former Governor Idris Wada, I couldn’t but notice the impact Mr. Ajayi made in my state when he served as the State Director of Security. Even though his deployment came after that administration, while other neighbouring states struggled with insecurity, Ajayi, I learnt, largely succeeded in keeping Kogi safe, apparently using his unique style of engaging aristocrats and plebeians alike.

Aside occasionally empowering people, the DSS boss, I further learnt, had the habit of visiting hospitals and offsetting bills of indigent patients. He would support widows with empowerment programmes and offer scholarships to their children. From what I gathered, when selecting beneficiaries, Ajayi does not discriminate on the basis of tongue or creed.

From Bauchi to Bayelsa, and from Plateau to Rivers, and from Ondo to Kaduna States, I learnt, Ajayi’s benevolent fingerprints in orphanages and several humanitarian gestures are as clear as the day. In a clime where it is not uncommon for public officers, especially security chiefs, to seek to make the best of their postings, Ajayi chose to be different. He always gave back, in very special ways, to the indigents in the states he served.

In the course of my investigating this interesting man, I learnt that security may not just be about brandishing arms and ammunition. I got to learn that the DSS boss believes that humanitarian acts have proven to be a very efficient non-conventional method of maintaining peace and security. One of the driving forces of the DSS boss, noted a retired director of the Service, is in his belief that any intelligence service without human asset will be struggling as, according to the spy chief, human intelligence aka HUMINT is more effective. He reportedly believes that the collection of information from human sources through interpersonal contact is very effective.

I guess he believes that when an idle mind is meaningfully engaged, chances of indulging in criminality become slimmer. In the states he served across all the geo-political zones, Ajayi was able to use this unconventional approach to record successes. It, therefore, came as a little surprise that President Tinubu appointed him to head the DSS, and realize the National Strategic Security Plan.

Apparently, due to the classified nature of DSS activities, I, understandably, couldn’t lay hands on some information I desired. Thankfully, by virtue of his becoming Director General, some of his activities have become public information which makes it easy to better understand his true nature. I remember that months ago, friends of the DSS boss donated an Islamic school to a community in Kaduna state. He had served in the state and, in 2009, directed the successful rescue of a Canadian lady and official of Rotary International.

We cannot overemphasize the importance of security to our daily lives. The earlier we begin to realize that all aspects of the society needs to be fully secured for us to make progress, the better we start appreciating people like Mr Ajayi who leaves no stone unturned in the quest to make Nigeria safer.

It goes without saying that a man’s true nature is exposed through his actions. The kind nature of the DSS boss perhaps is the reason he finds it easy to compensate individuals who were wrongly arrested by the Service. Apparently, only a kind, just and true man who expresses empathy towards the plight of others will go through the inconvenience of apologising and compensating suspects arrested or detained in error.

At this point some might be wondering, if with the DSS boss, charity is indeed beginning at home? In other words, if DSS personnel are also beneficiaries of Ajayi’s kindness. I cannot claim to have all the details. However, most serving and retired personnel of the DSS I interacted with say they’ve never had it so good. I hear they are better enumerated, personnel issues are prioritized, families of personnel lost in the line of duty are adequately compensated, wives and relatives of inactive personnel are empowered and most importantly, personnel of the agency are hopeful for a better future in the Service.

The humanitarian deeds of the DSS boss are too numerous to mention in a single piece as this. I’m happy to have come to realize that Ajayi is not just the Director General, DSS. He is a man who sees the hollowness in the hearts of the needy and goes overboard to support them and give them hope.

It is my sincere prayer that, some day, other leaders across the country will emulate this Good Samaritan who continues to build on a worthy legacy of kindness and service for humanity.

Edi, Special Adviser to Governor Usman Ododo on Information and Communications,, and former chairman, NUJ (FCT chapter), wrote from Abuja

Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has showered special praise on Victor Osimhen for rising to the occasion to ensure that Nigerians could still dream of their team playing at next year’s World Cup.

Last month, Osimhen fired a hat-trick for the Super Eagles fly past Benin 4-0 to make the CAF World Cup Playoffs on the final day of the qualifying tournament.

‘Our (Nigeria) World Cup dream is still alive,’ Mikel Obi said as per SCORENigeria on his Obione Podcast. ‘I spoke about it before the last two games. I said whatever is happening, whatever is going on with the FA, all the negativity, all the corruption and everything that is going on, those two games were must-win games, and we did that.’

Mikel singled out Osimhen for special praise.

‘Credit to the boys, they absolutely did that, and of course, the main man we’ve talked about so many times on this podcast,’ he remarked.

‘Absolutely brilliant. Yes, it was against Benin. People can say he scored a hat-trick, but you still have to score this hat-trick; you still have to show up. It was our biggest game of the season.

‘If we didn’t win that game, we wouldn’t be talking about trying to qualify for the World Cup.

‘Victor Osimhen has singlehandedly kept us alive. One of the biggest games, he’s come out and scored a hat-trick. You can see the intensity, passion and aggressiveness he shows.

Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has showered special praise on Victor Osimhen for rising to the occasion to ensure that Nigerians could still dream of their team playing at next year’s World Cup.

Last month, Osimhen fired a hat-trick for the Super Eagles fly past Benin 4-0 to make the CAF World Cup Playoffs on the final day of the qualifying tournament.

‘Our (Nigeria) World Cup dream is still alive,’ Mikel Obi said as per SCORENigeria on his Obione Podcast. ‘I spoke about it before the last two games. I said whatever is happening, whatever is going on with the FA, all the negativity, all the corruption and everything that is going on, those two games were must-win games, and we did that.’

Mikel singled out Osimhen for special praise.

‘Credit to the boys, they absolutely did that, and of course, the main man we’ve talked about so many times on this podcast,’ he remarked.

‘Absolutely brilliant. Yes, it was against Benin. People can say he scored a hat-trick, but you still have to score this hat-trick; you still have to show up. It was our biggest game of the season.

‘If we didn’t win that game, we wouldn’t be talking about trying to qualify for the World Cup.

‘Victor Osimhen has singlehandedly kept us alive. One of the biggest games, he’s come out and scored a hat-trick. You can see the intensity, passion and aggressiveness he shows.

The Federal Government has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the European Union (EU) and France under the Global Gateway’s Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies (MAV+) Initiative.

Th agreement is meant to advance Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and strengthen local health systems.

With a total investment of pound 10.2 million (including pound 10 million from the EU and pound 200,000 co-financing from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs), the 44-month project (2025-2028) will be implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), and other local partners.

The project, which is named Quality Uplift for Advancing Local Industry in Medicine Standards (Qualimeds Nigeria), aims to bolster Nigeria’s pharmaceutical ecosystem by expanding the local production of quality-assured medicines, improving access to essential health technologies, and promoting research-based innovation.

The project is also expected to reinforce NIPRD as a regional reference centre for critical activities, such as bioequivalence, stability studies, and quality control, fostering regional collaboration with Rwanda and Senegal.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the just-concluded Nigeria-EU Health Investment Forum in Abuja, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, emphasised the importance of this collaboration.

The envoy described it as proof of the enduring partnership between the EU, France, and Nigerian and West African stakeholders.

He stressed the need to build robust, resilient, and efficient health and social welfare systems to ensure prosperity for all.

Mignot said: ‘Let’s combine the strength of our EU-Nigeria official partnership, EU-ECOWAS official partnership, with the dynamism of our companies on both sides to achieve a common goal: making Nigeria healthcare life-saving and sustainable, diversified, accessible, and affordable for all Nigerians, creating jobs and opportunities.’

The envoy said he wished to expand this vision across the rest of West Africa and the continent.

France’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, underscored France’s commitment to the partnership through the Global Health Strategy.

Noting that the principles guiding this strategy are equity, solidarity, and human dignity, he expressed pride in France’s contributions, stating the shared values and commitment to enhancing health systems and empowering communities.

He said: ‘I am very proud that France, through the French Development Agency, is truly contributing to the implementation of the Qualimeds Nigeria project, as part of the Team Europe initiative. It truly reflects our shared values and collective commitment to strengthening health systems, advancing equity, and empowering communities through improved access to essential products and services.’

The Director General/CEO of NIPRD, Dr. Obi Adigwe, highlighted the significance of strategic partnerships in advancing Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing and strengthening local health systems.

‘We want to ensure that our people not only get the highest level of access to healthcare, but also catalyse socioeconomic development, job creation, capacity building, technology transfer, and revenue generation,’ he said.

Through laboratory modernisation, technology transfer, and workforce training, the project is expected to boost Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in medicines and vaccines, enhance regulatory compliance, and promote gender equity in biomanufacturing and research.

The expected outcomes of the initiative include upgraded NIPRD laboratories meeting international standards, increased Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance, stronger clinical research networks, and better integration of Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector into global innovation and production systems.

Also, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, emphasised PVAC’s efforts to position healthcare as a driver of economic growth and industrialisation, ensuring that all Nigerians have access to affordable, quality healthcare.

He said: ‘Today, we are signing new commitments, including those under the MAV+ initiative, to expand vaccine and health product manufacturing. The end goal is that every Nigerian, regardless of status or location, can access affordable, quality healthcare.

‘Knowing that we cannot do this alone, we fully recognise the importance of this day. The EU, its Member States, and other development partners have been steadfast partners in this journey, supporting healthcare optimisation in Nigeria.’

This partnership reaffirms the joint commitment of the EU and France to improving health security, supporting local manufacturing, and driving sustainable growth within Nigeria’s health sector.

Through cooperation, investment and initiative such as MAV+, all three signatories have demonstrated their dedication to building a resilient and prosperous health sector in Nigeria and the wider region.

Nigerian Breweries Plc has reaffirmed its ambition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in production by 2030 across its operations nationwide.

Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Uzodinma Odenigbo, stated this during a media parley.

He explained that the company has made significant investments in renewable energy solutions such as biomass, solar and energy-efficiency projects across its breweries to reduce carbon emissions across its breweries, and have signed power purchase agreements to this effect.

He explained that over the last few years, the company had signed many power purchase agreements with different renewable energy firms to reduce its dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

He said that the company has spent over N2.5 billion supporting its carbon reduction ambition across its operations as part of the Brew a Better World sustainability strategy.

In addition, he noted that the company has committed considerable resources by contributing to water-replenishment projects in water-stressed areas, including support for the Olokomeji reforestation initiative, where over 300,000 trees have been planted in Ogun State, Nigeria, through external partnerships to support local watershed restoration.

He said: ‘As a company, we are advancing sustainability outcomes through our Brew a Better World initiatives. Over the past few years, we have made notable investments in renewable energy as part of our transition toward net-zero operations that many people are unaware of. We are also signing power purchase agreements to further reduce our national carbon footprint and progress toward our long-term net-zero ambition’.

He stated that the company will continue to empower its host communities by investing in capacity building for its people and expanding its operations to create employment opportunities. He disclosed that the company recently invested over N200 million in skill acquisition and constructed a cassava milling plant in Kaduna and Awo-Omamma respectively.

He noted that the company, in collaboration with other members of the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG) and in partnership with the FRSC continues to implement its annual advocacy campaign promoting responsible alcohol consumption among commercial drivers, with potential to reach up to a thousand drivers by December 2025.

Reiterating the company’s commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and responsible production practices across its value chain, the Corporate Affairs Director emphasised the significance of the company’s long-standing investment in reusable glass packaging, which supports packaging circularity and aligns with global sustainability practices.

Organiser of Believers Talent Competition, Mrs Modupeola Awofolaju, has urged government to create an enabling environment for youth development.

She said there was need to nurture talents, and called on government, parents and organisations to empower youths.

Speaking in Ibadan during an event: ‘Believers Talent Competition’, with the theme: ‘Evolve and Thrive’, Awofolaju said engaging teenagers in their early lives was crucial in preventing them from channelling their energy into negative pursuits.

‘We’ve been running vocational clubs in public schools since 2017, and this outreach started last year. Our goal is to engage teenagers early. If we don’t, they will channel their energy elsewhere. We want to catch them young and help them discover their purpose,’she noted.

Pastor Tayo Ogunleye of Harvesters Church, Ibadan, advised educators and policy makers to review Nigeria’s outdated school curriculum, to accommodate creativity and practical skill development.

He said: ‘Our schools still use decades-old curriculums that don’t reflect current realities. We need to start looking at the potential of each child beyond academics. If we don’t, we’ll keep reproducing old failures.’

The event, which featured public presentation of Mrs. Awofolaju’s new book titled ‘Distraction – Overcoming the Subtle War against Focus’, also showcased creativity across art, music, and dance, featuring spirited performances from Angels College, Living Stone College, J Nissi College and Akobo Baptist Church Teenagers Fellowship.

The Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC) has stressed the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in the electoral process for all eligible residents, regardless of status, age, or physical condition.

SIDEC Finance Officer, Chioma Enwereuzor, made the call during the group’s ongoing statewide civic awareness campaign ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.

Addressing traders at Nkpor Market in Idemili North Local Government Area, Enwereuzor reminded them that the law mandates priority voting for persons with disabilities (PWDs), elderly citizens, visibly pregnant women, and nursing mothers.

She noted that inclusivity in voting remains a core requirement for the legitimacy of any election, emphasising that democracy must represent every voice – not just those of the strong or wealthy.

‘Election day is not a competition of strength or survival of the fittest; it is a democratic exercise,’ Enwereuzor said.

‘If you see a PWD, an elderly person, or a pregnant woman, the law says they should be allowed to vote first. Kindly abide – that is what makes the process fair and humane.’

Also speaking, SIDEC Project Officer, Bruno Chimnaecherem, cautioned traders against the rising trend of vote buying in the state, describing it as a direct attack on the secrecy of the ballot and the collective future of voters and their communities.

‘When you sell your vote, you are selling your tomorrow for a token today,’ he warned.

‘The Electoral Act is clear – both the buyer and the seller of votes are criminals under the law. Do not allow anyone to use poverty or hardship to buy your conscience.’

Chimnaecherem further warned against voter apathy and election-day violence, urging citizens not to be manipulated or used by desperate politicians.

‘Do not let anyone drag you into problems that will not add value to your life,’ he said.

‘Election is not war. It is not a do-or-die affair. Violence only destroys and keeps a state backwards. Resist it before, during, and after the election.’

SIDEC is implementing its voter education campaign under the Inclusive Mobilisation for Participation, Advocacy and Civic Transformation (Project IMPACT), in partnership with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK-FCDO).

The Deeper Christian Life Ministry has debunked a viral online report claiming that its General overseer, Pastor William Kumuyi, accused the United States of attempting to plunder Nigeria’s natural resources and dismissed claims of Christian genocide in the country.

The story, published by an online platform identified as Ibom Focus, alleged that Pastor Kumuyi made the statements during a press briefing in Lagos.

The reports rapidly gained traction on X, sparking widespread outrage and debate.

In an official statement on Monday on Pastor Kumuyi’s verified X account, the ministry described the report as ‘a total fabrication’ and ‘the figment of the imagination of its authors.’

The church emphasised that Pastor Kumuyi’s ministry remains strictly apolitical, focused exclusively on preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Condemning the publication as ‘malicious,’ the ministry warned individuals or groups seeking to misrepresent the pastor or drag him into political discourse.

The statement reads: ‘The Deeper Christian Life Ministry @dclmhq condemns in the strongest terms the malicious and entirely false news report circulated by a faceless platform which goes by the name of ‘Ibomfocus’

‘The story with the headline: ‘America is Trying to Steal our Natural Resources; There is No Christian Genocide in Nigeria, says Pastor Kumuyi’ is a total fabrication and the figment of the imagination of its authors.

‘Pastor Kumuyi did not at any time address a press conference or make the aforementioned statement in Lagos. He has been away from Nigeria for a considerable length of time, holding programmes in the Oceania region and the Far East.

‘Besides, Pastor Kumuyi is well known for focusing entirely on preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He does not dabble into politics, as the false story mentioned above seemed to suggest.

‘The Ministry warns all those bent on mischief by seeking to drag our General Superintendent into politics, or fabricating stories in his name, to desist from such venture. In the future, any such activity may attract action’.

The clarification comes amidst the recent threat by US President Donald Trump of military intervention in Nigeria.

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is transforming rural connectivity from a social challenge into an economic opportunity through a data-led, partnership-driven plan designed to narrow the country’s widening digital divide and accelerate inclusive growth.

According to the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), the most recent study conducted in 2024 showed that the number of clusters has reduced from 97 to 87 clusters, with an estimated population of 23.37 million people.

It conducted the first ICT Cluster Gap Study in 2013. The study was designed to identify clusters of voice telephony and transport network gaps in the country. The results of the study revealed 207 clusters with an estimated population of about 36.8 million people.

A second study was conducted in 2019, and 114 clusters were identified with an estimated population of 31.16 million people living in unserved and underserved areas.

A third study conducted in 2022 revealed a further reduction in the clusters, from 114 to 97, with an estimated population of 27.91 million people living in those clusters.

Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, described digital access as economic infrastructure, arguing that broadband expansion must now be treated as a national productivity and security priority rather than a mere technology goal.

Nigeria’s broadband penetration rate stood at 48.81 per cent as of August 2025, according to data from the NCC, up from 45 per cent a year earlier. But that headline figure conceals a concerning divide. This is as urban centres such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt consume about 80 per cent of national data traffic, while rural areas barely reach 23 per cent internet access.

Maida, who spoke at the Rural Connectivity Summit organised by Business Metrics in conjunction with other stakeholders in the technology industry, said the Commission is implementing a deliberate, evidence-based blueprint to connect unserved and underserved communities. ‘The true measure of connectivity is not in megabits per second but in the economic value it creates,’ he said.

Represented by NCC’s Lagos Zonal Controller, Tunji Jimoh, the EVC warned that such imbalance is not just a matter of access but a drag on productivity and competitiveness. ‘A community without digital connectivity is economically invisible. Without it, there is no access to modern education, markets, or healthcare. That invisibility is unacceptable,’ he said.

Central to the NCC’s drive to close Nigeria’s digital access gap is the USPF, which Maida described as the Commission’s policy vehicle for achieving digital equity in areas deemed commercially unattractive to private operators. Through flagship schemes like RUBI and AMPE, the Fund underwrites the cost of deploying telecom base stations and fibre-optic infrastructure across rural communities.

The Fund, he noted, has also extended its footprint into education and healthcare. Over 2,500 digital education projects have been supported, with 100,000 computers distributed to schools nationwide. The Emerging Technologies Centre at Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH) is one such project, now enabling over 9,000 students to engage in drone-based agricultural innovation.

Healthcare connectivity is advancing through the E-Health and E-Accessibility programmes, linking rural clinics to urban hospitals via telemedicine and deploying assistive tools for persons with disabilities.

To sustain these interventions, the USPF Impact Alliance now mobilises co-funding from private sector and development partners, signaling a shift towards blended financing models for last-mile infrastructure.

Dr Maida stated that a major plank of the Commission’s evolving framework is the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index (NDCI), launched on October 9, 2025, to serve as an annual, data-backed scorecard of each state’s digital readiness. By benchmarking connectivity, affordability, and adoption, the index aims to foster inter-state competition and guide investor decisions. Maida said it will inject transparency, accountability, and precision into digital policy implementation.

Complementing the index is the Ease of Doing Business Portal, developed to streamline telecom project licensing and improve investor visibility into infrastructure pipelines, framed as part of the Commission’s effort to derisk sector investment and attract new capital inflows.

Recognising that conventional models have struggled to reach rural frontiers, the NCC is also opening space for community networks. The commission stated it is working in partnership with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), in finalising a Study on Community Networks ahead of a national policy rollout in January 2026.

The new framework is set to formalise community broadband operators as part of the national network ecosystem, allowing them to plug into existing backbones under flexible licensing rules.

To this end, the NCC is modernising its licensing through the General Authorisation Framework (GAF), introduced in draft form in July 2025. The GAF incorporates regulatory tools such as the Regulatory Sandbox, Proof-of-Concept (PoC), and Interim Service Authorisation (ISA), giving startups room to pilot technologies like low-cost 5G towers and satellite broadband tailored for rural settings.

‘This is how we lower barriers. We want innovation to emerge from the grassroots, not just from established operators,’ the NCC stated.