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Early in October, Nigeria celebrated its 65th independence anniversary. There are still talks about unfulfilled potential since 1960. Are we closer to a dream nation now?

In 65 years, Nigeria has experienced transformation. Let me not just call it growth but transformation. From the days when there were only a few vehicles and narrow roads to the highways we now have. In some areas, we have made significant progress, but in others, we have retrogressed badly.

Quite a lot of things had happened that had shaped the country, depending on how you perceived it. At independence, we had a parliamentary system of government, with three regions and eventually a fourth by 1963. We were operating under a constitution that could be called a people’s democratic constitution. But then the military came in, jettisoned that constitution, centralized everything, and imposed a military constitution.

Back then, the railway was working, the post office was working, and Nigeria Airways was working. Nigerians were well respected internationally, unlike today, when other nationals are suspicious of us, and people think twice before they do business with us. Then other countries in Africa saw Nigeria as the hope of Africa and a role model of sorts. But over time, during military rule, all of that collapsed.

We had forest guards, sanitary inspectors, and two types of policing – the Native Authority Police and the Nigeria Police. The military scrapped the Native Authority Police, leaving only the Nigeria Police, and today we are crying to return to state policing. The path of progress and development that was bequeathed to us was destroyed by the military. Despite the Civil War, Nigeria remained united and continued to forge ahead.

But in recent times, since the return of democracy, violence has spread everywhere. We had faced uprisings like the ‘Maitasine’ before, but those were minimal and quickly crushed. Today we are dealing with insurgency, kidnapping, and insecurity all over. Today there’s insecurity everywhere; the public space, especially the media, is often awash with negative stories of killings and other forms of retrogressive activities.

Tribalism and religious bigotry have gone beyond acceptable levels. Nationalism has deteriorated, and what we now have are ethnic nationalities clamouring only for their people’s benefits rather than for Nigeria as a whole. Still, there is hope if we can put aside pride and selfishness and forge a new beginning with a clear understanding of why we should remain together.

That means we go the way of restructuring; we cannot continue with the present structure and expect any meaningful development. Though some people or parts of the country don’t want this, that is the way to go considering the enormous challenges besetting Nigeria. Also, we need a constitution that works, perhaps going back to the 1963 Constitution, updating it with the 2014 National Conference report and other developments. Ultimately, we should have a people’s constitution that begins with ‘We the people’ and is adopted by referendum.

Unfortunately, the system we have in place is hostile to such reform. But we must focus on Nigeria rather than selfish interests. Just as the president has restored the old national anthem, we should also return to a constitutional arrangement that truly reflects Nigeria – not necessarily parliamentary, but something uniquely Nigerian and acceptable to all.

Would you say that the scrapping of the two-level police structure by the military affected the state of security in the country?

For over 10 years, we’ve battled insurgency, something that could have been crushed. Instead, the military is being forced to treat insurgents with kid gloves, leaving soldiers frustrated and our armed forces weakened by ill-equipped non-state actors. The way and manner the insurgents are on a rampage, especially in the North-West, is despicable and insulting to Nigeria.

In some states in the North, the bandits dictate or call the shot. I don’t think there’s any country in Africa where the government negotiates with bandits. In terms of security, we have missed it. The government should empower the military and give them the matching order to move against these undesirable elements because the image of the Nigerian military is at stake at the moment. So things must change for the better, and the 65th anniversary of our independence should be the turning point.

We in the Middle Belt believe in one Nigeria. We believe Nigeria can still be rescued despite the clamours for domination and the insurgency spreading across the country.

The majority of individuals who have been following the trend of events in Nigeria for quite some time believe that bad governance is to blame for the nation’s underdevelopment. What is your opinion on this?

At the moment, governance is failing. In trying to correct one problem, we often fall into deeper traps. After the PDP, with all its flaws and corruption, the APC came in. But to be honest, APC has not done well for Nigeria. Yes, they are still in power and trying to turn things around, but it is not easy. The truth is, APC’s coming into power, under its past leadership, set Nigeria back many years. Whatever reforms are happening now are merely corrective measures. We just pray they succeed and that detractors are kept at bay so Nigeria can move forward.

What are the prospects of Nigeria regaining its lost glory?

We have a bright future if we take our destiny into our hands and act with patriotism. Take Zamfara, for instance. Gold has been mined there for years, yet it contributes almost nothing to the national coffers, even though tons are leaving the country. Today, we have lithium in abundance, a resource that could generate even more revenue than oil. But what are we doing with it?

With no proper regulation, in some parts of the country bandits have taken over the mining sites in collaboration with some politicians and traditional rulers. Though the government is trying, its intervention in this regard is not enough. This should be harnessed to complement what the country is gaining from the oil sector, more so because oil is gradually becoming a problem for the country.

We must become wiser, stop exporting raw materials, and instead build industries that create jobs, grow the economy, and strengthen the naira. The future is bright if we unite and do the right things.

What role should the political elite play in nurturing the development we all yearn for?

The political class, especially those in government, must change their thinking and be more responsive and patriotic in the way they respond to national issues. They should be more patriotic than before, considering the state of Nigeria at the moment. Enough of divisive politics that could rock the boat of Nigeria.

This is not where Nigeria is supposed to be at 65. Most of the countries that gained independence after us have gone ahead, and this should be a lesson to us and spur our elected politicians to work harder and work towards repositioning this country.

Nigeria can still be great and regain its lost glory, but this cannot happen until those in positions of authority change their perception about governance and are ready to be more sacrificial in their approach to governance. Nigeria is a blessed country, but it cannot attain its full potential with bad governance, so those in government need to redirect their focus.

Why is COP30 important to trade unions?

COP30 is extremely important for trade unions because it has been designated as the COP of Action or what many now call the Implementation COP. For nearly three decades, we have had a series of conferences where much has been said, negotiated, and declared. But now, the world expects action. This is the moment when all the commitments and conversations of the past 29 years must finally translate into tangible results.

For us in the labour movement, COP30 is the point where just transition must stop being an idea and become a lived reality. We expect that the different work streams that have emerged from previous conferences will evolve into actionable frameworks that genuinely transform workplaces, industries, and livelihoods.

In Nigeria, the NLC has been active in this process, ensuring that our participation extends beyond rhetoric. At the recently held Pre-COP30 Synthesis and Regional Strategy Review Session in Keffi, we outlined several critical demands. One major demand is for just financing for climate action. The developed countries, known as Annex I and II parties under the Paris Agreement who bear historical responsibility for the majority of global emissions, must now commit more funds to support nations like Nigeria in managing the devastating impacts of climate change.

These impacts are no longer abstract. They are already manifesting in the form of heat stress, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, and in some cases, cancers among workers exposed to hazardous conditions. Climate change is becoming a public health emergency within workplaces. This is why we insist that COP30 must not just be about lofty speeches, it must deliver financing that enables protection, rehabilitation, and reskilling of workers.

Developed countries owe the world a debt. Their industrial revolutions built wealth but left deep environmental scars across the planet. COP30 must therefore be the stage where promises are fulfilled, where pledges finally become payments, and words give way to real, measurable actions.

At COP29, there were major funding expectations. As we move toward COP30, what exactly are trade unions demanding from the Global North?

Our message to the Global North is straightforward: honour your commitments and act responsibly. At COP29, discussions revolved around a $1.2 trillion financing target. But during the United Nations Conference on Financing for Development, it became clear that developing economies, especially in the Global South will actually require about $4 trillion annually to effectively respond to climate change.

So, as trade unions, we are demanding that developed economies commit between $1.3 and $4 trillion to support countries most affected by the climate crisis. These are the same nations whose development pathways were built on fossil fuel exploitation. We are referring primarily to the G7 countries and other advanced economies, including Japan and China. While China classifies itself as a developing country, it is also one of the world’s largest emitters and therefore has a shared responsibility.

This is not just about climate justice; it’s about correcting centuries of social and economic imbalance. The people and nations that powered the industrial revolution at the expense of the environment now have a moral duty to repair the damage. The world shares one atmosphere, one planet, and one destiny. Justice for the Global South is justice for humanity.

If the Global North agrees to pay, how should these funds be managed or disbursed?

Thankfully, there are already credible international mechanisms for managing climate finance. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) have been in existence for years, and a newer but equally crucial mechanism, the Loss and Damage Fund was established at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh Egypt. These are the appropriate, transparent, and multilateral channels through which climate funds should be disbursed.

We in the trade union movement, however, are wary of the increasing tendency to divert climate finance through private or bilateral channels such as the World Bank. These often come with hidden conditions that can further burden developing countries already by debt. Climate finance should not become another instrument of control or profiteering.

Funds must be publicly managed, not privatised. They must come as grants, not loans. And crucially, they must reach workers; the people who are both victims and drivers of the transition. Emissions come from workplaces, and solutions must begin there.

Climate finance must therefore prioritize worker-oriented programs: reskilling, upskilling, and retraining for green jobs; social protection for those displaced by the transition; unemployment support and early retirement for those unable to adapt quickly; and comprehensive rehabilitation for workers in polluted or high-risk environments like the Niger Delta, where many have suffered serious health consequences.

The NLC’s Just Transition Guideline and Action Plan already outline these priorities. We are happy that it emphasizes worker rehabilitation, retraining, and community-based support. This is the essence of a just transition: justice for workers, justice for communities, and justice for the planet itself.

What should the African Union (AU) do ahead of COP30 to strengthen Africa’s position?

That’s an important question. The African Union already coordinates its climate response through the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN). This body brings together environment ministers from across the continent, whose resolutions feed into the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), the official team representing Africa in global climate talks.

Fortunately, the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has built strong collaboration with the AU and AMCEN to ensure workers’ voices are not left out of Africa’s negotiation agenda. Recently, in Dar es Salaam, trade unions met under this framework to consolidate Africa’s positions ahead of COP30.

Our position is clear. Africa’s transition must be built on energy sovereignty; a public pathway to accessible and affordable energy that powers green industrialisation. The continent cannot transition without energy. We are also calling for debt cancellation, because the debt trap is undermining Africa’s ability to respond to climate impacts or invest in sustainable development. Finally, we demand reparations and climate justice. Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but bears the harshest impacts. Those responsible must pay their dues.

These are not abstract policy positions, they are matters of human rights and survival. The African Union must champion these demands through the AGN at COP30.

When trade unions speak, we do so not only for our members but for the continent and its future generations. A just transition for Africa is not just a moral necessity, it is a prerequisite for a just and sustainable world.

A demographic research conducted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has revealed that youth unemployment rate in Nigeria currently stands at 6.5percent with men placed at 5.4 percent and women at 7.8 per cent respectively.

The research however revealed that those engaged informally in the employment value chain dominates at 93 percent, placing women, youth, and persons with disabilities disproportionately excluded from decent work.

The ILO study equally observed that too many graduates possess theoretical knowledge but lack practical industry related competencies.

It said these findings were exposed despite recent improvements in the national unemployment rate which was 4.3 per cent, down from 5.4 per cent in 2023.

The Director, ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Liaison Office for ECOWAS, Vanessa Phala revealed these statistics on Tuesday, while speaking at the Multi-Stakeholder National Public Dialogue for Institutionalizing TVET and Apprenticeship Systems for Sustainable Employment and Employability in Nigeria.

According to her assertions, these inbalance in the world of work were as a result of overqualification, underqualification, and employment in unrelated fields.

Phala, represented by Mrs Chinyere Emeka-Anuna, Senior Programme Officer, ILO, also claimed this necessitated a collaborative workshop with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE) to bridge some of the observed gaps.

According to Phala, the national dialogue is facilitated within the framework of Strengthening Employment and Employability Systems in Nigeria (SEESIN) project supported by GIZ-SKYE II Programme and comes at a crucial time.

She explained that it offers an opportunity to examine how the TVET and apprenticeship systems can better serve the needs of a dynamic labour market.

According to the ILO Director: ‘SEESIN is contributing to improving Nigeria’s labour market by strengthening the effectiveness of national employment governance frameworks, addressing skills mismatches, expanding access to quality services, and creating inclusive opportunities for youth, women, and other marginalized groups to thrive in a changing world of work.

‘This National Dialogue underscores the ILO’s unwavering commitment to advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and apprenticeship systems as a driver of sustainable employment and inclusive growth. Guided by the ILO’s Quality Apprenticeships Recommendation, 2023 (No. 208).

‘We are supporting Nigeria in building apprenticeship systems that are well-regulated, inclusive, and responsive to labour market needs.

‘Through social dialogue and tripartite collaboration, we aim to enhance quality assurance, certification, gender equality and inclusion, and the recognition of informal apprenticeships, ensuring that all, especially young people, women, and persons with disabilities gain the skills, opportunities, and protection needed to access decent work and contribute meaningfully to national development.’

‘In setting the context for this Dialogue, Nigeria’s labour market continues to grapple with persistent skills mismatch, where job seekers hold qualifications that do not correspond to the requirements of employers.

‘Many graduates possess theoretical knowledge but lack practical industry related competencies, resulting in overqualification, underqualification, and employment in unrelated fields.

‘The country’s apprenticeship and vocational systems remain underdeveloped, contributing to shortages of technical skills in high-growth sectors while producing surpluses in low-demand fields.

‘Despite recent improvements in the national unemployment rate which was 4.3 per cent, down from 5.4 per cent in 2023, Youth unemployment remained elevated at 6.5 per cent (men: 5.4 per cent, women: 7.8 per cent), informal employment dominates at 93 per cent, and women, youth, and persons with disabilities are disproportionately excluded from decent work.

‘Institutionalising Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and apprenticeship, is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future. By equipping youth with relevant skills, we strengthen employability and drive inclusive economic growth.

‘This approach not only bridges the gap between education and industry but also reduces unemployment, and positions Nigeria to compete in a rapidly evolving global economy’.

Meanwhile, Director, Skills Development and Certification Department at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Engr. Tiza Chiila Shaakaa, noted that the renewed hope Agenda of the present Administration is expected to be anchored heavily on a workforce that is required to be competent, innovative, and adaptive.

He reiterated that data from national labour surveys reveal that many of our youths remain unemployed or underemployed, not because of lack of ambition, but due to a mismatch between their skills and labour market demands.

According to Shaakaa, the need to skill, reskill, upskill and cross skill becomes inevitable.

‘Institutionalising TVET and apprenticeship systems will therefore bridge the identified skills mismatch notice in the workforce. The success of this programme lies in partnership. We must move beyond policy pronouncements to collective action involving all Actors: Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) Industries, Associations, Trade union Organizations, the academia, and other social and development Partners,’ the Director, Skills Development and Certification Department at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment noted.

The Ogun State House Assembly has passed a bill meant to regulate the activities of scavengers and waste dealers in the state with a view to promoting public order, environmental safety and peaceful co-existence and for related matters.

The passage of the bill followed the presentation of the House Committee Report on Environment by its chairman, Hon. Samsideen Lawal, moved for its adoption, seconded by the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye and supported by other members, through a voice vote at the plenary presided over by the Speaker Oludaisi Elemide.

The bill was later read and adopted clause by clause before the committee of the whole House, after which the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff moved the motion for the third reading, seconded by the minority leader and was supported by other lawmakers.

The Clerk/Head of Legislative Service, Mr. Sakiru Adebakin, therefore, read the bill for the third time before the lawmakers.

The Speaker, however, directed that the clean copy of the bill be forwarded to the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his assent.

In the same vein, the assembly has passed a resolution calling for the urgent intervention of the state government, the National Assembly and the Inspector General of Police on the need to address the alarming rates of multiple police checkpoints on border roads such as Owode-Idiroko road in Ipokia Local Government Area, and other parts of the state, to curb alleged cases of incessant extortion, bribery and harassment of the residents and commuters.

The passage of the resolution followed a debate on the motion moved by the sponsor and a member representing Ipokia/Idiroko state constituency, Hon. Adebisi Oyedele titled: ‘Urgent call for the reduction of multiple police checkpoints on Idiroko-Owode road in Ipokia Local Government Area.’

Opening debate on the motion leading to the passage of the resolution, Oyedele lamented the presence of over 52 police checkpoints on a 20-kilometre stretch road; describing the situation as unbearable, which had led to continued harassment of residents and commercial drivers, who recently embarked on a five-day strike that caused severe hardship for the people.

He urged the House to immediately address the matter through the intervention from the relevant authorities, including the state governor and the Inspector General of Police through the state Commissioner of Police to ensure immediate solution.

He added that the resolution be transmitted as a petition to the National Assembly, the Inspector-General of Police, and the National Security Adviser (NSA) for prompt intervention.

Other lawmakers, including the Deputy Speaker, Bolanle Lateefat Ajayi, Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye, Honourables Adegoke Adeyanju and Waliu Owode, supported the motion, stressing that the challenge of multiple police checkpoints affected commuters across several parts of the state.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, directed that copies of the resolution be forwarded to all concerned authorities, including the state governor, the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Inspector-General of Police and the NSA, among others for necessary action.

Meanwhile, the Assembly has observed a minute silence in honour of the late Olu of Ifo, Oba Samuel Oladipupo, who joined his ancestors on October 9, after 20 years on the throne.

The Assembly paid the honour to the deceased monarch shortly after members representing Ifo 1 and 2 state constituencies, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo and Folawewo Salami, respectively reported the demise of the traditional ruler during the plenary.

The duo described the late monarch as a father to all and a former chairman in the local government; praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.

The European Union (EU) has expressed its readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in artificial intelligence (AI) research and innovation, setting the stage for a new phase of strategic partnership aimed at bridging the gap between scientific discovery and real-world technological solutions.

According to a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, the Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) International Week, revealed that the EU and Nigeria are working towards a Science, Technology and Innovation Agreement that will formalise joint research and innovation initiatives.

He said the partnership is designed to enable Nigerian researchers, universities, and enterprises to co-develop AI-driven applications that address the country’s pressing developmental challenges while advancing Africa’s broader innovation ecosystem.

‘The agreement will open new possibilities for research institutions and innovators to work together on areas that matter to both our regions, such as how AI can be used responsibly to address societal challenges, drive productivity, and create inclusive opportunities,’ De Luca stated.

He further highlighted the Generative AI for Africa call for proposals, which closes on 31 October, as one of several EU-funded initiatives designed to foster cross-continental collaboration in AI development.

According to him, the EU is keen on seeing Nigerian researchers take the lead in shaping Africa’s AI future through stronger networks and innovation clusters. ‘We want to see Nigerian researchers at the centre of this process, forming networks, exchanging ideas, and leading projects that shape the continent’s innovation ecosystem,’ he emphasised.

De Luca also underscored the EU’s long-term commitment to building Nigeria’s research capacity beyond funding support. He noted that the Union’s cooperation with the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the establishment of a research contact point in Nigeria demonstrate a broader effort to empower local institutions to engage globally and compete effectively in the knowledge economy.

‘Our cooperation with the National Universities Commission and the establishment of a research contact point in Nigeria are part of wider efforts to ensure that Nigerian institutions have access to the tools and partnerships required to thrive globally,’ he added.

In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, commended the EU for its continued engagement with Nigerian universities, describing the collaboration as a model of mutual respect and shared advancement.

‘Our students and researchers stand to gain from exposure to diverse networks and knowledge systems. This kind of cooperation supports not only innovation but also the institutional growth of our universities,’ she said.

Managing Director and CEO of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) and Chairman of the African Union for Housing Finance (AUHF), Mr. Kehinde Ogundimu, has described housing as not just a social good but a powerful economic catalyst.

According to him, each home that is built creates jobs, stimulates local industries, deepens financial markets, and builds wealth.

Ogundimu stated this while delivering his opening remarks at the State and City Roundtable on Blended Finance for Affordable Housing, during the 41st Annual AUHF Conference and Annual General Meeting in Kenya, pointing out that through advocacy, capacity-building, and cross-sector partnerships, AUHF is committed to championing this vision.

‘Housing is not just a social good; it is a powerful economic catalyst,’ he said. ‘Each home built creates jobs, stimulates local industries, deepens financial markets, and builds wealth,’ he added.

To address Africa’s deepening housing deficit sustainably, Ogundimu called for stronger government leadership and innovative financing mechanisms, particularly through blended finance, as a catalyst for transformative, large-scale impact across the continent.

Addressing a distinguished audience of policymakers, development partners, and housing finance institutions, he underscored the urgency of coordinated action in response to Africa’s rapidly growing urban population, projected to triple by 2050.

‘This transformation presents a choice,’ he stated. ‘Will our cities become engines of prosperity and human dignity, or sprawling informal settlements marked by lost opportunity and persistent inadequacy?’ he added.

Citing the continent’s low mortgage penetration, which remains below three per cent, Ogundimu emphasized that innovation, partnerships, and blended finance are essential. ‘We need blended finance – the strategic combination of public, philanthropic, and private capital to unlock investment at scale. It is not merely an option – it is a necessity.’

He stressed that governments must evolve from being sole providers to becoming market enablers, using public resources to unlock private capital. ‘When structured effectively, blended finance can reduce investment risk, extend loan tenors, lower interest rates to affordable levels, and multiply the impact of limited public funds,’ he said.

Ogundimu pointed to emerging models across Africa, such as guarantee schemes and employer-employee housing funds, as promising examples that must be scaled through collaboration and policy alignment.

Drawing from NMRC’s experience in Nigeria, he noted that while strategic housing finance interventions can reshape markets, lasting impact requires an ecosystem-wide approach. ‘No single institution, and no single country, can achieve this alone,’ he said.

The conference, hosted in Kenya with support from UN-Habitat and the African Development Bank, brought together delegates from across the continent – including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe – to share practical solutions in housing finance, urban policy, and capital mobilization.

Ogundimu reaffirmed AUHF’s commitment to documenting successful models and promoting continental knowledge exchange. He urged African policymakers to act boldly, stressing the importance of long-term planning and decisive leadership by executing decisions made at forums like the AUHF Conference.

‘The families waiting for decent homes are counting on us,’ he concluded. ‘History will judge whether we rose to meet this defining challenge. I am confident that together, we will,’ he stated.

Commenting on the call for blended finance, Affordable Housing Advocate, Femi Oyedele, described blended finance in housing development as one of the best ways of providing affordable housing in Africa, where governments are incapable of doing it alone, especially with the huge housing deficit of about 51.8 million units on the continent.

According to him, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private sector participants must pool resources together to complement government efforts, as lack of adequate housing for one citizen is lack of adequate housing for any country.

He explained that blended finance is an innovative approach to development financing that strategically combines public, philanthropic, and private capital to fund sustainable development initiatives, particularly in low-income and developing countries.

He said: ‘Blended finance is a strategic approach that combines public and private funding to mobilize private and non-interest or philanthropic capital flows towards emerging and frontier markets.’

The ancient town of Ikoyi-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State is set to host its ‘Ajodun ?m? Ilu’ celebration on Saturday, October 25.

The event, which will take place at the Oníkòyí’s palace from 10:00 a.m., is organised by the ‘Egbe Omo Ilu Ikoyi’ under the leadership of Chief Olu Kolawole.

In a statement jointly signed by the event committee chairman and secretary, Chief Olaleye Adéyemí and Mr Folorunso Akindele respectively, this year’s celebration will be a vibrant showcase of culture, featuring traditional music, dance and colourful displays that reflect the deep-rooted heritage of the people.

The statement further said that the annual event goes beyond celebration, serving as a rallying point for unity, heritage and development of the community.

‘This is more than a celebration, it is a homecoming and a time when indigenes of Ikoyi community return to honour their past, celebrate their present and reaffirm their commitment to building a brighter future,’ the statement read.

Chief Kolawole also underscored the significance of the event, urging all indigenes both home and in the diaspora to embrace the opportunity for collective renewal.

‘Let us come together in unity to honour our traditions, strengthen our bonds, and chart a purposeful course for our beloved Ikoyi kingdom through our generous donations and contributions from different groups of our community,’ Kolawole said.

The ‘Egbe Omo Ilu Ikoyi’ has extended invitations to neighbouring communities, friends, families and well-wishers, assuring that this year’s celebration will be a memorable and colourful occasion.

The Senate has proposed a stiffer penalty of life imprisonment for the offence of defiling a minor.

The offence currently attracts a jail term of five years.

But, in an amendment proposed to the Criminal Code Act under a new bill, ‘Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025’, the Senate has increased the penalty to life imprisonment, ‘without an option of fine.’

The Red Chamber of the National Assembly considers the defilement of minors to be a very ‘grievous offence’ capable of ‘destroying’ the life of the child for forever, hence the offender must suffer a punishment of the same magnitude.

The House of Representatives, which initially passed the amendment bill, forwarded it to the Senate for concurrence.

But, going through the bill on Tuesday, senators recommended stiffer penalties for defilement, rape and other offences.

‘Defilement is even more serious than rape. It is a very serious issue and should carry more punishment’, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said as senators unanimously voted to approve the life imprisonment clause.

Akpabio added, ‘Any defilement of a minor in Nigeria henceforth, the punishment is life imprisonment.

Let everyone be aware.’

A stiffer punishment was also proposed for rape or any act of forcing a boy, man, girl or woman for sex without their consent, whether in a brothel or any premises.

While the extant law prescribes a five-year jail sentence as punishment, the Senate has raised the penalty to a ‘minimum of 10 years in the first instance.’

Former Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Adamu Aliero, originally suggested life imprisonment for rape, but the Senate, in ruling on the matter, adopted 10 years as the minimum jail term.

In the new proposal, Clause 2(1), reads, ‘Any person who detains a man or boy, a girl or a woman against his or her will in any premises in order to have unlawful canal knowledge of him or her; in a brothel or any place, commits a felony and attracts a minimum jail term of 10 years, on conviction.’

The bill in the original format seemed to imply that only a female could be raped or women are more likely to be rape victims.

However, former National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Senator Adams Oshiomhole, rose to observe that boys and men were in modern times, also victims of rape.

He said the rapist could be a male raping a male, a male raping a female, a female raping a female or female raping a male.

On the strength of Oshiomhole’s observations, the Senate couched the clause to reflect boys, men, girls and women.

Meanwhile, further consideration of the bill was stood down temporarily as it was referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back within two weeks.

The committee is to thoroughly review the provisions on pregnancy and abortion procurement and advise the Senate accordingly on the penalties to approve.

In the principal bill, abortion is not only punishable but all those who supply or procure tools, including drugs, to terminate a pregnancy, are liable.

Senators, however, called for a more cautious approach, noting that there could be implications for medical emergencies or where the life of the pregnant woman was at risk.

For instance, Senator Abdul Ningi, said the new bill must clearly define when an abortion would be considered to be ‘unlawful’, adding that when left in the current vague form, health providers might become helpless when they need to save a life through abortion.

‘Mr President, if left this way, it is dangerous’, Ningi warned.

The Senate, agreeing in unison, gave two weeks to the committee to take a proper look at the pregnancy/abortion clause and guide it in passing the appropriate penalties.

House of Representatives on Tuesday passed through Second Reading a bill seeking to clarify the role of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and ensure complementary rather than Conflicting Functions with other Revenue Agencies; and for related matters.

The private member’s bill, which seeks to amend Paragraph 32 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, was sponsored by Hon Kelechi Nwogu.

In his lead debate, Hon. Nwogu observed that: ‘the strength of any federation lies not only in its political structure but also in its fiscal architecture; the way it mobilises, manages, and distributes public resources. When institutions overlap or compete in that process, confusion arises, efficiency declines, and public trust erodes.

‘This Bill is borne out of a simple but profound imperative: to restore constitutional clarity and harmony in the relationship between the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission and the nation’s tax and revenue agencies, such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), now Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and others.

‘The goal is not to diminish the powers of the RMAFC, but to sharpen its constitutional focus, ensuring that it serves as an impartial fiscal referee, not a competing player on the field.’

According to him, the proposed bill seems to amend Paragraph 32 of the Third Schedule by inserting a proviso which clarifies the constitutional boundary between RMAFC’s advisory and oversight functions, and the operational duties of tax and revenue agencies.

While noting that the proposed clarity is not a technical luxury, Hon. Nwogu maintained that ‘it is a constitutional necessity. Every time two government agencies claim overlapping powers, we lose efficiency, invite litigation, and confuse both foreigners and citizens.

‘Nigeria’s economy today faces serious demands for revenue optimisation, fiscal transparency, and institutional credibility.

‘By defining clear boundaries, we strengthen tax administration through coherence; we empower RMAFC to focus on its true constitutional calling – fiscal monitoring, allocation equity, and policy advice; and we build public confidence in government processes, particularly at a time when public trust is a valuable national currency.’

He further stressed that the proposed legislation does not seek to change the balance of fiscal power; rather, it seeks to clarify the balance of fiscal power for harmony, efficiency, and accountability. By this Bill, we affirm that in our Republic: institutions must complement, not compete; roles must be defined, not diffused; and the pursuit of revenue must always be governed by the rule of law.’

After the debate, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, referred the bill to the Committee on Finance for further legislative action.

About 30 persons have been killed, while no fewer than 40 others sustained various degrees of injuries from a fuel-laden motor tanker explosion in a community in Niger state.

An eyewitness said that the accident occurred around 11:am on Tuesday morning at Essan and Badeggi communities between Bida-Agaie road in Katcha local government area of the state.

The Sector Commander FRSC, Niger State Command, Hajiya Aishatu Sa’adu, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of the Newsmen in Minna on Tuesday through a telephone conversation

According to her, ‘the tragedy occurred when some residents attempted to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker, which later exploded into a ball of fire .

Sa’adu said, ‘the injured victims were evacuated and rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Bida for medical treatment, with the support of FRSC personnel, villagers, and some good Samaritans.’

She stated further that preliminary investigations revealed that the crash was a lone accident resulting from loss of control by the tanker driver.

The sector commander, however, cautioned motorists to exercise utmost care and adhere strictly to traffic regulations in order to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.

She also warned members of the public against scooping fuel from accident scenes, just as she described it as a dangerous act that had claimed many lives in the past.

‘It is God that gives wealth. People should avoid greed and be contented with whatever God has given them,’ she urged.

The Niger State chairman of Tanker Drivers and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) National Ex-Officio, Comrade Farouk Mohammed Kawo, also confirmed the incident in an interview in Minna, saying that the tanker was coming from Lagos to the northern part of the country, carrying petroleum products.

Kawo lamented that over 30 tanker trailers had been involved in accidents within October in that particular area of the road.

He further disclosed that some youths in the community had allegedly continued to scoop oil from the vehicles, including last Sunday, when a tanker trailer carrying groundnut oil had an accident and its product was scooped among others in the same area.

The chairman, therefore, appealed to the Niger state government under the leadership of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to urgently come to their aid by grading the particular area of the road to ease movement and prevent further loss of lives and properties.