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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, on the 9th anniversary of his ascension to the ancient throne of his forebears.

In a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President joined the Government and people of Edo State, the Benin Traditional Council, and the royal family in celebrating the revered monarch, whose reign, he said, has been marked by ‘unrelenting service to his domain and the nation.’

President Tinubu lauded Oba Ewuare II for his steadfast commitment to promoting peace, unity, and social harmony in Edo and beyond.

He particularly commended the monarch’s role in confronting social vices such as human trafficking and illegal migration, describing his advocacy as vital in safeguarding the nation’s youth.

The President also praised the royal father’s enduring campaign for a cultural renaissance and the preservation of traditional values, noting his leadership in efforts to secure the repatriation of stolen Benin artefacts from Western institutions as a symbol of African dignity and heritage restoration.

‘As the Oba of Benin marks nine years on the ancient throne of his ancestors, I salute his unwavering leadership in preserving Benin’s cultural legacy and passing it on to future generations,’ President Tinubu stated.

He prayed that God would continue to bless the monarch with long life, good health, and more historic accomplishments in his reign.

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has disclosed that pharmaceutical drug importation into Nigeria has dropped to 60 percent, as part of the agency’s ongoing reforms to promote local production and ensure national self-reliance in the pharmaceutical sector.

Prof. Adeyeye made the revelation while speaking at the 2025 Investiture Ceremony and Lecture of Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy (NAPHARM) held at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, LUTH, Lagos. The event tagged: Pharmaceutical Innovation as a Catalysts for National Development, featured Annual General Meeting, and Valedictory Session for Pharm, Chief Oludolapo Akinkugbe.

Adeyeye, who delivered an impassioned address on nation building, urged Nigerians to take personal responsibility in transforming the country. She revealed that the importation of pharmaceuticals has dropped from 70% to about 60%, due to the agency’s efforts to encourage local manufacturing and strengthen regulatory capacity.

‘We said no, if we can make it in Nigeria, we will not continue importing after five years. Before now, only nine products were under import restriction; today, we have increased that number to 36 – because we can. Because we are building our nation,’ she stated.

She said ‘Our manufacturers are patriots. They make their own life. They make their own water. I challenge our manufacturers. When we are talking of innovation, we have to start from the bottom because we work. I challenge them. How come we cannot make anything except water? That everything is imported. Now we have Emzo trying to finish an active pharmaceutical ingredient plant’.

She also noted that Nigeria now has pre-qualified medical devices and two WHO-prequalified medicines for the first time in history, adding that the country is beginning to export pharmaceutical products across West and East Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) framework.

‘Before my time, Nigeria had no WHO pre-qualified medical device. Now we have Afrimedical. We also have two pre-qualified medicines. God has not created us differently; He has given us capacity. We just need to use our pain productively,’ she said.

The NAFDAC boss recounted her experience upon assuming office in November 2017, describing the agency she met as ‘disillusioned and without focus.’ She said the agency had to undergo a total mindset overhaul – what she described as ‘washing of the brain’ – to reorient staff on the importance of excellence, documentation, and standard operating procedures.

‘Nation building starts from wherever we find ourselves. When I came into NAFDAC, the agency had almost nothing except disillusioned staff. We were at a regulatory ranking of minus one. But we made a decision – to compare ourselves not with ourselves, but with the best in the world,’ she said.

On innovation and technology, Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC has implemented a Track and Trace system to monitor vaccines and narcotics – making Nigeria the first national regulatory agency in Africa and the second in the world to achieve such a feat.

She emphasized that linking academia, industry, and regulatory agencies is crucial to research and development, announcing that NAFDAC now supports staff to pursue postgraduate degrees while working full-time, through partnerships with universities such as the University of Lagos and Federal University of Technology, Minna.

In his keynote address, The Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings Plc, Mr. Wale Oyedeji, called for a national commitment to research, technology adoption, and inter-sectoral collaboration to transform Nigeria’s healthcare and pharmaceutical landscape.

Speaking on the theme of innovation and the future of pharmaceuticals, Mr. Oyedepo highlighted the critical role of science, research, and technology in building a healthier and more productive nation.

‘When we talk about biopharmaceuticals and artificial intelligence today, we must remember that in the 1960s, these were not even in our imagination,’ he said. ‘Now, we must embrace them to change the trajectory of healthcare in Nigeria.

Oyedeji commended countries like India and Rwanda for their strategic investments in research and technology, noting that Nigeria must not be left behind.

‘India, with over a billion people, is now a global leader in generic drug production. Rwanda, despite its past challenges, now uses drones to deliver medicines to remote areas. These are examples Nigeria must learn from,’ he noted.

He decried Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported drugs-estimated at over 70 percent of total consumption-and called for increased investment in local research and development (R and D).

Earlier in his welcome address, The President and Chairman, Governing Council of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPHARM), Professor Lere Baale, has reaffirmed the Academy’s commitment to advancing innovation, ethics, and excellence in pharmaceutical science as a catalyst for national development.

In a message titled ‘Advancing the Essence, Relevance, and Future of Pharmacy,’ described the event as ‘a day of symbolism and innovation,’ coinciding with the 102nd anniversary of The Walt Disney Company – a global testament to the power of vision, creativity, and disciplined innovation.

‘It is profoundly symbolic that our 2025 Investiture holds on October 16, the day Walt and Roy Disney founded what became one of the world’s greatest innovation-driven enterprises,’ Baale said. ‘Just as Disney transformed imagination into a global legacy through storytelling, science, and technology, our Academy is transforming pharmaceutical science into national impact – translating knowledge into innovation, and innovation into wellbeing.’

He noted that the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy stands as the custodian of pharmaceutical excellence, serving as the intellectual, professional, and moral compass of the pharmacy profession in Nigeria.

The Academy, he said, represents ‘a fellowship of distinguished minds whose collective wisdom shapes science, influences policy, promotes innovation, and safeguards the integrity of healthcare delivery.’

He added that The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy is more than an institution – it is a living legacy, a community of leaders transforming pharmacy into a catalyst for innovation and national renewal. Together, let us advance the essence, relevance, and future of pharmacy for our people’s health, our nation’s strength, and the legacy of generations to come.’

There is little doubt that the most important commodity within Nigeria’s economy today, is petrol followed by diesel, kerosene and lately, cooking gas. A long time ago, kerosene would have been at the head of that list, at the time when it was used to lighten the darkness which descended each day at dusk. That is talking about a very long time ago, long before independence. By the sixties, kerosene was in highest demand when kerosene stoves became available and practically all urbanites depended on it for cooking their food, in favour of using wood or charcoal. Now that more convinient and efficient gas cookers are in vogue, kerosene has taken a back seat to the other fuels. At the height of its popularity, every neighbourhood had someone who sold kerosene in bottles and could be roused at any time of day or night to take care of any emergency caused by the shortage of kerosene at some critical juncture. Later on, kerosene became available in petrol stations which from time to time were decorated with long lines of plastic containers waiting to be filled with the precious fluid in distressingly too many times of inevitable scarcity.

Now, petrol is deservedly at the top of this fuel queue because it is used as the major propellant on which the country is run. Whenever there was a shortage of petrol, the country was grounded, with long vehicle queues at any petrol station dispensing the precious fuel, usually at mercilessly inflated prices. This was the situation for a little over fifty uncomfortable years. Petrol is by far the preferred fuel for shifting all kinds of vehicles in Nigeria, with the exception of the long distance, usually articulated trucks used in the delivery of goods all around the country. The sale of the diesel used in these vehicles was deregulated many years ago and even under the notorious subsidy regime, diesel was always terribly expensive and perhaps therefore, also always available. In any case, it would have been ridiculous to have long queues of articulated lorries at petrol stations.

Taking everything into consideration, it can be concluded that there is a high usage of petrol per capita in Nigeria. This is why the cost of living is so neatly tied to the cost of petrol per litre. Any increase in the price of petrol is reflected instantly in the cost of practically all commodities and everyone feels the pinch instantly. There is no reason why this is not so. An illustration will prove this point as it was proved to me by observation many years ago. In that instance, I saw an old lady coming from the farm with a small load of wrapping leaves. She was trying to move her leaves to a nearby urban market at a time immediately after a steep increase in the price of petrol. Transport fares had also been increased to reflect the new price of petrol. Whatever profit the poor lady was entitled to, was immediately wiped out and the only way that she could keep her head above water was to increase the price of her leaves in equal measure. This increase was in turn, passed on to the moi-moi seller who also passed it on to her customers and by so doing, put some fire under the figures for inflation, causing them to soar destructively. The converse is of course also true. A reduction in the cost of petrol will douse the flames of the inflation which at this time is devouring our collective happiness and well being.

I have no doubt in my mind that a substantial drop in the price of fuel, especially petrol, will give us the slack we sorely need, in order to breathe. The only way to get this done at this material time, is to cut the Dangote refinery the slack that it needs to bring down the cost of petrol and maybe, as an afterthought, the price of cooking gas as well. The first point that must be noted in this regard is that the Dangote refinery has the capacity to do this and more. All that needs to be done is to climb down from his back. Given the extant circumstances however, this is easier said than done. But, it has to be done all the same. This is why the signals and threats now coming out of many quarters are so worrisome. Dangote is now in this pivotal position because, more than ten years ago, he took the decísion of investing in a refinery. An identical decision could have been taken by any number of well heeled Nigerians, before and after then. But nobody had neither the foresight nor perhaps the audacity to do so, leaving Dangote in his current position of profitability and massive authority. That position is not only visible but it is also above any challenge in the near future.

We are told that Alhaji Dangote is now worth close to 30 billion dollars. That is a humongous sum of money by anybody’s accounting. Were he to spend a million dollars everyday on whatever caught his fancy, he cannot live long enough to spend more than a small fraction of this sum. That is how big it is. It would therefore be a sad negation of his privileged existence if he decided to put sheer profit before principle at this time. The only way for his life to show any purpose is to stake his huge personal fortune on the future of Nigeria. Were he to fail in that purpose, it would be a heroic failure, worthy of being told and retold all down the ages and that in itself is grace and significant historical significance. Given the trajectory of his life up till now however, it is inconceivable that he would not be successful in this respect. To what purpose would it be if he continued to pile up the dollars which can be ascribed to his name? None is the simple, straightforward answer. From this admittedly rosy position, it is ridiculous to think that his primary objective is to build up a monopolistlc control of the fuel market. It will not work anyway if only because even as we speak, there are other local refineries under construction and it is only a matter of time, possibly a number of months before at least one other refinery comes on tap to give him some real competition. It is laughable for those who do no more than import, store and then distribute fuel of whatever quality to claim that they are genuine competitors. They may be so in their heads but in reality, they are only so in their dreams. It is a waste of time to advise them to come out of their dream and set up their own refinery. They simply are totally incapable of doing other than what they are doing now, that is to collect rent on their depots and shift petrol around the country in expired trucks, many of which are incapable of passing any decent road worthiness test. Even from that point of view, they cannot be regarded as being capable of offering any competition to the gas powered trucks mobilized for fuel distribution by Dangote. We can say that with those trucks, Nigeria is moving into a modern and safer mode of fuel distribution. Even then, until fuel is sent round the country in underground pipes, Nigeria will not be classed as a country with a modern fuel distribution system. In the meantime, the use of Dangote trucks for fuel distribution must be regarded as non-negotiable both from the point of safety as well as accountability. Without due accountability, there is no guarantee that considerable volumes of petrol will not stray across our notoriously porous borders.

A medical writer in the life science industry, Oladimeji Ewumi has revealed why he is passionate about translating complex science into clear, accessible communication. Speaking in an interview, Ewumi said the writing industry is a multi-billion-dollar field with vast opportunities spread across several niches.

‘I had my first stint with writing during my undergraduate program as a research assistant under the supervision of an associate professor at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, but I never really considered it a viable career option. My RA role entailed writing, editing, and supporting research as well as gathering multiple research papers in the areas of fetal and maternal health.

Upon graduation, I was drawn to data science and artificial intelligence due to recommendations from a friend and the buzz surrounding AI job roles at that time. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I came across a free 1-week writing boot camp featuring professional writers from various industries worldwide, which intensified my passion.

During the training, I learned that the writing industry is a multi-billion-dollar field with vast opportunities spread across several niches.

It was exciting to know that within a single niche, there are several types of deliverables in demand. You could also work remotely as an independent contractor or communications specialist from anywhere in the world. I was able to niche down to healthcare and AI due to my passion and prior experience. I enrolled in a second bootcamp with The Writer’s Den that equipped me with all the necessary tools and information I needed to set up a scalable freelance writing business.Starting in the last quarter of 2020, I began guest-posting thought leadership articles on AI in the healthcare and life sciences as well as core health articles. I secured my first major client just seven months later, and the rest is history. He disclosed.

On how he anticipates the medical writing landscape evolving in the next five to 10 years, Ewumi said ‘over the next five to 10 years, the medical writing landscape is likely to become even more dynamic due to the emergence of new technologies. As a result, entry-level roles may become nonexistent, and mid-level roles will face higher entry barriers. As regulatory requirements evolve and new therapies emerge, writers will need to be adaptable, digitally fluent, and comfortable working with diverse teams across multiple time zones.

‘Let me state that great medical writing will continue to depend on something no algorithm can replace-the human touch. While the influx of technology is undeniable, these are exciting times for medical writers.’

Ewumi’s most extensive projects are in the areas of endocrinology, nephrology, and cardiology. Others are primary care, oncology, public health, psychiatry, dermatology, neurology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, pediatrics, gene editing, and surgery. However, he finds every therapeutic area he has worked on exciting and fulfilling.

He avoids restricting himself to a particular therapeutic area because the fun in medical writing is in the diversity. ‘Just like the proverbial ‘thief in the night,’ you usually never know what area of specialty your next project will be, and again, some projects stretch across multiple therapeutic areas. For example, I wrote a coverage article on the American Heart Association’s metabolic syndrome initiative to educate physicians on its potential impact and discuss strategies for integrating new ideas into kidney care. While this syndrome affects the heart and kidneys, two distinct organs, it has an endocrine undertone.

‘Because this was an interview-heavy piece that required me to interview the initiative lead, an associate professor of cardiology at Johns Hopkins, and two other associate professors of nephrology from Harvard and the University of Cincinnati, I had to read extensively on these therapeutic areas. As a medical writer, you may never have a favorite therapeutic area due to the multidisciplinary nature of some topics,’ He revealed.

To ensure scientific accuracy, Ewumi, relies on credible and up-to-date primary sources, including PubMed, Frontiers, the CDC, NIH, and leading journals such as JAMA. ‘I prioritize studies published within the last five years and summarize findings clearly and objectively to reflect what the evidence truly shows. Another effective way to achieve scientific accuracy is to obtain expert insight and perspectives from a specialist physician in the therapeutic area I’m working on through interviews. The need for this varies by publication and has led to interviews with medical faculty from Harvard, the University of Illinois at Chicago, New York University Langone Health, Yale, RUSH, Baylor, the University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University, to name a few.’ He stated.’

Detained self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh document which seeks to stall his ongoing trial for alleged terrorism offences.

In the fresh document, filed on October 16 Kanu queried the jurisdiction of the court to continue with his trial and prayed the court to void all proceedings in the case so far.

The document, titled: ‘Notice of preliminary objection to jurisdiction,’ seen by The Nation, did not reflect the name of any lawyer in Kanu’s legal team as the person who prepared and filed the document.

It was however, noted that the document was signed by the defendant himself (Kanu), while the 43-paragraph supporting affidavit was deposed to by one Prince Emmanuel Kanu, who claimed to be the defendant’s sibling.

The Nation noted that Kanu’s new document was filed on the day (October 16) the court, before which he is standing trial for terrorism offences, fixed dates for him (Kanu) to open his defence.

The prosecution has however queried the authenticity of the fresh document filed by Kanu and demanded to know, among others, if it emanated from the defendant’s legal team.

Kanu’s legal team is headed by a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN).

In a letter, dated October 16, the lead prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) requested Agabi to confirm if the document indeed emanated from the defendant’s legal team, which he (Agabi) leads.

The letter reads: ‘Our law office received, today, the 16th day of October, 2025, a process titled: ‘Notice of preliminary Objection to Jurisdiction,’ dated and filed 16th October, 2025.

‘Grateful, confirm whether this process emanated from the legal team led by you, representing the defendant in this criminal trial.

‘Please accept the assurances of our highest professional regards. Yours faithfully.’

At the last hearing in the terrorism case on October 16 Justice James Omotosho announced that, in view of the accelerated hearing earlier granted in the case, he would adjourn for six consecutive days, beginning from October 23, for the defence to open and close its case.

Also on October 16, Justice Omotosho announced that the medical report issued a team empanelled by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the examined Kanu, declared him medically fit to continue his trial having found that the ailments he complained about were not lie threatening.

Justice Omotosho, during October 16 hearing, read the concluding part of the medical report in the open court after Agabi confirmed that he received and read the report of the medical examination of his client by the NMA team.

The report concluded that the ailments that Kanu complained about were not life threatening and that he was fit to continue to stand trial.

When asked by the judge whether he had seen the report, Agabi confirmed receiving a copy, which he said he read and shared with members of his team.

Agabi told the court that the defence team had nothing against the report.

The judge thereafter requested Agabi and Awomolo to agree on the dates convenient for them. Both lawyers suggested October 23 for the commencement of the defendant’s case.

Shortly before he adjourned for the day, Justice Omotosho granted an oral application by Agabi that Kanu’s legal team be granted private consultation opportunity with the defendant, outside the premises of the Department of State Services (DSS), before the commencement of his defence.

Agabi said the defendant’s legal team was afraid that its consultation with him (Kanu) could be secretly tapped or recorded by the DSS.

Justice Omotosho also acceded to Agabi’s request that the private meeting with Kanu be held in the courtroom, during which only the defendant and his lawyers would be present. Agabi chose October 22, a day before the date set for Kanu to open his defence.

Based on Agabi’s request, Justice Omotosho ordered that the private consultation meeting between Kanu and his legal team should hold within the courtroom between 9am and 12 noon on October 22, while the trial will resume on October 23.

However, in his fresh notice of objection, Kanu is praying for the following reliefs:

*A declaration that the continued prosecution of the defendant under the repealed Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act 2013, and upon a proscription order obtained ex-parte and without fair hearing, violates sections 1(3), 36(1)-(12) and 42 of

the Constitution and Articles 7 and 26 of the African Charter, and is therefore, null and

void.

*A declaration that the Federal High Court’s ex-parte order proscribing IPOB, obtained without notice or hearing, while Justice Binta Nyako’s subsisting ruling (that IPOB is not a lawful society) remained in force, is unconstitutional, unlawful and cannot ground criminal liability.

*An order striking out or permanently staying counts one to eight, (save count 15) of the amended charge, dated 14th January 2022 for being barred by double jeopardy, having

the same factual ingredients as counts six-14 earlier struck out by the Federal High Court on 8th April 2022.

*An order declaring that the defendant’s extraordinary rendition from Kenya, without

extradition proceedings or due process violated Section 36(1) and (9) of the Constitution, the Extradition Act (Cap E25 LFN 2004), and Articles 12 and 13 of the African Charter, thereby robbing this honourable court of jurisdiction.

*An order nullifying all proceedings conducted in breach of the defendant’s right to adequate facilities for defence, confidential communication with counsel and fair hearing, particularly the eavesdropping, seizure of legal materials, and denial of unmonitored access.

Kanu predicated his notice of objection on five grounds, the first of which is his contention that his continued prosecution ‘despite the binding Court of Appeal discharge of 13 October 2022 and eight-day post-judgment detention constitutes flagrant contempt of court.’

He further argued in that he could not be prosecuted on the basis of repealed laws and that his alleged extraordinary judicial rendition from Kenya robbed the court of the required jurisdiction to try him.

Kanu also complained of being allegedly denied fair hearing and adequate facilities to prepare for his defence.

Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendía found the net as Aston Villa came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s Premier League clash.

Spurs took an early lead just five minutes in, following a slick team move that saw Joao Palhinha nod the ball down for Rodrigo Bentancur, who finished with a crisp half-volley.

Villa responded through Rogers, who unleashed a stunning long-range strike that left goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario with no chance, leveling the match at 1-1.

Buendía, introduced in the second half, sealed the win with a composed, curling finish into the bottom-left corner to complete the comeback.

Despite late pressure from Tottenham, Villa held firm to secure all three points.

Turkish champions Galatasaray rested Victor Osimhen for yesterday’s Super Lig game against city rivals Basaksehir in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt in view.

Osimhen’s direct rival, Mauro Icardi, instead started for Gala, with Osimhen coming in in the 79th minute of the match.

Earlier this week, the Super Eagles star fired a hat-trick in a 4-0 home win over Benin to keep alive Nigeria’s hopes of playing at next year’s World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

Galatasaray hope to build on their famous win over Premier League champions Liverpool with a win over Bodo/Glimt midweek in the UEFA Champions League.

The crisis rocking the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) appeared not to be abating with the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu accusing the party leadership of forgery.

The Nation also gathered that about 14 members of the National Working Committee(NWC) has signed a letter removing the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade.

Anyanwu, it was gathered, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, the Department of State Services and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) alleging that his signature on the August 25, 2025 letter to INEC on the November 15 and 16 elective national Convention in Ibadan was forged.

The letter to the Commission received on 29th of August was signed by Amb. Umar Damagun as Acting National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.

The Nation gathered that former Senate President, Bukola Saraki led a delegation that pleaded with Anyanwu to sign the letter after the last National Executive Committee meeting of the party.

But Anyanwu denied signing the letter accusing some officials of the party of forging his signature, an action he described as criminal

His petition to the three agencies of government is dated October 15 alleging that he never signed the August 25 letter to INEC notifying the commission of the party’s upcoming National Convention scheduled for November 15-16, 2025.

The Nation gathered that Anyanwu’s petition titled ‘Petition Against Forgery and Cloning of My Signature,’ described the discovery as ‘shocking and criminal,’ insisting that the signed document was fabricated without his consent

The letter reads in part: ‘My attention has been drawn to an official letter to INEC, dated August 25, 2025, purportedly signed by me. Regrettably, the quoted letter was never signed, authorised, or known to me. It is shocking to have a forged or cloned version of my signature on such a document’.

The PDP scribe, who is said to be out of the country at the moment, asked the agencies to immediately ‘commence immediate investigation and prosecute those involved’.

He alleged that some PDP officials were working ‘in collaboration with elements within INEC,’ to carry out the act and that such behaviour, if allowed will undermines the integrity of the electoral process and the party’s internal democracy.

The allegations is coming as concerns mount over whether or not the Ibadan National Convention will go ahead as some members work to truncate the convention while PDP Governors and other members are working round the clock to ensure the smooth conduct of the exercise.

Some Members of the party are in court seeking to halt the convention while accusing the National Working Committee (NWC) of violating the party’s constitution and internal guidelines.

Justice James Omotosho has however asked, parties in the suit not to do anything that will undermine the case before, while adjourning the case to Monday, October 20 for substantive hearing after a heated disagreement between two Senior Advocates; Chief Chris Uche and Kamaldeen Ajibade both claiming to represent the PDP in court.

The Nation also gathered while justice Omotosho has asked the two lawyers to provide documentary evidence of their authorisation and directed all parties to exchange court documents, 14 members of the NWC signed letter authorising Chief Uche as a replacement for Ajibade.

The Nation was informed by those privy to the workings of the party that the decision has further exposed the widening gulf within the top hierarchy.

Ajibade however dismissed his purported removal, maintaining that only a national convention has the power to sack him from office.

‘I remain the authentic National Legal Adviser of the PDP,’ he said, adding that the move as ‘an illegal and politically motivated attempt to hijack the party’s legal machinery.’

National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.

Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) has responded to the viral video of Regina Daniels alleging domestic violence, attributing her behaviour to struggles with drug and alcohol abuse.

He claimed in a statement on Sunday that Regina has been violent, destroying property and attacking staff.

He claimed he’s given Regina an ultimatum to accept rehabilitation in Nigeria or abroad or risk her safety.

He denied allegations of violence, citing his other wives haven’t accused him of such behaviour.

The statement reads: ‘REGINA’S UNPROVOKED CARNAGE AND RAMPAGE IN MY HOUSE AND IN MY ABSENCE

Regina was not always like this.

‘Her current battle with drugs and alcohol abuse is the root of our problem. She must continue her rehabilitation program, or I fear for her life and safety. Now she has moved to a place where she will have unrestricted access to drugs. I have other wives, and none will ever accuse me of violence. Regina is the violent one here, slapping and hitting 3 staff in the past 48 hours and destroying property, including cars and windows, for no just cause.

‘The truth is, I have set a clear condition for her to accept rehab in Asokoro or outside Nigeria especially Jordan where she will not have access to drugs.

?A clear headed Regina would have taken moon to the hospital but instead she even threatened to kill our resident nurse(for exposing her drugs abuse).

The Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has disclosed how the late renowned geographer Prof. Akin Mabogunje, mentored him, others and the nation at large .

Olaopa made the disclosure in a tribute during the 2nd Public Lecture and Launch of the PALM Foundation in honour of Prof. Akin Mabogunje in Lagos yesterday.

Stressing that the impact of the life of Mabogunje was both at individual and national levels, Olaopa relived what he identified as his ‘unbroken mentor-mentee learning engagement walk with him for over three decades’ and that ‘Papa offered himself as sounding board, think tank and teacher for all seasons, all through my career years as a federal officer.He would patiently listen to hear you out. Having observed the gaps or limitation in one’s knowledge, ideas and insights, like the modern-day Socrates, he would methodically stretch the necessity of closing the gap, first through a lengthy seminal conversation, ending up by recommending and offering available materials and authorities.’

Olaopa who described Mabogunje as a national icon, global scholar and unarguably, an intellectual hero said that his contributions to the country would continue to inspire the way committed patriots see life of service.

‘Indeed, his contributions to our conceptual, intellectual and development policy architecture remains indelible, and will be hard to erase from our memory’, he said.

Olaopa said that ‘Prof. Mabogunje personified disciplinary geography, especially as a spatial perspective, an intellectual compass and praxis for self-regeneration and for nation-building. He gave geography and its limitless nuances uncommon prominence and influence in the Nigerian policy space for decades; not just as his calling and lifelong frontier shifting mission; and, in so doing, he succeeded in binding the theoretical to the practical, in a most situated and contextualised application of its cartographic essence to the Nigerian space.’

He added that ‘Mabogunje showed himself an eternal patriot in his service to his country through the 1962 task of demarcating the enumeration areas in the preparation for the national census , and the numerous supportive surveys; from his membership of the Udoji reform commission of 1972 and contributions to institutional reforms; to DFRRI, to the conceptualisation and technical support to the implementation of the Nigeria’s community bank model; the planning of the Federal Capital Territory, the technical iterations of mortgage banking, university governance, poverty reduction, housing reform and his intellectual mentorship at the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP).’

Thus, for Olaopa, contrary to the Yoruba adage that people are deified after death, Mabogunje was revered while alive as a colossus. ‘And now in death, he has become a monument’, he added.

Noting the eternal influence of Mabogunje’s ideas on governance after his death, Olaopa said: ‘With the clinical patience with which he documented in A Measure of Grace, his autobiography, his development thoughts and foresights for the emerging greater Nigeria, I can tell that his thoughts and ideas are still flowing free in the development space, not just amongst core specialists, but also policy workers and development practitioners. These eternal corpus and contributions are therefore available for perspicacious governments to tap into in time and space. This is what constitutes immortality for this colossal genius and patriot’.