Category: Daily Trust

A professor of Comparative Politics at the University of Ilorin, Professor Emmanuel O. Ojo, has called for the repeal of the Land Use Act.

He said this will allow communities endowed with mineral resources to benefit directly from their natural wealth rather than the existing system that, according to him, ‘robs Peter to pay Paul.’

Ojo, a former Chief of Staff to the late Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, made the call in Ilorin while delivering the 291st inaugural lecture of the university titled ‘The Worship of an Unknown Deity.’

He suggested that royalties from solid minerals should be paid into the federal purse, while states should be allowed to manage resources found within their territories. The don stressed that a properly restructured federal system was essential for sustainable development and national integration. He said power must be devolved to the states and local governments to strengthen governance and ensure efficiency at all levels.

‘The earlier this is done, the better for the polity,’ he stated, adding that local governments must be reanimated to perform their constitutional roles effectively.

Professor Ojo also highlighted the need to address what he called ‘problematic citizenship’ in Nigeria.

He advocated for a system where any Nigerian who has lived in a state for at least ten years would not face discrimination based on origin or residency status.

He further called for a review of the revenue allocation formula to complement power devolution, arguing that sub national governments must be financially empowered to function effectively.

‘What Nigeria needs today,’ he said, ‘is a non-centralised federal system where state governments are politically virile, legislatively strong, and financially resilient. They must earn the loyalty and respect of the citizens they serve and exercise authority with confidence and accountability.’

He also called on the Federal Government to strengthen the federal character principle and embark on a constitutional referendum to address Nigeria’s lingering challenges.

According to him, extending the federal character principle beyond employment opportunities to include equitable distribution of infrastructure will ensure balanced development and national cohesion.

He urged Nigerians to embrace what he described as a ‘federal spirit’ in all aspects of governance, saying such an attitude would promote fairness and justice while discouraging ethnic chauvinism.

The political scientist emphasised that a radical way to achieve true federalism was through a new constitution, insisting that the current one was ‘defective and an imposition by the military oligarchy.’

He argued that the existing system had led to what he termed ‘federal immobilism.’

‘To achieve a genuine federal structure, Nigeria may need to organise a referendum, constitutional convention, or constituent assembly whose members will be elected,’ he said.

Chief Promoter of the Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has submitted that liberal democratic model ‘is struggling to deliver the developmental outcomes that once justified its global prestige.’

In an article titled ‘Can Authoritarianism Build Faster’, Showunmi argued that the democratic promise of freedom and accountability is ‘increasingly undermined’ by ‘institutional fatigue.’

‘Democracies today are louder but less effective. They produce elections, but not direction; expression, but not execution,’ the public affairs analyst said.

According to him, authoritarian nations are developing faster than democracies, arguing that concentrated authority, when competently applied, delivers results with a speed and precision that liberal systems often fail to achieve. He examined what he called the ‘efficiency paradox’ – the ability of non-democratic systems to achieve large-scale development despite global preference for democracy.

The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) questioned why centralised states such as China, Singapore, and South Korea during their developmental years could mobilise resources, plan long-term, and implement large projects effectively, while many democratic governments remained trapped in cycles of debate and delay.

‘The question is not moral but empirical. Concentrated authority, when competent and strategically deployed, has proven capable of generating growth at a speed liberal democracies can rarely match,’ he said.

He noted that China’s rapid economic transformation, which lifted over 800 million people out of poverty within four decades, demonstrates the potential of a coordinated governance model. He compared this with the gridlock and short-termism that often characterised democratic institutions.

According to him, the world must begin to assess governments not by ideology but by performance and their ability to improve lives, reduce poverty, and expand opportunity.

Showunmi clarified that his position was not an endorsement of authoritarianism but a call for democracy to evolve into a more decisive, performance-oriented model.

‘These are not rejections of democracy, but recalibrations of it. If democracies cannot deliver tangible prosperity, they risk ceding both moral and practical ground to systems they have long dismissed as inferior,’ he warned.

He concluded that while democracy remains a noble aspiration, it must prove its worth in the modern age by combining freedom with efficiency and direction with delivery.

Opposition presidential candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has announced plans to publish ‘original’ polling station reports to prove his victory in Cameroon’s October 12 presidential election.

He said this while challenging early trends that favor incumbent President Paul Biya.

In a statement released Sunday, Tchiroma said, ‘To ensure transparency and prevent any manipulation, our campaign team will, in the coming hours, release electoral trends based on the official polling station reports (PVs) signed at the polling sites and transmitted by our scrutineers.’

Tchiroma, who leads the National Salvation Front (FSNC) and is backed by the Union for Change, a coalition of opposition parties, is mounting a direct challenge to Biya, the long-serving president and leader of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982 and is seeking another term amid growing calls for reform.

The National Commission for the General Counting of Votes has yet to announce official results, but preliminary trends suggest Biya is ahead.

Tchiroma’s campaign disputes this, citing data from 18 strategic departments that represent nearly 80% of the national electorate.

‘These departments include Wouri, Mfoundi, Bénoué, Diamaré, Mayo-Danay, Mayo-Tsanaga, Vina, Logone-et-Chari, Mungo, Noun, Mayo-Louti, Mayo-Kani, Mayo-Sava, Menoua, Mifi, Mayo-Rey, Lom-et-Djérem, and Lékié,’ the statement noted.

Tchiroma emphasized the credibility of his methodology: ‘It is based on official polling station reports, which are verifiable. Every figure published will be accompanied by documented proof to prevent any dispute.’

He called on the international community and Cameroonians to monitor the trends closely: ‘They represent the people’s voice and must neither be stolen nor manipulated. Together, we shall defend the truth of the ballot box!’

Meanwhile, tensions are rising across the country.

In the Far North city of Garoua, supporters have formed a civilian-led security unit to protect Tchiroma, declaring, ‘We will not let anything happen to our leader, we are here to protect him.’

Security forces have reported violent protests in Dschang, Garoua, and other cities.

The Gendarmerie released images of paramilitary drills and stated, ‘These acts of violence, perpetrated by protesters who claim victory for their candidate, have caused significant damage to property and loss of human life.’

In a bid to calm tensions, the National Council of Traditional Chiefs of Cameroon issued a joint statement urging restraint. Signed by National President Tsala Ndzomo Guy and Secretary General Fon Chafah, the release reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability as the nation awaits the Constitutional Council’s official proclamation.

As the political standoff intensifies, all eyes remain on the release of Tchiroma’s polling station reports and the Constitutional Council’s final verdict, expected in one week.

Nigeria’s push for mass vocational training is gaining momentum, as over 1.3 million young Nigerians have applied for enrollment in the federal government’s new skills development initiative under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program.

The move, according to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), marks the beginning of a nationwide shift toward empowering youth with hands-on, job-ready skills.

Professor Idris Muhammad Bugaje, Executive Secretary of NBTE, revealed the figures in a recent interview with RFI Hausa Radio, emphasizing the scale and significance of the new government effort.

‘So far, about 1.3 million youth have applied, and 960,000 have been screened,’ Bugaje said. ‘Just last week, the Minister of Education launched training for the first batch of 58,000. You might say this is a small number, but it’s only the beginning.’ He explained that once the program picks up momentum, that number will increase, stressing that the TVET program, launched by the Ministry of Education, aims to provide practical, employment-focused training for Nigeria’s rapidly growing youth population.

‘Nigeria is the country with the largest youth population in the world,’ Bugaje stressed. ‘If you look at the numbers, about 70% of Nigerians are under the age of 30. No other country has such a demographic.’

Bugaje criticized the traditional focus on academic qualifications that don’t lead to employment, advocating instead for skill-based education that reflects the realities of Nigeria’s labor market.

‘The problem with formal (Western) education is that it conditions your mind to believe you must get a government job,’ he said. ‘But the government does not have enough jobs for everyone. Youth must be taught skills that help them rely on themselves.’

He further argued that vocational learning is not limited to classrooms or formal institutions, but can be found in local workshops, artisan hubs, and informal learning centers like Panteka in Kaduna.

‘There are community-based schools everywhere, such as those in Panteka and roadside automobile workshops,’ Bugaje explained. ‘These are also centers for vocational learning. This is a crucial pillar for economic development and needs to be supported.’

He also said in addition to the Ministry of Education’s efforts, other ministries are also rolling out targeted initiatives.

Bugaje said the Ministry of Communications has launched the MTT program to train three million youth in digital skills, including content creation and AI, adding that Meanwhile, the Ministry of Works has also introduced NASAP, aiming to train one million youth in construction-related trades like masonry, tiling, carpentry, and POP (plaster of Paris).

‘Right now in Nigeria, artisans from Benin and Togo are the ones doing our POP work, even in Abuja which is shameful,’ Bugaje said, adding, ‘Meanwhile, our youth are idle, roaming neighborhoods with no jobs.’

While funding and certification logistics are being handled by NELFund, Bugaje emphasized NBTE’s commitment to visiting centers, evaluating training, and ensuring the credibility of the certifications.

The Federal Government has said Mathematics is a compulsory subject for all students sitting for O-Level examinations.

This was conveyed in a press statement issued by Boriowo Folashade, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, on Sunday.

Earlier on Tuesday, Boriowo had announced that senior secondary school students in the arts and humanities would no longer be required to present a credit in Mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for tertiary admissions.

Boriowo had stated that the reform became necessary after years of restricted access, which denied many qualified candidates admission opportunities. She had said while over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination annually, only about 700,000 gain admission.

However, the issue had generated controversy as some educationists rejected the policy shift, saying it would further encourage laziness among students and negatively impact their academic excellence and performance.

But in the new statement, Boriowo said the new admission guidelines do not exempt any candidate from registering and sitting for Mathematics.

‘All students must continue to register and sit for English Language and Mathematics in their O-Level examinations,’ the statement read.

The statement added that while institutions may now admit candidates into certain programmes where credit passes in either English or Mathematics are not mandatory, students are still required to take both subjects during their O-Level exams.

‘This adjustment affects only admission criteria, not the requirement to take these subjects,’ she clarified.

According to the statement, the reform supports the Federal Government’s vision of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development.

‘English and Mathematics remain vital tools for communication, reasoning, and lifelong learning,’ the Ministry noted.

The Ministry also urged students, parents, and stakeholders to rely solely on official communication channels for verified policy updates

Asked if the new development meant a U-turn on the earlier stance of the ministry, Boriowo said, ‘No, no U-turn – it’s a clarification on the streamlined admission requirements to expand access to tertiary education, please.’

The crisis rocking the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of its forthcoming convention in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, has taken a new twist.

The party which has been hit by a wave of defections in recent times has been looking forward to convention as an avenue for re-strategy ahead of 2027.

This week alone, it lost two governors – Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Duoye Diri (Bayelsa).

However, while trying to recover from the loss, National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, raised an alarm over alleged forgery of his signature. In a petition sighted by Daily Trust, Anyanwu who has been at logger heads with National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), said the letter written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dated 29 August was not signed by him.

He therefore asked the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inspector General of Police, IGP to order a full investigation into the situation and punish those culpable.

He said, ‘My attention has been drawn to an official letter to INEC with Ref. No. PDP/DOM/GF.2/Vol. 1M/25 – 140 dated August 25, 2025, purportedly signed by me.

Senator Ned Nwoko has opened up on the cause of the problem with Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, who is one of his wives.

In a viral video and social-media posts, on Saturday, the actress was seen accusing her husband of domestic violence.

In footage, Daniels was seen in tears while her friends consoled her.

She had said she was tired and could no longer tolerate alleged mistreatment by her husband. ‘In Ned Nwoko’s house, I am nothing, but in my house, I am a queen. Not again, I cannot stand the violence, it is too much,’ she said in the clip.

The matter gained further attention after Sammy West, Daniels’s brother, posted on his Instagram story accusing the senator of physically assaulting his sister, fleeing the scene and later sending men to intimidate the family.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Nwoko said the actress was battling with drug substance, which he claimed had taken a toll on their marriage.

‘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).

‘While I took Moon to the hospital, a scene of chaos unfolded at home, orchestrated by Sammy, Regina’s main drug supplier. Another known supplier of drugs to Regina is the tiny evil devil called Ann.’

Daniels and Nwoko’s union has long been a subject of public discussion, largely due to their 40-year age difference.

Her Excellency, Hajiya Dr. Lami Ahmadu Fintiri, First Lady of Adamawa State, officially launched the Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccination Campaign at Damre Primary Health Care Facility in Girei LGA.

In her remarks, Dr. Lami emphasized that vaccines are safe, effective, and lifesaving, urging parents and caregivers to ensure every eligible child is immunized. She described the campaign as a critical investment in children’s health and the state’s future, and called on local government leaders and their spouses to actively support the daily review meetings for effective implementation across all 21 LGAs.

She expressed appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Wife of the President, and First Lady of Nigeria, for her leadership in championing the national campaign, and thanked development partners-including WHO, UNICEF, AFENET, C-WINNS, APHPN, Helen Keller International, and CHIGARI Foundation-for their continued technical and financial support.

The Adamawa First Lady also lauded the State Ministry of Health, the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, health workers, and traditional and religious leaders for their roles in mobilizing communities. She announced the distribution of freezers to all 21 LG cold stores to preserve vaccine quality and strengthen immunization logistics. Other speakers, including Hon. Felix Tangwami (Commissioner for Health), Alhaji Adamu Dalatu (Chairman, Girei LGA), Dr. Suleiman Saidu Bashir (Executive Chairman, ASPHCDA), and Dr. Umar Gana (C-WINNS NE Coordinator), commended the First Lady and Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for prioritizing child health and effective public health interventions.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has become unpopular among Nigerians, noting that the growing defections into the ruling party will not guarantee its victory in 2027.

The coalition was reacting to comments credited to the APC National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, that ‘key ADC figures’ would join the ruling party next week.

Yilwatda, who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting in Jos, noted that key ADC figures would be received into the APC next week, adding that the said ADC chieftains had concluded their medicals and would soon be unveiled.

‘Next week, I will be receiving some notable figures from the ADC. Some of those who had earlier defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ADC are now returning to the APC.’ ‘In another two weeks, we will unveil yet another big figure who just finished his own medicals. He tried to unveil himself the day before yesterday, and you may have seen it in the news. But officially, we’ll be receiving him soon,’ Yilwatda said.

Reacting to the comment, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, said the scramble for membership from across the political spectrum by the APC underscores the party’s realisation that it has become ‘hugely unpopular with ordinary Nigerians who now hate the ruling party for the hardship it has brought upon them.’

Abdullahi maintained that the statement by the APC National Chairman underscored a deep realisation by the ruling party that it cannot be saved even if all the governors in Nigeria defected to the ruling party.

‘This is why even with all the governors and senators they have been bragging about, the APC is still desperate for ADC members.’

‘The truth remains that the APC realises that it has become the most hated party in Nigeria, and no amount of defections can save the party from Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods the ruling party has destroyed since it came to power.

‘Like we have noted earlier, the recent gale of high-profile defections to the ruling party is properly understood by ordinary Nigerians as a gang-up against the people by a ruling elite who have left the people behind in abject poverty and are only interested in self-preservation even as their people wallow in misery.’

The coalition wondered if the APC has run out of governors to seduce that it has now turned to shadowy references to unnamed ADC members, arguing that the Chairman would have mentioned the names of the individuals if they were prominent.

‘It is the same ruinous game that the PDP played at the height of its powers. The APC will also learn the bitter lesson that real democratic power lies with the people and not a few power merchants.’

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has said he would prefer that Nigeria’s Super Eagles do not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing tensions between the two countries during the qualification campaign.

McKenzie made the remarks during an interview with Radio 947 in Johannesburg, where he accused Nigerian football officials of allegedly working against South Africa’s qualification bid.

The comments come amid a competitive qualification series in which both nations were drawn in the same group. South Africa had earlier faced a setback when FIFA deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player, briefly endangering their chances of automatic qualification.

Nigeria took advantage of the situation and recorded back-to-back wins in their final matches, intensifying the race for the top spot.

However, South Africa eventually secured first place in Group C after a 3-0 victory over Rwanda on the final day, confirming their return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.

Nigeria, on the other hand, finished second in the group and must now navigate the continental playoff route to stand a chance of reaching the global tournament.

Speaking on the rivalry, McKenzie said South Africans were not in support of Nigeria’s World Cup campaign.

‘I heard you saying earlier that we [South Africa] were also rooting for Nigeria,’ he said.

‘I want to make it very clear that I wish for them not to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.’

The minister, a former community activist and businessman, claimed that Nigeria had allegedly tried to influence events during South Africa’s qualification campaign.

‘I knew what they did behind the scenes for us not to get there. I want them to lose; they will not go to the World Cup. Another African country should go,’ McKenzie added.

He, however, clarified that his comments were not personal but reflected what he described as a healthy sporting rivalry between the two footballing nations.

‘It’s not that I don’t like Nigeria. It’s just rivalry – like the one between [Kaizer] Chiefs and [Orlando] Pirates,’ he said.

Nigeria will face Gabon in the continental playoff tournament in November. A win would see the Super Eagles advance to a final playoff tie against either Congo DR or Cameroon, where victory would secure one of Africa’s remaining intercontinental playoff slots.

Failure to progress would mean Nigeria missing consecutive World Cup appearances for the first time since 1994.