Category: Nigerian Tribune

A leading light in the coalition called G100, Professor Anthony Kila, has shed light on the mission of the movement, saying it is designed to strengthen democratic institutions, as well as guarantee good governance and accountability.

He said every election won in the country has always been through coalition by political forces and cautioned that it is delusional for the present opposition leaders to believe that they could individually go into the coming general election and triumph.

Kila, who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune as G100 leaders prepared, at the weekend, to converge, on Abuja, today, for a crucial meeting, strongly challenged the opposition parties posturing to go solo, to quickly have a rethink in the interest of institutional building and holding government accountable post-election.

Recall that in 2013, three major political parties and a faction of another party formed the All Progressives Congress (APC) that defeated the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election.

To further buttress his assertion, Kila also cited the collaboration among PDP and other parties that defeated the APC in the governorship election in 2019 in Oyo State.

However, stalwarts of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) have consistently declared that they do not need a coalition to contest the forthcoming elections.

‘It’s delusional for the opposition to think it can go all alone in the coming elections. Nobody has ever won in Nigeria without a coalition, even within states,’ Kila told the Nigerian Tribune.

‘The Nigerian story is that no party gets to power without a coalition, because the votes are the same; just collate them at the end of polling. Nobody wins 50 percent; the reason is that everybody wins with less than 40 percent of the votes in Nigeria,’ he emphasised.

Kila, Director, the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), explained that the ongoing efforts aimed at achieving a compromise among the opposition parties as the countdown to the election and cautioned against inordinate ambitions encumbering the building of consensus and institutions.

His words: ‘It is a test for the opposition leaders themselves. It is the exam question for the opposition: Can you see the big picture? Can you sacrifice your own ambition for the greater good? Are you mature enough to create what I call constructive compromise?’

The political economist stated that he and other compatriots are already looking beyond the 2027 general election because strong institutions form the pillars of democracy, enthronement and sustenance of good governance and accountability.

‘My view is that it is important to have not only a viable government, but also a viable opposition. My argument is that fragmented opposition is not good for the system and is not good for the government.

‘A government that is not challenged is prone to errors because it becomes hubristic and too complacent. When a government is challenged with responsibility and accountability, it will always be on its toes.

‘The whole role of government is always to be on its toes, otherwise, it may lose focus. I truly believe and will continue to remind other people that if you are still going to vote for the APC, if you love institutions, you should make sure that they have opposition because if you do it today, tomorrow, they might be somebody else there (in power).

‘And I keep telling people, especially my own Oduduwa people, that what we do today might haunt us tomorrow. Some of us are thinking beyond 2031 already because whatever happens, at best scenario for President Bola Tinubu and the worse scenario for his perceived adversaries, he will be there till 2031, so, what happens tomorrow?

‘We are thinking beyond 2027. When you think that way, what you are doing is to strengthen institutions. What we are trying to do is to get the opposition to work together, but there seems to be what I will call a syndrome of red herring among some opposition leaders.’

Abuja summit, a defining moment -G100

Meanwhile, the G100 has called on opposition parties, their leaders, candidates and members to approach today’s gathering with one fundamental understanding: ‘we are stronger together than we are apart.’

In a statement, on Sunday, by its convener, Salihu Lukman, the G100 said the First Summit of Nigeria’s opposition political parties scheduled for the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, came at a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy.

Across the country, millions of Nigerians are looking to the opposition not merely to criticise the government of the day, but to demonstrate the maturity, discipline and sense of national purpose required to offer a credible alternative,’ the statement said.

The group noted that cooperation does not require parties to surrender their identities or ambitions, but to recognise national interest above partisan differences.

Advocates good faith, practical mechanisms

The group said the summit provides an opportunity to build practical mechanisms for dialogue and coordination, while respecting the structures of participating parties.

‘This summit provides an opportunity to begin building practical mechanisms for dialogue, coordination and cooperation, while respecting the identities and structures of participating parties,’ it stated.

‘The G100, therefore, appeals to every participating party and leader to come to the table in good faith, with an open mind and with the larger interests of Nigeria at heart.’

Acknowledging that disagreements are inevitable, Lukman urged leaders not to allow differences to deny Nigerians a credible alternative.

Despite the directives given by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to manufacturers of sachet liquor to recall the drinks or get their plants shut, investigations by the Nigerian Tribune have revealed that sales of this size of alcoholic beverages still continue unhindered.

NAFDAC had, last week, warned manufacturers of alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and PET plastics bottles below 200ml that it would permanently shut down their facilities if the ban on such contents were not complied with, while insisting that the ban had taken effect from January this year.

But investigations by Nigerian Tribune revealed that the beverages are still being sold in many parts of the country, in spite of the warning.

For instance, visits to parts of Lagos and Ogun States revealed that there were not such efforts at complying with the agency’s directives since sachet alcoholic beverages were seen displayed at strategic parts of the city by traders dealing in the business.

For instance, in Iyana Ipaja, Abule Egba, Ikeja, Obalende, Ikotun and many other places in Lagos visited by Nigerian Tribune, those items were publicly displayed, with the traders patiently waiting for those who patronise such goods.

More interesting to the correspondent is the fact that at Iyana Ipaja, in Lagos, some of them were even displayed very close to motor parks, with some drivers seen making purchases from sellers.

The same thing happened in Ogun State. The drinks ranging from bitters to spirits were displayed in places like Sango, Oju Ore, Canaan Land and several bus stops in Ota, Ado Odo Local Government Council, with many of the traders claiming ignorance of NAFDAC’s directive that the items had been slated for a recall by the manufacturers.

One of the traders who volunteered information to Nigerian Tribune stated that the channels she normally gets her supply from still supplied her products last week.

‘While we know that there is ban on the items, but we’ve been assured that it is being sorted out. So, we are not aware of this recent information,’ she added.

The trader, who would not want her name mentioned, would, however, want government to temper justice with mercy.

‘Many of us in this business have no other job except this. And if you are saying we should not sell these things again, what next for us?’ she asked rhetorically.

Interestingly, investigations by the Nigerian Tribune among traders of the liquor revealed that the drinks remain one of the fastest-selling in that category due to their cost efficiency and portability.

While attempts at getting a response from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) regarding the latest development were not successful as at the time of going to the press, investigations among manufacturers of these sachet alcoholic beverages revealed fresh fears and concerns about a possible downtime this might cause the business, the manufacturing sector and the nation’s economy.

According to one of the operators, who also would not want his name in print, besides leading to job losses, complying with the directive would also see huge resources deployed to buying the machines being used to produce the products go down the drain.

‘The fact remains that the machines are only meant for such products, and they cost a lot of money. If we are saying we should shut it down, that means a lot of jobs would be lost and the machines used for the production rendered useless since they are not convertible,’ he stated.

According to him, shutting down the factory and banning the product would not solve the issue, but rather compound the issue.

He expressed the fear that such ban might result in the market being saturated with adulterated sachet alcohol beverages.

Reno Omokri, the Ambassador-designate of Nigeria to Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is challenging the release of records held by United States law enforcement agencies because they may contain private, non-criminal information that he would not want made available to his political opponents.

Omokri said the FBI could have records bearing Tinubu’s name without those documents amounting to criminal records.

He argued that, just as an individual would not ordinarily want private records released to political opponents even when they contain no evidence of criminal conduct, Tinubu should not be expected to allow potentially sensitive personal information to be made public simply because it is held by a US law enforcement agency.

Omokri made the argument in a post on X on Monday while responding to reports and political claims surrounding the ongoing legal battle over the release of the records.

He disputed reports suggesting that the FBI had released Tinubu’s ‘criminal records’ to a US judge, describing the characterisation as misleading.

According to him, FBI databases contain extensive non-criminal information on US citizens, residents and foreign nationals. He said such records can be generated through routine background checks, including screenings conducted for people applying for US visas.

Omokri said records held by the FBI could contain biometric, biographical and financial information, including fingerprints, DNA, bank statements and other private data, and argued that the existence of such records does not establish criminal conduct.

He also challenged claims that the FBI has criminal records concerning Tinubu, referring to correspondence he said was exchanged between the US Embassy and Nigeria’s then Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, in February 2003.

According to Omokri, Balogun had sought information from the US Embassy about any FBI criminal records involving Tinubu, who was then governor of Lagos State, and received a response the following day clearing him of any such records.

He said the claim was also consistent with his own findings after travelling to Chicago, Illinois, between September 18 and 20, 2022, to investigate allegations concerning Tinubu’s academic and other records while he was a member of the opposition.

Omokri said his investigation led him to conclude that claims that Tinubu had a criminal record were unfounded.

He wrote, ‘Does The FBI Have Any Criminal Record on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?

‘Recently, the media has been awash with sponsored reports and headlines claiming that the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation has released so-called ‘criminal records’ of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to a U.S. judge, Honourable Howell Beryl, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

‘These reports have since been amplified on social and traditional media by the President’s political opponents, who have further asserted that the President is fighting to keep those records from the public.

‘These claims are untrue, and these individuals and their surrogates are using clever semantics to deceive the public.

‘Unlike some of these groups and media organisations, I physically went to Chicago, Illinois, between September 18 and 20, 2022, to investigate these claims and found them to be fallacious.

‘President Bola Tinubu has no criminal record in the United States, Nigeria, or anywhere else, and the FBI has not provided any criminal record on the President to anyone because none exists.

‘Yes, FBI records may contain his name, but they are NOT criminal records.

‘Please fact-check me: The US FBI regularly keeps billions of non-criminal files on American citizens and residents, as well as foreign nationals, through the FBI’s Central Records Systems and Next Generation Identification database.

‘For example, if you have ever applied for a US visa, the FBI likely has a record on you. This is because the FBI conducts MANDATORY background screenings on behalf of the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security on US visa applicants.

‘Thus, as a US citizen or resident, or even as a foreign national, if your name is run through the FBI databases, it is likely to bring up hundreds of pages of records. This does not mean that the records are criminal. In most cases, they will be benign.

‘Such records may include personal biometric, biographical, and financial information, such as fingerprints, DNA, bank statements, and other private records.

‘Would you, as an individual, want your private records released to your political opponents, even if they were non-criminal?

‘However, on the specific issue of criminal records, the Nigerian public should be made aware that the FBI has itself stated that it has no CRIMINAL records involving Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

‘This was made known as far back as Monday, February 3, 2003, when the then Governor of Lagos, Mr Bola Tinubu, was having political issues with the then incumbent President. The then Inspector General of Police, Mr Tafa Balogun, wrote to the Embassy of the United States, seeking information on any FBI criminal records involving Mr Bola Tinubu, and got a response back the next day from them giving the all clear as regards any criminal records involving Mr Tinubu.

‘This was consistent with my findings when I visited Chicago in 2022, as a member of the opposition, to establish the truth about then-Presidential candidate Bola Tinubu’s academic and other records.

‘Nigerians may want to find attached the response from the Embassy of the United States absolving the then-Governor of Lagos of any wrongdoing or criminal conduct, charges, or activity whatsoever.

‘Those who may question the authenticity of this document may also wish to contact the US Embassy in Abuja or Lagos for clarification.

The comments followed an explanation by Wole Afolabi, SAN, a legal counsel to Tinubu, on why the President was challenging the release of records held by US law enforcement agencies in connection with historical investigations involving him.

Afolabi said during an interview with Channels Television monitored by TRIBUNE ONLINE on Sunday that Tinubu’s legal challenge was within his rights under US law.

He argued that allegations against the President were speculative and that the Freedom of Information Act was not intended to serve as a means of obtaining personal information about political candidates.

The case is part of a longstanding legal dispute in the United States over records connected to historical investigations involving Tinubu.

American transparency activist Aaron Greenspan filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against several US government agencies, including the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration, seeking records relating to investigations involving the Nigerian President.

The lawsuit, filed at the US District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks FBI files and interview records connected to investigations dating back to the early 1990s.

Some of the requested records have been linked to allegations surrounding a 1993 civil forfeiture proceeding involving approximately $460,000. Tinubu has denied wrongdoing in connection with the allegations.

The legal dispute intensified after the FBI indicated that it had records responsive to Greenspan’s FOIA request.

The bureau then asked the court for permission to submit some of the material privately, arguing that releasing parts of the records could expose law-enforcement techniques and potentially endanger individuals.

A US judge subsequently allowed the FBI to submit sensitive material for private judicial review, meaning the court could examine the documents without making them public at that stage.

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s economic policy from growth that produces limited employment to a job-rich economy capable of absorbing millions of young people entering the labor market annually.

The call comes ahead of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #32), scheduled for October 26 and 27, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, with the theme, ‘Growth that Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity, and Shared Prosperity.’

According to the NESG, employment generation will take center stage under the summit’s first sub-theme, ‘Work Nigeria,’ as stakeholders seek actionable strategies to tackle the country’s persistent unemployment and underemployment crisis.

The group noted that while Nigeria’s economy has recorded growth over the years, the expansion of gross domestic product (GDP) has not translated sufficiently into dignified and sustainable employment for millions of Nigerians.

It said the challenge was particularly urgent given Nigeria’s population of more than 220 million people, with nearly 70 per cent below the age of 35.

‘The difference between these two outcomes lies almost entirely in whether the economy can generate enough quality jobs to absorb the estimated three million young people who enter the labor market every year,’ the NESG said.

Growth without enough jobs

The NESG described Nigeria’s labor market crisis as structural rather than cyclical, arguing that positive GDP growth over much of the past two decades had failed to adequately address unemployment and underemployment.

It said sectors that have traditionally driven headline economic growth, including oil and gas, finance, and telecommunications, were not sufficiently labor-intensive to reduce unemployment on the scale required.

The group therefore called for a deliberate economic pivot towards sectors with greater capacity to employ large numbers of Nigerians, including manufacturing, agro-processing, construction, creative industries, and the broader micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) ecosystem.

The NESG identified MSMEs as critical to Nigeria’s employment challenge, noting that they account for approximately 96 per cent of businesses in the country and nearly 84 per cent of total employment, according to data from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

However, it said the sector continues to operate below its potential because of limited access to finance; high regulatory costs; inadequate infrastructure, particularly electricity, logistics, and connectivity; as well as the difficulties associated with transitioning businesses from informal to formal operations.

At NES #32, participants are expected to examine practical strategies for strengthening MSME competitiveness while creating easier and more affordable pathways to formalization.

The NESG argued that MSME formalization should be viewed not merely as an administrative process but as an employment policy because formal businesses are better positioned to employ workers, access credit, and provide social protection.

The summit will also focus on the mismatch between the skills produced by Nigeria’s education system and those demanded by employers.

According to the NESG, many young Nigerians enter the labor market with academic qualifications but lack the technical, digital, and soft skills required by modern employers, while businesses continue to struggle to find workers with practical competencies.

Under the Work Nigeria agenda, the summit will therefore prioritise demand-driven skills development, with emphasis on stronger partnerships between industry and educational institutions, expanded vocational and technical education, and digital literacy programmes.

The NESG stressed that skills development must be directly connected to the needs of high-growth sectors rather than becoming ‘training for training’s sake.’

Better jobs and stronger labour systems

Beyond creating more jobs, the summit will examine how to improve Nigeria’s labour market systems, including how workers access employment, resolve disputes and have their skills recognised across sectors.

Participants are also expected to discuss formal apprenticeship systems, stronger labour market information systems and expanded social insurance coverage, particularly for vulnerable workers and women in informal employment.

The NESG said the objective should be to create ‘better jobs’ characterised by fair wages, dignified working conditions and opportunities for career advancement.

It maintained that sustainable employment was fundamental to social stability and that inclusive economic growth must make labour absorption a primary outcome of economic policy.

Stakeholders urged to act

The NESG said the Work Nigeria agenda would require coordinated action by government, the private sector, development partners and educational institutions.

It urged the government to reform labour regulations and invest in infrastructure that enables businesses to expand, while calling on the private sector to hire and train workers at scale.

Development partners, it said, should align financing with Nigeria’s employment priorities, while educational institutions must continuously adapt their programmes to the needs of the economy.

The 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit is expected to bring together business leaders, policymakers, economists, development stakeholders and civil society representatives to deliberate on strategies for ensuring that economic growth translates into improved livelihoods and meaningful employment.

The NESG, Nigeria’s foremost private sector-led policy advocacy and think-tank organisation, has for more than three decades provided a platform for public-private dialogue on policies and strategies aimed at advancing the country’s economic development.

Prophet Sam Olu Alo, founder of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Adamimogo Jesus City, on Monday warned Nigerians against voting for politicians whose campaign promises and manifestoes are inconsistent ahead of the 2027 general elections.Alo, who spoke at the conclusion of his church’s annual prayer, fasting and empowerment programme, tagged ‘Sure Mercy of David,’ at the church’s Jesus City Camp along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos, said electing politicians who frequently change their positions could amount to handing the nation’s destiny to the wrong people. The cleric also urged Nigerians to hold the Federal Government, governors and elected representatives accountable by demanding explanations on how public funds, particularly revenues accruing to states following the removal of fuel subsidy, are being utilised. Alo said it was disturbing that some politicians who previously advocated the removal of fuel subsidy were now promising to restore it ahead of the 2027 election. According to him, politicians should be judged by their courage to tell Nigerians the truth rather than by promises designed to win votes. He said: ‘I am not campaigning for President Tinubu, but what I noticed is that those who are now saying if they are elected into government, they will return the fuel subsidy, curiously, had also put it in their manifestoes before that they would remove the fuel subsidy when elected. ‘It therefore appears that these people have realised that most Nigerians prefer politicians who tell them lies to those who speak the truth. And this is why they are now playing this game. ‘For me, it is even better we go for those who are courageous enough to tell the truth. When somebody who had earlier said the way forward was to remove fuel subsidy now turns around to say he would return it, we must be wary of such a person so that we don’t fall into the hands of wrong or inconsistent politicians.’ He, however, said Nigerians should not limit their scrutiny to the President, urging citizens to demand accountability from governors and elected representatives at both federal and state levels. ‘Currently, I am urging Nigerians to ask our governors questions about what they use the humongous money allocated to them from the rich treasury of oil subsidy removal for since the government of President Tinubu assumed duty. ‘As it is now, we all know that the Federal Government has not been owing states any allocation, so we do not have to ask only the President such questions, but also the governors. At the state level, our people must ask questions. We also must ask our representatives at all levels, state and federal, the same questions,’ he said.The cleric also used the occasion to highlight the empowerment component of the programme, saying thousands of people were trained, fed and supported to establish businesses.He disclosed that beneficiaries received vocational training in more than 20 areas, while those who excelled were provided with equipment and financial assistance to start their businesses.

Obidi, who said she got married at 26 and was divorced by 31, shared the lessons in a video posted on social media.

She said her experience taught her to pay close attention to how a potential partner treats her, how their behaviour makes her feel and the kind of person she becomes in the relationship.

According to her, love should not leave a person constantly anxious or negatively affect their wellbeing.

‘I got married at 26 years old. At 31 years old, I was already divorced. Here are 10 things I wish I knew before I entered marriage,’ she said.

1. Pay attention to how their love makes you feel

Obidi advised people to observe how they feel around the person they intend to marry, noting that someone can love them while their form of love remains toxic to their wellbeing.

‘The way they are loving you, how does it make you feel? Do you feel anxious, or do you feel alive? Some people might love you, but their love is toxic for your health,’ she said.

2. Watch how they treat you when you are vulnerable

She urged people to pay attention to how their partners respond when they are sick or vulnerable.

Using an example of telling a partner that she was unwell, Obidi said the response could reveal how supportive and caring the person would be in difficult situations.

‘Pay attention to how they treat you when you are vulnerable, when you are sick,’ she said.

3. Pay attention to how they respond to your success

Obidi said a person’s reaction to their partner’s achievements could also reveal a lot about the relationship.

She advised people to determine whether their partners genuinely support their success or become critical, controlling or uncomfortable when they begin to excel.

‘How do they respond to your success? Are they supportive? Are they your cheerleader, or are they criticising?’ she asked.

4. Pay attention to who you become around them

The dancer said people should examine the version of themselves that emerges when they are with their partners.

According to her, different people can bring out different sides of an individual, and it is important to determine whether one likes the person they become in a relationship.

‘You gotta pay attention to the person you become when you are with them,’ she said.

She added that people should ask themselves whether they like the version of themselves that their partner brings out, as it could become more prominent after marriage.

5. Think about the power dynamic in the relationship

Obidi also urged couples to consider how power is distributed in their relationships, including who makes important decisions, controls finances and determines religious practices.

‘Always think about the power dynamic in your relationship. Who is calling the shots? Whose money are we spending? Whose religion are we following?’ she said.

She stressed that power in a relationship should be mutual and that one person should not have to feel small for the other to feel powerful.

‘Submission does not mean subjugation,’ she added.

6. Ensure you have the freedom to express yourself

Obidi said people should consider whether they feel free to speak and express themselves within their relationships.

She encouraged individuals to ask themselves whether they feel unable to speak or whether they have the freedom to express their thoughts and opinions.

‘What’s the power dynamic? How do you feel? Do you feel like you can’t talk? Do you feel like you are in a place where you are free, you have freedom to speak, expression?’ she asked.

7. Stay financially grounded

The dancer also advised people to build financial independence through their careers and ensure they are capable of taking care of themselves.

‘Financially, make sure that you are grounded in your career,’ she said.

Obidi stressed the importance of being able to provide for oneself, regardless of the circumstances of the relationship.

She said people should not find themselves in a position where another person has complete control over their physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

8. Do not ignore warning signs

Obidi’s experience also highlights the importance of paying attention to warning signs before getting married.

She encouraged people to observe patterns in their partners’ behaviour rather than dismissing concerns in the hope that things would change after marriage.

According to her, marriage does not automatically change a person’s character, making it important for individuals to be honest with themselves about what they see before making a lifelong commitment.

9. Know yourself before getting married

She also emphasised the importance of understanding oneself before entering marriage.

Obidi advised people to know their values, boundaries, expectations and personal goals before committing to a partner.

She noted that having a clear understanding of oneself can help individuals recognise whether a relationship is healthy and whether they are genuinely compatible with their partners.

10. Do not lose yourself in marriage

The dancer further advised people not to completely abandon their individuality after getting married.

She stressed the importance of maintaining one’s identity, career, interests and personal support system while building a life with a partner.

According to her, marriage should allow both partners to grow rather than requiring one person to lose themselves in the relationship.

While reflecting on her own experience, Obidi said the lessons had changed her understanding of love, relationships and marriage.

Grooming Centre Nigeria, a microfinance institution, has opened its application portal for the 2026 university research grant scheme.

The initiative targets students in both public and private tertiary institutions nationwide.

Launched in 2019 as a corporate social responsibility initiative with just 25 beneficiaries, the scheme has grown steadily.

Over the past seven years, it has supported a total of 659 students across Higher National Diploma (HND), undergraduate, Master’s, and doctoral degree levels.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos to announce this year’s edition, the Head of Corporate Communications at Grooming Centre, Mrs Joyce Ofua, stated that the non-refundable grant aims to boost evidence-based research in critical economic areas.

These focus areas include financial inclusion, microfinance, rural development, social enterprise, MSMEs, technological development, digital financial innovation, youth development, and women empowerment.

Projects must centre on sectors aimed at lifting people out of poverty.

‘The research proposals must be relevant to the Nigerian context, demonstrate practical innovation, and promote our specified areas of interest,’ Mrs. Ofua noted. ‘The institution recognizes that many Nigerian university students want to execute problem-solving research that impacts the economy but lack financial backing. This grant bridges that gap.’

A total of 150 students-100 undergraduates and 50 postgraduates-will benefit from the 2026 cohort. Undergraduate beneficiaries will receive N100,000 each, while postgraduates will receive N200,000. Both categories will be paid in two tranches. The deadline for submission is 23 October 2026, and the grants will be presented on 26 November 2026.

Reviewing past editions, the Head of People and Capability, Mr Egulefu Chikezie, explained that despite a rising volume of annual applications, the Centre often falls short of its target beneficiary count because many applicants fail to meet the qualification benchmarks. For instance, outside of 2024 when the full 150 slots were filled, only 116 students (77.3 per cent of the target) qualified during the previous cycle.

However, Mr Chikezie disclosed that the Centre was considering increasing the monetary value of the grants in the near future to cushion the impact of national inflation and maximise economic relevance. He urged students to submit their applications promptly through the dedicated website.

Providing details on the application guidelines, Mr Clifford Onyeike, Chief Operating Officer of Creme Consulting-the firm managing the scheme-emphasised the need for originality and data-driven insights.

Eligible applicants must be final-year students in government-approved tertiary institutions. They must also submit a written recommendation letter from their project supervisor or Head of Department.

Proposals must range between 10 and 20 pages, covering an introduction, literature review, research questions, objectives, methodology, and the candidate’s profile. Beneficiaries must submit their final completed projects before the final 40 per cent tranche of the grant is disbursed.

The Military High Command on Monday confirmed the rescue of 21 kidnapped victims, including 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps, in Kogi State.

While confirming the rescue of the NYSC members, at the monthly briefing of Defence Correspondents on ongoing military operations against insurgent activities in the various theatres of operations across the six geo-political zones of the country, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, explained that 21 victims, comprising eight males and 13 females, had been rescued from the Egume-Ochaja forest.

Gen. Onoja pointed out that 15 of those rescued were NYSC members who were among the victims kidnapped last week while travelling from Abuja to Bayelsa State.

According to him ‘the Armed Forces of Nigeria is also happy to announce that a total of 21 victims, comprising eight males and 13 females-15 of them being National Youth Service Corps members-have just been rescued within Egume and Ochaja forest stretch in 2 Division area of operation.’

The development came as the military intensified operations against terrorists and criminal elements in different parts of the country, particularly following recent abductions in Niger State.

Gen. Onoja further explained that the military formations had continued to collaborate with other security agencies and state government institutions through intelligence sharing and the identification of areas requiring security intervention.

He cited the rescue of 308 abducted persons, predominantly women and children, from the Kainji Lake National Park on August 5 as evidence of the security forces’ capacity to locate and rescue victims.

‘The recent rescue of 308 abducted persons, predominantly women and children, from the Kainji Lake National Park on the 5th of August, alongside subsequent operations to deny terrorists freedom of movement within the Borgu axis, demonstrates the commitment and capability of the security forces to locate, rescue, and safely return affected citizens,’ he said.

According to him, troops are maintaining pressure on terrorists operating within and around the Kainji Lake National Park and other identified corridors to prevent further incursions and create conditions for displaced residents to return to their communities.

He assured residents of Borgu and neighbouring communities that military operations would continue until the security threats were sufficiently degraded.

According to him, ‘the Armed Forces, therefore, reassures the people of Borgu and their communities that military operations against terrorists and criminals will be sustained in the local government area and its environs to ensure the safety of the community,’

He urged families of abducted persons to remain calm and avoid actions that could undermine rescue operations, stressing that credible information was vital to the military’s efforts.

According to him, ‘to the families of the victims and all persons affected by the heinous activities of terrorists and criminals, the Armed Forces acknowledges the anxiety, pain, and uncertainty that accompanies the loss or affliction of family members and friends

‘We want to urge everybody to remain calm and have confidence in the ongoing efforts of the military and other security agencies, while avoiding actions that could compromise rescue or recovery operations.’

Gen. Onoja said that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, remained committed to rescuing kidnapped victims, protecting civilians and facilitating the return of internally displaced persons to their communities.

He added that the defence chief had directed that the military continue to operate with determination, professionalism and courage in the fight against terrorism and criminality.

While giving an account of military operations in August, Gen. Onoja disclosed that the gallant troops neutralised more than 332 terrorists and criminals, arrested 373 others and rescued 610 kidnapped victims.

He added that 201 insurgents surrendered to troops, while 88 arms and 2,077 rounds of ammunition were recovered during the month.

Gen. Onoja further added that the military also recovered 686,800 litres of stolen crude oil products and destroyed 21 illegal refining sites as part of operations against oil theft and economic sabotage.

Gen. Onoja said the August figures represented a significant improvement in the military’s operational effectiveness, attributing the gains to intensified kinetic and non-kinetic operations, improved intelligence gathering and enhanced inter-agency cooperation.

He further disclosed that the number of surrendered terrorists increased from 11 in June to 57 in July and 201 in August, which he said indicated growing pressure on terrorist groups.

He said the CDS commended troops for their sacrifices in rescuing abducted citizens, neutralising terrorists and armed criminals, dismantling criminal networks, disrupting illegal oil bunkering and protecting critical national assets.

Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemate, Temitope Chigbue popularly known as Temi Nkem, has sparked conversations after describing Flora and her friend, Oyin, as ‘local birds’ during her eviction conversation with host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

The comment came after Temi Nkem was asked by Ebuka who she mentioned to be ‘local birds’ among the remaining housemates.

In response, Temi mentioned Flora and Oyin, a remark that quickly triggered heated argument from Oyin and Flora causing exchange of words.

Amid this tension argument in the Big Brother house, several housemates during the live eviction received warnings and punishments for violating house rules.

Oyin and Chimsom Chuka were sanctioned for damaging or attempting to damage Big Brother’s property, while Abi and Keivo were punished for pouring water on their microphones and will consequently miss the Pool Party.

Nomy, who already has one strike, also received a warning over repeated lateness, disobedience and selective participation in mandatory house activities.

Meanwhile, Sultex was placed on Behaviour Probation with a Final Warning over repeated threatening remarks towards fellow housemates, which Big Brother described as ‘extremely dangerous.’

Tram and Yusuf were also cautioned against similar behaviour.

As part of the collective punishment, the entire house will have no hot water for the rest of the week and housemates have been ordered to keep all communal areas spotless.

FOR years, my position has been clear: take the burden of education and health off the masses, and you would have solved over 50 per cent of poverty in Nigeria. Many parents today are hypertensive not because of genetics but because of fear. Fear of school fees. Fear of hospital bills. Fear of ‘what happens to my children’. That is why the model of Chief Obafemi Awolowo remains the most productive blueprint for governance in a developing economy like ours.

Awolowo’s 4-Cardinal Programme:

1. Free Education. 2. Free Health Care. 3. Gainful Employment. 4. Rural and Urban Integration. In the 50s, he delivered free primary education and health. He integrated rural and urban areas. Awolowo built solid roads connecting cities and villages across the West. He developed industries, schools, hospitals, markets, estates and established farm settlements, dairies, etc. in rural areas. In 1979, UPN governors under his leadership built on them. From 1983, we lost momentum. Today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government is reviving the Awolowo model with a contemporary touch.

Cardinals 1 and 2: Education and Health – Easy education

At the Federal Level: Through NELFUND – the National Education Loan Fund, the burden of tertiary education has been lifted off parents. About 1.5 million Nigerian students are now in school without begging for tuition. No collateral. This is what I brand Easy Education. On health, the federal government is rejuvenating primary healthcare centres all over Nigeria, drug supply chains, and health insurance. But the real impact will come when states step up.

At the State and LG levels: This is the call. With the increased allocations from subsidy removal, states must now take full responsibility for free, quality secondary education and free primary/secondary healthcare. LGs must deliver free primary education and functional primary healthcare centres in every ward. Awolowo did it as Premier. UPN governors did it. As sub-nationals are receiving humongous allocations from the centre, they must justify it by investing in our children’s classrooms and hospitals.

From Abuja to Lagos, Maiduguri to Calabar, Tinubu’s government is opening up rural Nigeria. FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has, in 3 years, integrated urban and rural FCT more than all the ministers since 1976. Roads, water, schools, and clinics are reaching forgotten communities. At the federal level, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Lagos-Maiduguri Super Highway are opening up rural areas in virtually every state. They will move farm produce, create jobs, and connect markets. That is Gainful Employment and Integration.

The bottom line: The purpose of the pain

Subsidy removal was painful because we were borrowing to fund consumption. Today, we are investing in production. The pain was at the pump. The gain is in the classroom, in the clinic, on the highway, and in the village. Awolowo gave us the vision. Tinubu is advancing it with contemporary touch. States and LGs must now deliver their part.

That is Awolowo 2.0. That is how we build a new Nigeria. That is how to achieve the much-sought-after true federalism without hurting one another.