Category: Nigerian Tribune

Two suspects, Abayo David and David Bori, both from Itedo-Ijowa, Isanlu, Yagba East LGA, of Kogi State, have been arrested for providing logistics and supplying food to bandits terrorising Yagbaland.

The Press Secretary to the Yagba West LGA Chairman, Adeyemi Babarinde, on Wednesday, said the suspects were arrested in the early hours of Wednesday at about 4:00 a.m. during a routine patrol conducted by members of the Local Government Hunters and Vigilantes.

This operation marks a crucial breakthrough in the local authorities’ efforts to combat those who facilitate and support criminal activities within the community.

The timely intervention of the security forces has been hailed as a proactive measure in the fight against banditry and related crimes that have plagued the area.

Babarinde Sunday, stated, ‘This arrest is a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against those aiding and abetting insecurity in our communities..

We remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of our communities and will continue to take decisive action against those who threaten our peace.’

The suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing to uncover further details about their operations and any potential connections to larger criminal networks.

Residents of Yagba West have been enjoined to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

The statement reads in part: ‘Security operatives in Yagba West have arrested two suspects for allegedly smuggling food supplies and other logistics to armed bandits hiding in the forest.

‘The suspects, Abayo David and David Bori, both from Itedo-Ijowa, Isanlu (Yagba East LGA), were apprehended around 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday during a routine patrol by members of the Yagba West Local Government Hunters and vigilantes.’

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining monetary policies and economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, assuring that the measures are already yielding positive results in stabilising the economy.

CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, who made the disclosure in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said recent indicators point to a gradual ease in inflation and noticeable stability in the foreign exchange market.

Speaking at the CBN Fair themed ‘Driving Alternative Payment Channels as Tools for Financial Inclusion, Growth and Accelerated Economic Development,’ Cardoso said the bank remains resolute in achieving price and monetary stability necessary to drive sustainable growth.

Represented by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, the CBN Governor noted that the exchange rate unification policy has not only reduced volatility in the forex market but has also cleared over $7 billion of verified forex forwards backlog.

‘The B-Match system for forex trading has strengthened market integrity and facilitated better price discovery. This initiative is expected to improve uniformity in trading and ensure seamless operations among market participants,’ he explained.

Cardoso listed other key initiatives of the apex bank to include the ongoing bank recapitalisation drive, designed to bolster the resilience and global competitiveness of Nigerian banks, positioning them to support the administration’s target of a $1 trillion economy.

He also cited the introduction of the non-resident BVN scheme to connect Nigerians abroad with home banking services, and the Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028 (PSV 2028), which seeks to accelerate digital transformation, broaden financial inclusion and ensure faster, safer transactions.

According to him, the recent introduction of a 75 per cent Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on non-TSA public sector deposits is aimed at enhancing liquidity management and mitigating inflationary pressures.

Explaining the rationale behind the CBN Fair, Cardoso said it was designed to sensitise Nigerians on the Bank’s policies, promote financial literacy, and deepen understanding of reforms that impact livelihoods.

He appealed to the public to respect the Naira, describing it as a vital national symbol.

‘I encourage you to respect and keep the Naira clean. Do not spray, hawk, mutilate or counterfeit the Naira,’ he said.

Earlier in her remarks, the CBN Branch Controller in Uyo, Mrs Njideka Nwabukwu, said the fair was also a feedback platform to gauge public perception and strengthen stakeholder engagement.

She reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting Akwa Ibom State’s economic aspirations through financial inclusion drives, literacy campaigns, and effective service delivery.

‘Through strategic policies and regulatory frameworks, the Bank continues to enhance payment systems, promote financial inclusion and support sustainable economic growth,’ Nwabukwu added.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has screened 176 exceptional underage candidates who scored high marks in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as part of the conditions for granting them admission into universities.

Following the adoption of the 16 years age limit at the last JAMB admission policy meeting, the Registrar of the Board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, assembled a team of experts to further screen the underage candidates who scored 320 and above in the 2025 UTME.

The exercise, designed to ensure that only outstanding and well-prepared candidates below the age of 16 are considered for admission into tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session, was conducted by experts put together by the examination body.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the Chairman of the Abuja Centre for the screening of under-16 candidates, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the exercise, which was also held simultaneously in Owerri and Lagos.

On the screening procedure, Adedoja explained that candidates first sat for a written examination before proceeding to face-to-face interviews.

‘They did the first paper which took like 20 minutes and after that the papers were marked and they proceeded to the second session and after that the third one and we will have a face-to-face interaction with them,’ he said.

The former Minister of Sports noted that 22 candidates participated in the Abuja Centre, while 176 candidates took part nationwide.

‘Twenty-two candidates are here in Abuja Centre, and nationwide it is 176,’ he said, adding that the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, would determine when the results of the screening would be released.

Also speaking after monitoring the exercise, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Mohammed Muntari Dandutse, commended JAMB for providing a platform for talented underage candidates to demonstrate their abilities.

‘Now they are giving leverage to the underage so that they can go to the universities based on their ability to pass these exams.

‘It is very important for them (underage) to be assessed because of the maturity of focus. because if you take an underage to go to the university and he doesn’t perform, it is a useless venture. So it is better that the exam is carried out so that the best talent can be selected and it will pave the way for the development of this country,’ the lawmaker, who represents Katsina South Senatorial District, said.

Dandutse also reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s education policies aimed at national development, while commending JAMB for its consistency and transparency.

‘I want to sincerely commend the leadership of JAMB for their milestone to make sure that this exam is written across the country,’ he said.

On his part, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, Hon. Oboku Oforji, who also monitored the exercise in Abuja, lauded the students for their outstanding performance, noting that it reflects Nigeria’s competitiveness in education across Africa.

‘Because for the underage to have performed exceptionally well, it tells how we are doing in education as of today. And we are very proud of the agency – JAMB – and we want to encourage them to do more. Even though we believe that with what we sighted, more is supposed to be encouraged,’ Oforji, who was joined by his committee members, said.

Meanwhile, a total of 38 out of 43 shortlisted underage candidates participated in the screening exercise at the Owerri Centre.

Chairman of the Owerri Centre and Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Paulinus Okwelle, expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the exercise.

He commended the candidates for their orderly behaviour and assured that the screening process would strictly adhere to the guidelines provided by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The under-16 candidates at the Owerri Centre were drawn from the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones.

Recall that in Nigeria, the official age for university admission is 18, though the National Policy allows entry from age 16.

A total of 41,027 candidates applied under the category of exceptionally brilliant underage candidates for the 2025 UTME, but only 599 scored 80 per cent and above.

Some were later disqualified for not meeting the same benchmark in their O-Level or Post-UTME results, leaving only 176 confirmed for final assessment.

The screening panel comprised representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), vice-chancellors, the Gifted School, among others.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to mobilise students to occupy federal highways across the 36 states and the FCT should federal government agencies, trade unions, or foreign collaborators continue on the path of sabotage, as it vows to defend the survival of the Nigerian economy and the dignity of the nation.

The association made its position known when its members demonstrated in Asaba on Wednesday against what it called petroleum industry revitalisation sabotage as a result of the face-off between the Dangote Group and PENGASSAN.

The students carried different inscriptions such as ‘We need progress, we can’t be great by destroying greatness’; ‘Youths stand with Dangote – Future at stake’; and ‘Economic freedom starts with local refineries, support indigenous industries, not imported monopoly.’

According to Comrade Olushola Oladoja, President, National Association of Nigerian Students, the Nigerian students’ movement stands firmly on the side of industrial growth, job creation, and more independence, adding that ‘we will not fold our arms while internal saboteurs destroy the hope of a new Nigeria.’

The president, who was represented by the National Financial Secretary of the association, Comrade Jeremiah Friday Ohomah, said the destruction of the textile industry must never be repeated in the petroleum sector.

He said the Dangote Refinery and other private refineries represent a new dawn in Nigeria’s industrial revival, which he argued must be protected, supported, and sustained by all means.

‘The latest manifestation of this conspiracy is the unconstitutional attempt by PENGASSAN to impose union membership on workers of the Dangote Refinery.

‘This is an act of coercion and a direct violation of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees freedom of association – including the freedom not to join any association.

‘Private refinery workers have every right to choose their form of representation or to remain un-unionised.

‘After all, academic staff in private universities are not compelled to join ASUU, lecturers in private polytechnics are not under ASUP, and teachers in private colleges of education are not members of COEASU.

‘This imposition is, therefore, a calculated attempt to frustrate Dangote Refinery and other emerging private investments in the sector, and NANS will resist it with every legitimate means.

‘It is on record that the collapse of Nigeria’s national refineries was not merely due to poor maintenance but deliberate acts of sabotage by entrenched interests.’

The association therefore demanded, amongst others, priority crude supply to Nigerian refineries, an end to crude undervaluation to foreign refineries, less priority on petroleum product importation at the expense of locally refined petroleum products by indigenous refineries, protection of private investment, freedom of association, and the cessation of union harassment and industrial blackmail.

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Oyo State Field Office, has started filling potholes and carrying out other road maintenance works to ensure safer driving conditions on highways across the state.

The exercise began on Wednesday in Ibadan with the launch of Operation Safeguard the Road (OSGR) – an initiative aimed at preserving Nigeria’s federal roads and improving the safety of road users.

FERMA Maintenance Engineer, Engr. Tunde Adepoju, said the programme became necessary due to the rising number of accidents on highways.

While noting that human error accounts for over 80% of crashes, Adepoju said the Federal Government is taking steps to reduce the trend. He added that the agency has recruited 50 ad-hoc workers to help kick-start the operation in the state.

‘This initiative, conceived under the leadership of our Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Emeka Agbasi, through the Public Works Department, marks another milestone in the drive to protect the public facilities of our great nation.

‘We are committed to making our roads safer and more motorable by ensuring clear visibility for motorists, free flow of drainage systems, and proper maintenance of road furniture,’ he said.

Adepoju explained that the operation would include clearing roadside vegetation, desilting blocked drains, managing traffic, and patching potholes along major roads in the state.

‘Our roads remain one of the most critical infrastructures in Nigeria,’ he added. ‘They connect communities, power business activities, and serve as lifelines for economic and social development. Protecting them is a collective duty we owe to ourselves and the next generation.’

He noted that beyond improving road conditions, the project will also provide short-term jobs for local youths who will work along the 43-kilometre stretch currently under maintenance.

‘We have 50 labourers registered for this operation,’ Adepoju said. ‘Their engagement has been properly documented to ensure transparency and accountability.’

Adepoju thanked FERMA’s Managing Director, represented by the Zonal Director for South West I, Engr. B.O. Aina, as well as other agencies present, including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

‘Together, we can make our nation great and our roads safer,’ he added.

‘Development is gradual,’ Adepoju tells Nigerians

Speaking on the sidelines, Adepoju admitted that maintaining Nigeria’s vast network of federal roads is a major challenge due to limited resources and high material costs.

‘If you look at the total number of federal roads in the country, you’ll understand the enormity of the task,’ he said. ‘In Oyo State alone, I have over 1,118 kilometres under my supervision. The government is doing everything possible to make our roads better, but development takes time. We can’t fix everything overnight.’

He appealed for patience and public support, stressing that FERMA is doing its best within available means. ‘It’s not that the government doesn’t know what to do,’ he explained. ‘Economic realities and the high cost of construction materials have made road maintenance more challenging. But FERMA remains committed to doing its best.’

Adepoju also condemned vandalism and sabotage by individuals who damage newly repaired roads, including traders who deliberately create potholes to slow down traffic.

‘People need to understand that these roads are built with taxpayers’ money,’ he said. ‘When they destroy them, they’re wasting public funds. Protecting our infrastructure must be seen as a shared responsibility.’

In separate remarks, stakeholders such as the Police Commissioner (represented by CSP Rotimi of the Toll Gate Division), officials of the FRSC, NSCDC, and members of the Oyo State Park Management System (PMS) commended FERMA for the effort, describing it as ‘timely and proactive.’

They noted that many road crashes stem from reckless driving and poor road culture, especially among truck and trailer drivers along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The stakeholders called for stronger collaboration with FERMA and more public awareness to promote safer driving and prevent avoidable road accidents.

AS the world marks World Habitat Day 2025, the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has called for urgent action toward climate-resilient housing, sustainable urban planning, and inclusive housing policies across Nigeria.

It warned that ‘every home built today must stand against tomorrow’s climate risks.’

World Habitat Day is observed on the first Monday of October each year. It was established by the United Nations to reflect on the state of towns and cities and reaffirm the basic right of every human being to adequate shelter. It also reminds the global community that everyone has the power and responsibility to shape the future of urban settlements

This year’s global observance, held on October 6, 2025, is themed ‘Urban Crisis Response’, drawing attention to how conflicts, climate disasters, and economic instability are transforming cities and deepening inequality. The theme emphasizes that inclusive urban crisis response must create the conditions for people to return, reintegrate, and rebuild their lives with dignity.

According to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), over 122 million people are currently displaced worldwide, with more than 60 percent of them seeking refuge in cities. This growing trend of urban displacement is exerting immense pressure on already fragile housing systems and public services, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria.

Nigeria’s urban crisis is escalating rapidly, driven by poor planning, weak enforcement of regulations, and rapid population growth. Experts estimate that Nigeria’s cities are expanding at a rate far faster than their infrastructure can support, resulting in overcrowded settlements, pollution, and inadequate social amenities.

The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN), in its statement to mark World Habitat Day, expressed concern that Nigeria’s urban landscape is under increasing strain due to unregulated construction, poor waste management, and the loss of green areas meant to serve as buffers against flooding and heat waves.

The organization noted that cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Asaba, green belts originally designed as utility corridors and environmental buffers have been converted into residential and commercial properties.

Amuwo-Odofin Local Government has commenced the construction of a temporary market settlement in Agboju to provide a safe and conducive trading environment for displaced traders.

The council chairman, Prince Lanre Sanusi, said the new settlement would serve as an alternative site for traders relocated from roadways and walkways, while major renovation works, including road reconstruction, drainage clearing, and electrification of the Agboju Market, are ongoing.

Sanusi assured that the temporary market, now under rapid construction, would be completed and handed over to traders within weeks, stressing that the relocation was necessary to ease business activities during the market’s rehabilitation.

The council disclosed that the renovation project will also extend to the Agboju-Badagry highway axis once the temporary settlement is delivered.

Meanwhile, Sanusi revealed that plans are underway to construct a permanent ultra-modern international market at 6 Avenue, Festac Town. The proposed market will accommodate large-scale trading at affordable rates, serving traders and business owners across Festac and Amuwo-Odofin.

In addition, a mechanic village has been earmarked for the same area to centralise automobile workshops and related businesses within the local government area.

According to the chairman, these projects are part of his administration’s efforts to improve commerce, decongest roads, and provide a sustainable business environment for residents.

LAGOS State Government has been called to take urgent and lasting action to address the persistent flooding that continues to devastate the Lekki axis.

In a statement issued by the Lekki Chapter of the Neo-Black Movement of Africa, the group bemoaned the recurring floods that destroy homes, disrupt livelihoods, and hinder economic growth in one of Lagos’ fastest-growing districts.

Speaking, the Chapter President, Mr. Erauyi Agbon-Ifo, advocated for compensation and an insurance framework to support households and businesses affected by the floods, arguing that taxpayers deserve fair restitution for their losses.

He said the yearly flood inflicted pains on residents as they lost valuables worth millions of naira in the deluge

He canvassed the need for government, private organisations, and community groups to collaborate on sustainable solutions that go beyond temporary relief.

The group urged the state to improve drainage infrastructure, expand stormwater channels, and ensure consistent maintenance of existing systems. It also cited Rivers State as a model for effective flood management despite similar coastal challenges.

It also called for intensified public enlightenment on proper waste disposal, flood prevention, and climate adaptation measures.

Expressing solidarity with affected families, the NBM reaffirmed its commitment to continued advocacy until concrete government action is achieved.

The Federal Government has reconstituted and inaugurated the Mahmud Yayale Ahmed Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee to accelerate ongoing discussions with academic and non-academic unions across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

The negotiation committee, inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, is seen as a knee-jerk response to avert the looming strike following the two-week strike notice issued on Monday last week by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Already, the leadership of ASUU has commenced mobilisation of its members across all the universities in the country ahead of an indefinite strike that would be preceded by a warning strike at the expiration of the ultimatum.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Yayale-led committee, the Minister of Education, Dr Alausa, said the new committee was designed to harmonise all negotiation processes under one coordinated framework that reflects institutional memory and sector-wide inclusiveness.

Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Boriowo, in a statement on Tuesday, said Alausa was joined by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sai’d Ahmed.

Alausa explained that, unlike previous fragmented negotiations, the expanded committee will engage all unions collectively to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable agreement. ‘The membership of the committee has been carefully chosen to represent the full spectrum of the education sector, ensuring that no group is left behind,’ he said.

The Minister disclosed that the committee has been provided with a well-equipped and functional secretariat to enable it to carry out its mandate effectively, adding that its inaugural meeting will hold at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 7 October.

He urged all academic and non-academic unions to cooperate fully and respond promptly to the committee’s engagements.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given full political backing to the process, with a clear directive that all negotiations be concluded swiftly, fairly, and in the spirit of mutual respect.

‘President Tinubu’s mandate is that all our children must be in school. This is renewed hope in action,’ Dr Alausa emphasised, expressing appreciation to all unions for their patience and commitment as the government works towards a final and comprehensive agreement.

In his remarks, the Minister of Labour and Employment commended the Ministers of Education for their exemplary leadership and inclusive approach in the ongoing negotiation process.

He emphasised that true and lasting peace can only be achieved when all stakeholders are involved, noting that excluding any party would only breed division and undermine collective progress.

He further urged members of the expanded committee to act as impartial reconciliators, upholding justice, fairness, and stability while mediating between employers and employees.

The Minister reminded them that their early participation will ensure effective implementation of the final agreements, fostering transparency and mutual understanding.

He called for dedication to the process and continuous engagement with all parties, acknowledging both the limitations of government and the legitimate concerns of workers.

Reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to fair and lasting resolutions, he stressed that dialogue, consultation, and open communication remain vital to preventing future industrial actions and ensuring sustained peace and progress in the education sector.

Chairman of the committee and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, in his response, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the confidence reposed in them to steer such a crucial national assignment.

He assured that the committee will approach its task with openness, inclusiveness, and integrity, listening to all stakeholders, fostering trust, and working towards agreements that promote industrial harmony and strengthen the nation’s tertiary institutions.

He pledged that the committee will not only negotiate but also ensure that the recommendations and agreements reached are practical, realistic, and capable of sustaining long-term peace and productivity within the education sector.

The Federal Government reiterated its unwavering commitment to restoring stability and trust across the tertiary education landscape. Through inclusive dialogue, fair negotiation, and decisive leadership, the Ministry remains resolute in delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-where every student stays in school, every teacher is valued, and every institution thrives in an environment of peace, progress, and shared prosperity, the statement added.

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin on Monday inducted 32 new veterinary doctors at its seventh induction/oath-taking ceremony.

Speaking as the keynote speaker at the event, a former vice-president Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), Dr. Bala Mohammed, told both the graduands and audience at the event that solutions to contemporary health challenges demand interdisciplinary cooperation.

‘Solutions to today’s greatest health challenges cannot be designed in isolation-they demand cooperation across veterinary medicine, human medicine, environmental sciences, and public policy’, he said.

Mohammed, a veterinary surgeon, also said that, ‘the health of humans, animals, and the environment can no longer be treated as separate concerns.

‘They are intricately linked, forming the foundation of the one health approach, a global strategy that requires collaboration across disciplines to achieve optimal health outcomes for all,’ he said.

He also said that: ‘Despite successes, veterinary services remain underfunded, under-recognised, and under-integrated into national health frameworks.

‘Many countries, including ours, face surveillance blind spots, weak laboratory capacity, and governance silos.’

‘These gaps allow diseases to simmer unnoticed until they explode into public crises, with devastating health and economic consequences.

‘To truly protect one world, we must invest in veterinary infrastructure and laboratories, foster collaboration among doctors, veterinarians, ecologists, and policymakers to strengthen education, funding, and data systems which empower community-centered prevention strategies. ‘Veterinarians must be recognized not only as responders but as guardians of planetary health’.

Earlier, Dean of the Faculty Professor Saliu Ameen, said that the induction marked the formal licensing of these young doctors as veterinary professionals.

Professor Ameen added that, ‘this ceremony is not merely a ritual; it is a defining moment. It signifies the transition of our graduands from students of veterinary medicine to full members of a noble and globally relevant profession’.