Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has unveiled an emergency intervention helpline for victims and witnesses of gender-based violence (GBV), as it mobilised residents across its 12 wards to break the culture of silence surrounding abuse of women and girls.

The initiative is designed to provide victims with a confidential channel to report cases, request urgent intervention and gain access to appropriate security, legal, healthcare and other support services.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, the Special Adviser on Women Affairs to the AMAC Chairman, Loveth Izekor, said the initiative was intended to move the council’s campaign beyond awareness-raising to practical intervention and protection of women and girls.

Izekor, who spoke on the theme, ‘Unite to Protect: Empowering AMAC Women Through Knowledge and Action,’ said protecting women and girls should not be left to government alone, urging traditional rulers, religious leaders, community coordinators and residents to play active roles in preventing and reporting abuse.

She said the emergency intervention helpline would provide a confidential channel through which residents could report cases, request urgent intervention and obtain referrals to relevant services.

Izekor urged residents to save and share the official emergency contact within their communities, stressing that victims and persons who witness abuse should not remain silent.

‘If you see abuse, do not look away. If you know someone in danger, do not remain silent. If a woman or child needs help, help them find help,’ she said.

According to her, the campaign would take information on different forms of abuse, women’s rights, available protection mechanisms and safe channels for seeking assistance to markets, communities and households across the council’s 12 wards.

‘Protecting women and girls is not the responsibility of government alone. It is the responsibility of all of us,’ she said.

Izekor said the intervention framework brings together the Nigeria Police Force Gender Desk, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), alongside healthcare providers and other relevant partners.

She said the collaboration was aimed at strengthening prevention, emergency intervention, legal assistance, healthcare, counselling and survivor support for victims of abuse.

The Special Adviser also urged traditional rulers and royal queens to help break the culture of silence in their communities, while calling on religious leaders to promote dignity, compassion and protection for women and girls.

She charged ward and community coordinators to take the campaign to residents at the grassroots and ensure that information on available support services reaches those who need it.

Izekor said the initiative built on the AMAC Women 5 Voice unveiled by the council Chairman and Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), FCT, Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, during the launch of the LADDER Initiative on September 16.

Reaffirming the council’s commitment to protecting women and girls, she urged victims and survivors to seek help rather than suffer in silence.

‘You are valuable. Your dignity matters. Your safety matters. You are not alone. Do not suffer in silence. Break the silence. Call for help. Unite to protect,’ she said.

University of Ibadan (UI) has retained its position as Nigeria’s leading university in the latest AD Scientific Index rankings, while Nigerian universities recorded significant gains in global research visibility.

The latest edition of the rankings, refreshed on October 1, 2026, placed Nigeria third in Africa and 48th globally among 221 countries, according to a report by the Chairman of the Nigerian Tertiary Education Ranking Advisory Committee (NiTERAC), Professor Peter Okebukola.

The report said the index covered 53,580 Nigerian scientists across 384 institutions, giving Nigeria the largest number of indexed researchers among Africa’s three leading research countries.

It ranked the University of Ibadan 889th among nearly 19,800 universities globally, placing the institution among the top 4.5 per cent of universities worldwide and making it the only Nigerian university in the global top 1,000.

The university also improved its position from 904th in the mid-August ranking to 889th in the October update.

According to the report, UI has maintained the 14th position in Africa across the 2025, 2026 and 2027 editions of the ranking.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), retained second position in Nigeria, ranking 1,227th globally and 31st in Africa, while Covenant University emerged as the third-best Nigerian university.

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) ranked fourth nationally, followed by Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ilorin, Ahmadu Bello University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Bayero University.

The report noted that federal universities occupied at least eight of the top 10 positions nationally, describing the institutions as the core of Nigeria’s research strength.

It further revealed that Nigeria’s presence in the global rankings had continued to expand, with the number of Nigerian universities ranked increasing from 257 in the 2024 edition to more than 300 in 2026.

Covenant University recorded the largest individual movement among Nigerian institutions, rising 457 places from 1,857th globally in the 2026 edition to 1,400th in the 2027 edition, while retaining its third position nationally.

The report also highlighted the performance of Nigerian researchers, with Mayowa Owolabi of the University of Ibadan emerging as the country’s most cited scholar.

Owolabi recorded 257,748 citations, placing him 676th among more than 2.6 million researchers indexed globally.

He was followed by Shafiu Mohammed of Ahmadu Bello University, with 242,300 citations and a global ranking of 776th, while Olayinka Ilesanmi of the University of Ibadan ranked third in Nigeria with 185,602 citations.

The report said 16 of the 22 Nigeria-based scholars in the national top 25 by citations are affiliated with federal universities, with the University of Ibadan alone accounting for five.

It also cited the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027 as further evidence of the growing visibility of Nigerian universities globally.

According to the report, Nigeria’s representation in the Times Higher Education rankings increased from 24 universities in the 2026 edition to 29 in 2027, with 19 of the 29 institutions being federal universities.

It said Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Ilorin moved into the 1001-1200 band, while Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Benin advanced into the 1401-1600 band.

Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), said the developments reflected increasing research visibility across Nigeria’s university system.

He, however, stressed the need for the country to move beyond visibility to stronger research impact, increased international collaboration and sustained investment in leading research groups.

He said the gains provided evidence of the growing capacity of Nigerian universities and researchers to compete within the global knowledge economy.

Researchers have identified 920 chemicals whose biological activity suggests they could increase breast cancer risk, with the substances found in everyday products, food, drinking water, medicines and pesticides.

The findings raise concerns about the widespread exposure people may face through consumer products and the environment.

The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, is the latest work by researchers from the Silent Spring Institute and other institutions to examine where these chemicals are found and how people may be exposed to them.

The chemicals, known as breast cancer-relevant chemicals or BC-Chems, were identified because they have been shown to cause mammary tumours in rodents or to activate biological pathways involving hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone. The researchers stressed, however, that the list does not mean all 920 chemicals have been proven to cause breast cancer in humans.

Using data from US government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration, the researchers examined chemical production, environmental releases, consumer uses and potential sources of exposure.

They found that hundreds of the chemicals occur across multiple areas of daily life.

About 500 BC-Chems were known or predicted to occur in consumer products, while 462 were linked to dietary sources. Another 162 were associated with drinking water, 485 with pesticide formulations, 142 with pharmaceuticals and 106 with construction materials.

The researchers also found evidence of widespread industrial emissions. Billions of pounds of BC-Chems were emitted into the air in the United States in 2020, while tens of millions of pounds were released into the environment through industrial activities in 2024.

In 2019, 143 of the chemicals were produced or imported at volumes of at least one million pounds, highlighting the scale at which some of these substances are used in the US economy.

Some of the chemicals were of particular concern because of their ability to interfere with hormones. Others have been identified as genotoxic or as capable of causing mammary tumours in animal studies.

The researchers said many of the chemicals can reach people through more than one pathway, potentially resulting in repeated or combined exposure.

The study comes as breast cancer rates continue to rise in the United States, particularly among younger women. The researchers argue that environmental exposures may be one part of the picture alongside established risk factors such as genetics, reproductive history, obesity and other factors.

However, the study does not establish that exposure to any particular chemical causes breast cancer in humans. Instead, it brings together evidence about the biological activity of the chemicals and information about where people may encounter them.

The researchers say identifying chemicals that are produced in large quantities, occur across multiple exposure sources or are taken into the body at relatively high levels could help determine which substances deserve greater attention.

They are calling for stronger monitoring of chemical exposures and policies aimed at reducing exposure, including tighter controls on contaminants in drinking water and reducing the use of potentially harmful chemicals in common products.

The researchers said the findings could help health agencies and policymakers determine which chemicals and chemical mixtures should be prioritised for further research, monitoring, regulation or replacement with safer alternatives.

The study highlights how widespread exposure to potential breast cancer-relevant chemicals may be and argues that greater transparency about where these substances are found could help identify opportunities to reduce exposure and potentially prevent harm.

Delta Police Command has rescued a 25-year-old woman allegedly assaulted and held hostage at Usiefrun Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state, arresting a 29-year-old suspect in connection with the incident.

The suspect, identified as Brotugbare Francis Onome, was arrested by operatives of the Otu-Jeremi Division following credible intelligence on the alleged assault and hostage situation.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the operatives mobilised to the area, rescued the victim and arrested the suspect.

A search of the suspect’s premises also led to the recovery of a fabricated Beretta pistol, one magazine and two rounds of live ammunition, the statement said.

In a related development, the police arrested two suspects, Ezekiel Sunday Izomor and Emmanuel Ogaganefe, in connection with the alleged cult-related killing of a 25-year-old man identified as Godfrey at Jesse Main Market in Ethiope West Local Government Area on March 24, 2026.

The suspects were arrested on Independence Day by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCR), who stormed a suspected criminal hideout in Oghara.

The operation also led to the recovery of one battle axe, four cutlasses and one hammer.

The police said preliminary investigation indicated that a fleeing suspect, identified as Collins, allegedly wanted to become the leader of the Aro Bagger confraternity and was required to kill a rival cult member to achieve his ambition.

The statement said Collins allegedly connived with the two arrested suspects and another suspect identified as Richman, who was described as a close friend of the deceased.

‘The said Collins connived with the two suspects and one, Richman, who is a very close friend to the victim, Godfrey.

‘Richman and Collins are at large but effort to arrest them is on top gear. The suspects are in custody assisting with investigation,’ the statement added.

Similarly, operatives of the Abraka Division, in collaboration with civilian anti-cult operatives, arrested two men identified as 37-year-old Endurance Akpade and 43-year-old Edwin Friday Morgan.

The suspects were arrested over alleged conspiracy to kidnap a woman in the area on Independence Day, the police said.

The command said investigations into the various cases were ongoing.

Ekiti State has recorded increased production and cultivation of major food crops, with a Federal Government agricultural report showing growth in output, cultivated land and yield across several crops between 2024 and 2025.

The report, titled ‘2025 Wet Season Agricultural Performance in Nigeria,’ was produced by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) and certified by the National Technical Committee on Agricultural Statistics under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

According to the report obtained by the Nigerian Tribune, Ekiti recorded increases in the production of rice, maize, cowpea, tomato and okra, while cultivated areas for major crops, including yam and cassava, also expanded during the period.

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, attributed the development to sustained interventions by the state government aimed at increasing agricultural production, improving food security and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods.

Boluwade said the figures were encouraging, adding that the increase in cultivated land and production of major crops indicated growing confidence among farmers and the impact of government interventions in the sector.

He said rice production increased from 158,455.73 metric tonnes in 2024 to 164,318.60 metric tonnes in 2025, representing a 3.7 per cent rise, while the cultivated area grew from 88,104.77 hectares to 89,382.30 hectares.

According to him, Ekiti retained its position as the largest rice-producing state in the South-West.

He said maize production also rose from 268,971.77 metric tonnes in 2024 to 280,806.50 metric tonnes in 2025, representing a 4.4 per cent increase.

The cultivated area for maize expanded from 130,730.27 hectares to 132,691.20 hectares, while yield improved from 2.06 to 2.10 metric tonnes per hectare.

Similarly, cowpea production increased from 97,464.59 metric tonnes to 103,702.30 metric tonnes, representing a 6.4 per cent rise, while cultivated land grew from 165,682.89 hectares to 167,339.70 hectares.

Tomato production also increased from 26,827.69 metric tonnes in 2024 to 27,525.20 metric tonnes in 2025, with cultivated land rising from 23,289.94 hectares to 23,662.60 hectares. Yield improved from 1.15 to 1.20 metric tonnes per hectare.

Okra production rose from 12,726.23 metric tonnes to 12,917.10 metric tonnes, while the cultivated area increased from 22,550.85 hectares to 22,731.30 hectares. Its yield also improved from 0.56 to 0.60 metric tonnes per hectare.

The commissioner said yam and cassava remained major components of the state’s agricultural economy, with cultivated areas for both crops expanding in 2025.

‘Yam cultivation increased from 194,049.54 hectares in 2024 to 197,542.40 hectares, while cassava cultivation rose from 239,784.50 hectares to 243,860.80 hectares, with cassava production exceeding 2.1 million metric tonnes in the latest report,’ he said.

Boluwade added that cocoyam recorded a marginal increase in cultivated area, while soybean production rose from 7,307.20 metric tonnes to 7,402.20 metric tonnes, although its reported yield declined slightly.

He said the figures highlighted the need for crop-specific interventions to sustain growth and address productivity challenges in areas where yields remained below expectations.

According to him, the state government would continue to prioritise land clearing for youths, farmers’ associations and communities, as well as access to improved inputs, mechanisation, extension services, improved planting materials, climate-smart agricultural practices and market linkages.

Boluwade stressed that the government’s objective was not merely to increase the amount of land under cultivation but also to raise productivity, improve farmers’ incomes and strengthen their livelihoods.

He said the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji remained committed to making agriculture a stronger pillar of the state’s economy and positioning Ekiti to contribute significantly to national food security.

‘These figures are encouraging because they show that more land is being brought under cultivation and that production is increasing in several of our major crops. Our responsibility now is to consolidate these gains, address crop-specific challenges and ensure that increased production translates into better income and improved livelihoods for our farmers,’ he said.

The commissioner urged farmers to take advantage of government-supported agricultural programmes and adopt improved production practices.

He also assured that the ministry would continue to collaborate with farmers’ groups, development partners, research institutions and other stakeholders to further boost agricultural productivity across the state.

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC PCC) has faulted the claim by Vice President Kashim Shettima that President Bola Tinubu saved Nigeria from economic collapse.

The council said the current administration cannot disown the record of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Reacting on Sunday through the Director of Media and Publicity of ADC PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, it said if Nigeria was heading towards economic collapse before Tinubu assumed office, as claimed by the Vice President, then APC must accept responsibility, having controlled Federal Government for eight years under Buhari.

He recalled that Tinubu had said his government would build on Buhari’s legacy.

‘Nigerians know APC. It is the APC, on whose platform President Tinubu is seeking second term,’ he said.

Ologbondiyan said administration had not delivered on expectations in areas such as roads, electricity, cost of living and public institutions.

He said the immediate concern of Nigerians is access to affordable food and basic necessities.

‘President Tinubu has not saved Nigeria from collapse; he has pushed country deeper into economic challenges marked by hunger, inflation and high cost of living,’ he said.

He said Nigerians were already experiencing economic hardship, not merely heading towards it.

He also questioned Shettima’s promise to deploy 10,600 electric tricycles, 300 buses and electric taxis under e-logistics programme in coming weeks, and reminded Vice President of his earlier promise that transportation costs would come down by October 1, 2026.

ADC PCC urged APC to acknowledge challenges confronting country and focus on solutions.

Council assured Nigerians that ADC remained committed to providing credible political alternative.

It called on Nigerians to support quest for government that would make life more affordable.

Big Brother Naija Season 11 has officially crowned Temi Chigue, popularly known as Temi Nkem, as its ‘Show Ya Sef’ winner.

The 21-year-old housemate captured the hearts of millions with her entertaining, funny, fiery personality, and resilience throughout the ‘Show ya sef’ edition.

Here are five things to know about the BBNaija Season 11 housemate.

1. She was born and raised in London

Temi Nkem was born and raised in London.

Although she grew up in the United Kingdom, she has Nigerian roots. Her father is from Ibusa in Delta State, while her mother is from Ebute Metta in Lagos State.

Her background therefore connects her to both Delta and Lagos.

2. She is studying Accounting and Finance

Temi Nkem is studying Accounting and Finance and is also pursuing a treasury qualification.

3. She describes herself as confident and outspoken

Temi Nkem introduced herself to Big Brother Naija viewers with the statement, ‘I bring luxury, I bring spice.’

She has described herself as someone who enjoys attention and thrives under pressure.

The 21-year-old also considers herself a good listener but admits that she talks a lot. She has further described herself as egotistical and arrogant, saying she does not shrink herself for anyone.

Her personality has made her one of the housemates viewers continue to watch closely.

4. She enjoys golf, food and walking

Away from the BBNaija house, Temi Nkem enjoys golfing, eating and walking.

She has also spoken humorously about her cooking abilities, admitting that her skills are largely limited to simple meals such as eggs, plantain, bread and Indomie.

She has said honesty is important to her and that she finds it difficult to deal with people who lie.

5. She won N160 million worth of prizes

At the grand finale hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Imisi was announced as the winner, with Aikuo as the first runner-up. She takes home N90 million in cash and, overall, N160 million worth of grand prizes.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has disclosed readiness to convene Women Stakeholders’ Summit scheduled for Monday, October 5, 2026, in Abuja.

The summit, to be convened by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is expected to bring together key women stakeholders from across the country as the APC prepares for the formal commencement of its 2027 presidential campaign activities.

Speaking with journalists on Saturday ahead of the event, the Director of the Women Mobilisation Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Betta Edu, said APC women were intensifying grassroots mobilisation with a target of 40 million women votes for President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

Edu described the summit as an important platform for strengthening the women’s mobilisation structure nationwide and commended the First Lady for convening the meeting.

According to her, the summit will also provide an opportunity to empower hundreds of women and further strengthen grassroots structures.

‘When we put our strength together and unite behind our President and his wife, victory is certain,’ she said.

Edu also commended state governors and their wives for supporting the participation of women stakeholders at the summit, noting that many delegates had already arrived in Abuja.

She stressed, however, that the Abuja summit was taking place alongside ongoing grassroots mobilisation across the country.

‘Most of the delegates from the states have already arrived in Abuja, and more are expected. But our community engagements and door-to-door mobilisation have continued across the country,’ she said.

Edu said the directorate’s grassroots strategy remained focused on sustaining engagement with women and households across communities, with the mobilisation structure covering 176,846 communities nationwide.

‘It is a 100-day sprint, and we will not relent until victory is achieved for President Tinubu. Our strength is in our numbers,’ she said.

As the whereabouts of the 19 NYSC members kidnapped in Imo remains unknown, a community leader of Azara-Obiator Autonomous Community, Chief Charles Obialor, has raised alarm.over persistent kidnapping incidents around the community.

Obialor told Nigerian Tribune in Owerri that the development was particularly disturbing because the area had witnessed security concerns in the past.

He said security operatives later moved into the area and began efforts to trace the abductors and locate their victims.

He appealed to the government and security agencies to do something about this place adding that the people are afraid and need security so that people can move freely and return safely to their homes.

The community leader attributed the blames on the vast stretches of undeveloped land and surrounding forests which according to him have made it easier for criminals to operate.

He called on the government as a matter of urgency to clear the bushes and establish a major project in the area to attract legitimate economic activities and increase security presence.

He said: ‘If the government wants to stop this, they should come here, clear the bushes and establish a gigantic project that will attract people to the area’.

Obialor alleged that some residents had abandoned their farmlands because of fear of attacks by suspected kidnappers and armed herders.

He said: ‘The government has no project here, no presence in the entire autonomous community. For two years, we have abandoned our farmlands because of fear of being killed by the Fulani herdsmen’.

Obialor disagreed with reports that the abductors took their victims to Ifekala bush, saying he suspected they could have been taken towards Alasieke Forest, which he described as difficult to access.

He said: ‘The place where I suspect they are keeping the victims is Alasieke Forest. It is a very dangerous area’.

Obialor disputed the police account that 10 of the victims had been rescued, insisting that 34 people were kidnapped while two others miraculously escaped.

He said he suspected that some of the remaining victims were still being held captive by the kidnappers.

He said: ‘We were here when we heard the sound of gunshots. It was in the morning, around 7am. Everybody became afraid because we did not know what was happening’.

According to him, the attackers operated around the highway before taking their victims into the bush, leaving residents and motorists confused and frightened.

THE future of Nigerian cinema was celebrated in Jos on Tuesday as student filmmakers gathered for the finale of the second European Union-National Film Institute (EU-NFI) Students Film Festival, where emerging directors, cinematographers, animators and documentary makers were recognised for their work.

The two-day festival, which ended on September 29 in Plateau State, was themed ‘Filmmaking in the Digital Age: A Techno-Creative Approach to Cultural Advocacy’.

Organised by the National Film Institute (NFI), Jos, in partnership with the European Union, it brought together screenings, masterclasses and competitions intended to develop the skills of a new generation of Nigerian filmmakers.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the EU ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, praised the students for what he described as their storytelling prowess, saying their work pointed to a promising future for African cinema.

Mignot said the European Union remained committed to supporting youth creativity and skills development within Nigeria’s creative industries.

He also highlighted the National Film Institute’s role in training young Nigerians to turn their experiences and questions about their communities into stories for the screen.

‘I am pleased with this history-making institution, where young Nigerians are being equipped with the skills to become filmmakers and to transform their experiences, communities and questions into compelling stories,’ Mignot said.

He added that the festival reflected areas of EU engagement in Nigeria, including youth empowerment, education, culture, the creative industries, people-to-people exchanges and efforts to strengthen relations between the EU and Nigeria.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Ali Nuhu, described the festival as more than a showcase, arguing that the partnership demonstrated a shared commitment to creating opportunities for young Nigerians to develop their storytelling abilities.

‘A common vision drove the EU-NFI partnership; a shared mission; headed towards one destination; building strong, cross-border, and enduring cultural bridges,’ Nuhu said.

He also called for continued investment in skills development and learning opportunities for emerging filmmakers, pointing to the growing number of cultural advocates using film to tell stories about their communities and society.

Nuhu congratulated the winners and participants, saying their performances reflected the NFI’s training standards. He encouraged students to maintain professional standards and use film for personal and national development.

The awards covered a range of filmmaking disciplines. ‘Rev Kola’, by Osakpolo Authur, won Best Sound, while ‘Carrying a Legacy’, by Badung Chuhwak, took Best Documentary. ‘Coming Home’, by Habubu Risku, won Best Animation, and ‘Dusk Till Dawn’, by Longtong Tang’an, was named Best Cinematography.

Esther Onyinyechi Nnamani took two of the festival’s major prizes, winning Best Director and Best Short Film for ‘They Call Me Mother.’

Each of the six category winners received N100,000.

Rector of the National Film Institute, Prof Pomak Frank Tengya, said the institution was ready to host the festival again in 2027, signalling the organisers’ intention to establish the event as a continuing platform for student filmmakers.