Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Federal Government has appealed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to shelve the proposed strike action, as the government is prepared to resolve all the lingering issues comprehensively and holistically.

Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, made the appeal in Abuja at a news conference held before the meeting of the high-level committee on FGN/ASUU 2025 proposed agreement on Wednesday.

Alausa said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that the ASUU proposed strike be averted, affirming the commitment and political will of the President to resolve all the contending issues that would be mutually acceptable and respectful to all the staff unions.

He said there was no basis for ASUU or any other staff unions in territory institutions to embark on industrial action, stressing that the directive of the President is clear, ‘strike must be averted for Nigerian children to be in school’.

Recall that ASUU, last week, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands or face industrial action.

The decision was reached at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on September 28 at the University of Abuja.

Some of the demands of ASUU include the re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, sustainable funding and revitalisation of universities, an end to the victimisation of ASUU members at Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), among others.

The Minister noted that the meeting on the ASUU proposed strike was a technical working group to finalise components of the condition of service for university workers and a counteroffer to ASUU.

He disclosed that by tomorrow (Thursday), the Yayale Ahmed-led Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiating Committee would meet with the leadership of ASUU to present the government’s offer to them.

He revealed that the committee has reached out to ASUU and other unions in tertiary institutions to start giving dates and times when they will meet.

‘The directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to us is that our children must be in school; that we should do everything humanly possible to avert a strike. That’s why what we’ve been working behind the scenes to ensure a holistic resolution of the issues. We’ve not been talking about everything we’re doing.

‘People at the highest level of government have been working several hours intensely to get a robust but affordable response back to our trade unions. These are issues that predate 10-15 years ago. They’ve not been surmounted, but this President has given us the political will to resolve these issues once and for all.

‘In the past, things were done in silos. There were three different Negotiating Committees that were set up. One for universities, one for polytechnics and one for the College of Education and those committees worked in silos. That’s not an efficient way to negotiate.

=’Despite the slight delay that we’ve had in putting the Expanded Committee together, we now have one Negotiating Committee that will talk with all tertiary institutions. That same committee will negotiate with academic staff and non-academic staff unions so that they can have a full grasp of what their needs are.

‘I have seen all the requests from all these unions at the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education; 80% of those requests are about the same, while the 20% of the requests are based on particular needs of the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education,’ Alausa said.

Alausa disclosed that the expanded negotiation committee was inaugurated on Monday and that the members held their inaugural meeting on Tuesday.

He added that the committee would work continuously and expeditiously to come up with a clean copy of agreements that the government would sign with the various unions.

He asked ASUU and all the staff unions not to use strike as the first resort, even though they have been patient over time, stressing that the contending issues have been ongoing for about two decades.

He emphasised that the President has given all the political will to resolve the problem once and for all.

‘And as I’ve said repeatedly, we will resolve it in a holistic, comprehensive manner that is mutually respectful to the unions in an affordable manner. Something the government can afford,’ he said.

The Minister noted that the government had commenced the implementation of the demands of the lecturers and other staff unions, saying the current administration of President Tinubu released N50 billion Earned Academic Allowance some months ago.

He added that N150 billion was allocated in the 2025 budget as a revitalisation fund for tertiary institutions, while the issues of promotion arrears would be captured in the 2026 budget.

A witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has said that no banking regulation was breached by the defendants in the trial.

The prosecution witness 3 (PW3), Abimbola Williams, who stated this while testifying before an FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on Wednesday, said during cross-examination that no banking regulation was breached in the transactions allowed by her bank, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.

Bello and his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, were arraigned on Nov 27, 2024 on a 16-count- charge bordering on alleged property fraud to the tune of N110 billion..

When the matter was called for continuation of hearing, Abimbola Williams, a Compliance Officer with UBA, admitted that she had given similar evidence before the Federal High Court in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Yahaya Bello.

She, however, admitted not being the relationship or account manager of the Kogi Government House account and that the account was domiciled in Lokoja but noted that transactions were in line with stipulated guidelines.

The witness, who had testified that she worked at the Area 3, Abuja branch of UBA at a previous FHC hearing on March 6, 2025, told the court that she could work at any branch.

On cross-examination by the Defence Counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), she confirmed that her job as a compliance officer included protecting the integrity of the bank from legal penalty, reputational damage and financial losses, and also confirmed multiple transactions by Abdulsalam Hudu (third defendant) in the sum of N10 million each between July 31 and August 6, 2019.

Abimbola told the court that she was not in a position to know why the withdrawals were made when asked, and explained that when making transfer, the bank asks for purpose of transaction and relationship on high volume transactions.

But she added that the bank does not make such enquiries in the case of cash withdrawal, noting that the banker was not an internal auditor of the customer.

Abimbola also mentioned transfers, in tranches, by one Bello Abdullateef, on July 5, 2019, saying that the bank did not breach any regulations in allowing the withdrawals or transfers.

She said that there was no withdrawal that went beyond N10 million in all the transactions presented before the court.

She claimed to have been with the bank for 19 years, adding that she understood the duties of a cashier, which included paying cash and receiving cash.

Abimbola had earlier listed the authorised signatories on the Kogi Government House account, as at 2004, to include Christopher Enefola, Permanent Secretary; Onekutu Daniel, Chief Accountant and Hudu Abdulsalami, Accountant as contained in Exhibits F2, Page 37.

She mentioned a letter dated, September 2008, with three signatures – Elder P.S Ocheni, Abbas Ibrahim Abubakar, Chief Accountant and Abdulsalami Hudu, Senior Accountant.

During cross-examination by Counsel for the second defendant, Mr. A.M. Aliyu SAN, presented the witness with a bank statement marked page 3 of F1, May 27, 2019, where the withdrawals were made.

Earlier, during cross-examination by Daudu, the witness had admitted that she had not met or had any business to do with the second defendant, Umar Oricha as well as the first defendant, former Gov. Yahaya Bello before.

Justice Maryanne Anenih later adjourned the matter until Oct. 9 for continuation.

Counsel to the second defendant, AM Aliyu, however, objected to the admissibility of the document tendered, saying it did not comply with the provisions of the Evidence Act.

The Court observed that the document tendered by the prosecution was actually addressed to Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court.

The Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (JSPHCDA) has received over 3.6 million doses of the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine (nOPV2) and Bi-valent Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV) for administration to children under five years across the state.

This was disclosed by the Chief of UNICEF Kano Field Office, Mr Rahama Rihood Muhammed Farah, during the flag-off of the state’s 2025 Integrated Polio and Measles-Rubella (MR) Campaign at Gantsa town, Buji Local Government Area.

According to Mr Farah, the Federal and Jigawa State Governments, in collaboration with UNICEF, have established 1,580 vaccination teams for the integrated campaign. He explained that the exercise would involve 1.8 million doses each of nOPV2 and bOPV, targeting over two million children under five for polio vaccination.

He added that the campaign, covering all 287 wards and 27 local government areas, will also vaccinate over three million children aged nine months to 14 years against measles and rubella.

‘The October 2025 integrated campaign will use fixed, temporary, and sweep team strategies,’ Mr Farah said, noting that UNICEF has supported the training and deployment of 1,500 health workers and 264 Non-Compliance Resolution Teams (NCRTs) across the state.

Each of the 88 NCRT teams, he said, comprises a community influencer, traditional leader, and vaccinator, tasked with resolving non-compliance cases in real time during the exercise.

He further disclosed that the JSPHCDA, with UNICEF support, has deployed four state facilitators, 18 LGA facilitators, 288 Voluntary Ward Supervisors (VWSs), 74 Polio Survivor Groups (PSGs), and 4,880 Voluntary Community Mobilisers (VCMs) for the October campaign.

Mr Farah revealed that Jigawa recorded four cases of the circulating Variant Polio Virus (cVPV2) in 2025 from Sule Tankarkar, Hadejia, Gwaram, and Garki LGAs – a significant reduction compared to 12 cases reported across six LGAs in 2024.

He emphasised that the ongoing campaign provides another opportunity to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases, urging all stakeholders – from local government chairmen to community leaders and parents – to play active roles in ensuring every eligible child is vaccinated.

‘We expect no less than 95 per cent coverage in Jigawa,’ he stated. ‘UNICEF remains committed to supporting immunisation efforts by providing technical assistance, strengthening community engagement, and ensuring no child is missed – especially in high-risk areas.’

Farah commended the dedication of health workers, volunteers, and traditional leaders, describing their contributions as ‘central to building a healthier future for Jigawa’s children.’

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday commissioned the Lagos State Housing Estate, Ajara, Badagry Phase I, comprising 420 housing units, which he named the Sunny Akinsanya Ajose Housing Estate in honour of the late former Head of Service.

The governor also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase II of the project, noting that the new phase would transform Badagry’s skyline with high-rise buildings of at least seven storeys.

Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing affordable housing for residents, disclosing that his government had successfully delivered 23 housing estates in the past six years, creating more than 10,000 homes across all income levels and the five divisions of the state.

Describing the day’s event as a major milestone in the effort to build a ‘Greater Lagos,’ he assured that his administration would continue to strengthen partnerships to make housing more affordable and sustainable.

According to him, the newly commissioned Badagry estate is a reflection of his government’s dedication to creating livable communities, equipped with modern facilities such as paved roads, a water treatment plant with both overhead and underground storage, an efficient drainage system, secure fencing, a gatehouse, a sewage treatment plant, ample parking spaces, walkways, and a complete electrification network with transformers.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted that Badagry had benefited from targeted infrastructure investments in roads, hospitals, schools, and other essential facilities, positioning the town as an emerging hub for eco-tourism, culture, and commerce.

He noted that the housing project generated over 1,300 direct and indirect jobs during its construction phase and that more employment opportunities would arise from estate management and maintenance once fully occupied.

‘In the past six years, we have successfully rolled out 23 housing estates, creating over 10,000 homes for people across all income levels-low, middle, and high-throughout the five divisions of Lagos. As we near the end of this administration, our commitment to closing the housing gap remains strong, focusing on smart infrastructure investments that push development beyond just the city centre,’ Sanwo-Olu said.

He also revealed that four additional housing schemes were underway across the state, including the Lagos State Housing Estate, Ibeshe Phase II (192 units); Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Scheme, Clusters 2 and 3 (587 units); Epe Housing Scheme, Ita Marun (112 units); and LagosHOMS Sangotedo Phase II, Eti-Osa (524 units).

‘Each of these developments highlights our strong belief that every Lagosian, no matter where they live or their income level, deserves a place they can truly call home,’ he added.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, described the Ajara Housing Estate as another significant milestone in the state’s pursuit of modern, affordable, and sustainable housing.

He emphasised that affordable mass housing delivery was not restricted to the metropolis, as the government’s commitment to decent accommodation extended across all parts of Lagos-from Lekki to Igando, Epe to Badagry, Ikorodu to Ikeja.

According to him, the new estate represents a bold testament to the vision and achievements of the Sanwo-Olu administration under the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda.

‘The housing estate is not only about incubating new communities; we have boosted the local economy with direct and indirect jobs and deepened socio-economic growth in Ajara, Badagry environs, and beyond,’ the commissioner said.

The Onitsha Traditional Council in Anambra State has strongly condemned the use of masquerades during political events in the city, warning that such practices constitute an abuse of its traditional values and will no longer be tolerated.

In a statement signed by the Chief of Staff to the Council, Chief Osita Anionwu, the body cautioned that politicising masquerades could create divisions among the people and threaten the unity of the Onitsha community.

‘The Traditional Council views this development as a dangerous precedent that threatens the sanctity and neutrality of Onitsha’s cultural institutions. For centuries, the people of Onitsha have successfully preserved their unique cultural heritage, embracing modernity while maintaining the integrity of their traditions. Masquerades, as sacred embodiments of the ancestors, play a vital role in the spiritual and communal life of Onitsha people,’ the statement read.

It further stressed that linking masquerades with political movements or candidates undermines their spiritual authority and the communal purpose they serve.

The Council also expressed concern over what it described as ‘external interference’ in Onitsha’s cultural practices, particularly the use of masquerades from outside the city to influence local customs and traditions.

‘We stress that these masquerades are alien to Onitsha and have no place in our cultural landscape,’ it added.

In light of this, the Council called on security agencies to collaborate with traditional authorities to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

It also urged political aspirants and their supporters to respect Onitsha’s cultural heritage and refrain from using sacred institutions for political gain, warning that the politicisation of cultural symbols could lead to unnecessary conflict and division.

‘We appeal to our subjects to remain united, strong, and vigilant, and fiercely protect the integrity of our traditions,’ the statement continued.

Reaffirming its stance, the Onitsha Traditional Council declared its commitment to upholding and defending the cultural values that have defined the identity of the Onitsha people for generations.

THE World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the World Bank, have warned that Nigeria’s weak infrastructure and regulatory gaps could prevent the country from unlocking the potentials of the billion dollar digital economy.

According to them, weak broadband infrastructure and regulatory gaps may stymie the country’s potential to ride the digital wave.Nigeria.

The WTO’s stern warning came via a new report jointly carried out by its Secretariat and the World Bank, released under the Digital Trade for Africa project.

The report, assessed Nigeria alongside five other countries; Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda and identified opportunities and challenges in building competitive digital trade systems.

The report praised Nigeria for progress in expanding digital infrastructure, but warned that internet access remains highly uneven, particularly between urban and rural areas.

According to the WTO report: ‘Expanding fibre optic infrastructure and enhancing last-mile connectivity are crucial to bridging Nigeria’s urban-rural divide and fostering a more inclusive digital economy and strengthening competition in the telecommunications sector could further drive affordability and service quality for consumers and businesses.’

The Digital Trade For Africa joint project, co-authored by Antonia Carzaniga from the WTO and Nigorakhon Sadikova and Martín Molinuevo from the World Bank, highlighted the central role of Nigeria’s services sector, particularly digitally delivered services, in driving economic growth.

‘Between 2019 and 2021, Nigeria’s exports of digitally delivered services experienced sharp fluctuations, with financial and insurance services showing notable declines. However, since 2021 exports across all major service sectors have grown steadily, signaling Nigeria’s increasing integration into global digital markets,’

While Nigeria continues to lag behind Ghana in digital trade, the report found that it has outperformed several other ECOWAS countries, underscoring the strength of its long-term potential.

Nigeria has undertaken important international commitments in digital trade. It ratified the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, TFA, and made General Agreement on Trade in Services, GATS, commitments in sectors such as telecommunications.

It is also a participant in two ongoing WTO rule-making initiatives: The Agreement on Electronic Commerce, which ‘aims to foster an enabling environment for cross-border digital trade.’Nigeria Tech JobsTelecom Equipment Sales

The Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement, designed ‘to improve the investment and business climate, making it easier for investors in all sectors of the economy, including digital trade, to operate and expand.’

But the report cautioned that Nigeria has ‘not bound its trade regime for other key digital trade-enabling services, such as computer, distribution, or postal services,’ and has ‘not eliminated tariffs on information technology goods under the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement, ITA.’

On the regulatory front, it informed that Nigeria has taken meaningful steps in data protection and cybersecurity, which the report described as ‘particularly valuable given the nascent nature of the country’s digital sector.’

As politics and politicking continue in top gear ahead of the 2027 general elections, legal conundrums are one of the issues dominating the trends. Just like the build-up to the 2023 general elections, the possibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan returning on the ballot is back alive and active.

As a former president, Jonathan only sought to be elected to the number one political office in the country in 2011. He was on the ballot for the first time and won. But before then, Goodluck Jonathan was elected as running-mate to former late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007.

After Yar’Adua’s sudden death in May 2010, then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as a President and spent the remainder of the four-year term before seeking to be elected for a full four years.

Remember, Jonathan did not voluntarily leave the Aso Rock in 2015; he was defeated at the polls. That is, Jonathan sought re-election but was ousted by Nigerians in favour of the popular ‘change mantra’ championed by the late Muhammadu Buhari.

Like Alamieyesiegha, like Yar’Adua: Jonathan’s rise to power

Jonathan’s rapid and highly improbable rise to power did not begin in 2007.

Before rising to become the first Nigerian President to concede defeat in 2015, his rise to power both at the state and federal government owed a lot to luck.

Jonathan served as deputy to Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was elected in 1999 as the first democratically elected governor of Bayelsa State. However, Alamieyeseigha paved the way for Jonathan to be promoted to governor in 2005. Yes, he was impeached on corruption charges.

From being a low-key governor for two years, Jonathan became Vice President to another low-key boss and President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007.

Like Alamieyeseigha, the ‘Goodluck’ Vice President who never contested for political office rose to power when his principal died in 2010.

Jonathan as the ‘2027 bride’

Ahead of the 2027 presidential elections, Jonathan’s name is one of the top candidates considered by political stakeholders as strong enough to go head-to-head with the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Though still considered a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Goodluck Jonathan has kept a low profile and miles away from the party activities, shortly after his defeat to Buhari in 2015.

With former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who ran on the platform of the PDP in 2019 and 2023, out of the party, Tribune Online reports that the Bauchi State governor and Chairman of the PDP governors’ forum, Muhammed Abdulkadir Bala, recently revealed that the party is considering bringing Jonathan back, actively, into the party as a possible candidate to fly its flag in 2027.

While the idea of PDP dragging Jonathan from ‘political retirement’ into the race sounds realistic, the party is not alone.

Tribune Online also reported that a powerful group within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) – a coalition political party – is wooing ex-President Jonathan for the 2027 presidential race.

The source confirmed that key figures in the ADC were comfortable with having Jonathan as their presidential candidate and had, in fact, reached out to him.

Five years in power: Much ado about Jonathan’s possible return

With the possibility of Jonathan’s return dominating national headlines for weeks, critics, including serving political officials, have advised the PDP against the idea of Jonathan, citing a constitutional stance that may deny the party a presidential candidate in 2027.

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, in a report by Tribune Online, cautioned the PDP against the idea of fielding Jonathan against his principal in 2027.

According to Keyamo, the party risks not having a candidate at all because Jonathan’s candidacy could pose a constitutional threat under section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which could disqualify anyone who has been sworn in twice as president from contesting again.

‘If he is fielded, the Party runs the RISK of NOT HAVING A CANDIDATE AT ALL,’ Keyamo wrote, warning that any challenge would end up before the Supreme Court.

‘The constitutional amendment was made AFTER the court judgment which cleared him (Jonathan) to run in 2015, so nothing is decided yet on that new amendment, hence I use the word ‘RISK’ advisedly. All the arguments as to whether the section can be interpreted to affect him will not be decided on Social Media, but at the Supreme Court.’

Before Keyamo, a legal luminary and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, (SAN), had in a 2022 report published by Tribune Online, posited that Jonathan is constitutionally-barred from seeking re-election.

Falana, in his conviction rooted in jurisprudence and the constitution, argued that the Supreme Court had ruled that the amendment barring a situation like that of Jonathan can apply in retrospect.

He alluded to the apex court’s pronouncement on a similar amendment to draw his conclusion.

The provision reads, ‘A person who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as president shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.’

The amendment, among others, was signed into law by then President Muhammadu Buhari following his emergence in 2015. Jonathan, being the only living ex-president to have enjoyed the succession-by-default arrangement, is widely perceived as the target of the amendment,

However, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, had also joined Jonathan’s eligibility debate, disagreeing with Falana.

According to Ozekhome, Jonathan ‘is pre-eminently constitutionally, morally and legally qualified to contest the 2023 presidential election.’

In his argument, Ozekhome said the Court of Appeal ruling of 2015 had settled the issue raised by Falana.

He said: ‘In a lead judgement delivered by Justice Abubakar Yahaya, the full panel of the Court of Appeal unanimously held that President Jonathan had only spent one term in office as president, going by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

‘Mr. Njoku had contended that Jonathan had already sworn to the oath of office and allegiance twice and therefore, should be disqualified from contesting the 2015 election, as any victory he secured would amount to being sworn in thrice.

‘However, the court ruled that the oath that Jonathan took in 2010 was merely to complete the unexpired tenure of late Yar’Adua; adding that by virtue of Section 135 (2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, Jonathan only took his first oath in May, 2011. The Court of Appeal further held that disqualification is through election, not oath taking.’

Concluding his argument, Ozekhome noted that former president Jonathan being sworn to complete Yar’Adua’s tenure is by provision of the constitution as a Vice President and not by election, adding that ‘election involves conducting primaries by party, nomination, election and announcement of results. All these processes were not done.’

Jonathan puzzle: What does the constitution say?

Both Keyamo and Falana, in their arguments, had cited section 137 (3) of the 1999 constitution as amended by the Fourth Alteration Act No. 16, 2017, which states: ‘A person who was sworn in as President to complete the term for which another person was elected shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.’

While this law prohibits a person who completes another person’s tenure from seeking election more than a single term, including in acting capacity, the fact that it’s not been tested in court contributes to the legal conundrum on whether the provision can take a retroactive effect, especially for Jonathan.

Another constitutional provision that may be contested in this debate is Section 135 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) which stipulates a four-year term in office for the President and when they must leave.

But in Ozekhome’s argument, section 135 (2) b provided guidance on the eligibility of Jonathan to contest despite completing Yar’Adua’s remaining one year in office.

‘Subject to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of four years commencing from the date – (a) in the case of a person first elected as President under this Constitution, he took the oath of allegiance and the oath of office; and (b) in any other case, the person last elected to that office under this Constitution took the Oath of Allegiance and the oath of office or would, but for his death, have taken such Oaths’ – Section 135 (2) b of the Nigerian Constitution (1999 as amended)

Relying on this provision, Ozekhome said Jonathan was first elected on merit in 2011 and that was the only complete four-year term in office that he used.

Another expert weigh in

Another legal practitioner, Kola Oloyede, while sharing his perspectives, backed Keyamo’s assertion that Jonathan’s return to the race could cause a constitutional crisis, stating that there ‘are very many shades of plausible arguments!’

According to him, Section 136 (1) and (2) of the 1999 CRFN states that a President and Vice President are elected on a joint ticket and bound on the same tenure of office.

‘Now the interesting question is if President Yar’Adua has spent any out of the whole four years . would there have been any more years for president Jonathan, No?,’ he said.

Continuing, he added if a Vice President is qualified to vie for this position after expiration of four years or eight years as the case may be, then it negates the idea of a joint ticket.

‘The alternative view is that if a vice president is qualified to vie for the post of presidency thereafter, that negates the idea of a joint ticket and being bound on the same term of tenure of office and Mr. Atiku Abubakar will not have a basis of contesting again!

‘Further alternative argument is: was President Jonathan elected when he took the last one year to replace Late Yar’Adua? No! Rather, he was only fulfilling constitutional provisions in the same way that a Senate President would have occupied the presidency if occasion arises!’

He, however, concluded that should former President Jonathan choose to vie for the office again in 2027, it would no doubt ‘create a constitutional crisis, and only full sitting of the Supreme Court of Nigeria can decide.’

Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, has maintained his earlier stand against the introduction of ‘IYALOJA CONCEPT’ into markets administration in Benin, the Edo, saying that he was yet to fathom the aim of the concept, he termed as allien.

Recall that Oba Ewuare II had recently told the daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mrs.Folashade Ojo Tinubu, and the Iyaloja-General of Market Women Association, Mrs.Folashade Ojo Tinubu, who led a group of women to a visit to the palace that there was no Iyaloja title amongst market women in Benin Kingdom

The first Class traditional ruler, educated the President’s daughter on assigned roles of the various market women leaders (Iyeki) who make rounds at market shrines, report to the spirits by serving as spiritual rails in addition to coordination of market women, on behalf of the palace whose authority the markets were founded.

According to Oba Ewuare, ‘In Benin, we have a special place for women. When you mentioned Iyaloja – meaning Iyeki-general as they say. This is a bit alien to me. I just say, it’s a bit alien to us here in Benin’.

However, reaffirming his earlier position against Iyaloja’s nomenclature in Benin through a press statement issued on Tuesday by six top palace Chief that include Chief Edionwe Oliha on behalf of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), the Oba questioned that if Iyaloja was a national thing, such should have be extended from Lagos to other states in the country.

The statement queried whether an Edo woman could be made the Iyaloja of Lagos or of Nigeria?

‘Can this concept of Iyaloja be extended to Aba, Owerri Keffi, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto and other parts of Nigeria?’

The Oba said it would have advised the Edo State government on salient tradition if it were consulted much earlier on the Iyeki (market leader) title.

He warned that any deviation of the age-old cultural system of Iyeki might lead to breach of peace.

Market women had visited the Benin Monarch palace to thank him for insisting that Iyaloja title was alien to the Benin culture.

Frowning at the use ot trade associations to run open market and play partisan politics, the Oba Ewuare II said the twin factors were antithetical as well as inimical to the essence of market tradition in Benin culture.

The Oba expressed reservations about the tendency of market women allowing themselves be used as political pawns in the political field under the aegis of Market Associations in Edo State.

He appealed ‘to the market women and the politicians behind them to eschew dragging the sanctity of the name of the Oba into their partisan political affairs.’

According to the statement, ‘The Palace feels that if we were duly consulted about what the tradition says about IYEKI ROLE in Benin tradition all the ensuing controversy or tension would have been avoided.

‘Benin Traditional Council wishes to reiterate that in Benin, there is nothing like Iyeki general, which this lyaloja concept seems to imply. In Benin culture, lyeki emerges among the market women.

‘After being chosen by the market women, she is brought to the Palace for confirmation. Once confirmed, they are told to go ahead and install her as the lyeki of the market.

‘The Palace never choose anybody as lyeki. It is the market women that do that. Every lyeki is independent of each other. Every lyeki is culturally, spiritually and, religiously tied to the Palace.

‘There is a direct functional relationship between lyeki and the Palace. Just as there is no honorary chieftaincy title in Benin culture, so also there is no honorary lyeki title in Benin culture.

‘Every lyeki has a spiritual function she performs for the Palace and for the well-being of the market. We strongly advice that the function of lyeki should not be politicized.

‘We hope the market women headed by their Iyekis would have learned their lesson now and know their traditional connection with the Palace and what is expected of them. And learn to watch the mood of the Palace and go with it.

‘The Palace feels that if we were duly consulted about what the tradition says about Iyeki role in Benin tradition all the ensuing controversy or tension would have been avoided.

‘We do not know the aim of this Iyaloja concept being introduced to Edo State. We hope if is a national thing then Iyaloja of Lagos (or Nigeria) must extend this concept to the other states in Nigeria before we can believe its authenticity and motive.

‘We also have a question: Can an Edo woman be made the Iyaloja of LAGOS or of Nigeria?

‘Can this concept of Iyaloja be extended to Aba, Owerri, Keffi, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto and other parts of Nigeria?’

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa on Wednesday emphasised the importance of empowering Nigeria as a gateway country to the black global community, highlighting the United Arab Emirate (UAE)’s support in achieving this goal.

This is as UAE unveiled plans to invest in Nigeria’s film, music, and fashion industries.

The Minister made this known in Abuja during an interactive session with the United Arab Emirates’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Musabbeh Al Mahyoub Al Shamsi, to discuss ways to strengthen tourism and cultural ties between the two countries.

She congratulated Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, the Secretary-General of the UN Tourism, on her historic appointment as the first female Secretary-General, noting that she is opening doors for women, inclusivity, and the power of the global South.

‘It is very important for us now, as a country and as a gateway country to the black global community, to empower ourselves in a way that gives us a certain level of independence. Tourism now is power.

‘We all know the importance of Tourism globally but we need to have a more curative relationship with the United Arab Emirates. We want to empower ourselves in a way that gives us a certain level of independence,’ Minister Musawa said.

Barrister Musawa highlighted Dubai’s success in transforming tourism and the potential for alignment between Nigeria and UAE in tourism and culture.

The Minister also invited UAE officials to explore cooperation areas and assured them of Nigeria’s commitment to deepening ties.

In his earlier remarks, Ambassador Salem Saeed Musabbeh Al Mahyoub Al Shamsi welcomed the proposals and expressed commitment to strengthening ties.

‘The UAE has become one of the top five industrial countries so let us find a common interest in culture and tourism to build a stronger relationship.

‘I invite the Ministry to Abu Dhabi to see the development in Dubai to explore specific areas of cooperation in tourism and culture,’ the Ambassador said.

The discussion also touched on Sheikha’s upcoming visit to Nigeria and potential cooperation in culture, tourism, and creative industries.

As part of efforts to promote sustainable housing, the Federal Government has finalized plans to establish building materials manufacturing hubs across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, in his keynote address at the South-West Housing and Construction Exhibition and Trade Fair 2025, held in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

Dangiwa said each of the hubs would help localise production, reduce import dependence, lower costs, and create jobs.

‘The hub will host factories producing cement, steel, tiles, sanitary ware, paints, and doors, all within one industrial ecosystem. When operational, it will create over 50,000 jobs, strengthen the Naira by reducing imports, and position Lagos as a regional export centre for building materials. This is housing as industrialisation turning construction into a complete economic ecosystem,’ the Minister said.

He explained that his ministry is ready to work hand in hand with state governments, investors, and professionals to unlock the potential of housing as a driver of jobs, industry, and prosperity-touching lives and transforming communities across the nation.

Speaking on the theme of the exhibition, ‘Renewed Hope Housing: Driving Regional Growth,’ the Minister said that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not see housing merely as a social service, but as a powerful engine of economic transformation and inclusive growth.

He described the South-West zone as a trailblazer in translating the Renewed Hope vision into tangible results, revealing that the Federal Government is set to develop 2,000 units of the Renewed Hope City at Ibeju-Lekki.

‘This is a landmark project expanding affordable housing along the Lekki industrial corridor near the Free Trade Zone and the Dangote Refinery. It will ease pressure on the mainland, create thousands of jobs, and open new frontiers for urban and industrial growth.

‘In Osun, construction has commenced on the 250-unit Renewed Hope Estate in Osogbo, providing modern homes for workers, artisans, and business people while stimulating the local construction economy.

‘In Oyo, work is ongoing on the Renewed Hope Estate at Ajoda, Ibadan, featuring modern bungalows complete with roads, water, power, and drainage. These are not promises; they are projects that can be visited, seen, and touched – clear evidence that the Renewed Hope Agenda is working.’

In his remarks, the convener of the exhibition and trade fair, Dr Olayemi Rotimi-Shodimu, spoke on the Construction Artisan Training School and Construction Artisans Market, initiatives aimed at revolutionising the construction industry and empowering young people.

Shodimu stated, ‘The training school will provide comprehensive training programs, mentorship, and certification in various construction trades. Our curriculum will be industry-driven, ensuring that our graduates meet the needs of the construction sector.

‘The marketplace will serve as a platform to onboard trained artisans, connecting them with industry players, contractors, and clients. This will enable artisans to access job opportunities, gain experience, and build their professional networks.’

He explained that the project is aimed at equipping one million artisans with industry-relevant skills by 2035, aligning with the nation’s economic development goals. ‘We will utilise this project as a vehicle to achieve our vision of creating a thriving construction industry driven by skilled and empowered artisans,’ he added.

The President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Builder Daniel Kolade, charged the South-West to be a model of housing-led development.

He said the Institute is ready to work with the Ogun State Government, other state governments in the region, and the private sector to ensure that Renewed Hope Housing translates into real homes, real jobs, and real development.