Category: Nigerian Tribune

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has celebrated the graduation of 8,300 young men and women who successfully completed the One Youth Two Skills Plus Programme.

The graduation ceremony was held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, on Monday.

This initiative, launched on 22 October 2022, aims to revolutionise youth empowerment by moving beyond mere consumption to fostering productive, innovative, and exportable skills.

The One Youth Two Skills Programme stands out as the largest youth enterprise and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) development initiative in Nigeria, one that aspires to make Anambra State a leading skills hub in Sub-Saharan Africa. Governor Soludo emphasised that the programme is designed to ensure that a significant percentage of the youth in Anambra acquire employable skills that can also be exported.

According to him, the initiative consists of five critical schemes, including the Apprenticeship Scheme, Entrepreneurship Scheme, Cooperatives Formation Scheme, Business Financing Scheme, and Mentorship Scheme, all of which are structured to last for one year.

He revealed that the first phase of the initiative had successfully empowered 5,000 youths from 179 communities, distributing ?2 billion for equipment financing and ?2.5 billion for working capital.

During the recent graduation ceremony, Governor Soludo highlighted the immense success of the first phase, which recorded an over 80% success rate in terms of business commencement and expansion among its beneficiaries, underscoring that products showcased at the event, including T-shirts and food, were created by graduates of the programme, reflecting the initiative’s motto of using local resources and producing what is needed.

He noted that the initiative also encourages collaboration among beneficiaries, evidenced by the formation of the Solution Youth-Preneurs Support Group (SYPSG) – a self-driven platform aimed at supporting fellow youths in acquiring skills, explaining that the group is currently training 1,000 Anambra youths at no cost, showcasing the programme’s commitment to community upliftment.

As the second phase of the One Youth Two Skills Plus begins, it aims to expand its reach and effectiveness. Governor Soludo has set ambitious targets, planning to empower 20,000 youths and increase training centres from 634 to 1,000 in the upcoming phase.

Governor Soludo encouraged the graduates to take their journey seriously, embracing the entrepreneurial mindset that prioritises success through hard work and innovation.

‘With financial support amounting to ?3.5 billion available to graduates through the Business Financing Scheme, as well as one year of mentorship from business development experts, the future looks promising for the empowered youth,’ the governor stated.

The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Aghamba, expressed immense satisfaction with the growth of the One Youth Two Skills Programme, stating, ‘It is incredibly fulfilling to see how this initiative is evolving from strength to strength. We are witnessing a profound transformation in the lives and futures of thousands of our youth.’

Similarly, the Chairman of the One Youth Two Skills Entrepreneurship Scheme, Chinedu Onyeizugbe, acknowledged the programme’s success, noting a remarkable forty-eight per cent increase in participation. ‘This initiative stands out as a model for scholars and practitioners alike. Every graduation ceremony marks a vital step toward achieving our vision where every youth in Anambra is equipped with the essential skills for their survival,’ he remarked.

Many beneficiaries of the programme, from within and outside the state, shared their success stories, highlighting how it has empowered them to become employers rather than job seekers.

Sterling Bank has once again redefined the boundaries of customer-first banking in Nigeria by scrapping Account Maintenance Fees (AMF) across all personal accounts.

Just months after abolishing transfer fees on local online transactions in April 2025, the bank has dismantled yet another long-standing industry

practice, cementing its role as the nation’s leading force for transparent, fair, and customer-focused banking.

This decision cuts at the heart of a revenue model that has long cost Nigerian customers dearly. In 2024 alone, tier-1 banks raked in over ?650 billion from account maintenance and e-banking charges.

Sterling’s move rewrites Nigeria’s banking rulebook while amplifying its bold stance: customers deserve freedom from too many deductions and the right to keep more of their hard-earned money.

Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director of Sterling Bank, explained the principle driving this bold action: ‘Every fee we remove is one less barrier between our customers and true financial freedom. This was the rationale behind eliminating transfer fees in April, and it is the same principle we uphold as we eliminate accountmaintenance fees.’

Obinna Ukachukwu, Growth Executive for Consumer and Business Banking at Sterling Bank, reinforced this position: ‘This initiative is about building lasting relationships that fuel sustainable growth. We put transparency and customer value first, and in doing so, we are building a foundation that serves both our customers and Sterling’s future.’

As Nigeria marks another Independence Day, Sterling Bank presents this decision as a declaration of financial independence for millions of Nigerians. By freeing customers from deductions that silently erode their balances, Sterling is empowering them to keep and grow their wealth while redefining true financial freedom.

With two unprecedented moves in quick succession, the removal of transfer fees in April and now the elimination of account maintenance charges, Sterling Bank continues to challenge the status quo and champion a new era of fairness in Nigerian banking.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the country is making significant progress in the fight against insecurity.

In a nationwide broadcast on Wednesday, the president stated that the armed forces and other security agencies have intensified operations against terrorism, banditry and violent crimes, stressing that their resilience is yielding positive results.

He noted that peace has returned to many previously troubled communities in the North-West and North-East, with thousands of displaced persons now resettled in their homes.

Tinubu described the sacrifices of security personnel as central to safeguarding the nation, adding that the government remains committed to strengthening national security as a foundation for economic recovery and development.

He also linked improved security to the administration’s broader reforms, saying that a safer environment was already contributing to stability and growth in key sectors of the economy.

The president assured that his government would continue to prioritise support for the military and security agencies in order to consolidate the progress made so far.

He said, ‘We are working diligently to enhance national security, ensuring our economy experiences improved growth and performance. The officers and men of our armed forces and other security agencies are working tirelessly and making significant sacrifices to keep us safe.

‘They are winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes. We see their victories in their blood and sweat to stamp out Boko Haram Terror in North-East, IPOB/ESN terror in South East and banditry and kidnapping.

‘We must continue to celebrate their gallantry and salute their courage on behalf of a grateful nation. Peace has returned to hundreds of our liberated communities in North-West and North-East, and thousands of our people have returned safely to their homes.’

A former Chief of Defence Staff and retired army general, Lucky Irabor, will on October 3, 2025, release his new book, ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,’ a book reviewers said is ‘destined to change the Boko Haram narrative.’

According to the organisers, the book, which is a compelling revelation of the complex dynamics of Boko Haram terrorist organisation, would be unveiled in Abuja.

Chairman, Book Launch Organising Committee, Jonah Ejenavi, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been invited to the book presentation as Special Guest of Honour, while former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is the chairman of the occasion.

Also, Most Rev (Dr) Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, will serve as book reviewer.

Boko Haram’s emergence in 2002 ushered in an unprecedented era of bloodbath, destruction of property, and devastation of economies, not just in Nigeria, but also across the West African belt, with far-reaching regional, continental, and global consequences.

In Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, Gen Irabor dissects the Boko Haram conundrum, while proposing solutions to a challenge that threatens the future of Nigeria and other West African states.

The bird’s-eye view of Gen Irabor, who led Nigerian forces against one of the biggest threats to his country, offers a deeper understanding of Boko Haram and the insurgency challenge.

Ejenavi, in the statement, said the 330-page book has 14 chapters divided into three parts. The parts explore Nigeria’s historical past while unravelling the roots of the country’s security challenges, the conundrum caused by Boko Haram, and the paradigm shift required to establish peace in Nigerian society despite the threat of insurgency.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition in which you have frequent unwanted thoughts and sensations (obsessions) that cause you to perform repetitive behaviors (compulsions). The repetitive behaviors can significantly interfere with social interactions and daily activities.

Everyone experiences obsessions and compulsions at a certain point in time. We occasionally double-check if the gas cylinder or stove is off, we check if our doors are locked over and over, and we keep cleaning the surfaces of chairs, tables, and so on.

But if all these become extreme, then it’s no longer considered to be normal but a sign of OCD.

Symptoms of OCD

Fear of making mistakes

Need for neatness and perfection

Fear of gems, dirt, or contamination

Need for constant reassurance

Arranging things in a specific way

Bathing, cleaning, and washing your hands over and over.

Repeatedly checking things, such as locks, doors.

Fear of losing control or making mistakes.

Causes

The exact cause of OCD is not fully known, but some factors are believed to contribute to its development, including:

1. Genetics

People who have relatives with OCD are at a higher risk of developing the condition.

2. Environment

Stressful life events or trauma can trigger OCD

3. Biological factors

Hypersensitivity in certain brain areas and neurotransmitter imbalances.

Treatment

Patients with OCD who receive appropriate treatment usually experience improvement in OCD symptoms as well as increased quality of life and improved functioning.

1. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) known as exposure and response (ritual) prevention (ERP) is the first-line therapy for OCD.

2. Medication

A class of medications known as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is the other first-line treatment for OCD. Examples are fluoxetine, sertraline, etc.

3. Combination Therapy

The use of Cognitive behaviour therapy and medication.

As part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary, the Federal Capital Territory Administration has launched the free distribution of Mother-Baby Kits and the Abuja Breathe Fresh Air Project.

During the official launch at the Asokoro District Hospital in Abuja, FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, noted that the two health flagship programmes represent a holistic vision of health: protecting mothers and newborns during childbirth while safeguarding families from the dangers of household air pollution.

Mahmoud also noted that the initiatives symbolise the administration’s resolve to invest in both immediate healthcare needs and long-term environmental sustainability.

The Minister further explained that the Mother-Baby Kits contained essential medical items and consumables that would support safe labour, delivery and neonatal care for women and babies across the FCT.

According to her, ‘No woman should face childbirth without the tools and support she needs, and no child should begin life without adequate care.

‘These kits reflect our deep commitment to maternal and child health and to ensuring that every mother and baby is given the best start possible.’

She, however, described the Abuja Breathe Fresh Air Project as a bold, forward-looking initiative designed to reduce indoor air pollution in vulnerable households.

Mahmoud emphasised that by replacing polluting fuels such as firewood, charcoal and kerosene with smart, efficient Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cookers, the administration is addressing one of the silent but deadly health risks in homes: respiratory disease caused by smoke inhalation.

The Minister affirmed that these two transformative programmes are part of a broader transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking further, Mahmoud said the administration has strengthened its workforce through improved conditions and training investments, while infrastructure upgrades-from hospital renovations including call rooms to the establishment of a Public Health Emergency Operations Centre-have boosted efficiency and resilience.

She therefore used the occasion of Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary to call on Nigerians to recommit themselves to building an FCT where every home is healthier, every birth is safer, and every breath is cleaner.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, revealed that every year, Nigeria continues to face unacceptably high rates of maternal and infant mortality.

She lamented that despite progress made, too many women still lose their lives during childbirth, and too many newborns do not live to see their first birthday.

‘One major reason for these preventable deaths is the lack of access to clean, safe and essential supplies during delivery.

‘The Renewed Hope Mother-Baby Kit initiative is designed to bridge that gap. Each kit contains basic but critical items needed to ensure a hygienic and safe delivery both for the mother and the child,’ she noted.

She reiterated the FCT Administration’s commitment, under the leadership of Barr. Nyesom Wike, to invest in strategic health interventions that have a direct impact on the lives of rural people.

A former Minister of Communications and Alternate Chairman of the Renaissance Patriots, Major-General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (rtd), has cautioned against the rumoured plan to demolish Randle General Hospital in Surulere, Lagos.

In a statement, Olanrewaju emphasised the hospital’s historical and cultural significance, warning that such a decision would amount to the destruction of a cherished Lagosian heritage.

He recalled that Randle Hospital was built in 1961 by the Lagos Primary Health Commission in honour of Chief J.K. Randle, a revered Lagosian philanthropist, athlete, socialite and advocate for public health.

According to Olanrewaju, Chief Randle dedicated his life and wealth to fighting diseases such as tuberculosis and rabies during a time when such efforts were both rare and critical.

‘Chief Randle was indeed a demonstrable evidence of a Lagosian who invested his wealth into his community for the greater good of all,’ Olanrewaju stated.

He commended the late icon’s contributions to philanthropy, cultural revival and social intervention, recalling a life that combined medical philanthropy with athletic distinction and civic engagement.

The former minister expressed disbelief at reports suggesting that a top government official may have an interest in the demolition and redevelopment of the hospital.

He, therefore, described the move, if true, as a ‘reckless abuse of public office’ and a ‘trampling upon public trust.’

Olanrewaju said: ‘I do not believe it. This would amount to the destruction of a 64-year-old monument, a gradual eradication of a treasured Lagosian historical landmark. If true, it smacks of partisan ribaldry.’

Rather than demolish the facility, Olanrewaju advised that new primary healthcare centres could be developed on other available government lands within the area.

He proposed portions of the vast grounds surrounding the National Arts Theatre, located within Surulere, Mainland, Apapa and Lagos Island local government jurisdictions, as alternative sites for such projects.

‘Please, do not destroy another Lagosian heritage in the craze for commercial thoughtlessness and partisan aggrandizement,’ he pleaded.

As of press time, there has been no official confirmation or denial from government authorities regarding the alleged plans for the hospital.

President Bola Tinubu has advised that Nigeria should be a nation of producers rather than just being consumers.

He stated this in his Independence Day address to Nigerians on Wednesday, saying that it was time for the country to shift from being a consuming nation to a producing one.

‘Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise Made-in-Nigeria goods. I say Nigeria first,’ Tinubu declared.

The president explained that reforms like removing fuel subsidies and unifying foreign exchange rates were tough but necessary to reset the economy.

‘We chose the path of reform. We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today,’ he said.

Tinubu added that the results are beginning to show, noting that Nigeria recorded a 4.23% GDP growth in Q2 2025 while inflation dropped to its lowest in three years.

‘The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief,’ he assured citizens.

He also urged Nigerians to join hands in building a self-reliant nation.

Tinubu added, ‘The accurate measure of our success will not be in economic statistics alone, but in the food on our families’ tables, the quality of education our children receive, the electricity in our homes, and the security in our communities.’

The Akwa Ibom State Government has intensified its crackdown on illegal private schools, sealing several unlicensed institutions across the state and ordering the arrest of defaulting proprietors who attempted to defy the directive.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Essien, who led the enforcement taskforce, disclosed that while many operators complied with the state’s directive to shut down, some proprietors illegally unsealed their premises and resumed academic activities.

Angered by the development, Prof. Essien ordered the arrest and detention of the offenders, who are now awaiting prosecution.

‘During the ministry’s regular monitoring exercise, it was observed that while several operators of unauthorized private schools had obeyed the directive, a few chose to defy the order and continued with academic activities,’ he said.

He warned parents and guardians across urban and rural communities against enrolling their children in unregistered institutions, insisting that the state-wide exercise would continue throughout the school year.

‘The Ministry of Education reiterates its stance on the closure of unauthorized and rogue schools. This exercise is aimed at standardising educational delivery across the state, ensuring compliance with approved standards, and ridding our educational system of substandard institutions that compromise the future of children in Akwa Ibom State,’ Prof. Essien stressed.

In commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, Osun State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has granted Independence Day amnesty to 36 convicts currently serving sentences at the Nigerian Correctional Service facilities in Ilesa and Ile-Ife.

The Governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, who made this known in a statement in Osogbo, stated that, ‘Governor Adeleke’s decision reflects the spirit of compassion, justice, and renewal which Nigeria’s Independence Day represents.

‘As a government of the people, we remain committed to upholding justice while extending mercy to deserving citizens. This amnesty is not only a gesture of freedom but also a call for true rehabilitation, reintegration, and a fresh start for these individuals.’

He stressed that the gesture, made in line with the powers conferred on the Governor under Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), follows the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

In a proclamation issued under his hand and the Public Seal of Osun State, dated 24 September 2025, Governor Adeleke declared:

‘WHEREAS, the Governor of Osun State of Nigeria has granted amnesty to the convicted persons listed and attached hereto, who are subject to the jurisdiction of Osun State.

‘NOW KNOW YE THAT I, Senator (Dr) Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, the Governor of Osun State of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Paragraph (a) Subsection (1) of Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), and acting in accordance with the Advisory Council of State designated under Subsection (2) of the said Section, am graciously pleased to extend my mercy to the said thirty-six (36) convicts.

‘By this act, I remit and release unto them all pains, penalties, and punishments whatsoever that may have accrued from their convictions, and I hereby require all to whom it may concern to take due notice thereof.

‘AND FOR SO DOING, this shall be a sufficient warrant. Given under my hand and the Public Seal of Osun State, Nigeria, this 24th day of September, 2025.’

The beneficiaries of this Independence Day amnesty include men and women convicted mostly of minor offences such as stealing and conspiracy, many of whom had served substantial portions of their sentences.

List of convicts granted Independence Day Amnesty from Ilesa Correctional Centre are: Kehinde Ganiyu, Isiaka Mohammed, Oluwatosin Femi, Adebisi Adeniyi, Rotimi Paul, Oyewole Sunday, Ojo Adewale, Tajudeen Ridwan, Jokotola Quadri, Akinola Taofeek, Onibukun Adebisi, Azeez Afeez, Abdulgafar Quadri, Udoh Monday O., Babawale Saheed, Olasunkanmi Wasiu, Adetoro Toheeb, Mudashiru Lawal, Ismaila Wahab, Yinka Oyeniyi, Olaniyan Taofeek, Sheu Mumini, Ololade Bashit, Musibau Abdulkareem, Jamiu Sulaeeb, Jeremiah Ayuba, Abimbola Samad, Oladeji Tosin and Mathew Samuel.

Also, those granted amnesty from Ile-Ife Correctional Centre are: Yusuf Ola, Oyedeji Sunday, Ojo Olaoluwa, Ogunola Rafiu, Ayomide Amos, Usman Adefisan and Adedigba Abiodun,’ he concluded.