Category: The Nation – Nigeria

A coalition of unions, labour leaders, workers, professionals and artisans under the aegis of Working People United (WoPU) has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027 and backed the candidacy of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, for the governorship of Lagos State.

Speaking at the inauguration of the WoPU Lagos State Chapter, the National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Prince Akporeha Williams, said WoPU was fully in support of President Tinubu’s re-election, citing his administration’s policies and programmes aimed at improving economic opportunities for Nigerians, particularly workers.

Pledging to mobilise support for the President’s re-election bid, Williams said the decision followed extensive consultations and deliberations among members.

He commended Tinubu for approving a new minimum wage and for plans to review the minimum wage cycle, reducing the interval between reviews from five years to three, adding that the group’s mission is to mobilise working people and promote the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘We will unite working people across all sectors in Lagos, ensuring that every voice is heard, every concern is addressed, and every working person in Lagos is mobilised. We will educate our people on the policies and reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and support the 4+4 Vision,’ he said.

‘This is not a decision taken lightly. We have assessed the President’s performance since assuming office on May 29, 2023, and we are convinced that the Renewed Hope Agenda has brought tangible benefits to Nigerian workers.’

Williams commended the President for introducing the Student Loan Scheme, which he said ensures no child is left uneducated, as well as for supporting small businesses and expanding social investment programmes.

‘Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken bold and decisive steps to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and shared prosperity,’ he said.

On Lagos politics, Williams described Hamzat as an experienced grassroots politician who had spent years in government and was well-positioned to tackle the state’s growing infrastructural and population challenges.

He said WoPU was ready to actively participate in campaigns for Hamzat and other progressive candidates standing for election in Lagos State.

The National Coordinator of Operations at WoPU, Comrade Prince Billy Gillis-Harry, said the movement was created to ensure workers have a seat at the decision-making table rather than merely reacting to policies after they are introduced.

He said the organisation brings together workers from different professions, including farmers, traders, artisans and oil workers, to contribute to governance.

‘Over 90 million Nigerians are working people, and we are ready to support the continuation of this administration.

‘We are also ready to support the candidacy of Dr Obafemi Hamzat as the next governor of Lagos State,’ Gillis-Harry said.

He called for stronger participation by Nigerian workers in government policy formulation, adding that government policies would struggle to achieve their objectives without the support of workers across different sectors of the economy.

The convener, Comrade Funmi Sessi, said the group came together to endorse Tinubu’s re-election and Hamzat’s candidacy for Lagos State Governor, to ensure the continuation of the present administration’s work.

‘This administration has taken bold and decisive steps to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and shared prosperity. So, we have to support it to continue this good job,’ Sessi said.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State Branch, has expressed deep sadness over the death of Dr. Stephen Vanman, a medical officer whose lifeless body was reportedly found at Market Junction along Aba Road, Port Harcourt.

The NMA disclosed the incident in a statement, signed by its Rivers State Branch Secretary, Dr. Diamond Tonye-Obene, and posted on its official Facebook page.

The association said its State Officers Committee (SOC), led by the branch Chairman, Prof. Ureh Oparaodu, was alerted earlier on Tuesday that Vanman was missing after reportedly leaving for work at an unidentified private hospital.

NMA said it immediately contacted the deceased doctor’s relatives and roommates, who confirmed that the victim had been unreachable since Saturday night.

The statement said the SOC later accompanied Vanman’s family to the Mini-Okoro Police Station, Rumuobiakani, Port Harcourt, where they were told that his body had been found by police personnel at Market Junction on Sunday morning, August 9.

‘The SOC also accompanied the family to the mortuary, where the corpse was inspected and confirmed,’ the statement said.

Vanman, according to the NMA, was a medical officer who completed his compulsory housemanship at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) earlier in the year before taking up employment in private medical practice.

The association described his death as a ‘tragic loss’ and extended its condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and other loved ones.

The NMA Rivers State Branch also pledged to cooperate with security agencies investigating the circumstances surrounding the doctor’s death.

‘NMA Rivers State will work closely with the security agencies and provide every necessary information within its capacity to support the investigation and ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are apprehended and brought to justice,’ the association said.

The body of the doctor was reportedly deposited at a mortuary after it was found on Sunday.

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, and 24 other traditional rulers in his Federal Constituency in Osun State have commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for facilitating the rehabilitation of the 82-kilometre Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo road.

The monarchs described the project as a major development that would boost economic activity, ease transport, and strengthen connectivity across communities along the corridor.

During the event organised to commend President Tinubu and Oyetola, who is also a former Osun Governor, the Oluwo lauded the duo for awarding the long-abandoned Osogbo-Iwo road to Peculiar Concerns Limited, which hails from the constituency.

The Oluwo expressed confidence that Tinubu will secure a second term, noting that ‘Nigerians will repay him for his efforts, because he improved our worth. He is the best President since Nigeria’s independence.

‘Today, Nigeria is creditworthy; people will be talking about the legacy of Tinubu. If you are not creditworthy, will you be able to secure a loan? Let everyone check themselves: how many loans can you secure?’

‘We see NELFUND, autonomy, and funds going to states. If funds go to states, they reach the grassroots; the government should take care of its citizens and avoid selfishness. It was a a bit tough at first, but now we see the network of roads that will last for over 60 years. Nigeria is turning into a great nation with the emergence of President Bola Tinubu,’ Oluwo said.

Commenting on the political situation in Osun State, Oba Akanbi tasked politicians in Osun State to desist from any thuggery and the spilling of blood in the coming gubernatorial election.

‘I am not a politician but a traditional ruler; what I ask is for all politicians and their followers in each party to sheathe their swords in Osun. Stop killing each other. Seek peace. There is no election that is worth the life of any Osun indigene. Election will come on Saturday, and it will go, but if you do not live to tell the story, it will be a loss to you.’

‘If you do otherwise, I personally will put a curse from God Almighty and even your families on anyone killing our children in Osun. All Osun residents are our children. We do not want all this bad news coming from Osun State,’ he stated.

Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, the APC senatorial candidate, disclosed that ‘This road has been abandoned for the past 15 years. It was awarded under the Oyetola administration and neglected by the Adeleke administration. How well will it be for us if we are in the mainstream? In Iwoland, we are progressive to the core. We have never lost any election,’ he declared.

Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from across Osun State’s 30 local government areas have converged on Osogbo, the state capital, for the party’s mega campaign rally ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The rally, scheduled for Thursday, has officially commenced, with the venue filled with party members and supporters displaying solidarity with the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

Oyebamiji was expected to arrive shortly, while several senior party leaders and political figures had already arrived in the state for the event.

Among those who arrived in Osogbo were Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma; Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo; and Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo.

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, were also among the dignitaries expected at the rally.

The large turnout has affected traffic around the Ogooluwa axis of Osogbo, with increased vehicular activity and delays reported as supporters and residents make their way to the rally venue.

The mega rally is one of the APC’s final major campaign activities before the Osun governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, August 15.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) set August 13 as the deadline for campaigns following the adjustment of the election date from August 8 to August 15.

Nigeria’s women’s team have booked their place in the semifinals of the 2026 African U18 Beach Volleyball Development Cup in Senegal after maintaining their unbeaten run in the group stage.

The Nigerian youngsters secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Mozambique yesterday, winning 21-15, 21-17 to advance to the last four.

Coach John Iwerima praised the team’s tactical discipline and overall performance, saying the players are showing encouraging signs of development at the tournament.

‘The girls have demonstrated a high level of tactical play. This is just the beginning for them, and I believe they will continue to improve as the tournament progresses,’ the former international said.

Iwerima explained that beyond the pursuit of the title, Nigeria’s participation is primarily aimed at exposing the young players to international competition and preparing them for bigger challenges.

‘Our main goal is to expose these players and prepare them for the major tasks ahead. This tournament is an important platform for their development and experience,’ he said.

The coach, however, believes winning the competition would provide an additional boost to the players and the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF).

‘Winning the tournament will be an addition to the profile of not only the players but also the Federation,’ Iwerima added.

Barely three days before the Osun State governorship election, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a support group for President Tinubu’s re-election, organised a ‘Victory Walk’ in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), in Osogbo, the state capital, yesterday.

Supporters gathered at Aiyetoro in Osogbo and marched through Igbona Market, Old Garage, MDS, Olaiya, and Ogo-Oluwa, before concluding the walk at the Tinubu-Shettima Campaign Office in Osogbo.

The Osun State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Chief Sunday Akere, said the mobilisation was aimed at demonstrating the group’s readiness and commitment to Oyebamiji’s victory. He explained that the rally also served to sensitise residents on the need for political change in the state.

Akere expressed confidence that voters would support the APC candidate, noting that the group has a structure of more than 95,000 members across Osun. He described the turnout as evidence of growing support, adding that residents were yearning for a governor focused on development and service delivery.

He emphasised that the group was not relying on the Federal Government’s influence to secure victory.

‘Our coming out today is to show our support and commitment towards the victory of Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, the APC candidate, on Saturday. What we have here today is the Renewed Hope Ambassador structure in Osun, mobilising support and telling the people that it is time for change. Come Saturday, August 15, the people of Osun will vote en masse for the APC and for our candidate, who, by the grace of God, will become the next governor,’ Akere said.

Also speaking, the Director of Security of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Osun, Amos Adekunle Victor, called for a peaceful and violence-free election.

‘We just want it to be a violence-free and peaceful election. Everybody should come out and vote. Security will be provided for all voters. Rest assured that it’s going to be peaceful, the votes will be counted, and the votes will count,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Adebowale Azeem noted that the large turnout showed the group was not relying on ‘federal might’ to secure Oyebamiji’s victory.

Nairametrics is set to launch its Wealth Academy in September 2026, expanding its thought leadership offering with practical investment education designed to help professionals, entrepreneurs and investors make more informed financial decisions.

The Wealth Academy will connect Nigerians in the country and in the diaspora with experienced investment practitioners and thought leaders, providing participants with practical frameworks for analysing investment opportunities, managing portfolios and building long-term wealth.

According to Nairametrics, the academy was established in response to the growing tendency among investors to rely on headlines, social media tips, WhatsApp groups and emotions when making investment decisions.

The programmes will instead focus on structured investment frameworks, business analysis, market cycles and evidence-based decision making, with participants exposed to current market conditions, Nigerian case studies and global investment opportunities.

Speaking on the launch, Nairametrics Founder and CEO, Mr. Ugo Obi-Chukwu, said the Wealth Academy forms part of the company’s broader thought leadership strategy and its mission of creating wealth through information.

‘For us at Nairametrics, the Wealth Academy is an important part of our broader Thought Leadership franchise and aligns directly with our mission of creating wealth through information,’Obi-Chukwu said.

He noted that Nairametrics currently pursues this mission through its business and financial news platform and data platform, NMX 100corporate ranking platform, DealsBook corporate transactions platform, WISE annual investor fair, as well as its thought leadership webinars and seminars.

‘The Nairametrics Wealth Academy helps us connect the loop by bringing experts, thought leaders and experienced practitioners together with people seeking practical and instructive knowledge that can help them make better financial, investment and business decisions,’ he added.

According to Obi-Chukwu, the academy is built around the belief that wealth creation should be based on credible information, practical tools and experience rather than speculation and hearsay.

‘Our conviction is simple: wealth creation should not be left to chance, guesswork or hearsay. People need access to credible information, practical tools and the experience of those who understand how markets, businesses and investments actually work,’ he said.

Obi Chukwu said the broader objective is to move beyond simply informing Nigerians about developments in the economy and financial markets to equipping them with the knowledge required to manage capital more intelligently.

The academy will offer four courses covering key areas of investing. These include: NGX Strategy for Picking High Return Stocks: This will teach participants a professional framework for identifying quality companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange and assessing their potential as investments.

The Strategy for Building a Winning Portfolio: This course will focus on developing a disciplined approach to constructing and managing investment portfolios based on individual financial goals and long term objectives.

Strategy for Finding Undervalued Stocks: This teaches how to identify quality companies trading below their intrinsic value using established value investing principles.

Strategy for Building a Winning US Portfolio from Nigeria: This is designed to help Nigerian investors build and manage globally diversified portfolios using US listed stocks and exchange traded funds.

Nairametrics said participants will learn how to analyse investment opportunities with greater confidence, develop repeatable investment strategies, avoid common and costly investment mistakes, understand market trends and make financial decisions backed by data.

The programmes are also designed to provide actionable frameworks that participants can apply to their own investment decisions rather than focusing solely on theoretical concepts.

The academy’s programmes will be delivered through live virtual classes, with each course running for six weeks and accommodating between 100 and 150 participants.

Barely two days before the Osun State governorship election, suspected political thugs reportedly killed the nephew of the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign council, Hon Oluwole Oke, in Esa-Oke.

The Nation learnt that two family members of Oke were attacked near Idofin quarters, at the family house of the APC Campaign DG in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State.

It was learnt that Ayegbo Oladele and Taiwo Oluwatobi were inside the car at the front of their family house.

The political thugs stormed the area in an unnumbered bus to cause havoc.

The media aide to Oke, Sunday Omolebi, confirmed the killing.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun, promised to update newsmen.

The family of late actress, Tope Osoba, has announced the indefinite postponement of her burial ceremony.

In a joint statement signed by the Osoba and Awonuga families, the family said the decision was reached following the Candlelight and Artists’ Night held in honour of the actress.

The family explained that the postponement would provide room for further arrangements and consultations before a new date is fixed.

The statement read, ‘With deep sadness, the family of Tope Osoba wishes to inform friends, colleagues, fans, and well-wishers that the burial ceremony has been POSTPONED until further notice.

‘The new burial date and venue will be communicated officially by the family once the necessary matters have been resolved.

The family appealed to Osoba’s friends, colleagues, fans and well-wishers for understanding, patience and prayers during what it described as a ‘difficult and sensitive period.’

‘The family respectfully asks everyone for their understanding, patience, prayers, and continued support during this difficult and sensitive period’, they added.

It also expressed gratitude to those who attended the tribute night and to others who have continued to support the family since the actress’ death.

‘We sincerely appreciate everyone who came out to honour Tope, as well as all those who have continued to stand by the family with their prayers, love, and support. Further updates would be communicated through the family official channels.’

Osoba, a familiar face in the Nigerian film industry, was celebrated by colleagues and fans at the recent Candlelight and Artists’ Night organised in her memory.

Katsina United have confirmed the death of their player, Chinedu Ozor, putting to rest reports that the former Heartland FC, Kano Pillars and Abia Warriors defender regained consciousness after being pronounced dead.

Ozor collapsed during a pre-season friendly between Katsina United and Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina on Tuesday morning, and was immediately taken to K-Dara Specialist Hospital for emergency treatment.

Despite efforts by medical personnel to save him, the player died.

Reports later circulated that Ozor had regained consciousness while being taken to the mortuary and had subsequently been moved to the Intensive Care Unit. Katsina United, however, dismissed the reports in an official statement.

‘We wish to clarify the circumstances surrounding the tragic passing of our player, Chinedu Ozor, who collapsed during a friendly match against Niger Tornadoes at the Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina. Despite the efforts that followed, Chinedu sadly passed away,’ the club stated.

‘Behind every post, every headline and every video is a grieving family. Behind the name Chinedu Ozor was a son, a brother, a teammate, a friend and a young man whose life meant so much to many people. At this moment, what his family needs is compassion, not speculation. What his teammates need is space to grieve. And what Chinedu deserves is to be remembered with dignity.’

Meanwhile, Barau FC, one of the clubs involved in the pre-season tournament, has withdrawn from the competition, citing the decision by organisers to continue with the event despite the fatal incident.

The tragedy has also renewed concerns over the adequacy of medical and emergency-response arrangements at football venues in Nigeria.