Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Coalition of Presidential Campaign Council of Support Groups in Oyo State has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) to recognise, include and re-engage grassroots support groups that mobilised for the President during the 2023 presidential election.

The coalition said its structures across the state remained available to support communication of government policies and programmes and strengthen grassroots engagement ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking in Ibadan, the coalition’s Chief Coordinator in Oyo State, Yemi Akinwale, Secretary, Mrs Aminat Morakinyo, Ismail Akinsola, executives and state coordinators of the coalition said its members mobilised across the 33 local governments, 351 wards and 6,390 polling units in Oyo State during the 2023 presidential election to campaign for Tinubu and the APC.

They expressed concern that many of the coordinators, foot soldiers and support groups that participated in the campaign had, two years after the election, not been adequately engaged, recognised or integrated into governance and party administration processes.

The coalition said the coalition was not seeking confrontation with the Presidency or the APC, but wanted a structured relationship that would enable grassroots mobilisers to contribute to governance beyond election periods.

‘We seek recognition, inclusion and engagement. We are not here to complain. We are not here to create division. We are not here to undermine the leadership of our party or the administration of President Tinubu. Rather, we are here to offer ourselves as partners, who remain available and willing to contribute to the success of the administration.’

According to them, the support groups should not be regarded solely as election-time organisations because their members maintain relationships within communities and understand issues affecting people at the grassroots.

They said the structures could assist the government in communicating its policies and programmes, correcting misinformation and providing feedback from communities.

‘We believe a government cannot effectively communicate its policies, programmes and achievements to the grassroots without engaging the structures and individuals, who have established relationships within those communities,’ Akinwale said.

The coalition, however, appealed to Tinubu, APC leadership and relevant federal authorities to create mechanisms for the inclusion of Oyo support groups in federal appointments, boards, empowerment programmes, palliative distribution and policy communication.

The Federal Ministry of Education has released the final list of ranked and approved textbooks for use in Nigerian schools from 2026 to 2028, introducing unique QR tracking codes for each approved title.

The ministry said the codes were introduced to strengthen transparency, monitoring and accountability in the selection, procurement and use of instructional materials.

In a statement issued on Monday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry said the first phase of the national textbook ranking exercise covered Primary 1, Primary 4, Junior Secondary School 1 and Senior Secondary School 1.

It said each approved textbook carries a unique Ranking/QR Tracking Code, along with details of the title, author or authors, publisher, and year of publication.

The exercise was conducted under the supervision of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, with Alausa approving the final list.

According to the ministry, the additional process of generating and assigning the tracking codes contributed to the time required to complete and validate the final lists.

It said the ranking exercise would be conducted in phases, with the second phase covering textbooks for Primary 2, Primary 5, JSS 2 and SS 2.

‘The same identification and tracking measures will apply to the subsequent phase,’ the ministry said.

It urged publishers, schools, education authorities, procurement agencies and other stakeholders to consult the official approved list when selecting and procuring textbooks for the affected classes.

The ministry said the exercise was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to ensure that teachers and learners had access to quality, relevant and curriculum-aligned instructional materials while improving transparency and accountability in textbook provision.

The complete 2026-2028 Ranked and Approved Textbooks, including the QR tracking code for each approved title, is available through the link provided by the ministry.

HBM Nigeria Plc, a leading provider of innovative building solutions and manufacturer of cement, ready-mix, mortar, and Plaster of Paris products, has commemorated the 2026 World Cleanup Day with a waste management and environmental awareness campaign at the Oyingbo Ultra-Modern Market in Lagos.

The initiative, organised in partnership with FABE International Foundation on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, focused on educating traders on responsible waste management practices, including waste generation, waste sorting and proper disposal of different types of waste. As part of the campaign, waste management kits and bins were donated to the market. Traders also received practical orientation on waste segregation, branded merchandizes and parasoles to support the engagement.

Speaking at the clean-up exercise, the Director, HBM Eco, Temitope Dosumu, emphasised the importance of educating traders on managing waste from the point of generation, noting that cleanliness must start from the market because the condition of the environment where goods are sold and purchased can affect the health of consumers. Thus, strengthening the connection between proper waste management and public health.

Stressing that greater awareness could help change attitudes towards waste, particularly food waste, Dosumu, said that, ‘We chose Oyingbo Market because it is quite strategic. People need to learn the purpose of waste management. What you see as waste today is actually a resource. Sensitisation is key. A clean environment is a healthy space.’

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer, FABE International Foundation, Temitope Okunnu, noted that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to promoting environmental sustainability and responsible waste management and that engaging market communities was important given the volume of waste generated.

Also speaking, the Head, Street Sanitation Services, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lanre Shasore, commended HBM Nigeria and FABE International Foundation for supporting the initiative and creating an opportunity to engage traders on proper waste management.

The Iyaloja of Oyingbo Market, Olateju Ramot, expressed appreciation to HBM Nigeria and its partners for bringing the initiative to the market, noting that the engagement would encourage traders and other market users to take greater responsibility for maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

A member representing Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency, Kama Nkemkanma, has sent a Save Our Souls (SOS) message to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) over floods in Akaeze, Ishiagu, Okposi and Uburu in Ebonyi State.

Nkemkanma lamented that the floods destroyed property worth billions of naira and washed away crops from farmlands.

He said he had contacted NEMA and the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assist affected residents of the four communities in Ivo and Ohaozara local government areas.

The lawmaker said he had provided 500 cartons of noodles and N4 million to ameliorate their suffering.

‘I came to see the devastating effect of the flood that affected my people, the magnitude of the damage and how we can help to salvage the situation. It’s terrible,’ he told reporters in Akaeze at the weekend.

In Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt council areas of Rivers State, many roads, homes, schools, streets, farmlands and churches were submerged by floods at the weekend.

The worst-hit areas in the two councils were Army Range, Rumuachorlu, Avuha Estate, Rumuowha and Rumuomasi.

Anthony Ufoha, a resident of Avuha Estate whose house was also affected, said: ‘As you can see, my compound and small garden have been submerged, but one good thing is that the flood has not entered the house. My prayer to God is that it does not.’

Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda yesterday hailed the presence of Nigerian Navy in Katsina State through project interventions such as Gidan Mutum Daya project, which, he noted, had further strengthened the relationship between security institutions and local communities.

Radda, represented by Deputy Governor Farouk Jobe at the inauguration of the water project at Gidan Mutum Daya, assured the Navy of the continued cooperation of the state government

He said: ”We assure the Chief of the Naval Staff of the continued support of Katsina State Government for military operations and other lawful security activities in the state.’

Radda congratulated Rear Admiral Aminu Abdullahi on the recognition and development project executed in his community, commending him for facilitating an intervention that responded to identified needs in Gidan Mutum Daya.

He urged the people of the community to take ownership of the facilities, protect them from damage and ensure their proper maintenance so that they could continue to serve present and future generations.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by the Director of Planning at Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Adamu Yahaya, congratulated the people of Gidan Mutum Daya and Rear Admiral Abdullahi on the completion of the projects.

He said: ”Nigerian Navy recognised that security was strengthened and sustained when communities were empowered and their basic development needs addressed.

”The Chief of the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme was designed to respond to critical needs in underserved communities, while strengthening trust and cooperation between the Armed Forces and civilians.

”The Gidan Mutum Daya intervention reflected the Navy’s commitment to supporting communities through projects in education, health care, basic infrastructure and water, sanitation and hygiene.”

Rear Admiral Yahaya said the projects comprised the comprehensive renovation of the Community Day Secondary School, provision of classroom desks, additional toilet facilities and white marker boards, as well as a 10,000-litre solar-powered borehole to improve access to water.

He said: ”The intervention will provide a more conducive learning environment for students and teachers, promote hygiene and contribute to improved academic performance.

”The projects were executed under the Chief of Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Projects initiative in honour of Rear Admiral Aminu Abdullahi, an indigene of Gidan Mutum Daya.”

Rear Admiral Abdullahi said the projects were selected based on identified needs within Gidan Mutum Daya and urged residents to use the facilities responsibly and ensure their continued maintenance

The inauguration was attended by senior military officers, government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, education stakeholders and residents of Gidan Mutum Daya.

The Kano State Executive Council has approved N144.005 billion for projects and programmes across the state, along with a N1.201 trillion 2026 supplementary budget.

The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the 41st Executive Council meeting held at the Aminu Kano House, Asokoro, Abuja.

Waiya said the Ministry of Works received the largest allocation, N84.97 billion, for construction and rehabilitation of roads and public infrastructure, including N16.68 billion for the Rawul-Gani-Sitti-Masu-Gomo Road in Sumaila local government area.

Other allocations include N14.27 billion for education, covering school renovation, UBEC counterpart funding and boarding school feeding; N11.06 billion for land and physical planning, including the Pfizer Hospital land settlement and traffic management; N2.6 billion for health, including the upgrade of primary healthcare centres to general hospitals; N2.4 billion for water resources and environment; and N1.24 billion for power.

The council also approved N1.16 billion for the Amana City perimeter fence, N435 million for Hisba operational vehicles and N368.7 million for a women’s skills acquisition centre at Kofar Ruwa.

It further approved the acquisition of Saymays Specialist Hospital and a property at the Infectious Diseases Hospital for public interest, a public-private partnership for the Kano Energy and SME Industrial Park at Tamburawa, and the hosting of KANFEST 2026.

The supplementary budget has been transmitted to the State House of Assembly for consideration. The council also directed the Ministry of Works to submit a Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation for the Eastern Bypass-Tsamiya Babba-Larabawar Abasawa-Nera Roundabout Road.

The Rivers State House of Assembly voted to establish the State Police during a plenary session televised live on Monday.

The House, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, acted in line with the Constitutional Amendment Bill the National Assembly transmitted to it.

At the plenary, the Speaker read a cover letter from the Clerk of the National Assembly and presented the attached bill, which contained all constitutional amendments required to establish the force.

The Speaker reportedly read all the sections to be altered, and all members voted in the affirmative.

Amaewhule said the House decided to support the bill as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture and to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s security initiatives.

He said the members’ votes and proceedings on the state police had been adopted as a working document of the House.

The Speaker said, ‘These votes and proceedings are hereby adopted as a working document of this House.’

It was reported that the House of Assembly was expected to communicate its decision to the National Assembly through an official letter.

The federal government has called for a unified coalition among copyright regulators to combat the growing threat of online piracy and safeguard the nation’s creative and digital economy.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said security agencies, telecommunications operators, digital platforms, and private stakeholders must come together.

The Minister made the call in Abuja on Monday, 28 September 2026, during the National Seminar on Copyright, Cybersecurity, and Nigeria’s Creative and Digital Economy. The event, organised by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), had the theme ‘Protecting Nigeria’s Creative Economy and Digital Infrastructure Against Online Piracy.’

Fagbemi stressed that the current scale and technical sophistication of digital piracy have made it impossible for enforcement agencies to tackle the issue in isolation.

He explained that piracy has evolved from traditional physical reproduction into borderless, cross-jurisdictional operations.

The Minister noted that illicit entities utilise streaming platforms and domain networks to distribute copyrighted works globally within seconds, often concealing their identities and financial proceeds.

He said: ‘Nigeria’s creative industry has grown exponentially in recent years. Our music, films, literature, broadcasting, software, fashion, and other creative assets continue to gain global acclaim. Digital technology has accelerated this expansion, creating unprecedented opportunities for content creation, multi-platform distribution, and commercial exploitation.

‘While this growth offers crucial pathways for job creation, foreign direct investment, and economic diversification, it simultaneously exposes our creative sector to complex, evolving threats-most notably the proliferation of digital piracy. Today, infringing content is reproduced, modified, and globally distributed in seconds through illegal streaming platforms, pirate websites, and rogue digital services, operating across borderless networks where perpetrators, technical infrastructure, and illicit profits are frequently hidden across multiple foreign jurisdictions.

‘It is, therefore, beyond doubt that online piracy cannot be tackled effectively by copyright enforcement authorities operating in isolation. Eliminating digital piracy demands a deliberate, multi-sectoral coalition spanning security and law enforcement agencies, telecommunications operators, internet service providers, digital platforms, broadcasters, payment gateways, domain registries, and rights holders across the creative ecosystem.’

Calling for urgent collaboration, the Minister said, ‘Copyright infringement in the digital domain no longer exists in a vacuum; it increasingly intersects with organised cybercrime, e-commerce vulnerabilities, and threats to the overall integrity of our critical national digital infrastructure. There is, consequently, an imperative need for a synchronised national strategy grounded in cross-institutional synergy, shared accountability, and actionable consensus.’

‘Simply put, we must transition decisively from policy discussion to practical execution,’ Fagbemi added.

Although the Copyright Act, 2022 provides a modern statutory foundation, Fagbemi stressed that its success depends on structured multi-agency implementation. A key expected outcome of the seminar is the Abuja Copyright Action Plan, an operational framework designed to assign clear institutional duties, establish real-time intelligence sharing, and set standardised procedures for the prompt removal and domain-blocking of infringing content.

The initiative aims to build ‘safe corridors’ that protect creators, improve investor confidence, and support national economic diversification.

Speaking on the sidelines of the seminar, the Director-General of the NCC, Dr. John O. Asein, disclosed that enforcement measures and technological interventions are actively disrupting illegal distribution channels.

Asein also cautioned against relying on an unverified 2019 figure estimating industry losses at $3 billion, saying the Commission is preparing a new empirical study to measure current piracy levels under the 2022 legal framework.

He also stressed that unmitigated piracy deprives creators of fair compensation, deters foreign investment, and risks positioning Nigeria as a destination for illicit digital operators.

Highlighting a recent enforcement success, Asein referenced MovieBox, an illicit platform linked to Asian operators that had adopted a .ng domain name to appear local. The NCC’s intervention shut down the Nigerian domain, forcing the operators to relocate their infrastructure to the Philippines.

In a goodwill message, the Director, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Nigeria, Dr Oluwatobiloba Moody, highlighted the global influence of Nigerian music and Nollywood.

Moody, however, pointed out that pirate platforms frequently expose consumers to broader cybersecurity threats and malware.

He also reaffirmed WIPO’s support for Nigeria’s enforcement strategy through capacity building and technical frameworks, notably WIPO ALERT. The secure platform enables participating nations to share data on infringing domains, allowing the advertising sector to block ad placements on pirate sites and starve them of revenue.

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has urged its 102 new fellows to uphold professional ethics and integrity, warning that breaching its codes and standards could lead to the withdrawal or revocation of fellowship, subject to its governing provisions and due process.

The Society charged the Fellows to deploy their expertise to address Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges, promote innovation and transfer knowledge to younger professionals.

The charge was given at the NSE Third Quarter Dinner and Conferment of Fellowship in Lagos.

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, congratulated the new Fellows, describing their elevation as recognition of years of professional commitment, competence and contributions to the engineering profession.

Represented by the Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Engr. Olufemi Daramola, Hamzat said the responsibility of engineers went beyond designing and constructing physical infrastructure, stressing that their work must, ultimately, provide solutions that improve the quality of life of citizens. He said roads, bridges, drainage systems; energy infrastructure, water facilities and technology projects derived their value from their impact on people and communities.

According to him, the rapid growth and urbanisation of Lagos had placed enormous demands on infrastructure, making it necessary for engineers and policymakers to anticipate future needs while addressing existing challenges.

Hamzat urged engineers to play a greater role in planning and policymaking, while giving adequate attention to sustainability, maintenance, efficient resource utilisation and the suitability of projects to their local environments.

He said, ‘Engineering is a profession in which the decisions we make have consequences far beyond our offices, drawings, and construction sites. The design decision, the specification, the calculation, and professional recommendation can affect the safety, livelihood and quality of life of thousands of people. Competence and integrity must therefore remain at the centre of engineering practice.’

The Deputy Governor added that technological changes, climate-related pressures, population growth and limited resources had created new challenges for modern cities, requiring engineers to embrace innovation and develop solutions suited to changing conditions.

The NSE President, Engr. Ali Alimasuya Rabiu, similarly charged the new Fellows to remain committed to the professional codes, standards and ethical principles governing engineering practice.

Rabiu warned that failure to uphold the principles and tenets of the profession could attract disciplinary action, including withdrawal or revocation of fellowship, subject to the society’s governing provisions and due process.

He said, ‘Let your conduct, both within and outside the professional environment, reflect the honour that has been bestowed upon you tonight. The Nigerian Society of Engineers will continue to uphold the integrity of its fellowship.’

Also, the Chairman, Board of Fellows, Engr. Kamila Maliki, said the 102 engineers had undergone a rigorous selection process, adding that their admission reflected the NSE’s commitment to professional excellence, integrity, competence and merit.

Maliki stressed that fellowship came with responsibilities beyond professional recognition, particularly in providing leadership, mentoring younger engineers and contributing to the advancement of the profession.

‘Fellowship is not merely an entitlement to be proudly borne; it is a responsibility to provide leadership, mentor the next generation, uphold the highest ethical standards, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of our profession,’ she said.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has today arraigned four suspected members of the outlawed IPOB over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of its officer, Ekpeyong Asuquo Owoh.

The suspects were arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on terrorism and the kidnapping of a DSS officer, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The defendants are Michael Okafor, aka Onyechimeleze; Chinedu Joseph Chukwudozie, alias Kante; Chibunna Olisa; and Chigozie Olisa, aka Ability.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to commit acts of terrorism and were involved in the abduction of Owoh, a DSS operative, while he was travelling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Awka, Anambra State.

They were further accused of taking the operative hostage and causing his death during the alleged criminal operation.

The defendants were also accused of belonging to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as well as involvement in activities allegedly linked to terrorism.

In addition, the prosecution alleged that the suspects were involved in the unlawful possession of firearms, including AK-47 and pump-action rifles, in connection with the alleged offences.

The charges followed investigations into the circumstances surrounding the abduction and killing of the DSS operative and the alleged activities of the defendants.

Security sources revealed that Owoh disappeared on 23rd February, 2022 along Orlu Road, Ihiala LGA, Anambra State, while en route to Awka town in a silver-coloured Pontiac vibe.

‘The DSS has continued to intensify its intelligence-led operations and the prosecution of individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country. With this particular case involving its personnel, it is hoped that justice will prevail,’ stated a source.