Category: The Nation – Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youths and consolidating economic reforms, as the country marked its 65th Independence Anniversary.

In a national broadcast from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu described young Nigerians as the ‘greatest assets’ of the nation, urging them to dream big and innovate across science, technology, sports, arts, and the creative sector.

The President highlighted several initiatives rolled out to support education, entrepreneurship, and youth development.

He disclosed that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had so far disbursed N99.5 billion in student loans and N44.7 billion in upkeep allowances to about 510,000 students across 228 higher institutions in the country.

‘Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high.

‘We created NELFUND to support students with loans for their educational pursuits. Approximately 510,000 students across 36 states and the FCT have benefited from this initiative, covering 228 higher institutions,’ he said.

He added that the Credicorp scheme had granted N30 billion in affordable loans to 153,000 Nigerians for vehicles, solar energy, home upgrades, and digital devices.

Similarly, he said the YouthCred programme, launched in June, had begun offering consumer credit to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to aid their resettlement.

Tinubu further noted that the investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, jointly implemented with the Bank of Industry, African Development Bank, French Development Agency, and Islamic Development Bank, was at the verge of full implementation.

This, he said, was to support the technology and creative sectors.

On the state of the economy, the President admitted that ongoing reforms had caused temporary pains, with inflation and high living costs affecting citizens.

‘The alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option.

‘ Sacrifices made were laying a new foundation cast in concrete, not on quicksand,’ he said.

He said the real measure of progress would be seen not only in statistics but also in food security, quality education, reliable electricity supply, and safer communities.

Tinubu urged state and local governments to complement federal efforts by boosting productivity, innovation, and enterprise.

‘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,’ he declared.

The President assured citizens that the dawn of a new, prosperous, and self-reliant Nigeria was within reach, calling on all Nigerians to support the nation-building process.

The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has dismissed reports suggesting the existence of an interim leadership within the association, reaffirming that Dr. Ojo Joseph Ajanaku remains its duly elected and recognised national president.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NCAN described the claims made at a recent press briefing by an unidentified group, stressing that the so-called interim executives do not represent the interests of the cashew industry.

The association explained that its national election was conducted on 23 November 2024 at the FACAN Headquarters in Abuja, where Dr. Ajanaku emerged as president and was duly sworn in by the Board of Trustees.

It maintained that any insinuation of a leadership tussle was a ploy to misinform stakeholders and distract from ongoing efforts to strengthen the cashew subsector.

Responding to allegations that NCAN had delayed the implementation of the cashew industry road map, the association clarified that the document was produced by an international development partner and is currently undergoing review in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS).

According to NCAN, the review is necessary to ensure the framework aligns with Nigeria’s national priorities.

‘The association remains united and focused on advancing the nation’s cashew industry. We assure Nigerians and international partners that NCAN, under the leadership of Dr. Ajanaku, is open for business and committed to driving growth in the sector,’ the statement read.

NCAN therefore urged stakeholders to disregard the claims of what it described as self-styled interim executives, while reiterating its commitment to working with government and private sector players to boost cashew production, processing, and export in Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on his 60th birthday, describing him as a dependable partner in implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda.

In a congratulatory message on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President praised the Speaker, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, for his ‘deep knowledge, wisdom, and openness,’ noting that the House under his leadership has passed several impactful pieces of legislation.

‘Speaker Abbas has displayed uncommon capacity as a leader of equals. His drive for integrity, excellence and selfless service has proved helpful in maintaining stability in the House,’ Tinubu said.

The President also commended the lawmaker’s long-standing service to the people of Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, whom he has represented in the House of Representatives since 2011.

‘I rejoice with the family, friends and associates of this fine lawmaker and leader of men on this milestone. I also congratulate the people of Zaria Federal Constituency in Kaduna State for picking Abbas to represent them,’ Tinubu stated.

The President prayed for many more years of service, good health, and greater accomplishments for the Speaker.

Rivers Hoopers rode a wave of pinpoint shooting from deep to outclass Kwara Falcons 81-61 on Day Three of the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Basketball Premier League (NBPL) Phase Two on Tuesday.

Kwara Falcons started hot, drilling back-to-back threes to take an early lead, but once Rivers Hoopers erased a four-point gap to tie the game at 13-13, there was no going back as the KingsMen scored four more to end the first quarter 17-13.

With the defending champions well settled into the game, it didn’t take much time before the team got the crowd rocking in the second quarter. Mustapha Oyebanji scored fourteen (14) of his team-leading eighteen (18) points in the second quarter, shooting four threes to feed the frenzy, as the KingsMen took a fourteen-point lead with the score at 44-30 heading into the halftime break.

The team scored five (5) threes in the second quarter and four (4) in the fourth for a total of twelve (12) overall (the highest total managed by a team in a single game at the ongoing NBPL Atlantic Conference Phase Two).

At the end of the third quarter, the hosts had opened up a twenty-two-point advantage, much to the delight of the energetic crowd, and kept up the tempo to close out the game at 81-61.

Amongst four KingsMen who hit double figures, Favour Komene had a memorable night as the youngster notched fourteen (14) points, with each of his four (4) threes cheered on by the crowd. Captain Victor Koko scored thirteen (13) points, and John Idoga added eleven (11).

In the end, the defending champions put up a performance which was well pleasing, not only to the fans but also to Assistant Coach Ronald Alalibo.

‘I’m pleased, because when you make a mistake, you go back to the drawing board, you see the kind of adjustments you want to make, and you try as much as possible to effect those adjustments to enable you to perform better.

‘So far so good; it’s a learning process. Even in this game that we won, we still saw some mistakes that we made, and we’ll go back to the drawing board to make some more adjustments moving forward because we have to get better each game,’ he said.

Rivers Hoopers next play Comets by 5pm on Wednesday and will look to make it three wins from three Phase Two games.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas yesterday said that the future of Nigeria is bright.

In their messages to Nigerians on the occasion of the 65th Independence Anniversary, they urged Nigerians to exercise patience as the reforms produce results.

Akpabio said that Nigeria is moving in the right direction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms.

He urged Nigerians to endure the pains of the reforms a little while longer ‘in the interest of our children and future generations’.

He said: ‘My dear resilient and wonderful people of this great nation, I wish to heartily congratulate you for witnessing Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebration. At 65, we are matured and should be working for the unity of the nation and prosperity of our people.

‘We salute your resilience, patience and endurance in the last two years. We deeply appreciate your support and understanding.

‘In line with the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘All hands are on deck for a greater Nigeria’, I urge you to continue to bear the temporary discomfort of the ongoing reforms. We are not unaware of the pains occasioned by the reforms, but I want to assure you, very soon, this will be a thing of the past because the benefits of the reforms are beginning to manifest positively.

‘Let me also congratulate our President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his demonstrated commitment to the peace and development of our dear country, Members of the National Assembly for the steadfastness in their legislative engagements, the judiciary and the Nigerian people at home and in diaspora on this auspicious occasion.’

He added: ‘I must tell you that Nigeria is not finished. Do not buy into the mischievous narrative that Nigeria is irredeemable. We are on the right pedestal and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is reshaping the country; we are growing and making progress.

‘If we all join hands together to support the reforms, Nigeria will become better and surely get to the promised land.’

Abbas urged Nigerians to look beyond the current challenges and anticipate a bright future.

The Speaker, who said God has blessed the country with immeasurable human and natural resources, called for collective efforts towards building ‘a nation of our dreams regardless of religious, ethnic and political differences.’

According to the Speaker, Nigeria remains on the right path with the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He expressed optimism that the country remains the giant of Africa, adding that it would reclaim its position as the biggest economy on the continent.

He urged Nigerians to remain undaunted by the security and socio-economic challenges.

Abbas called for more prayers and patriotism from law-abiding Nigerians, assuring that the House would provide accountable leadership, good governance and dividends of democracy, especially at the grassroots.

A new winner of the Lekki Scrabble Classics has emerged as Abdulmumin Jimoh strode through the field to clinch the one million naira cash prize and a trophy in the Premier Division while Bukunmi Afolayan picked the Championship title at the end of the two-day championship over the weekend.

Both winners engraved their names on their respective trophies in Round 17 with a game to spare.

Jimoh sustained his push for the title and averted the ‘Day One Champion’ curse where a leader fails to continue his run as he maintained his focus and confidence on Table One where he played mostly.

He ramped up the title with 14 wins, 4 defeats and +1569 ahead of John Ayedun (12-6, +820), David Ojih (12-6, +475), Larry Etuwa ( (12-6, +421) and Khaleel Adedeji ( (12-6, +217) in the top five

His devastating form in recent times has propelled him to top podium finish at the Bubble International Scrabble Tournament and the National Sports Festival where he represented Ogun State.

He said: ‘I’m quite excited with this victory at Lekki Scrabble Classics 2025. It was a tough tournament but hard work and continuous training played a key role.I want to appreciate Cyril Umebiye who is my best captain ever and the Ogun State Scrabble family.

‘This tournament is one of the toughest having to compete with players from different countries. I commend Lekki Scrabble Club for giving us one of the best tournaments in Africa.’

Rave of the moment and Best World Best Youth Female Player Sophia Ekeruche rattled the Championship Division with her dexterity on the board but the more experienced Bukunmi Afolayan halted her run as she finished second with 13½ points and a +1239 cumulative points.

The Ogun State based Amazon claimed the coveted title with 16 wins and +1357.

One of the highlights of the tournament was the strong proposition presented by the youth players who created some buzz and unsettled the older players.

Lekki Scrabble Club President Samuel Anikoh in his closing remarks commended every participants as well as all sponsors on the successful conclusion of the tournament.

He stated that the Club’s direction is focused on developing the sport at the school level just like the way it supported some youth who have been successful at world level.

Various deserving players were presented with cash prizes and plaques at the colourful closing ceremony.

Players from Ghana, Uganda and United Kingdom participated at the annual scrabble showpiece.

Nigeria’s foremost socio-cultural sports club, Ikoyi Club 1938 has rolled out the drums in celebration of its 87th anniversary.

Disclosing this at a pre anniversary Press briefing in Lagos on Monday, Vice Chairman of the Club, who also doubles as Chairman, Organising Committee of the 87th anniversary celebration, Bolaji Martins, said that the anniversary celebration which commenced with an official press briefing will run through Monday September 29th to Sunday October 5th, 2025.

According to him, part of the celebrations will include Staff Engagement and Anniversary Symposium/Business evening on Tuesday, September 30th . This will be followed by junior member’s party on Wednesday before a glamorous evening of fashion, music, dance and more for Ladies in the evening.

Thursday, September 2nd has been dedicated to the elders while Digital Night, an exploration of the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the world will hold Thursday evening.

Aviation Day is slated for Friday before Millennial Vibes in the evening. Saturday, October 4th will witness another bumper day with Health Walk in the morning, followed by International/Global Cultural Day and more. Saturday would be rounded off with Black Tie event in the evening.

Sunday, October 5th is the anniversary grand finale and Gala night. Themed Heritage and Legacy; the anniversary emphasizes the club’s long history and enduring legacy as a symbol of prestige and excellence.

Ikoyi Club was originally set up as European Club in 1938. Akinwumi Akintola is Ikoyi Club 1938 Chairman.

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc. (‘Sterling Holdco’), the parent company of The Alternative Bank, Sterling Bank, SterlingFI, and a number of other novel business solutions, has witnessed a very positive response to its public offer, as investors rally for a stake in the company’s future. The public offer, launched on September 17, 2025, has quickly become one of the most talked-about opportunities in the Nigerian financial market, with analysts predicting that the offer will prove to be amongst the most lucrative in the sector’s investment landscape.

The Sterling Public Offer has sparked widespread interest, with market experts noting that the price, which is about six per cent below its current trading price, presents an attractive entry point for both institutional and retail investors. The offer is set to close soon, but the rapid pace of interest has led many to speculate that the full subscription has already been reached or even exceeded much earlier than expected.

According to leading financial analysts, Sterling Holdco’s strategic expansion plans, solid market position, and innovative financial products have positioned it as a major contender in Nigeria’s banking sector.

The public offer is widely regarded as an exciting proposition for investors looking to capitalise on a company with strong fundamentals and an ambitious growth trajectory. With a price point set at a discount to current trading prices, the offer is seen as a compelling opportunity for both long-term and short-term investors.

Sterling Holdco has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. One of the most compelling indicators of the company’s underlying strength is the impressive growth of its share price. In the past year, the Holding company’s share price has grown steadily from N4.00 to nearly N8.00 per share. This increase in the company’s stock price speaks volumes about the underlying value and confidence in its business model, leadership, and growth trajectory.

Sterling Holdco, known for its strategic ownership of two banks, a wealth management company, and a number of innovative consumer businesses, is seeking to raise additional capital through the issuance of 12.58 billion ordinary shares at N7.00 per share. The proceeds from the public offer will be strategically deployed to further strengthen the Holdco’s capital base and fund its growth initiatives over the next 36 months.

About Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc. Sterling Financial Holdings Company PLC (Sterling HoldCo) is a leading Nigerian financial services group committed to enriching lives through innovation and impact with a diversified portfolio that includes Sterling Bank Limited, The Alternative Bank Limited, SterlingFI Wealth Management among others. As a HoldCo, Sterling provides strategic direction, governance, and resources across its subsidiaries, enabling each to focus on its core mandate while benefiting from group-wide expertise, technology, and oversight.

With a heritage of trust built over six decades, Sterling HoldCo is committed to financial innovation, advancing inclusion, and shaping sustainable growth in Nigeria’s economy.

The group champions customer-focused solutions and socially responsible initiatives while creating value for shareholders, employees, and the communities it serves, and continues to pioneer offerings across its core businesses in banking, payments, and technology- driven financial services.

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed reports suggesting that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun obstructed justice in a rape case involving an American citizen and an Indian national, describing the claims as untrue.

The allegations were reportedly contained in a letter addressed to the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills, by a former senior police officer.

However, a senior police source who spoke on Monday said there was no truth to the claims, stressing that the IGP remains committed to upholding justice and the rule of law.

The source added that the police leadership would not be distracted by attempts to discredit the IGP, assuring that the Force remains focused on strengthening accountability, discipline, and transparency in its operations.

The Nigeria Police further reiterated its resolve to work with local and international partners to ensure justice is served in all cases, while calling on the public to disregard unfounded allegations capable of undermining the integrity of the institution.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has made significant progress despite prevailing challenges.

In his Independence Day message on Wednesday, Wike expressed optimism about a brighter future for the nation and called on Nigerians to remain united and peaceful.

He said, ‘On this occasion of the 65th Independence anniversary of our great nation, on behalf of the FCT Administration, I wish to felicitate with all residents of the Federal Capital Territory as we celebrate our nation’s historic event.’

‘This is a special occasion when we pay tribute to our founding fathers who laboured dauntlessly to birth a formidable country which today stands tall in the comity of nations. It is also a celebration of our brotherhood and unity, which have been woven from the loom of our diversity.

‘As such, and in keeping with the theme for this year’s celebration, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the labour of the nation’s founding fathers is not in vain. I, therefore, appeal to all residents to continue to live true to the ideals of the heroes of our land. The Federal Capital Territory remains Nigeria’s symbol of unity and nationhood; hence, we must continue to embrace peace.

‘Expectedly, today is one for sober reflection and stock-taking. This is necessary so we can look ahead with renewed hope towards a better future for the Federal Capital Territory and the nation.

‘Let me use this occasion to express my appreciation to residents of the FCT for their unwavering support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which centres on economic growth, national security, food security, sustainable development, and infrastructure development.

‘In keeping with the central objective of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we have made determined progress on several fronts’.

Wike said the FCT Administration, with the unflinching support of residents, will continue to work to provide first-class infrastructure and public utilities, as demonstrated in the completion and commissioning of strategic roads and public utilities.

The minister said, ‘It is our firm belief that no city can be said to be a city without a good network of roads, hence our focus on road construction. Other sectors are receiving due attention as well.

‘We have reconstructed most of our schools and hospitals and provided much-needed equipment and personnel. We have supported our farmers, promoted Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and, by so doing, empowered our youths and women. I assure you that we will continue to work to reinvigorate the economy and enhance the living standards of the good people of FCT.

‘Residents have also remained intentional about living together in peace and harmony despite a few distractions. Consequently, the FCT has become one of the most peaceful places to reside in the entire country. This is not only due to the security measures we have put in place, but also because of zero tolerance of residents for insecurity, and their readiness to promote peace in every part of the Territory.

‘Come February 2026, the FCT will kick off the electioneering process in the country as residents head to the polls to elect new chairmen and councillors for the six area councils. I implore residents to go about campaigning for candidates of their choice in a peaceful and orderly manner. I also encourage everyone to come out en masse when the time comes, to vote for leaders who evidently have their interest at heart; leaders who have vision and capacity to attract development and prosperity to the people.’

He assured residents of the administration’s efforts in partnership with the law enforcement agencies to ensure security, law, and order in the FCT at all times.

He appealed to all residents to go about their lawful businesses, to be watchful over their neighbourhoods, and to report all suspicious movements to the law enforcement agents.

Wike said, ‘Amid the various challenges we face as a nation, we are very optimistic that the future is brighter. We have a President who is intentional about prioritising the well-being of the citizens and has brought unprecedented development to the FCT. We must, therefore, continue to work together faithfully, to ensure that FCT’s potentials and our collective aspirations are realised to the fullest.’