Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and budget experts have called for stronger media-led scrutiny of the national budget to promote transparency, expose waste and ensure that public funds are used for their intended purposes.

They made the call at the 2026 Capacity-Building Workshop of the Senate Press Corps, themed: ‘Leveraging Legislative Oversight and Media Collaboration to Safeguard the National Budget from Unlawful Insertions.’

Akpabio, in his remarks, urged parliamentary journalists to combine rigorous investigation with accuracy and fairness, saying the media and Parliament have complementary responsibilities in protecting public resources.

‘Parliament must guard the public purse; the press must illuminate the public record; and both must answer to the Nigerian people, from whom all public authority comes,’ he said.

He called for a robust press that can question government without turning allegations into established facts.

‘I ask for no tame press. We serve the same Republic under different obligations: Parliament must deliberate, legislate and oversee; the press must inquire, verify and report,’ Akpabio said.

The Senate President said journalists must understand parliamentary procedures and the different stages of legislation when reporting the activities of the National Assembly.

‘A motion is not a law. A bill at First Reading is not an Act. A committee recommendation is not necessarily the decision of the Senate. An accusation made in debate is not proof of guilt, and a proposed allocation is not money already spent,’ he said.

Akpabio said the same rigour should apply to budget reporting, urging journalists to scrutinise expenditure while giving concerned persons the opportunity to respond.

‘Where there is credible evidence of wrongdoing, let it be examined without fear. Where there is waste, let it be exposed. But an allegation does not become a fact through repetition,’ he said.

Akpabio said Nigerians were the ultimate beneficiaries of effective parliamentary oversight and responsible journalism.

‘Parliament stands guard over the public purse; journalism stands guard over the public record,’ he said.

‘Let Parliament answer with an honest account of the people’s money, and let the press answer with an honest account of the people’s affairs.’

Chairman of the Senate Press Corps, Taiye Odewale, had identified an alleged N1.3 billion allocation to the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council as an issue that underscored the need for stronger safeguards against questionable budget entries.

The workshop’s lead rapporteur, Sanni Onogu, said resource persons at the event identified improved collaboration between the media, civil society and legislative institutions as critical to strengthening budget accountability.

Presenting a paper on preventing questionable budget provisions, Ebu Emmanuel, who represented the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, urged lawmakers and journalists to subject budget line items to rigorous scrutiny.

He said budget provisions should be justified, transparent, properly costed and measurable, warning that vague, duplicated or inflated provisions could undermine public spending.

Emmanuel urged journalists to investigate budget changes and ask key questions, including: ‘What changed, why, who justified it, what will it cost, where will it be implemented, who benefits and how will delivery be verified?’

He also called for accountability across the entire budget cycle, from proposal and justification to approval, implementation, monitoring, audit and accountability.

BudgIT Director Oluseun Onigbinde, represented by BudgIT Foundation Country Director Vahyala Kwaga, said legislative budget scrutiny should move beyond approving appropriations to assessing the performance of government agencies and public policies.

He recommended that budget proposals be submitted to the National Assembly at least 90 days before the end of the financial year to allow adequate scrutiny.

BudgIT also urged lawmakers to review agency performance under previous budgets before approving new allocations and to encourage wider stakeholder participation in the budget process.

The Eagle Times Newspaper publisher, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, represented by Chief Operating Officer Tabuko Kennedy, challenged journalists to ‘follow the money’ by comparing budget allocations with releases, expenditure, outputs and actual impact.

He proposed creating a Senate Press Corps Budget Accountability Reporting Desk, a joint budget scrutiny report within 72 hours of budget presentation, and a public database of major projects.

He also recommended that journalists track selected projects from budget documents to their actual sites and use audit reports and procurement records to investigate red flags.

On artificial intelligence, Adeola Ademokoya, Nigeria representative of Mass Media TX Limited, said AI could help journalists analyse lengthy budget documents, compare budget versions, and identify possible duplication or unusual figures.

She stressed, however, that journalists must verify AI-generated information against official documents and seek clarification before publication.

Her message was that AI should make journalists faster and more effective, but should not replace human judgment.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, also affirmed the media’s responsibility to scrutinise the budget and its implementation while ensuring that information presented to the public is accurate.

The workshop therefore placed the media at the centre of efforts to strengthen budget accountability, with participants emphasising sustained tracking of public spending rather than scrutiny ending after the budget’s passage.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has appealed to the government to give further consideration to emergency-response and traffic-management arrangements ahead of the planned demarcation of the First Niger Bridge.

The RS5 Zonal Commanding Officer, ACM Cyril Matthew, said this at the 2026 Special Marshals Zone Conference held at the Secretariat in Awka, Anambra State, themed ‘Repositioning Special Marshals for Greater Impact through Strategic Partnership and Data-Driven Road Safety Intervention.’

Matthew said the FRSC was in discussions with the Federal Ministry of Works on safety and traffic-management implications of the bridge, particularly the risk of traffic movement depending on a single bridge in the event of a breakdown or crash, which could obstruct access for emergency and towing vehicles.

‘We’re particularly mindful of the challenges that can arise during emergency recovery operations, because some of the towing equipment available to us weighs about 70 tonnes and will require sufficient operational space to manoeuvre effectively,’ he said.

He described the Corps’ position as advisory, aimed at ensuring emergency-response considerations were incorporated alongside engineering and traffic-management plans.

According to him, the bridge project had reached an advanced stage and would significantly improve connectivity when completed.

The Marketing Edge Awards has recognised excellence in strategic communications with the presentation of the Outstanding Strategic Communications Personality of the Year award to Ugochukwu Uwajeh.

The recognition honours Uwajeh’s contribution to strategic communications and public relations, as well as his leadership in developing communications strategies that help organisations strengthen reputation, engage stakeholders and connect more effectively with their audiences.

The award was presented at the ceremony, which brought together leading professionals, brands and organisations across Nigeria’s marketing, advertising, media and communications industry.

With a career spanning public relations, corporate communications, media relations, brand strategy and reputation management, Uwajeh has worked across a diverse range of corporate, consumer and institutional communications assignments.

As Business Director, Public Relations at SoulCommunications Limited, he provides strategic leadership across client portfolios, guiding teams in the development and execution of communications programmes that respond to business priorities while creating meaningful stakeholder engagement.

Uwajeh expressed appreciation to Marketing Edge and the colleagues, clients, mentors and partners who have been part of his professional journey.

‘I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from Marketing Edge. Strategic communications has always been about more than putting a message out. It is about understanding the business, understanding people and finding the right way to connect the two.

‘I am grateful to the many colleagues, clients, mentors and partners who have contributed to this journey. Communications is a team effort, and I share this recognition with everyone I have had the privilege of working with.’

Uwajeh said the recognition also reinforces the need for communications professionals to play a more strategic role in helping organisations navigate an increasingly complex environment.

‘Communications is evolving rapidly. Audiences are more discerning; platforms are changing and organisations are expected to communicate with greater clarity and authenticity. Our role is to bring insight, strategic thinking and creativity to the table, while helping organisations build trust and meaningful relationships,’ he said.

The Marketing Edge EDGE Awards recognises outstanding achievements and contributions across Nigeria’s marketing and communications ecosystem, celebrating individuals, brands and organisations that have made a notable impact in the industry.

The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, said he will travel to the United Kingdom (UK) before the end of the year with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other senior officials for the formal launch of the NDC-UK chapter.

Dickson disclosed this in London on Saturday during a meeting with the NDC-UK executive committee and members of the Nigerian community from across Britain and Ireland, held at the London Park Lane Hilton Hotel.

A statement by the NDC-UK Publicity Secretary, Boniokoye Imegwu, said the meeting reaffirmed the UK chapter’s commitment to the party’s growth ahead of the general election.

Dickson, who was in London on his way back to Nigeria after inaugurating the NDC Netherlands chapter, briefed members on the party’s progress and preparations for the elections, urging election officials to uphold integrity and fairness.

The NDC-UK Country Chairman, Princewill Urum, thanked Dickson for his leadership and pledged the chapter’s support for the party’s objectives.

A representative of the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) also attended, pledging the group’s support for democratic participation and a credible electoral process in Nigeria.

Nigeria and other African countries are expanding the release of improved rice varieties with higher yield potential, climate resilience and enhanced nutritional characteristics as scientists seek to narrow the continent’s widening rice supply gap.

The development is taking place against rising demand for rice across Africa, where consumption is growing faster than domestic production in many countries. Records from the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) showed that five rice varieties were among the 57 crop varieties approved for registration and release by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries at its meeting in March 2026.The five rice varieties are FARO 73, SG Rice 1, SG Rice 2, MIP 5803 and MIP 4802. The 57 approved crop varieties covered 14 crops, including maize, soybean, yam, onion, tomato, groundnut and cowpea.

NACGRAB said the varieties were developed by research institutes, universities and private seed companies to provide farmers with improved options suited to different production requirements and agricultural environments.The 2026 approvals followed an earlier expansion of the rice portfolio with the release of FARO 71 and FARO 72, the country’s first biofortified, zinc-enriched rice varieties.The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security said the varieties were developed to combine improved productivity with better nutrition. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Abubakar Kyari said the varieties offered higher zinc content and yield, as well as adaptability to savanna and rainforest ecologies, drought tolerance and resistance to pests and diseases.

‘These varieties not only offer higher zinc content and yield but also climate resilience such as adaptability to Savanna and Rainforest ecologies, Drought tolerance and Pest and disease resistance, which make them a valuable tool for enhancing both the productivity and resilience of rice farming systems in vulnerable communities,’ he said. The ministry said FARO 71 and FARO 72 were the first biofortified, zinc-enriched rice varieties released in Nigeria and Africa. It added that regular consumption could provide up to 40 per cent of daily zinc requirements. The varieties were developed through collaboration involving the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, HarvestPlus, HarvestPlus Solutions and the National Cereals Research Institute, with support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Propcom+ and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.

The AfricaRice-Korea-Africa Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (KAFACI) 2025 catalogue features 33 newly registered rice varieties across 15 African countries, compared with 26 varieties featured in the initiative’s first edition in 2024. AfricaRice said the varieties were selected not only for yield potential but also for traits such as grain quality, soft cooking and aroma, which are increasingly preferred by consumers in several African markets.AfricaRice said the KAFACI-AfricaRice partnership, which began in 2015, had developed and selected high-performing rice varieties adapted to different production conditions and market requirements. The initiative said its collaborative breeding pipeline had delivered 59 superior rice varieties. AfricaRice estimatedthat sub-Saharan Africa consumes about 38 million tonnes of rice annually and imports nearly 40 per cent of its requirement. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) reported that Africa is one of the world’s fastest-growing rice markets, with consumption increasing by about six per cent annually, while the region imports more than 40 per cent of its rice supply because of low productivity. In Sierra Leone, two AfricaRice-developed rice varieties, ROK 42 and ROK 43, were selected for national release and subsequently registered by the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute.

AfricaRice said ROK 42 matures in about 100 to 110 days and is tolerant to flooding and iron toxicity. ROK 43 matures in about 90 to 95 days and combines high yield potential with drought and blast resistance and aromatic grain quality.

Actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has shared photos of herself, her two children and her grandchild, reflecting on her journey as a mother.

On Instagram, Iyabo described motherhood as a beautiful journey, saying that when she looks back at where she started, she can only say she is a testimony to God’s greatness.

According to her, her story offers hope to the hopeless and encouragement to every mother raising her children alone against all odds.

In a message to struggling mothers, she urged them to hold on, assuring them that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

She wrote, ‘Motherhood is indeed a beautiful journey. When I look back at where I started, I can only say, Alice Iyabo, you are a testimony to God’s greatness. Your story is hope to the hopeless, and a voice of encouragement to every mother out there raising her children alone against all odds.

‘To every struggling mother reading this: Hold on, there is light at the end of the tunnel.’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori have celebrated the Founder and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo, on his 72nd birthday.

They described the cleric’s investments in education and human-capital development as significant contributions to Nigeria’s development.

President Tinubu particularly acknowledged the impact of Covenant University and Landmark University, saying the institutions established under Oyedepo’s leadership have provided platforms for academic excellence, entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership development.

In a birthday message yesterday in Abuja through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President noted that Oyedepo’s influence has extended beyond the pulpit into education, publishing, leadership development and humanitarian service, while Living Faith Church has established a significant international presence across Africa and other parts of the world.

According to him, over more than four decades in ministry, the bishop has emerged as a prominent Nigerian voice on faith, leadership, integrity, education and human development, with his books and teachings reaching audiences beyond Nigeria.

‘Bishop David Oyedepo has devoted decades to preaching faith, promoting integrity and encouraging excellence, while investing substantially in education and the development of human capacity.

‘His commitment to building lives, institutions and communities has given his ministry a significant national and international footprint,’ President Tinubu said.

The President also applauded the social-development initiatives associated with Oyedepo’s ministry, including schools, healthcare facilities and humanitarian interventions, as well as the David Oyedepo Foundation’s support for education and people in need.

‘I especially salute Bishop Oyedepo for the social-development initiatives, including schools, healthcare facilities, and humanitarian interventions, associated with his ministry and the David Oyedepo Foundation’s support for education and people in need,’ he said.

President Tinubu prayed for continued wisdom, strength, good health and grace for the cleric as he continues his work in faith, education, morality and human development.

‘On this auspicious occasion of his 72nd birthday, I celebrate his life of service and pray that Almighty God will continue to grant him wisdom, strength, good health and renewed grace as he advances the cause of faith, education, morality and human development.

‘I wish Bishop Oyedepo many more years of fulfilment, good health and continued service to God and humanity,’ the President added.

Also, in his birthday message, Governor Oborevwori described Oyedepo’s contributions to Christianity, education and nation-building as enduring.

In a goodwill message yesterday in Asaba, the state capital, by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, the governor described Oyedepo as a ‘rare gift to Christendom,’ saying his decades of dedicated service have inspired millions in Nigeria and beyond.

He said the cleric’s teachings, mentorship, and commitment to Christian ministry has helped shape generations of believers.

Oborevwori noted that the cleric’s contributions to education through Covenant University and Landmark University have strengthened academic excellence, character development and youth empowerment.

He said: ‘Bishop Oyedepo is not only a father in the faith but also a role model whose life of service, integrity and visionary leadership continues to inspire millions, including me.

‘On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta State, I heartily congratulate our father in the Lord, Bishop David Oyedepo, as he marks 72 remarkable years of a life dedicated to God and humanity.

‘Your commitment to nation-building, spiritual guidance and the empowerment of youths through quality education is truly commendable. We remain proud of your accomplishments and grateful for the positive influence you have had on countless lives.’

Governor Oborevwori prayed that God would grant Oyedepo continued strength, sound health and grace for many more years of impactful service to the Church and humanity.

Lagos State governor’s wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has appealed to residents to be patient with the government over delay in refuse evacuation across the state.

She said government was working on a new strategy to address challenges confronting waste management, adding that waste management was a collective responsibility.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu spoke at the weekend while monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation in Mafoluku area of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government.

Residents had complained about delays by Private Sector Partnership (PSP) operators in evacuating waste, as well as increases in waste collection charges.

The governor’s wife attributed part of the delay to operational challenges faced by waste operators at dumpsites.

She said: ‘The turnaround time for the trucks to dump the dirt at the dumpsite takes a long time. They are on the queue for like two, three days before they dump it and then come out, because it’s just one way.’

Mrs Sanwo-Olu said government was working to address the challenges, adding that stakeholders were committed to ensuring Lagos remained clean.

‘Our prayer to our people is that they should be patient. We know we have this teething problem; we will overcome our teething problem with time,’ she added.

The governor’s wife hailed Mafoluku residents for bagging their refuse, instead of dumping them beside drainage channels.

She, however, called for improved waste separation at source, noting that recyclable materials were still being mixed with wet and dry waste.

‘The importance of separating the waste is very important. We noticed that we need to advocate more on that, because some of the waste we saw today, we had bottles with dry waste, wet waste,’ she said.

She commended the participation of schoolchildren in the sanitation exercise, saying the initiative would help instil environmental consciousness in them from an early age.

Assessing the impact of the exercise six months after its commencement, Mrs Sanwo-Olu said the state had yet to attain the desired level of cleanliness, but noted that public awareness was improving.

‘Six months that we started, we haven’t got to where we want to be. It’s a work in progress. But I can see that the awareness is there. People are conforming,’ she said.

She disclosed that the Ministry of Environment would soon introduce competitions and awards for the cleanest communities as part of efforts to sustain the initiative.

Lagos State Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, who monitored the exercise in Lagos Mainland Local Government, said residents’ participation had improved since the exercise began six months ago.

He urged residents to take ownership of the initiative, rather than waiting for government officials to arrive before cleaning their surroundings.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said public participation had increased since the beginning of the monthly sanitation exercise.

He advised residents to embrace waste separation from source, noting that recyclable materials such as plastics and paper could be converted to income.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government, employers and other stakeholders against dealing with individuals or groups it described as unauthorised representatives of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria.

The TUC said the leadership of ASCSN under Comrade Shehu Mohammed remained the union’s only recognised leadership, urging stakeholders to deal exclusively with that administration.

In a public circular signed by its Secretary-General, Comrade Nuhu Toro, the labour centre said its position was based on ASCSN’s status as a bona fide affiliate of the Congress and on the outcome of the union’s delegates’ conference held in Lagos on August 12, 2024.

According to the TUC, the Registrar of Trade Unions in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Amos Falonipe, as well as the TUC President-General, Festus Osifo, and the Secretary-General, observed the conference.

The Congress said it had observed with concern the activities of individuals and groups allegedly parading themselves as ASCSN leaders or representatives.

It described the activities as illegal and capable of undermining the labour movement’s unity and institutional integrity.

The TUC also rejected reliance on a lower court judgment by the alleged rival group, saying the judgment was being challenged at the Court of Appeal by the Shehu Mohammed-led administration.

It said: ‘Accordingly, until the final determination of these matters by competent courts, these individuals lack any lawful authority to act, represent, or transact on behalf of ASCSN.’

The labour centre consequently advised MDAs, employers, development partners and the general public to deal strictly with the Shehu Mohammed-led leadership on all matters relating to ASCSN.

It also alerted security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, to what it described as acts of illegality and impersonation, urging investigation and appropriate action.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, any individual or group outside the recognised leadership of Comrade Shehu Mohammed-led ASCSN lacks the mandate and legitimacy to act on behalf of the union.

‘Any engagement, negotiation, or transaction conducted with such unauthorised persons or groups is null, void, and of no consequence,’ the TUC said.

The Congress warned that individuals and institutions that chose to engage with or recognise the alleged unauthorised representatives would do so at their own risk.

It added that it would deploy ‘all lawful, institutional, and industrial mechanisms’ to defend its affiliate and protect what it described as the sanctity of democratic trade union processes.

The Nigerian Navy has announced the start of recruitment for the 2026 Batch 39 Basic Training School, with applications opening on October 2 and closing on October 31, 2026.

The Navy disclosed this in its recruitment guidelines posted on its official X handle on Monday, directing eligible Nigerians to apply through its official recruitment portal.

It said the recruitment exercise was open to Nigerian citizens by birth who possess a National Identification Number (NIN) and meet the stipulated educational, age, physical and medical requirements.

According to the guidelines, applicants must be physically, medically and psychologically fit and must have no previous criminal conviction.

They must also meet the minimum height requirements of 1.69 metres for males and 1.65 metres for females.

For applicants using O’Level qualifications, the Navy said candidates must be between 18 and 22 years old as of December 31, 2026, and possess at least five credits, including Mathematics and English Language, in not more than two sittings.

The service said separate age and qualification requirements would apply to candidates with OND and NCE certificates, tradesmen, applicants in medical-related professions and sportsmen and women.

The Navy directed candidates who complete the online application to print their acknowledgement, parent or guardian consent, Local Government attestation and guarantor’s certification forms.

It added that the date and venues for the recruitment examination would be communicated to applicants in due course.

The Navy warned prospective applicants against paying money to individuals claiming to facilitate recruitment, stressing that the exercise was free.

‘Online registration and other recruitment processes are free of charge, and no payment should be made at any point to anyone throughout the exercise,’ it said.

The service also warned applicants against submitting more than one application, noting that multiple applications would lead to disqualification.

‘Only a single valid application is permitted; multiple online applications shall be disqualified,’ the guidelines stated.

It also required applicants to communicate in basic English, warning that inability to do so could result in disqualification at any stage of the recruitment process.

The Navy advised interested Nigerians to obtain further information from its official recruitment portal when applications open on October 2.