Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said former President Goodluck Jonathan has not informed him of any plan to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Wike stated this during a live media parley monitored by our correspondent, in Abuja while responding to questions about speculations that Jonathan was being pressured to return to the presidential race.

The minister said: ‘You’re the one telling me here. Jonathan has never told me; he has never called me one day .’Look, I’m being pressured to run, what’s your thinking?’ If he calls me and asks me, I will be able to tell him my mind and what I feel’.

He added: ‘I will not because you people put something on the pages of the newspapers, just like you said they flew me out of the country – then, I now assume it’s correct.’

On the emergence of former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as the consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike distanced himself from the development, saying he knows nothing about it.

‘I don’t know about Tanimu Turaki becoming chairman; maybe he becomes chairman for another faction – it’s not the PDP I know,’ he stated.

The PDP Northern stakeholders had recently endorsed Turaki as their consensus candidate ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15-16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Speaking further, Wike dismissed the upcoming convention as illegal, hinting that he would not attend.

‘How do you want me to attend a convention that I know by law that there is no convention?’ he queried.

In a world that rarely slows down, finding simple ways to clear your head can make all the difference. Whether you’re recovering from a long week or just need a mental breather, these small but powerful resets can help you recharge – no expensive wellness retreat required.

1. Take a digital detox hour

Delete one app that drains your energy – the one you open out of habit, not joy. Even a short break from constant notifications can calm your mind and help you reconnect with the real world.

2. Create a ‘brain dump’ playlist

Make a playlist that mirrors how you feel right now. Music that reflects your current state of mind can help you process feelings you didn’t even realize you were holding.

3. Watch something that challenges you

Instead of another comfort show, try a documentary, TED Talk, or even a local interview that shifts your perspective. Sometimes, hearing a new idea can refresh your mind more than a nap.

4. Change your scenery

Move your furniture around, work from a different café, or drive a new route. Your brain thrives on novelty -even small changes can reset your mood and creativity.

5. Say no- guilt-free

Cancel one plan or decline a favor without overexplaining. Protecting your time and energy is a form of self-respect, not selfishness.

6. Revisit an old hobby

Do something that once made you happy before adult life took over – paint, write, build, or play an instrument. Nostalgia can be deeply grounding.

7. Spend a Few Minutes in Silence

In a world that glorifies busyness, quiet moments are rare. Step away from your phone, switch off the TV, and let the silence do its work. Studies show that even five minutes of quiet can lower stress and improve focus

Resetting your mind doesn’t always require big changes. This weekend, focus on the small shifts that help you breathe, think clearly, and return to Monday a little lighter.

Rapper Zlatan Ibile has proposed a boxing match between Odumodublvck and Blaqbonez to settle their ongoing feud.

In an interview with Yanga FM Lagos, Zlatan revealed he is in talks with promoters who organized the Portable vs Speed Darlington boxing match in April, with a view to hosting the match in December.

‘I want to organise a boxing match for Blaqbonez and Odumodublvck. They are both my friends. I’m already talking to the organisers of the Speed Darlington vs Portable boxing match to organise a match for Odumodublvck and Blaqbonez this December,’ he said.

Zlatan expressed concerns over the impact of the beef on the music industry, stating that despite generating traction, it is detrimental to the industry.

He emphasised his desire for his friends to resolve their issues.

‘They are my guys. I sincerely hope they resolve their issues. I don’t want that energy between them. For my purposes, I don’t know, but in real life, I don’t like the beef at all. These are my friends. I’m certain that they would definitely reconcile and collaborate in the future’, he added.

The rapper jokingly stated that a boxing match would provide an opportunity for Odumodublvck and Blaqbonez to settle their differences, and is optimistic about a future collaboration between the two artists.

‘These are my guys. I’m certain that they would definitely reconcile and collaborate in the future,’ he concluded.

Adele Ajosun Family of Lagos has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the alleged unlawful capping of a ‘Baale’ on Igbologun Island.

It said the appointment is illegal, irregular and an assault on the legacy of the island.

In a statement by Moroof Adele, chair, and Okanlawon Adele, secretary, it said the action by Oba Maroof Oluwa, Olu of Iwa and Apapa, violated traditions.

The statement said: ‘Our family opposes this and will challenge same. The history of Igbologun does not support the illegalities of September 6.

‘Igbologun Island belongs to Oba Ologunkutere (fourth oba of Lagos), who put his son, then prince, and later Oba Adele Ajosun (fifth oba) as custodian of the island-forest when he was called upon to be capped as king of Lagos.”

Adele Ajosun also left Igbologun Island to succeed his father, Oba Ologunkutere, as the fifth Oba of Lagos, and he subsequently installed his son, Prince Iworu Amore, to be in charge of Igbologun Island as ‘Baale’.’

The royal family alleged that the capping involved a surveying expedition conducted by Olu of Iwa and Apapa, in collusion with one of Oba Ologunkutere’s customary tenants, the Olaleye family.

Condemning the exercise, the family said members had been prevailed on to remain calm and peaceful, while pursuing legal avenues to assert their historical rights over the island.

‘Apart from the historical inadequacy of this illegality, we also view this as an injustice that must be fought and defeated, no matter the costs. Nevertheless, as a law-abiding royal family, we have prevailed on all members of our family to be calm and peaceful, as we run this marathon to formally establish our family’s interest,’ the statement added.

Sporting Lagos are through to the final of the 13th Gold Cup pre-season tournament after a close 1-0 victory over former champions, Lobi Stars of Makurdi and will face FC Ebedei on Saturday in the grand finale.

The star semi-final game was a true test of tactical maturity and attacking depth, as both teams fought hard to get the opening goal.

It was a goalless first 45 minutes, with no clear-cut chance at scoring, but the play was an entertaining one, as they kept fans spellbound.

The second half was as entertaining as the first, but the tactical genius of Coach Jeffrey Buter was the tonic for Sporting Lagos.

The introduction of the duo of Shola Oladunjoye and Ibrahim Abdulganniyu in the 70th minute was the game-changer for Sporting Lagos, as they increased the intensity of the game with their high pressing.

No sooner had Shola Oladunjoiye come in, the first real chance for Sporting Lagos came. Abdulganniyu dazzled into the Lobi Stars box to set up an inviting assist for Oladunjoye to slice into the net for the only goal.

The win ensured Sporting Lagos their first final, and will now slug it out with Ebedei FC who eliminated Crown FC 4-2 on penalties after a goalless full time.

President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that Russia would never bow to pressure from the United States or any other country, and cautioned that the response to any strikes deep into Russia would be very serious and overwhelming.

U.S. sanctions are ‘unfriendly’ act and ‘will have certain consequences, but they will not significantly affect our economic well-being,’ Putin said. Russia’s energy sector feels confident, he said.

‘This is, of course, an attempt to put pressure on Russia,’ Putin said. ‘But no self-respecting country and no self-respecting people ever decides anything under pressure.’

Putin said breaking the balance in the global energy markets could lead to a hike in prices that would be uncomfortable for countries such as the United States, especially given the internal political calendar in the United States.

Asked about a Wall Street Journal report that the Trump administration has lifted a key restriction on Ukraine’s use of some long-range missiles provided by Western allies, and remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy about domestic missiles with a range of 3,000 km (1,900 miles), Putin said: ‘This is an attempt at escalation.’

‘But if such weapons are used to attack Russian territory, the response will be very serious, if not overwhelming. Let them think about it,’ Putin said.

The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) recently welcomed a high-powered delegation from the house committee on environment of the Lagos State House of Assembly, led by its Chairman, Honourable Shabi Rasheed Adekola. The visit served as a statutory oversight function, providing a critical platform for detailed engagement on the agency’s performance and regulatory adherence.

The LASAA management team, headed by the Managing Director, Prince Fatiu Akiolu, engaged the committee in extensive discussions that spanned the agency’s activities, its performance metrics and compliance with regulatory responsibilities. The meeting fostered productive conversations focusing on strategic policies and ongoing projects aimed at developing an organised, safe and visually appealing outdoor advertising space across the state.

Akiolu seized the opportunity to express his profound gratitude to the committee for their time, unwavering support and valuable guidance.

He said: ‘We are deeply committed to upholding best practices in outdoor advertising regulation. LASAA’s mission is to contribute meaningfully to the sustainable development of Lagos State’s visual environment, a goal we pursue rigorously for the benefit of all residents and visitors.’

In his remarks, Honourable Shabi Rasheed Adekola delivered a glowing assessment of LASAA’s operational efficiency. He particularly praised the agency’s efforts in maintaining a cleaner and safer Lagos through effective signage control and regulation under Prince Akiolu’s leadership.

‘We recognise LASAA’s vital role in keeping Lagos clean and safe,’ Honourable Adekola stated. ‘This partnership between the legislature and government agencies is essential for ensuring service delivery and accountability that aligns perfectly with the agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.’

Honourable Adekola also issued a call to action, urging LASAA to intensify its efforts in public sensitization. He explained that engaging the public on the agency’s core mandate is crucial for ensuring continuous compliance and maximizing revenue potential.

Crucially, he reinforced the need for LASAA to reassure the public that the state’s outdoor advertising structures are maintained with ‘utmost integrity,’ guaranteeing their safety.

The oversight visit successfully affirmed the shared commitment of both the legislature and LASAA to promoting transparency, efficiency and innovation within the public service, thereby enhancing the quality of life in Lagos State.

LEAP Africa has called on eligible voters in Anambra State to turn out in large numbers on November 8 to elect the state’s next governor.

Speaking at a press briefing in Onitsha, the organisation’s Programmes and Policy Coordinator, Haruna Godiya, decried the rising incidence of voter apathy, particularly among youths in the state. He attributed the trend to a trust deficit, insecurity, and other prevailing challenges.

The press briefing and stakeholders’ forum were held under the organisation’s Campaign Against Voter Apathy (CAVA) project, themed ‘Strengthening Citizens’ Participation in the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election.’ The initiative is being implemented in partnership with Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI).

Godiya warned that voter apathy poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic foundation and undermines the efforts of the nation’s founding fathers.

‘People like the late Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik), the late Alex Ekwueme, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and the late Dora Akunyili made immense contributions to politics and national development,’ he said.

‘If we want Anambra to progress, one way to sustain the legacies of these great leaders is by ensuring good governance through active participation in the electoral process. When you don’t vote, you give someone else an advantage. This election presents another opportunity for Anambra voters to engage meaningfully.’

Earlier, Nonso Orakwe, Executive Director of CATYCOI, said the campaign aims to rekindle citizens’ confidence in the electoral process and empower eligible voters to exercise their rights.

‘As we approach the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election, we must remember that democracy thrives not merely through elections, but through the active participation, trust, and confidence of the people,’ Orakwe stated.

Also speaking, Edwin Okadigbo, Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), assured residents of the Corps’ readiness to protect citizens before, during, and after the election.

He urged voters to turn out en masse to vote for their preferred candidates and cautioned youths against being exploited by desperate politicians to disrupt the electoral process.

In his remarks, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, State Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), disclosed that no fewer than 1,000 of the association’s members would participate in the election.

‘We’ll use our numbers to make a political statement during the election so that we can press our demands afterwards,’ he said.

Other stakeholders present at the meeting included representatives of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

A United Kingdom-based philanthropist, Mrs Charity Anietie-Akanam has distributed educational materials to over 200 pupils in public and private schools in Akwa Ibom state.

She also launched an education outreach, Seeds of Greatness (SoG) under TheGreaterYOU®?, an initiative geared towards empowering indigent young people across Akwa Ibom communities.

The educational materials mainly, branded exercise books, pens, and motivational materials were distributed at Faith Tabernacle Congregation, Uruk Ata Nsidung, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.

Other communities reached are Ikot Osukpong Ndot in Oruk Anam L.G.A.

Speaking virtually from the United Kingdom on Monday, Aniete-Akanam shared how her personal story shaped the project.

‘I was once told that children from broken homes couldn’t succeed. But faith, education, and resilience changed my story. Seeds of Greatness is my way of helping others change theirs. It’s not just about giving, it’s about building confidence, restoring faith, and shaping a generation that believes again,’ she said.

The scholar at London University urged the students not to be discouraged by their poor background, stressing that her focus is on reshaping Nigeria’s image through education and development narratives,

She charged the children to study hard, look beyond their background, and build formidable faith in God, as their background is not their future.

Responding, Elder Rufus Obot who spoke on behalf of the Faith Tabernacle Congregation, prayed more blessings on the philanthropist, noting that the outreach was ‘a divine answer and a delight to the church’

The village head of Ikot Osukpong Ndot, Chief Mandu Onono II, lauded the gesture, describing it as ‘a rare gesture of hope for the young people and the first-ever school done for children in Ikot Osukpong.’

‘We are deeply grateful to our daughter, Charity, for remembering where she came from. These children will not forget this act of kindness. It has planted something powerful in their hearts because this is the first time somebody is donating books to our children,’ he added.

One of the beneficiaries, Ukeme Sunday, who spoke on behalf of the young people , said the books would help her stay focused in school.

‘I am very happy for the books and pens we received. They will help me stay in class and ease the burden on my parents. Thank you, TheGreaterYOU,’ she added.

The project was funded from Charity’s personal income, with voluntary donations from supporters in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr George Moghalu, has condemned what he described as the widespread extortion of traders and transporters by various government agencies in the state.

Moghalu made the remarks during a meeting with members of the Anambra State Town Union Association, Aba Branch.

He lamented that Anambra has been ranked among the most insecure states in Nigeria and vowed to end all forms of illegal revenue collection immediately after assuming office.

‘It is only in Anambra that they use Aka Odo to collect all manner of illegal levies,’ he said. ‘That will stop within one hour after my swearing-in. My government will prioritise safety, restore public confidence, and bring back competence and accountability in leadership.’

While commending Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his efforts, Moghalu maintained that Anambra urgently needs a new direction.

‘Governor Soludo has done his best, but his best is not working. Our state is not where it should be. You cannot give what you don’t have,’ he said.

Unveiling his vision for a new and prosperous Anambra anchored on education, security, infrastructure, and transparent governance, Moghalu described education as the foundation for growth and social stability. He promised to make education free and compulsory if elected.

‘Education is the most powerful weapon for change. We must build schools that truly work and ensure that every child, rich or poor, has access to quality learning,’ he stated.

Reaffirming his commitment to equity and zoning, Moghalu said he remains a strong believer in fairness and justice in the rotation of power.

‘I am a beneficiary of zoning, and I will uphold it. Four years is enough for any serious-minded leader to deliver,’ he said.

‘Look at what Governor Alex Otti has done in Abia within just two years – massive road construction, urban renewal, and civil service reforms. That’s what focused leadership can achieve, and that’s what I intend to bring to Anambra.’

Moghalu called on Ndi Anambra to join hands with him in changing the state’s political and economic narrative, emphasising that leadership transformation requires collective effort.