Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has approved the appointment of five permanent secretaries.

A statement signed by the Head of Civil Service, Abigail Waya, said the appointments were made, following the governor’s bid to invigorate public service delivery.

Those appointed include Isa Osama from Doma Local Government, Adamu Akpa from Obi Local Government, Bilkisu Adamu from Keffi Local Government , and both Justina Allu and Ahmed Tsaku from Nasarawa Eggon Local Government.

The statement said the appointees would be sworn in at a date to be announced in due course.

The Action Peoples Party (APP) candidate for Imo East Senatorial District, Mazi Chima Amadi, has called for an end to the cycle of poverty in Imo State, saying poor Nigerians should not be condemned to remain poor in a country endowed with abundant human and material resources.

Amadi challenged women in Imo East to use their numerical strength and grassroots influence to demand accountable and effective representation through the ballot.

He spoke at the annual August Meeting of the Women’s Wing of Okpulla Amakaohia Development Union (OADU), in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, where he commended the women for their contributions to community development.

According to a statement by his spokesman, Cajetan Duke, the academic and social entrepreneur from Umuekwenne, Ngor Okpala, lamented what he described as the worsening socio-economic conditions across communities in the state.

He listed poor healthcare delivery, infrastructural deficits, declining standards in public schools, bad roads, unemployment and economic hardship among the challenges confronting residents.

According to him, the situation reflects years of poor representation and misplaced priorities, stressing that governments and elected representatives at all levels must be more responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens.

‘The poor can’t continue to remain poor while a privileged few continue to prosper from our collective resources. Our mothers cannot continue to struggle with medical bills, our children cannot continue to learn in dilapidated schools, and our young people cannot continue to roam the streets without jobs and opportunities. Government must work for the ordinary people,’ he said.

The APP candidate said women were among the worst affected by economic hardship because of their central roles in families and communities.

He urged them to translate their influence into political power by voting for leaders capable of delivering tangible development.

Amadi expressed concern about the declining state of public education, warning that the continued deterioration of public schools could widen inequality and deny children from poor families opportunities to improve their lives.

‘As a son of nobody who is a proud product of public schools, I weep daily seeing education gradually becoming the exclusive preserve of privileged members of the society,’ he said.

‘Public education gave people like us the opportunity to dream beyond the circumstances of our birth. We must rebuild a society where the child of the poor has the same opportunity to dream, learn and succeed.’

The event took an emotional turn when Amadi encountered an elderly woman with a conspicuous growth around her throat.

Moved by her condition, he donated N500,000 towards her medical evaluation and treatment.

He said the incident underscored the plight of citizens who are unable to afford basic health care, insisting that access to medical treatment should not depend on a person’s financial status.

‘What we have seen here today is beyond politics. It is about our common humanity. Nobody should have to carry an illness for years simply because she cannot afford medical attention,’ he said.

Amadi also announced a N3 million donation towards the development initiatives of the Okpulla Amakaohia Development Union.

He praised the women for sustaining the traditional August Meeting, describing it as an important platform for community development, social cohesion and women’s participation in grassroots affairs.

The candidate, however, warned against a situation where communities are forced to take over responsibilities that should ordinarily be funded and delivered by government.

He urged the women to demand accountability from elected officials and scrutinise how public resources are deployed, stressing that elections provide citizens with an opportunity to reward effective representation and reject non-performing leaders.

Responding, the National Vice President of OADU Women’s Wing, Mrs Victoria Ugochi Chukwu, thanked Amadi for identifying with the community and supporting its development aspirations.

Chukwu particularly appreciated his N3 million donation and intervention on behalf of the elderly woman, describing the gestures as evidence of compassion and concern for the welfare of ordinary citizens.

Amadi was accompanied to the event by members and leaders of his campaign organisation and the APP, including Chief Henry Onwukwe, Director-General; Michael Crown Njoku; Chief Denis Okwu; Chief K. K. Ikeh; Cajetan Duke; Prof. Uche Nwosu; Emeka Onwukwe; Lady Chyna Ugwuadu; Chief Uju Ugochukwu; Obioma Onwuegbucha; Sir Denis Nneji; and Emma Soronnadi, among others.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commended the management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, led by Prof. Idia Ize-Ize-Iyamu, for improving patient care by upgrading critical infrastructure.

It described Prof. Ize-Iyamu as a beacon of hope and a trailblazer, as the hospital’s first female Chief Medical Director.

Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, delivered the commendation after touring the hospital and unveiling projects completed in the past year.

Kachollom, represented by the Managing Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr Philip Ugbodaga, praised the UBTH CMD for what she termed prudent management, visionary leadership, and efforts to improve infrastructure and clinical services.

She said the achievements recorded within 365 days demonstrated her commitment to transforming the hospital and improving healthcare delivery in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

On her part, Prof. Ize-Iyamu said the infrastructural and service upgrades were intended to improve patient care and experience.

She said the projects were designed to provide patients with safe, dignified and world-class healthcare services.

The CMD stated that UBTH remained a one-stop tertiary healthcare institution with specialist services covering neurosurgery, oncology, dentistry, eye care, renal services and other complex medical needs.

Among the facilities inspected were a renovated security house, a 65-bed Accident and Emergency complex, an expanded mortuary upgraded from 72 to 460 chambers, a multi-faith centre, premium and regular renal dialysis units, a child-friendly paediatric clinic, a revitalised oxygen plant, a geriatric ward, a 160-slice CT scanner, a special investigation unit, dental and oncology centres, and improved theatre facilities.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has urged the Federal Government to fast-track the establishment of state police, saying political concerns should not be allowed to prolong Nigerians’ suffering from insecurity.

TUC President-General, Festus Osifo, made the call yesterday in Abuja while addressing journalists on economic and social issues affecting Nigerian workers.

Osifo said politicians constitute less than 0.1 per cent of the country’s population and should not stand in the way of security measures that would benefit the remaining majority. He urged the government to work with the National Assembly to fast-track the constitutional and legislative processes required, and to secure states’ support for the proposed legislation.

‘Nigeria is in a state of war today. When a nation is not secure, you cannot start talking about building hospitals, building roads,’ he said, calling for deployment of technology and modern equipment to complement security efforts.

On the economy, Osifo said improved macroeconomic indicators had not sufficiently translated into relief for workers. He described the naira, trading around N1,380 to the dollar, as still undervalued against a fair value of N900 to N1,000, saying a stronger exchange rate would eventually ease inflation and market prices.

He opposed halting food importation until insecurity is resolved and farmers can safely return to their farms.

On aviation, Osifo backed the ongoing strike by unions including the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association over alleged anti-union practices and non-remittance of a five per cent ticket charge owed to workers, put at about N25b. He urged airlines to resolve the dispute.

Osifo called for private-sector participation in refinery management, with government retaining a maximum 49 per cent equity, to reduce political interference in commercial decisions.

He commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for recent arrests of suspected terrorists and bandits, praising the Federal Government’s 50 to 80 per cent salary increase for military personnel, while calling for similar improvements for other Nigerian workers.

The Grand Council of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, has rejected the purported removal of its Chairman and Olori-Ebi, Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, describing the meeting where the decision was taken as ‘illegal and kangaroo.’

Addressing journalists in Ijebu-Ode on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, Owoyemi said the authentic leadership of the ruling house remained intact and accused a group within the family of attempting to undermine its leadership and unity.

The Chairman alleged that the group, which he said was led by Adeleke Adeyemi, Muyiwa Adeleye, Ridwan Oduneye and Olusegun Olusoga, among others, had purportedly announced the removal of him and two other senior officials – the Deputy Chairman, Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba, and the Vice-Chairman, Professor Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf – at a meeting held on Sunday, August 9.

Adeyemi and others, during the said illegal meeting, removed the three leaders, saying they acted on a fact-finding committee’s report into alleged financial inducement, document manipulation and other irregularities in the selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

However, speaking in the company of Prince Ajidagba, Prof. Fassy Yusuf and some key members of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House on Wednesday, Owoyemi described those behind the meeting as ‘negligible and disgruntled elements’ and maintained that they lacked the authority to convene a meeting or constitute committees on behalf of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

According to him, the present leadership emerged from an intervention by the Ogun State Government aimed at resolving longstanding divisions within the ruling house.

He explained that the delegation to the state government comprised four representatives from each of the three factions that previously existed in the family. The 12 delegates were subsequently constituted into a Management Committee, while three additional members were later co-opted, bringing the Grand Council’s membership to 15.

Owoyemi said none of the individuals involved in the purported removal belonged to the 15-member Grand Council.

He further alleged that the activities of the group were part of a broader attempt to destabilise the family and potentially jeopardise its entitlement in the process of selecting the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

‘We have thoroughly investigated the activities of these charlatans,’ Owoyemi said, adding that the leadership was convinced their actions could have a ‘devastating effect’ on the family if left unchallenged.

The chairman also disclosed that members of the leadership were pursuing legal action over what he described as defamatory statements and other alleged misconduct by those involved.

In resolutions reportedly reached by the Grand Council, the ruling house declared the individuals behind the purported action and members of the alleged fact-finding committee ‘enemies of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.’

The council also urged the Ogun State Government and members of the public to disregard resolutions or allegations emanating from the group.

It further passed what Owoyemi described as a ‘resounding vote of confidence’ in the leadership comprising himself, Ajidagba and Yusuf.

The chairman appealed to mainstream and social media organisations to exercise caution when reporting disputes surrounding the ruling house, urging journalists to independently verify claims before publication.

He warned that unverified reports could damage the reputation of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House and expose publishers to allegations of defamation or cyber-stalking.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of the significance of ruling houses in the traditional succession process in Ijebuland, where the Fusengbuwa Ruling House is one of the houses connected to the Awujale stool.

Owoyemi called for restraint and responsible reporting while insisting that the Grand Council remained the legitimate authority of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

Facing questions from reporters, Prof. Yusuf, who responded on behalf of the Fusengbuwa house, urged the state government to lift the embargo placed on the Awujale selection process.

He hinted that if the Dapo Abiodun-led state government failed to act on the matter, the family might be compelled to take every legitimate step concerning the stalled Awujale selection.

He said, ‘We had personal interactions with the government and its key officials; we sent an official letter to the state government asking it to expedite action on whatever was being done.

‘We have also resolved that the state government should lift the embargo placed on what the Obajeya are doing.

‘Let’s be truthful. The government has no authority whatsoever to stop the process. The government is not empowered under any known law to halt the process. It is quite unprecedented.

‘We have decided that, because we cannot unleash all our strategies in the open, if the government does not do what it is expected to do, we will do what we should do.’

Prince Bimbo Roberts Folayan, Executive Director of J Williamz Limited, has said Nigeria is the premier investment destination for Africans in the diaspora.

He described the country as the ‘Next Big Deal,’ underscoring its immense economic potential and the array of opportunities tailored to attract direct diaspora investments.

‘Nigeria stands ready as the ‘Next Big Deal’ for Africans in the diaspora. With robust opportunities in real estate, agriculture, technology, financial markets, and infrastructure, Nigerians abroad have a unique chance to invest in a nation brimming with potential.

‘These sectors not only promise attractive returns but also allow our diaspora community to play a transformative role in building a prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria,’ said Folayan.

According to him, Nigeria presents diverse and lucrative investment opportunities for Africans in the diaspora, especially those seeking to channel their resources and expertise back home.

He added that so many sectors of the economy provide golden opportunities and high yield on investments.

Through platforms such as the Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit (NDDIS), members of the diaspora can forge direct partnerships, explore joint ventures, and navigate streamlined investment processes designed to maximize success and minimize barriers.

Prince Bimbo Roberts Folayan who is the Executive Director of J Williamz Limited and Founder of Diaspora Direct Investment Summits Ltd, is widely recognised as one of the leading architects of organised diaspora investment mobilisation for Nigeria and Africa. A distinguished patriotic diasporan leader, pan-African advocate and internationally respected investment promoter, he has devoted more than two decades to building institutions and platforms that connect the global African diaspora with transformational investment opportunities across Nigeria and the African continent.

Through visionary leadership and sustained engagement with governments, investors, development institutions and the private sector, Chief Folayan has consistently championed a new model of diaspora engagement-one that moves beyond remittances towards strategic investments, enterprise development, knowledge transfer and ethical leadership. His work has inspired Nigerians and Africans across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean to become active partners in building prosperous, globally competitive African economies.

Under his leadership, J Williamz Limited and Diaspora Direct Investment Summits Ltd have evolved into respected institutions dedicated to promoting investment, ethical leadership, public-private collaboration and sustainable development across Africa. Together, they convene governments, institutional investors, entrepreneurs, academics, development finance institutions and members of the global African diaspora to identify opportunities, build strategic partnerships and mobilise capital for long-term economic transformation.

Diaspora Direct Investment Summits Ltd is the promoter of four flagship initiatives that have become recognised platforms for investment promotion and leadership across Africa:

* NDDIS – Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summits, connecting the Nigerian diaspora with governments, investors and businesses to mobilise direct investment into Nigeria.

* ADDIS – African Diaspora Direct Investment Summits, promoting investment partnerships between the African diaspora and countries across the continent to accelerate regional economic integration and sustainable development.

* The Eminent Nigerian Series, celebrating transformational Nigerian leaders while creating platforms for dialogue on governance, infrastructure, innovation, investment and national development.

* The Eminent African Series, recognising distinguished African leaders and institution builders while fostering conversations on pan-African leadership, economic transformation, ethical governance and continental prosperity.

Together, these initiatives have become influential convening platforms where presidents, governors, ministers, ambassadors, policymakers, business leaders, institutional investors, development finance institutions, entrepreneurs, academics and members of the African diaspora come together to exchange ideas, forge strategic partnerships and mobilise investments capable of transforming economies across Nigeria and Africa.

Eighteen people have been confirmed dead and 21 injured after a heavy truck carrying several people and goods fell into a river in the Bida Local Government Area of Niger State.

The accident was said to have occurred late Tuesday night.

Eyewitnesses said that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Bida responded immediately after the crash but were unable to save those who died.

Confirming the incident, the Niger State FRSC Sector Commander, Aishat Saadu, said the vehicle was travelling from Lagos to Kano, adding that it was a ditch, not a river, as alleged by eyewitnesses.

‘The incident occurred at Wuya Village and it is not a river but a ditch. The ditch is big enough for the vehicle to submerge,’ she stated.

She said that only two people were not injured, and the deceased have been taken to the mortuary, while the injured were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, has charged officers and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps to foster a culture of safe road use across Ibadanland and Oyo State.

The monarch spoke while hosting officials of the Corps, who paid him a courtesy visit at his Palace at Oke Aremo, Ibadan, on Wednesday.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Solomon Ayoade, the monarch urged FRSC officials to continue operating with professionalism, discipline and respect for the people they serve, and to collaborate with traditional institutions, the state government, other security agencies, transport unions and other stakeholders for safer roads.

Olubadan, who described Ibadan as the home of all Yorubas, noted that nearly all past and present leaders have their residences in Ibadanland.

He therefore called on all residents to join him in taking Ibadanland to greater heights.

Earlier in his address, the Sector Commander of the Oyo State Sector Command, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kehinde Dahunsi, expressed profound humility and honour at his management team’s historic royal visit to Olubadan Palace, where they were warmly received.

He said, ‘Ibadan is a city with a remarkable history not only in the political, cultural and socio-economic development of Nigeria, but also in the history of road safety administration in the country.’

According to the Sector Commander, the road remains the most important link between people, communities, and economic activities.

However, the increasing population, vehicle ownership and human movement in Ibadan and across Oyo State continue to create significant road safety challenges. Government agencies alone cannot solve these challenges; hence, the need for the support of traditional institutions as critical partners in achieving safer roads.

The FRSC Sector Commander sought the Olubadan’s collaboration in encouraging motorists, commercial drivers, transport operators, motorcyclists and pedestrians to embrace responsible road use, obey traffic regulations, avoid speeding and dangerous overtaking.

He also listed ensuring vehicle roadworthiness, using seat belts and crash helmets, avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and considering other road users to reduce road accidents and make a difference between life and death.

Present at the courtesy visit were the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Kolawole Adegbola; Aare Alasa of Ibadanland, High Chief Adewuyi Odunade; the President General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole; Mogajis and Baales.

A visually impaired student, Okeoghene Jane Akpaeva, has graduated with distinction from the QHSES Leadership Academy, highlighting the institution’s efforts to expand access to professional education for people with disabilities. Akpaeva was among 719 students who graduated at the academy’s fifth convocation and anniversary ceremony held in Lagos.

The tuition-free academy said it had graduated 1,966 students since its maiden class in 2022, with its human-capacity development programme aimed at removing economic and physical barriers to professional training.

Founder of the academy, Jamiu Badmos, an engineer, said the institution was established to identify potential and create opportunities for people who might otherwise be excluded from professional development.

‘Our philosophy is simple yet profound: when opportunity meets potential, lives are transformed, leaders are developed, and the future is strengthened,’ Badmos said.

He said the academy’s commitment to inclusion extended beyond admitting people with disabilities to creating an environment where they could develop their skills and compete with other students on merit.

‘There is ability in disability,’ Badmos said, urging employers to look beyond physical conditions when assessing qualified candidates.

The academy’s inclusion programme has expanded alongside its growth. In 2023, 10 visually impaired persons were among its 272 graduates.

For Akpaeva, graduating with distinction represented a significant personal achievement despite the challenges associated with visual impairment.

‘As a visually impaired student, now a graduate, my journey has not been easy,’ she said, adding that her achievement demonstrated that limitations should not determine a person’s destiny.

The 2026 graduating class also produced another milestone, with Oderemi Olufunke Mary emerging as the academy’s first female overall best graduating student in five years.

Mary, a mother of twins, combined the leadership programme with a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Ilorin.

She attributed her achievement to discipline, persistence and making the most of opportunities for personal development.

Prof. Simeon Adebayo Oladipo, immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, and convocation lecturer, said institutions such as the academy could contribute to national development by producing competent professionals.

‘Without competence capital, good character has good intentions but no means of execution,’ Oladipo said, stressing that national transformation required citizens who were both trustworthy and competent.

Also speaking, Agomeze Saint Chukwuemeka, known as Saint of Africa and National Leader for Gen Z in Nigeria, challenged the graduates to use the opportunities they had received to contribute to national development.

He urged them to shift from asking what Nigeria could offer them to considering what they could contribute to the country.

The academy said its training model combines professional skills with critical thinking, character development, social responsibility, innovation and leadership, with the goal of preparing graduates to create impact in their workplaces and communities.

More than N5 million in cash prizes were also presented to outstanding graduates at the convocation through contributions from sponsors and well-wishers.

The academy said the latest graduation reinforced its belief that investment in human capital could generate benefits beyond individual graduates by strengthening families, communities and industries.

Senator representing the Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, was grilled for over two hours on Wednesday by the Osun State Police Command over an alleged inciting statement ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The Nation recalled that Governor Ademola Adeleke had called for Fadahunsi’s arrest following a viral video in which the senator was allegedly heard saying, ‘kill any Accord member,’ during a protest at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland.

The protest followed the alleged killing of 12 All Progressives Congress (APC) members within 24 hours in Ilesa, an incident that heightened political tension in the state ahead of the election.

However, Fadahunsi denied making the statement, insisting that he had said APC supporters should ‘kill Accord Party in Osun with their votes,’ as he alleged that more than 40 members of the APC had been killed in his district within the last year.

He was invited by the Police authority on Tuesday after the video went viral.

Fadahunsi arrived at the Osun State Police Command at about 2:25 pm on Wednesday, accompanied by one of his aides, and initially headed towards the office of the Commissioner of Police.

He was, however, stopped along the way and redirected to the Department of Criminal Investigation (CID), where he was led into an investigation room by the Commissioner of Police in charge of election duty, Samuel Erale Etifo, alongside other senior police officers.

Journalists were barred from the investigation room, a separate building away from the office of the Commissioner of Police, where the senator spent about one hour and 57 minutes.

He was subsequently taken to the office of the Commissioner of Police, where he spent another 20 minutes before being returned to the CID.

He was later joined at the CID by Adebayo Adeleke, a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and by the legal practitioner Edmund Biriomoni.

Fadahunsi was subsequently released by the police.

Addressing journalists after his release, the senator said he had honoured the police invitation and clarified the statement attributed to him.

He said, ‘I came here to honour the police invitation. We have met, and I told them what I said, not the one manipulated by the mischievous interpreters of the Yoruba language.

‘I am a Yoruba man. If a Hausa or Igbo person is interpreting, it may not be correct. Yoruba means a lot of things. What I said was that between now and Saturday, we will kill them with our votes.’

The two-term senator also expressed concern about the security situation in Osun East, alleging that Governor Adeleke was turning the senatorial district into a battleground while his hometown remained peaceful.

He said, ‘It is worrisome, but we have left the whole thing to the owner of life. Come Saturday, you will see a marvellous turnout for APC.’

Fadahunsi expressed confidence that APC members would come out en masse to vote for the party’s governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), despite what he described as intimidation by political thugs.

He left the police command premises at about 4:58 pm.