Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The organisers of the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association 86/92 set Closed Table Tennis Championship have announced a new date for the tournament after the government announcement of midterm break for the students of the school during the initial date of October 30 and 31.

The championship tagged The Ultimate House Showdown will now take place on November 6 and 7 with all the houses in the college, Carr, Field, Powell, Swanston and Grier all playing for honour and prize money over the two days.

Explaining the reasons for the change in date, Charles Olayinka, one of the organisers, said with all the students were expected to go home and spend time with their parents for the midterm holiday, there is a need to move the championships by one week.

‘After getting information about the midterm break, we agreed to move it a week further,’ he said.

‘However, I can assure everyone that the glamour will definitely be the same as all the players are going to have fun.

‘Planning is ongoing, in full force and proceeding well and we all can’t wait for the day to come.’

The House of Representatives has begun a probe into the alleged non-repatriation of crude oil export proceeds estimated at over $850 billion.

The non-repatriation lasted 28 years.

Also to be investigated by the House is the reported use of harmful chemicals in frozen foods sold in the country and the domiciliation of Green and Renewable Energy Projects with entities that allegedly have no technical capacity or legal mandate to execute them.

Besides, an ad hoc committee was raised by the House to investigate cases of insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), even after about $460 million Chinese loan secured in 2010 was spent by the government.

Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee on Pre-Shipment Inspection of Exports and Non-Repatriation of Crude Oil Proceeds, Seyi Sowunmi, announced a probe of the non-repatriation of crude oil export earnings between 1996 and 2014 at a news conference in Abuja yesterday.

The decision to probe the alleged use of harmful chemicals in frozen foods was taken during plenary by the House.

”Recent allegations suggest a significant breakdown in compliance by relevant stakeholders. It is alleged that operators in the oil and gas industry failed to repatriate an estimated 40-45 per cent of Nigeria’s crude oil export proceeds, amounting to approximately USD 850 billion between 1996 and 2014 in clear contravention of the law,” he said.

Sowunmi added that recent allegations suggest a significant breakdown in compliance with the Pre-shipment Inspection of Exports Act, with operators in the oil and gas sector reportedly failing to repatriate between 40 and 45 per cent of crude export proceeds.

He said the act was contrary to the law, which mandates full repatriation of export earnings within 90 days for oil exports and 180 days for non-oil exports.

Sowunmi also expressed concern over the ‘worrisome disparity’ in export-earnings data reported by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). He added that there are inconsistencies between Nigerian data and that of international bodies like the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The committee chairman noted that non-oil exports, especially those involving solid minerals and other commodities, have also been marked by ‘high non-compliant export earnings reports.’

He noted that before the Pre-shipment Inspection of Exports Act (CAP P26, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) came into being, the nation suffered ‘endemic leakages in the form of under-valuation, delayed invoicing, price manipulation, illegal swaps and deliberate over-loading.’

The ACT, which was designed to prevent capital flight, ensure accurate export valuation, and safeguard Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, birthed the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS).

The committee, he explained, will probe the exact volume and value of un-repatriated export proceeds from oil, gas, and non-oil sectors since 1996.

”Nigeria must receive, in full and promptly, every dollar legally due from its exports,’ Sowunmi said.

The decision to probe the Green and Renewable Energy Projects followed the nod given to the motion by Okey-Joe Onuakalusi.

Presenting the motion titled ‘The Dire Need to Investigate the Domiciliation of Green Energy Projects with Inappropriate Entities to Avert Substandard Implementation and Loss of Values,’ Onuakalusi expressed concern that many of the projects, including solar mini-grids, wind farms, and other renewable energy initiatives, had been domiciled with institutions that have no professional expertise or statutory mandate to deliver them.

The House Committee on Renewable Energy was consequently directed to find out the level of compliance by the projects’ handlers with due process, technical capacity standards, and statutory mandates.

The House urged the Federal Government, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Bureau of Public Procurement, to ensure that future green energy projects were domiciled only with competent, legally mandated, and technically qualified institutions.

It also called on the Ministry of Power and the Energy Commission of Nigeria to develop a clear framework for inter-agency coordination and delineation of responsibilities in the implementation of renewable energy initiatives.

Graduation and final exam celebrations have been a ritual among students in institutions of higher learning nationwide.

The joy that fills the atmosphere during such periods is palpable. However, amid such joyful celebrations is the display of unruly behaviours, inscriptions and gestures that often include loud music blasting from sound systems and cars, car parades, road blockades, etc, that disrupt the serenity of the university community.

As such, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has placed a ban on all forms of wild graduation and signed out celebrations within the school environment. This decision was made during the institution’s 433rd Senate Meeting.

According to a memo by the university, any form of celebration marking the completion of final year examinations that disrupts peace and order on campus will no longer be tolerated. The memo further warned that students found guilty of such conduct risk severe disciplinary actions ranging from rustication to expulsion.

This development comes barely a week after some final year students held their sign out celebrations in grand and flamboyant fashion, drawing mixed reactions from the university community.

Meanwhile, the recent ban has sparked diverse opinions among students and alumni. While some believe it will help maintain order and discipline within the campus, others see it as an attempt to stifle students’ joy and self-expression after years of academic struggle.

‘I’ll say it’s a needless and unnecessary rule.

I’ve not seen it solve anything. The only thing it has been able to successfully achieve is instigating rebellion in students. I mean, four years is not four days, so students would naturally want to celebrate it. Besides, I’ve not witnessed any scenario where students used these celebratory moments as an avenue to vandalise school property,’ a 200-Level Mass Communication student, who craved anonymity said.

Another student (names withheld ) said: ‘Honestly, a part of me thinks it’s a good policy because some people use signouts as an excuse to behave inappropriately. But at the same time, another part of me feels it could be regulated rather than scrapped completely. For many students, sign out is their own way of celebrating and ‘signing off,’ especially since not everyone attends convocation. It’s a moment to create memories with coursemates after the final paper. What makes the rule seem arbitrary, though, is that it feels like the university only adopted it because other schools did the same. The irony is, just a day after the announcement banning sign outs, students still went ahead with it, and nothing was done.’

A final year student, who preferred anonymity added: ‘Personally, I was unaffected by the recent prohibition because I had planned a more laid-back celebration with family and friends. Regardless, we all celebrate victories and accomplishments differently, so I still don’t think it’s ideal. Completing four incredible years and seeing it through to the end is enough to trigger various sorts of jubilation as long as it’s a secure place for everyone.’

Similarly, other institutions like Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) and Federal University, Lafia (FULafia) have also placed a ban on sign out celebrations in their respective academic environments.

In a statement made by UNIZIK’s registrar, Dr Chinenye Okeke, she said the university emphasised that the ‘signing off’ practices have grown into unruly gatherings, sometimes resulting in disorderly conduct, threats to safety and property damage.

On the other hand, the registrar of FULafia, Malam Nuradeen Abdu, warned that students are prohibited from engaging in sign out celebrations at the Permanent Site Campus Gate of the university and making use of public address systems on such occasions.

UNN’s decision to ban wild sign-out celebrations reflects a growing trend among Nigerian universities to curb unruly and disruptive post-exam festivities. While the move aims to preserve peace and order within the academic environment, it has stirred mixed reactions from students who see it as either a necessary step for discipline or an unnecessary restriction on their freedom to celebrate academic milestones. The challenge, therefore, lies in finding a balance between maintaining decorum and allowing students to express their joy responsibly.

How time flies! Wednesday, 22nd October, 2025 marked 20 years since Bellview Airline Flight 210 travelling from Lagos to Abuja crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 117 passengers and crew on board. The aircraft crashed in 2005 and the wreckage was located in Lisa, a community in Ifo council area of Ogun State that has since hosted an arcade in memory of the crash victims.

Twenty years after, the memorial arcade and the access road leading to it are in utter neglect. The Onilisa of Lisa, Oba Oladele Odugbemi, and community leaders have taken up a campaign to get the Federal and Ogun State governments to rehabilitate the access road and renovate the memorial arcade that has become overgrown with thickets. ‘We are appealing to both the federal and state governments to restore this important site,’ the monarch recently said, adding: ‘It is not only the resting place of 117 souls – Nigerians and foreigners – it is also a symbol of collective memory.’

Oba Odugbemi voiced concern that the memorial arcade, once frequented by bereaved families and visitors, now stands largely abandoned. He described the 10.5-kilometre access road to the crash site as impassable, noting that the original surfacing lasted less than a year before being washed away by seasonal flooding. The monarch recalled the memorial inauguration by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Governor Gbenga Daniel when the site drew national and international attention and sympathy, lamenting that the contrast is stark today. He solicited government recognition of the site as a national heritage landmark and proposed its development into an aviation tourism and educational centre.

There are efforts being plied to draw national attention to the Lisa arcade. At the House of Representatives, Deputy Chief Whip Ibrahim Isiaka confirmed that a bill seeking recognition of the site as a national monument has been presented. Meanwhile, community advocacy is intensifying for government intervention to restore the neglected site and fix the access road. Also, the 20th memorial commemoration was used as a focal point to celebrate the community’s resilience and renew calls for urgent action to restore the memorial site. Ahead of the anniversary, Oba Odugbemi urged the National Assembly to accelerate the bill seeking federal recognition and development of the arcade. ‘Nearly two decades after, the once-hallowed ground has been abandoned to bush and erosion. We ask the NASS to give this site the national attention it deserves by transforming it into a tourist and educational landmark. Let the memories of the departed be honoured with dignity, and let our communities benefit from the infrastructure that was once promised,’ he said at an event where the Reps’ Deputy Chief Whip was present.

The fate of the Lisa arcade is a sad reminder of the fragility of life and the necessity of enduring national memory.

Managing Director, Academy Press Plc, Mr. Olugbenga Oladipo, has called on the Federal Government to create a more enabling environment for the local printing industry.

According to him, unfavourable policies have continued to threaten the survival of indigenous players and limit printing sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy.

He spoke at the 60th anniversary celebration of Academy Press Plc, held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, with the theme ‘Celebrating the Past, Envisioning Tomorrow.’

Oladipo said that Nigerian printers face unfair competition from imported print jobs, particularly from Asian countries, due to weak policy protection and high production costs at home. He said: ‘What we need from the government are enabling policies, Current policies disadvantage local players and favour foreign operators. This is harmful to national growth. Massive importation of print jobs from abroad continues while local capacity remains underutilized’.

He emphasised that stronger local content policies and protectionist measures could boost employment, encourage investment, and strengthen the naira.

‘If the market is strengthened, investment will follow. Banks will lend, businesses will expand, and jobs will be created. But if the local industry continues to be undermined, we will lose not just money, but skills, jobs, and the future of the industry itself,’ Oladipo added.

He noted that despite its accomplishments, the printing industry continues to battle structural bottlenecks. Rising foreign exchange rates, import duties on printing materials, and inadequate local paper production have increased operational costs and squeezed profit margins.

Oladipo explained that these challenges were worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, when disruptions in supply chains and shifts in customer behavior led to declining print volumes.

‘Many of our traditional customers have gone digital,’ he said. ‘Banks now operate paperless systems, and magazines publish online. While digital innovation has improved efficiency, it has also reduced demand for print. We had to diversify and innovate to stay relevant.’

He noted that the company’s adoption of computer-to-plate technology and retooling of production lines helped it improve efficiency and maintain quality despite economic headwinds.

He added that while the company’s legacy was built on the power of ink and paper, its future would depend on strategic adaptation to the global digital economy.

‘We honor our founders not by using their old tools, but by embodying their courage and vision,’ he said. ‘The next 60 years will not just be a continuation it will be a new creation.’

Chairman, Academy Press Plc, Mr. Wahab Dabiri, said the company’s longevity was proof of its resilience, integrity, and commitment to excellence.

‘There are very few Nigerian companies that have lasted 60 years. We have survived because we believe in doing things the right way with integrity, good governance, and vision. Our culture of continuity and careful succession planning has kept us strong through difficult times,’ Dabiri said.

He noted that under his leadership, the company has maintained steady shareholder returns and diversified its operations.

According to him, Academy Press, will continue to invest in talent, technology, and sustainable production.

He said: ‘We are leveraging our 60 years of experience in printing to explore light packaging as a new growth frontier. This aligns with our long-term vision to remain the trusted market leader in printing and allied services’.

Representing the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Bajulaiye Olanrewaju, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, congratulated Academy Press for what he described as ‘a true Nigerian success story.’

‘Sixty years is no small achievement. Academy Press has not only printed books, it has printed history itself. You’ve supported education, business, and governance, advancing knowledge and national development,’ Olanrewaju said.

He commended the company’s embrace of digital technology and called for more collaboration between government and private enterprises to drive innovation in Nigeria’s knowledge economy.

‘As we envision tomorrow, we must prepare for a fast-changing world shaped by artificial intelligence and global innovation. We applaud Academy Press for adopting new technologies and urge more Nigerian firms to do the same,’ he said.

Non-Executive Director, Academy Press, Chief Oyewole Olaoye, emphasized that the company’s governance standards and ethical culture have been critical to its survival.

He said: ‘At Academy Press, we follow the rulebook to the letter. We don’t cut corners because we believe in doing things sustainably. That’s why many of our employees have been here for decades’.

Founded in 1964 by four visionary entrepreneurs, Academy Press Plc has grown into one of Nigeria’s oldest and most reputable printing and publishing firms. Over six decades, the company has weathered political upheavals, economic recessions, and technological revolutions yet remains a market leader in high-quality printing and packaging services.

ýThe Federal Government is set to embark on a nationwide remapping for the first time in over five decades to strengthen national planning, improve infrastructure delivery, and enhance good governance.

The Surveyor-General of the Federation (SGOF), Abduganiyu Adeyemi Adebomehin, who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The Nation following his recent two-year tenure extension, said the initiative is one of his top priorities as he continues to lead the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF).

He said the new exercise will bring Nigeria in line with the United Nations’ recommendation that all cities of the world should be periodically remapped to reflect development changes and population growth.

ýAdebomehin explained that the mapping project will directly support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by providing accurate, data-driven insights to guide investment decisions, urban development, and infrastructure planning.

He said up-to-date geospatial data is the foundation of sustainable development and that the project would reposition OSGOF as a central player in Nigeria’s development process.

According to him, the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (NGDI) will serve as the backbone of the remapping effort. The NGDI, he said, will act as a central digital repository where information such as the location of schools, hospitals, markets, farms, and industrial sites across the country can be stored and accessed easily by government agencies, private sector players, and researchers.

The Surveyor-General noted that Nigeria’s last comprehensive mapping exercise was carried out in the 1970s and that the country’s physical landscape has changed drastically since then due to rapid urbanization, population expansion, and new infrastructure development.

ýHe maintained that remapping will not only capture these changes but also help define national and international boundaries more accurately, particularly with neighbouring countries such as Cameroon, Benin Republic, and Niger.

ýHe emphasised that the mapping project would rely on modern geospatial technologies and digital systems to ensure accuracy and accessibility. According to him, mapping remains the foundation of every form of development because it informs policy design, infrastructure delivery, environmental management, and security operations.

XL Creative Hub has announced the debut of Battle of the Beats Season 1, the country’s first-ever Afrobeats production reality show.

According to a statement by the Hub’s Business Manager, Clement Makinde, the 12-day musical contest will run from November 1 to 12, 2025, with live streaming on YouTube.

Makinde said the show would feature six top Afrobeats producers in a high-energy creative contest, judged by experienced industry professionals.

‘Watch six carefully selected producers locked in an intense camp, creating beats under pressure while professional judges evaluate every production,’ the organisers said.

He noted that participation in the show is completely free, adding, ‘We are not collecting a dime from any participant.’

The competition will kick off on November 1, followed by an elimination night on November 8, and the grand finale on November 12, when the top three producers will compete for the top prize.

Winners will receive ?500,000 for first place, ?300,000 for second, and ?200,000 for third.

Following the producers’ contest, artists across Nigeria will be invited to record songs using the winning beats and compete for major rewards between November 12 and 24, 2025.

Artists can participate by downloading the winning beat, recording a song, creating a video, and submitting their entries via Instagram or the official website.

The artist segment offers even bigger prizes – ?1 million and a label contract for the winner, ?500,000 for second place, and ?300,000 for third.

Winners will be determined through a combination of public votes and professional judging, with voting scheduled from November 12 to 25, 2025.

Makinde said the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between grassroots creativity and professional opportunity by giving talented producers and artists access to world-class production resources, regardless of financial background or location.

He said, ‘Battle of the Beats seeks to discover raw talent, document Afrobeats’ evolution, inject funds directly into the creative economy, and build a transparent annual platform that launches real careers.

‘We urged music lovers to follow @battleofthebeatsshow on Instagram and tune in for the show’s premiere on November 1, 2025.

‘This is your moment don’t miss a beat,’ Makinde declared.

In the short term, the competition aims to launch at least three professional careers, deliver measurable economic impact, and build a 50,000-member YouTube community. Its long-term vision targets Pan-African expansion, prize pools worth ?25 to ?30 million, and recognition alongside major music awards.

The organisers said the project directly tackles issues of industry gatekeeping, producer undervaluation, and limited exposure by creating a transparent, inclusive, and sustainable creative platform.

The judges include Nnaemeka Ugochukwu Onusiriuka professionally known as Mr. Mekoyo, Tunde Akinsanmi of Styl plus and Manasseh Mashi popularly known as Monlee Mane.

Mekoyo is a versatile Nigerian musician, music producer, songwriter, and multi-talented instrumentalist. He gained national recognition as the producer of Styl-Plus’s highly acclaimed hit single ‘Olufunmi,’ a timeless classic that remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated love songs. Over the years, Mekoyo’s name has appeared on numerous album credits as a producer, composer, and songwriter, solidifying his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most respected creative minds. Manasseh is a music producer and an artiste.

Only eight Nigerian states currently meet the global benchmark for women’s participation in health decision-making, a new data released in the Women’s Health Index by Invictus Africa, has revealed.

The States are Rivers, Edo, Delta, Ogun, Enugu, Ekiti, Cross Rivers and Abia.

The findings, unveiled at the 2025 Gatefield Health Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, have triggered calls for urgent policy reforms to close Nigeria’s gender health gap.

The report shows that only a handful of States have achieved the Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM) benchmark of at least 65 percent of women participating in decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, including contraceptive use.

Kebbi (2.5 percent), Sokoto (5.1 percent), and Niger (5.8 percent) recorded the lowest levels of women’s autonomy in reproductive decisions, underscoring persistent gender inequality in access to care, information, and economic opportunity.

Equally, according to the report, no State has met the National Policy on Population target of reducing the unmet need for family planning to 10 percent by 2025 and zero by 2030.

Cross River (30.3 percent), Ebonyi (29.2 percent), and Bayelsa (27.7 percent) recorded the highest levels of unmet need for family planning, signalling urgent gaps in access and financing.

However, the report urged policymakers to place women’s health and leadership at the heart of Africa’s development and transformation agenda.

‘When we invest in women, we see economic growth, higher workforce participation, and greater productivity. Prioritizing women’s health is not only a moral duty; it’s smart economics,’ said Adenike Adeoye, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Lead at Invictus Africa.

Speakers at the summit emphasized that Africa’s health resilience depends on empowering women and integrating governance, financing, and workforce systems.

They noted that a woman’s most productive years are often her most vulnerable, and that neglecting women’s health weakens families, economies, and national stability.

The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) has celebrated its retiring teaching and non-teaching staff for their meritorious service, describing them as pillars of excellence.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Hakeem Shittu, said the event marked the Year 2025 celebration of the ‘Last Day in Office’, and Post Service Champions Programme.

Shittu, represented by Mr. Falana Jamiu, Permanent Board Member, Teachers’ Pension Department, LASUBEB, said the initiative honours educators, who diligently served and advanced the state’s vision for quality, accessible education.

He described the gathering as one of reflection, gratitude and pride, adding that it was dedicated to men and women whose loyalty and dedication had strengthened the state’s education system.

‘This ceremony represented more than a farewell; it is a statement of value, appreciation, and the government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and dignity of its workforce.

‘Our retirees have given the best of their years and intellects to nurturing young minds, through their daily efforts. Lagos has built not just classrooms but characters, not just schools but societies. They are leaving behind lessons and legacies that will endure,’ he said.

Shittu praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for institutionalising policies that recognise and reward outstanding performance in the public sector.

‘Under Sanwo-Olu’s visionary leadership, Lagos continues to prioritise the welfare of educators, recognising that they remain the true drivers of sustainable development.

‘We also commend the Head of Service for institutionalising the programme that dignifies retirees and inspires officers for greater commitment,’ Shittu said.

Lagos State High Court in Tafawa Balewa Square has ordered Horizon Estate, a subsidiary of Lekki Gardens Estate, to hand over a four-bedroom maisonette (MT5A) at Cyberville Estate, Lekki, to a subscriber, Mrs. Omesham Patience Mbanuzuo.

Justice Akingbola George granted a perpetual injunction restraining the firm – also known as Horizon Paradise Limited – either by itself or its agents, from making further demands on Mrs. Mbanuzuo regarding any alleged outstanding payment for the property.

Justice George further issued another injunction restraining the company from interfering with the claimant’s quiet and peaceful possession and enjoyment of the four-bedroom maisonette (MT5A) at Cyberville Estate, Lekki. The court also ordered the company to pay Mrs. Mbanuzuo N1 million as costs.

The court declared that the claimant had discharged her obligations under the contract for the off-plan purchase of the four-bedroom maisonette, which the defendant completed over two years after the agreed construction and handover date.

Justice George made the orders while ruling in Suit LD/3536LM/2025 filed by Mrs. Mbanuzuo against Horizon Estate.

Mrs. Mbanuzuo, through her counsel, Mr. Pius Sodje, sued the company for failure to hand over the property she paid for and sought the reliefs that were eventually granted by the court.

The real estate firm, represented by its counsel, Mr. Theophilus Ozumor, filed a counter-affidavit and urged the court to dismiss the suit with costs.

After reviewing all submissions, affidavits, and cited authorities, Justice George upheld all arguments advanced by the claimant’s lawyer and dismissed the defendant’s preliminary objection and counter-affidavit.

In granting judgment in favour of the claimant, Justice George held:

‘From the evidence before the court, I resolve the issues in favour of the claimant and enter judgment as follows: A declaration that the claimant has fully discharged her obligations in the off-plan purchase of the four-bedroom maisonette (MT5A) at Cyberville Estate, which the defendant completed more than two years after the agreed construction and handover date.

‘An order directing the defendant to immediately hand over the four-bedroom maisonette (MT5A) to the claimant.

‘A perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, by itself or its privies, from making further demands regarding any outstanding payment on the property.

‘A perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from interfering with the claimant’s quiet and peaceful possession and enjoyment of the property. The defendant shall pay N1million as costs to the claimant.’