Category: The Nation – Nigeria

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.’

In reaffirming its dedication to health, safety, and environmental sustainability, Chemical and Allied Products (CAP) Plc, a leading paint manufacturer, has joined the global community in observing the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) 2025, themed ‘No Safe Level: Act Now to End Lead Exposure.’

The week-long campaign, held from October 19 to 25, seeks to raise public awareness about the dangers of lead exposure and drive collective action toward its total elimination.

As a pioneer in safe and sustainable paint manufacturing, all CAP brands – Dulux, Sandtex, Caplux, and Hempel – contain no added lead, demonstrating the company’s leadership in promoting healthier living and working environments for Nigerian households and industries.

Speaking on the initiative, its Managing Director, Bolarin Okunowo, emphasised the company’s unwavering stance on safety:

‘At CAP, we believe safety should be a standard, not a choice. Our commitment to creating safe and sustainable products goes beyond business – it is about people. By supporting International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2025, we are renewing our responsibility to ensure every Nigerian, especially our children, can live, learn, and grow in healthier spaces.’

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there is no safe level of lead exposure. Even minimal contact can cause irreversible neurological and physiological damage, particularly in children whose developing brains are most vulnerable. WHO estimates that lead exposure causes nearly one million deaths annually, mainly in low- and middle-income countries.

In Nigeria, recurring incidents – including the Zamfara lead contamination crisis – highlight the devastating human and economic toll of unchecked lead exposure. Research from the University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife further reveals that 78percent of Nigerian painters experience chronic symptoms such as cough and skin irritation, yet only 7.5percent consistently use protective equipment.

These realities, Okunowo noted, underscore the need for stronger industry advocacy and professional training:

‘Ending lead exposure is a shared responsibility. It requires action from policymakers, manufacturers, artisans, and families alike. At CAP, we are proud to be part of a movement painting a brighter, safer, and more sustainable future for generations to come.’

Aligned with Nigeria’s sustainability goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 11, 12, and 13), CAP Plc continues to adopt eco-friendly technologies that reduce emissions, enhance indoor air quality, and promote circular waste management practices.

Beyond product innovation, CAP invests in education and capacity building through its Painters Academy, which equips artisans with modern skills and sustainable practices. As part of this year’s ILPPW activities, the company will host a special sensitisation session in Ibadan to educate painters on the hazards of lead exposure and practical prevention strategies.

Through ongoing partnerships with regulators, suppliers, and customers, CAP Plc continues to champion lead-free standards and promote a culture of health and safety across Nigeria’s paint industry.

By supporting International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2025, CAP Plc reaffirms its leadership in sustainable manufacturing – ensuring that the paints that colour Nigeria also protect it.

Nigerian students, particularly those at the premier Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), are poised for a significant uplift in global academic career prospects following a high-level educational partnership with French institutions.

The collaboration, driven by a deep-rooted historical relationship, promises to make world-class French higher education more accessible and affordable for Nigerian graduates.

The ‘Study in France Conference’, hosted by YABATECH and featuring a large delegation of French universities and specialised institutions, signals a robust expansion of academic and cultural ties.

In his welcoming address, the Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, positioned the conference as a significant step in strengthening the educational and cultural bridge with France.

He highlighted the institution’s long-standing relationship with the French Government, which began over three decades ago with the donation of advanced equipment that birthed the college’s Department of Industrial Maintenance Engineering.

‘Today’s conference aligns perfectly with our commitment to international collaboration and our vision to position YABATECH as a globally competitive, innovation-driven institution,’ Dr. Abdul stated.

He further said the college’s ‘ERECT Agenda’, was a strategic framework focused on empowering staff, repackaging academic programmes, exploring collaborations, consolidating revenue and tapping into grants.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the opening of its student loan application portal for the 2025/2026 academic session, offering financial access to eligible students nationwide.

Managing Director of NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, made the announcement in a statement released by the Fund’s Director of Strategic Communications, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi in Abuja.

Sawyerr stated that the application portal would be open from today, to Saturday, January 31, 2026, covering the full admission cycle of the academic year.

He expressed appreciation to tertiary institutions for their cooperation so far and urged further collaboration to ensure a smooth, transparent, and inclusive loan process for both returning and newly admitted students.

The NELFUND boss reminded institutions to update and upload verified student records, both new intakes and returning students, on the Student Verification Portal to enable seamless loan applications and access to benefits.

He emphasised that accurate institutional data was a critical requirement for students to successfully apply for and benefit from the student loan scheme under the National Education Loan Programme.

‘To support a seamless rollout, institutions should note key details: portal opens Oct. 23, 2025, and closes Jan. 31, 2026. Timely updates will ensure students are not left out.’

Sawyerr added that eligible students included those newly admitted and those returning to accredited tertiary institutions.

According to him, first-year applicants can use admission or JAMB numbers in place of matriculation numbers for verification.

He appealed to institutions to be flexible with registration and fee deadlines for students awaiting disbursement, to avoid disruptions to their academic progress due to financial constraints.

Sawyerr also urged institutions that had not begun the 2025/2026 session to send their academic calendars to NELFUND, for consideration in the scheduling and rollout of disbursements.

He called for temporary registration measures to accommodate students with pending loan applications, so that no qualified applicant was denied access to education due to financial delays.

‘For technical support or enquiries, institutions can contact NELFUND via email at [email protected].’

The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), in collaboration with Oracle Academy, has empowered 150 Secondary school girls in problem solving, innovation and technology.

The event, which took place consecutively in Lagos, Kwara State and Abuja, provided a platform for the girls to create solutions to real-world challenges in areas such as education, health, climate change and security.

The programme, with the theme: ‘She Solves for Change’, was part of the organisation’s way of marking this year’s International Day of the Girl-Child.

Participants took part in hands-on-digital skills such as: Website design, Mobile App Development, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In her keynote speech, a software engineer, Ms. Arafat Ogunfemi, urged the girls to keep positive relationships, make positive impacts to the world and self and to build themselves to become better professionals.

The Advisory Board Member, W.TEC, Mr. Tobi Durojaye, urged the government to look into policies around programmes for the girls.

He commended WTEC for putting up such a programme that empowers the girl child.

‘What I saw the girls display today was very captivating. It’s interesting to see that we have the next generation of innovators, creators and problem solvers.

Ekiti Governor Biodun Oyebanji has expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his special interest in Ekiti State by freeing more resources to the State to carry out laudable people- oriented and legacy projects in the last three years of his administration.

Oyebanji, who stated this on Wednesday during the official commissioning of the ultra-modern Ekiti Revenue House, in Ado Ekiti, disclosed that his administration has been commissioning a wide range of projects including roads, electricity, hospitals and water to commemorate his third anniversary in office.

The Governor, who also disclosed that his government has not taken any loan to finance the various projects embarked upon by his government in the last three years, said that his administration is committed to sustaining the state’s development goals stressing that IRS plays pivotal role in propelling the state’s economic growth and contributing massively to the well-being of its citizens.

He lauded President Tinubu for appointing Dr Zaach Adedeji as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), describing the appointment as a round peg in a round hole as it speaks to the commitment of the President to merit and and excellence.

‘I can stand here to boast and beat my chest that every project we have done in Ekiti state up to now, we have not taken a loan to do any one of them. And that speaks to the fact that we have a president who is transparent, who allows the resources to be shared the way it should be shared.

‘One thing is for you to have the money at the center, another thing is for the center to give it to you, but for once, in our history, Mr. President has given to us more than our fair share of the federation allocation.

‘Once again, I thank Mr. President for his support, he’s the one that should take the glory after God for whatever achievement we have achieved in Ekiti State as a government. I would not be able to do anything on my own without the support of the president. And on this note, I plead with all of us in Ekiti state to continue to pray for Mr President, he needs our prayers, he needs our encouragement. For the first time in the history of this country, we have a President that is prepared.

‘And I also plead with you that by the grace of God, Mr. President will run for a second time. All those reforms that Mr. President instituted that some people are abusing him for is what we are gaining here. It’s the gain that we are using to implement most of this project. Mr president has been good to us and I have no doubt in my mind that when the time comes for you to say thank you, you will do that through your vote,’ The Governor stated.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Hon. Afeez Bolaji Repete, has called on members of the party to unite and work toward reclaiming power in the State.

In a statement, Repete said the political atmosphere in Oyo was shifting in favour of the progressives, noting that residents were increasingly dissatisfied with the current administration.

He accused the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde of setting back the wheel of progress in the state, describing its approach as a ‘trial-and-error experiment’ that has left many citizens frustrated.

Repete alleged the current administration had been involved in indiscriminate land sales and demolitions, particularly in Ajia, Ona Ara, and Akinyele local government areas.

‘The good people of Oyo State are feeling the pain of watching helplessly as their lands are grabbed and properties demolished,’ he said.

‘Governor Makinde has succeeded in selling off several state-owned lands to the detriment of public interest,’ he alleged.

He assured residents that an incoming APC administration would address what he called ‘the injustices and excesses’ of the present government.

Repete further urged party members and supporters to remain united and committed to restoring good governance in the state.

‘We must all rise and resist this ‘sell, sell, and sell’ approach of the incumbent administration. The APC is ready to restore transparency, fairness, and genuine progress to Oyo State,’ he added.

The Federal Government has dismissed eight officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, compulsorily retired five officers and reduced the ranks of eight others for various acts of misconducts.

The government also dismissed two junior personnel from the Service for criminal acts bothering on kidnapping, stealing and illegal possession of fire arms.

The government action was contingent upon the recommendations of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) Disciplinary and General Purpose Committee which sat on 11th July 2025.

According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS), Akinsola Akinlabi, the Board’s Disciplinary Committee reviewed 31 cases involving personnel and officers of the NIS.

Akinlabi, an Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, said :’Consequently, the Board has approved series of disciplinary actions in line with its avowed commitment to upholding highest standards of discipline and integrity within the Services it superintends and the Service wishes to notify the public as follows:

‘Eight officers were dismissed from the Service for serious misconduct and violation of Service Regulations;

‘ In addition, five officers were compulsorily retired for offences othering on misconduct, while Eight officers were demoted by one

rank.’

He further explained that five officers were issued with written warning letters for misconduct, while the Board also reviewed the appeal of dismissal of two officers but

were rejected due to lack of merit

He added: ‘One officer is to be reinstated following a successful appeal while the Board exonerated two officers against charges

preferred against them.’

Akinlabi said:’In the same vein, the public is further invited to note that the Service has dismissed two junior personnel; Aliyu Usman (AII) and Chukwu Nancy Ngozi (CIA) for criminal conspiracy bothering on stealing and illegal possession of firearms and proven allegation of kidnapping following completion of internal disciplinary proceedings on 14th April and 4th September 2025.’

‘Under the supervision of the Chairman of the Civil Defence,Correctional, Fire and immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) and Hon. Minister of interior Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria Immigration Service ably led by its Comptroller-General, KN Nandap, reiterates its commitment to maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards across all cadres and wishes to assure the general

public that the disciplinary actions will be carried out without fear or favour and in strict compliance with extant rules and regulations’, Akinlabi stated.

Ahead of the elective National Convention scheduled for Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, the northern leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have endorsed former Minister of Special Duties, Barrister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as iconsensus candidate for the position of the National Chairman of the party.

The party’s zoning committee had resolved that all positions remain in their current zones, while directing that leader micro zone the positions.

Turaki who is one of the Deputy Chairmen of the convention organising committee, will be presented to the delegates at the Ibadan convention as the National Chairman of the party to take over from Amb. Umar Damagun.

The endorsement of Turaki occurred at a meeting of PDP Northern Stakeholders which took place at the Adamawa Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Wednesday night.

The decision was announced by Adamawa Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri at the end of the meeting which was attended by PDP from the North, including Senator Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Caled Matfwang of Plateau, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Kigbu Kefas of Taraba.

Fintiri said all the ten positions of the National Working Working of the party zoned to the North will be resolved through consensus.

He was however quick to add that the consensus arrangement ftoes not preclude any member of the party who wish to contest any of the positions, including those zoned outside the geographical area from contesting the elections during the convention.

The endorsement follows a weekend gathering of Northern PDP leaders, where the chairmanship slot was zoned to the North-West geopolitical zone to promote regional balance and party cohesion.

Announcing the decision, Fintiri said ‘As northern leaders of our great party, the PDP and representatives of the states in the North, we have met this evening to deliberate and take a decision on the office of the National Chairman of our party which was zoned to the north.

Fintiri said ‘we have met this evening to deliberate and take decision on the office of the chairman of our great party, the PDP, which was zoned to the north.

‘In our meeting, we have reflected deeply and widely through consultation and going to Ibadan for our national convention, we have adopted a consensus candidate to represent the North, and by extension, Nigeria, as the chairman of the PDP.

‘That gentleman is KT Turaki, SAN. This is our decision this evening, and he is the person we are presenting at that convention as our chairman to represent our party on the 15 and 16 of November in Ibadan’.

Responding to questions, he said: ‘I will not want to preclude what others are speculating outside, but we are gentlemen, and you can see all of us, we are leaders. We represent each of the states in the north, the 19 states, including the FCT. And this is our decision, and we expect this is the lineup of our delegates in Ibadan.

‘PDP is an institution, and we have mechanism to handle all these issues. We will reach out and talk to each other. We have been talking to ourselves, not today, not yesterday. This is a build-up of consensus in the last two weeks, and we have just a consultation, and this is just the result. I am assuring you that the convention will be a rancour free convention.

‘We are still united and focused, and our primary responsibility at the moment is the convention. And this is what we’re discussing primarily’.

Speaking on other positions of the party, Gov. Fintiri assured that all positions of the party ‘will be resolved at the regional level, and they will present their candidates along with others for us to present at the convention.

‘Altogether, we have ten positions in the north, as far as the convention is concerned. But, nevertheless, anybody who still feels he will want to contest in any position is free, and this is what our position has allowed. We are not excluding anybody. But then, we have just announced to you our consensus candidate, as far as these leaders are concerned.

‘But if anybody still feels he wants to contest, I have said it, time will without number That the door is open. Even you, if you want to contest, the positions that have been zoned to the north, you are free. We will sell form to you. If you are not from the north, we will allow you to contest.’

Troops of the Operation ‘Hadin Kai’ (OPHK) have killed more than 50 terrorists and repelled multiple coordinated attacks on military locations in Borno and Yobe.

The military said the simultaneous attacks occurred between midnight and 0400 hours on Thursday when terrorists launched assaults on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo and Katarko, situated within Sectors I and II of the Joint Operations Area.

Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East (OPHK), in a statement on Thursday in Maiduguri, said the troops fought gallantly and professionally, repelling the attacks and inflicting devastating losses on the terrorists.

‘In all instances, troops stood firm, fought gallantly, and professionally repelled the attacks, dealing the terrorists a heavy, decisive and bloody blow,’ Uba stated.

He said the coordinated ground and air operations, backed by precision strikes from the Air Component of OPHK, led to the neutralisation of over 50 terrorists across all the locations.

According to him, troops also recovered 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five RPG tubes, two GPMGs, hand grenades, and thousands of assorted rounds of ammunition after the clashes.

‘The precision strikes, coupled with enhanced battlefield awareness provided by the Theatre’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, gave troops additional leverage and impetus to respond with overwhelming and lethal force,’ Uba added.

He disclosed that over 70 wounded terrorists were being pursued by ground troops, with the Air Component maintaining close coordination to ensure total clearance of the fleeing remnants.

Intelligence reports, he said, indicated that the attackers who stormed Dikwa and Gajibo manoeuvred from the Cameroon axis, while those who attacked Katarko emerged from the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious terrorist enclave.

Uba said some gallant troops sustained injuries but were in stable condition, while some vehicles and buildings in Mafa and Dikwa were gutted by fire following RPG and drone attacks by the terrorists.

He noted that despite the heavy onslaught, the troops maintained control of all their positions and repelled the coordinated strikes with renewed strength and professionalism.

‘The Military High Command has commended the gallantry, doggedness and renewed charge of the troops. Their steadfast performance once again reaffirms the military’s unwavering resolve and capacity to defend the nation’s territorial integrity,’ he added.