Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of Lt. Col Aliyu Saidu Paiko and a few others as soldiers stopped vicious attacks on unarmed civilians in Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists.

The operatives attached to 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Operation HADIN KAI, resisted the terrorists on October 17, at Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Council of Borno State, Army spokeswoman, Lt.-Col Appolonia Anele, said yesterday.

According to her, the deceased Paiko was the commanding officer of 202 Tank Battalion.

Most of the terrorists were killed in the gun battle with troops with a handful of them sustaining injuries, forcing them to abort their mission to wreak havoc in the community.

‘The troops had successfully located and destroyed identified Boko Haram camps in the area, thereby frustrating the terrorists’ plans to attack civilians and disrupt socio-economic activities in the area. During the operation, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun fight and neutralised several, while others suffered injuries.

‘However, the encounter took its toll on our side, as the Commanding Officer, 202 Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, and a few other valiant soldiers paid the supreme price, as they fell in battle.

‘These brave heroes fought for the peace of our great nation, and their legacies shall endure forever. The Nigerian Army will continue to honor the weight of their sacrifices as their loss comes with the reminder of our unyielding resolve to stamp out the scourge of terrorism from our great nation, Nigeria,’ said Anele.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, she said, commiserated with the bereaved families, adding

‘They were not just soldiers but fathers, brothers, and sons who expressed immeasurable courage by taking the last stand in the face of adversity, and we stand together in this time of grief,’ she said.

Anele said the COAS reaffirmed the army’s unwavering resolve to pursue all terrorist elements relentlessly until total peace and normalcy are restored in the region and the nation by extension.

‘In the spirit of respect and compassion, members of the public and the media are kindly advised to refrain from sharing or publishing images of personnel who have paid the supreme price during operations generally until their next of kin may have been duly informed. This is to preserve the dignity of such fallen heroes and protecting the privacy of their families,’ the army said.

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu, has called on Nigerian social workers to continue serving as a platform for amplifying diverse voices, sharing actionable insights, and inspiring collective action for national development.

Edu made the call in her keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 40th Annual National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW), which also marked the association’s 50th anniversary.

The event was held from Tuesday, October 14 to Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Leisure Spring, Osogbo, Osun State.

The conference was declared open by Osun State Governor, Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Barrister Kolapo Alimi, and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Hon. Ayobola Elizabeth Fadeyi Awolowo.

The gathering attracted a large number of participants, including practicing social workers, educators, students, top government officials from across the six geopolitical zones, and international delegates from India, Russia, Mexico, Bangladesh, Italy, Egypt, and Nepal.

In her address, Dr. Edu emphasized the need for strengthening intergenerational solidarity to promote enduring well-being and inclusive growth.

‘As we celebrate 50 years of NASoW, let us recommit to developing age-inclusive policies, bridging gaps between generations, and sharing experiences and wisdom across age groups,’ she said. ‘By fostering mutual respect and understanding across generations, we can unlock the potential for transformative change and drive progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).’

Edu urged NASoW to continue serving as a catalyst for unity and social transformation, adding that intergenerational collaboration should remain a cornerstone of efforts to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

The lead paper was presented by Professor Solomon Adebola, Vice Chancellor of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar and Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Oladayo Aliu.

His presentation, titled ‘Building Resilience among Social Workers in Nigeria,’ highlighted the importance of professional strength and adaptability in addressing emerging social challenges.

At the end of the conference, participants resolved that social workers play a crucial role in addressing the complex challenges facing individuals, groups, and communities in Nigeria.

They emphasised that the primary purpose of social work remains to promote problem-solving strategies that enhance social well-being.

The association commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for policies aimed at mitigating hardship but noted that social workers continue to face major challenges – including the absence of a regulatory body, poor funding, weak policy implementation, lack of recognition, and limited involvement in key national programmes.

NASoW therefore called for urgent government action to strengthen the social work profession, ensure adequate regulation, and promote synergy among related sectors to better serve vulnerable populations across the country.

The conference also observed that the absence of council to regulate social work practice is undermining the progress of the profession in Nigeria. We also commend some state governments for involving social workers in their activities and also enjoined other states to emulate them.

The association appealed to the federal government to constitute and inaugurate the Nigerian Council for Social Work.

The association appeal to the governments at all levels to involve Social Workers in the formulation, execution and implementation of policies and programmes of the government.

The conference advised members to update their certificate, attend more trainings and seminars so as to update their knowledge and compete favorably with their peers across the globe.

The association called on all social workers to make wise use of information and communication technology (ICT), mass media platforms and other modern tools for effective service delivery.

The conference enjoined the federal government to put all necessary machineries in place in order to address the level of insecurity in the country.

The association observed the level of insecurity in the state and enjoined the governments at all levels to put policies, programmes and machineries in place to tackle the problems.

NASoW also urged the governments at all levels and stakeholders not to neglect boy child while promoting the right of the girl child.

When Sir Alex Ferguson walked into Manchester United’s old Carrington training ground in November 1986, few would have predicted he’d go on to define not just a club, but an entire era of football.

He inherited chaos: a divided dressing room, drinking culture, fading glory, and impatient fans. For three and a half years, results barely improved. United finished 11th, 11th, and 13th. There were protests, boos, and headlines calling for his head.

But the board did something almost unthinkable in today’s game. They waited. They backed him. And in doing so, they changed football forever.

Ferguson stayed for 27 years, won 38 trophies, built five different United teams, and retired as a living monument to patience and persistence.

Today, that kind of story couldn’t happen. Not in this climate. Not in this football economy.

And that’s the sobering truth: we will probably never see another Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Modern Game Eats Its Own

Managers today operate in the football equivalent of a pressure cooker. Lose two games and you’re ‘under pressure.’ Lose four, and you’re a trending topic. Lose six, and you’re unemployed.

Even success doesn’t guarantee safety anymore. Nuno Espírito Santo guided Nottingham Forest into Europe in 2024/25, sacked after a minor dip and a public clash with the owner.

This is the new football reality: it’s not about what you’ve done; it’s about what you’ve done lately.

In Ferguson’s era, clubs were guided by stability and human judgment. Today, they’re driven by quarterly performance metrics and social media narratives.

The Age of Impatience

Football has always been emotional, but the internet era has turned it into a 24-hour referendum. Every lineup decision is dissected. Every substitution is a scandal. Every loss becomes a crisis.

When Ferguson’s United were dumped out of the League Cup by Oxford United in 1986, fans were furious, but they had to vent on radio call-ins or letters to newspapers. Today, that anger trends worldwide within minutes, amplified by millions.

The result? Owners panic. Boards blink. Managers fall.

If Ferguson had managed his first three years in the social media age, he’d have been gone before he even got to that pivotal 1990 FA Cup run that saved his job.

The Business Has Changed the Bench

Modern football is a global business, and that’s both its strength and its curse.

Clubs are now multi-billion-dollar enterprises, often owned by corporations or foreign investors. These owners expect immediate results, like shareholders expecting quarterly profits. A project that takes ‘three to five years’ sounds noble until TV deals, sponsorship contracts, and Champions League revenues are at stake.

Even the word manager is fading. Most are now ‘head coaches,’ part of a bigger sporting structure where decisions on transfers, scouting, and youth development belong to committees, not individuals.

Ferguson had control over every detail, from signings to the academy, even down to what players ate. That total command allowed him to shape a club in his image. Today’s coaches are replaceable parts in a high-speed system. If one fails, the machine just swaps him out.

Player Power Has Changed the Game

In Ferguson’s United, no player, no matter how big, was bigger than the club. He proved it by selling Beckham, Keane, and Van Nistelrooy when they crossed the line.

That’s not the world we live in now.

Today, players are global brands. They have agents, entourages, and social media audiences larger than the clubs they play for. A single emoji on Instagram can send a manager’s reputation into free fall.

That’s not to say modern players are villains; it’s the ecosystem that’s changed. Managers used to manage men. Now, they manage million-dollar franchises disguised as players.

Even the ‘Project’ Clubs Aren’t Safe

Clubs love to talk about ‘long-term projects.’ Few actually commit to them.

Mikel Arteta at Arsenal is one of the rare exceptions, a manager who survived early storms to create something lasting. But even he admitted that, during his first two seasons, he felt ‘one defeat away’ from being fired.

Diego Simeone and Pep Guardiola are the only two modern managers who’ve built semi-dynasties in the chaos of modern football. Yet even their tenures, 14 and 10 years respectively, pale compared to Ferguson’s reign. And they had something most managers don’t: complete institutional backing.

The truth is, Ferguson had bad seasons. He rebuilt teams that failed. He lost titles, finals, and dressing rooms, but United never wavered. Today, one bad season and you’re ‘no longer part of the vision.’

So, Will We Ever See Another Ferguson?

Honestly? Probably not.

The modern game has evolved beyond the conditions that made Ferguson possible. The pressure’s higher, the patience shorter, and the attention span microscopic. Managers today are operators, not architects.

Pep Guardiola’s reign at Manchester City is the closest thing we’ve seen, a sustained era of dominance built on control and consistency. But even he admits: ‘No one does this forever. Football moves too fast now.’

Ferguson wasn’t just the last of his kind. He may have been the only one of his kind.

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The Senate will tomorrow (Wednesday) barring any last-minute change to its Order Paper, debate a motion seeking an urgent and substantial increase in the minimum wage and general conditions of service for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.

The motion, titled ‘Urgent need to increase the Minimum Wage and Improve Conditions of Service for Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and Other Security Agencies,’ is sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), former Chief Whip of the 10th Senate.

Ndume, in the motion, lamented what he described as the ‘grossly inadequate’ salaries and allowances earned by soldiers and security operatives who daily put their lives on the line to defend the country.

He said the current pay structure fails to reflect the sacrifices of military and security personnel operating under harsh and dangerous conditions across various theatres of operation nationwide.

Citing Section 217(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Ndume reminded the Senate that the Armed Forces are constitutionally empowered to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria and to assist civil authorities in maintaining law and order when required.

He argued that with inflation and the cost of living at record highs, the average monthly pay for junior personnel, between ?50,000 and ?60,000, is ‘grossly inadequate,’ leaving many unable to meet basic needs such as food, transportation, accommodation, and education for their families.

According to him: ‘Our troops are stretched thin across multiple fronts, from counterterrorism operations in the North-East to anti-banditry and oil theft missions in other regions, yet their welfare has not kept pace with their sacrifices.’

Ndume warned that low pay, delayed allowances and poor welfare have contributed to declining morale, desertions, and vulnerabilities to corruption within the security services.

He drew comparisons with the situation in other African countries, where, according to him, a private soldier in Ghana earns the equivalent of about ?180,000 monthly; in Kenya, ?200,000; in Egypt, between ?230,000 and ?280,000; and in South Africa, about ?250,000, excluding operational allowances.

By contrast, he said, Nigerian privates earn less than a quarter of those figures despite facing more hazardous and extended deployments.

The Borno South senator expressed concern that poor remuneration undermines operational effectiveness and public confidence in the country’s security institutions.

He insisted that improving welfare would boost morale, discipline, professionalism, and patriotism within the ranks.

The motion further noted that in many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and India, military pay is benchmarked above the national minimum wage in recognition of the unique risks and demands of military service.

The Senate may deliberate on Ndume’s prayers urging the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, to urgently and substantially increase the minimum wage and salary structure of the Armed Forces in line with current economic realities.

It also calls on the Senate Committees on Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force to collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies to determine realistic remuneration benchmarks that reflect international best practices.

Additionally, the motion urges the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Assembly Appropriations Committee to make provisions for an enhanced Defence Personnel Cost in the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

If adopted, the motion could pave the way for a periodic wage review framework for security and armed forces personnel, a move that may be crucial to strengthening morale and sustaining the nation’s security architecture.

The Lagos State Sports Commission and the organisers of the Africa School Games have resolved to strengthen their partnership for talent discovery and development in the state, following the successful completion of the inaugural edition of the games in Lagos.

About 11 schools in Lagos took part in the three-day tournament, which featured spirited competitions in swimming, athletics, and football in the U-11, U-13, and U-15 categories. The British International School hosted the inaugural edition with other schools like Grange School, St Savoiurs School, RiverBank School, Supreme Education Foundation, and Avi-Cenna featuring prominently.

The event was championed by sports enthusiasts, Dr. Seun Akinbohun, Dr. Busola Tejumola and Aderoju Ope-Ajayi, who envision a structured school sports ecosystem built on three pillars: continental competition, talent identification, and ecosystem building.

Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, noted that the Africa School Games exemplifies the state’s resolve for talent development and inclusive scouting.

‘We know that schools provide a better environment for talents to be discovered and nurtured. This is a private initiative, but during the course of the partnership, we did make sure that the path of inclusivity isn’t left out, so we have our public schools being part of this,’ Fatodu said.

‘I am particularly impressed that the inaugural edition was successfully managed, and I am confident that the subsequent ones will engage more schools across the continent.’

The organisers also acknowledged the state’s effort in ensuring the success of the initiative.

‘With Lagos State, we know of the Ibile Games and Governor Sanwo-Olu’s passion to drive youth empowerment through sports, and they have been amazing partners for us. Key endorsements came from Lagos State, and we are grateful for that,’ one of the co-founders, Ope-Ajayi said.

Reflecting on the success of the inaugural edition, the organisers have also expressed their readiness to welcome schools from other African countries in subsequent editions.

‘Absolutely, that is our plan. We will definitely have swimming, athletics, and football. Next year, we will be ready to host the whole of Africa in Lagos. We are ready for as many that can come.

Another co-founder, Dr Tejumola, also reiterated ASG’s goal of spotlighting talents across Africa.

‘It’s good to see the competitive spirit, expertise and skills that the athletes have come with. Africa School Games is a continental competition and the goal is to create a structured sports ecosystem for talent identification and development in Africa.’

After three days of thrilling competitions, St Saviours were the overall winners in the U-11 category with 1042 points while Grange School won the U-13 category with 1168 points.

British International School and Grange School were tied in the U-15 category, sharing the top prize with 909 points each.

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has condemned organisers of FreeNnamdiKanuProtest for creating tension in some parts of the Southeast.

Stressing that it is politically-motivated, the chapter flayed the organisers for reckless and bitter politics, and abuse of freedom of expression.

Lagos APC Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo said in a statement that the protest was carefully scripted by desperate opposition figures, who saw chaos as their last political weapon.

The statement said: ‘This so-called protest is not about justice; it is about political frustration. It represents the height of bitter, destructive politics – an attempt by those who have been roundly rejected by Nigerians at the polls to exploit national issues in search of cheap relevance.

‘We find it deeply disturbing that certain opposition leaders, who should know better, are shamelessly endorsing and sponsoring these street theatrics.

‘Their involvement reveals what can only be described as a classic case of the Biblical hand of Jacob but the voice of Esau – deceitful manipulation hiding behind the façade of activism. But let them be reminded: they will not gain in the streets what they have disgracefully lost at the polls.

‘The insensitivity of the organisers and their sponsors is shocking. At a time when the Southeast is still bleeding from years of mindless bloodshed, kidnappings and enforced sit-at-home orders – all consequences of violent agitation – these individuals have chosen to mock the memories of the victims.

‘They ignore the tears of widows, the pains of orphans and the devastation of communities ruined by senseless violence. Their protest is not a demand for justice; it is a betrayal of the sacrifices of the innocent.

‘For years, ordinary citizens in the Southeast have lived in fear – traders afraid to open their shops, transporters grounded by threats, children deprived of education, and families shattered by insecurity.

‘Yet, instead of standing with their people to heal these wounds, these political opportunists have returned to fan the embers of division, hoping to profit from instability.

‘Let it be clear: no one is above the law. The case of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu remains a judicial matter properly before the courts. Nigeria’s judiciary is competent, independent and capable of delivering justice without recourse to mob pressure or street intimidation.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, is working to rebuild the economy, restore investors’ confidence, and foster national unity.

‘His administration has shown remarkable inclusivity, with the Southeast occupying key national positions and benefiting from renewed infrastructural development. True progress will come not from chaos, but from cooperation and peace.

‘Lagos APC therefore calls on security agencies to remain vigilant, and on all patriotic Nigerians – especially leaders of thought in the Southeast – to reject the antics of those who traffic in bitterness. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we must not allow political desperation to tear it apart.’

Gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey has addressed a participant’s plea to adhere to the programme’s scheduled end time for his globally celebrated Hallelujah Challenge.

The Holy Spirit-inspired prayer initiative, known for inspiring countless testimonies of answered prayers, has become a spiritual cornerstone for millions.

Participant Meyina echoed the challenge of juggling the programme’s late-night sessions with early morning responsibilities, writing, ‘Pastor Nath can we stick to time please, some of us have to wake up early biko’.

Bassey, who recently marked the completion of the Hallelujah Challenge House in just eight months, responded warmly: ‘You are blessed. Kindly log out at 1am and watch later in the day. Blessings.’

Meyina replied with gratitude, admitting she hadn’t realised she could rewatch sessions.

‘Thank you so much Pastor Nath, I honestly didn’t know I could do this, God bless you,’ she wrote.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Anambra State, John Nwosu, has called for the criminalization of vote buying and the prosecution of any government officials, individuals, or groups found engaging in the practice during the upcoming November 8 governorship election in the state.

Speaking with reporters in Onitsha, Nwosu described vote trading as a heinous crime and ‘one of the greatest assaults on Nigeria’s democracy’.

He added, ‘We call on government agencies responsible for ensuring credible elections to criminalize and prosecute any government officials, individuals, or groups found engaging in vote buying or selling at polling units.’

Nwosu further stated that any government involved in vote buying demonstrates incompetence and corruption, questioning the source of funds used for such illegal activities.

‘Where are they getting the money for vote buying? It’s public money – your money. This is a rape on democracy and the height of corruption. Because of N10,000 or N20,000, people sell their birthright for four years and then start complaining,’ he lamented.

Nwosu also criticized the media for not doing enough to discourage the practice, urging journalists to intensify voter education and awareness campaigns about the dangers of selling votes.

He proposed practical measures for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to curb vote trading, including restricting the use of mobile phones inside voting cubicles.

‘In one of my media chats, I suggested that INEC should ensure that voters enter the polling area without phones, cast their ballots, and drop them before leaving. That way, vote buying will gradually become history,’ he explained.

Emphasising the crucial role of the press, Nwosu urged media professionals to sensitize the public about the long-term consequences of vote trading.

‘The media must educate people that collecting N5,000, N10,000, or even N20,000 in exchange for votes means mortgaging their future for the next four years. It’s not worth it,’ he added.

The ADC flag bearer also appealed to residents to abandon their lukewarm attitude toward elections and become more strategic and participatory, noting that voter apathy remains one of the biggest enablers of electoral malpractice.

‘Seventy per cent of the outcome of any election depends on the people. Voter apathy is one of the major ways elections are rigged in this country,’ he said.

Veteran musician Sir Shina Peters has opened up about the difficult circumstances that led him to leave his parents at 10.

Speaking in a recent interview on The Honest Bunch podcast, the legendary Afro-Juju singer revealed that financial hardship pushed him to seek independence at a young age.

He said: ‘What led me to leave my parents at 10 is because they don’t have money to rent a room and a parlour. So the only room-anytime we are having holidays, I always go to Oshodi. They will spread by mat, me I will sleep on the mat. My father, my mother, they will sleep on the bed waiting for me to sleep before they can perform husband and wife right, and I will not be able to sleep.’

The singer said the experience was painful and eventually inspired his decision to fend for himself.

‘I don’t discuss this. It’s painful. Painful. Seeing my father and my mother dragging. Then I said to myself, ‘Shina, no. Go outside there and find life for yourself.’ Because I’m a special spiritual boy. I fast 60, 90 days. Then I left. I just woke them up- ‘papa, mama, me I dey go.’ They said, ‘Go where? Tomorrow morning you’re supposed to go to St. Peter’s School, Abeokuta.’ I said, ‘Forget about education now, let me find my level, let me find myself. If I continue this way, how can I contribute to the success of my unborn yet? I’m not going to be the only one, so let me go and look how I will make you proud.’ Then I did it at age 10.’

He recalled the moment he left home, promising his parents he would not return as a failure.

‘The owner of the house went inside around 2am and brought a schnapps, meaning this type of bad incident may not enter this house again. After a few meters, I looked back at the house and told them that I will not come back to this house if I fail, but I promise you, I will not fail. And I will not meet this house like this.’

Reflecting on how far he has come, Peters recounted returning to his family home years later after achieving success in music.

‘In 1972, my second London with Prince Adekunle, they all came to the airport to call me. I asked the big industry to follow me to my parents’ house. Guess what? I left the house with 10 rooms, ‘face me I face you’ rooms-I met 2 because of that Oshodi canal; they broke the house. Each time all these things reflect, I work extra miles.

‘Sometimes I call God-me and my God sometimes we fight, and I will prostrate again to apologise because I believe in Him so much. So music is not ‘sere-sere things’ that they’re doing now. If you want to be an icon in the industry, a legend, you have to go extra miles. You are a role model, what you will sing when you are young is totally different from what you are singing when you are an adult.’

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis calls for a change of the ‘game’s rules and the leagues’ formats’ and argues that players should only be allowed to play for their national teams until they’re 23.

Napoli President De Laurentiis attended the National Italian American Foundation Gala in Washington on Sunday, where he shared his view and offered possible solutions to the increasing number of games played each season.

‘Europe must change because the time has come,’ De Laurentiis told Class CNBC. ‘The football chiefs are reluctant to change because they fear losing their seat. On which they sit very, very comfortably. But the time has come to change both the game’s rules and the leagues’ formats.

‘There are too many games, and I think footballers will no longer be able to play 50, 60 or 70 games [per season],’ continued De Laurentiis.

‘They haven’t understood that there should be a cap for international players. After you’ve turned 23, you can no longer go with the national team, because you have to discover the new ones.

‘If you even play those who are over-30, and they get injured, you are kicking the domestic leagues in the shins, and there’s no respect for these leagues.

‘Furthermore, there isn’t sufficient fee for the loan of a player who, for 12 months, is paid by clubs. This should also be regulated.’

This past Saturday, they suffered a 1-0 away loss at Torino and tomorrow, Tuesday, October 21, they visit PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League Round 3.

De Laurentiis bought Napoli in 2004 after the club had gone bankrupt. In three seasons, Napoli were promoted from Serie C1 (third division) to Serie A.

Napoli have gone on to win two Serie A titles in the last three seasons, under Luciano Spalletti and Antonio Conte.