Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, says he is not defecting from the party.

Mohammed, who is the Chairman of the Publicity and Communications Sub-Committee for the forthcoming PDP convention, said this while speaking with newsmen on Saturday.

He spoke after the inaugural meeting of the sub-committee in Abuja.

‘I assure you I am not going anywhere.

‘ I am in PDP and my state has no element of division,” he said.

He, however, said that while he was more than concerned over some members of his forum defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), he had no control over them because they were of equal status.

‘As a leader of a group of equal status, I cannot determine the decisions or inactions of my colleagues, but certainly, a lot of work is being done behind the scenes.

‘This defection would have been more devastating at the onset, but we have been talking and discussing,” he said.

He noted that some of the defecting governors left because they were being coerced.

‘Sometimes it is done because of permutations and calculations.

‘I will not denigrate or speak negatively about my colleagues, but I assure you I am not going anywhere. I am in PDP, ‘ he said.

Mohammed also advised those leaving the PDP to stop demarketing it because they were leaving.

On litigations ahead of the party’s national convention, Mohammed said the party’s leadership was doing everything possible to address them.

He noted that many of the litigations were created to undermine the party

‘At the state level, I have even seen some people taking us to court not to go for a convention.

‘This is not good and makes some at the National Assembly feel unsafe.

‘ We are addressing these issues squarely,” he said.

On speculations that Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State was leaving the party, Mohammed said that the governor was yet to inform the party of his position.

‘I have discussed this issue with him separately, and he has given me his assurances.

‘He’s a governor like me, and I respect him and his decisions,” he said.

He also stated that the Deputy Chairman of the party’s governors’ forum, Gov. Siminalaye Fubura of Rivers, still remained a PDP member.

‘He is a humble young man who has gone through so much and has done well to accommodate all the problems and challenges he found himself in.

‘ Certainly, he is still in PDP, and to me, he is still my deputy,” he said.

On the speculation that former President Goodluck Jonathan would contest the 2027 election on the party’s platform, Mohammed said they were happy that prominent persons were still associated with the party.

Speaking earlier at the sub-committee’s inaugural meeting, Mohammed advised party members not to be disturbed by the issue of defection.

Mohammed also maintained that nothing would stop the party’s national convention scheduled for Nov. 15 in Ibadan, saying ‘this convention is here to stay.’

‘ By the grace of God, no Jupiter will stop us; no dark forces will succeed over us,’ he said.(NAN)

The Co-Chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) and Chairman, Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (CFR), Ojaja II, The Ooni of Ife has hailed Olayiwola Nurudeen Awakan aka Ola Awakan, following his appointment as the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

In a congratulatory statement, Ooni expressed that Awakan’s appointment is not just another feather in the cap of a young and vibrant Nigerian, but a strong statement that the present administration recognizes youthful brilliance, cultural passion and innovative drive as essential ingredients for national rebirth.

Ola Awakan is no stranger to the cultural landscape of Nigeria. As a dynamic Nigerian youth, a seasoned broadcast journalist, cultural ambassador and advocate of tourism development, who has consistently demonstrated an uncommon acumen for storytelling, heritage promotion and festival visibility.

Over the years, he has been a committed participant at festivals like the Osun-Osogbo Festival, Olojo Festival, Aje Festival, and numerous other indigenous celebrations that showcase the spiritual, economic and social strength of the Nigerian people.

Ooni further charged Awakan to see this appointment as a sacred responsibility to promote Nigeria’s festivals and heritage sites to the world, to turn cultural tourism into a major revenue earner and to create opportunities for his fellow youths of our land through arts, crafts, hospitality and cultural entrepreneurship.

The people of Irun Akoko community in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State have expressed their preparedness to make the 2025 edition of the annual Idebi Oba festival.

The age-long annual festival, which will be held on Saturday, 18 October, 2025, is celebrated every year to round off the annual Ogun festival.

Indigenous people of the town from across the world will seize the opportunity to gather and celebrate with families and kinsmen.

For the people of Irun Akoko, the Idebi Oba festival is a revered celebration that promotes very rich cultural heritage of the people, and weaves together spiritual and cultural significance, reinforcing the people’s connection to their heritage.

The highlights of the Ide Oba Festival will include the open display of ancestral crowns won by the various monarchs that have resigned, starting from the first ruler.

Speaking on the significance of the festival, the monarch, HRM Oba Samuel Bayode Agboola, the Onirun of Irun, expressed extreme joy, adding that this serves as a rally point for him and his subjects to gather and offer prayers for peace and development of their community.

‘The Idebi Oba is one of the major traditional festivals in Irun Akoko. We have several other festivals, but the Idebi Oba is very unique. Irun is several centuries old, so on that day all of us will offer prayers of peace and prosperity for our town,’ Kabiyesi Onirun explained.

Oba Agboola called on the state government to join hands with the community to make Irun Akoko a tourist destination.

‘While we are prepared to make this year’s Idebi Oba Festival a festival to remember for a long time all over Akokoland and Ondo State in general, I want to plead with the state Ministry of Culture to come join hands with us. Our location makes us the honey pot of Akoko and some communities in Ekiti state.’

Beyond the merriment, the festival is expected to contribute significantly to the economy of the town, as large crowd of indigenes, tourists and people from neighbouring communities will troop in to witness the once-in-a-year traditional spectacle.

Expectedly, local businessmen and women are ready to seize the opportunity to make some cash for themselves.

The chiefs and elders are not left out of the celebration and business opportunities that the festival presents. In preparation, beautiful aso ebi and other colorful fabrics have been purchased to make 2025 Idebi Oba as grand as possible.

The House of Representatives has commenced investigation into the alleged mismanagement of funds allocated for the cleanup of oil spillage in the Niger Delta.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the ad hoc committee set up by the House to carry out the investigation, Chairman of the committee, Okpolupm Etteh said Niger Delta has faced years of environmental degradation and untold damage due to oil exploration and frequent spills.

He said the establishment of the committee by the House underscores the shared commitment to ensuring accountability, transparency, and environmental justice for the people of the Niger Delta.

According to him, the Niger Delta has faced years of environmental degradation and untold damage due to oil exploration and frequent spills while various government agencies have been created or assigned the responsibility of conducting environmental remediation and clean-up operations.

He said ‘unfortunately, troubling reports of alleged mismanagement, inefficiency, and poor coordination have overshadowed these initiatives.

‘Similarly, this House has also received reports that Funds allocated for clean-up efforts have not produced the anticipated outcomes, leaving communities still affected, livelihoods in jeopardy, and public trust diminished.

‘Our Committee has been assigned the critical task of uncovering the truth, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, and proposing reforms for sustainable solutions.

‘Our objectives are clear. We will investigate the utilization of funds designated for environmental remediation, review the actual execution of clean-up projects, identify deficiencies in the institutional framework, and engage with all relevant stakeholders, including host communities, experts, and civil society. Most importantly, we will recommend specific actions to enhance performance and rebuild public trust.’

He emphasised that the committee is not on a quest for witch-hunt, but will not hesitate to ask tough questions to unravel the truth for posterity and to uphold the integrity of our mission.

He said ‘We will operate transparently, seek broad consultations, and conduct field visits to witness the situation firsthand. Agencies will be held accountable, community perspectives will be valued, and our conclusions will be based on factual evidence rather than emotions.

‘Our aim is to illuminate the truth and ensure that the Niger Delta receives the justice it rightfully deserves. We will conduct our work with professionalism, patriotism, and a strong respect for the rule of law.

‘The task ahead is both urgent and essential. The Niger Delta cannot endure another decade of unfulfilled promises. It is high time we transformed words into action. We, therefore, seek the cooperation of all stakeholders-government agencies, communities, civil society, and the media-to help us effectively achieve our mandate’.

Nigeria still have a chance of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup after registering a nervy 2-1 away win over Lesotho.

The Super Eagles remain three points behind Group C leaders Benin, who grabbed a late 1-0 victory in Rwanda and are aiming to secure a place at the finals for the very first time.

South Africa are the other team in with a chance of topping the group, but their chances suffered a blow when they were held to a goalless draw on home turf by 10-man Zimbabwe in Durban.

Bafana Bafana are second, two points behind Benin and one clear of third-placed Nigeria.

Only the group winners are assured of a spot at the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Nigeria host Benin in the final round of games on Tuesday (16:00 GMT) and will leapfrog their West African rivals if they win by a two-goal margin.

However, South Africa could yet finish above both sides if they win their home game against Rwanda.

If the Nigeria-Benin game ends in a draw then Bafana Bafana will qualify with a win by three goals or more. South Africa will also seal top spot if they win and the Super Eagles take all three points from the derby in Uyo.

The four best second-placed sides in African qualifying will still have a chance to reach the tournament via continental and inter-confederation play-offs, but the congested nature of Group C means the side finishing second may not have enough points to progress.

Budding Nollywood actor and content creator, Adisa Jamiu Opeyemi, aka Mr. EMMY has described acting as a spiritual calling.

In an exclusive chat with The Nation, the Kwara State-born actor opens up about his rise and sacrifices in the Nigerian creative industry.

‘I developed a passion for acting from a young age,’ Mr. EMMY began.

Continuing, the Federal Polytechnic, Offa graduate said, ‘While studying film and multimedia production as a mass communication student, I realized that acting wasn’t just a hobby, it was my true calling. I wanted to use my craft to inspire, educate, and entertain audiences both in Nigeria and beyond.’

His first major break came during his final year in school when he featured in a student film project. But his first professional role in Yoruba Nollywood came through a friend and coursemate, Kabir aka Cause Trouble.

‘The biggest sacrifice has been time, finances, and comfort. I’ve worked long hours, travelled far for auditions, and acted without pay just to gain experience. But every sacrifice has contributed to the person and professional I am today,’ he said on his sojourn.

Speaking on his new film project titled, ‘Emmy Striker,’ the actor, who draws inspiration from two of Nollywood’s finest, Muyiwa Ademol and Kunle Afolayan said the movie explores youth empowerment and social values.

‘I want to tell more inspiring African stories and eventually collaborate with international filmmakers to take Nigerian storytelling to the global stage,’ he revealed.

Mr. EMMY has featured in numerous Yoruba productions, including ‘Labake Eleyin Oro’, ‘Eemo Niletura’, ‘Irawo Eda’, ‘Oloja Oru’, ‘Orisa Orisun’, ‘Omi Aro’, and ‘Elenini’.

He has also appeared in several short films and web series, expanding his reach through YouTube and digital platforms.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, has urged officers of the l Armed Forces to embrace visionary and integrity-driven leadership capable of transforming strategic goals into tangible results.

He gave the charge while delivering a strategic leadership lecture titled ‘From Vision to Reality: Strategic Leadership Insights from the CAS Command Philosophy’ to students of Senior Course 47 and Junior Course 100 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State.

Air Marshal Abubakar stressed that true command effectiveness goes beyond authority, hinging instead on influence, integrity, and the ability to inspire subordinates toward collective excellence.

He urged officers to combine innovation, discipline, and teamwork to achieve mission success, noting that great leaders see opportunities even in adversity.

The lecture featured an interactive session where participants engaged the Air Chief on issues of leadership, command philosophy, and inter-service cooperation.

The CAS, emphasised the importance of unity and strategic thinking in advancing national security objectives.

Commandant of the AFCSC, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Idris Alhaji, in his closing remarks, described the session as both inspiring and timely, saying it reinforced the College’s mission of building competent, ethical, and visionary leaders for the Armed Forces.

The event was attended by top military officers, including the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, Commandants of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry and the Air Force Institute of Technology, as well as senior directing staff of the College.

Highlights included presentation of a souvenir to the CAS, a vote of thanks by Lieutenant Commander S.O. Emiola, and a group photograph to commemorate the engagement.

There was a time in Nigeria when rice was considered a luxury meal reserved for festive days like Christmas, New Year, weddings, and especially Eid-el-Kabir (the big Sallah), the one that everyone looked forward to.

Growing up in the village, even for those of us who farmed rice, we hardly ate it. We preferred to sell what we harvested just to meet other household needs. It was not because rice was scarce, but because life was economically tough. Ordinary Nigerians could barely afford it.

This memory came rushing back to me after watching a video of Seun Kuti, one of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s sons, recounting how his father lamented the hardship of the 1970s. Fela, the musical prophet of his time, spoke of the people’s suffering even when the naira was one to the dollar, and a litre of petrol cost only 22 kobo. He mentioned that bread, akara, dodo, and oranges were sold for mere kobo, yet ordinary Nigerians still could not afford them.

That revelation should remind us of something: hardship is not new. Even when the exchange rate looked ‘perfect’ and inflation was low, the average Nigerian still struggled to survive. What we often fail to do today is to place our complaints in proper historical context. We lament without asking: how were things back then?

When people say that Nigeria has progressively failed, I often disagree. Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, now in his 90s, once said that Nigeria has made progressive success and he was right. He has lived through colonial times, independence, military regimes, and now democracy. His perspective carries the weight of history.

Our population then was barely 60 million; today, according to the United Nations, it stands at over 237 million. Yet, money circulates far more now than it did decades ago. In the 1990s, many civil servants earned between ?2,000 and ?3,000 monthly. By comparison, any government today paying less than ?70,000 as minimum wage has failed in its duty to its people.

Government workers who are still being paid below this threshold deserve to protest until something is done and any governor responsible should be impeached for insensitivity and negligence.

I recall leading a student protest during my secondary school days because our parents, who were civil servants, were owed eight months’ salary. School fees then were ?35, and many students dropped out simply because their parents were not paid. Fast forward to today: I visited Paduma Primary School in Asokoro, Abuja, a government school where fees are ?3,700. Remarkably, over half of the pupils had paid within the first month of resumption.

To broaden this reflection, a small research was recently conducted in Afon, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, one of the rural communities where poverty remains visible. Residents there were asked when last they ate rice at home.

The responses were telling: two households said they last ate rice ten days ago, another said two months ago, while two others said eight days ago. Their current school fees tell another story ?450 for primary school and ?1,500 for secondary school, compared to the ?35 we paid in my time.

To me, this shows progress, not decline. Yes, the cost of living is high, but so are earnings, access, and opportunities. Those days, most compounds in urban areas had only two or three households with television sets. We used to gather to watch films in a neighbour’s house. Today, even in villages, it is common to see multiple TVs, generators, and smartphones.

Sociologically, as societies develop, new problems arise it is part of what scholars call ‘functional challenges.’ Development exposes issues that were once hidden, but it also creates capacity for solutions. Our present challenges are therefore not signs of failure, but of transition and growth.

So, when we hear people romanticize the past ‘When dollar was one naira, life was better’ we must ask: better for who? Fela sang about hunger, hardship, and injustice during that so-called golden era. The truth is that poverty existed then as it does now, only in different forms.

Those of us who lived through the 1980s and 1990s know that rice was a meal we waited a whole year or months to eat. Today, even in rural areas, many families eat it once or twice a week. That is not failure; that is movement.

What Nigeria needs now is not nostalgia, but perspective. Our problems did not start yesterday, and our progress did not stop either. We are still evolving and in many ways, better off than we were.

History teaches us that nations survive not by lamentation but by reform. Nigeria is evolving and the same resilience that once made us wait months to taste rice can now help us demand better governance. If leaders refuse to listen, the people must rise, for silence has never built a nation.

Bamidele Atoyebi national coordinator of accountability and policy monitoring and Puablisher at Unfiltered and Mining Reporting.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has decried the increasing vandalisation of its electrical and signalling installations across the Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna and Warri-Itakpe corridors.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Kayode Opeifa, raised the concern in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

The statement, signed by Mr Callistus Unyimadu, Chief Public Relations Officer, NRC, described the attacks as a major threat to safe and efficient train operations.

Opeifa confirmed that two suspects had been arrested in Kaduna in connection with the vandalisation of equipment at the Rigasa Train Station area.

He said the suspects, aged 22 and 24, both from Rigasa, were apprehended by operatives of the Nigeria Police, Railway Command attached to the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS).

The arrest, he explained, followed the discovery on Friday, Oct. 10, at about 12:30 p.m., that a cable wire had been cut and removed from an NRC crane.

Acting on intelligence, the patrol team led by ASP Abdullahi Bwajin, Administrative Officer at Rigasa, traced and arrested the suspects shortly after the incident.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime, revealing that they sold the stolen cable to one Musa, popularly known as ‘Musa Major,’ for ?90,000.

Each suspect reportedly received ?30,000 as his share, while another accomplice, also from Rigasa, remains at large, Opeifa added.

He said efforts were ongoing by the Nigeria Police, Railway Command (AKTS), to arrest the remaining suspect and recover the stolen materials.

The NRC, he said, commended the command for its professionalism and swift response, assuring that all culprits would face the full weight of the law.

Opeifa expressed deep concern over the increasing attacks on railway electrical and signalling infrastructure, describing them as critical national assets.

He said the corporation, working with security agencies, would henceforth treat such acts as economic sabotage, with severe legal consequences for offenders.

The NRC chief appealed to residents of communities hosting railway facilities to support the corporation and security agencies in protecting these installations.

He stressed that the railway system remained a catalyst for community development and improved livelihoods, making its protection a collective responsibility.

Deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agnese, has defended former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, asserting that he will emerge stronger from the ongoing money laundering allegations levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Speaking outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, Agbese stood in solidarity with Bello, describing the trial as a test of a patriot’s resilience rather than evidence of wrongdoing.

In an address to journalists and supporters gathered after Thursday’s court proceedings, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency described Bello as a leader of unblemished integrity.

‘Yahaya Bello is one Nigerian who cannot and will never steal a dime from the public purse,’ he declared emphatically.

‘I have known Yahaya for over two decades, and I can vouch for his character as a patriot, a nationalist, and a man wholly dedicated to the progress of his people.

‘This is not a trial of a corrupt politician; it is the trial of a patriot who left Lugard House [Kogi State Government House] poorer than he entered it, having poured his heart and resources into transforming Kogi State.’

Agbese emphasised the former Covernor’s selflessness and commitment to public service.

‘In my over 20 years of knowing Yahaya Bello, I have seen a man who consistently placed the welfare of his people above personal gain,’ he said.

‘When he assumed office in 2016, Kogi was grappling with infrastructural decay, insecurity, and economic stagnation.

‘Bello changed that narrative through bold reforms, youth empowerment programs, and massive investments in roads, healthcare, and education. He didn’t amass wealth for himself; instead, he left office with a leaner pocket but a richer legacy of service. Nigerians must recognize that what we are witnessing is a politically orchestrated attempt to tarnish the image of a man who dared to prioritize governance over personal enrichment.’

The lawmaker urged Nigerians to look beyond the EFCC’s allegations, which he described as ‘a smokescreen designed to distract from Bello’s transformative achievements.’

He highlighted Bello’s tenure as one marked by fiscal discipline and transparency. ‘Under Bello’s watch, Kogi State saw unprecedented development,’ Agbese noted.

‘From the construction of the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre to the establishment of the Kogi State University Teaching Hospital in Anyigba, Bello’s projects were tangible and people-centered. He introduced free education policies, empowered women and youths, and tackled insecurity head-on, making Kogi safer.

‘These are not the actions of a man who loots public funds. I am confident that when the dust settles, Yahaya Bello will walk out of this trial not just vindicated but stronger, with his reputation as a patriot intact.’

Agbese also called on Nigerians to critically evaluate the motives behind the EFCC’s pursuit. ‘This case is less about accountability and more about settling political scores,’ he asserted.

‘Bello’s rising profile as a young, dynamic leader who delivered results made him a target for those who feel threatened by his influence.

‘Nigerians should ask: why is a man who left office without a single personal mansion or offshore account being hounded? The answer lies in the politics of envy and vendetta. But truth is resilient, and Yahaya Bello’s truth will prevail.’

‘Yahaya Bello represents the hope of a new generation of leaders who prioritize service over self,’ Agbese concluded.

‘This trial will only strengthen his resolve and amplify his voice as a champion of the people. Nigerians should stand with him, for in defending Bello, we defend the very idea of patriotic governance.’