Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Former presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has accused some All Progressives Congress (APC) members of sponsoring what he called renewed allegations against him through his estranged wife.

He described the development as part of a smear campaign to discredit him ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement, Olawepo-Hashim alleged that his ex-wife’s recent claims in the media were orchestrated by those he called remnants of the same political handlers who allegedly plotted to stop his 2019 presidential bid.

He said: ‘She had been recruited by elements around (the late President Muhammadu) Buhari in the UK High Commission and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA). Apart from other sinister things they did, they tried to frame me up for funding terrorism. I was questioned in the UK and released when no evidence was found. She was the one who gave the information to the UK authorities.’

The businessman-turned-politician alleged that the same group seized two of his oil assets during the period, forcing him into a prolonged legal battle.

He recalled that in November 2020, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, restored the Hely Creek and Abigborodo marginal oil fields to his company, Transnational Energy Limited (TEL), after ruling that the government’s revocation of the fields was illegal. The court also awarded $20 million in damages against the federal institutions involved.

Olawepo-Hashim claimed that his ex-wife’s legal battle in the UK was part of that broader scheme, adding that she was ‘recruited by the then Deputy Director-General of the NIA, Air Force General Bello, who is her in-law’.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart alleged that his estranged wife obtained an undefended divorce judgment in England in which she was awarded £18 million (about N36 billion), but the judgment was later annulled by a Nigerian court since their marriage was conducted under Nigerian law.

‘APC handlers funded her with millions of dollars, nominating her for several foreign grants for female entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. My lawyers have written to her several times to provide account details for the children’s upkeep, but she refused because she wants £18 million, not money for their welfare,’ he said.

The former presidential candidate added that his ex-wife had denied his family access to their children, describing her as ‘a professional blackmailer and social climber who has made plenty of money from that trade’.

Olawepo-Hashim said the revival of her story was politically motivated, stressing: ‘Now that the 2027 campaign has started, the same APC team has picked her up again, pushing her story in the media.’

He dismissed reports of a new court order directing one of his companies to pay ?300 million.

The PDP stalwart described the claim as ‘an invention of an APC night court’.

According to him, no such process was ever served on his legal team.

‘This is an act of desperation on their part, and it shows our message is biting them. Picking up stories from bitter women against opposition figures will not save the APC from imminent defeat in 2027.

‘Tales like this did not stop President Trump in America; they won’t stop us here either, by the grace of God,’ Olawepo-Hashim added.

The Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) recorded over ?673 million worth of diaspora investment deals in 2024, according to the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Dabiri-Erewa also revealed that since its inception in 2018, the Summit has contributed more than ?500 million to Nigeria’s local economy through payments to service providers, creatives, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged around the annual event.

Speaking at a media briefing ahead of the 2025 edition, she said the forthcoming summit aims to build on previous successes and further deepen diaspora participation in national development.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to serve as the guest of honour at the 8th edition of the Summit, which will take place from November 11 to 13, 2025, in Abuja.

This year’s event, themed ‘Fast-Tracking Regional and National Development by Mobilising Diaspora Investment,’ is projected to attract no fewer than 3,000 participants, both physically and virtually.

She said, ‘We are determined to build on this momentum. This year, we will continue to spotlight sectors critical to Nigeria’s transformation: Finance and Fintech; ICT; Creative Industries, Sports and Entertainment; Agribusiness; Healthcare; Education; Real Estate and Infrastructure; Manufacturing and Energy.’

Dabiri-Erewa added, ‘We are honoured that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will once again serve as the Special Guest of Honour, and we anticipate the participation of distinguished business leaders, diaspora investors, policy champions, and creative icons who continue to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s potential.’

Dabiri-Erewa informed that since its inception in 2018, the NDIS has become a trusted platform that fosters ‘direct, credible and impactful investments’ from the Nigerian diaspora into the local economy.

She highlighted the success of the 2024 edition, saying, ‘The last edition of the Summit, held in November 2024, showed just how much momentum NDIS has built over the years as it welcomed above 1,500 participants, both online and physically, including 236 investors, 1,197 business owners, and 168 government officials. Over the course of the Summit, a total of 56 pitches were presented across eight key sectors, which highlighted the creativity, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians. These ideas were not just pitched but attracted about 168 deals worth about N673 million.

‘The Creative, Entertainment, and Sport sector stole the spotlight with 39 deals, showing just how much talent and energy Nigeria has to offer. But when it came to big money, Infrastructure and Real Estate led the way, securing about ?201 million across 22 deals. Energy, though quieter with just four deals, still drew an impressive ?172 million. Agribusiness made its mark too, with 28 deals bringing in ?103 million. While the numbers are impressive, the true story lies in the impact these investments are having on everyday lives in Nigeria.

They are helping to create jobs for young people, giving them opportunities to learn new skills and earn a living. They are helping businesses expand their operations, reach new markets, and become more competitive. For example, GAIN Business Incubator raised over ?200 million to expand its operations. Xtralarge Farms secured international distribution deals through connections made at the Summit. Filmmakers like JohnMark Iyoo found mentors and pathways to bring Nigerian stories to a global audience.’

In addition, the NiDCOM Chairman noted that several state governments, including Ondo, Nasarawa, and Borno, have leveraged the Summit in previous years to attract investors and advance major development projects, such as Ondo’s port initiative, which later gained Federal Government approval.

She pointed, ‘These outcomes show that NDIS is more than a conference; it is a catalyst for enterprise and sustainable partnership.’

She therefore called on Nigerians in the diaspora and those at home to seize emerging investment opportunities through the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) and invest massively in Nigeria’s economic development.

She asserted that NDIS has grown beyond being a conference but as a catalyst for enterprise and sustainable development, which has fostered job creation, youth empowerment, and connecting Nigeria’s enormous talent pool to its development agenda.

Also speaking, Dr. Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, Chairperson of the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI), noted that over the years, the summit has served as a vital bridge, attracting investments and unlocking the vast potential of the diaspora for Nigeria’s development.

She added that this year’s theme aligns perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to diversify the nation’s economy and drive inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Dr. Adejugbe-Williams also encouraged new sponsors, investors, and media partners to amplify the message of the Summit and take advantage of the opportunities it presents.

Organised by NiDCOM with NDSI, the Summit connects Diaspora investors with local entrepreneurs across key sectors, including Finance and Fintech, ICT, Creative Industries, Sports, Agribusiness, Healthcare, Education, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, and Energy.

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called for a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria’s legal and judicial philosophy, especially the tendency of courts prioritising technicalities over substantive justice.

Osinbajo, a professor of law, spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the second Prof. Yusuf Ali’s Annual Lecture organised by the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.

The former Vice President said the essence of any justice system is to serve the people, not to glorify procedural formalities.

He expressed concern that many judicial decisions, including those of the Supreme Court, often leaned towards form rather than substance.

‘Even English courts, whose practices we inherited, have evolved beyond such rigid technicalities by allowing amendments at any stage to ensure justice is done,’ he said.

Osinbajo posited that Nigeria’s continued attachment to outdated technicalities undermined justice and eroded public trust in the judiciary.

‘In view of this, I urge legal practitioners, academics, and policymakers to adopt critical, decolonised thinking to reform legal education, legal practice, and the administration of justice,’ he said..

‘Though the Supreme Court has occasionally adopted a more flexible approach, particularly in electoral matters, inconsistency remains a major concern.

‘It is important to note that a justice system that glorifies form over substance risks losing its relevance and effectiveness,’ he said.

The guest lecturer, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu (SAN), urged Nigerian lawyers and law students to confront and dismantle the lingering colonial legacies embedded in the nation’s legal system.

Odinkalu, who spoke on the topic: Towards Decolonising Legal Briefs: Effective Implementation of the Local Content Law for the Benefit of Nigerian Lawyers, noted that Nigeria’s justice system is still hooked to the rest of the world.

He said it was high time Nigeria transitioned from political independence to ideation independence by promoting local content.

The professor of Practice and International Human Rights Law said that though Nigeria is independent politically, we lack occupational independence.

Odinkalu stressed that the country’s legal framework still bore the imprint of the colonial intrusion and needed to be changed.

The guest lecturer emphasised the need to build an independent and credible judiciary as a core part of the decolonisation process.

KWASU’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jimoh Shaykh-Luqman, expressed gratitude to God and stakeholders for the progress recorded in the institution’s Faculty of Law.

He announced that several infrastructural projects, including a departmental building, 500-seat auditorium, and two 250-seat lecture theatres, would be completed and delivered to end users by December.

Also, Prof. Ali said all nations must have a rallying point, which Nigeria currently lacks.

The eminent lawyer said the only time Nigerians truly become united is during international football matches, a fleeting moment of togetherness that quickly faded afterward.

He urged citizens to confront the reality of systemic failures instead of romanticising the past, noting that the country still exhibited all the parameters of failure.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted cautiously to the nomination of Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging him to prioritize national interest and electoral integrity above political influence.

In a statement on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC would give the new INEC chairman the benefit of the doubt but expects him to demonstrate personal ambition to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process and rebuild public trust.

‘We are cautious. But we expect the new INEC chairman to have a personal ambition to do better and restore the confidence of Nigerians and the world in Nigerian election. He must understand that his loyalty is with the Nigerian people, not the government.

‘We are willing to give him the benefit of doubts based on his track record. But now he has the opportunity to make a good name for himself that his children would proud of, or to soil his record and end up with ignominy.

‘He should bear in mind also that his tenure will ordinarily last beyond one electoral cycle. He should therefore look beyond the interest of those who have appointed him,’ Abdullahi stated.

Abdullahi noted that the credibility of Nigeria’s elections rests heavily on the independence, integrity, and courage of the INEC leadership, stressing that the new chairman must rise above partisanship to safeguard democracy.

He added that Nigerians and the international community would be watching closely to see whether Prof. Amupitan would live up to the expectations of transparency, fairness, and accountability in future elections.

More than 700 residents of Ibusa (Igbuzo) in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State and neighbouring communities benefited from a free medical outreach organised by the Association of Ibusa Professional Women (AIPROW) last weekend.

The two-day programme, held in collaboration with the Ibusa Association USA, Inc. and the Foundation Educational Support Programme, Enugu, provided consultations, diagnoses, drugs, and various screenings to hundreds of men, women, and children who had long lacked access to affordable healthcare.

AIPROW President, Mrs Elizabeth Idigbe, said the massive turnout underscored the growing health needs of the community.

She reaffirmed the association’s 14-year commitment to improving healthcare and education in Ibusa and beyond.

According to her, this year’s edition was expanded to include breast, cervical and prostate cancer screenings, mental health checks, eye screening, and the distribution of 200 eyeglasses, while 300 people underwent eye tests in collaboration with VisionSpring.

Beneficiaries were also tested for diabetes and hypertension, while wheelchairs and walkers were distributed to those with mobility challenges.

Career talks and self-esteem workshops were held for young girls to encourage ambition and confidence.

Mrs. Idigbe said over 18 doctors participated, stressing that the event helped bridge critical healthcare gaps caused by rising medical costs.

She appealed to government agencies to support such initiatives through better infrastructure and collaboration.

‘Our motivation is simple-we believe charity begins at home,’ she said.

‘Many of our people can’t afford healthcare, and every year this outreach reminds us why health is wealth. Seeing people relieved of pain gives us fulfilment.’

She advised beneficiaries to adopt healthy lifestyles, eat balanced diets, and engage in regular exercise. ‘Government can’t do it all. But if they support groups like ours with facilities, we can do even more,’ she added.

AIPROW founder and former president, Prof. Ifeoma Utomi, explained that the association was born out of a vision to unite Ibusa women professionals to contribute meaningfully to their community.

‘It wasn’t easy at first, but teamwork and shared purpose made it possible,’ she said.

Prof. Utomi noted that the group initially focused on women and the girl-child, but later included men following community demand.

‘In recent years, prostate cancer screening has become a key part of our outreach.

‘We now also collaborate with the Ibusa Association USA, which sponsors breast and prostate cancer tests,’ she said.

This year’s programme featured the participation of Dr. Iheanacho Emereuwa, a U.S.-based consultant gynaecologist and founder of the African Primary Healthcare Foundation, who flew in to volunteer.

He described the outreach as ‘a much-needed lifeline’ and urged the government to invest more in rural healthcare facilities.

A beneficiary, Mrs. Veronica, expressed gratitude after receiving free eye treatment and a pair of glasses.

‘I couldn’t afford them for years. What AIPROW did for me is beyond words,’ she said.

The Ibusa women’s annual outreach continues to stand out as a model of community-driven healthcare, blending professional expertise, diaspora support, and compassion to uplift their hometown.

As December approaches, all eyes in Nigeria’s boxing and entertainment circles turn once again to the year-end edition of GOtv Boxing Night: Boxing Jamz Music, the signature fusion of sport and live performance that has become a fixture on the national events calendar. The event, featuring top-tier bouts and star-studded musical performances, has evolved beyond a celebration of sporting excellence to become a catalyst for local economic growth and creative industry development.

Now a December tradition, GOtv Boxing Night: Boxing Jamz Music has evolved into a platform that blends the grit of boxing with the energy of Nigerian entertainment. What began as an effort to revive interest in domestic boxing has become a multifaceted experience that generates income, promotes tourism, and offers visibility to both emerging and established talent.

Each edition draws thousands of attendees, from die-hard boxing fans to music lovers, while millions follow through live television broadcasts. This level of engagement stimulates business across multiple sectors. Hotels near the venue record spikes in bookings, transport operators see higher demand, and restaurants and bars enjoy increased patronage.

The economic ripple extends to the informal sector. Ushers, security personnel, stagehands, camera operators, and temporary staff find work opportunities during the period. For many, the December edition provides an extra income stream during the festive season. In the broader context, this flow of commercial activity underscores how sports and entertainment contribute to community-level economic growth.

For Nigerian boxers, GOtv Boxing Night remains the country’s most reliable professional platform. It offers fighters fair purses, broadcast exposure, and career visibility before local and international audiences. Several boxers who started on the GOtv stage have gone on to secure regional and global fights, a clear sign of how sustained private-sector investment can strengthen the local sports ecosystem.

The consistency of the event has also brought stability to athletes’ careers. With regular editions throughout the year and the flagship Boxing Jamz Music event in December, boxers can plan their training and livelihoods more effectively. The organisers’ commitment to athlete welfare, transparent contracts, and proper medical supervision has helped elevate professional standards in the sport.

The addition of the Music Jamz segment each December has expanded the event’s appeal and turned it into one of the biggest parties of the festive season. The December crowd does not only come for the punches; they come for the performances that light up the night. Over the years, the stage has hosted some of Nigeria’s biggest stars, including Burna Boy, Teni, Mayorkun, 9ice, Zlatan, Wande Coal, and Styl-Plus, among others. Their presence has helped position the event as a true convergence of sport and popular culture, a year-end celebration that captures the energy and rhythm of Nigerian entertainment.

By merging boxing with live music from leading and emerging artists, the organisers have created a hybrid experience that attracts diverse audiences and bridges two of Nigeria’s most vibrant industries. This model has proven effective not only for fan engagement but also for supporting the broader creative sector.

Artists, dancers, stylists, makeup artists, videographers, and content creators all benefit from the production of GOtv Boxing Night: Boxing Jamz Music. The event requires a wide network of professionals, from sound engineers to lighting designers and stage setup teams, creating direct employment and project-based income. This collaboration between sports and entertainment also drives online content creation, amplifying the visibility of Nigerian talent locally and abroad.

Beyond economic activity, the December event promotes tourism. Each edition attracts visitors from across Nigeria and other African countries. These guests boost the hospitality and transport sectors, while media coverage projects Lagos as a vibrant hub for sports and entertainment. For tourism stakeholders, the consistent hosting of GOtv Boxing Night: Boxing Jamz Music demonstrates how event-based tourism can diversify local economies and enhance Nigeria’s image as a destination for major events.

From an organisational perspective, GOtv Boxing Night continues to set a benchmark for private-sector involvement in sports promotion. The planning, logistics, and production quality reflect growing professionalism within Nigeria’s events industry, one that builds investor confidence and encourages similar initiatives. The integration of music and boxing also highlights how partnerships across creative and athletic sectors can deliver long-term social and economic benefits.

For government and industry stakeholders, the model offers practical lessons. It shows that with consistent funding, professional management, and collaboration, private enterprises can play a central role in driving sports development, youth employment, and creative-economy growth. GOtv Boxing Night: Boxing Jamz Music stands as proof that structured partnerships between corporate sponsors, sports promoters, and creative professionals can produce outcomes aligned with national goals on youth empowerment and economic diversification.

As the December edition draws near, anticipation goes beyond the promise of title fights or headline performances. The event’s impact now resonates across multiple levels, from the boxer earning a living, to the street vendor making festive sales, to the young creative finding work on a production crew. Each participant contributes to a wider story of how sports and entertainment, when strategically developed, can drive sustainable growth and community development.

More than a year-end tradition, GOtv Boxing Night: Boxing Jamz Music has become a case study in how consistent investment in sports and entertainment can transform local economies, support talent, and inspire national pride. As it returns this December, the event continues to prove that the true value of boxing lies not only in the competition inside the ring but in the opportunities it creates far beyond it.

As Nigeria prepares for its crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin, newly invited striker Akor Adams has expressed determination to give his best and contribute to the team’s success.

Adams, who recently earned his first senior national team call-up, said he is focused on helping the Super Eagles achieve their goal of reaching the global tournament.

‘I don’t think there’s a break in personality,’ the 25-year-old striker said. ‘I just have to give what I can to the team. Whoever’s playing, we give support, and if you’re called upon by the coach, you do your best.’

The Sevilla forward added that he is looking forward to building stronger connections within the squad, describing the atmosphere in camp as encouraging.

‘There are a couple of guys that I’m in touch with,’ he said. ‘I’m looking forward to making more relationships and also better friendships.’

Adams previously represented Nigeria at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland.

The striker was handed his first senior call-up on October 4, 2025, for Nigeria’s two World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic. His inclusion is seen as part of efforts by the technical crew to strengthen the attacking options as the Super Eagles look to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Adams has been in good form for Sevilla and recently scored in his side’s 4-1 massacre of Barcelona in the La Liga , said he is not under pressure but is motivated to make a meaningful impact if given the opportunity.

‘I have to give what I can to the team,’ he reiterated. ‘It’s about giving your best when the coach calls on you and supporting others when you’re not on the pitch.’

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has called for supportive programmes and policies that would expand access to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive health services for adolescent girls and young women in Akwa Ibom.

It also called for increased investment in the prevention, testing and treatment programs for the Human Immuno Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infection (HIV/STI) as well as comprehensive sexuality education, revealing that over 4000 young women aged 15-24 have been infected with HIV weekly with more than 3,300 of those cases in sub-saharan African.

The Nigeria Country Programmes Director of AHF, Dr Echey Ijezie made the call on Friday during the commemoration of the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child held at Community Commercial Secondary School, Ikot Oku, Ubo, Offot, Uyo. The theme of 2025 celebration is, ‘The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontline of crisis.’

Ijezie who stated that the event was aimed at protecting girls from HIV, honor their achievements, and reinforce the urgent need to expand opportunities for them to thrive and stay healthy, lamented that young girls still face challenges of poor menstrual health and limited access to reproductive health services.

He, therefore called for actions to address period poverty, promote comprehensive sexuality education, and combat gender-based violence and child marriage which he termed as key drivers to health inequality.

‘International Day of the Girl, observed annually on October 11, is a time to celebrate girls’ accomplishments, amplify their voices, and advocate for policies that protect their health and futures. Through its Girls Act program, AHF empowers girls and young women in nearly 40 countries with the knowledge, support, and resources to remain free from HIV and other STIs, adhere to treatment for girls living with HIV, stay in school, and avoid unplanned pregnancies.’ The statement partly read.

In her Keynote address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Akwa Ibom, Hon Inibehe Silas Etukudo said despite the challenges girls face in the state,they are still breaking barriers in all their endeavors demonstrating that crises do not define them; instead, they shape solutions.

The Commissioner promised to create opportunities where their voices and ideas would be heard, their leadership nurtured, and their potentials unleashed even as she revealed that the state was working towards securing funding and programs that would empower girls-from scholarships to health initiatives.

She added, ‘Education remains the cornerstone of this vision. Every girl in Akwa Ibom deserves access to quality education, free from obstacles like poverty or early marriage. We must also prioritize their health, ensuring access to menstrual hygiene resources and mental health support so they can flourish. We must stand firm in protecting them from gender-based violence and discrimination, creating a state where every girl feels safe to soar.’

Speaking with the State Cordinator of AHF, Dr. Ekemini Essien, he observed that girls all over the world are disproportionately affected by HIV AIDS and faced with a lot of abuse with very little opportunities unlike their male counterparts. He said authorities should as a matter of urgency address the issue by empowering girls with neccessary tools, knowledge and skills to excel.

Essien encouraged the girls to be resilient and focused for a secured future.

On her part Jessica Charles, the linkage Cordinator of AHF in the state harped on the need for a girl-child empowerment. She said empowerment must not be economic, but in terms of access to right information, healthcare, education and taking decisions. She charged the girls to always stand tall and speak up against any form of abuse

‘This is not the time when you should be shy about how you feel about your reproductive health. Speak up against any abuse. I know a lot of girls are abused, and their parents are covering up, please speak up, because there will always be somebody out there who wants to champion your cause.’ She admonished.

In an interview with one of the participants, Rhoda Vincent, she thanked AHF for identifying with the girl child and going further to empower them especially in Sexual Health Right and gender equality.

Vincent who is the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State Children’s Parliament, reminded girls of their role as change makers and world movers even as she charged them to remain focused and dedicated not forgetting to take their menstrual hygiene seriously.

Highpoint of the occasion was the distribution of disposable and reusable sanitary pads, toiletries and talk on menstrual hygiene.

This year’s World Teacher’s Day offered stakeholders in the education sector in Nigeria an opportunity to reflect on the state of one of the most critical professions for the development of any society as well as proffer suggestions to address the challenges confronting this category of workers. Teacher’s Day is commemorated annually on October 5.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) seized the occasion to draw attention to the chronic deficit of teachers at the basic education level relative to the number of children at this foundational stage of learning.

The union attributed the severe shortage in the requisite number of teachers to deliver qualitative education, which it estimates at 194,876 personnel, to poor welfare, unattractive working conditions, weak motivation and low status.

Decrying what it described as the alarming crisis of manpower in primary and secondary schools nationwide, the NUT stressed the need to decisively tackle this problem as a necessary condition for ‘Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession’, which is the theme of the 2025 commemoration.

A consideration of the teacher-to-pupil ratio at the primary school level offers a graphic insight into the seriousness of the scarcity of qualified teachers at the basic level in Nigeria. While data for 2021 from the World Bank indicate that there were 30.4 million primary school pupils in the country, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) estimated that there were over 45 million children in primary schools as at 2023.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that there are at least 10.5 million children between the ages of five and 14 out of school, with the northern states being the worst affected in this regard.

To cater for an estimated population of 31.7 million primary school pupils, there are approximately 915,913 teachers bringing the primary school teacher-to- pupil ratio to about 1:35. However, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommends a ratio of 1:25 teachers to pupils at the primary school level for effective learning.

In reality, experts believe that many classrooms are overcrowded with actual ratios in significant numbers of areas going beyond 1:70 teacher-pupil proportions. It is thus obvious, for instance, that without considerably increasing the number of qualified teachers, it will be impossible to address the conundrum of out-of-school children which is a critical impediment to literacy levels in Nigeria.

It has become imperative for decisive steps to be taken to make teaching more attractive as a profession through competitive and fulfilling salary structures, as well as complementary supportive welfare packages.

This is particularly important in order to motivate the best brains to teach at the basic level where it is necessary to lay a firm, qualitative foundation for young minds to be built on at higher stages of the education hierarchy.

The immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2020 announced such initiatives as a special salary scale for teachers in basic and secondary schools, harmonised retirement age of 65 years and 49 years of service for teachers, reintroduction of bursary awards for students studying education in higher institutions and provision of loan facilities for agriculture, housing, cars, motorcycles, among others, to augment teachers’ income.

Unfortunately, most of these incentives have reportedly not been implemented, thus necessitating the urgent intervention of the current administrations at all levels to ensure their actualisation.

The near tripling of revenue earnings by the three tiers of government as a result of the economic reform policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration should be utilised to decisively improve the welfare and motivation of teachers, enhance the quality of manpower, bridge the deficit of personnel at the basic level of the country’s educational system and frontally tackle the challenge of out-of-school children.

We also urge the education authorities to heed the plea by the NUT for a reversal of the decision to remove the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) from benefitting from budgetary allocation. The TRCN is critical to the quality and performance of the teaching profession.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting a posthumous pardon to the Ogoni 9 and conferring National Honours on the Ogoni 4.

Speaking at Government House, Port Harcourt, Fubara commended the President for recognising the sacrifices of the Ogoni 9 – Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gboko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine – for their exemplary service to Nigeria and contribution to reconciliation within the Ogoni community.

He also lauded Tinubu for bestowing National Honours on Chiefs Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage, describing the gesture as a mark of respect for their patriotism and efforts toward unity in Ogoniland.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the governor said the Rivers State Government was grateful to President Tinubu, the Council of State, and Nigerians for recognising the patriotism and sacrifices of the Ogoni 13.

Fubara noted that the Presidential Pardon and National Honours would foster genuine reconciliation, strengthen peace and unity among the Ogoni people, and accelerate sustainable development in the state.

He assured the President of his administration’s full commitment to the total reconciliation and progress of Ogoniland, expressing optimism that the move would restore confidence and renew hope among the people.

The governor urged Ogoni residents to embrace the Federal Government’s decision as a vital step toward addressing long-standing concerns of the communities and called on them to align with government policies and programmes to achieve collective growth and development.