Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Team Nigeria’s para powerlifting contingent yesterday departed for the 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships slated to hold between October 9th and 18th in Cairo, Egypt.

The milestone event marks the first-ever World Championships to be hosted on African soil, symbolizing a new era for the sport on the continent.

The first batch of Team Nigeria athletes left the country yesterday amid cheers and well-wishes from officials, fans, and supporters. The second batch of the contingent is scheduled to leave today, from Lagos, completing the full team that will represent the nation at this landmark competition.

Speaking ahead of the departure, officials expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and determination to uphold Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a force to be reckoned with, in global para powerlifting.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) reaffirmed its full support for the athletes, emphasizing the government’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and excellence in sports.

An Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday heard that forensic examination ordered into WhatsApp messages on the phone of the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele did not go as planned.

This was because, the examination, intended to be conducted by experts from the defence and prosecution failed to agree on modalities.

The court had during the last sitting ordered the forensic examination of a phone and WhatsApp conversations, central to the alleged $4.5 billion fraud trial against Emefiele.

During resumed proceedings yesterday, Emefiele, through his counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) raised concerns over the issue before the court.

Ojo alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on two separate occasions blocked the successful execution of the court’s order.

The trial judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, had at last sitting of the court, ruled that the mobile device, marked ‘iPhone 2,’ and its WhatsApp contents, which were tendered by the EFCC as evidence, must be subjected to a scientific, forensic examination.

The judge issued the order following an application by Emefiele’s defence team who argued for the necessity of the examination in the interest of justice.

They had also pointed out that the exercise would require the presence of experts from both sides.

Ojo told the court that on September 24 and 25, the dates ordered by the court, nothing could be accomplished despite the presence of representatives from both parties and the court’s Registrar.

‘The first brick wall we faced was that the EFCC said the device cannot be exposed to the entire team,’ Ojo said.

He said same was raised by the EFCC team on the second day.

He said in spite of clarification by the Registrar that the court directed for the examination of the phone and WhatsApp, the EFCC representatives failed to produce the phone when the Apple expert demanded for it.

He said the EFCC team gave a ‘categorical No’ to the request.

He emphasised the need for what he termed as an unfettered access for the experts to perform their duty, insisting that the EFCC’s actions had blocked the process.

Ojo urged the court to issue a fresh directive to ensure proper access to the phone and its WhatsApp content.

Responding, the counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, (SAN) stated that the initial forensic examination conducted by the defence’s expert was flawed and non-compliant with forensic standards.

According to him, the expert in question had no physical laboratory, no verifiable office, and reportedly carried out parts of the examination via a live internet connection, risking data compromise.

He said: ‘the implication of their request is that Exhibit E may be altered. The data could auto-sync and change the integrity of the exhibit.’

Oyedepo confirmed that the iPhone remained in flight mode, ensuring it remains untampered with.

He assured the court of the prosecution’s commitment to transparency:

‘The prosecution has never, and will never, prevent the defence from accessing the facility. But handling of the exhibit must be done properly,’ he said.

However, in their responses, defence counsels to first and second defendant, Ojo (SAN) and Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN) urged the court to defer further testimony until the forensic analysis is completed.

They argued that the WhatsApp chats are central to their case and proceeding without the full report would be premature.

Justice Oshodi acknowledged their concerns and ruled that the prosecution must file the forensic report within 24 hours.

He allowed the continuation of the prosecution’s witness testimony, noting that the witness had travelled from Abuja for the hearing.

He also directed both parties to adopt electronic service of documents moving forward to prevent further delays.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Emefiele on 19 counts bordering on receiving gratification, corrupt practices, and abuse of office.

The co-defendant, Henry Omoile, on the other hand, is facing a separate three-count charge relating to unlawful acceptance of gifts.

Nigeria’s 2025 wet season farming was marred by a combination of pest infestations, erratic rainfall, and surging input costs that dampened production gains despite farmers’ resilience, according to the 2025 Agricultural Performance Survey (APS) released on Tuesday in Abuja.

The report, jointly conducted by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), offers an in-depth evaluation of the country’s agricultural performance, highlighting both achievements and persistent challenges.

Presenting the findings, the Executive Director of NAERLS, Prof. Yusuf Sani Ahmad, revealed that over 19,358 hectares of farmland were affected by pests and diseases during the season, resulting in an estimated 22.5 percent yield loss in the impacted regions.

He listed fall armyworm, rice blast, bacterial blight, streak virus, cassava mosaic, yam nematodes, cocoa black pod, and cotton smut as the most prevalent threats, adding that nearly all agro-ecological zones in the country were affected.

‘Maize, rice, millet, cowpea, cassava, and tree crops were the most affected,’ Prof. Ahmad said, warning that the widespread nature of the infestations underscores the urgent need for stronger pest surveillance and early response systems.

The APS also highlighted the burden of rising production costs on farmers.

Despite improved fertiliser availability through government efforts, input prices surged. NPK fertilizer rose by 19.5 percent, from ?43,500 to ?52,000 per 50kg bag, while urea increased by 10.1 percent to ?43,500.

‘These increases, mostly recorded in the North-West, North-Central, and North-East, have placed smallholder farmers under severe cost pressure. Affordability, not availability, has become the core problem,’ he added.

Fuel prices, transportation costs, and general inflation compounded the challenge, pushing maize and soybean production costs up by 29.2 percent and 36.8 percent, respectively.

The report also revealed disparities in farm mechanization across the country.

While the North-West and North-Central zones recorded the highest number of functional tractors 808 and 793 units respectively several machines in the South-West and South-South were non-functional, limiting efficiency and widening regional gaps.

‘Mechanisation access remains uneven and heavily skewed toward certain regions,’ Prof. Ahmad noted, warning that postharvest losses, especially in the South-West and North-Central, continue to erode farmers’ incomes despite gains in crop output.

In addition, irregular rainfall, localised flooding, and climate shocks further disrupted farming activities. The APS reported a 35 percent decline in cultured fish production in the North-Central and North-East, where insecurity and environmental degradation also took a toll.

The South-South maintained relative stability due to its strong fisheries base, while the South-West recorded inconsistencies linked to volatile aquaculture conditions and weak data systems.

Reacting to the findings, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, said the report presents both positive outcomes and warning signs for the sector.

‘The 2025 APS findings show encouraging growth in major staples and a welcome decline in food prices, but the persistent challenges from high input costs to pest outbreaks and postharvest losses demand renewed action,’ Kyari said.

He added that the government plans to institutionalize a Dry Season Agricultural Performance Survey to complement the wet season report, ensuring that agricultural planning becomes a year-round, data-driven process.

Kyari also outlined plans to boost local fertilizer production, promote climate-smart agriculture, modernize mechanization services, and recruit more extension agents to support farmers.

‘We are determined to ensure that Nigerian agriculture becomes more productive, inclusive, and resilient,’ the Minister stated.

Although rice and maize production recorded modest increases of 2.66 percent and 2.0 percent, respectively.

The APS further stated that Nigeria’s agriculture remains highly exposed to climate stress, price volatility, and infrastructure gaps yet capable of adapting through consistent data, coordinated policies, and sustained investment.

Big Brother Naija Season 10 second runner-up, Koyin has stated that he has no intention of pursuing a romantic relationship with Isabella outside the show.

Despite their romantic connection in the house, which sparked interest among fans, Koyin emphasised that their relationship was ‘just for fun’ and there’s no future between them.

This development comes after Isabella expressed openness to exploring a relationship with Koyin post-show, but she also mentioned feeling disappointed by her previous love interest, Kayikunmi, who she felt took her love for granted.

‘There is no future between me and Isabella. I mean, we were together in the house just for fun,’ he stated.

Veteran Nollywood actor Dele Odule has sparked concern and reflection among fans after sharing a series of cryptic posts about personal pain, emotional resilience, and self-worth on Instagram.

In his post, Odule revealed that while he has grown used to being left behind, the deeper pain lies in being made to feel special one day and unwanted the next.

He reflected on relationships, writing that ‘the wrong person finds you at peace and leaves you shattered, while the right one finds you broken and leads you to peace.’

Addressing those who say hurtful things and later claim they didn’t mean them, the actor described such behaviour as cruel and declared that he would respond with silence rather than anger.

Odule reaffirmed his resolve not to allow anyone to make him feel inadequate and ended his message on a positive note, wishing his followers a wonderful weekend.

‘Leaving me is okay, people leave all the time, I’m used to it. What hurts is, when you made me so special one day, and the next day I was so unwanted. The wrong one will find you in peace and leave you in pieces, the right one will find you in pieces and lead you to peace.

‘After you’ve said the meanest things, you now come back to tell me you never meant it, you’re MEAN, but I’ll crush your ego with silence. I will never allow anyone to make me feel I’m not enough’, he wrote.

American rapper Offset has opened up about his separation from Cardi B, admitting that infidelity and bad decisions significantly contributed to their marriage ending.

‘I messed up, and it cost me my marriage,’ Offset revealed during a podcast interview with Keke Palmer.

Despite their split, he expressed deep respect for Cardi B, referring to her affectionately as ‘bro,’ and clarified that their divorce has not yet been finalised.

The rapper also reflected on his journey toward self-improvement and healing, sharing how he has been dealing with grief following the 2022 death of his cousin and Migos bandmate, Takeoff.

Offset credited therapy and faith for helping him overcome addiction and find peace, adding, ‘I’m focused on becoming a better man now.’

Addressing long-standing rumours about an alleged affair with rapper Saweetie, Offset firmly denied the claims, describing them as ‘completely false and unnecessary.’

‘That whole Saweetie thing was just weird,’ he said.

The Managing Director of FirstBank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu, says the bank is committed to bridging financing gaps and leveraging digital solutions to tackle business challenges across key sectors of the economy.

Alebiosu stated this at a breakfast session during the 31st Nigeria Economic Summit, themed ‘Expanding Access to Finance and Driving Growth Across Middle Market and Emerging Corporate Segments,’ held in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that a prosperous nation is built on the backbone of its real sector, adding that access to finance remains fundamental to unlocking the sector’s full potential.

‘That is why we have placed this subject at the heart of our discussion – to catalyse sustainable growth and inclusion where it matters most,’ he said.

According to him, FirstBank empowers Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and emerging corporates through tailored products and services designed to stimulate growth across their value chains and support Nigeria’s economic evolution.

He stressed that collaboration among policymakers, industry players, and technology partners was vital to achieving lasting impact.

‘By forging partnerships across policy, industry, and technology, we can create an enabling environment that unlocks new opportunities for businesses to thrive. That is the driving purpose of today’s session,’ Alebiosu said.

He highlighted that with a legacy spanning 131 years, FirstBank remains a trusted partner to SMEs and large corporates, offering comprehensive banking solutions that enhance innovation, resilience, and diversification in the economy.

Also speaking, the Group Executive, Commercial Banking, North Division, Mrs. Aishatu Bubaram, said the middle market and emerging corporates are central to Nigeria’s future prosperity.

She described these enterprises as vibrant drivers of job creation, innovation, and diversification across key sectors such as agribusiness, healthcare, digital services, and light manufacturing.

Bubaram noted that despite their potential, these businesses face persistent challenges, including limited access to finance, inadequate advisory support, and fragile operational ecosystems.

‘FirstBank recognises that addressing these barriers is not just a banking imperative; it is a national imperative,’ she said.

According to her, the bank has continued to support enterprise growth and resilience over its 131-year history, reaffirming its commitment to expanding access to financial solutions, deploying technology to unlock opportunities, and forging partnerships that empower businesses.

‘This session is not merely about banking; it is about reimagining how finance can accelerate inclusion, how policy can create enabling environments, and how collective action can turn Nigeria’s vast entrepreneurial energy into shared prosperity,’ Bubaram added.

Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) has said building long term security in retirement is not quick fix as it mirrors life of a retiree without pension.

While identifying the two faces of retirement, PenOp considered the story of two hypothetical retirees, both of whom left service with N20 million.

According to PenOp, Madam Okeke for instance decided to withdraw everything and invest in a family business. For a while, it seemed promising. But within three years, inflation, currency depreciation, and unforeseen costs left her with nothing. By her early seventies, she had become dependent on relatives for basic needs.

Her colleague, Mr. Ade, opted to remain under the CPS.

His monthly pension was modest but consistent. Each month, without fail, his payment arrived. At 80, he still enjoys independence, secure in the knowledge that his pension will not dry up.

Both individuals worked hard; both sought security. But their choices determined whether retirement meant stability or vulnerability.

Stating why structure matters, the operators said some critics argue that restricting lump-sum withdrawals treats retirees like children.

PenOp said: ‘In reality, the principle is protective, not paternalistic. Across the world, pension systems are structured to spread income across retirement years because experience shows that without safeguards, many retirees exhaust savings too quickly. Family obligations, health crises, or speculative investments often erode lump sums, leaving individuals vulnerable at the exact stage of life when they are least able to recover financially.

‘The Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) prevents this outcome by ensuring that pensions last as long as life itself. For retirees who live beyond expectations, payments continue through programmed withdrawals or annuities arranged with insurance companies. The notion that payments ‘end’ at 75 is a misconception; in truth, actuarial science only uses life expectancy as a guide for planning, not a cut-off point.

‘Few issues stir as much passion as pensions. After all, retirement is not some distant concept; it is the very moment when decades of work are meant to translate into dignity, stability, and peace of mind. For Nigerian workers, the CPS is the system designed to ensure that this promise is kept.

Yet, as public debates grow louder, it is important to separate emotion from fact, and quick fixes from sustainable solutions.

‘At the heart of the pension conversation lies a simple question: should retirees be allowed to withdraw their savings in full, or should access remain structured? The former offers instant gratification; the latter seeks to protect long-term security. The choice is not trivial-it is one that determines whether our elders live their final years in comfort or in poverty’, the operators said.

The Hidden Risks of ‘Take-It-All’

The operators further said: ‘Imagine that a retiree with N20 million saved up over a career. It may seem logical to withdraw the entire sum and invest it independently. Some might argue that by chasing attractive interest rates or putting the money into a family business, higher returns can be secured. But this perspective often ignores three hard realities.

‘The first is longevity risk-the possibility of outliving one’s savings. A lump sum might look substantial at 60, but what happens if life stretches to 85 or 90? Of which many are praying for. The CPS is deliberately structured to provide income for life, ensuring that retirees do not face destitution in their later years.

‘The second is market volatility. Treasury bill yields and bond rates do not remain at 15 elevated levels (double digits) indefinitely. They fluctuate sometimes falling to single digits. A retiree who counts on fixed high returns may quickly discover that returns are unpredictable and insufficient, especially during downturns.

‘The third is investment risk. Stories abound of pensioners who withdraw funds to finance ventures that collapse under inflationary pressures or poor management. The intention may be noble, but the outcome is often tragic: savings vanish, while bills remain’.

Building Trust in the System

Trust is the lifeblood of any pension system, said PenOp.

‘Workers must believe that their savings are safe and that administrators are acting in their best interests. Under Nigerian CPS, pension assets are not even held by the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs). Instead, they are kept with independent Pension Fund Custodians under the strict oversight of the National Pension Commission (PenCom). This three-tiered structure: Saver, Administrator, Custodian provides layers of security that safeguard against mismanagement.

‘Since the scheme’s inception in 2004, pension assets have grown to over ?24 trillion. These funds are invested in government securities, infrastructure, corporate bonds, and housing, supporting not just individual retirees but also the broader Nigerian economy. PFAs earn regulated fees among the lowest in Africa while all investment returns accrue to contributors. Far from exploiting workers, the system has built a sustainable pool of capital that benefits both retirees and national development.

The Temptation of Oversimplification

PenOp maintained that it is easy to believe that giving retirees unrestricted access to their funds is the ‘fair’ solution.

‘But pensions are not simple savings accounts. They are insurance against the twin uncertainties of longevity and economic shocks. Psychologists call it the Dunning-Kruger effect: when complex issues are oversimplified by those who do not fully understand them. In the pension context, what looks like empowerment today may translate into widespread elderly poverty tomorrow’.

The Real Struggle

Ultimately, the true enemy is not the pension structure it is poverty, PenOp noted.

‘A nation that fails to protect its elders condemns itself to cycles of dependency and despair. Justice in pensions is not about short-term payouts but about ensuring that workers who devoted decades to the economy are not left helpless in their later years.

‘The CPS was designed precisely for this: to move Nigeria away from the inefficiencies and corruption of the old Defined Benefit Scheme, and toward a sustainable system that outlasts political and economic turbulence’.

A Call for Balance

PenOp submitted that: ‘Nigeria must pursue a balanced path one that recognizes retirees’ genuine frustrations while preserving the safeguards that protect them. Quick fixes may win applause in the moment, but true dignity in retirement comes from careful, compassionate, and sustainable reform. Our elders deserve nothing less’, the operators stressed.

House of Representatives member, Raheem Olawuyi, has called on traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of Kwara State to remain vigilant and cooperate with security operatives by providing timely and credible information in the face of spate of insecurity in the state.

Olawuyi is representing Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency.

The lawmaker said the fight against insecurity required collective responsibility.

‘Security is everyone’s business. We cannot afford to leave the safety of our communities solely to government agencies. Every citizen must be involved in safeguarding our environment and ensuring peace prevails,’ he said.

The lawmaker condemned the recent attack in Idofin Odo-Ashe, Oke-Ero Local Government, describing it as a cowardly act that seeks to disrupt the peace and stability of the community.

He expressed concern about the unfortunate incident and sympathised with the victims, their families and the entire community affected by the attack.

Sir: Former Interior Minister and National Secretary, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, recently stirred controversy when he suggested that political parties be allowed to nominate officials into the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Speaking at a panel session on electoral innovation hosted by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership in Abuja, Aregbesola argued that the current method of appointing the INEC Chairperson, National Commissioners, and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) is ‘deeply flawed.’

According to him, parties with at least five members in the National Assembly should be empowered to nominate individuals to lead INEC, claiming that such a model would ‘solve all the issues’ of bias and manipulation in Nigeria’s electoral system. In his words: ‘If the parties now betray themselves to allow one of them to run away with it, fine.’

There is no credible democracy in the world where political parties directly nominate election officials. The logic is simple: an election management body must be insulated from partisan influence to maintain neutrality, fairness, and credibility. Allowing political parties – the very contestants in elections – to nominate INEC officials would be akin to letting football teams select the referees to officiate their matches. It violates the principle of impartiality that underpins democratic elections.

If anything, Aregbesola’s statement reflects the frustration many Nigerians feel about INEC’s recent credibility challenges, particularly after the 2023 general elections. However, the answer lies not in politicizing the commission further but in strengthening its institutional independence.

What Nigeria needs is not partisan control of INEC, but transparent and accountable appointment processes. Civil society organisations, professional bodies, and judicial councils should play greater roles in screening and recommending nominees, while the National Assembly’s confirmation hearings must be made more open and rigorous. The president should no longer have unilateral power to appoint the INEC chair and commissioners without meaningful checks.

Furthermore, INEC’s funding and administrative autonomy must be constitutionally guaranteed and practically enforced. An electoral body that depends on political goodwill to function can never be fully independent.

Nigeria must not trade independence for convenience. The credibility of elections rests on the impartiality of those who conduct them – and that impartiality must never be up for negotiation.

The path forward is clear: reform INEC, yes, but do so through constitutional safeguards, institutional transparency, and public accountability – not through political capture disguised as innovation.

Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive if the lines between player and referee are blurred. Aregbesola’s proposal may ignite debate, but it should be firmly rejected as both impractical and dangerous to the survival of electoral integrity.