Category: The Nation – Nigeria

When Jimmy Eboma, Chairman and Founder of EmoSIM, found himself stranded in Ukraine struggling to make a simple phone call home, he had no idea the frustration of that moment would spark one of Nigeria’s most ambitious telecom innovations.

‘It was not just about buying a SIM card,’ Eboma recalled. ‘There were endless requirements, ID, proof of address, long forms. Individually, these are not a problem. But when you are a traveler rushing through an airport, it becomes exasperating. That was when I thought, is this what millions of Africans go through every time they travel? I knew something had to change.’

That personal struggle became the seed of EmoSIM, Nigeria’s first outbound travel eSIM provider, a solution designed to remove the bottlenecks of traditional roaming and SIM purchases, while giving travelers seamless connectivity across the globe.

Eboma’s entrepreneurial instincts had been sharpened years earlier by Nigeria’s telecommunications revolution under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. ‘That era opened our eyes to what was possible. We just needed the right technical partner who shared our vision of a truly global service,’ he explained.

That partner came in the form of Tata Communications, a global telecoms giant. After rigorous background checks, they gave EmoSIM the go-ahead to launch. ‘It was not easy, getting the MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) license was just one step. Finding the right partner who could help us scale globally was the real challenge. But once Tata signed on, we knew we were ready.’

On May 28, 2025, at a grand unveiling in Lagos, EmoSIM introduced Nigeria’s first outbound travel eSIM. For Eboma, this was more than a product launch.

‘It is a new chapter in Nigeria’s global connectivity story,’ he said at the event. ‘We are giving travellers an easier and more affordable way to stay connected in over 180 countries. Connectivity is not a luxury. It is a lifeline.’

With EmoSIM, there is no need for long queues to buy physical SIM cards, no need for expensive roaming, and no fear of being disconnected abroad. Travellers simply download the EmoSIM app, scan a QR code, buy a bundle, and get connected immediately.

EmoSIM also introduced another important advantage: payment in local currency. This means travellers can use their local bank cards instead of worrying about foreign exchange. ‘This is about protecting our economy as much as it is about giving our people convenience,’ Eboma said.

Cost is another area where EmoSIM is breaking barriers. Even compared to global giants, EmoSIM offers lower prices. ‘Even with the biggest names in the industry, we are still one dollar cheaper,’ Eboma proudly shared.

Security is also a major benefit. If a traveller loses their phone, they do not have to queue for a replacement SIM card. All they need to do is access their email, and their line is restored instantly.

Aditya Raj Kholsa, EmoSIM’s Chief Operating Officer, explained the simplicity: ‘Every modern smartphone today is eSIM-ready. You just download the EmoSIM app, register, choose your plan, and activate. Whether your trip is short or long, there is a plan for you. It is very easy.’

Since its launch in Lagos, EmoSIM has already spread to the Southern African Development Communities, each with a local country manager. But for Eboma, the achievement is about more than expansion.

‘We want Africans to feel proud,’ he said. ‘We are not just chasing money. We are showing the world that a Nigerian company can compete globally. What we need now is for our government to stand behind us, not with money or tax waivers, but by recognising that this is a homegrown innovation.’

With its promise of affordability, seamless connectivity, and continuous innovation, EmoSIM is not just solving the problems of today’s travelers. It is also shaping the future of how Africans connect to the world.

From one man’s frustration to a service that now operates in 180 countries, EmoSIM is proof that even the toughest challenges can inspire lasting solutions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged the international community to disregard allegations of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, describing the claims as baseless and misleading.

Spokesperson for the Ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in reaction to the reports, said the allegation represents a gross misinterpretation of Nigeria’s complex security challenges and an oversimplification of the issues confronting the country.

In an exclusive interview, Ebienfa assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains fully committed to securing every part of the country and ensuring the safety of all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s security agencies are working tirelessly to tackle all forms of threats and restore peace and stability nationwide.

He said, ‘I must state categorically that the allegations are false and baseless. The Federal Government of Nigeria unequivocally refutes these unwarranted allegations in their entirety. They represent a gross misrepresentation of the complex security situation in Nigeria and a dangerous oversimplification of the challenges we face as a nation. Such claims are not only false but are also irresponsible, as they threaten to undermine the unity, interfaith harmony, and national sovereignty of Nigeria.

‘As you are aware, Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multi-religious society where over 230 million people of diverse faiths, chiefly Christianity and Islam, have co-existed and thrived together for generations. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion for every citizen. The Government remains steadfast in its duty to protect this right for all Nigerians, irrespective of their creed.

‘The Ministry, therefore, calls upon the international community to disregard these unfounded allegations and to instead support Nigeria’s efforts in combating terrorism and banditry. Moreso, we urge our international partners to seek verified information from official channels and to engage in constructive dialogue with the Nigerian government.

‘Nigeria remains a beacon of religious freedom and diversity in Africa. We are committed to fostering a society where all citizens can live in peace and practice their faith without fear. Therefore, we will not be distracted by those who seek to sow division and distrust for their own geopolitical or ideological ends.’

The ministry spokesperson said, ‘The security challenges confronting Nigeria, particularly in the Northeast, North Central, and other regions, are a result of the activities of terrorist groups and criminal elements, including Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed bandits. These groups are notorious for their indiscriminate violence, which has claimed the lives of thousands of Nigerians, both Christians and Muslims alike, and has led to the destruction of places of worship belonging to both faiths. They do not represent any religion; they are enemies of all faiths and of humanity itself.

‘The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to securing every inch of Nigerian territory and protecting every citizen. Our security forces are courageously engaged in ongoing operations across the country to neutralize these threats. We have made significant strides in degrading the capabilities of these terrorist groups and are continuously adapting our strategies to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.

‘Therefore, to attribute the heinous crimes of these terrorists to a state-sponsored policy against a particular religious group is a deliberate and cynical falsehood. It ignores the shared victimhood of Nigerians across religious lines and the tireless efforts of our military and security agencies.’

Media personality Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze, has said that religion and misplaced priorities remain major factors preventing Nigerians from realising their full potential.

Speaking in a recent interview with Chude Jideonwo on YouTube, Daddy Freeze criticised the excessive religiosity of many Nigerians, arguing that most churches fail to inspire genuine transformation among their members.

‘Ten churches on a street, no love,’ he said, describing the situation as a reflection of spiritual hypocrisy in society.

He also referenced chef Hilda Baci’s Guinness World Record-breaking cook-a-thon, praising her determination but questioning the crowd that gathered to watch her.

‘I understand Hilda Baci cooking the rice. I understand her trying to break a record. I appreciate that. I respect that. I support that. But you left your house to go and watch somebody cook rice. That part, I don’t understand,’ he said.

Freeze said that while it would have made sense if around 2,000 people attended, the turnout of over 20,000 Nigerians revealed misplaced priorities.

He urged citizens to channel their energy and enthusiasm into productive activities that would contribute to both personal growth and national development.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity across several parts of the country, urging the Federal government to confront the crisis with honesty, urgency, and transparency.

In a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party called on the federal government to first acknowledge the true scale and complexity of the security challenges, instead of making what it described as ‘insensitive claims of progress that mock the daily realities of Nigerians.’

The ADC also urged the government to engage directly with affected states, local governments, and communities, listen to their experiences, and seek local input in developing practical solutions.

It further called for heightened security alertness nationwide, with coordinated military and police operations involving local and state security networks.

The party added that the government should commit to regular public reporting on security incidents and institute a transparent system for tracking and auditing federal security funds.

‘Nigeria is under attack. This administration must stop pretending otherwise. They must stop treating national security as a political talking point and start treating it as a governing priority.

‘The lives of Nigerians must matter more than sound bites and ceremonies. The time for symbolic gestures is over, what the country needs now is responsible leadership, operational urgency, and measurable results,’ Abdullahi said.

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu withheld assent to the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill due to concerns about its mandate section and the proposed one percent Freight Stabilisation Fee.

Speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the visit of the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, over the weekend in Lagos, Akutah explained that the issues raised have since been addressed and the revised Bill is currently before the National Assembly for review before being resubmitted to the President.

‘The NPERA Bill was returned by Mr. President to the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice for advisory due to issues raised over the mandate section of the Bill, the one percent Freight Stabilisation Fee, and the new role of the Shippers Council as the Port Economic Regulator,’ he said.

Akutah added that the Shippers Council has since met with the Attorney General of the Federation, and all contentious areas have been clarified to ensure the Bill’s smooth passage and eventual assent.

‘Those issues created a little bit of confusion, but that has been resolved because the Gazette of the Presidential Order of 2015 and the regulations of 2015 have all been handed over to the Minister of Justice.

‘So, they have now looked at it again to see that the Council mandate has changed by the order of the president appointing the Shipper’s Council as the Port Economic Regulator.

‘So, those aspects that needed to be corrected have been corrected, and the bill has gone back to the National Assembly on its way back to Mr. President for assent.

‘There was a little bit hitch, but we have overcome that hitch. So, it is now on track heading back to Mr. President. But the National Assembly still has to look at it because of those corrections that were made.

‘You can’t correct a bill that has been passed without the National Assembly looking at it. The corrections are not so many, just a few of them regarding the mandate and then regarding the 1 percent freight fee.

‘The Bill is still with the National Assembly. You know that they have been on recess. They were supposed to resume last week, but I think they moved it forward.

‘As soon as the National Assembly resumes sitting, they will look at this quickly and then do all the corrections and send it back.’

Shedding more light on the corrections done on the NPERA Bill, Akutah explained that, ‘On mandate, the issue was whether the Council has the mandate to become the Port Economic Regulator. That mandate was given to the Council under the Presidential Order of 2015. This fact was not very well known to the Ministry of Justice at the time when the Bill came back to them.

‘Also, the regulations of 2015, which have copiously given the nitty-gritty of what the Port Economic Regulator will do, were also not known at the time when the Bill got to the Ministry. So, the Ministry of Justice called us and we provided all those details to them.

‘Then the provision regarding the 1 percent freight stabilisation fee. The provision appeared to be saying that the freight fee was going to be the funding of the agency, whereas it is the revenue to be generated by the agency. So, those corrections have been made,’ he said.

The H-1B is a classification of non-immigrant visa in the United States that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, as well as fashion models, or persons who are engaged in Department of Defense projects who meet certain conditions.

The regulation and implementation of visa programs are carried out by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an agency within the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Foreign nationals may have H-1B status while present in the United States, and may or may not have a physical H-1B visa stamp.

H-1B visa status holders typically have an initial three-year stay in the U.S. They are entitled to a maximum of six years of physical presence in H-1B status.

After reaching certain milestones in the green card process, H-1B status can be extended beyond the six-year maximum.

The number of initial H-1B visas issued each fiscal year is capped at 65,000, with an additional 20,000 visas available for individuals who have earned a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution, for a total of 85,000.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new rule for foreign professionals, including Nigerians seeking opportunities in the United States.

Under the policy, American companies that hire foreign workers through the H-1B visa program will now be required to pay $100,000 (about ?150 million) per worker every year.

Here is a full list for US H-1B visa approvals for Nigerians since Fiscal Year 2018:

The Fiscal Year (FY) is October 1 to September 30. FY 2018 is October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018.

1. 2018 – 391

2. 2019 – 385

3. 2020 – 232

4. 2021 – 198

5. 2022 – 588

6. 2023 – 740

7. 2024 – 880

Workers of Federal Teaching Hospital Ido Ekiti (FETHI), Ekiti State, have hailed the outgoing Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof Adekunle Ajayi.

The workers attributed the improved service delivery and positive health outcomes in the facility in the last eight years to high morale occasioned by adequate welfare, provision of equipment and infrastructural development.

The staff members, comprising doctors, nurses, health and administrative workers, hailed the CMD for what they called his exemplary leadership, which had transformed the facility into a true beacon of quality healthcare services.

Ajayi, a Professor of Medicine, will bow out of office later this year on completion of his second term in office as CMD of the tertiary health facility.

The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of the hospital, Dr Olagoke Erinomo, said FETHI had been repositioned under Ajayi with the huge achievements in the delivery of its three mandate areas – clinical services, training and research.

Erinomo, who is the Head of the Directorate of Clinical Services and Training, FETHI, said: ‘Prior to 2018, as a hospital, this place was doing poorly. Patients had lost confidence in us, our patient turnover was low, and patients’ satisfaction was also poor. That was because of a lot of factors: human resource factor, staff attitude, motivation, availability of necessary equipment and consumables.

‘But when Prof. Ajayi came on board in 2018, he came specifically with an agenda for repositioning the hospital, particularly to regain its corporate identity as a hospital of choice not only in Ekiti State, but in this country and beyond’.

The CMAC listed the CMD’s interventions to include massive infrastructural development, staff recruitments, training and retraining of staff and huge investment in the acquisition of the necessary and required equipment.

A consultant chemical pathologist and focal Nodal Officer for SERVICOM, Dr Ahmed Jimoh, said that the Ajayi-led management had brought a lot of changes to the hospital and had done a lot to improve the quality of service delivery in the institution.

FETHI Director of Works and Services, Engr Dada Adedayo, praised Ajayi for his achievements in the hospital’s infrastructural developments, especially in resolving the epileptic power supply and water scarcity challenges. ‘Today, electricity supply has improved tremendously and the hospital wards and offices now have 24 hours water supply.

The Chairman, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) in FETHI, Dr Omotola Obajulowo, lauded the Ajayi-led management for ensuring ease of practice and ease of solving problems, which availability of world class equipment at the various clinics and units enabled.

Community heads in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, have thrown their weight behind the Osogbo Elders Council, insisting that the 2026 governorship ticket of the major political parties must be zoned to Osogbo.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, August 8, 2026, for the state governorship election.

Despite Osogbo’s historical role as a decisive voting bloc in Osun politics since its days as part of old Oyo State, no indigene of the Osogbo has ever been elected governor in the 34 years of the state’s existence.

Speaking on Oroki Asala, a current affairs programme on Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) Radio, the Baale of Gbodofon and Chairman of the Council of Baales in Osogbo, High Chief Jimoh Ibrahim, emphasized that the town is now more united than ever on the demand to produce Governor.

He credited the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, for establishing the Osogbo Action Committee and the Osogbo Elders Council to end political divisions that had previously weakened the chances of Osogbo.

High Chief Ibrahim stressed that the efforts of the Ataoja have already yielded results, with Osogbo speaking in one voice ahead of 2026. ‘The Elders Council has successfully united all Baales in Osogbo. As Chairman of the Council of Baales, I affirm that we stand solidly behind them in this call for an Osogbo indigene to emerge as governor. We will play our part to make it happen,’ he said.

Similarly, Prince Adeleke Oduola Ibiloye, Chairman of the Osogbo Elders Council, reiterated that Osogbo’s long-standing support for other towns must now be reciprocated. ‘We have stood firmly behind others in the past. It is now time for the rest of Osun to support Osogbo. The 2026 governorship slot should be ours, and we are determined to actualize it,’ he declared.

With prominent Osogbo indigenes already eyeing tickets in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC), the community leaders expressed optimism that the era of Osogbo’s exclusion from the governorship seat will finally come to an end in 2026.

As the governorship primary of the Ekiti All Progressives Congress (APC) draws close, one of the campaign groups in the state has decried what it described as the escalating wave of violence, intimidation, and politically motivated persecution being unleashed on members and supporters of the Engr. Kayode Ojo Campaign Organization in Ekiti State.

According to a statement released by the secretariat of the group, and signed by Kayode Oluyemo, it expressed deep concern over the arrest and detention of its members.

According to the group, on May 30, 2025, during one of its meetings at the residence of Mr. Moses Dabi, Oke Ago, Igede Ekiti, one of its members, Mr. Adebayo Itakorode, was falsely charged with kidnapping, detained for one day, and later remanded by the court. Although released on bail, the case has been repeatedly adjourned without resolution.

It also alleged that on July 12, 2025, at Otun in Moba Local Government hoodlums attacked the venue of its meeting, where its members were physically assaulted while others were also arrested during the attack.

He said several others were also arrested at different times, saying, ‘All these incidents have been duly reported to the police, yet no action has been taken.’

In addition, the group said that several campaign offices and properties linked to the group were attacked.

‘These developments constitute a direct assault on democratic rights and a grave violation of both the Nigerian Constitution and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Constitution,’ the group said.

The group therefore demand the immediate release of all unlawfully detained persons, aside from ‘An independent investigation into these arrests, attacks, and the alleged collusion between government officials, security agencies, and judicial officers.’

Eight more bodies have been recovered from last Tuesday’s boat accident at Ibaji, Kogi State.

The recovery followed the ongoing search and rescue mounted by personnel of the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency.

Its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Muktar Atima, confirmed the recovery of the eight bodies, adding that further search was ongoing at the scene of the mishap.

The State government had in a condolence message to the people of the state on Wednesday revealed that no fewer than 26 lives were lost in the mishap.

The incident, which occurred at about 4.30 pm on Tuesday, involved mainly traders travelling from Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State to Ilushi Market in Edo State.

The state Commissioner of Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwoon, confirmed the incident in a condolence message on behalf of Governor Ahmed Ododo.

The statement reads in part: ‘The Government and people of Kogi State received with deep sadness the news of the boat mishap which occurred on the River Niger, involving traders travelling from Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State to Ilushi Market in Edo State.

‘Reports indicate that the unfortunate incident has allegedly claimed the lives of no fewer than 26 passengers.

‘This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, as well as the entire Ibaji Local Government Area, in this moment of grief.

‘His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, has expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and has directed relevant agencies, including the State Emergency Management Agency, to work with local authorities to provide immediate support and relief to those affected.

‘The Governor further assured that the state government will intensify ongoing efforts in collaboration with federal agencies to improve safety measures on our waterways in order to prevent a reoccurrence of such a tragedy.

‘We call on our people, especially in the riverine communities, to always prioritise safety by avoiding overloading and by using life jackets and other precautionary measures whenever they travel by water.’

Mishap raises concerns about safety of passengers on inland water ways

The state has been in mourning mood since the Tuesday accident, which claimed no fewer than 32 lives. According to the state government, the mishap involved mainly traders who were travelling from Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State to Ilushi Market in Edo State.

Some residents said that the accident occurred on the River Niger between Onugwa Village in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State and Ilushi (Ojigono) in Edo State.

The state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), through its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, also disclosed that 80 passengers boarded the boat while 68 were rescued.

Search and rescue were still on as at press time.

Of particular concern was the report of a family in Onugwa community losing eight members in the accident.

While the result of the investigation into the cause of the mishap is being awaited, it is apparent that it has once again brought up the need to secure the lives of passengers on inland waterways in Nigeria.

To be sure, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has in recent times taken several steps to ensure the safety of waterways travellers. For instance, in August, NIWA commenced the enforcement of the law anyone travelling on Nigeria’s waterways must wear life jackets.

NIWA had launched the enforcement at Niger-Kwara Area Office, insisting that any passenger boarding a commercial canoe or boat across its waterways must wear a life jacket. The Area Manager, Mr Akapo Adeboye, flagged off the 2025 sensitization campaign on safety of lives and property in line with inland waterways regulations at Gabgibo community.

The campaign was tagged ‘Safety and Safe Trip: Zero Tolerance to Boat Mishap – No Life Jacket, No Boarding.’ The enforcement, which began at the Gabgibo waterfront in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, is part of the authority’s efforts to reduce boat accidents and ensure safety on waterways.

NIWA has also introduced various other initiatives including recruitment of personnel who patrol the various Inland waterways across Nigeria to ensure that commercial boats and canoes do not embark on night trips on the waterways.

It will be recalled that NIWA also arraigned two boat operators, namely Alhaji Musa Dangana and Yakubu Dangana before a Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court over a November 2024 boat disaster on Niger River, which claimed no fewer than 19 lives.

The Kogi State Police Command, through its wing of the National Inland Waterways Authority ( NIWA), arraigned the errant men. The duo were the owner and the operator of the wooden boat loaded with 60 passengers from Cupa area of Lokoja to Kacha Market in Niger State.

The two men were arraigned over three count charge of criminal conspiracy, negligent conduct and ‘failure to observe general obligation to exercise vigilance contrary to sections 97(2),196 of Kogi State penal code and section 7 of Inland Waterways transportation regulation.’

The duo however pleaded not guilty to the three charges.

NIWA has also been imploring boat operators not to take hard drugs while operating the boats and shun overloading. The boat operators have also been advised to ensure that canoes and boats being used for operation are in good shape and properly maintained.

The lesson from last Tuesday’s boat incident was that no matter the extent of safety measures put in place by the NIWA, passengers patronising commercial canoes and boats themselves need to accord priority to the safety of their lives and be ready to embrace measures put in place to achieve this by authorities.

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has however assured of his government’s continuous support for whatever safety measures are put in place by the Federal Government and its agencies to ensure safety on the waterways.

In the same vein, Kogi State former Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba, in his condolences over the mishap, enjoined engine boat owners to always put safety measures first in their day-to-day running of their engine boats.

Achuba also implored the state government ‘to listen to the cry of Ibaji people and construct their road for easy access to neighbouring communities, and for commercial activities.’

From all indications and more than ever before, there is still a need for intensive and continuous enlightenment on the various measures being put in place by government to ensure the safety of passengers patronising Nigeria’s waterways.