Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu yesterday kicked off distribution of 370,000 sanitary pads worth N2,550,297,150 for school girls in rural communities in the 36 states and Abuja.

Speaking at the launch under her Renewed Hope Initiative, ‘Flow with Confidence,’ Mrs Remi Tinubu, represented by wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, noted that the programme was a vital health intervention to empower school girls, especially in the rural communities.

It was launched simultaneously in Borno, Cross River, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi, and Lagos. It is expected other states will launch as soon as they get supplies.

She said: ‘In today’s modern world, no girl should have to miss school because of her inability to afford sanitary products. It is unacceptable that our girls still continue to face challenges during their menstrual cycle, especially those in rural areas, who miss school days every month because they cannot afford sanitary pads.

‘Some who attend, resort to unsafe and unhygienic alternatives, while others stay at home altogether, falling behind in their studies and, in some cases, eventually dropping out of school. This trend must end, and this intervention, under the education framework of Renewed Hope Initiative is aimed at doing just that.

‘We will distribute one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 school girls in rural communities at the end of this programme.

‘All states and Federal Capital Territory will receive 10,000 packs each through governor’s wives and RHI coordinators. This is to support our girls and those to afford sanitary pads.

‘We chose disposable sanitary pads because it offers a simple, hygienic option that offers better health benefits for a woman’s wellbeing.

‘For us at RHI, we believe no girl should choose between her dignity and her education.’

She urged chairmen of local governments to take ownership of the intervention by ensuring the pads get to girls in the rural communities.

‘The pads are not to be sold,’ she warned.

Continuing, she said ‘We spent N2,550,297,150 to procure these customised disposable pads from a local company, Uniglory, Nigeria Limited in Ikorodu, Lagos State.’

She urged corporate organisations, parastatals and agencies, and others to key into the programme so that many more girls can be reached.

The First Lady also asked monarchs, religious and community leaders to monitor the distribution to support the girls to grow into responsible and informed adults.

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said the programme emphasised the First Lady’s concern for the girls, especially at the grassroots.

A female student of ATM Science and Technical College Jato Aka, Miss Gloria Songo, has been shot dead by soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke, deployed to fight banditry in Kwande Local Government in Benue State.

The late Gloria was one among the three students that were shot by the soldiers on Tuesday and died yesterday in a hospital.

Students of the college, each bearing a poster, marched round Jato Aka town, singing in remembrance of the late Miss Songo, who they described as disciplined and hardworking.

The students wept uncontrollably on major streets of Jato Aka amid tension. They called for the soldiers to be withdrawn from their community.

The death of Miss Gloria raised the number of soldiers killed to three in Jato Aka, and Turan within four days.

Recall that soldiers from Operation Whirl Stroke opened fire on mourners, who were returning from a burial, killing two students on the spot, while others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the hospital.

Police Public Relationship Officer, Edet Edeme, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said hoodlums opened fire on soldiers on patrol and the soldiers returned fire.

There are protests in Jato Aka and other adjoining settlements against the action of the soldiers

Elders of Jato Aka, who spoke to The Nation, wondered why soldiers who were deployed to protect the harmless community members, turned around to kill them.

It is barely one month to the Anambra State governorship poll. Why is the opposition alleging that there is a gradual weakening of purposeful governance in the state?

Let me tell you this. Anambra people are very angry. They are agitating against Soludo’s government, with audacity. Social media messages directed at the governor are many. Each emphasises discontent, disappointment, and deep concerns about insecurity. There are also complaints about the high-handedness of government agents with ample evidence of brutality.

Clearly, governance has gone to the dogs. And that’s the truth. In this day and age, you don’t use rough club-stick methods to collect taxes when technology apps exist for that purpose.

Based on our findings, we urge Nigerians to take active interest in the Anambra State governorship election to see how far the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has improved in its election management strategies.

They should not be distracted by the impending exit of the INEC chairman, Professor Yakubu Mahmood, and how his successor would emerge, but show the greater interest in how the commission itself as an institution has matured with the rich lessons it has gathered from periodic elections since 1999.

Are you among those who claim that Enugu and Abia governors are showing measurable impacts of performance?

Good governance is about visible service delivery and the responsibility to protect the citizens. Both are anchored on the people being satisfied enough to trust the government and benefitting from measurable and sustainable development. Both are also confidence building measures. Without any doubt, Anambra is distantly behind Enugu and Abia in terms of comparative governance, service delivery, and project execution. As an Anambra citizen and politician, I’m deeply saddened. Ndi Anambra, generally, are not happy with Soludo’s performance after nearly four years. A second term for him will be rewarding underperformance and hollow promises.

In line with my offer to serve out the remaining four years available for Anambra South, I have been talking to our people about how the ADC government will kick of by focusing on the two issues of greatest concern to our dear state, namely, insecurity and over taxation.

And, you may wish to know that coming from the private sector like Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, I believe that governing a commercial state such as Anambra State requires determination, planning and focus to achievement results within two years.

So, we leading our people to become very conversant with ADC’s SHEEEMS developmental model for Anambra State and they are eager to begin to see evidence of good governance from day one instead of boastful grammar and street side banters.

You have toured the 177 communities in Anambra State. What is your impression?

Governance and infrastructural decay are evident. There seems to be no maintenance culture. Roads, and public facilities are all crumbling. Even new roads are below standard. Many are being washed away daily. Many building are also collapsing, as never before. So enforcement of regulations is very lax. But insecurity concerns dominate most communities. Several are under siege. Generally, there is no simultaneous development, across board. These factors alone compel leadership change.

I could with every sense of modesty that among the gladiators, the people disclosed that only the ADC as a party that was speaking to the issues without maligning anybody. With that revelation I am aware that when we are sworn in as governor on March 17, 2026, Anambra people have something to hold us to account and put our feet to the fire.

Between rediscovery or recovery, which do you propose for the state?I dare say, both. Under Soludo, his penchant for cosmetics aside, Anambra is a shadow of itself. So we need to rediscover the state both in terms of quality of life, and governance. We also need recovery from the frightening and deplorable state of insecurity under Soludo’s watch. Since the era of Bakassi, it has never been this bad. One of my campaign mantra is, let’s secure Anambra again.

How is the campaign going?

I will tell you. It was the governor who declared that progressives, that is All Progressives Congress (APC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are working together, by which he means that APC and APGA have become one, that is APCGA.

And, indeed, they are united in their record of disappointment for the Anambra people, especially in the area of security and citizens’ welfare. So, the balloting on November 8 has become very east for our people, because they have the ADC as the credible alternative.

Our seven-point SHEEEMS agenda is an assured social contract that guarantees focused attention on Security Health Education Economy, Environment Markets and Social Welfare for the people. What is more, ADC parades a balanced religious ticket comprising a catholic and an Anglican, because my running mate, Dr Ndubuisi Nwobu, an Anglican comes from Anambra Central Senatorial Zone.

Together, we satisfy the zoning arrangement that guides the distribution of political offices among the three Senatorial Districts of the state.

How far do you think that your SHEEEMS agenda can go to rekindle hope in governance in Anambra State?

SHEEEMS, acronym for security, health, education, economy, environment, markets and social welfare, is a holistic governance, service delivery and simultaneous development strategy targeted at every LGA and every community. It ensures that no community is left behind and impacts every facets of personal and community life. We are inclined to adopting and adapting to best practices. SHEEEMS seek to replicate the ANIDS governance model. It will offer policy and project ownership to Ndi Anambra. For instance, the traditional rulers, and presidents-general will participate in the state budget formulation forum, as it pertains to projects in their respective communities. Only them can prioritize their needs. Such modalities ought to rekindle hope, transparency, trust, and excellence.

What impact do you intend to make in one term of four years, what approach do you intend to undertake to achieve those lofty goals?

First, with my commitment to do only one term, I will not have the undue burden of re-election. My focus is to leave an indelible legacy and provide a solid foundation for continuity regardless of who succeeds me.

Our budgetary processes, policies, programmes and projects, will all be results-based, and in the public domain. Transparency and accountability will be prioritized. We are not going to start new projects, if there are abandoned or incomplete projects that can be done at lower costs. Whatever we do, will be enhanced by seamless deployment of AI and hightect.

We will lay greater emphasis on cutting the cost of governance and doing more with less. Naturally, we will partner with development partners, as well as domestic and foreign investors. To make these possible, our first priority is to secure Anambra, make it safe and create an enabling environment.

Anambra North Senatorial District holds the ace as the kingmaker and decider of the November 8 poll. Has ADC done enough in that axis?

We have constructively, respectfully, and quietly engaged prominent stakeholders in Anambra North. This includes leaders of faith-based institutions, traditional rulers, and captains of industry. I’m from Anambra South. My deputy, Dr Ndubuisi Nwobu, is from Anambra central.

So, the interests of our respective zones are catered for. We, therefore, need to assure Anambra North that they have a vested interest in becoming the undisputed kingmakers. Look at it this way, out of respect for zoning, a majority of the candidates are from the Anambra South. Likewise, a majority of the deputies.

I am among those who think that the votes of those zones will be shared. The Anambra North bloc votes will go to the candidate that Anambra North people, especially parts of disenfranchised Anambra North, can trust.

What has Soludo done for the people of Aguleri Otu or Ogwu Ikpele? These are the two oil producing communities in Anambra. Even as host communities, they have no roads and enjoy limited government presence. It is in the interest of Anambra North bloc to support ADC and, in doing so, pivot to the national framework in due course.

There have been concerns that ADC and Labour Party may split their votes if the candidates of the two parties do not unite behind a common candidate in line with the coalition designs. What can you say about that postulation?

Vote splitting is a possibility. But the ADC is not in crisis like the LP. Indeed, does the LP have an authentic candidate, as per the recent Supreme Court ruling pertaining to the leadership of that party? Look, I don’t want to be distracted by other people’s problems. ADC is the national coalition party. Others may wish to join us. When they arrive, we will already be seated at the table. That’s the fact.

Would former Governor Peter Obi’s support for any candidate in the election be a plus or minus?

With due respect, I would rather not be drawn into such a controversy. The facts speak for themselves. Only His Excellency, Peter Obi, can speak to his game plan. From media reports, he aligned with ADC from the very start. He also seems to be still entrenched in very fractured LP. He has publicly campaigned for ADC and LP candidates. I can’t tell a master politician how to make his bed. Neither can I speak on issues of electoral assets and liabilities. I try to avoid undue controversies.

October has arrived with its rainy days and unpredictable power supply, but Netflix is offering a stacked lineup of new releases to keep the month exciting.

From spy thrillers and true-crime horrors to heartfelt dramas and romcoms, there’s something for everyone.

If you’re into anime and action, this one might just be your new obsession. It’s from the artiste who wrote John Wick (so you know the fight scenes will hit hard). Splinter Cell: Deathwatch drops us into the shadowy world of espionage with Sam Fisher-a legend in the field-who gets pulled back into action to mentor a rookie. Together, they unravel a conspiracy that could change everything.

It’s an action-packed anime with serious style, dropping just in time for those nights when all you want is to curl up in bed with your laptop.

If dark and bloody themes aren’t your thing-or if you just need a laugh and a little romance-you’ll love the energy Nobody Wants This brings. The Emmy-nominated romcom centers on an outspoken, agnostic woman who somehow falls for a very unconventional rabbi. It sounds odd on paper, but the chemistry, humour, and writing make it work.

Season 1 was a surprise hit, and Season 2 promises to keep the charm going. If you missed it the first time around, October is your chance to binge Season 1 before the new episodes land. It’s light, funny, and perfect for unwinding after a hectic day.

Confession: I’m extremely biased here. If Cillian Murphy is in it, I’m watching it. He’s been a gangster, a physicist, a supervillain, and now, he’s Steve.

Adapted from the novel Shy, the story follows a headteacher struggling to keep his reform school alive while trying to guide a troubled student. It’s heavy, emotional, and a world away from Murphy’s Oppenheimer spotlight last year but that’s exactly why people love him.

If you enjoy slow-burning dramas with performances that linger long after the credits roll, Steve is one to watch. Yes, it’s moody. Yes, it’ll probably break your heart a little. But it’s also Cillian Murphy at his best, and honestly, some of us would watch him read a phone book.

Remember how Netflix had us all hooked on Dahmer last year? Well, Ryan Murphy is back this time with The Ed Gein Story, about the real-life killer whose crimes inspired countless horror movies.

Set in 1950s Wisconsin, the series follows how Gein terrorized his town, desecrating graves and murdering women.

Charlie Hunnam takes on the chilling lead role, and if the show sticks to Murphy’s formula, expect a disturbing deep dive that will dominate social media the moment it drops. If you’re into true-crime binges that make you double-check your doors before bed, this one’s for you.

First of all 10/10 title. This Thai crime drama follows two bank employees who think they’ve struck gold by stealing from a dead woman’s account. Spoiler: they haven’t. Instead, they’re pulled deep into her criminal underworld, facing consequences they definitely weren’t ready for.

It’s stylish, unpredictable, and proof that not all the best Netflix releases come from Hollywood. If you love discovering international gems or just need a break from the same old thrillers, this is your perfect mid-October pick.

Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room: Henry Cavill is gone. Yes, it hurts. But Liam Hemsworth is stepping in, and maybe just maybe he won’t ruin your favorite Witcher.

This season picks up after the chaos of Season 3, with Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri separated by war and hunted by enemies who’d rather see them dead than reunited.

The stakes are higher, the story is inching toward its grand finale, and it promises to feel darker and more dangerous than ever. Even if you’re watching purely out of curiosity to see how Hemsworth handles the role, there’s no denying The Witcher remains one of Netflix’s most bingeable fantasy epics.

Benin City, the Edo State capital, will come alive from December 21 to 24 when it plays host to the Edo Carnival 2025, a four-day cultural fiesta showcasing music, dance, fashion, food, and tradition.

The event, which will hold at Garrick Memorial on Ekehuan Road, is expected to draw thousands of visitors, including culture enthusiasts, tourists, and residents. Organisers said the carnival will feature cultural parades, traditional masquerades, live music concerts, and fashion shows celebrating Edo and African styles. Dance competitions and street performances will also add colour to the city.

Food lovers will enjoy a festival of delicacies that blends Edo favourites with Nigerian staples, while educational programmes such as seminars and training sessions will run alongside the entertainment.

One of the highlights will be the Miss Edo Carnival 2025 pageant, described as a platform to celebrate grace, intelligence, and cultural pride.

The festival will climax with a grand finale and fireworks display across the Benin skyline.

According to the organisers, Edo Carnival is designed not only as entertainment but also as a celebration of the state’s heritage and a platform to boost tourism and community.

Veteran Nollywood actress, Bukky Wright, has celebrated her son, Eniola, as he tied the knot with his international partner.

Wright expressed her gratitude and joy in a heartfelt Instagram post, thanking Allah for sparing her life to witness the milestone.

‘This is the day that the Lord has made!! I rejoiced and was glad with so much gratitude to Allah for sparing my life to see my baby boy get married and start his life with his wife. I have seen the beginning of your life till date, I will not see your end insha Allah,’ she wrote.

She also prayed for the couple’s marriage to be blessed and filled with happiness.

‘Almighty Allah will make this union one made from heaven. He will continue to be with your family and by His grace you will never lack anything good in life. As you start the journey into real life with your wife you will not know sorrow. Thanks for making me a proud mother. I can go on and on but I will stop here for now. I love you guys.’

The management of disqualified Big Brother Naija housemate, Faith, has expressed disappointment over his sudden exit from the show, describing the development as distressing.

In a statement, the team commended Faith’s dedication and hard work while in the house, insisting that he was unfairly punished without prior warning or a strike.

Faith was disqualified on Thursday evening after a violent altercation with fellow housemate, Sultana.

Assuring fans of his well-being, the team said Faith will rise above the setback while appreciating supporters for their loyalty and encouragement.

The statement reads, ‘To our ever Supportive Faithfuls, as we all know, Faith has been disqualified from the Big Brother Naija house. This decision has left us deeply distraught, especially as it came without any prior public warning or even a strike, as is customary with other housemates to at least caution them. All his work and efforts were gone without a warning.

‘Through it all, we choose to walk with grace, comforted by the strength of you – FAITHFULS. You are the ones who looked beyond Faith’s flaws and embraced the amazing human he is. You followed his journey, admired his discipline, and celebrated his resilience.

‘As for Faith, we would like to assure you that he is now with us and we will protect him at all costs. Seeing the world turn blind to everything positive you have done and only condemn you is not something easy to handle. Faith is a happy child, and we will ensure he rises from this. Does he need self-evaluation? Yes, he does, like every flawed human.

‘For 9 weeks, Faith worked hard and gave us a show, stood firm when he was shut down, and backed his words with actions. He has worked so hard to be where he is at 25, and this is only the beginning of greatness for him.

‘Thank you, FAITHFULS. Together we stand. Chaos or no chaos, we always win’.

Singer Seyi Shay has praised Wizkid hailing him as the ‘greatest of all time’ in the music industry.

In a recent interview on The Honest Bunch podcast, she expressed unwavering respect for the singer, stressing on his exceptional talent, intelligence, and discipline.

According to Seyi Shay, Wizkid’s creative process is nothing short of magical.

Seyi Shay recalled a memorable studio session where Wizkid effortlessly juggled recording and eating.

She marveled at how he could seamlessly multitask, producing remarkable music while going about his meal with ease.

Shay credited him with being a source of inspiration and guidance in her own career.

Beyond their professional relationship, Seyi Shay has developed a genuine friendship with Wizkid, appreciating his advice on navigating the music industry, particularly his warnings about the behaviors of certain individuals.

She said: ‘That I respect to this day. I still think he’s the greatest. I still do. Like there’s no way around it. I’ve worked with everybody in this industry and to me, he’s the greatest. I don’t care what anyone says. Wizkid, we became genuine friends now. It was now no longer industry friends because I realized that he’s actually so smart and so talented. Like I’ve actually seen him record while eating.

‘And that was mad to me. I don’t know where he gets his inspiration from, but he’s like a magician. And I am attracted, heavily attracted to people with such levels of talent.

‘And he used to tell me a lot about how people behave in this industry. So coming in new, I have to watch out for things like this, things like that, you know, and just be on guard. And, you know, and I wish I listened and not wasn’t so free because he does it so well. He’s very disciplined. Like he knows how to, you know, yeah. And that’s, he lives by that. And this is the things that he used to tell me. So from that, I was like, yo, you’re really cool. Yeah. But he was already famous. He was already wiz’.

Newdigit says it is revolutionising healthcare in Nigeria by providing hospitals with reliable electricity and medical-grade oxygen through an innovative clean energy system.

Supported by the initial round of the Powering Healthcare Innovation Fund, this project enhances healthcare delivery with a modular solution powered by water and solar energy.

In a statement, Derick Nwasor, co-founder and CEO of Newdigit, says the organisation designs and manufactures advanced Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, electrolyzers, and related components, supporting healthcare and agriculture for both small and large-scale applications.

According to Nwasor, their innovation, the ‘Just Add Water’ system, is specifically designed for the healthcare sector and combines solar power with PEM technology to produce electricity, oxygen, and clean water, all essential resources for healthcare facilities.

‘Many hospitals in Nigeria experience unstable grid electricity, with 8-10 hours of daily power outages, forcing them to rely on polluting diesel generators for backup. With Just Add Water, hospitals can power critical equipment, generate life-saving oxygen on-site, and even recover clean water, leading to better healthcare services.’ he said.

Nwasor explained that the system integrates three key components: a PEM Electrolyzer, which separates water into hydrogen and oxygen; a PEM fuel cell, which converts hydrogen into reliable electricity; and a solar PV array, which powers the entire process using renewable energy.

Together, these components provide hospitals with 12-15 kW of continuous, clean power, 10-40 liters of medical-grade oxygen per day, and a consistent supply of clean water as a byproduct. The system also features a plug-and-play design for quick installation and easy expansion.

He noted that the Newdigit’s Just Add Water systems are being installed in three hospitals across Lagos, Nigeria, serving a combined patient population of over 24,000 people annually.

Nwasor stressed that by lessening the dependence on unreliable grids and expensive diesel generators, the systems will prevent over 150 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year and produce approximately 274 MWh of clean electricity in their first year of operation.

To ensure long-term viability and local expertise, Nwasor said Newdigit is training hospital staff and local technicians to operate and maintain the systems.

This practical training ensures facilities can maximize uptime and independently manage their clean energy and oxygen supply.

‘We’ve started in Lagos, but our goal by 2030 is to reach at least 1,000 hospitals across Nigeria,’ said Joy Princess, co-founder and COO of Newdigit. ‘We aim to improve the lives of millions of patients every year.’

Newdigit Technologies’ project was funded by the Powering Healthcare Innovation Fund, which Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) launched in 2024 with UK aid from the UK government through the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) initiative. This fund supports innovative solutions for healthcare electrification.

Newdigit Technologies was one of three grantees chosen from 84 applicants in the first round, receiving a USD 50,000 grant to implement their clean energy and oxygen generation solution. The project began in September 2024 and is expected to finish this month.

Charlie Knight, Senior Energy Officer at SEforALL, stated that Newdigit’s approach is revolutionary for creating resilient health systems in Africa. Knight highlighted how combining renewable energy and innovation can provide reliable electricity, oxygen, and water using clean technologies.

Before enlisting in the U.S. Army, Nigerian-American Yewande Olugbodi Fagunwa, popularly known as Olori Wendy, had already carved a niche for herself as a Nollywood film producer with several titles to her credit.

Today, she is blending her creative background with military discipline to champion a pressing cause – the fight against homelessness in America.

On August 1, 2025, Wendy set out from California in a rental car with a bold mission: to drive through all 48 contiguous U.S. states within a month. But beyond the adventure lay a deeper purpose – to spotlight the struggles of the homeless by immersing herself, in part, in their reality.

‘This wasn’t just about me driving around the country,’ she told The Nation. ‘It was about sharing the experience of people who live without a home, and giving them a voice.’

Throughout the journey, her vehicle often served as her home. She spent nights at truck stops, 24-hour rest areas, or curled up in the driver’s seat. She stretched her budget with packed snacks and occasional hot meals, while showers at truck stops or gyms cost up to $18. ‘Sleeping in the car wasn’t always easy, but it was part of the story I wanted to tell,’ she explained.

Her resolve was tested by storms, car troubles, and moments of doubt, yet she pressed on. Along the way, Wendy distributed relief items and money to the homeless, listening to their stories and sharing her own. ‘Sleeping in a vehicle was symbolic for me,’ she said. ‘It was a way to feel, even just a fraction, of what so many homeless people endure every night.’

Though she faced delays that stretched her schedule beyond her birthday on August 26, Wendy completed the 48-state drive. Hawaii and Alaska remain for another day, but for her, the journey has already achieved its essence – resilience, compassion, and advocacy.

‘It all started as a dream,’ she reflected. ‘But the dream became a mission. And the mission is far from over.