Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has warned the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) against any encroachment on the land housing the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH).

Governor Okpebholo asked the management of MOWAA to adhere strictly to laid-down coordinates.

Okpebholo, who spoke through his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa, said his administration’s stance on the boundary demarcation remained unshaken.

He expressed displeasure over MOWAA’s alleged encroachment on ESH land despite earlier directives.

According to him, ‘Governor Okpebholo asked me to advise and also warn the MOWAA management to stick to the demarcation lines between the ESH and the MOWAA institution,’ the deputy governor said.

‘Few weeks ago, we were here to give demarcation on the boundary between MOWAA and the ESH. Apparently, the MOWAA management decided to encroach on the land given to ESH.

‘We came to let them know that the Edo State Government is firm on it, and we have given them the right coordinates. We have also sealed the part that belongs to the ESH, so MOWAA, at this point, can no longer encroach.

‘This is not a witch hunt. The governor is fair enough to allow MOWAA to continue with whatever we met on the ground. He has not encroached or done anything contrary to the law. Hence, they should also stick to and abide by the law,’ he said.

Chief Medical Director of ESH, Dr. Anthonia Njoku, thanked Governor Okpebholo for protecting the hospital’s expansion interest.

Managing Director of the Edo State Development and Building Control Agency, Mr. Imoisili Igabali, said a temporary perimeter wall has been erected.

A political support group, the BAO Grassroots Support for President Tinubu, has attributed the ongoing transformation in Ekiti State under Governor Biodun Oyebanji to the unprecedented support he has received from President Bola Tinubu over the past two years.

In a communiqué issued after its monthly meeting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the group lauded President Tinubu and the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the transparent screening exercise conducted for governorship aspirants ahead of the party’s October 27 primary election in Ekiti.

The statement, signed by the state coordinator, Prince Tunji Ogunlola, and the director of publicity, Odunayo Ogunmola, emphasized that President Tinubu’s economic policies and increased financial support to subnationals have had a direct impact on the grassroots.

This, the group noted, was evident from the overwhelming feedback during the Governor Oyebanji’s recent town hall meetings and citizens’ engagements ahead of the 2026 Budget.

According to the group, Oyebanji’s grassroots consultations revealed widespread appreciation of the federal support, which has boosted project execution, raised workers’ purchasing power, strengthened food security, and created job opportunities for youths through agricultural investments.

The body further commended President Tinubu for approving a new formation of the Nigerian Army in Ikere-Ekiti and deploying about 800 soldiers to the facility, which has improved the state’s security architecture.

Highlighting the Governor’s strides in agriculture, the group praised the creation of the Special Agriculture Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Oke Ako and the establishment of farm settlements in Emure, Eporo, Ikere, and Erio/Aramoko. These, they said, have attracted investors and enabled young farmers to record profits running into millions within a short time.

The group also welcomed the Governor’s disclosure that the 2026 Budget would allocate more resources to empower artisans and the informal sector, describing it as a step towards inclusive growth.

The group enjoined the people of the state not to repent in their support for Oyebanji as his administration prepares for the last fiscal year of the current tenure.

The Image Merchant Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, has inaugurated a new hostel for its Young Communication Fellowship in Kano, addressing a key logistical need for participants from the state and beyond.

PRNigeria Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Yushau Shuaib, spoke at the graduation of ten fellows, who completed an intensive training that blended classroom instruction with field experience to connect academic theory and expertise in journalism, public relations, and crisis communication.

While thanking the training partners, Shuaib explained that the hostel was built to accommodate participants from distant locations as the programme forges ahead in its goal to nurture professionals and tackle misinformation.

‘Beyond equipping participants with essential communication skills, this programme prepares them to respond to the challenges of information disorder and positions them to contribute meaningfully to society,’ he noted.

Fellowship Coordinator, Dahiru Lawal, detailed the curriculum, which included digital journalism, fact-checking, social media management, and crisis communication strategies. Fellows undertook visits to media houses, academic institutions, and corporate firms for firsthand experience.

The graduation featured strong endorsements from industry leaders and public officials. IMPR Board Chairman, Associate Prof. Sule Ya’u Sule, praised the initiative’s youth development focus and donated ?250,000 to support the fellows’ corporate project.

Nigeria Customs Service spokesperson, Asst. Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, lauded PRNigeria’s mentorship model for shaping his own career. He advised the graduates to remain disciplined and pledged technical support for their projects.

A grassroots politician and former Kano commissioner, Malam Garba Yusuf, and Kano Command Police spokesperson, SP Haruna Kiyawa, encouraged the graduates to use their new digital capabilities to create positive change in their communities.

Other dignitaries in attendance were the Sarkin Kofar Dukawuya, Alhaji Bello Maitama, Senior Special Assistant to the Kano Governor, Hon. Ramadan Yusuf, and the Publisher of Solace, Abdullatif Jos.

Aliyu Shehu Ingawa, on behalf of his peers, assured that the cohort would apply their skills to solve real-world communication challenges. A fellow, Hadiza Umar, in a project pitch, proposed a platform to combat information disorder and promote media literacy among youths.

Apart from the annual fellowship, PRNigeria Centres in Abuja, Kano, and Ilorin have trained young people in a wide range of skills, including videography, photography, web management, graphic design, and public speaking, among others.

Launched in 2024, the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship is an IMPR initiative designed to promote excellence in journalism and strategic communication by equipping young Nigerians with the skills to thrive in a dynamic media landscape.

Houses for Africa Nigeria Limited has disowned a suit filed on its behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) , Anthony Aikhunegbe Malik, alleging it was done without authorisation.

In a letter to Malik, the firm stated that neither its board nor management approved the action purportedly filed by his law firm, A. A. Malik and Co, against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

The company demanded the withdrawal of the suit, requesting evidence of compliance.

It warned that failure to comply would lead to petitions to law enforcement agencies, the Body of Benchers, Chief Justice of Nigeria and Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee.

Houses for Africa also raised concerns about the transfer of the case from Court 38 to Court 37 in Jikwoyi, and the assignment of the matter to Justice Mohammed Zubairu of the FCT High Court, despite other pending cases on the same subject.

It described the process as questionable and urged the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to ensure that the integrity of ministerial decisions on the River Park Estate crisis was maintained.

A group of youths has demanded decisive actions to elevate the participation of younger elements in the political and governance landscapes.

They demanded the time for youths to claim their rightful place on the decision-making table was now.

This was the consensus at the gathering of young leaders and stakeholders from across Nigeria during the unveiling of Future is Now Project.

Participants emphasises that young Nigerians are not merely the leaders of tomorrow but are the leaders of today, rejecting any form of delay, denial, or exclusion from political leadership.

In a bold vision for the nation’s future, a communique read by its Convener, Mr. Laolu Akande, laid out clear, ambitious targets to be achieved by the next election cycle.

These include: ‘At least 70% of Local Government Chairmanship seats to be held by youths under 35 years; at least 70% of State House of Assembly seats to be occupied by youths under 35 years; ‘at least 70% of House of Representatives seats to be contested for and won by youths under 40 years; and a minimum of 50% of executive appointments at both Federal and State levels reserved for Nigerians under 40 years.’

To realise these goals, a pledge was made to champion political inclusion by lobbying, negotiating, and mobilising support for credible youth candidates across all political parties.

Efforts will also focus on mentorship programmes, capacity building for young leaders and forming cross-cultural alliances to ensure governance reforms favoring youth representation.

At the unveiling, homage was paid to Nigeria’s elder statesmen and stateswomen, acknowledging their foundational contributions while urging them to graciously yield space for emerging young leaders.

The call was for older generations to act as mentors and guides, ensuring a smooth and sustained leadership transition.

The gathering opened with an impassioned address by the Interim Chairman of the project, Rep Abdussamad Dasuki, who described the event not merely as a gathering, but as the ignition of a movement – a national commitment to dramatically increase youth leadership at all levels of governance.

Dasuki said the Future is Now Project is born of sacrifice and demands sacrifice from older generation.

‘Today,’ Rep Dasuki declared, ‘we are not just announcing a project, but igniting a movement, one born of sacrifice, fueled by persuasion and courage, and sustained by the dreams of millions of Nigerian youth. The Future is not tomorrow – the Future is Now.’

Dasuki reflected on Nigeria’s political history, noting that while young leaders had once been central to the country’s formation and early development, they have increasingly been sidelined from positions of power, despite the demographic reality that over 70% of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 35.

He cited the signing of the Not Too Young To Run Act in 2018 as a step forward but stressed that persistent barriers still prevent meaningful youth participation in governance. Rep Dasuki called for a generational shift, where younger leaders not only contest elections but are supported to win and lead.

Drawing lessons from recent youth-led global protests in countries like Nepal, Rep Dasuki warned of the dangers of political exclusion and the potential unrest that can follow when large youth populations feel alienated from their governments.

‘When a large demographic feels excluded from decision-making, frustration festers. We must act now, not only to empower, but to prevent disillusionment that can lead to instability,’ he warned.

Key highlights of the event include the unveiling of the interim governance structure of Future Is Now project – which will undertake the preparation for a more elaborate gathering of Future is Now in the first quarter of 2026 – and the unveiling of the membership registration portal Future Is Now Youth Movement

Also at the unveiling were former Minister of Youth, Solomon Dalung; Hon Ibrahim Bello Haliru (the youngest member of the National Assembly); Hon. Henry Shield; Hon Salisu Yakassai and Hon David Oloto.

Ms Nicole Nwosu (Convener 1), and Ibrahim Zanna (Convener 2) made presentations at the event while goodwill messages were delivered by development partners, civil society leaders, youth and student leaders, and other partners.

The need for technological deployment in teaching pedagogies in meeting the challenges of 21 century education was the thrust of the maiden international conference by the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED).

The three-day conference by the University’s College of Languages and Communication Arts Education (COLCAED), was entitled: ‘Language, Literature, Communication and Education in a Changing World: Innovations, Challenges and the Future’.

It was held at the Epe campus of the university, featuring participants from the academia who shared ideas and compared notes. At the conference, scholars all agreed that tertiary institutions particularly in Africa must acknowledge the significance of technology as an indispensable tool for effective learning.

The keynote speaker and a professor of Linguistics at University of Ibadan, Francis Egbokhare, noted that gone were those days when knowledge dissemination was strictly restricted to the classroom. He said that today, there are legions of online learners who only attend virtual classes from many institutions across the world, adding that one could hardly draw a line between such people and those who attend conventional institutions.

While praising COLCAED for the theme, Egbokhare said LASUED as a new institution, could leverage on this opportunity to unleash her great potential.

He said: ‘You (LASUED) need to invest in e-learning in order to broaden the scope of those that can take your courses.

In that way, people will not have to relocate on your campus to learn. And you can as well do micro credentially. What that means basically is that a lot of skill training that compels people to leave their jobs will no longer be there. Moreover, technology reduces training cost because it upscales the number of people who can participate. I enjoin you to operate a university without walls which simply means a tech-based institution. With this, you will have more students that will not only generate revenue (for LASUED), but also broaden the scope of the digital revolution that is taking place globally.’

Egbokhare said with open-source technology, many poorly funded public institutions in Nigeria and beyond may no longer have to bother as they can leverage open-source technology which takes away the financial cost that comes with acquiring technology tools.

‘There is open-source technology and open-source software which is meant for people to develop things freely and access high quality contents online that are in open-source format. Therefore the absence of funding is no longer a big excuse. So I’ll advise that you start with open-source and you can then begin to create your own proprietary materials. For instance, if you go to the Commonwealth of Learning platform, you will find millions of resources that you can not only use but also adapt. The second thing is AI (Artificial Intelligence). There are some free AI tools you can use to create the frames for developing your course materials,’ he added.

Meanwhile, the Guest Speaker Jane Setter, a Professor Phonetics at the University of Reading, United Kingdom who spoke on the topic: ‘English Pronunciation for a Global World’, said the importance of pronunciation could not be underestimated

In her virtual lecture, Setter said pronunciation contributes to success in other aspects such as speaking, listening, vocabulary learning and reading.

Setter argued that a learner could be intelligent, yet unable to retain a non-native speaker accent. She therefore advocated that a learner’s inability to retain a native speaker accent should not be a benchmark for appraising his or her intellectual level.

The Vice Chancellor of LASUED Prof Bidemi Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Morudeen Adeniyi Shittu, stressed the university’s readiness to implement whatever resolutions that evolved from the conference.

He said: ‘Whatever the outcome of this conference, we are going to work towards its realisation. The management will work with the various presentations and I can assure you the communique arising from this conference shall be implemented to the letter.

‘If you look at other universities, they have faculty of Arts, and Humanities. But here in LASUED, Humanities is separate from the Languages. Here, we want to use language to connect to other aspects of knowledge, so we can collaborate and become one.’

Chairman Local Organising Committee of the conference Prof. Kikelomo Adeniyi said: ‘We observe that there has been deployment of technology in language, literature and communication. We therefore feel that as a teacher training institution, we need to keep people abreast of modern trends and ameliorate challenges associated with the use of these technologies.

Dean of COLCAED Prof Ojetunde Cecilia Folasade said teachers should be trained to use technology.

‘Besides, students should be better motivated to use these tools beyond social media. Students should also understand that technologies can help improve learning, as well as advancement in knowledge,’ she added.

A participant Dr Ganiu Bamgbose of the Lagos State University(LASU) noted that the fascinating thing about the conference is the different pedagogical interventions on how language, literature and communication can be better taught especially in the 21st century using technology.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said more governors from the opposition parties were putting finishing touches to join President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the ruling party.

He said Nigerians were already seeing many achievements of the Tinubu administration across all sectors.

Akpabio stated this in his goodwill message at the launch of a book, titled: Ten Years of Impactful Leadership of The APC Administration In Nigeria, written by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and the inauguration of projects by President Tinubu in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Senator Akpabio said: ‘Mr. President, with what you have done in the last two years, get ready to receive more governors from the opposition parties. As I speak, there are several governors in Nigeria today who are ready to be received by you.’

The Senate President noted that Nigerians were beginning to see the positive outcomes of President Tinubu’s reforms and were acknowledging them.

He added: ‘The students, farmers, and businessmen are all speaking on the various reforms you have brought into governance, which are now yielding results in the overall interest and benefit of the people.

‘If we say it, they will accuse us of rubber-stamping your achievements, but the beneficiaries are the ones talking about what you have done.

‘I believe strongly in development and progress. I thank Governor Uzodimma for deciding to put history in writing, in his 10 years of impactful leadership of the APC administration in Nigeria.

‘If you don’t tell your story, others will tell it for you. Progressiveness is not in words; it is in action. The quality of works done by the governor is of high quality and the people of Imo State must be very, very excited.’

Akpabio recalled that when he was the governor of Akwa Ibom State 18 years ago, he was already a progressive, based on the projects he executed.

The Senate President congratulated his host and the national leadership of the party for achievements of the party in the last 10 years.

The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has officially announced the new kick-off date, venue, and fixtures for the 2025 NWFL Nationwide.

The championship is now scheduled to take place from October 10 to 17, 2025, at the Bwari Township Stadium in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

The NWFL Chief Operating Officer Modupe Shabi confirmed in a statement released on Independence Day, that the competition will feature ten teams divided into two groups of five. She described the tournament as a critical platform for emerging clubs seeking to advance through the league structure.

‘The Nationwide competition remains a vital platform for clubs across the country to showcase their potential and progress through the league system. We are committed to ensuring it is competitive, transparent, and successful,’ Shabi said.

The schedule will begin with the arrival of teams and a pre-match technical meeting on October 10, followed by the start of matches on October 11. Fixtures will continue on October 13, 14, 16, and 17, with October 12 and 15 designated as rest days.

Stressing the tournament’s importance for women’s football development in Nigeria, Shabi added: ‘At the end of the tournament, the two best teams from each group will be promoted to the NWFL Championship, which is a huge motivation for all the participating clubs.’

‘We wish all the clubs the very best of luck and look forward to an exciting week of women’s football in the Federal Capital Territory.’

The groups include Osklean FC (Rivers State), Rangers Women FC (Enugu State), Plateau Queens FC (Plateau State), DreamStars Ladies FC (Lagos State), and C2E Sports Academy (Abia State) in Group A.

Group B consists of Sporting Angels FC (Rivers State), Alexander Queens FC (Enugu State), Rosaria Victrix FC (Imo State), NAF Queens FC (Abuja), and Solo Wonders FC (Akwa Ibom State).

Just as well, some breakthrough: in the crunch between the gutsy suicidal and the ruthless executioner, as the Yoruba would call it.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), plucky union, just faced down Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, biggest single-tranche crude oil refinery in the world and employers that take no prisoners! It wasn’t pretty!

Who blinked first? At what cost to the delicate economy? Even with the truce, what impact on inflation, which trend-down, for months now, has signified a cool-off of the economy, pending a healthier re-take-off, following very painful reforms?

Will soaring energy costs return the economy to higher inflation, since petrol and diesel remain core to fuelling and powering the economy?

Has the shock been arrested before real harm was done? Kudos to the Federal Government for moving in fast, appealing to the good sense of both combatants!

Still, the fundamentals are awry. Local refining couldn’t have drawn a stormier re-entry. The old is giving way to the new. But the new not yet able to kick out stock, old practices! That’s the ugly lacuna playing out.

PENGASSAN and NUPENG, beyond their unionist do-gooding, stand accused of strong-arm tactics. That suggests many of their screeches are fired more by illicit cream-offs, than by members’ protection and welfare.

That intera-union cabal, PENGASSAN foes love to allege, is so powerful that even their members are unsure which is worse: the parasitic union or the overarching employer. It’s the classic choice between the red devil and the blue sea!

On Dangote. Lovers of its refinery, touting it a nationalistic downstream rescue, fend off the budding monopolist charge, which its foes hang on its neck. Fair enough.

Still, like Microsoft’s Bill Gates, not even the most fanatical of Dangote’s fans would deny it rather loves to compete – and win! Without robust anti-trust checks – the same tools the US government used to checkmate Microsoft – petroleum downstream monopoly might just blight the market. That’s hardly desirable.

In other words, aside tackling this immediate clash, the Federal Government must put in place doughty anti-trust regulations, for the strategic wellness of that oil sub-sector. But robust anti-trust checks begin with diversifying the local supply of refined products. So, as many refineries as possible should be aided to fight for market share against Dangote Refinery.

But back to the present huff. Both PENGASSAN and Dangote should learn to always tow the middle line. Inasmuch as PENGASSAN blockage of crude oil and gas supply to Dangote Refinery was extreme – indeed, near-anarchic – the refinery’s sack of 800 workers, under the guise of ‘reorganization’, is both suspect and the height of corporate sophistry.

While PENGASSAN should resist the urge to always go for broke, Dangote should be wary of throwing around its weight as the dominant – nay, near-sole – local crude refiner.

The Federal Government should commit all local crude oil refining players to healthy compromises. Otherwise, energy security, a critical gain of its painful reforms, would go up in smoke!

Carloha Nigeria has unveiled Chery Tiggo 9 SUV and CarlohaCare brand in Lagos.

The firm said its goal is to ease access to modern mobility while improving after-sales.

Managing Director, Mr. Sola Adigun, said CarlohaCare 6-6-7 initiative offers six years warranty, six years free scheduled maintenance, and a seven-day repair with a courtesy car guarantee.

Speaking on Chery’s global success and technology, Adigun said Chinese innovation is redefining the auto sector.

He said Chery, China’s largest vehicle exporter, has five million exports underscoring global confidence and acceptance of the brand.

He stressed that Nigerian customers can experience the same quality recognised in over 80 countries.

Adigun reiterated Carloha’s investment in human capital, highlighting efforts to train Nigerian technicians.

He explained that this will ensure every Chery vehicle sold in Nigeria is backed by local expertise and parts availability.

General Manager of Marketing, Mr. Taiwo Akinpelu, said Tiggo 9 is a landmark addition to the SUV market.

He said it combines cutting-edge technology, comfort, and safety standards, making it the most reliable choice in its category.

He added that Carloha’s advanced driver-assist features, robust safety architecture, and luxury design were crafted for families and businesses.

‘Every journey in Tiggo 9 is backed by engineering excellence and CarlohaCare 6-6-7 package, which guarantees value,’ Taiwo said.

Carloha noted that its ambition is to make car ownership more affordable and sustainable.

It announced plans to begin local assembly in 2026 to reduce costs, create jobs, and expand Nigeria’s automotive capacity.