Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Lagos Pacific Lions Club in District 404B2 has distributed school bags and other leaning materials to pupils in public primary schools in Lagos State.

President, Nasir Lateefat, noted that the initiative was to put smiles on pupils and provide them with drive and confidence to learn and progress. She stressed importance of education, urging the pupils to be committed to their studies, and listen to their teachers’ counsel.

Speaking to journalists, Lateefat said: ‘We are to celebrating Literacy Day, and also hold literacy talk with pupils of Ikeja Central School and Ikeja Primary School, motivating and let them know the worth of education. This is one of the core areas in which our club prioritises.

‘We are distributing school bags and water bottles. We distributed over 80 bags and 80 water bottles to pupils, especially those less-privileged. Primary 1-3 pupils were given water bottles, while Primary 4-6 pupils got bags.

‘We will come back to the school for another project. Our next project is to visit the children cancer section at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, the paediatric section.’

Advising the pupils, Lateefat encouraged pupils to take their education seriously to achieve greatness in life.

She said: ‘Please, concentrate and face your studies so you can have good grades, come out in flying colours and have a bright future. Make your parents proud. God will guide you to come out in flying colours.’

Lateefat further implored parents to make educational development of their children a priority, while preparing them for a greater future.

The children appreciated the gesture and expressed lauded the Pacific Lions Club.

Their teachers hailed the club, saying the gesture would ease burden of parents and motivate pupils to perform well in their academics.

Director of Muslim Awareness International, Abdul Atoyebi, has said the genocide in Gaza is unprecedented.

He spoke at Aqsa Day at Da’wah Centre, Lagos.

The ‘Stop Gaza Genocide’ event featured prayers, lectures, and a rally.

Atoyebi said for 22 months since October 7, 2023, Gaza has bled, with over 60,000 killed, mostly women, children, and 125,000 injured.

‘This is not war. This is genocide,’ he said, demanding recognition of Palestine at UN General Assembly, ceasefire and sanctions on Israel, humanitarian aid to Gaza, boycott of Israeli products and severance of diplomatic ties, and stronger internal security in Nigeria.

Lead Consultant at AS and Associates, Abdullahi Shuaib, who delivered a sermon, said the war in Gaza is a genocidal campaign against Palestinians.

He reminded Muslims of Prophet Muhammad’s teaching that they must show concern for the plight of fellow Muslims, warning that indifference to Palestine’s suffering was like abandoning the faith.

The Islamic scholar criticised UN for failing to protect Palestinians, saying the world body is ‘a toothless bulldog’ manipulated by global powers.

A lecturer at Lagos State University (LASU), Ganiyah Tijani-Adenle, said what is happening in Gaza is genocide, calling on all to pressure Israel to end the carnage.

‘There is no war crime that had not been committed in Gaza, and the genocde is happening, yet the perpetrators believe nothing will happen because the impunity has been on since 1948’, she said.

She added that the genocide in Gaza is a war against humanity and not a religious war.

‘Everyone should know that what is happening in Gaza is not a religious war. Muslims, Christians, people of different faiths and backgrounds feel the heat directly. It’s a war against humanity’, she added.

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has expressed gratitude to the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State for the warm reception accorded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his visit to the city for the coronation of Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Arusa I, as the Olubadan of Ibadanland, last Friday.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu described the warm reception as an honour not only to the President, but also to the country.

He also extended appreciation to the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), party members, the state executive, Governor Seyi Makinde, fellow governors and members of the National Assembly from Oyo State for their support.

‘My dear people of Ibadanland, the state leadership and members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde, other governors in attendance, and distinguished legislators, I express my deepest appreciation, not just as the Minister of Power, but first and foremost as a proud son of this historic city. The coronation of our revered monarch, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Arusa I, was a moment of pride, culture and unity. Yet, one moment stood out-the extraordinary welcome you gave to our President, which has since captured national attention,’ Adelabu said.

He noted that the warm and enthusiastic reception demonstrated the unity and spirit of the people of Ibadan.

‘From the moment the President’s convoy entered the heart of the city, the atmosphere was electrifying. The cheers, the celebrations, and the sheer turnout of people were not mere formalities, but a genuine expression of support. As many have observed, it was the warmest and most organic reception President Tinubu has received since his inauguration. This was the authentic voice of Ibadan-speaking with unity, courage and conviction in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda.’

Adelabu said President Tinubu was visibly touched by the reception and conveyed his deep gratitude to the Olubadan-in-Council and the people of Ibadan.

‘Your actions reaffirmed Ibadan’s strategic and symbolic role in Nigeria’s political and socio-economic life. You have strengthened the bond between the Federal Government and the people of Oyo State, sending a strong message of unity, solidarity and hope to the nation,’ he said.

The minister pledged renewed commitment to national development, particularly in the power sector.

‘As your son, I am immensely proud. As a minister in an administration you have embraced with such warmth, I am re-energised to work harder. Your support motivates us to intensify reforms and investments in power generation, transmission and distribution so that the dividends of democracy reach Ibadan, Oyo State and the entire country.’

He concluded by offering prayers for the new Olubadan’s reign. ‘On behalf of Mr. President and the Federal Government, I once again say thank you. May the reign of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Arusa I, be long, peaceful and prosperous. Long live Ibadanland, long live Oyo State and long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’

A flotilla carrying aid to Gaza said Israeli forces yesterday intercepted its latest bid to break a blockade of the war-battered Palestinian territory.

The Global Sumud Flotilla – around 45 vessels carrying activists and politicians including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg – left Spain last month aiming to break Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory, where the UN says famine has set in.

‘The warships are moving in to intercept the flotilla – only 81 nautical miles remain to Gaza,’ said the Maghreb contingent of the Global Sumud Flotilla in a statement.

French politician Marie Mesmeur and Franco-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan also reported that their boats were being intercepted.

The French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot posted on X that Israeli authorities were ‘currently boarding’ the flotilla.

Earlier, the Israeli navy warned the flotilla against entering waters under its blockade.

‘The Israeli Navy has reached out to the. flotilla and asked them to change course,’ the foreign ministry said in a statement.

‘Israel has informed the flotilla that it is approaching an active combat zone and violating a lawful naval blockade.’

Spain and Italy, which both sent naval escorts, had urged the ships to halt before entering Israel’s declared exclusion zone off Gaza.

After a 10-day stop in Tunisia, where organisers reported two drone attacks, the flotilla resumed its journey on September 15.

One of its main ships, the Alma, was ‘aggressively circled by an Israeli warship’, the group said, before another vessel, the Sirius, was subjected to ‘similar harassing manoeuvres’.

The flotilla had earlier vowed to press on with its bid to deliver aid to the devastated coastal territory despite what it called ‘intimidation’ tactics by the Israeli military.

It said on X it remained ‘vigilant as we enter the area where the previous flotillas were intercepted and/or attacked’.

Israel blocked similar attempts in June and July.

At around 1500 GMT yesterday, the flotilla said it was less than 90 nautical miles (about 170 kilometres) from the Gaza Strip.

‘We sail on undeterred by Israeli threats and tactics of intimidation,’ said the flotilla, which is also carrying Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela and Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian European Parliament member.

Spain’s digital transformation minister, Oscar Lopez, had urged the flotilla not to cross into Israel’s declared exclusion zone, extending 150 nautical miles off Gaza.

‘Our message to the flotilla has been clear: do not enter that zone,’ he told Spanish public television, adding that Spain’s naval escort would not cross into the exclusion area.

Italy, too, urged the activists to ‘stop now’ after its frigate also halted at the 150-nautical-mile limit, broadcasting radio messages to the activists’ vessels asking them to abandon their mission.

The activists said Spain and Italy’s decision was an attempt to ‘sabotage’ their endeavours.

Executive Chairman of Edo Inland Revenue Services (EIRS), Mr. Oladele Bankole-Balogun, yesterday lamented continued loss of revenue to neighbouring Delta State.

He said investigation showed many workers in Edo State paid their taxes to Delta State.

The EIRS boss spoke at a stakeholders meeting on revenue collection challenges.

He told ministries, departments and agencies that the agency had adopted a Treasury Single Account (TSA) to reduce leakages in tax collection in the state.

Bankole-Balogun said EIRS had made progressive revenue collection and stressed the need for stakeholders to worker together for increased revenue base.

He identified TSA as a fundamental tool for boosting revenue.

According to him, ‘it ensures government agency receipts, or all government receipts, flow through a transparent, centralised account for eliminating cash handling, reducing leakages, and, most importantly, improving accountability.

‘So going forward, we want to encourage that all revenue streams be remitted into the state IGR account with proper digital records and accountability.

‘Remember that revenue is not an end in itself. It’s just a means and means to better roads, stronger health systems, vibrant education, safer communities and dignity for the citizens of our state.’

Bankole-Balogun said the state would key into the new national tax law.

Managing Director of Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA), Stainless Ijeghede, wondered why the state was yet to take action on taxes paid to Delta State.

‘When I work in oil companies, at the end of the month, I still see in my pay slip, tax Delta. All my years there, I didn’t see tax Edo. What this means is that those people who work in Oben they pay tax to Delta State Government.’

Edo Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, said he expected the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to visit the areas and stop the revenue loss.

He said his ministry was proposing a Revenue Court Law that would create specific courts to try tax offenders.

Osagie said: ‘There is the need for revenue court and revenue courts law, the whole idea is to ensure the entire gamut of our tax system is put together in a way that enforcement and prosecution of tax offenders are easy.

‘As I speak, we are proposing a draft, using our neighbouring Delta State as a model to have revenue courts law of Edo State so that all tax offenders will be sent to those courts and make trials fast and easy.’

A Professor of Educational Management at the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, Ebenezer Adu, has urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other regulatory agencies to intensify efforts in curbing overcrowding in universities.

Prof. Adu, who delivered the institution’s second inaugural lecture in Ikere-Ekiti, titled: ‘Fixing the Engine, Not Just the Destination: Aligning Internal Efficiency with the Goals of Effective Schools’, said universities have continued to sacrifice quality for revenue by admitting students far beyond their capacity.

He described the trend as dangerous, stressing that overstretched facilities, high teacher-student ratios and poor instructional delivery have led to the production of ill-equipped graduates.

‘Some institutions admit large numbers of students to boost revenue. This leads to high teacher-pupil ratios and low quality of output,’ Adu said.

He called on the Ministry of Education (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NABTEC) and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) to strengthen monitoring and ensure universities and other tertiary institutions comply with approved admission quotas.

He said: ‘Regular inspection and supervision of instruction by the regulatory body should always be undertaken to improve the quality of instruction and reduce wastage.

‘Some of the high institutions look for the means of increasing internally generated revenue; they admit large number of students, which lead to high teacher-pupil ratio. At the end, there is low quality of output.

‘Leadership Made Easy for Young Minds’ is a 10-chapter, 50-page book that does not only inform but calls readers to action. It ensures that young minds do not just digest the content but act upon it, provoking their conscience and coherence. Every chapter rests on the other, flowing logically in a pyramid format.

The central concept of leadership is explicitly dealt with, tailored to resonate with the target audience, which are the teenagers. The book expands on why leadership is essential and its impact, especially in Chapters 1 and 3. It emphasises that leadership is not about titles or positions but about making decisions that benefit all.

The author, Adetola Ajibola, also presents leadership as a journey, debunking the idea that becoming a leader means one has arrived. Instead, leadership is shown as a growth process. The book offers a balanced perspective, exploring not only leadership itself but also the obstacles and challenges leaders face, reminding readers that leaders are not born perfect.

Real-life experiences and scenarios are included, with practical steps illustrated in Chapter 7. In Chapter 9, the author stresses the need to leave a legacy, pointing out that leadership is ultimately about results. Finally, the book highlights technology as a complement to leadership in today’s world.

The tone is simple, free of ambiguity, relevant and relatable to young minds-making it an effective guide for teenagers who aspire to lead. This book is highly recommended to aspiring leaders, teenage teachers, training institutions and schools. In it, they will find gems that would help teenagers become the leaders they are supposed to be.

Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) at the state-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over alleged unpaid salaries, arrears, and other unmet demands.

The association vowed to join their counterpart, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has already withdrawn services since August over similar grievances.

ASUU had earlier warned that the planned resumption of students and the forthcoming convocation ceremony could be disrupted if outstanding payments were not made.

Speaking on Thursday, Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in AAUA, Comrade Olutayo Ogungbeni, accused the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration of reneging on promises made in June 2025 to settle arrears and increase subventions to tertiary institutions.

According to him, SSANU members are owed more than two months’ salaries, with the last payment received in July.

He explained that the current subvention accruable to the institution is insufficient, making it difficult to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage for university workers.

‘The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), AAUA, may commence industrial action if all outstanding salaries are not paid. The last salary collected was in July, and now we are in October,’ Ogungbeni said.

He lamented that staff had exercised patience for too long, stressing that they are now poised for a showdown.

Ogungbeni further accused the state government of neglecting the university by failing to provide adequate funding over the years.

While noting that the ASUU strike has already halted academic activities, Ogungbeni warned that the looming SSANU strike would paralyze all administrative and support services at the institution if the government fails to intervene.

He listed some of SSANU’s demands to include, ‘Payment of 54 months’ arrears of 2019, payment of 18 months’ arrears of the 25%/35% salary increment, payment of two months’ arrears of the 2024 minimum wage, payment of promotion arrears for 2022, 2023, and 2024, and immediate payment of August and September 2025 salaries.

The Commissioner for Education in the state, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, was not available for comments when contacted on Thursday by our reporter.

Prof. Ajibefun neither picked up calls nor replied to his messages as of the time of publishing this report.

Recall that the state government had said it was making frantic efforts at forestalling an industrial action in the state-owned institution as the organised unions threatened to disrupt the resumption and planned convocation ceremony.

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.