Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Smartphones today are more than just gadgets – they’re our cameras, our entertainment centers, our workstations, and sometimes even our survival tools when the day gets long. With the launch of the REDMI 15, Xiaomi is proving once again that cutting-edge tech doesn’t need to come with a heavy price tag. Instead, it should deliver power, performance, and practicality that fits perfectly into everyday life.

So, what exactly makes the REDMI 15 stand out in Nigeria’s highly competitive smartphone market? Here are six things you absolutely need to know about this new device.

1. A Battery That Refuses to Quit

We’ve all had those days when our phone’s battery dies in the middle of something important. That’s a headache REDMI 15 is here to solve. With its massive 7000mAh (typ) battery, this phone is built for marathon use. Whether it’s endless WhatsApp chats, hours of YouTube, or a long day of work and play, REDMI 15 keeps going.

Paired with 33W fast charging, even when the battery does run low, you won’t be stuck waiting for hours. Just a short recharge gets you right back on track.

2. A Big Screen Made for Big Moments

The REDMI 15 is equipped with an immersive 6.9-inch FHD+ display, which means everything from movies to mobile gaming looks better. The size makes it perfect for those who use their phone as a primary entertainment device – and for those who enjoy split-screen multitasking, the extra space really comes in handy.

Whether you’re watching Netflix, scrolling Instagram, or video calling loved ones, the REDMI 15’s display makes the experience brighter, bolder, and more engaging.

3. Reliable Power Under the Hood

At the heart of the REDMI 15 is the Snapdragon 685 processor. While it may not be a flagship chipset, it’s a strong and efficient performer for daily use. From running multiple apps smoothly to handling casual gaming, the Snapdragon 685 ensures you get a reliable and lag-free experience.

Pair that with RAM options of 6GB+128GB or 8GB+256GB, and you’ve got plenty of space for apps, photos, videos, and everything else you need on the go.

4. Capture Every Angle with the 50MP AI Dual Camera

The REDMI 15 comes with a 50MP AI dual camera system that makes mobile photography simple yet stunning. Whether you’re snapping photos of Lagos street life, family gatherings, or that perfect food shot for Instagram, the REDMI 15 has you covered.

AI optimization helps balance lighting, color, and detail, ensuring your pictures are clear and vibrant without needing professional editing. It’s the kind of camera that lets anyone become the storyteller of their own life.

5. Designed with Style in Mind

Smartphones are an extension of personal style, and the REDMI 15 doesn’t disappoint. Available in Midnight Black, Titan Gray, and Sandy Purple, it’s sleek and modern without being over the top.

Despite packing a huge battery, the REDMI 15 manages to feel comfortable in hand – showing Xiaomi’s commitment to design balance between power and portability.

6. A Price That Puts Power Within Reach

One of the strongest reasons Nigerians will love the REDMI 15 is its affordable pricing. For a device with such a massive battery, a huge display, and reliable performance, the REDMI 15 starts at just:

?186,400 for 6GB+128GB

?212,900 for 8GB+256GB

This makes it one of the best value-for-money smartphones in its category. It’s clear that Xiaomi designed REDMI 15 not just to impress on paper, but to be truly accessible to everyday users.

Availability and Where to Buy?

The REDMI 15 is now available in Nigeria through all authorized Xiaomi stores, including Finet, Raya, 3C Hub, Slot, and more. Prefer online shopping? Visit Jumia.com to purchase your favorite Xiaomi products with just a few clicks! Stay tuned for more exciting updates and promotions by following Xiaomi Nigeria on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

In today’s global digital market, affiliate partners must carefully navigate different rules and expectations. Working with an international platform like 1win.run opens up opportunities but also calls for a clear understanding of responsible practices. Knowing how to present offers, target the right audiences, and respect local laws is essential to keeping your campaigns safe and compliant. This introduction explores how to approach the 1 win Affiliate Program with confidence and awareness.

The 1 win affiliate program is designed to give partners powerful tools and attractive revenue models. However, as with any online venture, there are regulations that vary by country. Affiliates need to be proactive about understanding advertising standards, avoiding restricted territories, and ensuring their campaigns do not breach regional rules. By taking a strategic, informed approach, it’s possible to grow your traffic while minimizing risks.

Building a transparent partnership also means communicating openly with the affiliate managers provided by 1win.run. They can offer guidance on which markets are recommended, how to structure promotions, and which compliance standards apply. This support helps affiliates maintain a strong reputation and avoid potential penalties or restrictions, making the program more sustainable over time.

Finally, adopting ethical marketing practices sets affiliates apart from competitors and strengthens the relationship with the platform. By focusing on legitimate channels, accurate information, and respecting local regulations, you can maximize the benefits of working with 1win.run while steering clear of sanctions. This approach creates a foundation for long-term success and a trustworthy reputation in the global affiliate space.

When working with a global affiliate platform, understanding what not to do is just as important as learning how to promote effectively. Many partners underestimate how easily small missteps can escalate into major issues. On 1win.run, strict compliance standards exist to protect the platform, players, and affiliates alike. By recognizing the most common mistakes early, you can safeguard your account and maintain a steady stream of revenue without disruption.

Affiliate marketers sometimes overlook the fine print or assume that all traffic sources are acceptable. This assumption can result in serious penalties or even a permanent ban. The following list highlights the most frequent errors that trigger sanctions, offering a clear picture of what to avoid before launching any campaign on the 1win Affiliate Program.

Misleading advertising: using fake bonuses, exaggerated claims, or deceptive landing pages can violate compliance rules and lead to immediate suspension

Promoting in restricted regions: sending traffic from countries where 1win.run does not operate legally can trigger automated account reviews and potential bans

Using unauthorized creatives: publishing banners, logos, or promotional materials that have not been approved by 1win Affiliate may breach brand guidelines and result in warnings or penalties

Incentivizing risky behavior: encouraging players to gamble irresponsibly or using cash incentives to sign up violates ethical standards and can shut down your affiliate access

Fraudulent or fake leads: generating sign-ups with bots, stolen data, or manipulated tracking links undermines the integrity of the program and leads to instant termination

Spamming and aggressive outreach: blasting unsolicited emails, SMS, or social messages without consent can harm the brand reputation and force account suspension

Ignoring reporting discrepancies: failing to address suspicious spikes or irregular activity in your stats may appear as complicity in fraud and result in a freeze on commissions

By familiarizing yourself with these pitfalls, you create a proactive defense against accidental non-compliance. Each point in the list represents a real-world trigger that can flag your account for closer inspection. The fewer red flags you raise, the smoother your experience with 1win.run will be.

Furthermore, making compliance a routine practice-double-checking your traffic sources, updating creatives, and maintaining transparent communication with your affiliate manager-helps establish trust. In the long run, this disciplined approach not only prevents account blocks but also positions you as a reliable partner who benefits from higher payouts, better support, and exclusive offers.

Staying compliant with 1win.run’s rules and policies is the cornerstone of a stable and profitable affiliate business. The platform offers clear guidelines, but it’s up to each partner to integrate them into daily operations. Understanding these principles not only protects your account from sanctions but also builds a stronger reputation with your affiliate manager and the wider industry.

Because the 1win Affiliate Program operates globally, each region may have its own advertising, data protection, and consumer protection standards. Affiliates who plan ahead, study the rules carefully, and implement reliable monitoring systems dramatically reduce their risk exposure. The table below summarizes actionable advice that can help you stay aligned with the platform’s expectations and avoid compliance issues.

Tip Explanation

Use only approved creatives rely on official banners, logos, and landing pages provided by 1win Affiliate to maintain brand consistency and avoid copyright problems

Verify traffic sources regularly audit your channels to ensure no unauthorized regions or prohibited methods are used, protecting your account from accidental breaches

Be transparent with players present offers, bonuses, and terms clearly without hidden conditions to build trust and prevent complaints

Stay updated on policies monitor the affiliate dashboard and newsletters for policy changes so you can adjust your campaigns quickly

Maintain secure data practices handle user information according to privacy laws and avoid sharing credentials with third parties

Communicate with affiliate managers ask for clarification or pre-approval before launching new campaigns or testing new traffic methods

Track and resolve anomalies promptly investigate sudden spikes or drops in stats to prevent false positives or fraud suspicions

Each of these recommendations targets a critical aspect of affiliate compliance. Following them creates a clear operational framework where risks are minimized, and all marketing efforts are aligned with the platform’s expectations. This approach also gives you leverage when negotiating for better commissions or exclusive deals.

Furthermore, integrating compliance checks into your regular workflow ensures long-term sustainability. By combining these best practices with ongoing education about emerging regulations, you secure a competitive advantage. As the online gaming market evolves, the affiliates who treat compliance as a strategic asset-rather than a burden-will be the ones enjoying consistent growth and stable earnings with 1win.run.

Building a sustainable future with 1win affiliate

The journey through our article has shown that success with 1win.run depends on more than just traffic. It requires a proactive mindset, strong compliance habits, and an appreciation of the platform’s global reach. By understanding the rules and identifying common mistakes, affiliates can protect their accounts and build a steady income stream over time.

Staying compliant is not simply a box to check; it is a strategy for long-term growth. Whether you are avoiding misleading advertising, respecting territorial restrictions, or using only approved materials, each good practice adds resilience to your business model. This discipline turns your campaigns into reliable assets rather than risky experiments.

Another key takeaway is the importance of communication and transparency. Affiliates who engage with their managers, ask for pre-approvals, and act on feedback tend to enjoy smoother operations and better support. This trust-based approach can also open the door to higher commission rates and exclusive promotions within the 1win Affiliate Program.

Ultimately, a sustainable partnership with 1win.run is built on clarity, ethics, and continuous improvement. By treating compliance as an ongoing process rather than a one-time task, affiliates can achieve lasting success. This conclusion marks not an end but a starting point for a smarter, safer, and more profitable affiliate journey.

President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the $400million Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) oil export terminal in Otakikpo, Rivers State. He yesterday assured the people that the government is already engaging them on the resolution of Ogoni issues.

The facility being the first indigenous terminal, came five decades after the previous ones.

Represented by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, he said with the resolution of the issues, the Otakikpo terminal will evacuate the crude oil produced from their land.

He said: ‘It is important for me to state that in the commitment of the government that is already talking with Ogoni people to resolve the Ogoni problem.

‘And once the Ogoni problem is resolved, this will be the best terminal that will evacuate the crude oil we produce from Ogoni.’

Tinubu who sought the cooperation of Ogoni leaders for the production of oil in their land, noted that the resource would never be beneficial to either the indigenes or government when it lays idle.

Tinubu said: ‘And that is why we are calling, you know, talking with Ogoni people, Ogoni leaders, to say let’s revert back. If these things are buried there forever, Ogoni will never get any value from those resources. Nigeria will never get any value from those resources.’

He said the era of battling with lack of finance is over as the $5 billion African Energy Bank (AEB) is about to commence operations.

According to him, the worst challenge in the upstream operation is access to finance and the promoters of AEB have met all its obligations for the operations.

‘Let me also, you know, assure Green Energy that the era of perhaps looking elsewhere for finance will soon be over.

‘We have discovered that the biggest challenge we have in Africa is access to, you know, finance. And that was why we’ve come up with the African Energy Bank, which is ready to go. Nigeria, as the host country, has met its obligations.

‘We have met all our obligations, legal, financial. We have met all our obligations. We are waiting, you know, for the bank to take off, which I think will take off, you know, any moment from now,’ Tinubu said.

He commended the management of GEIL, recalling that the indigenous firm started from a marginal field the same time with other awardees who spent their finances on private jets while GEIL decided to build an export terminal to create value in the industry.

He assured the company and other operators that are keeping to the terms of their licenses of total support and collaboration.

Speaking, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, said the terminal is historic on two levels.

According to him, it expands Nigeria’s crude export infrastructure at a critical time and demonstrates the capacity of Nigeria operators to deliver world class projects once thought possible only for international major players.

He further noted that the Otakiko terminal is significant to the present national crude oil production that is about 1.8million barrels because the efficiency of evacuation and export is critical.

Komolafe also said by creating an alternative export hub in Rivers State, the Otakikpo terminal reduces over reliance on existing terminals many of which are operating at a near capacity and are exposed to security and pipeline challenges.

He said the industry indigenous operators have evolved to the stage of accounting for 30 per cent of the national production.

The Chief Executive Officer, GEIL , Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe said the storage capacity of the terminal is 750,000 barrels that is expandable to 3 million barrels.

He also said it has a pumping capacity of 360,000 barrels per day. The CEO added that since June 2025, the company has already completed four export operations, totalling 1 million barrels of crude oil.

He said beyond the numbers, the terminal is a catalyst for national renewal as it opens the door for more than 40 stranded fields in the region, with over 3 million barrels of reserves, long held back by lack of export infrastructure.

According to him, the fields alone could contribute more than 200,000 barrels per day to the country:s production.

Adegbulugbe added that ‘with this terminal, their potential can finally be unlocked.’

Two civil society groups have called on the Federal Government to ban former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji from holding public office.

According to Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and HallowMace Foundation Africa, such an action will dissuade those planning to forge certificate in future.

Nnaji, accused of using forged University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) Degree certificate and a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, resigned from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Tuesday, having failed to defend his integrity.

CISLAC and HallowMace called on the National Assembly to apologise to Nigerians for what it termed an international embarrassment arising from its institutional failure.

In a telephone interview with reporters yesterday, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), said that Nnaji was busy trading blames, when all material evidence had indicted him, hence, he should never be allowed to hold public office again.

‘He did not resign on his own volition. He was forced by the public, the media, and the civil society to resign. He didn’t resign as an honourable man. He actually went to court to stop the university from releasing his record. In fact, we should ban him from public office for life,’ he stated.

Also, in a statement jointly signed by its Executive Director, Anderson Osiebe, and its Head of Public Communications, Oguh Hyginus, HallowMace Foundation Africa maintained that the Nigerian public deserved transparent and accountable institutions that serve as effective gatekeepers against fraudulent public officers.

‘The sequence of events in Minister Nnaji’s case reveals catastrophic failures in the verification systems designed to prevent such occurrences.

‘According to the timeline of events, University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, clearly stated in May 2025 that they had no record of issuing a degree certificate to Nnaji in 1985, and this position was reaffirmed in October 2025. Why wasn’t this basic verification conducted during the screening process in 2023?

‘The leadership of screening institutions should issue public apologies to the Nigerian people for this grave failure of due diligence and outline concrete steps being taken to prevent recurrences.

‘If with their extensive resources and mandate, they could not authenticate a certificate from a Nigerian institution, what confidence can citizens have in their ability to vet appointees for critical national positions?’ the civil society organisation stated.

Nnaji: Why I resigned

Nnaji said yesterday that his resignation was not an admission of guilt.

He explained in a statement after Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga made his exit from FEC public, that he did not want the controversy over his alleged certificate to ”cast a shadow over the noble objectives of this administration.”

A part of the post reads: ‘This decision (resignation) did not come lightly. Over the past week, an orchestrated, sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated, and malicious attacks has been waged against my person, integrity, and office across print, electronic, and social media platforms.

‘These unfounded allegations and media distortions have not only caused personal distress but have also begun to distract from the vital work of the Ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.

‘As someone who has spent more than five decades building a reputation anchored on hard work, honour, and service to humanity, I cannot in good conscience allow these distractions to cast a shadow over the noble objectives of this administration.

‘My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice – not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court. In the end, Justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just.

‘I remain deeply grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence he reposed in me and for the privilege to serve in his cabinet.”

Nnaji pledged his ”unflinching support” to the Tinubu administration and holding the President’s vision close to his heart.

The statement drew immediate comments from some Nigerians who said they were astounded by his audacity.

One of the commenters, DamianOfoegbu, tweeted: The audacity to call himself an honourable minister.”

Another X user @CroBender, asked: ‘Guy, did you graduate or not? It’s as simple as that..’

Atiku calls for thorough screening

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also responded to the forgery saga, saying the Department of State Services (DSS) should be held liable for it.

Atiku, in a statement, argued that what should ordinarily be a matter of national shame was being disguised as a ‘voluntary resignation’.

Atiku said Nnaji’s ”voluntary resignation was an attempt to whitewash him.

The statement reads: ‘Let the truth be told: Uche Nnaji should not have been allowed the courtesy of resignation.

‘He should have been summarily dismissed and prosecuted for deceit and falsification.’ The former Vice-President called for ”an independent, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the academic and professional credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council.”

The Bank of Industry (BoI) has set aside a N2billion for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members entrepreneurship programme with the aim of providing affordable loans to all corpers across Nigeria, as part of efforts to tackle unemployment and promote youth-led enterprises.

Its Managing Director, Dr Olasupo Olusi disclosed this at the launch of the programme in Abuja, stating that the initiative, known as the N2billion BoI-NYSC Entrepreneurship Programme will enable serving corps members to access up to N5million each at a single-digit interest rate of nine per cent per annum.

Represented by the Executive Director, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) at the BoI, Shekarau Omar, the MD said the money is repayable over three years, with a three-month moratorium on both principal and interest. He also described the initiative as a practical intervention designed to move young Nigerians from job-seekers to job-creators.

He said: ‘The partnership between BoI and NYSC is built on previous collaborations such as the Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund (GEF), first launched in 2015, which trained over 3,000 graduates, financed 609 businesses, and disbursed more than N1billion in loans. These numbers are not just statistics, they represent poultry farms, fashion houses, salons, tech start-ups, and creative studios brought to life.

‘The core lessons are clear, when young people receive targeted capacity building, affordable finance, and mentoring, they repay, they employ, and they grow, as he commends the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) department for its ongoing efforts in training corps members to become self-reliant.’

‘The new loan scheme would complement SAED’s objectives and for our corps members, your service year is a launch pad, not a waiting room, start small, plan well, and stay disciplined about cash flow and compliances. With creativity and determination, you can become the next generation of entrepreneurs shaping Nigeria’s future.’

Olasupo expressed appreciation to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen Olakunle Nafiu, the Director of SAED, and other top officials at the bank for their contributions toward designing and operationalizing the programme, assuring that the success of the initiative would be measured by the number of approvals granted, jobs created, and businesses that continue to thrive beyond the NYSC service year.

Speaking, Brig-Gen Nafiu emphasized the importance of investing in youth for the nation’s future, highlighting the strategic nature of such investments, noting that not investing in youth is a greater risk as the collaboration between NYSC and BOI is an investment for the nation’s destiny, while appealing to the bank to scale up the intervention to N5billion so that more corps members can benefit from the initiative.

House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has called for a decisive legislative action in support of multi-level policing in the country.

He said this has become necessary for the country to surmount security challenges.

Abbas spoke yesterday at the public hearing on the Private Intelligence and Investigation Council Bill, 2024, organised by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

The Speaker, who was represented by the Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency lawmaker, Muktar Shagaya, said security reforms had become part of a national priority that must evolve from ‘theory to decisive action’.

He noted that creating state police through a constitutional amendment was a viable option worthy of serious national consideration.

Abbas stated the need to strengthen community policing, as provided for in the Police Act 2020, to make it more effective and responsive to local realities.

‘The time has come for the debate on multi-level policing to move from theory to decisive legislative action. Creating state police through a constitutional amendment remains a viable option that deserves serious consideration. However, beyond constitutional reform, we must also strengthen community policing to make it more effective and responsive to local realities,’ said Abbas.

The Speaker reiterated the House’s commitment to reforms that would enhance public safety and strengthen the overall security architecture of the country.

The National Assembly, he said, was prioritising security-related legislation, including the proposed Private Intelligence and Investigation Council Bill, adding that it was determined to provide a legal framework that promotes accountability, professionalism, and collaboration among public and private security actors.

The Speaker explained that the Bill seeks to create a regulatory framework for private intelligence and investigation services, ensuring they operate ethically, responsibly, and in compliance with professional standards.

He said the Bill aims to implement uniform practices that will enhance service quality, promote continuous training and capacity development, and encourage stronger cooperation between private and public security institutions.

The Chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Ahmad Satomi, said the proposed legislation would mark a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture through the regulation and professionalisation of private intelligence operations.

Satomi described the Bill as a forward-looking initiative that seeks to ensure accountability, professionalism, and ethical conduct within the country’s growing private intelligence and investigation industry.

According to him, the proposed Council will serve as a regulatory body responsible for standardising industry practices, providing accreditation and certification, as well as promoting continuous training and collaboration between the private and public security sectors.

‘This marks a significant step towards strengthening our national security framework and ensuring the professionalism of private intelligence and investigation services.

‘The proposed Bill seeks to establish a regulatory framework that ensures ethical conduct and accountability. If established, the Council will standardise practices, promote continuous training, and foster collaboration between private and public security sectors,’ he said.

Noting the security challenges confronting the country, Satomi said innovative approaches were required to strengthen security architecture.

He cited data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which showed that over 51.89 million household crime incidents were recorded between May 2023 and April 2024, to support his argument.

The Bill, he said, aligned with the National Assembly’s legislative efforts to address security concerns through proactive, intelligence-driven reforms.

Satomi explained that the proposed bill aims to establish a council to accredit private intelligence and investigation services, streamline compliance processes, and foster collaboration between public and private security agencies to enhance national security.

He noted that while most stakeholders support the bill, some raised concerns about overlaps with existing laws and the mandates of security institutions. Critics warned that certain provisions could duplicate the roles of agencies responsible for security clearance and internal vetting, potentially causing legal confusion.

Satomi said these disagreements highlight deeper institutional problems, including poor inter-agency collaboration and weak intelligence sharing.

The lawmaker stressed that the Bill offers an opportunity to address these gaps, praising the Speaker and fellow lawmakers for prioritising reforms.

He also urged all stakeholders to provide constructive input to strengthen the committee’s final report.

Nigerian track and field star Blessing Okagbare had double reasons to celebrate as she turned 37.

The former Olympic medalist welcomed the arrival of her baby on her birthday, October 9, 2025.

Taking to her official X (formerly Twitter) page, Okagbare expressed her joy, describing it as her best birthday yet.

‘Best birthday ever. I get to celebrate it with my Oreofe. A very blessed 37th birthday indeed. Lord, you have always done it for me,’ she wrote.

Okagbare, who has long been celebrated for her achievements in athletics, now adds motherhood to her milestones, with fans and fellow athletes flooding her page with congratulatory messages.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted presidential pardon to 175 persons, including Nigeria’s foremost nationalist, Herbert Macaulay and former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa (rtd), following the approval of the National Council of State at its meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

The decision, taken at the instance of the President’s recommendation based on the report of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, was presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.

The Council also ratified key national appointments and approved the conferment of national honours on 959 Nigerians and friends of Nigeria.

A source at the meeting confirmed that the late nationalist, Herbert Macaulay, and the executed poet-soldier, Mamman Vatsa, were among the major beneficiaries of the clemency.

Members of the Ogoni Nine were also said to be listed among those pardoned.

Macaulay, often hailed as the ‘father of Nigerian nationalism,’ was twice convicted by colonial authorities – first in 1913 for alleged misappropriation of estate funds, and in 1928 in connection with the ‘Gunpowder Plot’ following his Lagos Daily News publication during the Eleko agitation. Both convictions have long been subjects of historical controversy.

Vatsa, who served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and was a member of the Supreme Military Council under General Ibrahim Babangida, was executed on March 5, 1986, after a secret tribunal convicted him of treason in connection with an alleged coup attempt.

His trial and execution have remained deeply controversial, with repeated public calls for a posthumous pardon.

Briefing journalists at the State House, Abuja, after the Council of State and Police Council meetings, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State said the approvals underscored President Tinubu’s commitment to justice reform and humane governance.

‘Eighty-two of the inmates were granted full presidential pardon, sixty-five had their sentences reduced, while seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment,’ he disclosed.

According to him, the gesture is aimed at decongesting correctional facilities and promoting restorative justice, in line with Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves, or commute sentences.

He said the exercise followed careful recommendations of the Advisory Committee, which considers factors such as age, health, good behaviour, or miscarriage of justice.

Governor Sani also revealed that the Council ratified several key appointments presented by President Tinubu, including Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Dr. Aminu Yusuf as Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC).

The Council also approved Alhaji Tonge Betara Bularafa as Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State at the NPC.

Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma, who chairs the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), described Amupitan’s appointment as ‘a constitutional responsibility diligently discharged by the President,’ adding that the nominee was ‘a serious-minded scholar, a man of integrity, tested and trusted, who has never participated in partisan politics.’

In another major decision, the Council approved President Tinubu’s request to confer national honours on 959 eminent individuals for the 2024-2025 cycle.

Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr. Emanso Umobong, who briefed journalists on the development, said the awards included 824 successful applications and 135 special recognitions.

She explained that the reconstituted National Honours Award Committee, chaired by the Emirates of Lafia, Justice Mohammed Sidi Bage, had screened over 5,000 applications before submitting its final recommendations.

Among those honoured or set to be honoured are Bill Gates for contributions to public health and humanitarian causes, Uncle Sam Amuka-Pemu, veteran journalist and publisher, and Professor Mahmood Yakubu, immediate past INEC Chairman, for service to Nigeria’s democratic process.

Posthumous honours also went to the Ogoni Nine and the Ogoni Four for their environmental activism and sacrifice, while the Super Falcons and D’Tigresses received national recognition for their excellence in sports.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, also disclosed that he presented proposals to the Police Council for strengthening the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF).

He sought approval to repeal and reenact the NPTF Establishment Act 2025 to remove its six-year lifespan limitation and make it a permanent agency.

He further proposed an increase in the statutory deduction from the Federation Account from 0.5 percent to 2 percent, aimed at expanding funding for police training, welfare, logistics, technology, and emergency response systems.

The Minister said Council approved an increment to 1 percent of the deduction from the Federation Account.

According to him, all the proposals, including the repeal and reenactment of the NPTF Act, received the Council’s full approval.

‘The purpose of establishing the Nigerian Police Trust Fund was to support training and retraining of police personnel. The second one is to provide financial resources to enhance police equipment, logistics, and infrastructure.

‘It was established also to support modernization of the police through investments in technology, vehicles, communications, and crime fighting tools, improve welfare and morale of police personnel, promote accountability, transparency, and governance, also to enhance crime prevention and public safety, strengthen capacity for emergency response and disaster management, fund ongoing training, specialized courses, and skill development, foster public-sector and private sector engagement, channel contributions through individuals, corporations, and civil society into police enhancement programs.

‘The concerns we had in the Police Trust Fund, the sunset close of six years in the current act limits the lifespan of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund, and impedes long-term planning thereby constraining sustainable police reform.

‘The deduction of 0.5 percent from the federation account needs to be reviewed upward to two percent of the federation account.

‘So we also prayed that the council should approve the repeal and the reenactment of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund Establishment Act 2025 in order to remove the sunset close and transition it into an agency.

‘Second, the council to approve 2 percent deduction from the Federation Account. And the last one, direct the Honorable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to input all the approvals of the council in the proposed executive bill.

All these prayers have been approved without any omission’, he said.

Both meetings, which were chaired by President Tinubu, had high-level attendance.

The Council of State meeting was attended virtually by former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd).

Also in attendance were the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; state governors, and other statutory members of the Council.

Also in attendance were four former Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJN), including Alfa Belgore, Mahmud Mohammed, Walter Onnogen, and Oluwakayode Ariwoola.

Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Nigeria, with support from The Nippon Foundation (TNF), has organised Green Mega and Mini Field Days in Benue, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, and Nasarawa to promote climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practice to boost food production and strengthen smallholder farmers.

In a statement by Communication Officer Moses Nongoatse, the association noted that the field days are live events where over 3,000 farmers witnessed results of innovative farming integrating maize and soybean strip cropping with agronomic practice, conservation agriculture, and integrated soil fertility management.

Techniques such as use of biochar, plant spacing, mulching, and adoption of improved seed varieties, including Provitamin A maize and high-yielding soybean , were showcased.

These interventions, implemented under SAA’s thematic areas of Regenerative Agriculture, Market-Oriented Agriculture, and Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture, are to enhance productivity, boost soil health, and help farmers adapt to climate change and malnutrition.

Speaking at the Mid-Season Review Meeting at Ministry of Agriculture in Makurdi, SAA Country Director, Dr. Godwin Atser, described the events as crucial learning platforms for knowledge exchange and technology dissemination.

‘Field days are instruments that catalyse learning and innovation in agricultural value chain. They enable us to interact directly with farmers and scale up improved practice that drive productivity and resilience,’ Dr. Atser said.

In Gombe State, the event attracted participation from farmers, officials, development partners, and monarchs.

Representing Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Barnabas Malle, Director of Agric Services, Ibrahim Sajo, praised SAA for its contributions to agricultural growth.

Rotary Club of Anthony Golden District 9112 has donated pregnancy and delivery kits to expecant women at Mende Primary Healthcare Centre, Maryland, Lagos.

The club also gave out bags, uniforms, socks and writing materials to pupils of Anthony Modle Nursery and Primary School in Anthony.

The back-to-school project featured tree planting to support pupils and the school authority.

President, Fikayo Ogundairo, said the gesture was in line with Rotary activities to provide service, promote integrity and ethical standards, and advance understanding, goodwill, and peace.

He noted that the donation was to give back to the community, apply the ideal of service in human life, improve life of expectant mothers as well as pupils.

‘Rotarians undertake to improve the quality of life in their community. Particular emphasis is given to helping children, needy families, the aged, the handicapped, and those most in need of assistance’.

Ogundairo said besides donating pregnancy kits, Rotary provides community health by organising free medical outreaches, training health workers, empowering communities to prevent diseases like malaria and polio, improving maternal and child health, and partnering health ministries and hospitals to deliver screenings, vaccinations, and vital healthcare supplies to vulnerable populations in Nigeria and beyond.

He said Rotary organises health days and outreaches, offering services like blood pressure tests, diabetes screenings, and hepatitis vaccinations to underserved communities.”