Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Thousands of women across Warri and neighboring communities in Delta State have received food packs from Glo Foundation under its ‘Giving Back Together’ initiative.

The outreach formed part of Globacom’s ongoing intervention programme aimed at easing economic hardship by supporting the most vulnerable segment of the society with essential food and other household items.

Saturday’s food distribution attracted women of all ages, including widows, from Warri North, Warri South, Aladja, Ughelli South, Udu, and Uvwie local government areas. They assembled shortly after the state’s monthly environmental sanitation in order to benefit from the scheme.

Globacom’s Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Mrs Jumobi Mofe-Damijo, noted that Delta was the latest stop for the initiative after similar exercises in other states. She explained that the food drive was designed to reach the female population, who often bear the heaviest burden in difficult times.

‘Our Food Drive is not just for anyone. It is targeted at the most vulnerable segment of the Nigerian society, that is women and children. When we help them, we are helping the society at large,’ she said.

Each package contained 5kg of rice, 5kg of gaari, semovita, spaghetti, vegetable oil, tomato paste, sardines, seasoning cubes, noodles, and other essentials.

The gesture sparked scenes of joy, with beneficiaries breaking into songs and dances. Princess Omo-Udoyo of Ughelli North said, ‘I have not seen this before. I thank God and Glo Foundation for this gift.’

For Mrs Esther Okoro from Otu Jeremi, Ughelli South, gratitude came in form of prayers. ‘God will lift the company and people who have done this. He will lift them higher and higher. They will never lack anything. For doing this for us today, I say may God protect them. You will always go higher.’

The initiative will extend to more cities across the country in the coming months, with thousands of women expected to benefit.

Media personality Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze, has disclosed that he would opt for termination if his 16-year-old daughter were to become pregnant.

The father of two made the revelation during a conversation on The Honest Bunch Podcast with his co-anchor, Zinnie Posh.

When Zinnie asked, ‘What would you do if your 16-year-old daughter got pregnant?’ Freeze responded that his first instinct would be to identify the person responsible for the pregnancy, before taking further steps.

He said, ‘the pregnancy would be terminated. At such a young age, it would be unfair for my daughter to take on the responsibility of raising a child’.

‘For me, a mistake at such a young age shouldn’t be compounded by raising a child while still a teenager’. He added

He argued that keeping the baby would simply mean another mistake, though he clarified that he would respect his daughter’s personal choice if she insisted.

When asked what would happen if his daughter insisted on keeping the pregnancy, he responded, ‘After what I do to her, she won’t even want to keep it.’

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Faith, has been warmly embraced by his father following his disqualification from the reality show.

Faith was expelled on Thursday evening after a physical altercation with fellow housemate, Sultana, during a skincare task rehearsal.

He had forcefully dragged a basket containing group materials, causing Sultana to fall and sustain injuries to her ankle and hand.

Offering reassurance, Faith’s father told him, ‘Don’t worry, you’re great. You’ve done well, no doubt about that. You are fantastic. We love you. It shall continue to be well. Nobody can truncate your destiny.’

The disqualification has generated mixed reactions among fans, with some condemning his actions while others argue the punishment was justified. Many also commended Sultana for her composure.

The development came as a major twist, as Faith had already secured a spot among the top 10 finalists – Kola, Imisi, Isabella, Sultana, Jason Jae, Mensan, Koyin, Kaybobo, and Dede – ahead of Sunday’s grand finale.

Nigeria’s creative scene witnessed a landmark moment on October 1 as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially inaugurated the newly refurbished National Theatre, now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, during the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

The event was a grand convergence of Nigeria’s political, financial, and cultural elite, as the curtains rose on an entertainment hub set to reshape the nation’s creative economy.

A vision of cultural renewal

Speaking at the ceremony, President Tinubu underscored the symbolic importance of rechristening the iconic building after Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature.

‘You are one of the greatest assets of the world, the continent, and the country,’ the President said, addressing Professor Wole Soyinka directly. ‘It couldn’t have been anything else. So I say it has to be Wole Soyinka Center. This has broken the monotony of military marching parades. Today is an evening well spent.’ The President also used the occasion to call on Nigerians to believe in their country and change the narrative about the nation:

‘Stop talking about Nigeria in the negative tone. We are a country of proud people. If you had a bad dream, forget it. This country will succeed. Please, lift Nigeria. Believe in Nigeria. Put Nigeria first,’ he urged.

He pledged to contribute personally to an endowment fund to ensure the Centre remains vibrant:

‘It’s not a bad thing for us to use this opportunity to create jobs, maintenance, accessibility, and commitment. This place will not go derelict again.’

Lagos reclaims creative heartbeat

For Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the reopening marked more than the restoration of a building, it was the revival of a national icon with deep ties to Lagos’ cultural history.

‘We gather not only to witness the commissioning of a renovated edifice or to celebrate the rebirth of a national icon,’ Sanwo-Olu declared. ‘This landmark is more than concrete and steel. It is the foundation upon which identity, unity, and progress are built.’

He recalled the theatre’s pivotal role in FESTAC ’77, when Lagos hosted one of the most iconic gatherings of Black and African artists from across the world.

‘FESTAC 77 gave us the National Theatre, and the National Theatre in turn gave us FESTAC 77,’ he said. ‘That spirit lives here today.

The Governor noted Lagos State’s contribution to the renovation project, including a dedicated Blue Line Metro stop and additional land to develop a ‘world-class creative hub’ around the Centre.

Public-Private Partnership as a Creative Catalyst

Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso highlighted the project as proof of what can happen when the public and private sectors align behind a shared vision.

‘What began as an ambitious vision to reimagine an aging monument as a world-class creative hub has today become a stunning reality,’ Cardoso said.

He noted that the Bankers’ Committee committed approximately N68 billion to the project, not merely as corporate social responsibility but as a ‘deliberate investment in Nigeria’s cultural future.’

‘This project stands as proof that when the public and private sectors unite behind a shared national purpose, there is no limit to what Nigeria can achieve,’ he added.

Cardoso also lauded President Tinubu’s role in transforming the renovation into a ‘symbol of national renewal’ by directing that the Centre be ready for this Independence Day celebration.

Wole Soyinka’s mixed feelings and lasting legacy

In a moving speech laced with humour and candour, Professor Wole Soyinka reflected on his initial reluctance to have his name attached to a public monument, having often criticized such practices in the past.

‘I accepted this honour with mixed feelings,’ Soyinka admitted. ‘I’m notorious for having criticised so many appropriations of public monuments by past leaders. By the time I thought it over again, no, I mustn’t forget. somebody has to carry the can.’

He also recalled the theatre’s decrepit state years earlier and how he once jokingly advised Lagos officials to ‘plant bombs and blow it up’ because it was ‘irredeemable.’

‘These bankers have got together to make me eat my words. If eating one’s words produces a morsel like this, then it’s a very tasty set of words,’ he quipped to applause.

Soyinka ended on a heartfelt note, thanking all involved in the project:

‘This building owes me. but today, I thank you for doing what I considered impossible. This Centre will inspire generations of artists to follow the example of truth, courage, and creativity.’

A new era for Nigerian creativity

With world-class audio-visual technology, upgraded performance spaces, rehearsal rooms, an African literature library, and seamless integration with the Lagos Blue Line Rail, the Wole Soyinka Centre positions itself as a premier destination for global-standard performances and cultural events.

Mrs. Tola Akerele, the National Theatre’s General Manager/CEO, described the reopening as ‘a foundation for building a globally competitive creative economy’ and emphasized the need for systems and programs to transform the facility into ‘sustainable opportunity’ for young creatives.

‘When you build capacity in the creative sector, you create jobs, empower young people, and position Nigeria to compete globally,’ she said.

As Nigeria looks to diversify its economy, this revitalized landmark stands as both a tribute to the past and a bold bet on the future, a stage not just for performances, but for a national narrative of resilience, innovation, and cultural pride.

The incentives awarded to companies under the NNPCL’s Tax Credit Scheme for road construction were terminated due to delays and poor delivery, Works Minister David Umahi said yesterday.

The minister said this while inspecting the Benin-Warri dual carriageway bypass in Edo State.

Umahi, who was accompanied by Governor Monday Okpebholo, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the continuation of all road projects under the scheme, despite the stoppage.

Acknowledging funding challenges following the termination, the minister recounted how Okpebholo was contacted to take over the first 23 kilometres of the road.

‘The contract was terminated after months of delay and poor work. We appealed to Governor Okpebholo to take over the first 23 kilometres, which he promptly awarded to CBC. The quality of their work is commendable,’ Umahi said.

The minister urged the governor to extend his intervention to an additional nine kilometres, applauding his willingness to collaborate with the Federal Government.

In 2021, the NNPCL launched the first phase of funding road projects with N621.24 billion for 21 roads across the six geopolitical zones.

The affected roads included Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa/Bokani Junction Road (sections I and II) in Kwara and Niger states; the Suleja-Minna Road, and emergency repairs on the Mokwa-Makera-Tegina toward the Kaduna state boundary.

The Nation recalls that in 2023, the NNPCL got approval to invest N1.9 trillion in the reconstruction of 44 federal roads, including the East-West Road, the Port Harcourt-Onne Junction upgrade, the Eket bypass, and the construction of the Nembe-Brass Road in Bayelsa State.

Commenting on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, Umahi said President Tinubu had approved that 100-kilometre stretch of the highway should pass through Edo State.

The minister said Edo was not originally included in the highway’s alignment.

Other states benefiting from the project include Lagos (100 km), Ogun and Ondo (82 km), Akwa Ibom (65 km), and Cross River (27 km).

He said: ‘Mr. President has directed that 100 kilometres by two lanes of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway must now pass through Edo. This is a special gift to the people of Edo.

‘The President, impressed by your governor’s commitment to infrastructure, insisted that the state must benefit.’

Umahi said the President was focused on delivering durable roads designed with reinforced concrete technology to last between 50 and 100 years, despite criticism from some quarters.

The minister decried the appalling condition of federal roads in Edo State inherited by the Tinubu administration, describing them as tragic and unacceptable.

He hailed President Tinubu for his swift intervention and commitment to reversing decades of infrastructural decay across the country.

According to him, no motorist could travel 100 kilometres on federal roads nationwide without encountering major challenges.

‘President Tinubu met an overwhelming situation in terms of roads and bridges. You can’t travel 100 kilometres on federal roads without encountering serious difficulties. But the President is showing resolve, and Nigerians are already commending his efforts,’ said Umahi.

Okpebholo said he intervened because he was disturbed by the sight of multiple accidents and stranded motorists.

‘I almost wept when I saw the number of vehicles, including trailers, that had broken down or fallen on this road. The situation demands urgent action, and I am glad the Minister has joined us to push for solutions.

‘We are determined to fix this road. If I do my part and the Federal Government does its part, nobody will criticise the President. For our people to trust us, we must act. With more contractors on site, this project can be delivered on schedule,’ he said.

Two people have been killed and four wounded outside a Manchester synagogue packed with worshippers on a Jewish holiday, United Kingdom (UK) police said, adding they shot dead the suspect in the ‘terrorist attack’.

Two other people were arrested after the car and stabbing attack, which occurred as Jewish communities around the world mark the Yom Kippur holiday, the holiest in the Jewish calendar.

Police said the two dead victims were Jewish, and declared the attack a ‘terrorist incident’ in the northwest English city.

They revealed they had ‘established the identity’ of the dead suspect, but it was too soon to release it publicly.

The attack also came days before the second anniversary of Hamas’ October 7, 2023 raids on Israel which sparked a fierce offensive in Gaza, inflaming passions in Britain.

‘It’s a very sad day. I live here for like seven years; I’ve seen nothing but kindness and love from the Jewish community. Very, very good people,’ said engineer Sam Martin, 41.

Pupils in selected schools in Abuja displayed brilliance at the annual spelling bee hosted by My Hero Community Development Initiative (MHCDI) in Maitama.

Nine schools and over 200 participants were present, making it a vibrant educational gathering in FCT this year.

The schools included JSS Garki Area 10, JSS Wuse Zone 3, JSS Kado Kuchi, JSS Gwarinpa, JSS Garki II, and JSS Jabi.

It served not only as a test of spelling ability but also as a platform for pupils to showcase confidence, mental alertness, and eloquence.

Winners included first runner-up, Oluwasina Eunice from JSS Garki Area 10; second runner-up: Agwara David from JSS Wuse Zone 3 and third runner-up Omojola Zion Akorede from JSS Kado Kuchi.

Organisers, Damilola Fabolu and Chris Olusa, noted importance of nurturing literacy and self-confidence in young Nigerians.

They noted that competitions like this go beyond spelling, as they instill life skills such as perseverance, discipline, and public speaking in participants.

The atmosphere at Merit House was filled with excitement, cheers, and applause as the pupils rose to the challenge, proving that ‘every letter counts.’ The event underscored MHCDI’s commitment to education, youth empowerment, and building a brighter future for the next generation.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027. He is from the Southwest.

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned its presidential ticket to the South, although there is still controversy over the push for micro-zoning.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is yet to open talks on zoning. But discerning Nigerians know that the camp that came out of the PDP split is better described as ‘Atiku Democratic Congress,’ because the former vice president who is the lead visioner of the inexplicable coalition is likely to be the presidential candidate. The eminent politician is from the Northeast.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso appears to be in a fix. A section is rooting for mass defection to the APC from where the former Kano State governor defected some nine years ago. But notable figures are resisting his move to return to base. All presidential candidates covert the highly populous and electorally viable Kano.

If Kwankwaso stays on in NNPP, he would be firing arrows from a weak point.

Labour Party (LP) is still in disarray, the judgment that affirmed the leadership of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) headed by Senator Esther Nenadi-Usman notwithstanding. The party is the best bet for Peter Obi, who is from the Southeast.

The question is: what are the Northcentral groups, which are also agitating for the presidency, up to as the country warms up for 2027?

If each of the six geo-political zones could have its way, the target is the presidency, the towering base of power and influence. Thus, their leading lights are building up arguments and justifications for rotation and power shift.

The NorthCentral is not left out. Leading the agitation in the region is the Northcentral Renaissance Movement (NCRM), a coalition that has called on the major political parties in the country to cede the presidential ticket or at most, the vice presidential slot to the region during the next general election.

The movement has also declared that APC, PDP and ADC will lose votes from the zone if they fail to acede their demand.

Its chairman and convener, Professor K’tso Nghargbu, urged other geo-political zones to support the Northcentral quest for presidency.

The grouse of the zone, according to the campaigners, is that it has never produced an elected president and vice president since independence.

According to members of the movement, the last time the region produced a president was between 1967 and 2975 when Gen. Yakubu Gowon from Plateau was military Head of State and between 1985 and 1993 when Gen. Ibrahim Babangida was military president. Both were not elected.

Other former Nigerian leaders are President Nnamdi Azikiwe (Southeast), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Northeast), Muritala Mohammed (Northwest), Olusegun Obasanjo (Southwest), Sheu Shagari(Northwest), Muhammadu Buhari (Northwest), Ernest Shonekan (Southwest), Umaru Yar’Adua (Northwest), and Goodluck Jonathan (Southsouth).

The vice presidents are: Alex Ekwueme (Southeast), Atiku Abubakar (Northwest), Jonathan (Southsouth), Namadi Sambo (Northwest), Yemi Osinbajo (Southwest) and Kashim Shettima (Northeast).

The grouse of the Northcentral is thst in this Fourth Republic, it has neither produced either the president or vice president.

The understanding of zoning is that power should rotate between the North (Northwest, Northeast and Northcentral) and South (Southwest, Southeast and Southsouth). This means, according to observers, that Northcentral can only push for micro-zoning when the slot is zoned go the bloc North.

The Northcentral is made up of six states – Niger, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa and Kwara State. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is also part of the zone.

Nghargbu said the current ‘zoning understanding’ has led to the marginalisation of the Northcentral. He said the region is blessed with enormous political resources to solve the leadership challenges confronting the country, especially in the face of the growing bitterness between the far northern political elite and their counterparts from the South.

He said apart from experienced politicians and leaders like Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, who has signified interest to contest for the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the PDP, other top politicians from the zone will be joining the race.

The university don, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, said: ‘Today, we found it dutiful, an act of responsibility towards our people to once more make an appeal to the fact that the North Central geo-political zone seeks, makes requests, makes demand that political parties should cede or rather consider giving a political human capital or human resource from North Central geopolitical zone their presidential ticket.

‘This is important, given the growing disaffection now I’m talking about the political class, growing resentment, growing suspicion, growing bitterness between the northern political elites and their counterparts from the southern part of Nigeria. Once again, the North Central zone surfaces or emerges as the best solution towards national unity.

‘We are appealing to the five other geopolitical zones, and especially the major political parties in Nigeria that they consider giving their presidential ticket to people from the North Central geopolitical zone. We say this with all sense of stewardship to the great country called Nigeria, without any prejudice towards national upliftment and development.’

He added: ‘We say this not as a threat, but emphatically that any political party that despises and continues to despise our position will also be despised by our votes. So Nigerians, Nigerian voting populace, Nigerian political elite, and of course, the major political parties, once again we reiterate that patronising us means having our votes.

‘Despising us means losing our votes. I want to believe that we have spoken adequately to the political conscience of Nigeria, which begs for more peace, tranquilly, and prosperity.’ Nghargbu supported for the move to entrench the independent candidacy in the Constitution, saying it will provide opportunity for aspirants who are denied tickets by political parties to pursue their ambitions independently.

He stressed: ‘The independent candidature is one of the answers. It is one of the solutions that Nigeria is looking towards, checking the excesses of political parties that are money-drunk and godfather-drunk. Let me put it that way. So, the North Central movement is very much in support of the inclusion of independent candidates in the Constitution.’

The group has not elaborated on what it would do that that would affect the chances of parties that ignores its call.

Nghargbu merely warned that ‘any political party that ignores the call will pay at the polls.’

He added: ‘Patronising us means having our votes. Despising us means losing our votes.’

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have called for greater private sector collaboration, innovation and investment to drive sustainable transformation in Nigeria’s tourism sector.

The call was made as the Chamber joined the global community to commemorate World Tourism Day 2025, themed ‘Sustainable Transformation in Tourism.’

The event convened stakeholders from hospitality, agribusiness, and the creative industries to explore new growth opportunities for Lagos and Nigeria at large.

In his welcome remarks, Vice Chairman of the LCCI Hotel and Tourism Sector and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Eko Tourism Foundation, Dr. Tunde Lawrenson, stressed the importance of partnerships and investment as vehicles for sustainability.

LCCI President, Gabriel Idahosa, noted that while challenges remain in the sector, collaboration among private players remains a panacea to unlocking tourism’s potential. He cautioned against over-reliance on government and urged stakeholders to leverage Nigeria’s globally recognized creative industry to boost tourism. He also downplayed insecurity narratives, pointing out that several thriving global destinations contend with similar challenges.

In his keynote address, former President of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria, Comrade Hassan Zakari, emphasized deliberate investment in infrastructure and agri-tourism as essential for long-term industry growth.

Other contributors included Pastor (Dr.) Olarewaju Saba, MD/CEO of St. Chris Properties and Investment Ltd; Dr. Amb. Daniel Olabintan, Chairman of the Elders Group, Travel and Tour; and Mr. Aderoju Owosanya, representing the Chairman/CEO of Xtralarge Farms and Resorts.

An interactive panel session allowed participants to engage directly with industry leaders on pressing issues such as youth participation, infrastructure, and the promotion of local tourism.

At the close of the event, a communiqué outlined resolutions such as increasing Gen Z and youth involvement in tourism development, promoting local tourism through music, film, and cultural heritage, strengthening partnerships across agriculture, hospitality, and the creative economy.

With Lagos as a focal point, this year’s celebration spotlighted agri-tourism and infrastructure investment as critical to repositioning Nigeria’s tourism industry for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.

Nigeria’s longest-running law reporting publication, the Nigerian Weekly Law Reports (NWLR), has assured Nigerians that the publication has remained consistent with the vision and focus of its founder, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN).

Established on October 1, 1985, by Chief Fawehinmi, the NWLR has remained consistent for four decades, making it the longest consecutive weekly law report in Nigeria and across Africa.

Addressing reporters yesterday at the Nigerian Law Publication House in Ikeja, the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee and Editor of the NWLR, Mr. Oluwole Kehinde, said the publication has stayed true to the vision of its founder.

‘Chief Fawehinmi dreamt that the Nigerian Weekly Law Reports would continue even after his demise, and since September 5, 2009, that dream has been sustained,’ Kehinde said.

To mark the milestone, a public lecture will hold on October 9, with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, chairing the event, while a former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), will deliver the keynote address.

The lecture, with the theme: Safeguarding the Legacy of Law Reporting and Embracing the Future in a Technological Era, will examine the role of law reporting in judicial history while charting a path forward in the digital age.

The NWLR has undergone a lot of transformation. Before independence, colonial courts issued official law reports, while private initiatives such as the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (1964-1977) struggled with sustainability.

By the late 1970s, access to Supreme Court judgments was limited to a privileged few. Fawehinmi petitioned the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Chief Justice over the practice, which led to a historic 1984 declaration that Supreme Court judgments are public property.

This paved the way for the birth of the NWLR the following year.

Since then, the NWLR has been published uninterrupted for 40 years and has earned recognition beyond Nigeria, especially across Commonwealth countries that practice common law.

In 2019, the report went online, broadening access for legal practitioners, academics, and the general public worldwide.

Kehinde said the publication’s focus is to preserve Nigeria’s legal heritage while embracing innovation in an increasingly technological era.