Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The NetClan Initiative has achieved another milestone in its quest to promote gender inclusion in technology with the graduation of its second cohort of the Ladies in Network Engineering (LINE) programme, with the majority of participants became Cisco Certified Network Associates (CCNA).

Founded by Abigail Jeffiah and Theodore Chukwudi, the initiative aims to provide opportunities for aspiring network engineers, particularly women, to establish careers in a field often overshadowed by software development and cyber-security.

‘There was no platform where network engineers could motivate each other to upskill,’ Jeffiah explained.

‘We observed more individuals leaving network engineering for other fields, creating a gap, because at the end of the day, every organisation requires a network engineer. That is why we started NetClan-to build that missing community.’

According to Jeffiah, the initiative has steadily grown, with over 30 women sponsored for certification exams since its inception. In the recently concluded cohort, more than 20 participants received full sponsorship, while others were provided vouchers covering up to 50 percent of their exam fees.

‘Seeing another set of students graduate means a lot to me personally,’ she said.

‘This initiative is dear to my heart because, as a female network engineer, I was often the only woman in technical workshops. Now, more women are embracing the field, and we are changing the narrative.’

For Emmanuel Samuel, one of the instructors, the achievement of the cohort reflects the power of mentorship and inclusivity.

‘This milestone is highly significant because it signifies the growing inclusion of women in a field traditionally dominated by men,’ he noted.

‘Seeing a majority of women succeed as CCNA holders demonstrates that, with the right support and opportunities, women can thrive in technology,’ he added.

Graduates of the programme also attested to its impact. Network Security Engineer Odoh Ifunanya JaneFrances described her experience as transformative.

‘I joined because I wanted to understand the underlying operations of networking, especially after failing a job interview,’ she said.

‘Through this program, I gained more than I expected, and it played a key role in helping me land my first job. My advice to aspiring students is that joining NetClan might be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make in your career.’

Other facilitators highlighted the distinct contributions of women in the cohort. Ketcha Karen, a network and network security engineer, praised the collaboration and openness that defined the class.

‘The women demonstrated remarkable teamwork, consistency, and confidence,’ she observed.

‘When women publicly share their achievements, it inspires others to join and assures them they won’t be isolated. That sense of belonging can break barriers in tech.’

Mayaki Ujeh Emmanuel, a network operations engineer, explained that his teaching approach for the second cohort went beyond theory, emphasizing real-world application. ‘Networking is more than configuration and labs. I pushed the ladies to also understand sales, which exposes beginners to different technologies,’ he said.

‘We also gave group projects to build teamwork because, in reality, they will always have to work with others.’

On the value of CCNA, he added: ‘Though it is entry-level, CCNA amplifies knowledge in networking and is highly recognized across the IT industry.’

Mentorship was another key pillar of the programme. Olumayowa Akinkuehinmi, one of the mentors, described it as a fulfilling experience.

Eight traditional rulers in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State on Thursday threatened legal action against Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi.

They also ssued 21-day ultimatum to the monarch to withdraw the alleged false accusation against Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

The monarchs, including the Alasipa of Asipa, Oba Mufutau Oyekanmi; Olulamokun of Yakoyo, Oba Mesharch Oyediran, Alakinlaalu of Akinlaalu, Oba Oluwabusola Oloyede, among others, under the aegis of Origbo Meje Obas, led by the Salu of Edunabon, Oba Kehinde Adesoji, flayed the allegation by Oluwo that Oba Ogunwusi attempted to poison him in a viral video on social media.

Oba Adesoji held that Oluwo’s conduct amounted to insult and gross disrespect to the sacred throne of Oduduwa, describing his allegations against Ooni as criminal defamation and unbecoming of a traditional ruler.

He recalled the activities of Oluwo in the past, which led to his suspension from the meetings of the Osun State Council of Obas after assaulting the Agbowu of Ogbaagba during a peace meeting.

He insisted that the recent outbursts of the Oluwo were aimed at ridiculing the institution of traditional leadership in Yorubaland, warning that such behaviour would no longer be tolerated.

His words: ‘Oluwo has 21 days to write to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to substantiate his allegations or retract them publicly. Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to take legal action against him at the expiration of this ultimatum.’

The monarchs noted that the Ooni of Ife remains the head of all traditional rulers in Yorubaland, describing the Oluwo’s continued outbursts as attempts to gain undue attention.

They stressed that no amount of unruly conduct from the Oluwo of Iwo would diminish the supremacy of the sacred stool of Oduduwa.

The Governor of the National Youth Council of Nigeria Europe Region, Ambassador Collins Osazee Idahosa, a prominent advocate for the creation of Benin State, has intensified efforts to draw attention to the long-standing demand for statehood.

As a leading voice for the Benin people, Ambassador Idahosa is urging the Federal Government to acknowledge the region’s cultural, historical, and economic significance and grant it state status.

This call to action comes amidst growing momentum for state creation initiatives across Nigeria, including the Anioma State creation campaign, which has garnered support from 85 senators and traditional rulers in the South East.

‘The creation of Benin State is not just a matter of regional pride, but also a necessary step towards ensuring equitable representation, autonomy, and development for our people,’ Idahosa said.

While Idahosa called on the National Assembly to prioritize the Benin State creation bill, Benin people are also demanding recognition of their right to self-determination and autonomy, as well as increased investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, which they said is essential for the region’s development.

This development is part of a broader movement for state creation in Nigeria, with proposals for 31 new states being considered by the National Assembly.

It was noted that the creation of the Benin State would address historical imbalances and promote national unity, ultimately contributing to the country’s overall progress and stability.

The National Freedom Party (NEP) has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for rejecting its application for registration as a political party, citing similarities between its logo, a zebra, and the horse logo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The party told reporters at its national Secretariat in Abuja where they raised concerns about the procedural mechanism used by INEC to reject their application.

According to Engr. Donnie Oluwafemi Akingbade, the National Publicity Secretary of the National Freedom Party, the party applied for registration in July 2023 and received an acknowledgment from INEC.

However, after more than two years without communication from INEC, the party was informed that their application had been rejected due to the alleged similarity between their logo and that of the SDP.

Akingbade pointed out that the party had complied with all the necessary requirements for registration as stipulated in the Electoral Act. He cited specific sections of the Act to show that the party had met all the conditions for registration and should have been granted approval by INEC.

The party’s Protem National Chairman, Dr. Anthony Harmattan, called on President Tinubu and the international community to intervene and ensure that the party is registered in accordance with the law. He warned that any further delay in the registration process could jeopardize the upcoming 2027 elections.

The National Freedom Party emphasised that their goal is to promote freedom and dignity for all Nigerians and work with the government to improve the lives of the people.

They urged INEC to reconsider their decision and register the party without further delay.

The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the ongoing Abuja-Keffi road rehabilitation project within the stipulated deadline of December 2026.

Speaking during an inspection visit to the Maraba-Nyanyan section site on Thursday, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, said the project, which commenced in December 2023, spans 43.6 kilometres from the Keffi-bound section, with 41 kilometres completed up to Binda, representing 50 percent progress.

The project, being executed by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme and funded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), was awarded on April 19, 2023, commenced on December 20, 2023, and was initially scheduled for completion in May 2026.

Noting that the Abuja-Keffi dual carriageway is one of the busiest routes into the Federal Capital Territory, serving thousands of commuters daily, Goronyo explained that the major challenge lies on the Abuja-bound section, particularly a three-kilometre stretch prone to flooding.

‘A lot of people coming from the Keffi-Nyanya axis experience serious difficulty crossing into Abuja city. We immediately directed the contractor to put in palliative measures and create a route to ease movement,’ he said.

According to him, work on the section will be carried out mainly at night to reduce disruption to traffic.

‘The contractor must fully mobilise to the site. We are not happy with the suffering commuters face daily on this arterial road. It is a key corridor for civil servants and residents, and people must have ease of movement,’ he stressed.

The Minister, who was accompanied by ministry officials and representatives of the contracting firm, said the government will ensure strict monitoring to guarantee timely completion.

‘We don’t want to see this problem persist. The contractor must finish within the stipulated period,’ he emphasised.

The Project Manager of China Harbour Engineering Company, the contractor handling the project, Dong Hong, assured that the firm remains committed to meeting the deadline.

‘We have the confidence to finish this project on time with the highest quality. Much of the work is now being done at night to meet the schedule,’ he said.

A non-governmental organisation, Iykon Global Foundation, in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has officially unveiled a web-based test engine system and online learning for Nigerian students, both at secondary and undergraduate levels.

It is aimed at enabling students to excel in their educational pursuits and reduce the incidents of abysmal failures.

Speaking during the unveiling of learning platform in Asaba, Delta State capital yesterday, the Executive Director, Iykon Global Foundation, Ambassador Ephraim Ikechukwu Nwonu, said the essence of the initiative was to assist Nigerian students to enable them to pass their examinations with ease and reduce the incidents of failures among students in WAEC, NECO, JAMB and other examining bodies.

He also said the platform would keep the students well informed and also to complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitments to improving education in his Renewed Hope Agenda policy.

Nwonu said: ‘The whole essence of this initiative is to assist Nigerian students to be able to pass their examinations, including job seekers to be well informed ahead.

‘Also, the initiative will go a long way in complementing the wonderful commitments of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the education sector. I also commend the President for the NELFUND programme for students to have access to education.

‘It is expected that this initiative will serve as an antidote to JAMB, WAEC, and NECO examinations’ abysmal failure, especially in recent times. Job seekers and graduates can also benefit from this all-important initiative.’

Also speaking during the flag off, the President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Olushola Oladoja, said the web-based test engine system speaks directly to the struggle and advocacy for students to have access to qualitative and affordable education enhanced by technology. He added that the initiative was not just a project but a tool for empowerment, a bridge to excellence, and a strategic response to the evolving educational demands of the 21st century.

He maintained that Nigerian students had been constrained by inadequate learning resources, poor access to practical platforms, and the gap between classroom knowledge and exams preparedness.

Pharmacists across Nigeria must urgently embrace technology to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, Pharm. John Omale has said.

Speaking at the opening of the 3-day Business Summit 3.0 organized by the Abuja chapter of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Omale stressed that outdated practices can no longer address today’s challenges.

‘Our practices as professionals must evolve to remain meaningful and effective. We cannot continue doing things the same way and expect different results.’

Technology must be at the heart of that transformation’ he said.

Delivering the keynote on the theme: ‘Technology Infusion in Healthcare Practices: The Panacea for the Future of Community Pharmacy’, Omale argued that digital tools are no longer optional, stressing, ‘Technology enables us to solve problems, improve efficiency, and achieve sustainable growth.

‘However, we must also recognize that the market, regulations, and mainstream practices are shifting. To survive and thrive, we must adapt, innovate, and adopt standards that ensure quality and profitability without compromising ethical values.’

He linked sustainability in pharmacy to innovation and problem-solving, not inefficiency, ‘Money flows to solutions. When we solve problems effectively, opportunities and resources naturally follow

‘Stronger reliance on data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and innovation is the only way to go,’ Omale said.

Omale highlighted the growing complexity of modern healthcare, stressing the need for patient-specific care and safety in drug use.

‘Technology can help us manage these complexities, improve patient safety, and deliver higher-quality services,’ he noted.

He warned that the benefits of technology would not materialize without investment in people, emphasizing, ‘We must also prioritize training and continuous learning.

‘The world of healthcare is dynamic, and professionals must stay ahead of developments in science, technology, and regulation. Only then can we build a system where every patient receives appropriate, safe, and effective treatment’.

On the challenges facing the profession, Omale identified outdated practices, resistance to change, inadequate standardization, limited access to digital tools, and gaps in regulatory compliance and ethical delivery.

‘Our collective goal should be to modernize our systems, standardize practices, and ensure ethical service delivery. By embracing change and adopting new tools, we can transform healthcare into a system that is patient-centred and sustainable for the future,’ he noted.

The Chairman of ACPN, FCT chapter, Aloba Olatunji, described the summit as a platform to empower members and sustain continuous professional learning.

‘As professionals, we don’t stop learning. This summit is designed to put knowledge back into our members, helping us adapt to what is trending in society. The theme for this year is ‘Technological Infusion into Healthcare Practice,” he said.

He noted that while artificial intelligence is being projected as a disruptor, Africa’s peculiar health realities mean pharmacists remain indispensable.

‘Pharmacists in Africa deal with tropical medicine, which technology cannot fully replace. Our members need to be empowered to integrate technology into their practice,’ he explained.

He said an incentive initiative put in place during the summit was necessary to support members facing difficult business environments.

‘Some of our members are doing well, while others are not. Collectively, many are struggling. Information is power, so we need to constantly pass it across so they can blend with what is happening in society,’ he said.

Olatunji also appealed to Nigerians to be patient with government reforms and always seek professional guidance in drug use. ‘A beautiful diagnosis without the right drug, dose, and duration will not give you a beautiful result,’ he cautioned.

On drug regulation, he assured: ‘No pharmacy manned by a licensed pharmacist will dispense prescription drugs irrationally. Your license is at stake. On fake and substandard drugs, ACPN is working with NAFDAC and NDLEA to ensure they are flushed out of society.’

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Board of Pharmacist Fellows for Abuja and Nasarawa commended ACPN for hosting the summit, describing it as ‘a valuable platform to advance pharmacy practice.’

He urged members to ‘remain focused on professional goals despite distractions’ and stressed the importance of unity in pursuing common objectives.

Also delivering goodwill on behalf of the NDLEA FCT Commandant, a representative reaffirmed the agency’s close partnership with pharmacists, calling them the ‘frontline interface with the people.’

He warned of the rising tide of substance abuse and stressed that pharmacists must play an ethical role in preventing misuse.

He commended ACPN for creating a platform to strengthen collaboration, saying the summit was vital in ‘tackling substance abuse and promoting responsible healthcare delivery.’

The empowerment incentives, sponsored by one of the stakeholders include cars, televisions, refrigerators, and other consolation prizes, while the FCT chapter also packaged inverters for members to power their premises in case of outages.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Olaniyan Taiwo, has called for accountable representation in government.

He rejoiced with people of Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola and Iwajowa local government areas of Oyo State as they joined fellow Nigerians to mark the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

A statement by Olaniyan noted that as Nigeria marked her 65th independence anniversary, it is vital to acknowledge the progress made so far and challenges facing people, particularly, communities within the four local governments.

According to him, there is need for people in the four council areas to put up collective efforts required to build a stronger and developed Constituency, so as to complement efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in building a better nation.

Olaniyan charged people in the communities, Oke Ogun and Oyo North to genuinely support President Tinubu and ensure they rallied round him to another victory in 2027, which according to him will be in appreciation to the dividend of democracy the President has given them.

He said: ‘Let us maintain our faith with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at national rebirth, economic transformation and collective prosperity.’

He urged people in the four local government areas to develop spirit of working together towards a brighter future for themselves and yet unborn generation.

Olaniyan declared readiness to support efforts of people in the communities irrespective of their status towards achieving a prosperous and developed Constituency where they can thrive and reach their full potential.

The Chief of Special Services and Programmes of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdulsalam, has said the current welfare of soldiers is the best since the creation of the force.

He said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, had, since his assumption of office, made soldiers’ welfare his top priority.

Abdulsalam spoke after inaugurating the newly completed blocks of 18 rooms and flats constructed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, as transit accommodation for the general officers and staff at Bori Camp in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

He said: ‘The welfare of soldiers has never been as good as it is now since the creation of the Nigerian Army. Many welfare aspects of the soldiers have been tackled.

‘The ration cash allowance of soldiers has been doubled since the Chief of Army Staff came. Many issues about soldiers have been handled; their medical and accommodation, including the education of their wards and children. All the things provided for them are excellent, top-notch.’

Abdulsalam, the immediate past GOC of 6 Division, said the transit accommodation, codenamed Python Camp, was in line with the command philosophy of the COAS on staff welfare.

He said: ‘You can see that everything within the complex is meant for soldiers. He has been able to build this edifice that will accommodate nothing less than 40 to 50 soldiers.

‘It is a commendable project, and this is what the Army is all about everywhere. Everybody wants to emulate what the Chief of Army Staff is doing.’

Maj.-Gen. Emekah lauded the achievements of his predecessor in the division, saying the project was done in the spirit of continuity.

Addressing Abdulsalam, the GOC said: ‘It is an addition to the laudable achievements recorded under your command and it reflects the drive to align with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy as it relates to troops’ welfare, the provision of befitting living and working conditions.

‘The project stands as tangible evidence of continuity, growth, and sheer commitment to the well-being of our personnel.’

According to him, construction work is also ongoing on a 60-unit block of flats within the division.

The GOC explained that the project was designed to address the accommodation deficit faced by officers and to complement the solid foundation his predecessor laid down during his tenure.

Emekah said Abdulsalam’s legacies remained enduring and assured him that they would be preserved and improved upon.

Sir: American comedian and talk show host, Bill Maher, recently stirred up a hornet’s nest when he claimed during a Friday episode of Real Time with Bill Maher that there is genocide of Christians in Nigeria. According to him, more than 100,000 Christians have been killed since 2009 and 18,000 churches have been burned.

There is a popular saying often attributed to Abraham Lincoln: ‘Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.’ Bill Maher did not just speak out of turn, he exposed his ignorance.

Every Nigerian knows that the killings by bandits and insurgents in Nigeria are across the board. They bear no religious colouration. Muslims have died, Christians have died, and traditional worshippers too have not been spared. Whole communities have been displaced irrespective of their faith.

From Katsina to Zamfara, Niger, and other northern states, bandits have attacked mosques, killing Muslim worshippers even while they prayed. That is what makes Bill Maher’s statement, and the claim of some Western commentators about a so-called jihad war in Nigeria, not just misleading but laughable.

Perhaps Bill Maher thought that by claiming a Christian genocide in Nigeria, Christians would rise up against Muslims and the country would collapse. After all, foreign experts once predicted that Nigeria would disintegrate in 2015. I am sure they are still surprised that the country remains standing strong despite its numerous challenges.

If there is anything I have deduced from Bill Maher’s fake news, it is that Nigerians are wiser now. Bill would be disappointed reading some of the comments from Christians in Nigeria rubbishing his statement on social media. We know who our common enemies are when we see them.

Those killing innocent citizens in Nigeria are not Muslims, they are not Christians, they are not traditional worshippers. In truth, they are not even human, because they lack humanity. The only name of their religion is cruelty. They exist to maim, to massacre, and to tear apart the very fabric of our society. The fight has always been less about religion or ethnicity and more about resource control and criminality. And it is just a matter of time before the wind blows and the fowl’s buttock is laid bare.

This is why it is dangerous when people like Bill Maher reduce a complex national tragedy into a simplistic religious headline. Such careless statements not only distort reality but also hand fuel to extremists and opportunists who thrive on division.

Bill Maher and his co-travellers in fake news want to feed off our ethnic and religious fault lines and sow more seeds of discord. We must resist this trap. Our story is ours to tell. If we allow foreigners to define our struggles, they will also define our destiny. Before they divide us further with their careless narratives, let us strengthen our unity, confront our challenges with honesty, and tell our story ourselves, because if we don’t, others will twist it against us.

As Chinua Achebe wisely said: ‘Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.’