Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Police in Ebonyi State have arrested three suspects in connection with a gunshot incident that disrupted the Students’ Union Government (SUG) election at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.

The incident occurred on Monday at the College of Agricultural Science campus during the announcement of election results, when gunshots were reportedly fired to disperse students.

According to the report, a student was hit by a stray bullet and rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, for urgent treatment.

Police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu confirmed the arrests on Tuesday, naming the suspects as Lawrence Azubuike, Ibe Kenneth, and Njoku Joshua. He added that a locally made pistol was recovered.

Ukandu said the suspects remain in custody and will be arraigned after investigations.

He further noted that the Commissioner of Police, Adaku Uche-Anya, has assured the public of the command’s commitment to peace and security, urging officers to remain professional and accountable while intensifying efforts to curb crime, especially as the festive season approaches.

The Akoko Youths Forum (AYF) in Ondo State has launched the distribution of business start-up tools and financial support to empower over 40 young entrepreneurs, in a bid to tackle unemployment and boost economic growth across Akokoland.

The empowerment programme held in Ugbe Akoko, Akoko North-East Local Government Area, formed part of the activities at the Forum’s annual summit, which attracted young business owners and community stakeholders.

President of the Forum, Engr. Blessing James Akeju described the initiative as a milestone in the Forum’s commitment to youth empowerment and economic development.

‘Today represents a historic moment in the history of this organization. We have been able to change the lives of 40 young persons in Akoko by empowering them to build a life for themselves,’ Akeju said, stressing that the support would enable beneficiaries to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

He further lauded the resilience of Akoko youths and assured them of the continued support of the Forum’s national executives.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Regent Tinuade Babalola, represented by Prince Temitope Obamuwagun, urged the youths to embrace peace and unity, noting that the development of Akoko depends largely on their collective resolve to work together.

Guest speaker at the summit, Dr. Bayo Fasunwon challenged the youths to maximize their talents, steer clear of vices such as cultism and internet fraud, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and academic pursuits.

He also reiterated his call for the creation of Ose State, which he argued would accelerate development and economic growth in the region.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Akoko North-East Local Government Area, Hon. Mutiu Olawale Mohammed, applauded the AYF leadership for initiating the empowerment scheme, which he said aligns with his vision of seeing young people thrive and live decently in society.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has resolved the labour dispute between the Emohua Local Government Area and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the state.

Fubara’s intervention followed the declaration of seven-day warning strike in all the 23 local government areas to protest the refusal of the state Chairman, Dr Chidi Lloyd to suspend the salaries of about 300 workers in his council.

The governor reportedly summoned Lloyd and the state leadership of NULGE to a meeting in Government House where he brokered a peace deal between the warring parties.

Speaking after the meeting, Lloyd thanked the state governor for his intervention saying Fubara issued a clear directive that brought them on the same page.

He said, ‘I have to in a very special way thank the Governor of Rivers State for his intervention in what would have been a disagreement between NULGE and management of Emohua Local Government Area

‘The governor has issued very clear directives and we are all on the same page. He has further directed that the Council and the Local Government Service Commission should take it further. We will come out very soon with all that we have agreed.

‘I also thank the President of NULGE for appealing to his workers to call off the strike. We will move forward, it is nothing personal, we just want to ensure transparency in the system. I want to commend the governor for being on the side of transparency’.

In his remarks, NULGE President, Rivers State, Clifford Paul, said the governor directed that the matter should be handled harmoniously.

‘So, on behalf of the State Council of NULGE I enjoin all our members to resume work. All the branch chairmen and the state officers are hereby directed to call off the strike’, he said.

The Chairman of the state Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Israel Amadi, commended the governor for his intervention.

‘His Excellency has given his mandate and we want to use this opportunity to thank him for intervening. And we hope that everything that we have discussed and resolved will be implemented as we also thank NULGE for their collaboration and cooperation’, he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will today present the book ‘A Decade of Impactful Progressive Governance In Nigeria’ written by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma in Owerri.

The President is on a one-day visit to the ‘Heartland of the Southeast’.

Governors, business leaders, senior figures of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and many influential Nigerians are expected in the Imo State capital for the event.

Other assignments of the President include inauguration of key developmental projects undertaken by Governor Uzodimma, who is the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) and a major ally of the President.

Among the projects are roads, the iconic Assumpta Flyover, and the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre, venue of the book presentation.

The book is to showcase the achievements of the APC led federal government in the last 10 years – spanning the eight-year tenure of the late President Muhammadu Buhari and two years of President Tinubu.

Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Declan Emelumba told reporters that APC governors were expected to give solidarity to their chairman.

According to him, the APC national chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, will lead the National Working Committee of the party as well as the state chairmen to the event.

The Sultan of Sokoto, the Ooni of Ife and the Obi of Onitsha will lead revered Nigerian traditional leaders to Owerri while the Chairman of Imo State Council of Ndi Eze ,Eze Godwin Okeke will be on hand to receive them.

He said captains of industry, academia, labour leaders, market women, and students will also attend the ceremony as a reflection of the broad acceptance of the author by a spectrum of the Nigerian society.

He explained that security agencies are fully prepared to guarantee the security of the lives of guests before, during, and after the ceremony.

Emelumba enjoined Imo citizens to troop out in their numbers to welcome President Tinubu and accord the guests the famed hospitality of the people of the state.

A Nigerian biochemist, Dr. Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo, is putting familiar food on a serious scientific footing. In his peer-reviewed work titled ‘Exploring beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) for diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease dual therapy’. His team revealed how the use of modern laboratory assays and computer simulations to reveal the natural compounds of beetroot can affect multiple biological targets relevant to both type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

The research does not claim a cure; however it lays out a rigorous, step-by-step route from garden plants to standardized, testable health products.

The kind that can be studied in clinical trials, priced affordably, and made locally to international standards.

Why this research and why now?

Nigeria faces a growing burden of diabetes, with complications that damage the kidneys, liver, eyes, and nerves. As Nigeria’s population ages, the prevalence of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, is expected to rise as well.

Many families struggle with limited access to specialist care and the high cost of long-term medicines.

At the same time, Nigeria has rich biodiversity and a population that already trusts medicinal plants.

Dr. Ojo’s motivation was simple and urgent: can we apply top-tier science to familiar plants so that, where appropriate, they become safe, standardized, affordable adjuncts to care rather than guesswork?

What the beetroot study actually did:

Dr. Ojo’s research team tested beetroot via a two-pronged approach –

In vitro pharmacology: Laboratory assays against key diabetes carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes (such as a-amylase and a-glucosidase, which drive postmeal sugar spikes) and Alzheimer’s-relevant targets (such as cholinesterase and monoamine oxidases linked to memory and cognition) were performed.

Computational modeling: Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were then used to determine whether beetroot flavonoids can bind stably to those targets under realistic conditions.

The results revealed that certain beetroot compounds consistently engaged multiple targets across both diseases, providing a dual-therapy rationale.

This suggests that beetroot can be prioritized for further development not because it is ‘natural’ but because its chemistry maps to the biology we care about.

What does this mean for health care in Nigeria?

Affordable adjunctive therapy, not miracle cures. Standardized beetroot extracts, if proven safe and effective in human studies, could help smooth postmeal blood sugar spikes and support brain health pathways, complementing (not replacing) doctor-prescribed treatments.

Instead of buying random ‘herb mixes,’ people could access labeled, batch-consistent products with known doses and safety information.

Nigeria can cultivate beetroot and other validated plants under good agricultural and collection practices (GAC), process them in NAFDAC-inspected facilities, and create jobs from farm to laboratory to pharmacy.

What the Federal Government can do right now

What the government can do right now includes the following:

1) Create a translational botanical fund under TETFund/NRF to move promising candidates (compounds) through:

Standardization (marker compounds, batch specs),

Early safety (toxicology screens),

Pilot clinical trials (Phase I/II trials with clear metabolic and cognitive endpoints).

2) Regional laboratories with core equipment, bioassays, stability testing, and small-scale good manufacturing practices are suitable for pilot batches.

This cuts costs and delays for universities, start-ups, and SMEs.

3) Issue clear guidance on marker-based specifications, stability, cleaning validation, and documentation, so research teams know exactly how to prepare for human studies and, ultimately, product registration.

4) Fix procurement bottlenecks by providing FX windows and customs support for research reagents and equipment, with oversight to ensure transparency and performance.

5) Back Export-Ready Grants that help projects meeting international standards (GMP, validated analytics, ethical sourcing) scale for regional and global markets and health and nonoil revenue in one policy move.

The bigger picture

Dr. Ojo’s beetroot work is not about replacing doctors with vegetables. It is about meeting Nigerians where we are with science strong enough to turn what’s familiar into something safe, standardized, and genuinely helpful. With targeted government support and smart industry partnerships, Nigeria can move from talking about natural products to making world-class products that are good for patients, good for researchers, and good for the economy.

Indeed, Dr. Ojo is a Nigerian scholar whose career spans almost two decades. His academic journey began with a strong foundation in biochemistry. He earned his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in first-class honors from Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Nigeria, in 2010. This early achievement set the stage for a distinguished career marked by continuous learning and specialization. He furthered in his education by obtaining a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Biochemistry from Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, in 2015. His doctoral studies culminated in a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, in 2019. This comprehensive educational background equipped him with a deep understanding of biochemical principles and research methodologies, forming the bedrock of his future contributions.

Dr. Ojo’s career trajectory reflects a steady ascent through academic ranks, marked by increasing responsibilities and influence. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Turku, Finland. He served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Bowen University, Nigeria, before his postdoctoral appointment.

Additionally, he lectured at the Department of Biochemistry, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State and Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, where he began his academic career in 2011. His dedication to academia extends beyond teaching, as evidenced by his role as Head of Department, Project and Seminar Coordinator for both undergraduates and postgraduates, Academic Adviser, a member of the research committee and a member of the accreditation committee, among others, who dovetails with his editorial roles for journals such as PLOS ONE, Biomed Research International and Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

His commitment to education is further highlighted by his successful supervision of both undergraduate and postgraduate students to date, underscoring his role in nurturing young talent and guiding it through their initial scientific endeavors. Dr. Ojo’s teaching portfolio includes a range of specialized courses, such as Introduction to Molecular Biology, Tissue Biochemistry and Immunochemistry, Introduction to Biotechnology, Hormonal Biochemistry, and Advanced Plant Biochemistry, among others, demonstrating his broad expertise and ability to impart complex scientific knowledge.

Dr. Ojo’s impactful work has garnered significant recognition throughout his career. He was elected as an AAS Affiliate by The African Academy of Sciences for his substantial contributions to the study of metabolism and diabetes through harnessing the potential of African medicinal plants and natural product sources. He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Biochemical Society, UK, and Royal Society of Chemistry, UK, Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NSBMB), The Finnish Society for Bioinformatics, Finland, and a member of the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA), Finland Chapter fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within his field. He has been appointed as an external examiner for both doctoral and master’s thesis examinations at the University of Western Cape, South Africa, North-West University, South Africa, and Murdoch University, Western Australia. He has won several research grants and awards both nationally and internationally, including a Seeding Labs Instrumental Access award, multiple Bowen University Research Grants, and researcher development/travel support from the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK, and the Biochemical Society, UK. In 2023, he won the Global Excellence Stature Fellowship 4.0 in support of your postdoctoral research in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Trained in Nigeria for much of his work and currently engaged in international collaborations, he has published widely on metabolic disease and neuroprotection and has served on editorial boards. His work is best known for turning ‘herbal claims’ into chemistry-linked, mechanism-anchored pharmacological evidence that clinicians and regulators can actually use.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated Nigeria’s readiness to partner with credible global investors, particularly Nigerians in the diaspora and ‘sons of the soil.’

He described such partnership as part of efforts to secure energy independence and deliver modern infrastructure to power prosperity across Africa.

The President made the declaration in Lagos yesterday after separate meetings with two of the country’s foremost global investment figures – Hakeem Belo-Osagie of Metis Capital and Bayo Ogunlesi of Global Infrastructure Partners and BlackRock.

The tips of the engagements were shared on the President’s verified X handle – @officialABAT.

The tweet reads: ‘We agreed on the urgency of unlocking large-scale investments in upstream oil and gas and critical infrastructure to drive Nigeria’s long-term growth.’

Stressing that such partnerships were essential to transform the nation’s economic trajectory, the President noted that his administration’s reforms are already reshaping the investment climate.

‘Our administration’s reforms are creating a better enabling environment whilst opening new frontiers for sustainable financing, global capital, and transformative projects. We are determined to make Nigeria Africa’s premier investment destination,’ the President said.

The engagements with Belo-Osagie and Ogunlesi form part of Tinubu’s ongoing drive to attract investments into Nigeria’s energy and infrastructure sectors, considered critical pillars of his Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA).

Five-time FIFA U 17 world champions, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria will tackle the Black Starlets of Ghana in the second semi-final of the ongoing WAFU-B U17 Championship at the Stade Charles Konan Banny on Tuesday. Kick-off is 8pm Nigeria time.

The Golden Eaglets have been in good form in the tournament, scoring four goals and conceding only one, in the process amassing four points to top the three-team group B.

On their part, Ghana’s Black Starlets struggled to qualify to this stage. The team played 1-1 with Togo in their opening game in group A, came short with three goals’ deficit against host Cote d’Ivoire in their second game and were on the verge of crashing out when the score line stood at 1-1 against Niger Republic, before two late goals in second half secured a win and qualification for semi-final.

Therefore, this semi-final clash between the two West African giants promises to be an interesting encounter. However, the Eaglets have recorded more victories against their counterparts in the WAFU-B U17 Championship. Golden Eaglets defeated the Black Starlets 4-2 in the opening game of the 2022 edition hosted by Ghana in the city of Cape Coast. The same shouts of victory echoed in the camp of Golden Eaglets when the team defeated Black Starlets 3-2 in the bronze medal clash of the last edition held in Accra, Ghana.

Another win for the Golden Eaglets in Tuesday’s clash will not only secure a berth in the final, but also qualification to the 2026 Africa U17 Cup of Nations.

The technical director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Gabriel Okon, has enthused that athletics can strongly and favourably impact on the Nigerian sports economy.

Okon, who just returned from the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, noted that Nigeria is endowed with numerous talented athletes that are making positive strides in promoting the country’s image internationally.

The former Nigeria International athlete, has therefore, called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) to take concrete steps in providing sufficient financial support for the development of these athletes.

‘As of today, Tobi Amusan, Nigeria’s 100mH World Champion, holds a record time of (12:12s.) and by propagating Amusan’s achievement, Nigeria can encourage others to take up sports but this endeavour requires substantial funding,’ said the former sprinter.’

‘Examples from South Africa, Jamaica, and other nations demonstrate how world-class athletes can drive sports development through targeted investments.’

The AFN TD faulted the common chorus of ‘lack of fund’ often expressed by government officials, describing it as retrogressive for the growth and development of athletics in Nigeria.

‘We don’t just attend Championships, we also learnt from how others are achieving their podium finish,’ Okon said.

He emphasized that countries achieving podium finishes in World Athletics Championships and Olympic Games invested heavily in their athletes over multiple seasons.

He argued that sports funding should come from consolidated investment funds rather than yearly budgetary allocations or personal funds.

According to him, athletes require training grants, competitions, trainers, medical care, equipment, and welfare, none of which should be compromised due to lack of funds.

Okon noted that countries like Turkey, Qatar, Spain, and Saudi Arabia lure athletes from other nations with substantial funding, leading some to change their names and forgo recognition under their birth names.

The Coach also stressed that Nigerian athletics require substantial funding, as the current ad-hoc approach has hindered many of the country’s top athletes to achieve podium finishes.

Tension gripped Akinlalu community in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State on Tuesday after gunmen ambushed a patrol team of the Amotekun Corps, leaving three people dead.

The Nation learnt that the assailants had earlier attacked a farmland in the area, prompting a resident to alert Amotekun operatives in Ile-Ife. However, as the patrol team made its way to the community, the gunmen, already aware of their movement, launched a deadly ambush.

Confirming the incident, Osun Amotekun Public Relations Officer, Yusuf Abass, said the patrol team was attacked while heading to Akinlalu to confront a group that had been terrorising the community.

He added that during the assault, the assailants also carted away two service rifles belonging to the operatives.

He said, ‘However, the outfit reinforced operatives who went to the town. At the T-junction leading into Akinlalu, the road was found barricaded by the assailants, who immediately opened fire on the operatives, triggering a fierce gun battle that lasted for over an hour.

‘Amotekun operatives successfully overpowered the gunmen and three lives were lost, we arrested three while several others sustained injuries and fled the scene.’

He added that the outfit recovered two firearms along with force uniforms and berets used by the hoodlums for impersonation.

These items were discovered in a hideout believed to be connected to the attackers.

Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has increased the monthly subvention to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso by N35m to ease operational challenges.

He spoke in Ogbomoso on Tuesday while meeting with professional bodies at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, over the ongoing industrial action by the bodies.

The Governor, who later visited the Soun of Ogbomoso in his palace, assured the monarch and people of his administration’s readiness to commence the reconstruction of inner roads in the town.

Makinde, after listening to the demands of representatives of different bodies at the teaching hospital, announced immediate measures aimed at addressing the situation, including the plan to immediately constitute a Governing Council for the hospital, approval of a monthly stipend of ?80,000 for 65 non-staff security personnel working at the hospital while instructing that they should be integrated into the hospital’s system as adhoc staff.

Other measures announced by the Governor included the approval of the payment of accumulated promotion arrears totaling ?219 million, which is to be disbursed in three equal installments in October, November, and December 2025 and a promise to offset the arrears of the new minimum wage, covering the period from January to August 2025, in three tranches, also payable from October to December 2025.

The Governor also highlighted steps that the government would take to bring about long-term resolutions of the crisis and bring lasting solutions to the institution’s challenges, adding that the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Annex in Oyo would be completed before the end of his administration in 2027.

He stated that some demands involving the review of salary structures would be addressed by the Governing Council of the hospital once it is put in place, adding that the demands raised by students of Nursing would also be addressed.

According to him: ‘This engagement is in fulfillment of what I told you when I was going round asking for your support, which you gave to me and I thank you for that. You have done your part and we are doing ours. You don’t have to beg us before we do what you want.

‘Some of the challenges that you raised have been noted. They are things I thought had been solved but they have not. That is the nature of challenges; when you are faced with challenges, if you solve the problem, it will go away, and if it is not solved, it will come back, and you have to take another go at it.

‘There are major things recurring and one of them is the issue of the Governing Council for LAUTECH Teaching Hospital. I want to assure you that before the end of this week, you will have a Governing Council. They will be here all the time and we will also give them a mandate, and a timeframe within which to achieve those things.

‘We will give the new Governing Council a list of things that we want them to accomplish within a period of time. And, for us, we will support them. You should also support them.’

Makinde maintained that the industrial action and most of the demands by the professional bodies centred on the issue of welfare and that his administration would never shy away from putting in place sustainable efforts towards addressing the issue of welfare.

He noted, however, that workers must also recognise the paramount need to develop the infrastructure of the state and ensure that it is liveable for residents and the coming generations, hence the need for those in government to manage resources with a view to ensuring a balance in the discharge of their responsibilities.