Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The set-man of Victory Life Bible Church International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, has lauded the Federal Government’s Student Loan Scheme as a step towards bolstering education.

Speaking in Abeokuta on Nigeria’s 65th Independence, Achudume described the initiative as a ‘right step’ that holds promise for widening access to tertiary education.

‘This move by Federal Government is poised to make a difference in supporting learners,’ he said.

Achudume underscored the necessity of shielding such a programme from political manoeuvring, noting empowerment efforts often fall short due to politicisation.

‘When government support meant for beneficiaries like market women doesn’t reach them because of political games, it undermines progress,’ he cautioned.

In his assessment of Nigeria’s developmental landscape, Apostle Achudume pointed to contrasts between the nation’s global diaspora achievements and domestic hurdles.

‘Nigerians abroad are cutting-edge contributors in healthcare, tech, and academia, showcasing their capability. Domestically, however, we grapple with infrastructural deficits and leadership gaps hindering performance.’

The cleric decried hardship affecting Nigerians and criticised vote-buying during polls involving petty hand-outs.

‘Nigerians deserve leaders who grasp their daily struggles – we need grassroots leadership feeling the pulse of the common man,’ Apostle Achudume emphasized.

Advocating for conducive frameworks, he stressed that Nigeria requires ecosystems nurturing business growth and intellectual pursuits.

‘Nigeria at 65 has traversed a path – there’s potential for far greater strides with right stewardship,’ Achudume noted.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has threatened legal action against Eze Chikamnayo, also known as Iyierioba Chikamnayo, for ‘defamatory and malicious’ publications against him.

In an October 2 letter signed by his counsel, Dr. Sonny Ajala (SAN), Otti demanded a written retraction, public apology, and compensation of N100 billion from Chikamnayo.

The governor accused the former commissioner of persistently publishing libellous posts on his Facebook page, ‘Iyierioba Chikamnayo.’

Among the publications were those titled ‘Alex Otthief is a confirmed criminal and disaster!’ (September 22, 2025), ‘Fighting Promax!!!!’ (September 21, 2025), ‘Old or new Abia?’ (September 14, 2025), ‘Sabbath Message’ (September 13, 2025), and ‘Alex Otthief is a confirmed criminal and congenital liar = looting governor!’ (August 15, 2025).

Ajala, of Deeplaw Associates, said the posts were targeted at Otti, noting ‘our client, for the avoidance of doubt, is the only governor and chief executive of a state in the 36 states of Nigeria who bears the name Alex Chioma Otti. Thus, no effort is required by the public to link all your spiteful, false and defamatory attacks to him.’

He said Otti is a man of integrity with a distinguished career in banking, where he rose to managing director/chief executive of Diamond Bank Plc before entering politics.

The letter said Otti noticed the Facebook posts on September 29, while in Abuja for the conferment of SAN on the attorney-general.

Ajala said Otti ‘denies your malicious defamatory materials,’ emphasising that the governor has no criminal indictment or conviction by any court of law. He added that the posts inflicted ‘mental torture, depression, denigration, and brutal destruction of his reputation built over decades.’

The governor is demanding a written retraction of the posts on the same Facebook page and in four national newspapers. He is also seeking a written public apology on the same page, compensation of N100 billion, and an undertaking to desist from such poswts.

The letter warned that failure to comply in seven days would leave Otti with no option but to seek redress in court.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for stronger collaboration among state emergency management agencies (SEMAs), to enhance Nigeria’s preparedness and response to disasters.

He made the call at the maiden national State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) conference held in Ikeja, Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said the summit’s theme: ‘Strengthening Sub-National Emergency Management for a Resilient Nigeria’, underscored the need for coordinated strategies to confront floods, epidemics, fires, industrial accidents and the growing threat of climate change.

He said resilience at the national level depended on how prepared state-level agencies were to manage emergencies.

Highlighting Lagos’ own interventions, the governor said his administration had upgraded Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) with new rescue equipment, digital monitoring tools, improved toll-free emergency lines and a mobile app with GPS tracking.

He also listed the establishment of a Simulation Centre for scenario-based training, expansion of Lagos Response Unit (LRU), with modern ambulances and fire trucks synchronisation of hospital management services with emergency response to monitor availability of bed spaces and closest facility to offer needed care to victims, as well as partnerships with international agencies and grassroots volunteer networks.

Sanwo-Olu recalled LASEMA’s swift response during last year’s flash floods and a recent building collapse in Mushin, saying the outcomes demonstrated the value of preparedness, coordination and technology-driven response.

‘Emergencies require more than just a reaction; they call for preparedness. The true strength of our nation lies in our shared readiness and unity when facing challenges,’ he said.

Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, hailed Lagos for its pioneering efforts in deploying technology, decentralising response units and building resilient communities.

She noted that emergency management must move from being reactive to predictive, preventive and participatory.

Umar said NEMA would continue to strengthen early warning systems, improve data management and expand grassroots capacity building in collaboration with state agencies, private sector partners and communities.

She stressed the need for effective policy creation, urging states to identify their peculiarities and take steps to address them, rather than seeing SEMA as a palliative agency.

Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Olugbenga Oyerinde, noted it was the first time leaders of SEMAs of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FTC), federal institutions, private sector leaders, international partners and frontline responders would gather under one roof to strengthen Nigeria’s resilience against emergencies and disasters.

He said the conference marked a historic shift from a culture of reaction to a new era of readiness, recovery and resilience.

‘When sub-national agencies are strong, Nigeria is strong. The recent loss of lives to avoidable disasters underscores the urgency of convening experts to identify solutions and prevent future tragedies.

‘Over the next two days, participants will engage in keynote sessions, panel discussions, exhibitions and a large-scale simulation exercise to test coordination in real time.

‘Lagos State Government commends the private sector, civil society and international partners for their support. Disaster management is a collective responsibility that requires inclusiveness and relentless commitment to protect lives and build safer communities,’ he added.

Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, during an interview with reporters, said the agency had concluded plans for the unveiling of its institute tomorrow, adding that the first intakes would commence training by December.

The Kano State chapter of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for collaboration amng all stakeholders to tackle Nigeria’s challenges.

In his Independence anniversary speech, the chapter’s Chairman, Goni Faruk Umar, said the challenges before the country were formidable, including pervasive poverty.

Umar identified the challenges as pervasive poverty, widespread unemployment, insecurity, drug abuse, declining education standards, and the erosion of moral values.

But the ACF state chairman noted that the challenges could be surmounted with the citizens showing commitment to purposeful action.

He said: ‘As a forum consecrated to dialogue, unity, and service, the ACF asserts that our collective strength lies in our ability to build bridges across divides, nurture the potentials of our youth, and harness the abundant human and natural resources entrusted to us by Providence.

‘Sixty-five years ago, our visionary founding fathers, through uncommon courage and sacrifice, secured for us the priceless gift of sovereignty. They bequeathed a nation consecrated to the ideals of liberty, dignity, and collective destiny.

‘Today, as we commemorate their triumph, we must not merely luxuriate in nostalgia but renew our sacred covenant to safeguard their legacy and bequeath to posterity a Nigeria worthy of their dreams.

‘The narrative of our nation is one of resilience and renaissance; a people who, despite trials of adversity and the tremors of division, have remained indivisible and resolute.

‘Yet, independence will find its truest expression not in ceremonial remembrance but in the tangible realities of peace, prosperity, equity, and justice for every citizen, irrespective of creed, culture, or circumstance.’

Umar advised parents and guardians to prioritise the upbringing of their children and wards, stressing that the crucible of Nigeria’s future is in their homes.

‘Guard your children, mentor them with love, and instill in them the virtues of discipline, honesty, and service. To our youth, we affirm: you are the pulsating heart of this Republic. Reject the snares of drugs and despair; embrace the path of knowledge, creativity, and productivity.

‘And to our leaders, we appeal: let integrity, vision, and statesmanship govern your stewardship, for history will measure us not by lofty rhetoric but by the lives we uplift and the destinies we transform.

‘The ACF Kano State chapter remains unwavering in its resolve to empower communities, advance education, preserve our cultural heritage, and safeguard the peace and security of our people. We shall continue to be a voice of conscience, a pillar of unity, and a beacon of hope.

‘As we hoist our cherished green-white-green standard this day, let it be a solemn reminder that independence is not an end but an eternal journey of vigilance, sacrifice, and renewal,’ Umar said.

Ahead of the International Teacher’s Day celebration on October 5, 2025, Wema Bank Plc has announced the launch of the ‘Wema at 80 Teachers’ Day Challenge’, an initiative designed to reward and celebrate teachers whose impact has shaped generations of students.

This year’s challenge invites students and graduates across Nigeria to post an 80-second video on any social media platform such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok, telling the story of an unforgettable teacher whose influence has touched multiple students in their school over the years.

Participants are to mention the teacher’s name, their school, tag Wema Bank, and use the hashtags #WemaAt80TeachersDay and #TeachersWithALegacyOfImpact in their captions to be part of the celebration. Participants can be of any age and could have graduated many years ago from school.

They are also allowed to honour any teacher of choice from either primary, secondary, or tertiary institutions.

Managing Director, Wema Bank Plc, Moruf Oseni said teachers are the quiet architects of every nation’s future.

‘Their resilience, sacrifices, and dedication have produced generations of innovators, leaders, and changemakers. At Wema Bank, we believe it is important to honor these educators, not just with words, but with recognition that puts their names and their legacies in the spotlight. The #WemaAt80TeachersDay Challenge is our way of celebrating them and encouraging Nigerians to give their teachers the flowers they deserve,’ Oseni said.

The Teachers’ Day Challenge is an established tradition at Wema Bank. Over the last two years, the bank has recognised ten teachers across Nigeria, distributing a cumulative N13,000,000 in cash prizes and gifts to educators who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to shaping their students’ futures.

This year’s campaign will once again shortlist 10 remarkable teachers from all entries, with three receiving significant cash prizes and two others awarded complimentary gifts.

The ultimate goal of the challenge is to ensure that every teacher in Nigeria feel celebrated, regardless of if they emerge as prize recipients or otherwise.

This year’s edition according to the Head of Corporate Sustainability at Wema Bank, Abimbola Agbejule, is particularly symbolic as it coincides with Wema Bank’s 80th anniversary, a milestone that highlights the Bank’s enduring legacy of empowering people and communities.

At 80, Wema Bank is not just celebrating its legacy, the Bank is also honoring those whose impact created countless others.

According to her ‘Teachers are the backbone of every success story, and this challenge is our way of giving them their flowers.’

She said the #WemaAt80TeachersDay challenge is not merely about rewards; it is a movement to spark gratitude, storytelling, and public appreciation for the teachers who have shaped lives and left indelible marks on generations of students.

Through this initiative, Wema Bank invites every Nigerian to pause, reflect, and say ‘thank you’ to those who taught them, mentored them, and guided their journey. Teachers are nation builders, shaping the minds and character of the next generation.

As Wema Bank celebrates 80 years of impact, the #WemaAt80TeachersDay Challenge underscores the Bank’s commitment to recognising individuals and institutions that strengthen our collective future.

By celebrating teachers’ legacies, Wema Bank reinforces its own legacy built on empowering people, supporting education, and championing sustainability for decades to come.

Obviously, food is important to terrorists because it energises them. Therefore, it makes sense to arrest people who supply food items to them, and also seize food items being transported to them.

The Chief of Military Public Information Office, Lt. Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, said in a statement that personnel of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), on October 11, intercepted 466 bags of food items, comprising 364 bags of beans and 102 bags of corn. They also arrested ’40 terrorist logistics suppliers’ on a suspected supply route in an operation against terrorist activities in the Lake Chad region, he stated.

He added that troops of 68 Battalion on a joint patrol with the Civilian Joint Task Force in the Mallam Fatori- Bandamari- Bari – Korarawon area, discovered and confiscated 12 bags of fish and nine donkeys allegedly used to carry supplies to terrorists in the Lake Chad basin region.

There are questions that demand answers. For how long have the arrested alleged suppliers been transporting food items to terrorists using the suspected routes? Why were they not caught before now? What will happen to them after their arrest?

Notably, the police, last year, had accused some arrested terrorism-related suppliers of criminal conspiracy. There is no doubt that such suppliers help terrorists to sustain their criminal activities. The fight against terrorism should be not only against terrorists but also those who aid them.

Such arrests should be a means of gathering intelligence that would advance the country’s fight against terrorism. It is not enough to arrest suppliers. Such arrests should lead to the capture of terrorists.

In a case that grabbed the headlines last year, the Force Intelligence Bureau -Intelligence Response Team (FIB-IRT) arrested members of a group that allegedly supplied drugs, bread and other food items to bandits operating in Zaria, Kaduna State and its environs.

They were apprehended at the Rigachikun base following a tip-off, and revealed that they usually supplied bread to bandits at Galadimawa, Damari, Kidandan and Awala camps in Birnin Gwari and Giwa local government areas, Kaduna State. One of them said they also supplied information to bandits which helped their kidnapping and cattle rustling operations.

Bakery owner Hassan Magaji, who was arrested, said: ‘The boom in my business began when I started supplying bread to bandits.’ He had an agreement with them that they would pay upfront for their bread supplies, and he made good profit doing business with them. ‘They started with bread worth N20, 000 and gradually increased it to N50, 000 a day,’ he said, adding that he made as much as N150,000 a week ‘after removing the cost of the ingredients.’

Nothing was heard about the food suppliers and their criminal customers after the report. There have also been reported arrests of suppliers of arms to bandits. Even, in one striking case, a housewife identified as Maryam Abubakar, in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was arrested for allegedly supplying women, including her daughters and nieces, to bandits in Galadimawa forest to satisfy their sexual needs. Lamentably, these arrests led nowhere.

The point bears repeating: It is pointless announcing the arrest of terrorism enablers, whether they are suppliers of drugs, food items, weapons or sex, if such arrests lead nowhere. Arresting suppliers should not be an end in itself, but should be a means to an end, which is the arrest of those who receive the supplies.

The large number of bags of beans, maize and fish seized from suspected suppliers recently can be said to suggest a great number of terrorists. Fighting terrorism must go beyond arresting suppliers. They should be tried and penalised. But ultimately, terrorists should be caught, prosecuted and punished.

Managing Director of Daylight Microfinance Bank, Princess Adeola Ladigbolu-Ilozobhie, has been conferred with a honorary doctorate in Management by London Bridge Business School, United Kingdom.

The conferment took place in Accra, Ghana, where she was also inducted as a Distinguished Fellow of Africa Institute of Public Administration.

The degree was presented on behalf of Vice President, Middle East and Africa at London Bridge Business School, Prof. Mahesh Pillai, by Dr. Deodaté Adenutsi, programme coordinator for Ghana.

Organisers said Mrs Ladigbolu-Ilozobhie was deserving of the dual honours because of her ‘impactful contribution to management despite her strong roots in banking.’

They praised her ‘efforts in mentoring young people in banking and management,’ which, they noted, have continued to inspire a new generation of professionals.

The honouree, one of the children of Emeritus Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, leads Lagos-based Daylight Microfinance Bank, a subsidiary of NNPC Staff Cooperative.

Her citation highlighted her career journey, starting from United Bank for Africa in 1990, to her leadership roles in Blue Ridge Microfinance Bank, Personal Trust Microfinance Bank, and now Daylight. It also underscored her reputation as a result-oriented and decisive leader with success in market identification, strategic repositioning, and operational efficiency for billion-naira portfolios.

Beyond her professional record, she was also recognised for her contributions to industry associations.

She was a one time Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Microfinance Banks, Lagos chapter, immediate past Treasurer of the South-West Zone, a member of the Association of Professional Women Bankers, and an alumna of the School of Africa Microfinance in Kenya.

Sir: Housing is one of the most important needs of man, but unfortunately, housing remains a pressing challenge in Nigeria, with access to affordable shelter remaining out of reach for millions, particularly in the face of population growth and rapid urbanization. Mostly affected are Nigerians in the middle and low income categories.

The challenges in housing could be categorized under three major areas. The first challenge has to do with availability of serviced and titled plots or land for housing development. You can only provide housing on land. Yes land is everywhere, but not ready for development. The lands you see lack the basic facilities that will make the land available or suitable for development. They lack the much-needed official certification or title that will make such land or property built on it marketable. This is a major impediment to housing provision.

Finance is another impediment. It is a major challenge because housing is capital intensive; no matter the standard or scope of the project, you need quite a lot of money to accomplish it. We lack organized housing finance system in Nigeria. Mortgage financing is highly insufficient and inefficient.

Another challenge is expertise and technology. Housing involves construction and development and sometimes, the type of skills required are not readily available, particularly when you want to go into mass production. We don’t have the capacity, technology and system that can throw up a lot of housing at a time. We still rely so much on the traditional way of mortal bricks and it takes the normal time it will take even when the population is growing at a much higher rate that it will take to meet up with what is required of housing.

These challenges points toward the absence of planning. Housing has received very little attention from successive administrations, unlike other sectors, such as health and aviation. The nation’s housing deficit according to industry experts is about 28 million, with about N5 trillion and 2.7 million housing units annually needed to bridge the growing housing gap over a period of ten years.

Successive administrations since independence have struggled with the housing issue, with little or insignificant success. Going forward, government should make housing its utmost priority, and allow the professionals, particularly Estate Surveyors and Valuers to manage the sector. Most of the people who have administered housing in Nigeria know very little about housing, and this is not good for the sector.

Policies should also be put in place to make building materials affordable to the less affluent members of the society who constitute the larger percentage of the population and who are mostly affected by the housing deficit.

A GROUP, NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW), has said its programmes and projects are impacting on the lives of women.

Its Vice President, Mrs Bolanle Edwards, stated this at a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos. She said the 20-year-old group has come a long as it has increased its membership from fewer than 100 to over 2,000 and spread its tentacles to five chapters, from one.

She announced that the group is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary at its headquarters in Ikeja from October 8 to 9. The event is themed ‘Evolve, elevate, and celebrate”.

During the programme, where Executive Vice-Chair, Emerging Africa Capital, Dr Toyin Sani, would feature as the guest speaker, while MainOne Chief Executive Officer, Funke Opeke, is being expected, among other dignitaries, awards would be given to some deserving people.

Over the years, she said, they had remained committed to their objective of promoting women empowerment.

She listed their achievements as the training of women in entrepreneurship, leadership, export digital transformation, financial literacy and innovation.

Also, she said, through their Women in Digital Business (WIDB), financial literacy clinics and specialised export training, they had equipped thousands of women with the tools to compete anywhere.

Edwards added: ‘These programmes have not only sharpened business skills but also helped women embrace technology and digital economy, ensuring they remain relevant in an ever-changing market. At New, we believe that no woman should walk the path of entrepreneurship alone. We established a robust mentorship, pairing emerging. Our peer-to-peer learning circles and business clusters have provided safe spaces for sharing challenges, exchanging ideas, and building confidence. Many successful women-led enterprises can trace their roots to these mentoring relationships.”

She also said they had championed policies that improve access to finance, reduce barriers to trade, and create a business environment where women can thrive and that their dialogue with the policymakers had helped shape conversations on gender, equity, and entrepreneurship.

‘Access to market and finance,” she said, remains a challenge for women entrepreneurs and new authorities and on, but through collaborations with financial institutions such as the FCMB Ventures Initiative, they have enabled members to secure critical funding and financial tools to scale their businesses. We invest in young women and next-generation entrepreneurs offering training, mentoring, and platforms for growth.

Their challenges were economic recessions, policy shifts, global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the rapid evolution of technology and access to more funds.

Yet, she said they had remained resilient in weathering the storms, she noted.

She thanked the Nigeria’s Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), founders and past presidents, members and partners, financial institutions, development agencies, and private sector’s allies, for their collaboration.

Chairperson, NNEW 20th Anniversary Planning Committee, Mrs Dominga Omolara Odebunmi, said the organisation’s 10-Year Strategic Plan would be unveiled at the ceremony. There would also be cultural performances, networking breaks, interactive activities, and a health check.

She added: ‘Our journey has been remarkable, and our impact undeniable. NNEW has empowered thousands of women, built strong mentorship networks, influenced national discourse, and contributed significantly to enterprise development. These efforts have not gone unnoticed. Over the years, we have been recognised with numerous awards and honours at home and abroad. These recognitions affirm that our story is one of resilience, of progress, and of collective victory.”

At the press conference were the Chairperson of the group’s Governing Council, Mrs Akpabio Edobong; Publicity Secretary, Mrs Eniola Mayowa and Executive Secretary, Niyi Adeyanju, among others.

Music icon 2Baba has debunked reports of his arrest in London following an alleged altercation with wife, Natasha Osawaru.

In a video shared online, he explained that his absence from a scheduled UK tour performance on October 2, 2025, was due to a medical emergency, not a domestic dispute.

He expressed gratitude to fans who attended the event despite the circumstances.

The singer assured that he would regroup and make something beautiful happen.

According to him: ‘First of all, I want to say everyone that came out, I appreciate you. We had a medical emergency, it was tough. To the organizers and everyone that came out, we go regroup and make something beautiful happen’.

Frustrated by the baseless allegations, 2Baba implored people to verify facts before sharing them publicly, saying, ‘If una no sabi something, make una no talk abeg. This allegedly, I don tire’.