Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Nigeria has one of the highest accident rates in Africa and indeed globally, after India, according to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics. The statistics is startling at the ratio of 21.4 deaths per 100,000 population. With most accidents come not just deaths but debilitating injuries, sometimes leading to socio-economic impacts that affect the country. Property losses and damages equally form huge parts of accidents.

In the light of this, it is commendable that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) is advocating for the establishment of a world-class Trauma Centre to help victims and their families. This initiative was announced in Abuja by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, as the agency prepares to host the International Road Crash Victims Africa Conference (IRCVAC), in November.

We commend this initiative seeing that it is long overdue and would be of immense benefit as far as saving lives is concerned. No action taken to save lives can be said to be too much.

Accidents are facts of life but while efforts must be made to minimise them, potential victims and their families would greatly benefit from well-equipped and well managed trauma centres. Presently, many lives are lost because of lack of such centres across the country.

AS a matter of fact, we believe that a country like Nigeria, with her huge population and vast road networks should not be talking about just one trauma centre, but trauma centres, perhaps one in each of the six geo-political zones. These can subsequently be increased depending on research and data about accident hubs in the country.

However, while we applaud the FRSC initiative, we are skeptical about the agency’s capacity to pull off such a capital-intensive and monumentally complex project. The agency that has been saddled with the issuance of drivers’ licences as one of its core duties has so far delivered below average performance. Many applicants wait for years to collect their driver’s licenses. If that is such a herculean task for the FRSC, how feasible is this trauma centre going to be with the commission on the driver’s seat?

The commission’s personnel, who are also saddled with the responsibility of checking crucial vehicle documents like the driver’s license, vehicle registration, roadworthiness certificate, and insurance certificate as part of their mandate to ensure road safety do not seem to be on top of their game on these scores either. Not only do we have many people without vehicle particulars on our roads, vehicles that in the good old days would have been marked ‘Off Road’ are still plying our roads today, despite the presence of FRSC officials on them.

While we commend the FRSC for this idea of having a trauma centre, we believe that the commission cannot handle the project, at least for now. We therefore suggest that governments at all levels should take responsibility for the trauma centres.

Accidents need to be seen as what they are: a national emergency because every human, no matter their status, can eventually become a victim of accidents or other natural disasters that would necessitate the use of a well-equipped trauma centre or other alternative paramedic outlets.

In the meantime, let the FRSC personnel concentrate on their core duties and ensure that accident rates are drastically reduced in the country.

The U17 Women National Team, Flamingos, are wrapping up their World Cup preparations in Abuja with a streak of impressive results that demonstrate their growing confidence and cohesion.

Since returning to camp, the girls have played eight friendly matches, winning all, scoring 26 goals and conceding none-a perfect record that has boosted morale ahead of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals taking place in Morocco.

Last week, the Flamingos turned on the style. They cruised to a 3-0 victory over Abuja All-Stars, with Praise Agba scoring on a loose ball, Olamide Olanrewaju converting from the penalty spot, and Zainab Raji adding a thundering third soon after the break. Goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu was heroic, pulling off multiple saves to keep her sheet clean. Earlier, they battled through a rain-disrupted friendly against Josiah Academy, winning 2-0 thanks to a Chisom Nwachukwu brace inside the opening 10 minutes before the heavens forced an early halt.

There were also emphatic wins over Nazareth Angels (5-0), with Queen Joseph scoring twice alongside goals from Praise Agba, Mariam Yahaya, and Chisom Nwachukwu, and a commanding 5-0 triumph over Horvel Prime, in which Queen Joseph grabbed a hat-trick in 35 minutes, supported by strikes from captain Shakirat Moshood and Azeezat Oduntan. In all their tune-up games, the Flamingos have demonstrated balance, depth, and hunger, from precise finishing in attack to defensive resilience.

The team is now fully focused on their World Cup campaign, where they have been placed in Group D against Canada, France, and Samoa.

The team is scheduled to depart Nigeria on 8th October, bringing their perfect run and growing belief to the international stage as they seek glory in Morocco (17th October – 8th November 2025).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said coal mining is becoming one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors.

He said coal mining recovered dramatically from a 22 per cent decline in the first quarter to 57.5 per cent growth in the second quarter, becoming one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors.

The President said this in his national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary yesterday.

He noted that the solid mineral sector has become pivotal in Nigeria’s economy, encouraging value-added production of minerals extracted from its soil.

President Tinubu said his administration inherited a near-collapsed economy caused by decades of fiscal policy distortions and misalignments, which had impaired real growth, but remained determined to change the situation.

‘As a new administration, we faced a simple choice: continue business as usual and watch our nation drift, or embark on a courageous, fundamental reform path.

‘We chose the path of reform. We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today. Less than three years later, the seeds of those difficult but necessary decisions are bearing fruit, he said.

The President asserted that under his leadership, Nigeria’s economy was fast-growing and its reforms were yielding tangible results.

‘In the second quarter of 2025, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.23 per cent, Nigeria’s fastest pace in four years, and outpaced the 3.4 per cent projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

‘Inflation declined to 20.12 per cent in August 2025, the lowest level in three years,’ he said.

President Tinubu said his administration was working diligently to enhance national security to ensure that the economy experienced improved growth and performance.

According to him, security agencies are working tirelessly and making significant sacrifices to secure Nigeria and are winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, had, in 2024, constituted the Mining Marshals, a security unit drawn from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

It is aimed at securing mining sites across the country following a surge of illegal mining activities..

The minister, during the one-year anniversary of the security outfit in March, said the unit had arrested 327 suspects for illegal mining, with 143 prosecuted and reclaimed 98 mining sites.

Alake also introduced the value addition policy, where mining companies were required to present clear plans for value addition to minerals before they could obtain mining licences.

The Federal Government has unveiled a Communications Strategy and Framework (2025-2027) to strengthen information sharing, public trust and accountability nationwide in the education sector.

The Framework was developed with the support of Partnership for Learning for All in Nigerian Education (PLANE) and UK International Development.

Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja, Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, described the framework as a turning point in how it ‘will communicate reforms, achievements and challenges in education.’

The minister also said learners are expected to benefit from clearer information on free and inclusive education opportunities, as well as improved access to STEMM and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes that directly connect to jobs.

He said it would provide journalists and other stakeholders with clear, fact-based information while countering misinformation and ensuring wider public engagement.

The strategy, which runs from 2025 to 2027, sets out a roadmap for how the ministry and its agencies will deliver unified messaging, foster transparency, and highlight reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said: ‘The Communication Strategy we are launching today is not a document to be shelved. It is our blueprint for telling Nigeria’s education story with clarity, credibility and consistency.

‘It unites all our departments and agencies under one framework, establishes standards for transparency and stakeholder engagement, and serves as a social contract with the Nigerian people: that every reform, policy, innovation and success story will be shared, understood, and celebrated.’

He added: ‘For parents and caregivers, the new communication system promises safer schools through anti-bullying campaigns and girl-child initiatives. It also offers simplified updates on school enrolment policies, feeding programmes, and re-entry schemes, alongside digital tools to track children’s progress.

‘The media will also gain timely access to press briefings, fact sheets, and media kits, making it easier to track reforms and communicate them to the public while Teachers and school leaders will gain more opportunitie0s for professional development and regular updates on quality assurance standards, supported by digital teaching resources to improve classroom delivery, amongst others.’

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, explained that the new strategy is designed to present its policies and programmes in clear, accessible language and strengthen two-way communication and feedback channels, and build trust and collective ownership around critical initiatives.

She urged stakeholders to take ownership of the framework and use it actively as it moves forward.

The minister added that ‘together we can create a culture of open, timely and effective communication that accelerates results and improves learning outcomes for every Nigerian child.’

Erstwhile Green Eagles captain and respected sports administrator, Segun Odegbami, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his commitment to sports development, describing his administration as the most supportive of Nigerian sports since 1979.

Fielding questions at The Platform Lagos, a thought-leadership forum themed ‘Rebuilding Our Nation’ , Odegbami stressed that sports hold a ‘spiritual power that can unify the country, transform lives, and cut across every sector of development.’

He said the country’s bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games is in the right direction, adding sports have become a good tool in reshaping the society as evidenced in many climes.

He said matter-of-factly: ‘With the preparations taking seven years and what it impacts cutting across the whole spectrum of life, we need to take sport more seriously.

‘The power in it is almost spiritual. When a goal is scored, it’s just a goal, but the whole country celebrates as if it’s a victory for everyone. That is power we must convert into something positive.’

The 1980 AFCON winner described sport as more than just entertainment, noting its influence on health, agriculture, engineering, law, and the media. He, however, lamented that Nigeria has continued to underutilize this vast potential.

Dwelling further on the bid for the Centenary Commonwealth Games, Odegbami acknowledged past failures such as the ‘reckless spending’ on the 2003 African Games, but expressed optimism under the current administration.

‘I have seen that President Tinubu has injected more money than any other president since 1979 into sports,’ he said. ‘He has brought in two young people(leadership of the National Sports Commission in Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade), with a vision we can identify with. If they put in place a proper board with respected Nigerians, there is a very good possibility that the Commonwealth Games could open up opportunities such as we never had before.’

Beyond sports development, Odegbami also reflected on Nigeria’s broader potential, urging citizens to believe in the country’s ability to lead Africa and the world.

‘Nigeria could be the greatest country in the world,’ he declared. ‘The evidence is all around us. Afro musicians are dominating the world, and the future belongs to Africa. We must believe it can be done.’

As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, the ex-international also called on Nigerians to rally behind the Super Eagles ahead of their World Cup qualifiers.

‘It is unthinkable that in the past two years we have produced the two greatest players in Africa, yet we cannot qualify for the World Cup. Let’s support the Super Eagles. Let’s believe in them,’ noted Odegbami who earned the nickname ‘Mathematical’ for his precision in front of the goal post and brilliant style of play.

Works Minister Dave Umahi also congratulated Nigerians and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the country’s 65th Independence anniversary. Umahi described the occasion as a moment for reflection on the nation’s past struggles and present progress.

Umahi said Independence Day serves as a reminder of Nigeria’s founding fathers’ sacrifices and vision, while inspiring citizens to commit to building a more united and prosperous nation.

He praised President Tinubu’s leadership, noting that the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ had repositioned Nigeria on the development path.

The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) has announced an operating profit of N30.47 billion for the financial year ended 2023, more than double the N13.75 billion recorded in the previous year.

A statement from the bank described the performance as a testament to its financial resilience and operational efficiency.

Managing Director of NEXIM, Mr. Abba Bello, said the bank had stepped up its support for the non-oil export sector, with disbursements exceeding N495 billion.

He noted that these interventions have created and sustained more than 36,000 direct and indirect jobs across different sectors of the economy.

According to him, ‘NEXIM has continued to expand its role in stimulating non-oil exports, providing financing that not only boosts trade but also supports value addition in agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals, and services.’

Reflecting its improved financial condition, NEXIM Bank was recently assigned a ‘BBB+’ rating by the leading credit rating agency, Agusto and Co. Limited. The agency cited the bank’s strong capacity to meet obligations and its solid position among development finance institutions (DFIs) in Nigeria.

Owned equally by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), NEXIM was established to promote Nigeria’s non-oil exports and support import-substituting businesses. In recent years, the bank has maintained strong liquidity and capital adequacy ratios while growing its loan book and equity instruments.

The bank is currently driving several initiatives to expand Nigeria’s trade footprint. These include: the Regional Sealink Project, a public-private partnership aimed at improving maritime logistics across West and Central Africa; promotion of factoring services by providing alternative financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in export; and the Joint Project Preparation Fund (JPPF), developed in partnership with Afreximbank to enhance the bankability of export-oriented projects.

In addition, NEXIM said it is designing tailored financing schemes for the mining industry, such as contract mining, equipment leasing, and buyers’ credit/export credit agency (ECA) financing. ‘These schemes are intended to unlock export potential in solid minerals and improve Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings,’ the statement said.

NEXIM Bank reiterated its commitment to supporting local processing capacity and ensuring that Nigeria moves up the commodity value chain. ‘Our focus remains on driving value addition, increasing non-oil export revenues, and strengthening Nigeria’s participation in global trade,’ NEXIM said.

Global Afrobeats superstars Wizkid and Asake, alongside South African sensation Tyla, have been unveiled as headliners for the Afro Nation Portugal 2026 festival.

The three-day music spectacle will run from July 3 to July 5, 2026, at Praia da Rocha in the Algarve, Portugal.

The star-studded lineup also includes Nigerian acts Olamide, Young Jonn, Darkoo, and American rapper Gunna, who joins as a special guest.

Organizers announced the lineup following the huge success of the 2025 edition, which reinforced Afro Nation Portugal’s reputation as one of the world’s top summer destinations for African music lovers.

With Wizkid, Asake, Tyla, and Gunna leading the stage, the 2026 festival is set to deliver another electrifying celebration of African music on a global platform.

Nollywood actress Destiny Amaka has revealed that she narrowly escaped death in a ghastly car accident, just five days after burying her father.

Sharing the news on Instagram, Destiny said the crash occurred while she was on her way to church.

She disclosed that three people were in the vehicle, but she was the only one injured, sustaining a busted lip and a fracture in her tibia/fibula.

‘Yesterday morning, just five days after my Daddy’s death, while on my way to church, I was involved in a brutal car accident. There were three of us in the car, yet I was the only one physically injured,’ she wrote.

Despite battling grief and physical pain, the actress said she chose to see the accident not as a curse but as a reminder to slow down and reflect.

‘My body has been telling me to pause, receive, breathe. I didn’t listen. This accident made the voice louder. A gentle push, not a curse,’ she noted.

Amaka had recently laid her father to rest on September 26. In a heartfelt tribute, she admitted their relationship wasn’t perfect but cherished their final conversations, which reaffirmed his love for her.

Reality TV star and actress Phyna has penned an emotional tribute to her late sister, Ruth Otabor, on the occasion of her child’s sixth birthday.

She described Ruth as a confidant, safe haven, protector and quiet strength in every storm.

Phyna, on Instagram, praised her sister’s kindness, grace, and unwavering support, stating that Ruth’s presence significantly shaped her life.

Ruth’s passing came after a tragic accident involving a Dangote Group truck.

Phyna had accused the company of attempting to cover up the incident, but Dangote Group pledged support for Ruth’s medical care and compensation.

In her tribute, Phyna reflected on the memories she shared with Ruth, describing her sister’s laughter as a soothing balm in difficult times.

She wrote: ‘Today, I want to speak from the deepest part of my heart about someone whose presence shaped my life in ways words can barely capture: my beloved sister, Ruth.

‘Ruth was more than a sister; she was a confidant, a safe place, a protector, and a quiet strength in every storm. Her laughter had a way of softening the hardest moments, and her kindness wasn’t something she performed; it was who she was to her core. She carried love with so much grace, gave without hesitation, and taught me what it means to show up for those you care about.

‘There are memories of her that live with me like warm light moments of comfort, jokes we shared, silent understandings, and the way she believed in me even when I doubted myself. Losing her left a space that no one else can ever fill, but loving her left an imprint that can never fade. I honour her in the way I live, in the strength I gather, and in every step forward I take. Ruth, your name is stitched into my story forever, and I will continue to celebrate you in everything I become. You are loved beyond words, remembered beyond time, and missed beyond measure.

‘Today also marks a beautiful milestone: Ruth’s first child turns 6! Happy Birthday to this bright, growing star! You carry a piece of your mother’s light, and watching you become your own person is a blessing. May your life be filled with joy, wisdom, laughter, protection, and endless opportunities. You are surrounded by love, and your mother’s spirit lives proudly through you. Shine, little one, this world is better with you in it. I love you

‘Four Years of Love, Fame and Family From the very first day till now, it has been a ride of highs, lessons, memories, growth, and grace. My fans, my people, you stood by me in noise and in silence, in celebration and in controversy, in mistakes and in milestones. You didn’t just support me; you became my family, and together we built something powerful.

‘To everyone who has loved me, rooted for me, prayed for me, protected me, and grown with me, thank you. Ruth, your memory lives in me. I love you, baby’.