Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) has been indicted by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation (OAuGF) for failing to remit over N4.304 trillion to the Federation Account.

A 2022 audit report by the OAuGF, which contains the alleged infraction by the CBN, also showed that the Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) and 10 other Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs) failed to recover about N1.769 trillion owed to the Federal Government.

The CBN was listed alongside the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited(NNPC Ltd.), the Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission and the Universal Service Provision Fund for under-remitting operating surplus amounting to about N1.473 trillion.

The Standard Organisation of Nigeria, National Eye Centre, Kaduna and the Institute of Agricultural Research were also mentioned as being part of the offence.

This is contained in the report of the Auditor-General for the Federation on the noncompliance/internal control weaknesses in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federation Government of Nigeria for the year ended 31st December, 2022.

The report on the non-compliance/internal control weaknesses in MDAs was signed by the Auditor General for the Federation, Shaakaa Chira. It was dated August 21, 2025 and submitted to the Clerk to the National Assembly.

The report marked AuGF/AR.2022/01. said the issues classified as cross-cutting and listed in about 27 audit queries relate to the same non-compliance/internal control weaknesses identified in at least the MDAs covered by the Auditor General for the Federation’s Annual Report.

According to the report, the CBN failed to recover an outstanding revenue/debt of about N1.413 trillion for the government during the year under review, did not remit about N1.445 trillion of its operating surplus and another N1.445 trillion as internally generated revenue to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Ahead of this month’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, former International midfielder, Friday Ekpo, has raised serious concerns about the capability of the Super Eagles to ride their luck in the upcoming matches against Lesotho and Benin.

Nigeria lie in third position with 11 points behind both Benin and South Africa on 14 points in the

Group C of Africa Qualifications for FIFA World Cup 2026 after FIFA docked three points from Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player in their previous match against Lesotho .

Speaking on the development, Ekpo believes the group remains wide open but warned that the Super Eagles must win their next two matches to have a realistic chances of booking a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

‘My concern is not Benin or South Africa. We should watch out for Lesotho and Rwanda behind us,’ Ekpo, who represented Nigeria between 1989 and 1993, said in an interview aired on Brila Fm.

He pointed out that South Africa remain a strong threat despite recent points deduction by FIFA, adding the Super Eagles must in the qualifiers,

‘The situation is very critical,’ he said. ‘Nigeria not being able to win back-to-back games is a big worry. We need to sit back, rethink our strategy and ensure we pick up six points from our remaining fixtures. While we are busy calculating, other teams are simply focused on winning their matches.’

The Super Eagles will be away to Lesotho on October 10 while the coach Eric Sekou Chelle-led side hosts neighbouring Benin Republic on October 14 in Uyo.

However, the Super Eagles will have to make do without key players Ola Aina, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Cyril Dessers who are all sidelined with injuries.

Over 1000 youths drawn from Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Udu (U3) Federal Constituency on Wednesday passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Hon. Rev. Francis Waive, citing their ‘exemplary performance’ in office and endorsing them for reelection in 2027.

The resolution was taken during a youth summit at T’Nero’s Place (Sakpra Hall), DSC Township, Udu Local Government Area, where over 1,000 young people gathered for empowerment and political engagement.

Key political figures from the Delta APC attended the event, including Hon. (Rev.) Francis Waive, Olorogun John Oguma, Olorogun Eddy Ono-Sorhue, Chief Henry Afure Sakpra, m Barr. Valentine Onojeghuo and others.

While presenting the report of his stewardship, Hon. Waive thanked the youths for their support over the years and pledged continued empowerment programs, noting that provisions for youth initiatives were already captured in the 2025 budget.

‘We have future leaders among us, those who will one day become Governors and Senators,’ Waive said. ‘Our youth empowerment initiative is included in the 2025 budget, and those present today will be among the first beneficiaries.’

He lauded Governor Oborevwori’s role in sustaining the Federal Medical Centre, Udu, and expressed confidence in his re-election bid for 2027. He also reaffirmed support for President Tinubu, citing the progress of work on the Benin-Effurun road expressway.

‘I salute my Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for his total support. He is a humble leader, and we will continue to support him. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also deserves our backing and continued support to enable him to deliver on his promises,’ Waive said.

The lawmaker further urged unity within the Delta APC, dismissing perceived rifts between old and new members, while also seeking youth backing for his reelection bid.

‘My signature of excellence is visible throughout my federal constituency,’ he declared.

In an interview with the newsmen, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, Olorogun John Oguma, praised the performance of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori, and Hon.Waive, urging patience with the governor, whom he said would deliver on all promises.

According to him, ‘ President Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori and Waive’s reelection will be easier in 2027 because of their excellent performance. ‘I can boldly tell you that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock and Government House in Delta, and with the youths solidly behind Hon. Waive, one can’t stop them.

Earlier in his welcome address, Chief Ejiro Hope, National Youth Leader of U3 Federal Constituency Youth, described the occasion as ‘Youth O’clock.’ He stressed that the program was not a political rally but an empowerment platform:

‘This is a youth summit and not a political gathering. It is an opportunity to hear from our member, Hon. Francis Waive, to interact with him one-on-one. Numerous employment opportunities have been created for our youth, and we urge continued peace across Delta State.’

Chief Hope also presented Waive with an award for ‘Most Friendly House of Representative Member,’ recognising his legislative contributions and support for grassroots projects.

Other leaders at the summit echoed their support, Evang. Eddy Ono-Sorhue praised Waive’s ‘hard work and commitment,’ while Chief Henry Afure Sakpra described him as a ‘square peg in a square hole,’ urging youths to register to vote.

The summit ended with a resounding call for unity, empowerment, and active participation of U3 youth in shaping the future of their constituency and Delta State at large.

Constant interventions of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) has saved tertiary institutions from becoming glorified secondary schools, Rector Federal Polytechnic, Offa Dr. Kamoru O. Kadiri has said.

Dr. Kadiri, an engineer, revealed that the polytechnic under his watch had received no less than four billion Naira from TETfund for massive infrastructural development of the institution.

The rector told our correspondent on the sidelines of TETfund’s town hall meetings in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

He said: ‘I must give it to them, without TETfund, tertiary institutions would have become glorified secondary schools in the country.

‘The fund under its current leadership has invested roughly N4 billion in my institution for infrastructure development only. I am not talking about other interventions. When you talk about infrastructure development I mean special interventions, high impact interventions and normal interventions. Even this year alone, TETfund allocates N850 million for infrastructural development.

‘However, I want TETfund to focus attention on building of halls of residence for students. The student population of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa is not less than 18,000. We need hostel accommodation of not less than 3,000 capacity.

‘We also need the intervention of TETfund in the provision of energy and provision of utility vehicle for the convenience of principal officers and administrative duties.’

On maintenance of TETfund buildings, the polytechnic chief added that ‘this year in particular, TETfund directed all tertiary institutions not to embark on construction of new structures. Instead, it earmarked N250 million each for the maintenance of buildings handed over to them.

‘Thirty percent of the fund for the purchase of laboratories equipment and the rest for the maintenance of the aging structures on campuses.

The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo, Badagry, has announced the selection of its Director-General, Mrs. Funke Adepoju, as the 2025/2026 Visiting Fellow of the AIG-Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

Mrs. Adepoju, a seasoned administrator and reform advocate, brings to Oxford a wealth of leadership experience as a senior public servant and former Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission. She now joins an exclusive group of distinguished Nigerians who have received this prestigious fellowship since its inception, following in the footsteps of Professor Attahiru Jega (former INEC Chairman) and Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru (former FIRS Chairman).

In her current role as Director-General of ASCON, Mrs. Adepoju is driving an ambitious agenda to reposition Nigeria’s premier Management Development Institute from a traditional training provider into a national reform hub and reform accelerator.

Her focus is on linking capacity building with reform outcomes, embedding digital governance into public sector training, and fostering partnerships that align with Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2025 (FCSSIP-25) and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking on the fellowship, Mrs. Adepoju expressed her excitement:

‘This opportunity is not just personal, it is national. The AIG-Blavatnik Fellowship provides a global platform to rethink how Management Training Institutes can evolve into reform accelerators. I am determined to leverage this experience to strengthen ASCON as Nigeria’s reform hub, and to contribute to Africa’s broader governance transformation.’

The AIG-Blavatnik School of Government Visiting Fellowship is awarded annually to outstanding accomplished public servants from West Africa to undertake academic reflection, research, and global exchange at the University of Oxford.

Edo State Government said plans have been concluded for effective collection and conversion of wastes to useful purposes, including power generation.

Commissioner for Water and Energy Resources, Washington Osifo, said this in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government, at an awareness campaign to mark this year’s World Rivers Day celebration with the theme: ‘Clean Rivers, Healthy Communities’.

Represented by Mr Emma Ofordu, the commissioner advised communities to imbibe the culture of avoiding indiscriminate dumping of wastes in rivers.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA), Dr. Olufemi Adekanmbi, appealed to residents of Ologbo community and environs in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State to collaborate with the body to preserve water bodies within its catchment areas.

Adekanmbi appealed to the people to stop harmful human practices that degraded quality of water on the Ossiomo River that flowed through the communities.

He said the organisation remained committed to the development of the rivers within its catchment area.

Adekanmbi said the collaboration with the communities was necessary to restore water quality due to several years of abuse that degraded the water quality resulting in low aquatic resources that supported life.

He appealed to the populace to maintain a clean and safe environmental culture that supported the health of rivers for the benefits of mankind.

Adekanmbi said the event was to draw global attention to the need for the communities to appreciate the usefulness of rivers in the sustenance of life.

According to him, ‘abuses as a result of harmful human activities, such as pollution, over extraction, damming, deforestation and climate change threaten their health and sustainability, thus causing great danger to human health and existence.

‘Rivers are the lifeblood of our planet. They sustain ecosystems, provide water for agricultural and industrial use, support biodiversity, serve as vital sources of drinking water for billions of people worldwide. They also hold cultural, spiritual and recreational significance enriching lives of communities across the globe.’

Adekanmbi later planted some coconuts and palm fruits along the river bank as a symbolic commitment to preserving water bodies.

Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State has called for stronger collaboration between the media and his administration to promote peacebuilding, democracy, and development in the state.

Speaking at a public lecture organised by the Katsina State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Radda, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, reaffirmed his commitment to open governance and urged journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness, and responsibility in their reportage.

He cautioned against fake news, hate speech, and incitement, noting that the media plays a critical role in shaping public perception and ensuring societal stability.

He also recalled recent citizen engagements on security and governance, stressing that public contributions are vital for shaping responsive policies and building trust between the government and the people.

As part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen communication, Radda announced the approval of a full digital upgrade for Katsina State Television to align with global broadcasting standards.

During the event, the NUJ Katsina Council presented Governor Radda with the Pillar of Democracy Award in recognition of his support for journalism and exemplary leadership.

The award was received on his behalf by Dr. Zango.

Governor Radda also urged journalists to embrace developmental journalism that highlights both challenges and government interventions, citing examples in healthcare and education.

He encouraged the NUJ to invest in training and modern technology to enhance investigative reporting, transparency, and accountability.

Earlier, NUJ National President Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi called on journalists to focus on solution-driven reporting that addresses pressing issues in northern Nigeria, including poverty, education, and health, while advocating for mentorship, better welfare, and insurance cover for practitioners.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday reaffirmed that the dissolution of its Akwa Ibom State chapter and the constitution of a caretaker committee remain binding and irreversible.

Addressing journalists at an interactive session, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, faulted National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu for attempting to void the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC), insisting he acted beyond his constitutional powers.

Quoting provisions of the PDP Constitution, Ologunagba stressed that only the National Chairman has the authority to summon meetings of the party. He added that the 607th NWC meeting was duly convened, with 16 out of 18 members present, and valid decisions-including on the Akwa Ibom matter-were taken.

He dismissed speculations of a rift between the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary over the conduct of congresses in some states and the appointment of the caretaker committee in Akwa Ibom.

Ologunagba emphasized the need for all party leaders to respect the constitutional limits of their offices, noting that the role of the National Secretary has often been misunderstood.

He further disclosed that the planned elective National Convention in Ibadan will hold as scheduled, assuring that all committees involved are working tirelessly to ensure a smooth and successful convention.

He said, ‘The Ibadan convention is on course. It is holding as planned. The committees are working hard, and I can assure you that Ibadan is waiting to receive the PDP. Nothing and nobody will stop the convention from holding.’

He alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress was jittery over its planned convention and the fact that it was putting its house in order ahead of the next round of elections.

He, however, dismissed the President’s Independence Day broadcast, alleging that it was full of statistics that cannot be verified, while asking the President to explain to the nation what the loans being taken by the government were meant for.

In Speak Up! A Guide to Public Speaking for Young Minds’, Adetola Ajibola lays the foundation for public speaking and builds on it across 11 chapters and 38 pages. The author consistently stresses the importance of standing up and speaking.

She emphasises that the voice itself is the hallmark of speaking-unique, powerful, and capable of bringing new ideas to life, while also serving as a tool of empowerment. Ajibola creates a background to the title by tracing the roots of public speaking step by step: stand up ? speak ? your voice ? your message ? writing. Alongside this, she highlights the need to build confidence, noting that confidence strengthens how a message is projected.

In Chapter 5, she explains that it is not enough to simply have a message or confidence, what you say must compel your audience to act. She suggests approaches such as being authentic, telling stories, and encouraging interaction. The book also provides a template for writing a compelling speech. True to the author’s words, public speaking requires storytelling, but stories must matter, relate, and be relevant to the audience-whether they are personal experiences or statistics.

Ajibola further highlights the role of visual aids in elevating presentations, such as slides and designs that align with the message. Importantly, she balances the strengths of public speaking with the realities, building confidence, handling difficult questions, and recognizing that speaking is not always rosy. She emphasizes that success requires preparation and rehearsal, before, during, and even after the speech.

One weakness of the book, however, is that it does not adequately address the limitations of speaking up. While it thoroughly covers the ‘why’ and ‘how’, it gives little attention to the ‘when’, a crucial challenge for many young people who struggle with timing.

Nevertheless, the book’s strength lies in its simplicity and relevance. The words are free of ambiguity, relatable to young minds and enriched with practical examples and steps.

Comedian Emmanuel Iwueke, popularly known as Craze Clown, has raised alarm after a friend allegedly squandered money he borrowed for visa processing on gambling.

In a post on Instagram, Craze Clown said the friend had asked him to transfer millions into his account to present as proof of funds during a visa application.

However, when he requested the money back, the friend confessed to using it for gambling in an attempt to double it, but lost everything.

A visibly frustrated Craze Clown questioned why the friend risked the money instead of simply returning it.

He wrote, ‘You beg me make I send money to your account in millions make you use do statement of account for your visa process. After a month, oya send me my money, u come dey explain say you try double the money for gamble come loser everything! Wetin make I do with that information?’