Category: The Nation – Nigeria

As we celebrate the enthronement of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, aged 81, as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland and absorb his call for an Ibadan State, let us appreciate his personal journey through life from being poor to becoming a brilliant mathematics student to becoming senator and Oyo State governor in 2003. His dream as governor was to have 30 students a class; he himself had 26 students in his own class in school. He took his dream, as governor of Oyo State to Abuja.

Sadly he did not serve as governor long enough to carry out his plan and Oyo State is the worse for it, all these years later even today. The then Governor Ladoja had his tenure truncated and he was removed due to the then reigning political evil of the day which placed presidential whims and caprices over and above the will of the people. The public domain is unaware if there was any presidential regret for the removal, but Oba Ladoja is certainly having the last laugh due hopefully to his God-given longevity, the righteousness of his case, and the unjustified quantum of political evil dealt him just for being naturally kind-natured. We wish Kabiyesi Rashidi Ladoja a long, exponentially progressive and peaceful reign. Amen.

One thing government must take up is that we must teach that not everyone who wants to set up a stall or trade or even run a keke or an okada in every market can have that privilege or be accommodated in 2025. There is no longer space for everyone. Nowhere in the world can 50 tri-cycles (keke), 100 commercial motor-cycles (okada) and 500 traders be squeezed into existing spaces. They should be enumerated, given numbers and allocated spaces. Move the excess elsewhere, like in other areas. The encroachment of the unlimited traders with their baskets and wheelbarrows on the road lanes and keke lines strangles Ibadan at various points like the entire Mokola, Bodija, Agodi and Mapo areas making movement a nightmare in daylight and endangering even our children. Perhaps methods of numbering and allocation of spaces need to be revisited and updated to make better use of the amazing new roads in Ibadan to help speed up traffic and stop the unnecessary traffic jams. The inability of the authority to maintain two functioning lanes through the above markets, and the ease with which the police on duty ignore the need to open such roads daily makes things worse.

Happy 65th Birthday Nigeria. It is difficult to be happy when so many Fellow Nigerians have been senselessly killed by terrorists and herders, also terrorists actually, and other individuals and groups who use murder of innocent unarmed citizens and sometimes armed and uniformed service personnel for no just cause. At this time of celebration, we are reminded, if we have forgotten, by our government at the Africa Union, that we still have 10+million children out of school in a country which started free education 60 years ago.

Let us re-ask ourselves why a country like ours has over 10 million out of school children in spite of its God-given wealth. Let every thief in Nigeria, rich or poor, political or contractor or civil servant or ‘uniform’ or Bank and CBN beneficiary, accept responsibility for being the direct cause of those 10m+ out of school children. They must accept full responsibility for the consequence of their collective past and perhaps ongoing nefarious activities of depriving those 10m of schooling. Ten million is a big army of youth to grow to adulthood without education. This is a recipe for state destruction in 10 years or more.

Surely, we can all see the simplest, easiest and cheapest solution is to have a ‘MASSIVE 10 MILLION IN SCHOOL PROGRAMME WITH AFTERNOON CLASSES THE EXISTING CLASSROOMS RUNNING TWICE DAILY WITH EXTRA SETS OF TEACHERS OR EXTRA PAY FOR EXISTING TEACHERS’.

Citizens are disgusted that the accused Ondo Church terrorists’ lawyers put forward a plea for bail. Do our lawyers not know that murder and any accusation which attracts the death penalty do not qualify for bail? Do they not get taught that in Law School? An appeal for bail in this horrendous circumstance appears like a strategy at time-wasting, a popular legal exercise in legal futility and a marked disrespect for the dead. It is also a rude slap in the face of the Fellow Nigerian citizens and relations who survived the deadly vicious attack which was calculated to mutate a simple Sunday church service into a terrorist funeral fire and a national tragedy.

Are we to suffer at the hands of yet another cabal in our long search for fuel self-sufficiency? We all get stopped abruptly and without any road safety concerns every day by union workers taking toll money from all passing commercial vehicles. One would have thought they would move to cashless payments but that would expose their true wealth. The face-off in the petroleum industry is really an eye opening event as it exposes the players for what they stand for and what they stand against. Please examine the case and ask who is really on the side the Fellow Nigerians as we celebrate Nigeria @ 65. The answer will make you think twice or thrice.

IHS Nigeria, part of the IHS Holding group, said it has invested over $750 million in solar and hybrid power solutions over the past decade reflecting its commitment to the sustainability of the environment.

Its CEO, Mohamad Darwish, said who spoke during the announcement of a strategic collaboration with the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to promote clean energy use and improve environmental health standards in the FCT, said with over 16,000 sites across the country, the company is aware of its responsibility to reduce carbon emission.

He said: ‘Climate and environmental responsibility are central to our sustainability agenda. With over 16,000 sites nationwide, we are fully aware of our responsibility to reduce carbon emissions and advance clean energy solutions. Our investments in solar and hybrid power solutions, totaling over $750 million in the past decade, reflect our commitment. Partnering with HSES enables us to expand this impact by supporting healthier communities and contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s energy transition and environmental goals.’

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a collaboration agreement at the IHS Nigeria head office in Lagos, marking a significant step in advancing joint efforts towards environmental sustainability, climate action, and improved public health across the FCT.

Also speaking on behalf of HSES, Mandate Secretary of HSES, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, said: ‘There is no health without a clean environment. This partnership with IHS Nigeria is a demonstration of how the public and private sectors can come together to drive sustainability and safeguard the well-being of our people. Through this collaboration, we aim to showcase practical solutions that reduce carbon footprints, promote the adoption of clean cooking and energy alternatives, and inspire other states across the country to follow suit. The FCT is proud to lead by example in this regard.’

This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of both organizations to address pressing environmental challenges, promote cleaner and more sustainable energy alternatives, and reduce carbon emissions in the country. The partnership also aligns with Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in tackling climate change and fostering a healthier, more sustainable environment for citizens.

Under the terms of the partnership, IHS Nigeria will work closely with HSES to implement community-based projects that promote the use of cleaner energy sources, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and support initiatives designed to improve environmental health standards in the FCT.

This landmark agreement not only reinforces IHS Nigeria’s dedication to sustainability, one of its core values but also strengthens the FCT’s efforts to advance climate resilience, environmental protection, and public health.

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in their commitment to building a stronger and more united nation, noting that the country’s economy has improved tremendously.

Oborevwori, in his Independence message signed by his chief press secretary, Festus Ahon, urged Nigerians to continue to support President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ and his administration’s ‘MORE Agenda’, which, he said, were designed to improve the people’s living standards.

He noted that his government is investing heavily in massive infrastructure upgrades across Delta State, advancing a power revolution through a renewable energy mix, and creating an enabling environment to attract foreign direct investments.

He explained that the efforts were aimed at making life more meaningful for Deltans and residents and significantly boosting the state’s economy.

The governor also used the occasion to appeal to all ethnic groups in the state to embrace peace and remain united, stressing that peace was a prerequisite for sustainable development.

Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and pledged to continue working for the progress and prosperity of all Deltans.

The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, has said the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, is becoming a comfort zone for human traffickers.

She made the declaration on Wednesday when she led an operation to the airport, which led to the rescue of 24 victims of human trafficking and the arrest of five suspected trafficking agents.

The victims whose ages range between 15 years and 26 years were recruited from Kano, Kastina, Oyo, Ondo, and Rivers States, and were heading to Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Afghanistan.

According to a statement in Abuja by the press officer of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, one of the suspected human traffickers, was a retired senior law enforcement officer in Nigeria.

The suspect is alleged to be a prominent member of the trafficking syndicate operating within the South West region of Nigeria.

On how the raid was carried out, the Agency stated, ‘The latest raid followed a tip-off from concerned stakeholders and partners who alerted us to an influx of suspected human trafficking victims at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, and the unwholesome activities of some suspected traffickers.

‘At the end of nearly 6 hours of operation, the human trafficking activities were completely disrupted, leading to the arrest of five suspected traffickers and the rescue of 24 suspected victims.

‘The victims whose ages range between 15 years and 26 years were recruited from Kano, Kastina, Oyo, Ondo, and Rivers States, and were heading to Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Afghanistan.

‘While a good number of the victims could not communicate in any other language apart from their dialect, others do not even know the location of their intended Country of destination’.

According to NAPTIP, one of the victims said, ‘They told my mother that they are taking me to Europe, where I will work and earn dollars. My parents were happy and they allowed me to follow them’.

Another victim vowed to ensure the prosecution of her father for deceiving her into embarking on the journey after she watched a series of videos of the conditions of trafficked people.

The victim, whose father was among the traffickers arrested, said in her local dialect: ‘I struggled to hold my emotions while watching the video of those girls who were being maltreated and beaten by the traffickers. If that is what awaits me there, I will not go. I am seriously annoyed with my father because he deceived me. My father told me his friend has a job for me at a supermarket in Baghdad. He did not tell me that it is in Iraq.

‘I know that Iraq is not a good place to work right now due to the crisis there, but I did not know that Baghdad is in Iraq. I thank DG and her Officers for rescuing me. Please, I just need my passport. I want to go back to my town and settle. I will certainly make it in Nigeria rather than suffer in another country.’

The Director General of NAPTIP expressed sadness over the activities of some suspected human traffickers and unregistered labour recruiters who have continued to deceive, recruit, and traffic Nigerians for various forms of exploitation.

She said, ‘I am impressed with the outcome of the operation today because we were able to arrest five suspected members of the trafficking gang that have been recruiting and trafficking our citizens to various tension-soaked countries, especially in the Middle East, for exploitation.

‘We observed that the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport is becoming a comfort zone for these traffickers, and that is why we have decided to shift attention to this airport. We will sustain this raid until they stop this unpatriotic and illicit trade in human beings.

‘I was amazed that a father, who is a retired Law Enforcement Officer of senior Cadre, deceived his daughter and packaged her to be trafficked to Iraq for exploitation. This is incredibly unbelievable. Well, all of them will be thoroughly investigated, and they will face the law.

Bello commended the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the manager of Abuja airport, Department of State Service (DSS) operatives at the Airport, the Airport Security Personnel, Immigration Officers, and airline operators for their support.

She said, ‘Human trafficking is a visible national concern, and we all must be on the same page to turn the heat on the traffickers. Our resolve to ensure the protection of Nigerians from all forms of exploitation is firm and resolute.’

The Tinubu Grassroots Movement has commenced sensitisation of Lagosians on the policies and achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

At a community engagement held at Lagos Mainland Local Government and Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA), the group said that the exercises were not a political campaign but an effort to bridge the communication gap between government and citizens.

The Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri Local Community Development Association (LCDA), Princess Samiat Bada, who spoke at the event, said that many residents are unaware of interventions of the current administration at both the federal and state levels to ease the pains associated with the economic reform of the Tinubu’s administration.

‘We do not want past mistakes to repeat themselves. The recurring complaints of hardship among Nigerians are being addressed, with prices of goods in the market already showing signs of reduction. Marketers are encouraged to maintain fairness and consideration in pricing’, she said.

The council boss highlighted several initiatives under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, ranging from distribution of food palliatives, interest free NELFUND (Nigerian Education Loan Fund) loan, financial support for farmers, and upgraded vocational training with monthly stipend amongst others.

‘This government has been distributing food palliatives. NELFUND has been introduced to assist students whose parents are unable to afford university fees. Farmers now have access to financial assistance through designated schemes and Young people under 40 who prefer vocational skills training over formal education can enroll in government-approved programmes and receive stipends of N45,000 monthly’, she said.

The group also commended improvements in national security, noting a decline in cases of kidnapping and insurgency.

Princess Bada appreciated the community members for their participation. She lauded Yaba LCDA Chairman Emilagba Jubril’s role in coordinating the distribution of palliatives, which she said had reached several communities within Lagos Mainland.

‘We are grateful for the turnout and for the continued commitment of the leadership in ensuring that residents benefit from government interventions,’ she said.

The Special Adviser to the President on Agriculture, Abiodun Yinusa, assured farmers of increased access to loans and resources via the Bank of Agriculture.

‘Everything we are doing is aimed at ensuring farmers at the grassroots are reached directly. This is why a second term is crucial, as Nigeria still requires the President’s leadership to fully actualise the Renewed Hope agenda,’ Yinusa concluded.

At Itire-Ikate LCDA, the council chairman, Oluwafemi Daniel, hailed President Tinubu as ‘a man of the people’ whose policies have instigated visible changes nationwide.

The United States Consulate General in Lagos has partnered Ouida Books and the Book Buzz Foundation to launch Iseda, a cultural exchange initiative. The launch, which held at the Ouida Bookstore in Lagos was aimed at fostering collaboration between American and Nigerian creatives while boosting economic opportunities in the arts.

Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate, Julie McKay, explained that Iseda-which means ‘creation’-was inspired by Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage. ‘We kind of went back to the Mbari Club. We’re thinking about a rich Nigerian tradition in culture and the arts-from Fela Kuti to Chinua Achebe to Wole Soyinka-coming together, collaborating, learning from each other, and becoming even more creative,’ she said.

McKay disclosed that the programme will spotlight a different creative sector each month, with fashion set for October and film in November. She added that Iseda would also serve as the kickoff for the U.S. Consulate’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Beyond Iseda, McKay also highlighted other U.S. exchange programmes that support the creative sector, including the American Music Mentorship Programme and the Africa Creative Television Initiative. According to her, six Nigerians participated in the music mentorship program last year, with three already inducted into the Recording Academy, granting them eligibility to vote in the Grammys.

Members of the Pipeline Vocal Project, Molly, Lisa, and Taylor, shared their experiences as cultural ambassadors.

They spoke about the power of music to build bridges across cultures.

‘What’s really cool is we’re able to connect and have a conversation through music. It doesn’t matter our background, but there’s a connectivity there,’ Taylor said.

The group also offered advice to aspiring musicians. Lisa emphasized discipline, Molly encouraged collaboration within communities, while Taylor urged persistence.

‘Never shut up and always keep going. No is not an answer I will take,’ she said.

Reflecting on their stay in Nigeria, the group expressed excitement about incorporating Afrobeats into their music. ‘We’re from Alaska. We would never meet Nigerian artists in Nigeria,’ Taylor noted, underscoring the value of the exchange.

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday tasked the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, to intensify efforts in promoting the state’s cultural heritage and improving its tourism potential.

The call was led by Hon. Bonu Solomon, Chairman of the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, who stressed during plenary that the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day, ‘Our Country, Our Heritage,’ underscores the need to harness Lagos’ untapped tourist attractions.

He urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the ministry to actively promote the state’s cultural values, saying such efforts would significantly boost the economy.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu suggested setting up a tourism calendar to help visitors plan their trips, while Hon. Omolara Olumegbon recalled how ‘Detty December’ attracted over 500,000 visitors to Lagos last year.

Also contributing, Hon. Oladipo Ajomale proposed the development of an iconic landmark similar to Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, recommending a giant edifice such as an Eyo statue integrated with restaurants, shopping malls, and other attractions to strengthen Lagos’ position as a global tourism hub.

A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON), Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF), National Coalition for Market Men, Women and Artisans (NACOMWA), and Petroleum Consumers’ Protection Alliance (PCPA) have called on the federal government to support the Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals against ongoing attacks by ‘oil cartel.’

The organisations that for decades, Nigerians have been held hostage by a cartel that thrived on import dependency, round-tripping, subsidy scams, and artificial scarcity.

The organisations condemned recent actions of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), and the ill-timed strike threats by Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) that disrupted activities at the oil company.

COCSON’s President, Ibrahim Suleiman; NIF’s National Chairman, Mathew Ayodele; NACOMWA’s National President, Boma Agbede, and PCPA’s Chairman, Yusuf Danladi, charged President Bola Tinubu to hold the unions responsible if there is a breakdown of law and order in the country.

The organisations noted that DAPPMAN has chosen to undermine the Dangote Refinery and petrochemical and other indigenous refining initiatives because they fear competition, transparency, and efficiency.

According to them, DAPPMAN’s opposition to Dangote Refinery’s emergence as a major force in local refining is not about policy or about patriotism but about preserving their stranglehold over Nigerians.

‘Their agenda is to keep fuel importation alive, so they can continue profiteering at the expense of ordinary citizens who are already battered by poverty, unemployment, and inflation,’ they said

‘We declare our unwavering support for the Dangote Refinery and other indigenous refineries as the path to energy security, job creation, and economic sovereignty.

‘We demand that the government stand firm with the Dangote Refinery and accelerate policies that will break the cartel’s stranglehold once and for all,’ they added.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youths and consolidating economic reforms, as the country marked its 65th Independence Anniversary.

In a national broadcast from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu described young Nigerians as the ‘greatest assets’ of the nation, urging them to dream big and innovate across science, technology, sports, arts, and the creative sector.

The President highlighted several initiatives rolled out to support education, entrepreneurship, and youth development.

He disclosed that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had so far disbursed N99.5 billion in student loans and N44.7 billion in upkeep allowances to about 510,000 students across 228 higher institutions in the country.

‘Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high.

‘We created NELFUND to support students with loans for their educational pursuits. Approximately 510,000 students across 36 states and the FCT have benefited from this initiative, covering 228 higher institutions,’ he said.

He added that the Credicorp scheme had granted N30 billion in affordable loans to 153,000 Nigerians for vehicles, solar energy, home upgrades, and digital devices.

Similarly, he said the YouthCred programme, launched in June, had begun offering consumer credit to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to aid their resettlement.

Tinubu further noted that the investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme, jointly implemented with the Bank of Industry, African Development Bank, French Development Agency, and Islamic Development Bank, was at the verge of full implementation.

This, he said, was to support the technology and creative sectors.

On the state of the economy, the President admitted that ongoing reforms had caused temporary pains, with inflation and high living costs affecting citizens.

‘The alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option.

‘ Sacrifices made were laying a new foundation cast in concrete, not on quicksand,’ he said.

He said the real measure of progress would be seen not only in statistics but also in food security, quality education, reliable electricity supply, and safer communities.

Tinubu urged state and local governments to complement federal efforts by boosting productivity, innovation, and enterprise.

‘Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first,’ he declared.

The President assured citizens that the dawn of a new, prosperous, and self-reliant Nigeria was within reach, calling on all Nigerians to support the nation-building process.

The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has dismissed reports suggesting the existence of an interim leadership within the association, reaffirming that Dr. Ojo Joseph Ajanaku remains its duly elected and recognised national president.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NCAN described the claims made at a recent press briefing by an unidentified group, stressing that the so-called interim executives do not represent the interests of the cashew industry.

The association explained that its national election was conducted on 23 November 2024 at the FACAN Headquarters in Abuja, where Dr. Ajanaku emerged as president and was duly sworn in by the Board of Trustees.

It maintained that any insinuation of a leadership tussle was a ploy to misinform stakeholders and distract from ongoing efforts to strengthen the cashew subsector.

Responding to allegations that NCAN had delayed the implementation of the cashew industry road map, the association clarified that the document was produced by an international development partner and is currently undergoing review in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS).

According to NCAN, the review is necessary to ensure the framework aligns with Nigeria’s national priorities.

‘The association remains united and focused on advancing the nation’s cashew industry. We assure Nigerians and international partners that NCAN, under the leadership of Dr. Ajanaku, is open for business and committed to driving growth in the sector,’ the statement read.

NCAN therefore urged stakeholders to disregard the claims of what it described as self-styled interim executives, while reiterating its commitment to working with government and private sector players to boost cashew production, processing, and export in Nigeria.