Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Billionaire businessman Tony Elumelu has gifted Afrobeats rapper Zlatan Ibile wedding presents following his traditional marriage.

The rapper whose real name is Omoniyi Raphael shared the gifts on his Instagram story on Monday two days after his traditional wedding to his partner Davita Lamai on Saturday October 24.

The gifts arrived in Heirs Holdings-branded packages with handwritten notes reading ‘Zlatan well done’ ‘Our wife’ ‘Congrats’ and ‘Zlatan.’

Elumelu’s signature initials TOE were also boldly inscribed as the sender’s sign-off.

Appreciating the gesture Zlatan thanked the billionaire businessman on his Instagram story tagging his handle with a love emoji.

The couple announced their wedding date in a video posted on October 8.

Their traditional wedding featured Edo-inspired outfits to honour Davita’s heritage followed by a second look in coordinated Yoruba attire.

Several personalities attended the ceremony including Davido Seyi Vodi Young Jonn Iyabo Ojo Papaya Ex Lil Kesh and Teni.

Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Dr. Adewole Adebayo has urged the media to ensure balanced coverage of political parties and their candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adebayo who made the call yesterday during a meeting with reporters in Abuja stressed the need for independent impartial and responsible reporting on issues affecting Nigerians.

He urged the media to give adequate attention to insecurity poverty corruption and democratic governance while providing different sides an opportunity to present their views.

According to him fair coverage of political parties and their candidates will enable Nigerians to access diverse opinions and make informed electoral choices.

He urged media houses to ensure that their coverage did not create the impression that only a few candidates were relevant in presidential elections.

Adebayo said the media and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had important roles in promoting credible elections adding that responsible reporting was essential to the democratic process.

He also urged the organisations to ensure that commercial interests did not compromise fair coverage of political parties and their programmes.

Reflecting on the SDP’s history Adebayo recalled the annulment of the June 12 1993 presidential election widely believed to have been won by the party.

He said the experience reinforced the party’s commitment to democratic governance and the right of Nigerians to choose their leaders through credible elections.

Adebayo urged political parties to present clear policy proposals to address the country’s challenges while the media should provide adequate platforms for public discussion of their manifestos.

The SDP candidate said the party’s vision was anchored on the principle that the primary responsibility of government was to ensure the security and welfare of the people.

According to him the SDP had published its 2027 presidential manifesto – Farewell to poverty and insecurity – in English Hausa Igbo and Yoruba as well as other languages to make its policies accessible to a wider audience.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his historic re-election for a record fourth term declaring Nigeria’s readiness to expand its strategic partnership with Brazil across critical sectors of both economies.

The President said Lula’s renewed mandate presented a fresh opportunity to consolidate the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Brazil particularly in trade investment agriculture energy manufacturing and technological development.

In a congratulatory message he personally signed on Monday in Abuja Tinubu described the Brazilian leader as a friend and expressed optimism that his electoral victory would further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

‘I congratulate my friend President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil on his re-election for a record fourth term.

‘Your renewed mandate offers an opportunity to strengthen the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and Brazil dating back to 1961’ Tinubu stated.

The President emphasised the strategic importance of cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil as two influential countries of the Global South stressing the need for stronger economic integration and collective action in addressing emerging global challenges.

According to him both nations occupy important positions in their respective regions and possess enormous potential to influence economic development international cooperation and the advancement of developing economies.

‘As two leading nations of the Global South we can promote economic integration and advance our shared interests in a rapidly changing global order’ he said.

Tinubu identified trade and investment agriculture and food security energy oil and gas manufacturing science and technology education aviation and cultural exchange as priority areas in which his administration would seek expanded cooperation with Brazil.

‘I look forward to expanding cooperation in trade and investment agriculture and food security energy oil and gas manufacturing science and technology education aviation and cultural exchange’ the President declared.

He further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening multilateral engagement with Brazil particularly in advancing common priorities affecting Africa South America and other developing regions.

The President said stronger collaboration between the two countries would contribute to the pursuit of shared economic and diplomatic interests within the evolving international system.

‘I affirm Nigeria’s continued commitment to working with Brazil to strengthen multilateral cooperation and advance shared priorities in Africa South America and across the Global South’ Tinubu said.

He concluded by extending the goodwill of the Nigerian government and people to the Brazilian leader as he prepares for another term in office.

‘On behalf of the people of Nigeria I wish you a successful new term in office’ the President said.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on the Review of the 1999 constitution Benjamin Kalu on Monday confirmed that 24 State Assemblies have passed the bill.

The National Assembly may give the bill final passage when it resumes plenary between Tuesday and Thursday after receiving responses from the states.

While two third majority of the 36 states are required to pass a constitutional amendment bill 12 other states are yet to pass the bill.

Kalu said on his verified X-handle that the passage of the bill by 24 state Assemblies will bring policing closer to the Nigerian people.

Kalu said’ the State Police Bill has now been approved by 24 State Houses of Assembly. A major milestone for Nigeria’s security architecture and constitutional reform.

‘State Police will bring policing closer to the people improve local intelligence gathering speed up response to threats and let states design security strategies for their own unique challenges.

‘I commend the State Houses of Assembly for their commitment to this historic process and I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his leadership and support for this reform.

‘I urge the State Assemblies to extend the same support to the other constitutional amendment bills that will be transmitted to them’.

States that has passed the bill include Adamawa Delta Edo Kwara Nasarawa Ogun Osun Enugu Anambra Imo Ekiti Kebbi Akwa Ibom Oyo Plateau Rivers Taraba Zamfara Bayelsa Benue Cross River Abia Yobe and Kaduna.

The 12 states that are yet to pass the bill as at 2.00pm on Monday October 26 2026 are Lagos Ondo Ebonyi Kogi Niger Borno Gombe Bauchi Jigawa Katsina Kano and Sokoto.

The Baptist Academy Old Students’ Association (BAOSA) has unveiled seven legacy projects at its alma mater committing resources to rehabilitating laboratories improving campus security and restoring the school’s green environment as the institution marked its 171st Founder’s Day.

The projects undertaken by different sets of old students include the renovation of the Physics and Chemistry laboratories rehabilitation of the Home Economics and Agricultural Science laboratory installation of solar lighting across the school premises and the commissioning of the BAOSA Garden.

The association also unveiled a redesigned school badge and performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a proposed lecture theatre medical clinic and preparation room.

BAOSA Global President Olumide Ajomale said the interventions were aimed at addressing infrastructure deficiencies improving the learning environment and preserving the institution’s heritage.

He said the renovation of the laboratories was necessary after years of inadequate maintenance while the installation of solar lights would improve security and visibility within the premises particularly during power outages.

Ajomale said the landscaping and tree-planting initiative was also designed to restore the greenery that once characterised the school and promote environmental consciousness among students.

‘When we were in school this was a massive green land’ he said urging students to appreciate nature and understand the importance of protecting the environment.

The BAOSA president stressed that the association’s commitment to Baptist Academy extended beyond physical infrastructure to include scholarships mentoring skills development and character formation.

He disclosed that the association had awarded prizes and scholarships worth millions of naira through its annual activities supporting students with disabilities and those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

According to him BAOSA also sponsors initiatives to strengthen students’ public-speaking and debating abilities including the Have Your Say debate competition organised by BAOSA UK.

‘Our intervention goes beyond money. It goes beyond the physical infrastructure. It’s wholesome and we’re proud to be able to do this’ Ajomale said.

He said the association was determined to preserve the school’s 171-year history and ensure that its legacy continued to inspire future generations.

As part of the heritage preservation effort he disclosed that the school’s heritage room would be developed further with historical documents graduation programmes and other memorabilia documenting the institution’s evolution and the achievements of its alumni.

He also highlighted the BAOSA Order of Excellence established to recognise former students whose academic accomplishments professional achievements leadership and service to society reflect the institution’s ideals.

Ajomale said the initiative would expose current students to the achievements of distinguished alumni and encourage them to pursue excellence.

The President of the Lagos East Baptist Conference Revd Matthew Olawale Awujoola who represented the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Revd David Olusola Idowu commended the alumni for investing in their former school.

He said sustained alumni involvement could help bridge infrastructure gaps strengthen academic development and provide students with role models to emulate.

‘If we have this replicated all across the land through our schools by our old students I am very sure that education will greatly increase in Nigeria’ Awujoola said.

He described the intervention as an expression of generosity love for humanity and commitment to national development adding that the presence of accomplished alumni could encourage younger students to embrace discipline perseverance and good character.

The cleric expressed optimism that the investments would significantly improve Baptist Academy over the next decade and urged students to uphold the values exemplified by the association.

The school’s Principal Mr Solomon Ajagunmo said the projects would contribute to improving teaching and learning assuring the alumni that the management would maintain the facilities and protect the investments.

He also highlighted the institution’s academic performance disclosing that some students had recorded nine As in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in previous years while the school recorded seven As and two Bs last year.

He noted that about 85 per cent of students secured admission into universities in Nigeria and abroad after completing their studies.

Ajagunmo expressed the school’s commitment to raising academic standards deepening moral instruction and character development.

Zonal Administrator of Baptist Mission Schools Lagos Zone Mrs Titilayo Amune described alumni interventions as critical to restoring the standards associated with established schools.

According to her contributions from former students went beyond buildings and equipment to include scholarships mentoring and other forms of educational support that might otherwise be difficult to provide.

Amune said such initiatives could instil a culture of generosity and responsibility in younger students encouraging them to support future generations when they became successful.

‘If every old student does what BAOSA is doing now then you have a lot of differences in our schools especially old schools’ she said.

She urged BAOSA members to sustain their unity and commitment expressing hope that their capacity to support the institution would continue to grow.

The Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has begun a week-long programme marking its 50th anniversary.

As part of the week-long celebration scheduled for Monday October 26 to November 1 2026 the Council will lay the foundation for a 750-capacity hall donated by the Senator representing Ogun West and All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.

The council also announced plans to launch Iwe Irohin Online organise a Walk for Press Freedom and honour distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to journalism and national development.

Speaking in Abeokuta at a press conference to herald the anniversary Chairman of the council Akinwale Olanrewaju said the anniversary themed ‘Truth Trust and the Press – Protecting Democratic Choice and Rebuilding Public Confidence in Journalism’ was designed to reflect on the union’s contributions to press freedom while addressing challenges confronting the profession.

He said the Golden Jubilee Anniversary Lecture slated for Thursday October 29 at the Iwe-Irohin Centre Abeokuta will be one of the major events.

According to him the first female Accountant-General of the Federation Oluwatoyin Madein will deliver the keynote address while the panel session will feature the former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan Reuben Abati; former Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Yusuf Olaniyonu; and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kunle Kalejaiye.

Other panellists include former Ogun NUJ chairman Femi Shodunke and Ogun State Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni.

He said the anniversary offered an opportunity to reflect on Ogun State’s historic position as Nigeria’s cradle of journalism and its enduring role in promoting democratic values and defending press freedom.

He added that other activities lined up for the celebration included the National Association of Women Journalists Day a free music concert community outreach to Opeji thanksgiving services and an awards ceremony

The awards ceremony is scheduled for October 31 at the Telemedicine Hall Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta while the celebration will conclude with a thanksgiving service at Victory Life Bible Church on November 1.

Earlier the chairman of the anniversary planning committee Emmanuel Oke said the programme was structured to combine professional engagement with sports entertainment community service and recognition of individuals who have made significant contributions to journalism and nation-building.

Oke called on journalists media stakeholders and members of the public to join the celebration describing the Golden Jubilee as an opportunity to reflect on the past assess the present and consider the future of journalism in Ogun State and Nigeria.

The Federal Government is seeking a strategic partnership with a United States-based organisation Operation End Starvation (OES) to combat hunger and acute child malnutrition affecting an estimated 6.4 million children in Nigeria with the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu assuring international development partners of the country’s capacity to effectively deploy assistance.

The proposed collaboration which targets over $1 billion annually to prevent child deaths from starvation is expected to strengthen ongoing government interventions in nutrition maternal health and food security particularly among vulnerable populations.

The First Lady who received a delegation from the organisation led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate praised Nigeria’s current health sector leadership describing the team as among the best the country has assembled.

Speaking during the meeting Mrs Tinubu expressed confidence that the administration’s health officials possessed the expertise and commitment required to ensure that assistance from international partners translated into meaningful improvements in the lives of Nigerians.

According to a statement issued on Monday by her Senior Special Assistant on Media Busola Kukoyi the First Lady commended the quality of personnel serving in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration noting that their expertise extends beyond the health sector.

‘It’s been a delight working with Prof Pate Dr Muyi and others. I also work with the Ministry of Education and others. The manpower we have now in the Ministries are so wonderful’ she said.

Mrs Tinubu maintained that Nigeria required far-reaching institutional and structural reforms which President Tinubu was already implementing to reposition the country for sustainable development.

‘Nigeria deserves better and there is nothing we give to her that is too much because if the system works it will ultimately come back to us’ she declared.

She assured the visiting delegation that any support extended to Nigeria would be managed responsibly and channelled toward achieving the intended objectives.

‘I assure you that whatever aid you give us this Health team would put it to good use’ the First Lady stated.

Earlier Pate disclosed that the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to reduce the country’s burden of acute child malnutrition currently estimated at 6.4 million while also addressing the nutritional and healthcare needs of pregnant women and nursing mothers.

The Minister explained that the government had established frameworks to combat malnutrition including the recently introduced National Community Food Bank Programme implemented in partnership with the Office of the First Lady.

He said the programme was already recording positive results across the six geopolitical zones demonstrating the administration’s determination to confront hunger and improve nutritional outcomes nationwide.

‘Nigeria is working hard to scale down its 6.4 million figure of acute child malnutrition while also attending to the health of pregnant women and lactating mothers’ he said.

Pate who led officials from agencies under the Health Ministry alongside representatives of Operation End Starvation expressed optimism about the proposed partnership saying significant progress was already being made in the health sector.

‘A lot of good things are already happening in the country’ he added.

In his remarks the Chief Executive Officer of Operation End Starvation Williams Holdsworth Moore explained that the organisation supported by a major grant from the United States Government and contributions from international philanthropists was pursuing an ambitious global initiative to prevent child deaths resulting from starvation.

Moore said the initiative aimed to mobilise more than $1 billion annually to combat child starvation with Nigeria identified as a priority country to demonstrate the impact of large-scale investments through direct government collaboration.

‘The foundation is impressed by Nigeria’s focus on combating acute malnutrition and we are seeking partnership for this global ‘Operation End Starvation’ program’ he said.

He further explained that the organisation intended to channel substantial resources towards ending starvation across sub-Saharan Africa within the next two years.

‘We want to move 1 billion to end starvation in the next 2 years across Sub-Saharan Africa. The burden is high but the capacity is also very high’ Moore stated.

According to him the United States Department of State approved Nigeria’s inclusion in the initiative and the professionalism demonstrated by the country’s health officials further strengthened the organisation’s confidence in the proposed partnership.

‘US State Department approved that Nigeria should be part of our outlook’ he disclosed.

‘We have met with the Nigeria health team and they are one of the best of many we have met’ he added.

Operation End Starvation an initiative of the Eleanor Crook Foundation is a public-private partnership nonprofit established to tackle child malnutrition and prevent deaths from starvation across sub-Saharan Africa.

Over the next two years the organisation plans to make Nigeria a major implementation centre working directly with government institutions to show how coordinated investment and targeted interventions can reduce hunger improve child nutrition and save lives.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves encouragement from Nigerians instead of the harsh criticism he is getting over the ongoing economic reforms.

In a statement yesterday in Osogbo the state capital Oyintiloye said President Tinubu means well for Nigerians and should not be blamed as though he were the cause of the country’s economic challenges.

The APC chieftain acknowledged the prevailing economic hardship but said the President was working to address the situation.

He said the major economic reforms the Tinubu administration introduced including fuel subsidy removal and floating of the naira were intended to stabilise the economy for the benefit of Nigerians.

According to him although the policies are tough they are necessary and have begun to yield positive results.

‘What the President needs at this point is our encouragement not harsh criticism or name-calling.

‘What he met when he assumed office was a battered economy and since then he has been working round the clock to address the economic crisis.

‘We should all remember that he was not the architect of the current economic challenges we are facing and he cannot solve all the problems at once’ Oyintiloye said.

The former Osun State House of Assembly member also urged opposition figures using the prevailing economic challenges to campaign against President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election to have a rethink.

He asserted that none of the opposition candidates contesting for the nation’s number one seat in 2027 has the capacity to outperform President Tinubu considering their antecedents in past political offices.

‘It would therefore be unwise to weaponise the current economic challenges which the President is trying to address against his presidential ambition’ he said.

The APC chieftain urged the President to do everything within his power to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

He acknowledged that despite the administration’s efforts to improve the economy many Nigerians were still experiencing severe hardship.

Oyintiloye also appealed to the President to review the various social intervention programmes meant to reduce hardship among vulnerable groups and to strengthen other economic policies to ease the burden on the masses.

The former lawmaker expressed optimism that President Tinubu would secure a landslide victory in the 2027 presidential election citing what he called the President’s achievements across various sectors.

He urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the President and support his efforts to move the country forward.

The Baptist Academy Old Students’ Association (BAOSA) has unveiled seven legacy projects at its alma mater committing resources to rehabilitating laboratories improving campus security and restoring the school’s green environment as the institution marked its 171st Founder’s Day.

The projects undertaken by different sets of old students include the renovation of the Physics and Chemistry laboratories rehabilitation of the Home Economics and Agricultural Science laboratory installation of solar lighting across the school premises and the commissioning of the BAOSA Garden.

The association also unveiled a redesigned school badge and performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a proposed lecture theatre medical clinic and preparation room.

BAOSA Global President Olumide Ajomale said the interventions were aimed at addressing infrastructure deficiencies improving the learning environment and preserving the institution’s heritage.

He said the renovation of the laboratories was necessary after years of inadequate maintenance while the installation of solar lights would improve security and visibility within the premises particularly during power outages.

Ajomale said the landscaping and tree-planting initiative was also designed to restore the greenery that once characterised the school and promote environmental consciousness among students.

‘When we were in school this was a massive green land’ he said urging students to appreciate nature and understand the importance of protecting the environment.

The BAOSA president stressed that the association’s commitment to Baptist Academy extended beyond physical infrastructure to include scholarships mentoring skills development and character formation.

He disclosed that the association had awarded prizes and scholarships worth millions of naira through its annual activities supporting students with disabilities and those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.

According to him BAOSA also sponsors initiatives to strengthen students’ public-speaking and debating abilities including the Have Your Say debate competition organised by BAOSA UK.

‘Our intervention goes beyond money. It goes beyond the physical infrastructure. It’s wholesome and we’re proud to be able to do this’ Ajomale said.

He said the association was determined to preserve the school’s 171-year history and ensure that its legacy continued to inspire future generations.

As part of the heritage preservation effort he disclosed that the school’s heritage room would be developed further with historical documents graduation programmes and other memorabilia documenting the institution’s evolution and the achievements of its alumni.

He also highlighted the BAOSA Order of Excellence established to recognise former students whose academic accomplishments professional achievements leadership and service to society reflect the institution’s ideals.

Ajomale said the initiative would expose current students to the achievements of distinguished alumni and encourage them to pursue excellence.

The President of the Lagos East Baptist Conference Revd Matthew Olawale Awujoola who represented the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Revd David Olusola Idowu commended the alumni for investing in their former school.

He said sustained alumni involvement could help bridge infrastructure gaps strengthen academic development and provide students with role models to emulate.

‘If we have this replicated all across the land through our schools by our old students I am very sure that education will greatly increase in Nigeria’ Awujoola said.

He described the intervention as an expression of generosity love for humanity and commitment to national development adding that the presence of accomplished alumni could encourage younger students to embrace discipline perseverance and good character.

The cleric expressed optimism that the investments would significantly improve Baptist Academy over the next decade and urged students to uphold the values exemplified by the association.

The school’s Principal Mr Solomon Ajagunmo said the projects would contribute to improving teaching and learning assuring the alumni that the management would maintain the facilities and protect the investments.

He also highlighted the institution’s academic performance disclosing that some students had recorded nine As in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in previous years while the school recorded seven As and two Bs last year.

He noted that about 85 per cent of students secured admission into universities in Nigeria and abroad after completing their studies.

Ajagunmo expressed the school’s commitment to raising academic standards deepening moral instruction and character development.

Zonal Administrator of Baptist Mission Schools Lagos Zone Mrs Titilayo Amune described alumni interventions as critical to restoring the standards associated with established schools.

According to her contributions from former students went beyond buildings and equipment to include scholarships mentoring and other forms of educational support that might otherwise be difficult to provide.

Amune said such initiatives could instil a culture of generosity and responsibility in younger students encouraging them to support future generations when they became successful.

‘If every old student does what BAOSA is doing now then you have a lot of differences in our schools especially old schools’ she said.

She urged BAOSA members to sustain their unity and commitment expressing hope that their capacity to support the institution would continue to grow.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has directed police personnel nationwide to observe appropriate infection-prevention measures while carrying out their duties and to refer suspected cases to qualified health professionals promptly.

Disu also urged Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant after the Federal Government confirmed an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He called on residents to observe strict preventive measures maintain personal hygiene and cooperate with public health authorities to prevent the disease from spreading.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja the Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu said the police chief stressed the need to protect lives through public awareness and strict adherence to health guidelines.

The statement advised Nigerians to wash their hands regularly with soap and water avoid direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of suspected cases and stay away from potentially contaminated items.

It also warned against touching or washing the bodies of people suspected to have died from Ebola urging members of the public to leave such responsibilities to trained personnel following guidance from health authorities.

The police urged anyone who might have been exposed to the virus to contact health authorities promptly for advice.

It added that people who develop symptoms after possible exposure should avoid physical contact with others and call the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) on its toll-free helpline 6232 for immediate guidance.

The IGP further emphasised that suspected patients their contacts and healthcare workers must be treated with dignity and without discrimination.

The Force also urged Nigerians to cooperate with contact-tracing teams and provide accurate information to health officials when required.

It cautioned against spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary panic advising the public to rely on official updates from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare the NCDC and other authorised public health agencies.

The Nigeria Police Force assured residents of its commitment to supporting relevant health authorities in protecting lives and maintaining public order during the period.