Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Akpabio made the call in Uyo, the state capital, during activities marking the 39th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State’s creation.

The Senate President, a former governor of the state, also commended Eno for what he described as his commitment to development, peace, and economic advancement in the state.

Akpabio said Akwa Ibom’s progress should remain above partisan considerations, stressing the need for continuity in the state’s development.

He said, ‘I therefore commend Governor Umo Eno for sustaining the journey of development through the ARISE Agenda and for his commitment to peace, rural development, economic advancement and the welfare of our people.

‘The progress of Akwa Ibom must always rise above partisan considerations. Every generation of leaders has a duty to add another storey to the edifice handed down to it.’

Speaking on the 2027 elections, Akpabio called for the re-election of Tinubu and Eno, while expressing confidence in support for the President across the South-South region.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a friend of the South-South zone, and he will get maximum victory from the region and other parts of the country,’ the Senate President said.

Akpabio also urged the people of Akwa Ibom to continue supporting the state’s development, saying the 39th anniversary should be an opportunity to reflect on its progress and future.

He said the state had grown significantly since its creation in 1987, attributing its development to the resilience and contributions of its people.

‘Our greatest resource has always been our people,’ he said.

Akpabio also recalled his tenure as governor of the state, saying the infrastructure, institutions and human-capital investments made during his administration provided foundations for subsequent governments to build upon.

‘The years of Uncommon Transformation demonstrated what is possible when vision is matched by courage, when public resources are deployed for the public good, and when leadership refuses to accept yesterday’s limitations as the boundaries of tomorrow’s possibilities,’ he said.

He urged the people to look beyond the anniversary celebrations and work towards building a state with greater opportunities for young people, enterprise and innovation.

‘The task before us is not merely to celebrate how far we have travelled, but to imagine how much farther we can go,’ Akpabio said.

‘Akwa Ibom is rising. And together, we shall continue to build a future worthy of the dreams of our founding fathers.’

Akwa Ibom was created on September 23, 1987, by the military administration of former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida.

At 24, Chukwu Vivian Chinaza, popularly known as Queen Splash Cakes, is taking her passion for baking beyond social media with plans to host a carnival celebrating cakes, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Born on September 24, 2002, Queen Splash has built a growing presence as a baker, content creator and digital personality, using social media to showcase her work and connect with a wider audience.

Her latest project, the Queen Splash Cake Carnival, is scheduled for December 6, 2026, at Solution Fun City.

The event is expected to bring together cake lovers, bakers, vendors, brands and other players in the baking industry. More than 500 cakes, featuring different flavours and designs, are expected to be displayed by participating bakers and businesses.

The carnival will also feature cake exhibitions, free cake tasting, competitions, entertainment, brand activations, giveaways and networking opportunities.

For Queen Splash, the event marks an expansion of a brand that began with baking and social-media content into a physical platform connecting different segments of the cake and baking industry.

Bakers, cake vendors, ingredient manufacturers, suppliers, brands, consumers and content creators are expected to use the event to showcase their products, discover new offerings and explore business relationships.

Her journey has also been shaped by financial challenges and the determination to build a career around a skill she developed a passion for.

By taking the experience offline, Queen Splash is seeking to create a direct connection between the online community around her brand and the wider baking market.

The carnival comes at a time when social media continues to provide young Nigerians with opportunities to showcase creative skills, build audiences and develop businesses.

The December event represents another step in that journey – from building visibility online to creating an experience that brings consumers, entrepreneurs and industry players together.

The Queen Splash Cake Carnival will hold on December 6, 2026, at Solution Fun City.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has uncovered the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was found under the Katampe Bridge along the Kubwa Expressway, Abuja.

The development followed investigators tracing the case to a secret relationship and a guest house in Gwarinpa.

The discovery of the body on August 26 triggered speculation that the victim might have been killed by suspected highway robbers or kidnappers.

However, police investigations reportedly established that the deceased had earlier lodged at the Good Samaritan Guest House, Second Avenue, Gwarinpa, with a woman, identified as Mrs. Lukayat Mohammed of Garki Area 2.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, while parading criminal suspects on Saturday, said investigators were led to the woman after tracing the victim’s missing mobile phone and examining his last communication before his death.

According to the police, Mohammed and the deceased were involved in a secret relationship and had checked into the guest house together.

The woman reportedly told investigators that she woke to find the man dead beside her.

Rather than alerting the authorities, she allegedly took his phone and left the room.

Sanusi said the hotel management discovered the body but, instead of reporting the incident, two members of staff, Ibrahim Aumeza and Kepat Beetrus, allegedly removed the corpse from the premises and dumped it near the Katampe Bridge.

Investigators believe the move was intended to conceal the incident and distance the guest house from the death.

The two hotel workers have been arrested, while the police said the actual cause of death would be established through an autopsy.

The Commissioner said the development demonstrated the command’s determination to investigate cases beyond initial appearances and social media narratives.

In another operation, Sanusi said its Anti-Kidnapping Unit engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun battle in Kagarko Forest following the arrest of a suspect, Musbahu Issa.

Issa was arrested on August 2, and operatives returned to the forest on August 16 to continue the investigation.

According to the police, the team recovered two unnumbered AK-47 rifles and loaded magazines from a concealed location in the forest.

However, as operatives were leaving the area with the suspect and recovered weapons, suspected gang members allegedly ambushed them.

Sanusi said a police officer was shot in the right side of his chest during the exchange of gunfire.

He said operatives returned fire, neutralising some attackers and fatally wounding Issa, who later died on arrival at a medical facility.

The injured police officer, according to the command, survived and is responding to treatment.

The police also announced the arrest of suspected members of a robbery syndicate allegedly operating between Abuja and neighbouring Nasarawa State.

The suspects were intercepted around 10 pm on September 22 along the Goodluck Jonathan Expressway, near Cultural Centre Junction.

Police said operatives of the Violent Response Team stopped an ash-coloured Toyota Camry with registration number ABJ 606 SG.

Two occupants, Okwudili Benjamin and Chinedu Abubakar, allegedly attempted to escape but were arrested.

Police reportedly recovered nine stolen Android phones, pliers, wheel locks, and baby pampers from the vehicle.

According to police, Benjamin was previously arrested in 2023.

A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Osondu Bernard, an alleged receiver of stolen goods, near the NNPC Junction in Nyanya.

The command also paraded suspects allegedly involved in a tricycle robbery syndicate accused of attacking commuters at night.

Police said members of the gang operated by driving alongside victims, stabbing them with knives before dispossessing them of their valuables.

The Commissioner also warned against vandals targeting electricity infrastructure and other critical installations in the FCT.

He said several vandals had died from electrocution while attempting to tamper with high-tension cables and transformers.

Sanusi expressed concern over cases in which suspects allegedly attempted to cut live electricity cables inside underground culverts.

The police chief also reiterated the command’s enforcement of laws against the criminal use of heavily tinted vehicle windows, which he said could be exploited to conceal robbery and other violent crimes.

He assured residents that the command would sustain operations against criminal networks within the FCT and extend such operations to neighbouring states where necessary.

‘We will not be tired. We will do handshake operations, go into neighbouring states and flush them out,’ he said, stressing that the police would continue to pursue those threatening the peace of the nation’s capital.

Five promising young Nigerian golfers proudly represented Nigeria and their schools at the World Schools Games Golf Championship, held in St Andrews, Scotland, from September 14-16, 2026, competing alongside young golfers from other countries.

The Nigerian team comprised of Mayomile Orungbeja, St. Gregory’s College, Tiaraoluwa Ahmadu, St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi, Fireyimi Aina, Lagos Preparatory School, Ikoyi, Toluwalashe Balogun, Lagoon Schools, Lekki, Melvin Strasser and Meadow Hall School, Lekki.

The championship provided the young golfers with an invaluable opportunity to gain international competition experience, test their skills against peers from different countries and represent Nigeria and their schools on an international stage.

The Nigerian contingent recorded notable results across the Junior Boys and Junior Girls categories. Balogun finished as Runner-Up in the Junior Girls Category, while Tiaraoluwa Ahmadu secured a Top 5 finish in the Junior Girls Category. Mayomile Orungbeja also finished within the Top 10 in the Junior Boys Category.

The performances demonstrate the depth of emerging talent within Nigerian junior golf and the potential of young Nigerian golfers to compete on international platforms when given access to structured training, quality competition and international exposure.

Speaking on the team’s participation, Oluseyi Badmos of 2AT limited and Team Coordinator, described the championship as an important platform for exposing young Nigerian golfers to international competition and broadening their experience and development.

‘International exposure is an important part of developing young athletes. Opportunities such as this allow our children to compete, learn, build confidence and understand what it takes to perform at a higher level,’ Mr. Badmos said.

He explained that the participation is closely aligned with the objectives of ‘Let’s Play Golf in Schools,’ a grassroots initiative of 2AT Limited designed to introduce golf to schoolchildren and create a pathway from the school playground to structured training and competitive golf.

Mr. Badmos also acknowledged the Lagos State Government, through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), for providing 2AT Limited with the opportunity to introduce golf to primary school children across Lagos State.

In April this year, Sentry wrote on the dilemma of a former governor of a Southwest state whose body was in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) while his mind is with his friends in one of the opposition parties. While he is yet to declare a change in his membership of APC, authoritative sources in opposition political parties are laying claim to him being their associate.

Before the advent of the Tinubu administration in 2023, he was a known member of APC and had been part of the evolution of the party from Alliance for Democracy (AD) to Action Congress (AC) and to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before it finally berthed as APC after joining forces with a few other parties to form a coalition that ended the 16-year rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

On the basis of this political association, he had functioned as the governor of a Southwest state and also served as a minister. In all those years, his loyalty to the ruling party was not in doubt. But that no longer seems to be the case since he exited office as minister even though he seems to have difficulty declaring his exit or openly embracing another party.

But while he continues to hide behind one finger with regard to where his soul belongs, his friends and associates in the opposition parties are not helping matters. First, a former governor and top member of one of the newly formed opposition parties declared that he and the former Southwest counterpart were the brains behind the coalition of political forces to form the new party in question.

While political observers were chewing on this revelation, a chieftain of another newly formed party has come out with a claim that the former Southwest governor is the coordinator of a seven-man group drawn across opposition parties with the sole motive of unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

His spokesmen have denied the claims of the ex-governor straddling two sides. They swear he remains committed to So who do we believe? Much as the former Southwest governor wants to keep his alleged new association a secret, his newfound political associates appear unwilling to play his hide-and-seek game with him. Time will tell if he’s a victim of name dropping or truly has been playing both sides.

The Super Eagles began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on a winning note after securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.

Nigeria fell behind in the 16th minute when Ehsan Kari headed Madagascar into the lead.

The goal initially appeared to have been scored from an offside position, but the referee allowed it to stand.

The Super Eagles responded as they searched for an equaliser, with Alex Iwobi having the ball in the net in the 34th minute.

However, Nigeria’s effort was ruled out after Akor Adams was adjudged to have impeded the Madagascar goalkeeper.

Nigeria eventually got their reward in first-half stoppage time when George Ilenikhena scored on his Super Eagles debut.

The forward finished well after receiving an assist from Iwobi to make it 1-1 before the break.

Ilenikhena’s goal capped an eventful debut after Éric Chelle handed him his first senior appearance for Nigeria.

Nigeria continued to push after the interval and completed the comeback in the 65th minute through another debutant.

Moses Usor put the Super Eagles ahead with his first Nigeria goal after receiving an assist from Semi Ajayi, giving Chelle’s side a 2-1 advantage.

The result gives Nigeria three points from their opening Group L fixture as they begin their pursuit of qualification for the 2027 AFCON.

The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to their second Group L fixture against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29.

The Government Secondary School Otukpo Old Boys Association (OGSSOBA) has declared its support for its alumnus, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.

The association, which said it has more than 10,000 members across the former Benue-Plateau and Gongola states, said it was supporting Akume’s political direction and backing Tinubu to enable the President to continue and complete ongoing development projects and economic reforms.

Speaking in Abuja, the National Convener of the support group, Okpe Oko, JP, described Akume, who graduated from the institution in 1971, as a political leader whose direction the alumni body had resolved to follow.

Oko said the association regarded Akume as a father and mentor and had therefore decided to support his political position ahead of the 2027 election.

He said the decision to back Tinubu also stemmed from the group’s belief that the President should be given the opportunity to continue his administration’s programmes.

The association said it would mobilise support through its members and branches ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

‘He is our father. Wherever he goes, we go; whatever he says, we follow him,’ Oko stated. ‘That is why we have decided to queue behind him to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term presidential bid, to continue with the work he started and bring it to completion.’

Defending the administration’s policy direction, Oko described President Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy as a bold leadership step necessary to prevent hyperinflation and long-term economic collapse.

‘Now, we have a bold leader who decided to swallow the bitter pills and took the bullets on behalf of the entire nation,’ he added.

Corroborating his views, the group’s National Coordinator, Chief Ali Igboyi, acknowledged the current socio-economic challenges but emphasised that subsidy removal was crucial to dismantling cartels that had long exploited the country.

Chief Igboyi highlighted key federal interventions driving economic recovery in the North-Central region, citing major road networks such as the Buruku-Logo Bridge, the Makurdi-Gboko Road, and the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway, alongside the newly commissioned $250 million lithium processing facility in Nasarawa State.

According to Igboyi, these infrastructure, security, and industrial investments are laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth, job creation, and prosperity across the region and Nigeria at large.

Chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has urged Christians to participate in the ongoing Dangote Petroleum Refinery Initial Public Offering (IPO), saying religious considerations should not deter them from investing.

Speaking at a media parley in Kaduna, Hayab said Christians should view the public offer as a business and investment opportunity, rather than through a religious lens.

‘Business has no religion. What Dangote is selling is not Islam; Dangote is selling shares. Shares bring money,’ he said.

He was responding to concerns that some northern Christians were hesitant to participate in the offer because of the promoter’s religious identity and uncertainty about investment opportunities.

Hayab said responsible Christian leaders should encourage their members to invest, arguing that owning shares could help families and future generations build wealth.

‘If I have my way, just as they are advertising, every Christian should have 10 shares,’ he said.

He gave an example of how collective participation could increase ownership, saying that if one million Christians bought 10,000 shares each, they would collectively own one billion shares.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery public offer comprises 4.1 billion ordinary shares at ?525 per share, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares, valued at ?5,250. The offer opened on September 14 and is scheduled to close on October 13, 2026.

Hayab said investment should not be viewed only as a means of making immediate returns, but also as a way of securing the future of children and families.

‘Buy it for your son. Buy it for your grandchildren. Buy it for the future of their education,’ he said.

He also called on Christians to develop a stronger culture of investment, arguing that excessive dependence on salaries limits the ability of individuals and institutions to build sustainable wealth.

According to him, greater investment by church members could also strengthen churches’ financial capacity.

‘The reason why our offering is poor in many of our churches is that we are not investing,’ Hayab said, adding that many church members rely mainly on salaries.

He said Nigerians should seek to have a stake in businesses operating in the country, arguing that broader domestic ownership would contribute to economic development.

‘The economy of Nigeria will grow faster if all Nigerians have a stake in the investment that is in Nigeria,’ he said.

Hayab further said his position was not limited to Dangote, stressing that Christians should be open to other legitimate investment opportunities.

He disclosed that, as chairman of the Northern Christian Association, he had directed people to raise awareness about the Dangote offer in their churches.

‘We started that last Sunday, and we’ll do that this Sunday, and we’ll continue to do so until the 13th when it is over,’ he said.

He also appealed for consideration of an extension of the offer period, saying publicity about the IPO was only beginning to gain wider attention.

Hayab said the Dangote business should be viewed separately from politics, noting that political administrations could change while businesses could continue operating.

‘Today we have Tinubu as president, tomorrow we’ll have another person as president, but we will be having Dangote business all through,’ he said.

The NCA leader also appealed to northern Christians to participate in businesses owned by entrepreneurs from the region, noting that Dangote is from the North.

His comments come amid broader public discussions about participation in the Dangote Refinery IPO. The official IPO information states that investing in shares carries risk, that share values can rise or fall, and that dividends are not guaranteed.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has received the 2026 Quintessence Pan-African Top Leadership Award, dedicating the honour to the resilient people of Borno and to Nigerians working to restore dignity and opportunity to their communities.

The Quintessence Award is presented each year to one continental African leader and one African American leader for distinguished accomplishments in their field of endeavour and outstanding contributions to the history and heritage of African people.

This year’s edition was chaired by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former Chief of Staff to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, and attended by the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammad Sanusi II; Nigerian ambassador to Ethiopia; the Consul General of Nigeria in Atlanta; and former Nigerian Minister of Finance Dr Mansur Mukhtar.

Speaking at the award ceremony on Friday in New Jersey, Governor Babagana Zulum said the recognition was ‘not for me alone’ but for everyone who had worked to turn ideas into action and improve people’s lives.

‘This recognition is not for me alone, but for the resilient people of Borno, every Nigerian and African who has worked tirelessly to turn ideas into action, and to bring dignity to the lives of our people,’ Zulum said.

The governor said his upbringing in a farming community in Mafa Local Government Area shaped his belief that leadership should open doors for others, particularly children whose potential might otherwise go unnoticed.

‘Leadership is not about grand titles, but about building ladders of opportunity so everyone can climb,’ he said.

Reflecting on Borno’s recovery from the Boko Haram insurgency, Zulum said his administration had focused on rebuilding homes, schools, health facilities and other public infrastructure.

According to the Governor, his administration has reconstructed more than 30,000 homes, schools, clinics and other public facilities since he assumed office in 2019. He said that in the first year alone, 326 projects were completed, including more than 6,000 houses for families affected by the conflict, and that he has delivered more than 1,000 capital projects over the past six years.

Zulum described the projects as more than statistics, saying they represented shelter for displaced families, classrooms for children and health centres where mothers could receive care.

Zulum urged Nigerians and other Africans in the diaspora to invest not only their money but also their skills and ideas in businesses, education and healthcare back home. He described Africa’s greatest asset as its young people and called for greater investment in their education, health and creativity.

‘I call on you to invest back home – not just your capital, but your skills and ideas,’ he said. ‘Every factory you build, every school you help fund, is an investment in Africa’s greatest resource: our people.’

The Governor said remittances provide vital support to families but argued that channelling even a fraction of those funds into factories, schools and clinics could yield wider benefits. He encouraged the diaspora and international partners to support start-ups, technology hubs, teacher training and stronger institutions.

Describing leadership as service rather than status, Zulum urged teachers, healthcare workers, business owners and others to make a difference in their communities without waiting for an official title.

‘My message today is that leaders are enablers, not distant rulers,’ Zulum concluded.

The Governor was accompanied at the event by the First Lady of Borno State, Dr Falmata Babagana Zulum; Chief Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development, Partnership and Humanitarian Support, Dr Mairo Mandara; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Zuwaira Gambo; and Chairman of the Governing Board, Kashim Ibrahim Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo.

Others who accompanied His Excellency included Dr Thameer Kezamal and Mr Huber Shaiyen, who also chaired the Borno Investment Roundtable, among other dignitaries.

Barau FC take their unbeaten start to Lagos on Saturday as Matchday Six opens with a trip to Sporting Lagos. The other nine fixtures follow on Sunday, headlined by Kano Pillars against Enyimba, Ikorodu City against Rangers International, and the North Central derby in Lafia.

Barau lead the table with 11 points from five games and have conceded only twice, though both away matches finished goalless. Sporting Lagos have won on the road – including Wednesday’s 3-2 victory over Enyimba in Aba – but lost their only home game 2-0 to Abia Warriors. One of those records breaks at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

In Kano, unbeaten Pillars host an Enyimba side still searching for its first point. Pillars have scored ten goals in four games – Rabiu Ali, Fabian Nworie and Ubong Friday with two apiece – and were held 1-1 by Inter Lagos on Wednesday after netting seven in two home wins. Enyimba’s defeat to Sporting Lagos was a fourth straight loss.

Rangers return to Onikan, where a 2-1 win over Ikorodu City on the last day of last season – both goals from Chidiebere Nwobodo – sealed the title. The champions have ten points from four unbeaten games and beat Ranchers Bees 1-0 on Wednesday. Ikorodu, 12th on five points, are unbeaten at home this season but must answer a 2-1 defeat at Bendel Insurance.

Nasarawa United host Niger Tornadoes in Lafia with one point separating the sides. Tornadoes, 13th, were held 0-0 by Warri Wolves and have lost both away games; Nasarawa, 16th, lost 2-1 at Kwara United but hold a win over Bendel Insurance and a draw with Rivers United at home.

Ranchers Bees face second-placed Rivers United, unbeaten in two home games and led by top scorer Mohammed Rabiu Zulkifilu on five goals. Rivers arrive off a 5-0 win over Kun Khalifat, taking their tally to ten scored and one conceded in four games.

Fourth-placed Doma United visit Katsina United looking to tighten up after conceding six in their last two. Sadiq Ololade Rilwan, on four goals, remains their main threat against a Katsina side that has scored only twice all season.

Abia Warriors host Bendel Insurance – hosts still seeking a home win against visitors who have taken all nine of their points in Benin City, led by Alex Oweilayefa and Chinedu Nwosu on three goals each.

Kun Khalifat, still winless and with a league-high 13 conceded, face Kwara United, who beat Nasarawa 2-1 and are chasing a first away win.

Warri Wolves, with only two goals scored in four games, host a Shooting Stars side unbeaten in two, fresh off a 2-0 win over Katsina.

Plateau United, unbeaten in four since an opening defeat, close the programme against 17th-placed Inter Lagos.