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The Special Committee, led by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, investigating the ownership and funding of the Museum for West African Art (MOWAA) has submitted its report.

Last December, the Edo State House of Assembly, in its recommendations following its investigation into MOWAA, asked Governor Monday Okpebholo to take possession of the entire premises on which MOWAA is built, since the state government funded the entire project.

The recommendation stated that the property remained that of the Central Hospital, as it was never revoked, and urged Governor Okpebholo to immediately take steps to put the property to good use in the best and overriding public interest of the people.

However, former Governor Oshiomhole’s Special Committee recommended changing the name MOWAA to the Benin Royal Museum of African Art and handing it over to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for proper management.

Speaking while submitting the report to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Oshiomhole said former Governor Godwin Obaseki spent N3.8 billion of taxpayers’ money on the MOWAA project and repeatedly changed the museum’s name for personal reasons.

Oshiomhole said the state government under Obaseki agreed to fund the construction of the Benin Royal Museum on land provided by the Oba of Benin.

He said Obaseki’s administration took several steps, demolished the Central Hospital, and decided to change the original name of the museum to the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWA) and later to the Museum for West African Art (MOWAA).

The former Edo Governor said the Edo State government raised N800 million in seed money.

He said the investigation revealed that MOWAA’s claims that funds were raised for archaeological work and excavations were false.

He recommended that ‘The facility should not be demolished because it can’t be remodelled; the museum is allowed to stay, and the facility be given a proper name that will reflect the true ownership.

‘The name should be changed to Benin Royal Museum of African Art. The governor can use the same instrument of government to revert the name. This will attract artefacts from across the globe.

‘The museum should be returned to the Oba of Benin to manage it henceforth, as the government comes and goes but the Benin Monarch remains, and the artefacts can be protected better by the institutions that own them’.

On his part, Governor Okpebholo said the quality of the committee’s report showed the fairness and seriousness of the job.

He said, ‘At this point I will set up another committee to enable us to have a white paper on the issue, and the committee will liaise with the Ministry of Justice so that the recommendation will be turned into a white paper.’

‘I watched a video clip where Obaseki promised to build a Royal Museum to celebrate our Royal father but dramatically changed it to MOWAA. You have done a great job, and our ancestors will bless you all.’

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the domestic steel industry after executing a major sub-lease and operations pact to unlock over $1.3 billion in private-sector investment for the full revival of the dormant Delta Steel Company.

The agreement, signed between the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, and Premium Steel and Mines Limited (PSML), marks a decisive step towards reactivating the Ovwian-Aladja steel complex in Delta State.

Under the operational framework, the Federal Government is resolving longstanding raw-material supply bottlenecks by guaranteeing sustainable iron-ore access from NIOMCO to power the steel plant’s operations.

The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, emphasised that the resuscitation forms a core pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at accelerating local manufacturing, driving import substitution, and creating high-value jobs.

‘The revival of Delta Steel Company is not merely about bringing an old industrial facility back to life,’ Minister Audu stated. ‘It is about restoring Nigeria’s capacity to produce steel locally, creating opportunities for our young people, supporting downstream industries, and strengthening the foundation for sustainable industrialisation.’

Commissioned in 1982 as an integrated greenfield complex with a capacity to produce one million metric tonnes of liquid steel annually, the Delta Steel Plant suffered years of operational decay-peaking at just 25 per cent capacity before shutting down entirely.

Efforts to privatise the asset in 2005 were stalled by financial distress, leading to its acquisition by PSML via the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in 2015. The facility has remained inactive as a fully integrated plant ever since.

Under the newly executed agreement, PSML has committed to injecting over $1.3 billion into raw-material exploration, site rehabilitation, and modernising the production lines. Commercial operations are targeted to resume within 18 to 24 months, returning the complex to its full capacity of 1 million tonnes of liquid steel per annum.

The Ministry outlined key economic deliverables expected from the deal, including a capital injection of over $1.3 billion in direct foreign/private investment into Nigeria’s real sector, creating about 5,000 direct jobs and over 20,000 indirect jobs across logistics and fabrication chains.

The deal is expected to ensure immediate upstream commercial reactivation of NIOMCO and the expansion of the Ajabanoko iron-ore deposits, target a push of 10 million tonnes of annual liquid-steel capacity by 2030, and increase freight transport along the Central Rail Line and the full deployment of the DSC Jetty for maritime logistics.

The Minister noted that the government will closely monitor progress to ensure the firm adheres strictly to the 18 to 24-month timeline.

‘The Federal Government is committed to working with responsible private-sector investors to unlock the enormous potential of Nigeria’s steel sector, while ensuring that investments are supported by the necessary raw materials, infrastructure, policy coordination, and an enabling business environment,’ Audu added.

The Ministry of Steel Development commended the strategic collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in finalising the agreement, reiterating that actualising local steel production remains central to positioning Nigeria as an industrial hub across Africa.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has petitioned the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Inspector-General of Police (IGPA) and the Department of State Services (DSS), alleging threats to life, incitement to violence and attempts to destabilise the state ahead of the 2027 elections.

The petition, made available to The Nation and copied to the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, ECOWAS, Amnesty International and the Holy See, accused Governor Francis Nwifuru of a pattern of public threats and anti-democratic conduct. It was signed by state PDP Chairman, Chukwuma Igwe and Secretary, Henry Ngonu.

The party cited remarks attributed to Nwifuru at a political rally in Abakaliki on June 13, in which he reportedly threatened to ‘consume’ those who push him to the wall, describing it as a threat to its governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Odii, his campaign team and other opposition supporters.

It also cited an earlier remark attributed to Nwifuru in May, threatening to demolish the party’s state secretariat on Old Abakaliki-Enugu Road: ‘Any structure being used to plot against the government and the people of Ebonyi will not stand. We will pull it down if it becomes necessary for the peace of this state.’

The PDP said the remarks violated constitutional guarantees on the right to life, freedom of association and freedom of movement, citing Sections 33, 40, 41, 77 and 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, Section 95 of the Electoral Act 2022, and Nigeria’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The party called on security agencies to assess threats to Odii and his campaign structures, provide sustained protection, issue a formal advisory to Nwifuru on his constitutional obligations, and secure a public retraction and commitment to a peaceful electoral process. It said it was prepared to provide video evidence, affidavits and witness statements to support any investigation.

Contacted, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nwifuru, Monday Uzor, said he was unaware of the petition, while Commissioner for Information Ikenne Omebe could not immediately respond, saying he was at a rally when contacted.

The Nigeria International Gospel Music Awards (NIGMA) 2026 once again brought the gospel music community together for a night of worship, excellence, and global recognition.

Organized by the Academy of Gospel Music Nigeria (AGMN), the awards continue to stand as Africa’s premier platform for celebrating ministers, creatives, and institutions using music to inspire faith and transformation.

It was a night of big wins and heartfelt tributes, held August 9 at MUSON Center, where worship leader Moses Bliss was crowned Artist of the Year, while Gaise Baba featuring Lawrence Oyor dominated with their anthem ‘No Turning Back II’, taking home Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Afro-Gospel Song of the Year. Veteran worshipper Frank Edwards won Album of the Year for ‘Heart of Worship’, and Sunmisola Agbebi emerged Female Vocalist of the Year.

Tim Godfrey and Fearless Community were honored as Group/Choir of the Year, while gospel legend Chinyere Udoma won Indigenous Gospel Song of the Year for ‘Eze Abata.’ Rising star Tkeyz was also recognized as the Sammie Okposo Next Rated Artiste.

NIGMA 2026 also celebrated gospel excellence beyond Nigeria’s borders. Nigerian minstrel Nkiruka ‘Enkay’ Ogboruche was named Diaspora Female Artiste of the Year, and Limoblaze won Diaspora Male Artiste of the Year.

Beyond competitive categories, the night was dedicated to honoring legacies. The Experience received the Gospel Concert of the Year. The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award went to Evang. Dr. Bola Are and Pastor Kunle Ajayi, while Gospel Icon Awards were presented to global worship leader Sinach and veteran singer Kingsley Ike.

The Kingdom Impact Award recognized Pastors Paul Adefarasin, Jerry Eze, Emmanuel Iren, and Biodun Fatoyinbo for their influence through media and ministry. The Legacy Award celebrated pioneers Buchi, Lara George, Segun Obe, and a posthumous honor for Sammie Okposo.

Special Recognition Awards were awarded to Adeyinka Alaseyori, Pelumi Deborah, Blessing Lopez, G-EFFECT, and Akpororo. The Distinguished Service Award honored Peter Armand Boyo, Victor Igibinigie, and Dr. Timothy Ogboruche for their outstanding contributions to the gospel music industry.

The Organisers expressed appreciation to all nominees, winners, partners, and guests, reaffirming NIGMA’s commitment to ‘celebrating excellence, honoring impact, and advancing the sound of the Gospel across Nigeria and the world.’

Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has assured Nigerians in the Republic of Chad of his administration’s readiness to facilitate their return home.

He gave the assurance when he visited them in Kaya camp in Chad’s Lac Province to celebrate World Humanitarian Day, which held on Wednesday.

Buni, according to a statement posted yesterday on the Facebook page of his Director of Press, Mamman

Buni, assessed the welfare of the Nigerians displaced by insurgency in the Lake Chad region.

The governor, who travelled to Chad for a meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum which he chairs, said: ‘For those of you willing to return home, you should liaise with the Lake Chad Basin Commission to take the census, while the state governments will facilitate your repatriation to your respective states.’

The governor commended the government and people of Chad for providing for the refugees and enabling peaceful coexistence between them and the host communities.

He urged the refugees to respect the laws of Chad and promptly report any suspicious persons, movements or attempts at infiltration of their camp to the appropriate authorities.

The governor also expressed satisfaction with the refugees’ involvement in farming and fishing, describing the acts as an important step towards self-reliance.

‘Your engagement in fishing and farming makes you more resourceful and less dependent. The Nigerian government will continue to partner with the Chadian government on your welfare,’ he said.

The visit, which underscored Nigeria’s renewed attention to the plight of Nigerian refugees across the border, was described by the refugee community as historic.

The refugees’ leader, Ba- Bulama Usman, said Buni was the first Nigerian government official to visit them at the camp.

Usman thanked the governor for visiting them, describing the gesture as a source of hope and renewed confidence.

‘You are the first Nigerian government official to visit us. This visit has given us a sense of belonging and hope,’ he said.

He expressed appreciation for the assistance provided to the refugees, assuring that members of the community would continue to support efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability.

During his courtesy call on the Governor of Lac Province, Gen. Saleh Tidjani, Buni lauded the Chadian Government for accommodating the displaced Nigerians and for sustaining peaceful relations between them and their host communities.

He said Nigeria and Chad remained committed to strengthening cross-border security, peace and economic cooperation in the Lake Chad Basin.

The governor recalled commitments made at the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, saying the body would continue to pursue initiatives aimed at deepening sustainable peace, security and economic development across the region.

He highlighted plans to open up waterways across the Lake Chad Basin to facilitate transportation, support security operations and improve the movement of goods and services.

‘We are committed to opening the waterways to enhance transportation for security operations and the transportation of goods and services. We will pursue this with vigour to improve the lives of our people,’ he said.

General Tidjani described Buni’s visit as an important demonstration of cross-border collaboration. He said the visit would strengthen peaceful coexistence, security, stability and economic growth of countries in the Lake Chad Basin.

An old video of actress Shaffy Bello discussing respect and how younger people address elders has resurfaced online amid debate over a viral exchange between UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu and a young woman who called him ‘Tony’.

In the clip from a past podcast, Bello said she does not appreciate being called ‘Shaffy’ by people younger than her.

‘When a child calls me by my name, Shaffy, I pull them closer and tell them, ‘You haven’t earned the right, and you never will,” she said.

The actress explained that having children around the same age as those who address her casually makes it particularly uncomfortable.

‘I have a child as old as you are, and even if I do not have children, you have not earned the right, and you will never earn the right at your age to call me by name,’ she added.

Bello also questioned the use of casual greetings.

‘Whatever happened to Ma’am?’ she asked. ‘There is even something about this ‘Hi’; I can’t stand it.’

She attributed differences in address to upbringing and culture, noting that even children in the United States use respectful titles.

‘Even children in the U.S. call me ‘Ma,” she said, stressing that respect for elders remains important to her.

The video has gone viral again following the Elumelu clip, with many Nigerians debating generational etiquette and respect.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Branch, has congratulated the university administration on the institution’s improved performance in the July 2026 Webometrics Global Ranking.

In a statement signed by the ASUU-OOU Chairperson, Yinusa Olumuyiwa Ganiyu, the union commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Johnson Agboola, and his management team for what it described as an impressive achievement, reflecting the university’s growing academic productivity, research output, digital visibility and global recognition.

ASUU-OOU said the latest ranking was a testament to the collective efforts of the university’s management, staff and students over the past four years to reposition the institution.

The union particularly praised Prof. Agboola’s leadership, noting that the progress recorded in recent years demonstrated the capacity of members of the university community to provide purposeful leadership and move OOU to greater heights.

‘Purposeful leadership, commitment, cooperation and a shared vision’ were identified by the union as key drivers of the university’s recent progress.

While celebrating the achievement, ASUU-OOU called on members of the university community and other stakeholders to continue supporting the administration to consolidate and further improve the gains recorded.

The union also cautioned against distractions or actions that could undermine the progress achieved or return the institution to what it described as its ‘difficult past.’

According to ASUU-OOU, the interests of Olabisi Onabanjo University must remain paramount, with management, academic and non-academic staff, students, unions and other stakeholders working collectively to sustain the institution’s development.

The union urged the university community to ‘protect the gains,’ ‘consolidate the progress,’ ‘avoid distractions’ and ‘move OOU forward together.’

ASUU-OOU reiterated its congratulations to Prof. Agboola, the university management and the entire OOU community, expressing optimism that continued cooperation would help build and sustain an institution of which all stakeholders would be proud.

Residents of rural communities in the Federal Capital Territory have called on Minister Nyesom Wike and area council chairmen to urgently address deteriorating road infrastructure ‘crippling businesses and economic activities’.

The affected communities are Leleyi (Gwari) in Kwali Area Council, Gaube in Kuje Area Council, Pesepa in Bwari Area Council, and Gofidna in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

In a statement signed by community leaders, residents appealed for an immediate assessment of the affected roads, emergency rehabilitation of the worst-hit sections, and durable reconstruction where rehabilitation was no longer sufficient.

‘The minister should ensure that rural communities receive equitable attention in the FCT infrastructure. It should provide proper drainage and erosion control measures to protect roads from further deterioration while engaging directly with community leaders and residents concerning road projects affecting their communities,’ the statement read.

The group also called for public disclosure of planned road projects, contractors and implementation timelines, urging authorities not to wait until roads become impassable, given that road access affects education, healthcare, agriculture and market activities.

They said residents deserved roads that would allow them to move freely and safely to conduct their businesses.

Nigerian Afrobeats singer-songwriter Oscar Bankz is entering a new phase of his career as his music gains traction and attracts attention beyond Nigeria.

The emerging artist has surpassed 250,000 streams across major digital platforms, marking a notable milestone in his career and reflecting growing interest in his music.

The development comes alongside his international partnership with Astra Luvian Music Worldwide Ltd and increasing attention surrounding his latest release, ‘Astra.’

Known for blending contemporary Afrobeats with Afro-fusion, Oscar Bankz is gradually establishing his identity within Nigeria’s competitive music industry while pursuing opportunities to connect with audiences on the international stage.

The artist is also reportedly exploring a potential collaboration with an established Nigerian Afrobeats star. Although details of the proposed collaboration have not been officially disclosed, a partnership with a major artist could further expand his audience if confirmed.

Oscar Bankz is also looking toward Europe, where he is expected to spend part of the summer while exploring opportunities to connect with creatives, music professionals and audiences.

José Mourinho has revealed that Real Madrid midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni have put their differences behind them following an incident involving the pair last season.

Mourinho said he chose to treat the situation as a fresh start and avoid dwelling on the disagreement between the two players.

‘I decided for them to restart from zero. I see how their relationship is on a daily basis. It’s impossible to think about what happened last season,’ Mourinho said.

The Portuguese manager described the incident as normal and insisted that the two midfielders remain close despite what happened.

‘It was something normal. They are very good friends; it feels as if nothing happened,’ he added.

Mourinho’s comments suggest that the incident has not affected the relationship between Valverde and Tchouaméni, with both players now focused on their responsibilities at Real Madrid.