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The House of Representatives of the state of South Carolina has commended Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, for his contributions to governance in Nigeria.

The recognition was presented at the African Leadership Public Service Excellence Awards, organised by Africa Leadership magazine, at the Proshansky Auditorium, City University of New York, United States, recently.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, stated that the organisers awarded Alake the African Leadership Public Service Excellence Award for Solid Minerals Development and Sectoral Reform.

Rosalyn Henderson-Myers, member, South Carolina House of Representatives, presented the award.

In a surprise move, the organisers announced that the House of Representatives of South Carolina wished to present a certificate of recognition to the minister.

A motion signed by the Speaker of the House, G. Murrel-Smith Jr., and the Clerk, Charles Reid, on September 24, 2025, at the State House, Columbia, recognised Alake as a seasoned journalist, media strategist, and public administrator.

It stated, ‘We, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, commend you on all your contributions to Nigerian politics and wish you success in all your future endeavours.’

The commendation concluded a long citation in honour of the high-profile minister, extolling his virtues and contributions to Nigeria’s democracy.

The citation delivered by Hon. Aaron T. Manaigo, Former Republican State Senator from New York, reads, ‘His distinguished career spans over four decades in media, politics, and government. Alake began his professional journey as a writer, columnist, and editor.

‘His political career began when he served as Advisor of Information to the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola’s presidential campaign. Dr Alake worked with the pro-democracy movements and assisted with the formation of the National Democratic Coalition.

‘He served as Special Advisor to the Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu; President Tinubu appointed him as Minister of Solid Minerals Development.’

Receiving the awards, Solid Minerals Development Minister, Alake, thanked the organisers and the House of Representatives of South Carolina for the good gesture, assuring them that he would not lower the standards of governance and public probity that won him the recognition.

He reiterated the reforms of the solid minerals sector, such as the establishment of the mining marshals and deployment of mine satellite monitoring software to combat illegal mining, revocation of licences to tackle speculators, and digitisation to promote access and transparency.

Alake explained the administration’s policy of value addition that discourages export of raw minerals and promotes processing and manufacturing will ensure skills transfer and employ many Nigerians.

He recalled how his campaign for the policy at the Future Mineral Forum in Riyadh in January 2024 led to the formation of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) and his election as the pioneer chairman.

He urged investors to put their capital in the solid minerals sector to boost African economies and empower the people.

Former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has called for the prosecution of the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.

According to a media report attributed to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the embattled Honourable Nnaji tendered his resignation on Tuesday.

The chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, in a statement entitled ‘Forgery as State Policy: Tinubu, His Cabinet, and the DSS Must Be Held Accountable,’ maintained that rather than accepting Honourable Nnaji’s voluntary resignation, ‘he should have been summarily dismissed and prosecuted for deceit and falsification.

‘By permitting him to quietly exit through the back door, the Tinubu administration has once again demonstrated that it is an assembly of forgers, impostors, and morally bankrupt individuals masquerading as public servants.’

While accusing the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration of treating a serious crime of alleged forgery with kid gloves, the former Vice President also criticised security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS), for failure of due diligence, which he noted ‘has made Nigeria an object of ridicule before the world and raises the question: how many more of such individuals are occupying sensitive positions in this government?’

The statement read: ‘Tuesday’s resignation of Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has once again brought to light the deep moral crisis at the heart of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. What should ordinarily be a matter of national shame is now being disguised as a ‘voluntary resignation’ – an attempt to whitewash yet another scandal that typifies the forgery-ridden character of this government.

‘Let the truth be told: Uche Nnaji should not have been allowed the courtesy of resignation. He should have been summarily dismissed and prosecuted for deceit and falsification. By permitting him to quietly exit through the back door, the Tinubu administration has once again demonstrated that it is an assembly of forgers, impostors, and morally bankrupt individuals masquerading as public servants.

‘What makes this even more embarrassing is that the same Department of State Services (DSS), which screened out Mallam Nasir el-Rufai for alleged ‘security concerns’, is the very agency that cleared this same character, Uche Nnaji. The DSS truly deserves our flowers for this national disgrace. Their failure of due diligence has made Nigeria an object of ridicule before the world and raises the question: how many more of such individuals are occupying sensitive positions in this government?

‘This episode is not isolated. It is a reflection of a pattern – a rot that begins from the very top. The man who occupies the office of President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has for decades been enmeshed in controversies surrounding his identity, age, and academic records. From the Chicago State University saga to multiple contradictory claims under oath, the world has seen ample evidence that Nigeria today is led by a man who himself has been unable to credibly defend the authenticity of his own certificates.

‘When a man of questionable identity leads a country, deception becomes the standard of governance. Tinubu’s personal history of alleged forgery and perjury has effectively institutionalised falsehood in public service. It is therefore unsurprising that his ministers and aides have taken after his example by falsifying documents, inflating records, and desecrating the moral foundation of our nation.

‘I, therefore, call for an independent, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the academic and professional credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council, beginning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself. Nigerians deserve to know the truth about those who preside over their lives and resources.

‘Until this cleansing is done, Nigeria will continue to sink deeper into moral decay, economic ruin, and global embarrassment. The time has come to rescue our country from the grip of deceit and restore integrity to public life.’

The Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (JSPHCDA) has received over 3.6 million doses of the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine (nOPV2) and Bi-valent Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV) for administration to children under five years across the state.

This was disclosed by the Chief of UNICEF Kano Field Office, Mr Rahama Rihood Muhammed Farah, during the flag-off of the state’s 2025 Integrated Polio and Measles-Rubella (MR) Campaign at Gantsa town, Buji Local Government Area.

According to Mr Farah, the Federal and Jigawa State Governments, in collaboration with UNICEF, have established 1,580 vaccination teams for the integrated campaign. He explained that the exercise would involve 1.8 million doses each of nOPV2 and bOPV, targeting over two million children under five for polio vaccination.

He added that the campaign, covering all 287 wards and 27 local government areas, will also vaccinate over three million children aged nine months to 14 years against measles and rubella.

‘The October 2025 integrated campaign will use fixed, temporary, and sweep team strategies,’ Mr Farah said, noting that UNICEF has supported the training and deployment of 1,500 health workers and 264 Non-Compliance Resolution Teams (NCRTs) across the state.

Each of the 88 NCRT teams, he said, comprises a community influencer, traditional leader, and vaccinator, tasked with resolving non-compliance cases in real time during the exercise.

He further disclosed that the JSPHCDA, with UNICEF support, has deployed four state facilitators, 18 LGA facilitators, 288 Voluntary Ward Supervisors (VWSs), 74 Polio Survivor Groups (PSGs), and 4,880 Voluntary Community Mobilisers (VCMs) for the October campaign.

Mr Farah revealed that Jigawa recorded four cases of the circulating Variant Polio Virus (cVPV2) in 2025 from Sule Tankarkar, Hadejia, Gwaram, and Garki LGAs – a significant reduction compared to 12 cases reported across six LGAs in 2024.

He emphasised that the ongoing campaign provides another opportunity to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases, urging all stakeholders – from local government chairmen to community leaders and parents – to play active roles in ensuring every eligible child is vaccinated.

‘We expect no less than 95 per cent coverage in Jigawa,’ he stated. ‘UNICEF remains committed to supporting immunisation efforts by providing technical assistance, strengthening community engagement, and ensuring no child is missed – especially in high-risk areas.’

Farah commended the dedication of health workers, volunteers, and traditional leaders, describing their contributions as ‘central to building a healthier future for Jigawa’s children.’

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has advised students, particularly those in SS3, to start getting familiar with computers as the 2026 school-based Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) will be conducted entirely through Computer-Based Testing (CBT).

The council also explained the recent removal of Trade Subjects from Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS) on its online portal ahead of the forthcoming exams.

The Head of the National Office (HNO) of WAEC Nigeria, Dr. Amos Dangut, made this known on Wednesday in Lagos during a public sensitization rally organized by the council. The roadshow was part of efforts to inform students, parents, and the public about the full transition to CBT for the May/June 2026 WASSCE.

According to him, the decision to conduct the exam entirely online prompted the nationwide awareness campaign to ensure everyone, including those in rural areas, is informed and adequately prepared.

He said the initiative aims to help candidates and their supporters across the country become comfortable with using computers and confident in taking the examination in CBT format.

‘So, the sensitization campaign which is already on across the country including the rural areas with all our staff across our offices involved is designed to capture every Nigerian notwithstanding their abode,’ he added.

On the removal of Trade Subjects from CASS, Dangut clarified that the directive came from the Federal Government and other key education stakeholders, not WAEC.

He explained that the move aligns with the revised secondary school curriculum under which current SS3 students will register for the 2026 WASSCE.

He dismissed reports suggesting that WAEC acted unilaterally, describing such claims as false.

According to him, ‘WAEC does not act arbitrarily as we are a law-abiding international exam body that responds to the directives of stakeholders.

‘So, phasing out the numerous trade subjects from the portal is a directive which we must obey,’ he added.

Dangut, however, assured schools and candidates that several of the affected trade subjects had been reviewed or merged under new names, while their core content and curriculum remain largely the same.

He emphasized that there is no need for panic, noting that the changes are mainly administrative and reflect updates to the national curriculum.

Dangut concluded that keeping outdated trade subjects on the portal would serve no purpose since they are no longer part of the official curriculum.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on African stakeholders to embrace clean urban transport innovation and investment, describing them not as abstract ideals but as tools for continental renaissance.

The governor made the call on Wednesday at the 2025 Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) International Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility (SUMConference25), themed ‘Harnessing Clean Urban Transport Innovation and Investment in Africa.’

Speaking at the event held at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, the governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, urged Africans to build a continent that moves efficiently, inclusively, and sustainably.

He noted that across the continent, cities were expanding rapidly, and with them, the demand for safe, reliable, and affordable mobility had become essential.

According to him, the African continent must be united by a shared and urgent mission focused on harnessing innovation and investment for clean, sustainable urban mobility.

‘For Africa, sustainable mobility is not a luxury but a necessity for achieving economic development, social equity, and climate resilience.

‘I challenge us all to think big, act bold, and move together. Let us harness clean urban transport innovation and investment not as abstract ideals but as instruments of continental renaissance. Let us build an Africa that moves efficiently, inclusively, and sustainably,’ the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu further stated that the conference aligned with the United Nations’ forthcoming Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035), urging governments, cities, and citizens to develop transport systems that are safe, inclusive, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient.

He emphasised that Africa could not afford to be a spectator in this global movement, noting that the continent was urbanising faster than any other region in the world.

‘By 2050, over 1.3 billion Africans will live in cities. How we move those people cleanly, affordably, and equitably will determine whether our growth is sustainable or self-defeating,’ he said.

The governor acknowledged that the journey towards sustainable mobility required political courage, financial creativity, institutional resilience, and partnerships across the continent.

He pointed out that Lagos, through perseverance, had demonstrated what was possible when African cities believed in themselves, adding: ‘This transformation is still unfolding in our Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, our ferry terminals, our smart ticketing systems, and our upcoming electric bus pilot. Each project tells a story.’

Sanwo-Olu further revealed that Lagos was among the first African cities to deploy a citywide sensor network, coordinated by LAMATA and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), to track urban transport-induced emissions in real time.

He envisioned that the conference must move participants ‘closer to a continental Air Quality Alliance linking African cities in a shared platform of open data for clean air.’

In his address, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to driving Africa’s clean and sustainable transport revolution. He said the convergence of critical stakeholders and decision-makers from across the continent continued to address the challenges and opportunities shaping Africa’s transportation future.

Osiyemi noted that Africa’s rapid urbanisation presented both great challenges and immense opportunities for sustainable development, adding: ‘As our cities grow, we must prioritise clean, affordable, and efficient mobility for all.’

Highlighting the vast potential of clean transport investment across Africa, the commissioner explained that sustainable mobility was key to improving air quality, reducing congestion, and promoting economic growth. He cited several African cities – including Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Cape Town, Accra, and Lagos – that were already implementing electric mobility initiatives, non-motorised transport infrastructure, and multimodal public transport systems.

In her welcome address, LAMATA Managing Director, Engr Abimbola Akinajo, stated that the conference, held in partnership with sustainable development organisations, aimed to serve as a knowledge hub for policymakers, planners, engineers, researchers, operators, and other key stakeholders at both national and sub-national levels in Nigeria.

She recalled that in 2024, the Lagos State Government, through LAMATA, formally institutionalised the annual conference on sustainable urban mobility and that from 2025 onwards, the agency decided to incorporate international stakeholder participation, especially from Africa, into the SUMConference framework.

‘This is geared towards fostering synergy, cooperation, commitment, and unity among African governments, businesses, and communities to adopt sustainable transport practices, reduce carbon footprints, and promote renewable energy sources,’ she said.

Akinajo added that the main objective of the SUMCourse workshops was to continue building institutional and organisational capacity across state ministries, departments, agencies, and local governments, and to coordinate their activities towards achieving a unified and consistent policy framework for sustainable transport development in Lagos.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday quashed the conspiracy and forgery charges filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) against an 89-year-old Anambra-based businessman, Christian Eze.

The businessman who was helped into the courtroom with a walking stick was set free by Justice James Omotosho, along with a 75-year-old woman, Josephine Obineme, who jointly stood trial in the five-count criminal charges brought against them by the police.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday on the charges, Justice Omotosho held that the evidence presented against the two defendants by the police was vague, watery, and full of doubts for the court to establish any case against them.

The Judge said there was no link between the defendants and the charges preferred against them, as the police investigation was shady and had no legs to stand upon.

The IGP had filed five-count criminal charges, bordering on conspiracy, forgery, unlawful conversion of properties, and fraudulent claims of ownership of properties against the defendants.

The alleged offence, which ran contrary to sections 1, 2, and 6 of the Miscellaneous Act, carries 21 years upon conviction.

The defendants were specifically accused of falsifying Company Registration Documents at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Abuja in 2005, to claim ownership of two companies, Jefrics Nigeria Limited and Zecon Nigeria Limited, belonging to their late senior brother.

In one of the counts, the 89-year-old Anambra businessman was said to have, in 2005, allegedly falsified Jefrics Company, allotted higher shares to himself and appointed himself as the Managing Director of the Company, while the second defendant was made Executive Director.

He was also accused of forging letters of consent to alter the share allotment in the two companies to back up his appointment as the Managing Director.

Besides, the defendant was said to have sold a Petroleum Station located at Lafia in Nasarawa State and belonging to one of the two companies at N25 million and converted the proceeds of the sale to his personal use.

About 20 exhibits were tendered during the trial and admitted by the court.

However, in his defence, the 89-year-old defendant claimed he had never been to the Corporate Affairs Commission in his life and did not know how to allot company shares and alter the Memorandum of Understanding.

He said in his statement and oral evidence that two lawyers, Otti and Kamaldeen Raji, were appointed to handle the affairs of the two companies on behalf of his late elder brother and that they should be held accountable for any issue involving the companies.

The second defendant, Josephine Obineme, claimed to be a former staff member of the companies and that she knew nothing about the allegations against her.

In his findings, Justice Omotosho said he believed the evidence of the two defendants they were consistent, confident, and unshaken during their oral testimony and under the fire of cross-examination.

He said it was wrong of the police to have refused, neglected, and failed to investigate both lawyers, Oti and Kamaldeen Raji, whose names featured prominently in the forgery, adding that the failure of the police to investigate the two legal practitioners was fatal to the prosecution.

‘I believe the evidence of the two defendants as witnesses of truth. I have no reason to doubt them. The failure of the police to investigate the two lawyers named in the shady forgery deal wreaks havoc on the charges.

‘The claim of Police that they cannot locate the two lawyers for investigation is doubtful, and doubt must be resolved in favour of the defendants. I have no cause to believe that they forged any document,’ Justice Omotosho said.

He held that the police were not diligent in the investigation into the forgery, while the evidence of the three witnesses called and testified was vague, watery, full of doubts, and of no help to the charges brought against the two defendants.

He therefore discharged and acquitted them of the entire five-count criminal charges.

Nigerians are groaning under yet another hike in the price of cooking gas, with a kilogram now selling for as high as ?2,000 – and in some locations up to ?3,000 – sparking widespread concern over the cost of living.

But gas marketers say the situation is not the result of any official price adjustment.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Oladapo Olatunbosun, attributed the price surge to temporary supply disruptions and market exploitation by opportunistic dealers.

‘I sympathise with Nigerians as the President of NALPGAM because we never intended to have a situation like this.

‘I must say categorically that the price of cooking gas has not gone up. No increment has been done officially.

‘What is happening is that some marketers are taking advantage of the shortage in supply and market forces that have increased demand. They are cashing in to make quick money, which is wrong,’ Olatunbosun said.

He assured that the situation is artificial and temporary, and that normalcy is expected to return within days.

Channels TV had earlier reported that LPG prices, which averaged between ?1,200 and ?1,300 per kilogram, have recently jumped to between ?1,700 and ?2,000, depending on location.

According to Olatunbosun, the problem began when Dangote Refinery – a key player in improving local supply – embarked on maintenance that slowed truck loading, creating a shortfall in distribution.

‘Before the strike, Dangote loaded about 50 trucks per day, which served the South-West and some parts of the North. But when renovation started, trucks began spending up to 14 days at the refinery yard before getting products.

‘Marketers then switched to Apapa for supply, and when the PENGASSAN strike hit, vessel discharges and inspections were disrupted, drying up stocks nationwide.’

He explained that although Dangote Refinery did not completely halt production, the strike prevented inspectors from clearing vessels for discharge, causing a backlog that severely affected supply across the country – especially in the South-West, which consumes the largest volume of LPG in Nigeria.

Olatunbosun disclosed that Nigeria’s LPG consumption had risen from 1.2 million metric tonnes three years ago to nearly two million metric tonnes, making the market more sensitive to disruptions.

To cushion the impact, he advised consumers to buy directly from registered gas plants, warning that those purchasing through middlemen were likely to pay inflated prices.

‘If you buy from a third or fourth party, the chain extends and the price rises – just like buying petrol from black market vendors.

‘At gas bottling plants operated by our members, the price is between ?1,000 and ?1,300, depending on the area and cost of transportation,’ he clarified.

He added that before the recent disruption, prices were as low as ?950 to ?1,050 in some areas, assuring that supply and pricing will stabilise soon.

‘We are working with relevant authorities to ensure steady supply and normal pricing in the coming days,’ Olatunbosun concluded.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has screened 176 exceptional underage candidates who scored high marks in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as part of the conditions for granting them admission into universities.

Following the adoption of the 16 years age limit at the last JAMB admission policy meeting, the Registrar of the Board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, assembled a team of experts to further screen the underage candidates who scored 320 and above in the 2025 UTME.

The exercise, designed to ensure that only outstanding and well-prepared candidates below the age of 16 are considered for admission into tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session, was conducted by experts put together by the examination body.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the Chairman of the Abuja Centre for the screening of under-16 candidates, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the exercise, which was also held simultaneously in Owerri and Lagos.

On the screening procedure, Adedoja explained that candidates first sat for a written examination before proceeding to face-to-face interviews.

‘They did the first paper which took like 20 minutes and after that the papers were marked and they proceeded to the second session and after that the third one and we will have a face-to-face interaction with them,’ he said.

The former Minister of Sports noted that 22 candidates participated in the Abuja Centre, while 176 candidates took part nationwide.

‘Twenty-two candidates are here in Abuja Centre, and nationwide it is 176,’ he said, adding that the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, would determine when the results of the screening would be released.

Also speaking after monitoring the exercise, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Mohammed Muntari Dandutse, commended JAMB for providing a platform for talented underage candidates to demonstrate their abilities.

‘Now they are giving leverage to the underage so that they can go to the universities based on their ability to pass these exams.

‘It is very important for them (underage) to be assessed because of the maturity of focus. because if you take an underage to go to the university and he doesn’t perform, it is a useless venture. So it is better that the exam is carried out so that the best talent can be selected and it will pave the way for the development of this country,’ the lawmaker, who represents Katsina South Senatorial District, said.

Dandutse also reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s education policies aimed at national development, while commending JAMB for its consistency and transparency.

‘I want to sincerely commend the leadership of JAMB for their milestone to make sure that this exam is written across the country,’ he said.

On his part, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, Hon. Oboku Oforji, who also monitored the exercise in Abuja, lauded the students for their outstanding performance, noting that it reflects Nigeria’s competitiveness in education across Africa.

‘Because for the underage to have performed exceptionally well, it tells how we are doing in education as of today. And we are very proud of the agency – JAMB – and we want to encourage them to do more. Even though we believe that with what we sighted, more is supposed to be encouraged,’ Oforji, who was joined by his committee members, said.

Meanwhile, a total of 38 out of 43 shortlisted underage candidates participated in the screening exercise at the Owerri Centre.

Chairman of the Owerri Centre and Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Paulinus Okwelle, expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the exercise.

He commended the candidates for their orderly behaviour and assured that the screening process would strictly adhere to the guidelines provided by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The under-16 candidates at the Owerri Centre were drawn from the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones.

Recall that in Nigeria, the official age for university admission is 18, though the National Policy allows entry from age 16.

A total of 41,027 candidates applied under the category of exceptionally brilliant underage candidates for the 2025 UTME, but only 599 scored 80 per cent and above.

Some were later disqualified for not meeting the same benchmark in their O-Level or Post-UTME results, leaving only 176 confirmed for final assessment.

The screening panel comprised representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission (NUC), vice-chancellors, the Gifted School, among others.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig-Gen Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), has said that the Agency is not averse to the controlled and regulated export of cannabis oil to countries that desire it, but remains opposed to its local consumption.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop themed ‘Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria’, organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) in Abuja on Wednesday, Marwa said, ‘At NDLEA, our position on cannabis oil is simple: we welcome dialogue. We believe Nigeria must make informed choices, not choices driven by half-truths, commercial interests, or global trends.

‘Cannabis oil may have medicinal properties worth investigating, but it also carries health risks, potential for misuse, and implications for public safety. This is why it is crucial that scientists, medical experts, policymakers, and regulators are in the same room to bring facts to the table, scrutinise evidence, and weigh options carefully.

‘Let me assure you that NDLEA is not opposed to science, nor are we indifferent to innovation. What we insist on is caution. Policy must protect lives, safeguard public health, and strengthen-not weaken-our fight against drug abuse. As such, the Agency will not be averse to the idea of controlled export of cannabis oil to foreign companies and countries that desire it, as part of our drive as a country to enhance foreign earnings.

‘After all, some countries have approved the use of cannabis oil for therapeutic purposes, while others, including Nigeria, have not. Our concern, however, is about its consumption in Nigeria. In essence, we are not opposed to the idea of exporting the oil to those who desire it, but such must be strictly controlled, licensed, and monitored by NDLEA, with such processes located only within export-free zones,’ he stated.

Explaining the position of the Agency, the NDLEA boss said the conversation is necessary because ‘we are talking about cannabis, which is not just another plant. It is a substance with complex medical, social, and economic dimensions. For decades, the debate has been one-sided. Advocates often highlight the supposed benefits of cannabis oil, while its risks and consequences are glossed over. This, no doubt, informed the decision by us at the NDLEA to commission an ongoing study on cannabis oil by this respected apex body of scientists, the Nigerian Academy of Science.

‘In a country like Nigeria, which is already contending with a high burden of drug abuse, it is imperative that we approach this matter with sobriety, clarity, and balance. Till today, much of the public debate highlights the potential therapeutic uses of cannabis oil and the commercial value of its export.

‘What about the risks? Evidence shows that cannabis, including its oil extracts, can have adverse effects on mental health, especially among young people. The prolonged or uncontrolled use of cannabis and its extracts is linked to anxiety, depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairment.

‘Another fundamental issue that we must take cognisance of is that the lack of standardised production and regulation in many countries means products sold as ‘cannabis oil’ often vary in potency, contain contaminants, or are misused outside medical supervision. Already, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of misuse of cannabis worldwide.’

He said that as part of efforts to mitigate the consequences of illicit drug cultivation and production, the Agency, as the first in Africa, decided to introduce an alternative development project in 2023.

According to him, ‘The Alternative Development Project demands ethical responsibility and commitment to develop transformative policies and humanitarian responses to mitigate drug-related problems and end the complexities and violence of the war on drugs in Nigeria and globally.

‘In Nigeria, the Alternative Development Project will focus on reducing the vulnerabilities of ignorance, poverty, hunger, unemployment, and underdevelopment that push people into illicit economies, particularly illicit drug cultivation.’

In his welcome remark, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), Prof Abubakar Sambo, who was represented by the Vice President of the Academy, Prof Friday Okonofua, noted that several research studies have considered various uses of cannabis and its side effects.

He said the workshop was aimed at reaching a consensus on the contentious issue of the use of cannabis oil, noting that ‘at the end of the day, we’ll have evidence-based consensus work, which will be properly documented and will lead us to decide what we should be doing regarding the use of cannabis in this country.’

Chairman of the NAS study committee on cannabis oil use, Prof Musbau Akanbi, commended NDLEA for being proactive and working with the Academy to obtain a science-driven guide for Nigeria.

‘As we all know, cannabis oil is extracted from cannabis, and the legalisation of the use of the oil would translate to large-scale cultivation of the weed itself. The Nigerian Academy of Science consequently constituted the consensus study committee on the cannabis oil debate, comprising experts in all fields related to the study request.

‘The committee collected a lot of literature on the subject matter from all over the world, reviewed what is happening in other lands, and decided to arrange this workshop where experts from various related fields would come together with stakeholders and present evidence that will be collated to assist NDLEA in carrying out its honest responsibility.’

Also speaking at the workshop, Dr Samuel Adekola, who represented Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, noted that ‘this all-important workshop will offer our great country, Nigeria, the opportunity to move from debate to design, from potential to policies, and I urge all participants to contribute constructively so that together we can rise to craft a model that not only benefits the consumers of health, the Sunshine State, and Nigeria, but also positions our nation as a leader on the African continent in this emerging field. Let us proceed with vision, with courage, and with unity of purpose.’

In his keynote address, Prof Oye Gureje, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neurosciences, and Substance Abuse, University of Ibadan, stated that cumulative evidence suggests that ‘cannabis has some limited medical use’, and ‘widespread recreational use is likely to lead to increased risk of psychosis’, while ‘public health may be moderately affected by increased use (e.g. road accidents)’.

The President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, has dismissed claims by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) that it has withdrawn the Council’s registration certificate, insisting that the Commission lacks the power to take such a unilateral decision while a subsisting judgment of a competent court remains in force.

He, therefore, urged all members of the NYCN, state chapters, zonal leaders, affiliate bodies, and Nigerian youths to disregard any publication, pronouncement, or action from individuals, groups, or agencies purporting to dissolve, suspend, or replace the current leadership.

Sukubo made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, clarifying the earlier announcement by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development that the Council’s certificate had been withdrawn by the CAC.

The statement read: ‘The attention of the leadership and members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has been drawn to the recent publication on the withdrawal of registration certificate of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the purported appointment of interim Management Team by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) respectively.

‘We wish to recall and reaffirm that pursuant to the judgment of Hon. Justice D.U. Okorowo of the Federal High Court, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1553/2022 between INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL OF NIGERIA and 4ORS vs CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION and 3ORS, which challenged the incorporation certificate that is now in issue, the leadership of the NYCN under Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo was duly recognized and affirmed as the legitimate and lawfully constituted leadership of the Council and the incorporation certificate was upheld.

‘The same matter now a subject of appeal in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/13081/2023, wherein both the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) are parties/respondents.

‘In view of the subsisting judgment and the ongoing appellate proceeding, any purported withdrawal, appointment, suspension, or tampering with the NYCN’s certificate of incorporation is not only unlawful but constitutes a direct affront to the authority of the courts.

‘The law is clear that no individual, groups, and government agencies have the power to override or pre-empt the decisions of a competent court of law. Hence, the current actions by the duo Registrar General and Hon. Minister of FMYD is a classical case of resort to self-help.

‘Accordingly, we hereby urge all members of the NYCN, state chapters, zonal leaders, affiliate bodies, and teeming Nigerian youths to disregard any publication, pronouncement, or action emanating from persons, groups, or agencies purporting to dissolve, suspend, or replace the current leadership.

‘The judgment of Hon. Justice D.U. Okorowo of the Federal High Court, which validated the incorporation certificate of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, remains valid and subsisting until it is set aside by a higher court.

‘The leadership of Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, therefore, remains sacrosanct, legitimate, and binding in law and, in fact.

‘We call on all members to remain calm, law-abiding, and steadfast, and to continue to work collectively in the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, towards building a stronger, united, and progressive National Youth Council of Nigeria that represents the true aspirations of Nigerian youths,’ it stated.