Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has directed the heads of security agencies to investigate the root causes of a land dispute in Ndama village, Kokona Local Government Area, that resulted in the loss of eight lives.

The governor gave the directive during an expanded emergency security meeting held at Government House in Lafia, the state capital. The meeting followed recent communal violence in Ndama village and the increasing rate of kidnappings in Lafia, as well as the emergence of a new terrorist group in parts of the state.

Governor Sule commended security agencies for their role in protecting lives and property, stressing the need for proactive measures to mitigate security challenges in the state. He appreciated the Nigerian Police Force for sending additional officers to assist in combating criminal activities, but expressed concern over the granting of unnecessary bail to perpetrators of crimes. ‘We appreciate the Nigerian Police Force for sending additional officers to assist in combating criminal activities, but we’re concerned about how those who perpetrated criminal activities in the state are given unnecessary bail by constituted authorities,’ he said.

The State Commissioner of Police, Shettima Jauro Mohammed, noted that security agencies are working together to combat security challenges in the state.

He called for collective support from traditional and religious leaders, as well as members of the public, to provide useful information to security agencies. The meeting was attended by heads of security agencies, selected local government chairmen, and traditional rulers.

It would be recalled that the spokesperson of the State’s Police Command, Ramhan Nansel, has confirmed the death of eight people in a recent attack on the Nindama community in Kokona Local Government Area.

Following a recent report by the World Bank, which estimated that 139 million Nigerians now live in poverty, the Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, has stated that ‘President Bola Tinubu will not compromise Nigeria’s sovereignty in the face of economic outlook!’

Ibrahim, who spoke at the Parliamentary Engagement on the sidelines of the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank meetings in Washington D.C, yesterday, stressed the need for the multilateral institutions to acknowledge that the Nigerian economy has turned the corner.

He attributed the turnaround to the several reforms introduced by the Tinubu-led administration. He advised the institutions to stop downplaying reforms in one of Africa’s biggest economies.

President Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, faulted the World Bank report, saying that the poverty figures must be ‘properly contextualised’ within the limits of global poverty measurement models.

According to the Presidency, the 139 million figure was derived from the global poverty line of $2.15 per person per day, set in 2017 using Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) and should not be mistaken for an actual headcount of poor Nigerians.But Ibrahim, who is representing the Nigerian Senate at the meetings, argued that the World Bank failed to take into consideration interventions by the Tinubu’s administration in poverty alleviation, especially with the N330 billion the government had disbursed to 8.5 million poor households.

He pointed out that some poor Nigerians received at least a tranche of N25,000 as conditional cash transfer through the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO).

He pointed out that the social safety net programme, which even the World Bank approved $800 million for the Bola Tinubu administration, was designed for 15 million poor households at three instalments of N25, 000 each.

The Senator also pointed at Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, which he said aims to translate Nigeria’s macroeconomic reforms into real, grassroots benefits across all 8,809 wards nationwide.

The initiative, he added, also aims to stimulate economic activity, boost food security, generate jobs, and reduce poverty by directly supporting at least 1,000 economically active individuals per ward.

No fewer than 36 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT have received assistive devices from the Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI), Abuja Archdiocese.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the distribution was part of the Bold Action to Strengthen Inclusive Care in Communities (BASICC) programme, funded by Christian Blind Mission (CBM) International.

Beneficiaries received hearing aids, walking sticks, crutches, wheelchairs, tricycles, and other mobility aids to improve functionality, independence, and social partici-pation within their communities. Speaking at the distribution ceremony on Sunday, JDPCI Executive Director, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sanni, said the initiative aimed to promote inclusivity by empowering persons with disabilities, regardless of gender, tribe, or religion.

‘These devices will enhance your mobility and independence. Once empowered, you can unlock the gifts within you, disability doesn’t mean inability,’ Sanni said.

Police bust syndicate using fake scan to obtain babies from pregnant women

UBA foundation raises national essay prizes to N22.5m

Dr Ubong Anyang, a consultant at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, explained that every beneficiary underwent thorough assessment to match them with de-vices suited to their specific physical needs.

Mr Sumaila Adamu, a tricycle recipient, expressed his gratitude.

Emir of Birnin Gwari, His Royal Highness, Malam Zubair Jibril, has called for the immediate restoration of telecommunications and banking services, two critical infrastructures that have been suspended since 2021 in the area as a result of insecurity.

The Emir made the plea in a national message titled ‘Renewed Hope, Renewed Peace: Lessons from Birnin Gwari for a Stronger Nigeria’, issued to newsmen in Kaduna.

He stressed that while physical security has significantly improved, socio-economic reconnection is essential to consolidate the gains of peace.

‘Restoring banking and telecommunications services, suspended since 2021, is crucial for commerce and social inclusion’, he said.He added that the continued absence of banking and telecom services limits access to markets, emergency services, digital education, and financial inclusion, particularly for youth, farmers, traders, and local entrepreneurs. ‘We, therefore, call for continued partnership with the Federal and Kaduna State governments, international development partners, and the private sector to consolidate peace and accelerate development in Birnin Gwari,’ the Emir urged.

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the Economic, Regulatory, and Security Implications of Cryptocurrency Adoption and Point-of-Sale (POS) Operations in Nigeria has faulted the N500 million to N1 billion capital requirement set by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for Virtual Assets Service Providers (VASPs), describing it as excessive and counterproductive.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Olufemi Richard Bamisile, stated this during a technical session with key regulatory and security agencies at the National Assembly complex, Abuja, on Monday.

Lawmakers observed that while effective regulation of the cryptocurrency space is necessary, the current capital threshold could stifle innovation, discourage legitimate investment, and exclude young entrepreneurs who are driving growth in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The committee, therefore, urged the SEC to review the capital requirement to make it more inclusive and supportive of innovation.

During the session, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revealed that all confiscated virtual and digital assets linked to criminal activities are in its custody.

The commission said it operates dedicated digital wallets across its zonal offices for the safekeeping of such assets.

In response, the committee directed the EFCC to furnish it with comprehensive records of all digital asset confiscations to aid its ongoing legislative review and policy recommendations.

The committee expressed displeasure over the failure of several key institutions including the Office of the National Security Adviser, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Communications Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to honour its invitation.

Bamisile urged the agencies to take seriously the economic and security implications of the rapidly evolving digital finance sector.

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday, warned the federal government to stop threatening members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) with its ‘unproductive ‘no work, no pay’ policy’.

The Congress said it would not hesitate to mobilise all workers across the country including those critical sectors to paralyse economy if the government failed to heed the request of ASUU.

Joe Ajaero, President of NLC, who stated this via a statement shared with journalists on Monday, called on the government to immediately set aside its threat against ASUU and use the two-week window to resolve all the issues.

Daily Trust reports that all branches of ASUU across all universities nationwide have been directed to embark on a two-week total and comprehensive warning strike against the government over unmet demands.

The government, while banking on labour laws and some sections of the constitution, subsequently threatened that it would invoke ‘no work no pay’ policy if the university teachers carried out their directive.

Reacting to the development, Ajaero said ASUU’s struggle is not a fight of university teachers alone but a fight for Nigeria’s future, insisting that any attempt by government to invoke ‘no work no pay’ will be met with stiff resistance.

‘This struggle extends beyond an isolated industrial dispute. It reflects a broader societal issue. While the children of the elite attend private institutions or study abroad, the children of the working class and the poor are left in a public education system being systematically weakened.

‘This creates an educational divide that limits social mobility and perpetuates inequality. An educated populace is essential for a progressive nation, and the current approach appears designed to reserve quality education as a commodity for the privileged few.

‘In light of this, the Nigeria Labour Congress hereby declares its full solidarity with ASUU and all other unions in the tertiary education sector. Consequently, we state the following:

‘We call on the Federal Government to immediately set aside its threats and address the core issues in the negotiated agreements with ASUU.

‘We serve notice that if, after this two-week warning strike, the government remains unresponsive, the NLC will not stand idly by.

‘The NLC will convene an emergency meeting with its affiliates in the tertiary education sector to develop a comprehensive strategy for engaging the government.

‘The struggle of ASUU is our struggle. The fight for public education is a fight for Nigeria’s future. We will no longer allow these unions to stand alone.

‘We demand that the Federal Government use this two-week window to present a concrete plan for the full implementation of all agreements.

‘The choice is clear: honour the agreements and salvage public education, or face the resolute and unified force of the entire Nigerian workforce,’ the labour leader declared.

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the 2025 Customer Service Week, stakeholders have called on the federal government to prioritise service excellence across public and private sectors as a catalyst for economic growth.

The call was made during the commissioning of The Premiere’s new corporate office in Lagos, where stakeholders gathered to celebrate the global Customer Service Week themed ‘Mission Possible.’

Chief Executive Officer of The Premiere, Dr. Jane Kimemia, said the timing of the launch, coinciding with Customer Service Week, was deliberate and symbolic of the company’s values.

‘The fact that we are launching at the commencement of Customer Service Week is no coincidence, it reflects who we are: a service-driven organisation focused on excellence,’ she said.

Soldier committed suicide after killing wife in Niger – Army

Man bags 14 years for raping minor in Kano

She added that The Premiere took time to build the right systems, people, and partnerships to ensure that every client experience reflects professionalism and trust.

Kimemia explained that the company aims to deliver global mobility and investment solutions, particularly for Africans seeking international opportunities.Chairman of the company, Chief Austin Albert, said The Premiere is strategically positioned to become a global brand with footprints across Africa.The Managing Director of Globus Bank, Mr. Elias Igbinakenzua, who commissioned the new office, noted that the launch was aligned with the global service week, adding that it highlights the growing importance of service quality in Nigeria’s private sector.

The midfielder suffered a medial collateral ligament injury in the Gunners’ win over West Ham on 4 October and had to be replaced during the first half.

Arsenal released a statement the day after, confirming Odegaard would miss the current international window, but did not set a timeline for his recovery.

However, the 26-year-old is set to remain unavailable until after the next set of international fixtures in the middle of November. The news means Odegaard will miss Premier League games against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sunderland, as well as Champions League matches against Atletico Madrid and Slavia Prague.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has expressed concern over poor waste management at Jabi Park Junction.

These concerns were part of the resolutions contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Council’s Congress, held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the NUJ FCT Secretariat in Abuja.

The meeting also featured a valedictory session in honour of the late Comrade Stella Okoh-Esene, former Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Jour-nalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter.

In the communiqué signed by the Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Com-mittee, Comrade Odigie Ehidiamen Kelvin, members of the union paid glowing tribute to the late Okoh-Esene, describing her as a fearless, principled, and selfless journalist who championed the cause of women in the media and stood firmly for integrity and professionalism. The NUJ FCT Council expressed dissatisfaction with the worsening sanitation situ-ation at Jabi Park Junction and surrounding areas, blaming the Abuja Environmen-tal Protection Board (AEPB) for failing to act despite earlier calls for intervention.

‘Council calls on the AEPB to take immediate and concrete steps to clear the waste, ensure proper waste disposal mechanisms, and maintain environmental sanitation in the area to prevent potential health hazards,’ the communiqué stat-ed.

When nations like the United States of America, Japan, and South Korea are mentioned in conversations about progress, their success stories are often traced back to one factor:innovation. The United States built its economic strength on the shoulders of innovators, who turned ideas into industries in Silicon Valley.

That ecosystem of creativity and investment became the nerve centre of global technological advancement. Nigeria, with its growing youth population and creative energy, may just be on the verge of writing its own version of that story through the newly inaugurated NASENI Innovation Hub.

Located at the headquarters of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), the NASENI Innovation Hub is a bold step toward transforming Nigeria’s economy from consumption to production. It represents the Agency’s drive to build a platform where innovation thrives, young entrepreneurs receive mentorship, and ideas are nurtured into commercially viable products.

The Hub is designed to provide the infrastructure, resources, and professional guidance needed to translate creativity into industrial progress.According to the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the Hub stands as a bridge between the creativity of Nigerian youths and the country’s economic aspirations.

‘The NASENI Innovation Hub is designed to bridge the gap between ideas and the market,’ he once said. ‘We are creating a space where creativity meets structure, and where innovation can be nurtured, protected, and commercialized for national growth.’

This reflects the Agency’s broader mission to empower innovators across Nigeria by providing a supportive environment that encourages collaboration, enhances business skills, and to drive sustainable industrialization.

The NASENI Innovation Hub is powering therecently launched InnovateNaija Challenge, a nationwide campaign seeking to identify and empower outstanding innovators across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The initiative, which is attracting thousands of entries, is designed to spark excitement and engage Nigerians online while identifying the brightest minds working on solutions in science, engineering, and manufacturing.

Winners will be awarded financial support to refine their inventions and bring them closer to the market. Beyond the cash rewards, the campaign is creating a sense of national pride around homegrown creativities and is inspiring Nigerians to believe that world-class innovations can emerge from local communities.

The InnovateNaija Challenge servedas the pre-launch campaign for the NASENI Innovation Hub, setting the tone for a national platform that discovers, mentors, and supports Nigeria’s best innovators.NASENI’s innovation drive is not just about building structures but about building partnerships that sustain ideas.

In that regard, the Agency has entered into a strategic partnership with AfriLabs, a leading pan-African network of innovation centres that has been instrumental in nurturing startups and connecting entrepreneurs across the continent.

With a presence in more than 50 African countries, AfriLabs brings to the partnership a wealth of experience in providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to funding for young innovators. For NASENI, this partnership ensures that Nigeria’s creative talents are not working in isolation but are linked to a broader ecosystem of African and global innovations.

Speaking on the collaboration, Mr. Halilu noted that the partnership with AfriLabs is designed to help Nigerian innovators scale their ideas from concept to commercialisation. ‘We’re not just building a hub; we’re building a bridge between Nigerian innovators and global networks of knowledge and investment,’ he said.

Through the partnership, young Nigerians with promising ideas will receive mentorship, participate in incubation programmes, and gain access to investors who can help them turn prototypes into market-ready products. This model aligns with NASENI’s broader vision of creating homegrown solutions that solve Nigeria’s problems while generating employment and export potential.

Within the NASENI Innovation Hub, several programmes have been lined up to sustain innovation at different levels of the value chain. The NASENI Incubation Scheme provides mentorship, business advisory support, and legal guidance to startups, helping them scale their products and protect their intellectual property.

Also, the Future Makers by NASENI programme targets young innovators in universities and secondary schools, nurturing curiosity and problem-solving skills from an early stage. There is also the NASENI Reverse Japa Programme, an ambitious initiative aimed at encouraging top Nigerian researchers and innovators in foreign institutions to return home and contribute to national development.

Other schemes such as NASENI Xceler8 and InnoGovare focusing on refining and scaling innovations in science, technology, and manufacturing, ensuring that Nigerian startups are ready for market expansion and investment attraction.

The significance of the NASENI Innovation Hub goes beyond its immediate activities; it represents a long-term investment in Nigeria’s technological sovereignty and economic sustainability. By promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, the Hub is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported goods, encourage local production, and generate employment for thousands of young people.

The ripple effect on the economy could be profound, as successful startups emerging from the NASENI Innovation Hub will contribute to the gross domestic product (GDP) growth, attract direct foreign investment (FDI), and position Nigeria as a hub for technology and manufacturing in Africa.

Globally, innovation hubs have been engines of transformation. For instance, Silicon Valley transformed the United States into a global technology leader. Israel’s startup ecosystem turned the small nation into a powerhouse of innovation, while countries like Rwanda have built thriving innovation districts such as Kigali Innovation City.

For Nigeria, the NASENI Innovation Hub aims to join that league by providing the structure, discipline, and opportunities that local innovators need to thrive. In a country where youth unemployment and brain drain remain major challenges, this Hub offers a chance for Nigerian ingenuity to find expression and value at home.

As the Hub begins to take shape, the energy it will unleash is already being felt across the country. From young inventors building energy-efficient devices in secondary schools to tech entrepreneurs designing solutions for agriculture, healthcare, and transportation, a quiet revolution is brewing.

NASENI’s approach in combining government support with private sector collaboration and global partnerships could become the model that finally bridges the gap between research, innovation, and industrial production in Nigeria.

As the EVC/CEO of the Agency said, ‘Nigeria’s future will not be imported; it will be invented here.’ This shows NASENI Innovation Hub is a platform that symbolises the country’s determination to take charge of its destiny through creativity, science, and technology.

If Silicon Valley could turn dreams into billion-dollar industries, the NASENI Innovation Hub could well become the birthplace of Nigeria’s next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.

In the coming years, the Hub is expected to shape Nigeria’s innovation culture, promote inclusive industrialization, and foster a generation that creates solutions rather than consuming them. Its long-term impact will not only be measured in the number of startups it incubates or patents it files but in the transformation of mindsets, from dependence to self-reliance, from imitation to creation, and from consumption to innovation.

The NASENI Innovation Hub, in essence, is more than a building, rather, it is a visionthat seeks to redefine how Nigeria perceives its young innovators and what role technology can play in national development. As it stands today, it is not just a centre for research and creativity; it is a national call to invent, to innovate, and to build a future that reflects the strength and potential of the Nigerian mind.