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Three students of the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (NTIC), Mamudo, Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State, have received cash and laptops for their feat at an international competition.

The students distinguished themselves at the global TeenEagle competition held at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.

The gifts were given by a diplomat, lawyer, and philanthropist, Kashim Musa Tumsah.

In addition, cash tokens were presented to the principal, Habibullah Jogi, English teacher Adamu Mukhtar, and Olympiad coach Mohammed Umar, in recognition of their efforts and contributions. The donation was announced on Monday at NTIC, where Tumsah was represented by Kaka Ahmad Abubakar, a retired educationist and former principal at the Government Girls College Yobe.

According to Abubakar, the gesture reflects Tumsah’s longstanding commitment to supporting young people in education, innovation, and global competitiveness.

‘Barrister Tumsah made this donation not only to celebrate the students’ outstanding success on the world stage but also to encourage them and others to aim higher,’ Abubakar said. ‘He believes that with the right encouragement, Nigerian students can stand shoulder to shoulder with their counterparts anywhere in the world.’

The Principal of NTIC Mamudo, Mr. Habibullah Jogi, commended Tumsah for the intervention, describing it as a morale booster for the school community and a reflection of his passion for human capital development.

The beneficiaries of the donation, 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu, 15-year-old Rukayya Muhammad Fema, and Hadiza Kashim Kalli, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the philanthropist.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Nafisa said the recognition had further inspired them to continue working hard in their academic pursuits.

At the competition, Nafisa was named Overall Best in English Language Skills, while Rukayya emerged as Overall Best in Debate. Hadiza was honoured with the Outstanding Talent Award (Gold Medal).

The three students represented NTIC Yobe at the TeenEagle International Competition, an annual event that brings together some of the brightest young minds from across the globe to test their skills in English language, creativity, and problem-solving.

This year’s edition was held from July 27 to August 3 at the University of Surrey, United Kingdom, and featured over 900 students from 46 countries.

The Federal Government says it got approximately N250bn in funding for the development of modern light rail systems in Kaduna and Kano States.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the disclosure yesterday at the World Press Conference in Abuja, where he explained that N150bn has been allocated for Kano, while Kaduna will receive N100bn.

He stressed the administration’s commitment to advancing critical infrastructure development at the sub-national level.

‘The Federal Government is actively going further to support various subnational infrastructure projects, for instance, the light rail projects in Kano and Kaduna States, for which funding to the tune of N150 billion and N100 billion, respectively, has been secured,’ he said. The minister also pointed to broader efforts to strengthen governance at the grassroots, noting that local government areas were being fiscally reintegrated to serve as catalysts for growth and development.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu was determined to entrench financial autonomy for local governments, thereby making them more effective in service delivery, community engagement, and the provision of essential infrastructure.

Idris further explained that state governments were now receiving significantly higher revenue allocations from the federation account, a development made possible by the removal of the oil subsidy and other fiscal reforms.

This, he said, had positioned subnational governments to do more with fewer constraints and less reliance on debt, creating an opportunity to focus resources on capital projects that directly impact the lives of citizens.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared unconstitutional the shadow government proposed by the Prof. Pat Utomi-led Big Tent Movement.

Justice James Omotosho, delivering judgement on Monday, ruled that the initiative was alien to Nigeria’s presidential system of government and void under the 1999 Constitution.

‘The Nigerian Constitution makes no room for a shadow government. Therefore, any participation in any government which is unknown to law will be struck down by this court. I hereby declare the formation as void,’ the judge held.

The judge also restrained members of the movement’s Good Governance portfolio and council of economic advisers, including Dele Farotimi, Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo and Obi Ajuga, from operating the structure. Efforts by Daily Trust to obtain a reaction from Nana Kazaure, the group’s Shadow Minister for Communication and Public Orientation, proved unsuccessful as she did not respond to calls or messages.

The Department of State Services (DSS), which initiated the suit, argued that sections 1(1), 1(2) and 14(2)(a) of the Constitution uphold the supremacy of the constitution and sovereignty of the people, and that all governmental authority must derive from law.

The DSS had sought, among other reliefs, ‘an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, his agents and associates from taking any steps towards establishing or operating a ‘shadow government’, ‘shadow cabinet’, or any similar entity not recognised by the Constitution.’

To guide the court, eminent legal scholars were invited as amici curiae, including Prof. Ademola Popoola of Obafemi Awolowo University; Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze, Vice Chancellor of Imo State University; former NBA president Yakubu Maikyau (SAN); Joseph Daudu (SAN); Joe Gadzama (SAN); Prof. Dakas Dakas (SAN); and Miannaya Essien (SAN).

The shadow government, formally launched by Utomi on May 5, was designed to function like a shadow cabinet common in parliamentary systems. It assigned portfolios to opposition figures, professionals and activists to scrutinise government policies and propose alternatives.

At its unveiling, Utomi described the project as a ‘national emergency response’ aimed at deepening democracy beyond periodic elections. He argued it would serve as an alternative think-tank to highlight policy failures and mobilise citizens to demand accountability.

Lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi was named to head the Ombudsman and Good Governance desk, while Cheta Nwanze, Halima Ahmed, Daniel Ikuonobe and others were given shadow roles. Kazaure, who also serves as Director of Strategic Communication for the Obidient Movement, was appointed Shadow Minister for Communication.

The initiative immediately sparked controversy. Critics maintained that Nigeria’s presidential system does not recognise such arrangements. The DSS warned that the body could confuse citizens, undermine state authority and embolden separatist groups.

On May 13, 2025, the DSS filed suit FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025 at the Federal High Court, urging the court to declare the Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government (BTCSG) unconstitutional.

In June, Utomi, through his lawyers, opposed the suit, arguing that the shadow government was merely an exercise of citizens’ rights to free speech, free association and political participation. He accused the DSS of attempting to criminalise civic activism and silence dissent.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has praised Nigerians for what he described as ‘uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience despite living under suffocating socio-economic and security conditions.’

In his Independence Day message to Nigerians, the opposition leader alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration had abandoned Nigerians to their fate.

Atiku lamented that Nigerians were enduring pains from ‘raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness all ‘compounded by the insensitivity of the APC-led administration’.

‘It is tragic that in a country blessed with immense human and material resources, millions of our people have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland. Every responsible government holds the welfare and security of its citizens as supreme.

‘But what we have today is an administration that has abandoned its people. Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Bola Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring.’

While calling on citizens not to lose faith, Atiku reminded Nigerians that 2027 provides a clear opportunity to reject bad leadership and reclaim the promise of a better tomorrow.

‘The beauty of democracy lies in the power of the ballot. Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people.’ He said.

Atiku said, At 65, Nigeria remains a giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay – a direct result of decades of poor leadership and wasteful governance.

He however, urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, insisting that with the right leadership, the country can still rise from the ashes of failed governance to reclaim its rightful place among the comity of nations

The opposition leader also wished Nigerians a happy 65th Independence Day anniversary celebration.

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have killed two people and burnt down the palace of the District Head of Kirawa town of Gwoza LGA of Borno State.

Daily Trust gathered that the incident happened when the terrorists infiltrated the community bordering Cameroon on Monday night.

‘They killed two civilians, and another one was abducted by the assailants. Many people have fled to Cameroon, for fear of another attack. The insurgents also burnt other buildings in the community.’ ‘In fact, we are all afraid that the town is no longer secure because the Cameroonian soldiers protecting us have left,’ said a source identified simply as Ibrahim.

Senator Mohammed Ndume, (APC, Borno South) confirmed the attack, saying the community, which resettled recently, have witnessed renewed attacks.

‘The attacks on Kirawa and other communities have become a source of concern. Many resilient IDPs, supported by Governor Zulum, have returned to their ancestral homes,’ he said.

He commended the efforts of Nigerian troops in the fight against insurgency, and appealed for establishment of military ‘platoons’ in vulnerable communities.

He also called on the federal government to fortify the military with drones and attack helicopters to reinforce the attack pattern of the military.

The attack came barely three days after the insurgents ambushed the civilian JTF members escorting passengers on Kirawa -Pulka road, killed one and set ablaze six commercial vehicles.

Last month, a military base was dislodged by the insurgents in the area, killing four soldiers under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and abducted a teenage girl.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned newly inaugurated Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) that the rank is only a privilege that can be withdrawn at any time if it is abused.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of 57 new SANs and the opening of the new legal year 2025/-2026 on Monday, Justice Kekere-Ekun said their achievement signifies not only professional excellence but also a commitment to ethical conduct and the upholding of the integrity of the legal profession.

‘The conferment of this rank is a rigorous process, reflecting the high expectations placed upon those who bear the title,’ he said.

‘It signifies not only professional excellence but also a commitment to ethical conduct and the upholding of the integrity of the legal profession. ‘You have all actively participated in the pre-swearing-in induction programme organized by the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), where invaluable insights were shared with you.

‘I urge you to uphold and internalize those principles, so that you may carry this rank with the utmost dignity, grace, and sense of responsibility it demands.

‘Let me take a moment to reiterate a caution I delivered at last year’s ceremony. The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is a privilege, not a right. The privilege can, and indeed will, be withdrawn in appropriate circumstances where it is abused.

‘I commend the efforts of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee in sustaining the standards and integrity of the processes leading to the final selection of successful applicants.’

She said the judiciary remains steadfast in its constitutional role of dispensing justice fairly and impartially, adding that they will continue to work tirelessly to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial process, uphold the rule of law, and protect the rights and freedoms of all Nigerians.

In his remarks, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), bemoaned the adverse ratings and negative perception indexes of the judiciary due to low public confidence in the judiciary arising from perceptions of undue influence, inconsistent rulings, and delays that frustrate justice, and allegations of corruption.

He recalled the Supreme Court’s decisions that have strengthened the country’s judiciary, including the 15th November 2024 matter of Attorney-General, Kogi State V Attorney-General of the Federation, which affirmed the constitutionality of the establishment laws and prosecutorial powers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit.

According to him, another major decision was the 22nd November 2024 judgment in the Attorney-General, Lagos State V Attorney-General of the Federation, which nullified the National Lottery Act, establishing that the National Assembly lacks the constitutional power to legislate on lotteries, which is a residual matter for the state houses of assembly.

A new scholarship initiative has been introduced in Kwara State to provide sustained educational support for orphans and vulnerable children.

The programme is designed to cover school fees, essential learning materials, and holiday classes, giving beneficiaries the resources to focus on their studies.

The scheme christened as the Mai Nasara Education Support Foundation, currently sponsors ten students on full scholarships from junior secondary school through university across a variety of professional courses.

In addition, 25 students from both public and private schools are receiving guidance under the initiative, which combines academic mentoring with moral support.

Nineteen of the beneficiaries are girls.

Speaking at a press conference during the unveiling in Il?rin, founder of the initiative and Dan Masani Gwanabe, Ahmad Muhammad, explained that the aim was to respond to the persistent challenges in the education sector and to provide opportunities for children who might otherwise be excluded due to financial constraints.

He said the move reflected a targeted effort to increase access to education for the girl child and address gaps in school attendance.

Muhammad said the programme was inspired by the progress made in Kwara State’s education sector in recent years and by the need to complement government efforts.

He emphasized that the foundation aims not only to support academic growth but also to nurture responsible and socially aware young adults who can contribute meaningfully to their communities.

According to him ‘The foundation has set a long-term target of N100 million to expand the reach of the scholarship programme.

He said this funding will enable the foundation to sustain support for existing students while increasing the number of beneficiaries and extending the programme to other underserved communities across the state.

He said the ultimate goal is to produce a generation of professionals and community leaders who have the skills, knowledge, and moral grounding to drive development in Kwara and beyond.

The initiative, he added, also includes measures to strengthen the students’ readiness for national examinations and professional challenges.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will tomorrow, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, address the nation in a broadcast by 7am

The nationwide broadcast is in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a terse statement said, ‘All television, radio stations, and other electronic media outlets are urged to join the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria for the broadcast.’

A coalition of civil society organisations, faith leaders, and trade groups has condemned the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN); Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their recent actions against Dangote refinery and petrochemicals.

The organisations described the strike as ‘a direct assault on the Nigerian people, our economy, and our future.’

Members of the organisations include the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON), Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF), National Coalition for Market Men, Women and Artisans (NACOMWA), and the Petroleum Consumers Protection Alliance (PCPA).

Addressing journalists during a peaceful protest at the office of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, President of the coalition, Comrade Ibrahim Suleiman accused DAPPMAN of sabotaging indigenous refining initiatives, particularly the Dangote refinery and petrochemicals, in order to maintain control of fuel importation and profiteering.

The text of the press conference was jointly signed by Comrade Ibrahim Suleiman (COCSON), Rev. Dr. Mathew Ayodele (NIF), Comrade Boma Agbede (NACOMWA), and Barr. Yusuf Danladi (PCPA).

The groups also warned that the strike action by labour unions would deepen hardship for millions of Nigerians already struggling with high inflation, rising transport costs, and food insecurity.

He said: ‘Let us be clear: this is not a strike for workers. It is a strike for cartels.’

Welcoming a recent National Industrial Court ruling that barred PENGASSAN from disrupting gas supply to the Dangote refinery and petrochemicals, the coalition urged security agencies to enforce the judgment and prevent any attempt to sabotage local refining.

The organisations said that no private enterprise should be compelled into union membership against its will.

They maintained that workers at the Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals should retain the freedom to decide whether or not to join a union.

The coalition further announced plans to sue DAPPMAN for economic sabotage, mobilise nationwide rallies to key government institutions, and escalate advocacy to regional and international bodies.

The coalition added: ‘We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to industrialisation and energy reforms, but any attempt to bend to DAPPMAN’s blackmail will be resisted.

When Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) gathered academics, policymakers, and innovators at its Abuja headquarters on September 24, 2025, the message from its leadership was clear: the future of Nigeria’s economy lies not only in oil or agriculture but in the commercialization of research and innovation.

For years, Nigerian universities and research institutes have produced countless groundbreaking studies. Yet, very few of these ever translate into tangible products, technologies, or services that could transform industries and livelihoods. The gulf between laboratory prototypes and marketplace shelves has long frustrated scientists, policymakers, and investors alike.

At the North-Central Sensitization Programme on the NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme (NRCGP), NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, reaffirmed that bridging this gap remains central to Nigeria’s economic future.

Halilu, represented by NASENI’s Research Director, Prof. Abdulmalik Ibrahim Onuwe, noted that the NRCGP was designed to support viable research and development initiatives in the country while propagating NASENI’s mission and vision of driving national transformation through science and engineering.

He emphasized that the application process for the programme is fully digitalized, transparent and does not require physical presence or long administrative procedures. According to him, this approach removes the bureaucratic bottlenecks that often hinder researchers from accessing funding.

He explained further that the sensitization was not just for personal benefit but to empower prospective researchers from institutions who may need guidance on how to participate in the programme.

He urged the participants, including representatives from universities, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), and others, to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by NASENI to foster collaboration and innovation.

The Programme Coordinator and Special Adviser to the Executive Vice Chairman on Science and Engineering Commercialisation, Engr. Dr. Anas Balarabe Yazid, gave an overview of the NRCGP, its objectives, eligibility criteria and the key assessment tools that would guide the selection of beneficiaries.

He explained that the NRCGP is deliberately aligned with NASENI’s mandate to promote local content and that under the principle of Creation, Collaboration and Commercialisation (3Cs), research outputs are expected to move from being academic papers to becoming market-ready solutions.

According to him, every research project must be noble, clear, market-viable and consistent with both NASENI’s transformation agenda and Nigeria’s broader development goals. He said that under the new framework, commercialization is being radically prioritized so that research can play its rightful role in national development.

The NASENI Research Commercialization Grant Programme is looking for innovative and novel research that has not been done before. The programme is also looking out for commercial viability research projects that can make money.

Moreover, the research must be published in a peer review journal. These researches must align with NASENI Objectives of adding value to Nigeria and the world. It must also have potential for scale and sustainability, which means it can attract investment.

Dr. Yazid further added that the thematic areas for these research works include Renewable Energy and Sustainability, Health and Biotechnology, Agriculture and Food Manufacturing, Sustainable Transportation and Mobility, Information Technology and Software Development, Construction and Smart City Development as well as Defense and Aerospace.

He said for the process, application is strictly online and it is in two stages: first stage determines the novelty of the proposal while second stage involves a deeper dive on commercial viability. The Swedish Innovation Readiness Level framework is used for evaluating the viability of the application, he added.

Dr Yazid further stated that additional information required include Profile, Detailed Proposal, Business Plan, Feasibility Study Report, Pitch deck, Technology Readiness Level (TRL), Evidence of IP Registration with CAC, Environmental Impact Assessment, Letter of Intent from Industrial Off-takers, Risk Assessment Report, and any Supporting Technical Documents or Certifications.

Beyond the grants, other benefits include access to NASENI innovation hub, admission into NASENI Incubation programme, High chances of joining NASENI Xcelerate, access to more equity and debt financing, access to 12 institutes and centre of excellence, government market access through Nigerian First Policy and many more.

The Deputy Director, Planning and Policy Analysis Department, NASENI, Ms. Joy Elugbe, expressed appreciation to the Executive Vice Chairman and to all the participants who attended the sensitization programme. She noted that the NRCGP represents a significant opportunity for researchers to translate their work into products and services that would drive national progress.

She encouraged them to embrace NASENI’s initiatives as a pathway to achieving Nigeria’s vision of economic growth and development through science, technology and innovation. The sensitization programme highlighted the importance of repositioning Nigeria’s research culture to focus more on outcomes that have economic value.

For decades, many research projects have remained locked within universities and research institutions, gaining academic recognition but failing to make an impact in the market or on people’s lives. NASENI’s intervention seeks to change this narrative by offering support for those projects that can be commercialized to create jobs, increase productivity and contribute to economic transformation.

Background information about NASENI underscores the significance of this programme. The agency was established in 1992 following the recommendations of a White Paper Committee on Engineering Infrastructure. It was conceived to bridge Nigeria’s technology gap and foster home-grown industrialisation.

Its mandate includes research into capital goods production, reverse engineering, development of scientific equipment, engineering designs, standardization, and the development of power equipment. With a network of development institutes spread across the country, NASENI has consistently worked to ensure that Nigeria builds its own technological base rather than rely solely on imports.

In recent years, under Mr. Halilu’s leadership, NASENI has intensified efforts to ensure that its branded products are market-ready and certified by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria. Reports indicate that about 35 NASENI products have been identified as ready for the market, and plans are underway to establish showrooms in all 36 states of the federation to showcase these innovations and link them directly with consumers and industries.

The NRCGP therefore builds on this foundation, providing a practical avenue for researchers to connect their innovations with industry and society. By adopting a digitalized and transparent application process, NASENI is addressing long-standing concerns about accessibility and fairness in grant administration.

The process also ensures that researchers across all parts of the country, including underserved regions, can apply without the barriers of travel and excessive paperwork.

This initiative represents more than a grant opportunity. It is a deliberate effort to build a culture of research commercialization that would reposition Nigeria for growth. It signals a move away from research for its own sake towards research that delivers measurable impact in the economy. It also affirms NASENI’s commitment to ensuring that science, engineering and technology are not just academic disciplines but engines of development.

In the words of Ms. Elugbe, this is not just about grants but about creating a culture where research becomes the heartbeat of national progress. With the NRCGP, NASENI has placed a framework in the hands of researchers, institutions and innovators. The responsibility now rests with them to rise to the challenge of transforming their ideas into products, their prototypes into industries, and their academic efforts into national prosperity.

The NASENI Research Commercialisation Grant Programme is expected at the long run to eliminate the era of decades of thousands of abandoned research and development (R and D) products that are meant to be in the market solving everyday humanity problems.