Int’l Youth Day: MAYEIN mentors, supports youth businesses in Ibadan

The Mentoring Assistance for Youths and Entrepreneurs Initiative (MAYEIN), last Saturday in Ibadan, mentored and supported young people and their businesses in commemoration of International Youth Day, with the theme, ‘Different Contexts, Same Aspirations.’

The event brought together young entrepreneurs and other young people for conversations, mentorship, and a business pitch contest aimed at helping them gain practical knowledge, build useful connections, and better navigate the challenges of work, entrepreneurship and personal development.

In her opening remarks, Oyinkan Agboola said the event was organised to celebrate young people, their ideas, dreams, potential and resilience as they continue to shape their lives, communities and future.

Agboola said the theme, ‘Different Contexts, Same Aspirations,’ recognised that young people come from different backgrounds and face different circumstances, but often share similar aspirations for a better future.

‘Youths and young people should not only prepare for the future, but should also shape it through ideas, connections, and courage,’ she said.

The Executive Director of MAYEIN, Ewa Orowale, said the organisation, which was established in 2012, has continued to support young people by promoting access to education and learning opportunities, digital literacy and technology, as well as entrepreneurship, work-readiness, and vocational and life skills.

According to her, MAYEIN’s work is focused on helping young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to take advantage of opportunities, pursue their aspirations and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Orowale said the International Youth Day event was also an opportunity to connect young people with mentors, sponsors and their peers, while creating a platform for them to learn from the experiences of others and explore opportunities for growth.

Speaking on the theme of the event, the Supply Chain Manager of FoodCo Nigeria, Ayotunde Ositunga, urged young people to understand that they do not need to have everything before they can become anything.

He encouraged them to gain clarity about who they want to become and what they want to achieve, while believing in their abilities even when others may not yet see their potential.

Ositunga identified value creation as one of the qualities that could distinguish young people in their careers and businesses. He noted that many global solutions started as local ideas, adding that the bigger the problem a person solves, the greater the value that can be created.

He urged the youths to define their vision and purpose, remain consistent in pursuing them and take advantage of collaboration and networking opportunities.

‘Information and skills build you. Do not stop learning because the future favours those who adapt to it. Do not say there is no opportunity. You are the opportunity,’ he said.

He also charged the youths to contribute to the development of their communities.

‘There is no tomorrow waiting for you. Today needs you most. Thrive in your community, and let your community thrive through you, too,’ Ositunga said.

The event featured a mentorship café where guest mentors, Odunayo Aliu, Tiemo Toju and Oluwademilade Ala, shared experiences from their career journeys and discussed some of the challenges they encountered along the way.

The mentors encouraged the young people to focus on creating value and avoid shortcuts in their pursuit of success. They also advised young entrepreneurs to understand their customers, build meaningful relationships and make strategic use of digital platforms and social media to strengthen and grow their businesses.

The mentorship session was followed by a business pitch contest, where participating young entrepreneurs presented their business ideas before a panel of judges comprising the three guest mentors and Ayotunde Ositunde.

At the end of the contest, ThankGod Paul emerged winner, while Busayo Oduola and Amirah Yusuf-Yos came second and third respectively.

The contest provided participants with an opportunity to present their ideas, receive feedback and learn from experienced professionals, while the broader event created a platform for young people to connect, learn and explore ways of turning their aspirations into meaningful action.

’Good Morning Tony’: Viral graduate trainee gets ambassadorial offer, others

A young corporate trainee who sparked widespread online discussion after addressing billionaire banker Tony Elumelu by his first name has been offered a ?500,000 financial package, an ambassadorial role, and a public platform to share her side of the story.

The incident occurred during a graduation ceremony for United Bank for Africa’s (UBA) Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP). Given the floor to speak, the graduate initiated her remarks with, ‘Good morning, Tony.’

Elumelu immediately interjected, instructing her to address him as ‘Mr. Elumelu’ or ‘TOE’ or ‘Chairman,’ clarifying that he does not subscribe to informal first-name greetings in corporate settings.

The exchange quickly went viral, igniting debate across Nigerian social media regarding corporate hierarchy, cultural respect, and modern workplace etiquette.

Following the online reaction, Ossai Ovie Success, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, publicly appealed for an end to social media criticism directed at the trainee and announced a supportive package.

He made the announcement in a post via his verified Facebook handle on Saturday.

The package includes:

Financial Assistance: ?500,000 in direct cash support.

Ambassadorial Role: Appointment as an ambassador for the 4th Delta Social Media Summit.

VIP Hospitality: Round-trip flight tickets to Asaba, five-star hotel accommodation, and access to the summit holding at the Mariam Babangida Leisure Park.

Public Speaking Platform: An invitation to address attendees and detail her personal experience.

Ossai commended Elumelu for highlighting workplace protocol while emphasising the importance of providing mentorship rather than public condemnation when young professionals make mistakes.

The viral graduate trainee has been invited to connect with event organizers ahead of the scheduled summit in Asaba.

LASU law graduate, David Akinwunmi, bags master’s scholarships in Canadian universities

Lagos State University (LASU) law graduate, David Akinwunmi, has secured three scholarship admissions in two Canadian universities and another admission without scholarship from a Canadian university for his Master of Laws (LLM) programme.

Akinwunmi, whose convocation was on Tuesday, was offered admission on scholarship for a graduate programme in Law and Society at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

He was also offered another admission on scholarship at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada, with Naiomi Metallic to act as his LLM supervisor.

Saturday Tribune confirmed another admission letter sent to him from the University of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, offering him admission without scholarship.

The LASU law graduate said that among the three Canadian universities that offered him master’s admissions, he accepted that from the University of Victoria, where he has commenced his LLM programme.

‘The three offers have been a significant milestone for me, especially coming shortly after my graduation. They have also allowed me to continue my academic journey in Canada and to pursue research that I believe has relevance to Nigeria,’ he said.

According to him, the University of Victoria offered him two scholarships – the Faculty of Graduate Studies Scholarship and the Law Foundation Scholarship – totalling CAD $45,000 over the two-year duration of the master’s programme. On the other hand, Dalhousie University offered him CAD $40,000 in scholarship over the two-year programme.

Akinwunmi noted that his research at the University of Victoria will focus on a comparative analysis of Nigeria’s and Canada’s tax laws and tax administration.

‘I intend to examine how Canada has been able to integrate indigenous tax systems, principles, and perspectives into its modern tax and fiscal administration. I want to understand the Canadian experience and consider the lessons that may be useful to Nigeria,’ he said.

He appreciated his academic mentors and supporters, especially Professor M. T. Abdulrazaq, SAN; the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Lagos State University, Professor Kareem Olatoye; and others, for their support in the application process for the scholarships.

The LASU law graduate stated that the extracurricular activities he was involved in as an undergraduate helped with his graduate scholarship applications.

According to him, some of the activities included active participation in several moot court competitions, including the All African Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2024, where he represented Lagos State University, and the ECOWAS Moot Court Competition in Abuja in 2025.

He was also involved in community service and sustainable development initiatives through the Centre for the Actualisation of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, where he served first as the director of programmes and projects and subsequently as vice president.

2027: Face Nigerians, defend your records – Obi challenges Tinubu, others

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu and other contenders in the 2027 presidential election to come before Nigerians and defend their records and policy proposals.

Obi made the call on Friday while speaking at a world conference held to mark the commencement of the 2027 presidential and National Assembly campaign season.

The former Anambra State governor said candidates seeking the presidency should not rely on proxies or surrogates during the campaign, insisting that those asking Nigerians for their votes must be prepared to engage directly with the electorate.

According to him, voters deserve the opportunity to question presidential candidates about their records, plans and capacity to govern.

‘No candidate should hide behind the high walls of power, send proxies or surrogates to the hustings, and expect Nigerians to entrust them with the leadership of the country,’ Obi said.

He urged all presidential hopefuls to appear before voters, answer their questions and subject their programmes to public scrutiny.

‘Every candidate seeking the presidency must have the courage to come before the people, answer their questions, defend their records, and subject their vision to public scrutiny,’ he added.

Obi said the 2027 election should give Nigerians the opportunity to assess the competence, character, capacity and policy proposals of the candidates before making their choice.

The NDC candidate said effective leadership required politicians to interact directly with the people, particularly communities affected by insecurity, terrorism, banditry, criminality and flooding

He said leaders could not fully understand the challenges confronting Nigerians without visiting affected communities and listening to their experiences.

‘True leadership requires presence and empathy. No one can lead from the front without standing with communities across Nigeria devastated by banditry, criminality, terrorism, and flooding.

‘You cannot truly lead people you are unwilling to visit, listen to, and understand,’ Obi said.

He also pledged to embark on a nationwide campaign with his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, promising that both of them would personally engage voters instead of leaving the responsibility to political surrogates.

‘Today, I make this clear commitment: my running mate and I will take our message directly to Nigerians. We will listen to them, understand their concerns, and engage them openly. We will not delegate this duty to proxies,’ he said.

Obi said the 2027 contest should be centred on capacity, competence, compassion, character and commitment rather than ethnicity, religion, elitism or political patronage.

He urged Nigerians to examine the records and policy proposals of all candidates before deciding who should govern the country.

The former Anambra governor identified poverty, unemployment, insecurity, weak infrastructure and the rising cost of living among the major challenges facing the country.

He, however, maintained that Nigeria had the human and natural resources required to overcome its difficulties.

On the economy, Obi said his proposed administration would prioritise production, investment and human capital development

He listed agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, energy and the creative industry as sectors that could drive economic growth and create jobs

He also called for stronger intelligence gathering, improved coordination among security agencies, better border management, technology-driven policing and decentralised security management to tackle insecurity.

According to him, insecurity has become an economic challenge because farmers are unable to access their farms safely, children are prevented from attending school and businesses cannot operate effectively in affected communities.

Obi also promised greater investment in education, healthcare and technical and vocational training, describing Nigeria’s youthful population as an economic opportunity rather than a burden.

He said his administration would seek to move the country from consumption to production by strengthening local manufacturing, processing agricultural products and creating an environment conducive to investment and job creation.

The NDC candidate further appealed to political parties and their supporters to ensure that the 2027 campaign was conducted peacefully.

‘We should debate ideas without hatred, compete without violence, and disagree without weakening the bonds that unite us. When Nigerians make their choice, that choice must be respected,’ he said.

Obi said democratic participation should continue beyond election day, urging citizens to demand transparency, accountability and results from elected officials.

Reflecting on his experience in the private sector and as governor of Anambra State, he said his background had equipped him with knowledge of public finance, institutional management and development.

He said he was entering the 2027 presidential contest with the conviction that ‘Nigeria can work, and Nigeria must work.’

‘Our task is to turn these possibilities into results. We have the credentials, experience, and record to collaborate with Nigerians on this transformative journey,’ he said.

Obi concluded by pledging to begin what he described as the process of resetting Nigeria by uniting the country, improving security, promoting inclusive economic growth and moving the nation from consumption to production.

Senator Mustapha hails Wike’s performance, denies political pact with Kwara gov

Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, has hailed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, for his performance in office.

He also debunked claims that he signed any political agreement with the Governor of Kwara State.

The Senator made the remarks on Friday during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television.

He described Wike as a ‘performing minister’ whose focus on infrastructure delivery in the FCT should be emulated across the country.

‘What Wike is doing in Abuja is governance in action. Look at the roads, the bridges, water projects, and schools in satellite towns. These were communities that were completely forgotten. Today, people can move, farm, and do business because of the infrastructure,’ he said.

The lawmaker specifically cited the completion of the Gwagwalada-Kuje dual carriageway, the 7km Tungan Madaki access road, and the rehabilitation of the Old Keffi Road as evidence of the Minister’s commitment.

‘Under Wike, no project is abandoned. If it was awarded in 2019 and left to rot, he goes back and finishes it. That is the kind of leadership Nigerians are asking for,’ he added.

Addressing speculations linking him to a political understanding with the Kwara State Government, the Senator denied entering into any agreement.

‘For the record, I have not signed any agreement with the Governor of Kwara State. My mandate is from the people of Kwara, and I will continue to represent their interests without compromise,’ he said.

He explained that while he remains open to collaboration for the development of Kwara State, there is no pact or arrangement binding him to the state government.

The Senator urged Nigerians to separate governance from partisan politics, saying results should be acknowledged regardless of party affiliation.

‘Whether you are in PDP, APC, or any other party, you cannot deny what is happening in the FCT. Residents are seeing roads, streetlights, and water. That is what governance should deliver,’ he stated.

He called on other ministers and governors to adopt Wike’s model of regular project inspection and direct engagement with contractors.

‘The FCT under Wike should be a case study. If we replicate this in the states, then the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda will truly be felt by the people,’ the Senator concluded.

Don’t boycott brand over owner’s politics, Ero-Arike workers beg Nigerians

Workers and marketers of the popular Ero-Arike herbal balm brand have pleaded with Nigerians not to boycott the product over the political activities of its owner, Falilat Oyetunji, popularly known as Ero-Arike.

The appeal followed a wave of backlash against Ero-Arike after her active involvement in the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, in which she mobilised support for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. Oyebamiji lost to the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, and Ero-Arike has since faced criticism online that has spilled over into calls to shun her business.

In a video circulating on social media, a group of women carrying containers of the balm sang and appealed to the public not to let the political controversy affect the company, insisting that the brand had sustained their families for years.

One woman, speaking in Yoruba, said she had been widowed for five years and credited Ero-Arike with rebuilding her life. She said, ‘I, standing here, my husband died five years ago. She helped me build a house, helped me stock goods, and helped me train my children in school. That business will not fail.

‘Do not ruin our mother’s work. We are pleading with you.’

Another woman in the group appealed directly on behalf of workers and beneficiaries drawn from several parts of the country, including Oyo, Ibadan, Lagos, Owo and Agbara, warning that a boycott would strip many of their source of income. ‘Do not ruin Ero-Arike’s business. Do you want to take away our livelihood?’ she said.

The group extended their appeal to the Hausa and Muslim communities, who they said also depended on the brand. A speaker addressed them in Hausa, saying, ‘Peace be upon you, Muslim community. We are Hausa people, and we have a place with Ero-Arike. We are eating here, we are drinking here. She caters to many of our needs.’

The women closed the video with prayers for the continued success of the business, with the group responding, ‘Amen.’

Ero-Arike, a prominent APC grassroots mobiliser in Osun, had campaigned vigorously for Oyebamiji ahead of the election. After Adeleke’s victory was announced, she released a video describing politics as unpredictable, urged APC supporters not to be discouraged by the loss, and reaffirmed her continued support for Oyebamiji.

Nwifuru lauds peaceful conduct of Ebonyi LG elections

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has lauded the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s local government and councillorship elections across the 13 local government areas and 171 wards in the state.

The Governor spoke after casting his vote at Edukwu Okemini 002 Polling Unit, Oferekpe Agbaja, in Izzi Local Government Area.

He commended the large turnout of voters and said candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged through a transparent and credible process, expressing hope that they would emerge victorious at the polls.

Nwifuru said there was no need for tension or heavy security presence when the people are allowed to freely choose their leaders.

‘It is the will of the people. You don’t need security when people are choosing candidates in an election. I did not select the candidates; it is the people who selected them, while the political parties also selected their candidates,’ he said.

‘The process is ongoing. It is not a war; it is an election. That is why I believe we don’t need to stress ourselves over voting for a candidate of our choice to become our leader.’

The Governor, who described himself as ‘a party man,’ said he had no opponent as leader of APC in the state, but advocated for competitive elections to produce the best leaders.

‘There is nothing special about it other than allowing the people to select their candidates. Our party did that, and I believe other political parties also did the same.

‘As the leader of the party in the state, if you ask me, I will tell you that I have no opponent. But other political parties have their candidates, even for the general election, and we expect to have reasonable opponents who can compete with us and also point out our lapses.

‘When you have opponents, it is not only about competition. They can also show you things you don’t know. Sometimes, you need opponents because they can expose your shortcomings and areas where you need to improve. So, having an opponent is also good,’ Nwifuru stated.

While expressing his wish for APC to win, the Governor said the party’s candidates were competent to occupy the positions they are contesting for.

‘Whether or not our party will win the election, my wish is for our party to win. I am a party man, and I believe in my party and all its candidates. I believe they have what it takes to occupy the positions they are contesting for,’ he added.

Reports from across the 13 LGAs indicated peaceful voting, with voters turning out in large numbers to elect new council chairmen and councillors.

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has lauded the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s local government and councillorship elections across the 13 Local Government Areas and 171 wards in the state.

The Governor spoke after casting his vote at Edukwu Okemini 002 Polling Unit, Oferekpe Agbaja in Izzi Local Government Area.

He commended the large turnout of voters and said candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, emerged through a transparent and credible process, expressing hope that they would emerge victorious at the polls.

Nwifuru said there was no need for tension or heavy security presence when the people are allowed to freely choose their leaders.

‘It is the will of the people. You don’t need security when people are choosing candidates in an election. I did not select the candidates; it is the people who selected them, while the political parties also selected their candidates,’ he said.

‘The process is ongoing. It is not a war; it is an election. That is why I believe we don’t need to stress ourselves over voting for a candidate of our choice to become our leader.’

The Governor, who described himself as ‘a party man,’ said he had no opponent as leader of APC in the state, but advocated for competitive elections to produce the best leaders.

‘There is nothing special about it other than allowing the people to select their candidates. Our party did that, and I believe other political parties also did the same.

‘As the leader of the party in the state, if you ask me, I will tell you that I have no opponent. But other political parties have their candidates, even for the general election, and we expect to have reasonable opponents who can compete with us and also point out our lapses.

‘When you have opponents, it is not only about competition. They can also show you things you don’t know. Sometimes, you need opponents because they can expose your shortcomings and areas where you need to improve. So, having an opponent is also good,’ Nwifuru stated.

While expressing his wish for APC to win, the Governor said the party’s candidates were competent to occupy the positions they are contesting for.

‘Whether or not our party will win the election, my wish is for our party to win. I am a party man, and I believe in my party and all its candidates. I believe they have what it takes to occupy the positions they are contesting for,’ he added.

Reports from across the 13 LGAs indicated peaceful voting, with voters turning out in large numbers to elect new council chairmen and councillors.

Why we’re expanding telehealth services across Nigerian tertiary education institutions -Dr Adewara

Mobihealth International has flagged off its Mobihealth Telehealth Champions Programme (MTCP) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Thursday, with a partnership with UNILAG Pharmacy, through its telehealth facility, with plans to expand to other Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The Founder and CEO of Mobihealth, Dr Funmi Adewara, explained why they are expanding telehealth services and innovations across Nigerian tertiary institutions of higher learning through the MTCP programme.

Dr Funmi Adewara explained that their telehealth expansion initiative across tertiary education institutions in the country is aimed at equipping students and staff with skills in telehealth, digital health, AI, research, innovation, health advocacy and community engagement to build a generation of digitally empowered telehealth champions while making healthcare easier to reach, faster to access, and more convenient.

According to Dr Adewara, their partnership with the UNILAG Pharmacy represents a practical model for combining digital healthcare, physical pharmacy services, and student-led digital health engagement.

She said that the partnership combines Mobihealth’s 24/7 digital healthcare platform with UNILAG Pharmacy’s physical pharmacy and diagnostic services.

With the partnership, students and staff of the university can connect with doctors and specialists from their smartphones, halls of residence, lecture theatres, or virtually anywhere, accessing general medicine, mental health, sexual and reproductive healthcare, and other specialist services.

Patients can also visit the telehealth facility for assisted teleconsultations, e-prescriptions, diagnostics and medicines, with discreet medication delivery available to preferred locations.

Dr Adewara said that the initiative brings Mobihealth’s ‘Click and Brick’ model to life, combining 24/7 digital healthcare with trusted physical pharmacy and diagnostic services.

‘Healthcare should fit around students’ lives, not require them to postpone care because of lectures, examinations, or long waiting times,’ she added.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors, UNILAG Pharmacy, Abimbola Adebakin, stated that they are excited about their partnership with Mobihealth, which brings medical and specialist care closer to over 50,000 students, staff and the wider community.

‘This is health equity in action, using technology to make quality healthcare more accessible, connected and responsive,’ Adebakin said.

The Managing Director of UNILAG Pharmacy, Dr Evelyn Brambifa, noted that their priority is to make quality healthcare more accessible, convenient, and responsive to the needs of the university community.

‘Through our partnership with Mobihealth, we are integrating telehealth into the pharmacy experience, enabling students, staff, and other members of the community to speak with doctors and specialists, receive e-prescriptions, access diagnostics and obtain their medicines through a seamless care pathway,’ she said.

Dr Brambifa further said that the initiative represents an important step in transforming UNILAG Pharmacy from primarily a point for medicines into a more comprehensive, technology-enabled healthcare access point.

She added that it will help reduce unnecessary queues and waiting times, reduce delays in seeking care and bring trusted medical expertise closer to the people they serve.

‘Access to healthcare should not have to begin with a long queue,’ she said.

Kennis, a UNILAG student, said that the partnership is a great innovative solution and makes healthcare easier to fit around student life.

‘Being able to speak to a doctor from my phone, access specialists, prescriptions, and diagnostics without long waiting times means we can seek care earlier and more conveniently,’ Kennis said.

She is cruel, threatens me -Husband

A Customary Court in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has granted the divorce request filed by a man, Wilfred Eyong, on grounds of cruelty and threat to his life by his wife.

The presiding judge, Raphael Igu, after granting the request, ordered Eyong to pay his wife, Maureen, N25,000 monthly for the upkeep of their child.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the court also ordered Wilfred to make provisions for their child’s school fees and medical attention.

The judge declined to grant the petitioner’s request for return of bride price.

Earlier, Eyong’s lawyer, Mr Adedepi Adesoji, told the court that his client married Maureen under the native law and tradition of Echain, Echain LGA of Edo State on January 15, 2022.

He said that his client’s marriage had broken down and all efforts made to reconcile the couple had failed.

Responding, Maureen agreed to divorce.

She told the judge that she had had enough of the marriage and was ready to opt out.