Wale Igbintade Nestoil last night took possession of its office headquarters in Lagos after an initial defiance by some security agencies of a November 20, 2025, court order by Justice Daniel Osiagor, which had directed them to
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CAN: 227 students, teachers kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School
Niger State govt says management ignored security advisory
Northern governors condemn incident, demand swift, coordinated action to rescue victims
Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode, Linus Aleke, Sunday Aborisade, Kuni Tyessi, in Abuja, Laleye Dipo in Minna, Segun Awofadeji in Gombe, Sunday Ehigiator in Lagos and Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
It has been a harvest of tragedies for Nigeria as terrorists and bandits have run riot with mass kidnapping of school girls, with the latest being the kidnapping of students of St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara Local government in Niger State. While there are conflicting reports on the actual number
Sunday Ehigiator with agency report
World leaders arrived yesterday for a historic first Group of 20 summit in Africa that aims to put the problems of poor countries at the top of the global agenda.
But the talks have been undermined by a rift between host South Africa and the United States over a Trump administration
Mohammed Idris, yesterday urged Nigerians to unite and close ranks in the face of worsening insecurity in the country.
He stressed that only a united front could defeat the forces threatening the nation’s peace and stability. He also clarified that at no point had the federal government denied the killing of Christians by bandits and terrorists in some parts of the country.
Idris, said this during an interview on a national television where he shared insights on the designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ by the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
“We need to come together as a people. This is not the time to divide ourselves; this is the time for unity and for us to come together, so that we can fight this once and
boycott.
The weekend summit in Johannesburg, the AP reported, would be attended
by delegations from 18 of the world’s richest and top developing economies — minus the United States,
which has branded South Africa’s hosting a “disgrace” and won’t participate in the talks.
The boycott by the world’s biggest economy and founding G20 member was ordered by U.S. President
Donald Trump over his claims that the majority-Black South Africa is persecuting its white Afrikaner minority.
Miss Mexico has been crowned Miss Universe 2025.
Fátima Bosch, 25, received her crowning glory from 2024 winner Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark during
for all,” he said.
The minister added: “The government has never denied that people have not been targeted or people have not been killed. You recall that the president was in Yelwata when the issue of the devastating killings happened.
“The point we are making is that we have never said people are not being killed or that Christians are not being killed. The government would never say that. “But the point that is being made is that characterising this as an attempt to exterminate one particular religion is not true.
“These same people are killing people in their mosques, chanting ‘Allah Akbar.’
“If you go to Benue, Plateau State, where you have predominantly more Christians, you know historically there have always been tension.
“So, what we are saying
of students and teachers kidnapped by the terrorists, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, put the figure at 227 persons.
In response, the federal government, Katsina and Plateau States yesterday ordered the immediate closure of schools, a move underscoring the urgency of protecting children trapped on the frontlines of insecurity. This comes two days after Kwara State Government directed the closure of schools across four Local government areas following escalating insecurity in the
the pageant in Thailand yesterday, coming ahead of first runner-up Miss Thailand, Praveenar Singh.
The moment was vindicating for the humanitarian and
is that it is a combination of factors. The drivers of this conflict are not just one. There are many drivers. We have religion as part of it, we have economy, social, ethnic and we have common criminality.”
Idris explained that in spite of the challenges, the government had made a lot of progress in the fight against insurgency and banditry by neutralising over 13,500 of the criminals while over 17,000 of them had been apprehended from May 2023 to date, while some of them had also been sentenced by the courts, including some of the leaders of Ansaru, who were also declared wanted by the American government.
Furthermore, the Minister explained why the government had not released the list of terror financiers in Nigeria suspected to be mainly highly placed and politically exposed
FG, KATSINA,
affected communities.
As fear spreads and security pressures mount, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who led Nigeria’s delegation of security leaders to the United States over President Donald Trump's redesignation of Nigeria as ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ has met the United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth. The meeting, which was held at the Pentagon, saw both leaders discuss ways to make tangible progress on stopping alleged violence against Christians in Nigeria and combating West African jihadist terrorist groups. Hegseth emphasised the need for Nigeria to demonstrate
volunteer, who was the subject of one of a number of pageant scandals over the last few weeks, according to USA Today.
Miss Mexico's crowning
individuals, considering that previous administration claimed it had compiled the list of the terror funders in the country, saying it was not a simple process.
“Unfortunately, when you're fighting this kind of battle, it's not something that you just sort out within a day or two, and that is why all the time we are calling on our partners within and outside this country.
“Let them understand the complexity and the diversity of the situation that we have in this country. Listen to the congressional hearing that we had yesterday (Thursday). We had a lady there who understands how Nigeria works.
“I mean, telling the American Congress that you don't just simplify this, and then there is an opportunity, even in this pronouncement by President Trump, and that is why the
comes after Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil had called her "stupid" during a livestreamed speech to contestants on November 4, drawing
government of Nigeria is saying, let's also go there and meet them and discuss, and in some cases, enlighten them about some of the things that are happening in this country.
“The Nigerian government is working seriously, ensuring that we bring an end to this,” Idris said.
Idris also stressed the difficulty in identifying the killers of innocent Nigerians, saying fighting banditry and insurgency is not a conventional warfare as the perpetrators come into places where there is large concentration of soft targets and largely unarmed people and commit the crime and run away.
He dispelled the narrative that many Nigerians felt the government had poorly handled the security situation, saying if the President felt that everything was going
commitment and take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians and conveyed the Department’s desire to work by, with, and through Nigeria to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States.
A few days ago, about 25 girls of Girls Secondary School in Kebbi State were also abducted, leading to some advocates calling for a declaration of a state of emergency in security and kidnapping.
Reacting to the latest sad incident, the Niger State Government, while confirming the kidnap, claimed that the authorities of the St. Mary's
Private (Catholic) Secondary School, "ignored its security advisory" on the closure of schools in certain parts of the state as a result of insecurity. However, security experts have urged the federal government to abrogate Nigeria’s outdated 1959 Firearms Act, arguing that the colonial-era legislation was no longer capable of addressing the country’s worsening insecurity, pointing out that law’s restrictive provisions have failed to curb the proliferation of sophisticated weapons in the hands of criminal groups, while enforcement gaps have left citizens vulnerable to banditry, terrorism, and violent crime.
Apparently miffed by the consistently successful raids on schools, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have , while condemning the renewed wave of schoolgirl kidnappings in parts of Northern Nigeria, accused the Federal Government of negligence, weak political will, and a failing security leadership that has allowed mass abductions to continue unchecked for more than a decade.
Also, Governors of Northern States under the aegis of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), expressed deep distress over the kidnapping of pupils and teachers from
backlash as video of fellow Miss Universe contestants walking out in support emerged. Bosch subsequently characterised the comment as "unacceptable."
well, there would not have been need to rejig the security apparatus, including removing the service chiefs. He assured that the diplomatic engagements with the American government had not severed, stressing that it was necessary for Nigeria to engage the Americans so as to have a better understanding of the security situation in the country. Idris said: “What we feel is that there is no proper understanding of what the situation is on the side of the Americans,” adding that this was why the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Rabadu, led some government officials on a security and diplomatic conversation with the United States officials to deal with the matter, particularly the designation by President Trump.
St. Mary’s School, with the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, describing the incident as a disturbing and unacceptable affront on the safety of children. He reiterated that schools must remain centres of learning, not spaces for violence.
In what appeared like an expression of regional concern, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, called for global support to win the ongoing war on terrorism across West Africa and the
Continued on page 20
despite the overreaching orders by the courts, the police had declined to vacate the property as well as other assets. It had also declined to unfreeze its bank accounts.
In the high-profile debt dispute between FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited, First Trustees Limited, and oil and gas conglomerate Nestoil Limited, the Federal High Court in Lagos had directed the Lagos State Police Command to immediately withdraw its officers from the premises of the defendants.
“The Court yesterday
(Friday) vacated the ex parte that was granted by the court for First Trustees to take possession of Nestoil Towers, among others, and freeze the account. So, all those orders were overreaching and yesterday, the same federal high court, vacated all the orders and directed that Nestoil should recover their possessions and recover the accounts and other assets.
“ So, we have been making efforts to take possession, but the CP refused to withdraw his men until this evening due to pressure from all angles, the
CP has withdrawn his men and the company has taken full possession of the Nestoil Towers,” Obiagwu stated.
While stressing that gaining access into the corporate offices was difficult for the security agents since it is electronically controlled, Obiagwu, however pointed out that the CCTV cameras outside were defaced, pointing out that the company was taking steps to take inventory to ensure that there's no substantial damage to the property.
“What we know is that in a situation like this, we will advise
the company to look at their reputational damages, because there was no basis whatsoever for First Bank to come to this property. This property is not owned by Nestoil or by any of the companies they are claiming are owing them.
“They are just tenants. And you cannot come to a property owned by somebody else and lock it up for two weeks and chase away people and close businesses,” he added.
THISDAY recalls that the directive followed a court order which vacated an earlier ex parte order that had authorised law
enforcement agents’ presence at the facilities of Nestoil Limited, Neconde Energy Limited, and their directors, Ernest AzudialuObiejesi and Nnenna Obiejesi.
In a formal letter to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Longwa, conveyed the court’s decision, informing the police hierarchy that the legal basis upon which officers had been deployed to the premises had been set aside.
The letter, dated November 20, 2025, referenced Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2127/2025, and
confirmed that Justice Osiagor’s ruling effectively nullified the earlier enforcement actions taken in connection with the plaintiffs’ claims.
“We refer to the Order of Honourable Justice D.E. Osiagor delivered on the 20th day of November, 2025, in respect of the above-mentioned matter. We hereby request that you withdraw your officers from the premises of the defendants, in view of the fact that the said order has been set aside. We look forward to your kind cooperation in this regard,” the letter stated.
Senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim, has said Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts will remain limited unless citizens see themselves as active stakeholders in the fight against terror.
Addressing journalists at the Senate South-west Security Summit in Lagos yesterday, Ibrahim, who holds a PhD in Modern War Studies, argued that patriotism expressed through trust, cooperation and collective vigilance is a more potent weapon than aggression in tackling identity-driven conflicts.
He maintained that the war against insurgency cannot be left to the military alone, noting that citizen commitment is as crucial as any tactical operation.
Ibrahim, who revealed that insurgents thrive on societal divisions, said only a united population can deny them
the support they seek.
He explained that modern warfare hinges heavily on Civil-Military Operations that build credibility and legitimacy within affected communities, noting that many communities ultimately determine whether terrorists gain sympathy or lose influence.
“You cannot win a war when the people are not emotionally aligned with the mission of that war,” he said.
The senator warned that excessive force without engagement could alienate civilians and hand insurgents a ready-made narrative for recruitment and propaganda.
He added that global experience has shown that public trust is often more decisive than firepower.
He urged Nigerians to deepen their love for the country, saying patriotism strengthens national resilience against internal threats and
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu extended his warm greetings to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who clocked 65 on November 21, 2025.
The President, in a statement issued yesterday by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Ribadu as a principled reformer, an accomplished security professional, and a steadfast defender of Nigeria.
Tinubu praised Ribadu's exceptional integrity and lifelong devotion to public service, which has left enduring marks on Nigeria's governance and security institutions.
The President recalled his
pioneering leadership at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he championed accountability and strengthened the nation's anticorruption framework.
"Since we struck a close relationship over 15 years ago, I have come to acknowledge and appreciate Nuhu's honesty, forthrightness and camaraderie.
"As a prominent member of our Renewed Hope Agenda team, I have found Nuhu to be a patriotic, loyal, and candid individual.
"As Nuhu turns 65 today (yesterday), I fervently pray that Almighty Allah will grant him good health and greater wisdom to continue serving our beloved country," Tinubu further stated.
foreign interference. Unity, he stressed, is not symbolic but strategic in counter-terrorism operations.
He listed intelligence sharing, vigilance and community support as critical tools in defeating terrorism.
Expressing optimism,
Ibrahim also cautioned citizens against taking the country’s relative stability for granted, insisting that insecurity grows where people detach themselves from national security efforts.
the lawmaker said Nigeria would overcome its current challenges only if government, security agencies and citizens close ranks.
"We shall overcome,” he said, “but only if we act together and put the country first.”
He thanked the Senate for supporting his motion to hold a National Security Summit in the six geo-political zones and for setting up an ad hoc committee to bring it to reality.
Linus Aleke in Abuja
Two days after securing the sentencing of a leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Hussaini Ismaila to 20 years imprisonment for terrorism, the Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday in Abuja arraigned the suspected mastermind of the 2012 attack on Deeper Life Bible Church, Okene, Kogi State, Abdulmalik
Abdulazeez Obadaki.
The six-count charge against Obadaki before a Federal High Court, include membership of a terrorist group, conspiracy, rendering assistance to acts of terrorism, concealment of information on activities of a terrorist group, and escape from lawful custody.
He pleaded guilty to count Six, which is escape from lawful custody. On the other five counts, however, he pleaded
not guilty.
Following Obadaki's plea, the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to January 26, 2026, to enable the court review facts relating to the count he pleaded guilty to, and to hear those he pleaded not guilty to.
The court ordered that the suspect be remanded in the custody of the secret police until the next adjourned date.
Also, on Thursday, the DSS
arraigned a social media user, Innocent Chukwuemeka, who used his "X" handle to canvass for a coup in Nigeria. He was slammed a six count charge bordering on false publication to cause public alarm and cyber stalking.
Following his not guilty plea, the court also fixed the 26 of January 2026 for hearing, whilst ordering that he be remanded in the custody of the DSS. Recall that after the Okene
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima, has arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the G20 Leaders’ Summit. He is representing President Bola Tinubu,
The Vice President, who arrived yesterday, according to a release issued by his Media
Assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, is scheduled to engage foreign leaders and development partners on issues relating to the economy, security, climate change, among others.
Additionally, the Vice President is expected to hold bilateral meetings during the summit in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda and to
discuss regional and international peace, security, and development.
Shettima was received at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Johannesburg by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Chargé d’Affaires, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi; Consul General, Ambassador Umar Bashir; Defence Adviser,
Commodore Ibrahim Ari Gwaska; Chief Director, West Africa Directorate, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Nyameko Goso; and the South African Minister of Small Business Development, Ms. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, among other top government officials.
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has described the passing of Mr. Segun Awolowo Jr., grandson of the late nationalist Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as a devastating blow not only to the Awolowo family and the Yoruba race but to the entire nation.
Akpabio, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, said the news of Awolowo’s sudden death left him “shocked and heartbroken,” noting that Nigeria had lost a brilliant mind and a symbol of public-spirited service.
The Senate President said, “The news of the demise of my friend and brother, Segun, came
to me when I least expected.
“I am in shock. But who are we to question the decision of our Creator? He decides when we are born and when we would leave.”
He extended condolences to the Awolowo family of Ikenne, Ogun State; Governor Dapo Abiodun; and the people of the state, describing the death
as “irreplaceable and deeply painful.”
Akpabio paid tribute to the former Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), praising him as a brilliant lawyer, a devoted family man, and a kind-hearted Nigerian whose contributions to national development remain indelible.
Vice President, Sales and Marketing, ASN, Paul Gabla;
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, yesterday, asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent steps to address the increasing rate of insecurity across the country, noting that some elements deliberately wanted to throw Nigeria into chaos.
Archbishop Martins urged the President to direct the security agencies, to as a matter of urgency, identify and deal decisively with the terrorists and their sponsors behind recent killings and abduction of innocent Nigerians.
In a statement signed by the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, yesterday, Martins lamented the pre-dawn attack at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 schoolgirls were violently abducted from their
dormitory, saying the incident is reminiscent of the adoption of the Chibok girls.
The statement read: “It is a matter of great concern that there has been a spike in the cases of terrorist attacks across the country in recent times, especially since the threat made by President Donald Trump. It seems there are some elements who are making deliberate efforts to throw this nation into chaos.
“For instance, how does one describe the manner in which the school girls were kidnapped, the brutal murder of a staff member, the school's Vice Principal and Chief Security Officer, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, who was shot when assailants broke into his residence on the school premises. It is sad that these children, aged approximately 12 to 17, were seized under the cover of darkness by gunmen who scaled the school fence, exchanged gunfire with police, and ultimately took these innocent daughters away into the forests. We are heartened that
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said that Nigeria has recorded a total of 976 confirmed cases of Lassa Fever with 178 deaths since this year.
With regard to current Week 45, the Centre said the number of new confirmed cases has decreased from 12 in Week 44 to 10.
The new cases were reported in Ondo and Edo states.
In its latest Lassa Fever epidemic report published on yesterday, NCDC said that one health worker was among those infected in Week 45.
A statement signed by the Director General of
NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, said that "Cumulative for week 45 (2025), Nigeria recorded a total: 976 confirmed cases and 178 deaths, with case fatality rate of 18.2 percent (higher than 16.4 percent same period in 2024)."
In addition, it said that 21 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 102 local government areas.
The report said that 87 per cent of confirmed cases are from Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Taraba states. According to NCDC, the predominant age group affected by Lassa Fever is 21-30 years. Of the 87 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 37 per cent, Bauchi 20 per cent, Edo 18 per cent and Taraba 12 per cent.
one student has escaped and returned home, but we remain deeply troubled about the safety and well-being of the 24 who remain in captivity,” he stated.
According to him, the recent killing of Muhammad Uba, a general in the army, by the
terrorists and the gruesome attack of worshippers at a Church in Eruku, Kwara State, have further shown that more needs to be done to secure the lives and properties of our citizens wherever they may be living.
“If the terrorists can kill a
whole serving army general in such a brazen manner I wonder how secure the average citizens of this country are? It truly shows that there are reasons for everyone to be concerned about their security,” he added.
The Archbishop, who condemned the kidnapping of a Catholic priest, Father Bobbo Paschal, from St. Stephen Catholic Church in Kushe Gudgu, Kaduna State, said during the raid, Gideon Markus, the brother of another local priest, was killed as he tried to intervene.
Oluchi Chibuzor
The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to continue to drive Nigeria-First policy in order to encourage local manufacturers and improve the economy through the non-export sector.
This was as the National Assembly has revealed
that a bill for establishing a Weights and Measures Centre is advancing.
Delivering a keynote address, yesterday, at the opening ceremony of the ongoing 2025 Nigerian International Trade Fair holding in Lagos, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, (FMITI), Dr.
Jumoke Oduwole, said they would continue to promote locally made goods.
She noted that the fair is an opportunity to showcase the best of Nigerian products and to make sure that the country continues to accelerate its non-oil exports under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister noted that
the government's reforms are working and demands a lot of support from all stakeholders. According to her, “Already, our non-oil exports have grown by 14 per cent. Our exports to the rest of Africa was the fastest growing at 24 per cent last year Q1, year-on-year, CBN released the results at the end of Q1.
The media partnership of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Diamond Awards for Media Excellence and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) will host a one-day symposium on Tuesday at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.
The meeting will bring together media leaders, policymakers, and childrights advocates to examine
Nigeria’s readiness to secure the future of its children.
The event, themed ‘Equipping the Nigerian Child for the Future: How Prepared Are We?’, comes at a time when millions of children across the country face increasing risks in education, nutrition, health, safety and climate-related emergencies.
Recent incidents, including
attacks on schools, rising child malnutrition, and continued displacement caused by conflict and flooding, have underscored the urgent need to expand access to quality education, strengthen child protection systems, and ensure adequate health and nutrition services.
During the symposium, participants will discuss practical solutions for
improving safe learning environments, enhancing welfare and protection systems, building climate resilience for children, and advancing ethical, childfocused media reporting. UNICEF representatives note that children continue to bear the greatest burden of insecurity and poverty despite contributing the least to the crises affecting them.
Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) has reasserted its position as a strategic partner in advancing economic growth and gender equity by taking a prominent position at the 2025 WIMBIZ Annual Conference in Lagos.
The Bank’s participation also reaffirmed its role as a partner in Nigeria’s development, supporting
women’s empowerment initiatives.
Organised under the theme ‘O.W.N: Own. Walk. Nurture’, the conference served as a key forum for galvanising female leadership and commerce.
The conference, which encouraged women to lead, grow and build lasting impact, created an atmosphere charged
with the collective ambition of thousands of women determined to reshape narratives around leadership, commerce and equity.
The bank demonstrated its commitment through sponsorship of the Business Pitch Competition, funding entrepreneurs via its dedicated platform, alpher, which turns
ideas into real businesses. The support aligns with the bank’s belief that empowering women economically helps create a stronger, more resilient nation. By funding the aspirations of burgeoning entrepreneurs via alpher, Union Bank provided the critical capital necessary to convert diverse business ideas into operational realities.
Director of National Archives, Mrs..Evelyn Odigbo,
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that his membership of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) is one of the reasons for his continued absence from active and partisan politics in recent times.
Jonathan gave this explanation in Abuja, while speaking at an event marking the 10th anniversary of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF), with the theme: ‘Legacy of Impact, Celebrating Our Journey’.
The event was also with a gala dinner held to mark the 68th birthday anniversary of the former president.
Jonathan, on why he hasn’t been involved in active politics, said that WAEF membership comes with a strict condition of non-partisanship.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have again intercepted another commodity laden vessel- MV Nord Bosporus marked 9760110 from the port of Santos in Brazil at the Apapa seaport in Lagos with no less than 20 kilograms of the Class A drug buried under its cargo.
The seizure happened barely six months after 10 Thai sailors and their ship were convicted and fined $4.3million for bringing 32.9kg cocaine into Nigeria.
The illicit drug consignment was discovered on board the vessel on Sunday 16th November 2025 by NDLEA officers who thereafter took
the Master of the ship, Captain Quino Eugene Corpus and 19 other crew members who are all Filipinos into custody for investigation.
“Following the seizure and arrest of the crew members, the Agency filed an application for an order of court for the detention of the vessel and the 20 Filipinos on board
He said that the forum was a preventive diplomacy initiative made up of former heads of state who visit countries within the sub-region during election periods to mediate and prevent crises resulting from poorly managed elections.
for further investigation. The motion ex-parte in suit number FHC/L/MISC/1306/25 was argued before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, who on Thursday 20th November 2025 granted the application for an initial 14 days detention of the vessel, Capt. Corpus and 19 other Filipino crew members.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has uncovered 32 institutions involved in the illegal and unethical award of honorary doctorate degrees, vowing tough sanctions to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s higher education system. The 32 violators include
10 foreign universities, four unlicensed local universities, 15 professional bodies without degree-awarding powers, and three other institutions not authorised to confer academic titles.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja yesterday while lamenting the
growing abuse of honorary degrees by both awarding institutions and recipients.
Ribadu’s remarks followed the presentation of a report by a committee set up by the Commission to investigate Awards and Public Misuse of Honorary Doctorate Degrees by Recipients.
The NUC boss reiterated the ban on the award of honorary
Doctorate Degrees to public office holders, warning that until they are out of office no public official qualifies for the honors.
He noted that the violations cut across federal, state, and private universities, with several institutions flouting the Keffi Declaration of 2022, a framework agreed upon by Vice Chancellors to guide honorary degree awards.
Matilda Ndu Mmegwa has emerged as the 2025 winner of UKRI-ESRC Impact Award, under the Coventry University ESRCIAA postgraduate research, for her PhD research on: ‘Driving Growth for SMEs Via The Use of Sustainable Finance: The Case of Nigeria’.
A statement made available to THISDAY, noted that the
award was a testament of Mmegwa’s efforts to advance sustainable finance in the SMEs sector in Nigeria for socioeconomic growth. This, it noted, reaffirmed her keen drive for sustainability, innovation, competitiveness and inclusivity. In their comments, the ESRC-IAA Panel of Expert Reviewers stated: “This
research has an extremely impressive list of beneficiaries and is remarkably ambitious in scope. This looks like a very worthy application with good potential for delivering real change.”
“The research critical issues of sustainable growth, efficient resource utilisation and job creation challenge nations, especially the developing
and emerging economies, including Nigeria.
“Although Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have the potential to contribute significantly to addressing these challenges, they face major hindrances including ease of doing business, unfavourable policies, informalities, and a significant finance gap.
“The idea is yes, we observe the elections, but we are not co-observers.
“We go there to make sure that if we notice anything that is coming up negatively; we intervene and try to see what we could do so that those issues will not snowball into full crisis.
“The condition to be a member of the WAEF is that you must be a former president within the sub-region and a former president of ECOWAS.
“One clear condition is that you will no longer be an active politician and that is why I am disappointing most of my political associates.
“They expect me to play active role in politics, but before I play active role in politics, I will first and foremost resign from the WAEF,” Jonathan said.
Speaking on the state of the nation, Jonathan decried the situation in politics, charging politicians to conduct themselves with decorum and a sense of responsibility.
He said that unlike other professions such as teaching, which require training and certification, individuals often enter politics and assume leadership positions without basic training.
“We must change the face of politics. We must see politics as a business of responsible individuals,” he said.
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) disclosed that it has sustained zero infractions along the Eastern Corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), enabling continuous production and contributing to increased crude oil and gas output.
This was as the company has unveiled a communitybased communication initiative that deploys local town criers to strengthen real-time security awareness along the Eastern Corridor of the TNP.
The General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, announced the initiative during the company’s monthly stakeholders meeting with host communities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He explained that the engagement of two town criers, one male and a
female in each community was recommended by stakeholders at the previous meeting and has now been formally adopted.
Mezeh said the town criers will play a central role in disseminating verified information, supporting ongoing sensitisation efforts, and enhancing early-warning intelligence. Their introduction, he noted, is already improving the flow of communication across the 215 host communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo, and Abia states, ultimately supporting PINL’s mandate to maintain uninterrupted production on the TNP.
He reviewed that attempted pipeline vandalism has dropped by more than 87 per cent compared to 2022, a result driven by expanded surveillance operations and growing trust between PINL, traditional rulers, youth structures, and community contractors.
Muyiwa Akintunde pays tribute to Dan Agbese, Co-founder of Newswatch
He was born Daniel Ochima Agbese on 20 May 1944 into the Agila royalty in the then Northern Nigeria Protectorate, which later became Northern Region and subsequently Benue State. Agila falls within Okpowu Local Government Area of Benue State. But rather than having himself addressed as Prince Daniel Ochima Agbese, he chose to be known and addressed simply as Dan Agbese.
I had known Oga Dan (as we preferred to call him) through his crisp writing in the New Nigerian newspapers and Newswatch_ magazine years before I met him early in 1992.
I had been invited to a job interview at _Newswatch, coming from _TimesWeek_ (a weekly magazine of Daily Times ) and it was Oga Dan leading the panel to screen me. His questions were incisive, one of which was why I had not continued my education after completing the diploma programme at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism five years earlier. At that time,_Newswatch had a policy of recruiting only first or second degree holders. My response was perhaps satisfactory because about a week later, I got a letter of employment from Newswatch.
We, in the Newswatch newsroom dreaded the night Oga Dan was in charge of production. He was clinical in editing the copies. No floppy sentence would pass him by. In my first full week at the magazine, the task of writing the cover story fell on me. And Oga Dan was the duty editor. He called me into his office that night and first made me
relaxed: “You write well”. Before I could go to town with that commendation, he asked why I was fond of employing conjunctions or conjunctive adverbs as paragraph transitions. From one paragraph to another and from an idea to another, my script was replete with “however”, “but”, “meanwhile”, and their grammatical family. He taught me internal transition, asking that I should remove the “however”, “but’, “therefore”, etc., and see if my copy still conveyed the message.
Oga Dan had an office assistant who would not be caught smiling. On production night, he would slide into the newsroom to deliver his boss’s message. He was quite dramatic about it. Realising that we all lived with the fear of Oga Dan, he would stand at the entrance to the newsroom, his eyes roaming the room. After some seconds, he would call the “culprit” of the moment to face Oga Dan’s editorial scrutiny.
A must-read columnist, editor, writer, author, he was a teacher of note, as well. It was a great privilege having one’s copy go through his probing.
A MUST-READ COLUMNIST, EDITOR, WRITER, AUTHOR, HE WAS A TEACHER OF NOTE, AS WELL. IT WAS A GREAT PRIVILEGE HAVING ONE’S COPY GO THROUGH HIS PROBING
Oga Dan was a journalist through and through. There was an instance when his relationship provided him an opportunity to dabble into political communication. He handled that with the naivety of a practised writer. It was all about delivering the job, not about the pecuniary benefits.
Sleep well, Oga Dan, the great! Akintunde was an Associate Editor with Newswatch between 1992 and 1994
University of Ilorin has made remarkable progress in academic excellence, reckons KUNLE AKOGUN
Like an acorn planted 50 years ago, the University of Ilorin has now blossomed into a full grown oak, becoming the flagship of Nigeria’s university system, shattering the records of most of its precursors and setting new standards of academic excellence, cutting-edge research endeavours, and scintillating community service.
Not only has the University been consistently rated the nation’s number one citadel of learning by several world-acclaimed higher institution ranking agencies, it has, since the 2013/2014 academic session, been the most sought-after institution by admission seekers, according to records released yearly by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Established by the federal government in August 1975, the University of Ilorin is one of the seven second generation universities in the country. Others in the second-generation league are, the University of Jos, the University of Port Harcourt, the University of Calabar, Ado Bayero University, Kano, the University of Maiduguri, and the University of Sokoto. UNILORIN took off in October 1975 as a University College, affiliated to the University of Ibadan with the late Professor Tekena Tamuno as its pioneer Head. Designated as Principal, Professor Tamuno was
succeeded, in December 1975 by Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe. When the University College became a full-fledged University in October 1977, Professor Akinkugbe became its first Vice-Chancellor and he held that position until October 1978. Other Vice-Chancellors who have administered the University were: Professor A.O. Adesola, 1978 - 1981; Professor S.A. Toye, 1981 – 1985; Professor A. Adeniyi, 1985 – 1992; Professor J. O. Oyinloye, 1992 -1997; Professor S.O. AbdulRaheem, 1997 – 2002; Professor S.O.O. Amali, 2002 – 2007; Professor Is-Haq O. Oloyede, CON, 2007 – 2012; Professor AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON, 2012 – 2017; Professor Sulyman Age Abdulkareem, 2017 – 2022; and the incumbent, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN.
At inception, the University started with three Faculties (Arts, Education and Science). Now, it is a 16-Faculty citadel of learning. In addition to the three foundation faculties, the University now has the following faculties: Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Agriculture, Law, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Communication and Information Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. And between the 16 faculties, the University now has
a total of 108 academic Departments.
There are presently about 50, 000 students while the University’s staff strength is 3, 476. Since the 2013/2014 academic session consecutively, the University of Ilorin has maintained a reputation of being the most soughtafter university by admission seekers. Many factors are responsible for this feat. These include the good name the University has made for itself, the high quality of its graduates, its tradition of maintaining stable academic calendar, high moral standard of its students and graduates coupled with academic excellence and its beautiful and serene environment.
The University attracts both academic and non-teaching staff from virtually every part of Nigeria probably because of its central geographical location and the deliberate efforts of its successive administrations in attracting its workforce. Its Centre for International Education (CIE) plays a crucial role in attracting international staff and students in a deliberate and sustained effort at internationalisation.
In pursuit of its vision to be “an international centre of excellence in learning, research, probity and service to humanity”, the University of Ilorin has contributed in several ways to the socio-economic and political development of the country. Not only has it produced high level manpower for the various sectors of the nation’s
economy since its establishment 50 years ago, the better by far citadel has also produced several graduates who have been active participants in the country’s political space. Through an excellent Town and Gown relationship, the University has also advanced the overall development of its host community in particular and the nation in general.
The modest efforts of the University on internationalisation have yielded many gains, which include placing the University on the global map of higher institutions of repute, affording the University the opportunity to partner many reputable universities all over the world, affording the University access to facilities that are not available within the country, promoting internationalization within the campus thereby exposing staff and students to international opportunities such as American Council for Learned Society (ACLS), and Fulbright Fellowship, participating in the programmes of international organizations of which the University is a member, such as the Association of African Universities (AAU) and the Association of West African Universities (AWAU).
At the University of Ilorin, student unionism is a tool for progressive transformation of the lives and status of the generality of the institution’s student populace.
Akogun is the Director of Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin
WOhen President Muhammadu Buhari took over the reins of power on May 29, 2015, Nigeria was sadly a broken state in many respects. As a result of many other factors including bad governance and untold level of corruption, government could not live up to its financial obligations to citizens and service providers at both the federal and state levels.
coordinated strikes across multiple fronts. This adaptation reflects not just desperation but strategy — a sign that the group remains organized and determined to reassert dominance in the region.
Indeed one of the first official assignments that President Buhari carried out was the approval of billions of Naira in bailout funds to enable state governors pay something as basic as workers’ salaries. Granting those bailout funds was a huge boost to national security because the pressure of arrears of unpaid monthly salaries building dangerously all over the country was a ticking bomb.
Ask the naysayers and they would readily remind you of how long it took President Buhari to appoint his ministers and how that contributed to collapse of the economy as if, without ministers, governance was frozen. But buying that narrative would amount to what a famous Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie, termed “the danger of a single story”. Yet the whole story was that many of our citizens did not know how decrepit a state President Buhari inherited in 2015.
nce again, the sounds of gunfire and explosions have shattered the uneasy calm in parts of Borno State, reminding Nigerians that the Boko Haram insurgency — now over a decade old — is far from over. The recent wave of attacks in Mafa, Dikwa, and other communities across the North-East signals not just a security breach but a resurgence of the very terror the nation had hoped was finally fading. Despite years of military offensives, billions spent on counterinsurgency, and countless official claims of victory, the escalating violence tells a different story: Boko Haram and its offshoots remain a potent threat to peace and stability in Nigeria.
It was therefore necessary for him to take stock against the background of the fact that the departing government did not, reportedly, cooperate full well with the incoming government in terms of leaving workable handover notes. Although President Goodluck Jonathan was gracious in defeat, many of his appointees were still sulking over what they saw as their personal losses and therefore pulled all the stops to make things difficult for the Buhari government.
by the EFCC, President Buhari by his action has successfully brought back to the public consciousness the need to treat public funds with the highest level of transparency and accountability.
IAfter keeping treasury looters on their toes and at bay through the EFCC, particularly, President Buhari moved to curb unnecessary spending habits of the nation on what economists call articles of ostentation. Part of the disclosures of the President’s stock taking was how the country frittered away billions in foreign currency by importing goods, which can be produced at home. One of such items was rice, a major staple among Nigerians. By banning rice importation into the country, the President on one hand had saved the nation billions in foreign currency annually.
want to address an issue that is often whispered about, yet deeply affects the growth, confidence, and collective success of women in the professional world.
TWe frequently and rightly discuss the systemic challenges women face—the external biases, the unequal pay, and the male-dominated structures. But sometimes, the most profound obstacles come from an unexpected place: from within our own ranks.
And, on the other hand, the President has boosted domestic production of rice and in the process had nudged the country into self sufficiency in food production. He also created millions of jobs for young people in the rice value chain.
In too many workplaces, the reality is one of rivalry, not collaboration.
What is most admirable about President Buhari and his government is its frugal management of scarce national resources to attain optimum goals.
Instead of finding support, women are met with silence. Instead of receiving encouragement, they face discouragement.
Over the past few weeks, residents of Mafa and Dikwa Local Government Areas have endured renewed assaults from suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters. These coordinated attacks — involving drones, rocket launchers, and hit-and-run raids — demonstrate that the insurgents retain significant operational capability. In some cases, they have overpowered local defences, looting food supplies, setting houses ablaze, and forcing civilians to flee. Survivors describe terrifying scenes of militants storming villages, chanting extremist slogans, and targeting both military and civilian structures.
For many Nigerians, these developments are deeply disheartening. In recent years, official statements have repeatedly assured the public that Boko Haram had been “technically defeated” and “decimated.” Yet, the persistence of attacks in Borno, Yobe, and parts of Adamawa contradicts those declarations. While it is true that the insurgents have lost significant territory, their ability to infiltrate, ambush, and terrorize rural communities shows that the ideological and structural roots of the crisis remain intact.
Recall that since President Buhari stepped in the saddle, oil revenue dropped abysmally as if to sabotage him knowing all the big promises he made to citizens during his campaigns. But with the little resources that trickle in, the President is achieving what governments that received oil windfalls could not dream of.
Yakubu Ndakwe Mmenim, Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.
Even with the obvious and unpatriotic obscurantist behaviour of the PDP appointees and their supporters still in government hell-bent on making things difficult for Buhari, the President moved on with his methodical repair of a broken country. The first thing he did was to identify all possible sources of income to the nation and directed that all inflows be paid into one single account in line with the policy of Single Treasury Account (TSA).
The TSA policy, interestingly, was mooted by the PDP government but its penchant for imprudence and lack of accountability denied it the courage of implementing the policy. What the President literally did was to gather all the nation’s money into one box and locked it up with a big padlock and watched for any thief to come close.
Security experts say these escalating attacks are clear indicators that the insurgency is evolving, not declining. What makes the recent incidents particularly concerning is the insurgents’ growing sophistication. Reports suggest the use of unmanned aerial surveillance, motorbikes for swift mobility, and
Who can blame the President for almost developing paranoia over the safeguard of the national treasury with revelations and reports of mind-boggling looting that took place in the 16 years of the PDP? With such disclosures of how billions meant for fighting insurgency in the Northeast ended up in the pockets of a few individuals while our gallant soldiers fought with bare hands and on empty stomach, President Buhari was duty bound to bring sanity and accountability back in national spending.
Thus, under President Buhari, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had remained comatose for years, was woken up to resume its duties. Apart from the trillions of Naira of looted funds and property recovered from corrupt politicians
Today, the trains are up and running daily from Abuja to Kaduna. And from Lagos to Ibadan a brand new rail track was started and completed; citizens are already commuting daily to and fro these two major cities in the country seamlessly as they reap from the dividends of democracy. And with the way this government is going, before 2023 when the President would leave, the entire country would be linked by rail with all of its economic advantages.
Ainofenokhai Ojeifo, Abuja
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This dynamic is born from a scarcity mindset: a deeply ingrained belief that opportunities for women are finite, and that for one woman to succeed, another must fail.
This scarcity creates damaging behaviors: Fauziyyah Muhammad Bashir, a delegate at the African Women Conference 2025 in Accra, Ghana
When asked about the Khashoggi killing, Donald Trump said, ‘Things happen’ in defence of the visiting Saudi crown prince.
he Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) urges the Nigerian public to stop ritual attacks and killings because the notion of ritual money and wealth is completely baseless. AfAW is making this call following the reported arrest of suspected ritualists in Oyo State in southern Nigeria. The local media reported that members of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, arrested suspected ritualists with the body parts of a 73-year-old man. The suspects, who were apprehended in the Boluwaji area in Ibadan, said that a Muslim cleric asked them to procure some human body parts for rituals. Ritual attacks are widespread in Nigeria. Irrational conceptions of how to make money or become wealthy and successful undergird these atrocities. Many Nigerians strongly believe in blood money, known in some local languages as Ogun Owo (Yoruba) or Ogwu ego (Igbo). They think that they could become rich, or successful through ritual sacrifice. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Ritual wealth has no basis in reason, science, or reality. Home movies known as Africa magic or Nollywood films have not helped matters. These movies continue to reinforce these mistaken notions and other superstitions. Families, churches, mosques, and other public institutions do not encourage the interrogation of these traditional occult beliefs. There are no robust efforts to criticize or dispel these irrational and paranormal claims in schools, colleges, and universities. So millions of Nigerians grow up blindly believing that they could make money through ritual sacrifice of human body parts. The belief has led many Nigerians to commit crimes and perpetrate atrocities. Many Nigerians have been jailed or are undergoing court trials due to ritualrelated attacks and murder.
Yes ‘things’ do happen but they are still murder, terrorism, genocide or child sexual abuse, and they are horrific crimes, not just trivial mistakes, and there should be consequences.
The simple statement ‘things happen’ suggests it was a fact and that the Prince knew about it, despite the denials. It looks like Hell will be populated by extremely rich people, some world leaders and a few people who are both. Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia
Not too long ago, the police arrested some young Nigerians for stealing female pants, which they intended to use for ritual sacrifice. AfAW is asking all Nigerians to desist from ritual-related abuses because ritual money beliefs are baseless superstitions. Nigerian media, schools, and colleges should help educate and reorient the public. They should assist in reasoning Nigerians out of this killer-superstitious absurdity and nonsense. Leo Igwe directs the Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the purported correspondence on resolution of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) meeting and the postponement of Ekiti State congresses and governorship primary did not emanate from the commission.
Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, in a statement issued yesterday maintained that the said correspondence did not
emanate from the office of the Secretary to the Commission, nor any official channel of INEC.
She said, “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a correspondence currently in circulation on various platforms, dated November 10, 2025, concerning the Resolution of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) Meeting and postponement of the Ekiti State Congress/Governorship Primary, purported to have been issued and signed by the Secretary to the Commission.
The Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nana Nandap, has appointed Comptroller Tony Akuneme, as the new Commandant of the Immigration Training School in Kano.
Spokesman of the NIS, Akin Akinlabi, said the deployment aligns with the avowed vision of the CGIS, to reposition NIS training institutions across the country, to match with other elite sister security agencies in line with her ongoing efforts in capacity building and staff welfare.
"The Service anticipates that the new Commandant will bring to bear his modest experiences and exposures in effective communication, public relations and border management, all of which will help to strengthen the improved training modules and promote service delivery in line with the NIS statutory mandate," Akinlabi said.
Prior to his appointment, Akuneme was the Comptroller in charge of Illela Border Command, Sokoto and had been Comptroller in the Federal Capital Territory, as well as the Service Spokesman. He also previously served as Immigration attache in the Nigeria High Commission Canada as well as the Immigration Desk Officer in the Diaspora Commission at the Presidency.
“The Commission hereby states unequivocally that the said correspondence did not emanate from the office of the Secretary to the Commission, nor any official channel of INEC.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the signature of
the Secretary to the Commission was forged by unscrupulous elements.”
The Commission called on the general public, political parties and the media to disregard the contents of the said correspondence in its entirety, as it is fake.
It said it viewed this act of forgery and the circulation of false documents as a serious electoral offence and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. Therefore, it appeals to persons engaging in such futile, criminal, and disruptive activities to desist forthwith in the interest of electoral integrity and peace.
The Commission said it was collaborating with security agencies to investigate this matter and ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted according to the law.
As part of efforts to deepen access to healthcare and improve living conditions of the people across its mandate areas, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has delivered a multimillion-naira free medical outreach to over 3,000 residents of Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The medical mission, held at the State Specialist Hospital
(formerly Mother and Child Hospital), began on Monday and came to a close yestersday after delivering comprehensive health services, including surgeries, ophthalmic care, dental treatment and general medical consultations to the beneficiaries.
Speaking during the exercise, Deputy Director of NDDC, Ondo State Office, Mr. Kunle Karaki, said the intervention, carried out in partnership with Pro-Health International, aligns with
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places human welfare at the forefront of national development.
“Every one of us knows the importance of health, and that is why we take it as a matter of priority. Beyond roads, electricity and environmental projects, we believe healthcare is central to life. Our people are in need of this intervention, and that is why we have conducted it simultaneously across the region.
Last week, we completed the same exercise for the people of the southern senatorial districts of Ondo State.”
He disclosed that the outreach witnessed overwhelming attendance from day one.
“You can see the turnout, many have undergone surgeries, ophthalmological and dental procedures. The target is unlimited; we came here to touch lives in the true sense,” he added.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has taken over the prosecution of an estate developer and Managing Director of Sow Real Estate, Miss Uzoamaka Onukwubiri, who was arraigned before a Federal High Court on a 9-count charge bordering
on forgery and obtaining of property under false pretence.
Already, the defendant has been remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre by Justice Musa Liman pending the ruling on her bail application adjourned to December 1, 2025.
The prosecution counsel Ndidi Gladys Okoha, from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), Federal Ministry of Justice, informed the
court that the alleged offences are contrary to Section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act 2004; punishable under sections 1 (2) (C) of the same Act: Section 368 of the Penal Code Act.
However, after the charges were read to her in the dock, she pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Following the plea of not guilty by the defendant, the prosecution counsel asked for a date for trial. The defence counsel, Joel Okoli, informed the court of a subsisting bail application on behalf of the defendant. He then moved the application praying the court to admit the defendant bail as the alleged offences are ordinary bailable in nature.
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The armed secessionist whose name was given as Friday Nnamdi Anyikame, male, 25 years, was arrested on Thursday in Ihiala.
A press release by the Anambra State Police
Command Spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect is a member of a proscribed secessionists group.
"The arrest followed an early morning intelligence-led operation on 20th November
2025, as police operatives attached to Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu apprehended one Friday Nnamdi Anyikame, male, 25 years, in Ihiala and recovered two pump-action firearms and 29 live cartridges.
"During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being an active member of an armed group and revealed that he operates from a criminal camp located in Ogbaru Local Government Area."
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke
The Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo (AFTCREE) will provide Africa with a concrete roadmap for expanding its share of global trade through the culture-tourism corridor.
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of AFTCREE announced this ahead of the hosting of the continent’s premier culture, tourism, and creative economy gathering scheduled for November 24–25, 2025, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
He noted that a central target of the Expo, the launch of Agenda 2030, is an ambitious
Sahel region, insisting that if treated with kid gloves it poses existential threat to the area.
Also, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, called for actionable plans to stop the ugly trend.
Katsina and Plateau have ordered the immediate closure of public schools in their respective States in response to escalating security threats in the northern region of the country.
For Katsina, the directive was issued yesterday, by its Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Yusuf Jibia, confirmed the shutdown in an interview with DW Hausa, saying it was a precautionary measure following recent attacks in neighbouring states.
Similarly, Plateau State Government ordered the immediate closure of basic schools across the State, saying it was a temporary measure to enable it adopt security measures to protect students.
“The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) has directed the immediate closure of schools across the state as follows: Government Junior Model Secondary Schools (GJMSSs) will close effective Saturday, 22 November 2025. Primary and Day Schools will close effective Monday, 24 November 2025. This decision
initiative aimed at increasing Africa’s current contribution to global trade from less than three per cent to at least 10 per cent by the year 2030.
“Our mission is to raise Africa’s share of global tourism and creative industry revenue by promoting collaboration, peer review and investment attraction across the continent,” he said.
The LOC also confirmed strong institutional support for the Expo, including endorsements from the World Trade Organization (WTO) under the leadership of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the African Union (AU) Social Secretariat in Addis Ababa and other regional partners.
is underscoring the urgent need for preventive action.
“The Board assures parents, guardians, and stakeholders that this closure is a temporary but necessary step to forestall potential threats and to reassure communities that the government is prioritising the well-being of our learners.”
The Chairman, CAN Niger State, Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed that 227 persons including teachers were abducted by terrorists in yesterday morning raid on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in Agwara local government area of the state.
Yohanna, in a statement e,-signed by Dan Atori, his media aide, stated: "From our record, 215 pupils and students including 12 teachers were abducted by the terrorists".
He added: "I (Dr Yohanna) have just got back to the village this night after I visited the school where I also met with parents of the children to assure them that we are working with the government and security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely.
In preparation for the Expo, the LOC has engaged a broad range of stakeholders, including African envoys, non-African foreign missions across America, Asia, Europe and Australia, tourism boards, development finance
institutions, tour operators, airlines and creative industry bodies, expected to make the Expo a truly continental platform for policy dialogue, business matchmaking, investment fair and cultural exchange.
A major innovation to be unveiled at the event is the “Cultourmetre,” a digital tool developed to monitor, in real time, the progress African countries are making in tourism and the creative economy.
Also, the Managing Director of Afrocultour Limited and Chief Executive Officer of the Expo, Mr. Chuks Akamadu, described culture and tourism as Africa’s “low-hanging fruits” for economic transformation.
As the week-long industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Health Care Professional Associations (AHPA) lingers, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has expressed concern about the situation, demanding government intervention immediately.
"From our record, 215 pupils and students including 12 teachers were abducted by the terrorists.
"It is worthy to note that, during the terrorists’ attack, some students escaped and parents have started coming to pick up their children as the school has to be shutdown."
The CAN chairman called on everyone to "remain calm and prayerful and I also want to assure you that we are actively collaborating with security operatives, community leaders and government authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.
"May the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and continue to protect his people from all dangers" the clergyman said in the statement.”
THISDAY gathered that 11 students escaped from the claws of the terrorists and have reunited with their parents.
FG Orders Closure of 41 Unity Colleges
Following escalating cases of kidnappings, particularly of school children, the federal government yesterday, ordered the closure of 41 Federal Government Colleges.
In a circular titled, "Circular to all Principals, Federal Unity Colleges- Closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges," which was
The President of PSN, Ayuba Ibrahim Tanko, who made the remark during a courtesy visit by a delegation of PSN to the Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator George Akume, described
released yesterday, and signed by the Director in charge of Senior Secondary School, Binta Abdulkadir, on behalf of the Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the government said all principals of affected colleges are to ensure strict compliance.
"Sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches, the Minister of Education has approved the immediate closure of the listed Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs) with immediate effect.
"Principals of affected Colleges are to ensure strict compliance. Please, accept the warm regards of the Honourable Minister."
The schools are FGGC Minjibir, FGC Ilorin, FTC Ganduje, FGGC Omuaran, FGGC Zaria, FTC Gwanara, FTC Kafanchan, FGC Ugwolawo, FGGC Bakori, FGGC Kabba, FTC Dati, FTC Ogugu, FGC Daura, FGGC Bwari, FGGC Tambuwal, FGC Rubichi, FSC Sokoto, FGGC Abaji and FTC Wurno.
Others are FGGC Potiskum, FGC Gusau, FGC Buni Yadi, FGC Anka, FTC Gashua FGGC Gwandu, FTC Michika, FGC Birnin Yauri, FGC Ganye, FTC Zuru, FGC Azare, FGC Kiyawa, FGGC Kazaure, FTC Misau FTC Hadejia, FGGC Bajoga, FGGC Bida, FGC BIlliri, FGC New Bussa, FTC Zambuk and FTC
the ongoing JOHESU/ AHPA strike as a ‘’national emergency that must not be allowed to linger.”
He advised the government not to relent in the efforts it initiated on the wake of the strike, towards stopping the action by the professional bodies.
Kuta-Shiroro.
The School Didn’t Get Clearance to Reopen, Says Niger Govt
The Secretary to the State Government of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, yesterday, said the latest abduction happened because the school ignored security reports and did not get clearance to commence the term. He said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna.
Usman noted that, "the breach occurred despite earlier intelligence reports received by the Government warning of heightened security threats across parts of Niger North Senatorial District.
"Acting on these credible indicators, the State Government had promptly directed the suspension of all construction work and the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected axis as a preventive measure.”
"Unfortunately, St. Mary’s School reopened for academic activities without notifying or obtaining clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and staff to avoidable danger" Usman said in the statement.
He submitted that, "Security agencies have now launched full investigation and coordinated
“We are concerned because all 73 Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) and even non-hospital-based facilities where JOHESU members are domiciled have been paralysed by the effect of this strike.’’
search-and-rescue operations to secure the safe return of the abducted pupils" adding that: "The Government remains in constant communication with all relevant security formations and will continue to provide updates as verified information emerges."
The government scribe however, advised "school proprietors, traditional and community leaders, and all stakeholders to strictly comply with security advisories issued for public safety" insisting that, "Protecting the lives of citizens— especially children—remains the highest priority of this administration."
The police confirmed the incident in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, wherein he said it's team and that of the Nigerian Army had already been dispatched to comb the forests for the arrest of the bandits and rescue of the abducted students.
The police statement read in part: "The Niger State Police Command wishes to confirm that on 21st November, 2025 at about 2.00am, report received indicated that some armed bandits invaded St. Mary's Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara LGA and abducted a yet to be ascertained number of students from the School's hostel.
After a successful 13-year tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Exchange Group, which ended last year, Oscar Onyema has embraced a new chapter defined not by boardrooms, market cycles, or institutional reforms, but by balance, simplicity, and purpose. In retirement, he has found renewed joy in family life, travel, and the everyday experiences long overshadowed by the demands of high-level leadership. In this conversation with Obinna Chima, among other things, he says for him, success has always been measured not by titles or milestones, but by the ability to improve the human condition, creating solutions that make life better and systems more efficient. Excerpts:
How does Oscar Onyema relax now that he is no longer involved in the day-to-day running of a major institution like the NGX?
You know I retired last year? I am very happy in retirement. I’m doing a number of things, from entrepreneurial endeavours to sitting on boards of organisations. So, I relax by spending time with my family, my young son, enjoying simple things of life that I might have overlooked when I was working full time. So, those are the things I do to relax and enjoy—travel, swim—but I’m also staying busy, trying to continue creating value in the various endeavors I’m involved in.
So, how do you define success at this stage of your career?
I think success, for me, is improving the state of the human condition. So every time we’re going to solve a particular problem, we want to come up with outcomes that improve the lives of people who come in contact with whatever solution. If we are able to do that, then we’ll say we have succeeded.
What leadership philosophy guided you throughout your tenure at the NGX?
So my leadership philosophy is really one about creating positive impact by driving colleagues, friends, and staff around an idea that we can all focus on executing to provide real solutions to real-life challenges, be it bringing confidence back into capital markets, to developing solutions for implementation of infrastructure, or solving our energy security needs, or providing solutions through technology to real-life problems—even things as simple as whether you’re going to use an elevator to go up the steps or not. So, at the end of the day, you must have impact, measurable outcomes, and you must be solving a problem.
You mentioned that you have a new venture, JEX Market. Can you talk to us about it?
JEX Markets is an energy commodities exchange that recently got its license from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We are now working to be ready for trading sometime next year. We are starting with gas, and the solution, really, is to support government efforts around using gas as a transition energy. As you know, Nigeria has the ninth largest deposit of gas, and there are many use cases for this. So, bringing our knowledge around capital markets and also the oil and gas industry together, and technology, to provide a marketplace that can drive transparency, price discovery, and the kind of discipline that you see in other capital markets around the world. That is what this energy exchange is about.
So what should Nigerians expect from your new firm?
We’re going to be doing a big event with the industry and the public, hopefully before the end of the year, where we would, in practical terms, indicate the solutions that we’re providing to solve some of the existing challenges in the market, where you don’t have transparency, where you don’t have appropriate price discovery, where you don’t have data available on a continuous basis, with regards to gas that is traded, and also risk management tools that a platform such as ours would provide. So that is what I can say now.
You drove major reforms at the NGX, what do you think should be the next stage of growth for Nigeria’s capital markets?
I believe that the Nigerian capital market has a foundation
that has already been put in place. The next level is scaling, crowding in more users, and really putting ourselves in a position where we are solving the big problems of tomorrow, using our capital, using our technical know-how to really galvanise and cover that gap between innovation and implementation.
Since the 2008 global economic meltdown, some investors are still skeptical about coming back to the stock market, as someone that has played at that topmost level, what advice do you have for them?
Well, people that have come back are all smiling to the bank right now. The truth is that markets move in cycles. They move in up and down cycles, and it’s difficult to time markets. So, taking a portfolio approach to investing, where you manage risk—you’re trying to have the highest risk-adjusted returns—so you diversify across asset class and you don’t try to time the market, is probably one of the best approaches. Now, for people who don’t have a lot of money to invest, investing in pools of capital, like mutual funds, Exchange-Traded Funds, and things like that, could give you the same diversification. And really, we’ve created a marketplace that people can have trust in, one that people can have confidence in. And we’re already seeing a lot of people who have come back to the market smile to the bank. Some of the excess practices that occurred in the lead-up to 2008 have
been eliminated from the market. There’s clarity around rules, there’s enforcement of those rules, and those are the things that make us very happy—that we’ve created an environment where people can actually come in and trade and you’re already seeing it in the numbers. The market has experienced phenomenal growth, and we see more growth, not just for the equity markets but the entire capital market.
Nigeria has a target of attaining a $1 trillion economy by 2030. What do you think are the structural reforms and policies required to meet that target?
I think it was a bold vision statement, one that I applaud the president of the country for. I must say that there’s been great policies that have emanated that have contributed towards the march to achieve that $1 trillion economy benchmark that has been set. We just need to have the vision, implement, and implement at a very high-quality level. But the policies that are coming out are all very supportive of this $1 trillion economy target that has been set, and I commend the government for that.
How can we position the Nigerian economy as the financial hub of the continent?
It’s been done already in practical terms. We have the EnterpriseNGR, which is a body that is trying to coalesce the professional and financial services to position Nigeria as a financial hub in Africa, specifically Lagos—and indeed, they’ve joined the world body of financial centers. So there are some practical and physical things that need to be done.
there’s also investments that need to go into: what are the things that support an international financial center, from talent to infrastructure to the flow of capital, the appropriate regulations, rules, and enabling environment. so, we’re continuously making improvements in achieving those, and I think if you use that as an example, it can be scaled across the continent, and there’s no reason why there cannot be collaboration between these various financial centers. so, it has started, but it needs to be scaled up.
You just finished a panel session on talent leadership in Africa’s finance sector. How can we groom talent—from the junior level to senior and executive ranks—so that Africa develops the pool of professionals needed to compete globally?
you can look at it from different dimensions. the first dimension is training. the second one is giving responsibility with trust and doing it in such a way that there is collaboration across disciplines. that builds confidence in not just knowing the theory, but also being able to implement, knowing that you have been given this responsibility with trust. In terms of results, we want to be able to measure productivity; we want to be able to measure other aspects of outputs, from whatever is being done, and then celebrate success not for individuals, but for teams, that is the entire teams in the project. so, there is leadership at every level of the organisation, not just at the highest levels of the organisation.
What are the three most critical skills Africa’s finance leaders need to scale in the global work landscape?
I would think that the first one is the ability to build leaders, build leadership systems and reward those systems. so that would be the way I would think about it. How are we building leadership systems that would survive us, that would produce more than we have done, and would be sustainable for the next generation of leaders? If you look at what we’re able to accomplish at the Nigerian e xchange Group (NGX), you will see that they’ve continued the tradition of excellence that we established when we were there. so we’re very grateful, and we’ve taken those lessons and we’re implementing them now
in our new venture, the JeX Market, which is an energy commodities exchange that just got licenced. We’re trying to make sure that we imbibe these three critical leadership principles that I’ve just talked about. What role do you think mentorship has to play in all of this?
It is very key. people need role models who actually bridge the gap between ambition and implementation in leadership, and so we need to be able to role model, guide and provide mentorship for the next generation to go from ambition to implementation. and I must thank people who have served and continue to serve as mentors for me—people like aliko dangote, aigboje aig-Imoukhuede - they built incredible franchises and when you study them—hard work, openness and willingness to learn, and to continue to grow—all those things are very important for us that are coming behind them, and so it’s important for us to also give back to the people coming
behind us.
So looking at the African setting, what are the three most important skill gaps we think we lack presently? so, in terms of skills and skill sets, you know, I talked about the fact that the three major things we can do to accelerate africa’s growth are building leadership systems in the african Continental Free trade area (afCFta), in energy transition, and in financial inclusion. so afCF ta is focused on crossborder trading, cross-border movement of people and goods, and services. so, how do we construct that such that the people, the talent, are able to move across the entire continent with ease and bring value creation in various endeavors? so that is very critical. In energy transition, we are called the dark continent. How are we able to leapfrog our current energy status to transition into an energy powerhouse that still maintains the
protection for the environment, that cares about climate change, and things like that? and then the last one is just: how do we bring in, how do we crowd in more people to be financially savvy and to come into the formal sectors so they can generate revenue, be captured in terms of national planning and african continental planning, and pay their taxes in terms of being able to contribute towards the development of the continent. so, I think that those are very critical skill sets that the continent needs to be able to accelerate its growth and start to play catch-up.
Still on the AfCFTA, I personally feel the take-off has been too slow. What do you think is responsible for that?
Of course there are significant barriers to trade in the continent and at national levels. If you take, for example, the movement of goods between Nigeria and Benin republic, just right next to us, you can be at the border for the whole day. so national barriers are challenge; adoption, a lot of these countries in africa have now formally adopted afCFta , but imbibing it and cascading it to the lowest levels is something that will take time. Having the right leadership systems around it to inform the entire population as to what it is and what it can do to go from that innovation to actual implementation, I think, are some of the challenges affecting the smooth take-off of the afCF ta
Africa has a huge young population. How can countries on the continent take advantage of this to boost productivity? We need to improve our formal educational systems. We need to improve our informal educational systems and to build fit-for-purpose talent for the 21st century. Our curriculum, the way we teach—we’re not talking about artificial Intelligence. the things we teach, steM (science, technology, engineering, and Mathematics), for example, is a critical area. We need to have national plans where we incorporate talent development and abilities to rotate talent from the public sector to the private sector, and things like that. all of those things will help to drive improvements in this natural resource that we’ve been given which, if we do not properly harness, can become a major problem.
Abuja played host to a significant milestone for Nigeria’s gender development landscape as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) recently inaugurated the first Community of Practice for Commissioners of Women Affairs.
The event, attended by state leaders, development partners, and senior NGF officials, marked what many participants described as a major leap toward unified action that strengthens the rights, participation, and economic prospects of women and girls across the country.
The atmosphere at the NGF Secretariat was one of purpose and renewed momentum.
The Director-General (DG) of the Forum, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, opened the ceremony with remarks that placed the initiative at the center of Nigeria’s push for inclusive growth. Speaking with clarity and conviction, he welcomed the Commissioners and acknowledged the partners who helped bring the platform to life.
“I am truly pleased to officially open the inaugural Community of Practice for Commissioners of Women Affairs in Nigeria,” he said. He extended appreciation to Commissioners, development partners, and the NGF Gender Affairs Department, noting that their support created the groundwork for what he called a new era of coordinated gender-focused governance.
Shittu stressed that the Forum’s commitment to gender equity is not symbolic but deeply connected to the country’s development priorities. He noted that women play a vital role in shaping household and community wellbeing.
According to him, “The NGF remains strongly
committed to strengthening gender equity, inclusive governance, and the economic empowerment of women across all states. We recognise that sustainable development is impossible when half of the population is left behind, and that empowering women creates a multiplier effect that touches households, communities, and entire state economies.”
He shifted attention to why the Community of Practice is so essential, describing it as a framework built to encourage shared learning among states.
“The launch of this Community of Practice reflects our belief that collaboration, not isolation, is the gateway to real progress,” he said. “States are doing incredible work, but we know that exchanging lessons, aligning strategies, and building a unified voice will significantly
accelerate impact.”
beyond its symbolic value, Shittu explained that the platform represents a long-term institutional commitment.
In his words, “It is important to note that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum sees this Community of Practice not as a one-off convening, but as a long-term ecosystem, one that will support state-level institutional strengthening, enhance accountability structures, and ensure that women and girls have equitable access to opportunity.”
He also acknowledged development partners, particularly the Gates Foundation. “We appreciate the partnership of the Gates Foundation and all our development collaborators who have supported this vision,” he said. “The work ahead requires resolve, coordination, and unwavering commitment. but with this platform, I am confident we have taken a major step forward.”
Shittu ended his remarks by saluting the Commissioners for the critical work they do in shaping Nigeria’s gender and economic trajectory.
“To all Commissioners present today: thank you for your leadership. Your work at the state level is critical to shaping Nigeria’s gender and economic trajectory. The NGF stands fully behind you,” he said, declaring the Community of Practice officially open.
Following the DG’s remarks, the tone shifted seamlessly into the commitments and aspirations of the Commissioners themselves.
Delivering a keynote, the Dean of Commissioners of Women Affairs and Commissioner for Cross river State, Honourable edema Irom, positioned the moment as a turning point for gender advancement nationwide.
She described the inauguration as historic, noting that it comes at a time when women’s economic empowerment, political participation, and inclusive governance have become pressing
priorities. She acknowledged the Chairman of the NGF, the DG, fellow Commissioners, and partners, and noted that the presence of all stakeholders signaled serious collective intent.
Irom emphasised the strategic position Commissioners occupy. She explained that their offices sit at the crossing point between policy and lived realities, where national commitments must translate into real improvements in the lives of women and girls. She outlined five major commitments that the Commissioners will champion through the Community of Practice: domestication of the National Women’s economic empowerment Policy in every state, strengthened coordination with national and development partners, increased representation of women in leadership, expansion of data-driven programmes such as the Nigeria for Women Project, and the use of the platform for peer learning and harmonization of state efforts.
She highlighted that real progress requires consistency, shared problem solving, and a coordinated voice. She also expressed deep gratitude to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for convening the initiative and reaffirmed the readiness of Commissioners to drive practical, transformative results.
Irom concluded by reaffirming that progress for women and girls is inseparable from the nation’s growth. She noted that the commitments made at the inauguration represent a strong start toward a more inclusive future in which women’s participation and potential are fully recognised. As the gathering closed, there was a shared sense among participants that the Community of Practice will become a landmark mechanism for gender-responsive governance. For both the NGF and the Commissioners, the new platform signals not just a convening, but the beginning of a sustained, collective effort to change the lives of women and girls across Nigeria.
“KADUNA gov hails over $30bn investment prospects from Tinubu’s Brazil state visit”
Get it right: ‘Hail’ is not a standalone—you must hail somebody or something. Therefore, delete ‘over’ or rewrite entirely.
“…deficit hits N2.8trn, as Works and Housing, Transportation, others get lion’s share”
Three or more ministries cannot simultaneously get the Lion’s share of something (budget)! If there is parity in the allocation, there should be other ways to express it.
‘Lion’s share’ is strictly exclusive.
Another juvenile misunderstanding: “Group seeks govt’s attention on (to) dilapidated roads in Anambra”
“…Bank set to resume operation (operations)”
“In the aftermath of its suspension of business, several deposit (depositors) and staff of the bank….” (Source: as above)
“Erosion swallow (swallows) 200 buildings in Anambra”
“LG stakeholders pass vote of confidence on (in) Otti”
“Fire outbreak on (at) NNPC’s OML 20 oil asset” Delete ‘outbreak’ on grounds of its redundancy
Access this grammatical inexactitude from my bank: “Call…to report an incidence (incident) of fraud or any suspicious activity on your account” (Full-page advertorial by Access Bank) Certainly, writing is more than banking and transcends figures!
“…that a football rivalry between the two (sic) countries was truely born” What type of computers do some journalists use that they do not experience automatic spell-check, which is inbuilt? ‘Truly’ does not accommodate ‘e’!
“That is why Sunday’s encounter between the Selecao and the Super Eagles will be more than a friendly and the roll call (roll-call) of
players billed for the match attest (attests) to that.”
“Stakeholders gear-up (gear up) for…”
“Sultan advocates stiff penalty for out of school (out-of-school) children’s parents” Guardians, too, should be penalized.
“It is simply not possible because cost of meters have (has) already been fixed by NERC.”
“BEDC to rollout (roll out) 572,392 prepaid meters in 2 years” (Source: as above)
“How corruption among govt agencies cripple (cripples) ports’ revenue”
“Barca swoops for (on) Nigerian whiz-kid”
“Organizers assure on 2025 Lagos Women Run” (Source: as above) Who did they assure?
Some media professionals ignorantly use the phrase "armed bandits": "The Zamfara
State Government's effort towards finding lasting solution to armed banditry and cattle rustlings suffered a setback as..." The dictionary defines a bandit as "a member of an armed gang that robs people". It means a bandit is usually armed; therefore the word "armed" to qualify him is out of place. On the contrary, a robber is someone who "takes property from a person or place illegally". A robber may or may not bear arms. If he does, he is an armed robber liable to the death penalty upon conviction. As we can see, the distinction between a robber (armed or unarmed) and a bandit is clear.
The nation's premier independent radio station, RayPower, reported yesterday that the country "SLIDED into recession..." Its editors and correspondents, and indeed media professionals, should note that SLID is both the past tense and past participle of SLIDE. It is not in the same word class as GLIDE and GLIDED.
“Among the controversial recommendations was the creation of more states at a time many states are (were) having difficulties meeting their recurrent expenditures, including monthly salaries.”
“…as heads of MDAs most times ignore the summons (summonses) of the parliament and treat its resolution (resolutions) with levity, while the lawmakers watch helplessly (haplessly).”
“He said the salvation of the country cannot (could not) be found in any of the existing political parties.”
From the preceding diseased headline to this juvenile slipshodness: “Doctors suspend stike in Kaduna, Ebonyi” Even the computer underscored this strike carelessness from the same page as above! Do we still have editorial bastions (proofreaders) this time round?
“The facility will result in improved security profile of the Internet traffic and save the nation of the embarrassment of….” Info-tech: save the nation the embarrassment of….
“Renowned filmmakers will converge in (on) Nigeria next week for….”
“Politically, experts in IT advocated for the use of e-voting system….” Once again, ‘advocate’ when used as a verb does not admit ‘for’.
“There will be what I call enriched mobile communication experience come 2026 through mobile money….” ICT development: experience in 2026.
“PDP in make or mar meeting” (Special Report Bold Front Page and Cover Headline)
Get it right: make-or-mar meeting. The hyphenation confers class. No standard publication dispenses with it. The same tragedy trailed the accompanying rider, too:
“State by state analysis (sic) of how delegates may vote” As above: State-by-state analyses….
“…today’s presidential primary for 2027 may
Dhere is a question that has haunted many Nigerians for years, but has now taken on a darker urgency: why are these people killing us? Not kidnapping for ransom, not rustling cattle, not seizing territory for ideological dominance - just killing. As if human life has become an irritant to be swatted away. As if spilling blood is a form of recreation. Not just with guns or bombs, but with a cold, gleeful finality that suggests something is twisting dangerously in the Nigerian soil, and instead of digging it out, we are pretending it is a decorative pot-plant.
Last Saturday, 15 November, 2025, ISWAP terrorists ambushed a military convoy on Damboa-Biu road, Borno State, and claimed they had captured Brigadier-General Musa Uba. Within 48 hours, they released images and videos through their propaganda channels, celebrating his execution as though it were a festival of depravity. The army attempted a hasty denial, but the militants’ evidence - which no civilised society should ever have to watch - spoke with sickening clarity.
It is eerily haunting that Brig-Gen. Uba was ambushed almost to the day, four years after Brig-Gen. Dzarma Zirkusu was killed on 13 November, 2021 at Askira-Uba, Borno in an ambush while reinforcing troops - both in the same battlefield, both claimed by ISWAP.
On the same day of Uba’s alleged execution (17 November), bandits invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State about 4.00 am. They killed the vice principal, traumatised an entire community, and abducted 25 schoolgirls from their hostel. No manifesto. No political statement. No ransom demand - at least not yet. Just violence for violence’s sake.
Barely twenty-four hours after the Kebbi abduction, terror struck again - in a place meant for solace. In Eruku (Ekiti LGA, Kwara State), bandits stormed a Sunday evening service at Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun (Mount of Victory). According to police and eyewitnesses, at least three worshippers were gunned down, and around ten others - among them the pastor - were abducted. The attackers reportedly came from the bush, forced their way in, and dragged some of the congregation into nearby forests - an eyewitness, a pastor, put the number at 35!
So the question must be asked without blinking: what exactly do mindless killers gain from murdering innocent
citizens who neither threatened them nor obstructed their ambitions? If kidnapping is the “business model,” if ransom is the “industry,” if banditry is the “enterprise,” then what do we call this new appetite for killing without purpose? When a man storms a church or school or farm settlement and massacres people who cannot possibly pose a threat to him, what theory of economics - or sociology or criminology - can explain that? Nigeria is watching a mutation take place: violence no longer requires incentive. It has become a culture. A pastime. A badge of belonging.
For years, we comforted ourselves with neat clichés: poverty fuels crime; unemployment drives banditry; bad governance breeds resentment.True, but incomplete. None of these factors explains why someone would execute a senior military officer simply to make a point on social media; or why unprovoked attackers slaughter worshippers in Owo (Ondo), Eruku (Kwara), Yelwata, Akpanta (both in Benue), Tarmuwa (Yobe), Mantau (Katsina), Enugu, etc; or why armed gangs in Zamfara light up villages like a bonfire party and then melt back into forests. You don’t kill a Brigadier-General for ransom. You don’t waste bullets on helpless worshippers to express poverty. You don’t abduct schoolgirls repeatedly - across states - because your grandfather’s cows were stolen. No, Nigeria is dealing with something deeper: a moral, ideological and psychological rot, fertilised by years of impunity, indoctrination, ungoverned spaces, and the slow collapse of national accountability.
be riddled with so much (many) underhand deals and sharp practices.” What is the difference between ‘underhand deals’ and ‘sharp practices’? The latter should subsume the former! An aside: ‘much’ instead of ‘many’?
“In doing so (a coma) some of the government’s supporters may certainly have overstepped the bound of propriety….” From the other side: the bounds of propriety.
“Reactions to this position have been pouring in, and it’s highly elating that most share same position.” This way: most share the same position.
“Majority of Nigerians are of the opinion that a country roundly blessed has no business tottering at the brink of disintegration and collapse.”
A/the majority of Nigerians….
“The PDP has expressed serious concern at the fire outbreak, describing it as suspicious.” Just delete ‘outbreak’ on grounds of redundancy.
“Nigeria in search for (of) an enduring political structure…”
“NGO sensitises (sensitizes, preferably) girls on (to) engineering, STEM-related activities”
“…or through these number….” EFCC please take note: this number or these numbers
“We urge that that it will (should) be sustained.”
“For instance, NLC would (should) have opposed land border closure by the immediate past government when it was clear that in Nigeria….”
“Zamfara, C’River, Adamawa, Ogun top cholera cases (case) list”
“Chief Whip stages walk out (walkout) to protest Senate president’s out-of-order ruling”
“The management of the radio station, in a statement (how else?), said his body has (had) been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre….”
History offers us sobering parallels. Colombia in the 1980s and 1990s, where cartels, guerrillas and militias turned killing into a political currency. Somalia after the fall of Siad Barre - warlords, jihadists and clan armies carving society into fiefdoms. Afghanistan after Soviet withdrawal. The Balkans during the ethnic wars. Mexico’s drug-fuelled violence, where sometimes killing is strategic, and sometimes it is simply theatre. Each of these societies confronted waves of irrational violence that seemed unstoppable - until the underlying ecosystems were dismantled.
Nigeria is now tolerating its own violent ecosystem. Consider the northern corridor, from Zamfara to Katsina, Kaduna to Niger, Sokoto to Kebbi, and down through Plateau and Taraba: a vast expanse where the Nigerian state is often visible only through flyers, checkpoints, and press statements. In many communities, the gun is authority. The forest is refuge. The motorcycle is mobility. The AK-47 is identity. Boys grow up in an emotional vacuum where belonging is purchased by blood. Killing becomes the initiation ritual. The more gratuitous, the more respected. This is how terror franchises recruit foot soldiers without needing ideology classes.
Speaking of ideology, Nigeria has tiptoed for too long around the uncomfortable truth: many of these groups are no longer “mere bandits.” They have embraced fragments of extremist doctrine. Not full Boko Haram orthodoxy, but a cocktail of jihadist resentment, anti-state sentiment, anti-Christian hatred, and fascination with martyrdom.
Overlay this with the most toxic ingredient of all: impunity. For more than a decade, Nigeria has treated terrorism as a nuisance to be managed instead of an existential threat to be eradicated. Killers raze whole villages and later stroll into markets to buy food. Kidnappers negotiate ransom using their own phone numbers. Bandits livestream their atrocities. Even when suspects are captured, some mysterious “higher authority” intervenes. A nation where murder carries no cost will inevitably produce men who murder without hesitation - and soon, without reason.
The question, therefore, is not merely “why are they killing us?”The real question is: why have we allowed them?
The usual approaches - “peace accords,” “dialogue committees,” “repentant terrorists,” and the ever-rebranded military operations - are political cosmetics. They cover the wound but do not stop the bleeding. What Nigeria needs is a three-track strategy that mirrors what has worked elsewhere.
First, a relentless security offensive, not token operations designed for press briefings. Colombia only reduced killings when it targeted cartel leadership, dismantled logistics, and retook territories. The Philippines reclaimed Marawi by denying extremists sanctuary. When Rwanda crushed the Interahamwe, it did so with decisive force. Nigeria must treat these groups not as disgruntled citizens but as existential enemies of the republic.
Second, economic and logistical strangulation. Criminal economies survive on illegal mining, cross-border smuggling, gun-running, cattle theft syndicates, and political sponsorship. Mexico learned that starving cartel finances was as crucial as arresting gunmen. Nigeria must go after the financiers, not only the foot soldiers. Shut the money, and the guns grow silent.
Third, psychosocial reconstruction. This is the long game. Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Rwanda rebuilt fractured societies through deradicalisation programmes, civic education, community justice, and national re-orientation. Nigeria’s own youth demographic has been spiritually neglected for decades. A generation has emerged that fears no state, reveres no moral authority, and anticipates no future. That vacuum is where killers are manufactured.
We must confront the truth we keep avoiding: Nigeria is facing a metastasising cancer. And cancers do not disappear because the torso tells the leg, “It’s your problem.” If the northern theatre collapses completely, the south will not be spared. Criminal networks do not recognise geography, ethnicity, or religious borders. When they exhaust the north, they will migrate like locusts. Other nations have survived this kind of darkness. But none survived by wishing it away. They confronted it - with clarity, courage, intelligence, and national will. Nigeria must now decide whether it wants to remain a functional country or continue drifting toward a future in which murder becomes a language spoken fluently across all states.
The killers have declared themselves.
It is time the Nigerian state - and Nigerian society - declared itself too.
Coscharis Motors has produced some electric-powered 40-seater buses ordered by the Abia State Government for commercial use.
Twenty of these buses, the first batch, brought in from China, were unveiled to Auto Journalists by the President of Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmos Maduka, at Apapa from where they are expected to be driven to Abia State.
The buses, Asia-Coscharis are capable of driving for 300 kilometres on a single charge, said Dr. Maduka, adding that his company will soon begin assembling electric-powered buses and pickups at their assembly plant at Awoyaya in Lagos.
Maduka said, “This is all about innovation. You know, we have partnered with Abia State government to provide them these electric buses. So, this is the first batch of it, 20 units that have just arrived.
“The second batch of the electric buses is in production, and subsequently other ones will be coming.
“The second batch that is in production is another 20, but there are other batches that I will not disclose now, that are also on the pipeline.
“This bus can seat about 40 people, you know, and this bus has also taken people with disability on a wheel chair, into consideration, It has a gadget that comes out from a side to pull the person in and bring them back. Their seats, the two special seats, are put at the back.”
“Coscharis has continued to lead in innovation in the automobile industry, and when we set up our automobile business, we made a bold statement that will continue to set a standard that other competitors in the industry will be judged by. So we have always been on the frontline, driving innovation.”
He said these buses are specially made, and fitted with cameras at the back and inside, saying
passengers can charge their phones, and that “as you come into the bus, you are captured and recorded into some data base that I don’t want to disclose.
“So the days are gone, when you enter the bus, you start picking people’s pockets. So, I think Abia State with this bus will lead in tourism, because they try to keep Abia safe, where people can come in and have the same comfort like it’s done in UK.
The Queen of England can enter the bus, because it’s at its best means of transportation.
“That’s what Abia State Government has done with its team, and Coscharis is working with them to deliver on that promise. This bus just arrived from China. It was made in China.
On the charging facility, he said, “We are building a charging facility with them, with Coscharis Technologies. These buses will run in the day, and will be charged overnight. In the morning, they will move. Their base is where we are building the power stations. We are building a solar energy source that will charge them, so they are not even depending on public electricity.
“These buses will be running, because everything is provided from onset. But you can be sure that in the first instance that there are more than 20 charging points. Because if the 40 buses return back in a day, they all need to be charged to be able to work the following day. But when you have
fully charged the bus, you can run 300 kilometres before you need recharging. And depending on your trips and distance. This is for intrastate, you know, running maybe from Umuahia to Aba, and all the other locations. So, how many kilometres would they cover in a day? You can actually charge the bus and it can run for 2 days or 3 days, or 4 days, or even a week, subject to the distance that the bus will go.
He said the choice of electric-powered buses over CNG-powered buses was because “CNG buses still have the parts of internal combustion engine, there is piston, there is ring, there is metal, but this is purely battery. This is where the world is going, this is purely electrification, so all you need to do is to charge and move.”
These buses, he said, have quick escape hatches and “like every other bus, you will see the small hammer that is kept for a quick escape basis, in addition to two other doors that will be open automatically. You could also see emergency exit here, you could see emergency exit there. “So, there’re emergency exits around 360 degree of the buses should anything happen because we live in a real life where anything could be possible. “So, all of those things are taken into consideration in building these buses. Here is a fire extinguisher. This is the first fire extinguisher you are seeing in the bus. That is the second fire extinguisher. So, it’s well taken care of should there be an emergency.”
He spoke briefly about his plans to assemble buses and Pickups at the Lagos plant, saying “The ultimate thing is that we are going to be putting a brand. We are going to be assembling Coscharis Pick-up very soon. There are other Coscharis Motors that we are going to be seeing. And it will be called Coscharis Motors. And ultimately, we will get to the point where we manufacture them from CKD here. We are doing SKD now.
Mikano Motors, the exclusive distributor of Changan vehicles in Nigeria, has announced a landmark partnership with Tharwa Polo Team, Nigeria’s premier female-led polo team.
This collaboration underscores Mikano’s steadfast commitment to women’s empowerment, leadership, and performance excellence, core values that both brands embody on and off the field.
Joelle Haykal, Group Executive Director of Mikano International, remarked, “Tharwa represents vision and resilience, qualities that resonate deeply with us at Mikano. This partnership is a perfect celebration of that shared spirit.”
Naomi Durosaro, Patron and Team Lead of Tharwa Polo, added, “Tharwa’s journey goes beyond polo. We are committed to fostering
excellence, leadership, and inspiration off the field as well.
The Tharwa-Mikano partnership reflects these shared values of equality and strength.” She also revealed that, in honour of the partnership, the team has purchased a new horse named ‘Mikano,’ confident that she will deliver outstanding performance on the field.
The campaign, themed “Beyond Horsepower,” draws a compelling parallel between the mechanical horsepower driving the exceptional Changan vehicles, and the athletic horsepower powering Tharwa’s success. The initiative will also feature a monthly podcast series exploring leadership, gender equality, and innovation in modern Nigeria.
Through this partnership, Mikano Motors reaffirms its belief that true horsepower is more than speed — it’s about strength, purpose, and leadership in action.
Coscharis Motors, the exclusive representative of Renault in Nigeria proudly unveiled the all-new Renault Koleos and Renault Kardian at the 25th edition of the Abuja International Motor Fair 2025, co-organized by NADDC. The landmark event took place at the iconic Eagle Square, Abuja, marking yet another bold stride in the brand’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions.
The two Renault models were officially unveiled by the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Otunba Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin amongst other dignitaries that attended the launch right at the Coscharis pavilion.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Abiona Babarinde, General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications of Coscharis Group emphasized the brand’s strategic vision to enrich the automotive landscape with products that combine cutting-edge technology, safety and style. The new Koleos and Kardian embody Renault’s global reputation for design excellence and engineering innovation, tailored to meet the evolving needs of Nigerian drivers.in addition in his words, “Coscharis is super excited to deliver these two new variants from our Renault brand to the Nigerian market at this time of the year where both private and
public sector players can end the year with a purchase of a brand new vehicle. Likewise a great opportunity for potential fleet buyers working on their 2026 procurement budget to put the new vehicles in their purchasing plans. Coscharis as usual with the great support of our Renault partner will equally deliver the ‘peace of mind’ on every purchase of any of our Renault variants with a 3 year Warranty, original Parts that will be fixed with the right tools by certified Renault technicians. The beauty of our total package also comes with the availability of a robust finance scheme by Coscharis Mobility which is one of our sister firm within our group that make the purchase financially friendly”.
One of the highlights of the event was the exclusive test-drive tour of the newly launched models by the DG of NADDC who took the vehicles on a performance drive within the exhibition ground. The DG expressed admiration for the vehicles, noting that he was in awe of their powerful performances, refined engineering and impressive handling. His firsthand experience underscored Renault’s commitment to delivering vehicles that combine durability, advanced technology and comfort tailored for Nigerian terrain. According to him, “the two Renault vehicles are well balanced, smooth and delivers an enjoyable drive within the short time I drove the vehicles.
Every year on November 15, the Kalabari Kingdom witnesses a phenomenon its people regard as nothing short of sacred—a powerful tidal surge, a unique kind of harmattan that sweeps through their saline territorial waters, flushing out every trace of pollution carried in from the Sombrero River. To the Kalabari, this cleansing is far more than an environmental event, but a spiritual reset that closes one year and ushers in the next as at exactly November 16, a new calendar begins, symbolising renewal, rebirth, and the reaffirmation of identity, writes Blessing Ibunge
On that day, a mysterious tidal wave, a special kind of harmattan, hits the saline Kalabari territorial waters and sweeps away every atom of pollution that flowed in from the Sombrero River over the course of the year.
In the Kalabari traditional belief system, this purging of their seas of pollution annually on November 15th is seen as a spiritual cleansing that marks the end of a current year and the beginning of a new one from the next day, being November 16th.
Alluding to this belief, Harry Awolayeofori MacMorrison, Chief Administrator and Chairman of Kalabari Renaissance Foundation, described the new year as a renewal of the people of Kalabari Kingdom.
He said, “It’s the renewal of the people. Kalabari area is saline environment and at a time, the Sombrero River comes in and pollutes the river. On November 15th, across Kalabari, the tide turns and takes all the fresh water that polluted the saline river back to the Sombrero River. Normally when there is an end, there is a new beginning. November 16th is the beginning of the Kalabari calendar.”
Going down memory lane, MacMorrison said the new year festival is an annual celebration for centuries, dating back to pre-slave trade times when the Kalabaris were living in their first place of abode known as Elem Kalabari or Torusaramapiri, now referred in their local parlance as ‘Old Shipping.’
That unified new year celebration stopped when Kalabari communities began to migrate from Elem Kalabari about 150 years ago to their present abodes in Bakana, Abonnema (Nyemoni) and Buguma in Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas respectfully.
However, the migration and dispersal of the Kalabari communities did not stop them from observing and celebrating their traditional New Year. All the communities continued to celebrate the festival in their own way until the Renaissance Foundation, an organisation committed to reviving, restructuring, and promoting the traditional and cultural heritage of the Kalabari ethnic nationality, decided to harmonize the celebration last year.
“It’s been happening for centuries. This community we’re in (the venue of this year’s festival)
is Elem Kalabari. Elem Kalabari is old Kalabari. This was where all the Kalabari communities were, but they left to the other communities, and those celebrations ended. All the other communities commemorate it individually, but last year was the beginning of unified commemoration.
“Unified commemoration means that all the communities come together to commemorate it instead of commemorating it independently.
“Last year, it held at Abalama. This year, it is commemorated in Elem Kalabari. Next year, we will all vote again for the next community that will host it,” the chairman of Kalabari Renaissance Foundation, MacMorrison said.
He added that the new year festival signifies socio-cultural unity, peace and economic development of the Kalabari Ethnic Nation, noting that his foundation is also planning to launch a development master plan that will chart a course for Kalabari’s economic growth, leveraging their rich trado-cultural heritage.
“It (the new year festival) unifies, brings about peace and it also brings about development. Today, we’re unveiling and launching the Kalabari master blueprint for development. It’s a 25-year plan for
The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy has announced the postponement of the 2025 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), earlier scheduled to commence today in Enugu State.
A statement yesterday, by the SA Media & Publicity Office of the MinisterFederal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Nneka Anichebe, stated that the decision was made after a careful assessment of the national mood and the recent insecurity across different parts of the country.
She said in solidarity with the affected families and communities, and out of deep respect for the lives lost, the Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, after consulting with stakeholders, approved the postponement of the festival to a later date.
“NAFEST has always played a powerful role in nation-building. It brings Nigerians together, strengthens social cohesion, and offers a platform for cultural diplomacy and soft power.
“In fact, NAFEST remains one of the rare national events capable of projecting a different and more
accurate picture of Nigeria—a picture of unity, inclusiveness, hospitality, and national confidence,” the statement said.
With over 28 states already present in Enugu preparing for the festival, this year’s edition was poised to send a strong message that the country is open, resilient, and united.
“However, given the current national mood, the Federal Government believes it is more respectful and responsible to postpone the festival rather than proceed at a time when many citizens are grieving.
“The decision reflects our values of empathy, national unity, and collective sensitivity. A new date for NAFEST 2025 will be announced after further consultations with state governments, cultural institutions, and security agencies to ensure that when the festival holds, it does so in an atmosphere befitting the spirit of national celebration,” it added.
The Ministry sought the understanding and support of participating states, cultural troupes, partners, and the Nigerian public, stating its commitment to showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity remained unwavering.
It said it looked forward to delivering an even stronger and more unifying NAFEST at the appropriate time.
Kalabari,” he said.
For the Elem Kalabari community, an ancient city-state once ruled by King Amachree I, hosting the 2025 Kalabari new year festival, which has as its theme, “Celebrating Our Heritage, Honouring Our Waters And Renewing Our Spirit,’ on Sunday, was not just a nostalgic re-enactment of history, but also a revitalisation of the spiritual essence of the Kalabari man. It was also like a homecoming that reconnected the Kalabaris to their ancestral land.
An elated Mujahid Asari -Dokubo, the current Paramount Ruler of Elem Kalabari, did not mince words when he reflected on the traditional, cultural and spiritual significance of the festival.
In a brief chat with journalists on the sidelines of the event, Dokubo likened the Kalabari traditional unified new year festival to a resurrection from death under the auspices of the Kalabari Renaissance Foundation, organisers of the historic event.
“It’s not just about celebration. It’s about recreating ourselves, bringing us back from death. The organisation that has come to take over this celebration. Renaissance really fits the description of what ought to happen to us as a people. It’s not just Kalabari; it’s about all of us
and our values. We have to look at ourselves and our values,” he said.
Asari, who said Elem Kalabari was the first place an African was addressed as king in the 19th century, tasked the academics and mystics of Kalabari origin to come together and calculate their real calendar time based on their traditional new year, adding that while some countries and races calculate their calendar based on the lunar and solar cycles, that of the Kalabari nation should be based on their marine cycle.
“This place (Elem Kalabari) was the first place Europeans decided to call an African king. Let us take our own very important. Russians will not have the same calendar with us. The Russian New Year, even though they’re all Christians, is different from the Nigerian New Year. The Ethiopian New Year is different from the Nigerian New Year. Chinese New Year is coming. They’re going to go on vacation for up to two months. India too.
“When we want to do our own, people say it’s demonic. So, what of the Ethiopian people who are celebrating the new year? Is it demonic, too? The Russian people who are doing their own year; Russian Christmas is different, Russian New Year is different, their own too is demonic? You see, when we don’t have an argument to support our point, we bring something that somebody cannot explain. When you go into the realm of the spirit, a lot of people cannot explain; we can only guess.
“And for the intellectuals, for the geographers, astronomers, I think we should sit down and draw a proper calendar, following the course of how our fathers calculated their own. Other people have lunar calendar, solar calendar; our own is by the water. So we should be able to calculate our own by the movement of the water and have a proper calendar,” Dokubo said.
Ibiba DonPedro, a member of the Kalabari new year festival planning committee, said there was a need to reawaken the consciousness of their people on the need to embrace their traditional values without reservations, noting that there was nothing fetish about the festival.
She said the New Year festival was the most significant celebration of the Kalabari people, given its cultural, spiritual, and ecological impact on their lives, adding that she is proud to be part of it.
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10 per cent by the year 2030.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo (AFTCREE) has announced its readiness to host the continent’s premier culture, tourism and creative economy gathering scheduled for November 24–25, 2025 in Abuja.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who is the Special Guest of Honour, will officially declare the Expo open.
A statement by the Managing Director, Afrocultour Limited, Mr. Chuks Akamadu, said the Chairman of the LOC, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, disclosed that the Expo is designed to provide Africa with a concrete roadmap for expanding its share of global trade through the culture-tourism corridor.
With the theme, ‘Optimising Africa’s Comparative and Competitive Advantage for Accelerated Trade and Economic Growth’, the Expo will gather policymakers, investors, development partners and cultural stakeholders from across the continent. Abdullahi noted that a central target of the Expo is the launch of Agenda 2030, an ambitious initiative aimed at increasing Africa’s current contribution to global trade from less than three per cent to at least
“Our mission is to raise Africa’s share of global tourism and creative industry revenue by promoting collaboration, peer review and investment attraction across the continent,” he said.
“The LOC is pleased to confirm strong institutional support for the Expo, including endorsements from the World Trade Organization (WTO) under the leadership of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the African Union (AU) Social Secretariat in Addis Ababa and other regional partners.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, led by Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa is hosting the historic Expo in partnership with Afrocultour Limited. The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, will serve as Special Guest of Honour and officially declare the Expo opened.
“In preparation for the Expo, the LOC has engaged a broad range of stakeholders, including African envoys, non-African foreign missions across America, Asia, Europe and Australia, tourism boards, development finance institutions, tour operators, airlines and creative industry bodies. These engagements are expected to make the Expo a truly continental platform for policy dialogue, business matchmaking, investment fair and cultural exchange.
Ferdinand Ekechukwu - 08035011394
Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com
A multidisciplinary exhibition with the theme ‘Nourishment’ opened recently at Nahous, Lagos’s newest cultural landmark, housed within the historic old Federal Palace Hotel.The exhibiting artist, Leonard “Soldier” Iheagwam dives a bit deeper into the ideas behind the show and how “Nourishment” reimagines everyday food items as symbols of survival and identity. He spoke to Ferdinand Ekechukwu about his body of work, which reflects his upbringing, depicts his thoughts of the civil war, and the economy. Excerpts
Going by your profile through the installations here, in retrospect, some of the food items that made up the collections connect to your childhood. Speak more on the theme “Nourishment’ and the exhibition I feel like you can know a nation and know the in-and-out of the people by looking at certain things: by looking at music, looking at writing, and in this case by looking at food. I feel like I use food as a way to describe Nigeria as a whole, I mean as much as I could with the couple of paintings and landscape sculptures. You know Nigeria is like a very agricultural country; you can grow tomatoes today and you can reap it, let’s say a couple of months and look forward. but then everything started for me or the introspection started for me, because of the biafran War. So I’m Igbo. And the one thing that I got growing up or the kind of tale I was told was about the biafra war, which has kind of influenced my art in a way. I think because of this war that happened there was like an influx of relief food, you know, you had all these foods come in sachets. because it’s a war, a civil war, and that kind of opened the gap to all the different companies coming in, you know, you have like your Gala, and your Peak. And you know, all these foods are not necessarily the healthiest foods, they are very processed. As a child, I grew up having milo and milk, which has a certain amount of sugar.
Tosin Clegg
After Davido announced the Nigerian leg of his tour fans were elated and anticipated the slated dates. So far he has touched held shows at Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, enugu and oyo States, with each State giving fans the much needed dose of his entertainment.
Commentators have commended him for a job well done, especially the fact that he selected the above States, especially Adamawa.
As he wrapped up the North America tour on Thursday 20th of November 2025 at the State Farm Arena, Atlanta he is expected to give Abuja a major showdown on the 14th of December before the grand finale on the 25th of December in Lagos. What better way to close out the year than by giving his home fans an unforgettable musical experience in a fashion peculiar with Davido and his style. but one thing is promised and that is it would be a night filled with timeless classics, fan favourites, and probably a few special surprises. And assuredly it would be a heartfelt celebration of his journey, his sound, and the supporters who have stood with him from the very beginning. With 2026 already taking shape, he has announced a first list of european cities for his upcoming 5ive Alive Tour, scheduled to kick off in march and run through April across selected venues. While the first set of dates and locations have been confirmed, additional cities are expected to be added as the tour progresses, creating growing anticipation among fans eager to experience his electrifying performances across europe. vienna, Austria, will officially kick off the tour in march, setting the pace for an exciting european run. From there, the journey continues through key cities including Zurich, rotterdam, brussels, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and barcelona each stop offering fans a vibrant showcase of his music, energy, and artistry as the 5ive Alive Tour unfolds across europe.
but it was normal for me. And you know I think if you look at the Nigerian economy, everyone is really not doing that well (giggling). And so the easiest thing rather than getting fresh food because fresh food I wouldn’t lie to you is quite expensive. even in england to buy fresh food is more expensive than buying like a one dollar, terrible spice of pizza. It’s the same here. And all these brand like you see it not only did it come in at your childhood if you remember your this and that; these foods are not necessarily that good and they show the economy of the Nigerian people. So that was what I was trying to do. So I made a body of work that reflects my upbringing, the civil war, and then just what we have right now as a country.
Talking about the civil war, you weren’t born then?
I wasn’t but my dad was there (laughing)…
So you drew from that experience shared by your dad. And have connected with it one way or the other. Now some of these items that made up the body of work are quite beyond reach as it seems majority cannot afford them now, due to economic factor?
And that’s the problem, because my time, when I was growing up, my parents were not the wealthiest; things were cheaper compared to the fact that now we can’t even afford even shows, there’s a bigger disparity happening, and that’s why this work is so important. So if people
The transformative power of Nollywood cannot be overemphasised. This was echoed as the National Films and video Censors board (NFvCb) concluded the 5th Peace Anyiam-osigwe Nigeria Digital Content regulation (PAo-NDCrC) Conference in Lagos on Wednesday, November 19. Held in honour of the late Peace Anyiam-
can’t afford freshly made food, and if people can’t even afford things in sachet and tin cans, then what’s happening to this country? So what are we doing? So this work, it might look very inviting and it might look very bright, but it’s very sinister. There’s enough pain, there’s a lot collective pain. And more things are happening right now in this country and in this world that I could like feel it. You know, I remember like after church on Sundays back then I would have like 10 naira buy some biscuits and sweets. Again 10 naira
Osigwe, a pioneering Nigerian filmmaker, entertainment executive, and cultural icon who passed away in 2023 at the age of 54, the twoday PAo-NDCrC conference brought together industry leaders and practitioners, including producers, directors, actors, and scriptwriters.
The conference themed ‘From volume to value: The Future of the Nigerian motion Picture Industry in the Digital Age,’ was declared open by Ali Nuhu, managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, who represented Hannatu musawa, the minister for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative economy.
Iheagwam
then can get you a lot of biscuits and sweets as a kid. I don’t know what 10 naira can get you now. You can’t even see 10 naira. You know that’s the problem. I feel like this work is just showing consumerism culture of the economy and just exactly where Nigeria is but doing it in a very inviting way, with bright colours, it’s nostalgia but there’s something deeper into it.
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The minister stated that emerging digital demands in film production have made it necessary for Nollywood to prioritise quality over quantity. She also highlighted her ministry’s plans to work with international partners to promote high-quality film production in Nigeria’s movie industry.
The minister, alongside the Director-General of the NFvCb, Shaibu Husseini, and other industry leaders, urged Nollywood to focus more on producing high-quality films to improve regulation, boost digital growth, and support long-term funding.
All roads will lead to Center Point event Center, Abuja on December 6, 2025, as this year’s miss Africa International pageant takes centre stage in a grand showcase of African beauty, culture, and empowerment. According to the event’s founder and organiser, Dr. Anita may Igoni, this year’s edition will go beyond glamour to spotlight African heritage
and impact-driven storytelling.
“miss Africa International 2025 is not just a pageant; it is a celebration of Africa’s diverse beauty, culture, and strength. Through this platform, we honor the elegance, intelligence, and confidence of African women, showcasing to the world that our continent’s beauty is as rich and its heritage.”
Anita explained that miss Africa International was conceived to celebrate not only beauty but the strength and intelligence of young African women.
“our goal is to help young women find their voice and use it for advocacy in education,
entrepreneurship, and social change,” she noted. The event, which has consistently drawn participants and audiences from across Africa, will also highlight creative fashion, cultural performances, and humanitarian initiatives tied to each contestant’s personal advocacy.
Despite the economic climate, Anita remains optimistic about the pageant’s sustainability, crediting her team and sponsors for their continued support. “my biggest motivation is seeing how far our queens go after the show. Watching them grow into change makers across different sectors is what keeps me going,” she added.
When Guinness Nigeria emerged Gold Sponsor for the 10th edition of the just concluded big brother Naija, with the brewing giant pledging its commitment to celebrating Nigerian culture, it was greeted with appreciable fervor and excitement that connected with teeming observers.
The tenth season of the reality show, christened 10/10, transcended television to become a living spectacle of Nigerian youth culture. After a decade of defining screens and conversations, the show
now stands as a mirror of our collective spirit, spirited, expressive, and ceaselessly inventive.
For millions, it’s more than entertainment; it’s ritual, rhythm, and revelation. This milestone season took on added resonance with Guinness Nigeria returning as Gold Sponsor, marking 10 years of an alliance that has evolved into cultural symbiosis.
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Guinness’s presence this season went far beyond mere visibility; it was deliberate cultural collaboration. Announced at a grand Lagos event in July 2025, the sponsorship positioned Guinness as both participant and patron in what would become a landmark edition.
It is no longer news that households and manufacturers are not finding the present electricity cost pleasant. This especially speaks to band A prepaid users.
In recent times, concerns have literally shifted from inadequate supply to the exorbitant price paid to access energy. This followed the upward review of electricity tariff by the Nigerian electricity regulatory Commission (NerC) in 2024, which raised rate for band A customers in April 2024 by up to 300 percent. ever since, it has never been business as usual. Despite public outcry that persists, reports indicate that the federal government is considering another increase. Already, data shows that band A users spend no less than N170,000 monthly on electricity, in a country where the minimum wage remains at N70,000. many low-income households in areas upgraded to band A are left with no alternative.
From the business side, the present cost has had a telling effect on production cost and prices of products.
A recent study by the Nigerian Institute of Social and economic research (NISer) and presented by Lead researcher, Dr. Iyabo olanrele, in Ibadan recently, showed that firms now spend 82 percent of their monthly turnover on production costs, driven largely by electricity expenses.
Project management Consultant, Precious onyenweaku, warned that the ripple effects of rising electricity costs extend beyond finance, to pushing households into poverty, increasing reliance on unsustainable power sources, fueling mental stress, and worsening students’ academic performance, among others.
Against this backdrop comes a stronger call for Nigerians to rethink their energy use, especially as studies prove that standby power (phantom load) accounts for up to 44 percent of annual household electricity consumption. energy experts believe that bills can be significantly reduced through targeted upgrades and cost-saving measures to ease the financial burden.
below are some of the measures suggested:
Shift energy-intensive activities to off-peak hours
Adjusting your daily routine to avoid using heavy appliances during peak periods can make a noticeable difference in your electricity costs. Instead of running your washing machine, iron, or dishwasher during high-demand hours, schedule them for early mornings or late evenings when the grid is less strained. These small shifts help to minimize consumption during expensive tariff windows, reduce the overall bill, and ease pressure on the power grid.
Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances replacing outdated, high-consumption appliances with energy-efficient ones helps reduce total electricity use. Consumers should check energy ratings and consumption labels before purchase. For instance, refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines with higher efficiency ratings consume significantly less energy.
Improve Home Energy Efficiency
Homes designed or modified to maximize natural light and ventilation can reduce dependence on artificial lighting and cooling systems. Simple retrofits like reflective roofing, proper insulation,
and larger windows help maintain comfort without excessive energy use.
Adopt solar energy solutions
Given the natural gift of sunlight, solar installations are a smart option for households and Smes. Small-scale solar systems can power lighting and charge devices, while higher-income users can integrate solar with the public grid for greater savings. This dual setup ensures reliability and shields users from tariff fluctuations.
Take advantage of flexible payment option
New partnerships between solar firms and financial institutions now let Nigerians access solar power through installments, ‘buy now, pay later,’ thus reducing upfront costs and easing affordability.
Treat electricity as a budgeted expense
Consumers are advised to treat electricity like rent — setting a monthly ceiling to avoid overspending. For example, if a household spends N45,000 monthly, that should be the limit. Using prepaid meter apps to set alerts or caps helps track usage and avoid silent leakages from unnoticed
consumption.
Unplug idle electronics many devices consume energy even when turned off (phantom load). This can waste up to 5–10% of monthly electricity units. Unplugging chargers, Tvs, and microwaves when not in use ensures prepaid energy is not quietly drained.
Cook smart
Cooking consumes a significant portion of household power. Switching to gas cookers or energy-efficient electric cookers can save several units daily. This small adjustment reduces the overall monthly electricity budget.
Rethink energy use for SMEs
Small and medium enterprises should audit operations and cut dependence on energy-intensive machinery. Shifting to efficient tools or adjusting work hours reduces costs and improves competitiveness, especially amid rising tariffs.
Practice energy curtailment and environmental responsibility
Adopting eco-friendly habits, i.e turning off lights, using renewable sources, and avoiding waste all benefit both the wallet and the planet. Promoting energy curtailment across homes and businesses is essential to cope with tariff hikes sustainably.
Conduct a personal energy audit
Identify the top five power-guzzling appliances in your home (e.g., ACs, heaters, irons) and plan phased replacements within six months. This gradual change significantly lowers prepaid consumption without huge upfront costs.
Switch to LED Lighting
LeD bulbs are proven to cut lighting costs by over 80% compared to traditional bulbs. Still, they last longer, generate less heat, and are ideal for homes seeking quick, affordable savings.
Household appliance brand, Scanfrost has announced a festive season campaign, dubbed, “myScanfrostChristmas Challenge” in partnership with culinary entrepreneur, Hilda baci.
The organisation stated that the campaign aimed to share love, while celebrating the joy and togetherness of Christmas season.
explaining the process of the campaign, General manager of Scanfrost Nigeria, mr. mohit Dhawan, said Nigerians are invited to showcase how the company’s appliances make their holiday season easier, brighter, and more memorable.
“From family feasts cooked with Scanfrost cookers and air fryers, to hosting guests with fridges and freezers full of chilled drinks, or creating cozy holiday vibes with small appliances, the challenge invites everyone to share their unique ‘Scanfrost Christmas’ through short videos, skits, or reels”, he stated.
“Christmas in Nigeria is about family, celebration, and togetherness. Through this challenge, we want to inspire people to capture and share those beautiful moments, showing how the brand has continued to be part of their real-life celebrations”, he added.
marketing manager of the brand, Alfred Jarikre noted that beyond the prizes that goes with the campaign, it offers memories that tie the brand to heart of Nigerian, adding that with Hilda baci leading the campaign, they are creating a blend of food, family and lifestyle for audience.
“entry with the strongest creative appeal will be adapted as the brand’s Christmas campaign material, while others will receive gift items ranging from household appliances and hampers. We urge Nigerians everywhere to join the challenge by posting their festive content and tagging Scanfrost’s social media pages”, he said.
The economic value of integration and collaboration in the nation’s digital ecosystem dominated discussions at a recent business leadership forum organised by Avetium Consult Limited, in partnership with Zoho.
Participants at the conference, themed, beyond Digital: building Africa’s Future with Unified Tech,’ urged the adoption of unified platforms to achieve an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem that will engender real growth.
Also, the organisers of the event which held in Lagos said the meeting was timely to deepen discussion around reversing the narratives on intelligence as a product to import, and position it as a system to integrate, localise and own.
Speaking, the Chief executive officer/ Principal Consultant of Avetium Adeyinka Adedokun reiterated the need to harmonise data, people and purpose to be able to build technology that serves real-world needs.
He described data as the most important asset of an organisation, which he said will be impossible to generate in a fragmented system.
He said, “This dialogue is coming at a crucial moment. It’s high time we stopped importing intelligence and build systems that we can integrate and own. Data remains our most valuable resource, but cannot thrive in a fragmented system. When data, people, and purpose align, technology
Information technology firm, HP has called on Nigeria and governments across the world to establish a mandatory Global AI in education Charter to guide ethical, safe, and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in learning environments.
This was declared in the firm’s 2025 ’Futures report’ released recently, which advocated deployment of responsible AI responsible to enhance learning outcomes, while protecting students’ rights.
The report produced in collaboration with Global Learning Council and T4 education
brought together 100 global experts spanning education, technology, and policy sectors. It surveyed 2,860 students across 21 countries, finding that over 60 per cent use AI daily for research, while 71 per cent support limits on AI capabilities in education.
According to the report, the proposed Charter would compel technology vendors to demonstrate compliance with ethical and sustainability standards. This includes covering data privacy, learner-data ownership, environmental impact, protections for minors as well as banning exploitative AI practices in education.
truly works for us.
“being the first premium partner of Zoho in West Africa, we want to be a point of reckon not only in Nigeria, but in Africa. our values of creativity, integrity and relationship are dear to our hearts. We have used Zoho to create payroll solutions, e-procurement solution and custom product for some organisations. It started in 2018 and today we have over 200 firms. We are also working on Avetium Academy to support and equip more firms”.
In his keynote address, Ceo/co-founder equalyzAI olubayo Adekambi called for intentional integration of technology in businesses to automate value creation and drive transformation.
Says Vivajets
African Aviation Outlook Positive Despite Policy Flaws, Says Vivajets
business Aviation Company, vivajets has expressed optimism about Africa aviation industry, despite lapses that continue to inhibit its full potential.
Chief executive officer of the company, Chukwuerika Achum, declared this at the Africa Financial Summit (AFIS 2025) in morocco, identifying pressing challenges that must be swiftly addressed to unlock sector’s prosperity.
AFIS which is a platform for exchange and reflection brought together over 1000 leaders from the financial industry, including bankers, insurers and policy makers from Africa around the world, to chart path for inclusive and robust pan-African
financial services industry.
At the conference, Achum highlighted key progress points that have distinguished African aviation to enable major improvement in technology and regional co-operation.
He stressed however, that meaningful and sustainable strides are achievable only with policy harmonisation, financial trust, and regional collaboration.
According to him, regional aviation is still largely marred by structural flaws, including complex regulations, visa restrictions and low trust among African businesses and high insurance premiums.
Seyi Bakare
If a lie journeys for 20 years, truth will catch up with it in just a day, so says the Yoruba people of Nigeria’s South-West. And that aptly captures the situation in Ogun State, where, despite ceaseless onslaughts sponsored by dark forces, the achievements of the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, continue to dwarf the noise of naysayers.
From deep ports to airports, and from rail to road, the Iperu-born Prince continues to record landmarks that establish the Gateway State as Nigeria’s top investment destination. I a state in which propaganda often overshadowed the provision of infrastructure, Abiodun had his work uncannily cut out for him—bad roads everywhere, chaotic transport infrastructure, a health sector in crisis and an education sector clearly comatose--and it did not help that the same forces who left vast swathes of the state in a state of disrepair for so long were always intent to incite the public and pile their failures on his government using hack and hired writers. They never wanted him, and they loaded the public space with bile against his person and his office.
Instructively, though, in the last six years, hardly a day has passed without stories or videos of road construction in Ogun State. The Abiodun government has taken over the reconstruction of federal roads time and again. The situation he inherited was so gross; it was as if there was no government in place before he came on board. But instead of trading in blame, he took the bull by the horns. He held town hall meetings with stakeholders in each of the three senatorial zones and asked them to list roads they wanted attention on based on priority needs. The demands were daunting, even overwhelming, but even in the first 100 days his intent to reconstruct those roads had become sufficiently clear. He built road after road in various communities, often without fanfare, but blackmail over federal roads, roads which Ogun has more than any of the 36 states, festered anew.
Among others, the road linking the Sagamu Interchange to Abeokuta was in a very deplorable state; it took two hours to reach Abeokuta. The place became a spot for accidents because of the lorries bulldozing their way through. Abiodun reconstructed the road, made it a double lane, and put in place all the necessary furniture. Now, instead of two hours, it takes just 20 minutes to reach Abeokuta. Road users rejoiced, but the naysayers went haywire: they announced that Abiodun had done nothing even while enjoying the pleasant trip to Abeokuta, their blindness an article of faith. For four years running now, the road has remained in good shape, except for the thieves that stole traffic lights. The Epe Mojoda road and many other roads critical to Ogun interest
have been built. The Atan-Agbara-Lusada road was in a very deplorable state, and some residents wanted to relocate. Despite the road being federal, Dapo moved there and started work. Go there and see things for yourself.
Nigerians will recall the sad case of the Abeokuta-Sango Ota road, where the then Works Minister, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), refused Governor Abiodun taking over. Still, the governor did palliative works there. Of course, people do not readily separate federal from state roads, which require a strict procedure to work on. If you don’t have federal permission, you are on your own. Thanks to President Bola Tinubu that allowed Ogun to attend to the Abeokuta-Sango Ota road that has been a nightmare for a long time.
Abiodun promised to spread development across the state, so that all the 20 LGs will have a feel of government presence, and he has done excellently well on that pledge. But of late, somebody held surreptitious meetings with a group of mercenaries and started de-marketing the governor, saying that all roads in Ogun are bad. The intent is to erase all the good things he has done just because of politics.
But falsehood cannot overcome truth, and what the people see is what they see. People living in Magboro now heave a sigh of relief because the road there will stand the test of time. In the next 20-30 years, there will probably be no need for reconstruction. People living in Arepo are happy. Those in Ajuwon, Akute, and other areas are happy. These places used to be eyesores. Many places in Ijebu Ode, Ijebu Igbo, and Ilaro were just like that. The chief blackmailer does not want people to see these: he hired disgruntled hacks to go to areas with bad roads and start posting them on the internet. A ‘pastor’ even promised to lead a vanguard against bad roads.
What happened to the roads before Dapo came into Oke Mosan? If those roads had been well built, how did they suddenly degenerate to their present level? Abiodun’s predecessor was busy demolishing houses everywhere–Mowe, Ibafo, Alagbole, Ilaro, etc--saying that he wanted to create 16-lane roads. But it was a hoax. Yet the critics are laser-focused on the man working day and night to address the years of failure and ensure that Ogun becomes a centre of excellence, a place of pride for investors. People are now trooping into Ogun to work and live. There is peace and stability. But the naysayers are bad, sad and mad. They believe that in the history of Ogun State, no governor has ever had stability. These evil ones barraged Segun Osoba, and the same Gbenga Daniel, who is now throwing stones at Abiodun and his government, had a second term that was like hell on earth. Lawmakers’ nudes were published. Political violence was rife. And when Ibikunle Amosun came, it was the same scenario.
Now, 18 months to the end of Abiodun’s tenure, there is peace and stability and the destabilizers are not happy. They
Abdullahi Sule
For more than a decade, a deliberate and malicious narrative has been sustained by political detractors to tarnish the reputation of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, the former Governor of Borno State and one of Nigeria’s most strategic political minds.
These traducers, threatened by his rising influence and political dexterity, have labored endlessly to associate him with the creation or sponsorship of Boko Haram — a terrorist group that has devastated the North-East and stained Nigeria’s security landscape.
But history, timelines, and verifiable facts speak loudly against this orchestrated falsehood. Sheriff neither founded, funded, nor fraternised with Boko Haram — directly or indirectly. He is, in fact, one of the earliest political victims of the insurgency.
To expose the lies and reveal the truth, one must revisit the historical timeline of events — because truth is constant even when falsehood is loud.
In 2000, when Governor Mala Kachallah presided over Borno State, the administration introduced the Borno State Administration of Justice Law 2000, effectively ushering in the implementation of Sharia law within the state’s justice system.
To oversee and guide this reform, the government established a Sharia Implementation Committee, chaired by the respected academic, Prof. Abubakar Mustapha. Among the members of that committee was a young cleric named Mohammed Yusuf — the same man who would later evolve into the ideological father of Boko Haram.
That singular fact is critical: Boko Haram’s ideological root was already planted and nurtured three years before Sheriff became governor in 2003. The movement’s origin was not political; it was an offshoot of the wider religious fervor that swept across Northern Nigeria at the turn of the millennium.
The records are clear — Ali Modu Sheriff did not introduce Sharia law in Borno State, nor did he constitute the committee that birthed the ideological base from which Boko Haram would later emerge. He inherited that reality as part of the complex socio-religious terrain of the state.
When Sheriff assumed office in 2003, his immediate challenge was to stabilise a state already contending with rising religious radicalism and youth restiveness.
Boko Haram, at that time known locally as the “Yusufiyya Movement,” operated as a fringe sect of disenchanted youths captivated by Mohammed Yusuf’s anti-Western rhetoric.
As a pragmatic leader, Sheriff sought to manage the grow-
ing extremism through inclusion and rehabilitation rather than outright confrontation — an approach that mirrored the policy direction of many northern leaders at the time who were attempting to calm rather than inflame the volatile social atmosphere.
Sheriff’s administration focused on expanding opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, and social development. He built schools, created job opportunities, expanded rural infrastructure, and introduced economic empowerment programs — all aimed at addressing the same poverty and hopelessness that extremist preachers exploited to lure followers. His leadership style was bold, inclusive, and development-driven, not ideological or sectarian.
However, the extremist movement that began under the watch of the preceding administration took a darker turn years later. Following Mohammed Yusuf’s arrest and extra-judicial killing in 2009, the sect’s remnants transformed into the violent insurgent organisation now known as Boko Haram.
The Government of Senator Sheriff, having realised the enormity of the existential threat that the Boko Haram sect constituted, quickly set up Operation Flush, which was a
believe that he must be distracted. It behooves the people of Ogun State to stop them in their tracks.
They cry day and night that Abiodun has done nothing, yet Ogun now targets 500bn in IGR and is recording an influx of industries. The Abiodun government is working simultaneously working on four major highways around Ifo, Sango and Idiroko axis alone, and is fixing the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway. Abiodun has grown Ogun’s GDP from N3.5 trillion to N16 trillion, built over 1,500 kilometres of roads; built an airport that is truly world class; and signed partnerships with many investors, including the Chinese energy firm, CteeC, to build power infrastructure and an industrial parks.
combined operation team of the Army, Police, and other military agencies for the containment of the insurrection against the government and the people of Borno state.
The government of Ali Modu Sherif never established a Civilian JTF or any similar group to fight against insurgency. What they did was set up a group that was strictly operated and recognised by constituted authority and backed by the laws and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This singular action of setting up a group led by the military infuriated Boko haram to target him as their number one enemy, and he became the most wanted man for elimination on their list. This led to the killing of his immediate younger brother, Alhaji Goni Mustapha Sheriff; his first cousin, who was the State Chairman of the ANPP at that time, Alhaji Awana Ngala, was also mauled down by the bullets of the sect.
Equally eliminated was Senator Sheriff’s bosom friend, Alhaji Mustapha Fulawama; Alhaji Bukar Goni Kolo was equally a victim of the anger against Sheriff and a host of others that were destroyed, maimed, or killed because of their angst against Senator Sheriff.
It is right to say that Sheriff is among the biggest victims of the Boko haram insurgency in Borno as he has lost very close family friends and blood relatives because of his efforts to secure the State and stem the tide of the early rising violence Boko Haram represented.
It was after Sheriff’s tenure had already matured that the group fully embraced terrorism, bombings, and assassinations. The real descent into chaos began under a different administration — but the desperate enemies of Sheriff saw in this tragedy an opportunity to smear him.
Unable to match his political sagacity, grassroots appeal, and boldness, they began a coordinated effort to rewrite history and weaponise misinformation. They pushed the narrative that he sponsored Boko Haram — a claim utterly unsupported by any evidence. Yet, repetition gave the falsehood life. The smear campaign was not born of truth but of envy and fear — fear of his influence, fear of his unbending will, and fear of his relevance both within Borno and the larger Nigerian political arena.
But facts remain sacred. Every credible security investigation and intelligence assessment, from the Department of State Services (DSS) to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and even foreign intelligence partners, found no link between Sheriff and Boko Haram’s creation, funding, or operations. Not one document, not one statement, not one financial trail has ever tied him to the sect. If anything, Boko Haram targeted him and his associates repeatedly.
The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite’s recent Zik Award is a timely affirmation of her contribution towards Nigeria’s economic reform agenda at a moment when decisive, inclusive economic leadership is most needed, writes Folalumi Alaran
The recent conferment of the Zik Prize in Leadership Award on the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, in Abuja, arrived at a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s economic journey. At a time when policymakers are aggressively striving towards ensuring inclusive economic growth, poverty alleviation and addressing inequality, her recognition stands as both an affirmation of progress and a reminder of the enormous work ahead.
Awards of this nature signal public acknowledgement of competence, resilience, and the capacity to steer difficult but necessary reforms.
The annual Zik’s Awards Lecture celebrates the life and ideals of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe — the Zik of Africa — whose contributions to Nigeria’s independence and postcolonial leadership remain foundational to the nation’s democratic identity.
This year’s edition held in Abuja, brought together political leaders, academics, traditional rulers, and thought leaders to reflect on the values of patriotism, unity, and visionary leadership that defined Azikiwe’s legacy.
In his welcome address, Director-General of the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Annual Award Lecture, Chief Chineme Onyeke, appealed to the federal government to allocate land in Abuja for a proposed national legacy project in honor of the late nationalist.
He also announced plans for a Zik Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, to be hosted in partnership with Nigerian universities, especially the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, alongside the establishment of a Zik Centre for Leadership and African Studies in Abuja — envisioned as a hub for research, dialogue, and the preservation of Azikiwe’s legacy.
However, for Uzoka-Anite, the Zik Award represents a renewed mandate to deepen the fiscal and economic reforms championed under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. As one of the policy technocrats shaping Nigeria’s economic architecture, she finds herself at the intersection of political expectations and economic realities.
This honour also reopens a broader national conversation about leadership, accountability, and the importance of continuity in implementing economic policy.
In her remarks, Uzoka-Anite said she was deeply honored to receive the award, describing it as both a personal milestone and a solemn call to service. She reaffirmed her commitment
to building a fiscally strong, economically competitive, and socially inclusive Nigeria.
She also pledged to continue championing reforms that expand opportunities and strengthen the nation’s economic resilience.
“This recognition is not just a personal milestone for me; it is a reminder of the values that Zik embodied — courage, integrity, intellectual depth, and an unshakeable commitment to a unified, prosperous Nigeria,” she added.
“I accept this award with profound humility, mindful that leadership is ultimately about service — service to the nation, to the people, and to future generations.
“Whatever contributions I may have made were possible because of the collective efforts of colleagues, institutions, and partners who share the conviction that Nigeria can and must rise to its full potential,” she said further.
The minister said the honor has strengthened her resolve to sustain reforms that promote fiscal sustainability and inclusive growth, adding that she continues to draw inspiration from Zik’s enduring belief in the Nigerian project.
“As we strive to entrench reforms, expand opportunities, and build a resilient economy, I draw inspiration from Zik’s belief that progress is not a distant dream but a responsibility,” Uzoka-Anite said.
“I dedicate this award to all Nigerians who work every day with hope, resilience, and faith to build a better country.”
Further commenting on the award, on her social media page, the Minister wrote: “Heartfelt gratitude to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Foundation for this truly prestigious honour! Receiving the Zik Award for Distinguished Partner of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Foundation (DPNA) is a moment I will always treasure. I remain sincerely grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Hope Uzodimma, for the privilege to contribute meaningfully under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“And also, my gratitude to my mentor, Mr. Jim Ovia, for the opportunity to serve and grow under his leadership. To my incredible colleagues, thank you for your unwavering dedication, your teamwork, and the passion you bring to every task.
“This recognition isn’t just mine; it is a reflection of our collective commitment to nation-building, to service, and to a vision of a stronger, more unified Nigeria. To everyone who has supported, encouraged, and believed in me, thank you. Your faith fuels my drive. May God continue to bless our beloved country, Nigeria. “
The latest award comes a few days after
she was recognised by The Mace Magazine, among President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Top 10 Performing Cabinet Ministers, an award she had described as “both humbling and inspiring,” pledging her commitment “to advancing our nation’s economic growth and fostering inclusive development for all Nigerians.”
Building on this momentum, Uzoka-Anite has continued to position her work within a broader reform vision, emphasising that national recognition only strengthens her resolve to align policy execution with the administration’s long-term economic agenda.
At the opening of the annual CBN Executive Policy Seminar in Abuja, recently, Uzoka-Anite had revealed that the federal government was currently working to establish a Unified National Framework that will bring together both monetary and fiscal instruments to drive structural transformation. Uzoka-Anite said during the event that the federal government would continue to improve Nigeria’s economic competitiveness and its social and developmental impact.
She said, “Our efforts must remain aligned toward clear targets — particularly reducing the cost of energy, shortening the time required to register businesses, ensuring secure payments, and simplifying interactions with government agencies.
“As we work toward these targets, we have recognized that the challenges we face are not cyclical but structural. Traditional monetary tightening alone cannot deliver the desired results. Therefore, we must complement it with coordinated fiscal expansion that can produce lasting impact.”
While highlighting the various initiatives of the government to reset the economy, she said the task ahead was to grow the nation and boost revenue mobilisation.
Also, in another separate event recently, the launch of the Disinflation and Growth Acceleration Strategy (DGAS), an initiative aimed at accelerating our nation’s economic development goals, the Minister had expressed optimism that the Tinubu administration was doing all it could to engender inclusive growth.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has set an aggressive goal of building up GDP to $1 trillion by 2037. That would require GDP growth closer to 10% - 12% per annum consistently for the coming decade.
The Board of Directors of Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc has disclosed plan to carry out a business restructuring program that would cut across all its subsidiaries to enhance performance and profitability.
Chief Executive Officer of the Group, Mr. Olabode Makanjuola, said this at the company’s 2024 virtual Annual General Meeting ( AGM) held yesterday.
Makanjuola noted that the planned restructuring programme would touch the board, as well as all the subsidiaries of the group, to enhance efficiency and boost profitability.
Responding to questions from shareholders on the group’s financial performance in 2024 and the plans for the years ahead, he said 2024 was a difficult year for businesses in the country, which includes Caverton.
“We are going through a massive overhaul in our businesses. Cost is being pruned in the helicopter business. Improved revenue is certain,” he assured.
Speaking on other new measures being taken to improve the group’s revenue and to return it to profitability, he disclosed that Caverton’s partnership with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI ) to drive its drone business was ongoing, while the fixed wing Cargo business would commence in first quarter of 2026, this he said will help improve the group’s revenue.
On the Marine Business and partnership with Lagos State government, Makanjuola said the company has built 15 boats for Lagos State government out of the targeted 25. And the Electric ferry (30 seaters)
will be delivered soon.
Speaking further, the CEO said earlier this year in Abuja, the company collaborated for the formalisation of NNPC shipping joint venture UNITY Shipping Worldwide, a joint venture that brought together NNPCL, Caverton and Stena Bulk, a Swedish shipping company.
To address gender balance, Caverton Marine Limited, the shipping subsidiary of Caverton Offshore Support Group, last month appointed the former Euronav London General Manager, Pauline Sessou-Diop, as its new Chief Commercial Officer.
The newly appointed CCO is expected to lead the
firm’s commercial and business development strategy, with a particular focus on eco-efficient fleet expansion across oil, gas, and bulk marine transportation.
Her role would also emphasise strengthening Caverton’s footprint in the West African market.
Chairman, Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc, Mr. Aderemi Makanjuola, who also alluded to the restructuring plan of the group, assured shareholders that the financial report, which would be presented at the next AGM, would be far better than the 2024 report.
Addressing the challenge of foreign exchange losses, which has stalled the growth of the group in recent times, he revealed that“we are adjusting, more dollar
denominations going to naira. It’s difficult but we are moving.”
Meanwhile, key shareholder association groups represented in the company expressed divergent views about the results of the company for 2024, while suggesting the way forward.
Mrs Bisi Bakare, a shareholders group leader, wants the group to be gender-balanced, calling more the infusion of female directors into the board.
Adio Alex, a leader of another shareholders’ group, commended the board for sustaining the business despite the challenges. While he acknowledged that losses persist, he blamed it on the economic issues like exchange rate etc.
“2025 is better than the previous years but we are still rotating, not moving forward. He suggested that the group change its borrowing structure.”
On his part, Oguntoye Lawrence, a shareholder, appreciates the performance of the revenue in 2024, which is better than 2023. He noted that the Helicopter contributed to the bulk but lamented that FX wiped off the gains.
Two other shareholders, Ajudua Patrick and Sunny Nwosu, raised the need for Caverton to raise fresh capital either by Rights Issues or Public Offer to improve liquidity level of the company.
A review of Caverton’s financial performance in 2024 showed that revenue grew to N40.18 billion, up from N32.99 billion in 2023. Gross profit increased to N8.42 billion, compared to N7.16 billion in 2023. However, a loss before tax of N53.67 billion, a sharp increase from the N12.69 billion loss in 2023, was recorded . Loss after tax stood at N53.86 billion, compared to N12.74 billion the previous year. Total assets declined to N76.16 billion, down from N79.32 billion. Shareholders’ funds ended at (N54.61 billion), from a ( N747.64 million) in 2023.
At the 2025 Real Estate and Management Expo recently held in Lagos, industry leaders, tech innovators, and policymakers converged to explore how digital transformation is reshaping the future of African living spaces, writes Sunday ehigiator
At the 2025 Real Estate and Management Expo recently held in Lagos, industry leaders, tech innovators, and policymakers converged to explore how digital transformation is reshaping the future of African living spaces, writes Sunday Ehigiator
In an era defined by digital acceleration and smart technologies, Africa’s real estate and facility management sectors are beginning to reimagine what it means to build and sustain communities. Beyond bricks and mortar, stakeholders are now focused on data, design, and digital infrastructure as the building blocks of a truly modern African city.
That message resonated powerfully at the inaugural Real Estate Management in Africa Conference (REMA) 2025, held recently in Lagos. Organised by Venco Africa, the continent’s leading digital community management platform, the event gathered industry leaders, developers, technology innovators, facility managers, and policymakers under the theme, “Structures Beyond Buildings.”
Setting the tone for the conference, the Chief Executive Officer of Venco Africa, Chude Osiegbu, challenged the conventional focus of real estate conversations on physical development alone.
“Typically, when you have real estate events, the focus is on developers and construction,” Osiegbu said in his keynote.
“We felt that those operating and managing communities are not getting their fair hearing. That realisation inspired the creation of REMA; to provide a forum for operators, stakeholders, and residents to exchange ideas and learn from each other.”
He pointed to Africa’s rapid urbanisation as both a challenge and an opportunity. With cities like Lagos, Abuja, Nairobi, and Accra expanding at breakneck speed, millions of Africans are moving into centrally managed estates that demand new digital tools to ensure security, efficiency, and harmony.
“In this digital and AI era, those who manage these communities must increasingly rely on technology to make life easier,” he noted. “From internet access to smart utilities and service payments, technology is redefining how communities function.”One of the most anticipated sessions at REMA 2025 was the panel discussion titled ‘The Digital Future of African Communities’ moderated by the President of the Nigeria PropTech Association, Dr. Roland Igbinoba.
The session explored how technology is transforming estate development, facility management, and resident experience across the continent.
Joining Igbinoba on the panel were Chude Osiegbu (Venco Africa), Managing Director, Haven Homes Nigeria, Ufuoma Ilesanmi, Head of Technical Management, UPDC FM Ltd, Chijioke Akanno, and Board Member, Safaricom, James Wambugu, a Nairobi-based proptech expert who joined virtually.
The conversation began with an important question: What does a digitally enabled community truly mean?
For Osiegbu, the answer lies in everyday simplicity. “When we talk about digital transformation, people imagine complex systems. But digital is already part of our daily lives; Uber, Bolt, WhatsApp. In real
estate, it’s about using those same principles to make communities safer, more efficient, and easier to manage.”
He described Venco’s role in this ecosystem as one that connects access control, payments, utilities, and communication into seamless systems. “We’re no longer talking about the future; it’s happening right now,” he said.
Representing the developer’s perspective, Ilesanmi explained that the digital revolution has reshaped buyer expectations and investment behaviour.
“10 years ago, when we introduced smart home features, most buyers didn’t see the need. They’d ask, ‘Will Nigerians really adopt this?’” she recalled. “Today, homes with digital systems sell almost twice as fast. Buyers now demand smart access, energy monitoring, and app-based security.”
According to Ilesanmi, digitalisation is not just about convenience but accountability. “Apps like Venco or My Estate App allow residents to pay service charges, monitor power consumption, and even participate in decision-making. It has brought transparency into estate management.”
For Akanno, technology has been a game-changer in how properties are maintained and operated.
“Before now, gate access could take several minutes, calling residents to confirm visitors. With QR code systems, access is granted in under 30 seconds,” he explained. “Power management has also been revolutionised. Digital meters eliminate billing disputes and allow residents to track consumption in real time.”
L–R: Regional Manager, Lagos Mainland, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Agboma Okoroafor; Beneficiary (Hair Attachment), Okpara Lizzy Chinonye; Beneficiary (Point of Sale –POS), Alh. Mohammed Sani; Beneficiary (Computer Networking Kit), Ofili Stephen; General Manager, Claims, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mrs. Nkiru Ede-Ogunnaike, Esq., mni; Beneficiary (Laptop), Ademola Femi Peter; and Beneficiary (Cassava Grating Machine with 13HP Petrol Engine), Adeleye Adedayo; during a vocational rehabilitation programme of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme at its mainland office in Lagos….recently
However, Akanno cautioned that digital innovation cannot exist in isolation. “We have estates with panic alarms and emergency systems, but who responds when that alarm goes off? The police infrastructure isn’t integrated. So while private tech is advancing, public systems need to catch up.”
His point struck a chord with the audience: technology alone cannot build smart cities; governance and infrastructure must evolve alongside it.
Joining remotely from Nairobi, James provided an East African perspective. “In Kenya, digital adoption in community management is growing, but integration is still limited. We rely heavily on WhatsApp and mobile money, but fully digital estate platforms are rare,” he said. Still, optimism runs high. “Companies like Venco entering the Kenyan market are creating excitement. Kenya is ready; we just need more developers to build and scale these tools.”
Osiegbu identified infrastructure and cultural adoption as two major challenges for digital transformation.
“Digital systems depend on stable internet, payments, and electricity. When any of those fail, users think it’s our fault,” he said. “We need stronger digital backbones, broadband networks, fibre optics, and reliable utilities.”
On the cultural side, he added, “Not everyone adapts at the same pace. Some residents take to apps immediately; others resist. So we focus on user-friendly design, making systems as intuitive as WhatsApp.”
bat Hashiru, during the Muassasat Nasrul Ilm Wa Da’awat Foundation (MNIDF) Muslim Economic
mit press parley held in Lagos....recently
James emejo writes that all hands must be on deck to nurture the relative recovery in macroeconomic fundamentals to greater stability and growth.
One of the major highlights of the 2025 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Executive Policy Seminar was the passionate plea by the apex bank Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, that Nigerians, irrespective of rank and status, must be determined in ensuring that the economy prospers.
Before he assumed office in September 2023, the Nigerian economy was in bad shape, marked by foreign exchange (FX) woes, macroeconomic instability, high inflation, lack of institutional credibility, and loss of investor confidence, particularly due to huge unresolved FX backlog, among others.
CBN financing of the federal government breached statutory thresholds through “Ways and Means” advances, which amounted to N22.7 trillion by 2023, and contributed significantly to price and debt pressures as well as monetary expansion.
The central bank had lost its institutional trust following a lack of transparency and adherence to unorthodox monetary policies, which was criticised by international investors. Inflation peaked at over 27 per cent in October 2023, the highest in two decades, driven by excessive broad money supply (M2) amid exchange rate pressures.
This was in addition to about $7 billion unmet FX backlog amid liquidity crisis and multiple exchange rate windows, leading to arbitrage, hoarding, and corruption.
The era was further marred by weak GDP growth as the economy stagnated, growing at only about 1.8 per cent over the eight years leading up to 2023.
But the economy has now turned the corner, as attested to by various international ratings agencies, the World Bank, IMF, institutional investors, among others – necessitating the need to preserve and nurture the progress so far recorded through the bold reforms initiated by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Chairman/Chief Executive, IHS Holding Limited, Sam Darwish, recently passed a vote of confidence on the Nigerian economy and administration of President Bola Tinubu, acknowledging the “great job” in stabilising the economy and strengthening the foreign reserves, and the Naira in general.
His commendation came amid IHS’ strong earnings in the third quarter of the year (Q3 2925), beating expectations while revisiting its full 2025 guidance upwards.
Addressing thousands of Wall Street investors and analysts on its earnings, Darwish declared, “The current Nigerian administration has done in our opinion a great job in stabilising and improving the economic outlook of the country as they increase reserves and strengthen the currency, while reducing red tape for businesses among other fundamental actions. So, we are upbeat about Nigeria.”
The return to relative calm followed the efforts by the CBN leadership through critical reforms – unifying the FX windows amid other reforms in the FX segment, removing barriers to diaspora remittance inflows, monetary tightening among others.
Cardoso, at the executive seminar, declared that nobody had a monopoly of the economy, stressing that “this economy belongs to all of us.”
He appealed that the progress so far achieved in the past two and a half years amid bold reforms, must be protected, noting that the general attitude of “I am fine; others can sort themselves out” - will not sustain growth, adding that systemic weaknesses affect everyone.
Specifically, he said a situation where the country had a “frightening Ways and Means to GDP ratio should never happen again.”
He said, “We must avoid indiscriminate interventions that yield little result. We cannot sit back and assume that someone else will fix it — this economy belongs to all of us. “That is why we hold events like this — not because we simply like to talk, but because we must continue to educate, to engage, and to ensure that we stay on course. I
Cardoso
have no doubt that Nigeria is moving in the right direction. We will get there — but we must remain focused, disciplined, and united in our resolve.”
Recent conversations have stressed the need to safeguard the economy by desisting from activities that kill growth. Nigerians have been encouraged to patronise local industries to strengthen the Naira and create jobs.
Recently, Chief Economist at SPM Professionals, Dr. Paul Alaje, urged politicians to desist from “sharing” dollars in the pre- election season to preserve the recent achievements in monetary policy administration. He spoke at the Premium Times Academy training with the theme, “Business, Economy, and Financial Reporting”, organised in partnership with the CBN in Abuja.
Alaje warned that the dollarisation of the economy could stoke inflation and erode monetary policy gains so far achieved in CBN’s inflation-targeting interventions.
In an interview with THISDAY, he said, “Over the years — since 1998 — I have tracked election spending closely. A lot of money flows into the economy during election cycles, particularly in foreign currency (dollars).
“The situation was especially bad in 2010 and 2014, and we saw a similar trend in 2023. Each time, there’s a surge of dollar
inflows into the system, and the economic impact becomes evident after the election year.
“Typically, the pre-election year records higher economic growth due to spending activities, but immediately after the election, the economy declines sharply.”
According to him, politicians often make massive withdrawals, convert funds into dollars, and push them into Bureau De Change (BDC) markets, fueling exchange rate instability and inconsistency. Alaje further called on the National Assembly, INEC and EFCC to boost monitoring mechanisms to address the menace in the interest of the economy. He said, “And if, during that same period, there is a global economic shock, Nigeria feels the impact even more severely because our reserves are already depleted.
“Why? Because during election years, politicians make massive withdrawals, convert funds into dollars, and push them into Bureau De Change (BDC) markets. This fuels exchange rate instability and inconsistency.
“This issue cuts across all political parties — it’s not limited to one.”
He said the National Assembly and INEC should establish clear rules to curb dollar spending by politicians.
According to him, “If campaign spending is to be done, whether within or beyond INEC’s approved limits, it must be done in Naira only. “The EFCC should also be empowered to monitor and prosecute anyone who spends foreign currency during elections.
“If we enforce that, then for the first time in a long while, Nigeria could experience a relatively stable economy even after an election year.” Cardoso however stressed, “We must defend what is ours and safeguard the interests of future generations. This is a collective effort. We must all contribute to baking a bigger pie — expanding our GDP relative to our population.”
The governor reaffirmed the apex bank’s commitment to credible policies, transparent markets, and sound governance - all of which had helped to restore investor confidence in the financial system since he assumed office in 2023.
Cardoso said price stability remained central to the CBN’s policy framework, anchored on inflation targeting, noting that credible inflation-targeting regime enhances predictability, guides market expectations, and anchors long-term investment.
He said, “Investors avoid uncertainty — the greater the predictability, the stronger the incentive to invest. Once you get the fundamentals right, investors naturally gravitate toward your market.
“Boosting local production and industrial competitiveness is equally crucial. Collaboration with fiscal authorities to reduce costs and incentivize production remains a key imperative.”
He said fast-tracking export growth, particularly through services and the creative industries, further highlights the country’s emerging strength in music, film, design, and digital services.
He said, “We are proud to have supported the journey that led to the launch of the Nigeria-US Data Deal on October 1st — a major platform for our creative talents to reach global audiences.”
Cardoso further pointed out that enhancing access to finance for SMEs remained a priority for the bank, and reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access through innovative credit frameworks, improved risk-sharing mechanisms, and strengthened credit infrastructure.
In addition, the CBN governor noted that through the reforms he implemented, Nigerians would no longer need connections or personal influence to transact or get their work done at the central bank.
According to him, “When I assumed responsibility as Governor, I made a promise that Nigerians would no longer need connections or personal influence to transact or get their work done at the Central Bank. You do not need to know the Governor, a Deputy Governor, or any Director to access legitimate services.
OnyikeKelechi
In the age before mass-produced cosmetics, African communities developed sophisticated and environmentally sustainable methods of body care. Among the Igbo-speaking people of Nsukka in present-day Enugu State, one such innovation was the native body cream known as Uhie—a rich, red paste made from natural ingredients, rooted in both utility and deep cultural meaning.
Uhie is more than a skin product. It is a testament to indigenous knowledge systems and a reflection of how pre-colonial communities engaged with their environment. Derived primarily from the camwood tree (Baphia nitida), Uhie was valued not only for its cosmetic use but also for its symbolic associations with purity, femininity, maturity, and wellness.
The preparation of Uhie was an art in itself. The red dye wood of the camwood tree was ground into a fine powder and sometimes mixed with palm kernel oil or shea butter to form a smooth, fragrant paste. This cream, naturally reddish in color, was applied to the skin to enhance beauty, protect the skin, and signify important life transitions.
Mothers taught daughters the preparation methods in a process that reinforced generational knowledge. The ingredients were all-natural, locally sourced, and biodegradable—making Uhie not only a cultural treasure but also an early model of sustainable self-care.
In 19th-century Nsukka, Uhie was more than skin-deep. Women
applied it to soften the skin and protect it from the harsh effects of sun and weather. Its soothing qualities also served as a balm for rashes or skin irritation. After childbirth, new mothers were often rubbed with Uhie as part of postnatal care rituals.
Ceremonially, Uhie featured in weddings, coming-of-age rites, and
festivals. A bride adorned in Uhie was considered both beautiful and ritually complete. In certain cases, Uhie was also used to mark children during naming ceremonies or in religious contexts to connect the physical body with ancestral presence and protection.
With the onset of colonial influence and the rise of imported cosmetics, Uhie and many other traditional body care practices declined. Western beauty ideals, urbanization, and changing lifestyles contributed to its near disappearance from everyday use by the mid-20th century.
Yet today, there is a resurgence of interest in natural products and indigenous knowledge. Scholars, cultural advocates, and natural skincare entrepreneurs are now revisiting Uhie—not only as a cosmetic product but as part of a broader effort to reclaim African heritage and identity.
Museums, especially ethnographic collections in Nigeria, have preserved samples and stories of Uhie. At the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, we continue to document such traditional practices to help educate the public and preserve these elements of our intangible cultural heritage.
Uhie is a powerful reminder that precolonial African societies were rich in science, artistry, and environmental knowledge. It speaks to how our ancestors lived in harmony with their surroundings, using what nature provided in ways that were both beautiful and sustainable.
After ranking 4th best goalkeeper in 1st Women’s Yashin Trophy, Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie on Wednesday in a glittering ceremony at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco, etched her name deeper into African football folklore by claiming the CAFWomen’s Goalkeeper of theYear award for an unprecedented third straight time, therebybecomingthefirstAfricanwomantoachievesuchafeat
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco, crowned Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie as the continent’s top female goalkeeper for 2025, capping a remarkable year that saw her dominate both club and international stages.
The 24-year-old , who now plays for Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Women’s Super League after a stellar stint at Paris FC, fended off stiff competition from Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi (AS FAR) and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns) to secure the hat-trick.
“Back-to-back-to-back! Chiamaka Nnadozie made it once, twice, then a habit!” declared CAF’s official X account shortly after the announcement, capturing the sentiment of a continent in awe of her consistency.
At Paris FC, she helped lift the Coupe France Féminine, while internationally, she played a key role in the Super Falcons’ record-extending 10th WAFCON title, keeping four clean sheets and earning the tournament’s best goalkeeper award.
Following WAFCON, she joined Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League, making an immediate impact with a Player of the Match debut, and earning multiple nominations, including the WSL Save of the Month and PFA Fans’ Player of the Month awards.
Nnadozie’s latest triumph builds on her previous wins in 2023 and 2024, making her the first woman to achieve a three-peat in this category since its inception.
Her global recognition peaked with a fourth-place finish in the inaugural Women’s Yashin Trophy at the 2025 Ballon d’Or and nominations for FIFA’s The Best Women’s Goalkeeper award.
Speaking on her achievement, Nnadozie has previously credited her success to relentless dedication and the support of her teammates, often emphasising her role in inspiring young African girls to pursue goalkeeping, a position historically underrepresented in women’s football.
Nnadozie’s latest CAF honour adds to her growing legacy, cementing her status as one of the most exciting talents in women’s football today.
Following her victory, Nnadozie has expressed her deep pride and gratitude after winning the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the third consecutive time, describing the honour as hugely significant for her and her family.
Speaking moments after receiving the award, Nnadozie shared her deep pride and gratitude after winning the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the third consecutive time.
She described the honour as hugely significant for her and her family and said she remained humbled despite her growing legacy.
“Winning this award the third time in a row is a very big thing for me and my family. I’m really really grateful for that,” she said.
She also praised her fellow nominees, Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini, calling herself “a big fan” of their work.
“To my fellow nominees, I just wanted to know that I’m a big fan of all of you and I watch all your games.”
“I know very soon we will not just be here every year in Morocco to compete against
each other.”
She also used her acceptance speech to celebrate the rise of African goalkeepers, insisting that the global football world is unprepared for the talent emerging from
the continent.
“You guys are the best. I’m not sure the world is ready for what’s coming out from Africa and I believe in the nearest future all the African goalkeepers will be there in the
world competing against the best goalkeepers.”
“Thank you so much and I love you.”
Only recently, Nnadozie opened up about the emotional struggles she’s faced since moving to England, admitting that she feels lonely and often breaks down in tears.
In an emotional chat with Versus on its Nothing Off the Table series, the 24-year-old said life in Brighton has been far from easy despite her growing success on the pitch.
“Since I moved to Brighton, almost every day I cry because I feel lonely. I miss my family, my teammates, my coaches — they always try to check up on me to make sure I’m okay,” Nnadozie said.
She explained that most people only see the glamour of professional football but rarely understand the struggles that come with it.
“It’s not really easy. Sometimes people just think you come out on the pitch to play, but they don’t really know what goes on behind,” she said.
She, however, credited the warmth and unity of her new teammates for helping her settle into life in England.
“The only thing that helps is having people who really care about you. Going to pre-season with the team also helped me a lot. The unity and everything I saw in the team were really good,” she added.
Nnadozie, who has been widely praised for her leadership and composure between the sticks, remains one of Nigeria’s brightest exports in women’s football.
Nottingham Forest defender, Ola Aina has handed Nigeria a major boost ahead of the 2025 AfricaCupofNations(AFCON) tournament after stepping up his recovery from a long-term hamstring injury.
The Super Eagles star, who has been out since September, has now returned to light training on the grass as his comeback edges closer.
Aina’s return comes at a crucial moment for Forest and Nigeria. Forest have missed his dynamism on the flanks, while Nigeria will welcome any positive injury news ahead of the
continental showpiece.
Aina is now in the advanced stages of recovery after undergoing surgery for a hamstring injury. Photos circulating on the social media suggest that the Nigeria internationalhasresumedapitchbasedworkatNottinghamForest which marks his first significant step toward a full return. His rehabilitation has been closely monitored, and Forest expect him to push toward full recovery between December and early 2026, although, it remains to be seen if he will be allowed to join the Super Eagles squad if he is not fully
fit.
Aina sustained the hamstring injury while on international duty with the Super Eagles in September 2025. He was forced off and later underwent surgery after scans confirmed the severity of the tear. The injury ruled him out for several months, with initial estimates placing his absence at around three months.
The setback halted his strong start to the season, during which he had been a regular for Nottingham Forest. His absence created a notable gap in the squad’s defensive structure, and forced Dyche to readjust his backline options.
It was martial arts at its best last Saturday at the La Madison Place, Lekki, Lagos, as Fearless Energy Drink from the stable of Rite Foods Limited, which was the energy drink sponsor of the 11th edition of the Africa Knock Out (AKO), boosted contestants in various categories to the delight of mix martial arts.
Contenders in the various categories, which was headlined by the middleweight clash between South Africa’s Chad Hanekom and Cameroon’s Jordan Fongno, made the evening match exhilarating.
The Fearless Energy Drink, which is the market leader in the energy drink segment, powered the contest, which attracted many martial arts enthusiasts to the event. The main match betweenFongnoandHanekomsaw the Cameroonian fighter defeat the SouthAfrica-bornsuperman, scoringahugesplit-decisiontechnical victory.
In the Featherweight category, BibiZazahfromIvoryCoast,who engaged his opponent, Tulundat Daniel of Angola, in a tense fight, wasdefeatedafterthethirdround, while Stephen Akintewe won in
the fight against Jamiu Musa, both Nigeriancontenders,intheBantam weight division.
“I fight to win, and this is what I naturally like to do. Honestly, I will furtherimprovemyskills,andmany thankstomycoachforthetraining.,” Akintewe stated.
In the Lightweight category, PelejahOsobafromNigeriawasdeclaredthewinnerofthethree-round fight against Lonan Fanghamou from Equatorial Guinea, while Peter Onuh emerged the winner of the Bantam weight fight against Eberechukwu Ibeh, in a highly competitive three-round show.
A trial date has been set for Napoli President, Aurelien De Laurentiis on the grounds of false accounting in the transfer that brought Victor Osimhen to the club, Soccernet.ng reports. Napoli paid €76.3m to bring the 2023 CAF Player of the Year from LOSC Lille in 2020, and he scored 76 goals and provided 18 assists in 133 games for the club before joining Galatasaray permanently this summer.
However, an investigation into the striker’s move from LOSC Lille started last month after WhatsApp chats
between various figures involved in the agreement were published. In the leaked messages, it was confirmed that the Napoli bosses were involved in false accounting over the amount spent on Osimhen.
According to the information from La Repúbblica, Lille proposed that they would sell Osimhen to Napoli for around €50m, but the fee rose, with another €20m+ increase in artificially inflated fees for extra players. The Tribunal in Rome sought
trial for false accounting last month, with prosecutors Lorenzo Del Giudice and Giorgio Ornano having already requested that Napoli President, Aurelio De Laurentiis and CEO, Andrea Chiavelli stand trial for alleged false accounting between 2019 and 2021.
Napoli have now issued a note, expressing their “bewilderment” at the indictment, stressing that their technical team has unequivocally proven the transparency of the company’s work, both in the accounting management and in the evaluation of transfers.
Up and coming boxers, Toheeb “Full Tank” Hassan and Ezekiel “Touch” Seun have been talking tough ahead of their much-anticipated national super bantamweight challenge bout at GOtv Boxing Night 34, setting the stage for one of the most combustible contests on the card.
The eight-round duel, scheduled for 26 December at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, pits two of the division’s most high-pressure fighters against each other. Both men are looking to use the contest as a springboard to further their careers,makingthematchupone
of the most anticipated of the five bouts of the night. Seun, known for his relentless front-foot style, vowed to impose himself from the first bell. “There is no stepping back in this fight. Full Tank will feel every punch. I am coming to make a statement,” he said.
Hassan, whose durability and high work rate earned him the nickname “Full Tank,” dismissed Seun’s threats and promised to see him off. “Touch cannot touch me the way he thinks. Eight rounds are a long time with me. I will break him down,” he warned.
Their meeting is one of several fiercelymatchedcontestsscheduled for GOtv Boxing Night 34: Jams Festival. Other fights on the card includethenationallightweightclash between Segun “Odi” Gbobaniyi and Tobiloba “Smiling Assassin” Ijomoni;Sodiq“SmartLion”Suleiman vsEmmanuel“Ability”Abimbolain the light welterweight division; and Sadam “Baby Boxer” Oladipupo vs Imole “System” Oloyede in an eight-round lightweight bout. GOtv Boxing Night 34: Jams Festival, organised by Flykite Productions, takes place on Boxing Day and will feature live music and entertainmentalongsidethenight’s bouts.
As the Daniel Ford Elite Youth Table Tennis Champion- ships enters its third edition, its sole sponsor, Yemi Edun, reflects on the tournament’s growing impact on the sport in Nigeria. The property mogul and passionate sports advocate is convinced that the competition is not only shap- ing the future of table tennis in the country, but also laying the foundation for Nigeria’s return to continental and global prominence.
For Edun, the past two years have been nothing short of exhilarating. “The tournament has been fantastic—it’s thrilling, engaging, and watching players progress to win bigger tournaments has been very encouraging,” he said. “I’ve been quite pleased with how things have gone so far.”
The championship, which has quickly become a fixture in Nigeria’s youth sports calendar, has already produced talents who now form the backbone of the national team. For Edun, this is a clear sign that the initiative is fulfilling its “Absolutely,”purpose. he said when asked if he was satisfied with the tournament’s impact. “See- ing some of our participants now representing Nigeria is incredibly rewarding.”
In 2024, Edun introduced a pre-tournament clinic aimed at sharpening players’ skills and preparing them mentally and
technically for competition. The idea, he explained, was to make the event more than just a “There’scontest.skill improvement from facing off with competitors, butthere’salsotheinputatrained eye can give—especially before thetournament—soeveryplayer brings their best. I believe the overallimpacthasbeenpositive.”
While Edun is keeping some surprises under wraps, he promises that this year’s edition will build on the momentum of previous“Everyyears. year brings scope for continuous improvement. With moreawareness andexperience, this third edition is naturally set apart. We’re working to enhance the event in ways that everyone willEdunenjoy.”is optimistic about Nigeria’s potential to reclaim its status as Africa’s table tennis powerhouse and compete globally. “It’s absolutely within ourabilities.Wehopethistournament revitalizes our pipeline for elite-tier players. In sports, early mastery is crucial—some say by age 13, you should already be on the path. Nigeria, being the largest Black nation on earth, statistically has immense talent to tap into. I fully envisage a future within the next seven years where Nigeria leads Africa in table tennis.”
Asked what makes the Daniel Ford Championships unique, Edun pointed to the blend of timing, location, and
people.
“Every tournament is unique because of when and where it happens, and who’s involved. That mix makes this one special.” Looking ahead, Edun hopes to see increased interest and excitement around the tables.
“I expect growth in interest compared to previous years and an exciting time at the tables.”
He also offered advice to the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) on nurturing emerging talent. “Support and intensity. Young players need all the support they can get, and they need to stay sharp. The Federation must ensure they’re equipped and motivated to reach the highest levels.”
For Edun, the most memorable moment of the tournament came in a burst of youthful joy.
“The excitement when players win is priceless. One of the best moments was when Matthew Kuti jumped on the table after his victory. Classic!”
The Nigeria Olympic Com- mittee (NOC) has commended Sunshine Schools, Ibadan, for successfully hosting a three-day Sports Administration Course (SAC) in the ancient city.
Organised by Olympic Solidarity and the NOC in collaboration with Dynaspro Sports and Sunshine Schools, the programme brought together key sports stake- holders including Directors of Sports, Sports Officers, Heads of Sports Departments, Sports Marketers, and Games Masters.
More than 20 participants from within and outside Oyo State took part in the training, which was facilitated by Inter- national Olympic Committee (IOC)-certified officials.
NOC General Manager, Emmanuel Nwaneri, praised Sunshine Schools for providing a conducive atmosphere and for engaging coaches and managers across the state.
“I must commend Sunshine Schools for this initiative. They invited coaches and managers from different sectors to be part of the programme. It’s very en- couraging and impressive that it goes beyond the school itself, empowering academies and coaches within Oyo State. This is grassroots sports development,” he said.
He explained that the SAC is an IOC initiative through its Olympic Solidarity Department, designed to empower sports
administrators and managers at local and national levels with best practices in sports management.
“We have partner schools where we run these pro- grammes as part of Olympic education. Sunshine Schools collaborated with us to empower sports managers, coaches, and administrators in Oyo State, and that’s why we are here,” Nwaneri added.
CEO of Sunshine Schools, Temitayo Williams, described the training as part of the school’s vision to integrate sports into its curriculum.
“Sports has always been a long-term dream for this school. Hosting this programme is like an answer to prayer. “
The Premier League resumes after the international break with several decisive fixtures across the league, all matches will be live on SuperSport Premier League (DStv Ch. 203, GOtv Ch. 65).
Today’s action begins at 1:30 p.m. with Burnley against Chel- sea. The Blues will view this as a crucial opportunity to close the gap on Man City and Arsenal.
At 4:00 p.m., Liverpool host Nottingham Forest. Liverpool enter the fixture under pressure following a 3-0 defeat to Man
City, part of a difficult run that has seen them lose five of their last six league matches. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, earned their first win in ten games with a 3-1 victory over Leeds and will hope to capitalise on Liverpool’s dip in form.
againstThedayconcludeswithNewcastle ManchesterManchesterCityat6:30p.m. City,sittingsecond,come into the weekend buoyed by their convincingwinoverLiverpooland willaimtomaintainpressureonArsenal.Newcastle,whohavesuffered consecutive defeats, including a
3-1 loss to Brentford, will need a significant improvement. Sunday opens with Leeds hosting Aston Villa at 3:00 p.m. The weekend’s headline fixture sees Arsenal host Tottenham at 5:30 p.m. Arsenal’s long winning and clean-sheet streak came to an end in a 2-2 draw at Sunderland, but they remain top of the table and will look to reassert control in the title race. Tottenham, under Thomas Frank, have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, taking only two wins from their last five matches.
Nigeria presently sits on a quiet but deadly emergency brought about by the uncontrolled spread of arms, now fueling all manner of insecurity across the country. The current scale of insecurity is worrisome as it threatens the very fabric of Nigerian society.
From terrorism, banditry, insurgency, rising ring of kidnapping, especially mass abduction of students, and cult violence, illicit weapons have become the oxygen sustaining insecurity in the country. More disturbing is the turn of events in the past few days. These developments are so alarming and chaotic that they have not only shaken citizens to their core, but have also drawn uncomfortable global attention to a country already struggling to steady itself.
From the terrorist attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School in the early hours of yesterday, during which dozens of students were kidnapped in Niger State, to the abduction of 24 students and the Vice Principal of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State earlier this week, the trend is profoundly alarming. Also, a few days ago, there was an attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti LGA of Kwara State, where terrorists killed two worshippers and abducted others; the abduction of a Catholic priest and the killing of a clergy brother by armed assailants at St. Stephen's Parish in Ksuhe Gugdu, Kagarko, Kaduna State, and the attacks on multiple communities in Mashegu LGA of Niger State.
Also this month, we were greeted with the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba while on active duty fighting insurgents in Borno State; the armed invasion of rural farm settlements in Ehamufu, Isi-Uzo, Enugu State, as well as targeted killings and violence across the South-East and other southern parts of Nigeria. These grim episodes paint a portrait of a nation bleeding on multiple fronts—where fear increasingly feels more familiar than hope, and where the promise of safety slips further from the grasp of ordinary
Nigerians with each passing day.
Hardly does any day pass without news headlines featuring stories of gory murders and senseless killings. In fact, available data compiled from media reports by the HumAngle Tracker showed that 465 violent incidents occurred during the third quarter of 2025 alone, with 1,201 fatalities. The period recorded 68 abduction incidents, from which 791 people were reportedly kidnapped. The spate of killings has converted a large number of Nigerians into refugees and internally displaced persons.
Expanding terrorist networks, mass displacement, and the collapse of essential services in Nigeria saw the United States House Foreign Affairs Africa Sub-committee on Thursday holding a public hearing on religious persecution in the West African country, after its designation by President Donald Trump recently as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
The hearing brought together lawmakers, human rights experts, as well as civil society organisations and advocates to discuss growing violence and alleged legal restrictions affecting religious communities in Nigeria, especially in the Northern part of the country.
Nigeria is no doubt facing a convergence
of weak borders, thriving black markets, political complicity, and community-level demand, creating a perfect storm that threatens national cohesion.
While the headlines focus on the latest attacks, the deeper problem for the country is how these weapons enter communities, who controls them, and why the state cannot stem the flow?
This uncontrolled spread of arms has deepened insecurity, mistrust, and political instability, which significantly contribute to insurgency, terrorism, and to an extent, electoral violence in the country.
A situation whereby herdsmen and other non-state actors move freely with AK-47s is a joke taken too far, as a gun in the wrong hands is only a few seconds away from killing.
I firmly share the concern expressed by the Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, DIG Johnson Kokumo (rtd.), who recently warned that weak armoury management within Nigeria’s security institutions is fuelling the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country, thereby worsening insecurity and political violence.
Kokumo pointed out that no single geopolitical zone in Nigeria is free from the scourge of arms proliferation, adding that weapons leakages from poorly managed official stockpiles were arming criminals and undermining national security.
Thus, he attributed much of the problem to poor control and oversight within Nigeria’s security sector.
“Numerous military and police operations in the North-East, North-West, and Niger Delta have stretched our forces thin. Weak armoury management and corruption have enabled weapons to leak from state stockpiles into the hands of criminals. This undermines Nigeria’s constitutional monopoly over the legitimate use of force,” he said.
Additionally, Nigeria’s 1959 Firearms Act is outdated and insufficient to address contemporary realities. Some of its flaws are its outdated provisions for a modern security landscape; weak penalties that do not deter criminals; poor
of
licencing; a lack of clear provisions on modern and military-grade weapons; weak monitoring and tracing mechanisms; outdated enforcement framework; no clear provisions on community vigilante groups or non-state actors, as well as failure to address smuggling and porous borders.
The federal government must therefore do all within its reach to immediately address the arms race going on in the country.
Equally, governments at all levels in the country must move beyond policy pronouncements and promises by addressing underlying socio-economic problems such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality, that contribute to the resort to arms and other weapons by its youth. Nigeria’s policymakers continue to fail in seizing the country’s demographic dividend and channeling it to positive use.
State Governors, local government heads, and traditional rulers must also do more to de-escalate tensions in their domains and keep talking to those they are leading to always seek redress from appropriate authorities rather than picking up arms.
The mechanism for inter-group dialogue and reconciliation must be restored to help build trust, clarify misunderstandings, and remove negative perceptions and stereotypes.
Another factor responsible for the proliferation of arms is a lack of political will. Political leaders should be bold enough to address social injustices in the land. Perpetrators of violence should be brought to justice and the security agencies must protect vulnerable communities, and perpetrators brought to justice.
From the foregoing, confronting Nigeria’s growing arms crisis demands political will, institutional reforms, and an honest reckoning with how governance failures have deepened the problem. Without decisive action to cut off supply routes, enforce accountability within security agencies, amend the outdated Firearms Act and strengthen local intelligence networks, no amount of military deployment will restore safety.
This is the moment for bold, coordinated action before the proliferation of arms eclipses the authority of the state itself.