The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Tinubu congratulates Omole on birthday, lauds his diaspora advocacy, national service

    Tinubu congratulates Omole on birthday, lauds his diaspora advocacy, national service

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to Prince Ade Omole, a prominent ICT executive, legal professional and public affairs strategist, on the occasion of his birthday on January 9.

    In a congratulatory message issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Prince Omole as a committed patriot whose work in diaspora mobilisation and national advocacy has significantly contributed to projecting Nigeria’s reform narrative on the global stage.

    Read Also: Kwankwaso seeks compensation as Kano Assembly endorses Yusuf’s defection plan

    Widely recognised as the “Face of the Nigerian Diaspora,” Prince Omole is a leading diaspora figure and serves as Chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Voting Council (NDVC), where he has been at the forefront of advocacy for increased Diaspora participation in Nigeria’s democratic and development processes.

    Prince Omole also played a strategic role in the 2023 general election, having served as Director of the Diaspora Directorate of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

    He is equally one of the conveners of The Asiwaju Group, a platform noted for mobilising national and Diaspora support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Commending his efforts, President Tinubu acknowledged Omole’s sustained engagement with Nigerians abroad and his constructive contributions to national discourse, describing him as an advocate whose work reflects deep commitment to Nigeria’s progress.

  • Communal conflict: Yaroe takes relief to displaced Lamurde communities

    Communal conflict: Yaroe takes relief to displaced Lamurde communities

    The Senator representing Adamawa South Senatorial District, Binos Yaroe, has ‎visited victims of the clash between the Bachama and Tsobo communities in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

    Recall that many of the victims have been living as internally displaced people since last month when a deadly clash claimed 11 lives and more than 200 houses fully or partially destroyed.

    ‎During a visit to the affected communities towards the weekend, Senator Yaroe urged all and sundry to sheathe their swords and give room for dialogue and lasting peace.

    Read Also: Shettima reaffirms FG’s resolve to empower military

    ‎He described the visit as a personal sacrifice born out of a desire to stand with his constituents in their moment of distress, as he was himself still recuperating from a major health challenge that required surgery towards the end of last year.

    Senator Yaroe toured several affected communities, including Gamadio, Rigange and Bashakka villages across Numan and Lamurde local government areas, sympathising with victims, encouraging renewed unity and peaceful coexistence, and distributing relief materials to ease their suffering.

    ‎The items donated include 400 bags of 25kg rice, 80 gallons of cooking oil, 200 cartons of spaghetti, 200 brocade materials, 200 yards of fabric, assorted children’s clothing, and cash support.

    He said the gesture was to provide temporary relief while longer-term solutions were being pursued. He stressed that communal disputes are better resolved through constructive engagement, dialogue and mediation rather than violence, which only deepens divisions and inflicts lasting damage on communities.

    ‎He recalled that for decades, the Bachama and Tsobo communities lived side by side as brothers bound together through intermarriages and commerce, noting that the long-standing social and economic ties created a relationship that should not be allowed to disintegrate because of emerging socio-economic challenges or misunderstanding.

    ‎Traditional rulers, community leaders and leaders of internally displaced persons (IDPs) praised Senator Yaroe for identifying with the victims despite his health challenges.

  • Army raises the alarm over fake social media accounts

    Army raises the alarm over fake social media accounts

    The Nigerian Army has raised the alarm over social media accounts created and operated by unscrupulous individuals who falsely claim to represent or be associated with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.

    Army’s spokesperson, Colonel Apollonia Anele, raised the alarm in a statement on Friday.

    According to Anele, the Chief of Army Staff does not have any official social media presence on any platform.

    Read Also: Kwankwaso seeks compensation as Kano Assembly endorses Yusuf’s defection plan

    She advised the public to exercise “extreme caution and remain vigilant” against scammers who may attempt to exploit these fake accounts to defraud unsuspecting individuals, solicit funds, or spread misinformation in the name of the COAS or the Nigerian Army.

    The Army’s spokesperson also urged the public not to engage, respond, or share information from such accounts.

    “The Nigerian Army is taking all the necessary steps to apprehend the operators of these fake accounts with a view to bringing them to justice in accordance with the extant laws,” Anele said.

  • Edo NMA urges Okpebholo to secure release of abducted doctors

    Edo NMA urges Okpebholo to secure release of abducted doctors

    The Nigeria Medical Association, Edo State branch, has asked Governor Monday Okpebholo to urgently secure release of two of its members who were abducted separately.

    It named the two doctors in the kidnappers’ den to be Dr. Abu Babatunde and Dr. Stephen Osamaye.

    Dr. Babatunde works at the Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi while Dr. Osamaye works at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua.

    Read Also: Shettima reaffirms FG’s resolve to empower military

    Chairman of the Edo NMA, Dr. Eustace Oseghale, in a statement, also asked the Edo Police Commissioner, Monday Agbonika, to take action against rising insecurity in the state.

    ‎Dr. Oseghale said kidnappings have taken a toll on healthcare delivery in the state.

    According to the statement, “We write to formally notify your esteemed office of the abduction of two of our members, Dr. Abu Babatunde and Dr. Stephen Osamaye working at Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi and Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua respectively.

    ‎”The safety and security of our healthcare workers are of paramount importance, especially in light of the critical roles they play in maintaining public health. So also is the security and safety of every resident of Edo State.

    ‎”The Nigerian Medical Association is deeply concerned about this incident and the rising trend of insecurity in the state which negatively affects health care delivery.

    ‎”We urge your office to take immediate and effective action to ensure the safe return of our abducted colleagues and to investigate this incident thoroughly.”

  • Alleged N2.5m extortion: Delta CP redeploys Jesse DPO

    Alleged N2.5m extortion: Delta CP redeploys Jesse DPO

    The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, has ordered the redeployment of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jesse Division, CSP Chidi Nwabuzor, over alleged ₦2.5 million extortion.

    The order followed a viral video in which a woman accused the DPO and two other officers—identified as Officer Bright and Officer Usman—of collecting ₦2.5 million to secure the release of her brother from custody.

    In a statement on Friday, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the woman’s brother, Israel Onojeruo, 20, was among suspects arrested on January 1 by the Jesse community youth leader and handed over to the police.

    His arrest, police said, followed the confession of another suspect who claimed he sold a gun to him.

    The suspects were later transferred to the State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU) for further investigation.

    SP Edafe said CP Adesola acted swiftly after reviewing the complaint, ordering the redeployment of the Jesse DPO, while investigations into the extortion allegation continue.

    Edafe said: “The CP ordered the AC X-Squad to investigate the allegations leveled against the officers. “The constable identified as Bright in the video has been detained at the command headquarters, and the DPO has been removed and redeployed to the command headquarters pending the outcome of the investigation.

    Read Also: Kwankwaso seeks compensation as Kano Assembly endorses Yusuf’s defection plan

    “The removal of the DPO is in response to a series of complaints of extortion and unprofessionalism leveled against him from different quarters.”

    Meanwhile, the CP has assured members of the public that if, after investigation, the officers were found to have acted in an unprofessional manner; they would be decisively dealt with in accordance with extant laws as stipulated in the Police Act and regulations to serve as a deterrent to others.

    Adesola emphasised that the command, under his leadership, would not tolerate any form of extortion, intimidation, incivility to members of the public, or unprofessionalism from officers in the command.

    He therefore urged members of the public to reach the command’s complaint response unit through the following phone numbers in cases of complaints against police actions: 09011112311, 09155570008, 09064308018, and 09066575187.

  • COAS urges troops to protect critical assets, vows to improve soldiers’ welfare

    COAS urges troops to protect critical assets, vows to improve soldiers’ welfare

    • Army Chief tours 6 Division in Niger Delta

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has called on officers and soldiers of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, to double their efforts in protecting the country’s critical infrastructures in their Area of Responsibility (AoR).

    Shaibu asked them to remain disciplined, committed and dedicated to their mandate describing their role as central to Nigeria’s economic stability.

    The COAS addressed the troops at 6 Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt on Friday during his maiden operational visit to the formation.

    The army chief said the effectiveness of the division’s operations in the Niger Delta directly impacted the nation’s economy citing its responsibility for safeguarding key oil and gas assets.

    Read Also: Shettima reaffirms FG’s resolve to empower military

    Addressing them, he said: “Your job here is very key to protecting critical national infrastructure, and once you do that job very well, it will impact positively on the economy of the country.

    “So you need to take your job very seriously, be disciplined, committed and dedicated to the mandate of this Division.”

    The COAS assured them that their challenges were receiving attention in his office, insisting that their welfare would remain a top priority of his leadership.

    He pledged that officers and soldiers would receive their entitlements without delay or compromise.

    “Be rest assured that I will take care of your welfare issues, which are topmost priority. You will get what you deserve, what you are entitled to, in one piece,” he said.

    Shaibu disclosed that he had been fully briefed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, and brigade commanders under the Division, saying that the concerns were already being addressed.

  • Host communities reject Ebonyi govt’s plan for Nigercem

    Host communities reject Ebonyi govt’s plan for Nigercem

    Host communities of Niger Cement Company in Ebonyi state have raised serious concerns over the state government’s plan to establish a new cement plant.

    They warned that the move threatens their land rights and the lawful future of Nigercem Plc.

    They stated this in a letter dated January 7, 2026, addressed to Governor Francis Nwifuru through their solicitors, Gamzaki Law Chambers.

    The host communities include: Nkalagu, Umuhuali, Amezu and Nkalaha all in Ishielu local government area of the state

    The communities accused certain political actors of attempting to undermine existing legal agreements and court judgments relating to Nigercem Plc.

    Read Also: Kwankwaso seeks compensation as Kano Assembly endorses Yusuf’s defection plan

    The letter recalled that in 2010, Ibeto Group lawfully acquired majority shareholding in Nigercem Plc and became its core investor.

    It noted that the subsequent revocation of Ibeto Group’s mining lease by the Ebonyi State Government under a previous administration was challenged in court, with judgments delivered between 2010 and 2013 in favour of Ibeto Group and the host communities.

    According to the communities, assurances were given by the present administration during the election campaign to collaborate with Ibeto Group to revive Nigercem Plc.

    They acknowledged that a 15-man committee was constituted in August 2025 to engage relevant stakeholders but lamented that no report or recommendations from the committee have been made public.

    They lamented the governor’s announcement during the 2026 budget presentation of plans to borrow ₦150 billion to construct a new state-owned cement plant.

    The communities also expressed alarm over a meeting held on December 31, 2025, where certain individuals allegedly issued a fresh “consent letter” purporting to revoke earlier agreements granted to Ibeto Group.

    The landlord communities insist that the proposed location for the new cement plant lacks commercially viable limestone deposits and that the project would depend entirely on limestone found within Nigercem host communities.

    They rejected the authority of what they described as an unauthorised and self-appointed committee claiming to speak on their behalf.

    While reiterating that they are not opposed to development or genuine efforts to revive Nigercem Plc, the communities warned that they would resist any attempt to convert Nigercem into a mere limestone excavation zone or to strip them of the benefits of industrial development through political manipulation.

    The State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chidi Onyia could not be reached for comments at the time of this report as he did not take calls nor respond to messages.

  • Obi’s presence has strengthened party’s confidence nationwide — ADC

    Obi’s presence has strengthened party’s confidence nationwide — ADC

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the presence of Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) has strengthened the party’s confidence nationwide.

    Prof. Festus Arunaye, the ADC national member, Membership Revalidation, Mobilization and Registration Committee (MRMRC), stated this during the inauguration of the 10-member Delta State committee on membership registration on Friday in Asaba.

    Arunaye said Peter Obi brought integrity, discipline, and strong economic understanding to the coalition, asserting that the former Anambra State governor had brought excellence to the ADC.

    The party chieftain stated: “Peter Obi is a man of integrity. He is a man that knows the running of an economy that is above average. Therefore, such a personality joining the coalition has given us, as a Mathematician, I don’t easily give people A, an A— Excellent position.

    “Some people are panicky now, they are sick now because Obi has joined us.”

    He also stated that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar supports a free, fair, and credible primary process and believes in collective victory, making the ADC a party to beat in the coming general elections.

    Read Also: Shettima reaffirms FG’s resolve to empower military

    He stated: “Also, I will tell you that Atiku Abubakar wants to right the wrongs, if he had done any wrong while he was the Vice President. Atiku has not condemned any other aspirants coming together to form the coalition.

    “Atiku believes that they will all go to the primary, which will be free, fair and credible and that any person that wins, the ADC will work for that person. That is the goal and mission of our great party.”

    Speaking to the party members in Delta, Prof. Arunaye said that following their inauguration, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party gave a clear directive: within 30 days, all states must submit interim reports on membership registration and financial accountability.

    He declared that that era ends now, noting that under the leadership of General David Mark (rtd.), a man of proven integrity, the ADC had drawn a red line against corruption, exclusion, and money-bag politics.

    As part of the radical break from the past, Prof. Arunaye said party cards would no longer pass through middlemen such as through state, LG, or ward chairmen.

    He stated that the 10-man Registration and Accountability Committee at each level would supervise distribution, insisting that no individual, no godfather, no structure could hijack the process.

    The chieftain, who said the card is secure, state-specific, tamper-proof, averred that each card carries five security features, both visible and invisible.

    He said the cards are state-designed and state-crested—a Delta card cannot be used in Anambra or anywhere else and that cards are released strictly based on verified state demand.

    Prof. Arunaye said no one is authorised to collect money on behalf of the party, noting that payments are made electronically only, directly into a dedicated national deposit account.

    He said this account is deposit-only—no withdrawals, adding that every member must personally obtain their card.

    Stressing on the importance placed on the card, Prof. Arunaye said the ADC is a coalition of Nigerians from all walks of life—some wealthy, many not.

    He clarified that money will not buy influence in ADC, saying that the billionaire and the villager will stand on equal footing.

    “If you live in a remote village, you will have the same access to party membership as anyone in Abuja or Lagos. Your name, your payment, and your membership will count—nationally. This is how confidence is built. This is how faith in democracy is restored,” he indicated.

    Prof. Arunaye said the ADC membership card costs ₦500, saying this is not a revenue scheme but a symbol of members’ commitment.

    “ADC rejects the politics where party membership is treated as an investment expecting returns in cash or contracts. That mentality is the root of corruption, and ADC abhors corruption,” he said

    Speaking on the state of the party, Prof. Arunaye clarified that there is no faction in the ADC, noting that the party is unified, focused, and moving forward.

    On the party’s membership drive in Delta State, Arunaye said based on population strength and political engagement, the ADC projects 2.3 million registered members in the state. “This projection is realistic, verifiable, and achievable,” he stated.

  • Kalu, Orji, others endorse Tinubu for second term

    Kalu, Orji, others endorse Tinubu for second term

    Former governors of Abia State, Senators Orji Uzor Kalu, Theodore Ahamefula Orji and other political stakeholders in the state have unanimously endorsed the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for second tenure.

    The political leaders made up of political office holders from 1999-2027, known as Team 1999-2007, who met in Umuahia, the state capital, at the Azikiwe residence of former governor Orji also vowed to drag the governor of the state, Dr. Alex Otti to court for running the state from his Isiala Ngwa South local government area residence.

    The political leaders who expanded the team to accommodate those that served the state during Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu said that the lawsuit to be filed against Otti would be to compel him to move to Government House in Umuahia and stop running the affairs of the state from his private home.

    In a nine point communiqué signed by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, chairman; Senator Orji, 1st vice chairman and Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, 2nd vice chairman, and read by the former national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Ike Oye, members were urged to redouble their efforts and work for the re-election of President Tinubu.

    The team who also commended President Tinubu for appointing ex-Governor Ikpeazu as Ambassador designate, asked aggrieved members to forget the past and forge ahead to work for the growth of the group.

    Speaking earlier, leader of the team, Senator Kalu said the group is a social cultural organisation with the aim of bettering the lots of Abians.

    Read Also: Kwankwaso seeks compensation as Kano Assembly endorses Yusuf’s defection plan

    “The team has three ex-governors from the three senatorial zones of the state. People have called us names and accused us of doing nothing in the past 24 years, but if nothing was done, will there still be Abians?”

    Describing the team as one family, Kalu urged members to forget the past and work for the future.

    “I created Senator T. A Orji and he created Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, so if there is any difference between them, we are going to resolve that so we can move forward.”

    Senator Orji thanked Senator Kalu and others who attended the meeting, promising they would do everything possible to move the state forward.

    He urged all the members to forget the past and work for the good of the team and the state.

    Former Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Chinedum Orji thanked Kalu for accepting to lead the team and his father, Senator Orji for hosting them.

    He urged all members to close ranks in order to move the group forward and ensure a resounding victory for President Tinubu in 2027.

    Other speakers, including chief Don Ubani, secretary of the Team; Eme Abali MBA and Mrs. Felicia Dimgba, all eulogised Kalu and Orji for the able way they have been piloting the affairs of the group.

    They said it was unfortunate that someone would wake up overnight and boasted he was going to retire them from politics and vowed to resist any of such moves.

  • Judges resume in Rivers’ courts after vacation

    Judges resume in Rivers’ courts after vacation

    The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi has said that judges of the High Court of the state will resume sitting on Monday, 13th January after the Christmas vacation.

    Read Also: Shettima reaffirms FG’s resolve to empower military

    The chief judge in a statement signed by the Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi recalled that he allowed the judges to embark on vacation from December 23rd to January 9, 2026.

    He urged members of the public to take notice of the resumption date.