The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Oborevwori mourns as former Senator Nwaoboshi dies in Abuja

    Oborevwori mourns as former Senator Nwaoboshi dies in Abuja

    Former Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi, is dead.

    Nwaoboshi reportedly collapsed in Abuja on Friday and was rushed for medical attention, but efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful.

    Details of the circumstances surrounding his death were still sketchy as of the time of filing this report.

    Reacting to the development, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the former lawmaker, describing it as a huge loss to Delta State, the Anioma nation and the country at large.

    In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, the governor described the late senator as a proud son of Delta State and a fearless advocate of the Anioma cause, whose contributions to governance and nation-building would not be forgotten.

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    Oborevwori recalled Nwaoboshi’s tenure in the National Assembly, where he served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, noting that his vocal advocacy for the development of the Niger Delta and Delta State marked him out as a passionate and committed leader.

    According to the governor, Nwaoboshi’s rise in politics was anchored on a strong political pedigree, selfless service and loyalty to democratic ideals, which also saw him serve twice as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State before later aligning with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the passing of my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi,” Oborevwori said.

    “I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the people of Anioma nation, members of our great party and all those whose lives he touched. I pray that Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest and gives his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

    Born in Delta State, Senator Nwaoboshi was widely regarded as a strong-willed, outspoken and controversial politician who played frontline roles in party organisation and legislative debates. He served as senator for Delta North between 2015 and 2019 and was known for his combative style, firm political convictions and unapologetic defence of his positions.

  • Gunmen abduct mourners, five others in Kogi

    Gunmen abduct mourners, five others in Kogi

    Gunmen clutching sophisticated weapons have reportedly abducted nine people in the early hours of Friday in Inele- Ugoh ward, Igah Ikeje in Olomaboro Local Government Area of Kogi state.

    The residents said the victims included a woman and her three children who were going to a nearby community for burial. The remaining victims were said to be farmers who were picked up on their respective farms.

    Sources revealed the community sent distress calls to troops of 12 Brigade Nigeria Army who were at a checkpoint within the community.

    It was said that the gunmen had disappeared into the forest with the victims before the arrival of the troops.

    It was learnt that troops and local vigilance group members were already combing the forests to rescue the victims.

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    “These groups of bandits are going about in large numbers, they could be up to 200, and they split into two groups. They don’t stay in one location; they keep moving their captives from one location to another. Troops can only succeed when there is support from the airspace. So, a drone or a police helicopter is required to root out these criminals from our community. We will not enjoy Christmas if these criminals remain in our forests.

    “These are bandits; they are very desperate and audacious, operating day and night. We need more deployment and air surveillance by the state and Federal government to curtail the menace of these criminals.

    The spokesman for the state police command, SP William Aya ,could not be reached for comment as of press time.

  • Lagos hosts 2025 Christmas carol of nine lessons

    Lagos hosts 2025 Christmas carol of nine lessons

    The Lagos State Government has hosted the 2025 Christmas Carol of Nine Lessons at Lagos House, Ikeja, to celebrate the birth and reign of Jesus Christ.

    Held on Thursday, the event, which was the 19th edition, themed ‘The Reign of the Messiah’, was attended by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    The event was also attended by the First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and his wife, Oluremi; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa, Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, members of the State Executive Council, serving and former public office holders, and political, religious and traditional leaders, among others.

    The First Lady read the ninth lesson, while Hamzat, his wife and Obasa read the eighth, seventh and fifth lessons, respectively. They wished Lagos residents Merry Christmas.

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    Speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Layode, commended the State Government for sustaining the tradition of the Christmas carol in its commitment to religious harmony.

    He said the theme of the Christmas carol speaks deeply to the joy, peace and divine uplift that Jesus brought to the lives of the people, stating that it was a moment of rejoicing, thanksgiving, worship and adoration.

    In his address, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Adewunmi Ogunsanya, acknowledged President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for initiating the Carol of Nine Lessons tradition, which he said has endured over the years.

    He also commended the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and their spouses for their continued support of the ministry and its programmes, as well as the religious leaders for their vision and spiritual leadership. He also praised the choir and the instrumentalists, saying they truly brought the spirit of the season down.

  • Ondo deep-sea port’ll serve as global trade hub, says Aiyedatiwa

    Ondo deep-sea port’ll serve as global trade hub, says Aiyedatiwa

    Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has said the proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port will serve as a major hub for international trade, benefiting not only Ondo State but Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.

    Aiyedatiwa stated this in Abuja after receiving the revalidated operating licence for the port from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola.

    The licence, originally approved in 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, was resubmitted for revalidation following errors discovered in the original document.

    Recall that earlier this year, Governor Aiyedatiwa attributed the delay in the execution of the project to an error in the name on the operating licence issued by the federal government.

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    According to him, the licence was wrongly issued in the name of one of the project’s prospective partners instead of Ondo Port Development Limited, the actual licence holder representing the state and its investors.

    “There was an error made when the Ondo State Deep Sea Port licence was issued. Ordinarily, it should have been issued in the name of Ondo Port Development Limited, but it was erroneously written in the name of one of the partners.

    “Because of that, we had to initiate processes to correct the error, which meant virtually starting all over again due to the procedures involved. The analysis changed over time, and we had to go through the process afresh.

  • Oyo approves conversion for 654 officers across cadres

    Oyo approves conversion for 654 officers across cadres

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has once again demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of workers in the state by approving the conversion of 654 officers across various cadres in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the State.

    In a statement, the Chairman Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Kamoru Aderibigbe, explained that the beneficiaries are officers in sub-officer cadres, ranging from junior to senior levels, who have enhanced their qualifications by acquiring relevant, approved courses from recognised tertiary institutions.

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    He noted that the approval will not only lead to improved remuneration for the affected officers but will also provide them with the opportunity of attaining the peak of their careers within the civil service.

    Aderibigbe urged the beneficiaries to regard the gesture of Governor Makinde as a special privilege and to reciprocate it with increased dedication, diligence, and commitment to service.

  • Tinubu support group’s DG splashes N2m on indigent 21-year-old new mother in Osun

    Tinubu support group’s DG splashes N2m on indigent 21-year-old new mother in Osun

    The Director-General of the Tinubu Youth Vanguard Organisation, Innocent Shedrach Egede, has supported a 21-year-old new mother, Iqmat Yinusa, with a ₦2,000,000 cash support package following her recent childbirth at Lifeline Hospital.

    Egede explained that the gesture was designed purely as post-natal empowerment and social support, aimed at helping the young mother stabilise her life, care adequately for her newborn, and begin a path toward economic self-reliance after the challenges associated with childbirth and recovery.

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    The empowerment package, which also included supportive items, was presented to ease the immediate pressures faced by the young mother and to provide her with the means to plan for a more secure future.

    Speaking during the presentation, Hon. Egede emphasised that humanitarian interventions must go beyond emergency responses and focus on long-term impact. “Empowerment is about restoring confidence and opportunity,” he said.

  • OPC leader Adesope urges vigilance during Yuletide

    OPC leader Adesope urges vigilance during Yuletide

    Ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations, the National President of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC Reformed),  Chief Dare Adesope, has urged the public and members of his group to remain vigilant and prioritise their safety during the yuletide period.

     Adesope, in a statement issued on Friday, emphasised the need for heightened awareness and community cooperation, especially in the face of rising cases of insecurity across the country.

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    “This season is a time of joy, but also a time when criminal elements seek to take advantage of public celebrations. We must not let down our guard,” he warned.

    He urged OPC members to work closely with local authorities, vigilantes, and traditional rulers to monitor movements within their communities and report suspicious activities promptly.

    Adesope also appealed to citizens to avoid night travels, secure their homes, and ensure children are properly guided during public events and gatherings.

    “Let us celebrate with caution, remembering that security starts with each one of us. Together, we can have a peaceful and joyous season,

  • AMG holds stakeholders’ meeting

    AMG holds stakeholders’ meeting

    The Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG) on Thursday held an expanded stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, Ondo State, bringing together key structures of the organisation across the State.

    The meeting comprised members of the State Executive Committee, executives of the AMG Leaders Council, all local government coordinators, and federal constituency coordinators.

    Held at the AMG Secretariat in Akure, the meeting was convened to appraise the activities of the group over the past year and to deliberate on modalities for reaching out to the people of Ondo State during the yuletide season.

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    The Director-General of AMG, Asiwaju Olumuyiwa Asagunla, commended stakeholders for their commitment and resilience in advancing the ideals of the group. He urged them to remain united, disciplined, and people-focused, noting that sustained grassroots engagement remains critical to the success of the organisation.

    Asagunla assured members of the unwavering support of the Convener of AMG and Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stating that the minister remains deeply committed to improving the welfare of the people and strengthening the group as a vehicle for mobilising support for the programmes and policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the President’s re-election in 2027.

  • Ajayi bows out as FETHI CMD

    Ajayi bows out as FETHI CMD

    Professor Ebenezer Adekunle Ajayi has been hailed by staff and management of Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI), for instituting a legacy of comprehensive transformation, stability, and institutional growth, as he concludes his two-term tenure as the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the institution.

    Taking the helm of an institution once grappling with financial distress, industrial friction, and a waning corporate image, Prof. Ajayi successfully steered FETHI toward a new era of excellence, marked by significant improvements in infrastructure, human capital, and service delivery.

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    In his two terms, Prof. Ajayi’s leadership has seen FETHI ranked among the top 10 most improved teaching hospitals in West Africa, with improved service delivery and patient satisfaction. His commitment to transparency and accountability earned FETHI the best Federal Government-owned Teaching Hospital in the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scor

  • Ogun Customs intercepts ₦2b smuggled goods, drugs

    Ogun Customs intercepts ₦2b smuggled goods, drugs

    Barely two weeks after Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni took over as the Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun 1 Customs Command, operatives of the command have intercepted massive contraband, including hard drugs worth N2 billion.

    Afeni, who disclosed at a maiden press briefing held on Wednesday in Idiroko Customs Area Command, noted that the seizures were the outcome of intensified intelligence-driven operations, surveillance and synergy with other security agencies and border communities since he took office on December 4.

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    The seizures include 4,998 cartons of Doga brand spaghetti, 419 cartons of Oba brand spaghetti, imported from Turkey;  2,200 kegs of vegetable oil from Indonesia.

    According to Afeni, the combined duty paid value of the food items stood at ₦291.26 million, while the seized trucks were valued at ₦222 million.

    He also disclosed that other seizures were 12kg of crystal methamphetamine, 16kg of heroin, and 3,373 wraps of cannabis sativa weighing about 1,502kg, 4, 738 bags of foreign parboiled rice, two foreign used vehicles, 6, 750  litres of premium motor spirit (petrol), 309 bundles of used tyres and other contraband worth N2,006,008,898.