The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Nigeria has what it takes to be greatest country on earth, says Shettima

    Nigeria has what it takes to be greatest country on earth, says Shettima

    • VP: Plateau political realignment pathway to peace, development

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria has the potential to be one of the greatest countries on earth, if its citizens learn to tolerate and live in peace with one another.

    He said the country’s diversity should serve as a source of strength rather than division.

    Shettima said this yesterday in Jos, the Plateau State capital, when he paid homage to the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, Da Jacob Gyang-Buba, in his palace.

    The Vice President said all Nigerians are one people tied to a common heritage, adding that what binds them together as a people supersedes whatever threatens to separate them.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, VP Shettima said: “We are all connected one way or the other. We must, therefore, continue to live together. What binds us together supersedes what separates us.”

    The Vice President, who was in Plateau State to receive Governor Caleb Mutfwang into the All Progressives Congress (APC), noted that traditional rulers are a special group of respected leaders because they hold the society together.

    “They are not just the custodians of our cultural heritage. They help in upholding the society by preaching peace among their subjects,” he noted.

    Shettima applauded the cordial relationship between the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the governor.

    READ ALSO: SL Akintola: Time is a healer

    The Vice President noted that the realignment was a good omen for Plateau State.

    “The APC National Chairman, who is an indigene of the state, made a very generous statement at the reception venue by pledging his full support to the governor.

    “With their coming together, the state will enjoy more dividends of democracy. That is good for the people of the state,” he said.

    Shettima expressed confidence in the political realignment, saying it would also boost the image of the state.

    The Vice President added that the realignment would ensure the sustenance of peace and tranquility across the state and across the nation.

    “The national chairman was the opponent of the governor at the last election, but today, they have agreed to work together.

    “There can be no development without peace. Therefore, with their coming together, the state will enjoy more peace,” he stated.

    Shettima thanked the government and people of the state for the show of hospitality to him and his entourage on their visit to the state.

    Mutfwang applauded the cordial working relationship between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Shettima.

    The governor noted that it would continue to abound for the benefit of the country.

    Da Gyang-Buba called for more efforts to ensure tight security in order to address the challenges confronting the state and some parts of the country.

    “On behalf of the traditional council here, I appreciate what our security agencies are doing to ensure we enjoy peace. But I want to appeal for more security and true reconciliation in all parts of the country.

    “Nigerians must respect one another and live in peace. Islam and Christianity are not in support of acts of insurgency or trouble-making.

    “We all believe in God Almighty who is the Supreme Being. Why should we foment trouble or kill one another?” the monarch queried.

    The royal father thanked Shettima, Yilwatda, and Mutfwang for the realignment, saying it was a good development for both the state and the nation.

    The Vice President’s entourage included Prof. Yilwatda; Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule; former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Idris Wase; members of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs; and other prominent indigenes of the state.

  • Tinubu’s ambition to build $1tr digital economy not rhetoric, says minister

    Tinubu’s ambition to build $1tr digital economy not rhetoric, says minister

    The Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration towards building a $1 trillion digital economy.

    He said the government’s commitment was not mere rhetoric but a determination.

    Tijani said the Tinubu administration has remained clear, consistent, and deliberate about its vision of achieving shared prosperity for Nigerians, including the ambition to build a $1 trillion economy.

    He said the government has, within a short period, built strong institutions with regulatory powers to support the commitment.

    The minister stressed that the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) was one of such institutions with the requisite capacity for data protection and building digital trust as key pillars for Nigeria’s digital transformation and economic growth.

    READ ALSO: Fed Govt set to reclaim ungoverned spaces with re-engagement of military retirees

    Tijani said this while addressing reporters at this year’s edition of the Global Privacy Day at AATC Hotel in Abuja.

    The minister hailed the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) for its leadership in driving conversations around data privacy and protection.

    He noted that although the commission has existed for less than three years, it has emerged as a strong institution within government and society.

    Tijani stressed that technology remains central to achieving the goal of $1 trillion economy as it enables economic growth, infrastructure development, job creation, and improved public services.

    “Our responsibility at the ministry is to ensure that digital technology serves as an enabler of shared prosperity, not just prosperity for a few, but for every Nigerian,” he said.

    Tijani highlighted several flagship projects under the ministry, including the Bridge Project, which aims to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure nationwide, and MilCAP, an agro-connectivity initiative targeting the deployment of about 4,000 telecommunications towers in rural areas.

    The minister also announced the government’s plans to procure two additional communication satellites for the country through NigComSat.

    He stressed that Nigeria is currently the only country in West Africa with a functional communication satellite.

    Commenting on human capital development, Tijani said Nigeria runs the largest technology talent accelerator in Africa, designed to build a workforce capable of competing and creating value in the global digital economy.

    The minister stressed that increased connectivity comes with increased responsibility, especially in protecting citizens’ data.

    “Data protection and privacy are the foundation of trust. Without trust, our digital economy cannot succeed,” he said.

    The National Commissioner/CEO of NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, outlined the achievements of the commission within the past three years, saying over N5.2 billion has been generated through the commission into government coffers.

    According to him, no fewer than 23,000 jobs have been created within the data privacy ecosystem, as the value of data protection ecosystem has peaked at about N16.2 billion.

    He said the commission had carried out and concluded investigations on 246 data protection and privacy breaches by various institutions, while appropriate sanctions had been meted out to the affected institutions.

    The NDPC boss stated that about 8,155 compliance audit returns have been filed by the Commission, while training programmes have been organised for various categories of Compliance Officers across the country.

    Olatunji also said the NDPC launched the Youth Data Protection Awareness & Training Programme in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to empower 5,000 Nigerian youths with digital literacy and data privacy skills.

    He added that more collaborations were still ongoing with the governments of Bauchi, Benue, Ondo, and Ekiti states for awareness creation and training programmes on data protection and privacy.

  • Reps seek govt’s intervention in Ondo, Ogun communities’ oil field dispute

    Reps seek govt’s intervention in Ondo, Ogun communities’ oil field dispute

    • Ilaje group faults claims on oil drilling, Olokola Seaport

    The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to immediately douse the growing tension between the oil-rich Eba Island-Atijere communities on the boundary between Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State and Ogun State to avoid a likely breakdown of law and order.

    The House was reacting to a statement by the Ilaje socio-cultural organisation, Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide, against the Ogun State government’s alleged approval for oil drilling activities in Eba community and plans to develop a deep seaport under a renamed Olokola Free Trade Zone.

    The group described the claims as misleading and a direct encroachment on the territorial integrity of Ondo State.

    It insisted that Eba is a riverine community located in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    In a statement yesterday by its President-General, Prince Iwamitigha Raphael Irowainu, Egbe Omo Ilaje stressed that Eba is an entirely Ilaje community with one of Nigeria’s oldest forest reserves, which it said was acquired during the colonial era from Ilaje traditional rulers.

    The organisation recalled that evidence of bituminous oil surfacing in Ago-Alaja village, Eba, was first reported by residents in 2013. This, it said, prompted a joint investigation by the Ondo State Ministry of Environment and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

    Egbe Omo Ilaje claimed that samples taken from the site were analysed and later presented to officials of the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), after which the Ondo State government restricted access to the area for security reasons.

    READ ALSO: SL Akintola: Time is a healer

    In a resolution following a motion of urgent public importance by Donald Ojogo, the House asked the National Boundary Commission to urgently put in place measures to determine the status of the disputed area.

    Ojogo told the House that “what is now known as the Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State was initially christened the Mahin country, and it has existed, even before pre-colonial days”.

    He added: “In 1885, the paramount and natural ruler of that enclave, known as the Amapetu of Mahin, signed an agreement with the colonial authorities to join the entire Mahin country and the Island or land called Atijere into the colony of Lagos, where it was being administered up till the time of the 1914 Amalgamation.

    “Atijere, alongside its adjoining towns, such as Irokun, Igboedun, Eba, Obinneyin, Araromi seaside, Mahintedo, and Itebu-Elero, to mention just a few, have remained under the paramountcy of the Amapetu, a first-class and Grade A traditional ruler in Ondo State ever since that historic treaty with the British Colonial Authorities.

    “Following this recognition, Atijere, serving as the headquarters of other satellite towns, including Eba, hosted the Native Court in 1933. In all these, the Amapetu of Mahin Kingdom appointed vassal chiefs who have always been of Ilaje descent and ethnic background of the then Ondo Province and lately, Ondo State.

    “All infrastructure, that is, roads, hospitals, schools, and other social amenities, were/are provided for by the then Ondo Province/Ondo government up to date.

    “Eba Island, for instance, firmly falls within Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The geographic coordinates align with officially recognised national and international mapping systems, and such cannot be altered by opinion or speculation.

    “Eba Island has, for decades, been administered as part of the Atijere Forest Reserve under the Ondo State hovernment authority without any formal protest or legal challenge from Ogun State; the location of of the Oil Field (Ago Balogun Community), otherwise known as the Eba Oil Field, falls within Ago Balogun Community, customarily, historically, and traditionally governed under Atijere Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State which further reinforces the fact that the original inhabitants of Eba Island are the Ilaje sub-ethnic group of the Yoruba ethnic nationality.

    “Even without any legal instrument in, no judgment of any competent court, no National Boundary Commission determination, and no constitutional instrument designating Eba Island or the Eba Oil Field as part of Ogun State. Media opinions and publications have twisted historical facts by insinuating that they belong to Ogun State.

    “This situation has culminated in an avoidably brewing tension, almost precipitating a breakdown of Law and Order.”

    In its protest, the Egbe Omo Ilaje alleged that land speculators later invaded the area with security personnel, claiming to be acting on the authority of the Ogun State government.

    The group said the development was formally reported to the Ondo State government and condemned by Ilaje monarchs.

    Giving its position on the proposed Olokola Deep Seaport, Egbe Omo Ilaje said Olokola was historically an Ilaje settlement designated during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a Free Trade Zone for major industrial projects, including a deep seaport and refinery.

    The group explained that Ogun State’s involvement in the Olokola project was merely a compromise aimed at resolving boundary disputes.

    It added that unresolved disagreements had earlier forced the giant investor, Aliko Dangote, to relocate his refinery project to Lagos State.

    “It is shocking and unacceptable for Ogun State to now unilaterally rename Olokola and claim exclusive rights over a deep seaport project in an area where it has no coastal territory,” the statement said.

    Egbe Omo Ilaje insisted that Ijebu land, which forms Ogun State’s southern boundary, has no coastline.

    The group claimed that only Lagos and Ilaje constitute the contiguous Yoruba coastal areas.

    It added that this fact is clearly documented in colonial records.

    Egbe Omo Ilaje also accused the Ogun State government of making the claims to mislead security authorities and provoke tension in the area, warning that any attempt to assert control over Ilaje ancestral land would be resisted.

    It urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reject or withdraw any approval allegedly granted through Ogun State for projects in Eba or Olokola.

    The group also urged the Ondo State government to take firm steps to protect Ilaje territory in the interest of peace, justice, and stability in the coastal region.

  • MAAUN leads as AD scientific index ranks private university In Niger

    MAAUN leads as AD scientific index ranks private university In Niger

    The AD Scientific Index has ranked Maryam Abacha American University of Niger (MAAUN) as the number one university in the Niger Republic.

    This remarkable achievement is contained in the latest 2026 ranking published on the AD Scientific Index website under the title “Niger: 8 All Universities Rankings 2026.”

    According to the ranking, Maryam Abacha American University of Niger emerged in first place, followed by Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo de Maradi in second position, while Université André Salifou de Zinder ranked third.

    Other institutions listed in the ranking include Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey, Université Boubacar Ba de Tillabéri, Université de Diffa, and Université d’Agadez—all public universities.

    Maryam Abacha American University of Niger is the first English-language university in the Niger Republic and currently hosts thousands of students from across the world.

    READ ALSO: SL Akintola: Time is a healer

    Founded in 2013 by renowned philanthropist Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, MAAUN has, since its establishment, produced over 20,000 graduates who are excelling in various professions globally.

    The AD Scientific Index is a unique global ranking system that evaluates 24,672 institutions using near real-time data. The system also covers universities, research institutions, companies, and hospitals worldwide.

    The Association of African Private Universities congratulated MAAUN on the achievement. The congratulatory message was delivered through its Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Salisou Mamoudou.

    Dr. Mamoudou commended MAAUN for setting a strong development pathway for higher education in the Niger Republic and urged other public and private institutions to emulate its standards and achievements.

  • From resolution to relationship: rethinking health as a lifelong practice

    From resolution to relationship: rethinking health as a lifelong practice

    For many of us, health arrives in bursts. A New Year’s resolution sparks a sudden diet. A doctor’s warning prompts a gym subscription. A trending detox plan beckons with promises of instant transformation. We treat health like an event—something to start, fix, or restart. But health does not live in bursts. It lives in patterns, in the small, almost invisible choices we make when no one is watching.

    Imagine your life as a river. The water never stops moving. It is never stagnant, never static. Health is the same. It is continuous, evolving, and shaped not only by the obvious choices—what we eat, how we exercise—but also by the rhythms of our work, our sleep, our relationships, and even our stress. Health is not a destination. It is a lifelong practice, a way of being that grows from small, repeated acts over years, not sudden leaps.

    Think about the simple act of brushing your teeth. You do it every day, not because of a resolution, but because you know the consequences of neglect accumulate quietly. Decay does not happen overnight; it builds in silence. Chronic illness works the same way. High blood pressure, diabetes, burnout, fatigue—these conditions rarely arrive in a single, dramatic moment. They build, layer upon layer, through repeated neglect or through habits we barely notice. And yet, just as slowly, small, consistent acts of care—choosing water over soda, taking a brief walk, resting a little earlier, checking in with a friend—accumulate in the other direction. They create resilience, stability, and wellness over time.

    READ ALSO: Fed Govt set to reclaim ungoverned spaces with re-engagement of military retirees

    To embrace health as a lifelong practice is to shift from guilt and panic to curiosity and awareness. Ask yourself: when did I last feel genuinely well? How often do I rest, nourish myself, and pause from the rush of life? What habits quietly chip away at my body, my mind, or my spirit? These questions are not meant to shame you; they are meant to illuminate. Awareness is the first step in building a sustainable health practice. Without it, we stumble blindly from one “fix” to another, always chasing an ideal that is often unrealistic.

    Living in Nigeria adds another layer to this conversation. Life here moves fast, and the systems we rely on are imperfect. Traffic, long work hours, irregular power supply, financial pressures, and crowded spaces shape the realities of daily life. Health cannot exist in isolation from these pressures. Any lifelong health practice must be rooted in context. It must be flexible enough to fit around real challenges while still providing genuine care for the body and mind. You may not have time for a gym session, but the daily walk to the bus stop counts. You may not afford imported “superfoods,” but local vegetables, legumes, and fish are rich in nutrients when eaten mindfully. Health is not about perfection; it is about sustained, realistic engagement with your life.

    This practice goes beyond food and exercise. It encompasses mental and emotional wellness. Chronic stress can raise blood pressure. Loneliness can worsen heart disease. Poor sleep can impair immunity. Trauma can live in the body, shaping posture, breathing, and energy. The way we treat our minds, relationships, and emotions is inseparable from the way we treat our bodies. Health is not just about the absence of illness; it is about presence—the presence of balance, resilience, and connection.

    Preventive health is one of the most powerful expressions of a lifelong practice, though it is rarely glamorous. Checking your blood pressure, monitoring blood sugar, attending regular screenings, and managing stress before it becomes overwhelming are not newsworthy acts. Yet, they quietly prevent crises, catching small problems before they grow. In Nigeria, many people encounter the healthcare system only after illness becomes urgent. Lifelong health shifts the focus from emergency response to early, deliberate care. Hospitals are not where health begins; they are where neglected health ends.

    Health also evolves with life’s seasons. The body and mind at 25 are different from those at 45 or 65. What worked in youth may no longer suffice in midlife; what sustained wellness in adulthood may need adjustment in older age. Embracing health as a lifelong practice means adapting without shame. It means accepting that what counts as self-care will change over time, and that every stage of life demands new attention, new habits, new awareness.

    For many, guilt sabotages the journey. We miss workouts, indulge in sugary foods, or fail to rest, then berate ourselves and give up entirely. Lifelong health does not reward guilt; it encourages curiosity. Instead of asking, “Why did I fail?” we can ask, “What made this hard? What small adjustment can I make today? What is realistic now?” Health thrives not on perfection but on persistence—the willingness to return, to adjust, and to continue. Missing a day, a week, or even a month is not the end. It is a point of reflection, a chance to resume with renewed awareness.

    The questions we ask ourselves are small but transformative. Did I move my body this week? Did I eat a meal that nourished me? Did I rest without guilt? Did I speak honestly about my stress, seek help, or nurture relationships? Did I listen to my body and respond kindly? These micro-questions build awareness, and awareness builds choice. Choice builds health.

    Community, too, is part of this lifelong practice. Health thrives when it is social. Walking with a neighbour, sharing meals mindfully, exchanging honest conversations about stress and fatigue—these interactions strengthen individual wellness while reinforcing collective resilience. In Nigeria, where communal life is culturally central, harnessing this social connection for health can be transformative. Imagine if discussions about blood pressure and mental wellbeing were as common as debates about football or fuel prices. Imagine a culture where rest and recovery were valued, not stigmatised.

    Ultimately, health as a lifelong practice is neither dramatic nor glamorous. It is ordinary, flexible, and profoundly human. It is choosing to care for yourself even when life feels busy or chaotic. It is listening to your body without fear. It is seeking help early, not enduring silently. It is understanding that health is not a reward for discipline—it is a responsibility, to yourself and to those who depend on you. So let us rethink our approach. Let us stop chasing health in bursts and begin living it in patterns. Let us embrace curiosity over guilt, adaptation over rigid rules, and presence over perfection. Let us recognise that every small, repeated choice—every nourishing meal, every intentional rest, every moment of connection—shapes our bodies, minds, and lives over decades.

  • Expert calls for multidisciplinary panel in Chimamanda’s son inquest

    Expert calls for multidisciplinary panel in Chimamanda’s son inquest

    A consultant clinical pharmacist and Chief Executive Officer of Hugeworth Pharmacy, Pharmacist Adebola Lawal, has petitioned the Lagos State Government, warning that the ongoing inquest into the death of Chimamanda Adichie’s son risks being compromised if pharmacists and nurses are excluded from the investigative panel.

    Speaking in an interview with journalists in Lagos, Lawal commended the state government for instituting the inquest, describing it as a commendable step that reflects a commitment to justice and accountability. However, he cautioned that the credibility and effectiveness of the process would be undermined if the panel remains dominated by a single professional group.

    According to him, cases involving drug therapy, medication use, administration, monitoring, and clinical decision-making require broad, multidisciplinary expertise. “Any inquiry that limits itself to one professional group, especially in a case where medication issues are central, risks becoming superficial, biased, and ultimately ineffective,” Lawal said. He argued that excluding pharmacists and nurses amounts to “investigating drugs without drug experts,” noting that such an approach has contributed significantly to systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. “Nigeria’s healthcare system has suffered greatly from this culture, and the public is watching closely,” he added.

    READ ALSO: Fed Govt set to reclaim ungoverned spaces with re-engagement of military retirees

    Lawal stressed that the inquest goes beyond a single tragic death, describing it as a test of institutional integrity. He urged the Lagos State Government to demonstrate that justice is neither selective nor cosmetic. “Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done thoroughly and competently,” he said. He further warned that failure to broaden the panel’s composition could reduce the inquest to a symbolic exercise, with no meaningful outcome for the bereaved family or for Nigeria’s healthcare system as a whole.

    Speaking more broadly on the rising cases of medical negligence in the country, Lawal called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action. He maintained that until pharmacists and nurses are fully integrated into clinical care, health policy formulation, and leadership, Nigeria would continue to experience preventable medication errors that cost innocent lives.

  • Johns Hopkins researcher leads free cardiovascular screenings for elderly in Delta

    Johns Hopkins researcher leads free cardiovascular screenings for elderly in Delta

    In this interview, Johns Hopkins cardiovascular health researcher Dr. Elohor Oborevwori speaks on a recent medical outreach that delivered free cardiovascular screenings to more than 250 elderly residents across Delta State, helping to close critical gaps in preventive healthcare for underserved communities. The outreach was organised by the You Matter Charity Foundation (YMCF), where Dr. Oborevwori serves as a director, and provided comprehensive cardiovascular assessments to older adults who rarely have access to routine medical care. The initiative reflects her broader commitment to translating cutting-edge global cardiovascular research into practical, community-based interventions that improve public health outcomes. She spoke with SIMON UTEBOR. Excerpts:

    Brief introduction and motivation for the outreach

    I am Dr. Elohor Oborevwori, a researcher with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, United States. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, yet many elderly Nigerians have never had their blood pressure checked or undergone any form of cardiovascular risk assessment. Our goal was simple but urgent: to bring evidence-based screening and health education directly to communities that need it most.

    The programme offered blood pressure monitoring, cardiovascular risk assessments, cholesterol screening, and targeted health education focused on hypertension and heart disease prevention. According to World Health Organisation data, hypertension affects between 30 and 40 per cent of Nigerian adults, yet a significant proportion remain undiagnosed.

    Why early detection matters

    Early detection is critical. For many participants, this outreach marked the first time they learnt about their cardiovascular health status. Beyond screening, we provided practical guidance on disease prevention and long-term management. Working closely with Dr. Ejiro Orhewere, head of the medical outreach team, we identified several cases of previously undiagnosed hypertension and ensured immediate referrals for follow-up care. In practical terms, this intervention may have prevented serious cardiovascular complications for dozens of elderly residents who would otherwise have gone unscreened.

    As a Research Programme Coordinator at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, this outreach also reconnected me to my home community. My research centres on cardiovascular health equity. I currently coordinate the ADHINCRA study, a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial on hypertension control in Ghana and Nigeria; the CROWN study, which evaluates salon-based cardiovascular interventions; and the THRIVE study, examining food-as-medicine approaches to hypertension management. This outreach allowed me to translate evidence-based research into real-world impact in Delta State.

    READ ALSO: SL Akintola: Time is a healer

    Plans for expansion and collaboration

    Gender disparities remain a major challenge in cardiovascular care. Women’s symptoms are often under-recognised in clinical settings compared to men’s. During the outreach, we placed deliberate emphasis on educating women about their unique cardiovascular risks and encouraged them to advocate for comprehensive screening during routine healthcare visits. We are planning additional outreach programmes before the end of 2026, with the aim of ensuring more communities understand their cardiovascular health status and are empowered to make informed decisions about disease prevention and management.

    Through the You Matter Charity Foundation, I have been able to lead multiple community health initiatives across Delta State, including breastfeeding awareness campaigns, menstrual health programmes, and disability care services, with a strong focus on marginalised populations such as children with autism and special needs. This recent outreach strengthened early detection and prevention among the elderly while also offering a scalable model for equity-driven healthcare delivery. As preventive care remains a persistent gap in Nigeria’s health system, collaborations that blend scientific expertise with grassroots engagement continue to demonstrate their power to save lives and strengthen community health outcomes.

  • Jonathan, Diri, Dickson, pays tributes to Bayelsa Deputy Governor Ewhrudjakpo

    Jonathan, Diri, Dickson, pays tributes to Bayelsa Deputy Governor Ewhrudjakpo

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan; his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan; Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri; ex-Governor Seraike Dickson, and other eminent Bayelsa residents yesterday paid tributes to the late Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

    Mourners thronged the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, the state capital, venue of the “Day of Tributes” as part of the funeral activities to honour the late deputy governor.

    Ewhrudjakpo died last year after slumping in his office.

    Ex-President Jonathan described the late deputy governor as an “extraordinary and selfless politician , who worked diligently for the good of Bayelsa State.”

    He said he was shocked when he learnt of the passing of the deputy governor and prayed for divine comfort and consolation to the family, community and the state.

    A visibly distraught Governor Douye Diri described his late deputy governor as a consummate public servant.

    Diri described his late deputy as a man of proverbs said he has constituted a team to publish a compendium of his proverbs.

    READ ALSO: Fed Govt set to reclaim ungoverned spaces with re-engagement of military retirees

    He said: “You will remain in my memory. You’re a true definition of support, a workaholic, a resourceful and a dependable deputy governor. I mince no words. Your labour was tireless, your integrity was uncompromising.

    “His tireless work ethics, firm commitment to public service, his unshakeable loyalty to the government, friends and family will continue to inspire us. Words fail me; words cannot adequately record the depth of the loss I feel today.”

     Dickson described the late deputy governor as his mentee and family member whose relationship spans over 30 years.

    “He was an embodiment of service to the people. He kept and built relationships. I brought him, introduced him to politics and mentored him. We have been on a journey of service, lasted almost 30 years. I want to thank all mourners for their tribute and honour to him and his memory.”

    Others who paid tributes include his family, former classmates, the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, the Bayelsa Caucus in the National Assembly, led by Chief Fred Agbedi, the Bayelsa Elders’ Council, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), led by Ambassador Boladei Igali; the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yenagoa branch; the Ijaw National Congress (INC); the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), among others.

  • The quick wins Tinubu’s state visit to Turkiye

    The quick wins Tinubu’s state visit to Turkiye

    President Bola Tinubu on Monday arrived in Ankara, the state capital of Türkiye, to commence a historic state visit. On Tuesday, before a grand reception at the Presidential Palace, T.C. Cumhurbaşkanlığı Külliyesi, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a visit to the President at his suite.

    President Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Palace, where a resplendent ceremony was held to welcome him. After inspecting the guard of honour, the President and his host, President Erdogan, went into a private meeting for bilateral talks.

    President Tinubu’s visit holds immense significance, and happening at a time, the nation is gaining global attention for very good reasons. Nigeria has regained its natural place in the league of nations.

    Nigeria is Türkiye’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 50 Turkish companies operating in the country and with investments totalling over $400 million. Nigeria’s exports to Türkiye were $504.67 million during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.

    The visit is not a jaunt or a leisure run, but a historically, economically, diplomatically, and security-wise consequential visit.

    Some of the quick wins, viz-a-viz the memoranda of understanding, signed, include:

    READ ALSO: Fed Govt set to reclaim ungoverned spaces with re-engagement of military retirees

    1. Agreement on defence cooperation. Türkiye is a Middle-Eastern power with advanced defence capabilities and some success in combating terrorism. Nigeria, as a strategic partner, is strengthening its relations with Türkiye in this regard.

    2. Joint declaration establishing the economy and trade joint committee.

    3. Agreement in the field of Halal quality assurance.

    4. Cooperation in the field of higher education.

    5. Cooperation in the field of media and communication.

    6. Cooperation in the field of diaspora policy.

    7. Cooperation in the field of education.

    8. Cooperation between the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy Academy, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs Academy.

    9. Cooperation between the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Family and Social Services and Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of Women Affairs.

    Speaking after the signing ceremony, President Tinubu emphasised the urgency of collaboration among global partners in tackling today’s existential problems for tomorrow’s security, peace, and progress.

    “How do we build an inclusive economy together? How do we reform and get vulnerable people involved in the economy? How do we ensure peace in the world?” Nigeria’s President said.

    “We discussed efforts against terrorism. We discussed how to defeat agents of destabilisation.”

    President Tinubu’s state visit to Türkiye earns our nation another dividend in trade, defence, and diplomacy.

    • Nwabufo is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement

  • How Fed Govt is deepening education access, stability

    How Fed Govt is deepening education access, stability

    Following the settlement of the knotty 2009 Agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Federal Government is not ready to rest on its oars, neither will it soft-pedal in its drive to take the education sector to the promised land. With a steely resolve, the government continues to demonstrate the willpower to create a new and refreshing narrative for the sector. This is evident in the launch on Monday of the National University Advancement Programme (NUAP), which is pivoted on not only strengthening the higher education ecosystem, but designed to accelerate innovation, capacity building, and sustainable development across the nation’s universities. The development further underlines the fact that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is desirous of improving academic outcomes, strengthening the global competitiveness of Nigerian universities, and fostering best practices in governance, research advancement, resource mobilisation, and industry-aligned learning. DAMOLA KOLA-DARE reports.

    Within a space of three weeks, the Federal Government demonstrated the willpower and strong commitment to rewrite the narrative of higher education in the country. It was as frantic as it came at a breathless pace: first, it was the signing of a fresh agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), a move that signalled the swansong to a 17-year crisis that almost endlessly rocked the university system, leaving multitudes of students groping in the dark. Then, on Monday, the government partnered the Nigerian Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) to strengthen advancement offices in federal tertiary institutions as part of efforts to diversify university funding sources and improve the quality of education. This culminated in the launch of the National University Advancement Programme (NUAP).

    To the legion of observers in the education space, these are not mere coincidences, but carefully thought-out, well-planned moves, recipes for the enhancement of higher education.

    The morning after, the advent of NUAP

    Stakeholders reckon that while universities open their doors to more students yearly, expectations continue to shoot high as per quality, relevance and impact. Nevertheless, it is not out of place to say institutions are operating in an inclement economic ambience, necessitating the imperative of long-term planning, execution and sustainability.

    Thus, the focus of the National University Advancement Programme (NUAP) is to institutionalise professional advancement practices, equip universities with modern fundraising and alumni engagement skills, and lay the foundation for long-term financial resilience and strategic growth across the nation’s public universities.

    At the launch of the NUAP in Lagos, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, noted that the aim of the collaboration with NHEF is to equip federal and state universities with the capacity, expertise and global best practices required to generate funds beyond government subventions.

    According to him, public funding was no longer sustainable for the growing needs of tertiary education. He noted that the initiative focuses on building effective advancement offices within universities, enabling them to engage alumni, attract philanthropic support, and sustainably manage endowment funds.

    Alausa said: “As government funding for tertiary education continues to decline globally, universities must begin to explore additional ways of mobilising resources. This programme is about guiding institutions on how to build capacity, develop technical expertise, and adopt global standards in fundraising and endowment management.”

    The minister stated that it will serve as an opportunity to provide universities with practical toolkits and technical assistance, including guidance on setting up boards of trustees, investment teams, governance frameworks, and reporting structures to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of endowment funds.

    He added that many universities already have advancement offices, but are yet to optimise their potential, stressing that the current initiative is intended to help them quickly adopt effective fundraising models that complement budgetary allocations from government, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and other avenues.

    Chairman of NHEF, Mr. Wale Adeosun, said sustainable university financing is crucial to restoring the nation’s universities to a globally competitive position.

    He explained that the programme is aimed at strengthening institutional advancement structures within universities, enabling them to mobilise private-sector support, alumni contributions and philanthropic funding to complement government resources.

    He said NHEF was created over 20 years ago following a collaboration among leading global foundations, including the MacArthur, Rockefeller, Ford and Packard foundations, to support higher education development in Africa, especially.

    He noted that at inception, the goal of NHEF was to help Nigerian universities become self-sustaining, adding that the MacArthur Foundation initially selected four Nigerian universities to participate in the initiative before additional institutions, including the University of Nigeria and the University of Lagos, were incorporated.

    As of now, he said the NHEF works with a growing network of universities across the country, focusing on strengthening governance, faculty development, student success, and institutional advancement.

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    Adeosun noted the foundation’s work is structured around three core pillars: improving university administration and governance, strengthening faculty capacity through exchange programmes with universities in the United States, and supporting students through leadership and scholarship initiatives.

    While stressing the significance of partnerships, he thanked the Ministry of Education, vice chancellors, governing councils, and international partners for their unwavering support for the foundation.

    He expressed confidence that the programme would help universities develop long-term fundraising strategies, build strong alumni relations, and attract sustainable funding for teaching, research and infrastructure development.

    The imperative of a new elixir

    Alausa said: “Across the federation, our higher education system continues to grapple with multiple pressures, limited public resources, expanding enrolments, ageing infrastructure, and the urgent need to strengthen research, innovation, and global competitiveness.”

    According to him, these realities have led the government to acting differently.

    “They demand that we complement government funding with new, sustainable mechanisms that mobilise private capital, alumni support, philanthropy endowments, and transparent advancement systems anchored on trust.

    “It is in this context that the partnership between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation is both timely and strategic. Together, we are laying the foundation for a nationally coordinated University Advancement Framework that will serve all federal universities, regardless of age, size, or geographic location and provide a structured pathway for institutional financial resilience.

    “Our objective is clear and deliberate. To institutionalise professionally run advancement offices across federal universities, to build leadership and technical capacity for alumni relations fundraising, donor stewardship, and endowment management and to establish enduring financial structures that can sustainably support scholarships, research excellence, innovation, and infrastructure development,” the minister said.

    He said the initiative is in tandem   with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places emphasis on system reform, efficiency, sustainability, and partnership-driven development.

    Renewed assurance; renewed hope

    As president-elect in 2023, Tinubu had promised students of a stable academic calendar, among other promises. And true to his pledge, he has sounded the death knell on disruptions in the nation’s universities particularly, the threats of unions on campus.

    “I will pay attention-undivided attention to your education. We will be creative. Credit will be available. Education loans will be available. Four years course will be four years course. No more strike,” said the president-elect.

    Nonetheless, the president again reassured Nigerians that there will be no strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) or any other workers’ unions in the nation’s public tertiary institutions.

    He maintained his administration is fully committed to this goal and will ensure it becomes a permanent feature of Nigeria’s education space.

    Tinubu gave the assurance in Lagos at the 56th convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in Akoka.

    Represented by Alausa, the president referred to some of the reforms and interventions his administration has introduced to drive meaningful development in tertiary education. These include the Nigerian Education Loans Fund (NELFUND) for students, the Institutional Staff Support Fund for tertiary school workers, and several other initiatives.

    On ASUU, he said: “Since the inception of my administration, we have witnessed two uninterrupted academic sessions across our tertiary institutions, and this is no accident. It is the result of firm political will, sustained dialogue, and responsible leadership.

    “For example, acting under my direct mandate, we have been able to sign a new agreement with ASUU that decisively resolves a crisis that has persisted for years and undermined confidence in our university system.

    “This landmark achievement marks a turning point in the history of our tertiary education, guaranteeing industrial harmony and a predictable academic calendar. It will restore the dignity of learning and clearly end the era of perennial strikes in our universities.

    “My administration will continue to pursue far-reaching reforms across the education sector for a technology-driven future, including curriculum restructuring, quality assurance, promotion of skill-based learning and literacy, and fostering data-competence-based, innovation-led problem-solving.”

    The president emphasised the importance of universities producing well-rounded and grounded graduates who will be job-ready, become job creators and innovators and be globally relevant.

    Stakeholder stance

    Vice Chancellor, African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence), Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, in a chat with The Nation said: “I  believe this is an indication that we have thinking leaders. I think that any innovation, development, policy, programme or project that seeks to inject more vim, add more value and build more capacity within the system is welcome, laudable and commendable.

    “Our universities had suffered from considerable neglect. Now, that neglect is being transformed into attention and the university subsystem now occupies the front burner of our leaders’ attention, with significant developments in January, 2026 alone. I can only wish that the Federal Government sustain the tempo because higher education is not only a foundry for the refinement of individuals’ souls, it is also a launchpad for national development.”