The Nation Newspaper

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  • Police clarify Prof. Duru’s role in withdrawn complaint, dismiss viral claim about Akpabio

    Police clarify Prof. Duru’s role in withdrawn complaint, dismiss viral claim about Akpabio

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has clarified the involvement of Professor Sandra Duru in a recently withdrawn criminal complaint, rejecting viral social media claims that Senate President Godswill Akpabio declined an appointment offer to her as false and misleading.

    Speaking with our correspondent, Head of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit, CP Akin Fakorede, said the case was thoroughly investigated by the police before being forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for legal action.

    Fakorede explained that Professor Duru was formally listed as a prosecution witness during the investigation and in the charges prepared by the Ministry of Justice. 

    He said her statement was recorded in accordance with established police procedures, providing information to help investigators assess the credibility of the complaint.

    Fakorede said, “As part of the investigation, Professor Sandra Duru provided information, including documented conversations between herself and the defendants. These materials were verified, analyzed alongside the alleged offence, and transmitted to the Ministry of Justice.”

    He said the Ministry of Justice filed charges in court, but the complainant later instructed his legal team to withdraw all pending cases during the Christmas and New Year period, citing personal reasons related to forgiveness and charity in the spirit of the season.

    Fakorede said the police later became aware of social media publications which, he said, grossly misrepresented the facts of the case.

    He singled out a post allegedly authored by one Hamza Lamisi, which claimed that CP Fakorede had stated that Senate President Godswill Akpabio declined an appointment offered to Professor Duru.

    “That claim is categorically false,” Fakorede said. “I have never met or known anyone by the name Hamza Lamisi, and at no time did the Senate President, either orally or in writing, make such a statement. The Senate President’s statement on the matter is a document of public record and was even tendered before the court.”

    He described the publication as a “mischievous falsehood” and disclosed that the police have commenced steps to investigate the matter. Fakorede confirmed that an invitation has been extended to Lamisi to explain the source of the claim.

    “These are reckless and predatory actions by individuals who seek to exploit sensitive disputes for attention or personal gain. The statement is fictitious and has no evidential basis whatsoever,” he added.

    While reacting to the issue,  Professor Sandra Duru also rejected allegations circulating online suggesting that her actions were motivated by personal reward or benefit.

    “I categorically deny, in totality, the false and malicious claim that my position on any matter is for reward purposes,” Duru said. “At no time have I received, requested, or negotiated any benefit from Senator Godswill Akpabio or from any individual whatsoever. My interventions are evidence-based, principle-driven, and grounded in documented facts.”

    She further clarified that it was Senator Natasha Akpoti who initially contacted her, after which she petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what she described as grave allegations, including claims related to organ harvesting. According to her, those petitions are on the official police record.

    Professor Duru also disclosed that she has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what she described as false and derogatory claims allegedly made by Hamza Lamisi, a legislative aide to Senator Akpoti. She said the claims included defamatory allegations concerning her mental health.

    “It is the duty of the Nigeria Police Force to compel those making these allegations to provide concrete proof, including any certified medical report,” she said, adding that failure to do so would render the statements “malicious falsehoods and actionable defamation.”

    The police have maintained that investigations into the social media publications are ongoing, while urging members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information capable of misleading the public or undermining investigation.

  • Lack of newborn hearing screening in public hospitals hinders early detection – Audiologist

    Lack of newborn hearing screening in public hospitals hinders early detection – Audiologist

    Clinical audiologist Dr. Simeon Afolabi has warned that the absence of a sustained newborn hearing screening programme in Nigeria’s public hospitals is delaying the detection of hearing loss in children, limiting timely access to effective treatment.

    Speaking at a cochlear implant information and support session for patients and parents, Dr. Afolabi, of BSA Hearing and Speech Centre, Lagos, explained that hearing impairment in newborns can be identified within hours of birth through a simple test called otoacoustic emission screening.

    He noted that while the test costs between ₦10,000 and ₦15,000 in private facilities, it is rarely available in government hospitals, despite being standard practice in many countries.

    Dr. Afolabi added that Lagos State had previously piloted newborn hearing screening at hospitals such as Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and General Hospital, Gbagada, but the initiative was not sustained due to staffing and administrative challenges.

    “As a result, many children are diagnosed very late, sometimes at seven or eight years, when speech and language development have already been affected,” he said.

    Dr. Afolabi explained that cochlear implants are most effective when done early, ideally before the age of six, adding that delayed diagnosis reduces the benefits of the intervention and increases the need for prolonged rehabilitation.

    He said children make up about 70 percent of cochlear implant users in Nigeria, but overall access remains low due to limited awareness, late diagnosis, and high cost. A cochlear implant, he said, costs about ₦19–20 million per ear.

    He called for the integration of newborn hearing screening into routine postnatal care in public hospitals and urged greater investment in early detection services to improve outcomes for children with hearing loss.

  • LASG supports 250 indigent residents with financial assistance

    LASG supports 250 indigent residents with financial assistance

    The Lagos State Government has extended financial support to another 250 indigent residents under the Eko Cares Financial Assistance Programme, as part of efforts to enhance public confidence in governance and improve the welfare of vulnerable citizens.

    The cheques were presented at a ceremony held at the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Alausa, Ikeja.

    Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative, and Civic Engagement, Dr. Afolabi Tajudeen, said the initiative was designed to put smiles on the faces of indigent Lagosians and enable them to experience the dividends of democracy.

    He explained that the programme was established to improve the standard of living of vulnerable residents and conveyed the goodwill of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat, to the beneficiaries.

    According to him, the present administration remains committed to the welfare and well-being of Lagosians, adding that 400 beneficiaries had received financial support last week, while an additional 250 were presented with cheques at the ceremony.

    Dr. Afolabi advised the beneficiaries to utilise the funds judiciously for productive ventures that would yield long-term benefits, warning against spending the support on non-essential needs.

    He also encouraged them to enrol in the Ilera-Eko Health Insurance Scheme of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), noting that the initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to providing affordable and accessible healthcare for residents.

    Before the presentation of the cheques, beneficiaries were sensitised on various government policies and programmes of the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, aimed at deepening civic awareness and strengthening public participation in governance.

    The Permanent Secretary of the office, Engr. Sholabomi Shasore advised beneficiaries to promptly pay the cheques into their respective bank accounts to ensure timely access to the financial aid and address their immediate needs.

    The Eko Cares Financial Assistance Programme is one of the social intervention initiatives of the Lagos State Government targeted at supporting indigent residents and promoting inclusive growth across the state.

  • Undergo mental health evaluations before marriage – Actress Yewande Adekoya advises couples

    Undergo mental health evaluations before marriage – Actress Yewande Adekoya advises couples

    Actress Yewande Adekoya has advised couples planning to get married to undergo personality tests and mental health evaluations, citing a message from God.

    In a video posted on an Instagram page, Adekoya emphasised the importance of science in ensuring a successful marriage, referencing the need to check for conditions such as bipolar disorder, ADHD, and schizophrenia in potential partners.

    She warned that if a partner refuses to undergo such tests, it may be a red flag.

    She said, “This message is for you if you’re about to get married. You have prayed, fasted, and done every test necessary to ensure that you have a good marriage. But there’s something inside of you telling you, ‘Are you sure you have done everything?’

    “When I was having my quiet time, He told me that it is important to do a personality test, psychological evaluation, and mental health evaluation for whoever you think you want to get married to.

    “If you’re dating someone and insist that you guys go for the above, you’ll know what you’re dealing with. Is this person normal, meaning neurotypical? Does this person have bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, depression, psychosis, narcissism, and is this person mentally capable of making good decisions?

    “When you carry out this test, you get to know what kind of marriage you’ll have. If you meet your partner and tell him to carry out such tests, and he says no, please run. The person knows what you don’t know. God has told me to tell everyone that it is important we embrace science. If you are about to settle down, this message is for you.”

  • Lagos announces 18-week traffic diversion on Lagos–Badagry expressway

    Lagos announces 18-week traffic diversion on Lagos–Badagry expressway

    The Lagos State Government has announced an 18-week traffic diversion plan on the Lagos–Badagry Expressway to facilitate rehabilitation works on the Mazamaza Bridge.

    The diversion, according to the state, is aimed at preventing traffic gridlock and ensuring minimal disruption to motorists during the replacement of expansion joints and other critical bridge components to improve safety and structural integrity.

    The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this in a statement, assuring road users that the bridge would not be completely closed at any point during the rehabilitation exercise.

    Osiyemi explained that traffic would be managed through alternating diversions across the Toll Lane, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Lane, and Service Lane on both inbound and outbound sections of the expressway.

    He said the maintenance work would commence on Monday, January 19, 2026, and is expected to be completed by Thursday, May 28, 2026, with a preliminary phase scheduled to run from Saturday, January 24, to Friday, January 30, 2026, ahead of the main construction stages.

    According to him, Phases One to Four of the project will focus on the Badagry-bound section of the bridge from Saturday, January 31, to Monday, March 30, 2026, covering a period of eight weeks.

    “During this phase, traffic on the Toll Lane will be diverted to the BRT Corridor while repair works are ongoing, after which motorists will rejoin the Toll Lane about 50 metres beyond the work zone,” he said.

    He added that when work shifts to the BRT Corridor, vehicles would be redirected to the Toll Lane and allowed back into the BRT lane shortly after the construction area. For the Service Lane under Phases Three and Four, traffic would temporarily reduce from two lanes to one near the work zone, before full access is restored immediately after.

    Osiyemi further disclosed that Phases Five to Eight would address the Lagos-bound section of the bridge from Tuesday, March 31, to Tuesday, June 2, 2026, spanning nine weeks, with similar traffic management measures to ensure continuous vehicular movement.

    The commissioner urged motorists to obey traffic signs and cooperate with officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other agencies that would be deployed to manage traffic during the period.

    He appealed for patience from road users, noting that the partial closures are part of a broader traffic management strategy by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to ensure the safe execution of the maintenance works while keeping the vital transport corridor operational.

    The state government reiterated its commitment to minimising inconvenience to residents while delivering long-term improvements to one of Lagos’ most critical transport routes.

  • Akwa Ibom people united in support for Tinubu’s agenda, says Eno

    Akwa Ibom people united in support for Tinubu’s agenda, says Eno

    Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has affirmed that the people of Akwa Ibom, across party lines, are united in their commitment to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Renewed Hope agenda for the benefit of all Nigerians.

    The governor made the declaration on Friday during a New Year homage visit to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, at his residence in Uyo.

    He used the visit to reiterate the state’s backing for President Tinubu’s administration and to express appreciation to Akpabio for his leadership, which he said has brought pride to Akwa Ibom at the national level.

    “We pray for more wisdom upon you to keep supporting President Tinubu because you are all tied together. We also assure you that we are holding the ground at home for you. That is one assurance you need to know.

    “Akwa Ibom is united for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Akwa Ibom is united for you, Chief Akpabio. In fact four days ago the youths of Akwa Ibom State held a massive rally to endorse the President, yourself and my humble self.

    “Akwa Ibom is united across party lines. We may have some storms in the teacup, they will always be there. But when you see at the general outlook, you would know that the State is very united as far as 2027 is concerned,” he said.

    Pastor Eno commended Akpabio for the New Year gesture of ordering the withdrawal of all cases he had instituted against those who defamed and slandered him, saying such a gesture showed a strength of character.

    “It gave me so much joy because that is leadership. Beyond what you did, it is a great encouragement to Pastors that our leaders can listen to a message and be inspired by it.

    “It was Mahatma Gandhi who said that forgiveness is not for the weak but for the strong. It takes a strength of character to rise above such feelings of hurt to let go of the past. So I commend you for that,” he said.

    On his part, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended Pastor Eno for his support for President Tinubu and said the success of the President is the success of Nigeria as a country.

    “We are behind you just as we support President Tinubu. His reform agenda may be painful, but it is working. I want to thank you for your support for the President and also for uniting the whole State to support him.

    “We are focused on assisting the President to succeed because if the President succeeds, Nigeria succeeds.”

    Akpabio thanked Governor Eno for the New Year visit and quoted Chinua Achebe to buttress it. “When we gather together in the moonlit village ground, it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his own compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so,” to underscore the current unity in the State.

    “I commend you for the peace that we are enjoying in the state. You have done well in terms of the projects that you have executed. You have done well in terms of infrastructure. You have done very well in terms of human empowerment.

    “I have seen joy on the faces of Akwa Ibom people. The joy that you have brought to this State, the unity that you have brought to this State, will outlive you. Generations yet unborn will benefit from it. I wish you a happy New Year,” Akpabio said.

  • NUPRC honours late PENGASSAN president Okoro

    NUPRC honours late PENGASSAN president Okoro

    The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has expressed solidarity with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) as the union marks 20 years since the passing of its former President, Comrade Uche Marcus Okoro, who died in the Sosoliso plane crash on December 10, 2005.

    In a statement issued on Sunday by its Head of Media and Strategic Communication, Eniola Akinkuotu, the Commission described the late unionist—also known as Comrade U.M. Okoro—as an exceptional leader whose influence spanned both PENGASSAN and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), making him the only person to have led the two unions.

    The NUPRC commended Okoro’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigerian oil workers, noting that his legacy is immortalised in the naming of PENGASSAN’s national headquarters, U.M. Okoro House.

    Reaffirming its dedication to staff welfare and development, the Commission extended heartfelt condolences to the late unionist’s family, praying for continued strength for his widow and children.

  • Omije Ojumi’s burial plans cancelled amid family dispute

    Omije Ojumi’s burial plans cancelled amid family dispute

    The burial plans for gospel singer Bunmi Akinnaanu, popularly known as Omije Ojumi, have been suspended due to unresolved family issues.

    The decision was announced by Lanre Alewilese, a colleague and member of the burial planning full-time via Instagram.

    “This is to inform you that all plans and arrangements for the burial of our late sister and colleague, Lady Evangelist Bunmi Akinnaanu a.k.a. Omije Ojumi, by the Burial Planning Committee have been totally cancelled,” Alewilese wrote in the caption.

    He said the decision was taken due to issues arising from within the singer’s family.

    “This decision becomes necessary due to some issues arising from and within her family.

    “We are deeply sorry and regret the inconveniences,” the post added.

    Alewilese said the previously scheduled events, including a service of songs, candlelight procession, and tribute night on January 20, and a private interment on January 21, have been put on hold.

    “This is not my personal decision. It is the conclusion of the family and the burial committee,” he said.

    He explained that he was asked to inform Nigerians of the change, adding that the previously announced programmes had been put on hold.

    “The Tuesday and Wednesday programmes we earlier fixed at the LTV 8 venue are now on hold because of some reasons. The family will update Nigerians after they have come to a conclusion,” he stated.

    Omije Ojumi passed away on January 12, 2026, at a Lagos hospital after battling a prolonged illness.

    She was a renowned gospel singer known for her hit song “Omije Ojumi” and had left a banking career to pursue music full-time.

  • Okpebholo moves to save Court of Appeal, INEC secretariat in Edo

    Okpebholo moves to save Court of Appeal, INEC secretariat in Edo

    Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has commenced remediation work at Ikpoba Hill, Ikpoba-Okha local government area, aimed at addressing persistent flooding at the Court of Appeal and the Edo State INEC Headquarters.

    The Court of Appeal has been abandoned while staff of INEC always wade through flood to get to their office whenever it rained but area is now wearing a new look as construction work progressed steadily.

    Governor Monday Okpebholo, who inspected the erosion control project, said the underground drainage system under construction was designed to channel floodwaters from Obaseki Street and surrounding areas directly into the Ikpoba River.

    The site engineer, Mr Israel Ebhodaghe, said the area remained highly erosion-prone due to blocked and inadequate drainage infrastructure.

    According to him, “The existing underground drain was blocked and responsible for the erosion. We are now constructing a new underground drainage system, supported by smaller line drains that will channel water directly into the Ikpoba River.

    “The drain spans about two kilometres and is critical to protecting all houses within the catchment area”.

    Meanwhile, property owners in the area said they have battling flooding and erosion for over 20 years.

    A septuagenarian, Mrs Mercy Omoruyi said the Okpebholo-led administration came to their rescue.

    “We have been facing this gully erosion for over 20 years. Successive governments abandoned us in this condition, but Governor Monday Okpebholo came to our rescue in less than two months after visiting this area.

    “This place used to be a refuse dump, and we faced serious health challenges. Today, those problems are becoming a thing of the past. The governor’s intervention has saved us and our properties. I pray God gives him strength to complete this project for our benefit,” she said.

    Mr Kelvin Malagu, who has lived in the area since 1994, described the intervention as unprecedented.

    “Several governments made promises, but this is the first time we are seeing real action. Many landlords who abandoned their properties due to the gully are now returning. We finally feel we have a government that truly cares about the people.

    “Whenever it rained, we feared our houses would be swept away. Many people relocated, but today we feel safe again. We are happy with the pace of work and grateful to Governor Okpebholo for bringing development to Obaseki Street,” he said.

  • Ondo APC records over 100,000 digitally verified members in two weeks 

    Ondo APC records over 100,000 digitally verified members in two weeks 

    …as group lauds Aiyedatiwa for propelling Ondo to second place nationwide

    …tablets, portable energy storage devices, other logistics provided for training.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state has recorded over 100,000 digitally verified members across the state, just two weeks after the commencement of the party’s nationwide membership e-registration exercise.

    Bamidele Oladipo, the state coordinator of the Ondo Consolidation Group for AsiwajuDatiwa, disclosed this on Sunday while applauding Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his proactive leadership and support in ensuring a smooth and seamless e-registration process in the state. 

    Oladipo recalled that Governor Aiyedatiwa had recently inaugurated a two-day capacity training in Akure for officials involved in the e-registration exercise. 

    He noted the training brought together state coordinators, state senatorial administrators, local government supervisors, and ward agents, who are central to the successful implementation of the exercise.

    Olapido said the governor became the first APC member in the state to revalidate his membership, receiving membership slip number 001 at the training, underscoring the strategic importance of the exercise for party consolidation, planning, and future electoral success.

    “Further demonstrating his resolve to mobilise the good people of Ondo State for active participation in the exercise, Governor Aiyedatiwa has, at different fora, continued to appeal to party members, prospective members and traditional rulers across the state to come out en masse, without compulsion, to be part of the historic exercise aimed at strengthening the APC.

    “In fulfilment of his pledge during the capacity training to provide all required equipment, tools and logistics, tablet devices were distributed at the commencement of the exercise to State Senatorial Administrators and Local Government Supervisors to enhance real-time monitoring and coordination.

    “In addition, all 203 Ward Agents and their respective Local Government Supervisors were provided with portable energy storage devices to mitigate the challenges posed by unstable power supply.”

    He added, “All officials engaged for this critical assignment have also received data subscriptions to guarantee uninterrupted internet access, while physical registration forms were distributed across all wards to aid the easy collation of biodata of prospective registrants in the state’s 3,933 polling units, thereby ensuring seamless and efficient data capturing.

    “To further ease operations, a specified amount of money was made available to all Supervisors and Ward Agents to facilitate mobility within their wards and Local Government Areas, both for effective registration of prospective members and proper monitoring of the exercise.

    “These timely interventions and strategic support from the Governor have significantly boosted the effectiveness of the exercise, with Ondo State currently ranked second next to Lagos in the South West Zone in the ongoing APC membership e-registration exercise.

    “To ensure smooth operations, the governor provided all officials with tablet devices for real-time monitoring, portable energy storage devices to address unstable power supply, data subscriptions for uninterrupted internet access, and physical registration forms for easy collation of biodata in the state’s 3,933 polling units,” he said. 

    Oladipo further noted that these timely interventions and strategic support have significantly boosted the exercise, placing Ondo State second in the South West Zone, only behind Lagos, in the ongoing APC membership e-registration exercise.

    He, however, commended Aiyedatiwa for prioritizing competence through the appointment of Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, as State Coordinator, and for providing all the necessary materials to ensure a successful exercise.

    “I also commend the State Coordinator for assembling a highly competent and committed team of State Senatorial Administrators, Local Government Supervisors and Ward Agents, whose collective efforts have made this laudable achievement possible.

    “The APC membership e-registration exercise is currently ongoing across all wards in Ondo State. Existing party members are required to revalidate their membership, while prospective members are encouraged to visit designated registration centres in their respective wards for enrolment. 

    “Both existing and new members are required to present their National Identification Number (NIN) and Voter’s Identification Number (VIN) to the e-registration officials during the process. The exercise is scheduled to end on 30th January 2026,” he added.