The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Phyna denies claim she has not received N100m BBNaija prize

    Phyna denies claim she has not received N100m BBNaija prize

    Reality TV star Josephina Otabor, widely known as Phyna, has refuted claims that she said she had not received her N100 million Big Brother Naija grand prize, insisting that a viral clip circulating online was deliberately taken out of context.

    During a Twitch livestream, Phyna explained that the video was mischievously edited from a longer conversation.

    She stressed that she was responding to critics who questioned her financial status, not alleging that her prize money was withheld.

    “They keep cutting my video, I never said I have not received my 100 million naira. I was only talking to people who asked me if the 100 million naira had finished,” she said.

    The controversy resurfaced after Phyna initially called out BBN organisers in 2024 for unpaid prizes.

    Phyna warned bloggers to stop editing her videos, threatening legal action if it causes issues.

    According to her, she explained that she had to explain to the organisers that the video was cut, and urged them to check out the full video on Twitch for confirmation.

    The show’s organisers, Multichoice, maintain they’ve fulfilled their obligations.

  • Former Cross River APC chairman bows to stakeholders, withdraws legal suit

    Former Cross River APC chairman bows to stakeholders, withdraws legal suit

    In a significant turnaround, the embattled former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Alphonsus Ogar Eba, has accepted the decision of key party stakeholders removing him from office.

    Eba has also withdrawn the lawsuit he filed to challenge his removal, explaining that he took the step in the interest of peace, unity, and the overall progress of the party.

    In a statement released on his official Facebook page and obtained by our correspondent, the former chairman expressed appreciation for the support he received during his tenure and acknowledged the appeals from party leaders, associates, and family members to end the legal dispute.

    “From this moment, I cease to be addressed as the APC Chairman of Cross River State. Nonetheless, I remain a dedicated member of the party. In that spirit, I have revalidated my membership of the APC, and I urge both existing and prospective members to revalidate and register accordingly,” he said.

    Eba also announced his return to full legal practice and agricultural pursuits, disclosing plans to concentrate on revitalising the natural rubber sub-sector. He currently serves as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Rubber Research Institute, Benin.

    Reaffirming his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yiwaltda, and Governor Bassey Edet Otu, he appealed to party members to support the new state leadership and participate actively in forthcoming party activities.

    His withdrawal brings an end to a month-long legal tussle, as the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) prepares to determine the next steps for the party in the state.

  • How MEXC is boosting trading with advanced tools

    How MEXC is boosting trading with advanced tools

    Leading cryptocurrency exchange, MEXC, has rolled out a suite of advanced trading tools designed to enhance flexibility, automation, and decision-making for traders across the globe.

    According to a statement by the firm, the rapidly evolving crypto market has made traders demand more control, deeper insights, and improved risk-management features — needs the company says it is addressing with its upgraded ecosystem.

    “MEXC understands this reality and has built an advanced ecosystem that meets the needs of both beginners and professionals. With powerful order systems, automation, and artificial intelligence tools, MEXC is redefining how traders experience the global crypto market.”

    The company, which is empowering traders with smarter order systems, says that trading success depends not only on timing but also on smart risk management. MEXC gives users a wide range of order options that make trading more flexible and efficient.

    “For instance, Limit orders allow traders to choose the exact price they want to buy or sell at, ensuring control over entry and exit points. Market Orders execute trades instantly at the current price, ideal for those who value speed. For traders who want to plan ahead, MEXC offers Stop Limit and Trigger Orders, which automatically react when prices reach specific levels.

    “More advanced features like OCO (One Cancels the Other) and Trailing Stop Orders help protect profits while limiting losses, allowing traders to stay calm even in volatile markets. The Post Only and Time in Force settings offer even more control, making sure trades are executed exactly as intended. Together, these tools create a complete and reliable trading experience that suits all styles of traders.

    “MEXC has made automated trading simple and accessible to everyone. Its range of trading bots allows users to trade efficiently without constant monitoring.

    “The Grid Bot is designed to take advantage of sideways markets by automatically buying low and selling high within a chosen range. The DCA Bot, short for Dollar Cost Averaging, spreads out entries over time to reduce the impact of price swings. The Signal Bot can execute trades automatically when external signals are triggered, helping traders act quickly on opportunities.

    “MEXC also offers copy trading which allows users to automatically mirror the trades of skilled and no experienced traders. This creates an environment where beginners can learn from experts while potentially earning along the way.

    “Automation on MEXC is not about removing human input, but about giving traders tools that help them make more consistent and confident decisions.

    “In a market that never sleeps, speed and information are everything. MEXC uses artificial intelligence to provide data driven insights that keep traders one step ahead.

    “The AI Select List helps identify promising trading pairs by analyzing market behavior and performance trends. The AI News Radar scans news and social media in real time to highlight information that could move the market.

    “For traders who want deeper understanding, the AI Bot Assistant provides explanations of market trends and fundamentals through an easy to use chat interface. The Ask AI: Market Movement Insights tool helps explain why a particular token is rising or falling, giving traders clarity that is often hard to find.

    “These AI tools transform complex data into simple insights, empowering traders to make decisions with more confidence and less guesswork.

    Read Also: MEXC celebrates seventh anniversary with 36 million users

    “Charts are a trader’s best friend, and MEXC gives users professional grade tools through its TradingView powered interface. Traders can choose from multiple chart types, time frames, and technical indicators such as moving averages, RSI, and MACD.

    “The platform also includes drawing tools that let traders mark support and resistance levels or identify chart patterns. The multi window display allows them to monitor several markets at once, improving reaction time. For strategy testing and backtracking, MEXC provides access to historical data, helping users understand how their methods would have performed in the past.

    “These charting and analysis features make it easier for users to trade with confidence, supported by data and visual insights rather than emotions.

    “While MEXC’s tools are advanced, they are also user friendly. Traders can choose between Cross Margin, where funds are shared across positions, or Isolated Margin, where risk is limited to a single trade. MEXC offers up to 500x leverage on major pairs like BTCUSDT and ETHUSDT, giving professionals the flexibility to build complex strategies.

    “What makes MEXC stand out is how all these tools work together in one seamless system. Instead of separating features into complicated menus or add ons, MEXC focuses on creating a simple and intuitive experience that fits every type of trader.

    “The platform’s approach is both technical and human. It combines automation, AI, and risk management tools while keeping the interface easy to navigate. Traders can trade with precision while still learning and growing with every move.”

    The company further said its goal is to make trading smarter, safer, and more informed. It is a platform built for people who want to trade with purpose and understanding, not just luck.

  • EFCC advocates collaboration, deep understanding in anti-corruption fight

    EFCC advocates collaboration, deep understanding in anti-corruption fight

    Ola Olukoyede, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has described collaboration and understanding issues in tackling economic and financial crimes as key to achieving sustainable success.

    Olukayode said this in a statement by EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Thursday in Abuja.

    He spoke at the 2025 EFCC- Media/Civil Society Organisation’s Capacity- Building Workshop in Abuja.

    The chairman was represented by the Director, Public Affairs Directorate of the commission, Commander of the EFCC, CE Wilson Uwujaren.

    According to him, the commission places strong values and significance in building collaboration and mutual understanding with all stakeholders.

    “The media and civil society organisations, no doubt, are very critical to the work of fighting every form of economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

    The nexus between the media and civil society organisations is very strong.

    ”They are like the right ear and left ear of the same horse, they have a shared mandate exposing shadiness and integrity deficit in individuals and groups across the country.

    ”This is why the commission considered it imperative to bring together these stakeholders in a capacity-building workshop,” he said.

    Olukoyede said that the issues for discussion revolved around operational, legal, and the media.

    He said that understanding the key issues would impact public appreciation of the work of the EFCC.

    “Equally important is the role of the media and CSOs in driving preventive framework of the commission.

    ”Discussion of all these germane topics will broaden and widen their understanding and public grasp of how they are being tackled by the EFCC.

    “Our commitment to stakeholders’ engagement is absolute. Public ownership of the fight against corruption remains the most potent and enduring modality for driving and sustaining the fight,” he said.

    According to the EFCC boss, closely related to this is the enlightened conversation on salient issues involved in the anti-graft fight.

    He said that the EFCC was focused on moving the nation forward.

    “Without fear or favour, and in taking such a route, corruption is bound to fight back by whatever means the fight back is designed.

    ”We can not be rattled or intimidated as far as we are concerned, right is might, and is often said, conscience is an open wound which only the truth can heal,” he said.

    A Director in the Legal and Prosecution Department, Commander of the EFCC, CE Dr Ben Ubi, spoke on the challenges of prosecuting cases of economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

    Ubi commended the the efforts of the EFCC chairman and the commission’s officers.

    He said that such efforts had, over the years, helped to remove the name of Nigeria from the list of non-cooperating countries and territories of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

    According to him, this shows that if not for the painstaking efforts of the EFCC, the country would have long been blacklisted.

    Also, an officer from the cybercrime Section of the commission, Sam Agbi-Enahoro, shed light on cryptocurrency fraud and other emerging financial crimes.

    Agbi-Enahoro urged stakeholders to stay away from engaging in any business or online trade that may jeopardise their work and integrity.

    He explained technicalities involved in crypto currency transactions and pointed out how fraudulent dealings were creeping into the business.

    He also cautioned the audience against unrealistic and jumbo offers, stressing that “when it is too good to be true, please do not do it”.

    Speaking, the EFCC Spokesperson urged the media and CSOs to join the commission in driving those modalities.

    Oyewale, a Deputy Commander of EFCC, spoke on the role of media, and civil society organisations in driving the preventive framework of the commission.

    He urged the civil society organisations and media professionals to join force in driving the preventive framework of the anti-corruption fight initiated by the EFCC Chairman.

    “If we wait until the money or assets are stolen before we now embark on recovery drive, there is no way you can recover all.

    ”If there are modalities in place to prevent the looting of the treasury or any other fraudulent act, then we will be able to save the society from all of these losses,” he said.(NAN)

  • 1,630 delegates pick Anambra APC Gov candidate today

    1,630 delegates pick Anambra APC Gov candidate today

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary has started in Anambra state in two different centres with 1,630 accredited delegates.

    The primary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is also holding today with  Governor Chukwuma Soludo as the sole aspirant.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has no aspirant while Dr George Moghalu is the only aspirant of the Labour Party(LP) with the withdrawal of his opponent, John Nwosu on Friday night

    Of all the political parties contesting for the November 8 governorship election, only APC parades multiple aspirants despite the withdrawal of two on Friday night.

    Read Also: Anambra APC guber primary: Chukwumah quits party, Umeoji drops out

    However, the APC accreditation started by 9.30am at Marble Arch hotel, the venue for the people of Awka North Senatorial zone while the Beautiful gate hotel in Agu-Awka, hosts the delegates from the Central and South Senatorial zones respectively.

    At the Beautiful gate hotel, there was chaos at the entrance gate as policemen and thugs reportedly deployed by one of the aspirants were seen bullying delegates and others, including Journalists.

    Many people were outside the gate protesting, especially, those regarded as delegates loyal to other aspirants.

    Many policemen, the Army, Civil Defence Corps and the Road Safety staff, were all deployed to maintain peace.

    The Nation observed that the battle for the part’s ticket has narrowed down to between Prof Obiora Okonkwo and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu.

    Others contesting for the APC ticket, are Valentine Ozigbo, Johnbosco Onunkwo and Edozie Madu

    Anambra State has 21 local government areas and the 1,630 delegates are from the three Senatorial zones.

  • Arieli foundation expands drive to tackle maternal, child mortality in Nigeria, beyond

    Arieli foundation expands drive to tackle maternal, child mortality in Nigeria, beyond

    In a bold effort to reduce maternal and child mortality, the Arieli Foundation for Maternal and Child Health is broadening its footprint across Nigeria and laying the groundwork for global outreach.

    Established by Dr. Natasha Oyibo, the Foundation is committed to delivering lifesaving healthcare and support services to women and children in underserved areas.

    Operating from its headquarters in Abuja, the Foundation has already launched impactful initiatives in Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Niger States. 

    It now plans to extend its reach across Africa and internationally by forging partnerships with governments, global health agencies, and international NGOs.

    Dr. Oyibo emphasised that the Foundation’s mission is to bring sustainable, long-term improvements to communities with little or no access to essential healthcare.

    “Arieli Foundation tackles a major barrier to healthcare, which is economic dependence,” she explained. “Many women in crisis are unable to seek medical care or escape abusive situations due to financial limitations. Arieli’s empowerment programs are designed to change that.”

    The Foundation is working on several fronts to improve maternal and child health. These include workforce development, mobile clinics, menstrual hygiene education, nutrition initiatives, mental health support, clean water projects, and the use of artificial intelligence to predict health risks early.

    “Economic empowerment is healthcare empowerment,” Dr. Oyibo said. “When women have financial independence, they gain control over their choices, their health, and their future.”

    To help women achieve this, the Foundation offers training in digital skills, entrepreneurship, and modern trades. The aim is to equip women with the tools they need for long-term independence and sustainable income.

    Health experts have praised the Arieli Foundation’s work for offering a holistic, evidence-based approach to community health. With its growing presence and expanding partnerships, the Foundation is positioned to be a major player in the fight against maternal and child mortality not just in Nigeria, but around the world.

  • FG urges investors to tap into Nigeria’s economic potential

    FG urges investors to tap into Nigeria’s economic potential

    The Federal Government on Thursday called on investors, both foreign and local, to take advantage of Nigeria’s economic potential to invest in the country.

    The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, made the call at the third edition of the Digital Innovation and Creative Excellence (DICE) gathering in Lagos.

    DICE is a tech ecosystem mixer organised by Beyond Limits, a pan-African organisation at the forefront of driving digital transformation, excellence, and growth in individuals and organisations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2025 Edition of DICE had the theme: “Scaling Right: From Market Entry to Market Leadership.”

    Oduwole noted that Nigeria offered a wide range of investment opportunities, including digital trade, mining, solid minerals, manufacturing, agribusiness and clean energy.

    She said that the government was committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, including providing support for Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) and startups.

    “We are focused on making Nigeria an attractive destination for investors, and we are working tirelessly to remove any bottlenecks that may hinder investment,” the minister said.

    She also highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, which Nigeria signed in 2019.

    Oduwole said the agreement aimed at creating a single market for goods and services across Africa, promoting economic integration and cooperation among member states.

    “Nigeria is well-positioned to benefit from the AfCFTA agreement, and we are working to ensure that our businesses are competitive and ready to take advantage of the opportunities the agreement presents.

    “The government has inaugurated several initiatives aimed at promoting investment and economic growth.

    “These initiatives include the National Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC).

    “These initiatives are designed to provide support for investors, including providing information on investment opportunities, facilitating business registration and licensing, and offering incentives for investment,’’ she said.

    Oduwole urged investors to take advantage of these initiatives and to explore the many investment opportunities available in Nigeria.

    “We are committed to creating a business-friendly environment that supports investment and economic growth, and we look forward to working with investors to achieve this goal,” the minister stressed.

    In a welcome address, the convener of DICE, Dr Juliet Ehimuan, said that Africa’s technology sector held immense potential for national and continental growth.

    Ehimuan said that, however, the sector faced significant challenges, including high operational costs, infrastructure deficits and fragmented regulations.

    She highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, citing the need for policymakers to develop supportive regulations and infrastructure that facilitated growth and expansion.

    According to her, the DICE Business Series is designed to bring together stakeholders from across the African technology ecosystem to share knowledge, build partnerships and drive growth.

    The convener said that the conversations and insights shared during the event would be compiled into a report and made available to stakeholders, with the aim of driving innovation and policy development.

    (NAN)

  • Minister urges NYSC to prepare corps members for job market

    Minister urges NYSC to prepare corps members for job market

    The Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, says the NYSC scheme should henceforth seek ways to prepare graduates for innovative solution to meet market demand and not only to serve their fatherland.

    Olawande gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja, at the 2025 National Youth Service Corps Batch ‘A’ Pre-Mobilisation Workshop with the theme: “Reforming Corps Mobilisation in the Contemporary Nigerian Society: Challenges and Prospects”.

    According to Olawande, since the scheme’s establishment in 1973, the world has evolved and the scheme’s scale of operation should also improve to meet the new demand.

    “We need to think of new innovative solutions, especially in the area of corps mobilisation.

    “While the NYSC has promoted cultural integration and skills acquisition over the years, we must address the gap in developing welfare and how the scheme can contribute to prepare our graduates for today’s job market.

    “Let’s all start now to think, to value, to shape, to engineer the process, so that majority of our graduates will meet up with the job market and not be looking for jobs where there are none .

    “The corps members can even build jobs for a large number of people,” he suggested.

    Read Also: Court remands bizman over non-declaration of $90,000

    He, however, said that reforming corps members was not only the responsibility of the government, but that which all stakeholders must jointly handle.

    The Director-General, NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, said that reforming the NYSC mobilisation process had become necessary in the present day Nigeria.

    He added that the management of the scheme also recognised that the world was changing rapidly, adding that it must therefore deploy new strategies to reflect the current realities.

    “We understand that by leveraging technology, security partnerships, infrastructure investment and skill-based deployment, we can enhance efficiency, improve prospective and serving corps members’ experience, and sustain the scheme’s contributions to national development.

    “Therefore, during this workshop, we will engage in robust discussions and brainstorm on the challenges and prospects of the NYSC mobilisation process.

    “We will examine the intersections of youth development, national service, and societal transformation while exploring innovative strategies to harness the energy and ideas of Nigerian youth to build a more peaceful, just, and prosperous society,” he noted.

    While declaring the workshop open, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, attributed the giant strides recorded in the territory partly to the services of corps members deployed to the city.

    Wike, who was represented by the Mandate Secretary, Youth and Sports Secretariat, Hon. Ango Suleiman, assured that the FCT would partner in the implementation of its core objectives.

    He urged the participants to formulate practicable steps in achieving a seamless mobilisation process.

  • Ogun warns against grabbers’ activities on gov’t. land at Odogbolu LGA

    Ogun warns against grabbers’ activities on gov’t. land at Odogbolu LGA

    The Ogun Ministry of Justice has cautioned the public against land grabbers’ activities on government-acquired land in the Odogbolu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, gave the warning in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Thursday.

    The commissioner said that the ministry, having uncovered a fraudulent and improperly obtained Customary Court judgment that grabbers intended to use against unwary citizens, was impelled to issue the statement.

    “A few months ago, the ministry received a petition from persons representing lineages and descendants of one Oba Alli Ogunnaike Fibiwoga (Fibiwoga Family) from Ijebu-Ode, Ogun.

    “They claimed they were properly adjudged owners of a family land within Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state but were being disturbed by violent trespassers, and also presented a survey plan showing their 350-acre land,” he said.

    The attorney-general further explained that the investigation on the complaint and scrutiny of the documents provided by the complainants showed that the land in question was government land.

    “Two large Ogun State University properties are located on separate parts of the land, while other allottees of the state government are on other parts.

    “The entirety of land claimed by the Fibiwoga Family falls within government acquisition and encroaches on the government-occupied land.

    “The judgment obtained from the Customary Court was both fraudulently and improperly obtained because the complainants, who approached that court as plaintiffs, knew that the land did not belong to them.

    “However, they still proceeded to obtain same, while excluding the state government, which had obvious interest in the land,” he said.

    Read Also: Court remands bizman over non-declaration of $90,000

    Ogungbade said none of the named defendants was served with the notice of the suit.

    “Trial and judgment curiously occurred on the same day, again without notice to the named defendants.

    “The judgment that Fibiwoga Family obtained never described the land awarded to them, and the plaintiffs in the case never presented a survey plan to the Customary Court,” he said.

    According to the commissioner, the Fibiwoga family is currently acting through a self-styled developer, Obatob Properties Limited.

    “Now the developer is advertising this fraudulently occupied land as available to the public for use as a residential estate.

    “For the reasons stated above, the Ministry of Justice is taking steps to address the matter.

    “Members of the public should inquire about the judgment and ask questions.

    “Thus, the public is hereby put on notice that the claims by the Fibiwoga Family to 350 acres of land along Lagos Road, Apere Oba, via Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, are fictitious, fraudulent, and baseless,” he said.

    He added that Obatob Properties Limited has no right to develop, assign, allot, or administer in the described area.

    “Any person who deals with either entity or any other private person regarding the land does so at their own peril, and at the risk of a firm government response,” said the attorney-general.

  • Don seeks establishment of rehabilitation centers for stroke victims

    Don seeks establishment of rehabilitation centers for stroke victims

    A Consultant Surgeon/Associate Professor, Jacob Akoh has called for the establishment of rehabilitation centers for victims of stroke.

    Akoh, with over 30 years of medical practice in the UK, noted that stroke affects one Nigerian every 80 minutes.

    He spoke while delivering the 2nd public lecture organised by Bingham University with the theme: “Beyond the operating room: Reflections of a surgical career and life of purpose” on Wednesday in Karu, Nasarawa State.

    The surgeon noted that stroke remained the second most deadly diseases globally.

    He said: “In many countries in sub-saharan Africa because we’re dealing with a large volume of infectious diseases we tend to eliminate to the background some of the killers in our midst and stroke happens to be one of them. Hypertension is very common in many countries in sub-saharan Africa and it’s not surprising why temperature is high, people are dry and dehydrated and when you have hypertension there are no symptoms. People think that headache is a symptom of hypertension that’s not correct and so people may be walking around with very high blood pressure levels and if they fall the other thing is an attack or is because of witchcraft.

    “In fact in some families they are shy, they are ashamed to let the world know that somebody has got a stroke and instead of taking them to where they can get help they hide them and of course many of them die so it’s very common but it doesn’t have to be, all we need is to educate people, all we need to do is to have rehabilitation centers where people with stroke can be repaired back to life.

    “You may develop what is called hemiplegia that means paralysis on one side when you have a stroke but if you receive the proper treatment that may recover to some extent. You may not be able to walk, that you can be helped to walk but why we continue to neglect what is such a killer and such a common killer in our community is really difficult to know.”

    Vice – Chancellor of the university, Prof Haruna Ayuba charged the students to give back to society.

    Read Also: Actor John Amaefule suffers stroke, solicits help

    He said: “Yes, so we are hoping that, you know, like you said, you can always stand in the gap, regardless of your profession. And there’s something you can do. So the charge to the students is that if somebody who grew up here and has gone there and is back, it means that wherever you go, you can also give back.

    “You may not be able to pay back completely, but you can give back. So the message to the students is don’t neglect that little thing, that contribution that you can make.”

    The VC said that Dr Akoh’s lecture will not just explore the intricacies of a surgical career but will help the university to reflect deeply into the profound impact that our professions can have on our lives and the lives of those we serve.

    “The topic is particularly timely as we reflect on the broader issues of healthcare in Nigeria. It should prompt us to consider the holistic aspects of the roles of healthcare professionals—how accessible, available , and empathetic we are as we engage with our patients and communities that we serve; and how we advocate for patient welfare, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue about health equity and access to care,” the VC added.