The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • FRSC to prosecute TikToker Peller over alleged reckless driving

    FRSC to prosecute TikToker Peller over alleged reckless driving

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced plans to prosecute popular TikTok streamer, Habeeb Hamzat, widely known as Peller, following a road traffic crash linked to distracted driving.

    The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, expressed concern over what he described as a growing trend of reckless road use among celebrities, content creators and social media influencers, warning that such behaviour endangers lives and undermines national road safety efforts.

    The warning followed a viral video showing Peller engaging in a live video stream while driving, an act the FRSC said reportedly resulted in a crash.

    In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the corps spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, Mohammed described the act as unlawful and dangerous, noting that it could have led to loss of lives.

    “The incident serves as a grim reminder that fame does not confer immunity from the law, nor does it excuse dangerous behaviour on public roads,” the corps marshal said.

    He stressed that live streaming, content creation or any activity that distracts a driver while driving is a direct violation of traffic regulations and poses serious risks to both the driver and other road users.

    According to him, such conduct also undermines ongoing efforts to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities across the country.

    Mohammed directed the Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC to commence prosecution against the individual involved for reckless driving, use of a phone while driving and distracted driving, in line with existing traffic laws.

    He also called on professional bodies within the entertainment industry, including actors’ guilds, influencer networks and content creator associations, to take responsibility for the conduct of their members and promote responsible behaviour on Nigerian roads.

    The corps marshal noted that celebrities and influencers wield significant influence, especially among young Nigerians, and warned that they must serve as ambassadors of safety rather than symbols of recklessness.

    Reiterating the FRSC’s zero-tolerance stance, Mohammed said the corps would not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law against anyone found engaging in reckless or distracted driving, regardless of status.

    “No social media content, online trend or momentary clout is worth a human life,” he said, reminding motorists that public roads are shared spaces governed by laws designed to protect lives.

    He encouraged Nigerians to report dangerous driving behaviours and support collective efforts to make highways safer.

  • I will provide more infrastructure in FCT – Wike

    I will provide more infrastructure in FCT – Wike

    Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed to continue to provide quality infrastructure in the nation’s capital. 

    Wike gave the assurance at the weekend during the presentation of the ‘Nigeria Infrastructure Minister of the Year’ Award to him by Indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the auspices of the Karu Gbagyi Development Association (KAGBADA). 

    Wike, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chris Amadi, commended the association for identifying with his work in Karu and the entire FCT and for honouring him with an award.

    He also appreciated the people of Karu and their leaders for supporting his infrastructural development efforts in the area and promised to provide more infrastructure to improve their lives.

    The chairman of KAGBADA, Mr Sumner Shagari Sambo, while speaking at the presentation of the award at the Jummai Aduda Youth Centre in Karu, said the honour was in recognition of the minister’s transformative projects in Abuja’s satellite towns.

    He praised the FCT minister for initiating unprecedented infrastructure development in outer-city districts, stating, “FCT indigenes had never witnessed huge infrastructure developments all at once in outer city districts and satellite towns like those currently being undertaken under the administration of the current minister and President Bola Tinubu.

    “We decided to honour FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for the great infrastructure projects extended to our community, such as the completed rehabilitation of the Nyanya-Karu-Jikwoyi-Karshi Highway, which is currently easing traffic in the Karu Chiefdom, the completed Kugbo Bus Terminal, Kugbo International Market, and other notable projects,” he said.

    The organization also used the event to disburse N4 million in scholarship funds to indigent students studying in secondary and tertiary institutions in the area, and N3 million to women petty traders, an initiative aimed at empowering them to engage in trade and become self-reliant.

    Sambo said the association decided to disburse the scholarships and empower petty traders as a way of giving back to society, noting that the gesture was part of the association’s end-of-year 2024 activities.

    According to him, the association designed three programmes comprising scholarships, women’s empowerment, and support for artisans, stressing that people cannot continue to depend on the government alone.

    The KAGBADA chairman also appealed to the FCT Administration to relocate the abattoir, which poses a health hazard to residents of Karu and its environs.

    “The abattoir in Karu is located in the middle of the community and has continued to pose a serious health hazard to residents due to its unhygienic state,” he said.

    He urged the FCT Administration to upgrade the Karu General Hospital, built in 2006 by former FCT minister, Mal. Nasir El-Rufai, which he said has not been functional.

    Sambo explained that most patients go to Asokoro and Maitama General Hospitals to seek medical treatment.

    Also, the former Senate Minority Leader of the 9th Assembly, Senator Philip Aduda, stressed the need for unity among the indigenous people of Karu and other residents, stating that society can develop when there is unity among people irrespective of tribe, religion, or ethnic affiliations.

  • Why Peller, Jarvis are a ticking time bomb – Do2dtun

    Why Peller, Jarvis are a ticking time bomb – Do2dtun

    Media personality Do2dtun has reacted to the recent incident involving content creator Peller, who crashed his car during a live broadcast amid reported relationship issues with Jarvis.

    Sharing his views on X, Do2dtun said the couple’s relationship appears to be built on superficial foundations, arguing that it is driven more by interest and external validation than by a genuine emotional connection.

    He warned that such dynamics often create unrealistic expectations and unhealthy patterns, stressing the importance of individual growth and self-development.

    According to him, Peller and Jarvis should consider taking time apart to discover their individual identities, make mistakes independently and grow as individuals.

    Do2dtun also described the relationship as seemingly cute but ultimately toxic, adding that without constant external validation, the pair might actually be better off.

    He further cautioned that fame and money can be dangerous tools, particularly for young people like Peller and Jarvis who are still navigating their lives and personal development.

    He said, “A relationship built on interest & validation will eventually cause you to have unattainable expectations, the need to live above your means & satisfy the desires of strangers. What are you both besides the light camera action? Anything built to satisfy the energy of the people is a ticking time bomb.

    “They both have a long way to go. They are in a time & age to make their mistakes. Live & develop themselves individually against doing it through a relationship. They tied their innocence to the expectations they created for themselves. We amplified an unrealistic expectation. Sadly, it takes away the happiness when the demand is high.

    “When you are grown to think money against all odds is the only key to be seen; validated or keep a relationship; you just built your own cage. You will move from being happy to being seen. Any relationship that requires you must be together to be validated will eventually lack individualism; happiness & turn to just performance. One party will feel cheated eventually.

    “Peller & Jarvis is a ticking time bomb. Trust me, they need to move around, test the waters, live and make their mistakes individually. They will eventually see their truth and worth. They might even realize they should have just being friends or might come together later in future and have an amazing relationship. I am not ruling it out but they need to LIVE! and grow individually for now.

    “They grew too fast and we encouraged it. You people that stan them are the real devils. Kids at their age still live under the roof of their parents. There is no justification for his actions & also it’s time he needs to reevaluate his primary role. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Many of us were stupid at that age, we just had guidance. These kids are already playing their parents roles, what do you expect?

    “Once your kids become the parent or your friends over being your children in their teenage years; you might lose them. No matter how famous they are or what they give you, put your foot down on certain things. Fame is fickle yet it needs to be tutored & controlled. Even adults can’t handle it not to talk of kids.

    “Let a child be a child. We did stupid things too at their age. The only difference is some didn’t have the capacity to amplify it. Fame & money are dangerous tools. These kids at this age might even be the breadwinner. Who wan advise them? Things are otherwise done in reverse. Children need to be children even if you are famous.

    “Peller & Jarvis is not a symbiotic relationship. One will grow faster than the other and feel caged and the other might be feel slighted for giving everything and yet can’t control the narrative. It is cute but toxic. Them without us, the clicks and what we think might be perfect. Sadly, you are all invested hence why it won’t work”.

  • Be future-ready, LASUSTECH VC tells matriculating students

    Be future-ready, LASUSTECH VC tells matriculating students

    The Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, has advised newly admitted students to be future-ready and deliberately shape the kind of future they desire.

    He gave the charge on Tuesday during the matriculation ceremony for first-year and direct entry students, as the university matriculated 3,272 undergraduates for the 2025/2026 academic session.

    Prof. Odusanya described the ceremony as the formal commencement of the students’ undergraduate training and a defining moment in their academic journey.

    Urging them to confront the uncertainties of the future, the Vice Chancellor encouraged the students to actively create opportunities for themselves, noting that progress is driven by individuals who dare to imagine and build what does not yet exist.

    “The way to take uncertainty out of the future is to create the future you genuinely want. I urge you, therefore, to be future-ready undergraduates. I urge you to think of many things and create in this digital age, because many others created the future we now live in,” he said.

    Drawing inspiration from history, Prof. Odusanya cited the moonshot ambition of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, as an example of visionary leadership. 

    He added that the digital age presents Nigerian students with unprecedented access to tools for innovation and problem-solving.

    He warned the new students against behaviours that could derail their academic pursuits, including cultism, indecent dressing, absenteeism, drug abuse and wrong associations, stressing that such vices do not contribute to building a positive future.

    Prof. Odusanya advised the students to take their studies seriously by attending lectures punctually, engaging fully in practical sessions, and maintaining discipline, while staying connected with their parents and ensuring they are traceable at all times.

    The Vice Chancellor also emphasised the importance of acquiring relevant skills, competencies and innovative thinking that would make graduates market ready and nationally relevant.

    “A degree may just be a piece of paper, but the skills, the competencies, the knowledge that you should bring to it will define what you get out of that degree,” he said.

    He encouraged the students to look beyond the classroom and begin to conceive solutions to national and global challenges, suggesting areas such as technology, engineering and medical research.

    “If you can imagine it, you can create it,” he added.

  • I started smoking at 13, battled addiction for 27 years – Tonto Dikeh

    I started smoking at 13, battled addiction for 27 years – Tonto Dikeh

    Actress and politician Tonto Dikeh has opened up on how she was freed from decades-long struggles with smoking, alcohol addiction, masturbation, and explosive anger during her testimony at Streams of Joy International Church.

    The 40-year-old star spoke during a service led by Pastor Jerry Eze, founder of the widely followed New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD) ministry.

    Dikeh told the congregation that she started smoking at age 13, a habit that persisted for 27 years after being exposed to it in her home environment.

    She issued a strong warning to parents, noting that even small habits can profoundly influence children.

    She said, “I started smoking because my dad was a smoker. Something as little as that habit can inhabit the lives of your children. My body does not ask for it. My body is repelling it. Today, it is broken.”

    She went on to describe battles with alcohol, chronic masturbation, recurring s3xual dreams she attributed to spiritual oppression since childhood, and what she called demonic anger that damaged her relationships and life.

    She said, “I smoked since I was 13. God healed me from m@sturbation, too. I have known myself to have sexual intercourse in the dream ever since I was a child.

    “I struggled with demonic anger, an anger that destroyed my life. Everybody had to feel it. But praying with NSPPD, God took all of those away and gave me peace”.

    Dikeh confessed that this anger destroyed much of her life and affected everyone around her, but through consistent prayer with NSPPD, God removed it and replaced it with peace.

    She pinpointed a major breakthrough after attending the NSPPD Ghana Prayer Conference, where she said the oppressive force that had plagued her dreams finally fled.

    She added: “I realised that the weak man who held me captive all my years in my dream ran away.”

    At 40, she declared she is experiencing genuine peace for the first time, adding that her body no longer craves cigarettes and actively repels them.

    “I am 40 years old, and I can tell you I have never known peace until now. I am living in it”, she added.

    The actress admitted she nearly withheld her story out of concern for her public image but ultimately chose transparency to honor God, rejecting the notion of protecting an image that God Himself granted.

    “The devil tried to tell me that I was supposed to protect my image. But I told myself, what image? The God that gave me the image is the same God that can take it away”, she concluded. 

  • 10 interesting things to do in Lagos this Christmas

    10 interesting things to do in Lagos this Christmas

    There is a reason December in Lagos has a name of its own. Once the month starts, staying indoors feels like missing out.

    The city becomes louder, brighter, and busier, and Christmas turns into a full experience, not just a date on the calendar.

    Here are 10 interesting things to do in Lagos this Christmas:

    1. Attend a Christmas-themed beach hangout

    Lagos beaches come alive in December. From private beach houses to open beach parties, Christmas by the water hits differently. There’s music, games, food, and that calm moment when the sun sets, and everything feels slower. Perfect for friends, couples, or even solo reflection with a drink in hand.

    2. Explore Detty December concerts and live shows

    December is concert season in Lagos. From Afrobeats stars to live bands and comedy nights, there is always something happening. Even if you do not attend the biggest shows, smaller pop-up events across the city offer just as much fun without the crowd pressure.

    3. Visit a resort or short stay for a night or two

    You do not need to leave Lagos to feel like you travelled. Resorts and short stays across Lekki, Ajah, and the mainland offer a quick reset. One night away from your usual space can make Christmas feel intentional and special.

    4. Take a food crawl across the city

    December is the perfect excuse to eat without guilt. Create a simple food list and spend a day hopping between spots. From street suya to rooftop restaurants, Lagos food culture shines brightest during the festive season.

    5. Go sightseeing and take new pictures

    Lagos looks different in December. Decorations, pop-up markets, outdoor lounges, and city lights give the city a fresh feel. Visit places you usually pass without stopping and capture moments you will actually want to remember.

    6. Host or attend a house party

    House parties are a Lagos December classic. Whether you are hosting something small or attending one, something is comforting about music in a living room, familiar faces, and laughter that does not feel forced.

    7. Attend a church Christmas event or carol service

    For many people, Christmas is not complete without a moment of reflection. Carol services, concerts, and end of year thanksgiving services bring a sense of grounding and meaning to the season, especially after a long year.

    8. Visit art spaces and creative hubs

    December is when galleries, pop-up exhibitions, and creative spaces showcase their best work. If you want something calm but inspiring, spend an afternoon engaging with art, music, and culture in a more relaxed environment.

    9. Take a day trip within Lagos or nearby towns

    Badagry, Epe, and other nearby locations offer history, nature, and quiet. A short day trip can be refreshing if you want to escape the chaos without planning a full vacation.

    10. Do absolutely nothing and enjoy it

    Sometimes the best Christmas plan is rest. Sleep late. Stay offline. Watch movies. Reconnect with yourself. Lagos will always be loud, but choosing stillness can be its own kind of celebration.

    Christmas in Lagos is what you make of it. Whether you are outside every night or indoors protecting your peace, the goal is simple. End the year feeling fulfilled, not pressured.

    If you choose joy, even in small ways, Lagos will meet you halfway.

  • Police foil armed robbery attempt in Enugu, arrest suspect, recover imitation gun

    Police foil armed robbery attempt in Enugu, arrest suspect, recover imitation gun

    The Enugu State Police Command has foiled an armed robbery attempt in Enugu metropolis, arresting a 28-year-old suspect.

    The police also recovered an imitation firearm and ammunition as part of its intensified security operations during the Yuletide season.

    The suspect, identified as Oshim Lambert Chimuanya, was arrested at about 11:30 p.m. on December 13, 2025, while allegedly attempting to rob members of the public around Agric Bank Bus Stop, Independence Layout, Enugu.

    Police operatives attached to the Independence Layout Police Division reportedly responded swiftly to a distress call and arrived at the scene, where they apprehended the suspect in the act of robbing an unsuspecting young man.

    Items recovered from the suspect include a revolver imitation (toy) pistol loaded with eight toy bullets.

    He is currently in police custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

    The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the operatives for their prompt response and charged them to sustain the momentum against criminal activities, especially during the festive period.

    CP Giwa reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to making Enugu State uninhabitable for criminals and urged residents to continue to support the police with timely and credible information to aid crime prevention and detection.

    The arrest, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, forms part of ongoing measures to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state during the Yuletide and beyond..

  • AFCON 2025: Zaidu Sanusi, 10 others open Super Eagles camp in Cairo

    AFCON 2025: Zaidu Sanusi, 10 others open Super Eagles camp in Cairo

    FC Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi has become the latest player to arrive at the Super Eagles camp in Cairo, Egypt, as preparations intensify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

    Sanusi’s arrival takes the number of players currently in camp to 11.

    According to the Super Eagles’ media officer, an additional 12 players are expected to report to camp later today, Monday, December 15.

    The defender was part of the Nigerian squad that finished as runners-up at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. He also featured in the team that lost to DR Congo in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs.

    Meanwhile, the Super Eagles will hold their first training session at 8:00 pm local time at the main bowl of the Cairo International Stadium.

    Eleven Super Eagles players currently in camp:

    Francis Izobo

    Stanley Nwabali

    Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

    Akinsanmiro Ebenezer

    Amas Obasogie

    Semi Ajayi

    Ademola Lookman

    Bright Osayi-Samuel

    Igho Ogbu

    Tochukwu Nnadi

    Zaidu Sanusi

  • Make financial literacy for women, youths, girls a national priority, says Kudimata founder

    Make financial literacy for women, youths, girls a national priority, says Kudimata founder

    Founder of Kudimata Nigeria Limited and Managing Director of Kudimata Capital Limited, Kathleen Erhimu, has reiterated her resolve to continue pushing financial literacy as a national development imperative.

    She described it as one of the most powerful tools for empowering women, youths and girls and strengthening Nigeria’s economic future.

    Speaking at Kudimata Nite, a high-level national gathering convened to mark three years of impact in financial empowerment and inclusion, Erhimu said her advocacy goes beyond corporate interest, stressing that financial knowledge is central to dignity, opportunity and long-term national stability.

    The event brought together regulators, policymakers, financial institutions, private sector leaders and development stakeholders, underscoring the growing national consensus around the role of financial literacy in driving inclusive growth. 

    Goodwill messages were delivered by prominent figures across key sectors of the economy, including former Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Ms Evelyn Oputu, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), senior women leaders of the Nigeria Police Force, and leading executives from the power, banking and capital market sectors.

    Further reinforcing the national significance of the initiative, goodwill messages from the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and the Honourable Minister of Aviation affirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to women empowerment, youth development, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion through sustained public–private collaboration.

    A major highlight of the evening was the formal introduction of Kudimata Capital Ltd, Kudimata’s SEC-licensed portfolio management company. 

    The launch signals a strategic transition from financial awareness to structured, regulated wealth creation, giving individuals, women-led businesses and institutions access to credible investment solutions.

    Also unveiled were Kudimata’s financial literacy books and audio learning series in Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Urhobo and Pidgin English, a move widely applauded as a bold step toward closing Nigeria’s financial knowledge gap across language, literacy and geographic barriers.

    In three years, Kudimata has trained over 1.4 million women and young Nigerians in financial literacy, empowered more than 250,000 women through its EmpowerHER initiative, supported 30,000 entrepreneurs with business fundamentals and formal registration, and partnered with national institutions including NYSC, NNPC Foundation, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, CAC, NDE and NIDCOM. 

    The organisation has also strengthened leadership and financial capacity for over 7,800 corporate executives.

    As part of its social impact commitment, Kudimata announced the award of an all-inclusive university scholarship to a deserving student, covering tuition and essential support throughout the duration of study.

    Erhimu noted that Kudimata’s mission aligns directly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of human capital development, youth employment, women empowerment, entrepreneurship and economic resilience.

    Looking ahead, she said Kudimata will intensify its national advocacy for financial literacy, scale multilingual and digital learning platforms, deepen public-private partnerships and expand access to regulated investment opportunities through Kudimata Capital Ltd.

    “Kudimata was not born as a company, but as a calling,” Erhimu said. 

    “A calling to demystify money, restore confidence and build systems that empower Nigerians to rise beyond limitations. When people understand money, nations begin to shift.”

    She added that the push for financial literacy among women, youths and girls must remain a national priority, not a one-off intervention.

    “At three, Kudimata is not just celebrating growth; we are making a national declaration that financial literacy is the gateway to dignity, that empowerment must move beyond programmes into systems, and that inclusive wealth is the future Nigeria deserves,” she said.

    From classrooms to boardrooms and from grassroots communities to the capital market, Kudimata’s growing influence reflects a movement determined to redefine empowerment in Nigeria, one financially informed citizen at a time.

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court upholds President’s power to declare emergency rule, suspend elected officials

    BREAKING: Supreme Court upholds President’s power to declare emergency rule, suspend elected officials

    The Supreme Court has upheld the President’s power to declare a state of emergency in any state to prevent a breakdown of law and order or a descent into chaos or anarchy.

    The apex court, in a split decision of six-to-one on Monday, held that the President, during a state of emergency, can suspend elected officials, but that such suspensions must be for a limited period.

    Justice Mohammed Idris held, in the lead majority judgment, that Section 305 of the Constitution empowers the President to deploy extraordinary measures to restore normalcy where emergency rule is declared.

    Justice Idris noted Section 305 is not specific on the nature of the extraordinary measures, thereby granting the President the discretion on how to go about it.

    The judgment was on the suit filed by Adamawa and 10 other Peoples Democratic Party-led states challenging the propriety of the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State, during which elected state officials were suspended for six months.

    Justice Idris, in the earlier part of the judgment, upheld the preliminary objections raised by the two defendants against the competence of the suit.

    In upholding the objections raised by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the National Assembly (the defendants), Justice Idris held that the plaintiffs (the 11 PDP states) failed to establish any cause of action capable of activating the original jurisdiction of the apex court.

    He struck out the suit for want of jurisdiction, proceeded to also determine the case on the merits, and dismissed it.

    However, Justice Obande Ogbuinya dissented and held that the case succeeded in part.

    Justice Ogbuinya held, among others, that although the President could declare a state of emergency, the President cannot use such power as a tool to suspend elected state officials, including governors, deputy governors, and members of parliament.

    Details shortly…