The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Adebowale appointed executive member International Council on Archives

    Adebowale appointed executive member International Council on Archives

    Nigeria’s Dr. Oludamola Adebowale has been appointed to the Executive Committee of the International Council on Archives (ICA) Section on Archives of Literature and Art (SLA) for the 2025–2029 term.

    His appointment places Nigeria on the global archival map, positioning the country at the centre of international conversations on the preservation, accessibility, and advancement of literary and artistic heritage.

    The SLA Executive Committee is composed of renowned experts from leading archival institutions across the world and is responsible for shaping global policies, strengthening scholarly exchange, driving cross-border collaborations, and developing ethical archival standards.

    Dr. Adebowale’s inclusion on the committee signals a strategic gain for Nigeria’s archival development, particularly as the country intensifies efforts to document its creative and historical memory.

    His role is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s visibility and influence within global cultural-heritage networks, expand international collaborations in digitisation, preservation training and institutional partnerships, position Nigerian literary and artistic archives within global research ecosystems, and champion the integration of African narratives, histories and languages into international archival standards.

    Other members of the 2025–2029 SLA Executive Committee include Heather Dean (Canada), Chair; Dr. André Derval (France); Dr. Heidi Egginton (Scotland); Dr. Sebastian Gurciullo (Australia); Sandrine Guérin (USA); Catherine Hobbs (Canada); Dr. David Sutton (UK); Yayoi Tsutsui (Japan); and Elisabetta Zonca (Switzerland). The team will oversee major initiatives such as global virtual events, training programmes, collaborative research networks, and the expansion of the World-Wide Directory of Repositories Holding Archives of Literature and Art—one of SLA’s most significant international resources.

    As a member of the committee, Dr. Adebowale will contribute to shaping the future of archival practice worldwide. His responsibilities include enhancing multilingual and inclusive metadata systems, strengthening ethical archival practices, supporting global archival standards, advancing digital innovation, and ensuring broader visibility for African creative archives on the international stage.

    Dr. Adebowale is a Senior Curator with the Nigeria-Brazilian Public History Project and founder of ASIRI Magazine. An Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (UK), he has curated landmark exhibitions, including Wole Soyinka: Timeless Memories and the British Council 75th Anniversary Virtual Exhibition. His innovative works, among them the 1851 Agidingbi Historical Chess Game, have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s contemporary memory culture.

    His appointment underscores the rising global recognition of African archivists and solidifies Nigeria’s growing leadership in cultural preservation, historical documentation, and archival innovation.

  • Akpabio advocates enhanced pay for teachers

    Akpabio advocates enhanced pay for teachers

    The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has advocated for enhanced remuneration and improved work environment for teachers if the nation wishes to achieve a functional education system.

    Senator Akpabio also called for a return to the good old days when school teachers were adored, well-catered for, and highly regarded and respected in society.

    He spoke in Abuja on Wednesday, which is the second day of the two-day maiden edition of the Nigeria Education Forum (NEF, 2025), organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education in Nigeria (COSCEN), and partners.

    Represented by the Senate’s Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Akpabio said: “Provide the conducive environment for them (teachers) to operate and inculcate knowledge into our children. That is the only way we can guarantee the future of our children and the future of our education.

    “So, for education to succeed and for Nigeria to succeed, the interests of teachers must be addressed. Adequate remuneration is a sine qua non for the success of our education venture,” he said.

    Senator Akpabio disclosed that the Senate was working to step up funding, improve accountability, and expand access to digital learning with a view to aligning the educational system with the needs of the country’s modern economy.

    He added, “We know that the government alone cannot do it. Education is a national project. A national project succeeds when everyone – Federal, states, and local governments, including the private and public sectors – works towards the same goal.”

    Senator Akpabio noted that the realisation informed the call for Local Government’s autonomy to enable the third tier of government to contribute its own quota, including supporting the education sector.

    He said the responsibility of the nation’s leaders, teachers, and policy makers is to ensure that the dreams of today’s children do not die prematurely because of the absence of a functional educational system that guarantees the realisation of their future aspirations.

    The Senate President added: “So, let us build a new partnership where research speaks to national challenges, where innovations grow out of our universities into our industries, where every child seeks a pathway to success, a pathway that is wide enough, strong enough, and welcoming enough to carry them.

    “Let us choose to invest, not only in infrastructure, in imagination, not only in textbooks, but in talents; not only in structures, but in the spirit of our young people.

    “If we choose to rise above politics, above doubts, above all hurdles that no longer serve us, then we will open the door to a future where Nigeria will become a beacon of learning and a powerhouse of ideas,” he said.

    The Senate President said efforts should be directed at creating an egalitarian society where every member has an equal stake and has access to all available opportunities.

    “We should provide a level playing field for all our children to realise their potential,” he said.

  • Edo Assembly vows to stop Okpebholo’s detractors

    Edo Assembly vows to stop Okpebholo’s detractors

    The Edo State House of Assembly has vowed to stop anybody or group that wants to thwart the efforts of Governor Monday Okpebholo to develop the state.

    It said Edo people are happy with Governor Okpebholo.

    The lawmakers said the Governor has been prudent in utilising the State’s funds.

    Deputy Speaker of the Edo Assembly, Hon. Atu Osamwonyi, spoke on Wednesday when he led members of the House ad-hoc Committee on Project Inspection on a comprehensive oversight inspection of several ongoing infrastructure projects embarked upon by Governor Okpebholo.

    Hon Otu declared that the inspected projects were unprecedented in the history of Edo State.

    Among the projects visited were the Sapele road fly-over, the 5.8 kilometres road project linking Amagba and Obagie-N’Ebvuosa, reconstruction of the old Sapele road, among others.

    Hon Otu said the projects reflected the Governor’s commitment to infrastructure renewal.

    He said Okpebholo has demonstrated transparency and visible delivery in project execution, unlike past administrations, where funds were approved without tangible results.

    According to him, “In my entire life in Edo State, this flyover project is the first of its kind. We are here physically, and work is ongoing.

     “This is the fifth site we have visited since yesterday. We are impressed with what we have seen so far, and as a House, we will stand by the governor to ensure he finishes strong.

    “The legislature does not play politics with accountability, and we will speak the truth at all times.

    “If Governor Okpebholo is not doing well, we will say it. But I stand here today to affirm that the funds appropriated are being used judiciously for the benefit of the people.

    “Despite limited financial resources, the governor has delivered projects many believed were impossible.

    “But today we are standing here with joy. The governor has brought democracy to Edo in a way the people can feel,” he said.

    According to him, contractors handling the projects confirmed that although the initial timeline was two years, work would likely be completed within one year and six months due to the speed of implementation.

     “That tells you that Governor Okpebholo is not eating Edo people’s money,” he added.

    Hon. Osamwonyi stressed that the Assembly would resist any attempt to derail the governor’s momentum.

    “This is the continuity we want in Edo State. Anybody who wants to thwart the governor’s efforts, we will not agree,” he said.

    Commissioner for Works, Felix Akhabue, said the governor gave strict directives to monitor all contractors and ensure adherence to specifications.

     “The lawmakers did not just appropriate funds; they want to see how the money is being used.

    “Their presence keeps us on our toes because Edo people are waiting for the completion of these projects,” he said.

  • Akume: Inter-faith trust key to national cohesion, development

    Akume: Inter-faith trust key to national cohesion, development

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has warned that the erosion of trust between Nigeria’s major religious communities poses a grave threat to national unity, urging stronger collaboration among faith leaders to prevent conflicts and rebuild confidence.

    Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the second triannual meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Akume said Nigeria is in a delicate period marked by “heightened political rhetoric, internal security strains, and degraded mutual trust” that had recently “almost ebbed into religious conflict.”

    He cited violent incidents in Benue, Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara States, noting that the public anxiety generated by such attacks must be addressed through collective action and a balanced national narrative.

    According to him, both Christian and Muslim communities have suffered devastating consequences of insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes, and it is misleading to frame the crises as affecting only one side.

    “The point is not to engage in a scorecard of pain,” he cautioned, “but to underscore that violence in Nigeria is not monolithic. Both major faith groups bleed when any Nigerian is killed.”

    Akume stressed that an inter-faith approach to peacebuilding is now “not only ideal but necessary” to restore confidence and prevent opportunistic actors from exploiting religious sentiments.

    The SGF expressed concern over Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the U.S. government, saying the development underscored the need for deeper internal engagements to correct global misperceptions.

    He said while diplomatic efforts were yielding progress, more work must be done in the short and long term.

    He praised NIREC’s 26-year partnership with successive governments, describing inter-religious councils as “vital bridges” capable of dispelling misconceptions, mediating conflict, and strengthening the social fabric.

    He assured that the Tinubu administration would deepen support for the council, especially as ongoing reforms begin to improve the economy.

    Outlining priority areas for collaboration, Akume pointed to inclusive policymaking, early-warning conflict systems, joint peacebuilding, and promotion of justice and the rule of law.

    He emphasised the education of young Nigerians to resist hate propaganda and extremist narratives.

    On sovereignty, he maintained that while international cooperation is welcome, “Nigerians must work out Nigerian solutions,” adding that the government remains fully committed to protecting every community irrespective of religious affiliation.

    Akume disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has established a new US–Nigeria Joint Working Group on Security in which NIREC leaders are expected to play significant roles as part of broader non-kinetic peace strategies.

    He urged NIREC members to use their closed-door session to speak frankly and “reject the voices of division” in favour of justice, compassion, and unity.

    “Nigeria will be stronger, better, and enjoy lasting peace if we collectively shame the peddlers of hatred and disunity,” he said.

  • NNPCL imports boost national petrol stock to 71.5ml/d in November

    NNPCL imports boost national petrol stock to 71.5ml/d in November

    …Daily petrol consumption down by 3.8ml/d to 52.9ml/d in November

    The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on Wednesday said the supply of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol increased to 71.5million litres per day (ml/d in November 2025 from the 46.0ml/d recorded in October 2025 because of the imports by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to build inventory and guarantee supply for the Yuletide season.

    This was made known in the X handle document titled: “State of Downstream Sector: NMDPRA Fact sheet (November 2025).”

    The factsheet, which described the NNPC as the supplier of the last resort, added that the 12-month vessels billed to discharge in the previous month could only be offloaded in November to further swell the stock.

    Stating the reasons for high petrol stock in the period under review, NMDPRA said, “The significant increase in PMS supply in November 2025 was on account of the following: (a) Lower supply recorded in September and October, below the national demand threshold;

    “(b) The need for boosting the national stock level to meet the peak demand period of end-of-year festivities.

    “(c) Imports by the NNPC, the supplier of last resort, in November 2025, to build inventory and supply further guarantee supply during the peak demand period.

    “12 months vessels programmed to discharge into October but spilled into November 2025. Domestic supply volumes are based on disport/discharge figures and refinery truck out.”

    The factsheet also revealed that the average daily consumption of petrol in the country has crashed by 3.8million litres per day (ml/d) to 52.9ml/d in November 2025 from the average daily consumption of 56.7ml in October 2025.

    In the period under review, petrol stock sufficiency has hit 16.65 days from the 11.1 days recorded in October 2025.

    According to the factsheet, out of the six modular refineries listed in the period under review, two were out of production.

    On Modular Refinery and Capacities,” NMDPRA said OPAC and Duport “are not on production.”

    It further explained that Waltersmith’s average capacity utilization is 63.32 per cent while its average diesel supply is 0.133 million litres per day.

    The Authority also disclosed that Edo Refinery has an average capacity utilization of 91.40 with an average diesel supply of 0.060ml/d.

    It said Aradel has an average utilization capacity of 62.30 per cent, but supplied an average of 0.296 ml/d in the period under review.

    NMDPRA said in November 2025, the country’s average Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, daily supply rose to 5mt/day from 4mt/d in October 2025.

    The document also revealed the volume of gas utilized by strategic sectors, noting that gas-to-power was 0.645Bscf/d, gas to commercial was 0.581Bscf/d, and gas-based industries were 0.420 Bscf/d.

    NMDPRA said LNG exported by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) was 101,555m3/d, while NG exported via West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) was 0.121Bscf/d.

  • Niger Delta powers Nigeria but suffers neglect, stakeholders warn

    Niger Delta powers Nigeria but suffers neglect, stakeholders warn

    …‘Progress must not stall’ – Presidential Aide launches Road to South-South 2.0

    Stakeholders have expressed renewed concern over the environmental degradation and economic exclusion facing the South-South region, warning that Nigeria’s most resource-rich zone continues to shoulder the burden of powering the nation while remaining beset by underdevelopment.

    Speaking at the second edition of Road to South-South: The National Convergence of the Renewed Hope Agenda on Wednesday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe described the region as the “circulatory system” of Nigeria’s economy, whose neglect has become “untenable and dangerous.”

    “For decades, the South-South has powered national growth, supplying the oil and gas resources that fuel the federation. Yet its own arteries remain clogged by environmental pollution, economic exclusion, and recurring social unrest. This paradox… is the heart of the national question we must resolve”, Jarigbe said.

    He said the forum, convened by the Office of the President, signalled a shift “from rhetoric to roadmap, from grievance to strategy, and from isolation to collaboration.”

    The senator outlined three priority areas requiring urgent action, beginning with a comprehensive Niger Delta Environmental Restoration and Sustainability Act to go beyond “palliative clean-ups,” ensure total remediation of polluted areas, and hold polluters accountable. He also called for coordinated environmental monitoring systems.

    On economic reform, Jarigbe advocated a South-South industrial blueprint to attract investment into gas processing, petrochemicals, the blue economy, tourism, and sustainable agriculture.

    He urged that the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative establish a strong implementation footprint in the region to drive industrialisation and create jobs.

    He stressed that collaboration must translate into concrete results on the ground, identifying three strategic areas: infrastructure convergence among federal and state agencies to complete critical projects such as the East-West Road and expand seaports; a security-development framework to protect infrastructure and encourage legitimate economic activity; and targeted human-capital investment, including Centres of Excellence in energy and environmental studies and improved healthcare in oil-bearing communities.

    “Security for pipelines must also mean security for people and their livelihoods,” he said, warning against top-down development that excludes host communities.

    He proposed compulsory Community Development Agreements for major projects to guarantee employment, procurement, and measurable social impact, while insisting that traditional rulers and youth groups be central to planning and evaluation.

    Jarigbe described the transformation of the South-South as a “moral obligation” and a prerequisite for national stability, economic resilience, and environmental justice, urging stakeholders to ensure the convergence “is not another talk shop” but a launchpad for a new compact among governments, the private sector, and the people.

    He maintained that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda presents a fresh opportunity for collaborative action and insisted that meaningful transformation must start immediately with strategic policy, genuine partnership, and political will.

    Earlier in her remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South), Hon. Gift Johnbull, unveiled Road to South-South 2.0, describing it as a renewed push to deepen development and ensure that “progress must never stall.”

    She said the initiative builds on the successes of the inaugural edition, which included Project Earn from the Soil, an agricultural empowerment programme that provided labour-saving machinery to thousands of farmers and attracted international recognition.

    According to her, the new phase will focus on agribusiness, renewable energy, education, and technology transfer, turning global training and investment into local impact.

    Johnbull urged stakeholders to partner closely, stressing that the South-South is not only Nigeria’s oil base but also an innovation hub, cultural heartland, and vital pillar of national unity and growth.

  • US could ask foreign tourists for five-year social media history before entry

    US could ask foreign tourists for five-year social media history before entry

    Tourists from dozens of countries including the UK could be asked to provide a five-year social media history as a condition of entry to the United States, under a new proposal unveiled by American officials.

    The new condition would affect people from dozens of countries who are eligible to visit the US for 90 days without a visa, as long as they have filled out an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form.

    Since returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has moved to toughen US borders more generally – citing national security as a key reason.

    Analysts say the new plan could pose an obstacle to potential visitors, or harm their digital rights.

    The US expects a major influx of foreign tourists next year, as it hosts the men’s football World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, and for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

    The proposal document was filed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), of which the agency is part.

    US media reported that it appeared in the Federal Register, which is the official journal of the US government. The BBC has asked DHS for comment.

    The proposal says “the data element will require ESTA applicants to provide their social media from the last 5 years”, without giving further details of which specific information will be required.

    The existing ESTA requires a comparatively limited amount of information from travellers, as well as a one-off payment of $40 (£30). It is accessible to citizens of about 40 countries – including the UK, Ireland, France, Australia and Japan – and allows them to visit the US multiple times during a two-year period.

    As well as the collection of social media information, the new document proposes the gathering of an applicant’s telephone numbers and email addresses used over the last five and 10 years respectively, and more information about their family members.

    The text cites an executive order from Trump in January, titled “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats”.

    The Trump administration has previously required foreign nationals to make their social media accounts public if they are applying for student visas or H1B visas for skilled workers – the latter of which now also entail a much higher fee.

  • ‘Oborevwori to speed hospital takeover’

    ‘Oborevwori to speed hospital takeover’

    Residents of Polobubo (Tsekelewu) community and other neighbouring riverine areas in Warri North council area of Delta State, from avoidable deaths, the people have implored Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to fast-track the takeover, rehabilitation, staffing, and upgrade of the Tsekelewu Cottage Hospital.

    The facility, which is critical to the survival of hundreds of residents within and outside the riverine area, had been without adequate workers and in need of rehabilitation after it was abandoned for months.

    However, the state government, following a directive by Governor Oborevwori, decided to step in and return life to the hospital, eliciting hope and excitement from residents.

    In a statement by Dr. Bright Abulu, President-General of Polobubo (Tsekelewu) Community, and Rev. Clement Tiemo, Secretary-General, the community reiterated its gratitude to the governor for his earlier directive instructing the state to assume control of the hospital, rehabilitate it, recruit personnel, and upgrade it to the status of a General Hospital.

    They, however, lamented a near-total lack of progress on the ground since the governor’s announcement.

    The people noted that the situation was further worsened by the withdrawal of personnel from the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme in July 2025, following the planned transfer of the hospital to the Delta State Hospital Management Board.

    Concerned about escalating health risks, they warned that the worsening healthcare vacuum poses immediate danger to residents.

  • Tinubu unveils new security, economic blueprint to harness Nigeria’s marine wealth

    Tinubu unveils new security, economic blueprint to harness Nigeria’s marine wealth

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled a fresh national security and economic framework designed to transform Nigeria’s vast marine and aquatic resources into a major driver of economic diversification, job creation, and long-term prosperity.

    The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa during a parley with participants of Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

    He directed all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to immediately study and prepare to implement recommendations contained in the NIPSS report on blue economy development, describing the study as a significant roadmap for national progress.

    In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, the President said, “the blue economy offers a strategic pathway for diversifying our revenue base, creating sustainable employment and revitalising the ecosystems that sustain national development. If properly harnessed, this sector could become an anchor of shared prosperity for generations.”

    Welcoming the findings of the NIPSS study on Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria, the President commended the institute for its “analytical rigour, creativity and patriotic duty,” noting that Nigeria’s natural endowment, including an 853-kilometre coastline, rich fisheries, extensive inland waterways and a strategic Atlantic location, places the country in a strong global maritime position.

    He listed aquaculture expansion, port and maritime corridor modernisation, coastal tourism, marine biotechnology, and renewable ocean energy as priority areas of the administration.

    “These opportunities lie within our grasp if we act with discipline and intentionality,” he stated.

    Reaffirming his reform drive, President Tinubu said the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was a strategic step to improve port management systems, strengthen maritime security, and enable private-sector participation.

    But he warned that the full benefits of the blue economy would not be realised without a secure operating environment.

    While noting that piracy had reduced through the Deep Blue Project, he cautioned that “oil theft, illegal fishing, smuggling, vandalism, and kidnapping still undermine national revenues and investor confidence.

    These threats are real, and this administration is taking decisive steps to address them.”

    In a major policy move, the President also assigned NIPSS an expanded national security mandate, directing the institute to conduct a nationwide security diagnostic and present practical recommendations for overhauling the country’s security architecture.

    “The policy paper shall be submitted to my office within an agreed timeline, and it will receive the utmost attention,” he assured.

    Earlier, the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, commended the President and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, for supporting the Senior Executive Course, noting that participants had conducted field studies in several states and 14 countries.

    Presenting highlights of the report titled Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities, Colonel Murkar Dauda said systemic governance gaps, weak institutional coordination, and sub-standard infrastructure remained obstacles, but stressed that fisheries, aquaculture, and expanded marine revenues offer substantial opportunities.

    Among its recommendations, the report urged the Federal Government to launch a national fisheries expansion programme to raise fish production from 1.2 million metric tonnes to 10 million metric tonnes within two years, develop a comprehensive financing framework for the marine and blue economy, harmonise legal and policy regimes, and strengthen safety and security on inland waterways.

    The report also called for the establishment of an innovative skills, job-creation, and social-inclusion framework to support sustainable growth in the sector.

  • Respect my years of hard work, Young Jonn slams critics

    Respect my years of hard work, Young Jonn slams critics

    Singer Young Jonn has urged critics to stop undermining his talent and hard work, emphasising that it took him years to reach his current level of success.

    In a recent social media post, Young Jonn expressed his frustration with critics who have accused him of being “monotonous.”

    “If you’re not a fan of my work, leave it at that! Don’t come here and water down my years of hard work!” he wrote on X.

    The singer, who began his career as a producer in 2010, gained prominence through his affiliation with Olamide’s YBNL family.

    He switched to singing after signing a recording deal with Chocolate City in 2022, releasing the hit single “Dada”, which was further boosted by a remix with Davido.

    Young Jonn also thanked his loyal fans for their support, saying, “Love to the true fans that truly appreciate my work, thanks for all the support – some people are just stupid and e no go still better for their family!”