The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • NAPTIP raids Onitsha hotel, arrests four, rescues 17 victims

    NAPTIP raids Onitsha hotel, arrests four, rescues 17 victims

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested four suspects and rescued 17 victims during a raid on a popular hotel in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    Two suspects allegedly involved in selling and buying babies within the South-Eastern States were nabbed during the raid, which was carried out with the support of the military.

    According to the Agency, the victims were recruited from Benue, Imo, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom States and trafficked to Onitsha for alleged prostitution.

    According to a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations Unit of the Agency, Vincent Adekoye, four of the victims rescued were infected with HIV and are currently being counselled by a Team of Caregivers from NAPTIP and volunteers from the Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA).

    Adekoye stated that the latest operation followed a credible intelligence by a non – State Actor based in Anambra State which indicated the presence of some underage girls within the said facility and the health status of the victims, having carried out a voluntary screening on them after proper counselling.

    The statement read, “Investigation revealed that residents of the area have, before now expressed worry over the unwholesome activities of the operators of the Hotel which has about 45 rooms most especially the influx of men who daily throng there to cool off with the underage girls.

    “During the operation, while some of the victims were caught in the act with the randy lovers, other victims were seen in skimpy wears and bump shots apparently waiting for their usual customers.

    “During interrogation, the victims disclosed that they were recruited from Benue, Imo, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom States and trafficked to Onitsha for alleged prostitution

    “They added that each of them remits the sum of N20,000 to N25,000 to their “Madam” daily by sleeping with about 5 men with multiple sex rounds.”

    One of the victims narrated, “It was my boyfriend who said he saw a job for me here in Onitsha. When I arrived here, the Madam sent someone to pick me up at the park and she introduced me to this hustling job. She said I will work for her and pay N20, 000 daily and that at the end of the year, she will buy me a box filled with assorted clothes and the sum of N500, 000 so that I can be free to go and start my own work. It is not with a good mind that I am doing this job, but it was too late for me to refuse”.

    A victim who is HIV positive said, “When the people came here to test us, they told me that I have been infested, and they advised me and my friends that we need to start treatment to flush out the infection. They gave us medicine. But, after they left, our Madam beat us seriously because we came out of the rooms to see the people who tested us. 

    Read Also: 93 traffickers jailed, 120 children rescued in 2025, says NAPTIP

    “She collected the medicine they gave to us and warned us that we should never go out for any treatment again. I cried and cried for hours, and the more I cried, the more she beat me”.

    The Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, expressed sadness over the plights of the victims.

    She stated, “I want to sincerely thank the Military in Onitsha for their support to NAPTIP during this operation, and also the Gender and Human Rights State Response Team (GHR-SRT) domiciled under the Anambra State Aids Control Agency (ANSACA) in the Office of the Governor who provided timely intervention and collaboration that led to the rescue of the underage girls.

    “I am most devastated by the health status of the rescued victims and the action of their so-called Madam who not only collected the Antiretroviral medicines that were given to them by the good spirited Organization that visited the hotel, but also prevented them from accessing any further medical opportunity. This is a criminal act, and NAPTIP has launched a manhunt for her.

    “The Agency has also invited the Owner of the Hotel for interrogation with a view to determining the next sanction on the facility.

    “As said few weeks ago, NAPTIP shall continue to double its efforts and scale up activities to ensure a good chase for the human trafficking criminal elements in the country.”

  • Keyede Heidel-Ajakaiye champions African animation through foundation

    Keyede Heidel-Ajakaiye champions African animation through foundation

    Keyede Heidel-Ajakaiye, a Nigerian raised Visual Artist based in Canada, is steadily carving a niche at the intersection of visual art, photography, and animation advocacy.

    She is using her foundation, The Colored Anime, to support young African animators and expand the continent’s storytelling footprint on the global stage.

    Keyede is a professional artist and photographer who studied at the Vancouver Institute of MediaArts, following earlier years of living and studying in Calgary. 

    She is also an abstract expressionist painter, working with diverse media to translate inner imagination into vivid forms and colours. 

    Her multidisciplinary approach, shaped by a deep love for music, dance and the tranquillity of nature, continues to inform both her personal practice and her philanthropic vision.

    “I’ve always enjoyed art in general and I’ve always been interested in art forms and animation,” she said in a recent media chat. 

    “Music, movement and nature bring a sense of peace that reflects in how I approach my creations.”

    Her professional creative business dates back to 2021, while The Colored Anime Foundation was established in 2024. 

    Though relatively young, the foundation has already made a notable impact within the African animation ecosystem, most prominently through its partnership with the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), where it sponsors the animation category for the second consecutive year.

    Keyede explained, “For me, it still goes back to what my basis is for starting the foundation in the first place. 

    “I see a lot of animation globally, but I didn’t necessarily see a lot of Africans doing it. 

    “When I looked closer, I realised there are Africans,  and specifically Nigerians, who are interested in animation. What they need is support and encouragement.”

    Through AFRIFF, The Colored Anime provides not only cash prizes but also skills development opportunities for award winners, a combination Keyede believes is crucial to nurturing sustainable creative careers.

    She said, “I just wanted to see if I could come in and give a little bit of support and encouragement in my own little way.”

    At the heart of her advocacy is a strong belief in the untapped potential of African storytelling. 

    According to her, animation offers a powerful medium for translating indigenous narratives into formats that resonate across generations.

    “I feel like African storytelling is a space that hasn’t really been tapped into,” she noted. “If you look at the Japanese style of anime or how other cultures animate their stories, they draw deeply from their history. We have that depth of story from our ancestors, but we’ve never really zoomed into it.”

    She added that animation could bridge generational gaps. “Kids obviously like watching animation, and adults like it too. If the stories reflect who we are as Africans, it makes them more relatable and engaging.”

    On what distinguishes a promising animator, Keyede emphasised a balance between creativity and technical execution. 

    She said, “There are two definitive things I look out for: creativity and storytelling, and audio production. 

    “If you don’t have great audio, no matter how good your story is, it takes people out of it. And if the audio is great but the storytelling isn’t, it still won’t work.”

    Music, particularly Afrobeat, also plays a significant role in her creative philosophy. “Music conveys emotion,” she said. “Sometimes you don’t even need words. Movement and music can speak louder than actual conversations.”

    Looking ahead, she remains cautiously optimistic about the future of animation in Africa, noting that growth will require patience and sustained investment. 

    “It’s not going to happen overnight,” she said. “We need more effort and more resources for it to work.”

    On whether government or private investors should lead the charge, Keyede believes both have a role to play. 

    She said, “Either one works. They just have to see the potential and zoom out to understand where it can go. If they don’t, even if the creators are talented, it won’t thrive.”

    Technology, she added, will only be transformative if matched with genuine support for creators. 

    “No matter how much talent there is, if the resources and encouragement don’t get to the creator, it won’t pan out,” she said.

    Keyede has been involved with AFRIFF since 2024, making this her second year supporting the animation category. 

    While she leaves impact assessment largely to her management team, she draws encouragement from the enthusiasm surrounding the awards.

    She said, “When I see how excited people are that there is an actual category for animation, it makes me happy. It helps creatives feel seen and encouraged to keep going.” 

    Some of the past winners from the categories that Keyede has sponsored are Dami Solesi, the Creative Director of Smids Animation Studios, and Adeoye Adetunji of 2thpick Art, who won the awards for best animation in 2024 and 2025, respectively. 

    Her advice to emerging African creatives is rooted in adaptability and conviction. 

    She said: “Always be open to learning new techniques and striving to be better.

    “Be open-minded, but also know when to stand your ground.”

    As The Colored Anime continues to grow, Keyede Heidel-Ajakaiye’s vision remains clear: to help African stories find animated life and to ensure that young creatives receive the encouragement and tools they need to bring those stories to the world.

  • Six injured in Third Mainland Bridge accident

    Six injured in Third Mainland Bridge accident

    At least six commuters were injured on Monday in a road traffic accident along the Third Mainland Bridge, Adekunle corridor, heading toward Iyana-Oworonsoki. 

    The incident involved a painted Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number KRD 436 XF.

    According to Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) spokesperson Adebayo Taofiq, the fully loaded bus, carrying passengers and assorted household items, experienced a sudden brake failure while in motion. 

    The driver subsequently lost control, causing the vehicle to capsize on the busy carriageway.

    The accident left six passengers—two men and four women—with serious injuries, including one who sustained a critical eye injury at the point of impact.

    LASTMA officials, who were on routine patrol in the area, arrived promptly to coordinate rescue operations. All injured passengers were safely extricated from the wreckage and attended to.

    According to LASTMA, “Good Samaritans swiftly transported four of the injured passengers to an undisclosed medical facility for urgent treatment. In parallel, Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Adekunle Division, rendered crucial assistance by conveying one male victim who sustained multiple fractures to a hospital for intensive medical care. Additionally, operatives of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) administered immediate on-site medical attention to another injured passenger at the scene of the incident.”

    To prevent further accidents and restore free flow of traffic, LASTMA officials ensured the swift removal of the accident vehicle from the road.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Sleepy driver rams into another vehicle on Third Mainland Bridge

    Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, expressed deep sympathy to the injured passengers and their families, and wished them a speedy recovery.

    He also warned motorists, particularly commercial vehicle operators, against overloading and neglecting routine vehicle maintenance. 

    Hon. Giwa stressed the importance of regular mechanical checks, especially of braking systems, before embarking on any journey within or outside Lagos State.

    The Special Adviser reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s resolute commitment to the preservation of lives and property across its road networks, underscoring that acts of avoidable negligence and mechanical irresponsibility will continue to attract stringent regulatory sanctions.

  • Malami urges court to reverse interim property forfeiture order 

    Malami urges court to reverse interim property forfeiture order 

    …gives details of his earnings

    An ex-Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) has urged a  Federal High Court in Abuja to reverse its order issued on January 6 for the interim forfeiture of some of his property.

    Malami, in a motion filed by his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) also gave details of his earnings while in office.

    In the motion, Malami is seeking the release of three of the 57 property affected by the order issued by Justice Emeka Nwite upon a motion ex-parte for interim forfeiture filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He is praying for two reliefs:

    *An order of this honourable court vacating, setting aside and/or discharging the interim order(s) of this honourable court made on the 6th of January, 2026 against the respondent/applicant’s (Malami’s) properties listed as Nos. 9, 18, and 48 in the schedule of properties attached to the interim order of forfeiture of 6th January, 2026, the said properties having been duly declared in the respondent/applicant’s asset declaration forms throughout his tenure as a public officer and No. 48 is held in trust for the Estate of Late Khadi Malami Nassarawa.

    *An order of this honourable court restraining the applicant/respondent (EFCC), acting by itself or through its servants, agents and proxies from interfering with the respondent/applicant’s (Malami’s) properties in issue or disturbing the respondent/applicant’s ownership, possession and control thereof in the course of purportedly giving effect to the order of this honourable court made on the 6th of January, 2026.”

    The three property being claimed by Malami include Plot 157, Lamido Crescent, Nasarawa, GRA, Kano, purchased in July 31, 2019.

    The others are: a Bedroom Duplex and Boys Quarters at No.12, Yalinga Street, Off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse Il, Abuja, purchased in October 2018 at N150million, and ADC Kadi Malami Foundation Building, bought at N56million listed as No. 18 and No. 48 in the schedule of property submitted to the court by the EFCC.

    Malami argued that the property listed as numbers: Nine, 18 and 48, the subject of the interim forfeiture, especially those declared in his various asset declaration forms are not linked by prima facie evidence of an unlawful activity or a specific offence.

    The ex-AGF stated that he declared the assets listed as numbers nine and 18 in his asset declaration forms filed with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in 2019 and 2023 respectively.

    He said property marked as number 48 is held in trust by him for the benefit of the estate of his late father, Late Kadi Malami.

    Malami added: “These assets, their value and their root of title have been clearly stated and specifically demonstrated in the various asset declaration forms spanning from 2019 to 2023.

    “The declaration above is prima facie evidence of the legitimacy of the acquisition and ownership of the properties,” he said.

    Malami stated that he copiously declared his earnings in his asset declaration form filed with the CCB to include: N374, 630,900 million income from salaries, estacodes, severance allowance and others;

    “Sitting allowances as a board/committee member of the Federal Judicial Service Commission, Federal Capital Territory Judicial Service Commission, Legal Practitioner Privileges Committee, and a high-powered presidential committee.

    “N574, 073, 000 (Five hundred and seventy-four million, and seventy three thousand naira) as Income generated through disposed assets

    “N10, 017,382,684 (Ten billion, seventeen million, three hundred and eighty-two thousand, six hundred and eighty-four thousand naira) turnover from businesses.

    “N2, 522, 000, 000 (Two billion, five hundred and twenty-two million naira) being loans to businesses

    “N958,000,000 (Nine hundred and fifty-eight million naira) as a traditional gift from personal friends.”

    Malami also stated that a total sum of N509,880,000 (Five hundred and nine million, eight hundred and eighty thousand naira) was realised as income from the launch and public presentation of a book titled, “Contemporary Issues on Nigerian Law and Practice, Thorny Terrains in Traversing the Nigerian Justice Sector: My Travails and Triumphs” by Malami.

    Read Also: Hearing stalled in EFCC’s suit seeking Malami’s assets forfeiture

    “These streams of income, and the continuing profits generated from the businesses over the years, sufficiently show that the properties sought to be forfeited were acquired through legitimate and lawful means as stated in the asset declaration forms,” he said.

    According to him, the order of interim forfeiture is not based on any prima facie establishment of unlawful purpose and is liable to be set aside.

    He argued that the court wrongly granted the order of interim forfeiture against these property “which were lawfully acquired post appointment of the respondent/applicant and declared with the Code of Conduct Bureau as legitimate assets of the respondent/applicant, in compliance with the 5th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in 2019 and 2023.

    “The interim order was obtained ex-parte by suppression of material facts and misrepresentation.

    “The interim order for forfeiture was obtained by manifest exaggeration, malicious inflation of the value of the assets, and unreasonable and incompetent valuation deliberately manipulated to mislead the court, negatively affecting its discretion in granting an order based on manipulated facts and conclusions deliberately cooked up by the applicant/respondent (EFCC).

    “That there is no prima facie evidence placed before this honourable court by the applicant/respondent (EFCC) to warrant the properties linked to the respondent/applicant (Malami) to be liable for forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “The proper remedy for preventing conflicting outcomes duplicative litigation is for this honourable court to dismiss or strike out this suit.

    “That this proceeding is an assault on the applicant’s fundamental right to property, his presumption of innocence and his right to live in peace with his family,” Malami said.

  • JAMB to give free UTME forms to PWDs

    JAMB to give free UTME forms to PWDs

    …board rakes N2.2bn from sales of UTME forms

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said it would give free application documents to persons with disabilities registering for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. 

    The Board said this in a bulletin shared by its Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin on Monday in Abuja. 

    Registration for the examination started on January 26 and will end on 28 of this month. 

    So far, the Board has raked in N2,206,319,000.00 from the sales of UTME e-Pins. 

    It noted that as done in previous years, the free application documents are to be processed by the JAMB-equal Opportunity Group(JEOG) for candidates with disabilities, who wish to sit the 2026/2027 UTME.

    The Board explained that the free UTME documents were part of efforts aimed at giving equal opportunities to all categories of candidates with disabilities, who are desirous of pursuing their dreams of higher education.

    Read Also: JAMB denies barring undergraduates from UTME

    The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, during a meeting with critical stakeholders of the Board at the National Headquarters, Abuja, restated the Board’s commitment to the welfare of PWDs through its free application documents regime. 

    He listed those who will enjoy the free application documents to include, but not limited to, people with Down Syndrome, Autism, Dyslexia, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

    “To support the PLWDs, JAMB will issue free application documents to all categories of persons living with disabilities. For candidates to enjoy this, such candidates must possess five credits passed in O/L at not more than two sittings,” Oloyede said. 

    He also added that audiobooks will  be provided for all visually impaired candidates. 

    Explaining further, Prof Oloyede stated that the audio book is a digital adaptation of the traditional printed reading book, noting that it will come in popular audio formats such as MP3, WMV, and WMA, which will be compatible with all devices that can stream audio records.

  • SEDC to unveil vision 2050 agenda, seeks unified economic bloc for southeast

    SEDC to unveil vision 2050 agenda, seeks unified economic bloc for southeast

    The Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) will on Tuesday February 3rd unveil an ambitious long-term development blueprint for the region as it prepares to host the Southeast Vision 2050 Regional Stakeholders Forum  in Enugu.

    Speaking at a press conference in Enugu on Monday ahead of the forum, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Hon. Mark Okoye, said the initiative is aimed at addressing decades-long infrastructure deficits, ecological challenges, and economic fragmentation in the Southeast.

    Okoye explained that the SEDC, a federal government agency established to fast-track regional development, has spent the past 11 months laying a solid institutional and strategic foundation following its inauguration on February 10, 2025.

    “By law, the Commission was created to address infrastructure challenges in the Southeast dating back to the civil war era, as well as ecological issues, while also developing a long-term regional master plan in partnership with state and non-state actors,” he said.

    According to him, the Vision 2050 forum, themed “Charting a Shared Path to Sustainable Prosperity for the Southeast,” is the outcome of extensive engagements with Southeast governors and over 250 federal government agencies since the Commission became operational.

    He disclosed that although the Commission is yet to receive funding for project execution, it has developed robust ideas and frameworks to drive development and is determined not to rely solely on government funding.

    Read Also: SEDC approves Enugu relocation, programme rollout for 2026

    Okoye expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Commission decades after the end of the civil war, describing it as a critical step toward addressing historical development gaps in the region.

    He noted that the forum would bring together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including state governments, the organized private sector, youth groups, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, development partners, commissioners for budget and planning, and the Ministry of Regional Development.

    The MD revealed that at least 73 Southeast indigenes from the diaspora would participate in the forum, while technical sessions would focus on agriculture, food security, energy, industrialization, and youth employment.

    Among key proposals to be discussed is a regional gas pipeline project aimed at ensuring energy security, boosting industrial growth, and creating jobs for young people.

    Okoye also announced plans to establish the Southeast Investment Company, the investment arm of the Commission, which will include a venture capital initiative to support tech startups and innovative enterprises in the region.

    He said a comprehensive policy document would be produced within six weeks after the forum, stressing that the SEDC’s interventions would complement—not replace—existing state-level development efforts.

    “We have clear designs and plans for the Southeast. What we need now is sustained collaboration and funding support to move from planning to execution,” he added.

  • Ekiti debunks claim of N68m PHC allocation in 2026 budget

    Ekiti debunks claim of N68m PHC allocation in 2026 budget

    The Ekiti State Government has dismissed claims circulating on social media that only N68 million was allocated to primary health care (PHC) in the 2026 budget, describing the reports as false, misleading, and a misrepresentation of the state’s health financing structure.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Information Officer, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Mr Wale Obelewaji, the government said more than N2 billion was earmarked for primary health care in the 2026 budget.

    It clarified that the N68 million figure being cited relates to a single capital line item and does not reflect the total allocation to primary health care or the health sector as a whole.

    According to the statement, the total allocation to the health sector in the 2026 budget stands at N19.65 billion, excluding investments in water, sanitation, and other social determinants of health captured under other ministries.

    The government explained that primary health care operates under a shared responsibility framework involving the local, state, and federal governments. While local councils manage day-to-day operations and maintenance, the state provides coordination, supervision, personnel support, and infrastructure through the State Primary Health Care Development Agency.

    Read Also: Ekiti council rejects imposition of chairmanship candidate

    It further disclosed that Ekiti State spent over N33.7 billion on health in 2025, with more than half of the amount invested in primary health care. This included health insurance payments, the renovation of 103 PHC centres, the procurement of medical commodities, and incentives for health workers under the World Bank-supported IMPACT Project.

    The government added that health sector spending in previous years stood at N16.8 billion in 2024, N8.7 billion in 2023, and N25.8 billion in 2022.

    It also outlined investments in human resources, disclosing that 250 health workers were recruited in 2025, with 150 deployed to PHC facilities, while 300 community health vanguards were engaged to track pregnant women and link them to health services.

    It added that approval was also secured for the replacement of over 1,500 health workers at an annual cost of N1.8 billion, most of whom would serve at the primary healthcare level.

    The government stressed that the claim of a N68m allocation to PHC does not reflect the reality on ground, urging the public to engage in health policy debates based on verified facts rather than misinformation.

  • FG moves to turn livestock into a growth engine

    FG moves to turn livestock into a growth engine

    The federal government has set up a new technical sub-committee under the National Economic Council (NEC) to drive the development of Nigeria’s livestock sector.

    The aim is to boost economic growth, improve food security, and strengthen unity across the country.

    Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, made this known on Monday during the first meeting of the sub-committee at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

    He said the team was created to bring together existing policies and ideas and turn them into a clear and practical plan that the National Economic Council can approve and begin to carry out without delay.

    According to him, the NEC had earlier formed a high-level committee on livestock development led by the Governor of Kebbi State, Dr Nasir Idris. That committee includes governors from all six geopolitical zones, key ministers, and the co-chair of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Development.

    However, because of the busy schedules of state governors and the urgent need to move quickly, NEC, Bagudu said, has agreed to create a smaller technical team that would handle the detailed work and speed up the process.

    “Our task is not to reinvent the wheel. A considerable body of work already exists. What is required now is to distil these reports into a clear, practical implementation roadmap that the National Economic Council can adopt without delay,” Bagudu said.

    He spoke about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s personal interest in livestock development, describing it as part of a broader shift in how the country sees agriculture and economic growth.

    The minister said the President views livestock not as a small or side activity, but as a major part of Nigeria’s plan to improve food production, create jobs, and grow the economy.

    “Mr President has consistently said that livestock is not a marginal activity but a central economic driver for food security, agricultural productivity, and inclusive growth. His decision to personally chair the Presidential Committee on Livestock Development reflects this clarity of purpose,” Bagudu stated.

    He also pointed to the creation of a separate Ministry of Livestock Development as a sign that the government now treats the sector as a key part of the economy, rather than just a section under agriculture.

    Bagudu explained that the President’s work with the National Economic Council fits into Nigeria’s federal system, where the federal, state, and local governments all share responsibility for agriculture and food security, including livestock.

    “Livestock development requires collaboration across all tiers of government. As the institution mandated to coordinate national development planning, this ministry serves as the secretariat of our federal system, ensuring that national plans, budgets, and programmes are aligned, mutually reinforcing, and implemented collaboratively rather than in isolation,” he said.

    The minister listed several funding and support programmes that states and communities can benefit from. These include the World Bank-backed Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, NG-CARES, the Nigeria for Women Programme, and the Renewed Hope Ward-Based Development Plan.

    He explained that the ward-based plan is designed to identify and support business and economic opportunities in all 8,809 wards across the country.

    Bagudu called on state commissioners to take full responsibility for the process, saying that when the NEC accepts the committee’s recommendations, it will make it easier for states and local governments to commit more resources.

    Read Also: FG, states, councils share ₦1.969tr December revenue at FAAC meeting

    He added that clear and stable policies would also attract development partners, impact investors, and private businesses by reducing risks and building confidence in the sector.

    The Minister also spoke about the tensions that sometimes surround livestock production in different parts of the country. He said the work of the sub-committee should help change how people see the sector, turning it into a source of shared prosperity instead of conflict.

    Earlier, the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Dr Sampson Ebimaro, described the meeting as an important step in moving forward the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration. He said food security is closely connected to economic growth and national development, and added that the ministry remains committed to coordinating efforts across the country to achieve lasting results.

    The meeting brought together key officials and experts involved in agriculture, planning, and livestock development. Those present included Senator Bagudu as chairman of the sub-committee; Dr Sampson Ebimaro, representing the Permanent Secretary; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness, Mr Kingsley Uzoma; the Cross River State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr Micheal Odere; the Kebbi State Commissioner, Dr Abba Kalgo; and the Niger State Commissioner, Mr Mustapha Ndajiwo.

    Others in attendance were the Director of Special Duties at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Gloria Ahmed; the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr Sanusi Abubakar; the Executive Director of Niger Foods, Mr Ola Oloyede; a livestock systems specialist and policy adviser, Dr Winnie Lai-Solarin; and the Minister of Livestock, Alhaji Idi Maiha.

    With the new technical team now in place, the government says the next step is to turn years of research, policies, and reports into a clear action plan that can help modernise livestock production, improve the lives of farmers and herders, and support Nigeria’s wider goals of economic growth and national stability.

  • Food prices falls in November 2025 – NBS

    Food prices falls in November 2025 – NBS

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says prices of major food items, including rice, beans, garri, tomatoes and onions, fell slightly in November 2025.

    The NBS disclosed this in its Selected Food Prices Watch report for November 2025, released in Abuja on Monday.

    According to the report, the average price of 1kg of local rice dropped 5.00 per cent year-on-year to N1,861.95 in November 2025.

    “On a month-on-month basis, the price of rice also decreased by 2.71 per cent from N1,913.78 recorded in October 2025.”

    The report showed the average price of 1kg of brown beans declined by 43.14 per cent year-on-year to N1,547.03 in November 2025.

    “On a month-on-month basis, the price also fell by 12.13 per cent from N1,760.53 recorded in October 2025.”

    It stated that the average price of 1kg of white garri fell by 32.00 per cent year-on-year to N819.70 in November 2025.

    “Also on a month-on-month basis, the price decreased by 3.19 per cent from N846.69 recorded in October 2025.”

    The NBS said the average price of 1kg of tomatoes dropped by 15.57 per cent year-on-year to N1,243.02 in November 2025.

    “On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of tomato decreased by 2.06 per cent from N1,269.17 recorded in October 2025.”

    The report added that the average price of 1kg of onions fell by 29.03 per cent year-on-year to N1,332.77 in November 2025.

    “On a month-on-month basis, 1kg of onions decreased by 2.60 per cent from N1,368.32 recorded in October 2025.”

    However, the average price of one litre of palm oil rose 1.70 per cent year-on-year to N2,508.73 in November 2025.

    “On a month-on-month basis, it decreased by 1.70 per cent from N2,537.90 recorded in October 2025.”

    State analysis showed Kogi recorded the highest rice price at N2,159.99, while Bauchi posted the lowest at N1,237.81.

    Read Also: Food prices in Lagos, others ease

    Imo recorded the highest brown beans price at N2,174.39, while Adamawa recorded the lowest at N725.

    Bayelsa had the highest white garri price at N1,164.28, while Plateau recorded the lowest at N487.31.

    Imo recorded the highest tomato price at N2,010.70, while Plateau posted the lowest at N684.38.

    Abia recorded the highest onion price at N2,300.76, while Kwara recorded the lowest at N826.56.

    Enugu recorded the highest palm oil price at N2,508.73, while Taraba recorded the lowest at N2,050.

    By zone, the average rice price was highest in the North-Central at N2,019.45 and lowest in the North-East at N1,608.54.

    The South-East and South-South recorded the highest brown beans prices, while the North-East recorded the lowest at N982.79.

    The South-East recorded the highest white garri price, while the North-Central posted the lowest at N626.36.

    The NBS said the South-East and South-South recorded the highest tomato prices, while the North-West recorded the lowest.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu, in September 2025, ordered measures to reduce food prices nationwide.

    (NAN)

  • How Ondo became an ‘oil-producing’ state, Olanipekun reveals

    How Ondo became an ‘oil-producing’ state, Olanipekun reveals

    …as Aiyedatiwa pledges inclusive growth, economic development

    A renowned legal luminary and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, has revealed how Ondo State secured its status as one of Nigeria’s oil-producing states in Nigeria.

    Chief Olanipekun, an erstwhile Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, also attributed the breakthrough to the vision and strategic efforts of the late former governor of the Old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua.

    The Nation reports that Ondo, which is one of the few Southwest states in the country that produces crude oil primarily offshore, contributes a modest but important share to national output, producing over 60,000 barrels per day (bpd).

    Speaking on Monday at a public lecture themed “Ondo State: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” held at the International Culture and Events Centre (The Dome), Akure, as part of activities marking Ondo State’s 50th Anniversary, Olanipekun said the late Olumilua laid the foundation through deliberate planning and teamwork for the state to become “an oil-producing state.”

    He also revealed that the late Olumilua constituted a team comprising his then deputy, Dr Olusegun Agagu; and then Commissioner for Health, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; and himself as Attorney-General, to vigorously pursue federal recognition for the state to become an oil-producing country.

    The legal practitioner added that when the state first presented its case, the then Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Clement Akpamgbo (SAN), advised that Imo and Abia states be included to strengthen the agitation.

    According to him, although the process suffered a setback following the exit of General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime in 1993, the committed team of state officials from the state later engaged the then Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

    He added that Shonekan eventually visited Ondo and publicly pronounced the state an oil-producing one, effectively sealing the recognition.

    Olanipekun described Olumilua as the visionary who consistently referred to Ondo as “our Canaan,” noting that his courage and foresight positioned the state for economic advantage.

    He, however, lamented that the former governor had not received adequate recognition for his contributions.

    The legal luminary also described the former governor, Dr Mimiko, as a “living legend,” advising Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to tap into his wealth of experience as the only surviving civilian governor of the state.

    Remarking, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the golden jubilee was both a celebration and a moment for reflection and planning.

    Aiyedatiwa highlighted the state’s transformation from its agrarian roots in cocoa, oil palm, timber, and fishing to value addition and industrialisation.

    He cited projects including the Sunshine Free Trade Zone, Golden Ceramics Industrial Plant, the Ethanol Plant in Ore, and the proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port.

    Read Also: Why Ondo is yet to generate, distribute electricity independently, by Aiyedatiwa

    The governor added that tourism, education, skills development, and diaspora engagement remained central to his administration’s growth strategy.

    He, however, called on citizens to contribute through entrepreneurship, innovation, and civic responsibility, stressing that development was a collective task.

    “As we look ahead to the next fifty years, our vision is bold, inclusive, and ethically anchored. We envision an Ondo State where economic prosperity is broad-based and sustainable; where education produces innovators, ethical leaders, and problem-solvers; where infrastructure supports growth, inclusion, and environmental stewardship; where governance remains responsive, transparent, and accountable; and where social cohesion is strengthened by shared values and civic pride. 

    “This future will be driven by economic diversification, technology and innovation, human capital development, and strong institutions, being some of the thematic areas that our Distinguished Guest Lecturer is eminently positioned to illuminate.

    “It is, therefore, our expectation that this Public Lecture will transcend academic discourse. It must inspire action, partnership, and accountability. Together, we must harness our natural and human resources responsibly; invest deliberately in our youth; preserve our moral and cultural foundations; and build enduring partnerships across government, the private sector, civil society, and the global community.”