The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • EPL: Buendia scores in last minute as Villa beat Arsenal

    EPL: Buendia scores in last minute as Villa beat Arsenal

    Emi Buendia scored with the last kick of the game as Aston Villa stunned Arsenal to move three points behind the Premier League leaders.

    Leandro Trossard’s sixth goal of the season looked to have earned a point for Arsenal after he cancelled out Matty Cash’s opener.

    But Buendia struck in the 95th minute as Unai Emery’s side moved into second in the table.

    Arsenal, who blew Bayern Munich and Tottenham away last month, suffered their first defeat in the league since losing 1-0 at Liverpool in August.

    Villa Park erupted after substitute Buendia scored to give Villa their seventh straight game in all competitions.

    Eberechi Eze had a goal disallowed for offside before the hosts took a first-half lead when Arsenal – especially Eze – switched off to allow Cash to drill in at the far post.

    Arsenal emerged re-energised after the break when Mikel Arteta introduced Viktor Gyokeres and Trossard, who levelled with his 50th Premier League goal, having already gone close.

    Emi Martinez brilliantly tipped Martin Odegaard’s shot over as Arsenal looked for a winner, but Buendia stole the points in dramatic style, curling in after Arsenal failed to clear.

    BBC

  • Ekiti APC begins e-registration, mobilises support for Tinubu

    Ekiti APC begins e-registration, mobilises support for Tinubu

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has commenced its digital membership e-registration exercise as part of efforts to strengthen the party’s structure. 

    Speaking during the flag-off of the Train-the-Trainers session in Ado Ekiti, the APC State Chairman, Sola Elesin, said that the e-registration would not only modernise the party’s membership register but also mobilise broader support for President Tinubu’s policies.

    He noted that the digital registration was central to rebuilding the party’s support base and ensuring data accuracy for strategic planning.

    Elesin noted that the outcome of the last presidential election in Nigeria, propelled the broom party to come up with the programme.

    Elesin said, “Prior to the election, we believed we would have 50 million party members who would vote for our president in the election, but the result was released, we had just over 11 million votes for Mr President. This shows that even our party members failed to vote going by the data. 

    “Since that time , we have been looking for a way to have accurate data about actual number of the members of the party, that is the essence of continued digital membership process. We believe we will have accurate data for whatever we want to organize in the party and to forge ahead. 

    The state coordinator of the APC e-registration, Hon. Gold Adesola Adedayo noted that the programme was designed to shore up the party’s membership.

    The former Commissioer for Youths in Ekiti state explained the party decided to do the e-registration to digitalize the initial record of the party members.

    Adedayo, who is now a commissioner-designate, said, “It is primarily for digitalizing party membership register. It is to give accountability, transparency and of course to enhance service delivery from our party and when we no know our exact figure, then the dividends of democracy will not be difficult to spread to all. 

    “This is the reason behind this program. We all know that we have a register before now, and we have all registered from our units to the wards, the state and even the federal. 

    “But the different now ,is that it will be digitalized and we will all have access to it from our phones, in our homes, we can check our membership of the party. It will also give us the opportunity of authenticating the actual numbers of the party members in the state . There will no longer be contradicting figure on membership of the party.

    “We are expecting all our members across the 177 wards in the state to register. I know that Ekiti people are for APC and so I am looking at about 70 to 80 percent of the population of Ekiti to turn out in their large number to register as APC card-carrying members”.

    The state commissioner for Information, Hon.Taiwo Olatubosun, commended the leadership of the party in the state for deeming it necessary at this point to start the process of revalidation and registration of the membership of APC.

    He said, “The process is very important at this state , particularly for a very proper planning, documentation of all party membership and party membership is increasing by the day across the state.I believe the party at the national level considered it necessary, that it is good to authenticate and property document information about our membership.

    “It is also important, because it will really show that the party can be trusted, because it is only APC in this country and specifically in this state that can boast of having records of its membership. The process will equally assist in the mobilization towards the 2026 governorship election and help in providing for any internal programs of the party.We should encourage our people to key into the process”, he added. 

  • Family, students honour late Sheikh Muhydeen Bello one year after death

    Family, students honour late Sheikh Muhydeen Bello one year after death

    To mark the first anniversary of his passing, the family, friends, and students of the late renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello, gathered on Saturday at his Akobo mosque to offer prayers and reflect on his impactful life.

    Speakers at the event described the late cleric as a rare embodiment of humility, deep knowledge, and steadfast commitment to peaceful living.

    The family also reaffirmed their enduring love and respect for him, noting that his legacy continues to shine even in death.

    His son, Khalifa Habeeb Bello, an engineer who succeeded him, said the revered scholar would “forever remain in our hearts,” adding that his teachings, humility, and lifelong service to humanity continue to inspire many across Nigeria and beyond.

    ‎He said, ‎“My father lived a life dedicated to Allah and to the service of humanity. His words, actions, and teachings continue to guide us every day. He will always remain in our hearts.

    ‎“The vacuum has already been filled because we have taken over from where he stopped, moving around to do what he was known for, taking messages to the public, bringing people back to the faith of Allah, and guiding them to do what is right, especially our politicians.”

    ‎Also, speaking, his first wife, Alhaja Taofikatu Ajani Bello, expressed confidence in the ability of their son, Akintunde to continue the spiritual and moral legacy left behind by the respected cleric.

    ‎She said she strongly believes their son will uphold the values, teachings, and public service that defined Sheik Bello’s life.

    ‎“I believe his son will fill the vacuum of the late Sheik Muideen Ajani Bello.

    ‎ “He grew up under his father’s guidance, and he understands the discipline, humility, and fear of God that shaped his father’s ministry and which he has continued to uphold since the passing of the late Sheik.”

    ‎Also present at the programme was the Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, Senator AbdulFatai Buhari, who described the late Sheik Bello as a great teacher.

    ‎“I will miss Sheik Bello’s humility, his lectures, and the fear of Allah that he had. Whether you are his student or not, when you listen to Sheik Bello’s preaching, the fear of God will grip you. May Allah forgive him and grant him eternal rest,” Senator Buhari said.

  • PDP vows legal action against Rivers lawmakers

    PDP vows legal action against Rivers lawmakers

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it will institute legal action against members of the Rivers state House of Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Comrade Ini Ememobong said in a statement that the lawmakers have been working against democratic progress in the state since they resumed from the emergency rule.

    The statement reads, “We have seen on various media platforms news of the re-defection of some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who, for a second time, announced their defection from our party. 

    “We recall that they had done so earlier and later recanted. These are people whom the world is aware are doing the bidding of their paymaster and demigod.

    “The members of the Rivers state House of Assembly have by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress. They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.  

    “So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC.

    “Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the benner of our party which these people have now ignobly and surreptitiously switched to another platform. 

    “We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity.”

  • Troops storm kidnappers hideout, rescue 14 victims in Enugu forest

    Troops storm kidnappers hideout, rescue 14 victims in Enugu forest

    Troops of Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA, a military onslaught against criminals elements in the South East have rescued 14 kidnap victims, following an ‘high-impact” raid on the kidnappers’ den in Orokam Forest linking Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.

    A credible source at the Army Headquarters told The Nation on Saturday that the operation was triggered by “actionable intelligence” from vigilant community sources.

    The source said the victims were abducted on Friday from Ezimo Agu community in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Orokam in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State, but were held by their abductors in dispersed clusters across the forest. 

    According to the source, upon receiving the relevant intelligence the troops, in collaboration with local vigilantes “swiftly” mounted a deliberate assault on a suspected kidnap hideout concealed deep into the forest. 

    “On contact, the criminals unleashed gunfire, prompting a fierce engagement,” the source said.

    “The joint force’s superior firepower, tactical manoeuvre and relentless advance forced the kidnappers to break contact and flee, abandoning the abductees.”

    The source said the troops have handed over the rescued victims to the Divisional Police Officer, Udenu Division, for proper profiling and to reunite them with their families.

  • Oborevwori’s wife to royal mothers: ensure women in your communities register for PVCs

    Oborevwori’s wife to royal mothers: ensure women in your communities register for PVCs

    …urges them to strengthen bonds of unity in Delta

    The wife of the Governor of Delta State and Founder of the You Matter Charity Foundation (YMCF), Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, has called on royal mothers across the state to strengthen bonds of unity, foster mutual support, and uphold prayer for the prosperity of their kingdoms.

    Speaking at the End-of-Year Banquet in honour of the Wives of Traditional Rulers on Friday, December 5, 2025, Deaconess Oborevwori welcomed the royal mothers with heartfelt gratitude and warm greetings from her husband, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. She emphasised the importance of celebrating the successes and progress within their respective communities.

    “I thank God for granting us the privilege to celebrate the end of this year together. The beauty of today’s event is evident in how radiant and healthy everyone looks, a reflection of the peace and progress in our towns and kingdoms,” she said.

    The First Lady acknowledged the dedication of the royal mothers, noting that their regular communications and positive updates demonstrated their commitment to the administration’s vision. 

    She encouraged engagement, interaction, and the sharing of progress reports during the banquet, which also featured fellowship, food, and tokens for attendees.

    Highlighting civic responsibility, Mrs. Oborevwori urged the royal mothers to ensure that women in their communities register for Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), emphasizing that political participation is crucial for empowering women’s voices.

    The First Lady also paid tributes to three esteemed Queens who passed away over the year; Her Royal Majesty, Queen Anthonia Kikachukwu of Ubulu Unor Kingdom, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Rhoda Owhe of Umeh Kingdom, and Her Royal Majesty, Queen Uzezi Ogeh of Ase Kingdom.

    “My deepest condolences go to their families and kingdoms. May their noble souls rest in perfect peace,” she said, calling for a minute of silence in their honour.

    Deaconess Oborevwori concluded by urging unity among the royal mothers and encouraging them to maintain prayer routines, support one another, and nurture strong relationships. 

    She reminded them that her office remained open and expressed hope for continued collaboration in future events.

    “I pray that your strength will not fail, your reign will be peaceful, and the Lord prospers the work of your hands,” she added.

    At the end of an interactive session, the wife of the traditional ruler of Ozoro Kingdom, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Ofejiro Ogbogbo led a closing remark on behalf of the Queens. 

    She stated that the platform of an end-of-year banquet was a huge opportunity for the royal mothers to leave their domains and socially connect at the seat of the state government. 

    Queen Ogbogbo assured the governor’s wife of their continued support for the administration of His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

    The event highlighted the First Lady’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, women empowerment, and the fostering of peaceful and progressive leadership across Delta State.

  • Oyo police confirm abduction of JCI President Ibukun Otesile in Ibadan

    Oyo police confirm abduction of JCI President Ibukun Otesile in Ibadan

    The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the 2025 President of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ibadan Elite, Mrs. Ibukun Otesile, by gunmen.

    Otesile, a mother of two, is the daughter of the Founder and General Overseer of Jesus Is King Ministries, Reverend Olalekan Babatunde. 

    She was reportedly kidnapped on Thursday night in front of her residence in the General Gas area of Akobo, Ibadan.

    Confirming the incident, the Command’s spokesman, Chief Superintendent Adewale Osifeso, said, “Investigation is ongoing, Sir.”

    News of the abduction quickly circulated across various social media platforms.

    Olamide Olanrewaju, Personal Assistant to Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju, the outgoing Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, said the association received a distress alert at about 8:45 p.m. on Thursday.

    “We all have a WhatsApp group, which her father is also a member of. The CAN Chairman posted it as a distress call, saying the daughter of Reverend (Dr.) Lekan Babatunde had been kidnapped,” he said.

    He added that while members immediately resorted to prayers, they also notified key security contacts, including Rev. Moses, Chaplain of the Police Force Headquarters in Oyo State, before sharing the alert widely.

    “I learned she was kidnapped right at the gate of her house at General Gas. Only God knows what she was doing there, where she went, or who she was with,” he noted.

    The alert issued by CAN read, “The daughter of our beloved Reverend Dr. Lekan Babatunde was kidnapped this night, Thursday, December 4, around 8:00 p.m. Ibukun Otesile, a mother of two, was kidnapped in front of her gate at General Gas, Akobo.”

    The association appealed to security agencies for urgent intervention, calling on the Nigerian Army Headquarters and the Nigeria Police Force to deploy all necessary resources to secure her immediate release.

    As of the time of filing this report, there were no details yet on the identity of the abductors or any ransom demands.

  • Akpabio to Natasha: Stop lying, present your evidence of alleged sexual harassment to court not social media

    Akpabio to Natasha: Stop lying, present your evidence of alleged sexual harassment to court not social media

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Saturday called on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to present evidence to substantiate her allegation of sexual harassment against him.

    Akpabio in a statement by his media aide, Jackson Udom, titled: “Setting the record straight on the defamation case involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “On 5 December 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan again resorted to social media to claim incorrectly and misleadingly that His Excellency, the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, had only just filed a multi-billion-naira defamation suit against her over her unfounded allegations of sexual misconduct.

    “These allegations, as the public is well aware, have never been supported by a single shred of evidence before the Senate Committee or before any competent authority.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the facts are clear, verifiable, and already before the court.

    “Following Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s grave and unsubstantiated accusations capable of inflicting severe reputational damage, Senator Akpabio exercised his constitutional right to seek legal redress.

    “The suit was filed over three months ago. Its progress was temporarily delayed by routine administrative processes and the normal judicial procedures.

    “Upon the resumption of judicial activities on the file, several attempts were made by the court’s bailiff to personally serve Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan with the originating processes.

    “Each attempt failed due to her deliberate evasion of service, as deposed to under oath in the bailiff’s affidavit now before the court. Only after these repeated evasions did the court, in November this year granted the application for substituted service.

    “Her claim that the matter was “just filed” is therefore false, misleading, and intended to distort public understanding of the case.

    “We reiterate that legal disputes are resolved in courtrooms, not through orchestrated narratives and staged outrage on social-media platforms.

    “The online applause Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan habitually seeks cannot replace credible evidence, legal procedure, or judicial scrutiny.

    “This behaviour is consistent with her pattern during her six-month Senate suspension, an entirely lawful disciplinary measure she sought to delegitimise through digital agitation, only to ultimately serve the suspension in full.

    “It is time for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to present the “evidence” she claims to possess before a court of competent jurisdiction, rather than relying on sensationalised commentary designed solely to attract sympathy and obscure the facts.

    “The law is guided by proof, procedure, and due process, not sentiment, not emotion, and certainly not social-media theatrics.

    “She is advised to properly instruct her lawyers, file her defence, and finally provide the evidence she purports to have for the baseless allegations she has peddled over this matter.

    “This is that her golden opportunity. The public, the media, and the legal community now await her defence to the defamatory claims of the plaintiff.”

  • N200b suit: Natasha should prove allegations against Akpabio, says CSOs

    N200b suit: Natasha should prove allegations against Akpabio, says CSOs

    A coalition of civil society organisations has said Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan now has a “golden opportunity” to substantiate her allegations against Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, following the N200 billion libel suit he filed against her.

    Akpabio’s suit stemmed from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s public accusations of sexual harassment and gender-based injustice—claims the Senate President firmly denies.

    Filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court with case number FCT/HC/CV/3356/2025, the suit alleges that Akpoti-Uduaghan defamed Akpabio through comments made on television, radio, and online platforms, where she reportedly described him as “a predator who exploited his position for personal gratification.”

    Reacting to the development, Nigeria Integrity Watch, a coalition of civic organisations, welcomed the lawsuit, saying it presents a lawful avenue for resolving the matter.

    Dr. John Samuel Nangi, National Convener of NIW, said in a Saturday statement that the dispute remains “strictly personal and private” between both lawmakers.

    “This is a civil way of ending the matter. It offers Senator Akpoti a crucial opportunity to clear her name and bring the case to a judicial conclusion,” he said.

    Nangi stressed that neither the Senate nor the federal government is involved in the case, noting that Akpabio has the right to seek legal redress, just as Akpoti-Uduaghan now has the opportunity to prove her claims.

    He urged both senators to respect the judicial process and refrain from turning the issue into a media spectacle.

    “This case belongs in court and not before journalists,” he cautioned.

    Nangi added that Nigerians are more focused on pressing national challenges than political drama and advised both parties to allow the judiciary resolve the matter without seeking undue publicity or sympathy.

  • Oluwabukola named 276th certified global tech hero

    Oluwabukola named 276th certified global tech hero

    Oluwabukola Rachael Tiamiyu has been named the 276th Certified Global Tech Hero in recognition of a career that has fundamentally reshaped financial intelligence, compliance, and enterprise performance across multiple sectors. 

    A Financial Analytics Visionary and Enterprise Performance Strategist, she has built a practice at the intersection of data, governance, and operational excellence, delivering tools, frameworks, and insight that help institutions detect risk earlier, close revenue leakages, and make resilient, future-ready decisions.

    Her signature contribution, FIN-RESOLVE™️ (Financial Intelligence Network for Risk Evaluation, Surveillance, Optimization, and Learning-based Value Enhancement), stands at the center of her professional acclaim. More than a concept, FIN-RESOLVE™️ is a deployable, technology-driven framework that combines predictive analytics with strengthened internal controls and compliance surveillance. 

    Executives and policy analysts have lauded the framework for its practical orientation and cross-industry applicability, noting how it elevates governance standards while enabling measurable operational improvements. 

    In practice, her work has improved reporting accuracy, tightened control environments, and helped organizations align with global regulatory expectations.

    Throughout a career spanning banking, financial services, consulting, technology, manufacturing, and social-impact organizations, she has repeatedly translated complex data into strategic clarity. 

    Her expertise in financial modeling, regulatory compliance, risk management, and digital finance transformation has enabled senior leaders to act with confidence and operational teams to implement robust, transparent systems. 

    Equally notable is her ability to communicate technical insights to non-technical audiences, driving enterprise-wide alignment and implementation.

    Beyond formal roles, her influence extends into research, mentorship, and public thought leadership. 

    She is a consistent advocate for financial literacy, the adoption of data-driven practices, and the advancement of women in technology, using media platforms and professional fora to share best practices and to mentor emerging finance professionals. 

    These contributions amplify the reach of her work, seeding capacity and ethical standards across a broader ecosystem.

    Her induction as a Global Tech Hero recognizes measurable impact, sustained achievement, and purposeful innovation. 

    The certification celebrates not only a body of work that has delivered demonstrable value but also a leadership philosophy that privileges accountability, practical innovation, and the public good.

    “Her FIN-RESOLVE™️ framework is a powerful example of innovation applied with purpose,” said the founder of The Connected Awards. “It is rare to see a solution that so effectively bridges technology, governance, and operational practice, her work sets a new standard for how organizations can safeguard assets, comply with scrutiny, and plan for long-term sustainability.”

    This immortalisation as the 276th Certified Global Tech Hero affirms her status as a steward of financial integrity and a catalyst for systemic improvement. 

    As organizations continue to navigate complexity and regulatory change, her work offers a reproducible blueprint for building resilient, transparent, and performance-driven financial systems.