The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Dangote fertiliser bags top input award at 2025 agric show

    Dangote fertiliser bags top input award at 2025 agric show

    Dangote Fertiliser Limited has clinched the top Agricultural Input Award at the 17th National Agricultural Show in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

    In a statement issued by the Head of the Dangote Media Group (North), Dr. Abubakar Jibril, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN), Kabiru Ibrahim, hailed the Dangote Group as a major driving force in Nigeria’s agricultural input value chain.

    Ibrahim noted that with the Group’s remarkable milestones in the petroleum sector, it is strategically positioned to deepen investments in agriculture and enhance the nation’s food security.

    He said this year’s theme, “Empowering Smallholder Farmers: Restoring Value, Ensuring Productivity,” reflects Nigeria’s collective determination to place smallholder farmers at the centre of the country’s food sufficiency drive.

    “Dangote Group has been our greatest ally from inception. Without their tremendous and invaluable support, hosting this show effectively would have been difficult,” he added.

    Acting National Coordinator of NAFN, Aishatu Rufai, also praised Dangote Fertiliser for what she termed a transformative investment in the sector, citing the company’s three-million-metric-tonne-per-annum urea plant as a “major game-changer.”

    Responding on behalf of the Group, Senior Adviser to the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Mrs. Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, said the award affirms the company’s growing impact on farmers and food production nationwide.

    “We dedicate this award to our team, our partners, and the farmers who believe in our products. It reinforces our commitment to research, innovation, and expanding access to affordable fertiliser,” she said.

    In a statement, the Group’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, said the company’s next phase will focus on scaling production and deepening collaboration with farmers and government to build a more sustainable agricultural economy.

    “We appreciate the organisers of the National Agricultural Show and are encouraged to do even more. Nigeria’s agricultural future deserves nothing less,” he stated.

    Dangote Industries Limited served as one of the major sponsors of the 2025 National Agricultural Show, organised by NAFN in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the All Farmers Association of Nigeria.

  • Ex-Ondo governor Mimiko seeks bigger investment in health

    Ex-Ondo governor Mimiko seeks bigger investment in health

    Former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, has renewed his call for increased public investment in health and education, warning that Nigeria cannot progress without tackling what he described as the twin barriers of illiteracy and ill-health. 

    Mimiko made the call while delivering the Convocation Lecture of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi State, where he argued that Nigeria’s human development indicators remain troubling despite recent gains in government revenue.

    He noted that reforms such as petrol subsidy removal, exchange-rate unification, and upcoming tax adjustments have created fiscal room that should be channelled into human capital development.

    The former governor stressed that childhood nutrition must become a national priority, citing data showing that 40 per cent of Nigerian children under five suffer stunted growth due to malnutrition.

    He proposed a redesigned school feeding system anchored on what he called the “irreducible minimum of one egg, one child, one day,” insisting that decentralising implementation to states would improve transparency and impact.

    Mimiko said such an approach would simultaneously strengthen education outcomes, reduce health vulnerabilities, and stimulate Nigeria’s livestock industry.

    Speaking on insecurity, he argued that no federal system operates with a police structure as centralised as Nigeria’s, and insisted that decentralisation of policing is essential for lasting security reform.

    He also expressed optimism that the “Nigeria First” industrial policy of the Tinubu administration could help reduce overdependence on market forces and support targeted sectors through tariffs and subsidies.

    According to him, rising government revenues must translate into fairer redistribution, anchored on increased investment in healthcare and education to produce the skilled workforce needed for national growth.

    Mimiko concluded with a call on all levels of government to prioritise these sectors, saying Nigeria must decisively confront the “alliance of illiteracy and ill-health” to achieve meaningful development.

  • NAMM advocates tailored economic model to drive growth

    NAMM advocates tailored economic model to drive growth

    The Nigeria Association of Macroeconomic Modellers (NAMM) has called for the development of structural transformation models that reflect Nigeria’s unique economic complexities.

    MAMM warned that continued reliance on imported frameworks will hinder effective policymaking and long-term growth.

    At the fourth Annual NAMM International Hybrid Conference at the University of Ibadan, leading economists and policy experts stressed that Nigeria’s development challenges can only be addressed through analytical tools rooted in the country’s structural, social and institutional realities.

    The conference assembled scholars, policymakers and data scientists to deliberate on modelling innovations capable of driving Nigeria’s structural transformation and supporting evidence-based economic planning.

    Speaking at the event, former Director of Statistics/Monetary Policy at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Mohammed Tumala, said Nigeria’s recurring macroeconomic instability is a symptom of deep-seated structural imbalances that cannot be solved with generic or externally designed models.

    “Nigeria’s persistent macroeconomic vulnerabilities are symptoms of an underlying structural imbalance. Our fragile, commodity-driven recoveries falter because we have not engineered the fundamental transformation required for enduring prosperity.”

    Tumala, an experienced statistician and macroeconomic researcher, argued that Nigeria must embrace data-driven and evidence-based policymaking anchored on local research, digital innovation and robust statistical systems.

    According to him, the global economy is shifting rapidly due to digitisation, with wealth increasingly concentrated in intangible assets. 

    He warned that Nigeria risks being left behind unless it upgrades its statistical infrastructure, technology and human capital to support modern modelling.

    “The global economy has been transitioning mainly because of digitisation.Wealth is being redistributed with increasing skewness in favour of holders of intangible assets. Nigeria must adapt or lag the transition.”

    Tumala, who pioneered text-mining techniques for analysing monetary policy communication and created an Economic Policy Uncertainty Index at the CBN, added that previous failures to anticipate major global shocks, including the 2008 financial crisis,stemmed more from inadequate modelling tools than from data gaps.

    Earlier in his remark, President of NAMM, Prof. Phillip Alege, said the association is committed to producing a flagship Nigerian structural transformation model capable of guiding policy in a rapidly changing world.

    He said, “Macroeconomic models guide our understanding of growth, stability and policy design. Nigeria and Africa cannot escape modern modelling approaches in the face of evolving development challenges.”

    Alege noted that global uncertainty has surged to an unprecedented level and is unlikely to ease in the near term, stressing the need for dynamic models that incorporate behavioural, institutional and political economy dimensions, as well as informal sector realities and social variables.

    “This conference is not about lamenting the past; it is about building tools for the next 65 years.”

    Participants resolved that Nigeria must adopt modern modelling approaches, such as digital data streams, agent-based modelling and integrated statistical systems, to effectively capture the complexities of its economy and chart sustainable development pathways.

  • Vineyard Christian ministries unveils line-up for 2025 word conference

    Vineyard Christian ministries unveils line-up for 2025 word conference

    The Presiding Bishop of Vineyard Christian Ministries, Bishop John Osa-Oni, has announced full preparations for the church’s annual Word Conference, scheduled to hold from Wednesday, December 3 to Sunday, December 7 at the ministry’s headquarters on Osolo Way, off the International Airport Road, Lagos.

    Speaking during a media parley, Bishop Osa-Oni described the conference as “an auspicious moment to wrap up the year and redirect believers back to the power of the spoken Word.”

    He revealed that this year’s edition will feature an impressive line-up of prominent ministers from around the world. 

    Among them is the renowned evangelical leader and Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, whom he described as “a cherished friend of over 40 years.” 

    Also expected is Dr. Dean Brown, a Jamaican-born American Bible teacher and graduate of Rhema Bible Institute, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

    Bishop Mon Igbinosa, former chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Edo State chapter, is also billed to minister. Osa-Oni noted that Igbinosa, widely respected for his teachings on Christian marriage, has been married for nearly 50 years.

    Bishop Osa-Oni and other in-house ministers, including his wife, Rev. Mrs. Enitan Osa-Oni, will also speak at the five-day programme, which will feature daily morning and evening sessions.

    Emphasising the theme of the conference, the bishop stressed that the Word of God remains the foundation for spiritual transformation and societal renewal.

    He said, “In Genesis 1, God created the world with the Word. Without the Word, nothing exists. We are justified by the words we speak. We are what we say.”

    Quoting several scriptures including Matthew 12, Acts 20:32, Psalm 68:11, and Proverbs 18:21, the bishop explained that both individuals and nations rise or fall on the strength of the words they consistently declare.

    He added, “The reason many people remain small in life is because of what they keep saying. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. If you don’t speak the right word, your world cannot change.”

    Oni further stressed that the 2025 Word Conference is intended to “reposition believers to speak life, faith, and victory, especially as the nation prepares to enter 2026.”

    While noting that the conference does not operate with a single theme, he revealed that Saturday’s session will focus on Christian marriage under the sub-theme “Fix It.”

    He explained that marriage crises often stem from wrong foundations, misplaced priorities, and lack of shared values.

    Reflecting on past editions of the conference, Bishop Oni recounted several testimonies, including miraculous healings and couples who conceived after long periods of waiting.

    He said participants should expect an atmosphere of God’s presence, deep teaching, and supernatural encounters.

    “Where the Word is, the presence of God is. God’s Word can fix anything. Anything the Word cannot fix does not exist,” he declared.

  • Shettima seeks stronger executive-legislature synergy, says Tinubu will never take lawmakers for granted

    Shettima seeks stronger executive-legislature synergy, says Tinubu will never take lawmakers for granted

    …First Lady, Akpabio, Abbas, Uzodimma rally support for women’s inclusion in governance

    Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday called for deeper collaboration and sustained alignment of purpose between the executive and legislative arms of government, describing such synergy as indispensable to building a Nigeria that works for all.

    Speaking at a dinner hosted for members of the National Assembly by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House, Abuja, the Vice President said the current administration enjoys the “best working relationship” with the legislature since 1999, a development he attributed to shared vision, mutual respect and an understanding of the responsibilities binding both arms.

    In a statement issued on Saturday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said “the true essence of democracy manifests not only in respecting the Legislature, but in appreciating the indispensable role each arm plays in the architecture of governance. 

    “It shines most brightly where there is alignment of purpose… where the Executive and Legislature are united by an unshakable resolve to build a nation that works for all”, Shettima said.

    Emphasising the depth of engagement between the two arms, the Vice President noted that “the entire architecture of the Presidency today is anchored by proud alumni of the National Assembly,” including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the First Lady; the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Chief of Staff, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; and himself.

    “You are not taken for granted. You have never been taken for granted. And you will never be taken for granted,” Shettima assured, noting that the First Lady remains deeply committed to protecting the interests and preserving the dignity of lawmakers.

    He credited the National Assembly for the support given to the administration’s bold economic reforms, saying lawmakers had “placed the nation above personal interest” and “resisted the temptation of populist shortcuts” while backing difficult policy choices required to reposition the economy.

    “The early signs of macroeconomic recovery are already trickling down, gradually, steadily. This has rekindled the confidence that Nigeria is on course to becoming a prime destination for investors”, Shettima stated.

    However, he warned that the journey ahead remains tough, particularly in the face of lingering national security threats. 

    He urged both arms of government to remain united, drawing inspiration from the country’s founding leaders and focusing on courage, sacrifice and shared responsibility.

    “Our promise to deliver a safer nation is a solemn covenant with the Nigerian people. To fulfil it, we must continue to work hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart. Let this dinner be… a testament to our collective resolve to steer Nigeria toward a horizon where peace is stable, prosperity is shared, and our democracy becomes the pride of future generations”, he said.

    Earlier, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said insecurity remains a global challenge, but assured that the National Assembly stands firmly behind President Tinubu in tackling the menace. 

    “All Nigerians are fighting extremism and we in the National Assembly are united behind this administration,” he said.

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, commended the First Lady for her contributions to national development and advocated greater representation for women in policy-making, particularly in security-related governance.

    Also speaking, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma, called for more elective and appointive positions for women, describing them as natural managers of the home who would bring competence and discipline to public service.

    In her remarks, the host, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, described the gathering as a reunion with former colleagues and reiterated the need to expand educational opportunities for all Nigerian children. 

    She also urged lawmakers to expedite action on the bill seeking increased women’s participation in legislative and leadership positions.

    The event was attended by members of the Senate, House of Representatives, state governors and senior government officials.

  • Barau warns Kano governor against politicising insecurity issues

    Barau warns Kano governor against politicising insecurity issues

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has cautioned Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State to stop politicising security matters and instead concentrate on tackling the multiple challenges confronting the state.

    His response followed a claim by the state government that his recent comments could undermine ongoing security operations. 

    The allegation was made at the end of the 34th State Executive Council Meeting chaired by the governor.

    Senator Barau, however, insisted that Nigeria’s security crisis—including the activities of bandits in parts of Kano—requires collective effort and cooperation from all stakeholders.

    In a statement issued by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, the Deputy Senate President dismissed the government’s accusation and dared officials to present any video evidence showing he made remarks capable of worsening insecurity in the state.

    “The attention of the media office of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, CFR, FCNA, has been drawn to false, reckless and malicious claims by the Kano State Government through the State Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya that His Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate, made a statement capable of undermining the security efforts in the state.

    “It is unfortunate that the state government has relegated governance to this low by concocting and fabricating lies to tarnish the growing reputation of the Deputy President of the Senate. There was no time when Senator Barau uttered any statement capable of undermining security efforts; instead, he has been at the forefront, collaborating with all stakeholders to address the insecurity challenges in parts of Kano and other areas in the country.

    “We challenge them to produce the clip in which the Deputy President of the Senate made any statement that could undermine security efforts,” he said.

    The Deputy President of the Senate, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, urged the Kano State Governor to wake up from slumber and take charge of the affairs of the state to return Kano to the path of prosperity.

    “Until governance was relegated to the background, our beloved state, Kano, used to be a very close second to Lagos in terms of prosperity, but unfortunately, misgovernance has eroded this. We have everything necessary to restore the glorious days of our state, but the governor is not taking steps in that direction,” he said.

    To contribute to the enhancement of security in the state, Senator Barau has provided operational vehicles to all police formations in his senatorial district and some parts of the state, and has also offered motorcycles to all policemen serving in Kano North Senatorial District.

    Additionally, he renovated parts of the Kano State police headquarters and constructed police stations in different parts of the state. He had also rendered similar assistance to the Department of State Services (DSS) in the state.

    “The Deputy President of the Senate has also facilitated the establishment of the training college of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Gwarzo, the Nigeria Police Service Commission training institute in Kabo, and the Nigeria Immigration Service training school in Bichi, which are all being constructed.

    “He has also installed solar-powered streetlights throughout his senatorial district and other parts of the state to facilitate effective nighttime patrols. Senator Barau has made significant contributions to the enhancement of security in Kano State. The state government should emulate him and not cast aspersions on his personality,” he said.

  • SportyBet appoints Asisat Oshoala as brand ambassador

    SportyBet appoints Asisat Oshoala as brand ambassador

    SportyBet, the flagship betting platform owned by global sports and entertainment company Sporty Group, has announced the appointment of Nigerian football icon Asisat Oshoala as its newest official brand ambassador. 

    The announcement marks a historic moment for the brand as it continues to spotlight African excellence and deepen its connection with fans across the continent.

    Widely regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time, Oshoala is a record six-time winner of the CAF African Women’s Footballer of the Year award, the most by any player in history. 

    Her rise from FC Robo in Lagos to the global stage is one of the continent’s most inspiring sporting journeys. 

    She was named Best Player at the 2014 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, helping Nigeria secure its ninth title, and later brought her goal-scoring prowess to clubs including Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona.

    During her historic tenure at FC Barcelona Femení, Oshoala surpassed the 100-goal mark and played an essential role in helping the club secure two UEFA Women’s Champions League titles in the 2020/21 and 2022/23 seasons.

    Oshoala leads a trio of recent ambassador appointments, which also includes South African rugby superstar Cheslin Kolbe and football legend Benni McCarthy. 

    Together, they strengthen SportyBet’s growing community of world-class athletes and reinforce the brand’s status as a global leader at the intersection of sport, entertainment and technology.

    “It is with the utmost pride that we welcome Asisat Oshoala, Cheslin Kolbe and Benni McCarthy as SportyBet brand ambassadors,” said Miguel Puche, Global Brand Director at Sporty Group.

    “Asisat stands as one of Africa’s greatest sporting icons. Her excellence, discipline and global influence align perfectly with our vision. She, alongside Kolbe and McCarthy, represents the future of African sport and the bold ambition that defines SportyBet.”

    Oshoala’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Sporty Group, which is preparing to launch a slate of major initiatives across its ecosystem. The move underscores the brand’s commitment to innovation, creativity and delivering unmatched sports engagement experiences to fans and users around the world.

    With Asisat Oshoala now part of its ambassador family, SportyBet continues to champion African talent on the global stage by elevating stories, celebrating greatness and reshaping the future of sports across the continent.

  • Tinubu hails Nigeria’s return to IMO Council after 14-year absence

    Tinubu hails Nigeria’s return to IMO Council after 14-year absence

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed Nigeria’s election into the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), describing it as a powerful endorsement of the nation’s expanding maritime relevance and constructive role in global shipping governance.

    Nigeria was re-elected into Category C of the IMO Council for the 2026–2027 biennium during the organisation’s General Assembly in London on Friday, marking the country’s return to the council after a 14-year absence.

    In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said the victory reflects renewed international confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to safety, security, environmental protection, and adherence to global maritime rules.

    “This election is a strong affirmation of Nigeria’s growing maritime influence and its constructive role in global shipping governance,” the President said.

    He commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, the staff of the ministry, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and Nigeria’s diplomatic team for their “dedication, strategic engagement, and professionalism” throughout the campaign period.

    According to the President, Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council aligns squarely with his administration’s broader vision to unlock the full potential of the blue economy, strengthen maritime infrastructure, deepen anti-piracy efforts, and enhance the country’s stature as West Africa’s leading shipping and logistics hub.

    He assured the international maritime community that Nigeria stands ready to play a more assertive role in shaping the future of global maritime regulation, pledging commitment to safer seas, cleaner oceans, efficient transport systems, and sustained innovation across the sector.

    “We will champion cooperation, innovation, and fairness in global maritime regulation,” the President said, thanking IMO member states for the trust and goodwill shown toward Nigeria.

    President Tinubu pledged that the country will fully justify the confidence reposed in it through active contribution and responsible leadership throughout the council’s new term.

  • Troops rescue 21 kidnapped victims, foil attacks in nationwide operations – Army

    Troops rescue 21 kidnapped victims, foil attacks in nationwide operations – Army

    The Nigerian Army has recorded multiple operational successes in the last 24 hours, rescuing 21 kidnapped victims, foiling terror attacks and uncovering illegal crude oil activities across the country.

    A credible source at Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that troops had sustained offensives across theatres.

    The source said the troops operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA in Zamfara and Kebbi repelled attacks, rescued civilians and responded to violent incidents.

    “In Maradun, troops of 1 Brigade engaged terrorists who attacked Baigasuwa community, rescuing residents, though four civilians sustained gunshot injuries.

    “In Kebbi, terrorists attacked a Nigeria Immigration Service checkpoint in Bagudo, killing three personnel and burning vehicles before fleeing.

    “Troops also rescued five persons and a baby along the Unashi–Doka road in Danko Wasagu LGA of Kebbi, after terrorists abandoned their captives on sighting soldiers,” he said.

    The source said the troops of Operation MESA in Kogi and Kogi–Kwara axis rescued four kidnapped victims during a firefight with insurgents at Konan Leda in Lokoja, while 11 additional victims later escaped following the assault.

    He added that two motorcycles and a radio set were recovered, while another victim was rescued in the Kwali area of the FCT.

    “Meanwhile, troops of Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, intensified operations against crude oil theft.

    “In Eleme, Rivers soldiers and security agencies discovered 350 bags of stolen crude, estimated at 10,500 litres.

    “Another patrol in Bonny recovered equipment used by oil thieves, including hoses, a Yamaha engine and jerricans, after the suspects fled.

    “Other Theatres, including sectors under Operation HADIN KAI in the North-East and ongoing phases of Desert Sanity IV, reported no major incidents as troops continued clearance and security operations,” he added.

    The military sources reiterated the resolve of the troops to remain on heightened alert across all regions to deny terrorists and criminals freedom of action.

    (NAN)

  • Sabinus reveals how his father initially rejected his comedy career

    Sabinus reveals how his father initially rejected his comedy career

    Comedian Emmanuel Ejekwu, popularly known as Sabinus, has opened up about how his father initially opposed his decision to pursue a career in comedy.

    Speaking in an interview with VJ Adams, Sabinus said his father wanted him to become a lawyer. 

    He said after he was unable to secure admission to study law, he went on to study Linguistics and Communication Studies at the University of Port Harcourt.

    He revealed that it was during his university days that he discovered his talent for comedy and began creating skits.

    According to him, his father was furious when he found out, insisting that comedy was a “stupid business.”

    Sabinus said, “At first, my dad never wanted me to be what I am today, he wanted me to be a lawyer. I tried my best but I couldn’t secure a law admission. So, I had to settle for Linguistics and Communication Studies at Uniport.

    “It was on the campus that I saw skit making and I decided to try it out. Money wasn’t coming.

    “After I graduated, my dad never knew I was a comedian because I was hiding it. It was one more year after school that he started seeing me on comedy show posters.

    “My sisters confirmed to him that I was into comedy. He was very furious. He fumed, ‘Which comedy? Stupid business. Look at the boy I sent to become a lawyer.’”