The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Folorunsho Adeola pays tribute to Allwell Ademola at 40th birthday party

    Folorunsho Adeola pays tribute to Allwell Ademola at 40th birthday party

    Actress Folorunsho Adeola has paid a tribute to her late colleague Allwell Ademola, who passed away on December 27th after suffering a heart attack.

    Adeola, who celebrated her 40th birthday recently, honoured Ademola with a moment of silence during the party, with guests standing in respect as her MC led the solemn moment.

    In a post on her Instagram page, Adeola described Ademola as a kind-hearted and genuine individual who had supported her during her early career days. 

    She wrote, “Dear ENIOBANKE, You matter deeply. Your kindness leaves a lasting impression on hearts, your words still echo, and your memories never fade. You love sincerely, you give genuinely, and you show up in ways many never do.

    “You were there for me in my early career days, always pushing me forward. I show you love while you are here, and I never stop appreciating you. I let you know how much you mean to me, always.

    “Though you are no longer here in the way I wish, you live on in our stories, in our prayers, and in the quiet moments when we remember you and smile through the tears. Rest well, my big baby.”

  • Peller appeals for N11m in crowdfunding to fix crashed Mercedes Benz SUV

    Peller appeals for N11m in crowdfunding to fix crashed Mercedes Benz SUV

    Popular TikTok star Peller has revealed that his N100 million Mercedes Benz SUV, damaged in ‘deliberate’ road accident, would cost a whopping N11 million to be fixed.

    The streamer made the disclosure during a live session on TikTok, where he opened up about the accident, which occurred after his breakup with his lover Jarvis.

    Read Also: Peller apologises to Jarvis’ family after breakup

    “They told me that fixing my car would cost 11 million naira,” Peller said in the video.

    Peller, who took a break from social media, returned to address the incident, stating that he was yet to fix his car due to the hefty repair bill.

    In his bid to get help, he solicited financially from his followers, asking TikTokers joining his live session to assist him financially.

    The accident, which landed Peller in the hospital, had sparked concerns among fans and well-wishers.

  • I will deliver Abia to APC in 2027– says Orji Kalu

    I will deliver Abia to APC in 2027– says Orji Kalu

    Sen. Orji Kalu (APC– Abia North) has vowed to do all within his powers to deliver Abia to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

    Kalu made the vow at Ekoli, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi while on  annual New Year visit to the  Chairman of the APC Ebonyi, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha.

    The Former Abia Governor said he would deploy all within his arsenal to ensure that APC wrestles power from the ruling Labour Party in Abia.

    “I will support President Bola Tinubu and the APC gubernatorial candidate in the elections.

    “I will put my heart on the field to ensure that the APC wins landslide in Abia, at the election.

    “The incumbent Governor, Dr Alex Oti is my friend but I am not discussing politics, only the total victory of the APC in the elections,” he said.

    Read Also: Ekiti State PDP candidate fingers APC for exclusion from INEC list

    He urged state governors to secure their respective states and not leave such task to President Tinubu.

    “When I was Abia governor, I ensured total security of lives and properties.

    “There were no cases of kidnapping among other crimes in Abia and this was at a period other states were grappling with heightened insecurity.

    “The governors should emulate Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyii, who has ensured adequate peace and security in the state,” he said.

    Kalu noted that he conceived his annual New Year visit to the  Ebonyi APC chairman due to his age long loyalty to him.

    “He is an embodiment of loyalty and is someone you can trust with your life.

    “I raised him as a child, even when his father was alive and he was part of the success stories I recorded as a governor.

    “When I handed him over to Former Ebonyi Governor, Sen. David Umahi, I urged him to give his principal 100 per cent loyalty and he has transferred such virtue to the incumbent governor, Nwifuru,” he said. (NAN)

  • Troops rescue five kidnap victims in Kogi forest, recover bodies

    Troops rescue five kidnap victims in Kogi forest, recover bodies

     The Nigerian Army troops conducting ongoing anti-kidnapping operations in Kogi State have rescued five abducted victims and recovered decomposing bodies during a clearance operation in Lokoja Local Government Area.

    A credible military source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that the troops, drawn from Obajana and Kabba patrol bases, projected a fighting patrol to Ankomi village in the Adankolo general area of Lokoja Local Government Area, following credible intelligence.

    The source said the patrol discovered that the village, previously occupied by bandits, had been destroyed and abandoned.

    “Troops extended the operation to the river line where three women and two children were intercepted. Preliminary debriefing confirmed they were victims of the Ayetoro Kiri kidnap incident,” the source said.

    Read Also: Troops foil bandits’ attack, kill five in Plateau

    “Troops further exploited the area and discovered two decomposing bodies suspected to be those of abducted persons. One corpse was evacuated, while efforts were ongoing to recover the remaining remains.

    “The rescued victims are currently receiving medical treatment at Fisayo Hospital, Obajana, while the deceased woman has been deposited at St. Joseph Mortuary in Kabba, Kogi,” he said.

    The source added that debriefing of the rescued victims was ongoing to support efforts to rescue other abductees, noting that the general security situation in the area was calm but unpredictable.

    According to him, troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain satisfactory, and operations to rescue remaining victims are ongoing.

    (NAN) 

  • How Fubara deceived us – Rivers PDP

    How Fubara deceived us – Rivers PDP

    The Rivers chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says  Gov. Siminalayi Fubara has betrayed it and the Rivers people by dumping the party in the middle of its current political crisis.

    Dr Nname Ewor, a factional Caretaker Chairman of the party stated this during a news conference on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the face-off between Fubara and members of the State Assembly began barely a year after taken office, which later threw the state into serious political crisis.

    Ewor said that President Bola Tinubu intervened, adding that part of the agreement was that Fubara would not run for another term.

    He added that Fubara was also asked to reinstate Chief Ohna Awuse as Chairman, Rivers Traditional Rulers Council.

    He further revealed that other agreements reached was that the governor should drop Tammy Danagogo as Secretary to the State Government and Edison Ehie as Chief of Staff.

    He alleged that Fubara had refused to keep all the terms of the pact reached, leading to the collapse of the peace agreement and the subsequent declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers by Tinubu.

    The chairman added that Fubara had another agreement with Tinubu shortly before the emergency rule was lifted, a situation that led to his eventual defection from the PDP to the ruling All Progressive Party (APC).

    He explained that shortly after announcing his defection, Fubara began boasting that Tinubu would force the State House of Assembly members to pass the 2026 budget.

    Read Also: Fubara’s friends, Secondus, Omehia, others regroup, vow to back Tinubu’s re-election bid

    He said that the governor also boasted that Tinubu would equally compel the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to support his second term reelection bid.

    He called on Fubara to tell the people of Rivers the terms of agreement reached with Tinubu before the emergency rule was lifted in the state.

    “The mandate Fubara is holding was given to him by Rivers people, and all his actions and inactions affects all those whose mandate he is holding.

    “Therefore, it is incumbent on him at this material time, to disclose to Rivers people the terms of the peace agreement he entered with Tinubu before the emergency rule was lifted.

    “This will enable rivers people to make informed decisions,”he said.

    Ewor recalled that the PDP challenged the declaration of the state of emergency at the Supreme Court to protect its mandate.

    “Today, Fubara has taken our mandate to the APC, which with all intent and purpose, is unjust,” he said.

    Ewor further accused Fubara of deceiving them into attending the PDP Convention in Ibadan, only for him to stay away from the meeting, which is currently a matter of litigation before the court.

    He disclosed that he has fully aligned himself with Wike’s calls for the re-election of Tinubu in 2027. (NAN)

  • LAUTECH land: Family insists on compensation, begs Makinde 

    LAUTECH land: Family insists on compensation, begs Makinde 

    The Agunbiade family of Isale-Afon, Ogbomoso, has called on the Oyo State government to pay compensation for its land acquired for the establishment of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), alongside lands of other families.

    In a statement signed by the family spokesman, Chief Adewole Adesina, the family explained that the old Oyo government took over the land around 1990, but no compensation has been paid to the affected families to date.

    The family urged the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration to revisit the matter, particularly in light of the compensation paid to the Osun State government, which co-owned the institution with Oyo until 2020.

    According to the statement, the Agunbiade family’s land affected by the acquisition measures 400 acres.

    The statement reads in part, “The Agunbiade family of Isale-Afon, Ogbomoso, is again appealing to the Oyo State Government to re-visit the issue of compensation to families who own the lands taken over for LAUTECH. For the Agunbiade family of Isale-Afon Ogbomoso, 400 acres of our land is affected. It is an ancestral land left to us by our forebears.”

    The family noted that Osun state received compensation to the tune of N8billion over the dissolution of the joint-ownership, wondering why the families whose properties were taken over could not be compensated.

    They submitted that the Agunbiade family had met all conditions put forward by the Oyo state Ministry of Lands including land surveying, a formal request and list of all items on the land claiming its 400 acre land is worth N2billion in value. 

    They therefore pleaded with the Oyo state’s helmsman, saying, “We are praying and pleading that Governor Seyi Makinde (GSM) pay us our dues. Some of our family members are dead since we re-energised our request for compensation. Government should not let their efforts be in vain.”

  • Aiyedatiwa pardons 77 inmates to mark New Year

    Aiyedatiwa pardons 77 inmates to mark New Year

    In a bid to mark the New Year, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has granted pardon to 77 inmates across various correctional centres in the state.

    The decision followed the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, which advised the governor to extend clemency to the convicts.

    A statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the gesture was part of activities commemorating the January 1, 2026 New Year celebration and underscored Governor Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to rehabilitative justice, second chances and humane governance.

    According to the statement, the governor believed the justice system should strike a balance between accountability and compassion, especially for inmates who have shown genuine remorse and the potential for successful reintegration into society.

    The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, SAN, who chairs the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, explained the process that led to the recommendations.

    “In commemoration of the January 1, 2026 New Year Day celebration, the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy recommended a total of 77 convicts for the mercy of Mr Governor,” Ajulo said.

    He added that the council carefully considered factors such as the nature of offences committed, length of time already served, conduct and behaviour in custody, age and health conditions, level of rehabilitation, prospects of reintegration, as well as reports from correctional and legal authorities.

    Ajulo praised the governor for approving the recommendations, noting that Mr Aiyedatiwa personally reviewed each case to ensure fairness and compassion.

    “After due consideration, Mr Governor graciously approved the list of beneficiaries,” he added.

    He disclosed that the approved clemency measures include the outright release of 12 convicts who demonstrated exemplary conduct and had served substantial portions of their sentences.

    Ajulo said other measures include the commutation of death sentences to life imprisonment or fixed jail terms for 22 condemned inmates; reduction of life imprisonment to 25 years for four inmates; reduction of life imprisonment to 20 years for 14 inmates; reduction to 15 years for 15 inmates; reduction to 10 years for six inmates; and commutation to lesser terms of imprisonment for four inmates.

    Ajulo described the gesture as a demonstration of profound mercy and forward-thinking leadership that prioritises rehabilitation over punishment.

    He said the action reaffirmed Governor Aiyedatiwa’s commitment to justice sector reforms, decongesting correctional facilities and restoring hope among inmates willing to reform.

  • FCTA to mark Tinubu’s third anniversary with massive projects – Wike 

    FCTA to mark Tinubu’s third anniversary with massive projects – Wike 

    • … assure residents of tight security, peace in the nation’s capital

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has assured Abuja residents that tangible projects will be completed to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third year in office. 

    Wike said this in his New Year massage. 

    The minister urged the residents to cooperate and continue to support Tinubu’s administration for more dividends of democracy. 

    He also assured of level playing ground for all following the forthcoming Area council and general elections. 

    According to a statement he personally signed on Thursday, the minister said, “Let me begin by acknowledging and appreciating the cooperation of residents and friends of the FCT in the previous year. Great strides were made, massive developments accomplished, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles overcome all thanks to your cooperation.

    “As we usher in the dawn of a new year, on behalf of the FCT Administration, I extend my warmest greetings of a Happy New Year to the resilient and vibrant residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “It is my earnest hope that this year, our Administration will receive more support from residents that will galvanize our plans and projections for the FCT into tangible developments, projects, and facilities that will greatly enhance the quality of life for all residents of the Federal Capital Territory, regardless of their social status.

    “As an Administration, we have already laid the groundwork for projects and programs that will trigger positive developments in critical sectors of society, such as education, health, the judiciary, transportation, agriculture, and security. We therefore look forward to commissioning rehabilitated schools, roads, bridges, health facilities, transportation hubs, facilities for the judiciary, security infrastructure, and programmes that will impact FCT residents positively.

    “This year, we shall not just be commemorating the third anniversary of the Administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, but plan to mark it by showcasing tangible developments aimed at transforming the lives of residents favourably”.

    Wike said through the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, FCT has witnessed unprecedented development across territory; from the Abuja Municipal to far flung areas such as Abaji, Kuje and Kwali. 

    “We cannot thank Mr. President enough for this, even as we solicit for more support as we embark on more projects for the people.

     “As we look forward to a bright and prosperous new year, it is pertinent to remember that virtues of diligence, discipline, and determination are needed for the realization of our collective goals. I therefore encourage residents to imbibe these very important virtues and continue to be law-abiding as we navigate the year together.

    “The year 2026 is particularly significant for us because it marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Federal Capital Territory. The golden jubilee celebration of the FCT is a testament to the vision of our founding fathers, and to the resilience of Nigerians who have continuously demonstrated the resolve to coexist in peace and unity these past 50 years.

    “The new year is also a politically vital one for residents of the Federal Capital, and in fact, all Nigerians. In a few weeks, Area Council elections will kick off in the six Area Councils of the Territory, and eligible voters are expected to exercise their rights to choose their leaders at the local government level. I urge you all to use your votes wisely.

    “On our part, the Federal Capital Territory Administration is committed to ensuring that the exercise is done in a free and fair atmosphere devoid of violence and illegalities.

    “Later in the year, campaigns are expected to begin nationwide ahead of Nigeria’s general elections in 2027. Being the Centre of Government, the Federal Capital Territory would witness a beehive of activities around this period. Be assured that the FCT Administration will continue to provide an environment conducive for the orderly hosting of all political events preceding and relating to the general elections as well.

    “My good people of the FCT, as we move into this amazing year, let us do so with dogged determination, unshaken faith, and the unity of purpose that never fails to deliver the desired peace, prosperity, and progress that the FCT truly craves.

    “On this auspicious occasion of the New Year celebration, once again, I wish you and your loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and prosperous 2026.”

  • Makinde urges Oyo residents to unite, cooperate for greater 2026

    Makinde urges Oyo residents to unite, cooperate for greater 2026

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has urged residents to continue supporting the state government, fulfilling their civic responsibilities, and remaining united to build the future everyone envisions for the Pacesetter State.

    In his New Year Broadcast on Thursday, Governor Makinde emphasised that the government alone cannot develop the state, calling on citizens to contribute to making Oyo productive, lawful, and peaceful to realize the vision of a better and greater state.

    He expressed gratitude to residents for their resilience, trust, and support throughout 2025, noting that despite the challenges faced, the people and the state remained steadfast.

    Highlighting the administration’s achievements in the outgoing year, Governor Makinde mentioned the commissioning of key infrastructure projects in Ibadan and the significant progress on the 110km Ibadan Circular Road project.

    He also pointed to strides in transitioning the state’s economy from a consumptive to a productive one, boosted by the Oyo State International Agribusiness Summit and the International Tourism Summit. 

    The governor added that these efforts contributed to relative peace in the state amid rising insecurity nationwide.

    Governor Makinde stated that while 2025 tested the state’s resilience, preparations for 2026—including the signing of the Budget of Economic Expansion—have laid the foundation for significant achievements and economic growth in the New Year.

    Governor Makinde said further, “The year 2025 was not an easy one. Across our nation, families and businesses felt economic pressure. 

    Communities faced uncertainty. Institutions were tested. Many of us had moments when the weight of the times felt heavy.

    “Yet, as we reflect on the past twelve months, one truth stands firm. We were hard pressed on every side, but we were not crushed. We were confronted by uncertainty, but we did not lose hope. We were challenged, but we were not defeated.

    “This truth guided our work in government throughout the year 2025. In times of pressure, leadership must be calm, focused, and principled. Despite political distractions and national uncertainty, Oyo State remained steady. Our institutions continued to function. 

    “Governance did not take a back seat. We strengthened democratic processes, upheld due process in public service, and stayed committed to transparency and accountability.

    “We chose consistency over noise. Systems over shortcuts. Long-term stability over short-term praise. While the year tested us, it did not stop us from building.

    “In 2025, we continued to invest in infrastructure that improves daily life and supports economic activity. The commissioning of key transport infrastructure in Ibadan was not just about movement, but about dignity, order, and productivity.

    “We pushed forward on the 110 km Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road as a strategic economic corridor designed to unlock growth, attract investment, and create jobs for generations to come. Some people thought they could divide us by turning this developmental project into a tool to score cheap political points. But we remained resilient and focused on leading with empathy, we listened, we acted in line with what is in the best interests of the good people of Oyo State. Under pressure, we did not abandon our development agenda.”

    Makinde added, “Also in the year 2025, we took decisive steps to strengthen our productive base. Through the Oyo State International Agribusiness Summit and ongoing agribusiness initiatives, we reinforced our belief that agriculture must move beyond subsistence to structured productivity. We are building systems that connect farmers to markets, processors to supply chains, and investors to opportunities.

    “Our message has been clear: Oyo State is open for serious business, grounded in planning, value creation, and long-term sustainability.

    “In August 2025, we hosted the International Tourism Summit. This was not a jamboree. It was a statement of intent. We are repositioning tourism as a structured economic sector, one that creates jobs, supports small businesses, preserves culture, and attracts global partnerships. 

    “The summit signalled that Oyo State is approaching tourism with clarity, planning, and readiness. And we are already reaping the rewards. On the back of the summit, we are in the process of onboarding investors interested in our Focus-5 tourist sites.

    “2025 marked another step in diversifying our economy and preparing our State for broader investment opportunities.”

    The governor also said, “We cannot speak of progress without acknowledging the concerns our people faced during the year. There were moments of insecurity that caused fear and anxiety. There were environmental challenges that reminded us of our vulnerability. Government responded by working closely with security agencies, strengthening coordination, and improving preparedness for emergencies. 

    “We remained committed to protecting lives, responding with compassion, and maintaining law and order, even when the road was difficult.

    “We were struck, but not destroyed. Beyond projects and policies, governance must touch the lives of families. In 2025, we continued to prioritise preventive healthcare, education, and social wellbeing. From public health interventions to youth engagement and community order, our focus remained on protecting households and supporting everyday resilience.

    “Because development must be felt, we continued to ensure that salaries for civil and public servants were paid throughout the year on the 25th of every month and we topped it up with the 13th month salary in December. We are determined to stay this course till the last day of our service to you, the good people of Oyo State. 

    “As the New Year begins, we have already prepared for what lies ahead. The signing of the 2026 Budget of Economic Expansion reflects our resolve to move forward deliberately. It signals a focus on production, infrastructure completion, investment attraction, and job creation.”

    Calling on the people to support the administration, Makinde said, “2025 tested our resolve. 2026 will reward our preparation. But, let me say this to our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and friends of our dear State, government alone cannot build the future we desire.

    “We ask for continued cooperation, civic responsibility, and unity. We ask that we keep Oyo State peaceful, lawful, and productive. We ask that together; we protect what we are building, because progress is strongest when it is shared.

    “As we step into a new year, let us remember this: We were hard pressed on every side, but we were not crushed. And because we were not crushed, we can rise with confidence this 2026.

    “I thank you for your resilience. I thank you for your trust. I thank you for standing firm with us.

    “May this new year bring renewed strength, peace, and prosperity to every home in our dear State. Happy New Year, and God bless Oyo State.”

  • Ondo police condemn attack on station, vow to arrest suspects

    Ondo police condemn attack on station, vow to arrest suspects

    The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed a violent attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Headquarters in Owo Local Government Area of the state by suspected terrorists.

    The assailants, numbering between 20 and 30, reportedly stormed the community on Wednesday night, New Year’s Eve, around 10 p.m., firing sporadically and detonating explosives, which set the police facility ablaze.

    The attack came just days after the Commander of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed that no fewer than 39 suspected terrorists fleeing military airstrikes in Sokoto State were apprehended in a forest at Elegbeka in Ose Local Government Area.

    Residents of Ipele, who spoke to The Nation, said the attackers were heavily armed and specifically targeted the police station with sustained gunfire before eventually razing it. 

    The incident reportedly threw the community into panic, forcing many residents to flee their homes for safety.

    Confirming the incident in a statement on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, described the attack as a tragic assault on the peace and security of the state.

    Jimoh said no life was lost during the incident, although the police station and several exhibits were destroyed by fire.

    He also debunked reports circulating on social media that a church was attacked, stressing that only the police facility was affected.

    According to him, preliminary findings revealed that at about 9:41 p.m., armed men invaded the station, firing assault rifles and deploying dynamite.

    “The Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate deployment of additional operational assets, including Tactical Teams, Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) units, and Police Mobile Force personnel to the area,” Jimoh said.

    He added that the situation had been brought under control, while a coordinated manhunt for the attackers was ongoing, urging members of the public to remain calm.

    “A coordinated manhunt for the attackers is currently underway,” the PPRO stated.