The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • NBA moves to penalise branch chairman for naming ex-convict grand patron

    NBA moves to penalise branch chairman for naming ex-convict grand patron

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the chairman of the association’s Garki branch in Abuja, Anthony Ojo, for naming an ex-convict, Abdulrasheed Maina, as the branch’s grand patron.

    The NBA, in a statement issued by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), said the development not only paints the legal profession and the group in a bad light, but it also makes a mockery of the government’s fight against corruption, as well as the association’s motto of promoting the rule of law.

    Maina, the Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), was convicted along with his company, Common Input Property and Investment Limited, on money laundering charges by a Federal High Court in Abuja in a judgment delivered on November 8, 2021.

    The court sentenced him to eight years’ imprisonment, which should run from October 25, 2019, when he was first arraigned, and ordered his company to be wound up.

    Maina and his firm were also ordered to forfeit about N2.1 billion traced to their bank accounts, as well as another sum of $223, 396, 30, to the Federal Government.

    The court also ordered the forfeiture of Maina’s two choice properties at Lifecamp and Jabi districts of Abuja to the government, as well as the auction of a bulletproof car and a BMW 5 Series exotic car found in his house in Abuja.

    Maina has since served his term and was recently released by the prison authorities in Abuja.

    Osigwe said, in his statement, that it was also reprehensible that Ojo made comments about Maina’s appeal, which is currently believed to be pending at the Supreme Court.

    Part of the statement reads, “While the NBA respects Mr. Maina’s right to exhaust his right to appeal against the conviction, the Bar will not, under any guise, comment on such an appeal or be seen to try to sway public opinion in his favour.

    “These actions portray the Chairman of NBA Garki and, indeed, any person who endorsed his putrid actions as condoning corrupt practices.

    Read Also: NBA Chairmen laud Sanwo-Olu, NTDA GM Aboyeji on projects

    “The Bar fails in her duties to society and the cause of justice when it condones, encourages, and or fails to take definite actions to eliminate corruption and corrupt practices.

    “The association will not, under any guise, lend its platform, name, or institutional credibility to influence public opinion or judicial proceedings in respect of cases that are sub judice or take steps that may be perceived as laundering the image of any person convicted of criminal offences.

    “Any attempt to do so constitutes a grave violation of professional ethics and a direct affront to the rule of law.

    “In view of the foregoing, the Chairman of the NBA Garki branch, Mr. Bamidele Ojo, is hereby directed to immediately withdraw any purported appointment of Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina as a patron of the branch and to forthwith cease from issuing statements, comments, or representations on behalf of, or in support of, Mr. Maina or any other litigant in respect of cases pending in court.

    “The NBA views this conduct as a serious breach of professional responsibility and institutional discipline.

    “Accordingly, disciplinary proceedings will be commenced against the Chairman of the NBA Garki branch for actions inconsistent with the Constitution of the NBA, the Rules of Professional Conduct, and the core values of the legal profession.

    “Integrity, accountability, respect for the judicial process, and the preservation of public confidence in the legal profession are foundational values of the Nigerian Bar Association.

    “Any conduct that undermines these principles will attract firm and decisive institutional response.

    “The NBA therefore disclaims the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina as ‘Grand Patron of NBA Garki branch’ by the Chairman of the Branch, Anthony Bamidele Ojo.

    “The NBA strongly condemns his actions and reiterates that the Bar must use its power to stop corruption.”

  • Nigerian held for six weeks in Qatar cries out for FG’s help

    Nigerian held for six weeks in Qatar cries out for FG’s help

    A Nigerian, Gideon Eze, detained for six weeks in Doha, Qatar’s capital city, has cried out to the Federal Government and its relevant agencies to intervene in his case to reverse the injustice done to him.

    Eze’s lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said Eze had boarded Qatar Airways’ flight from Abuja to the United States on May 7, 2025, but had his trip aborted in Doha due to a profiling and mistreatment incident that resulted from a routine airport security check.

    Effiong said during the check, security officials claimed to have found items they suspected to be illicit drugs, but which turned out to be a false alarm after being subjected to a series of tests.

    He said the tests included chemical swabs, machine analysis, and tongue-tasting as well as two complete searches of my checked luggage and a full strip-search, adding that “every single test result was negative for narcotics.”

    Eze, who spoke alongside his lawyer, said that despite the clear evidence of his innocence, the Qatari security personnel escalated the situation.

    He added, “I was detained, my passport and phone seized, and my checked luggage forcibly removed from the aircraft and searched twice. Nothing illegal was found.

    “I was handcuffed behind my back, driven in a black vehicle, and taken to a detention facility called Duhaill, under the pretext of a ‘final test’ that would take just two hours.

    “At the detention center, I was subjected to a degrading strip search. I was stripped completely naked, ordered to jump, squat, and cough, while a device was passed around my genitals and anus. Again, nothing incriminating was found on me.

    “I was detained and compelled to sign a report written entirely in Arabic, which falsely declared the harmless stones were ‘cocaine stones. ‘That was how I spent six weeks in detention.

    “I later learnt through the Nigerian embassy in Qatar that they had sent the stones for forensic lab analyses during my detention. The analyses surprisingly took six weeks, after which the results came out, still showing the stones were benign and non-narcotic.

    “I was ultimately released from custody without any charge or conviction on June 19th, 2025, confirming the complete lack of evidence or legal basis for the original accusation and detention,” he said.

    Eze added that days after his release, he found that his U.S. visa was revoked on May 12, 2025, due to his wrongful arrest at the Hammad International Airport, Doha.

    He added, “Since I had obtained my U.S. visa as my wife’s dependent, her student visa also got revoked in relation to the case. This even came at a time when she was preparing for her Ph.D. candidacy exam, adding more fuel to the fire already ravaging our lives.”

    Eze said that since then, he has made several attempts, both personally and through the Nigerian embassy in Qatar, to obtain case dismissal documents and a copy of the forensic lab results, as key materials that would help him to appeal the visa revocation.

    He said that although the Qatari Public Prosecution Department eventually issued a case dismissal document to him, the organisation failed to release the laboratory report.

    Eze noted that the many appeal letters he wrote to the US embassy have been unanswered and prayed that the Nigerian government would come to his aid.

  • 10,000 Ekiti youths, students march for Tinubu, Oyebanji

    10,000 Ekiti youths, students march for Tinubu, Oyebanji

    No fewer than 10,000 youths in Ekiti State on Friday staged a solidarity march in support of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of the 2027 general election and governorship poll in the state.

    The youths, including students, converged on the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Ajilosun, Ado Ekiti, before marching through major streets of the state capital to Fajuyi Pavilion, chanting solidarity songs in support of President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji

    Addressing the youths, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Comr. Sunday Asefon said the march was organised to appreciate the people-oriented leadership of Tinubu and Oyebanji, particularly in the area of education and youth development at the federal and state levels.

    Asefon said that student dropout rates in higher institutions had reduced due to strategic education reforms initiated by the Tinubu administration, adding that bursaries, scholarships, and subventions to tertiary institutions in Ekiti had been increased.

    He explained that the rally was a clear signal of support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, stressing that the youths and students were firmly behind his administration.

    He added that the turnout at the march demonstrated the readiness of young people in Ekiti to reward both leaders at the polls for their immense contributions to education and youth empowerment.

    Asefon urged the youths and students to reciprocate the investments by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards and voting massively for Governor Oyebanji in the June 20, 2026, governorship poll, noting that online support alone would not be counted by the electoral body.

    The Presidential aide exuded confidence that Governor Oyebanji would secure overwhelming votes in the governorship poll across the 177 wards and polling units in the state.

    The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of YSJ Farms, Mrs Oluwayemisi Joluwe, also mobilised support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji, calling on youths across Ekiti State to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and actively participate in the electoral process.

    She said that young people constituted a significant proportion of the country’s population and should harness their numerical strength to support leaders who had demonstrated commitment to youth empowerment, agriculture, and education.

    Joluwe urged them not to succumb to apathy, stressing that voting remained the most effective and efficient way to influence governance and secure a better future.

    She added that the Tinubu and Oyebanji administrations had introduced policies and programmes that directly benefited youths, particularly in agriculture and economic empowerment, urging young people to reciprocate the gestures by turning out massively on Election Day to support both leaders.

    The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasaoye, described the rally as a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji, saying both leaders deserved a second term in view of what he called their stellar performance in office.

    He said that the administration of Tinubu at the federal level and Oyebanji in Ekiti had delivered people-oriented policies, particularly in infrastructure, education, youth development, and the health sector. 

  • Tinubu felicitates Rep Ogbara on Lagos chieftaincy honour

    Tinubu felicitates Rep Ogbara on Lagos chieftaincy honour

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, a member of the House of Representatives, on her conferment with a chieftaincy title in Lagos.

    In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President noted that the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Osuolale Akiolu, will honour Ogbara with the title of Yeyesewa of Lagos, a distinguished title previously held by the late Chief Kemi Nelson, who passed away in 2022.

    President Tinubu described the honour as well-deserved, commending Ogbara for her contributions to Lagos State and the nation, particularly her legislative advocacy for women’s empowerment and increased female participation in politics.

    He acknowledged her role in championing laws and initiatives aimed at strengthening the rights and opportunities of women, noting that her public service record reflects commitment, diligence, and impact.

    Ogbara, a human rights activist and former media entrepreneur, represents Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives.

    She currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Women’s Affairs.

    The President wished the lawmaker continued success and a life of sustained service and impact, expressing confidence that the chieftaincy honour would further inspire her contributions to governance and community development.

  • Boost for oil sector as Chevron completes Awodi-07 appraisal, exploration well

    Boost for oil sector as Chevron completes Awodi-07 appraisal, exploration well

    Nigeria’s oil and gas industry got a fresh boost this week as a new shallow-offshore discovery, the Awodi-07, by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited-Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture signalled renewed momentum in exploration, production growth, and longer asset life in the Niger Delta.

    A statement by Olusoga Oduselu, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Chevron Nigeria/Mid-Africa Region, announced the successful completion of the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well in the western Niger Delta, describing the result as a significant addition to Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resource base at a time when operators are pushing for faster, infrastructure-led developments.

    The Awodi-07 well, spudded on November 30, 2025, was drilled to a total depth of 12,420 feet measured depth and safely plugged and suspended on December 28, 2025, after wireline and fluid sampling operations.

    Results show about 675 feet of hydrocarbon pay, comprising 310 feet in appraisal reservoirs and 365 feet across six hydrocarbon-bearing exploration sands.

    Chevron said the appraisal section met pre-drill expectations and has unlocked clear development potential, while the exploration targets point to additional upside in the shallow offshore terrain.

    Commenting on the discovery, Jim Swartz, Chairman & Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria/Mid-Africa Region, said, “The Awodi-07 success demonstrates the strength of our exploration programme and the value of collaboration with our senior partner, NNPCL, reinforcing the NNPCL/CNL JV’s commitment to sustaining production growth.”

    Noting the significance of the find, Kevin McLachlan, Vice President – Exploration, added, “This discovery comes after two recent exploration successes in Nigeria since late 2024. All three discoveries complement Chevron’s global exploration strategy to balance infrastructure-enabled and frontier activity.”

    Chevron noted that the Awodi-07 result aligns with its strategy of growing hydrocarbon resources in onshore and shallow-water areas, extending the life of existing producing assets, and delivering production with shorter development cycle times.

    The company also pointed to the Petroleum Industry Act and ongoing sector reforms as key enablers of renewed exploration activity.

    According to the company, the NNPCL/CNL JV will continue working closely with regulators and stakeholders to ensure full regulatory compliance, while advancing discoveries into value for Nigeria through technology, local partnerships, and disciplined development.

  • BAVCCA urges Fed govt to end verified payments to local contractors

    BAVCCA urges Fed govt to end verified payments to local contractors

    The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA) has called on the Federal Government to conclude outstanding verified payments to local contractors.

    On Thursday, the government announced the payment of ₦152 billion to contractors for duly verified projects, following protests that disrupted activities at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja.

    The press conference followed a protest by indigenous contractors on Monday, January 19, at the Ministry of Finance, during which access to the premises was blocked and official activities disrupted.

    Addressing a press conference yesterday, National Secretary of BAVCCA, Tabuko Kennedy, urged contractors to embrace dialogue to ensure the remaining balance is paid.

    The organisation also appealed to the media to report responsibly.

    Kennedy, who spoke on behalf of the group, said the payment was confirmed by the Ministry of Finance, stressing that contract payments follow “multiple verification and approval stages” in line with existing financial regulations.

    Kennedy said: “At the outset, BAVCCA aligns with the official position of the Federal Ministry of Finance, which confirmed today that ₦152 billion was paid yesterday to contractors for duly verified contracts.”

  • Police spokesperson donates desks, educational materials to Ebonyi primary school

    Police spokesperson donates desks, educational materials to Ebonyi primary school

    A senior police officer and public relations expert, Nwode Nkeiruka, has donated desks, school sandals, school bags, and other educational materials to a public primary school in Ishimkpuma Ndiezi Okpoto community, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    The donation by Nwode, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), is said to have brought the much-needed relief and renewed hope to pupils, teachers, and the host community.

    The donation, which included 51 classroom chairs, 98 pairs of school sandals, 40 school bags, and other learning materials, was described by community members as a long-awaited intervention that has significantly improved the learning environment of the school.

    The items were distributed across classrooms, with eight chairs allocated to each class.

    Speaking on the gesture, CSP Nkeiruka said the initiative was part of her commitment to giving back to society and supporting the education of children, especially in underserved communities.

    She said, “I saw the pictures of the pupils learning while seated on the bare floor, still hopeful.

    “A few days back, I decided to make a small change in the school, not because chairs, the school bags, and shoes I got for them would solve everything, but because every child deserves comfort, dignity, and the chance to learn without unnecessary hardship.

    “May this be a reminder that sometimes, kindness begins with noticing. And impact doesn’t have to be loud to be life-changing”, she said.

    She noted that while the donation might appear small, access to basic learning materials plays a critical role in shaping the future of children

    “It may seem small, but access to basic learning needs makes a real difference in the lives of our children. I am grateful to the school for allowing me to contribute in this small but meaningful way,” she said.

    Read Also: Delta police bust kidnapping syndicate, nab 10 suspects

    She also acknowledged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for what she described as the opportunity and institutional support to serve communities beyond her official duties.

    She reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to community partnership, describing the police as friends of the people.

    The donation attracted commendation from community leaders, teachers, and parents, who expressed deep appreciation for the intervention after years of unsuccessful appeals for government assistance.

    Many described the visit as historic, noting that it restored dignity and confidence to the pupils and created a more conducive learning environment.

    In a goodwill message, Nteoma Chimaobi, who witnessed the presentation, praised CSP Nkeiruka’s compassion and humanitarian efforts, describing her as a woman whose actions speak louder than words.

    He said the joy and excitement displayed by the pupils and teachers reflected the impact of the gesture on the community.

    “For years, the community sought help to improve the school, but their cries were met with silence. Today, hope has returned, and joy fills the hearts of the people,” he said.

    According to him, beyond the school donation, CSP Nkeiruka has consistently supported empowerment initiatives, assisting individuals and small businesses, and helping families regain stability.

    The event was marked by jubilation from pupils, teachers, and residents, many of whom described the donation as a dream come true.

    They offered prayers and goodwill messages, pledging to remember the day as one in which compassion, service, and humanity were practically demonstrated.

    CSP Nwode Nkeiruka currently serves as the Police Public Relations Officer at the Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos State.

  • TikTok forms US joint venture to avert ban over Chinese ownership

    TikTok forms US joint venture to avert ban over Chinese ownership

    Video and photo-sharing platform TikTok has created a new joint venture, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, with majority American ownership to continue operating its business in the United States and avoid a potential ban linked to its Chinese roots.

    The new entity is expected to serve more than 200 million users and 7.5 million businesses across the country, with enhanced safeguards for data protection, algorithm security, and content moderation.

    Former US President Donald Trump welcomed the agreement and claimed credit for facilitating the deal, while also expressing appreciation to Chinese President Xi Jinping for approving the arrangement.

    “I am so happy to have helped in saving TikTok!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social late Thursday.

    Read Also: Tonto Dikeh warns TikTok impostor, threatens legal action over alleged scams

    “It will now be owned by a group of Great American Patriots and Investors, the Biggest in the World, and will be an important Voice.

    “I would also like to thank President Xi of China for working with us and, ultimately, approving the Deal,” he added.

    The joint venture is owned by a group of American investors, including Silver Lake, Oracle, and Abu Dhabi-based AI investment fund MGX, each holding 15% stakes, while ByteDance retains a 19.9% stake.

    Oracle will store US user data in its secure cloud environment, with cybersecurity audited by third-party experts.

  • NYSC remains beacon of hope for Nigeria’s future – Bago

    NYSC remains beacon of hope for Nigeria’s future – Bago

    Niger state Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has described the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a beacon of hope for the future Nigeria, emphasising its enduring role in fostering national unity and development amid the country’s challenges.

    Speaking at the official opening and swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I Orientation Course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Paiko on Friday, the Governor urged the new corps members to embrace their service year as a platform for nation-building.

    He highlighted the scheme’s success in mobilising Nigerian graduates and instilling values such as commitment, patriotism, teamwork, integrity, and tolerance.

    “The NYSC remains one of the strongest tools for maintaining national unity and development. Commendably, it has not failed in any of its set objectives over the years,” Bago stated in his address.

    He noted that corps members have made significant contributions to sectors like health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure, positioning the programme as a vital instrument for progress.

    The Governor, who declared the orientation course open, encouraged the corps members to view themselves as agents of change equipped to elevate the nation, advising them to participate fully in the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to acquire practical skills beyond their academic qualifications.

    “Your degree is hardly enough these days; therefore, it is vital to have a skill to boost your profile,” he added.

    Bago also assured the corps members of the state government’s commitment to their welfare, including plans to deploy manpower and machinery to improve the orientation camp’s facilities, calling on security agencies to ensure their safety, and commending the NYSC management for their dedication.

    In her address, the NYSC Niger State Coordinator, Mrs. Martina Shuaibu-Ibrahim, echoed the governor’s sentiments, congratulating the prospective corps members on their mobilisation and praising their patriotic spirit.

    She described the three-week orientation as a formal introduction to the scheme’s objectives, designed to prepare them for service through paramilitary drills, lectures, SAED training, and citizenship and leadership sessions.

    “One of the key objectives of the NYSC is to promote integration and unity,” Shuaibu-Ibrahim said, noting that the deployment of corps members from diverse backgrounds to Niger State and the FCT, with some dislodged to Niger, offers a chance to foster friendship, peace, and harmony.

    She urged them to take the Oath of Allegiance seriously as a solemn commitment and to familiarise themselves with the NYSC Act and By-laws.

    The coordinator reminded the Corps members of the need for discipline, selflessness, and compliance with camp rules, emphasising the programme’s response to contemporary challenges, such as unemployment, through skill-building initiatives that promote self-reliance and wealth creation.

  • MEDA launches five-year rise project to boost agri-food systems in northern Nigeria

    MEDA launches five-year rise project to boost agri-food systems in northern Nigeria

    Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) has launched the Resilient and Inclusive Agri-Food Systems Empowering Women and Youth in Nigeria (RISE) project, a five-year initiative supported by Global Affairs Canada, aimed at strengthening agricultural value chains and expanding decent job opportunities in Northern Nigeria.

    The project, unveiled on Thursday, January 22, 2026, is designed to create 8,000 sustainable jobs across the region while directly supporting 12,500 smallholder farmers through improved access to finance, climate-smart agricultural practices, and stronger market linkages.

    RISE will also strengthen 450 women- and youth-led enterprises and empower 250 farmer cooperatives, with an overall projected reach of about 50,000 beneficiaries.

    Implementation will span Bauchi State, Kaduna State, and Kano State, focusing on key value chains such as rice, maize, groundnut, and soybean.

    The initiative is structured around a three-pillar strategy: increasing yields and incomes for smallholder farmers through climate-smart innovations; enhancing the competitiveness of women- and youth-led agribusinesses through access to finance and technology; and addressing harmful social norms by promoting inclusive leadership within cooperatives and agribusiness enterprises.

    The launch event brought together stakeholders from government, the private sector, financial institutions, women’s groups, and local cooperatives to identify and address systemic challenges across targeted value chains.

    Speaking at the event, MEDA Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Diaka Diallo Sall, said the RISE project places women and youth at the centre of agricultural transformation in Northern Nigeria.

    “With RISE, we are moving further and deeper. The project will strengthen agri-food systems in Bauchi, Kaduna, and Kano states, improve resilience to climate and economic shocks, and expand opportunities for smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses,” she said.

    According to her, women and youth will remain at the centre of the effort, not as beneficiaries, but as leaders and drivers of ecosystem transformation.

    The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to Nigeria’s agricultural development, describing agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, gender equality, and poverty reduction.

    “By empowering women and youth across Nigeria’s agri-food systems, we are helping to create decent jobs, strengthen local economies and build more resilient and sustainable food systems,” Salvaggio said.

    The launch also featured panel discussions moderated by MEDA and Sahel Consulting experts, with Dr. Aishatu Bakari Usman representing women farmers.

    The RISE project is co-designed and implemented by MEDA in partnership with Sahel Consulting, Development Exchange Centre, Emeraid Capital, Extension Africa, Women in Business Forum, and the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN).

    Dignitaries present at the event included the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator (Dr.) Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi; the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio; the Bauchi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Iliyasu Aliyu Gital; the Bauchi State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Lydia Tsanman; the Kano State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi; the Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Muritala Dabo; the Kaduna State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajia Rabi Salisu; the Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mahmud; and the Bauchi State Commissioner for Budget and National Planning, Hon. Amina Katagum.