The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Reps defend delay in passage of electoral amendment bill

    Reps defend delay in passage of electoral amendment bill

    The House of Representatives has defended the delay in the passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill, saying the process is aimed at harmonising diverse views to produce a credible and acceptable legal framework.

    The spokesman of the House, Mr Akintunde Rotimi, said the delay was necessary to ensure that the final document effectively addresses gaps identified during the 2023 general elections and strengthens Nigeria’s democratic process.

    Rotimi spoke over the weekend in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State while commissioning road projects at Isaba and Oke-Ayedun, as well as a staff quarters at Odo-Oro High School, Odo-Oro.

    Responding to concerns by Nigerians over why the electoral reform bill is yet to be fully passed by the National Assembly, the lawmaker explained that while the House of Representatives had already passed the bill before its December recess, the Senate was still working on it.

    He said, The Electoral Reform Bill before the National Assembly is targeted at improving the transparency, credibility, and efficiency of our democratic system, while also addressing the shortcomings exposed during the 2023 general elections.

    “The reforms are all-encompassing and are products of extensive feedback from stakeholders. The Joint House and Senate Committees on Electoral Reforms have met several times. We have held retreats and consultations with community leaders, civil society organisations, and other interest groups.

    “The reforms are all-encompassing and are a product of extensive consultations and feedback from stakeholders. The Joint House and Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms has held several meetings and retreats involving communities and organisations. We are at the harmonisation stage, and that will be concluded very quickly.”

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    Rotimi, who represents Ekiti North Federal Constituency (Ikole/Oye), noted that the Electoral Amendment Bill 2026 is aimed at improving transparency, credibility, and efficiency in the electoral system, stressing that credible elections remain the foundation of democracy.

    The federal lawmaker added that the reforms would guarantee that Nigerians can vote freely and have confidence that their votes would count.

    Highlighting his legislative achievements, Rotimi revealed that he had sponsored over 40 bills, including the bill to prevent and redress sexual harassment in educational institutions, the Independent Candidacy Bill, and the Whistleblowers’ Bill.

    Speaking on the commissioned projects, Rotimi said they were executed based on demands from constituents, stressing that members of the House of Representatives were deliberate in ensuring that constituency projects reflected the needs of the people.

    He also urged Nigerians to continue to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying such support would enable the government to deliver more on its promises.

  • LAWMA warns against attacks on enforcement officers

    LAWMA warns against attacks on enforcement officers

    The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has warned members of the public against attacking, harassing, or obstructing its enforcement officers while carrying out lawful duties across the state.

    Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, expressed concern over recent incidents in which its personnel were allegedly threatened or assaulted in the course of enforcing environmental sanitation laws, describing such actions as unacceptable and a direct challenge to public order and environmental governance in Lagos.

    He said enforcement officers are deployed to safeguard public health, ensure compliance with waste management regulations, and maintain cleanliness across the metropolis.

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    Gbadegesin stressed that any form of violence, intimidation, or interference with enforcement operations would be met with the full weight of the law.

    He noted that LAWMA’s enforcement activities are backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017, adding that individuals or groups found attacking officers or disrupting lawful operations would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

    The LAWMA boss urged residents to cooperate with the Authority’s officials, comply with approved waste disposal guidelines, and report environmental infractions through appropriate channels rather than resorting to confrontation or self-help.

    He reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to firm but fair enforcement, sustained public engagement, and the protection of its personnel, while calling on community leaders, market associations, and transport unions to support efforts aimed at promoting order, safety, and environmental responsibility across the state.

    “LAWMA remains resolute in its mandate to deliver a cleaner, healthier and more liveable city for all residents,” he said.

  • Sanwo-Olu seeks private sector support for Lagos security needs

    Sanwo-Olu seeks private sector support for Lagos security needs

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appealed to individuals and corporate organisations to support his administration’s efforts at sustaining the security of lives and property through increased contributions to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).

    The Governor made the appeal during a private breakfast meeting with select Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of various companies, organised by the LSSTF in Ikoyi, Lagos, to raise funds for critical security needs for 2026.

    According to him, the funds will be deployed to procure multipurpose security helicopters and drones, armoured personnel carriers (APCs), water cannons, digital communication equipment, smart CCTV cameras, vehicles, as well as for tactical training and infrastructural upgrades for the Police, including an ultra-modern mechanical workshop.

    Sanwo-Olu said previous interventions by the private sector had been judiciously utilised by the Trust Fund to empower security agencies, adding that the LSSTF model had been adopted by other sub-national governments and even at the federal level.

    He said the Lagos State Government continues to shoulder a significant portion of security funding, accounting for over 50 per cent of annual expenditure, while ensuring transparency and accountability in the deployment of donated funds.

    “We wanted it to be something that the private sector can trust, where they can see that their support is always judiciously used. There is accountability, and funds are transparently deployed at all times,” he said.

    The Governor disclosed that the state is rebuilding its Command and Control Centre with state-of-the-art equipment and expanding its Safe City project through the installation of CCTV cameras across the metropolis.

    “We want to ensure that Lagos continues to remain secure. We also want to improve the rescue ability, capacity, and capability of our first responders,” he added.

    Commenting on recent protests over the demolition of structures in parts of Makoko, Sanwo-Olu said the action was taken in the overall public interest and to avert a looming disaster.

    He explained that the illegal structures had begun encroaching dangerously close to the Third Mainland Bridge and high-tension power lines, posing serious safety risks.

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    “I am not going to sit down and allow a situation where something drops off and, in one day, between 100 and 500 people lose their lives. What we have done is to push them back for safety reasons,” he said.

    The Governor dismissed allegations that the government was deliberately dislocating residents, insisting that the intervention was purely to safeguard lives and property.

    He also criticised some non-governmental organisations for what he described as exploiting vulnerable communities for financial gain, assuring Lagos residents that his administration remained committed to improving the quality of life for all.

    Sanwo-Olu further disclosed plans to commission 35 junior and senior secondary schools in the Tolu community of Ajegunle next month, with a combined student population of about 22,000.

    He also recalled how his administration resolved the long-standing Okobaba sawmill challenge by relocating operators to Agbowa, at a cost of several billions of naira, and providing over 500 housing units for them.

    “Despite all these interventions, we still need to keep our people safe and create an environment that attracts investment. Several investors are planning to come in, and we must assure them that Lagos is the right place to do business,” he said.

  • Stakeholders hail tourism as economic driver of Lagos’ economic growth

    Stakeholders hail tourism as economic driver of Lagos’ economic growth

    Ayoka Olufemi

    Stakeholders in Nigeria’s tourism and entertainment sectors have reaffirmed tourism’s role as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and regional integration, following the official launch of the Nairobi Lifestyle Tour scheduled for April 2026.

    The tour was unveiled at a press briefing held at Ikeja, Lagos, with participants drawn from the tourism, aviation, travel, entertainment, and media industries.

    Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Bopo Oyekan-Ismail, said tourism and entertainment remain central to Lagos State’s economic development strategy.

    Oyekan-Ismail, who represented the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson, said the state government continues to support initiatives that encourage international travel while positioning Lagos as a leading tourism and aviation hub in Africa.

    “Tourism and entertainment are key drivers of economic development in Lagos State. This initiative will not only promote outbound travel but will also stimulate inbound tourism into Lagos from other countries,” she said.

    She added that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has consistently prioritised tourism, culture, and the creative economy as engines of growth, noting that the Nairobi Lifestyle Tour aligns with the state’s broader development agenda.

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    According to her, the tour is expected to deliver positive economic benefits to Lagos, particularly through increased aviation activity, hospitality patronage, and demand for allied services, as all outbound flights for the tour will depart from the state.

    Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Leisure Republic, Mr Michael Kadiri, described tourism and lifestyle travel as powerful instruments for economic transformation across Africa.

    He said the Nairobi Lifestyle Tour reflects a growing shift towards premium, curated travel experiences that can unlock value across multiple sectors of the economy.

    “Tourism is no longer just about movement from one country to another; it is about value creation, partnerships and sustainable economic impact,” he said.

    According to him, the initiative sets a new benchmark for African lifestyle travel, anchored on intentional Africa-to-Africa tourism, strong collaboration across the tourism value chain, and the creation of long-term tourism bridges that benefit destinations, businesses, and communities.

    Kadiri added that Leisure Republic’s vision is to drive economic growth through premium tourism offerings spanning culture, entertainment, wildlife, wellness, cuisine, and luxury hospitality, noting that Kenya provides a rich platform to showcase Africa’s diverse experiences.

  • US-based medical doctor donates multi-million naira equipment to ABUAD hospital

    US-based medical doctor donates multi-million naira equipment to ABUAD hospital

    An American-based Nigerian medical doctor, Dr Monisade Adeyemo, has donated medical equipment worth several millions of naira to the Afe Babalola University Multi-System Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.

    Adeyemo, a family medicine specialist and owner of Lakewood Family Clinic, Maryland, United States, said the gesture was her modest way of giving back to an institution that had continued to save lives in seemingly hopeless situations, including her own.

    Speaking during the presentation of the equipment in Ado-Ekiti over the weekend, Adeyemo recalled that she once received treatment at the hospital after suffering a massive stroke, describing the care she got from the hospital’s staff as uncommon and life-saving.

    She said the hospital played a critical role in her recovery, adding that her donation was inspired by the need to contribute to the development of Ekiti State and Nigeria’s healthcare sector rather than wait for what the country could offer her.

    “I am a Family Medicine Specialist and a Medical Facility Owner and Operator in the United States of America.

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    “A few years ago, I was brought to this facility, Afe Babalola Multi-System Hospital, where I received a kind of uncommon courtesy from the staff of the Hospital”.

    “At that time, I suffered from a massive stroke. I was attended to by some concerned and altruistic people and institutions, including Afe Babalola Hospital, which played a critical role in my recovery”, she added.

    She urged Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to support the transformation of the nation’s medical landscape by partnering with institutions like ABUAD Hospital, founded by Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).

    Receiving the equipment, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Akinola Akinmade, commended the donor for her generosity, describing the gesture as encouraging and motivating.

    Akinmade, an orthopaedic and trauma surgeon, said the hospital was equipped to handle almost all categories of medical cases and disclosed that it had just completed its 44th kidney transplant.

    He added that since its establishment, the hospital had justified the vision of its founder and had earned recognition among healthcare stakeholders as one of the well-equipped hospitals in Sub-Saharan Africa.

  • Ondo declares two-day public holiday to celebrate 50th anniversary

    Ondo declares two-day public holiday to celebrate 50th anniversary

    …as Tax czar, Oyedele set to deliver lecture

    …Olanipekun, Tinubu’s aide, Verheijen storms state for celebration

    Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays across the 18 local government areas of the state as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the state’s creation.

    The governor made the declaration in a statement issued at the weekend by his spokesman, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, saying the holidays would enable residents to participate fully in the lined-up anniversary programmes.

    According to the statement, the milestone marks five decades of growth, resilience, and collective progress for the state.

    “The declaration is to enable residents of Ondo State to fully participate in activities lined up to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of Ondo State, a historic milestone that marks five decades of growth, resilience, and collective progress.

    “The governor urges citizens to use the opportunity of the holidays to join in the celebrations, reflect on the state’s journey so far, and recommit themselves to the shared vision of building a more prosperous and united Ondo State.

    “Essential service providers are, however, advised to make adequate arrangements to ensure uninterrupted services during the period,” the statement read.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, will deliver the anniversary public lecture.

    The lecture, titled “Ondo State: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” is scheduled to hold this Monday, February 2, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the International Culture and Event Centre (The Dome), Akure.

    The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku.

    Fasoranti, who also chairs the Ondo @50 Anniversary Planning Committee, said the lecture would be chaired by legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), and is expected to attract dignitaries from within and outside the state.

    He described the event as an intellectual engagement aimed at examining the historical foundations of the state, assessing its current socio-economic trajectory, and charting strategic directions for sustainable development.

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    According to him, participants will include policymakers, academics, professionals, traditional rulers, socio-political groups, and other stakeholders.

    Fasoranti said Oyedele, a native of Ikaramu-Akoko, is a renowned economist, tax expert, and public policy authority whose leadership of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee places him at the forefront of Nigeria’s fiscal and economic reforms.

    He added that the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Mrs Olu Verheijen, is also expected to speak at the lecture.

    Verheijen, he noted, has nearly two decades of experience in the gas and renewable energy sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa and is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the BFA Foundation, which provides scholarships for women and disadvantaged groups.

    Fasoranti explained that the golden jubilee celebration was designed to combine reflection, thanksgiving, intellectual engagement, and cultural expression, in line with the administration’s vision to honour the past while positioning the state for sustainable growth.

    Ondo State was created from the defunct Western Region on February 3, 1976, during the administration of the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed.

  • Equatorial Guinea deepens MOWCA alliance

    Equatorial Guinea deepens MOWCA alliance

    …positions for regional maritime financing

    Equatorial Guinea is repositioning its maritime sector to attract regional financing and investment as it deepens cooperation with the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA).

    The country’s Minister of Transport, Telecommunications, and Postal Services, Evito Oma, reaffirmed this direction on January 28, 2026, during a meeting with MOWCA’s Secretary-General, Dr Paul Adalikwu, in Malabo, where both sides underscored the need to strengthen maritime trade facilitation, safety, and sustainable transport across West and Central Africa.

    Oma reaffirmed Equatorial Guinea’s backing for MOWCA’s programmes, particularly those aimed at unlocking sustainable maritime trade, safety, and blue economy growth across West and Central Africa.

    Commending Adalikwu’s leadership, Oma said Equatorial Guinea was ready to deepen technical collaboration with MOWCA to strengthen maritime trade facilitation and transport efficiency in the sub-region.

    He added that the country would sustain its engagement with the organisation to advance maritime safety, security, and environmentally responsible shipping, areas increasingly critical to investor confidence and port competitiveness.

    Adalikwu, in his remarks, described Equatorial Guinea as a strategically placed maritime state with natural advantages that position it as a potential hub in Africa’s evolving blue economy. He praised the country’s performance in offshore oil and gas production and commercial shipping, noting that its ports continue to play an important role in regional maritime trade despite lingering but manageable security concerns in the Gulf of Guinea.

    “Equatorial Guinea remains a significant offshore hydrocarbon producer in Sub-Saharan Africa, and its participation in maritime trade is a strong contribution to Africa’s blue economy activities and development,” Adalikwu said.

    He also commended the country’s growing involvement in MOWCA’s programmes and decision-making processes, describing it as a sign of deeper regional integration.

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    Beyond policy alignment, the meeting discussions focused on access to maritime financing and capacity development—an area where MOWCA is increasingly positioning itself as a gateway. Adalikwu told the minister that Equatorial Guinea stands to benefit from maritime human capital development programmes supported by international partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the governments of Singapore and Malaysia.

    More significantly, the MOWCA Secretary-General disclosed that Equatorial Guinea could become a frontline beneficiary of the proposed Regional Maritime Development Bank, an initiative designed to provide vessel financing and fund maritime infrastructure expansion, upgrades, and new developments across member states.

    For Equatorial Guinea, the prospect of regional financing aligns with its broader ambition to diversify maritime revenues beyond hydrocarbons, improve port infrastructure, and strengthen its shipping and logistics ecosystem. Analysts say this shift could help the country attract private capital into port services, coastal shipping, and offshore support operations, while reinforcing regional supply chains.

    The meeting ended with both parties committing to strengthening cooperation, with MOWCA expected to play a more active role in supporting Equatorial Guinea’s maritime investment pipeline. 

  • ADC alleges coercion of civil servants in APC e-registration drive

    ADC alleges coercion of civil servants in APC e-registration drive

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over reports that civil servants and government workers in several states are being pressured to register for the All Progressives Congress (APC) as part of the ruling party’s ongoing electronic membership registration exercise.

    In a statement on Sunday, the opposition party said it had received what it described as consistent and widespread reports suggesting that public servants were being compelled to register for the APC under threats linked to job security, career progression or access to livelihoods.

    The ADC described the alleged practice as unacceptable and warned that compelling citizens to join a political party amounts to a violation of their constitutional rights.

    According to the party, freedom of thought, conscience and association are guaranteed under the Constitution and cannot be abridged by any government or political organisation.

    The party argued that the APC’s e-registration exercise was increasingly resembling coercion rather than voluntary political participation, noting that genuine party support should not require pressure or intimidation.

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    It also warned that the development could undermine the neutrality and professionalism of the civil service, which it said is expected to remain non-partisan and loyal to the state rather than to any political party.

    The ADC said turning civil servants into what it described as partisan hostages risks eroding public trust in governance and weakening institutional integrity.

    The party further questioned the political value of any membership database compiled through coercion, arguing that inflated figures do not necessarily translate into electoral support.

    “A digital register does not translate to genuine political support. Databases do not vote; citizens do,” the statement said.

    The ADC called on relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, labour unions, civil society organisations and the international community, to pay attention to what it described as a potential abuse of power and possible violations of data protection and human rights.

    It urged that public servants be allowed to exercise their political choices freely, without fear of or pressure from outside influences.

  • 2027: Atiku consults ADP leadership to strengthen opposition stability 

    2027: Atiku consults ADP leadership to strengthen opposition stability 

    Former Vice President and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress at the weekend held a high level consultative meeting with the leadership of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in a bid to rally support against the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.

    The meeting was confirmed by the National Chairman of the ADP, Yabagi Sani in a statement in Abuja.

    Sani said, “Earlier today, the national leadership of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) led by the National Chairman,  Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, held a high-level consultative meeting with HE Atiku Abubakar GCON, Wazirin Adamawa as part of its ongoing engagements with key democratic stakeholders.

    “The consultation focused on protecting democratic pluralism, strengthening opposition stability, and safeguarding credible electoral choices ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

    “Discussions emphasized the importance of preserving democratic competition, ensuring stable and constitutionally compliant political platforms, and promoting responsible preparedness to protect voter choice and institutional integrity.

    “ADP reaffirmed its commitment to issue-based politics, constitutionalism, and broad national dialogue in the collective effort to deepen Nigeria’s democracy.

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    “These consultations form part of ADP’s wider engagement strategy with political leaders, institutions, and stakeholders dedicated to a peaceful, credible, and competitive democratic process in 2027. Democracy thrives on dialogue. The future must be prepared for.

    Yabagi however dismissed any likely speculation about the motive of the meeting as saying the “engagement was not about a merger with any party, nor was it about recruiting any individual into ADP.

    “The meeting formed part of ADP’s ongoing consultations with senior democratic stakeholders on protecting democratic pluralism, opposition stability, and responsible preparedness ahead of 2027. We believe such conversations are healthy and necessary in the current political environment.

    “There is no hidden agenda or transactional “catch.” ADP remains focused on institutional stability, constitutionalism, and keeping credible options open for Nigerians. Any future decisions, if and when they arise, will be taken transparently and communicated formally.”

    There are however speculations that the meeting was part of moves to form an alliance ahead of the elections.

  • Barcelona’s Flickdis appointed to lose Dro Fernández to PSG

    Barcelona’s Flickdis appointed to lose Dro Fernández to PSG

    Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has revealed he was “disappointed” by Dro Fernández’s decision to join Paris Saint-Germain this week, saying he “loved this boy.”

    Dro, 18, signed for PSG on Monday after the European champions agreed to pay slightly more than his €6 million ($7.1m) release clause to take him to the French capital.

    Sources told ESPN Flick was furious to lose Dro, and he had previously said he would give his full thoughts on the transfer once it was official, although he toned down his response slightly .

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    “I changed my mind, I don’t want to say something,” he said in a news conference when asked for his final say on the issue now everything is official. “I really loved this boy. Of course I am disappointed, but this is football. We have to respect this decision.

    “As I say, I am disappointed. He knows it; I loved this boy. [At Barcelona] he also maybe had a great future, but he made another decision.”

    Dro had been with Barça’s first team since last summer when Flick called him up for the preseason tour. He had made five appearances in all competitions, debuting in LaLiga and the Champions League, but was keen to play more regularly.