The family of Chief Emmanuel Oyewole and Deaconess Florence Oyewole has announced burial rites for the duo.
It said service of songs is today at 32, Idifi Street, Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti State, by 4:30pm.
Funeral/service will be held 10 am tomorrow at Comfort Events Centre, Ekiti.
Oyewole was the Okunato of Aramoko-Ekiti, while his wife, Deaconess Florence was the first Iyaloja of Aramoko-Ekiti.
Okumagbe-in-council and National Burial committee have announced the final rites for the Okumagbe of Uwanno, Dr. George Egabor.
Uwanno is in Etsako East council of Edo State, with headquarters in Agenebode.
The ceremony begins on February 4, with a mass and signing of the condolence register at the palace in Agenebode.
A reception will hold the next day at Omoaze Primary School.
Highlights include cultural dances and performances by masquerades.
Aged 84, Dr. Egabor was an accomplished accountant and fellow of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria. He died in December.
Egabor was Okumagbe of Uwanno between 2003 – 2025.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG) has lauded defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to All Progressives Congress, describing it as a boost to the party’s strength and national unity.
In a statement by Director of Media and Publicity, Arabinrin Aderonke, it noted that the governor’s decision reflects confidence in the leadership, vision, and ideology of APC under President Bola Tinubu.
Quoting proverb: “In the multitude of people lies the king’s honour,” it said the expanding membership is indication of public trust and acceptance.
The group emphasised that the political realignment in Kano State strengthens APC ahead of the 2027 general election.
“With the electoral strength of both blocs, APC is positioned for greater victories and sustained political stability,” it said.
The group lauded the leadership of APC for fostering inclusiveness, unity, and reconciliation y, noting that such efforts will ensure a smoother and more successful journey toward 2027.
‘‘We are a support and ideological movement built on a belief in the political ideology, vision, and strategies of Tinubu.
The group is committed to Nigeria’s image branding, political engagement, conflict resolution, policy development, growth, and leadership development.
It is also focused on training and building persons of the political spirit, ideology, vision, and values of Tinubu while countering misinformation and criticism distorting his deeds.
Global tech company, BorderlessTek, has announced its entry into the market with a free AI Prompt Engineering Training.
Incorporated in January, the company is using this training as part of its launch, signalling its commitment to developing local tech talent and expanding digital opportunities in Africa.
The initiative, in partnership with renowned tech educator, Ayodeji Olotu, is to help individuals explore careers in technology by providing accessible, high-quality learning.
It targets people who lack the financial means or exposure to tech education, while also guiding them in assessing whether a tech career aligns with their interests and abilities.
The training will run from February 1 to 22, with sessions holding every Sunday for four weeks. Classes are scheduled for 5 pm UK time and 6pm Nigeria time, making the programme accessible to participants in different regions. By offering the programme at no cost, BorderlessTek is removing one of the most barriers to entry into the tech space: finance.
Speaking on the initiative, Wale Atekoja, the founder, said: “Our incorporation in Nigeria this January is not just a legal milestone; it marks the beginning of our long-term investment in local talent.
“This is part of how we are empowering people with skills and opening doors into the digital economy. “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We want to change that.”
For many of us, health arrives in bursts. A New Year’s resolution sparks a sudden diet. A doctor’s warning prompts a gym subscription. A trending detox plan beckons with promises of instant transformation. We treat health like an event—something to start, fix, or restart. But health does not live in bursts. It lives in patterns, in the small, almost invisible choices we make when no one is watching.
Imagine your life as a river. The water never stops moving. It is never stagnant, never static. Health is the same. It is continuous, evolving, and shaped not only by the obvious choices—what we eat, how we exercise—but also by the rhythms of our work, our sleep, our relationships, and even our stress. Health is not a destination. It is a lifelong practice, a way of being that grows from small, repeated acts over years, not sudden leaps.
Think about the simple act of brushing your teeth. You do it every day, not because of a resolution, but because you know the consequences of neglect accumulate quietly. Decay does not happen overnight; it builds in silence. Chronic illness works the same way. High blood pressure, diabetes, burnout, fatigue—these conditions rarely arrive in a single, dramatic moment. They build, layer upon layer, through repeated neglect or through habits we barely notice. And yet, just as slowly, small, consistent acts of care—choosing water over soda, taking a brief walk, resting a little earlier, checking in with a friend—accumulate in the other direction. They create resilience, stability, and wellness over time.
To embrace health as a lifelong practice is to shift from guilt and panic to curiosity and awareness. Ask yourself: when did I last feel genuinely well? How often do I rest, nourish myself, and pause from the rush of life? What habits quietly chip away at my body, my mind, or my spirit? These questions are not meant to shame you; they are meant to illuminate. Awareness is the first step in building a sustainable health practice. Without it, we stumble blindly from one “fix” to another, always chasing an ideal that is often unrealistic.
Living in Nigeria adds another layer to this conversation. Life here moves fast, and the systems we rely on are imperfect. Traffic, long work hours, irregular power supply, financial pressures, and crowded spaces shape the realities of daily life. Health cannot exist in isolation from these pressures. Any lifelong health practice must be rooted in context. It must be flexible enough to fit around real challenges while still providing genuine care for the body and mind. You may not have time for a gym session, but the daily walk to the bus stop counts. You may not afford imported “superfoods,” but local vegetables, legumes, and fish are rich in nutrients when eaten mindfully. Health is not about perfection; it is about sustained, realistic engagement with your life.
This practice goes beyond food and exercise. It encompasses mental and emotional wellness. Chronic stress can raise blood pressure. Loneliness can worsen heart disease. Poor sleep can impair immunity. Trauma can live in the body, shaping posture, breathing, and energy. The way we treat our minds, relationships, and emotions is inseparable from the way we treat our bodies. Health is not just about the absence of illness; it is about presence—the presence of balance, resilience, and connection.
Preventive health is one of the most powerful expressions of a lifelong practice, though it is rarely glamorous. Checking your blood pressure, monitoring blood sugar, attending regular screenings, and managing stress before it becomes overwhelming are not newsworthy acts. Yet, they quietly prevent crises, catching small problems before they grow. In Nigeria, many people encounter the healthcare system only after illness becomes urgent. Lifelong health shifts the focus from emergency response to early, deliberate care. Hospitals are not where health begins; they are where neglected health ends.
Health also evolves with life’s seasons. The body and mind at 25 are different from those at 45 or 65. What worked in youth may no longer suffice in midlife; what sustained wellness in adulthood may need adjustment in older age. Embracing health as a lifelong practice means adapting without shame. It means accepting that what counts as self-care will change over time, and that every stage of life demands new attention, new habits, new awareness.
For many, guilt sabotages the journey. We miss workouts, indulge in sugary foods, or fail to rest, then berate ourselves and give up entirely. Lifelong health does not reward guilt; it encourages curiosity. Instead of asking, “Why did I fail?” we can ask, “What made this hard? What small adjustment can I make today? What is realistic now?” Health thrives not on perfection but on persistence—the willingness to return, to adjust, and to continue. Missing a day, a week, or even a month is not the end. It is a point of reflection, a chance to resume with renewed awareness.
The questions we ask ourselves are small but transformative. Did I move my body this week? Did I eat a meal that nourished me? Did I rest without guilt? Did I speak honestly about my stress, seek help, or nurture relationships? Did I listen to my body and respond kindly? These micro-questions build awareness, and awareness builds choice. Choice builds health.
Community, too, is part of this lifelong practice. Health thrives when it is social. Walking with a neighbour, sharing meals mindfully, exchanging honest conversations about stress and fatigue—these interactions strengthen individual wellness while reinforcing collective resilience. In Nigeria, where communal life is culturally central, harnessing this social connection for health can be transformative. Imagine if discussions about blood pressure and mental wellbeing were as common as debates about football or fuel prices. Imagine a culture where rest and recovery were valued, not stigmatised.
Ultimately, health as a lifelong practice is neither dramatic nor glamorous. It is ordinary, flexible, and profoundly human. It is choosing to care for yourself even when life feels busy or chaotic. It is listening to your body without fear. It is seeking help early, not enduring silently. It is understanding that health is not a reward for discipline—it is a responsibility, to yourself and to those who depend on you. So let us rethink our approach. Let us stop chasing health in bursts and begin living it in patterns. Let us embrace curiosity over guilt, adaptation over rigid rules, and presence over perfection. Let us recognise that every small, repeated choice—every nourishing meal, every intentional rest, every moment of connection—shapes our bodies, minds, and lives over decades.
A consultant clinical pharmacist and Chief Executive Officer of Hugeworth Pharmacy, Pharmacist Adebola Lawal, has petitioned the Lagos State Government, warning that the ongoing inquest into the death of Chimamanda Adichie’s son risks being compromised if pharmacists and nurses are excluded from the investigative panel.
Speaking in an interview with journalists in Lagos, Lawal commended the state government for instituting the inquest, describing it as a commendable step that reflects a commitment to justice and accountability. However, he cautioned that the credibility and effectiveness of the process would be undermined if the panel remains dominated by a single professional group.
According to him, cases involving drug therapy, medication use, administration, monitoring, and clinical decision-making require broad, multidisciplinary expertise. “Any inquiry that limits itself to one professional group, especially in a case where medication issues are central, risks becoming superficial, biased, and ultimately ineffective,” Lawal said. He argued that excluding pharmacists and nurses amounts to “investigating drugs without drug experts,” noting that such an approach has contributed significantly to systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. “Nigeria’s healthcare system has suffered greatly from this culture, and the public is watching closely,” he added.
Lawal stressed that the inquest goes beyond a single tragic death, describing it as a test of institutional integrity. He urged the Lagos State Government to demonstrate that justice is neither selective nor cosmetic. “Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done thoroughly and competently,” he said. He further warned that failure to broaden the panel’s composition could reduce the inquest to a symbolic exercise, with no meaningful outcome for the bereaved family or for Nigeria’s healthcare system as a whole.
Speaking more broadly on the rising cases of medical negligence in the country, Lawal called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action. He maintained that until pharmacists and nurses are fully integrated into clinical care, health policy formulation, and leadership, Nigeria would continue to experience preventable medication errors that cost innocent lives.
I am Dr. Elohor Oborevwori, a researcher with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, United States. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, yet many elderly Nigerians have never had their blood pressure checked or undergone any form of cardiovascular risk assessment. Our goal was simple but urgent: to bring evidence-based screening and health education directly to communities that need it most.
The programme offered blood pressure monitoring, cardiovascular risk assessments, cholesterol screening, and targeted health education focused on hypertension and heart disease prevention. According to World Health Organisation data, hypertension affects between 30 and 40 per cent of Nigerian adults, yet a significant proportion remain undiagnosed.
Early detection is critical. For many participants, this outreach marked the first time they learnt about their cardiovascular health status. Beyond screening, we provided practical guidance on disease prevention and long-term management. Working closely with Dr. Ejiro Orhewere, head of the medical outreach team, we identified several cases of previously undiagnosed hypertension and ensured immediate referrals for follow-up care. In practical terms, this intervention may have prevented serious cardiovascular complications for dozens of elderly residents who would otherwise have gone unscreened.
As a Research Programme Coordinator at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, this outreach also reconnected me to my home community. My research centres on cardiovascular health equity. I currently coordinate the ADHINCRA study, a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial on hypertension control in Ghana and Nigeria; the CROWN study, which evaluates salon-based cardiovascular interventions; and the THRIVE study, examining food-as-medicine approaches to hypertension management. This outreach allowed me to translate evidence-based research into real-world impact in Delta State.
Gender disparities remain a major challenge in cardiovascular care. Women’s symptoms are often under-recognised in clinical settings compared to men’s. During the outreach, we placed deliberate emphasis on educating women about their unique cardiovascular risks and encouraged them to advocate for comprehensive screening during routine healthcare visits. We are planning additional outreach programmes before the end of 2026, with the aim of ensuring more communities understand their cardiovascular health status and are empowered to make informed decisions about disease prevention and management.
Through the You Matter Charity Foundation, I have been able to lead multiple community health initiatives across Delta State, including breastfeeding awareness campaigns, menstrual health programmes, and disability care services, with a strong focus on marginalised populations such as children with autism and special needs. This recent outreach strengthened early detection and prevention among the elderly while also offering a scalable model for equity-driven healthcare delivery. As preventive care remains a persistent gap in Nigeria’s health system, collaborations that blend scientific expertise with grassroots engagement continue to demonstrate their power to save lives and strengthen community health outcomes.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan; his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan; Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri; ex-Governor Seraike Dickson, and other eminent Bayelsa residents yesterday paid tributes to the late Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Mourners thronged the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, the state capital, venue of the “Day of Tributes” as part of the funeral activities to honour the late deputy governor.
Ewhrudjakpo died last year after slumping in his office.
Ex-President Jonathan described the late deputy governor as an “extraordinary and selfless politician , who worked diligently for the good of Bayelsa State.”
He said he was shocked when he learnt of the passing of the deputy governor and prayed for divine comfort and consolation to the family, community and the state.
A visibly distraught Governor Douye Diri described his late deputy governor as a consummate public servant.
Diri described his late deputy as a man of proverbs said he has constituted a team to publish a compendium of his proverbs.
He said: “You will remain in my memory. You’re a true definition of support, a workaholic, a resourceful and a dependable deputy governor. I mince no words. Your labour was tireless, your integrity was uncompromising.
“His tireless work ethics, firm commitment to public service, his unshakeable loyalty to the government, friends and family will continue to inspire us. Words fail me; words cannot adequately record the depth of the loss I feel today.”
Dickson described the late deputy governor as his mentee and family member whose relationship spans over 30 years.
“He was an embodiment of service to the people. He kept and built relationships. I brought him, introduced him to politics and mentored him. We have been on a journey of service, lasted almost 30 years. I want to thank all mourners for their tribute and honour to him and his memory.”
Others who paid tributes include his family, former classmates, the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, the Bayelsa Caucus in the National Assembly, led by Chief Fred Agbedi, the Bayelsa Elders’ Council, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), led by Ambassador Boladei Igali; the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yenagoa branch; the Ijaw National Congress (INC); the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), among others.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday arrived in Ankara, the state capital of Türkiye, to commence a historic state visit. On Tuesday, before a grand reception at the Presidential Palace, T.C. Cumhurbaşkanlığı Külliyesi, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a visit to the President at his suite.
President Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Palace, where a resplendent ceremony was held to welcome him. After inspecting the guard of honour, the President and his host, President Erdogan, went into a private meeting for bilateral talks.
President Tinubu’s visit holds immense significance, and happening at a time, the nation is gaining global attention for very good reasons. Nigeria has regained its natural place in the league of nations.
Nigeria is Türkiye’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 50 Turkish companies operating in the country and with investments totalling over $400 million. Nigeria’s exports to Türkiye were $504.67 million during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.
The visit is not a jaunt or a leisure run, but a historically, economically, diplomatically, and security-wise consequential visit.
Some of the quick wins, viz-a-viz the memoranda of understanding, signed, include:
1. Agreement on defence cooperation. Türkiye is a Middle-Eastern power with advanced defence capabilities and some success in combating terrorism. Nigeria, as a strategic partner, is strengthening its relations with Türkiye in this regard.
2. Joint declaration establishing the economy and trade joint committee.
3. Agreement in the field of Halal quality assurance.
4. Cooperation in the field of higher education.
5. Cooperation in the field of media and communication.
6. Cooperation in the field of diaspora policy.
7. Cooperation in the field of education.
8. Cooperation between the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy Academy, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs Academy.
9. Cooperation between the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Family and Social Services and Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of Women Affairs.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, President Tinubu emphasised the urgency of collaboration among global partners in tackling today’s existential problems for tomorrow’s security, peace, and progress.
“How do we build an inclusive economy together? How do we reform and get vulnerable people involved in the economy? How do we ensure peace in the world?” Nigeria’s President said.
“We discussed efforts against terrorism. We discussed how to defeat agents of destabilisation.”
President Tinubu’s state visit to Türkiye earns our nation another dividend in trade, defence, and diplomacy.
Within a space of three weeks, the Federal Government demonstrated the willpower and strong commitment to rewrite the narrative of higher education in the country. It was as frantic as it came at a breathless pace: first, it was the signing of a fresh agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), a move that signalled the swansong to a 17-year crisis that almost endlessly rocked the university system, leaving multitudes of students groping in the dark. Then, on Monday, the government partnered the Nigerian Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) to strengthen advancement offices in federal tertiary institutions as part of efforts to diversify university funding sources and improve the quality of education. This culminated in the launch of the National University Advancement Programme (NUAP).
To the legion of observers in the education space, these are not mere coincidences, but carefully thought-out, well-planned moves, recipes for the enhancement of higher education.
Stakeholders reckon that while universities open their doors to more students yearly, expectations continue to shoot high as per quality, relevance and impact. Nevertheless, it is not out of place to say institutions are operating in an inclement economic ambience, necessitating the imperative of long-term planning, execution and sustainability.
Thus, the focus of the National University Advancement Programme (NUAP) is to institutionalise professional advancement practices, equip universities with modern fundraising and alumni engagement skills, and lay the foundation for long-term financial resilience and strategic growth across the nation’s public universities.
At the launch of the NUAP in Lagos, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, noted that the aim of the collaboration with NHEF is to equip federal and state universities with the capacity, expertise and global best practices required to generate funds beyond government subventions.
According to him, public funding was no longer sustainable for the growing needs of tertiary education. He noted that the initiative focuses on building effective advancement offices within universities, enabling them to engage alumni, attract philanthropic support, and sustainably manage endowment funds.
Alausa said: “As government funding for tertiary education continues to decline globally, universities must begin to explore additional ways of mobilising resources. This programme is about guiding institutions on how to build capacity, develop technical expertise, and adopt global standards in fundraising and endowment management.”
The minister stated that it will serve as an opportunity to provide universities with practical toolkits and technical assistance, including guidance on setting up boards of trustees, investment teams, governance frameworks, and reporting structures to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of endowment funds.
He added that many universities already have advancement offices, but are yet to optimise their potential, stressing that the current initiative is intended to help them quickly adopt effective fundraising models that complement budgetary allocations from government, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and other avenues.
Chairman of NHEF, Mr. Wale Adeosun, said sustainable university financing is crucial to restoring the nation’s universities to a globally competitive position.
He explained that the programme is aimed at strengthening institutional advancement structures within universities, enabling them to mobilise private-sector support, alumni contributions and philanthropic funding to complement government resources.
He said NHEF was created over 20 years ago following a collaboration among leading global foundations, including the MacArthur, Rockefeller, Ford and Packard foundations, to support higher education development in Africa, especially.
He noted that at inception, the goal of NHEF was to help Nigerian universities become self-sustaining, adding that the MacArthur Foundation initially selected four Nigerian universities to participate in the initiative before additional institutions, including the University of Nigeria and the University of Lagos, were incorporated.
As of now, he said the NHEF works with a growing network of universities across the country, focusing on strengthening governance, faculty development, student success, and institutional advancement.
Adeosun noted the foundation’s work is structured around three core pillars: improving university administration and governance, strengthening faculty capacity through exchange programmes with universities in the United States, and supporting students through leadership and scholarship initiatives.
While stressing the significance of partnerships, he thanked the Ministry of Education, vice chancellors, governing councils, and international partners for their unwavering support for the foundation.
He expressed confidence that the programme would help universities develop long-term fundraising strategies, build strong alumni relations, and attract sustainable funding for teaching, research and infrastructure development.
Alausa said: “Across the federation, our higher education system continues to grapple with multiple pressures, limited public resources, expanding enrolments, ageing infrastructure, and the urgent need to strengthen research, innovation, and global competitiveness.”
According to him, these realities have led the government to acting differently.
“They demand that we complement government funding with new, sustainable mechanisms that mobilise private capital, alumni support, philanthropy endowments, and transparent advancement systems anchored on trust.
“It is in this context that the partnership between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation is both timely and strategic. Together, we are laying the foundation for a nationally coordinated University Advancement Framework that will serve all federal universities, regardless of age, size, or geographic location and provide a structured pathway for institutional financial resilience.
“Our objective is clear and deliberate. To institutionalise professionally run advancement offices across federal universities, to build leadership and technical capacity for alumni relations fundraising, donor stewardship, and endowment management and to establish enduring financial structures that can sustainably support scholarships, research excellence, innovation, and infrastructure development,” the minister said.
He said the initiative is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places emphasis on system reform, efficiency, sustainability, and partnership-driven development.
As president-elect in 2023, Tinubu had promised students of a stable academic calendar, among other promises. And true to his pledge, he has sounded the death knell on disruptions in the nation’s universities particularly, the threats of unions on campus.
“I will pay attention-undivided attention to your education. We will be creative. Credit will be available. Education loans will be available. Four years course will be four years course. No more strike,” said the president-elect.
Nonetheless, the president again reassured Nigerians that there will be no strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) or any other workers’ unions in the nation’s public tertiary institutions.
He maintained his administration is fully committed to this goal and will ensure it becomes a permanent feature of Nigeria’s education space.
Tinubu gave the assurance in Lagos at the 56th convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in Akoka.
Represented by Alausa, the president referred to some of the reforms and interventions his administration has introduced to drive meaningful development in tertiary education. These include the Nigerian Education Loans Fund (NELFUND) for students, the Institutional Staff Support Fund for tertiary school workers, and several other initiatives.
On ASUU, he said: “Since the inception of my administration, we have witnessed two uninterrupted academic sessions across our tertiary institutions, and this is no accident. It is the result of firm political will, sustained dialogue, and responsible leadership.
“For example, acting under my direct mandate, we have been able to sign a new agreement with ASUU that decisively resolves a crisis that has persisted for years and undermined confidence in our university system.
“This landmark achievement marks a turning point in the history of our tertiary education, guaranteeing industrial harmony and a predictable academic calendar. It will restore the dignity of learning and clearly end the era of perennial strikes in our universities.
“My administration will continue to pursue far-reaching reforms across the education sector for a technology-driven future, including curriculum restructuring, quality assurance, promotion of skill-based learning and literacy, and fostering data-competence-based, innovation-led problem-solving.”
The president emphasised the importance of universities producing well-rounded and grounded graduates who will be job-ready, become job creators and innovators and be globally relevant.
Vice Chancellor, African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence), Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, in a chat with The Nation said: “I believe this is an indication that we have thinking leaders. I think that any innovation, development, policy, programme or project that seeks to inject more vim, add more value and build more capacity within the system is welcome, laudable and commendable.
“Our universities had suffered from considerable neglect. Now, that neglect is being transformed into attention and the university subsystem now occupies the front burner of our leaders’ attention, with significant developments in January, 2026 alone. I can only wish that the Federal Government sustain the tempo because higher education is not only a foundry for the refinement of individuals’ souls, it is also a launchpad for national development.”