Actor and filmmaker Lateef Adedimeji has congratulated Ogun State on its 50th anniversary, praising its rich cultural heritage and progress.
Adedimeji, a Prince of Agura Kingdom in Abeokuta, said the state embodies the spirit of a gateway to Nigeria and Africa’s excellence.
He wrote, “Ogun State at 50 exemplifies a rich blend of heritage, culture, and progress, truly embodying the spirit of a gateway to Nigeria and Africa’s excellence. As a Prince of the Agura Kingdom in Abeokuta Egba land, I carry the pride of this great lineage and the deep cultural roots that continue to inspire unity and advancement across the state. My education from one of Ogun’s foremost tertiary institutions has further equipped me to contribute meaningfully to this legacy.”
In a statement on Instagram, he highlighted his pride in portraying iconic roles in films like AYINLA and LISABI, which celebrate Ogun’s legendary figures.
“Portraying iconic roles in films like AYINLA and LISABI, which celebrate Ogun’s legendary figures, allows me to honour and share the stories that define our identity. Ogun State’s position as a gateway underscores its pivotal role in shaping not only Nigeria’s but Africa’s path to excellence, innovation, and cultural richness,” he wrote.
Adedimeji also commended Governor Dapo Abiodun’s leadership and expressed optimism for the state’s future growth and development.
“Congratulations to all proud sons and daughters of Ogun. Congratulations to our beloved Governor, dapo abiodun mfr together, we look forward to a future filled with continued growth and greatness for our great state,” he added.
Businessman and philanthropist, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has hosted Seyi Tinubu at his Abuja home.
He used the meeting to reiterate his commitment to inclusive development, national unity, and greater youth participation in Nigeria’s growth agenda.
Speaking after the visit, Obi Cubana said the development of the Southeast and the country at large must rise above partisan considerations and be anchored on competence, integrity, and constructive engagement with those in leadership.
He said, “The development of the Southeast will be an all-inclusive project, politics aside. It will only be possible with good people in positions to advise those in power and help deliver meaningful outcomes for our people.”
The entrepreneur also spoke on recent improvements in security across the South-East, noting that the relative peace witnessed during the last festive season allowed families, investors, and businesses to return home and reconnect with their roots.
According to him, the progress recorded was the result of deliberate efforts by South-East governors working with the federal government to address insecurity in the region.
“For the first time in a long while, we returned home in December and truly enjoyed Ala Igbo. This was made possible by deliberate actions that addressed insecurity. I believe strongly that our region will soon reclaim its place as an economic powerhouse of West Africa, as it has always been. Better days are ahead,” he said.
Reacting to public debates that followed his appointment as South-East Coordinator of the City Boy Movement, Obi Cubana said he was aware of the differing opinions but maintained that meaningful change could only come through engagement.
“Regarding my recent appointment as Southeast Coordinator of the City Boy Movement, I’m fully aware of the varied reactions it has sparked. My belief remains firm: lasting change comes from constructive engagement, not standing apart,” he said.
He stressed that service, integrity, and community development remain the core values guiding his activities.
“Service continues to guide me, and this new role does nothing to alter my commitment to integrity, community growth, and responsible leadership,” he added.
On the need to be actively involved in governance and policy conversations, Obi Cubana said influence was limited from the outside, noting that participation was key to achieving real impact.
“I’ve learned that influence is limited from the outside, so yes, here we are. A City Boy through and through, inside and out,” he said.
He also described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “City Boy and a man of commerce,” stressing that national development requires collective effort.
“Our nation’s leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is equally a City Boy and a man of commerce. All of us need all of us to achieve our national aspirations, and I am committed to carrying every Nigerian along in all that I do,” he said.
Calling for unity and civility in public discourse, Obi Cubana urged Nigerians to focus on value creation rather than division.
“Let’s respect differing views, keep conversations vibrant, and stay focused on building real value. The moment is now, we move,” he said.
He thanked Nigerians for their support and goodwill, reaffirming his vision for a more inclusive country.
Looking ahead, Obi Cubana said he would take further steps in 2026 to deepen youth engagement nationwide, leveraging his private sector experience to support policies and leadership frameworks that empower young people, women, children, and small businesses.
“Where enterprise meets vision and leadership is right, I will always be willing to support and advise anyone in a position of power on how to improve the lives of our youths, women, children, businesses, and future generations. That is what I stand for, progress,” he said.
Obi Cubana is a leading Nigerian entrepreneur with interests in hospitality, entertainment, real estate, and youth empowerment, and is known for his advocacy for inclusive growth and enterprise-driven national development.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has declared that the state is targeting a place among Nigeria’s top 10 economies by 2033, with ambitions to emerge as the leading economy in the North-East within the next eight years.
The governor made the declaration on Tuesday during a statewide broadcast to mark the 50th anniversary of Bauchi State, unveiling a 10-year development roadmap designed to drive long-term growth beyond the lifespan of his administration.
Mohammed said the vision is anchored on the Bauchi State Development Plan 2033, developed in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), following the extension of the state’s 2021–2025 Medium-Term Development Plan into a comprehensive 10-year framework that also stretches beyond the timeline of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to him, the long-term plan is aimed at ensuring policy continuity, consistency, and predictability, regardless of changes in government.
“The Bauchi State Development Plan 2033 builds on the State Medium-Term Plan 2025, with expanded focus on security and social inclusion, especially women, youths, children, and other vulnerable groups,” Mohammed said.
He stressed that the plan does not replace existing policies but complements them through governance, legislative, social, and policy reforms to strengthen the state’s capacity to achieve its development vision.
The governor explained that the plan is driven by four key pillars: a coherent policy thrust, a realistic macroeconomic framework, a prioritised and sequenced programme of projects to guide annual budgets, and a robust implementation, monitoring, and evaluation framework.
By 2033, Mohammed said Bauchi aims to become “the leading economy in the North-East and one of the top 10 most economically and socially developed states in Nigeria,” noting that the vision is to build a secure, prosperous, and inclusive society for citizens.
He added that the strategy relies on collaboration between skilled human capital, efficient governance, the private sector, and development partners, while leveraging the state’s human, natural, and man-made resources to drive inclusive economic transformation.
The development agenda, he said, is structured around 12 priority clusters, including agriculture and food security, education, health, infrastructure, security, environment, tourism, ICT, housing, private sector development, regional collaboration, and general administration.
The Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) has entered into a partnership with a leading Chinese firm, Cherami-PV Group, to deploy artificial intelligence-driven solutions for early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by the two parties in Ado-Ekiti, on Tuesday, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, said that the partnership was aimed at addressing one of Nigeria’s most pressing public health challenges.
Prof. Olarinde said the partnership would leverage the AI-enabled breast imaging to improve early diagnosis, enhance accuracy, and expand access to quality screening, stressing that technology would complement, not replace, medical expertise.
The VC who described the partnership as a model for impactful collaboration between academia, healthcare, and industry noted that the pilot phase of the project would ensure ethical compliance, capacity building, and evidence-based implementation.
She expressed confidence that the partnership would deliver measurable benefits to Ekiti State, serve as a model for similar collaborations across Nigeria and Africa, and ultimately contribute to saving lives, advancing knowledge, and strengthening global partnerships.
The CMD of ABUAD Hospital, Dr. Akinola Akinmade, described cancer as one of the leading causes of death in Nigeria, with breast cancer posing a particularly grave threat to women.
He disclosed that about 32,000 women are diagnosed with the disease annually, while no fewer than 16,000 die each year, and 42 women die every hour.
Akinmade said early detection remained critical to reversing the ugly trend, noting that the partnership between ABUAD and Cherami-PV group would deploy artificial intelligence to enable rapid and accurate diagnosis.
The CMD added that the initiative would also provide telemedicine support to complement ABUAD’s existing manpower, improve clinical decision-making, and strengthen capacity building for healthcare professionals.
He said that the collaboration would further lead to the establishment of a standard cancer treatment centre at the hospital, positioning ABUAD as a leading hub for cancer care and research in Nigeria and beyond.
The co-founder of Cherami Investment, Prof. Wei Xiaolin, expressed delight over the partnership, describing ABUAD as one of the most outstanding academic and medical institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He said that the decision to partner with ABUAD was informed by the university’s unparalleled reputation for innovation, research excellence, and its consistent delivery of world-class healthcare services.
He added that the partnership between Cherami Investment and ABUAD was anchored on shared values and a collective resolve to address critical health challenges, especially cancer.
Prof. Xiaolin said that the collaboration would combine ABUAD’s strong clinical capacity with Cherami’s technological expertise to deliver innovative solutions that would not only benefit Nigeria but also serve as a model for Africa and the global health community.
Prof. Xiaolin, who hailed Babalola, whom he described as a rare visionary and a hero of Africa, noted that his life story and accomplishments in law, education, healthcare, and philanthropy stood as a source of inspiration beyond Nigeria.
In his remarks, Babalola declared that the university was fully committed to conquering cancer, describing the deadly disease as one of the greatest health challenges confronting humanity.
He said that ABUAD was established to tackle impossible problems through cutting-edge knowledge, research, and innovation, stressing that cancer would not be an exception.
Babalola said that ABUAD hospital had, over the years, recorded notable medical breakthroughs, recalling its significant role in researching and producing a drug approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He expressed confidence that cancer, like other complex diseases, could be defeated through sustained research, collaboration, and determination, saying, “Whatever it takes, we are ready. With this partnership, we believe a cure for cancer is achievable.”
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has announced plans to establish an International Centre for African and Taiwan Studies, in a bold move aimed at strengthening its global academic presence and deepening institutional collaboration with Taiwan.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, disclosed this in Nsukka while receiving the Taiwanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Andy Yih-Ping Liu, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to the University.
Prof. Ortuanya described the visit as a continuation of the growing partnership between UNN and Taiwanese institutions, noting that it builds on engagements initiated during his official visit to Taiwan in October 2025.
According to him, the proposed Centre is designed as a multidisciplinary platform that will promote business development, educational cooperation, and security studies, while serving as a strategic bridge between Nigerian and Taiwanese scholarship.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that the initiative aligns with UNN’s strategic vision to expand its international partnerships and position the University as a leading hub for knowledge production and policy-relevant research in Africa.
He recalled UNN’s landmark visit to Taiwan from October 19 to 25, 2025, during which he led a high-level delegation to explore practical areas of collaboration and deepen institutional ties.
Prof. Ortuanya said the current engagement represents a concrete follow-up to those discussions, translating diplomatic goodwill into tangible academic and developmental outcomes.
Ambassador Andy Yih-Ping Liu expressed appreciation to the University Management for the warm reception and commended UNN for its forward-looking approach to international academic cooperation.
He identified research collaboration, institutional development, and academic exchange programmes as key areas through which Taiwan and Nigeria, through UNN, could build mutually beneficial partnerships.
The Ambassador noted that sustained collaboration would yield long-term benefits for staff, students, and researchers, while also creating platforms for innovation and cross-border solutions to shared development challenges.
As part of his visit, Ambassador Liu is scheduled to tour the proposed site for the Centre, visit selected academic departments, and inspect innovative research and development facilities before departing the University on Friday.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has called for a strong national response and sustained support for the alternative development programme recently initiated to curb illicit cannabis cultivation, uplift rural communities, and strengthen national security.
Marwa spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday to drum up support for the first in Africa drug control initiative, a pilot scheme that was launched in three cannabis growing communities in Ondo state last week.
While explaining the alternative development strategy of drug control, the NDLEA boss said the concept goes far beyond crop substitution, stressing that, “Its wider benefits include: strengthening rural economies through value-chain development; reducing the burden on law enforcement and the justice system; promoting peace and social cohesion in previously crime-prone areas; supporting national food production and agricultural diversification; improving Nigeria’s international standing in global drug control and development cooperation.”
According to him, “This approach represents a win-win solution—for communities, for government, and for national security. The successful take-off of the pilot scheme in Ilu Abo, Ifon, and Eleyewo in Ondo state last week clearly demonstrates that alternative development works when communities are engaged, supported, and empowered.
“We therefore call for a strong national response and sustained support from all stakeholders across all layers of government, traditional rulers and community leaders, development partners and donor agencies, the private sector and agricultural value-chain actors, as well as civil society organisations and the media.”
He also urged communities across the country, particularly those affected by illicit drug cultivation, to embrace the model and work with the NDLEA in building lawful, productive, and secure livelihoods.
“Let me reiterate that the alternative development programme is not just a drug control initiative; it is a people-centred development intervention designed to uplift communities, strengthen national security, and secure Nigeria’s future.”
He assured that the Agency “remains fully committed to expanding this programme nationwide, in partnership with all stakeholders, as we collectively build a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Nigeria in alignment with the renewed hope agenda of the President Tinubu administration.”
Speaking on the successful flag-off of the scheme in Ondo state, Marwa said, “One of the most encouraging outcomes of this pilot project has been the overwhelming acceptance and support expressed by the host communities and their traditional and community leaders. They have openly stated that this programme has renewed their hope in Nigeria and restored their confidence in the government. They recognize that Alternative Development offers a dignified and lawful source of income for farmers; reduction in poverty and vulnerability, especially among rural households; improved food security through the introduction of viable alternative crops; enhanced community stability and safety, as illicit drug cultivation often fuels criminal networks and insecurity.”
He noted that replacing cannabis cultivation with sustainable agricultural and economic opportunities, the programme directly tackles the root causes of drug production rather than merely treating the symptoms.
The NDLEA boss said the dire reality of illicit cannabis cultivation and use in Nigeria made the Agency to look beyond law enforcement and consider a United Nations-endorsed alternative to solving the cannabis conundrum.
“The evidence-based comprehensive data on drug use in Nigeria exposes a bleak and deeply troubling reality. According to the 2018 National Drug Use Survey, conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics with technical support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), an estimated 14.4 per cent of Nigerians aged 15–64 years — or roughly 14.3 million people — reported using at least one psychoactive substance in the past year, a figure that is more than twice the global prevalence of drug use. Cannabis stands starkly at the centre of this crisis, dominating both patterns of consumption and the illicit cultivation landscape.”
He further disclosed, “Cannabis is not a marginal issue in Nigeria – it is the most frequently used and widely available illicit drug in the country. An estimated 10.6 million adults – more than one in every ten Nigerians in the prime of life – reported using cannabis in the past year, far outstripping the use of other drugs. The severity of the problem extends beyond consumption into widespread cultivation and organized production. Field assessments focusing on high-risk areas in the South West reveal that nearly 8,900 hectares of land are under cannabis cultivation, often hidden deep within forests and remote regions. These illicit farms are clustered and interconnected, hinting at organized networks that not only supply domestic demand but also facilitate trafficking beyond Nigeria’s borders.”
Painting a grim picture of the challenge, Marwa said, “The social and public health implications are stark. With youth and adults alike turning to habitual cannabis use often initiated in late adolescence, the nation faces the threat of long-term health consequences, increased dependency, and cascading social harms, including lost productivity, crime, and the burden on overstretched healthcare systems. More revealing is the fact that out of a total of 15 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs seized by NDLEA in the past five years, over 75 percent of them are cannabis. Just imagine the harm that quantity would have done to our youths, public health, and national security.”
He, however, expressed confidence that the alternative development initiative will reverse the trend if given a strong national response and sustained support because it’s fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He commended national stakeholders and international partners who have shown support for the initiative.
“This pilot project was flagged off with the invaluable support of several global institutions and partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Global Partnership on Drug Policies and Development (GPDPD), Berlin, Germany; Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage (MFLF), Bangkok, Thailand; as well as support from friendly countries and development partners committed to sustainable livelihoods and community resilience, including friends and partners who participated virtually from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Germany, Thailand, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Netherlands, Myanmar, Bhutan, Laos, Afghanistan, Iran, and Guatemala. Also significant was the presence and support of Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Ayedatiwa, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyariwho was ably represented by the Regional Director Southwest, Mrs. Alao Temitayo,” he said.
Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, has revealed that the late Deputy Governor, Dr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, turned down repeated appeals to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dickson said he advised Ewhrudjakpo to join Governor Douye Diri in the APC to prevent political instability in the state, but the late deputy governor declined. He disclosed this at a press briefing in Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State.
According to Dickson, Ewhrudjakpo maintained that defecting to the APC without his political mentor would amount to betrayal, insisting on remaining in the Peoples Democratic Party.
He added that Governor Diri had on several occasions discussed his intention to leave the PDP for the APC, but he did not see any justification for the move.
Dickson said that even after Diri defected, he advised Ewhrudjakpo to follow the governor in the interest of the state’s political stability, which he said he had helped to sustain over the past 15 years.
“Lawrence told me he could not abandon the PDP, which gave him the platform to join the APC while his political mentor remained in the PDP,” Dickson said.
The former governor recalled that he first encountered Ewhrudjakpo in the late 1990s through his law practice and said he immediately noticed his strong sense of loyalty.
Dickson described his relationship with Governor Diri as cordial and assured of his continued support for the Diri administration for the remainder of its tenure. He said he had no regrets about the choice of Diri and Ewhrudjakpo as governor and deputy governor, noting that both worked together without friction.
He also criticised what he described as intense lobbying for Ewhrudjakpo’s replacement even before his burial on January 30, adding that with the burial concluded, the nomination of a replacement now rests with the governor.
“There is no contention about who should nominate a replacement for the late deputy governor.
“Even though I produced the governor and his deputy, I have neither interfered with the government nor sought any favours.
“For the six years so far, I have not put Diri under any pressure and will remain so for the remaining two years.
“Diri has not yet discussed the replacement of Ewhrujakpo with me, and if he tables it, then it can be discussed. It is entirely at his discretion as governor,” Dickson said.
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has thanked God for surviving a helicopter crash in Kabba, Kogi state, seven years ago.
In a post on Instagram, Osinbajo expressed gratitude for the miracle, recalling how everyone was saved without a single scrape.
He wrote, “You have been faithful. More than just faithful. From my cradle days. Till this very hour. And I know you will. You will be with me. Till the very end
“Ubangiji (Sovereign God). Yesu (Jesus). Nabaka godiya (I give You thanks). Sarkin duniya (The King of all the Earth). Nagode (Thank You). Are there grateful people in this house. Lift your hands and bless Him.
“God of my journey, I remember how You saved us. I remember how You brought us out.”
“7 years ago, You carried every one of us out of that helicopter crash without a single scrape. Not one life lost. Not one wound left behind. Only mercy. Only grace.
“Lord, we are deeply grateful. We give You all the glory, all the honour, and all the adoration. NAGODE!!!”
His wife, Dolapo, also shared a thankful message, praising God for His great deliverance.
She wrote, “Remembering the helicopter crash of 2nd February 2019. I give praise and thanks to God for His great deliverance. Psalm 104:1b. O Lord my God, You are very great.”
The incident occurred on February 2, 2019, and was Osinbajo’s second air mishap in seven months.
Akurmi community in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State has raised a desperate alarm over sustained killings and kidnappings by bandits, lamenting that 59 of its people have remained in captivity since October 2025.
Leaders of the community said no fewer than 12 residents were killed while dozens were abducted in a string of attacks that have left villages deserted, farmlands abandoned, and families traumatised.
At a press conference in Kaduna, the Akurmi Development Association (AKURDA) painted a grim picture of life under siege, saying the wave of violence across their settlements in the last four months has pushed the people to the brink.
AKURDA President, Yakubu J. Maigamo, who addressed journalists, questioned the seeming neglect of the community in the face of repeated attacks.
“Are we still part of Nigeria? Or have Akurmi lives become disposable?” he asked.
Maigamo said what used to be thriving ancestral farmlands have now turned into “graveyards and forests of fear,” as gunmen invade villages at will, killing men and whisking away women and children.
He said the attacks have been systematic and devastating, affecting several communities across Lere and neighbouring local governments.
He cited Karku-Ningi in Kauru LGA, where four persons were killed and nine kidnapped during an October 2025 raid.
He also listed Gidan-Waya, Jan-Tsauni, and Mai-Yamma in Lere LGA, where another four people were killed and 13 abducted in November 2025.
According to him, more abductions and killings were recorded in Majagada, Gurza, Garun-Kurama, and Biman-Kurama communities within the period under review.
Maigamo disclosed that many of those abducted since October last year are still in captivity, with families forced to sell off harvested grains meant to sustain them through the year to pay ransoms.
He described the bandits as operating with “absolute impunity,” alleging that the attackers strike repeatedly without resistance or consequence.
While acknowledging efforts by the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government to address insecurity, the community leader said the response has been grossly insufficient to stem the tide of attacks on Akurmi settlements.
He said the continued silence and slow response from authorities have emboldened the attackers and deepened the people’s sense of abandonment.
The association issued a direct appeal to Governor Uba Sani to order an immediate and permanent deployment of security personnel to the Akurmi communities to prevent further attacks.
It also demanded a coordinated, high-level intelligence operation aimed specifically at rescuing all abductees still in captivity.
Maigamo further called for a thorough investigation, arrest, and prosecution of those behind the attacks, as well as any collaborators aiding the criminals.
“Justice cannot wait. Safety cannot be delayed,” he said.
“Our commitment to peace must not be mistaken for a willingness to perish in silence. An injury to one is an injury to all.”
The community appealed to civil society organisations, humanitarian groups, and the international community to amplify their cry for help before more lives are lost.
They warned that continued inaction could lead to further bloodshed and displacement across the area.
“The blood of the slain cries out for justice,” Maigamo said, urging urgent intervention to save the remaining captives and restore normalcy to Akurmi land.
The Senate on Tuesday approved the nomination of Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
The resolution of the red chamber followed its consideration of the report of its committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters that screened the nominee and approval of its recommendation.
The report was presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Adeniyi Ayodele Adegbonmire (APC-Ondo Central).
“The committee did the screening on Thursday, 29th January 2026. Questions were asked of the nominee, which he answered intelligently and accurately.
“The Senate Committee on the issue of Human Rights and Legal Matters has scrutinised the curriculum vitae and other documents of the nominee.
“We recommend that the Senate approve the confirmation of the nomination of Honorable Justice Joseph Olubunmi Olukayode Oyewole, JCA, for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” Adegbonmire said.
Senators approved the nomination of Justice Oyewole for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court when the recommendation of the committee was put to a vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
While wishing Justice Oyewole luck in his new endeavour, Akpabio, in his remarks, prayed God to grant him. The wisdom to do justice to all and sundry irrespective of status.”
He added, “I further congratulate Mr. President for finding a square peg in a square hole that had no issues, which made it possible for the Senate to collectively and unanimously endorse his nomination as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“I pray that through him and others already there, justice will be served to the commonest man in this country, and justice will be served even to the Senators. I pray.”
