The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Fire guts mechanic workshops at Ilorin market

    Fire guts mechanic workshops at Ilorin market

    Fire has gutted mechanic workshops at the popular Ipata Oloje Market, Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

    The inferno began around 8: 05pm on Monday before the arrival of firemen to the scene.

    The outbreak was caused by smouldering fire from a nearby refuse ignited by an unknown person, it was gathered.

    Head, Media and Publicity, Kwara State Fire Service Hassan Adekunle, before the arrival of firemen the market was under threat of conflagration.

    Adekunle said: “On arrival, firefighters discovered that the market, which comprises about 178 shops and mechanic workshops, was under threat.

    “The fire incident affected the mechanic workshops within the market.

    Preliminary investigation indicated that the fire was ignited by an unknown person who set the refuse on fire.

    READ ALSO: Fed Govt: renewable energy open to local, foreign investors

    “The flames quickly spread, igniting nearby combustible materials and escalating into an outbreak.

    “The timely intervention of our personnel curtailed the spread of the fire and prevented further damage to the shops and adjoining structures within the market.”

    He warned against the reckless burning of refuse in and around markets, as such negligent acts pose severe risks to lives and properties.

    He also advises the public “to always adopt safer waste disposal practices”.

  • Court orders DNA test on Mohbad’s son

    Court orders DNA test on Mohbad’s son

    Magistrate Adefisoye Sonuga of an Ikorodu Magistrates’ court has ordered that Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) tests be conducted on Liam Aloba, the son of late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, a.k.a Mohbad.

    Magistrate Sonuga gave the order while ruling on an application filed by the late Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, who sought a  test to determine the paternity of Liam.

    The tests are to be conducted in an accredited and recognised hospital, in Nigeria and abroad.

    The late Mohbad’s wife, Omowunmi Cynthia Aloba, was listed as the sole respondent in the application filed by Joseph Aloba through his counsel Wahab Shittu (SAN).

    READ ALSO: Fed Govt: renewable energy open to local, foreign investors

    The application was brought pursuant to Order 8 Rules 1 & 8 of the Family Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) 2012, and Order 9 Rules 8 & 9 of the Magistrate Courts (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009.

    The applicant seeks an order of the court directing the Chief Medical Officer /Chief Pathologist or any other appropriately qualified officer of the Military Hospital Yaba, Lagos, who is in charge of the remains of the late Mohbad presently at the Military Hospital Yaba Lagos, to remove any tissue/ hair or any part of the body of the deceased for the purpose of conducting a DNA test on Master Liam Aloba, at a recognised and accredited Government or private medical facility within Lagos State or other agreeable hospital outside Lagos State.

  • Warring communities pledge peace as Osun CP visits Ilobu, Ifon-Orolu

    Warring communities pledge peace as Osun CP visits Ilobu, Ifon-Orolu

    The warring communities of Ilobu, Ifon-Orolu, and Erin Osun have pledged to embrace peace following an on-the-spot assessment visit by Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan.

    The Nation recalls that recurring clashes among the three communities have led to killings, injuries, and the destruction of property worth billions of naira, prompting Governor Ademola Adeleke to impose a curfew.

    During his visit to inspect the ruins and meet with traditional rulers, CP Gotan urged stakeholders to forgive past grievances and work together for the development of their people.

    “I came here to have first-hand information from all parties involved in order to provide lasting solutions to the dispute and advise the government to take rational decisions. There will be no development without peace. You must see yourselves as brothers, descendants of Oduduwa,” Gotan said, assuring that more security reinforcements would soon be deployed to the area.

    The Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Akinyooye, commended the police chief for visiting and pledged the community’s support for peace efforts. 

    Similarly, the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Asiru Olaniyan, appealed to the CP to address indiscriminate arrests arising from frivolous petitions.

  • Southern Kaduna leaders hit El-Rufai over ‘lies, disdain’ for indigenes

    Southern Kaduna leaders hit El-Rufai over ‘lies, disdain’ for indigenes

    The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) has strongly criticised former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of running an administration built on propaganda, lies, and hostility towards Southern Kaduna.

    In a statement on Tuesday, SOKAPU President, Engr. Tabara Samuel Kato, described El-Rufai as “a man in need of help,” alleging that his eight years in office were marked by policies designed to humiliate Southern Kaduna people.

    The group’s reaction followed El-Rufai’s recent remarks on Channels Television, where he reportedly downplayed the population and political relevance of Southern Kaduna.

    Kato accused the ex-governor of consistently demonising Southern Kaduna clergy and communities during violent attacks, while diverting federal allocations of affected councils under the pretext of damage repairs.

    “He demoted our traditional rulers without consultation, changed the names of our chiefdoms, abolished districts and left some chiefdoms with only one district. These were not acts of governance but a fit of untreated madness,” Kato stated.

    SOKAPU further alleged that El-Rufai manipulated the indigeneship question in Kaduna, appointing outsiders to key positions while “milking the state dry.”

    The group claimed some of his appointees are already refunding huge sums of money to the state through anti-graft agencies, stressing that indigeneship cannot be “donated, created, or taken away by government.”

    SOKAPU also faulted El-Rufai’s admission during his tenure that he traced some killers of Southern Kaduna people to Niger, Chad and Mali and allegedly paid them compensation.

    “That a government identified murderers and took state resources to appease them remains the highest diplomatic misadventure in history. It is either he lied to steal resources or he simply empowered them to buy more arms,” Kato said.

    The group dismissed El-Rufai’s claim that Southern Kaduna people make up less than 25 per cent of the state’s population, pointing to official figures from INEC and the National Population Commission showing otherwise.

    According to the figures cited, Southern Kaduna’s 12 local governments contributed about 1.9 million of the 4.3 million registered voters in 2023, representing 43.7 per cent of the state’s voting strength.

    “Obasanjo once called him a madman filled with annoyance. When we compare these data with what El-Rufai keeps churning out, we have no hesitation concluding that he is a pathological liar,” the SOKAPU leader added.

    Kato accused El-Rufai of making frantic but futile attempts to seize Southern Kaduna lands during his eight years in office, stressing that no land in the region is without owners.

    “The efforts of the state and federal government to seize indigenous lands under any guise and donate to roving scavengers shall be resisted. We fought El-Rufai to a standstill in court and we will resist such moves again,” he vowed.

    SOKAPU urged the media to be circumspect in featuring the former governor, arguing that “lies from a disturbed brain do not add value to the society.”

    “The cancerous acts of El-Rufai have shown him to be a man of no character. Worse still, the madman status ascribed to him by Obasanjo suggests he truly needs help. Nigerians should understand this and recommend help for him,” Kato said.

  • IPCR, scholars push for stronger Africa-China knowledge exchange

    IPCR, scholars push for stronger Africa-China knowledge exchange

    The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), alongside policymakers and scholars, has called for deeper academic and cultural exchanges with China as part of efforts to move beyond Western-dominated narratives and build knowledge-based partnerships that advance Africa’s development interests.

    This was the focus of a lecture themed “Bridging Africa-China Dialogue Through Scholarly Exchange” organised by IPCR in collaboration with Contemporary World Magazine, Nigeria Edition, at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    Director of Studies at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and leading Africa-China scholar, Prof. Efem Ubi, stressed that China has become central to Africa’s development discourse.

    Read Also: IPCR calls for violent free election in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

    “Today, we cannot talk about Africa without mentioning China, nor can we talk about the global system without China,” Ubi said, noting that more than 40,000 African students are enrolled in Chinese institutions, surpassing figures for the US and UK. 

    He urged African scholars to develop independent perspectives rather than reproducing Western biases, which he described as a dysfunction in African scholarship.

    He dismissed the “debt trap” narrative, arguing that Africa’s past debt crises were largely linked to Western lenders, not China.

    IPCR Director-General, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, emphasised that knowledge must be at the heart of Nigeria’s foreign policy. 

    He recalled that in September 2024, President Bola Tinubu upgraded Nigeria’s engagement with China from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership, in line with the country’s policy of strategic autonomy.

    Ochogwu commended Contemporary World Magazine for bridging knowledge gaps in Africa-China relations, while urging African countries to draw lessons from China’s rural transformation and infrastructure-led growth.

    LASU lecturer, Dr. Tobi Oshodi, however, cautioned against oversimplifying China’s role in Africa, stressing that knowledge production must be contextual.

    Coordinator of the magazine’s Nigerian editorial team, Dr. Olalekan Babatunde, explained that the publication, launched locally in November 2022, was established as a joint initiative of IPCR and Contemporary World China. 

    He said it provides a platform for academic exchange, mutual understanding, and policy debate on Africa-China relations, climate change, food security, and security cooperation.

    The multilingual magazine—published in Chinese, English, Spanish, and Arabic—has so far released 10 editions, featuring contributions from African scholars, journalists, diplomats, students, and think tanks.

  • Ex-IGP Adamu pays tribute to late Arase

    Ex-IGP Adamu pays tribute to late Arase

    Former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu has joined other well-meaning Nigerians to pay tribute to the late Inspector General of Police and immediate past Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Solomon Arase, who passed away in Abuja at the age of 69.

    Arase died in the early hours of Sunday at Cedarcrest Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness.

    The retired top cop while consoling his family, the entire Nigerian Police Force, the International Police community and Nigerians as a whole, described the late Arase as a patriotic Nigerian who gave his all to the service of his fatherland and beyond.

    Read Also: Akpabio, NHRC mourn late IGP Arase

    Adamu addressed some newsmen shortly after he signed the condolence register at the Abuja residence of the late IGP Arase.

    “It was shocking to me when I received the news of the demise of the former IGP Solomon Arase. Everybody knows that when Arase was there, he was one of the brains that reformed the Nigerian Police.

    “Even after retirement his heart was there with the Nigerian Police thinking of how the service can improve day in day out. It is a great loss not only to his family and not only to the Police Force but also to the country at large. And he has been also linked to international policing and his colleagues at the international level would really miss him.

    “We lost a patriot in this county and we pray that God will give the family the fortitude to bear the loss and also we his colleagues. We continue to pray for the repose of his soul,” he stressed.

  • Justice Adejumo, Tunji-Ojo advocate inter-agency collaboration for enhanced service delivery 

    Justice Adejumo, Tunji-Ojo advocate inter-agency collaboration for enhanced service delivery 

    The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Babatunde Adejumo (retired) and the Minister for Interior, Olubummi Tunji-Ojo have stressed the need for increased collaboration among government agencies and institutions to ensure enhanced service delivery.

    Both men spoke in Abuja during a visit by Justice Adejumo, a former President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) to Tunji-Ojo’s office.

    According to a statement by NJI’s spokesman, Kolade Umoru the meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration between the NJI and the Interior Ministry on various issues of national importance.

    The statement reads, “The NJI Administrator and the Minister discussed ways to improve the issuance of international passports, ensuring a smooth and efficient process for Nigerians, particularly judicial officers and their supporting staff. 

    “Both heads emphasized the need for capacity building and training on immigration laws, particularly for judicial officers and immigration officials.

    “The NJI and the Ministry of Interior agreed to collaborate on protecting critical national assets, including border security and prevention of smuggling and human trafficking. 

    Read Also: No rift between Aiyedatiwa, Tunji-Ojo, says group

    “The meeting further highlighted the need for reform and modernization of correctional services, ensuring the humane treatment of inmates and promoting rehabilitation.

    “Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo, OFR, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the NJI and the Ministry of Interior, stating that it would enhance the administration of justice and promote national security.

    “Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo expressed his commitment to working with the NJI, highlighting the Ministry’s efforts to improve security and protect national assets.

    “The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding to work together on the identified areas of collaboration. 

    “Both heads expressed optimism that the partnership would yield positive outcomes for the nation, promoting justice, security, and development.”

  • CSOs, media move to tackle violent extremism, renew call for state police

    CSOs, media move to tackle violent extremism, renew call for state police

    The Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network has called on the Nigerian media to take a stronger role in shaping narratives that discourage radicalisation, while renewing demands for decentralised policing to strengthen internal security.

    Speaking at the launch of the Media in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Network in Abuja on Monday, PAVE, in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria and the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), warned that sensational reporting could fuel conflict rather than mitigate it.

    Chairman of PAVE’s Steering Committee, Jaye Gaskia, said Nigeria’s prolonged battle with extremism required a “whole-of-society” approach, with the media and policing reforms playing central roles.

    “The way we tell our national story matters. If we consistently choose sensationalism, we deepen divides and amplify fear. But if we elevate voices of resilience, highlight peace initiatives and frame issues responsibly, we can help build a more peaceful and secure Nigeria,” Gaskia said.

    He criticised Nigeria’s centralised policing system as a relic of military rule, stressing that community-based policing is more effective for a country as vast and diverse as Nigeria.

    “In a country with such ethnic diversity and a large population, the belief that we can police this nation from one central location is precisely why we continue to get it wrong,” he said, citing the United Kingdom and United States as examples of countries with multiple policing structures.

    Read Also: CSOs seek harmonised regulations, enabling environment in southwest

    He urged the enactment of a Federal Police Act and a National Policing Act to set minimum standards for decentralised police forces, with safeguards to prevent abuse. 

    While acknowledging fears of state police misuse, he said such risks could be mitigated through federal oversight and civic monitoring.

    GCERF’s National Coordinator, Yetunde Adegoke, noted that nearly a decade of interventions in the North-Central and North-West had underscored the importance of local ownership in peacebuilding.

    “As donors, we can only ever be catalysts. What we are really looking forward to is catalysing a very sustainable way of preventing violent extremism and building resilient communities,” she said.

    Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, represented by Project Coordinator Aliyu Adamu, also cautioned journalists against reinforcing dangerous stereotypes.

    “I have never been to Maiduguri, but years ago, because of the way the media projected the city, I felt everywhere in Maiduguri was consumed by violence. That is how powerful the media is—it can shape perceptions, whether accurate or not,” he said.

    The two-day programme featured a workshop, roundtable dialogue, and training on conflict-sensitive journalism for reporters covering peace and security issues, aimed at institutionalising media engagement in line with Nigeria’s National Action Plan on PCVE.

  • Knorr reinforces its flavour legacy on World Jollof Day  

    Knorr reinforces its flavour legacy on World Jollof Day  

    Knorr, Nigeria’s leading seasoning brand, marked this year’s World Jollof Day 2025 with a campaign that celebrated both the taste of Jollof and the many stories and traditions behind it.

    Through “Knorr World Jollof – Jollof Your Way: Your Story, Your Pot,” the brand invited Nigerians to show how Jollof is made, and enjoyed in their own unique way.

    To kick off the campaign, 19 creators and collaborators, all co wing(wo)men of Knorr, shared their personal Jollof stories, opening their pots and hearts to show how the dish takes on different flavours, meanings, and traditions across households.

    From childhood memories to modern kitchen twists, these stories sparked conversations that quickly spread across social media, inspiring fans everywhere to join in through the Jollof Your Way with Knorr Challenge.

    Read Also: Knorr partners creators to inspire new wave of joyful home cooking

    Knorr received a plethora of entries, each one showing that while every Jollof pot is different, it brings people together with Knorr at the heart of these moments. The winners of the Challenge will receive specially curated Wingman Boxes, ensuring that the celebration carries on long after World Jollof Day.

    Speaking on the impact of the campaign, Damilola Dania, Foods Demand Creation Lead, Unilever Nigeria Plc, said, “At Knorr, we have always believed that food is more than what’s on the plate; it is culture, memory, and community.

    This year’s World Jollof Day showed that again in a powerful way. What we saw was that no two Jollof pots are the same, yet every single one carries meaning. That is the beauty of food — personal, cultural, and social all at once. We are proud to have supported all of these stories as the kitchen wingman, adding flavour to the stories that matter most.”

    With this campaign, Knorr reaffirmed its role in sparking cultural conversations around food, community, and identity. The 2025 celebration of World Jollof Day once again proved that Jollof is not just a meal — it is a shared story, and Knorr is always there to make it tasty and memorable.

  • FG pledges stronger fight against vaccine hesitancy, misinformation

    FG pledges stronger fight against vaccine hesitancy, misinformation

    The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling vaccine hesitancy and curbing the spread of misinformation, mal-information, and disinformation that threaten efforts to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases.

    Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, gave the assurance in Kaduna during a panel session organised by the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) at the 24th Biennial Conference of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN).

    She said the government is targeting 80 per cent equitable coverage of all antigens in Nigeria by 2028, adding that engaging traditional and religious leaders remains a critical strategy.

    According to her, President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is already yielding results through sustained funding and policy realignment to strengthen immunisation programmes nationwide.

    “Religious and traditional leaders are key to tackling vaccine hesitancy, and government is committed to working closely with them to ensure equitable access to vaccines across the country,” Dr. Salma said.

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    Executive Director of dRPC, Dr. Judith-Ann Walker, represented by the Director of Partnerships and Communication, Hassan Aliyu Karofi, stressed that vaccines remain the cornerstone of public health under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

    She noted that the initiative, launched in 2023, prioritises routine immunisation and outbreak response through Primary Health Centres (PHCs) under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWaP).

    Walker highlighted progress with the rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, targeting girls aged 9–14, with more than 12 million vaccinated so far. However, she warned that misinformation-driven hesitancy remains a major barrier to achieving the 2028 immunisation goal.

    “Women, as primary caregivers, are disproportionately targeted by disinformation campaigns, which makes religious and traditional leaders critical allies in restoring public confidence in vaccines,” she said.

    Prof. Abdulazeez Mashi of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, called for deliberate health communication strategies to counter misinformation and build trust, while outgoing MWAN President, Prof. Rosemary Ogu, urged service providers to review their attitudes, warning that poor behaviour could undermine community trust.

    Other experts also pushed for the active involvement of traditional and religious leaders in health interventions aimed at ridding Nigeria of preventable diseases.