The Nation Newspaper

Category: News Update

  • Tinubu’s newly established varsity in Ogoni admits 1,004 pioneer students

    Tinubu’s newly established varsity in Ogoni admits 1,004 pioneer students

    • Launches N500m research fund

    The Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) recently established in Ogoniland by President Bola AhmedTinubu has conducted its first matriculation admitting 1,004 pioneer students.

    Tinubu had on February 3, 2025 signed into law the bill establishing FUET in Tai as part of his efforts to address years of environmental degradation and injustices in the area.

    It was gathered that right from its inception, the first university in Ogoniland had made continuous progress especially with the appointment of Prof. Chinedu Mmoh as its pioneer Vice-Chancellor.

     The matriculation, which was held at the university’s campus in Tai Local Government Area, was reportedly designed to coincide with the first anniversary of FUET’s establishment by President Tinubu.

     During the ceremony, a N500m Research and Development Endowment Fund was established for the university.

     FUET located in Koromo/Saakpenwa warned against any form of students’ exploitation such as extortion and sex-for-grades.

     The Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Don Baridam, who issued the warning said any lecturers or non-teaching staff engaged in acts capable of bringing the name of FUET into disrepute would face expulsion.

     He urged the lecturers to see the undergraduates as their children and  give them required guidance to enable them attain excellence.

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     He said: “To the lecturers and non-teaching staff: I advise you to take these pioneer students as your own children and guide them to succeed in their career choices. You must refrain from extortion, the sale of handouts, and demanding sexual gratification.

     “Lecturers who are not visible on Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and those local scholars who do not publish indexed articles will not be tolerated in this University, certainly not under my watch as Chairman of Council. The ball is now in your court”.

     The Pro-Chancellor said that the matriculation marked the beginning of a new chapter in the students’ academic and personal development, congratulating them for scaling the hurdles to be admitted as pioneer students of FUET.

     Addressing the students, he said: “You are not only here to acquire knowledge, but also to build your character, identity, and prepare yourselves to play responsible leadership roles in a society that will expect so much from you. I welcome you to this new academic family of students and lecturers united in their quest for specialised knowledge that would transform society for good.”

    In his address, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedu Mmom said 1, 246 students matriculated and completed registration formalities.

     Mmom said academic activities had started in the six faculties of Agriculture, Allied Health Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Environmental Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences and Management Technology.

    He said: “I am certain that the pioneer students we are matriculating today will share the University’s goals and aspirations and intentionally strive to contribute to its continued institutional growth and well-being.

    “As students at the University of Environment and Technology, you are uniquely positioned to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time – such as climate change, resource depletion, and sustainable development.

    “This auspicious event marks a defining moment in the life of each matriculant, and for this University, which occupies a special place in the educational, social, and development history of Ogoni land, Rivers State, and indeed the Federal Republic of Nigeria and beyond.”

     Mmom appealed to the students to shun all forms of social vices such as cultism, examination malpractices and indecent dressing, which he said had been carefully outlined in the students’ handbook.

     He said: “Let me state this in unequivocal terms: The Federal University of Environment and Technology will not tolerate the distasteful practice of students’ involvement in cult-related activities, examination malpractice, sexual harassment, drug abuse, offering grades for money, sale of handouts and unapproved books or manuals, especially through the so-called Faculty or Departmental Representatives.

     “Indecent dressing and all other forms of misconduct that are listed in our rules book. I wish to assure you that the first student to plant the evil seeds of cultism in this University will be uprooted with the force of energy and legal backing.

    “Remember that you can only be allowed to participate in semester examinations conducted in this University if you attain no less than 75 percent class attendance and Continuous Assessment. This standard practice will be non-negotiable.”

    Part of the highlights of the event was the unveiling of a statue of late environmentalist and playwright, Ken Saro-Wiwa in front of the university auditorium by the Oba of Ogba Land, His Eminence, Nwachukwu Nnam-Obi ..

  • Ooni signs MoU with NTDA to revolutionize Nigeria’s tourism

    Ooni signs MoU with NTDA to revolutionize Nigeria’s tourism

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has thrown his royal weight behind the Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan with the signing of an MOU with NTDA.

    In a move to elevate Nigeria’s tourism landscape, the NTDA and OJAJA Pan Africa Ltd, led by its Chairman, the Ooni of Ife, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at formalising the federal agency’s mandate with the private-sector expertise of OJAJA.

    The partnership aims to harness Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, cuisine and hospitality to drive economic growth, positioning tourism as a cornerstone of national development.

    During the signing ceremony, NTDA’s Director General praised the Ooni as an “epitome of culture, a father, and a staunch supporter of the youth,” acknowledging him as a true royal figure.

    The DG added that the partnership is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of diversification from oil and amplification of the PPP initiative.

     “This partnership promises transformative benefits for Nigeria’s tourism industry, including economic diversification beyond oil dependency in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Awakan stated.

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    “By utilising our storytelling capabilities, we can generate sustainable revenue and attract investments, create jobs, and boost foreign exchange inflows.” He added.

    Ooni eulogised the DG’s professionalism and dedication, noting his pivotal role in initiatives like the Royal African Youth leadership Forum.

    The Ooni encouraged continued promotion of youth interests in tourism, highlighting the DG’s nationwide experience and commitment to Nigeria’s diversity.

    He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing a youthful leader to head the NTDA, remarking that he himself embodies youthful energy in cultural stewardship.

    The event featured symbolic gestures underscoring the partnership’s focus with the DG presenting the Ooni souvenirs, including a plaque of Naija Flavour, as emblems to propel Nigeria’s tourism and cultural diplomacy.

    OJAJA, a Pan-African platform specializing in cultural branding and investment facilitation, brings private capital and diaspora networks to the table, creating a synergistic public-private framework for sustainable tourism advancement.

     NTDA-OJAJA alliance sets a blueprint for tourism-led prosperity, promising lasting impacts on employment, revenue and global visibility.

  • Family demands probe into son’s death at Lagos hospital

    Family demands probe into son’s death at Lagos hospital

    The Adeyemo family of Ikole-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, has called on the Lagos State Government to investigate alleged medical negligence at Immangel Hospital, Lagos, following the death of their son, Abraham Akinsola Adeyemo, 67.

    Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the family spokesperson, Dr. Beatrice Adeyemi, a former Health Educator with the Ekiti State Primary Health Care Development Agency, said the incident occurred on April 5, 2025.

    Adeyemi alleged that the patient, shortly after admission to the hospital, was placed on intravenous fluids and blood transfusion without proper specialist assessment or adequate review of his medical history.

    She claimed that no medical personnel monitored the patient during the blood transfusion, adding that the attending doctor was absent when the patient’s condition deteriorated.

    Adeyemi explained that the patient later developed a breathing complication, which she attributed to possible fluid and blood overload, and was moved by the doctor in a private car to another hospital due to the absence of an ambulance at the facility.

    She said the patient was subsequently taken to a Lagos State teaching hospital but was reportedly denied admission due to the unavailability of space in the Intensive Care Unit and was returned to the private hospital, where he died in the early hours of April 6, 2025.

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     Adeyemi also alleged that the hospital withheld the deceased’s body for several hours over unpaid medical bills until the family sourced funds to secure its release.

    Adeyemi explained that the family engaged a medical-legal practitioner at a cost of N2m in addition to over N10m spent on burial arrangements to seek justice.

    She said the matter had earlier been reported to a regulatory body under the Lagos State Ministry of Health, where a meeting held on July 1, 2025, reportedly indicted the doctor for commencing treatment outside his specialisation instead of referring the patient.

    She, however, lamented that no further action had been taken months after the meeting, urging the Lagos State Government to intervene and ensure justice for the deceased.

    When contacted, the operating officer of Immangel Hospital, Dr. Yomi Adeyemo, said the deceased received adequate medical attention, adding that he treated him with the same level of care he would give his biological father.

    He described the death as unfortunate, stating that efforts by him and other hospital staff to resuscitate the patient, who, according to him, presented with symptoms of a heart attack, vomiting and a history of herbal medication use before admission, were unsuccessful.

    He also maintained that the hospital deployed its resources to save the patient despite the family’s financial constraints, which he said contributed to the outcome.

    Adeyemo added that the N2m he agreed to return to the family was a gesture of empathy rather than compensation, noting that the Lagos State Ministry of Health was still investigating the matter.

  • SDP demands real-time electronic transmission of election results

    SDP demands real-time electronic transmission of election results

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has raised a strong and urgent voice in defense of transparency, accountability, and the collective will of the Nigerian people.

    In a press statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP expressed deep concern over what it described as deliberate and unpatriotic resistance by the leadership of the 10th Senate to meaningful electoral reforms.

    At the heart of this resistance, the party noted, is the refusal to provide a clear legislative mandate for the real-time electronic transmission of election results—an issue Nigerians have spoken about with one voice.

    Across the country, citizens have made their position unmistakably clear. During the extensive nationwide public hearings conducted by the Senate in 2025 on the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2026, Nigerians demanded reforms that would move the nation beyond the credibility challenges that marred the 2023 general elections. Their message was simple but powerful: Nigeria’s democracy must be strengthened through modern, transparent, and technology-driven electoral processes.

    The SDP emphasised that tools such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) are no longer optional innovations but essential safeguards. These systems, the party argued, significantly reduce human error and block avenues for manipulation that often occur during the manual movement of results by anti-democratic actors.

    According to the party, it is increasingly evident that many patriotic senators, the Nigerian electorate, and even the nation’s electoral umpire—the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—are aligned in their desire to move the country forward.

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     The SDP commended the new leadership of INEC for its positive disposition toward integrity-driven reforms anchored on transparency and credible elections.

    However, the party issued a stern warning that a small, self-serving cabal within the Senate leadership must not be allowed to hold Nigeria’s democracy hostage. In clear terms, the SDP demanded that the new Electoral Act 2026 must contain an unambiguous legal command mandating the real-time electronic transmission of results by polling unit presiding officers. Anything less, the party warned, would leave room for legal loopholes and future manipulation.

    The SDP also reaffirmed its confidence in INEC, noting that the Commission has already demonstrated the infrastructure, technical capacity, and patriotic will to transmit election results electronically in real time—if only it is allowed to operate without political encumbrances.

    Invoking the timeless truth that “eternal vigilance is the price of freedom,” the party called on citizens, civil society organisations, and all democrats to rise in defense of Nigeria’s democracy. It urged collective resistance against any attempt by a few mandate holders to promote personal interests over the national good.

    Nigeria, the SDP concluded, cannot afford a repeat of the credibility crisis of the 2023 elections in 2027. The moment demands unity, courage, and action. All hands must be on deck to protect the ballot, safeguard democracy, and prevent the nation from sliding backward at a time when progress is both possible and necessary.

  • CAPPA trains journalists on salt reduction, front-of-pack labelling

    CAPPA trains journalists on salt reduction, front-of-pack labelling

    Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting corporate accountability, has trained journalists on the importance healthy food policies, particularly sodium reduction, front-of-pack labelling (FOPL), nutrient profile models (NPM), and their significance for public health in Nigeria.

     Addressing the participants during the training held at De Meros Hotel & Suites, Ikeja, Lagos,  Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, the Executive Director of CAPPA noted that there is a silent, but very real, struggle ongoing for control of our food system. His words: “On the one hand are powerful corporate interests that prioritise profit over public health. On the other is the public, seeking to protect itself through government policy, regulation, and legislation. Whoever prevails in this contest will determine not only what millions of Nigerians eat daily, but also the health outcomes of generations to come.At the centre of this struggle is you, the media.

     “Your role as custodians of truth, shapers of public understanding, and defenders of the public interest is critical in determining which way the pendulum swings. What you report, how you frame it, and what you leave unquestioned all have real consequences for public health policy.

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     “This training, supported by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), is designed to shine a light on the tactics deployed by corporations that are fuelling a growing artificial appetite for ultra-processed food products often excessively high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, across Nigeria.

    These practices are contributing directly to the alarming rise in non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, which account for approximately 29 percent of all deaths in Nigeria and are placing an unsustainable burden on families and our already overstretched health system. More importantly, this training seeks to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to report effectively on policies that can reverse these trends. Furthermore, it will unpack the tactics used by the food and beverage industry to promote unhealthy diets and resist meaningful regulation, and how to monitor and counter such interference.”

     He emphasized that the stories reported by journalists  help shape policies that save lives and protect the well-being of Nigerians.

    Also speaking at the programme, the Food Safety Technical Lead, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Femi Stephen, stated that Nigeria’s salt intake is 3.9 grams per day which far exceeds the 2 grams safe limit, which is driving the country’s 38 per cent hypertension rate.

  • Ondo varsity workers demand full budget implementation, beg Aiyedatiwa over unpaid salary

    Ondo varsity workers demand full budget implementation, beg Aiyedatiwa over unpaid salary

    The Joint Action Committee of Ondo State-owned Tertiary Institutions (JAC-ODSTI) has called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to fully implement the 2025 and 2026 budgetary allocations to tertiary institutions in the state, warning that continued delays could worsen the crisis rocking the tertiary institutions sector of the state.

    The committee appealed in a communiqué issued after its first-quarter congress held at the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) in Okitipupa, on Friday.

    The communiqué was jointly signed by the Committee’s Chairman, Comrade Tayo Ogungbeni, and Secretary, Kunle Akinwonmi.

    JAC-ODSTI comprises the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SANU) Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANP), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

    The affected institutions include OAUSTECH, Okitipupa; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (UNIMED) and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO).

    The committee said the congress reviewed critical issues affecting staff welfare and the sustainability of tertiary education in the state, noting that unresolved financial and administrative challenges were undermining the effective running of the institutions.

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     The unions, however, commended the governor for paying the last tranche of the wage award and releasing the outstanding January 2017 subventions to state-owned institutions, describing the steps as encouraging.

     They, nonetheless, demanded the immediate and full implementation of the 2026 approved budget for all tertiary institutions to enable them meet their financial obligations to both staff and students.

     The committee also lamented that the 2025 budgetary allocations earlier acknowledged by the state government were not fully implemented, urging the governor to take swift corrective action to avert what it described as further institutional decline.

     The workers specifically called for the release of three months’ salary arrears owed to staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, saying the payment was earlier promised during the institution’s 2025 convocation ceremony.

     They also demanded the immediate implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage for RUGIPO workers, alleging that staff were still earning N18,000.

     The unions further expressed concern over the delay in releasing the report of the staff verification and audit exercise conducted across the institutions in 2025, urging the government to make the findings public without further delay.

     They noted that the eight-year tenure of the governing councils of the state-owned institutions would expire in March and called for their urgent reconstitution.

     The committee warned that failure to constitute new councils within the stipulated time might compel it to withdraw recognition of the affected councils.

     “We demand the full implementation of the 2026 approved budget for all state-owned tertiary institutions to enable them to meet their financial obligations to both staff and students. Congress recalled that the governor’s earlier acknowledgement of the 2025 budgetary allocations was not fully implemented and urged immediate corrective action to avert further institutional decline.

     “Congress calls on the state government to urgently release the three months’ staff salary arrears to the staff of RUGIPO, earlier pronounced during the 2025 convocation ceremony of the institution. Congress also demands the immediate implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for staff of RUGIPO, as against the current N18,000 being paid.

    “Congress also expressed deep concern over the continued delay in the release of the report of the staff verification and audit exercise conducted across the various tertiary institutions in 2025; we urge the state government to make the report public without further delay,” the communique read.

    “Congress calls on the state government to urgently release the three months’ staff salary arrears to the staff of RUGIPO, earlier pronounced during the 2025 convocation ceremony of the institution.”

  • Gunmen kill commercial motorcyclist, snatch motorcycle in Ondo

    Gunmen kill commercial motorcyclist, snatch motorcycle in Ondo

    A Commercial motorcyclist was killed by gunmen who also snatched his motorcycle on Wednesday night in Oba-Ile, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    The body of the motorcyclist, who was working at the second gate of Oba-Ile Housing Estate, took a passenger to Akure was found along the road.

    Confirming the incident on Friday in Akure, the spokesperson of Ondo Police Command,  Abayomi Jimoh, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said: “On Wednesday Feb. 4 at about 22:00 hours, a case of a body found beside Federal College of Agriculture, Akure along Airport Road, Oba-Ile, was reported to the Oba-Ile command.

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    “Upon receiving the report, the command switched into action and deployed its personnel to assess the place.

    “The lifeless (sic) body, which was later identified as Peter Monday, has been moved to the morgue of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital.

    “Meanwhile, an investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances behind the lifeless body,” Jimoh said.

    The command’s spokesperson, therefore, reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state.

    “The command will not relent in its efforts to ensure that perpetrators of any crime will be pursued and brought to justice,” he said.

  • ‘Epileptic power supply driving investors away from Kwara’

    ‘Epileptic power supply driving investors away from Kwara’

    Stakeholders in businesses have linked the current spate of industrial development in Kwara state to inadequate and unstable power supply.

    They described erratic power supply as a major obstacle to industrial development and job creation in the state.

    Speaking on behalf of businessmen and entrepreneurs in the state, Captain Olatinwo  Abiodun said that poor power supply is militating against investments in the state.

    Olatinwo, a professional pilot, added that “electricity remains the backbone of industrial growth, as reliable power is critical for the establishment and sustainability of industries. “The current situation, however, has continued to push potential investors to other states with relatively better electricity supply, thereby limiting Kwara State’s industrial expansion.

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    “Despite paying high taxes to the state government, businesses and companies still grapple with unreliable electricity, leading to increased production costs and reduced investor confidence.”

    He added: “The growing unemployment challenge, stressing that government employment alone cannot absorb the increasing number of graduates and youths in the state, noting that “a strong and supportive private sector, driven by industrial growth, is essential for providing sustainable livelihoods and boosting the state’s economy.”

    He therefore urged the state government to prioritise and intensify efforts toward improving electricity supply across Kwara State, noting that “such intervention would attract investors, stimulate industrial development, reduce unemployment, and position the state as a preferred destination for business and economic growth.”

  • Globacom’s N1b donation to Lagos Security Trust Fund lauded

    Globacom’s N1b donation to Lagos Security Trust Fund lauded

    Telecommunication giant, Globacom, has been lauded for donating N1 billion to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

    The commendation came from the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Fund, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, who praised Globacom for donating the amount to the Fund to promote enduring commitment to national development and public safety.

    The donation follows Globacom’s participation in the LSSTF-organised Private Sector Breakfast Meeting with CEOs, hosted by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently. The high-level forum emphasised deeper collaboration between government and business on security, innovation and economic resilience – an agenda Globacom has consistently supported through sustained social investment.

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    Ogunsan described the gesture as “a powerful demonstration of corporate citizenship and a strategic investment in the stability of Lagos State.”

    He noted that the LSSTF was established to bridge funding gaps in security infrastructure and, therefore, relies heavily on voluntary contributions from corporate bodies and well-meaning partners.

    According to him, the ₦1 billion donation will significantly enhance the Fund’s capacity to address critical priorities for 2026, including multipurpose security helicopters and drones, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), water cannons, digital communication equipment and Smart CCTV systems. These assets are central to proactive policing, rapid response and intelligence-led operations across the state.

    Reacting to the development, Globacom, in a press statement, described the donation as an extension of the company’s long-standing belief in Nigeria’s future. “At Globacom, we see security not as a government burden alone, but as a shared responsibility. When people feel safe, enterprise grows, creativity flourishes and hope becomes practical. Our support for the LSSTF is about protecting the everyday dreams of millions of Lagosians,” the statement added.

  • APC chieftain distributes 1,000 free JAMB forms in Osun West

    APC chieftain distributes 1,000 free JAMB forms in Osun West

    No fewer than 1,000 admission seekers in the Osun West Senatorial district have benefited from the free Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms from a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Peter Taiwo Ogundeji.

    Ogundeji hinged his decision on his effort to ease the financial burden on candidates and boost access to tertiary education among grassroots students.

    The 2027 Senate hopeful, during his visit to his hometown, Ola community, Ward 6 in Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State, for the continuous house-to-house awareness for the gubernatorial candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).

     “I am giving out free JAMB forms for 1,000 students in this Senatorial district, and I pledge to sponsor qualified students from 100 levels to final year in tertiary institutions, covering courses such as Nursing, Geometric Survey and other critical disciplines.

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     “This gesture is part of my efforts to complement the Federal government’s effort to increase enrollment of youths in school. The administration of President Bola Tinubu has introduced several initiatives for youths, like student loans, and we as partymen must also help in our own little way,” Ogundeji said.

    Speaking about the awareness, tagged ‘Apata for AMBO walk-to-live,’ he said “the primary purpose of the exercise was to mobilise massive grassroots support for the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 8 governorship election.”

     He urged eligible voters without a Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to promptly visit the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices for registration.

     APC leader in Ola Town, Chief James Oladoye, expressed confidence that if Ogundeji is elected as a senator for the district in 2027, he would do more, as he has empowered youths when he was a private citizen.

    The Olola of Ola, Oba Johnson Oyewale Ajiboye, commended  Ogundeji for his positive contributions to community development and assured him of the unwavering support of his subjects, while offering prayers for his success in the upcoming elections.