The Nation Newspaper

Category: News

  • Tinubu hails Waltersmith chairman Abdulrazaq Isa at 65

    Tinubu hails Waltersmith chairman Abdulrazaq Isa at 65

    • Says entrepreneur’s success affirms Nigeria as fertile ground for investment

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated co-founder and chairman of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, Abdulrazaq Isa,  on his 65th birthday, lauding him as a business leader whose career exemplifies the promise of Nigerian enterprise.

    In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said Isa’s more than three decades of experience as a banker and entrepreneur have culminated in his leadership of one of Nigeria’s most successful indigenous oil and gas companies.

     Tinubu noted that Isa’s role in transforming Waltersmith Petroman from a local venture into what he described as a global brand underscores the depth of Nigerian entrepreneurship and the country’s prospects as a destination for sustainable investment.

    READ ALSO: Kwara massacre belies end of Mamuda/JNIM terrorists

     “The efforts of entrepreneurs like the chairman of Waltersmith Petroman affirm Nigeria as a fertile place for investments and reinforce faith in the nation’s business environment,” the President said.

    He commended Isa for what he called his resilience and renowned business acumen, acknowledging his contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, particularly at a time when the sector is central to the country’s revenue and energy-security objectives.

     Tinubu also highlighted Isa’s philanthropic activities, especially in supporting the development of science education, urging him to remain a “lodestar and an inspiration” to younger Nigerians and emerging business leaders.

     As the Waltersmith Petroman board chairman marks the milestone, the President joined Isa’s family and friends in wishing him good health and greater success in his endeavours.

  • NAF plans withdrawal of firearms from retiring officers

    NAF plans withdrawal of firearms from retiring officers

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it will soon begin a structured and lawful process of withdrawing service firearms from retiring personnel to strengthen weapons accountability, enhance public safety, and align veteran administration with international best practices.

     The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, revealed this on Saturday during a parley with NAF Veterans, at the NAF Base in Abuja.

     The Air Chief also revealed that the NAF was exploring a regulated armoury arrangement that would allow eligible retirees to lawfully possess approved firearm calibres for personal protection.

    Air Marshal Aneke was represented at the event by the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Anthony Martins, who conveyed the Air Force leadership’s position on the initiative.

     According to the NAF Chief, efforts are ongoing to retrieve all service-issued weapons from retiring officers and airmen, particularly senior citizens, to prevent risks associated with misuse, diversion, or improper storage.

     “The Nigerian Air Force recognises the distinguished service of its veterans, but service weapons remain government property and must be duly accounted for at retirement, in line with extant laws,” he said.

     The CAS said the exercise was not punitive, rather an administrative necessity aimed at ensuring compliance with the Firearms Act while safeguarding retired personnel and the wider society.

    READ ALSO: PDP: Wike gets upper hand again

    He explained that modalities were being developed to ensure transparency, regulation and full compliance with national firearms laws before any such framework is implemented.

     Aneke noted that the firearm withdrawal policy forms part of broader reforms in veteran administration, including plans to establish Veteran Well-Being Centres nationwide.

    He said the centres would serve as one-stop hubs for welfare support, documentation, security-related matters and healthcare coordination for retired personnel.

    The CAS added that the Air Force was leveraging technology through digital platforms and help desks to improve communication and service delivery, especially for elderly veterans.

     He reassured veterans that their safety and dignity remained paramount, stressing that the NAF would balance welfare considerations with national security imperatives.

     The CAS also highlighted the importance of health and wellness in post-service life, describing it as a key pillar of veteran welfare and sustainable reintegration.

     Dr Ugochukwu Nnamdi, a public health practitioner from the 063 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Abuja, noted that health encompasses physical, mental and social well-being.

     He said the transition from military to civilian life often presents emotional and psychological challenges, urging veterans to adopt healthy lifestyles and seek timely medical support.

     The parley provided an interactive platform for veterans to share concerns and offer recommendations on welfare, security and post-service integration.

  • ‘Production, circulation of substandard iron rods, grave threat to public safety’

    ‘Production, circulation of substandard iron rods, grave threat to public safety’

    National President Iron Rod and Steel Dealers Employers Union of Nigeria, Chief Gbenga Awoyale has said that persistent production and circulation of substandard iron rods in the Nigerian market remains one of the gravest threats to public safety in the country.

    He added that the recent events once again underscore the tragic cost of inaction, Chief Awoyale said in a statement.

    The statement reads: “The persistence of this crisis confirms that the challenge is not a lack of dialogue or diagnosis, but a lack of political resolve.

    The collapse of a three-storey building in Rivers State, with several Nigerians injured, is not an isolated occurrence.

    READ ALSO: PDP: Wike gets upper hand again

    “It is part of a disturbing pattern that has repeated itself across states and administrations. Official findings attributing such collapses to the use of substandard materials merely confirm what has been widely known within the industry and repeatedly acknowledged by policymakers.

    “These tragedies are not acts of fate; they are the outcomes of systemic regulatory failure and deliberate compromise.”

    Despite this awareness, decisive legislative and oversight action has remained elusive. Several attempts by the National Assembly to summon relevant regulatory institutions, particularly the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), as part of efforts to get to the root of the matter, have reportedly been frustrated by non-appearance and institutional resistance. What is deeply troubling is the apparent reluctance of the National Assembly to take critical action in response to this refusal to honour legislative summons, despite its constitutional authority to do so.

    This failure has weakened oversight, emboldened regulatory impunity, and allowed dangerous practices to continue unchecked.

    “At the heart of this failure lies the compromised enforcement of standards. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, which should serve as the nation’s first line of defence against unsafe products, has been gravely undermined by internal corruption and sabotage. Of particular concern is the situation in Lagos State, Nigeria’s industrial hub.

  • $1b National integrated poultry project pilot phase set to commence – Tegbe

    $1b National integrated poultry project pilot phase set to commence – Tegbe

    The Director General and Global Liaison of Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership NCSP, Joseph Tegbe has disclosed that the $1 billion National Integrated Poultry Project pilot phase is set to commence.

    Enugu, Kaduna and Oyo states have been selected  for the pilot phase. Tegbe said the project would be expanded to states in other geopolitical zones of Nigeria in the coming year.

    He made the disclosure while speaking on Saturday at the Chinese New Year Temple Fair and the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China. The 2026 Chinese New Year is the year of the horse.

    Tegbe said when completed, “the project will deliver a combined output of six million eggs daily, house over seven million laying birds and more than two million broilers, and cultivate over 60,000 hectares of maize and soybeans.”

    READ ALSO: PDP: Wike gets upper hand again

    He also noted that “Beyond feedstock for the farms, this initiative will support existing farmers through subsidized feedstock.

    “Beyond feedstock for the farms, this initiative will support existing farmers through subsidized feedstock. This project is not merely about food security, it is about jobs, dignity, and opportunity for Nigerians,” he said.

    Tegbe who also highlighted China-Nigeria collaboration on steel production said with the revitalization of the Ajaokuta, the country would be expecting an output  of 10 million metric tonnes per annum.

    According to him: “The revitalization of Ajaokuta Steel Complex marks another inspiring chapter in our partnership. Long a symbol of unrealized potential, Ajaokuta is now poised for renewal through collaboration with China. With an expected output of 10 million metric tonnes per annum, a revitalized Ajaokuta will transform Nigeria’s economic trajectory, powering industries, creating jobs, and positioning Nigeria as a leading manufacturing and innovation hub in Africa.”

    He stressed that the government is determined to ensure the country recorded tangible progress that signals the dawn of a new industrial era.

    In the area of Knowledge Exchange and Educational Partnerships, Tegbe said  it has “continued to open doors for Nigerian students to learn from Chinese institutions, while welcoming Chinese scholars to Nigeria. These exchanges are building enduring bridges of knowledge and mutual understanding. In the year ahead, we seek to deepen cooperation through increased scholarships, joint research, and shared innovation, culminating in the development of new industrial parks that will serve as hubs for manufacturing, technology, and shared expertise.”

  • No region in Nigeria disqualified from passport issuance, says Immigration Service

    No region in Nigeria disqualified from passport issuance, says Immigration Service

    The Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has dismissed reports that the Southeast region has been disqualified from the issuance of passports to Nigerians.

    The NIS said there was no iota of truth in the report claiming that equipment for Southeast issuance of the documents was dismantled and issuance of the documents foreclosed in Southeastern states.

    “The NIS categorically states that this report is entirely false and a gross misrepresentation of the ongoing government reforms to modernise passport administration”, said a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the NIS in Abuja, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, Akinsola Akinlabi.

    The Service said: “The reality is that NIS has introduced a phased onboarding system to migrate passport offices, including those in foreign missions, to a centralised production framework.

    “This modernisation effort, which began in 2024, is designed to enhance the efficiency, integrity and security of Nigeria’s passport production system and not exclude any citizen.

    READ ALSO: PDP: Wike gets upper hand again

    “The Service has successfully onboarded passport offices in the Northeast and North Central states of Borno, Yobe, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau, along with 35 international stations spread across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.

    “Furthermore, scheduled migration for the five Southeast states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, and five additional international stations (Italy, Greece, Spain, Switzerland and Austria) is currently ongoing within the first quarter of 2026.

    “Consequently, the service has established a strict work-plan calendar to ensure this transition is seamless and does not disrupt delivery timelines, as the goal is to drive the process towards greater efficiency.

    “The public is therefore advised to disregard speculative narratives capable of creating unnecessary tension, as the Service continues to implement reforms in the overall national interest. Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to equitable service delivery and operational excellence”.

  • City Boy Movement appoints Blankson as Bayelsa state director

    City Boy Movement appoints Blankson as Bayelsa state director

    The national leadership of the City Boy Movement has appointed Bayelsa-based All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Osomkime Blankson, as the organisation’s State Director.

    The appointment, announced in a statement, is part of efforts to strengthen the movement’s grassroots structures and expand programmes aimed at youth engagement and leadership development across the South-South region.

    Blankson, who also holds traditional recognition, expressed appreciation to the national leadership for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to use the platform to advance initiatives that empower young people in the state.

    “I am honoured by this appointment and fully committed to building a strong, inclusive and purpose-driven City Boy Movement in Bayelsa State, aligned with our national vision,” he said.

    According to the letter conveying his appointment, Blankson will serve as the principal representative of the movement in Bayelsa State and is expected to coordinate activities in line with guidance from the National Secretariat.

    Read Also: Insecurity in Nigeria, globally sign of end times —Prophet Abiara

    The statement noted that the City Boy Movement operates under the leadership of its Grand Patron, Mr. Seyi Tinubu, and focuses on structured youth engagement, civic participation and leadership development among young Nigerians.

    Observers say the group has increasingly positioned itself as a platform for mentoring young people, promoting skills development and encouraging participation in community-building initiatives. With the new appointment, attention is expected to centre on expanding programmes that foster entrepreneurship, capacity building and constructive social involvement among youths in Bayelsa.

    The movement reiterated its commitment to nurturing future leaders and creating opportunities for young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national development through education, engagement and empowerment initiatives.

  • PEBEC, NPA set to achieve 7-day cargo dwell time, facilitates seamless trade

    PEBEC, NPA set to achieve 7-day cargo dwell time, facilitates seamless trade

    The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has concluded a three-day high-level stakeholder engagement in Lagos, to reduce cargo dwell time and improve vessel turnaround time to attract investment and facilitate seamless trade.

    Titled “Achieving a 7-Day Cargo Dwell Time,” the session brought together the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC) under the Business Environment Enhancement Programme Accelerator (BEEPA) framework and hosted by the NPA was geared towards streamlining port processes to bolster the ease of doing business across the nation’s sea ports.

    The engagement, which was held at the Lagos Port Complex (LPC) in Apapa, followed an extensive “shadowing” exercise where officials observed real-time vessel berthing and cargo clearance operations at both the Tin-Can Island and Lagos Port Complexes (LPC).

    Speaking at the event, the Director General of PEBEC, Zahrah Mustapha emphasised that the session was designed to move beyond identifying hurdles toward implementing long-overdue practical solutions.

    “Nigeria loses significantly every day due to operational inefficiencies.These are not just numbers; they represent missed opportunities, jobs not created, and delayed economic growth. This reform is about resilience and unlocking the nation’s economic potential,” Mustapha said.

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    He noted that the initiative integrates both government regulators and private sector stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability, with the ultimate goal of reducing cargo dwell time and improving vessel turnaround time.

    In his address, the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho reiterated the Authority’s commitment to supporting PEBEC’s mandates.

    He highlighted the NPA’s progress including collaborating with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to deploy the Port Community System (PCS) which will serve as the digital backbone for the National Single Window, a move expected to eliminate manual bottlenecks and synchronize port operations.

    Recall that the NPA achieved a 100% success rate in PEBEC reforms, ranking 5th among agencies in 2025 with an 84.2% compliance rating.

    The outcomes of this engagement are expected to be implemented within the coming months. By closing the operational gaps identified during the port inspections, the NPA and PEBEC aim to create a more competitive maritime environment that attracts investment and facilitates seamless trade.

  • Nigerian social media tracking App, Kluoto, thrives in UK

    Nigerian social media tracking App, Kluoto, thrives in UK

    A Nigerian-developed social media tracking and monetisation application, Kluoto, is recording strong traction in the United Kingdom, marking a major milestone in its push to expand beyond Africa.

    The platform, founded by Nigerian tech entrepreneur Chukwuemeka Martins Osuofia, is currently based in the UK, where it now attracts the bulk of its user traffic, even as plans are underway to extend operations to the United States.

    Speaking recently on Lagos Television, Osuofia said the app was built to empower youths, businesses and content creators by offering financial rewards largely unavailable on conventional social media platforms.

    He explained that Kluoto was designed with a strong economic focus, aimed at giving users tangible value for the time and engagement they invest online, while also contributing to Nigeria’s broader digital economy.

    According to him, Nigerian users enjoy exclusive benefits on the platform, including an hourly earning feature, introduced to ensure local content creators are compensated for the time they spend engaging on the app.

    Osuofia noted that unlike platforms such as YouTube, where users must meet specific thresholds before monetisation begins, Kluoto allows instant earnings as users interact with content.

    He added that the company is open to granting exclusivity to its Nigerian database, provided it receives the necessary institutional and ecosystem support.

    Read Also: Insecurity in Nigeria, globally sign of end times —Prophet Abiara

    The founder also disclosed that content regulation remains a priority for the developers, particularly amid the growing spread of deepfake materials online, stressing that measures have been put in place to ensure authenticity on the platform.

    Kluoto was registered in Nigeria last year and is currently in its first year of operations in the country.

    The firm recently unveiled its new brand identity alongside a tracking feature that enables users to monitor engagement and earnings in real time.

    In a statement signed by the company’s Social Media Manager, Didi Edem, the firm said the rebrand signals a new phase in its mission to redefine how users interact, create content and earn online.

    The statement added that the new tracking tool provides engagement insights via an intuitive dashboard, allowing users to see how consistency on the platform translates into rewards, as Kluoto gains momentum not just as an app, but as a growing movement centred on African creators.

  • 13 journalists injured in Bauchi autocrash

    13 journalists injured in Bauchi autocrash

    No fewer than 13 journalists from various media organisations in Bauchi were injured on Friday in a road crash while covering the commissioning of projects by the North-East Development Commission (NEDC).

    The incident occurred along the Yashi–Yelwan Duguri Road in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state when the vehicle conveying the journalists veered off the road and tumbled several times, throwing the occupants out.

    The crash happened shortly after the delegation, led by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, commissioned and handed over a newly constructed Government Secondary School (GSS) in Yelwan Duguri.

    The victims sustained various injuries, including compound fractures, head injuries and bruises. They were initially taken to Yelwan Duguri Cottage Hospital for emergency treatment before being transferred to Bauchi General Hospital for further medical attention.

    The injured journalists include a reporter from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), correspondents from The Guardian, The Nation and the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) along with its cameraman, correspondents and cameramen from Channels Television and Arise TV, a correspondent from AIT, two reporters from Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC), a cameraman from Bauchi State Television (BATV), an online media reporter and the driver.

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    Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau Mohammed, led the minister, NEDC management and board members on a sympathy visit to the Cottage Hospital and directed that the injured be moved to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for more specialised care.

    Rescue operations were carried out by fellow journalists, NEDC officials and other sympathisers, who helped evacuate the victims to the hospital.

    Several mobile phones and other journalistic equipment, including cameras, were damaged in the crash.

  • Wike to detractors: your successors will betray you

    Wike to detractors: your successors will betray you

    • Says he doesn’t need governor to mobilise support for Tinubu in Rivers

    • Commissions Radio Station for Renewed Hope Ambassadors ahead 2027

    Federal Capital Territory (FFCT) Minister Nyesom Wike hit out yesterday at elected public officers  supporting treachery and at the same time seeking  to enthrone their successors.

    Mentioning no names, he said, such officers, whatever their position may be, would experience betrayal.

    “Whether you’re a senator, rep member, minister, or governor and you support betrayers, people will also betray you in life,” he said during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors headquarters in the state.

     Wike added that, “Every second term governor who has an ambition to put a successor and is supporting betrayal, you’ll never survive it. From the day your successor comes in…my own took so many months… your own will start immediately the person is inaugurated.”

    Wike, who is locked in another round of face off with his successor Governor Siminalayi Fubara, reaffirmed his commitment and that of his political associates and supporters to the reelection of President Bola Tinubu next year.

    He said the people of Rivers have no need for a governor to mobilise support for the President in 2027.

    He commended the Coordinator of Rivers State Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Desmond Akawor, for his mobilisation drive and said Rivers would work massively for the reelection of the President.

    Wike said: “Desmond Akawor, you have shown enough capacity to mobilise, you have moved to all the nooks and crannies of Rivers to talk about Tinubu for President in 2027.

    “I have said before that Rivers State is a no-go area, and I want to say again that this State is totally for Tinubu. We have made sure that all the 23 local governments and zonal coordinators were inaugurated. That day, Nigerians all over the world watched that Rivers State is a no-go area.

     “Today, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Coordinator has also invited us to commission some vehicles that the headquarters of the Secretariat will use and to commission the Secretariat itself.This is the first of its kind in this part of the country.

     “I challenge anybody, let them come to Rivers State and learn.Our commitment is not by mouth, our commitment is not by newspaper; ours is by showing, that yes indeed, we are working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    READ ALSO: PDP: Wike gets upper hand again

     “We don’t need to have a governor to mobilize for Mr. President, we don’t need.We have all it takes to be on our own; we have senators, assembly people, council chairmen, National Assembly members, party chairmen of APC and PDP.

     “We have mobilized ourselves to make commitment.If you say you are supporting somebody, there is no need for the person to bring his resources, you have to make commitment and this is what our leaders have done.

     “Let me once again thank all of you for your commitment, you are the envy of every other state and they are watching you all over the place.

     “In 2023, we came out without anybody pressuring us.Without anybody influencing us, we took a decision.To the glory of God that decision is what we are enjoying today, and whether anybody likes it or not, 2027 when the President has shown interest that he will run, we have no choice than to continue to support Mr President.

     “Mr. coordinator, you have to start preparing to inaugurate ward and unit coordinators, it is very important, we must also take it down to the units, to go and talk to our people to continue to support Mr. President, go and see the situation room, go and see the radio station, we are battle ready, there is nothing we can not do because unity is strength.”

     Earlier, Akawor, while welcoming the FCT Minister and people of Rivers, praised the Minister for offering leadership to the Rivers State Renewed Hope Ambassadors.

    Akawor said he had placed people to man the Renewed Hope Ambassadors movement in all the 23 local governments of Rivers.