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By Victor Okoye Tennis enthusiasts and dignitaries on Saturday paid tribute to the Late Dayo Akindoju, former President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), who passed away while on active national duty. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a Night of Tributes in Honour of the Late NTF president held at the Centre Court of the National Tennis Centre, Package B, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. The solemn event drew tributes from tennis administrators, players, and friends across Africa. President of the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT), Mr. Jean-Claude Talon, described Akindoju as a visionary leader and a man of peace, adding that his sudden demise was a great loss to Africa. “It is with profound sorrow and heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of o...

Nigeria and Vietnam have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing cashew production, processing, and trade, according to the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN). NCAN stated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Vietnam Cashew Association (VINACAS) during the 14th VINACAS Golden Cashew Rendezvous 2025, held in Hanoi, Vietnam. The three-day event, from Oct. 26 to Oct. 28, marked the 35th anniversary of VINACAS and brought together global stakeholders across the cashew value chain. A joint communiqué issued after the signing stated that the agreement would promote bilateral trade, technology transfer, and collaboration to strengthen both countries’ positions in the global cashew industry. The MoU was signed by Mr. Pham Van Cong, ...

By Victor Okoye Veteran Nollywood icon, Joke Silva, has expressed deep concern over the neglect of the once-celebrated Tinapa Film Village, calling for urgent steps to restore it to its “former glory” as a center of creativity, cultural pride, and film excellence. Speaking in Abuja, Silva noted that the Tinapa Film Village, once envisioned as a hub for filmmaking, tourism, and entertainment in Nigeria, now lies dormant—its infrastructure underutilized and its potential untapped. “Tinapa was built to be Nigeria’s Hollywood. It had world-class studios, sound stages, and accommodation for filmmakers. But today, it’s a ghost of its promise,” she lamented.“It breaks my heart because that place had the potential to transform our film industry and create jobs for thousands of young...

The Federal Government has commended Germany for supporting Nigeria’s efforts to curb irregular migration through skills acquisition and vocational training aimed at empowering youths with employable skills and promoting structured labour mobility. Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, gave the commendation Thursday in Abuja while receiving Dr Matthias Leder, Chief Executive Officer of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHK) Giessen-Friedberg. Dingyadi said the partnership would promote legal labour migration, strengthen vocational education, and create meaningful employment opportunities for Nigerian youths seeking to enhance their skills and contribute to national development. “This initiative aligns with our commitment to equip young people with practical, ...

The Federal Government says it remains open and willing to work closely with the Government of United States and others to eliminate terrorism in Nigeria.  The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris made this known at a News conference on Wednesday in Abuja.  He explained the progress made so far on fight against terrorism by the President Bola Tinubu administration over two years ago. According to him, terror suspect, Khalid Al‑Barnawi, accused of being the mastermind of the August 26, 2011, bombing of the UN's Complex in Abuja, in which 20 people were killed and more than 70 others injured, is also facing prosecution.  "Captured in 2016, Al Barnawi is facing trial along with four other terror suspects - Mohammed Bashir Saleh, U...

By Gami Tadanyigbe Hon. Bright I. Jephtah Buyabuya, a key APC stakeholder and Director-General of the FCT Grassroots Network for Tinubu 2027, has called on residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to deliver over one million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the forthcoming 2027 presidential election. According to Hon. Buyabuya, this call is a show of appreciation for President Tinubu’s remarkable contributions to the FCT. “I am advising the good people of the FCT to give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over one million votes in the 2027 presidential election. Mr. President has done well by remembering the people of the FCT through key appointments,” he said. He cited several appointments, including that of Hon. Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo as Minister from the FCT; Hon...

As part of the ongoing reforms in the Department of State Services (DSS), the public is hereby informed that a total of 115 personnel have been dismissed over a period. In addition to earlier disclaimers on the duo of Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, the Service finds it necessary to warn citizens of the fraudulent activities of some of these persons still posing as DSS personnel. Members of the public are therefore advised to desist from any official dealing with these individuals who have been dismissed by the Service.

By Lucy Ogalue The Federal Government has inaugurated the Sugarcane Outgrower Development Programme (SODP), a flagship initiative designed to accelerate local sugar production and strengthen the national sugar value chain. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr Kamar Bakrin, said the programme would also create job opportunities in rural communities. The SODP, implemented by the NSDC, is a key component of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan II (NSMP II), aimed at boosting local sugarcane cultivation and reducing dependence on sugar imports. Bakrin said the initiative would drive inclusive economic growth by integrating outgrower farmers into the sugar industry’s supply chain while complementing the production capacity ...

By Lucy Ogalue Experts have called on African governments to invest more in agriculture, rural infrastructure and trade reforms as sustainable pathways to end hunger and strengthen food security across the continent. They made the call in Abuja on Tuesday, at the public presentation of a book “How Africa Eats”, authored by Prof. David Luke. Luke who led discussions at the event, is a Professor of Practice and Strategic Director at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, London School of Economics. He said that the book highlights the urgent need for Africa to rethink its agricultural and trade systems, as the continent had potentials to become a global agricultural powerhouse if properly supported. “The amount of knowledge that you need for successful agricultural production ...

By Joan Nwagwu The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to take the lead in championing Africa’s collective demand for climate justice at global negotiations. Mr Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the NLC, made the call in a letter addressed to the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) on Tuesday in Abuja. Upah said Nigeria occupies a strategic position to advance the cause of workers and developing nations in the quest for a just transition. This he said is because Nigeria is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. The 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30), scheduled for Nov. 10 to Nov. 21 in Belém, Brazil, will focus on efforts to limit global temperature rise and the presentat...

By Joan Nwagwu The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has called for the speedy establishment of a National Social Protection Council to strengthen coordination and delivery of social protection programmes in Nigeria. Ms Inviolata Chinyangarara, ILO Senior Specialist on Social Protection, made the call at the end of an eight-day master training on social protection systems in Abuja on Tuesday. Chinyangarara said the training, organised in collaboration with UNICEF and funded by the European Union (EU), was part of the “Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSPIN)” project. According to her, the initiative aims to build the capacity of key stakeholders and ensure that social protection programmes are effectively implemented across the country. Sh...

Ibadan is set to host the OSEMEJI/OBAMORO Conference 2025 on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 10 a.m. The event will take place at the Chieftaincy Hall, Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan, highlighting the cultural and spiritual richness of Òsé Méjì, a tradition deeply rooted in Ibadan heritage. The conference, themed "Ose Meji: The Spiritual Source Of Ibadanland And Its Relevance In Modern Times," will explore the longstanding debates surrounding the rightful ownership of Òsé Méjì—whether it is the exclusive preserve of Babaláwo (diviners), devoted Òrìṣà followers, or the Ibadan people themselves. Key speakers include Dr. Fayemi Fatunde, Mogaji Onibudo of Ibadanland, and Surveyor Adefabi Dasola Faniran, who will provide insights into the heritage’s impact on cultural identity and mode...

Moroccan king, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has commended the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for adopting a resolution supporting Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, describing it as a “historic change.” The UNSC, in a United States-drafted text, on Friday called for the parties to engage in negotiations based on an autonomy plan first presented by Morocco to the UN in 2007. According to the resolution, a genuine autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty could be the most feasible solution to Rabat’s 50-year conflict with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. In a rare televised address, King Mohamed VI welcomed the Security Council’s support of its autonomy plan, adding that “it is a pivotal moment and a crucial turning point in the history of modern M...

(NAN)The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has commended President Bola Tinubu's administration for his impressive road infrastructure projects across the country. Its National Spokesperson, Mark Adebayo, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, after an inspection of the Abuja-Lokoja-Benin Road, among others. Adebayo said that the coalition rated the current administration "very good" in the area of road infrastructure. He said that the opposition parties came to the conclusion after a painstaking assessment of work done in various sectors of the Nigerian economy in the last two years. According to him members of the steering committee of the CUPP were on the independent inspection team. He said their intention was to go by themselves to assess the situati...

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has restated his commitment to nurturing young writers’ potential in the literary world. Buratai made the commitment in his remarks at the 2nd  edition of the Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP) on Saturday at Gora, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The event which also included the public presentation of TALP 2024 Anthology titled “Truth & Dare” compiled and edited by Dr Lizi Ben-Iheanacho and Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo. It is the visionary project of the TY Buratai Literary Initiative. The initiative was supported by Tukur and Tukur Foundation, TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation Northeast Women for Development Agenda, Hajiya Hauwa Aliyu of Adams Pages Book Store and others...

Eur. Ing. Dr. Chinedu Ogwus, Regional Director, Africa (Robotics and Autonomous Systems – RAS), Society of Petroleum Engineers International (SPEi), delivered a groundbreaking paper and a thought-provoking presentation that underscored both technical excellence and visionary leadership at the Institution of Petroleum and Gas Engineers Conference, held at the prestigious Continental Hotel, Abuja. Presenting a paper titled “The Use of Robots to Reduce Emissions in Oil and Gas for Sustainable Climate Energy,” Dr. Ogwus articulated a compelling case for the integration of robotics, artificial intelligence, and intelligent automation as critical instruments for reducing emissions, enhancing operational safety, and driving sustainable transformation across Africa’s oil and gas landscape. ...

Abuja-based football administrator and philanthropist, Makanjuola Nureni, has been honoured with the Distinguished Service Award by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in recognition of his outstanding support to sports journalism and his immense contributions to sports development in Nigeria. The prestigious award was presented on Friday in Abuja during SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration held in Abuja, marking 60 years of promoting sports journalism and excellence across the nation. Expressing his gratitude after receiving the honour, Makanjuola Nureni described the award as a source of inspiration and renewed motivation to continue his lifelong commitment to youth and grassroots sports. “This award gives me hope and motivation to do more. It’s a source of inspirati...

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc minps Phd, on 31st October 2025 decorated 14 (Fourteen) newly promoted officers of the Command in a brief but colorful ceremony held at the Police Headquarters, Awka. In the same event, the Commissioner of Police also unveiled the newly renovated Commissioner of Police Hall, a project graciously facilitated through the goodwill and benevolence of His Royal Highness Otonye Efebo PhD, (Shidi VII) the Amadabo of Shidi Ama Twon - Brass, Bayelsa State whose support reflects the enduring partnership between traditional institutions and the Nigeria Police Force in strengthening community-oriented policing. While congratulating the newly promoted officers, CP Orutugu urged them to see their elevation as a call to great...

By Aderogba George The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Wednesday in Abuja said that it would commence monthly psychiatric evaluation for all prison inmates across the country. The Vice President 1 of the association, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, made this known during a visit to the Controller-General of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), and to donate re-useable Sanitary Pads to all female prison inmates across the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the donation of the Sanitary Pads was done with the support of Diatom Impact/Platform Capital, a Nigerian based company who is also the manufacturer of the product. Olowojebutu said that as from November 2025, every inmate incountry will begin to have access to psychiatric tools, adding that the idea behin...