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By Joan Nwagwu The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), Kenya, has urged African trade unions to strengthen partnerships and advocacy for climate finance, technology transfer, and debt cancellation ahead of COP30 in Brazil. COTU Climate Change Specialist, Ms Rebecca Okello, gave the advice during the ongoing three-day Pre-COP30 Synthesis and Regional Strategy Review Session on Thursday in Keffi, Nasarawa State. The event was organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to engage stakeholders on Nigeria’s climate transition strategy. Okello said that without adequate funding, technology, and capacity building, Africa’s just transition agenda would remain aspirational. “Finance must support skills tra...

By Joan Nwagwu The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), Kenya, has urged African trade unions to strengthen partnerships and advocacy for climate finance, technology transfer, and debt cancellation ahead of COP30 in Brazil. COTU Climate Change Specialist, Ms Rebecca Okello, gave the advice during the ongoing three-day Pre-COP30 Synthesis and Regional Strategy Review Session on Thursday in Keffi, Nasarawa State. The event was organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to engage stakeholders on Nigeria’s climate transition strategy. Okello said that without adequate funding, technology, and capacity building, Africa’s just transition agenda would remain aspirational. “Finance must support skills tra...

Suriname’s football giants SV Transvaal have completed the signing of Nigerian forward Ademola Kuti on a two-year deal, marking a major milestone in the club’s history. Kuti becomes the first Nigerian and African player ever to sign for the historic Surinamese side — a move that’s already generating huge excitement among fans. Known for his explosive pace, power, and lethal finishing, Kuti brings valuable international experience from multiple top-flight leagues across Africa and Asia. In a remarkable twist, Kuti once played under the late Diego Maradona during his time in the Dubai First Division — making him the only Nigerian footballer to have ever been coached by the Argentine legend. The 27-year-old striker has previously featured for several notable clubs, including: ...

Rotary International District 9127 is set to host the 2025 World Polio Day, with a massive polio immunisation outreach across the Federal Capital Territory's six area councils. The District 9127 Media Relations Chair, Dr Max Amuchie, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja. According to him, there will be mass polio immunisation outreach across the six Area Councils of the FCT with each District Governor supervising the outreach in an Area Council on Oct. 23. He said that the week long programme focus was to create awareness on polio eradication throughout the area council in the FCT. ``It is a week-long programme that will involve all the six Rotary Districts in Nigeria. ``The District Governor of District 9127, Rotarian Princess Joy Okoro will be hosting her ...

"… as he visits scene of the attack that claims lives, calls for calm…" Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau Ph.D has visited the scene of the recent midnight attack by unknown gunmen in Nindama Community of Kokona LGA of the State. The Speaker Dr. Danladi Jatau visited the community today Wednesday to sympathized with the residents and families of those who lost their loved ones during the attack. It would be recalled that last Thursday night some groups of unknown gunmen attacked Nindama community of Kokona LGA of the State resulted to the lost of many innocent lives. The Speaker Dr. Danladi Jatau who paid a sympathy visit to the people of the area called for calm among the residents assuring them that Governor Abdullahi Sule has taken a proactive...

By Joan Nwagwu The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) have renewed calls for workers’ inclusion in climate governance. The two organisations, responsible for promotion of social justice and rights of labour, made the call on Wednesday in Keffi, Nasarawa state ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30). The UN climate convention scheduled for Nov. 10 to Nov. 21 in Belém, Brazil will focus on the efforts needed to limit global temperature and presentation of new national action plans. Speaking at the opening of a three-day Retreat on preparation for the global climate conference, the NLC Acting General Secretary, Mr Benson Upah said “climate change remains a workplace reality ...

By Joan Nwagwu The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has commenced a retreat for its focal persons ahead of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the UN climate convention scheduled for Nov. 10 to Nov. 21 in Belém, Brazil will focus on the efforts needed to limit global temperature and presentation of new national action plans. Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja, Mr Eche Asuzu, National Coordinator of Climate Change for the NLC said the congress is convening a Pre-COP30 Retreat and Regional Strategy Visioning meeting for its affiliate unions and the focal persons. He said the retreat would enable participants to finalise Nigeria’s and West Africa’s pos...

“Remove the log in your eye before attacking the Federal Minister of Works,” A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Alao, popularly known as Allow Alao, has taken a swipe at Governor Seyi Makinde over his recent criticism of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi. The APC chieftain was reacting to the remarks by the Governor in which he said Umahi was 'dancing around the cost' on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway In a strongly worded statement released in Ibadan on Sunday, Alao described Makinde’s remarks as “a classic case of hypocrisy,” insisting that the governor must first account for his own inflated road contracts before attacking anyone at the federal level. Makinde’s Road Costs Defy Logic: Alao accused the Makin...

By Joan Nwagwu The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has suspended its planned strike following positive steps taken by the Federal Government to address its demands. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Shammah Kpanja, ASUP President, on Sunday in Abuja. It would be recall that ASUP) had earlier threatened to embark on an industrial action following a 21-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government on Aug. 15, 2025. The union demands include unresolved issues of unpaid salary arrears, delayed implementation of the 25 and 35 per cent salary adjustment, non-release of promotion arrears, and stalled renegotiation of the ASUP/FGN agreement, among others. Kpanja said the decision followed the union’s 115th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Oc...

By Joan Nwagwu The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has assured families and dependents of victims of the Afriland Towers fire of the prompt payment of benefits and claims. This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Emmanuel Ulayi, Media Officer of the Fund, and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja. It would be recalled that the Afriland Towers fire, which occurred on Sept. 16, claimed ten lives, four employees of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and six of United Capital PLC, while several others sustained injuries. The Managing Director of NSITF, Mr Olúwaṣeun Faleye, who led the management team on a condolence visit to FIRS, United Capital PLC, and families of the deceased in Lagos, pledged. Faleye, represented by Mr Abdullateef Musa, Gener...

By Joan NwagwuIThe Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, has called for a comprehensive reform of social protection systems to address emerging risks posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace. This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Emmanuel Ulayi, Media officer of NSITF and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja. Faleye made the call in his presentation titled “Social Security and Protection for Nigerian Workers Amid AI Disruption” at the 2025 Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) workshop in Ibadan. According to him, the rise of AI and other technological innovations had expanded the scope of work-related risks beyond physical injuries to include technological displacement, income instability...

By Gami Tadanyigbe The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has begun a two-week warning strike nationwide following the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Federal Government. Addressing journalists in Abuja on Sunday, ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced that the industrial action took effect immediately after the ultimatum expired at midnight on Sunday. According to him, the strike aims to compel the government to fulfill its outstanding commitments and address lingering challenges confronting public universities across the country. ASUU had, on September 28, 2025, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government as part of renewed efforts to push for the resolution of long-standing issues affecting the nation’s university system....

Suriname’s historic football powerhouse, SV Transvaal, has officially announced the signing of Nigerian forward Ademola Kuti on a two-year contract. Kuti makes history as the first Nigerian and African player to join the Surinamese giants. Renowned for his pace, power, and clinical finishing, the prolific striker brings a wealth of international experience to his new club. Remarkably, Kuti was once coached by the late Diego Maradona during his stint in the Dubai First Division—making him the only Nigerian footballer ever to have played under the legendary Argentine icon. Throughout his career, Kuti has represented several notable clubs across Africa and Asia, including: Accra Hearts of Oak 🇬🇭 – One of Ghana’s and Africa’s most successful clubs Lobi Stars FC 🇳🇬 – A respected...

Suriname’s historic football powerhouse, SV Transvaal, has officially announced the signing of Nigerian forward Ademola Kuti on a two-year contract. Kuti makes history as the first Nigerian and African player to join the Surinamese giants. Renowned for his pace, power, and clinical finishing, the prolific striker brings a wealth of international experience to his new club. Remarkably, Kuti was once coached by the late Diego Maradona during his stint in the Dubai First Division—making him the only Nigerian footballer ever to have played under the legendary Argentine icon. Throughout his career, Kuti has represented several notable clubs across Africa and Asia, including: Accra Hearts of Oak 🇬🇭 – One of Ghana’s and Africa’s most successful clubs Lobi Stars FC 🇳🇬 – A respected...

By Olukayode Babalola Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs has empowered 1200 women and youths across the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa state to alleviate their hardships and make them self reliant. Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated this at the empowerment programme tagged "Renewed Hope Women and Youths Empowerment and Health Outreach" held in Keffi local government area on Friday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the gesture is in commemoration of the Minister's one year in office as the honorable Minister of Women Affairs. The Minister said the gesture is also to celebrate President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda for Women, Children and for Families and the successes recorded so far. "It's been one year since i have been entrusted with this...

By Victor Okoye Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Durumi Camp, Abuja, have appealed for urgent government intervention and farmland to support women-led households. The call came during a visit on Thursday by Lily Grace, a UK-based philanthropist and founder of Chat My Cause Farmers’ Initiative International. Grace said many displaced women had been neglected for over a decade, with no sustainable support or means of livelihood. "These women are not asking for handouts. They want land to farm, feed their children, and live in dignity," she said. She urged the Federal Government, National Refugee Commission, NEMA, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and other stakeholders to provide accessible farmland near the camp. "Give them land, and we will support them with seeds, t...

By NAN In today’s technology-driven world, semiconductors are the invisible engines powering everything from smartphones and data centers to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. As the global demand for these microchips skyrockets—expected to reach over $1.2 trillion by 2030—a fierce race is underway among nations to dominate the semiconductor industry, which is a race that Nigeria is now strategically entering. Nigeria’s emergence as a semiconductor hub is not just a possibility; it’s crucial. The continent’s growing digital economy, expanding tech ecosystem, and youthful population demand homegrown solutions that reduce dependency on foreign imports and supply chains vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions. Africa’s digital economy is projected to reach $712 billio...

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the resignation of Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji, accusing the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of institutionalizing forgery and deceit in governance. In a strong statement, Atiku described Nnaji’s resignation as a disguised attempt to whitewash a scandal that reveals a broader moral crisis within the Tinubu government. “Holding on to such a figure by allowing a quiet resignation is an insult to the citizens who expect accountability,” Atiku said in his statement Tuesday. He argued that Nnaji should have been dismissed and prosecuted for falsification rather than being permitted a “backdoor” exit. Atiku further targeted the Department of State Services (DSS), criticizing its clearance ...

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council (NPC), Dr Dili Ezughah, has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the recent release of two journalists who were wrongfully detained in Jos, Plateau. Ezughah in a statement issued by the Director, Research and Documentation of the Council, Mr Dan Ede on Monday in Abuja appreciated the paradigm shift in the relationship between the press and the Service. “The recent release of two journalists who were wrongfully detained in Jos, Plateau was indeed a positive turning point in the press/security relationship in the country. It was delightful to witness such. “I was touched by the uncommon show of understanding and humility by the Director-General of the DSS, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi. ”He pe...

By Genesis Ogiri ABUJA — In a remarkable demonstration of benevolence and visionary leadership, the Princess Victoria Ibokete Foundation once again illuminated the path of hope for children and families as it embarked on its 2025 Back-to-School Outreach at the Jikoko Community, Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The outreach, themed “Every Child is Your Child,” brought warmth, joy, and renewed enthusiasm to hundreds of children who benefited from the distribution of complete stationery kits designed to support their educational journey and inspire academic excellence. The atmosphere was vibrant and emotionally stirring as parents and community members watched in gratitude while their wards received essential learning materials — each pack representing not just ...