President Bola Tinubu has bagged the Lifetime African Achievement award from the Millennium Excellence Foundation based in Ghana, NAN reports on Monday.
Tinubu, while receiving the award, commended the patron of the Foundation, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, for the invitation extended to him and the success of the event put together by the foundation.
The President, represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, received the award as special guest of honour during the 25th anniversary of the Millennium Excellence Prize in Kumasi, Ghana.
Tinubu said, “I salute the visionaries who have nurtured this institution for a quarter of a century and also celebrate the values of honour, integrity, service, and excellence that underpin its work.
“Specifically, the organisers for identifying and celebrating Africa’s shining lights, individuals whose lives and work had lifted the continent and inspired generations.
“It is no small achievement to have honoured such illustrious figures as the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Prof. Wole Soyinka, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Dr Mo Ibrahim, among others.”
He charged the young generation of Africans to rise with courage towards contributing their quota to make the African continent a more united, peaceful, and prosperous one.
He emphasised the need for such contribution to be carried out in the area of science, technology, education, governance, entrepreneurship and arts.
He further called on Africans to always work closely together in shaping their shared destiny, while urging the event organisers to continue to inspire excellence, uphold values of leadership with service and invest in the youth to foster collaboration across borders.
“The award ceremony, from inception in 1988, remained a beacon of inspiration and recognition across the continent.
“Its mission of identifying, celebrating and supporting those who had distinguished themselves in the pursuit of African development resonated deeply with the aspirations of Nigeria and indeed, all African nations,” he added.
The event featured the presentation of the Lifetime African Achievement Prize to Tinubu, the global intra-African trade excellence in Africa to the President/Chairman, African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM), Dr Benedict Oramah.
Also, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, received the Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize for Governance and Public Service, the Founder/Chairman, BUA Group, Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu, received African Excellence in Business, while Mr Dumo Lulu-Briggs received the African Traditional Leadership and Business Excellence award.
Some city returnees who are currently undertaking rainy season farming in the South-South region have decried lack of support from the government.
The farmers made the expression while responding to a News Agency of Nigeria survey on the challenges being faced by wet season farmers in South-South region.
The farmers who spoke in separate interviews with NAN also urged the state governments in the region to support them with funds and farm inputs.
They further urged the governments to quickly address the security challenges in some communities to enable farmers to cultivate without fear.
NAN observes that some unskilled workers residing in the cities are currently returning to their communities to embark on rainy season farming.
One of them, Mr Richard Ndoma, an indigene of Ikom in Cross River, said that lack of funds and seeds was a major challenge to his interest in establishing a large cassava farm in his community.
“I am interested in cultivating a large cassava farm, but I don’t have the needed funds and other basic inputs. The government should support us with loans and grants as they are doing for other farmers.
“Many of us do not have the money to cultivate our small farms, let alone venture into large-scale farming. We need money to hire manpower, farming requires many hands, and the cost of hiring workers is so high,” he said.
Also speaking, Mike Ewa, from Boki, said that the current economic situation in the country had affected his plan for massive investment in farming during the rainy season.
“People may look at us as very small-scale farmers, but we need the same inputs as the large scale farmers. We need fertilisers and pesticides too, but where is the fund to procure these items,” he said.
Elijah Ugani, from Yala, shared similar views with Ndoma and Ewa, and joined the call for government support.
“By leaving the city to work in the farm, we are promoting the call for food security. Apart from feeding our families, our produce are also sold in the markets to those who may not have the time to cultivate, so we need the support of the government,” Ugani said.
When contacted, the Commissioner for Information in Cross River, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, said that the Bassey Otu-led government was committed to supporting all categories of farmers in the interest of food security and sufficiency.
“Our government has been supporting farmers with inputs, we are committed to do more. Those who have yet to get our support should exercise patience,” he said.
In Rivers, the farmers also called for government support, and described wet season farming as a great opportunity to eliminate hunger and poverty.
The farmers who described the wet season as the best for crop yield stated that the benefits of rain to the soil and crops were numerous and should not be undermined.
The President, Etche Farmers Cooperative Union, Mr Godwin Akandu, said that the rains provided a ‘rich opportunity’ for non-mechanised farmers to cultivate their crops.
Akandu, who cropped mainly cassava, yam, cocoyam and vegetables, said that although the rains could boost plant growth and yield, excessive rainfall could erode soil nutrients.
”In the event of excessive rainfall, soil nutrients are bound to diminish due to erosion, this development has the tendency to affect crop yeild,” he said.
Mrs Imelda James, from Abua, stated that excessive weed was a huge challenge to rainy season farming, saying:” tackling weeds can be strenuous; money is required to hire workers. Let’s not forget that crops and weeds cannot stay together”
James, who said that Abua was known for the production yam, plantain, banana, and vegetables among others, said that the lack of fertilisers had negatively affected crop yield.
“We cultivate our farms on the same land for several years without applying fertilisers. We also do not use pesticides because the soil here is blessed with natural nutrients, but these nutrients wither away after some time, making the soil to require fertilizers.
“To summarise it all, our challenges during wet season farming are weeds, lack of fertilizer and pest control agents. We need the support of the government to surmount these challenges,” she said.
In Akwa Ibom, the farmers, said that although wet season farming was capital intensive, it could be very rewarding if the right measures were taken.
Mr Akpan Inem, from Ibiono, said that wet season farming should be seen as a serious economic activity, and not a venture for the frustrated in society.
Inem said that the government at all levels should provide support to citizens who show interest in wet season farming in order to boost local food production.
He said that it took serious discipline and a sense of commitment for people to leave the cities to cultivate farms during the rainy season, adding,” it shows hard work and commitment to be self-reliant. So such persons need to be supported”
A Civil Servant in Ikot Ekpene, Mr Aniedi Edet, said that his interest in wet season farming had been plagued by lack of funds to invest.
“From the beginning to the end, farming requires money. You must acquire land, buy seedlings, hire labour, get fertilisers and pesticides, these things are not given for free.
“I take my leave every year to cultivate my farm during the wet season, sometimes I am over-worked because I can’t hire workers. My crops die sometimes because I don’t have access to improved seeds and pesticides, the challenges are numerous” he said.
Speaking at a recent public function, Dr Owoidighe Ekpoattai, the Special Adviser to Gov. Umo Eno on Agricultural Development, said that the state government was willing to support anyone who was genuinely ready to go back to the farm.
“This government has encouraged rural farming by ensuring grassroots access to farming inputs.
“As a government, we believe that as long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest shall not cease. Farming guarantees food security, financial stability and employment. Everyone needs to return to agriculture,” Ekpoattai said.
NAN reports that governments across the world are encouraging their citizens to indulge in farming as a way of boosting food sufficiency.
Experts say abundant rainfall supports increased crop yield, reduces water scarcity, and provides natural irrigation for soil moisture and germination.
Some bank users in Abuja have declared they will opt for electronic mail alerts from their banks to cut costs and reduce charges on their accounts.
Some of them who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday said they would deactivate the Short Message Services transaction alert linked to their accounts.
Mrs Dorathy Azinge, a customer of GTCO, described the increase in SMS charges as exploitative.
Azinge said that in spite of various transaction charges debited from her bank account on a daily basis, the bank still increased SMS charges.
”This move of increasing SMS charges is very exploitative even though they cited telecommunication charge.
”What about all the numerous unwarranted debits that I get from my account, and they are using telecommunication increase as yardstick to increase theirs.
”GT will remove different charges from my account until they give me minus balance,” she said.
Another customer, Ms Elizabeth Abu, said she would visit her bank to opt for her transaction alerts to be sent to only her e-mail address.
Abu who complained about the reduction in her capitalised interest on her account, said the numerous debits were becoming frustrating.
” It does not make sense for the bank to charge me for a transaction I did and also charge me for the alert they sent.
” It means that customers are the ones paying heavily for all these services.
” These charges are reflecting on the profits declared by these banks, and we are the ones paying for this,” she said.
Mr Clement Arubu, a customer with First HoldCo Plc, said he received various transaction debit alerts from his bank totalling N1, 050 monthly.
Arubu said the debits were huge, especially when calculated between 10,000 customers of the bank.
” Most customers receive these alerts and neglect them because to them, the money is small but when you debit the same money from about 10,000 customers then, you can be sure that the money is huge,” he said.
Mrs Catherine Itoha,, said a bank had yet to reverse over N20,000 debited from her account through various failed Point of Sale transaction since about 11 months.
Itoha urged some banks and their staff to adopt principles of fair practice in handling their customers.
” Customers are the reason why banks are in existence so, we deserve to be treated fairly.
”GTB debited me in about four different transactions that I did but up till now, they did not reverse any of these monies.
”I visited the bank, filled forms, spoke to their staff personally but still the issue was not resolved since last year.
”If this money did not go to a staff, it means it is part of their profit,” she alleged.
Mrs Esther Arthur, a Fidelity Bank customer alleged that some of the banks were making profits from charges on customers for their transactions.
Arthur described the situation as sad and frustrating, recounting,”I withdrew N10,000 from a First Bank Automated Teller Machine and the machine showed me that I will be charged N100 because it wasn’t my bank.
”When I finished the transaction, to my greatest surprise an alert came into my phone and when I checked it, it was an alert of N630.00 against the N100 on-site ATM charges that the Central Bank of Nigeria instituted.
”This is so sad,” she said.
Mr Augustine Ode, a Zenith Bank customer, appealed to the CBN to check excesses of some banks that were allegedly defrauding customers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that GTCO had informed its customers of the SMS transaction alert fee increase from N4 to N6 per message.
The bank had said that the adjustment was due to a recent increase in telecom rates.
GTCO also informed its customers who preferred not to receive transaction alerts via SMS, to update their preferences by completing the transaction alert form on the bank’s website and send to gtbankmailsupport@gtbank.com.
The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has said the only way to make Nigeria and Africa work is to dismantle corruption and rascality in governance.
He stated this on his X handle on Sunday.
According to him, Nigeria must also prioritise investment in the critical areas of development.
“I shared insights from my political journey, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that come with serving the public. I maintained that Nigeria, and indeed Africa, can work for all if we dismantle corruption and rascality in governance.
“Yesterday, at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, I was honoured with an invitation to address African youths in the African Together Conference tagged ‘The Making of Africa’s Future Presidents.”
“I was delighted to interact with these youths drawn from different African countries and passionate about making a positive difference in society. I was inspired by the energy and determination of these young leaders, and I remain committed to empowering them to shape Africa’s future.
“Our discussion centred on the pathway to dismantling corruption and building a better future for our continent. I reiterated how investing in the critical areas of human and national development, education, health, and pulling people out of poverty can drive immeasurable growth and development in any nation and continent.”
He pointed out that drawing examples from comparable nations such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the continent of Asia, he highlighted how committed leadership can turn around any country and continent by prioritising investments in these areas.
“With competent, committed, and compassionate leadership, Nigeria can become a beacon of hope, and Africa will rise to become a global economic powerhouse.
“I thank the African Society, University of Cambridge, for hosting this important event, and I also appreciate the young leaders who participated with such enthusiasm and dedication.
“As we strive to build the New Nigeria, we all must get involved in this important process of nation-building by ensuring that only competent, capable, committed leaders with character and integrity are elected into public offices,” he averred.
In a strategic move to uplift grassroots women entrepreneurs, wife of the Member representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, Hajiya Jamila Wada-Dasuki, has launched a N10 million trade support grant aimed at boosting small businesses across the constituency.
The empowerment initiative officially kicked off in Tambuwal town on Sunday with a symbolic disbursement ceremony, where 400 women drawn from all wards in Kebbe and Tambuwal local government areas received N25,000 each in the first phase.
The beneficiaries are engaged in various micro-enterprises such as tailoring, spice production, goat rearing, and small-scale farming.
Speaking at the launch, Hajiya Jamila described the programme as a strategic investment in women-led businesses, emphasizing the vital role of women in driving community development.
“This is not just financial assistance, it’s a recognition of the important role women play in sustaining our communities. These women are already entrepreneurs. Supporting them will trigger a ripple effect that benefits entire households and communities,” she said.
She noted that while the initial disbursement reflects current financial capacity, it marks the beginning of a broader vision to reach more rural women, particularly in districts like Romon Sarki and Sanyinna.
“Charity begins at home. This is just the start, we are committed to expanding this support to even more underserved areas,” she added.
Hajiya Jamila urged the recipients to utilise the funds judiciously, expressing optimism that the programme would yield visible and lasting impacts.
“We hope to return in the near future and see thriving businesses and improved livelihoods. From here, we aim to grow stronger,” she concluded.
The initiative has been widely praised as a timely and impactful step toward enhancing economic opportunities for women in the constituency.
The Forum of Southern Kaduna Professors has expressed strong support for recent federal and state government initiatives aimed at boosting infrastructure, education, and healthcare in the region.
Speaking during a press conference held at Epitome Hotel Event Centre, Barnawa, Kaduna, on Sunday, the group commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, and the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan.
Chairman of the Forum, Professor John Laah, described the projects as “foundational interventions” that mark a turning point in the economic and political inclusion of Southern Kaduna.
He noted that such initiatives had long eluded the region due to years of systemic neglect.
“We affirm that these institutions will equip our youths with the vocational skills and healthcare support necessary for long-term development,” Laah said.
FOSKAP praised Vice President Kashim Shettima for championing Southern Kaduna’s cause and recognized Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to inclusive governance since assuming office in May 2023.
The group also applauded Senator Sunday Katung for sponsoring and pushing through the bill that established the university, and pledged continued support for his legislative efforts.
“We want to assure the Distinguished Senator that for these sterling achievements, we shall continue to watch his back. He will never walk alone,” the Forum stated.
FOSKAP acknowledged the contributions of other federal and state lawmakers, notably Dan Amos and Amos Magaji, for facilitating educational and health infrastructure.
On security, the forum lauded the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for establishing a new military command at Samaru Kataf and for sustained efforts to restore peace in the region.
They also credited Southern Kaduna’s royal fathers and local communities for maintaining resilience and commitment to peaceful coexistence during challenging times.
The Forum announced that it would soon hold a strategic retreat aimed at strengthening its role in regional development and national cohesion.
An Air Peace aircraft was grounded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after it collided with a large antelope while taxiing on the runway.
The impact decimated the animal and rendered the aircraft on the ground, causing flight disruptions.
Confirming the incident, the Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, on Sunday, via his official X account, clarified the implications of such occurrences.
According to him, “Monitoring reports yesterday indicated that an Air Peace aircraft ran into a large antelope, decimating the animal and leaving the aircraft AOG (aircraft on ground).”
He added that as a result of this incident, flights meant to be operated by this aircraft would naturally be disrupted, even though engineers are on the ground to assess and fix the plane. Passengers waiting would naturally be infuriated.
“Incidents like this are literal illustrations of the disruptions NOT caused by the airlines (domestic or international),” he said.
Achimugu emphasized that while such events are beyond the control of the airline, they do not absolve operators from their responsibilities to passengers.
“This explainer is for illustration purposes, not to excuse airlines when they fail to do their duties to passengers,” he said.
“Even with situations like this, the airline still owes its passengers the information, refund, and other forms of care they are entitled to, and can still be sanctioned if they fail to provide the same,” Achimugu added.
The agency also noted that efforts are currently underway to repair the aircraft and resume normal operations.
The Federal Ministry of Works has assured Nigerians that the Akure-Ikere road dualisation project will be ready for inauguration by President Bola Tinubu in December.
The Federal Controller of Works in Ondo State, Engr Olajide Hussein, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Akure.
Hussein explained that the 15-km Phase 1 of the Akure-Ita Ogbolu-Iju-Ikere road dualisation will be completed and inaugurated in December by the President.
According to him, the Phase 1 of the road project cost N19 billion, while the Phase 2 is expected to gulp N23 billion
He explained that it was the policy of the ministry to always do projects in phases so that road users will have unhindered access to one lane while contractor starts work on the second lane.
Hussein praised the Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi for being resilient to ensure that the project is delivered on scheduled.
“Phase one covers 15-km single carriageway from Akure to Ekiti State border with some gaps; a gap of 3-km in between. The length of the road from Akure to Ikere, Ekiti State boundary is 18.438-km.
“Now the phase 1 of this project is 15-km, meaning the Phase 1 is not expected to cover the whole stretch of 18-km, though we expect the contractor to complete these 18 km by December and for President Bola Tinubu to inaugurate it.
“So, that there will be a smooth unbroken traffic between Akure and Ikere before coming back to the other lane, which is the Phase 2.
“You know when we have a single carriageway and the road is dualised, the policy of the ministry is to construct one lane first; not to do both lanes simultaneously.
“This is to solve the problem of traffic first before you now think of constructing the other carriageway,” he explained.
Hussein, who praised the quality of work done by the contractor, said the only challenge faced in the process of construction of the road was obstructions by buildings; temporary and permanently structures.
He, however, commended the affected property owners for removing their structures in collaboration with the state governments.
Two notorious gunrunners, Yahaya Adamu and Saeedu Haruna, have been arrested in Plateau State by troops of the 3 Division/Operation Safe Haven.
PUNCH Online gathered that the operation leading to their arrest was conducted between May 10-11, 2025, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where the suspects were found with one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, and one ITEL phone.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesman for Operation Safety Haven, Samson Zhakom, said the arrests were made possible through an intelligence-based operation, which revealed that the suspects and their syndicate were responsible for most of the criminal activities in areas such as Gashish and Kurra Falls in Plateau State, and Gwantu and Fadan Karshe in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.
According to Zhakom, the suspects are currently in custody making useful confessions, adding that troops are working to track down and arrest other members of the syndicate, as well as recover their weapons.
The statement partly reads, “Troops of 3 Division/Operation SAFE HAVEN supported by an Intelligence Agency conducted an intelligence-based operation in the early hours of 11 May 2025, at Marit Mazat in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
“The operation was sequel to the arrest of a gunrunner and kidnapper identified as Mr Yahaya Adamu at Barakin Gangare in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State on 10 May 25.
“During the follow-up operations, troops arrested a notorious gunrunner/kidnapper, Mr Saeedu Haruna and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine and one ITEL phone.”
The public were also commended for their cooperation in exposing criminal hideouts and encourages citizens to continue providing credible information to aid in their efforts
“Operation SAFE HAVEN lauds the unique cooperation of the populace in ensuring criminal hideouts are exposed to security agencies.
“We, encourage that more credible information should be provided to own troops as they strive to hunt down non-state actors, while also protecting lives and property within the Joint Operations Area”, the statement added
The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission has said that the Federal Government’s Public Private Partnership initiative in the shoe and garment factory under the Nigeria Correctional Service is capable of meeting a substantial part of the uniform needs of Nigeria’s paramilitary agencies.
According to World Bank data, Nigeria had 223,000 military and paramilitary personnel in 2020.
A statement signed by the Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Ifeanyi Nwoko, on Sunday, noted that the development follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the procurement of locally produced goods, a key component of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Chief Executive Officer of Erojim Investments Limited, Dr. Jimmy Ntuen, the Director General of ICRC, Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, affirmed that the Aba-based shoe and garment factory, alongside a tannery (leather processing facility) set to open in Kano, will significantly reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imports.
“With the Aba shoe and garment factory capable of producing 1,500 shoes per day, and a tannery set to open in Kano, we are confident that Nigeria can fully meet the uniform needs of our paramilitary agencies,” Dr. Ewalefoh said.
“This is not just about producing shoes and garments, it’s about creating jobs, supporting local industries, and reducing our dependency on imports in line with the President’s directive to patronise made-in-Nigeria goods.”
He added that the Renewed Hope Agenda represents more than a political promise; it is a strategic blueprint for self-reliance, local capacity development, and economic growth driven by effective PPPs.
Dr. Ntuen, CEO of Erojim Investment Ltd, the concessionaire behind the Aba facility, commended President Tinubu, the Nigerian Correctional Service, and the ICRC for their support, which he described as instrumental to the success of the project.
According to him, the Aba factory, which he described as the largest shoe factory in West Africa, boasts an installed capacity to produce 1,500 shoes and cut 10,000 garments daily.
He revealed that the facility has already supplied thousands of high-quality shoes to the NCoS and is ready to meet the needs of other paramilitary outfits.
“We can meet the local needs of government agencies, and very soon, we will begin producing for the general public,” he said.
“Our Aba factory has created over 300 direct jobs, and the new leather, shoe, and garment factory launching in three months will create an additional 340 direct jobs and over 1,500 indirect jobs.”
Ntuen also emphasised that the quality of shoes produced at the factory is comparable to global brands, affirming the potential of Nigerian craftsmanship when adequately supported.
