Author: Lawrence Idoko

The Federal Government, in partnership with private company Conclase Consulting Limited, has unveiled plans to train 50,000 Nigerian youths in digital and vocational skills as part of efforts to tackle unemployment and equip young people for the emerging global economy. The 18-week program, which will be implemented by Conclase through its subsidiary, StacStart, cuts across seven states in the North-West region: Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara, reaching 186 local government areas, the company said in a statement. Participants will receive technical instruction alongside employability training, mentorship and certification. The program also will provide access to internships and…

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has proposed the establishment of a national media research centre in honour of the late founder of DAAR Communications, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, to immortalise his contributions to broadcasting and democracy in Nigeria. Uzodimma made the proposal while delivering the third annual Diamond Lecture in Abuja, an event organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and DAAR Communications Plc—the media company Dokpesi founded. The lecture was themed “Media, Democratic Consolidation and Development.” The proposed centre would serve as a hub for research on journalism’s role in economic growth and development, an approach often…

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has proposed the establishment of a national media research centre in honour of the late founder of DAAR Communications, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, to immortalise his contributions to broadcasting and democracy in Nigeria. Uzodimma made the proposal while delivering the third annual Diamond Lecture in Abuja, an event organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and DAAR Communications Plc—the media company Dokpesi founded. The lecture was themed “Media, Democratic Consolidation and Development.” The proposed centre would serve as a hub for research on journalism’s role in economic growth and development, an approach often…

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday declared Nigeria as currently free with no more active Ebola cases following the successful evacuation of an infected patient and her husband to Switzerland and the containment of all suspected cases. The announcement marks a major public-health milestone for the country. WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi said the evacuation took place early Monday and that both the patient and her husband are Swiss citizens. The patient was clinically stable after Nigerian medical teams managed her through the acute phase of the illness, Janabi said. Nigeria will continue monitoring 52 contacts, while…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have intensified efforts to ensure the protection and participation of more than 232,000 registered voters living with disabilities in the forthcoming elections through enhanced security and inclusive voting measures. INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan said the commission is prioritizing disability-inclusive election-security protocols, targeted training for security personnel, accessible channels for reporting incidents and stronger coordination between electoral and security agencies. Persons with disabilities account for approximately 0.23% of registered voters, according to INEC records. Amupitan said credible elections must allow every eligible Nigerian to vote freely, safely and…

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has proposed a 200% gratuity for retired officers as part of a broader effort to resolve longstanding pension problems in the Nigeria Police Force, though the proposal has yet to receive government approval. Disu made the proposal to a presidential committee examining the concerns of police personnel and recommending sustainable solutions to the pension crisis. The committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Budget Office of the Federation and the National Pension Commission. Under the proposed…

Economists and residents have faulted the claim by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, that Nigerian households spend 120 per cent of their income on food alone, describing the figure as exaggerated and disputable. Oyedele made the assertion at Chatham House in London, citing a government survey he said showed that some households spend more than they earn on food and borrow to cover the shortfall. “In fact, there was a survey we did that shows that up to 120% of household income is spent on food,” he said. “Like, how do you spend…

The Federal Government has released ₦38.93 billion to 166 public tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country, to improve infrastructure, teaching and research facilities in the higher-education sector. The funds, released under the Needs Assessment Revitalisation Fund (NARF), will go to 79 universities, 46 polytechnics and 41 colleges of education. In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the Head of Media at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Efe Ovuakporie, said universities will receive the largest share—₦28.5 billion, or roughly 73% of the total allocation. She said polytechnics will receive ₦5.8 billion, while colleges of…

The 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit ( NES) will open in Abuja on Monday, October 26, with policymakers, private-sector leaders and development partners converging to chart strategies for job creation, improved productivity and inclusive growth aimed at delivering shared prosperity for Nigerians. The two-day event, organised by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), will be held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel under the theme, “Growth that Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity.” The meeting will bring together top government officials, business leaders, financial experts, academics and development partners to find practical solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges. President Bola Tinubu, Vice…

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Works Minister David Umahi after a field inspection of federal road projects in Cross River State and along the Benue–Cross River corridor, adding a student-led imprimatur to the administration’s infrastructure agenda. The association said its delegation assessed the quality and pace of work on several projects, including a section of the Calabar Coastal Highway and roads linking Benue and Cross River states. It subsequently passed votes of confidence in both Tinubu and Umahi. The delegation, led by NANS Senate President Ibeabuchi Moses Onyia, included national officers, zonal…