OPINION: Abuja-Kaduna Rails Of Recklessness

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August 27, 2025

By Suleiman Usman Yusuf

The Abuja–Kaduna train reportedly derailed this morning on its way to Kaduna. I sympathize deeply with every innocent passenger affected.

For some time, I have noticed three problem spots on that line where the train always gives a frightening drift and makes troubling sounds. My first instinct was to raise alarm on social media and tag the relevant agencies in charge. But given the many crises Nigeria is already juggling (security, the economy, and more), I chose a quieter route. My goal is for things to be fixed, not to chase attention.

So I repeatedly drew the issue to the attention of NRC staff, on three separate occasions. Each time, I was told they were aware and had notified the relevant authorities. I also discussed it with a security officer attached to the service; he said he had reported it to NRC officials as well, with no result. I warned friends about the dangers if the tracks were not properly handled. I was actually scheduled to be on the opposite train this morning (Kaduna to Abuja) but canceled because of unfinished business in Kaduna.

With all sense of patriotism, I acknowledge that accidents happen everywhere. But what happened today reflects shared recklessness, irresponsibility, and a disturbing disregard for Nigerians’ safety and welfare. When public institutions and their officials fail at basic service delivery, we are handed a thousand excuses, but none that protect lives.

Today’s event forces us to raise fundamental questions:

Why do we keep dramatising preventable failures?
Why do so many in public office take from a country they are starving?
Why do we gush over working systems abroad (snapping photos and calling it achievement) yet refuse to build the same at home when given the chance?
Are the trains free? If passengers pay, why isn’t maintenance done properly?
Is this service being allowed to fail so the NRC can be privatized and shared among a few?
How much money will ever be enough before leaders decide to serve the country properly?
Why do we tolerate needless suffering and deaths on our roads, in the air, on farms, in homes, and now on our trains?
Why are we addicted to reactive statements instead of proactive fixes?
Why must we wait for disasters before issuing hollow sympathies and condemnations?
Why can’t public systems simply work for the nation and for generations yet unborn?
Why destroy public institutions only to build private versions for personal gain?

I am certain that prior concerns about these risks have been raised within and around the NRC. Mr. President, Sir; Hon. Minister of Transportation, Sir, there must be consequences. Let there be a transparent investigation, made public. Where negligence is found, heads must roll. Set a clear example. People responsible for this avoidable mess should face the law. We are watching.

Suleiman writes from Kaduna and can be reached at [email protected].

Billions Of Dollars Flowing To Africa As Grants Have Been Wasted – BACCIMA Chairman Laments

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 27, 2025

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Aminu Mohammed Danmaliki - BACCIMA Chairman

By Akinwale Kasali

The Chairman, Bauchi Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture, BACCIMA, Hon. Aminu Mohammed Danmaliki, has expressed his dissatisfaction over bureaucratic bottlenecks and political patronage that has often affected the effectiveness of international development assistance in Africa.

Danmaliki decried billions of Dollars that have, for decades flowed from Western donors and development partners into Africa under the banner of aid, grants, and development support, which have not metamorphosed into anything positive.

He made this call at the International Business Conference & EXPO 2025 organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, in Victoria Island, Lagos.

He further stressed that the vast sums have often yielded little or no visible impact on the lives of Nigerians.

Speaking further, he said the grants and support falls into private foreign bank accounts, Instead of driving progress, it has too often fueled dependency, waste, and disillusionment.

“This is not to diminish the goodwill of our partners. On the contrary—we remain deeply grateful for their friendship and their consistent support. But gratitude must not blind us to reality. The current approach is broken. It is time for change”, he stated.

Danmaliki however appeal to the donors to continue to invest in Africa through the private sector, not only through governments.

“The African private sector—our entrepreneurs, our chambers of commerce, our small and medium enterprises—are the true engines of sustainable growth.

“We create jobs, we generate innovation, we build industries, and we are rooted in our communities. When resources are channeled through us, every dollar is more likely to translate into real factories, real farms, real hospitals, and real opportunities for ordinary citizens.

“We do not reject governments. They remain important partners in policy and regulation. But the balance must change.

“Development funds should be directed where accountability, transparency, and productivity are stronger—and that is in the private sector.

“Africa is not asking for charity. We are asking for investment that produces mutual benefit. Let donor support be transformed into venture financing, impact investments, credit guarantees, and infrastructure partnerships that empower private actors to deliver growth.

“In this way, the international community will see measurable results, local communities will feel the impact, and Africa will stand taller as a partner rather than a perpetual recipient”.

He appealed that aid must continue to evolve in building a stronger Africa, invest through the private sector.

34th Anniversary Of Creation: Gov Okpebholo Pleads For Unity

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Ayodele Oni

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August 27, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has urged people of the State to re- commit themselves to the vision of a prosperous Edo State.

In a statement in Benin to mark the 34 years of the creation of the state, the governor congratulated citizens at home and in the diaspora as the state marks its 34th anniversary since creation on 27 August 1991, paying glowing tribute to its founding fathers and past leaders.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the Governor described the resilience and indomitable spirit of Edo people as unique, noting that their collective sacrifices have shaped the state’s journey of growth.

Governor Okpebholo highlighted achievements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development, while acknowledging challenges along the way.

He pointed to the rich heritage of the ancient Benin Kingdom as the foundation on which modern Edo continues to build.

“As we celebrate 34 years of existence, we must reflect on our journey and recommit to the vision of a prosperous Edo State,” he said, urging residents to unite beyond ethnic or political divides.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s focus on job creation, security, and sustainable development, pledging transparency and accountability.

“As we celebrate, let us renew our hope and determination. Together, we will take Edo State to greater heights,” he concluded.

NCDC Announces Drop In Lassa Fever Cases, New Cases In Edo, Ondo, Bauchi

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Ayodele Oni

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August 27, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has announced that the country has recorded a slight drop in Lassa fever infections, with five new confirmed cases reported across Edo, Ondo and Bauchi States in Week 33 (11th–17th August 2025).

This marks a decline from 12 confirmed cases recorded the previous week.

According to the latest report, the latest situation record shows that a total of 854 confirmed cases and 159 deaths have been reported so far in 2025, giving a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.6 percent, notably higher than the 17.2percent, recorded during the same period in 2024.

The NCDC revealed that 21 states across 106 local government areas have reported at least one confirmed case this year, with Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba and Ebonyi States accounting for 90 percent of all infections.

Young people between 21 and 30 years remain the most affected age group. Encouragingly, no new healthcare worker infections were recorded in the past week.

The NCDC urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, maintain strict hygiene practices and keep their environments clean to curb the spread of the disease.

APC Insists Presidential Ticket Open To All Aspirants;

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James Orji

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August 27, 2025

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The National Organising Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Sulaiman Mohammad Argungu, has disclosed that the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election is open to any aspirant from the party who wants to contest.

Argungu said the APC will ”not close our doors” on any presidential hopeful who decided to contest the party’s presidential ticket with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He spoke on Wednesday at an interactive session with journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

His remark also came after the major opposition party in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said on Tuesday that it has zoned its presidential ticket to the south. The decision has however polarized the party as some of its supporters vehemently disagreed with the decision taken by the party.

Based on convention, President Tinubu , as the incumbent from the APC, analysts insist, should be offered the first right of refusal to fly the APC ticket in the next election.

The party, the magazine also recalls, had recently endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in office, saying he has performed well since he came to office over two years ago.

In spite of this, Argungu said other aspirants would not be prevented from obtaining the nomination form to vie for the ruling APC sole ticket, adding that the decision is in conformity with the party’s democratic principles to allow all aspirants to have a level playing field.

Argungu: “We will definitely not close our doors (other Presidential aspirants). When the time comes, our timetable will be made known. Anybody who wants to aspire for the presidency under the APC will not be denied the opportunity to purchase the expression of interest and nomination forms to exercise their franchise.

“We never said we had locked the door. We are only telling people that we appreciate what the President is doing for the people of the country and that he deserves a second term in office when we roundly endorsed him recently.”

2027: Those Calling On Jonathan To Contest Are Political Scammers – Niger Delta Group

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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August 27, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A Niger Delta Organization, the South-south Reawakening Group, SSRG, has insisted that any attempt by former President Goodluck Jonathan to join the Presidential Race in 2027 will tantamount to self-destruction.

It has, therefore, appealed to the former President to vehemently resist any orchestrated plots to draft him into the race from any quarters, noting that doing otherwise will inevitably spell doom for his political career and image.

The Source reports that the group’s cautionary note is coming on the heels of the decision of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, to zone its Presidential slot to the Southern part of the country ahead of the 2027 Presidential Polls.

Of late,some groups, mostly from the Northern part of the country, have been clamouring for the return of Jonathan who was ousted from office in 2015 by a Coalition of forces under the All Progressive Congress, APC, led by former president Muhammadu Buhari and incumbent president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Instructively, Dele Momodu a prominent member of the ADC, and estranged ally of President Tinubu on Tuesday August 26,2025 warned that ,the PDP decision to zone its Presidential slot to the South is part of the political scripts of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to boost the chances of Tinubu’s second term ambition.

In a statement on Wednesday from its Coordinator, Dr Joseph Ambakaderimo, the SSRG described the purported calls for Jonathan to throw his hat into the 2027 Presidential ring as a dangerous trap, designed to de-robe him of his global respect and admiration built over the years.

For Dr Ambakaderimo, any attempt by the former President to succumb to the temptation of contesting the 2027 presidential polls will ultimately lead to him being consigned to the waste bin of history.

The group warned that those clamouring for Jonathan to join the presidential race do not mean well for him, insisting that they are goaded more by their selfish political interests.

Further speaking, the SSRG leader informed that no fewer than six different bodies from the Niger Delta region recently met to deliberate on the import of the calls by some Northern interest groups for Jonathan to contest the 2027 election.

According to him ,after a careful consideration of the issue, all the groups came to the conclusion that those behind the quest to enlist the former president into the 2027 political trenches are nothing but Nigeria’s enemies who are driven by the urge to fill their pockets.

“Go back to history, you will see that these are the same people who halted Jonathan with passion when he served as president .

They said he was weak; he was incapable of securing Nigeria from Boko Haram terrorists . So ,what has suddenly change now ?.

“The Jonathan narrative in this enterprise of drafting him to run in the 2027 elections hasn’t been made clear to us by Jonathan himself.

Therefore, I wouldn’t want to say much until he, Jonathan, speaks by declaring his intentions.

“However, my understanding at this time and the question to ask is: how come the sudden 360 degree likeness and love from persons who worked against Jonathan and previously called him all kinds of unprintable names have now become the ones urging him to come out of his political hibernation?

“My understanding is that there is a grand plan to scatter the Southern votes by way of drafting in as many candidates as possible from the South to scramble for the Southern votes, while leaving the Northern votes intact for supposedly single dominant candidate.

” If this is the strategy of Jonathan’s new found friends, we may likely see a scenario where that Northern candidate might win with not more than three million votes ,which will lead to a possible run off in 2027.

This strategy is just to weaken the incumbent , president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and take power back to the North through the back door .

” So far ,we are watching this game with rapt attention to see the destination”, the SSRG noted.

Ahead 2027, APC Says No Automatic Ticket For Tinubu, Throws Open Primary Contest

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Ayodele Oni

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August 27, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Despite the gale of endorsements in support of the second term bid of President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that there will be no automatic ticket for him.

The Party clarified that it will not issue an automatic Presidential ticket for President Tinubu for the 2027 elections, even though he remains the party’s endorsed candidate.

National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu, revealed this while speaking at the party’s national secretariat.

According to him, other members are free to purchase the nomination form and contest in the party’s primaries.

He added that while the National Working Committee, (NWC), State Governors, and all six geopolitical zones have expressed support for Tinubu, the door remains open for anyone wishing to vie for the Presidency on the APC platform.

Argungu said the party will release its timetable in due course, allowing aspirants to formally submit their forms.

“It will be the wish of the party, and we, the NWC of the party, have already endorsed President Tinubu as the next presidential candidate of the party. And by extension, other organs have equally done the same thing.

“Governors in the States have done the same too. It has also been replicated in all six geographical zones of the country. But it does not mean that the door is closed.

“It also means that when the time comes, we will make our timetable known so that for anybody who wants to aspire for the president of this country, either on the platform of the APC, will not be denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination forms.”

Ondo Bans Annual Introduction Of Textbooks, Unregistered Schools

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Ayodele Oni

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August 27, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government has initiated some moves to regulate operations of Private Schools as part of efforts to reposition education sector.

Part of the measures include prohibition of illegal and unregistered schools, the banning of graduation ceremonies for nursery schools and JSS 3 classes, and the re-accreditation of all private schools for quality assurance.

Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, conveyed Government decisions to private school owners in the state during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, with proprietors in the 18 Local Government Areas.

Ajibefun, noted that the State Government is poised to reposition the education sector and is taking deliberate steps to encourage and support private school owners through different policies.

Ajibefun said, “My interactions start with private school owners because the private sector plays a critical role as you are major stakeholders in education business. It is more serious than any other business.

“It is obvious that things have gone bad in the education sector; there are urgent issues we need to address so that we can bring back the lost glory.”

The Commissioner pointed out that the state must build on its gains and that stakeholders must work together to address some areas of concern.

He highlighted the need for strict compliance with Ministry directives, especially regarding the use of recommended textbooks, faithful adherence to the approved curriculum, and observance of the official school calendar and public holidays released by the Ministry.

The Commissioner promised that government would involve private schools in reviewing the curriculum for the state, collaborate on examination supervision, and streamline the approval and registration process for private schools to make the process less cumbersome.

He also pledged support of the Ministry during difficult times.

Ajibefun noted that schools operating illegally in the state would be given a six-month grace period to get approval, adding that the state would review the conditions for school approval to make it easier.

“When you run an unapproved school, you are running an illegal business. This administration will not allow illegalities, and that is the reason we are reviewing it.

“In the next couple of weeks, the new conditions will be rolled out. All private schools operating in the state must meet minimum standards.”

The Commissioner also stated that Ondo State has banned unapproved and foreign curricula without clearance, as well as the use of advanced learning resources that do not match learners’ ages.

He frowned at underage admissions without clearance, transfer certificates, records, or transcripts.

Speaking on graduation ceremonies for non-exit students, Ajibefun said Ondo State has to step in to also ban elaborate graduation ceremonies, especially for nursery and JSS classes.

Ajibefun stressed that the state would no longer tolerate schools organizing excursions without approval or clearance from the Ministry due to the state of security in the nation.

The Commissioner advised private school owners to be circumspect on the issue of making extra lessons compulsory after normal classes.

He also revealed that government has banned the exploitation of parents through purchase of new textbooks every year, stating that siblings of a particular pupil can continue to use the same textbook for a period of time.

Ajibefun also mentioned that the process of digitalizing all schools in the state is in progress, noting that all students in the state primary and secondary schools would soon be migrated to digital platform of the Ministry of Education.

He warned that the State would not go below the minimum standard, saying that any school that cannot meet the “irreducible minimum” should find another business.

The proprietors appreciated the Commissioner while also commending the Governor for appointing a professor as the commissioner for education.

They sought for more time for the accreditation of schools and also advised the government to reduce bureaucracy in dealing with private schools in the State.

NAFDAC Warns, Says Fake Postinor-2 In Market

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 27, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has warned Nigerians to be wary and also be at alert as Fake Postinor-2 emergency contraceptive pills circulates the market.

A statement signed by NAFDAC Director-General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed that the counterfeit pills were reported by the Society for Family Health, SFH.

SFH is the official distributor of Postinor-2 in Nigeria, confirmed that the suspicious batches were not imported by the company.

According to NAFDAC, fake Postinor-2 can be identified through the following packaging errors:

Smaller font size on the PIN verification sticker,

wrong spelling of the word “verify.”

There is also wrong spelling of “distributed” at the back of the pack.

The agency listed two falsified batches currently in circulation;

Type 1: Batch number T36184B; MFG date: 08/2024; EXP date: 08/2028; NRN: 04-698.

Type 2: Batch number 332; MFG date: 03/2023; EXP date: 02/2027; NRN: 04-698.

NAFDAC further warned that taking counterfeit Postinor-2 may cause the following;

Failure of contraceptive effect, Exposure to toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception and Long-term reproductive health issues.

The agency cautioned that extreme reactions could include allergic responses, organ damage, or even death.

To stay safe, Nigerians are urged to buy Postinor-2 only from verified pharmacies and licensed healthcare providers.

It also advised that the packaging should be checked carefully before use.

It stated that suspicious products should be Reported to NAFDAC immediately.

The agency confirmed ongoing investigations to trace the source of the counterfeit drugs and has directed State Coordinators to remove fake Postinor-2 from circulation.

Distributors, pharmacists, and healthcare workers are also urged to maintain vigilance and ensure that all medical products come from authorised suppliers.

IGP Egbetokun Joins Other Security Chiefs In South Africa To Fight Transnational Crime

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Ayodele Oni

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August 27, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

Not less than 200 Police Chiefs across the continent and outside, among whom is Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, and security leaders gather in South Africa for the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference.

The conference is a high-level forum aimed at bolstering international cooperation against transnational crime.

The three-day conference brings together senior law enforcement officials from 56 countries to discuss pressing security concerns, enhance intelligence-sharing, and develop practical strategies for cross-border policing.

IGP Egbetokun is expected to deliver a paper on “Cattle Theft in West Africa: A Conduit for Terrorism and CBRNE Threats,” highlighting the links between organised crime, terrorism financing, and emerging chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) risks in the sub-region.

On the sidelines, he will hold strategic bilateral talks with INTERPOL President, Major General Naser Alraisi, and Secretary General, Mr Valdecy Urquiza, focusing on strengthening operational partnerships, deepening intelligence exchange, and reinforcing Nigeria’s role in regional and global security cooperation.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s stance, the Police Force stressed its commitment to being a reliable international partner while continuing to safeguard lives and property at home and abroad.