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# Naija Spirit: my voice, our voice...

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## Posts
- [Arrests Made in Kenya During Protests Over U.S. Ebola Quarantine Center](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2026/06/09/arrests-made-in-kenya-during-protests-over-u-s-ebola-quarantine-center/): Several Kenyans were arrested on Tuesday in the latest protests against an Ebola quarantine centre being built for US citizens in a tourist town.
- [Nigeria-South Africa Tension: FG Prepares to Evacuate Over 1,000 Citizens, Mulls Retaliation](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2026/06/08/nigeria-south-africa-tension-fg-prepares-to-evacuate-over-1000-citizens-mulls-retaliation/): The Federal Government has said it may consider retaliatory measures against South Africa over the treatment of Nigerians living in the country, even as arrangements for the evacuation of citizens willing to return home are being finalised.
- [SHEFFIELD ENTREPRENEUR LAUNCHES UK’S FIRST AI CAREER PLATFORM TO VERIFY JOB ALERTS AGAINST HOME OFFICE SPONSOR REGISTER](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2026/05/10/sheffield-entrepreneur-launches-uks-first-ai-career-platform-to-verify-job-alerts-against-home-office-sponsor-register/): Hiredge becomes the first job platform in the UK to automatically cross-reference employer listings against the official Home Office Register of Licensed Sponsors, helping immigrants find visa-sponsored roles faster
- [From Osogbo to the World: How SynxPay CEO Mateen Fajinmolu Is Building Africa’s Next Payroll Powerhouse](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2026/05/01/from-osogbo-to-the-world-how-synxpay-ceo-mateen-fajinmolu-is-building-africas-next-payroll-powerhouse/): In what many are beginning to describe as a quiet shift in African fintech, Mateen Fajinmolu, CEO of SynxPay, is steadily building a company focused on solving one of the most overlooked challenges in business — payroll management.
- [Why Most Businesses Don’t Fail Because of Sales — Mateen Fajinmolu Explains the Real Problem](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2026/04/17/why-most-businesses-dont-fail-because-of-sales-mateen-fajinmolu-explains-the-real-problem/): In a recent insight shared across business circles, Mateen Fajinmolu, CEO of SynxPay, challenged a common belief in entrepreneurship:
- [From Entertainment Spotlight to Fintech Innovation: The Journey of Mateen Fajinmolu in Africa’s Digital Transformation Era](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2026/03/27/from-entertainment-spotlight-to-fintech-innovation-the-journey-of-mateen-fajinmolu-in-africas-digital-transformation-era/): In an era where Africa is rapidly redefining its place in the global digital economy, stories of transformation are no longer rare, but few are as layered and compelling as that of Mateen Fajinmolu. An award-winning personality once recognised as Osun Entertainment Personality of the Year at the Osun Ultimate Awards, Mateen’s journey is not just one of personal evolution, but a reflection of a broader shift; from creative influence to technological impact.
- [Oil Prices Climb as Trump Orders Blockade of Venezuelan Tankers](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/12/17/oil-prices-climb-as-trump-orders-blockade-of-venezuelan-tankers/): Equities mostly rose on Wednesday, even as US jobs data did little to boost expectations for another interest rate cut next month, while oil rallied after President Donald Trump ordered the blockade of “sanctioned” Venezuelan tankers. With Federal Reserve officials indicating they were unlikely to lower borrowing costs for a fourth successive meeting, sentiment on trading floors has been subdued of late, compounded by worries over tech valuations and AI spending. Focus had been on the delayed release of key non-farm payrolls reports, which showed on Tuesday that the unemployment rate had jumped to a four-year high of 4.6 per cent in November, reinforcing views that the US labour market was slowing. However, a forecast-beating 105,000 drop in jobs in October was blamed on the extended government shutdown — with many expected to return — while November’s rise of 64,000 was more than estimated. Analysts said the figures did little to move the dial on rate-cut bets, with Bloomberg saying markets had priced in about a 20 per cent chance of such a move next month. “The bleed higher in the unemployment rate plays to the (Fed policy board’s) concern about the labour market, which has supported the adjustment over the past three meetings,” wrote National Australia Bank senior economist Taylor Nugent. “But it is unlikely to be enough to push them to further near-term easing,” he added. “It would take another jump (in unemployment) next month to shift things much on a January cut.” Wall Street investors largely shrugged at the data, with many concerned that the tech-led rally over the past two years may have gone too far and that the vast sums invested in AI might not see returns as soon as hoped. Asian markets, having dropped at the start of the week, struggled early on Wednesday, but some managed to dig out gains. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Manila, Bangkok and Jakarta rose, but Sydney, Singapore, Taipei, Mumbai and Wellington fell. London rose as data showed UK inflation slowed at a faster pace than expected in November, while Paris and Frankfurt also edged up. Oil prices jumped more than one per cent after Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he was “ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela”. The announcement sharply escalates his campaign against the country — while issuing new demands for Venezuelan crude — after months of building military forces in the Caribbean with the stated goal of combating drug trafficking in Latin America. Caracas views the operation as a pressure campaign to oust leftist strongman Nicolas Maduro, whom Washington and many nations view as an illegitimate president. The gains pared some of the 2.7 per cent in losses suffered Tuesday after the US president said a deal to end the war in Ukraine was closer than ever. An end to the war could ease sanctions on Russian oil, adding to oversupply concerns already weighing on the market. On currency markets, the yen strengthened further against the dollar following the US jobs data and days before the Bank of Japan is expected to hike interest rates to a 30-year high on Friday. And the Indian rupee surged one per cent following the central bank’s intervention to provide support a day after the unit hit a new record low against the dollar. The rupee has been hammered this year — making it Asia’s worst forex performer — on worries about the delay in striking a trade deal with the United States, as well as a current account deficit and foreign outflows. It strengthened to 89.9662 to the greenback, from more than 91 earlier in the day. In corporate news, Chinese chipmaker MetaX Integrated Circuits Shanghai soared more than 550 per cent on its home city debut on Wednesday, having raised $585.8 million in an initial public offering. The jump comes after semiconductor company Moore Threads also rocketed more than 500 per cent on its first day earlier in the month, having taken $1.1 billion in its IPO. Shares in Hong Kong’s biggest licensed cryptocurrency exchange, HashKey, retreated around two per cent on their first day of trading, following an IPO that brought in $205 million. – Key figures –
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.3 per cent at 49,512.28 (close)
Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.9 per cent at 25,468.78 (close)
Shanghai – Composite: UP 1.2 per cent at 3,870.28 (close)
London – FTSE 100: UP 0.8 per cent at 9,759.85 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 155.50 yen from 154.80 on Tuesday
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1712 from $1.1747
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3324 from $1.3422
Euro/pound: UP at 87.92 pence from 87.52
West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.6 per cent at $56.13 per barrel
Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.5 per cent at $59.81 per barrel
New York – Dow: DOWN 0.6 per cent at 48,114.26 (close)
- [DJ Topman – December Groove Mixtape (Volume 4)](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/12/17/dj-topman-december-groove-mixtape-volume-4/): Classic Dj Topman comes through with another Banging Mixtape Titled ‘December Groove Mixtape (Volume 4)“.
- [DJ Nifty is set to take us beyond the box](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/12/10/dj-nifty-is-set-to-take-us-beyond-the-box/): Osogbo is gearing up for one of the biggest nightlife moments of the festive season as Zeus Lifestyle and DJ Nifty Event Solutions unveil their much-anticipated event, Beyond The Box, scheduled to hold on Sunday, December 28th, at Zeus Club & Lounge, Opposite Armstrong Paints, Along Bye-Pass, Osogbo.
- [Fubara Defection Triggers Fresh Wave of PDP Exodus to APC](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/12/10/fubara-defection-triggers-fresh-wave-of-pdp-exodus-to-apc-2/): Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has finally joined the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Fubara, who was previously one of the few remaining governors in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, on Tuesday, said he had received approval to leave the party. With this defection, Fubara becomes the latest PDP governor to move to the APC.
Confirming his decision at the meeting where he made the announcement, Fubara said he had visited President Bola Tinubu the previous day and that “the reason for the visit was not for personal interest but for state interest consultation. “I do not want to make any mistakes this time around, and not to step on any landmine anyone is laying for us,” he said. According to Fubara, he was permitted to leave the PDP because “we have no protection.” “The most interesting part of the meeting is what you all have been waiting for. We have taken that decision today; we are moving to the APC,” he declared. Fubara has now joined the growing list of governors originally elected on the PDP platform who later defected to the APC. Most of these governors and other politicians who resigned from the party that brought them to power often cite the need to align with the Federal Government as their major reason. Which Governors Have Left the PDP — and Who Is Still There?
Enugu State
On Tuesday, October 14, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, announced his defection to the APC. In a state broadcast, Mbah said he was leaving the PDP to better connect the South-East state to the Federal Government. The PDP governor defected with members of the National Assembly, state House of Assembly, councillors, council chairmen and other influential politicians in the state. The APC leadership held a grand reception in Enugu to welcome him. Bayelsa State
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, ended months of speculation when he officially announced his resignation from the PDP, citing “obvious reasons.” At a State Executive meeting in November, he said his decision followed extensive consultation with leaders of the state. Diri added that he was not leaving alone, as 23 members of the state House of Assembly would be moving with him. “So, today, I have formally resigned from the PDP for very obvious reasons,” he said.
Delta State
On April 23, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, left the PDP for the APC.
According to the information released by the state Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, the move “was taken to build the bond of love in our state, advance the security and welfare of our people, and ensure the development of Delta because all politics is local.”
Akwa Ibom State
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, announced his switch from the PDP to the APC on June 6, 2025. He said he moved because he could not guarantee electoral victory under the PDP. Eno stated, “We have worked very hard, but we know that at the national level, our party is not performing as expected.” Osun gov joins Accord Party.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on December 2, 2025, formally resigned from the PDP, citing persistent leadership turmoil at the party’s national level. In a statement shared on his Instagram page and other official handles, Adeleke confirmed that he submitted his resignation to party officials in Sagba Abogunde, Ward 2, Ede North Local Government, on November 4, 2025. Adeleke has also officially joined the Accord Party, days after leaving the PDP. The governor made the announcement on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in the presence of national and state leaders of the party.
Plateau, Taraba situations
Meanwhile, in December 2025, a group of PDP members from across Plateau State’s 17 local government areas held a rally in Jos, urging Governor Caleb Mutfwang to defect to the opposition APC. There have been earlier speculations, denials and a series of back and forth linking the Plateau governor to other parties. Similarly, Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has sealed his move to the APC. In November, he postponed his planned defection from the PDP to the APC following the recent abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State. On Tuesday, the Taraba State Chairman of the APC, Ibrahim Tukur,  confirmed that Kefas will formally join the party in January 2026.
LIST OF PDP GOVERNORS STILL IN THE PARTY (as of December 2025)
Ahmadu Fintiri – Adamawa State (North-East)
Bala Mohammed – Bauchi State (North-East)
Caleb Mutfwang – Plateau State (North-Central)
Agbu Kefas – Taraba State (North-Central) Dauda Lawal – Zamfara State (North-West)
Seyi Makinde – Oyo State (South-West)
PDP GOVERNORS WHO HAVE DEFECTED TO THE APC (since 2023)
Umo Eno – Akwa Ibom State (South-South)
Sheriff Oborevwori – Delta State (South-South)
Peter Mbah – Enugu State (South-East)
Douye Diri – Bayelsa State (South-South)
Siminalayi Fubara – Rivers State (South-South) Source: Punch News
- [Osun Leads as Nigeria Records 2.68m New Voters in Ongoing CVR Exercise](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/12/09/osun-leads-as-nigeria-records-2-68m-new-voters-in-ongoing-cvr-exercise/): The Independent National Electoral Commission released its latest report on Monday, indicating a nationwide total of 2,685,725 newly registered voters through online and physical Continuous Voter Registration. According to the update posted on the X handle of the commission, 1,576,137 applicants completed the online pre-registration, while another 1,109,588 finalised their in-person registration. The latest figures place Osun State firmly at the top of the chart, as it continues to maintain its lead in the ongoing CVR. Osun recorded 208,357, followed by Kano with 159,669. Sokoto posted 152,650, Imo 145,561, Borno 123,835, Lagos 123,484, and Jigawa 116,246. The Federal Capital Territory registered 106,855, while Kogi had 103,750 and Zamfara 101,511. Katsina followed with 98,968, Delta 91,562, Kaduna 89,899, Ogun 85,739, Kebbi 83,480, Niger 79,785, Oyo 74,756, Akwa Ibom 74,015, and Rivers 70,902. Adamawa recorded 57,312, followed by Yobe with 53,523, Benue 53,207, Bayelsa 47,439, Bauchi 40,534, Gombe 35,428, Ekiti 35,150, Nasarawa 35,013, Edo 33,600, Ebonyi 30,691, Plateau 26,360, and Taraba 20,312. Enugu posted 19,275, Ondo 17,542, Cross River 16,822, and Abia 16,691. Last week, INEC announced that the first quarter of the ongoing nationwide CVR exercise will end on December 10, 2025. The commission also reiterated that the CVR exercise in Anambra State remains suspended due to “electoral activities” in the state. It noted that a new date for the resumption of registration will be announced later. The CVR exercise began with online pre-registration on August 18, 2025, followed by in-person registration across all 774 local government areas, state offices, and the FCT. The process is part of INEC’s preparations for the upcoming elections. It added that, in line with Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022, the commission will commence the Display of the Register of Voters for Claims and Objections from Decembe 15 to 21. The display will take place at the local government offices where the exercise took place.
INEC urged citizens, especially those who registered, transferred, or updated their information during the first quarter, to take advantage of the review period to verify their details and file objections where necessary. Public participation, the commission said, is vital to protecting the integrity of the voter register. The second phase of the CVR is scheduled to resume on January 5, 2026, in accordance with the earlier timetable. ​ Source: Punch News
- [Niger CAN Seeks Official Confirmation of Reported Release of 100 Abducted Students](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/12/08/niger-can-seeks-official-confirmation-of-reported-release-of-100-abducted-students/): The Christian Association of Nigeria says it is not officially aware of the reported release of 100 abducted students from Agwara, Niger State noting, however, that it would be God’s answer to prayers. Chairman of the Niger State chapter of CAN and proprietor of St. Mary Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Bishop Bulus Yohanne, disclosed this on Sunday in a statement through his media aide, Daniel Atori. The school was attacked by bandits on November 21, 2025, with at least 303 pupils, students, and teachers abducted. Two days later, 50 pupils escaped and returned home. The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, visited the school last week in Papiri, reassuring the school authorities and parents that the abducted children would soon return and were safe. Expressing cautious optimism over the news of 100 students being released, Bishop Yohanne said, “It will be a thing of joy if some of our children have been released. We have been praying and waiting for their return. If it is true, then it is cheering news. “However, we are not officially aware and have not been duly notified. We hope and pray it’s true and will be looking forward to when the remaining will be released.” PUNCH Online reported that the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, and a retired senior military officer, Major General John Enenche (retd.), have applauded the Federal Government and security agencies for securing the release of 100 abducted pupils following the announcement by Channels TV, which stated that, “The Federal Government has secured the release of 100 pupils abducted.” Sule, who spoke during a live phone-in interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, described the development as “cheering news” and praised the coordinated efforts that led to the breakthrough. Meanwhile, Christians across Niger State observed a three-day fasting and prayer programme, calling on God to secure the release of the remaining abductees. The State chapter of CAN organised the event, which began on Friday across all 25 local government areas and concluded on Sunday at the 1st ECWA Church in Minna. Christians from various denominations gathered to pray for the release of the 265 children and teachers still in captivity, expressing concern that they had been held for too long. Guest speaker, Pastor Peter Ojo, urged Nigerians to persist in prayer, saying, “Prayer still works.” Representing Bishop Yohanne, his deputy, Rev. Ezekiel Ibrahim, encouraged citizens to set aside differences and pray together for divine intervention, urging, “Let us worship passionately and pray boldly. The Organisation of African Instituted Churches also expressed solidarity with the Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, families, children, and teachers affected by the abduction. OAIC Secretary, Sunday Ojimi, said, “No words can express the shock and pain the incident has caused, but we find strength and hope in our faith. Our hearts are full of hope, and we are optimistic that the children and teachers will return safely to be reunited with their families soon. “In unity, we share in the pain caused by this incident, and our prayers are with you at this time of trial. We await the good news of their safe return.” Source: Punch News
- [Otti’s Meeting With Tinubu Focused Solely on Kanu’s Release, Not Defection — Aide](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/12/04/ottis-meeting-with-tinubu-focused-solely-on-kanus-release-not-defection-aide/): The Special Adviser to Abia State Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, has said the governor’s visit to President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday centred on issues concerning the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. Ekeoma disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, while reacting to a claim by a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Charles Ogbonnaya, who alleged that the governor visited Tinubu to discuss plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general election. The governor’s aide insisted that his principal’s meeting with the President was a continuation of efforts to secure Kanu’s release. “The governor subsequently had a meeting with the President after visiting the IPOB leader at the Sokoto Correctional Centre on Sunday, November 30, 2025. This is in continuation of earlier meetings the governor had been having with the FG on this matter in the past two years. “The issue of Kanu was the only subject matter that took Governor Otti to Aso Rock and to the glory of God, the meeting was both positive and fruitful, as the President was so gracious and generous,” he said. Ekeoma said his response to Ogbonnaya’s claim became necessary because the issue of Kanu’s release is both sensitive and important to the state government, making it imperative to set the record straight. He stated that the former commissioner’s recurrent attacks on the governor stem from Otti’s decision to leave his party during the 2023 general election.
Ekeoma challenged Ogbonnaya to name those he claimed Otti betrayed and explain when and how such betrayal occurred. He said, “Ogbonnaya’s allegation of Governor Otti going to lobby to join the APC is both petty, ignoble, laughable and very irresponsible. “At the risk of sounding immodest, any political party Governor Otti chooses to join today would roll out the drums and red carpet to welcome him with joy and excitement. “If anything, many notable and respected APC leaders are not just desirous of having him in their fold, but are strongly appealing to Governor Otti to join their party because they know that he is not a liability. “Ogbonna accused Otti of betrayal, but he didn’t say who Otti betrayed, how or when. He claimed that Otti doesn’t have capacity, yet Otti defeated him in his Polling Unit, Ward and LGA where his PDP candidates from House of Assembly to President lost woefully. “He accused Governor Otti of inconsistency, yet he abandoned Alhaji Atiku Abubakar less than 48 hours after the result of the presidential election was announced, despite the empty noise and boast he made about the PDP’s Presidential Candidate, all for Atiku’s money when it was needed and available. “He alleged that Governor Otti is playing politics with Nnamdi Kanu, yet, he is angry that the Governor is engaging the FG to secure Kanu’s freedom. Is there anything more contradictory and ridiculous than Ogbonna’s utterances?” Source: Punch News
- [96,000 Children at ‘Death Risk’ in North Nigeria Malnutrition Crisis, Warns NGO](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/12/04/96000-children-at-death-risk-in-north-nigeria-malnutrition-crisis-warns-ngo/): A recent study by an international nongovernmental, not-for-profit organisation, Save the Children International, that over 96,000 children risk death before the end of this year in six northern states due to malnutrition, has again brought to the fore the failure of governments at all levels to provide for its citizens and it is a big source of concern for the citizens. The organization, alongside other partners, including PLAN, Action Against Hunger in Nigeria and OXFAM among others, has predicted a devastating public health crisis for six states in northern Nigeria, namely, Adamawa, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara, before the end of 2025, as a result of malnutrition. The organization, at a press conference in Abuja, drew attention to the growing cases of acute malnutrition in the six states, stressing that the situation could be catastrophic in a few months’ time if urgent steps were not taken by the affected states to correct the situation. The Country Director of the organisation, Duncan Harvey, specifically told journalists at the event that without urgent access to lifesaving treatment, the states could lose 96, 000 children to death between October and December, 2025, due to acute malnutrition. The urgency of the situation is that going by the released figure; it means that over 1, 000 children would be dying every day. However, the organization equally revealed that about 800, 000 pregnant and breast-feeding mothers are also at risk of acute malnutrition in the six states listed above.
According to Harvey, “Nigeria is facing a nationwide emergency due to escalating challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition; with more than 31 million people facing acute food insecurity in 2025, making it the largest food crisis globally. “About 5.4 million Nigerian children suffer from acute malnutrition, and 3.5 million children under five suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), out of which 1.2 million require immediate life-saving treatment. “It’s predicted that from October to December 2025, an estimated 600,000 children under the age of five will be at risk of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in the six northern states. Over 800,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are also at the risk of acute malnutrition in these states. “It is for situation such as this that the African Union Heads of State and Government in 2010, at its 15th Ordinary Session in Kampala, Uganda, in a bid to address the persistent crisis of hunger and malnutrition on the continent, declared October 30 every year as Africa Food Security and Nutrition Day. “Hunger is not just a risk; it’s a crisis of rights. Food security and nutrition must be treated as non-negotiable for child survival, growth and future productivity. No child should die from any preventable cause such as hunger, malnutrition or illness.” In his submission, the Country Director, Action Against Hunger Nigeria, Thierno Samba Diallo, suggested that funds should be made available for lifesaving nutrition commodities like Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTP) and Therapeutic Milk locally produced and proven to save lives. He also emphasized that long-term funding and nexus approaches linking humanitarian, peace and development efforts, are equally essential for sustained nutrition, security and development. He said: “Severe malnutrition has irreversible impacts on physical growth, cognitive development and economic productivity, which are critical to national human capital. Hence, all hands must be decked to prevent it. “There’s the need to expand targeted support for the 800,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women at risk of acute malnutrition to the lives of the vulnerable children. Adopt shock-responsive social safety nets to protect vulnerable households from future crises. “There is also the need to scale up food assistance, nutrition treatment and livelihood support. Local production of fortified foods should be encouraged to ensure sustainability, strengthen collaboration on cadre harmonization and integrate phase classification analysis to inform response strategies.” For the Director of Programme Quality and Influencing, PLAN International, Dr. Helen Idiong, the affected states should join efforts with other relevant stakeholders to tackle malnutrition and give lifesaving opportunities to affected families and communities. “Hunger is not just a lack of food. It’s a violation of dignity, health and the right to the future. Food and nutrition security must be treated as a non-negotiable right. We urge federal leaders, state governors and international partners to act now. No child should die from malnutrition, hunger or illness. These are preventable, treatable and solvable. No child should die of hunger; not today, not tomorrow, not ever,” she submitted. Since the report made headlines, discussions around the possible push factors and how to avoid the crisis have been raging. Some people are of the view that if further studies are carried out, it would surprise many to know that more states, even in the southern part, are not excluded from the impending danger. Those on this side of the argument are saying that states like Benue, the food basket of the nation, Plateau, Niger, Kogi and even some parts of Kaduna states might as well experience such a problem if the government fails to act fast. The argument is that looking at the level of havoc that kidnappers and militant herdsmen are causing in some of these North central states of Nigeria, it is not hard to predict what will happen as food crisis ravages the people. They, however, called on the government to sit up and ensure that Nigerians are not thrown into such a precarious situation. The solution to averting the impending hunger, which will ultimately lead to malnutrition, according to some Nigerians, is for the government to tackle the issue of insecurity in the country headlong, so that farmers can return to farm and produce food for the populace. One of the proponents of the government’s decisive action against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and all forms of criminalities to create enabling environments for farmers to go back to farm is the President of the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Dr. Pogu Bitrus.
He believes that only the government has the powers to prevent the looming crisis from manifesting, by tackling insecurity headlong. He emphasised that Nigeria does not need any international body to give her the report of the number of malnourished children at the risk of death in some states because the reality is staring everybody in the face. If anything, he said, the organization is even under-reporting the gravity of the situation.
“We know it is a reality because banditry has reached a stage where farmers can’t go to farm, and if farmers can’t go to farm, naturally, there won’t be food to eat. And when children can’t feed properly, the resultant effect is malnutrition and death. “So, their report is in order because it is in line with what is on ground. Unfortunately, it will not hit only six states as the report stated, because there are so many other areas where bandits do not allow farmers to go to farm. And in such situations, you will agree with me that there will be a devastating hunger unless the government takes a proactive action to address the issue of banditry, so that farmers can return to their farms in peace,” he told DAILY POST. Also aligning with the report is an educationist in Maiaduwa Local Government Area of Katsina State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Umar. He believes that traditionally, the people in Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina axis experience shortage of food at certain periods of the year but lamented that the insecurity in those areas has worsened the situation such that the food shortage is now all year round. “Ordinarily, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and other states on that axis receive their first rains around May/June, which is the beginning of the harvesting season. “And every year, we, in the north, normally experience food shortage around June/July because most people would have brought out the remaining food in stock at that period to plant for the next season. And there is nothing more for the peasant farmers to do other than to go to farm during the period. “Now, considering the insecurity situation in the country today, where bandits and kidnappers are riding roughshod on the people, coupled with the high cost of living, obviously there will be acute food shortage. “The terrorists, bandits and kidnappers don’t allow people to go to farm; so what do you expect? Added to that is the removal of fuel subsidy which has heightened the cost of living.
“So, for me, I think the report is a wake-up call to the government to take steps in advance so that the unavoidable deaths of our innocent children that could result from known calamity could be avoided. “It is for the government to take the war to the bandits and kidnappers, clear them from our forests and bushes, and allow the farmers to go back to the farm. That is the long term solution.
“In the interim, the government in those mentioned states should respond by providing food and children’s supplements and making such available to poor families scattered across these states. “Other states that are not captured in the report should also sit up and do something in that regard. That is the only way to avert the danger, otherwise it would come to pass, not only in the six listed states but in other states where insecurity has made life miserable,” he said in an interview with DAILY POST. A lawyer and public affairs commentator, Nnanna Nwkamma, said there is no hard and fast rule to making food available apart from creating an enabling environment for farmers to do their farm work with fear of being attacked, kidnapped or even killed and churning out economic policies that are people oriented and not the strangulating economic policies of the current government. He said many Nigerians would easily blame the acute food shortage in the country to insecurity, but emphasized that the government’s economic policies are a major contributory factor. While speaking to our correspondent, he had this to say: “Take for instance, the issue of subsidy removal; do you know how many families that were badly affected by that singular policy? Ninety percent of hardship in the country today is attributed to that singular policy. “Then, look at the issue of taxation; it is crazy. And in the midst of all these, you have terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and herdsmen militia killing, maiming and destroying people’s farmland and villages. Why won’t there be malnourished children, when parents barely feed once a day? “It is a terrible situation and the government cannot just pretend that all is well. All is not well and the report, as far as I am concerned, did not capture all the states where children are at the risk of death due to malnutrition if nothing is done urgently. There are other states, particularly those in the middle belt like Benue and Plateau where insecurity is at its peak. “Even down south, the story is still not palatable. Many families are feeding from hand to mouth. Do you know how much baby food costs today in the market? A can of NAN baby food that used to sell at a little above N1000, now sells for N10,000 or even more; so, why won’t there be many malnourished children? “How many households in those six northern states listed and even in other states not listed, can afford such baby food?
“And when they can’t afford baby food that will adequately nourish them and keep them healthy, they resort to whatever that is available to feed the children and that is where the problem starts. “And all these are happening because the economy is very hard and there is no food anywhere. They are very expensive for ordinary Nigerians to afford. “So, the government must take two very important steps very fast. First, it must provide food and children’s supplement to poor families in those states at no cost or relatively cheap costs.” “Secondly, the government must declare a total war against those enemies of state, rout them out once and for all and allow the farmers to return to the farm in peace. “Apart from having enough food for everybody to feed on, the farmers will also be economically viable to provide the kind of food that nourishes children and keeps them healthy,” he further stated. Source: DAILY POST
- [Adeleke Declares 24-Hour Curfew in Osun](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/12/01/adeleke-declares-24-hour-curfew-in-osun-2/): Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Monday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Igbajo, Boluwaduro Local Government Area of the state, following a breakdown of law and order in the community. The state government said the unrest, which started on Sunday night and continued into the early hours of Monday, was linked to tensions arising from the death of embattled King Adegboyega Famodun, who passed away last week after a brief illness.
imposed a 24-hour curfew on Igbajo, Boluwaduro Local Government Area, on Monday In a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor ordered an immediate lockdown of the town until normalcy is fully restored. Adeleke condemned the violence, saying his administration “will always not be a party to any untoward civil disobedience capable of truncating the existing peace and harmony being currently experienced throughout Osun State, Igbajo inclusive.” He warned that anyone found instigating or participating in acts capable of worsening the crisis would be made to face the law. “It is with deep shock and dismay that I received the sad news of the breakdown of law and order in Igbajo last night till the early hours of today. “As a government that believes in total compliance with the rule of engagement in ensuring peace and order at all times, my administration will not fold its arms to allow the breach of law and order anywhere in the state. “Therefore, as the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I hereby declare with immediate effect a total lockdown of the town pending the return to orderliness and harmonious coexistence in the hitherto peaceful and orderly Igbajo town,” he said. The governor directed the Army, Police, Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to commence 24-hour surveillance of the community. “Adeleke, in line with the new directive on the 24-hour curfew, accordingly issued a stern warning to all the natives and non natives of the hitherto peaceful Igbajo community, to continue to toe the path of peace and order as anyone found or caught in any act, openly or clandestinely, that has the tendency of further plunging the town into chaos would be dealt with in line with the dictates of the law,” the statement added. PUNCH Online reports that the unrest follows the death of Famodun, a former Osun All Progressives Congress chairman and embattled 30th Owa of Igbajo, who died on Friday at the age of 67. Adegboyega Famodun… CREDIT: The Nation Recall that Famodun was installed as monarch in 2022 at the twilight of the administration of Adegboyega Oyetola. He was later removed through an executive order issued by Adeleke, who appointed Oba Ademola Makinde in his place. However, in January 2025, the Osun State High Court reinstated Oba Famodun, a decision that is currently being challenged on appeal. Source: Punch News
- [Myk Fr4sh: Nigeria’s Promising New Voice Bringing Soul and Storytelling to the Scene](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/27/myk-fr4sh-nigerias-promising-new-voice-bringing-soul-and-storytelling-to-the-scene/): Oladeji Micheal Olamilekan, widely known as Myk Fr4sh, is a young talent whose journey into music began against all odds. Raised in a home where resources were scarce and survival was a daily struggle, his early years in a small Nigerian town were filled with uncertainty. Nights without food were common, and he often questioned what the future held.
- [Nigerian Army Dismisses Allegations of Power Tussle, Welfare Abuse at 90 Battalion](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/26/nigerian-army-dismisses-allegations-of-power-tussle-welfare-abuse-at-90-battalion/): The Nigerian Army has categorically rejected social media allegations suggesting that the 90 Amphibious Battalion in Koko, Delta State, is embroiled in internal power struggles, welfare neglect, and financial misappropriation. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for 6 Division, Lt Col Danjuma Danjuma, described the claims as “unsubstantiated and malicious falsehoods” designed to malign the battalion’s leadership. The statement read: “The attention of Headquarters, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, has been drawn to a publication circulating on social media. This publication alleges that 90 Battalion, Koko, is marred by internal power tussles, poor welfare, and financial exploitation. “While the Division does not wish to engage with online agitators peddling these unfounded accusations in a bid to discredit the Battalion’s command, it is important to set the record straight.” The controversy originated from a report on November 21, where anonymous soldiers alleged that the battalion’s Commanding Officer, Lt Col M.M. Garba, diverted allowances paid by oil companies such as Chevron and Seplat for security services provided at their facilities. The soldiers claimed that companies remit between ₦350,000 and ₦400,000 monthly per soldier, but only ₦40,000 reaches personnel, with the remainder purportedly kept by the Commanding Officer. They also alleged inadequate provisions, with raw rations lasting less than a week, compelling soldiers to use their salaries to supplement meals. One soldier was quoted as saying, “We work like elephants and eat like ants.” Other accusations included unfair duty rotations extended beyond the usual three months to seven or eight months, allegedly favouring Muslim soldiers loyal to Lt Col Garba and sidelining others on religious grounds. The Division dismissed these allegations as false, explaining that postings and deployments in the Nigerian Army are routine and conducted without any consideration of religion or loyalty. The statement said, “The assertion that the Battalion assigns duties based on such factors is not only baseless but also a deliberate attempt at institutional and command defamation.”
However, the Division assured that any proven infractions would be duly investigated. It reiterated the Army’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption, welfare abuse, religiously biased postings, or any misconduct within its ranks. The Division confirmed that Lt Col Garba has been performing his duties professionally within resource limits. Furthermore, it highlighted the existence of established channels for personnel to report administrative grievances at all levels, including within battalions. “Any personnel resorting to alternative methods should be regarded as attempting to tarnish the institution’s reputation and their claims disregarded.” While urging the public to ignore the allegations, the Army affirmed that any substantiated reports, particularly regarding extortion, would be investigated thoroughly. “The good people of the Niger Delta Region are reassured that the Division remains committed to ensuring their security and safety always,” the statement concluded. Source: Punch News
- [Ifedayo Lawmaker Commends Gov. Adeleke’s Transformative Three Years in Office](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/26/ifedayo-lawmaker-commends-gov-adelekes-transformative-three-years-in-office/): The lawmaker representing Ifedayo State Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Prince Kasope Abolarin, has applauded Governor Ademola Adeleke’s three years in office, describing the period as a phase of significant progress and impactful governance in Osun State.
- [Nationwide Abductions Surge as Presidency Confirms Talks With Bandits Over Hostage Freedom](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/26/nationwide-abductions-surge-as-presidency-confirms-talks-with-bandits-over-hostage-freedom/): Despite the reported intensified military operation against bandits, the criminals have continued their wave of terror, abducting 20 persons in Kwara and Kano between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
- [DJ Chicken Faces Prosecution as Ogun Raises Alarm Over Multiple Road Mishaps](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/25/dj-chicken-faces-prosecution-as-ogun-raises-alarm-over-multiple-road-mishaps/): 0gun State Ministry of Justice has announced plans to prosecute TikTok content creator, Ademola Abiodun, popularly known as DJ Chicken following a series of traffic accidents that have raised concerns about public safety, The is coming after the controversial TikToker allegedly crashed into two motorcycles in Sagamu, Ogun State, on November 1, 2025, critically injuring a rider and a female passenger. The government in a statement, Monday, on its official X handle, said witnesses reported that Abiodun tried to flee the scene before being stopped by onlookers. According to the ministry, DJ Chicken was involved in another crash on Sunday in Lekki, Lagos State, narrowly escaping pedestrians, making it the third road crash in two months. The statement reads in part, “Mr Abiodun’s heedless return to the wheel with no greater care just three weeks after makes it imperative that the state must intervene to protect the public – especially as there is an organic outcry against his continued driving. “While it may be reasonable to allow crash victims to get compensation from persons who have driven recklessly and to resolve road traffic collisions as a civil wrong, some road users are special dangers to society and should be held to account under criminal law,” it said. The statement added that in an effort to guarantee accountability, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, has instructed pertinent officers to move quickly on the pending crash case from Sagamu for a prompt arraignment. Nonetheless, the ministry reiterated its dedication to working with law enforcement agencies to protect the public from reckless drivers.
- [Northern Nigeria Faces Unprecedented Hunger as Insecurity Surges — UN Report](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/25/northern-nigeria-faces-unprecedented-hunger-as-insecurity-surges-un-report/): Resurgent terrorist attacks and instability in northern Nigeria are pushing hunger to unprecedented levels, with thousands facing “famine-like conditions,” the World Food Programme said on Tuesday. Nearly 35 million people in northern Nigeria are “projected to face severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season,” which stretches from May to September, the UN agency said in a statement. In Borno State, the epicentre of the 16-year-long jihadist insurgency, around 15,000 people “are projected to reach catastrophic hunger” or “famine-like conditions,” the WFP said.
The conflict has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced around two million others in the northeast, spilling into neighbouring countries. Besides Boko Haram in the northeast, Nigeria also suffers violence led by “bandit” gangs in the centre and northwest, who raid villages, kill people, and kidnap for ransom. Last week alone, Africa’s most populous country experienced three mass kidnappings.
More than 300 students and teachers were abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State, 25 Muslim high school girls were seized in neighbouring Kebbi State, and 38 worshippers were taken from a church during a livestreamed service in Kwara State. While Nigeria’s insurgency has slowed since violence peaked around 2015, attacks have picked up since the beginning of the year due to factors that have strengthened jihadist groups and stretched security forces thin. May to September, the time between planting and harvest, often leaves people—especially in rural areas—with little food reserves. Normally, farmers would buy food, but with double-digit inflation driven by an economic crisis, many cannot. Foreign aid cuts
The WFP’s largest donor is the United States, which, under President Donald Trump, cut foreign aid, including to UN agencies. Other major donors, including several European nations, have also reduced their humanitarian budgets. Almost a million people depend on WFP food aid in northeastern Nigeria, and the agency said funding shortfalls forced it to begin scaling down nutrition programmes in July. Of the 500 nutrition centres that the WFP operates in northeast Nigeria, 150 shut at the end of July due to funding shortages, leaving more than 300,000 children at risk and driving malnutrition levels from “serious” to “critical” in the third quarter of the year. Jihadist attacks have intensified this year, with the al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claiming responsibility for its first attack in Nigeria late last month.
“Communities are under severe pressure from repeated attacks and economic stress,” said WFP’s representative in Nigeria, David Stevenson. “Families are being pushed closer to the edge, and the need for support is rising.”
The West African country is currently in the throes of a crippling economic crisis as President Bola Tinubu implements reforms that have been praised by the IMF but have sharply increased the cost of living. Source: AFP
- [Rising School Abductions Could Derail Education for Millions, Amnesty Cautions](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/24/rising-school-abductions-could-derail-education-for-millions-amnesty-cautions/): Amnesty International Nigeria has warned that the wave of mass kidnappings targeting schools could severely derail educational progress across Northern Nigeria. Country Director, Isa Sanusi, said the psychological impact of abductions—and even the fear of such attacks—will discourage countless children from attending school. Appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Sanusi noted that rising insecurity is pushing parents to rethink the safety of sending their children to school as incidents of school kidnappings continue to escalate. “The trauma that comes with being abducted, or with the fear of being abducted, is going to prevent thousands of children from getting an education completely,” Sanusi said. He added that families in rural communities already struggle to keep their children in school due to economic pressures, and the current security challenges will worsen the situation. He added, “We also have to consider the fact that in many rural areas, children play key roles in the household, so many parents already make significant sacrifices to allow their children to go to school. “Now, with these failures, you are going to see a situation where education suffers even more setbacks, especially in Northern Nigeria. People will be scared of going to school, and parents will be more skeptical about allowing their children to attend.” Sanusi cautioned that the unfolding situation could rob an entire generation of the right to education. “When added to the more than 12 million children already out of school, the future looks grim and dangerous,” he added. Northern Nigeria has recently witnessed another uptick in attacks on educational institutions, leading several state governments to close schools temporarily. On Monday, armed attackers raided the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, located in Kebbi State’s Danko/Wasagu area, abducting at least 24 schoolgirls and killing the vice principal. Just days later, on Friday, gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State. Hundreds of students and staff were seized during the incident, although 50 students have since escaped. Source: Punch News
- [NDLEA Unravels Sophisticated Drug-Hiding Method in Boarding Pass](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/24/ndlea-unravels-sophisticated-drug-hiding-method-in-boarding-pass/): Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a woman, Oluchi Celestine, in the Lekki area of Lagos on November 18 after she was found with 2.6kg of Colorado, some of which had been concealed in branded containers and inside flight boarding passes.
The agency, in a statement on Sunday by its spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the concealment method was aimed at evading routine checks and reflected evolving smuggling tactics. “A lady, Oluchi Celestine, was on Tuesday, November 18, nabbed in Lekki with 2.6kg of Colorado packaged in branded containers and some concealed in flight boarding cards,” the statement partly read. Babafemi also said operatives arrested two members of a drug syndicate in Onitsha, Anambra State, who had arrived to collect 5.40kg of methamphetamine; 10.70kg of Loud; 16g of cocaine; 200g of phenacetin; 200g of methcathinone; and 100g of caffeine concealed in pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa. He said, “The NDLEA officers on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, arrested two members of a drug trafficking organisation in Onitsha, Anambra State, when they showed up to take delivery of 5.40 kilograms of methamphetamine; 10.70 kilograms of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis; 16 grams of cocaine; 200 grams of phenacetin; 200 grams of methcathinone; and 100 grams of caffeine concealed in pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa.” In another operation, Babafemi said airport operatives intercepted a brake-servo auto part stuffed with 48 pellets and a block of cocaine weighing 2.30kg on November 20.
He added that a freight agent, Ameh Solomon, and an auto parts dealer, Nwafor Boniface, were arrested. “In another operation at the Lagos airport, the NDLEA operatives on Thursday, November 20, intercepted a brake-servo automobile part used to conceal 48 pellets and a block of cocaine with a gross weight of 2.30 kilograms packed among other auto parts going to Gabon. “Following the arrest of a freight agent, Ameh Solomon, who presented the consignment for export, a follow-up at ASPMDA market, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, led to the arrest of an auto parts dealer, Nwafor Tochukwu Boniface,” the statement disclosed. Babafemi said operatives in Kogi State stopped a trailer transporting 4,700kg of skunk, arresting three escorts, noting that a follow-up raid in Jos led to the arrest of the alleged owner, Marcus Danladi Dan Mangu, on November 21. In Edo State, he stated that two women running an online “drug-brownie” business were arrested in Benin City on November 22, while another suspect, Shedrack Aminu, was arrested in Akoko Edo with 59kg of skunk. “In Edo State, two ladies—Praise Nwogu, 19, and Ebong Emem Oghosa, 25—who specialise in the production and online sale of brownies laced with illicit drugs were arrested on Saturday, November 22, in Benin City. “At the point of their arrest, Praise Nwogu was found with 12 plates and a cup of drug-laced brownies, while Ebong Emem Oghosa was nabbed with 76 grams of skunk, 1.5 grams of Colorado, and drug-laced brownies. A raid at Ososo village, Akoko Edo LGA, on Tuesday, November 18, led to the arrest of 35-year-old Shedrack Aminu, who was found with 59kg of skunk,” he said. In another Lagos interception, Babafemi stated that the NDLEA operatives seized 139 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 71kg in an apartment linked to Usman Adegoke. At Ugep, Cross River State, he revealed that a couple was arrested after officers uncovered 4,706kg of skunk stored in 362 jumbo bags in their warehouse. In Enugu, Babafemi said operatives intercepted 10.1kg of skunk, 105,600 tramadol pills, 700 ampoules of pentazocine and 3,000 rounds of live ammunition from a 24-year-old suspect along the Enugu–Onitsha Road. The NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the various commands for their efforts, noting that the festive period often triggers heightened trafficking activities. He was quoted as saying, “The coming weeks present both an opportunity and a challenge. Drug cartels may attempt to increase their illegal activities during the busy holiday period. We must not, and we will not, let down our guard.” On Friday, PUNCH Metro reported that barely six months after 10 Thai sailors and their ship were convicted and fined $4.3m for bringing 32.9kg of cocaine into Nigeria, operatives of the NDLEA again intercepted another vessel—MV Nord Bosporus, marked 9760110—from the port of Santos in Brazil at the Apapa seaport in Lagos, with not less than 20 kilograms of the Class A drug buried under its cargo. Source: Punch News
- [UNICEF Calls for Urgent Action After Abduction of 25 Schoolgirls in Kebbi](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/19/unicef-calls-for-urgent-action-after-abduction-of-25-schoolgirls-in-kebbi/): UNICEF on Tuesday urged the Nigerian government to ensure the immediate release of the 25 schoolgirls abducted in Kebbi State and to fully implement the 2015 Safe Schools Declaration following the latest school attack that left a vice-principal dead. The call followed Monday’s assault on a Government Girls School in the Maga community of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, where gunmen killed the vice-principal and abducted the students, prompting renewed concern over persistent attacks on schools in the Northwest. In a statement issued by the Communication Specialist for UNICEF Nigeria, Sussan Akila, the agency condemned the incident. Akila said: “UNICEF strongly condemns the reported attack on a Government Girls School in the Maga community of Kebbi State, which resulted in the death of the school’s Vice-Principal and the abduction of 25 students. “This tragic incident is yet another stark reminder of the urgent need to protect children, schools, and the personnel they rely upon to learn safely.” Expressing sympathy, Akila noted, “We stand with the affected community at this difficult time; our heartfelt condolences go to those who have lost their loved ones, and we wish a full recovery for those injured.” On the abduction, she said, “UNICEF further urges the swift release of the abducted children.” Akila also stressed the obligation to safeguard learning spaces. “Students, education facilities, and their personnel should be protected under international law from any form of attack, and those responsible must be held to account in accordance with national and international standards,” she said. The Safe Schools Declaration is an inter-governmental political commitment to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities from the worst effects of armed conflict.
It has been endorsed by 121 States, PUNCH Online confirms from the SSD website on Tuesday, with Nigeria endorsing it in May 2015. In April 2021, the House of Representatives resolved to investigate the alleged abandonment of Federal Government’s Safe School Initiative, especially the N500m allocated to the rehabilitation of the Government Secondary School Chibok, Borno State, where Boko Haram abducted over 200 schoolgirls. Months later in October, the President of the Senate then, Ahmad Lawan, said that the Safe School Initiative of the Federal Government was designed to fail. Source: Punch News
- [Nicki Minaj Urges Global Action on Killings of Christians in Nigeria at UN Forum](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/19/nicki-minaj-urges-global-action-on-killings-of-christians-in-nigeria-at-un-forum/): American rap superstar Nicki Minaj has added her voice to mounting global concern over the persistent attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria, urging world leaders to intervene swiftly to halt the violence. Her intervention has drawn significant attention, especially as it came during a high-level dialogue focused on religious freedom. Minaj delivered her remarks at a United States Mission to the United Nations conference dedicated to addressing religious violence. Moreover, she condemned what she described as the alarming persecution of Christians, stressing that no society should tolerate targeted attacks based on faith. The superstar artiste asserted that her advocacy was rooted in humanity, not politics. She explained that the crisis demands moral courage, adding that “when lives are at stake, neutrality becomes complicity.” According to her, the world must look beyond divisions and recognise the suffering of ordinary people caught in extremist violence. She also used the platform to commend President Donald Trump for prioritising the crisis and pushing for global attention on Nigeria. Minaj maintained that strong international engagement was necessary, insisting that “leadership matters when people are dying simply for believing differently.” A few weeks earlier, President Trump had publicly voiced concern over what he termed mass killings of Christians in Nigeria. Furthermore, he designated the country as one of particular concern and warned that continued attacks could attract stronger international consequences. His comments escalated after he hinted at possible military action if the violence persisted. Minaj’s remarks have now added fresh momentum to the conversation, potentially increasing global pressure on Nigeria’s authorities. As discussions deepen, advocates hope that rising international scrutiny will translate into concrete steps that bring relief to affected communities.
- [London Mayor Hails Nigerian Creator ‘Bus Aunty’ for Winning TikTok UK Video of the Year](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/18/the-mayor-of-london-sadiq-khan-has-congratulated-nigerian-content-creator-bemi-orojogun-popularly-known-as-london-bus-aunty-after-she-won-video-of-the-year-at-the-2025-tiktok-uk/): The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has congratulated Nigerian content creator Bemi Orojogun, popularly known as “London Bus Aunty,” after she won Video of the Year at the 2025 TikTok UK Awards. In a post on his X page on Sunday, Khan celebrated Orojogun’s achievement, writing: “Congratulations... In a post on his X page on Sunday, Khan celebrated Orojogun’s achievement, writing: “Congratulations to London’s very own Bus Aunty for winning Video of the Year at the TikTok Awards.” Orojogun, a Nigerian TikTok creator based in the UK, was nominated alongside Friends of Elmtree, Sam Morris, Gardiner Brothers, Joseph Machines, and Brad Ben. Her winning video, reportedly viewed nearly 50 million times, showcases her signature passion for London’s iconic red buses and has captured the attention of viewers nationwide. Highlighting her enthusiasm for the city’s public transport, Mayor Khan noted, “Her love of our iconic red buses has captured hearts across the country. And did you know? She’s a proud fan of the Bakerloop – London’s newest express bus route.” Accepting the award on Friday, Orojogun encouraged others to follow their passions, saying: “Don’t allow your age to stop you. Don’t allow your family to say don’t do that, it’s embarrassing. If you love it, do it.” Orojogun first went viral in 2024 with a forced-perspective video, turning from an internet curiosity into a full-fledged influencer. She has since collaborated with global brands such as Burberry, H&M, IKEA, Jacquemus, Maybelline, JBL, and MAC Cosmetics, and partnered with public figures, including the Mayor of London, on initiatives like the city’s 2,000 zero-emission buses project. Affectionately nicknamed “London Bus Aunty” by her fans, Orojogun films her videos from roadside pavements, inspiring playful reactions online. Some Nigerians have even jokingly challenged her to replicate her stunts in busy areas like Oshodi or CMS.
- [Lagos Begins Free HIV Screening Campaign Across All LGAs](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/18/the-lagos-state-aids-control-agency-lsaca-has-launched-a-statewide-hiv-testing-campaign-that-will-run-from-18-november-to-1-december-2025-across-all-local-government-areas-lgas-and-local-council-d-2/): The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has launched a statewide HIV testing campaign that will run from 18 November to 1 December 2025 across all Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). The exercise is one of the key activities planned for the 2025 World AIDS ... The exercise is one of the key activities planned for the 2025 World AIDS Day and forms part of the state’s broader efforts to expand access to HIV testing, promote early detection, and strengthen links to treatment and care. In an announcement posted on its X handle on Tuesday, LSACA said the outreach aims to close persistent gaps in HIV testing while boosting public awareness on prevention, treatment options, and stigma reduction. The agency has deployed trained counsellor-testers, testing kits, condoms, and Information, Education and Communication materials to communities across the state.  
LSACA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, underscored the significance of early testing as the state prepares for this year’s World AIDS Day. “As we approach the 2025 World AIDS Day, our priority is to ensure that every resident of Lagos has the opportunity to know their HIV status in a safe, confidential, and accessible manner,” she said. “Testing remains the gateway to prevention and treatment, and this statewide exercise underscores our commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of all Lagosians.” Animashaun added that the agency is collaborating with development partners and community-based organisations to extend services to underserved areas, encouraging residents to take advantage of the free testing points set up across LGAs and LCDAs. She also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving access to HIV services, noting ongoing expansion of testing and counselling centres and intensified awareness campaigns aimed at reducing new infections. LSACA urged residents to participate in the free screening, stressing that knowing one’s HIV status is essential to curbing transmission and building an HIV-free future. Established to coordinate Lagos State’s response to the HIV epidemic, LSACA works with government ministries, development organisations, civil society groups, and community structures to implement HIV prevention, treatment, and care programmes across the state. Source: TVC News
- [Lagos Begins Free HIV Screening Campaign Across All LGAs](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/18/the-lagos-state-aids-control-agency-lsaca-has-launched-a-statewide-hiv-testing-campaign-that-will-run-from-18-november-to-1-december-2025-across-all-local-government-areas-lgas-and-local-council-d/): The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has launched a statewide HIV testing campaign that will run from 18 November to 1 December 2025 across all Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). The exercise is one of the key activities planned for the 2025 World AIDS ... The exercise is one of the key activities planned for the 2025 World AIDS Day and forms part of the state’s broader efforts to expand access to HIV testing, promote early detection, and strengthen links to treatment and care. In an announcement posted on its X handle on Tuesday, LSACA said the outreach aims to close persistent gaps in HIV testing while boosting public awareness on prevention, treatment options, and stigma reduction. The agency has deployed trained counsellor-testers, testing kits, condoms, and Information, Education and Communication materials to communities across the state.  
LSACA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, underscored the significance of early testing as the state prepares for this year’s World AIDS Day. “As we approach the 2025 World AIDS Day, our priority is to ensure that every resident of Lagos has the opportunity to know their HIV status in a safe, confidential, and accessible manner,” she said. “Testing remains the gateway to prevention and treatment, and this statewide exercise underscores our commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of all Lagosians.” Animashaun added that the agency is collaborating with development partners and community-based organisations to extend services to underserved areas, encouraging residents to take advantage of the free testing points set up across LGAs and LCDAs. She also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving access to HIV services, noting ongoing expansion of testing and counselling centres and intensified awareness campaigns aimed at reducing new infections. LSACA urged residents to participate in the free screening, stressing that knowing one’s HIV status is essential to curbing transmission and building an HIV-free future. Established to coordinate Lagos State’s response to the HIV epidemic, LSACA works with government ministries, development organisations, civil society groups, and community structures to implement HIV prevention, treatment, and care programmes across the state. Source: TVC News
- [United Nigeria Hands VeryDarkMan, Mr Jollof to Airport Security](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/17/united-nigeria-hands-verydarkman-mr-jollof-to-airport-security/): United Nigeria Airlines has handed popular social media figures Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, and entertainer Freedom Okpetoritse Atsepoyi, also known as Mr Jollof, over to airport security on Monday after a heated altercation while boarding a scheduled Asaba–Lagos flight. This altercation forced the airline’s crew to intervene and deboard them to maintain safety and order. The incident was disclosed in a signed statement posted on the airline’s official X account, on Monday where the carrier detailed how its crew handled the situation. According to the statement, “United Nigeria Airlines confirms that an altercation occurred between two passengers, identified as Martins Vincent Otse ‘VeryDarkman’ and Freedom Okpetoritse Atsepoyi ‘Mr. Jollof’, during the boarding of Flight UN0523 at Asaba International Airport on the morning of 17 November 2025.” The airline stated that its staff acted swiftly in accordance with global standards. “In full compliance with global aviation safety protocols, our crew responded immediately and professionally to de-escalate the situation. Both passengers were deboarded without delay to ensure the safety, comfort, and security of all other passengers and crew members. They were subsequently handed over to airport security for further investigation.” Reaffirming its safety policies, the carrier added, “United Nigeria Airlines places the highest priority on safety and maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any conduct that threatens the security or well-being of passengers or crew. After all standard procedures were completed, the flight departed safely while the passengers involved in the altercation were still with the authorities.” The airline further assured travellers of its continued commitment to high operational standards. “We remain firmly committed to providing a safe, respectful, and secure travel experience across our network.” An altercation between the two popular Nigerian internet personalities VeryDarkMan and entertainer Mr Jollof, occurred on Monday morning at the Asaba International Airport, drawing public attention. Although full details of what triggered the altercation remain unclear, the incident follows weeks of online tension between the two personalities. VDM and Mr Jollof have been engaged in a public back-and-forth on social media, trading criticisms and responding to each other’s commentaries on social issues. Their exchanges have garnered a significant following, with fans of both sides frequently engaging in heated discussions in the comment sections. However, as of press time, efforts to reach the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority proved unsuccessful, with calls and messages to the agency going unanswered. Source: Punch News
- [Osimhen, Ajibade Lead Nigerian Charge on CAF Awards Final Shortlist](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/17/osimhen-ajibade-lead-nigerian-charge-on-caf-awards-final-shortlist/): Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Rasheedat Ajibade have been named among the finalists for the 2025 CAF Player of the Year awards, while goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and Bayelsa Queens forward Shakirat Moshood also earned recognition in their respective categories, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Confederation of African Football released the final shortlist for the awards on Sunday ahead of the gala ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, November 19 in Rabat, Morocco.
The ceremony honours the continent’s top performers for the period from January 6 to October 15, 2025. On the men’s side, Osimhen, currently making waves at Galatasaray, is joined by Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain as finalists for the CAF African Player of the Year award. Osimhen’s selection marks a continuation of Nigerian presence at the top of the men’s category, following Ademola Lookman in 2024 and Victor Osimhen himself in 2023. In the Women’s Player of the Year category, Nigeria’s Ajibade, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain and led the Super Falcons to 10th WAFCON title, joins Morocco’s Ghizlaine Chebbak of Al Hilal and Sanaa Mssoudy of AS FAR as the top three finalists. CAF highlighted that these players delivered exceptional performances for both club and country during the season. Nnadozie, now at Brighton & Hove Albion, features alongside Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini in the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year category. Her nomination comes after a season of consistent displays between the posts for both her previous club Paris FC and the Super Falcons. Moshood, who plays for Bayelsa Queens, earned a place in the Women’s Young Player of the Year shortlist alongside Morocco’s Doha El Madani and Senegal’s Adji Ndiaye. CAF emphasised her rapid development and impact in domestic and continental competitions as factors behind her inclusion. She led the Prosperity Girls to the final of the WAFU B Zonal Champions League as the club missed out on penalty shootout to ASEC Mimosas but she won the highest goal scorer before captaining the Flamingos to second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. CAF also confirmed that some awards, including Women’s Coach of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year and Club of the Year, will be announced following the conclusion of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League Egypt 2025. Falcons coach Justine Madugu is expected to feature prominently among the Coach of the Year finalists. The Women’s Team of the Year shortlist includes Ghana, Morocco and Nigeria, recognising the national sides that have achieved notable success in continental competitions during the review period. CAF stated that nominees were selected by a panel of experts comprising technical and development committee members, experienced coaches, CAF Legends and media representatives, who assessed performances across all competitions. The 2025 CAF Awards will celebrate individual excellence as well as the achievements of clubs and national teams, highlighting the players and coaches who have made significant contributions to African football over the past year. Nigeria’s strong showing across multiple categories underscores the depth of talent and ever-growing influence of its players on the continental stage. Source: Punch News
- [Press Release: Naija Spirit Multimedia Announces the Dr. Seun Olatunji Literary & Debate Competition for Secondary Schools in Southwest Nigeria](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/10/naija-spirit-multimedia-announces-the-dr-seun-olatunji-literary-debate-competition-for-secondary-schools-in-southwest-nigeria/): Naija Spirit Multimedia is pleased to announce the Dr. Seun Olatunji Literary & Debate Competition, scheduled to hold on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Osogbo Grammar School, Osogbo, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
- [U.S. Military Drafts Airstrike Plans for Nigeria After Trump’s Directive – Report](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/06/u-s-military-drafts-airstrike-plans-for-nigeria-after-trumps-directive-report/): The United States military has reportedly drawn up contingency plans for potential airstrikes in Nigeria following an order from President Donald Trump directing the Pentagon to “prepare to intervene” to protect Christians from terrorists’ attacks, according to The New York Times. The report, published on Wednesday, stated that the U.S. Africa Command had presented multiple operational options to the Department of Defence, responding to a request from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to develop plans aligned with Trump’s directive. Military officials familiar with the deliberations told the news platform that the proposals—categorised as “heavy,” “medium,” and “light”—outlined varying levels of engagement in Nigeria. Under the “heavy option,” Washington would deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, supported by fighter jets or long-range bombers to hit militant targets deep inside northern Nigeria. The “medium option” proposes the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for targeted strikes on insurgent camps, convoys, and vehicles. The drones would operate with U.S. intelligence support to ensure “precise and timely” attacks, the report added. The “light option,” on the other hand, focuses on intelligence sharing, logistics support, and joint operations with Nigerian forces against Boko Haram and other Islamist groups accused of mass killings, abductions, and church attacks. The “medium option” proposes the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for targeted strikes on insurgent camps, convoys, and vehicles. The drones would operate with U.S. intelligence support to ensure “precise and timely” attacks, the report added. The “light option,” on the other hand, focuses on intelligence sharing, logistics support, and joint operations with Nigerian forces against Boko Haram and other Islamist groups accused of mass killings, abductions, and church attacks. “As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday. Ning made the remarks in response to questions about Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria. The Federal Government on Wednesday rejected its inclusion on the U.S. list of countries violating religious freedom, insisting that such a designation stems from “inaccurate data and misrepresentation” of the nation’s security challenges. Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, clarified that Nigeria faces terrorism, not religious persecution, and that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from extremist violence. “The government disputes claims of targeted religious persecution.
“Since 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has neutralised over 13,500 militants and rescued more than 11,000 hostages. Nigeria remains open to U.S. collaboration on counterterrorism while emphasising mutual respect for sovereignty,” he said. The minister added that Nigeria continues to prioritise national security and “the protection of all citizens regardless of religious affiliation.” On Wednesday evening, Trump reiterated his willingness to take direct action if the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria continues unchecked. He said, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening there, and in numerous other Countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian Population around the World!” The developments come amid heightened diplomatic tensions following Trump’s remarks and renewed debate in Washington over U.S. military involvement in foreign religious conflicts. Source : AFP
- [Why I’m Holding Back on Judging Tinubu’s Administration – Wole Soyinka](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/06/why-im-holding-back-on-judging-tinubus-administration-wole-soyinka/): Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, says he is not yet ready to publicly assess the administration of President Bola Tinubu, citing repeated misrepresentation of his comments. In an interview with BBC News Yoruba published on Facebook on Tuesday, the world- renowned writer and activist said he was still taking his time and would express his perception of the Tinubu government when he deems it appropriate. “I have been asked that question by several people,” Soyinka, speaking in Yoruba language, told his interviewer. “I don’t want to answer because it seems as if there’s nothing one says that won’t be twisted, and I’m tired of that.” “So, I want to take my time. When it’s time, I will write my view on that,” he said. An influential public figure and opinion moulder, Soyinka is known for his criticism of successive Nigerian governments, including the administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and the late Muhammadu Buhari. He has, however, yet to publicly voice his assessement of the Tinubu’s government, over two years into the administration. In 2019, Soyinka took a swipe at Buhari’s government, saying it had failed Nigerians in its handling of the country’s security challenges. In 2021, he also told Kaftan TV, “I don’t want to talk about Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. I think it is best for my sanity just to avoid that overall question. I can take bits and pieces of Nigeria’s present predicament, but I think for one’s sense of balance, one must forget the existence of the Buhari administration.” The Nobel laureate, who has also been in the news recently over the revocation of his US visa, also told BBC Yoruba that he had no intention of reapplying, despite being asked to do so by the US Consulate in Lagos. He said, “If you read the letter sent to me by the embassy, they wrote that I should bring my passport for them to stamp it so it shows that it has been cancelled. They are jokers. I should take my passport to those who revoked my visa? I told them they should come to my house, take the passport themselves, and stamp it. So, I cannot say I’ll be applying again or sitting down to fill out any form, whether online or having to go there — no. “But if they want — because I’m not fighting the American people, no — if in the future they realise that they made a mistake and ask me to come and take my visa back, I will say they should bring it to my house. And before you come to my house, you will need a visa to enter.”
Soyinka, during a media parley last Tuesday in Lagos, announced the revocation of his B1/B2 visa by the US Embassy. “It is necessary for me to hold this press conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time. I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” the 91-year-old told journalists at Kongi’s Harvest Art Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island. Soyinka, who has been a vocal critic of US President Donald Trump, said he did not know the reason for the revocation of his visa. However, the US Consulate in Lagos clarified last Thursday in response to an inquiry from The PUNCH that visas granted by the country are a privilege, not a right. “Visas are a privilege, not a right. Every country, including the United States, can determine who enters its borders. Visas may be revoked at any time, at the discretion of the U.S. government, whenever circumstances warrant,” the U.S. Mission in Nigeria stated.
- [Tanzania Moves to Restore Calm After Election Bloodshed](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/04/tanzania-moves-to-restore-calm-after-election-bloodshed/): Some Tanzanians were venturing out on Tuesday as restrictions, including a curfew and an internet blackout, were partially lifted after elections erupted into violence that the opposition says has left hundreds dead. The country’s electoral commission said President Samia Suluhu Hassan won the October 29 poll with 98 percent of the vote. The opposition has declared the election a “sham”. A total internet blackout in place since protests broke out on election day has been partially eased, but verifiable information out of the East African country remains tricky. An AFP journalist observed a slow return to normalcy in the economic capital, Dar es Salaam, on Tuesday, although people remained scared. “I hope violence will not come again,” food vendor Rehema Shehoza, 32, told AFP. “Some of us would die from hunger because I need to get out for work to get my daily bread,” she said. Police announced on Monday the lifting of a curfew imposed on election day, and after a near-total transport shutdown, some public buses were working. Long lines were seen outside reopening gas stations as prices soared, with private tuk-tuks and motorbikes filling the gaps. AFP also witnessed a continued security presence in the country’s largest city, although notably less than in recent days. The internet appeared to be coming back intermittently, with graphic images reportedly from the protests being shared across social media. The images could not be independently verified. The police circulated a text message on Monday threatening to punish anyone spreading footage that could create panic or humiliate people online. A diplomatic source said there were credible reports of hundreds — perhaps even thousands — of deaths registered at hospitals and health clinics around Tanzania. Chadema told AFP it had recorded “no less than 800” deaths by Saturday, but none of the figures could be independently verified. During her acceptance speech, Hassan expressed sadness over “incidents of violence that have led to loss of lives”, without giving any further details. She also promised that security and defence forces would investigate. The diplomatic source said there were “concerning reports” that the police had used the internet blackout to buy time as they “hunt down opposition members and protesters who might have videos” of atrocities committed last week. A Dar es Salaam resident told Human Rights Watch her neighbour was shot dead by a man wearing civilian clothing outside his home on October 30. Communicating by telephone, the woman said her neighbour had not taken part in the protests. Source : AFP
- [South Korea Unveils Record Defence Budget, Triples AI Investment in 2026 Push](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/11/04/south-korea-unveils-record-defence-budget-triples-ai-investment-in-2026-push/): South Korea will triple spending on artificial intelligence and make its biggest defence budget increase in six years, President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday in his annual parliamentary budget speech. Lee said 10.1 trillion won ($7 billion) would go towards “a major transformation aimed at propelling South Korea into the ranks of the world’s top three AI powers” alongside the United States and China. “We will significantly expand investment to usher in the ‘AI era’,” he said, noting the amount was more than three times the current year’s AI-related budget. The proposal was made in a speech outlining his government’s spending plans for 2026. Overall, the budget plan totals 728 trillion won, an 8.1 percent increase from this year. Lee now needs parliament to pass the budget proposal, which is likely given his party’s majority. On the defence budget, the president said his government wants to see an 8.2 percent increase from this year to 66.3 trillion won. If passed, it will mark the highest defence spending increase since 2019. “We will overhaul conventional weapons systems into state-of-the-art systems suited for the AI era and swiftly transform our military into an elite, smart force,” Lee said. – AI infrastructure –
Of next year’s AI budget, 2.6 trillion won “will be invested in introducing AI across industry, daily life and the public sector, while 7.5 trillion won will go towards talent development and infrastructure building”, Lee said. On Lee’s drive to make South Korea one of the world’s top three AI powers, Huang described the goal as “ambitious” after the supply announcement on Friday. But he said, “There’s no reason why Korea cannot achieve it — you have the technology, you have the software expertise, and you also have a natural ability to build manufacturing plants.” The United States, a key military ally, stations about 28,500 troops in South Korea to help it fend off military threats from the North. Since taking office in June, Lee has vowed to “respect” North Korea’s political system and pursue dialogue without preconditions, in a sharp break with the policies of his hawkish predecessor. Lee noted on Tuesday that South Korea already spends “1.4 times North Korea’s annual GDP” on defence alone and is “ranked fifth in global military strength”. Seoul and Pyongyang technically remain at war as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. Source : AFP
- [From Nigeria to the World: MacTech Founder to Guide Future Innovators on Becoming Global Talent](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/10/20/from-nigeria-to-the-world-mactech-founder-to-guide-future-innovators-on-becoming-global-talent/): Afeez Akinfola Oyinloye, the visionary founder and CEO of MacTech Global Ventures Ltd, will share his entrepreneurial journey and expert insights on international career pathways as a featured panellist at York St John University, London Campus, on Friday, 14 November 2025.The event, titled “From Campus to Global Careers: Demystifying the Global Talent Visa,” will bring together industry leaders, legal experts, and career strategists to help students, graduates, and emerging professionals understand how to position themselves as global talent in an increasingly competitive digital economy.
- [English, Maths Remain Mandatory in O-Level Exams — FG](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/10/19/english-maths-remain-mandatory-in-o-level-exams-fg/): The Federal Government has clarified that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students registering for their O’Level examinations, despite the recent review of admission requirements into tertiary institutions. In a statement issued on Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government said the new policy on streamlined admission criteria does not exempt any candidate from registering or sitting for the two core subjects. According to the statement signed by Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the clarification became necessary following misinterpretations of the new O’Level admission framework. The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, explained that the reform was introduced to promote flexibility, inclusiveness, and fairness in tertiary education admissions, ensuring that capable students are not denied access because of deficiencies in subjects unrelated to their chosen courses. “The streamlining ensures that deserving students are not denied access to higher education due to credit deficiencies in subjects that are not directly relevant to their chosen fields of study,” Alausa said. He added that the new framework aligns with global best practices and corrects imbalances in the previous admission system by allowing institutions to admit candidates into certain programmes where credit passes in either subject are not compulsory, but all students must still register and sit for both. The ministry stressed that the adjustment only affects admission criteria for specific programmes, not the requirement to study or take the subjects. “All students must continue to take both subjects as part of their Senior School Certificate Examinations, as they remain vital components of a sound educational foundation,” the statement partly read. The ministry said the policy supports the Federal Government’s broader goal of equitable access, inclusivity, and human capital development, while upholding education quality and integrity.
It also urged students, parents, and education stakeholders to rely solely on the ministry’s official communication channels and verified social media platforms for accurate updates on reforms and policies. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive education system anchored on integrity, excellence, and equal opportunity for all learners. PUNCH Online had reported that Nigerian senior secondary school students in arts and humanities will no longer be required to present a credit in mathematics in their Senior School Certificate Examination, organised by the West African Examination Council and National Examination Council, as a condition for admission to universities and polytechnics, the Federal Ministry of Education.
- [NPF Steps Up Cybersecurity Efforts, Rallies Public Against Online Threats](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/10/12/npf-steps-up-cybersecurity-efforts-rallies-public-against-online-threats/): The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has intensified efforts to combat the growing menace of online crimes with a one-day Cybercrime Awareness Campaign held in Abuja, aimed at promoting digital literacy, responsible online behaviour, and public resilience against cyber threats. The NPF–NCCC was established as a specialised unit under the Nigeria Police Force to combat the growing wave of cyber-enabled crimes in the country, including online fraud, identity theft, financial scams, and cyberbullying. The centre works closely with key institutions such as the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Information Technology Development Agency, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to enhance Nigeria’s capacity in cybercrime prevention, investigation, and digital forensics. A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Sunday, partly read, “The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF–NCCC) has successfully concluded its one-day Cybercrime Awareness Campaign held in Abuja, marking a significant stride in educating Nigerians on online safety, promoting secure digital practices, and strengthening the nation’s collective defense against cyber threats. It added that speaking at the event, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Sadiq Abubakar, reiterated the Force’s commitment to ensuring a safe digital environment for Nigerians. “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, who was ably represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), DIG Sadiq Abubakar, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensuring a safer digital space for all Nigerians”, the statement quoted the IG as saying. In his welcome address, the Director of the NPF–NCCC, CP Uche Henry, commended partners and stakeholders for their consistent collaboration and support in advancing national cybersecurity goals. He underscored the need for joint efforts to tackle the menace of cybercrime, noting that individual awareness and vigilance were crucial in the fight against digital threats. “CP Uche Ifeanyi Henry appreciated all partners and stakeholders for their continued cooperation and support. He emphasised that the fight against cybercrime requires a collective national effort, noting that ‘today’s digital era demands that all Nigerians are not just users but also guardians of their own cybersecurity”,, the statement quoted Henry as saying. The NPF–NCCC boss further highlighted the importance of sustained public education and technological investment to build a safer digital space. “This campaign is part of our mandate to make citizens more aware and resilient to online threats. We will continue to build on this foundation by scaling up cyber education, enhancing reporting mechanisms, and strengthening our enforcement capacity”, Henry added. The campaign, which attracted over 3,000 participants from schools, government institutions, private organisations, digital platforms, and security agencies, featured a range of activities designed to engage and educate attendees. The FPRO also noted that the event reflected the Force’s renewed drive to promote a culture of cyber vigilance and citizen empowerment in the digital space. “The event recorded over 3,000 participants drawn from schools, government and private institutions, digital platforms, and various agencies. The day featured an awareness walk, distribution of sensitisation materials, as well as a musical fiesta that energised the participants and underscored the campaign’s message in a fun and engaging manner. “The campaign once again demonstrated the Nigeria Police Force’s unwavering commitment to securing Nigeria’s digital landscape and empowering citizens on how to Stay Smart, Stay Safe online”, the statement concluded. PUNCH Online reports that Nigeria, like many countries with rapidly expanding digital economies, has faced increasing cyber threats in recent years. According to the NCC, the country loses billions of naira annually to various forms of cybercrime, including phishing attacks, ransomware, and financial fraud schemes targeting individuals and organisations. In response, the NPF–NCCC has rolled out several initiatives aimed at strengthening digital resilience nationwide, including public sensitisation campaigns, inter-agency collaboration, and the training of cyber investigators across state commands. Source: Punch News
- [Ex-Amotekun DG Alleges Criminal Infiltration in Osun Security Corps](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/10/12/ex-amotekun-dg-alleges-criminal-infiltration-in-osun-security-corps/): The Pioneer Director-General of the Osun Amotekun Corps, Amitolu Shittu, has raised alarm over what he described as the infiltration of criminal elements into the security outfit through improper recruitment.
- [Jonathan Not a Threat to Tinubu, Says Presidential Aide](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/10/12/jonathan-not-a-threat-to-tinubu-says-presidential-aide/): Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Senior Special Assistant (Print media) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has downplayed talks about former President Goodluck Jonathan making a political comeback, saying there is nothing to fear if he decides to contest again.
- [Omah Lay Says Nigerian Music Industry Is Becoming ‘Boring’](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/10/10/omah-lay-says-nigerian-music-industry-is-becoming-boring/): Afrobeats singer, Stanley Omah Didia, popularly known as Omah Lay, has claimed that the Nigerian music industry is becoming boring. The ‘Soso’ hit-maker promised to spice up African music soon. On his Snapchat, Omah Lay wrote, “Una music industry is boring AF! Spirit is coming to f**k up the continent in a bit.” Afrobeats singer, Stanley Omah Didia, popularly known as Omah Lay, has claimed that the Nigerian music industry is becoming boring. The ‘Soso’ hitmaker promised to spice up African music soon. On his Snapchat, Omah Lay wrote, “Una music industry is boring AF! Spirit is coming to f**k up the continent in a bit.” This is coming after another Nigerian singer, Slimcase, expressed concern over the country’s music industry, claiming that Afrobeats artists’ sounds were becoming boring. The Shaku Shaku crooner urged Afrobeats to release less music in order to bid excitement and anticipation for their releases. He claimed that the constant release of songs among the Afrobeat stars was “killing” the genre.
- [Lawmakers Remove Peru’s President Boluarte Over ‘Moral Incapacity’ Allegations](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/10/10/lawmakers-remove-perus-president-boluarte-over-moral-incapacity-allegations/): Lawmakers in Peru voted Friday to remove President Dina Boluarte, whose term has been marked by protests and accusations of failing to stem crime. Boluarte refused to appear before Congress for an overnight hearing, after a majority of lawmakers, including some once loyal to her, voted to initiate impeachment proceedings. They summoned Boluarte to appear before Congress at 11:30 pm (0430 GMT Friday), but she skipped the proceedings, which ended with 118 lawmakers voting for her impeachment. “The president’s impeachment has been approved,” announced Congress leader Jose Jeri, who could take over as interim president until elections in April 2026. Protests have marked Boluarte’s presidency, along with various scandals, investigations and a surge in gang violence. She had already faced down multiple attempts to remove her from office. The latest effort cited her “permanent moral incapacity” to conduct her duties since assuming office in December 2022. Peru has had six presidents in about nine years. Boluarte, who took office after her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, was impeached over a crackdown on protests that killed at least 50 people, had seen her approval rating plummet. She is the subject of multiple probes, including one for her alleged failure to declare gifts of luxury jewels and watches, a scandal dubbed “Rolexgate.” She also gave herself a large pay increase in July. Anti-government protests have mounted in recent weeks after the government passed a law on September 5 requiring young people to contribute to private pension funds, despite job insecurity and an unofficial employment rate of more than 70 per cent. Protests have also escalated over the past six months in the wake of a wave of extortion and murders by organised crime groups.
AFP
- [Amupitan Faces Crucial Integrity Test as New INEC Chairman](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/10/10/amupitan-faces-crucial-integrity-test-as-new-inec-chairman/): Prof. Joash Amupitan’s appointment as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday sets the stage for a major leadership test, as he inherits an electoral system dogged by controversy, low voter confidence, and pressure to deliver credible elections.
He was appointed following the National Council of State’s unanimous endorsement of the Kogi-born academic during its meeting at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja. He succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose decade-long tenure as INEC Chairman ended on Tuesday. At the meeting, President Bola Tinubu explained that his choice of Amupitan was based on the latter’s political stance, integrity and impeccable record of service. “President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical,” a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, quoted him as saying. Council members, including serving and former leaders, backed the nomination, describing the Professor as a man of proven integrity. Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, said Amupitan’s track record “reflects a deep commitment to justice, knowledge, and national service.” Following the council’s approval, the President is expected to transmit Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation in line with constitutional provisions. Aged 58, Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. A professor of law at the University of Jos, Plateau State, he is currently the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration). Also, he serves as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State. Political parties on Thursday urged Amupitan (SAN) to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process through transparency, neutrality and deep institutional reform. Reacting to the development, the African Democratic Congress cautioned the new electoral umpire, Chief, to remain loyal to the Nigerian people and not to political interests. This was as the Peoples Democratic Party urged him to prioritise internal cleansing and comprehensive electoral reforms to restore public confidence in the commission. The ruling All Progressives Congress, however, expressed confidence in Amupitan’s appointment, stating that he was chosen on merit and must demonstrate fairness, integrity, and commitment to sustaining ongoing electoral reforms. In a statement on Thursday, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, urged the new INEC Chair to place his loyalty with the Nigerian people rather than the ruling APC government. Abdullahi emphasised the need to restore public confidence in the nation’s electoral system, saying the coalition party is ready to extend the nominated INEC Chairman the benefit of the doubt. The Coalition expressed hope that Amupitan would perform better. He stated, “We are cautious. But we expect the new INEC chairman to have a personal ambition to do better and restore the confidence of Nigerians and the world in the Nigerian election. “He must understand that his loyalty is with the Nigerian people, not the government. We are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt based on his track record. But now he has the opportunity to make a good name for himself that his children would be proud of, or to soil his record and end up with ignominy. “He should bear in mind also that his tenure will ordinarily last beyond one electoral cycle. He should therefore look beyond the interest of those who have appointed him.” Meanwhile, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, called on Amupitan to implement reforms that will reinforce and deepen Nigeria’s democracy. In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH Osadolor stated, “Given his relatively young age at 58, and being someone that fortune has smiled upon among several millions of Nigerians, he should be mindful and conscious of the fact that this appointment is not a time for personal aggrandisement or for him to take his pension and settle himself and his family from the Nigerian common patrimony.” The PDP youth leader argued that Amupitan is not at the mercy of President Bola Tinubu and what he called the “cabals in Aso Rock that might have recommended him.” “He should seize the opportunity to write his name in gold. This is a time for him to write his name in gold so that posterity will vindicate him. He should bear in mind that the ultimate people he owes allegiance to are the Nigerian people, who, through taxes, pay his bills.
“The fate of over 200 million Nigerians rests on his shoulders. “That burden alone should give him sleepless nights, not negatively, but should make him sit up in a way that the overall best interest of Nigerians will be served,” he added. APC lauds appointment
For its part, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, lauded the appointment, stating that Professor Amupitan’s appointment was based on merit. He said, “We expect that he is going to be just. He has been chosen on merit, and he will play by the book. We expect him to add value to the electoral reforms our party has put in place. “We are expecting him to add value to the democratic process Nigeria is going through. We are expecting him to make Nigerians have more confidence in the impartiality of INEC as an electoral umpire. “So, we are not expecting anything short of that from him, and we expect that he is going to act in accordance with the trust that is placed upon him.” Opposition set agenda
For their part, opposition figures have tasked the new INEC Chief to prioritise electoral reform, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law as he assumes office. Reacting to Amupitan’s confirmation by the National Council of State on Thursday, Labour Party presidential candidate at the 2023 polls, Peter Obi, and the New Nigeria People’s Party expressed cautious optimism about his appointment. In separate phone interviews with The PUNCH, they affirmed that Nigerians would closely monitor Amupitan’s performance. Obi, who spoke through his media aide and the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said the first step for the new INEC boss should be a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s electoral system. “The agenda we are setting for him is to start with his tenure with electoral reform. We should ensure that a new electoral reform is on the horizon and ensure you work with it,” he stated, adding, “There is something that you cannot withdraw from Professor Mahmood during his tenure. He tried to refer to the law before making decisions, though some people may have felt that he was hiding under the law. But in everything that you see, he would always refer to the provision of the law.” The former Anambra governor also warned the new INEC boss not to be intimidated or play to the whims and caprices of the President because he was responsible for his appointment. He said, “If everybody agrees to follow, support and execute the rule of law, we will have limited situations on our hands. Already, we know the law itself has been put into question at the moment because our judiciary has not been performing up to an optimal level. “So we pray that he will be able to live legitimately, even though the processes that brought him to this position can also be put into question. This is because, with all due respect, we know people appointed by Mr. President are usually those who will look out for his interests. “It is not as if he is an independent candidate. We are all aware of that. We can only be optimistic. But we are going to have our eyes on him. I really don’t envy him at all. He is going to carry numerous loads because he has a lot to prove.” The National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, urged Amupitan to anchor his leadership on the rule of law and learn from the mistakes of the 2023 general elections. “We really don’t know much about him. But the agenda we can set for somebody like that is to assess how far the commission has gone and for him to begin preparations for the next elections,” Johnson said. “Amupitan should also look at the lessons they have learnt from the last polls and ensure his officers also understand the agenda he is bringing to the table. Whether his agenda is to bring free and fair elections, equity and all, he has to let them know as quickly as possible,” he added.
Mutfwang hails Amupitan’s appointment as INEC chairman. Govs hail appointment In his congratulatory message on Thursday, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State described the new INEC Chief as a towering figure, a patriotic Nigerian, a strategic thinker, and a detrimental leader whose immense contributions have continued to shape the course of good governance and democratic advancement across the country. “Through his pen and podium, he has continued to educate generations, shape public policy, and enrich the nation’s intellectual landscape,” the Governor remarked in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere. The Kogi State Government also congratulated Amupitan on his new appointment.
In a statement on Thursday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said, “Prof. Amupitan’s illustrious career as a renowned legal scholar, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and respected administrator stands as a testament to his capacity for impartiality, integrity, and intellectual depth — qualities that are vital to the advancement of our electoral system.” George, lawyers react.
Reminiscing on the tenure of the outgone INEC Chair, Yakubu, a PDP chieftain, Bode George, described Yakubu as a man destined to face the spirit of the poor elections he conducted while in office. Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH, the elder statesman said of Yakubu, “I know him very well. It is sad that he had the opportunity to modernise the electoral system but failed. The same company they contracted is the same company that worked for the Ghana Electoral Commission. Have we not seen how elections are conducted in Ghana? “I warned him that he would regret it. You saw what he did during the elections. They stopped the process due to fatigue and said they would continue the next day. He later blamed the whole thing on a technical glitch. “Yakubu is a brilliant boy and has a good human spirit, but the election he conducted in 2023 will keep haunting him. They have thrown him under the bus. What is left for him now is a reckoning with his conscience and his God.” On the recently appointed INEC chair, the PDP stalwart said, “As for Prof. Amupitan, I want him to know that whatever he sows, he shall reap. He should learn from history and do what is right. He should think of what would be said after his tenure is over, just as we are talking about Yakubu now.” Legal luminaries have urged the new INEC Chairman to uphold transparency, resist political pressure, and restore public faith in Nigeria’s electoral process. The senior advocates, in separate interviews, said his emergence presents a rare opportunity to rebuild INEC’s credibility and reorient the country’s electoral culture. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), a leading commercial litigator and managing partner at Pinheiro LP, described the new INEC boss as “extremely resourceful, prudent, and thorough,” saying he comes to the job with “impeccable credentials and integrity.” “My agenda for him is first to see his appointment as a national call to duty,” Pinheiro said, adding, “He must uphold the necessity to conduct credible, transparent elections and ensure that votes count. He must not allow himself to be distracted by those who always want to have their way even when the majority has spoken.” Pinheiro also advised the new Chairman to ignore “the noise on social media,” which, according to him, “does not reflect the popular vote.” He warned that online sentiment often reflects “only those with smartphones” rather than the silent majority who decide elections at the grassroots.
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch, Lekan Ojo (SAN), said Amupitan’s legal pedigree and current position as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos made him a “fit and proper person” for the job. But he stressed that “transparency and integrity” must define his tenure. “As of today, many Nigerians believe their votes do not count, and that perception has fueled voter apathy. The INEC chairman must erase this negative image and ensure people believe in the process again. He must resist any form of manipulation or control, and discharge his duties without fear or favour,” Ojo said. He reminded Amupitan that he carries the reputation of the legal profession on his shoulders, adding, “I appeal to him to make the inner bar proud. This is the first time a Senior Advocate of Nigeria will head INEC, and he must leave an enviable legacy.” For human rights lawyer and public affairs analyst Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), Amupitan’s biggest challenge will be insulating INEC from political influence and overhauling its operational inefficiencies. He argued, “The INEC chairman is like someone carrying a crate of eggs. He needs stamina, courage, and determination not to succumb to external pressures,” Adegboruwa said, adding, “He must work with the National Assembly to amend sections of the Electoral Act that encourage manipulation, especially those relating to party primaries and candidate nominations.” He also urged the new INEC leadership to embrace complete digitisation and open data access, saying, “INEC must dismantle its bureaucracy. The process of obtaining certified documents is too slow. There should be a portal where Nigerians can apply, pay, and get documents instantly. After all, candidates upload their credentials online, why can’t citizens access them the same way?” The senior advocate added that improving transparency will ease election disputes and save the country billions spent on litigation.
“When people see that the umpire is neutral and the process credible, they will have no reason to go to court. That is how to restore trust and dignity to our democracy,” he stated. Amupitan obtained his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in law from the University of Jos, after earlier studies at the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. Called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988, Amupitan has built an extensive academic and administrative career spanning over three decades. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2014 and has written extensively on company law, corporate governance, and evidence law. His published works include Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), and Principles of Company Law (2013). Beyond academia, Amupitan has served on several boards, including Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and the Council of Legal Education.
He was also a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja, between 1996 and 2004. The Kogi-born scholar, described by colleagues as “a jurist of quiet influence,” is married with four children. When confirmed by the Senate, Amupitan will become Nigeria’s 15th INEC chairman. Source: Punch News
- [Super Eagles Face Lesotho in Do-or-Die Clash as World Cup Hopes Hang in the Balance](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/10/10/super-eagles-face-lesotho-in-do-or-die-clash-as-world-cup-hopes-hang-in-the-balance/): All eyes are on the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, South Africa, on Friday as the Super Eagles lock horns with the Crocodiles of Lesotho in what promises to be a last-chance match for Nigeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Super Eagles were almost certain to miss out on consecutive World Cup finals after their September 1-1 draw against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
However, they were handed a lifeline when South Africa were docked points for fielding an ineligible player, narrowing the gap at the top of Group C. The ruling left Nigeria three points adrift of Benin and South Africa with two games remaining, reshaping the qualification race and keeping Nigeria’s hopes alive. Nigeria cannot afford to lose either of their remaining two matches, starting with Friday’s fixture against Lesotho. They must also hope South Africa slip up in their remaining games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda. With several teams still mathematically capable of topping the group, a win in Polokwane is essential if the Super Eagles are to keep their campaign alive. Benin top the group with 14 points and a +4 goal difference, while South Africa are second on 14 points with a +2 goal difference. Nigeria sit third on 11 points and a +2 goal difference, followed by Rwanda on 11 points and a neutral goal difference. Since 2019, the sides have met three times: they have drawn once and Nigeria have won twice. Lesotho held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on November 16, 2023, and will be looking to cause another upset in Polokwane. The Super Eagles’ World Cup qualifying campaign has been patchy. To date, they have recorded two wins, five draws and one defeat, while Lesotho have two wins, three draws and three losses. Ahead of the crucial tie, head coach Éric Chelle and some Super Eagles stars have expressed optimism about their chances.
Speaking at a press conference in Polokwane on Thursday, Chelle said the team must begin the game aggressively and with full focus. Chelle warned that football is unpredictable, considering factors such as weather, refereeing errors, and individual mistakes can influence outcomes. But he insisted the squad’s attention must remain on securing three points. Match day nine will take place on Friday (today), October 10, at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, with kick-off at 6:00 p.m. local time (5:00 p.m. Nigeria time). Fans can watch on DStv’s SuperSport, SportyBet TV and AfroSport. Source: Punch News
- [Musk Unveils Plans for “Grokipedia,” an AI-Powered Alternative to Wikipedia](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/10/06/musk-unveils-plans-for-grokipedia-an-ai-powered-alternative-to-wikipedia/): Forbes Billionaire Elon Musk has stated that his AI company xAI is building “Grokipedia” after he and his allies accused Wikipedia of bias.  “We are building Grokipedia @xAI,” Musk wrote on his social platform X. “It will be a massive improvement over Wikipedia. Frankly, it is a necessary. “We are building Grokipedia @xAI,” Musk wrote on his social platform X. “It will be a massive improvement over Wikipedia. Frankly, it is a necessary step towards the xAI goal of understanding the Universe.” The Tesla and SpaceX CEO expressed his vision for the online encyclopedia, stating it would be an “open source knowledge repository” offered to the public, with no limits on use.” The new service is evidently named after his company’s AI chatbot, Grok. Musk criticised Wikipedia as “Wokipedia” following similar accusations from his allies. White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks slammed the site as “hopelessly biased.” Also, according to Cointelegraph, Elon Musk, the owner of X, has announced that his artificial intelligence company, xAI, is set to launch the early beta version of its Wikipedia competitor, Grokipedia, in two weeks. Musk described the upcoming service as a solution to “falsehoods” and “half-truths.” In a post on X, Musk stated that “version 0.1 early beta” will be available soon, marking a significant step in xAI’s mission to enhance knowledge accuracy. Musk initially revealed plans for Grokipedia on September 30, emphasising that it would be a substantial improvement over Wikipedia. He noted that Grokipedia is a necessary step toward xAI’s goal of understanding the universe. While specific details about Grokipedia remain limited, Musk has previously mentioned that it will serve as an “open source knowledge repository.” The concept for Grokipedia reportedly emerged during a summit hosted by “The All-In Podcast” in September, where Musk discussed Grok’s ability to scan various sources, including Wikipedia posts and documents, to verify information accuracy. Musk explained that Grok would rewrite information to present what it considers the complete truth. Co-host David Sacks suggested Musk should offer Grokipedia as a service, to which Musk responded positively. Elon Musk has had ongoing disagreements with Wikipedia, criticising the platform for hosting misinformation and alleging biased editorial practices. In October 2023, Musk humorously offered to pay Wikipedia $1 billion if it changed its name to “Dikipedia,” highlighting perceived ideological bias during the Wikipedia Foundation’s fundraising efforts. Musk recently referenced this joke in response to venture capitalist Chamath Plihapitiya’s claim that “Wikipedia is a massive psyop.” Wikipedia, known for its crowd-sourced information, has faced numerous controversies over the years, many of which are documented on the platform itself. A recent incident that reignited debate around Wikipedia involved an interview between Tucker Carlson and Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger on September 30. Sanger, who has not been involved with Wikipedia since 2002, criticised the platform’s source approval and blacklisting practices, alleging ideological bias. He claimed that certain academic sources, such as a comprehensive encyclopedia of Christianity, are not allowed on Wikipedia, and accused administrators of blocking users with differing ideologies. Musk’s ambitions for xAI extend beyond Grokipedia, with plans to venture into gaming. In a retweet on X, Musk announced that the “xAI game studio will release a great AI-generated game before the end of next year.” Source: TVC
- [Nigeria, Japan Join Forces to Accelerate Startup Ecosystem and Digital Economy](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/09/29/nigeria-japan-join-forces-to-accelerate-startup-ecosystem-and-digital-economy/): Nigeria’s technology regulator has said that a partnership with Japan’s aid agency is accelerating the expansion of the country’s startup sector, as Africa’s most populous nation seeks to position itself as a hub for digital innovation. The National Information Technology Development Agency has worked with the Japan International Cooperation Agency to run iHatch, a joint incubation scheme offering mentorship, training and seed funding to early-stage companies. Among its beneficiaries is AGROVESTO, an agritech venture digitising supply chains for smallholder farmers.
NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, said the collaboration was helping Nigerian entrepreneurs turn local challenges into scalable business models. “Nigeria is home to over 200 fintech startups revolutionising financial services, fostering inclusion and empowering millions,” he said in a statement following remarks delivered by a senior official in Abuja. He cited Paystack, Flutterwave and Paga as examples of Nigerian companies with continental reach. The initiative comes as the government implements the Nigeria Startup Act, which provides tax incentives, simplified registration processes and regulatory sandboxes aimed at lowering barriers for innovators and attracting investment. Japan’s JICA has stepped up engagement in Nigeria’s digital economy, in contrast to the more high-profile involvement of Chinese and American investors. JICA’s country representative, Ishigame Kenji, called on AGROVESTO to expand its technology to more farmers, underscoring Tokyo’s interest in agritech as part of a broader development agenda. Nigeria, where nearly half the population is under 18, has seen a surge in venture-backed startups despite currency volatility and high inflation. Officials hope that a mix of foreign partnerships and policy reforms can sustain momentum in an ecosystem still grappling with patchy infrastructure and regulatory uncertainty.
- [From OSBC ‘Thank God It’s Friday’ to Bass 99.3 FM: The Rise of Osun State’s No. 1 Urban Radio Station](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/09/28/from-osbc-thank-god-its-friday-to-bass-99-3-fm-the-rise-of-osun-states-no-1-urban-radio-station/): In the bustling heart of Osogbo, Osun State, a new sound is redefining the city’s airwaves. Bass 99.3 FM, founded by popular entertainer and disc jockey Dee Jay Bassman, is already being hailed as Osun’s number one urban radio station. With its bold slogan, “Where Entertainment Meets Humanity,” Bass FM is more than a broadcast platform but a cultural movement dedicated to music, community, and the everyday stories of the people.
- [AI-Generated Images of Public Figures Fuel Fake Ads Peter Obi and Others Raise Alarm](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/09/27/ai-generated-images-of-public-figures-fuel-fake-ads-peter-obi-and-others-raise-alarm/): Across Nigeria, a growing number of AI-generated images and videos are being used in advertising without consent, misleading the public and implicating prominent figures in endorsements they never made. Among those speaking up, Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate, has raised the alarm over adverts falsely associating him with products or investment schemes.
- [Tech manufacturer releases world’s first commercial foldable smartphone](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/09/11/tech-manufacturer-releases-worlds-first-commercial-foldable-smartphone/): Tech innovator and manufacturer Royole has released the world’s first commercial foldable smartphone. Unlike Samsung and other global companies currently on the foldable screen hype, Royole’s “FlexPai” model claims to be both a smartphone and tablet in one. The unit can be used when folded.
- [3 African languages added onto Google Translate](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/09/11/3-african-languages-added-onto-google-translate/): Three African languages – Amharic, the official working language of Ethiopia, and Xhosa, the second most common native language in South Africa after Afrikaans, and Shona (Zimbabwe)- have been added to Google Translate in its latest update. The tool has added support for 13 more languages, bringing...
- [Kebbi Police Uncover ₦109.5m Gold Theft Syndicate, Arrest Six Suspects](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/09/11/kebbi-police-uncover-%e2%82%a6109-5m-gold-theft-syndicate-arrest-six-suspects/): Detectives of the Kebbi State Police Command have arrested six suspects concerning the theft of gold ornaments valued at over ₦109.5 million in Ka’oje town, Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement issued Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, Nafiu Abubakar, the arrests followed a complaint lodged on September 4, 2025, at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Birnin Kebbi. The case has generated wide public interest in Kebbi and beyond, not only because of the staggering value of the stolen gold but also due to the involvement of a serving officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the crime. Analysts say this raises fresh concerns about the infiltration of criminal tendencies into security institutions and the urgent need for stronger oversight. According to the statement, “Investigations revealed that sometime between 2024 and 2025, unknown persons broke into the residence of one Hajiya Rabi of Ka’oje and carted away five gold necklaces, nine bangles, and four rings weighing 782.7 grams. “The items belonged to her daughter, Hajiya Amina Hassan Bello, and other siblings.
“Acting on intelligence, police operatives arrested Ibrahim Abubakar, an officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, who confessed to the crime. “Abubakar reportedly sold the stolen items to buyers identified as Sa’adu Ibrahim Darhami and Hamza Ahmad, both from Sokoto State; Nasiru Sani of Birnin Kebbi; and Tasi’u Umar of Zauro town, Birnin Kebbi LGA. The PPRO said further investigations revealed that Abubakar was assisted by one Ibrahim Usman Oroji, who helped dispose of some of the ornaments and collected ₦2.5 million as his share. He said another accomplice, Mustapha Hassan, allegedly aided in concealing the proceeds by facilitating the purchase of two plots of land in Birnin Kebbi metropolis. “Exhibits so far recovered include two golden bangles, a Haojue motorcycle, an iPhone 16, a Samsung Galaxy Ultra, and a Samsung Flip phone.” Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police for Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M. Sani, praised the SCID team for their professionalism and intelligence-led operations. He assured that efforts were ongoing to track down other accomplices and recover more stolen property.
Observers say the successful operation highlights both the growing sophistication of criminal syndicates dealing in stolen jewellery and the importance of intelligence-driven policing in such crimes. Gold ornaments remain a prized form of wealth storage in northern Nigeria, often passed down as family heirlooms, making their theft not only a financial blow but also an emotional one for victims.
The development has once again placed security agencies in the spotlight, with civil society groups urging stronger inter-agency collaboration, especially in monitoring personnel to prevent abuse of trust. “The police must sustain this momentum to send a clear message that crime, no matter who is involved, will not go unpunished,” Sani stated, adding that the command remains committed to ensuring safety and security across Kebbi State. Source : Punch News
- [Transparency keeps talent managers in business — Seun Olatunji](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/09/11/transparency-keeps-talent-managers-in-business-seun-olatunji/): A talent manager, Seun Olatunji, is of the opinion that transparency and success are critical to the recognition and respect talent managers get in the industry.He told Sunday Scoop, “In recent times, talent managers are getting all the respect they deserve, because of the success stories of the talents they represent. The success stories of artistes have made people place more premium on talent managers.
- [Africa’s AI Future Depends on Homegrown Innovation, Not Silicon Valley Blueprints](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/08/19/africas-ai-future-depends-on-homegrown-innovation-not-silicon-valley-blueprints/): Every year brings another round of “Africa’s AI moment” headlines — new accelerators, founders jetting off to San Francisco and returning with pitch decks that read like a YC template, roadmaps that mirror whatever just raised a huge round in the US. A few months later, most of it quietly fizzles out.
It isn’t a talent problem or a funding problem. It’s that too many builders are still working from someone else’s blueprint. Silicon Valley’s model was built for reliable broadband, formal banking records, English-first markets, and users who already trust institutions with their data. Almost none of that describes most of Africa. Until builders design around African reality instead of retrofitting American products, “transformation” stays a buzzword on a slide. African Problems Need African-Built Answers
Africa’s constraints aren’t bugs to route around — they’re the actual spec. With well over 2,000 languages, most barely represented in NLP datasets, a model trained mainly on English can’t genuinely serve this continent. Where the nearest doctor might be hours away, a health tool needs to work over basic SMS, not assume a smartphone and a data plan. Where most economic activity is informal and undocumented, credit models built on Western banking data are simply useless. These aren’t rare edge cases — they’re the majority reality. A system that can’t handle multiple languages, patchy connectivity, and an informal economy isn’t just imperfect for Africa; it’s often unusable. That shifts the priorities too: instead of productivity apps and enterprise SaaS, the biggest wins look like crop-yield forecasting for smallholder farmers, multilingual health triage, banking the unbanked, and public services delivered at a scale no single startup can reach alone. What Goes Wrong When You Import Instead of Adapt
Copying existing tech is cheaper and faster than building from zero — that’s the appeal. But skipping real localization tends to break in three predictable ways. Language and culture get lost. Assistants trained on Western text often can’t handle pidgin, code-switching, or local dialects, and end up giving flattened, generic answers that miss the point entirely. Infrastructure assumptions fail. Anything built expecting constant connectivity and modern devices stops working where power and data are unreliable. That’s not an inconvenience — it’s a lockout. Data flows out without ownership flowing back. When African user data trains foreign models, and African markets consume products priced and built elsewhere, the continent becomes a testing ground rather than a beneficiary. Some call this data colonialism. The risk is real: value gets captured elsewhere while Africa carries the operational costs.
Building It Right
None of this means shutting out global research or partnerships. It means flipping the process — starting from African constraints and building outward, instead of starting with a Silicon Valley product and bolting on localization afterward. In practice, that looks like: • Real, sustained investment in African-language datasets and models — ongoing work led by African     linguists, not a one-off hackathon.
• Offline-first design — SMS/USSD compatibility and low-bandwidth interfaces as the default, not an   add-on for “emerging markets.”
• Public-private partnerships that use government-controlled channels — health systems, ID systems,   agriculture networks — to reach a scale no startup can hit alone.
• African universities doing foundational AI research, not just consuming models built elsewhere.
• Data and IP generated by African users staying under African control wherever possible.  None of this happens fast. It needs patient capital and partners willing to move at government speed,   not startup speed. But the payoff is an AI ecosystem that actually works for the people it’s meant to serve — one that creates value on the continent instead of just extracting it. Africa doesn’t need a Silicon Valley copy. It needs the confidence to build from its own reality.
- [Amaechi Vows to Defeat Tinubu in 2027 if ADC Grants Him Presidential Ticket](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/08/09/amaechi-vows-to-defeat-tinubu-in-2027-if-adc-grants-him-presidential-ticket/): Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has noted is confidence in defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election if he secures the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket.
- [Davido Immortalizes Chioma’s Name in Tattoo Ahead of Miami Wedding Celebration](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/08/09/davido-immortalizes-chiomas-name-in-tattoo-ahead-of-miami-wedding-celebration/): Superstar Nigerian singer and song writer, Davido has gotten a permanent tattoo of his wife Chioma’s name on his body as the couple prepares for their wedding celebration in Miami, United States.
- [The Ultimate Awards 2025 Voting Percentage](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/08/07/the-ultimate-awards-2025-voting-percentage/): As of 12noon, August 7, 2025, these are the voting percentage of each nomination category.
- [Ojulari Resumes Duty as NNPC GCEO Amid Resignation Rumours](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/08/04/ojulari-resumes-duty-as-nnpc-gceo-amid-resignation-rumours/): The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Bayo Ojulari, resumed official duties on Monday morning, amid widespread rumours suggesting his resignation.
- [Cast Your Vote! Ultimate Awards 2025 Account Numbers and Voting Steps Here](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/29/cast-your-vote-ultimate-awards-2025-account-numbers-and-voting-steps-here/): The Ultimate Awards 2025 voting runs from August 1 to August 10, 2025! Support your favorite nominees by making a bank transfer of 100 Naira per vote to their unique Paystack-Titan account numbers, provided below. Dr. Seun Olatunji, founder and project director, guarantees a fair and transparent process with every vote accurately counted. Follow these simple steps to cast your vote and help your favorite nominees shine!
- [Tems Crowned Africa’s Best-Selling Female Music Artiste](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/25/tems-crowned-africas-best-selling-female-music-artiste/): Grammy-winning Nigerian hip-hop sensation, Temilade Openiyi, fondly known as her stage name, Tems, has emerged the best selling female artiste in Africa.
- [FG Set New Minimum Age for JSS1 Admission](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/25/fg-set-new-minimum-age-for-jss1-admission/): The Federal Ministry of Education has introduced a new policy that sets 12 years as the minimum age for pupils entering Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1) after completing six years of primary education. 
- [JUST IN: Zamfara’s Emir of Gusau Dies at 71](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/25/just-in-zamfaras-emir-of-gusau-dies-at-71/): Dr. Ibrahim Bello, the Emir of Gusau in Zamfara State, has passed away at the age of 71 after battling a prolonged illness.
- [“I Started Before Edochie” — Yemi Solade Sets Record Straight on Nollywood Origins](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/24/i-started-before-edochie-yemi-solade-sets-record-straight-on-nollywood-origins/): Veteran Nigerian Nollywood actor, Yemi Solade has sparked conversation in the film industry after asserting that he began his acting career before legendary actor Pete Edochie.
- [Saraki to PDP Defectors: Anger Is Not a Strategy](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/23/saraki-to-pdp-defectors-anger-is-not-a-strategy/): A former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has criticised recent defections from the Peoples Democratic Party, saying those leaving for the African Democratic Congress and the ruling All Progressives Congress are doing so out of anger rather than strategic thinking.
- [SEE FULL LIST OF NNOMINEES AND CATEGORIES AT THE ULTIMATE AWARDS 2025](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/21/see-full-list-of-nnominees-and-categories-at-the-ultimate-awards-2025/): The voting process for the The Ultimate Awards (TUA) 2025 is scheduled to commence on August 1st and will conclude on August 10th. The event date is on the 31st of August 2025.
- [THE ULTIMATE AWARDS 2025: OFFICIAL CATEGORIES UNVEILED AT PRESS PARLEY](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/10/the-ultimate-awards-2025-official-categories-unveiled-at-press-parley/): Lagos, Nigeria – July 9, 2025
- [APC Gives Update On Governor’s Aide Who Brought Snake Into Govt House](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/apc-gives-update-on-governors-aide-who-brought-snake-into-govt-house/): Naija News recalls that Sani-Giant was suspended for bringing a snake to Government House to intimidate dignitaries, officials and statesmen on the 8th of the same month.
- [Residents Flee For Their Lives As Gunmen In Mafia Attire Storm Anambra Community](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/residents-flee-for-their-lives-as-gunmen-in-mafia-attire-storm-anambra-community/): Residents fled for their lives when the perpetrators stormed the area on Wednesday morning and began firing gunshots.
- [Nicki Minaj Accuses Jay-Z Of Owing Her $200 Million From Music Deal](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/nicki-minaj-accuses-jay-z-of-owing-her-200-million-from-music-deal/): Naija News reports that Nicki Minaj made the allegations on Tuesday, July 8.
- [Cardi B Sparks Breakup Rumours With Boyfriend Stefon Diggs](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/cardi-b-sparks-breakup-rumours-with-boyfriend-stefon-diggs/): Checks by Naija News on Tuesday revealed that the duo have removed photos of each other from their Instagram pages.
- [Gusau Reacts As Unpaid Super Falcons Allowance Claims Resurface](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/gusau-reacts-as-unpaid-super-falcons-allowance-claims-resurface/): This comes just as the Super Falcons kicked off their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign in Morocco. Recall that they secured a 3-0 win over Tunisia in their opening game at the tournament on Sunday, July 6.
- [Osimhen Pushes Napoli For Galatasaray Move, Ferdinand Unhappy](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/osimhen-pushes-napoli-for-galatasaray-move-ferdinand-unhappy/): Renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano broke the news late Tuesday night, revealing on 𝕏 Victor Osimhen, 26, has made his stance known to the Italian side.
- [Luis Enrique Sets Emotions Aside Ahead of PSG Vs Real Madrid Club World Cup Clash](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/luis-enrique-sets-emotions-aside-ahead-of-psg-vs-real-madrid-club-world-cup-clash/): Note that PSG’s former talisman, Kylian Mbappé, is set to face his former club for the first time since he left them for Real Madrid after a very controversial last season at Parc des Princes.
- [Top Nigerian Athletes Banned In Global Anti-Doping Crackdown](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/top-nigerian-athletes-banned-in-global-anti-doping-crackdown/): From promising newcomers to established Olympians, no fewer than ten Nigerian athletes have been handed bans ranging from two years to life by the AIU.
- [‘I Was About To Write WAEC When I Got Pregnant’ – Actress Kemity Opens Up On Having Kids With Different Fathers](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/i-was-about-to-write-waec-when-i-got-pregnant-actress-kemity-opens-up-on-having-kids-with-different-fathers/): Naija News reports that the film star, in an interview with her colleague, Biola Adebayo on the  Talk To B podcast, stated that those judging her do not know her whole story.
- [‘It’s Quite Disappointing’ – Tolani Baj Reacts After Being Accused Of Taking Payment Without Performing](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/its-quite-disappointing-tolani-baj-reacts-after-being-accused-of-taking-payment-without-performing/): According to the promoter, the former Big Brother Naija housemate allegedly took the gig and did not fulfil her commitment.
- [‘Flying My Father’s Private Jet Is My Birthright’ – Davido Blasts Trolls](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/flying-my-fathers-private-jet-is-my-birthright-davido-blasts-trolls/): Naija News reports that the singer said this in a tweet while replying comments from an X user who accused him of constantly flaunting his wealthy background.
- [Afrobeats Would Have Been Bigger If Davido, Wizkid, Others Were Collaborating’ – Asa Asika](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/afrobeats-would-have-been-bigger-if-davido-wizkid-others-were-collaborating-asa-asika/): Naija News reports that Asika made the statement while discussing Afrobeats’ global success during his appearance on the ‘Afropolitan’ podcast.
- [Price Of Refilling Cooking Gas Per Kg In Nigeria](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/price-of-refilling-cooking-gas-per-kg-in-nigeria/): Naija News gathered that cooking gas is currently priced at ₦1,020 per kilogram at Rainoil retail stations, although some outlets still charge as much as ₦1,250/kg.
- [Concerns As Price Of Bag Of Cement Hit New High Amid Tinubu Govt’s Reforms](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/concerns-as-price-of-bag-of-cement-hit-new-high-amid-tinubu-govts-reforms/): Naija News recalls that in March 2025, when the price of cement tumbled to ₦7,800 (down from a whopping ₦15,000 in February 2024), Nigerians hoped for lasting relief.
- [Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate Today 9th July 2025](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/black-market-dollar-usd-to-naira-ngn-exchange-rate-today-9th-july-2025/): See the black market Dollar to Naira exchange rate for 8th July, below. You can swap your dollar for Naira at these rates.
- [Naira To Dollar: Nigeria’s Currency Declines Slightly At Official Window](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/naira-to-dollar-nigerias-currency-declines-slightly-at-official-window/): Naija spirit understands that at the parallel market, the naira gained five naira, trading at ₦1,560/$1, compared to ₦1,565/$1 recorded on Monday.
- [Breaking: Tinubu Did Not Make Buhari President – Boss Mustapha](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/breaking-tinubu-did-not-make-buhari-president-boss-mustapha/): Naija spirit reports that in the buildup of the 2023 presidential election, President Bola Tinubu had claimed that he was instrumental in making Buhari President.
- [FG Begins Reconstruction Of Eastern Railway Corridor](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/fg-begins-reconstruction-of-eastern-railway-corridor/): Speaking in Enugu on Wednesday, the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Victor Adamu, disclosed this during a response to a national survey by the newsmen on the status of disused rail lines across the country.
- [Wike Orders Immediate Evacuation Of Miscreants, Street Beggars, Traders And Scavengers](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/wike-orders-immediate-evacuation-of-miscreants-street-beggars-traders-and-scavengers/): Naija spirit reports that Wike, in a statement released through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, on Wednesday, stated that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched Operation Sweep Abuja Clean to remove all public nuisances and restore sanity to the city.
- [Dangote Writes Open Letter To President Tinubu After Two Years In Office](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/07/09/dangote-writes-open-letter-to-president-tinubu-after-two-years-in-office/): Nigerian billionaire businessman and President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has lauded President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he described as “visionary leadership” in tackling perennial flooding and delivering transformative infrastructure projects across Nigeria.
- [Crossing Borders: The Global Usability Challenge Facing Web3 Payments, with a Focus on African Innovation](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/05/17/crossing-borders-the-global-usability-challenge-facing-web3-payments-with-a-focus-on-african-innovation/): The global financial technology (FinTech) landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, largely driven by the adoption of Web3 solutions designed to streamline high-friction, cross-border payments. With stable coins becoming the new medium of transaction in many high-growth markets, the core battleground for startups has shifted from regulatory compliance to user experience (UX).
- [Nigerian Startup Earnipay Raises $5 Million to Redefine Salary Payments in Africa](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/04/23/nigerian-startup-earnipay-raises-5-million-to-redefine-salary-payments-in-africa/): The way salaries are paid in Africa might be about to change forever. Earnipay, a Nigerian fintech startup, has raised $5 million in funding to expand its on-demand salary payment solution across the continent.
- [Nkeiruka Ifeonu: The Design Force Behind Jump n Pass’s 25 million naira Win at the 2024 Zenith Bank Hackathon.](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2025/04/23/nkeiruka-ifeonu-the-design-force-behind-jump-n-passs-25-million-naira-win-at-the-2024-zenith-bank-hackathon-2/): At the recently concluded Zenith Tech Fair 2024, all eyes were on Jump n Pass, the self-checkout retail technology platform that clinched the grand prize of ₦25 million, emerging as the overall winner of the fiercely competitive Zenith Bank Hackathon.
- [Nkeiruka Ifeonu: The Design Force Behind Jump n Pass’s 25 million naira Win at the 2024 Zenith Bank Hackathon.](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2024/11/23/nkeiruka-ifeonu-the-design-force-behind-jump-n-passs-25-million-naira-win-at-the-2024-zenith-bank-hackathon/): At the recently concluded Zenith Tech Fair 2024, all eyes were on Jump n Pass, the self-checkout retail technology platform that clinched the grand prize of ₦25 million, emerging as the overall winner of the fiercely competitive Zenith Bank Hackathon.
- [Oluwafunke Kofoworade’s Stellar Triumph: Dominating Multiple Categories in Digital Innovation](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2024/11/22/tech-news-2024/): Oluwafunke Kofoworade’s Stellar Triumph: Dominating Multiple Categories in Digital Innovation
- [Remi Tinubu unveils 10 digital learning centres for youths](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2024/10/29/remi-tinubu-unveils-10-digital-learning-centres-for-youths/): The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed her commitment to youth empowerment through education with the commissioning of ten new Digital Learning Centres across the country.
- [The Fight for Regional Mobility: How Local startups are reshaping Nigeria’s mobility market](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2024/09/26/the-fight-for-regional-mobility-how-local-startups-are-reshaping-nigerias-mobility-market/): Nigeria's ride-hailing sector is a critical component of its rapid urbanization, yet the market remains largely dominated by international giants like Uber and Bolt. This dominance is concentrated in major metropolitan hubs like Lagos and Abuja, leaving significant geographical and infrastructural gaps elsewhere.
- [Nigerian Photographer Jolaoluwa Victor Ajayi Recognised Among West Africa’s Top Art and Culture Influencers](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2024/09/16/nigerian-photographer-jolaoluwa-victor-ajayi-recognised-among-west-africas-top-art-and-culture-influencers/): Nigerian-based photographer and creative advocate Jolaoluwa Victor Ajayi was honoured at The Ultimate Awards 2024 as one of West Africa’s Top 10 Art & Culture Game Changers, receiving the Best Photographer of the Year award at a ceremony held in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
- [From Slums to Strategy: The Journey of Tunde Onakoya](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2024/04/23/from-slums-to-strategy-the-journey-of-tunde-onakoya/): Tunde Onakoya’s story is one of resilience, ambition, and imagination in action. Born in 1994 in the slums of Ikorodu, Lagos, he first encountered the game of chess while watching elder men play at a local barbershop. That moment marked a turning point. Chess became more than a pastime—it became his identity, a powerful tool that would reshape his life and touch countless others. Tunde OnakoyaBusinessday NG
- [CredVerify NG Partners with Leading Nigerian Banks to Strengthen Credit Risk Verification and Secure Digital Lending](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2023/12/19/credverify-ng-partners-with-leading-nigerian-banks-to-strengthen-credit-risk-verification-and-secure-digital-lending/): CredVerify, a rapidly growing digital identity and credential verification platform, has announced new partnerships with top Nigerian banks to modernise credit access and reduce loan fraud across the financial sector.
- [From Solar Farms to Smart Payments: The African Innovations Changing Daily Life](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2022/09/24/from-solar-farms-to-smart-payments-the-african-innovations-changing-daily-life/): Africa is witnessing a wave of homegrown innovations that are transforming daily life, addressing critical needs with ingenuity. From renewable energy to digital finance, these solutions are reshaping how people live, work, and connect across the continent.
- [YALI Honours Oluwafunke Kofoworade as “Next-Generation Talent in Digital Tech Product Management” at 2022 International Youth Day Event](https://naijaspirit.com.ng/2022/08/25/yali-honours-oluwafunke-kofoworade-as-next-generation-talent-in-digital-tech-product-management-at-2022-international-youth-day-event/): At this year’s International Youth Day celebration, the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network awarded Oluwafunke Kofoworade the prestigious title of "Next-Generation Talent in Digital Tech Product Management" in recognition of her outstanding impact in Africa’s fast-evolving digital economy.

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