National
Kachukwu asks Nigerians to celebrate security agents, suffering masses
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Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Dumebi Kachikwu urged Nigerians to celebrate fallen heroes and those who are in the field defending the nation’s freedom and the Nigerian masses who are suffering in silence.
Kachukwu gave the indication in his 62nd independence anniversary message which he signed and made available to the National Update in Abuja on Friday.
“As we mark this day, I want us to specially celebrate two groups of people. First are our fallen heroes and those who are in the field defending our freedoms and way of life.
“For over a decade our nation has been at war and more often than not we forget the heroic sacrifices made daily by our men and women in uniform.
“They wage war that we may have peace. Our troops have defended other nations, maintained the peace in far flung lands and today have the task of defending our land.”
He said the second group according to him are the Nigerian masses who are suffering in silence.
“They stay silent that we may have peace. They suffer untold hardships as our economy gets worse, as job opportunities disappear, as our security situation worsens and as food prices escalate.
“These two sets of people are the true heroes of our nation. They maintain the silence of the grave in the face of hardship.
“For one set it is the demand and dictate of their jobs as soldiers and for the other set it is because they have lost their voices. They have been cowed by an unfair and unjust society. Nobody speaks for them.
“As we then approach the 2023 general elections it becomes important for us to remember these two sets of people and ensure our conversations never depart from them.
“We must focus on the issues. We must sustain the issues. We must address the issues so that their labours and suffering are not in vain.
“For too long our politics has been dominated by a vocal minority. Working in concert with our politicians they choose and determine those who lead us at all levels of government in our nation.
“They trade their support and votes for money, wrappers, tee shirts, face caps and food. They are bused from different communities to huge rallies and dressed up in the colours of those who pay them.
“The next day they wear different colours as another group transports them to a different rally to support a different party.
“Those who rule us show us videos of these people to show the level of support they have in different communities and for too long we have accepted this as proof of acceptance and popularity even though we know otherwise.”
He said now that he is ready to start campaigning across Nigeria, there are those who have suggested he should do the same.
“They have said it is the only way to get the support of the grassroots. They have said you can never win without doing this. They tell me I can’t win without these people.
“I have thought long and hard and know that this is not a price I am prepared to pay.”
He said he would rather address an empty room than a paid crowd saying that it is what makes the ADC different from the rest
According to him the situation has happened for too long because the majority have stayed silent and continue to stay silent in the face of the near collapse of our nation.
“On this Independence Day, we must remember the sacrifices our forefathers made that we may be free from colonial rule. We must remember those who died on both sides of the Nigerian Civil war that our nation may remain united.
“We must remember the poor masses who mostly live on one meal a day. We must remember our troops who are fighting a difficult war. For if we were to do this, the silent majority will become the vocal majority.
“Apathy to Nigeria and politics is no longer an option. The ‘I don’t care attitude’ that says my vote won’t count is no longer an option. The excuse that my voice won’t be heard is no longer an option.
“Your country needs you. Our troops need your support. Millions of poor Nigerians need your voice and your vote. I also need you to join this Rescue Mission to save our country.”
National
Young Nigerians should Join ‘Voices of Our Heritage’ Writing Contest, Musawa
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Young Nigerian writers have been urged to participate in the “Voices of Our Heritage” national writing competition, an initiative aimed at fostering creativity and cultural appreciation.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, who made the call said the competition is open to students aged 10-18, adding that it is seeking to discover and nurture emerging literary talents.
The special adviser to the minister on Media quoted her to have indicated that the initiative is targedted at empowering young writers to create, publish, and even earn from their digital books, promoting both entrepreneurship and job opportunities.
“This competition is about preserving our cultural heritage while shaping the future of our nation,” she stated.
Organized as part of the 2024-25 National Young Authors Fair (NYAF), the competition welcomes entries from primary, secondary, and university students. Registration closes on February 20, 2025, with submissions open until March 20, 2025.
Winners will be announced on April 10, 2025, with the top 10 receiving ₦250,000 each, along with book publication, national recognition, and distribution.
The competition aligns with the Ministry’s vision to promote cultural heritage, creativity, and education through strategic partnerships.
For registration, visit: https://www.yaf.bribooks.com/ng/2024/student.
National
Okebukola Hails Nigeria’s Milestone in Global AI Revolution
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***As 306 Stakeholders Participate in Inaugural AI Awareness Day
Nigeria has taken a bold step in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution as key stakeholders gathered to explore the nation’s role in AI-driven education and policy development.
The National Coordinator of the 2025 AI Awareness Day, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, described the event as a major milestone, highlighting Nigeria’s potential to emerge as a leader in AI research, education, and application.
Held virtually on February 17, 2025, the inaugural AI Awareness Day in Higher Education was co-hosted by the Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education (VICBHE), National Universities Commission (NUC), National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Okebukola Science Foundation (OSF), and the Association of African Universities (AAU).
The event brought together 306 participants, including heads of regulatory agencies (NUC, NBTE, and NCCE), scholars from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, policymakers, educators, and AI practitioners.
Discussions focused on AI’s transformative role in higher education, best practices, and ethical AI deployment in Nigeria.
The event, chaired by Professor Yakubu Ochefu, former Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, centered on raising awareness about AI’s role in higher education transformation, assessing Nigeria’s progress in AI education and its contribution to global AI research and celebrating achievements in AI research and education within Nigerian institutions.
Other areas of focus included exploring the integration of AI into university curricula, research, and administration and discussing AI-driven innovations to address national educational challenges.
The event featured a symposium, the launch of the AI in Higher Education in Africa Newsletter, and the presentation of the three-volume Handbook on AI and Quality Higher Education.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of awards to recognise outstanding contributions in AI research, education, and policy within the Nigerian higher education system.
The first position in the Best Institutional AI Policy in Higher Education Award in the universities category was won by Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. Second and third positions were won by Lagos State University, Ojo and Federal University of Technology, Minna respectively.
In the polytechnics category, the first prize went to Living Spring College of Technology and Innovation, Osogbo. For the Best AI Researcher in the universities category, Prof. Olatunji Sunday Olusanya of Adekunle Ajasin University came first. Dr. Salau Ayodeji of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti and Dr. Awotunde Joseph Bamidele of the University of Ilorin came second and third respectively.
For the polytechnics category, Mr. Mohammed Modiu of Yaba college of Technology came first. Mr. Salami Ayo of Federal College of Education, Iwo came first in the colleges of education category.
Other awards include the Best Programme in Artificial Intelligence. For the universities category, the B.Sc. Computer Science of Thomas Adewumi University came first. Programmes of four universities tied in the second position. These are B.Sc. Management Information Systems of Covenant University, Ota; B.Sc. Industrial Mathematics (Computer Option) also of Covenant University, Ota; and B.Sc. Computer Science of the University of Benin.
The first position in the universities category for the Best AI Application for Enhancing Teaching and Learning went to Prof. Onyenwe Ikechukwu Ekene of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Five scholars tied in the second position. These are Dr. Oguntosin Victoria of Covenant University; Dr. Oluwakemi Olurinola of Olabisi Onabanjo University; Professor Busari Mutiu of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta and Professor Ibezim Nnenna of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In the polytechnic category, first prize went to Dr. Okikiola Folasade of Yaba College of Technology.
For the colleges of education category, first prize was earned by Dr. Usman Stephen of Ipere College of Education Agyaragu, Nasarawa State, while Mr. Bako Mahmud Malam of Adamu Tafawa Balewa College of Education Kangere Bauchi State came second.
Other awards were presented for Best AI Programme and Best AI Application for Teaching and Learning across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Key resolutions include expanding the AI Awareness Day to all levels of the educational system; development of a strategic plan to ensure that Nigeria plays a leadership role in the global development of AI; strengthening the implementation of the AU strategic plan on AI; and forging strong public-private partnerships, investing boldly in our people and infrastructure.
Others are that the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NITDA, other agencies of government and other stakeholders should involve the National Association of Artificial Intelligence Practitioners (NAAIP) in policy making, implementation and other matters of Artificial Intelligence; and that within the 30% institutional allowance in the CCMAS, Nigerian universities should be encouraged to start GST courses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in place of or in addition to the existing computer appreciation courses.
The successful launch of the AI Awareness Day marks a turning point in Nigeria’s AI journey, reinforcing the country’s commitment to leveraging AI for educational excellence, innovation, and national development.
National
Diplomatic Fallout: Ribadu’s Outburst Sparks Criticism Over Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Approach
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A fresh controversy has emerged over Nigeria’s handling of diplomatic affairs, as former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, takes aim at National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu for his public condemnation of Canada’s visa denials to Nigerian military personnel.
Lamido, a seasoned politician and former foreign minister, expressed frustration over what he described as a pattern of missteps in Nigeria’s foreign policy under the current administration. He argued that the NSA’s public outburst against Canada was both unnecessary and damaging to the country’s international reputation.
“This is yet another example of our rookie approach to foreign relations,” Lamido stated. “Rather than resorting to public accusations, the appropriate response would have been for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the Canadian High Commissioner and address the issue through official diplomatic channels.”
The ex-governor warned that Ribadu’s actions had not only failed to resolve the issue but had also drawn unnecessary public attention to an embarrassing situation. “Our foreign relations must be handled with tact and professionalism. The NSA should not be taking over the responsibilities of the Minister of Foreign Affairs,” he said.
This latest episode comes amid broader concerns over Nigeria’s international standing, following strained relations within ECOWAS and a series of diplomatic missteps on the global stage. Analysts now worry that such uncoordinated responses could weaken Nigeria’s position in international affairs.
With Nigeria’s diplomatic credibility on the line, calls are growing for a more disciplined and strategic approach to engaging with foreign nations—one that prioritizes diplomacy over public confrontations.
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