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.

***As VCN embraces digital technology to enhance professionalism, combat quackery

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Hon. Idris Abiola Ajimobi has delivered a powerful address that underscored the pivotal role of veterinary medicine in national Development.
The event was the 11th oath – taking and White coat Ceremony on promoting One Health and Sustainable Development Goals.
He declared that veterinarians are not only animal doctors but essential architects of Nigeria’s public health, food security, and environmental sustainability.
Delivering the keynote speech at the 11th Oath-Taking and White Coat Ceremony of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, through Professor Demo Kalla Ajimobi’s remarks struck a chord as he tied the profession directly to Nigeria’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and broader socio-economic reforms.
“The health of our people is directly tied to the health of our livestock, wildlife, and the ecosystems we share,” Ajimobi stated, emphasizing that veterinarians play a pivotal role in eradicating poverty, ensuring food security, and combating climate change.
The ceremony marked the induction of 62 new veterinary graduates and the transition of 500- and 600-level students into their clinical years. But beyond the symbolic donning of white coats, Ajimobi’s message highlighted the profession’s strategic importance in Nigeria’s future.
Ajimobi made a compelling case for veterinarians as frontline defenders of public health and key stakeholders in achieving several SDGs, including, SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through safe and sustainable livestock practices.
He listed others to include SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) for Preventing zoonotic diseases and ensuring food safety, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) which Advocates the prudent use of antimicrobials and SDG 15 (Life on Land) for Protection of biodiversity and promoting sustainable animal production.
In a significant policy statement, Ajimobi reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to strengthening the livestock sector and the veterinary profession.
“Without strong veterinary professionals, our agricultural reforms will remain incomplete,” he asserted, highlighting upcoming policy interventions and the creation of an enabling environment for professionals and investors alike.
This focus according to him, aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to become a leader in sustainable agriculture and biosecurity, positioning veterinarians as indispensable contributors to national growth.
Ajimobi’s admonished the new graduates to embrace the future with innovation, collaboration, and resilience.
He urged them to stay at the forefront of scientific advancements while maintaining the soft skills and character traits that define the veterinary profession—compassion, empathy, integrity, and resilience.
“You are stepping into a profession that has the power to transform lives, communities, and nations,” he said, encouraging them to pursue careers not only in clinical practice but also in research, policy development, and agribusiness.
The SSA stressed on the positive reforms of Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for strengthening the livestock industry and unleash its potentials for shared prosperity and job creation.
The lecture also advise the newly inducted veterinarians to be part of renewed hope agenda for the co creation of a vibrant livestock industry that is safe, environmentally freindly and globally competitive and meeting self sufficiency in animal sourced foods.
In what she called one of her final official duties as President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN), AIG Aishatu Abubakar Baju, addressed the graduates with a mixture of pride and challenge. “You are stepping into the profession at a pivotal time in Nigeria’s history,” she said, emphasizing the critical role veterinarians will play in the country’s newly launched National Livestock Reforms.
She pointed out that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the government has launched a Renewed Hope Agenda focused on overhauling the livestock sector.
The creation of a Ministry of Livestock Development and a Presidential Committee for Renewed Hope Livestock Reforms, on which Dr. Baju serves, signals a new era of support for animal health professionals.
She admonished the new inductees to contribute to improving livestock productivity, tackling zoonotic diseases, and modernizing veterinary service delivery across Nigeria.
But perhaps the most striking takeaway from the ceremony was how the veterinary profession itself is evolving.
Under Dr. Baju’s leadership, the VCN has embraced digital technology to enhance professionalism, fight quackery, and streamline practice management. Innovations include Digital Veterinary Practice Licenses, now fully online, The introduction of a Veterinary Seal to verify official documents, A comprehensive Veterinary App connecting practitioners with resources and Geomapping of Veterinary Premises for improved oversight and regulation

These  advances she observed are not just cosmetic; they’ve positioned Nigeria as a leader in veterinary regulation across Africa.
“The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the FAO have both adopted the VCN’s digitization model as a template for other African countries.
The ceremony also underscored efforts to address youth unemployment within the profession as Dr. Baju revealed that the VCN is forging partnerships with countries across Africa and the UK to allow Nigerian veterinarians to work abroad without additional certification exams.
She also indicated that there are domestic collaborations with both public and private sectors aim to expand veterinary job opportunities in Nigeria, particularly in underserved rural areas.
“Veterinary Medicine is more than a career—it’s a calling,” Dr. Baju reminded the new graduates. “You are now the guardians of animal health, public health, and food security in Nigeria.”
The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Enem Simon Ikechukwu, welcomed guests with a heartfelt speech, describing the event as “an epoch-making occasion that blends pride, joy, and gratitude.”
He praised the graduates for their perseverance through rigorous academic training
“Being a veterinarian is more than a profession; it is a calling,” Prof. Ikechukwu remarked, urging the new doctors to embrace innovation and uphold the highest ethical standards.
“Through this oath-taking ceremony, we are not sending you off but sending you forth—to conquer challenges and bring victories home.”
The event, attended by key dignitaries, including Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Patricia Lar and Dean of the Faculty Prof. Simon Enem, marked a pivotal moment for veterinary education in Nigeria.
The administration of the Veterinary Oath by the Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) officially inducted the graduates into the profession, solidifying their role in the country’s health and development sectors.

As the ceremony concluded, the message resonated: veterinarians are no longer just animal doctors—they are crucial agents of national transformation.

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja (FUL), has appealed to the Federal Government to halt its plan to phase out the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) by 2030, warning that such a move would severely hinder the growth and infrastructure development of Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Prof. Akinwumi made the appeal on Thursday when members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council, visited the FUL campus in Felele, Lokoja.

He expressed deep concern over the proposed zero allocation to TETFund in the 2030 budget, stating that this would spell doom for the infrastructure development of universities and polytechnics across the country.

“Many universities in Nigeria today owe their physical development to TETFund. Without it, institutions like ours would struggle to meet the demands of modern education infrastructure,” Prof. Akinwumi noted.

Since 2021, TETFund has played a crucial role in the development of FUL, funding numerous iconic structures across its campuses. The Vice Chancellor warned that discontinuing the fund would lead to the collapse of infrastructure in public universities and polytechnics, which are already grappling with funding challenges.

“The proposed stoppage of TETFund will cripple the university and polytechnic education system in Nigeria, especially in terms of providing essential infrastructure,” he said.

Discussing the progress of FUL under his leadership, Prof. Akinwumi revealed that the university had expanded from four to ten faculties, with new programs in Pharmacy, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, and Medicine now fully operational under the College of Health Sciences.

However, he noted that security challenges had stalled the use of two large hostels built under a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) arrangement, reflecting broader challenges facing the institution.

In response to these issues, the university has intensified its Internal Revenue Generation (IGR) efforts to complement government funding, but Prof. Akinwumi emphasized that these efforts could not fully replace the critical role of TETFund.

The VC also addressed the delay in admitting students into the newly established Faculty of Law, attributing it to the pending inspection visit from the Council for Legal Education.

“We are committed to following due process. We will not admit students without the council’s approval, as we don’t want to face the same fate as the 11 faculties recently shut down for non-compliance,” he explained.

Prof. Akinwumi called on individuals and corporate organizations to support the university’s development efforts through intervention projects. He also urged journalists to partner with the university to highlight its achievements and challenges.

“A strong relationship between the media and the university is essential for promoting our progress and attracting much-needed support,” he stated.

In his remarks, Mr. Segun Salami of Channels Television, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, commended the Vice Chancellor’s leadership and achievements, emphasizing the importance of continuous collaboration between the media and the university.

“Media partnerships are vital in ensuring that the public remains informed about the university’s strides and challenges,” Salami said.

The visit underscored the critical role of TETFund in advancing tertiary education in Nigeria and the need for sustained investment to maintain and build upon the progress made in the sector.