In a stirring message to a troubled nation, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged Nigerians to anchor their future in Christian hope and bold reform. Wrapping up their 2025 Second Plenary Assembly in Ikot Ekpene, the bishops declared that hope is not “wishful thinking” but a confident trust in God that must inspire concrete action for justice, peace, and good governance. Family at the Heart of Society Calling the family the nation’s “moral compass,” the bishops decried the erosion of family values, prostitution, and the growing acceptance of in vitro fertilization (IVF), which they described as “gravely…
Author: National Update
By : Lamara Garba Azare In a year when over a million Nigerian students wrote their Senior School Certificate Examination, it was Kano State that stood tallest, carrying the banner of academic excellence to the very summit of the nation’s performance chart. The 2025 NECO results have placed Kano not only at the head of the federation but also at the heart of a new story which is a story of revival, resilience, and reward for visionary leadership. When Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf declared a state of emergency in education last year, many thought it was rhetoric, the kind of…
In a colorful ceremony at its Minna headquarters, the National Examinations Council (NECO) on Thursday celebrated a culture of excellence, honoring dedicated staff, retirees, and brilliant students at its 2024 Staff Productivity Awards—just a day after releasing the highly anticipated 2025/2026 SSCE results. The event turned into a festival of recognition as over 150 staff members were applauded for outstanding service, 45 retirees received Certificates of Service for their years of commitment, and eight top-performing students from public and private schools nationwide were decorated for excelling across all NECO-administered examinations. Registrar and Chief Executive Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, whose tenure…
BY PROF. MIKE OZEKHOME SAN, CON, OFR, LL.D INTRODUCTION Universities are not merely centres of instruction; they are engines of transformation, positioned at the crossroads of knowledge, innovation, and culture. They train human capital, generate research, and shape socio-economic development while nurturing civic values and democratic engagement. In societies facing instability, poverty, and inequality, universities become crucibles of critical thought and reform, producing graduates who are not only employable but also socially responsible. Across history, universities have stood as catalysts for change: they incubated the Renaissance, propelled scientific revolutions, and today power the digital age. Beyond technology, they mould character,…
Veteran politician and NNPP stalwart Buba Galadima has challenged Nigeria’s political elite, insisting that former Kano governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is the only leader who can secure an entire state’s backing in a truly free and fair election. Appearing on Prime Time, Galadima accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating the political terrain ahead of the 2027 general elections and warned that any attempt to impose a compromised electoral umpire could provoke widespread unrest. “People call Kwankwaso a local champion. Can you name one politician, including the president, who can confidently deliver his state in a free and…
By Fatima Ndagi Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has called on parliaments worldwide to take decisive action in shaping inclusive rules for digital trade, warning that inaction could leave smaller economies vulnerable. Speaking Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland, at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum 2025—during a session of the WTO/Inter-Parliamentary Union Steering Committee held alongside the 55th Parliamentary Conference—Kalu described digital trade as “a defining governance challenge of our time, shaping the daily reality of entrepreneurs and the future opportunities for youth.” In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus…
Nigeria has taken another bold step to reposition its economy and court foreign direct investment, strengthening its partnership with Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region. At the prestigious Money20/20 Middle East Conference in Riyadh, Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, delivered a keynote address titled “GCC–Nigeria Partnership: Shaping New Growth Pathways.” Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, in a statement quoted her to have underscored Nigeria’s readiness to engage global partners, promote fintech innovation, and expand investment opportunities. “Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is building a rules-based financial system that encourages innovation…
By Julius Matudi, Jalingo Mararaban Gassol community in Taraba State was thrown into turmoil Wednesday evening following reports that the Gassol Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Saidu, allegedly sold the town’s motor park to a private investor. Witnesses said panic erupted as traders and shop owners in the park vowed to resist eviction, accusing the chairman of betraying their trust and threatening their livelihoods. Many residents were seen fleeing in confusion as the dispute escalated. According to local sources, Saidu purportedly transferred ownership of the motor park to Alhaji Muntari Abubakar, Chairman of the Mararaba Gassol chapter of the National…
The Federal Government has launched a nationwide sensitization campaign to boost the effectiveness of Nigeria’s Whistleblowing Policy, underscoring its commitment to fighting corruption and promoting transparency in public finance. The two-day programme, held September 17–18 in Lagos, was organized by the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA) and brought together senior government officials, anti-graft agencies, and private sector leaders. The event served as a platform to educate stakeholders on reporting misconduct and protecting whistleblowers, while addressing systemic challenges such as low public awareness and cultural resistance. Declaring the campaign open, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale…
At a time of rising geopolitical tensions, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, has projected Nigeria’s influence on the global stage—urging world powers to replace confrontation with dialogue and consultation as the bedrock of regional and international peace. Delivering a keynote address at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Badaru spoke to over 100 countries’ defence chiefs, diplomats, and security experts on the theme “Upholding International Order and Promoting Peaceful Development.” “Dialogue succeeds where confrontation fails,” he said. “Lasting security is built on inclusive processes, legitimacy, and sustained engagement—not on force or…