Month: November 2025

Nigeria marks 65 years of Diplomatic ties with Russia, pledges deeper cooperation

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Republic of Nigeria has congratulated the Russian Federation on the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. In a statement by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa,Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, extended warm greetings to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, noted that the partnership dated back to 1960, shortly after Nigeria’s independence, when the USSR was among the first countries to formalize diplomatic ties with the new nation. Ambassador Tuggar highlighted the enduring nature of the Nigeria-Russia…

Al-Usrah condemns recent killings and abductions, calls for Justice, protection of Innocent Lives

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Al-Usrah Incorporated, a faith-based organization in Port Harcourt, has expressed deep concern over the recent wave of killings and abductions across Nigeria, urged the government and security agencies to take urgent action to safeguard innocent lives.   In a statement issued on Friday by Imam (Prof.) Abdulrasaq Kilani Salaudeen, Chief Imam, Al-Usrah Incorporated,Ibrahim Kolawole, Secretary General, the organization condemned the attacks at the Government Girls Comprehensive School in Magama, Kebbi State, CAC Church in Eruku, Kwara State, and St. Mary Private School in Niger State, described the incidents as “heinous…

Nigeria Customs introduces mandatory drug tests for Recruits, Serving Officers

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has announced that all incoming recruits and serving officers will undergo mandatory drug testing, a move aimed at ensuring operational integrity, accountability, and professionalism within the Service.   The announcement was made on Friday, 21 November 2025, during the closing session of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja. Adeniyi explained that the measure is designed to prevent personnel with substance-abuse tendencies from joining or remaining in the Service, noting that such behavior could compromise judgment, security responsibilities, and overall effectiveness.…

Nigeria charts new course for health sector as 66th National Council on Health ends in Calabar

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria’s health sector took a major step forward as the 66th National Council on Health (NCH) concluded its week-long session at the Calabar International Convention Centre from November 17–21, 2025. The event brought together 1,243 delegates, including federal and state health officials, development partners, civil society representatives, regulatory bodies, and medical corps from the armed forces and para-military agencies.   Presided over by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Council focused on the theme, “My Health, My Right: Accelerating Universal Health Coverage Through…

US–Nigeria security deal must not sideline muslims, MURIC warns

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned the Federal Government against entering into any security cooperation with the United States that could marginalized or endanger Muslim communities in Nigeria.   The organisation issued the warning in a statement released on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.   According to MURIC, the recent security pact announced on Monday, November 24, 2025 under which Nigeria and the United States agreed to strengthen collaboration on security technology and intelligence sharing appear tilted toward protecting Christian populations…

NOA leads national reorientation drive, inaugurates committee to embed citizenship studies in universities

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has formally inaugurated a joint committee with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to develop a curriculum that will introduce Citizenship Studies into Nigerian universities marking a major milestone in the rollout of the Nigerian Identity Project (NIP) and the National Values Charter (NVC). The inauguration ceremony, held at the NOA headquarters in Abuja, was performed by the Director-General of the Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who charged the committee to design a robust draft curriculum for integration into tertiary institutions across the country. Issa-Onilu described the…

South-West Governors launch Regional Security Fund, approve Joint Intelligence System

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Governors of Nigeria’s South-West region on Monday, November 24, 2025, announced sweeping new security measures, including the creation of a dedicated regional security fund and a real-time intelligence-sharing system, following an emergency meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State. The meeting, held at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, brought together Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) and Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa (Ondo). Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was represented by his Deputy, Kola Adewusi.   The emergency session was convened to address rising security concerns across…

ARCN Boss lauds FECOHORT’s rapid transformation, urges management to sustain unity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Dr. Abubakar Adamu Dabban, has praised the Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa (FECOHORT), for recording impressive progress within a short period, urged management and staff to continue working as a united team to achieve greater results.   Dr. Dabban stated this on Friday, 21st November 2025, during his maiden familiarization visit to the college in Dadin-Kowa, Gombe State. He expressed satisfaction with the rapid improvements recorded under the Acting Provost, Dr. Umar A. Umar, noting that releasing him to…

Customs medical team trains Apapa Officers in lifesaving First Aid skills

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has begun a comprehensive first aid training programme for its officers and men, an initiative Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba described as a vital investment in workplace safety and operational readiness. Receiving the Service’s medical team at the Command, Oshoba said the training underscores Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s strong commitment to staff welfare. He noted that first aid competence is a universal life skill, especially for officers who often operate in high-risk environments where medical professionals are not immediately available. Oshoba…

Nigeria’s G20 push driven by national priorities, equity — Tuggar

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria said its participation at the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg is firmly anchored on its national priorities and its longstanding vision for a fairer global economic order.   Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, stated this on the sidelines of the summit, stressed that Nigeria’s engagement reflected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to justice, transparency and shared prosperity in global affairs. Representing the President during the Third Session of the Summit, Vice President Kashim Shettima said Nigeria’s interventions were guided by the need to promote equity,…