Television Nigerian

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. Joy Uche Angela Ogwu died at the age of 79.

She passed away in the early hours of Monday at a hospital in New York, USA, with her daughter by her side, according to family members who talked to the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).

Ogwu, who was born in Delta State on August 22, 1946, was a distinguished academic and diplomat whose work included international diplomacy, policy research, and academics.

She was President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Foreign Affairs Minister for Nigeria from August 2006 to May 2007.

She became the first Nigerian woman to serve as the country’s Permanent Representative to the UN when she was appointed in 2008 and remained in that role until 2017.

Prior to being appointed as a minister, Ogwu was the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), where she gained international renown for her knowledge of Nigerian foreign policy, disarmament, and international relations.

Professor Ogwu’s outstanding career put her at the forefront of influencing how Nigeria interacts with the world.

Outside of her official positions, she was a strong supporter of human rights, education, and women’s empowerment. She participated in UNESCO-funded initiatives that supported human rights education in Nigerian schools and was a member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters.

The Movement for the Emancipation of Nigeria (MEN) has urged the Federal Government to stop prosecuting suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari and to free him immediately.

MEN called Kyari’s ongoing arrest “a grave injustice” in a statement released on Tuesday by its Comrade General, former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung, in view of the recent flood of convicted criminals receiving presidential pardons.

“Despite recent presidential pardons granted to convicted drug traffickers, fraudsters, kidnappers, and bandits, many of whom were arrested by his team in the line of duty,” the statement reads. “The Movement for the Emancipation of Nigeria (MEN) observes with deep concern the continued detention and prosecution of DCP Abba Kyari.”

The late nationalist Herbert Macaulay, the late Major General Mamman Vatsa, and Maryam Sanda, who was given a death sentence for the murder of her husband, were among the 175 people who were reportedly pardoned by President Bola Tinubu last Thursday.

The recipients also included prisoners incarcerated for illicit mining, fraud, and manslaughter.

According to MEN, Kyari’s prosecution’s moral and legal justifications are essentially eliminated by the selective use of clemency, which “ridicules the principle of fairness.”

Kyari’s prosecution could deter law enforcement officers from putting their lives in danger to combat crime, the group warned.

“Kyari’s continuing arrest has essentially lost the moral and legal justification due to the recent wave of presidential amnesties and pardons. According to the group, his prosecution under these circumstances amounts to a double standard that compromises the integrity of Nigeria’s legal system.

MEN went on to call the trial “institutional betrayal against a man who once risked his life in the service of public order and national security.”

To put a stop to Kyari’s agony, the organization made a direct petition to President Tinubu and Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation.

Therefore, we implore the President and the Attorney General of the Federation to drop all charges against DCP Abba Kyari and ensure his prompt release. A terrible precedent and a mockery of justice will result from anything less,” MEN said.

Formerly the leader of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Kyari was hailed as Nigeria’s “super cop” due to his string of high-profile arrests.

On February 14, 2022, he was taken into custody after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) issued a wanted list accusing him of plotting to tamper with and traffic 21.35 kilograms of cocaine that had been taken from suspected traffickers.

He has since entered a not guilty plea to the accusations.

Mike Arnold, a Republican who is the mayor of the US city of Blanco in Texas, has made fun of Nigeria for demanding financial assistance while voicing resentment at US remarks about terrorism in the nation.

In an interview with Arise Television on Monday, he made the case that it is odd that Nigeria wants their money but does not want his nation to talk about terrorism in the nation.

His question was why a mineral-rich nation like Nigeria needs assistance from other countries.

“I don’t understand why a country with Nigeria’s mineral wealth has to go and beg for help to save her own people,” he remarked.

“Nigeria has a wealth of resources to help her people obtain stability or at least something.”

Stability is denied to displaced individuals, and their homes are abruptly demolished. It is horrifying.

“It is completely nonsensical to me that you want their money but don’t want the United States to come here and talk about terrorism.”

Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and a human rights advocate, has asserted that the violence in Nigeria is not connected to the persecution of Christians or Muslims.

He clarified that it is not religion but instability and poor government that are to blame for the dismal scenario.

In response to increased efforts from certain U.S. politicians to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) due to alleged Christian persecution, Sowore made this statement.

He charged that the government of Nigeria and the United States were acting hypocritically in their reactions to the continued murders occurring throughout the nation.

He contends that such assertions are deceptive and do not accurately depict the circumstances in Nigeria.

“Genocide is being committed against the poor, Muslims, Christians, and children,” he added in a statement. It is dishonest to try to divide it along religious lines.

Nigeria, he claimed, “does not check who carries a Bible or a Koran before counting the dead,” indicating that victims are not identified by religion.

In addition, Sowore criticized the United States for neglecting such situations in other countries.

Why does the US remain silent regarding Israel’s murder of Muslims in Gaza? International hypocrisy, he declared.

He emphasized that the true source of Nigeria’s insecurity is poor leadership and maintained that it transcends all geographical areas and religious traditions.

Nobody accuses the government of genocidal acts in a nation where hundreds of people are killed every day. “Irresponsible leadership and pervasive insecurity are the problem, not religion,” he continued.

The majority of attacks, which impact both Muslims and Christians, take place in the country’s north, Sowore noted.

Mosques are even targeted by gunmen in the North. He continued, “35 worshippers were slaughtered just now, and the attackers were probably Muslims as well.

Blaming religion, he cautioned, simply serves to absolve Nigerian officials of accountability.

“It is not a solution when the United States claims to want to defend Christians. He contended that even if all Christians were exterminated, murder would still occur.

Reno Omokri, a former advisor to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has accused the United States of America of being responsible for Nigeria’s terrorist issue.

According to reports, Omokri accused the previous president Barack Obama’s administration of importing terrorism to Nigeria in an appearance on Monday night, October 14, on Arise Television’s “Prime Time” program.

Nigeria is suffering the price for something it did not cause, he said, and the United States must assist the nation in resolving its terrorism issue.

“The United States has a moral obligation because the administration of Barack Obama brought the issue of terrorism to Nigeria’s doorstep,” he stated.

“Gaddafi would not have been assassinated if the Obama administration had not stepped in to help Libya. And there wouldn’t be any terrorism in Nigeria if Gaddafi hadn’t been assassinated and all of these foreign mercenaries hadn’t fled Libya to come here.

“The Sahel region as well as ourselves would not be dealing with a wave of terrorism if the United States had not taken the actions that they took in Libya.

Nigeria is bearing the consequences of something it did not cause. Fortunately, Trump started selling us guns and lifting stuff, but the US is to blame for these issues, and they must assist us in resolving them.

By the middle of 2026, the Lagos State Government intends to pass an Innovation Bill that will improve cooperation between academic institutions and the commercial sector.

The proposed law seeks to promote technology-driven development, innovation, and research in Nigeria’s economic hub.

This was revealed by Tubosun Alake, Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, during the current GITEX Global Technology Exhibition in Dubai.

According to him, the proposed law aims to provide a formal framework for collaboration between companies and academic institutions in order to improve product development and commercialize research results.

Alake claims that the measure will provide private organizations the authority to finance certain research initiatives at postsecondary educational institutions, giving both sides joint ownership of the resulting intellectual property and the right to any future profits.

“We are in the formulation stage right now. Before being presented to the Lagos State Executive Council and then the House of Assembly for its first reading, the first draft will be made public, he said. “By the second or third quarter of 2026, we hope to have the bill passed.”

According to the commissioner, the project will formalize industry-academia cooperation and guarantee that research satisfies actual market needs.

Consider a situation where a business, such as MTN or Airtel, needs a new radio equipment and hires the University of Lagos to create it. The resulting innovation would be jointly owned by both parties, and it might even become the basis of a business venture, according to Alake.

He went on to say that this strategy is similar to international best practices in innovation management, where universities are essential in promoting entrepreneurship and industrial research.

Lagos, which is home to more than 20 million people and is Nigeria’s leading technological hub, has already established itself as the continent’s startup capital by playing host to a large number of accelerators, incubators, and international tech partnerships.

The state provides early-stage entrepreneurs with capital, workspaces, and mentorship through its Lagos Innovates program. It also collaborates with global IT behemoths like Google and Meta to increase digital literacy and capacity building.

“This bill will further establish Lagos as Africa’s hub for sustainable technological growth and research-based innovation,” Alake said.

At Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic in Eruwa, Oyo State, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of three unions has petitioned Governor Seyi Makinde over what it claims is a delay in the appointment of the institution’s substantive principle executives.

The appointment of the institution’s major officers, including the rector, registrar, bursar, and librarian, has been delayed, which JAC characterized as concerning and inconsistent with the Polytechnic Acts.

In a letter to Makinde, JAC made the announcements; copies were also forwarded to Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, the governor’s chief of staff, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, the speaker of the State House of Assembly, and Hon. Segun Olayiwola, the commissioner of education.

On the JAC platform, the chiefs of the three unions—Com. Adeboje Taiwo, Com. Titiloye Joseph, Com. Jayeola Titus, Com. Olayanju Abiodun, Com. Ojenike Olusola, and Com. Lala Tunde—signed the letter.

On the morning of Tuesday, the letter became accessible.

JAC praised the governor in the statement for what it called his persistence in ensuring that the institution was properly repositioned.

It did, however, denounce the institution’s key officers’ appointment delay.

In the last seven (7) years, acting management has been appointed in place of substantive principle executives, which JAC identified as being outside the scope of the Polytechnic Acts.

Following that, the unions took advantage of the occasion to request that the governor name the potential substantive officials who would be qualified for those assignments.

According to the letter, “The Governor kindly appointed a seasoned administrator, Professor Adebiyi Kazeem, to redeem the long lost image of the Institution by using Acting Management” in the last seven (7) years, which is not consistent with the Polytechnic Acts’ formation.

“The Governing Council, led by Professor Adebiyi Adekunle Kazeem, performed an excellent job of publicizing the position of Principal Officers, completing the procedure, and recommending the qualifying candidates, respectively. The activity concluded on July 27, 2025, and was suitably advised. Additionally, His Excellency Governor Makinde received a heartfelt thank you from the Unions for the recent release of additional subventions to lessen the impact of the institution’s salary increase.

In spite of this, the institution’s long-lost reputation—the threat posed by acting management as principal officers—remains unabated to this day. On two (2) separate instances, sir, resources were attempted to carry out this task, but to no success. For the third time, the same resource will be employed, and the Governing Council has taken the necessary action and suggested the potential, eligible applicants.

Therefore, the unions request that His Excellency publicize the potential substantive officers who meet the necessary qualifications. His Excellency is expected by the trade unions to make the statement on time. We look forward to meeting the potential competent substantive officers very soon, and the unions, as stakeholders, will continue to ensure industrial peace.

Aliko Dangote, the billionaire businessman, has cautioned his detractors that their allegations of monopoly in the petroleum industry could prevent local investment in the country’s economy.

Dangote expressed his worries during the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources’ (Downstream) inaugural annual downstream petroleum week in Abuja on Monday.

Aliyu Suleiman, the Group Chief Strategy Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, spoke on behalf of the Kano-born entrepreneur, who advocated for policies that promote competition, innovation, and productivity in key economic areas.

Regarding the problem of monopolies in crude oil refinery, Dangote stated, “Too many people with the means to build industries chose to invest abroad instead.” Our economy gained little from our remote decision. We have made a different decision. We have decided to travel to Nigeria. We have decided to construct, hire, and produce here. Let us refrain from halting growth with the scream of monopoly. It doesn’t stop anyone from investing.

“We encourage people to construct their own refineries and will provide assistance where we can.

Nigeria has a natural edge over other countries when it comes to refining. We have easy access to gas and oil. Thus, we should collaborate to advance this industry.

Laws that will support the growth of this industry should be enacted and put into effect. Protecting our businesses and bringing about the economic change this nation deserves are priorities.

He asserts that the Dangote Refinery can supply high-quality motor spirit, diesel, and jet fuel to the country while also having extra for export.

Nigerians would have the chance to become shareholders when the refinery is listed on the stock exchange, he continued.

He claimed that in comparison to the amount of crude produced and consumed on the continent, Africa’s refining industry is still in its infancy.

The Initiative for Freedom, Conflict Prevention and Social Integration, or FREECON, is a civil society organization that filed a lawsuit contesting the validity of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State. The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has set November 14, 2025, as the date for its decision.

Other defendants in the lawsuit include the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which was later added to the case, the Attorney General of the Federation, the previous Rivers State Sole Administrator, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), and its Chairman.

In selecting the Chairman and members of RSIEC, members of FREECON are requesting that the court decide whether the President may, under any circumstances, create or appoint a Sole Administrator or any other authority to assume or exercise the powers of the Governor by reading and interpreting Sections 197 and 198 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The group also argues that the appointment of Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator—an office they contend is not recognized by the Constitution—does not grant him the statutory authority to choose the RSIEC Chairman and members to conduct or organize elections throughout Rivers State’s 23 Local Government Areas. This is because of the combined effect of the pertinent sections of the Constitution.

After the parties’ attorneys debated and approved their final written arguments, the presiding judge, Justice Turaki Mohammed, set the date for the ruling on Monday.