When the news first broke that the Federal University of Technology, Minna, was preparing to establish professional programmes in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and allied health sciences, the excitement was almost electric. Across social media, jubilant voices declared it a long-overdue step forward. One commenter captured the mood when he exclaimed that it was “the most cheering news I have heard in recent times.” Yet, like most bold ideas, this development quickly stirred debates. Was this a natural evolution in the life of a university of technology, or a daring departure from its founding mandate? The spark was a letter from…
Author: Editor
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a businesswoman for attempting to smuggle 1.40 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in her underwear at the Lagos Airport. NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said on Sunday that the suspect, identified as Ebere, was caught on September 14 while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight to Doha. She was apprehended at Terminal 2 by Aviation Security officers of FAAN in collaboration with NDLEA operatives. A search uncovered two parcels of white crystalline substance hidden in her butt-pad underwear, which tested positive for meth. During interrogation, she claimed to be a dealer in…
I have been under the weather for the past six weeks – a period during which I have not gone to my office. Though being visible almost always online may suggest otherwise, I do mean it in the literal sense. And ironically, what dipped me under the weather is the weather itself. There was a period when Abuja went rainless for about two weeks. Of course, it became a serious issue of concern to many, especially farmers and students of climate change. However, when the rains returned, it was not only to refill the emptiness its absence caused, but to…
It has just come to light that “European-American University” has disavowed the honorary doctorate it putatively conferred on iconic pro-regime Hausa praise-singer Dauda Kahuta Rarara. Now pause for a moment and savor the hysterical absurdity of what just happened. The European-American University is itself a well-known, textbook-case example of a fake university. When a fake university that bestows fake degrees for a living disowns a fake honorary doctorate given to a fake scholar, that’s some truly mind-numbingly blinding fakeness overload! Even if the “doctorate” had been given with the school’s full blessing, it would still be fake, because the university…
Last week, I attended a seminar-like meeting that passionately debated the issue of the recent food import waiver—its meaning, implications, and ramifications. Food is everybody’s business, and we must analyse the waiver objectively. For more than a century, Nigeria’s agricultural value chain has been remarkably stable. Farmers in the North planted, harvested, sold part of their produce, and stored the rest. Middlemen bought, hoarded, and resold—sometimes making fortunes. This was narrated in the early 19th century by Hugh Clapperton, a British naval officer turned explorer, who undertook a journey deep into the heart of what is today Northern Nigeria. He…
The Students Union Government (SUG) of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, has appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun and lawmakers at both federal and state levels to urgently fix the Osiele-Camp Road in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State. The appeal was made through letters sent separately to Governor Abiodun, Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola (Ogun West), Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (Ogun Central), and Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Olusegun Elemide. Copies of the letters, jointly signed by SUG President, Comrade David Dokunmu, and General Secretary, Comrade Zainab Ajisafe, were shared with the media…
Gynecologists’ and dermatologists have warned pregnant women to be careful with the skincare products they use. They explained that substances applied on the skin can enter the bloodstream and may harm the unborn baby. The experts noted that while beauty and self-care are important, they should never come at the expense of a child’s safety. They advised expectant mothers to always put their babies’ health first and to consult their doctors whenever they are unsure about a product. A consultant gynecologists’, Dr. Akinsola Akinde, said many cosmetic and skincare products in the market contain heavy metals and chemicals that are…
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged Nigeria to focus more on education and the welfare of teachers as part of efforts to fight poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Obi made this call while showing support for the “Let There Be Teachers Conference 2025”, where more than 60,000 teachers gathered at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos. The event has been described as the largest gathering of teachers in the world. He stressed that Nigeria must restore dignity to the teaching profession if the country wants to unlock the full potential of its young people. “Teachers are the real nation-builders.…
Health workers from the South East recently gathered in Awka, Anambra State, for a three-day training on how to use ultra-portable x-ray machines to diagnose tuberculosis (TB). The device, known as FDR Xair, was developed by Fujifilm Corporation. It is designed for use in places where hospital access is difficult, such as remote communities, patients’ homes, disaster areas, or locations without steady electricity. The machine was introduced in Nigeria because of the country’s high TB burden. Reports show that Nigeria ranks first in Africa and sixth in the world, accounting for about 4.6% of global TB cases. Tragically, an estimated…
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has approved more than N2.5 billion for the Federal University of Transportation, Daura (FUTD), in Katsina State. Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Umar Adam-Katsayal, confirmed this during an interview with journalists on Saturday in Daura. He explained that N1.3 billion of the 2025 intervention fund will go into new buildings and programme upgrades. Another N240 million has been set aside for training and developing academic staff. According to him, N150 million will be used for ICT development, N185 million for the library, and N170 million for staff to attend local and international conferences.…