News
Tamuno, Asset To Nigeria, Says Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan has described Professor Tekena Tamuno as an asset to the nation, saying the Rivers State-born renowned historian is an edifice of knowledge, epitomizing the capacity of Nigerians to be among the best in the world in their chosen profession.
President Jonathan made the remarks last Saturday, at the 80th birthday celebration of Professor Tamuno, an accomplished academic and former Vice Chancellor of the University birthday celebration of Professor Tamuno, an accomplished academic and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, which took place at Trenchard Hall of the university.
Represented by the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, President Jonathan remarked, that the gathering which was chaired by former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN),and attended by the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olesegun Obasanjo, former Minister of Information and foremost Ijaw nationalist, Chief Edwin Clarke, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, among others, “is not a celebration of age, but of resourcefulness and character”.
The president congratulated the widely published historian for all his achievements in life, and prayed God to give him more years to contribute ideas that would help to bring positive transformation to the country.
In his remark, the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, noted that Professor Tamuno has been a source of inspiration and honour to the people of Rivers State, saying that he had always been available anytime the State was in dire need of his knowledge and resourcefulness for her advancement, especially in the field of education.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele lkuru, Governor Amaechi thanked Prof. Tamuno for availing the State with his time and services, noting that “the report of the Committee on Education which he chaired formed the secret of the massive improvement in the education sector recorded since the inception of this administration”.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, a former Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide regretted the current political and historical problems facing the country, blaming it on what he called privatized colonialism, the selfish and self-seeking interests of the political class.
Akinjide said that the Niger Delta, being a major producer of palm oil and petroleum, remained a critical region in the federation.
According to him, it is a matter of fate rather than coincidence that the region has produced the nation’s president.
Also speaking, Chief Edwin Clark, a former Minister of Information and elder statesman, noted that the discovery of oil in 1956 changed the fortune of the country.
Clark lauded the writing of a book on “oil war” in the Niger Delta. Niger Delta require your sympathy for their own development,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that Tamuno, a professor of history and one of the founding fathers of the Nigeria Academy of Letters, was the first alumnus of the University of Ibadan to become its vice chancellor.
He was also at different times the president of Redeemer’s University and Bells University, Otta.
Books written by Prof. Tamuno and presented at the occasion include, “The contents of Non- linear History, Wisdom of the Elders and Lamentations of Yeske: Poems in honour of Prof. Egbe Ifie. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also attended the event.
Also present were Pastor Enoch Adeboye, The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan. Prof Olusegun Akinyinka, the vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Prof Joseph Ajienka, former vice chancellor University of Port Harcourt, Prof Nimi Briggs and many others.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”