By Juliana Francis The Adunni Foundation will hold the 2026 Basic Education Torchbearers Awards, BETA, on Wednesday, 21 October, in Lagos, with a call for Nigeria’s basic education system to place the child at the centre of policy and investment. The event will take place at Foundation of Truth Assembly, FOTA, 40/42 Imam Dauda Street, off Eric Moore Road, Surulere. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m., and the programme runs from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The theme is “The Child at the Centre: What Must Change in Nigeria’s Basic Education?.” The gathering will bring together pupils, teachers, and education stakeholders…
Author: Funke
Civil society organisations have mourned the death of Juliana Ngozi Ihejirika, a development practitioner and human rights advocate, describing her as a committed professional whose contributions to justice, grassroots democracy and accountable governance left enduring footprints in Nigeria’s civic community. Ihejirika, affectionately known as Julie, died on Sunday, October 11, 2026, following months of illness and a surgical procedure, according to tributes issued by the Independent Advocacy Project, IAP, OneVoice Coalition and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC. Her death has drawn tributes from colleagues who remembered her for her dedication to public-interest advocacy, community organising and…
A coalition of civil society groups led by Our Water, Our Right Africa Coalition, OWORAC, has urged African governments to reject the privatisation and commercialisation of public water systems and instead increase public investment in safe, affordable and reliable water services for all citizens. The call comes as OWORAC marks the Africa Week of Action Against Water Privatisation 2026, holding from October 12 to 18 under the theme, “Reclaiming Africa’s Water Future: Public Water for All.” The coalition is calling for a future in which access to clean water depends on people’s needs and fundamental rights rather than their ability…
Pan-Atlantic University hosted its 26th Inaugural Lecture, delivered by Professor Ekundayo Peter Mesagan, Professor of Energy and Environmental Economics in the School of Management and Social Sciences, SMSS, at the Honeywell Group Auditorium, Lagos Business School. In formally introducing the inaugural lecturer, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Enase Okonedo, described Professor Mesagan as “an economist, researcher and policy advisor whose work spans energy and environmental economics, industrial policy, natural resources and sustainable economic development.” She highlighted his contributions to national development, including his membership of the drafting committee for Nigeria’s Agenda 2050 under the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and…
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has filed a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, over its “failure to account for US$6.23 million in allegedly diverted or unaccounted-for election funds and over ₦1.63 trillion in other public funds.” The lawsuit followed grim allegations documented in Volume II of the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2023 Annual Report, published on 7 August 2026. The findings cover various periods between January and December 2023. The funds include US$6.23 million in payments linked to an allegedly fraudulent election-funding request purportedly made by former President Muhammadu Buhari; over ₦1.25 trillion in unrecovered…
Zenith Bank Plc is set to launch the maiden edition of its Girl-Child Empowerment Programme, an initiative aimed at inspiring young girls to dream boldly, develop the skills and confidence to pursue their aspirations, and prepare for meaningful opportunities in the future. The event, themed “Banking On Her Tomorrow,” is the brainchild of the Bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, the first female GMD/CEO in Zenith Bank’s history and a strong advocate for girl-child education and empowerment. The event will be held virtually on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., a day after the International…
United Nations independent expert, Professor Damilola Sunday Olawuyi, SAN has called for bold, innovative and homegrown reforms that sustain accelerated trade and investments in Africa, without jeopardising human rights. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is also UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar made this recommendation in Dakar, Senegal during his high-level plenary address to the 5th Africa Forum on Business Human Rights. First held in Accra, Ghana in 2022, the Forum has grown to become the leading platform in Africa that brings together governments, businesses, civil society, international organisations and youth…
What happens when a campaign promise leads to an election, but no one tracks it? The consequences go beyond public disappointment; they also show up in misplaced priorities, a lack of accountability, and delayed development. Nigeria has seen how swiftly political commitments disappear once the rallies are over. Following the 2015 election, the Centre for Democracy and Development set up the ‘Buharimeter’ to monitor the 222 promises made by the then President and the ruling party. The study showed that memory, loyalty, and campaign enthusiasm are no reliable replacement for a written, measurable record. As the 2027 general elections draw…
The National Orientation Agency, NOA, has urged Nigerians to properly observe the national flag during the three-day mourning period declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the NAF crash that claimed the lives of Nigerian Air Force, NAF personnel in Igbokoda, Ondo State. The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, also condoled with the Nigerian Air Force and families of the fallen officers, describing the NAF crash as a painful moment for the nation and commending the personnel for their courage, discipline, patriotism and commitment to national service. NOA backs flag observance Issa-Onilu said the agency would intensify efforts to…
A boat accident at the Buruku crossing point of the River Katsina-Ala in Benue State has left several passengers feared missing after a vessel carrying more than 70 mourners and over 30 motorcycles capsized while returning from a burial ceremony. The passengers, mostly from Mbayion in Gboko Local Government Area, were on their way home when the boat’s engine reportedly failed mid-journey. Panic reportedly spread among those on board before strong waves overturned the vessel, plunging passengers and motorcycles into the river. More than 60 passengers have reportedly been rescued, while about six people were initially unaccounted for as search…