Author: Tribune Online

Food prices in Nigeria have remained volatile due to inflation, transportation costs, seasonal supply changes and other economic factors.

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Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that many Christians remain concerned about their place in the country following the departure from the Christian-Muslim presidential arrangement.

This is even as the bishops urged the President to address those concerns through deliberate government policies that reassure Christians of their rights as equal citizens.

The position was contained in an address presented by the President of the CBCN, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, during a courtesy visit to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

According to the bishops, while they appreciated the cordial relationship between Nigeria and the Holy See, many Christians still have legitimate concerns over inclusion under the current administration.

“This, Mr. President, is a time when many Christians have legitimate concerns about their place in Nigeria, especially regarding the departure from the Christian/Muslim presidency, and we hope that, through deliberate government policies, those concerns will be addressed and Christians will be reassured of their rights as citizens,” the bishops said.

They urged Tinubu to take steps to “soothe frayed nerves” and reassure Christians of their constitutional rights.

Beyond religious inclusion, the bishops expressed concern over what they described as shrinking political space and fears that Nigeria could drift towards a one-party state.

While acknowledging Tinubu’s role in the struggle for the restoration of democracy, they urged him to ensure that elected officials of the ruling party uphold fairness and guarantee a level playing field for all political actors.

The conference also warned that the country risked serious consequences if the 2027 general elections were not transparent and credible.

According to the bishops, there is growing public disenchantment with the electoral process, with many Nigerians believing that their votes no longer count.

They urged the President to ensure that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, conducts free, fair and credible elections, beginning with the easy availability of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and ending with results that reflect the true choice of voters.

“Anything short of transparent, free, fair and credible elections in 2027 would be an invitation to avoidable disaster,” they warned.

On insecurity, the bishops commended the Federal Government for the recent rescue of kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State as well as the arrest of some of the suspected kidnappers.

However, they described such achievements as isolated successes, saying terrorism, banditry and kidnapping continue to threaten lives across the country.

According to them, schools, places of worship, homes, farms and highways remain unsafe, with criminals operating freely in many parts of Nigeria.

The bishops also lamented the worsening economic hardship facing Nigerians, citing the country’s security challenges, poor electricity supply, deteriorating road infrastructure and rising cost of living.

They said many Nigerians were yet to feel the benefits of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Our nation is bleeding. The citizens are suffering and crying,” they said, adding that Nigerians expect concrete action rather than assurances.

The CBCN nevertheless commended the Federal Government for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), describing it as a commendable initiative for young Nigerians.

It, however, expressed concern that the National Universities Commission’s moratorium on the establishment of new private universities could limit access to higher education, noting that available university spaces remain inadequate for the country’s growing youth population.

The bishops also appealed to President Tinubu to invite Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria, saying the Holy Father holds the country close to his heart and that his visit would strengthen national prayers and efforts towards peace and unity.

In addition, they renewed their request for the return of mission schools to their original proprietors.

The conference further urged the Federal Government to ensure equal protection of religious freedom across the country.

Referring to the Supreme Court judgment of February 10, 2026, affirming the constitutional right of Muslim students at Rivers State University to freedom of religion and worship, the bishops appealed to the government to guarantee similar constitutional protections for Christians, particularly in northern Nigeria, where they said many still face challenges in acquiring land for churches and freely practising their faith.

Muslim-Muslim ticket: Christians concerned about their place in Nigeria – Catholic Bishops tell Tinubu

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into public communication, launching a capacity-building programme for information officers across federal ministries, departments and agencies to improve digital engagement and tackle misinformation.

The five-day executive training, organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in partnership with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), brought together communication officers from nearly 60 federal MDAs at the Dangote Business School, Bayero University, Kano.

Director-General of the BPSR, Dr. Dasuki Ibrahim-Arabi, said the initiative aligns with the government’s drive to modernise public communication in line with the National E-Government Master Plan, which encourages the adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain and the Internet of Things, across public institutions.

He said the programme is designed to prepare government communicators for a rapidly changing digital environment where citizens increasingly rely on online platforms for information.

According to Ibrahim-Arabi, information officers must acquire new skills to communicate government policies effectively while ensuring the ethical use of artificial intelligence to curb misinformation and protect public trust.

He noted that transparency and citizen engagement remain central to the Federal Government’s reform agenda, adding that commitments under the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Government Partnership require public institutions to embrace more open and technology-driven communication.

The BPSR boss said the training was organised in collaboration with IMPR and Bayero University because of the institution’s expertise in digital communication and emerging technologies.

He stressed that government agencies must strengthen their presence on digital platforms to engage Nigeria’s youthful population, many of whom now obtain information primarily through smartphones and social media.

Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, described artificial intelligence as a transformative tool capable of improving public engagement, content creation and information dissemination.

He, however, cautioned that AI also presents challenges, including misinformation, privacy concerns, ethical issues, algorithmic bias and cybercrime, urging public institutions to adopt the technology responsibly.

Waiya disclosed that the Kano State Government has established a Digital Multimedia Department within the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs to enhance digital communication and build the capacity of information officers in emerging technologies.

Chairman of Image Merchants Promotion Limited, Professor Sule Ya’u Sule, said the programme was designed to equip government communication managers with practical knowledge of AI and other digital tools to improve information management and public engagement.

Also speaking, the Head of the Department of Information and Media Studies at Bayero University, Professor Nura Ibrahim, said artificial intelligence has become an indispensable tool for communication professionals.

“Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay. The choice is whether you use it effectively or allow it to define how you work,” he said.

The training is expected to feature practical sessions on AI-assisted communication, digital governance, crisis communication, ethical use of emerging technologies and strategies for strengthening public engagement across government institutions.

FG Upskills MDAs On AI-Powered Public Communication is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has lamented inadequate funding, weak research infrastructure and

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Amidst calls for reprisal actions against South African government and its interests in Nigeria, the Federal Government has

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Edward Green is set to be appointed as the new head coach of Nigeria National League, NNL, side Godswill Akpabio United FC, DAILY POST reports.

Green has been identified as the ideal replacement for Lawrence Kingsley who stepped down from the role last week.

The young tactician is expected to sign a two-year contract with the Uyo-based club.

Green served as assistant coach with Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Rivers United last season.

The young tactician also served in the same capacity with Akwa United and Sporting Lagos.

He was among the technical crew that guided Sporting Lagos to the NPFL in 2024.

NNL: Edward Green set to take charge at Godswill Akpabio United FC 

Former Super Eagles defender, Ifeanyi Udeze is optimistic the Super Falcons will recover from their disappointing start at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Falcons started their title defence on a dismal note courtesy of a 3-2 loss to debutants Scorchers of Malawi.

It was Nigeria’s first defeat to a debutant at the WAFCON finals.

The Super Falcons must now beat the Copper Queens of Zambia in their next Group C game to have any chance of progressing into the knockout round.

Zambia top the group on goal difference after thrashing the Cleopatras of Egypt 6-0 in their opening fixture.

Udeze believed the defeat to Malawi is a wake up call for the Super Falcons, and backed the team to bounce back against Zambia.

“This is a lesson and I hope they’ve learnt their lesson and I believe they will bounce back against Zambia,” Udeze told Brila FM.

WAFCON 2026: Malawi defeat wake up call for Super Falcons – Udeze 

“Everyone knew how generous and kind he was. From when he died until now, a lot of people are…”

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OLAYINKA OLUKOYA examines the leading deputy governorship candidates in the Ogun governorship race, highlighting the factors working in their favour, the challenges they must overcome, the opportunities and threats that could shape their electoral prospects and what they individually bring to the respective tickets. The build-up to the 2027 general elections has started in earnest, […]

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Trafficking networks are increasingly using fake vacancies online to lure thousands of people into forced labour, the UN International Organization for Migration has warned.

In an alert issued on Tuesday, the agency expressed concern over the expanding, multibillion-dollar criminal industry that turns job seekers into cybercriminals.

IOM Director General, Amy Pope, noted that victims from more than 80 countries are being trafficked into the scam centres, particularly across Asia.

The official told journalists in Geneva that syndicates target people who speak good English and often hold degrees, advertising what resemble normal jobs on social media.

The victims are locked inside compounds, stripped of their passports and phones, and monitored. Many are beaten or threatened and compelled to run global fraudulent schemes.

“They’re often subjected to physical or mental abuse. They are often unable to leave,” Pope added, saying most sufferers travel on a tourist visa rather than a work permit.

Between 2022 and 2025, the IOM helped over 3,500 victims of forced criminality in Southeast Asia. They hailed from 39 nations, including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Indonesia, India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka.

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, 2025 losses from scams across East and Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand were between $88.3 billion and $114.1 billion.

Last week, the United States implemented a visa ban targeting sextortionists and cyber scammers. Washington cited Southeast Asia scam operations, which cost Americans $10 billion in 2024.

UN warns of increasing trafficking via online job adverts