As we welcome the month of August, we pray it brings peace, progress, renewed hope, and abundant blessings to you and your loved ones.
May every day of this new month be filled with purpose, productivity, and reasons to smile.
Wishing you a fulfilling and prosperous August.
Cardinal Onaiyekan's Abuse of Clerical Privilege
By Temitope Ajayi
There is something fundamentally inappropriate about Cardinal John Onaiyekan granting a television interview to offer his own account and interpretation of what transpired during the private meeting between the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu. It is, in my view, an abuse of clerical privilege.
The bishops requested an audience with the president. He granted the audience graciously. They presented, as was their right, a catalogue of the country's economic, social, and security challenges as they saw them. Except for their grudging acknowledgement of the benefits of NELFUND, they were dismissive of the other great things done by the administration. The bishops were notably acerbic in their submission, but the president listened to them patiently and responded.
That should ordinarily have been where the matter rested. None of the issues raised by the bishops is beyond scrutiny or rebuttal. Their assessment is neither scripture nor an article of faith. It is a perspective, and perspectives can be challenged with facts and evidence.
President Tinubu did exactly that, responding point by point to the issues they raised. On the bishops' demand for the return of schools to their owners, the President was surprised that such an issue could be tabled before him, as it is a matter for the states to resolve, in line with our constitution. So, he asked the bishops to take the matter to the governors and reminded them he returned mission schools in Lagos State when he was governor.
The President argued that the bishops’ characterisation of the country's current condition was incomplete and, in several respects, inaccurate. He pointed to measurable progress on the economic, social, and security fronts. He did not pretend that Nigeria's problems had disappeared. He acknowledged that significant economic and security challenges remain. His point was that the country has emerged from "a dark tunnel", that his administration has laid the foundations for recovery and that the next phase is to ensure the greatest number of Nigerians feels the gains.
What the clerics often overlook in these interventions is that governing a country is fundamentally different from shepherding a church. In a democracy, every interest group, including the Catholic Church, has every right to demand more from government. That is part of democratic engagement.
But the president of a nation of more than 200 million people is required to make difficult choices every single day. Those choices involve competing interests, limited resources, and imperfect options. They will inevitably disappoint some constituencies. There is no president, whether Tinubu or whoever succeeds him, who can wave a magic wand and make Nigeria's accumulated problems disappear overnight.
It is easy to compile a list of national problems. It is far more difficult to acknowledge the disasters that have been averted. Whatever anyone thinks of President Tinubu's policies, it is impossible to ignore the fiscal crisis he inherited and the measures taken to pull the country away from the edge of a financial cliff. Even the bishops themselves should recognise that one tangible consequence has been the restoration of greater fiscal stability across many states.
Countless civil servants and pensioners who, for years, endured unpaid salaries and pensions are now receiving them more regularly. That was certainly not the reality in many states from around 2014. Even about four years ago, 27 state governments struggled to meet even their most basic obligations. Many of those civil servants and pensioners are themselves parishioners in Catholic churches. 1/2
It was a pleasure to meet H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Former President of Tanzania and Chairman of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Board, in preparation for the Global Education Summit in September.
When we began this education transformation journey in November 2024, we knew there was a long road up ahead and the time do it even shorter.
That’s why I deeply appreciate Dr Kikwete’s kind words of encouragement on the reforms and achievements made through our Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI). As well as his steadfast commitment to advancing education across Africa. Global recognition is a reminder that our reforms are making a difference.
As we look ahead to the GPE’s Summit in September, where H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will co-chair alongside the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. The summit aims to mobilise increased global investment and stronger international partnerships in support for Quality education through the GPE.
More investments in education mean better classrooms, better education materials, better equipped teachers and a stronger learning environment for all children in Nigeria.
We, the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), remain fully committed to driving meaningful reforms, strengthening global partnerships, and delivering quality education for every Nigerian child in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In 2019 when I became a Minister of the Republic, I met a young man of medium height, genteel with penetrating eyes: Atte Ayodeji. His words rarely come out and he could easily be passed by unnoticed. But I noticed him especially when my SA Kemi Areola brought him to me asking my approval for him to do his Youth Service in my office. I approved. From then on he was unstoppable. His brilliance shown and he developed skills beyond his frame.
Today. He has done it. How ?
Atte Ayodeji
Graduated from Birmingham City University with a Distinction in MSc. Computer Science, on Friday.
In the last one year, he developed an Algorithm for detecting, counting, grouping and generating healthy hair folicles during a hair transplant where he won the best innovative technology.
Secondly, his dissertation where he developed a system and a framework on XAI as a professional responsibility in the diagnosis of lung cancer won a silver in the PGXPO2026 Winter.
Congratulations Atte. I am proud of you !
To every Team Nigeria athlete who represented our great nation at the #Glasgow2026 Commonwealth Games, I say thank you. 🇳🇬 To our Gold, Silver and Bronze medallists across Para Powerlifting, Weightlifting, Athletics and Team events, your exceptional performances, resilience and commitment to excellence have made Nigeria proud. Whether you achieved victory as an individual or as part of a team, you demonstrated the strength, unity and determination that define the Nigerian spirit.
To every athlete who competed and did not make the podium, please know that your efforts were equally valued. Your sacrifices, discipline, courage and dedication to wearing the Green and White with pride inspired millions of Nigerians. Every race, every lift, every throw and every moment of competition contributed to this remarkable journey. I am immensely proud of each and every one of you. Thank you for proving that the Nigerian spirit can never be broken. 🇳🇬💚
This Sunday, Mr Peter Obi joins Me on Sunday Politics for an exclusive two-hour conversation on the economy, politics, governance and the road to 2027—8pm on Channels Television.
Don’t just hear about it, be part of it.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, along with Honourable Minister of State for Education Prof Suwaiba Said Ahmad concluded a two-day working visit to Kano State, reaffirming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda is driving significant transformation in Nigeria's education sector through strategic partnerships with state governments. The Minister commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for allocating 32 per cent of the state's 2026 budget to education, describing it as a strong demonstration of commitment to human capital development.
During the visit, Dr Alausa commissioned a renovated solar-powered digital e-Library at Federal Government College, Kano, reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to revitalising abandoned e-Library projects nationwide, and endorsed the Public-Private Partnership land swap initiative aimed at improving educational infrastructure.
The visit also highlighted major investments in teacher development and expanded access to quality education. the Ministers witnessed the presentation of appointment letters to 8,588 education personnel, directed the immediate operationalisation of the Bilingual School in Ungogo ahead of its September 2026 opening, and announced plans for additional bilingual schools. He also inspected ongoing education projects, pledged Federal support for their completion, and commended a student's Artificial Intelligence innovation for further development. The Minister reiterated the Federal Ministry of Education's . Renewed Hope Agenda..
'The Celebration Started When The Nigerian Flag Went Up' — Esther Nworgu Hails NSC Leadership After Historic Commonwealth Games Gold | Sports247 Nigeria https://t.co/Tq08RAgImL
Another medal on the board, and Team Nigeria remains firmly on course to achieving our medal targets at the #Glasgow2026 Commonwealth Games.
Congratulations to Ruth Asuquo Nyong on her outstanding Silver Medal in the Women's 48kg Weightlifting event, recording a combined lift of 168kg (75kg Snatch, 93kg Clean & Jerk).
What's particularly encouraging is that Ruth surpassed our Elite Board's projection. She was tipped for Bronze but delivered Silver. That upward progression reflects the hard work, preparation and belief within this team.
I remain very optimistic about what lies ahead, especially with our athletics team. After spending time with the athletes, coaches and technical crew, I am confident they have what it takes to significantly boost our medal tally. We are hopeful of adding seven to eight gold medals from athletics.
I am immensely proud of every athlete, coach and official who has worked tirelessly over the past one and a half years. Across the Games Village and competition venues, many have remarked that Nigerian sports now carries a renewed identity, purpose and confidence. That, in itself, is a victory we will continue to build on.
Under the leadership of our Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko
@ShehuDikko, athlete welfare remains at the centre of our reforms. Our athletes deserve not only our support and admiration but also recognition and reward for the sacrifices they make in representing our nation.
The journey continues, and I have no doubt Team Nigeria will keep making the country proud.
🇳🇬 9ja No Dey Carry Last!
#TeamNigeria #Glasgow2026
National Sports Commission (NSC) in partnership with PUMA, has created a dedicated exhibition and concert venue for Nigerians and Team Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The venue will host live performances from top Afrobeats artists, creating an exciting atmosphere for athletes and fans throughout the Games. It's a first-of-its-kind initiative at the Commonwealth Games and promises to be one of the standout attractions.
#TeamNigeria #CommonwealthGames2026
🇳🇬 𝙐𝙋𝘿𝘼𝙏𝙀: Nigeria has secured a major diplomatic win at the 12th Commonwealth Sports Ministers' Meeting held on 22nd July 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, after the intervention of National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko led to unanimous support for Africa to be considered as host of the 2034 Commonwealth Games.
During the meeting, @ShehuDikko called for a deliberate and intentional commitment by Commonwealth nations to reserve the hosting rights for the 2034 Commonwealth Games for Africa, stressing that it was time for the continent to stage the Games.
"After a 100 years of the commonwealth games the cycle cannot be complete without Africa thus we need to adopt a very proactive, intentional and deliberate decision here today at this meeting to clearly indicate that the 2034 Commonwealth Games should be reserved for Africa to bid for," Shehu Dikko told fellow Sports Ministers.
The proposal received overwhelming support from delegates at the meeting, resulting in an amendment to the official communiqué to reflect the collective position that Africa should be considered to host the 2034 Commonwealth Games.
Dikko further called for the reset of the games to make it more attractive, inclusive, and competitive by bringing additional sports like football and also possibilities of multi-city hosting to make the hosting of the games much easier and cost effective in line to the vision of the CWG. Dikko also seized the opportunity in delivering the Nigeria National statement to update the meeting on the positive progress being made in the restructuring and resetting of Nigerian sports under the renewed Hope and shared prosperity vision of President @officialABAT GCFR and indeed the RHINSE framework.
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#NSC #NationalSportsCommission #RHINSE
The privilege to be alive should be celebrated daily-it’s your birthday.
Surely, 60 beckons soon! But we don’t look like what we’ve gone through.
We will not be stranded in the journey of life, in the name of Jesus.
Thanks to everyone who has supported me. I’m grateful.
Today, Team Nigeria's athletics campaign begins at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow @commonwealth, and the entire nation is standing solidly behind our athletes.
You have trained, sacrificed, and earned your place on this stage. Now is the time to compete with confidence, determination, and the indomitable Nigerian spirit.
To every athlete wearing the Green and White: remember, you are carrying the dreams and pride of millions of Nigerians. Fight for every second, every meter, every medal.
As we say in Nigeria, "9ja No Dey Carry Last!" 💪🇳🇬
Go out there, let your performances do the talking, make us smile with outstanding displays, and show the world the resilience, talent, and excellence that define Team Nigeria.
The whole country is behind you.
We believe in you.
We are rooting for you.
Go for glory.
Go make Nigeria proud!