General
Osinbajo Tasks Intellectuals on Reforms in Health, Education
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Vice President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo has called on academics to take a keen interest, especially in issues of education and healthcare, exploring options for reform and innovation in those human capital development sectors.
This was the highlight of a virtual meeting between the VP and a team of professors drawn from the six geo-political zones under the auspices of the Progressive Intellectuals Advisory Group (PIAG).
According to his media aide, Mr Laolu Akande, in a statement on Monday, Mr Osinbajo interacted with the dons on a number of topical national development issues and urged stakeholders, especially members of professional bodies to make contributions towards addressing them.
“Given the rate of interest in tertiary education, we cannot cope with the brick-and-mortar approach, we won’t be able to cope with the numbers in the near future because there will be millions more who will not be able to get into our schools,” he was quoted as saying while discussing tertiary education at the meeting held on Friday.
“One of the things I have been thinking about is how to be deliberate about online tertiary education. And how to develop it to the point where Nigeria offers the best services in the sector. One of the things I want us to think about is how we can develop this idea and in what ways we can put together a plan, even if it is just an outline so we can push the idea further,” he added.
Also in healthcare, Mr Osinbajo called on members of the group to support the federal government’s efforts to reform the healthcare system by contributing to ideas that will make health insurance work effectively in the country, stating that a Health Reform Committee was already in place looking at the issues.
“The second thing is health care and how we can fund it. It is evident that the government by budget alone cannot fund health care sufficiently and in the scope that is required,” the Vice President said. “No matter what we do and how hard we pushed, we still haven’t been able to get close to our Abuja declaration threshold budget for healthcare – either at the federal or at the state level.
“So, it is evident that we need to do something different and that is health insurance, it remains the way to aggregate or pull resources for healthcare. We now have a new health insurance law that makes health insurance compulsory and a few other provisions that are helpful. But I think that this is something that we have to take a good look at also.”
The Vice President then thanked the professors for their support in the race to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries, describing their backing as “one that I greatly treasure above others.”
According to him, the visiting group of professors “understands better my motivation for running and the motivation for the views I expressed,” assuring them of his commitment to the cause of a better Nigeria and promised not to give up the struggle.
Leader of the group and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Shehu Adamu, also spoke about the need for Nigeria to strengthen the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) option to address the issue of access to university education.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A youth-focused leadership development advocacy group known as the Not Too Young To Perform (NTYTP) has called for a renewed focus on youth-driven leadership and national transformation in Nigeria.
In a statement to greet Christians around the world for Easter, the organisation emphasised the urgent necessity of bringing more young people into leadership positions, noting that resetting the nation’s trajectory requires fresh energy, innovative ideas, and a break from the mistakes of the past.
In the message signed by its National Secretary, Mr Muhammed Bello, NTYTP described the 2025 Easter celebration as a period for deep reflection on the life, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus Christ — a story that embodies patience, perseverance, sacrifice, and ultimate victory.
It said the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ stand as timeless examples of strength, determination, and divine restoration, offering crucial lessons for a nation like Nigeria, which is currently in need of significant economic, social, and institutional reforms.
“We use this yuletide period to appeal to all State actors to prioritize the progress of this country above politics, region, ethnicity, and religion.
“Our actions today will determine whether future generations inherit a country they can be proud of,” the group stated.
NTYTP also expressed hope that the spiritual significance of Easter would inspire Nigerians to work collectively towards building a nation where unity, justice, and prosperity reign.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Melrose General Services Limited has initiated contempt proceedings against the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr Yemi Cardoso and Legal Services Director, Mr Salam-Alada Kofo, for allegedly failing to comply with a Supreme Court judgement delivered in 2024 reversing the forfeiture of N1.222 billion and N220 million linked to the Paris Club refund.
The case filed as FHC/ABJ/CS/532/2025 before Justice Inyang Ekwo at the Federal High Court in Abuja was led by Melrose’s counsel, Mr Chikaosolu Ojukwu.
The Supreme Court had overturned an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) forfeiture order, ruling that funds which include N1.222 billion in Melrose’s Access Bank account and N220 million paid to Wasp Networks and Thebe Wellness, were not proven fraudulent.
It ordered their release, stating: “The appellant’s application (Melrose General Services Limited) to set aside the order of interim forfeiture of the sum of N1,222,384,857.84 in the appellant’s account with Access Bank Plc and N220,000,000.00 in the accounts of the 2nd and 3rd respondents (Wasp Networks and Thebe Wellness) is hereby granted.”
Melrose alleged that while the CBN refunded N1.222 billion, the N220 million remains unpaid. On March 27, Justice Ekwo permitted contempt notices (Forms 48 and 49) to be served, with a seven-day response deadline.
By April 10, all parties except the Ministry of Finance had responded, per Melrose’s counsel, Mr Segun Fiki.
The CBN, represented by Mr Abdulfatai Oyedele, argued the Supreme Court directed the N220 million to Wasp Networks (N200 million requested) and Thebe Wellness (N20 million unclaimed), not Melrose.
The EFCC, through Mr M.A. Babatunde, sought exclusion via a misjoinder motion.
The hearing is set for June 4.
By Dipo Olowookere
Entrepreneurs living in Ogun State have been given an opportunity to get about €30,000 in funding support their businesses for expansion.
The beneficiaries would be expected to come up with innovative solutions to challenges in the circular economy.
They will undergo a six-month training programme designed to prepare them for the tasks ahead.
Apart from the monetary benefits, the intending participants, who must be between the ages of 18 and 35, will receive enterprise development training and capacity building, have access to local and international markets, enjoy mentorship from industry experts and peer networks, and get personalized coaching and business support.
Business Post reports that this platform was provided by the Orange Corners Nigeria (OCN) Incubation Programme.
The initiative has already called for applications for the 13th cohort, with the deadline fixed for Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Applicants must operate in the circular economy, agriculture, health, renewable energy, or technology sectors to qualify for the scheme exclusively for Ogun residents.
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN