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AT SUN NEWSPAPER AWARDS: President Tinubu On Right Path To Returning Nigeria To Greatness- VP Shettima
AT SUN NEWSPAPER AWARDS: President Tinubu On Right Path To Returning Nigeria To Greatness- VP Shettima
- Urges media to combat fake news, uphold ethical standards
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the federal government under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is on the right path to returning Nigeria to greatness.
According to him, with shared commitment, mutual respect and open dialogue, a brighter future would soon be at hand for Nigerians.
He however emphasized the crucial role the media must play in achieving this goal, calling for collaboration and a shared commitment to national progress.
Speaking at the weekend during The Sun Newspapers Awards in Lagos, Senator Shettima who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, stressed the crucial role of the media as “watchdogs, truth-seekers, and the voice that informs and empowers our citizens.”
In his speech titled, “Celebrating Excellence, Building Together: Our Commitment To Press Freedom And Media Development In Nigeria,” the Vice President noted that the media has the power to shape narratives, foster public discourse and hold institutions accountable.
“Tonight, we celebrate not just the exceptional work of individual journalists, but also the collective contribution of the media to Nigeria’s progress. As partners in progress, you have the power to shape narratives, foster public discourse, and hold institutions responsible. Your dedication to investigative journalism, balanced reporting, and fact-checking is essential for a thriving democracy,” he stated.
VP Shettima advocated for collaboration and mutual respect between the media and government, stressing the need for the media to hold the government accountable, just as he called for transparency and open access to information to foster an environment where journalists can work freely and safely.
He further noted President Tinubu’s commitment to a vibrant press, recognizing that “a free and independent media is essential for a healthy democracy.”
While advocating press freedom, VP Shettima urged the media to uphold ethical standards, fact-check information, and avoid sensationalism to combat the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation.
The Vice President highlighted the recent strides by the federal government, including economic reforms, tackling security challenges, and investing in infrastructure, citing the removal of fuel subsidies, despite initial challenges, as yielding positive results with increased federal allocations to states.
“The government is commencing the implementation of the Pulaku Initiative, a large-scale resettlement programme aimed at addressing the root causes of farmers-herders conflicts. The initiative will revitalize the affected communities through the construction of residences, roads, schools, and essential facilities. I inaugurated a steering committee to coordinate the implementation of the initiative in fulfillment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to improve the lives of all Nigerians,” the Vice President said.
He also commended the sacrifices of journalists and expressed the government’s commitment to working together with the media to build a brighter future for all Nigerians.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the occasion and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, assured Nigerians that the economic challenges bedeviling Nigeria would soon be a thing of the past.
He said while nation-building is a collective endeavour, the citizens must come together and support the government in its efforts in building a truly great Nigeria.
The SGF stated: “The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shall remain steadfast in its commitment to building a brighter future for all Nigerians, under the Renewed Hope Agenda. While progress may seem slow at times, the vision for a better tomorrow remains resolute. We shall soon navigate successfully the current economic challenges.”
AT SUN NEWSPAPER AWARDS: President Tinubu On Right Path To Returning Nigeria To Greatness- VP Shettima
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
•••771 to Graduate in Nigeria in 2025
•••Otuaro Hails Scholars’ Performances
By: Michael Mike
Nine students awarded foreign post-graduate scholarships by the Presidential Amnesty Programme have graduated from their master’s degree rprogrammes in universities in the United Kingdom.
The successful scholars are the first graduates in the offshore post-graduate scholarship deployment to UK institutions by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic session.
They graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University, University of Dundee and The University of Law with master’s degrees in cyber security, data science and engineering, law, construction and civil engineering management, project management, and ICT.
Also, 711 undergraduate and post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries are expected to graduate from universities within Nigeria this year.
The PAP, on Wednesday, 3 December, 2025, organised a graduation reception for the scholars in London.
Otuaro has congratulated them on their successful graduation, stressing that they completed their programmes in record time which shows the seriousness they had put into their studies.
He said they have justified the Federal Government’s investment in their education with their successful graduation, and urged other beneficiaries not to be distracted in their academic pursuits.
“We congratulate these scholars on their successful graduation. It shows that they took their studies seriously. That is what we demand of every scholarship beneficiary, whether at the undergraduate or post-graduate level”, Otuaro said.
He reiterated his unwavering commitment to expanding the scholarship scheme to create more opportunities for indigent students of Niger Delta extraction to access higher education with a view to closing the human capital development gap in the region.
Otuaro said it was for this reason he deployed 3800 beneficiaries in-country in the 2024-2025 academic year, and increased the figure to 3900 in the 2025-2026 academic session with 200 for foreign scholarships.
Otuaro has so far deployed 7700 students for the PAP scholarship scheme within Nigeria in less than two years.
Within this period, also, he has also deployed 162 students from the region for post-graduate programmes in targeted disciplines in the UK universities.
According to him, this is in conformity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu for the Niger Delta, who has given unprecedented support to the PAP because of his sincere love for the area.
The PAP boss said, “Our decision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Niger Delta. We will continue to create more higher educational opportunities for students from indigent backgrounds in our region.
“We are also deepening the implementation of the programme’s mandate in informal education and other areas for the sustainable peace and socio-economic advancement of the region.”
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
By: Michael Mike
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited has been incorporated to seamlessly allowed for the Refinery and Free Trade Zone in Ondo State.
A press statement on Thursday read that: “In furtherance of our commitment to the execution of these two major projects – Refinery and Free Trade Zone in conjunction with the Ondo State Government, the joint partners have taken another giant step by incorporating a joint company, namely – SUNSHINE JOINT VENTURE INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED – as the vehicle to be used in executing these projects. A move that further reinforces the sincerity of purpose and total commitment of the funding partners to move ahead together as a united front.
According to the release by Wale Adekola on behalf of the JV, the Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limitedwill, going forward serve as the vehicle to work with the Ondo State Government through the Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) in the implementation of the executed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
The statement added that: “In moving the projects forward for implementation, the JV team met in Dubai to finalize the funding modalities and put in place structures and plans for the commencement of activities for ground breaking and community engagements. These initial activities are aimed at complementing the 50th Anniversary of the creation of Ondo State and the one year anniversary of the election of the Executive Governor of the Sunshine State, His Excellency, Chief Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa CFR.
At the Dubai meeting were key officers of the JV Company, including: Messrs SALEHI FARHAD; ZAHERI NAVID; EGHBAL KORDJAMSHIDI; SAHEED ZAHERI; DR. STEPHEN DIKE; HENRY OWONKA AND MRS. NAMVAR MARYAM.
The statement further informed that, plans have been concluded to mobilize the relevant contractors working with the locals and host communities to put up structures that will host the information center, architectural models to showcase the projects on offer and facilities that will serve the team. All these are being planned with ONDIPA to execute the relocation and accommodation of the host communities that are likely to be affected by the projects and create a seamless transition that will engender peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationship with our host communities.
The JV company further reiterated its commitment to work with Ondo State Government (through ONDIPA) to change the infrastructural landscape of the Sunshine State and for mutual benefits.
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
By: Zagazola Makama
Seven suspected bandits were arrested along the Benin–Agbor Road in Edo State during stop-and-search operations, security sources confirmed.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, all Fulani youths, were intercepted after being offloaded from a truck at about 1800 hours on 2 December 2025. A search revealed pictures of assault rifles, including AK-47s, on their mobile phones.
Upon interrogation, the suspects claimed to have travelled from Adamawa State. Investigations are ongoing for the possible recovery of actual firearms and to determine their involvement in criminal activities.
Security agencies have urged members of the public to report any suspicious movements to help prevent criminal acts in the area.
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
UN Women Calls for Strengthening of Mechanism and Policies Towards Ending Gender Violence
Nine PAP Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries Bag Master’s Degrees From UK Varsities
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established for Realization of Ondo Project
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