Sterling Strengthens Media Capacity on Sustainability Reporting

By: Michael Mike

In a deliberate move to deepen responsible sustainability reporting and strengthen the role of the media in national development, the Sterling Sustainability Working Group has convened a high-level sustainability training for journalists as part of activities marking the 2025 National Sustainability Week (NSW).

The Sterling Sustainability Working Group champions the sustainability mandate for the Sterling Financial Holdings Company that comprises of Sterling Bank and Alternative Bank

The strategic programme, organised by the Sterling Sustainability Working Group in partnership with the Climate Africa Media Initiative and Centre (CAMIC) in collaboration with NatureNews brought together selected media executives and journalists from across the country for a two-day hybrid engagement that began on Tuesday in Abuja.

Welcoming participants, Chairperson of the Sustainability Working Group, Mrs Bunmi Ajiboye, underscored the central role of the media in shaping public perception and policy conversations around sustainability.

She described the engagement as a pivotal intervention aimed at redefining how Nigeria’s development story is told.

According to her, sustainability has moved beyond a narrow environmental narrative to become a comprehensive development framework that touches the economy, innovation, governance and social inclusion.

She noted that journalists as custodians of public information, have a responsibility to frame these issues with clarity, accuracy and purpose.

Ajiboye also said that effective storytelling by the media can drive action, dispel misinformation and elevate grassroots solutions that often go unnoticed. She said the training was designed to equip participants with the tools and insights needed to amplify credible solutions, influence behaviour and inspire collective responsibility among citizens and decision-makers.

She further highlighted Sterling’s sustainability footprint, citing the company’s investments in renewable energy projects, support for circular economy ventures, promotion of climate-smart agriculture and youth empowerment initiatives nationwide. These efforts, she said, reflect Sterling’s long-term commitment to embedding sustainability into business strategy and social impact.

She said: “This is not just a learning session; it is a call for partnership,” while urging journalists to work with stakeholders in building narratives that reflect Nigeria’s resilience, creativity and potential.

Participants at the training were drawn from reputable print, broadcast and digital media organisations and joined both physically and virtually.

They received expert-led sessions from seasoned media professionals, including Aliu Akoshile, Publisher of NatureNews Media; Akogun Ishiak Ajibola, former Managing Director of Daily Trust; and Victoria Bamas, Editor at the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR).

The training focused on strengthening digital reporting skills, deepening understanding of sustainability issues and positioning the media as a critical driver of informed public discourse and sustainable development outcomes in Nigeria.

Sterling Strengthens Media Capacity on Sustainability Reporting

Koranic recitation described as a symbol of unity among Muslims

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Governor Babagana Zulum has described the on going koranic recitation ceremony going on in Maiduguri as a symbol of unity for Muslims in the country.

The Governor commended the organizers of the “Musabaqah foundation” for hosting such an important program in Borno at this critical period of the history of the state adding that it will further unite the people.

He noted that the exercise last hosted in Borno in 1986 and coming back now is indeed of special significance to “Yerwa” land which has been a centre of Islamic excellence for over 1000 years and still counting.

Engr. Zulum commended his colleagues the Governors of Gombe Kebbi and Yobe states respectively for showing special interests in the recitation competition which has become a sound breeding ground for instilling discipline and leadership among young people in the country.

The Governor prayed that the competition would become a source of blessing for the region even as he pledged the sum of N120m on behalf of all his colleagues in the north east zone of Nigeria.

In his remarks Governor of Gombe Inua Yahaya regretted that islam was under threat in the region and a lot has to be done to reverse the damnation posed by these enemies by way of terrorism or in whatever name they come.

The Governor who is the chair of the northern governors forum called on muslims in the north to work hard and erase the negative image associated with their religion adding that such a damping image was of no special interest to the people.

Key note speaker, Prof Ibrahim Umara, of the political science department of university of Maiduguri (unimaid) traced the ancestry of the Kanuri people and their walk with islam over the centuries adding that kanuri are ancestors of the famous Nubia civilization before Bernin Kebbi, kukawa then Maiduguri.

The scholar averred that it was Kanem Borno empire that actually converted the Hausa people to Islam having contacted islam 1400 years ago and still counting.

Vc Usman Dan Fodio University, Prof Bashir Garba in his remarks called for more support to the centre for Islamic studies in his university so that the sponsorship of the competition can continue.

Shehu of Borno also appreciated Governor Zulum for hosting the event which was held last in 1986.

He remarked that discipline is one virtue which the competition is trying to achieve which is why the competition is commendable.

He equally posited that unity will also be achieved in the process of competition among the young folks coming up to become leaders of tomorrow.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Tijani Bukar who is also chair of the local organizing committee (LOC) however prayed that God will soon grant absolute peace to the state adding that the entire program will be successful as expected.

The 40th anniversary of the national Koranic recitation which started in 1985 is being hosted at the Indimi hall unimaid and will last for ten days and ends on Saturday for the grand finale.

Also present at the occasion was a representative of Governor of Yobe Mai Mala Buni, Dr Mohammed Bakura, Barrister Jamal Akintunde, Prof Adam Mustapha, traditional rulers and chief imams from across the region and many others from the university community.

Koranic recitation described as a symbol of unity among Muslims

Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro

•••Says 4500 Students Deployed In Varsities In Nigeria In 2025

By: Michael Mike

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has said that President Bola Tinubu is happy with the significant achievements recorded by the agency in the Niger Delta in about two years.

He spoke at the flag-off of the fourth batch of the two-day “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation Training for PAP Stakeholders” organised by the agency in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, on Monday.

The PAP had in July and August 2025 successfully conducted a similar capacity-building workshop for three batches of its stakeholders at the same military facility.

Otuaro, who said the President is delighted with the agency’s expanded scholarship scheme, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta, urged stakeholders to maintain their position as key players in the region’s peace and development.

According to him, His Excellency, President Tinubu is very supportive of the programme because of his strong desire for the region to enjoy sustainable peace, stability and development.

He reiterated that the workshop is a vital component of the PAP’s peace process with all stakeholders as important partners in the peace initiative.

He stressed that the participants are not only partners for peace, but also the President’s peace ambassadors.

The PAP boss also applauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his strategic support to strengthen the programme’s initiatives and enable it to achieve the intended objectives for the people of the region.

While declaring the workshop open, Otuaro said, “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, is very happy with what we have achieved so far in one year and nine months. As stakeholders, you should continue to be key players in the peace and development of the Niger Delta, which His Excellency has been very supportive of and desirous of.

“The objective behind this training is to ensure that all of us are partners in every peace effort in the Niger Delta. This initiative is also to give you a sense of belonging.

“When we organised this workshop in July and August this year, we assured stakeholders that more people would also participate in the training. We don’t want to do the PAP’s work alone. It is a process of putting our heads together to ensure that the region is peaceful and united. When we are united, Mr President will do more for the region.

“We must also realise that peace starts from our communities; you all are leaders in your own rights. I know and acknowledge the support that the Office has received since we came on board. This leadership workshop is part of our peacebuilding process and is designed to ensure that peace is sustained in our region.

“Since we came on board, we have redirected the Programme towards our people and for the next generation. We have achieved a lot. This 2025-2026 academic session, we have sent 4,500 students, our future leaders, on scholarships to universities within Nigeria. We are doing this to invest in the future of our region.”

Otuaro said that his leadership would not be distracted by the smear campaign of some anti-Niger Delta elements who were angry that the programme had been taken to the people of the region, saying “nobody will hold the region to ransom.”

He further urged stakeholders not to be manipulated by political merchants, but to massively support President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid because of his clear agenda for the region.

Otuaro enjoined the stakeholders to participate actively in the workshop and utilise the lessons they would gain to strengthen peace and development in their communities and the Niger Delta in general.

He also expressed appreciation to the management of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, resource persons, and the President of AANDEC, Rear Admiral Ndidi Agholor (retd.), for partnering with the PAP to deepen the peace process in the region.

Tinubu Happy With PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Stakeholders’ Engagement, Peacebuilding Process – Otuaro