The Dangote Cement Plc has tripled its scholarship fund for its Host communities in Gboko, Benue State.

Head of Social Performance of Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant, Dr. Johnson Kor, stated that the company has broadened its intervention to accommodate a larger number of beneficiaries.

Plant Director, Gboko Plant, Engr Abhijit Dutta, said at the presentation of the symbolic cheque in Gboko that, “This year’s scholarship marks a significant increase from ten million naira to about thirty million naira.”

Engr Dutta, who was represented by the Head of Finance Department, Olusegun Orebanjo, said no fewer than 230 students are beneficiaries from the 2025 education scheme.

He said the scope of beneficiaries for this year has been expanded beyond the immediate host community of Mbayion to include other mining communities of Mbatur in Yandev district, Mbazembe Community in Ipav district and Pass Brothers community in Guma local government council.

Engr Dutta said the company does not consider host communities “merely as neighbours, but as valued partners in progress.”

He added: “The sustainability of this scholarship scheme for indigent but deserving students reflects our deep-rooted passion for education and human capital development.”

The scholarship cheque was presented during a ceremony that also featured the graduation of beneficiaries of a youth skill acquisition programme sponsored by the Dangote Cement Plant, Gboko, and supervised by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

According to him: “In further demonstration of this commitment, the scholarship fund has this year been reviewed upward to ₦28,800,000.00, and its scope expanded to cover all six host communities, strictly in line with the provisions of the Community Development Agreement (CDA). This deliberate expansion reflects our desire to ensure equity, inclusiveness, and shared benefits across all our immediate communities.

“Dangote Cement Plc has consistently sustained this educational intervention over the years and will continue to do so, because we firmly believe that when our communities grow, our business thrives. Our CSR initiatives are therefore not one-off gestures, but long-term social investments designed to create lasting impact.

“While congratulating the beneficiaries, we encourage that the scholarship fund be prudently and responsibly utilised for educational purposes. The scholarship process is transparently administered by a duly constituted committee set up by the Company to guarantee fairness and accountability across all beneficiary communities.

“Beyond scholarship, Dangote Cement Plc remains passionately committed to improving livelihoods and social welfare within our host communities. In collaboration with community leaders and other stakeholders, we continuously design and implement programmes that respond to real needs, in line with the CDA and our Corporate Social Responsibility policy.

“Accordingly, in 2025, the Gboko Plant rolled out several people-centred development programmes, including: Women Empowerment Programme for 150 beneficiaries, Farmers’ Empowerment Programme for 50 beneficiaries, Youth Empowerment Programme for 30 youths, among other laudable programmes.

“The beneficiary communities for these programmes are: Tse-Kucha, Quarry, Amua, Mbazembe, Mbatur, and Pass Brothers.

“Today’s ceremony also marks the successful completion of the Youth Empowerment Programme, with the passing-out of participants and the presentation of certificates and starter packs.

“These interventions are designed not only to provide skills, but to restore dignity, promote self-reliance, and stimulate sustainable livelihoods within the communities.

A monarch, Ter Gboko, Gabriel Shosum, advised all beneficiaries to put the bursary to judicious use. He was represented by the Mue Ter Gboko, Ikpa Ahua.

Representative of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mrs. Sarah Adeniyi, described Dangote Cement Plc as a worthy partner in progress considering its support for youth skill development.

A 16-year-old beneficiary, and secondary school student of the Amua Memorial Grammer School, Gabriel Yo Hol, thanked the company for the scholarship and promised to be an Ambassador of Dangote Cement Plc.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has attended the Grand Finale of the week-long 2025 Eyo Festival, in a white robe, a damask sash slung over his shoulder, and a distinctive hat emblazoned with bold, decorative stars.

Like other revellers, the President also carried a long staff called an opambata.

The colourful event, held at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos on Saturday, began with paying homage and presenting the festival staff to the President at his Lagos residence on Sunday, December 21.

The Eyo Festival, which dates back to 1854, was held this year for the first time in eight years. The 2025 edition honoured four distinguished Lagos personalities, a departure from the usual practice of celebrating one or three individuals.

The honourees were the first military administrator of Lagos State, late Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson; the first civilian governor, late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande; a former civilian governor, late Sir Michael Otedola; and a former Iyaloja and mother of the current President, late Alhaja Abibat Mogaji.

The carnival showcases the deep cultural history and heritage of Lagos, with various Yoruba families participating in regalia, dance, unity, and peace.

According to a statement by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu, in a message sent to the organisers, described the carnival as “a great rekindling of our culture.”

“The Eyo Festival is a vibrant expression of the rich traditions of Lagos. It celebrates the achievements, outstanding contributions, and exemplary lives of distinguished Nigerians—not only eminent Lagosians,” he said.

He added that all the honourees deserved the recognition. “They were leaders and builders whose visionary leadership, influence, and diligence in public service helped nurture Lagos State to both national and international prominence.”

The President also noted the festival’s timing, which coincides with ‘Detty December’, a period when Lagos welcomes thousands of Nigerians from the diaspora and foreign visitors for the Yuletide.

“It is a reminder that our culture and traditions hold great tourism potential. Indeed, our cultural assets can serve as valuable resources for destination promotion. The glamour of white-robed figures parading our streets in celebration of distinguished Lagosians sends a resounding message about our identity and our country.”

President Tinubu encouraged all revellers to celebrate peacefully and ensure the safety of all participants.

In his welcome address, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the event as not only historic for the President but also a homecoming.

“What we’re celebrating here today is the first of its kind. As our son, our father, we are seated with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to witness a history of the cultural heritage of Lagos.

“Mr President, it is not just a coincidence; it is history in your lifetime that is being put in place today.

“We honour you, give God the glory for your life, and we are indeed excited that God Almighty can bring you and most of your people to come and celebrate the best of the cultural heritage of Lagos,” he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the traditional institutions under the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, for their exemplary leadership in reviving the festival.

“Today, we gather on this historic ground at the Tafawa Balewa Square, wrapped in the timeless majesty of the Eyo Festival, the sacred Adamu Orisha Play.

“After an eight-year interval, this revered tradition returns to Lagos in full splendour, standing as a powerful affirmation of our identity, our resilience, and unbroken connection to our history.

“The Eyo Festival is far more than a pageantry. It is a living archive of our Yoruba heritage and a symbol of unity, a symbol of purity and the communal strength of Lagos.”

The governor assured his audience that his administration will continue to advance the state’s socio-economic trajectory without abandoning its cultural roots. He said his administration will maximise the festival’s potential as it projects Lagos onto the global stage.

Dignitaries at the celebration included the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; members of the diplomatic corps, and senior officials of the federal and Lagos State governments, among others.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The United States has resumed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations over northeast Nigeria, focusing on militant activity in the Sambisa forest. This comes just days after U.S. airstrikes targeted ISIS-affiliated fighters in Sokoto State on Thursday night.

According to flight-tracking data shared on Saturday by Sahel terrorism analyst Brant Philip, a U.S. aircraft—identified as a Gulfstream V, a model frequently modified for ISR missions—was observed operating over Borno State.

“The United States resumed ISR operations today on ISWAP in the Sambisa forest, Borno State in northeast Nigeria, after a pause of one day following the strikes in Sokoto State,” Philip stated on X, formerly Twitter.

The mission appears directed at Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the primary ISIS affiliate active in Nigeria’s northeast and the Lake Chad region.

Open-source analysts report that the current series of U.S. ISR flights over Nigeria began on November 24, originating from Ghana, which functions as a logistical hub for American military operations in West Africa. The aircraft, linked to U.S. special mission provider Tenax Aerospace, has conducted near-daily flights since the campaign started.

Sources familiar with the operations indicate the surveillance serves multiple objectives, including intelligence gathering on militant groups and locating an American pilot kidnapped in neighboring Niger.

The renewed U.S. military engagement follows a recent meeting in Washington between National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Tensions have risen in recent weeks over former President Donald Trump’s threats of military intervention in Nigeria.

After the meeting, Hegseth stated the Pentagon would work “aggressively” with Nigeria to end what he termed the “persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.”

Thursday’s airstrikes in northwestern Nigeria—reportedly targeting ISIS-linked militants—were characterized by Trump as the “first fulfilment” of that commitment.

In a message following the operation, he warned, “More strikes would follow.”