By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has sparked mixed reactions online following her remarks encouraging Nigerians to explore low-capital ventures such as akara frying, roasted corn sales, and kuli-kuli production as means of livelihood.
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‎She made the comments during a press briefing with State House Correspondents after the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday. A video of her statement surfaced online on Friday via News Channel 247.
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‎In her address, the First Lady highlighted the initiative’s efforts to support vulnerable Nigerians through grants and empowerment programmes, stressing that beneficiaries were given financial assistance without repayment obligations.
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‎According to her, the aim was to provide immediate relief and encourage self-reliance through simple business ideas that require minimal startup capital.
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‎“We’re trying to give hope, and starting an akara business doesn’t take much money. Roasting corn or even kuli-kuli doesn’t require much either. We didn’t give loans; we gave grants,” she said, adding that she has continued to support Nigerians within available resources.
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‎She further noted that the Renewed Hope Initiative has extended interventions into sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and social welfare. She revealed that she personally contributed funds including ₦2 billion for tuberculosis control, ₦1 billion for breast cancer interventions, and ₦500 million for malnutrition support.
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‎Tinubu also explained that the initiative had facilitated scholarships, ICT training, agricultural support, and other social investment programmes aimed at improving livelihoods across the country.
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‎Reaffirming the government’s agenda, she urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite prevailing economic difficulties, saying the Renewed Hope Initiative is designed to restore confidence and improve living conditions.
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‎However, her remarks quickly triggered backlash on social media, with many Nigerians accusing her of being out of touch with the realities of economic hardship in the country.
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‎Critics on X (formerly Twitter) described the comments as insensitive, arguing that they downplay the scale of unemployment and rising cost of living.
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‎One user, @ADCVanguard_, said the statement reflects how disconnected the political class has become from ordinary citizens, while another, @ireteeh, compared the initiative with private-sector empowerment efforts that focus on tech and skill development.
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‎Some users also expressed concern that promoting petty trading was not enough given current economic challenges, insisting that Nigerians need sustainable jobs and structural economic reforms.
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‎However, others defended the First Lady, arguing that small-scale businesses like akara and roasted corn sales have historically sustained many families and remain profitable ventures when properly managed.
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‎A user, @Akikanju1568901, described akara business as a viable source of income that has helped many families educate their children and build financial stability.
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‎Another user, @PemiOladapo, emphasized that there is dignity in all forms of labour and encouraged Nigerians to embrace available opportunities and scale up gradually.
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‎Conversely, some commenters clarified that the criticism was not directed at the businesses themselves, but rather at the timing of the message, given the current economic hardship facing citizens.

Abuja, June 25, 2026.

Yakubu Gowon University (formerly the University of Abuja) on Thursday held its 51st Inaugural Lecture, where Professor Bashir Omolaran Bello, Professor of Agronomy (Plant Breeding and Genetics), underscored the importance of plant breeding in tackling climate change and ensuring global food security.

The lecture, titled “Plant Breeding for Climate Resilience and Food Security: From Genes to Sustainable Food System,” was held at the Faculty of Agriculture Lecture Theatre, Main Campus, Airport Road, Abuja.

The event commenced with an opening prayer, followed by the introduction of distinguished guests, including Dr. Nasri Mustafa, Mallam Abdullah, Alhaji Wahab Ademula, Alhaji Shitu Rasheed, and Alhaji Mustafa, alongside representatives of various organizations and members of the university community.

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, welcomed participants and expressed confidence in the success of the event. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to research excellence and described the inaugural lecture series as an important platform for advancing scholarship and innovation.

Delivering the inaugural lecture, Professor Bello opened his presentation by examining the global challenges of climate change, global warming, climate resilience, and food security. He explained that climate-resilient crops “withstand, adapt, and recover from the effects of climate variability,” stressing that such crops are indispensable to sustainable agriculture in a changing climate.

Tracing the evolution of plant breeding, the professor outlined four major stages in its development: Early Domestication (10,000 BC–1865), Traditional Breeding (1865–1980), Molecular Breeding (1980–2015), and Genomics, Gene Editing and Digital Breeding (2015–2026). He explained that each phase has contributed significantly to improving crop productivity and resilience.

Highlighting advances in biotechnology, Professor Bello discussed tissue culture as an effective technique for the production of disease-free and uniform plants. He further emphasized that “conservation is vital for long-term crop availability,” noting that preserving plant genetic resources remains essential to sustainable agriculture.

Speaking on the significance of crop improvement, he stated that “Plant breeding is vital for sustainable food development.” He observed that “plant breeding has progressed from conventional methods to genomic-assisted innovation, remaining central to agricultural transformation and global food security.”

The professor described research as the foundation of future agricultural development, declaring that “Research is a necessity.” He therefore advocated increased funding and grants to enable researchers to develop improved crop varieties capable of withstanding climate-related challenges.

Emphasizing the need for continuous scientific advancement, Professor Bello remarked that “The future depends on innovation,” adding that “the future of food security lies in continuous innovation and strategic collaboration in plant breeding.” He further urged governments, research institutions, and development partners to “ensure farmers have access to improved and climate-resilient seeds.”

Reflecting on his academic journey, Professor Bello highlighted his numerous research publications and contributions to crop improvement. Beyond maize, he disclosed that his research has focused on sweet potato, tomato, sugarcane, and several other economically important crops, demonstrating how modern plant breeding can improve productivity, strengthen climate resilience, and enhance farmers’ livelihoods.

At the conclusion of the lecture, Professor Bello expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah and acknowledged the support of his late parents, siblings, mentors, the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, principal officers, the Inaugural Lecture Committee, the Faculty of Agriculture, university administrative and technical staff, heads of departments, colleagues, students, his associates at the Federal University Gashua, research partners, and all contributors to his academic journey. He dedicated the lecture to everyone who contributed to his research.

Following a vote of thanks, the Vice-Chancellor presented Professor Bello with a commemorative plaque and certificate in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Agronomy and Plant Breeding. Professor Fawehinmi commended the inaugural lecturer for his scholarly achievements and expressed optimism that more professors from the university’s various faculties would continue to deliver impactful inaugural lectures.

The ceremony concluded with closing remarks and a closing prayer led by Professor Umar. Guests later gathered for group photographs, bringing the university’s 51st Inaugural Lecture to a successful close.

The lecture reinforced the importance of research, innovation, conservation, and strategic collaboration in building climate-resilient agricultural systems capable of guaranteeing sustainable food security for future generations.

By Igboka Annabel
Department of Development and Strategic Communication University of Abuja Nigeria.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks and other financial institutions to freeze accounts of customers accused of terrorism financing.

In a circular signed by Olubunmi Ayodele-Oni, the apex bank on Thursday said the directive followed recent designations by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee and the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The US had recently listed three individuals and six entities allegedly linked to Islamic State (ISIS) financing, including three Nigerian bureau de change (BDC) operators.

The Nigerian BDCs are said to be situated in Lagos and Kano.

Commenting on the development, the CBN asked all financial institutions to “immediately freeze, without prior notice, all funds, assets, and other economic resources belonging to, owned, held, or controlled (directly or indirectly) by the designated persons and entities”.

The apex bank directed financial institutions to screen existing customers, beneficial owners and transactions against the updated sanctions list.

The CBN also ordered banks to ensure that no funds, financial services or economic resources are made available, directly or indirectly, to the designated persons and entities.

The regulator asked financial institutions to file suspicious transaction reports (STRs) with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for any confirmed or attempted matches.

Banks are also required to “submit reports to the CBN within 48 hours, detailing the status of any matches, affected accounts, amounts frozen and actions taken”.

“Nil returns are mandatory where no matches are identified,” the apex bank said.

The CBN further instructed financial institutions to intensify monitoring for terrorism financing indicators, including rapid movement of funds, the use of money service businesses and transactions involving high-risk jurisdictions.

The regulator warned that institutions that fail to comply with its directive risk sanctions under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and other applicable laws.

The apex bank also said it would conduct off-site reviews, on-site examinations and supervisory engagements to verify compliance with the sanctions measures.