News
Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu Commends resilience and Commitment of Women
In keeping with its mandate of empowering Nigerian women with enabling skills, the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has graduated the first set of beneficiaries of its Women ICT Training and Empowerment Programme.
The training had no fewer than 35 women drawn from across the FCT.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu in her address, congratulated the participants and applauded the Director General and his team of facilitators for the success of the training.
She emphasized the importance of digital literacy and its role in fostering economic independence, noting that these skills are indispensable tools for driving growth and innovation”.
“Also, the importance of digital literacy and its role in fostering economic independence cannot be overemphasized. In a world driven by technology, these skills empower women to take control of their lives, contribute to their communities and seize opportunities”.
“As we celebrate the successful conclusion of this programme, I extend my congratulations to all participants. You have exhibited resilience, determination and a hunger for knowledge that will undoubtedly set you on a path of success”.
The Director General (DG) NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi appreciated the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the opportunity given to work with the RHI
“Thank you for protecting all the vulnerable Nigerians, we are blessed to have you as the First Lady and mother of our nation, the participants, your daughters are graduating today taking home five major things, they are all equipped with digital literacy and ICT proficiency, they are going home empowered to safely and responsibly use digital platforms, they also master digital marketing on how to be able to use social media to sell your products and services, you are also enlightened on how to be part of gig economy, you learnt skills on how to work remotely and earn money, you also learnt how to use productivity tools, and lastly they were empowered on how to network. They are going back home with a laptop and N100, 000.00”’.
“The First Lady has agreed with us to work and collaborate with Renewed Hope Initiative to craft a national digital gender inclusion strategy in order to bring you at parity with the men to benefit from digital economy”.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, also promised to work with the Initiative in ensuring that the training is extended to millions of women across the country.
He said the programme was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for women inclusion and empowerment among others.
“I want to extend my appreciation to the visionary of this initiative, our First Lady. Your unwavering commitment to empowerment and progress has charted the course for change for all the members of this cohort.
This is a programme that we hope we can partner with you to actually scale significantly. I’m a big believer in the fact that we have to empower women because there is something that works really well for me, women are empathetic and when you have women around you, it is about the good for people not egos, this is why it is important the role you are playing in the society Ma”.
“I must also acknowledge the DG of NITDA and his team for their role in bringing this programme to fruition”.
“Women empowerment is fundamental for the development and growth of every society, there is actually no any individual that was not raised by a woman. By empowering women, we unlock the unique creativity and innovation that can enrich every aspect of our lives. It is well documented that when we provide equal access to education resources and opportunities, that it becomes architect of positive change, changing the trajectory of economic progress, social harmony and sustainable development”.
“This programme represents a critical step in this direction; it also aligned with two priority areas of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the first one being the investment in the digital economy to empower Nigerians with new skills and also sustain jobs, secondly to driving women empowerment to champion equity and parity across every facet of our lives”.
The power of digital tools and connectivity through the tranning also shattered the boundaries of what the participants thought it was impossible according to what representatives of the participants said.
On behalf of other participants, Miss Nkiru Ogbuli, a graphic designer expressed gratitude to the First Lady for keeping her promise of empowering women and explained that the program has expanded her knowledge and provided her with opportunities she wouldn’t have known existed.
Another beneficiary, Promise Ogbuehia, a makeup artist says the training is not only beneficial for her but also the people she would subsequently teach in order to impact them with knowledge she has gathered.
The First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu,alongside the Minister then handed Certificates, brand new laptops and #100,000 intervention grant to each of the graduates.
Robert Mugabe Junior, 33, the son of late former president Robert Mugabe, has been found guilty of illegal possession of drugs by the Harare Magistrates Court. Magistrate Lisa Mutendereki delivered the ruling on Thursday, 13 November 2025.
Mugabe pleaded guilty to possessing two grams of dagga, admitting the offence in open court. During proceedings, he appealed to the court for leniency, revealing that he is a single father of two.
“I am a single father raising two children. I ask the court to be lenient with me,” he said.
Sentencing is scheduled for later Thursday afternoon.
Found With Dagga During Traffic Stop
The case stems from a traffic stop on 1 October 2025, when police intercepted Mugabe’s silver Honda Fit in central Harare. Officers discovered a small quantity of dagga in his bag.
Prosecutor Mandirasa Chigumira told the court the search uncovered:
- Two sachets of dagga
- One pack of Rizla rolling papers
- A white dagga crusher
The total haul weighed two grams, with an estimated street value of US$30 (R550). Chigumira also noted that Mugabe had initially refused to sign the seizure receipt issued by police.
Previous Court Appearance and Bail
Mugabe first appeared in court on 2 October 2025 and spent two nights in custody before being granted bail of US$300 (R5,500). Magistrate Mutendereki ordered him to report weekly to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and remain at his registered address until the case concluded.
The trial has attracted widespread attention on social media, with public reactions divided over his conviction.
Police Allegations of Wider Syndicate
Earlier, the Zimbabwe Republic Police suggested Mugabe might be connected to a larger drug network. Commissioner Paul Nyathi told reporters on 2 October 2025 that authorities had recovered 25 sachets of Indo hybrid dagga and six ecstasy pills linked to a syndicate allegedly involving Phillip Munetsi Chiyangwa, Mitchel Jackson, Simbarashe Kaseke, Wellington Icube, and Tanaka Kashamba.
However, prosecutors focused solely on Mugabe’s personal possession charge in court, leaving the wider syndicate allegations unaddressed.
History of Legal Trouble
This is not Mugabe Junior’s first legal issue. In February 2023, he was arrested for allegedly damaging property at a party in Harare. That case was later dropped following compensation. His lawyer, Ashiel Mugiya, who represented him in 2023, again defended him in this case, saying:
“He accepts responsibility for what happened and has cooperated with the authorities.”
Mugabe is expected back in court Thursday afternoon for sentencing, when Magistrate Mutendereki will determine his punishment.
The Nigerian government has suspended the planned 15 per cent import duty on premium motor spirit (PMS) and automotive gas oil (diesel). The announcement was made by George Ene-Ita, spokesperson for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in a statement on Thursday.
The regulator urged Nigerians to avoid panic buying, assuring that there is adequate supply of petroleum products nationwide.
“It should also be noted that the implementation of the 15 percent ad valorem import duty on imported premium motor spirit and diesel is no longer in view,” NMDPRA stated.
The statement added that both domestic and imported supplies of petrol, diesel, and other petroleum products are sufficient to meet demand, especially during the peak period. The authority warned against hoarding, panic buying, or unwarranted price increases, and affirmed that it would continue to monitor supply and distribution closely.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the 15 per cent import duty last month to encourage the use of products from Dangote Refinery. While some stakeholders supported the move as a boost for local refining, critics argued it could increase fuel prices and worsen economic hardship for Nigerians.
The Lagos State Government has cleared beggars and individuals deemed a public nuisance along the Ketu-Alapere corridor as part of its ongoing environmental sanitation and urban renewal efforts.
The operation was carried out by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) and confirmed by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement on his official X account on Wednesday.
“Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps today commenced a clearance operation at Ketu-Alapere, removing beggars and other individuals constituting nuisance along the road median,” Wahab said.
He noted that those apprehended would be properly profiled and handed over to relevant authorities for further action. A video released by the commissioner showed LAGESC officials evacuating individuals from the busy corridor, a major link between Lagos Mainland and key transport routes to the Island.
Wahab emphasized that the exercise is part of broader efforts to improve public order, ensure free traffic movement, and maintain the aesthetic appeal of public spaces across Lagos.
“Every part of Lagos must reflect the standard of a #CleanerLagos and a #GreaterLagos,” he added.
Robert Mugabe Jr. Convicted of Drug Offense, Says He’s a Single Father
2026 WCQ: Bassey declares Super Eagles ready for battle against Gabon
Nigerian govt suspends implementation of 15% petrol import duty
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Opinions2 days agoSoludo’s Historic Victory and the Anambra Renaissance
-
News2 days agoAccident: Taskforce vehicle crush two in Imo
-
Politics2 days agoCourt order Halts PDP National Convention
-
News1 day agoWike in heated clash with naval officers over Abuja land (Videos & Photos)
-
News3 days agoShagari’s last surviving wife dies at 89
-
News2 days agoEditors Conference Kicks Off in Abuja
-
Politics2 days agoSoludo, Deputy receive certificate of returns from INEC
-
News2 days agoOrji Uzor Kalu backs using U.S military action to “smoke out terrorists”