NEWS
Hagher Urges Leaders to Engage Nigerian Writers in Nation Building
Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, a former presidential aspirant of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has called on political leaders at all levels to engage Nigerian writers in building an egalitarian and progressive nation.
The literary icon made the call in an interview on the sideline of the July edition of the monthly “Reading and Writers Dialogue” on Saturday in Abuja.
The Reading and Writers Dialogue is a flagship programme of the Abuja chapter of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
It brings together authors, literary enthusiasts, and then discusses the works of a selected Guest Author.
The July edition of the dialogue, with the theme, “The Writer As A Double-Edged Sword; Can Build and Can Destroy”, featured Hagher as the Guest Writer.
Hagher, a former Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada and Mexico, said literary works are timeless and veritable instruments for driving narratives and desired changes all over the world.
He urged leaders to constructively engage Nigeria writers for national re-orientation, especially as the nation was grappling with challenges that threaten its development and unity.
“The writers are very powerful instruments of nation-building, and all over the world people understand that the writer is the conscience of the nation.
“They are the repository of collective wisdom and have special skills and talents to raise consciousness.Thank God that today there is an explosion of writing, which is also available on social media.
“One of the writer’s responsibility is to tell the truth to power, if people in power will listen to the writers, they can never go wrong, that is why they should be properly engaged.
“We need to have many more writers who are writing about Nigeria instead of investing their energy and writing about how great their tribes and customs are.
“We need to build a Nigeria that is proud of its diversity, we need to build a Nigeria where the elites are selfless and less greedy,” he said.
Arc. Chukwudi Eze, Chairman, ANA Abuja chapter, lauded Hagher for his contribution to nation building both as a public servant and a literary giant, especially in advocacy for better leadership.
He urged Nigerian authors to use their writings to build and not to destroy, thus taking the written craft to its rightful position as a force for positive change and growth.
“I do not know if you have up to four Nigerians like Hagher, not only as a scholar of excellence, which makes him attain the position of a professor, but as a selfless public servant.
“He has a remarkable pedigree as a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a Federal Minister for Health and later for Power and Steel, a Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico and later Canada.
“He is also a distinguished Professor of the written and spoken art, whose literary works are critically acclaimed across the globe,” he said.
According to EZE, ANA is positioned as a platform where literary discussions are used to positively shape socio-political and cultural developments and as a springboard for emerging authors .
“ANA Abuja strives to focus on the young ones for them to appreciate themselves in context with their nation. And for them to be able to express themselves through their writing skills,” he said.
The highpoint of the July Reading and Writers Dialogue was a discussion panel which featured literary icons, including Prof. Udenta Udenta, Salamatu Sule and Abubakar Adam Ibrahim.
The panel examined the character of the writer as a ‘double-edged sword’, through historical and empirical evidence.
Other activities for the day included spoken word ,songs, poetry and other presentations by students, and the presentation of awards. (NAN)
NEWS
Road Accident Claims Four Persons in Kogi
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has confirmed the death of four persons in a motor accident which occurred on Sunday on Lokoja –Ajaokuta road in Kogi State.
The Kogi State Sector Commander of FRSC, Tenimu Etuku, who disclosed this to journalists in Lokoja on Monday, said seven other persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the accident.
He said the accident which involved an 18-seater Toyota commercial bus occurred at Jimgbe Community on Ajaokuta – Lokoja road, Ajaokuta Local Government.
Etuku said the injured victims of the accident were rescued by FRSC personnel, who also took them to the Kogi State Specialist Hospital for treatment while corpses of the dead four persons were deposited at the St.
Morgue of the same hospital.Giving further details, Etuku said the 18-seater bus with Abuja registration number ABC 232 XA was heading to Abuja from Enugu before the sad incident.
The Sector Commander explained that the driver in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming truck rammed into a faulty stationary truck.
Etuku described the incident as very unfortunate, urging motorists to always be mindful of the motoring environment, which may be free but not safe.
“This is because there is a big difference between a free motoring environment and a safe motoring environment.
“Therefore, drivers must always be alert while driving on the highways,” he advised.
NEWS
Tinubu Happy with PAP’s Scholarship Scheme, Says Otuaro
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), 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, Tinubu is 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 Tinubu 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.
CRIME
Enugu Police Bust Armed Robbery Operation, Arrest Suspect, Recover Arms
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
The Enugu State Police Command has sustained its onslaught against criminal activities during the Yuletide season with the arrest of a male armed robbery suspect and the recovery of an imitation firearm and ammunition.
The suspect, one Oshim Lambert Chimuanya (male, aged 28), was arrested on 13th December 2025 at about 11:30 p.
m. while attempting to rob members of the public around Agric Bank Bus Stop, Independence Layout, Enugu, following a prompt response to a distress call by operatives of the Command attached to the Independence Layout Police Division.In a statement sent by the Police public relations officer Enugu State command Daniel Ndukwe stated that Upon arrival at the scene, the operatives apprehended the suspect in the act of robbing an unsuspecting young man and recovered from him one revolver imitation (toy) pistol loaded with eight toy bullets.
The suspect is currently in custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has charged operatives of the Command to sustain the momentum and continue to make Enugu State uninhabitable for unrepentant criminals during the festive season and beyond. He further enjoins citizens to continue to cooperate with the Police by providing timely and credible information that will aid crime prevention and detection.

