National
Writers Congratulates Prof.Veronica On NLN’s 60th Anniversary
Writers under the aegis of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW Global) have extended their heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Chinwe Veronica Nwakaego Anunobi, the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria (NLN), on the momentous occasion of the NLN’s 60th anniversary.
The milestone commemorates six decades of impactful contributions to Nigeria’s literary and educational landscape.
This statement was issued by the President of SYNW Global, Wole Adedoyin, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Founded under the National Library Act of 1964, the National Library of Nigeria has developed into a cornerstone institution, preserving, organizing, and promoting access to Nigeria’s literary and cultural heritage. SYNW Global applauded the NLN’s significant role over the past 60 years in promoting literacy, research, and knowledge dissemination nationwide.
“The NLN’s unwavering dedication to advancing reading culture and supporting education is truly commendable, and we are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with Prof. Anunobi and her team,” Adedoyin stated.
Under Prof. Anunobi’s leadership, the NLN has continually expanded its services and broadened its reach across various parts of Nigeria.
Her dynamic leadership approach has driven modernization efforts, introducing innovative projects that stressed her commitment to making information more accessible to all Nigerians.
SYNW Global lauded her forward-thinking vision, which has enhanced the library’s digital capabilities and fostered a vibrant reading culture throughout the country.
Prof. Anunobi’s tenure has seen the launch of numerous initiatives aimed at promoting reading among young Nigerians, including outreach programs, digital archives, and reading competitions.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers recognized these efforts as vital to nurturing a generation of informed, engaged readers and writers and attributes much of the recent progress in Nigeria’s literary landscape to her effective stewardship of the NLN.
The NLN’s 60th anniversary serves as a celebration of its legacy and an opportunity to consider its future. SYNW Global urged the government and other stakeholders to continue their support for the NLN’s mission, particularly by increasing investment in library infrastructure, resources, and technology.
According to Adedoyin, “Adequate support for the NLN is essential to sustaining Nigeria’s intellectual growth and ensuring that knowledge remains accessible to every Nigerian.”
In honor of this anniversary, SYNW Global plans to collaborate with the NLN on projects that will engage young writers and readers nationwide. This partnership aims to highlight the essential role libraries play in nurturing creativity, promoting literacy, and preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
“We look forward to working closely with Prof. Anunobi to inspire young writers to appreciate and utilize the wealth of library resources available to them,” said Adedoyin.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers encouraged young Nigerians to take full advantage of the National Library’s facilities, viewing it as more than a repository of books but as a gateway to knowledge, creativity, and personal development.
SYNW Global believed that under Prof. Anunobi’s guidance, the NLN will continue to evolve, staying relevant to the needs of present and future generations.
As the NLN celebrates six decades of excellence, SYNW Global reaffirmed its commitment to promoting a culture of reading and writing in Nigeria. This milestone attests to the resilience of Nigeria’s educational institutions and their lasting impact on society. Prof. Anunobi’s inspiring leadership will continue motivating young writers to engage with and contribute to Nigeria’s vibrant literary heritage.
SYNW Global finally extended its warmest wishes to Prof. Anunobi and the entire NLN team on this historic occasion. The Society remains optimistic that the next 60 years will bring even greater accomplishments for the National Library, with Prof. Anunobi’s legacy laying the foundation for continued growth and transformation within Nigeria’s literary and educational sectors.
Gunmen have abducted some female students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University in Makurdi, Benue state.
The students, reportedly numbering up to four, were abducted on Tuesday evening at the university’s North Core campus.
The students were said to have been headed for “night class”, a practice of late-night studying in Nigerian campuses.
The gunmen were said to have invaded the hotel area of the campus before abducting the four students.
Some moments after the incident, operatives of the Nigerian army arrived at the school.
Sewuese Anene, Benue police spokesperson, told TheCable on Wednesday that a report received by the police indicated that only two students were kidnapped during the incident.
Anene added that the police have launched an investigation into the matter.
The Markurdi incident is the latest in a series of abductions targeted at Nigeria’s tertiary school students in recent years.
In August 2024, at least 20 medical and dental students were kidnapped in Benue State while travelling to a convention in Enugu.
In September 2023, gunmen abducted approximately 20 students from a university in Zamfara state.
At Greenfield University in Kaduna State, at least 20 students and two staff members were kidnapped in April 2021.
Tragically, five students were killed during captivity before the remaining hostages were released after a month.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, on charges of laundering ₦1.38billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge
One of the counts read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another count read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, applied for a date for hearing as well as for the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility pending trial.
The defendant’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application. He asked for a short date for the hearing. Effiong also asked that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the application.
Aso objected to the request for the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody. He argued that the EFCC custody was already congested with suspects awaiting arraignment. He urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional facility since he had taken his plea.
Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.
He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Kogi-born political activist and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Austin Okai, in Abuja.
The arrest, which took place on Wednesday morning, was reportedly carried out on the directive of Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Video footage obtained by Elanza shows heavily armed security operatives storming Okai’s residence in the Federal Capital Territory before taking him away.
While no official reason has been given for his arrest, sources suggest it may be connected to his outspoken criticism of the Kogi State government.
Okai, a well-known opposition figure, has frequently condemned the administration’s policies and governance.
His wife, speaking to reporters, claimed that the DSS operatives did not present an arrest warrant before detaining him.
“They came to arrest him at our home in Abuja without a warrant,” she said.
“They ransacked our house, forced their way inside, and took him away. I asked for a warrant, but they had none.”
She further alleged that Okai’s personal gadgets were confiscated during the operation.
As of the time of this report, the DSS has not issued any official statement regarding Okai’s detention.