The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, have criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his decision to refer to President Bola Tinubu as “Bola” while challenging the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol discount initiative.

The exchange has intensified political tensions between supporters of the Tinubu administration and opposition figures, with the controversy shifting attention from the government’s fuel price intervention to the language used by the political actors involved.

Keyamo reportedly told Atiku that he needed mental support, while Fani-Kayode also criticised the former vice president over his remark about the President.

Atiku had used Tinubu’s first name while questioning the effectiveness of the government’s temporary petrol discount, arguing that the administration had adopted his proposed production subsidy without incorporating the essential elements needed to make the policy sustainable.

The former vice president likened the government’s approach to a student copying another student’s examination answers, suggesting that the administration had borrowed his proposal but failed to implement it adequately.

He argued that the 30-day petrol discount was a limited intervention that did not address the broader issues surrounding fuel prices and the need for a more sustainable policy.

The Federal Government’s initiative has therefore become the latest subject of political disagreement, with opposing camps offering sharply different assessments of its merits and implementation.

While Atiku has questioned whether the temporary discount can deliver meaningful and lasting relief to Nigerians, Tinubu’s supporters have challenged both his assessment of the policy and his manner of addressing the President.

Keyamo and Fani-Kayode’s reactions have further heightened the exchange, turning what began as a disagreement over economic policy into a broader political confrontation.

The controversy also comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general election, with leading political figures and their supporters increasingly engaging in public exchanges over government policies and the direction of the country.

Despite the criticism directed at Atiku, the central issue remains whether the government’s 30-day petrol discount can provide sufficient relief to consumers and whether a longer-term approach would be more effective in addressing fuel affordability.

The debate highlights the continuing disagreement between the ruling party and opposition figures over the government’s economic policies, as Nigerians contend with the cost of living and the impact of fuel prices on transportation, food and other essential goods.

The Chairman of Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Yahya Saidu, has died in a hospital in Kaduna State, less than three months after assuming office.

Saidu’s death was announced by the Adamawa State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, which expressed grief over the loss of the council chairman in a statement issued on Saturday.

The state ALGON Chairman, Titus Obadiah, described the deceased as a dedicated leader whose contributions to the development of Fufore Local Government Area and Adamawa State would be missed.

Obadiah said he received the news of Saidu’s death with sadness, while extending condolences to the deceased’s family, friends, associates and the people of Fufore.

“It is with a heavy heart and total submission to the will of Almighty God that I received the sad news of the passing of the executive chairman of Fufore Local Government Area, Dr. Yahaya Saidu,” the statement read.

He described the chairman’s death as a significant loss to his immediate family, constituents and the state, noting that he had demonstrated commitment to serving his people.

“Dr Yahaya Saidu was a committed leader who gave his best in service to his people. My heart goes out to his family, friends, associates, and the good people of Fufore Local Government Area during this very difficult time,” Obadiah said.

The ALGON chairman also prayed for strength and comfort for the bereaved family and the people of Fufore as they mourn the loss.

Saidu was sworn in as chairman of Fufore Local Government Area on July 15, 2026, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

His death comes less than three months after his inauguration and marks another loss for the council, following the death of his predecessor, Shuaibu Babas, who died in office on April 23, 2025.

The circumstances surrounding Saidu’s death were not disclosed in the statement.

His passing is expected to leave the people of Fufore mourning the loss of their elected council chairman, who had only recently begun his tenure.

Nigerian poet Ogaga Ifowodo has won the 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, earning the $100,000 award for his poetry collection, Why Does God Need a Gun?

Ifowodo emerged as the winner from 223 entries in the poetry category, while Peter Oghenetega Oke and Feranmi Abiola jointly won the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts for their documentaries, Beyond Tarkwa Bay and Mara Mania, respectively.

The winners were announced at NLNG’s Grand Award Night in Lagos State on Friday, according to a statement issued on Saturday by the company’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall.

The two creative arts winners will share the $20,000 prize attached to the category.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature is one of Africa’s prominent literary awards, established to recognise outstanding literary works by Nigerian writers. The newly introduced creative arts category expands the awards’ scope to celebrate originality, artistic expression and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Ifowodo’s Collection Explores Religious, Political Violence
Chairman of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, described Ifowodo’s winning collection as a sensitive exploration of religious and political violence in Nigeria, presented through the voice of an imagined victim.

She said the shortlisted collections demonstrated technical skill, confidence and a mature command of language while examining issues that extend beyond Nigeria’s borders.

According to her, the works explored interconnected themes, including identity, belonging, the promises and disappointments of nationhood, extremism, displacement and the lasting consequences of conflict on individuals and communities.

“Equally compelling is the conversation that unfolds across the three books. Though distinct in voice and style, they engage with related concerns: questions of identity and belonging;

the promises and disappointments of nationhood; the consequences of extremism and displacement; and the enduring impact of conflict on individuals and communities,” she said.

Adimora-Ezeigbo added that although the works were deeply rooted in the Nigerian experience, their themes resonated with audiences beyond the country.

The selection of Ifowodo’s collection underscores the role of poetry in examining difficult social and political realities while contributing to wider conversations about violence, identity and the human experience.

Oke, Abiola Share Inaugural Creative Arts Prize
In the creative arts category, Oke’s Beyond Tarkwa Bay and Abiola’s Mara Mania emerged as joint winners from 98 submissions.

The documentaries were recognised for their contributions to documenting communities, preserving cultural memory and bringing overlooked experiences to wider audiences.

Technical Adviser to the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, Joel Kachi Benson, said the shortlisted films demonstrated the ability of documentaries to challenge perceptions and deepen public understanding of society.

“These documentaries transported us into communities often unseen. They amplified voices too often unheard. They celebrate resilience, document culture, preserve memory, and reveal perspectives that enrich our understanding of who we are,” Benson said.

The introduction of the creative arts prize provides an additional platform for Nigerian filmmakers and other creatives to showcase works that explore the country’s experiences, histories and cultural identities.

By recognising documentary storytelling, the award also highlights the importance of preserving community histories and presenting perspectives that may otherwise receive limited public attention.

NLNG Highlights Role of Awards in National Development.

Speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria LNG Limited, Adeleye Falade, said the Nigeria Prizes were established to recognise exceptional achievements and encourage scientific innovation, literary excellence and contributions to societal development.

He noted that the science and innovation category had recognised groundbreaking work across several sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, engineering, energy, technology, climate resilience and sustainable development.

Falade said the award had celebrated scientists whose work extended beyond laboratories and research publications to produce practical solutions capable of improving people’s lives.

He also highlighted the potential of the winning science entry, which focuses on artificial intelligence and information technology, to deliver benefits in Nigeria and other parts of the world.

On literature, the NLNG chief executive said the prize had become an important platform for Nigerian writers to reach international audiences through stories that examine identity, resilience and shared humanity.

“Through this prize, Nigerian writers have demonstrated that our stories are far more than accounts of where we come from.

They contribute meaningfully to global conversations about identity, resilience and our shared humanity,” he stated.

Falade described the creative arts award as another avenue for celebrating artists who preserve Nigeria’s heritage while reinterpreting it for younger generations.

He congratulated the winners and finalists, saying their achievements reflected the discipline, dedication and perseverance required to excel.

He added that the awards were also intended to inspire emerging scientists, writers and creative professionals to develop ideas and solutions that could address future challenges and contribute to national development.

Mary-Brenda Akoda Wins Science and Innovation Prize
The literature and creative arts awards followed the September announcement of Mary-Brenda Akoda as the winner of The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation.

Akoda won with GenScan AI (GenMRI/C-MORE), an artificial intelligence-powered innovation designed to accelerate magnetic resonance imaging.

Her achievement made her the prize’s first Generation Z recipient and the first woman to win as an individual awardee.

The recognition placed technology-driven healthcare innovation alongside literary and creative achievements as part of the awards’ broader commitment to promoting excellence across different fields.

The three prize categories collectively recognise contributions to science, literature and the creative arts, reflecting the organisers’ emphasis on innovation, knowledge creation and cultural expression.

Soyinka Calls for Collaboration Between Arts and Sciences
Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka also addressed the award ceremony, highlighting imagination as a common element connecting literature, the creative arts and scientific inquiry.

Soyinka argued that imagination was not limited to the humanities, explaining that disciplines such as mathematics and physics also depended on the ability to envision possibilities beyond existing knowledge.

He called for closer collaboration between practitioners in the humanities and sciences, urging both groups to combine their strengths in the service of humanity.

His remarks highlighted the relationship between creative thinking and scientific discovery, suggesting that both fields contribute to expanding knowledge and addressing societal challenges.

The awards form part of NLNG’s efforts to promote excellence in science, literature and the creative arts while encouraging innovations and cultural expressions capable of strengthening Nigeria’s development and global influence.

With Ifowodo’s poetry collection recognised alongside the two winning documentaries, the 2026 awards have brought attention to the role of Nigerian writers and filmmakers in documenting society, examining national experiences and contributing to global cultural conversations.