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TYBLI Unveils 2025 Initiatives to Promote Reading Culture Among Nigerian Students

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TYBLI Unveils 2025 Initiatives to Promote Reading Culture Among Nigerian Students

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That The TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) has launched its 2025 activities aimed at fostering a stronger reading culture among Nigerian students.

 

 

 

The initiative, founded and sponsored by Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd.), seeks to enhance literacy, encourage creative writing, and reward young literary talents across the country.

 

TYBLI Unveils 2025 Initiatives to Promote Reading Culture Among Nigerian Students  

 

 

Speaking at a press briefing, Dr. Lizi Ben-Theanacho, Chairperson of TYBLI, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to advancing literacy through book placements and literary prizes.

 

 

 

“Our foundational mandate is to contribute to a more literate Nigeria through book placements, ensuring quality, age-appropriate leisure reading materials for youths. Further, we exist to incubate literary potential through the TYBLI Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP). “TYBLI is an educational outreach and community give-back service initiated and sponsored by Lt. General TY Buratai (Rtd.),” she stated.

 

 

 

Reflecting on the successes of 2024, Dr. Ben-Theanacho highlighted key milestones, including the placement of TY Buratai Book Boxes in three schools—one in Nasarawa State and two in the FCT—and the expansion of literary awards in Nigeria.

 

 

 

 

She noted that the organization created the largest number of winners for a single literary prize in Nigeria, pushing the boundaries of creative recognition and reward. As part of its 2025 agenda, TYBLI plans to build on these achievements with a series of new initiatives: Publication of an Anthology: The best 10 entries from the 2024 YALP competition will be compiled and published at no cost to the participants, with copies distributed to secondary and tertiary institutions nationwide. Increased Prize Money: The Grand Prize for the 2025 YALP winner has been raised from ₦1 million to ₦1.5 million, thanks to sponsorship from Amb. Babagana Kingibe, GCON, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Additionally, each of the six geopolitical zone winners will receive ₦500,000, doubling the previous amount. Expanded Book Placements: TYBLI will place Book Boxes in five more schools, spanning Kaduna, Nasarawa, and the FCT.

 

 

 

 

Forerunners and Illustrators Award: This year’s honorees include Kola Onadipe and Frances Effiong, both pioneers in Young Adult Literature (YAL) in Nigeria. 2025 Timeline of Activities February 2025 – Flag-off Press Conference April 2025 – Call for YALP 2025 Submissions May 2025 – Book Placement Exercise June 2025 – YALP Submission Deadline July 2025 – Unveiling of Judges August 2025 – Announcement of Longlist September 2025 – Shortlist Adjudication October 2025 – Final Shortlist Announcement November 1, 2025 – Grand Winner Announcement & Award Ceremony.

 

 

 

Dr. Ben-Theanacho called on corporate organizations, government agencies, and individuals to support the initiative. “We are making an impact one reader at a time, transforming literary fortunes six winners at a time. With clarity and focus, we will continue working towards a more literate Nigeria as a vehicle for social transformation. Please partner with us,” she urged.

 

 

 

Also speaking at the event, Dr. M.S. Abubakar, Vice President of TYBLI, lamented the decline of reading habits among Nigerian youths, attributing it to the proliferation of digital entertainment and mobile gadgets. “It is a sorry state. People now prefer to watch movies instead of reading books. If you mention Things Fall Apart, they ask for the movie instead of the book. Unfortunately, there is no way you can compare reading with watching,” he said. Dr. Abubakar emphasized the need for early reading habits among children, noting that failure to cultivate such habits at a young age could have long-term consequences.

 

 

 

 

“Someone once said, ‘If you want to hide something from an average Nigerian, put it inside a book.’ But readers are leaders. This initiative should be encouraged and sustained,” he added. He also praised Lt. Gen. Buratai for his commitment to the literary initiative and urged more wealthy Nigerians to invest in literary development, similar to the way industrialists like Andrew Carnegie and Henry Ford funded educational projects in developed nations.

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Laffmattazz Tour 2025: Gbenga Adeyinka D1st Signs Marketing, Promotions Deal with FunZ

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Laffmattazz Tour 2025: Gbenga Adeyinka D1st Signs Marketing, Promotions Deal with FunZ

As the Grand Comedian of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Gbenga Adeyinka D1st prepares for this year’s Laffmattazz Tour, starting from Jogor Centre, Ibadan on Easter Sunday, 20 April 2025, he has signed a partnership deal with FunZweb.com, an international digital marketing and promotions company.

Adeyinka said this year’s tour is coming with a lot of initiatives that will make it different from past editions, noting that the 2025 tour of Laffmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka & Friends will be global with the addition of countries like the UK, US and Canada, after touring the routine cities in Nigeria.

He explained that “We thought it was important to explore international best practices and luckily, we got in contact with this amazing company called FunZweb.com. It’s a very innovative site and one of the things they do is ticket sales and promotion, and that is where we are partnering with them. Going forward, they will be the only ones selling our tickets online.

“The caliber of people behind the brand (FunZ) is one of the things that fascinated me. The passion and zeal with which they work really got me. I have also gone to their site FunZweb.com, it’s very innovative and amazing. Since the world is going online, that is the place to be. They also have very lofty ideas. Like I said, they will be the only ones selling our tickets online, and the incentive they’re giving us is very rewarding.

“The man behind FunZ is someone with international experience. He has done this with other platforms across the world before deciding that it was time for him to bring his wealth of experience back home to Nigeria. For me to have committed to them, I see a company with eyes on the future and I think they should be one of the top two in Nigeria in no time,” Adeyinka concluded.

Miss Priscilia Amadi, a senior marketing consultant with FunZ said “not only do we encourage the use of our innovative platforms and have the data of your event participants, we also do digital marketing to ensure that you sell-out your tickets by pushing it out to our community. We have a community of people who are already registered on FunZ. Buying tickets on our site is the easiest. As the consultant in charge of customer experience, I can boldly tell you that our infrastructures and policies are futuristic. We are very high on customer experience, and the flow of our system is so smooth that you can’t have any hiccup. We also have a very attentive team that can assist you 24/7.”

Another executive of the firm, Dr Moses Nwanze boasted that “I will summarily say that FunZ is designed to surpass expectations. Everything we offer is far better than what others are doing. We made it so for the client’s efficiency, profitability, loyalty, and retention.”

For the Laffmattazz show on Easter Sunday at Jogor Centre, physical VIP and Table tickets can be purchased at: FoodCo Supermarket, Essence Salon, Ultima Restaurant, Ace Mall Ibadan, Hairsense and Grandex Superstores. You can also scan the QR code on the VIP or Table tickets to purchase the Regular version via FunZweb.com.

Laffmattazz Tour 2025: Gbenga Adeyinka D1st Signs Marketing, Promotions Deal with FunZ

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River State Crisis: Prophet I O Samuel Accurate Prophecy On H E Sim Fubara About Rivers State Leadership’

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River State Crisis: Prophet I O Samuel Accurate Prophecy On H E Sim Fubara About Rivers State Leadership’

In One of the Live Sunday Service Streamed On Fb Shiloh Word Chapel Page On 9th March 2025.What the Man of God said has come to Pass

The Nation was shocked with the news of the state of emergency declared in Rivers state, where Governor Sim Fubara, his deputy and house of Assembly lawmakers were suspended for 6 months by Mr President. On Sunday March 9th, 2025 Prophet I.O Samuel of Shiloh Word Chapel in Abuja, while giving prophecy foretold the ouster of the Rivers state Governor and he asked him to move closer to God.

In the now viral video seen by our reporter he said “ a big storm that his bigger than him is coming, im seeing set up, smoke on him and Rivers state, a very big smoke that will not allow him to be the Governor of rivers state, this prophecy is pregnant and his quick, his sear is been removed, even though God is with him, he needs to make a humble step,”.

These are his prophetic words which came like a parable as it finally came to pass as people never suspected that such prophecy will be fulfilled within a week.

Prophet I.O Samuel, is renowned for his fervent prayers of mercy and intercession for Nigeria and also for the citizens.

But like the word of Jesus Christ in the Holy Bible that says “A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house”

The state of emergency would have been averted if the Governor had heeded the warnings and call to pray by the man of God.

 

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A post shared by Prophet Ikechukwu .O. Samuel (@prophet_i_o_samuel)

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The Pervasive Scourge of Corruption in Nigeria: A Leadership Quagmire

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The Pervasive Scourge of Corruption in Nigeria: A Leadership Quagmire. By George O. Sylvester

 

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has struggled with the debilitating effects of corruption for decades. This endemic menace has permeated every stratum of society, rendering effective governance an elusive dream. The notion that “no Nigerian is good enough to rule Nigeria” has become a pervasive sentiment, fueled by the seemingly incurable corruption that afflicts the country’s leadership.

As Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s former President, once astutely observed, “Corruption is a cancer that eats away at the fabric of our society, destroying the trust and confidence that are essential for our development.” Nigeria’s leadership has consistently demonstrated an alarming susceptibility to this cancer.

Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso’s revolutionary leader, aptly noted, “You cannot carry out fundamental change without a certain degree of madness.” Nigeria desperately needs leaders who will boldly confront corruption, uprooting its entrenched interests and instituting genuine reforms.

Nigeria’s corruption conundrum is deeply ingrained, with far-reaching consequences:

1. Economic hemorrhage: Billions of dollars are siphoned annually through corrupt practices, crippling the nation’s economic potential.

2. Infrastructure decay: Roads, healthcare, education, and other vital infrastructure suffer from chronic underfunding due to embezzlement.

3. Social inequality: Corruption exacerbates poverty, entrenching social disparities.

4. Institutional erosion: Corruption undermines trust in institutions, fostering a culture of impunity.

5. International perception: Nigeria’s reputation suffers, deterring foreign investment.

Successive governments have promised to tackle corruption, but progress has been elusive. The Buhari administration’s anti-corruption crusade, though well-intentioned, has been criticized for its selectivity and lack of decisive action.

To break this vicious cycle, Nigeria requires transformative leadership:

1. Radical reforms: Institutional overhaul, strengthening anti-corruption agencies.

2. Accountability: Ensuring leaders face consequences for corruption.

3. Transparency: Open governance, accessible information.

4. Civic engagement: Empowering citizens to demand accountability.

5. Education: Inculcating integrity, ethics in national values.

Until Nigeria confronts corruption head-on, the notion that “no Nigerian is good enough to rule” will persist. The nation yearns for leaders who will courageously tackle this scourge, ushering in a new era of transparency, accountability, and progress.

Only then can Nigeria unlock its vast potential, shedding the shackles of corruption to emerge as a beacon of hope for Africa.

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