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  • Dissecting President Tinubu’s budget speech: discipline as doctrine, boldness as signal, security as core

    Dissecting President Tinubu’s budget speech: discipline as doctrine, boldness as signal, security as core

    By Sunday Dare 

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2026 Budget Speech is remarkable, not only for its rhetorical flourish, it is remarkable, for something far more consequential in Nigerian public finance management: authority, realism, and enforcement intent.

    This budget indicates where Nigeria is coming from, where it is, and—critically—what must now change.

    1. A President Owning the Hard Truths, Powering Forward 

    The first strength of the speech lies in what it does not evade. The President openly acknowledges that:

    * budget execution must be stronger,firm

    * revenue assumptions were optimistic,

    * and fiscal reality eventually caught up with projections.

    This candour is rare in budget presentations, which often prefer abstraction over admission. By naming the problem plainly, the President establishes credibility and signals a shift from excuse-making to corrective action.

    The clarification that the additional three months for 2025 budget execution is legal housekeeping, not fiscal indiscipline, further reinforces a leader who understands constitutional boundaries and chooses to explain them, not hide behind them.

    2. The Boldest Line in the Speech: Command, Not Consultation

    The speech reaches its most consequential moment at Paragraph 12:

     “Let me be clear: 2026 will be a year of stronger discipline in budget execution.”

    This is not rhetorical emphasis; it is executive instruction. Naming the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, the Accountant-General, and the Director-General of the Budget Office is deliberate. It does three things at once:

    * fixes responsibility,

    * removes ambiguity,

    * and collapses bureaucratic distance.

    This is presidential authority exercised without apology. It sends a clear signal that 2026 is not a negotiating year for fiscal laxity.

    3. From Reform Rhetoric to Enforcement Architecture

    The speech’s boldness deepens in its treatment of Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs). The language shifts from encouragement to performance compulsion:

    * assigned revenue targets

    * digitised end-to-end collections

    * interoperable payment rails

    * eeal-time dashboards,

    * performance scorecards tied to evaluations.

    This is not merely reform language; it is institutional redesign. The President is explicit that underperformance will no longer be masked by opacity or manual processes. The subtext is unmistakable: systems will now remember who performed and who did not.

    4. Security Doctrine: No Moral Grey Zones

    On national security, the speech abandons euphemism entirely. The declaration that any armed group operating outside state authority will be regarded as terrorists is a doctrinal reset. It removes political, ethnic, or semantic cover from violent non-state actors.

    This is bold because it narrows discretion and widens accountability. It also signals to security agencies that ambiguity will no longer be an operational excuse.

    5. Fiscal Numbers as Political Statement

    The budget aggregates are presented not as defensive explanations, but as choices:

    * a conservative oil benchmark

    * realistic production assumptions

    * a deficit framed within sustainability, not denial.

    The repeated insistence that “these numbers are not mere accounting lines” reinforces the President’s framing of the budget as an instrument of national priority, not legislative ritual.

    6. A Quiet but Firm Philosophy Shift

    Perhaps the most important feature of the peesentation is its philosophical undertone:

    Nigeria is moving from expansion without discipline to consolidation with enforcement.

    The closing line captures it succinctly:

    “The most significant budget is not the one we announce. It is the one we deliver.”

    That sentence alone separates this speech from many of its predecessors.

    Why This Budget Matters

    This budget speech is bold not because it promises miracles, but because it sets consequences. It does not sell optimism cheaply; it conditions optimism on discipline, systems, and performance.

    In tone, structure, and substance, it signals a presidency that is no longer merely reform-minded, but execution-driven. If followed through, it marks a transition point: from reform as intent to reform as enforcement.

    In that sense, this budget is less a fiscal document and more a governance marker—and its boldness lies precisely there.  

    -Dare is Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication

  • Shortage of ophthalmologists fuels rising blindness in Jigawa, says Muhammad

    Shortage of ophthalmologists fuels rising blindness in Jigawa, says Muhammad

    A growing gap between the number of ophthalmologists required and those currently available in Jigawa State has been identified as a major factor driving the rising incidence of blindness, particularly among children.

    Findings from the state reveal that no fewer than 81,797 cases of eye-related complications were recorded in 2024 alone, highlighting a worsening public health challenge largely associated with cataracts and an acute shortage of eye care professionals.

    Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the former COVID-19 Isolation Centre in Dutse and organised by the Health and Development Support Programme (HANDS), the Acting Chairman of the Jigawa State Eye Health Committee, Dr. Usman Muhammad, described the manpower deficit as alarming.

    Dr. Muhammad, who also heads Ophthalmologist Development at the Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital, said World Health Organisation (WHO) standards recommend at least four ophthalmologists and 10 optometrists per one million people.

    “With a population of over seven million, Jigawa State requires about 28 ophthalmologists and 70 optometrists to provide adequate eye care services,” he said.

    He noted, however, that the situation on ground falls far below this requirement. “Currently, across all state and federal health facilities, Jigawa has only three ophthalmologists and three optometrists, with no practising paediatric ophthalmologist or glaucoma specialist in the entire state,” he added.

    According to him, the impact of the shortage is more severe in rural areas. “We see no fewer than 50 patients daily, and out of these, between 15 and 20 are often totally blind,” he said.

    Dr. Muhammad identified cataracts as the leading cause of blindness, accounting for about 50 per cent of cases, in line with national and global trends.

    “Without a significant increase in eye care specialists, it will be difficult to reduce the backlog of preventable blindness caused by cataracts, glaucoma and other eye diseases,” he warned.

    Also speaking, the Eye Health Manager at HANDS, Mr. Abalis Dasat, attributed the worsening situation to limited access to healthcare facilities, poor public awareness of preventable eye conditions and the absence of disability-friendly health infrastructure.

    He said the HANDS initiative is focused on strengthening the healthcare system to ensure that people in hard-to-reach communities can access quality eye care services.

    Data from the Federal Ministry of Health indicate that about 24 million Nigerians live with some form of sight loss, while 1.3 million adults are completely blind.

    Experts estimate that 84 per cent of blindness in Nigeria is preventable or treatable, but gaps in awareness, funding and specialist care continue to undermine efforts to tackle the challenge. Cataracts account for between 43 and 45 per cent of avoidable blindness cases, while glaucoma—often described as the “silent thief of sight”—accounts for about 16.7 per cent and remains the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the country.

  • Osun 2026: Governance is a serious business, says APC candidate Oyebamiji

    Osun 2026: Governance is a serious business, says APC candidate Oyebamiji

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the August 8, 2026 election in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), has declared that governance is a serious responsibility that must not be entrusted to mediocre leadership.

    Oyebamiji made the assertion shortly after receiving his Certificate of Return from the leadership of the APC at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

    He said Osun State requires a competent and focused manager to effectively harness its vast human and material resources and deliver sustainable development to the people.

    According to the governorship candidate, the APC is determined to reclaim Osun State in the 2026 governorship election and also secure victory in the 2027 presidential election.

    “The business of governance is serious. Osun State is blessed with enormous human and material assets, and we need a serious manager to drive those assets. That serious manager is Bola Oyebamiji,” he said.

    “Now that I have the support of the leaders and members of the party to represent the APC at the polls, we will carry that mandate forward. Come 2026 and 2027, we will deliver Osun for the APC at both the governorship and presidential elections. We will win massively to return the progressives to the Bola Ige House in 2026 and renew the mandate of Mr President in 2027.”

    The former Osun State Commissioner for Finance described the issuance of his Certificate of Return as the beginning of a renewed journey to reposition the state on the path of progress, inclusive governance and accelerated development.

    He pledged to build on the legacies of past progressive administrations while opening new frontiers of prosperity across critical sectors of the state’s economy.

    “The journey ahead is clear. The task of reclaiming Osun is not just a campaign, but a calling. Today marks the beginning of a renewed march to restore our state to progress, inclusive governance and rapid development,” he said.

    “We are committed to building on the legacies of progressive leaders before us and charting new paths of prosperity in education, healthcare, job creation and security for all residents of Osun.”

    Oyebamiji called for unity within the APC, urging members and supporters to work together with discipline and purpose ahead of the polls.

    “Let this moment serve as a clarion call to every APC member and supporter. Our collective mission to return Osun to the path of progress has begun. With unity, discipline and passion, we will mobilise our people, earn the confidence of every community and write a new chapter of hope and transformation for Osun,” he said.

    The former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) commended other aspirants for rallying behind him as the party’s consensus candidate, describing their support as a demonstration of confidence, faith and commitment to the APC’s ideals.

    He also expressed appreciation to party leaders, elders and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for their support.

    Oyebamiji specifically thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Chief Adebisi Akande; national leaders of the party; members of the APC National Executive Council led by the National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and leader of the APC in Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola; the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru; the APC State Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal; as well as party leaders and members at both the national and state levels for their unwavering backing.

  • APC stalwart hails Mutfwang’s defection, says Plateau now in political mainstream

    APC stalwart hails Mutfwang’s defection, says Plateau now in political mainstream

    A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Yakubu Dati, has welcomed the decision of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to officially defect to the party during its 14th National Caucus meeting in Abuja.

    Dati said the announcement by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, confirming Governor Mutfwang’s movement into the party ended months of speculation over his political future.

    According to him, the governor’s decision signalled Plateau State’s resolve to move away from what he described as politics of sentiment and align fully with the mainstream of Nigeria’s politics.

    He described the defection as a form of homecoming, noting that several states had already discovered that alignment with the centre offers renewed hope and tangible benefits.

    “And this action by Governor Mutfwang, while clearly aligning Plateau with the ruling party at the federal level, will unlock greater access to resources, accelerate development projects and enhance national policy influence,” Dati said.

    He added that the realignment would help reduce partisan friction, ensure smoother governance and enable faster implementation of infrastructure and security initiatives across the state.

    Dati cited the examples of former Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi; former Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade; and former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle, who, he said, embraced similar political realignments for the benefit of their states, noting that Delta and Akwa Ibom states were already enjoying such dividends.

    “Alignment with the centre, especially under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, provides political stability and comfort to deepen development through leadership capacity and strategic negotiation,” he said.

    He further observed that defections often come with lawmakers, commissioners and local government officials, a development he said strengthens the ruling party and consolidates its position ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    According to Dati, Governor Mutfwang’s defection is necessary for the sustained development of Plateau State.

    Looking at the broader political implications, Dati said that with Mutfwang’s defection, the entire North Central region is now governed by the APC, a development he described as a sign of cohesion that would enable greater consolidation across the zone.

    Dati said, “As an indigene of Plateau State I cannot but say Eureka to this development with the epiphany that my state has realigned not just with the centre but with its siblings in the North Central zone giving our dear state a stronger identification and sense of belonging.

    “The North-Central occupies a strategic space in Nigeria’s power map. Frequently courted during elections, it, however, struggles to convert relevance into sustained Federal attention. 

    “In 1983 under the 2nd Republic, Plateau was the only state that chose to be different in party affiliation with its closest neighbours as Benue, Bauchi, Gongola and Kaduna all belonged to the ruling party at the centre.

    “But the consequences were glaring as there was no synergy between the state and the center to complement the drive of our father, Chief Solomon Lar who would have achieved much more with the support of the party at the centre.

    “Before Thursday when Mutfwang defected, Plateau reminiscent of the old order, was the only odd one out with Benue, Kwara; Niger; Nasarawa and Kogi all belonging to the ruling party.” 

     Dati further said, “There are definitely going to be challenges occasioned by this action as some would feel it would dampen their influence on the party. But such considerations are selfish and not forward looking.

    “Gov Mutfwang will therefore face the challenge of uniting other members with those who are moving to the APC with him as there are entrenched party factions and rival ambitions. 

    “Plateau’s APC, long in opposition, carries its own internal tensions hence success for the party will require discipline, inclusion, and strategic clarity to gain from federal alignment and stabilise governance.

    “The good thing is that with the alignment, the cooperation of notable party leaders in the state like Hon Idris Ahmed Wase ,the Deputy Speaker of the 9th Assembly will be secured to give APC the needed push to navigate the political landmines.

    “In a region long sensitive to political neglect, Gov Mutfwang has done well and taken the right decision to move Plateau State forward.”

  • Osun trains 1,000 youths, women on waste-to-energy to boost jobs, green economy

    Osun trains 1,000 youths, women on waste-to-energy to boost jobs, green economy

    In a move to address unemployment while advancing environmental sustainability, the Osun State Government has trained 1,000 youths and women on waste-to-energy conversion as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s economy.

    The beneficiaries were drawn from 30 local government areas of the state under an initiative tagged “Power from Plenty: Turning Local Waste into Clean Energy for Osun Communities.”

    Speaking at the programme, the Director-General and Special Envoy of the Osun State Government on Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Prof. Chinwe Obuaku-Igwe, said youths and women bring distinct but complementary capacities that are critical to community development.

    “Youths bring ideas, women bring innovation and communality. They are also the groups most affected by the impacts of climate change. In Osun State, we have decided to prioritise them, not only in adaptation and mitigation, but also in revenue generation and green entrepreneurship, which we are introducing into the state,” she said.

    According to her, the training targeted 1,000 youths and women and represents the second batch, following an inaugural session held in August.

    “Today’s training focuses on the complexities of generating energy from waste, unlike the first batch, which was designed to introduce the basics of waste-to-wealth,” she explained.

    Prof. Obuaku-Igwe further noted that the programme aligns with the state’s broader strategy to institutionalise climate governance.

    “Our goal is to put structures in place to institutionalise climate governance in the state by establishing desk officers across all local governments and MDAs. This will help us synthesise information, mapping and data across the state,” she said.

    She added that Osun State is implementing a circular economy model at different levels, alongside nature-based solutions and climate action advocacy.

    “This training is our anchor project among several initiatives. We believe it will not only promote sustainability but also generate carbon revenue for the state,” she added.

  • Rail freight revival to reshape economy, says NRC MD

    Rail freight revival to reshape economy, says NRC MD

    Rail freight is returning as a major force in Nigeria’s transport economy, with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), targeting a dramatic rise in cargo movement across its traditional corridors.

    In a detailed conversation, the Managing Director of the NRC said the country was moving back to rail based haulage and rebuilding confidence among manufacturers, traders, and state governments who depended on trains to move bulk cargo in the past.

    He described the development as a turning point for economic recovery. “Nigeria’s prosperity was primarily based on those two corridors,” he said, referring to the Lagos-Kano and Port Harcourt- Aba-Enugu-Maiduguri lines. “The prosperity of the Dantata dynasty is also tied to the rail corridor. The Kano pyramids were successful because of the rail from Kano to Baro and Kano to Lagos.”

    The NRC chief said several manufacturers and state governments had already made commitments to return freight to rail once key lines were stabilised, noting that the Lagos-Kano route would quickly reduce the number of heavy trucks on highways.

    “If we get the Lagos – Kano line back, we will see a lot of those trailers out,” he said. “Niger State, Kaduna State, and Kwara State are all just waiting to have their corridor back so that they can move products from the North down to where they are.”

    The NRC MD projected rapid freight growth once current work was completed. “What we see is that we will most likely see about a four fold increase in freight travel in 2026,” he said.

    He said the corporation was also working to address port pricing, insisting that current charges discouraged shippers from using rail. “Handlers at both ends are doing double handling charge. They charge you for putting your goods into the train while they do not charge people putting their goods into the trucks,” he said.

    The NRC boss noted that new investment interest was evolving across different cargo categories, including minerals, consumer goods, dairy, and livestock. He said the corporation already had specialised rolling stock to support the scale of freight that was coming.

    “We have wagons for mineral resources. We have cattle wagons. We have cold wagons for vegetables. We have cold wagons for milk,” he said. “The Kano milk group are already waiting for the Lagos-Kano narrow gauge and the new gauge. We can move milk from Kano. They produce so much milk. Where do they consume the milk. It is mainly in Lagos. So they want to get the milk.”

    He added that the infrastructure would allow seamless movement across long distances, saying cargo operators were only waiting for full corridor restoration to commit. “Right now, they move it by reefers. So there are big opportunities and the private sector should catch it. They should catch it before it is too late,” he said.

    He also confirmed the Port Harcourt Aba axis would see expansion, modernisation, and increased freight operations as budget provisions firmed up in 2026.

    Describing the shift as structural, he said rail was reclaiming its place. “Gradually, the rail ris getting to a position where it is taking its rightful place in the Nigerian economy,” he said. “If you check reports coming from the National Bureau of Statistics in the last three or four quarters, rail had always been a top contributor to them.”

    He said the focus was to make rail freight efficient, competitive, and dependable, and to deepen integration with the ports and the industrial sector.

  • Delta stakeholders urge NPA to revive Warri, Koko Ports, decry ‘propaganda’

    Delta stakeholders urge NPA to revive Warri, Koko Ports, decry ‘propaganda’

    Stakeholders in Delta State’s maritime and business community have urged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to move beyond what they described as propaganda and take concrete steps to revive the long-neglected Warri and Koko ports, warning that prolonged inaction is denying both the state and the nation significant economic benefits.

    The call was amplified at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Warri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WACCIMA) in Warri, where port operators dismissed recent NPA claims about decentralising port operations and shifting activities from the congested Lagos ports to Delta State.

    Operators painted a grim picture of ports that have remained largely inactive for nearly two decades, with general cargo vessels abandoning the Warri and Koko ports. 

    A recent visit to the Delta Ports administrative headquarters in Warri revealed empty stacking areas, dilapidated warehouses with leaking roofs, abandoned Nigeria Customs Service offices and port agents with little or no work.

    “We just come and sit every day; nothing is happening. For the past three weeks I have been in Warri and we have not seen a single vessel. Apart from tanker vessels, you cannot see anything,” a port agent, Maxwell Etoroma, lamented.

    Stakeholders’ frustration intensified following online reports suggesting that Warri Port had suddenly become busy after the NPA’s announcement.

    “All those are just propaganda. People called me from Abuja and Port Harcourt saying Warri port is booming, but there is nothing here,” Etoroma said.

    The leader of the NPA Daily Berthing Meeting Committee in Warri, Sir Chidi Njoku, accused authorities of repeatedly announcing dredging and revitalisation projects without tangible results.

    “It may surprise you to know that some months ago they said they dredged that place at the Escravos bar, and within months the same problem started again. Billions of naira gone. The only vessels we get are tankers carrying PMS. The real vessels that will affect the masses are not there,” Njoku said.

    He added that operations at Koko Port were even more limited, noting that the only vessel that calls there is a small export ship carrying between 400 and 500 metric tonnes, arriving once every one or two months.

    “Claims that Koko Port is busy are misleading,” Njoku added.

    Despite the bleak situation, stakeholders maintained that the Delta ports are naturally positioned for heavy commercial activity and appealed to the NPA under its Managing Director, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, to implement its revitalisation plans.

    “Warri and Koko have the best natural ports in this country. This is the safest port. We are ready to work. Most agents here have 40 to 50 years of experience,” Etoroma said.

    The Delta State Government also described the revival of the ports as a national economic imperative rather than a parochial demand, noting that functional ports would boost federal revenue and benefit Nigerians.

    Speaking exclusively on the NPA’s proposed focus on Delta ports, the Commissioner for Rural Roads and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, stressed that development must commence in earnest, citing the state’s significant contributions to the national treasury.

    “Delta state government, when it is brought back to life, it will to a very large extent boost the economy of the state and that of the country. Not only because we desire it, but it is the right thing to do.

    “Our contributions in terms of the resources of the federation today is number one. They say to whom much is given, much is expected. We do believe we are contributing so much to the federal purse and that if the federal government is also able to come back to revive the Warri Port which is a port that before now was very active, it is something that is good for the federation, so it is not only in our self interest,” Aniagwu.

    “We are urging and pleading with the federal government to expedite action, they have indicated that they are going to make it work and we appreciate them for that,” he said, adding that political alignment had made engagement easier.

    On reported opposition to the proposed decentralisation, Aniagwu declared, “If there is any other person kicking against it, then the person doesn’t wish Nigeria well. Because the Warri Port is not only to serve the people in Warri or Delta, it is to serve Nigerians, just like Lagos ports is serving Nigerians… It will increase business, it will boost our economy, it will make the Federal Government to even have more money.”

    He highlighted improved road links under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, noting that clearing goods in Warri would ease access to the Southeast, cut transport costs and reduce demurrage.

    At the AGM, WACCIMA described the state of the ports as unacceptable as the President, Anthony Okoh, said the neglect of Delta ports had been a concern for over a decade and urged authorities to accelerate rehabilitation to unlock the Niger Delta’s economic potential.

    Chairman of WACCIMA’s Board of Trustees, Chief Moses Orogun, said reopening the ports remained the fastest way to revive Warri’s economy, stressing that business leaders must push policymakers because “the government alone cannot do it.”

    At the National Assembly, Hon. Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, representing Warri Federal Constituency, has moved a motion urging full support for the decentralisation of port operations.

    “Decentralization of Nigerian port operations is a national economic imperative, not a regional contest,” Ereyitomi said, adding that the policy would “reposition Nigeria as a competitive maritime hub in West Africa.”

    He urged the federal government to back the move with investment in rail, inland waterways and roads, and called on the NPA to expedite the relocation of designated operations to Warri, Koko, Sapele and Burutu ports.

    Seemingly frustrated operators, while highlighting the benefits – jobs, lower logistics costs, decongestion of Lagos ports, increased government revenue and a stronger national supply chain, however, maintained that until ships return in meaningful numbers, Delta’s ports will remain symbols of promise unfulfilled — and a test of whether the NPA’s words will finally be matched with action.

  • Christmas: FRSC announced full deployment to ensure safer highways

    Christmas: FRSC announced full deployment to ensure safer highways

    The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has directed Commanding Officers to ensure full deployment of personnel, patrol teams, and operational assets in line with the operational guidelines of Operation Zero Tolerance Exercise.

    Operation Zero Exercise, which commenced on 15 December, 2025 and will run until 15 January, 2026, is a high impact, intelligence driven nationwide special operation aimed at delivering round-the-clock patrols, strategic traffic management, rapid emergency response and aggressive enforcement of traffic laws.

    The Corps Marshal also ordered Commanding Officers to lead from the front, enforce strict discipline among operatives and guarantee optimal utilisation of patrol vehicles, ambulances, speed-limiting devices and other safety equipment.

    In a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Corps Marshal declared zero tolerance for mixed loading and distracted driving.

    He warned that vehicles conveying passengers alongside goods or animals, as well as drivers engaging in phone use or other distractions while driving, will be decisively sanctioned under the Operation Zero Exercise. 

    “All formations have been mandated to prioritise critical corridors, crash prone locations, gridlock points and major inter-state routes, while ensuring sustained visibility of FRSC personnel as a strong deterrent to traffic violations,” the Corps Marshal said.

    He implored construction and road maintenance companies currently operating on major highways to open up carriageways, clear avoidable bottlenecks and effective traffic control around work zones during the festive travel period.

    He stressed that easing congestion at construction points will significantly alleviate the hardship of the motoring public and enhance safe and smooth movement.

    The Corps Marshal charged Commanding Officers to intensify safety advocacy at motor parks, markets, religious centres and public gatherings, while cautioning motorists against speeding, drunk driving and dangerous overtaking, which he said remain leading causes of fatal crashes and would attract decisive enforcement actions.

    He also urged enhanced collaboration with sister security agencies, emergency responders, transport unions and community leaders to ensure seamless traffic control and swift response to crashes and obstructions.

  • Prof Nwachukwu appointed 4th Vice Chancellor of AE-FUNAI

    Prof Nwachukwu appointed 4th Vice Chancellor of AE-FUNAI

    Prof Daniel C. Nwachukwu has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State.

    The appointment was announced on Saturday morning by the Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, Anthony Nebo, who described Prof Nwachukwu as the fourth Vice Chancellor of the institution.

    Prof Nwachukwu, who hails from Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, takes over from Prof Sunday Elon, whose tenure has just ended.

    Details shortly…

  • Let your voices be heard, Makinde charges Nigerians to rise for true federalism

    Let your voices be heard, Makinde charges Nigerians to rise for true federalism

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, has called on Nigerians to speak up in defence of true federalism, noting that the founding fathers, who negotiated Nigeria to be a federal system had foresight and that Nigerians should not allow the system to be derailed.

    He stated this on Friday, at Re-Meritona Hotel, Abakaliki, venue of a birthday party and the public presentation of a book entitled ‘The Seyi Makinde Story: A Testament to Vision, Courage and Leadership’ authored by Ali Odefa.

    Governor Makinde said he would consider it his biggest 58th birthday gift if Nigerians, especially the South-East, could speak up for true federalism and make sure their voices are heard.

    According to the governor, the South-East must emulate Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, whose singular act of relinquishing the All People’s Party (APP) presidential ticket in 1999 changed the political landscape by ensuring that they contribute towards making the political environment competitive ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Governor Makinde, who noted that he chose to join politics years back to ensure that his voice is heard, said Nigerians can no longer afford to be bystanders, adding that they must make up their minds to participate in politics and ensure their voices are heard with regards to true federalism.

    He said, “Well, let me start by saying compliments of the season to all of us, and to wish us a Merry Christmas and a happy, joyous, and rewarding year 2026 ahead of us. 

    “I want to say thank you for arranging this. When they brought the kolanut, they said I should accept it. And Ali whispered to me that this kolanut understands only one language, and that is Igbo language. And I tried to think in my head, you know, what language would I speak to this kola? But eventually, I spoke in Igbo. 

    “Kolanuts are actually grown in the western part of the country. But the people that eat kolanuts the most are in the northern part of the country. And that brings me to my only message for today.

    “Nigeria was negotiated as a federation. The people that negotiated that federation called it Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is because of something like this. If you go to the North, you go to the West, you go to the East, different cultures, in fact, different nations. And they thought, okay, so how do you have unity in that diversity? And they negotiated federalism. And that is the most important issue that we are faced with as a country today.

    “I’ll be 58 in about six days’ time. It would be a great birthday gift for me if quietly we make up our minds to participate and let our voices be heard in calling for true federalism for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “I am in Igboland. You have shown love to me in this state and throughout Igboland, every time I go out, I am always dumbfounded with the kind of reception that I receive in the South-East. 

    “You have demonstrated that we can actually have that handshake across the Niger. My brother, former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, sent a representative. It is an indication of friendship and it is also an indication that the handshake is in the process of germinating and growing to an iroko status.”

    Governor Makinde, who used the occasion to commend the Igbo people for the roles they have played in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy, pointed out how Chief Ogbonnaya Onu’s decision to let go of his presidential ticket in APP changed the political narrative in 1999, saying that the South-East must also ensure that the political environment becomes competitive ahead of the 2027 general election.

    “At every turning point in Nigeria’s history, we have had the imprints of Igbo people. Cast your mind back at every point. I can only just go back to the recent turning points, because the democracy we are enjoying today started in 1999.

    “In 1999, we were going to have a one-sided election because all the generals were on one side. The elite were all on one side. A single individual had drafted the constitution of all the three political parties. That was the environment we were in at that point. And there came a proud Igbo man, by the name of Ogbonnaya Onu, former governor of Abia State. 

    “He did something that made the political environment at that time become competitive. He gave up his presidential ticket. He was the presidential candidate of APP. He gave up that ticket so that there could be an alliance between APP and AD. They came together and they created a competitive political environment. Once he did that, nobody could predict the outcome of that 1999 election. The election actually went down to the wire.

    “So, I am calling on my brothers and sisters, on this occasion of my 58th birthday, that you play the same role. Make our political environment competitive. I am not talking about A, B, C, D or E. No, I am talking about the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is God that gives power. 

    “As humans, we may have ambitions, we may aspire, but God’s will always override individual’s will. So, my message is Igboland and Igbo people have a role to play to nudge Nigeria towards the path of true federalism. So, that is what I am going to leave you with.

    “People have been talking about 2027, but we have one calendar year, 2026, ahead of us. Let us do our part, play our role.

    “For me, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the reception that I have received here.”

    In her speech, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila, said her boss asked her and other top government officials to attend to celebrate Governor Makinde on the occasion of his birthday and the book authored by an Ebonyi man.

    She noted that the book on Governor Makinde contained a lot of experiences, adding that Makinde has a lot of admirers because he has been doing well in governance, especially in the areas of infrastructure development, education and other areas.

    “You have many admirers out there because of the good jobs you are doing in Oyo State. In terms of infrastructure development, you are doing well. In terms of education and health, you are doing well.

    “You are part of the governors we pray for everyday. If 80 per cent of governors are like you, Nigeria will be a better place. I always associate you with my boss, His Excellency, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who remains the best governor in this country.

    “Today, we congratulate you and thank God for your life, because you have weathered a lot of storms, got a lot of experiences but you came, you saw, you touched and you conquered.

    “So, on behalf of my boss, we say big congratulations to you.”

    Earlier, the author of the book, Odefa said the book is, indeed a testament to the vision and courage of Governor Makinde, a man who has redefined leadership in the country.

    He added that he authored the book as a mark of his appreciation to the Oyo State Governor and to immortalise him, just as he hailed his wife, Engr Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, for all she has done for him and his household.

    The event had in attendance Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Mrs Makinde; Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila; Enugu State Deputy Governor, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai; Wife of a former Governor of Ebonyi State, Mrs Eunice Ukamaka Egwu; wife of the author, Chief (Mrs) Onyinyechi Ali Odefa; and Member representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, Hon. Abass Adigun (Agboworin), among others.