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  • Assembly commission drums support for PCC

    Assembly commission drums support for PCC

    The Ogun State House of Assembly Service Commission has assured the Federal Public Complaints Commission (PCC), of its support in achieving its ombudsman’s role in the state.

    The Chairman, House of Assembly Service Commission, Rt. Hon. Prince Suraj Adekunbi, gave the assurance during a visit by the Federal Public Complaints Commission team to his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    Adekunbi, according to the Ms. Busayo Faleti, Information and Public Relations Officer, House of Assembly Service Commission, said PCC would maintain its presence in the state, while acknowledging the commission’s vital role in promoting accountability and fairness as Nigeria’s ombudsman, pledging to continue to provide legislative support for their operations in the state.

    READ ALSO: Kwara massacre belies end of Mamuda/JNIM terrorists

    Speaking, Commissioner, Federal Public Complaints Commission, Ogooluwa Akinleye, outlined the commission’s mandates to investigate and resolve complaints between government agencies and private organisations which focusing on maladministration, injustice and corruption.

    He noted that PCC had also partnered with security agencies in the state to foster accountability and transparency, promising to maintain the tempo and bring about stability, fairness, and justice to parties involved in any acrimony or conflicts.

    Akinleye explained that currently the Federal Public Complaints Commission operates through several zonal offices including Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Ado-Odo/Ota, Sagamu and Yewa South with plans to expand to all local governments in order to serve as key contact points for citizens to lodge their complaints.

  • Non-implementation of mental health act scares foreign donors from Nigeria – Medical Expert

    Non-implementation of mental health act scares foreign donors from Nigeria – Medical Expert

    The Provost of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta, Professor Afis Agboola, said on Saturday that the non-implementation of the Mental Health Act is discouraging foreign donors from investing in Nigeria’s health sector.

    Agboola, who expressed the concern in Abuja during the 2025 budget performance and 2026 budget defence held at the instance of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Speciality Healthcare, appealed to the parliament to impress it on the Minister of Health to commence implementation of the Mental Health Act.

    He noted that there were other donor agencies abroad that were willing to partner and help the federal government agencies on the issue of mental health patients, “but because there is no agency or a Unit that can relate with them, we never got assistance from the donors.”

    Although the provost disclosed that the hospital tried to reach out to the Federal Ministry of Health,  they kept complaining about funding, adding that “the issue of non-implementation of the Mental Health Act is an issue that we have been battling for over two years now that has been signed into law.”

    He told the committee that the Institution spent almost N1 billion in revenue generated to take care of abandoned patients.

    READ ALSO: Kwara massacre belies end of Mamuda/JNIM terrorists

    According to him, “The issue of abandonment of patients is a major problem, and unfortunately, we have a bill that was passed by the National Assembly, the Mental Health Act, which was passed and signed into law by former president Muhammadu Buhari. Unfortunately,, up to this very moment there is no execution of that bill. The Act itself specifies who does what. “

    Speaking on the 2025 budget implementation, he disclosed that the Hospital recorded zero budget implementation due to the non-release of appropriated funds.

    While noting that despite receiving AIE to incur up to 25 to 30 percent of the budget, the hospital has been unable to meet its financial obligations.

     He added that a lot of Psychiatric hospitals cut down on some non-regular staff, including Consultants as a result of non-payment of salaries.

     According to him, about 10 months of the overhead was released, adding that the issue of energy cost is affecting all the hospitals; however, other non-regular releases were paid.

    Chairman of the House Committee on Speciality Healthcare, Hon. Alex Egbona, assured that at least 30 per cent of the capital component of the 2025 budgetary allocation will be released before the end of February 2026.

  • Gowon, Jonathan, Oyemade laud Bible Society at 60th anniversary

    Gowon, Jonathan, Oyemade laud Bible Society at 60th anniversary

    Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.); former  President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; the Senior Pastor, The Covenant Nation Global, Pastor Poju Oyemade, and other prominent Nigerians, have hailed  Bible Society of Nigeria as it turned 60.

    The ceremony brought together prominent national leaders, church figures, captains of industry, scholars, development partners and friends of the Bible Society.

    Gowon described the Bible as far more than a religious text, calling it “light in darkness, hope in despair and truth in confusion,” as The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) marked its 17th Founder’s Day Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony in Lagos.

    Speaking at the event, which also crowned the Society’s 60th-anniversary celebration with the theme, ‘Celebrating Impact and Building a Legacy of Hope,’ was held recently in Lagos.

    The Chairman of the occasion, former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, was represented by Lt. Colonel Paul Edor Obi (rtd.).

    Gowon said the relevance of the Scriptures had never been more critical in a world grappling with moral decline, conflict and loss of values.

    “The Bible is not merely a book. It is light in darkness, hope in despair and truth in confusion,” Gowon said, adding that national renewal begins with moral renewal, which in turn starts with hearts transformed by the Word of God.

    READ ALSO: Kwara massacre belies end of Mamuda/JNIM terrorists

    Looking ahead, Gowon called for stronger partnerships, innovation and deeper youth engagement to secure the future of BSN.

    He also appealed for support for the proposed Bible House project, describing it as a legacy infrastructure that would serve generations yet unborn.

    “When we support the Bible Society, we are investing not just in an institution, but in the spiritual and moral foundation of our nation,” he said.

    In a goodwill message, Mr Jonathan, said that BSN had quietly but powerfully shaped Nigeria’s moral conscience through Bible translation and literacy promotion.

    He highlighted the recent translation of the Bible into Ogwe and Epie languages, pledging continued support to ensure their publication.

    He said that faith-based institutions such as BSN had contributed significantly to national development by promoting integrity, compassion and justice.

    In his remarks, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, described BSN as one of the most consistent Christian organisations in Nigeria, noting that CAN, established in 1976, has enjoyed a strong partnership with the Bible Society over the decades.

    “Even though CAN was formed ten years after BSN, we have seen in BSN a very solid partner,” Okoh said. “If Christians in Nigeria are asked to present their testimonies, BSN will certainly be one of them.”

    He shared a personal testimony about how access to Braille Scriptures and audio Bibles sustained his family after his elder sister became visually impaired, describing BSN’s work as deeply impactful and personal.

    Delivering the keynote lecture, Senior Pastor and Founder of The Covenant Nation Global, Pastor Poju Oyemade, described BSN as a quiet but powerful force shaping Nigeria’s moral conscience and civilisation.

    Using the biblical imagery of light and salt, Oyemade said while the work of the Church as light is visible, the work of salt—preserving society—is often unseen but indispensable.

    “That invisible but powerful work is what the Bible Society of Nigeria has been doing for decades,” he said.

    He highlighted the importance of Bible translation into indigenous languages, noting that BSN has made the full Bible available in over 27 Nigerian languages, with New Testaments and portions in many others.

    He paid tribute to early pioneers such as Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther and other translators whose work made it possible for Nigerians to encounter the Bible not as a distant foreign text, but as a living voice within their own cultures.

    “The power of translation cannot be overstated,” Oyemade said. “Scripture truly comes alive when it speaks the language, culture and worldview of the people. God Himself demonstrated this by coming to save humanity in human form.”

    According to him, translating the Bible into indigenous languages aligns with Christ’s command to “teach all nations,” explaining that the original meaning of “nations” refers to peoples, tribes and tongues, not a generic global audience.

    He noted that the democratisation of access to Scripture has strengthened accountability within the Church, as believers can now personally examine the Word, just as the Berean Christians did in the Book of Acts.

    “Today, no leader can easily manipulate Scripture because the people also have access to the same texts,” he said, adding that this openness has helped prevent the kind of spiritual darkness that characterised periods when the Bible was restricted to a privileged few.

    Oyemade also commended BSN’s inclusive efforts, including the production of Braille Scriptures for the visually impaired and ongoing work on Nigerian Sign Language translations, stressing that access to Scripture must leave no one behind.

    Earlier, BSN General Secretary/CEO, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, welcomed guests and described the Founder’s Day celebration as a moment to reflect on lives touched, communities transformed, and hope restored over 60 years of service.

    “Legacy is not built in a day. It is built through consistent acts of kindness, courageous leadership and unwavering commitment to a better future,” Sanusi said.

    Awards were presented to the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh; Chairman of LAWNA Territory, Pastor Gabriel Uyeh; General Overseer of Love of Christ Chapel International Ministries, Prophet P. A. Olowoporoku; Chairman of Padua Petroleum Nigeria Limited, Engineer Paul Ajisafe; and Dr Dare Ajiboye, former General Secretary of BSN and Business Manager of The Apostolic Church, Nigeria.

  • YERP-Naija Consortium faults Senate over Electoral Act amendment

    YERP-Naija Consortium faults Senate over Electoral Act amendment

    The Youth-led Electoral Reform Project (YERP-Naija) Consortium has expressed disappointment over the Senate’s decision to reject a proposed amendment to the Electoral Act that would have made real-time electronic transmission of election results mandatory.

    In a statement issued in Abuja, the consortium said the decision was taken during plenary on February 4, 2026, when the Senate passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill at third reading but declined to adopt an amendment earlier approved by the House of Representatives in December 2025.

    The rejected provision sought to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to electronically transmit election results directly from polling units immediately after voting and collation.

    According to the consortium, the Senate’s action means that the existing legal framework remains in place, allowing INEC to determine the mode of transmission through administrative guidelines rather than a clear statutory obligation.

    The group warned that leaving electronic transmission to administrative discretion weakens statutory certainty and undermines transparency safeguards needed to rebuild public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

    READ ALSO: Kwara massacre belies end of Mamuda/JNIM terrorists

    “For many Nigerians, particularly young voters, mandatory electronic transmission represented a practical and visible pathway toward restoring trust in electoral outcomes,” the statement noted.

    The consortium also drew attention to the broader timeline for electoral reforms, stressing that delays or diluted amendments could negatively affect preparations for the 2027 general elections.

    It observed that while the amendment process has spanned more than two years, constitutional and electoral reforms with direct implications for elections have yet to gain sufficient traction, raising concerns about effective implementation.

    “With time running out ahead of the 2027 general elections, prolonged delays or watered-down reforms risk weakening public confidence and limiting their impact,” the group said, adding that electoral laws must be passed early enough to be meaningfully applied.

    Despite its concerns, YERP-Naija said the Senate’s decision does not foreclose further action on the matter, pointing to the forthcoming harmonisation process between the Senate and the House of Representatives as an opportunity for reconsideration.

    The consortium urged the conference committee to reconcile differences between both chambers and align the final legislation with stakeholder expectations, especially the demands of young Nigerians.

    It further called on citizens, civil society organisations, labour unions, professional bodies, youth groups and the media to actively engage the Senate leadership and lawmakers to reverse the decision in the interest of democratic integrity.

    “Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its democratic journey,” the statement said, noting that decisions taken during the current reform cycle would shape electoral credibility, political stability and public trust for years to come.

    The statement was jointly signed by Bukola Idowu, Executive Director, Kimpact Development Initiative and YERP-Naija National Coordination and North Central Partner; Nonso Orakwe, Executive Director, Catch Them Young Community Initiative and YERP-Naija South East Partner; Zigwai Ayuba, Executive Director, J-DEV Foundation and YERP-Naija North-West Partner.

    Others are Abimbola Aladejare Salako, Executive Director, The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative and YERP-Naija South-West Partner; Israel Orekha, Connected Advocacy and YERP-Naija South-South Partner; and Ashraf Tukur, Executive Director, Child Protection and Peer Learning Initiative and YERP-Naija North-East Partner.

  • NUPRC to enforce PIA 2021 for host community development

    NUPRC to enforce PIA 2021 for host community development

    The Chief Executive of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyeso, has said the commission will ensure oil companies comply with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to promote sustainable development in host communities.

    Mrs. Eyeso made the statement at a sensitization programme in Owerri, Imo State, where she explained that the PIA 2021 mandates oil companies to contribute 3% of their annual operating costs to Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs) for community development projects.

     “The funds will be used for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment,” she said.

    Eyesan, who was represented by Atama Daniel, said the commission would facilitate a smooth implementation process and ensure compliance by oil companies.

    She, however, urged oil-producing communities to protect oil facilities in their areas and stop all illegal oil exploration activities within their communities.

     The chief executive also disclosed that the NUPRC has established Alternative Dispute Resolution Centres to resolve disputes between oil companies and host communities.

    READ ALSO: Kwara massacre belies end of Mamuda/JNIM terrorists

    The National President of the HOSTCOM, Dr. Benjamin Tamarenebi in his remarks at the occasion earlier advised the host communities to always embark on sustainable development projects rather than frivolous projects.

     He warned traditional rulers against bidding for contracts for execution of projects approved for their communities in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.”

    He stated that monarchs as heads of Host Communities Board of Trustees have the responsibility of supervising the awarding and execution of projects approved for the communities and ensuring accountability, adding that awarding contracts to themselves will lead to compromise.

     The HOSTCOM president said funds disbursed to the communities are now higher than before and urged the communities to take good advantage of it.

     “They can build schools ,and other sustainable projects. Think of something that will be a more economical variable in the community, if this is done there would be economic activities and development . In order not to waste the funds, manpower ,train your children with the funds , give them scholarships instead of buying vehicles or renting apartments in the city.”

    In his remarks, the Deputy Executive Director, Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN), Johnson Abiye said regulators should ensure smooth implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act as it relates to the oil producing communities.

    Abiye noted that many communities that were supposed to be part of HOSTCOM were omitted and called for the situation to be redressed.

  • Expert urges strategic plan for Nigeria’s 3m bopd oil production target

    Expert urges strategic plan for Nigeria’s 3m bopd oil production target

    An energy communication researcher, Dr. Adeola Yusuf, has called on President Bola Tinubu to demand strategic communication plans from oil producers and contractors, detailing phase-by-phase progress on the 3 million barrels oil production target set for 2030.

    Yusuf, who doubles as the Team Lead of Platforms Africa, made this call during a plenary session at the just concluded Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026, in Abuja.

    Speaking during a plenary with the theme, ‘Impact of Storytelling in Attracting Investment in Nigeria and Africa’s Energy Transformation,’ Dr. Yusuf declared that research has shown that policies and projects, with phase-by-phase strategic communication,  have better success rates compared to those without proper communication.

    He emphasised that Nigeria’s current per capita oil production will still be above the projected output in 2030, even if the target is met, highlighting the need for strategic communication to achieve the goal.

    Yusuf called on oil producers who have been given the task and contracts to raise Nigeria’s oil production to 3mbpd by 2030 to work hard to deliver on the mandate given to them by President Bola Tinubu.

    “The Honourable Minister, I urged you, sir, to adopt and demand contractors and producers to adopt strategic communication on the phase by phase development on the task.

    “Our president and all of us cannot, as a country, fail to meet up with the oil output target set for 2030. The simple reason for this is that the current per capita oil production by Nigeria at the moment will still be above the per capita output by the country in 2030 even if the target is met.”

    READ ALSO: Kwara massacre belies end of Mamuda/JNIM terrorists

    “With the current production of 1.6 million barrels daily when the country’s population stands at around 200 million, the per capita oil production is 0.008 barrel per person compared to 0.007 barrel per person by 2030 when the country’s population is envisaged to hit 401 million people.

    “As huge as the 3mbpd production target looks, it is still going to be below the current production of 1.6 million barrels daily in terms of per capita production and this is a major reason we cannot still lag behind the target set by Mr. President,” he said.

    Discussing the outcome of his research work conducted on the Press Coverage of the Presidential Accent to Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) – now an act – between 2018 and 2021, Yusuf disclosed that findings showed that progress on the bill was better communicated in the media in 2021 after passage and during the presidential accent to the bill in August 2021.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on 16 August 2021, signed the PIB 2021 into law, following its passage by the National Assembly in July 2021, ending a long wait since the early 2000s.

    “However, progress on the bill was earlier poorly communicated after passage in 2018 and the subsequent Withholding of presidential accent to it in the same year was also met with official silence.

    “The highlight of poor communication from the then policy makers as shown in the press coverage in 2018 showed that even when the president officially communicated to the National Assembly that he had declined assent to the bill, the whole nation and global investors were kept in the dark that such had happened.

    “On June 8, the Senate sent to the president for final assent into law the harmonised draft Bill earlier approved by the House of Representatives in January of the year.

    “The decision was conveyed in separate presidential communications delivered to the leadership of the two Chambers of the National Assembly on July  29, 2018. The news, first reported by Platforms Africa and The Cable online, was later confirmed one month after by the aide to the president on Legislative Matters, Senator Ita Enang, on August 29, 2018. He unambiguously declared that the letter of accent decline was sent to the National Assembly exactly on July 29, 2018,” Yusuf said.

    “This, compared to what we later experienced in 2021 showed the power of strategic communication in policy formation and actualisation.

    “Therefore, for Nigeria to meet its 3 million barrels daily production target in 2030, there should be a deliberate communication – both internally and externally – by those saddled with the responsibility about progress on the target,” Yusuf concluded.

  • Tinubu: Fani-Kayode disowns Sowore in criminal defamation case

    Tinubu: Fani-Kayode disowns Sowore in criminal defamation case

    • Says he never said President killed Funso Williams

    Ambassador-Designate and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, yesterday distanced himself from a claim allegedly made by the presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore, that he (Fani-Kayode) once said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was responsible for the death of former PDP governorship candidate in Lagos State, Chief Funso Williams, in 2023.

     Sowore is currently facing trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja for criminal defamation, having been dragged to court by the Directorate of State Services (DSS) for allegedly calling President Tinubu a criminal in posts he made on his X and Facebook accounts.

     Media activist and ambassador-designate, Reno Omokri, had also recently distanced himself from claims made by Sowore and his lawyer in court that the former’s description of President Tinubu as a criminal was predicated on the fact that Omokri had previously made the same claim against the President.

     In a statement titled ‘Sowore’s Obsession with President Tinubu, Reno Omokri and I’, which he issued yesterday, Chief Fani-Kayode said Sowore’s decision to drag his name into the case by digging up statements he (Fani-Kayode) made 11 years ago but has since retracted was a measure of desperation.

     Fani-Kayode said: I was informed that Omoyele Sowore made references to things I allegedly said against President Bola Tinubu 11 years ago to somehow exonerate himself in the criminal case that he is facing for defamation.

     “He claimed that I said that President Tinubu killed Chief Funso Williams in 2003. This is false. I never said that President Tinubu killed Funso Williams.

     “What I said was “I am not Funso Williams: I cannot be killed like a chicken.”

    READ ALSO: Kwara massacre belies end of Mamuda/JNIM terrorists

     “Those were my exact words: nothing more & nothing less.

     “I said them 11 years ago, and I have long since retracted them and accepted the fact that they were not only inappropriate but that they might have also been misconstrued!

     “It is a measure of how desperate Sowore is that he should be dragging up statements that I made 11 years ago about President Tinubu during the 2015 presidential election campaign, which I have long since retracted and withdrawn in an attempt to help fight his case in court.

    “History records that I was in the opposition PDP at the time (2015) and was the Director of Media and Publicity in President Jonathan’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, and a lot of ugly things were said by both sides against one another’s candidates and party leaders during the heat of battle.

     “That is the nature of Presidential campaigns  everywhere in the world.

     “For the record, I left the PDP six years ago and joined the APC in 2021.

     “Since that time, I have supported the party selflessly and perhaps more relevantly I played a key role as Director of New Media & Special Operations in President Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2023.

     “Throughout that campaign, the record shows that morning, day and night, both myself & the Directorate of 250 people that I headed spoke and fought for the President and contributed to his victory.

    “Outside of that, for the last two years since he was sworn in as President, I have been unwavering in my support for him and have sought to defend him and his government vigorously.

     “If I had any misgivings about him, I doubt I would have done all that.

     “For Sowore to try to rope me or @renoomokri into his matter to justify his despicable behaviour is absurd.

    “Reno may have opposed the election of President Tinubu in 2023, but after the President emerged victorious, he has not only retracted all he said about him but he has also fought for him gallantly and defended his policies.

     “That is what any decent and well brought up person would do when faced with the truth and after he sees the light.

    “Instead of trying to get us involved in his mess, I would advise Sowore to do the honorable thing and retract his statements about the President or prepare for jail.”

     “Whichever way, it makes no difference to me and I could not care less. Reno, myself and millions of others have taken a stance for Tinubu, and no matter how many times he brings up our names in court to justify his asinine comments, it will not help him.

     “I advise him to face his case with decency and decorum and plug his mouth. That is the only way he will escape the net he has found himself in.

     “Reno and I found the right path and walked it. We also had the decency to accept the fact that comments we made years ago against the President were not only inappropriate but also wrong. It takes courage to do that.

     “I believe Sowore should cultivate that courage and accept that what he said about the President was also wrong and totally unacceptable.

     “If he refuses to do so, he should be ready to prove his case in court or face the consequences of his words and actions.

     “I conclude by mentioning the fact that it is a reflection of President Tinubu’s decency and humanity that he can welcome into his ranks those that once fought against him and opposed him.

     “He has been magnanimous, and that is a mark of a leader.

     “That is also why we stand with him and shall continue to do so regardless of the words of nauseating and inconsequential little distractions and obnoxious irritants like Omoyele Sowore.”

  • Tinubu hails Waltersmith chairman Abdulrazaq Isa at 65

    Tinubu hails Waltersmith chairman Abdulrazaq Isa at 65

    • Says entrepreneur’s success affirms Nigeria as fertile ground for investment

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated co-founder and chairman of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, Abdulrazaq Isa,  on his 65th birthday, lauding him as a business leader whose career exemplifies the promise of Nigerian enterprise.

    In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said Isa’s more than three decades of experience as a banker and entrepreneur have culminated in his leadership of one of Nigeria’s most successful indigenous oil and gas companies.

     Tinubu noted that Isa’s role in transforming Waltersmith Petroman from a local venture into what he described as a global brand underscores the depth of Nigerian entrepreneurship and the country’s prospects as a destination for sustainable investment.

    READ ALSO: Kwara massacre belies end of Mamuda/JNIM terrorists

     “The efforts of entrepreneurs like the chairman of Waltersmith Petroman affirm Nigeria as a fertile place for investments and reinforce faith in the nation’s business environment,” the President said.

    He commended Isa for what he called his resilience and renowned business acumen, acknowledging his contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, particularly at a time when the sector is central to the country’s revenue and energy-security objectives.

     Tinubu also highlighted Isa’s philanthropic activities, especially in supporting the development of science education, urging him to remain a “lodestar and an inspiration” to younger Nigerians and emerging business leaders.

     As the Waltersmith Petroman board chairman marks the milestone, the President joined Isa’s family and friends in wishing him good health and greater success in his endeavours.

  • NAF plans withdrawal of firearms from retiring officers

    NAF plans withdrawal of firearms from retiring officers

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it will soon begin a structured and lawful process of withdrawing service firearms from retiring personnel to strengthen weapons accountability, enhance public safety, and align veteran administration with international best practices.

     The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, revealed this on Saturday during a parley with NAF Veterans, at the NAF Base in Abuja.

     The Air Chief also revealed that the NAF was exploring a regulated armoury arrangement that would allow eligible retirees to lawfully possess approved firearm calibres for personal protection.

    Air Marshal Aneke was represented at the event by the Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal Anthony Martins, who conveyed the Air Force leadership’s position on the initiative.

     According to the NAF Chief, efforts are ongoing to retrieve all service-issued weapons from retiring officers and airmen, particularly senior citizens, to prevent risks associated with misuse, diversion, or improper storage.

     “The Nigerian Air Force recognises the distinguished service of its veterans, but service weapons remain government property and must be duly accounted for at retirement, in line with extant laws,” he said.

     The CAS said the exercise was not punitive, rather an administrative necessity aimed at ensuring compliance with the Firearms Act while safeguarding retired personnel and the wider society.

    READ ALSO: PDP: Wike gets upper hand again

    He explained that modalities were being developed to ensure transparency, regulation and full compliance with national firearms laws before any such framework is implemented.

     Aneke noted that the firearm withdrawal policy forms part of broader reforms in veteran administration, including plans to establish Veteran Well-Being Centres nationwide.

    He said the centres would serve as one-stop hubs for welfare support, documentation, security-related matters and healthcare coordination for retired personnel.

    The CAS added that the Air Force was leveraging technology through digital platforms and help desks to improve communication and service delivery, especially for elderly veterans.

     He reassured veterans that their safety and dignity remained paramount, stressing that the NAF would balance welfare considerations with national security imperatives.

     The CAS also highlighted the importance of health and wellness in post-service life, describing it as a key pillar of veteran welfare and sustainable reintegration.

     Dr Ugochukwu Nnamdi, a public health practitioner from the 063 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Abuja, noted that health encompasses physical, mental and social well-being.

     He said the transition from military to civilian life often presents emotional and psychological challenges, urging veterans to adopt healthy lifestyles and seek timely medical support.

     The parley provided an interactive platform for veterans to share concerns and offer recommendations on welfare, security and post-service integration.

  • Ondo South By-election: Oyewunmi, others lead the pack

    Ondo South By-election: Oyewunmi, others lead the pack

    By Afolabi Samuel

    Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s transition to an ambassadorial role has declared the Ondo South Senatorial seat vacant, sparking an early race for his successor. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated Senator Ibrahim as one of the 64 ambassadorial nominees late last year. He delivered his valedictory speech on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, after being confirmed as a non-career ambassador, marking the end of his active tenure as the representative for Ondo South. Under Section 68(1) (d) of the Nigerian Constitution, a member of the National Assembly must vacate his seat upon appointment to certain executive or diplomatic roles. While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not yet officially scheduled the date for a by-election, the race to replace him is already in full swing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties. Several names have surfaced as potential successors to fill the remaining years of the 10th Senate term for the Senatorial District. These include Matthew Oyerinmade (MATO) from Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo LGA; Oladunni Odu, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to the late Rotimi Akeredolu (Okitipupa LGA); Mrs Jumoke Akindele, ex-Speaker under Dr. Segun Mimiko (Okitipupa LGA); Mr Morayo Lebi (Irele LGA), Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin (Odigbo LGA), and Engr Boye Oyewunmi (Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo LGA).

    The entry of these men into the race has made the political landscape in the senatorial district currently very active. Electorates are indeed spoiled for choice with these high-calibre aspirants vying for the senatorial seat. It’s going to be a tough competition.

    Ondo South is a critical senatorial district, often considered as the economic engine of the state due to its oil-producing status. So, only the best is good for the zone. When Jimoh Ibrahim was there, he was one of the most articulate persons known for in-depth knowledge of issues and emotional intelligence. He stood tall among his colleagues shining like a piece of chinaware with his oratorical prowess. You cannot fault his arguments. To fill his vacant seat, we cannot afford to lower the standard.

    Besides, in a district as economically vital and diverse as Ondo South, representation is more than just filling a seat or satisfying a zoning requirement; it is about the total package of the candidate by replacing a ‘like for like’. Given the district’s unique challenges—such as the ecological degradation in the riverine areas, the need for infrastructure in the hinterlands, and the persistent issues with the electricity grid-the “darkness” in the South—the electorate is increasingly looking for specific qualities, including capacity, competence, grassroots connection, compassion and effective representation.

    READ ALSO: PDP: Wike gets upper hand again

    The Senate is not a place for beginners. The district needs someone who understands the mechanisms of the National Assembly.

    Someone who has the capacity to chair or influence key committees (like the Niger Delta Development Commission, Oil & Gas, or Works).

    There is a need for a candidate who has remained present in the district even when they weren’t holding office. This presence is what builds the trust needed to mobilize the people to vote. Also, the ideal candidate must be media-genic, articulate and knowledgeable. These qualities go a long to determine what you get which is based on performance.

    Over the years, Ondo South has suffered from systemic neglect, particularly regarding the power sector. The electorate is looking for a compassionate representative—someone who has a history of philanthropy or community development before the election cycle. Also, because the district provides the bulk of the state’s wealth, the people want a Senator who can negotiate firmly with the Federal Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure that the 13 percent derivation fund and other benefits actually reach the local communities.

    All the names parading the political landscape present rich resumes. To begin with, Matthew Oyerinmade operates in the oil and gas sector in Port Harcourt. And he’s wealthy. However, his major limitation is that he has never served the state in any capacity. He joined the APC in 2022. So, he is more or less a political neophyte.

    Morayo Lebi, a lawyer, has been in the system for a very long time. His active involvement in politics dates back to the era of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) and up to the current ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He only shows up during election time and pulls back almost immediately.

    Morayo Akinfolarin, in his own case, belongs to the camp of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, who  has been involved in supremacy struggle with the State Governor. He cannot go far in his senatorial bid because the structure of the party belongs to the Governor.

    The only aspirant who embodies all the positive attributes earlier listed without blemish is Boye Oyewumi. Apart from the fact that he has been in politics since the era of NADECO, he has also served from the base to the top. He has paid his dues in politics. Among others, his democratic credentials remain the best. He was a member of the Abiola Hope 93 Campaign team and subsequently a notable figure in the NADECO. As the youngest member of the defunct pro-democracy abroad, he actively participated in the struggle for the enthronement of the current democratic dispensation in 1999.

    After taking a shot at the governorship slot, he joined the government of Rotimi Akeredolu, aka Aketi, (SAN) as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Development and Investment and subsequently elevated Special Adviser (SA), a cabinet member status. His exemplary performance elevated him to the position of  the pioneer Managing Director (MD) of the Ondo State Investment and Development Promotion Agency (ONDPA) and later the Vice Chairman.  Over the decades, his life has been on the service lane, despite being an established businessman. All major investments in Ondo South, including numerous agricultural projects, afforestation, bitumen, the deep Seaport and industrial sites happened during his time. His contribution to the state is organic and he is a statement of results, not a statement of efforts.

    Additionally, he has the singular honour of opening up the state to aviation. He facilitated Air Peace and brought back Overland, connecting Ondo state with both Lagos and Abuja, the two most important cities for Development. He revitalised Okitipupa Palm Oil PLC, turning it into a multi-billion naira investment. The CEO of Air peace, Allen Onyema, testified to his integrity, saying “I haven’t met a public servant like Boye Oyewunmi who struck a deal worth hundreds of million and he didn’t ask for any settlement. In a society where corruption has become a way of life, integrity serves as Boye’s unique selling point in his senatorial bid.

    Beyond integrity, his grassroots connection, apart from his persuasive ability to marshal points and drive them home, makes him a sellable candidate. With his affinity with the grassroots people, Boye understands the plight of his immediate environment and can advocate effectively on their behalf in the most effective manner.

    Effective representation is directly connected with the capacity for lobbying. As an alumni of University of Maiduguri, Borno state in the northeast, who has established well-rooted relationship with ‘who and who’ in the northern parts of the country since his undergraduate days, he will leverage his goodwill to secure the support of his colleagues from the region for any of his motion or bill. Based on his vast experience in government, he has the capacity to draft bills that address the specific needs of the riverine and agrarian South.

    And above all, with his proven success in business and public service; Boye is a name that carries weight in Abuja.

    • Afolabi wrote from Ore, Odigbo LGA of Ondo State