• Says destabilised Nigeria makes Christians less safe across Africa
US Congressman Riley M. Moore warned yesterday of the danger inherent in destabilising Nigeria.
Representative Moore who was actively involved in the legislative campaign to address alleged violence against Christians in Nigeria said on his verified X account @RepRileyMoore that “a destabilised Nigeria would embolden terrorists and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and across the continent. “
He said: “I have travelled to Nigeria and engaged in multiple high-level meetings with Nigerian officials, the Church, aid groups across the country, and IDPs, to get a better understanding of the rampant persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
“In my discussions, the idea of dividing the country has not come up in any serious way.
“Efforts to embolden separatists hurts Christians in Nigeria – especially in the North and Middle Belt.
“I remain committed to working to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ – and for that matter, all Nigerians – suffering from the instability wrought by terrorists throughout Nigeria.
“The US and Nigeria have just entered into a security cooperation agreement, and that is an important step in tackling the violence in Nigeria and deepening and strengthening the bilateral relationship between our great nations. God bless you all.”
In November, he introduced a House resolution to formally condemn alleged genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
He was also in support of President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” advocating for U.S. diplomatic, economic, and security pressure to stop the killings.
But following Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement with US Government officials, Washington has softened its stance against Abuja.
Visits have been exchanged by officials of the two countries, opening the way for military and intelligence cooperation, including the Christmas Day missile attacks on terrorists’ camp in Sokoto State by the US.
• Says terrorists’ doctrine alien to our tradition, history
• Imo @ 50: VP hails Uzodimma as ‘game-changing revolutionary’
• Anyaoku, monarchs, Oyebanji join golden jubilee
• Southern Governors Forum commiserates with Kwara govt
Vice President Kashim Shettima, on a condolence visit to Kwara State yesterday over Tuesday’s terror attacks in Kaiama Local Government Area, said the bloody aggression was an unacceptable violation of the right to peaceful worship by the generality of Nigerians.
He told stakeholders in Ilorin that the action of the terrorists who killed at least 75 people in Woro and Nuku communities was alien to “our religious belief, alien to our history, alien to our tradition.”
“That tragic killing had shocked Nigerians because the victims were peaceful members of communities that were dedicated to building their peaceful livelihoods while they practised their religion in the peaceful and harmonious manner that the injunctions of Islam have instructed,” Shettima said.
The Southern Governors’ Forum, in a condolence message, condemned the ‘horrendous’ attack in which “innocent and law-abiding citizens were brutally murdered while going about their lawful activities.”
The Vice President, who said he was in Ilorin at the behest of President Bola Tinubu, conveyed the the sympathy of the President to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the people of Kaiama and the entire Kwara State on the incident, and prayed Allah to grant the deceased persons Al-jannah Firdaus.
Shettima said: “Your Excellency, we are here at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commiserate with you and the good people of Kaiama and Kwara State by extension over the tragedy that befell our communities of Woro and Nuku on the evening of Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026.
“That tragic killing had shocked Nigerians because the victims were peaceful members of communities that were dedicated to building their peaceful livelihoods while they practised their religion in the peaceful and harmonious manner that the injunctions of Islam have instructed.
“The Kaiama and Baruten, and even the Batonu speaking parts of Old Borgu that spread into Niger and Kebbi states and even overlap into the neighbouring Benin Republic, have been known for practising the most tolerant form of Islam for centuries until an alien religious belief, alien to our history, alien to our tradition, invaded those communities.”
Shetima said a battalion of the Nigerian Army had been deployed to wipe out the threats off Kaiama and environs, saying all hands are on deck to ensure that peace is restored in those communities.
He gave no details of the security measures being taken by government.
The Vice President said: “Security issues are sensitive issues. We do not have to divulge most of the actions that have been taken by our security establishment.
“But I am here fundamentally to commiserate with the government and people of Kwara and the people of Kaiama in particular over the tragic loss of lives, and to reassure the good people of the state of harmony that our prayers are with you, our empathy is with you.
“May Allah grant the souls of the deceased eternal rest and reward them with his Al-Jannah Firdaus. May Allah also grant the families and the people of Kaiama the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.”
The VP said the President had instructed the Director General of NEMA to mobilise all resources in partnership with the state emergency management agency in support of the distressed communities.
AbdulRazaq, on his part, hailed the President for his swift actions, including the immediate deployment of soldiers and police tactical teams to the affected communities.
“We thank the President and the Vice President for this visit.
“We appreciate you for coming to Kwara over the sad incident that happened in Woro, Kaiama Local Government.
“The response of the Federal Government has been very swift and we are grateful,” the Governor said, adding that he was confounded by the scale of the violence when he visited Woro on Wednesday.
He confirmed that the troops of Operation Savannah Shield are already being deployed to prevent a reoccurrence.
“As you can see, you were welcomed at the airport this morning by the General Officer Commanding 2nd Division of Nigerian Army.
“Police DIG (Operations) is on ground.
“Representatives of the NEMA have been on ground since the incident happened.
“We do really appreciate the response of the Federal Government,” he added.
“All said, we will continue to work harder and pray for better security in Nigeria and for those committing this evil act to meet their waterloo.
We will continue to pray and support our President and Vice President for God to guide them in the affairs of this nation.”
Speaking on behalf of Northeastern States, Borno State Governor BabaGana Zulum also sympathised with the people of Kwara, and prayed Allah to bless the departed souls.
“As Muslims, we believe in destiny, and In-Sha Allahu, this will not happen again.
“Our prayers are with you, and it is our sincere prayer that Almighty Allah will forgive the departed souls and grant them Janatul firdaus,” he said.
Kaiama LG Chairman, Abdullahi and the Emir, Alhaji Omar, in their separate remarks, appreciated the President for his support and VP Kashim Shettima for the visit.
They also acknowledged Governor AbdulRazaq’s immediate steps and his visit to Kaiama for condolences.
On the VP’s entourage were Governor Zulum; Senator Ali Ndume; Senator Emmanuel Udende; Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar; and Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Engr Jennifer Adighije.
Southern Governors’ Forum calls for prosecution of perpetrators
The Southern Governors’ Forum, through its chairman and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
It asked the law enforcement agencies to fish out the brains behind the attacks and ensure their prosecution.
The governors said Nigerians deserve to live without fear of senseless violence.
Abiodun said: “On behalf of myself and my colleagues in the Southern Governors’ Forum, I express our deepest condolences over the dastardly terror attack in Kwara State, in which jihadists murdered innocent people in cold blood.
“This is senseless violence that must be nipped in the bud.
“We urge the security agencies to intensify their operations against the perpetrators of this terrible incident and bring them to book.
“They must never get away with this. They must be hunted down and dealt with severely.
“We commiserate with His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq, and the people of Kwara State over this tragic incident.
“We hope justice will be served while the security agencies do everything within their power to ensure that the slaughter of innocent citizens comes to an end.”
Imo @ 50: Shettima hails state’s political, cultural legacy, pledges more federal support
From Ilorin, Vice President Shettima and his entourage proceeded to Owerri to take part in the Golden Jubilee celebration of the creation of Imo State.
He applauded the state’s exceptional contributions to Nigeria’s political, intellectual and economic development over the past 50 years, pledging more support from the Federal Government as it charts a new course for the next five decades.
Shettima, who conveyed President Tinubu’s goodwill message, described the state as a critical partner in Nigeria’s progress, citing its leadership footprint, creative talents and agricultural strengths.
He reserved special praise for Governor Hope Uzodimma, whom he described as a “game-changing revolutionary” in the state’s modern political history, crediting him with restoring discipline, planning and institutional strength to governance.
“Governor Uzodimma has distinguished himself as more than a custodian of the present. He is a leader who understands that governance is not theatre but duty,” the Vice President said.
“Under his watch, Imo has rediscovered the discipline of planning, the courage of reform, and the confidence to re-enter the national conversation as a state prepared for relevance,” Shettima said.
Tracing Imo’s legacy of leadership, the Vice President recalled the towering roles of Dr Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe, whose “flamboyant command of language enriched Nigeria’s political memory,” and the late Sam Mbakwe, fondly remembered as the “Weeping Governor.”
He also described former governor Rochas Okorocha as a pan-Nigerian archetype for his humanitarian work with orphaned children across the country.
On intellectual and cultural influence, Shettima hailed Chief Flora Nwapa as “the mother of modern African literature,” who gave African women “a literary voice at a time when silence was expected of them.”
He also celebrated Imo’s imprint on Nollywood through Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic and Kanayo O. Kanayo, and praised music icon Onyeka Onwenu, who he said “placed Nigerian sound on the world stage with grace and conviction.”
On economic development, the Vice President acknowledged Imo’s strengths in agriculture, particularly palm oil production at the historic Ada Palm Plantation, as well as thriving commercial centres from Nkwo Orji to Orlu International Market.
He similarly highlighted the state’s educational infrastructure, including the Federal University of Technology, Owerri and Imo State University, describing education as Imo’s greatest industry.
“Literacy rates remain among the highest in the nation, and graduates from Imo compete confidently across every field,” he stated.
Shettima pointed to emerging opportunities in Imo’s oil and gas sector in Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta, and identified growth potential in agro-processing, renewable energy, mineral processing, tourism and the digital economy.
He described Owerri as a major hospitality hub with one of the highest concentrations of hotels and entertainment centres in the country, stressing that “security has been an economic asset, and peace, when nurtured, yields prosperity.”
Urging the state to use the golden jubilee as a springboard, Shettima said: “Unity must be renewed. Innovation must be encouraged. Governance must remain humane and disciplined. Politics must return to service.”
Earlier, Governor Uzodimma said Imo would embrace digital transformation in the next 50 years, describing the creation of the state in 1976 as a moment that “enunciated freedom.”
He thanked God for sustaining the state for five decades and expressed optimism about its future.
“We have made significant progress both as a people and as a state. There is no doubt that we are growing fast in unity, resilience and reliance on God,” he said.
“We have seen Owerri transform from a town into a hub. What has kept us united is the indomitable spirit of the Imo people.”
Chairman of the occasion and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, commended Uzodimma for what he described as far-reaching developmental projects across key sectors.
“His administration has impacted Imo State in many ways.
“For example, in transportation, finance, agriculture and other key sectors, his administration has left admirable legacy in Imo State, making a significant contribution to the wider Nigerian economy,” Anyaoku said.
In a goodwill message, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, described Uzodimma as a “reference point” among governors, noting that his colleagues were increasingly emulating his approach to governance.
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe (Agbogidi), thanked Imo State for shaping his early life and praised Uzodimma “for showcasing Imo State to the world.”
The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Oba Ojaja II), offered prayers for the continued progress of Imo State, Nigeria and sustained unity across the country.
Other notable Nigerians at the ceremony were Governors Zulum (Borno), Nasir Idris (Kebbi) and Agbu Kefas (Taraba) while Delta State Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme stood in for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori..
Highpoint of the ceremony was the unveiling of a compendium and exceptional awards to former governors of the state.
Uzodimma and Chief Sam Mbakwe received Golden Star Governor of Imo State (GSGI) an award reserved for serving or former governors who extraordinarily distinguished themselves in service to the state.
Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Emeka Ihedioha, Rochas Okorocha, Achike Odunwa and Hon Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme were conferred with Brands Service Star of Imo State (GSSI).
Also former military governors, Maj-Gen Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), Rear Admiral Allison Madueke, Comdr James Aneke, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Admiral Adekunle Lawal, Bring Gen Sunday Adenihun, Cmdr Anthony Oguguo, Col. Tanko Zubairu received Grand Service Star award.
Other notable indigenes that received award at the event include Prof. Michael Echeruo, Leo Stan Ekeh, Prof. Maurice Iwu, Kena Chinwe, prelate Emeritus Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Kanu and Primate Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba.
The decision by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Bayo Ojulari, to halt operations at Nigeria’s state-owned refineries has triggered widespread debate across the country. But speaking at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES), Ojulari made it clear that the move was driven by stark economic realities rather than politics or sentiment.
According to Ojulari, an internal commercial review of the refineries revealed that continued operations under the existing structure were destroying value and draining scarce public resources.
“We were just wasting money,” Ojulari said bluntly. “The refineries were leaking value, and there was no clear line of sight on how those losses would ever turn into profits.”
Nigeria’s four government-owned refineries — two in Port Harcourt, one in Warri, and one in Kaduna — have a combined installed capacity of 445,000 barrels per day. Yet for decades, they have operated far below optimal levels, often producing little or no refined products while consuming billions of naira annually in operating and maintenance costs.
Ojulari said the decision to halt operations was taken after it became clear that running the refineries simply to show activity made no commercial sense.
“You cannot sleep when you have been trained for decades to look at profitability and commerciality,” he said. “When you are running an asset that turns crude oil into lower-value products while contractor costs continue to rise, that is not business. That is value destruction.”
Between 2010 and 2023, the federal government reportedly spent over ₦11 trillion on refinery rehabilitation and turnaround maintenance. Despite these massive investments, Nigeria remained heavily dependent on imported petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel, placing immense pressure on foreign exchange reserves and exposing the economy to global supply shocks.
In the 1980s and much of the 1990s, NNPC’s refineries operated efficiently, but performance declined in the 2000s as institutional focus shifted away from operational excellence toward EPC contracting, O&M structures, and financing-driven interventions. This transition weakened preventive maintenance culture, increased reliance on turnaround maintenance cycles that proved more commercially attractive to external parties, and contributed to the gradual erosion of in-house operational capacity within NNPC. In this context, the 2025 decision to shut down the refineries represents a pragmatic and necessary step toward halting value loss and enabling a more sustainable long-term reset of Nigeria’s refining framework.
Ojulari acknowledged that there was significant public pressure to keep the refineries running, even at a loss.
“The pressure was extreme,” he said. “Nigerians were angry. Expectations were high. But leadership is not about maintaining broken systems for optics. It is about stopping the bleeding and reassessing.”
He described the shutdown not as a failure, but as an act of responsible governance.
“Halting operations is not failure,” Ojulari insisted. “It is discipline. It is honesty. It is admitting that a system is not working and must be fundamentally restructured.”
Ojulari also pointed to the emergence of the privately owned Dangote Refinery as a key factor that has given Nigeria room to rethink its refinery strategy without risking fuel scarcity.
“Whether you love Dangote or not, thank God it is a Nigerian refinery, built in Nigeria and working in Nigeria,” he said. “It has given the country breathing space to step back and ask hard questions about what we want to do with our own assets.”
Beyond the shutdown itself, Ojulari outlined a new strategic direction for NNPC’s refinery assets. He said the fundamental problem with Nigeria’s refinery model was that the country treated refineries as projects rather than as long-term businesses.
“To make a refinery work, you need three things,” he explained. “You need financing. You need a competent EPC contractor. And you need world-class operational capacity. Historically, we focused on the first two and ignored the third.”
Ojulari said the new approach approved by the NNPC board would involve bringing in experienced global operators with equity stakes and long-term operational responsibility.
“We are not selling Nigeria,” he said. “But we are open to selling some equity to bring in operators who have skin in the game and can run these assets sustainably.”
He added that early signs of investor interest were already emerging, including inspections by major international petrochemical firms.
For Ojulari, the shutdown represents a decisive break from decades of refinery failure.
“This system was designed for everyone to take from it, not to put anything into it,” he said. “We are ending that era.”
• Lobbyists pressure NASS to review position on results transmission
Senate President Godswill Akpabio yesterday dismissed as premature the ongoing public debate on alleged rejection of ‘real time’ electronic transmission of election results by the Red Chamber in the amendments to the Electoral Act.
Akpabio accused critics of misjudging the Senate based on an incomplete legislative process and misunderstanding of parliamentary procedures.
The Senate President, who spoke during the unveiling of a book, “The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria”, authored by Senator Effiong Bob, in Abuja said the Senate was yet to conclude work on the bill.
Speaking on the same issue at a separate forum, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) said what the Senate did was to give effect to the December 29, 2023 ruling of the Supreme Court on Atiku and INEC (No. 2) in which the apex court, according to him, indicated what should be included in future legislation.
Akpabio, who was the special guest of honour at the book launch, said: “The Electoral Act amendment is incomplete.
“We have not completed it, but they (critics) are already on television.
“They don’t even know that what is in the Senate is not completed until we look at the Votes and Proceedings.”
The Votes and Proceedings stage, he said, allows senators to correct, amend or clarify decisions taken on the floor before final approval.
He said only after this could the Senate’s position be considered final.
“When we bring out the Votes and Proceedings, any senator has a right to rise and say, ‘on clause three, this was what we agreed upon.’
“That is the only time you can talk about what the Senate has done or not done,” he added.
Akpabio called the action of commentators on the matter an abuse of the legislature and accused some civil society actors of attempting to impose their views on lawmakers.
His words: “People have become mouth legislators.
‘Go and contest election if you want to talk about lawmaking and go and join them and make the law.
“Retreats are not lawmaking. Retreats are part of consultations.
“So why do you think that the paper you agreed on in Lagos during a retreat must be what is agreed on the floor?”
Akpabio insisted that the Senate did not remove electronic transmission of election results, pointing out that lawmakers only questioned the requirements for real-time transmission.
“I must state clearly, without ambiguity, that the Senate has not removed any means of transmission.
“If you want to use a bicycle to carry your votes from one polling unit to the ward centre, do so.
“If you want to use your phone to transmit, do so. If you want to use your iPad, do so,” he said.
He said the concern was that mandating real-time transmission could lead to legal disputes if network failures occurred during elections.
“All we said was that we should remove the word ‘real time,’ because if you say real time and there is grid failure and the network is not working, when you go to court, somebody will say it ought to have been real time,” he said.
According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should determine the mode and timing of result transmission within the framework of the law.
The Senate President warned that insisting on real-time transmission could invalidate results in areas with poor connectivity or insecurity.
“Real time means that in over nine states where networks are not working because of insecurity, there will be no election results.
“Nationally, if the national grid collapses and no network is working, no election results will be valid,” he said.
He cited a Supreme Court ruling which, he said, acknowledged Nigeria’s inadequate infrastructure and emphasised that electronic transmission is only supplementary to the statutory collation process.
“The result is in Form EC8A. It will be carried from the polling unit to the ward centre, from there to the local government collation centre, to the senatorial collation centre, to the state collation centre, and finally the national collation centre,” he said.
Akpabio stressed that the amendment bill has not yet completed the bicameral legislative process and that a conference committee would reconcile differences between the Senate and the House of Representatives versions before the final passage.
“It is only when we have finished that that you will now say the National Assembly has passed any amendment to the Electoral Act,” he said.
He urged critics to allow the process to run its course.
Akpabio said electoral reforms must be grounded in legal and institutional capacity, warning against imposing technology beyond the country’s infrastructure.
“We insist that electoral reforms must be anchored in law, guided by capacity, secured against abuse and applied uniformly across the nation.
“Technology must serve democracy; it must not endanger democracy,” he said.
He added: “You stay in a place that has no wire, no light, and you want to put in the law ‘real time.’
“Progress must not bring about injustice.”
The Senate President warned that mistrust of institutions without understanding legislative processes could weaken democracy.
“When people do not understand their legislature, democracy is at risk. Democracy is measured not by passion alone, but by principles,” he said.
He recalled that the current Electoral Act enabled competitive elections in 2023, including losses by the then ruling party in key states.
“This same Electoral Act made the incumbent party almost lose millions of votes.
“We lost in places like Lagos and Kano.
“New parties won whole regions with the same act, whether real-time electronic transfer or not,” he said.
The Senate President stressed that laws must be made for posterity rather than partisan advantage, adding: “You don’t make law for an individual or for opposition. You make law to outlast you, for generations unborn.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, who was the chairman of the occasion, urged the National Assembly to pass the Bill and not to speak for INEC.
“What the ADC is saying is, pass the law. Let INEC decide whether they can do it (real-time electronic transmission) or not. Don’t speak for INEC.
“The stand of ADC is clear; pass the bill and let INEC decide on what it will do with it,” Mark said.
Senate gave effect to Supreme Court’s decision on Act, says Jimoh Ibrahim
Senator Ibrahim told Political Science scholars who went to congratulate him on his recent appointment as ambassador designate that the amendments to the Electoral Act were to address concerns over the use of discretionary power, the validity of election results, legal standing, and the status of the INEC IRev portal.
He said that the Supreme Court in the case of Atiku and INEC (No. 2) provided a clear roadmap for the Senate on the steps to take at appropriate times, including the present period.
“We acted to give effect to that historic judgment, and we did nothing wrong; there is no fire anywhere,” he said.
The Supreme Court, he said, clarified that INEC’s discretionary powers are limited.
He argued that the 2022 Electoral Act did not explicitly require real-time electronic transmission of election results, but now the Senate has incorporated this provision into law consistent with the Court’s ruling.
He said: “Regarding the IRev Portal’s status, the Court stated that the IRev Portal is not legally recognised and that it is merely a tool for INEC to carry out its functions.
“If someone exploits the INEC IRev Portal and manipulates election results through technological means, the Court will not accept such conduct and will enshrine this stance in law.
“The Senate recognises and respects this judgment.”
Senator Ibrahim said the Senate, led by its President, Godswill Akpabio, maintains transparency and that all laws passed truly reflect Nigerians’ views.
He asked politicians to earn victory through voters’ support, not through legislative influence.
Nigeria not ready for real-time e-transmission of election results, says ex-INEC commissioner
A former national commissioner of INEC, Mustapha Lecky, has said Nigeria is not technically prepared for mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results.
Lecky said on Channels Television programme that the clamour for instantaneous uploads from polling units was misplaced because, according to him, Nigeria still conducts manual voting with paper ballots rather than electronic voting.
“It doesn’t really make sense to me that we should be talking about instantaneous transmission of results live as it is happening from the polling area,” Lecky said
He added: “We don’t do electronic voting anywhere. Are we doing electronic voting? We are very far away from it.”
He said results must first be manually counted and verified at polling units in the presence of party agents before any upload can occur, with the EC8A form — signed by agents — serving as the critical document.
Lecky said the existing framework, including INEC’s result viewing portal (IReV) and the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS), already provides sufficient transparency if properly implemented.
Lobbyists pressure NASS to review position
The Nation gathered that the civil rights community and opposition parties, which are in the forefront of the clamour for the inclusion of ‘real time e-transmission of results’ in the bill, are intensifying their lobbying to get the National Assembly to act on their demand.
Sources said they (lobbyists) plan to put pressure on the two chambers of the National Assembly, especially during their conference committee meeting on the amendments, to consider their demand.
No date has been picked yet for the conference committee meeting, it was learnt on Friday.
The House of Representatives had earlier passed the clause on real time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to IREV.
The House of Representatives had passed Clause 60(3) which states that: “The Commission shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to the IREV portal in real time and each transmission shall be done simultaneously with the physical collation of results”
The House also passed Clause 60(5) which states that “the Presiding Officer shall transmit the results including the number of accredited voters to the next level of collation.”
The interpretation clause in the proposed amendments explained that ‘Transmit’ means to “send, transfer or communicate from one person or place to another manually or electronically.”
However, the Senate declined to pass proposed clause 60(3) but rather retained Section 60(5) in the 2022 Electoral Act which states that “the Presiding Officer shall transmit the results, including the total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot, in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.”
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Bashir Adewale-Adeniyi has cautioned that the reopening of the Tsamiya Border Route must not jeopardise the security of Kebbi and the nation at large.
Adewale-Adeniyi gave the warning on Saturday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Birnin Kebbi.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Benin and Niger republics, security agencies and trade operators.
He said, “We must ensure that we do not jeopardise the security of Kebbi and the nation at large,
“The customs and the neighboring republics will work closely with counterparts to strengthen border security through the deployment of sophisticated information and communication technology (ICT) for effective monitoring movement of goods and people.”
The customs boss commended President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the reopening of Benin Republic Border through Tsamiya in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi for transit purposes.
He expressed gratitude to Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi for facilitating the convergence of stakeholders and for the readiness of the state government and other actors to support the creation of a transit corridor through Kebbi.
Adewale-Adeniyi said the initiative was designed to address transit bottlenecks, promote economic prosperity in border communities and guarantee national security.
“The President has mandated us to allow trucks to transit to Niger Republic through Benin Republic and Kebbi.
“We are deploying modern technology to ensure that goods meant for specific destinations are not diverted.” he said.
The C-G also warned that economic operators who violate transit regulations would face stiff sanctions, noting that non-compliance could create non-tariff barriers and undermine trust between countries.
He noted that security threats were often coordinated by actors involved in narcotics, smuggling and arms trafficking, stressing the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration.
“For us to stay ahead of criminals, we must be even more coordinated.
“Kebbi has one of the most effective inter-agency coordination frameworks, supported by the state government through logistics assistance to security agencies,” he said.
According to him, trucks transiting through the corridor would pay a token fee for infrastructure maintenance, particularly along the Tsamiya Corridor in Bagudo LGA.
He added that customs would streamline documentation and remove bottlenecks along major transit routes, including the Illela-Sokoto-Kamba-Niger Republic corridor and routes linking Apapa ports and Nigerian airports to neighbouring countries.
Adewale-Adeniyi said the bilateral engagement would strengthen cooperation on transit goods movement, enhance information sharing, address border security challenges and ensure that legitimate trade contributed optimally to economic growth.
He commended Gov. Idris and the people of Kebbi for their warm reception, describing the state as strategically important to Nigeria’s security architecture.
“When we speak of Kebbi, we reference the historic Gwandu Emirate whose influence extends across Nigeria and into neighbouring Benin and Niger republics.
“There is a saying that when Kebbi coughs, the entire country sneezes,” he said.
In his response, Gov. Idris assured that Kebbi was ready to partner with the Federal Government to ensure smooth and secure operations.
“We are not surprised by this approval because we know that when Mr President makes a commitment, he follows through.
“We will provide the necessary social amenities, infrastructure and ensure that roads are accessible,” the governor said.
He commended Adewale-Adeniyi’s leadership style and thanked the Benin Republic delegation for their cooperation.
Also speaking, the Director of Legislation, Customs Administration of Benin Republic, Mr Immora Idrisu, thanked the Nigerian Government for its support.
“Our meeting here demonstrates that our countries can work together to facilitate trade.
“We are pleased with the approval to allow border transit through Tsamiya in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi,” he said.
The Kebbi Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Mahmoud Ibrahim, described Gov. Idris as a people-oriented leader whose presence sent a strong message to border communities on the importance of legal trade.
He described the visit as historic, noting that the Customs boss’ presence despite national and international commitments underscored the importance of Kebbi at both national and international levels.
Earlier, the Chairman of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in the state, Alhaji Muhammad Na-Hali, said the initiative would enhance revenue collection, create jobs and boost the economy.
“This move demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to employment generation and revenue growth.
“NAGAFF fully support the Federal Government’s economic policies and commend the Kebbi Government for its efforts,” he said.
The Ondo state house of assembly forum, a body comprising former lawmakers, has praised the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over his dedication to the second-term agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking in Akure, the Ondo state capital, Otunba Olumide Araoyinbo, the coordinator of the group, said the former lawmakers are happy with the zeal and sense of purpose of the minister.
Araoyinbo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former majority leader of Ondo state house of assembly, said the former lawmakers are proud of the achievements of the minister, particularly on President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The ex-lawmakers urged the minister to remain focused, undistracted and to continue to maintain the results-driven governance style of the ruling party.
They noted that Tunji-Ojo’s approach to governance has redefined public service and rekindled the hope of Nigerians in their leaders.
“The Ministry of Interior under Tunji-Ojo’s leadership has recorded significant reforms in the last two years. The success of the ministry in the areas of passport administration, digital innovation, and citizens’ service delivery has helped to restore public confidence in a sector that was once regarded as very lethargic and inefficient,” the ex-lawmakers said.
The forum called on all well-meaning indigenes of the state, particularly members of the APC, to join hands with the minister in his determined efforts to ensure total peace and unity in the state chapter of APC ahead of 2027.
“His contributions to strengthening the APC’s structure across the state cannot be ignored. We all should work with him and other leaders in ensuring a resounding victory for the president and our beloved party in 2027.”
The ex-lawmakers also commended the minister’s commitment to the service of the people and ensuring a better life for everyone, as well as ensuring that President Tinubu continues to deliver his promises of a new Nigeria beyond 2027.
“The minister’s commitment to President Tinubu’s second-term bid is one backed by sure-footed and decisive actions. Because of his actions, the opposition camps are depleted every day in Ondo State. His welfare programs, which do not leave anyone out is putting smiles on the faces of the people.”
Chairman of the awards committee, Yemi Adebisi, said in a statement that the nomination exercise, which opened on January 15, 2026, closed on January 31, 2026.
“We wish to inform the general public that the announcement of the nominees for the Independent Silver Jubilee Awards will be announced on Monday, February 9, 2026.
“While expressing our sincere appreciation to everyone that participated in the nomination exercise, we also wish to inform you that shortly after the announcement of nominees, voting exercise will commence online.
“The final award winners will be celebrated on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.”
The ceremony, under the Royal Father of the Day, His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Arusa 1, will be broadcast live by Channels Television and News Central Television. The theme of this year’s awards is ‘Gamechanger: Breaking Barriers, Shaping Tomorrow.’
It would be recalled that the award committee held a press conference on January 14, 2026, at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos, where the programmes of the annual ceremony were unveiled.
In a significant departure from previous editions, members of the public will participate in the voting process. Nominations will be assessed by the Board of Editors, an independent jury, and other respected Nigerians to ensure credibility, fairness, and transparency.
This year’s awards will feature about 25 categories with three to five nominees per category, spanning business, governance, and other key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Notable categories include Man of the Year; Financial Sector Regulator of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a group, Zone C, has called for fairness and inclusivity in the selection of candidates for the Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency in Ogun State.
In a statement issued over the weekend, the group said that it was its turn to produce the next representative of the federal constituency.
”With broad consultation and consensus, the people of Zone C, supported by Ipokia Local Government, have endorsed Hon. Fayomi Ajibola Abraham (FAYAB) as their preferred candidate to represent Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
”This demand is not borne out of sentiment but anchored on justice, equity, and readiness to lead. As Ogun State marks fifty years of statehood, the golden jubilee offers not only a moment of celebration but a time for sincere reflection on fairness, equity, and inclusive governance.
”In five decades of existence, Ogun West Senatorial District has never produced a Governor. This long-standing imbalance stands in contrast to the ideals upon which Ogun State was founded. Today, the people of Ogun West have risen with uncommon unity across the five local governments, declaring with one voice that the time is now. In pursuit of justice and balanced leadership, Ogun West unanimously presents Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, FCA (YAYI) as its preferred candidate to lead Ogun State into its next chapter.”
The statement added: ”This collective position is strongly supported by the people of Ipokia Local Government, who fully align with the Ogun West demand for equity and fair representation. At the federal level, a similar call for justice exists within Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency. While representation has rotated, Zone C of Ipokia Local Government has never produced a member of the House of Representatives, despite its consistent contributions and loyalty. This exclusion must end.
”The people of Ogun West also acknowledge the developmental strides and inclusive leadership of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, and express confidence that his commitment to fairness will support the realisation of balanced representation in the spirit of Ogun at 50. A celebration devoid of justice is incomplete. Ogun West has waited long enough. Zone C has waited long enough. The message is clear.”
The event was a hybrid conference that brought together the continent’s emerging genomics talent, both in person and virtually via Zoom.
Themed: “Advancing Innovation in Genomics and Bioinformatics in Africa for Students and Early Career Researchers,” the conference created a platform where cell biologists, pharmacologists, bioinformaticians, toxicologists, and science communicators found common purpose in advancing African genomics research.
Executive Director of CoGSAYR Africa, Gladys Zugwai Ibrahim, opened the summit by recounting how her passion for genomics, which grew during the pandemic, led to the idea of starting the consortium in the years that followed, culminating in its launch in August 2024.
”That simple desire to find like-minded colleagues has grown into a continent-wide network that now gathers to share knowledge and build capacity,” she said.
A Professor of Molecular Biology and Genomics and Director of the Institute of Genomics and Global Health at Redeemer’s University, Professor Christian Happi, delivered the opening keynote address. He highlighted how Nigerian researchers have built the capacity for real-time genomic sequencing, eliminating the months-long wait for sample characterisation from foreign institutes.
“We have made tremendous progress in building our capacity for real-time sequencing right here in Nigeria. This means we no longer have to send our samples abroad and wait months for results. We can respond to health emergencies in real time.”
The Osun State Government on Saturday said N16.5bn dual carriageway and 10 township roads in Ilesa industrial corridors were constructed to stimulate economic growth, expand business hubs and support start-ups in the ancient town.
Speaking with newsmen during an assessment visit to the road, the Director of Highways, Moruf Ojebode, noted that the road projects were part of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s infrastructure-driven agenda to reposition Ilesa as a major commercial and economic hub in the state.
He added that the improved road network, which totalled 20kilometers eased movement, enhanced access to markets and industrial clusters, and created a more enabling environment for investors and small-scale businesses.
According to him, Ilesa, an ancient city, has never witnessed a dual carriageway before; it was this administration that brought that to the city. We have a dual carriageway that spans from the palace of the Owa-Obokun, to Imo—international brewery to Ilesa—Akure expressway. The total length is 6.2km, which has the width, walkway with solar-powered street lights.
“If you look at the geography of Ilesa, you will discover that the industrial section of it is the road that we have chosen. We have an international brewery and others that are located on the corridor of that road. You will discover that after the completion of that road, those areas and houses have transformed into companies and business hubs.
“That dual carriageway has put Ilesa in the limelight; it has developed the town more by bringing out the majestic uplift of the ancient town.
“We have completed other roads in the town, numbering about 10, namely: Ademoroti, Ogbon Titun, Bonke, Ita Ofa, Atakunmosa market, Imose, Adeti, Oke Ese, Ajimoko and INEC roads.”
The community, through their leaders, lauded the infrastructure interventions and endorsed Governor Adeleke for a second term in office, stating that it resonated with their demands.
The council chairman of Ilesa West, Hon. Oladiti Aluko, advised the residents and road users against activities capable of damaging the road.
Also, a community head, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, said: “All Ilesa indigenes are behind Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term. He has done so well in the area of infrastructure, and we must continue to support his government.”
Similarly, the Vice Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW), Abuja Park, Temitope Matthew, said: “This road is beneficial to my members, and we are in full support of this government. We will vote for him massively inthe 2026 guber poll.”
