President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday met with influential House of Representatives member Abdulmumin Jibrin at Aso Villa.
The meeting came against the backdrop of speculations about likely defection of some prominent Kano politicians from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Jibrin, representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency and a long-time associate of both President Tinubu and NNPP leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, told reporters after the meeting that discussions focused on national issues of public interest.
Refusing to confirm whether his defection to the APC was imminent, Jibrin suggested the possibility could not be ruled out.
“I do not think it is time for that conversation. But everything is open, and everything is a possibility. The most important thing is stability of the country, is unity of the country, and I believe that when we get to the bridge, we’ll cross it”, Jibrin said when asked directly if he was returning to the APC.
The meeting fueled speculation of a re-alignment within the political landscape, especially as Kwankwaso criticised the government because in his estimation, the North is not getting enough attention.
Asked whether his presence at the Villa was connected to efforts to douse political tensions between Tinubu and Kwankwaso, Jibrin downplayed the notion. He described the two politicians as seasoned leaders who share a commitment to the nation’s progress.
He said: “The President is a first-class politician. Of course, the national leader of the NNPP is also a thoroughbred politician, and I believe that both of them are committed to the peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria. So, irrespective of the comments that were made, I do not think that it should be a source of concern that I’m seen in the Villa during this period.
On the question of whether President Tinubu has delivered for the North, in contrast to Kwankwaso’s recent remarks, Jibrin offered a balanced response.
“Well, every leader does his best, and it depends on how you want to rate him. You can decide to see the cup half full, or you look at the cup half as empty. But I also believe that everyone is entitled to his opinion, and it can always just contribute to deepening the discourse—sometimes it might turn out to be a blessing in disguise”, he noted.
While political observers continue to monitor movements between the NNPP and APC, Jibrin’s visit and his cryptic remarks have added new momentum to ongoing speculations about a broader reconciliation or possible merger talks involving key northern political figures and the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The rating came after submissions by members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and key government officials.
They include the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa, and governors, such as Chairman Northern States Governors’ Forum, Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe) and host Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna).
The rating was announced after the two-day roundtable on Government-Citizen Engagement organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) in Kaduna.
Part of the communiqué made available after the sessions said participants:
• Commended the government’s high performance in delivering electoral promises in many areas, especially security, infrastructural development.
• Called for substantial investment in education to address the out-of-school children crisis, especially in the North.
Summing up the outcome of the event, Minister for Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said: “The verdict from most northern opinion leaders, technocrats, and academics, amongst others, is that the Tinubu Administration is a pro-North in all ramifications – from appointments to spending on the region in infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, livestock, housing, and the unprecedented opportunity it offers for the northern youth.
“The ministers and heads of parastatals who attended the event performed creditably in communicating the achievements of President Tinubu.”
Four ministers – Atiku Bagudu (Budget and National Planning), Muhammad Ali Pate (Coordinating Minister, Health and Social Welfare), Saidu Alkali (Transportation) and Aliyu Abdullahi (Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security) took turns yesterday to reel out what the government had done.
They provided proof that the North had fared well under the Tinubu Administration.
The event served as a platform to assess the administration’s performance and renew calls for more inclusive and transparent governance.
The communiqué reads: “In line with its objective of deepening dialogue between critical stakeholders and the public to drive inclusive decision-making, the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) hosted a two-day interactive session on Government-Citizen Engagement themed ‘Assessing electoral promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity’ at the Arewa House, Kaduna, from 29th to 30th July 2025.
“The Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, HE Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, represented the President, HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, while Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties (Office of the Vice President), represented HE Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON.
“The Kaduna State Governor, HE Senator Uba Sani, served as the chief host. The Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), HE Inuwa Yahaya, was also in attendance as a special guest.
“The engagement featured representatives of the Federal Government, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume and included the National Security Adviser, members of the Federal Executive Council, heads of federal agencies, Chief of Defence Staff and security chiefs from the Northern part of the country.
“The event brought together government officials, security agencies, civil society organisations, academics, traditional and religious leaders, private sector representatives, and development partners to deliberate on electoral promises, governance, and strategies to strengthen citizen engagement for national unity.
“In attendance, also, were the leaderships of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, led by HE Muazu Babangida Aliyu, CON and the Arewa Consultative Forum, led by Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse.
“In addition to opening remarks and goodwill messages, the Foundation acknowledged the graciousness of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in sending a high-powered delegation to the interaction, continuing the tradition of engagement that began with the October 17, 2022 session, as part of engagement with the 2023 presidential candidates.
“The keynote address, delivered by Prof. Tijjani Mohammed Bande, GCON underscored critical regional and national challenges, which, he said, were not in isolation from international events.
“Citing examples with other countries, he said Nigeria has shown resilience in tackling insecurity, poverty, and educational deficits. He advised the North to develop a mechanism for negotiating its interests within Nigeria that should be anchored on holistic national development goals.
“The interactive session reflected Northern Nigeria’s position, emphasising the region’s central role in sustaining Nigeria’s political stability and economic growth, and recognising its overwhelming electoral support for the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The session also featured plenary discussions across thematic areas of national security, governance and economy, agriculture and food security, infrastructure development, and human capital development.
“Stakeholders commended the government’s high and commendable performance in fulfilling many of its electoral promises, particularly in security, infrastructure, and economic reforms.
“At the end of the exhaustive and frank conversations over the two days, the summit makes the following observations and resolutions:
Key Observations
•The government demonstrated openness to dialogue and continuous citizen engagement.
•The administration’s delivery of electoral promises in security, infrastructure, and economic reforms was high and commendable.
•Northern Nigeria contributes significantly to national stability, development, and electoral outcomes.
•The problem of Almajiri and out-of-school children remains a key concern of Northern Nigeria.
•Equitable resource distribution is essential to address regional imbalances.
•Major infrastructure projects are advancing, including highways, gas pipelines (AKK), oil exploration (Kolmani), and rural irrigation schemes.
•Agricultural value chains and rural industrialisation are crucial for employment and food security.
•Ongoing economic and security reforms require inclusive and non-kinetic approaches.
•Strengthened federal-state collaboration is essential for regional prosperity.
Key Resolutions
•Made a case for institutionalised periodic government-citizen dialogue platforms at the national and state levels.
•Commended the government’s high performance in delivering electoral promises in many areas, especially security, infrastructural development
•Praised the increased equitable resource availability to subnational authorities.
•Urged substantial investment in education to address the out-of-school children crisis, especially in the North.
•Called for increased and accelerated infrastructural development in Nigeria; strengthening of agricultural value chains, livestock development, and establishing agro-allied industries for economic diversification;
•Continued support for economic and security reforms with inclusive, community-driven, non-kinetic methods.
•Engage civil society, traditional, and religious leaders in policy advocacy and public mobilisation.
•Promote responsible media practices to enhance public trust and national cohesion.
•Foster regional collaboration among Northern states to drive greater interface with the federal government.
“The summit concluded that Northern Nigeria acknowledges and commends the administration’s high performance in fulfilling its electoral promises in many areas and also appreciates subsisting challenges.
“Participants called for more commitment to transparency, fairness and equity as elements that would foster national unity and sustenance of our democracy.
“They further call for continued collaboration among government, citizens, and all stakeholders as the surest path to peace, justice, and prosperity in Nigeria.”
It was signed by Director General SAMF Abubakar Gambo Umar.
Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, former Niger State Governor Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, called on the North elite to rise above political differences and reclaim their collective responsibility toward regional progress.
He lamented the erosion of shared values and fragmentation of leadership voices in the region, noting that, unlike in the past, today’s political class has failed to speak with one voice or uphold the legacy of unity and vision exemplified by leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello.
Dr. Aliyu acknowledged the significant presence of Northerners in the current administration, stressing the need for the region to rally behind those in government and reminding them that they represent broader Northern interests, not just personal ambitions or party lines.
“No politician from the North can claim today that we don’t have people in government.
“What we need is to own them, guide them, and ensure they act in our collective interest,” Aliyu said.
N20b spent on 4,300 PHCs in North
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Pate, said: “The Federal Government, through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, had disbursed over N20 billion for the funding of 4,362 PHC centres across the 19 Northern states and FCT, over the last two years.
“At least 274 projects had been executed across 35 tertiary hospitals in the Northern part of the country, serving over 4.5 million outpatients and 1.6 million inpatients.
“The President Bola Tinubu-led administration is committed to improving national health outcomes and matched words with action, with the provision of health infrastructure across all levels of healthcare delivery nationwide.”
Kaduna–Kano Rail project ready next year
Transportation Minister Alkali described the North as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Tinubu Administration’s infrastructure drive.
He assured that the Kaduna–Kano standard gauge rail project, which was at 15 per cent stage in May 2023, would be completed next year.
According to him, the Kano–Maradi rail line had also seen massive progress, moving from five per cent to 61 per cent completion, with sections of the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri narrow gauge rail corridor also underway.
He added that the ministry has also begun the rehabilitation of the Lagos–Kano narrow gauge line to support freight movements and bring the inland dry ports into full use, particularly in Kano and Kaduna.
The minister described the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, a 1,068-kilometre stretch linking Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, as one of the signature projects of the government.
“The North is not left out. It is reaping big from this government’s infrastructure revolution. From roads and rail to inland ports and power, the evidence is on the ground,” Alkali said.
No more briefcase farmers, says Senator Abdullahi
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Aliyu Abdullahi said the Tinubu Administration met the food crisis in the country but responded with bold, data-driven initiatives.
“We are ensuring that only genuine farmers benefit from government programmes. No more briefcase farmers,” he declared.
The minister added that the declaration of a state of emergency on food security was still in effect, as the government continues to deploy measures aimed at increasing production, stabilising prices, and improving access to food.
“Our priority is simple: ramp up production, reduce food prices, and ensure equitable access to support.
“We met a food crisis and responded with data-backed, targeted actions,” Abdullahi said.
He said that the Agro-Pocket initiative alone cultivated over 133,000 hectares of wheat across 15 states in the North — exceeding the initial target of 130,000 hectares — with Jigawa accounting for over 50,000 hectares.
According to him, rice farmers have also been supported through a plan targeting 44,500 producers, and this is being backed by robust extension services to address the unacceptable extension-to-farmer ratio of 1 to 25,000.
Abdullahi said one of the key steps taken was the development of a farmer data audit and registry to eliminate middlemen and “briefcase contractors.”
In the livestock sector, he said, government interventions included the development of grazing reserves, livestock villages, transit shelters, and the ongoing formulation of a national dairy policy.
Abdullahi called on North’s leaders and communities to reject impostors who manipulate the system and short-change real farmers.
Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, described the Sokoto–Zaria Highway as a vital economic corridor.
He said four contractors were currently on site along the stretch.
A child who feeds is a child who can learn. A people who are empowered and catered for will birth a society that will replenish the roots from which it emerged.
As Nigeria battles with poverty, community displacement, and youth unemployment, the Northern part of the country often seems to bear a disproportionate weight of these developmental challenges. But for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, addressing multidimensional poverty in the region requires not just funding but also structural reforms and inclusive community engagement.
Two years into the administration, the indelible impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda on social investment and humanitarian support across the North has become the subject of countless testimonials.
From the non-government and philanthropic perspective, the Renewed Hope Foundation, empathically and skillfully led by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated tens of billions of naira in all parts of Northern Nigeria in the form of proactive direct support for widows, orphans, and indigent elderly citizens, as well as structured support through skill-building programmes and entrepreneurship support for Nigerians in remote rural and urban communities at a time when the Renewed Hope Initiative is already providing hundreds of scholarships across the north.
From the government’s perspective, a key pillar of the Tinubu administration’s strategy has been the expansion and deployment of the National Social Register (NSR) as a tool for precisely identifying and targeting vulnerable households. As of mid-2025, over 13 million households and 48 million individuals from Northern Nigeria had been enrolled into the NSR, creating one of the most comprehensive databases on poverty in the region.
This data-backed approach has allowed the federal government to launch more effective Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programmes. Out of the targeted 15 million households nationwide, over 60.4 percent are in the northern zone, a deliberate effort to close the region’s historic poverty gap.
So far, N297 billion, about 44 percent of all national disbursements, has been paid to 3.9 million northern households as part of the ongoing conditional cash transfer programme. These transfers are helping millions of families meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare, while incentivizing school attendance and healthcare access, among other numerous benefits.
However, the Tinubu administration has gone beyond cash transfers. Under the intentional leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigeria for Women Programme (NFWP) has been significantly scaled up across Northern states. In Kebbi, Niger, and Taraba States alone, 241,880 women have received enterprise support and agro-processing equipment to enhance their productivity and business potential. Sixteen Northern states have signed Subsidiary Loan Agreements, signalling their commitment to scaling up the initiative. This demonstrates strong alignment between federal and state governments, a collaboration essential for sustained growth and development in the region.
To grow an inclusive economy where women can contribute more significantly to the growth of household wealth, and by extension, national GDP growth, President Tinubu’s Women Agro Value Expansion Programme has ensured that modern agricultural tools have been distributed to women smallholder farmers, and over 5 million female farmers have been empowered with mechanisation support, access to farming inputs, and market linkage services. This is not only expanding their productivity; it is solidifying their place in the nation’s agricultural economy, long dominated by male stakeholders.
Across the north, where skills acquisition remains essential in all efforts to unlock youth potential, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has trained 1,000 youths, 54 percent of whom are from Northern states. These beneficiaries received hands-on training in automobile mechanics, solar power installation, and agricultural practices to equip them for sustainable livelihoods.
The Tinubu administration has gone a step further. In order to deepen support for internally displaced populations, the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) and the humanitarian ministry cultivated 10,000 hectares of farmland, specifically for households displaced by conflict. These agricultural initiatives are tailored to promote both food security and income generation within affected communities.
Recognizing that shelter is fundamental to recovery, the federal government constructed 289 housing units for IDPs in Nasarawa, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Borno, and Katsina States. Additionally, seven Skills Acquisition Centres have been completed in Niger, Borno, Katsina, Kano, and Zamfara, providing ongoing training hubs for community development and touching lives.
President Tinubu’s social investment strategy also hinges on partnerships. Beyond federal funding, the government has built strong alliances with Non-Governmental Organizations, state governments, and private sector actors to expand reach. This synergy is structured in a manner to avoid duplication of efforts. The administration has developed a collaborative platform that enables state and local governments to align with national initiatives. Through this model, federal policies are better localized and federal resources reach those in need more efficiently.
For example, in Kwara State, the federal government inaugurated the Volunteers for Citizens Assembly on Community Engagement across all 16 local government areas. The platform encourages grassroots participation, monitors service delivery, and helps shape programme design based on community feedback. Close monitoring shows that this has been effective in achieving its aim.
The Renewed Hope Debit Card initiative was launched through a partnership between the federal government and the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). This initiative provides cash and service access in a dignified, transparent, and traceable manner eliminating the long queues and middlemen historically associated with welfare programs.
Despite these gains, the administration acknowledges that much remains to be done. The North continues to face a significant multidimensional poverty gap, requiring deeper coordination between national and subnational actors.
Federal authorities have encouraged sub-national governments to design and implement complementary social investment programmes, using the National Social Register to identify and reach their poorest populations. The goal is to ensure that interventions are not only top-down, but tailored to the specific needs and realities of each community.
The government has also called for data-driven, collaborative models across the board where NGOs, local businesses, and civil society actors pool resources and expertise. Stakeholders are further urged to support essential services like education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, especially for IDPs and rural women.
In the evolving social support landscape, the government fully recognizes the role of the media and civil society organizations in ensuring transparency, accountability, and feedback.
Consequently, the administration not only ensures that reporting on both the impact and the gaps of government programmes, especially in the north, are highlighted, it ensures that policy remains rooted in public need and performance.
To build the momentum necessary for deeper and sustained transformation in the North, the Tinubu administration has charged media to amplify advocacy campaigns around gender equality, healthcare access, and education reform.
The Renewed Hope Agenda, as it plays out in the North, is taking shape not only in numbers but in lives transformed from a widow receiving her first cash transfer, to a displaced farmer tilling new land, and to a young man installing his first solar panel after completing technical training, among several other instances too numerous to highlight here.
The social investment story in Northern Nigeria is still unfolding. But for millions of people long ignored, this administration’s approach is not just offering something visible, but doing so with dignity and hope.
Bature, a civil society advocate, writes from Jos, Plateau State
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of the Governing Council and principal officers for the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology, located in Koroma/Saakpenwa, Ogoniland, Rivers State.
A statement on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that the appointments mark a significant step in operationalising the institution, which is set to commence academic activities with its inaugural class in September 2025.
Leading the institution is Professor Don Mon Baridam, a renowned scholar of Management and Organisational Behaviour, who will serve as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.
Baridam previously lectured at the University of Port Harcourt and hails from the South-South region.
Also from the South-South, Professor Chinedu Mmom has been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor.
Mmom is a professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Port Harcourt and a former Commissioner for Education in Rivers State.
The President also named a diverse Governing Council with representatives drawn from across the country.
Council members include Mr. Emmanuel Onoja (North Central), Mr. Hamid Adekunle (South West), Professor Chima Oji (South East), and Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Lamda (North West).
In addition, President Tinubu appointed key principal officers to manage the university’s administrative and academic affairs.
Dr. Mpigi Monday Douglas (South-South) will serve as Registrar, Zoryii Josco Nwaimanie (North Central) as Bursar, and Dr. Saghanen Ntogo G. B. (South-South) as Librarian.
The Federal University of Environment and Technology was formally established by law on February 3, 2025, following the signing of its enabling bill by President Tinubu.
The institution is designed to focus on environmental science, technology, and sustainable development, in alignment with the ecological concerns and aspirations of the Ogoni region and the Niger Delta at large.
With the appointments now in place, preparations are underway for the institution to open its doors to its first cohort of students later this year, from September.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday held a closed-door meeting with Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, a close ally of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at the State House, Abuja.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of mounting speculation about a possible defection of Kwankwaso and supporters to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as a wave of recent criticisms of the Tinubu administration by the NNPP presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
Jibrin, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency and a long-time associate of Tinubu and Kwankwaso, told journalists after the meeting that discussions focused on national issues of public interest.
While refusing to confirm whether a formal defection to the APC was imminent, Jibrin suggested the possibility could not be ruled out.
“I do not think it is time for that conversation. But everything is open, and everything is a possibility. The most important thing is stability of the country, is unity of the country, and I believe that when we get to the bridge, we’ll cross it,” Jibrin said when asked directly if he was returning to the APC.
The meeting has further fuelled speculation of a realignment within Nigeria’s political landscape, especially as Kwankwaso, in recent weeks, has openly criticised the Tinubu administration’s performance, particularly regarding northern development and inclusion.
Asked whether his presence at the Villa was connected to efforts to douse political tensions between Tinubu and Kwankwaso, Jibrin downplayed the notion, describing the two politicians as seasoned leaders who share a commitment to Nigeria’s progress.
“The President is a first-class politician. Of course, the national leader of the NNPP is also a thoroughbred politician, and I believe that both of them are committed to the peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria. So irrespective of the comments that were made, I do not think that it should be a source of concern that I’m seen in the Villa during this period,” he said.
On whether President Tinubu has delivered for the North, in contrast to Kwankwaso’s recent remarks, Jibrin offered a balanced response.
“Well, every leader does his best, and it depends on how you want to rate him. You can decide to see the cup half full, or you look at the cup half empty. But I also believe that everyone is entitled to his opinion, and it can always just contribute to deepening the discourse—sometimes it might turn out to be a blessing in disguise,” he noted.
While political observers continue to monitor movements between the NNPP and APC, Jibrin’s visit and his cryptic remarks have added new momentum to ongoing speculations about a broader reconciliation or possible merger talks involving key northern political figures and the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his huge support for the programme’s peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta.
Otuaro spoke on Wednesday while delivering his remarks at the opening ceremony for the second batch of the Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Media Training organised by the PAP for its stakeholders in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.
The first batch of the three-day workshop took place from July 16 to July 18 at the same venue.
Otuaru in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Igoniko Oduma, attributed Tinubu’s firm backing of the programme’s peacebuilding initiative to the president’s strong desire for sustainable peace, stability and development in the region and indeed Nigeria.
Otuaro said the President’s massive support for the PAP stemmed from his concern for a better and assured future for the people of the Niger Delta, adding that “a better tomorrow for our region must be secured today through a deliberate peace process that is massively supported by the President.”
He told the participants that they were critical partners for peace and stability in the region and that the workshop was aimed at improving their leadership and mediation capacity as peace ambassadors of the programme.
Otuaro, while declaring the worskship open, said, “I am very grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for believing in the peacebuilding initiative undertaken by the PAP in our villages and communities in the Niger Delta.
“Mr President’s support has been tremendous, and it shows his profound commitment and dedication to peace, stability and security for the accelerated development and socio-economic advancement in our region.
“So, I want Niger Delta people and all stakeholders to thank Mr President for his remarkable support for the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the peace process that my leadership has embarked upon in our region.
“As stakeholders of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, you (the participants) are worthy ambassadors in the peacebuilding project in our region, and I want you to know that we all have a responsibility to also support Mr President by working assiduously for sustainable peace in and around our communities.”
He also extended profound gratitude to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his “tireless efforts at providing valuable inputs and interventions in the implementation of the programme’s objectives.”
He assured the participants and other Niger Delta stakeholders of his commitment to his policy of inclusivity, adding that plans were ongoing to empower the region’s women “because they were also casualties in the struggle.”
The PAP helmsman, therefore, urged the participants to shun all forms of distractions and take active part in the training so they could gain vital lessons that would be useful to them in their roles as peace ambassadors.
Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has defended members of the Super Falcons over their decision to kneel while greeting President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Remi Tinubu, describing the gesture as a sign of respect rooted in Nigerian culture.
In a social media post, Omokri argued that showing deference to leaders and elders is a universal norm, citing former UK Prime Minister Theresa May, who curtsied to Prince William despite being 25 years older.
He also referenced notable Nigerians who have demonstrated similar gestures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo prostrating for the Ooni of Ife and Olu of Warri, and Governor Biodun Oyebanji prostrating for legal icon Chief Afe Babalola.
“Kneeling or bowing does not diminish one’s dignity—it upholds our cultural values,” Omokri said, criticising those condemning the Super Falcons’ action. He labelled such critics as “uncultured and uncouth.”
He urged Nigerians not to be misled by negative narratives, stressing that the players’ actions should be celebrated for reflecting Nigeria’s rich tradition of respect and humility.
He wrote, “This is a photo of the then British Prime Minister, Theresa May, kneeling to greet Prince William on Thursday, August 9, 2018, when the Prince of Wales was still third in line to the throne. With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, He is now second in line. By age she is twenty five years older than Prince William.
“The act of kneeling or bowing down to greet the Head of State of a country and worthy elders does not strip you of your dignity. It only shows that you are a cultured person.
“Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is the longest-serving Nigerian leader, yet he prostrates flat to greet the Ooni of Ife and the Olu of Warri. Biodun Oyebanji is the Governor of Ekiti. Nevertheless, he prostrated flat on his stomach to greet Chief Afe Babalola. Wizkid did the same for King Sunny Ade.
“Are you better than them? No wonder you are where you are! Do not let them gaslight you. The Super Falcons acted in a most dignified manner by kneeling to greet President Bola Tinubu. Only uncultured and uncouth people consider such a civilised and virtuous action as undignified”.
The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has declared its support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, highlighting his administration’s strides in improving security, education, and infrastructure across the North and Nigeria at large.
Speaking to journalists during a 2-Day Interactive Session on Government-Citizens Engagement organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna, ATT Convener Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu said the North has no reason not to back Tinubu’s return in 2027.
Yakubu’s remarks follow a recent summit in Kaduna where Northern leaders assessed Tinubu’s performance.
While some attendees raised concerns about ongoing insecurity and poverty, others praised the administration for its infrastructure drive and the inclusion of northerners in key government positions.
“Therefore, Arewa Think Tank want to call on the people of the North to rally round Mr. President and re-elect him in 2027 for more infrastructural developments to come to the region.
“We must tell ourselves the bitter truth that as it is now, North does not need political power for now, but infrastructural and human development which President Tinubu has continuously been pushing to our people in the North.
“Our candid advice to northern leaders is that they should stop playing the blame game and instead focus on long standing regional neglect which Tinubu has come to repair.
“We must be honest, Tinubu didn’t create the insecurity or poverty in the North. The rot started long before him, and we are forced to ask, Where were those loud voices now blaming him when the North was neglected and abandoned by its leaders who were at the helm of affairs of this country?.
“We must commended Tinubu’s administration for its efforts in improving security, education, and infrastructure in the North.
“We are not running away from the fact that there is economic hardship but we want to affirm that some visible strides had been made in key areas, including infrastructure and security.
“We want to applaud President Tinubu once again over the introduction of the
Renewed Hope Agenda, which has highlighted projects like the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway and Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line that are transforming the North.
“It is very clear and visible that significant progress has been made in eliminating bandit kingpins and terrorist commanders in the Northern region.
“Among other infrastructures brought to the North by Tinubu’s administration, there is also empowerment Programs that targeted grants and initiatives to tackle the Almajiri and out-of-school children crisis.
“There is no doubt that Tinubu’s administration has shown commitment to the Northern region’s development. So as the 2027 elections approach, the North should rally behind his re-election bid.
“We want to commend the management of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation for organising a significant two-day interactive session on government-citizen engagement, which held in Arewa House, Kaduna.
“We are particularly grateful to the Federal Government for graciously participating in this programme, as well as the elder statesmen, stakeholders, and representatives from various Northern groups, organisations, and institutions whose presence underscores the importance of the gathering.
“We are confident that every deliberation at the event would yield actionable insights and strengthen the partnership between government and citizens for the advancement of our region and country in general,” Yakubu said.
The Senator Nenadi Usman-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has denied allegations of planning a one-million-man protest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Ken Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser (Media) to the LP’s Interim National Chairman, the party dismissed the claims as baseless and malicious, attributing them to a petition allegedly authored by Abayomi Arabambi, who the group says falsely parades himself as the party’s spokesperson.
According to the statement, Arabambi alleged that key LP leaders — including Peter Obi, NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero, Senator Victor Umeh, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, and Dr. Yunusa Tanko — were plotting to violently overthrow the government under the guise of organising a “One Million Man March” protest.
The Usman-led faction also claimed the alleged protest, said to be scheduled for July 30, 2025, was falsely linked to an attempt to reclaim the party’s former national secretariat, currently occupied by former chairman Julius Abure.
The group further raised alarm over what it described as targeted harassment and intimidation of its leaders by security agencies based on the “malicious” petition. It called for a thorough investigation into the matter and warned against actions that could undermine democracy and civil liberties.
“Let it be stated unequivocally: the leadership of the Labour Party is not aware of any planned protest anywhere in Nigeria under the auspices of the party.
“We have neither authorised nor sanctioned any individual or group to march on the streets in the name of reclaiming a property the party has long abandoned.
“As a law-abiding political party, following the Supreme Court’s ruling of 4th April 2025, which affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman’s leadership, we have formally notified relevant law enforcement agencies, urging them to enforce the judgment by vacating the illegal occupants of the former secretariat.
“Regrettably, the inertia of these agencies forced the party to relocate to a new and more secure location. Since then, the party has moved on, fully focused on its core mission.
“It is, therefore, laughable and deeply suspicious for anyone to insinuate that the Labour Party intends to forcibly reclaim a building it no longer uses.
“What is, however, more alarming is the fictitious and irresponsible allegation of a planned coup d’état against the Tinubu administration – a claim suspiciously lumped with this so-called One Million Man March.
“How an alleged protest to reclaim a party office translates to a violent toppling of a sitting government beats the imagination of any right-thinking Nigerian.
“This is not merely a reckless lie – it is a dangerous and desperate attempt to frame up respected leaders of the Labour Party in a phoney plot to destabilise the nation.
“It is a throwback to a dark era when individuals were roped into phantom coup plots simply for opposing the government of the day.
“We are already aware that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have begun harassing key party officials on the strength of this concocted tale. We warn that this path is a slippery slope that endangers our democracy.
“The Labour Party, therefore, calls on all security agencies to thoroughly investigate this malicious petition and unmask the true faces behind this sinister agenda to heat the polity through deceit, misinformation, and fear.
“We remain committed to the rule of law and democratic principles, and we urge the Nigerian people to see through this poorly scripted political drama for what it truly is – an act of cowardice and desperation.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said President Bola Tinubu has fulfilled most of the promises he made to the North and would do more.
Idris stated this on Tuesday when he featured on a live Hausa language phone-in programme “Hannu Da Yawa” on Radio Nigeria Kaduna and monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said, ” Before the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu came to the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation and made some promises on security, education and agriculture to the North.
“Same foundation invited us to their two-day interactive session on Government-citizens’ Engagement with the theme ‘Accessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizens Engagement for National Unity’.
“Let it be known that when he won the election, Tinubu kept his promises to the North; he appointed so many people from the North to work with him in his administration.
“They included the Minister of Defence, National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, Ministers of Agriculture, Women Affairs, Health, Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, myself and many others; in fact, we are more than 60 from the north working with Tinubu.
“This is two years into his administration and we are at the foundation with over 20 ministers and others to narrate all the promises fulfilled and some remarkable achievements touching not only the north but the whole country.”
Idris said there have been some misinformation that Tinubu had sidelined the North, saying, ” but today, we have demonstrated and seen that such narrative is not true.
“In fact, he has done so well for the North.”
The minister stressed that the team would continue to sensitise the people, especially those in the North about the outstanding achievement recorded by the Tinubu’s administration.
