The Nation Newspaper

Tag: tinubu

  • Kaiama massacre: Tinubu orders federal, state agencies to provide relief to affected communities 

    Kaiama massacre: Tinubu orders federal, state agencies to provide relief to affected communities 

    …condemns “cowardly, beastly” assault, says perpetrators will not escape justice

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday evening directed close collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide immediate support and relief to communities affected by the deadly terrorist attack in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    The President, in a message posted on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, said the directive was also aimed at ensuring that those behind the atrocity are pursued and brought to justice.

    “I have further directed close collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide immediate support and relief to the affected community and to ensure that those responsible for this atrocity are pursued and brought to justice,” Tinubu said.

    The President disclosed that he met earlier in the day with the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, who briefed him on the incident in Kaiama LGA.

    “Today, I met with the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, to be debriefed on the incident in Kaiama LGA,” he said.

    READ ALSO; Only six new products added to Nigeria’s export list – Adedeji

    Tinubu condemned the attack in strong terms, describing the gunmen as heartless for targeting defenceless villagers.

    “I condemn in the strongest terms this cowardly and beastly attack. The gunmen are heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror,” he stated.

    According to him, the assailants’ actions were not only criminal but also an affront to national values and faith.

    “Their actions offend our humanity, our faith, and our shared values as a nation,” he added.

    The President recalled that he had, a day earlier, ordered the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area following the “horrific attack on innocent villagers in Worro.”

    He said the new military command would spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate the terrorists and protect communities.

    “Yesterday, I directed the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following the horrific attack on innocent villagers in Worro. This new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate these barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities,” Tinubu said.

    The President noted that the attack was particularly disturbing because the victims were reportedly killed for rejecting forced indoctrination.

    Tinubu praised the victims for refusing to be drawn into extremist ideology, stressing that Nigeria would not surrender its people to terror disguised as religion.

    “As I said, ‘It is commendable that the community members, even though Muslims, refused to be conscripted into a weird belief that promoted violence over peace and dialogue.’ Nigeria will never surrender its people to extremism and terrorism masquerading as faith,” he declared.

    He assured that the perpetrators would be tracked and punished, insisting they would not evade justice.

    “They will not go scot-free,” the President said.

    Tinubu also offered prayers for the victims and condolences to their families, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s support for Kwara State.

    “I pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. I also sympathise with the people and government of Kwara State. The Federal Government stands with you,” he said.

    He pledged that the government would protect communities and defeat those seeking to divide the country through terror.

    “We will protect our communities, defend our values, and defeat those who seek to divide us through terror,” Tinubu added.

  • 25m Nigerians to benefit as Tinubu expands women’s economic programme

    25m Nigerians to benefit as Tinubu expands women’s economic programme

    • …FG rolls out Happy Woman App to connect women to finance, markets, skills, services

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expanded the Nigeria for Women Programme to reach 25 million beneficiaries nationwide, unveiling a digital platform designed to connect women to finance, skills, markets, essential services and government support.

    The programme, now known as the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up (NFWP-SU), was launched on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, with the President represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

    Tinubu said Nigeria could not achieve sustainable growth without placing women at the centre of national planning, describing the scale-up as a key pillar of his administration’s social and economic inclusion agenda.

    In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Tinubu said “a nation that relegates its women is a nation bound for implosion. We have long understood this truth”.

    “That is why this administration has not only placed women at the forefront of decision-making but has also entrusted them with leadership in causes that redeem our national promise. Today stands as proof of that commitment”, the President said.

    The expanded initiative follows a pilot phase in six states which, according to the Presidency, reached over one million beneficiaries.

    With the national scale-up, government introduced the Happy Woman App Platform, described as a secure digital interface that links women to empowerment opportunities, including finance, skills training, market access, protection services and social support.

    The programme is headed by Dr. Hadiza Maina and is co-financed by the World Bank alongside the Federal Government and participating state governments.

    It is designed to strengthen women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion and social development nationwide.

    Tinubu said the administration had set a “bold but achievable national ambition” of reaching 25 million Nigerian women through the programme, while calling on the World Bank to strengthen its financing, technical support and innovation partnerships to sustain the scale-up.

    “Digital inclusion is no longer optional; it is foundational to effective service delivery and national competitiveness,” he said.

    In a related policy announcement, the President designated 2026 as the “Year of Social Development and Families in Nigeria,” directing coordinated action across all levels of government.

    Read Also: Tinubu meets Kwara governor after Kaiama attack

    The declaration, the Presidency said, followed a Memorandum of Understanding signed during Tinubu’s January official visit to Türkiye, aimed at strengthening family cohesion and social welfare systems.

    The President commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for integrating technology into policy implementation and for reorganising social development into a more coherent system since the launch of the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention in Lafia last year.

    He also praised state governors and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for aligning federal vision with state-level execution, stressing that “national transformation succeeds when all levels of government move with shared purpose.”

    Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, described the initiative as a major shift in Nigeria’s governance framework.

    “Today is a structural signal for Nigerian women, children, and families,” she said.

    “It is a signal that under your leadership, women are no longer treated as beneficiaries at the margins of development, but as primary drivers of Nigeria’s economic, social, and democratic stability.”

    The minister said the programme builds on the achievements of Phase I of the Nigeria for Women Project in six states, disclosing that 26,577 Women Affinity Groups were formed with over 560,000 members.

    She added that participants recorded significant financial progress.

    “Through the Women Affinity Groups formed, they collectively saved over ₦4.9 billion of their own money and have inter-loaned significantly to expand their businesses, cover health costs, and pay school fees,” she said.

    Ibrahim described the new phase as a major continental investment in women’s empowerment, noting that it is a $540 million programme co-financed by the World Bank and the Federal and State Governments.

    According to her, the initiative is designed to directly reach at least five million women across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, while supporting national priorities such as job creation, food security, rural revitalisation and financial inclusion.

    She also said the programme had strengthened civic identity among women beneficiaries.

    “In Niger State for instance, during programme rollout, many women, for the first time in their lives, obtained formal identification in order to participate,” she said.

    “The fastest and most accessible ID available to them was the voter card.”

    She added that the newly registered women “became politically visible.”

    On the digital rollout, the minister announced that the Happy Woman App would serve as a central hub for women’s empowerment.

    “This platform will aggregate access to programmes, finance opportunities, skills training, protection services, and market linkages. Our target is 10 million verified women registrations within the next ten months,” she said.

    Also speaking, the World Bank Regional Representative for Africa, Mr. Robert Chase, said the project was designed by the bank’s Social Policy Department to place women at the centre of development, stressing that investing in women remains the most impactful investment any nation can make.

    Director of the Nigeria Country Office of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Uche Amaonwu, said empowering women directly translates to healthier families and safer communities, noting that women’s empowerment significantly reduces disease and insecurity at the household level.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, expressed his ministry’s readiness to collaborate on women-focused empowerment initiatives across the country.

    Representative of the Senate President, Senator Ireti Kingibe, said the scale-up reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the needs of women, adding that the National Assembly would continue to enact legislation to expand women’s access to governance and economic resources.

    Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Malam Faruk Jobe, reaffirmed the commitment of state governments to providing counterpart funding for successful implementation of women-focused projects.

    He disclosed that Katsina State, a participating state in the project, had earmarked ₦4 billion in its current budget to support the initiative.

  • Tinubu meets Kwara governor after Kaiama attack

    Tinubu meets Kwara governor after Kaiama attack

    • … Akpabio, Imo, Kebbi, Cross River govs, Yilwatda also in to see President

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently meeting with the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the State House, Abuja, following the deadly attack on Worro community in Kaiama council area of the state.

    The meeting is coming barely two days after more than 160 people were reported killed in the rural settlement in an assault authorities have linked to suspected jihadist fighters.

    Sources at the State House said the engagement is part of ongoing consultations on the security situation in Kwara and the immediate federal response to the killings.

    On Wednesday, Tinubu ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the establishment of a new military command to spearhead Operation Savannah Shield, aimed at flushing out the attackers and securing vulnerable communities.

    Read Also: Adeleke’s wife distributes N25million Remi Tinubu business grant to traders

    The President had condemned the assault as cowardly and inhumane, expressing outrage that the victims were reportedly targeted for rejecting extremist indoctrination and choosing a peaceful practice of Islam.

    He also directed closer collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide relief for affected residents and ensure the perpetrators are tracked down and prosecuted.

    Meanwhile, other high-profile visitors, who are also at the State House to see Tinubu, include the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; and governors Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), and Bassey Otu (Cross River).

    Details of the meetings were still sketchy as of press time.

  • Nigeria targets $7.7trn global halal market, as Tinubu launches national strategy

    Nigeria targets $7.7trn global halal market, as Tinubu launches national strategy

    • …plan will unlock $12bn value, boost exports, jobs, halal-friendly tourism — Shettima

    The Federal Government on Thursday launched Nigeria’s National Halal Economy Strategy, as it moved to position the country to tap into the $7.7 trillion global halal market and diversify the economy through exports, industrial value chains and ethical finance.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu unveiled the strategy at the State House, Abuja, describing it as a signal of Nigeria’s readiness to take a “huge chunk” of a global market expected to add an estimated $1.5 billion to the nation’s GDP by 2027.

    Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu said “it is with this sense of responsibility that I formally unveil the Nigeria National Halal Economy Strategy”.

    In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Tinubu said “this document is a declaration of our promise to meet global standards with Nigerian capacity and to convert opportunity into lasting economic value”.

    The Vice President called for “disciplined, inclusive, and measurable” implementation, stressing that the strategy must translate into “jobs, exports, and shared prosperity across our nation.”

    He announced that the strategy committee would be chaired by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, whom he described as “supremely competent.”

    Shettima outlined the plan’s key ambitions up to 2030, including expanding halal-compliant food exports, developing pharmaceutical and cosmetic value chains, positioning Nigeria as a halal-friendly tourism destination, and mobilising ethical finance at scale.

    According to him, the combined efforts “are projected to unlock over twelve billion dollars in economic value, while strengthening food security, deepening industrial capacity, and creating opportunities for small-and-medium-sized enterprises across our states.”

    Addressing concerns linking halal to religious affiliation, Shettima said the global halal economy had outgrown “parochial interpretations,” explaining that it is now defined by “trust,” with systems that emphasise “quality, traceability, safety, and ethical production.”

    He noted that these principles appeal widely to consumers and investors seeking certainty in how goods are produced, financed and delivered.

    The Vice President also said several Western economies have integrated halal into their export and quality-assurance systems, naming the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as among leading producers, certifiers and exporters of halal food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and financial products.

    “The halal economy is a global market framework rooted in standards, safety, and consumer trust, not geography or belief,” he said.

    Shettima said the strategy was inspired by the Tinubu administration’s commitment to diversifying exports, attracting foreign direct investment and create sustainable jobs across the federation.

    He disclosed that it was developed through partnerships involving the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), a subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, alongside Dar Al Halal Group Nigeria, with technical backing from institutions including the Islamic Development Bank and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa.

    The Vice President also linked the initiative to Nigeria’s recent state visit to Türkiye, which he said reinforced the country’s drive to build a globally competitive halal ecosystem.

    A major outcome of that visit was the signing of an agreement on Halal Quality Infrastructure between Nigeria and Türkiye, aimed at strengthening standards, accreditation, certification and quality assurance systems to boost international acceptance of Nigerian halal products and services.

    Speaking at the event, Oduwole said the strategy was a public-private collaboration shaped through extensive stakeholder engagement.

    She said the private sector led the drive to make it a “whole-of-government and whole-of-country intervention,” with the Office of the Vice President coordinating ministries, departments, and agencies, while her ministry played a pivotal role.

    “What the Halal Strategy has done for Nigeria is to position us among countries that export Halal-certified goods across the world,” she said.

    Oduwole added that Nigeria would leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand exports of halal-friendly goods across Africa and beyond, stressing that participation would be voluntary.

    Also speaking, Chairman and CEO of Dar Al-Halal Group Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Muhammadu Dikko Ladan, said an export programme was already underway through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to onboard Nigerian companies into the Saudi Arabian market and other destinations.

    He described the strategy as a landmark opportunity that would create market access and attract foreign direct investment.

    In a message from the French Embassy, Financial Counsellor Carole Lebreton, representing French Ambassador Marc Fonbaustier, said the strategy was significant for Nigeria–France relations, noting that France was exploring more ways to build socio-economic bridges with Nigeria.

    She said the French government was ready to support Nigeria’s export drive, especially in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

    Other dignitaries at the unveiling included the CEO of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni; Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Mr. Olasupo Olusi; and the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Temitola Adekunle Johnson.

    The strategy, developed by HPDC of Saudi Arabia, is an outcome of the bilateral cooperation agreement signed between Nigeria and HPDC in February 2025 at the Makkah Halal Forum, aimed at deepening Nigeria–Saudi economic relations, improving market access, and integrating Nigeria into international halal value chains.

  • LG Autonomy has earned you 2027, Councilors assure Tinubu

    LG Autonomy has earned you 2027, Councilors assure Tinubu

    The National Councilors Forum of Nigeria (NCFN) has declared that the restoration of local government autonomy and renewed grassroots development under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have positioned him for re-election in 2027.

    The president of the forum, Dr. Evoh Okechukwu Nwikegwu, made the declaration at a press conference in Abuja, pledging the support of councilors nationwide for the President’s second-term bid. Nwikegwu represents Enenaezeraku Ward in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    The forum, which cuts across party lines, said councilors, as the closest tier of government to the people, have a clear understanding of citizens’ aspirations and the direct impact of the administration’s reforms at the grassroots.

    Nwikegwu described the policies of the current administration as transformational and supportive of rural governance, adding that the Renewed Hope Agenda has translated into tangible benefits in communities across the country.

    He said the forum, comprising 8,809 councillors across the 774 local government areas and 176,836 polling units nationwide, regards the restoration of local government autonomy as Tinubu’s most significant achievement, describing it as a turning point for funding transparency and accountability.

    According to the forum, the policy, alongside improvements in rural infrastructure and reforms in the agricultural sector, has laid a solid foundation for sustainable national development.

    The councilors also commended the President for strengthening national security through the modernization of the Armed Forces and improved intelligence coordination.

    Throwing its weight behind Tinubu, the forum maintained that since assuming office in 2023, the President has demonstrated the courage and competence required to merit a second term to consolidate ongoing reforms.

    The NCFN called for nationwide mobilization ahead of the 2027 general election, urging ward leaders and grassroots coordinators to take the message of the Tinubu administration to households across the country.

    The forum is regarded as one of the country’s largest grassroots political structures, with a presence spanning urban centres and remote rural communities.

  • Wada, Karimi, Baba Ali rally grassroots support for Tinubu’s re-election

    Wada, Karimi, Baba Ali rally grassroots support for Tinubu’s re-election

    Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, operating under the Kogi Progressive Stakeholders Forum (KPSF), on Wednesday endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, pledging to double the state’s votes for his re-election in the 2027 general elections.

    The endorsement followed a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at the Reverton Hotel in Lokoja, where party leaders, lawmakers, elders and other key figures resolved to align fully with the ruling party at the centre.

    The forum said its objective is to promote unity and cohesion within the party while addressing internal gaps.

    Chairman of the forum and former Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, said KPSF was established to unite and mobilise grassroots supporters of the APC towards the success of President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

    Read Also: Senate rules out real-time results transmission

    He urged party members across the state to embrace peace, unity and internal cohesion, stressing that only a united APC could effectively support the president’s reform agenda and secure electoral victory.

    Wada said inclusiveness remains a core principle of the forum, noting that all party members, regardless of status or political leaning, must be carried along in the collective effort to strengthen the party and deepen democratic participation.

    Vice Chairman of the forum and member of the governing board of the North Central Commission, Alhaji Suleiman Baba Ali, expressed confidence that President Tinubu would secure overwhelming support from Kogi voters in 2027.

    He said the president’s leadership had continued to inspire confidence nationwide, adding that ongoing reforms would ultimately reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and development.

    Ali called on APC members and supporters across the 21 local government areas of the state to remain united and focused on consolidating the party’s gains, stressing that grassroots mobilisation remains critical to electoral success.

    Also speaking, Senator Sunday Steve Karimi, representing Kogi West, described the endorsement and the growing alignment of the state with the APC as a positive development.

    He said President Tinubu deserved a second term to complete the economic and security reforms initiated by his administration, citing improvements in foreign exchange stability, security, access to student loans through NELFUND, infrastructure development and economic reforms that previous administrations avoided.

    Karimi acknowledged existing grievances among some party members and assured that their concerns would be addressed.

    “We know there are so many people in this state that are not happy and if we leave them like that, we will not win 2027 elections. We want Mr. President to win and win well.

    “We are not fighting anybody but we not pretenders. We are not liars. We are truthful. We are people that love Mr. President, we love Kogi and want to move the state forward”.

    Also speaking, Former Director General, National Productivity Centre, Dr. Kashim Akor, said the forum has created an avenue for aggrieved members of the party to channel their grievances with expectation that it will be addressed. He urged party leaders to embrace reconciliation and sacrifice. 

    A former local government chairman and lawmaker, Hon. Ganiyu Salawudeen (Erukutu), called on the reconciliation committee recently set up by President Tinubu to visit Kogi state.

    He said current leadership of APC in the state is one sided and political appointments are also lopsided.

    At the end of the meeting, stakeholders issued a communiqué in which they unanimously declared their total and unwavering support for President Tinubu as the APC’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 elections. 

    The communiqué rejected what it described as divisive politics, calling for unity of purpose among political leaders of the state.

    The leaders urged the people of Kogi within and outside the state to embrace the APC as the most viable platform for advancing the state’s political and economic interests.

    They further pledged to mobilise human, material and political resources to deliver bloc votes for Tinubu across the 21 LGA’s of the state come 2027. 

    The motion endorsing President Tinubu for a second term was formally moved by Senator Sunday Steve Karimi, Chairman, Senate Services Committee and Senator Representing Kogi West and seconded by Dr Kashim Akor, Former DG, National Productivity Center who described the decision as courageous and strategic.

    Other prominent figures at the meeting included a Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Abutu Yaro, Former House of Representatives Member Representing Lokoja /Kogi Hon Haruna Isah among several stakeholders and party elders from the state. 

    The meeting concluded with a call for sustained unity, equity and fairness, voter mobilisation and strategic engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the forum declared that the state  had “spoken with one voice” in support of President Tinubu and the ruling party the APC.

  • After court verdict, Ajah landowners take possession, back Tinubu

    After court verdict, Ajah landowners take possession, back Tinubu

    Members of the Association of Landowners in Winhomes Estate, Okun-Ajah, Lagos, have moved to take possession of their land and start construction, saying the delay in handing over their plots was not due to any ownership dispute but to stalling tactics linked to the Federal Government’s ongoing Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project.

    The association announced the decision at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday. Members of the association said years of delays had prevented them from developing properties acquired in 2020 and 2021.

    The estate is situated on the route of the Federal Government’s Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project, which has led to the acquisition of some portions of the land for public use. The association members said they have no dispute with the government over the acquisition of the affected portions and support the project as serving the broader public interest.

    However, they emphasised that their grievance is with Winhomes Estate Global Services Limited, which they accuse of persistent delays, obstruction of access to the remaining land, and hindrance to construction.

    Mr. Charles Mbah, representing the association, read out a statement outlining the group’s position and legal basis. He said the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1803/2024 had resolved that there are no disputes in the land ownership.

    Read Also: Tinubu orders deployment of military battalion to Kwara after deadly Kaiama attack

    According to the association, Justice Akintayo Aluko, in a composite ruling delivered last November 21, held that Winhomes Estate Global Services Limited had divested itself of all proprietary interests in the land by selling it to third parties. The court further ruled that the company was no longer the bona fide owner of the land and therefore lacked the legal standing to institute or maintain any action concerning it. The suit was subsequently struck out.

    “In view of this clear judicial pronouncement, members of the Association of Landowners in Winhomes Estate remain the lawful and bona fide owners of the land, having validly purchased the same and holding relevant title documents,” Mbah said.

    Based on the judgment, the association announced that, as of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, its members had taken possession of their parcels of land and would resume development.

    The landowners said they were prepared to meet the statutory pre-construction requirements, including the timely payment of land-use charges and other government dues.

    The association urged Winhomes Estate Global Services Limited and its chief executive officer, Mrs. Stella Okongwu, to refrain from initiating legal action on behalf of its members without consulting them. It emphasized that, having sold the land, the company no longer has authority over matters of ownership or possession.

    They further alleged that Mrs. Okongwu brought a court action over the Federal Government’s acquisition of portions of the estate without consulting the landowners, even though they were the primary stakeholders affected by the acquisition.

    Several members of the association were present at the press conference, including Chief Kingsley Udochukwu, Chief Obiora Divine, Chief Valentine Ifeanyi, Eze Anthony, Chief Richard, and Chief Okafor.

    Some members displayed placards expressing dissatisfaction with what they described as deceptive management practices. The placards read: “President Tinubu, Protect Our Renewed Hope Agenda,” “Don’t let con artists scam investors,” “Five years after, no allocations, no buildings,” “Why are you reselling our land?” and “Stop collecting N12.5 million development fee for empty land.”

    Some landowners told reporters they purchased plots in 2020 and 2021 but were unable to take possession due to repeated delays. They cautioned the public against buying land in the estate, stating that the rightful owners have now taken possession.

    Despite their concerns, association members said they had no issue with the Federal Government or its infrastructure agenda. They expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commended the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project, which they said would deliver significant economic benefits to the country.

    They requested compensation for landowners whose plots were affected by the coastal road construction, either through monetary payment or allocation of alternative land.

    “As the coastal road project has consumed meaningful portions of our land, we respectfully appeal to the government to show magnanimity by compensating affected landowners,” the association said.

    The association also called on the Federal Government to audit Winhomes Estate’s management activities and to ensure the public is informed that no land remains available for sale within the estate.

    The landowners reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful engagement, respect for the rule of law, and cooperation with government agencies. They urged the media to maintain professionalism and factual reporting, emphasizing that accurate information is vital for investor confidence and national development.

    The conference was organised by the Association of Landowners in Winhomes Estate, Okun-Ajah, and Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Good Governance, a rights group.

  • 78 buried in Kwara community after terror attack

    78 buried in Kwara community after terror attack

    • 37 killed in Benue, Katsina communities
    • Tinubu orders deployment of military battalion to troubled community
    • Operation Savanna Shield begins as 78 victims are buried in Woro community

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the deployment of a military battalion to parts of Kwara State following a deadly attack on Kaiama Local Government Area.

    According to the House of Assembly member representing the Gwanabe/Gwaria Constituency, Saidu Baba Ahmed, confirmed that 78 residents were killed by the invaders.

    Separate attacks were also launched on communities in Benue and Katsina states. Thirty-seven residents were killed in the two states.

    Governors Hyacinth Alia (Benue) and AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman (Kwara) condemned the attacks in the states.

    The Senate demands urgent military action and reliefs for victims of the deadly raids.

    It urged security agencies to sustain their onslaught on terrorists and other criminals.

    Tinubu’s directive, which also includes the appointment of a Field Commander and the immediate commencement of a military operation tagged: Operation Savanna Shield, was given yesterday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

    Read Also: PDP condemns Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission of results

    Onanuga, in a post on his X handle, @aonanuga1956, said the President’s intervention was aimed at providing immediate relief to affected communities and restoring security in the area.

    The post reads: “Help is on the way for the beleaguered people of Kaiama and others as President Tinubu orders the deployment of a military battalion, the appointment of a commander and the start of Operation Savanna Shield.”

    The federal action followed a brutal attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, where residents reportedly recovered the bodies of 78 persons killed by armed bandits who invaded the rural settlement on Tuesday.

    The victims were buried on yesterday evening after funeral prayers (Janazah) were held around 6:30pm, shortly before the evening (Magrib) prayers.

    The lawmaker representing Gwanabe/Gwaria Constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Saidu Baba Ahmed, who witnessed the burial rites, confirmed the casualty figures.

    He said the deceased included 75 males and three females, adding that 35 residents were abducted and taken into the bush by the attackers.

    The launch of Operation Savanna Shield is expected to strengthen federal security presence in the area, stabilise affected communities and prevent further attacks, as residents continue to mourn the victims of the raid.

    In Benue, the gunmen attacked the Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area of the state, killing a police officer and farmers. They also destroyed houses.

    Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), attached to 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Makurdi, was on special duty in the community, when he was shot dead.

    A community leader, Lawrence Akerigba, told The Nation on phone that 17 persons were killed.

    It was learnt that on Tuesday, suspected armed herders in large numbers stormed the community and shot indiscriminately at residents.

    The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the mortuary.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Edet Edema, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the attack.

    He said the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Ifeanyi Emenari, had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations to  proceed to Jato-Aka with more Mobile Force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to track the perpetrators, and effect their arrest.

    Alia, who condemned the attacks in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary(CPS), Sir Kulas Tersoo, said the bandits have dared the state and Nigeria security system and must be attended to in the language they understood better.

    Sympathising with the families of the victims, the governor assured the people of safety.

    The gunmen invaded two communities of Woro and Nuku, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday night, burnt houses and killed scores.

    A community leader said many bandits suspected to be hibernating in the forest of the National Park in Borgu, Niger State, invaded the Woro community about 6pm on Tuesday.

    In a statement by Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Rafiu Ajakaye, Governor AbdulRazaq confirmed the development and mourned victims, saying that security forces had continued to improve on counterterrorism.

    He assured that nothing would tamper with the peace in the state.

    Also in Katsina, a gang of armed bandits struck in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing 20 villagers, burning houses, shops, and vehicles and many rendered homeless

    Investigation by The Nation showed that the fresh attack took place in the Doma Community, Tafoki, about 4:30pm

    The bandits, who were armed with dangerous weapons, including AK-47 rifles, invaded the community five months after the peace deal reached with the bandits, attended by prominent traditional leaders and security personnel.

    Chairman of Faskari Local Government Area, Sirajo Daudawa, told The Nation, the incident was a suspected reprisal attack.

    He said: “The situation is indeed very unfortunate. We have not recorded any bad moments over the past five months, except for this that we found ourselves.

    “We lost at least 20 people. Several houses and vehicles were burnt down by the hoodlums, security agencies were duly informed, but, unfortunately, none of them was able to report to the scene until after the bandits achieved their mission.

    “The bodies of the deceased were retrieved at Tafoki, and will be buried tomorrow morning.

    “We are sympathising with the Doma community and Tafoki ward, Faskari Local Government Area, and Katsina State people in general over this tragedy. May Almighty Allah have mercy on those killed and bring this to an end.”

    The State Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, commiserated with the families and friends of the victims of the deadly armed bandits attack.

    Shehu, who also condemned the attack, directed the deployment of additional resources to expedite the investigation and arrest of the perpetrators of the act.

    The commissioner, in a statement by the state PPRO, Abubakar Sadiq, said operatives, in collaboration with the military, and members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC), had moved to the scene of the incident.

    He said 13 persons were shot by the bandits who escaped the scene before the arrival of the operatives.

    Normalcy has been restored to the affected area, investigations into the incident have started, he said.

  • Tinubu orders deployment of military battalion to Kwara after deadly Kaiama attack

    Tinubu orders deployment of military battalion to Kwara after deadly Kaiama attack

    … Operation Savanna Shield begins as 78 victims are buried in Woro community

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the deployment of a military battalion to parts of Kwara State following a deadly attack on Kaiama Local Government Area that left scores of residents dead.

    The directive, which also includes the appointment of a field commander and the immediate commencement of a military operation tagged Operation Savanna Shield, was disclosed on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

    Onanuga, in a post on his X handle, @aonanuga1956, said the President’s intervention was aimed at providing immediate relief to affected communities and restoring security in the area.

    Read Also: Tinubu, Obasanjo, Mimiko, Fasoranti, others bag Ondo golden jubilee awards

    “Help is on the way for the beleaguered people of Kaiama and others as President Tinubu orders the deployment of a military battalion, the appointment of a commander and the start of Operation Savanna Shield,” the presidential aide said.

    The federal action followed a brutal attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area, where residents reportedly recovered the bodies of 78 persons killed by armed bandits who invaded the rural settlement on Tuesday.

    The victims were buried on Wednesday evening after funeral prayers (janazah) were held around 6:30 p.m., shortly before the evening (magrib) prayers.

    The lawmaker representing Gwanabe/Gwaria constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Saidu Baba Ahmed, who witnessed the burial rites, confirmed the casualty figures.

    He said the deceased included 75 males and three females, adding that 35 residents were abducted and taken into the bush by the attackers.

    The launch of Operation Savanna Shield is expected to strengthen federal security presence in the area, stabilise affected communities and prevent further attacks, as residents continue to mourn the victims of the raid.

  • Pro-Tinubu group donates learning materials to students in Ekiti

    Pro-Tinubu group donates learning materials to students in Ekiti

    A political group under the auspices of Tinubu Grassroots Network (TGN) has distributed learning materials to student of Notre Dame Grammar School, Usi-Ekiti, in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

    Speaking during the outreach, Convener of the group, Ojo Foluso Sylvanus, said the initiative was aimed at  promoting education and deepen awareness of the policies and programmes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration at the grassroots.

    Sylvanus explained that members of the network travelled from Abuja to Ekiti to interact with students and  community members, noting that many citizens who were meant to benefit from government policies were not adequately informed about available opportunities.

    He added the programme, tagged “Back to School Initiative (BSI) focused on the distribution of educational materials with civic sensitisation designed to help the students understand governance as well as public policies. 

    He described children as the bedrock of society, stressing that empowering them with knowledge would enable them to share vital information with their parents and guardians, some of whom may not understand government programmes or how to access their benefits.

    Sylvanus  added that the initiative was structured to create a ripple effect in communities, where informed students could help bridge the communication gap between policymakers and grassroots populations.

    Read Also: 2027 election won’t stall infrastructure projects in FCT – Wike

    He noted that similar interventions had previously been carried out in Abuja, Nasarawa and some other states, where learning materials were distributed to encourage academic excellence and promote awareness of national development efforts.

    He expressed delight at returning to his alma mater, revealing that he graduated from Notre Dame Grammar School in 1998 and attributing his personal growth and values to the institution.

    Sylvanus said that the visit was both symbolic and strategic, as it reflected his commitment to giving back to the school that contributed to shaping his future and inspiring current students to pursue meaningful goals.

    He reaffirmed the  group’s resolve to continue reaching communities across the country through educational support programmes and public enlightenment campaigns, emphasising that national development required informed citizens, empowered students and inclusive participation at all levels.

    Some of the benefitting students lauded the group for the gesture, saying the learning materials would support their studies and motivate them to take their education more seriously.

    A Senior Secondary School student, Tolu Ige, described the outreach as inspiring, noting that the sensitisation had helped her understand the importance of education and civic responsibility.