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  • Osun APC aspirants pledge to back consensus candidate after meeting with Tinubu

    Osun APC aspirants pledge to back consensus candidate after meeting with Tinubu

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday night met with All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants from Osun State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where they collectively agreed to abide by the party’s decision to produce a consensus candidate for the December 13 primary.

    The meeting, attended by eight aspirants and top party leaders, focused on preventing internal rifts that contributed to the party’s loss in the last governorship election in the state.

    According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, those at the meeting included former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), Babatunde Harater Oralusi, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

    Also present were APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma; and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

    Addressing the gathering, President Tinubu praised the aspirants for their commitment to the party and urged them to avoid divisions that could undermine APC’s chances in the forthcoming election. 

    He appealed for unity, discipline and respect for party supremacy, warning against a repeat of internal disputes that enabled the Peoples Democratic Party to win the last governorship contest.

    “You all have a duty and obligation to the party by ensuring the candidate of our party wins the next election in Osun State. You must strengthen the bonds of unity, party supremacy and collective responsibility. 

    “I have absolute confidence in your ability to deliver victory to our party in Osun State. You have my support and that of the National leadership of APC to win the coming election”, he told them, assuring that the National leadership of the party would back the agreed candidate.

    At the end of the meeting, the aspirants and party leaders issued a joint declaration committing to support the candidate who emerges through the agreed consensus process.

    In the statement, they affirmed party supremacy in determining the nomination procedure, unanimously agreed to accept a consensus flagbearer, and pledged full support to whoever emerges from the process for affirmation at the December 13 primary.

    They also undertook to maintain peace, unity and cohesion within the party, refrain from actions capable of undermining the process, and work collectively to secure APC victory in the 2025 Osun governorship election.

    “We, the undersigned aspirants for the 2025 Osun State Governorship Election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having met and deliberated in the presence of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and in the spirit of unity, discipline, and loyalty to our great party, hereby declare as follows:

    Read Also: BREAKING: Adeleke defects to Accord Party ahead of Osun 2026 guber primary

    “That we affirm and uphold the supremacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in guiding and determining the most appropriate process for selecting the party’s flag bearer for the 2025 Governorship Election in Osun State.

    “That we unanimously agree to abide by the party’s decision to nominate a consensus candidate for affirmation at the APC Primary Election scheduled for Saturday, 13th December 2025.

    “That we accept the outcome of the party-led nomination process in good faith, and pledge our total support to the candidate so nominated and affirmed.

    “That we commit ourselves to peace, unity, and cohesion within the APC, and pledge not to engage in any act, public or private, that may undermine the integrity of the process or the standing of the party.

    “That we will work collectively and individually to ensure the success of the APC at the polls and the consolidation of good governance in Osun State.

    “We make this declaration voluntarily, in absolute loyalty to our great party, and in recognition of the guidance provided by Mr President and the National Chairman in the overriding interest of the progress and stability of Osun State”, the statement said.

  • Ex-Senate president Lawan rallies north, predicts 75% votes for Tinubu in 2027

    Ex-Senate president Lawan rallies north, predicts 75% votes for Tinubu in 2027

    …named Patron of Tinubu House-to-House network

    Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday declared that the North would deliver over 75 percent of its votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, insisting that continuity remains critical to Nigeria’s stability and development.

    Lawan made the remarks after he was formally appointed National Patron of the Tinubu House-to-House Network, a volunteer-based grassroots mobilisation group.

    The group’s leadership, led by its national chairman, Comrade Yahaya Muhammad, visited him at the National Assembly to notify him of the appointment.

    Visibly delighted, the Yobe North lawmaker hailed the group’s strategy and charged its members to expand their footprint nationwide.

    “I feel very delighted that you have found me worthy of this appointment,” he said. “My prayer and hope is that you continue to deepen your activities across the country, particularly in the northern part of Nigeria.”

    Lawan delivered a strong endorsement of President Tinubu’s leadership, declaring that the administration has stabilised the economy and strengthened national security architecture.

    “I believe President Bola Tinubu is doing his best and the APC administration is achieving a lot. The economy of Nigeria today is stable and facing the right direction,” he said.

    On security, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence acknowledged the country’s challenges but expressed confidence in the armed forces, saying the administration had invested heavily in security assets and operations.

    Looking ahead to 2027, Lawan urged northern voters to surpass their 2023 support for Tinubu.

    “In the 2023 general elections, the North gave about 63% of the votes that saw President Tinubu to office. In 2027, we should vote for our President with more than 75% of the votes that will bring him back to office,” he declared.

    He argued that Nigeria stands to gain more from stability and continuity than experimenting with new leadership.

    “The President is trying to ensure that we get a fair share. So, we are better sticking with this President than trying somebody new who may not do even half of what we have seen here,” Lawan added.

    The former Senate President also attributed the influx of defectors into the APC to what he described as visible progress under the current administration.

    “Nobody is bribed or coerced into becoming a member of the party. They believe in APC just like we do,” he said.

    Lawan encouraged the Tinubu House-to-House Network to evolve into a truly national structure capable of driving an effective 2027 campaign.

    “Let it be a national network, covering not only major states but all states of the federation. We want to take the success story from house to house. This is supposed to be the basis of any serious campaign,” he stated.

    The Tinubu House-to-House Network is a volunteer platform focused on grassroots mobilisation and dissemination of the administration’s programmes across all wards in the country.

  • Tinubu sets up panel to clear N1.5tn debt owed to 2,000 federal contractors

    Tinubu sets up panel to clear N1.5tn debt owed to 2,000 federal contractors

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday established a high-level committee to resolve the lingering backlog of payments owed to federal contractors, expressing “grave displeasure” over the mounting debt estimated at about N1.5 trillion.

    Speaking to journalists at State House, Abuja, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President was visibly upset after learning that more than 2,000 contractors are being owed for completed projects.

    “He made it very, very clear he is not happy and wants a one-stop solution. An important highlight in the course of the FEC meeting is that the President expressed grave displeasure about the fact that contractors are being owed money”, Onanuga said.

    According to him, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun, briefed the Council on the magnitude of outstanding obligations, prompting the President’s directive to constitute a multi-ministerial team to design a funding plan and clear the backlog.

    The committee comprises the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa; Minister of Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa; and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola. 

    Also included are the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji.

    “All of them are supposed to sit down, develop a plan as a committee, and then go to the President to tell him the solution they have found in allocating funds to pay contractors,” Onanuga said.

    He added that the President was determined to “find the money and fix the problem,” even hinting that the government could borrow to settle verified obligations if necessary. 

    “He even said that, as a sovereign country, we can go and borrow to pay those contractors,” the presidential aide noted.

    The remarks follow weeks of pressure from contractors, who have repeatedly protested delays in payment of certified arrears. 

    In September, the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria claimed more than N4 trillion was outstanding for 2024 capital projects during demonstrations in Abuja and at the National Assembly.

    The Ministry of Works had previously acknowledged a significant backlog and launched a verification exercise in January 2024 to account for roughly N1.5 trillion in unpaid federal highway contracts.

    The issue has been further complicated by overlapping budget cycles, with 2024 capital components rolling into 2025. 

    In November, the National Assembly approved an additional N1.15 trillion in domestic borrowing to help cover a widened 2025 deficit, even as the government tapped international markets with a $2.35 billion Eurobond to bolster its financing needs.

  • Tinubu unveils new security, economic blueprint to harness Nigeria’s marine wealth

    Tinubu unveils new security, economic blueprint to harness Nigeria’s marine wealth

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled a fresh national security and economic framework designed to transform Nigeria’s vast marine and aquatic resources into a major driver of economic diversification, job creation, and long-term prosperity.

    The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa during a parley with participants of Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

    He directed all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to immediately study and prepare to implement recommendations contained in the NIPSS report on blue economy development, describing the study as a significant roadmap for national progress.

    In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, the President said, “the blue economy offers a strategic pathway for diversifying our revenue base, creating sustainable employment and revitalising the ecosystems that sustain national development. If properly harnessed, this sector could become an anchor of shared prosperity for generations.”

    Welcoming the findings of the NIPSS study on Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria, the President commended the institute for its “analytical rigour, creativity and patriotic duty,” noting that Nigeria’s natural endowment, including an 853-kilometre coastline, rich fisheries, extensive inland waterways and a strategic Atlantic location, places the country in a strong global maritime position.

    He listed aquaculture expansion, port and maritime corridor modernisation, coastal tourism, marine biotechnology, and renewable ocean energy as priority areas of the administration.

    “These opportunities lie within our grasp if we act with discipline and intentionality,” he stated.

    Reaffirming his reform drive, President Tinubu said the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy was a strategic step to improve port management systems, strengthen maritime security, and enable private-sector participation.

    But he warned that the full benefits of the blue economy would not be realised without a secure operating environment.

    While noting that piracy had reduced through the Deep Blue Project, he cautioned that “oil theft, illegal fishing, smuggling, vandalism, and kidnapping still undermine national revenues and investor confidence.

    These threats are real, and this administration is taking decisive steps to address them.”

    In a major policy move, the President also assigned NIPSS an expanded national security mandate, directing the institute to conduct a nationwide security diagnostic and present practical recommendations for overhauling the country’s security architecture.

    “The policy paper shall be submitted to my office within an agreed timeline, and it will receive the utmost attention,” he assured.

    Earlier, the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, commended the President and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, for supporting the Senior Executive Course, noting that participants had conducted field studies in several states and 14 countries.

    Presenting highlights of the report titled Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities, Colonel Murkar Dauda said systemic governance gaps, weak institutional coordination, and sub-standard infrastructure remained obstacles, but stressed that fisheries, aquaculture, and expanded marine revenues offer substantial opportunities.

    Among its recommendations, the report urged the Federal Government to launch a national fisheries expansion programme to raise fish production from 1.2 million metric tonnes to 10 million metric tonnes within two years, develop a comprehensive financing framework for the marine and blue economy, harmonise legal and policy regimes, and strengthen safety and security on inland waterways.

    The report also called for the establishment of an innovative skills, job-creation, and social-inclusion framework to support sustainable growth in the sector.

  • Tinubu re-states VIP police guards withdrawal order

    Tinubu re-states VIP police guards withdrawal order

    …orders engagement of NSCDC to replace police on VIP guard duties

    …seeks conversion of grazing reserves to ranches

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed his directive that police officers currently attached to VIPs be withdrawn and redeployed to conflict-prone areas, insisting that the nation cannot afford to keep essential security manpower away from pressing security theatres.

    The President restated the order just before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, tasking relevant security agencies to immediately implement the directive to strengthen the ongoing fight against terrorism, kidnapping, and violent criminal activity across the country.

    “I honestly believe in what I said, and I called the IGP… If you have any security problems because of the nature of the assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance,” President Tinubu said, pointing out that exceptional cases would be treated with approval.

    He directed that the Ministry of Interior liaise with the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to replace police personnel withdrawn from VIP protection duties.

    “The Minister of Interior should liaise with the IGP and Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers who are on special security duties, so that you don’t leave people exposed,” he said.

    The President further instructed the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to form a committee to review the structure and ensure full implementation of the redeployment plan.

    “NSA and DSS to provide further information and form themselves into a committee and review the structure. It should be effected,” he said.

    Expressing concern over the rising incidents of kidnapping and terrorism, President Tinubu stressed that all available manpower must be channelled to areas of need.

    “We face challenges here and there of kidnapping and terrorism; we need all the forces that we can utilise,” he stated.

    While acknowledging that special circumstances may require security considerations for some individuals, the President insisted that other armed formations must take up such responsibilities.

    “I know some of our people are exposed… civil defence are equally armed and I want to know from the NSA to arm our forest guards too. Take it very seriously,” he added.

    On the livestock sector, President Tinubu instructed Vice President Kashim Shettima to begin, through the National Economic Council (NEC), the process of identifying grazing reserves that can be rehabilitated into ranches or livestock settlements, describing the reform as a crucial step in ending perennial herder–farmer conflicts.

    “Again, especially livestock reform, I think the Vice President should get the NEC first of all to see which villages or grazing reserves can be salvaged or rehabilitated into ranches, livestock settlement.” he said.

    The President stressed that converting grazing areas into viable agricultural and commercial hubs would create jobs, expand economic opportunities, and end conflict cycles.

    “We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform into economically viable development. The opportunity is there, let’s utilise it,” he noted.

    He reminded state governments of their constitutional authority over land and urged them to cooperate in the process.

    “If we emphasize the constitutional requirement which says the land belongs to the states… whichever one they can salvage, convert to a livestock village or herders’ village. Let us stop this conflict area and turn it into economic opportunities and prosperity,” the President said.

    The renewed directive comes amid the administration’s ongoing security overhaul and the push to modernise Nigeria’s livestock industry as part of broader agricultural reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

  • Ndume: Tinubu’s security measures delivering results

    Ndume: Tinubu’s security measures delivering results

    • …uges northern governors to emulate Zulum

    Former Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, on Wednesday, declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent security interventions are already yielding visible results across the country.

    Ndume made the assertion in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, praising the President’s “decisive and coordinated actions” against terrorists and bandits.

    His comments came weeks after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on insecurity following a surge in kidnappings, including the abduction of schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, pupils of St Mary’s Catholic school in Papiri, Niger State; and worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.

    Ndume said the President’s directive to the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately deploy already-trained forest guards has strengthened counterterrorism operations.

    According to him, the deployment has boosted the morale and operational efficiency of security forces battling criminal groups hiding in remote forests.

    “The directive to engage forest guards, coupled with their training, has gone a long way to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Army, and they are happy with that too,” Ndume said.

    He also commended the federal government’s recent improvements in the welfare of security personnel, especially the Nigerian Army.

    While acknowledging that salaries have been doubled, Ndume argued that the remuneration still falls short when compared with other armed forces in the sub-region.

    “I can see visible improvements in terms of cooperation between the Armed Forces and other security agencies. That is very commendable,” he added.

    The Borno South lawmaker highlighted progress in military equipment and logistics, noting upgrades in uniforms, protective gear, and weaponry. But he insisted that more investment is needed in frontline assets.

    “Government must do more by giving priority to arms and ammunition needed at the theatre of operations. They need to procure more attack helicopters, add more Armoured Personnel Carriers and gun trucks,” he said.

    Ndume also applauded Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum for what he described as unwavering commitment to defeating insurgency in the North East.

    He said Zulum has invested over N100 billion to support the Nigerian Army, Civilian JTF, Police, and other security agencies, efforts he believes have significantly boosted military operations.

    “That has complemented the work of the Nigerian Army. That’s very commendable. I urge other governors in the North to emulate him,” Ndume said.

    The Borno South lawmaker maintained that while the security improvements are encouraging, sustained funding, political will, and regional cooperation remain crucial to ending terrorism and restoring peace across the North.

  • Don backs Tinubu’s Benin Republic intervention

    Don backs Tinubu’s Benin Republic intervention

    A former federal lawmaker and political scholar, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to deploy Nigerian military assets to the Benin Republic, saying the action falls within the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

    He also warned that the rising wave of military takeovers in West Africa is a symptom of deep public frustration and unrealistic expectations of government.

    Prof. Alabi made these remarks on Tuesday while featuring on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, which was monitored.

    Starting with the controversy surrounding President Tinubu’s quick approval for troop deployment after the attempted coup in the Republic of Benin, Prof. Alabi said many critics are misinterpreting the law. 

    According to him, nothing in the Constitution bars the Commander-in-Chief from taking urgent military action during a security emergency.

    He said, “What people are quoting is not what the Constitution says. The President does not need approval before he deploys troops. What the Constitution says is that he cannot keep the military on foreign soil for more than seven days without approaching the National Assembly. There is a clear difference.”

    Prof. Alabi argued that urgent security situations rarely allow leaders the luxury of legislative consultations. 

    “If you wait for the House to convene, debate and pass a resolution every time a crisis breaks out, no country would survive. In global security practice, action usually comes first, followed by formal communication. When Obama authorised the operation against Osama bin Laden, Americans heard about it only after the mission had been completed.”

    He added that if Nigerian troops are deployed only to stabilise an unfolding situation, “the next lawful step is for the President to notify the National Assembly. If lawmakers ratify it, the operation continues. If they don’t, the troops are withdrawn. That’s what the Constitution envisages.”

    Asked why the government appears slower in responding to internal security issues compared to the rapid intervention in the Republic of Benin, Prof. Alabi cautioned against comparing situations that involve different kinds of threats. 

    “When coup plotters seize a radio station in a capital city, their location is known. Neutralising them is straightforward. But bandits and Boko Haram fighters operate inside forests and ungoverned spaces. Tracking them is far more difficult. Even the most advanced countries struggle with guerrilla warfare”, he added.

    Turning to the surge in coups across West Africa, the former legislator said the trend reflects the anger and desperation felt by citizens who are dealing with economic hardship and shattered expectations. 

    “These coups are a product of failed hopes. Young people believe the military will just walk in today and reduce a bag of rice from 60,000 to 10,000 naira. They didn’t live through the Abacha era, so they romanticise military rule”, he added.

    He warned that military governments have historically worsened poverty and inequality. “A civilian president can be changed after four years. A bad military ruler gives you no such hope. People forget this too quickly.”

    Prof. Alabi also spoke about Nigeria’s political culture, which he believes plays a major role in the quality of leadership the country produces. Drawing from his own experience contesting elections, he said the influence of money has grown dramatically over the years.

    Read Also: Education budget has risen by N1.98tr under Tinubu, says Vice President Shettima

    “In 1999, things were different. By 2015, a colleague told me he spent almost 6,000 dollars on just one ward. Many people borrow or sell property to contest. When such people win, their first mission is to recover what they spent before they even think about governance”, he recalled.

    He argued that voters share part of the blame. “We complain about leaders. But followers also shape the behaviour of leaders. When you collect money to vote, you have sold your right to demand accountability. Politics becomes a transaction, and governance suffers.”

    The professor stressed that real change requires deep civic education, saying, “Democracy cannot work when citizens don’t understand their role. People want hospitals and roads, yet many still collect money on election day. Institutions, not individuals, drive real development. If the system is weak, even good leaders will struggle.”

    Speaking on the economy, Prof. Alabi acknowledged the severe hardship Nigerians are facing but said painful reforms often precede recovery. 

    He noted, “Nobody is happy with the current situation, but when you remove subsidies and restructure revenue systems, prices initially rise. Many prosperous countries passed through this phase.”

    He said the government must communicate more clearly to maintain public confidence, noting, “People want to feel that leaders also understand the pain. If citizens see genuine efforts to cut waste and fight corruption, they will endure hardship with more patience.”

    Asked to identify the biggest obstacle to good governance in Nigeria, Prof. Alabi said the problem lies in “the disconnect between the expectations of leaders and the expectations of followers. Leaders often think long term, while citizens think short term.

    “Until both sides adjust, we will keep repeating the same cycle. Leaders must prioritise governance, not self-enrichment. Followers must vote with sense, not with stomach. When people stop selling votes, politicians will stop buying them”, he stressed.

    Prof. Alabi concluded by emphasising that Nigeria’s future depends on stronger institutions, honest political engagement and a more informed electorate. “The moment citizens understand their power, Nigeria will move forward faster than many expect,” he said.

  • All for all

    All for all

    • Present Tinubu’s security measures call for the cooperation of all citizens

    Almost immediately after President Donald Trump’s threat, early in November, to stop aid, impose sanctions and possibly order military intervention in Nigeria to dislodge Islamic terrorists and check alleged Christian genocide in the country, there was a spike in violent insurgent activities in a number of states across the country. These included abduction of school children in Kebbi and Niger States as well as worshippers in a church in Eruku, Kwara State; kidnap of travelers and other citizens in parts of Kogi State and the killing of General Musa Uba, Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade in Damboa, Borno State, following the ambush of his troops by terrorists while on a reconnaissance patrol.

    It is difficult to dismiss the perception that the increase in the tempo of onslaughts against innocent citizens by bandits and terrorists was deliberately ochestrated to goad the American leader into carrying out his threat to attack Nigeria. The enemies of a peaceful, stable and cohesive Nigeria obviously anticipate that any unilateral external military action against terrorism in Nigeria will most likely have irreversible disastrous consequences including the destabilization and disintegration of the country.

    Instructively, however, even before the threat by Trump, President Bola Tinubu had undertaken a major reshuffling of the country’s military high command with the appointment of new Service Chiefs for the armed forces who were given marching orders to intensify and decisively defeat all forms of insurgency including terrorism, banditry and herdsmen violence. It is commendable that the President has since followed this up by declaring a national security emergency to contain the deteriorating situation and given specific directives on actions to be taken to restore normalcy and safety throughout Nigeria.

    From all indications, right wing American politicians, including President Trump, have realized that they were probably misled by disaffected Nigerian lobby groups into believing that there is ongoing Christian genocide in the country. Thus, the current preoccupation with high security level cooperation and coordination by both countries to counter the protracted multifaceted insurgency in Nigeria that has indiscriminately targeted people of diverse faiths, ethnicities, ages and genders.

    Yet, the truth is that if the Nigerian State had,  over the last one and a half decades that the insurgency has lasted, lived up to its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of its citizenry, there would have been no basis for Trump’s threat of external military intervention. President Tinubu’s national security emergency measures indicate a determination to act decisively to address the insecurity challenges at the roots and it is important that all stakeholders across levels of government and partisan political divides as well as in civil society work in concert to ensure success in this regard.

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    The stamp of authority given by the President for the establishment of State Police, a cardinal feature of the emergency measures, will help accelerate the process of enabling sub-national units to establish their own police outfits. From sustained opposition to the idea of State Police in substantial parts of the country for a long time, a consensus has over time been reached that it is a structural change in our security architecture that has become imperative. All 36 State governors as well as key socio-cultural groups across the six geo-political zones have since endorsed the concept.

    President Tinubu’s succinct and explicit call on the National Assembly “to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them” should help break the inexplicable inertia that had stalled the much needed decentralization of our policing system. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is insufficiently manned to effectively secure a polity the size of Nigeria. Consequently, large swathes of land throughout the country have no security presence and are ungoverned spaces taken over by destabilizing non-state actors.

    We do not anticipate that any state government will be averse to establishing its own police outfit. After all, sub-national units of government now recieve substantially higher allocations from the Federation Account following the administration’s fiscal reforms. And the necessity of setting up and funding State police outfits should also compel State governors to more judiciously and productively utilize their security votes.

    Besides, in a complex plural, federal polity like ours, the ideal is for states to control police outfits recruited from local jurisdictions who are familiar with the peculiarities of their respective areas including the languages and cultures of the people as well as the geographical terrain. This will enhance operational efficiency and efficacy. We expect that the laws enabling State Police will provide sufficient checks and balances as well as operational guidelines to prevent the kind of abuses of native authority police by the regional governments of the First Republic. The over 11,500 men already withdrawn from providing security cover to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) will also boost police manpower while also creating opportunities for enterprising persons to set up qualitative, well regulated private security companies.

    Equally welcome is the authorization granted the NPF to recruit an additional 20, 000 men thus bringing the total of fresh incoming personnel to 50,000. It is important that the upgrade and modernization of Police training schools in the country earlier ordered by the President be expedited to allow for qualitative training of the new intakes. We also call on the police authorities to avoid blunders witnessed during such exercises in the past when new personnel were recruited with no provisions made for their accommodation for long periods.

    Another key component of the emergency security measures is the President’s directive to the Department of State Services (DSS) to “immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forest”. The activation of the forest security architecture will address a critical source of danger to lives and property in the country. It is estimated that the country has a total of 1,129 gazetted forest reserves in addition to eight national parks as well as several game reserves and sanctuaries.

    Most of these have been virtually abandoned thus enabling undesirable elements including non-Nigerians to take over these spaces and run what can be described as autonomous communities in these forests. It is from the forests that terrorists and bandits emerge in most cases to attack communities and highways and where they retreat with their kidnap victims. Clearing the forests of criminals and ensuring effective continued security presence in those spaces will eliminate the vacuum exploited by terrorists and bandits to destabilize the country and snuff out innocent lives.

    The activities of bandits, terrorists and other undesirable elements in the forests including illegal land clearing and unauthorized timber logging have also compounded the very serious problem of massive deforestation in the country with devastating consequences. These, according to experts, include  loss of biodiversity, exacerbated soil erosion, water scarcity, altered local climate and disruption of livelihoods for forest-dependent communities. Nigeria must urgently take ownership of the security and governance of her forest spaces.

    We urge President Tinubu to set up a coordinating committee to oversee the implementation of the various emergency measures as well as give specific timelines for the attainment of specified targets.

  • HJRBDA boss hails Tinubu over rescue of Kebbi, Niger abducted students

    HJRBDA boss hails Tinubu over rescue of Kebbi, Niger abducted students

    Managing Director of Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Alhaji Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, on Tuesday commended President Bola Tinubu for his decisive and personal intervention in the successful rescue operations of the abducted students from Kebbi and Niger States.

    All the 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu local government area of Kebbi State, have been rescued.

    Also, 100 of the total 227 students, including 12 teachers, abducted from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger state, have returned safely to their families.

    Meanwhile, the rescue operation has been intensified, with renewed efforts to secure the release of the remaining 115 pupils and their teachers, as well as the safe return of all victims.

    In a statement issued from his office in Kano, Alhaji Bichi expressed profound appreciation for the president’s demonstration of “exceptional leadership and deep-seated concern” for the security and welfare of Nigerian citizens.

    “We must acknowledge and sincerely appreciate President Bola Tinubu for his great concern and bold moves taken in rescuing our precious children.

    “History shows that while past administrations often limited their response to strong condemnations, President Tinubu went a decisive step further by personally aborting an important international trip to Johannesburg to commandeer the rescue mission.

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    “This hands-on approach underscores a new proactive standard in leadership at the highest level,” Alhaji Bichi stated.

    The HJRBDA boss observed what he described as a concerning trend in public discourse, where tragedies are met with swift condemnation of the government and blame placed on the president, often with accusations of inaction.

    “It has become a pattern that when such heartbreaking tragedies strike, the focus is predominantly to blame the government and the president for allowing it to happen or for perceived delays in response.

    “However, there is a palpable reluctance to extend credit to where it is due when the same president and our security forces, especially the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, demonstrated courage, dedication, and ultimately averted greater catastrophe, rescuing the victims,” he noted.

    Alhaji Bichi emphasised that while holding leadership accountable is a vital aspect of democracy, fairness demands that exemplary acts of courage and successful operations should also attract national acknowledgment and support. This, he argued, strengthens national morale, motivates security agencies, and, in this regard, will encourage the leaders to ensure the successful rescue of all the kidnapped victims.

    According to Bichi, the successful rescue of the affected students is a victory for the nation, made possible by the president’s direct involvement and the tireless efforts of our security personnel.

    He noted, “Let us be a people who are balanced in our engagement—constructive in criticism, but also generous in praise where praise is earned. This is essential for building a united front against the challenges we face.”

    Bichi reiterated the commitment of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority under his leadership in supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government, particularly in fostering sustainable development and security in communities.

  • Tinubu unveils new youth-empowerment drive

    Tinubu unveils new youth-empowerment drive

    …as FG announces startup grants, digital work platform

    …Nigeria’s youth are our demographic advantage — Edun

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday restated that empowering Nigeria’s youth remains a “deeply personal” priority of his administration, as the federal government rolled out a new suite of digital-skills and enterprise-support programmes aimed at preparing young Nigerians for global competitiveness.

    Speaking at the launch of the second edition of the Nigeria Youth Academy (NiYA) Startup Grants and the unveiling of the NiYA Gig digital-work platform in Abuja, the President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, said youth empowerment is central to the nation’s future and the engine of his Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “From the earliest days of this administration, I made a firm decision that Nigeria’s youth will not stand on the margins of our national development. This commitment is not political; it is personal,” he said.

    Tinubu highlighted ongoing reforms to expand opportunities for youth-led enterprises, including easing tax compliance for small businesses, incentivising the digital and creative economy, and building a pipeline of young global service providers through the NiYA Academy, NiYA Startup, NiYA Jobs, and the newly launched NiYA Gigs.

    He commended the Ministry of Youth Development for widening the programme’s reach after the debut edition drew more than 14,000 applications nationwide.

    Earlier, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the administration is constructing a comprehensive youth-empowerment ecosystem covering skills acquisition, enterprise creation, and income generation.

    He announced grants of N1 million each for 200 youth-led startups and N500,000 each for 100 beneficiaries in the informal sector, describing the funds as “not loans, but fuel for your journey.”

    He also launched NiYA Gig, a national digital-work platform intended to link young Nigerians to paid opportunities locally and globally, while highlighting the success of initiatives such as the Nigerian Youth Help Desk and a WhatsApp AI Chatbot that has already engaged more than one million young people.

    Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said the Federal Government is preparing Nigeria’s youthful population for global competition by investing in digital infrastructure, skills training, and innovation.

    “Nigeria’s youth are our demographic advantage. With proper preparation, young Africans will make up 25 percent of the world’s workforce by 2050,” he said, noting that expanded broadband access and automation will enable young Nigerians to export digital services without leaving the country.

    Also speaking, Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite Udoka, said ongoing financial-sector reforms would ease access to credit, expand concessional loans, strengthen tax incentives, and scale digital infrastructure for youth-led MSMEs.

    “These initiatives are deliberately designed to stimulate entrepreneurship and deepen the creativity that defines the Nigerian spirit,” she said.

    In a goodwill message, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described Nigeria’s digitally fluent young population as a major national asset.

    “Our human capital, our talent, is our new oil,” he said, noting that more than 70 percent of the country’s 230 million citizens are under 18.

    Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said achieving President Tinubu’s ambition of a $1 trillion economy depends on unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s youth, adding that reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will convert the scheme into a launchpad for future-oriented careers.

    Speakers at the event agreed that Nigeria’s economic future will be driven by the skills, creativity, and enterprise of its young population, with the government constructing a national empowerment framework to help them rise.