Author: gqSbgCfmna

At least six health workers were abducted in the early hours of Saturday when suspected gunmen attacked a Primary Healthcare Centre in Akure, Ondo State.

The assailants reportedly stormed the facility in the Oke Ijebu area of the state capital at about 2:00 a.m., catching medical personnel and patients unprepared.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen arrived in a vehicle, forced their way into the premises, and rounded up health workers on night duty.

Those taken included nurses, other essential medical staff, and interns assisting at the centre at the time of the incident.

A patient who escaped the attack said some of the interns on duty were also abducted. She described the operation as swift and coordinated, leaving little room for resistance.

‘The incident happened around 2:00 a.m. They came in and forced people into a vehicle,’ she said.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said security operatives responded promptly after receiving a distress call.

He disclosed that the victims have been rescued, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible.

‘We were able to rescue the victims and we are on the trail of the perpetrators. I will give more details soon,’ he said.

The incident caused panic at the facility, with patients and nearby residents fleeing for safety.

The attack has heightened concerns in Akure, as residents expressed fears over insecurity and the vulnerability of public institutions, including healthcare facilities.

The development added to a series of kidnapping incidents in parts of Ondo State, raising fresh concerns about the safety of health workers and the need for strengthened security across critical sectors.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has reaffirmed the union’s commitment to empowering women journalists, as she called for greater inclusivity and professionalism in the media space.

Comrade Ike made this known at a capacity-building training organised by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter, in partnership with the German Embassy, to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day in Abuja.

Represented by the Treasurer of the Council, Comrade Sandra Chukwugekwu, the NUJ Chairman described the theme of the training, ‘Empowering Women Journalists for Democratic Governance and Social Change,’ as both timely and necessary.

‘It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of pride that I welcome you all to this important event,’ she said. ‘Women journalists continue to play a critical role in shaping narratives, holding leaders accountable, and amplifying the voices of the underserved.’

She, however, acknowledged the persistent challenges facing women in the media, including gender bias, limited leadership opportunities, and safety concerns in the field.

‘This is why gatherings like this are so important. They provide not just a platform for learning, but a space for reflection, growth, and solidarity,’ she added.

Comrade Ike reaffirmed the NUJ FCT Council’s dedication to promoting professionalism and inclusivity, particularly through capacity-building initiatives targeted at women journalists.

She also commended the leadership of NAWOJ FCT, led by Chairperson Comrade Bassey Ita Ikpang, for organising the training, and appreciated the German Embassy for its continued support towards media development and gender empowerment.

‘This collaboration is a strong reminder that when institutions work together, the impact is deeper and more sustainable,’ she noted.

Earlier, the Chairperson of NAWOJ FCT, Comrade Bassey Ita Ikpang, said the training was designed to equip female journalists with essential skills in investigative reporting, ethical journalism, gender-sensitive storytelling, and leadership.

‘At a time when the media plays a pivotal role in shaping public discourse, it is essential that women journalists are not only visible but empowered to influence narratives and promote accountability,’ Ikpang stated.

She described the initiative as a deliberate effort to build a strong and resilient network of women journalists capable of driving social change.

Representing the German Embassy, Spokesperson Mr. Felix Haala said the partnership was aimed at strengthening the capacity of female journalists and amplifying their voices in Nigeria’s media landscape.

‘Nigeria has a large media landscape with many talented women journalists. Strengthening their capacity and networks will ensure their voices are heard. Without female journalists, there is no development,’ he said.

In a keynote address, NAWOJ National President, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, urged participants to go beyond storytelling and become advocates for truth and drivers of societal transformation.

She described the collaboration between NAWOJ and the German Embassy as commendable, noting that the national body would continue to support initiatives that promote women’s development.

Delivering a lecture, CEO of Valor Communications, Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe, emphasised the importance of investigative journalism and fact-checking in combating misinformation.

‘No matter the pressure, the golden rule remains: when in doubt, leave it out,’ he advised.

Also speaking, former NAWOJ National President, Comrade Ladi Bala, encouraged participants to embrace gender-sensitive reporting and support one another in leadership roles.

She noted that women remain underrepresented in media narratives and called for more inclusive reporting.

‘The issue of justice, rights, and action is needed in the media space. Women are still grossly marginalised in the pattern of our reportage,’ she said.

Participants at the training described the programme as insightful and impactful, expressing confidence that the knowledge gained would enhance their professional practice and storytelling.

The Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) has commended MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited for launching its Quick Response Team (QRT), describing the initiative as a major step toward improving electricity service delivery across Enugu State.

The customer-focused system, unveiled recently at the company’s corporate headquarters in Enugu, is designed to drastically reduce fault repair time and enhance responsiveness to electricity consumers.

Speaking at the commissioning, EERC lauded MainPower for prioritising service delivery through innovation and proactive planning, noting that the introduction of the QRT aligns with the state’s broader vision for a more efficient and reliable power sector.

The commission particularly praised the Disco for putting in place the necessary logistics and operational structure required to ensure the success of the initiative.

A new survey of driver-partners on the Bolt platform in Nigeria has revealed that rider behaviour plays a major role in how passengers are rated after trips, with 76% of drivers identifying rudeness or verbal aggression as the leading reason for giving low ratings.

The survey, which gathered responses from more than 1,800 drivers nationwide, highlights the growing importance of respectful interactions in Nigeria’s ride-hailing ecosystem.

According to the findings, payment disputes were the second most common reason for low ratings (49%), followed by safety concerns (42%) and cases where riders left vehicles dirty or caused damage (42%).

The results challenge common assumptions that ratings are primarily influenced by operational issues such as traffic delays or route disagreements. Instead, they suggest that everyday rider behaviour is the strongest determinant of driver feedback.

Commenting on the results, Bolt’s Senior General Manager, West Africa, Teddy Appa-Dankyi said: ‘Many riders are aware they rate drivers after trips, but fewer realise drivers also rate passengers.’

The Lions Club International has urged the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the Osun State Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA) to broaden their healthcare coverage to better cater for children suffering from cancer and sickle cell disease.

The club, through Achievers Lion Club service chairperson, Kayode Faniran, stressed the need for inclusive policies that will ease the financial burden on affected families and improve access to life-saving treatment.

Faniran, speaking during the club’s advocacy visit to the health insurance agency office in Osogbo, Osun State, said the visit was aimed at pushing for policies that would improve access to healthcare for vulnerable children to reduce pressure on the parents.

According to him, we are here today on an advocacy visit to the state coordinator and his team, and our main purpose is to advocate for the inclusion of the NHIS coverage of children living with cancer and sickle cell anaemia.

‘Our visit here has enlightened us because the discussion we had that NHIA is already working towards providing coverage, and at the moment, there is an intervention for cancer not necessarily childhood cancer but people of all ages who are living with cancer, and at the moment we are made to understand that there are packages that cover those health conditions to some extent.’

Faniran, however, emphasised that more needs to be done, particularly for children, urging the authority to move beyond partial support to full coverage.

He added: ‘So what we are advocating for is the total coverage to really alleviate the suffering of the parents who have people leaving with cancer and sickle cell anaemia.’

In his remarks, the Head of Programs at the NHIA Osogbo Office, Agunbiade Musa, disclosed that the Federal Government, through the NHIA, has developed several interventions aimed at supporting cancer patients across all age groups, adding that individuals living with sickle cell anaemia are covered under the NHIA, provided they are properly enrolled in the scheme.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of OSHIA, Dr. Razaq Akindele, said the agency’s package is yet to cover those areas, adding that the possibility of exploring those areas is not foreclosed.

Ramadan is a sacred season marked by reflection, generosity, and togetherness. Throughout the holy month, Muslims gathered at Sahur and Iftar, sharing meals, supporting one another, and embracing acts of kindness in pursuit of spiritual fulfilment.

This year, as these moments unfolded across communities in Nigeria, Knorr brought its annual ‘Share The Good’ campaign to life, reaching over 33,000 Muslims with meaningful experiences.

Throughout the season, the seasoning brand showed up where it mattered most, joining fasting Muslims across the country in breaking their fast through scheduled Iftar visits to mosques and community centres with the ‘Share The Good’ bus, which made stops in Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, Abuja, Ondo, Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, and Adamawa. From sharing warm meals to quiet acts of kindness that brought people together, each interaction reflected the deeper spirit of Ramadan: generosity, gratitude, and togetherness.

Knorr’s Share the Good extended beyond physical gatherings into everyday life. Through weekly interactive cooking sessions on Instagram, Knorr invited families to bring the experience home by offering practical recipes for Sahur and Iftar, while encouraging more mindful, nourishing meals throughout the fasting period.

Recognising that connection also means staying in touch, especially during a busy season of movement, Knorr introduced the Share The Good Wi-Fi Initiative, providing free internet access to more than 10,000 people at key train stations along the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna routes on the 18th and 19th of February. Other key locations included bus terminals and high-traffic communal spaces such as the Ikeja bus park, the Blue Line rail, YabaTech hostels, the MMA2 food court, and NRC rail lines. Designed to support commuters and travellers, this initiative ensured that even on the move, people could remain connected to what matters, whether it was to reach loved ones or stay informed. Knorr also distributed tasty meals to commuters upon arrival at their destinations.

As Ramadan drew to a close, Knorr joined Muslim faithful at several prayer grounds across the country to commemorate the successful completion of the holy month. From the NASFAT Prayer Ground along Ibadan Expressway and the Lagos State Secretariat Eid Ground, Alausa, to Quareeb Ajayi Farm Eid Ground, Ikeja; Teslim Balogun Eid Ground; Lugbe Eid Ground; Barbara Eid Ground; Agga Islamic Centre, Yola; Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari; Yidi Ground, Oba Ile Road, Akure; Central Eid Praying Ground, Agodi Gate, Ibadan; and Ilorin New Yidi Road, Ilorin.

Reflecting on this year’s ‘Share the Good’ campaign, Foods Demand Creation Lead at Unilever Plc, Damilola Dania, said, ‘Ramadan is a time that brings people closer through shared reflection, generosity, and community. Through ‘Share The Good’, we remain focused on showing up in meaningful ways, from sharing meals at Iftar tables to connecting with people in their homes and supporting them even while on the move. As we continue to expand our reach, our goal remains to create moments that reflect the kindness and togetherness that define the season.’

The brand rep further reinforced this commitment during a Ramadan special episode of Rubbin’ Minds TV show on Channels TV with Zainab Aderounmu, where she spoke on the full scope of Knorr’s ‘Share the Good’ Ramadan campaign. She also touched on how the success of this campaign clearly reflects Knorr’s meaningful impact and intentionality across Nigeria over the years.

Through Ramadan and beyond, Knorr continues to play a meaningful role in strengthening the bonds that unite families and communities. With a significant initiative like ‘Share The Good’, the brand remains committed to making wholesome meals more accessible while nurturing a culture of generosity, kindness and connection.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, officially declared the 4th National Wrestling Classics open, hailing the tournament’s role in cementing the state’s status as a premier sporting hub.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Nimibofa Ayawei, the Governor noted that the championship-already in its second day of action-has captivated fans with remarkable displays of skill and agility. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to sports infrastructure, highlighting the ongoing construction of a 25,000-capacity stadium slated for completion next year ahead of the 2028 National Sports Festival.

In his welcome address, the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi , praised the Governor’s ‘unwavering sponsorship.’ Adeniyi, who also serves as the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, noted that the back-to-back hosting of major sporting events in Yenagoa-following the recent Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Congress-proves the city is ‘firmly entrenched on the national sports map.’

Adeniyi emphasized a ‘grassroots-first’ strategy, citing the recent inclusion of wrestling in the Nigeria University Games (NUGA) and regional training in the Republic of Benin as evidence of the sport’s growth.

‘The welfare of athletes is at the heart of our approach,’ Adeniyi stated, announcing enhanced prize money and logistics subsidies for all participating teams. He also introduced new features to the Classics, including Beach Wrestling and a dedicated Games Village providing meals and accommodation for contingents.

The NWF boss concluded with a stern reminder on discipline, asserting a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy for unruly conduct among athletes and officials. The ceremony was punctuated by a vibrant parade of state contingents and a performance by the Bayelsa State Cultural Troupe.

Nasarawa North Senatorial District, comprising three local governments, Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon and Wamba areas, have become a major political focal point in the state, driven by intense pressure from all and sundry calling on Governor Abdullahi Sule to proceed to the Senate to represent them at the red chambers come 2027.

At the moment, the Senatorial zone stands at a defining crossroads in its history. From the bustling streets of Akwanga to the vibrant, resilient communities of Nasarawa Eggon and Wamba areas, a quiet but urgent question echoes in the hearts of the people: What kind of representation will Governor Abdullahi Sule give them in 2027 when he is elected into the Senate?

For many, the dream is simple, yet profoundly powerful. It is the dream of a Senatorial zone where opportunity is not the privilege of a few, but the birthright of all. Representations where hard work is rewarded, and where a child born in the most remote village can rise, get recognition, be empowered through scholarship or a job to succeed, and thrive against all odds.

It’s this shared longing, this collective hope, that breathes life into leaders at all levels, stakeholders, traditional leaders and opinion leaders to champion an Abdullahi Sule Senatorial bid with the firm belief that only he can offer such a representation.

An envisaged representation the zone has never witnessed since its creation in 1999, from late Senator Patrick Agah (1999-2003), Senator John Danboyi (2003-2007), Senator Patricia Akwashiki (2007-2011), Senators Yusuf Musa Nagogo/Solomon Ewuga (2011-2015), and Senator Philip Aruwa Gyunka (2015-2019) only represented their pockets as the impacts of their representation were not felt anywhere in the entire Senatorial district.

It’s gathered that only the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki (2019-2025), who gave a true account of himself and properly defined what selfless representation means, the people of Nasarawa North will not forget in a hurry the footprints of Senator Godiya Akwashiki’s legacy.

Governor Abdullahi Sule’s mission is clear and unwavering, he has done it as a governor, to build a state that is peaceful, united, innovative, and truly prosperous; and in 2027, to offer a representation that is not distant or detached, but deeply rooted in selfless service to the people, because true representation is not about occupying a seat of power at the chamber and warming it like the previous occupants, it is about igniting possibilities and transforming them into reality.

Sule’s covenant with the people of Nasarawa North is not merely political, it is deeply personal. It is a commitment shaped by global exposure, sharpened by competent representation, anchored in an unshakable belief in the potential of his people.

Over the years, he has earned a reputation as a strategic thinker and result oriented technocrat working in the oil and gas industry, one who understands how to mobilise people, ideas and resources towards lasting transformation. His journey reflects the kind of representation Nasarawa North has long yearned for: visionary yet practical, bold yet inclusive, and grounded in service.

Prominent among those agitating for Governor Abdullahi Sule to go to the Senate apart from traditional leaders, elected and political leaders, youths and women groups, as well as all stakeholders, is the Executive Chairman, Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board, NSUBEB, Dr Kassim Muh’d Kassim.

Dr Kassim told our correspondent exclusively that the major reason why the entire people of Nasarawa North want the governor to proceed to the Senate is to crown him as the political leader of the zone as no other politician from the geo-political zone will have his profile couple with his constant advocate for fairness, equity and justice.

The SUBEB boss said, as governor of the State, Engr Abdullahi Sule has ensured that the three local government areas that make up Nasarawa North got a fair share of projects distribution and economic empowerment as well as political appointments.

‘We believe that, if elected Senator for our zone, he will continue to speak for fairness, equity and justice for the people of the zone and the state at large, if you can remember vividly, Governor Abdullahi Sule was the first Northern Governor to declare in 2023 that it’s the turn of the South to produce the next president of the country after late President Buhari’s 8 years.

‘Again, Governor Abdullahi Sule was the first Governor from the Northern part of the country to declare that for fairness, equity and Justice for the people of the southern part of the country, fully endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu second term bid in 2027 to complete 8 years in the spirit of fairness ,equity and Justice.

‘Back home in Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule is the one championing that for fairness, equity and justice, the next governor of the State should come from Nasarawa West, he started this agitation from day one and up to this movement, he has not looked back, as according to him, he is not zoning the Governorship to the western zone to please anybody but for fairness, togetherness, equity and Justice’ Dr Kassim said

He noted that, apart from the governor’s background in the oil and gas sector, deep knowledge in the financial sector and international connections, ‘his going to the Senate will put Nasarawa North on a global stage and open the zone for strategic business partnership and strengthen ties with international investors to do business in Nasarawa State.

‘His acceptance to run for the Senate alone is a milestone, and I can assure you that one among his top agenda, apart from attracting infrastructural development in different sectors, economic empowerment and job creation, Governor Abdullahi Sule will speak for fairness, equity and Justice in all matters that he is involved, and that is his hallmark,’ he said.

Historically, the creation of Nasarawa State in 1996 by General Sani Abacha’s regime significantly transcended providence. It was largely the outcome of a tenacious struggle for the emancipation of the people of the then Plateau South by the founding fathers of the State.

Both perceptually and in reality, it was a sustained agitation against injustice meted to a people (Nasarawa) who were honest, patient, intelligent and hardworking. The spirit of the dogged struggle was to birth and bequeath to its people and future generations a state anchored on peace, development, unity, equity and justice.

Akwanga Local Government, the headquarters of Nasarawa North Senatorial District, was originally pencilled down as the capital city, but was moved to Lafia due to some exigencies. Akwanga has come a long way on the side of history. It’s home for all .

The creation of Nasarawa State in 1996 brought unbridled excitement and a sense of accomplishment to the founding fathers. It consummated the liberation of the people of Nasarawa State to live freely in a society founded on the pillars of peace, equity and justice.

As governor of the State, Engr Abdullahi Sule has since the assumption of office in 2019 recommitted himself to the dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers of the state and has been taking the gauntlet of the struggle to fight against injustice, and encourage fairness, equity and justice for all segments of the State.

He has deployed government services to create fair and equal opportunities for every willing citizen to make a living, educate the children, and enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment, while pursuing vigorously, employment generation, enhanced social services and good governance, rural development, security and justice, in accordance with the ideas and aspirations of the founding fathers of the state.

In the last Seven years of his administration, Abdullahi Sule has deployed the state resources fairly to all segments of the state, as well as spread projects in an equal manner and distribute political appointments in a manner no tribe or segments will complain about marginalization.

Recently, in his country home of Gudi, when members of the state executive council, led by the State Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, paid him a sallah homage, Governor Sule finally let the cat out of the bag by openly declaring that he would be running for the Nasarawa North Senatorial District of the State in 2027.

Governor Sule, who had previously made clear that he had no intention of contesting any elective office after completing his tenure, said the pressure from his people had become too strong to ignore.

He told his cabinet members and other delegations that had visited him privately and publicly that calls urging him to contest had not stopped.

He said his original plan was to support someone else for the senatorial seat, a person who had worked hard for him and lost his own election. But that plan ran into trouble when even the man he was trying to help turned around and joined those urging the governor himself to run.

The governor also pointed to the need to provide quality representation for the North in the Senate as a key consideration in his decision, saying the region deserves a strong and effective voice at the national assembly.

‘The overwhelming pressure from my parents, supporters, and people who have worked with me throughout the period is so overwhelming that it is a situation I can reconsider. Every time I have made a statement, I have kept it for the entire six and a half years I have been governor. Every time I said I was going to do something, I did it.

‘Before I became governor, I was highly relevant in this country. I was the managing director of African Petroleum. I got my name from the capital market for that. I am one of the governors who ran one of the most successful companies, at one time the most capitalised company in Nigeria – Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC. I made my name from there. I have done a lot of other things,’ Sule said

He explained that traditional rulers and political leaders from Nasarawa North had been pressing him to run for the Senate.

‘Considering the pressure I am getting from our leaders, and I don’t want it to seem like I’m ignoring their wishes, I have agreed to contest when the time comes,’ he said.

The governor showed appreciation to the stakeholders for their continued support.

He said it was the visit of his traditional ruler from Akwanga, the Chun Mada, HRH Pastor Samson Gamu Yare, who introduced him publicly as the distinguished senator for the zone, and repeated public calls by the paramount rulers of the zone, that finally pushed him to speak openly.

Governor Sule explained that the day before the Sallah gathering at Gudi, at a meeting attended by traditional rulers and senior politicians from across Nasarawa North, he finally gave them his word.

‘With all the pressure coming from our leaders, and so I don’t want them to feel offended that I have not been responding, I promise them I will contest when the time comes,’ he said.

Governor Sule traced his reluctance to the difficult experience of the last governorship election, saying that experience shaped his firm resolve to avoid future electoral contests. He said that the resolve held until the pressure from Nasarawa North became impossible to set aside.

Earlier, APC stakeholders and elders from Nasarawa North Senatorial Zone had thrown their weight behind Governor Abdullahi Sule to represent the zone in the Senate come 2027, saying the governor is too big a figure for any other politician in the zone to challenge.

The endorsement was made on Saturday, March 21st 2026, when the stakeholders and elders paid Sallah homage to the governor at his farm house in Gudi.

Leader of the delegation, Elder Timothy Anjide, a former Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, made this known while delivering a Sallah goodwill message.

Elder Anjide was emphatic on the decision of the stakeholders from the zone regarding Governor Sule’s senate bid.

‘Under the African sky, a thousand fireflies cannot vie with the moon, unless there is no moon. But Engr. Abdullahi Sule is the moon,’ he declared, to loud applause from those gathered.

He told the governor that the people of Akwanga zone, comprising of Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga and Wamba Local Government areas and all 35 electoral wards of the zone, are solidly behind him and that endorsing him for the Senate is simply the right thing to do.

‘It is ethical and in keeping with tradition to reward the sacrifices and the efforts of an illustrious first son of the community. Anything to the contrary will portray the people of Akwanga zone before the world as an ungrateful people,’ he said.

Elder Anjide reminded the gathering that the stakeholders had, on Wednesday, 25th February, 2025, at a public meeting in Hilltop, Akwanga, formally and unanimously endorsed Governor Sule as their only senatorial candidate for 2027. He said that the resolution still stands and nothing has changed.

On his part, Governor Sule explained that traditional rulers and political leaders from Nasarawa North had been pressing him to run for the Senate.

‘Considering the pressure I am getting from our leaders, and I don’t want it to seem like I’m ignoring their wishes, I have agreed to contest when the time comes,’ he said.

The special adviser to Governor Abdullahi Sule on community engagement, Hon Jaafar Loko, who doubles as the convener, Nasarawa North Youth Committee for Governor Abdullahi Sule for Senate 2027, in a statement made available to our correspondent, describes the open declaration as a ‘Triumph of popular will’

According to him, ‘The impetus for this declaration did not originate from within the Governor’s personal ambitions; rather, it was the result of sustained and rigorous pressure from critical stakeholders across the Nasarawa North Senatorial District.

‘These stakeholders, comprising traditional rulers, political elders, youth groups, and professional bodies, have consistently argued that the zone requires a representative with the experience, national reach, and proven track record that Governor Sule possesses.

‘As the snippet of recent political events suggests, the Governor was ‘compelled’ by these voices. In democratic theory, when the ‘will of the people’ becomes an overwhelming ‘Clarion call,’ a leader’s refusal to answer is often viewed not as a sign of integrity, but as an abdication of responsibility.

‘It is a well -documented fact that Governor Abdullahi Sule has often expressed a desire to step back from the frontlines of elective politics after completing his second term as Governor. His initial reluctance was not a lack of commitment to Nasarawa North, but a personal preference for a different path of service. However, the essence of the ‘Clarion call’ is that it leaves little room for personal choice when the collective future of a people is at stake.

‘True leadership is the ability to set aside one’s personal comfort and private plans when the people one serves demand a higher level of commitment. It is not a retraction of words to change course when the compass is being held by the hands of the electorate.’

‘By conceding to this demand, Governor Sule is affirming that his life and career remain an instrument of the people’s aspirations. This is the hallmark of a statesman, one who understands that the office belongs to the people, and the decision to serve in it is ultimately theirs to make.

‘To frame this declaration as a ‘retraction’ is to ignore the fundamental dynamics of representative democracy. A retraction implies a failure of character; a concession to the will of the people implies a success of representation. Governor Sule’s decision is a testament to the vibrancy of the political process in Nasarawa North, where the people are not passive observers but active participants in determining their leadership.

In conclusion, the 2027 Senate bid of Governor Abdullahi Sule should be viewed through the lens of patriotic duty. It is an answer to a call that was too loud to ignore and a mandate too significant to decline. As the state moves toward the 2027 transition, this move ensures that the experience and vision that have defined his governorship will continue to serve the people of Nasarawa North at the highest legislative level in the land,’ the statement added.

For the sake of non-Yoruba speakers, ‘bo le mbe’ loosely means ‘come off it’. It is a language of the street to dismiss false or exaggerated claims. Other street boys will say ‘e kayi nah’ . It is the same thing.

Different reviews have trailed the interview that Senator Bukola Saraki granted Channels TV on Thursday night. In an excerpt of it on Facebook, Saraki claimed that Kwara under his watch was better than Kwara today.

The response he got (please see the attached screenshot) was akin to a story of the fabled Saudi Arabia returnee who said the chicken of Mecca is the height of a storey-building. ‘Alhaji e re nle!’ Calm down, Alhaji.

Even the visually impaired knows there is no basis for comparison between Kwara of yesterday and today. It is not a joke that you will miss your way in Kwara today if you last visited in 2022. You will miss your way! That is the easiest test of the pace of infrastructure development in the state, particularly the capital city.

Senator Saraki expectedly found solace in security issues, especially banditry and terrorism. Yes, the dynamics have changed across West Africa and the Sahel as a whole. We readily acknowledge that banditry and terrorism are a serious problem. We do not make any show of whose deaths are more; a human life is priceless. Every soul we have lost is irreplaceable. May God comfort every grieving family and forgive the dead.

Every resource is being channelled to end the madness of the bad faith actors. The security agencies are never left without the support of the state government. And this is in hundreds of millions of naira every month. Kwara was among the pioneer states to recruit forest guards and it contributed immensely to their welfare till date. In a pragmatic search for solutions, the government is supporting communities to build resilience and curtail the evil. Victims are supported within ethical boundaries that do not cause bigger problems.

We acknowledge that Senator Saraki is at liberty to weaponise this national calamity and the pains of everyone for political effect. The consolation is that people of good conscience can see through the bad politics as the comments under the post showed.

In education, workers’ welfare, social security, healthcare, or fiscal prudence, there is no evidence to corroborate Saraki’s claims, which are, with due respect to His Excellency, mere platitudes. And platitudes are not facts. But they can make us happy. _Truthiness._

His Excellency may revisit my response to his similar claims in 2021, titled ‘A note on the Kwara journey’. It remains relevant for this discourse. But a lot has changed for the better since then. For instance, all the salary and pension debts that the Saraki-inspired administration left have been paid by the Otoge government. It was in billions.

Between 2003 and 2019, a period of 16 years, their Excellencies Saraki and Abdulfatai Ahmed hired a total of 6,098 basic school teachers. Between 2019 and 2025, the Otoge administration hired 8,912 basic school teachers. The Teachers Salary Allowance (TSA), which went into coma in 2012 under a government His Excellency inspired, has been revived. In addition, Kwara under Otoge has just approved peculiar allowance for core civil servants.

Today in Nigeria, Kwara is in the top highest salary payers for medical house officers, a strategy to keep doctors in the public health system. More will be done. His Excellency Saraki may also note the creation and accreditation on the first try by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital. That’s a no mean feat – it means good doctors can be produced and trained whilst serving the people of Kwara State. That’s another legacy of the Otoge administration.

In road construction, institutional memory says the Kwara State Government did a total of 398.73kilometres (including the 120km federal-funded) Chikanda road roads between 2003 and 2019; the Otoge administration has a total of 588.77km to its credit – aside from the 293km tax credit road the Governor facilitated from the Federal Government. The Maths tells the story, even when we look at government’s revenue then and now. A few persons say Kwara now earns more; numbers don’t work that way. It is about what a million naira bought in 2019 and what it buys now.

His Excellency Saraki may also check the current health indices of Kwara State today and yesterday. The latest National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) released by the Federal Ministry of Health adjudged Kwara as the best State for a child to be born and raised with the lowest under-5 mortality rate in Nigeria. Last week, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the enlistment of a large section of civil servants into the health insurance following an earlier negotiation with the labour.

That is a first in our state. How? Yes, the Ahmed administration passed the health insurance law in 2017, but it didn’t implement it in any way. This administration activated it and we have at least 120,000 already enjoying health insurance this minute – apart from the civil servants who are to be brought into the net.

The Otoge administration is not perfect. No government in the world is. But His Excellency is advised to quit comparing apples with oranges. They are not the same.

And, finally, Your Excellency Saraki: the Otoge administration did not demolish any home called Ile Arugbo. No one lived there. The government removed a shanty UNLAWFULLY erected on a public land. This happened in 2020. Till date, no one has provided a tissue paper which links ownership of the land to your family. The court once struck out the legal challenge mounted by one Asa Investment, an opaque shell firm whose ‘owners’ at the corporate affairs commission did not include a Saraki.

The public may note that the land, owned by KWSG and meant for collective use, was allocated to one Asa Investment in the early 2000s without a kobo paid to the treasury. This is the brief history of the land.

Now, the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Hospital (formerly civil service clinic) is taking a section of the land, while the remaining lot is hosting a civic centre – both of which are part of the many legacies of Otoge. I’m sure that hospital structure (never seen before in our state) must be the envy of Distinguished Senator Saraki!

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has insisted that His Royal Highness, Michael Eshioronoya Olorunfemi Sado, remained the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella.

Governor Okpebholo vowed to deal with anybody that moves to foment trouble by resorting to self-help in the ongoing dispute over the Okpella traditional stool.

He said the status quo must be maintained pending the outcome of legal processes.

The Edo governor was reacting to a High Court judgement delivered by Hon. Justice O.A Otamere, who ruled Lukeman Akemokue was not given fair hearing by the Edo State government before his appointment was revoked by Okuokpellagbe of Okpella.

Governor Okpebholo, who spoke through his Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Hon Festus Ebea, said steps have been taken to file an appeal and secure a stay of execution.

He noted that maintaining stability in the traditional institution remained critical to preserving peace in the community.

The governor cautioned that acts such as forceful takeover, intimidation, or interference in the affairs of the traditional stool would not be tolerated, noting that security agencies have been placed on red alert to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

Okpebholo vowed not to allow any attempt to undermine judicial authority and appealed to all indigenes and interest groups in Okpella to avoid provocative actions, uphold peace, and allow due process to run its course.

According to him, ‘While the Attorney General of the state had already commenced the process of Appeal and stay of execution, we wish to advise all parties to maintain status-quo, to avoid any breakdown of law and order.

‘Let it be stated clearly that any act of self-help, forceful takeover, intimidation, or disruption of the traditional institution in Okpella by any party whatsoever is illegal, intolerable, and will attract the full weight of the law and no individual should interpret the judgement outside the lawful means as judiciary concludes its work.