‘E boo le mbe’, Your Excellency Senator Saraki!

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!

Kano deputy gov resigns amidst impeachment proceedings

Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, yesterday resigned from his position.

His resignation was announced in a statement by Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed, spokesman of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

Gwarzo said ‘recent circumstances’ had constrained his ability to fulfill his duties effectively. He, however, stated that the decision, ‘though difficult,’ was made in the interest of the people and for the stability of governance in Kano State.

The deputy governor had been facing pressure to resign following Governor Abba Yusuf’s defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Gwarzo, who refused to follow his principal to the ruling party, has been paying his loyalty to the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement Rabiu Kwankwaso, which created suspicion by the Yusuf administration.

Gwarzo’s resignation on Friday came amid impeachment proceedings initiated by the Kano State House of Assembly, citing allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.

38 members of the House, including the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini, who presented the impeachment notice, alleged that Gwarzo collected N66 million per month, amounting to N462 million in seven months as kickbacks from council chairmen when he doubled as the commissioner for local governments.

The lawmakers also alleged that between February and July 2024, the deputy governor received N726 million under the guise of executing special assignments for the councils.

Gwarzo was also accused of facilitating the release of N440 million from the 44 local government areas to Novomed Pharmaceuticals Limited in violation of state procurement and fiscal management l.

The deputy governor denied all the allegations, stating that his records in office demonstrate his integrity and commitment to the people.

Gwarzo said he had resigned to focus on strengthening the Kwankwasiyya Movement ahead of the 2027 general elections, aiming to consolidate its vision of people-oriented leadership, social justice, and sustainable development.

He urged his fans and supporters of the movement to remain calm and law-abiding, with further details to be communicated soon.

The statement reads: ‘The Kwankwasiyya Movement wishes to formally inform the general public, the good people of Kano State, and the entire nation that the Deputy Governor of Kano State has tendered his resignation from office today (Friday).

‘This decision, though difficult, has been taken in the overall interest of the people and the stability of governance in Kano State.

‘Recent circumstances have, to a considerable extent, constrained the full realisation of the benefits and responsibilities attached to the office of the Deputy Governor.

‘In view of this, it has become imperative to allow the office to function optimally in the best interest of the public it is meant to serve.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, this resignation does not in any way constitute an admission of the allegations raised against him by the Kano State House of Assembly.

‘The Deputy Governor maintains his innocence and firmly believes that his records in office and public service remain a testament to his integrity and commitment to the people.

‘Rather, this step is a demonstration of statesmanship and a commitment to peace, political maturity, and the avoidance of unnecessary tensions that may hinder governance and development in the state.’

Credvane Review 2026 – Legit, Safe, or Risky?

Trade Smart with Credvane

Imagine being able to sit back while a smart platform handles all your investment decisions for you. The newly introduced Credvane system promises just that. By blending AI with cutting-edge algorithms, it scans multiple markets and executes trades at optimal moments. The key benefit? Users no longer need to track the markets constantly. Credvane offers ease, flexibility, and the potential for consistent profits.

Credvane Platform Review: Key Highlights

Here’s a quick overview of the essential points covered in this review:

What the Credvane system is and how it functions as an investment and trading platform

Features that set Credvane apart from other platforms in the market

Types of investors and traders who can benefit from using this system

The platform’s adaptive capabilities to analyze market demands and create tailored strategies

Step-by-step guidance to start using the system

Various assets available for users to explore and invest in

How Credvane ensures accurate trading, insights, and alerts with minimal errors

Potential profits traders and investors can achieve with Credvane

Security protocols in place to protect user data and investments

Key advantages and drawbacks of the platform

Final verdict summarizing the platform’s value and investment worthiness

FAQ section addressing common questions investors have about Credvane

What Is the Credvane Platform?

Credvane is designed to make investing simple, even for beginners, helping users make smart, informed decisions. Leveraging advanced AI and sophisticated algorithms, the system monitors price movements, historical and real-time asset data, and other key market information across multiple markets. It can analyze and execute orders in mere milliseconds. With its user-friendly interface, navigating the platform is seamless, and it’s accessible on any device with an internet connection and a web browser.

Step Into the Future with Credvane

What Makes Credvane Stand Out?

Credvane sets itself apart from traditional trading platforms in several ways. It streamlines the entire investment process and executes orders within milliseconds using cutting-edge AI and advanced algorithms. The platform enables investors and traders to access a diverse range of assets, making portfolio diversification simple and efficient.

On the security front, Credvane employs robust safety measures, including encryption, authentication features, and other protective protocols. Unlike many other platforms, it operates without hidden fees or commissions. Users can start with a modest investment and still have the potential to earn significant profits.

Who Can Benefit from Credvane?

Credvane is designed to meet the needs of beginners, experienced investors, those looking to diversify their portfolios, and busy professionals who can’t constantly watch the markets.

For beginners, the platform offers a simple, intuitive dashboard, a demo account, helpful tools and resources, and 24/7 customer support, making it easy to get started. Experienced investors can customize the platform, access detailed insights, and switch between different modes to suit their strategies.

Investors focused on diversification can explore multiple markets and asset types effortlessly. Meanwhile, busy professionals can activate the automated mode and let Credvane handle trading on their behalf.

Getting Started with Credvane

Starting with the Credvane platform takes just a few minutes. Follow these steps:

1. Complete the registration by filling out the signup form with your full name, email, phone number, and location.

2. Verify your account by submitting required documents, such as a valid ID proof.

3. Make a minimum deposit of pound 250, which the system will use to start real-time trading.

4. Customize your strategies, set risk levels, and adjust other settings to match your investment goals.

5. Select either automated or manual mode. You can switch modes anytime during trading.

6. In automated mode, Credvane handles all trading tasks for you. In manual mode, you control asset selection, order execution, and position exits.

Credvane: Smart Investment Starts Here

How Credvane Stays Adaptable

A key strength of the Credvane platform is its remarkable adaptability. The system constantly monitors multiple markets, analyzing data such as price changes, historical trends, and other critical information. It learns from each market’s behavior to create optimized strategies, allowing the platform to pursue profitable opportunities across all market conditions.

Assets You Can Trade on Credvane

Credvane offers a wide range of assets, allowing users to efficiently manage and diversify their portfolios all in one place. Some of the key assets available include:

Cryptocurrencies

Commodities

Bonds

Derivatives

Shares

Futures

Forex pairs

Stocks

Traders and investors can invest in a wide range of assets and expand their portfolios to tackle unfavorable situations like sudden price drops and safeguard investments. With this, users can also earn huge returns.

Credvane – Precision in Trade Execution

The Credvane platform leverages advanced AI-driven algorithms to monitor markets and provide accurate alerts and insights without human interference. This approach removes emotional bias and reduces errors. During sudden price drops, pullbacks, market surges, or other fluctuations, Credvane carefully analyzes the situation and makes informed decisions, ensuring trades are executed and positions closed at the optimal time.

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Credvane – Potential for High Profits

The Credvane system is designed to deliver substantial profits for traders and investors of all levels. By leveraging advanced technology, it analyzes large datasets to spot profitable opportunities. The platform quickly adapts to varying market conditions and executes strategies with precision. This is why its developers claim that even a small investment can generate significant earnings.

Credvane – Security You Can Trust

Credvane ensures a secure trading environment, allowing users to focus fully on their investments. Key security measures include:

Advanced encryption technology to safeguard user data

Authentication features to prevent unauthorized access

Regular system audits to identify issues and enhance performance

Pros and Cons of Credvane

Pros

Easy-to-use interface

Latest AI technology

Live global market analysis

Accurate alerts and insights

Portfolio diversification and risk control

Extra tools and resources

Secure payment options

Fast payouts

Responsive customer support

Strong safety measures

Mobile compatible

High success rate

Suitable for beginners and experts

Cons

Beginner traders may need a little time to fully understand the platform’s features and how it works.

Final Thoughts on Credvane

Credvane stands out as a top investment platform suitable for users of all experience levels. It combines advanced AI technology with sophisticated algorithms to conduct thorough market research, collect valuable data, and provide precise alerts and insights. By removing human bias, it ensures smooth, error-free trading.

The platform offers a range of features, including a demo account, intuitive interface, extra tools and resources, customization options, strong security measures, safe payment methods, 24/7 customer support, and more.

As a web-based system, Credvane is accessible on any device with an internet connection and a browser. Users can start with a minimum investment of pound 250, with no hidden fees or commissions.

Credvane Makes Trading Effortless

Credvane – Frequently Asked Questions

Is Credvane accessible on mobile devices?

Yes. Being a web-based platform, Credvane can be accessed easily on smartphones and other devices with a stable internet connection and a browser.

What documents are needed for verification on Credvane?

To verify your account, Credvane requires certain documents, such as valid identity proof, to confirm eligibility.

Can I customize settings on Credvane?

Absolutely. Users can adjust risk levels, strategies, and other settings to match their trading goals and market conditions.

Is Credvane suitable for beginners?

Yes. Beginners can use Credvane thanks to its intuitive interface, demo account, educational resources, and other user-friendly features.

How does Credvane’s demo mode work?

The demo or practice mode provides simulated funds, allowing traders to explore markets, develop strategies, and practice skills without any financial risk.

Experts urge ban on home childbirth to reduce maternal deaths in Bauchi

Health experts in Bauchi State have raised concern over the rising maternal death rate, calling on the State House of Assembly to pass a law banning home childbirth.

The appeal came during a one-day training organized by the Bauchi State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), aimed at improving reporting on maternal and newborn health.

Nation reports that about 50 journalists attended the training, learning how to cover issues affecting mothers and newborns more effectively.

Speaking at the event, UNICEF health expert Seyi Olosunde said the training is part of efforts to raise awareness and improve health outcomes for women and children. He expressed concern over teenage pregnancies in the state, noting that one in four girls becomes pregnant at a young age.

Olosunde added that many teenagers feel ashamed of their pregnancies and that many newborns die within the first 28 days due to preventable causes linked to unsafe deliveries.

He stressed the urgent need for interventions, including legislation, to reverse these trends.

UNICEF Social Behaviour Change expert George Eki said banning home births could help address cultural norms and harmful practices around childbirth.

In his remarks, Comrade Umar Sa’idu, Chairman of NUJ Bauchi State, commended UNICEF for its support and said regular training helps journalists improve reporting on maternal and child health.

He revealed that a seven-month committee will guide journalists in producing detailed reports on maternal and newborn issues.

Also speaking, Amina Balali of the State Primary Health Care Development Board highlighted the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), a government program that has made progress in 11 local government areas.

Balali explained that the program has improved emergency transport for pregnant women in rural areas, hiring motorcycle riders to take women to health facilities. Health workers have been trained, essential medicines supplied, and free delivery kits provided.

She called for more awareness campaigns to encourage women to deliver in health facilities under trained professionals, adding that safe delivery is key to reducing maternal and newborn deaths in Bauchi State.

‘APC is taking care of me’, says Cubana Chief Priest

Socialite Cubana Chief Priest has expressed his backing for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party, saying ‘APC is taking care of me’ at the party’s National Convention in Abuja.

Chief Priest is part of the City Boy Movement, championed by Seyi Tinubu, President Bola Tinubu’s son, which aims to mobilize young Nigerians behind the president’s agenda.

Cubana Chief Priest’s involvement came as the movement gains traction, with influential figures like Obi Cubana joining forces to promote the Renewed Hope agenda.

Chief Priest was appointed Imo State Director of the City Boy Movement, reflecting his growing influence in Nigerian politics.

He warned that it’s either people join the movement or ‘watch us win’ as he referenced President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, saying ‘It’s either you win with us or you watch us win’.

Adekunle Gold Foundation supports sickle cell patients with medical outreach

The Adekunle Gold Foundation, in partnership with Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative, has conducted a medical outreach for persons living with sickle cell disorder, providing healthcare services to over 400 patients in Lagos.

The outreach, held on March 14, offered a range of medical interventions, including specialist consultations, laboratory tests, blood transfusions for severe cases, pain management, physiotherapy support and the distribution of essential drugs. Beneficiaries also received prescription medications and care supplies to support treatment for up to three months.

Sickle cell disorder remains one of the most prevalent genetic conditions globally, with Nigeria accounting for a significant share of the burden. Despite this, access to sustained and affordable healthcare continues to be a challenge for many patients.

The foundation, established by musician Adekunle Gold, is focused on improving awareness and access to treatment for people living with the condition. Speaking on the initiative, Adekunle Gold, who has lived with sickle cell disorder since childhood, said the intervention was aimed at easing the burden on patients.

‘Living with sickle cell is something I understand personally. Beyond the pain, there is the cost of care, which many people cannot afford. We want to make treatment more accessible so people can live better,’ he said.

PHOTO: Egbas celebrate grand finale of 39th Lisabi Festival

The Egba people of Ogun State converged on the historic Ake Palace grounds in Abeokuta on Saturday for the grand finale of the 39th Lisabi Festival, bringing to a close a vibrant week-long celebration that kicked off on March 23.

The annual festival honours Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, the legendary Egba warrior who, in the 18th century, led a successful revolt against the Oyo Empire, securing independence and self-determination for his people.

Highlights of the event include traditional homage-paying rites, thrilling warrior-themed reenactments, pulsating drumming sessions, and colourful dance parades that showcase Egba heritage.

Under the authority of the Alake of Egbaland, the festival unites all Egba subgroups, Ake, Oke-Ona, Gbagura, and Owu in a powerful display of unity, cultural pride, and shared identity.

Saturday’s grand finale featured the Egbaliganza, a colourful cultural fashion showcase championed by the Aare of Egbaland, Chief Lai Labode.

The initiative spotlights traditional Egba attire and promotes local enterprise, with coordinated outfits dominated by Abeokuta’s iconic Adire fabric taking centre stage.

The Lisabi Festival Committee had earlier clarified in February that Egbaliganza is limited to a two-hour slot within the week-long programme and does not alter the festival’s core historical focus.

The occasion also served as a grand homecoming for Egba indigenes from the diaspora, drawing political leaders, prominent business figures, and cultural influencers.

Throughout the week, the city witnessed a surge in local trade and street activity, while security was beefed up around key venues to ensure a peaceful celebration.

2,000 Ondo motorcycle riders back Tinubu

Over 2,000 members of the Ondo State Chapter of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle, Tricycle, Repairers, and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORON) have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the next year’s presidential election.

ACOMORON expressed their readiness to work for the second term of President Tinubu.

The state Chairman of the transport union, Comrade Akinlolu Olumonrin, said they decided to support Tinubu because of the development he has brought to the state through the construction of roads and the appointments of prominent indigenes of the state into his government.

Speaking at a rally organised by the Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG), Olumorin said the union members believe that once Tinubu is reelected, the good jobs he has embarked upon in the state would not be abandoned.

According to him, ‘We look into everything. All he did in Nigeria, in every state, we discovered he is the only person who can continue the job so that the programme will continue. On our own ends in ACOMORAN, we tried a lot to make ACOMORAN visible in Ondo State. We wrote many letters and even sued the government, but we did not achieve anything. We discovered that if we go through the President, our union may come to reality.’

NITDA, NKENNEAi partner to develop African language AI infrastructure

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and NKENNEAi, a pioneer in African linguistic intelligence recently convened a strategic session with the aim to solidify a partnership poised to revolutionize the integration of African dialects within the global AI landscape.

The collaboration focuses on building scalable translation and language technologies capable of supporting: Government services (multilingual citizen interfaces), Healthcare systems (patient communication in local languages), Financial platforms (banking in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo), Digital applications (chatbots, voice assistants, customer service), The challenge is real: Nigeria has over 500 languages. Traditional AI models-trained primarily on English, Mandarin, Spanish-struggle with tonal African languages where a single word’s meaning shifts based on pitch, context, and cultural nuance. Google Translate works for Swahili basics. It fails spectacularly for Yoruba idioms or Igbo proverbs.

Director of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), Dr. Bunmi Ajala, outlined NITDA’s ambitious goals during the engagement: 70% digital literacy by 2027, Strong AI talent pipeline, AI integrated into public service delivery, High-performance infrastructure (GPUs, TPUs, GovNet initiative).

Furthermore, Michael Odokara-Okigbo, CEO of NKENNEAi, believes the partnership validates a dreams since 2020 that African languages aren’t just worth preserving but worth building AI infrastructure around.

‘NKENNE started as a cultural mission to help preserve and teach African languages,’ Odokara-Okigbo said. ‘As our community grew to hundreds of thousands of learners, we realized the data and linguistic insights we were building could power something far bigger. NKENNEAi is about building the infrastructure that allows African languages to exist, scale, and thrive inside artificial intelligence systems.’

The project represents a shift from theoretical goals to operational deployment. If successful, it would establish Nigeria as the first African nation to maintain indigenous AI infrastructure tailored to its specific linguistic requirements, rather than relying on adapted Western models.

Odokara-Okigbo built NKENNE (which means ‘of the mother’ in Igbo). A community based language learning platform focused on African languages. Not Duolingo with Swahili added as an afterthought. A platform designed specifically for the tonal, contextual, and culturally rich nature of African languages. Today, NKENNE teaches Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa (Nigeria’s three major languages), Swahili (East Africa), Twi (Ghana), Somali (Somalia), Nigerian Pidgin (Nigeria’s most widely spoken language) and more than 13 other African languages.

EFCC, ICPC warn of rising crypto-linked financial crimes

The Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised concerns over the growing threat of cryptocurrency-related crimes in the country.

Olukoyede made this known at the inauguration of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Programme for Nigeria 2026-2030 in Abuja yesterday.

The EFCC boss revealed that the world lost more than 160 billion dollars to illicit transactions involving digital currencies in 2025.

Olukoyede highlighted the risks posed by cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

He noted that criminal networks were increasingly exploiting technological advancements, global financial systems and governance gaps to facilitate illicit activities.

‘Last year, the world lost over 160 billion dollars to illicit transactions in cryptocurrencies.

‘Tackling these challenges requires coordinated national responses, strong institutions and sustained intelligence-driven strategies,’ he said.

He said that the UNODC programme came at a time when Nigeria and the global community were grappling with evolving threats from transnational organised crime, financial crimes, illicit financial flows and cyber-enabled offences.

Olukoyede said the programme represented a strategic foundation for collective efforts to strengthen the rule of law.

This, he said, included enhancing the criminal justice system and protecting institutions and communities from violence, crime and financial corruption.

He noted that the programme’s focus on combating corruption and illicit financial flows was particularly significant to the EFCC, given the enormous economic and social costs of such crimes on Nigeria.

‘The imperative of sustained action to turn the tide cannot be overstated,’ he said.

The EFCC chairman expressed pride in the commission’s longstanding partnership with UNODC, stating that the collaboration had strengthened institutional capacity and improved Nigeria’s response to economic and financial crimes.

He said the partnership had supported reforms and operational frameworks that enhanced the agency’s effectiveness in tackling corruption and related offences.

Olukoyede expressed optimism that the programme would further improve national security and safeguard the future of Nigerians through strengthened collaboration and shared operational experiences.

He stressed the need to continuously refine frameworks and ensure that Nigeria’s institutions and citizens remain at the centre of all collaborative efforts.

The EFCC boss commended UNODC for initiating the programme and reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to supporting its implementation to achieve measurable outcomes for Nigeria and the wider region.

The Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, in his remarks called for stronger collaboration among institutions to address Nigeria’s growing security and corruption challenges.

Aliyu said Nigerian society was currently grappling with multiple social ills, stressing that no single agency could effectively tackle the challenges alone.

According to him, the country faces complex and interconnected threats, including violent extremism, organised crime, illicit financial flows, smuggling and other serious offences.

‘There is a common point of truth, Nigerian society is entangled with many ills, and no agency can fight them alone,’ he said.

The ICPC boss noted that these challenges also posed significant threats to the nation’s criminal justice system, warning that no society could remain secure under such conditions.

He, however, expressed optimism that through strategic partnerships and collective efforts, Nigeria could overcome the challenges.

Aliyu described the UNODC Country Programme as timely and appropriate, given the scale and urgency of the issues confronting the nation.

He emphasised the importance of international support, noting that Nigeria’s progress in tackling crime and corruption had been strengthened by its collaboration with global partners, particularly the United Nations.

The ICPC chairman said the partnership between the commission and UNODC had been beneficial to Nigerian society, contributing to efforts aimed at strengthening institutions and improving governance.

He congratulated UNODC on what he described as a significant milestone and a ‘grand stride’ in supporting Nigeria’s fight against crime and corruption.

Aliyu reaffirmed ICPC’s commitment to continued collaboration, assuring stakeholders of the commission’s readiness to work with UNODC and other partners toward national development.

‘I assure you of our continued support and willingness to work together for the growth and betterment of Nigeria,’ he said.