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Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/ Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in conjunction with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have arrested two fake police officers with two trucks loaded with cannabis.

Acting on credible intelligence, troops alongside NDLEA personnel intercepted and apprehended two fake policemen at Takum Junction in Wukari Local Government Area.

The suspects, who were dressed in mobile police uniforms, were found with two Toyota Hilux vehicles loaded with substances suspected to be cannabis.

The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Jalingo, Lieutenant Umar Mohammed, said a preliminary investigation revealed that none of the occupants are serving policemen.

He stated that the cannabis-laden vehicles were traced to have been loaded from Akure in Ondo State, and were heading towards Adamawa State.

Lieutenant Umar explained that one of the arrested suspects has been identified as Monday George, a 71-year-old dismissed Police ASP, and the other as Ezeugo Destiny Uche, 41 years old, while the occupants of the second Hilux abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on sighting the troops.

‘A total of 1,134 blocks of cannabis were recovered from the two vehicles. Both the suspects and the recovered exhibits have been handed over to the NDLEA office in Wukari for further investigation and prosecution,’ he said.

The resurgence of armed secessionist violence, the rise of politically sponsored cult groups, and institutional weaknesses collectively pose serious threats to the credibility, inclusiveness, and safety of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, a new report has warned.

The Security Threat Assessment report, presented by the Director of Programmes at CLEEN Foundation, Dr. Salaudeen Hashim, ahead of the November 8, 2025, governorship poll, revealed that since 2022, more than 200 lives have been lost to politically or ideologically motivated violence in Anambra State, with Ihiala Local Government Area accounting for over 46 confirmed deaths.

‘While certain LGAs remain relatively stable, the cumulative effect of violence in key zones like Ihiala, Ogbaru and Orumba could erode public confidence in the electoral process and discourage participation,’ the report said.

It further cautioned that without deliberate interventions to curb voter suppression, reform security deployment strategies, and restore trust in community institutions, the risk of election-day violence and post-election grievances remains high.

Key findings highlighted in the report include heightened insecurity in specific LGAs, politicisation of cult groups and youth gangs, weak security infrastructure and institutional gaps, voter suppression through fear, misinformation, and mobility constraints, as well as community fragmentation and manipulation of traditional institutions.

To address these threats, the report recommended targeted risk mapping and early warning mechanisms in high-risk LGAs like Ihiala, Ogbaru, and Orumba North through regular, data-driven threat assessments and locally driven early warning systems.

It urged the involvement of community stakeholders, INEC, traditional leaders, town union presidents, peacebuilding structures, security agencies, CSOs, and the media to ensure a timely response to potential security threats and prevent escalation before, during, and after the election.

The report further called on security agencies to prioritise the identification, disarmament, and prosecution of cult groups and their political sponsors, particularly in flashpoints like Nnewi and Onitsha. It also stressed the need to rebuild and strengthen police stations and INEC offices in previously attacked or underserved areas such as Anambra East, Ogbaru, and Idemili South to ensure adequate coverage across all LGAs.

Also, it recommended intensifying voter education and public sensitisation campaigns in fear-stricken areas like Anambra West and Ihiala to counter voter suppression, while urging credible CSOs and investigative journalists to fact-check and counter misinformation before, during, and after the elections to promote peace and calm.

In his opening remarks, Acting Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Peter Maduoma, expressed optimism that the Anambra election would be counted among Nigeria’s successful staggered polls. He urged citizens to turn out en masse and exercise their right to vote.

As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence anniversary on Wednesday, October 1, Basketball Promoter and Initiator of the Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, Mr. Igoche Mark, has commended the country’s athletes for their outstanding contributions to national pride and global recognition.

In a heartfelt message, Mr. Mark praised both active and retired athletes for their enduring impact. ‘Your dedication, hard work, and achievements have not only brought us pride but have also inspired a generation of Nigerians,’ he stated.

The sports administrator further urged the National Sports Commission to establish a structured platform to celebrate athletes and recognize their invaluable contributions. He emphasized the importance of honouring their legacy and providing avenues for their continued involvement in sports after retirement.

To support athletes in their post-career journey, Mr. Mark stressed the need for clear support systems. ‘Retirement plans be implemented to ensure a seamless transition into life after sports. This would enable athletes to plan for their future and maximize their post-athletic careers,’ he recommended.

He also proposed a comprehensive welfare package for retired athletes, covering healthcare, education, and economic empowerment programs. ‘By doing so, we can show our appreciation for their service and ensure that they are taken care of,’ Mr. Mark added.

As the country celebrates Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation, Mr. Mark’s remarks reflect a growing national call to not only honour past and present athletes but also to ensure their welfare and inclusion in shaping the future of Nigerian sports.

In 2003, on the watch of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the World Values Survey declared Nigeria as home to the world’s happiest people. By 2024, however, Nigeria had plummeted from this endearing and shimmering position to 104 in the happiness index.

In spite of this precipitous plunge to the nadir of happiness – and for obvious reasons – tribute must be paid to the forbearance and fortitude of Nigerians. For in spite of difficulties, equating, if not surpassing those of such basket cases as Nepal and Bangladesh, Nigerians have carried on with uncommon perseverance and long-suffering.

By the same token, homage must be paid to the can-do and never-say-die spirit of the Nigerian. This spirit is epitomised and exemplified by the tendency of the Nigerian, against the odds, to fend for himself/herself in nearly all facets of life. Where governments – federal, state and local – are hopelessly derelict in providing such basic infrastructure and amenities as roads, water, electricity, schools, hospitals, etc. – Nigerians, especially better-heeled ones, are forthcoming. They have weighed in, thereby filling these lacunae.

Most Nigerians provide access roads to their estates, streets and households. They drill their boreholes. They invest in private schools (Crèche, Primary and Tertiary). They invest in solar panels to make up for the shortcomings of our electricity and distributing companies (GENCOs and DISCOs), whose acronyms do not suggest or convey any seriousness or sense of purpose.

If homage is paid to Nigerians for providing for themselves, where their governments have failed, woefully and spectacularly, tribute must be paid to their sense of enterprise and industry. Drawing from a proud work ethic that celebrates and lionizes persons who fend for themselves and others rather than relying on handouts, most Nigerians have found recourse in one enterprise or the other. This has led to a proliferation of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the country.

Referred to in economic parlance as the informal sector, small businesses employ more Nigerians than any other, apart from the agricultural one, which hitherto led the way until the advent of oil.

In spite of the behemoth known as the Organised Private Sector (OPS), the informal sector of the economy has co-opted many of our youths, who ordinarily would have been idling away or constituting a menace, from our streets. This has kept millions of our youths gainfully employed. It has also imbued them with genuine hope.

Yet, even this sector, arising from the vagaries of government policies and predilections, is receiving one of its severest buffetings. This writer’s survey of a number of small businesses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and four states adjoining it, suggests that they are facing a number of existential and life-threatening headwinds.

Power or electricity is one of the major challenges. Sometimes, for nearly one week, electricity will not be supplied by the DISCOs covering these states and the FCT to the chagrin of businesses. A week ago, nearly all districts of the FCT went without electricity for five days. It was the same in neighbouring Niger State. Kaduna was worse: It went without electricity for seven days, reducing that state to the Stone Age.

In the absence of electricity, most businesses in these states and the FCT have had to rely on generators, thus incurring additional costs. And since they are located in what are referred to as civil service states, their being bereft of industries, they run on losses. They can hardly pass off these costs on their customers who are smarting under cost of living crises and whose disposable incomes have shrunk to near zero.

Transportation is another challenge. Following the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, the cost of transportation has quadrupled. In most cases, workers do not reside close to their places of employment. In Abuja, this state of affairs is worse: Not less than ninety percent of workers reside in suburbs and outskirts outside the City Centre. This has compelled employers to increase salaries marginally, to downsize or to devise a curious roaster in which staffers come to work thrice in a week and in rotation. These, of course, have consequences for morale and joblessness.

In one hotel at Wuse II, investigations show that most of the staffers have been laid off due to the hard times. Staffers are invited to work only on a need basis and when the hotel records a high volume of room bookings. Meanwhile, whether there are guests or not, the hotel must run its generators on a daily basis to secure the premises, present a semblance of activity and preserve the foodstuffs it has stocked in its refrigerators.

Compounding the contrivance of an intriguing working roaster for staff or finding recourse in casuals, which offends Labour practices, are multiple taxations imposed, roughshod by federal, state and local governments. In nearly all these states and the FCT, demand notices for ground rents are issued by the state and Local Governments simultaneously. All manner of taxes are also demanded. Worse of all, they are usually issued cavalierly and with sadistic relish. It is as if the business person has committed an offence for daring to venture out or to invest.

These obnoxious multiple taxations and other vexatious charges have reared their heads in recent times. These have arisen out of a frenzied quest for Internally Generated Revenues (IGRs). It is healthy for states to generate revenue and to rely less on statutory monthly federal allocations. But the haughty manner in which taxes are imposed and the sadistic manner in which they are exacted goes beyond the pale. It hardly encourages the small business person to venture out or to invest, thereby creating jobs in the process. Neither have we seen, apart from white elephant flyovers being constructed in state capitals, any concerted efforts by state governments to address our infrastructure deficit or the provision of amenities.

This writeup is intended to call attention to the havoc governments, especially state and local, are wrecking on businesses and the urgent need for our tax reform to streamline and harmonise taxes in the three tiers of government.

The fears of the small business person must not only be assuaged, an environment must be created for him/her to thrive. Otherwise, rather than grow, the economy will remain in its doldrums with negative consequences.

The continuously lower contribution of the manufacturing sector to Nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) should instruct us. By the recent accounting of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the contribution of the Manufacturing sector to Nominal GDP in the second quarter of 2025 was 6.87%, lower than the figure recorded in the corresponding period of 2024 at 7.84% and for good measure, lower than the first quarter of 2025 which was 10.78%. We don’t have any figures relating to the growth rate of the informal sector. But your guess is as good as mine!

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Wednesday raised alarm over the country’s poor doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:19,083, describing it as far from global best practice.

The association, in a statement marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, said the situation reflects the dire state of the nation’s healthcare system.

NARD further announced that, effective October 1, 2025, resident doctors nationwide will no longer take continuous calls exceeding 24 hours.

The statement was jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Suleiman; Secretary-General, Dr. Shuaibu Ibrahim; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Dr. Abdulmajid Ibrahim.

The country continues to grapple with a severe shortage of doctors, a crisis deepened by the steady migration of health professionals in search of better pay and working conditions abroad.

The federal government had said that over 16,000 Nigerian doctors have left the country in the last five to seven years, leaving hospitals and training institutions under immense pressure.

The exodus has placed an overwhelming burden on those who remain, particularly resident doctors.

NARD said, ‘With an estimated population of over 240 million people and only about 11,000 resident doctors, Nigeria records a ratio of 1:9,083. This is far from global best practice.

‘Furthermore, Nigerian resident doctors work an average of 106.5 hours per week, with surgical residents enduring over 122.7 hours weekly. This translates to an average of four to five days of 24-hour call duty per week.’

This workload, it said, has dire consequences not only for patient care but also for the well-being of doctors themselves.

It said, ‘This situation is deeply troubling. It inevitably leads to increased medical errors due to burnout, endangering patients’ safety, with a severe toll on the mental, physical, and psychological well-being of doctors. Too often, resident doctors sacrifice their health, and sometimes their lives, in service to their patients.

‘The consequences are tragically evident with early-career doctors paying the ultimate price. But the painful question remains: Who cares for their families and dependents after their passing? The bigger question is: How many more lives must we lose before decisive action is taken?’

The association called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to implement a one-to-one replacement policy to reduce the crushing workload on doctors and to establish safeguarding regulations to curb excessive call hours, ensuring the safety of both doctors and patients.

NARD also said the few doctors who have remained in Nigeria despite mass emigration are patriots and heroes.

It said, ‘They deserve not only protection but also fair and equitable remuneration commensurate with their inputs. If we do not safeguard ourselves, who will? On this day when Nigeria celebrates its independence and national progress, let us also reflect on the sacrifices resident doctors continue to make and the grave challenges they face. Chief among these are the burden of more than 24-hour uninterrupted calls and poor remuneration, a practice that demands urgent reform.

‘We cannot continue to lose our members to preventable and avoidable deaths – not now, and not in the future.’

The Middle East is once again on edge as signs point to a possible second round of military confrontation between the United States and Iran. From intelligence leaks to military mobilisation, the groundwork for escalation appears to be actively unfolding.

According to Mossad Commentary, a verified Israeli intelligence-linked account, ‘in the last 24 hours, dozens of American fighter jets and refuelling tankers have been shifted eastward, many landing at Al-Udeid Airbase,’ the largest US military installation in the region, located in Qatar.

The movement, posted Wednesday, is far from routine. It suggests a strategic pivot, possibly in anticipation of Iranian retaliation or a pre-emptive strike.

Also, flight tracking systems reported on September 28, about 12 tankers headed to the British RAF Mildenhall airbase, and on September 30, dozens of refuelling tankers, along with fighter jets, flew to the Middle East. As the Clash Report notes, some of them landed at the Al Udeid base in Qatar.

Three anonymous sources in the British Defence Ministry told the Daily Mail that such a deployment could have ‘sinister’ overtones. And Behnam Taleblu, senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, reminded the publication that the last time similar moves ended in attacks in the Middle East.

He emphasised that during Operation Midnight Hammer, the Donald Trump administration used disinformation to cover up the deployment of B-2 bombers to Iranian facilities. Taleblu also pointed out that Trump remains the only US president in the past two decades to use military force against Iranian nuclear facilities.

The US Central Command (USCENTCOM), which oversees operations across the Middle East, has long considered Iran its primary adversary. In 2025, USCENTCOM received $143.2 billion, with nearly 40% allocated to Iran-related operations. This includes intelligence gathering, forward base maintenance, and war-gaming scenarios ranging from limited strikes to full-scale regime change.

USCENTCOM’s Iran desk, staffed by Farsi-speaking analysts, has spent years studying Tehran’s military doctrine. These specialists shaped contingency plans that are now being activated. The command’s origins trace back to the 1979 hostage crisis, giving it unmatched institutional knowledge of Iranian warfare.

Behind the military muscle lies a vast intelligence architecture. The CIA maintains assets within Iran’s government, military, and business elite-some dating back to the Shah’s era. These relationships proved pivotal in 2025, when secret negotiations began between Washington and Tehran. US intelligence had advanced knowledge of Iran’s positions, thanks to intercepted communications revealing internal debates among the Iranian leadership.

This intelligence enabled the precision strikes of Operation Midnight Hammer, which followed the collapse of talks. Years of surveillance had mapped Iran’s air defence systems, and electronic warfare tools blinded radars before American bombers arrived.

Diplomacy, alliances, and Qatar shield

It could be that while the Pentagon prepared for escalation in June, the Trump administration pursued a high-stakes diplomatic strategy. Talks began on April 12, 2025, in Muscat, Oman, and later moved to Rome, led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Iran was given a 60-day deadline: halt uranium enrichment and cooperate with inspectors, or face military consequences.

According to Middle East Eye, the talks nearly succeeded. But after a phone call between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, the US raised its demands-insisting on a complete shutdown of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, a red line for Tehran. The talks collapsed, triggering Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, followed by US strikes under Operation Midnight Hammer.

The administration framed the escalation as ‘Peace Through Strength’, blaming Iran for refusing a deal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that any Iranian retaliation would ‘put the regime at risk,’ making regime survival a bargaining chip.

Israel’s influence was unmistakable. Its intelligence and military operations systematically weakened Iran’s defences in the lead-up to US strikes. The Group of Seven (G7) reaffirmed that ‘Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,’ while France and Germany privately urged restraint, even as bombs fell.

Amid rising tensions, on Tuesday, President Trump signed an executive order declaring that any attack on Qatar would be treated as a direct threat to the United States. This move is significant not only because of the strategic importance of Al-Udeid Airbase, but also because it sends a clear message to Iran and its proxies: Qatar is off-limits.

This assurance came shortly after Netanyahu reportedly made an apology call to the Emir of Qatar, following Israeli airstrikes that inadvertently endangered Qatari interests. The call, described by insiders as ‘tense but conciliatory,’ underscores the delicate balance of alliances in the Gulf.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council has reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran. On September 27, 2025, the Council rejected a resolution by Russia and China to delay the sanctions, triggering the snapback mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal. The reinstated sanctions include: a comprehensive arms embargo, a ban on uranium enrichment, a global freeze on assets linked to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programs, travel bans on key Iranian officials and restrictions on Iranian crude oil exports and financial institutions.

Western powers accused Iran of serious breaches, notably enriching uranium far beyond civilian levels. Iran responded by recalling ambassadors from the E3 nations and threatening to terminate cooperation with the IAEA.

The US strategy also hinges on managing a complex web of alliances. Israel offers unmatched intelligence and cyber capabilities, while Gulf Arab states provide bases and financial support, but tread carefully to avoid becoming direct targets. During the crisis, Saudi Arabia and the UAE allowed US access to airspace while publicly calling for restraint.

To mitigate risks, the US relied on its Forward Shield, a network of bases and infrastructure built over decades. During crisis periods, the US maintains 40,000 troops in the region. But the real strength lies in pre-positioned equipment, fuel depots, and ammunition bunkers that enable rapid reinforcement.

The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ajao Adewale, on Wednesday, confirmed that Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a news anchor with Arise TV, jumped from the third floor of her apartment during an armed robbery at her residence.

Somtochukwu, popularly known as Sommie, died on Monday following the attack at her home in Katampe, Abuja. She and a private security guard attached to the residence lost their lives in the incident.

Residents described the attack as part of a growing wave of robberies in the area. According to them, the robbers stormed the building around 3am, overpowered security personnel with superior firepower, and went from flat to flat, dispossessing occupants of their valuables.

Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Adewale explained that the gunmen first shot a security guard, which triggered widespread panic among residents.

He said Sommie, who lived on the third floor, ‘out of fear and panic,’ jumped from her apartment.

Police officers deployed to the scene later found her unconscious on the ground, the commissioner added.

Adewale said, ‘Two private security guards were on duty and one of them, who had the courage to challenge them, sustained a gunshot injury.

‘Under this condition, you know the panic that would have resulted from this kind of environment.

‘Sommie actually occupied an apartment on the topmost floor of the building, out of fear, she jumped down from the third floor.

‘A distress call was raised to the control room. Policemen moved to the scene, and all they could see was the unconscious body of Sommie on the floor.’

He said Sommie was rushed to Maitama General Hospital, where doctors attempted to resuscitate her but were unsuccessful despite administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The police commissioner emphasised that the incident was a clear case of armed robbery, citing evidence recovered from the scene.

He further clarified that Sommie was not shot during the attack but tragically died after jumping from the third floor in fear and panic.

‘It is obvious that it is a clear case of robbery. Sommie was not shot, out of fear and panic, it is normal and reasonable for everyone, she jumped down.

‘They took her to Maitama General Hospital, where the doctor on duty tried as much as possible to see whether they could resuscitate her using CPR. It is unfortunate that she did not make it,’ he said.

A 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index report has revealed that only six out of 517 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) passed the minimum benchmark, leaving 511 trapped in the red zone.

The report, revealed in Abuja by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), painted a troubling picture of how critical agencies from finance to defence, agriculture to education, continue to lag behind in accountability.

CeFTPI’s Executive Director, Dr Umar Yakubu, said the assessment, conducted in partnership with government oversight bodies, exposed deep gaps in disclosure, ethics, and service delivery.

‘The figures speak for themselves. Citizens rely on these agencies every day, yet the institutions meant to manage trillions in revenue and services lack the transparency expected of them,’ he explained.

Yakubu noted that the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) came first for the second consecutive year with a score of 78.84 percent, followed by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) with 78.21 per cent, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) with 78.13 percent.

He added that three institutions were in the yellow zone with borderline scores: the Development Bank of Nigeria (62.60 per cent), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (54.12 percent), and the Bank of Industry (51.29 percent). ‘The rest of the 511 MDAs all fall in the red category, which means they failed the integrity test,’ he said.

Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dasuki Arabi, noted that the poor showing was not only about corruption but also weak compliance.

‘This is about systems that are supposed to work for Nigerians but often don’t. Our job is to close those gaps and make transparency the norm,’ he said.

Agencies on red zone

The report showed that even agencies at the heart of Nigeria’s economy fell short. These include the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Debt Management Office (DMO), the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation all performed poorly. Analysts say the implications are dire. ‘When the institutions that manage our money cannot fully account for their processes, then trust in the economy suffers,’ Yakubu added.

Other agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) also failed to inspire confidence as well as The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Despite being Nigeria’s main revenue source, transparency remains elusive in the oil and power sectors.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) all scored below expectations.

Similarly, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) failed the transparency test.

Yakubu said the failure of such agencies raised red flags because of their centrality to the country’s finances.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Shippers Council were all among the 511 agencies that scored poorly.

The aviation sector was not spared either, with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) both performing below standards.

On land, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) equally fared badly, raising concerns about transparency in major infrastructure projects.

Despite consuming a huge chunk of the federal budget, the Ministry of Defence, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force all recorded dismal performances.

The Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) also failed to meet transparency standards. Yakubu said the results were particularly worrying given ongoing security challenges.

Commenting, Arabi said, ‘Defence and security institutions cannot continue to operate like black boxes. Nigerians deserve to know how their resources are being deployed.’

He added that even agencies created to check corruption and abuse of office performed poorly. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) were all listed among those that failed the test.

Arabi said this contradiction was a wake-up call. ‘If anti-corruption institutions themselves cannot fully comply with disclosure, then it undermines the fight against corruption,’ he added.

The Federal Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the Court of Appeal, the National Judicial Council (NJC), and the Federal Judicial Service Commission also recorded poor results. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly Service Commission were not left out.

The Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) were all in the red zone. Agencies like NAFDAC, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and several Federal Medical Centres and Teaching Hospitals also failed to pass the test. Health watchers say this could undermine service delivery.

‘When hospitals and health regulators are not transparent, citizens lose faith in the system, especially in times of crisis,’ Arabi said.

The Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) all ranked poorly. Major examination bodies such as JAMB, WAEC (Nigeria), and NECO also scored low.

Yakubu noted that lack of openness in the education sector was hurting young Nigerians. ‘Students and parents deserve accountability in how resources are used,’ he said.

Agencies critical to Nigeria’s food security were also implicated. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) all failed the test. Others included the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), the Bank of Agriculture, and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Observers said the result was worrying given rising hunger. ‘Agricultural agencies are supposed to support farmers and boost food production. Their failure reflects directly on food prices,’ one analyst noted.

In the technology and media sector, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and Galaxy Backbone all failed.

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) also performed poorly.

Agencies entrusted with pensions and welfare also fared badly. The National Pension Commission (PENCOM), the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) were all in the red zone. The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and the Family Homes Fund Ltd also recorded weak compliance.

‘Index not to shame institutions’

Despite the poor numbers, CeFTPI said the index was not meant to shame institutions but to guide reforms.

‘We want to see improvement. Transparency is not a luxury, it is a necessity for national development,’ Yakubu stressed.

Arabi added that reforms would be pushed harder. ‘We will continue to work with agencies to mainstream openness and accountability. Nigerians deserve no less,’ he said.

The 2025 Index is expected to form part of broader governance reforms, but for many citizens, the revelations only confirm what they already know, that too many of the country’s most important agencies operate in secrecy, while service delivery suffers.

As Nigeria marks 65 years of nationhood, this moment calls not merely for celebration, but for deep and sober reflection.

Sixty-five years in the life of a nation is both long enough to learn vital lessons and short enough to still dream of greater possibilities.

Our journey since independence in 1960 has been mixed experiences. We have celebrated moments of triumph, endured seasons of crisis, and watched countless opportunities slip through our hands.

From the optimism of self-rule to the turbulence of military coups, from the tragedy of civil war to the eventual return of democracy, the Nigerian story has been marked by resilience, sacrifice, and unfinished potential.

The dreams of our people have been pursued through several attempts, though too often without lasting fruition.

Successive development blueprints – Vision 2010, Vision 20:2020, the Seven-Point Agenda, and more recently the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) carried promises of transformation.

Many of these documents ended up as footnotes in history, gathering dust while poverty deepened, unemployment soared, and infrastructure continued to decay.

Leadership, the golden key to progress, has too often fallen short of expectation.

Corruption and self-interest weakened institutions that should serve the people. Electoral malpractice eroded trust in democracy.

Citizens who went to the polls in hope have at times felt betrayed by the very process meant to empower them.

Governance, in many instances, failed to reflect the aspirations of the people.

Yet history reminds us that great nations are not judged only by the weight of their problems, but by the courage with which they confront them.

Posterity will not dwell on our failures, but on our determination to overcome them.

The destiny of Nigeria does not rest in government alone; it rests in the hands of every citizen. Though our tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we must stand.

Nation-building is not about the scramble for office or the pursuit of personal gain, but about collective responsibility.

It requires both leaders and citizens to embrace sacrifice, discipline, and innovation.

A nation is not built by promises spoken, but by sacrifices made. True independence is more than political sovereignty.

Our flag and anthem may have declared liberty in 1960, but only morality, justice, and accountability can sustain it.

Leadership is a sacred trust, and integrity must remain its foundation.

If Nigeria must experience a rebirth, then we must confront the lessons of our past and chart a new path forward.

Inclusive leadership must be at the heart of governance. The diversity of our federation demands inclusivity, ensuring that no community feels excluded from the national project.

Marginalisation breeds resentment; inclusivity breeds trust and unity.

Credible elections must anchor our democracy. Votes must count, and the ballot must be stronger than the bullet or the bribe.

The independence of the electoral commission must be safeguarded, while the use of technology to transmit and protect results must be fully embraced.

Without electoral credibility, democracy becomes a hollow ritual.

Investing in leadership education is vital. Civic education, mentorship, and ethical training must be central to our schools and communities.

If we do not prepare the next generation of leaders, we risk repeating the mistakes of the past.

Nigeria’s future rests on young people who are disciplined, innovative, and committed to service, as economic transformation must go beyond oil.

Our greatness will not come from dependence on crude exports but from science, technology, agriculture, manufacturing, and innovation that uplift humanity.

The creativity of our youths in fintech, entertainment, and digital entrepreneurship is proof that Nigeria’s economic future lies in innovation, not extraction.

Strengthening national values is essential. Unity, discipline, and service must become lived realities, not empty slogans. If integrity does not become the measure of success, corruption will continue to undermine progress.

Back on October 1, 1960, when the green-white-green flag was hoisted before the world, it symbolised liberty, self-determination, and hope.

Despite their ideological differences, our founding fathers viz. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa shared a common vision to build a prosperous nation.

That spirit of unity is what we must rediscover today. For no nation divided against itself can prosper, but a people united in purpose can never be defeated.

At 65, Nigeria cannot live only for the present. The future belongs to generations yet unborn.

To build a secure tomorrow, we must act decisively today by strengthening institutions, promoting justice, diversifying the economy, and ensuring accountability in governance.

The ballot may elect leaders, but only character can sustain them.

This is why ethical education and civic leadership training must begin early. If we fail to prepare our young people, we will mortgage their future to the mistakes of the past.

Nigeria’s rebirth is not just a possibility, it is a necessity. It will not come by chance, but by deliberate choice:

The choice to act with integrity. The choice to defend our democracy.

The choice to place nation above self. History is watching.

The world is watching. And posterity will judge us, not by the weight of our problems, but by the courage of our response.

At 65, the question is not whether Nigeria will rise, but whether we will choose to rise together.

I believe we will. I believe we must. And by the grace of Almighty God, I believe we shall.

God bless the people of Nigeria.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are investigating three youths residing in the Gwagwa community of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) over a robbery attack that recently took place in the area.

Many residents, who spoke to our reporter yesterday, lamented how a gang of youths went on a rampage from house to house in the Unguwar Kiriya area of the community, robbing them of their valuables.

The village head of Kiriya, Muhammad Sani, while speaking on the incident said some of the attacked residents were injured by the gang, including one who sustained a gun injury.

Sani explained that the attackers used various tools, including heavy hammers and saws, to destroy the gates and burglary proofs of some residences, robbing the owners of valuables such as cash, phones, and one motorcycle.

‘Fortunately, one of the attackers was identified and assisted in locating about three of his accomplices so far, who were handed over to the police,’ Sani said.

He added that members of the vigilante group were able to trace and locate two suspects initially on the following day, with residents insisting the suspects be handed over to them.

‘So, the police in Gwagwa division were informed about the development, and they used their wisdom to be able to take the suspects to their office,’ Sani concluded.

When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Gwagwa, CSP Muktar Adamu, confirmed the incident, adding that three suspects were handed over to the FCT Police Command for further investigation.