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Ekiti farmers mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election

Farmers in Ekiti State, under the aegis of the All Farmers Alliance(AFA) for President Bola Tinubu Renewed Hope Re-election 2027, have begun grassroots mobilisation for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

The state Coordinator, AFA, Dr Ebenezer Adebayo, stated this during the organisation’s sensitisation tour of the 16 local government areas of the state.

The tour, which began on August 24 and lasted about two weeks, ended with visits to Ilejemeje, Moba and Oye local government areas.

Adebayo said the initiative was aimed at taking information about government’s agricultural interventions to farmers at the grassroots and encouraging them to participate in the electoral process.

He urged farmers to explore opportunities provided through the Bank of Agriculture and other relevant government platforms, saying access to finance and agricultural inputs could help expand production and improve livelihoods.

Adebayo called on local government coordinators of the organisation to remain active and transparent in mobilising farmers for President Tinubu ahead of the elections.

He listed agricultural interventions, infrastructure development and economic reforms among the policies of the Tinubu administration that AFA was highlighting during its grassroots sensitisation.

Director, Agriculture and Cooperatives, AFA, Alagbada Adebola, also highlighted some Federal Government’s projects and interventions in Ekiti.

Adebola cited the establishment of a military barracks in Ikere-Ekiti, inauguration of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Zonal Directorate Office Complex in Ado-Ekiti and the 1.2-kilometre Okeyinmi flyover during Tinubu’s June visit to the state.

The chairman of the local government coordinators, Elder Olorunfemi Solomon, commended the state executive for taking the campaign to the grassroots.

Solomon urged farmers to explore available agricultural support programmes and encouraged eligible residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate in the 2027 elections.

The AFA Women Leader, Akinwande Oluwakemi, urged women to remain active in agriculture and community development, while the Youth Leader, Dada Feyisayo, encouraged young people to embrace agriculture as a business and explore opportunities in the sector.

The Deputy Chairman representing the Central Senatorial District, Lawal Kehinde, urged the coordinators to maintain transparency in their dealings with ward coordinators and members.

Similarly, the Deputy Chairman representing the South Senatorial District, Olusola Falaye, called for unity among members and urged them to remain committed to the organisation’s objectives ahead of the 2027 election.

Bauchi begins N11.7bn gratuity payment to 5,736 retirees

Bauchi State Government on Wednesday, commenced the disbursement of the sum of N11.7 billion to clear outstanding gratuities owed to 5,736 retired civil servants at both State and LGAs whose terminal benefits have not been paid since 2012 to 2016.

The State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, officially flagged off the disbursement at the Sub-treasury office premises, represented by the Deputy Governor Rt Hon Auwal Jatau.

Bala Mohammed, said that the payment was part of a renewed strategy to address pension liabilities inherited from previous administrations.

The Governor revealed that according to validated government records, the outstanding gratuity obligation stands at N11,704,200,221.83, covering retirees between 2012 and 2016.

The breakdown shows that N6,132,505,444.44 is owed to 3,570 state government retirees, while N5,579,694,779.39 is owed to 2,256 local government retirees.

The government has approved an initial N10 billion for the exercise, which will be paid in batches based on the age of the debt, availability of funds, completeness of documentation and successful verification.

A committee led by a former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Sabiu Baba, is coordinating the exercise in collaboration with the Bauchi State Contributory Pension Commission, which is responsible for validating and reconciling pensioners’ records.

The first phase will cover local government retirees from the 2012-2013 period and state civil service retirees from 2013.

The government stated that retirees outside the initial phase would not be excluded, assuring that the payment exercise would continue until the backlog was cleared.

It acknowledged that many pensioners had waited for more than a decade for their benefits, while some had died before receiving their entitlements.

The government consequently directed the pension commission, Head of Service and participating commercial banks to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, corruption and favouritism in the payment process.

It also directed verification teams to give priority to elderly and physically challenged retirees during screening as the Pensioners were urged to cooperate with verification officials and provide the required documents to facilitate payment.

The latest intervention builds on previous efforts by the state government to address pension obligations. Under its 2025 budget, the government allocated N5 billion for gratuities and N8.5 billion for pensions as part of its social benefits programme.

Beyond clearing the current backlog, the government said it was working towards establishing a fully automated pension system to prevent the accumulation of unpaid retirement benefits in the future.

The gesture has been described by organised Labour and other stakeholders as an economic stimulus and a proof of a labour-friendly administration.

In his goodwill message, the representative of organised labour, Ibrahim Maikudi commended the state government for prioritizing workers’ welfare, noting that Bauchi was among the first states in the country to implement the N70,000 minimum wage for civil servants.

He further stated that Bauchi was the first state in the North to implement the N32,000 minimum pension for pensioners.

‘We are witnessing another gesture today, which is the flag-off of payment of accrued gratuity which this administration inherited. It is because of the good nature of our labour-friendly Governor that he decided to pay this backlog,’ he said.

He disclosed that the current phase covers retirees of 2012 to 2013, with assurance that the exercise would continue from 2016 to 2026 to clear all outstanding arrears.

‘For now, we are paying from 2012 to 2013 and we were told it will continue after 2016 up to 2026. The entire pensioners are here, happy and ready to support this government,’ he added.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Ningi Local Government Area, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu, who spoke on behalf of other chairmen of local governments, said the payment goes beyond politics.

‘What we are doing today is beyond socio-political, it is economic in nature. We are injecting funds into the public domain in Bauchi State and with the multiplier effect, it is going to change the economic trajectory of the state,’ he said.

Yahuza maintained the gratuity payment, which had become a mirage over the years, was promised by successive administrations but never fulfilled.

‘Everybody promised to do this and nobody ever did it. This is only done now by the right leader, at the right time, at the right moment, and to the right people,’ he said.

He pledged the support of local government councils for the developmental programmes of the state government and urged beneficiaries and their families to continue to pray for the success of the administration.

Nigeria champions education, migration, security at UNGA 81 Session

Nigeria and its international partners have spearheaded a comprehensive diplomatic push at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

They addressed crucial challenges across education financing, counter-terrorism, migration cooperation, international security, development capital, and global governance reform.

Led by Vice President Kashim Shettima alongside key cabinet ministers, the Nigerian delegation emphasised that sustainable development across Africa requires a combination of increased domestic resource mobilisation, fairer access to global capital, and strong multilateral partnerships.

At the centre of these engagements was a major joint effort by Nigeria and Italy to mobilise $5 billion for global education through the Global Partnership for Education.

Co-hosting the Multiply Possibility high-level event, both nations highlighted the initiative as a vital compact for human capital.

Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to viewing education as a strategic economic investment, while Minister of Defence Gen. Christopher Musa called for sustained support for terrorism victims.

Simultaneously, Nigeria advanced migration negotiations with the European Union, pledged to restore its leadership in global peacekeeping, and urged global financial institutions to lower borrowing costs for developing nations.

Concurrently, the Group of Four nations strongly backed Africa’s demand for permanent representation on a reformed UN Security Council.

Nigeria, Italy mobilising $5b for human capital

Nigeria and Italy stepped up efforts to mobilise $5 billion for global education during the Multiply Possibility high-level event held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

In a video message to the gathering, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared that the vision of the Global Partnership for Education aligns with his administration’s drive to expand access to quality education, improve learning outcomes, and build teacher capacity across Nigeria.

Shettima told world leaders that the federal government regards education as a strategic investment in the country’s economic future rather than standard public expenditure.

He outlined several domestic financing initiatives launched since 2023, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, and revealed that the government is channelling recovered Economic and Financial Crimes Commission assets, unclaimed dividends, and dormant funds into education.

Shettima noted that international cooperation, such as the joint HOPE-EDU programme with the World Bank and GPE, will complement these domestic resources to reach 29 million children and 500,000 teachers nationwide.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni commended Nigeria’s leadership and announced a pound 50 million pledge from Italy toward GPE programmes.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, GPE Board Chairman Jakaya Kikwete, and education activist Malala Yousafzai also addressed the event, urging international financial institutions and global donors to create fiscal space for developing countries, improve teacher training, and prioritise funding for girls’ education.

Musa seeks long-term support

At the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, Gen. Musa urged the international community to transition from short-term emergency aid to sustained, long-term rehabilitation and reintegration for survivors.

Highlighting that Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for roughly 60 per cent of global terrorism deaths in 2025, Musa stressed that behind the statistics lie displaced families, fractured communities, and destroyed livelihoods requiring coordinated global action.

The Defence Minister detailed Nigeria’s ongoing accountability measures, disclosing that the country secured 865 terrorism-related convictions in 2026 while continuing to prioritise captive liberation, medical care, psychosocial rehabilitation, and community reintegration.

Drawing from domestic experience, Musa proposed a three-point framework for international cooperation focusing on enhanced peer learning, inclusive partnerships involving victims’ associations, and expanded technical support from the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism.

During an operational visit to the Defence Section of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, Gen. Musa reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s active role in international peace and security efforts.

Meeting with Defence Attaché Brig.-Gen. E. A Koleosho, Musa emphasised that revitalising Nigeria’s participation in global peacekeeping operations remains central to promoting regional and international stability.

Gen. Musa commended the military personnel attached to the mission for their professionalism and steadfast dedication to upholding the ideals of both the United Nations and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Oyedele seeks reform of capital access

At the UN Dialogue on Solutions to Climate Finance, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, called for urgent structural reforms in global financial markets to provide African nations with cheaper, long-term development capital.

Oyedele criticised the high financing costs and currency risks facing African countries, characterising these extra financial burdens as a prejudice premium and stereotype tax that penalise developing economies.

The Finance Minister argued that climate finance must address Africa’s severe energy access gap rather than focusing exclusively on emissions reduction.

He advocated for increased investment in natural gas and other transition energy sources to expand reliable electricity across the continent, noting that a secure African energy sector contributes to global energy stability.

Oyedele maintained that international financing mechanisms must become simpler, more affordable, and better tailored to the economic realities of developing nations.

EU-Nigeria discuss migration, security

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, met with EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, to discuss advancing the long-pending EU-Nigeria Re-Admission Agreement.

First initiated in 2016, the agreement was heavily evaluated during recent bilateral dialogues, with both parties seeking to establish a structured and comprehensive migration framework.

During the meeting, Commissioner Brunner noted that concluding the re-admission agreement would open doors for enhanced legal mobility and talent partnerships, addressing labour shortages in Europe while benefiting Nigerian professionals.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised that any final agreement must include robust reintegration support for returnees, infrastructure development assistance, and expanded legal pathways for young Nigerians.

Both sides expressed intention to finalise these terms during a planned ministerial visit to Abuja in November 2026.

Harmonize, Nandy fined over Sh19 million in Basata ethics crackdown

The National Arts Council (Basata) has imposed Sh19 million in fines on musicians Harmonize and Nandy, a music video director, and two event organisers over breaches of ethical and regulatory requirements governing Tanzania’s arts industry.

The sanctions, which also include temporary bans on engaging in artistic activities for some of those fined, followed separate cases involving the distribution of a music video, a performance at the Miss Universe Tanzania 2026 final and the organisation of an arts event without the required permit.

In a statement issued by Basata acting executive secretary Edward Buganga dated September 22, 2026, Basata said the measures were aimed at ensuring that artists and other stakeholders in the creative industry complied with the laws, regulations, guidelines and ethical standards governing artistic activities. ‘Basata issues fines to artists and arts stakeholders to ensure they comply with the laws, regulations, guidelines and ethics of Tanzanian society when carrying out their artistic activities,’ reads part of the statement.

The largest individual penalties, Sh5 million each, were imposed on Bongo Flava musician Rajab Abdul Kahali, popularly known as Harmonize, and music video director Kennedy David Sanga over the video for Harmonize’s song ‘Kudos’.

Basata said the video violated Regulation 20(a) of the National Arts Council Regulations, Government Notice No. 137 of May 22, 2026, which the council said covers content that violates the dignity of listeners or viewers.

‘The artist was accused of committing an ethical offence by distributing a video for a song called ‘Kudos’ which completely failed to observe the ethics of Tanzanian society and which violates the dignity of the listener or viewer,’ reads another part of the statement.

The council said Harmonize had not submitted a defence or alternative explanation by the time it reached its decision.

As a result, Basata ordered him to remove the video from his social media platforms, pay the Sh5 million fine within 14 days and refrain from engaging in artistic activities until he complied with the decision.

Director Kenny faced similar sanctions because of his role in directing the video, with Basata saying that the production itself amounted to an ethical violation.

‘After being heard, it was established that he committed an ethical offence,’ reads the statement.

He was consequently ordered to remove the video from his social media platforms, pay Sh5 million within 14 days and stop engaging in artistic activities until he implemented the council’s decision.

While the ‘Kudos’ case accounted for Sh10 million of the fines, another Sh6 million was imposed in connection with the Miss Universe Tanzania 2026 final, where singer Faustina Charles Mfinanga, popularly known as Nandy, was fined Sh3 million over her attire during a performance.

The final was held at Haddypro in Dar es Salaam, where Basata said the singer wore clothing that was not considered decent and violated the dignity of viewers.

‘The artist was accused of committing an ethical offence by wearing clothing that was not decent and which violated the dignity of the viewer while performing at the final of the Miss Universe 2026 competition,’ reads another statement.

Unlike Harmonize and Mr Sanga, however, Basata said Nandy admitted the offence, removed the video from her social media platforms and paid the Sh3 million fine.

The council consequently allowed Nandy to continue with her artistic activities, although under its supervision.

The same incident also resulted in a Sh3 million fine against Millen Privé and Co. Lifestyle Limited, the organiser of Miss Universe Tanzania, with Basata holding the company responsible for allowing the alleged ethical violation to occur during the event.

The company was ordered to pay the fine within 14 days of the decision.

Basata’s enforcement action also covered the organisation of arts events, with Avil Contractors Company Ltd, the organiser of Miss Grand Tanzania, receiving a Sh3 million fine for holding the competition without an event permit from the council.

The council said it served the company with a notice of the alleged offence on August 12, 2026, and gave it 21 days to submit its defence, but it failed to do so.

Basata therefore ordered the company to pay the Sh3 million fine within 14 days and refrain from engaging in artistic activities until it complied with the decision.

The five cases bring the total value of fines imposed by Basata to Sh19 million, with the council applying additional restrictions in cases where those sanctioned had yet to comply with its decisions.

Edo Refinery carries out palliative work on Benin-Sapele highway

Commuters on the ever-busy Benin-Sapele Highway can now heave a sigh of relief as the management of the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Limited has carried out further repair works on failed sections of the expressway.

The Benin-Sapele highway, it would be recalled, has become a nightmare in recent times for commuters, especially at the Iyanomo, Ekosa, Obayantor Ologbo, and Koko junction in Delta, which had almost totally collapsed, thus necessitating the intervention of the petrochemical company.

Commuters and other users of the highways spend days on the bad spots along the corridor due to the deplorable state of the highway, which links the rest of the country to the core Niger Delta States from Edo to Bayelsa and Rivers.

The palliative works by the management of the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Limited are to prevent trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles plying the highway from falling on the road.

The palliative work was done at various sections of the road, like Iyanomo, Ekosa, Obayantor Ologbo and Koko junction in Delta State.

The Head of Technical Operations of the refinery, Segun Okeini, said the intervention was to prevent the occurrence of the fire incident that happened five years ago, when a truck carrying PMS at one of the bad spots in Ologbo, with the ensuing conflagration killing over 20 people, with many others injured.

Okeini, who noted that the failed sections were almost like they were before the incident, added that the company decided to act promptly to repair the spot after the accident.

The failed portions, he disclosed, had been affecting the firm’s operations as tankers spent days on the highway before gaining access to the refinery to load products.

‘Our refinery is just about two kilometers ahead. And this area happens to be part of the area of coverage of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

‘They approached us to help them fix the failed section because most of their people cannot go out of the area. Our Chairman was around during that period, and he saw the level of damage to the road, and even on that same day, we have like five trucks that fell along the road. He authorised that we should just undertake this.’ He stated.

Okeini disclosed that while the failed portions had no direct impact on the refinery’s production, he added that since the blocked road could prevent trucks coming for loading product at the refinery, the company decided to carry out the palliative repairs for the benefit of all the users of the highway.

On his part, the Managing Director of SODEOSA Global Resources, Solomon Uyiekpen, said commuters experienced suffering on the road before the intervention.

Uyiekpen said he collaborated with the Edo Refinery to fix the road as a CSR to the communities around the area.

A member of the Obayantor community, Kennedy Nwazekwu, who expressed joy at the repair works, said the repair work would stop incessant accidents on the road.

Nwazekwu recalled with sadness that over 20 people had died at the bad spot when their vehicles fell into the ditch at different times.

Cargills Bank expands strategic partnership with Intellect

Intellect Design Arena Ltd., a global leader in AI-First, enterprise-grade financial technology, said that Cargills Bank has selected its Composable eMACH.ai Core Banking Architecture to expand digital banking capabilities and strengthen long-standing technology partnership with Intellect.

The expanded engagement marks the next phase of Cargills Bank’s digital transformation journey, enabling the bank to modernise its technology landscape with a composable, cloud-ready banking architecture. The program spans Core Banking, Lending, Trade Finance and Treasury, creating a unified technology foundation that supports greater agility, operational resilience and long-term business growth. The modernisation program will enable Cargills Bank to transform critical banking capabilities spanning Customer On-boarding, Deposits, Payments, Loan Origination, Loan Management, Limits and Collateral Management, Trade Finance and Treasury, enabling faster product innovation and seamless customer experiences.

Building on a trusted relationship established over the years, this expanded engagement reflects Cargills Bank’s continued commitment to investing in a modern banking platform that can evolve with its business and customer needs. Guided by Intellect’s Design Thinking philosophy and First Principles approach to banking transformation, the engagement focuses on creating a resilient, scalable, and future-ready technology foundation that will support the bank’s growth, innovation agenda, and evolving customer expectations over the next decade. The platform will continue to evolve through ongoing technology enhancements and software updates, ensuring that Cargills Bank remains equipped to respond to changing market demands and customer expectations.

As part of the expanded engagement, Cargills Bank will:

Modernise its banking technology with the Composable eMACH.ai Core Banking Architecture.

Establish a unified platform spanning Core Banking, Lending, Treasury and Trade Finance.

Strengthen its digital foundation with a modern, composable and cloud-ready architecture.

Accelerate innovation, enhance customer experiences and support long-term business growth.

Build a future-ready banking platform designed to evolve with the bank’s strategy over the next decade.

Cargills Bank Chief Information Officer Indika Fernando said: “At Cargills Bank, we are committed to continuously investing in technologies that enhance customer experience and support our long-term growth ambitions. Our relationship with Intellect has evolved over the years, built on a shared vision of innovation and trust. By expanding this partnership, we are creating a unified, future-ready banking platform that will enable us to deliver simpler, smarter and more personalised banking experiences for years to come.”

Intellect Design Arena CEO-India and South Asia Ramanan S.V., said: “Sri Lanka’s banking sector is entering a new phase of transformation, with banks investing in modern, resilient technology platforms that can support sustainable growth while delivering superior customer experiences. We are proud to deepen our long-standing relationship with Cargills Bank through this expanded engagement. By bringing together our Composable eMACH.ai Architecture across Core Banking, Lending, Treasury and Trade Finance, we are enabling the bank to operate on a unified, future-ready platform that combines operational excellence with continuous innovation. This upgrade reinforces our shared commitment to building a banking foundation that will serve Cargills Bank, its customers and the evolving financial ecosystem for the next decade.”

MAK poly moves to secure NBTE accreditation for more courses

The Michael Adeniyin Koleosho Polytechnic, Saki, Oyo State, has intensified efforts to secure accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for additional programmes being offered by the institution.

The move, according to the management of the polytechnic, is aimed at expanding opportunities for students, particularly those completing four-year Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Among the programmes being presented for accreditation are engineering-related courses, Business Administration, HND Mass Communication and other related programmes, and already, more than 90 courses have been accredited at the institution.

As part of the accreditation process, a team from the NBTE recently visited the polytechnic to inspect its facilities, equipment and other resources required for the proposed programmes.

The team conducted the resource inspection and assessed the facilities and equipment available for the various programmes.

At the end of the exercise, the NBTE team expressed satisfaction with the facilities and equipment provided by the institution, while encouraging the management to sustain its efforts towards the development of the polytechnic.

The team also commended the management for the quality of equipment available at the institution and urged it to continue investing in the development of the polytechnic.

Following the exercise, the NBTE team visited the palace of the Okere of Saki to receive royal blessings.

The accreditation drive is part of the efforts of the management, under the leadership of the Rector, Dr Ajibola Sikiru, to further develop the institution and expand its range of accredited programmes.

SEDC flags off agro-development pilot project in Enugu

The Southeast Development Commission (SEDC), in partnership with the Enugu State Government, has flagged off its Southeast Agro-Development Programme (SEADP) with a 200-hectare integrated agricultural development project at Nomeh Unateze in Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state.

The project is the first of the commission’s planned agro-development interventions across the 15 senatorial zones of the Southeast.

It is designed to transform agriculture and the rural economy through mechanisation, investment, processing, logistics, market access and export-oriented value chains.

The initiative is also expected to support food production, create jobs, develop agricultural skills and provide a model that can be replicated in other parts of the zone.

Governor Peter Mbah, who was represented at the event by his Deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, said the project demonstrates the possibilities that could be achieved through collaboration between state governments and the SEDC.

Ossai said food security goes beyond providing food, noting that investment in agriculture can also address poverty, unemployment and insecurity while helping to expand the middle class.

‘When we attack agriculture by way of investing in it, it is because we believe it is the lowest-hanging fruit,’ he said, adding that agriculture can help move people from poverty to sufficiency and create sustainable economic opportunities.

The deputy governor said the state government was deliberately creating the infrastructure and security environment necessary to attract investments. He added that roads, healthcare, transport and security were critical components of the agricultural development ecosystem.

He urged the SEDC to develop a framework that would allow the Nomeh project to extend beyond its immediate location through partnerships with private-sector operators and farmers across the Enugu East Senatorial District.

According to him, such decentralisation would enable farmers in communities farther from Nomeh to participate in production, processing, logistics and transportation, thereby spreading the economic benefits of the investment.

Ossai also charged the commission to institutionalise the project in a manner that would ensure its sustainability beyond the tenure of its current leadership.

The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, commended the SEDC and the Northcentral Development Commission for what he described as demonstrated capacity and vision among the newly established regional development commissions.

Momoh said the Nomeh project is in conformity with the policies of the Federal Government and aligns with the priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly the emphasis on food security.

‘What you are doing here is the Federal Government’s policy. We are transforming the policy into implementation now,’ the minister said.

He commended Governor Mbah for providing the land for the project, describing the 200 hectares earmarked for the initiative as a significant contribution to the development of agriculture and the rural economy.

Momoh said the project represented more than land development, as its integration of production and processing could help revive the commodity value-chain tradition for which the former Eastern Region was known.

He also praised the cooperation between the Enugu State Government, the SEDC and communities in the state, saying such collaboration would be critical to the success of regional development initiatives.

The minister urged the people of the host community and the wider region to support the project, while expressing hope that its impact would extend beyond Nomeh to other parts of the South East and Nigeria.

Earlier, SEDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mark Okoye described the flag-off as the beginning of the commission’s transition from planning and consultations to visible implementation.

Okoye said the Nomeh facility would incorporate agricultural production, mechanisation, processing and practical training, while an out-grower programme would enable farmers in surrounding communities to participate in the value chain.

UNGA 81: Defence Minister seeks greater African ownership, funding of regional security

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), has called for greater African ownership and funding of regional security operations to end terrorism and cross-border crimes.

He said countries on the continent must increasingly take responsibility for sustaining mechanisms established to combat terrorism and other transnational threats.

Musa said this at a high-level security discussion organised by the Ministry of Defence on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) High-Level Week in New York.

The discussion, titled ‘Confronting Nigeria’s Multidimensional Security Challenges: A Whole-of-Society and Partnership-Based Approach,’ brought together diplomats, security practitioners and representatives of the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS.

The panel also examined homeland security and early warning, economic security, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and the need for African countries to develop security solutions suited to their specific circumstances.

The call for greater regional ownership formed part of a broader discussion on Nigeria’s multidimensional security challenges, with participants advocating stronger intelligence cooperation, improved border management, economic recovery in conflict-affected communities and greater investment in indigenous security capabilities.

In a statement on Thursday, his Media Adviser, Leah Katung-Babatunde, stressed the need for African member states to provide increased funding and support for regional mechanisms such as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), even as Nigeria continues to value defence cooperation with international partners.

Musa said although the MNJTF had benefited from support from foreign partners, including the European Union, African countries must ensure that the regional security architecture does not become overly dependent on external assistance.

He said, ‘While regional mechanisms like the MNJTF receive support from foreign partners like the EU, African member states must increasingly finance and sustain their security frameworks to guarantee regional ownership.’

Musa said Nigeria’s security challenges had national, regional and global implications, making sustained cooperation among countries and international organisations essential to confronting terrorism, banditry and other emerging threats.

‘Our recognition that we cannot address these challenges alone is not a statement of dependence; rather, it is an acknowledgement of the multidimensional character of modern security threats and the importance of collective action,’ the minister said.

Musa also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and banditry, while commending what he described as productive defence cooperation with international partners, including the United States.

The Minister said sustainable security could not be achieved through military operations alone, stressing the importance of resilient communities, effective institutions, inclusive development and good governance.

‘Sustainable security requires resilient communities, effective institutions, inclusive development, and good governance,’ Musa said.

He said the objective of the engagement was to move beyond discussions towards concrete cooperation and clearly defined responsibilities.

‘Our objective should be straightforward,’ he said. ‘We should not merely reaffirm our understanding of the challenges; we should seek to identify concrete areas of cooperation, clear responsibilities, and practical next steps.’

The Defence Minister highlighted the Federal Government’s measures to strengthen national security, including increased military recruitment, Army restructuring, state police and forest guards, unified intelligence operations, enhanced domestic defence production, drone technology for surveillance and IED detection, and a national criminal database.

Other speakers at the event called for stronger intelligence fusion, community-based border security, protection of critical national infrastructure and measures to disrupt terrorist taxation and financial networks.

Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Famadewa (Rtd.), Special Adviser on Homeland Security, advocated integrated response capabilities and citizen-reporting protection systems to improve early warning and enable authorities to anticipate emerging threats.

A former Force Commander of the MNJTF, Maj.-Gen. Khalifa Ibrahim (Rtd.), called for revitalising the regional force, implementing the Office of the National Security Adviser’s Border Management Strategy, and using community-based approaches to securing Nigeria’s borders.

Ibrahim also advocated stronger action against terrorist taxation and financial networks, which he identified as critical to weakening the operational capacity of terrorist groups.

Former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor, Dr. Kingsley Obiora, described economic stability as a core component of national security and proposed designated economic zones to accelerate recovery in conflict-affected areas.

Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, former Chief of Staff to the President and Minister of External Affairs, who moderated the discussion, recalled Nigeria’s concentric-circles foreign policy and stressed the need for Africa to position itself as an active contributor to global frameworks, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Prof. Mvemba Phezo Dizolele of Johns Hopkins University urged African countries to develop security solutions suited to their local realities rather than relying on externally designed models, while cybersecurity expert Omosigho Ozo-Eson warned against excessive dependence on foreign artificial intelligence systems.

ACPN to FG: Use pharmacies to decongest hospitals

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has urged the Federal Government to deploy community pharmacies as strategic frontline healthcare providers to improve access to care and help decongest secondary and tertiary hospitals.

The association also called for government investment in the Pharmacy First Initiative (PFI), saying the model could accelerate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by bringing essential healthcare services closer to Nigerians.

National chairman of the ACPN, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose, made the call in a statement signed by him and the association’s National Secretary, Pharm. [Mrs] Omokhafe Ashore.

The pharmacists said community pharmacies, because of their proximity to patients, could provide Primary Health Care services and manage uncomplicated diseases, thereby reducing the burden on hospitals.

The ACPN urged the Federal Government and state governments to create an enabling policy environment for community pharmacies to expand their role beyond dispensing medicines.

It called on pharmacists to provide basic screening services, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks for uncomplicated cases of hypertension and diabetes.

The association also advocated pharmacy-based clinics offering counselling and advocacy on malaria, antenatal care, family planning, smoking cessation, and wellness within the scope of professional competence.

It said proper documentation of these services and systematic data collection were essential to generate evidence for policymaking and strengthen advocacy for pharmacy practice.

According to the ACPN, Nigeria’s health sector must confront critical gaps in policy and political leadership, evidence and digital transformation, quality improvement, and collaboration.

The association said the future of pharmacy practice should be built around a common vision, quality that inspires trust, digital and data-driven systems, stronger primary-care partnerships, and collaboration with health insurers.

The association cited the United Kingdom’s experience with community pharmacy as evidence of the potential of the Pharmacy First model.

It said UK community pharmacies played a significant role in maintaining access to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic when general practice services were disrupted.

The ACPN further cited a £340 million investment deal announced in May 2026 to expand NHS walk-in pharmacy treatments in England, saying the investment builds on the Pharmacy First Initiative and is intended to strengthen the role of community pharmacies as primary clinical care hubs.

The association contrasted this with Nigeria’s COVID-19 experience, claiming that community pharmacies continued providing accessible and affordable services despite the risks but received neither financial support nor formal acknowledgement for their contribution.

The ACPN called on the Federal Government to establish a Presidential Committee on the Pharmaceutical Sector to examine the Pharmacy First model and other reforms needed to strengthen the pharmaceutical industry.

It said the committee should explore investment opportunities, appropriate regulatory frameworks, and stronger public-private partnerships that would allow community pharmacies to expand quality healthcare services.

The association also urged pharmacists to embrace modern practice models and invest in services that advance Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) and patient-centred care.

It maintained that stronger governance, resilient drug supply chains, digital technology, sustainable financing, and effective public-private collaboration were essential to transforming Nigeria’s health system.

‘Community pharmacists must continue to be a trusted and low-cost first-contact workforce in the quest for the true growth and development of the health sector in Nigeria,’ the association said.

The ACPN said strengthening community pharmacy practice would improve access to healthcare while contributing to Nigeria’s pursuit of universal health coverage.