Category: Daily Trust

The Presidency has charged the North to honour the current eight-year tenure of the South, in the interest of ‘reciprocity and national stability.’

Personal Assistant to the President on Radio and Broadcast (Office of the Vice President), Hajiya Rahma Abdulmajid, stated this in Kano on Sunday during the Grand Inauguration and Strategic Media Awards Ceremony of Matan Arewa 4 Tinubu Again (MATA).

She said Nigeria’s national stability hangs by a ‘slender thread,’ demanding that the North honour the unwritten power rotation pact and allow the South to complete its eight-year tenure, warning that breaking this trust could jeopardise the country’s unity.

According to her, Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement is not a sectional concession but a reciprocal compact that has stabilised the Fourth Republic.

Making a veiled reference to former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, who she recalled attended and participated in the famous Kaduna meeting where the power rotation agreement was reached, Abdulmajid argued that the North cannot sacrifice the stability of Nigeria for the ambition of one man.

Tracing the origin to Kaduna, she noted that when military rule ended, patriots negotiated a framework for unity, maintaining, just as he said, ‘And present in that room was Atiku Abubakar himself, as later confirmed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.

Insisting on the power rotation arrangement, the presidency said, ‘In 1999, when the guns of military rule finally fell silent, this nation did not just switch governments-we made a sacred promise. Our founding patriots gathered in Kaduna with one urgent, defining question echo-chambered in their minds: How do we keep Nigeria one?

‘And from that sacred deliberation came a compact: not a sectional concession, but a reciprocal agreement. This gentleman’s agreement decreed that power must rotate between North and South every eight years-an arrangement to guarantee fairness, to ensure stability, and to guarantee that no Nigerian ever feels like a stranger in his own country.’

On how the arrangement worked, Abdulmajid said it survived because it was honoured.

‘This is not fiction. This is our history. And how did it work? It worked because we honoured it. In 1999, we gave it to the South-Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, eight years, from 1999 to 2007. Then we gave it to the North: Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007. But death, a painful death, cut his tenure short in 2010.

‘His vice, Goodluck Jonathan from the South, took over. The North felt cheated. The North said our turn was not complete, and that agitation was legitimate. What happened? In 2015, power returned to the North. The late former President Muhammadu Buhari, eight full years, 2015 to 2023! The sequence was restored! The principle survived,’ she stated.

The presidency contended that the agreement is a two-way street and the North has already taken its full benefit.

‘My people, the agreement is reciprocal; it is a two-way street. The North has already taken its full benefit after eight solid years under Buhari. You cannot eat your cake and still demand another man’s cake,’ Abdulmajid said

The presidential aide stressed that stability requires reciprocity, recalling that the current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Southerner, worked tirelessly for the late General Muhammadu Buhari to emerge victorious when the North demanded power must return after Jonathan’s tenure.

‘That same logic applies today. You cannot abandon a principle when it becomes inconvenient. If you do, you tell the world that the agreement was never a principle at all-merely a temporary tactic. And if we destroy trust today, what will we use to negotiate tomorrow? Let us be honest. Much of this noise against the South completing its term is not a matter of principle. It is personal ambition,’ she queried.

Abdulmajid said, ‘Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar tells us zoning is ‘self-defeating.’ But he participated in and benefited from zoned arrangements in 2015 and 2019 when they favored his ambition! When rotation opened the door for him, it was acceptable. When it stands in his way, it becomes ‘intellectually dishonest.’

‘Shall we sacrifice Nigeria’s stability for one man’s ambition? The North’s genuine interest is not served by that; the North’s interest is stable inclusion. The guarantee that power will return to you only lives if we honour the compact today.’

On his part, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, corroborated Abdulmajid’s position, saying the unity of Nigeria can only be guaranteed by fair play and inclusivity.

The governor who was represented by his Director-General of Media and Publicity, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, argued that reversing the existing rotational arrangement will paint the North in ignoble light, even as he urged the region to maintain the status quo by re-electing President Tinubu for a second term.

In his remarks, former Governor of Jigawa State and immediate past Minister of Defence, Mohammad Abubakar Badaru, said the Renewed Hope Administration of President Tinubu has benefited the North more than any other part of Nigeria.

Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in military equipment production has received a fresh boost as DICON-D7G unveiled plans to expand indigenous defence manufacturing, attract foreign investment and create 7,000 employment opportunities for retired military personnel and civilians.

The initiative, being promoted at the ongoing Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) in Lagos, also includes plans to secure 40,000 square metres of land for the establishment of a world-class international exhibition centre.

The Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Mr Osman Chennar, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Monday, saying the initiative was aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s transition from dependence on imported military equipment to local manufacturing, technology transfer and industrial self-sufficiency.

DICON-D7G, a major sponsor of AFRIDEX, is using the international exhibition to promote its vision of building a stronger Nigerian military-industrial complex through local production, strategic partnerships, investment mobilisation and employment generation.

The renewed push comes 61 years after the establishment of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in 1964, with the country still working towards developing the capacity to manufacture a substantial proportion of the military equipment required by its armed forces.

For decades, Nigeria has depended considerably on foreign suppliers for military hardware, ammunition, components and other defence technologies, raising concerns about foreign exchange expenditure, supply-chain vulnerabilities and the sustainability of national security operations.

Chennar said DICON-D7G was seeking to address the challenge by bringing government institutions, private investors, indigenous manufacturers, research organisations and international technology partners together.

‘Our ambition is to move Nigeria from dependence on imported military equipment to a country that can increasingly manufacture, maintain and sustain its own defence requirements,’ he said.

According to him, Nigeria possesses the human resources, technical expertise and industrial potential to achieve defence industrial independence through strategic investments and effective partnerships.

He said the organisation’s objective was to move Nigeria beyond importing finished defence products to developing the capacity to design, manufacture, maintain and eventually export military equipment.

As part of its international expansion, DICON-D7G recently made its debut at an exhibition in Qatar, where it sought partnerships with foreign manufacturers, investors and technology companies to facilitate technology transfer and strengthen local production.

‘Our engagement with international partners is designed to encourage technology transfer, attract investment and build the technical capacity required to strengthen Nigeria’s defence industry,’ Chennar said.

He described AFRIDEX as an important platform for bringing manufacturers, investors, technology developers and other stakeholders together to advance Nigeria’s defence industrial ambitions.

The exhibition, he said, would provide opportunities to promote indigenous innovation, attract investment and encourage collaboration capable of translating Nigeria’s industrial potential into practical defence manufacturing capabilities.

In another major development, DICON-D7G is pursuing the acquisition of approximately 40,000 square metres of land in Lagos for a proposed international exhibition centre.

The facility is expected to host international defence exhibitions, industrial trade fairs, technology showcases, manufacturing conferences and investment forums, while providing a platform for Nigerian manufacturers to showcase locally developed products.

‘The proposed exhibition centre in Lagos will provide a permanent platform for international defence exhibitions, technology showcases and investment opportunities,’ Chennar said.

The proposed centre is also envisaged as a commercial asset that could generate revenue and support the organisation’s long-term industrial objectives.

The organisation is equally projecting 7,000 employment opportunities, comprising 2,000 positions for retired military personnel and 5,000 for civilians.

The retired military personnel are expected to contribute their experience and technical expertise in areas including training, engineering, logistics, administration and project management.

The civilian employment opportunities are expected to cover manufacturing, engineering, information technology, research and development, skilled trades and other supporting services.

‘We are looking beyond military equipment production. We also want to create opportunities for retired military personnel and young Nigerians to contribute their skills to national development,’ he said.

Beyond employment generation, the initiative is seeking to strengthen Nigeria’s military-industrial ecosystem by expanding local production and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

DICON-D7G has also indicated plans to expand its manufacturing activities beyond arms and ammunition to include tanks, armoured personnel carriers, mine-resistant vehicles, boats and drones.

The broader ambition is to develop local capacity that can support the country’s defence requirements, conserve foreign exchange, create jobs and stimulate technological advancement.

The development comes amid renewed efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s defence manufacturing framework following President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the DICON Amendment Act into law in November 2023.

The legislation provides an expanded framework for promoting indigenous defence production and strengthening the country’s military-industrial capacity.

However, the success of the renewed ambition will depend on sustained investment, research and development, technology transfer, quality assurance and effective collaboration between government and private-sector manufacturers.

Sixty-one years after DICON’s establishment, the renewed drive highlights the importance of translating Nigeria’s long-standing ambition for defence industrial independence into measurable manufacturing capacity.

For DICON-D7G, the objective is to ensure that Nigeria does not merely depend on importing equipment required for its national security but progressively develops the capacity to manufacture and sustain such equipment locally.

Women engineers and education advocates have called on parents and the government to tackle child marriage and ensure girls complete their education, warning that the practice limits their potential and exposes them to health risks.

They made the call at a public lecture and workshop organised by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Abuja Chapter, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the FCT Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.

The event, held in Abuja on Thursday, had as its theme, ‘End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.’

The National President of APWEN, Engr Chinyere Nnenna Igwegbe, who was the chairman of the event, said parents should not force children into marriage, particularly when financial difficulties or debts influence such decisions.

She said girls should be allowed to develop mentally, emotionally and physically before deciding to marry, adding that early marriage could disrupt their childhood and expose them to childbirth complications.

Igwegbe urged parents, teachers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to support girls through formal education, vocational training and other opportunities that would help them realise their potential.

She said cultural and religious values should not be used to prevent girls from achieving their ambitions, while encouraging parents to take advantage of government and non-governmental education support programmes.

The guest speaker, Engr Seriki-Johnson Oluwatoyin, an assistant director at the Rural Education Agency, said child marriage interrupts girls’ education and limits their opportunities to become professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders.

She called on the government to enforce existing policies and introduce measures to ensure every girl has access to education.

Oluwatoyin also urged authorities to provide free education and scholarships for girls, particularly those from poor households, saying financial hardship often pushes parents to withdraw their daughters from school or give them out in marriage.

She called for measures to hold parents accountable when children are denied education, while urging teachers and community leaders to encourage girls to remain in school.

Engr. Comfort Emenyonu, the Vice Chairman of APWEN Abuja Chapter and Project Director welcomed all guests and dignitaries to the event on the behalf of the Chapter Chairman, Engr. Amina Abdulmalik. She said ‘When we protect a girl’s rights, we protect her future; and when we invest in girls, we invest in a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous society.’

The programme also featured speeches by students from FCT schools on child marriage.

The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested three suspects over alleged forgery of an Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) identity card and recovery of an unregistered Lexus IS 250.

The suspects were identified as Mohammed Umar, Mohammed Nuhu and Ibrahim Suleiman.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit intercepted the suspects during a routine patrol around Bukan Sidi area of Lafia.

He said the suspects were travelling in a Lexus IS 250 without a registration number when they were stopped by the police.

‘Upon interrogation, Mohammed Nuhu introduced himself as an officer of the ICPC and presented an identification card purportedly issued by the Commission. However, when Mohammed Umar, the driver of the vehicle, was questioned about its ownership, he was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation, prompting the arrest of all three occupants for further investigation,’ the PPRO stated.

Nansel said investigation revealed that the ICPC identification card presented by Mohammed Nuhu was forged.

He added that Nuhu claimed he accompanied the driver from Kaduna State to Lafia because the driver did not possess a valid driver’s licence.

The police spokesman further disclosed that profiling of the suspects revealed that one of them, Ibrahim Suleiman, is allegedly associated with an unlawful society known as the Eiye Confraternity.

He said the allegations are being investigated to establish the full circumstances and determine the extent of involvement of each suspect.

According to him, ‘the suspects remain in custody as investigations continue and they will be charged to court for prosecution, while efforts are being intensified to verify the vehicle’s ownership.’

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has reiterated the Command’s commitment to proactive policing, intelligence-led operations and sustained fight against crime and criminality in the state.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police station.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has concluded his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, declaring that he prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for all Nigerians.

The President, disclosed this on Monday in a post on his verified X handle, @officialABAT.

The President also described the visit and experience as a demonstration of the enduring bonds of faith, friendship and mutual respect between Nigeria and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

President Tinubu departed Abuja on Thursday, October 29, to Saudi Arabia during which he performed Umrah at the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, in Makkah.

Meanwhile in his latest post, the President said, ‘I have concluded my visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where, together with members of my delegation, I had the rare honour of entering the Holy Kaaba to pray, and of performing Umrah.’

The President expressed his deep appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud @KingSalman, and to Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for extending this ‘privilege to us, and for their gracious hospitality and brotherly care.

‘It reflects the enduring bonds of faith and friendship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.’ He said.

The President explained that in those sacred moments, ‘I prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for our dear nation and for all Nigerians.’

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherited an economy ‘tottering on the brink of collapse’.

Mutfwang, who stated this on Monday during the formal inauguration of the APC campaign council in Jos, said the Tinubu administration inherited a country that could no longer service its external debts, while the Federal Government had resorted to printing money to manage the economy.

‘Where did President Tinubu meet Nigeria in 2023? He met Nigeria tottering on the brink of collapse; Nigeria that could not service its external debts; Nigeria that would not even allow businesses outside the country to take their proceeds back home.’

‘And that is why some international airlines stopped flying to Nigeria, because they could not get the dollars to take back their money. Our external reserve was down to just a little over $3 billion, from the over $40 billion it had accumulated for decades. Today, by the grace of God, we have a healthy external reserve of over $50 billion,’ the governor said.

Mutfwang said Nigerians had to spend days on the queue to get petrol, saying that at a point the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari was clueless.

He added, ‘Today, by the grace of God, we have solved one side of the equation. Today fuel is available. It may not be cheap but it is available.

‘Those of us who are of my age bracket or little below will remember the times when we spent days in petrol stations queuing for fuel that we could hardly get. Part of the problem of the Buhari regime is that they got to a point that they didn’t know what to do, so they sold our future crude. And today we are paying that debt. And so we cannot expect things to simply change overnight.

‘I am confident that come January 16, 2027, by the grace of God, Plateau State will return President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a resounding victory. And that two weeks later, the people of Plateau will renew their mandate for us to continue on the good journey we have started.

‘I want to urge you to go back home. It is time to go back home. Mobilise your own community. Mobilise your ward. Mobilise your local government. Mobilise your constituency.’

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has described his exclusion from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election as a temporary distraction, insisting that it would not derail his political activities or ambition.

Adebutu spoke on Monday in Abeokuta when the PDP received a former member of the House of Representatives, Olusegun Williams, who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP alongside his supporters.

The former lawmaker, who represented the constituency for two terms, said he was returning to his original political home after what he described as disappointing experiences in the APC.

Speaking with newsmen, Adebutu dismissed any suggestion that he had left the PDP, insisting that his political record and participation in the party’s activities over the years were sufficient evidence of his membership.

He challenged anyone with contrary evidence to establish when he allegedly defected to another political party.

‘I have been a candidate of PDP five consecutive times. For the last 20 years, every election cycle, I have been a candidate of PDP. At what stage did I leave the party? Where is the proof that for one day, I even visited APC office?’ he queried.

The governorship candidate also disclosed that he actively participated in organising and financing the recent PDP membership registration exercise in Ogun State, which recorded about 19,800 members.

According to him, he personally registered during the exercise and was assigned membership number 1536.

‘We were able to register 19,800 and something. We targeted 20,000. Because of time, we couldn’t make 20,000. We registered 19,800 plus. That process, I was a very active participant in organising and financing that registration.

‘I registered and my number is 1536. For somebody that registered 20,000, whose number comes over 1536? So, I don’t know the magic. The story is up to Nigerians to decide,’ he said.

Adebutu argued that every Nigerian had a fundamental right to participate in the democratic process, accusing the ruling APC in the state of attempting to weaken opposition parties rather than allowing them to compete based on their achievements.

He said political parties should be allowed to present their scorecards to the electorate and seek votes through democratic means instead of using political power to frustrate their opponents.

‘Should it be a party’s policy to hold down other parties? Should it be a party’s policy? If you mean well and you have done well for your people, you should be able to place your scorecard on the table. This is what I have done for you. You elect me,’ he said.

The PDP chieftain further alleged that opposition supporters and businesses were being harassed in the state, while billboards erected by his supporters were allegedly destroyed or vandalised.

He maintained that such actions would not stop the party from reaching out to voters across the state.

Adebutu also accused the state government of borrowing excessively without commensurate development, alleging that Ogun State had little to show for its accumulated debts.

On the controversy surrounding his exclusion, he expressed confidence in the country’s judicial system, insisting that he fulfilled the requirements for party membership and participation in the primaries.

‘Why shouldn’t my name come out? There is justice in Nigeria now. There is justice in Nigeria. I was duly registered. I orchestrated registration in this state. I have been the candidate of this state, of this PDP, for the last 20 years. Every cycle. Check your records,’ he said.

He described the omission as an attempt to slow down the party’s preparations and discourage its supporters but insisted that the development would eventually work in their favour.

‘They want to slow down the process and make the people of the state disenfranchised, discomforted. But never mind. It’s the process. It will end. And by the time it ends, it will even be a blessing to us.

‘We are used to this. We’ve had various shenanigans like this and we have always welcomed them. So we have no fear at all. It has just slowed us down,’ he added.

Scientists at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have secured four international research grants worth approximately N1.213 billion to advance climate-resilient agriculture in Nigeria.

The grants, valued at $948,678.53, were awarded under the Action Research for Climate Adaptation in Agriculture (ARCAA) programme, a joint initiative of Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), with support from the Gates Foundation.

The achievement makes IAR the only Nigerian institution to secure more than one grant under the highly competitive programme, accounting for four of the eight successful proposals from Nigeria.

A statement by Dr Sharhabil Musa Yahaya, of the Agricultural Extension Unit of IAR, said the programme attracted 149 concept-note submissions, out of which only 14 were selected, representing a success rate of about 9.4 per cent.

He said the four research projects will focus on developing alternative livestock feed from locally available materials, promoting solar-powered farmer-led irrigation, scaling up climate-resilient and drought-tolerant maize hybrids, and improving access to climate-resilient groundnut varieties through inclusive seed systems.

According to him, the projects are expected to boost agricultural productivity, strengthen farmers’ capacity to withstand climate change and promote sustainable farming practices, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

Commenting on the stride, Prof. Ado A. Yusuf, Executive Director of IAR, described the achievement as a testament to the dedication and research capacity of the institute’s scientists.

He said the success demonstrated the quality of research ideas being developed at the institute and their relevance to the needs of farmers and the wider agricultural sector.

Yusuf said the institute was committed to ensuring that research excellence translated into practical benefits for farmers, stronger agricultural systems and improved national food security.

He congratulated the successful scientists and their research teams, assuring them of the institute’s continued support for innovation, collaboration and partnerships capable of addressing critical agricultural challenges.

Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, described the feat as an outstanding achievement that reflected the university’s growing reputation as a centre of research excellence in Africa.

Ahmed said securing four of the 14 grants selected from 149 submissions, including half of Nigeria’s successful entries, demonstrated the quality of research capacity developed by the university.

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has paid N13.87bn in outstanding pension increment arrears to 18,822 retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

The beneficiaries include pensioners of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and five other government-linked organisations.

The payments followed the implementation of pension increases of 13.8 per cent and 20.55 per cent, with some retirees receiving arrears accumulated over five years.

This was disclosed in a statement issued yesterday by PTAD’s Head of Corporate Communications, Olugbenga Ajayi.

The statement said the payments covered pension adjustments approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

It stated that the directorate disbursed a total of N13,873,565,547.52 to the 18,822 pensioners.

A breakdown of the payments showed that N9.42bn was paid to 7,391 pensioners of the defunct PHCN as arrears from a 13.8 per cent pension increase.

The payments covered 65 months, from June 1, 2021, to October 31, 2026.

The PHCN pensioners received about 67.9 per cent of the total amount disbursed, although they accounted for 39.3 per cent of the beneficiaries.

PTAD also paid N4.46bn to 11,431 pensioners from five defunct organisations to settle 22 months of arrears arising from a 20.55 per cent pension increase.

The affected organisations are Peoples Bank of Nigeria, Assurance Bank, NICON Insurance, Nigerian Reinsurance Corporation and NITEL/MTEL.

The arrears covered the period from January 1, 2025, to October 31, 2026.

The statement said the two pension increases were approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission in a circular dated January 14, 2026.

PTAD said the payments were part of its efforts to clear outstanding pension obligations and improve the welfare of retirees who served in government establishments.

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The Custodian of the Holy Mosques of Makkah and Madinah, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has granted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a rare privilege of leading Nigeria’s delegation to pray inside the Holy Ka’abah.

The president was led into Ka’abah by Sheikh Dahlulah Muthawal of Masjid al-Haram.

Tinubu thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for granting him and members of his Nigerian delegation the opportunity to enter the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah and offer prayers to Almighty Allah.

The President described the honour as a historic and deeply cherished spiritual experience, reflecting the longstanding bonds of friendship, mutual respect and cooperation between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

President Tinubu said faith in Allah had strengthened his conviction that his emergence as Nigeria’s leader was an extraordinary blessing that must be matched with dedicated service to the country.