Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, has said the far-reaching reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration since 2023 were necessary to save Nigeria from imminent economic collapse.

Akume, who stated that the reforms were beginning to yield positive results, spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the 66th Independence Anniversary Lecture organised as part of activities marking Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary.

The lecture was held under the theme, ‘Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress’, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the SGF on Media and Publicity, Mr Yomi Odunuga.

The SGF said Nigeria had survived the civil war, decades of military rule and several national challenges in its 66 years as an independent nation, noting that the faith and resilience of Nigerians had sustained the country.

According to him, the Tinubu administration took difficult decisions at the beginning of its tenure, including the removal of the petrol subsidy, unification of the foreign exchange market and fiscal reforms, to restore economic stability.

‘This administration took office in 2023 and immediately took bold decisions needed to save the nation from imminent collapse.

‘Such decisions include the removal of the petrol subsidy, unification of the foreign-exchange market, tax and other fiscal reforms. These were difficult decisions, but necessary to rebuild stability and we have started enjoying the results,’ he said.

Akume cited World Bank data indicating that Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.2 per cent in the first half of 2026, compared with 3.9 per cent recorded a year earlier.

He, however, said the challenge before the government was to ensure that economic growth translated into jobs and improved incomes for Nigerians.

The SGF also listed infrastructure development as another area where the administration had recorded progress, citing investments in major road, rail and port projects.

He mentioned the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Abuja-Kano Highway, East-West Road, rail modernisation projects and port reforms as initiatives expected to improve connectivity, trade and economic activity.

On the power sector, Akume said the government was addressing challenges through the clearance of legacy debts, increased investment, improvements in transmission and billing, as well as greater utilisation of the country’s natural gas resources.

He said more than 120,000 vehicles had been converted to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), with over 400 conversion centres and 90 fuelling stations established nationwide.

According to him, the CNG initiative was helping to reduce transportation costs, while CNG buses were providing cheaper transportation for millions of passengers.

‘We will not return to the ruinous petroleum subsidy regime of the past,’ he declared.

On agriculture and food security, Akume said the administration remained committed to increasing domestic food production through mechanisation, irrigation, improved seeds, fertiliser, storage facilities and local processing.

He disclosed that the World Bank had approved a $500 million credit for the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) project, which he said would improve smallholder productivity, strengthen agricultural value chains and enhance food and nutrition security.

The SGF also highlighted youth empowerment as a key component of the administration’s development agenda, noting that more than 60 per cent of Nigerians were below the age of 25.

He said the government had expanded the Nigeria Education Loan Fund to enable more students to access university and vocational education, while efforts were also being made to strengthen technical and vocational institutions to provide skills required by industry.

‘Our young people are not just leaders of tomorrow – they are partners in building Nigeria today,’ he said.

Akume further urged Nigerians in the diaspora to invest in the country, stressing that their contribution went beyond remittances to include ideas, investments and national pride.

On healthcare and social protection, he said the government was equipping thousands of primary healthcare centres under the IMPACT initiative and expanding social protection programmes, including NG-CARES Additional Financing, SOLID and HOPE, with support from the World Bank and the Federal Government.

According to him, the programmes were designed to provide cash transfers and essential services to vulnerable households.

On security, the SGF commended the armed forces for their sacrifices and said the government was strengthening security through improved equipment, intelligence and inter-agency coordination.

He cited the development of a new National Threat Assessment and a five-year Strategic Defence Plan as part of efforts to improve national security.

‘Security and welfare of the people is the responsibility of government. Nothing matters more than the safety of our people,’ Akume said.

He added that development and security were interconnected, stressing that communities with greater economic opportunities and confidence in justice were less vulnerable to crime and violence.

The SGF said the Independence Anniversary Lecture should serve as a renewed call to duty for leaders and citizens, expressing the vision of a Nigeria where graduates could become employers of labour, farmers could feed their families and sell their surplus, entrepreneurs could grow their businesses, and every child could access quality education and healthcare.

‘We know the path will not be easy but our goal is clear: shared prosperity for all Nigerians,’ he added.

The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man accused of creating and operating the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi, but the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, appeared for the prosecution when the case was called on Wednesday.

Oyedepo told the court that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had asked him to take over the prosecution of the case. He then told the court that the matter was slated for arraignment.

Adeyemi’s lawyer, Genesis Francis, also told the court that the defence was ready when the judge asked.

The charges were subsequently read to Adeyemi, who said he understood all the counts but pleaded not guilty to each of the eight counts.

‘In view of the not guilty plea by the defendant, he is due to have put himself for trial,’ Oyedepo said after the plea.

The prosecution prayed the court for an accelerated trial, as the case had attracted public attention.

The DPPF also asked the court to remand Adeyemi to the Correctional Centre pending the determination of the charge and in view of the production of the defendant before the court. He also prayed the court to fix a date for trial.

However, Adeyemi’s lawyer informed the court of his intention to move his motion dated and filed on 12 January 2026. He said it was an application for bail which ‘had been served on the prosecution and had responded with a counter-affidavit’.

When the judge told him that the application would be heard on the next adjourned date, Francis also told the court that the defendant was under medical care and had an ‘appointment on Friday’.

But Oyedepo immediately interjected and assured the defence that it would have access to Adeyemi in custody, adding that ‘he will be well taken care of’.

Although Francis maintained that the sickness ‘was communicable’, he did not disclose the nature of the illness.

After listening to both lawyers, the judge ordered that Adeyemi be ‘remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending’ the court’s decision on the bail application and then adjourned the case until 12 October 2026 for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.

Adeyemi was arrested in Osun State in July after the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his repeated failure to appear for arraignment.

He is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, fraud and impersonation over his claim to be the Director-General of the PFIPC, an organisation the Presidency has disowned as ‘fake’.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Wednesday congratulated the Speaker of the 10th House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on the occasion of his 61st birthday, describing him as an exemplary leader and nation-builder whose commitment to democratic values has continued to strengthen the institution of the National Assembly.

Hon. Kalu, in a congratulatory message, praised Speaker Tajudeen for his distinguished leadership of the House, noting that his calm disposition, wisdom, humility and commitment to institutional development have contributed significantly to the stability and effectiveness of the 10th House of Representatives.

According to him, Speaker Tajudeen has demonstrated through his leadership that effective governance is anchored on collaboration, inclusivity, accountability and an unwavering commitment to the interests of Nigerians.

He commended the Speaker for providing purposeful leadership in advancing legislative reforms, strengthening democratic institutions and supporting initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Citizens.

Hon. Kalu further acknowledged Abbas’ commitment to fostering unity among members of the House, describing his leadership style as a model of maturity, patriotism and service to the nation.

He prayed to God to grant the Speaker continued good health, wisdom and strength as he leads the House in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

The Deputy Speaker said: ‘On behalf of my family and the good people of Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, I warmly felicitate with my boss, big brother and friend, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on the occasion of his 61st birthday.

‘Your remarkable journey in public service and your stewardship of the 10th House of Representatives continue to reflect the virtues of humility, empathy, selflessness and dedication to the common good.

‘Under your leadership, the House has enjoyed an atmosphere of stability, cooperation and productivity. Your ability to build bridges, foster consensus and inspire confidence among members has contributed immensely to the progress recorded by the 10th Assembly.

‘On this special occasion, I wish you many more years of good health, wisdom, fulfilment and impactful service to our fatherland.’

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers, warning that the current N70,000 wage has already been eroded by inflation.

The demand was contained in an Independence Day message issued by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on Wednesday, in which the labour centre said the process for a new wage standard expected to take effect in 2027 should begin without further delay.

The NLC said the current minimum wage had lost significant value even before its implementation, against the backdrop of rising inflation, transportation costs, food prices, rent and other basic necessities.

‘The current ?70,000 minimum wage was already destroyed by inflation before it was implemented,’ the Congress said, demanding ‘the immediate establishment of a tripartite committee to ensure that a new wage standard for 2027 is formulated and legislated before the year runs out.’

According to the labour centre, delaying the constitution of the committee could further prolong the process and undermine the timely implementation of a new wage regime.

The NLC’s position comes amid continuing pressure from organised labour over the rising cost of living, particularly the impact of petrol prices on workers’ purchasing power. Public sector unions under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council have also demanded the immediate commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage expected to take effect in 2027.

Beyond the minimum wage, Ajaero called on the Federal Government to immediately reduce the price of petrol, arguing that transportation costs had become a major driver of the rising cost of living.

‘Petrol now sells at ?1,430 per litre or higher in major cities and far more in remote areas,’ the NLC said, adding that the resulting increase in transportation costs was driving up the prices of food, school fees, rent and other necessities.

It therefore demanded that the government ‘seek ways to immediately reduce the price of petrol as transportation costs are the central transmission mechanism of inflation in Nigeria.’

The Congress also demanded the immediate implementation of a nationwide wage award for workers at the federal, state and local government levels, describing the measure as an emergency response to the erosion of workers’ real income.

‘A wage award is not charity. It is an emergency intervention against the collapse of real income,’ the labour centre said.

It further asked the Federal Government to implement the tax relief agreed with labour during the October 2023 dialogue, saying the tax incentives contained in the Memorandum of Understanding between both sides had yet to be implemented.

The NLC also renewed its demand for a reduction in the cost of governance, insisting that the government must demonstrate transparency and lead by example at a time when workers are being asked to make sacrifices.

‘When workers are asked to tighten their belts, the extravagance and waste of the governing class are unacceptable,’ it said.

On the broader economic situation, the labour centre said Nigeria’s Independence anniversary should provide an opportunity to reflect on whether political independence had translated into economic freedom and dignity for citizens.

It said the country was currently facing ‘a full-scale survival crisis’, with structural inflation eroding wages and increasing the cost of basic goods and services.

The Congress also called for greater investment in roads, hospitals, schools and other social infrastructure, arguing that good roads were essential to reducing transportation costs and improving economic efficiency.

It equally urged the government to create genuine economic opportunities for young Nigerians, warning that unemployment, poverty and inequality were contributing to desperation and irregular migration.

‘The government must create genuine opportunities so that young people can see hope instead of being preached to about hope,’ the NLC said.

The labour centre also linked insecurity to the country’s economic difficulties, saying farmers, teachers, doctors and other workers in some parts of the country were increasingly affected by violence.

It argued that addressing poverty, unemployment, inequality and what it described as distributive injustice was necessary for sustainable economic recovery.

The NLC said its demands were aimed at ensuring that the gains of independence were reflected in the living conditions of Nigerian workers and the wider population.

‘Hope exists, but it will not fall from the sky,’ the Congress said. ‘Hope depends on the decisions we make and the actions we take as trade unions, workers, and as a people.’

It pledged to continue pressing for decent wages, safe workplaces, accountability in governance and a life of dignity for Nigerian workers.

‘The Nigeria Labour Congress will always stand on the side of workers, fighting to the end for decent wages, safe workplaces, and a life of dignity,’ Ajaero said.

The Congress urged the government to respond to the demands, stressing that the process of negotiating a new minimum wage for 2027 could no longer be delayed.

Law graduates of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) have appealed to the House of Representatives to intervene in their inability to proceed to the Nigerian Law School despite completing their university law programme.

The graduates made the appeal before the House Committee on Public Petitions, where they expressed concern over the rejection of their names for mobilisation to the Nigerian Law School.

Presenting the petition, a representative of the affected graduates, Dr Adeniyi Oladele, said they approached the university after graduation to have their names submitted for mobilisation to the Nigerian Law School but were informed that the list containing their names had been rejected.

Oladele said repeated efforts by the affected graduates to obtain clarification and resolve the matter had yielded no result, leaving many of them uncertain about their professional future.

‘Upon graduation from National Open University as a backlog of law graduates of the same school, we approached the university for mobilisation to be given admission into the Nigerian Law School. We were informed that the list containing our names was rejected,’ he told the committee.

According to him, the graduates had spent several years pursuing their law education but were unable to proceed to the next stage of professional training because they had not been given a clear explanation for the rejection.

‘We spent a lot of years in pain and confusion, yet no answer to the reason of our rejection was given to us,’ he said.

The petitioners also told the committee that graduates of NOUN had previously been mobilised to the Nigerian Law School, completed their professional training, passed the requisite examinations and were subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar.

They argued that the existence of NOUN law graduates who had successfully completed the Nigerian Law School process and were now practising as lawyers raised questions about the status of those affected by the current mobilisation impasse.

While acknowledging the regulatory powers of the Council for Legal Education (CLE) over professional legal education and admission to the Nigerian Law School, the petitioners urged the House to investigate the circumstances surrounding the rejection of their names and facilitate a resolution of the matter.

Responding on behalf of NOUN, Professor Shio Usman Ademo confirmed that the university had received the petition and submitted its response to the issues raised.

‘Yes, Mr Chairman, we received the petition and we have filed our response,’ Ademo told the committee.

He explained that on November 5, 2019, NOUN received a letter from the Council for Legal Education permitting 1,888 students of the university to proceed to the Nigerian Law School.

According to him, the Council subsequently directed the university to stop admitting new students into its law programme pending the resolution of certain regulatory issues.

‘The university agreed and stopped admitting new law students. However, even if we do not admit new ones, Mr Chairman, we still have students in the pipeline,’ he said.

The committee subsequently sought clarification on the number of law students who were already enrolled and active when the directive to stop fresh admissions was issued.

Ademo said NOUN had more than 500,000 students across its various programmes at the time, while more than 5,000 law students were active when the directive was issued.

The committee directed the university representative to provide the list of the affected students.

When asked whether he had the list available, Ademo replied: ‘Yes, I have the CD here, with the list.’

The committee thereafter directed him to submit the list in soft copy for further examination.

The lawmakers also questioned the university representative on the academic performance and progression of NOUN law students who had previously proceeded to the Nigerian Law School.

Responding to a question on whether NOUN students had sat for Nigerian Law School examinations, Ademo said they had participated in the examinations and recorded successful performances.

He explained that NOUN students who participated in the examinations were sampled and that a significant percentage performed successfully, with some subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar and now practising as lawyers.

The committee further sought clarification on the duration of NOUN’s law programme.

Ademo said the minimum duration was five years, explaining that the institution’s open and distance-learning structure allowed students to defer their studies and return later to complete their programmes.

He said the flexibility was designed to accommodate students who might have legitimate or urgent reasons to interrupt their studies before resuming.

The hearing also touched on the case of a NOUN law student who travelled to Canada and was admitted into a Canadian law school. The university representative indicated that the Council for Legal Education subsequently raised an objection concerning the student’s status.

To this end, the committee requested the list of affected students for further legislative action, as well as the number of graduates potentially caught up in the mobilisation impasse.

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Oyo State, will commence the distribution of newly printed Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, across all 33 Local Government Area offices in the state from October 9.

This was contained in a statement by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC), in the state, Professor Adeniran Tella.

According to the release, the distribution exercise will hold from 9:00am to 3:00pm daily, excluding weekends and public holidays.

Professor Tella said the exercise is for newly registered voters, those who transferred their polling units, and those whose PVCs were lost or damaged during the last Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise.

He noted that collection of the PVCs will be strictly personal and not by proxy, adding that the Commission has made adequate arrangements with security agencies to ensure the exercise remains transparent, orderly and peaceful across the state.

The REC enjoined the general public and all relevant stakeholders in the electioneering process to cooperate with the Commission by ensuring prompt collection of the newly printed PVCs.

He also disclosed that the Commission still has a large number of uncollected old PVCs from the 2023 General Election in the state.

Professor Tella, however, urged eligible registrants to take advantage of the exercise ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, October 1, 2026, a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.

Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holiday on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani.

Tunji-Ojo congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad on the occasion, while urging citizens to uphold unity, patriotism, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.

The minister said Nigeria’s diversity, human resources and natural wealth remained important strengths of the country, describing it as ‘unarguably the most prosperous black nation in the world.’

He also described Nigeria as the beacon of hope for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while stressing the importance of peace and stability to national development.

According to him, Nigerians should draw inspiration from the country’s founding fathers by demonstrating commitment to the nation and working towards building a country future generations can be proud of.

‘As we celebrate 66th years of our independence, we should always remember that there is hope for our country and our diversity is our strength, and our collective determination remains the foundation upon which a stronger and more prosperous nation will be built,’ he added.

Tunji-Ojo further assured citizens that the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda would continue to pursue measures aimed at improving the country.

He said the government ‘will ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, as a befitting tribute to our heroes past.’

The minister also called on Nigerians to use the Independence anniversary to reflect the values of ‘unity, patriotism, peaceful co-existence and mutual respect.’

He added that ‘a new Nigeria is achievable.’ According to him, the Federal Government ‘remains committed to strengthening national security, improving public safety and creating an environment where citizens can live, work and pursue their legitimate aspirations with confidence.’

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called for increased funding for education in Nigeria, saying the country’s education sector also needs improved welfare for teachers and stronger protection of schools against insecurity.

The National President of NUT, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, Amba made the call on Tuesday while speaking at 59th National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Enugu, the Enugu State Capital.

The NUT President identified poor remuneration, teacher shortages, dilapidated infrastructure, inadequate instructional materials, underfunding, insecurity, weak policy implementation and the digital divide among the major challenges confronting the sector.

He urged governments at all levels to increase investment in education and fully implement approved teachers’ welfare packages, including the special salary structure, bursaries, pension scheme, housing and loan facilities.

According to Amba, NUT remained committed to working with governments, labour unions, Education International and other stakeholders to strengthen the teaching profession and improve learning outcomes.

Also speaking, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State said the future of education should not be framed as a contest between teachers and technology, but as a partnership in which technology empowers teachers to deliver better learning outcomes.

Mbah said Artificial Intelligence (AI) could assist teachers in lesson preparation, personalise learning, identify learning gaps and expand access to knowledge, but could not replace the human qualities that define effective teaching.

‘The future is therefore not teacher versus technology. The future is teacher with technology,’ the governor declared.

The former NUT national president and Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, also used the occasion to highlight the importance of investing in teachers, saying his administration had placed workers’ welfare and education among its priorities.

Idris said Kebbi had maintained an up-to-date payment system for workers’ salaries, pensions, gratuities and death benefits at the state and local government levels, including local government education authorities.

‘We don’t owe salaries, we don’t owe pensions, and we don’t owe gratuity,’ the governor said.

He said his administration had recruited thousands of workers, including teachers and health personnel, while more than 5,000 professional workers had been absorbed into the permanent civil service to address casualisation.

Idris said his administration had also invested in the construction, renovation and furnishing of more than 2,000 schools, including the provision of thousands of pieces of furniture for teachers and pupils.

The governor said his administration was determined to keep children in school and reduce the number of out-of-school children in Kebbi communities.

He recalled that his transition from teaching to politics had initially attracted criticism from those who questioned whether a teacher could govern a state, but said workers stood by him and supported his emergence as governor.

‘Teaching has done so many things for me,’ Idris said, explaining that this informed his decision to extend the years of service for teachers in Kebbi from 35 to 40 years.

He said the state’s commitment to teachers’ welfare was aimed at ensuring that no teacher, worker or pensioner was owed salary or pension arrears.

Also addressing the conference, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Aisha Garba, said technology and AI should complement, rather than replace, teachers.

Garba said reforms in the education sector were increasingly prioritising educational technology, digital professional development, AI and data-driven systems in education planning and classroom practice.

She disclosed that UBEC had established 37 Smart Model Schools and 74 Digital Learning Centres, comprising two centres in each state and the Federal Capital Territory, to expand digital learning and strengthen teachers’ capacity.

She urged stakeholders to ensure that investments in technology remained inclusive and sustainable, particularly in underserved communities.

The theme of the conference is ‘The Deployment of Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Education Will Erode the Place of Teachers in the Classroom: A Myth or Reality?’

The conference, held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, brought together teachers, education administrators, government officials and other stakeholders to examine the future of teaching in the era of rapid technological advancement.Sam Nwaoko

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called for increased funding in education in Nigeria, saying the country’s education sector also needs improved welfare for teachers and stronger protection of schools against insecurity.

The National President of NUT Comrade Audu Titus Amba, Amba made the call on Tuesday while speaking at 59th National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Enugu the Enugu State Capital.

The NUT President identified poor remuneration, teacher shortages, dilapidated infrastructure, inadequate instructional materials, underfunding, insecurity, weak policy implementation and the digital divide among the major challenges confronting the sector.

He urged governments at all levels to increase investment in education and fully implement approved teachers’ welfare packages, including the special salary structure, bursaries, pension scheme, housing and loan facilities.

According to Amba, NUT remained committed to working with governments, labour unions, Education International and other stakeholders to strengthen the teaching profession and improve learning outcomes.

Also speaking, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State said the future of education should not be framed as a contest between teachers and technology, but as a partnership in which technology empowers teachers to deliver better learning outcomes.

Mbah said Artificial Intelligence (AI) could assist teachers in lesson preparation, personalise learning, identify learning gaps and expand access to knowledge, but could not replace the human qualities that define effective teaching.

‘The future is therefore not teacher versus technology. The future is teacher with technology,’ the governor declared.

The host governor said AI should be regarded as a ‘handmaid of development’ capable of making teachers more productive, innovative and effective, rather than an instrument designed to take away their jobs.

Mbah, who said his administration had invested heavily in education in the last 40 months, disclosed that more than 33 per cent of the state’s total budget across three budget cycles had been allocated to the sector.

He said the state had recruited 6,850 teachers and other education personnel to address manpower shortages and improve the student-teacher ratio, while Smart Green Schools were being developed across the state’s 260 wards.

The governor said the technology-driven schools were designed to prepare children for the future, stressing that the transformation of education must also include investment in the people responsible for delivering it-the teachers.

He called for ethical standards, data protection, responsible regulation and continuous capacity building for teachers to ensure that AI was deployed responsibly in the education sector.

‘Our teachers must not be victims of the technological revolution. They must be among its principal beneficiaries and drivers,’ Mbah said.

The position was reinforced by the keynote speaker, Executive Director (Academics), African Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities (AFTRA), Prof. Steve Nwokeocha, who said the fear that educational technology could erode the place of teachers was real, but should be addressed through adaptation and continuous professional development.

The former NUT national president and Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, also used the occasion to highlight the importance of investing in teachers, saying his administration had placed workers’ welfare and education among its priorities.

Idris said Kebbi had maintained an up-to-date payment system for workers’ salaries, pensions, gratuities and death benefits at the state and local government levels, including local government education authorities.

‘We don’t owe salaries, we don’t owe pensions and we don’t owe gratuity,’ the governor said.

A former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has felicitated with Nigerians as the nation marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, urging renewed commitment to unity, peace, stability and development.

In a goodwill message, Mark described independence from British colonial rule as a defining milestone and testament to the resilience, courage and enduring aspirations of the Nigerian people.

He said 66 years after independence, the occasion should not merely be a celebration of the past but an opportunity for sober reflection and renewed determination to build a Nigeria where justice, equity, security and prosperity are accessible to all.

According to him, Nigeria possesses enormous human and material resources capable of transforming the country into a prosperous and globally respected nation, stressing that the challenge is to harness the resources responsibly for the common good.

‘At 66, our nation has every reason to celebrate, but we must also reflect deeply on our journey as a people. Independence was not simply the termination of colonial rule; it was the beginning of our collective responsibility to build a nation founded on justice, unity, peace and shared prosperity.

‘Nigeria belongs to all of us. Our diversity should remain a source of strength, not division. We must continue to promote national unity, mutual respect and inclusion, while ensuring that every citizen, regardless of ethnic, religious, political or geographical background, has a sense of belonging.

‘The Nigeria of our dream is possible if we place national interest above personal and sectional considerations. We must strengthen our democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law and create an environment where our young people can live, work and realise their potential in their own country,’ he said.

Senator Mark acknowledged the sacrifices of the founding fathers, past leaders, members of the armed forces, security agencies and millions of ordinary Nigerians who have contributed to the survival and growth of the country over the decades.

He called on political leaders to see public office as a solemn trust and an opportunity to serve rather than a platform for personal enrichment, urging all Nigerians to remain committed to democratic values and peaceful coexistence.

The ADC National Chairman urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the country despite the challenges confronting the nation, stressing that the strength of Nigeria ultimately lies in the resilience and determination of its people.

He expressed optimism that with visionary leadership, responsible citizenship, institutional reforms and a renewed spirit of patriotism, Nigeria could overcome its present difficulties and fulfil its enormous potential.

He congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad on the 66th Independence Anniversary and prayed for peace, stability, prosperity and greater unity.

‘As we celebrate Nigeria at 66, let us renew our faith in our country and recommit ourselves to the task of building the Nigeria we desire and deserve. The journey may be challenging, but together, with courage, sacrifice and sincerity of purpose, we can build a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit. Happy Independence Anniversary to all Nigerians. May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ he said.

Ahead of next January’s presidential election, Vice-President Senator Kashim Shettima has appealed to northern-based professionals in the creative industry to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the interest of fairness and the unity of the Nigerian project.

Shettima is Tinubu’s running mate for the forthcoming general elections.

Addressing a gathering of Northern Performing Artists under the auspices of Triple-R For Renewed Hope at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign office in Abuja on Wednesday, the Vice-President maintained that Tinubu deserves the support of the North for a fresh mandate.

He assured the group of Northern artists that the Tinubu administration will continue to support the growth of the entertainment industry in the region.

Shettima emphasised that the region stands to benefit significantly from the administration’s creative economy initiatives.

According to him, President Tinubu deserves the collective support of the North, as the Federal Government under his watch was implementing policies designed to empower local talent, stimulate cultural preservation, and generate economic opportunities through the creative arts.

He assured the delegation that the Federal Government will continue to roll out targeted interventions to support regional artists, filmmakers, and musicians.

On the gains of the reforms being undertaken by the Tinubu administration, VP Shettima urged the group to remain steadfast with the government and the APC as a party, maintaining that the benefits of its programmes and policies will continue to manifest across different sectors in the coming months and years.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said the re-election of President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections would be based on facts and achievements, while urging support groups and individuals to be guided by the performance of the administration.

He also called on creative industry professionals to disregard claims by political opponents about the exclusion of the North in terms of appointments and projects, stating that the region has been fairly treated by the current administration and remains an integral part of the country’s democratic journey.

Former Katsina State Governor and Deputy Director-General, Parliamentary Mobilization, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Aminu Bello Masari, thanked the creative industry professionals for their resolve to support all APC candidates, including President Tinubu, in the forthcoming general elections.

He said the programmes of the Tinubu administration and its policies are positively impacting the fortunes of creative industries, urging professionals to leverage the opportunities enhanced by the administration to improve their lives and livelihoods.

Former APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, thanked the group for their support. He urged them to stand for justice, fairness, and inclusiveness to ensure the re-election of President Tinubu in 2027.

Acknowledging the commitment, love and passion of the group in supporting the party’s candidates across all levels, Ganduje insisted that Triple-R For Renewed Hope remained one of the most organic support groups of the APC in the country.

He advocated the enhancement of the entertainment industry in Nigeria through the provision of infrastructure and training of upcoming artistes from the region.

President of Triple-R For Renewed Hope, Alhaji Dauda Kahutu Rarara, pledged the support of the group for the re-election of President Tinubu and all other candidates of the party across the North.

He noted that northern Nigerian creatives remain focused on building a united front to support the re-election of President Tinubu and regional APC candidates.

He said the support of northern-based professionals was organic and based on performance, noting that all professionals in the film industry from the northern part of the country were united in supporting all APC candidates in the 2027 elections.