Category: Nigerian Tribune

Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bauchi State Council, has said its members will not give bulk votes to any presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections unless its national leader, Bello Bodejo, is released from detention.

The organisation also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter and review the charges against Bodejo with a view to securing his unconditional release.

The State Chairman of the organisation, Alhaji Sale Garbu, stated this on Monday at a press conference in Bauchi.

Garbu expressed concern over what he described as the prolonged detention of the group’s national leader without him being brought before a court, saying the situation had generated anxiety among members.

He also raised concerns about the impact of Bodejo’s continued absence on his family.

The chairman said Bodejo had contributed to efforts to promote peace and security in the country, particularly through initiatives aimed at addressing challenges confronting communities.

Garbu urged President Tinubu to examine the circumstances surrounding Bodejo’s detention and take steps to resolve the matter.

He also appealed to Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, to intervene and support efforts to secure Bodejo’s release in good health.

The organisation maintained that it would not support the presidential candidate of any political party in the 2027 election until its national leader was released, citing concerns over his continued detention.

Earlier, the State Secretary of the organisation, Sulaiman Shehu, appealed to traditional rulers across the country to intervene in the matter.

Shehu urged traditional institutions to engage relevant authorities and support efforts to find a peaceful and lawful resolution to the situation.

The organisation also called on government authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders to give attention to the matter in the interest of peace, justice and the wellbeing of Bodejo’s family.

A leading multi-category technology company, Glovo, has reaffirmed its confidence in Nigeria and is committed to supporting customers, partners, and riders while driving the local economy.

Since launching operations in Nigeria in 2021, Glovo has invested over ?54 billion in the market and facilitated the delivery of more than 40 million items to customers. This investment has resulted in a doubling of the economic value generated for businesses operating on the platform in just the past year, underscoring the growing significance of digital platforms in Nigeria’s commerce ecosystem.

Nigeria remains Glovo’s fastest-growing market globally in 2026, out of 21 countries, and consistently ranks as having the best operational efficiency among on-demand ordering apps in the country.

To empower local partners, Glovo has conducted over 50 in-person training sessions as part of its Glovo Academy program, benefiting hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses and driving significant post-training performance improvements. Earlier this year, the company also hosted its second annual Future of Commerce Summit, which brought together CEOs from leading brands such as Chicken Republic, Burger King, and The Place, alongside hundreds of local SMB restaurants for shared learning and growth.

Dima Rasnovsky, the Director of Glovo in Africa, spoke about the company’s outlook for Nigeria, emphasising Glovo’s confidence in the country’s long-term potential and the opportunities presented by its evolving digital economy.

Rasnovsky stated that Glovo’s long-term commitment includes strengthening the ecosystem around its operations through improved technology, support for partners, and the creation of sustainable value, all while driving e-commerce growth across the country. He also highlighted Glovo’s pride in helping generate meaningful earnings for thousands of couriers connected to the platform.

‘Our confidence in Nigeria remains strong. We have invested significantly in the market because we believe in its potential and in the opportunities that technology can unlock for businesses and customers. As the market continues to evolve, our focus is on strengthening our ecosystem and ensuring we create meaningful value for everyone who relies on our platform,’ he said.

A coalition of civil society organisations under the auspices of the Middle-Belt Pan Nigerian Forum has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Nigeria’s security agencies over what it described as decisive action against terrorism.

The commendation followed a statement by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs praising Nigeria’s response to recent attacks in the Middle Belt and urging sustained protection of communities in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State.

In a post on its official X account, the bureau said the United States commended Nigeria’s ‘strong response’ to recent attacks and would continue working with the Nigerian government to protect Christians in the Middle Belt.

It also urged Nigeria to maintain the momentum and specifically protect communities in Barkin Ladi.

Reacting to the statement, the coalition said the US acknowledgement showed that efforts by the Tinubu administration, coordinated through the Office of the National Security Adviser, were beginning to yield results.

Convener of the forum, Dr Danladi Ceceko Dangana, said the fight against terrorism was not yet over but that victory was within reach.

He urged Nigerians to support the government and security agencies in their efforts to make the country safer for all citizens.

Dangana also called on the Armed Forces, Police and other security agencies to sustain operations against bandits, kidnappers and Boko Haram.

He cautioned that the US commendation should not be treated as evidence that the security challenges had been resolved.

‘This commendation is welcome, but it is not a certificate of completion,’ Dangana said.

‘More work remains if every part of Nigeria is to be safe, and if every person, regardless of religion or ethnicity, is to live and work anywhere in this country without the fear of being attacked or killed by terrorists.’

Group commends Ribadu

The forum singled out Ribadu for commendation, citing his role in coordinating the security agencies and engaging with the United States.

It said the NSA’s engagement had helped sustain US-Nigeria security relations despite Washington’s concerns over attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

According to the coalition, Ribadu was backing his commitment to a safer country with concrete action.

The group said it would continue to work with the Office of the National Security Adviser and security agencies until the fight against terrorism is brought to an end.

The US statement came amid renewed violence in parts of Plateau State, particularly Barkin Ladi, where several attacks and reprisals have been reported in recent weeks.

Lagos State Government has assured teachers across the state of an increased commitment to their welfare, commending them for their deep dedication to public service.

The State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, gave the assurance on Monday at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration.

The event, organised by the Lagos State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), was held at the Teachers’ Pavilion in Alausa, Ikeja.

This year’s event, themed ‘Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status, and shaping our future,’ was attended by teachers from various Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

Leadership from the state’s primary and secondary education agencies, including the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), was also present.

Governor Sanwo-Olu lauded the courage and resilience of the educators, describing Nigerian teachers as some of the best globally.

‘As we continue to build a Lagos where every child has the opportunity to thrive, we must also ensure that the people entrusted with their education-the teachers-have the support and respect they deserve,’ Sanwo-Olu said. ‘Therefore, we will keep listening to them, improving their welfare, and putting them first in our policies and programmes.’

The Governor noted that teachers are key change agents who shape future generations of leaders, and he urged them to remain committed to high-quality service delivery.

He added that great teachers derive their greatest satisfaction from seeing their students become role models and leaders.

Disclosing policy updates, the Governor revealed that the state government has restored the annual State Teachers’ Merit Awards and is currently fine-tuning its modalities. Furthermore, he noted that the implementation of the 65-year retirement age (or 40 years of service) policy is currently being processed.

He acknowledged that salary increments alone are insufficient, stating that teachers also require a better working environment, modern teaching tools, decent and affordable housing, and a secure teaching environment. He promised that the state administration would keep these issues on the front burner.

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, congratulated the teachers and reaffirmed the government’s determination to sustain investments in education.

He emphasised that any school system thrives on the quality of its teaching, which directly impacts student performance.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the NUT, Comrade Hassan Akintoye, stated that protecting the teaching profession is essential to building a sustainable education system.

According to him, standing with teachers goes beyond celebrating them during award ceremonies or after excellent examination results.

‘It means ensuring decent working conditions, listening to their concerns, providing adequate teaching resources, protecting them from insecurity, supporting professional development, and ensuring their contributions are valued,’ Akintoye said. ‘We must make teaching attractive to young professionals while retaining experienced hands. We must also address excessive workloads and administrative failures that undermine effectiveness.’

Akintoye expressed appreciation to the Sanwo-Olu administration for its significant support of the education sector over the last eight years. He, however, presented eight key demands to the state government. These include the immediate implementation of the new retirement age policy, improved welfare, enhanced school security, better infrastructure, the appointment of a Headmaster-General, and the formal restoration of the state merit awards.

He promised that teachers would reciprocate the government’s gestures with improved service delivery.

The celebration also featured a keynote lecture delivered by Dr. Olutoye Mukaila Ayinde, who spoke on the impact of teachers on human capital development and the economy.

Additionally, the Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Abdullah Sesan Olowa, received a recognition award from the union.

About 10,700 civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have commenced the 2026 promotion examination, with the exercise expected to run through next week across designated centres in Abuja.

The examination, organised by the FCT Civil Service Commission, is aimed at ensuring eligible officers are promoted as and when due, while clearing outstanding backlogs inherited since the Commission became operational in 2024.

Chairman of the Commission, Engr. Emeka Ezeh, who monitored the exercise on Monday, said all outstanding backlogs have now been cleared and that from 2027, only the promotion exercise for the corresponding year will be conducted.

‘About 10,700 of them are going to have the exam that started today. It’s going to run throughout this week up to next week, and we believe that at the end of the exercise, those who are successful will be promoted,’ Ezeh said.

He said the exercise aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda for the civil service and the directive of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike that FCT workers should be promoted when due.

Ezeh attributed the relatively seamless conduct of this year’s exercise to lessons learnt from the previous edition, noting that measures were introduced to eliminate delays, overcrowding and technical glitches.

He listed the measures to include early commencement, use of generators instead of relying solely on power supply from the AEDC, and a first-come, first-served system for issuing examination cards.

The Commission chairman, however, cautioned that obtaining the minimum score does not automatically guarantee promotion, explaining that promotion is subject to maturity on the current post, attainment of the prescribed score and availability of vacancies.

He said officers from Level 7 to Level 13 must have spent at least three years on their current posts, while officers on the directorate cadre, from Assistant Director upwards, must have spent at least four years, in addition to having no disciplinary case.

‘The Public Service Rule and our guideline for appointment for promotion says that promotion shall be based on merit only,’ Ezeh said, adding that where there are three vacancies and 10 qualified candidates, only the three with the highest scores will be promoted.

Meanwhile, the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), FCT/FCDA, which monitored the examination, commended the Commission for improved organisation compared with the previous exercise.

Secretary of JUAC, Comrade Abdullahi Umar Saleh, said the monitoring team observed reduced overcrowding, improved ventilation and adequate lighting at the venue, noting that discussions were ongoing with the FCT Administration over teachers’ demand for preferential treatment on vacancy requirements.

The FCTA Department of Security Services confirmed that adequate security arrangements were deployed to ensure a smooth exercise, a position corroborated by participants.

Some participants, including Temitope Kayode and Adama Zakari of the Abuja Infrastructure Investment Centre, described the conduct as smooth and orderly, consistent with observations by the Commission and JUAC.

Ezeh said the 2026 exercise will continue through next week as part of broader efforts to institutionalise timely, transparent and merit-based career progression within the FCT public service.

The House of Representatives on Monday issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Programme Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HyPREP) to appear before the Public Accounts Committee of the House for explanation over allegations of mismanagement of over N400 billion in the 2021 and 2024 audit reports from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (oAuGF).

The ultimatum followed the adoption of a resolution during an investigative hearing held by the House Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Rep. Bamidele Salam.

Speaking at the hearing, Rep. Salam noted that the ultimatum serves as the final warning after HyPREP failed to appear before the committee despite four different invitations extended to it.

He added that if HyPREP fails to appear before the Committee by Monday, 12th October, 2026, the House will be compelled to invoke its power and compel the appearance of the Accounting Officer of the agency.

The Committee also extended the same invitation to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Remediation Trust Fund.

According to the Audited Reports presented before the Committee, HyPREP failed to submit its audited accounts to the Office of the Auditor General from 2017 to 2021.

Other queries include: Irregular award of Contracts and non-deduction of Statutory Taxes of $2.1 million; Payment of N986 million Consultancy without execution; Irregular Payment of N315million for Training; Payment of N7.2billion for poorly executed contracts; payment of N268 million without prepayment audit; Non-deduction of N32 million statutory taxes; Engagement of External Solicitors with N31.8 million without Attorney General approval; Crude oil recovery from remediation site without being documented; Adoption of progressive salary scale for contract staff; as well as Extra-budgetary expenditure of N931 million.

Others are: Duplication of Services through award of Contracts worth N182 million; Duplication of function monitoring and evaluation worth N507 million; Irregular Payment of N43 million for advertisement without evidence of performance; Irregular stay in office by an officer after the expiration of the secondment period.

According to the 2024 Audit Report presented before the Committee, HyPREP made an Unverified N1.5 billion payment of compensation.

Also queried are: Non-retirement of N14 million of cash advances; Irregular payment of N229.1million; Payment of N260 million for training programme without evidence of execution; Denial of access to N27.5 billion project documents and records.

Rep. Salam added that the HyPREP and Ogoni Trust Fund will also speak to issues surrounding the $1 billion contributed for the clean up of the Ogoni land after the pull out of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of which the Renaissance Energy Ltd claimed to have made a contribution of over $900 million to the fund.

Oyo State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke, has saluted Nigerian teachers’ resilience and courage amidst identified challenges as World Teachers’ Day is marked.

Adegoke made the commendation in a statement issued to rejoice with Teachers in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole on the occasion of this year’s World Teachers’ Day.

According to him, ‘Your passion, sacrifice, and devotion to your profession are not only invaluable but also critical to the success of our education system and the development of our nation.

‘On this special day, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to every Teacher in Oyo State. You are the true architects of our future, moulding the hearts and minds of young learners, nurturing their potentials, and inspiring them to reach greater heights.

‘Your work goes beyond imparting knowledge; you shape character, encourage critical thinking, and foster a lifelong love for learning.

‘We recognize the challenges you face, and yet, you continue to rise above them with grace and determination. Your resilience, especially in times of uncertainty, is a testament to your strength and dedication.

‘Whether in the classroom, in virtual spaces, or in communities, your influence as educators has touched countless lives, leaving a lasting legacy of hope, wisdom, and inspiration.

‘Today, we celebrate not just your profession but your passion. Thank you for being the light that brightens our world, the mentors who ignite curiosity, and the heroes who tirelessly nurture our next generation.

While thanking the Teachers for their indispensable roles in society, Olooye Adegoke said that society is proud of them, and he will continue supporting them in every possible way to deliver their very best to the learners in the state.

The ADC governorship candidate called on all stakeholders to join hands together to build an education system that values and uplifts Teachers’ voices, fostering a brighter future for all.

Political stakeholders from the five local government areas of Cross River State’s Northern Senatorial District have endorsed Governor Bassey Otu for a second term and called for bloc votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

The stakeholders from Ogoja, Obanliku, Obudu, Yala, and Bekwarra made their position known during a consultative engagement held at the Ogoja Local Government Council Headquarters.

The engagement was preceded by a sensitisation walk from Ajengnle Junction to the council headquarters, with political leaders, traditional rulers, youths, women and other stakeholders taking part.

Chairman of the Elders Advisory Council and former governor of the state, Chief Clement Ebri, said the engagement was aimed at enabling the council and the Cross River State Consultative Forum to obtain first-hand information on the people’s assessment of the Otu administration.

Ebri described the exercise as a fact-finding mission, saying members of the team would also hold private consultations with stakeholders to allow them to raise concerns that might not be discussed publicly.

‘We are more like a fact-finding team,’ Ebri said, adding that Governor Otu had asked the council to provide honest advice and was willing to make corrections where genuine lapses were identified.

He urged residents of the district to remain patient with the administration as it tackled infrastructure deficits and other challenges inherited from previous administrations.

Ebri also commended Otu for his efforts to restore Cross River’s status as an oil-producing state, saying the development could improve the state’s economic prospects.

On the 2027 elections, the former governor urged residents of the Northern Senatorial District to mobilize support for Otu and Tinubu, stressing the need for a strong bloc vote to strengthen the governor’s recognition and bargaining power at the national level.

Chairman of the Consultative Forum, Barrister Eyo Nsa Ekpo, said the Ogoja engagement was the forum’s first outing in the Northern Senatorial District.

Ekpo thanked the people for their support for the Otu administration, stressing that the gathering was not a campaign rally but a platform for stakeholders from the five local government areas to deliberate on the future of the state.

He said the stakeholders’ position amounted to a strong endorsement of Otu’s second-term bid and urged them to sustain mobilisation for Governor and President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ekpo, however, called for a fact-based assessment of the government’s performance and peaceful political engagement across the state.

The State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rt. Hon. Chris Etta, who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Ugana Lukpata, also urged party members to intensify grassroots mobilization ahead of the elections.

Etta said the party must mobilize both members and non-members to support its candidates, declaring that ‘we cannot record anything below five over five’ in the 2027 elections.

He highlighted some ongoing projects across the Northern Senatorial District and attributed the restoration of Cross River’s oil-producing status to improved relations between the state and the federal government.

According to him, the state now has 46 oil wells, with exploration and exploitation activities already underway.

He maintained that continued support for Otu and Tinubu would help consolidate the gains recorded by the state.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the engagement, the stakeholders acknowledged ongoing projects and other interventions by the Otu administration and reaffirmed their support for the continuity of the president and governor.

They called for the completion of ongoing projects and sustained government attention to the development needs of the Northern Senatorial District.

mobilization. The stakeholders also resolved to intensify grassroots mobilisation, promote peaceful political engagement, and sustain consultations with communities and political stakeholders.

They reaffirmed their support for Tinubu, Otu and other APC candidates at the national, state, and local government levels.

The communiqué was unanimously adopted and signed by Ekpo, Secretary of the Forum, Dr Julius Okputu; Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Ntufam (Barr.) Fidelis Ugbo; and Secretary, Prof. Michael Okom.

Oyo State Government has raised concerns over the spate of kidnapping incidents involving indigenes of the state, asking whether the recent attacks are part of a coordinated attempt to destabilise the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, raised the concerns in a statement reacting to the reported abduction of 18 Oyo State students who were returning home from Sokoto State over the weekend.

Oyelade noted that the latest incident was the third unusual kidnapping case involving Oyo residents in four months.

said the frequency and timing of the incidents had become a source of concern, particularly coming shortly after the submission of the report of the judicial panel of inquiry set up to investigate the May 15 abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

The commissioner asked: ‘Are we being targeted? Are we under organised siege? Are these uncommon decoys to distract us?’

He also questioned whether the incidents could be politically motivated, asking, ‘Is this a political attack targeting scholarship and conviction?’

Recalling the Oriire incident, Oyelade said students and teachers were abducted from the local government area on Friday, May 15, 2026, and spent 56 days in captivity under what he described as harrowing circumstances.

According to him, the circumstances surrounding the incident prompted Governor Seyi Makinde to establish a Judicial Panel of Inquiry, headed by retired Justice (Professor) Mojeed Owoade, on July 31.

He said the panel submitted its report to the state government last week after months of investigation.

Oyelade said the establishment of the panel had initially generated curiosity among some members of the public, but that recent developments had made the circumstances surrounding the attacks more concerning.

He said: ‘Not a little curiosity was raised when the panel was instituted, but by now, even doubting Thomases must be wondering about what really is going on.’

The commissioner further noted that two major kidnapping incidents had occurred in the state since the submission of the panel’s report.

‘Ever since the submission of the report, two serial kidnapping attacks have been foisted on Oyo State,’ he said.

Oyelade questioned whether the incidents were merely coincidental, saying the timing had become too significant to ignore.

‘And we ask: Is this a coincidence? If it is, it is one too many,’ he said.

He stressed that residents of Oyo State deserved to know who was behind the incidents and why the state appeared to be facing a renewed wave of insecurity.

According to him, the people of Oyo State are an integral part of Nigeria and should not be subjected to attacks capable of undermining their freedom, education and political participation.

‘Oyo State citizens are an integral part of Nigeria and deserve to know those who are attempting to stifle our liberty to knowledge, scholarship and political liberty,’ Oyelade said.

The commissioner called for closer attention to the emerging pattern of attacks, stressing that the state government would continue to be concerned about the safety and freedom of its citizens.

THE 36 states of the federation generated a combined N113.94 billion from road taxes between 2023 and 2025, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The figure, contained in the states’ Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) data, comprises N40.14 billion collected in 2023, N23.92 billion in 2024 and N49.88 billion in 2025.

The data showed a sharp 40.42 percent decline in road tax revenue in 2024, before collections rebounded by 108.53 percent in 2025.

However, the significant drop in 2024 was partly attributable to the absence of Lagos State’s road tax figure for that year. Lagos generated N16.74 billion in 2023 and N16.87 billion in 2025, meaning the missing 2024 figure had a material impact on the national total.

The NBS defines road taxes as ‘daily levies paid by commercial transporters operating within the states.’

The figures were compiled by the Joint Revenue Board from official records and submissions by state internal revenue authorities.

An analysis of the data showed a wide disparity in road tax collections across the states, with Lagos accounting for N33.61 billion in the two years for which figures were available.

Delta State emerged as the second-largest collector over the period, generating N8.64 billion, comprising N2.60 billion in 2023, N2.71 billion in 2024 and N3.33 billion in 2025.

Ondo followed with N5.99 billion, while Ogun, Edo and Cross River generated N5.49 billion, N5.32 billion and N5.28 billion, respectively.

In 2023, Lagos led the states with N16.74 billion, followed by Ebonyi with N2.85 billion and Delta with N2.60 billion. Ogun recorded N1.64 billion, Zamfara N1.61 billion and Ondo N1.59 billion.

With no Lagos figure reported in 2024, Delta topped the table with N2.71 billion, followed by Cross River with N1.77 billion, Ondo with N1.73 billion, Ogun with N1.72 billion and Edo with N1.58 billion.

returned to the top in 2025 with N16.87 billion, accounting for about 33.8 percent of the N49.88 billion reported nationally. Delta followed with N3.33 billion, while Ondo, Cross River, Edo and Ogun recorded N2.67 billion, N2.29 billion, N2.14 billion and N2.12 billion, respectively.

The 2025 figures also showed substantial variations in revenue performance among states.

Bauchi recorded one of the sharpest increases, with road tax collections rising 357.32 percent from N413.51 million in 2024 to N1.89 billion in 2025. Nasarawa recorded a 357.23 percent increase, from N226.10 million to N1.03 billion.

Kogi’s collections rose 124.84 percent from N727.84 million to N1.64 billion, while Ebonyi more than doubled its collections from N249.35 million to N533.43 million.

On the other hand, Kebbi recorded the steepest decline, with collections falling 73.52 percent from N247.35 million in 2024 to N65.49 million in 2025.

Katsina’s road tax revenue declined 54.94 percent from N106.03 million to N47.78 million, while Sokoto recorded a 49.05 percent fall from N165.04 million to N84.09 million.

Over the three-year period, Katsina recorded the lowest cumulative road tax collection at N183.10 million, followed by Yobe with N309.04 million and Bayelsa with N319.70 million.

The figures come amid efforts by the government to reform tax administration and curb cash collections and roadblocks used for revenue enforcement.

The Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, Olusegun Adesokan, said the new framework prohibited tax authorities from collecting taxes in cash or mounting roadblocks for tax enforcement.

The JRB has also partnered with the Nigeria Police Force to enforce the ban and dismantle illegal roadblocks reportedly used for tax collection.

Meanwhile, the NBS reported that the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory generated N5.15 trillion in total IGR in 2025, representing a 40.93 percent increase from N3.65 trillion in 2024.

Tax revenue accounted for 73.64 percent of the 2025 IGR, underscoring the growing importance of tax mobilisation to state finances.

The NBS, however, cautioned that the figures remain subject to reconciliation and updates by the respective sub-national revenue authorities.