Category: Nigerian Tribune

A disturbing pattern of unending, self-destructive administrative chaos in appointments to consequential public office positions is defining President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, which signposts Tinubu’s lack of control of his government and the reality of a shadowy, disorganised, feuding and mercenary cabal of conscienceless influence peddlers in the Presidential Villa.

Muhammadu Buhari pioneered this sort of disabling administrative anarchy, but Tinubu has upped it a notch, to the point that no one can be certain of the validity or even legitimacy of appointments announced by the presidential spokesperson.

As I’ll elaborate shortly, there is now a recurring pattern of the Presidency repeatedly announcing appointments before verifying the legal office, the incumbent’s status, the supervising minister’s knowledge and the SGF’s capacity or willingness to implement the decision. The result is a government in which press releases conflict with appointment letters, agencies announce presidential decisions of doubtful origin and incumbents disregard publicly announced replacements.

In this atmosphere of administrative anomie, it’s no surprise that someone can forge, or be assisted to forge, presidential instruments to establish a fraudulent presidential council that can pass through multiple layers of the Nigerian federal bureaucracy.

Buhari’s administrative infirmity expressed itself chiefly through lethargy, vacancy and spectacular absent-mindedness. He took more than five months to constitute his first cabinet in 2015. After dissolving the boards of federal agencies in July 2015, he waited until December 2017 to announce 209 chairpersons and 1,258 board members. At least eight of the appointees had died. In 2020, Buhari appointed Tobias Chukwuemeka Okwuru to the Federal Character Commission two months after Okwuru’s death. By August 2020, reports counted about 80 federal agencies without substantive heads or governing boards or both.

Buhari’s major weakness was that he forgot to appoint people when he needed to, which I used to characterise as ‘ungovernance’, but Tinubu’s is a different hue. He appoints, unappoints and reappoints people with the nervous rapidity of a man changing television channels during a thunderstorm.

The examples have become too numerous to ignore. Maryam Shetty arrived at the National Assembly for ministerial screening in 2023 and discovered that her nomination had vanished. Tinubu replaced Niger Delta Development Commission nominees within 24 hours of naming them. Kashim Imam’s appointment as chairman of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency lasted less than a week.

In August 2025, the presidency reappointed Muheeba Dankaka as chair of the Federal Character Commission at 6:35 p.m. and announced Ayo Omidiran as chair at 10:44 p.m. One commission acquired two presidentially appointed chairs within four hours.

The Nigerian Television Authority provided an even more dramatic case. Tinubu, through his official spokesman, appointed Rotimi Pedro as director-general in August 2025 while Salihu Dembos still had an uncompleted tenure. Two weeks later, the presidency reversed itself and restored the incumbents. Premium Times reported that the supervising information minister learned of the original appointments through the media. Its investigation traced the upheaval to a presidential aide who had bypassed the minister and supplied allegations that an official review found spurious.

That episode illuminates the anatomy of the disorder. Access appears to have become authority. An aide can insinuate an allegation into the presidential bloodstream, procure a consequential announcement and leave ministers scrambling to discover what their own government has done.

Then came NIPOST. In October 2023, the presidency appointed Tola Odeyemi postmaster-general with immediate effect. But NIPOST’s own communications channels subsequently announced the reinstatement of Sunday Adepoju. Workers barricaded the headquarters against Odeyemi. She eventually assumed office.

The current imbroglio at the Border Communities Development Agency perfects the absurdity. On June 27, 2026, the presidency announced Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas as the agency’s new director-general, replacing Dakorinama Alabo George, who it said had resigned to run for an election in Rivers State.

Namdas reportedly still awaits the formal appointment letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. George says he never resigned, claims his announced replacement was an error and continues to act as head. On July 9, he met the finance minister to discuss agency funding. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga answered with two words: ‘Namdas stays.’

Who, then, leads BCDA? The man announced by the presidency, the man recognised by the bureaucracy or the man exercising operational control? Trust TV’s analysis sharpened the question by pointing out that the BCDA Act creates the office of executive secretary, while the presidency calls the office director-general. The Act also makes clear that the executive secretary is the accounting officer who controls contracts, staff and public property. This semantic confusion therefore carries fiscal consequences. One agency now has two titles, two claimants and three divergent sources of authority: public announcement, formal instrument and administrative possession.

A president has the prerogative to hire and fire appointees. State authority, however, requires legible procedure. An appointment exists in law and administration through an authenticated instrument, a clear effective date, a lawful office and an orderly transfer of power. A press release floating free of these elements is risible political theatre. Repeated reversals convert presidential words into provisional rumours.

The suspicion of a cabal arises here. ‘Cabal’ often functions in Nigerian discourse as an all-purpose name for invisible conclave of devils in the seat of power, an informal constellation of aides, patrons, bureaucratic gatekeepers and political financiers who can insert a name into a presidential announcement, withhold the letter that activates it, reverse the decision after resistance or sustain an incumbent against a published presidential directive.

The observable pattern establishes that Tinubu has lost the monopoly over the voice and force of his own presidency and that a cabal rules on his behalf. Competing nodes around him appear able to originate, obstruct and annul decisions. His government speaks in tongues, with each tongue claiming the presidential seal.

The scandal of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, or PFIPC, becomes intelligible within this administrative Babel. The presidency says Adeniyi Adeyemi fabricated an appointment as director-general of a fictitious presidential agency. Yet this phantom acquired a ?1.3 billion line in the 2026 budget, occupied federal office space, met foreign diplomats and secured an approved staff establishment after official verification failed. The Central Bank opened dollar and pound accounts for it on the Accountant-General’s mandate, although the accounts remained empty and inactive.

Calling Adeyemi a con man explains his intention, but his success diagnoses the sad, cabal-infested, fraud-prone, dysfunctional pathology of the Tinubu government.

A solitary impostor cannot travel through the Office of the SGF, Head of Service, Budget Office, Accountant-General, Central Bank and diplomatic system unless verification gates have collapsed or helpful insiders have opened them. PFIPC became a government agency through serial bureaucratic authentication. Fiction accumulated official stamps until it acquired the material attributes of fact.

How do we reverse this? We can learn from our former coloniser. Britain subjects many public appointments to a published Governance Code and oversight by an independent Commissioner for Public Appointments. Nigeria needs a publicly searchable presidential appointments register showing the statutory office, appointee, tenure, effective date, instrument number and current status.

Every presidential council and every entity in the federal budget since 2023 deserves a forensic audit. The National Assembly should trace who inserted PFIPC into the budget and who validated each stage of its bureaucratic incarnation.

PFIPC surfaced because its counterfeit authority collided with the real Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission. How many silent phantoms flourish because they have avoided such a collision? How many presidential appointments originate from people Tinubu cannot identify? How many announced decisions die inside the SGF’s office while their ghosts roam the news?

A government that cannot authenticate its own voice invites impostors to speak for it. A president whose appointees cannot tell whether they have been hired, fired or duplicated presides over a dysfunctional, self-dealing banana republic. His authority has become divisible, tradable and deniable.

The Kebbi State Government has debunked an allegation by the opposition that some communities in the state have been abandoned to attacks by bandits and terrorists.

In a press statement issued by the Press Secretary to the State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, and made available to newsmen on Saturday, the government described the narrative as misleading.

‘Attention of the Kebbi State Government has been drawn to a misleading narrative being circulated by some members of the opposition, alleging that certain communities have been abandoned to bandits and terrorists.

‘It is important to correct this false impression regarding the government’s efforts to address insecurity in the state, as security matters are highly sensitive, and not every strategic intelligence-gathering effort or operational action undertaken by the government should be discussed publicly.

‘The fact that certain actions are not publicly announced does not mean that nothing is being done. His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, remains deeply committed to the safety and well-being of the people, working tirelessly every day to address security challenges across the state.

‘The Governor is not standing on the sidelines; he is actively leading the state’s efforts against insecurity, working closely with the relevant security agencies and other critical stakeholders to safeguard lives and property.

‘The government’s efforts are also focused on creating an enabling environment where residents can go about their lawful daily activities, farmers can safely access their farmlands and communities can live and work with greater confidence.

‘Those who seek to reduce the complex security situation in the state to political talking points should exercise greater responsibility in their public commentary. Addressing insecurity requires cooperation, intelligence, strategic planning and, at times, confidentiality – not the unnecessary public disclosure of every government action,’ he stated.

The Federal Ministry of Education, through its Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Committee (RICC), in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has intensified efforts to transform research outputs into commercially viable products with the commencement of the North-East Zonal National Commercialisation Intelligence and Ecosystem Engagement Workshop in Gombe.

The two-day workshop, which began on Friday in Gombe State, is the fourth in a series of six zonal engagements designed to strengthen Nigeria’s National Research and Commercialisation Intelligence Ecosystem and accelerate the conversion of research findings, innovations, and inventions into marketable products, services, and enterprises.

The event brought together policymakers, researchers, academics, industry leaders, investors, development partners, innovation hubs, and financial institutions from the six North-East states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe to identify opportunities for collaboration and develop strategies for advancing research commercialisation.

Declaring the workshop open, the Gombe State Commissioner for Science and Technology, alongside the Commissioner for Education, described the initiative as timely and commended the Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund for creating a platform to unlock the region’s innovation potential. They urged participants to engage actively while highlighting the state’s growing capacity in science, technology, and innovation.

Speaking at the event, the Acting Chairman of the Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Committee (RICC), Mr TF Okujagu, described the North-East as a region of resilience and untapped innovation potential capable of contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic transformation.

He said that despite progress in rebuilding institutions and strengthening knowledge systems, stronger collaboration was needed to translate research into practical solutions that address local challenges, stimulate enterprise development, and promote inclusive growth.

Okujagu noted that the zonal consultations would generate region-specific inputs for the development of a coordinated National Research-to-Commercialisation Framework.

According to him, Nigeria’s major challenge is not a shortage of ideas but the absence of a coordinated ecosystem linking researchers, innovators, industry, investors, government, and the market.

He disclosed that the proposed National Commercialisation Intelligence System (NCIS) would serve as a unified digital platform connecting research institutions, innovation hubs, industries, financial institutions, and policymakers through real-time commercialisation intelligence.

The platform, he explained, would make research outputs more visible, align industry needs with available innovations, facilitate investment, strengthen technology transfer, and provide data-driven support for innovation-led industrial development.

Okujagu further described the proposed National Research and Commercialisation Intelligence Ecosystem as a strategic national asset that would aggregate research outputs, patents, industry needs, funding opportunities, and investment intelligence into a single national repository.

He said the initiative, championed by the Minister of Education and TETFund, is aimed at driving research commercialisation, economic diversification, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global knowledge economy.

Delivering the keynote address, titled ‘Bridging Research, Innovation and National Prosperity,’ Professor Seth Akutson challenged researchers to move beyond academic publications and focus on innovations that solve societal problems.

He observed that many valuable innovations remain confined to laboratories, while industries continue to rely heavily on imported technologies because of weak collaboration between academia and industry.

Akutson called for stronger partnerships among universities, research institutes, government, industry, and development partners, stressing the need for practical, problem-driven research supported by stronger intellectual property protection, innovation financing, and the Triple Helix model involving government, academia, and industry.

He said every successfully commercialised innovation has the potential to create jobs, improve productivity, and strengthen national prosperity.

Also speaking, Engr Umar Bindir, a member of the RICC, presented the National Research-to-Commercialisation (R2C) Initiative, describing it as a comprehensive digital platform that would integrate research outputs, patents, technology readiness levels, funding opportunities, market intelligence, and industry demand into a single national repository.

According to him, the system would automatically connect innovators with investors, industries, technology transfer offices, innovation hubs, and policymakers, thereby reducing fragmentation within Nigeria’s research ecosystem and accelerating the journey from discovery to commercialisation.

Bindir urged institutions across the North-East to upload their research outputs and innovations to the platform, saying broad participation would be critical to building a globally competitive knowledge economy.

Participants at the workshop also commended TETFund for its sustained investment in research infrastructure, academic capacity development, and institutional strengthening, noting that its partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education is laying the foundation for a coordinated national innovation ecosystem capable of driving enterprise development, quality job creation, and sustainable economic growth.

The Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Committee was established by the Federal Ministry of Education and is administered by TETFund, with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group providing strategic coordination and private sector-led technical support to strengthen collaboration among academia, industry, government, investors, and development partners in advancing research commercialisation across Nigeria.

The international environment is placing a heavier responsibility on Nigeria. Regional security cooperation has weakened, competition for energy finance and technology has intensified, and humanitarian funding is contracting even as domestic needs increase. Three developments this week show why Nigeria must combine leadership with discipline, strengthening its capacity to act without assuming obligations it cannot sustain.

On 14 July, the United Nations Security Council reviewed the political and security situation in West Africa and the Sahel. The following day, Nigeria’s Permanent Representation to the UN convened a discussion on energy access and just transitions during the UN High-Level Political Forum in New York. In Abuja, the Federal Government and the United Nations also began a transition towards stronger Nigerian leadership of humanitarian planning and coordination. These events occurred in different policy areas, but they point to the same reality: Nigeria is being required to carry greater responsibility as external support becomes less predictable

The Security Council discussion exposed the urgency of the regional security challenge. Terrorist and criminal networks are becoming more sophisticated and increasingly able to operate across borders, even as dialogue slowly resumes between ECOWAS member states and the Alliance of Sahel States after a prolonged period of strained relations. Nigeria is directly exposed to both trends. The threat is particularly acute in the Central Sahel and northern Nigeria, where armed groups are using drones, encrypted communications and cryptocurrencies while strengthening links with transnational organised crime. No national security strategy can contain a threat that crosses borders, exploits poorly governed spaces and benefits from fractured regional cooperation.

The reopening of the Kamba border crossing between Nigeria and Niger on 9 February was cited at the Security Council as evidence that renewed dialogue is producing practical results. The crossing restores an important commercial route, but its significance goes beyond trade. The political rupture between both governments could not erase the geographic, commercial and security ties between their people. Nigeria and Niger share border communities, trade routes and exposure to armed groups, making practical cooperation unavoidable even while political differences remain unresolved.

The administration’s effort to reopen channels with Niger reflects the balance Nigeria must maintain across the region. We must defend constitutional government without allowing political disagreements to disable the security and commercial cooperation demanded by geography. Cutting off practical engagement with the Sahel states would weaken border security and disrupt legitimate trade. Abandoning democratic principles in the name of security would equally damage the regional order Nigeria has spent decades helping to sustain.

The credible course is structured engagement. Reopened borders must be supported by stronger intelligence sharing, coordinated patrols, customs cooperation and joint action against arms trafficking and terrorist financing. Nigeria’s leadership will depend on whether it can restore functional cooperation while remaining clear about the political divisions that continue to shape the region.

Nigeria should reject any climate framework that treats electricity access and industrialisation as secondary concerns. Our participation in the energy transition must produce affordable finance, technology transfer, domestic processing and reliable power. A transition that lowers global emissions while African factories remain without dependable electricity, developing countries accumulate expensive debt, and manufacturing and employment remain concentrated elsewhere cannot be considered just.

The second development placed energy firmly within foreign policy. At the UN High-Level Political Forum, Nigeria’s Permanent Representation, working with the UNDP Independent Evaluation Office and Germany’s Institute for Development Evaluation, convened a discussion on energy access and just transitions in Africa. The session addressed off-grid energy, affordability, infrastructure, investment, industrial decarbonisation and green jobs, all of which place the energy transition firmly within foreign policy. Transition is now a contest over finance, technology, critical minerals, supply chains and where future industries and jobs will be located. Countries that control investment and processing capacity will capture most of the value, while those that continue to export raw materials and import finished technologies risk reproducing the same dependency under a greener label.

The New York discussion was useful because it placed these concerns before international institutions and development partners. Its significance, however, will depend on what follows. Nigeria needs bankable projects, stronger transmission and distribution systems, decentralised energy solutions and partnerships that can power farms, workshops, hospitals and factories. Diplomatic access creates an opportunity, but national institutions must be prepared to convert that access into investment and infrastructure.

The third development concerns humanitarian responsibility. At a Nigeria-UN joint workshop in Abuja, discussions began on transferring greater responsibility for humanitarian planning, coordination and financing to Nigerian institutions. Nigeria also intends to lead the preparation of its 2027 humanitarian plan with technical support from the UN system.

This transition is taking place as donor funding contracts while humanitarian needs rise. The United Nations has warned that nearly 35 million Nigerians could face hunger in 2026, even as humanitarian agencies are being forced to respond with fewer resources. Nigeria should assume greater leadership of its humanitarian response, but that transition must be phased, financed and tied to clear institutional benchmarks.

National ownership cannot become a diplomatic expression for the withdrawal of international assistance before domestic systems are ready. Nigeria can only take effective control of humanitarian response through predictable funding, reliable data, efficient procurement, stronger coordination between federal and state authorities, and clear accountability for delivering assistance to affected communities. International partners should not transfer responsibilities faster than national institutions can absorb them.

Taken together, these developments show that external partnerships remain necessary, but they cannot substitute indefinitely for Nigerian and African capacity. Nigeria also cannot finance every regional security need, development project or humanitarian obligation alone. Its foreign policy must therefore build coalitions that share costs, preserve cooperation across political divides and ensure that international partnerships strengthen domestic institutions rather than replace them.

Nigeria cannot depend indefinitely on external actors to secure its neighbourhood, finance its development or respond to emergencies within its borders. Neither can it absorb these responsibilities alone. The goal is to organise effective regional cooperation, negotiate partnerships that expand national capability and ensure that greater responsibility is matched by adequate resources.

In the present international environment, Nigeria’s leadership will depend on whether it can build coalitions that protect its interests, strengthen its institutions and deliver results without exhausting its capacity.

Oshodi is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Foreign Relations and Protocol

Scotland-based Nigerian fashion designer and Creative Director of Teeday Honts Couture, Tobilola Tonueyi, has unveiled Heritage Confluence, a debut collection that reinterprets the iconic Scottish tartan through the traditional craftsmanship of Yoruba Aso Oke weaving.

The collection, launched in Scotland, explores the shared heritage of two distinct textile traditions by focusing on their histories, symbolism and weaving techniques rather than simply combining their visual elements.

Rather than printing tartan patterns onto African fabric or stitching the two textiles together, Tonueyi recreated the familiar tartan checks directly on the loom using centuries-old Yoruba Aso Oke weaving techniques. The result is fabric that resembles classic Scottish tartan at first glance but reveals the raised texture and handwoven structure unique to Aso Oke upon closer inspection.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the collection, Tonueyi said Heritage Confluence was conceived as a conversation between cultures rather than an attempt to replace one tradition with another.

‘I wanted people to see that cultural exchange does not require cultural compromise. Each textile has its own story, identity and dignity,’ she said.

The collection features relaxed trousers, tailored waistcoats and coordinated separates with minimalist silhouettes designed to place emphasis on the handwoven textiles. A standout tailored waistcoat showcases the geometric precision of the tartan-inspired weave while highlighting the structural elegance of the garment.

Beyond the finished pieces, visitors were also given an insight into the creative process through an exhibition of woven fabric samples and textile developments, demonstrating the extensive research and craftsmanship involved in producing the collection. The display underscored that the tartan-inspired motifs were created through weaving rather than surface printing or embellishment.

The unveiling attracted representatives from OneRen, Paisley Museum, Miss Africa Scotland and fashion schools across Glasgow, positioning Heritage Confluence as a notable addition to Scotland’s creative and cultural calendar.

Among the guests was Miss Africa Scotland co-founder, Kemi Komolafe, who commended the authenticity of the concept.

‘What stood out was that the two traditions had not simply been placed together for effect. The tartan remained recognisable, but the weaving gave it a different character. It felt like a genuine exchange between the cultures rather than one being used to decorate the other,’ she said.

By weaving Scottish tartan aesthetics into the structure of Yoruba Aso Oke rather than layering one tradition over the other, Tonueyi’s Heritage Confluence offers a fresh perspective on contemporary fashion, demonstrating how craftsmanship, research and mutual respect can foster meaningful cultural exchange.

The Zamfara State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nafisa Mohammed Maradun, has assured residents that the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) vaccine is safe and free, saying that 1.2 million children are targeted for this year’s vaccination exercise in the state.

This was disclosed on Saturday in Gusau during a press briefing on the state government’s preparedness for the SMC exercise.

Dr. Nafisa Maradun, represented by the SMC State Coordinator, Sani Aliyu, explained that over 11,000 ad hoc staff had been engaged for the exercise, including community leaders, supervisors, and personnel administering the vaccine across the state.

‘Over 500 government facilities are to be used during the exercise across the 14 local government areas of the state.

According to him, the state government recorded significant progress during last year’s exercise, with 1.050 million children vaccinated across the state.

Also speaking, the Zamfara State Chairman, Advocacy on Malaria, Dr. Bashir, assured that no child would be left behind despite the insecurity in the state.

‘This time around, we have made adequate arrangements to ensure the success of the exercise. It is going to be house-to-house, with close supervision. No child should be missed,’ he assured.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has brokered a resolution to the impasse over Nigerian onion trucks detained in Ghana, ending a dispute that threatened regional agricultural trade and prompted fresh calls for lasting reforms.

The Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa (ORO/WCA), which confirmed the development on Friday, said the intervention enabled the affected trucks to finally offload their consignments at Kotoku Market in Accra, preventing heavy financial losses for exporters.

While welcoming the breakthrough, the association warned that unless structural issues affecting cross-border trade are addressed, similar crises will continue to disrupt the regional onion market.

‘We are pleased to confirm that the affected trucks have now been allowed to offload their consignments. This intervention prevented further losses to exporters and demonstrated ECOWAS’ commitment to promoting regional trade, dialogue and cooperation among member states,’ ORO President, Alhaji Aliyu Isa Maitasamu, said in a statement.

He commended the ECOWAS Commission for its swift response, describing the action as a strong demonstration of the regional body’s commitment to protecting the free movement of goods within West Africa.

The association also acknowledged the contributions of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry; the Nigerian and Ghanaian High Commissions; the ECOWAS Trade Directorate; and other government officials, diplomats and private sector stakeholders whose engagements helped resolve the matter.

However, ORO stressed that the resolution is only a temporary fix.

‘The intervention addresses only the immediate situation involving the affected trucks. The underlying issues that have repeatedly disrupted the movement of onions within the region remain unresolved and require a sustainable, long-term solution,’ Maitasamu said.

To forestall future disputes, the association called on ECOWAS to convene a regional stakeholders’ meeting involving the governments of Ghana, Nigeria and the Niger Republic, onion producers, traders and relevant institutions to develop a common framework for onion trade across the sub-region.

According to ORO, the proposed framework should align with the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, while providing harmonised quality standards, transparent trading rules, improved market access, efficient payment systems and effective dispute resolution mechanisms.

Maitasamu said such a framework would strengthen regional integration, improve food security, boost investor confidence and enhance the competitiveness of the onion value chain across West and Central Africa.

‘We reaffirm our commitment to constructive dialogue and stand ready to work with ECOWAS, member states and all stakeholders to develop practical and lasting solutions that advance regional cooperation and shared prosperity,’ he added.

The release of the trucks followed concerns raised by ORO over the detention of Nigerian onion consignments in Ghana, a development the association warned was disrupting regional trade, exposing exporters to huge losses and undermining the spirit of economic integration championed by ECOWAS.

Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture.

The creation of the new divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City, announced last Thursday, is expected to improve military coordination and response time.

According to the Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the approval ‘underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to equipping the Armed Forces to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges effectively and to strengthen national defence capabilities further.’

The federal lawmaker, in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, suggested that, in addition to the creation of four new military divisions, President Tinubu should make provisions for the procurement of at least five attack helicopters for each of the six geopolitical zones across the country.

‘President Tinubu has said the increase in the number of military divisions from eight to 12 is to improve military coordination and response time.

‘I want to add that each of the divisions should have a Special Task Force Brigade equipped with Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles (MRAPs), Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), and attack helicopters.

‘Let each geopolitical zone have at least five attack helicopters for rapid response to any emergency security situation to provide adequate cover for ground troops.

‘For effectiveness, the Federal Government must also give consideration to what I call TEAM: Training, Equipment, Ammunition and Motivation.

‘It is heartwarming to hear that President Tinubu has equally approved the recruitment of an additional 28,000 personnel.

‘But it is not the number that really matters; it is TEAM.

‘They need to be well remunerated. The morale of those in operation is very low. Apart from training and the adequate procurement of modern arms and ammunition, I urge the present administration to consider an urgent review of their remuneration.

‘The Federal Government should increase the remuneration of the Army and other security agencies.

‘Their basic salary should not be less than the naira equivalent of $300.

‘Even if we have to borrow, let Mr President borrow to equip the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.’

The senator representing Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly further commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies on the front line for sustaining attacks on insurgents, which he noted are yielding visible results in the North-East and other regions.

Ndume also applauded the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, especially the 82 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, for their recent rescue of more than 100 abductees, in addition to the 360 people earlier rescued from terrorist captivity.

Former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, has said he could be arrested for speaking about what he described as the Nigeria’s worsening condition.

Al-Mustapha made the remark on Saturday while speaking at the third memorial conference held in honour of the late General Hassan Usman Katsina in Kaduna.

He expressed concern over the state of the nation, insisting that both Northern Nigeria and the country at large were facing deep-rooted challenges.

According to him, ‘[From] every child on the street to the elites, [we] know that the state of Nigeria is in a sorry state. The state of the North is totally hopeless. Speaking the truth to the situation is meant for patriots.’

The former military intelligence officer also criticised the poor attendance of northern governors at the conference, noting that the theme, ‘From Sacrifice to Strategy,’ should have drawn greater participation from leaders in the region.

Questioning their commitment to addressing the North’s challenges, he said, ‘They don’t have the thinking, they don’t have the sacrifice, they don’t also have strategy for the country.’

Al-Mustapha further accused political officeholders of failing to grasp the true meaning of leadership, arguing that the nation’s governance structure had deteriorated.

He stated, ‘The system is rotten; those who are in leadership positions don’t even understand what leadership is all about.’

He concluded by declaring his readiness to bear any consequences for speaking openly about the country’s situation, maintaining that telling the truth remained a duty of every patriot.

The rainy season is one of the best periods to start snail farming in Nigeria. High humidity, cooler temperatures and moist soil create ideal conditions for snails to feed, grow and reproduce.

Although no farming venture can guarantee zero losses, following proven management practices can greatly reduce risks and improve productivity. Snail farming is also attractive because it requires relatively little land, affordable feeding and modest startup capital compared with many other livestock businesses.

In this article, Tribune Online highlights the key steps to building a successful snail farming business during the rainy season.

Choose the right snail species

Success begins with selecting the right species. In Nigeria, the most commonly reared species are Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina. These giant African land snails are well adapted to the local climate, grow to large sizes and enjoy strong demand in the market.

Build a suitable snail house

A good snail pen protects the animals from predators and provides the right environment for growth. The pen should be cool, shaded and well ventilated. The soil should be loose and rich in organic matter to allow snails to burrow and lay eggs.

The enclosure should also prevent entry by ants, rats, snakes, frogs and lizards, which are common predators. Regular cleaning and proper drainage help maintain a healthy environment.

Take advantage of the rainy season

Rainy weather naturally provides the moisture snails need to survive. Snail breeding activities increase during the rainy season because moisture encourages feeding, mating and egg laying. This makes the season an ideal time for beginners to establish a snail farm.

However, farmers should ensure that the pen does not become waterlogged, as excessive water can destroy eggs and create unhealthy conditions.

Feed snails properly

Snails thrive on a variety of readily available fruits and vegetables. Suitable feeds include pawpaw leaves, cocoyam leaves, pumpkin leaves, cabbage, cucumber, watermelon, banana and ripe pawpaw.

Calcium is also essential for healthy shell development and can be supplied through approved calcium supplements or natural sources.

Control moisture without flooding

Snails need moisture, but too much water can be harmful. Light watering during dry periods helps to maintain humidity, while proper drainage prevents flooding during heavy rainfall. Maintaining the right moisture level improves feeding and reduces stress.

Protect the snails from predators

Predators account for many avoidable losses in snail farming. Inspect the pen regularly for ants, rats, birds, frogs, termites and reptiles. Repair damaged sections of the enclosure immediately and keep the surrounding area clean to discourage pests.Simple preventive measures can significantly improve survival rates.

Avoid overcrowding

Keeping too many snails in a small enclosure reduces growth and increases competition for food. Adequate spacing allows snails to move freely, feed properly and reproduce under less stressful conditions. Farmers should also separate breeding snails from young ones where necessary.