Category: Nigerian Tribune

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has said he will review the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) policy and introduce debt forgiveness for qualifying Nigerian students if elected president in 2027.

Atiku’s position was disclosed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, in a statement on Tuesday evening while responding to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s post on X.

Shaibu said Atiku’s proposed review would be aimed at ensuring that Nigerian students do not leave school burdened by education loans.

He argued that reducing the cost of education should take priority over using loans to help students cope with rising expenses.

‘His approach will reduce the underlying cost of education and, after review, provide forgiveness for qualifying student debts so that young Nigerians can graduate with hope rather than repayment burdens. Education should open doors, not mortgage the future’, said Shaibu.

He also rejected Tinubu’s use of NELFUND as a defence of the administration’s education policies, arguing that loans should not be presented as evidence that education has become more affordable.

‘Celebrating NELFUND as proof that education has become affordable under your government is like setting school fees on fire and then boasting that you lent students a bucket of water. What exactly is the wisdom in presiding over dramatic increases in school fees in some institutions, only to turn around and celebrate loans as the solution?’, he queried.

Shaibu described the policy approach as ‘witchcraft economics,’ arguing that government should not increase the financial pressure on students and subsequently offer loans as a remedy.

‘You make education more expensive, lend students money to survive the increase, and then demand applause for the rescue. That is not affordability. It is witchcraft economics: create the burden with one hand, offer debt with the other, and demand applause for the intervention.’

According to him, Atiku has already reviewed the existing student-loan framework and believes young Nigerians should not be forced to begin their working lives with education-related debts.

Shaibu maintained that the distinction between a loan and a scholarship should remain clear, saying the success of an education policy should instead be measured by whether families can afford to keep their children in school without resorting to borrowing.

He said the Federal Government should not ‘parade the loan itself as evidence that the system is working’ when the rising cost of education has placed additional pressure on ordinary families.

The former vice president’s aide also accused the presidency of attempting to create fear among students and workers over Atiku’s proposal to reduce energy costs through an intervention involving Nigerian crude supplied for domestic refining.

‘If your government has the arithmetic, Bola, publish it. Show Nigerians, line by line, how a transparently budgeted subsidy tied to Nigerian crude and domestic refining suddenly empties NELFUND or workers’ pay packets’, he demanded.

Shaibu said Atiku’s energy proposal would instead seek to ease the cost of living by making salaries stretch further and reducing transportation expenses.

‘Reduce the cost of energy so that salaries buy more. Reduce transport costs so that less of a worker’s wage disappears merely getting to work. You cannot make life painfully expensive, push students towards debt to survive the consequences, and then frighten those same students that cheaper fuel will take their loans away’, he declared.

WHEN Governor Monday Okpebholo took office in November 2024, his inaugural messaging centered on five pillars: Security, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Education. To those familiar with Edo’s history, this framing carried particular significance. It was not a vague promise to ‘transform’ the state through undefined initiatives. Rather, it represented a systematic acknowledgment of where Edo’s governance had failed most consistently over the previous three decades. Security came first, not by accident. Okpebholo recognized that no coherent development agenda is possible in an environment where citizens experience genuine fear. The administration moved quickly on several fronts. It pursued legislation establishing special criminal courts and state police mechanisms – interventions that had been discussed but not implemented by previous administrations. It launched coordinated operations against cultism, particularly in the Benin metropolis where organized crime networks had entrenched themselves over years. The visible deployment of security personnel, and the integration of community policing approaches signaled that this was not performative rhetoric but sustained operational commitment.

What distinguishes this approach from previous security initiatives is its apparent resistance to cyclical abandonment. Past administrations had launched security crackdowns that faded after news cycles moved on. Okpebholo’s administration committed itself to treating security not as a campaign promise but as foundational infrastructure for development – which, strategically, it is. Healthcare emerged as a second pillar with more enrollment in the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme (EdoHIS), a system designed to expand access to basic healthcare across income levels. This addresses a fundamental reality: Edo’s healthcare crisis has never primarily been about the absence of facilities, but about their inaccessibility to ordinary residents due to cost. The scheme represented acknowledgment that building world-class tertiary hospitals means little if the majority of the population cannot afford entry. This is the kind of systematic thinking that had been absent from much previous Edo governance.

Infrastructure, the third pillar, captured perhaps the most visible of the administration’s early initiatives. The Ramat Park Flyover – that long-delayed symbol of unfulfilled Edo ambition – finally moved from planning documents to active construction. Road rehabilitation projects launched across multiple local government areas. Drainage works commenced in Benin City’s flood-prone neighborhoods. What matters here is not merely that infrastructure projects were undertaken – multiple administrations had attempted this – but that they were conceived as part of a coherent urban development strategy rather than as scattered interventions. The fourth pillar, Natural Resources and Agriculture, represents an attempt to diversify Edo’s revenue base in a manner that had been discussed but never systematically pursued. This pillar encompasses efforts to develop the state’s forestry resources, to create value chains around agricultural production, and to position Edo as a contributor to national food security and export agriculture. Early initiatives included distribution of agricultural equipment to farming communities, technical support for smallholder farmers, and strategic planning around commodity production. Whether this translates into sustained rural development and poverty reduction – rather than another cycle of agricultural promises – remains to be seen, but the conceptual framework represents genuine departure from previous approaches.

Education, the fifth pillar, acknowledges that no state escapes poverty through infrastructure alone. Edo’s future depends on the quality of human capital it produces and retains. Early administration actions included increased teacher recruitment, salary adjustments to improve retention, and infrastructure investment in schools. The administration has also pursued alignment with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, securing projects and resources that benefit Edo’s educational institutions. What merits careful observation is whether these five pillars represent a strategic framework that will guide decision-making across electoral cycles, or whether they will devolve into campaign rhetoric that proves disconnected from budgetary allocation and institutional practice. History suggests caution. Edo governance has demonstrated the capacity to adopt ambitious frameworks while failing to sustain them. The true test of this administration’s commitment emerges not in the first year or two – when enthusiasm and available resources typically allow for visible progress – but in years three, four, and beyond, when competing priorities emerge and political attention naturally wanes.

Several factors distinguish this moment from previous transitions, however. First, the five-pillar framework appears grounded in realistic assessment of what Edo’s development requires, rather than in mythmaking about the state’s role or destiny. There is less performative triumphalism and more pragmatic problem-solving. Second, the administration has moved to document federal government support and resource flows in a manner that creates accountability and institutional memory – critical elements that previous administrations neglected. The compilation of Renewed Hope Agenda projects benefiting Edo State, for instance, prevents the kind of knowledge loss that occurred with previous transitions. Third, there is apparent recognition that Edo’s transformation cannot be imposed from above but requires engagement with stakeholders – diaspora communities, business leaders, traditional authorities, and ordinary residents. The diaspora engagement initiative (‘SHINE Beyond Borders’), for instance, suggests awareness that Edo’s most educated and successful citizens, many of whom live abroad, represent an untapped resource for development, network, and advocacy.

As Edo State moves through its fourth decade, the fundamental question remains unresolved: can an administration resist the temptation toward cyclical abandonment that has characterized the state’s governance history? Can it sustain attention to long-term building even when political pressure points toward short-term spectacle? The Okpebholo administration’s five-pillar framework suggests an administration capable of systematic thinking. Whether it translates into systematic execution across multiple electoral cycles – and that is what genuine transformation requires – is the question that will define Edo’s next chapter. The next few years will be instructive. Not because extraordinary progress is possible in that timeframe, but because they will reveal whether this administration possesses the discipline and institutional commitment to resist the patterns that have repeatedly disappointed Edo’s residents over the past 35 years.

His appointment marks a new chapter in the administration of the university library and reflects his professional growth and years of experience in academic librarianship and university administration.

According to a press release by the Head, Information, Protocol and Public Relations of the university, Mr. Avilah Sam-Aliyu, made available to Tribune Online, the new University Librarian, who assumed office immediately, joined Bowen University in 2011 as Librarian II.

The statement said that during his first tenure at Bowen, Olajide rose from Librarian II to Senior Librarian and served as Coordinator of the Medical Library at Bowen University Teaching Hospital (BUTH).

He left the university in 2019 and continued to build his career in academic librarianship and university administration.

His professional journey subsequently took him to Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, where he served as University Librarian and provided strategic leadership in library administration, resource management, planning, accreditation and digital learning initiatives.

Before his latest appointment, Olajide had obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Library and Information Science from the University of Ilorin in 2023.

He also holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Ibadan and a Bachelor of Technology degree in Pure and Applied Chemistry from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).

The statement said Olajide had also developed competencies in data analytics, Python, SQL and Power BI, alongside advanced training in blockchain and digital communication.

His scholarly output includes more than 30 publications in academic journals, with an active presence on platforms including Google Scholar, ResearchGate and ORCID.

As University Librarian, Olajide is expected to provide leadership for the administration and management of the university library and its branches, while supporting teaching, learning, research and knowledge creation across the institution.

His experience in digital information management and scholarly development is also expected to support the continued transformation of the library into a more technology-driven, accessible and user-centred academic resource centre.

The university community has welcomed Olajide into his new role, expressing confidence that his experience, expertise and commitment to service will contribute to the continued growth and development of Bowen University.

The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that his partnership with Vice Presidential Candidate Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is a definitive alliance to rescue Nigeria from what he described as calamitous and ineffective leadership.

Obi made this known yesterday while hosting Kwankwaso, along with gubernatorial, senatorial, and other party candidates from various states, at the Obidient Headquarters in Abuja. The meeting focused on strategies to expand the party’s reach into rural communities and the hinterlands.

‘Our discussions focused primarily on strategies to expand and deepen the reach of our party and take our message of national redemption to rural communities,’ Obi stated in a Facebook post following the meeting.

Reaffirming his commitment to party unity, Obi assured the candidates of his continued support in their respective states and constituencies. He emphasised the need for groundwork to secure victory for the party in the upcoming elections.

The highlight of the gathering was the display of unity between Obi and Kwankwaso. Obi referred to the former Kano State governor as his dear elder brother, insisting that their partnership is built on a shared vision to transform the nation.

‘My partnership with His Excellency Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is a partnership to rescue Nigeria,’ Obi wrote.

Obi outlined the NDC’s policy priorities, which include lifting vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty, reducing the number of out-of-school children, and supporting small and medium-sized businesses. He also reiterated the campaign’s core message of moving Nigeria from a nation of consumption to one of production.

‘Our commitment is to commence lifting vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty, reduce the number of out-of-school children, support small and medium-sized businesses, secure our nation, unite our people, and move Nigeria from consumption to production,’ he said.

Workers in the three state-owned universities in Ondo State have commenced an indefinite strike over the alleged failure of the state government to implement the Federal Government/university unions’ agreement from January 2026.

The industrial action, declared by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), takes effect from Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

The affected institutions are Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa; and the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo.

In a strike notice issued after an emergency meeting on Tuesday, the unions directed their members to withdraw all clerical, administrative, technical, clinical and other services across the three institutions until their demands are met.

The notice, signed by the JAC-ODSTI Secretary, Comrade Kunle Akinwonmi, and Chairman, Comrade Tayo Ogungbeni, said the action followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the state government without the required implementation.

The unions accused the government of reneging on its promise to implement the agreement with effect from the August 2026 salary, alleging that the institutions received the same old subventions without the promised 60 per cent increase.

‘Whereas, the same government released the same old subventions to all the institutions without the 60 per cent promised for the month of August 2026,’ the unions stated.

They recalled that the state government had announced a 60 per cent increase in subventions to tertiary institutions in the state, as well as approval for the full implementation of the FGN/Unions Agreement from August 2026.

The workers, however, alleged that the announcement was not backed by corresponding funding, insisting that the government’s failure to act had left them with no option but to embark on the industrial action.

‘It is crystal clear that the State Government is playing politics with our lives and wellbeing, therefore, we have no other alternative than to embark on this industrial action,’ the unions said.

The JAC is demanding the unconditional payment of the Consolidated Tertiary Institutions and other allowances contained in the agreement, with effect from January 2026 to date.

The unions directed all members to fully comply with the strike directive until their demands are addressed.

Property valuation in Nigeria has traditionally depended on conventional approaches, principally the comparative, investment and cost methods. These approaches remain indispensable because they are familiar, practical and adaptable to markets where reliable transaction evidence may be limited. Nevertheless, the increasing complexity of urban property markets requires analytical techniques capable of explaining how individual property characteristics influence price.

Hedonic valuation provides such a framework. It regards a property as a bundle of attributes-including size, accommodation, location, accessibility, infrastructure, neighbourhood quality and environmental conditions-and estimates the contribution of each attribute to market price. For Nigerian estate surveyors and valuers, its greatest professional value lies in complementing, rather than replacing, informed appraisal judgment.

Conventional and Hedonic Methods

Conventional valuation relies on market evidence, established appraisal procedures and the valuer’s professional expertise. In practice, this may involve comparing a subject property with recent transactions, capitalizing the income of an investment property or estimating the replacement cost of a specialized asset.

Its principal strengths are simplicity, transparency to ordinary clients and practical usefulness where data are scarce. Its limitation, however, is that adjustments for differences in size, access, services and location may be implicit and may vary between valuers.

Hedonic valuation addresses this limitation by statistically decomposing an observed price into the estimated contributions of separate attributes. It can, for example, identify the price premium associated with paved access, a gated estate, reliable electricity or proximity to a commercial centre. Consequently, it can improve consistency, explainability and evidence-based adjustment.

Hedonic Formulae and Nigerian Illustration

A basic hedonic pricing model is expressed as:

Where is the price of property and represent structural, locational, neighbourhood and environmental attributes respectively; and is the unexplained error term.

Assume that analysis of residential transactions in Lekki, Lagos, produces the following illustrative model:

Here, is floor area in square metre; equals 1 where the property is in a gated estate and 0 otherwise; equals 1 where paved access exists and 0 otherwise; equals 1 where reliable electricity and alternative power are available and 0 otherwise; and is travel time in minutes to a major commercial centre.

For a 300-square-metre house with all three amenities and a 20-minute travel time:

The model therefore indicates an illustrative value of ?113 million. It also suggests a marginal contribution of ?180,000 for each additional square metre, while gated-estate location, paved access and reliable power contribute estimated premiums of ?6 million, ?8 million and ?5 million respectively. These figures are statistical indications, not universal adjustments, and must be validated against the relevant sub-market.

A more specific linear form is that each represents a measurable characteristic, while represents its estimated marginal contribution to price. Thus, if comparable houses differ only in road access: the estimated premium for paved access is ?8 million.

For residential property, a log-linear form may be applied in this specification,

approximately represents the percentage change in price resulting from a percentage change in floor area. The dummy-variable coefficients estimate percentage premiums or discounts associated with particular attributes.

Nigerian Relevance and Data Challenges

Nigerian studies indicate that structural,locational and neighbourhood characteristics can explain substantial variation in residential and commercial property prices. However, the model must reflect local realities. Electricity reliability, drainage, security, road quality, title conditions and neighbourhood reputation should be defined and measured in ways meaningful to Nigerian markets.

The principal challenge is inadequate data. Transactions may be privately negotiated, under reported or insufficiently documented. Important characteristics may also require proxies. Accordingly, valuers should use verified, geocoded and time-stamped evidence; standardize attribute measurement; and test for multicollinearity,unequal error variance and spatial dependence.

Professional Adoption

The most appropriate Nigerian pathway is gradual hybrid adoption. Conventional valuation should remain central to routine professional practice, while hedonic analysis can support, test and calibrate conventional adjustments. In data-rich

markets such as Lagos, it can strengthen consistency and defensibility; where evidence is limited, simpler models with fewer reliable variables are preferable.

Conclusion

Hedonic valuation does not eliminate professional judgment; it disciplines and supports it. Properly adapted to Nigerian conditions, the method can make property adjustments more transparent, measurable and market-responsive. The strongest professional approach is therefore a hybrid framework combining empirical attribute-based analysis with inspection, local knowledge and established Nigerian valuation practice.

The Reform NYSC Coalition, a non-partisan advocacy group focused on improving the welfare of corps members, upgrading orientation camp infrastructure and strengthening the National Youth Service Corps as a platform for national unity and development, has welcomed Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s decision to renovate facilities at the state’s NYSC camp.

The coalition, which engages governments, NYSC management and other stakeholders on policy reforms, camp standards and corps members’ welfare, described the governor’s move as an example other states could follow.

In a statement signed by Comrade Francis Nwogu on behalf of the group and released on Wednesday, the coalition said improved camp facilities would enhance orientation activities, address health and safety concerns and strengthen the scheme’s role in promoting interaction among Nigerians from different ethnic, cultural and regional backgrounds.

The group said some orientation camps across the country continued to face challenges including overcrowding, sanitation and inadequate amenities.

‘We commend His Excellency, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, for listening to the long-standing calls for improved infrastructure at the NYSC camp in Katsina. This decision demonstrates leadership that understands the critical role of the National Youth Service Corps in nation-building,’ the statement said.

‘We urge all governors across the 36 states and the FCT to emulate this example by upgrading orientation camps in their domains. Corps members deserve decent accommodation, functional facilities, and a conducive environment that reflects the dignity of national service.’

The Reform NYSC Coalition also highlighted the contributions of corps members to education, healthcare and community development, particularly in rural communities where, according to the group, there are shortages of some professionals.

It said sustained investment in camp infrastructure could help address health and welfare concerns, improve morale and make the one-year service more productive for corps members and their host communities.

According to the group, the NYSC remains an important platform for promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

It said better living and training conditions at orientation camps would complement the support provided by host states and encourage greater commitment from the large numbers of graduates mobilised for national service each year.

The coalition said the NYSC could not achieve these objectives alone and called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government.

‘Governor Radda’s intervention is not just about buildings; it is about valuing the lives and service of thousands of young Nigerians who leave their homes every year to contribute to the development of host communities,’ Comrade Nwogu stated.

‘We call on the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and individual state executives to treat NYSC camps as priority infrastructure. A modern, well-maintained camp is a direct investment in national cohesion and human capital development.

‘We appreciate the hospitality of the people of Katsina and the relatively peaceful environment in which the NYSC has operated. This partnership between state governments and the scheme must be strengthened through tangible infrastructural support,’ the coalition added.

‘Every state that upgrades its NYSC camp sends a clear message that it values the corps members who teach in its schools, serve in its health centres, and contribute to its local economy.

‘We hope this becomes a nationwide standard rather than an isolated example.’

The Reform NYSC Coalition reaffirmed its commitment to constructive advocacy for continuous reform of the National Youth Service Corps, including better camp standards, improved welfare and stronger collaboration between the NYSC and state governments.

It also pledged to continue engaging relevant authorities until orientation camps across Nigeria meet acceptable standards of comfort, safety and functionality.

The coalition also applauded the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, for what it described as steady leadership and proactive engagement with state governments.

According to the group, his recent visit to Katsina, where he highlighted the environment in which NYSC activities are being carried out and the mobilisation of large numbers of graduates, reflected an administration focused on the welfare, security and successful deployment of corps members nationwide.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has released the list of documents shortlisted candidates must present for the physical screening and documentation exercise for its recruitment.

The requirements were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, by the NCS National Public Relations Officer for the Comptroller-General of Customs, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, ABDULLAHI MAIWADA, PhD, mnior, mniia.

Candidates are required to attend the exercise with both the original and photocopies of the specified documents.

The documents include:

National Identification Number (NIN)

Original Birth Certificate or Declaration of Age

Educational certificate(s), including O’Level, ND, HND, Degree or other applicable qualifications

Certificate of State of Origin

Two recent passport photographs

Completed Guarantor’s Form

NYSC Certificate, where applicable

In addition to the documentation requirements, candidates are expected to wear a white T-shirt, shorts and canvas shoes for the physical screening.

The exercise will be conducted at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, Abuja.

The Service said candidates must report only on the date assigned to their respective states and cadres, adding that attendance is compulsory.

It warned that failure to appear for the exercise as scheduled may result in disqualification from the recruitment process.

Candidates who successfully complete the physical screening and documentation exercise will subsequently receive further instructions from the NCS on the next stages of the recruitment process.

The Service, under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, urged candidates to rely only on official NCS communication channels for authentic information concerning the recruitment exercise.

The Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2027 general elections, Dr Chibuzo Okereke, in this interview with KEHINDE AKINTOLA, bears his mind on the ongoing consultation by G100 which seeks to produce a consensus candidate among all the opposition parties. Excerpts:

What exactly is the strategic objective of the proposed consensus presidential candidate-merely to defeat the incumbent, or is there a clearly defined policy and governance agenda that all participating parties must subscribe to?

Nobody has invited us to an engagement that would produce a single presidential candidate and I don’t think such thinking serves our democracy process positively. Even in 2013, ahead of 2015 elections when APC was formed, nobody collapsed the entire opposition into one candidate. We should also subscribe to forming consensus merely to defeat someone; else that itself, is not strategic. If G100 exist, it should not be a gang-up. They should rather focus on championing credible policy alternatives with a manifesto that is measurable and also mobilise Nigerians to actively participate in the political process and make their informed choices of who they prefer, which I strongly believe represent the new chapter and the future of Nigerian politics.

With 21 presidential candidates already nominated, what criteria will determine who ultimately emerges as the consensus candidate and who will have the final authority to make that decision?

Twenty-one presidential candidates means 21 political parties and 21 different national working committees, national executive committees and other critical structures of parties that are based on constitutionalism. We must not use undemocratic processes to attain political advantage. To achieve such will be difficult, because we are dealing with constitutional rights of people. It will end up in betrayal and scaring of cakes even before it is baked. Parties are encouraged to reach out to others and make personal case for support because merger is no longer possible at this time. For us, Labour represents the most important factor of production and controls the mix in production process. We are the party with the ideology that prioritises human capital and represent a departure from the evil of capitalism that has been bedeviling our nation. The aggregate of Nigerian voters would be the ultimate decider of any arrangements.

How do you intend to reconcile the competing ambitions of presidential candidates who have spent considerable political and financial resources securing their parties’ nominations?

Any candidate on patriotic or compassionate grounds, by the resolution of their party, can subscribe to support any candidate of choice. Historically, some parties have made decisions to zone tickets; others made decisions to support other presidential candidates. Politicians always find a way at the table. However, where we are in our democratic journey, we must put people first before politics and power.

Would the consensus arrangement require some presidential candidates to withdraw from the 2027 race, and if so, what legal or political mechanism would be used to secure their commitment?

The process can only represent gentlemen agreement. It has no basis in law. Beside the window for withdrawal and substitution of candidates in line with INEC, timetable closed on 22nd August 2026. So, no presidential candidate can legally withdraw now. Also, there would be no legally binding guarantees for such arrangements if it exits. In terms of political mechanisms, I maintained that commitments of parties or individuals must put Nigerians first.

Given the ideological and political differences among the opposition parties, what guarantees are there that the proposed coalition will remain united after the election if the consensus candidate wins?

You have your answer in the APC and other coalitions of the past. We saw the contestation and cries of marginalisation by the factional APGA, CPC, ACN, New PDP and ANPP that formed the APC. In fact some members of the New PDP didn’t spend two years in the APC, despite emerging victorious in the 2015 elections. As politicians, we should always converge or have meeting of minds that is anchored on developmental vision for our country not for just political power; because sometimes, how to share the spoils of victory causes more division than nursing the pain of loss which can unify sometimes better.

Some Nigerians are concerned that a coalition formed principally to defeat the ruling party may reproduce the same problems once in government. What governance framework are you putting in place to prevent this?

The leaders and promoters of the group should be able to respond to that. I maintain that nobody should form coalition merely to defeat an incumbent. Any meaningful coalition must put Nigerians first and that is the vision of my campaign -Nigerians First. We should strive to empower voters to make informed decisions and not continue in the elite syndrome pathway.

How will you convince Nigerians that the proposed consensus candidate represents a genuine national alternative rather than another arrangement among political elites seeking power?

Nigerians know we recycle politicians by platforms in this country. I represent a new chapter, new economy, innovation and with right vision and energy to turn things around, expand opportunities, improve on the successes of the current administration and rework areas of gap.

If the major opposition parties fail to reach a consensus before the electoral process advances further, do you have an alternative plan, and would you support a strategic alliance among several candidates rather than a single consensus candidate?

We are a multi-party democratic nation. Our strategy should not just be about winning but about governing as well. Nigerians and candidates, along with their party structures, should have that opportunity of variety of competing ideas and vision and make their choices whether to align with any other candidate or run on the ideology of their party until they have acceptance by majority of Nigerians. In fact, in Nigeria, we make it look like all powers lie with the politicians rather than the people. It should not be so. We cannot just the think about elections. We can do more.

What role will civil society organisations, organised labour, professional groups, youths, women and other critical stakeholders play in determining or endorsing the consensus candidate?

You can never have a national consensus candidate in a multi-party democracy. The design of multi-party democracy is for variety and for choice which is a fundamental right of the human person. The Labour Party is the party of civil society organisations, the organised labour and professional bodies. It is the party of the workers and the ordinary Nigerians. We are contesting and these are our primary constituencies as the only party with institutional membership in Nigeria.

Will the aftermath of the summit not end up being another declaration, communiqué or photo opportunity without implementation?

Nigerians are free to congregate and lobby for votes. I also, maintain that I represent a breath of fresh air and Nigerians should turn to a new chapter in our political development by embracing the Labour Nigerians first vision.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has explained that he approved a two-year extension of the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Prof. Clement Adebooye, to strengthen the university’s governance and ensure administrative continuity.

Adeleke disclosed this on Monday while inaugurating the reconstituted Governing Council of the university at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo.

The governor said Adebooye had initially rejected the extension before eventually accepting to continue in office.

According to Adeleke, retaining the Vice-Chancellor was considered necessary to avoid an administrative vacuum and maintain stability in the management of the university.

He also retained Prof. Adewale Oladipo as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, pointing to his experience and familiarity with the university system.

The other members inaugurated into the reconstituted council are Alhaji Gbadegesin Lawal, Alhaji Lateef Olalekan Olayanju, Mr Akinola Franklin Omoniyi, Chief Funminiyi Awotide, Mr Orija Samuel Adebayo, Mrs Adewale Adetayo Bola and Mrs Olawale Oludayo Abolade.

While addressing the council members, Adeleke charged them to approach their responsibilities with humility, integrity, courage and a strong commitment to the public interest.

He said, ‘I charge you to work harmoniously with the Vice-Chancellor and management, stressing that the governing council and management should not operate as competing centres of authority.’

The governor stressed that the council and university management must operate within the provisions of the law and maintain mutual respect in pursuing the institution’s development.

ASO READ: Why I want to restore fuel subsidy – Atiku

Adeleke described UNIOSUN as ‘one of the enduring investments of the people of Osun State’, noting that its academic and research activities contribute to the economic, social and intellectual development of both Osun State and Nigeria.

Oladipo, who previously chaired the dissolved council, thanked the governor for retaining him, attributing the decision to the achievements recorded by the former council.

He said the reconstituted council would consolidate the progress already made and pursue further development of the university.

In his remarks, Adebooye expressed appreciation to Adeleke, members of the State Executive Council and the newly inaugurated council for attending the ceremony.

The Vice-Chancellor pledged that the university management would continue to collaborate with the council and other stakeholders to sustain UNIOSUN’s growth and advance its ambition of becoming one of Africa’s leading universities.