Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Zamfara State Committee Chairman on Road Traffic and Related Offences, DCP Salihu Bello Fago, has explained why Governor Dauda Lawal constituted the committee, saying it was to enhance public safety in the state.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting with representatives of transport unions in Gusau, Fago emphasised that the cooperation of transport associations is essential to the success of the committee.

‘This meeting of ours is to strengthen collaboration aimed at improving road safety and ensuring compliance with traffic regulations, with executives of various Road Transport Associations across the state.

‘The Zamfara State Road Traffic Violations and Other Related Offences Committee was constituted by Governor Dauda Lawal to reduce traffic violations, promote responsible road use, and enhance public safety throughout Zamfara State,’ he said.

The Chairman of the Committee briefed transport unions and stakeholders about the existence of the committee.

‘We noted that commercial drivers and transport operators play a critical role in ensuring discipline on the roads. We called on you to educate your members on the importance of obeying traffic laws and regulations,’ he stated.

The Chairman of the committee also appealed to transport union leaders to support ongoing efforts to curb reckless driving, overloading, illegal parking, use of unauthorised vehicle accessories, and other traffic-related offences that endanger the lives of road users.

‘A mobile court has been established by the state government to punish the offenders,’ he disclosed.

In their separate remarks, the leaders of the NUPENG, NURTW, NATO and AMDON Zamfara State commended the Zamfara State Government for establishing the committee and pledged their full support towards achieving safer roads across the state.

The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Security and Home Affairs, Yazid Attahir, and representatives of the Nigerian Army, State Security Service, VIO, Road Safety, NSCDC and the Ministry of Justice.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has declared that there will be no slowdown in the execution of critical infrastructure projects in Abuja, insisting that the administration remains committed to fulfilling the promises made to residents before President Bola Tinubu’s first term ends.

Speaking after inspecting the ongoing Apo-Karshi and Bwari-Kubwa road projects on Monday, Wike said the successful commissioning and flag-off of projects in the FCT did not mark the end of the administration’s infrastructure drive. He stressed that several strategic projects must be completed before January.

He said public confidence in the Tinubu administration must not be taken for granted, noting that the government will continue to monitor contractors to ensure projects are delivered on schedule.

‘Has the tenure of Mr. President ended? Certainly not. His first tenure has not ended. His first tenure will end precisely on May 29, 2027. If that is the case, it means the work has also not ended,’ Wike said.

While acknowledging that many expected the administration to take a break after weeks of project commissioning, the minister maintained that governance demands continuity.

‘We have made promises to the people during the commissioning and flag-off that certain key projects must be commissioned before the end of the year. We cannot afford to disappoint them.’

Expressing satisfaction with progress on the long-delayed Apo-Karshi Road, Wike noted that the project, awarded in 2010, had suffered years of neglect before the current administration revived it.

He commended President Tinubu for providing the support that enabled the project to move forward and praised SCC Nigeria Limited for maintaining a high standard of work.

‘My happiness today is that the Apo-Karshi Road, which has been a major concern, is progressing very well. Streetlights are already being installed. I commend the contractor and the host communities for their cooperation.’

On the Bwari-Kubwa Road, the minister directed the contractor to maintain the agreed delivery schedule despite the difficult terrain, warning against unnecessary delays.

‘I told the contractor during the Dei-Dei commissioning that this road would be commissioned before the end of the year. I don’t want anybody shifting the goalposts. They have demonstrated commitment, and I believe they will hand over the project as scheduled.’

He assured the contractor that the FCT Administration would continue to release funds promptly to ensure work is not disrupted before the end of the dry season.

Wike disclosed that inspections of other projects recently flagged off would continue this week as part of efforts to sustain the administration’s ‘promise made, promise fulfilled’ agenda.

‘When people have confidence in you, don’t allow that confidence to erode. They have seen that we keep our promises, and we must sustain that confidence. We have about eight to 10 major projects that must be completed before January, and we are determined to deliver.’

Mr Patterson Ariemuduigho, has emerged the new chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Lagelu and District Society.

He was sworn-in during an investiture ceremony held on Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Other members of the new executive inaugurated alongside Ariemuduigho, are: Dr Yemi Odebunmi, FCA (Vice-Chairman), Hezekiah Oyeyemi, FCA (General Secretary), Emmanuel Kuforiji, FCA (Treasurer), Mrs. Olukemi Oyewale, FCA (Financial Secretary), Mr. Sulaiman Eyitayo, FCA (Technical Secretary), Damilola Osuntubo, ACA (Membership Secretary), Alex Akinsola, ACA (Social/Publicity Secreatry), Mojisola Fashola, FCA (Assistant General Secretary), Moses Ogundele, FCA (Ex-Officio 1), Gbadamosi Ismaila , FCA (Ex-Officio 2), Victor Oguntade, FCA (Ex-Officio 3), Omokemi Oladipo, FCA (Immediate Past Chairman) and Folashade Ayo-Kumuyi, FCA (SWAN Rep).

In his acceptance speech, the new chairman said he is ready to lead with absolute transparency and to serve with humility, openness and unwavering dedication. ‘The plans are enormous, the targets are high, indeed, but God of mercy who brought us here will give us the capacity to ginish well. Let us rise as one indomitable force, let us connect, let us collaborate and let us take total ownership and let us show the world what it truly means to be the networking district.’

In his remarks, the chairman of the investiture planning committee, Dr Yemi Odebunmi, said:’Today marks a beautiful milestone in the journey of our young but remarkably vibrant district. As we witness the transition of leadership, we are reminded of the enduring legacy of excellence, integrity and professionalism that defines our great institute.’

Maintaining an active brand presence across professional networks like LinkedIn and fast-paced platforms like X (formerly Twitter) is a non-negotiable requirement for a growth-minded person. However, manually tweaking every post, reformatting hooks, tweaking character counts, and scheduling entries on multiple dashboards drains dozens of hours every month.

A single piece of industry insight shouldn’t require 45 minutes of manual copy-pasting.

By building a multi-channel No-Code automation engine; linking your curated content database in Google Sheets directly through Make.com, call the Gemini API for platform-native formatting, and trigger direct API posts to LinkedIn and X, you can build an automated cross-platform distribution engine that runs 24/7.

Why cross-platform automation requires AI context switching

Simply copying the same text across LinkedIn and X rarely delivers good results because each platform has different audience expectations.

LinkedIn rewards detailed, professional content with engaging introductions, structured paragraphs, bullet points and relevant hashtags that improve readability.

X, on the other hand, performs better with concise, attention-grabbing posts that stay within the platform’s character limit while encouraging engagement.

Using Gemini API as part of your automation workflow allows a single piece of content to be rewritten automatically for each platform without additional manual editing.

Manual posting vs automated publishing

Compared to manual publishing, an automated workflow offers significant advantages:

Faster execution: Posts can be generated and published in seconds instead of spending 35 to 50 minutes formatting content manually.

Platform-specific formatting: Gemini creates separate versions optimized for LinkedIn and X instead of duplicating the same copy.

Consistent publishing: Scheduled workflows ensure content is published regularly without human intervention.

Lower operating costs: Automation reduces repetitive work while keeping API costs relatively low. Step-by-step configuration: Zero-code multi-channel automation blueprint

To set up this scenario inside Make.com in under 25 minutes, follow this visual integration blueprint:

[Google Sheets / RSS Trigger] ? [Make.com Router] ? [Gemini API (LinkedIn Prompt)] ? [LinkedIn Module] ? [Gemini API (X Prompt)] ? [X (Twitter) Module]

Zero-code multi-channel automation blueprint

The workflow can be created in Make.com using the following sequence:

Google Sheets (or RSS Feed) ? Make.com Router ? Gemini API ? LinkedIn/X ? Google Sheets Update

This enables one content source to feed multiple social platforms simultaneously.

Step 1: Create your content trigger

Begin by connecting a Google Sheets – Watch Rows module inside Make.com.

Create columns such as:

Topic or Raw Content

Publishing Date

LinkedIn Status

X Status

Configure the workflow to trigger only when the content status is marked Ready.

Step 2: Connect Gemini API

Next, insert a Router module that splits the workflow into two separate branches.

For the LinkedIn branch, use an HTTP request to Gemini API with instructions similar to:

Rewrite the topic into an engaging LinkedIn post with four paragraphs, a strong opening hook, three bullet points and three professional hashtags. Return the response in JSON using the key linkedin_text.

For the X branch, use a different prompt instructing Gemini to produce a concise post under 240 characters and return the response using the key x_text.

This allows Gemini to tailor the same topic for each platform automatically.

Step 3: Publish automatically

Connect the LinkedIn branch to the Create a Text Post module and map the generated linkedin_text output.

On the X branch, connect the Create a Tweet module and map x_text.

Finally, update the corresponding Google Sheets row by changing the publishing status to Published to prevent duplicate posts.

Common troubleshooting and API edge cases

The biggest mistake teams make with social media automation is broadcasting raw, unformatted text across every platform.

Integrating an LLM like Gemini directly into an automated Make.com workflow acts as an intelligent context switch: the model reads the master topic once and automatically generates distinct, platform-optimised copy for both LinkedIn and X within a single execution cycle.

To ensure your automated publishing engine runs without breaking, keep these technical safeguards in mind:

Respect X character limits

Standard X API endpoints reject posts that exceed the character limit.

To reduce failures, instruct Gemini clearly to never generate posts longer than 240 characters, leaving room for links or hashtags.

Keep OAuth tokens active

LinkedIn API access relies on OAuth authentication.

Expired tokens can interrupt automated workflows, so review your Make.com connection regularly and reauthorize it when necessary.

Prevent duplicate publishing

Add a filter immediately after the trigger module to ensure previously published rows are ignored.

For example, configure the workflow to continue only when the LinkedIn or X status is not already marked Published.

Automating LinkedIn and X publishing with Gemini API and Make.com eliminates repetitive formatting, improves consistency and ensures each platform receives content tailored to its audience.

Rather than manually rewriting every post, creators and businesses can maintain an active online presence through a no-code workflow that operates continuously in the background, saving time while improving content quality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you securely format the JSON payload when sending social copy prompts to the Gemini API?

To ensure Gemini returns clean JSON without formatting errors or unescaped quotes, specify ‘responseMimeType’: ‘application/json’ in the generationConfig block of your HTTP API request. Wrap raw topic text using Make.com’s stripHTML() formula to remove HTML tags or special characters before submitting the payload.

Can Make.com schedule posts to publish at specific optimal times for LinkedIn and X?

Yes. You can place a Sleep / Delay module before the social publishing nodes or use Make.com’s native scenario scheduling settings (e.g., set the scenario to run strictly at 09:00 AM EST on weekdays) to ensure your posts drop during peak user engagement hours.

What are the API rate limits for automated publishing on LinkedIn and X?

LinkedIn allows up to 150 posts per day per user account via their API, which is more than sufficient for brand automation. X (Twitter) API Free and Basic tiers enforce monthly tweet posting caps (e.g., 1,500 tweets/month on Basic), so ensure your Make.com run frequencies stay well within your tier limits.

Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd.), has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will soon announce another salary increase for personnel of the Armed Forces as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve troop welfare.

The minister made the disclosure on Monday while speaking at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of military personnel in Abuja.

According to him, the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces are adequately rewarded for the sacrifices they make in safeguarding the country.

‘I want to state here that a few weeks ago, I mentioned that soldiers are now receiving ?100,000, and I know that generated both positive and negative reactions.

‘When I was Chief of Defence Staff, soldiers were receiving ?49,000. About two years ago, I pushed for an increase to ?100,000, and that was achieved.

‘We are, however, making further efforts to increase it again. We know our President is a listening father who understands the sacrifices our troops are making and is committed to ensuring they are well remunerated.

‘So, I am confident that very soon Mr. President will announce another salary increase for our men,’ he said.

The workshop, themed ‘Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,’ was organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

The minister said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the economic well-being of military families, particularly widows and spouses of non-commissioned officers serving in various operational theatres.

He noted that while military personnel continue to confront complex security challenges and spend extended periods away from their families, the government recognises the critical role played by their spouses and dependants in sustaining their morale and effectiveness.

‘Every day, our personnel confront complex security challenges in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty and the protection of the lives and property of our citizens.

‘Many serve in difficult operational environments, separated from their families for extended periods and exposed to considerable risks. While their courage and sacrifice are rightly celebrated, we must equally recognise the invaluable role played by the families who stand firmly behind them.

‘To the spouses gathered here today, your resilience, patience and steadfast support give your loved ones the confidence to remain focused on their responsibilities.

‘To our widows whose husbands served Nigeria with honour and distinction, your strength and perseverance in the face of loss remain an enduring source of inspiration,’ he said.

The minister stressed that the government is determined to provide military families with the knowledge, skills and support required to build sustainable livelihoods, noting that a strong military depends not only on capable personnel and modern equipment but also on stable and economically secure families.

‘When military families are economically secure, they are better positioned to withstand the unique demands of military life. This gives service personnel the confidence that their loved ones are well supported, allowing them to concentrate fully on their operational responsibilities.

‘Strengthening the economic resilience of military families is therefore an important investment in the effectiveness of our Armed Forces and the security of our nation,’ he added.

He explained that the entrepreneurship programme was designed to equip participants with practical business and enterprise management skills to establish sustainable businesses, generate income and contribute to national economic development.

The minister also commended President Tinubu for what he described as his commitment to improving the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and their families.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of SMEDAN, Charles Odii, disclosed that the agency disbursed ?25 million to 500 widows and wives of soldiers serving on the frontlines under the empowerment programme.

According to Odii, the intervention aligns with President Tinubu’s commitment to supporting small businesses and improving livelihoods through enterprise development.

He said the President had approved a ?200 billion intervention fund for businesses across the country, comprising a ?75 billion single-digit interest loan for manufacturers, another ?75 billion single-digit interest loan for small businesses, and ?50 billion in grants for nano-businesses.

He explained that beneficiaries of the military families’ empowerment programme fall under the grant component of the intervention.

Odii added that the grant is not a one-off intervention, assuring beneficiaries that those who invest the funds productively would qualify for additional financial support.

‘If you take the seed money we are giving you, invest it in your business, and the business grows, we will come back here in another year and double the amount we have given you,’ he said.

He noted that SMEDAN would monitor beneficiaries’ businesses to ensure proper utilisation of the funds and identify entrepreneurs eligible for further support.

Economic expert Olatunji Smith Balogun has commended the Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, for triggering an infrastructure boom aimed at transforming the state into a prime destination for foreign investors.

Balogun, while speaking on the state’s economic evolution, noted that crucial projects such as the construction of the Ibadan Circular Road and the upgrading of Ibadan Airport to international standards were strategic masterstrokes.

He stressed that only a deeply visionary leader possessed the foresight to invest in capital projects that guaranteed long-term global economic benefits for Ibadan and Oyo State at large.

Drawing strength from history to validate Governor Makinde’s long-term governance approach, Balogun drew a profound historical parallel to his late father, Dr Ganiyu Kolawole Balogun (GKB), who served as the first pioneer chairman of the Ibadan Municipal Government (IMG) from 1976 to 1979.

‘When my late father started road construction across Labiran and Oke-Are, he faced heavy criticism and blame from short-sighted detractors. Decades later, those roads are still actively in use, serving the public and keeping our people happy. Today, Governor Makinde faces similar battles for thinking ahead. Ibadan residents and the people of Oyo State at large must be deeply grateful for a leader who builds for the future rather than just today.’

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has handed over modern medical equipment for the treatment and management of obstetric fistula to Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital, Sokoto, in a move aimed at improving access to quality maternal healthcare for women and girls.

The equipment was officially presented at a ceremony attended by officials of the Sokoto State Government, UNFPA, development partners and health professionals.

Representing the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, the Director of Nursing Services, Abubakar Shehu, described the intervention as another milestone in the state’s efforts to strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare services.

He said the donation would enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide quality, safe and dignified care to women living with obstetric fistula.

‘This equipment will strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare and ensure that women affected by obstetric fistula have access to quality, safe and dignified care,’ Shehu said.

He expressed appreciation to UNFPA for its continued partnership with the state government in advancing healthcare delivery and urged the management of the hospital to ensure proper utilisation and maintenance of the equipment.

‘I sincerely appreciate UNFPA for its invaluable partnership and support in advancing healthcare in Sokoto State. I urge the management of the hospital to make effective use of this equipment and ensure proper maintenance for the benefit of our people,’ he added.

Speaking during the handover, the Team Lead of the UNFPA Sokoto Field Office, Dr. Rabi Sagir, said the agency’s ultimate goal is to eliminate obstetric fistula in Sokoto State through prevention while ensuring quality treatment for existing cases.

‘Our ultimate goal in UNFPA is not to keep providing surgical equipment. Our ultimate goal is to have zero obstetric fistula in Sokoto State,’ she said.

Dr. Sagir described obstetric fistula as a devastating but preventable condition that reflects deeper social inequalities affecting women and girls.

‘Obstetric fistula is devastating, but it is also preventable. It is a reminder of the inequality that exists in society. It speaks to lack of empowerment, minimal education and limited financial access for many women,’ she noted.

She stressed that UNFPA views obstetric fistula not only as a health challenge but also as a social and development issue.

‘For us in UNFPA, obstetric fistula is not only a health issue; it is also a social issue. It is about women who have been left behind, and we cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals if we leave anyone behind.’

Dr. Sagir noted that UNFPA had supported the facility for many years through funding from development partners, including the European Union under the SARA Health Project and the Government of Canada.

She urged the hospital to maintain the equipment to ensure that more women benefit from the intervention.

‘We look forward to this facility making good use of this equipment, and we encourage continued investment in its maintenance so that many more women can benefit,’ she said.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Muhammad Buhari Umar, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working with development partners to improve healthcare delivery.

He said the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu was focused on building synergy and aligning development interventions with the state’s priorities under its nine-point agenda.

‘The focus of this administration is to ensure that synergy and convergence are established. We appreciate UNFPA for aligning its interventions with the needs of Sokoto State, and we look forward to stronger collaboration with other development partners,’ he said.

The Permanent Secretary, who said he was impressed by the level of improvement at the hospital during a recent visit, challenged the management to translate the new equipment into better health outcomes.

‘The price of doing a good job is doing good. It is one thing to hold a ceremony; it is another thing to produce results from it. After this equipment, we want to see improved service delivery in this facility,’ he said.

He assured stakeholders that the state government would continue to support initiatives that improve healthcare services and deliver measurable results for the people of Sokoto State.

Twelve tech-enabled Nigerian startups, from the six geopolitical zones of the country, are to receive intensive growth support, investment readiness training, and access up to $350,000 in funding under the Federal Government’s Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme.

The organisers, while announcing the opening of applications for Growth Lab, a 12-week acceleration programme that would select 12 tech-enabled startups, described the programme as representing the next stage in the iDICE Startup Bridge’s founder support pathway.

Following the implementation of Founders Lab, which equips idea-stage innovators with the tools and guidance needed to validate and develop their ideas, Growth Lab will support startups that have achieved early traction and are seeking the expertise, networks, and investment required to scale.

The programme targets startup founders who are seeking the support, networks, expertise, and investment readiness required to accelerate growth and strengthen their position within the Nigerian innovation ecosystem.

The National Coordinator of the Programme, Ife Adebayo, explained that selected founders will gain access to structured growth support, investment-readiness preparation, access to industry experts, market expansion pathways, a $100,000 cash investment (or Naira equivalent) for 7.5% equity upon entering the programme, and up to $250,000 in potential follow-on investment, with certain growth conditions met.

According to him, the programme would run as an intensive 12-week hybrid experience, including virtual engagements and two physical weeks in Lagos focused on collaboration, learning, and business growth.

While encouraging female founders to apply, Adebayo assured that selection will be conducted through a clearly defined, merit-based evaluation process aligned with published criteria.

A chieftain of the APC and Deputy National Leader (South-East) of the Renewed Hope for Greater Nigeria (RHGN), Mazi Franklin Ngoforo, has advised students from the South-East geopolitical zone to take advantage of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing it as real, functional, and accessible.

Ngoforo gave the advice over the weekend when he received a delegation of students’ union leaders from tertiary institutions in the South-East shortly after his engagement with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Mohammed Doro.

He advised the student leaders to return to their campuses with the message that the Tinubu administration’s education loan scheme has removed financial barriers to higher education, especially for students from low-income households.

He said, ‘No young person should be denied tertiary education because of financial hardship. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s education loan policy aligns with the South-East’s commitment to learning and has eliminated poverty as a valid reason for any qualified student to miss out.’

He expressed concern over reports that students from the South-East were not fully utilising NELFUND and urged the union leaders to intensify awareness campaigns on their campuses.

Ngoforo also linked quality education to national development, noting that the modern economy is driven by knowledge and digital innovation.

He cited the Igbo tradition of apprenticeship and the region’s growth in digital innovation as evidence of that culture.

He encouraged graduates to embrace entrepreneurship rather than wait for paid jobs, reminding them of the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture, which he said have disbursed billions of naira to support young entrepreneurs and small businesses.

He said, ‘These initiatives complement the renowned entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbo people and are designed to unlock the economic potential of the region’s youth.’

On politics, Ngoforo expressed confidence in the Tinubu administration’s economic agenda and urged students to support the President’s re-election in 2027 to allow him to complete ongoing reforms.

He also cautioned them against politicians who may exploit ethnic or religious sentiments.

Responding, the leader of the delegation, Comrade Nelson Obi-Okafor, thanked Ngoforo for enlightening Nigerians on government policies.

He described NELFUND as a significant intervention that has eased tuition and other educational costs for indigent students.

He said, ‘We will disseminate this message across tertiary institutions and communities throughout the South-East and continue to encourage eligible students to access the scheme.’

The Rivers State Judiciary has released 23 inmates in the first phase of its 2026 prison decongestion exercise as part of efforts to reduce congestion in custodial centres across the state.

The exercise, which was carried out on Wednesday, July 22, followed the directive of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, aimed at decongesting correctional facilities and ensuring that no inmate is held beyond the period permitted by law.

A statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, said Chief Magistrates and Senior Magistrates visited the Port Harcourt, Ahoada and Degema Correctional Centres to review the cases of inmates eligible for release.

According to the statement, 23 inmates were released after the review, with 18 freed from the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre and five from the Ahoada Correctional Centre, while no inmate was released from the Degema Correctional Centre.

The exercise was conducted by Chief Magistrates Menenen F. Poromon, Ilanye D. Brown, N. N. Nnee and Obiareri N. Anugbum, alongside Senior Magistrates Wobia C. Akanie, Harold B. Nwinee and ThankGod Ndukwu.

The Judiciary stated that the exercise forms part of its commitment to promoting access to justice, safeguarding the rights of detainees and supporting ongoing efforts to reduce congestion in correctional facilities through periodic case reviews and other justice sector interventions.