Category: Nigerian Tribune

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has revealed that the controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 election caused a division in her church and tested her Christian faith.

In her new memoir, ‘The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things’, Mrs Tinubu described the episode as a ‘bitter pill’ that created discord in her parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

The 52-page book, released to mark her 65th birthday, chronicles her journey between 2021 and 2025.

Reflecting on the Muslim-Muslim ticket, she wrote: ‘One of such decisions was the unpopular ‘Muslim-Muslim ticket’. My being a Christian did not matter. My local assembly, Redeemed Christian Church of God, was split.’

The former Lagos Central senator recalled that church opposition was not new to her. During her 2011 senatorial campaign, she said her posters were rejected by the parish.

‘I later realised that we are a church like other churches with members of all political parties in attendance. I experienced this during my campaign in 2011 for the senate, when I took my campaign posters to the church, and it was rebuffed. After that, I never tried again,’ she explained.

Mrs. Tinubu noted that while some parishioners showed hostility, many elders and members supported her with prayers, which kept her steadfast in her faith.

‘But I kept attending church, and I thank God I have grown from being a baby to a mature Christian. So the little resentment I witnessed from a few was met with the peace of God.

‘All the same, despite a few who showed hostility, many were encouraging, especially our elders, who would encourage me from time to time with prayers,’ she wrote.

She expressed gratitude to her local assembly for standing by her, adding that many of them lived to witness her husband’s inauguration as president.

‘To this end, I am grateful to God and every one of them, especially those who lived to watch the presidential inauguration when the time came. I thank the pastorate also for making arrangements for them.

‘I thank my local assembly because most of them made me feel welcome and comfortable enough to come to church whenever I was home from Abuja, where I was still serving as a senator representing Lagos central senatorial district.’

Notable personalities who have made significant contributions towards the development of democratic governance are set to be conferred with awards of recognition at the 2025 edition of the Democracy Heroes Award Africa.

Organised by the Face of Democracy Nigeria projects (FDN projects), among those expected to be honoured include FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, members of the Nigerian Senate, Sani Musa, Opeyemi Bamidele, President of Botswana, Duma Gideon Boko, former Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Governors of Borno, Cross River, Ondo, Oyo, and Katsina.

Others include the governors of Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kebbi, and other notable individuals from the political, business, and entertainment world.

With the theme, ‘Legacy of leadership: Powering Africa’s future’, Democracy Heroes Award Africa 2025 will hold on the 16th of October at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Democracy Heroes Award recognises political leaders for their contributions in deepening the culture of democracy in the country through impactful projects.

It also recognizes entrepreneurs, businesspeople, and entertainers whose contributions have helped in entrenching stability through job creation, youth empowerment, and poverty alleviation measures.

The Project Director FDN, Olufunsho Ajagbonna, while congratulating winners of the awards, said the organization will continue to encourage excellent performance by recognising those who have distinguished themselves in serving the people.

The Owa Obokun Adimula and paramount ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, has announced the removal of Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi, as the Oba-Odo of Ilesa.

The Owa, in a statement signed by Chief Shola Oshunkeye, for the palace, explained that the decision to remove Chief Gbadamosi was informed by his alleged ‘unlawful removal of two electric transformers, 300KVA and 500KVA respectively, from the post office in Atakumosa market, IKEA, sometimes in 2023.’

The statement further recalled that the previous Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, had rebuked Chief Busuyi Gbadamosi for carting away the two transformers without his permission and that of the affected communities, namely: Araromi, Adeti, palace and Odo Osunmu, which the two electrical equipment served.

It explained that all efforts, made by the previous Owa, to ensure that Chief Gbadamosi returned the transformers were thwarted.

‘Consequent upon the installation and coronation of the current Owa Obokun, a Committee on Resolution of Chieftaincy Disputes, Land and Sundry Matters was set up.

‘Among the petitions received by the committee was one written and submitted by members of the above-mentioned communities against Chief Gbadamosi, accusing him of illegally and unlawfully removing the said transformers. Consequently, Chief Gbadamosi was invited to appear before the committee to state his side of the story and explain the whereabouts of the two transformers,’ the palace stated.

During the committee’s sitting, the Iyaloja of Atakumosa market, Chief (Mrs.) Awe and the youth leader of Araromi community was said to have given evidence against him, narrating to the committee how Chief Gbadamosi had sent two emissaries to her, asking her to append her signature to a document confirming the sale of the two transformers and that, in return, he would give her #750,000.00 (Seven hundred and fifty thousand naira only) from the proceeds of the sale. But Mrs. Awe was said to have rejected the offer and declined to sign the documents.

When questioned, Chief Gbadamosi was said to have confessed selling one of the two transformers, specifically the one of 300KVA, for N120,000, adding that he used the proceed to transport the second transformer (500KVA ) to Ibadan, Oyo State, for repairs.

Chief Gbadamosi was said to have been given 30 days within which to retrieve the two transformers and return them to where they were previously installed at the post office, but failed to retrieve and return the transformers.

The Umo Eno-led administration in Akwa Ibom State has launched a N100 million Creative Industry Fund to boost the state’s entertainment and film sector, in a fresh push to empower young people and expand opportunities under his ARISE Agenda.

The fund, announced during the Ibom Entertainers Week in Uyo, is targeted at building capacity, supporting practitioners, and positioning Akwa Ibom as a creative hub in Nigeria.

Briefing newsmen on Tuesday, Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, said the initiative was one of the administration’s most significant interventions in September 2025.

‘This is not just about entertainment, it is about building an economy around the talents of our young people, giving them the tools to compete nationally and globally,’ he stressed.

The Commissioner also highlighted the inauguration of the fourth batch of the Ibom-LED Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme and the continued distribution of ARISE food packages across the 31 local government areas.

‘In just one month, more than 10,000 youths and SMEs have benefitted from training and empowerment schemes,’ he said. ‘Our governor is deliberate in creating jobs and giving hope to young people.’

On infrastructure, Umanah noted that over 771 kilometres of roads and 31 bridges are at various stages of completion, while Ibom Air has acquired four new aircraft, with work ongoing at the new Terminal Building and MRO facility at Victor Attah International Airport.

Workers’ welfare, he said, has remained a top priority. ‘Over ?78 billion has been paid in pensions and gratuities. Teachers have received N1.2 billion in wardrobe allowance. We have implemented the ?80,000 minimum wage, introduced a 13th-month salary, and approved the recruitment of 4,000 new workers,’ Umanah declared.

On social welfare, he revealed that more than 500,000 vulnerable households have benefitted from interventions, while in housing, 267 Compassionate Homes have been delivered, with 150 free houses for public servants already underway.

The health sector has equally recorded progress with the expansion of health centres, an emergency ambulance service, a medical oxygen plant, and the ongoing construction of a 350-bed International Hospital.

To secure lives and property, the governor launched the State Security Trust Fund, recruited 4,500 community watch personnel, and established a Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways. ‘We are reinforcing Akwa Ibom’s status as one of the safest states in Nigeria,’ Umanah added.

In tourism, projects such as the ARISE Resort, Ibom International Convention Centre, ARISE Shopping City, and a 2,000-capacity amphitheatre are ongoing. The ecological remediation of 70 hectares of gullies has also commenced.

The governor also partnered with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to commission 17.33 km of roads in Ika Local Government Area, while presenting new vehicles to all former deputy governors of the state.

Sports development received a boost with the successful return of the Ibom Sports Festival after 14 years, alongside the revival of inter-house sports and the Governor’s Cup, and plans for a Sports Academy.

Summing up, Umanah said: ‘These achievements are not happenstance. They are the deliberate outcomes of a governance strategy anchored on the ARISE Agenda. Akwa Ibom is on a steady path of growth, innovation, and transformation under Governor Umo Eno.’

As Nigeria marks its 65th independence anniversary, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on citizens to foster unity and embrace the country’s diversity as a strength for national progress.

The State Director of NOA in Akwa Ibom, Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, made the call in Uyo while addressing journalists and stakeholders on the significance of the milestone.

‘Our strength lies in our diversity. With over 250 ethnic groups and an array of languages, Nigeria embodies a unique heritage that should be seen not as a dividing line but as a unifying force that propels us towards progress,’ Mr. Mkpoutom said.

He stressed that as the nation embarks on another year, it was important for citizens to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose by embracing dialogue, understanding, and collaboration in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, addressing pressing issues like poverty, security, education, and healthcare requires collective effort and commitment from all Nigerians.

‘This anniversary should serve as a reminder of the collective strength that lies in every citizen. Let us contribute positively to society and commit to building a prosperous, peaceful, and equitable nation,’ he urged.

The NOA Director further appealed to Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians at large to honour the labours of past heroes while working diligently toward a brighter future for generations to come.

He prayed that Nigeria’s journey ahead would be ‘filled with unity, peace, and progress.’

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that Nigeria faces the risk of instability, insecurity and economic hardship if urgent steps are not taken to invest in education, skill acquisition, and national unity.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Bakhita ICT Centre in Sokoto on Tuesday, Obasanjo said the neglect of millions of out-of-school children poses a direct threat to national stability.

‘Twenty-four million children who should be in school are not in school,’ he said. ‘You don’t need an oracle to know they will become the recruiting ground for Boko Haram of tomorrow.’

The centre was built by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah with the support of legal luminary, Aare Afe Babalola.

Obasanjo, who has remained one of Nigeria’s most outspoken elder statesmen, urged the nation to prioritise ‘human development, skill acquisition, empowerment and employment,’ stressing that the country’s diversity should be harnessed as a strength rather than a division.

‘It is not unity in diversity alone, but unity of purpose for our country, in spite of our diversity,’ he said.

He commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Bishop Kukah for promoting dialogue across faiths and cultures. Describing Kukah as ‘a different sort of Bishop,’ he added: ‘When he talks, he talks sense; when he shouts, he shouts against evil, misconduct and oppression.’

Obasanjo warned that Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, projected to reach 400 million by 2050, could become unmanageable if leaders fail to plan ahead. ‘If we fail to prepare now, Boko Haram of today will be child’s play compared with what we may face in the future,’ he cautioned.

The former president also highlighted the impact of technology and artificial intelligence, which he said would displace many jobs unless Nigeria equips its people with the right digital skills. ‘AI will take over many jobs. We must prepare our people with the right knowledge and skills,’ he said.

On the economy, he lamented the nation’s dependence on food imports despite vast agricultural potential. ‘Why should we import our staple food? If farmers cannot make a profit, they will stop planting,’ he warned.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, Obasanjo recalled how the late Sultan of Sokoto supported universal adult suffrage in 1979 by encouraging women to vote – a move he described as a milestone in the country’s political history.

He concluded with a message to current leaders: ‘Nigeria is not a difficult country to govern if we are honest with ourselves, with God, and with the people.’

The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) on Tuesday said it averted a nationwide blackout after the national grid experienced significant generation shortfalls due to industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

NISO, established in 2024 as part of the restructuring mandated by the Electricity Act of 2023, manages Nigeria’s national grid and electricity market operations independently of grid infrastructure development. Its core mandate is to function as an impartial and independent entity responsible for system and market operations within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

To avert a total system collapse, the agency said it rolled out emergency measures, including ramping up hydropower generation, real-time load balancing, and selective load shedding. It added that available generation dropped from over 4,300 MW to about 3,200 MW at its lowest point due to gas supply disruptions.

NISO explained that it urgently deployed contingency measures to preserve the stability, security, and reliability of the national grid. These included hydropower optimisation, generation dispatch, load balancing, voltage and frequency support, and demand-side management.

‘The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) wishes to notify the public of recent major generation shortfalls on the National Grid, caused by industrial actions of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) within the gas supply chain.

‘These disruptions triggered widespread gas shortages, reducing available generation from over 4,300 MW in the early hours of Sunday, 28th September 2025, to about 3,200 MW at the lowest point.

‘Selective load shedding was applied as a last resort to avert a system-wide collapse and ensure fair power distribution. These timely actions enabled the NISO NCC to minimise the impact of the labour-induced gas shortages, sustain operational security, and maintain supply to critical loads, thereby averting a nationwide blackout,’ the statement read.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to proactive grid management, operational excellence, and the adoption of best-in-class practices to ensure a secure and reliable electricity supply for the nation.

The ongoing conciliation meeting between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Refinery has been moved to the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Officials at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment confirmed the development to journalists who had gathered at the ministry’s conference room, where the meeting was originally scheduled to hold at 2 pm this afternoon.

The change of venue means the session may not commence at the earlier communicated time.

The talks follow an intensive nine-hour meeting that stretched from 3 pm yesterday until midnight. The meeting ended without full resolution, leading to today’s reconvening aimed at settling the lingering labour dispute between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, had earlier disclosed that most issues had been resolved, except for two critical matters: the reinstatement of 800 sacked workers and recognition of workers’ rights to unionise.

The ministers also noted that PENGASSAN has consistently demonstrated peaceful and responsible conduct in its actions and engagements as a trade union.

They expressed hope that both the union and Dangote Refinery would display good faith and sportsmanship when the meeting reconvenes.

They also expressed optimism that these outstanding issues would be resolved quickly in the interest of the economy, warning that the strike embarked upon by PENGASSAN could cripple economic activity if allowed to persist.

On its part, the PENGASSAN delegation led by its National President, Comrade Festus Osifo, reaffirmed the union’s commitment to dialogue but warned that the strike would continue if Dangote Refinery refuses to reinstate the 800 workers and uphold unionisation rights.

Non-service of charge sheet on Tuesday stalled the arraignment of former Presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, X Incorporation (formerly Twitter), and Meta (Facebook) Incorporation before a Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged false claim against the person of President Bola Tinubu by tagging him ‘a criminal.’

The Federal Government had earlier slated Tuesday, September 30, to arraign Sowore and his co-defendants on a five-count charge before Justice Mohammed Umar, but when the case was called for the arraignment, counsel for Sowore, Abubakar Marshall, objected on the ground that his client was not served with the charge sheet three days before the arraignment as required by law.

Similarly, he said, the second defendant had also not been served, and since the trial is on a joint charge, the arraignment cannot be held.

Non-service of charge sheet on Tuesday stalled the arraignment of former Presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, X Incorporation (formerly Twitter), and Meta (Facebook) Incorporation before a Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged false claim against the person of President Bola Tinubu by tagging him ‘a criminal.’

The Federal Government had earlier slated Tuesday, September 30, to arraign Sowore and his co-defendants on a five-count charge before Justice Mohammed Umar, but when the case was called for the arraignment, counsel for Sowore, Abubakar Marshall, objected on the ground that his client was not served with the charge sheet three days before the arraignment as required by law.

Similarly, he said, the second defendant had also not been served, and since the trial is on a joint charge, the arraignment cannot be held.

The member representing Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West federal constituency of Oyo state in the House of Representatives, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, has declared that the ongoing congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the country signify a fresh beginning that will reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking with journalists in Ibadan at the Oyo State PDP congress, held at the basketball court of Lekan Salami stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Olajide described the exercise as ‘the birth of a new PDP,’ stressing that the reforms being witnessed across the 33 state chapters of the PDP across Nigeria are signs of laying a solid foundation for a stronger and more united political family.

He noted that despite the turbulence of recent years, the PDP had weathered the storm and was poised to reclaim its pride of place in Nigeria’s national politics.

According to him, the party remains the most experienced political organisation in Nigeria, having mastered the democratic process over the years.

He emphasised that PDP had learned from its past and was now embracing a new era of stability and inclusiveness.

‘PDP is not a rookie party. We have been in this process longer than any other political party. Politics is our business, we have learnt it, we have mastered it. Gone are the days when violence was the order of the day. This is a new dawn for Nigeria,’ he said.

Olajide likened the rebuilding process of the PDP to the birth of a new baby, insisting that by November, after the party’s national convention, Nigerians would witness a fully repositioned PDP ready to drive fresh ideas and initiatives for the nation. ‘PDP is the right movement, the right platform and the right form of energy for anyone who truly wants to move this nation forward. With leaders like Governor Seyi Makinde and others providing direction, the best is yet to come,’ he declared.

Speaking on reconciliation efforts within the party, the federal lawmaker dismissed fears that the congresses might alienate some leaders, describing such concerns as exaggerated. He maintained that politics is a game of alignment and re-alignment, stressing that dissenting voices would eventually key into the new momentum sweeping across the PDP. ‘Politics is like a moving train, when it is slow, you can hop on easily, but when it gains speed, you risk being left behind. Some of those you describe as aggrieved will eventually come on board.’

‘There was a time it was very frustrating, when we could not even see light at the end of the tunnel. But gradually, things began to turn around. Now momentum is gathering, not only in Oyo, but also in Lagos, Ondo, the North and across Nigeria. The positive energy we are witnessing shows that good things are about to happen,’

He called on party faithful nationwide to remain steadfast, united and hopeful as the PDP marches towards its national convention and assured that the outcome of the exercise will herald a new dawn for Nigeria’s political landscape, adding that the party was ready to provide the kind of leadership Nigerians desire as the country prepares for another electoral cycle.