Category: Nigerian Tribune

ECOWAS Parliament has called for urgent policy reforms to unlock the growth potential of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), warning that millions of businesses across West Africa remain trapped in the informal sector with limited access to finance, markets and legal protection.

The call was made on Monday at the opening of a joint committee meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, where lawmakers said strengthening MSMEs is critical to achieving regional economic integration, job creation and poverty reduction.

Speaking on behalf of the Joint Committee on Industry and Private Sector, Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research, Administration, Finance and Budget, and Public Accounts, the committee’s Co-Chairperson, Hon. Alhagie Darbo, said MSMEs remain the backbone of West African economies but continue to face structural barriers that hinder their growth.

‘Across our region, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises constitute the backbone of local economies. They generate employment, stimulate innovation, promote entrepreneurship, empower women and young people, and facilitate cross-border trade,’ Darbo said.

He noted that despite their enormous contribution to regional economies, a large proportion of MSMEs still operate informally, restricting their access to finance, technology, business support services and wider markets.

According to him, the informal sector accounts for nearly 90 per cent of economic activities and employs at least 60 per cent of the labour force across ECOWAS member states.

‘While this demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit of our people, it also highlights the urgent need to create enabling policies that encourage formalisation, improve productivity and integrate MSMEs into regional and continental value chains,’ he added.

Darbo urged lawmakers to move beyond identifying challenges and focus on practical policy recommendations capable of removing obstacles facing small businesses across the sub-region.

He said formalising and strengthening MSMEs was not only an economic necessity but also a pathway to sustainable development and poverty reduction.

He further linked the effort to the implementation of ECOWAS Vision 2050, saying the regional development blueprint requires stronger institutions and a more enabling business environment for enterprises to thrive.

‘Our discussions should focus on developing practical recommendations that will support harmonised policies, improve access to finance, enhance digital transformation, facilitate intra-regional trade, strengthen productive capacities and promote the participation of MSMEs in regional value chains under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area,’ he said.

Declaring the meeting open, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, represented by the Second Deputy Speaker, Hon. Adjaratou Traore Coulibaly, described MSMEs as a major driver of economic growth and development across the region.

She also linked the development of small businesses to improved security, noting that empowering women and young people through entrepreneurship would help address the root causes of insecurity confronting several ECOWAS member states.

According to her, creating economic opportunities through MSMEs would not only stimulate inclusive growth but also contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region.

The lawmakers expressed optimism that recommendations from the meeting, if adopted by ECOWAS member states, would strengthen West Africa’s economies, improve regional competitiveness and accelerate the bloc’s economic integration agenda.

NDE RHEI Phase 3 programme is a nationwide vocational, technical, and entrepreneurial training designed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, its primary objective is to combat mass youth unemployment and alleviate poverty by equipping unskilled and unemployed Nigerians with market-driven, self-sustaining skills.

Step 1: Visit the registration portal (https://nderegistrationportal.ng/) and click ‘Sign Up.’

Step 2: Create an account by providing:

First Name

Last Name

National Identification Number (NIN)

Email Address

Create a Password

Step 3: Log in using your registered email address and password.

Step 4: Complete the online application by filling in the following details:

Personal Information

Contact Details

Educational Qualification

Employment Status

Bank Account Details

Bank Verification Number (BVN)

Preferred Training Programme

State, Local Government Area (LGA), and Residential Address

Step 5: Upload the required documents:

Passport Photograph (maximum size: 500KB)

Valid Means of Identification (if required)

Educational Certificate(s)

Step 6: Carefully review all the information you have entered to ensure it is accurate.

Step 7: Click ‘Submit’ and wait for further communication from the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

Important Information

Ensure that your NIN and BVN belong to you and are entered correctly.

Use an active phone number and email address that you can access.

Submit only one application. Multiple applications may lead to disqualification.

Keep your login details safe for future access.

Registration is completely FREE. Do not pay anyone to register or secure placement under the programme. Beware of fraudsters.

The Nigerian Navy has intercepted a vessel – MT FILIA with its 12 crew members for alleged involvement in the siphoning of stolen crude oil from an oil well at Utue Terminal in Akwa Ibom State.

This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by the Spokesperson of the Service, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorusho.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out on Thursday, 23 July 2026, based on credible intelligence from the Navy’s surveillance systems and sustained monitoring by its platforms under Operation Delta Sentinel.

The statement explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the vessel was carrying an estimated 32.82 metric tonnes of fuel oil and 650 metric tonnes of crude oil without the ‘requisite documentation or lawful authorisation.’

According to it, ‘consequently, the vessel, its crew of 12, and the recovered cargo were taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with extant laws.’

It stated that between April and June 2026, the Navy recovered over 4.7 million litres of petroleum product, deactivated over 58 illegal refining sites, destroyed over 239 dugout pits and 13 refining ovens, and arrested over 91 suspects connected to crude oil theft under Operation Delta Sentinel.

It pointed out that the feat coincided with the upsurge in national crude oil production to 1.89 million barrels per day in July 2026, surpassing Nigeria’s OPEC production quota.

It further added that while speaking on the Operation, the Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, commended the professionalism, vigilance and commitment of the personnel involved in the successful Operation and reaffirmed that the service remained resolute in its determination to eliminate crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of maritime criminality that undermine Nigeria’s economic prosperity and national security.

He further noted that Operation Delta Sentinel, launched to combat crude oil theft and associated economic sabotage, continues to deliver measurable operational successes through persistent surveillance, intelligence-driven operations and close collaboration with other security agencies and critical stakeholders across the maritime sector.

It added that the CNS also reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to supporting national efforts to increase crude oil production, protect critical oil and gas infrastructure, and maintain a secure maritime environment conducive to economic growth and urged the public to provide credible information that can assist the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies in combating crude oil theft and other maritime crimes.

Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, has described Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported building materials as unacceptable, calling on architects to spearhead research into locally sourced alternatives that will transform the nation’s construction industry.

Echono made the call during the weekend in Abuja while receiving the leadership of the Female Architects of Nigeria (FAN) on a courtesy visit to the TETFund headquarters.

Expressing concern over the country’s reliance on foreign building materials, he disclosed that nearly 80 percent of materials used in Nigeria’s building sector are still imported, despite the availability of local resources.

According to him, while some progress has been recorded in the local production of items such as tiles, granite and electrical cables, Nigeria still imports critical building components including doors, windows and several other inputs.

‘Research into locally sourced and available building materials is something that will help us transform our building industry if we are able. It will retain wealth in this country and create millions of jobs for our people,’ Echono said.

He urged architects, particularly female professionals, to take advantage of TETFund’s research support initiatives to develop affordable, climate-responsive and aesthetically pleasing housing solutions capable of addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit.

Echono explained that the Fund’s National Research Fund has been expanded beyond universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to accommodate innovative research from all sectors of society.

‘Basically, that fund is intended to promote, facilitate and activate all research and innovation efforts regardless of source,’ he said.

He noted that TETFund was committed to supporting research that provides practical solutions to national development challenges through strategic partnerships and innovation.

The TETFund boss also announced that the Fund would host a National Research Fair in November at Eagle Square, Abuja, where researchers and professionals, including architects, would have the opportunity to showcase their innovations.

Earlier, the Chairperson of the Female Architects of Nigeria, Arc. Ene Agada, commended Echono for his commitment to advancing education, research and innovation in Nigeria.

She presented him with the FAN Award of Excellence in recognition of his outstanding public service and support for female architects.

Agada said the association remained committed to promoting excellence in architecture through women empowerment, housing delivery, environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

She added that FAN was seeking collaboration with TETFund in areas where the expertise of its members aligns with the Fund’s mandate of supporting education, research and national development.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated a lawsuit against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for its failure to clarify and account for ?211 trillion in oil revenue recorded in its 2023 audited financial statements under the categories of ‘Sundry Receivables’ and ‘Accrued Expenses.’

According to reports, NNPCL listed over ?211 trillion in these financial statements but did not provide adequate explanations for the transactions or sufficient information to allow for public scrutiny of these funds.

In the suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2027, filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking ‘an order of mandamus directing and compelling the NNPCL to account for the ?211 trillion and disclose all documents and information relating to the transactions recorded in its 2023 audited financial statements.’

‘Direct and compel the NNPCL to provide a detailed explanation, reconciliation and supporting documents relating to the ?107.6 trillion recorded as ‘Sundry Receivables’, including the identities of the debtors, the amounts owed, the legal basis for the receivables and the status of recovery efforts,’ SERAP said.

SERAP is also asking the court to ‘direct and compel the NNPCL to disclose the complete breakdown and supporting documents relating to the ?103.4 trillion recorded as ‘Accrued Expenses’, including the identities of the creditors and beneficiaries, the nature and legal basis of the liabilities, and the documents establishing their legitimacy.’

SERAP is further asking the court to ‘direct and compel the NNPCL to disclose all records relied upon in preparing and approving the ?211 trillion recorded as ‘Sundry Receivables’ and ‘Accrued Expenses’ in its 2023 audited financial statements.’

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that ‘there is an overriding public interest in the disclosure of the information sought. The NNPCL has a legal duty to explain and account for the ?211 trillion and demonstrate that the entries are accurate, lawful and supported by credible documentation.’

According to SERAP, ‘the Freedom of Information Act and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights guarantee the public’s right to access information held by public institutions, including NNPCL, to enable citizens to scrutinise the management of public resources.’

SERAP is arguing that ‘disclosure of the information is necessary to promote transparency, prevent corruption, strengthen fiscal accountability and ensure effective public oversight of NNPCL’s operations.’

SERAP is also arguing that ‘Nigerians have the right to know who owes the ?107.6 trillion, who is entitled to the ?103.4 trillion in accrued expenses, the legal basis for the transactions, and whether the entries comply with applicable laws and public accountability standards.’

The suit, filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Kehinde Oyewumi, Andrew Nwankwo and Maryam Mumuni, reads in part: ”Sundry Receivables’ are amounts of money that NNPCL says are owed to it by individuals, companies or government entities but which it has not yet received.’

”Accrued Expenses’ are amounts that NNPCL says it owes to others for goods, services or other obligations that have been incurred but not yet paid.’

‘Together, these entries account for over ?211 trillion in NNPCL’s 2023 audited financial statements.’

‘Yet the financial statements do not adequately explain who owes the money, who is to be paid, the legal basis for the transactions, or provide the supporting documents necessary for Nigerians to independently scrutinise and verify these enormous sums.’

‘NNPCL’s failure to disclose the requested information undermines transparency, accountability and public confidence in the management of Nigeria’s oil wealth, prevents Nigerians from determining whether the transactions are lawful and properly documented.’

‘NNPCL remains fully subject to the Freedom of Information Act because it is wholly owned by the Federal Government and manages Nigeria’s petroleum resources and oil revenues on behalf of the Federation. The Petroleum Industry Act did not remove NNPCL’s legal obligations to operate transparently and accountably.’

‘The funds managed by NNPCL are public funds, regardless of the company’s corporate status, because they are derived from Nigeria’s petroleum resources, which belong to the Federation. Nigerians have a legal right to scrutinise how these resources are managed.’

‘NNPCL failed to comply with SERAP’s Freedom of Information request despite the clear timelines prescribed by the Freedom of Information Act. Under the Act, its failure to respond is deemed a refusal, entitling SERAP to seek judicial intervention to compel full disclosure.’

‘The information requested is not exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act and concerns matters of overwhelming public interest relating to transparency, fiscal accountability, good governance and the prudent management of Nigeria’s oil wealth.’

‘Secrecy over the management of oil revenues undermines the rule of law, weakens public trust, and is inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Financial Regulations, and Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.’

‘Greater transparency and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s oil revenues are essential to combating corruption, protecting public resources and ensuring that the country’s wealth is used to improve the lives and well-being of Nigerians.’

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Every society that desires a better future must first decide what kind of education it wants for its children. It is one thing to construct school buildings; it is another to build an education system that equips children with competent teachers, decent classrooms, technology, and a genuine opportunity to learn.

This is where the education strategy of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in Kwara State deserves closer public evaluation.

When AbdulRazaq took office in 2019, Kwara’s basic education sector was burdened by systemic challenges, including outstanding counterpart funding obligations that had affected the state’s access to Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants. The administration moved to clear the outstanding obligations, helping to unlock federal intervention funds and catalyse the rehabilitation of public schools across the state.

Moving beyond financial recovery, the administration instituted transparent, merit-based Computer-Based Testing recruitment exercises, hiring thousands of qualified teachers while implementing the new national minimum wage. To relieve economic pressure on families, AbdulRazaq also moved to eliminate unofficial levies imposed on parents through school-based structures, while introducing direct running grants to support school maintenance and day-to-day operations.

At the centre of this structural reform is KwaraLEARN, the state’s flagship basic education initiative. KwaraLEARN addresses the gap between classroom attendance and actual foundational literacy and numeracy.

The programme combines structured lesson plans, learning materials, teacher training, continuous coaching, and data-driven assessments. By 2023, more than 6,000 teachers had been trained, while thousands of digital tablets and more than 1.2 million textbooks and learning materials were distributed across 1,578 primary schools.

Because digital platforms cannot replace functional physical environments, the administration paired KwaraLEARN with major infrastructure upgrades, including a ?20 billion commitment in 2025 for school remodelling, laboratories, libraries, and sanitation facilities. The administration has also upgraded the Kwara State School for Special Needs and introduced welfare support for visually impaired students at Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, reinforcing its focus on inclusive education.

The scale and direction of these interventions have attracted recognition from national and international quarters. The Leadership Newspaper Governor of the Year Award highlighted the administration’s interventions in basic education, the unlocking of UBEC funding, gender inclusion and human capital development, while the Nigeria Union of Teachers has commended its approach to teacher welfare, merit-based recruitment and professional development. The administration’s progress in infrastructure delivery and human capital development has also been recognised through the National Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS).

UNICEF, meanwhile, praised Kwara for reaching more than 55,900 learners through the Nigeria Learning Passport, exceeding its original target of 20,000 learners by more than 280 per cent. The agency attributed the achievement to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s commitment to education technology and human capital development. At the global level, the structured pedagogy approach underpinning KwaraLEARN aligns with interventions highlighted by the World Bank’s Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel as cost-effective approaches to improving foundational learning. Together, these recognitions and commendations suggest that Kwara’s education reforms are attracting attention beyond official government claims.

The outcomes of this comprehensive approach are increasingly visible in academic performance.

In 2024, Governor AbdulRazaq celebrated 31 Kwara public school pupils who reportedly scored above 300 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), led by Samuel Oluwasemilore with a score of 358. In 2025, Jimoh Abdulmalik Olayinka scored 373, ranking among Nigeria’s top performers nationwide. Beyond written examinations, Kwara pupils have also recorded notable achievements in debating, including victory at the International Junior Secondary School Debate Championship in Malaysia. The achievement was rewarded by the Governor with ?2 million for each winner, while other Kwara pupils have represented Nigeria at international debating competitions.

To sustain this growth, the administration institutionalised the Kwara State Education Trust Fund to drive public-private funding and expand opportunities for disadvantaged pupils.

The fund has also supported scholarships for pupils securing admission into Federal Unity Colleges. Additionally, the establishment of the Kwara State University of Education and efforts to strengthen tertiary institutions are intended to ensure a steady pipeline of trained educators and skilled professionals.

Taken together, these interventions reveal a cohesive philosophy. It is not simply about renovating buildings, but renovating the system. It is not merely about deploying technology, but using data to improve learning outcomes. It is not just about increasing enrolment, but ensuring every child acquires competitive skills.

Education remains a continuous project. Kwara continues to navigate challenges around growing infrastructure demands and learning poverty. But the evidence of a deliberate structural shift cannot be ignored.

From KwaraLEARN to classroom rehabilitation, from merit-based teacher recruitment to direct running grants, from UBEC recovery to international recognition, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s agenda reflects a deliberate move from fragmented interventions towards a more coherent system of human capital development.

The ultimate test lies not in official bulletins, awards, or government claims, but in the lives of the children passing through these classrooms.

If a child who once struggled to read can now read confidently, if a teacher who once lacked support can now teach with better tools, if a dilapidated classroom becomes a safe place to learn, and if a bright child from an ordinary home can compete successfully on the national or international stage, then education has moved beyond politics.

It has become opportunity.

And that is the enduring story of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s education transformation in Kwara: making quality education a foundation upon which every child can build a future.

Buhari Media Office (BMO) has dismissed reports linking former President Muhammadu Buhari to the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing the claims as ‘false’ and ‘without factual basis’.

The office, on Sunday, said Buhari never established any agency known as the PFIPC or allocated ?1.3 billion to such an organisation in the 2026 Appropriation.

It stated that the only body created under the former administration was the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC), which served as an ad hoc advisory committee on economic matters.

The BMO explained that the PEAC initially operated from offices designated for the Chief Economic Adviser to the President at the Federal Secretariat and functioned without a dedicated budget line throughout the Buhari administration.

It stated that the council’s activities were funded through presidential approvals to the Minister of Finance, while office expenses were paid by the State House upon the President’s approval.

‘What he (Buhari) created was the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC). At inception, it operated from the second floor of the Ministry of Health offices designated for the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, a position he did not appoint until much later, at the Federal Secretariat.

Under the last administration, the PEAC had no budget line. Its activities were funded through presidential approvals to the Minister of Finance.

The PEAC was an ad-hoc (part-time) body, purely advisory, made up of professional economists and financial experts to offer expert economic advice to the President under the chairmanship of Professor Doyin Salami, CFR ?before he was eventually made the Chief Economic Adviser,’ the office stressed.

Other members, according to the statement, included Professor Mahmuda Sagagi as Vice Chairman, Professor Ode Ojowu, Dr. Shehu Yahaya, Dr. Iyabo Masha, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Mr. Bismarck Rewane and Dr. Mohammed Adaya Salisu, who served as secretary.

It added that members of the council received no salaries, with only operational expenses provided to support the council’s work.

The BMO further noted that when the current administration took office in 2023, it neither dissolved the Buhari-appointed PEAC nor reappointed its members, adding that the appointees considered their tenure to have ended with the expiration of the administration that constituted the council.

It also stated that the office jointly branded as the ‘Presidential Economic Advisory Council’ and the ‘Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President’ remained vacant after the change in administration and was only occupied several years later.

Rejecting attempts to associate the current controversy with the Buhari administration, the media office maintained that reports claiming the alleged fictitious agency originated under the former president were ‘false, groundless and lack any factual basis.’

It urged the public to disregard claims linking Buhari to the alleged PFIPC, insisting that the former administration established only the Presidential Economic Advisory Council as an advisory body without a statutory budget line.

MENTAL health is usually discussed in medical or clinical terms. Nigerian visual artist Jelil Bello, however, offers a different perspective by using art to encourage reflection, resilience, and healing. His piece ‘Drift’, which looks at changing ideas of identity and mental wellbeing, recently won the People’s Choice Award at ‘Art asa Response to Mental Health’. The exhibition is open at Chinwe Russell Art Gallery in Doncaster, UK, until the end of July 2026.

In ‘Drift’, a human face appears from swirling golden smoke, caught between being seen and fading away. This image shows how thought, emotion, and self-perception are always shifting, suggesting that identity is always changing. The artwork reflects the hidden struggles of mental distress but also points to the chance for change. Light breaking through darkness stands for healing, encouraging viewers to think about resilience instead of despair.

‘Drift’ is a digital artwork that uses gentle changes in tone to create layers of light and shadow, mostly in gold. Its quiet beauty connected with many people, helping Bello win the exhibition’s People’s Choice Award. He showed his work alongside artists from 21 countries, including many from Africa, in a show that received over 301 submissions. The Judges’ Choice first prize was awarded to Marrie Rowley for ‘Hidden In Plain Sight’.

Bello’s recognition at the UK exhibition is just one part of his wider work, which often explores the emotional and psychological sides of modern life. Through photography, mixed media, and conceptual art, he often focuses on themes like identity, memory, vulnerability, and resilience.

One of these works, ‘Breath of Becoming’, shows clouds of coloured smoke drifting like thoughts, representing emotion, change, and transformation. Instead of showing healing as simple or complete, the piece accepts uncertainty and suggests that recovery can be uneven but still beautiful in its own way.

In ‘Between Roots and Reflection’, human figures overlap with tree shapes, creating a dreamlike scene about belonging, memory, and self-discovery. The layers show how identity can be complicated, shaped by both personal history and inner struggles. In a similar way, ‘Ghost in the Ink’ uses smoke-like shapes fading into darkness to show anxiety, lingering emotions, and memories that are hard to put into words. The work uses gentle spiritual symbols to express feelings that are hard to explain but familiar to many.

This connection between psychology and the environment continues in ‘Echoes in Form’, where natural rhythms are shown as visual movement. The organic patterns suggest that landscapes can hold emotion, memory, and energy. The work encourages viewers to think about how caring for the environment is linked to mental wellbeing. Bello suggests that ignoring nature also harms the emotional spaces people live in.

Environmental themes are even stronger in works like ‘Bloom’ and ‘Where Stone Breathes’. In ‘Bloom’, a tree-like shape stands tall, showing renewal, growth, and endurance. ‘Where Stone Breathes’ brings solid rocks to life, suggesting that life and renewal are possible even in tough conditions. Together, these works reflect on ecological recovery and highlight hope and resilience.

Heritage is a key theme in ‘Eyo Olumo’, where Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Ogun State, stands as a symbol of cultural memory, protection, and ancestral ties. Bello turns this landmark into a sign of both place and tradition, with the title hinting at a meeting between the historic rock and the grand Eyo Festival in Lagos. The work highlights the need to protect cultural landscapes as sources of shared identity.

While Bello often uses abstract images, the human figure is still important in his art. He mixes abstract and recognizable shapes, making themes like mental wellbeing easy to connect with but still deep. This mix lets viewers interpret the work in their own way without losing its emotional impact.

This style continues in ‘The Memory of Shape’, where repeating stone shapes stand for endurance, history, and inherited memory. The piece looks at communities whose identities are tied to their landscapes, buildings, and natural features, suggesting that places carry history just as much as people do.

A similar feeling is found in ‘Rocky Reflections’, where a nearly hidden figure lies in a rocky setting. The quiet scene creates a mood of thoughtfulness and solitude, touching on themes of displacement, emotional calm, and the common search for shelter, belonging, and comfort.

Bello works in photography, mixed media, and conceptual art, building a practice based on visual storytelling. His art often explores identity, culture, memory, and the social issues that affect daily life, starting conversations about mental health, abuse, youth vulnerability, poverty, caregiving, environmental care, and community strength. While ‘Drift’ has brought him international attention, it also shows how art can help people reflect, empathise, and begin to heal, even if it does not solve mental distress directly.

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has made a direct appeal to Northern Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election, urging them to trust him with the nation’s highest office, insisting that his presidency would unite rather than divide the country.

Speaking during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, Obi dismissed claims by some political opponents that an Igbo presidency would threaten Nigeria’s unity, arguing instead that electing a leader based on competence rather than ethnicity would mark the beginning of genuine national reconciliation.

Addressing Northerners directly, Obi declared that no Nigerian politician understands the challenges confronting the region better than he does.

‘I will work with them. I will ensure that unity, security and prosperity become realities. Nobody can drive that process today better than me,’ he said.

According to him, Nigeria has reached a point where citizens must abandon ethnic and religious politics and instead focus on solving the country’s pressing socio-economic challenges.

‘My ambition is to fix Nigeria, not occupy office’

Obi stressed that his presidential ambition is driven by a desire to rebuild Nigeria and not by a personal quest for power.

‘I don’t even need to hold any political office. I’m contesting because I believe I can unite this country and show what is possible.

‘What matters to me is seeing a Nigeria that works. Whether Peter Obi is President or not is not the issue. As long as Nigeria works, I’m satisfied.’

He maintained that leadership should be measured by the ability to improve citizens’ lives rather than by political titles.

Responding to criticisms from former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, who reportedly described him as incapable of uniting Nigeria, Obi said his personal record contradicts such allegations.

He recalled visiting several conflict-ridden communities across Northern Nigeria while serving as Governor of Anambra State and even after leaving office.

‘I visited Kaduna when many people were afraid to go there. I went to Borno, Plateau, Benue and several other troubled areas.

‘I spent Christmas and New Year in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Benue. I supported rebuilding schools for displaced children.

‘I have travelled across Nigeria by road more than many politicians because I love this country.’

He also listed educational and humanitarian interventions he personally sponsored in Northern states, including support for schools in Kaduna and Sokoto.

Obi further argued that Nigeria has not completely healed from the wounds of the Civil War but insisted that electing leaders based on merit rather than ethnicity would strengthen national cohesion.

‘The beginning of healing is when every Nigerian believes he or she can aspire to any office in the country.

‘We must stop being prisoners of yesterday. The future belongs to our children, who should grow up simply as Nigerians, not defined by tribe or religion.’

According to him, his administration would consciously build bridges across ethnic and religious divides.

‘I will never divide this country. I will unite Nigeria and show love to every part of it. I will involve everybody.’

Responding to allegations that he favours Christians over Muslims, Obi pointed to his record while serving as Governor of Anambra State.

‘My ADC was from Kaduna. Most of my commissioners were from Northern Nigeria. I funded pilgrimages for both Christians and Muslims equally.’

He added that he continues to support educational institutions owned by Muslim communities in Northern Nigeria through personal philanthropy.

‘So, where is the evidence that I discriminate? These are narratives deliberately created to keep Nigeria divided.’

Obi lamented what he described as the deliberate diversion of national discourse from critical governance issues to personality attacks.

‘Instead of discussing poverty, education, healthcare and insecurity, they spend their time discussing Peter Obi.

‘Over 80 million Nigerians live in poverty. Millions of children are out of school. Those should be the issues.’

He argued that politicians continue to exploit ethnic sentiments because they have no concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.

The former Anambra governor also reaffirmed his willingness to serve only one four-year term if elected President.

According to him, Nigeria’s problems are too urgent to justify prolonged political promises.

‘I don’t need more than four years to show Nigerians what good leadership can achieve.

‘When I contested for governor, everything I promised during campaigns, I implemented.

‘Leadership is about character and consistency.’

Obi said the country’s decline can be reversed within months if government demonstrates commitment, discipline and prudent management of public resources.

‘You can redirect Nigeria within six months if you have competent leadership.’

On insecurity, Obi argued that military operations alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security crisis.

‘Poverty is one of the biggest drivers of insecurity. The more poverty you create, the more criminality you produce.’

He promised to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture and personally lead efforts to restore public confidence.

‘I will be fully committed. I will strengthen the security architecture and mobilise every available support, including international cooperation where necessary.’

He also pledged to personally visit communities affected by attacks instead of governing from a distance.

‘Whenever Nigerians are under attack, I will be there. As Governor of Anambra, whenever there was a security incident, I went there myself-even at 3 a.m. If securing Nigerians requires my physical presence, I will be there.’

Obi also took a swipe at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying Nigeria is heading in the wrong direction under the current administration.

He argued that while government may have recorded some gains against insecurity, the scale of the crisis demands far more decisive leadership.

‘The President has done his best, but his best is no longer enough for the magnitude of the crisis we face.

‘Nigeria needs leadership with urgency, commitment and compassion.’

He maintained that the 2027 presidential election should be determined by who possesses the capacity to solve Nigeria’s challenges rather than by ethnic or religious considerations.

‘Our politics must move from tribe and religion to competence, character and capacity.

‘That is the Nigeria I want to build.’

Senator Sunday Steve Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has declared that his commitment to peace is driven by his desire to make heaven, stressing that every individual will one day account to God for their actions while on earth.

The Senator, presently Chairman of the Senate Service Committee, made the remark on Sunday while addressing his supporters shortly after a strategic meeting with key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi West.

The meeting was attended by local government chairmen, members of the APC State Executive Committee, APC local government chairmanship candidates, women leaders, and youth representatives.

Karimi urged all members of the party to put aside their differences and work together to ensure the APC records a resounding victory in the 2027 general elections.

According to him, unity within the party is essential to sustaining the achievements of the APC-led administration at both the state and national levels.

‘All my life, I have always wanted peace because I want to make heaven. Whatever you have in this world is temporary. When the time comes, God will judge you according to your deeds while you were alive,’ he said.

The lawmaker explained that the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to strengthen cohesion within the party and rally support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

‘I called this meeting to ensure that members of our party work together for the success of the APC. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election is our first priority, and we must deliver Kogi West for him. The President is doing well, and we must unite to ensure that our people come out in large numbers to vote during the election,’ Karimi stated.

He commended President Tinubu for the efforts being made to address Nigeria’s security challenges, including insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry.

Karimi noted that the proposed establishment of state police is one of the measures being considered by the Federal Government to strengthen security and effectively tackle criminal activities across the country.

He called on APC members in Kogi West to remain loyal to the party, shun actions capable of causing division, and focus on building a united front that would guarantee victory for the APC in the 2027 elections.