Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd), has said that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is prioritising national security to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty, preserve democratic institutions and promote national development.

Gen Musa stated this on Thursday while speaking at the 2nd Policy Colloquium 2026, held under the theme, ‘Securing the Sovereign Frontier: Strategic Defence Architecture, Emerging Technologies and Democratic Integrity in Nigeria.’

The Minister said President Tinubu had consistently reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen national security and provide the Armed Forces with the capabilities required to protect the country.

According to him, ‘this strategic direction recognises that a secure and stable Nigeria is essential to the protection of our sovereignty, the preservation of our democratic institutions and the advancement of national development.

‘In line with this priority, the Ministry of Defence remains focused on strengthening defence capabilities, advancing military modernisation and ensuring that the Armed Forces are adequately positioned to respond to the demands of the security environment,’

Gen Musa noted that Nigeria’s strategic frontier was increasingly being shaped by security challenges across the land, maritime, air and cyber domains.

He said addressing the challenges required a more integrated defence posture, supported by effective intelligence coordination, joint operations and interoperability among the Armed Forces and other relevant security institutions.

According to him, ‘our defence architecture must remain agile and forward-looking, with the capacity to anticipate threats, respond decisively and protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and vital national interest’

Gen Musa also identified technology as an increasingly decisive factor in defence and national security, noting that rapid advances in artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber capabilities and other emerging technologies were transforming military operations and the strategic environment.

He said Nigeria must remain at the forefront of these developments by investing in relevant technologies and strengthening the human, doctrinal and institutional capacity required to integrate them into the country’s defence capabilities.

This came just as the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Dare, said that the withdrawal of some West African countries from the Economic Community of West African States in 2023 blunted key regional integration protocols, particularly those promoting the free movement of goods and services.

Chief Dare, who stated this while speaking on border management and regional cooperation at the occasion, pointed out that the development created a major regional crisis and undermined existing mechanisms for economic integration and regional cooperation.

He noted that the effectiveness of borders had implications not only for economic activities but also for regional security.

According to him, ‘the rupture that came in 2025 when the countries pulled out of ECOWAS created a major regional crisis. That pullout from ECOWAS simply blunted the ECOWAS protocol that promoted integration, free movement of goods and services,’ Dare said.

‘It eventually led to the creation of AES, another counter-regional body to ECOWAS. But it also challenged the other instruments and protocols that we have for regional cooperation,’

Chief Dare linked effective border management to both economic integration and regional security, stressing that borders served as the frontline for protecting regional stability.

‘My research, which bordered at one and the same time the opportunity of regional cooperation, but also it serves as the front line for regional security,’ he said.

He added that proper border management could facilitate economic integration, while poor management could contribute to instability.

Chief Dare also dismissed claims that Nigeria’s borders were closed, warning politicians against turning border security into an issue for electoral campaigns.

‘The Interior Minister has stated the facts. Nigeria’s borders are open. And let me say for a fact, when it comes to the stability of our borders, when it comes to security, it should not be an arena of politicking or an arena to seek votes or to score cheap political points’

The presidential aide stressed that open borders did not mean uncontrolled borders, noting that immigration, customs and other security agencies remained responsible for regulating movements across the country’s borders.

‘Our borders are critical. There are no open borders without controls. So you must understand there is a distinction,’ Dare said.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Defence on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, said the Policy Colloquium was conceived to serve as a rigorous, non-partisan bridge-bringing together defence strategists, policy architects, technologists, civil society leaders, academics, the media and key state actors under one roof.

According to her, ‘We are not assembled here today merely to catalog challenges, but to forge actionable pathways, inform public policy, and construct a practical blueprint for national resilience,’ she said.

ONE of the most recurring problems confronting Nigeria since independence is not simply the failure of government policies, but the growing distance between government and the people it governs. Over the decades, Nigerians have witnessed military coups, prolonged military rule, democratic transitions, policy reversals, economic hardship, corruption scandals and governance failures. Each has chipped away public confidence until today, the trust deficit now runs so deep that even well-intentioned policies are received with suspicion. This is why strategic communication must become a central component of governance in Nigeria, not an afterthought activated only when a policy is announced, a controversy erupts, or government needs to respond to criticism. Public communication must be deliberate, continuous, and built into the policy process from the beginning. The recent controversy surrounding Nigeria’s tax reform is a useful example. Before the situation eventually calmed, the debate generated considerable anxiety, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Prominent northern figures and political juggernaut, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, raised concerns about the potential consequences of the reform for a region already battling poverty, insecurity and economic disadvantage.

The concerns grew intense enough to trigger opposition from 19 northern governors and 73 northern lawmakers, and at one point the House of Representatives suspended debate on the Tax Reform Bills after their initial scheduling for consideration. Beyond the political disagreement, however, another problem emerged: a communication vacuum. As the debate continued, rumours and misconceptions spread rapidly, especially on the new media. Claims that the reforms would impose unbearable tax burdens circulated widely, alongside fears that government would acquire powers to debit citizens’ bank accounts at will. Several of these claims were later debunked, but the most important lesson from the episode is this: misinformation thrives where credible information is absent, insufficient, or arrives too late. In my experience managing public perception for government, politicians and public institutions, one recurring weakness stands out. Many government agencies still approach communication as publicity, rather than as an integral part of governance. The emphasis falls on issuing statements, announcing programmes, distributing press releases and organising occasional briefings. These things are necessary, but they are not the same as strategic communication. A press release tells people what government has done. Strategic communication explains why it was done, how it affects them, what they should expect, and where they can seek clarification. That distinction is critical.

Government agencies must also accept that citizens no longer depend on traditional media alone. A government announcement now competes with WhatsApp messages, Facebook posts, X conversations, TikTok videos, blogs, influencer skits, conjectures through anonymous account and countless uninformed online comments. Information travels faster than official responses. An agency that waits until a controversy becomes a crisis before explaining its policy has already surrendered valuable ground to rumour. The tax reform experience demonstrated this clearly. The eventual intervention and clarification from those responsible helped correct several misconceptions, and opening the conversation to the media and influencers took the explanation beyond the standard press release. But that approach should not have become necessary only after the controversy had escalated. The questions and concerns should have been anticipated before the reforms were unveiled. That is what strategic communication demands. Since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has created numerous ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals across all tiers of government. Yet comparatively little attention has been paid to developing long-term communication strategies capable of rebuilding trust. Too often, communication units are treated as administrative departments rather than strategic components of governance. The consequence is predictable: an agency announces a policy, citizens ask questions, social media fills the gap, rumours spread, critics seize the narrative, and the agency eventually organises a press conference to explain itself.

By then, public perception has often already hardened. Government must move from this reactive model to a proactive one. Communication should begin before a policy is announced. Citizens should be told what problem government is trying to solve, why a particular approach was chosen, what the policy will cost, who will benefit, what the possible disadvantages are, and what safeguards are in place. People may still disagree after a proper explanation, but disagreement based on accurate information is fundamentally different from opposition driven by misinformation. Officials in government circles are quick to blame social media for misinformation, but misinformation has no life of its own. It thrives where there is a communication gap. Where citizens cannot obtain clear and timely information from an official source, they will naturally turn elsewhere. Agencies must therefore recognise that communication is not merely about defending government; it is about giving citizens enough reliable information to understand government.

A press release alone cannot explain a complex policy to millions of Nigerians. Agencies should be producing explanatory videos, frequently asked questions, infographics, town-hall conversations, radio programmes, television discussions, social media content and direct engagement with affected communities and social strata, as the case may be. The Federal Government and other tiers should go further and develop a deliberate Public Trust and Strategic Communication blueprint: a framework requiring agencies to identify their major stakeholders, anticipate likely public concerns, develop communication plans before policies launch, establish highly efficient mechanisms for receiving and responding to feedback, and set clear standards for crisis communication. Most importantly, communication must be consistent.

Trust cannot be built through one press conference, restored through one television appearance, or manufactured through publicity. It accumulates gradually when citizens repeatedly receive accurate information, watch government explain its decisions, and see institutions acknowledge mistakes when they occur. Finally, government agencies must rethink their relationship with journalists. The media’s responsibility is to hold government accountable, and a healthy working relationship should never reduce journalists to cheerleaders. When journalists have access to accurate information, data, documents and knowledgeable officials, they report policies more accurately and challenge government more effectively.

Government should see the media as an essential part of the communication ecosystem, not merely an audience for press releases. The distance between government and the governed will not close on its own. It closes only when those in power decide that being understood is as important as being obeyed and communicate accordingly, consistently, and before the questions are asked.

Former Councillor of Awume-Icho Ward in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, Daniel Ujah, has been remanded in the Otukpo Correctional Centre over alleged torture, assault and an attempt to kill a woman.

The former Councillor was remanded in prison by the presiding magistrate of Upper Area Court 2 in Otukpo, Hasia Garuba.

The suspect was to be remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre pending further proceedings, and the case adjourned to September 22, 2026, for further mention.

The case, which came up on Wednesday, according to the First Information Report, Marked CR33/2026 and filed by the Nigeria Police, noted that the 43-year-old man was arraigned for criminal trespass, intimidation, criminal force and assault, causing grievous hurt and attempt to commit culpable homicide

According to the FIR, ‘On 31 August 2026, at about 1600 hours, through petition, one Rebecca Adole ‘F’ of no 27 Pipeline Rasaki Avenue, Eupi Otukpo, came to the Area Commander’s office, Nigeria Police, Otukpo and reported that on 28 August,,2026 at about 15:30 hours.

‘While she was at home, suddenly, she received a phone call from her uncle’s son, named Isaac Iduh, that when her mother, by name Amina Iduh, returned from the farm, one David Uja ‘M’ of Akwutulo Awume criminally trespassed into her mother’s compound, have her several beatings, and pushed her into a fire, and she sustained injury on her bottom.

‘More so, her clothes got burnt, and her mother was taken to the hospital by the police in Onyagede, Ohinmini LGA, where she is receiving treatment.

The FIR further alleged that Ujah threatened that he would kill the woman and nobody could stop him.

When the matter came up for mention on Wednesday, Ujah pleaded not guilty while his counsel, Rev. O. Simon, who held brief for P.O. Ella, applied for bail on behalf of the defendant.

However, the prosecuting counsel, Inspector Nancy Alechenu, opposed the bail application.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the African Union for its move to launch the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), scheduled for October 7.

Tinubu, in a statement he personally signed, said the development met his expectation of a compelling ‘need for Africa to build financial institutions that understand our economies and can assess our risks properly.’

Tinubu, who maintained that only ratings grounded in the fundamentals of the economies of African nations can assess them fairly, expressed the hope that AfCRA, which is expected to be launched next month, would strive to earn the confidence of global capital.

His statement read:

‘In February, I made the case in the Financial Times for an African credit rating agency. In May, at the Africa CEO Forum @africaceoforum in Kigali, I spoke again about the need for Africa to build financial institutions that understand our economies and can assess our risks properly.

‘AfCRA is another step towards that goal.

‘Africa is not asking for favourable ratings. We are asking for fair ratings, grounded in our fundamentals and in the reforms our economies are actually carrying out.

‘AfCRA must now earn the confidence of global capital. That confidence will rest on its independence and the rigour of its work.

The onset of the rainy season has pushed malaria test positivity in Oyo State to 42 per cent, up from 29 per cent recorded in April, the State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, Mrs Foluke Adeyemo, has disclosed.

Adeyemo made this known while presenting the state’s second-quarter malaria performance indicators at the quarterly Oyo State Malaria Technical Working Group meeting.

She said the malaria test positivity rate based on rapid diagnostic tests rose from 29 per cent in April to 36 per cent in May and 42 per cent in June, coinciding with the rainy season, which is associated with increased mosquito breeding and malaria transmission.

Despite the increase, Adeyemo said the state maintained a 99 per cent treatment rate for confirmed uncomplicated malaria cases, with cases treated using artemisinin-based combination therapy in line with national guidelines.

She, however, expressed concern over some private health facilities that were not complying with recommended malaria testing and treatment protocols.

‘Some private facilities are not compliant with testing and treatment of uncomplicated malaria with ACT,’ she said, calling for stronger engagement with such facilities.

Adeyemo said Oyo achieved 100 per cent reporting and timely reporting in April and May, while June recorded 100 per cent timely reporting and a slight decline in overall reporting to 99 per cent.

On fever testing, she said malaria microscopy accounted for between 73.9 per cent and 95 per cent of testing during the quarter, while rapid diagnostic test utilisation ranged from 12 per cent to 15 per cent.

Adeyemo also reported progress in intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy, with IPTp1 uptake ranging between 77 per cent and 89 per cent.

She said routine distribution of insecticide-treated nets, which began in November 2025, remained ongoing, with performance during the quarter ranging between 71 per cent and 74 per cent.

However, she identified inadequate documentation as a major challenge, explaining that services and commodities not captured on monthly summary forms could not be uploaded to the District Health Information System.

Dr Yemisi Ayandipo, representing the REACH Malaria Programme implemented by PATH and funded by the U.S. Department of State, reaffirmed the programme’s commitment to supporting malaria prevention and case management across Oyo State.

She emphasised the importance of the Technical Working Group in reviewing programme performance, identifying implementation gaps and making evidence-based decisions to improve malaria elimination efforts.

Ayandipo stressed the need to improve the quality and standardisation of maternal and reproductive health services, particularly antenatal care and malaria prevention during pregnancy. She also raised concerns about gaps in uncomplicated malaria management and urged healthcare providers to adhere to standard treatment guidelines.

Mr Stephen Uchechukwu, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer with PATH’s REACH Malaria Programme, reported an overall decline in malaria cases when corresponding quarters were compared.

He said reported cases fell from about 177,000 to 142,000 in the first quarter, and from 263,216 to approximately 179,000 in the second quarter. Malaria-positive cases also declined from 63,688 to 50,851 in Q1 and from 124,432 to 89,842 in Q2.

Uchechukwu attributed the decline partly to intensified malaria prevention and control interventions but identified discrepancies between commodities distributed and those reportedly consumed at the facility level.

He called for improved reconciliation of commodity and service data and greater use of routine data to guide programme decisions.

Dr Motunrayo Fagbola, State Technical Malaria Lead, commended the state for improvements observed during recent health facility monitoring visits, particularly increased attention to malaria in pregnancy, stronger data validation and improved availability and affordability of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine through the Drug Revolving Fund.

She, however, identified persistent gaps in malaria case management, including clinical diagnosis despite available test results, poor adherence to treatment guidelines, inappropriate use of injectable artesunate and inadequate referral of severe malaria cases from primary health facilities.

Fagbola also raised concerns about poor case documentation, transcription errors and inconsistencies between patient case notes, registers and reported data.

She called for better deployment of trained malaria microscopists to high-volume facilities and stronger facility-level capacity building to improve the quality of malaria diagnosis and treatment across Oyo State.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Zamfara State, has questioned the priority of the APC for organising a 7km walk in support of the appointment of Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Director General (DG) of the presidential campaign council.

In a statement issued on Thursday evening by the Zamfara State ADC chairman, Hon. Kabiru Garba, the party said it questions the priority of a party in a state bleeding from insecurity.

The statement reads in part, ‘ADC Zamfara State Chapter has taken note of the 7-kilometre solidarity walk organised by APC and its support groups in Gusau on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, to celebrate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar, as APC DG Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.

‘While every political party has the constitutional right to organise political activities, the African Democratic Congress finds the timing and priorities of this particular celebration deeply troubling, considering the painful realities confronting the people of Zamfara State.

‘At a time when our communities continue to suffer the devastating consequences of banditry, killings, kidnappings, displacement and destruction of livelihoods.

‘The APC chose to mobilise people for a political celebration rather than use the occasion to draw national attention to the suffering of the people of Zamfara. Where is the compassion for the victims?

‘Where is the national outrage for the families that have lost fathers, mothers, sons and daughters?

‘Where is the solidarity with women and children who have been displaced from their communities?

‘Where is the serious political conversation about the thousands of Zamfara residents whose lives and livelihoods have been destroyed by insecurity?, Instead, the focus appears to have been placed on celebrating a campaign appointment ahead of the 2027 election.

‘The ADC believes that political leadership should first be about the people-not positions, appointments and campaign structures.

‘If APC leaders genuinely intend to convince the people of Zamfara to support President Tinubu in 2027, they should begin by demonstrating empathy and commitment to the people who have endured years of insecurity.

‘We also expected yesterday’s gathering to serve as an opportunity to remember and honour the victims of banditry. The people of Zamfara should have seen visible expressions of sympathy, mourning and solidarity with the victims , not merely political celebration.

‘The ADC therefore challenges the APC to tell the people of Zamfara:

‘What concrete measures has the Federal Government put in place to permanently address the insecurity ravaging our communities?

‘The ADC is not against political mobilisation. We are against politics without humanity.’

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to deepen its partnership with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) through joint training, capacity building, intelligence-led operations, and sustained operational support for operational efficiency

IGP Disu gave the assurance on Wednesday when he received the Chief of the Air, CAS, Air Marshal S.K. Aneke, on a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters, Abuja

According to a statement made available to newsmen by the Force Public Relations Officer FPRO CSP Ani Iniedu, the visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Air Force in addressing evolving security challenges in the country.

It stated that IGP Disu also stressed the importance of personnel welfare, effective command-and-control, and coordinated security planning, particularly for major national events and the 2027 general elections.

The statement added that IGP Disu further highlighted the need for enhanced protection of critical national infrastructure, improved logistics and response capabilities, as well as regular reviews of joint operational engagements to ensure greater effectiveness.

It explained that the Chief of Air Staff commended the longstanding professional relationship between both institutions and acknowledged the support of the NPF Air Wing to the Nigerian Air Force.

He emphasised the need for sustained collaboration, particularly in joint operations, intelligence sharing and enhanced air support for Police operations.

The statement further pointed out that the key areas discussed included aerial surveillance and reconnaissance, tactical deployment, medical evacuation, joint training and improved operational coordination in confronting terrorism, banditry, insurgency and other violent crimes.

The NAF delegation, according to the statement included the Chief of Training, Air Vice Marshal A.Y. Dari; Chief of Operations, Air Vice Marshal P.N. Amadi; Chief of Air Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal N.N. Ananaba; Air Provost Marshal, Air Vice Marshal J.I. Ukeh; Chief of Administration, Air Vice Marshal A.A. Martins; Director of Operations, Air Vice Marshal A.O. Bamidele; Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore E.A. Ejodame; Principal Air Staff Officer to the CAS, Air Commodore H.I. Eze; and Principal Staff Officer Coordination to the CAS, Group Captain F.O. Olanrewaju.

The statement reaffirmed that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to strengthening strategic partnerships with sister security agencies, enhancing inter-agency coordination and building a more integrated security response capable of effectively protecting lives, property and national assets across the country.

Recently, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, requested the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to review the existing three-letter location code, ‘QRW’, assigned to Osubi Airport in Delta State, with a view to adopting a code that more accurately reflects the airport’s official name and geographical identity.

The request has opened an important conversation about how airports are named, identified and positioned within Nigeria’s evolving aviation landscape.

At first glance, the issue may appear to be simply about three letters on a ticket, boarding pass or reservation system. But airport codes and names can carry significant geographical, commercial and psychological implications.

In the case of Osubi, the debate touches on a broader question: who and what should an airport represent; the community where it is physically located or the city, region and economic centre it primarily serves?

The assumption that an airport must necessarily bear the name of the town or community where its runway and terminal are located may appear logical. However, global aviation practice shows that this is not always the case.

Airports are frequently named after major cities, metropolitan areas or economic centres even when they are physically located outside those cities. This is largely because an airport is more than the land on which its infrastructure is built. It is a transportation gateway serving a wider population, commercial centre, metropolitan area or economic corridor.

In Nigeria, there are already examples where the commonly used airport identity is not necessarily limited to the immediate locality in which the airport is situated. The Asaba airport is not precisely in Asaba, but in a neighbouring Okpanam town, in Oshimili North LGA of Delta State.

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), for instance, is located in Ikeja, but its identity is strongly associated with Lagos, the metropolitan and commercial centre it serves.

Similarly, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) is identified with Abuja, although the airport is outside the central urban area of the Federal Capital Territory.

The Margaret Ekpo International Airport, in Calabar provides a different example, as the airport and the city with which it is identified largely correspond.

The practice is even more pronounced internationally. Newark Liberty International Airport is physically located in Newark, New Jersey, but it is an important airport serving the wider New York metropolitan area. John F. Kennedy International Airport is located in Queens, New York City, yet its identity is primarily associated with the city and metropolitan region it serves.

London Stansted Airport is another example. It is located near Stansted Mountfitchet in Essex, but is marketed and recognised as one of the airports serving London. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is located in Roissy-en-France, outside the city of Paris, while Milan Malpensa Airport is situated in Ferno, in the province of Varese, rather than within Milan itself.

These examples demonstrate that an airport identity is not always determined strictly by the municipality in which the runway is located.

However, the airport in question is physically located in Osubi, but it has historically been associated with Warri Airport. Warri is the more known commercial and economic centre within the axis served by the airport and has long been the reference point for many passengers, businesses and aviation stakeholders using the facility.

The airport serves an area whose economic importance extends well beyond its immediate host community. The Warri axis remains an important economic corridor in the Niger Delta, with significant oil and gas activities, businesses, contractors, professionals and other commercial interests.

For many travellers unfamiliar with the geography of Delta State, ‘Warri’ is likely to be a more immediately recognisable destination than ‘Osubi’. That distinction matters in modern aviation, where passenger convenience, destination recognition and commercial visibility are increasingly important.

Meanwhile, communities that provide land for airports and other major aviation infrastructure often bear environmental, social and infrastructural consequences associated with such facilities. They may contend with land-use restrictions, increased traffic, noise and other impacts while receiving relatively little recognition for their contribution. It would therefore be unfair to suggest that the geographical identity of the host community is irrelevant. The challenge is finding a model that recognises both realities.

One practical approach could be to preserve the established identity of the major city or economic centre while clearly acknowledging the physical location of the airport, for instance, through a formulation such as ‘Warri Airport, Osubi’ or ‘Osubi (Warri) Airport’.

In the end, an airport is not merely where an aircraft lands. It is a gateway to a city, a region and an economy. Its identity should reflect all three.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said Nigeria’s future will not be determined by the outcome of the 2027 general election alone, but by what Nigerians and their leaders do with the mandate produced by the polls.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Thursday as the special guest speaker at the seventh annual lecture of Freedom Online, held at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja.

The lecture, themed ‘2027 Elections: Economy, Security and Nigeria’s Future,’ brought together politicians, media practitioners and other stakeholders to examine the challenges and prospects of the country ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the governor, Nigerians would, in January 2027, elect a President for the eighth consecutive time since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

He, however, argued that the real test would come after the election, as the country would have to determine whether to consolidate ongoing reforms and tackle its security and economic challenges.

Sanwo-Olu said, ‘One hundred and thirty-five days from now, Nigerians will do something no generation before ours ever did: elect a President, peacefully and on schedule, for the eighth time in succession.

‘Nonetheless, Nigeria’s future will not be decided on the 16th of January. It will be decided by what we do with the mandate that the 16th of January produces: whether we finish the reforms or abandon them halfway; whether we complete state policing or leave it on the drawing board; whether we turn our young people into a dividend or a grievance; whether we build the one-trillion-dollar economy or merely talk about it.’

The governor also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that it was fully prepared for the presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16 and the governorship and State House of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.

He urged Nigerians to also play their part in ensuring credible elections.

On insecurity, Sanwo-Olu said job creation remained one of the most effective security policies, stressing that investment and employment could only thrive in a safe environment.

‘We speak of the economy and security as though they were two subjects. They are one. Poverty feeds insecurity, and insecurity strangles the very economy that would cure poverty,’ he said.

‘When a farmer cannot go to his farm, the nation gets hungrier. When a school is not safe, the country gets another cohort of children who never learned to read. And the reverse is just as true.’

Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the 2027 election should be viewed not merely as a contest for political power but as an opportunity to consolidate nation-building efforts.

Mohammed said the country’s security and economic challenges required consistency, patience, stronger institutions and national cooperation.

He argued that security remained a precondition for economic growth, while economic inclusion was necessary for political stability.

According to him, ‘No business thrives in an atmosphere of uncertainty, and no foreign or local investor deploys capital where safety cannot be guaranteed. In turn, political stability depends on economic inclusion.’

He urged stakeholders to strengthen the foundations of governance rather than merely criticise them.

Mohammed also charged the media to play a responsible role in the 2027 electoral process, warning against sensationalism, fake news and incendiary reporting.

He said the media had the power to inform citizens, interrogate claims, expose falsehoods and provide platforms for competing ideas, but could also deepen divisions when irresponsibly deployed.

‘We therefore need a media that is robust without being reckless; critical without being destructive; patriotic without becoming partisan; and free without forgetting the enormous responsibility that comes with freedom,’ he said.

Mohammed added that responsible journalism was particularly important during election periods because media reports could influence public perception, economic confidence and national security.

He urged journalists to focus the electoral discourse on policy, competence and concrete solutions rather than ethnic, religious or partisan sentiments.

The Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, said Nigeria could not achieve a strong economy without security, just as lasting security could not be achieved without a strong economy.

Daniel acknowledged what he described as encouraging signs in the Nigerian economy under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, including reported growth in the second quarter of 2026.

He, however, said economic progress should be measured beyond GDP figures and should reflect improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians.

He asked whether young Nigerians could find decent employment, farmers could safely access their farms, manufacturers could produce competitively and businesses could survive the rising costs of power, transportation and finance.

According to him, insecurity should be regarded not only as a security problem but also as an economic challenge.

‘When farmers are afraid to cultivate their land, food production suffers. When roads are unsafe, the cost of transporting goods rises. When businesses spend excessively on protection, their competitiveness declines. When communities live in fear, investment is discouraged,’ he said.

Daniel said Nigeria possessed enormous economic potential, citing its youthful population, entrepreneurial culture, technology sector, financial institutions and creative economy.

He called for greater investment in skills, employment, access to capital and technology, particularly for young Nigerians.

‘If we give our young people opportunity, they will build Nigeria. If we deny them opportunity, frustration will grow and social stability will suffer,’ he said.

He also called for greater economic diversification, noting that the non-oil sector accounted for the overwhelming majority of real GDP, with agriculture, manufacturing, technology, construction, financial services, tourism, entertainment and the digital economy playing increasingly important roles.

Daniel said Nigeria’s challenge was to convert the potential of these sectors into productive jobs, higher incomes and improved living standards.

He cited Lagos and Ogun states as examples of what could be achieved when population, enterprise, infrastructure and opportunity were combined, saying similar opportunities should be created across the country.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, called for stronger institutions and transparent elections as prerequisites for democratic development.

Adebutu argued that institutions must be strengthened and allowed to function effectively to restore citizens’ confidence in the political system.

He expressed concern about capital flight and the polarising effect of elections, while stressing the need for political leaders and citizens to speak truth to power.

‘We need to have transparent elections. Elections have further polarised us. Our institutions should be strengthened so that people will have confidence in the system,’ he said.

Adebutu added, ‘We must speak truth to power. We have no other country. We believe in the country.’

Earlier, the organiser and publisher of Freedom Online, Gabriel Akinadewo, said Nigeria appeared to be making progress politically but questioned whether similar progress was being recorded in other sectors.

Akinadewo called for the establishment of state police, describing insecurity as a ‘monster’ that required urgent and innovative solutions.

He said Nigeria had developed a four-year electoral cycle but lacked a corresponding four-year cycle of development.

‘In Nigeria, every four years, we have a full cycle of election but there is no four-year cycle of development. We are here to draw a line between governance and politics. Where does politics stop? Where does development start?’ he asked.

Akinadewo also called for the modernisation of Nigeria’s laws to reflect contemporary realities.

‘The task before us today is very simple. We can’t continue to use the system adopted in the ’60s to govern Nigeria of 2026 and beyond. By 2027, we must modernise our laws to adapt to the challenges of the 21st century,’ he said.

The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, has declared that he is prepared to face criticism and opposition from the people if he fails to meet their expectations, should he be elected governor in 2027.

Adekanmbi made the declaration on Thursday at a media hangout with journalists in Ibadan, where he presented his vision for the state and outlined some of the priorities of his proposed administration.

He said his decision to contest the governorship was not driven by the desire for political power, but by the need to provide what he described as purposeful and accountable leadership for the people of Oyo State.

The APM candidate said he understood that public office came with scrutiny and criticism, adding that any governor must be willing to accept responsibility for both successes and failures in office.

‘If I fail to do well as governor, I know people are waiting to criticise me and fight me, but I am ready,’ he said.

‘I am ready to be held accountable because governance is about the people and not about the individual occupying the office.’

Adekanmbi said his administration, if elected, would focus on areas including economic development, education, healthcare, infrastructure, security, agriculture and youth employment.

He said Oyo State needed a government capable of moving beyond policy formulation to implementing programmes that would have a direct impact on the lives of residents.

On the economy, the APM candidate said he would seek to create an environment conducive to investment and business growth, while reducing bureaucratic obstacles confronting entrepreneurs.

He also identified agriculture as a major area of opportunity for the state, promising to support farmers with improved access to inputs, modern farming techniques, financing, processing facilities and markets.

Adekanmbi said the state must move beyond the production of raw agricultural commodities by developing processing and value chains that would create jobs and generate additional revenue.

On youth development, he said his administration would prioritise skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and other opportunities capable of making young people economically productive.

‘We cannot continue to tell our young people to wait for government jobs when the government alone cannot employ everybody.

‘What we need is a government that will create the conditions for young people to become employers of labour,’ he said.

On education, Adekanmbi promised to improve public schools through rehabilitation and the provision of essential learning facilities, while strengthening technical and vocational education.

He said the education system should be better aligned with the demands of the modern economy by equipping students and graduates with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

The APM candidate also promised to strengthen primary healthcare centres across the state and improve access to affordable medical services, particularly for residents in rural communities.

According to him, residents should not be compelled to travel long distances before accessing basic healthcare.

On infrastructure, Adekanmbi said his administration would adopt a coordinated approach to road development, with emphasis on improving connectivity between rural communities, agricultural centres, markets and urban areas.

He also promised to strengthen collaboration between government, security agencies and communities to improve the security of lives and property across the state.

Adekanmbi said economic development would be difficult to achieve without adequate security, stressing that residents and investors needed an environment where they could live, work and conduct business safely.

He further pledged to run a transparent and accountable administration, insisting that public resources must be used for the benefit of the people.

The APM candidate said he would welcome constructive criticism from journalists, civil society organisations and members of the public, describing criticism as an important tool for improving governance.

‘I am not going into government to silence people. If you see something that is wrong, tell me. If I make a mistake, criticise me. If the criticism is constructive, it will help us to correct ourselves and serve the people better,’ he said.

Adekanmbi urged Oyo residents to assess the governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 election based on their programmes, competence, integrity and capacity to deliver, rather than party affiliation alone.

He also urged journalists to continue to scrutinise the promises of political candidates and provide voters with the information needed to make informed choices at the polls.

The APM candidate said his campaign would focus on issues affecting residents rather than personal attacks on political opponents.