Category: Nigerian Tribune

President Bola Tinubu has said that the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day military parade gave him the opportunity to rest well and enjoy a ‘nice breakfast’ on Wednesday.

The Federal Government had earlier announced the cancellation of the parade scheduled for October 1.

In a statement released on Monday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, it was explained that the decision ‘is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary.’

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Speaking at the unveiling of the renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre in Lagos, Tinubu said the cancellation gave him a break from the ‘monotony’ of the usual military parade.

‘I’m more than grateful for tonight. I enjoyed the evening. Happy 65th Independence Anniversary. This has broken the monotony of military march-past, parade and everything.

‘By cancelling this programme, I was able to have a good sleep, have a nice breakfast and wait for this evening. And the evening is well spent,’ he said.

Tinubu arrived at the venue at about 6:24 p.m. for the reopening ceremony of the monument, which was funded and overseen by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee.

The president had in July renamed the edifice after Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, describing him as ‘one of the greatest assets of the world, Africa and Nigeria.’

‘So, it couldn’t have been anything else and I know definitely you (referring to Soyinka) will not disobey this president. I said it has to be Wole Soyinka Centre,’ Tinubu added.

The unveiling was attended by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin; Speaker Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; and Wole Soyinka himself, who was the host of the occasion.

As FG brokers truce over dispute

THE Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has announced the suspension of its nationwide strike against the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, stressing that the action was taken strictly out of respect for the Federal Government and its institutions involved in the conciliation process.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, PENGASSAN President, Comrade Festus Osifo, made it clear that the union was dissatisfied with the terms of the agreement brokered between the parties, particularly as it failed to address their key demand, which is the immediate reinstatement of over 800 Nigerian workers allegedly sacked by the refinery.

He warned that the union would not hesitate to resume the suspended strike without notice if the Dangote management defaults on its commitments.

The Federal Government had, on Tuesday, brokered a truce between PENGASSAN and the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The truce was contained in a communiqué issued and signed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari-Dingyadi, at the end of a two-day conciliation meeting and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

The meeting, which was held on Monday and Tuesday, brought together the National Security Adviser (NSA), Ministers of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and State for Petroleum (Gas), alongside the DSS, NIA, NNPCL, NMDPRA, NUPRC and labour leaders.

However, PENGASSAN President said: ‘We are not happy with the terms of the agreement because it did not capture our main demand of recalling the 800 sacked Nigerians. But out of respect for government institutions, for the National Security Adviser, the DSS, the Chief Reconciliator of the Federation, and ministers who worked tirelessly into the early hours of the morning to mediate, we decided to suspend the action. However, let me be clear: if Dangote fails to keep its part, we will resume immediately, without any warning.’

The union leader expressed deep reservations about the sincerity of the refinery management, saying PENGASSAN has ‘mutual suspicion’ that Dangote will attempt to renege on the deal. ‘We know that Dangote does not play by the rules or respect agreements. We believe and suspect that some of the promises extracted during the negotiations will not be honoured. But because we respect due process and institutions of government, we will give them that benefit of doubt. Yet, any breach will be met with severe and immediate response,’ he said.

Responding to widespread allegations that the union’s insistence on reinstating the 800 sacked workers was driven by a desire to secure check-off dues, Osifo dismissed the claims as ‘laughable and mischievous.’ According to him, the salaries of the affected workers are meagre compared to the earnings of PENGASSAN members in other multinational oil companies, making such accusations baseless.

‘So we clearly ask, is it because of check-off dues that PENGASSAN went on strike? The salaries being paid to these 800 members, if you add them all together, are less than what 20 of our members earn in companies like Chevron, TotalEnergies, or ExxonMobil. Their check-off dues are not even up to the check-off dues of our least-paid members elsewhere. So why should we be chasing this because of dues? It is actually about the freedom of association and the welfare of our members, because when we enter organisations, we improve conditions of service, and that is why workers subscribe to us,’ he explained.

Osifo further argued that PENGASSAN had a long record of defending workers’ rights without stifling the companies where its members operate, citing the example of Shell, TotalEnergies, and ExxonMobil which have thrived despite having thousands of PENGASSAN members. ‘At one time, Shell had over 10,000 of our members, and they invested more than $200 billion in Nigeria. Did we kill Shell? Instead, we assisted Shell, TotalEnergies, and ExxonMobil to grow. We are not out to kill Dangote Refinery, which has barely invested $20 billion. That narrative is false,’ he said.

He stressed that the oil and gas workforce has carried the burden of Nigeria’s economy for decades, providing over 90 percent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings. ‘We know who we are and what we stand for. We are patriots who love this country more than any single individual, and that is why, despite our reservations, we chose to suspend this strike in deference to government efforts,’ Osifo maintained.

While thanking the government officials and agencies that intervened in the dispute, he reiterated PENGASSAN’s vigilance. ‘We will be monitoring closely. Any slip, any breach, any part of this agreement that is not kept, we will not issue further notice. We will not give any warning. We will resume the suspended industrial action immediately. That is our resolution,’ he warned.

Osifo concluded by affirming that PENGASSAN’s struggle is not against progress but against injustice, and that the union will remain steadfast in defending the rights and welfare of its members, no matter whose interest is at stake.

It will be recalled that the conciliation was convened after PENGASSAN directed its members to stop gas supply and withdraw services from the refinery.

The union had accused the company of terminating the employment of more than 800 of its members, which triggered the industrial action.

Dangote Refinery, however, explained that the disengagement of workers was due to an ongoing restructuring exercise in the company.

According to the communiqué, the meeting resolved that unionisation is a fundamental right of workers under Nigerian law and must be respected by the company.

It was further agreed that the management of Dangote Group should immediately begin the redeployment of the affected workers into other subsidiaries within the group without any loss of pay.

The meeting also resolved that no worker would be victimised for participating in the dispute between PENGASSAN and the company.

PENGASSAN in turn agreed to commence the process of calling off its strike, while both parties pledged to implement the resolutions in good faith.

Captain Bunmi Gindeh of the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), has emerged the president of the National Association of Air Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) beating his rival, Francis Igwe, an aircraft engineer with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

ýThe election took place on Friday, September 27th I. Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, with Gindeh polling 51 polling while Igwe got 17 votes.

ýMudi Muhammad, an aircraft engineer at Arik Air, emerged the national deputy president. He had no opponent. While Adewale Adenugba won a second time as the first trustee.

ýOther elective positions were financial secretary, won by Edwin Udoh, Publicity Secretary, won by Blessing Ahmadu, Michael Nicholas won the position of second trustee.

ýSpeaking after emerging victorious, Gindeh expressed appreciation to the outgoing administration, saying they worked very hard to achieve a lot. ‘I must commend my predecessor, Abednego Galadima, for taking the initiative to set up a training institute. It was an amazing idea and we will work very hard to utilise that facility to meet with international standards. He performed well and we owe him a lot of gratitude,’ he said.

On how his campaign played out, he said: ‘There was an intensive campaign before now but we went to all the various chapters and spoke to them on why they should vote for us. We are a team. It wasn’t just me, the deputy president was the engine room of my campaign and I appreciate the work he put in.

ý’During the campaign, we talked about the welfare of our members and we would be pushing for standardised contracts across board like we have abroad. We are also going to advocate for safety for our members. We will also improve our secretariat so that it can be up to date.

ýý’One of the issues that came up during the campaign was that pilots would not have the time to carry out union functions but the beautiful thing which I have learned is to delegate responsibilities to my team. We would get more done that way. I was in the NCAA but was seconded to the NSIB, so my chapter is the NSIB. The public service rule is very clear on that,’ he said.

ýýMohammed who emerged as his deputy, expressed happiness, saying he is excited to work with someone whom he has always wanted to work with. ‘I want to work with Capt. Gimdeh because he has a big vision for NAAPE. The outgoing leadership has done their best and we are grateful to them. We are going to build on the foundation they have laid You can see that we don’t have anything pilots in the association but he has said that his goal is to bring in more pilots,’ he said.

ýIgwe, who conceded defeat, congratulated Gindeh and pledged to work to ensure that the association remains united. While the immediate past President, Galadima urged the newly elected administration to work for the unity of the association.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has raised the salaries of 67 security guards at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital from N18,800 to N80,000 following their emotional appeal during his visit to the facility.

During an interactive session at the hospital recently, one of the guards narrated their struggles.

He also spoke about their poor welfare and the hardship of catering for families on the meagre pay.

‘We have been here before Otunba Alao Akala, and before the work of this place is completed. We are not staff but indigenes of Oyo State. Please help us; we are suffering. I have a family and three children; my age is fast running out. Please help us, your excellency,’ the security guard said, breaking down in tears.

The governor, after asking about their earnings, was told they received N18,800 monthly.

A hospital representative explained that the guards were not on the hospital’s payroll but were outsourced, with the outsourcing company receiving N27,000 per guard.

Makinde then announced that the 67 guards would be converted to ad-hoc workers and placed on a new monthly salary of N80,000 beginning in October.

He said, ‘I can solve the problem right away by saying that all 67 should be converted directly to ad-hoc workers, and you will get N80,000 every month from the first of October.’

A former member of the House of Representatives and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Abiodun Awoleye, has declared that Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde, has the political strength and leadership qualities to lead the PDP in reclaiming the presidency from President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Speaking with journalists at his Bashorun residence in Ibadan during Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, Awoleye described Makinde as a ‘humble politician, dependable grassroots mobiliser, and administrator with uncommon capacity.’

‘Governor Makinde has shown rare political will and administrative strength. I strongly believe he has what it takes to reposition our great party and ensure we take back power at the national level,’ Awoleye said.

The PDP chieftain added that Makinde’s success in uniting the Oyo State chapter of the party and running an inclusive government was proof of his ability to restructure the PDP at the national level.

His remarks echoed Makinde’s own declaration at the recent PDP State Congress in Ibadan, where the governor assured party members that the ‘era of violent, parallel congresses was over,’ stressing that the model of peace and internal democracy established in Oyo would be replicated nationally.

Awoleye further praised Makinde’s governance record, particularly his consistency in paying salaries, pensions, and gratuities, describing it as a stabilising force amid Nigeria’s economic hardship.

‘Even the late Alaafin of Oyo once remarked that he was amazed at how Governor Makinde has managed governance seamlessly without owing workers a single month,’ he recalled.

He attributed prompt and uninterrupted payments of workers’ salaries, gratuity, and pensions by Makinde as a catalyst for the socio-economic stability and steady economic growth in the state, calling the governor a genius whose approach to governance amid nationwide economic challenges should be understudied for national rebirth.

He described Makinde as a man with a deep sense of creative mind for problem-solving and expressed his admiration for his crisis management skills, calling on party faithful to continue to remember the governor in their personal day-to-day prayers.

In another development, the various speakers at Awoleye’s birthday celebration noted that the former lawmaker’s confidence in Makinde’s ability to restructure the party aligns with the governor’s promise of a more cohesive, disciplined, and forward-looking PDP capable of leading Nigeria back to economic recovery and national stability.

The Ibadan North PDP Chairman, Ademiyiwa Mustapha, who led both the local government and ward executives to the celebration, described Awoleye as a peaceful person with an impressive political pedigree.

He urged members of the party to remain steadfast, maintain genuine intentions towards one another, and work together in unity for the overall progress of the PDP.

In his final remarks, Hon. Awoleye revealed that he shares the same birthday with Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja, former First Lady of the state, while his own wife shares the same birthday with the new Olubadan of Ibadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Arusa I.

He described this coincidence as a source of personal joy and connection to Ibadan’s royal and political heritage.

Also speaking, a party elder, Pastor Gbenro, described the occasion as a ‘tripartite celebration’ since it coincided with Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.

He recalled Awoleye’s role as the caretaker chairman who helped install the PDP in Ogun State, describing it as ‘a pride for Ibadan North.’

Hon. Awoleye remains one of the most grounded politicians with vast experience in politics and governance.

‘He is humble, accessible, and a blessing to this generation,’ Gbenro said, offering prayers for the celebrant and his family.

Other speakers at the event praised Awoleye’s political journey and character. A fellow party chieftain described him as ‘a straightforward person and dependable grassroots mobilizer that many young politicians look up to as a role model.’

The PDP Youth Leader in Ibadan North noted that he had never regretted looking up to Awoleye, calling him ‘a foremost politician with exceptional humility.’

Party members, however, expressed optimism about the PDP’s future both in Ibadan North, Oyo State, and Nigeria come 2027.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has reaffirmed its commitment to national cohesion and supporting government efforts to build a better country.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by Aminu Kabir of the NAHCON Information and Publication Division.

Kabir said the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, gave the assurance in his Independence Day message to the government and people of Nigeria.

Usman described the day as a reminder of the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding fathers who fought for freedom, dignity, and unity. He noted that 65 years after independence, the country continues to show resilience and the collective will to overcome challenges while holding on to the hope of a more prosperous future.

‘As an institution saddled with the sacred mandate of coordinating the spiritual journey of Nigerian Muslims to the Holy Land, NAHCON remains committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and service excellence in the discharge of its responsibilities. We will continue to align our efforts with national values of unity, peace, and progress,’ he said.

The Chairman also urged Nigerians to pray for peace, stability, and prosperity, and encouraged citizens to embrace patriotism, brotherhood, and sacrifice in their daily lives.

‘On this special occasion, I congratulate every Nigerian and wish our dear country continued progress. Together, we can build the Nigeria of our dreams,’ he added.

Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, who represents the people of Kaduna South Senatorial District, has debunked rumours circulating on social media about his alleged defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement issued by his media office and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Midat Joseph, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, the Senator clarified:

‘We wish to state unequivocally and for the record that, as of today, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung is a committed member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).’

The statement further noted that he was elected on the platform of the PDP and remains dedicated to upholding the mandate given to him by the people of Kaduna South Senatorial District.

While acknowledging that the political landscape is dynamic, the statement stressed that any decision of such magnitude would be communicated officially and transparently by the Senator himself, not through clandestine speculation.

‘The current rumours are needless distractions from the Senator’s primary focus, which is effective representation, legislative excellence, and attracting developmental projects to Kaduna South Senatorial District.’

The statement therefore urged the media, constituents, and the general public to disregard the unfounded speculations.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation has won a prestigious award at the 60th Annual Appeal of Conscience Awards in New York.

The award recognises the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s efforts in empowering a generation of young African entrepreneurs with economic opportunities and the means to shape their own destinies.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Awele Elumelu, Co-Founder of TEF conveyed Mr. Elumelu’s gratitude and heartfelt words, highlighting his commitment to transforming lives across Africa through his philosophy of Africapitalism.

She expressed gratitude for the award, acknowledging its alignment with Tony’s values and the legacy of the Foundation and Rabbi Arthur Schneier.

In a somber moment, she honored the memory of six colleagues who recently lost their lives in a tragic incident, emphasizing the deep sense of loss felt across their community.

Dr. Elumelu spoke passionately about her husband’s commitment to uplifting lives across Africa through the philosophy of Africapitalism, which highlights the powerful role of the private sector in community well-being.

She shared Tony’s journey, marked by determination and a belief in Africa’s vast potential, noting the success of his businesses which employ over 40,000 people globally, including the United Bank for Africa in New York.

Highlighting the impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, she revealed that it has invested over $100 million in seed funding for more than 24,000 young African entrepreneurs, providing them with the tools to shape their futures and combat issues such as economic instability and migration.

Dr. Elumelu emphasised the ongoing need for collaboration among those who share similar values and acknowledged the importance of collective efforts in addressing global challenges.

She extended her appreciation to Cardinal Timothy Dolan for his leadership, Rabbi Schneier for his visionary work, and her friend Maurice Levy for the recognition.

Finally, she dedicated the award to the thousands of Africapitalists across the continent, as well as her family, whose unwavering support serves as a source of strength.

Dr. Elumelu however expressing gratitude for the honor and reaffirming their shared commitment to building a prosperous future for Africa and beyond.

AIRTEL Africa Plc has expressed delight over the positive impact its partnership with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) is making in the lives of people, especially school children and teachers across Africa.

Chairman of Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr Segun Ogunsanya, stated this in Lagos at a press briefing to announce the official launch of Airtel Africa Foundation, a social arm of the company.

According to him, the Foundation’s collaboration with UNICEF, governments, local communities among others to transform lives and communities, especially that of the students and teachers across 14 countries where the company operates has been encouraging.

He noted that feedback and testimonials from direct beneficiaries has greatly encouraged the foundation to intensify efforts in transforming lives across the continent, disclosing that the collaboration has already connected more than 1,800 schools, benefitted over one million students, and trained more than 17,000 teachers in digital education across 14 countries.

Highlighting the broader mission of the Foundation for Nigeria and other countries, including Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Niger, DRC among others, Ogunsanya disclosed that the plan is now to directly improve the lives of no fewer than 10 million people across Africa by 2030.

According to him, the Foundation is not just donating resources, but building a pipeline of talent and fostering innovation to ensure the global digital revolution leaves no child and youths behind.

He listed four core pillars, Financial Empowerment, Education, Environmental Protection and Digital Inclusion (FEED) as initiative strategies to achieve the aims with education most priority.

Ogunsanya explained that those areas of intervention in the education sector will cover students, teachers and institutions.

According to him, the Foundation’s programmes target school adoption for infrastructure development, provision of ICT laboratories and computers, smart classrooms, free internet connectivity, full undergraduate scholarships in tech and STEM fields, mentorship and internships as well as training programmes for teachers.

He added that the Foundation would also leverage its Employee Volunteer Programme to teach students free of charge and mentor them where necessary.

Ogunsanya underscored the importance of quality education, saying that is the easier means to break circle of poverty and socio-economic inequality that many people entangled with today in Africa.

He explained further that an educated society would be financially literate and empowered to turn challenges to opportunities and in turn invest better in education of the next generation, protect the environment and also sustain good living for all.

Emphasising that though similar interventions would be extended to all the 14 countries where Airtel operates, Ogunsanya pointed out that Nigeria being the largest market for the company, would benefit most from the Foundation intervention activities.

He said the immediate plans for the country is to train no fewer than 26,000 youths, award 100 scholarships, connect 300 schools, and adopt 10 schools for long-term support, including facility renovations and smart classrooms.

Commenting on the company’s support for the Foundation, Airtel Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, also underscored the importance of citizens accessing quality and quantitative education, saying quality education would greatly enhance socio-economic development upon which citizens and the country will thrive.

He said this understanding is the very reason the Airtel Africa Foundation was born as a collective vehicle by the company to catalyse transformation, by systematically investing in the four pillars that underpin a resilient and dynamic society.

‘That is why for us as a company, we will continue to support the Foundation in its drive to transform the lives of our people,’ he pledged.

In his earlier remarks, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, also expressed happiness for the birth of the Foundation, and especially that Nigeria would be the most beneficiary of its intervention efforts across the four pillars.

He said the impact of such interventions, especially in the long run would be unquantifiable, commending the leadership of the Foundation for the initiatives.

Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to attracting more investors into the state, declaring that the recently upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport in Ibadan will be developed into the most welcoming airport in Nigeria.

The governor made this known on Wednesday during the Jagz Hospitality Conference held to commemorate the first anniversary of The Jagz Hotel, a leading hospitality brand in the state.

Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde described the landing of the first wide-bodied aircraft at the Ibadan airport, nearly a week earlier, as a significant achievement that rewrote the airport’s 43-year history.

He noted that the milestone is part of his administration’s broader strategy to make Oyo State more attractive to local and international investors.

‘Last Friday, the first wide-bodied aircraft landed at Ibadan Airport. That airport was commissioned in 1982, 43 years ago and this is the first time such an aircraft has landed there. Yes, it’s late, but better late than never,’ the governor said.

He revealed that following federal approval granted in May 2024, the state had extended the airport’s runway to accommodate larger aircraft, positioning it for increased international traffic.

‘We’ve been able to turn around 43 years of disappointment within a year. But we’re not stopping. We want Ibadan Airport to be more welcoming than any other airport in Nigeria. We want people from all over the world to fly into Ibadan and keep coming back,’ he added.

Makinde emphasized that sustained investment in infrastructure, such as the airport, is essential for economic expansion, and dismissed the idea that focusing solely on the local market, a concept known as import substitution, would solve Nigeria’s economic challenges.

‘There’s a theory that says if we focus on ourselves, patronize local products, and ignore the global market, we will solve our problems. But that theory is flawed. No country in the world has developed by isolating itself. Nigeria won’t be an exception,’ he stated.

The governor said his administration would continue to provide a supportive environment for businesses operating in the state, citing The Jagz Hotel as a testament to the potential of the private sector when given the right policies and support.

‘I am glad to be here one year after we commissioned this hotel. It is not only still running, but thriving, despite the economic turbulence in the country. That’s not by accident; it’s a result of hard work and teamwork by the management and staff. As a government, we will continue to support you.’

Makinde charged the hotel’s management to aspire beyond local recognition and aim to become one of the top hospitality brands in Africa.

‘Don’t be satisfied with being the best in Ibadan. Aspire to be the best in Nigeria, and even in Africa,’ he urged.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, praised Governor Makinde’s leadership for expanding the state’s economy through tourism and solid mineral development.

He called on stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism industries to continue collaborating with the government to promote Oyo State as a prime destination for visitors and investors.

‘Under this administration, we’ve seen significant growth in tourism and business. The private sector has an important role to play in sustaining this momentum,’ Olatubosun said.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Sikiru Sanda; and the Ekefa Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Akinade Fijabi.