Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, insisting that Nigerians are worse off today than they were in 2023.

The party raised its objections to the President’s claims on Thursday through the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, who said Tinubu’s portrayal of his administration as leading Nigerians towards prosperity did not reflect the country’s current realities.

Ememobong noted that Tinubu’s message invoked the biblical story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, but argued that the analogy was at odds with the experience of Nigerians dealing with rising living costs and declining purchasing power.

‘Rather than moving from slavery to freedom, Nigerians are travelling through a Red Sea of economic pain caused by insensitive and irresponsible leadership’, the PDP faction observed, blaming the All Progressives Congress-led government for the country’s economic difficulties since 2015.

The PDP also challenged the Presidency’s assertion that ‘By 2023, poverty was rising, and hope was nearly gone. The country’s situation was darker than ever.’

Ememobong pointed out that while the assessment might have been accurate at the time, ‘many Nigerians feel worse today than they did on May 29, 2023.’

According to the PDP, Nigerians have reasons to look back, contrary to the President’s admonition not to do so, pointing to higher rents, transport fares and school fees.

Ememobong cited food prices as further evidence, noting that National Bureau of Statistics data put food inflation at 19.57 per cent in August 2026. He said the slower rate of increase had not reversed the substantial price rises already absorbed by households.

The party also disputed the President’s claim of supporting enterprise, arguing that borrowing costs remained prohibitive for many businesses despite the recent reduction of the Monetary Policy Rate from 26.5 per cent to 23 per cent.

In addition, Ememobong said the administration should not respond to what he described as a real-life crisis with ‘skewed narratives’, insisting that economic indicators and citizens’ experiences contradicted the government’s account.

He further claimed that most Nigerians would prefer the economic conditions of 2019 to those under the present administration, attributing the difference to what he described as ‘reckless and insensitive economic policies’ and their implementation by the Tinubu-led government.

Turning to the 2027 elections, Ememobong said Nigerians would have an opportunity to choose leaders capable of addressing the country’s challenges. He argued that Tinubu’s administration should not cast itself as Moses when, in the PDP’s view, its policies had worsened the position of many citizens.

‘The real Pharaoh is the one pursuing Nigerians with economic pain,’ the party insisted, adding that the party was confident citizens would use the 2027 elections to seek an alternative.

The PDP called for this year’s Independence Day should serve as a reference point for political engagement ahead of the 2027 elections, saying that Nigerians would judge the administration by their lived experiences rather than its political messaging.

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, met with selected electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) on how to provide uninterrupted electricity in high-demand corridors in some parts of the country.

The meeting, attended by the leadership of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electric, Eko Power, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Sahara Energy Group, discussed the proposed energy Zones initiative designed to provide stable 24-hour power supply to homes, businesses and industries in the Lagos axis, Abuja-Kaduna- Kano corridor and Enugu -Port Harcourt corridor.

Speaking during the meeting, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the challenge in the power sector is not limited to only generation and transmission but also to the capacity to take up and deliver power at the distribution end.

While expressing the government’s commitment to build up infrastructure in high-demand areas to ensure supply keeps pace with estimated demand in our growing economy, the minister stated that the proposed energy zones are meant to close that gap, unlock commercial and industrial demand as well as strengthen DisCo revenue and collections.

Tegbe added that the engagement aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identified reliable energy as critical to economic growth, industrialisation and job creation.

The Special Adviser on Media to the Oyo State Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, has dismissed allegations by the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation blaming Governor Seyi Makinde for the economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians.

Olanrewaju, in a statement issued on Wednesday, described the campaign organisation’s position as misplaced, arguing that the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians were largely linked to national economic policies and macroeconomic conditions beyond the control of individual state governments.

He said attempts to attribute the hardship to the Oyo State governor amounted to political blame-shifting.

According to him, ‘Nigeria’s current economic situation is not the result of state-level governance failures. It is the direct consequence of national policy choices that have transformed the fiscal environment across the federation.’

Olanrewaju said the depreciation of the naira, removal of the petrol subsidy and rising inflation had affected the purchasing power of Nigerians and increased the cost of food, transportation, medicine and production inputs across the country.

He argued that the impact of currency depreciation was being felt nationwide, stressing that ‘no state governor can shield citizens from the inflationary shock triggered by such a dramatic currency decline.’

He also faulted the argument that increased allocations from the Federation Account necessarily represented an improvement in the economic wellbeing of states.

According to him, although states may receive higher nominal allocations, inflation and the depreciation of the naira have reduced the real value of the funds.

‘A ?10 billion allocation today cannot deliver the same value as ?10 billion in 2022. Higher nominal revenue in an inflationary environment is not prosperity; it is erosion,’ he said.

Olanrewaju said this was what Governor Makinde referred to as a ‘Voodoo Economy’, arguing that increased revenue figures should not be interpreted in isolation from inflation and the rising cost of goods and services.

The governor’s aide also rejected the allegation that Makinde was responsible for the challenges surrounding local government autonomy.

He described local government autonomy as a constitutional and institutional matter involving the Federal Government, state governments, the National Assembly and the judiciary.

‘Local government autonomy is a constitutional matter currently under judicial review and legislative consideration,’ he said.

Olanrewaju argued that the Federal Government should be held accountable for the implementation of policies within its jurisdiction, rather than transferring responsibility to state governments.

He also questioned why Makinde should be blamed for the implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision on local government financial autonomy.

‘Why then should Governor Makinde be blamed for the Federal Government’s inability to execute its own judgment?’ he asked.

The media aide further argued that the constitutional framework governing the State Joint Local Government Account remained relevant to the debate on local government financial autonomy.

He said the issue should be approached through constitutional and legal processes rather than political accusations.

Turning to the broader economic situation, Olanrewaju said the hardship being experienced by Nigerians required serious policy discussion rather than partisan exchanges.

He said the effects of inflation, currency depreciation and the removal of the petrol subsidy had affected households, businesses and governments across the federation.

‘The truth is clear: Nigeria is experiencing one of its most difficult economic periods in decades,’ Olanrewaju said.

According to him, ‘The naira’s collapse, soaring inflation, subsidy removal, and rising poverty have reshaped the economic realities of every state. No governor, irrespective of party, can reverse nationwide macroeconomic shocks through state-level spending alone.’

He therefore urged political actors to focus their arguments on policies, governance records and practical solutions to the economic difficulties confronting citizens.

Olanrewaju said the Makinde administration in Oyo State had continued to implement policies within the limits of the resources available to the state, adding that national economic conditions should be considered when assessing the performance of state governments.

The statement was issued in response to criticism from the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation, which had accused the Makinde administration of contributing to the hardship in the state.

Olanrewaju maintained that political disagreements should not obscure the distinction between responsibilities at the federal and state levels.

He said the economic debate should instead focus on how governments at all levels could improve productivity, protect vulnerable citizens, create employment and strengthen public services.

He added that Nigerians deserved ‘facts and responsible policy debate’ rather than what he described as attempts to personalise complex economic challenges.

Ahead of the second-term inauguration of Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the APC South-West Youth Leader, Adesuyi Daramola, has urged the governor to give greater consideration to competent young people in the appointment of political office holders.

Daramola made the call in a statement issued through his Director of Media and Publicity, Remilekun Oyelowo, following the governor’s recent approval for the dissolution of boards, commissions, and parastatals in the state.

The youth leader also referred to the termination of appointments of political appointees ahead of Oyebanji’s second-term inauguration scheduled for October 16.

He said the transition offered an opportunity to deepen youth inclusion and participation in governance by creating meaningful opportunities for qualified young Ekiti indigenes to serve in the administration.

According to Daramola, giving qualified young people greater representation in government would strengthen their sense of belonging and boost their confidence and trust in the administration.

‘We respectfully appeal to His Excellency, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, to remember the youths of Ekiti State as he constitutes his next team of political appointees. Our young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow; many are already capable contributors to governance today.

‘Providing competent young people with opportunities to serve will inspire our youths, strengthen their confidence in government and demonstrate that the administration values their energy, ideas, expertise and commitment to the development of Ekiti State,’ he said.

Daramola acknowledged the contributions of political appointees whose appointments had ended, appreciating their service and contributions to the development of the state.

He said the next phase of the administration provided an opportunity to introduce fresh perspectives while retaining the experience and institutional knowledge needed for effective governance.

The APC South-West Youth Leader also encouraged young people across Ekiti State to continue developing their skills, knowledge and leadership capacity to position themselves for opportunities in governance and public service.

He said increased youth participation could further strengthen the relationship between the government and the younger generation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his administration cannot erase in four years the hardship and economic challenges that accumulated in Nigeria over generations, but can change the country’s economic direction.

Tinubu stated this in his Independence Day address to Nigerians on Thursday, marking Nigeria’s 66th anniversary of independence.

The president acknowledged that millions of Nigerians are still struggling with the cost of food, education, healthcare and transportation, but said the difficulties did not begin with his administration’s economic reforms.

According to him, the hardship confronting Nigerians is the accumulated consequence of decades of low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, limited opportunities and institutions that failed to adequately serve citizens.

‘We cannot erase in four years what accumulated over generations. But we can change its course,’ Tinubu said.

He said the government’s objective was to build an economy capable of steadily lifting people out of poverty while ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians were not abandoned.

Tinubu said his administration was strengthening direct support for the poorest households and improving the National Social Register to ensure that assistance reached those who genuinely needed it.

He also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, saying it would help ensure that children from low-income families could pursue higher education despite their parents’ inability to afford tuition.

The president further said the Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) was providing working Nigerians with access to credit to acquire essential assets, including vehicles, solar systems and digital devices.

On the wider economy, Tinubu said his administration had spent the first three years correcting the country’s economic direction through reforms which he acknowledged had been difficult.

He said the economy had grown by more than four per cent in 2026, while inflation had fallen substantially from its peak. He also said foreign reserves had been rebuilt, the foreign exchange market had stabilised and Nigeria recorded more than $6 billion in non-oil export revenue in 2025.

Tinubu said the government had now moved from correcting the country’s economic course to pursuing ‘shared and widespread prosperity’.

He said reducing the cost of living would remain a priority, with the government focusing on lowering the cost of producing and transporting goods through investments in agriculture, infrastructure, roads, railways and ports.

The president also said job creation, enterprise and industrial growth would remain central to the government’s agenda, with plans to use gas to power industries, revive factories, expand digital connectivity and improve access to skills and finance.

Tinubu said the government’s ultimate goal was to create an economy where Nigerians could produce more, earn better incomes and access affordable goods and essential services.

‘The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity,’ he said.

He urged Nigerians to remain focused on the future, saying the country had ‘corrected its course’ and was now positioned to pursue an era of greater opportunity and shared prosperity.

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has granted executive clemency to 91-year-old Lamidi Mohammed Garuba and 100 other inmates as part of the celebrations for Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. He urged the recipients to embrace this second chance.

The clemency for Lamidi Mohammed Garuba, who is 91 years old, was granted on medical grounds.

Governor Ododo announced this decision during his Independence Day address to the people of the state on Thursday.

He explained that the exercise was carried out in accordance with the constitutional prerogative of mercy and was guided by considerations of rehabilitation, remorse, humanitarian circumstances, public interest, and justice.

The governor emphasised that this decision is significant, as Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary symbolises freedom, responsibility, and the hope of building a better society for future generations.

He stressed that justice should be balanced with compassion, noting that a society committed to justice must also recognise rehabilitation and the possibility of redemption for individuals who show genuine remorse and a readiness to lead responsible lives.

Ododo disclosed that he inaugurated the seven-member Kogi State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy on September 2, 2026, in accordance with the constitutional framework governing the exercise of the prerogative.

The council, chaired by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Muizudeen Yunus Abdullahi, SAN, reviewed relevant case records, considered representations made on behalf of inmates and convicts, examined correctional reports and visited correctional centres across the state.

The facilities visited included correctional centres in Koton Karfe, Kabba, Dekina, Ankpa, Idah and Okene.

According to the governor, the council considered several factors in arriving at its recommendations, including the age and health of inmates, nature and circumstances of offences, period already served, conduct in custody, remorse, rehabilitation, vocational skills acquired, family and community support, interests of victims, public safety and the broader interests of justice.

He explained that 94 beneficiaries were granted mercy based on factors such as old age, medical conditions, good conduct, rehabilitation, remorse and other compassionate considerations, while seven others had their sentences remitted.

Those granted mercy on old-age and medical grounds include Lamidi Mohammed Garuba, 91; Ajagbonna Olufemi David, 72; Yakubu Atabo; Chief Umane Okeme; Saidu Atuluku Yunusa; Hilary Chike Nwaeze; Ebenezer Mopah; Abdullahi Jibril; and Usman Ismaila.

The seven beneficiaries whose sentences were remitted are Tunde Adura, Olusaye Moses Abayomi, Abu Mowde, Zakariyau Baba, Michael Ojonugwa, Rami Sadiq and Salawudeen Sanusi.

Governor Ododo emphasised that the exercise did not diminish the seriousness of the offences for which the beneficiaries were convicted, describing the decision instead as an exercise of constitutional compassion in deserving circumstances.

He urged the beneficiaries to see their release as a fresh responsibility and return to their families and communities as responsible citizens.

‘You have been given another opportunity, and every second opportunity comes with a greater responsibility,’ the governor said.

He urged them to avoid criminal activities and make productive use of the skills, education and lessons acquired during their period of incarceration.

The governor also called on residents, particularly young people, to shun kidnapping, armed robbery, fraud, theft, cultism, drug-related offences and other forms of criminality.

He said poverty, peer pressure and the pursuit of quick wealth should not be used as excuses for criminal conduct, stressing that education, hard work, enterprise, integrity and perseverance remained legitimate pathways to a meaningful life.

Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies and strengthening the administration of justice while protecting citizens’ rights and maintaining firm action against criminality.

He urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders to support government efforts to combat crime.

‘The battle against criminality is not a battle that government can win alone. It is a collective struggle for the soul and future of our communities,’ he said.

Ododo Commends Tinubu

The governor also used the Independence Day address to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as the courage and vision of his administration in pursuing national renewal.

He said the Federal Government’s focus on economic reforms, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education, healthcare, youth empowerment and social investment was aimed at addressing immediate difficulties as well as longstanding structural challenges.

Ododo particularly highlighted the Federal Government’s recently approved deep offshore investment framework, which the Presidency says is expected to unlock up to US$50 billion in new investment and revive major deep offshore developments.

He also cited interventions in education, agriculture, housing, compressed natural gas, domestic refining and other sectors as part of the Federal Government’s broader development agenda.

The governor said Kogi remained aligned with the national aspiration for a stronger, more prosperous and secure Nigeria.

He noted that Kogi’s strategic location at the confluence of the Rivers Niger and Benue, alongside its agricultural, mineral and tourism resources, gives the state significant development potential.

Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, security, human capital development, rural electrification, mining, tourism and enterprise.

According to him, the administration’s objective is to create a Kogi where opportunities are accessible across communities and where government provides the infrastructure, environment and policies required for citizens to create wealth.

The governor further called for unity among the people of Kogi State, irrespective of political, religious, ethnic or social differences.

‘Politics will come and go. Administrations will come and go. But Kogi State will remain our common home,’ he said.

He urged citizens to protect the state, invest in its future and give younger generations reasons to remain proud of their heritage.

As Nigeria marked 66 years of independence, Ododo called on Nigerians to renew their faith in the country and remain committed to building a stronger, more productive and prosperous nation.

He congratulated President Tinubu and Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on the anniversary, while paying tribute to the country’s founding fathers, soldiers and security personnel serving to protect the nation.

The governor concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to good governance, security, infrastructure development, human capital development, economic empowerment and the creation of opportunities for the people of Kogi State.

‘The Nigeria we desire is possible. The Kogi State we desire is possible. But possibility becomes reality only when hope is matched with action,’ Ododo said.

Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dayo Mobereola, has revealed plans to introduce body cameras for enforcement officers who board vessels in order to further enhance transparency in the agency’senforcement operations.

He disclosed this when he received a delegation of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN).

The director general appreciated MACN’s continued engagement and contribution to strengthening conversations around integrity, transparency and accountability in the maritime sector and expressed the Agency’s readiness to deepen collaboration with MACN towards building a more transparent, predictable and efficient maritime sector.

Represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Engineer Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, Mobereola emphasised the importance of data in demonstrating and communicating the progress being made in the sector.

‘Data is essential to show the progress being made in the maritime sector. We need to be able to demonstrate what we are doing and showcase the impact of these reforms,’ he stated.

Mobereola also hinted at efforts to further enhance transparency in enforcement operations to include the introduction of body cameras for enforcement officers who board vessels.

‘The initiative would provide greater transparency in interactions between enforcement personnel and operators, while also promoting more efficient and accountable operations’, he said.

The NIMASA DG also advocated the replication of successful reforms across maritime administrations in the region with a concomitant impact on trade and investment, stressing that a more transparent maritime environment would create opportunities for businesses and strengthen regional competitiveness.

Speaking earlier during the visit, Chief Executive Officer of MACN, Cecelia Torbrand, commended NIMASA for the reforms being implemented in the maritime sector, noting that the measures have contributed to the increased transparency and improved business environment currently being witnessed across the sector.

Torbrand highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing corruption risks within the maritime industry, noting that sustainable change requires strong collaboration among government institutions, industry stakeholders, civil society and other relevant actors.

She explained that MACN’s work is anchored on three key pillars: Capability Building, Collective Action, and Collaboration/Culture of Integrity, emphasising that provision of innovative tools, training and compliance resources; sustainable, on-the-ground change; and partnerships across board are critical to addressing the root causes of maritime corruption.

The MACN CEO commended NIMASA for the reforms undertaken to improve transparency and integrity within the Nigerian maritime space, stressing the importance of sustaining the momentum and documenting the progress being achieved.

Also speaking, a member of MACN and Chief Executive Officer of the Convention on Business Integrity (CBI), Mr Olusoji Apampa, said the progress recorded in Nigeria’s maritime sector deserved greater visibility.

He noted that the reforms being implemented in Nigeria are attracting attention across the sub-region, with countries including Ghana and Senegal developing mechanisms inspired by the Nigerian experience.

Apampa described the development as ‘the Nigerian Miracle’, noting that the experience demonstrates what can be achieved when government and industry stakeholders work together to address systemic challenges.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has directed Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to immediately commence remedial works on the collapsed section of the East-West Road at Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The governor disclosed the intervention on Thursday during the 66th Independence Anniversary celebration at the Cenotaph in Asaba.

Oborevwori said the collapse of the section of the major highway was caused by a natural disaster witnessed in the area a few days earlier.

‘A few days ago, we also witnessed a natural disaster on the East-West Road. I have directed Julius Berger to immediately fix the collapsed portion of the road,’ the governor said.

The governor’s directive has already translated into action as, at the time of filing this report, the construction company had mobilised to the site and commenced reconstruction works on the washed-out section of the highway.

The intervention is expected to restore normal traffic flow and ease the difficulties faced by motorists and commuters along the busy East-West Road corridor.

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the All Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Day broadcast, saying the latter’s claim of prosperity does not reflect reality of Nigerians.

Atiku, in a speech delivered at ADC Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, said 66 years after independence, millions of Nigerians are fighting for food, living wage and safe journey home.

He said past three years under Tinubu have plunged Nigeria into most severe cost of living crisis, with families skipping meals, delaying treatment and borrowing to survive.

‘What has this government asked of them? More patience. More sacrifice. More faith in figures they cannot eat,’ Atiku said.

He said, ‘Bola, your speech is full of ‘we will.’ We will make farming cheaper. We will power factories. We will create jobs. We will bring down prices. You have been President for more than three years. Nigerians are entitled to ask what you have done with the time already given to you.

‘My dear Bola, you said the people ‘cannot wait for tomorrow.’ On that, I agree with you. Yet almost every answer in your address was about tomorrow. But Nigerians are hungry today. They pay transport fares today. They need jobs and safety today.

‘Bola, the Promised Land is not in sight merely because you can see it from the villa. Nigerians must be able to reach it. We have chosen a different course, peacefully and together, through the power of our votes; the message is clear: Tinubu must go.’

He criticised removal of fuel subsidy with one announcement and no credible protection for families, saying petrol, transport and food costs rose.

Atiku said the President’s Independence Day speech claiming ’emergency treatment is over’ and ‘age of prosperity has begun’ does not put food on the table.

‘Bola Tinubu told us that the emergency treatment is over and the age of prosperity has begun. A President may announce new chapter in speech. He cannot announce food onto family’s table or money into worker’s pocket. Bola, where is this prosperity?’ he queried.

He said a slower rise in prices does not restore what families have lost, adding that growth must improve lives.

Atiku faulted the analogy of Nigeria as a cancer patient, asking why it is harder to buy food, medicine and transport after three years of treatment.

He said Nigerians are not asking for morphine but asking what happened to subsidy savings.

Citing the cost of living, he said in April 2023, N30,000 minimum wage could buy about 118 litres of petrol, while today N70,000 minimum wage buys just 50 litres.

He also said the average price of one egg rose from N88 in April 2023 to N261 in May 2026, and a sliced loaf from N500 to about N2,000 for a smaller loaf.

He announced a plan to introduce a capped, budgeted production subsidy tied to verified fuel refined in Nigeria, including from modular refineries, with costs published and audited.

Atiku also faulted the government’s fiscal management, questioning the extension of the 2025 budget till the end of 2026 while the 2026 budget exists alongside it.

He alleged lack of transparency in the award of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract to Hitech, a company linked to Chagoury Group, and called for publication of invitations, bids, evaluations, and contract details.

He urged the government to pay local contractors who completed projects and are being owed.

He said public debt stood at N166.79 trillion at the end of June, and the government is discussing another $1.5bn World Bank loan, demanding accountability on what borrowed money delivered.

Atiku questioned the claim that over 10 million Nigerians received N75,000 each in cash transfers, asking for an auditable account of how the money reached beneficiaries.

He recalled the stampede at Niger State Government House where three people died amid reports of N10,000 distribution.

He dismissed the promise of lower transport fares from October 1, asking the government to publish routes, fares and beneficiaries.

On political freedom, Atiku called for rule of law, raising concerns over the detention of Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria and Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, and said the right of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to lawful appeal must be respected.

He also called for the release of five young Nigerians arrested in Borno after wearing ‘Tinubu Must Go’ T-shirts, saying political slogans must never become a reason to imprison citizens.

Atiku promised to end election rigging if elected, respect INEC’s independence and ensure vote buying and result manipulation are punished.

‘Our founders did not win sovereignty so that few could prosper while millions merely survive,’ he said.

Atiku said from his first day in office, he would put affordability and the protection of life at the centre of government.

‘We will begin bringing down the costs of food, fuel and power, improving access to healthcare and education, and restoring security to communities living in fear. I will account for public spending and measure progress by what Nigerians can afford and whether they can live safely.’

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Oluyole District, Ibadan, on Wednesday donated food items to an orphanage and settled the medical bills of some patients at Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan, as part of activities marking its second anniversary.

The district also visited Children of Promise Ministries, Ashi, Bodija, Ibadan, where it presented various food and household items to support the home and the children under its care.

Items donated included bags of rice and beans, spaghetti, toothpaste, body creams, seasoning cubes, vegetable oil, palm oil, salt, sugar, cornflakes, tissue papers and beverages, among others.

Speaking during the exercise, the Chairman of ICAN Oluyole District, Dr Olawale Dopemu, said the anniversary was an opportunity for the district to make a positive impact on the lives of members of the community.

Dopemu said the outreach was part of the district’s commitment to giving back to society and supporting vulnerable members of the community.

He said, ‘Today is our second anniversary, and one of the points of our activities is to leave a life of impact. That is why we visited the orphanage home, Children of Promise Ministries at Ashi, Bodija, Ibadan.

‘Last month, we organised a quiz competition among secondary schools in Ibadan and also paid the WAEC fees of 100 students as part of our efforts to impact the community.

‘Today, we are visiting the orphanage home to give them gifts, and we are also here at Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu, to support some of the patients. You can only do what is within your capacity, and we are trying to do our best.’

According to him, the donation to the orphanage was made up of essential food and household items needed by the children.

The ICAN chairman also called on individuals, organisations and governments to pay greater attention to the needs of vulnerable people in society.

He said, ‘My advice is that if you have anything to give, let us reach out to the less privileged. At least, they will be happy that they are part of Nigeria.

He added that other activities had been planned as part of the second anniversary celebration, including a programme scheduled for October 11.

In her remarks, the supervisor of the orphanage, Oluwatosin Adelakun, commended ICAN Oluyole District for its gesture and continued support for vulnerable people.

She said, ‘We want to express our gratitude to you for your visit today. Your encouragement, donation and support are the keys to our existence and a pillar to the programmes we provide to the less privileged, orphans and vulnerable children, including widows.

A medical officer at Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan, Abibat Nurideen-Busari, appreciated the gesture, saying the donation would provide much-needed relief to patients facing financial difficulties.

She said some patients with serious medical conditions often incur huge expenses on treatment, drugs and other medical needs, making the support from organisations such as ICAN particularly valuable.

Nurideen-Busari said, ‘Thank you so much. We really appreciate your contribution. The donation given to patients who really need this help means a lot because there are some patients with medical conditions that require them to spend so much, and they still need more support.

‘This help will provide some relief for them, assist them in getting drugs, blood for transfusion and also help them settle part of their medical bills. We really appreciate the gesture.’