Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Directors-General of Agencies and Parastatals of Government (MDAs) on Wednesday kicked against the composition of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC).

The DGs expressed concern over their exclusion at a meeting with the ruling party’s national chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.

The Director-General of National Board of Technology Innovation, Dr Kazeem Raji, led his colleagues to the meeting under the platform, Forum of Chief Executives of Federal Parastatals.

The Forum, which recalled that they played a strategic role in galvanising support for President Bola Tinubu in the last general elections, told Professor Yilwatda that they have since been sidelined ahead of the next January Presidential election.

The Director-General, National Institute of Cultural Orientation, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, who described the forum as Independent Campaign Council, maintained that they have been left in the cold in the composition of the PCC that would drive the campaigns of President Tinubu.

Chief Ajiboye noted that the PCC ‘needs a supplementary and complementary platform to mobilise in media management and election management. That’s what we are here to offer you, and we think we can work together.’

Earlier in his presentation, Dr Raji, who is the Forum Chairman, described it as a composition of core politicians with capacity for grassroots mobilisation.

‘Yes, we are technocrats but grassroots politicians. We are professionals in politics. We are public sector leaders who are passionate about Nigeria’s development,’ Raji said.

He declared that his group will deliver 10 million votes to Tinubu.

Professor Yilwatda tasked members of the Forum to ensure a fresh mandate for President Tinubu to justify their individual appointments.

He said: ‘For every one of us serving in public office today, there are countless other Nigerians who possess the qualifications and competence to occupy the same positions. The opportunity we have today is therefore a privilege, and we must justify that privilege through service, performance and loyalty to the mandate entrusted to us.’

To sell Tinubu to Nigerian electorate, the APC Chairman urged them to communicate his achievements to Nigerians.

‘That is why forums such as yours are important. Through your agencies, you are implementing programmes that directly impact citizens. You understand the projects, the policies and the outcomes. You therefore have a responsibility to help bridge the information gap between government and the people,’ he added.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s 66th Independence Day address, saying Nigerians need to see tangible improvements in their living conditions rather than more promises of economic prosperity.

The party said the president’s speech highlighted economic reforms and improved macroeconomic indicators but did not adequately address the immediate challenges facing millions of Nigerians, including rising living costs, insecurity, unemployment, and declining household purchasing power.

Speaking on Thursday, the party’s spokesman, Prince Christopher Odianarewo, said the key question after the president’s address was when Nigerians would begin to experience the benefits of the government’s economic reforms in their homes and communities.

In his Independence Day address, Tinubu said Nigeria had moved from an ‘age of reform’ into an ‘age of prosperity,’ maintaining that his administration had corrected the country’s economic direction and laid the foundation for broad-based prosperity.

The President, however, acknowledged that millions of Nigerians continued to struggle with food costs, school fees, medical bills and transportation expenses.

Reacting to the address, the Lagos PDP said the acknowledgement highlighted the gap between improvements in macroeconomic indicators and the daily experiences of Nigerians.

The party referred to World Bank data showing that Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.2 percent in the first half of 2026, but argued that the growth had yet to translate sufficiently into productive employment or significant poverty reduction.

The World Bank estimated that 69.6 per cent of Nigerians were living below the $4.20-a-day lower-middle-income poverty line in 2025, while 50.8 per cent were living in extreme poverty. It also identified job creation, insecurity, and weak real-income growth among the challenges facing the country.

The PDP said the administration’s claim that Nigeria was entering an era of prosperity should be assessed against measurable improvements in citizens’ living conditions.

It called on the Federal Government to provide clear timelines and targets for reducing food and transportation costs, creating jobs and ensuring that the benefits of economic reforms reached ordinary households.

The party said, ‘Prosperity cannot remain a speech. It must become measurable improvement in the lives of citizens.’

The PDP also criticised what it described as the administration’s continued reference to the economic challenges inherited in 2023.

According to the party, after more than three years in office, the Tinubu administration should take responsibility for the outcomes of its policies while Nigerians assess what the government inherited, what it promised, what it implemented and what citizens can see and feel.

On insecurity, the opposition party said the President’s address did not provide adequate details on measures to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.

It said economic prosperity could not be considered broad-based when farmers were afraid to access their farms, businesses remained exposed to insecurity and families continued to live in fear.

The PDP also called for stronger accountability and institutions capable of earning public confidence.

It said the President’s assertion that Nigeria had ‘corrected its course’ and that the country’s ‘foundations are strong’ should be assessed against measurable outcomes.

The World Bank, while reporting improvements in Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability, has also noted that poverty remains widespread and that growth needs to become faster and more broad-based to accelerate poverty reduction.

The Lagos PDP said its concern was not with economic reform itself but with whether the reforms were delivering inclusive and sustainable prosperity.

‘Nigerians do not need another four years defined primarily by promises of what will eventually happen,’ the party said, insisting that citizens deserved transparent evidence of how government policies were improving their quality of life.

As the 2027 general elections approach, the party said Nigerians would have the opportunity to assess the administration’s record, compare competing programmes and decide through their votes the direction they want the country to take.

‘The Nigerian people, not political rhetoric, must have the final word,’ the party said.

The dispute between a domestic carrier, Xejet, and the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) has entered a critical stage as the latter has withdrawn ground handling services from the airline.

AGHAN said it directed its members to withdraw ground handling services from XeJet Airlines over outstanding debts of about N300 million.

The association said the decision was necessitated by the airline’s alleged failure to honour agreed payment plans, despite repeated efforts by its members to recover the outstanding debts.

Consequently, the withdrawal of handling service adversely affected Xejet, forcing the airline to divert some of the check-in luggage of its passengers on another domestic airline.

A statement jointly signed by AGHAN president Olaniyi Adigun and vice President, Bashir Ahmed, claimed that while several domestic airlines had complied with payment arrangements reached with ground handling companies, XEJet, on the other hand, remained ‘recalcitrant’.

AGHAN threatened that its members would continue to deny services to the airline until its outstanding obligations were settled.

The association added that XEJet’s management had also allegedly failed to engage its members in negotiations over the debts as at Wednesday this week.

‘We decided to direct our members to withdraw services from XEJet Airlines because it has, over time, failed to meet up with its payment plans. Our members have made every effort to ensure that the airline complied, but its management has been recalcitrant,’ it alleged.

‘We can’t continue to operate like this. Why are some companies not willing to pay for services rendered to them? This is intentional. It is affecting our members at all cadres. We need to increase our equipment, while also boosting the welfare of our staff, but we can’t do this when some organisations are not willing to pay for services rendered to them.’

‘As it stands, the company owes our members about N300 million. Hence, we have instructed our members to withdraw services from the airline and this has been complied with 100 per cent, the statement read in part.

The handlers warned that they would take similar action against any other airline that failed to honour agreed payment plans for services rendered.

The group, however, regretted the operational and financial challenges confronting businesses in the aviation sector, but said ground handling companies were also exposed to the same economy.

The latest development followed an earlier seven-day ultimatum issued by the association to some domestic airlines with outstanding debts.

Recall that the association had earlier directed affected airlines to settle at least 75 per cent of their outstanding obligations or risk suspension of ground handling services.

According to the association, the ultimatum followed an executive meeting with its members to address the growing indebtedness of airlines to ground handling companies.

The group said that it suspended the three after some of the affected airlines presented payment plans and commenced steps towards settling their obligations.

XEJet, the association said, failed to comply with the agreed arrangements, leading to the latest directive by AGHAN for its members to withdraw services from the airline

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the development of a framework to allow research and endowment funds belonging to universities to be moved from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to commercial banks of their choice to improve access to the funds and strengthen universities’ capacity to mobilise alternative sources of funding.

Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, said this at the National Advancement Forum 2026, explaining that the move was part of efforts by the Federal Government to give universities greater flexibility in managing funds raised through research grants, endowments and other non-government sources.

He explained that some research and endowment funds were transferred into the TSA before the Tinubu administration, creating difficulties for universities in accessing and utilising the resources.

He said the policy was, therefore, designed to provide universities with greater flexibility and improve confidence in the management and deployment of such funds.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met you halfway. He has given you the leverage and the opportunity to do your jobs well. You must now take advantage of it,’ Alausa told vice-chancellors at the forum.

The minister, however, lamented that many universities had yet to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the administration to diversify their funding sources.

He disclosed that only four of the 68 federal universities were currently making meaningful use of alternative funding opportunities, including research grants, endowments, alumni donations, philanthropy and partnerships with industries.

Alausa described the situation as unacceptable, urging vice-chancellors to make resource mobilisation a central responsibility of their administrations.

‘Government funding is not enough. Universities live, function and excel on blended funding,’ he said.

The minister said universities globally had developed sustainable funding systems by cultivating relationships with alumni, businesses, philanthropists, research funders and other strategic partners to finance laboratories, scholarships, research chairs, innovation programmes and other institutional needs.

He urged Nigerian universities to adopt similar approaches, stressing that their intellectual capital could be deployed to attract substantial resources from the private sector and other funding partners.

Alausa also clarified that the Federal Government was not withdrawing financial support from tertiary institutions, noting that the Tinubu administration had demonstrated commitment to the sector through increased budgetary allocations, infrastructure investments and other interventions.

He said the Federal Government currently bears personnel costs in full, while universities retain 75 per cent of their internally generated revenue and continue to benefit from interventions by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund [TETFund].

‘These provide a strong foundation,’ he said, adding that universities must build on the foundation by developing diversified, sustainable and resilient financing systems.

As part of the new approach to resource mobilisation, Alausa directed that Advancement Offices in all universities should report directly to Vice-Chancellors rather than Registrars.

He also directed that Directors of Advancement should have a minimum five-year internal tenure, renewable where appropriate, to enable them to build and sustain long-term relationships with donors, alumni, industries and philanthropic organisations.

‘Advancement Office operation is a professional job,’ the minister said, describing advancement officers as professional fundraisers who require stability, institutional backing and the confidence of university management.

He further challenged universities to overhaul their alumni engagement systems by developing functional databases and deploying technology to maintain lifelong relationships with graduates in Nigeria and abroad.

According to him, properly managed alumni networks could become dependable sources of long-term institutional support.

The minister disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Nigerian Higher Education Foundation [NHF], would develop a comprehensive national framework for sustainable financing of tertiary institutions.

He said the framework would cover endowment governance, accountability, research grants, Advancement Office structures, alumni giving, industry partnerships, philanthropy incentives, revenue management and transparency.

Alausa warned that universities that failed to broaden their funding base could face difficulties sustaining growth, research and academic excellence.

Katsina State Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda has signed the Katsina State 2027 Appropriation Bill into law, paving the way for the implementation of a ?828.58 billion budget aimed at sustaining development across the state.

Speaking during the signing ceremony held at the Red Chamber of the Katsina Government House on Wednesday, Governor Radda commended the State House of Assembly for the speedy consideration and passage of the bill, describing the lawmakers’ commitment within the limited timeframe as commendable.

The governor explained that the budget followed a transparent three-stage process.

According to him, it began as a people’s budget, was thoroughly defended by ministries, departments and agencies, and was subsequently scrutinised and approved by the State House of Assembly in line with its constitutional responsibility.

Radda urged all implementing agencies to ensure prompt execution of projects and programmes, stressing the need to focus on priority areas that will directly improve the lives of the people.

Earlier, the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Nasiru Daura, formally presented the Appropriation Law to the governor for assent.

He disclosed that the Assembly approved a total budget of ?828,578,844,091.48, comprising ?190,726,262,820.44 for recurrent expenditure and ?637,852,581,271.03 for capital expenditure.

The Speaker reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting the APC-led administration in delivering democratic dividends and called on residents of the state to continue supporting the government to ensure the successful implementation of its development agenda.

Tribune Online reports that in July this year, Radda launched the second statewide ward-level town hall meeting for the collection of citizens’ inputs into the preparation of the 2027 budget, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to participatory governance and people-driven development.

The governor said that many of the projects identified during the first consultations were already being implemented across key sectors.

These, he said, included road infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education, water supply, youth empowerment, social protection, community development and security support.

He also noted that sustainable development could only be achieved through active citizen participation.

To tighten access and documentation at the Pilgrims and Cargo Terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has concluded plans to deploy biometric access control and vehicle tracking at the nation’s gateway.

The move is aimed at reducing congestion, curbing unauthorised access and improving safety and security at the terminal.

The Directorate of Cargo Development and Services, led by its Director, Mr Lekan Thomas, recently engaged key government agencies operating at the terminal to sensitise them to the new access control measures.

The agencies include the Nigeria Customs Service, NDLEA, NAFDAC, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Police EOD, DSS, Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the Federal Produce Inspection Services.

Under the system, only registered, verified and authorised persons, businesses and vehicles will be allowed into designated areas of the terminal.

FAAN’s Integrated Cargo Stakeholder Registry will serve as the main reference for verifying cargo operators, while biometric identification, facial recognition, fingerprint verification and electronic access records will be introduced.

With the arrangements, phase one will also deploy Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and boom barriers on two of the four lanes at Gate One, while CCTV will support monitoring and investigation.

An X-ray scanner for baggage and parcels is also expected to strengthen security screening.

FAAN said the measures are not intended to restrict legitimate cargo operations, but to eliminate unauthorised access, improve accountability and reduce unnecessary human and vehicular movement.

The directorate called on all stakeholders to complete the required registration and documentation ahead of full enforcement, urging continued cooperation among government agencies operating at the terminal.

A coalition of civil society organisations, under the Network of Abuja Left Groups, has called for an independent investigation into alleged financial and procurement irregularities at the National Library of Nigeria, including the reported expenditure of N13 million on budget preparation and administration between 2022 and 2024.

The groups also demanded protection for workers and union activists who they alleged had suffered queries, postings and other forms of victimisation after raising concerns and petitioning relevant authorities over the administration of the institution.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the Network said the National Library, being a public institution responsible for preserving Nigeria’s intellectual and documentary heritage, must be subjected to the highest standards of transparency, accountability and public scrutiny.

The group specifically cited a January 2025 report by The Guardian, which found that N2 million, N4 million and N7 million were allocated respectively for budget preparation and administration in the National Library’s 2022, 2023 and 2024 budgets, totalling N13 million.

The newspaper had also reported that the budget documents covered no more than three pages per year, while another N7 million was proposed for the preparation of the 2026 budget.

The Network said the figures warranted public explanation, particularly against the backdrop of concerns raised by workers about the management of the institution.

It stated: ‘These figures obviously deserve public explanation and scrutiny. It is therefore deeply troubling if, at the same time that questions about public expenditure remain unanswered, workers who demand accountability are allegedly being punished for speaking out.’

The groups further alleged that workers’ representatives had previously submitted petitions to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged corruption, contract inflation and breaches of public procurement procedures at the National Library.

They said some of the workers who participated in the complaints were subsequently subjected to what they described as punitive postings, queries and other acts of victimisation.

According to the Network, the affected workers had sought protection as petitioners and whistleblowers and demanded the withdrawal of the alleged punitive measures.

‘After over two years since the start of the ICPC investigations, our Network insists that allegations supported by documentary complaints simply disappear into bureaucratic files, and whistleblowers who have provided concrete evidence deserve protection,’ it said.

The call comes against the backdrop of a 2025 report that the ICPC was investigating the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library, Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, following a 2023 petition by workers alleging procurement breaches, contract inflation, abuse of office and other irregularities.

The ICPC subsequently confirmed that the matter had been returned for reinvestigation in 2025. The commission also indicated that cases involving four alleged victims of harassment had been communicated to the Federal Ministry of Education for possible protection of the whistleblowers.

However, the National Library had denied allegations of procurement fraud, employment racketeering and victimisation, describing them as a smear campaign by disgruntled individuals seeking to discredit its leadership.

The Network nevertheless demanded that the ICPC and other relevant accountability institutions publicly clarify the status of petitions previously submitted to them and ensure that any outstanding investigations are concluded without interference.

It also called for an immediate halt to all alleged acts of victimisation against workers and union officials who participated in lawful petitions, investigations or trade union activities.

The groups demanded a review of punitive postings, queries and disciplinary actions allegedly connected to the workers’ whistleblowing activities, pending an independent determination of the facts.

They further called for protection for whistleblowers and petitioners, arguing that workers should not be forced to choose between their jobs and their rights to report suspected wrongdoing.

The Network also demanded a transparent audit of major contracts and expenditures of the National Library, particularly projects and transactions that workers had brought to the attention of investigative authorities.

Beyond the financial allegations, the groups expressed concern over the condition of facilities and archival materials at the National Library, urging an independent assessment of the institution’s physical infrastructure and collections.

It said urgent intervention should be taken where books, documents and other national heritage materials were found to be at risk.

The Network urged the Federal Ministry of Education to intervene, arguing that the matter could no longer be treated simply as an internal administrative issue because it involved public funds, workers’ rights and the preservation of Nigeria’s documentary heritage.

It also called on the Federal Government to ensure greater transparency in the governance of the National Library through public reporting of its budgets, procurement, expenditure and institutional performance.

The groups said the National Library ‘is not the private estate of any registrar, librarian, administrator or governing board,’ insisting that it is a public institution established to preserve knowledge for present and future generations.

‘The National Library preserves the memory of Nigeria. It must not become a place where evidence of wrongdoing is buried. Public money belongs to the people. Public institutions belong to the people, and workers who defend those institutions must not be punished for doing so,’ the Network said.

The statement was signed by Omole Ibukun of the Creative Change Centre, Adaramoye Michael Lenin of the Education Rights Campaign, Akande Daniel of The Anti-Imperialist, Nigeria, Salako Kayode of the Save Public Education Campaign, Abdullahi Bilal of the Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights and Hauwa Mustapha.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has donated relief materials worth millions of naira to victims of recent flooding in Akaeze and Ishiagu communities in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The items include bags of rice, beans, and garri; cartons of vegetable oil; foam mattresses; mosquito nets; and women’s clothing.

Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, who received the agency’s management team in Abakaliki on Wednesday, expressed concern over the recurring floods in parts of the state, describing their impact as devastating.

Nwifuru commended NEMA for its prompt intervention to ease the hardship of victims who, according to him, lost their means of livelihood to the disaster.

‘I am grateful to NEMA for this show of concern and this support is something we will never take for granted,’ he said.

The governor expressed optimism that the Federal and Ebonyi State governments would soon find lasting solutions to the flooding problem.

‘As a member of the Economic Council, I am aware we have been making valuable recommendations, and resources have been mapped out to address the menace. I’m sure with the commitment of Mr. President, the issues will be addressed,’ he added.

Nwifuru assured NEMA that the state government would ensure transparency in the distribution of the relief materials and guarantee that they reach genuine victims.

Earlier, the Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr Imam Gariki, told the governor that NEMA’s Enugu Operations Office had conducted an assessment to determine the extent of the damage and the level of Federal Government assistance required.

Gariki appealed to the state government to ensure the prompt distribution of the relief materials directly to the affected residents.

Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Osun, Adewale Adebayo, has assured members of the party that the recent Supreme Court judgment on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 does not affect the party’s structure or operations.

Adebayo gave the assurance in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, amid concerns in political circles over the implications of the apex court’s September 24 judgment for political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment delivered by a seven-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro, restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which had earlier been voided by the Court of Appeal.

The provisions govern political parties’ membership registers and the nomination of candidates. Sections 77(5) to (7) require parties to rely on the membership register submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 21 days before primaries, congresses or conventions, while Section 84(2) provides for direct primaries or consensus as methods of nominating candidates.

The judgment followed an appeal by INEC against an earlier Court of Appeal decision which had struck down the provisions after a challenge by the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Adebayo, however, said the ruling had no adverse effect on the APM, urging members to remain calm, united and focused on the party’s programmes.

He said, ‘The judgement does not affect the structure, operations and legitimacy of the APM in Osun and across the country.’

According to him, the party remains intact and is fully prepared for the 2027 elections.

He said the APM was working to secure victory for its presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, as well as its candidates for the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate.

Adebayo added that the party had put strategies in place to strengthen its grassroots presence across the local government areas of Osun State.

He urged members to intensify mobilisation and remain focused, rather than being distracted by what he described as rumours or misinterpretations of the Supreme Court judgment.

‘We are not affected by the Supreme Court judgement. Our party is intact and we are more determined than ever to deliver for our presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, and all our candidates in the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate in 2027,’ he said.

The Supreme Court judgment has generated discussion over the practical implications of the restored provisions for political parties and candidates preparing for the 2027 elections, although reports indicate that the ruling did not automatically invalidate nominations already concluded.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has acknowledged the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, saying rising food, transportation and other living costs have placed pressure on households across the country.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Thursday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, during the state’s 66th National Independence Day Parade, where he reflected on Nigeria’s journey since independence, including the civil war, years of military rule, economic difficulties and political upheavals.

The governor said Nigeria’s ability to overcome decades of challenges and sustain 27 consecutive years of constitutional democracy demonstrated the resilience of its people. He stressed that despite the difficulties, the country had remained united under one flag.

Sanwo-Olu, who took the salute during a parade involving the Nigeria Police Force, paramilitary agencies and students, also highlighted the historical significance of Onikan to Nigeria’s independence. He recalled that the Union Jack was lowered and the Nigerian flag raised nearby at midnight on October 1, 1960, marking the country’s independence from British colonial rule.

The governor said the priority now should be to ensure that the gains expected from ongoing economic reforms translate into improved living conditions for citizens. While acknowledging the difficulties faced by households, he urged Nigerians to remain committed to building a stronger and more prosperous country.

Turning to Lagos, Sanwo-Olu described the state as a microcosm of Nigeria and highlighted his administration’s investments in transportation, healthcare, education and digital governance. He cited the Blue and Red rail lines, road and bridge projects, as well as the expansion of tertiary institutions, among the initiatives undertaken by his administration.

As his tenure approaches its end, the governor said his administration’s priority was to leave behind institutions capable of functioning beyond individual administrations.

He also urged young Nigerians to play an active role in shaping the country’s future through democratic participation, technology, entrepreneurship and other productive endeavours.

Sanwo-Olu called for peaceful participation in the 2027 elections, urging Nigerians to protect the country’s unity and build on the legacy of previous generations. Despite the challenges Nigeria has faced since independence, he said, ‘the flag has never come down.’

Meanwhile, as Nigeria looks ahead to the elections in January 2027, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said no political contest is worth the loss of human life.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the ACF Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, to commemorate the nation’s 66th anniversary of nationhood.

He cautioned that the period leading to the elections, as well as the period immediately after them, could be tense and potentially hazardous.

‘I therefore urge all citizens, particularly our youths, to exercise restraint and avoid locations, gatherings and incidents that are known or reasonably suspected to be trouble-prone.

‘No political contest is worth the loss of a human life. Let us reject violence, inflammatory rhetoric, provocation and the destruction of lives and property.’

The ACF leader noted that differences of political opinion should never become reasons for hatred, violence or the destruction of communities.

According to him, ‘The strength of any society lies not merely in its numbers or resources, but in the quality of its unity, its shared values, its commitment to justice and its willingness to place the common good above narrow personal interests.’

The statement averred that the North must continually remind itself that its diversity should be a source of strength and not a justification for division.

‘Parents, elders and teachers have a profound responsibility in shaping the character and future of our young people.

‘As we commemorate the 66th Anniversary of our nation’s Independence, it is appropriate that we pause to reflect on the state of our nation and, particularly the experiences of our people across the various geographical locations of Nigeria.

‘Many of our people continue to suffer from natural disasters, insecurity, displacement, economic hardship, poverty and multifaceted forms of deprivation.

‘These challenges have disrupted economic activities, closed schools, separated families and, in many instances, broken homes and destroyed livelihoods,’ the statement lamented.