Category: Nigerian Tribune

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, on Wednesday, formally welcomed Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni as the unit’s 30th Acting Comptroller, even as Comptroller Gambo Aliyu retired from the Service after a distinguished tenure.

The handing-over ceremony was held at the unit’s conference hall and brought together friends, colleagues and well-wishers of both the incoming and outgoing Comptrollers.

Also in attendance were Acting Customs Area Controllers of the Port and Terminal Multipurpose Limited (PTML), Ogun 1 Area Command, and the Enugu/Ebonyi/Anambra Command, among other senior officers and stakeholders.

In his inaugural address, Deputy Comptroller Afeni pledged ‘purposeful, professional and accountable leadership’ in furtherance of the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.

He expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Service’s management team.

The Acting Comptroller said his administration would pursue ‘intelligence-led enforcement’, block revenue leakages, and protect Nigeria’s economic and security interests.

He emphasised that enforcement activities would be ‘firm, lawful and respectful of human dignity’, while legitimate trade would be facilitated through constructive engagement with traders, manufacturers, importers, exporters, customs brokers and other stakeholders.

He also called for stronger collaboration with sister security and law-enforcement agencies to combat trans-border crimes, including the illicit movement of drugs, arms, currencies, counterfeit goods and other prohibited items.

He pledged attention to officers’ welfare, professional development, institutional discipline, and regular sporting activities to promote fitness, teamwork and work-life balance.

In his handing-over address, the immediate past Comptroller of the unit, retired Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, expressed gratitude and humility, marking the occasion as a formal transfer of leadership while reflecting on the responsibilities and challenges of commanding the unit.

He noted that his administration focused on combating smuggling, revenue fraud, concealment, under-declaration, false declaration, and the movement of prohibited goods.

Highlighting major operational successes, he reported the interception of 779 smuggling attempts involving items such as: Over 20,900 bags of foreign parboiled rice; 61 used vehicles;

Thousands of used compressors and clothing items; Foreign poultry products; 4,418 jerrycans of vegetable oil; 12,606 parcels of cannabis weighing 6,194.3kg; 2.30kg of cocaine; Over 3,000 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (76,505 litres); and 22 elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg. These and other seizures had a total duty-paid value of ?13,075,056,616.00.

On revenue recovery, Comptroller Aliyu reported remarkable performance between 10 December 2025 and 24 September 2026, with the unit recovering ?3,192,511,547.52-representing 798% of its ?400 million annual target for 2026, and a 776% increase over the ?411,451,901.18 recovered in the same period in 2025.

He attributed these achievements to ‘enhanced risk profiling, stricter compliance checks, targeted introspection into suspicious declarations, teamwork, professionalism and collaboration with sister agencies and stakeholders’, stressing that ‘no enforcement agency can succeed in isolation’.

Concluding his address, he welcomed and congratulated his successor, assuring him of a strong operational foundation and charging him to ‘lead with fairness, firmness, courage and sound judgment’.

He thanked the officers for their loyalty, discipline and resilience, and prayed for the success of the new leadership, the continued growth of the Nigeria Customs Service, and the security of Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu has called for increased local production, urging Nigerians to produce more goods, strengthen agriculture and build businesses capable of competing in the global market.

Tinubu made the call in his Independence Day address to the nation on Thursday, as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary of independence.

The President said his administration was prioritising jobs, enterprise and industrial growth, stressing the need to turn Nigeria’s large youthful population into an engine of production.

‘I want to see more Nigerians making things. I want to see more Nigerian farms feeding our cities and supplying our factories. I want to see Nigerian businesses selling Nigerian goods to the whole world. I want young Nigerians building unicorns and creating opportunities for others here at home.

‘I am also conscious that millions of our fellow citizens cannot wait for tomorrow. Some Nigerian families still struggle today for the next meal, the next school fee, the next medical bill, or simply enough money to get to work.

‘Their circumstances did not begin with the reforms of the last three years. Their struggle is the accumulated consequence of decades of low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient opportunity, and institutions that too often failed those who needed them most.

‘We cannot erase in four years what accumulated over generations. But we can change its course. We can build an economy that steadily lifts people out of poverty while ensuring that those who remain vulnerable are not abandoned along the way.

‘That is why we are strengthening direct support for the poorest households and improving the National Social Register so that assistance reaches those who genuinely need it.

‘It is why the Nigerian Education Loan Fund is ensuring that the child of a low-income family need not surrender the dream of higher education simply because his parents cannot afford the fees.

‘It is why CREDICORP is giving working Nigerians access to consumer credit, allowing people to acquire vehicles, solar systems, digital devices, and other essential assets without first having to accumulate years of savings.

‘That is why, working with our states and local governments, we will continue to strengthen primary healthcare, basic education, and the essential public services poorer Nigerians depend on most.

‘Since 2023, we have paid salaries and pensions on time and in full. We have reformed the national pension programme to benefit retirees and the vulnerable.

‘These programmes are not substitutes for prosperity. They are a bridge to aid our nation’s citizens on their path towards it. Our objective is not to manage poverty more efficiently.

‘We will defeat it.

‘It will take time. It will require discipline. It will require sustained growth year after year and the creation of millions of productive opportunities across our country.’

The Lagos State government says it is implementing a pound 410 million Omi-Eko project to establish a modern, integrated public inland waterways transportation system.

Special Adviser on Blue Economy to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, disclosed this recently at the 2026 Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) summit, in Lagos.

Emmanuel said the project was designed to complement the state’s urban mobility system, improve connectivity for waterfront communities and expand access to economic opportunities.

He said more than 540,000 people currently lived in waterfront communities, with many depending on water transport for mobility, livelihoods and economic activities.

According to him, congestion, rising transport costs, limited road space, environmental concerns and inadequate connectivity informed the state’s decision to strengthen water transportation.

‘Water transport can provide alternative corridors and reduce journey times, citing the Ikorodu-Falomo route as an example.

‘The journey from Ikorodu to Falomo, which can take more than one hour by road, could be completed in about 25 to 30 minutes by water,” he stated.

He said the state was strengthening regulation, safety oversight, ferry terminal development, navigation, professional standards and stakeholder engagement to support the sector.

The special adviser added that public awareness was important, as some residents remained reluctant to use water transportation because of fear and limited familiarity with waterways.

He said the Omi-Eko project followed a two-year pre-feasibility study conducted with support from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

‘The pound 410 million project involves the European Investment Bank, AFD, European Union and Lagos State Government, with financing comprising loans, grants and counterpart funding.

‘The European Investment Bank will provide pound 170 million, AFD pound 130 million, the European Union pound 60 million grant and Lagos State Government pound 40 million.

‘The remaining pound 10 million is expected from private-sector participation, particularly investment in the ticketing system,” he said.

He said the five-year project would establish 15 structured ferry routes, dredge about 140 kilometres of waterways, upgrade 25 ferry terminals and provide 78 modern electric ferries.

Emmanuel said the vessels would carry up to 440 passengers, while the project would provide passenger facilities, fleet maintenance infrastructure, improved navigation channels and climate-resilient infrastructure.

He said a Vessel Industry Transition Programme was being developed to integrate informal-sector operators into the emerging formal water transportation system through integration or buyout arrangements.

The special adviser stressed that safety remained the foundation of the programme, with emphasis on regulatory enforcement, crew competence, vessel standards and emergency preparedness.

Suspected political thugs have allegedly attacked the campaign office of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election, Hon. Frank Uyi Omosigho, in Benin.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, with campaign posters, banners, and other materials allegedly destroyed during the attack.

A visit by the Nigerian Tribune to the campaign office located along Stadium Road in Benin on Thursday revealed visible signs of destruction, with several campaign materials pulled down and damaged.

Reacting to the incident, Hon. Omosigho, who represents Oredo East Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, said community members alerted him to the attack, prompting him to visit the office at about 11 pm

He said he met youths at the premises who complained that unknown persons had arrived at the office and destroyed the campaign materials.

‘My appeal to youths is not to allow politicians to use them to perpetrate violence or other illegal acts. Anyone caught violating the law would face the consequences.

‘The campaign materials were meant to introduce candidates and political parties to the electorate. The voters had the right to make their choices independently,’ the lawmaker stated.

Omosigho further disclosed that the incident had been reported to the police at Aideyan Police Station. At the same time, the State Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) had also been informed.

He urged his supporters and NDC members to remain calm and continue campaigning peacefully, saying the incident would not deter the party.

Omosigho further appealed to Nigerians, particularly youths, not to allow themselves to be used to perpetrate electoral violence, urging them to vote for candidates based on their programmes and capacity to represent the people.

The lawmaker further alleged the destruction of his campaign posters and billboards in parts of Oredo ahead of the 2027 general election.

He claimed that some of his campaign materials had been pulled down in different locations, including Stadium Road, Oguola, Oliha, Five Junction and Ekenwan Road.

The Public Relations Officer of Edo State Police Commander, ASP. Eno Ikoedem, could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on the Federal Government to fully implement the 2026 agreement reached with the union and settle all outstanding financial obligations arising from the pact, including arrears.

SSANU, in an Independence Day message signed by its National President, Comrade Mohammad Haruna Ibrahim, said the agreement, which took effect on 1 January 2026, could not be regarded as fully implemented while legitimate entitlements accruing to university workers remained outstanding.

The union, which made the demand as Nigeria marked its 66th Independence Anniversary yesterday, urged the Federal Government to release the necessary funds to universities and inter-university centres to enable them to implement both the financial and non-financial provisions of the agreement.

‘The Agreement took effect from 1st January 2026, although it was formally signed on 29th June 2026, and the financial obligations arising from the effective date, including all outstanding arrears, must therefore be addressed,’ Ibrahim stated.

According to him, ‘implementation cannot be regarded as complete while legitimate entitlements accruing to workers remain outstanding.’

SSANU also called on state governments to ensure that workers in state-owned universities were not denied negotiated improvements in their conditions of service because of the ownership of the institutions.

‘Collective bargaining has meaning only when agreements freely entered into are faithfully implemented,’ the union president said.

The demand came against the backdrop of what SSANU described as mounting economic pressure on Nigerian workers and their families, with the rising costs of food, transportation, electricity, housing, healthcare and education continuing to put pressure on household incomes.

The union said the significance of Nigeria’s 66 years of political independence should ultimately be measured by improvements in the daily lives of citizens, particularly workers who depend on their wages to meet basic household needs.

It argued that while official economic indicators might record improvements in some areas, such gains would have limited meaning if workers could not afford basic necessities.

‘For independence to have its full meaning, this enormous potential must translate into improved living conditions, including security, decent work, quality education, affordable healthcare, food security and a dignified standard of living for all Nigerians,’ SSANU said.

The union added that ‘a salary that cannot adequately provide food, shelter, transportation, healthcare and education for a worker and his or her family is steadily losing its real value irrespective of the figure written on a payslip.’

It therefore urged governments at all levels to pursue policies capable of reducing the cost of living, protecting workers’ purchasing power and strengthening domestic production.

SSANU further warned against a situation where workers were continually asked to bear the burden of economic adjustment while waste, excessive expenditure and inefficiency persisted in public administration.

‘Workers must not continually be called upon to make sacrifices while waste, excessive expenditure and inefficiency remain visible in public administration,’ the union said, insisting that responsible and prudent governance must also reflect the sacrifices expected of the people.

On the university system, SSANU called for renewed commitment to public education, arguing that universities remained critical instruments of national development and social mobility.

The association demanded sustainable and predictable funding for Nigerian universities to address inadequate electricity, obsolete equipment, insufficient laboratories, weak digital infrastructure, deteriorating facilities and limited support for research and staff development.

It also stressed that the contributions of non-academic personnel must receive due recognition, noting that university operations depended on workers in the registry, bursary, audit, library, ICT, health, security, engineering, works, laboratories and other professional and administrative units.

‘University education must be treated as an investment in the country’s future, with transparency and accountability in the use of resources,’ the union stated.

SSANU also raised concerns over insecurity and its impact on education, agriculture and food production, calling for stronger intelligence gathering, improved community engagement, modern security technology and better-equipped security agencies.

The union said schools and universities must be adequately protected to enable staff and students to work and learn without fear, while farmers should have access to security, affordable inputs, finance, infrastructure and reliable transportation.

It further urged the government to strengthen the link between university research and practical solutions in agriculture, biotechnology, engineering, climate science and food technology, saying such collaboration could boost productivity and reduce dependence on imports.

On governance, SSANU called for stronger institutions, transparency, respect for the rule of law and responsible management of public resources.

It said citizens had a right to know that resources entrusted to government were being used for the public good, while public officials should recognise that leadership was a responsibility rather than a privilege detached from the realities confronting ordinary Nigerians.

As the country approaches the 2027 general elections, the association also urged political parties, candidates, electoral institutions, security agencies and citizens to conduct themselves responsibly and peacefully.

It called for an electoral process free from violence, ethnic division, religious hostility and intimidation, stressing that workers should be free to scrutinise the policies, programmes and records of those seeking public office and make their choices according to their own judgement and conscience.

According to SSANU, Nigeria needs an electoral discourse centred on security, employment, education, healthcare, the economy, infrastructure, workers’ welfare and the future of young people.

The union, however, said the challenges confronting the country were not beyond solution, urging responsible leadership, strong institutions, fairness for workers and a citizenry committed to building a peaceful and prosperous nation.

Ibrahim said SSANU would continue to defend the legitimate rights and welfare of its members, demand faithful implementation of agreements reached with government, protect accessible and properly funded public education, and promote professionalism and quality within the Nigerian university system.

‘Political independence must ultimately translate into economic security, social justice, quality public services and a life of dignity for the Nigerian people,’ he said.

Nigeria’s sporting story is not defined only by the trophies that slipped away or the major tournaments the country failed to reach.

For 66 years, Nigerian athletes and teams have also produced some historic sporting moments that have brought the country international recognition, broken records and created memories that have endured across generations.

Football has provided some of the biggest celebrations, from the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumphs to the Dream Team’s Olympic gold, but the country’s sporting achievements stretch far beyond the pitch.

From Atlanta to Oregon, from the Paralympic Games to the Commonwealth stage, Nigerian athletes have repeatedly shown that the country’s sporting talent extends across several disciplines.

Here are six historic sporting moments that stand out.

Atlanta 1996: The Dream Team and Ajunwa

The 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta remain one of the defining moments in Nigerian sports history.

The country’s football team won gold in the men’s tournament after one of the most memorable runs in Olympic football.

The Dream Team came from behind to defeat Brazil 4-3 in the semi-final after extra time before overcoming Argentina 3-2 in the final.

The victory made Nigeria the first African country to win Olympic gold in men’s football.

The team featured several players who would go on to become major figures in Nigerian football, including Nwankwo Kanu, Jay-Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh, Victor Ikpeba and Emmanuel Amunike.

Atlanta also produced another historic moment for Nigeria.

Chioma Ajunwa won gold in the women’s long jump, becoming the first Nigerian to win an individual Olympic gold medal.

Her leap of 7.12m secured the title and added another landmark to an unforgettable Games for Nigeria.

The two achievements made Atlanta 1996 much more than a football story.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has hailed the remarkable strides and progress the state has made 30 years after it was created by the administration of the late former military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

Oyebanji, in a statewide broadcast to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the state, said although it had encountered many challenges and unpleasant experiences within the period, its people had reasons to celebrate the three-decade milestone because of the remarkable progress recorded across various indices of development.

The governor noted that despite being among the last set of states to be created in the country and receiving one of the lowest allocations from the Federation Account, ‘Ekiti leads its contemporaries and many before it, including far richer states, in critical matrices of human development.’

Ekiti State was created on 1 October 1996 by the late Gen. Abacha, during a broadcast to mark the nation’s 36th Independence anniversary, alongside Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Gombe, Nasarawa and Zamfara states, which took the number of states in Nigeria from 30 to 36.

The feat was achieved after years of an epic struggle by eminent citizens of the state, among whom were traditional rulers, legal luminaries, politicians, senior bureaucrats, captains of industry and community leaders under the aegis of a body known as the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State.

Speaking during the broadcast, Oyebanji pointed out that many people did not give Ekiti a chance of being created as a state as it stood against ‘more formidable contenders from the South-West geopolitical zone’, but the governor ascribed the glory to God for making the creation of the state possible against all odds.

According to him, the creation of the state 30 years ago, 120 years after the Kiriji War, completed an epic struggle for independence started by Ekiti forebears during the liberation war of 1877 to 1893.

He congratulated all Ekiti sons and daughters, as well as people from other parts of the world who had made Ekiti their home, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary.

The governor paid tribute to members of the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State, led by its Chairman, Chief Oladeji Fasuan; legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; and other monarchs whom he described as ‘incubators of the state creation struggle’. He also lauded the patriotic sacrifices of the heroes and heroines of the struggle who had joined their ancestors.

Oyebanji said it was heartwarming that, as the then Secretary of the Committee for Ekiti State Creation, through the grace of God and the benevolence of Ekiti people, he was now in the saddle as Governor of the state as it turned 30, describing the experience as ‘very humbling’.

He equally paid glowing tributes to all his predecessors in office: Col. Inua Bawa, Navy Capt. Atanda Yusuf, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Ayo Fayose, Chief Segun Oni and Dr Kayode Fayemi, as well as leaders who served during interregnums, including Chief Friday Aderemi, Brig.-Gen. Tunji Olurin, Hon. Tope Ademiluyi and Hon. Tunji Odeyemi. He also acknowledged all former Deputy Governors and former heads of the legislature and judiciary.

Oyebanji restated the commitment of his administration to the ideals of the founding fathers that inspired the creation of the state, stressing that ‘the vision of the founding fathers was to have a state where Ekiti people can utilise their God-given natural and human resources in the most efficient, effective and inclusive manner, for the prosperity of our people’.

He pointed out that the state’s founding fathers envisioned ‘an industrialised Ekiti, where private-sector capital is at the centre of the economic nervous system of the state and where enterprise and productivity are the pillars of prosperity’.

While unveiling the theme of the anniversary, ‘Ekiti at 30: Celebrating the Past and Creating the Future’, the governor disclosed that his administration had decided to use the 30th anniversary as the launchpad for a 30-year Transformation Agenda.

The agenda, according to him, will make Ekiti a leading centre of agricultural production and agro-processing, innovation and technology development, quality and functional education, research and skills development, tourism, culture and creative economy, youth entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

To achieve the vision, the governor said a conversation with Ekiti youths on 7 October 2026 at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic and Convention Centre, Ado Ekiti, would be staged with the intention of achieving three important things: to remember with gratitude, to assess the present with honesty, and to approach the future with confidence and determination.

He said: ‘Our agenda is therefore to work aggressively to ensure that the socio-economic infrastructure we have built in these 30 years leads to real economic growth that produces quality employment, crystallises productivity, supports enterprise and enhances quality of life.

‘For example, the ongoing multi-billion-naira Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) project is a technological park and economic ecosystem to support the innovative and creative ingenuity of our young population.

‘It is our dream that in another three decades, the tag of Ekiti as a ‘civil service’ state will have yielded to Ekiti as a ‘Tech Hub in Nigeria’ and a major commercial centre for international trade and commerce.

‘This is our promise, and we are resolutely committed to it. The Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) will also take off soon. These two projects, upon completion, will transform the economic outlook of the state and drive our government’s Shared Prosperity Agenda.’

The governor urged the people of the state to troop out en masse during the 16 January 2027 presidential election and use their votes to re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in appreciation of the benevolence, support and favour Ekiti had enjoyed under his presidency since 2023.

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.

Taraba Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, has approved a total of N2.5 billion in intervention funds to cushion prevailing economic hardship among vulnerable households, boost youth empowerment, and accelerate recovery in communities hit by communal crises.

The governor announced the approvals on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during his statewide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

While exercising his constitutional powers under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) upon the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, Kefas also granted executive pardons to 24 reformed prison inmates.

Breaking down the N2.5 billion intervention, the governor explained that N500 million has been earmarked for the six-month TARABA CARES Social Investment and Poverty Relief Programme running from October 2026 to March 2027, aimed strictly at supporting indigent households, widows, persons with disabilities, and the elderly without political bias.

He also announced an additional N1 billion injection into the Taraba State Youth Development Agency to finance vocational skills and enterprise support, alongside another N1 billion intervention fund dedicated to rebuilding livelihoods and providing relief materials to crisis-affected communities in Karim Lamido Local Government Area and other affected parts of the state.

Kefas said: ‘Independence must mean that a poor family’s child can access quality education, a pregnant woman can enter a clinic without fear, and our farmers can reach markets profitably.

‘Leadership must be measured by what it does for the people. These three interventions represent N2.5 billion in approved funding. Every single naira must serve its intended purpose, and the implementing agencies will publicly account for every kobo.’

On infrastructure and the prolonged hardship trailing the collapsed Namnai Bridge along the Jalingo-Wukari federal highway, Governor Kefas issued a seven-day ultimatum to the State Ministry of Works and the Secretary to the State Government to engage the North East Development Commission, NEDC, the Federal Ministry of Regional Development, and the contractor for a realistic completion timetable.

‘The people do not need another speech about Namnai Bridge; they need a safe, completed bridge. Repeated assurances without visible progress are no longer enough,’ he said.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the state’s debt profile, the governor noted that he

welcomes responsible scrutiny, accountability and fact-based criticism but rejects the use of incomplete figures and distorted records to frighten the public.

He said: ‘Borrowing is not automatically evidence of failure; what matters is whether it is lawful, affordable, transparent, and invested productively. Our books must be open to lawful scrutiny, and I take full responsibility for our financial decisions.’

Kefas also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government over Nigeria’s September 17, 2026 victory at the International Chamber of Commerce arbitration tribunal, which cleared legal hurdles stalling the multi-billion-dollar Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.

He, however, noted that Taraba will not depend solely on the federal dam, directing the State Electricity Commission to open up the state’s intrastate power market to credible mini-hydro and solar investors under the Electricity Act 2023.

Other key policy announcements in the broadcast included the planned rollout of the Taraba Teachers’ Welfare, Professionalisation and Housing Programme in 2027, the unveiling of the 168-Ward Quick Impact Development Programme before the end of October 2026, and an upcoming multi-stakeholder summit on October 3 to regulate artisanal mining against environmental pollution, mercury poisoning, and child labour.

Suspected political thugs have allegedly attacked the campaign office of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election, Hon. Frank Uyi Omosigho, in Benin.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, with campaign posters, banners, and other materials allegedly destroyed during the attack.

A visit by the Nigerian Tribune to the campaign office located along Stadium Road in Benin on Thursday revealed visible signs of destruction, with several campaign materials pulled down and damaged.

Reacting to the incident, Hon. Omosigho, who represents Oredo East Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, said community members alerted him to the attack, prompting him to visit the office at about 11 pm

He said he met youths at the premises who complained that unknown persons had arrived at the office and destroyed the campaign materials.

‘My appeal to youths is not to allow politicians to use them to perpetrate violence or other illegal acts. Anyone caught violating the law would face the consequences.

‘The campaign materials were meant to introduce candidates and political parties to the electorate. The voters had the right to make their choices independently,’ the lawmaker stated.

Omosigho further disclosed that the incident had been reported to the police at Aideyan Police Station. At the same time, the State Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) had also been informed.

He urged his supporters and NDC members to remain calm and continue campaigning peacefully, saying the incident would not deter the party.

Omosigho further appealed to Nigerians, particularly youths, not to allow themselves to be used to perpetrate electoral violence, urging them to vote for candidates based on their programmes and capacity to represent the people.

The lawmaker further alleged the destruction of his campaign posters and billboards in parts of Oredo ahead of the 2027 general election.

He claimed that some of his campaign materials had been pulled down in different locations, including Stadium Road, Oguola, Oliha, Five Junction and Ekenwan Road.

The Public Relations Officer of Edo State Police Commander, ASP. Eno Ikoedem, could not be reached at the time of filing this report.