Category: Nigerian Tribune

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has challenged political parties to translate promises into concrete action to improve women’s participation in politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Commission made the call on Wednesday, 9th September 2026, during a strategic engagement with party leaders, female candidates, civil society organisations, development partners and the media at Rockview Hotel Royale, Abuja.

Speaking on behalf of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, National Commissioner, Prof. Rhoda Gumus, said a democracy that mobilises women as voters but offers limited pathways to leadership has not fully realised its representative potential.

‘A democracy that mobilises women as voters but provides limited pathways for them to become political leaders is yet to fully realise its representative potential.

‘The question before us is not simply about participation in one electoral cycle, but about the character, inclusiveness and long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s democracy,’ she said.

Prof. Gumus noted that women remain a major part of the electorate. In the 2023 General Election, she said, 44,414,846 of the 93,469,008 registered voters, or 47.52 per cent, were women.

She added that women also formed the majority of new registrants in the third phase of the 2027 Continuous Voter Registration as of July 26, 2026. Of the 3,867,997 persons who completed registration, 2,037,589 were women, representing 52.68 per cent.

However, she said this numerical strength is not reflected in candidacy and elective office.

Citing 2023 data, she stated that only 1,556 of 15,331 candidates for major elective positions, or 10.15 percent, were women. Just three women were elected to the Senate and 16 to the House of Representatives, representing 2.8 percent and 4.4 per cent, respectively.

‘A substantial gap exists between women’s participation as voters and their participation as political leaders,’ she said.

Prof. Gumus urged parties to provide practical support to female candidates in areas such as access to party structures, campaign platforms, media visibility, fundraising, mentoring, logistics, security and grassroots mobilisation.

‘The participation of women is not a favour to women. It is a democratic imperative,’ she said, calling for a shift ‘from commitment to action, from aspiration to implementation.’

The Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, represented by the Director of Gender and Inclusivity, Lakunuya Dorothy Bello, said advancing women’s political participation requires collective action.

She noted that political parties, as the main vehicles for elective office, bear direct responsibility through their policies and internal processes.

Seven objectives were outlined for the engagement, including securing measurable commitments from parties, ensuring equitable access to campaign resources, increasing visibility for female candidates, and strengthening protection against violence and harassment.

Deputy Director, Gender Relations, Mrs. Hembadoon Akaayar, who presented the objectives, said INEC expects ‘practical and measurable commitments from participating political parties rather than general expressions of goodwill.’

In a keynote address, former INEC Director and ex-Edo Attorney General, Oluwole Osaze-Uzi, Esq., said Nigeria lags behind other countries in women’s representation. While women make up about 50 percent of the population and electorate, they hold only about 5 percent of seats in the National Assembly, and no woman has been elected President or Governor.

He cited examples from Rwanda, Senegal, Namibia and South Africa where quotas and political will have improved representation, and recommended stronger legal frameworks, dedicated campaign funding for women, mentorship, and zero tolerance for intimidation and harassment.

INEC urged all parties to use the engagement to make specific commitments to female candidates ahead of 2027, stressing that women who constitute almost half the electorate should also have fair opportunities in leadership.

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has said he will not join the All Progressives Congress (APC) because doing so would require him to work for the incumbent governor of the state, Hyacinth Alia, whom he accused of poor performance.

Ortom, however, declared that he would continue to support President Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition in 2027 while remaining a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and backing the party’s governorship candidate in Benue State, Titus Uba.

The former governor stated this while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, explaining his seemingly conflicting political positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, his political decisions were based on the performance of individual leaders rather than strict party affiliation.

‘If I join APC now, you want me to work for Governor Alia? I will not do it. But the President is doing well. This is the difference of what some of you believe,’ Ortom said.

He said he remained a PDP member and acknowledged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as his national political leader, but maintained that he had no regrets supporting Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

‘You will recall that in 2023 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made Wike Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, in his reception in Port Harcourt, even before Wike or any other member of the G5, I came out and said that we will support Tinubu because we know his antecedent and he can bring reforms that will transform this country,’ he said.

‘I have not changed. I’m seeing the same Samuel Ortom and I’m saying that I’m supporting Bola Ahmed Tinubu for president. But when it comes to governorship, because of the dismal performance of the current governor, I support PDP members.’

Ortom said his support for Tinubu was informed by what he described as the President’s economic and infrastructural reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and ongoing road and bridge projects in Benue.

He cited the Abuja-Makurdi-9th Mile road, a flyover in Makurdi and the bridge between Buruku and Gboko as examples of projects being undertaken by the Federal Government.

‘Today, in Nigeria, we’re having different reforms, reforms in security, reforms in several aspects of life in this country, and we are already seeing the result that they are positive,’ he said.

The former governor also criticised the Alia administration over the payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, arguing that the increased revenue accruing to states should have enabled Benue to clear outstanding liabilities.

Ortom recalled that he inherited arrears of salaries, pensions and gratuities when he assumed office in 2015, but said the situation should have improved under the present administration because of increased federal allocations to states.

He claimed that Benue remained the only state still struggling to clear such arrears, urging the state government to account for the resources it had received.

On the recent disruption of Peter Obi’s visit to Benue, Ortom condemned the incident, saying the Labour Party presidential candidate should have been allowed to visit the state and sympathise with victims of the recent attacks.

‘I condemn what happened yesterday. It is wrong not to allow Peter Obi to visit Benue and sympathise with those people whose people were killed. That is what he came here to do,’ he said.

Ortom also alleged that Governor Alia was involved in the incident, despite the state government’s denial and the police announcement that several suspects had been arrested.

He urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation and prosecute those found culpable, warning that failure to enforce the law could encourage citizens to resort to self-help.

‘I am happy I just heard from you that the police have said they arrested some people. They should do thorough investigation. But let it not be that innocent people were arrested, and at the end, nothing comes out of it,’ Ortom said.

He insisted that his political position was not contradictory, arguing that politicians should support leaders who perform well regardless of their party.

‘For me, politics should be about leadership. And leadership should be about delivering basic dividends of democracy,’ he said.

The Federal Government has made full payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) to academic staff in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education for the period January to August 2026.

Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, announced this on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Ministerial Committee on Accreditation.

CATA is a financial allowance provided to academic staff to support the purchase of essential tools and materials required for teaching, research and other academic activities.

Alausa said the payment was in accordance with the provisions of the 2025 Federal Government-Academic Staff Union of Universities (FGN/ASUU) agreement and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to its implementation.

He said, ‘The Office of the Minister of Education is happy to announce that the full CATA payment has now been released by the Federal Government from January to August 2026 to all universities, all polytechnics and colleges of education.

‘All these institutions should have received notification to start paying CATA to all academic staff.’

The minister added that payment to non-academic staff was also being processed.

‘And also, the payment to non-academic staff, we’re hoping that these funds will be made available, hopefully, in the next few weeks,’ he said.

According to Alausa, the payment was another indication of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare of academic and non-academic staff in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

‘This is another indication of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to our academic and non-academic staff. President Bola Tinubu made a commitment to ensuring that the quality and welfare of our staff are prioritised. He has prioritised the welfare of our staff,’ he said.

Alausa said the administration’s education reforms extended beyond staff welfare, noting that significant investments were also being made in infrastructure across tertiary institutions, as well as in basic and postgraduate education.

‘Beyond prioritising the welfare of our staff, he has also significantly invested in infrastructure at all our tertiary institutions and also basic and postgraduate education,’ the minister said.

He added that the administration was committed to ensuring that Nigerian children receive quality education that can compete with standards anywhere in the world.

‘This is a President that believes so much in education. He has delivered beyond his promises to ensure that every single child in this country gets the highest quality of education comparable to anywhere in the world,’ Alausa said.

He commended President Tinubu for what he described as a transformative initiative in the education sector.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State has lost its structure in Shawo Central Ward, the home ward of the senator representing Kwara South District, Senator Lola Ashiru, as members of the party formally defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking during the declaration in Offa, the defectors, led by Comrade Ezekiel Adepoju, said they were convinced in the leadership of former Senate President and PDP leader, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

They said the PDP provided a better platform for the political future of Offa and Kwara State.

The development was followed by support from women in the ward, who trooped out in large numbers shortly after the declaration to celebrate the decision.

The women moved through the community in a solidarity rally, chanting traditional local songs and expressing their readiness to work for the success of the PDP at the polls.

In their songs and chants, the women declared their support for Saraki’s leadership and vowed to mobilise voters across the Offa Local Government Area for the PDP in the 2027 elections.

The development is particularly significant as it came from Shawo Central Ward, the political home of Senator Lola Ashiru, and is being viewed within political circles as another indication of the growing contest for grassroots support in Offa ahead of the 2027 elections.

Also in Ilorin, hundreds of members of the APC in the political ward of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq declared their support for the opposition PDP.

Speaking with journalists during the defection, the people, led by Mr Taofeek Mohammed, cited disappointment with the APC administration and growing concerns over the direction of governance in the state.

Mohammed said their decision, coming from the governor’s own political base, sent a political message ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘For a governor who has presented himself as a leader with strong grassroots support, the loss of hundreds of supporters from his own ward raises questions about the performance of his administration and his connection with the people,’ he said.

The people said political strength was not measured by government propaganda or social media claims but by the confidence of the people.

‘When hundreds of people leave a ruling party in the governor’s own backyard and choose the opposition, it becomes difficult to dismiss such a development as an ordinary political movement,’ he said.

The David Omenukor Foundation has launched its 2026 breast and cervical cancer awareness and early detection campaign, providing free mammogram screenings to about 22 underserved and vulnerable women in Mesquite, Texas, United States of America.

Speaking at the event organised in partnership with Methodist Health System, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Dr. Keyna Omenukor, disclosed that the initiative was driven by a commitment to make healthcare accessible and affordable, particularly for women in underserved communities.

She said the campaign goes beyond routine screening, with its broader objective being to save lives, raise awareness and create pathways to preventive healthcare for vulnerable women.

Disclosing that the Foundation was established in 2015 in honour of her late husband, David Omenukor, who died after battling cancer, she stated that her personal experience of losing him inspired the establishment of the organisation and strengthened her resolve to help prevent other families from suffering the consequences of delayed diagnosis.

She warned that cancer remains a serious and potentially deadly disease, particularly when detected at an advanced stage, adding that ‘fear, stigma, financial hardship and inadequate awareness’ are some of the factors discouraging women from seeking timely medical attention.

According to her, mobile mammography units could provide a cost-effective solution for reaching women in remote and rural communities where access to specialised healthcare remains limited, adding, ‘We are welcoming government agencies and NGOs to collaborate with us. We must go beyond our foundation, and anyone can reach out to us through our website. We have a solid place where we can start, and the earlier we start, the more lives will be saved’.

Speaking further, she said, ‘Our goal is not merely to offer a one-time screening, but to build a compassionate, sustainable lifeline that reaches the most neglected corners of the world. We will not rest until quality, life-saving cancer care is accessible, affordable, and equitable for every single woman, everywhere.’

While urging women not to allow embarrassment or fear to jeopardise their health, advising them to seek medical attention whenever they notice unusual changes, lumps or other warning signs, she said, ‘This campaign is not just about awareness; it’s about saving lives. Cancer does not wait, and neither should we. I urge every woman to make regular screenings an absolute priority and pay immediate attention to their health before it is too late.’.

Dr Omenuko stressed that the Foundation is pursuing an ambitious humanitarian vision to establish a state-of-the-art cancer screening and treatment centre in Nigeria, where it has already acquired land for the project and that there is the need for stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, private-sector organisations, non-governmental organisations, healthcare institutions and diaspora groups to expand access to advanced cancer screening equipment and services.

According to her, mobile mammography units could provide a cost-effective solution for reaching women in remote and rural communities where access to specialised healthcare remains limited,she said , ‘We are welcoming government agencies and NGOs to collaborate with us. We must go beyond our foundation, and anyone can reach out to us through our website. We have a solid place where we can start, and the earlier we start, the more lives will be saved’.

Describing the Texas outreach as only the beginning of a broader campaign against healthcare inequality, she insisted that poverty should never determine whether an individual receives potentially life-saving cancer care, saying, ‘What we are doing today is just the tip of the iceberg, millions of women in marginalised communities still lack access to basic preventive healthcare.

‘Our annual free breast and cervical cancer screenings are part of our commitment to provide accessible and affordable healthcare for women as well as educate the general public on the most common form of cancer affecting women.

‘This foundation is for women and people in healthcare to get care. It was born in honour of my late husband. If cancer could happen to us, I wonder how other people are passing through it. The foundation was created to encourage people to get screened.

‘Cancer is an extraordinarily dangerous and ruthless disease; it does not wait, it does not negotiate, and it thrives on silence, fear, and delay. When caught late, cancer is a devastating sentence, but it does not have to be. Screening is the ultimate weapon because early detection turns a deadly threat into a preventable, treatable condition.

‘The rate at which women have breast cancer and then stay with it just because they are shy to go to a hospital is worrisome.This campaign is not just about awareness; it’s about saving lives. Cancer does not wait, and neither should we. I urge every woman to make regular screenings an absolute priority and pay immediate attention to their health before it is too late.

‘Our goal is not merely to offer a one-time screening, but to build a compassionate, sustainable lifeline that reaches the most neglected corners of the world. We will not rest until quality, life-saving cancer care is accessible, affordable, and equitable for every single woman, everywhere.’

Speakers at the event in their different remarks expressed concern over the continued prevalence of late-stage cancer presentations, attributing the trend partly to stigma, fear and reluctance among women to discuss breast-related symptoms or seek medical attention.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has congratulated the member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, on his 50th birthday, describing him as a distinguished son of Kano and an accomplished legislator.

The governor said Kofa had demonstrated strong legislative capacity through effective representation, advocacy and initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of his constituents.

This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, a copy made available to press in Kano

Governor Yusuf commended Kofa’s performance in the National Assembly, where he had served as chairman of several committees, including Finance, Appropriations, Transport and Foreign Affairs, and currently chairs the Committee on Housing and Habitat.

He also acknowledged the lawmaker’s contributions to the housing sector and national development during his service at the Federal Housing Authority.

According to the governor, Kofa’s commitment to grassroots development was particularly commendable, noting his various empowerment programmes targeting youths, women, farmers, entrepreneurs and vulnerable members of society.

He said the lawmaker’s interventions, including the provision of working tools, business support, vocational training, educational assistance and agricultural initiatives, had created opportunities for many constituents to improve their livelihoods.

‘You are a fine lawmaker who has demonstrated effective representation of your people. Your empowerment and human development initiatives for the people of Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency are remarkable and worthy of emulation,’ Yusuf said.

The governor further described Kofa as a public servant who had successfully combined his legislative responsibilities with direct engagement with the grassroots, ensuring that the concerns and needs of his constituents received attention.

He noted that Kofa’s experience as a businessman, lecturer, public servant and legislator had enabled him to make meaningful contributions to national discourse and issues affecting Kano State.

‘Having attained so much at 50, Kano State is proud of you and appreciates your contributions to the development of our state and country,’ the governor added.

Governor Yusuf wished Kofa many more years of good health, happiness and success, while praying that Almighty Allah would grant him the wisdom and strength to continue serving humanity.

He also prayed for greater opportunities for the celebrant to contribute further to the growth and development of Kano State and Nigeria.

For many workers, payday brings a familiar temptation: once the salary arrives, the month’s expenses begin to compete for it.

Rent is waiting. Transport must be paid for. Food has to be bought. There may be school fees, family responsibilities, debt repayments, subscriptions and other obligations. Then there are the things that were not planned for at all.

By the time the next salary arrives, the previous one may have disappeared without the worker being able to clearly explain where all the money went.

Financial planning is not necessarily about earning a very large income. It is about knowing what the available income must accomplish before it arrives and making decisions accordingly.

The starting point is therefore not a complicated investment strategy. It is understanding the money coming in and giving it clear assignments.

Begin with take-home income

The salary to plan around is the amount actually available after applicable deductions, not necessarily the figure stated in an employment contract. Taxes, pension contributions and other deductions can reduce the amount eventually received.

Once the actual monthly income is known, it becomes easier to construct a realistic financial plan. A person earning N250,000 cannot use a budget designed around N400,000 simply because the larger figure sounds more comfortable. The plan must reflect what actually enters the account.

It is also useful to treat irregular income separately. Bonuses, freelance payments and occasional gifts may improve a person’s finances, but depending on uncertain income to cover regular monthly expenses can create problems when that income does not arrive.

List your essential expenses

The next step is to identify the expenses that must be paid regardless of how attractive other spending opportunities may appear.

These could include rent, transportation, food, electricity, water, school fees, debt repayments, insurance and other essential obligations.

Some expenses are monthly, while others occur once or twice a year. Both should be included in the financial plan.

For example, someone who pays annual rent should not wait until the month the rent becomes due before thinking about it.

If N600,000 is required annually, setting aside N50,000 each month creates a clearer path towards the payment than attempting to find the entire amount at once.

Separate needs from wants

Not every expense deserves the same priority.

Food, transportation and housing may be essential, while eating at restaurants, entertainment, shopping and subscriptions may be discretionary. The distinction will differ from one person to another, but making it consciously is important.

This does not mean every non-essential expense should be eliminated. A financial plan that allows no room for enjoyment may be difficult to maintain. The objective is to know which expenses are necessary, which are desirable and which can be postponed when money becomes tight.

Prepare for predictable expenses

Not every unexpected expense is truly unexpected.

School fees, annual subscriptions, vehicle servicing, home repairs, birthdays and some medical or household expenses may not happen every month, but they can often be anticipated.

If they are ignored when preparing a budget, they may later feel like financial emergencies.

A better approach is to create separate savings for expenses that are likely to occur in the future.

Keeping such money separate from everyday spending can also reduce the temptation to use it for unrelated purchases.

Give your savings a purpose

Saving money simply because you have been told to save may not always be enough to maintain the habit.

It can be easier to stay committed when every savings account or contribution has a specific purpose.

For example, money can be set aside for emergencies, rent, education, a business, investment or a major purchase.

This also makes it easier to know when money can and cannot be touched.

The amount saved will depend on the worker’s income and responsibilities. Even when it is difficult to save a large percentage of income, consistently putting aside a manageable amount can help build the habit.

Waiting until the end of the month to save whatever is left may not work because there may be nothing left.

Build an emergency fund gradually

An emergency fund provides a financial buffer when something unexpected happens.

The appropriate size will depend on a person’s circumstances, but the underlying idea is straightforward: money should be available for genuine emergencies without forcing the person to borrow immediately.

An emergency fund does not have to be created in one month. It can be built gradually, with each contribution increasing the amount available to absorb an unexpected expense.

Include debt repayments in your budget

Debt should not be treated as an expense that will be handled with whatever remains after spending.

If you have a loan or other debt, the required repayment should be included in your budget from the beginning.

It is also important to understand the interest and other charges attached to the debt because they can affect how much eventually has to be repaid.

While paying off debt is important, workers should also consider other essential expenses and savings needs rather than directing every naira towards repayment without a broader plan.

The goal should be to reduce debt deliberately rather than allowing it to consume an unpredictable portion of every salary.

Track where your money goes

A budget tells you where your money should go. Tracking tells you where it actually went.

Workers can record their daily expenses using a notebook, spreadsheet or budgeting application.

Small purchases may appear insignificant individually but can become substantial when repeated throughout the month.

Tracking expenses can reveal spending patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed and help identify areas where money can be saved.

Review the budget regularly

A financial plan is not a document that should be prepared once and forgotten.

Transport costs can change. Rent can increase. A new job can alter income. A debt can be cleared. A new financial responsibility can appear. Even everyday spending patterns can change over time.

A monthly review can therefore help determine whether the original plan still reflects reality. Comparing expected spending with actual spending can reveal where money is consistently going beyond the planned amount and where adjustments are necessary.

Do not copy another person’s budget blindly

There are several popular budgeting formulas that divide income into percentages for needs, wants and savings.

Such formulas can provide useful guidance, but they cannot account for every person’s circumstances.

A worker living with family may have fewer housing expenses than someone paying rent and supporting children.

Similarly, someone with significant debt or irregular income may need a completely different financial strategy.

The best budget is therefore one that reflects your actual income, responsibilities and financial goals.

Make every naira accountable

At the heart of financial planning is a simple question: What is this money supposed to do?

Before spending, consider whether the money has already been assigned to an important responsibility.

If it has, spending it on something else may create a problem later.

This does not mean workers must stop enjoying their money. Rather, it means spending should be intentional.

A salary is not simply money meant to last until the next payday. It has to provide for immediate needs, meet existing responsibilities, prepare for future expenses and, where possible, create a financial cushion for emergencies.

The sooner workers begin giving their income clear assignments, the easier it becomes to avoid the familiar cycle of receiving a salary, spending without a plan and wondering where the money went before the next payday.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has cautioned banks, fintechs and other financial institutions against the growing cybersecurity and third-party technology risks associated with the increasing interconnectivity of the financial system.

The apex bank warned that a vulnerability in one institution or technology provider could trigger wider disruptions across the financial ecosystem, urging financial institutions to strengthen safeguards beyond their individual organisations.

The CBN said the growing reliance on fintechs, payment service providers, cloud operators and other technology vendors had created additional channels through which cyber incidents could spread across the financial system.

The Director, Payments System Supervision Department of the CBN and Chairperson of the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum, Dr Rakiya Opemi Yusuf, gave the warning on Wednesday during a panel session at the 19th Annual Banking and Finance Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Navigating Cyber and Systemic Risks in the AI-Driven Future of Banking: Implications for Financial Stability and Business Resilience,’ Yusuf highlighted the implications of artificial intelligence, cyber threats and digital interconnectivity for Nigeria’s financial stability.

She warned that a weakness in one bank, fintech, payment service provider or technology vendor could spread to other interconnected institutions, creating what she described as a ‘one-fire’ effect capable of disrupting the wider financial system.

Yusuf said financial institutions must regularly assess their dependencies, third-party relationships and technology providers to understand how a failure in one part of the ecosystem could affect their operations.

She said resilience should not be limited to preventing cyber incidents, but should also include the ability of institutions to continue providing critical services during disruptions and recover quickly after an incident.

The CBN director said the apex bank was strengthening its policies, regulations, supervisory frameworks and other measures to ensure that vulnerabilities capable of threatening financial stability were identified and addressed before they crystallised.

She added that systemic risk considerations were also being taken into account during the product approval process.

Yusuf urged financial institutions to extend their cybersecurity and risk-management responsibilities to third-party providers on which their operations increasingly depend.

She advised banks and other institutions to critically assess the resilience of their technology partners, including their capacity to withstand and recover from cyberattacks and major operational failures.

The CBN director also called for prompt reporting of cyber incidents and vulnerabilities, noting that timely disclosure would allow regulators to intervene before isolated incidents developed into broader systemic threats.

She stressed the importance of information and intelligence sharing among financial institutions, saying greater collaboration would enable the industry to identify emerging threats and strengthen its collective response.

Yusuf further advocated stronger Security Operations Centres capable of monitoring threats across the financial ecosystem in real time.

She urged financial institutions to strike a balance between innovation and accountability, stressing that increased automation must not eliminate human responsibility from financial decisions and processes.

The CBN director also called for stronger data governance and greater attention to digital sovereignty, urging institutions to examine where critical data is stored, who has access to it, what insights can be generated from it, and how such data influences decision-making.

She warned that placing critical data or technological capabilities beyond an institution’s effective control could expose it to additional risks.

Yusuf said the ultimate goal should be to build a financial ecosystem capable of absorbing shocks, containing cyber incidents and recovering rapidly without allowing the failure of a single institution or service provider to destabilise the wider system.

The mouth contains hundreds of different types of microorganisms, most of which are harmless. However, saliva and close mouth-to-mouth contact can also provide a route for some infections to spread.

This does not mean that every kiss will transmit a disease. The risk depends on the infection, the health of the people involved and the type of contact.

In this article, Tribune Online highlights some major infections that can spread through saliva or close contact involving the mouth.

Infectious mononucleosis

Often called the kissing disease , infectious mononucleosis is commonly caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The virus is present in saliva and can spread through kissing or by sharing drinks, food, utensils and other items that come into contact with the mouth.

Many infected people experience extreme tiredness, sore throat, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Some people, particularly young children, may have mild or no symptoms.

Because EBV can remain in saliva for a long time after infection, a person may spread the virus even when they appear completely healthy.

Herpes simplex virus

Oral herpes is commonly caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). It can spread through contact with sores, saliva or skin around the mouth. Kissing can therefore transmit the virus, particularly when an infected person has an active cold sore.

However, transmission can sometimes occur even when no visible sore is present. Oral herpes commonly causes painful blisters or sores around the lips and mouth. After infection, the virus remains in the body and can become active again.

Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, belongs to the same virus family as the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis. It can be present in saliva and spread through close contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids. Many healthy people who become infected do not develop noticeable symptoms.

However, CMV can cause serious illness in people with weakened immune systems and can pose particular risks during pregnancy because infection can affect an unborn baby.

Mumps

Mumps is a viral infection that spreads through respiratory droplets and saliva from an infected person. Close contact, including kissing, can therefore provide an opportunity for transmission.

The infection commonly causes painful swelling of the salivary glands, especially around the cheeks and jaw. Fever, headache, muscle aches and tiredness may also occur. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent mumps and its complications.

Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. The bacteria can live in the nose and throat and spread through respiratory and throat secretions during close or prolonged contact. Kissing can therefore create an opportunity for transmission.

Although many people who carry the bacteria do not become sick, invasive meningococcal disease can develop rapidly and cause meningitis or bloodstream infection.

Symptoms such as sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, vomiting or a rapidly developing rash require urgent medical attention.

Influenza

Flu is primarily spread through respiratory droplets and small particles released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or breathes. Because kissing involves very close face-to-face contact, it can increase exposure to respiratory secretions from an infected person.

Influenza can cause fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache and fatigue. Most people recover, but the infection can become serious, particularly in older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with certain underlying conditions.

The Nigerian Army has carried out a major redeployment of senior officers to key command, operational and staff positions as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness, enhance leadership and improve its response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

According to a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, on Wednesday, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the strategic redeployment to ensure that the right leadership, experience and expertise are positioned in critical operational theatres and strategic appointments.

The statement said the exercise was designed to align the Army’s command structure with the country’s changing security environment, while strengthening operational effectiveness and ensuring decisive effects in key areas of national security.

Under the new postings, Major General IA Ajose moves from the Army Headquarters, Department of Army Operations, to the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), as Theatre Commander.

Major General AE Abubakar, who previously served in OPHK, has been redeployed to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) as Dean, Faculty of Operational Research.

Major General AM Alechenu moves from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Garrison to the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, while Major General RT Utsaha moves from the Army Headquarters, Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, to the DHQ Garrison as Commander.

Similarly, Major General AM Umar moves from the Army Headquarters, Department of Civil-Military Affairs (DCMA), to the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) as Commandant, while Major General UM Alkali moves from the Army War College Nigeria to the Army Headquarters, Department of Civil-Military Affairs.

Major General GS Muhammed moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation (NAFIC) as Director General.

His predecessor at NAFIC, Major General JE Osifo, has been redeployed to the Military Pension Board (MPB) as Chairman, while Major General IE Ekpenyong moves to the Defence Headquarters, Department of Defence Logistics, as Director, Engineering Services.

At the operational level, Brigadier General AA Bello moves from 6 Division Garrison/Sector 3, Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, to the Defence Headquarters, Department of Defence Operations.

Brigadier General MS Adamu has been redeployed from the Nigerian Army Women Command to the newly established 8 Brigade as Commander, while Brigadier General MS Sule moves from the Special Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, to 27 Task Force Brigade as Commander.

Similarly, Brigadier General I Sule moves from the Directorate of Recruitment Management to 6 Division Garrison as Commander.

Brigadier General E Azenda moves from the Land Forces Simulation Centre to 2 Division Garrison as Commander, while Brigadier General AS Bugaje moves from 2 Division Garrison to the Land Forces Simulation Centre as Director, Administration.

The COAS charged the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through exemplary leadership, operational innovation, professionalism and unwavering commitment to duty.

Gen Shaibu urged the officers to remain focused on the constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authority in maintaining peace and security.

The Army said it remained resolute in sustaining a dynamic leadership and force-employment framework capable of enhancing operational outcomes, strengthening joint and inter-agency coordination and improving the Service’s capacity to respond decisively to contemporary and emerging threats.

It said the latest redeployments would further contribute to the attainment of Nigeria’s national security objectives.