Category: Nigerian Tribune

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Akwa Ibom State-owned carrier has operated over 65,787 scheduled flights, hitting a major milestone of five million passengers on September 25.

This achievement reflects the enduring trust and confidence that passengers continue to place in Ibom Air, just as the airline joined millions of Akwa Ibomites and Nigerians worldwide to celebrate the 39th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom.

The airline, established as part of the state Government’s strategic investment in connectivity and economic development, has also transported nearly five million passengers within its seven years of operation.

In a statement marking the anniversary, Ibom Air congratulated the Governor of the state, Pastor Umo Eno, his cabinet and the people of the state, describing the airline as one of the key institutions emerging from the state’s sustained investments in infrastructure, human capital and economic development.

Akwa Ibom was created in 1987 and has, over the years, expanded investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, aviation, tourism and other sectors of the economy.

Ibom Air said the airline was established to improve air connectivity, stimulate economic activity and demonstrate the capacity of Akwa Ibom to establish and sustain a world-class aviation institution.

Since its launch, the airline has expanded its fleet to 10 aircraft and currently serves seven domestic destinations and one regional destination, providing connectivity for business, tourism, trade and investment.

Beyond passenger transportation, Ibom Air said it has become an important platform for human-capital development in the state, with hundreds of Akwa Ibom indigenes engaged in leadership, flight operations, engineering, customer service, finance and other technical and administrative functions.

The airline added that strategic training programmes supported by the state government and Ibom Air had enabled young professionals from the state to receive specialised aviation training in Nigeria, Ethiopia and France.

According to the airline, its economic contribution also extends beyond direct aviation operations, with its activities and supply-chain engagements injecting more than N60 billion into the local economy and supporting thousands of indirect jobs.

Ibom Air said its growth reflects the state government’s broader objective of creating opportunities, empowering its citizens and building institutions capable of contributing to long-term economic prosperity.

‘As Akwa Ibom celebrates 39 years of achievement, Ibom Air is proud to be part of the State’s story of growth, empowerment and transformation,’ the airline stated.

It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Governor’s ARISE Agenda through operational excellence, improved connectivity, job creation and continued investment in human capital.

The airline said the development of Akwa Ibom and the growth of Ibom Air demonstrate the potential of strategic investment, institutional development and human-capital empowerment in driving sustainable economic advancement.

Kunle is a married father of two in Ibadan. For the better part of the year, he had been struggling. His business had collapsed. He had borrowed money from people he respected and could not repay it. He felt like a man who had failed at everything that mattered, and he had begun to believe, quietly and with increasing certainty, that his family would be better off without him. He went to church, as he had done every Sunday for 15 years. One Wednesday evening, after a men’s fellowship meeting, he stayed behind when the others left. The pastor noticed and asked him how he was really doing. That question, asked by the right person at the right moment in the right place, was the beginning of Kunle not dying.

Fatima is a university graduate in Kaduna living with her parents after two years of unsuccessful job searching. She had stopped eating properly, stopped leaving her room, and had begun writing in her journal about not wanting to be alive anymore. Her family noticed her withdrawal but told her she needed to pray more, trust more, and be more grateful. She feared that disclosing her thoughts would make her a lesser Muslim. She went to the mosque on Fridays just to satisfy her parents. The imam delivered a Friday jumat sermon that focused on patience, resilience and going through challenges. The sermon was comforting, and she began to find hope again.

Emmanuel is a chorister in a Pentecostal church in Lagos who had been quietly dependent on alcohol for six years following the death of his wife. The drinking had become his private management of grief he had never properly processed in a church culture where showing such prolonged pain felt like a failure of faith. When his thoughts turned to suicide following the loss of his job, he told no one in the church. He feared judgement. He feared being prayed over and sent home with Bible readings, a fasting schedule and an exhortation to be stronger in faith. He felt somehow it would be viewed as being weak in faith and blamed. So, he decided not to voice his concerns even though he felt lost and that he simply had nothing to continue living for.

Discussion

In Nigeria, as across much of sub-Saharan Africa, faith communities are central social institutions. The church, the mosque, and the traditional religious gathering are places where people already go on ordinary days and socialise. These places take on added salience because they are also the first point of call in moments of crisis. Several studies consistently show that in many African contexts, religious leaders are the first point of contact for people experiencing mental health difficulties, often long before any clinical service is approached. This is a reality to be taken seriously and built upon.

Religious organisations have consistent, repeated contact with large numbers of people across the full span of life. They carry moral authority and trust. They also have existing structures through pastoral care, Jumuah gatherings, small groups, community visiting, youth programmes, men and women groupings, etc., that can be adapted for mental health outreach without requiring entirely new infrastructure. They are also easily present in communities, particularly rural and low-income communities, where no other structured support exists.

How can religious organisations help?

? Demystify the topic and promote open discussions around mental health and suicide prevention. Such openness will encourage people to speak freely.

? Training faith leaders in mental health first aid: Training faith leaders in the basics of mental health first aid is one of the highest-leverage interventions available. Asido Foundation holds comprehensive workshops for religious leaders that have proven effective in improving their psychological first aid expertise as well as confidence.

? Creating safe spaces for honest disclosure: Creating confidential pastoral and counselling structures where people know their disclosure will be met with compassion rather than judgement or gossip can go a long way towards preventing suicide.

? Building referral pathways to professional services: Religious organisations should establish clear and smooth referral relationships with local mental health services, hospitals, and health care workers so that a pastor or imam who sits with someone in distress after Friday Jumuah or Sunday church service has a number to call, a name to give, and a person in the professional system who is expecting that referral.

? Establishing bereavement and grief support structures.

? Engaging men through existing fellowship and brotherhood structures: Men are significantly less likely to disclose suicidal thoughts than women and are at considerably higher risk of dying by suicide. Men’s fellowship groups in churches and the brotherhood structures of mosque communities can be used to foster mental health promotion.

? Involving young people in peer mental health advocacy as well as during youth camps.

Conclusion:

The most powerful suicide prevention resource in many Nigerian communities is not a clinic or a helpline. It is YOU. The person who notices, who stays, who asks the question that nobody else has thought to ask. And encourages engagement with professional mental health services without shame or stigma.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has insisted that the success of the banking sector recapitalisation exercise will be measured by the ability of stronger banks to finance the real economy.

Speaking at the 38th Finance Correspondents Seminar in Abuja, the Deputy Governor of the CBN on Corporate Services, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, explained that the banking sector needed to channel its increased financial capacity into productive sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, services and infrastructure.

‘The wider economy should see the benefit over time. Agriculture, manufacturing, services, and infrastructure need finance suited to their cash flow and investment varieties,’ he said.

The Deputy Governor stated that smaller businesses and households also needed dependable payment services and appropriate financial products.

Abdullahi said stronger bank balance sheets should translate into wider access to finance and better services for customers, including those in rural communities, women and young entrepreneurs.

He therefore charged businesses to improve corporate transparency, governance and sustainability to enable them to access credit more effectively.

Abdullahi said the apex bank would continue to focus on governance, consumer protection, cybersecurity, data protection, reliable payment services and business continuity.

He explained further that the CBN’s supervisory approach would also emphasise risk-based market surveillance and enhanced stress testing.

‘Consumer protection and financial inclusion are integral to resilience. A system that people can access, understand, and trust will better support inclusive growth,’ Abdullahi said.

The Deputy Governor also called on financial correspondents and business editors to continue providing accurate and objective reporting on developments in the financial system.

He said the media remained an important link between policymakers, financial institutions, investors and the public.

Also speaking, Michael Akuka, Director of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations at the CBN, said the focus had shifted from whether banks could raise capital to how the additional capital would be deployed.

‘The question has changed. It is no longer whether the banking sector can raise capital, but what a better-supervised banking sector does with the additional capital,’ Akuka said.

Akuka noted that stronger balance sheets should enable banks to absorb shocks, support real economic activity and maintain public confidence.

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.

The Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, has announced plans to enact a law providing a legal framework for power rotation in the state.

Yusuf made the disclosure at the ongoing Kogi Power Rotation Summit in Lokoja, where traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, professional associations, organized labor, youths, students, and other stakeholders gathered to discuss equity, inclusion, and political power sharing.

He said the proposed legislation would establish an institutional framework for rotating political power among the different parts of Kogi State.

According to him, ‘The Assembly will pass a law on power rotation. Whoever is not comfortable should go to court. It is time to make history.’

The announcement has introduced a legislative dimension to the longstanding debate over power rotation in the state, which has largely centered on political advocacy and public discussions.

Yusuf urged stakeholders to decide when they wanted the proposed legislation to be presented and passed, stressing that the issue had become overdue.

His position placed legislative action at the center of the summit’s deliberations, with participants expected to examine how equity, fairness, inclusion, and political participation could be addressed through a sustainable framework.

Power rotation has remained a major political issue in Kogi State, particularly regarding the distribution of leadership positions among the three senatorial districts.

The Kogi Unity Accord, a non-partisan platform promoting dialogue on equity, fairness, inclusion, and sustainable power sharing, is organizing the summit.

The event has attracted participants from the three senatorial districts, providing a platform for stakeholders to exchange views on the state’s political future.

Representatives of traditional institutions, religious bodies, professional organizations, labor groups, community associations, youths, and students are among those attending the summit.

With the Speaker’s announcement, the possibility of a formal legislative framework for power rotation has emerged as a key issue in the ongoing debate.

If introduced and enacted, the proposed law would move power rotation from political convention and advocacy into a statutory framework.

However, its specific provisions, scope, and implementation would depend on the legislative process and further consultations with stakeholders.

The summit, chaired by former Chief of Defence Intelligence Vice Admiral Joseph Ajayi (retd.), continues on Thursday, October 1, 2026, with further discussions expected on political inclusion, unity, equitable participation, and shared prosperity.

Attention is now turning to how the proposed legislative process will unfold and whether the planned law will gain support among stakeholders.

More than 20 civil society organisations (CSOs) in Kaduna State have suspended their planned October 1 peaceful protest, citing concerns that criminal elements could hijack the demonstration and trigger confrontation between protesters and security agencies.

The groups, operating under the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), said the decision followed consultations with relevant stakeholders and an assessment of the security situation in the state.

Addressing journalists in Kaduna on Thursday, the convener of the coalition, Aminu Haruna, said the suspension was not an abandonment of the groups’ responsibility to hold government accountable, but a measure aimed at preventing the demonstration from degenerating into violence.

Haruna said the coalition had considered the security measures being implemented by the Federal and Kaduna State governments, as well as security agencies, before opting for structured dialogue.

‘We don’t want the protest to cause chaos,’ he said.

According to him, consultations with stakeholders showed that some individuals could exploit the protest for purposes unrelated to the organisers’ demands.

‘We realise that people are ready to take advantage of today’s protest. And then, we don’t want this protest to cause chaos,’ Haruna said.

He said the coalition weighed the advantages and disadvantages of proceeding with the demonstration and concluded that the potential consequences could outweigh its immediate objectives.

‘Instead of having a peaceful demonstration to demand what is right, at the end of the day it will end up with a conflict between citizens and the security personnel. And you know it will never go well,’ he said.

The coalition stressed that the suspension did not mean it had abandoned peaceful protests as a legitimate means of expressing citizens’ grievances.

It said its demands concerning the welfare of Nigerians, particularly Kaduna residents, had been documented and would be conveyed to the executive arm of government through the security agencies.

Following its decision to suspend the protest, the groups commended the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi, for what they described as operational support and leadership.

They also praised the Kaduna State Police Command and the Kaduna State DSS for their proactive engagement, swift action and open dialogue during their engagements with the organisations.

The coalition also commended the Kaduna State Government under Governor Uba Sani for its efforts to strengthen security in the state.

Turning to the issue of the death penalty for convicted kidnappers, particularly following a recent death sentence in Edo State, the coalition expressed support for the execution of prisoners whose sentences had been lawfully handed down by competent courts.

Haruna, however, urged state governors to exercise their constitutional responsibilities concerning inmates on death row, saying many condemned prisoners had remained in custody for years because governors were reluctant to approve their execution.

‘We wish to use today, the first of October, to appeal to all governors in this country that anybody on death row in your state should be executed,’ Haruna said.