Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Former Big Brother Naija housemate Ijeoma Emi popularly known as Mercedes has appealed to Mavin Records boss Don Jazzy for housing assistance citing safety concerns at her current residence.

In an emotional social media appeal the ex-BBNaija star said she no longer feels safe or comfortable in her current home.

Mercedes explained that contrary to public perception the reality show did not automatically bring financial stability and she has continued to struggle to establish herself since leaving the house.

The 26-year-old entrepreneur and performance artist said having her own place would give her the security independence and peace of mind she needs to focus on building her career.

She also said her current accommodation has limited her growth as a content creator and pole dancer.

Because of the low ceilings she can’t install her pole indoors and has resorted to practising on her balcony where sun and rain often disrupt her sessions.

She wrote ‘@DONJAZZY Sir I honestly don’t even know how to put this into words but I’m going to try.’

‘Since leaving the Big Brother house I’ve been struggling to find my feet again. People may see exposure and assume I’m living my dream but behind the scenes I’m working hard to rebuild my life. I don’t even see myself as a celebrity. I’m just a young woman trying to find her place in the world.

‘Sir I desperately want to move into a place of my own. I don’t always feel safe or comfortable where I currently live and having my own space would mean so much more to me than just independence. It would give me peace of mind room to grow and the freedom to finally focus on building my career.

‘I’m a content creator and pole dancer and dance is one of the things that makes me feel most like myself. But I currently practise outdoors on our balcony because our ceiling isn’t suitable for mounting my pole indoors. The sun rain and weather conditions constantly interrupt my training.

‘Having a place of my own where I could safely install my pole practise consistently create content and develop my craft would mean the world to me.

‘Sir I’m not asking for a luxury lifestyle. I’m asking for a chance to stand on my own feet feel safe and reconnect with the woman I know I can become.

‘If you could help me secure a place of my own and get this new chapter started it would mean more to me than I can explain. I know you must receive countless requests but I hope you can hear the sincerity in mine. Thank you for even taking the time to read this sir.’

Her appeal has since generated reactions online with many fans calling for support for the former housemate.

A US-based pastor Israel Ford of LifeWorks Church in Wickliffe Ohio has announced his marriage to a second wife.

Ford made the announcement via his Facebook page sharing a video recorded in church where he appeared alongside his first wife Lydia Ford and his new wife Shakayla Ford.

Introducing his second wife to the public he wrote: ‘I would like to introduce to the world my second wife Shakayla Ford!!!’

The cleric argued that monogamy as the only acceptable form of marriage is not rooted in the Bible.

‘As a nation we have been taught that a man should have one wife only. This is unbiblical’ he said.

He disclosed that a full sermon explaining his position would be uploaded later in the week and noted that many pastors avoid preaching about the subject because it is unpopular.

‘I understand that this is an unpopular truth that we have gotten away from and many Pastors will not preach’ he added.

Ford maintained that he would stand by what he believes God revealed to him rather than seek public approval.

‘I have no plans to choose pleasing man over what God has revealed’ he stated.

He further said he respects the decision of anyone who chooses to distance themselves from him over the matter.

‘People may not accept this and choose to disconnect and that is ok! This life will be over soon and we can all laugh about it in Heaven. Until then God bless’ he wrote.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid declaring that the President deserves a second term for taking bold economic decisions previous administrations allegedly shied away from.

Wike who urged Rivers State residents to support Tinubu in 2027 described the President’s removal of the petrol subsidy as evidence of courageous leadership despite the economic hardship the policy has imposed on Nigerians.

The minister spoke at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State where he also canvassed support for candidates endorsed by the political alliance.

He acknowledged the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians but argued that the subsidy removal had increased revenue accruing to state and local governments creating opportunities for improved governance and service delivery.

‘We know what Nigerians are going through but we are sure that things will get better. Most importantly we know what this country was like before now’ he said.

According to him leadership requires the courage to take difficult decisions in the national interest rather than surrender to public criticism.

Wike argued that the subsidy regime had placed a heavy burden on government finances making it difficult to meet obligations to workers pensioners and public institutions.

He urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the Tinubu administration insisting that the reforms had not yet resolved all the country’s economic challenges.

The former Rivers State governor drew parallels with his administration’s infrastructure projects particularly the construction of flyovers which he said attracted criticism and caused temporary disruptions to businesses and traffic before delivering long-term benefits.

He maintained that leaders must sometimes accept short-term inconveniences to achieve lasting development.

Wike also questioned the capacity of opposition politicians to provide a credible alternative to the current administration warning voters against entrusting the country’s future to politicians he described as political gamblers.

‘Don’t carry your destiny to political gamblers’ he told the gathering.

He said the town hall meeting was designed to equip residents with information on political developments and enable them to make informed decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike blamed inadequate information and political propaganda for influencing some voting decisions in 2023 urging residents not to repeat what he described as past mistakes.

He also cautioned religious leaders against allowing political considerations to distract them from their spiritual responsibilities saying politicians should take responsibility for explaining political issues to the electorate.

Describing Eleme as economically strategic to Nigeria the minister urged residents to recognise the implications of their political choices for the area Rivers State and the country.

Beyond Tinubu’s re-election Wike used the meeting to mobilise support for the Rainbow Coalition an alliance involving members of different political parties including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Identifying himself as a PDP national leader Wike said members of the coalition had agreed to work together and support candidates contesting under the APC platform in the forthcoming elections.

He urged Rivers residents to back Tinubu and the coalition’s preferred candidates for governorship legislative and other elective positions arguing that political cooperation would strengthen the state’s relationship with the Federal Government.

Wike said the alliance was formed to promote peace unity and development stressing that political differences should not be allowed to trigger violence or undermine governance.

‘We don’t want Rivers of blood. We don’t want rivers of shooting. The two main political parties in this state are APC and PDP. They have joined together with other political parties to say ‘Let there be peace in Rivers State let there be development and unity” he said.

He further called for cooperation among the Federal Government the Rivers State Government and elected representatives saying such collaboration was necessary to advance the state’s interests.

Wike urged the people of Eleme to support the coalition’s candidates insisting that political stability and unity were essential to development.

Traditional rulers religious leaders women youths political leaders and representatives of parties participating in the Rainbow Coalition attended the meeting.

Oke-Osanyintolu College of Health Sciences and Technology Ido-Ekiti Ekiti State has recorded a 100 per cent pass rate in the national examinations taken by students of its Departments of Pharmacy and Community Health in August and September this year.

The Provost of the college Dr Johnson Adebayo Ojo expressed delight at the results and congratulated the successful students and their parents.

Ojo attributed the achievement to the students’ hard work and dedication to their studies as well as the provision of adequate equipment infrastructure and a conducive learning environment.

He hailed the Heads of Departments and other academic staff members for their commitment and diligence urging staff and students to sustain the achievement.

The Provost urged young Nigerians seeking admission into tertiary institutions to apply to the college noting that the admission was still ongoing and that prospective students could choose from the courses available.

Interested applicants can obtain information and apply through the college’s website

In a related development the Provost received a Lagos-based paramedics specialist Mrs Morenike Anafi at the college.

Anafi expressed delight at the college management’s level of preparation for the commencement of the programme. She urged prospective students and the public not to hesitate to pursue paramedics describing it as a field with opportunities to contribute to emergency healthcare services.

Ojo assured the public of the College’s commitment to providing quality education and developing skilled healthcare professionals.

He also cited a recent recognition of the institution by the Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti Branch.

According to the Provost the association described Oke-Osanyintolu College as a great citadel of learning and presented it with a corporate honour award in recognition of its contributions to educational excellence human capital development and community advancement.

The Federal Government has for the first time given a detailed plan of how it intends to grow Nigeria’s economy from about $290 billion in 2025 to $1.027 trillion by 2030 create nearly six million jobs annually and reduce the poverty rate from 63 per cent to 25 per cent under its new national development plan.

The targets were contained in a presentation by the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite setting out how President Bola Tinubu’s administration intends to achieve its $1 trillion economy ambition by 2030.

The presentation is the first detailed account of how the administration plans to pursue the target explaining the economic growth rates investment levels revenue improvements job creation and poverty-reduction measures expected to support the plan.

Under the projections the government expects annual real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to rise from 3.87 per cent to 10.34 per cent by 2030. Gross capital formation which measures investment in productive assets such as machinery factories and infrastructure is expected to increase from 29 per cent to 40 per cent of GDP.

The plan also aims to raise government revenue from 11.15 per cent to 18.7 per cent of GDP and increase the annual number of jobs created from 3.14 million to 5.93 million.

These targets are part of the National Development Plan 2026-2030 which aims to translate the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda into measurable economic and social outcomes over the next five years.

A major part of the government’s strategy is to mobilise more private investment as public funds alone cannot provide the financing needed to achieve the envisaged scale of growth.

To address this challenge the administration plans to establish a national development finance and capital mobilisation platform that will connect investors with properly prepared and commercially viable projects across the country.

The proposed platform is expected to bring together pension funds insurance companies domestic and foreign investors development finance institutions and other sources of long-term capital.

The government believes the arrangement will help close the gap between the large amounts of money available for investment and the shortage of projects that are sufficiently prepared to attract such funds.

Many development projects particularly those proposed by government institutions and subnational authorities struggle to secure financing because their preparation is incomplete their commercial structure is weak or their expected returns and risks are not clearly defined.

The proposed platform is intended to address these problems by helping project promoters prepare viable proposals structure financing arrangements and attract investors.

It will also seek to address the fragmentation of projects across different levels of government. Rather than leaving small projects scattered across states and local governments to compete individually for financing the platform could help them access investment opportunities that attract larger pools of capital.

The plan envisages support from development finance institutions and partners through guarantees risk-sharing arrangements blended finance and concessional funding. Such measures could reduce some of the risks private investors face and make projects more attractive for long-term investment.

The government’s approach is built on preparing projects properly structuring them to meet investors’ requirements and mobilising the money needed to deliver them.

The strategy reflects the administration’s position that achieving a $1 trillion economy will require much more than government spending. Private businesses and investors will have to finance a substantial share of the factories infrastructure technology and other productive assets needed to expand the economy.

The development plan places greater industrial production economic diversification and job creation at the centre of the government’s growth ambitions.

Manufacturing currently accounts for about 8.47 per cent of GDP under the plan’s baseline figures. The government wants to increase this contribution to between 10.2 per cent and 15 per cent by 2030.

Achieving this will require stronger domestic production better access to finance more reliable electricity and improved transport and logistics infrastructure. It will also depend on businesses being able to obtain the raw materials technology and skilled workers needed to expand production.

The government intends to support agriculture and its value chains manufacturing micro small and medium-sized enterprises exports and other productive sectors that can create jobs and generate income.

Increasing domestic processing and production is expected to reduce dependence on imported goods strengthen local industries and create more opportunities for Nigerian businesses to supply both domestic and foreign markets.

The plan also seeks to expand non-oil exports and reduce the economy’s dependence on crude oil. Greater value addition in agriculture energy and other sectors is expected to broaden sources of national income and make the economy less vulnerable to external shocks.

The revenue target is another major part of the strategy. The government wants revenue to rise from 11.15 per cent of GDP to 18.7 per cent by 2030 providing more resources to finance public services and development projects.

However the plan’s success will depend not only on raising revenue but also on how effectively the money is spent. The administration wants government budgets and spending to be more closely linked to projects that improve productivity expand economic activity and deliver measurable results.

Beyond the size of the economy the government has set targets to improve Nigerians’ living conditions.

The plan seeks to reduce poverty from an estimated 63 per cent to 25 per cent by 2030. It also targets increasing adult financial inclusion from 74 per cent to 83 per cent.

The poverty target will require economic expansion to translate into more employment higher household incomes and better access to essential services. Growth in the national GDP alone would not necessarily deliver these benefits if the gains were concentrated in a few sectors or among a limited number of people.

The government therefore intends to link economic development with investment in human capital social protection improved public services and more productive employment.

Agriculture manufacturing small businesses and other labour-intensive sectors are expected to play an important role in creating opportunities for Nigerians particularly young people entering the workforce.

The plan also recognises the importance of financial inclusion in helping households and businesses access formal financial services. Better access to financial services can support savings payments and business activities but wider inclusion must be matched with affordable useful financial products.

The government is also seeking to improve electricity supply transport logistics housing and digital connectivity. These are seen as essential to reducing the cost of doing business supporting private investment and improving access to economic opportunities.

The National Development Plan 2026-2030 is organised around seven broad pillars intended to guide policy decisions and public investment.

They cover macroeconomic stability and sustainable financing; oil gas and energy security; economic diversification productivity and competitiveness; productive infrastructure and environmental resilience; governance and public-sector transformation; peace security and national resilience; and human capital social development and inclusive growth.

Together the pillars provide a common framework for ministries departments and agencies state governments and other development partners.

The plan also includes the Renewed Hope Ward-Based Development Programme which is designed to bring national development priorities closer to communities. It draws on work across 8809 wards nationwide to identify local economic conditions infrastructure gaps and development needs.

The ward-based approach aims to make development planning more responsive to on-the-ground conditions rather than relying only on broad national priorities.

The government expects the programme to help identify projects that can improve local infrastructure support economic activity and address community needs. Its effectiveness will depend on how well budgets incorporate the identified priorities and funds and implement them.

The plan is linked to Nigeria Agenda 2050 the country’s longer-term development blueprint while the 2026-2030 document provides a medium-term framework for translating that ambition into policies programmes and projects.

The administration has also acknowledged that the previous National Development Plan covering 2021 to 2025 exposed weaknesses in the way development priorities were financed and implemented.

The experience showed that identifying key projects and setting development goals would not be enough without credible funding arrangements clear institutional responsibilities and stronger coordination across government levels.

The new plan is therefore expected to focus more on project preparation financing implementation schedules and measurable results.

Each major priority is expected to have a responsible institution a clear baseline against which progress can be measured implementation milestones and an identified source of funding.

The plan is also intended to be linked more closely to the government’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and annual budgets. This is meant to strengthen the link between development promises and the allocation and release of public funds.

The government wants ministries and agencies to demonstrate how their spending contributes to agreed national objectives. Monitoring and periodic performance reviews are expected to help identify projects that are falling behind schedule and problems that require corrective action.

The approach aims to reduce the gap between development plans and what citizens ultimately receive.

The plan also places responsibility on state and local governments to support national objectives through local development programmes while private businesses are expected to invest in productive activities and create jobs.

Development partners are expected to provide financing technical assistance and support to build institutional capacity.

In presenting the plan Uzoka-Anite linked the administration’s development ambitions to the economic reforms Tinubu introduced since taking office.

The administration has defended difficult decisions including removing the petrol subsidy as necessary steps to correct economic distortions and improve the country’s public finances.

The government’s challenge now is to ensure that the reforms translate into higher investment stronger industrial production more jobs and better living conditions.

The $1 trillion ambition will require the economy to expand substantially over the plan’s period. That makes the proposed investment increase particularly important as factories infrastructure energy supply and other productive assets will be needed to support higher output.

The administration is also seeking to improve the way public and private capital work together with the proposed capital mobilisation platform expected to play a central role in bringing more investment into bankable projects.

However achieving the targets will depend on whether the government can attract sufficient long-term capital remove major obstacles facing businesses improve the performance of public institutions and ensure that projects are completed as planned.

The targets for economic growth jobs revenue manufacturing and poverty reduction are closely connected. Faster growth will need productive investment to support it and the benefits of that investment will need to reach households through employment income and improved services.

The government’s development plan therefore sets out an ambitious programme that goes beyond increasing GDP. It seeks to change how projects are financed and delivered expand the role of private investment improve domestic production and ensure economic growth delivers more visible benefits for Nigerians.

The test will be whether the policies and financing arrangements outlined in the presentation can translate into funded projects stronger businesses sustained job creation and a measurable reduction in poverty before the 2030 deadline.

The bodies of the two remaining victims of the Rivers boat mishap have been recovered.

The incident occurred last Tuesday in the Robert Kiri area along the Kula waterways in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.

The two bodies reportedly recovered on Saturday have been identified as Davies Opiri and David Sukubo. They were the Secretary of the Kula Community Development Committee (CDC) and the younger brother of the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo respectively.

The already decomposing bodies were recovered by the search and rescue team comprising community leaders divers local vigilantes and fishermen.

Recall that five of the seven victims were recovered on Thursday and deposited in the morgue after being taken to the State Police Headquarters in Port Harcourt; the latest two were taken to the Divisional Police Station in Abonnema before being taken to the mortuary.

Meanwhile the Nation learnt that the community (Kula) has seized the crude oil vessel ANAMBRA BASIN FSO and the two tugboats (Delta Runner and Laura-V) involved in the incident while investigations continue.

Police have reportedly arrested the two tugboat captains for questioning.

Speaking shortly after the recovery of the last two bodies the President of the Nigerian Youth Council (Sukubo) who led the search and rescue team expressed regret over the deaths of the victims and wondered what would become of the families they left behind.

He said ‘This is havoc committed in Kula Kingdom by Ibeto. He has turned women into widows and children into orphans. He has made families lose their breadwinners husbands fathers brothers uncles cousins nephews and loved ones.’

He threatened to take the recovered bodies to the business premises of the Ibeto Group and all its subsidiaries to demand immediate government action against the owner of the company over the deaths of the victims.

‘I have declared a 21-day protest starting next week with 51000 youths and caskets bearing the remains of the victims.’

‘We shall protest at the residence of Chief Cletus Ibeto in Port Harcourt and shut down all his companies in Rivers State until he is arrested by security agencies and prosecuted for murder.’

‘We demand justice for the families of the victims and the affected communities.’

‘Ibeto is the murderer. He killed our people. He is the mastermind and prime suspect’ he alleged.

The Ibeto Group had earlier denied direct involvement in the issues that led to the incident on the Robertkiri axis of the Kula waterways.

In a statement the company said its subsidiary Max Shipping Services Limited which operates the crude oil vessel was engaged by a hirer Menal Technical Services Limited under a contract to evacuate crude oil from the area.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has awarded ?1 million each to five students who represented the state and Nigeria at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship in Doha Qatar.

The governor also announced full educational sponsorship through the Alex Otti Foundation for the captain of the Abia contingent 15-year-old Esther Christian up to university level. Christian reportedly lost her father when she was four years old.

Otti announced the rewards while hosting the students at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia where they presented their trophies medals and certificates.

The governor also awarded ?1 million to Onyinyechi Okonkwo of Ovom Girls Secondary School winner of a recent National Essay Competition.

He further approved ?750000 each for the officials who accompanied the debate team and ?1.75 million for Abia Model Basic Junior Secondary School Abayi Umuocham Osisioma Ngwa which produced the champions.

Otti congratulated the students reaffirming his administration’s commitment to transforming the state’s education sector through sustained investment improved infrastructure and expanded access to quality education.

He said celebrating outstanding achievements was part of Abia State’s identity.

‘This is in the DNA of Abia State. We celebrate people. When you do well we celebrate you’ the governor said.

Otti also approved the students’ request to participate in the 2027 edition of the competition noting that despite progress in the education sector more work remained.

Earlier the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Goodluck Ubochi said the achievements so far were only the beginning adding that the positive impact of the government’s investment in education was becoming increasingly evident.

He expressed confidence that the investments would yield positive results.

The Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board Lydia Ezinne Onuoha who led the team to the international competition said the students had distinguished themselves beyond mere participation.

She said the team dominated the competition and drew significant attention.

She disclosed that during the final rounds the students were given impromptu topics with only 15 minutes to prepare and deliver their arguments; the team won four trophies and twelve medals defeating six countries.

According to her the team clinched the Best International School Debate Team Overall Best Team in the Junior Category Best Debater and Best Leadership awards.

They also ranked among the top ten speakers in the tournament which featured over 84 teams.

The Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Championship Elder Oritu Dare commended Governor Otti for the State’s infrastructural development noting a huge difference between his previous visits during past administrations and the present.

He said the victory has created an opportunity for Nigeria to participate in the next edition of the competition in Singapore.

The Abia State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Mrs. Unyime Umoette appreciated Governor Otti for the positive changes in the state particularly in education noting that public schools are becoming more functional.

She called on public office holders to adopt public schools in their communities and support their development.

Speaking on behalf of the champions’ parents Mr Akamnonu Christopher thanked the Governor for hosting the students and investing in education saying they are proud of their success at an international competition.

In response the Team Captain Miss Esther Christian who narrated their success story thanked the Governor for his commitment to education and the officials for believing in them and promised they would continue to make Abia and Nigeria proud.

She requested the Governor’s approval for their participation in next year’s edition of the competition and the Governor approved it immediately.

Parents of the champion team and senior government appointees attended the event.

Through Kaduna the North’s sold political capital spoke yesterday. The echo will haunt those who spent months marketing the lie that the North has abandoned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Kaduna Township Stadium was full beyond capacity and the mammoth crowd overflowed into the well-adorned streets. It was a confetti of colours flags raised high and proudly: a sea of red caps white babban riga green wrappers pand_Sai Asiwaju_.Placards. It was a cacophony of languages-Hausa Fulfulde Tiv Idoma Gbagyi Yoruba Nupe Kanuri and English. Entire APC governors from the North supported by their southern counterparts sat shoulder to shoulder with former governors legislators imams pastors women leaders and artisans who trekked kilometres to see the man they still call Jagaba the leader.

The gathering was beyond a rented crowd; it was organic massive and emotional. A few photos from the event displayed that spectacularly: the excited trio waving so happily at their president who wound down the window to greet them; the many people who kept vigil at the venue so they could get a good spot to witness history; and the excited young men and women who spent the whole day under the sun waving flags and chanting praises. It was Arewa saying without apology: we still stand with our friend.

As I wrote in February 2023 in the heat of the last campaign when the same suspects tried to whip up ethnic sentiments against him Asiwaju Tinubu and the North have always been friends. This friendship is not transactional. It is historic. Tinubu’s consequential political journey did not begin in Lagos. It began with the North.

In 1991 at the beginning of the aborted Third Republic when General Ibrahim Babangida midwifed two parties a young Tinubu had a choice. His relative the great Chief Lateef Jakande was in the field. Yet he chose to pitch his tent with General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s Peoples Front (PF) – the most organised most progressive political machine of that era.

On the SDP platform under that PF Tinubu became Senator for Lagos West in 1992. When MKO Abiola emerged as SDP candidate Tinubu was instrumental in pushing Ambassador Babagana Kingibe a son of Borno as the running mate. He chose North again. That choice in 1992 has defined his politics ever since.

When President Obasanjo wanted to skin Atiku Abubakar alive in 2007 Bola Tinubu saved him. In 2011 he propped up Nuhu Ribadu and in 2015 and 2019 Muhammadu Buhari. In 2011 he supported Aminu Tambuwal for Speaker even though Tambuwal’s own party the PDP opposed him. No other Southern politician has invested that much political capital in the North.

Indeed the North doesn’t forget.

This is why Arewa for Asiwaju a political movement of the crème de la crème of the Northern political establishment is a commendable and timely intervention. At a time when the opposition offers only recycled fuel subsidy – illegal under the PIA – and AI-generated falsehoods which Governor Uba Sani rightly warned about in Kaduna A4A provides what Arewa needs most: honest conversation the voice of truth in Hausa Fulfulde Tiv Nupe Gbagyi Kanuri in every market motor park mosque and church.

A4A is not just a campaign apparatus. It reminds us that friendship is a two-way street and that the North remains faithful to its values of fairness justice peaceful coexistence and national unity. As a political movement its raison d’être is consensus-building and evidence-based campaigning. Its purpose is to counter with evidence the lies that as president Asiwaju Tinubu has abandoned his old friend the North. How? With the Ministry of Livestock Development the North craved for 60 years? With the North Central Development Commission and North West Development Commission? With the new Federal Universities in Mubi Kachia and Kabo? Would the person who abandoned the North rush to complete the Kano-Maradi rail or the Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi road? Would he have established cancer centres and upgraded dozens of hospitals and schools? Well Awolowo is throwing those questions at them with hard facts.

Kaduna provided around to deflate the opposition’s acrimonious noise further. The North came together in one powerful voice. Eighteen out of 19 governors an array of former governors from the class of 1999 to date a horde of Young Turks an armada of party faithful. It was a spectacle.

For months a small but loud echo chamber in Abuja and on social media had worked hard to sell a fiction that the North regrets 2023 that the President and his campaigners can no longer enter Arewa and that 2027 is already decided. Kaduna buried that fiction with one picture.

As the CPC Presidential Campaign’s Campaign Director-General Senator Abdulaziz Yari said from the podium everyone who mattered in the North was at the stadium yesterday. Most were there in person; many more were there in spirit. The few and scattered dissenters are too insignificant to cause any political upheaval.

Vice President Kashim Shettima and Yari did not come to Kaduna to speak grammar. They came with history and with receipts.

VP Shettima was as sharp and straight as always. He used a clincher to remind Northern voters of their options: ‘We won in 2023 not because we were the wisest or richest but because you saw the options before you and knew the alternative was a calamity. We have come to ask you to renew a second term for the APC from top to bottom.’

Senator Yari who was evidently pleased by the turnout across all walks of life assured: ‘By God’s grace Northern Nigeria is 101 per cent behind you Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and we are determined to deliver our promise on 16 January 2027.’ Speaking further in Hausa Senator Yari said the President should as well go to sleep and wait for victory.

Yet President Tinubu did not just go to Kaduna to excite the crowd or display supporters. He went with deliveries. In a first for campaign rallies President Tinubu used the occasion to inaugurate the 81-kilometre section of the Kaduna-Abuja highway with a symbolic ribbon-cutting. It is just one of many dividends Kaduna got from the Tinubu administration as Governor Uba Sani reeled out so many benefits Kaduna reaped from the Tinubu administration in his welcome address. They range from roads to rail universities and health institutions. Governor Sani testified that the North has never had it this good.

President Tinubu is repaying loyalty in concrete steel and care.

From Peoples Front in 1991 to Arewa for Asiwaju in 2026 President Tinubu has always operated as a friend. Kaduna proved it yesterday. On 16 January 2027 the ballot will confirm it louder.

*Abdulaziz Abdulaziz is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media and Director of Media and Communication Arewa for Asiwaju.*

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has confirmed that the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit will hold on October 26 and 27 in Abuja despite the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with organisers introducing additional health precautions to protect participants.

The two-day summit scheduled to take place at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja will adopt a modified hybrid format following consultations with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The decision comes after health authorities confirmed an imported case of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the FCT on October 20.

According to the NESG the patient has been isolated while health authorities are monitoring contacts. The group said its decision to proceed followed an assessment of the situation against the NCDC’s public health guidelines for mass gatherings.

The NESG said the confirmation of an imported case alone did not require the cancellation of the summit adding that precautionary measures would be implemented to protect delegates workers and other participants.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NESG Dr Tayo Aduloju said the organisation had made the safety of participants its main consideration in deciding to proceed with the event.

‘The safety of every delegate partner and member of staff comes first’ Aduloju said.

He explained that the decision was reached in consultation with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare NCDC Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) FCT health authorities and Transcorp Hilton.

Aduloju said the arrangements would allow the summit to go ahead while participants followed the guidance of health authorities.

He also urged delegates and other participants to comply with the preventive measures put in place for the event.

Under the revised arrangements physical attendance will be restricted to delegates who have already registered. The NESG said registration for physical participation had closed and that no walk-in admission or registration would be allowed at the venue.

All plenary sessions will be streamed live on the summit’s virtual platform allowing registered delegates to participate online if they decide against attending physically.

The organisers have also made daily health declarations and temperature checks compulsory for everyone entering the venue including delegates staff vendors and media personnel.

Participants who have a fever or other symptoms as well as those who have been in contact with a known or suspected Ebola case within the preceding 21 days have been advised not to attend physically. They are expected to participate online instead.

The NESG said delegates would receive a health and safety information pack by email to guide them on the arrangements and precautions for the summit.

It also provided the NCDC’s toll-free number 6232 for people seeking information or assistance on health concerns.

The organisation explained that Ebola does not spread through the air or through people who have no symptoms. According to the statement transmission occurs through direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is ill with the disease.

The NESG said it would continue to review the situation daily with health authorities and promptly communicate any changes through its official channels.

Despite the revised attendance arrangements the summit is expected to attract senior government officials state governors business leaders and speakers from Nigeria and abroad.

Among the speakers listed by the organisers are the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Dr Amina Mohammed; Prof Stefan Derco of Oxford University; and the Chairman of BUA Group Alhaji Samad Rabiu.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate is also expected to attend the opening ceremony.

Zamfara intensifies ebola surveillance

Meanwhile the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Zamfara Chapter said it was collaborating with major stakeholders to intensify surveillance and preventive measures against Ebola Virus Disease in the state.

The State Chairman Dr Muhammad Murtala stated this at a press briefing in Gusau on Friday to mark the 2026 Physicians’ Week.

The theme for this year’s Physicians’ Week is ‘Securing the Future of Medicine in Nigeria.’

Murtala who is the Incident Manager Polio Emergency Operations Centre in the state said the NMA in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and partners had developed an incident action plan to create public awareness about Ebola.

He said the Ministry of Health had already met with critical medical stakeholders and public health experts to ensure active surveillance for the disease.

‘Therefore we are fully engaged and prepared to manage the situation in case of any Ebola case to ensure it is carefully managed and to prevent further spread’ he said.

Ondo deploys four ambulances

The Ondo State Government said it had intensified measures to prevent the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in the state by deploying four ambulances for the emergency transportation of any suspected cases and placing health personnel on alert.

The Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Health Prof. Simidele Odimayo disclosed this in an interview in Akure the state capital.

Odimayo said the state had also begun training health workers strengthening disease surveillance and intensifying public awareness campaigns to ensure prompt detection and reporting of suspected cases.

‘The state is doing a lot. We have already set up a committee that is working. We have sent some of our team to Abuja for some training programmes.

‘We have just procured so ambulances in recent times about 15 of them. So all we need to do at this time is to dedicate some about four in line with the national guidelines for movement of cases in case we have cases’ he said.

According to him health facilities and health posts across the state had been alerted to remain vigilant recognise Ebola symptoms and report suspected cases promptly through established channels.

He said the government was also making arrangements for isolation personal protective equipment and other emergency logistics to protect health workers and limit the risk of transmission.

Bayelsa activates emergency preparedness

Similarly the Bayelsa State Government has intensified disease surveillance and activated emergency preparedness measures following the confirmation of an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease in the country.

It assured residents that no case had been reported in the state.

The Commissioner for Health Prof. Seiyefa F. Brisibe disclosed this at the weekend during a press conference in Yenagoa where he outlined measures being taken to strengthen the state’s capacity to detect and respond to any suspected Ebola infection.

Brisibe said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed the imported case on October 20 2026 adding that the patient was receiving medical care while contact tracing and other containment measures were underway.

He stressed that although no confirmed case had been recorded in Bayelsa as of October 23 the state government was taking proactive steps to minimise the risk of the disease entering and spreading within its territory.

According to him the measures include strengthening the State Emergency Operations Centre intensifying disease surveillance across the eight local government areas and reviewing isolation and case-management arrangements.

Nasarawa hospital activates response team

The Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH) Lafia has also intensified preparedness measures against a potential outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Nasarawa State.

Dr Anazodo Michael of the hospital’s Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine disclosed this to newsmen in Lafia.

He said the department in collaboration with other relevant departments had activated its Rapid Response Team (RRT) to strengthen the hospital’s preparedness and response capacity.

‘For now we are focusing on preventive measures coordinated response strategies and institutional readiness’ he said.

Former female Niger State governorship candidate and founder of Search Inwards Social Ambassadors Community Development Service Group (SISA-CDS) Dr Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya has urged Nigerian youths to reject attempts by politicians and other interests to divide them stressing that national development requires unity and collective responsibility.

Abdullahi-Iya delivered the charge at SISA-CDS’s 15th graduation and 16th national inauguration ceremony in Minna where she said the organisation had graduated more than 1000 Nigerian youths through its leadership development programme.

She said the nine-month programme established in 2017 was designed to promote patriotism volunteerism responsible leadership and active participation in national development.

According to her the organisation began its partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2018 and has continued to equip young graduates with the knowledge values and practical skills needed to contribute to their communities and the country.

Abdullahi-Iya noted that the programme had produced young leaders making positive contributions across different states and sectors.

The former governorship candidate also highlighted the Rags to Riches initiative under the Beyond Mentors Community Care Initiative established in 2006 to expose children to financial literacy leadership patriotism and practical skills from an early age.

Earlier Dr Maimuna Salim Chief Operating Officer of Search Inwards Group of Companies said the programme provides training in leadership entrepreneurship volunteerism social ethics conflict resolution and community development.

She explained that participants also undertake community outreach projects to address identified social needs.

Salim expressed satisfaction with the commitment shown by the graduating participants saying they understood the lessons taught during the nine-month programme and were prepared to mentor others.

In his welcome address the Niger State Change Catalyst of SISA-CDS Mohammed Danjuma Abubakar described the initiative as a complement to the NYSC’s efforts to equip graduates with leadership skills practical experience and innovative approaches to solving community problems.

He said some programme graduates secured employment using their SISA certifications and project portfolios while others contributed to communities within and outside Nigeria.

Abubakar attributed these achievements to the founder’s vision and commitment describing the initiative as an example of selfless service and proactive leadership.

The Niger State NYSC Coordinator Mrs Martina Shuaibu Ibrahim represented by the SISA Desk Officer Mallam Abdullahi Yahaya commended the initiative and urged corps members to serve as good ambassadors of SISA-CDS.

The Head of Enterprise Development Search Inwards Group of Companies and National Change Catalyst of SISA-CDS Mr Dalhatu Abubakar Iya outlined the award categories for outstanding graduates. They included the SISA Community Service Award Commendation Award Punctuality Gem Social Media Award Special Commendation Award for Facilitators and SISA Person of the Year Award.