Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Cameroon’s opposition leaders rejected presidential election results that extended President Paul Biya’s rule for another seven years, saying the outcome did not reflect the will of the people in a country already battling a separatist conflict.

The central African nation’s constitutional council on Monday declared Biya, 92, as the winner of the disputed vote with over 53% of the ballots, triggering violent protests in several cities in the oil- and cocoa-producing nation.

The court’s ruling, which is final and cannot be appealed, signals a potentially prolonged post-election standoff.

Issa Tchiroma Bakary , Biya’s main challenger, had earlier declared victory and warned he would not accept any other outcome. His supporters have angrily taken to the streets, clashing with riot police and blocking roads in the commercial capital Douala with burning tires and debris.

The protests killed at least four people over the weekend and two others on Monday, according to the opposition.

There were scattered celebrations in Biya’s strongholds and government ministers held a party. The usually bustling streets of Douala remained quiet yesterday as rain and riot police kept protesters away.

The European Union expressed ‘deep concern’ about the recent violent repression of protests and called on authorities to tackle the excessive use of force. It also urged leaders to engage in dialogue to preserve national stability.

The Global Director of BudgIT, Oluseun Onigbinde, has called on state governments to deepen fiscal reforms and build stronger local economies that can sustain their ambitions without overdependence on federal allocations.

Speaking in Abuja at the 10th anniversary of the State of States report, Onigbinde said the initiative was conceived from a simple belief that every public kobo meant for citizens should be traceable, justified, and used to improve lives.

He said the State of States report, which began a decade ago as a modest effort to promote fiscal transparency, had become a national benchmark for assessing governance at the subnational level.

‘Every year, we gather not just to present numbers, charts, or fiscal rankings,’ he said. ‘We gather to hold up a mirror – a mirror that reflects the choices our state governments are making, the paths they are taking, and the opportunities they are either seizing or leaving on the table.’

Onigbinde noted that when the project began, only five states in the federation published their budgets, but today, transparency has become a competitive advantage among governors who now await the report’s rankings with keen interest.

He acknowledged the progress made over the years, crediting it to citizens’ growing demand for accountability and the emergence of reform-minded leaders who understand the power of data in governance.

‘Governors now wait eagerly – sometimes nervously – to see where they stand. Citizens have stronger voices. Data has become a lever for accountability. We celebrate that progress sincerely,’ he said.

However, the BudgIT chief warned that despite the gains, Nigeria remains at a fiscal crossroads. He pointed to the widening gap between potential and performance in many states, adding that inflation and debt obligations were rising faster than household earnings and revenue reforms.

‘We must be honest with ourselves,’ Onigbinde said. ‘Many states still rely excessively on federal allocations rather than building resilient local economies. The gap between potential and performance remains wide.’

He said the essence of this year’s report was not to name winners or losers, but to encourage collective responsibility toward building sustainable governance structures that prioritize human development and economic opportunity.

‘Today’s conversations are therefore not about winners and losers. They are about ensuring that children can learn in safe classrooms, that small businesses can thrive without being strangled by taxes or power costs, and that basic healthcare is not a privilege but a guarantee,’ he added.

Onigbinde emphasized that the State of States report is not merely BudgIT’s publication, but a public resource and a call to action for leaders and citizens alike.

‘Nigeria’s future is not shaped only in Abuja,’ he said. ‘The engine of national prosperity must fire in Kano, Enugu, Bauchi, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, and across every corner of this federation.’

He thanked BudgIT’s partners and reform advocates in government who, despite challenges, continue to push for improved governance and accountability.

As the report marks its 10th anniversary, Onigbinde urged state governments to move beyond transparency checklists and adopt innovation-driven policies that prioritize education, healthcare, and infrastructure as the pillars of sustainable development.

‘Let us build states that can fund their ambitions through innovation – states that see transparency not as a box to tick but as a foundation for trust,’ he said.

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, urged subnational governments to use the current surge in federal allocations to build sustainable, people-centered economies rather than expand recurrent expenditures that do little to improve citizens’ lives.

Speaking on the theme ‘A Decade of Subnational Fiscal Evolution,’ Oyedele commended BudgIT for sustaining ten years of evidence-based fiscal analysis, describing the report as ‘a consistent, unblinking light on the financial health of Nigeria’s states.’

‘Today, we are not merely launching another report,’ Oyedele said. ‘We are marking ten years of fiscal X-rays-ten years of holding a mirror to our subnational governments and asking a profound question: what have we done with the resources entrusted to us?’

Oyedele observed that the 2025 edition of the report comes at a defining moment for Nigeria’s fiscal landscape. Since May 2023, he noted, the country has witnessed sweeping economic reforms including the removal of fuel subsidy, floating of the naira, and tax restructuring – measures that, despite their pains, helped to avert a potential economic collapse.

He revealed that the total Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) transfers nearly doubled within a year, from ?5.4 trillion in 2023 to ?11.4 trillion in 2024, as a result of these reforms.

‘States are receiving more money than ever before,’ he said. ‘But there is a paradox – while governments have more naira, ordinary Nigerians have less disposable income in their pockets. Fiscal abundance does not automatically translate into social prosperity.’

According to Oyedele, the report shows that 21 states now rely on federal allocations for at least 70% of their total revenue, an indication that FAAC dependency has worsened over the past year.

Nonetheless, he highlighted several bright spots in revenue generation, noting that Enugu grew its internally generated revenue (IGR) by 381%, Bayelsa by 174%, and Abia by 129%. Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Anambra, and Edo, he said, continued to display resilience through steady IGR performance.

Oyedele urged states to convert their current windfalls into sustainable fiscal capacity, taking advantage of new tax laws that expand VAT shares, assign the electronic money transfer levy entirely to states, and offer tax exemptions for government bonds to reduce borrowing costs.

The 2025 report ranked Anambra as the best-performing state, followed by Lagos, Kwara, Abia, and Edo. Akwa Ibom and Zamfara were also commended for significant improvements.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. AbdulLateef Shittu, commended BudgIT for sustaining the State of States report for a decade, describing it as a credible tool for promoting fiscal transparency and accountability across Nigeria’s 36 states.

Shittu said the theme, ‘A Decade of Subnational Fiscal Analysis: Growth, Decline and Middling Performance,’ presents an opportunity for honest reflection on the progress made and areas requiring deeper reforms.

He said BudgIT has remained a vital civic partner in improving citizen access to public finance information, while the NGF continues to use such independent assessments to drive evidence-based dialogue on state performance.

According to him, the World Bank-supported States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme helped institutionalise budget credibility, debt transparency, and audit integrity, creating the data foundations that make such reports possible.

He added that the ongoing State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme is extending the reform frontier beyond fiscal transparency to improving the business climate at the subnational level.

Shittu said both programmes demonstrate what can be achieved when incentives, data, and collaboration align between government, civil society, and development partners.

He emphasized that transparency is not an end in itself but a continuous journey. ‘Each state faces unique fiscal realities. What matters is refining data, improving dialogue, and strengthening mutual accountability,’ he said.

The NGF, he added, will continue to provide a platform for peer learning and engagement among states, while partnering with civil society to sustain fiscal reforms.

He congratulated BudgIT on the 10th anniversary of the State of States report and commended development partners for their consistent support to subnational governance reforms.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting fiscal transparency and governance reforms in Nigeria, describing sound fiscal management as a cornerstone of effective service delivery and inclusive growth.

Speaking on behalf of the Foundation’s Country Director, Mr. Uche Amaonwu, at the launch of BudgIT’s 2025 State of States report in Abuja, Deputy Director for Program Advocacy and Communications, Ekenem Isichei, commended BudgIT for a decade of promoting accountability in public finance.

Amaonwu praised the State of States report as one of Nigeria’s most credible measures of subnational fiscal health, noting that it has evolved beyond rankings to highlight how governance decisions directly impact citizens.

He said the 2025 edition, themed ‘Growth, Decline, and Middling Performance,’ reflects the uneven progress across Nigeria’s 36 states and underscores that fiscal performance is ultimately a question of governance – about how decisions are made, resources are managed, and people are served.

He linked the Foundation’s partnership with BudgIT to its broader goal of improving health outcomes through stronger fiscal discipline. Good governance and sound fiscal systems, he said, ensure that budgeted health funds reach the frontline, that facilities are staffed, medicines are available, and mothers and children receive quality care.

According to him, subnational fiscal management directly influences the success of public health campaigns against diseases such as polio, malaria, and measles, and determines the effectiveness of healthcare delivery at the primary level.

Amaonwu urged states to strengthen public financial management practices such as budget profiling, cash forecasting, and post-mortem budget reviews to ensure better fiscal outcomes.

He cited Kaduna State’s coordination between its budget and health ministries as evidence that governance-centered transparency delivers results.

Closing his remarks, he emphasized that fiscal transparency is not an end in itself but a means to ensure every naira allocated to health, education, and human capital delivers real impact. ‘Fiscal health is human health,’ he said. ‘When governance is transparent and accountable, it becomes the bridge that connects both.’

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ending Tuberculosis (TB) by 2030 through concrete actions, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda President Bola Tinubu.

This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the first lady’s Media Aide, Busola Kukoyi, during her message as the special guest of honour at the 39th Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting held in Manila, Philippines.

The first lady explained to the gathering of over 180 participants from 47 countries that Nigeria is strengthening its commitment to reduce reliance on donor funding, to build resilient systems to ensure no setback on ending TB by 2030.

According to Mrs Tinubu, who is the Global and National Stop TB Champion, TB remains the biggest infectious killer disease and is a threat for all of us, being airborne.

She said the stainability of TB response cannot depend solely on external assistance but from within the nation through leadership, community engagement and strategic national coordination.

‘I am equally pleased to share that, despite the temporary shifts in support from some financing partners, Nigeria’s efforts in the fight against TB have remained strong.

‘Through steadfast leadership, community engagement, and strategic national coordination, we have ensured that the number of people diagnosed and treated for TB in 2025 did not increase..

‘This stands as a testament to the power of country ownership and to the unwavering commitment of Nigerians who continue to drive this response forward, even in the face of uncertainty.

‘Health for all begins in our communities, therefore, coming together for the Stop TB Partnership Board meetings remind us that the fight against tuberculosis is not finished, ‘ the first lady said.

She emphasised that TB was a threat that has claimed lives saying ‘it claims close to 1.3 million lives each year.

‘In Nigeria, we remain among the eight countries that account for two-thirds of global TB cases, with an estimated 479,000 Nigerians developing TB in 2023 and more than 150,000 deaths recorded.

‘These are not numbers, they are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters whose lives compel us to act with urgency and compassion,’ Mrs Tinubu said.

She commended the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and its affiliate agencies, the Stop TB Partnership and others for their dedication and transparency in ensuring that all the money mobilided towards expanding access to testing, diagnosis, treatment and integrating TB services into primary healthcare are judiciously utilised.

In his remarks, the Stop TB Partnership Board Chair and Secretary of Health of Philippines Teodoro Herbosa pointed out that TB was more than a health concern but a development challenge for many nations.

‘It is critical fight, despite the remarkable progress made but we must be relentless and determined.

The Executive-Director of Stop TB Partnership, Dr Lucica Ditiu while giving the board report said that integrating data systems with governments of various country’s is vital to ending TB by 2030.

‘In five countries, in the last two months new facility for grants have been deployed and with it, 8,000 were screened, 5,000 were diagnosed and 3,000 enrolled in preventive treatment.’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate was in attendance at the meeting.

The 38th edition of the Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting was held in Abuja in 2024. (NAN)

Filmmaker and actress Omoni Oboli has expressed gratitude t fans and supporters for overwhelming love and enthusiasm for her film, ‘Love in Every Word: The Wedding’.

In a post on Instagram, she thanked them for celebrating her work and making her feel seen and appreciated.

The actress acknowledged the impact of their support on her career, stating that it reminded her why she tells stories to touch hearts, make people laugh, and glorify God through love.

Oboli wrote: ‘My dearest besties, I honestly don’t even know where to start. Every view, every comment, every post, every share. you’ve poured so much love into LOVE IN EVERY WORD: THE WEDDING, and my heart is so full. You stayed up late, you celebrated like it was your own win, and you made and are still making history with me.

‘There were moments I cried reading your comments because I could feel your love through the screen. You made all the hard work worth it. You reminded me why I tell stories, to touch hearts, to make people laugh, and to glorify God through love.

‘From the bottom of my heart, thank you. You are the reason this dream keeps growing, and I’ll never take you for granted’.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed reports suggesting that it disbursed $1.259 billion to major oil sector operators for the importation of refined petroleum products and related items, describing such claims as inaccurate and misleading.

In a statement yesterday, the CBN clarified that the figure referenced in its first quarter 2025 Sectoral Utilisation of Foreign Exchange data did not represent direct CBN disbursements.

Instead, it reflected the total foreign exchange transactions conducted by participants in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) under the willing buyer, willing seller framework.

According to the bank’s spokesperson, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, ‘Since the unification of exchange rates in 2023, the NFEM has operated as a market-driven system, where foreign exchange is sourced and supplied by market participants, not allocated by the CBN. Accordingly, the Bank has not sold foreign exchange specifically for the importation of refined petroleum nor any other products.’

She explained that the figure of $1.259 billion merely represents aggregate utilisation by authorised dealers and end-users who independently sourced foreign exchange through the market in compliance with existing regulations.

‘The data cited in the report only captures legitimate market transactions and does not reflect any form of direct CBN intervention in the oil sector,’ she stated.

Sidi Ali noted that the willing buyer, willing seller system allows for transparency and fair price discovery in the foreign exchange market, reinforcing the CBN’s commitment to maintaining a market-based framework.

She further assured the public that the Central Bank remains committed to transparency and stability in Nigeria’s financial system.

‘The CBN continues to promote a transparent, market-based foreign exchange regime that supports efficient price discovery, economic stability, and confidence in the Nigerian financial system,’ she said.

The Bank therefore urged the media and the public to verify information before publication, especially when it concerns sensitive economic data, to avoid creating false impressions about government policies or the management of the nation’s foreign exchange market.

Rapper Erigga has expressed reservations about polygamy, citing the harm it can cause to women and children.

Drawing from personal experience growing up in a polygamous home, he noted that such arrangements often lead to conflict and hurt feelings, with women and kids typically bearing the brunt.

In an interview with Yanga FM Lagos, he said: ‘I am trying not to be like my father. I don’t like polygamy; one person gets hurt, which is the woman. There’s never a polygamous situation where the man gets hurt; it’s always the woman and the kids.’

Erigga stated that he is making a conscious effort to avoid polygamy, opting instead for monogamy, which he believes is a more straightforward and fulfilling choice.

In his view, polygamy can be complex and painful, particularly for the women and children involved.

Over the past 10 years, Nigeria’s story has been one of courage and continuity, of institutions learning discipline, and of leaders willing to face hard truths about our economy. President Muhammadu Buhari laid the foundation of fiscal prudence, agricultural revival, and infrastructure renewal. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has advanced that legacy through decisive structural reforms such as removing the fuel subsidy, unifying exchange rates, modernising tax policy, and restoring credibility to public finance. These choices were not easy, but they were necessary. They broke habits that had become too costly to sustain and redirected public wealth toward productivity.

Since May 2023, government non-oil revenue has grown by more than 400 percent. This is not coincidence. It is the outcome of intentional policy and technological transparency. The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee has simplified compliance, eliminated duplication, and placed technology at the centre of revenue collection. Revenue agencies that once competed now cooperate. Multiple taxation is being dismantled. Incentives for businesses are transparent and available online without intermediaries or privileged access. Every entrepreneur, large or small, can now apply for fiscal waivers or export credits within minutes. Fairness by design and technology is replacing favour by connection.

Energy stability has returned as proof that reform, though painful, delivers results. The queues that once defined our petrol stations are gone. Deregulation has reopened the downstream market and restored investor confidence in oil and gas, bringing new capital into deep-water, midstream, and modular-refinery projects. Parallel reforms in the Presidential CNG Initiative are changing urban mobility by replacing petrol fleets with cleaner and cheaper gas vehicles. At the same time, a nationwide solar-power rollout is providing electricity to schools, clinics, and small industries. Together, these initiatives reflect a balanced energy future built on efficiency, competition, and sustainability.

Security remains the foundation of every reform. In 2024, N3.85 trillion, about 13 percent of the national budget, was allocated to defence and internal security. For 2025, that figure rose to N6.57 trillion, with significant investment in equipment, intelligence, and personnel welfare. The Nigerian Air Force is modernising with 24 M-346 attack jets and 10 AW-109 helicopters. The Navy has commissioned new patrol ships and maritime helicopters to strengthen coastal and energy-asset protection. Across all theatres, joint operations by the Nigerian Armed Forces and intelligence agencies have neutralised tens of thousands of terrorists, insurgents and criminal elements, arrested many more, and rescued tens of thousands of hostages and displaced persons. The tempo has changed. Our armed forces now take the initiative rather than wait for it.

Infrastructure remains the bridge between ambition and opportunity. Across the country, more than 260 major projects in roads, bridges, ports, and pipelines are under construction or near completion. The Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto – Badagry Super Highway are redefining commerce and mobility. The national Bridge Fibre Project is expanding digital connectivity across cities and rural areas, strengthening the country’s broadband backbone and opening new corridors for education, innovation, and enterprise.

Digital governance reform is also deepening national capacity. The ongoing overhaul of the National Identity Management Commission has expanded NIN registration to tens of millions of citizens, creating a reliable digital backbone for planning, financial inclusion, and social protection. For the first time, national data is being harmonised across agencies, improving service delivery, strengthening security coordination, and helping the country plan development with precision.

Work along the River Niger corridor from Lokoja to Baro Port is progressing to enable future inland-waterway operations that can reduce transport costs and improve market access across regions. These projects reflect a deliberate effort to balance regional growth, from the Niger Delta clean-up and gas expansion in the South to new exploration in the North and industrial corridors across the Middle Belt.

Reform without human investment is reform without soul. The $2.2 billion Health Sector Renewal Programme is upgrading 17,000 primary health centres and training 120,000 health workers, while free caesarean care and subsidised dialysis are easing the burden on families. In education, student-loan schemes, digital-skills initiatives, and new STEM and AI curricula are preparing our young people for a digital economy. Through the Student Loan Fund, access to higher education is becoming a right, not a privilege. Its synergy with new financing institutions such as CREDICORP and the Nigeria Credit Guarantee Company ensures that young Nigerians can pursue knowledge with the same confidence that entrepreneurs pursue capital. Free technical and vocational training at the tertiary level will supply the technicians and artisans required for industrial growth.

Agriculture and food security have become the centre of national resilience. Beyond grains, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is unlocking a trillion-naira value chain in meat, dairy, and leather. Expanded fertiliser blending, mechanisation, irrigation, and storage are supporting millions of smallholders. With increased investment in rice, cassava, and cash-crop processing, Nigeria is moving toward genuine food sovereignty. Food security is not an aspiration but a necessity for economic stability.

The government’s economic renewal is also anchored on access to finance, enterprise, and inclusion. The establishment of CREDICORP, the Nigeria Credit Guarantee Company, and the Student Loan Fund has strengthened the foundation for a credit-based economy as well as human capital and domestic productivity. Together, these institutions expand access to credit for small businesses, farmers, civil servants, individuals, and students while de-risking lending and empowering citizens to build their future without political connections. In promoting local production over import dependence, the Nigeria First Policy is not only conserving foreign exchange but also creating pathways for skilled youth employment and industrial apprenticeship across states.

President Tinubu has made it possible for any Nigerian engaged in productive enterprise and producing goods in Nigeria, to get business patronage without knowing anyone. From where I stand, and for every Nigerian, the true beauty of the Nigeria First Policy is that it invites us all to become participants in our country’s renewal. We can each now go into productive enterprise and live the Nigerian dream, so long as we care enough to believe in this nation and invest in our people, resources, and future.

In the midst of reform, President Tinubu’s words have been both compass and caution: ‘As we continue to reform the economy, I shall always listen to the people and will never turn my back on you.’

That statement captures the essence of progressive governance which I define as courage guided by compassion. Under this directive, Nigeria’s social-protection system has been rebuilt on transparency and technology. The Conditional Cash Transfer programme now reaches more than 15 million households on a verified digital register, each linked to a NIN-validated wallet or bank account for direct payment. No intermediaries and no leakages. In addition, N344 billion has been disbursed in three tranches to the 36 states and the FCT to support local welfare and enterprise programmes. The Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, which will operate across 8,809 wards, will economically engage over 10 million Nigerians and ensure that national policy translates into local opportunity.

The humanitarian principle of progressivism is simple. Reform must lift, not leave behind. Fiscal discipline restores credibility. Social investment restores trust. When citizens see roads being built, hospitals working, and social payments arriving on time, faith in reform deepens and the social contract is strengthened.

The numbers also tell their own story of impact and renewed hope in Nigeria. Non-oil revenues continue to rise. Exports are diversifying. Nigeria has recorded its first trade and balance-of-payments surplus in years, a sign of growing production and renewed confidence in the naira. Oil output is improving, new investments are flowing into the upstream and midstream segments, and our current account is gaining strength as reforms take hold.

While citizens are beginning to see the first trickles of progress, the greater task is to ensure that these trickles flow downward to communities, markets, classrooms, and farms where growth becomes tangible and human.

The task ahead is to sustain this momentum but it won’t be easy. Every child must be in school. NIWA must be further strengthened to expand partnerships for safer and cleaner waterways. NDLEA must receive greater support to combat the rising threat of drug trafficking and addiction, and NAFDAC must be empowered with stronger laboratories and technology to protect the public from counterfeit medicines and unsafe food. These are not peripheral agencies. They are frontline guardians of national wellbeing, and their effectiveness determines the credibility of our progress.

I imagine a Nigeria where every child learns, every farmer prospers, every hospital has power, and every young person earns a dignified living. That is the spirit of renewal behind this progressive decade. It is the belief that courage and compassion are not opposites but partners in building a fair and prosperous country. Tomorrow’s Nigeria is not waiting to be discovered. It is waiting to be delivered with courage, competence, and care.

I am Rabiu Isyaku Rabiu and I endorse the publication of this message.

Sir: The recent inauguration of 13 new Emirates by the Bauchi State governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has once again drawn public attention – and criticism – over the government’s misplaced priorities. While palaces are rising and traditional titles multiplying, the essential pillars of society – education and health – are collapsing in silence.

Across the state, schools are falling apart. Children sit on bare floors; many classrooms have broken roofs and no learning materials. Some teachers go months without proper teaching aids. In many rural areas, pupils still learn under trees. In the same state, hospitals are struggling. Patients sleep without proper attention, drugs are scarce, and healthcare workers operate under poor conditions. Yet, huge sums of money are being spent on building palaces, buying luxury vehicles, and hosting ceremonies for newly appointed Emirs.

The painful truth is that Bauchi State has lost its sense of priority. Instead of investing in classrooms and hospitals – the real engines of human progress – the government appears focused on showy projects that do not improve the lives of ordinary citizens.

Development is not about how many palaces, flyovers, or investment summits a state can boast of. True development is about people – about children who can read and write, mothers who can give birth safely, and youths who can find meaningful opportunities to work and dream.

Bauchi’s government has spent billions on projects that have little or no direct impact on the common man. The creation of new emirates, the establishment of BAROTA, and the organization of investment summits may look impressive on paper, but they fail to address the deep problems facing education and healthcare in the state.

When schools are weak and hospitals are sick, no amount of ceremony can cure the pain of the people. The citizens of Bauchi deserve better – they deserve policies that place human development at the centre of governance.

Leadership is not about titles or thrones; it is about service. A true leader is a servant of his people – one who listens, understands, and acts in their best interest. Sadly, the current administration has repeatedly placed prestige over purpose.

The essence of democracy is simple: a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. When government actions stop reflecting the needs of the people, democracy loses its meaning.

As the next election approaches, the people of Bauchi must think deeply about their choices. We need leaders who will prioritize human welfare over political glory – leaders who will invest in books before crowns, and hospitals before ceremonies.

Our state does not need more Emirs; it needs more educated minds, more healthy families, and more opportunities for its youth. Bauchi can only rise again when our classrooms are alive with learning, our hospitals are centres of healing, and our leaders remember that power belongs to the people.

The Senate has confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s nominees as the new Service Chiefs after an intensive closed-door screening that centred on Nigeria’s deepening security challenges.

At the end of the over two-hour session presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Upper Chamber unanimously approved the appointments of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff and Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff.

The Service Chiefs, while answering questions from Senators before the executive session, promised sweeping reforms to modernise the Armed Forces, boost troop morale, promote local arms production, use of technology, and deepen cooperation among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

General Oluyede said his leadership would drive a ‘technology-driven, self-reliant’ defence system that reduces dependence on foreign arms.

He said: ‘We cannot continue to rely on foreign suppliers for our weapons. It is economically unsustainable and strategically risky.

‘My focus will be to build a strong local military-industrial base that can produce what we need to defend the nation.’

He pledged to make intelligence-led, data-driven warfare the backbone of joint operations, while prioritising welfare, healthcare, housing, and education for soldiers’ families.

‘Morale is the backbone of fighting power,’ he said.

Oluyede also called for a comprehensive reform of the police to enable it to take charge of internal security, so as to free the military to focus on external defence.

‘The military alone cannot secure Nigeria. Security is everyone’s business,’ he added.

Senators praised the nominees’ strategic focus, with Borno North Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno commending Oluyede’s experience in the insurgency war, while Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) urged him to treat troop welfare as non-negotiable.

Rear Admiral Abbas, the new Chief of Naval Staff, promised to overhaul maritime operations, expand drone surveillance, and intensify the fight against piracy and oil theft.

He also said that there was no need for setting up the proposed Coast Guards, as the Navy is already performing their expected role.

‘The Navy’s constitutional roles already cover what a Coast Guard would do.

‘What we need is better funding and modern surveillance systems,’ he said.

He said the Navy had deployed drones to monitor remote creeks and set up a Special Operations Command in Makurdi to boost patrols on the Benue-Lokoja waterways.

Abbas also said there is need for victim-centred reintegration of repentant militants, saying: ‘Deradicalisation must include justice and healing.’

Aneke, the new Chief of Air Staff, vowed to transform the Air Force into a ‘combat-ready, disciplined, and intelligent’ service anchored on drone technology and rapid-response capability.

‘Modern warfare is technology-driven. Unmanned aerial systems perform many missions better and safer than manned aircraft. We will invest in them,’ he said.

Aneke assured senators that Nigeria’s $1.2 billion Super Tucano aircraft fleet remains operational and vital to ongoing counter-insurgency operations.

‘They are flying every night in the North-East and North-West. Each missile costs about $100,000, the price of peace,’ he said.

He promised to prioritise pilot training, aircraft maintenance, and personnel welfare, while seeking legislative support for defence technology funding.

Together, the new Service Chiefs outlined a unified vision, one built on synergy, innovation, and welfare, to secure Nigeria’s land, sea, and airspace.

General Oluyede vowed to drive joint operations with Rear Admiral Abbas to safeguard maritime assets, and Air Vice Marshal Aneke to ensure air dominance.

All three reaffirmed loyalty to President Tinubu’s defence reform agenda and promised to deliver tangible results in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and oil theft.

‘We are here to serve. Every naira invested in the military must translate into peace, safety, and pride for Nigerians,’ Aneke said.

With their confirmation, the Service Chiefs now form the core of Tinubu’s new security architecture, tasked with restoring stability to the North-East, ending banditry in the North-West, and defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity across all fronts.

The House of Representatives is to investigate the activities and accounts of the Nigerian Football Federation from 2015 to date, while resolving to take appropriate action aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability of NFF, with a view to restoring national and international confidence.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Dr Adedayo Samuel Adesola (APC, Lagos and Nwaeke Felix Uche (PDP, Rivers), the House asked the leadership of NFF to appear before the House Committee on Sports with records of activities, receipts and disbursements of funds from 2015 to date.

Leading debate on the motion, Adesola recall recent lamentation of former Super Eagles Captain Sunday Oliseh, accusing the NFF of undermining the growth of soccer in Nigeria through misappropriation of grants from FIFA and CAF, citing the questionable handling of USD 1.0 Million NFF got from FIFA to prepare the Super Eagles for the 2002 World Cup.

He said between 2015 and 2025, NFF allegedly received development funds in excess of USD 25 Million from FIFA and CAF with nothing tangible on ground to justify the huge capital inflow from these soccer bodies.

He said ‘in December 2016, FIFA sent an audit query over the mishandling of US$1.1 development grant to NFF and reported that USS802,000 lacked proper documentation; prompting Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung to order an independent audit and asked NFF to account for receipts and disbursements.

According to him, between 2018 and 2019, NFF officials (including the then President, Amaju Pinnick) faced public criticism and were subject of EFCC and ICPC probes and court actions tied to alleged mismanagement of various funds and sponsorship monies. One of these monies, US$1.2 Million is the subject of a news item currently trending on the social media which NFF allegedly used to construct the Birnin Kebbi Stadium.

He said a physical inspection of the Stadium In Birnin Kebbi showed a substandard facility in terms of quality and quantity which cannot justify the sum of US$1.2 claimed to have spent on the project by the NFF,whereas Kenyan Football Federation used the same amount of grant to develop a standard and well-equipped facility, to further raise eye brows on the profligacy in NFF F.

He said with another African Cup of Nation round the corner and the World Cup play off, both involving the Super. Eagles of Nigeria, there is need to take decisive action on further misuse of public funds by the leadership of NFF.