Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) Plc has expanded its flagship community nutrition intervention, ‘Bringing Life to Our Overlooked Minors’ to Ajegunle under Lagos State Health District V, reaching over 120 children with their mothers and caregivers.

The programme is being implemented in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Health Emergency Initiative (HEI).

The outreach, held at Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat in partnership with the Lagos State Health District V, built on the success and measurable impact of the pilot held at Yaba’s Aiyetoro Primary Health Centre, where hundreds of children were screened and over 61 per cent were found to need urgent medical intervention.

Follow-up monitoring revealed that more than 48 per cent of these children have shown remarkable nutritional recovery within weeks, regaining healthy weight and vitality. This progress has further strengthened the project’s mission to expand its reach across underserved communities.

At the Ajegunle outreach, children received Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) and comprehensive health checks, while mothers and caregivers participated in practical nutrition education sessions focused on preparing low-cost, nutritious meals and maintaining proper hygiene. Initial screening results revealed that 69 children were moderately malnourished, 29 were severely malnourished, and another 24 were at risk of becoming malnourished. The outreach also emphasized early detection of malnutrition and sustained follow-up care through local Primary Health Centres.

Notably, over 20 NGX Group employees volunteered alongside District health workers during the engagement, assisting with screenings, data collection, and caregiver training. Their participation reflects the Exchange’s commitment to fostering a culture of service and social responsibility among its workforce. Through initiatives like Project BLOOM, NGX Group continues to encourage employees to actively contribute to community development efforts, demonstrating that true sustainability is achieved through collective action and shared purpose. This approach reinforces the organisation’s broader commitment to building the long-term resilience of society and the economy.

Group Managing Director, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) Plc, Temi Popoola, said seeing 48.8 per cent of the children identified with malnutrition now in recovery, and others who were once at risk steadily improving, has been truly inspiring.

‘It affirms that our partnership with Health Emergency Initiative and Lagos State Government, is driving real, measurable change in our communities. For us at NGX Group, building strong capital markets goes hand in hand with building strong communities, because inclusive growth and social well-being are the true foundations of a resilient economy. This recovery rate motivates us to do even more, to scale up, to reach further, and to continue investing in the wellbeing of underserved communities,’ Popoola said.

Executive Director of HEI, Dr. Pascal Achunine, described the expansion as a vital response to the realities revealed by the pilot: ‘The first outreach showed us the depth of the malnutrition crisis and the power of swift, coordinated intervention. The results prove that when public and private sectors work together with urgency and compassion, we can save lives and restore hope.’

Dr Oladeinde Ebenezer Oluwaseun, Director Planning Research and Statistics, representing the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Health District V, Dr. Oladapo Ashiyanbi, commended NGX Group and HEI for their ‘unwavering commitment to restoring hope to vulnerable families,’ noting that the initiative aligns perfectly with the Lagos State Government’s ongoing nutrition and child health programmes.

Project BLOOM continues to advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through measurable community impact, employee-driven engagement, and multi-sector collaboration.

With two successful outreaches completed, NGX Group is set to scale Project BLOOM across other underserved Lagos communities, with a long-term vision to reach thousands of children and across the state.

Russian lawmakers said yesterday they had drafted a law mandating life imprisonment for anyone involving minors in sabotage and lowering the age threshold for criminal responsibility for such crimes to 14 years old.

Since it sent military forces into Ukraine in 2022, Russia has crafted a series of laws which give state security agencies extensive powers to detain those accused of misrepresenting the war or opposing the state.

Vasily Piskaryov, chairman of the lower house of parliament’s security committee, said a bill introduced into the lower house of parliament yesterday and backed by 419 out of 450 deputies would increase the security of the state.

The bill will ‘increase the inevitability of punishment for those who try to undermine the foundations of our state,’ Piskaryov said.

‘It will more toughly punish those who involve children in terrorism and sabotage, up to life imprisonment,’ he said, adding that the age threshold would be reduced to 14 years old.

A new twist has been introduced into the crisis in the Lagos Country Club as the registered trustees have filed a suit seeking to set aside all court orders obtained against them by aggrieved members.

The application would be heard on October 30 by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Lagos Federal High Court, Ikoyi.

In their suit number FHC/CS/1886/2024 brought by Motion on Notice and dated September 1, 2025 filed by their team of lawyers led by Emmanuel Sukore, the registered trustees, now applicants, are seeking four orders from the court.

The trustees, in particular, are seeking an order for an injunction restraining the plaintiffs/respondents from executing the consent judgment obtained on July 16, 2024 or from putting it into effect.

They also asked the court for ‘an order setting aside the Notice of Discontinuance filed against them dated July 8, 2025 and striking out the same’; an order setting aside the Terms of Settlement dated on July 8, 2025 ‘; and an order setting aside the Consent judgment entered into on 16 July 16, 2024.’

Their application is based on 16 grounds.

They are also praying the court for an injunction restraining the plaintiff/respondent from executing the consent judgment or from putting it into effect and/or taking steps or further steps to implement the said judgment in any manner whatsoever pending the final determination of the instant motion so as not to constitute a fait accompli.

They also asked for any other order as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.

The 16 grounds upon which the suit was brought were that the suit was fixed for July 15, 2025 which turned out to be a public holiday in honour of Late Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

They averred that the applicants did not know that the case was called on July 16, 2025 until recently when their counsel informed them and that a consent judgment was entered.

They claimed that the time within which to file a defence by all the parties having expired, the plaintiff required leave to discontinue against any defendant, pursuant to the Provisions of Order 50 Rule 2(1) and (3) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

They averred that the notice of discontinuance is incompetent and bound to be struck out upon the applicants’ application, ex-debito jusitiae.

They contended that the applicants had no notice of the terms of settlement.

They averred that the terms of settlement and the consent judgment adversely affect the applicants’ interest in this suit without their being heard.

According to them, the matters beng decided in the Consent Judgment are sub-judice in this suit and sister cases of Suit No’ FHC/L/CS/1704/2024 E. Ademosu vs. The Registered Trustees of the Lagos Country Club and Ors , Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1792/2024 B.AM Fashanu vs. The Registered Trustees of the Lagos Country Club and ors And Suit No. FHC/L/CS/657/2025 Timmy Kolawole vs. The Registered Trustees of the Lagos Country Club and Ors. in which the applicants are also parties and the court was misled into granting the said consent judgement.

They averred that pending applications in this suit were not determined and that the applicants remain parties in this suit as well as the other sister suits and has aligned itself with the applicants in the sister suits that supports its position as court sanctioned Caretaker Committee of LCC.

They contended that there is an order that the status-quo be maintained in two of the said cases pending but the Terms of Settlement and Consent Judgment prejudice this suit against the applicants and those other cases in which they are parties as well which makes the Terms of Settlement and Consent Judgment in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1886/2024 against them fraudulent and illegal.

They averred that the Notice of Discontinuance and Terms of Settlement constitutes an abuse of court process.

They also stated that the Notice of Discontinuance and/or the Consent Judgment amount to a denial of the applicants’ right to fair hearing guaranteed under Section 36 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

They averred that the applicants are entitled to have, ex-debito justitiae, the Consent Judgment set-aside.

They averred that unless the plaintiff/respondent is restrained from executing the Consent Judgment and/or taking any steps or any further steps in implementing or putting into effect the Consent Judgment on or before the hearing of the instant motion, any decision made by this Honourable Court will be rendered nugatory and the Applicant’s application will constitute a ‘fait accompli.’

They affirmed that the subsisting interim order of injunction granted by this Honourable Court on 23/10/2024 by the proceedings of this court on 6/11/2024 for the status quo to continue to remain pending the hearing of ail the other applications to the Originating Summons.

The defendant/applicant affirmed that the Honourable Court cannot sit on appeal over its own interim orders

or judgment or render the orders it made in vain, in other not to ridicule his own orders or in any way bring the Administration of Justice into disrepute by the disobedience of the Orders of this Honourable Court by the Plaintiff/Respondent and other Defendants that surreptitiously signed

the terms of settlement.

. They further stated that plaintiff in the instant suit cannot be allowed to approbate and reprobate at the same time in the presentation of its case before this Honourable Court.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke said yesterday he had no plan either now or in future to leave Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for All Progressives Congress (APC).

Adeleke, the deputy chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee of the PDP, also said the party would come out if its current crisis stronger and a better party.

Adeleke, who spoke shortly after the inaugural meeting of Accommodation Sub-Committee of the convention in Abuja, said everything would be done to ensure the success of the programme.

He said: ‘As we all know, PDP believes in proper organisation and in doing things the right way, and in accordance with the rule of law. This is exactly what we are doing. We have successfully organised many conventions in the past, and this one will be even more successful.

‘By the special grace of God, PDP will continue to grow from strength to strength. I can assure you that we are meeting and resolving our issues internally. It is a family affair. We do not want anyone outside to add sugar, pepper or salt to the matter. We are handling it ourselves. PDP is a family, and we know how to manage our affairs.”

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of Lt. Col Aliyu Saidu Paiko and a few others as soldiers stopped vicious attacks on unarmed civilians in Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists.

The operatives attached to 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Operation HADIN KAI, resisted the terrorists on October 17, at Kashimri general area of Bama Local Government Council of Borno State, Army spokeswoman, Lt.-Col Appolonia Anele, said yesterday.

According to her, the deceased Paiko was the commanding officer of 202 Tank Battalion.

Most of the terrorists were killed in the gun battle with troops with a handful of them sustaining injuries, forcing them to abort their mission to wreak havoc in the community.

‘The troops had successfully located and destroyed identified Boko Haram camps in the area, thereby frustrating the terrorists’ plans to attack civilians and disrupt socio-economic activities in the area. During the operation, the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun fight and neutralised several, while others suffered injuries.

‘However, the encounter took its toll on our side, as the Commanding Officer, 202 Tank Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, and a few other valiant soldiers paid the supreme price, as they fell in battle.

‘These brave heroes fought for the peace of our great nation, and their legacies shall endure forever. The Nigerian Army will continue to honor the weight of their sacrifices as their loss comes with the reminder of our unyielding resolve to stamp out the scourge of terrorism from our great nation, Nigeria,’ said Anele.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, she said, commiserated with the bereaved families, adding

‘They were not just soldiers but fathers, brothers, and sons who expressed immeasurable courage by taking the last stand in the face of adversity, and we stand together in this time of grief,’ she said.

Anele said the COAS reaffirmed the army’s unwavering resolve to pursue all terrorist elements relentlessly until total peace and normalcy are restored in the region and the nation by extension.

‘In the spirit of respect and compassion, members of the public and the media are kindly advised to refrain from sharing or publishing images of personnel who have paid the supreme price during operations generally until their next of kin may have been duly informed. This is to preserve the dignity of such fallen heroes and protecting the privacy of their families,’ the army said.

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu, has called on Nigerian social workers to continue serving as a platform for amplifying diverse voices, sharing actionable insights, and inspiring collective action for national development.

Edu made the call in her keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 40th Annual National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW), which also marked the association’s 50th anniversary.

The event was held from Tuesday, October 14 to Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Leisure Spring, Osogbo, Osun State.

The conference was declared open by Osun State Governor, Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Barrister Kolapo Alimi, and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Hon. Ayobola Elizabeth Fadeyi Awolowo.

The gathering attracted a large number of participants, including practicing social workers, educators, students, top government officials from across the six geopolitical zones, and international delegates from India, Russia, Mexico, Bangladesh, Italy, Egypt, and Nepal.

In her address, Dr. Edu emphasized the need for strengthening intergenerational solidarity to promote enduring well-being and inclusive growth.

‘As we celebrate 50 years of NASoW, let us recommit to developing age-inclusive policies, bridging gaps between generations, and sharing experiences and wisdom across age groups,’ she said. ‘By fostering mutual respect and understanding across generations, we can unlock the potential for transformative change and drive progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).’

Edu urged NASoW to continue serving as a catalyst for unity and social transformation, adding that intergenerational collaboration should remain a cornerstone of efforts to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

The lead paper was presented by Professor Solomon Adebola, Vice Chancellor of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar and Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Oladayo Aliu.

His presentation, titled ‘Building Resilience among Social Workers in Nigeria,’ highlighted the importance of professional strength and adaptability in addressing emerging social challenges.

At the end of the conference, participants resolved that social workers play a crucial role in addressing the complex challenges facing individuals, groups, and communities in Nigeria.

They emphasised that the primary purpose of social work remains to promote problem-solving strategies that enhance social well-being.

The association commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for policies aimed at mitigating hardship but noted that social workers continue to face major challenges – including the absence of a regulatory body, poor funding, weak policy implementation, lack of recognition, and limited involvement in key national programmes.

NASoW therefore called for urgent government action to strengthen the social work profession, ensure adequate regulation, and promote synergy among related sectors to better serve vulnerable populations across the country.

The conference also observed that the absence of council to regulate social work practice is undermining the progress of the profession in Nigeria. We also commend some state governments for involving social workers in their activities and also enjoined other states to emulate them.

The association appealed to the federal government to constitute and inaugurate the Nigerian Council for Social Work.

The association appeal to the governments at all levels to involve Social Workers in the formulation, execution and implementation of policies and programmes of the government.

The conference advised members to update their certificate, attend more trainings and seminars so as to update their knowledge and compete favorably with their peers across the globe.

The association called on all social workers to make wise use of information and communication technology (ICT), mass media platforms and other modern tools for effective service delivery.

The conference enjoined the federal government to put all necessary machineries in place in order to address the level of insecurity in the country.

The association observed the level of insecurity in the state and enjoined the governments at all levels to put policies, programmes and machineries in place to tackle the problems.

NASoW also urged the governments at all levels and stakeholders not to neglect boy child while promoting the right of the girl child.

When Sir Alex Ferguson walked into Manchester United’s old Carrington training ground in November 1986, few would have predicted he’d go on to define not just a club, but an entire era of football.

He inherited chaos: a divided dressing room, drinking culture, fading glory, and impatient fans. For three and a half years, results barely improved. United finished 11th, 11th, and 13th. There were protests, boos, and headlines calling for his head.

But the board did something almost unthinkable in today’s game. They waited. They backed him. And in doing so, they changed football forever.

Ferguson stayed for 27 years, won 38 trophies, built five different United teams, and retired as a living monument to patience and persistence.

Today, that kind of story couldn’t happen. Not in this climate. Not in this football economy.

And that’s the sobering truth: we will probably never see another Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Modern Game Eats Its Own

Managers today operate in the football equivalent of a pressure cooker. Lose two games and you’re ‘under pressure.’ Lose four, and you’re a trending topic. Lose six, and you’re unemployed.

Even success doesn’t guarantee safety anymore. Nuno Espírito Santo guided Nottingham Forest into Europe in 2024/25, sacked after a minor dip and a public clash with the owner.

This is the new football reality: it’s not about what you’ve done; it’s about what you’ve done lately.

In Ferguson’s era, clubs were guided by stability and human judgment. Today, they’re driven by quarterly performance metrics and social media narratives.

The Age of Impatience

Football has always been emotional, but the internet era has turned it into a 24-hour referendum. Every lineup decision is dissected. Every substitution is a scandal. Every loss becomes a crisis.

When Ferguson’s United were dumped out of the League Cup by Oxford United in 1986, fans were furious, but they had to vent on radio call-ins or letters to newspapers. Today, that anger trends worldwide within minutes, amplified by millions.

The result? Owners panic. Boards blink. Managers fall.

If Ferguson had managed his first three years in the social media age, he’d have been gone before he even got to that pivotal 1990 FA Cup run that saved his job.

The Business Has Changed the Bench

Modern football is a global business, and that’s both its strength and its curse.

Clubs are now multi-billion-dollar enterprises, often owned by corporations or foreign investors. These owners expect immediate results, like shareholders expecting quarterly profits. A project that takes ‘three to five years’ sounds noble until TV deals, sponsorship contracts, and Champions League revenues are at stake.

Even the word manager is fading. Most are now ‘head coaches,’ part of a bigger sporting structure where decisions on transfers, scouting, and youth development belong to committees, not individuals.

Ferguson had control over every detail, from signings to the academy, even down to what players ate. That total command allowed him to shape a club in his image. Today’s coaches are replaceable parts in a high-speed system. If one fails, the machine just swaps him out.

Player Power Has Changed the Game

In Ferguson’s United, no player, no matter how big, was bigger than the club. He proved it by selling Beckham, Keane, and Van Nistelrooy when they crossed the line.

That’s not the world we live in now.

Today, players are global brands. They have agents, entourages, and social media audiences larger than the clubs they play for. A single emoji on Instagram can send a manager’s reputation into free fall.

That’s not to say modern players are villains; it’s the ecosystem that’s changed. Managers used to manage men. Now, they manage million-dollar franchises disguised as players.

Even the ‘Project’ Clubs Aren’t Safe

Clubs love to talk about ‘long-term projects.’ Few actually commit to them.

Mikel Arteta at Arsenal is one of the rare exceptions, a manager who survived early storms to create something lasting. But even he admitted that, during his first two seasons, he felt ‘one defeat away’ from being fired.

Diego Simeone and Pep Guardiola are the only two modern managers who’ve built semi-dynasties in the chaos of modern football. Yet even their tenures, 14 and 10 years respectively, pale compared to Ferguson’s reign. And they had something most managers don’t: complete institutional backing.

The truth is, Ferguson had bad seasons. He rebuilt teams that failed. He lost titles, finals, and dressing rooms, but United never wavered. Today, one bad season and you’re ‘no longer part of the vision.’

So, Will We Ever See Another Ferguson?

Honestly? Probably not.

The modern game has evolved beyond the conditions that made Ferguson possible. The pressure’s higher, the patience shorter, and the attention span microscopic. Managers today are operators, not architects.

Pep Guardiola’s reign at Manchester City is the closest thing we’ve seen, a sustained era of dominance built on control and consistency. But even he admits: ‘No one does this forever. Football moves too fast now.’

Ferguson wasn’t just the last of his kind. He may have been the only one of his kind.

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The Senate will tomorrow (Wednesday) barring any last-minute change to its Order Paper, debate a motion seeking an urgent and substantial increase in the minimum wage and general conditions of service for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.

The motion, titled ‘Urgent need to increase the Minimum Wage and Improve Conditions of Service for Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and Other Security Agencies,’ is sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South), former Chief Whip of the 10th Senate.

Ndume, in the motion, lamented what he described as the ‘grossly inadequate’ salaries and allowances earned by soldiers and security operatives who daily put their lives on the line to defend the country.

He said the current pay structure fails to reflect the sacrifices of military and security personnel operating under harsh and dangerous conditions across various theatres of operation nationwide.

Citing Section 217(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Ndume reminded the Senate that the Armed Forces are constitutionally empowered to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria and to assist civil authorities in maintaining law and order when required.

He argued that with inflation and the cost of living at record highs, the average monthly pay for junior personnel, between ?50,000 and ?60,000, is ‘grossly inadequate,’ leaving many unable to meet basic needs such as food, transportation, accommodation, and education for their families.

According to him: ‘Our troops are stretched thin across multiple fronts, from counterterrorism operations in the North-East to anti-banditry and oil theft missions in other regions, yet their welfare has not kept pace with their sacrifices.’

Ndume warned that low pay, delayed allowances and poor welfare have contributed to declining morale, desertions, and vulnerabilities to corruption within the security services.

He drew comparisons with the situation in other African countries, where, according to him, a private soldier in Ghana earns the equivalent of about ?180,000 monthly; in Kenya, ?200,000; in Egypt, between ?230,000 and ?280,000; and in South Africa, about ?250,000, excluding operational allowances.

By contrast, he said, Nigerian privates earn less than a quarter of those figures despite facing more hazardous and extended deployments.

The Borno South senator expressed concern that poor remuneration undermines operational effectiveness and public confidence in the country’s security institutions.

He insisted that improving welfare would boost morale, discipline, professionalism, and patriotism within the ranks.

The motion further noted that in many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and India, military pay is benchmarked above the national minimum wage in recognition of the unique risks and demands of military service.

The Senate may deliberate on Ndume’s prayers urging the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, to urgently and substantially increase the minimum wage and salary structure of the Armed Forces in line with current economic realities.

It also calls on the Senate Committees on Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force to collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies to determine realistic remuneration benchmarks that reflect international best practices.

Additionally, the motion urges the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Assembly Appropriations Committee to make provisions for an enhanced Defence Personnel Cost in the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

If adopted, the motion could pave the way for a periodic wage review framework for security and armed forces personnel, a move that may be crucial to strengthening morale and sustaining the nation’s security architecture.

The Lagos State Sports Commission and the organisers of the Africa School Games have resolved to strengthen their partnership for talent discovery and development in the state, following the successful completion of the inaugural edition of the games in Lagos.

About 11 schools in Lagos took part in the three-day tournament, which featured spirited competitions in swimming, athletics, and football in the U-11, U-13, and U-15 categories. The British International School hosted the inaugural edition with other schools like Grange School, St Savoiurs School, RiverBank School, Supreme Education Foundation, and Avi-Cenna featuring prominently.

The event was championed by sports enthusiasts, Dr. Seun Akinbohun, Dr. Busola Tejumola and Aderoju Ope-Ajayi, who envision a structured school sports ecosystem built on three pillars: continental competition, talent identification, and ecosystem building.

Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, noted that the Africa School Games exemplifies the state’s resolve for talent development and inclusive scouting.

‘We know that schools provide a better environment for talents to be discovered and nurtured. This is a private initiative, but during the course of the partnership, we did make sure that the path of inclusivity isn’t left out, so we have our public schools being part of this,’ Fatodu said.

‘I am particularly impressed that the inaugural edition was successfully managed, and I am confident that the subsequent ones will engage more schools across the continent.’

The organisers also acknowledged the state’s effort in ensuring the success of the initiative.

‘With Lagos State, we know of the Ibile Games and Governor Sanwo-Olu’s passion to drive youth empowerment through sports, and they have been amazing partners for us. Key endorsements came from Lagos State, and we are grateful for that,’ one of the co-founders, Ope-Ajayi said.

Reflecting on the success of the inaugural edition, the organisers have also expressed their readiness to welcome schools from other African countries in subsequent editions.

‘Absolutely, that is our plan. We will definitely have swimming, athletics, and football. Next year, we will be ready to host the whole of Africa in Lagos. We are ready for as many that can come.

Another co-founder, Dr Tejumola, also reiterated ASG’s goal of spotlighting talents across Africa.

‘It’s good to see the competitive spirit, expertise and skills that the athletes have come with. Africa School Games is a continental competition and the goal is to create a structured sports ecosystem for talent identification and development in Africa.’

After three days of thrilling competitions, St Saviours were the overall winners in the U-11 category with 1042 points while Grange School won the U-13 category with 1168 points.

British International School and Grange School were tied in the U-15 category, sharing the top prize with 909 points each.

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has condemned organisers of FreeNnamdiKanuProtest for creating tension in some parts of the Southeast.

Stressing that it is politically-motivated, the chapter flayed the organisers for reckless and bitter politics, and abuse of freedom of expression.

Lagos APC Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo said in a statement that the protest was carefully scripted by desperate opposition figures, who saw chaos as their last political weapon.

The statement said: ‘This so-called protest is not about justice; it is about political frustration. It represents the height of bitter, destructive politics – an attempt by those who have been roundly rejected by Nigerians at the polls to exploit national issues in search of cheap relevance.

‘We find it deeply disturbing that certain opposition leaders, who should know better, are shamelessly endorsing and sponsoring these street theatrics.

‘Their involvement reveals what can only be described as a classic case of the Biblical hand of Jacob but the voice of Esau – deceitful manipulation hiding behind the façade of activism. But let them be reminded: they will not gain in the streets what they have disgracefully lost at the polls.

‘The insensitivity of the organisers and their sponsors is shocking. At a time when the Southeast is still bleeding from years of mindless bloodshed, kidnappings and enforced sit-at-home orders – all consequences of violent agitation – these individuals have chosen to mock the memories of the victims.

‘They ignore the tears of widows, the pains of orphans and the devastation of communities ruined by senseless violence. Their protest is not a demand for justice; it is a betrayal of the sacrifices of the innocent.

‘For years, ordinary citizens in the Southeast have lived in fear – traders afraid to open their shops, transporters grounded by threats, children deprived of education, and families shattered by insecurity.

‘Yet, instead of standing with their people to heal these wounds, these political opportunists have returned to fan the embers of division, hoping to profit from instability.

‘Let it be clear: no one is above the law. The case of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu remains a judicial matter properly before the courts. Nigeria’s judiciary is competent, independent and capable of delivering justice without recourse to mob pressure or street intimidation.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, is working to rebuild the economy, restore investors’ confidence, and foster national unity.

‘His administration has shown remarkable inclusivity, with the Southeast occupying key national positions and benefiting from renewed infrastructural development. True progress will come not from chaos, but from cooperation and peace.

‘Lagos APC therefore calls on security agencies to remain vigilant, and on all patriotic Nigerians – especially leaders of thought in the Southeast – to reject the antics of those who traffic in bitterness. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we must not allow political desperation to tear it apart.’