Category: The Nation – Nigeria

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has charged all Nigerians to play their part in building the country of their dreams, stressing that no sacrifice made in the service of the nation will be in vain.

In her Independence Day goodwill message on Wednesday to mark Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, the First Lady said every citizen has a role to play in shaping the future of the country.

‘Let us all play our part to build a Nigeria we all want to see. Your sacrifice will never be in vain. Happy 65th Independence Anniversary. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ she said.

Mrs. Tinubu underscored the importance of patriotism and selflessness, drawing inspiration from global and historical figures who had urged citizens to put national service above personal gain.

Quoting Gebran Kalil Gebran’s 1925 essay, The New Frontier, she observed: ‘Are you a politician, asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one, asking what you can do for your country? If you are the first, then you are a parasite, if the second, then you are an oasis in a desert.’

She also recalled the famous words of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who in his 1961 inaugural address urged citizens to ask what they could do for their country and, collectively, for humanity.

Tinubu said the celebration of Nigeria at 65 should not merely be about looking back but about committing afresh to the hard work of national development.

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s founding fathers envisioned the country as a global leader of the black race, given its vast human and material potential.

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ýThe President stated this on Wednesday during a televised address on Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

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ýHe paid tribute to national icons such as Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

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ýOther heroes mentioned include Sir Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Ladoke Akintola, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.

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ý’Today marks the 65th anniversary of our great nation’s Independence. As we reflect on the significance of this day and our journey of nationhood since October 1, 1960, when our founding fathers accepted the instruments of self-government from colonial rule.

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ý’Let us remember their sacrifice, devotion, and grand dream of a strong, prosperous, and united Nigeria that will lead Africa and be the beacon of light to the rest of the world.

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ý’Our founding heroes and heroines-believed it was Nigeria’s manifest destiny to lead the entire black race as the largest black nation on earth.’

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ýTinubu acknowledged Nigeria’s path since independence has been shaped by deep social, political, and economic challenges.ý

‘While we may not have achieved all the lofty dreams of our forebearers, we have not strayed too far from them.’

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ýHe noted that in 65 years, Nigeria has made measurable progress in economic growth, infrastructure, and national cohesion.

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ý’Although, it is much easier for those whose vocation is to focus solely on what ought to be, we must recognise and celebrate our significant progress.’

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ýTinubu highlighted key improvements in education, healthcare, and access to opportunities across the country.

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ý’Nigerians today have access to better education and healthcare than in 1960. At Independence, Nigeria had 120 secondary schools with a student population of about 130,000.

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ý’Available data indicate that, as of year 2024, there were more than 23,000 secondary schools in our country.

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ý’At Independence, we had only the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology as the two tertiary institutions in Nigeria. By the end of last year, there were 274 universities, 183 Polytechnics, and 236 Colleges of Education in Nigeria, comprising Federal, State, and private institutions.’

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ýHe reflected on Nigeria’s turbulent history, while commending its resilience and shared spirit through decades of challenges.

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ý’Our country has experienced both the good and the bad times in its 65 years of nationhood, as is normal for every nation and its people.

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ý’We fought a bitter and avoidable civil war, experienced military dictatorships, and lived through major political crises. In all these, we weathered every storm and overcame every challenge with courage, grit, and uncommon determination.’

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ýTinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to unity, inclusion, and progress for all Nigerians.

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ý’We will continue to strive to build a more perfect union where every Nigerian can find better accommodation and find purpose and fulfilment.’

How do you assess the country’s journey so far, 65 years after independence?

The truth is that Nigeria is still far below the level we expected it to be. Sixty-five years of independence, with all the oil money we have received and disbursed, should have brought us much farther than this.

Today, people are still being kidnapped on our streets. There is no running water anywhere. There is no central sewage system in most parts of the country. Farmers, especially in the southwestern part of Nigeria, have been virtually neglected.

There was a time when the state government and even the Federal Government supported farmers with subsidised inputs like fertilisers, insecticides, and improved seedlings. In Ondo State, we had an agricultural input company that made these available. That support no longer exists.

I recall when former Governor Olabode George served here in Ondo. He purchased over 100 tractors and distributed them to various local governments to help farmers. Today, you would hardly find five tractors still functioning. It is a sad picture.

I hope that the government will sit down and recognise that the real purpose of governance is to improve the condition of human beings, not just to generate statistics about GDP growth or revenue growth. At present, the welfare of the people is declining, not improving.

Would you say Nigeria has gotten it right?

Frankly, the achievements so far have been disappointing. Many African countries with smaller populations and far fewer resources have achieved more than Nigeria in education, transportation, health, and general development.

It is painful to admit that in Nigeria today, outside of Abuja, there is hardly any city with a functional central sewage system or a reliable central water supply. Many of our cities still have unpaved roads. This is a shame, 65 years after independence.

As an economist, how do you assess Nigeria’s economy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration?

It is encouraging that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is growing under President Tinubu’s administration. As an economist and banker, however, I must stress that what we are experiencing is growth without development.

What does this mean? GDP is increasing, government revenues are rising, but the welfare of ordinary Nigerians is declining. That is growth without development, and it happens when government programmes are not deliberately designed to improve the lives of people.

One of the saddest developments in Nigeria in the last 65 years is that we have abandoned proper development planning. I was once the Director of Economic Planning for Nigeria before becoming a Permanent Secretary. At that time, we had five-year development plans to guide policy and spending.

A plan imposes discipline. It prevents waste and ensures coherence. For instance, if you plan to develop a port, you must also plan the roads leading to it, so goods can be evacuated. If you plan to build schools, you must also develop industries to create jobs for graduates. Without a plan, you find the government building a port with no access roads or schools, and no job prospects for graduates. That is the tragedy we face today.

President Tinubu introduced major reforms, including fuel subsidies removal. Have these reforms improved things compared to past administrations?

To be frank, the reforms were necessary, and President Tinubu must be commended for the courage to implement them. Take fuel subsidy, for example. It was a huge drain on our economy. When Tinubu removed it, the price of petrol shot up to about N1,200 per litre. Many past governments avoided that decision because of the political consequences. But Tinubu went ahead, and that deserves praise.

However, the government could have taken some preparatory steps to cushion the effects of such a bold reform. The immediate hardship on the masses might have been reduced if measures had been put in place first.

Another example is the foreign exchange system. Before the reform, we had six different exchange rates: one for investors, another for people paying school fees abroad, another for travel, and so on. This allowed some people to buy foreign currency cheaply at one window and sell at another, becoming multi-millionaires without doing anything productive. Tinubu’s reforms are eliminating that abuse, and this will have long-term benefits.

Some Nigerians are applauding Tinubu for cutting off oil cabals through subsidy removal. What is your view?

No doubt removing the subsidy has weakened the cabals who were profiting from it. But the government must now pay attention to the ripple effects. For instance, when petrol rose to N1,200 per litre, transport fares also went up. However, now that petrol has come down to about N850 per litre-a reduction of more than 35 per cent-transport fares remain unchanged. Taxi drivers, lorry operators, and motorcycle riders still charge the same rates they charged when petrol was N1,200.

Why has the government not engaged transport unions to ensure fares are reduced in line with petrol prices? This is where leadership must show responsibility. If transport costs fall, everybody benefits-farmers, traders, schoolchildren, and ordinary citizens. It is a glaring example of how reforms must be managed to truly improve lives.

What is your take on the new student loan scheme introduced by Tinubu’s administration?

It is a welcome development, and Tinubu must be commended for the initiative. It has the potential to expand access to education. In the past, in the old Western Region, we were proud of our achievements in education, particularly. However, today, the system is virtually collapsing. Many graduates of our polytechnics and universities can hardly express themselves properly. The quality has dropped drastically, and most schools are dilapidated.

That said, we must also acknowledge some achievements. At independence, Nigeria had only one university-Ibadan. Today, we have hundreds of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The growth in numbers is significant.

But my concern is not just about quantity. It is about quality. The system is churning out graduates, but the standard of training is low. The new student loan scheme is a step forward, but it must be complemented by a serious effort to improve the quality of education.

As Nigeria marks its independence, how do you rate security under President Tinubu compared to the past?

Sadly, the security situation remains very poor. In fact, there has been a catastrophic decline. Let me give you a personal example. As a boy, I travelled alone from Akure to Lagos to attend Igbobi College. I did that for five years, back and forth, without fear of kidnapping or banditry. But when I was 77 years old, already a grandfather, I was kidnapped on my farm here in Akure.

That experience sums up the collapse of security in Nigeria. Today, at 87, I cannot travel freely without fear. That is how much things have changed.

Are you saying security has completely broken down?

Yes, the breakdown is severe. But the solution lies in a different strategy. Security is fundamentally a local matter. If every community secures its territory, the whole country will be secure.

This is why I advocate decentralisation. Local leaders, traditional rulers, and community structures must take responsibility for protecting their people. The federal police cannot do it alone.

Here in Ondo State, we have Amotekun, which is part of this localised approach. In my own community, I organised traditional hunters into a disciplined group that works with the police. Most of the criminals arrested in our area in recent years were apprehended by these hunters, especially at night in the forests, where conventional police cannot operate.

This shows that security can improve if local structures are empowered. The government must adopt this approach nationwide.

How can Nigeria get it right and match developed nations?

Nigeria has everything it takes to succeed-oil, gas, bitumen, iron, gold, and many other resources. What we lack is visionary leadership.

We need leaders who can convert resources into jobs, wealth, and prosperity. But leadership alone is not enough. Every Nigerian must also play their part in improving their immediate environment. We cannot change the whole world, but we can change our surroundings.

So my message is: let us keep hope alive. We have no choice but to remain hopeful and continue working to build the Nigeria of our dreams.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the welfare and recognition of teachers in the country.

The government gave the assurance ahead of this year’s World Teachers’ Day, with the theme: Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession. The event is celebrated globally on October 5 to honour teachers and recognise their contributions to education and society.

The day was first proclaimed in 1994 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Education International (EI), and UNICEF, following the 1966 ILO/UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of Teachers.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, spoke at a symposium in Abuja.

Alausa described teachers as the custodians of knowledge, the builders of character, and the architects of the nation’s future.

The minister applauded teachers for being the foundation of every profession, stressing that their sacrifices keep the country alive.

He said: ‘Honestly, you have the most important and the best profession in the country. Who makes a doctor? Who makes an engineer? Who makes a professor? It is the teacher. That is why the government is working assiduously to come up with better packages for you. Light is at the end of the tunnel.

‘For too long, teaching has often been practiced in isolation. But when teachers collaborate, students are the ultimate beneficiaries. They receive richer, more engaging instruction and witness firsthand the power of teamwork and shared responsibility.’

Alausa also assured teachers that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration was determined to provide the recognition, training, and support they needed to thrive.

‘When you want the highest quality of education, what do you need? A high-quality teacher. And when you want a high-quality teacher, what should you do? Give them the recognition, the support, the training, and the cooperation that they need,’ he added.

The minister praised teachers for producing world-class graduates who continue to excel globally.

‘Anywhere in the world, when they say a Nigerian student becomes a professional, they do so well. That’s the output of your work. We know we can’t pay you enough, but be proud of yourselves. On behalf of the President, I commend you for your sacrifices, your diligence, and your commitment to building our nation,’ Alausa added.

Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) is set to hold architecture, and building exposition from November 25 – 28, at NIA Architectural Village, Abuja.

The event will showcase cutting-edge technologies, sustainable design practice, and visionary projects transforming Nigeria’s landscape.

President, Mobolaji Adeniyi, .in a statement, said as Nigeria marks 65 years of Independence today, NIA is honouring the nation’s resilience, creativity, unity and contributions of our heroes, living and dead.

‘The theme, ‘Nigeria at 65: All Hands-on Deck for a Greater Nation’, is a call to compatriots and members to build a future reflecting our shared aspiration and architectural excellence.

‘In the spirit of Independence, NIA is re-echoing our contribution to nation building by presenting Archibuilt 2025, a forum for innovation.

‘Archibuilt is a showcase of products, and services as well as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, as it brings together architects, engineers, surveyors, policymakers, and others to find solutions for housing, infrastructure, climate resilience, and urban development.”

‘This year’s theme speaks to our national reality of building a nation on a good economic and socio-political foundation where professionals are in the forefront of its development.”

‘Also, it highlights the role architecture plays in fostering economic stability, growth and resilience by creating sustainable spaces and prioritising community needs.

‘Archibuilt 2025 will feature the building clinic, Nigerian content challenge, students’ innovative projects, artisans’ challenge and much more.

‘We invite Nigerian professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and citizens to participate in Archibuilt 2025. Whether as exhibitors, speakers, volunteers, or attendees, your voice and vision are vital to the conversation,’ it said.

Is there a reason to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Nigeria as an independent country? Some doubt it, mainly because of the many twists, turns and rocky rides. But, others contend that there are reasons to mark the landmark because the country has survived despite so many challenges that could have truncated the journey.

But, here we are.

The first indication that it would not be a smooth ride came soon after the Union Jack was lowered at the complex later named after the first Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Chief Obafemi Awolowo could hardly hide his indignation in his memoirs as he recalled that he was tucked in a corner at the event, far away from where other main actors in the independence struggle sat. Pettiness at play.

Since the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), one of the three major political parties opted to align with the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), leaving the Action Group (AG) in the lurch; it was obvious that some dirty fight lurked. Federal might was unleashed to dislodge the AG from the Western Region where it held sway, with a breakaway faction led by Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola propped up to seize control.

The process started as early as 1962, when an externally-induced implosion was made to hit the AG like a dynamite. Soon after came the Coker Commission of Enquiry, the Treasonable Felony Trial, restriction and later jailing of the AG leader and founder, Chief Awolowo.

Those not blinded by partisanship knew going that route would not end well as Awolowo was a cult figure in the Western Region. Before the Federal Elections of 1964, the alliance between NCNC and NPC had disintegrated. Two broad alliances went into that election. The NCNC and the Akintola splinter group formed the Nigerian National Alliance (NNA) while the NCNC and AG formed the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA). Obviously AG was the party of the Western Region, but the federal elections and the consequent regional election of January 1965 were ignobly rigged in favour of the NNA to dislodge the AG.

Politically, the trend has continued since then. Each election was hotly contested and rejected by the losers. It could hardly be said that, beyond electoral infrastructure put in place at so much cost, Nigeria has failed to mature on election matters over the years.

Apparently, for every action, there is a reaction. The manipulation of the polity led to the military coup of 1966. And, consequently, there was the pogrom, the counter-coup of July 1966 and the civil war that boiled over the following year. In the process, no institution of state was spared the accompanying desecration, including the military.

Although General Yakubu Gowon who was head of state when the war ended in January 1970 announced that there was ”no victor, no vanquished”, it was obvious that the Biafra secession bid had been quashed and there were consequences. Till date, the South East that sought to leave the union has continued to complain about marginalisation; at least politically.

Such political mistrust among the various parts of the country could not but have affected the economy, social relations, and thus, development. Insecurity, though diminished in some parts, is a concern in other parts of the country. In the North East, there is the Boko Haram and Ansaru insurgency that has raged for more than 16 years. It has claimed so many lives and herded many into poorly funded refugee camps. Happily, two kingpins of the groups have been nabbed. It’s progress.

It has spread to the North Central, especially in Plateau and Benue States, where some schools and targeted communities have not been spared. In the region, it took the form of religious intolerance, well-armed herders taking on farmers and wanton destruction of farms, homes and lives by terrorists. In the North West also, banditry and kidnapping have been the order of the day as enemies of state and criminals have continued to unleash their fury on the people. Kaduna State brandishes hope in the region and there may be a berth of peace in places like Zamfara and Katsina where there are still challenges.

In other parts of the country, the South West and South South, kidnapping for ransom has been on a lower scale. In all cases, the police and armed forces have recorded advances. Much work remains. The destruction of livelihoods has pushed more Nigerians into the poverty net.

Thus, until the Tinubu administration courageously came up with measures to check the periodic eruption of economic recession, it was as if successive governments, military or civilian, had no clue what to do. For two years now, the economy appears to have become stable, though it still has a long way to go.

The President said at the coronation of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, last week, that the economy has turned the bend. But, has it really? The macro-economic indices suggest that it has, with headline inflation constantly heading South month-on-month for about half a year now, and the GDP recording sometimes record increase. But, it is yet to percolate to the common man who, therefore, finds it difficult to believe the authorities. It is expected that the result would be more visible in 2026.

The story of the nation since independence has been a talent of official squandermania and brigandage, with little vision to plan and save. The subsidy scam and currency manipulation brought the economy to a state where we borrowed to pay routine government bills. Hence the task of rescue before the Tinubu administration thst has headed off the economic apocalypse with his reforms.

Obviously, where the economy has been in the doldrums for so long, the health and education sectors could only have received some battering. Neither has received up to seven per cent allocation from the budget in the past 20 years. Political leaders express disgust for the local health institutions by patronising foreign hospitals for the most common ailments.

When seizing power from the Shagari administration in 1983, General Muhammadu Buhari described our hospitals as ”mere consulting clinics”. Not much has changed since then, compounded now by exodus of doctors, old and young, who have chosen to export their services to other lands. Nigerian students, too, sell whatever is available to obtain higher education abroad. Until of course, the NELFUND initiative offering loans to students of the poor.

It should not be all about lamentations about missed opportunities. A lot could be done to salvage the situation as there is unanimity of opinion among experts that Nigeria has an abundance of human and material resources to draw it out of the wood. It has a population, all of about 230 million, mostly young people who are energetic and forward looking, as against 30 million in 1960. This is an asset that most countries lack.

It also has so much solid minerals in all parts of the country, mostly waiting to be tapped. Those being tapped are by criminals and foreigners. Crude oil that has been a blessing to other nations has been largely doom to Nigeria, owing to poor management and monumental corruption. Of late, though, crude oil output has ticked up due to work by our armed forces to curb criminals stealing our black gold.

If corruption is checked and appropriate persons are employed to ensure that Nigeria joins the league of developed countries, in a short while, Nigerians would be proud of their country again and we can stand tall in the comity of nations. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s handling of foreign exchange, the salvaging of corrupt practices have diminished instances of corruption as attested to by our captains of industry.

Nigerians should realise that pulling in different directions cannot help them. As we move towards the seventh decade after independence, we should realise that we owe future generations, and indeed the black world a duty to redeem our dignity by killing corruption and tapping resources available for development.

As Walter Rodney said, ‘every generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill or betray it.’ The reforms of the Tinubu administration is showing promise on many levels beginning with financial engineering whose success can trigger a wholesale rebirth. For instance, not long ago, critics were jittery and even gloating that the naira would dive down to N2,000 to a dollar. Now it’s below N1,500. Not there yet, but a sign we can reclaim our country.

Sync Capital and Advisory Ltd has secured a Finance Company Licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The Company will operate as Sync Finance Company Limited.

This regulatory milestone authorizes Sync Finance to operate as a licensed non-bank finance company, focused on bridging funding gaps for underserved MSMEs with a view to stimulate diverse sectors of the economy.

Positioned at the intersection of finance and technology, Sync Finance is poised to deliver an inclusive financial services ecosystem that supports Nigeria’s development goals through the empowerment of viable entrepreneurs leading small businesses, stimulating employment, and accelerating GDP growth.

Speaking on the development, the Chief Executive Officer, Sync Finance Company Limited, Mr. Ikenna Imo was pleased with this milestone and emphasized the need for responsive and innovative financing solutions as an integral ingredient to stimulate economic growth. ‘Our mission is to be the financial institution of choice for budding/established Entrepreneurs and MSMEs in the markets where we operate. He further confirmed the Company’s resolve to leverage data-driven credit assessments, accessible and expedient loan considerations, and embedded investment digital tools, which aim to unlock capital for the everyday Nigerian entrepreneur and business.’

In addition to deploying accessible credit, Sync Finance will also provide tiered investment products, providing both individual and institutional investors the opportunity to access rewarding and secure investments delivered conveniently through digital channels.

Commenting further on the Company’s strategic direction, Non-Executive Director, Mr. Uhabia Ojike noted: ‘Sync Finance is uniquely positioned to fund the real sector, especially in key areas like retail trade, and local value chains. With the backing of an experienced Board and a robust governance framework, we are building a financially sound and impact-driven institution that reflects the aspirations of the Nigerian economy.’

Sync Finance’s leadership comprises professionals with decades of experience in commercial banking, structured finance, credit risk, professional services, oil and gas and financial technology, ensuring strong governance oversight and execution discipline.

Five time FIFA U-17 World Cup record winners, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, have yet again missed the chance to qualify from the next continental cadet showpiece (CAF U-17 AFCON) after they were upended 2-0 by Ghana’s Black Starlets in the decisive semi-final match at the ongoing WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Black Starlets cored twice in the opening half of the game at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium to advance to the final stage of the tournament at the expense of their Golden Eaglets counterparts.

Michael Awuli opened the scoring for Prosper Ogum’s side after just 21 minutes played, finishing off a nice move from the Starlets.

Ten minutes later, Robinho Yao Gavi doubled the lead for the team with a brilliant strike from the 18-yard box to put Ghana in a comfortable situation.

The Black Starlets goalkeeper Solomon Kwame Kesse rescued his team on ew occasions that the Nigerians threatened.

With victory over Nigeria, the Black Starlets will now face Cote d’Ivoire in the final scheduled for Friday, October 3.

Incidentally, both teams had previously met in the group stage, with Ghana losing 0-3-0 to the Baby Elephants.

Ghana’s appearance in the final also means they seal a slot at the next edition of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, returning to the continental tournament for the first time since 2017.

The Golden Eaglets missed the 2025 U-17 AFCON which serves as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA U17 World Cup and Tuesday’s loss to Ghana means Nigeria will miss out of the next African Championship as such no Mundial appearance .

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has suspended its strike against Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals following a new agreement brokered by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, PENGASSAN President, Comrade Festus Osifo, said the decision was taken out of respect for the federal government.

He, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the terms of the agreement, noting that it did not address the union’s primary demand, the immediate reinstatement of over 800 Nigerian workers allegedly sacked by the refinery.

Osifo warned that the union would not hesitate to resume the strike without notice if the Dangote management fails to honour its commitments under the agreement.

Osifo said, ‘We are not happy with the terms of the agreement because it did not capture our main demand of recalling the 800 sacked Nigerians. But out of respect for government institutions, for the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS); the Chief Reconciliator of the Federation, and ministers who worked tirelessly into the early hours of the morning to mediate, we decided to suspend the action.

‘However, let me be clear: if Dangote fails to keep its part, we will resume immediately, without any warning.’

The union leader expressed deep reservations about the sincerity of the refinery management, saying PENGASSAN has ‘mutual suspicion’ that Dangote will attempt to renege on the deal.

Osifo added, ‘We know that Dangote does not play by the rules or respect agreements. We believe and suspect that some of the promises extracted during the negotiations will not be honoured. But because we respect due process and institutions of government, we will give them the benefit of the doubt. Yet, any breach will be met with severe and immediate response.’

Osifo dismissed claims that PENGASSAN was pushing for the reinstatement of the 800 sacked workers to secure check-off dues.

According to him, the salaries of the affected workers are meagre compared to the earnings of PENGASSAN members in other multinational oil companies, making such accusations baseless.

He added, ‘So we clearly ask, is it because of check-off dues that PENGASSAN went on strike? The salaries being paid to these 800 members, if you add them all together, are less than what 20 of our members earn in companies like Chevron, TotalEnergies, or ExxonMobil. Their check-off dues are not even up to the check-off dues of our least-paid members elsewhere. So why should we be chasing this because of dues?

‘It is actually about the freedom of association and the welfare of our members, because when we enter organisations, we improve conditions of service, and that is why workers subscribe to us.’

Osifo noted that PENGASSAN has a long record of defending workers’ rights without stifling the companies where its members operate, citing the example of Shell, TotalEnergies, and ExxonMobil, which have thrived despite having thousands of PENGASSAN members.

‘At one time, Shell had over 10,000 of our members, and they invested more than $200 billion in Nigeria. Did we kill Shell? Instead, we assisted Shell, TotalEnergies, and ExxonMobil to grow. We are not out to kill Dangote Refinery, which has barely invested $20 billion. That narrative is false,’ he said.

He stressed that the oil and gas workforce has carried the burden of Nigeria’s economy for decades, providing over 90 percent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

‘We know who we are and what we stand for. We are patriots who love this country more than any single individual, and that is why, despite our reservations, we chose to suspend this strike in deference to government efforts,’ Osifo added.

While thanking the government officials and agencies that intervened in the dispute, he reiterated PENGASSAN’s vigilance.

‘We will be monitoring closely. Any slip, any breach, any part of this agreement that is not kept, we will not issue further notice. We will not give any warning. We will resume the suspended industrial action immediately. That is our resolution,’ he warned.

Osifo noted that PENGASSAN’s struggle was not against progress but against injustice, and that the union will remain steadfast in defending the rights and welfare of its members, no matter whose interest is at stake.

The Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Lukmon Agbaje, has said pupils stand to benefit many things by participating in the Spelling Bee Competition.

The competition was introduced in Lagos State by First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during her husband’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State.

Speaking during the event, which had the participation of pupils from primary and secondary schools in the council, Agbaje said the competition was more than just a spelling contest.

He added that the competition revives the dying reading culture and encourages excellence among the pupils.

‘This spelling bee is about building confidence, promoting a reading culture, and encouraging excellence among our children. Education remains the best legacy we can give, and Ayobo-Ipaja will continue to invest in it for the sake of our future generations,’ he said.

The Deputy Director, Education District 1, Mrs. Rihanat Adeogun, praised the initiative, noting that ‘spelling bees sharpen vocabulary, strengthen reading culture, and prepare children for future academic challenges’.

In the primary school category, Praise Paul emerged as the winner, with Adedayo Abigail and Ayodele Victoria clinching the second and third positions respectively. Their performances drew loud applause and admiration from the audience.

Expressing gratitude after his victory, Paul said: ‘All I can say is that God helped me. I also want to thank the council chairman for this great opportunity.’

The secondary school category also featured outstanding performances, with participants demonstrating remarkable confidence and determination. Though the results were highly competitive, organisers described every contestant as a winner for their courage, hard work, and dedication.

Some of the parents at the event also commended the programme, describing it as a motivation for pupils to take education more seriously.

The competition concluded with the presentation of prizes, certificates, and group photographs.