Category: The Nation – Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday joined hundreds of Nigerians in mourning Arise News anchor and reporter, Ms. Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, 29.

Sommie died on Monday after an armed robbery incident at her residence in the Katampe area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

President Tinubu has directed security and law enforcement agencies to track down those responsible for Sommie’s death, a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said yesterday.

Describing the broadcaster’s death as cruel and condemnable, Onanuga said the President ordered investigators to conduct a swift probe to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

He assured Nigerians that his administration was committed to securing lives and property, adding that additional measures were being put in place to combat crime in all its forms.

Mrs. Tinubu described Sommie’s passing as painful and untimely.

In a post on her verified X handle, @SenRemiTinubu, the First Lady said she was saddened by the tragic loss of ‘one of our young and brilliant minds in the journalism profession’.

She said: ‘Her death is painful and quite unfortunate. She has been cut down in her prime. I condole with the Chairman of Arise News Media, Chief Nduka Obaigbena, her family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones. It is my hope and prayer that the perpetrators will be apprehended as soon as possible and brought to book.’

Also, FCT Police Commissioner Ajao Adewale has ordered a discreet and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sommie’s death.

The police chief assured Nigerians of the command’s commitment to ensuring justice.

A statement by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the police commissioner had directed the deployment of intelligence and operational assets to identify, track, and apprehend those responsible for ‘this heinous crime’.

The police also dismissed allegations that the team, which responded to the distress call, turned down appeals to take Sommie to the hospital on the grounds that they had no fuel.

Also, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described her death as regrettable.

According to Sanwo-Olu, Sommie was a rising star in the media, and she performed her duties with passion and professionalism.

Idris described her as a vibrant and dedicated professional whose work resonated with audiences across Nigeria and beyond.

The minister assured fellow citizens that a swift investigation would be carried out on the incident.

The FCT Council of the NUJ called for a forensic investigation, saying the incident highlighted Nigeria’s growing insecurity and the need for accountability.

In a statement by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), the NBA described Sommie’s death as cruel, expressing concern over reports of alleged medical negligence.

‘The suggestion that her chances of survival may have been compromised by a hospital’s failure to act urgently is shocking and demands accountability,’ said the NBA.

The body of Nigerian lawyers called for a thorough investigation into the robbery and the hospital’s handling of the case.

It stressed that Nigerians must not only be safe from insecurity but must also trust that healthcare institutions would save lives during emergencies.

Also, there are new facts about how the broadcaster died in Abuja.

Giving details during the Arise TV’s ‘Morning Show’, Sommie’s colleague, Ojy Okpe, said she jumped from her room after learning that 14 armed robbers had stormed the building.

Though she survived the fall, she reportedly died after hospital workers allegedly refused to give her immediate treatment.

Her colleagues accused Maitama Hospital in Abuja of negligence, claiming that Sommie and a security guard injured during the attack were denied urgent care because the hospital workers demanded identification documents before treatment.

Ojy Okpe and Reuben Abati described the incident as a preventable tragedy linked to systemic failures in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

Abati condemned the hospital’s conduct, calling it a violation of medical ethics and Nigerian law, which mandates that accident and emergency victims be treated immediately.

A political support group, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), has predicted a landslide victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The RHA, which is spread across the country, hinged its prediction on the President’s growing popularity nationwide.

The group’s prediction came ahead of President Tinubu’s scheduled visit to the Southeast yesterday.

In a statement by RHA coordinators in the five states of the Southeast, the group commended the positive impacts of the President’s economic policies.

In the statement, the RHA Southeast Coordinators: Chief Henry Ikoh (Abia), Chief Okey Ezenwa (Anambra), Kelechi Igwe (Ebonyi), George Ogara (Enugu), and Opiah Goodluck (Imo) said the entire region was solidly behind President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

The RHA noted the administration’s strides in revamping the economy, improving security and building trust, among other people-oriented policies and programmes.

The President’s visit to the Southeast is part of the activities marking the 10th anniversary of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre.

President Tinubu, who was received and hosted by the Southeast leaders in Owerri, the Imo State capital, inaugurated landmark projects executed by the Imo State governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma.

The RHA Southeast coordinators noted that the President’s visit offered him the opportunity to ‘feel the famed warmth of the Southeast and to witness the massive support of the people of the zone for him and his administration’.

Describing President Tinubu as ‘the father of our nation and the transformer of our era,’ the coordinators said the Southeast was excited to host the Nigerian leader.

‘This visit to the Southeast Zone is significant, being a major activity to mark the historic anniversary and celebration of the impactful 10 years of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in power, especially in the last two years of President Tinubu in the saddle.

‘While we welcome Mr. President to Imo State, the Heartland State, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors applaud and note the economy-revamping and nation-rebuilding effects of President Tinubu’s well-thought-out policies and programmes, which are also inspiring positive actions among hardworking Nigerians across the nation, particularly in the South East and in the Diaspora.

‘Such positive action is further evident in the scheduled inauguration by President Tinubu during the visit of landmark projects by His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, CON, the governor of Imo State, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, and leader of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, in line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘Mr. President’s visit is, therefore, an opportunity to feel the famed warmth of the Southeast and to witness the massive support of the people of the zone for him and his administration

‘The Southeast Zone, under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodinma, is now, more than ever before, ready to showcase massive support for the President and his government’ the statement said.

Assuring President Tinubu of the full support of the Southeast in 2027, the group urged all Nigerians to support his reelection and ignore distractions.

‘Indeed, the Southeast wants to vote massively for President Tinubu in 2027, to enable us sit at the front of the table in the equitable distribution of resources and infrastructure.

‘The Renewed Hope Ambassadors, therefore, reassure President Tinubu of the love, loyalty, and support of the overwhelming majority of the leaders and people of the Southeast and, of course, Nigerians in the 2027 presidential election.

‘This is a cause to which we are totally committed, and we will continue to work hard under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma to ensure that President Tinubu records a landslide victory, not only in the South East but also in other parts of the country,’ the group stated.

Sterling Bank has once more redefined the boundaries of customer-first banking in Nigeria by scrapping Account Maintenance Fees (AMF) across all personal accounts.

Just months after abolishing transfer fees on local online transactions in April 2025, the bank has dismantled yet another long-standing industry practice, cementing its role as the nation’s leading force for transparent, fair, and customer-focused banking.

This decision cuts at the heart of a revenue model that has long cost Nigerian customers dearly.

In 2024 alone, tier-1 banks raked in over ?650 billion from account maintenance and e-banking charges.

Sterling’s move rewrites Nigeria’s banking rulebook while amplifying its bold stance: customers deserve freedom from too many deductions and the right to keep more of their hard-earned money.

Managing Director of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman explained the principle driving this bold action.

He said: ‘Every fee we remove is one less barrier between our customers and true financial freedom. This was the rationale behind eliminating transfer fees in April, and it is the same principle we uphold as we eliminate account maintenance fees.’

Obinna Ukachukwu, Growth Executive for Consumer and Business Banking at Sterling

Bank, reinforced this position.

‘This initiative is about building lasting relationships that fuel sustainable growth. We put transparency and customer value first, and in doing so, we are building a foundation that serves both our customers and Sterling’s future.’

As Nigeria marks another Independence Day, Sterling Bank presents this decision as a declaration of financial independence for millions of Nigerians.

By freeing customers from deductions that silently erode their balances, Sterling is empowering them to keep and grow their wealth while redefining true financial freedom.

With two unprecedented moves in quick succession, the removal of transfer fees in April and now the elimination of account maintenance charges, Sterling Bank continues to challenge the status quo and champion a new era of fairness in Nigerian banking.

Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu and Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan have received the 2025 Appeal of Conscience Award in New York.

The Award, presented annually by the Appeal of Conscience Foundation (ACF), recognises individuals whose leadership embodies tolerance, religious freedom, and human dignity.

Elumelu was represented at the event by Dr. Awele Elumelu, Co-Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Tony Elumelu stands as a beacon of ethical entrepreneurship and visionary leadership. Business can be a powerful force for peace, stability, and human dignity. His commitment to uplifting others is a living example of conscience in action.’ – Founder of Appeal of Conscience Foundation

The Appeal of Conscience Foundation (ACF) has chosen to honor Tony Elumelu and Cardinal Dolan because they personify moral leadership and global responsibility that ACF stands for. Their works in faith, community, and economic empowerment remind us that progress and conscience go hand in hand. – Appeal of Conscience Gala Chair, Brian Moynihan, Chair and CEO of Bank of America.

Elumelu said: ‘As you know, my husband, Tony Elumelu, cannot be here tonight.’

Tony would clearly have liked to be here, and I represented him this evening to pass on his gratitude, best wishes and his heartfelt words: It is an honour to receive this award; one that deeply resonates with my personal values, and it is a privilege to be associated with the legacy represented by the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and Rabbi Arthur Schneier’.

‘It is with a heavy heart, weighed by recent and profound loss, that I accept this award. Just a few days ago, we lost six beloved colleagues in a tragic incident. They were family, friends, mothers, sons, and daughters, hardworking individuals, who were dedicated to building a better Africa. Their absence leaves a void that cannot be filled,’ he said.

‘Humanity first: that has been the core of my life, what keeps me up at night: how can we transform lives across Africa? How do we leave a legacy that uplifts people and creates opportunity for everyone? I was not born with a silver spoon, I was not educated abroad, I inherited nothing,’ Elumelu said.

He said he was blessed with determination, but also luck.

‘That determination, and that luck have brought material success. I have been rewarded with a wonderful family, with privileges, with the capacity to bring about change. The American tradition of philanthropy, the tradition we see so clearly in this room today, has always inspired me. The great names that built America in the Gilded Age, the new generation that have endowed universities, research and culture.

‘My businesses span four continents; we employ over 40,000 people – including here in New York – where we have the United Bank for Africa (UBA), the only African bank that can take deposits in the United States of America. I believe in the power of the private sector. This is the core of the philosophy I call Africapitalism,’ he added.

He said that at Heirs Holdings, when investments are made in energy and power, it is a mission to light up homes, schools, and hospitals.

‘When we create value in the financial services industry, we drive inclusion, offering the underrepresented a stake in the economy. And through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, a personal commitment we made in 2010, we have identified, trained, mentored, and provided over $100million in seed funding to over 24,000 young African entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries,’ he said.

‘I dedicate this award to the thousands of Africapitalists across the African continent who relentlessly create the Africa we envision; the young entrepreneurs, innovators, and my colleagues across Heirs Holdings Group who are working tirelessly, often against great odds, to create a better future, to improve lives and transform Africa,’ he stated.

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal almost became the youngest ever Ballon d’Or winner last week at 18, and tonight’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain offers the ideal opportunity to begin stating his case for next year.

PSG star Ousmane Dembele won the award for the best player in the world but is out injured and will miss the match at the Olympic stadium, leaving runner-up Yamal the floor.

Last season it was the then 17-year-old who inspired Barcelona’s charge to the semi-finals, and despite two outstanding displays against Inter Milan, Hansi Flick’s side fell just short.

They missed out on facing PSG in the final, as the French side crushed Inter to claim their first Champions League trophy.

Yamal pledged he would bring the cup to Barcelona, who have not won it since 2015 and the days of Lionel Messi.

Despite Yamal’s quality, already immense and still increasing, Barcelona have improved without him last season.

In the 2024/25 campaign they struggled when he was absent, depending far too much on him, but they have just won five games in a row, the first four of those without the teenager.

Yamal was sidelined with a groin issue but on his return against Real Sociedad on Sunday in La Liga made an instant impact when introduced in the 58th minute.

The right winger burst into the box and crossed for Robert Lewandowski to head home the winner, little over a minute after entering the fray.

It was the perfect way to reintroduce himself, shaking the crowd out of their stupor.

‘(Just) his presence on the pitch is a threat,’ said Real Sociedad coach Sergio Francisco. ‘He’s showing every day he’s the best player in the world. It’s a treat to watch him.’

Yamal’s impact against Real Sociedad was also a tonic for the club during a difficult week. They lost Joan Garcia and Raphinha to injury, the duo joining recently hurt duo Fermin Lopez and Gavi on the sidelines.

Barcelona were also denied permission to return to their renovated Camp Nou home by the city council, despite hopes they could host the La Real game there.

‘I’m happy to have him back, he showed it directly, his outstanding strength he has to create chances, to give the last pass. It’s good to have him back,’ said Flick.

Despite his age, Yamal has made over 100 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 27 goals, and winning two La Liga titles since his debut at 15 in 2023.

The Spain international, who won Euro 2024 with his country the day after his 17th birthday, is often compared to eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Barcelona all-time great Lionel Messi.

Yamal inherited his iconic number 10 shirt at the start of this season, also worn by Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho among other historic Barca stars.

Only time will tell whether Yamal will be able to reproduce Messi’s longevity, but thus far he has risen to meet every challenge he has faced since his debut at just 15.

The Argentine did not win the Ballon d’Or until he was 22, with Brazil great Ronaldo the youngest ever winner at 21.

Yamal may have missed out this year, but if he wins the award in 2026 or 2027, he will still claim that record, as he has done so many others.

‘You have to climb to get to the top,’ said Yamal on Instagram after missing out in Paris, and facing PSG may be the first rung on the ladder.

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Nigeria’s leading neobank, PalmPay, has shared N2million to the first set of winners in its Hustle Grant campaign. The campaign is a bold initiative designed to fuel the ambitions of small business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.

Launched on August 28, and running until September 29th, the Hustle Grant is more than just funding; it is PalmPay’s promise to stand beside everyday Nigerians as they transform their hustle into thriving enterprises that create real impact in their communities.

In this first round, four outstanding entrepreneurs emerged from thousands of entries, each receiving N500,000 to scale their dreams. The winners, a prolific community builder in Kebbi State, two budding fashion designers in Lagos and Jos, and a farmer, embody the spirit of resilience and innovation that drives Nigeria’s economy. With this support, they can now take their ideas from the ground up, creating impact that ripples beyond their personal success.

Entrepreneurs across the country continue to submit their entries on social media with the hashtag #PalmPayHustleGrant. From these, the top entries will be shortlisted, with four more winners set to be announced in the final round.

For PalmPay, this initiative is a reflection of its core mission: building tools that don’t just make financial services smarter but make ambitions possible. The Hustle Grant is a platform for turning bold ideas into impact stories, ensuring that Nigerians chasing their dreams have the resources to reach the next level.

As the company celebrates its 6th anniversary, the Hustle Grant reinforces PalmPay’s role as a brand that doesn’t just process transactions but empowers transformation.

For every Nigerian who chooses PalmPay, the brand proves it is more than a digital banking platform, it’s a trusted financial partner committed to their growth.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has described Nigeria as fortunate to have President Bola Tinubu at the helm of affairs, commending his bold economic reforms and developmental strides.

Speaking on Wednesday at the 65th Independence Day celebration held at the Arcade Ground in Akure, Aiyedatiwa said Nigeria is on the right path under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He added, ‘Our country is blessed at a time like this to have a visionary leader like His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

‘We must continue to appreciate Mr. President for his bold economic reforms, social re-engineering, and massive infrastructural development.

‘Indications are that Nigeria is certainly making progress and on the path of glory under the Renewed Hope Initiatives,’ he said.

Reflecting on the essence of Independence Day, the governor urged Nigerians to remember the courage of the nation’s founding fathers and to draw lessons from the country’s journey since 1960.

‘This celebration is not just about remembering a date in history. It is about reflecting on our journey as a people. Independence gave us more than self-rule – it gave us the dignity of identity, the right to dream as Nigerians, and the opportunity to chart a course for our future,’ he noted.

Aiyedatiwa said his administration has remained committed to its promises under the ‘OUR EASE’ agenda, highlighting key projects across the state, including the dualisation and rehabilitation of roads, improvements in the health sector, bursaries and scholarships for indigent students, and support for security agencies.

‘None of these projects and programmes would have been possible without your trust, patience, and support. To the good people of Ondo State who believe in this administration, and even to those who watch silently, I say thank you,’ the governor said.

He further urged the people to remain optimistic, resilient, and united in the face of challenges, stressing the need for peace, love, and hard work in building a prosperous nation.

‘Let me assure you, in the coming months, you will see more progress. As we celebrate this Independence Day, let us remember that freedom comes with responsibility. We must remain united as a people, committed to peace, and focused on building a better future.

‘Ondo State is moving forward, Nigeria is moving forward; the sun of a new dawn is rising over our state. Let us walk together into that dawn with love, diligence, courage, and faith,’ he concluded.

Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo has said that actions and decisions of President Bola Tinubu is moving the country towards economic stability and growth

Governor Okpebholo, in a statewide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary, said the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President was true reflection of independence.

The Edo Governor said he has remained focused on the journey to rebuilding Edo State into a land of peace, opportunity, and progress.

He said his administration has worked hard to make Edo safer as well as rebuilding roads, upgrading schools, hospitals, and creating opportunities for the youths.

According to him, ‘This is just the beginning, but they show that Edo is moving forward.

We are grateful to the President and Commander-in-chief, our father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his efforts to reposition Nigeria for greatness.

‘Within just two years of the President Tinubu administration, Nigeria has been freed from the chaos of long fuel queues, and from the satanic subsidy rackets who siphoned our national wealth and leaving the masses in abject poverty.

‘The Renewed Hope has also expanded our economy and freed the states from having to queue for bailouts in Abuja before they could pay workers’ salaries. That era is over. We can only be grateful for these and several other interventions of the Tinubu administration.

‘Mr. President, Edo stands with you.

Dear compatriots, Independence is not only about freedom from foreign rule. It calls for unity and teamwork in order to maximise the opportunities that come with freedom. We must always remind ourselves that we can achieve more if we come together as Edo people.

‘To our youths and children: You are the heartbeat of this state. Do not give in to despair. Your energy and talents are the key to our future, and this government will continue to invest in you.’

Singer Victor Okafor popularly known as Mr. Real has expressed regret over featuring Idowest on his hit track ‘Legbegbe’, claiming it limited the song’s potential and his career growth.

In a recent interview on Hip TV Trending, Mr. Real revealed that he wished he had released the record as a solo project, stating that it would have elevated him to the same status as some of Nigeria’s biggest stars, including Wizkid and Burna Boy.

Mr. Real claimed that a potential remix collaboration with Wizkid on ‘Legbegbe’ was scrapped due to complications allegedly involving D’banj.

He said the missed collaboration with Wizkid would have significantly boosted ‘Legbegbe”s success both in Nigeria and globally.

‘Legbegbe’ released in 2017, became a huge hit across Nigeria, catapulting Mr. Real to fame.

However, the singer stated that certain choices made during its rollout prevented him from fully capitalising on the song’s success.

Mr. Real stated: ‘I regret bringing Idowest into that song. I wish I had sung that song alone. If I had sung that song alone, I’d be on the same level as Burna Boy and Wizkid.’ He added that Wizkid’s remix plan didn’t materialize ‘all because of D’banj.’

As an ocean of green and white sweeps across our streets, Independence Day reminds us that this day is not a mere ritual of rejoicing, but a solemn renewal of our covenant as a people.

My thoughts return each October 1 to the words of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in 1960: ‘This is a wonderful day, and it is all the more wonderful because we have awaited it with increasing impatience.we have acquired our rightful status, and Nigeria now stands well-built upon firm foundations.’

His words remain alive today, urging us not to rest in nostalgia but to labour with courage toward the destiny they envisioned.

Independence Day offers Nigeria a rare opportunity to pause and reflect. It is a moment to honour our profound history, but more importantly, to look ahead to the next chapter in our great story.

Despite the challenges of today, I remain optimistic when I consider the strides our country has made since 1 October 1960. Nigeria has grown from a population of about 45 million at independence to more than 237 million which is the largest in Africa and the 6th largest in the world today. We have moved from just a handful of universities in 1960 to more than 260 tertiary institutions today.

Our creative industries are global forces, with Nollywood supporting hundreds of thousands of direct jobs and, by broader estimates, over 1,000,000 direct and indirect jobs, and contributing roughly N1.9-N2.0 trillion to the economy.

Yet optimism alone will not carry us forward. For the twenty-first century will be the African Century, and it is not a question of if, but of when.

The true test is whether Nigeria will rise as the continent’s vanguard or stumble as a colossus with feet of clay. Without justice, scale becomes spectacle; and without equity, abundance breeds misery. Nowhere is this clearer than in the poverty that scars our land.

The National Bureau of Statistics’ Multidimensional Poverty Index revealed that 63% of Nigerians, some 133,000,000 men, women, and children, are deprived of health, education, and decent living standards.

The World Bank confirms that nearly one in three Nigerians live below the global poverty line of $2.15 a day. Humanitarian agencies further warn that about 31 million of our people face acute food insecurity, while a third of children under five suffer stunted growth. These are not abstract figures; they are broken lives, and they demand a national response as urgent as war.

Security remains the greatest test of our generation. Banditry, insurgency, and communal violence have sown terror across our land, displacing millions and crippling markets. United Nations data shows more than 2.3 million Nigerians internally displaced by the end of 2024.

Conflict trackers record thousands of violent incidents that have shattered livelihoods and hope. No nation can prosper while its people live in fear. Peace is not optional; it is the precondition for progress, the anchor of prosperity, and the oxygen of national renewal.

Closely linked to insecurity is Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit, which the African Development Bank estimates at over $100 billion. Our power sector is a glaring example. While South Africa generates more than 40,000 MW of electricity, Nigeria struggles with less than 4,853.69 MW on average for a population four times larger. Our roads tell the same story: more than 30% of federal roads are in poor condition, and only 1 in 5 rural communities is linked to an all-season motorable road. Broadband penetration stands at just 45%, far below global averages. This infrastructure gap is not an abstract figure; it is the barrier that prevents farmers from getting produce to market, prevents young entrepreneurs from accessing digital opportunities, and prevents patients from reaching hospitals in time. Infrastructure should be our launchpad into greatness, yet it has become the chain holding us down.

Corruption makes this tragedy complete. When public funds become private spoils, classrooms stay empty, hospitals remain broken, and electricity never flows. Illicit financial flows bleed our treasury of billions that should be building schools, clinics, and power plants. This is not merely inefficiency; it is treason against our future. Nigeria is estimated to lose $18 billion annually to illicit financial flows, funds that could have built hospitals, schools, and power plants. Instead, they are siphoned into private pockets, deepening poverty and eroding trust in government. Corruption does not only weaken our institutions; it undermines the very belief that progress is possible.

However, even in the midst of these staggering challenges, hope is not extinguished. If we can forge peace, everything else becomes possible We can still bend the arc of history if we commit to three urgent tasks. First, to place security at the heart of national renewal: forging a unified, accountable doctrine that integrates military force, intelligence, policing, and community peacebuilding, while safeguarding human rights. Second, to launch an infrastructure revolution which will be financed with transparency, driven by public-private partnership, and executed with the discipline of a nation on a mission. Third, to uproot corruption with finality, ensuring that every naira is traceable, every contract enforceable, and every official accountable, regardless of station.

Above all, we must lift the young. With over 70% of our people under 30, Nigeria’s future stands in classrooms, vocational centres, farms, and tech hubs. We must bind education to enterprise, scale digital and vocational training, and direct meaningful budgetary commitments to youth employment and innovation. This is not welfare. it is the master strategy for national greatness.

On this day, as the words of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa echo in my head, I remain unshaken in my optimism. For Nigeria to take its next great step forward, any government of the future must place security at the very heart of its agenda. Without peace, nothing else can flourish. We must develop a coherent national security strategy, one that unifies the military, police, and intelligence services under a single coordinated doctrine, and equips them with the modern tools of surveillance and response, from drones to satellites, that will allow us to outsmart insurgents and restore peace to our land.

Peace will unlock the infrastructure we so urgently need. It will allow roads and railways to connect our towns and cities. It will enable power grids to light up homes and factories, and digital networks to support a modern economy. It will allow schools to reopen without fear and hospitals to function without interruption. But this will only be possible if we also confront corruption head-on, ensuring that every naira budgeted for development is accounted for. Citizens must be able to track public spending openly, and no official must be above the law.

Nigeria has never shied away from its challenges. Our history is full of obstacles that once seemed insurmountable, yet we overcame them. In each season, we rose because we chose courage over fear, unity over division, and hope over hopelessness. The urgent task before us now is to build a Nigeria where no Nigerian is left behind, and where no community is consigned to despair. If we meet this test, we will awaken the Nigeria of our dreams: a nation where schools and hospitals are beacons of service, where roads and railways stitch our land into unity, where power grids illuminate every home, where digital networks link us to the world, and where we can banish and say a total farewell to hunger and poverty not as slogans, but as lived reality.

This is the true promise of independence. This is the noble vision our founding fathers entrusted to us. This is the vision we must dare, together.