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The Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) has pledged to support the nation’s statutory security agencies in ensuring peaceful and credible 2027 general elections, promising to deploy its grassroots network for early warning, community intelligence and crime prevention.

The Commandant-General of VGN, Otunba James Udoma, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at his first press briefing since assuming office.

Udoma said the organisation would complement rather than compete with the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other authorised security agencies.

He said VGN was preparing a 2027 Election Security Support and Community Intelligence Framework aimed at strengthening the flow of credible grassroots information to conventional security agencies before, during and after the elections.

According to him, the organisation’s strength lies in its presence within communities, where its personnel understand local environments, social relationships, movement patterns and emerging security concerns.

‘Properly organised and professionally coordinated, this community presence can become a valuable source of early-warning information for the conventional security agencies,’ he said.

The Commandant-General said the VGN would strengthen community-level monitoring and reporting mechanisms across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with personnel expected to report credible information on emerging threats, community tensions, suspicious activities and potential security flashpoints.

He stressed, however, that VGN would not replace intelligence institutions, but would provide community-level information to the appropriate authorities for professional assessment and action.

Udoma said the organisation would place emphasis on accuracy, verification, confidentiality, timeliness, professional reporting, respect for the law and fundamental human rights.

He added that VGN personnel deployed for election security would not interfere with electoral processes, intimidate voters, obstruct accredited election officials, participate in partisan activities or take the law into their own hands.

‘Where we observe a security incident, our responsibility will be to observe, report and support lawful intervention by the competent authorities,’ he said.

He also disclosed that VGN would sustain its community-based early-warning structures after the elections to help identify emerging tensions and prevent local disputes from escalating into wider security challenges.

On inter-agency collaboration, Udoma said the organisation would strengthen communication and liaison with the Armed Forces, Police, DSS, NSCDC, Federal Road Safety Corps, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where applicable, and other authorised institutions.

He emphasised that VGN would not establish a parallel security structure, but would ‘build bridges into the existing national security architecture.’

The Commandant-General also issued a strong warning to VGN personnel against partisan political activities during the 2027 electoral cycle, stressing that the organisation must remain politically neutral.

‘VGN is not a political party. Our members may have individual political preferences as citizens, but the organisation itself must remain politically neutral in the discharge of its security-support responsibilities,’ he said.

He directed personnel not to use VGN uniforms, offices, vehicles, insignia or positions to campaign for political parties or candidates.

‘Our loyalty is to Nigeria, the rule of law and the peaceful democratic process,’ he said.

Udoma also warned that he would not tolerate indiscipline, impersonation, extortion, harassment, intimidation, abuse of authority or any conduct capable of bringing the organisation into disrepute.

He said disciplinary measures would be taken against members who acted outside their lawful mandate.

The VGN chief also appealed to the media to exercise responsibility in reporting security-related issues, warning that misinformation could endanger lives.

‘Security information can save lives when responsibly handled, but misinformation can equally endanger lives,’ Udoma said.

He urged journalists to work with the organisation in promoting responsible security reporting, public awareness and peaceful democratic participation, assuring the media that VGN would remain available to clarify official matters concerning its activities.

He similarly urged Nigerians to verify information before sharing it and to report suspicious activities through appropriate channels.

‘Do not allow political differences to destroy relationships that have existed for generations. We may belong to different political parties, but we belong to one Nigeria,’ he said.

Udoma identified the professionalisation of the organisation as another priority of his administration.

He said VGN personnel would undergo intensified training in community policing, intelligence and information gathering, early-warning systems, conflict prevention and de-escalation, human rights, election security awareness, emergency response, first aid, communication, ethics, discipline and inter-agency cooperation.

He said greater emphasis would also be placed on documentation, identification, command discipline and accountability.

MTN Nigeria has stressed the need for a robust bilateral relation between the two economic power houses of the continent, Nigeria and South Africa to boost economic development.

To drive the push, the telco said it will sponsor the Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) August 2026 Breakfast Forum which is expected to yield concrete action plans for cross-border investment. By aligning commercial strategies with continental frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the NSAAC and MTN Nigeria aim to establish a durable framework for joint enterprise growth over the next quarter-century.

Convening under the theme ‘Building Local Content Together, 25 Years of Shared Growth,’ the forum will convene corporate leaders across finance, advertising, technology, and strategic communications to reflect on two and a half decades of commercial synergy between Africa’s two economic powerhouses.

Chief Financial Officer of MTN Nigeria, Modupe Kadri; Ayeni Adekunle, Founder and CEO of BlackHouse Media (BHM); Udeme Ufot, Group Managing Director of SoandU; Yemi Chukwurah, CEO, Seams and Stitches and Afolabi Sobande, Group COO, Computer Warehouse Group will speak during the session schedule to for August 27, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

NSACC was established in May 2000. It serves over 300 corporate members across major Nigerian hubs including Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. The Chamber facilitates trade missions, business matchmaking, and policy advocacy. It connects local startups and SMEs directly to foreign investors and corporate supply chains.

The 2026 sponsorship marks a key milestone in MTN Nigeria’s year-long 25th anniversary celebrations, highlighting the operator’s long-standing role as a catalyst for international trade and digital infrastructure development. In a recent LinkedIn commentary reflecting on the milestone, CEO of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola highlighted that true economic sovereignty lies in intra-African trade, noting, ‘Our quarter-century journey in Nigeria demonstrates that when global capital meets domestic talent, sustainable enterprise flourishes across borders.’

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlighted the scope of this growth. MTN Nigeria has invested over $15 billion in domestic infrastructure over the past two decades, expanding digital coverage to over 77 million active subscribers and serving as the foundational backbone for Nigeria’s rapidly growing $20 billion fintech and digital services market. Bilateral trade between Nigeria and South Africa, supported by robust digital and logistics connectivity, currently exceeds $3.2 billion annually, reflecting a steady shift toward tech-enabled service integration.

A key highlight of the upcoming forum will be evaluating how private-sector partnerships can bridge the gap between regulatory intent and local content implementation. Discussions will focus on enabling local vendors, expanding indigenous technology stacks, and fostering equitable knowledge transfer between South African multinationals and Nigerian service providers.

Many indigenes and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trooped into the streets of the three federal constituencies in Ogun Central Senatorial District on Wednesday as the party officially flagged off its campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

The campaign flag-off began in Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, where residents waved enthusiastically from the streets and balconies of adjoining buildings to welcome the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu; deputy governorship candidate, Hajiya Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo; senatorial candidate, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo; and other party leaders to Agbado Station.

In Abeokuta North Federal Constituency, where Arch. Dele Olaleye is the party’s House of Representatives candidate, the campaign train was also received by a large crowd that had gathered from as early as 10 am at NTA Junction, Totoro.

Residents and party supporters trooped out to welcome the candidates, chanting solidarity songs as the senatorial and governorship candidates assured them of purposeful representation at the senatorial and federal constituency levels.

A large crowd also gathered in Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, where Hon. Toyin Amuzu is the PDP House of Representatives candidate.

Thousands of supporters received the campaign train and followed the convoy to Ake Pavilion, the venue of the Ogun Central flag-off rally.

Addressing supporters, Adebutu urged residents and party members to vote for Obasanjo, whom he described as a tested and trusted candidate, saying her record in office remained unmatched.

He said Ogun Central must ‘bid farewell to non-performance’ and vote for liberation.

Adebutu urged residents and supporters to turn out en masse to vote for the PDP on January 16, 2027, protect their votes and resist intimidation.

Obasanjo said she was pleased that residents in communities she visited continued to recount the work she did while representing the district and the number of people she said were lifted out of poverty through her interventions.

She promised to do more to ensure that the people benefited from the dividends of democracy.

Residents and supporters who spoke at the rallies pledged their loyalty to the PDP candidates and assured them of their votes in January.

‘We will vote and stand by our votes for PDP,’ many of them said.

The primaries that threw up the current All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in Kwara State at all levels were dogged by internal crises within the party.

Indeed, many of the aspirants have accused Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of imposition. They argued that no primary took place in the state on May 22. The aggrieved chieftains who lost out are protesting.

This has been generating a lot of bad blood between the governor and some 15 governorship aspirants. The aspirants argued that the anointed governorship candidate, Mallam AbdulRazaq, and the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, did not emerge through a fair and transparent process. But, the governor disagreed, saying that Danladi was properly elected.

Accordingly, the aggrieved governorship aspirants, who include senators representing Kwara Central, Kwara North, and Kwara South-Mallam Salihu Mustapha, Sodiq Suleiman Umar, and Oyelola Yisa Ashiru-formed the G-15 in the APC.

Thereafter, the party leadership set up a five-member reconciliation committee headed by Col. AbdulWahab Lawal (rtd.).

The APC Elders’ Caucus, and aspirants resolved to overwhelmingly vote for the return of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election. They assured that President Tinubu’s votes in Kwara State would outpace those of 2023.

The G15 said this while announcing a name change to The Otoge Progressives (TOP) at a town hall engagement with critical stakeholders. A motion by Mustapha, reaffirmed the stakeholders’ vote of confidence in President Tinubu and endorsed his re-election for a second term in 2027. The motion received overwhelming support from participants.

Also, in a voice affirmation by the group and their the governorship aspirants said: ‘President Tinubu will get maximum support. We solemnly support President Tinubu’s return in 2027. We will vote for his re-election. We affirm our resolve to support his return in 2027.

‘However, we will never vote for all the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-backed candidates at all levels.’

At the meeting were Mustapha; Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe; Senator Sodiq Umar; Senator Lola Ashiru; Mr. Dele Belgore (SAN); Yahaya Seriki-Gambari (represented); Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa (represented); Bio Umar; Alhaji Tajudeen AbdulKadir Audu; Senator Ajadi Makanjuola; Senator Ahmed Ahmed; Senator Bisi Oyewo; Adamu Manko; Ahmed Abubakar Ndakene; Captain Ahmad Mahmud; Hon. James Kolo; Hon. Yinka Aluko; Razak Owolabi; Jimoh Abdulrahman Alapata;

Others include Chief James Bamisaiye Ayenioye, Alhaji Baba Olosasa, Alhaji Baba Adefalu, Salman Jawondo, SAN, Dr Yakub Yahaya Oloriegbe; Lt. Col. Abubakar Edun (rtd.), and Mallam Adebayo Abdullateef Oloyin. It also includes party elders across the state, former public officeholders, women leaders, and youth leaders.

Spokesperson of the group, Dr Oloriegbe, said: ‘We shall continue to reject the arrangement promoted by Governor AbdulRazaq through lawful, peaceful, and democratic means. We shall remain open to all legitimate political groups necessary to defend our members’ interests and advance the aspirations of the people of the state.

‘We call on the national leadership of APC to take the concerns of the party members in the state seriously. Through the unity, sacrifice, and collective resolve of the people, the APC became the dominant political force in the state, with victory at every level in the 2027 elections firmly within reach.

‘The unilateral decision of one individual has gravely undermined that prospect. Unless the present arrangement is reconsidered and the widespread dissatisfaction among party members genuinely addressed, the party’s unity and electoral success can no longer be assured.’

About three weeks ago, the reconciliation committee submitted its report to the APC working committee. On July 3, 2026, the party set up the five-member committee.

Presenting the report at the party’s secretariat in Ilorin, Col. Lawal thanked the governor and the party executives for their trust and for giving them an enabling environment to operate.

He said the committee had invited all aggrieved members in the course of its findings and provided them with a level playing field to ventilate their grievances-a step he noted aided its work.

Col. Lawal said that the committee, however, got assurances from the members to remain in the party and to ‘not go back to Egypt.’

‘I want to say that on the mandate given to us, we received the blessings of the governor, and the party chairman made it clear to us that ‘please allow everybody to vent their anger and sentiments and also do what is needful,” he said, adding that the report will go a long way to resolving the disagreement.

He stressed: ‘We made it clear to them that this is a family affair; no one is outside the family. All of us are together and in a family. But there are bound to be disagreements, and therefore they should see us as mediators.’

The Kwara APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, thanked the committee for its ‘thankless’ effort and pledged that the state leadership of the party will do everything humanly possible to ensure justice is done to the report.

He described Col. Lawal as highly disciplined and a diplomat per excellence, adding that all members of the committee are people of integrity.

‘When we go through the report of the committee, we will do all that is humanly possible to make sure we remain as a family. We are appealing to all that are aggrieved to await the actions that will be taken after the presentation of the committee’s report,’ Fagbemi said.

Its voice group, known as Kwara Agenda for Asiwaju (KWAGA), said the topmost priority of the APC leadership should be the stability and reconciliation of aggrieved members ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Many believe that the choice of Danladi fulfilled the agitation for zoning to the North Senatorial District.

The Director-General of KWAGA, Yusuf Erubu, said that ‘at this point, the priority should be the progress and stability of the APC in Kwara State.

‘Personal differences and internal disagreements should not be allowed to overshadow the larger responsibility of strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 election. It is time for all hands to be on deck to support the party and rally behind its APC governorship candidate, Salihu Yakubu Danladi.

‘This is why reconciliation must move beyond formal committee meetings; it must be reflected in genuine conversations, mutual respect, forgiveness, accommodations, and the willingness of every stakeholder to look beyond personal disappointment towards the larger future of the state.

‘The responsibility for healing does not rest on the aggrieved alone. It is equally incumbent upon the leadership and the candidate, Salihu Yakubu Danladi, to continue extending the hand of fellowship, recognising the contributions of every aspirant, and building an inclusive campaign that reflects the diversity of talents within the APC family.

Victory becomes more meaningful when everyone has a stake in it.

‘The task before every loyal member of the APC is no longer to revisit yesterday’s contest but to prepare for tomorrow’s election.

Let no temporary disagreement weaken years of collective sacrifice; let no personal hurt overshadow the larger mission of sustaining peace, stability, and development in the state.’

Unfortunately, last week’s defection of Senator Mustapha to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) seems to have thrown spanners in the works of all the peace moves by the APC leaders.

The senator had since then been offered the Kwara Central senatorial nomination form. In other words, he is set to slug it out with Governor AbdulRazaq at the poll for the Kwara Central.

Before Senator Mustapha’s defection, one of his aides, Abdulkareem Alabi, said the reconciliation exercise could not work.

Alabi, a lawyer, described it as kangaroo, asking, ‘How can the cause of a problem set up a committee, and will it work? How can you be a judge in your own case?’

Less than 24 hours later, the senator called it quits with the APC, a party he is a founding member of.

Senator representing the Kwara Central district, Salihu Mustapha, has quit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Though the philanthropist-turned senator has not officially defected to PDP, a photograph displaying a PDP Kwara Central senatorial nomination ticket for the 2027 National Assembly election is in the public domain.

Announcing his resignation from APC, he said the decision followed weeks of extensive consultations with political stakeholders, supporters, and constituents across Kwara Central and other well-meaning Kwarans

The senator said he did not take the decision lightly, explaining that recent developments within the APC in Kwara State had prompted him to reconsider his political direction.

According to him, politics should be driven by people, principles, and purpose, and he stressed that it becomes necessary to chart a new course when a political platform no longer sufficiently aligns with those convictions and the people’s aspirations.

Mustapha expressed appreciation to the APC leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the relationships and experiences he had gained during his years in the party.

He, however, assured his constituents, supporters, political associates, and stakeholders that although his political platform may change, his principles, purpose, and commitment to the people would remain unchanged.

‘I remain steadfast in my service to the people of Kwara Central, Kwara State, and Nigeria at large,’ the senator said.

The PDP described the resignation of Senator Saliu Mustapha as a devastating confirmation that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has failed both his party and the people of Kwara State.

In a reaction, PDP Publicity Secretary Olusegun Olusola Adewara said the exit of such a prominent serving senator, founding APC figure, and respected traditional title holder from the ruling party has further exposed the deepening crisis and leadership failure that Governor AbdulRazaq can no longer conceal with propaganda, social media optics, and image laundering, noting that the APC in Kwara can now be perfectly described as a ‘runaway car heading to doom, yet being controlled by a blind and deaf driver.’

Veteran Yinka Quadri has opened up about his decades-long friendship with late colleague Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, describing their bond as one that went beyond ordinary friendship.

In a lengthy social media post, Quadri reflected on Hassan’s life and their last moments together in the hospital.

He said seeing his friend on the sickbed was emotional, but Hassan reassured him not to worry and expressed confidence that nothing bad would happen.

According to Quadri, Hassan asked for water during the visit and drank from it.

He also drew the doctors’ attention to confirm that he had eaten earlier that morning.

Quadri noted that the interaction gave him renewed hope, while the medical team advised the family to remain prayerful.

The actor expressed gratitude that Hassan did not endure a prolonged illness that would have required moving him from place to place in search of help.

He thanked God for the life Hassan lived and the memories he left behind, and prayed for forgiveness of his shortcomings and eternal rest for his soul.

Speaking on their relationship, Quadri said they had known each other since 1984.

Over the years, their friendship deepened despite efforts by some people to create distance between them.

He concluded by acknowledging that death is inevitable for all, and that believers must accept God’s will even in painful moments.

Quadri wrote: ‘Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.)

‘The word of God reminds us that everything in this world has an end. Both the rich and the póor, the mighty and the humble, will all taste death. Who are we to question the will of our Creator?

‘Today, with a heavy heart, I thank God for the beautiful life you lived, my bosom friend, Taiwo Hassan Ogogo. I thank God that you did not have to go through a prolonged struggle that would have left us constantly seeking financial assistance to care for you. I thank God that your illness did not keep us moving you from one place to another in search of help. Above all, I thank God for the life He gave you and the memories you left behind.

‘May the Almighty forgive your shortcomings, grant you eternal rest, and receive your soul into His loving care.

‘Taiwo Hassan, I will never forget the last time I saw you at the hospital. You were lying on your sick bed, and when I saw you, I could not hold back my tears. You looked at me and said, ‘Yinka, don’t cry. Nothing bad will happen to me.’ I responded, ‘Yes, Amen.’

‘A few minutes later, you asked me to give you the bottle of water on the table. I gave it to you, and you drank from it. Then you looked at me and said, ‘Yinka, can you see that I drank the water, even though I ate this morning?’ You asked the doctors to confirm whether it was true that you had eaten that morning, and they confirmed it.

‘At that moment, I said, ‘Glory be to God.’ My hope and faith became even stronger. The doctors only advised us to remain prayerful.

‘Deep down, I know this was not your wish. It was not your wish to leave us so soon. It was not your wish to leave your children, your family, your friends, and the many people who loved you. But as painful as it is, we must accept the unquestionable will of God.

‘How many of our memories can I possibly remember? We have known each other since 1984, and with time, our friendship grew into something beyond ordinary friendship. Many people tried to create a distance between us, but God never allowed it’.

Hassan’s death has continued to draw tributes from colleagues in the Nollywood industry.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Abeokuta South Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, Chief Toyin Amuzu, has pledged to make the welfare and social security of constituents central to his legislative agenda if elected.

Amuzu made the commitment while speaking on a radio programme on Fresh FM, hosted by Emmanuel Oke, where he outlined his vision for a more responsive and people-centred representation of Abeokuta South at the National Assembly.

The PDP candidate said his legislative agenda would focus strongly on welfare, social security and the facilitation of developmental projects capable of improving the living conditions of residents across the constituency.

According to him, representation should go beyond occupying a seat at the National Assembly, stressing that elected representatives must be responsive and responsible to the people who entrusted them with their mandate.

Amuzu expressed concern that Abeokuta South was still far behind its potential in terms of development, despite the opportunities and resources available to the constituency.

He also criticised what he described as a lack of sincerity among those currently in government, arguing that political leadership must be driven by genuine commitment to the welfare and development of the people rather than personal interests.

‘We should be responsive and be responsible to the people,’ Amuzu stressed, insisting that elected representatives must remain accountable to their constituents and ensure that government presence is felt through tangible projects and meaningful interventions.

He said, if elected, he would work to attract and facilitate more developmental projects to Abeokuta South, while also pursuing initiatives that directly address the welfare and social security needs of vulnerable residents.

The PDP candidate maintained that the constituency deserved representation that would actively engage government agencies, pursue development opportunities and ensure that the needs of the people remain at the centre of legislative priorities.

Amuzu’s position comes as political parties and candidates intensify preparations and grassroots engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Abeokuta South Federal Constituency race expected to attract keen interest.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated the Hausa people on the occasion of Hausa Day, praising their contributions to the unity and progress of Nigeria.

Tinubu described the Hausa people as ‘great pillars’ who play a vital role in the country’s development.

He also highlighted the growth of the Hausa language and its importance as a major language of communication and commerce.

The President said he was pleased to congratulate the Hausa community as the celebration takes place at the historic Daura Palace in Katsina State.

Hausa Day, also known as Ranar Hausa, is observed annually on August 26 to celebrate the Hausa language, culture and heritage.

The occasion has grown into an international celebration of Hausa identity and cultural heritage.

The celebration brings together members of the Hausa community and cultural enthusiasts to promote the language, traditions and historical contributions of the Hausa people to Nigeria and beyond.

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), said Nigeria is firmly committed to building a strong, self-reliant, and globally competitive defence industrial base.

Speaking at the 7th Nigeria-Trkiye Defence Industry Business Forum in Abuja on Wednesday, Musa said Nigeria was advancing this ambition through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act 2023, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The minister said the ambition went beyond meeting Nigeria’s immediate defence requirements, stressing the need to develop an industrial ecosystem capable of positioning Nigeria as a competitive defence manufacturing hub in Africa.

‘Our ambition goes beyond meeting Nigeria’s immediate defence requirements. We seek to develop an industrial ecosystem capable of positioning Nigeria as a competitive defence manufacturing hub in Africa-one that creates quality employment, develops highly skilled Nigerian professionals, strengthens domestic supply chains, promotes innovation and contributes to national security as well as broader economic development,’ he said.

According to him, the vision was particularly important at a time when the global security environment was becoming increasingly complex and technologically driven.

‘Contemporary conflicts are demonstrating the growing importance of unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, advanced communications, cyber capabilities, precision systems, surveillance technologies, space-based assets and other emerging technologies,’ he said.

Musa said Nigeria must therefore build the capacity not only to acquire such capabilities but also to understand, adapt, manufacture, maintain and continuously improve them.

‘This requires strong partnerships between government, the Armed Forces, research institutions, academia and industry, supported by sustained investment in innovation and human capital,’ he said.

The minister said Nigeria attached great importance to its defence relationship with Trkiye, noting that the 7th Nigeria-Trkiye Defence Industry Business Forum provided an important platform to take the relationship to the next level.

He said Nigeria-Trkiye cooperation had evolved considerably from traditional military-to-military engagements to broader collaboration, but stressed the need to ‘progressively move beyond a predominantly buyer-seller relationship towards a more balanced and mutually beneficial partnership founded on joint production, local manufacturing, technology transfer, research and development, maintenance, repair and overhaul, skills development and sustainable industrial cooperation.’

Musa said Trkiye’s remarkable transformation into a major and increasingly self-reliant defence industrial power provided valuable lessons for countries seeking to develop indigenous defence capabilities.

According to him, Trkiye had demonstrated what could be achieved through sustained government commitment, deliberate investment in indigenous research and development, innovation, strong private-sector participation, effective institutional coordination and close collaboration between government, the Armed Forces, research institutions and industry.

‘Nigeria therefore views the Turkish defence industry not merely as a source of equipment, but as a strategic partner in our defence industrialisation journey,’ he said.

The minister said Nigeria was interested in learning from Trkiye’s experience and adapting relevant aspects of it to the country’s own circumstances, requirements and strategic interests.

‘We believe that a stronger Nigeria-Trkiye defence industrial partnership can create opportunities not only for our two countries, but also for the wider African market. This Forum is therefore expected to give practical expression to our shared vision,’ he said.

He said discussions on strategic defence partnerships, technology transfer, co-production, local content, investment opportunities, incentives, procurement processes and regulatory frameworks were particularly important.

The minister urged Nigerian and Turkish companies to use the opportunity to identify specific, commercially viable and technologically meaningful areas of cooperation.

‘To our Turkish partners, our message is clear: Nigeria is open to strategic defence-industrial partnerships and responsible investment,’ he said.

The Federal Government on Wednesday launched a $1 billion social protection initiative aimed at moving vulnerable Nigerians from dependence on temporary palliatives to sustainable pathways of economic empowerment and self-reliance.

The initiative, known as the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project (HOPE-SP), was unveiled at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, alongside four other initiatives designed to strengthen the country’s humanitarian response and poverty reduction architecture.

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who delivered the keynote address at the event themed ‘From Palliatives to Pathways’, said the initiatives represented an important step towards improving the lives of vulnerable individuals, families and communities across the country.

Other initiatives unveiled were the One-Humanitarian-One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS), the Emergency Cash Transfer Programme, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Ministerial Blueprint and the Humanity First Magazine.

The First Lady said although the five initiatives perform different functions, they share the common objective of improving the wellbeing of Nigerians, particularly those facing economic and social vulnerabilities.

She said the programmes were particularly significant against the backdrop of the far-reaching economic reforms being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to strengthen the economy and establish a foundation for sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

According to her, while the reforms continue to take effect, the government and other stakeholders must recognise that many Nigerian families still face challenges and require support.

‘Under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, our nation is implementing far-reaching reforms to strengthen the economy, lay a solid foundation for sustainable growth, and shared prosperity.

‘As these reforms continue to take effect, we must recognise that, given the size of our population and available resources, many families still face challenges and require our collective support’, she said.

Mrs Tinubu described HOPE-SP as an important intervention designed to strengthen the process of identifying vulnerable households, understanding their peculiar needs and providing appropriate assistance.

She explained that rather than merely providing temporary relief, the programme would combine immediate stabilisation assistance with interventions that put affected households on a path toward recovery and economic independence.

‘The first initiative, the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project, is an important step toward strengthening how to identify and respond to vulnerable households facing various challenges by listening to their specific needs before taking action.

‘It is designed to provide immediate stabilisation assistance while placing the households on a pathway to recovery, empowerment and self-reliance’, she said.

On the One-Humanitarian-One Poverty Response System, the First Lady said the platform would provide a coordinated national mechanism for responding to humanitarian emergencies, delivering social protection and tackling poverty.

She said the system was expected to eliminate duplication among government interventions while maintaining unified national registries through which poor and vulnerable households could be identified, supported and tracked as they progress towards prosperity.

Mrs Tinubu also said the Emergency Cash Transfer Programme would provide rapid financial assistance to households confronted by economic shocks, while the Ministerial Blueprint would translate the humanitarian and poverty reduction priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda into measurable actions.

According to her, effective planning and accountability must remain central to delivering government services to Nigerians.

She also described the Humanity First Magazine as a significant component of the initiatives because it would document the experiences of citizens whose lives have been transformed through government interventions.

The First Lady commended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, and ministry officials for developing the initiatives.

She said the programmes could transform Nigeria’s humanitarian interventions from temporary assistance into sustainable mechanisms for building resilience and prosperity.

‘I commend the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro and his team for these initiatives that will transform our humanitarian endeavours from temporary assistance to lasting pathways that promote resilience, self-reliance, prosperity and a dignified life for every Nigerian’, she said.

Doro, in his remarks, said the new initiatives marked the establishment of a new national architecture for humanitarian intervention and social protection, with government shifting its emphasis from reactive palliatives to proactive empowerment.

He said while the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange market, had improved investor confidence and strengthened government revenues, attention must also be directed at protecting Nigerians from economic shocks and providing sustainable routes out of poverty.

According to him, the government’s objective is to move from reactive relief to anticipatory social protection and from merely managing poverty to reducing it.

The minister identified fragmentation as one of the major weaknesses of existing social intervention programmes, noting that initiatives across ministries, departments, agencies and different levels of government often operated independently.

He said the situation had created duplication, with some beneficiaries accessing multiple interventions while other vulnerable Nigerians received none.

Doro said the new approach would shift the focus from programmes to households and from simply counting beneficiaries to measuring the actual impact of interventions.

Under the new architecture, he explained, vulnerable households would be identified, their needs assessed and appropriate interventions provided, after which they would be tracked through a ‘poverty graduation pathway’ towards economic inclusion and self-reliance.

The system, he added, would be supported by unified data, digital delivery infrastructure, new financing arrangements and real-time poverty intelligence, while strengthening collaboration among the federal, state and local governments as well as development partners.

Doro said the One-Humanitarian-One Poverty Response System would provide a single window for humanitarian and poverty reduction interventions and end the practice where different government agencies established separate registers and data centres.

He disclosed that existing databases would be integrated into a unified platform anchored on the National Social Register, which currently contains about 20 million households.

The system would track beneficiaries from identification and intervention through an exit mechanism and eventual entry into a growth register, while a digital dashboard would provide visibility across interventions.

The minister also announced plans for a National Poverty Intelligence Lab, saying the success of the government’s programmes would henceforth be determined by the number of households protected, economically included and ultimately moved out of poverty rather than the volume of materials distributed.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, said effective social protection required a whole-of-government approach involving the federal, state and local governments as well as other stakeholders.

Bagudu said the administration’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030 must be accompanied by deliberate efforts to ensure that prosperity and economic opportunities reach Nigerians at the grassroots.

He highlighted the administration’s ward development initiative, which covers the country’s 8,809 wards, saying it was designed to identify the factors driving poverty and exclusion at the community level and turn the wards into centres of prosperity and inclusion.

The minister said the government was also increasing budgetary attention to peace, security and critical elements of social protection to prevent hardworking Nigerians from slipping into poverty as a consequence of domestic and global economic shocks.

He noted that international developments, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and instability in the Middle East, had consequences for households and economies worldwide, making effective social safety nets increasingly important.

Bagudu said Nigeria already had significant resources and programmes devoted to social protection and poverty eradication, including a World Bank portfolio of about $6 billion, but stressed that better coordination was required to maximise their impact.

He argued that the challenge was not necessarily the absence of resources but ensuring that available resources and programmes at federal, state and local levels were properly aligned and efficiently deployed.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, also commended the Federal Government for the social protection initiative, describing it as an important intervention in addressing vulnerability among Nigerians.

Zulum, whose state has experienced prolonged humanitarian challenges arising from insurgency, stressed the importance of tackling the root causes of insecurity and instability, particularly poverty and social inequality.

He said sustainable peace and security required interventions that went beyond immediate humanitarian assistance to address the underlying conditions that expose individuals and communities to vulnerability.

The governor also emphasised the need for continued research into issues relating to identity and national security, while congratulating the Federal Government and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction on the rollout of the initiatives.

As part of efforts to promote preventive healthcare and early disease detection, AXA Mansard Health has taken its hepatitis awareness campaign to Bariga, Lagos, providing residents with free screening, health education, and support services.

The initiative, organised to commemorate World Hepatitis Day 2026, reflects the health management organisation’s continued focus on improving access to preventive healthcare, particularly in communities where routine screening and health information may be limited.

Residents who participated in the outreach received free hepatitis screening and were educated on prevention, diagnosis, and the importance of seeking timely medical attention.

The programme also extended beyond medical intervention, with relief packages distributed to vulnerable families in the community to provide immediate support.

According to AXA Mansard Health, taking health education and screening directly to communities is critical to closing gaps in awareness and access to preventive services.

The initiative underscores the growing importance of preventive healthcare in Nigeria, where delayed diagnosis and limited access to routine screening can worsen the health and financial consequences of treatable diseases.

For insurers and health maintenance organisations (HMOs), greater emphasis on prevention and early detection could also help reduce long-term healthcare costs by encouraging timely intervention before illnesses become more severe.

The Bariga outreach therefore highlights a broader shift in healthcare delivery towards awareness, screening, and early intervention rather than treatment after diseases have advanced.

AXA Mansard Health said it would continue to support initiatives that equip Nigerians with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their health.

The organisation stressed that sustained public education and improved access to screening are essential to preventing hepatitis from progressing into serious and potentially life-threatening conditions.

The campaign also demonstrates the role of the private sector in early detection and preventive care.