Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate says it has commenced the implementation of the new pension increments for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, saying the adjustments will be reflected in the September 2025 payroll cycle.

In a statement signed by Management on Tuesday, PTAD said the increased package includes a fixed N32,000 payment alongside percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for eligible categories, which will benefit about 832,000 pensioners under its management.

It would be recalled that PTAD in August announced President Bola Tinubu approved a series of measures, including new welfare benefits for pensioners under DBS.

The approval follows a formal request by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, seeking an emergency budgetary allocation to implement pension reforms and welfare benefits for the scheme’s retirees.

The measures include a N32,000 pension increment, percentage increases for pensioners of defunct and privatised agencies, pension harmonisation for all DBS pensioners, enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the settlement of long-standing unfunded pension liabilities.

PTAD said the partial release of N820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the emergency funding has made it possible for pensioners to begin receiving the enhanced payments immediately.

The statement read, ‘Further to the President’s approval of the emergency budgetary allocation for the payment of the new pension increment rates for Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBS) that was earlier published by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate on Friday, 8th August, 2025, the Directorate is delighted to announce the commencement of the implementation of the 832,000, 10.66% and 12.95% pension increment for eligible pensioners under the management of PTAD, in the September 2025 pension payroll cycle.

‘This achievement has been made possible through the partial release of 820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance, from the initial 845 billion emergency funding approval granted by the Federal Government.

‘This milestone clearly reaffirms the Federal Government’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and entitlements of DBS Pensioners in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.’

The directorate thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the emergency allocation.

It also acknowledged the role of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Accountant-General of the Federation and key presidential aides and parliamentary committees for their ‘timely interventions’ and support.

The statement also expressed appreciation to organised pension groups, including the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, for their cooperation during negotiations and implementation planning.

‘We further assure all our DBS Pensioners and Stakeholders that the Directorate will continue to collaborate with the relevant authorities towards release of the outstanding approved funds and subsequent fulfilment of all future obligations relating to the pension increments and the landmark reforms,’ the statement added.

The DBS covers pensioners who retired before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, including those from defunct public institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals.

Over the years, many have faced irregular payments, delayed harmonisation, and inadequate healthcare access, challenges that the new reforms are expected to address.

Renowned Islamic scholar, Ustadh Dhikrullahi Shafii, has called for the adoption of a central Friday sermon across major mosques in the country.

This, he noted, will provide Muslims with a unified message and common direction on issues affecting the society.

He made the call at the 2nd Annual Imam’s Conference organised by Daarus-Sa’aadah Islamic Centre in Ajase-Ipo, Kwara State.

The event with the theme, ‘The Mosque, the Imam and Da’wah’, attracted scholars, imams, traditional rulers and worshippers across the country.

Shafii, who delivered the first lecture on ‘The Role of the Mosque in Building the Ideal Muslim,’ said the mosque is not limited to being a place of prayer.

According to him, Masjid is historically a centre for decision-making, social welfare, refuge and including treatment of the sick.

He noted that the three aspects of the theme had been largely neglected in contemporary Muslim communities, with negative consequences for the Ummah.

He described the Imam as the principal of the mosque whose role goes beyond delivering stories.

‘Rather, it requires deep grounding in Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh and global issues’, Shafii who is the Grand Mufti of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), said.

He emphasised that no single individual could master all branches of Islamic jurisprudence and advised Imams and scholars to specialise in particular fields while working together for the benefit of the community.

The mosque, he noted, must be repositioned to serve the Ummah fully, including the creation of committees to address the needs of children, women, the aged, marriage, naming ceremonies and conflict resolution.

He stressed that when properly utilised, mosques could once again produce pious leaders and scholars as they did in the early history of Islam.

Shafii further recommended that the conference should be extended to two or three days in order to deepen its impact, with a communiqué issued and adopted by mosques across the state for implementation.

In his paper on ‘Da’wah without Bitterness: Etiquette of Disagreement in Islam,’ Dr. Sirajudeen Bila Al-Asra urged scholars and preachers to adopt humility, patience and wisdom in propagating Islam and resolving disputes.

He cautioned against arrogance in preaching and reminded participants that Islam abhors bitterness in da’wah, adding that the strength of the message lies in its truth and delivery, not in hostility.

Founder and sponsor of the conference, Alhaja Rahmat Mojisola Salih, a Lagos-based businesswoman, said her motivation for the annual event was inspired by her grandmother who instilled in her the habit of dedicating part of her earnings to the service of the mosque.

She recalled her early days hawking bread and other items in the town as a primary school pupil and narrated how her grandmother taught her to buy brooms and soap for cleaning the mosque.

She explained that the annual Imam Conference was her way of sustaining that tradition of service and philanthropy, urging others to emulate the gesture to promote a safer and more dedicated society.

The Chief Imam of Ajase-Ipo, Shaykh Aliyu Taofeeq Atoloye, who chaired the occasion, said the programme has continued to have great impact on Islamic scholars and imams who used the gathering to exchange ideas and strengthen their knowledge.

He said this year’s theme opened a deeper understanding of the role of the mosque beyond worship, stressing that the institution must remain central to the moral and spiritual life of the Ummah.

In his goodwill message, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Muhammed Yahya Atoloye, described the programme as a blessed exercise and recommended its extension to three days because of the immense benefits embedded in it.

He called for the sustainability of the initiative and urged that more people should key into it to strengthen the religious and social life of the community.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in his goodwill message, described the event as highly educative.

He appreciated the organisers for championing a noble cause aimed at equipping Imams and scholars with deeper religious knowledge for the advancement of Islam.

Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions over recovery of the country’s economy, raising concerns about how it has fared over the last 65 years.

They shared their views in separate interviews with Daily Trust, calling on the federal government to take decisive actions to reflate the economy.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had recently declared that the economy has rebounded, saying the local currency and foreign reserves continue to improve.

Adu Abiodun expressed concerns over the borrowing spree by successive administrations, saying it has plunged the country into a huge debt profile without sustaining the economy.

‘Nigeria is like an old man at 65, who has obviously advanced in age but is still struggling to figure out life. There’s a syndrome bedeviling the nation, and from diagnosis, it’s a case of two steps forward and ten steps backward.

‘For instance, former President Obasanjo was able to secure debt clearance for Nigeria, marking a remarkable era and setting the trajectory for economic growth. However, subsequent presidents have incurred debts that even our great-grandchildren might inherit,’ he said.

He urged leaders at the helm of affairs to focus on governance and bury partisan politics, describing misplaced priorities as the bane of the country.

‘In my opinion, the bane of this country is that we put politics ahead of governance. Hence, the ‘anyhowness’ we witness among government officials and those tasked with the delicate responsibility of piloting the affairs of this country.

‘At 65, I desire and hope that our leaders will relegate stupendous partisan politics, put the people first, roll up their sleeves, and do the real work for which they were elected-or selected, as the case may be,’ he said.

Paul Oyewusi, however, expressed optimism, commending the policies initiated by President Bola Tinubu and describing them as a pathway to economic recovery.

‘I would like to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the initiatives he is putting in place and the amazing professionals working with him. Nigeria is not where we want it to be, but I believe we are heading in the right direction with the right policies, initiatives, and encouragement. I believe we will get there someday,’ he said.

He urged the federal government to build a culture of resilience and a ‘we-can-do’ spirit, describing them as the bedrock of nation-building.

‘We cannot always compare ourselves with the United States or Britain-our colonial masters-who have been around for hundreds of years. They didn’t get there in a day. One thing I see in them is a culture nurtured over the years that has improved their societies. I think it is high time Nigeria also started nurturing a particular set of values.

‘We need to nurture the culture of resilience and the spirit of ‘what we can do.’ There are things unique to us as a nation. If we stay true to them, teach the next generation, and give due spotlight to those doing well, I believe things will keep getting better for us as a nation.

‘We are not there yet. In fact, we are far from it, but we are heading in the right direction. As a country, it is a good thing that we are growing. I would say Nigeria is actually making progress under the current administration. Many things are not yet the way we want, but judging from the previous administration up until now, I think we are moving in a promising direction,’ he said.

Charles Apoki stressed that the oil greasing the country’s wheel of progress has not stopped in the last 65 years, noting that Nigeria is still faring better than some countries on the continent.

‘Nigeria has made tremendous progress. In several aspects, we are not where we used to be, though we are not yet where we ought to be. What seems to frustrate Nigerians is that we are too intelligent for our leaders.

‘Our leaders are several miles behind us, while the public is more intelligent and more ambitious. That is why we see the criticism and frustration around us. Even if you look at Nigerian roads, compare them with those in Madagascar or Niger-we are far ahead.

‘But there is hope with technology, AI, and social media revolution,’ he said.

Economy facing significant challenges – NES

Speaking with our correspondent, the President of the Nigerian Economic Society, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju said while a lot of gains have been made in the last 65 years, the economy is still bedeviled with a lot of challenges.

He said the country’s economy is not as diversified as expected, especially in the area of exports.

‘Economy still driven by primary production, no productivity, no value added, manufacturing is still very weak. It is less than 10 per cent. In terms of the social sector, education, health, gender related issues. We are not doing very well,’ he said.

However he stated that the macroeconomic outlook is becoming a bit brighter. ‘Inflation is decelerating; we have an exchange rate now appreciating and it is stable. Output in the petroleum sector is inching towards 2m barrels per day. We have the Dangote Refinery producing and exporting petroleum products except for the strike now we have stability in the petroleum market,’ he added.

Opportunity to reset economy

On his part, Dr. Muda Yusuf, Director/Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE) stated that Nigeria’s economic history at 65 is one of resilience, missed opportunities, and enormous untapped potential.

‘The current reform agenda presents a rare opportunity to reset the economy on a path of stability, competitiveness, and shared prosperity. Seizing this moment will require consistent policies, institutional strengthening, and a deliberate effort to ensure that economic growth translates into improved living standards for citizens,’ he stated.

He listed strategic priorities for the next decade to include deepening economic diversification by scaling up value addition in agriculture, manufacturing, and solid minerals; strengthening governance and institutions by ‘enhancing transparency, reducing the cost of governance, and improving fiscal responsibility and management and investing in human capital.

He stated that Nigeria must accelerate infrastructure development saying Power, transport, and broadband must be prioritized through PPPs and innovative finance.

He said, ‘In the last two years, the government has implemented bold reforms, including exchange rate unification, fuel subsidy removal, and tax policy adjustments. These measures have imposed short-term pain – high inflation and reduced household purchasing power – but early signs of macroeconomic stabilization are emerging.

‘To sustain reform momentum, these measures must be complemented by targeted social protection programs – cash transfers, food security interventions, and job-creation initiatives – to shield vulnerable households and maintain public support.’

Yusuf further stated persistent macroeconomic instability continues to weigh on growth, saying, ‘The naira’s dramatic depreciation – from being stronger than the U.S. dollar in the 1970s to N1,600/$ in 2024 – has eroded purchasing power, raised production costs, and discouraged investment. Rising public debt and unsustainable debt-service-to-revenue ratios have constrained the fiscal space, limiting governments’ capacity to fund critical infrastructures.

‘Policy priorities must focus on restoring currency stability through credible monetary policy, expanding foreign exchange supply by growing non-oil exports, improving public spending efficiency, plugging fiscal leakages, and raising non-oil revenue without stifling private enterprise. The good news is that the economy is beginning to experience a remarkable degree of stability over the last one year.’

He added that despite challenges, Nigeria has achieved notable successes, adding, ‘The ICT and telecommunications sector has grown from fewer than 20,000 telephone lines in 1960 to over 165 million active lines today, transforming commerce, banking, and governance. Financial services have deepened, fintech has flourished, and capital markets have expanded. Nollywood and Afrobeats have turned Nigeria into a global cultural powerhouse.’

Too much money with little accountability- CEPTI

Providing his assessment, the Executive Director, Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, Dr. Umar Yakubu noted that since the inception of the current administration, there have been reforms especially the fuel subsidy removal and the exchange rate unification so that Nigeria will have a more determined value for the Naira.

He however lamented that since then, there hasn’t been accountability on how these monies are spent.

‘The removal of fuel subsidy has led to a high increase in revenue for the government as revenue for states and local governments have doubled but the issue we have is that there is a lack of transparency and no accountability mechanisms.

‘This is why anti-corruption agencies seem to be battling more with corruption cases because there is so much money but a low accountability mechanism,’ he said.

Speaking further, he noted that ‘Because there is so much money, we now have misplaced priorities as governments is now spending money on bridges, roads, and investments that are so capital intensive but don’t show the impact on people and the federal and state governments are just reckless in their spending,’ he further lamented

He advised that going forward there should be set mechanisms to checkmate how public funds are spent.

A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday sentenced ex-president Joseph Kabila to death in absentia for ‘treason’.

Kabila, 54, who was not present at the trial in the capital nor represented, was found guilty of complicity with the M23 anti-government armed group, which has seized swathes of the resource-rich Congolese east with Rwandan help.

He left the vast central African country in 2023 and briefly reappeared in Goma in the volatile east in May, causing disquiet in Kinshasa.

Observers say the death sentence aims to remove the possibility he could unite the opposition within the country, despite his exact current whereabouts being unknown. The DRC, ravaged by violence for more than three decades, lifted a moratorium on the death penalty last year, but no judicial executions have been carried out since.

Military prosecutor General Lucien Rene Likulia had demanded the death penalty for Kabila, whose party slammed the proceedings as ‘a political trial’.

Likulia accused the ex-leader of plotting to overthrow President Felix Tshisekedi, and further charges against him included homicide, torture and rape linked to M23.

Likulia said Kabila, in coordination with Rwanda, sought to spring a coup against Tshisekedi, notably with the help of Corneille Nangaa, who presided over the electoral commission during the 2018 presidential election, which Tshisekedi won.

Kabila ruled the country between 2001 and 2019, taking power following the assassination of his father, Laurent-Desire Kabila.

On his visit to Goma in May, Kabila met local religious leaders in the presence of M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka.

Tshisekedi has branded Kabila the brains behind the armed group, while Kabila has dubbed Tshisekedi’s government a ‘dictatorship.’

Rwanda denies providing military backing to the M23, but UN experts say its army played a ‘critical’ role in the group’s offensive.

A few weeks ago, I addressed a gathering of clergy, professionals, and everyday citizens at an interactive session in Owerri. I was invited to speak not as a politician, but as a fellow Nigerian, to reflect candidly on where we are, and more importantly, where we are going. In that room, I was reminded that while the history that has shaped a nation’s past cannot be undone, it is collective vision, clarity and courage that determine its future.

It goes without saying that Nigeria is at a difficult crossroads, but the evidence compels us to say it plainly. We are now the world’s most populous Black nation, projected to exceed 400 million citizens by 2050, yet we remain structurally fragile. Over 130 million Nigerians are classified as multidimensionally poor. Many are trapped in a cycle of deprivation, with limited access to education, healthcare, or clean water. Nearly 40 percent of our youth are unemployed or underemployed, living in cities where opportunity is outpaced by frustration. Public debt has surged; inflation remains high and poverty continues to chip away at the dignity of millions of households.

These are not abstract statistics; they are signposts of a nation that is drifting from potential to paralysis. And though we have held elections every four years since 1999, a remarkable democratic feat on paper, fewer and fewer Nigerians are choosing to participate. In 2003, over 60 percent of registered voters cast their ballots. In 2023, it was barely 27 percent. That is not just apathy, that is estrangement. Many of our compatriots are, quite literally, demonstrating a lack of faith in our electoral system, becoming mere observers rather than rightful participants in our democratic journey.

Optimism in our country’s prospects is what propels every patriot to keep striving. In times like these, however, optimism becomes inadequate without a clear anchor. We need an openness of mind for candid and difficult conversations, to agree on a vision, and summon a collective willingness to do be pragmatic, consistent, and focused on implementing the policies and programmes that can translate that vision into prosperity, progress, and pro-poor development.

These, in my view, constitute the irreducible minimum of civic expectations that our politicians, public servants, business leaders, civil society and citizens must subscribe to, as the future direction of our nation. Some general agreement around this clear anchor of expectations – an elite consensus – is what Nigeria needs now more than ever.

We must craft a new elite consensus that transcends the arithmetic of power and confronts the fundamentals of how we govern, how we elect, and how we grow. Elite consensus is not a new idea. However, it still remains Nigeria’s most elusive and ignored governance framework. In every functioning democracy, the real stability lies not in constitutions alone, vital as these are, but in unwritten agreements among elites about the limits of power, the sanctity of citizenship, and the rules of political competition. In Nigeria, we have elites, but we clearly always lack consensus. We have competition, but we seldom show restraint. As politicians and leaders, we argue over access to office, but rarely over the shape of the country that we are trying to build, when we occupy the office. That vacuum has left us with a political culture that sees public office not as a vehicle for solving problems and developing a country, but as a spoils system, a zero-sum arena where personal interest and survival matter more than public service and societal substance.

To reverse this, we must begin where all democracies begin, with elections. Since 1999, we have held six presidential elections. Every one of them, except in 2015, ended in litigation. The 2015 concession by President Goodluck Jonathan was not just honourable, it was historic. It was also the exception. More troubling still, as mentioned earlier, voter turnout has plummeted with each cycle. The irony is unmistakable, even as our population has soared, our democratic engagement has shrunken. We are becoming a democracy in which a super-majority of citizens do not vote, and where even more citizens believe that their votes may not count.

This is not sustainable. If citizens believe the electoral process is neither credible nor consequential, democracy begins to hollow from within. This is why, we must restore trust at the very foundation of our system, the ballot box. That is also why I have consistently advocated for an immediate transition to electronic voting and real-time transmission of results ahead of the 2027 general elections. This is not a radical idea, it is a rational one, tested and proven in Kaduna State during the 2018 and 2021 local government elections. The technology exists. The legal framework can easily be created. All that remains is the political will.

Imagine a system where each voter is verified electronically, casts his or her vote digitally, and sees the result transmitted instantly and transparently on conclusion of the election without human interference. Imagine polling units where rigging is rendered obsolete by design, where party agents, electoral and security officials walk away with printed results within minutes of the polls closing, and where public confidence begins to rebuild itself, one fair vote at a time. In Kaduna, in 2018 and 2021, such a system saw the ruling party lose some local government councils and accept the results.

Yet, elections, however well conducted, are only the starting line. What follows must be an equally serious approach to governance. Our political space has long been dominated by what I referred to earlier as the arithmetic of power; the careful, cynical calculus of zones, coalitions, and incumbency. But progress and development are more complex than political arithmetic. It is a combination of engineering, economics, finance, sociology, geology, history, and many other factors that responsible leadership summons and mixes into a recipe for the greater good. To illustrate with just one of these: engineering requires plans, materials, blueprints, and most of all, execution. We must demand that the capability, capacity, and competence to govern are considered as integral to the ability to win elections.

We have to be truthful with ourselves. Today, Nigeria has more poor people than its total population at independence in 1960. That is a moral indictment, a policy failure, and a fact that tells us that no amount of oil, debt, or donor aid will substitute for serious economic thinking, planning, and execution. What we need is not more ministries with humanitarian titles, but a conscientious, comprehensive, and continuous war on mass poverty, anchored on growth and development.

To do that, we must confront six uncomfortable but essential questions. How will we restructure our economy to produce and export value, rather than merely extract and import? Which sectors will be driven by private enterprise, and which require strategic public investment? How will we align our educational system with our labour market needs, closing the gulf between classrooms and industries? What kind of infrastructure, physical and virtual, must we build to enable a modern, inclusive economy? How do we fund healthcare and education not as social expenditure, but as strategic investments in productivity? And most critically, how do we reward honest work and discourage rent-seeking?

These questions are key to our national survival – and they can only be answered if we agree, across party lines and ethno-religious divides, that the real purpose of politics is to solve problems, not to share power for personal or group enrichment.

Which brings me to what may be the most neglected, yet most foundational element of our national crisis, federalism. Nigeria was conceived as a federation. It functioned as one in its earliest and arguably most productive years. The regions had autonomy, fiscal control, and clear developmental mandates. That was an era that encouraged competition, innovation, and accountability. But over time, and particularly since the 1970s, we have drifted toward unitary centralization. Power gravitated to the centre, and with it, fiscal resources and responsibility. Today, the Federal Government tries to do everything and ends up doing most things poorly. States, meanwhile, have become dependents, awaiting monthly allocations rather than building internal fiscal capacity.

This is not how federations work. And it is not how Nigeria can work. True federalism was designed as a framework for effective and inclusive governance in diverse societies. It means states taking up more responsibilities over policing, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and taxation. It means letting sub-nationals compete and cooperate, not just comply with the dictates of the center. It means replacing uniform mediocrity with decentralized excellence.

The recent constitutional amendment that moved electricity and railways to the concurrent list is a step in the right direction. But we must go further. In 2018, I chaired the APC Committee on True Federalism. Our recommendations, which included devolution of powers, resource control reforms, and enhanced fiscal autonomy for states still remain valid. Again, implementing them will take political will.

At 65, Nigeria must choose.

We can continue to lurch forward, alternating between bursts of hope and periods of decline. Or we can reset, boldly, deliberately, and with collective purpose. In Owerri, I spoke as a witness to both the promise and the pain of Nigeria. Because I believe, with all conviction, that Nigeria can actually be great. But it must be deliberately made great – not wished into greatness.

That is the work that is before us.

Happy Independence Day!

–

Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai is a former Governor of Kaduna State and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

When floods hit and roads vanish, so does access to healthcare. But for Maryam Bello, a tech innovator from Nigeria, that reality became the spark for a movement. As co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Parker’s Mobile Clinic, she’s helping rewrite the rules of healthcare delivery, using data, AI, and community grit to reach those the system often leave behind.

‘I saw neighbours lose access to care when floods struck. And I knew technology could close that gap,’ she recalled.

Maryam, a youth leader and digital health strategist, serves on UNICEF’s Global Leadership Council. Her work blends software engineering with grassroots organising, and her leadership has helped Parker’s Mobile Clinic scale to reach over 130,000 people across 30 local government areas. ‘We’re building systems that don’t collapse when the weather changes,’ she said.

Parker’s Mobile Clinic was born out of necessity. In flood-prone regions, traditional health infrastructure often fails. Clinics become inaccessible, records are lost, and vulnerable groups, especially women and children are left without care. ‘Our mission is simple,’ Maryam said. ‘No one should be denied essential healthcare because of where they live or what the weather does.’ The clinic operates on a hybrid model: telemedicine, community health hubs, an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot, a non-toll call line, and electronic health records (EHRs). ‘We deliver resilient, accessible, gender-responsive health services. And we do it with tools people already use,like WhatsApp and mobile phones.’

‘Our outreaches are carried out in rural areas of southeast Nigeria, Anambra, and neighbouring states.

‘Our tech enables us to reach anybody in Nigeria, and our call lines are open to everyone.”

Since its launch, Parker’s has trained over 70 healthcare providers in resilient care and telemedicine, integrated its EHR system with Hikma Health, and conducted monthly educational webinars alongside in-person outreaches.

The initiative has earned recognition from Data.org and was recently honoured as a COP29 Impact Maker.

But Maryam is quick to point out that the real impact lies in the lives changed. ‘About 70 per cent of our users are women. They’re mothers, caregivers, flood survivors. They’re the backbone of their communities, and they deserve care that adapts to their reality,’ she s

Parker’s prioritizes communities based on vulnerability-those with limited access to functioning health facilities, high displacement risk, and gendered health needs. ‘We use data from our EHR and community assessments to guide everything,’ Maryam said. ‘It’s not just about showing up-it’s about showing up where it matters most.’

The clinic’s strategy is rooted in co-design. Youth and women’s groups help shape the services, ensuring cultural relevance and trust. ‘We don’t parachute in with solutions. We build with the community.’

Their hybrid approach combines mobile clinic outreaches with low-bandwidth digital tools. ‘We pre-position supplies before floods using EHR-driven planning,’ Maryam explained. ‘And we train local health workers through a ‘train-the-trainer’ model so the knowledge stays.’

Funding has come from a mix of grants, partnerships, and in-kind support. Major backers include UNDP, Youth Climate Justice Fund, Amahoro Coalition, Villgro Africa, and Hikma Health. ‘We’ve raised around $300,000 so far. But we’re also testing revenue pilots-community health insurance, subscription telemedicine, and institutional contracts, she has .’

This push toward financial sustainability is intentional. ‘We want to build something that lasts,’ Maryam said. ‘Not just a project, but a system communities can own.’

Daily operations are coordinated through a central team led by the co-founders, supported by regional coordinators and trained community health workers. ‘Clinical consultations and records flow through our EHR,’ she said. ‘Outreach scheduling, supply logistics, and monitoring dashboards run on cloud tools. We hold weekly team syncs and monthly impact reviews.’

Feedback loops are central to their model. ‘Beneficiaries guide our evolution,’ she said. ‘We listen, we adapt, we iterate.’

Looking ahead, Maryam envisions Parker’s Mobile Clinic as a Pan-African network of community health hubs and resilient telehealth services. ‘In five years, we want to reach millions,’ she said. ‘Anchored by AI-enabled systems for anticipatory response, strong government partnerships, and a self-sustaining financing model.’

Her vision is bold: a future where climate shocks no longer mean cut-off care. ‘Communities will be prepared,’ she said. ‘Data will drive early action. And women and youth will lead locally owned health systems that protect lives and livelihoods.’

For Maryam, the work is personal. ‘I’m a techie, yes. But I’m also a daughter of this soil. I’ve seen what happens when systems fail. And I believe we can build better.’

She tasks other young innovators to step up, ‘Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start where you are. Use what you know. Build with your people.’

In a world where climate change is reshaping everything, including healthcare, Maryam Bello is proving that innovation doesn’t have to be distant or elite. It can be local, inclusive, and life-saving.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the claim that there is religious persecution in Nigeria is a lie from the pit of hell.

Tinubu stated this on Tuesday while speaking at the launch of the book authored by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state.

The book, titled ‘A Decade of Impactful Progressive Governance,’ was launched in Owerri on Tuesday.

Tinubu said Nigerians are more united and civilized under him than what is being projected. ‘Our Muslim brothers and sisters, our Christian brothers and sisters; our fathers are helping us to build a nation. We are united. No religious persecution in Nigeria. It is a lie from the pit of hell,’ he said.

Tinubu appealed to those saying ill of Nigeria to stop, saying his administration gives pride of place to an all-inclusive government.

He commended Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for documenting the successes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in a book and executing projects that will positively impact the livelihood of his people.

While commissioning the 60-kilometre Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia federal road, Tinubu described it as ‘a bridge to prosperity, connecting markets, families and dreams.’

He also inaugurated the Assumpta Flyover, the Imo Digital Learning Centre, and the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre, which he called symbols of ‘progress and opportunity.’

Uzodimma, in his speech, said the book was the product of months of deep reflection, careful research, and honest writing.

‘It offers a clear account of the APC’s journey in government from 2015 to 2025: the milestones, the challenges, and the lessons. More than a record of events, it is a reference point for where we have been and a guide for where we must go.

‘For me, the moment feels like the birth of something meaningful. After all the long hours and intense work, this book is now no longer mine alone; it belongs to the APC family, and indeed to the Nigerian people.

‘I was partly inspired to write this book out of curiosity. I know that the All Progressives Congress entered government in 2015 with enormous expectations on its shoulders. We inherited a fragile economy, deep security challenges, and a weary citizenry. Over the next decade, we faced storms, some of them global, some of them home-grown. Yet, at every turn, Nigerians looked up to us for answers. So, my curiosity was to find out if we provided the answers after ten years,’ he said.

A farmer, identified as Ishaku Abalis, has been beheaded in the Panyam District of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Bulus Dabit, the National President of the Mwaghavul Development Association, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, stating that the attack occurred amid incessant attacks and kidnappings in the Panyam and Pushit districts of the Mangu LGA.

Dabit, who described the attacks as relentless, called for the creation of state police, explaining that local policing is critical to enhancing federal security operations, effectively tackling unlawful killings, and ensuring the safety of all citizens.

He stated, ‘Abalis’ head was cut off and taken away by the killers. The local security outfits are aware. The Sector Commander in Mangu LGA mobilised his officers and men to the site and is aware of the sporadic attacks on our people. The DPO Mangu is aware.’

The National President also called for an enhanced security presence to prevent the vulnerability of the region, urging for a strategic and robust deployment of security personnel to the most affected areas.

He believes that a visible security presence can deter further attacks, instill confidence among residents, and safeguard innocent lives from the lurking threat of violence.

While calling for the deployment of security forces, Dabit also urged security agencies to intensify their efforts in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators of these heinous acts.

Major Samson Zhakom and DSP Alabo Alfred, spokespersons for Operation Enduring Peace and the State Police Command respectively, did not respond to inquiries from our correspondent regarding the incident at press time.

The newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on Tuesday, played host to some leaders of the coalition force led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and declared that he is no more a politician having assumed the role of a traditional ruler.

Oba Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, was crowned the 44th Olubadan at a well-attended coronation in Ibadan last Friday.

President Bola Tinubu, four serving governors, including the host, Governor Seyi Makinde, first class monarchs and other top personalities graced the occasion.

However, Atiku, who was absent at the ceremony on Tuesday, led a former Senate President, Iyorcha Ayu; former governors of Kaduna and Cross Rivers states, Nasir El-Rufai and Liyel Imoke, and other prominent members of the African Democratic Congress, to pay homage to the Olubadan. Atiku attributed his non-appearance at the coronation of the former governor to protocol arrangements.

Speaking with reporters at the new Olubadan’s private residence in Ibadan, Atiku said it was not intentional not to honour Oba Ladoja during the coronation.

He said, ‘We are here to say congratulations to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Ladoja. We regretted that we didn’t attend the coronation. It was not intentional. Protocol arrangements did not allow us to come during the coronation, not that we didn’t want to come.

‘We know your roles and relationship with some of us. We are here to congratulate you. Kindly accept our apologies for not making it to the coronation. We regret not attending the programme.’

Responding, Oba Ladoja declared that he is no longer a politician, adding that he had good times with Atiku and other politicians in the country.

‘I’m not one of you again. I am Olubadan of Ibadanland. So, I am for everybody now. I am no longer one of you. I am not a politician anymore. Welcome to my house.

‘Now that I am the Olubadan, I am no more interested in anything other than the Olubadan. You are welcome to my house.

‘We started from the Social Democratic Party, we were in exile together, we were in the Peoples Democratic Party together. When I wanted to create an identity, I went to the Accord Party, which became a household name here. I know you politicians have a way of coming back.

‘All the religious leaders said that the only thing the leaders can do is to promote justice and fairness. I will serve my people. Ibadan people, the state, Africa and the world at large. I will depend on your support and advice,’ the monarch said.

Residents of Oke Ode community in Kwara State have started relocating following bandits’ attack last week.

This is just as troops launched a coordinated air and land assault against the gunmen, killing many in the process.

Oke Ode was attacked on Sunday by the terrorists, leaving several people dead and others abducted.

The police confirmed 12 deaths, including hunters, newly recruited forest guards, vigilantes and civilians. A viral video showed fleeing residents packed into trucks, buses and tricycles, among other means of transportation.

A resident, Mrs Esther Amode, said they were leaving the town without a clear destination.

‘Some of us will get down at Ajase Ipo while others are heading to Offa, among other places, we feel we can find refuge as this is getting out of hand,’ she said.

A driver, Amuda Onaolapo, stated that the town was being deserted, with many residents stranded due to a shortage of vehicles.

He added that residents could no longer continue to live in an atmosphere of fear.

Daily Trust reports that there have also been peaceful protests by affected residents in Ajase Ipo, Isanlu-Isin and other communities.

Meanwhile, the state government, in a statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, said criminals have been under massive attack from combined security forces following the launch of a major onslaught on their hideouts in Ifelodun on Monday.

He said the operation took place around Baba Sango forest on Monday night and along the Kogi border with Kwara, adding that the development resulted in multiple casualties among the gunmen.

‘The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed aerial strikes on the criminals’ positions in the area, introducing a new phase in the efforts to dislodge them,’ he said.