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As Nigeria marked its 65th Independence Anniversary on Tuesday, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Political and Other Matters, called on citizens to embrace unity and faith in the nation’s future.

In a statement, Masari expressed ‘unalloyed joy’ over how far Nigeria has come despite its diversity and challenges. He invoked the symbolism of the ‘broom principle’ to stress the importance of togetherness. ‘A strand of broom is easily broken but a bunch of broom is hardly broken. The important thing is that we are better and stronger together,’ he said, urging Nigerians to contribute positively towards the dreams of the nation’s founding fathers.

Masari praised President Tinubu’s leadership, describing the Renewed Hope Agenda as transformative. ‘Our faith in a collective Nigeria where everyone’s future is assured should remain unshaken, moreso as the leadership of the country under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown strong capacity and commitment to returning the country to a path of progress with the Renewed Hope Agenda that is working beyond belief,’ he said.

He pointed to what he described as more inclusive governance, with development projects and appointments spread across political zones. ‘This is a time that all Nigerians are being carried along. so the spirit of divisiveness should die a natural death,’ Masari declared.

Highlighting improvements in education, security, infrastructure, health, finance, and the economy, Masari asserted that Tinubu’s administration had ‘brought back the coaches of our national derailment back on track.’ He encouraged citizens to rally behind government efforts to accelerate growth and catch up with developed nations.

Warning against political distractions, Masari urged Nigerians to remain steadfast. ‘Every scheme to draw us back by any political consideration should not only be thwarted but resisted,’ he said, before assuring that better days lie ahead.

‘Happy Independence Anniversary to all Nigerians,’ he concluded.

In its ongoing efforts at addressing insecurity in parts of Kwara state, especially, in border towns of Kwara and Kogi states, the Kwara state government on Wednesday urged residents of the state, especially people around Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Oke Ero, and Irepodun local government areas, to be vigilant and restrict outdoor activities as much as possible in the mean time.

Recall that on Monday night, combined forces of the Army, DSS and Police launched an offensive around Baba Sango community in the Ifelodun local government area, along the Kwara-Kogi border, neutralising about 15 armed bandits.

The same operation continued on Tuesday night, according to Governor Abduleahman Abdulrazaq.

In a statement by the state Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, she said that the advisory followed heightened operations by combined security forces in border towns in Kogi and Kwara states, where kidnappers are believed to have hibernated.

‘We urge people to be very vigilant and limit their movements to only very necessary routines. That is to avoid being caught unawares as the kidnappers are fleeing their hideouts. We do not want law-abiding citizens to be affected,’ the statement said.

She said the government regrets the temporary inconveniences the limited movement may cause in the nearby areas.

‘We commend the security forces for the renewed efforts to rout out the criminals, and charge them to continue until they are totally neutralised and flushed out of our forests’, she said.

It is recalled that some communities in the Kwara South district of Kwara state like Oke Ode, Babanla, among others had been attacked by bandits, where many people were abducted and members of police and local security operatives were killed by the kidnappers.

Speaking on efforts made to address the situation, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, declaring that nowhere in Kwara will be safe for criminal elements, including kidnappers.

The governor, in a statement by his chief press secretary (CPS), Rafiu Ajakaye on Wednesday, said that,

‘The Army Headquarters has since relocated the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2nd Division to Ilorin as part of the renewed efforts to strengthen security operations in the state’

‘Following the recent attack at Oke Ode, the governor travelled to Abuja to brief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during which he reiterated his request for additional federal deployment to raid the hideouts.

‘I presided over the State Security Council meeting at Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, on Tuesday night to integrate state and federal assets into a single strategy for both Kwara North and South’.

Governor Abdulrazaq assured Kwara residents that his administration would not relent in supporting security agencies to keep every community safe.

‘I have assurances of the security forces to smoke out and eliminate the criminals from their hideouts. We will fight insecurity with every resource at our disposal. Kwara will not be a hiding place for criminals.

‘To any criminal who seeks to destabilise the peace in Kwara, you may run, but you cannot escape justice. Kwara belongs to its people, and their peace will be defended,’ the governor added.

Ondo State Mandate Elders Forum, on Wednesday, expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not only secure re-election as Nigeria’s President but also remain unmatched by any opposition candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential poll.

Speaking on behalf of the group after its monthly meeting in Akure, Ondo state capital, the forum facilitator, Chief Ademola Ijabiyi, dismissed speculations that President Tinubu could be defeated, arguing that no serious alternative has emerged within the opposition ranks.

While dismissing speculation that President Tinubu could be defeated in the 2027 presidential election, Ijabiyi argued that no serious alternative has emerged within the opposition ranks.

Ijabiyi said, ‘First of all, Tinubu will win. That’s my answer. Which party is preparing for the presidency now? In Ondo State alone, we have more than 10 support groups already. Which other aspirant has anything anywhere? We don’t even know them yet. Somebody who is going to defeat Tinubu next year has not even emerged, when it’s not a councillorship election.

According to him, Tinubu’s key economic policies, including fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, and tax reforms, were decisive steps that no rival could credibly challenge without taking the country backwards.

‘You can’t say we should go back to a subsidy regime. You can’t say that we should go back to double foreign exchange. So, what are you going to do? We are not comparing personalities; we are comparing programmes.

‘Tinubu said he would remove subsidy, unify the foreign exchange, and do tax reforms. And he is doing it. What are the others proposing? We don’t even know them.’

The All Progressives Congress (APC) elder also cast doubt on the readiness of opposition leaders such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, saying they were still quarreling without clear programmes or directions.

He further dismissed speculations about former President Goodluck Jonathan returning, insisting the Constitution does not allow anyone to serve beyond eight years or two terms of four years.

Speaking on Tinubu’s Independence Day speech, he acknowledged that Nigerians are going through hardship but urged citizens to endure the ‘temporary pains’ of reform.

‘There are always pains accompanying surgery. What Tinubu has done to our economy is medical and surgical. Without the removal of fuel subsidy, without the revival of foreign exchange, we would have been in a very great mess. It is not easy at all, but they are temporary pains.

Admitted that recovery had taken longer than expected, but expressed optimism that inflation and other economic pressures were gradually easing.

‘I wasn’t expecting that it would take so long to recover. It just shows that the problem is deep, but certainly, it is now coming down. Inflation has reduced from over 40% to about 20%, and Tinubu has promised us that it is coming back to 15%.’

The APC leader called on Nigerians to be patient with the administration, stressing that ‘nobody is challenging Tinubu’ as the country continues its path of economic reforms.

Ijabiyi, however, declared the readiness of the APC elders forum to join hands with other support groups to deliver overwhelming support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, pledging to mobilise more than one million votes from the state.

He emphasized that Ondo remains a stronghold of the APC and will play a decisive role in securing victory for the President, saying ‘We need to demonstrate that we too can participate actively in the process that will lead to the delivery of Ondo State for Tinubu in 2027.

‘Ondo State is Tinubu any day. Ondo State is APC any day. We are going to win, but it is not just a matter of winning. We want to deliver figures far above the 300,000 votes delivered in the last election.

‘Even though it represented about 69% of the votes, this time we want to go far. We will call people out. Call people to register. Call them to come and vote for Tinubu. The elders have a role to play in it. They cannot just sit on the fence and then watch as things go on. That’s the purpose of this lecture.’

Also speaking, the Secretary of the forum, Hon. Ebenezer Alabi, explained that the body was established to coordinate elder statesmen and influential leaders across Ondo in delivering a stronger mandate for the President.

Alabi said, ‘It’s an elders’ committee set up to work hard in Ondo State to see to the re-election of our President. In the last election, Ondo State came first in terms of percentage of votes. This time around, we are moving around to galvanize all the elders in Ondo State and make sure that we return a very tangible and reasonable vote for Mr. President in the 2027 election.’

On the unity of purpose among the different pro-Tinubu groups, Alabi stressed that there was no division, as all efforts were directed towards the same objective.

‘This is a support group and every other group is welcome, and that has been the spirit of our meetings. We can have as many as possible, as far as the objective is to work for the re-election of Mr. President. Lots of people gave excuses for their absence today, but many more are still coming. If there are others, they are all welcome. As long as we are working for the same goal, there is no crisis at all.’

The committee said it would intensify grassroots mobilization, voter registration campaigns, and community engagement to ensure Ondo State delivers not only the highest percentage but also record-breaking numbers for the APC in 2027.

The meeting, chaired by Chief Erastus Akeju, brought together respected political, traditional, and community leaders committed to mobilising grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and ensuring his administration’s reforms succeed in the state.

The members include Pastor Olufemi Bakare, Chief Femi Osedimbola, Chief Nimbe Tawose,

Ebenezer Alabi, Senator Yele Omogunwa, Solomon Oladunni, Chief Nathaniel Fapohunda, Pastor Femi Agagu, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, Chief Mrs. Grace Animola, Princess Dr. Adebunmi Osadahunsi, and Chief Lawrence Ibukun Ropitan

Others include Captain Vincent Oyepata (rtd), Chief Bailey Arohunmolase, Chief Femi Omosanya, Rt. Hon. Samuel Aderoboye, Dr. Mrs. Morenike Alaka, Chief Senator Orofin, Hon. Wale Akintimehin, Chief Dapo Filani, Otunba Omoniyi Omodara, Chief Isaac Ayeyemi, Elder Michael Adeyeye, and Chief Korede Duyile, amongst others.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition in which you have frequent unwanted thoughts and sensations (obsessions) that cause you to perform repetitive behaviors (compulsions). The repetitive behaviors can significantly interfere with social interactions and daily activities.

Everyone experiences obsessions and compulsions at a certain point in time. We occasionally double-check if the gas cylinder or stove is off, we check if our doors are locked over and over, and we keep cleaning the surfaces of chairs, tables, and so on.

But if all these become extreme, then it’s no longer considered to be normal but a sign of OCD.

Symptoms of OCD

Fear of making mistakes

Need for neatness and perfection

Fear of gems, dirt, or contamination

Need for constant reassurance

Arranging things in a specific way

Bathing, cleaning, and washing your hands over and over.

Repeatedly checking things, such as locks, doors.

Fear of losing control or making mistakes.

Causes

The exact cause of OCD is not fully known, but some factors are believed to contribute to its development, including:

1. Genetics

People who have relatives with OCD are at a higher risk of developing the condition.

2. Environment

Stressful life events or trauma can trigger OCD

3. Biological factors

Hypersensitivity in certain brain areas and neurotransmitter imbalances.

Treatment

Patients with OCD who receive appropriate treatment usually experience improvement in OCD symptoms as well as increased quality of life and improved functioning.

1. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) known as exposure and response (ritual) prevention (ERP) is the first-line therapy for OCD.

2. Medication

A class of medications known as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is the other first-line treatment for OCD. Examples are fluoxetine, sertraline, etc.

3. Combination Therapy

The use of Cognitive behaviour therapy and medication.

The people of Anni, Egbetua, Ikpena and Udurebho communities in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State have called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to intervene in the leadership crisis rocking the clan.

They specifically asked the governor to set up an administrative panel to look into the headship crisis, with specific reference to the leadership of the Olososo over the other communities in the clan.

The leaders of the communities made the call after an emergency meeting where they accused the Olososo, Chief Bamidele Obaitan, of not being the recognised ruler, as they said the five communities, with Okhe being the fifth one, that make up Ososo have their various chiefs.

They accused him of highhandedness and that he was interested in businesses and harassment of the people in the face of insecurity and kidnappings in the area.

After the meeting, one of the elders, Chief Aiyero Omokhojie, stated that Ososo customs and traditions ‘are older than anyone alive, and they are handed to successive generations in their pristine forms.’

He said the issue of chieftaincy conferment remained strictly a matter for the kindred, as no central authority had power to confer such titles.

Chief Peter Iduoremeh, on his part, asserted that each community in Ososo reserved the right to their lands ‘because right from time immemorial, each community is vested with the right to administer its land. This position was further confirmed by a federal high court judgment in May 2004.’

A youth who spoke on the condition of anonymity said insecurity had become pervasive in Ososo as different cult gangs continued to unleash terror on hapless residents.

When contacted, Obaitan dismissed the claim that the clan has no central authority headed by the Olososo.

‘Those people are not telling the truth. Ososo is made up of quarters that have chiefs and that form the Ososo Council of Traditional Rulers. I am the gazette paramount ruler of Ososo.

‘These are trouble makers, as every quarter has their chiefs, but I am the paramount ruler. It has always been like that from. There is no autonomous community; these people have been causing problems, and some of them are having issues with the EFCC,’ Obaitan reiterated.

The Kano State Shura Council has suspended Sheikh Lawan Triumph from conducting preaching sessions in the state, pending the outcome of an investigation.

It will be recalled that the Kano State Government had, on 26 September 2025, directed that all petitions and counter-petitions concerning controversial remarks made by Sheikh Lawan Triumph be referred to the Kano State Shura Council for detailed review and advice.

According to the petitions, the remarks are considered blasphemous and offensive to the Prophet Muhammad, a figure held in the highest esteem by Muslims worldwide.

The Secretary of the Council, Alhaji Shehu Sagagi, who is also the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, made this known on Wednesday while speaking with journalists on the outcome of the Council’s second meeting.

According to him, ‘The Council had also resolved to invite Sheikh Triumph in order to defend himself on several petitions and counter-petitions made against him concerning the controversial remarks he made during some preaching sessions.’

He noted that ‘Following the resolution reached by the Council to invite Sheikh Lawan Triumph to defend himself, the Council has set up a committee to invite him.’

Sagagi then emphasised that ‘the Council had also received reports on the video clips of Sheikh Triumph’s preaching sessions and analysed them, adding that he (Sheikh Triumph) will soon be invited to defend himself.’

‘The committee will soon write and invite him to come and defend himself. The committee will inform him where and when to present himself,’ Sagagi said.

He, therefore, assured residents of the state that the Council would ensure justice and fairness to all parties, as no individual or group would influence its decision.

He also assured the people of the state that the outcome of the meetings with Sheikh Triumph would be made public.

He, however, advised politicians and Islamic scholars to avoid acts or comments that could tarnish their image.

Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, is having an inaugural meeting with the members of Olubadan-in-Council at the Olubadan palac,e Oke-Aremo, Ibadan.

The meeting is the first official outing of the Kabiyesi since his enthronement as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland last Friday

At the time of filing the report, the meeting is ongoing.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has joined labour unions in the oil and gas sector to caution the federal government against planned divestment from joint venture operations in the upstream sector and the sale of national equity stakes.

National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated the position of the opposition party on the sale of assets in the oil industry at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Tribune Online checks revealed that the leadership of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and its counterpart, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) had last month expressed strong reservations about the Federal Government’s move to sell assets in oil industry and divest significant stakes in joint venture assets managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

They rejected the proposal to cut government stakes in JV assets by as much as 30-35 per cent, as against the Federal Government’s current equity stakes between 55 and 60 per cent of such assets through NNPCL.

Further checks revealed that the fear by the labour unions was on the heels of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s last August directive to his economic team for a reassessment of the NNPC’s 30 per cent management fee and 30 per cent frontier exploration deduction under the Petroleum Industry Act.

Tinubu, in charging the Economic Management Team led by Finance Minister Wale Edun, stressed the need to optimise government savings, streamline deductions from the Federation Account, and enhance fiscal discipline in a time of global financial strain.

Aligning with the labour unions’ fears over long-term economic security and fear that the sale of such equity in Nigerian joint venture operations with International Oil Companies (IOCs) to private individuals could impair Nigeria’s ability to meet obligations such as salaries and welfare packages, the ADC urged the present administration to perish the thought of divestment.

Abdullahi said, ‘On September 22, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) sent a joint letter to President Tinubu, unequivocally rejecting the proposed amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and the planned sale of NNPC Limited’s equity in high-performing joint ventures.

‘The African Democratic Congress (ADC) fully aligns itself with the position of the unions on both the proposed amendments and the sell-offs. We also believe that if allowed to proceed, the planned actions of this administration would not only undermine Nigeria’s energy sovereignty, but it would also amount to a brazen transfer of public assets into private hands in a manner never experienced in the history of our country.

‘We have carefully examined the proposed amendments to the PIA, and we are convinced that these actions formed part of a deliberate and calculated effort to hollow out NNPC Limited, dismantle institutional checks and balances, and pave the way for the fire-sale of Nigeria’s most valuable national assets to private, politically-connected interests at the expense of 200 million Nigerians. They represent not reform, but regression and they must be rejected.

‘There is also the grave issue of energy security. By handing over decisive control of these assets to private interests, the government weakens Nigeria’s ability to stabilise energy supply, respond to global oil shocks, or plan long-term energy strategies in the national interest.

‘If we sell off our oil assets, we are not just parting with numbers on a balance sheet; we are surrendering the lifeblood of our economy and the backbone of our national sovereignty. It would mean that Nigeria, a country that once stood as a giant of energy in Africa, would wake up tomorrow without control over its own resources.

‘It would mean that the revenues which fund our schools, hospitals, roads, and pensions will flow into private pockets while our treasury runs dry. It would mean NNPC Limited, stripped of its most profitable holdings, will stagger under debt and obligations it can no longer meet, risking collapse and the loss of thousands of jobs.

‘It would mean that our energy security, our ability to stabilise fuel supply, protect against global shocks, and plan for the future will be handed to a few private entities whose only loyalty is to profit, not to the Nigerian people. Most dangerously of all, it would set an irreversible precedent, turning our common wealth into private property, and leaving future generations of Nigerians with nothing but memories of what was once theirs.’

The ADC called on Nigerians not to show indifference to the proposed divestment of equity stakes in Joint Venture operations with the IOCs, but to collaborate with the labour unions to prevent the move, which it maintained would be inimical to the survival of the average Nigerian.

‘Fellow Nigerians, what lies before us is not merely a matter of policy or legislative adjustment; it is a battle for the very soul of our nation’s economy. At stake is the kind of Nigeria we are building, and more importantly, for whom we are building it.

‘We, therefore, call on all segments of our society to rise to this critical occasion. Civil society organisations must stand firm and resist this unfolding plunder of our national resources. The National Assembly, both current members and those who have served before, must reject any attempt to amend the Petroleum Industry Act in ways that serve private or political interests over the public good.

‘Labour unions, particularly those in the vital oil and gas sector, must act decisively to protect our national sovereignty and strategic assets. And to the young people of Nigeria – those who will bear the long-term consequences of today’s decisions, we urge you to organise, speak out, and demand full transparency and accountability.

‘At 65, Nigeria must not stand for power, profit, or politics. Nigeria must stand for the people.

‘The African Democratic Congress reaffirms its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s commonwealth, resisting corruption in all its forms, and defending the economic rights of future generations.

‘Let this be our legacy that when it mattered most, we stood up, spoke out, and said no to the selling of Nigeria,’ the ADC stated.

Ahead of the February council polls in the Federal Capital Territory, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has pledged support for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Dr. Moses Paul, stating that he would join him in campaigns across the FCT.

Obi gave the assurance on Wednesday at the Merit House in Abuja during a special Independence program organised by Dr. Paul to sensitise AMAC residents before the official campaign flag-off.

Speaking at the event, Obi said: ‘Dr. MO will not change, but because human beings can change, I will be shocked if he changes.’

In his remarks, Dr. Paul restated his pledge to restore dignity, prosperity, and service to governance if elected.

He said: ‘The bitter truth must be told: AMAC has failed. Our markets are trapped in endless litigations, waste management has collapsed, schools were abandoned for months, our health centres are non-functional, insecurity is widespread, businesses are burdened by multiple taxation, and infrastructure is largely absent. This is not governance. This is abandonment.’

He further promised that if elected Chairman, his administration would modernise AMAC markets into centres of economic activity, adding, ‘If AMAC works, Abuja works. If Abuja works, Nigeria works.’

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, announced the endorsement of Dr. Paul at the event, which was themed ‘We Don Tire.’

Stakeholders in Edo State have laminated what they described as the continuous loss of revenue to neighbouring Delta State through taxes.

The people made the claim at a stakeholders meeting, organised by the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), on Wednesday in Benin

The interactive session of the one day programme had in attendance top government functionaries, heads and representatives of ministries, departments and agencies

Engr Stainless Ijeghede, Managing Director of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency, said he had made reports on the payment of taxes of oil company workers in Edo State to Delta, noting that the Edo State government was yet to take any action.

He said, ‘When I was working at that place, at the end of the month, I saw in my pay slip that the tax was paid to Delta.

‘What that means is that those people who work in Oben pay tax to the Delta State Government.’

While agreeing with Ijeghede, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Samson Osagie, said many of Deltans came into Edo State as settlers but because the people of the state were fond of migrating to the city, the settlers claim ownership of those places and that led to lose of revenue for the state.

He, however, said that several meetings on the boundary issues have been held and adjustments made, noting that he expects the National Boundary Commission to visit the areas and ratify the boundaries to stop the revenue loss.

Osagie also said his ministry is proposing a revenue court Law that would create specific courts to try tax offenders.

‘There is the need for Revenue Court Law that will see to the setting up of a specific court to try offenders.

‘The whole idea is to ensure that the entire gamut of our tax system is put together in a way that enforcement and prosecution of tax offenders are easy.

‘As I speak, we are proposing a draft using our neighbouring Delta State as a model to have revenue courts law of Edo State so that all tax offenders will be sent to those courts and make trials fast and easy.’

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of EIRS, Barr. Oladele Bankole-Balogun, said though, the EIRS was making progress in terms of revenue collection, there was the need for all the stakeholders to work together and increase the state’s revenue base.

He said that a fundamental tool for achieving this is the Single Treasury Account which the state have begun to institutionalise.

He noted that this would ensure a transparent flow of resources into a centralised account thus eliminating cash handling, reducing leakages, and, most importantly, improving accountability.

Bankole-Balogun added, ‘So going forward, we want to encourage that all revenue streams be remitted into the state IGR account with proper digital records and accountability.

‘Remember that revenue is not an end in itself. It’s just a means to enable the state to provide better roads, stronger health systems, vibrant education and safer communities.

He said the state was waiting for the commencement of the new national tax law which the state would key into.