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South Africa’s ambassador to France, formerly a long-serving cabinet minister, was found dead on Tuesday at a Paris hotel in what is being treated as a possible suicide, the Paris prosecutor said.

The body of Nkosinathi Emmanuel Nathi Mthethwa, 58, a close associate of South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma, was found in the interior courtyard of the upscale Hyatt hotel.

The ambassador, usually known as Nathi Mthethwa, had reserved a room on the 22nd floor, and its secured window had been forced open with a pair of scissors that were found at the scene.

His wife saw him a final time on Monday afternoon when he was supposed to go to a cocktail event, and then received a message in the evening ‘in which he apologised to her and expressed his intention to end his life’, prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a statement. ‘Initial investigations suggest that this could have been a deliberate act, without the intervention of a third party,’ she said, while emphasising the investigation would seek to collect all the details.

Mthethwa had been an ambassador since December 2023.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called his death ‘untimely’ and ‘a moment of deep grief in which government and citizens stand beside the Mthethwa family’.

‘Ambassador Mthethwa has served our nation in diverse capacities during a lifetime that has ended prematurely and traumatically,’ he said.

The circumstances of ‘his untimely death’ are under investigation by the French authorities, a South African ministerial statement confirmed.

Mthethwa served as South Africa’s culture minister from 2014 to 2019, and then minister for sports, arts and culture until 2023, according to his embassy website.

He was also the police minister from 2009 to 2014 and the security minister from 2008 to 2009.

Mthethwa also served on the board of directors of the 2010 Football World Cup local organising committee.

Between 2007 and 2022, he was a senior official in the African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party since the first post-apartheid democratic elections in 1994. He worked underground within the ANC’s military wing during apartheid and was notably arrested during the state of emergency in 1989.

The PULA Foundation, in collaboration with the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU) and Bayer Foundation, has launched a groundbreaking agricultural insurance initiative to enhance the resilience of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

The partnership aims to provide climate-resilient agricultural risk mitigation methodologies to approximately 248,000 smallholder farmers across eight states – Ekiti, Plateau, Kaduna, Enugu, Jigawa, Borno, Nasarawa, and Taraba.

This innovative initiative is part of the National Agribusiness Planning Mechanism (NAPM) program, which was co-created by PFSCU, PULA, and Bayer Foundations.

The program’s primary objective is to ensure that Nigerian farmers engage in climate-resilient agriculture risk mitigation methodologies, thereby improving crop yields and reducing losses due to climate-related risks. The partnership has received strong support from state governments, with eight states already onboarded as part of a pilot program.

State governors have demonstrated their commitment to indemnifying their farmers with promptly paid premiums, which will be matched by a commitment from PULA and Bayer Foundations for four seasons.

Leadway Insurance will act as the preferred insurance agency to harmonise and assure the program’s insurance cover for each farmer.

According to Marion Moon, Executive Secretary of PFSCU, ‘By engaging directly with those who implement policies and systems, we gain valuable insights into the specific challenges they face. Understanding these pain points is crucial for developing effective solutions.’

Rose Goslinga, Executive Director of PULA Foundation, noted that ‘across sub-Saharan Africa, small farmers are the bedrock of national and regional economies-unless the weather proves unpredictable and their crops fail. The solution is insurance, at a vast, continental scale, and at a very low, affordable cost.

‘This visionary approach underscores PULA’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian government and state governors in their quest for food security, sustainable agricultural practices, and climate resilience.’

Dr Michael Enahoro, PULA Nigeria Country Director, emphasised that ‘enshrining the responsibility of risk mitigation with the individual farmer allows for productivity improvements, ensures that the agronomic efforts of the farmer are not wasted, and ultimately benefits both government and consumers.’

The partnership is expected to upscale and cover more value chains, integrate more farmers, and support Nigeria’s quest to eradicate climate change-related disasters and drive sustainable food systems. PULA Foundation and its partners are currently focused on ensuring the expansion of the NAPM into the second phase, which is the 2025 Dry Season, and encouraging all state governments to partner with the PFSCU to ensure all Nigerian farmers participate in the 2025 Dry Season farming exercise wherever possible.

The initiative is a significant step towards enhancing the resilience of Nigeria’s agricultural sector and promoting sustainable food systems. With the support of state governments, PULA Foundation, and its partners, the program is poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of Nigerian farmers.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be ready to receive more governors of the opposition into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Akpabio said more governors were putting finishing touches in preparation to join the APC, noting that Nigerians were already seeing the positive outcomes of the Tinubu-led administration.

Akpabio spoke at the launch of a book, ‘Ten Years of impactful leadership of the APC administration in Nigeria’, written by Governor Hope Uzodimma and commissioning of projects by President Bola Tinubu in Owerri, according to a statement by his special assistant on media, Jackson Udom.

Recall that Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno, and Delta State governor, Sheriff, had dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC.

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, announced that the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has agreed to call off its strike following two days of conciliation meetings with the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The meetings, which held on September 29 and 30, 2025, were convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, and attended by senior government officials, security agencies, and representatives of organised labour.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meetings, Dingyadi said PENGASSAN’s strike action followed the disengagement of over 800 workers at the Dangote Refinery.

‘The leadership of PENGASSAN explained that the directives given to stop the supply of gas to Dangote Petroleum and the withdrawal of services were in response to the termination of appointment of over 800 members,’ the Minister said.

On its part, management of the refinery maintained that the job cuts were due to ‘ongoing reorganization in the company.’

After hours of deliberation, both parties reached a compromise.

According to the Minister, ‘the management of Dangote Group shall immediately start the process of taking the disengaged staff to other companies within the Dangote Group, with no loss of pay.’

The communiqué also emphasized that no worker would be victimised for their role in the industrial dispute.

On union rights, Dingyadi reaffirmed that ‘unionisation is a right of workers in accordance with the laws of Nigeria and that this right should be respected.’

He further disclosed that PENGASSAN had agreed to begin the process of calling off the strike in good faith.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has accused the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, of partisanship after the police command withdrew from the Independence Day anniversary parade held in Kano.

Speaking during the event on Wednesday, the governor described the action as an affront to the people of Kano and to the spirit of national unity.

‘In conclusion of my speech, I would like to call for all the security agencies to continue committing themselves in the tribes of this country, including Kano State and all other states.

‘But security agencies, in Kano in particular, they shouldn’t be involving themselves in partisan politics, which will do no good to all of us in Kano State and in Nigeria of course. Let me say in particular that I would like to seize this opportunity as a Nigerian, as Kano citizen, and as the Chief Security Officer of Kano State, to condemn the unethical and partisan attitude of the current Commissioner of Police in Kano State,’ the governor said.

He noted that the police commissioner’s absence from the parade, along with his personnel, was a deliberate decision that embarrassed the state on a historic day.

‘As you can see, on this historic and independent anniversary of Nigeria, he decided to put out of the parade along with his own personnel. This is for reasons pertinent to him and pertinent to his people. Let me say that Kano State’s Chief Security Officer, on behalf of the government, are not happy with this attitude of the Commissioner of Police,’ he stated.

The governor stressed that Kano remained peaceful and that the people had been eager to celebrate the country’s independence together.

‘Today, every Nigerian is happy to celebrate the independence of this country. And we insist it, because we know Kano is peaceful. The good people of Kano are peace-loving people.

‘They have been looking for this day, when we all gather here, to celebrate the independence of our country. And here is one of the security personnel, a special Chief Security of the Police Force here in Kano. This is a point to the Kano people,’ he said.

Governor Yusuf further criticized the withdrawal as last-minute and politically motivated.

‘In the last minutes, when all the police are dread, in fact, are just their own wish. Because along with Kano, we are looking for this opportunity to show the happiness and celebration to be in the history of Nigeria. When our rights is written today in court, yet the Commissioner of Police decided to withdraw at the last minute.

‘It is not because of our boldness. It is not because of our insistence that we must come and celebrate. We all need to be happy here. And that will happen to the good people of Kano today,’ he added.

He insisted that such actions contravened the Nigerian Constitution, emphasizing his role as the Chief Security Officer of the state.

The governor described the commissioner’s conduct as ‘unethical,’ adding, ‘You can see I used my own pilot car to go around. This is unethical. This is disloyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ he said.

While thanking other security agencies for their participation in the parade, Yusuf assured of his government’s continued support to sustain peace and unity in.

When our correspondent reached out to the Police Commissioner, he simply said, ‘I am on a condolence visit, I will call you back later.’

Today, Nigeria marks 65 years of independence; a significant milestone in the journey of a nation that has weathered many storms, yet continues to stand tall, proud, and unbroken. This anniversary is both a celebration and a call to reflection: a celebration of our collective resilience, and a moment to honour the sacrifices and vision of our founding fathers, who won for us the freedom we now enjoy.

Their legacy was not forged in ease, but in unity, faith, and an unwavering belief in the greatness of Nigeria. It is a legacy that inspires us to continue building a nation where peace, justice, and opportunity prevail. We must not merely commemorate independence: we must make it meaningful for every Nigerian.

Our path as a nation has been defined by resilience. Through challenges; political, economic, and social. Nigerians have demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to endure and hope. The strength of our people, especially here in Kaduna State, continues to be the bedrock of our shared progress.

This is why, on this historic day, I extend a sincere call to all of us: let us work together, across our communities, faiths, and backgrounds; to confront our challenges and unlock our collective potential. It is in unity that we will continue to give life to the dream of a peaceful, just, and prosperous Nigeria.

Here in Kaduna State, we are translating vision into action. Our administration is pursuing inclusive development and renewal through strategic and people-centred investmentsespecially in the following areas:

1. Infrastructure and Economic Connectivity

We have prioritised infrastructure as the engine of development. To date, we have launched 85 urban and rural road projects, covering 785 kilometres across the state. Nearly half of these are completed, facilitating trade, reducing travel time, and improving access to markets for farmers and entrepreneurs alike. We are rebuilding urban roads, bridges, and essential public utilities to stimulate investment and elevate living conditions.

2. Rural Transformation and Agricultural Revival: Our Rural Revitalisation Agenda is reawakening the economic potential of previously marginalised communities. With the reopening of key markets such as the Birnin Gwari Livestock Market and the Kidandan Market in Giwa, we are seeing a resurgence of local commerce and a renewed sense of community confidence. More than 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmland have been reclaimed, equipping our farmers to produce more while enhancing food security across the state.

3. Human Capital Development: Education and health are not luxuries – they are the pillars of our future. We are executing a comprehensive reform of our educational system to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to quality learning. This includes infrastructure upgrades, teacher training, and the integration of digital tools. Through the Reaching Out-of-School Children Project, we have successfully returned over 10,728 children to the classroom. Moreover, we have reopened 535 schools previously shut due to insecurity, reaffirming our belief that education is a right, not a privilege.

In healthcare, we have turned promises into action. We have upgraded 255 Primary Health Care Centres across the state, bringing vital services closer to rural communities. These efforts are supported by our investments in three world-class vocational institutes, which are empowering our youth and women with marketable skills to thrive in an evolving economy.

4. Agriculture and Food Security: Recognising the strategic importance of agriculture, we have allocated over 10% of the 2025 budget to the sector – the highest in recent years. This demonstrates our commitment to empowering smallholder farmers, promoting climate-smart practices, and strengthening the agricultural value chain to ensure long-term food security and economic growth.

5. Peacebuilding and Social Inclusion: We understand that meaningful development is impossible without peace. This is why we have deepened our investment in community security, reconciliation, and dialogue. We are expanding community policing initiatives, strengthening collaboration with security agencies, and supporting victims of conflict. Through these efforts, we are rebuilding trust across diverse communities and reaffirming our collective commitment to peaceful coexistence.

Justice, equity, and inclusion are the cornerstones of our governance approach. We are building a Kaduna State where policy is driven by fairness, leadership is guided by empathy, and every community, no matter how remote, has a voice in shaping our shared future.

These achievements reflect our determination to build a Kaduna that is safe, strong, and inclusive. Yet, the path ahead requires even greater cooperation between government and the people. Development is a shared responsibility. I urge every citizen to contribute, through acts of peace, through civic participation, and through unwavering belief in the promise of our state and nation.

Nigeria’s future remains bright, and Kaduna’s role in that future is significant. Under His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the nation is undergoing bold reforms to secure peace, restore prosperity, and strengthen democratic governance. Kaduna stands fully in support of this vision.

As we celebrate today, let us renew our commitment to building a nation where hope thrives and unity endures. With God’s guidance and our collective resolve, we will overcome our challenges and realise the full potential of our state and country.

Happy Independence Day.

May God bless Kaduna State.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The story of Faiza Abdulkadir, a cleaner whose bank account was mistakenly credited with N4.8 million, but returned it, resonates with the essence of honesty amidst profound social and economic crises and vulnerabilities in Nigeria.

Her story, published in the Daily Trust on August 24. 2025, chronicled the struggles of a poor woman who barely gets the opportunity to eat three square meals daily, but returned the money for the ‘fear of God’ and ‘desire for peace of mind’.

Faiza works at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and survives on a modest monthly salary of N30,000 to cover essentials like food, school fees, healthcare, and other necessities for her aged mother and five children.

Her story is unique, as many individuals in Nigeria face similar economic circumstances, but her act of integrity, despite challenging economic times, has made her a symbol of honesty.

Interestingly, Faiza is a reminder for every other individual out there to live an honest life, regardless of the physical, emotional, and psychological pressures. Daily Trust’s visit to her home, located in Gwange ward, tells a story of a resilient woman who believes in making money through honest means.

Walking into the compound, this reporter saw a makeshift structure of a three-bedroom made from zinc, sitting in a flooded environment.

Showing the reporter around, Faiza said, ‘This is where I live with my mother and children. I sleep in this room, while my mother uses the other room. I’m happy with what Allah has given me. Alhamdullillah!,’ she said.

Faiza explained that she relocated to the old building after being displaced by the September 10, 2024 flood disaster that ravaged Maiduguri.

‘A renowned Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Sheriff Saleh Alhussani, took pity on our condition and sheltered us free here. We don’t pay rent, and our children have access to school,’ she said.

Since the flood washed away everything from their house, Faiza and her children spread mats on the floor to sleep and rest at the end of a tedious day.

‘You can enter the room and see, the challenges are too numerous, but as the saying goes, ‘health is wealth’, I must thank Allah for keeping us healthy,’ she said.

Receiving cash award from Borno Governor’s wife

Abandoned for 10 years

Faiza’s travails started when she found herself in a difficult situation after her husband left to pursue a business in Lagos and did not return. For ten years, she has been left with the burden of raising and caring for their five children all alone.

‘I lived with my husband in Lagos, then Abuja before he relocated me back home. This is his tenth year in Lagos without visiting home. I now have five children to cater for all alone.

‘Life is not easy. Even though he sends me money sometimes, the challenges are just enormous. I thank God for my life,’ she said.

Faiza’s struggle to return N4.8m

Narrating her story on the N4.8 million she suddenly found in her account, ironically, Faiza said she had nothing to feed her family with when she decided to return the money.

I was at work when a man called me from Kebbi State and said he mistakenly sent money to my account. I panicked when I saw that it was N4.8 million because I had never seen such an amount before.

‘He insisted that I should make a quick transfer through a POS operator but I declined. I told him that I would consult my bank the following morning so that the transfer could be done directly to his account.

‘He kept calling and pressuring me to send him the money. I told him to be patient, that as a Muslim who knows the implications of taking what doesn’t belong to me, his money is in safe hands.

‘What he didn’t know was, I look up to the reward hereafter more than keeping his money. If I eat that money, it can lead me into hellfire,’ she said

Faiza said she went to the bank as early as possible to make the transfer when another call from the man came in, still pleading with her to transfer the money.

‘I connected him with customer care. They asked him several questions and became convinced he was the owner of the money before it was transferred into the same account.

‘I felt relieved when they debited the money from my account because the issue had kept me busy for three days without eating, but the man kept disturbing me, saying that he had not seen the alert.

‘He insisted that I should return to the bank and link him up with the customer care unit, which I did, but he kept pestering me.

‘He called the following morning, saying he still had not received the money, and I had to return to the bank. At one point, I became angry and asked my elder brother to step into the matter.

‘On the last day, I was at the bank until 4pm. The bank staff were very furious with his attitude. One of them asked him to stop pushing me around, knowing fully well that his money had been transferred,’ she said.

When asked if the man had given her something or called to tell her when he received the money, she said, ‘Yes, he called and informed me that he finally received the alert, but claimed that he still had a N10,000 balance in my account.

‘This man called me twice, telling me that I should keep the N10,000 balance. God knows that we transferred the entire amount to him, except for the bank charges, which he must bear, not me.

‘I warned him not to call me again. He should sort it with the bank because not a penny has been left in my bank account.

‘I did all that for the fear of God, not him. If not, I spent a lot of money on transportation and my precious time. In fact, I had no money to even feed myself when I was struggling to get to the bank to return his money,’ she said.

Reward for honesty

Following media reports of her rare and inspiring display of integrity, Faiza received praise and support from individuals across the country.

One of the individuals who appreciated the honesty of Faiza is the First Lady of Borno State, Dr Falmata Babagana Zulum, who presented Faiza with a cash gift of N1 million to support her family.

At a special event organised in her honour, Mrs Zulum said she was pleased that a person of such caliber was a woman from Borno State.

‘I presented her with N1 million to support her family. She should be a role model for all men and women in Borno State,’ she said.

Also, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Zuwaira Gambo, announced additional support in the form of vocational equipment and food items for her.

‘Her action, especially given her financial challenges, is a rare and inspiring display of integrity, which shows that honesty is not determined by wealth but character,’ said Gambo.

Another good Samaritan who did not want his name mentioned donated N2.5 million to Faiza, describing her honesty as a rare quality that people should emulate.

Presenting the N2.5m cheque, the president of Da’awah Wal Irshaad Women Organisation, Borno State, Aisha Muhammad Aisami, said the philanthropist read the story in Daily Trust Newspaper and reached out to the organization to find the woman and reward her.

‘We, therefore, present this cheque of N2.5m to Faiza Abdulkadir, on behalf of our donor, who saw what she did. Daily Trust newspaper carried the story, and it’s widely spread. He is not from Borno State; he only read the story and sent the donations through us.

‘May Allah SWT make her steadfast in what she did and reward the donor and all those who donated to her,’ she said.

Responding, Faiza thanked the donor and the Da’awa organisation that facilitated the donation, while calling on people to fear God and stick to the boundaries.

‘If you fear God, anything that doesn’t belong to you would not attract you. We should always prepare for eternal life, hereafter, not to be deceived by the worldly gains that are temporary,’ she said.

God provided me a home – Faiza

Faiza, who expressed profound gratitude for the support she received from people across the country, said God has miraculously answered her prayers.

‘It feels like a dream because people kept calling and sending me gifts. I was overwhelmed by the number of donations I received from people.

‘It’s always been my dream to own a house, and Allah SWT has answered my prayers. I want to thank you people for amplifying my story and the donors for changing my life,’ Faiza said when asked what she plans to do with the donations.

The move by the federal government to amend the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 continues to generate disquiet in the sector with industry analysts and experts cautioning that such a move has far-reaching implications on the sector.

Besides they said it could destabilise the sector as the PIA is barely five years into its operation.

Daily Trust reports that President Bola Tinubu has approved the amendment aimed at whittling the powers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

Also it was learnt that part of the proposed amendment is to vest the power and role of concessionaire of all oil and gas exploration and production assets in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The proposed amendment would also make the NUPRC the representative of the Federation in all Joint Venture (JV) agreements with the international oil companies (IOCs) and independent companies.

Also proposed is the removal of the Ministry of Petroleum Incorporated (MOPI) as a shareholder of NNPC, while making the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) the sole shareholder of the national oil company.

Daily Trust reports that the federal government has JVs, Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs), Sole Risks and other contractual arrangements with the IOCs. In most cases the NNPC has 60 per cent while the IOC holds 40 per cent.

If the amendment scales through the management of these JV assets would come directly under the NUPRC.

Relevant federal agencies were said to have been notified of the proposed amendment to the PIA 2021. However, the draft of the Bill is not yet in the public domain.

However, the move is generating disquiet in the sector with stakeholders warning that the amendment might destabilize the industry just a few years into the life of the PIA.

Petroleum expert and Technical Director at Template Design Limited, Bala Zaka, expressed concerns with the petroleum industry bill before it even became an Act, saying its inability to provide a win-win situation for investors and the government led to the exodus of international companies from the onshore operations.

‘For somebody like me, those were the kind of laws that needed to be introduced and some modified so that we’re going to enjoy the benefits of activities in the oil and gas industry. That was my thought when the idea of a petroleum industry bill came up,’ he said.

He added that the law ended leading to, first of all, deregulation and a skewed deregulation that encouraged some indirect hostilities that were going to force some of the international oil and gas companies to abandon the conditions and oil fields that they have developed on land and swamp and shallow waters and only concentrate on deep offshore.

He said, ‘But when the Act came up finally, the Act ended up becoming skewed. It was very clear that the Act ended up incorporating so many things that people like me with an objective mind didn’t expect. Because some of the things we discovered are rearing their heads now. First of all, it came up with deregulation.

‘Deregulation without control. Instead of focusing on liberalisation, that will make sure we invite additional investors, but also make sure there is proper organisation so that the Nigerian government, either through NNPC or whichever body, will be able to regulate in the interest of investors and the government. It didn’t do that.’

He lamented that the Act has ended up trying to privatise all the national patrimony of citizens.

‘When you go to other countries, till this moment, you see both local and international oil and gas investors investing or carrying out peaceful activities on land concessions, shallow waters, swamps, and deep offshore.

‘But with this Act now, all of us have seen that all the international oil companies have experienced artificial business climate hostilities that have forced them to leave the concessions they had on land and swamp. Many of them have run deep offshore. And the few of them that are remaining decided to leave Nigeria. That was not the kind of petroleum industry Act that I expected.’

‘A sector can be liberalised and it will do well. In the context of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, I expected to see more of liberalisation. There is a major difference between liberalisation and deregulation. When you liberalise, you allow more players to come in, but you also make sure the powers of regulatory authorities in that country are not diluted. No country will go and allow the powers of regulatory agencies to be diluted. Once you allow their powers to be diluted, then that country or that agency or that country will be like a banana republic.

‘What we should rather do in the context of Nigeria is this. Those you have put in charge of those regulatory agencies, if they are not doing well, continue to change them until you get the right people.’

On his part, Wumi Iledare, Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics, said concerns regarding PIA amendments shortly after its enactment may lead to policy instability, discourage long-term investment, and be perceived as benefiting select interests, thereby undermining the act’s original objectives of stability and investor confidence.

The newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on Tuesday, played host to some key opposition figures led by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and declared that he is no longer one of them having assumed the role of a traditional ruler.

Oba Ladoja, a former governor and Senator in Oyo State, was crowned the 44th Olubadan at the 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 the former Senate President, Iyorcha Ayu, former Governors of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, Cross Rivers State, Liyel Imoke and other prominent members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to pay homage to the Olubadan.

Atiku attributed his non-appearance at the coronation of the former Governor to protocol arrangements.

Speaking with at the private residence of tge new Olubadan 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.

President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria will not disintegrate under his watch.

This is just as he asked Nigerians to stop talking about the country in the negative tone.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday while unveiling the renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre in Lagos.

Tinubu arrived at the venue at about 6:24 p.m for the reopening ceremony of the monument.

The President had in July 2024 renamed the edifice the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in honour of the Nobel Laureate.

The renovation of the Centre was funded and overseen by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee.

The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy provided policy direction and oversight, guiding the transformation of the facility into a national asset and a launchpad for Nigeria’s creative industries.

At the unveiling on Wednesday, Tinubu was joined by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, H.E. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Emir of Kano, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the host of the occasion, Professor Wole Soyinka.

Speaking at the event, Tinubu reiterated his position that the worst is over the economic crisis and urged Nigerians to believe in themselves and give others hope they need.

‘From now on like I said yesterday, the worst is over, the economy has recovered. I’m confident that prosperity will come. Believe in yourself and give everybody the hope they need. Lift the spirit of our people.

‘This is the giant of Africa, it won’t fall on you, it wont disintegrate in my hand,’ he said.

He also urged Nigerians to stop talking about the country in the negative tone.

‘Tonight, let me say something that is very important to me, to you, government and Nigerians in diaspora, which is – stop talking about Nigeria in the negative tone. This is a country of very proud people. It is about ourselves, believing in something we inherited from our parents and great forebearers. A nation of great people, confident and dedicated.

‘Let’s build it together, this country will succeed and it is with you, myself and many other people who may not be here.

‘Please, lift Nigeria, believe in Nigeria, put Nigeria first. That’s all I need to emphasize tonight. It has been a wonderful evening, I have enjoyed myself.’

Tinubu described Soyinka as one of the greatest assets of the world, saying he has contributed to nation building, courage and freedom.

‘So, it couldn’t have been anything else and I know definitely you (referring to Soyinka) will not disobey this president. I said it has to be Wole Soyinka Centre,’ Tinubu said.

In his welcome remarks, the CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso, said the Wole Soyinka Centre is more than a renovation, but a rebirth.

He said the centre’s iconic silhouette has been preserved while delivering world-class performance halls, cinema spaces, exhibition galleries, an African literature library,

rehearsal rooms, media and medical facilities, and fully modernised

infrastructure.

According to him, the surrounding grounds now offer gardens, outdoor exhibition

areas, upgraded access, and seamless integration with the Lagos Blue Line

rail, placing culture at the heart of city life.

He said ‘This edifice has stood for nearly half a century as a proud symbol of our

heritage. Completed in 1976 and inaugurated at FESTAC ’77, it became a

beacon of African creativity and a repository of our shared history. Many here

will recall both its golden years of cultural vibrancy and the long period of

neglect that followed. Even in silence, however, the Theatre remained the

soul of our cultural identity, awaiting revival. Today, that day has come.

‘The performances we have witnessed today by ensembles from across

Nigeria bring this Centre to life and remind us that its true power lies not only

in its architecture but in the voices, movements, and stories it will host.

‘Allow me to emphasize that none of this would have been possible without

extraordinary partnerships. The Central Bank of Nigeria, the Bankers’

Committee, the Lagos State Government, and the Ministry of Art, Culture, and

the Creative Economy came together with a shared purpose to deliver this

national project, with the Bankers’ Committee alone committing

approximately ?68 billion, not as corporate social responsibility but as a

deliberate investment in Nigeria’s cultural future. This project stands as proof

that when the public and private sectors unite behind a shared national

purpose, there is no limit to what Nigeria can achieve.’

Responding, Soyinka said ‘In all seriousness, I want to thank you for this honour. Those of you who’ve been involved in it, including your president, who’s a great conspirator, who knows how to lay ambush here and there. It’s okay. This netted yet another victim, and I want to thank you. And for all those who’ll be using this hall, let me remind you that I really represent the preoccupation, the commitment, the commitment of others. My hope is that with the recreation of this building, this institution, we won’t be going all the way to Abu Dhabi to watch African theatre.’