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Heartland Football Club has distanced its Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, from a purported letter approving the temporary loan of a Heartland Queens player to Guinea’s Association Sportive de Bolonta (AS Bolonta) for the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers.

In an official disclaimer issued yesterday, the Owerri club described the document as unauthorized, stressing that Amuneke had no connection whatsoever with it.

The club clarified that Amuneke’s appointment and authority are ‘strictly limited to the technical management of Heartland Football Club (Men’s Team)’ and that he has ‘no administrative, executive, or statutory authority over the affairs of Heartland Queens Football Club.’

Heartland further stated that the signature on the circulated document was not Amuneke’s and that the letter was neither issued, approved nor authorized by him or the club’s management.

The club also disclosed that Heartland Queens head coach, Obi Ogbala, confirmed he had no knowledge of the purported correspondence.

According to the statement, Heartland FC has completely dissociated Amuneke from the document and urged the public, football authorities, the media and other stakeholders to disregard any attempt to link either the former Super Eagles star or the club to the unauthorized letter.

The club reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, accountability and institutional integrity, adding that it would investigate the origin of the document and pursue appropriate administrative and legal action against those responsible for the unauthorized use of the club’s name and the misrepresentation of its officials.

Former world number one Novak Djokovic said Thursday he would make his return to competition at the Cincinnati Masters next month, almost a month after he crashed out of the Wimbledon semi-finals at the hands of Jannik Sinner.

The August 13-23 tournament in Cincinnati marks the 39-year-old’s first appearance there since his 2023 title.

‘I am very happy to announce that I will be in Cincinnati this year, for the first time since 2023,’ Djokovic said on the tournament’s social media.

‘That year I played one of the top three Masters 1000 finals of my career.

‘I really look forward to coming back, playing in front of you again, and seeing all the fans from around the world. See you soon!’

The Serb, currently ranked fifth in the world, joins a dream line-up ahead of the US Open including Wimbledon winner Sinner, world number two Alexander Zverev and no.3 Carlos Alcaraz, who has been nursing a wrist injury since April.

After Cincinnati, Djokovic is expected at the August 30-September 13 US Open, where he will bid for a 25th major title.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed that there is no going back on the ban of small volume alcoholic drinks in the country.

The NAFDAC Zonal Director, South East, Dr Festus Ukadike, made the vow in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Friday.

Ukadike said the crackdown had already began targeting manufacturers and distributors of small sachet alcoholic drinks.

He said the next stage after the enforcement was to mop up the remaining alcoholic products currently in the market.

He also said that businesses would not be affected by the ban as companies could still produce alcohol in volumes not less than 200ml per bottle.

According to him, arrests and seizures have been made in the zone including Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, and Anambra.

The zonal director said the health of children was a deciding factor informing NAFDAC’s decision to ban sachet alcohol.

He said that children had to be protected from unhealthy drinking habits prevalent among young children in Nigeria.

‘If our children are no longer exposed to sachet alcohol, they will live healthier lives, curb antisocial behaviours and promote the country’s fight against cancer andither terminal diseases,’ he said.

Ukadike advised consumers to control their alcohol intake saying that missing out on sachet alcohol was not a terrible thing.

Responding to concerns over affordability, the NAFDAC director said that public health considerations outweighed commercial interests.

Ukadike said that in 12 months’ time, Nigeria should expect a standard regulatory landscape in which there would be no alcohol in any packaging less than 200ml.

Meanwhike, some of the consumers of the sachet drinks expressed mixed reactions to the ban.

While some welcomed the ban, others said the ban on small volume alcoholic drinks would make alcohol less affordable to low income earners.

A consumer, Mr Charles Otubo, said the ban should only be introduced in motor parks to prevent highway accidents.

Another consumer simply identified as Godwin, said he had seen school children buying the sachet drinks, putting it in their school bags, and taking it to school.

He said the drinks should be sold at special liquour stores.

The Nigeria Premier Football League has challenged its 20 clubs to overhaul their digital operations and build commercially viable structures, warning that Nigerian football risks losing sponsorship opportunities without credible data and stronger media presence.

NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi issued the challenge on the final day of the NPFL-Afrinvest Media and Marketing Workshop in Enugu, where club media officers and marketing heads met to discuss branding, sponsorship and data generation ahead of the 2026/27 season.

‘One of the reasons we’re here is to share knowledge on how to attract companies like Afrinvest to partner with us in developing the league,’ Owumi said.

Owumi offered a ?100,000 reward to any club that could produce a functional website with at least 200,000 hits and comprehensive statistics from the season just concluded.

‘We have millions of dollars’ worth of contracts under discussion, but when sponsors ask for our data, we have little or nothing to present,’ Owumi said. ‘A website without content is useless. A dead media department is a dead club, and a dead marketing unit is a dead club.’

He said clubs must reduce reliance on government subventions and instead generate revenue through digital platforms, fan engagement and commercial partnerships. Citing his own tenure at Rangers International, Owumi said strategic marketing partnerships had helped the club secure a ?200 million sleeve sponsorship deal and accumulate more than $270,000 in funds before his departure.

Afrinvest Manager Emmanuel Eleojo said the firm’s ‘Finance Meets Football’ initiative would continue backing the league’s commercial development, pointing to Afrinvest’s partnership with Rangers since 2023 as a model. He said that partnership had supported youth development, a stronger academy system, national team call-ups for Rangers players and two league titles within three years.

‘The success of Nigerian football is not only about what happens on the pitch, but also the strength of the institutions behind the clubs,’ Eleojo said.

Rangers International General Manager Amobi Ezeaku commended the NPFL for the initiative and urged club officials to treat marketing and media departments as central to revenue generation. ‘We want to see our clubs’ jerseys all over the country,’ Ezeaku said. ‘Our media officers and marketing directors must become the backbone of revenue generation.’

The President of Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Pretty Okafor has commended Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for always coming to the aid of Nigerian artists.

In a letter signed by Okafor, the PMAN president expressed profound gratitude to the governor for his several interventions and financial support to Nigerian entertainers in distress.

The letter reads: ‘I write with a heart full of gratitude to celebrate a leader whose compassion has become the standard for governance in our time.

‘His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, Executive Governor of Abia State, has shown Nigerians and the world what it means to lead with both vision and heart, especially for the entertainment industry.’

According to the PMAN President, whenever he calls on Governor Otti for assistance, on behalf of ailing Nigerian musicians, he has never disappointed but responded positively.

‘Whenever PMAN reaches out to His Excellency through his Senior Special Adviser on Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. (Dr) Justice Martins aka J. Martins, he has never disappointed. He has answered not with promises but with actions.

‘I recall with deep appreciation Governor Otti’s intervention with money to support Daddy Fresh during his critical battle with liver, kidney and eye complications. He also gave money to rescue veteran Nollywood actor Sunny McDon, our brother from Abia State in his fight against prostate cancer.

And once again, His Excellency has answered our call for urgent support to save veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu, who is currently facing a health relapse.’

Okafor emphasized that rather than turn his back to the plight of artists like some rich people do, Governor Otti always stands with them.

The letter further states: ‘Governor Otti, you are not just the Executive Governor of Abia State, you are without doubt the leading and most compassionate governor of our time in support of the Nigerian entertainment industry. PMAN and the entire creative family across Nigeria say ‘thank you’.

‘Your kindness will not be forgotten. Your name will be written in gold in the history of Nigerian entertainment. We pray that God continues to strengthen you, grant you wisdom, and bless the good people of Abia State through your administration.’

Nigeria’s energy journey has long been marked by a dilemma: a nation blessed with extraordinary natural gas reserves, yet millions of its citizens and industries continue to wrestle with unreliable, costly, and inaccessible energy. With proven reserves now standing at 210.54 trillion cubic feet (TCF) as of 2025 and among the largest in the world; Nigeria holds the potential to power its future, drive industrialisation, and deliver cleaner, more affordable energy. Yet for decades, this immense wealth remained underutilised, flared away, or left stranded without the infrastructure to bring it to homes and businesses.

The challenge has never been the absence of resources, but the lack of infrastructure to harness and distribute them effectively, corruption, and administrative inefficiency. Against this backdrop, the renewed commitment of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to expand gas infrastructure is both timely and commendable. Under the leadership of Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the narrative is shifting. Gas flaring is being reduced, reserves are being channeled into productive use, and energy infrastructure is finally taking centre stage.

In January 2026, NNPC Ltd unveiled its Gas Master Plan; a comprehensive framework targeting daily production of 10 billion cubic feet by 2027 and 12 billion by 2030. This ambitious plan is designed to catalyse over $60 billion in new investments across the oil and gas value chain, positioning Nigeria as a global gas powerhouse. Speaking at the NOG Energy Week in Abuja recently, energy experts highlighted NNPC’s flagship projects: the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3), the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK), and the Trans-Nigerian Gas Pipeline. Together, these projects form an integrated network that will boost supply for both domestic and international markets.

The Gas Master Plan hinges on two critical pipelines: the 614km AKK and the 130km OB3. The OB3, completed in April 2026, to supply 2 billion standard cubic feet per day, linking eastern gas fields to the western grid and the AKK. Once completed, the AKK will deliver 2.2 billion scf/day to the North, unlocking industrial and power potential along its corridor. In a world grappling with geopolitical crises; from the Russia-Ukraine war to Middle Eastern supply disruptions, Nigeria’s decision to harness its gas resources could not be more urgent.

NNPC Ltd has taken bold steps to deepen domestic gas utilisation. In February 2025, the company and its partners launched five mini-LNG plants in Ajaokuta, Kogi State. With a combined capacity of 97 million scf/day, these plants-Prime LNG, NGML/GasNexus LNG, LNG Arete, Highland LNG, and BUA LNG represent a strategic leap towards energy sufficiency, off-grid industrial support, and carbon reduction. NNPC holds significant stakes in three of them, underscoring its commitment to partnerships that deliver real value.

These plants will increase access to energy, creating jobs, and contributing to GDP growth. They also support the Federal Government’s flare-down initiatives, turning wasted gas into productive energy. More importantly, they reflect NNPC’s belief that natural gas is the key to unlocking Nigeria’s industrial future, driving job creation, and diversifying the economy.

The AKK project is far more than steel pipes laid across kilometres of land. It is a bold national investment designed to bridge the gap between abundant reserves and the energy needs of Nigerians. By extending access to natural gas across 19 Northern States, the AKK promises to lower energy costs, stimulate manufacturing, attract investment, and strengthen energy security.

For ordinary Nigerians, the project’s value is not measured in engineering feats but in everyday improvements; more reliable electricity, affordable energy, and opportunities for jobs and businesses. Gas remains the primary fuel for many power plants, yet inconsistent supply has kept them below capacity. Strengthening transportation infrastructure through the AKK will enhance generation capacity and stabilise electricity supply.

No nation has achieved sustained industrial growth without affordable and reliable energy. By making gas more accessible, the AKK pipeline will encourage new investments and support the expansion of industries along its corridor. Its multiplier effect is enormous: rapid industrial growth will create demand for logistics, construction, banking, technology, and other supporting sectors. As businesses expand, they generate employment and stimulate local economies.

During construction, the AKK has already created opportunities for engineers, technicians, welders, surveyors, and transport operators. Local businesses have benefited from procurement and increased commercial activity. Once operational, the pipeline will continue to support industries and energy-related investments, creating sustainable jobs for years to come.

Another major benefit of increased domestic gas utilisation is the potential reduction in energy costs. For many Nigerians, rising fuel prices have placed enormous pressure on household incomes and business operations. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) offers a cheaper alternative, and the expansion of CNG infrastructure under NNPC’s guidance is particularly significant for the transport sector. Lower costs for commercial operators translate into greater efficiency and relief for consumers.

This vision aligns with the Federal Government’s ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative, which seeks to position natural gas as a driver of industrialisation and economic development. NNPC’s investments are a practical demonstration of this policy direction, ensuring that Nigeria maximises the value of its resources rather than exporting them raw.

The AKK project also reflects the evolving identity of NNPC Ltd as a commercially focused national energy company. Following its transition under the Petroleum Industry Act, the company has been repositioned to operate with greater efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness. This transformation requires leadership capable of balancing commercial objectives with national responsibilities. Under Engr. Ojulari, NNPC has placed renewed emphasis on strategic investments, operational efficiency, and projects that deliver long-term value.

Energy infrastructure requires vision and patience. Pipelines and processing facilities are not just financial assets; they are platforms for future growth. The projects being developed today will support industries and communities for decades to come.

NNPC has also prioritised stakeholder engagement along the AKK corridor. The 2026 AKK and Energy Business Development Forums held in Lokoja few months ago and Minna on the 30th of July, 2026 brought together state governments, community leaders, private investors, and energy participants to discuss wider domestic gas use and CNG uptake. These engagements demonstrate NNPC’s commitment to inclusive development, ensuring that communities benefit directly from gas commercialisation.

The AKK pipeline is therefore more than a technical project; it is a symbol of Nigeria’s determination to use its resources strategically and responsibly. For millions of Nigerians, it represents hope for a more productive future. For businesses, it offers a more competitive environment. For the nation, it provides a pathway towards diversification and energy independence.

Ultimately, the success of the AKK Gas Pipeline will not be measured by kilometres of steel or engineering milestones. Its true measure lies in the lives it improves, the businesses it supports, the jobs it creates, and the opportunities it unlocks. It stands as evidence that when resources are matched with vision, leadership, and purposeful investment as demonstrated by NNPC under Engr. Ojulari, they can become instruments of national transformation.

NNPC’s evolving role as an energy development institution places it at the centre of Nigeria’s economic future. The story of Nigeria’s energy sector is no longer just about what lies beneath the ground; it is increasingly about how effectively those resources are harnessed to improve lives. With the AKK initiative gaining momentum, Nigeria is finally on the path to turning its gas wealth into lasting prosperity.

Nobel Laurette, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has called on President Bola Tinubu to revisit case files of unsolved assassination and extra-judicial killings across the country.

Soyinka further said the state should not gloss over the killing of Deborah Samuel by her own classmates in 2023 in Sokoto State after he was accused of blasphemy and 28-year-old youth, Mene Ogidi shot dead in broad daylight by a policeman in Delta State.

The renowned scholar insisted that the perpetrators of such criminal acts must be made to face the law.

He warned against selective justice; criticised the judiciary for failing to stand for the truth ans most Nigerians for remaining silent in the face of clear injustice to fellow citizens, maintaining that perpetrators of crime anywhere in the country must be identified and punished according to the law.

Soyinka spoke at the 28 Wole Soyonka Lecture Series organised by the National Association of Seadogs (Pirates Confraternity), which features the NANS Martyrs Day held in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The lecture, ‘Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage’ and was chaired by former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe.

Soyinka said it was concerning for one of the slain Deborah’s classmates to openly display the match stick used in lighting the fire that later consumed her and wondered why the deceased was yet to get justice years after that mindless act of wickedness.

He described the 28th lecture series as a reminder of the injustices in Nigeria, the failure of the judiciary and citizens and a tribute to all martyrs including the six policemen killed in Apo, Abuja in 2025.

He said whike the trigger-happy policeman in Delta State was swiftly arrested, the case of the Sokoto murder of Deborah did not receive the same immediate punishment.

Soyinka said: ‘That is why my remark is to remind you of that, that actually through me, paying honour to those who have been, who’ve lost their lives as a result of these deficiencies in the state and also the criminal participation, even indirect, of ours, the complicity in the decimation and the devaluation of our humanity.

‘I don’t want us to lose that sense that this session is dedicated to the martyrs, to those who have needlessly and avoidably have lost their lives, whom we all admit, the life of a human being constitutes the basic unit of any community, any structure, any system of governance.

‘And so, it’s dedicated to the Apo six, it’s dedicated to, of course, the Ugele, I forgot the number, 18 who were just butchered by agencies of state for no reason at all, simply for minding their own business and discussing what they can do to contribute to the rest of the humanity.

‘It’s dedicated to that young man whom I saw in a video, after I’ve been away for some time, literally my welcoming home was a video of that man who was killed by a policeman in the South. He was a suspect and right in broad daylight he was gunned down. It’s one of the most..I couldn’t believe what I was seeing on video.

‘It’s dedicated to individuals, the youths, like Deborah, who was killed, who was butchered by her own classmate, hunted through the city, necklaced and set on fire. But that is not the crime. That really is not the crime.

‘The crime is the silence of the rest of us, that such a thing is possible, and that the killers of that girl can actually go on television, hold up a match, and say this is the match with which I set her on fire. And there the system of justice fails us completely. Try and imagine that policeman who shot that young person, then going on television and saying this is the gun with which I killed him. It’s impossible.’

‘But because that happened in another part of the nation, those killers got away with it. Now when I say this, which I have done of course, then I hear cries like, oh yes he wants to start a religious war, people are starving, he doesn’t talk about that, people are stealing, he doesn’t talk about that. I think such people are insane.

‘And that is why sessions like this are important, to remind us that the human unit is the basic, the less common denominator, and thus ironically the most important of what you call the human community. And I want you all to keep watch with me, to follow what happens to that policeman, to make sure, like judiciary doesn’t fail us again, that the system of justice doesn’t fail us, to set a pattern of impunity which allows such individuals, whoever they are, to be terminated just like that.

‘Watch with me so that we can force the government to bring up all the files. When there was a government retreat, you remember? The incoming president said, I want all the files of all the unsolved assassinations, killings, extrajudicial killings. What has happened to those files? I want you to join me in asking President Tinubu to say, we want you to dig up those files. We want to know what happened, why it happened, who is of value as a human being, and who is there for casual disposition.

‘That is the essence that I understand from this lecture. That is why I took the trouble, as a seadog, This was a duty, and this is a message to the nation, to you as citizens, as human beings, to put an end to this casual butchery, no matter what the causes are. Thank you very much’.

In his keynote address, former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, said that justice for most Nigerians began long before any courtroom, adding that it started when police officers decides when a complaint was believed or ignored based on merit and not on external factors.

He cited the wrongs in the Nigerian justice and correctional system disclosing that 64 per cent of inmates in correctional centres including more than 50,000 Nigerians were awaiting trials in detention and yet to be convicted of any crime.

He said: ‘Each of these 50,000 is a life in suspension, a job lost, a family destabilised, someone’s health failing. When the state causes that delay, and the citizens pay for it in lost liberty. The delay is not inefficiency, It is a form of violence carried out by the state itself.’

He insisted that true justice meant the rules do not change with a citizen’s identity and prosecution of individuals must follow evidence while those in detention must remain visible to their lawyers.

He said: ‘A citizen who defeats the government in court must not face a second battle to compel obedience. Justice is also tested by how society treats those it dislikes. The law is not established when it protects only our friends, Justice must defend the accused, the unpopular, the political opponent, and the minority, because citizenship does not depend on agreement. Where justice is negotiable, citizenship becomes hierarchical.’

Earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion and former MD NDDC, Chief Timi Alaibe said sustainable development could not exist in the absence of accountability.

He urged participants from government, the private sector, academia and civil society to resist treating the 28th Wole Soyinka Lectures as another ceremonial event and called for honest reflection and renewed commitment to rebuilding the nation.

Alaibe said: ‘Nations are not reclaimed by rhetoric alone, they are reclaimed when conscience triumphs over confidence. When institutions are stronger than individuals. When citizens summon the courage to do what is right, even when it is difficult.’

In his welcome address, NAS Capoon, Dr. Joseph Oteri, said this year’s lecture reflected Nigeria’s urgent need to rebuild public trust and strengthen democratic institutions.

He recalled the ordeal of NAS members detained under the late Gen. Sani Abacha’s military regime because of their association with Soyinka, who was then in exile and a leading pro-democracy activist.

Oteri said the annual Martyrs’ Day was organised to preserve the memory of those who suffered state persecution while advocating democracy and human rights.

The North East Development Commission, NEDC said it has earmarked about 100 billion naira for construction of 50 megawatts power grid to power some of the 102 local government areas of the six states in the region.

The Managing Director/CEO of the Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali disclosed this while briefing Media Executives and Bureau Chiefs of selected organisations in Abuja.

Alhaji Alkali who spoke alongside the Chairman of the Commission, Major Gen. Paul Tarfa (rtd), said the NEDC has come a long way in addressing the critical needs of the citizens following the activities of Boko Haram insurgents.

He said the Commission had resolved that terrorism and other criminal activities would no longer determine the philosophy of the people of the North East, but a complete return to normal lifestyle defined by the culture of the people in commerce, agriculture, industry and education.

Alkali said the Commission’s activities since its inception seven years ago were premised on the Master Plan for the region, noting that the Master Plan was anchored on four major pillars of Stabilisation and Recovery, Renewal, Expansion and Sustainable growth.

In delivering the projects to change the narratives of the region, Alkali said the Commission had executed educational, agricultural and health projects in all the states in the zones, and committed several billions of naira to them.

He disclosed that the Commission also plan to construct boreholes worth over 30 billion naira for the 1024 wards in the six states of Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Taraba, Yobe and Gombe.

He added that when the Commission came on stream, there were no MIR machines and other critical equipment in the hospitals in the region, stressing that by now the region has eight MIR machines and scanning equipment facilitated by the Commission.

He said:’The Commission recently attained five ISO certifications covering quality,

environment, occupational health and safety, anti-bribery and sustainable

communities, demonstrating globally recognised governance systems.

‘It has completed over 300 kilometres of roads and more than 50 bridges, reconnecting communities, reducing transport costs and improving access to markets, schools andhospitals.

:Through the Light Up the North-East Project, more than 100,000 solar

streetlights have improved security and extended commercial activity. In education,

49 tertiary institution projects, 18 Mega Schools and over 100 Water, Sanitation

and Hygiene (WASH) facilities have expanded access to learning.

‘ To date, NEDC has delivered over 300 kilometres of roads and more than 50 bridges, restoring critical transport corridors, improving access to education and healthcare, facilitating trade, and strengthening regional integration.

‘Across Adamawa State, the Commission constructed the 32km Dabna Road,

the Federal College of Education, Yola Road, the College of Education, Hong Road,

the Garkida Cross-Kukurtu Road, and rehabilitated roads in Fufore. Landmark projects such as the Numan Bridge, Bole Bridge, Madagali and Michika Bridges, and

the Mubi-Maiha-Sarao Bridges have significantly improved connectivity, agricultural transportation and cross-border trade.

‘In Bauchi State, the Commission delivered the 32km Kirfi-Gombe Abba Road, the

landmark Tashan Turmi, Bara and Kalajanga Bridges, the Ningi-Yadagungume-Fuskar Mata Road, the Soro-Ganjuwa Bridge, and extensive erosion control and drainage works, improving inter-state connectivity and climate resilience.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described Nigeria’s first Head of State, Maj. Gen. Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, as a symbol of patriotism, discipline and national unity.

Tinubu, in a message at the 60th memorial of the death of the military leader, said his(Ironsi) legacy continues to inspire generations of Nigerians.

Defence Minister Gen.Christopher Musa delivered the message at the Aguiyi-Ironsi Conference Centre, Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

President Tinubu recalled Aguiyi-Ironsi’s military career, saying he became the first Nigerian Captain, Major, Lieutenant- Colonel, Battalion Commander, Brigadier-General, Major -General and the country’s first military ruler.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, one of the dignitaries that graced the event, described the July 15, 1966 counter-coup in which Aguiyi-Ironsi was killed as one of the darkest days in Nigeria’s history.

The ceremony featured the laying of wreaths at Aguiyi-Ironsi’s tomb.

In his message, President Tinubu said the late military leader was a ‘Unifier-in-Chief,’ ‘Champion of National Integration,’ ‘Pioneer of Indigenous Military Leadership,’ and an advocate of one united Nigeria whose commitment to national cohesion remains relevant six decades after his death.

Gen. Musa told the gathering that although he was not yet born when Aguiyi-Ironsi was killed, his generation continues to benefit from the sacrifices made by him.

He also noted that the former head of state assumed leadership during one of Nigeria’s most difficult periods but remained committed to preserving the country’s unity, stability and institutional integrity.

According to him, the Federal Government remains resolute in protecting Nigeria’s unity and strengthening institutions responsible for democracy, security and national development.

He noted that the values of patriotism, discipline, integrity, selfless service and national unity exemplified by Aguiyi-Ironsi continue to guide the Armed Forces and all Nigerians committed to building a strong nation.

The Defence Minister paid tribute to past and present members of the Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in defence of Nigeria, assuring that their service and dedication would never be forgotten.

He commended the organisers of the memorial for preserving the memory of one of Nigeria’s foremost military leaders, saying such remembrance helps reinforce the nation’s history and shared values.

Gen.Musa expressed the nation’s appreciation for the sacrifices made by the late Head of State in service to Nigeria. He prayed that his legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

The minister also praised Abia State Governor Alex Otti for what he described as exemplary leadership and visible development across the state, expressing optimism that the governor’s achievements would earn him a second term in office.

The former Chief of Army Staff appealed to Otti to immortalise Aguiyi-Ironsi and the late Lt.Col. Adekunle Fajuyi by constructing a unity square in Abia State.

According to him, the monument would commemorate their sacrifices. He recalled how Fajuyi refused to abandon Aguiyi-Ironsi during the July 1966 counter-coup, choosing instead to die with him in defence of honour, loyalty and national unity.

Gen. Musa added that such a memorial would serve as a lasting reminder to future generations that Nigeria’s strength lies in unity and shared purpose.

Like Tinubu, former President Obasanjo referred to Aguiyi-Ironsi as a pioneer in the Nigerian military, who rose through the ranks to become a major general.

Describing January 15, 1966 as a black day in Nigeria’s history, Obasanjo said such moments should inspire Nigerians towards inclusion, cooperation and nation building rather than division.

His words: ‘There are many black days in the history of Nigeria. 15th January is one black day in the history of Nigeria.

‘Most of the black days, what did they do? They excluded, they destroyed, they separated, and it’s not good for us. But we can learn the right lesson and draw inspiration for inclusion, for construction, for cooperation, and for bringing together.’

Governor Otti, who noted that Aguiyi-Ironsi died at the age of 42, added that mistakes made at such an early stage of leadership could be understood within the context of the circumstances of the time.

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, said he was only 10 years old when the events that led to the gathering occurred. He expressed happiness that Nigeria continues to recognise leaders who believed in it.

Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, who spoke for the Aguiyi-Ironsi family, said the gathering was not only to mourn but to honour the late military leader’s contribution to Nigeria.

’60 years ago, Nigeria lost a patriot and detribalised Nigerian leader. We are gathered here not only to mourn, but to remember, to honour and rededicate ourselves to Nigeria,’ he said.

He added that the legacy of a person who lived for the good of society continues through the memories and values left behind.

Delivering the citation and welcome address on behalf of the Aguyi-Ironsi family during the wreath laying, Louisa Aguiyi-Ironsi said her father was an exceptional soldier, statesman and patriot whose life was devoted to the unity, stability and progress of Nigeria.

She noted that the memorial was more than a ceremonial occasion, but an opportunity for collective remembrance, reflection and national reaffirmation.

Louisa added that the wreath-laying symbolised honour, respect, sacrifice, unity and a commitment to preserving history, stressing that the memorial was a call for reconciliation, peaceful coexistence and nation-building.

According to her, Nigeria’s future should be anchored on justice, accountability, discipline and the collective good of citizens.

She said: ‘We have gathered today to mark the 60th anniversary of his martyrdom in active service for the collective good and unity of Nigeria.

‘This gathering is not intended for the mere performance of a ceremonial rite, but to participate in an act of collective remembrance, solemn reflection and national reaffirmation.

‘Today, we do not assemble to reopen old debates, nor to magnify historical divisions. Rather, we gather to honour a life committed to the preservation of Nigeria’s unity and the strengthening of state institutions.

‘We acknowledge his role in the formative years of our Republic, and pay tribute to his courage in a moment that demanded resolve.

‘The wreath we lay today is a rich symbolism. It represents honour, honour for a life devoted to national service. It signifies respect, respect for sacrifice made in the cause of nation building.

‘It invites reflection, reflection upon our shared history and its lessons. It proclaims unity, unity as the enduring aspiration of our national journey. In laying these wreaths, we affirm that a nation that remembers its past strengthens its future.

‘We do not lay them to glorify conflict or romanticise controversy. We lay them to acknowledge history in its complexity, to respect sacrifice in its fullness, and to recommit ourselves to peaceful coexistence.

‘The era in which Major General Aguiyi Ironsi led was marked by turbulence and transition.

‘Yet, beyond the political complexities of that time, lies a timeless truth. Nigeria is greater than any one individual, and stronger when her citizens choose unity over division.’

She urged Nigerians to remember the late Aguiyi Ironsi’s commitment to national unity rather than dwell on historical controversies surrounding his administration and challenged present and future leaders to place the national interest above sectional considerations and embrace dialogue over conflict.

Louisa also called on Nigerians to choose unity over division and cooperation over resentment, saying the true measure of remembrance would not lie in the wreaths laid in his honour but in the nation’s commitment to building a peaceful, just and united Nigeria.

Her words: ‘This commemoration, therefore, serves a dual purpose. First, it stands as a solemn tribute to his personal sacrifice and steadfast commitment to a united Nigeria. His dedication to national cohesion, even amid uncertainty, remains a testament to patriotic courage.

‘Second, it is a caring call to present and future leaders to draw inspiration from that commitment. The Nigeria of aspiration must be anchored on justice, accountability, discipline, and the collective good. Let this ceremony signal not only remembrance, but renewal.

‘The true measure of our remembrance will not be found in the beauty of the wreaths s that we lay, but in the quality of the unity we pursue.’

‘As these wreaths are laid upon the tomb of Maj.- Gen. Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi GCFR, may they symbolise our renewed dedication to peace, justice, and national cohesion.

‘May his soul continue to rest in eternal peace, and may Nigeria continue to stand one nation, indivisible, prosperous, and united in diversity.’

World Record holder Tobi Amusan fell short last night in her bid to win a third consecutive Commonwealth Games women’s 100m hurdles title.

Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton won gold, clocking 12.33 seconds to end Amusan’s bid for a historic third consecutive title in the event.

Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds took silver in 12.41 seconds, while Amusan settled for bronze in 12.60 seconds – missing out on the podium’s top step after twice successfully defending her title, at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.

South Africa’s Marione Fourie narrowly missed a medal, finishing fourth in 12.66 seconds, just 0.06 seconds adrift of Amusan.

Amusan had entered the final as overwhelming favourite after a dominant heat performance , winning in a wind-assisted 12.19 seconds – the fastest time ever recorded in the event at the Commonwealth Games, though it did not count for record purposes due to a +3.8m/s tailwind exceeding the legal limit.

However, she was unable to match that performance when it mattered most.

Despite missing out on a historic third straight Commonwealth Games title, Amusan still added another medal to Team Nigeria’s tally, extending her impressive record on the Commonwealth Games stage with yet another podium finish.