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The Nkpolu-Rumuigbo community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has been flooded, disrupting economic and social activities and forcing some residents and businesses to relocate.

The Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman of the community, Echene Daddy, lamented what he described as years of government neglect, saying residents had been left to their fate.

Daddy said the deplorable condition of the Nkpolu-Rumuigbo Road had worsened the flooding, making movement difficult for motorists and residents.

‘We have been going through this thing for the past three years or more. It has been crazy all these years, but this year is the worst,’ he said.

The CDC chairman said several residents displaced by the flood had sought refuge in his office and the community town hall.

‘As I am talking to you, stranded people have moved out of their houses. They are now in my office. They are using my office as a refugee camp. Even the community town hall is filled up with people,’ he said.

He said the flood had adversely affected businesses and companies operating in the area, adding that some businesses had been forced to relocate.

According to him, ‘There is a company here that has relocated. They are looking for somewhere in the East where they will move to because of the flood.’

Daddy attributed the worsening situation partly to the poor condition of the roads, saying the Obi-Wali Road through Tuscany, Stoke City and Eckankar areas had become impassable.

He said residents who owned vehicles had been forced to park them because of the deplorable road condition.

The CDC chairman also lamented the condition of government-owned schools in the community, saying both primary and secondary schools had been affected by the flood.

‘Our secondary school Apara has been flooded and abandoned. If you go to our primary school, UPE, it has been abandoned. Floods, no zinc on the roof. Students are learning under the rain,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has suspended other legislative activities to address the worsening flooding situation across the state.

The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Somiari-Stewart, at the 55th Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session.

Raising the matter under Order 26 of the Standing Orders, Stewart called for urgent measures to address the impact of the floods, which she said had destroyed homes and means of livelihood, with residents in some affected communities reportedly displaced.

The Speaker, Martin Chike Amaewhule, expressed sympathy with affected residents and directed lawmakers to assess the situation in their respective constituencies and provide assistance where possible.

Following the resolution, lawmakers inspected several flood-affected areas in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, where they assessed the extent of damage and heard complaints from residents.

Speaking after the inspection, Amaewhule said the visit was prompted by the motion and distress calls from constituents across the state.

He said the Assembly observed that some areas were affected by blocked canals and neglected drainage channels, while others resulted from natural water flow.

Amaewhule called on relevant government agencies responsible for drainage maintenance and desilting to intensify their efforts, while expressing optimism that the Rivers State Government would take urgent steps to protect lives and property.

The clearing of a blocked canal has brought relief to residents of Ogboru Street, off Upper Erejuwa road in Warri, Delta State.

The intervention was carried out by the Warri South Local Government Area as part of efforts to address drainage and flooding challenges in the area.

Speaking during the exercise, Supervisor for Environment and Works, Honourable Femi Okorodiden, said the intervention was aimed at tackling flooding and ensuring that water could flow freely through the drainage channel.

Residents of the area described the situation before the intervention as worrisome, as accumulated refuse and the blockage of the canal had caused water to overflow into nearby compounds during rains.

A resident, Mrs. Fatima Kadiri, said the clearing has brought noticeable relief, noting that water was no longer entering residents’ compounds.

She expressed satisfaction with the development and prayed that similar interventions would continue in other parts of the city.

Another community member, Pius Asumako, who commended the local government for responding promptly to the situation, said the intervention demonstrated a practical action to address the concerns of residents.

He urged the authorities to ensure that the refuse was properly disposed of and to penalise those who dump refuse beside the canal.

, noting that the waste could find its way back into the drainage channel.

Meanwhile, Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Ejiro Terry Etacherure, has visited Umukwata in Ukwani Local Government Area of the state to assess the extent of damage caused by flash floods following recent torrential rainfall in the state.

During the inspection, the commissioner interacted with residents to better understand the challenges they were facing as a result of the incident.

Students from tertiary institutions across Kogi State have declared their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The students, under the aegis of Jagaban/Ododo Students Mandate 2027, also inaugurated Campus Ambassadors across tertiary institutions in the state as part of efforts to promote civic engagement and student participation in governance.

The initiative is expected to establish a student network across 12 tertiary institutions in Kogi State.

Speaking at the launch, the Coordinator of the Jagaban/Ododo Students Mandate 2027, Kogi State chapter, Usman Ibrahimnyass Dende, said the Campus Ambassadors would engage students on issues including education, youth development, infrastructure, economic policies and other matters affecting young Nigerians.

Dende said the ambassadors would organise intellectual discussions, civic engagement programmes and information-sharing activities to improve students’ understanding of government policies and programmes at the federal and state levels.

He said the initiative would provide students with a platform to understand government programmes, assess their impact, communicate concerns affecting the student community and participate in the democratic process.

Highlighting federal government interventions, Dende cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying more than 1.5 million students had benefited from over N282 billion disbursed under the scheme. NELFUND reported that 1,586,921 students had benefited from N282.2 billion as of May 28, 2026.

He also mentioned investments through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme, road and rail projects, healthcare interventions, agricultural initiatives and ongoing economic reforms.

Dende also cited Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product growth of 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026. The figure was reported by the National Bureau of Statistics and represented an increase from 3.89 per cent recorded in the first quarter.

On developments in Kogi State, Dende commended the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for what he described as continuity and consolidation of development programmes.

He said the state government had maintained about 30 per cent budgetary allocation to education while sustaining free education in public primary and secondary schools, payment of examination fees and scholarship support. The Kogi State Government has previously reported a 30 per cent education allocation and free education and examination-fee policies.

He also highlighted infrastructure development at the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, and Kogi State University, Kabba, including medical and engineering faculties, hostels, and other facilities.

Dende further said more than 80 primary healthcare centres had been revitalized with equipment, water, and solar power, while the 2026 state budget provides for the renovation of 111 additional PHCs across the three senatorial districts.

On infrastructure, he cited road projects across Kogi East, Kogi West, and Kogi Central, as well as plans for the construction of the Kogi Cargo Airport at Kabba Junction, Lokoja. The state government included an international cargo airport among its major infrastructure plans for 2026.

He said the airport, when completed, would expand opportunities for investment, create jobs, and boost commerce in the state.

The coordinator also cited the ongoing Lokoja International Market project, describing it as a major commercial development capable of strengthening trade and creating opportunities for traders, artisans, and young entrepreneurs.

He added that farmers had benefited from programs such as ACReSAL, while security interventions had also been strengthened, including the commissioning of the Violent Crime Response Unit in Lokoja in June 2026.

Dende acknowledged the contributions of former Governor Yahaya Bello to the development of the state, particularly in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and youth and women empowerment, saying the current administration was building on the foundations already laid.

Addressing the newly inaugurated Campus Ambassadors, he urged them to be responsible representatives and engage positively with students on their respective campuses.

He charged them to facilitate constructive discussions, communicate government programs objectively, and ensure that students’ concerns were brought to the attention of relevant authorities.

‘As we move towards the 2027 general elections, this network will continue its activities across all tertiary institutions in Kogi State,’ he said.

The event was attended by the Kogi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe; Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Students Matters, Hon. Oladele John Nihi; and Senior Special Assistants to the Governor on Students Affairs led by Hon. Emmanuel Ojodunwene Mario, student leaders and members of the press.

A coalition of civil society organisations has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate alleged 2026 budget flaws by federal government and the execution of projects contained in the Appropriation Act.

The petition, signed by the Convener, Buna Olaitan, and General Secretary, Wyseman Ajayi, was presented to journalists at a news conference in Lagos on Tuesday.

Operating under the umbrella of the Coalition of Civil Society in Nigeria, the group raised serious concerns over the inclusion of ‘questionable agencies’ in the budget.

It also flagged allocations to projects that fall outside the statutory mandates of the beneficiary government agencies, alongside the alleged unauthorized relocation or substitution of federal projects.

To address these discrepancies, the coalition called for a comprehensive and independent forensic investigation.

This process, they argued, must involve a thorough review of original appropriation documents, legislative committee records, project codes, procurement files, payment tracks, and physical project locations.

A major highlight of the petition is a reported N1.3 billion allocation to the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC). According to the coalition, the legal status of the council has already been the subject of a prior ICPC investigation.

The group urged the anti-graft commission to establish how this specific provision slipped into the 2026 Appropriation Act, demanding accountability from the officials involved in proposing, reviewing, and approving the allocation.

Reflecting on the previous ICPC probe into the PFIPC, the coalition noted that investigators had identified severe weaknesses in federal verification and oversight mechanisms.

That earlier inquiry recommended the prosecution of the alleged operator of the purported agency, alongside administrative sanctions for public officers whose actions or negligence facilitated its operations.

The coalition specifically requested the ICPC to invite the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations,

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District, for questioning.

The group argued that as the chairman of the budget appropriation committee, Senator Adeola’s role is critical in the budgetary process.

The group stated that he should therefore be required to provide all relevant documents connected to the disputed appropriations and project locations.

However, the civil society group emphasised that the probe should not be restricted to the lawmaker.

They insisted on a sweeping investigation encompassing all public officers, legislative officials, contractors, consultants, and intermediaries connected to the questionable allocations.

The coalition maintained that its petition is aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s federal budgetary framework, urging the ICPC to rely heavily on documentary, administrative, and financial evidence to determine criminal culpability.

Reacting previously to similar petitions concerning budget processes under his watch as the Chairman of the Budget Appropriation Committee, Senator Adeola (popularly known as Yayi) has strongly defended his integrity, challenging the ICPC to investigate and prosecute him if any wrongdoing or fraudulent practice is discovered.

The lawmaker has dismissed the wave of petitions as politically motivated maneuvers ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

Adeola is the Ogun State gubernatorial candidate for the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections,

Furthermore, legislative reviews backed by the Senate Press Corps have also vindicated the Appropriations Committee on the PFIPC issue, establishing that the controversial N1.3 billion allocation was entirely external to the budgetary additions introduced by the National Assembly.

According to committee findings, the provision was part of the original framework submitted by the Executive arm, which is currently being contested in court.

The Federal Government has set a new agenda for the Ministry of Youth Development, directing its management and staff to move beyond organising programmes to delivering measurable results that improve the lives of Nigerian youths.

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, gave the charge on Wednesday in Abuja while declaring open the Ministry’s Management Retreat, with the theme, ‘Consolidating Youth Development Priorities: Delivering Results, Strengthening Partnerships, and Expanding Impact.’

Olawande said the theme reflected the Ministry’s commitment to sharpening its priorities, strengthening strategic partnerships and expanding the impact of its interventions across the country.

He said every policy, programme, expenditure and partnership of the Ministry must ultimately answer the question: ‘What difference are we making in the lives of Nigerian youth?’

According to him, the Ministry’s performance should be measured by tangible outcomes such as jobs created, businesses established, skills acquired and improved access to funding and markets.

The minister also identified the recently launched National Youth Data Bank as a critical tool for strengthening evidence-based decision-making, policy formulation, and the design and implementation of youth development programmes.

He called for stronger and more result-oriented partnerships, urging the Ministry to assess collaborations based on their contribution to job creation, skills development, entrepreneurship and other opportunities for young people.

Olawande further tasked the Ministry’s departments and agencies with improving coordination, stressing that ‘planning must connect with budgeting, budgeting with action, and action must produce measurable results.’

He said the retreat should produce clear decisions on priorities, responsibilities, timelines, partnerships and measurable indicators of success.

The minister urged participants to openly identify existing gaps and agree on practical solutions, stressing that the Ministry must build an institution that listens, responds, works collaboratively and takes responsibility for its results.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Maryam Keshinro, represented by the Director of Human Resources, Olaniepekun Adebayo, said the retreat provided an opportunity for the Ministry to review its performance, identify gaps and develop practical measures for delivering better results for Nigerian youths.

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to collaborating with the Ministry, particularly in the areas of skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and the productive engagement of Nigerian youths.

Representing the Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), Ms Rinsola Abiola, Marshal Adiole stressed the importance of strategic planning, effective monitoring and evidence-based decision-making in advancing youth development initiatives.

Similarly, the representative of the Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Ms Sharon Dimanche, A’isha Dahiru, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the Ministry in promoting opportunities, inclusion and sustainable development for young people.

Also speaking, Ogo Ifeoma Akabogu, who represented the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr Olasupo Olusi, said the bank remained committed to supporting youth entrepreneurship, improving access to finance and promoting the growth of youth-led businesses.

The Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Hon Aliyu Idris Zakari, stressed the need for meaningful youth participation in governance and decision-making, while commending the Ministry’s efforts to advance youth development.

The annual retreat was attended by directors, heads of units and other management staff of the Ministry.

Two Nigerians resident in the United States, Chijioke Timothy Odimegwu and Harafat Mogaji, have been sentenced to a combined 189 months in federal prison for their roles in an international cyber-intrusion scheme that defrauded businesses of more than $2.4 million.

The US Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, David Waterman, announced the sentences, according to a statement issued by the district’s Public Information Officer, MacKenzie Tubbs, on Tuesday.

Tubbs said the two defendants, who were residents of Delaware, were sentenced on September 25, 2026, after being convicted for their roles in the scheme.

According to the statement, Odimegwu and Mogaji were serving in the US Air Force when they and their co-conspirators targeted businesses across the country for nearly two years through email-spamming and phishing campaigns.

The conspirators allegedly used the campaigns to steal usernames and passwords from employees’ email accounts and subsequently used the stolen credentials to facilitate fraudulent transactions.

They also allegedly used spoofed email addresses designed to mimic those of victims or their business partners to communicate with businesses and redirect payments to bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy.

Tubbs said Odimegwu and Mogaji, working with co-conspirators in the US and abroad, fraudulently diverted more than $1.68 million in a wire transfer from a victim in Iowa City, Iowa, to a bank account in Chicago controlled by the conspiracy.

They also diverted more than $720,000 sent by a victim in Ohio to an account controlled by the conspiracy, she said.

‘These are in addition to many other attempts Odimegwu and Mogaji made to divert wire transfers made by businesses in Iowa and across the country,’ Tubbs said.

The defendants were also accused of harvesting financial information from victims during their spamming and phishing campaigns.

The stolen information allegedly included financial account numbers, personal identification numbers, credit and debit card numbers and other financial details.

Tubbs said the stolen information included credit card details belonging to a non-profit organisation in Pella, Iowa.

According to her, the defendants also purchased stolen financial information from their co-conspirators and exchanged the information among themselves.

‘They would then use the stolen information to make and attempt financial transactions without their victims’ knowledge or authorisation,’ she said.

Tubbs added that the defendants attempted to use the stolen information to make purchases involving victims across the country.

Odimegwu was sentenced to 111 months in prison and ordered to pay $366,617.59 in restitution.

Mogaji received a 78-month prison sentence and was ordered to pay $995,680.45 in restitution.

Both defendants were taken into custody following sentencing.

After serving their prison terms, Odimegwu and Mogaji will each be placed on three years of supervised release.

A legal practitioner, Matthew Onoja, has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, to intervene in the alleged takeover of a disputed green area in Kado Estate, Abuja.

This is as a Civil Society Organisation, Grassroots Centre for Rights and Civic Orientation, warned against the alleged conversion of Abuja’s designated green areas for development, saying such activities could undermine the city’s environmental planning.

Onoja, who represents Hongye International Nigeria Limited, a lessee of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), said his client was facing an attempt to take possession of the property despite a pending court case over the land.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the lawyer said the dispute followed the purported allocation of the same property to another party, describing the circumstances surrounding the allocation as unusual.

He said his client had petitioned the IGP, seeking an investigation into how the property could have been allocated to another party while Hongye remained in possession.

According to him, the company was invited by the police, where it adopted its petition and submitted relevant documents, while the police indicated that the other party would also be invited to present its documents.

Onoja, however, said that while the police investigation was ongoing, an attempt was made to take possession of the property.

He said his legal team informed the police and also wrote to the Development Control Unit of the FCTA, notifying the authority that there was a dispute over the land and that the matter was already before the court.

He said relevant parties had been joined in the suit, adding that the sole director and shareholder of the other company involved in the dispute had also been joined and served with hearing notices.

Onoja noted that despite the pending case and notifications to the relevant authorities, men arrived at the property with equipment and bulldozers and began removing structures and installations.

He said the perimeter fence was destroyed, trees were felled, and installations belonging to his client were pulled down.

According to him, he later went to the property after being informed that work had resumed and met the same people returning to continue the operation.

Onoja alleged that the men arrived in marked pickup trucks and that some of them were armed.

He said he asked whether they were aware of the dispute and pending court case and demanded to see the authority under which they were taking possession of the property.

According to him, no document authorising the action was shown to him, while the men allegedly told him he had no right to question them and directed him to go to court.

The lawyer said his client was being disadvantaged in the dispute, alleging that other interests involved had greater resources or influence.

He argued that even where ownership or occupation of land is disputed, the affected party should not be dispossessed without due process, stressing that his client was a lawful occupant.

‘We cannot be in court and then have any authority or individual who is already joined in the suit go behind the court to encroach upon or prejudice the interests of another party in the same matter that is pending before the court. It means there is no regard for the rule of law and shows contempt for the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court,’ he said.

‘My demand is not merely a personal demand. It is the demand of every right-thinking Nigerian that due process be followed. Let the parties maintain the status quo, with my client remaining in possession, until the rights of the parties in court, which have already been submitted for determination, are decided one way or the other,’ Onoja said.

He disclosed that the case is scheduled for hearing in October 2026 and urged the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the IGP to intervene and ensure that the parties maintain the status quo pending the determination of the dispute.

Speaking, Executive Director of Grassroots Centre for Rights and Civic Orientation, Armsfree Ajanaku, said the organisation’s interest in the matter extended beyond the private land dispute to concerns over the protection of Abuja’s green spaces.

Ajanaku said the organisation understood the location to be a green area under Abuja’s master plan, warning that the conversion of such spaces for development could undermine the city’s environmental planning.

‘For us, this is not just about private interest; it is also about public interest. We cannot fold our arms and watch what is supposed to be the only city in Nigeria where we say we should not have a concrete jungle lose all its green spaces to development,’ he said.

He said Abuja should avoid uncontrolled development, noting that green spaces contribute to environmental quality, health and the wellbeing of residents.

‘We cannot watch the environment, which is a collective heritage, being destroyed. It is not anybody’s personal estate. The environment belongs to all of us collectively as citizens,’ Ajanaku said.

Ajanaku also linked his concerns to recent flooding in the FCT, saying he had lived in Abuja since 2012 and had not witnessed flooding at the level experienced this year.

He called for any development allegedly encroaching on designated green areas to be halted and for such spaces to be preserved for their intended purposes.

He raised concerns about the presence of several people at the property during the operation, alleging that some appeared to be armed, while uniformed police officers were also present.

Ajanaku said that streetlights outside the property, which he said were provided with public funds, were among the infrastructure affected during the operation.

He urged the authorities to uphold due process in resolving the dispute and protect Abuja’s designated green areas from unauthorised development.

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, October 1, 2026, a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.

Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holiday on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani.

Tunji-Ojo congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad on the occasion, while urging citizens to uphold unity, patriotism, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.

The minister said Nigeria’s diversity, human resources and natural wealth remained important strengths of the country, describing it as ‘unarguably the most prosperous black nation in the world.’

He also described Nigeria as the beacon of hope for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while stressing the importance of peace and stability to national development.

According to him, Nigerians should draw inspiration from the country’s founding fathers by demonstrating commitment to the nation and working towards building a country future generations can be proud of.

‘As we celebrate 66th years of our independence, we should always remember that there is hope for our country and our diversity is our strength, and our collective determination remains the foundation upon which a stronger and more prosperous nation will be built,’ he added.

Tunji-Ojo further assured citizens that the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda would continue to pursue measures aimed at improving the country.

He said the government ‘will ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, as a befitting tribute to our heroes past.’

The minister also called on Nigerians to use the Independence anniversary to reflect the values of ‘unity, patriotism, peaceful co-existence and mutual respect.’

He added that ‘a new Nigeria is achievable.’ According to him, the Federal Government ‘remains committed to strengthening national security, improving public safety and creating an environment where citizens can live, work and pursue their legitimate aspirations with confidence.’

Nigerians have taken to social media to express their disappointment after the Super Eagles suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying clash on Tuesday.

The result left many fans questioning the performance of the players and the tactics of coach Eric Chelle, with some also criticising the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the playing surface in Bissau.

Guinea-Bissau took control of the Group L encounter after Franculino Dju opened the scoring before Mama Baldé doubled the hosts’ advantage.

Álvaro Djaló added a third goal in stoppage time to complete the victory.

The reactions came after Nigeria suffered their first defeat of the Group L campaign, having opened the qualifiers with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo.

Guinea-Bissau had also won their opening match, beating co-hosts Tanzania 2-0.

With Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the tournament’s co-hosts, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar are competing for the remaining qualifying place from Group L.

Reacting on X, many fans gave their ratings of the Super Eagles’ performance.

Adika @Adikastakes

This is one of the most disgraceful Super Eagles performances I’ve had the displeasure of watching. This is the height of Embarrassment, losing 3-0 to Guinea Bissau should not even be a possibility. I’m ashamed!

Some members of the Congress of Jigawa Academics (COJA), popularly known as the Jigawa intellectual group, have dissociated themselves from the purported endorsement of President Bola Ah med Tinubu and Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, for second terms.

The academics, under the Concerned Members of the Jigawa Academic Forum (JAF), said the endorsement reportedly announced after their recent engagement with the state government did not represent their views or collective position.

They alleged that they were invited to the meeting under the impression that it would provide an opportunity for academics to discuss education and development in Jigawa State.

The position was contained in a statement signed by Professor Muhammad Ibrahim Magu and made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Dutse, titled: ‘How Jigawa Government Turned an Intellectual Forum Into a Political Circus.’

Magu alleged that members attended the meeting in good faith and out of respect for the office of the governor, with some coming with papers, data and proposals on how to address the state’s educational challenges.

According to him, the meeting was, however, allegedly turned into a political gathering.

‘The purported endorsement being circulated in the media does not represent us, our views, or our collective will. We were deceived and lured under false pretence,’ he said.

He added that the original agenda centred on education but was allegedly abandoned during the meeting.

‘The education discussion was discarded. The governor only read out educational expenditure and apparently failed to show any tangible achievements.

‘The meeting was converted into a political campaign, and regrettably, a vote of confidence and endorsement was staged for the sitting Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Umar Namadi Danmodi, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,’ Magu alleged.

The concerned academics further alleged that cameras were brought into the venue and prepared statements were read, claiming that their attendance was subsequently used to create the impression that they supported the two politicians.

Magu said endorsement was neither contained in the invitation nor part of the agreed programme of the meeting.

He also questioned the presence of Ibrahim Masari, Special Assistant on Political Matters to President Tinubu, at the gathering, asking whether his participation was connected to educational development or political mobilisation.

The statement recalled the historical educational challenges facing Jigawa State, including out-of-school children, low girl-child enrolment, poor learning outcomes and weak transition rates.

Magu said COJA was established during the administration of former Governor Sule Lamido to provide an independent platform through which academics of Jigawa origin could contribute research, ideas and expert advice to the government on education and development.

‘COJA was never a political party, nor was it conceived as a tool for political campaigns. It was established as an independent, non-partisan intellectual think-tank, the conscience of the state,’ he said.

The academics alleged that the recent development represented an attempt to politicise the forum and undermine its independence.

They therefore disowned the purported endorsement of Tinubu and Namadi, insisting that political support was not part of their mandate.

‘As concerned academics, we disown the endorsement of Governor Danmodi and President Tinubu. Let their performances speak, not political deceit,’ the statement said.

The group reaffirmed that JAF remained non-partisan and would focus on policies, ideas and educational development rather than endorsing individual politicians.

‘JAF remains non-partisan. We will never endorse any politician. As academics, we will only endorse ideas. There shall be no political endorsement. Our credibility is our only capital,’ the statement added.