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Student unions in Gombe State have pledged that they would vote massively for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in recognition of his contribution to education development, including the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Mr Abubakar Mohammed, President, Students Representative Council, Gombe State University (GSU), stated this at a news conference in Gombe on Thursday.

Mohammed, who is also the Gombe State Coordinator of the Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), described the NELFUND scheme as the most impressive and impactful education intervention of any administration in recent times.

He said that the initiative has tackled one of the major challenges preventing and denying indigent students access to higher quality education.

Mohammed said that over 11,000 students of the GSU benefited from the scheme since inception.

‘This is timely considering the number of students who dropped out of school, but they are now back and studying without any fear of financing or funding.

‘This means a lot to students here, and we are ready to re-elect the president as our own way of saying thank you.

‘Voting Tinubu means more access to education and from all indications, Tinubu’s administration has prioritised education and students’ welfare.

‘For this, we will re-elect him, including our parents because the burden of paying school fees has been taken off their shoulders. So, they have a duty to vote for Tinubu too,’ he said.

Mohammed said that massive mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election was ongoing in the North-East region.

‘Anyone thinking of scrapping NELFUND does not care about students.

‘So, the opposition have already shown us that they do not care about us, they do not care about the youths, and they do not care about the education of Nigerian students.

‘So, we are saying Tinubu’s re-election is our task and duty.

‘We will support those who support us, and we will appreciate those who appreciate us.

‘We will vote for President Tinubu because we want NELFUND sustained to keep many students in school else the drop out may continue which will not help us in the north,’ he said.

Mohammed urged the government at all levels to sustain investments in education, skills development, and the youth, stressing that the strength of Nigeria’s next generation would determine the strength of the nation.

The Ukomu Igala Organisation (UIO) Worldwide has commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for pursuing economic reforms, even as it called on the Federal Government to do more to tackle poverty, insecurity, and the decline of social amenities across the country.

In a statement issued to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, the UIO President, Major General James Ataguba (Rtd), said the organisation, which represents the Igala people of Kogi State, joined other Nigerians at home and in the diaspora in celebrating the milestone.

Ataguba described Nigeria as ‘a symbol of resilience, strength, unity in diversity, and boundless opportunities’ despite decades of challenges, and said the Igala people had remained committed stakeholders in the Nigerian project through their contributions to security, public service, commerce, education, and culture.

He acknowledged what he called the ‘determination and courage’ of the Tinubu administration in steering the country through economic and structural reforms, noting that such reforms, though necessary for a stronger economy and sustainable development, could be painful in the short term.

However, the retired military general said the UIO was concerned that multidimensional poverty, insecurity, and deteriorating social infrastructure – particularly at the grassroots – remained pressing issues that could undermine the gains of government reforms if not urgently addressed.

‘Unless addressed urgently, these issues will ultimately diminish the current efforts of the Federal Government,’ Ataguba said, calling for ‘more practical and productive steps’ to improve the welfare of Nigerians.

He urged Nigerians to remain united and committed to nation-building, stressing that the future of the country could not be achieved by government alone but would require the ‘shared commitment and sacrifices, hard work, and patriotism of all citizens.’

Describing Nigeria as ‘a beacon of hope for Africa and the Black race,’ Ataguba said the country’s diversity remained its strength and its unity its shield, expressing optimism that Nigeria would eventually become ‘the envy and desire of all nations.’

The UIO president congratulated the government and people of Nigeria on the anniversary and prayed for continued peace, stability, and progress for both Kogi State and the country at large.

The statement was signed by Major General James Ataguba (Rtd), President of the Ukomu Igala Organisation Worldwide.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has reiterated the need for accountable conduct and zero tolerance of corruption by every Nigerian in order to give values to the ongoing reforms of the government.

Olukoyede said this in Abuja on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in his Independence Anniversary message to Nigerians.

Olukoyede applauded efforts being made to grow the commanding heights of the polity and described them as ‘building blocks of the greater nation we desire.’

He called on Nigerians to couple all the reform-focused efforts with zero tolerance for corruption.

‘At 66, Nigeria has come a long way. Independence has offered us liberty and self- determination. We are also making considerable progress in nation building. All these efforts are significant. They are the building blocks of the greater nation we desire. Let’s therefore couple all our reform- focused initiatives with zero tolerance for corruption’, he said.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria would fare better and emphasized greater need for rejection of corrupt practices in all its forms.

‘We cannot be building and allow corrupt practices to vitiate our efforts. Progress only comes with purposeful rejection of compromises. Nigeria will surely get better!’, he said.

Nigerian military has listed killing of 16 terrorists, recovery of weapons among the achievements of its troops in recent separate operations in Adamawa State.

The operations, by troops of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) also resulted in destruction of a terrorist gathering and repel of coordinated attacks on troops’ formations.

However, three soldiers were also killed in the operation.

OPHK, revealed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters JTF North East, Capt. Mohammed Goni.

He said the operations were conducted between September 30 and October 1, 2026 with the first major encounter in the Boima general area of Gombi Local Government Area.

Goni said troops conducted a coordinated ambush against a terrorist enclave in the area, resulting in the neutralisation of 16 terrorists.

Subsequent exploitation of the engagement site led to recovery of three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action rifles, one Dane gun, six AK-47 magazines and a belt of pump-action cartridges.

The OPHK spokesperson further revealed that the Air Component of OPHK also carried out a precision air strike after an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform detected about 16 terrorists gathered alongside 15 motorcycles beneath a tree canopy in Sector 4.

According to the statement, the target was identified and acquired before the air interdiction was conducted at about 5:30am on October 1.

‘Subsequent Battle Damage Assessment confirmed the successful destruction of the target, while few surviving elements scattered in disarray,’ the statement said.

Goni added that troops deployed to 226 Battalion in Garkida and 232 Battalion in Garaha repelled coordinated attacks launched by insurgents against their positions.

However, the troops responded with overwhelming firepower, forcing the attackers to abort their mission and withdraw.

Goni confirmed that three soldiers were killed during the fierce engagements, while wounded personnel were evacuated and are receiving medical treatment in stable condition.

The Theatre Command said follow-up exploitation and mop-up operations were ongoing across the affected areas.

The spokesperson said the operational successes were partly due to the ongoing restructuring of Headquarters Theatre Command strengthen joint integration, improving operational synergy and ensuring greater inclusiveness of relevant stakeholders in the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency campaign.

According to the statement, the renewed approach was already producing operational gains through improved coordination among land, air and other supporting components.

The Theatre Command also reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorists and leveraging intelligence, technology and joint capabilities to deny hostile groups freedom of action across the North-East.

It also called on members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies as military operations continue across the region.

Nigerian Army have listed rescue of 10 corps members, killing of 16 terrorists and recovery of weapons after repel of simultaneous attacks among the recent achievements of its troops in operations across the country..

This was revealed in an operational report made available on Thursday evening.

The report indicated that troops of Operation UDO KA rescued the 10 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted in Imo.

According to the report, troops of 34 Artillery Brigade responded to a kidnap incident at Umonuwa village along the Onitsha-Owerri Road in Mbaise Local Government Area at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday.

The report said the victims were abducted from two commercial buses by suspected kidnappers.

It said troops, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services, were trailing the criminals to rescue the remaining victims.

The report also indicated that terrorists attacked troops of 226 Battalion (Motorised) at Garkida, Gombi Local Government Area, and 232 Battalion at Garaha, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The report said the attacks occurred at about 1 a.m. on Thursday.

The report said the troops repelled the attacks, forcing the terrorists to flee towards Garkida on motorcycles.

According to the report, the Nigerian Army’s Spartan element subsequently trailed and conducted strikes on the fleeing terrorists, neutralising 16 of them.

‘Troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one Dane gun and six AK-47 magazines, alongside some cartridges.

‘Troops are currently conducting follow-up operations and reorganising their defensive locations,’ the report said.

‘Meanwhile, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE responded to a suspected terrorist attack on Gwamagira settlement in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba.

‘The attackers, operating on motorcycles, were engaged by troops and forced to retreat, abandoning rustled cattle.

‘The troops recovered the cattle and returned them to their owners, but the attackers had killed one civilian and abducted three others.

‘Efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the perpetrators,’ it added.

In the North-East, the report said the troops of Sector 3, Operation HADIN KAI, arrested a suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist at Babbangida, Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe.

It added that the suspect, arrested at about 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 29, claimed to be an Islamic cleric operating in the Sahara area of the Niger Republic.

According to the report, preliminary investigation indicated that he travelled by truck from the Zarmadu-Sahara general area of Niger Republic into Nigeria before proceeding to Borno.

It said the troops recovered a mobile phone, prayer mat, blanket, jacket, slate, detergent and N396,200 from him.

‘Also, troops of Sector 4, in conjunction with Rangers and Hybrid Forces, arrested four suspected terrorists during a fighting patrol in parts of Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa,’ it added.

The report further revealed that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged terrorists along the Kwanar Isa-Shinkafi Road in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto.

It said the troops forced the terrorists to withdraw and subsequently dominated the area through patrols.

Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has charged political parties and their candidates to conduct their campaigns in an orderly and peaceful manner, in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

Bamidele, also the Chairman of the South-West Caucus in the National Assembly, said the peaceful and orderly conduct of political campaigns aligns with the shared vision of Nigeria’s founding fathers to build a united, democratic and prosperous federation that serves as a leading voice for Black people.

He stated this in a statement by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs on Thursday to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, urging all political actors to shun incendiary comments and hate speech capable of undermining the seamless conduct of the 2027 general elections.

In his Independence message, Bamidele acknowledged the right of every political actor to exercise their political rights, but stressed that such rights must be exercised within the confines of extant laws.

He noted that the exercise of such rights does not extend to hate speech or inflammatory statements capable of triggering political unrest and ethno-religious violence before, during and after the electoral process.

He further noted that the exercise of political rights ‘at this defining moment should be guided by the rules of the electoral contest and not by the rules of the jungle. While every aspiration is legitimate in a democracy, it should be pursued with decorum, patriotism and utmost restraint.’

He added: ‘No ambition is worth setting the nation ablaze. As we mark our 66th anniversary of political freedom and prepare for the 2027 elections, political parties and their candidates must conduct their activities within the ambit of the law.

‘This is consistent with the vision of our founding fathers to build a united, democratic and prosperous federation that would serve as a leading voice for Black people and the African continent globally. This vision must not be sacrificed on the altar of pedestrian politics.

‘Nigeria is our collective heritage. She is greater than the political ambition of any party or candidate. Our activities must be conducted to preserve our collective heritage and not destroy what we have sustainably built.

‘As political parties and their candidates campaign across the states of the federation and unveil their agenda for the future of our fatherland, such agenda must align with the wishes and aspirations of our founding fathers.’

Mr Akin Osuntokun, a former Presidential spokesman has described former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar’s repeated reference to President Bola Tinubu as ‘Bola’ in his Oct. 1 Independence Day address as disrespectful and an affront to the office of the President.

Osuntokun who was also the Director-General of Peter Obi’s presidential campaign in the 2023 election said this in a statement on Thursday.

He, however ,said Atiku was entitled to criticise Tinubu and his administration as he did during the Oct. 1 address.

He said his long-standing cordial relationship with Abubakar had made him reluctant to criticise him harshly since the end of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 2007.

‘Abubakar is entitled to criticise the President, however sharply. What I found objectionable was his repeated decision to call him ‘Bola’.

‘That was not a more forceful argument; it was a needless display of disrespect.

‘This is not acceptable. It is primarily an insult to Nigeria on whose account he occupies that office,’ Osuntokun said.

He noted that Tinubu was the elected President of Nigeria and occupied the same office Atiku Abubakar sought to attain, adding that those opposed to the President had legitimate constitutional and democratic means of seeking his removal.

‘Those who believe he is unfit for it have legitimate ways to pursue his removal: impeachment or defeat at the ballot box. Until then, Tinubu is entitled to the privileges of his office,’ he said.

Osuntokun stressed that his position was not a call for deference to Tinubu’s policies or personality, but for decorum in public discourse and respect for the institution of the presidency.

He said anyone seeking Nigerians’ mandate to occupy the presidency should demonstrate respect for the office, including when an opponent occupies it.

‘Imagine a former Vice President referring throughout a national address to a sitting President as ‘Segun’ or ‘Mohammadu’. The rudeness would be unmistakable,’ he said.

Osuntokun said Abubakar’s choice of words raised questions about the judgment and temperament he would bring to the presidency if elected.

Abubakar, who was Vice President from 1999 to 2007, is among prominent opposition figures seeking to challenge the ruling establishment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country but use prayer and responsible citizenship to build a better nation.

Pastor Olusoji Adewumi in Charge of RCCG Church of Nazarene, Zone 5, Lagos Province 15, gave the charge at a six-hour Feast of Worship he convened to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The event took place on Thursday in Lagos.

Adewumi said the church chose Oct. 1 for the worship to celebrate God’s faithfulness on Nigeria with songs.

The pastor said that the occasion was also planned to be used to pray for peace and security, good governance in Nigeria.

He said that the church also planned to pray for economic opportunities, families, young people, businesses and vulnerable Nigerians.

Adewumi said the programme was designed to take participants beyond routine church services and provide an extended period for worship, prayer, Scripture reading, thanksgiving, reflection and spiritual renewal.

According to him, worship is more than singing, as it is an expression of love, gratitude, surrender and dependence on God.

‘Prayer does not remove our responsibility to act, but it reminds us that there are dimensions of life that require God’s intervention and wisdom.

‘When we pray for peace, we must also become people who promote peace.

‘When we pray for integrity in leadership, we must also model integrity in our own spheres of influence,’ he said.

Adewumi said the programme, the maiden edition, was inspired by the church’s desire to establish a deeper culture of worship and dependence on God amid economic challenges, insecurity and other difficulties.

He said the six-hour duration was intended to give participants enough time to move beyond regular worship services and immerse themselves in God’s presence.

The convener said the programme also aimed to encourage participants to develop a lifestyle of worship.

He said the church’s message to Nigerians was that there was still hope for the country, adding that citizens had a role to play in building the Nigeria they desired.

‘Let us choose peace over violence, integrity over corruption, service over selfishness and unity over division.

‘Above all, let us continue to pray for Nigeria and believe that a better future is possible,’ Adewumi said.

He added that the future of Nigeria was not only in the hands of government but also in the hands of citizens.

The guest minister, Pastor Oluwatosin Affinnih of RCCG First Born Assembly, spoke on the theme, ‘Atmosphere of Worship: Climate of Conception’, citing Luke 1:31-35.

According to Affinnih, the Holy Spirit is sufficient for believers in Jesus Christ.

He urged Christians to develop deeper intimacy with God through worship and prayer.

He said, ‘When the Holy Spirit becomes your deepest hunger, His presence becomes your greatest sufficiency, and when He is enough, no impossibility can intimidate you.’

He urged Christians to cultivate discipline in prayer, saying that it would make the Holy Spirit to deposit values that would make them valuable in their various spheres of influence.

Affinnih said worship should not end with spiritual experiences but should produce responsible action in society.

‘When the Holy Spirit encounters a yielded heart, divine possibilities can become earthly realities,’ he said.

He encouraged participants to become ‘receptacles for whatever Heaven wants to conceive’ in them, stressing the need for Christians to hunger for deeper intimacy with God.

The programme featured praise and worship, prayers, Scripture reading, exhortations, thanksgiving and other spiritual ministrations.

Governor Abba Yusuf said more than 380 suspects have been arrested and over 230 convicted in the first two months of ongoing crackdown by the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Yusuf disclosed this in his speech on Thursday in Kano, to mark the 66 Independence anniversary of Nigeria.

According to the governor, the arrests and convictions were recorded within the first two months of the state’s intensified campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

He said the state government established the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in July 2026.

The governor said the government also issued an Executive Order to strengthen the fight against illicit substances, thuggery and related criminal activities.

According to him, the task force has dismantled several drug joints and criminal hideouts across the state since its establishment.

Yusuf described the fight against drug abuse and criminality as a shared responsibility involving government, security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders, communities, parents and citizens.

He, therefore, urged youths to reject drug abuse, violence and criminality and embrace education, agriculture, technology, enterprise, vocational training and the creative industries.

The governor revealed that his administration would continue to support security agencies, strengthen community-based intelligence and address social challenges contributing to crime and insecurity.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a safer environment where young people could pursue lawful enterprises and contribute to Kano’s development.

President Bola Tinubu has placed job creation, enterprise and industrial growth at the centre of his administration’s next economic phase, saying Nigeria must turn its large youthful population into a productive force.

Tinubu spoke on Thursday in his Independence Day address to Nigerians, in which he announced a shift from economic reforms to what he described as an ‘age of prosperity.’

The President said prosperity could not be achieved merely through economic growth or improved statistics, stressing that Nigeria needed productive work and greater opportunities for its growing population.

‘But prosperity requires more than cheaper goods. It requires productive work,’ Tinubu said.

He noted that millions of young Nigerians enter adulthood every year with talent, energy and ambition, saying the government’s responsibility was to ensure that the country’s demographic strength became an engine of production rather than a source of despair.

‘We are therefore placing jobs, enterprise, and industrial growth at the heart of our government’s policies,’ he said.

Tinubu said the government would use Nigeria’s gas resources to power new industries and support businesses working to revive factories in the country’s major industrial centres.

He also announced plans to expand digital connectivity to communities that have been excluded from the modern economy.

According to him, the government will invest in the skills employers require while supporting Nigerian businesses with the infrastructure and financing needed to expand.

The President said his ambition was to see more Nigerians engaged in production, with domestic farms supplying cities and factories and Nigerian businesses exporting locally produced goods to international markets.

‘I want to see more Nigerians making things,’ Tinubu said.

‘I want to see more Nigerian farms feeding our cities and supplying our factories. I want to see Nigerian businesses selling Nigerian goods to the whole world.’

He also expressed particular interest in young Nigerians building businesses capable of creating employment and opportunities within the country.

‘I want young Nigerians building unicorns and creating opportunities for others here at home,’ he said.

Earlier in the address, the President said the country’s economic outlook had improved, citing growth of more than four per cent this year, lower inflation, rebuilt foreign reserves and a more stable foreign exchange market.

But he acknowledged that millions of Nigerians continue to struggle with basic needs and that economic recovery must eventually translate into greater opportunities for households.

He said the difficulties facing many Nigerians were the accumulated consequences of decades of low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient opportunities and institutional weaknesses.

‘We cannot erase in four years what accumulated over generations. But we can change its course,’ Tinubu said.

The President said the government’s objective was to build an economy that steadily lifts people out of poverty while ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians are not abandoned.

He also pointed to measures including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, consumer credit through CREDICORP and strengthened support for poorer households as part of the broader effort to expand economic opportunity.

However, he maintained that social programmes alone could not deliver lasting prosperity.

Tinubu said Nigeria would require sustained economic growth and the creation of millions of productive opportunities across the country.

‘The age of reform has done its work. Now begins the age of prosperity,’ he declared.