₦airaland Forum

The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Port Command generated a total revenue of two trillion, nine hundred and thirty billion, five hundred and eight million, eight hundred and twenty seven thousand, one hundred and ten naira and thirty two kobo (₦2,930,508,827,110.32) only in 2025, recording an impressive increase of ₦573,295,266,571.10 over the ₦2,357,213,560,539.22 collected in 2024, representing a 24.32 per cent growth.


A statement signed by the Chief Superintendent of Customs
Customs, Isah Sulaiman, Public Relations Officer Apapa Port Command, dated Tuesday January 7, said that the performance reinforces Apapa Command’s position as the nation’s leading revenue hub.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, attributed the achievement to effective leadership, disciplined manpower and the strategic deployment of technology under the guidance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, psc(+).

He also commended compliant stakeholders whose lawful trade practices contributed significantly to the revenue growth.

A major contributor to the success was the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu, which enhanced transparency, efficiency and accountability in cargo clearance processes.

Regular performance reviews and timely revenue recovery measures further strengthened collections.

In the area of trade facilitation, the Command intensified stakeholder sensitisation following the rollout of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme and expanded the One-Stop Shop (OSS) initiative to ensure faster processing and release of compliant cargoes.


Efforts are also at an advanced stage to deploy the FS6000 cargo scanning system, a non-intrusive technology capable of scanning up to 200 containers per hour.

The Command also recorded enforcement successes, intercepting 53 containers laden with illicit drugs and prohibited items, including cocaine, Canadian Loud, tramadol, and expired pharmaceuticals with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N12,632,239,303.00k.


Some of the interceptions in the year 2025 were handed over to relevant agencies such as NDLEA and NAFDAC for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Looking ahead, Comptroller Oshoba expressed optimism that the Command would achieve more greater revenue milestone in 2026, driven by deeper implementation of B’Odogwu, AEO, and OSS, stronger intelligence-led enforcement, and expanded collaboration with sister agencies.

Comptroller Oshoba further assured stakeholders of enhanced engagement with terminal operators, shipping companies, licensed customs agents, freight forwarders, haulage operators and the media to promote transparency, compliance and seamless trade at the nation’s busiest port.

The Coalition of Nigeria Civil Societies Against Terrorism on ongoing war in Nigeria has said the redeployment of Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Matawalle from the Ministry of Defense will strengthen public confidence.

The Coalition, which declared that it has nothing personal against the Minister of State for Defence, said his redeploying to another ministry will not amount to condemnation; rather, it will be a preventive, confidence-building decision that strengthens the war effort.

The Coalition was reacting to earlier recommendations contained in the Assessment Report on the Ongoing War Against Terrorism in Nigeria, recently presented by the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) in collaboration with the International Institute of Experts on Political Economy and Administration (IIEPEA).

Addressing a press conference Wednesday in Abuja, Convener of the Coalition, Marvin Ibem Esq, said
the continued stay of the Minister of State for Defence in the Defence Ministry has become a growing source of public anxiety for most Nigerians.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves the support of all well-meaning Nigerians in the area of security. Terrorism is not a partisan issue; it is a national threat.

He said: "Mr President, we respectfully call on you to: Act on the recommendation for redeployment in the overriding interest of national security;

"Insulate the Defence Ministry from all forms of suspicion, real or perceived;

"Entrust sensitive security responsibilities only to officials whose credibility is beyond question.

"Such a decision will reassure Nigerians, strengthen public confidence, and protect the gains already recorded in the war against terrorism.
Nigeria is on the right path. But this war cannot afford complacency, internal doubts, or divided trust.

"We reaffirm our full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his leadership in the fight against terrorism. With unity, clarity of purpose, and the right decisions at the right time, Nigeria will defeat terrorism."

Barrister Marvin Ibem noted that across the country, Nigerians continue to express fear, "not because they doubt the resolve of the Armed Forces, but because they are worried that internal weaknesses could compromise operational success.

"In counter-terrorism operations, confidence, secrecy, and absolute loyalty to strategy are non-negotiable. Where there is widespread suspicion—rightly or wrongly—there is fear that strategic plans may be exposed, deliberately or inadvertently, to hostile actors.

"Nigeria cannot afford a situation where operational details are perceived to be vulnerable to leaks, especially at a time when terrorists and bandits are being decisively pressured.

"We must emphasize this point: The Nigerian people are afraid, not of the military, but of what could go wrong if caution is ignored."

While commending President's approach to the war against terrorism, the Coalition said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated resolve, political courage, and seriousness in confronting terrorism and banditry, adding that the restructuring within the security sector, the strengthening of military leadership, and international cooperation efforts show that the President understands the gravity of this moment.

"We therefore state clearly that we have nothing personal against the Minister of State for Defence.

"We are not engaging in partisan politics. The security of Nigeria must never be sacrificed on the altar of political convenience."

*Says commission now political enforcer, not anti-graft agency



Political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Wednesday, launched a scathing attack on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the anti-graft agency of abandoning its constitutional mandate and operating as a political tool of the ruling party.

In a strongly worded statement, Frank called on the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, to resign in order to save the agency.

According to him, the EFCC, under the watch of Olukoyede, had “conducted itself in a manner inconsistent with the laws of the land,” adding that the Commission had brought “shame and disrepute” upon itself through what he described as selective prosecution and political bargaining.

“We have unfortunately reached a point in our country where it has become difficult to distinguish between a Commission statutorily saddled with the responsibility of fighting economic and financial crimes and one that appears to operate as an arm of the ruling party,” Frank said.

According to him, the EFCC has “recklessly abandoned its core mandate of combating corruption” and instead assumed “the role of negotiating the calculated movement of political actors from opposition parties to the ruling party.”

Frank cited several high-profile cases to support his claims, beginning with former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

“Senator Ifeanyi Okowa was vigorously pursued while he was in the opposition over allegations of massive corruption,” he said. “Shortly after meeting with the EFCC, he defected to the ruling APC. Since then, the matter appears to have gone silent. Today, he has even been rewarded with a ‘Renewed Hope Ambassador’ position.”

He also listed former governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), who he said were reportedly invited by the Commission.

“They had ‘discussions’,” Frank said. “Thereafter, none of these individuals appears to have returned to the Commission, and no meaningful updates have been provided to Nigerians.”

Frank described the handling of the case involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, as “particularly troubling.”

“The EFCC Chairman once publicly threatened to resign if he was not given a free hand to prosecute Yahaya Bello,” he recalled. “Yet, after a visit to the Commission and another round of ‘discussions,’ the case no longer enjoys the same urgency or prosecution vigour.”

He accused the Commission of acting as Bello’s defender, noting that the EFCC had publicly emphasised that the former governor was “innocent until proven guilty” and therefore eligible to contest elections.

“One must ask: was the Chairman of the EFCC unaware of this constitutional principle at the time he was publicly singing and dancing over the alleged crimes attributed to the same individual?” Frank queried.

He further challenged the Commission to extend the same public defence to other suspects.

“The Commission should also do well to act as the spokesperson for other suspects, such as former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, the Commissioner of Finance, Bauchi State, Yakubu Adamu, and a host of others,” he said.

Frank raised what he called “fundamental questions” about the EFCC’s operations.

“Why were Godwin Emefiele and Abubakar Malami not accorded the same treatment? Is it because they are yet to decamp to the ruling party? Why has the EFCC embraced selective prosecution?” he asked.

He warned that Nigerians were increasingly questioning the relevance of the Commission.

“At this point, Nigerians are compelled to ask whether the Commission should be scrapped altogether to prevent its Chairman from continuing to ridicule an institution meant to serve as a pillar of accountability,” he said.

Frank also called on the international community to intervene.

“We call on the international community to beam its searchlight on the EFCC and sanction anyone found culpable,” he said, alleging that “criminality within the Commission has indirectly fuelled insecurity in our land.”

According to him, “funds meant to fight insecurity and other critical challenges have reportedly been misappropriated, while the EFCC allegedly plays the role of negotiator and mediator between looters and the ruling party—at the expense of Nigerian citizens.”

Frank who currently serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, alleged that looters were being rewarded with appointments.

“Looters of public resources are consistently rewarded with juicy appointments, in apparent collusion with a Commission that now serves as a mediator rather than a prosecutor,” Frank said, adding that “confiscated properties by looters of our common resources have been quietly returned to them because they have decided to sing, ‘On your mandate we shall stand.’”

Frank described the EFCC as “a toothless dog that can bark but cannot bite,” blaming what he called the “distorted leadership of Pastor Olukoyede.”

“If the EFCC believes otherwise, it should come clean by telling Nigerians what truly happened to the cases and petitions mentioned above,” he said.

He specifically challenged the EFCC chairman to publish reports allegedly referenced by former AGF Malami. “Mr Chairman, you must come clean on these issues and many others. In the interest of transparency, kindly publish the entire report,” he demanded.

Warning that history would judge the current leadership harshly, Frank said: “Nigeria has a short memory, but history is relentless. Please remember how those who occupied this office before you ended - from Ibrahim Magu to Abdulrasheed Bawa.”

Invoking biblical imagery, he said: “I owe you a duty to speak the truth in line with Christian values, as exemplified by Queen Esther in the Bible, who used her position to advocate for justice to the vulnerable and the entire nation.”

Frank concluded by calling for the resignation of the EFCC chairman.

“The fight against corruption has been reduced to a show of shame before Nigerians and the international community,” he said. “I therefore call for your resignation before you permanently run the Commission aground. Otherwise, you may go down in history as the worst chairman of the EFCC.”

The United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) in collaboration with the International Institute of Experts on Political Economy and Administration (IIEPEA), have openly backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s security strategy, demanding immediate redeployment of Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, from the ministry.

The Diplomats, at a press conference held on Monday in Abuja, said Matawalle's move from Defence Ministry became necessary to eliminate what they termed "perceived internal obstacles" to success against banditry and terrorism in the country.

The diplomats bared their position while presenting an assessment Report on the Ongoing War Against Terrorism in Nigeria.

Unveiling the report, UN-WCD Secretary-General H.E. Amb. Prof. Tunji John Asaolu, praised the growing military partnership between Nigeria and the United States, describing the joint operations as precise, disciplined, and effective.

According to Asaolu, the assessment revealed that despite the scale of recent joint military engagements, no civilian casualties were recorded, a development he said underscores professionalism and adherence to international rules of engagement.

“We commend the United States military and the Nigerian Ministry of Defence for the progress recorded so far in degrading terrorist networks,” he said, adding that the collaboration has weakened insurgent strongholds across several regions.

However, Asaolu warned that persistent attacks show that terrorism has not been fully eradicated.

He cited the recent bandit attack at Kasuwan-Daji in Niger State, where over 30 people were reportedly killed, as evidence that Nigeria’s security architecture still requires urgent recalibration.

The UN-WCD Secretary-General said the incident reinforces the need for a “surgical cleansing” of the defence system, particularly of officials whose continued presence raises public suspicion or operational concerns.

While cautioning against destabilising scenarios similar to the recent Venezuela crisis—where a sitting president was arrested during a full-scale military operation allegedly involving the United States, Asaolu stressed that President Tinubu has displayed uncommon political will in tackling insecurity.

“Our findings show clearly that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has gone beyond expectations in confronting terrorism. What remains is to remove internal bottlenecks that could undermine his efforts,” he said.

At the centre of the diplomats’ recommendations was a direct call for the redeployment of Bello Matawalle from the Ministry of Defence, which they described as critical to restoring confidence and coherence in the anti-terror war.

They cited persistent credibility questions, including allegations of links with bandits dating back to Matawalle’s tenure as Governor of Zamfara State, warning that keeping an official under such scrutiny weakens the moral authority of the security campaign.

The group also noted that Matawalle’s continued stay in the defence ministry could dilute the seriousness signaled by recent military leadership reforms, including the appointment of General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff.

Additional red flags raised by the diplomats included allegations from former associates, claims of shielding bandit leaders, facilitation of ransom payments, and public remarks perceived as dismissive of victims—issues they said have fueled anger and distrust.

UN-WCD further argued that Matawalle’s limited security background, coupled with mounting calls for his removal from clerics and respected commentators, has drawn unwelcome international attention to Nigeria’s defence leadership.

“The war against terrorism cannot be fought with credibility gaps at the top,” Asaolu said. “Allowing officials facing serious allegations to remain in sensitive positions risks sabotaging public trust and operational effectiveness.”

The diplomatic body concluded by urging President Tinubu to treat Matawalle’s redeployment not as a sanction, but as a decisive governance move necessary to tighten the security chain, reassure Nigerians, and fast-track victory against terrorism.

"Public sentiment against banditry is high, and the resurfacing of dismissive comments made by Mr. Mutawalle reflects a lack of empathy towards thousands of victims. His remarks alienate those affected and can severely damage the government's credibility in addressing security Challenges , one of the reasons why the Christian genocide is more pronounced.

"The integrity of Nigeria’s security apparatus is crucial. Allowing individuals under serious scrutiny to remain in leadership roles can compromise institutional efficacy and credibility. A change in leadership is vital to restore faith and effectiveness within the defence ministry.

"In conclusion, I urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider these points seriously. The redeployment of Bello Mutawalle from the Ministry of Defense is not merely a matter of personnel; it is a critical step toward reaffirming our commitment to accountability, integrity, and the effective governance essential for our national security."

In a significant blow to international drug trafficking networks, officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Apapa Area Command, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), have intercepted 30 slabs of cocaine weighing 30.1 kilograms concealed onboard the MV Aruna, a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel.



This was made known in a statement signed by he Public Relations Officer Apapa Port Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, dated January 2, 2026.



The seizure occurred on Friday, January 2, 2026; the first working day of the new year at the Greenview Terminal within Apapa Port, Lagos. The illicit substance was carefully hidden aboard the ship, underscoring the sophisticated tactics employed by smugglers attempting to exploit the nation's busiest seaport.



Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller for Apapa Command, commended the officers from both agencies for their vigilance and professionalism. "This achievement reflects the strong inter-agency synergy between federal government entities and our commitment to intelligence-led enforcement," he stated. "While criminal elements seek to outsmart us, our officers remain one step ahead, ensuring no smuggling attempt, whether disguised as import, export, or transit cargo, succeeds under my watch."



Comptroller Oshoba described the interception as a bold statement for 2026, reaffirming the command's zero-tolerance policy towards illicit trade. In line with established protocols, the NDLEA has taken possession of the seized cocaine for further investigation and potential prosecution of those involved.



This latest bust marks the third major drug interception by the joint NCS-NDLEA team in recent weeks. Barely two weeks ago, the agencies seized 25.5kg of cocaine hidden in five bags aboard another vessel based on intelligence.



Additionally, on 11 December 2025; 1,187kg of "Canadian Loud", a premium and highly expensive strain of cannabis, packaged in 2,374 parcels across 55 bags and concealed within imported vehicles in a 1x40ft container.



The Area Controller reiterates that the Apapa Port Command remains steadfast in its mandate to facilitate legitimate trade while safeguarding national security.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia state, Prince Paul Ikonne, has asked the people in the state to rise with courage, ask the right questions and hold Governor Alex Otti-led administration accountable in the New Year.



Specifically, Prince Ikonne said Abians must demand that the Abia state government allow the Local Government Authorities to function freely and effectively.



In a New Year message he personally signed on Thursday, Ikonne, who is the immediate-past Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), called on governor Alex Otti to honor the responsibility in the new year by allowing councils to breathe again, saying "let democracy flourish at the grassroots, and let Abians feel the impact of governance in their daily lives."



According to Ikonne, Local governments are the closest to the people; they are the engines of grassroots development.



He said: "As the dawn of this new year breaks, I stand with every Abian, filled with hope and determination. Abia is a land blessed with industrious people, rich culture, and boundless potential. Yet, we know that greatness is not achieved by words alone, it is built through action, accountability, and leadership that serves the people first.



"In this 2026, I encourage every Abian to rise with courage and ask the right questions of those in power. Let us demand transparency, accountability, fairness, and a government that listens to its citizens. A better Abia begins when the voices of the people are heard and respected.



"One critical step toward progress is allowing our Local Government Authorities to function freely and effectively. Local governments are the closest to the people; they are the engines of grassroots development. When they are empowered, roads are built, schools are supported, healthcare reaches our communities, and jobs are created. Without them, progress stalls and our people suffer.



"I call on governor Alex Otti to honor this responsibility in the new year. Let our councils breathe again, let democracy flourish at the grassroots, and let Abians feel the impact of governance in their daily lives."



While wishing the people a happy New Year, the APC chieftain assured that" Abia shall be great again, not by silencing the people, but by empowering them. Not by concentrating power, but by spreading it to every corner of our land. Together, we will build a state where hope is not just a dream, but a reality lived by every family.



"Happy New Year, Abians

The journey to greatness has begun, and it begins with you."

The Arewa Joint Initiative for Peace has issued a strong public statement urging Nigerians to reject what it describes as an attempt by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, to seek public sympathy amid serious corruption and security-related allegations against officials of his administration.

In a statement signed by its president, Julius Danlami, the group referenced the recent arraignment of senior Bauchi State government officials, including the Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

According to the statement, the officials are facing charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bordering on conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and alleged terrorism financing.

The group described the allegations as grave and far beyond routine political disputes. It argued that the charges represent a significant breach of public trust and raise serious concerns about governance and accountability in the state.

The Arewa Joint Initiative for Peace criticized Governor Bala Mohammed’s public remarks in which he suggested that his administration was being targeted for political reasons, particularly due to his refusal to align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group described this claim as an attempt to deflect attention from the substance of the allegations and warned that such narratives could undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.

According to the statement, allegations involving the receipt of millions of dollars in illicit funds and the financing of terrorism must be treated with the utmost seriousness, especially in northern Nigeria, where communities have suffered prolonged violence and insecurity.

The group stressed that no public official should be allowed to evade scrutiny or accountability by framing legal actions as political persecution.

While acknowledging the constitutional immunity enjoyed by a sitting governor, the organization emphasized that immunity does not amount to impunity.

It maintained that legal processes must be allowed to proceed without interference and that justice should be served in line with the rule of law.

The group further noted that the case reflects a wider problem of corruption and mismanagement in Nigeria and called on citizens to resist emotional appeals that could obscure the truth. It urged Nigerians to demand transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership from those in power.

In its concluding remarks, the Arewa Joint Initiative for Peace called on judicial authorities to expedite proceedings related to the allegations, warning that delays only deepen public distrust.

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to peace, justice, and good governance, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and united in holding leaders accountable.

The statement ended with a call for a renewed national commitment to integrity, security, and progress, insisting that sympathy should not replace scrutiny when serious allegations threaten the stability and moral foundation of society.

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and AMA Pharmaceutical Company have signified intentions to build strong partnership on drug development and commercialization of research outputs.


This was contained in a statement made available by the Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, on Monday December 29, 2025.

AMA-MED is the largest pharmaceutical company in the North based in Kaduna that produces high quality lifesaving intravenous fluids (IV Fluid).

The company has since inception in 2019 been pioneering advancements in medical manufacturing.

With last year's signing of the Executive Order by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on raw materials for pharmaceuticals production, the partnership by both organizations will help increase local production of healthcare products and reduce production costs.

The intention for the partnership between the two organizations was when the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, first visited the pharmaceutical firm in Kaduna for SIWES placement for students of the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor was impressed with the state-of-art medical manufacturing facility with advanced AFFS technology.

Prof Ahmed was also amazed at the continuing innovations that underscores the company's growth and commitment.

After going round the pharmaceutical firm, they discussed the strong need for collaboration on drug production in various aspects of pharmaceutical development.

They also looked at the possibility of promoting the commercialization of research outputs from the institution's Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and other related departments.

It was envisaged that the collaboration would help bridge the gap between the academia and the industry.

The return visit to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria recently by the Founder of AMA Pharmaceutical Company, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, further consolidated the process for the collaboration.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed confidence that the collaboration between ABU and AMA-MED would eventually enhance drug manufacturers' competitiveness.

What the university is presently doing under the leadership of Prof Adamu Ahmed is to build collaboration with the industry for commercialization of research outputs.

The Vice-Chancellor's recent visit to the University of Glasgow and University of Salford in the United Kingdom opened up new opportunities for research collaborations and linkages with the industry.

*Says spirit of Christmas will inspire Nigerians to work towards more peaceful, united, prosperous nation




As Nigerians join Christians worldwide to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Christian Media Forum (CMF) has issued a statement urging Christians to reflect on the teachings of Jesus Christ during this festive period.

The statement, signed by CMF National President, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, and National Secretary, Andrew Ibrahim Mshelia, emphasized the importance of embodying Christ's love and compassion, especially towards the needy and vulnerable.

The CMF called on Christians to use this occasion to pray for peace, unity, and progress in Nigeria, acknowledging the challenges facing the nation and the need for collective prayer and action.

The forum commended the Federal Government's efforts to tackle insecurity across the country, recognizing the complexities of the issue and the need for sustained efforts to address it.

In particular, the CMF praised the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, for his initiatives aimed at promoting unity and reconciliation between Christians and Muslims in the state.

"The Governor's attendance at the Christmas carol service is seen as a significant gesture of solidarity and commitment to peaceful coexistence," it added.

The CMF statement highlights the importance of tolerance, understanding, and mutual respect in building a harmonious society, urging Christians to be ambassadors of peace and love in their communities.

As Christmas is a time of joy, love, and giving, the CMF encourages Christians to reach out to those in need, supporting the less privileged and spreading happiness to all.

The forum noted that Jesus Christ's teachings emphasize the value of compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness, and urges Christians to embody these values in their daily lives.

The CMF also acknowledged the sacrifices of Nigerian Christians who have suffered from insecurity and violence, assuring them of prayers and solidarity.

The statement expressed hope that the spirit of Christmas will inspire Nigerians to work towards a more peaceful, united, and prosperous nation.

The CMF urged Christians to use the occasion to reflect on their role in promoting national unity and development, and to recommit to being agents of positive change.

As the nation celebrates Christmas, the CMF prays for God's blessings, peace, and prosperity on Nigeria, and for the guidance of leaders to make decisions that promote the well-being of all citizens.

The forum wished all Nigerians, especially Christians, a joyous and blessed Christmas celebration.

The Christian Media Forum also condemned the recent bomb explosion in Borno state resulting in the dead of five and injuring thirty five persons.

"May the spirit of Christmas inspire love, kindness, and unity among Nigerians, and may the nation emerge stronger and more united in the New Year," it said.

*Promises N710m community support in 2026



The member representing Yagba East, Yagba West and Mopamuro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, has flagged off the distribution of food items and other relief materials valued at about ₦1 billion to widows and constituents across the constituency as part of activities to mark the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Abejide said the gesture was part of his annual humanitarian intervention aimed at supporting widows and vulnerable constituents.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bashiru Abdul Mohammed, Thursday, Hon. Abejide stressed that the initiative has been sustained for about nine years.

According to him, the distribution will cover all the 34 wards and polling units across Yagba Federal Constituency to ensure that residents have food items to celebrate the festive season.

“The distribution of food items is my usual gesture. It will reach the 34 wards and all polling units across Yagba Federal Constituency so that our people can celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

"This initiative did not start today; it has been in existence for about nine years,” Abejide said.

He said the items lined up for this year’s distribution include 24,000 bags of 5kg rice, 10,000 packs of 2kg garri, 10,000 six-yard wrappers for widows, as well as salt, sugar and noodles.

Abejide said the initiative was driven by his passion for philanthropy and his commitment to showing genuine care for widows, especially during the festive period, in line with moral and religious teachings.

He also announced a review of his earlier pledge to support autonomous communities across the constituency. The lawmaker recalled that he had previously promised to support each of the 71 autonomous communities with ₦5 million but was unable to fulfil the pledge due to the demands of his governorship ambition at the time.

According to him, the pledge has now been reviewed upward, with a commitment to provide ₦10 million each to the 71 autonomous communities to support community-based projects.

“By 2026, all the autonomous communities in Yagba Federal Constituency will benefit. A total of ₦710 million will be disbursed to support community development projects,” he said.

The lawmaker thereafter formally flagged off the distribution exercise and urged those handling the process to ensure that the items get to all wards and polling units, particularly widows and other deserving beneficiaries across the constituency.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday, flagged off Operation Eagle Eye in Kaduna to reduce road traffic accidents during the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Malam Suleiman Muhammad, Head of Operations, Kaduna Office, said the initiative was designed as a proactive disaster risk reduction measure in response to increased human,vehicular movement during the festive period.

Muhammad explained that Operation Eagle Eye was aimed at preventing road accidents where possible and reducing their impact when they occur, noting that festive seasons often come with higher risks on the roads.

He said the operation reflected NEMA’s commitment to saving lives, reducing injuries and minimising losses associated with road crashes, adding that effective emergency management involved anticipating risks and taking preventive action.

According to him, NEMA personnel would be strategically deployed to accident prone areas, major highways and high traffic corridors to enhance visibility, conduct surveillance and provide early emergency response when required.

Muhammad stressed that the operation complemented the statutory responsibilities of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), which remained the lead agency in traffic management and road safety enforcement.

He said NEMA’s role focused on rapid response, coordination and support to ensure that accident victims received timely rescue and life saving interventions through inter-agency collaboration.

In his remarks, Gyale Nura, Superintendent Route Commander, Rigachikun Outpost of the FRSC, commended NEMA for sustaining the operation for more than a decade and pledged continued collaboration by the FRSC Kaduna Command.

Represented by Abubakar Iya, Officer in Charge, said that while accidents might not be completely eliminated, the shared goal of all stakeholders was to ensure that no life was lost on the roads.

Also speaking, Malam Muh’d Aliyu, Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Kaduna Branch, reaffirmed the organisation’s readiness to support emergency response, humanitarian assistance throughout the festive period.

NEMA urged road users to obey traffic regulations, avoid reckless driving and prioritise safety, while calling on sister agencies to strengthen collaboration to ensure safer roads during and beyond the festivities.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified preparations for the operational take-off of its newly installed FS6000 scanning machine at APM Terminals, Apapa, following a working visit by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT, DCG Oluyomi Adebakin on Monday 22 December 2025.


This was made known in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer
Apapa Area Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Isah Sulaiman, dated Tuesday December 23, 2025.


The visit comes as a build-up to the deployment of the scanners, which recently completed final test runs and simulation exercises at the terminal as part of the Service’ drive toward paperless cargo clearance, trade facilitation and operational efficiency.

Speaking during the inspection of the scanning site at the Jetty side of APMT, DCG Adebakin explained that the visit was aimed at ensuring adequate pre-arrangement and preparedness for a smooth transition to full scanning operations in line with international best practices.

“The reason for this visit is the pre-arrangement and preparation for the take-up of the FX6000 scanning machine at the Jetty side of APMT, so that we can have a seamless transition to a scanning system which aligns with international best practices,” she said.

On the readiness of the Service to deploy scanning and ICT solutions for effective cargo examination, the DCG stressed that preparedness is a tripartite responsibility involving the Nigeria Customs Service, APM Terminals, and the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP).
She disclosed that the level of readiness currently stands at about 80 per cent, adding that the remaining critical components would be fully addressed before commissioning.

“From what we have seen, we can say that we are 80 percent ready. The remaining 20 percent is very vital, and I believe that prior to commissioning, it will be properly fixed. From the scanning examination and system analysis carried out, the system is good to go, and between now and the commissioning, we will achieve a proper take-up,” she noted.

Highlighting the benefits stakeholders should expect after commissioning, DCG Adebakin assured port users of seamless operations, faster cargo clearance, reduced demurrage, ease of doing business and a balanced approach between trade facilitation and compliance.

“The era of scattering people’s goods in the name of examination is over. This is a non-intrusive inspection system in line with international best practices. It is to the advantage of importers, consignees, terminal operators and the Service. The scanner has a throughput capacity of about 200 containers per hour,” she added.

The visit builds on the recent completion of the final simulation exercise conducted on November 6, 2025, under the supervision of the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, where the scanners were successfully tested for real-time synchronisation of scanned images with electronic declarations.

Comptroller Oshoba has reiterated the Command’s commitment to supporting the Service’s ICT-driven reforms and working closely with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to full scanner-based cargo examination at Apapa Port.

*Says it signals push toward one-party state


A civil society group has raised alarm over what it described as a coordinated plan to arrest and detain leading opposition figures, warning that the move forms part of a broader strategy to weaken opposition politics and entrench a de facto one-party state in Nigeria.

In a statement released Tuesday in Abuja, by its coordinator, Adekunle O. Adebayo, the group alleged that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside Rotimi Amaechi and Nasir el-Rufai, have been marked for arrest.

The pro-Yoruba group on the platform of “Bí a bá pa ìtàn mọ́, ìtàn á pa wa.” (When truth is suppressed, it eventually destroys those who suppress it), further claimed that Isa Ali Pantami, Rauf Aregbesola, Kashim Ibrahim Imam, and other prominent figures are also being targeted, following earlier arrests and detentions of Aminu Tambuwal, Abubakar Malami, and Chris Ngige.

According to the statement, the arrests are linked to a covert multi-agency security directive allegedly coordinated from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and executed through a task force involving anti-corruption, intelligence, and financial-crime agencies.

It described the initiative as "a political project aimed not at law enforcement, but at neutralising opposition forces, particularly within emerging coalition platforms."

The group alleged that the strategy includes selective arrests and prolonged detentions without charge, coercion of politically exposed persons to defect to the ruling party, disruption of lawful opposition meetings, engineered factionalisation within opposition parties, and the use of prolonged litigation to exhaust opposition resources.

It described the reported plan to arrest Nasir el-Rufai as especially revealing, noting that his administration has already been subjected to extensive investigation for over two years without any established evidence of personal wrongdoing, despite sustained scrutiny.

The group warned that "these actions, if carried out, would constitute grave violations of the 1999 Constitution (as amende), including breaches of the rights to personal liberty, freedom of association and expression, equality before the law, and judicial independence.
"
It stressed that selective application of law enforcement based on political affiliation is incompatible with constitutional democracy.

The group called on Nigerians, civil society, and the international community to closely monitor developments, warning that the country risks sliding toward a system where democratic institutions exist only in form, while political power is consolidated through coercion and selective justice.

*Says Governor disobeying Tinubu, S'Court









An Abia State chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Paul Ikonne, has alleged that Governor Alex Otti is one of the governors prominently disobeying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directives on the functionality of local government administrators in Nigeria.



Ikonne specifically accused the Abia State Governor of "trying to amend, and find a way to create new laws in the state that will empower him to continue using the Local Government funds at will."



The President at the recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the APC lamented the refusal by the governors to obey the Supreme Court judgement on the Local Government Autonomy.



President Tinubu, however, threatened the state governors with an executive order, saying "I have the knife and I have the yam."



Speaking on the development during an interview on Television Continental (TVC) popular programme "Politics Tonight', Ikonne, who is the immediate past Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), said unlike Abia State, local government areas in Lagos State are executing projects.



"In Lagos State, you see local government areas building health centers, building schools. They are also council elected chairmen and councillors. So, the issue of knowing them may not be the issue, but the governor who should know that local government is another tier of government that is closer to the people, closer to the farmers, closer to the less privileged, closer to the widows, closer to the disabled people.



"But in some other states, like in Abia state for example, the governor of Abia state is trying to amend the laws, and find a way to create new laws that will empower him to continue using the local government funds at will, at his pleasure."



According to Ikonne, local government is an arm of government that ought not to be played with.



"You can see how passionate Mr. President is in trying to drive the point that governors should let local government handle their funds and implement projects that will impact positively the lives of people. You know, it was really great and interesting to see Mr. President address that issue because it was looking like the President was not prepared to confront these powerful governors who are also key political allies."



While commending President Tinubu for demonstrating sincerity, Ikonne added that "anybody playing politics with Mr. President's statement is being misleading. If the President doesn't speak to his party members, the governors that are within his party, who will he speak to? How well does this expose a deeper crisis of constitutional obedience among governors? It's really a challenge.



The APC chieftain said: "In Enugu state, local governments are building schools, building hospitals. Lagos State is an example also. Lagos State local government council chairmen are also implementing projects. But there are states that are not. Where I come from, we must have to look at it from both sides to understand the weight of not allowing local government to have the autonomy.



"Abia state local government, 17 local governments receive an average of 7 to 8 billion Naira every month. Now, people are crying that there are hardships out there as a result of subsidy removal. But the President makes sure that money goes back to the local government. Money that would have cushioned the effect if these funds are properly utilized. If facilities are provided in the state at the local government level. If infrastructures are in place, hospitals, schools are put in place by the local government authorities. But they don't see their funds.



"My local government, for example, receives an average of 400 to 500 million every month but the local government chairman gets 8 million naira only from the government," Ikonne stated.



Ikonne challenged the Alex Otti-led administion to come out openly and tell Nigerians how he has utilized LG funds in the state.



He said: "One would have imagined that being a Labour Party, that they would have used this as an example to show what they would do. But unfortunately, if you get to Abia state, you find out why Abians, Nigerians in general, will not let anything Labour come up again. Because the party in power in Abia state have ruined the local government system, in the sense that you cannot lay hands on any single project executed by the local government authority.



Ikonne expressed confidence that APC governors who are yet to adhere to President Tinubu’s directive will take a cue after last week APC NEC meeting, adding that none of them will disobey the President.



"But I'm very optimistic that none of them (Governors) will disobey the president."



While responding to a question on accusations that the APC is using federal might to force opposition governors into APC, Ikonne said said: "there are rumours that the man in Abia, Alex Otti wants to join APC. Has he been coaxed?



"So if he's running around, clear indication some of them want to go back to the office. So they see that APC is taking control. In Abia today, 95% of PDP structure have collapsed into APC. So why wouldn't the governor start running from pillar to post? Because he knows that nobody..., the APC has the population to vote and win elections."

Following the approval granted by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Kaduna Operations Office carried out the direct distribution of Federal Government relief materials to persons affected by flood/rain/windstorm disaster in Soba Federal Constituency, Kaduna State.



The distribution exercise was conducted by officials of the NEMA Kaduna Operations Office, in collaboration with representatives of the Honourable Member representing Soba Federal Constituency, RT. Hon. Engr. Suleiman Yahaya Richifa, who was represented by his Legislative Aide (L.A.), members of the affected communities, and relevant local government officials, in line with the Agency’s mandate of timely and effective humanitarian intervention.



The Kaduna Operations Office team was led by the Head of Operations, Mal. Suleiman Muhammad, who represented the Director-General, NEMA, during the distribution exercise. On behalf of the Director-General, the Head of Operations commiserated with the affected beneficiaries over their losses and urged them to make judicious and effective use of the relief materials provided.







The following relief materials approved by the Director-General were distributed directly to the affected persons, 300 bags of Rice (25kg each), 300 bags of Maize (25kg each), 300 bags of Beans (25kg each), 30 cartons of Seasoning Cubes, 30 cartons of Vegetable Oil (5 litres × 4), 50 cartons of Tomato Paste (50 sachets per carton) and 30 bags of Iodized Salt (1kg × 20).



The direct distribution exercise was successfully carried out, with adequate security and oversight provided by the Police, local security outfits, community leaders, and the media. Beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Federal Government through NEMA for the timely intervention and support.



The Kaduna Operations Office reiterated its commitment to accountability, coordination, and compassionate service delivery in disaster response across the state.

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and Central South University (CSU), China have agreed to reactivate and expand the scope of the 3+2 double degree partnership which was started in 2017.



The academic collaboration between the two institutions started in 2017 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the umbrella of the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework.



A statement by the Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, dated Sunday December 21, 2025, said that

the programme, for example, allows students to complete three years at Ahmadu Bello University and two at Central South University in China, graduating with degrees from both institutions.



When the partnership fully started in 2018, the first set of ABU students totalling 45 were flown to China to complete the degree programme at Central South University (CSU).



Since then, the collaboration went on successfully until around 2021 when it collapsed largely due to global lockdown arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.



Both parties now agreed to reactivate and expand the scope of the partnership after a virtual meeting they held on Friday, 19th December, 2025 for that purpose.



They also agreed to include staff exchange programmes, joint research supervision, and other collaborative academic ventures in the new agreement.



The Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, who during the online meeting provided a historical context of the partnership, stressed that the collaboration remained a "flagship model for engineering education in Nigeria."



Prof Ahmed, who led a six-member team to the virtual meeting, appreciated profoundly the CSU leadership for what he described as the "highly productive virtual meeting".



He said ABU was deeply encouraged by the CSU interest in reactivating the landmark 3+2 Double Degree Programme.



The meeting, according to the Vice-Chancellor, reaffirmed that the bond between the two institutions remained a shinning example of the China-Africa Cooperation framework.



Prof Ahmed also appreciated the CSU openness to expand the collaboration into critical frontiers such as medical and life sciences, renewable energy, and computer engineering.



Members of the ABU team led by the Vice-Chancellor at the virtual meeting included Director, Directorate of Advancement and International Education, Prof M I Umar-Buratai; and Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof J M Kaura.



Others were Head, Department of Civil Engineering, Prof B H S Amartey; Assistant Director, Directorate of Advancement and International Education, Dr Ahmed Zakaria; and Coordinator, 3+2 Double Degree Programme, Dr Mohammed Ashiru.



The Vice-Chancellor, Central South University, Li Zhihong led the CSU team at the online meeting.



Members of the CSU team included Director, Office of the International Cooperation and Exchanges, Yin Gang; Dean, School of International Education, Zhan Liua; and Dean, Faculty of Transport Engineering.



They also included Vice Dean, School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, Peng Yong; Dean, School of Civil Engineering, Wang Weidong; and CSU's other management staff.

*Says conflicting accounts on Kwara arms show ‘dangerous sabotage’, security cover-up


A political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Friday, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order an immediate and independent investigation of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, over allegations of arming Fulani bandits and other non-state actors in the state.

Frank also urged the United States government to impose visa bans on the two officials and to exercise caution in sharing intelligence with Nigeria until the controversy is fully investigated.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Frank described the unfolding situation as “a chain of official contradictions, confessions, denials and reversals” which, according to him, has exposed “dangerous fault lines within Nigeria’s national security architecture.”

The controversy followed the interception by Nigerian soldiers of armed men carrying AK-47 rifles and operating in a patrol vehicle reportedly linked to the Kwara State Government in Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The arrested men were said to have claimed that the state government provided them with the arms and vehicle.

Frank noted that shortly after the incident, officials of the Kwara State Government publicly confirmed that the arrested men were members of Miyetti Allah, allegedly operating under a federal security arrangement coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

“Barely days after initial denials, the Kwara State Government itself confirmed that the arrested individuals were part of a security operation linked to the NSA’s office,” he said.

According to Frank, the matter became more troubling when a statement from the NSA’s office initially acknowledged that arms had been issued to vigilantes as part of so-called “hybrid security operations” under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act.

“That admission was widely reported and not immediately disputed,” he said.

However, Frank faulted what he described as a “sudden and suspicious U-turn” by the NSA’s office, which later denied arming kidnappers, militias or socio-cultural groups, insisting instead that the armed men were merely “vigilantes known to the NSA.”

“This leaves Nigerians with fundamental questions,” Frank said. “Who authorised the arms? Who recruited these armed men? Why did official accounts change repeatedly within days? Is the Kwara State Governor telling the truth, or is the NSA covering up?”

Describing the situation as a “national security scandal,” Frank said the contradictions could not be dismissed as a media misunderstanding.

“You cannot, as National Security Adviser, first appear to justify or explain the issuance of arms and then turn around to deny it completely. Such contradictions suggest either gross incompetence or a deliberate cover-up to protect powerful interests,” he said.

Frank argued that the incident showed that “top government officials know exactly what is happening and are playing politics with Nigeria’s insecurity,” adding that insecurity was being politicised “within the cabinet, within the government and within the ruling party.”

“When a governor says one thing and the NSA says another, Nigeria is not just confused — Nigeria is endangered,” he added.

He also questioned the deployment of armed Miyetti Allah operatives in Kwara, a predominantly Yoruba area.

“What business do armed Miyetti Allah operatives have operating in Yorubaland under any circumstance?” he asked, noting that communities in the state had repeatedly warned that deploying armed migrant herders would worsen insecurity rather than resolve it.

Frank said that in a “sane country,” Ribadu would have stepped aside to allow a transparent investigation, rather than what he described as “evasions, reversals and damage control.”

Calling directly on President Tinubu, Frank said: “The President must immediately order a full, independent probe into the roles of the NSA and the Kwara State Government, investigate the conflicting briefings from the NSA’s office, and punish any official found to have armed or enabled non-state actors outside the law.”

He warned that the contradictions suggested “that someone is lying — or many people are hiding the truth,” and amounted to internal sabotage of the administration.

Frank also appealed to the United States to be cautious in its dealings with Nigeria’s security leadership.

“America must withhold sensitive intelligence sharing, launch its own investigation into these allegations, and impose visa bans on Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq pending the outcome of credible investigations,” he said.

According to him, “when a country cannot tell the truth about who is armed, who authorised it, and who is responsible, that country cannot be trusted with shared intelligence.”

Frank who currently serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA,
lamented that the controversy underscored a deeper crisis.

“Nigeria’s insecurity is no longer just about bandits and kidnappers — it is about deception, politics and betrayal at the highest levels of government,” he said, warning that history would judge Tinubu’s administration harshly if decisive action was not taken.

Ogbia Kingdom in Bayelsa and Rivers states on Wednesday, formally called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to contest the 2027 presidential election, pledging the full political backing of the kingdom in appreciation of what they described as his inclusive leadership and tangible development interventions in the Niger Delta.

The call was made at the State House, Abuja, during an official thank-you visit led by the paramount ruler of Ogbia Kingdom, Obanobhan III, King Dumaro Charles Dwaba.

In a speech read on behalf of the delegation by one of the traditional rulers on the entourage, King Collins Daniel, Ogbia Kingdom pledged the unalloyed support of its people for the success of the President's efforts at building a greater Nigeria, lauding him for his commitment to inclusive development.

“In light of the above, it is our firm belief that Mr President has done us well and as such we cannot help but to reciprocate your kind gesture by inviting Mr President to contest the next Presidential election. You have the full support of the Ogbia Kingdom. Mr President, we are behind you”, King Daniel said.

The delegation led by the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said it had come to express appreciation for President Tinubu’s leadership style and the confidence he had reposed in sons and daughters of Ogbia through key national appointments, which it said had rekindled hope and reinforced faith in his administration.

“We have come first and foremost to express our heartfelt appreciation for your inclusive leadership and the confidence you have reposed in our sons and daughters through their recent appointments and re-appointments into key national positions,” the delegation stated, describing the appointments as “a powerful affirmation of our people’s faith in your administration.”

Those acknowledged include Justice Moore Abraham Aseima Adumein of the Supreme Court; Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Sir Tonye Okio, Federal Character Commission commissioner representing Bayelsa State; and Barrister Fernandez Marcus-Obiene, Special Assistant to the President on Justice Reform and ICT/Digital and Innovative Technology.

The Ogbia leaders singled out the performance of the NDDC under Dr Ogbuku, noting that since his appointment on August 29, 2023, communities across Ogbia Kingdom and the wider Niger Delta had witnessed “unprecedented infrastructural and human capital development.”

“Suffice it to say that virtually every community in Ogbia Kingdom and in the Niger Delta now enjoy solar lights at night, which has significantly illuminated the Niger Delta and boosted economic activities,” the delegation said, adding that the interventions had “to a large extent curbed insecurity in the Kingdom and the entire region.”

They listed road construction, ecological projects, upgraded health facilities and youth empowerment programmes such as Project HOPE in technology, agriculture, arts and green energy as part of the NDDC’s achievements, describing President Tinubu’s choice of Dr Ogbuku as “not misplaced.”

“Your appointment of Dr Samuel Ogbuku sends a clear message of your confidence in indigenous leadership and reinforces the trust of the Niger Delta people in your Renewed Hope Agenda,” the delegation said.

The Ogbia people also commended ongoing federal projects in their area, including the Oloibiri Oil Museum and Research Centre, the rehabilitation of the Ogbia section of the Ogbia–Nembe–Brass Road, and the construction of the Otuogori–Otuegwe Bridge along the Ekole River.

Recalling the kingdom’s historical contributions to Nigeria, the delegation described Ogbia as “the cradle of Nigeria’s oil industry,” noting that crude oil was first discovered in commercial quantity at Oloibiri in 1956, an event that “fundamentally transformed Nigeria’s economic destiny.”

Beyond oil, they said Ogbia had made defining sacrifices for national unity, citing the 1959 pre-independence political alliance led by Chief Melford Okilo and the 2015 concession of defeat by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Those critical moments clearly demonstrated that the people of Ogbia have consistently believed in, and sacrificed for, one indivisible Nigeria. Our contributions to the Nigerian project have been profound and enduring”,” the visitors said.

On that basis, the kingdom said it deserved “greater attention, recognition and development support, not as a favour, but as a just acknowledgment of our place in Nigeria’s history,” and presented specific requests to the President, including the establishment of an Institute of Energy and Petroleum Studies in Ogbia, partnership on the Akaba–Emadike Road, and shoreline protection for coastal communities threatened by erosion.

The delegation concluded by assuring President Tinubu of its “unalloyed loyalty and support,” inviting him to visit Ogbia Kingdom and praying for wisdom and strength as he leads the country.

“May God Almighty continue to grant you wisdom, strength and good health as you steer the affairs of our great nation,” the delegation said.

Responding, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assured the delegation that his administration would work closely with Niger Delta indigenes serving in government, particularly the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, to deepen development efforts in the region.

“We cannot excuse the neglect of the past, but living in the past will do us no good, except take it and run with it now, carefully,” Tinubu said.

Political activist and international affairs leader, Comrade Timi Frank,has welcomed the resignation of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, former Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) but insisted that stepping aside should not bring closure to the matter.



“Resignation is not an admission of guilt, but it is only the first step. What must follow is a full investigation and, where necessary, arrest and prosecution,” Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and currently ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, said in a statement in Abuja.



He called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)

to immediately investigate and prosecute Engr. Ahmed over allegations raised by Africa’s foremost industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote( the newest comrade in town).



Frank expressed concern that more than 72 hours after the allegations were made public, the relevant agencies had remained largely silent, apart from the ICPC which only acknowledged receipt of a petition.



“More than 72 hours after these weighty allegations were made public, the silence of our anti-corruption agencies is deeply troubling and unacceptable in a country that claims to operate under the rule of law,” Frank said.



He argued that allegations of such magnitude, especially when raised by a figure of Dangote’s standing, deserved swift and transparent action, warning that the continued silence could further erode public confidence in public institutions.



“If Aliko Dangote cannot get justice in a matter of this nature, then one must ask what hope is left for ordinary Nigerians,” he said.



He drew attention to the gravity of the allegations, noting that the amount reportedly involved, about $7 million, estimated at roughly N10 billion, was significant in a country facing widespread economic hardship.



“This amount is more than enough to fund entire communities, yet Nigeria is constantly on strike over the inability of government to meet relatively small financial demands in the education sector,” Frank said.



He questioned how a public servant, allegedly earning about N50 million annually, could spend such a huge sum on the secondary school education of four children.



“What example is a public servant setting in a country where millions of parents cannot afford N100,000 in school fees?” he asked. “If public funds are indeed being used to fund personal excesses, then this must concern every Nigerian.”



Frank also warned that the unresolved allegations could affect Nigeria’s image and investor confidence.



“No serious investor will put money in a country where allegations of corruption involving a key regulator are left hanging without resolution,” he said.



He noted Engr. Ahmed’s expressed willingness to submit himself to investigation, urging the anti-corruption agencies to act without delay.



“Now that he has stepped aside and indicated willingness to cooperate, there should be no delay. The agencies must act fully, independently and without fear or favour,” Frank said.



He further called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene if the agencies fail to act promptly.



“A government that is serious about fighting corruption must show it through action, not prolonged silence,” he said.



Frank added that Nigerians deserved clarity and accountability, stressing that the case should not be swept under the carpet.



“This is one case Nigerians will not allow to be buried. Only transparent investigation and prosecution can restore confidence in our institutions and in the fight against corruption,” he said.

*Says South-east now stronghold of APC


An Abia State chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Paul Ikonne, has revealed that Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe did not win his election in 2023 poll.

Prince Ikonne also tackled the Senator over his recent comments questioning the credibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election, describing the remarks as politically desperate and out of tune with current realities.

Ikonne made his position known on Tuesday while featuring on TVC popular Morning Show "This Morning", where he argued that Abaribe’s comments were symptomatic of what he described as growing panic within the opposition political parties as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections.

Senator Abaribe had on Monday claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not win in 2023 and that he can't win again in 2027.

Responding to the claims, Prince Ikonne, said Abaribe's sustained criticism of President Tinubu’s mandate is borne out of fear of the ruling party’s expanding influence across the country.

He maintained that President Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 poll was decisive and legitimate, stressing that the president enjoyed widespread support cutting across regions, ethnic groups and political interests.

Ikonne said attempts to cast doubt on the outcome of the election were not only revisionist but also ignored the verdict already affirmed by the nation’s electoral and judicial processes.

The APC chieftain further contended that Senator Abaribe lacked the moral standing to question Tinubu’s electoral strength, particularly in Abia State, alleging that the senator had become disconnected from grassroots realities.

He claimed that Abaribe no longer maintains active engagement with his constituents and therefore fails to appreciate the shifting political dynamics in the state and the wider South-East region.

He said: "If you know Senator Abaribe very well, you will realize that he is an attention seeker. He is always seeking attention. This is a man who did not win his own election in 2023. One young man defeated him during the election, and anybody who want to know the details should get what the young man filed at the Tribunal against Senator Abaribe.

"What Abaribe displayed showed clearly that the opposition, if any, are panicking. The President won election, not just in one state but across the country and his popularity has gone up more than what it was in 2023 because 90% of PDP in the entire South-east have collapsed into the APC."

According to the former Executive Secretary of National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), recent political realignments point to a groundswell of support for the APC and the Tinubu-led administration.

“As we speak, about 90 per cent of the PDP structure in the South-East has collapsed into the APC,” Ikonne said. “The raw materials of politics are human beings, and those human beings are now gravitating towards President Tinubu. This is the reality in the South-East and Nigeria as a whole. I can assure you that there will be an Asiwaju tsunami in 2027.”

He dismissed claims that Tinubu would struggle electorally in Abia, accusing Abaribe of failing to keep tabs on developments in his constituency. Ikonne argued that tangible federal projects and interventions under the Renewed Hope Agenda are already reshaping public perception of the APC in the region.

According to him, ongoing infrastructure projects, including the rehabilitation of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, as well as Agricultural and Social Investment Programmes, are resonating strongly with the people of the South-East.

He said such initiatives have demonstrated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to inclusive development and equitable distribution of federal presence.

Ikonne also rejected assertions that Nigeria is drifting towards a one-party state, describing such claims as excuses by politicians unwilling to accept the growing appeal of the APC. He insisted that defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and other platforms were driven by performance and popular support, not coercion.

“Even the blind and the deaf can see that Nigeria is developing rapidly under President Tinubu,” he said. “That is why the APC continues to attract followership from across party lines.”

He said: "It is not about one-party state, it is about building a strong platform, and you know that chartered politicians when they see a strong platform they don't waste time, they cross and it is obvious that APC is the platform to beat.

"Like in the South East now, the region is now the stronghold of APC if you look at very well. So the door is still open for those who have seen the light to join us and for those who have not seen anything we wish them well."

When asked about politicians Cross-carpeting without ideology, Prince Ikonne liken political party to a Church or Mosque where people come and nobody send them back.

" When you begin to preach the word those who do do not have a vision will see vision, those without plans will begin to have plans. That's what political platforms are meant to be.

" APC is a party of ideology, looking at the President, his programmes, he did establish a Blueprint for Lagos state when he was a governor, it was launched officially, and any governor that come after him will build on it. That's Progressive, that's where you see development.

"So, that Governor that played that foundation is now the President and that Blueprint will have been expanded to accommodate the diverse nature of Nigeria in order to develop the entire country. So APC has agenda, APC has ideology, ideology of development, ideology of raising the youths and ideology of inclusiveness.

"So, if those defecting to APC have seen the light because their houses were on fire and they need shelter, you accommodate them, educate them and when they will begin to see the difference. And that's why they are not leaving. That's the beauty of democracy. It is a global thing and not just about Nigeria. "

Political activist and international affairs leader, Comrade Timi Frank has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, following corruption allegations raised by President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and currently ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, in a statement on Tuesday, Frank described the claim as “alarming and deeply disturbing,” stressing that it raises fundamental questions about accountability and integrity in public office.

He said the allegation, which suggests that about $5 million was spent on the secondary education of the NMDPRA boss’ children in Switzerland, was too serious to be ignored and must trigger an urgent investigation by anti-corruption agencies.

“Coming from Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa and a globally respected businessman, this allegation cannot be dismissed. It is weighty and should be treated with the seriousness it deserves,” Frank said.

He urged President Tinubu to break his silence on the matter, warning that failure to act decisively would cast doubt on the administration’s commitment to fighting corruption.

“The President must act immediately by suspending the NMDPRA CEO and ordering a transparent and independent investigation. Continued silence on this issue is unacceptable and sends a very dangerous signal to Nigerians,” he said.

Frank also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to commence an immediate probe, insisting that no public official should be shielded from scrutiny.

“Even though EFCC is handling former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello’s prosecution over alleged corruption with kid gloves, the fact remains that the issue at stake borders on payment of school fees for children allegedly using state funds.

According to him, the allegation comes at a time of severe economic hardship, making it morally troubling for any government appointee to be linked with extravagant personal spending.

“Nigerians are hungry and struggling to survive, yet we are confronted with allegations of obscene luxury by public officials. This is the same pattern we have seen in previous high-profile corruption cases,” Frank stated.

He warned that failure to investigate the matter could further erode public trust in government institutions and discourage investors already wary of corruption risks in Nigeria and further lend credence to President Donald Trump’s tag of ‘disgraced country.’

Frank commended Dangote for speaking out, describing his action as an act of patriotism and civic responsibility.

“He had no obligation to raise this issue, but he chose to stand with ordinary Nigerians. This is commendable and should encourage others to speak up against corruption,” he said.

He added that Dangote had reportedly expressed willingness to cooperate with investigators if invited, urging authorities to take advantage of the opportunity to establish the facts.

“I’ll like to use this opportunity to welcome Comrade Aliko Dangote as the newest comrade to join in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

“Now that he has joined our ranks, we are optimistic that many will take the fight against corruption more seriously and deliberately.

“I hope Comrade Dangote will not stop here, but shall continue to join in the fight to expose more corrupt officials serving in government and public positions,” he added.

Frank insisted that if the NMDPRA CEO is innocent, he should resign and submit himself to investigation to clear his name.

“This issue must not be swept under the carpet. Accountability must prevail. Nigeria cannot afford silence or delay in the face of allegations of this magnitude,” he said.

A Political activist and international affairs leader, Comrade Timi Frank, has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over reported actions that point to the politicisation of the Nigerian Army, cautioning that any breach of military tradition, hierarchy and professional standards poses a grave danger to Nigeria’s democracy and national stability.

Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and currently ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, described reports of a special and accelerated promotion of President Tinubu’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the rank of Brigadier-General, barely months after elevation to Colonel, as deeply troubling and unacceptable if proven true.

“The Nigerian Army is not a personal guard unit of any President. It is a national institution governed by time-tested rules, traditions and professional standards.

Senior military ranks, especially the rank of General, are earned through years of service, sacrifice, command experience, rigorous training and competitive assessments. They are not political rewards,” Frank said.

He stressed that promotions outside established procedures send a dangerous and demoralising signal to career officers who have devoted decades to service under strict institutional discipline.

According to him, such actions weaken command authority, erode morale and damage cohesion within the ranks and file.

Frank warned that history, particularly Africa’s recent history, has shown that the politicisation and personalisation of military institutions inevitably breed resentment, frustration and indiscipline, conditions that have often preceded military breakdowns and unconstitutional interruptions of democratic rule.

“Across West Africa today, we are witnessing the consequences of weakened civil-military relations,” he said. “From Mali to Burkina Faso and Niger, military juntas emerged in environments where institutions were abused, traditions disregarded and professionalism undermined.

“Even in those countries, the leaders of military regimes exercised restraint in matters of rank, mindful of the sensitivity of military hierarchy and the backlash that follows its abuse.”

He noted that it is alien to Nigeria’s democratic practice, and unheard of even during periods of military rule, to assign or manipulate the rank of General for aides-de-camp or personal convenience.

“No former military Head of State and no civilian President in Nigeria treated the rank of General with such recklessness,” he added.

Frank rejected any justification based on constitutional authority, insisting that being Commander-in-Chief demands restraint, not arbitrariness.

“Being Commander-In-Chief is not a license to erode institutions. Democracy survives on accountability, due process and respect for established norms,” he said.

He further cautioned that exposing an officer to irregular promotion places that officer at professional risk and invites institutional backlash, while dragging the Armed Forces into political controversy.

He urged the Minister of Defence to urgently advise the President on the far-reaching implications of any decision that undermines military tradition, morale and Nigeria’s international standing.

“This does not stand in isolation,” Frank said. “It fits a troubling pattern of preferential treatment for presidential aides within the security services, raising legitimate fears about the personalisation of state power and the erosion of institutional independence.”

Frank called for: Immediate public clarification of the legal and professional basis for the reported promotion; suspension or reversal of any action that violates Nigerian Army guidelines; and a firm commitment by the Presidency to end personalised promotions and the abuse of military ranks.

He also urged civil society organisations, retired military officers and professional associations to speak out, warning that silence in the face of institutional abuse carries severe consequences for civil-military relations.

“Nigeria’s democracy has already witnessed the weakening of several institutions. The Armed Forces must not be dragged down the same path.

“Undermining military tradition fuels frustration within the ranks and file and dangerously incentivises coup plotting as a means to truncate democracy. This is a red line Nigeria must never cross,” he said.

Frank insisted that the Nigerian Armed Forces must remain professional, apolitical and governed by established rules and not personal discretion.

*Nigeria's former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, to chair occasion



The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, GCON will deliver a Pre-Convocation Lecture at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.


A statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Auwalu Umar, dated Monday December 15, 2025, said that the lecture session, which is scheduled for Friday, 30th January, 2026, is to be chaired by Nigeria's former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister (2003-2006 and 2011-2015) and briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006. She was the first woman to hold both positions.

During her first term as Finance Minister, she spearheaded negotiations with the Paris Club that led to the wiping out of US$30 billion of Nigeria’s debt, including the outright cancellation of US$18 billion.

The Pre-Convocation Lecture, which will take place at Abdullahi Mahadi Conference Centre, ABU Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria, is part of the 45th Convocation Ceremony.

The Convocation is billed to hold at Mamman Kontagora Square, ABU Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria on Saturday, 31st January, 2026

In a notification and invitation to the 45th Convocation Ceremony of the university, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, said preparations were in advanced stage for the success of the event.

The Chancellor of the university, His Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, CFR, the Obi of Onitsha, will attend the lecture.

Also expected at the lecture is His Highness, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, the Emir of Zazzau.

Visiting vice-chancellors from both public and private universities are also expected to attend the Pre-Convocation Lecture and Convocation Ceremony.

Many prominent individuals, including captains of industry, seasoned bankers, and technocrats will be present at the lecture.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, on behalf of Chancellor, Council, Senate, Staff and Students of the university, invites members of the general public to the events.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, he National Youths Alliance (NYA) has united youth from North and South at a historic signing of the North–South Youth Alliance Accord (NSYAA) which took place on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the prestigious Arewa House, Kaduna.

The Accord marks a groundbreaking youth-led initiative designed to strengthen national unity, promote interfaith harmony, build inter-regional trust, and counter long-standing stereotypes and divisions between Northern and Southern Nigeria, with a resolve to be the determining factor of who wins at the 2027 general elections.

Jointly championed by the Vice President (North) and Vice President (South) of the NYA, the NSYAA seeks to create a structured framework for collaboration through: A Joint Declaration committing to peace, unity, and mutual respect; A 12-member Coordinating Committee with equal North–South representation; An Annual North–South Youth Unity Conference; Interfaith and Intercultural Exchange Programs to deepen understanding among Nigerian youths; Coordinated advocacy against hate speech, extremism, misinformation, and regional prejudice.

Speaking at the event, the Vice President (North), NYA – Abubakar Muhammad General said that,
“Nigeria’s unity is not an abstract ideal—it is a responsibility that rests heavily on the shoulders of our generation.

"The North–South Youth Alliance Accord sends a clear message that Nigerian youths reject division and choose dialogue, cooperation, and shared national destiny. Arewa House is symbolic: it represents history, leadership, and the courage to build a united future.

"This Accord is our commitment to rewriting the narrative of Nigeria together.”

In his remarks, the Vice President (South), NYA – Hon. Meshack Onyeche said that the Accord is a document of covenant.

“This Accord is more than a document; it is a covenant of peace, trust, and partnership between Northern and Southern youths. For too long, our nation has been shaped by misconceptions and avoidable regional tensions. Today, we stand together to demonstrate that the youth of this country are ready to lead with maturity, fairness, and unity. The NSYAA sets the foundation for interfaith harmony, economic collaboration, and national cohesion. Together, we will build a Nigeria where every young person feels included, respected, and empowered.”


Two prominent religious leaders, Reverend Dr. Ishaya Turaki (Christian) and Imam Abubakar Auwal (Muslim) were on ground to give moral support to the signing of the accord.


Speaking to newsmen after the signing, National President of NYA, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas said with the accord, Nigerian youth will remain united and no one will use religion, region or ethnicity in dividing them.

He explained that greedy politicians exploit those fault lines and manipulate the outcome of elections in their favour.

Ambassador Abbas was optimistic that with the renewed passion, youth in the country will be ready to propel their motherland into prosperity.


A young gubernatorial aspirant in Kaduna State, Honourable Ibrahim Yusuf Joda who attended the event, said that he is vying for the position because they want to bring progress to Kaduna State, under a five-point agenda.

He said it is time for youth in the country to be in charge and through the ballots, they will be united to achieve it

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has condemned in strong terms the recent killing of nine protesting women in Yola Adamawa state by military operatives.

Soldiers had allegedly opened fire on protesting women in the Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Monday.

Also, 51 others were said to have been hospitalised where most of them are still receiving treatment for varying degrees of gunshot wounds, many of them life-threatening.

Frank in a statement in Abuja described the killing of the nine women as “senseless, unforgivable, inhuman and avoidable.”

He noted that the victims - ordinary women, mothers and breadwinners who had stepped out only to protest the insecurity consuming their communities - were met with lethal force when all they sought was protection for their children. “Their only offence was demanding safety,” he lamented.

The incident, which has triggered widespread outrage, adds to what Frank called a mounting record of state violence and military impunity in Nigeria and across Africa.

He cited troubling statistics indicating that over 10,000 Nigerian youths have been killed or disappeared in recent years through military operations and extrajudicial actions.

“This culture of violence and unaccountability must end,” he declared, his voice breaking with emotion.

Frank rejected what he described as the government’s habit of announcing panels of inquiry that ultimately serve as “political theatre” designed to bury justice.

From the #EndSARS killings at Lekki Toll Gate to crackdowns in Cameroon, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, he said, those who issue shoot-to-kill orders have repeatedly escaped responsibility. “This time, we will not accept delays, excuses or another meaningless probe,” he vowed.

The ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East issued a set of demands he said must be met urgently.

He called for the arrest and prosecution of military officers - both those on the ground and their commanders - who played any role in what he described as the “barbaric” slaughter of the Yola Nine.

He insisted that the federal and state governments owe full compensation to the bereaved families, including scholarships for the victims’ children and long-term welfare plans to prevent the tragedy from plunging entire households into destitution. “These women must not die in vain,” he said.

Given what he termed the consistent failure of Nigeria’s justice system to punish human rights violations, Frank urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open investigations into military abuses in Nigeria and across Africa.

Frank who also serves as the Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, further demanded sanctions, travel bans and international prosecutions for military leaders who authorise or enable the killing of unarmed civilians.

Frank also called on the global community—human rights organisations, civil society groups, women’s coalitions and all citizens—to amplify their voices for the Yola Nine. In a direct appeal, he urged President Donald Trump and the U.S. government to speak out, demand accountability, and support international action.

“The U.S. has shown willingness to stand with oppressed African citizens. We appeal for that moral leadership now,” he stated.

He said the tragedy is more than a national wound; it is “a stain on Africa’s conscience” and a test of whether governments will continue to allow soldiers, whose duty is to protect, to open fire on peaceful citizens without consequence.

“The killing of the Yola Nine is a tragedy Nigeria must not brush aside,” he said. “Justice must be non-negotiable. Accountability must be immediate. And this barbarism must never happen again.”

Barely 5 days after the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) uncovered 25.5kg cocaine in a Brazilian flagged vessel, both agencies have seized Canadian Loud, an expensive strain of cannabis concealed inside an imported vehicles.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Customs Public Relations Officer Apapa Port Command, CSC Isah Sulaiman, dated December 11, 2025.

Following credible intelligence provided by the NDLEA, both agencies uncovered total of 2,374 packages of cannabis concealed in 55 bags hidden inside a 1x20ft container with No FCIU 6369526 laden with two vehicles. Total weight of the illicit drug is 1,187kg

Both agencies, in the course of joint examination, discovered the seizure which has been taken into the custody of the NDLEA. A breakdown of the drugs indicates that they were packed in 500 grams per sachet

Speaking on the seizure, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port Command, commended the robust synergy between the NCS and NDLEA while reiterating the service zero tolerance for smuggling.

" Few days ago, I stated that no consignment will exit our control from this port without due check. Our synergy as agencies of government will always put us ahead of criminal elements.

"No matter the volume of trade we are processing, we will never sacrifice national security and economy for any form of trade. While we are focused on collecting maximum revenue for government, our eagle eyed officers are activated to be alert at all times.

" Let me warn, once again for the umpteenth time, any trader- importer, exporter, freight forwarder or licensed customs agent that dares our resolve this Yuletide season and beyond ,will face the full wrath of the law.
Investigations are ongoing on this seizure and we shall bring the perpetrators to book" Comptroller Oshoba said

*Institution felicitates elder statesman on 87th birthday



Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) has congratulated Lt. Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma on attaining 87 years of age, stressing that his life of service continues to illuminates Nigeria's path towards progress.

A statement by the Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, dated Thursday December 11, 2025, said that Gen. Danjuma, a former Chief of Army Staff, was Minister of Defence during the Obasanjo-led civilian administration.

A letter by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, congratulating the elder statesman, said Gen Danjuma's extraordinary journey, defined by courage, patriotism, and unwavering dedication to national unity, remained an enduring source of inspiration.

"Through your distinguished military service, principled leadership, and impactful philanthropy, you have touched lives and communities in ways that cannot be measured.

" Your commitment to justice, human development, and educational advancement places you among the rare individuals whose legacy transcends generations", it said.

The also said as an ABU's esteemed Honorary Award recipient, the university took immense pride in celebrating the elder statesman.

He explained that Gen Danjuma's values mirrored the very ideals Ahmadu Bello University strived to uphold integrity, excellence, resilience, and service to humanity.

"To our students, you represent a model of purposeful leadership; to our staff, you embody the spirit of national contributions; to the university management, you remain cherished part of our institutional history.

"Many stand taller because your life has paved the way. Many dream because your example proves that greatness is achieved through courage and compassion", the stated.

Prof Ahmed prayed to God to continue to bless Gen Danjuma with good health, inner peace, and renewed strength as well as wished him many years ahead filled with joy and fulfilment.

Ahmadu Bello University (ABUBAKAR) Zaria, has proposed a unified, evidence-based, and fully integrated intervention to address agricultural and human capacity development in Zamfara State.



A statement from the Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, dated Thursday, December 11, 2025, said that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, presented the blueprint to His Excellency, Dr Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State.

Prof Ahmed made the presentation when the governor came to the university to commission an upgraded departmental library at the institution's Department of Political Science and International Studies.

The governor, who is an alumnus of the university having graduated from the Department of Political Science and International Studies in 1988, refurbished the library.

Presenting the proposal to the governor, the Vice-Chancellor said the university developed the blueprint through its three leading agricultural research institutes - IAR, NAPRI, and NAERLS - as well as the Institute of Education and Institute of Administration.

The Vice-Chancellor, who acknowledged the effort of the governor in prioritising merit-based reforms in the state, explained that the proposal was at no costs to Zamfara State government.

He said the harmonised framework as captured in the proposal blends crop research and climate resilience, livestock innovation, last-mile extension delivery, and human capacity development into a single transportation agenda for the state.

The interventions, according to him, would be run as capacity build in the mode of train-the-trainers and delivered largely via the virtual mode through the facilities of ABU Distance Learning Centre.

The Vice-Chancellor explained that the goal was to restore crop and livestock productivity in the state as well as to strengthen resilience of households and communities to climate shocks and challenges of insecurity.

He also said it was to train extension agents in modernized extension delivery systems, build institutional capacity of ministries, ADP, cooperatives, civil service, teacher service and communities.

Prof Ahmed further said the proposal was tailored towards transforming the state civil service through comprehensive capacity building programmes for senior, middle, and top directorate cadres.

The Vice-Chancellor commended Governor Dauda Lawal for his administration's decision to appoint permanent secretaries through rigorous examination processes rather than political favouritism.

Ahmed also lauded Governor Dauda Lawal's government for prioritizing capacity-building programmes, conducting training sessions for procurement staff, audit officers, and administrative leaders.

Receiving the document, His Excellency, Dr Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Zamfara, expressed his government's immense gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and the university management for the passion to help transform the state.

Governor Dauda Lawal, who said he would remain grateful to Ahmadu Bello University for shaping his life, promised to continue to give back to his alma mater.

*Impressed by her focus on Northern Nigeria


The Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) has commended the wife of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Her Excellency Oluremi Tinubu, on her various Renewed Hope Agenda projects across the country, particularly in Northern Nigeria.


This was contained in a statement signed by the National President
Arewa Youth Forum, Ahmed Mohammed Zagi, made available to newsmen in Kaduna.

"The AYF, a non-partisan youth organization dedicated to promoting the socio-economic development of Northern Nigeria, has been closely following the activities of Her Excellency and is extremely impressed by her commitment to empowering women, youth, and vulnerable groups.

"It is on record that Her Excellency's Renewed Hope Agenda has initiated several remarkable projects, including, empowerment of women and girls: through various initiatives, Her Excellency has demonstrated her commitment to empowering women and girls, promoting their education, and providing them with economic opportunities.

For example, her organization has established vocational training centers for women in Kano and Kaduna states, where they can acquire skills in areas such as tailoring, catering, and hairdressing.
- Youth development:

"The Renewed Hope Agenda has also focused on youth development, providing training, mentorship, and economic opportunities for young people across the country.

"For instance, her organization has launched a youth entrepreneurship program in Lagos and Abuja, which provides young people with seed funding and mentorship to start their own businesses.


"Healthcare and social welfare: Her Excellency's initiatives have also addressed healthcare and social welfare issues, providing support to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, people living with disabilities, and orphans.

" For example, her organization has established a free medical outreach program in Borno and Yobe states, which provides medical care to people affected by the insurgency," the statement said.

The AYF added that it is particularly impressed by Her Excellency's focus on Northern Nigeria, where her initiatives have made a significant impact.

"Her commitment to empowering women and youth in the region is commendable, and her efforts to address healthcare and social welfare issues are laudable. For example, her organization has established a program to provide education and economic opportunities to out-of-school girls in Northern Nigeria, which has already benefited over 1,000 girls in the region," it printed out.

The AYF therefore, commended Her Excellency for her tireless efforts to promote the socio-economic development of Nigeria, particularly Northern Nigeria, while using the opportunity to congratulate her for the several honours bestowed on her recently.

"We appreciate her commitment to empowering women, youth, and vulnerable groups, and we believe that her initiatives will have a lasting impact on the lives of many Nigerians.

"The AYF is willing to support and collaborate with Her Excellency on her Renewed Hope Agenda projects, particularly in Northern Nigeria. We believe that our shared goals and objectives will enable us to make a more significant impact in the lives of young people and vulnerable groups in the region," it assured

Residents of the Tsaunin Kura Residential Layout (Sabo GRA), have been assured of government's intervention in easing their plight through provision of infrastructure, especially roads.

The Executive Chairman, Kaduna Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Comrade Jerry Adams gave the assurance while speaking to newsmen, shortly after receiving the Man of The Year Award from League Of Extraordinary Achievers Awards (LEAA) 2025, at the Hotel 17 in Kaduna on Sunday night

Represented by KADIRS Executive Director, Ali Gora, he explained that Governor Uba Sani is committed to ensuring all round development of the state, with Sabon Tasha and environs to be captured.

"Look at the work that is ongoing from Sabo bridge all the way to Peugeot Junction, look at College Road in Sabo, Romi Junction and other projects going on in that axis.

"Sabo GRA will not be left out, I am optimistic that by next year, they will have some development captured on their roads," he said.

He therefore, tasked residents of the state to reciprocate the Kaduna State Government gesture by paying their taxes promptly, to ensure more democratic dividends.

*Launches 2025 magazine



Keeping to its annual tradition of honouring those that have impacted the society, Gaze Production held the fifth edition of the League Of Extraordinary Achievers Awards (LEAA) 2025, at the Hotel 17 in Kaduna on Sunday night

Top among those who were on spotlight at the 2025 edition tagged, “Five Years of Greatness”, were two illustrious Kaduna citizens, Executive Chairman of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Comrade Jerry Adams and Commissioner Ministry of Women Affairs and social Development, Kaduna State, Dr. Rabi Salisu, who were the LEAA Man and Woman of the year respectively.



Kayode Michael Olurunfemi, a young promising entrepreneur, was presented with the Emerging Leader Award.

Others are; Shining Light of the year (Entertainment), Emeka Like, Social Hub of the year, (Tilo's Enterprise-Kash Lifestyle), Media Agency of the year - Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC), Young Personality of the year, (Atnadu Yakubu) and Trail Blazer In Service - Iliya Timbuark Anthony,


Outstanding Personality Of The Year went to Dr Lawal Ismaila,
Government Agency Of Year (Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), Emerging Politician Of The Year - Yerima Usman Shettima, Emerging Brand- U-Farm Africa, Female Entreprenuer Of The Year - Mrs. Amina Rabiu Dabo and Male Entreprenuer Of The Year - Alhaji Moshood Abdulwahab



For the Hall Of Fame, Uchenna Orduh, Maya Aliu, Gift Akenebune,
Florence Gbande, Mr Muhammad Lawal and Barrister Toyin Ogbuje were recipients.



Political Legacy Award- went to Munira Tanimu Suleiman, Merchant Of The Year, Sam Jones Samson Irekpita Bature, National Industrialist, Abuyere Elvis Livinus, Charity/Peace Awards, Hajia Rabi Salauwa, Legislator Of The Year, Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, Industry Achiever Of The Year, Queens Way Aluminium Ltd and Lifetime Achievement Award to Prof. Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu

In his remarks, Convener and CEO of Gaze Production, Adekunle Adeyemi, said that Gaze Production is proud that the 5th Anniversary Edition of the League of Extraordinary Achievers Awards (LEAA 2025), proved to be a night of style, class and inspiration where icons, innovators and impact-makers were celebrated.


"For half a decade LEAA has recognised outstanding Nigerians, from public servants and business leaders to creative talents and humanitarians building a reputation for personalisation and purpose-driven awards.

"Past editions have received coverage in national and regional press and have celebrated notable Nigerians, including recipients such as General Christopher Musa (Charity and Peace Awards) and other leading figures whose work has influenced public life.

“We began with a simple conviction that excellence must be recognised and that every award must carry relevance,” said Adekunle Adeyemi, Convener and CEO of Gaze Production. “In four years, LEAA has rewarded and showcased many champions of progress; our commitment to personalised, brand-aligned awards has made each recognition unique and memorable.” He added.

Speaking further, he said that Gaze Production has publicly chronicled the LEAA journey as it grows into a signature cultural event for Kaduna and the North.

"LEAA 2025 is a celebration of scale and impact. Over the years the programme has honoured dozens of individuals across many categories a testament to its expanding reach and the organisers’ promise to elevate the stories of doers and visionaries.

The 2025 edition was heightened production values, an electrifying red carpet, curated performances and tributes that spotlight leadership, charity, innovation, sport and creativity.


As part of activities, Gaze 2025:Magazine was unveiled at the event.

*Hands Over Drug, Detained Ship to NDLEA



The Apapa Command of Nigeria Customs Service has uncovered Cocaine weighing 25.5kg onboard a Brazilian ship MV San Anthonio.


A statement signed by the Customs Public Relations Officer
Apapa Command, CSC Isah Sulaiman, made available on Saturday, said that the illicit drugs packaged in 24 parcels/slabs, were hidden in five bags found aboard the ship during customs intelligence led checks that has resulted in the detention of the ship

Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller for Apapa Port Command lauded the discovery while describing it as a fallout of the robust synergy between the NCS and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) .

According to the Area Controller, customs intelligence discovered that upon her departure from Brazil, which is the ship's country of origin, she had called at ports in Honduras, Guatemala and other places suspected to be hubs for illicit drug trade.

Oshoba reiterated the NCS resolve in ensuring only legitimate trade thrives in the port of Apapa in Lagos, following a zero compromise directive by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.

While handing over the seized drugs to the NDLEA for further action, he also announced the detention of the vessel that came into Nigeria with the cocaine.

"What has happened today, is the outcome of profiling and intelligence led operations by the NCS and NDLEA. Our resolve to prevent unlawful trade is refreshed daily following the directives of the CGC.

" This seizure and detention of the ship should send strong message of warning that should resonate in the camp of perpetrators of unlawful trade within our port system. Customs is strengthening its synergy with all sister government agencies and no criminal or group of lawless persons can beat us here.

" As we approach the Yuletide season, we will not sacrifice national security and economy on the altar of trade facilitation. All consignments exiting this port into our markets or warehouses must be duly examined with the contents ascertained to be what was declared" the CAC said.

At a brief handover ceremony,in the port,the NDLEA was represented by CN Haliru Umar, Commander, Apapa Strategic Command, who formally took over the seizure from customs