National
Eid-el-Fitr: Unity, Prayers Key to Security – Matawalle
As Muslims in Nigeria and around the world celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle,
urged Nigerians to continue supporting and praying for the military, noting that the Federal Government has made significant strides in combating insurgency and insecurity since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office.
has praised the resilience and dedication of the country’s Armed Forces and security agencies.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Ahmed Dan-Wudil, Dr Matawalle commended the tireless efforts of security personnel in safeguarding the nation.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting and praying for the military, noting that the Federal Government has made significant strides in combating insurgency and insecurity since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office.
While acknowledging that security challenges have not been entirely eradicated, the minister expressed confidence in the administration’s achievements, rating its performance in tackling insecurity at 9 out of 10. He assured Nigerians that, by the end of the year, the country would be “99 per cent free from insecurity, by God’s grace.”
“As we celebrate today, let us remember the families of our fallen heroes—those who have paid the supreme price in defending our sovereignty. Their sacrifices shall never be in vain,” he said. “We remain committed to ensuring the welfare of our troops and their loved ones, as well as strengthening our military capabilities to address security challenges effectively.”
Dr Matawalle reiterated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to national security, economic growth, and social development.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and other criminal activities through enhanced military operations, strategic partnerships, and intelligence-driven approaches.
However, he stressed that security is not the sole responsibility of the government and security forces, but a collective duty of all citizens.
He urged community leaders, religious scholars, and traditional rulers to work closely with security agencies by providing timely information and fostering peace.
“Eid-el-Fitr is a time of love, kindness, and reconciliation,” he said. “Let us use this period to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, forgive one another, and embrace the spirit of tolerance and understanding.”
The minister also called on Nigerians to extend a helping hand to the less privileged, including orphans and widows, emphasising that the true essence of Eid lies in sharing and caring for others.
“As we mark this special day, I pray that Almighty Allah accepts our fasting, prayers, and good deeds. May He grant us peace, prosperity, and continued progress as a nation. May He protect our gallant Armed Forces, bless their efforts, and reward them abundantly for their sacrifices.
“Eid Mubarak to you all! May this celebration bring renewed hope, joy, and divine blessings to our homes and communities.”
By Nathaniel Irobi
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has officially confirmed that his term leading Nigeria’s electoral body will conclude later this year.
This announcement was made during his address at the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) held in Banjul, The Gambia, as reported by PoliticsNigeria. He indicated that this would be his last appearance at an ECONEC meeting in his capacity as chairman, marking the end of his second and final term.
Since his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari on November 9, 2015, Prof. Yakubu has held the position of INEC chairman for a total of ten years, overseeing the contentious general elections of 2019 and 2023.
In his speech, Yakubu expressed gratitude for the support and collaboration from his ECOWAS counterparts, highlighting the significance of upholding electoral integrity and promoting regional unity. He urged continued cooperation among election management bodies (EMBs) throughout West Africa to enhance democratic processes across the region.
His announcement follows recent online speculation regarding a potential removal from office by President Bola Tinubu, which the presidency promptly denied. The rumors intensified after INEC shared a social media post indicating that Sam Olumekun, referred to as the acting chairman, had met with a high-profile delegation from the Labour Party, led by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti. However, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, clarified that Olumekun was merely filling in for Yakubu, who was attending the ECONEC meeting in The Gambia.
While in Banjul, Yakubu reflected on the successes and challenges encountered during his tenure with ECONEC, commending the efforts of previous members in strengthening democratic institutions in West Africa. He expressed concern about the declining state of democracy in the region, noting that four countries have recently reverted from democratic governance. Nonetheless, he remained optimistic that these nations would soon regain their democratic status.
Yakubu’s remarks received support from fellow EMB leaders, who acknowledged ECONEC’s essential role in promoting democratic practices throughout the region. The assembly convened chairpersons and vice-chairpersons from several countries, including Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
(Report by Centurypost)
Onono Onimisi Rafatu, a writer and founder of the Onono Onimisi foundation, has challenged deep-seated misconceptions about the indigenous people of Kano State, calling for greater cultural respect and understanding.
In a statement titled “Misconception About the Indigenous People of Kano State,” issued on Thursday, Onono, who hails from Kogi State, debunked stereotypes that portray Kano residents as illiterate and culturally intolerant.
According to Onono, two major misconceptions dominate perceptions of Kano people: that they lack education and are cultural bigots.
“Many hold onto these views, such that when they meet educated Hausa individuals, they question their origins, which is debasing and fosters an inferiority complex,” she said.
She highlighted the contributions of Kano’s educated elites, who have represented Nigeria admirably in various fields, as proof against these claims.
Onono described the widespread nature of these stereotypes as “cantankerous,” particularly the assumption that Kano people’s pride in their language equates to poor command of British English.
She also addressed the misuse of the term “Aboki,” often taken to mean illiterate, when it actually means “friend” in Hausa. “It’s embarrassing when a Kano person is labelled this way,” she remarked.
Emphasising the need for cultural sensitivity, Onono advised visitors and residents to respect Kano’s traditions to fully enjoy the historic city.
“If you find it hard to adapt, areas like Sabon Gari or Jaba Axis, home to people from southern, eastern, and western Nigeria, offer more flexibility,” she noted. However, in Kano’s indigenous communities, respecting local customs is essential, she added.
Reflecting on her own experience as a non-indigene, Onono shared how she initially faced challenges adapting to Kano’s cultural norms.
“I wore body-tight clothes, and children and Almajiris giggled at me,” she recalled. Her guardian later explained the importance of culturally appropriate dress, and with time, Onono adjusted.
“I adapted, and it made all the difference,” she said.
…We must fix electricity to build $1tn economy – Elumelu
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, in collaboration with the Chinese firm Energy China, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish energy planning implementation units across various states.
In a statement released on Thursday by its media unit, the NGF noted that the agreement aims to enhance energy planning efforts at the state level.
NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said partnerships with investors and global stakeholders will drive financing, boost capacity, and improve grid infrastructure for renewable energy.
Kwara State Governor, represented by Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, said the initiative marks a significant milestone in the nation’s energy sector, introducing innovative frameworks to attract investment and improve power supply reliability nationwide.
The governor as contained in the statement, said, “The MOU and the ensuing relationship between the organisations will signal a critical step in strengthening the institutional framework for sub-national energy governance through fostering energy security, efficiency, and economic development across the states.
“According to the Gombe state governor, ‘It is crucial to acknowledge the transformative journey that Nigeria is embarking upon in the area of access to sustainable electricity which includes renewable energy, particularly in the wake of the recently passed Electricity Act of 2023.
”This groundbreaking legislation marked a pivotal moment for our energy landscape, introducing innovative structures that aim to boost investments and enhance the reliability of power supply across the country. Since the passing of the Electricity Act, we have witnessed a surge of innovations and reforms aimed at revamping our energy sector.
”We are moving towards more decentralised energy solutions, encouraging the integration of renewable energy solutions that can provide sustainable and affordable electricity to our communities. ”
The forum chairman said the Act supports better regulations, encourages private investment, and promotes public-private partnerships crucial to achieving renewable energy goals.
NGF Chairman continued, ”We must acknowledge that these advances come with their own set of challenges. Shortfalls in infrastructure, financing, and regulatory hurdles continue to impede progress. We must address these issues collaboratively.
”By fostering partnerships between the government, private investors, and international stakeholders, we can develop innovative financing models, improve capacity building, and enhance grid infrastructure to accommodate renewable energy sources effectively.
”In this context, I want to highlight some of the ongoing reforms within states in Nigeria as they pursue ambitious but worthwhile and achievable energy initiatives. States are crafting tailored policies that align with national objectives while addressing local needs. They are also establishing frameworks and instituting regulatory bodies to drive the electricity markets within their localities. These reforms are crucial as they leverage our unique resources and provide flexibility to implement localized solar solutions.
”The synergy between state and federal initiatives will be key to driving effective change and achieving our collective renewable energy targets. The NGF has a vibrant Power Desk, which has played and continues to play a coordinating role in the efforts of the States as they strive to implement the Electricity Act. The Forum offers a one-stop platform in providing support to the States as they grapple with the enormous responsibility placed on their shoulders by the Electricity Act.”
According to the statement, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, said the MoU aligns with and supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The statement continued, “This partnership reflects our shared ambition to expand access to clean energy, strengthen energy planning at the state level, and promote sustainable technologies all in alignment with our National Energy Masterplan and national development goals.
”The scope of this MoU includes: Deployment of renewable energy infrastructure (solar, wind, hydro), and Establishment of a Nigeria-China Renewable Energy Research Centre to drive innovation, technology transfer, and capacity-building.
”This initiative will not only improve energy access, especially in off-grid communities, but also support job creation, investment, and our climate commitments. To the Governors’ Forum, I commend your proactive involvement. Your citizens will benefit directly from this long-term vision.
”The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology stands fully behind this initiative and will ensure its swift and transparent implementation.”
Chairman of the China Energy, Song Liang, pledged full implementation of the MoU and committed to strengthening cooperation between Nigeria and China.
He emphasized the importance of prioritizing energy sector development and promoting intelligence sharing on renewable energy.
Liang also vowed to enhance energy storage across all sectors, including green energy, aiming to elevate Nigeria-China relations to a new level of partnership.