Group berates ex-gov Jang for opposing indigeneship for Hausa-Fulani

<img width="1200" height="693" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Jonah-Jang1-1200x693-1.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Jonah-Jang1-1200x693-1.jpg 1200w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Jonah-Jang1-1200x693-1-300x173.jpg 300w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Jonah-Jang1-1200x693-1-1024x591.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> <p>Plateau State chapter of the Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association of Nigeria, KPFAN, has berated former Governor Jonah David Jang over his opposition to a recent court ruling granting indigeneship to Hausa residents in Jos North Local Government Area based on their birth and long-term stay in the state.</p> <p>While reacting to the ruling in a statement on&nbsp;Saturday, Jang had said the judgment would come with serious implications for the state’s identity, cultural heritage, and indigenous rights.</p> <p>The former governor stated that debates surrounding citizenship, residency, and indigenship in the state have remained at the center of political and social discussions for decades, and wondered why the court should hastily decide on a matter that could further heighten tension.</p> <p>He argued that altering the existing framework could create tensions and undermine the rights of groups that have traditionally been recognized as indigenous to the state.</p> <p>But the Fulani group, in a statement issued on&nbsp;Sunday&nbsp;by its National Publicity Secretary, Haruna Idris Bayero, countered the elder statesman, describing his opposition to the ruling as not only unfortunate but dangerous to the unity of the people and the fragile peace in the state.</p> <p>Bayero said Jang&#8217;s stance negates the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution which guarantees every citizen equal rights and prohibits discrimination on grounds of ethnicity, place of origin, or religion.</p> <p>&#8220;The Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association of Nigeria (KPFAN) views with utter dismay and disappointment the recent remarks by former Plateau State Governor, Senator Jonah David Jang, opposing the issuance of indigene certificates to Hausa/Fulani residents in Plateau State,&#8221; the statement said.</p> <p>Continuing, Bayero said:</p> <p>&#8220;His position is not only unfortunate but also a dangerous relic of ethnic exclusivism that contradicts the clear provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).</p> <p>&#8220;Senator Jang’s stance flies in the face of Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on grounds of ethnicity, place of origin, or religion.&nbsp;</p> <p>&#8220;Every Nigerian citizen, including Hausa/Fulani families who have lived in Plateau State for generations—some for over a century- has the right to be recognized as bona fide citizens of the state where they reside, contribute, and pay taxes. Citizenship is not a privilege to be dispensed based on parochial loyalties.</p> <p>&#8220;The indigene-settler dichotomy has been weaponized over the years to marginalize fellow Nigerians. Many Hausa/Fulani communities in Plateau were born there, have their ancestral graves there, and have contributed immensely to the economy, security, and cultural life of the state. Denying them certificates simply because their great-grandparents migrated before the creation of the state is a historical injustice.</p> <p>&#8220;It is no longer news that Plateau State has witnessed recurring cycles of violence. Our association firmly believes that the refusal of successive Plateau leaders, including Senator Jang, to embrace justice and equality for all citizens—irrespective of ethnic background—has been the kindling for repeated conflicts.&nbsp;</p> <p>&#8220;When a section of society is permanently designated as “non-indigenes” despite decades of residence, you create second-class citizens who are vulnerable to exclusion, dispossession, and violence. That is the real recipe for crisis.</p> <p>&#8220;In the 21st century, no modern society advances by locking out fellow citizens from certificates of belonging. Jang’s logic, if applied universally, would unravel the Nigerian federation. We call on him to use his advanced age and experience to champion inclusion, not exclusion. The Fulani are not strangers in Plateau; they are neighbours, farmers, herders, traders, and in many cases, indigenous people whose history predates the 1967 creation of Plateau State.</p> <p>&#8220;We call on the Plateau State government to disregard Senator Jang’s retrogressive advice and instead move toward a unified residency-and-indigeneity framework that respects the Nigerian Constitution. No citizen should be denied state-level rights—access to employment, education, or political participation—because of their ethnic surname.</p> <p>&#8220;Senator Jang’s statement is a disservice to national unity and a direct affront to the Hausa/Fulani communities who have called Plateau their home for generations.&nbsp;</p> <p>&#8220;The Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association will continue to resist all forms of discriminatory policies and will support legal action if necessary. We urge Plateau leaders to learn from history: peace comes from justice, not from perpetual exclusion.&#8221;</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/15/group-berates-ex-gov-jang-for-opposing-indigeneship-for-hausa-fulani/">Group berates ex-gov Jang for opposing indigeneship for Hausa-Fulani </a></p>

Insecurity: Rural Nigeria in 2026 more dangerous, more displaced, and more abandoned – Adamu

<img width="1200" height="720" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rural-Nigeria.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rural-Nigeria.jpg 1200w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rural-Nigeria-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rural-Nigeria-1024x614.jpg 1024w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rural-Nigeria-1000x600.jpg 1000w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rural-Nigeria-590x354.jpg 590w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Rural-Nigeria-400x240.jpg 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><p>A political analyst has warned that rural communities across Northern Nigeria are being systematically displaced as insecurity worsens and spreads under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration between May 2023 and June 2026.<br /> The assessment was made by Engr. Abdulauf Adamu, Director of Consultancy Services for Information and Communication Technology at the Jigawa State Polytechnic, Kazaure.</p> <p>In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, Adamu gave a full evaluation of Nigeria’s security situation.</p> <p>According to him, a fair assessment must begin with what the administration inherited in 2023.</p> <p>“When President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, insecurity was already widespread. Many Nigerians were living in fear, especially in rural areas regularly besieged by non-state armed groups,” he said.</p> <p>He added that insecurity had already disrupted education and economic life across the country.</p> <p>“Insecurity was also taking a grave toll on economic activities, particularly commerce and agriculture, and schools in many parts of the country were shut down following mass abductions of students,” he said.</p> <p>He stressed that this context is critical as no fair analysis can attribute the structural roots of Northern insecurity to any single administration.</p> <p>The analyst noted some limited progress in the North-East, particularly in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.</p> <p>“There has been a significant reduction in insurgency-related deaths across parts of the North-East. These developments do not signify victory, but they show degradation of insurgent capacity,” he said.</p> <p>He added that joint operations with international partners also contributed to counter-terrorism gains.</p> <p>“Joint operations with foreign partners, including the United States, reportedly contributed to the elimination of senior ISIS-linked figures in the Lake Chad region,” he said.</p> <p>He warned that tactical eliminations do not address root causes.</p> <p>Turning to the North-West, he described the situation as the most troubling.</p> <p>“This is the most damning evidence against the administration’s security record,” he said.</p> <p>He warned that banditry is not being contained but spreading.</p> <p>He noted that the number of states affected by rural banditry increased from nine in 2024 to 16 in 2025.</p> <p>Adamu stated that displacement figures continue to rise.</p> <p>“By February 2025, more than 580,000 people, the majority of them women had fled their homes across Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara,” he said.</p> <p>He further highlighted an escalation in violence between late 2025 and early 2026.</p> <p>“In November 2025, at least 402 people, mostly schoolchildren, were kidnapped across four northern states, surpassing the scale of the Chibok abduction,” he said.</p> <p>He added that in January 2026, more than 160 worshippers were abducted, while in February 2026, armed groups attacked villages in Kwara, killing over 160 people.</p> <p>The analyst stressed that rural communities are bearing the worst of the crisis.</p> <p>“The most damning evidence comes from what is happening to the physical fabric of rural communities themselves,” he said.</p> <p>He noted that Zamfara State continues to experience near-daily attacks.</p> <p>“In Zamfara alone, attacks occur daily sometimes multiple times in a single day,” he said.</p> <p>He also pointed to Benue State, where he said over 200 villages have been destroyed.</p> <p>“In Benue State alone, over 200 villages have been sacked, displacing about 450,000 people,” he said.</p> <p>He added that attacks are often deliberately structured to prevent return.</p> <p>“In some cases, attackers destroy boreholes, clinics and schools infrastructure that would make return possible. This is a scorched-earth strategy against rural life itself,” he said.</p> <p>He also warned about the emergence of new armed groups in previously stable areas.</p> <p>“In the two years since Tinubu assumed power, new armed groups including Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi and Mamuda in Kwara have emerged,” he said.</p> <p>He described Lakurawa as more than a typical bandit group.</p> <p>“Lakurawa has transitioned into a coercive militant actor, operating a hybrid model combining insurgency, banditry and proto-governance,” he said.</p> <p>He added that it enforces rules, collects taxes, and seizes livestock and food produce from communities.</p> <p>“The inability of Nigeria’s government to provide security for its people has led directly to the breeding of such groups,” he said.</p> <p>He further noted that insecurity is spreading into previously unaffected areas.</p> <p>“Populations in Plateau and Benue are facing increased risks amid rising inter-communal violence,” he said.</p> <p>He added that Kwara State has also become a new hotspot.</p> <p>“Kwara State has also emerged as a new venue for inter-communal violence,” he said.</p> <p>He referenced a major attack in which hundreds of militants attacked villages and killed at least 162 residents in one of the deadliest incidents in recent months.</p> <p>He concluded that the overall situation is deteriorating rapidly.</p> <p>“Rural Nigeria in 2026 is more dangerous, more displaced, and more abandoned than it was in 2023,” he said.</p> <p>He added that the threat landscape has not just deepened, it has broadened, with new armed actors and new states affected.</p> <p>“The violence is not random. It is systematic and designed to permanently displace rural populations,” he said.</p> <p>He warned that unless governance extends beyond military patrols, the crisis will continue.</p> <p>“Until the Nigerian state resolves to govern its rural territories not just patrol them, this trajectory will not reverse,” he said.</p> <p>He further added that the most likely outcome is not resolution but management.</p> <p>“The most realistic outcome is a managed crisis rather than a solved one contained enough not to destabilise the election, but nowhere is resolved enough to change the lived reality of a farmer in Zamfara or a mother in Benue. That is a deeply unsatisfying answer, but it is the honest one,” he said.</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/15/insecurity-rural-nigeria-in-2026-more-dangerous-more-displaced-and-more-abandoned-adamu/">Insecurity: Rural Nigeria in 2026  more dangerous, more displaced, and more abandoned &#8211; Adamu </a></p>

Ebonyi 2027: Youth group grills political candidates, sign peace accord

<img width="1280" height="963" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1000749411.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1000749411.jpg 1280w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1000749411-300x226.jpg 300w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1000749411-1024x770.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /> <p>Political candidates seeking elective offices in the 2027 general elections in Ebonyi State came under scrutiny at the weekend as the Ohaukwu Youth General Assembly convened an interactive forum where aspirants presented their plans and signed a peace accord committing themselves to violence-free campaigns.</p> <p>The event, held at Grace Garden and Event Centre in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, brought together candidates contesting various positions, youth leaders, community stakeholders and security agencies in what organisers described as a move to promote peaceful political engagement and accountable leadership ahead of the elections.</p> <p>Addressing participants, the National President of the Ohaukwu Youth Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Onah, said the forum was designed to provide a platform for youths to engage directly with political aspirants and assess their capacity to deliver effective representation.</p> <p>According to him, the Assembly remains the first youth organisation to bring together young people from Ezzamgbo, Ngbo, Effium and Ezza-Effium communities under one umbrella.</p> <p>He said the organisation had worked tirelessly to reduce cult-related activities, drug abuse and youth restiveness in the area, stressing that the peace currently being enjoyed in the local government must not be undermined by political activities.</p> <p>Onah disclosed that all participating candidates signed a peace accord, pledging to conduct their campaigns peacefully and ensure that their supporters refrain from violence and acts capable of disrupting public order.</p> <p>&#8220;We want a situation where our mothers can sleep with their two eyes closed. We want development, unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. That is why we invited all the candidates to tell the youths what they have to offer before seeking their votes,&#8221; he said.</p> <p>The youth leader expressed disappointment over the absence of some invited aspirants, saying their refusal to honour the invitation could be interpreted as a lack of regard for the youths whose votes they seek.</p> <p>He maintained that the programme was open to candidates across political parties and was conducted under adequate security arrangements approved by relevant security agencies.</p> <p>Speaking during the engagement, a candidate for the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, popularly known as T-Man, identified unemployment as one of the major causes of insecurity and social unrest among young people.</p> <p>He argued that meaningful youth engagement through employment opportunities would significantly reduce violence and criminal activities.</p> <p>&#8220;The first thing a representative ought to do is to take youths off the streets. When youths are gainfully employed, there will be no war. What we are offering is not rice or handouts but opportunities for employment and empowerment,&#8221; he said.</p> <p>Ogalagu promised to prioritise job creation, educational scholarships, skills acquisition programmes and infrastructure development if elected.</p> <p>He also pledged to sponsor postgraduate education for qualified youths across the constituency and support women through cassava-processing initiatives and access to soft loans.</p> <p>Also addressing the gathering, APGA candidate for Ohaukwu South State Constituency, Chief Onyeoma Kelechi, highlighted his record in education and youth empowerment.</p> <p>He said he had established educational institutions and scholarship schemes through his foundation and would expand such interventions if elected into public office.</p> <p>Kelechi noted that legislative representation extends beyond lawmaking to include effective oversight and ensuring that government projects are properly executed for the benefit of the people.</p> <p>He assured constituents that he would champion policies capable of creating employment opportunities and improving governance.</p> <p>For his part, Barrister Christopher Ajagba, candidate of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) for Ohaukwu North State Constituency, identified peacebuilding as a major priority for the constituency.</p> <p>He lamented the prolonged Effium and Ezza-Effium crisis and other communal disputes affecting parts of the area, saying sustainable development could only thrive in a peaceful environment.</p> <p>Ajagba pledged to pursue initiatives that would promote reconciliation, stability, employment and empowerment across the constituency.</p> <p>Similarly, Mr Sebastian Valentine Odono, NDC candidate for the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, urged voters to assess candidates based on competence, vision and capacity to deliver.</p> <p>Odono, who described himself as a newcomer to partisan politics, unveiled a six-point agenda centred on effective representation, education, agriculture, youth development and economic empowerment.</p> <p>He promised to attract modern agricultural technologies to improve productivity and support farmers in transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.</p> <p>Labour Party candidate for Ohaukwu North State Constituency, Comrade Christian Mayor Iduma, stressed the need for visionary leadership capable of attracting development partners and opportunities to the area.</p> <p>He said his campaign was anchored on a &#8220;healing mandate&#8221; aimed at restoring lasting peace, particularly in communities affected by conflicts.</p> <p>Iduma urged young people to place competence and character above political party affiliations when making electoral choices.</p> <p>In his remarks, APGA candidate for Ohaukwu North State Constituency, Mr Kenneth Onwe, said grassroots development would remain at the centre of his legislative agenda.</p> <p>He cited several interventions already undertaken through his foundation, including educational support programmes and assistance to widows and vulnerable groups.</p> <p>Onwe pledged to collaborate with development agencies to attract projects and improve living conditions across the constituency.</p> <p>A guest speaker at the event, Barrister Mishael Elom, warned against the misuse of social media and cautioned youths on the legal implications of cyberbullying, defamation and invasion of privacy.</p> <p>He urged participants to embrace issue-based politics and avoid actions capable of inciting hatred or damaging the reputation of others.</p> <p>According to him, the responsible use of digital platforms is essential for peaceful coexistence and the deepening of democratic values.</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/14/ebonyi-2027-youth-group-grills-political-candidates-sign-peace-accord/">Ebonyi 2027: Youth group grills political candidates, sign peace accord </a></p>

IMF wrong on Nigeria’s interest rates, cash transfer — CPPE

<img width="1080" height="862" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/275086740_101051615867108_3800391627829955821_n.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/275086740_101051615867108_3800391627829955821_n.jpg 1080w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/275086740_101051615867108_3800391627829955821_n-300x239.jpg 300w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/275086740_101051615867108_3800391627829955821_n-1024x817.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /> <p>The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise has said the International Monetary Fund is wrong on calling for further interest hikes in Nigeria.</p> <p>CPPE disclosed this in a statement on&nbsp;Sunday&nbsp;by its chief executive officer, Muda Yusuf.&nbsp;</p> <p>Recall that the IMF&#8217;s recent Article IV Consultation Report on Nigeria gave a positive assessment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government&#8217;s economic reforms.&nbsp;</p> <p>Reacting, the economic policy advocacy group said the Fund&#8217;s recognition of progress in restoring macroeconomic stability aligns with the views long held by the private sector.</p> <p>CPPE, however, said that macroeconomic stability alone is not enough, arguing that the real measure of economic reforms lies in their ability to improve living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.</p> <p>The economic think tank group warned that excessive monetary tightening, high interest rates and an overreliance on cash transfers could undermine inclusive growth.</p> <p>CPPE also expressed concern over the IMF’s continued support for monetary tightening, warning that persistently high interest rates are making credit unaffordable for businesses and discouraging productive investment.</p> <p>“The cost of credit in Nigeria has reached levels that are becoming increasingly prohibitive for productive investment. Lending rates remain among the highest in the world, making it difficult for businesses to expand, invest or create jobs,” it said.</p> <p>“Exchange rate stability, reserve accumulation and fiscal consolidation are important, but the true test of reform is whether they translate into lower food prices, better jobs, improved incomes and enhanced living standards,” it stated.</p> <p>On social protection, CPPE questioned the continued emphasis on conditional cash transfers, arguing that government resources would yield greater long-term benefits if invested in agriculture, transportation, healthcare, education and infrastructure.</p> <p>“The most effective poverty reduction programme is one that reduces the cost of living and expands economic opportunities,” it stated.</p> <p>On Nigeria&#8217;s development finance, CPPE maintained that targeted intervention funding remains essential for sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, housing and infrastructure, insisting that market-based financing alone cannot address Nigeria’s structural funding gaps.</p> <p>“Development finance is not merely a policy choice; it is an economic necessity,” the group noted, adding that agriculture and infrastructure projects require long-term financing that commercial lenders are often unwilling or unable to provide.</p> <p>CPPE also faulted the IMF report for paying insufficient attention to the role of state governments in driving economic reforms and reducing poverty.</p> <p>According to CPPE, with increased federation allocations boosting state revenues, sub-national governments now play a crucial role in areas such as food production, healthcare, education, rural infrastructure and security.</p> <p>“Economic transformation in a federation cannot be driven from the centre alone,” the organisation said.</p> <pre id="x_792463988mailcontentid.plainTextContent" class="wp-block-preformatted"></pre> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/14/imf-wrong-on-nigerias-interest-rates-cash-transfer-cppe/">IMF wrong on Nigeria&#8217;s interest rates, cash transfer — CPPE</a></p>

Kebbi: Police dismiss rumours of school closure over insecurity

<img width="1200" height="720" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/police-1.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/police-1.jpg 1200w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/police-1-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/police-1-1024x614.jpg 1024w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/police-1-1000x600.jpg 1000w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/police-1-590x354.jpg 590w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/police-1-400x240.jpg 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><p>The Kebbi State Police Command has dismissed rumours claiming that schools in the state have been closed due to insecurity, describing the reports as false.</p> <p>The command’s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, made the clarification in a statement issued on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi while responding to claims of school closures, kidnappings and the withdrawal of pupils by parents.</p> <p>According to him, there is no truth to the speculation, stressing that academic activities are continuing as scheduled across the state.</p> <p>Usman noted that students have recently resumed for the new term, while graduating students are safely sitting for the Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE, in various centres across Kebbi.</p> <p>He added that the state’s school calendar remains under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and has not been disrupted by security concerns.</p> <p>The police spokesperson further said security agencies, in collaboration with vigilante groups, have continued to carry out intelligence-led operations across the state to maintain peace and protect residents.</p> <p>He maintained that recent arrests and the neutralisation of criminal elements demonstrate the effectiveness of the ongoing security efforts and urged the public to disregard unfounded rumours capable of causing panic.</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/13/kebbi-police-dismiss-rumours-of-school-closure-over-insecurity/">Kebbi: Police dismiss rumours of school closure over insecurity</a></p>

Abuja Lawyer faults VeryDarkMan’s protest call, urges support for security agencies

<img width="1440" height="1800" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/VeryDarkMan.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/VeryDarkMan.jpg 1440w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/VeryDarkMan-240x300.jpg 240w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/VeryDarkMan-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/VeryDarkMan-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /><p>A legal practitioner and Chief Operating Officer of UBIIJUS Intelligence, Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, has criticised social media activist, Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, VDM, over calls for protests against insecurity, describing the move as capable of undermining national stability.</p> <p>In a statement personally signed and released weekend, Agbomhere said Nigeria’s security challenges require unity, patriotism, and citizen cooperation with security agencies, not street protests or anti-government rhetoric.</p> <p>He accused the activist of promoting narratives that could erode public confidence in government institutions at a critical time.</p> <p>&#8220;It deeply upsets me seeing some gullible, unpatriotic and ill-wishing Nigerians, both at home and abroad, celebrating VeryDarkMan, an individual whose stock-in-trade is insulting people online and ridiculing a nation grappling with complex security challenges.</p> <p>&#8220;Calling for protests against insecurity or against the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not patriotism; it is an act capable of encouraging disorder and undermining national stability,&#8221; Agbomhere stated.</p> <p>The lawyer argued that insecurity is driven by multiple factors including weak law enforcement, poverty, unemployment, poor education, communal conflicts, drug abuse, greed, and the pursuit of quick wealth, adding that addressing these issues requires collective effort rather than political agitation.</p> <p>According to the author of &#8220;Nigeria&#8217;s National Security Challenges&#8221;, the solution lies in strengthening cooperation between citizens and security agencies through credible intelligence and community vigilance.</p> <p>Agbomhere commended the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other emergency institutions.</p> <p>&#8220;While significant challenges remain, Nigerians must acknowledge the dedication and sacrifices of the men and women who put their lives on the line daily in service to our nation. Their efforts deserve not only recognition but also the active support and cooperation of citizens,&#8221; he said.</p> <p>He maintained that security cannot be left solely to government, noting that &#8220;no security architecture, regardless of its sophistication, can succeed without public support.&#8221;</p> <p>&#8220;Given the size of our country and the complexity of modern security threats, citizens must remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities within their communities. Timely intelligence from members of the public remains one of the most effective tools for preventing crime,&#8221; he said.</p> <p>Drawing comparisons with the United Kingdom and the United States, Agbomhere said citizens in advanced democracies often serve as the first line of defence through vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement.</p> <p>The lawyer alleged that some political actors were seeking to exploit insecurity as a platform for partisan interests ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that inflammatory rhetoric and attempts to mobilise public anger against constituted authority could heighten tensions across the country.</p> <p>While acknowledging Nigerians’ constitutional right to freedom of expression, Agbomhere stressed that such rights &#8220;must be exercised responsibly and in a manner that promotes peace, unity and national development.&#8221;</p> <p>He urged public office holders, security personnel, and law enforcement agencies to remain steadfast in preventing crime and ensuring offenders face justice.</p> <p>Agbomhere also called on Nigerians not to lose faith in the country’s institutions, saying the fight against insecurity requires patience, resilience, and sustained collaboration.</p> <p>&#8220;Nigeria will overcome its current security challenges if citizens, communities and government institutions work together in the national interest. This is a time for unity, patriotism and collective action, not division. Together, we can build a safer and more secure nation for all,&#8221; he concluded.</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/13/abuja-lawyer-faults-verydarkmans-protest-call-urges-support-for-security-agencies/">Abuja Lawyer faults VeryDarkMan’s protest call, urges support for security agencies </a></p>

15,281 candidates register for 2026 technical colleges’ entrance examination — NABTEB

<img width="1200" height="1000" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/NABTEB-.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/NABTEB-.jpg 1200w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/NABTEB--300x250.jpg 300w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/NABTEB--1024x853.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> <p>The National Business and Technical Examinations Board, NABTEB, has said that a total of 15,281 candidates enrolled for admission into technical colleges across the country in 2026.</p> <p>DAILY POST reports that Dr. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the board, disclosed this on&nbsp;Saturday, June 13, 2026, during the monitoring of the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) into technical colleges in Nigeria at Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.</p> <p>Mohammed said the figure for 2026 was over 8,000 lower than the 2025 figure of over 24,000 candidates.</p> <p>He said that out of the 15,281 candidates, 10,626 were males, while 4,655 were females.</p> <p>He also disclosed that Enugu State recorded the highest number of candidates with 1,506, while Zamfara State had the lowest number, with only 14 candidates.</p> <p>The NABTEB boss added that the examination, which took place simultaneously in 203 centres nationwide, marked another milestone in the Federal Government&#8217;s commitment to strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).</p> <p>He further stated that TVET remains a strategic pathway for national development, youth empowerment, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance.</p> <p>According to him, &#8220;We are at the Federal Technical College, Uromi, Edo State, for the monitoring of the 2026 National Common Entrance Examination into all technical colleges in Nigeria, which is taking place&nbsp;today&nbsp;across the nation in 203 centres.</p> <p>&#8220;The Federal Technical College, Uromi, happens to be one of the colleges. The assessment in this examination is far better than what we had last year. Last year, this venue was crowded with people who had nothing to do with the examination. They were inside the school premises.</p> <p>&#8220;For this year, we have jointly agreed with the Federal Ministry of Education, NABTEB and the principals of all the Federal Technical Colleges in Nigeria that anyone who has nothing to do with this examination will not be allowed access to the school premises. That is the level of sanity you are witnessing in the examination&nbsp;today.</p> <p>&#8220;The examination is credible to me because you saw what happened. Every candidate was allowed to write the examination, which consists of two parts: the paper-based component and the CBT aspect. That is what we are witnessing now.&#8221;</p> <p>He said the candidates were being examined in 28 trades, including electrical installation and maintenance practice, tiling and cladding, computer hardware and GSM repairs, catering craft practice, fashion design and garment making.</p> <p>Others include welding and fabrication, woodwork, carpentry and joinery, electronics system maintenance, and bricklaying, blocklaying and concreting.</p> <p>Mohammed assured that the board remains resolute in its determination to uphold the integrity and credibility of all its examinations.</p> <p>He, however, stated that any act capable of compromising the examination process, including impersonation, examination malpractice, unauthorised possession of examination materials or any form of misconduct, would be dealt with in accordance with extant regulations.</p> <p>&#8220;The National Common Entrance Examination for Technical Colleges provides a unique opportunity for young Nigerians to pursue quality technical and vocational education that equips them with employable skills and competencies required in&nbsp;today&#8217;s rapidly evolving world of work.</p> <p>&#8220;The federal government&#8217;s renewed emphasis on skills development underscores the strategic importance of technical colleges in producing the skilled workforce necessary for industrial growth and national prosperity,&#8221; he added.</p> <p>In separate interviews, some of the candidates, including Ali Miracle, James Philip and Njika Grace, expressed optimism that they would pass the examination.</p> <p>The candidates enrolled for mechanical trades, computer hardware repairs and maintenance, and fashion design and garment making, respectively.</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/13/15281-candidates-register-for-2026-technical-colleges-entrance-examination-nabteb/">15,281 candidates register for 2026 technical colleges&#8217; entrance examination — NABTEB</a></p>

Insecurity, lack of play undermining children’s cognitive learning in Nigerian schools — UNICEF

<img width="1168" height="779" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG-20260611-WA0623.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG-20260611-WA0623.jpg 1168w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG-20260611-WA0623-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG-20260611-WA0623-1024x683.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1168px) 100vw, 1168px" /> <p>The United Nations Children&#8217;s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern that insecurity and the lack of adequate play opportunities in schools are negatively affecting the cognitive development and learning outcomes of children across Nigeria.<br>DAILY POST reports that UNICEF warned that the trend could have long-term consequences for children&#8217;s educational attainment and overall well-being.</p> <p>Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Lagos, stated this in her remarks at the 2026 International Day of Play celebration and Early Childhood Education (ECE) Media Dialogue and Play Day event held in Lagos.</p> <p>The event, themed &#8220;Protect Play, Protect Childhood,&#8221; was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB).</p> <p>Lafoucriere, in her remarks, lamented that in recent months, many children had been taken into captivity from their schools in Borno, Niger, Kebbi and Oyo states.</p> <p>She said some of the children were still in captivity and had yet to return home.</p> <p>She also lamented that some children could not play because their schools were overcrowded, with no space, no time and no materials, while others were too afraid to come to school.</p> <p>According to her, &#8220;Let me start with our children. We are glad you are here today, and we are glad you are safe because right now, across this country, there are children who cannot say the same.</p> <p>&#8220;In recent months, children have been taken into captivity from their schools in Borno State, Niger, Kebbi, and just last month, in nearby Oyo State. Some of those children have unfortunately not come home yet.</p> <p>&#8220;This is the reality of childhood in the country in 2026. And we cannot stand here, on International Day of Play, and pretend otherwise.</p> <p>&#8220;You will agree with me that too many children in the country are not playing. Some cannot play because their schools are overcrowded. Some because there is no space, no time, no materials. And some because they are too afraid to come to school.</p> <p>&#8220;Their parents are too afraid to send them. The school compound, which should be the safest place in a child&#8217;s life, has become a place of fear. But we are also here today because we refuse to let fear have the last word,&#8221; she said.</p> <p>The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Lagos, who emphasised the significance of play, stressed that &#8220;when a child plays, their brain grows. When they explore, build things and laugh with their friends, they are learning. No worksheet can do what play does.&#8221;</p> <p>While positing that play is not a reward for finishing work but the work itself, she insisted that no child should be denied the opportunity to play, not even by overcrowded classrooms or anyone with a gun.</p> <p>She, however, sent a message to media practitioners, government officials, parents and others that a child who is not safe cannot learn.</p> <p>&#8220;A child who cannot play will not grow into who they are meant to be. These two things are connected, and both of them need fixing now.</p> <p>&#8220;Our children are watching; let us not let them down,&#8221; she stated.</p> <p>Earlier, the Executive Chairman of LASUBEB, Dr Hakeem Babatunde Shittu, stressed the importance of creating supportive environments where children can interact freely and develop socially and emotionally.</p> <p>Shittu, who described play as an important tool for learning and child development, stated that children learn better when they are happy, engaged and given opportunities to interact with their peers through play-based activities.</p> <p>He advocated that children&#8217;s welfare and development must remain a shared responsibility among government agencies, parents and other stakeholders.</p> <p>He noted that children often learn faster and express themselves more effectively when given opportunities to interact and play in conducive environments.</p> <p>Shittu, who reaffirmed the Lagos State Government&#8217;s commitment to inclusive education, disclosed that all public schools under LASUBEB provide equal opportunities for every child, including children living with disabilities and special needs.</p> <p>&#8220;The play aspect of childhood is very important. Children learn, interact and develop mentally through play. That is why today&#8217;s celebration is significant.</p> <p>&#8220;Our schools are inclusive. We do not discriminate. Every child is given the opportunity to participate, learn and develop regardless of their background or circumstances.</p> <p>&#8220;When children are happy, they learn more. When they interact, it improves their communication and mental development,&#8221; he added.</p> <p>On her part, Yetunde Oluwatosi, UNICEF Education Specialist, said the organisation is collaborating with government authorities to promote play-based learning and strengthen parental involvement in early childhood education.</p> <p>Oluwatosi, who stated that learning should not be restricted to the classroom alone, advocated stronger links between schools and homes to enhance children&#8217;s educational development.</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/12/insecurity-lack-of-play-undermining-childrens-cognitive-learning-in-nigerian-schools-unicef/">Insecurity, lack of play undermining children&#8217;s cognitive learning in Nigerian schools — UNICEF</a></p>

Borno govt reintegrates 3,762 repentant insurgents, family members

<img width="1280" height="900" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3DxSLoBq.jpeg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3DxSLoBq.jpeg 1280w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3DxSLoBq-300x211.jpeg 300w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/3DxSLoBq-1024x720.jpeg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /> <p>Borno State Government has reintegrated 3,762 former insurgents and their family members under its non-kinetic peace building initiative, known as the “Borno Model.”</p> <p>The beneficiaries comprise 720 men, 992 spouses and 2,050 children who voluntarily surrendered and were classified as Batch 9 low-risk and minor clients.</p> <p>They were formally released during a ceremony at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri after completing deradicalisation, disarmament, rehabilitation and vocational training programmes.</p> <p>The state government said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to consolidate peace in the North-East through the reintegration of repentant insurgents who surrendered to security forces.</p> <p>Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Security, retired Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq, described the programme as a key component of the state’s non-kinetic approach to addressing insurgency.</p> <p>He said participants underwent structured rehabilitation that included religious education, counselling, hygiene and drug awareness sessions, as well as vocational training in tailoring, carpentry, metalwork, phone repairs, solar installation and other technical skills.</p> <p>According to him, female participants also received training in soap making, knitting, catering services and tailoring, while starter packs were provided to support their reintegration into society.</p> <p>Ishaq disclosed that more than 9,600 people have been reintegrated through the programme since its inception in July 2021, with beneficiaries drawn from local government areas including Bama, Gwoza, Damboa, Mafa, Dikwa, Marte, Monguno and Kukawa after screening by community leaders and security agencies.</p> <p>The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Babagana Kadai, said the programme reflects the government’s commitment to restoring peace, rebuilding lives and promoting social cohesion.</p> <p>She added that the state government’s rehabilitation efforts have also supported thousands of displaced persons through resettlement, education, healthcare and livelihood initiatives.</p> <p>Security officials, religious leaders and community representatives urged the reintegrated beneficiaries to remain law-abiding and contribute positively to their communities, while some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the opportunity to rebuild their lives.</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/12/borno-govt-reintegrates-3762-repentant-insurgents-family-members/">Borno govt reintegrates 3,762 repentant insurgents, family members</a></p>

Alleged plot to abduct schoolchildren: Edo govt reopens schools days after closure

<img width="800" height="600" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Edo-State-Government.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Edo-State-Government.jpg 800w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Edo-State-Government-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> <p>Barely four days after the closure of three schools in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, the Edo State Government has ordered their immediate reopening.</p> <p>DAILY POST had on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, reported that the Edo State Ministry of Education ordered the temporary closure of three schools in the locality, namely Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School, and&nbsp;Makeke Secondary School, following security intelligence over an alleged planned mass abduction of schoolchildren in the Edo North senatorial district.</p> <p>The circular signed by the functioning permanent secretary of the ministry, Enodolomwanyi Otamere, directed that candidates currently participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) should be allowed access to sit for their examinations under strict security arrangements.</p> <p>However, four days after the directive, the permanent secretary, in another circular, ordered the reopening of the affected schools with effect from&nbsp;Monday, June 15, 2026.</p> <p>Otamere said the reopening would follow the implementation of enhanced security measures and the deployment of additional safety mechanisms across the affected communities and schools.</p> <p>He said the Government is satisfied that the necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of learners, teachers, and other school personnel.</p> <p>&#8220;Further to Circular Ref. No. MOE/PS/CIR/001 dated 9th June, 2026, on the temporary closure of some schools due to security concerns, the Edo State Government wishes to inform all stakeholders and the general public that the security situation has been comprehensively reviewed in collaboration with relevant security agencies and other critical stakeholders.</p> <p>&#8220;Following the implementation of enhanced security measures and the deployment of additional safety mechanisms across the affected communities and schools, the Government is satisfied that the necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of learners, teachers, and other school personnel.</p> <p>&#8220;Accordingly, approval has been granted for the reopening of all schools previously affected by the temporary closure directive. Consequently, all public and private schools affected by the earlier circular are to resume normal academic and administrative activities with effect from&nbsp;Monday, 15th June, 2026.</p> <p>&#8220;All school heads, proprietors, and relevant education authorities are hereby directed to make the necessary preparations for the safe resumption of students and staff.</p> <p>&#8220;They are further advised to maintain close collaboration with security agencies, community leaders, and relevant Government officials to sustain a safe and conducive learning environment,&#8221; he said.</p> <p>He said the government reassured parents, guardians, education stakeholders, and the general public that adequate security measures have been deployed across schools in the state.&nbsp;</p> <p>Otamere also reassured that the government remained fully committed to the protection of lives and property and will continue to monitor developments closely while taking all necessary steps to safeguard the education sector.</p> <p>The permanent secretary, however, encouraged parents and guardians to ensure that their children and wards return to school promptly to continue their academic activities.</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/12/alleged-plot-to-abduct-schoolchildren-edo-govt-reopens-schools-days-after-closure/">Alleged plot to abduct schoolchildren: Edo govt reopens schools days after closure</a></p>

June 12: Tinubu warns criminals, terror sponsors to surrender or face full force (FULL TEXT)

<img width="1200" height="720" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tinubu-commissions-projects-in-Ogun.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tinubu-commissions-projects-in-Ogun.jpg 1200w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tinubu-commissions-projects-in-Ogun-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tinubu-commissions-projects-in-Ogun-1024x614.jpg 1024w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tinubu-commissions-projects-in-Ogun-1000x600.jpg 1000w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tinubu-commissions-projects-in-Ogun-590x354.jpg 590w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tinubu-commissions-projects-in-Ogun-400x240.jpg 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> <p>President Bola Tinubu has warned bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terror to surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State.</p> <p>Tinubu gave the warning in a nationwide broadcast marking 27 years of unbroken democracy.</p> <p>The president said the windows of surrender will not remain open forever, noting that terror-related deaths have dropped by 81% since 2015, while over 13,000 terrorists were neutralized in the past year.</p> <p>He said:</p> <p>Today, we celebrate not only democracy but also the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence. We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it</p> <p>In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, adisagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.</p> <p>To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.</p> <p>To our armed forces, police, and intelligence services: Nigeria salutes your sacrifice. To our traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads: thank you for your support of peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.</p> <p>Today, we honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom, and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy. I salute labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers—both those who have passed and those still with us—for their patriotic contributions.</p> <p>Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is a mirage. That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.</p> <p>We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries,&nbsp; to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.</p> <p>To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.</p> <p>At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.</p> <p>June 12&nbsp;occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story. We remember Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.</p> <p>We also remember Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and the many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms we enjoy&nbsp;Today.</p> <p>As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.</p> <p>June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes&nbsp;of June 12&nbsp;secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.</p> <p>The reforms we are undertaking were not chosen for ease, but for necessity. Three years ago, our public finances were under severe strain, investment was discouraged, and economic uncertainty threatened our future. We chose to act, embracing reforms to advance Nigeria’s economic freedom.</p> <p>Since 2023, our reforms have restored stability and credibility to economic management. Federation revenues have risen, providing states and local governments with more resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security. Fiscal transparency has improved, leakage has been reduced, and public funds are better directed to national priorities. Investor confidence has returned, with investments in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation, and the creative industries growing.</p> <p>Domestic refining capacity has increased, strengthening energy security and reducing our reliance on imported petroleum products.</p> <p>By 2023, when we came on board, the electricity sector was characterised by chronic generation shortfalls, an unreliable gas supply, and transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not evacuate available power. Distribution companies were burdened by massive losses and a metering deficit of over four million. Worst of all, the value chain was drowning in legacy debt. The result was a sector that generated less than the 13,500 Megawatts installed capacity, a sector that transmitted less than it generated, distributed less than it transmitted and collected revenue far below what it needed to sustain itself.</p> <p>To address the problems besetting the sector, I signed the Electricity Act, which grants states authority to generate, transmit, and distribute power. The Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working hard to reduce the metering deficit. It has also been authorised to raise N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts. The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals. Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Across the country, infrastructure projects are connecting producers to markets and creating opportunities for enterprise and employment. The National Agricultural Development Fund is deploying 10,000 tractors over five years. Over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export. Non-oil exports grew by 21% last year.</p> <p>Yet, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding confidence in our economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity.</p> <p>We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region. We believe that Democracy must be felt in the pocket.</p> <p>Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils. A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance.</p> <p>Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation&nbsp;of June 12&nbsp;secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.</p> <p>Let us move forward together—rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence. Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.</p> <p>Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership. In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.</p> <p>I am also pleased to announce national awards to the following Nigerians, who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy&nbsp;Today.</p> <p>Barrister Ayoka Lawani</p> <p>Tunde Fagbenle</p> <p>Oladele Alake</p> <p>Olatunji Bello</p> <p>Louis Odion</p> <p>Segun Babatope</p> <p>Sam Omatseye</p> <p>Sir Ademola Osinubi</p> <p>Bola Bolawole</p> <p>Lade Bonuola</p> <p>Femi Kusa</p> <p>Debo Adeniran</p> <p>Chief Ayo Opadokun</p> <p>Chief Ralph Obioha</p> <p>Ose Osayande</p> <p>Barrister Osa Director</p> <p>Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine</p> <p>Dr Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous)</p> <p>Dr Osagie Obayuwana&nbsp;</p> <p>Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin</p> <p>Barrister Titus Mann</p> <p>Joe Igbokwe</p> <p>Richard Akinnola</p> <p>Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous)</p> <p>George Mbah</p> <p>Dr Niran Malaolu</p> <p>Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd)</p> <p>Femi Aborisade</p> <p>Jenkins Alumona</p> <p>Gbemiga Ogunleye</p> <p>Muyiwa Adekeye</p> <p>Babajide Kolade-Otitoju</p> <p>Ike Okonta</p> <p>We also recognise the soldier-democrats of the&nbsp;June 12&nbsp;struggle:</p> <p>Major General MA Garba</p> <p>Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa</p> <p>Col Umar Farouk Ahmed</p> <p>Col Sambo Dasuki</p> <p>Col Lawan Gwadabe</p> <p>Brigadier Jonathan</p> <p>Ndam&nbsp; Temlong</p> <p>Col Musa Shehu</p> <p>Major General Chris Eze</p> <p>Major General Harris Dzarma</p> <p>Col Isa Jibrin</p> <p>Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin</p> <p>Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)</p> <p>Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus</p> <p>Col J Okai</p> <p>Col Emmanuel Ndubueze;</p> <p>Lt Col Yakubu Muazu</p> <p>Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Current Etsu Nupe, who is already the holder of the CFR title.</p> <p>The honours list will be released in the next few days.</p> <p>Fellow Nigerians, 27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity.&nbsp;Today, our diversity sustains our democracy. The road ahead is steep. But&nbsp;June 12&nbsp;reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.</p> <p>Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land.</p> <p>May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to bless us all.</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/12/june-12-tinubu-warns-criminals-terror-sponsors-to-surrender-or-face-full-force-full-text/">June 12: Tinubu warns criminals, terror sponsors to surrender or face full force (FULL TEXT)</a></p>

Security not responsibility of govt alone – Islamic cleric tells Oyo residents

<img width="749" height="1080" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Abdul-Mumin.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Abdul-Mumin.jpg 749w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Abdul-Mumin-208x300.jpg 208w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Abdul-Mumin-710x1024.jpg 710w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 749px) 100vw, 749px" /> <p>An Islamic cleric and the first Muqaddamul Wai’zeen of Oyo State, Sheikh Abdul-Mu’min Shehu Usman, has called all Imams, Islamic organizations, traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups, and all well-meaning citizens of the state to unite in confronting the challenges of insecurity.</p> <p>Usman made the call in a statement made available to DAILY POST on&nbsp;Thursday.</p> <p>The Islamic cleric who doubles as the Chief Imam of Kere in Ogbomoso, explained that security is not the responsibility of government alone, noting that it is a collective trust (amanah) that requires the cooperation and vigilance of every member of society.</p> <p>Usman while speaking in the recent happenings in the state, condemned the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oriire local government area.</p> <p>He appealed to the security agencies to intensify efforts towards the release of the victims.</p> <p>In view of the happenings in the state, Usman appealed to Muslims to dedicate at least two minutes after every obligatory prayer to supplicate for the safety and swift release of all teachers, pupils and other innocent persons in captivity.</p> <p>He added that parents and community leaders should strengthen cooperation with schools and relevant authorities on matters relating to safety and security.</p> <p>He also urged young people to channel their energy into education, skill acquisition, community development, and peace-building initiatives.</p> <p>Usman said, &#8220;Accordingly, we call upon all Imams, Islamic organizations, traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups, and all well-meaning citizens of Oyo State to unite in confronting the challenges of insecurity. Security is not the responsibility of government alone; it is a collective trust (amanah) that requires the cooperation and vigilance of every member of society.</p> <p>&#8220;Islam is a religion of peace, justice, mercy, and human dignity. Corruption, banditry, kidnapping, and all forms of criminality constitute manifestations of fasād fi al-arḍ (mischief and corruption on earth), which Islam strongly condemns. Genuine peace can only flourish where justice prevails, truth is upheld, and the sanctity of human life is respected.</p> <p>&#8220;We therefore urge all Muslims to become ambassadors of peace in their homes, schools, marketplaces, places of worship, roads, and online platforms. Let our words promote harmony, our actions reflect compassion, and our conduct embody the noble teachings of Islam.</p> <p>&#8220;Therefore, we strongly demand the immediate and unconditional release of all teachers and pupils currently held in captivity. We call upon security agencies at all levels to intensify their efforts toward securing their freedom and restoring confidence in our educational institutions. We also call upon the captors to fear Allah and desist from actions that violate the sanctity of innocent lives.</p> <p>&#8220;In view of the foregoing, we make the following appeals: All Muslims should dedicate at least two minutes after every obligatory prayer to supplicate for the safety and swift release of all teachers, pupils, and other innocent persons in captivity. Parents and community leaders should strengthen cooperation with schools and relevant authorities on matters relating to safety and security.</p> <p>&#8220;Young people should channel their energy into education, skill acquisition, community development, and peace-building initiatives. Members of the public should verify information before sharing it, especially on social media, as misinformation can endanger lives and undermine security efforts.</p> <p>&#8220;Religious and traditional leaders should continue to promote unity, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence among all members of society. We pray to Allah Almighty to protect our communities, preserve our schools, safeguard our scholars, teachers, and students, and grant lasting peace and security throughout Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.</p> <p>&#8220;O Allah, improve the condition of the Muslims, grant them security and peace, protect our scholars, teachers, and students, free those in captivity, and establish justice and tranquility in our land. Āmīn.&#8221;</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/11/security-not-responsibility-of-govt-alone-islamic-cleric-tells-oyo-residents/">Security not responsibility of govt alone &#8211; Islamic cleric tells Oyo residents</a></p>

INEC fixes dates for primaries in restored Benue constituencies

<img width="1400" height="1400" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/INEC-1.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/INEC-1.jpg 1400w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/INEC-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/INEC-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/INEC-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/INEC-1-80x80.jpg 80w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /><p>The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 16 to June 25, 2026, for the conduct of political party primaries in restored state constituencies across Benue, Delta, Jigawa and Kogi states ahead of the 2027 General Election.<br /> The commission announced the decision in a press statement issued on Wednesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.</p> <p>According to INEC, the action followed court judgments directing the restoration of several previously suppressed constituencies and was carried out in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2026.</p> <p>In Benue State, the restored constituencies are Nyamatsor, Ukum Afia, Konshisha III (Shangev-Tiev), Makurdi III (South East), and Gboko III State Constituencies.</p> <p>INEC said the special primary elections would enable political parties to nominate candidates for the restored constituencies in preparation for the 2027 general election.</p> <p>“For the avoidance of doubt, all other timelines and activities contained in the already published revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election shall apply to the restored constituencies,” the commission stated.</p> <p>The electoral body also directed political parties to submit notices of their primaries to the commission before the scheduled dates, citing the peculiar nature of the arrangement.</p> <p>INEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting credible, inclusive and transparent electoral processes as preparations for the 2027 general election continue. </p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/11/inec-fixes-dates-for-primaries-in-restored-benue-constituencies/">INEC fixes dates for primaries in restored Benue constituencies</a></p>

No child’s future should be defined by poverty – Emir Sanusi

<img width="1200" height="720" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Emir-Sanusi-II-.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Emir-Sanusi-II-.jpg 1200w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Emir-Sanusi-II--300x180.jpg 300w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Emir-Sanusi-II--1024x614.jpg 1024w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Emir-Sanusi-II--1000x600.jpg 1000w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Emir-Sanusi-II--590x354.jpg 590w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Emir-Sanusi-II--400x240.jpg 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><p>The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has called for urgent and long-term action to address poverty and inequality in the North-West.</p> <p>According to him, no child’s future should be determined by the circumstances of their birth.</p> <p>He made the statement while delivering a keynote address at the High-Level North-West Policy Dialogue held in Kano State, where he urged leaders to focus on practical solutions rather than speeches and promises.</p> <p>“The measure of any society is found in how it expands opportunity and protects the vulnerable. No child’s future should be foreclosed by the poverty of their birth.”</p> <p>Sanusi warned that poverty in the region remains deeply rooted and is reflected in poor education outcomes, weak health systems, and high levels of child malnutrition and unemployment.</p> <p>He said addressing the crisis requires strong political commitment and consistent investment in people, especially children and young people.</p> <p>Among his key recommendations was a call for the creation of a long-term social investment framework in each state, with protected budget lines for health, education, social protection, and youth development.</p> <p>He also proposed a minimum social package that guarantees basic services for citizens at different stages of life, from early childhood to adulthood.</p> <p>Sanusi stressed the importance of early childhood development, saying the first years of life are critical to a child’s future learning and wellbeing.</p> <p>He urged states to invest more in nutrition, early learning, and parental support, adding that what happens in those early years determines what a child becomes.”</p> <p>The Emir also recommended stronger programmes for out-of-school children, adult literacy, and youth skills development to reduce unemployment and improve livelihoods.</p> <p>He further called for better use of traditional institutions in community data gathering and programme delivery, saying they are closer to the people and understand local needs better.</p> <p>Sanusi also pushed for improved accountability, urging governments in the region to publish results of social investments and track progress annually.</p> <p>He warned that without honest leadership and sustained action, poverty in the region would continue to deepen and affect future generations.</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/11/no-childs-future-should-be-defined-by-poverty-emir-sanusi/">No child’s future should be defined by poverty &#8211; Emir Sanusi</a></p>

Collapsed bridge disrupts movement, economic activities in Taraba communities

<img width="1200" height="720" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/jalingo-road.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/jalingo-road.jpg 1200w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/jalingo-road-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/jalingo-road-1024x614.jpg 1024w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/jalingo-road-1000x600.jpg 1000w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/jalingo-road-590x354.jpg 590w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/jalingo-road-400x240.jpg 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> <p>Residents of Jalingo and Yorro Local Government Councils of Taraba State have appealed to their representatives in the National Assembly to urgently facilitate the reconstruction of the collapsed Mallam Audu Bridge, a critical link between the two councils.</p> <p>The bridge, popularly known as Gadan Mallam Audu, was recently washed away by heavy rainfall that lasted several hours, cutting off the shortest route between Jalingo, the state capital, and Pantisawa, the administrative headquarters of Yorro Local Government Council.</p> <p>A visit to the area revealed that the collapse of the bridge has severely disrupted movement between the affected communities, leaving residents stranded and forcing commuters to take longer and more difficult alternative routes.</p> <p>For many years, the bridge served as a vital transport corridor for students, civil servants, traders, and farmers transporting agricultural produce from the fertile Yorro mountains to markets in Jalingo.</p> <p>Its collapse has not only hindered mobility but has also negatively affected commercial activities and access to essential services.</p> <p>Residents who spoke on&nbsp;Tuesday&nbsp;expressed concern over the hardship caused by the incident and called on the senator representing Taraba North senatorial district and the member representing Jalingo, Yorro and Zing federal constituency to urgently draw the attention of relevant authorities to the situation.</p> <p>One of the residents, Ishaka Bala, described the bridge as an economic lifeline whose collapse has had far-reaching consequences on daily life.</p> <p>&#8220;The collapsed bridge has disrupted transportation, economic activities, and access to healthcare, education, and other essential services. We are appealing to our representatives to intervene and ensure that the bridge is reconstructed as quickly as possible,&#8221; he said.</p> <p>According to Bala, swift intervention by the lawmakers would go a long way in alleviating the suffering currently being experienced by residents of the affected communities.</p> <p>Another resident, Musa Kasuwa, recalled that the bridge was originally constructed through the intervention of a former member representing the area in the National Assembly.</p> <p>He noted that signs of structural weakness had been evident for months before the bridge was eventually washed away.</p> <p>&#8220;We are calling on our senator and member representing us in the House of Representatives to emulate their predecessor by facilitating the reconstruction of this bridge. Movement from Yorro to Jalingo has become extremely difficult since it collapsed,&#8221; Kasuwa said.</p> <p>Beyond the appeal to federal lawmakers, residents are also calling on the Taraba State Government to provide a temporary access route to ease transportation challenges while awaiting the reconstruction of the bridge.</p> <p>As the rainy season intensifies, community members fear that continued inaction could further isolate several settlements, worsen economic losses, and limit access to critical public services.</p> <p>For now, residents can only hope that urgent steps will be taken to restore the vital connection that has long served as a gateway between Jalingo and Yorro communities.</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/10/collapsed-bridge-disrupts-movement-economic-activities-in-taraba-communities/">Collapsed bridge disrupts movement, economic activities in Taraba communities</a></p>

SMBLF raises alarm over worsening insecurity, mass kidnappings in Nigeria

<img width="1200" height="900" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/SMBLF.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/SMBLF.jpg 1200w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/SMBLF-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/SMBLF-1024x768.jpg 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> <p>The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has raised alarm over what it described as &#8220;the growing impunity and disturbing ease with which terrorists and bandits are carrying out mass kidnappings across Nigeria, especially the abduction of school children in recent weeks.&#8221;</p> <p>A joint statement issued by Oba Oladipo Olaitan, Leader, Afenifere; Dr Bitrus Pogu, President, Middle Belt Forum; Senator John Azuta-Mbata, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; and Ambassador Godknows Igali, National Chairman, PANDEF, on&nbsp;Wednesday&nbsp;and made available to DAILY POST said, &#8220;It appears that the Nigerian political leadership is becoming increasingly consumed by politics and the struggle for power ahead of the 2027 general elections, while the nation sinks deeper into chaos, poverty, fear and insecurity.&#8221;</p> <p>Every Nigerian citizen, especially innocent children, according to the statement, has a constitutional right to protection by the state, lamenting that this responsibility is now being increasingly neglected.</p> <p>It observed, &#8220;On May 15, 2026, armed bandits attacked two schools in Ahoro-Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and kidnapped more than 40 pupils and seven teachers before beheading Mr Michael Oyedoku, a mathematics teacher.&#8221;</p> <p>On the same day, May 15, 2026, it stated that Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists invaded Mussa community in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Southern Borno and abducted about 42 school children.</p> <p>&#8220;Earlier, on April 27, 2026, gunmen attacked an Islamic orphanage in Lokoja, Kogi State, abducting 23 pupils and staff members,&#8221; it explained.</p> <p>SMBLF expressed delight at&nbsp;the Sunday&nbsp;return of 360 hostages abducted from Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area in Southern Borno, describing it as an outstanding achievement and stating that it remains possible to rescue all other citizens still held by criminal elements, provided the right environment is created.</p> <p>The statement lamented that the situation remains grim in Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Niger and Kwara states, as hundreds of innocent citizens are still being held hostage in various bandit and terrorist camps.</p> <p>According to the statement, &#8220;Social media platforms are now flooded daily with horrifying images and videos showing terrorists and bandits beheading innocent citizens and inflicting terrible cruelty on captives whose families cannot pay ransom.&#8221;</p> <p>It observed that large portions of Nigerian territory in the North-West, Middle Belt and North-East are now effectively under the control or influence of terrorists and bandits, stressing that even in parts of the South-West, several once-thriving communities have been deserted as frightened residents flee repeated attacks and kidnappings.</p> <p>It opined that millions of Nigerians are now internally displaced persons, living in hunger, uncertainty and trauma in camps or with relatives across the country, while many farming communities have been abandoned, worsening food shortages, inflation and poverty.</p> <p>Despite this frightening national emergency, the statement alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his family and governors appear more focused on political calculations surrounding the 2027 elections.</p> <p>&#8220;It is for this reason that SMBLF is deeply disturbed by widespread media reports alleging that about N800 billion was generated by governors of states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 re-election campaign of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,&#8221; SMBLF lamented.</p> <p>It noted that, according to the allegations, governors under the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) allegedly agreed that N1 billion would be deducted monthly from their states’ allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), adding that the funds were reportedly placed under an arrangement known as the “Renewed Hope Agenda” (RHA).</p> <p>It added, &#8220;Equally troubling is the growing pattern of huge sums in public donations, distributions of expensive vehicles, cash gifts, empowerment programmes and other largesse by First Lady Remi Tinubu.&#8221;</p> <p>The statement observed that she holds no constitutional or executive office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, saying that her lavish and unrestrained activities, allegedly in pursuit of political mileage for the President ahead of the 2027 general elections, are a source of concern to SMBLF.</p> <p>The SMBLF therefore demanded that the EFCC, ICPC, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit&nbsp;&nbsp;and all relevant anti-corruption agencies immediately launch an independent investigation into the alleged N800 billion fund.</p> <p>It said the Federal Government must immediately declare a comprehensive national security emergency and substantially increase funding, equipment and welfare support for the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies and other security services battling terrorism and banditry.</p> <p>&#8220;The Federal and State governments must provide permanent security presence in vulnerable communities, schools, highways and farming areas to guarantee the safe return of displaced persons and restore public confidence.</p> <p>&#8220;The government must urgently establish a special intervention fund for internally displaced persons to provide food, shelter, healthcare, education and rehabilitation for millions of victims of terrorism and banditry.</p> <p>&#8220;Special courts should be established for the speedy trial of terrorism, kidnapping and banditry cases to ensure that arrested criminals face swift justice,&#8221; the statement prayed.</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/10/smblf-raises-alarm-over-worsening-insecurity-mass-kidnappings-in-nigeria/">SMBLF raises alarm over worsening insecurity, mass kidnappings in Nigeria</a></p>

BREAKING: Edo govt shuts down three schools over DSS alarm of possible abduction

<img width="800" height="600" src="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Edo-State-Government.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" srcset="https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Edo-State-Government.jpg 800w, https://dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Edo-State-Government-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> <p>The Edo State Government has ordered the temporary closure of three public Secondary Schools in Akoko- Edo Local Government Area of the State.</p> <p>The public schools are Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School and&nbsp;Makeke Secondary School.</p> <p>The State Ministry of Education disclosed this in a circular dated June 9, 2026 and made available to newsmen in Benin City.</p> <p>The statement said the closure of the schools followed the security alarm raised by the State Command of the Department of State Services, DSS, over the alleged mass abduction of school children in Edo North senatorial district.</p> <p>The statement signed by&nbsp;Enodolomwanyi Otamere on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the&nbsp;ministry was addressed to the principals of the affected schools.</p> <p>The ministry, however, directed that candidates currently participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) should be allowed access to sit for their examinations under strict security arrangements.</p> <p>It said the candidates should be supervised as may be provided by the relevant security agencies and community stakeholders.</p> <p>According to the statement, the Ministry of Education has received intelligence reports and advisories from relevant security agencies regarding credible threats to the safety of students, staff, and school communities in some parts of Akoko Edo Local Government Area.</p> <p>&#8220;Consequently, and in line with the Government&#8217;s commitment to the protection of lives and property, approval has been granted for the temporary closure of the affected&nbsp; schools with immediate effect</p> <p>&#8220;All academic and non-academic activities in the affected schools are hereby suspended with immediate effect and shall remain so until further notice from the Ministry.</p> <p>&#8220;However, candidates currently participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) shall be allowed access to sit for their examinations under strict security arrangements and supervision as may be provided by the relevant security agencies and community stakeholders&#8221;, it added.</p> <p>The ministry also directed the affected principals of the schools to ensure the safe and orderly release of students to their parents and guardians.</p> <p>It further ordered the principals to secure all school facilities and property during the period of closure as well as maintain close communication with the Ministry, the Chief Inspector of Education, and security agencies.</p> <p>It urged the principals to comply strictly with any further directives that may be issued by the State Government.</p> <p>The State Government, however, advised parents, guardians, and members of the affected communities to remain calm and cooperate fully with security agencies.</p> <p>It added that efforts are being intensified to guarantee the safety of all citizens and restore normal academic activities as soon as practicable.</p> <p><a href="https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/10/edo-govt-shuts-down-three-schools-over-dss-alarm-of-possible-abduction/">BREAKING: Edo govt shuts down three schools over DSS alarm of possible abduction </a></p>