Year: 2026

  • THE ENEMY WITHIN

    THE ENEMY WITHIN

     

     

    By Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

    The enemy within smirks, mocks and laughs when our President slips and falls to the floor in far away Turkiya.

    Oblivious of the fact that a democratically-elected President, whether you like or support him or not, is the living manifestation of our nation and the essence and symbol of our national sovereignty and pride they pray for the worse and celebrate it in the inner recesses of their dark, sinister, twisted and malevolent minds.

    They forget that when our President falls it essentially means that our nation falls.

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    They forget that a true patriot is meant to pray for, cheer on and encourage the leader of his country, whether or not he is in opposition, when he is fighting for the future of our people in a foreign land.

     

    They whisper to themselves in their closets and bedrooms that “finally, this is his end”.

    With glee they say to themselves and to their grubby little minions that “at last we have him!”

    They assume the worse and they desire for the worse.

    They forget that anyone can slip and fall at anytime and that the Holy Bible says “rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall for I shall rise and when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me”- Micah 7:8.

    They forget that it also says “for a righteous man may fall seven times
    and rise again but the wicked shall fall by calamity”- Proverbs 24:16.

    It is to the glory of God and to the shame of our detractors and the enemy within that though our President slipped and fell in Turkey before the entire world, he rose again with strength and pride like the phoenix and he went on to negotiate and sign numerous bilateral agreements which will bring security, succour and prosperity to our nation with President Erdoğan of Turkiya.

     

    That is the lot of a righteous man and a humble, forgiving and kind-hearted leader and it signifies the fact that the Lord is with him and that the enemy within has failed once again.

    Yet they never stop and neither will they ever do so because they are seized of a dark, depraved, diseased and sadistic mind that craves failure and chaos and longs for calamity, tragedy, sorrow, tears and malevolence.

    The enemy within just loves it when terrible things happen. Like the accursed masochists that they are, that is their pleasure and delight.

    They love to hear the cries of infants and babies and they delight in hearing the wailing of widows and the screaming of orphans.

    Consider their reaction to the sad and unfortunate events that took place in Kajuru, Kaduna state earlier this month.

    I am as saddened and concerned as anyone else about the abductions of the worshippers that took place there and like everyone else I hope and pray for their rescue and safe return back home at the soonest.

    I am however constrained to make the following observations and I do so with pain and sorrow.

    The reality is that the enemy within, namely a handful of political leaders in the opposition who seek to undermine and discredit our Government and to destabilise our country and who are working in collaboration with foreign powers are part of those that are secretly encouraging and, I suspect, facilitating the abduction of Christians in Nigeria because they make political capital out of it.

    They secretly crave it yet openly condemn it because it suits their purpose and it confirms the narrative that they want to establish.

    For some it proves that Christians are being targetted in Nigeria and it plays into the Christian genocide and persecution narrative which the Americans have gladly cottoned on to and for others it feeds the erroneous suggestion that having a Christian candidate for the opposition or a Christian running mate for our President in 2027 are the answers to the problem and the only way of proving that Christians are safe and treated with humanity in our country.

    Both views do not fully recognise the depth and complexity of the problem and can therefore be fairly described as simplistic, myopic and misplaced because the situation is much more complex than that.

     

    Worse still the specious lies and dubious political motives that fuel this thinking are irresponsible and disingenious.

    You cannot play politics with peoples lives and liberty, take advantage of their misery and suffering and use them as pawns in a deadly game of political chess.

    Worse still you cannot attempt to distort the narrative, misinform the world and perpetuate and peddle the nonsensical falsehood that only Christians are being abducted and killed by the terrorists in our country and that only Churches are being burnt down whilst Mosques are left standing. This is simply not true.

     

    The reality is that Muslims are also being abducted in massive numbers and a more accurate and honest categerisation of the situation we are faced with would have been that both Christian and Muslim Nigerians are “not safe” in parts of Northern Nigeria because of mass abductions and not just Christians.

    Even this categorisation may not be accurate and is possibly unfair because it negates the efforts and successes that the the Nigerian military, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, the National Security Advisor and the Nigerian security forces and Intelligence agencies together with numerous notable Governors from the Northern states like the Governor of Kaduna, the Governor of Kwara, the Governor of Yobe, the Governor of Borno, the Governor of Sokoto and a number of other key Northern leaders such as Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senator Abdul Aziz Yari, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, Senator Shehu Umar Buba and a number of others have made in curbing this menace.

     

    The truth is that for every person that has been abducted hundreds have been protected and delivered from attempts at abduction and virtually every single one of those that were actually abducted before Kajuru have been rescued and returned home safely.

    That in itself is encouraging though it does not negate or underplay the problem we have and the challenge we collectively face.

    It simply means that despite the problems and challenges and the politically-motivated expressions of angst and concern of the usual suspects at least some progress is being made.

    It is deeply saddening and troubling that ANYONE is abducted or killed in the first place and this represents a failure in our efforts to achieve 100% security for Nigerians in the midst of what is essentially an open and horrendous guerrila war where civilian populations are purposely targetted and a massive and unprecedented armed rebellion and relentless insurgency is in full play.

    However we must acknowledge that our successes in this respect both in the prevention of even more killings and abductions and in terms of recovery and rescue of those taken is very good.

     

    Sadly people people tend to focus on the failures and remain silent in the face of the successes which is most unfair.

    What is even more unfair and extreemly dangerous is to continuously frame the entire matter in religious terms.

    I am amongst those that did so in the past but six years ago, after much research and extensive travelling all over the more distant parts of the core North for an investigation into the matter and an extensive 5 week tour my eyes opened and I came to appreciate the fact the Muslims were being targetted with equal ferocity and in equal measure.

     

    This is a fact that the media and most Southern Nigerians, for reasons I cannot fathom or comprehend, appear to ignore and choose to play down and it begs the question whether Muslim lives are considered as being as sacred and precious as Christian ones in their eyes?

    The criminals and terrorists that carry out these atrocities do not care whether it is Christians or Muslims that they terrorise, traumatise, kill or abduct. They only care that their victims are Nigerians.

    Their war is not against Christians alone but against the Nigerian state and the Nigerian people, both Christian and Muslim.

    It is in this light that we must view this harrowing challenge and once we do so we will be in a better position to confront it, defeat the enemy, eliminate the threat and put both our local and foreign detractors to shame.

     

    Permit me to continue this contribution with a sincere and heartfelt word for Mr. Peter Obi, a notable member of the Nigerian opposition.

    I refer to your post on the terrible events that took place in Kajuru on Sunday 18th January 2026.

    I share your concerns for the safety of those abducted but unlike you mine are from the heart and I am not expressing those concerns for political gain.

    At a time like this we should be praying for the rescue of the worshippers and assisting and encouraging our Government to ensure their safe return.

    Instead of doing so you are sheepishly asking “what is happening in our country” as if you, your supporters and your insincere and divisive rhetoric are not part of the problem.

    You feign concern and focus on the negative never offering support or giving credit to whom it is due when things go well and are done properly.

     

    For example have you ever had the decency or prescence of mind to commend the efforts of the gallant men of our Armed Forces and security agencies or acknowledged the number of people and lives they have successfully defended and saved?

    Have you ever considered the fact that many of them are paying the supreme price every day on the frontlines in their attempt to protect and guard the realm and prevent the barbarians from climbing over our walls?

    Have you ever thanked them for this or publicly expressed solidarity with or support for them? I doubt it.

    Our greatest problem are people like you that openly crave for and secretly celebrate chaos, lawlessness, division and carnage and that see the propagation and execution of such evil as a justification for your futile and pitiful attempt to discredit the Government and gain sympathy and support for yourself.

     

    Simply put you seek to harvest the misery of our people in the same way that some harvest human organs and you celebrate their pain, suffering and tears.

     

    Relevant here are the words of Mr. Dennis Amachree, a former Assistant Director of the DSS, who said the following:

    “most of these mass abductions are carried out to spite the Government in power: there are fifth columnists and complicit actors within the system and by the time the Government reacts the damage has already been done”.

    I am constrained to ask whether you are part of those that are actually behind these abductions and insurgency simply for political gain?

     

    Let me be clear: this is a question and not an allegation but whatever the answer is (and I do not claim to know it) kindly save your crocodile tears and insincere concern for the welfare and safety of our people whether it be in Kaduna or elsewhere. We know you don’t mean it.

    The only thing that is important to you is that all our institutions fail and our nation is burnt to ashes in a religious and ethnic conflagration so that you and your cohorts can divide our country, break it into pieces and share what is left of it amongst yourselves.

    Be rest assured that that will NEVER happen and you will NEVER achieve your objectives.

    Whatever our challenges may be as a nation and whatever obstacles may be placed in our path, I am persuaded that in peace, love, unity, mutual respect and faith we shall SURELY overcome.

    Permit me to add the following.

    It has come to my attention that when ESN and IPOB terrorists murder Christians and Muslims in the South East you encourage it by saying nothing and endorse it with your resounding silence.

     

    When Muslims are killed in the North, except on the odd occassion, you say nothing because you do not see them as human beings and you could not care less.

    When Christians are killed in the North you feign outrage and you celebrate and magnify it, citing it as evidence of “Christian persecution” and “Christian genocide” and encouraging the right-wing lunatic fringe in American politics to latch on to it.

    When Christians are not killed in the North you pretend that they are, inflate numbers and fabricate it in an attempt to plant the seeds of religious division and provoke a sectarian war.

    What manner of man are you?

     

    Why are you so hell bent on destroying our country and shattering the unity that we are trying to establish and preserve?

    Is it your desire to be President over a broken, bleeding and dying Nigeria and to preside over the corpse of a great nation like ours that you are evidently so desperate to murder?

    What pleasure can you possibly derive from your dangerous doublespeak and grave antics and what has Nigeria done to you and yours that you so desperately seek her destruction and demise?

     

    We have seen this desperate thirst and quest for power before and we saw how many bodies littered the streets in an attempt to gain it.

    It happened on January 15th 1966 with shocking and devastating consequences for those that were behind it and indeed for the entire nation.

     

    May we never see such again.

     

    You do not have to tear Nigeria apart to achieve your ambition of becoming President: God alone gives power to whom He pleases and when he deems it fit.

     

    I have little doubt that when that time comes, years down the line, and He deems it fit to give it to the South East it will certainly NOT be to you.

     

    I say this because there are men and women from your part of the country that are far better and far more deserving and qualified than you and that are neither divisive or obsessed with the division of our country.

     

    Unlike you such men and women proudly consider themselves as being Nigerians and not Biafrans and they do not make a distinction between Muslims and Christians.

     

    They see all Nigerians, whether Christian or Muslim or whether Northerner or Southerner, as being one and the same and that is what we expect and deserve.

    They appreciate the fact that the road to power in a democracy is one of peace, inclusiveness and understanding and not one of discord, strife, violence, lies, insults, disinformation, propaganda, division, historical revisionism, inordinate ambition, greed, entitlement and deceit.

    Neither do they believe in the stereotyping or demonising of any of our great ethnic nationalities or religious faiths.

    These are the basic and fundamental prerequisites that are required for anyone to lead our great nation and in my humble opinion you do not have them and you are incapable of ever cultivating them.

    Yet it doesn’t stop there.

     

     

    You not only turned on your own Obidient supporters and called them “criminals” (an appelation I will not contest with you) after they complained about the fact that you joined the ADC, a political party that you had earlier described as a “structure of criminality” but you also disavowed and disowned them when they resorted to their usual infantile tantrums after it was brought to their attention that you were considering the possibility of being the running mate to the undisputed leader of that party given the fact that you have no hope in hell of winning the presidential primaries.

    Yet all that doublespeak, lack of consistency, opportunism and deceit pales into comparison when compared to what you did to your former presidential campaign manager.

    You repaid his good with evil by turning your back on him in his time of need and refused to stand by him and support him when he fell ill. For this alone God will never forgive you.

    I will not go into what else you did to him because that is for another day but to say the least you were unfeeling, insensitive and callous towards this profoundly good man who many loved and held in high esteem.

    The only mistake he made was that he associated himself with you and joined your bandwagon of misguided and irreverent Obidient cheerleaders.

    Thankfully towards the end he saw you for what you were, retraced his steps and returned back to us.

    Surely you are not the stuff of which real leaders and Presidents are made. Your loyalty is to your vaulting ambition and to no-one and nothing else.

    Your new friends in the ADC will attest to that at a later date after you break ranks with them.

     

    These are my words for you Peter. I sincerely hope that you will consider them.

    Permit me to end this contribution with the following.

    If truth be told Obi sincerely believes that he has the right to the Presidency just as satan believed he had the right to Moses’ body.

    When the latter passed on and satan came for his corpse the Holy Bible tells us that Archangel Michael rose up, confronted him, resisted him and boldly pronounced “the Lord rebuke you satan” after which the devil fled.

    Today I say, “the Lord rebuke you Peter” and, like satan, you MUST flee.

    Just as he had no right to Moses’ body, you have no right to the Nigerian Presidency!

    God alone has the exclusive right to give it to whom He deems fit!

     

    Yet one thing is clear: if it is ever Peter Obi we shall rue the day!

    This is a man whose supporters celebrated and lept with joy when President Donald Trump threatened us and described our nation as “a disgraced country” and when he said, “we may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing and if we attack, it will be fast, vicious and sweet”.

    This was like music to the ears of Obi and his Obidients but when the narrative changed, sanity prevailed and tempers cooled they could not bring themselves to express a word of support, relief or commendation for the Federal Government after it responded to the Americans in a restrained, mature and profound manner, rebuilt the bridges of friendship and understanding, entered into a joint security agreement with them and started working closely with them to combat the menace of terrorism in an atmosphere of camaraderie and mutual respect.

     

    This is not what Obi and his supporters wanted. What they had in mind was for the Americans to attack Nigeria, kill our people, bomb our cities and implement a Maduro-style regime change before carving us up into at least four separate pieces.

     

    As Otunba Bayo Onanuga, the spokesman to President Tinubu said, “we will NEVER forgive or forget Peter Obi for wanting our nation to be attacked and bombed”.

    These words reflect the thinking of not just those in Government but of every right-thinking Nigerian patriot.

     

     

    To add to that as my friend and brother His Excellency Ambassador-Designate Reno Omokri asked in a recent write up,

    “How can an individual like Peter Obi who has divided four different parties in Nigeria want to be President?”

    This is a pertinent question which needs to be answered and I add the following: how can an individual who refuses to condemn the wanting acts of mass murder, butchery, abduction, torture and intimidation of the ESN and IPOB and a man who, as far as I am aware, has never condemned the Monday ‘sit at home order’ issued by the terrorists throughout his own South-Eastern region aspire or expect to lead our nation?

     

    Surely the very thought of such a prospect is as frightful as it is perverse.

     

    A fundamental requirement and pre-condtion to being the President of a great nation like ours is surely a deep respect and love for and understanding of ALL the people regardless of where they come from or what their religious faith is and a total and complete rejection of terrorism not just in the North but also in the South.

     

    To be selective in this respect is to be divisive and to be divisive is to be destructive. We do not want or need a destructive President.

     

    We want a Commander-in-Chief, like the one we have today, that will at least endeavour to hold us all together as one and not a Divider-in-Chief that will favour his own and seek to turn the rest of us into serfs and slaves.

    We have been down that road before and, by God’s grace, we shall NEVER walk it again.

    Whatever the case and whoever the enemy within choose to field in 2027 as their presidential candidate one thing remains clear: in a 36 state Federation our ruling party the APC now controls all but 7 states and of the seven one is in alliance with us.

     

    Given this it is clear that only God can stop President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from being re-elected in 2027.

    All the subversion, destabilisation, betrayal, hostility, lies, conspiracies and shenanigans that the enemy within, the opposition and their hordes of foreign friends, attack dogs and bellicose trolls have collectively contrived cannot stop or deter him.

    I advise them to focus their presidential aspirations on 2031 and forget 2027 because until then there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.

     

    I also urge them to purge themselves of their divisive and subversive ways and their hate and contempt or, failing that, to leave our shores and embark on a journey of no return.

    May God bless and defend the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     

    *(Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is the Sadaukin Shinkafi, the Wakilin Doka Potiskum, the Otunba of Joga Orile, the Aare Ajagunla of Otun Ekiti, a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, a former Minister of Aviation, a former Senior Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo, a Legal Practioner and an Ambassador-Designate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria)*

  • Stakeholders urge government to harness youth population for bio-economic growth

    Stakeholders urge government to harness youth population for bio-economic growth

    Stakeholders urge government to harness youth population for bio-economic growth

     

    By Olatunde Ajayi

     

    Stakeholders in agriculture and economic sectors have called on the government to harness opportunities in Nigeria’s huge youth population to boost the country’s economic diversification.

     

    The stakeholders, drawn from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), academia, research institutions, youths, and farmers’ groups, made the submission at a two-day public-private dialogue on the implementation of the cassava bio-ethanol value chain development project.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in Ibadan for stakeholders in the southwest geopolitical zone, aimed to discuss how to harness cassava bio-ethanol utilisation in the industry and energy sector for economic transformation.

    The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Academy of Science, Dr. Doyin Odubanjo, said that Nigeria is yet to fully utilise its youth population, especially in the agriculture value chain, such as the bio-ethanol implementation project.

     

    According to him, more young citizens in their productive age must be encouraged by the government to get involved in anything related to agriculture, particularly cassava bio-ethanol diversification for alternative and cleaner energy for economic growth.

     

    “The youth are an ignored potential wealth of Nigeria. They are critical, and their population is a huge advantage that we have in Nigeria and Africa at large above the rest of the world, which we must maximise,” he said.

     

    He commended the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for the inclusion of academia, research institutions, and other critical stakeholders like the Nigerian Academy of Science in the discourse towards effective implementation of the bio-ethanol value chain project.

     

    “We are working with the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, particularly on the bio-ethanol project, to ensure that everything that is done is evidence-based.

     

    “So what we’re doing is to ensure that this is not a white elephant project. As much as they work with the Nigerian Academy of Science, the academy’s responsibility is to provide technical support from the best brains in science among Nigerians and abroad.

     

    “We are also providing technical support and advice at every stage of the development of the bio-ethanol value chain,” he said.

    Similarly, the Project Consultant, Dr. Lanre Adekanye, urged the government to provide incentives that would attract youths to get involved in agriculture, especially the cassava bio-ethanol value chain project.

     

    “Our youths can be incentivised to be part of this project. Instead of looking for a white-collar job, a lot of opportunities abound in cassava and ethanol value chain projects.

     

    “Entry barriers facing youths to participate, such as barriers to resources, information, and other challenges, should be addressed by the government with proper sensitisation,” he said.

     

    A youth representative from Ekiti State, Comrade Ayuba Akinola, commended President Bola Tinubu for sustaining economic diversification drive through his renewed hope agenda so that Nigeria can meet up with the standard best practices obtainable around the globe.

     

    “Nigeria cannot be secluded from the realities of the 21st century, 21st century, which is diversification to bio-economy. Bio-economy enriches people, restores investors’ confidence, and is equally environmentally friendly,” he said.

    Another participant, Dr. Patricia Amaechi-Obi, from the Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, said that women and youths in agriculture need to be empowered to overcome barriers such as land acquisition and funds so as to be able to actively participate in the project.

     

    The workshop also featured presentations on the project monitoring and evaluation strategies, tracking and presentation of certificate among others.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • Decades of Stalled Careers: Police ’91 Set Call for Tinubu, PSC Intervention

    Decades of Stalled Careers: Police ’91 Set Call for Tinubu, PSC Intervention

    ‎Decades of Stalled Careers: Police ’91 Set Call for Tinubu, PSC Intervention

    ‎By Adewale Owoade

    ‎Police officers enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in 1991 on Saturday staged a peaceful protest in Ibadan, Oyo State, calling on President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) to intervene in what they described as decades of stalled career progression.

    ‎Speaking with journalists during the protest, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP I), who declined to be named, said officers of the 1991 recruitment set had spent over 30 years in service without receiving promotions as and when due, despite meeting all required conditions and appearing before the same promotion boards as their colleagues.

    ‎“We were enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in 1991, but since then, our promotions have not followed due process. It was only during the tenure of former IGP, Mustafa Adebayo Balogun, that some relief came after we spent about 11 years and six months on the rank of constable.

    ‎”In 2002, we were promoted to the rank of corporal. Since then, many of us have continued to experience stagnation at various stages of our careers,” he said.

    ‎The officer explained that in 2019, members of the 1991 set appeared before the promotion board alongside Cadet Inspectors and Inspector Cadets, noting that although they sat for the same examinations, different promotion dates were assigned when results were released.

    ‎“While Cadet Inspectors were given promotion dates backdated to 2009, our own promotions were dated 2020,” he stated.

    ‎According to him, although officers of the 1991 set were later promoted to the rank of ASP I, they were excluded when promotion to DSP rank Deputy superintendent of Police (DSP), was conducted.

    ‎“When it was time for promotion to DSP rank Deputy superintendent of Police (DSP), only Cadet Officers were promoted, even though we were meant to move together, as had been done previously, even if with different effective dates,” he added.

    ‎He disclosed that several petitions had been submitted to the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission, seeking redress, but none had yielded positive results.

    ‎The officer further noted that most officers enlisted in 1991 are due for retirement in 2026, expressing concern that many may leave the service without attaining the ranks they deserved after more than three decades of service.

    ‎The protesting officers also lamented that in December 2025, some junior officers were promoted to the rank of DSP, while members of the 1991 set were excluded.

    ‎They added that another promotion exercise had commenced this year without any consideration for their promotion to DSP rank Deputy superintendent of Police (DSP)

    ‎“Promotion exercises have started again, yet nothing has been released for us. We are appealing to the Inspector-General of Police to urgently look into our matter and approve our promotion before we retire from service,” the officer said.

    ‎He described the situation as a nationwide issue affecting officers enlisted in 1991 across the federation, stressing that the protest was aimed at drawing attention to what they described as persistent injustice.

    ‎“This is not just about Ibadan or Oyo State. Officers recruited in 1991 across the country are affected. We are only asking for fairness and the promotion we have earned after decades of dedicated service,” he said.

    ‎The officers warned that continued neglect could further dampen morale within the police force, urging the Federal Government, the IGP and the Police Service Commission to urgently address the matter in the interest of justice, equity and institutional integrity.

  • World Hijab Day: Muslim women seek review of NYSC uniforms

    World Hijab Day: Muslim women seek review of NYSC uniforms

    By Salisu Sani-Idris

    A Coalition of Nigerian Muslim women has called on the Federal Government to review the uniforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to ensure adequate inclusion of Muslim female corps members.

    Ms Firdausi Amasa, a member of the coalition, made the call at a news briefing to mark the 2026 World Hijab Day, held in Abuja, on Saturday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the day, marked annually on February 1, every year, is a powerful global platform that highlights the beauty and significance of the Muslim woman’s dress.

    The initiative was founded by Nazma Khan in 2013, inspired by her personal journey of resilience after experiencing verbal and physical challenges for choosing to wear the hijab.

    Amasa said, ” Since its inception, World Hijab Day has grown remarkably, touching lives in over 190 countries, including Nigeria, and fostering understanding and unity across diverse communities.”

    NAN reports that the theme for 2026 World Hijab Day is “#Unityinhijab.”

    Amasa said that that the current uniform of the NYSC was highly inadequate for Muslim female corps members, adding that there was the need for an overhaul of the NYSC dress code to properly include Muslim female corps members and others.

    She added, ” We propose that Muslim students be allowed to wear a knee length hijab. Also, they should be exempted from the compulsory requirement to wear shorts for parade and wear long, free, white trousers instead.”

    She emphasised the need for the National Assembly to prioritise the swift passage of outstanding bills to safeguard against discrimination based on appearance or faith.

    Amasa said, ” These legislations will demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to justice and equity. The society must actively support reverts who choose to wear the hijab, recognising the challenges they often face from loved ones and communities.

    ” Acceptance, encouragement, and a prejudice-free environment are essential for their journey. Special attention should be given to those facing unique challenges by offering counseling and inclusive support to build their confidence.”

    Amasa, who is a legal practitioner, advocated community-driven programme that empower hijab-wearing women through mentorship, skill development, and leadership training.

    ” These initiatives should connect accomplished professionals with younger women for guidance, equip them with tools to excel in STEM fields, entrepreneurship, and governance, and prepare them for advocacy roles.

    ” The hijab should be viewed as a symbol of empowerment rather than restriction. We urge individuals, institutions, and leaders to acknowledge the hijab as a reflection of identity, values, and inclusivity.

    ” It connects women across diverse backgrounds while fostering understanding and unity. Let us embrace the hijab not as a barrier but as a powerful tool for promoting opportunity, respect, and diversity, ” she said.

    Amasa called on government agencies, schools and private establishments to implement services that are inclusive of individuals whose appearance reflects their religious beliefs.

    According to her, institutions must accommodate hijab-wearing women and recognise the critical role of women in national development.

    ” Additionally, strict accountability measures should be enforced to address alleged harassment or discrimination against hijab-wearing individuals by public and private institutions.

    ” We call on schools to respect the Constitution of the land and the Pronouncements of the Apex Court on the inalienable right of Female Muslims to adorn hijab.

    ” This is imperative so we don’t have to go through additional litigation to enforce the already established right, ” she said.

    Amasa also emphasised the need for the media to challenge stereotypes by promoting positive representations of hijab-wearing women.

    She added, ” Stories should highlight their achievements as leaders, professionals, and role models while breaking down misconceptions about the hijab.

    ” Collaborations with organisations such as this Coalition can amplify these narratives on mainstream platforms, emphasizing that the hijab enhances rather than limits potential.

    ” This approach will foster inclusivity, break barriers, and promote diversity in public discourse.

    ” By addressing these key areas with clarity and focus, we can collectively advance the rights of hijab-wearing women while fostering an inclusive society that respects diversity and empowers all individuals.”

    On her part, Ms Zainab Umar, commended the Federal Ministry of Education, NYSC, Council of Legal Education, Supreme Court of Nigeria, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police, and other institutions for their support to Muslim women.

    ” These efforts have been instrumental in advancing the rights and dignity of hijab-wearing women, ensuring their inclusion and respect in all spheres of life.

    ” This strengthens our bond and encourages further collaborations, ” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

  • Grand reception for Tinubu signals deepening trade, security ties with Türkiye – TDF

     

    By Iyiola Olalere

    The Democratic Front (TDF) is confident that the colourful state reception accorded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the government and people of Türkiye is a signal to the opening of doorways of trade opportunities that will improve the trade balance between the two countries.

    In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group noted that the balance of trade currently stands in favour of Turkiye, at a volume of $2 billion.

    It said: “We have always been disturbed that the trade balance between both countries has not favoured Nigeria, despite the country’s advantages in economic potential and natural endowments.

    “However, we are hopeful that President Bola Tinubu’s business approach to statecraft will foster trade partnerships between Nigeria and Turkiye, which will boost Nigeria’s exports to the EuroAsian country.

    “In our opinion, the President’s visit to Türkiye has opened a new vista in the flurry of global recognition and prestige, which his ongoing economic reforms have attracted to Nigeria.

    “We envisage that the country will leverage this unique opportunity to take economic advantage of the new target of bilateral trade volume of $5 billion.”

    The group also described the agreement sealed between the two countries on security cooperation as a welcome development.

    “It is also glad to note that by signing a security pact with his Turkish counterpart during the visit, President Tinubu has made good the promise he made in the wake of the Nigeria-U S security cooperation against insurgency in December 2025, that his administration will continue to seek defence and security cooperation to eliminate terrorists and bandits in the country.

    “We are convinced that the commitment by both leaders to deploy resources against terrorism in Nigeria and the Sahel Region will further reinforce ongoing security efforts in the country and also advance the defence capability of the Nigerian government to tackle insurgency.

    “We recall that Türkiye’s military and trade partnership with Nigeria dates back to the years of the Ottoman Empire. And we believe that its involvement in Nigeria’s current war against insurgency will bring more successes to President Tinubu’s counter-terrorism efforts, and also consolidate National Security,” it argued.

    TDF added that the security partnership between Nigeria and Türkiye will put immense pressure on terrorists and bandits currently operating in the country, and go a long way to correct the negative religious labelling of insecurity in Nigeria by the US President Donald Trump.

    End

  • TSF WELCOMES DEEPENING US/NIGERIA SECURITY COOPERATION, COMMENDS TINUBU ‘s STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

     

    By Danladi Ahmed

    The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has welcomed the deepening security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria.

    It specifically hailed the US approval of significant funding for counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria and other African countries under the National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2026.

    In a statement signed by its Chairman, Ahmad Sajoh, and Secretary, Danjuma Sada, TSF maintained that it was a vote of confidence in the sincerity of the President Bola Tinubu administration in tackling security issues in the country.

    It said: “The allocation of over $413 million (approximately ₦587 billion) for operations under the United States Africa Command reflects a growing acknowledgement that insecurity in West Africa is not a localised challenge, but a shared global threat that demands coordinated international responses.

    “While the funding also advances U.S. national security interests, it signals a pragmatic shift from concern to collaboration.

    “TSF notes that this renewed cooperation is the product of deliberate and sustained diplomatic engagement by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which ensured that Nigeria’s security realities were properly understood within the broader context of terrorism, transnational criminality, and regional instability—rather than mischaracterised through narrow or simplistic lenses.

    “In this regard, the Forum commends the strategic role played by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, whose leadership and disciplined engagement with key American institutions helped recalibrate bilateral discussions from punitive posturing to constructive partnership.

    For us, the NSA’s efforts at articulating Nigeria’s security challenges, defending the country’s sovereignty, and promoting cooperation over coercion have yielded measurable outcomes.”

    TSF also welcomed the operationalisation of this partnership, including coordinated counter-terrorism actions involving the United States Africa Command and the recent delivery of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies.

    “These developments represent tangible support that strengthens Nigeria’s capacity to confront insurgency, banditry, and other violent threats.

    “Beyond hardware support, enhanced intelligence sharing and surveillance cooperation—now channelled through the Joint Working Group framework—reflect a deeper level of trust and strategic alignment.

    “This cooperation has improved Nigeria’s ability to anticipate threats, disrupt terrorist networks, and protect civilian populations in vulnerable regions.

    “We consider these developments a validation of Nigeria’s shuttle diplomacy and its insistence on mutual respect, shared responsibility, and partnership-based engagement.

    “It also underscores the importance of integrating African countries into the global architecture for countering terrorism and violent extremism,” it added.

    TSF also urged the Nigerian authorities to ensure the sustenance of the security co-operation within a transparent, coordinated, and mutually beneficial framework. See

    End

  • Sanwo-Olu says Aikhomu’s widow embodied humility, selflessness

    Sanwo-Olu says Aikhomu’s widow embodied humility, selflessness

    By Oladapo Udom

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has described the widow of the late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu as an embodiment of patience, humility, selfless service and generosity.

    Sanwo-Olu said this on Friday during a commendation and holy communion service in honour of the widow, Rebecca, at the Cathedral Church of the Pentecost, Festac Town, Lagos.

    The governor was represented by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mr Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rebecca was born on Aug. 4, 1940. She died on Dec. 11, 2025, at the age of 85 years.

    She served in the Nigerian Army and retired as a Captain.

    Sanwo-Olu said that her life set an example to the younger generations, especially women, that character, consistency and faith were virtues and evidence of a godly christian life.

    “On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I commend Mama for a life well lived, a christian family safely upheld, and a legacy that continues to inspire.

    “We celebrate not only the length of her years, but the depth of her impact and the clarity of her witness.

    “May the Almighty God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, continue to grant her soul eternal rest and let his perpetual light continually shine upon her gentle soul,” he said.

    The governor said that the late captain lived a life that showed that true greatness was not found in power or position, but in lives upheld and values defended.

    “May her legacy continue to inspire all those she left behind and generations yet to come.

    “May her memory endure. God bless her gentle soul with eternal rest and peace,” he said.

    The Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos SouthWest, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Ebenezer Adewole, said that Rebecca lived a life of service to God and humanity.

    Adewole said that she would be remembered for her selfless service to humanity.

    “When I came in as a bishop in November 20, 2025, she was the first person I called for visitation.

    “On the day I was prepared to visit her, I called her to tell her that I was on my way but Mummy had already gone out for charity to the orphanage and those in need in the society.

    “I had to cancel my trip and reschedule for another day because she was busy doing the things of the Lord which is very commendable and admirable,” he said.

    Adewole said that three major things should be found in the life of anyone, who had truly accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ.

    According to him, they are: a deep break with the past, a growing relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit and a life of service to God and humanity.

    “Mummy had these three things; no wonder her life was a blessing.

    “Now her chapter has closed but people will keep saying good things about her because of the life she lived,” Adewole said.

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, said that Rebecca would be greatly missed as a former President of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA).

    Abbas was represented by the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Ltd., Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shehu.

    “There has always been a long affiliation between the Nigerian Navy and the Aikhomu family.

    “We will miss her wise counsel, her rich knowledge of navy history and all the warm advice she had been giving to all the past and present presidents of NOWA,” Abbas said.

    Rebecca’s eldest daughter, Susan, said that her mother was a woman of inestimable value.

    Susan said her mother would be missed for the love she showed on her children and her extended family, as well as her charitable works.

    “My mum was a disciplinarian who converted into a mentor and a friend.

    “She taught us about God, about service to mankind and other beautiful lessons.

    “She will be greatly missed,” Susan said.

  • Court grants Yahaya Bello’s permission to travel for pilgrimage to Mecca

     

    The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, granted an application by former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi to travelled to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj to observe the last 10 days of Ramadan in holy land.

    Justice Emeka Nwite granted application after the ex-governor’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, moved the motion to the effect.

    Daudu said the application,which was dated Jan. 19, was filed on Jan. 20.

    The senior lawyer said that the motion sought an order directing and permitting a temporary release of Bello’s international passports to enable him travel to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj during this year’s Ramadan, which commences from Feb. 18 and ends March 19.

    He said the application also sought an order granting permission to travel to holy land during the Ramadan period.

    Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, who appeared for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), did not oppose the application.

    Earlier when the former governor was permitted by the court to clarify on how many days he intends to spend abroad, he said though he would have loved to spend the whole 30 days in holy land, he was mindful of his trial by the EFCC.

    Bello said though he had not travelled outside Nigeria in the last eight years, he would be spending the last 10 days of Ramadan in Mecca to offer prayers to God.

    “As said by my defence counsel, I have not travelled outside this country in the last eight years.

    “I would have loved to spend the whole of Ramadan in Mecca and to observe Shittu Shawal immediately after Ramadan, but I will not want to take any one for granted,” he said.

    The ex-governor then said he would be spending the last 10 days of Ramadan in Mecca.

    Justice Nwite, who granted the prayer, observed that the prosecution did not oppose the request.

    “I have listened to the submission of the learner counsel to defendant and also observed that the prosecution is not opposing the application.

    “Hence, the defendant shall only spend 10 days in holly land which shall commence on March 13,” he ruled.

  • ‘Those Words Are Your Bond’ Al-Hikmah VC Tells Fresh Students At Matriculation

    Vice-Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Prof Lateef Oladimeji

    The Vice-Chancellor, Al-Hikmah University, Prof Lateef Oladimeji has urged over 2,000 fresh students to respect their Matriculation Oath and abide by the school’s rules and regulations. .

    The Vice-Chancellor said this on Friday during the Matriculation Ceremony and oath taking by the students at Adeta and Atere Campus of the University.

    He drew their attention specially to every word and each sentence of the Matriculation Oath, saying “those words are your bond. You are bound to obey all rules and regulations of the University accordingly and to the last letter.

    “The importance of your cooperation with the Management in order to make your stay enjoyable and successful begins today.

    “During registration, you would have seen how competitive admission into the University stands. We are expanding our facilities to cope and absorb more applicants that could not be given a place elsewhere.

    “Despite our limited human and material resources, we have offered admissions to over two thousand applicants, the highest so far in the history of Al-Hikmah University,
    who are, hopefully, all here today on this campus and at Atere Campus.

    “We have decided to have this matriculation ceremony at our two campuses in Ilorin in order to allow every new student participate and due to our limited space in this Auditorium.

    “Today’s opportunity comes with challenges. I, therefore, wish to challenge each one of you to be a good ambassador of your parents and a good student, he said.

    Prof Oladimeji urged all the fresh students to strive for moral and excellence academic laurels, saying the institution had put in place facilities that will enable them balance their academic activities with social learning.

    “The Library, the Gym and other Sports facilities are made available to enable you balance mental engagements with physical health and wellbeing.”

    The VC noted that accommodation in the hostels is compulsory for every student except the few ones with genuine reasons,

    He explained that over the past two months, the University Management has invested heavily on security infrastructure so as to ensure the safety of lives and properties across its campuses.

    “There are more sophisticated security plans to be put on ground in weeks ahead. Our Counselling Unit is very active. It is a place to unburden your mind if anything disturbs or distracts you from your studies, in particular.

    “The University website is also up to date and provides an avenue to gain access to important information about the University and current happenings, Please avail yourself of our 24 hours internet facilities,” Oladimeji said.

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