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Drug war: First Lady Senator Tinubu, UNODC, Marwa charge states on community-based interventions

‘62,595 suspects arrested, 11,628 convicted and 10.3million kilograms illicit drugs seized in 51 months’

By Ebinum Samuel

State governments have been charged to embrace and entrench community-based interventions that will curb the impact of the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking at the grassroots in line with the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP).The charge was the highpoint of remarks by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa; Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Cheikh Ousmane Toure as well as ECOWAS representative, Dr. Daniel Amankwaah at a training workshop organized by NDLEA for the Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum in Abuja on Tuesday 6th May 2025.

In her keynote address to the gathering, Senator Tinubu who was represented by wife of the Deputy Senate President, Hajiya Laila Jibrin Barau commended the NDLEA, and NGSF for the initiative aimed at advancing drug control efforts to the grassroots across the country. She specifically commended Marwa and his team “for courageously confronting the fight against illicit drug abuse and trafficking in the country.”According to her, “This training cannot be coming at any better time than now when statistics and daily life experiences are revealing that drugs have infiltrated every nook and cranny of our communities. As a nation, we are confronted with a growing crisis, one that affects the very core of our society, the health, safety, and future of our children.“The rising tide of drug and substance abuse amongst adolescents is a challenge that we must no longer ignore or tackle in isolation. It requires concerted efforts, community-driven response, one that integrates enforcement, education, family support, and sustained intervention. Our presence at this training testifies to the collective resolve we display in ensuring that we strengthen, secure, and safeguard families and communities.“Today’s training will ensure that we are adequately armed with the right knowledge, tools, skills, and competencies necessary to effectively tackle this complex issue. It is my hope that this capacity-building workshop, through honest discussions and sharing of best practices, will provide valuable insights into evidence-based strategies for prevention, early intervention, and holistic treatment approaches, especially targeting marginalized and vulnerable communities. “I urge us to utilize the knowledge gathered at this training to develop viable solutions while collaborating with relevant stakeholders, especially the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, other law enforcement agencies, MDAs, civil society organizations, healthcare providers, educators, and community leaders.“Let us always bear in mind that as state First Ladies, you owe our people the duty to lead by example, to bear their burden, and share in their pain as we jointly confront drug abuse in our society.

I urge us to continue to provide the right direction through prevention initiatives, advocating for those whose voices have been silenced by addiction, providing community interventions to support recovery and reintegrate people into communities after treatment. “Let us approach the formidable task ahead with humility, doggedness, and commitment to enable us to build communities where our children are protected from harm and empowered to thrive. Together, we can change the narrative, restore dignity to our communities, and ensure a healthier, safer future for all Nigerians.”In his welcome address, Marwa noted that the drug scourge obstructs progress and dims prospects in an already beleaguered world. “Regrettably, Nigeria is not immune to this scourge, which steadily infiltrates every stratum of our society. Statistics, academic research, and lived experiences alike reveal a grim reality about illicit drug use and consequences in the country. The magnitude and impact of the drug crisis render the attainment of our national aspiration—improving the health and security of all who dwell within our borders, as enshrined in the National Drug Control Master Plan 2021–2025—a daunting yet inevitable task for any government and people worthy of the name.”He said it is imperative for all stakeholders at the workshop to adopt urgent, holistic, and inclusive strategies to dismantle the drug menace. According to him, “Over the past four years, the NDLEA has pursued this mission with renewed and unwavering zeal, ensuring that Nigeria’s hard-won global and regional drug control successes are not merely preserved but expanded.“Permit me to inform this distinguished gathering that over the four years, the NDLEA has deployed substantial resources towards a comprehensive assault on the drug problem, yielding significant outcomes. Under the drug supply reduction mandate—encompassing drug seizures, arrests, prosecutions, and convictions—we recorded the arrest of 62,595 drug suspects (Including 68 drug barons), the seizure of 10,317,137.55 kilograms of assorted drugs, and secured the conviction of 11,628 offenders. Furthermore, 1,330.56553 hectares of cannabis farms were identified and destroyed.“To ensure a balanced approach in accordance with international best practices, equal emphasis has been placed on drug demand reduction.

Between January 2021 and March 2025, a total of 24,375 drug users received counselling and treatment at NDLEA facilities, primarily through brief interventions. Concurrently, 10,501 drug sensitisation programmes were conducted nationwide under the auspices of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy campaign, reaching diverse target groups within communities. In parallel, a remarkable 3, 843, 789 participants were mobilized to partake in these enlightenment initiatives undertaken across the nation.”He charged the stakeholders not surrender to despair over the menace of drug abuse. “As patriots and vanguards of our nation’s well-being, it falls on us to strengthen our resolve, to move with deliberate speed towards practical and lasting resolutions that will, God willing, break the vicious cycle of drug abuse. This capacity building event represents a stride, small though it may seem, in the proper direction.“Since it is at the community level that the burden of the drug menace is most acutely felt, it is vital that stakeholders, including all of us gathered here today, address the different dimensions of the problem from a community-centred perspective. This gathering must strive for common ground, developing indigenous and pragmatic solutions that go beyond mere statistics and harrowing headlines, addressing instead the real and harrowing human toll of drug abuse.”He expressed confidence that the training will strengthen capacities, harness community resources, and unlock the potential needed to formulate and implement evidence-based interventions that will salvage and rejuvenate every segment of beleaguered communities. “Let us, as frontliners, ever remember: the cost of inaction is infinitely higher than the cost of collective action.

Your Excellencies, your roles as mothers, changemakers, and drivers of the State Drug Control Committees (SDCC) place upon you a sacred trust—a responsibility not to be borne lightly. Through your ingenuity, your states may yet emerge as shining examples, immortalised in gold as bastions of hope that defied the tides of darkness.“The SDCCs remain a potent platform for fostering multisectoral collaboration in the crucial task of drug demand reduction at the state level. I must fervently implore you to ensure the establishment, strengthening, and revitalisation of these Committees across your respective states. Let us always remember that the value of these training events lies not in the richness of their content alone, but in the continued motion and effectiveness of the SDCCs—moving resolutely towards our collective aspiration of a drug-free, resilient Nigeria”, he added.Also speaking at the workshop, UNODC Country Rep Cheikh Ousmane Toure stated that “If the root of this crisis lies in our neighborhoods, schools, and homes, then the solution must too.

The National Drug Control Master Plan and the WADA initiative remind us of that national framework alone cannot heal fractured communities. Lasting change begins when states and local governments own this fight.”He reminded the first ladies that their influence transcends politics, adding that “you are the custodian of trust in your states. When you speak, community listens. When you act, local governments follow. Today, I urge us to channel this unique power into three pillars of action. Number one, state-led resource mobilization. Every state must prioritize dedicated budget for prevention and treatment. This means establishing a state-specific drug control task force to align with NDLEA’s national efforts, allocating local government funds to build community drop-in centres, safe space for counseling, and care within walking distance of those in need.” The UNODC chief stated further that states must adopt evidence-based programmes to their cultural contexts, and decentralize treatment access. The head of ECOWAS Drug Prevention and Control Division, Dr. Daniel Amankwaah spoke in same light in his goodwill message, urging state governments to invest in prevention and treatment efforts at the state and community-levels.Experts who served as resource persons during the technical session of the workshop include: Dr. Martins Agwogie, Prof. Akintunde Oyedokun, Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga, Dr. Kunle Adeshina, Dr. Abubakar Salami, Dr. Kunle Adeshina and Dr. Ngozi Madubuike.

20-year-old man allegedly kills father with machete in Jigawa

A tragic incident has rocked Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State, where a 20-year-old man, Muhammad Salisu, allegedly killed his father, Salisu Abubakar, in cold blood.

The heartbreaking development was confirmed in a statement released by the Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, Shi’isu Adam, on Monday in Dutse, the state capital. According to the police, the incident occurred around 10 a.m. in the Bakin Kasuwa Quarters of the Sara District.

The suspect, Muhammad Salisu, reportedly attacked his father with a machete, leaving him with severe injuries to the shoulder, neck, and chest. The motive behind the gruesome act has not been made public as investigations are ongoing.

“The victim was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu for medical attention, but unfortunately, he was confirmed dead by the medical doctor on call,” he said.

The PPRO disclosed that upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Sara and his patrol team were mobilised and rushed to the scene, where the victim was evacuated to the hospital.

“The corpse was later released to the relatives for burial,” Adam said.

However, Adam confirmed that the suspect, Salisu was arrested, and the exhibit (machete) was recovered from him.

In the statement, the Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, AT Abdullahi, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Dutse for discreet investigation.

“Upon completion of investigation, the suspect would be arraigned in court to face the full weight of the law.

“The police command is determined to ensure justice is served in this heinous crime,” the commissioner said.

The spokesperson, Adam further clarified that the motive behind the gruesome murder is yet to be ascertained, and the police are investigating the circumstances leading to the incident.

He assured the public that the investigation will be thorough and transparent, as he urges anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist with the investigation.

“The suspect is currently in police custody, and the police are working to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Adam concluded.

(Punch)

Benue: Gunmen kill driver, abduct passengers in late-night bus attack

A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday night as suspected armed herdsmen launched a deadly attack on a commercial bus along the Otukpo-Adoka road in Benue State, killing the driver and abducting all the passengers on board.

According to local reports, the bus, which was en route from Abuja to Otukpo, came under fire at about 11 p.m. The attackers, hiding in the shadows, opened fire without warning. The driver was struck by a bullet and lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and crashed into the surrounding bushes.

Seizing the opportunity, the gunmen reportedly dragged the passengers into the forest, abandoning the bus and the driver, who sadly died from his gunshot wounds. His remains have since been returned to his hometown for burial.

In response, security forces, including military operatives, have been deployed to the area and have begun a manhunt to track down the perpetrators and rescue the kidnapped victims.

Retired DIG Ali Eye Nasarawa South Senatorial District

By Ebinum Samuel

A fomer topnotcher of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, Mohammed Ari Ali, who is the immidiate past Deputy Inspector -general of Police, DIG, in charge of Operations of the police has joined the race for Senatorial seat.
Ali, from Nasarawa state is contesting the Nasarawa South Senatorial District under the unbrella of All Progressives Congress, APC.
Popularly known as “Mr Philosopher” by police officers and members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, Ali, at various times served in different police formations in Lagos and other states before his meritorious retirement from the force few weeks ago.


The aspirant known to be one of the operational czars in the force while in service, had served in Lagos as the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Denton and Apapa police stations respectively. He was also the Area Commander in charge of Area B with headquarters in Apapa. Not left out, he was at a time the Assisant and Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Lagos state police Command.


On his elevation to the rank of commissioner of police, he was deployed to Delta state police command where he rooted out rampaging kidnappers and gun men in 2023.
Ali has also served as the Assistant Inspector-general of Police, AIG in charge of zone 1 (Kano) and 2 (Lagos) respectively before his promotion to DIG rank last year.
Ali confirmed his political aspiration.He said “Just to obey my people’s call to serve them once again in my little way”

Niger gov donates N50m to Living Faith Church, promises road construction

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has donated N50 million to the Living Faith Church Worldwide and pledged to build a road network within the church premises in Minna.

The announcement was made on Sunday during the church’s 44th anniversary celebration at its state headquarters in Gbaiko, Minna.

Speaking at the event, Governor Bago emphasized the need for collaboration among government, parents, and religious organizations to restore family values, which he said were in decline. “We must work together to rebuild our society’s moral fabric,” he said during the anniversary gathering at the church auditorium.

The governor expressed concern over the erosion of family values, attributing it to rising intolerance and other societal challenges. He congratulated the Living Faith Church on its 44-year milestone and assured the congregation of his administration’s ongoing support for the church and Christendom.

Bago encouraged the church to support his government’s agricultural drive by setting up a farm, and called for continued prayers as his administration pursues the vision of a “New Niger.” He reaffirmed both his N50 million donation and his commitment to constructing the road network within the church grounds.

In his remarks, the Resident Pastor of Living Faith Church, Minna, Pastor Anso John Dominion, thanked the governor for attending the celebration and lauded his administration’s efforts toward realizing the “New Niger” agenda through infrastructure and agriculture.

The pastor added, “We assure the ‘farmer Governor’ of our continuous prayers for the success of all your developmental initiatives, which will bring transformation to lives and livelihoods.”

Other dignitaries, including the Deputy Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Mrs. Afiniki Dauda; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public-Private Partnerships, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa; and the Governor’s Coordinator on Christian Affairs, Lawrence Moh’d Isa, also delivered goodwill messages. They praised Governor Bago’s consistent support for the Christian community and pledged their backing for his policies aimed at improving the state.

The event featured presentations to the governor from the Living Faith Church and the Christian community in appreciation of his support. An appeal was also made for the construction of a Christian Centre on land owned by the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Governor Bago was accompanied by members of the State Executive Council and other senior officials to the celebration.

N3.4billion worth of opioids seized in Lagos, PH as NDLEA uncovers drugs in chocolate tins

. Intercepts 942 explosives going to Zamfara; Italy, Iraq-bound consignments in body creams; arrests wanted drug kingpin after 10 months in hiding

By Ebinum Samuel

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted no fewer than three million five hundred thousand (3,500,000) pills of opioids and one hundred and sixty-three thousand (163,000) bottles of codeine syrup with combined street value of over three billion, four hundred and twenty-eight million naira (N3,428,000,000.00) in Port Harcourt, Rivers state and Lagos state.The bulk of the seizures: two million pills of tafrodol 225mg and 163,000 bottles of codeine syrup, was made on Tuesday 29th April 2025 during a joint examination of a watch-listed container by NDLEA officers, men of Customs Service and other security agencies at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers state.

In Lagos, a total of 1,500,000 pills of a controlled opioid were recovered from a suspect Olarenwaju Wahab at the Alaba-Rago area of Ojo on Tuesday 29th April while the source of the consignment was traced to Q104B Road 25, Victoria Garden City, Lekki, which is the residence of one Obinna Kenneth who is now at large.Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos have intercepted 42 parcels of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 20kg, concealed in tins of chocolate, milo beverage, white kidney beans and dark red kidney beans packaged as part of cargos that came into the Lagos airport onboard a British Airways flight from Canada. At least, three suspects including the receiver of the consignment, Monsurat Ewawunmi Lawson, have been arrested between Wednesday 30th April and Saturday 3rd May.In like manner, a businessman Bobby Morris Osas was on Friday 2nd May arrested at the Lagos airport while attempting to board a Turkish Airlines flight to Italy.

A thorough search of his luggage led to the seizure of 8,130 pills of tramadol 225mg, 200mg and 100mg.Attempt by another syndicate to ship 104grams of tramadol and skunk concealed in bottles of body cream to Iraq through a courier company in Lagos was also thwarted on Monday 28th April by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI).In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kaduna – Zaria expressway on Saturday 3rd May intercepted a commercial vehicle coming from Nasarawa State heading to Zamfara State. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a total of Nine Hundred and Forty-Two (942) explosives concealed in a sack and the subsequent arrest of a 30-year-old suspect Nura Sani Muhammad (alias Nura Hariji).Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has directed that the suspect and exhibits be transferred to the appropriate security agency for further action.Five members of a syndicate led by Aminu Musa (a.k.a Kadagi) were on Wednesday 30th April arrested by NDLEA operatives at Dangoro market, Kano with 50 blocks of skunk weighing 21.6kg recovered from them.

In Edo state, operatives acting on intelligence on Thursday 1st May intercepted at Uromi, Esan North-East, a white Toyota bus conveying assorted opioids from Onitsha, Anambra state heading to Auchi.Recovered from the vehicle include: 314,020 pills of tramadol, rophynol, diazepam, exol5; 638 bottles of codeine syrup and 200 ampoules of pentazocine injection, while a suspectDare Adeyemo was taken into custody. A Mazda commercial bus marked XA343TSE was equally intercepted at Agu-Awka junction, Awka, Anambra state by NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 30th April while a total of 50,400 capsules of tramadol, 500 tablets of co-codamol and 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection were recovered and a suspect Chinedu Eneh arrested.In Niger state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Kontagora -Mokwa road on Saturday 3rd May intercepted a Mitsubishi canter truck marked RBH 104 ZY. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 5,500 capsules of tramadol and 2,300 ampoules of pentazocine injection as well as the arrest of a suspect Yusuf Abubakar, 30. After 10 months of painstaking investigation, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 26th April arrested a wanted drug kingpin, the 52-year-old Managing Director of Ovidaq International Ltd, Dominic Chiegozie Obijiaku over his involvement in the importation of a consignment of 2,616,060 pills of tramadol 225mg intercepted by NDLEA at Apapa seaport in Lagos on 28th July 2024.

A follow-up operation at his house in Lekki led to the seizure of 51 wraps of Canadian Loud weighing 34grams.The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy activities by NDLEA Commands equally continued across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitization lecture delivered to students and staff of Al-istigama University, Kano and students and staff of Government Girls Junior Secondary School, Kankia, Katsina state, among others.While commending the officers and men of DOGI, MMIA, Lagos, Kano, PHPC, Kaduna, Anambra, Edo, Niger and Apapa Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) equally praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

Survivor of Kaduna train attack runs into his abductor at Kaduna mosque

One of the passengers abducted during the 2022 attack on a Kaduna-bound train, Comrade M. B. Muhammad ,has shared the astonishing moment he came face-to-face with one of his abductors at a mosque in Kaduna State.Muhammad said the meeting took place a few days ago at Shema Mosque, located near Bakin Ruwa Junction in Rigasa, Igabi Local Government Area. He identified the man as Abubakar, expressing shock at recognizing him inside the mosque.In a post on social media, he narrated: “Last night, after praying the Isha’i prayer at Shema Mosque near Bakin Ruwa junction in Kaduna, by the will of God, just as the imam ended the prayer, I ran into one of the men who kidnapped us aboard the AK-9 train that was attacked on March 28, 2022, during the Abuja–Kaduna journey.

His name is Abubakar. He told me he has repented and left terrorism behind. He now works as a motorcycle (okada) rider.“After a lengthy conversation with him, I learned that some of the kidnappers have been killed, while others have continued with their acts of terror.“In the end, I told him I forgave them, and I gave him some charity because of the state I saw him in. Oh Lord of all the worlds, guide us all and guide them too,” he said.When contacted at his office in Kaduna metropolis, Comrade Muhammad confirmed the authenticity of his social media post.

2027: Atiku, Obi ready to work together, says ex-VP’s ally

An associate of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that his principal is willing to work with the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in a bid to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.Atiku, who emerged second in the 2023 presidential election with 6,984,520 votes, has consistently expressed his resolve to lead a formidable opposition capable of challenging the All Progressives Congress in the next electoral cycle.President Tinubu’s path to a second term appears increasingly fraught, with mounting opposition not only from rival parties but also from disenchanted figures within the APC.Notable among these are former Attorney General Abubakar Malami and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

Also, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai recently renounced his APC membership, criticised the Tinubu administration, and joined the Social Democratic Party.He has since called on like-minded Nigerians to unite in ousting the APC in 2027.El-Rufai’s move has sparked fresh speculation of a broad political realignment, with sources close to Atiku suggesting that behind-the-scenes coalition talks are gaining momentum.Speaking exclusively to The PUNCH, an associate of Atiku who pleaded anonymity because “It is too early to reveal much for now,” said the two opposition figures, having realised that they need each other to realise their dream of good governance in the country, have resolved to work together.“There is no doubt that they have learned their lessons and are ready to work together. They now realise that to defeat Tinubu, they cannot go it alone,” the source said.“Data from the 2023 election shows Atiku won in 12 states with over six million votes, while Obi claimed 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory.Combined, their votes would have clearly surpassed Tinubu’s eight-plus million. That’s why serious meetings are already ongoing, though quietly.”The source further accused President Tinubu of playing divisive politics, claiming that such tactics contributed to El-Rufai’s defection.“Tinubu is attempting to play the North against the South, assuming he can build a winning coalition. But he’s mistaken — that’s part of why El-Rufai left.”‘LP, PDP can’t defeat Tinubu’But the Director-General of The Progressive Institute, Dr. Lanre Adebayo, has asserted that no opposition party currently possesses the strength or structure to defeat the All Progressives Congress or President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.Adebayo made the remark on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the National Assembly, where he briefed the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, on the institute’s progress and ongoing activities.

The Progressive Institute is a policy think tank established by the APC to groom young Nigerian leaders and strengthen democratic ideals within the ruling party.“2027 is very close,” Adebayo said. “When you look at the Nigerian political environment now, I don’t think we have a party that can challenge the APC. But we must continue working hard to preserve the leadership God has given us.”He added that the institute’s current efforts are focused on taking stock of the APC’s performance over the last two years, as part of a national project to ensure the party remains strong and resilient.“We are working under the leadership of Senator Jibrin to ensure that the APC continues to lead and set the direction for the country’s future,” he said.In his remarks, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau expressed satisfaction with the institute’s progress and lauded the innovative direction being championed by the party’s leadership.

NNPP, ADC on coalition Meanwhile, the New Nigeria People’s Party has declared its openness to a coalition aimed at ending Tinubu’s presidency in 2027.However, it insisted any alliance must align with its vision for good governance.Speaking to The PUNCH, NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, revealed that the party had championed coalition talks since after the 2023 elections.“From the beginning, we said we are open to discussions with individuals and political parties toward 2027. That remains our position,” Johnson said.However, he emphasised that while the NNPP is open to partnerships, it would not accept a merger that strips the party of its identity.“Nigerians will soon hear more about our engagements. We remain NNPP. All options are on the table, but we won’t lose our identity.”Johnson also signaled that the party would begin publicly assessing the Tinubu administration after it marks two years in office on May 29.Similarly, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Ralph Nwosu, welcomed coalition efforts, stressing that integrity and values must guide any alliance.“Any coalition rooted in dignity, integrity, and inclusion is worth supporting.

If this proposed coalition aligns with those ideals, ADC will be part of it,” he said.Nwosu criticised the Tinubu administration for promoting division, and also took aim at former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for citing “central government benefits” as justification for defecting to the APC.“If this is the kind of democracy our leaders are advocating, it is shameful and irresponsible,” he said. “Elected leaders in developed countries talk development, not politics.”Similarly, the Young Progressive Party expressed interest in a broad-based alliance but warned that it must not simply be a platform for recycled elites.YPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Wale Egbeola-Martins, stated:“The idea of a grand coalition led by Atiku, El-Rufai, or Babachir Lawal acknowledges the need for change. But it must go beyond rebranding old faces.”He urged elder politicians to consider stepping aside for fresh leadership:“Nigerians are yearning for new, competent leaders. If this coalition is to succeed, some of the current figureheads must be ready to jettison personal ambition.”Egbeola-Martins also warned against the risks of growing defections to the APC, arguing that a drift toward a one-party state would undermine democracy.“The wave of defections to APC is concerning. It weakens checks and balances and endangers political pluralism,” he said.

“Our democracy thrives on ideological diversity and a robust opposition.”

PSC CHAIR COMMENDS PSC WORKERS, POLICE OFFICERS AT WORKERS DAY, SAYS THEIR SACRIFICE WILL NOT BE IN VAIN

By Ebinum Samuel

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, has praised Nigerian workers for their commitment to national development and growth.

He praised the workers especially, staff of the Police Service Commission and Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force for their sacrifice and devotion to the unity and protection of the Nigerian nation.According to Ikechukwu Ani, the spokesman of the Commission, the Chairman said their sacrifice will not be in vain as efforts are on to ensure that they reap the benefits of their commitment to the oneness of our country.DIG Argungu said the Commission just rose from a 4-day induction programme for its new Board Members in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, where it designed a pathway for a flourishing Police Oversight and Staff welfare.

He called on the Staff of the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force to remain committed to their duties stressing that the Commission will ensure that they will enjoy the fruits of their labour.He reminded them of the need to support the programmes and Policies of the Government and as public servants must be absolutely loyal to constituted authorities. DIG Argungu said the Government must be supported to deliver on its mandate and ensure the provision of the dividends of democracy.

Who cares about the workers’ welfare?

By Ayo Oyoze Baje

Quote ” Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, for as the Scripture says, ‘ the worker deserves his wages'”- Timothy 5 vs 18 ( The Holy Bible )

The celebration of the annual Worker’s Day on the 1st of May, 2025 has come and gone, as usual with the well crafted promises from the political leaders to cater for their welfare. Yet, the painful reality is that of months of unpaid salaries of the seventy thousand (N70,000 ) minimum wage across several states of the country. It would be recalled that yours truly raised a timely alarm over unpaid workers’ salaries in 23 out of the 36 states, through an opinion essay as severally published in the media on June 22, 2015. The aim was to bring to the front burner the importance and imperative of meeting the workers’ welfare, as expected. The article was titled: ‘ The National Shame of Unpaid Salaries ‘. It was also meant to alert the state governors on the critical parts played by the workers, as catalysts who drive government’s policies, at all levels.The neglect or delay in the payment of their salaries and other emoluments is therefore, considered not only absurd but an act of sheer wickedness on the part of the paymasters, who are living large on our common patrimony.In the light of the above -stated it is worrisome that some ten years later, precisely in April 2025 the piece of trending news is the lamentation on the part of the National President of Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees ( NULGE ) that as many as 20 states are yet to implement the payment of N70,000 minimum wage for local government workers and primary school teachers! Can you imagine that under the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country? How do such governors expect the workers to cope with the highest inflation rate of over 28% with the spin – off effects on the costs of transportation, food items, electricity tariff, school fees, rent and healthcare delivery?Top amongst the states listed are Yobe, Gombe, Zamfara, Kaduna, Imo, Ebonyo, Cross River, Borno and the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja.

Yet, when Mister President signed the Minimum Wage Act, 2024 into law on July 29, 2024 he urged the states to commence the implementation of the new minimum wage. Amongst the states that have so far complied with the directive are Lagos,Rivers, Bayelsa, Enugu, Niger and Akwa Ibom. Others include Adamawa, Anambra,Jigawa, Gombe, Ogun,Kebbi,Ondo and Kogi. This sad situation sparks off some burning questions.For instance, Nigerians deserve to know what has happened to the trillions in naira of the so called monthly allocation from the Federation Account to the states since July of the previous year when the payment of the minimum wage was empowered by the Act? It would be recalled that as at September 2024 a total of the humongous sum of N1.203 trillion was shared to the three tiers of government as their part of the Federation Account for the month of August, 2024 from a total of N2.278 trillion. That was according to the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy,Wale who was at the meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee ( FAAC ).

What about their state’s Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR )? Or there was none of such? What massive capital projects did they embark upon that must have led to the sudden cash squeeze? What magic wand did the 16 other states that have paid their workers the minimum wage wave to save the workers from the mass misery in the country?Credible answers to these important questions have become necessary because leadership is all about the enthronement of the key element of trust. Beside that is the need for such a leader to put on his thinking cap on while prioritizing the needs of the led majority of people. And that should always dovetail to their welfare. In fact, the recurring and scandalous issue of unpaid salaries has exposed the wrongs inherent in our current democratic system and structure. As one of highlighted a decade ago; ” The reward and payment structure in our dysfunctional polity is obscenely skewed in favour of political office holders. That explains why the ambition of the average Nigerian politician to mount the pedestal of power is about harnessing as much of the public money as possible.

Added to the pains of unpaid salaries to the current workers is that of the aged and sick retirees yet to be paid their terminal benefits. While some of them are left to queue for hours on end to be paid the insulting peanuts, others are either battling with debilitating diseases such as arthritis, glaucoma, diabetes, and cancer others have long died leaving members of their families stewing in misery and deprivation.It would the states and the nation at large a world of good to ensure that the workers are paid their salaries and allowances as at when due. Doing so would bolster their confidence in the state and bolster their confidence to sacrifice their sweat to oil the engine of socio-economic development. Without them seeing to the day-to-day operations of state there would be no tax payers money to pilfer and pillage. As consistently highlighted it is a collective insult on the psyche and souls of the workers to be treated as slaves in a God – blessed country where the leaders preach but refuse to practise an egalitarian society of equity and justice. The best way forward out of recurring issue of unpaid salaries is to glean lasting lessons from African countries with the highest paid workers such as Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia and Kenya where the average monthly salaries stand at $2,031, $2,026, $1,348 and $1,219 in that order. Apart from the high pay packages the payment of salaries is of utmost priority to the leaders. This boosts the moral confidence of such workers to the leaders, prompting them to do their best. Also, it is unheard of in those countries to talk about the Federation Account. Over there, the state governors do not go cap-in-hand to the federal centre to share state funds on monthly basis. Rather, they are allowed to look inwards to generate their funds for payments of monthly dues to the workers and to run their governments.The call for a holistic restructuring of the country with true fiscal federalism through which the states or regions raise funds for their needs by controlling their God- given resources has therefore ,become an imperative to drive Nigeria forward. That was how it played out in this same country back in the Sixties such that the Chief Obafemi Awolowo – led Western Region achieved Free Education, constructed good,access roads, established agricultural centres as the base for the industrialization with revenues from cocoa. So it was for the Dr. Michael Okpara -led Eastern Region that had the fastest developing economy amongst the Commonwealth group of nations with revenues from oil palm and rubber.And the Sir Ahmadu Bello – led Northern Region boosted their economy with revenues from cotton, hides and skin and of course, the groundnut pyramids.

One hopes, and fervently too that all these would serve as food-for-thought for the Bola Tinubu-led government to muster the political will to do the needful while time lasts.