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NDLEA busts syndicate sponsoring pilgrims with cocaine to hajj, arrests 3 kingpins in Kano.Nabs 2 Saudi-bound pilgrims, businessman going to Iran for ingesting 155 cocaine wraps; intercepts N9.3billion worth of opioids in Rivers

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By Ebinum Samuel

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered and dismantled a syndicate that sponsors hajj pilgrims who also serve as couriers to move cocaine to Saudi Arabia during pilgrimage. This followed the arrest of leaders of the cartel in Kano.

The arrest of the kingpins: Abubakar Muhammad, Abdulhakeem Muhammed Tijjani, and Muhammad Aji Shugaba on Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th May 2025 in Kano was a follow-up to the arrest of two pilgrims: Ibrahim Umar Mustapha and Muhammad Siraj Shifado at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Monday 26th May during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airline flight ET 940 to Jedda, Saudi Arabia. The interdiction of the intending pilgrims at the NDLEA final screening point at the Kano airport was based on credible intelligence. When they were taken for scanning, the result confirmed ingestion of illicit substances. They were subsequently placed on excretion observation during which they excreted 45 wraps of cocaine each, bringing the total for both to 90 pellets with a total weight of 1.04kg.

Investigation soon unraveled their sponsors as leaders of a notorious drug trafficking network, which specializes in trafficking illicit drugs to Saudi Arabia. A swift follow-up operation was carried out, and the trio of Abubakar Muhammad, Abdulhakeem Muhammed Tijjani, and Muhammad Aji Shugaba were arrested on Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th May 2025 in Kano.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the Kano airport on Wednesday 28th May intercepted a 60-year-old businessman Chinedu Leonard Okigbo during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR1432 to Iran. His body scan confirmed he ingested illicit substances as a result of which he was placed on excretion observation during which he excreted 65 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.41kg.

At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers state, no fewer than seven watch-listed containers were positioned for joint examination by NDLEA officers, men of Custom Service and other security agencies between Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th May, during which 825,200 bottles of codeine based syrup and trodol worth Five Billion Seven Hundred and Seventy Six Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N5,776,400,000) in street value were seized while a total of Five Million One Hundred Thousand (5,100,000) pills of opioids especially tapentadol 225mg worth Three Billion Five Hundred and Seventy Million Naira Only (N3,570,000,000) were recovered. This brings the combined street value of the opioids to Nine Billion Three Hundred and Forty-Six Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N9,346,400,000.00)

In another operation in Kano, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kano- Maiduguri road Friday 30th May intercepted the duo of Abubakar Hussein, 42, and Sahabi Adamu, 53, with Nine Hundred Thousand US dollars ($900,000) cash suspected to be counterfeit. The suspects and the exhibit will be transferred to the appropriate agency for further investigation.

While a total of 390 compressed blocks of skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 275.300kg were recovered from a parked Toyota Sienna vehicle marked YLA-408GG along Ngurore – Yola road, Adamawa state on Tuesday 27th May, NDLEA operatives in Kwara on Saturday 31st May arrested a notorious female drug dealer, Alhaja Mutiat Abdul-Fatai at Oja Oba area of Ilorin where various quantities of opioids including tramadol, flunitrazepam and codeine-based syrup were seized from her.

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 Government Day Senior Secondary School, Kwasarawa, Katsina; Corpus Christi College, Achi, Enugu; Epignosis Standard College, Onitsha, Anambra; Government Girls Secondary School, Utai, Wudil LGA, Kano; and Government Girls Secondary School, Calabar, Cross River, among others.

While commending the officers and men of MAKIA, PHPC, Kano, Kwara, and Adamawa 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 pursuing a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

Two Years of President Tinubu: A Business Perspective

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  By Abdul Samad Rabiu   As Nigeria marks two years under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I believe it is important to reflect, not from the lens of politics, but from the perspective of business, of industry, and of the economy. I speak not only as the Chairman of BUA Group – one of Africa’s largest conglomerates, but also as someone who has lived through the complexity of Nigeria’s reforms. I have seen the cost of dysfunction, the burden of inefficiency, but more importantly, the promise of a level playing field and the dividends of decisive governance.     FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL   The removal of the fuel subsidy is one of the most important decisions taken by this administration. Before that, Nigeria was selling PMS at 200 or 250 Naira per litre, which was about 25 or 30 cents. I doubt there was any country in the world where fuel was being sold at that price. During my trip to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj in February this year, I checked the pump price at one of the petrol stations as we drove from Jeddah to Mecca. When I converted the price to Naira, it was almost 1,500 Naira per litre. That was Saudi Arabia.   We could simply not afford the subsidy. It was not just Nigerians who were benefiting from it. We were subsidising the entire region. I remember visiting Niger Republic a few years ago when President Bazoum honoured us. During dinner, he joked and said, “Thank you for the subsidy.” He said 100 percent of all PMS consumed in Niger was coming from Nigeria because it would cost them three times more to import. There was no incentive for them to bring in their own fuel or refine crude at their own refinery. This was the situation across the region.   Today, I understand that our fuel consumption has dropped by almost 40 to 50 percent. It is not because Nigerians are consuming less, but because neighbouring countries have stopped tapping into our subsidised fuel. The PMS is still cheaper in Nigeria, even at 800 or 900 Naira per litre, but the logistics no longer support easy access. Countries like Niger and Benin Republic still take fuel from Nigeria, but others have stopped.   The removal of subsidies was needed not only to save the economy but to ensure that Nigerians alone benefit from what is imported. Even if there must be subsidy, it should be for Nigerians only. The money saved is now being channelled to infrastructure, to better support for states, and to other developmental priorities. All the states are receiving more money now, and that has made a real difference.   I am of firm opinion that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made the right decision, and he made it boldly. On the first day he took office, he did what everyone knew had to be done but no one dared to do. He acted immediately. Many criticised him, but he did the right thing, and it saved the country. Had we continued under that burden, only God knows where we would be today. I always say, Mr President is probably the only one who had the courage to take such hard and necessary decisions.   ON THE UNIFICATION OF THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE REGIME   The unification of the foreign exchange market is another critical reform. Before this, many of us in the business community spent most of our time chasing foreign exchange. I personally spent half of my time trying to get FX from the Central Bank of Nigeria. The CBN was the only source of official exchange, offering FX at around 500 Naira when the parallel market was 800 or 900. No business could survive outside the CBN structure.   Every two weeks, we would go to Abuja to seek allocations. It was exhausting and inefficient. You had to camp there for three or four days before Allocation Monday, waiting for the CBN to allocate dollars. Today, I have met the new CBN Governor, Mr Cardoso, only once in two years. The reason is simple: I do not need to go to Abuja now to get foreign exchange. The system is open. It is working.   This was also a bold move by President Tinubu. It was necessary, and he took that decision as well. We are very glad because today we can focus on our businesses. These reforms are saving the economy.   FAIRNESS, SANITY AND STABILITY IN BUSINESS   Under this administration, we have seen a return to fairness and stability in business. We no longer worry about arbitrary shutdowns or politically motivated disruptions. Let me give a real example. We started a new business in Port Harcourt four or five years ago under BUA Foods, operating at the Rivers Ports under a concession with the Nigerian Ports Authority. It was going very well. One day, we woke up to a letter stating that the concession had been revoked, the terminal shut down, and the lease agreement terminated. There was no prior warning, no issue, no conflict.   Later, we discovered that the Managing Director of NPA at the time decided to close the business simply because our operations were competing with those of her friend. She wanted to impress her friend. That was the only reason. Today, that kind of thing cannot happen. Nobody would dare take such an action under President Tinubu. You can wake up now without fear that your business has been shut down by an agency or politician.   That stability is critical. That Port Harcourt plant alone has seen over 500 million dollars in investment and has employed over 4,000 people. The confidence this government has brought is real, and it is helping us plan better.   I must also personally acknowledge former President Muhammadu Buhari. When our Port Harcourt plant was unfairly shut down, it was his intervention that saved it. I had the privilege of explaining the situation to him. He agreed it was wrong and acted. He said he would not permit injustice under his watch. That decision saved the business. But the reality is, I had access. What if I did not? That is the difference today. Now, nobody needs access to the President to be treated fairly. Everyone knows that if you do something wrong under President Tinubu, you may lose your job or even face prosecution and go to jail. That is why I can now spend more time focusing on the business and relaxing.   The President Tinubu reforms are creating a level playing field. Like I said previously, every business had to lobby the CBN for FX. If you did not, your business would collapse. Now, you do not need to go to Abuja. You just focus on your operations.   INFRASTRUCTURE AS A KEY DRIVER OF DEVELOPMENT   In infrastructure, the difference is also clear. Look at the Lagos-Calabar highway. Look at the Sokoto-Badagry road. Look at the Kwara projects we are executing under the tax credit scheme. Look at Kano-Kongolam. Look at the Okpella to Kogi State corridor. These projects are progressing because of the savings from subsidy removal and FX unification. With more revenue, Nigeria is building.   These roads and others being built are critical because logistics have become a major challenge. Transporting goods from Lagos to the North is very expensive due to bad roads. Now, the President is addressing this. With better infrastructure, logistics will improve, and businesses will grow. These reforms have enabled long-term planning and serious investment.   BUA WILL CONTINUE TO BET ON NIGERIA   Since President Tinubu took office, BUA Group has invested over one billion dollars in the Nigerian economy. We are expanding our food business, doubling our flour and pasta facilities in Port Harcourt and building another in Lagos. Demand is increasing. People are earning more. Confidence is returning. We have also completed the first POP plaster manufacturing plant in Nigeria which is now operating and are soon starting construction of a 30MW solar energy project in Sokoto State.   In the oil and gas sector, we are completing our LNG project in Ajaokuta, Kogi State. These investments are possible because of stability that has been brought about by President Tinubu’s reforms. We can plan now. The exchange rate has been fairly stable for almost a year. FX is accessible. Money is coming in from different sources, and investors are responding. If you want 200 million dollars a week for trade, you can get it without lobbying anyone at the Central Bank. These are the results of good policies.   ON FOOD SECURITY   When I met President Tinubu recently, he raised concerns about food prices. He wanted to know what BUA Foods was doing. I explained that his six-month tariff waiver had worked. It disrupted hoarding in the rice market. In Nigeria, the rice harvest is short and runs for about three months. Middlemen were buying paddy rice, hoarding it, and raising prices post-harvest. This artificial scarcity drove prices to as high as 110,000 Naira per bag. The farmers did not benefit. Farmers just wanted to sell and move on yet some people were buying from them, hoarding it, and creating a food crises in the country.   The temporary waiver allowed rice to be brought in, and milled immediately. The hoarders were cut out. Prices began to drop. It was a short-term solution, but it worked. It showed foresight. I told the President it helped and that if the situation persists, further steps can be taken. But for now, it has made a difference.   PRESIDENT TINUBU’S NIGERIA FIRST POLICY AND BACKWARD INTEGRATION   President Tinubu’s Nigeria First policy has aligned well with our own belief in backward integration. Our cement business is almost entirely local. We mine our own limestone. We use Nigerian gas even though it is dollar-denominated. The only foreign element is the equipment, and even that benefits from government concessions for mining equipment which everyone else in the industry benefits. If we had to import cement today, prices would be over 15,000 Naira per bag. Nigeria does not have the port infrastructure to even handle the import volume. Producing locally has saved the economy and stabilised the sector.   We are doing more, and we will continue to do more. Nigeria has everything—population, arable land, resources, water, and now, strong leadership under President Tinubu. We believe in Nigeria because the fundamentals are now strong. My advice to all is to take a Bet on Nigeria. This is the place to be.   So for me, what has this administration done right? First, it removed the fuel subsidy which was the biggest economic scam in our history. Second, it unified the foreign exchange market and third, it restored stability, fairness, and confidence in the economy. These are the foundations of growth. Nigeria is full of potential. With the right leadership, which we now have, there is no limit to what we can achieve.   – Rabiu is the Founder and Chairman, BUA Group

TEARDROPS FOR SHEHU IYAL, “CAPTAIN OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC”

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By Tunde Olusunle

It was not the kind of news you expected, when it rode on the wings of the evening breeze of Thursday May 15, 2025. The opening months of the year have been bad enough with reference to the very sad, untimely departures of well-known colleagues with whom we served in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The ranks of “alumni” of principal officers who served in that circa, had been depleted this year alone by the eternal exits of notable members of that team. Major General Christopher Jemitola, who was aide-de-camp to Obasanjo, during his second term, and Dr Doyin Okupe, the first of three media advisers who served the former President, had passed in quick succession in the months of February and March this year. But here on the telephone was Oladimeji Jimoh, a technician who managed heavy duty appliances for the genial Captain Shehu Usman Iyal and I, relaying the unpalatable news of his transition.

 

Iyal and I first met in the earliest days of the politicking which produced Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former military Head of State, as presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP). His aviation outfit, *Dana Afri-Air International Ltd,* it was, which flew Obasanjo around and about Nigeria during those tasking meetings with prominent individuals, engagements with various political tendencies and jaw-jawing with disparate groups, preceding the party’s primary and the subsequent presidential poll. Iyal’s Afri-Air provided the 19-seater *Dornier 228* turbo-prop airplane, which we flew between October 1998 and February 1999, when Obasanjo was elected President. I was Obasanjo’s campaign media attache which implied I travelled with him wherever he went. I managed a trim team which consisted of a photographer, Tumo Ojelabi, and a videographer, Taiwo Akinyemi, who moved around with us.

 

Travelling together in that small plane the days, weeks and months was something of a unifier. As the unmistakable regulars on every trip, we all became close-knit working on the same project with a unanimity of resolve. Apart from Obasanjo, there were Otunba Oyewole Fasawe; Chief Tunde Osunrinde; Dr Femi Majekodunmi; Ad’Obe Obe; Tokunbo Adeola; Bodunde Adeyanju; Andy Uba; Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo, among others. It was a function of Iyal’s commitment to the Obasanjo presidential project, that he elected, dedicatedly, to travel with us all through the campaign trail, rather than sit back in the comfort of his office. He diligently ensured operational fluidity and availed his pilots his variegated experiences garnered over the years.

 

Following Obasanjo’s inauguration as President, Commander-in-Chief on May 29, 1999, Iyal was appointed *Special Assistant to the President on Aviation Matters.* True, there was an Aviation Minister and a Commander for the Presidential Air Fleet, (PAF), Obasanjo usually needed second opinions on issues. To be sure, it was the same way Obasanjo benefited from the aggregate wisdoms of retired, very senior military officers, who served in his administration. Generals Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma and Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, for instance were both former Chiefs of Army Staff, (COAS). Abdullahi Mohammed was pioneer head of the defunct Nigeria Security Organisation, (NSO). They are all very distinguished and decorated military icons, who were within earshot to dissect issues with the President. Such was the multilayered, experiential resources Obasanjo benefited from in many sectors.

 

As the Obasanjo administration settled down, his appointees who were quartered in hotels for several months, were finally allocated residences, mostly in housing estates. Providentially, Captain Iyal and I found ourselves in the same estate in Maitama District, Abuja. Our colleagues in the State House who were in the same estate included: Dr Gbolade Osinowo, (of blessed memory); Handel Okoli; Tokunbo Adeola; Ajuji Ahmed and Ambassador Baba Gana Zanna, Director of Protocol to the Vice President. It soon became imperative to have an estate chairman to coordinate common services, principally security and sanitation, in the estate. At the very first meeting we had, Iyal nominated me for the job. Since we had 13 houses in the compact estate, the thinking was that the brief would be rotated on an annual basis. When we called a meeting to effect change after a year, Iyal suggested that I had done well and should be retained on the assignment. I thought he took advantage of my being the youngest landlord in the estate who he fondly addressed as his “junior brother.” And that was how I served as Chairman of the estate for over 20 years!

 

I had a special relationship with Captain Shehu Iyal. We flew around the world with President Obasanjo as he strove to imprint the name of Nigeria on global consciousness after long years of military rulership had strained the country’s relationship and perception in the eyes of the world. We enjoyed jokes and banters in our corners of the presidential jet. Our relationship went on the ascendancy when he realised that I was born in Kaduna, capital of the primordial North Central State, his home state. He hailed from the historical city of Zaria, reputed for being host to one of Nigeria’s largest concentrations of citadels of learning within one city. Iyal and I were never short of subjects to talk about. Iyal indeed attended the famous *St Paul’s College, Kufena, Zaria,* an Anglican school, despite being from a Muslim family. The realisation that my brother, Dr Toba Olusunle attended the same institution years after he, Iyal, graduated, brought Iyal and I even closer. Since he had adopted me his younger sibling, I deferred to him being evidently younger.

 

His cultivated, cosmopolitan, carriage became clearer to me after these findings. The puzzle around his liberal outlook began to straighten out as I pieced aspects of his constitution together. His vocation as an aviator would also have exposed him to people and publics, across tongues, creeds and cultures. Captain Iyal loved dialogue. He would invite me for dinner and the meeting would snowball into robust discussions, typically about contemporaneous issues, the state of the nation. He “conferred” a doctorate on me before I eventually got one. He would hail me as *Mallam Tunde, PhD English,* usually because of what he perceived as my grammatically elevated perspectives. We would both laugh. I reciprocated by serenading him as *Captain of the Federal Republic, (CFR)!* Iyal, by the way, never served spirits or liquors in his house. Occasionally, however, he indulged me. Especially whenever feigned I couldn’t put my thoughts together because I needed a kick by way of a tot or two. He seemed to have a liking for journalists and had many friends amongst us. On a casual visit to his home, you were likely to find Steve Itugbu or Yomi Odunnuga or Henry Ugbolue, all experienced media practitioners. He trusted our analytical objectivity.

 

Captain Iyal listed me on the inaugural British Airways direct flight from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, (NAIA), Abuja, to London Heathrow Airport, (LHR), back in February 2001. Segun Runsewe, my friend and former Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, (NCAC), was on the same trip. That innovation by BA which has been sustained into the 25th year now, has reduced the hassles, troubles and traumas of travellers who previously had to board local flights from Abuja to Murtala Mohammed International Airport, (MMIA), Lagos, before connecting to London. He had so much belief in my ability to make so much authorial capital out of situations and experiences with my pen, even when others cannot seem to find that pin in a haystack. His generosity of spirit knew no boundaries. When yuletide hampers streamed in for him, he would typically invite me to his home to take my pick from a host of gifts, boxes and baskets in his place.

 

Iyal, who would have been 70 this year, was an alumnus of the Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria. He was trained in some of the best flying schools around the world, beginning from the iconic Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, (NCAT), Zaria. He was certified as assistant flying instructor at Rogers Aviation, Belford, United Kingdom, and logged four full decades in the cockpit, classroom and administrator’s desk, all within the aviation ecosystem. He was knowledgeable, immensely articulate and was never shy of facing the cameras and mini-recorders of prying journalists who desired information on the state of the aviation industry. He once served as a Board Member of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Ltd, providers of ground handling services. He equally headed the aviation committee of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, (NAHCON), responsible for the safe and seamless freighting of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, for years.

 

Captain Shehu Usman Iyal, who was deservedly decorated with the respected national honour of *Officer of the Order of the Niger, (OON),* for his services to national development was a genuine gentleman. He would typically walk his guests to their cars or to their homes, like when we resided in the same housing estate. This was the same way he accompanied them to the elevators of the serviced apartment he lived in Abuja in recent years. He will be missed for his inquisitiveness, his laughter, his smiles, his infinite capacities as an exemplary brother and host. He passed in Lagos Thursday May 15, 2025, and his body was flown to Zaria his birthplace early the next day, Friday May 16, for interment. May his soul rest peacefully in the bosom of the Most High God.

 

 

*Tunde Olusunle, PhD, Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), is an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Abuja*

Lawyer Writes IGP On Policeman’s Involvement In N10m Debt Recovery

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By Ebinum Samuel

The human rights lawyer, Giwa-Amu, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, urging him to look into the case of a particular police officer’s involvement in a civil case, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force is not a debt recovery institution.
Giwa-Amu also copied the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Federal Ministry of Justice, the Commissioner of Police, Anti-Human Trafficking/Visa Fraud, Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), the Nigeria Police, Force Headquarters, and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Nigeria Police Force, Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), Abuja.
The petition, dated 29th of May 2025, is titled: “Re: Investigation Activities – Police Invitation Letter Dated 12th May, 2025 Ref No: CR:3000/X/FHG/AHTU-VF/T.B/Vol. 7/23 Prince Akenzua Eghe Niyi; Giwa-Amu Obafemi (The Directors/CEO, Felix Stevenson Limited Of 318, Akin Ogunlewe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.)”
The Notice Of Suits No, Ref No: 1035902025 – Obafemi Giwa-Amu And ORS. VS. Lexy Nigeria Limited And ANOR, And Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1018/25 – Obafemi Giwa-Amu And ORS. VS. The Nigeria Police Force And ORS.

The petition reads: “We act as Solicitors to Felix Stevenson Limited, Prince Akenzua Eghe Niyi and Giwa-Amu Obafemi, hereinafter referred to as “our clients” on whose direct instructions we write.
“We wish to bring to your attention the above suits which are pending in Court, and are the subject matter of your investigation activities, under which your Police Investigation Letter dated 12th of May, 2025, with Ref No: CR:3000/X/FHQ/AHTU-VF/T.B/VOL. 7/23 was issued and directed to our clients. Please find attached a copy of the Police Investigation Letter dated 12th of May, 2025, for ease of reference.
“It is important that you are informed, and please, note that while Suit No/Ref No: 1035902025 – Obafemi Giwa-Amu and Ors. Vs. Lexy Nigeria Limited and Anor touches directly on the breach of contract between our client and your complainant, Lexy Nigeria Limited represented by Prince Leye Adepite, as Defendants, your complainant seeks to employ a criminal complaint against your office, under the guise of criminal investigation, to influence the outcome of the suit in Court through self-help.
“We advise against your falling prey to the antics of your complainant, as it has been laid to rest by the Supreme Court in DIAMOND BANK PLC VS. HRH EZE, PETROL CONTINENTAL NIG. LTD V. EFCC (2018) LPELR-SC 375/2012, that:
“ ‘…. I say this now and again, our security agencies,
particularly the police, are not debt recovery agencies.’

“The above Supreme Court decision was followed in other Supreme Court decisions in OGBONNA VS OGBONNO (2014) LPELR-22308 CA (2014) 23 WRN 48 and FAJEMIROKUN V. COMMERCIAL BANK (CREDIT LYONNAIS) NIG. LTD & ANOR (2002) 10 NWLR PT.774, PAGE 95 AT 100.
“On the instructions of our clients, and in the protection of their fundamental human rights, given the fear of imminent breach of fundamental human rights by your office, we have equally filed against your office in Suit No. FHC /L/CS/1018/25 – Obafemi Giwa-Amu and Ors. vs. The Nigeria Police Force and Ors, whose Originating Summons have been duly served on your office directly and through your Legal/Prosecution Department, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Force Headquarters, Abuja.
“We have equally petitioned your Inspector-General of Police on the conspiracy, connivance and condoning of your office with your complainant to bring about a false allegation of a criminal charge against our clients, to set up our clients for arrest, unlawful detention and malicious prosecution.
“The facts of the case which have given birth to a false criminal complaint before you by the complainant are as follows: That on the 5th day of April 2024, your complainant entered into a contract for Sourcing Of Third Party Collateral For Loans with our clients.

“That your complainant, in breach of the said contract, led our clients to suffer the loss of N102,000,000 in general damages, and N12,000,000 in Special Damages.
“That your complainant, in line with the contract, voluntarily deposited N10,000,000 as a “commitment fee” towards the Sourcing of Party Collateral for Loans needed by your complainant.
“That upon delivery of the said Third Party Collateral for the said Loan, your complainant failed to provide post-dated cheques to ensure repayment of the loan and failure to utilise the said collateral within the 60 days, leading to a fundamental breach of the said contract.
“It is this commitment fee of N10,000,000 which your complainant demanded a refund in the letter dated 29th of January 2025 titled: “Request for refund of deposit for third party collateral sourcing”, that has become the basis for the frivolous, vexatious and false criminal allegations against our clients, which your office has been called upon to investigate and recover the said N10,000,000 under the guise of criminal investigation.

“Kindly be advised that this matter is sub judice i.e. that they are pending before Courts of competence jurisdiction, and any attempt or further attempt by your office to, in any way howsoever, assist your complainant by way of self-help or any other illegal way disguised as criminal investigation or investigation activities, to seek to recover or recover the said amount, will amount to contempt of Court, and our office shall be unsparing in applying all legal means to get justice for our clients.”
Giwa-Amu added: “We urge you, in the interest of justice, salutary police practices that your office is known for, dedication to duty that your office has been celebrated for, and decorum, which is your forte, to refuse the complainant’s complaint as civil and sub judice.”

Ogun Community Cries Out Over Activities of Suspected Land Grabbers

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Ogun Community Cries Out Over Activities of Suspected Land Grabbers
… As residents Ogun flee for safety

Residents of Maso Community in Sagamu Area of Ogun State have sent a save Our Soul message to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and other eminent Nigerians over the activities of suspected land grabbers who had invaded the community.

Speaking to Journalists in an emotional ladden message, the head of the Maso Odumeru Family, of Odelemo Road, Sagamu, Ogun State Chief (Mrs) Memunat Otujonwo said the invaders have made living a nightmare in the community through daily invasion and threatening them with sophisticated weapons.

While narrating the ugly incident, Chief (Mrs) Otujonwo explained that the land grabbers hiding under the disguise of hoodlums and cultist numbering over 300 invaded Maso village, destroyed the family landed properties and started shooting sporadically in an attempt to chase away residents.

She said the residents have lodged several complaints at the Sagamu Area Command in Ogun State expressing shock that the Police have yet to make any arrest, calling on the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, to urgently intervene in the matter.

She stressed further that a petition has been submitted to the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Commissioner of Police at Eleweran.

Chief (Mrs) Otujonwo said that after her investigation on the reason for the invasion of the community, she noticed that they came illegally for the possession and ownership of MASO Community Land, saying that her forefathers are the rightful owners of the landed properties with a court judgment on it.

The head of the MASO Odumeru Royal family also alleged that one Chief Tajudeen Allison, Lateef Mukaila, Rasaki Onowoga who claims to be a Police Officer in Abuja, Abeeb Onosanya (A.K.A) Oniwata name dropping and Azeez Olaitan including Awobo aka Ponpo, who claimed to be working for Chief Kamorudeen Lamina(A.K.A) sir Kay Oluwo allegedly led hoodlums to the Community since last week terrorizing the people with dangerous weapons like gun’s cutlasses and charms resulting in the residents scampering for safety.

The Head of the Maso family said the residents of Maso Village are law abiding and peaceful people, urging the security agencies to intervene so as to forestall any security breach in the community.

Chief (Mrs) Otujonwo appealed to the State Governor Prince Dapo Abioudun and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to save the community from impeding bloodshed through the activities of land grabbers.

However, when contacted, Chief Kamorudeen Lamina (aka) Sir Kay Oluwo, denied ever sponsoring any attack on the Community. He also denied ever leading any hoodlums to invade the town.

Chief Lamina told our reporters that the disclaimer became necessary following the allegations made against individuals bearing the names Chief Tajudeen Allison and Awobo (aka) Ponpo who falsely claimed to be his leader in the land grabbing business.

He categorically denied any involvement in or authorization of any activities involving hoodlum or any form of violence including sporadic shootings in the community, dismissing the allegations as entirely false and not in accord with his character position or values of his company.

He said, “I Chief Kamorudeen Lamina popularly known as Sir Kay Oluwo” hereby issue this formal disclaimer regarding the allegations bearing the names Chief Tajudeen Allison and Awobo (aka) Ponpo, who have been falsely claimed to be personal assistants to him.

The spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command CSP Omolola Odutola could not be reached and the message sent to her phone yet to be attended to before filling these reports.

FISH PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION SYSTEM

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By Prof. John Abiodun Daramola

Fish are processed in many different ways in different parts of the world. Heavy salting, freezing, drying, hot smoking, canning and pasteurisation are all recognised methods of fish preservation. All affect the microorganisms on the fish in different ways and will result in a different type of microflora and different risks from spoilage organisms and pathogens.

However, traditionally processed fish products (TFPs) are reported to carry high potential risk for human health for halophilic pathogenic bacteria, histamine and parasites (Köse, 2010).

The key to any preservation system is for the producer to understand how the process works and what needs to be controlled to get a safe stable product. For example, a correctly processed canned fish will be commercially sterile and can be stored at ambient temperatures for long periods without spoilage or risk to consumer safety. Once the can is opened, the contents become open to contamination and as there is usually no preservative within the product and the contaminating microorganisms will be able to grow.

Therefore, canned fish products should be consumed shortly after opening. In dried or frozen fish, the microflora is prevented from growing by the storage conditions used and the product may have a long shelf life in the preserved state.
Bacterial contaminants of fish and seafood

The most common cases of food poisoning which involve fish and seafood usually occur as a result of eating contaminated prawns or other shellfish. Oysters is a good example of seafood which some people enjoy consuming whilst raw, but these often contain bacteria which are likely to cause food poisoning and other similar conditions. These shellfish filter seaweed and algae from the surrounding water but bacteria which live in this water get to enter the oyster during the filtration process. Consequently, these bacteria then take root inside the fish. Usually, it is easy to think of food poisoning as an issue associated with contaminated chicken, beef or pork but unfortunately, fish is included. For example, Escherichia coli is a bacterium that is present in nearly all types of shellfish as a result of contact with water contaminated by raw sewage.

Five bacterial species namely: Staphylococcus aureus, klebsiella sp. Salmonella sp., Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas sp. are the major bacterial pathogens associated with post-harvest fish spoilage. According to the findings by Gram and Huss (2001), who reported that these microorganisms were the major causes of microbial spoilage of fresh fish after capture and the microbial count on different media suggests contamination. The total bacterial count on fish rarely indicate the quality of the fish but it gives an indication of the risk of spoilage induced since each of these microorganisms had different ways of affecting health conditions of consumers of such contaminated fish (Gram et al., 2000).

Conversely, Miller et al., (1973) observed that not all bacteria present on fresh fish are spoilers but there are certain active spoilers which are the major pathogens associated with fish spoilage.
The presence of Klebsiella and Salmonella spp. in the fresh fish samples is an indication that the water used for processing was faecally contaminated. The presence of Staphylococcus aureus, a normal flora of skin and mucous membrane of humans can be attributed to human contact during handling and processing (Dalgaard et al., 2006).

Staphylococcus aureus produces a variety of extra cellular enzymes and toxins that have been found to be responsible for food poisoning and can rapidly develop resistance to many antimicrobial agents and pose health risk with therapeutic problems (Thrower, 2000 and Abolagba et al, 2011). However, Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium causes botulism, is considered as the most harmful of these bacteria (Long, 2009).

Fungal contaminants of fish
Dried fish has a storage life of several years and thus gives fungi a greater opportunity to contaminate it. Fungi are omnipresent in the environment, being found wherever water, suitable organic nutrients and an appropriate temperature occur. They secrete enzymes outside their body structure and absorb the digested foods (Prescott et al., 1999). The growth of filamentous fungi in foods and food products results in waste and is costly as well as sometimes hazardous.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by moulds that are capable of causing disease and death in humans and animals (Bennett and Klich, 2003). Drying to moisture content below 15% prevents the growth of many spoilage microorganisms while mould growth is only suppressed at 10% moisture content (Buere, 2005).

Fafioye et al. (2002) studied the fungal infestation of five traditionally smoked dried freshwater fish in Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria and isolated and identified eleven different fungal species of which Aspergillus flavus was the most frequently encountered fungi on the fish species. Also, in a study of mycoflora of smoke-dried fishes sold in Uyo, Eastern Nigeria by Adebayo-Tayo et al. (2008), twelve different fungi specie were found to be associated with the smoke-dried fish samples. The associated fungi were Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus tereus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Absidia sp, Rhizopus sp, Aspergillus niger, Mucor sp, Cladosporium Sp, Penicillin italiculum, P. viridatus, Candida tropicalis and Fusarium moniliformis. Similarly, Junaid et al (2010) in a study aimed at isolating and identifying the fungi associated with stockfish, showed that seven different fungi species were found.

However, moulds may be present without producing any toxin (Bennett and Klich, 2003), but the presence of toxigenic fungi increases the risk for mycotoxin production (Jacobsen et al., 2008). The reason being that even though the fungus is no longer alive, while it was growing, it can produce mycotoxin which can poison the food (Wong, 2007). Mycotoxins greatly resist decomposition or being broken down in digestion so they remain in the food chain and even temperature treatments such as cooking and freezing, therefore, do not destroy the mycotoxins.
Viral contaminants of fish
Numerous viruses of human or animal origin are found in the environment and infect people via water and food: bivalve molluscs, vegetables and prepared foods are classified by the World Health Organization as priority hazards. Hepatitis A virus (HAV), genogroup GI, GII, and GIV norovirus (NoV), enterovirus (EV), rotavirus (RoV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), adenovirus (AdV), and bocavirus (BoV) have been detected in food (especially shellfish), water samples and surface swabs by nested (RT) PCR, real-time PC.

Prof. Daramola is the HOD Department of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Bells University of Technology, Ota,Ogun state

Dangote Splashes N11bn in Gifts, Cash on Cement Distributors, Customers at Awards Nite

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L-R: MD/CEO, Gilbert Igweka Global Concepts Nig. Ltd, Chief Gilbert Igweka, receiving the 2nd runner-up award of Top National Distributor, from Chairman, Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote at Dangote Cement Plc Customer Awards and Gala Nite, in Lagos on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
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L-R: Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Olakunle Alake; Independence Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Ernest Ebi; Independence Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Emmanuel Ikazoboh; CEO, Nwa Ado Multi Biz Limited, Chief Akukalia Ikwueme, receiving the 1st runner-up award of Top National Distributor from Chairman, Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote;  Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Abdu Dantata; Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Dangote Industries Limited, Fatima Aliko Dangote; GMD/CEO, Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak; Independence Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Dorothy Udeme Ufot at Dangote Cement Plc Customer Awards and Gala Nite, in Lagos on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
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L-R: CEO, Nwa Ado Multi Biz Limited, Chief Akukalia Ikwueme, receiving the 1st runner-up award of Top National Distributor from Chairman, Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote, at Dangote Cement Plc Customer Awards and Gala Nite, in Lagos on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
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L-R: MD/CEO, Kazab Heritage Limited, Otunba Kazeem Odeyeyiwa, with his wife, Chief (Mrs) Adesola Olaide Odeyeyiwa receiving the winner award of Top National Distributor from Chairman, Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote, at Dangote Cement Customer Plc Awards and Gala Nite, in Lagos on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
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L-R: Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Olakunle Alake; Independence Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Ernest Ebi; Independence Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Emmanuel Ikazoboh; MD/CEO, Gilbert Igweka Global Concepts Nig. Ltd, Chief Gilbert Igweka; MD/CEO, Kazab Heritage Limited, Otunba Kazeem Odeyeyiwa; Chairman, Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote; Otunba Kazeem Odeyeyiwa’s wife, Chief (Mrs) Adesola Olaide Odeyeyiwa; CEO, Nwa Ado Multi Biz Limited, Chief Akukalia Ikwueme, Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Abdu Dantata; Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Dangote Industries Limited, Fatima Aliko Dangote; GMD/CEO, Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak; Independence Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Dorothy Udeme Ufot at Dangote Cement Plc Customer Awards and Gala Nite, in Lagos on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
  IMG_ORG_1748458048459
L-R: Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Olakunle Alake; Independence Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Ernest Ebi; Independence Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Emmanuel Ikazoboh; MD/CEO, Gilbert Igweka Global Concepts Nig. Ltd, Chief Gilbert Igweka, receiving the 2nd runner-up award of Top National Distributor, from Chairman, Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote;  Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Abdu Dantata; Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Dangote Industries Limited, Fatima Aliko Dangote; GMD/CEO, Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak; Independence Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Dorothy Udeme Ufot at Dangote Cement Plc  Customer Awards and Gala Nite, in Lagos on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
  IMG_ORG_1748458078490
L-R: Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Olakunle Alake; Independence Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Ernest Ebi; Independence Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Emmanuel Ikazoboh; MD/CEO, Kazab Heritage Limited, Otunba Kazeem Odeyeyiwa, with his wife, Chief (Mrs) Adesola Olaide Odeyeyiwa receiving the winner award of Top National Distributor from Chairman, Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote;  Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Abdu Dantata; Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Dangote Industries Limited, Fatima Aliko Dangote; GMD/CEO, Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak; Independence Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Dorothy Udeme Ufot at Dangote Cement Plc Customer Awards and Gala Nite, in Lagos on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
For their continued loyalty and patronage, Dangote Cement Plc has rewarded its distributors and customers with various choice gift items and cash worth N11 billion.
At the 2025 edition of its Customers Awards & Gala Nite held in Lagos, a premium celebration dedicated to recognising and rewarding its highest-performing distributors, with the theme ‘Let’s Acceler8’, the cement giant rewarded its distributors with gift items comprising several CNG trucks, containers filled with products, and cash valued at over N11 billion.
Welcoming customers of the company to the distributors’ award ceremony, Chairman of Dangote Cement / President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, commended the distributors for their unwavering commitment and resilience “in driving our business forward, even amidst economic challenges.”
He lauded “their perseverance and determination in ensuring our products remain available in the market. Thanks to your efforts, we have secured over 57 per cent of the market share, and we encourage you to continue pushing for more growth.”
Dangote noted that “this year’s theme serves as a rallying call for unity and collective growth as we strive for unmatched market leadership in 2025. This theme reflects the strength of our partnership with valued customers, which continues to drive the success of Dangote Cement.”
He also noted that “Our leadership in the building and construction sector is rooted in this mutually beneficial relationship. Also, the partnership has been instrumental in elevating us to the position of Africa’s largest cement producer.”
He said, “in appreciation of the hard work, unflinching loyalty, and commitment of our esteemed customers in the year 2024, we are rewarding you with gift items and cash valued at over N11 billion. We are also celebrating our valued corporate customers, who have consistently chosen our cement products for a wide array of construction projects.”
He assured the stakeholders of the Company’s commitment to research and continuous improvement in its production processes and the highest quality products.
In his welcome address, Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak, stated, “Tonight, we celebrate the pivotal role our customers play in ensuring the widespread availability of our products across every region of Nigeria. We recognise and appreciate your remarkable efforts in driving the sales, distribution, and usage of our products throughout the year 2024.”
He said, “The outstanding performance of our company, especially in the past year, is a testament to your collective commitment and resilience. We are thankful for your continued dedication, which has made our products visible across all geopolitical regions. As vital partners in our value chain, from quarry to customer, your role is instrumental.
“To support your growth, we have distributed over 5,000 containers to various retailers. This initiative not only enhances our business value but also ensures that consumers receive products with an extended shelf life directly from the factory. In alignment with our chairman’s vision, we aim to distribute an additional 4,000 containers to our customers and retailers this year.”
Pathak added, “In line with DCP’s commitment to sustainability and the country’s clean fuel policy, we are transitioning our fleet of over 7,000 trucks from AGO to CNG by the end of 2026.
“We are making significant investments in new CNG trucks and the necessary infrastructure to support this transition. Currently, 3,100 trucks are operational, and our initiatives in alternative fuel utilisation have gained global recognition, with Dangote Cement receiving a commendable score from CDP in climate change and water security.”
He pointed out that “we are excited to reward some of our customers who have shown outstanding performance with CNG trucks to further develop their businesses. These rewards demonstrate our dedication to supporting our customers’ growth and commitment to sustainability. We are focused on strengthening the partnerships that have positioned us as the leading civil manufacturer in the nation.”
The Group Executive Director of Commercial Operations at Dangote Industries Limited, Fatima Aliko Dangote, acknowledged the significant contributions of the distributors. She emphasised the importance of their outstanding performance and achievements to the company’s sales growth and market expansion in 2024.
She noted that their efforts play a crucial role in sustaining public awareness and developing a market for Dangote’s cement products.
Aliko Dangote identified and highlighted the distributors as the backbone of the company’s growth and success, and encouraged them to aim for even higher performance levels in 2025.
The awards categories were in phases; Regional Award, Growth Award, Best Performing Customers.

WE HAVE MADE UNDENIABLE PROGRESS:

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PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU’S STATEMENT ON THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ADMINISTRATION ON MAY 29, 2025

Fellow Nigerians, as we mark the second anniversary of our administration, I salute your resilience and undaunted spirit. Two years ago, you entrusted me with the sacred responsibility to lead our nation at a time of historic challenges. Together, we have faced these headwinds with courage and determination.

The economic and general situation of the country I inherited required that we redirect the country’s affairs with a bold and new vision. I immediately implemented two necessary policies to stop our country from further drifting into the precipice. It was apparent that if the federal government and the other two tiers of government must remain viable and cater to the citizens’ welfare, we must do away with decades-long fuel subsidies and the corruption-ridden multiple foreign exchange windows. The two were no longer sustainable and have become a chokehold on our nation’s neck, strangling our nation’s future.

While our administration has implemented the reforms to restore and reinvigorate our national economy and strengthen our social fabric as a strong and united country, I must thank my fellow citizens for your unrelenting support and belief in the grand vision we share to uplift our nation and renew our collective hopes and aspirations.

We are halfway through the journey that began 24 months ago. Today, May 29, 2025, offers our administration the opportunity to share again how far we have gone and our progress in steering our country along the critical path of socio-economic development.

When we embarked on this journey, propelled by a burst of hope and abiding faith in Nigeria’s unity and progress, I made a pledge before God and fellow countrymen and women to confront Nigeria’s challenges head-on by rebuilding trust, fostering prosperity, and restoring our nation’s economic health. Today, I proudly affirm that our economic reforms are working. We are on course to building a greater, more economically stable nation.

Under our Renewed Hope Agenda, our administration pledged to tackle economic instability, improve security nationwide, reduce corruption, reform governance, and lift our people out of poverty.

While implementing the reforms necessary to strengthen our economy and deliver shared prosperity, we have remained honest by acknowledging some of the difficulties experienced by our compatriots and families. We do not take your patience for granted. I must restate that the only alternative to the reforms our administration initiated was a fiscal crisis that would have bred runaway inflation, external debt default, crippling fuel shortages, a plunging Naira, and an economy in a free-fall.

Despite the bump in the cost of living, we have made undeniable progress.

Inflation has begun to ease, with rice prices and other staples declining. The oil and gas sector is recovering; rig counts are up by over 400% in 2025 compared to 2021, and over $8 billion in new investments have been committed. We have stabilised our economy and are now better positioned for growth and prepared to withstand global shocks.

In 2025, we remain on track with our fiscal targets. Gross proceeds per barrel from crude oil are broadly aligned with our forecasts as we intensify our efforts to ramp up production. Our fiscal deficit has narrowed sharply from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024. We achieved this through improved revenue generation and greater transparency in government finances. In the first quarter of this year, we recorded over N6 trillion in revenue.

We have discontinued Ways & Means financing, which has been a major contributor to high and sticky inflation. The NNPC, no longer burdened by unsustainable fuel subsidies, is now a net contributor to the Federation Account. We are also achieving fuel supply security through local refining.

Our debt position is improving. While foreign exchange revaluation pushed our debt-to-GDP ratio to around 53%, our debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from nearly 100% in 2022 to under 40% by 2024. We paid off our IMF obligations and grew our net external reserves by almost 500% from $4 billion in 2023 to over $23 billion by the end of 2024.

Thanks to our reforms, state revenue increased by over N6 trillion in 2024, ensuring that subnational governments can reduce their debt burden, meet salaries and pension obligations on a timely basis, and invest more in critical infrastructure and human capital development.

One of our administration’s most impactful achievements is our bold tax reform agenda, which is already yielding results. By the end of 2024, our tax-to-GDP ratio rose from 10% to over 13.5%, a remarkable leap in just one year. This was not by accident. It results from deliberate improvement in our tax administration and policies designed to make our tax system fairer, more efficient, and more growth-oriented.

We are eliminating the burden of multiple taxation, making it easier for small businesses to grow and join the formal economy. The tax reforms will protect low-income households and support workers by expanding their disposable income. Essential goods and services such as food, education, and healthcare will now attract 0% VAT. Rent, public transportation, and renewable energy will be fully exempted from VAT to reduce household costs further.

We are ending the era of wasteful and opaque tax waivers. Instead, we have introduced targeted and transparent incentives supporting high-impact manufacturing, technology, and agriculture sectors. These reforms are not just about revenue but about stimulating inclusive economic growth.

There is a deliberate focus on our youth, who a friendlier tax environment for digital jobs and remote work will empower. Through export incentives, Nigerian businesses will be able to compete globally. Our National Single Window project streamlines international trade, reduces delays, and enhances Nigeria’s competitiveness.

To promote fairness and accountability, we are establishing a Tax Ombudsman, an independent institution that will protect vulnerable taxpayers and ensure the system works for everyone, especially small businesses.

Most importantly, we are laying the foundation for a more sustainable future by introducing a new national fiscal policy. This strategic framework will guide our approach to fair taxation, responsible borrowing, and disciplined spending.

These reforms are designed to reduce the cost of living, promote economic justice, and build a business-friendly economy that attracts investment and supports every Nigerian. Together, we are creating a system where prosperity is shared, and no one is left behind.

We have breathed new life into the Solid Minerals sector as part of our efforts to diversify the economy. Revenue has increased phenomenally, and investors are setting up processing plants as the sector dumps the old pit-to-port policy and embraces a new value-added policy.

We have also repositioned our health sector despite all odds.

Over 1,000 Primary Health Centres are being revitalised nationwide. An additional 5,500 PHCs are being upgraded under our Renewed Hope Health Agenda. We are establishing Six new cancer treatment centres. Three are ready. We offer free dialysis services in pilot tertiary hospitals and subsidise the service in others. Under the Presidential Maternal Health Initiative, over 4,000 women have undergone free cesarean sections. Lastly, we have expanded Health Insurance Coverage from 16 million to 20 million within two years.

As a result of our bold and deliberate policies, the economy is growing stronger again. Real GDP rose by 4.6% in Q4 2024, with full-year growth of 3.4%. This is one of the strongest in a decade.

Without a responsive and reliable national security infrastructure that can protect lives and properties, our economy will not perform optimally, and those who seek to harm us will impair and disrupt our way of life. Our administration is committed to the security and safety of our people. For our government, protecting our people and their peaceful way of life is the utmost priority.

Since I assumed our country’s leadership, our administration has improved collaboration among security agencies, increased intelligence-driven operations, and better ensured the welfare of our armed forces and security personnel. I use this opportunity to salute the courage and everyday sacrifice of our service men and women. We may not always witness the tremendous efforts they make to keep us safe, but we benefit every day from the results of their dedication. Even if we do not thank them often enough, they willingly face danger so we can go about our lives freely and without fear.

Our military, police, and intelligence agencies are committed to always responding to emerging security threats and new challenges because it is the patriotic duty they owe a grateful nation.

Amid the new security challenges, we can report some successes. In some areas of the northwest, hitherto under the control of bandits, our gallant armed forces have restored order, reducing and eliminating threats to lives and livelihoods. With the success achieved, farmers are back tilling the land to feed us. Highways, hitherto dangerous for travellers, have become safer. Our security agencies have succeeded many times in rescuing the abducted citizens from the hands of their tormentors. I promise you, we shall remain vigilant, as I told security chiefs during the last meeting to up their game and collaborate to end this plague of evil men. Every Nigerian deserves to live without fear.

Outside of Security, we have prioritised human capital development as a central pillar of our national development strategy.

To this end, we have significantly expanded access to quality education through infrastructure investments and the student loan scheme to support indigent students in tertiary institutions. Through the Renewed Hope Health initiative, our administration has begun equipping health facilities and deploying skilled personnel to unserved areas. We are also strengthening our response to public health threats and implementing targeted social investment schemes.

Our youth empowerment initiatives include access to funds, skill development, and creating employment opportunities. Through our MSME support, we empower the next generation and bridge inequality. In our mission to empower the next generation, we have taken bold steps to place young Nigerians at the heart of national development. Nowhere is this more evident than at the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), where the current management is making giant strides. NASENI has embraced a digital-first approach, introduced real-time dashboards, and implemented end-to-end e-procurement through its Unified ERP System—setting a new governance benchmark for public institutions.

Through bold, high-impact programmes like Innovate Naija, Irrigate Nigeria, the Asset Restoration Programme, and the Renewable Energy and Innovation Park in Gora, NASENI drives inclusive industrialisation at scale. From assembling electric vehicles and reviving idle assets to launching Africa’s most advanced Rapid Diagnostic Kit Factory and training female drone engineers through the NASCAV programme, these initiatives are creating jobs, restoring dignity to work, and opening up a future of possibilities for our youth. This is the movement we promised—a government of action powered by the energy and innovation of young Nigerians.

Agriculture and food security are top priorities of our Renewed Hope Agenda. We have launched aggressive initiatives to boost local food production, support farmers, and stabilise food prices. We have also invested in mechanised farming by procuring thousands of tractors, other farming tools, and fertilisers.

Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the federal government has continued with major road construction and rehabilitation projects across all geopolitical zones, from the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, the 9th Mile-Oturkpo-Makurdi Road, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Abuja-Lokoja-Benin Road, Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Oyo-OgbomosoRoad, Sokoto-Badagry Road, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Second Niger Bridge Access Road to Bodo-Bonny Road among hundreds of ongoing road projects across the country.

We have launched initiatives to improve electricity generation by upgrading generation and transmission infrastructure and investing in off-grid solar energy to power our homes, business premises, industries, schools and hospitals.

In the spirit of democracy and national renewal, we are preparing to welcome the world to Nigeria soon for the Motherland Festival. This landmark gathering will spotlight our rich heritage, dynamic creative industries, and the vibrant energy of our people. It will showcase Nigeria’s beauty through tourism, culture, and innovation, inviting the world to rediscover our nation.

The Nigerian diaspora plays a vital role in our national transformation. Their expertise, investment, and global perspective are key to shaping the future we seek. In recognition, the government has introduced policies like the diaspora bond and the non-resident Bank Verification Number to make it easier for Nigerians abroad to invest, engage, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s progress.

The Motherland Festival will bring together voices from across the continent and the diaspora in a decisive moment of unity and purpose, affirming that Nigeria is not only a leader in Africa but a committed global partner ready to engage, inspire, and lead.

Once again, I acknowledge the sacrifices many Nigerians have made and continue to make as we reposition our country, not just for today but for generations yet unborn. Our journey is not over, but our direction is clear. So is our resolve to tackle emerging challenges. By the Grace of God, we are confident that the worst is behind us. The real impact of our governance objectives is beginning to take hold. The future is bright, and together, we will build a stronger, more inclusive Nigeria that we can all be proud of.

Thank you all, and May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU,

ASO ROCK,

ABUJA

29/5/2025

Amendment of NDLEA Act ‘ll bolster Nigeria’s drug control efforts – Fagbemi, Marwa

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Charge stakeholders to renew energy, resolve against substance abuse, illicit drug trafficking

By Ebinum Samuel

Minister of Justice and Hon. Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) have expressed hope that the recent amendment of the NDLEA Act by the National Assembly will bolster Nigeria’s drug control efforts when eventually signed by President Bola Tinubu.

They stated this in their remarks during the opening ceremony of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug Control meeting in Abuja on Wednesday 28th May 2025. According to the minister who delivered the keynote address, “In the past four years, we have witnessed unprecedented efforts by the NDLEA. These achievements include arrests and seizures, convictions, elaborate evidence-based drug demand reduction interventions, using the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy platform to sensitize communities on the dangers of drug abuse. Consistent gains have been recorded within the global space, by fostering international cooperation and building strong partnerships. NDLEA has sustained the fight with renewed energy and vigour, giving hope to the once hopeless situation.

“The Federal Ministry of Justice has worked together with the NDLEA to ensure that our national legal system effectively supports the drug control efforts of the agency. We are at the last lap of finalizing the amendment of the NDLEA Act, which will significantly enhance the organizational capability of the agency to control the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria. The Ministry is also providing appropriate support in the area of proceeds of crime management, essential to dismantling the financial networks of drug traffickers.”

While acknowledging the contributions of other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to the country’s drug control efforts, the minister who was represented by the Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, noted that “the work of this Inter-Ministerial Committee has been crucial in coordinating a whole-of-government approach to this top burner issue. By bringing together critical stakeholders, we have been able to develop and implement more comprehensive and balanced strategies, applying the collaborative spirit which the NDCMP promotes.”

He commended state governments that have established their own drug control committees and the civil society organisations working at the community levels to ensure more holistic outcomes. He charged the gathering to expand prevention programmes to address the root causes of drug abuse, targeting the youths, women, the vulnerable and marginalized persons in communities. “Let us leave this meeting with renewed commitment to protecting our youth, securing our communities, and building a healthier, safer Nigeria for generations to come. The commitment made by NDLEA, the IMC and other stakeholders, holds the promise for a drug-free Nigeria”, he added.

In his welcome remarks, Marwa said despite the funding challenges that affected the full implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP 2021–2025), the Agency remained undeterred in the pursuit of its goal. “Instead, we stay resolute, drawing strength from our shared vision, commitment, and collective responsibility to overcome this limitation. Encouragingly, certain developments promise to bolster the achievement of our objectives. One such step is the amendment of the NDLEA Act, which is expected to significantly strengthen the Agency’s institutional capacity in drug supply reduction. I am pleased to inform this esteemed assembly that the Amended Act has been passed by the National Assembly and is currently awaiting Presidential assent.”

While charging all stakeholders to redouble their efforts, the NDLEA boss said “I urge us all to renew our energy and resolve to deliver the impact and value needed to confront Nigeria’s evolving and multifaceted drug challenges. Let us bring our voices, passion, and optimism to bear in our deliberations. May we remain open and forthright in pursuit of our shared goal: the enhancement of health and security for all residents of Nigeria, in line with the aspirations of the NDCMP 2021–2025.”

Assessing major programmes implemented across the strategic pillars of the NDCMP in 2023 and 2024, Marwa said “I can confirm that we have collectively made commendable progress on the Fourth National Action Plan, in comparison with previous iterations. Under the Supply Reduction pillar, our operational efforts and strategic offensives led to the arrest of 31,334 drug offenders, of whom 6,839 were convicted. We also recorded the seizure of 4,333,636.9 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and undertook the destruction of 426.46724 hectares of cannabis farms.

“Under the Drug Demand Reduction strategic pillar, we provided counselling and rehabilitation services to 19,033 individuals. By accelerating our WADA sensitisation activities across states, local government areas, wards, and communities, we have been able to intentionally disseminate awareness of the dangers of drug abuse to diverse population groups. This has, in turn, fostered a sense of shared ownership and collective commitment in the national effort to curb substance abuse, trafficking, and proliferation across the country.”

Also speaking at the ceremony, UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure represented by Dr. Akani Ibanga said Nigeria stands at the crossroads of public health and security sector when it comes to the drug response, adding that “the urgency of the mission that we have today cannot be overstated. Drug use, as we know, is associated with various things from health to safety to productivity to cohesion and, in fact, to how we respond at the level of our community.”

Tasking the gathering, he said “as we gather, we must be guided with data, and I’m glad how the chairman has, detailed the responses that have gone on in the different sectors, both in terms of supply reduction, demand reduction, and when it has to do with access to medications. And I think that where we have a country where at least three million people are said to be suffering from drug use disorder, when we did this calculation and you have 39.5 million in the world, that means we’re contributing 7.5 percent to that data as a country. That’s worrisome, and it calls for us to continue in this last leg of implementing the NDCMP to ensure that we are able to follow through with all the commitments that the drug control master plan have laid out for us to do, that we may address these issues that we face.”