Former Federal Minister, Professor Jerry Gana, has blamed Nigeria’s nation-building challenges on what he described as leaders’ deliberate refusal to respect citizens’ aspirations, warning that personal interests and poor governance continue to undermine sustainable development. Gana argued that Nigeria could make significant progress if political leaders prioritised integrity, justice, accountability and the welfare of citizens over personal interests. He spoke while delivering a lecture titled “Rethinking Nation Building for Sustainable Development: Bridging the Leadership/Citizenship Disconnect” at the fifth national conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN) in Abuja on Tuesday. The former minister said Nigerians were…
Author: National Update
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has told Nigeria’s ex-officeholders that mentoring the next generation is an obligation, not a favour, warning that neglecting it will condemn young politicians to repeat old mistakes. “If we fail to guide the next generation, we risk leaving them to learn the lessons of leadership through avoidable mistakes,” he said. The message was delivered in Abuja on Tuesday by Bala James Nggilari, former Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, who spoke on Jonathan’s behalf at the fifth national conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN), where Jonathan is grand patron. Held at Abuja…
Former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has questioned how Nigeria can reform its judiciary if those expected to drive the process are themselves apprehensive about the institution. Ganduje raised the concern on Tuesday at the fifth national conference of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN) at Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, where he spoke on the challenges of institutional reform and sustainable development. “I wonder who will reform the judiciary in this country because the person expected to reform it may also be afraid of the judiciary, having to rely on the same institution,” he said. Although he…
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 does not mean he will allow the All Progressives Congress to take every elective position in Rivers State. Wike, who urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party and other opposition parties to support Tinubu’s second-term bid, said political negotiations would continue after the presidential election. Speaking at a meeting with Rivers State stakeholders, the minister said politicians were competing to demonstrate their contributions to Tinubu’s expected victory in order to secure a share of the political benefits. “There is something…
The National Chairman of the Forum of Former Deputy Governors of Nigeria (FFDGN), Dr Chris Alozie Akomas, has warned that Nigeria’s development will remain elusive unless political leaders embrace accountability, integrity and empathy in the discharge of their duties. Akomas said power without character was destructive, while governance without compassion could not address the everyday struggles of ordinary Nigerians. He spoke on Tuesday at the fifth national conference of the forum at Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, where he identified the growing disconnect between political leaders and citizens as a major obstacle to national development. The conference, which runs from October…
The Federal Government on Tuesday confirmed a case of Ebola Virus Disease in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and began an emergency response that includes tracing 44 close contacts of the patient. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a statement following laboratory confirmation of the case. According to the minister, the patient is a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda. She was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she was treated for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed. She is now…
A single rhetorical question asked to stakeholders in Kebbi State has grown into a campaign-season fight over who owns Nigeria’s security failures, and who must answer for them. Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari was addressing stakeholders on Monday when he put the question that set it off. “If Buhari, who is a retired military man, could not wipe out insecurity, what do people expect from Tinubu?” he asked. Supporters framed the remark as a defence of President Bola Tinubu: the problem is old, deep and stubborn, and no leader could be expected…
The Nigerian Air Force says a single precision airstrike has cut into the security core and leadership of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad region. NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame announced the strike on Tuesday, saying it hit an identified terrorist hideout on 19 October 2026. He called it a “significant operational success.” According to preliminary post-strike assessments, several prominent fighters were killed, including two figures the Air Force described as part of the group’s leadership structure. One is Jindullah, reportedly the chief security guard and confidant of Abu Saleem. The other is Abul…
***Warns FCT minister against political interference as Rainbow Coalition seeks foothold in state Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has warned Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, against dragging the state into his political calculations, declaring that Benue is neither Rivers State nor available for political negotiations. Alia, in a pointed response to Wike’s recent comments and political activities in Benue, said the state’s future would be determined by its people, not by political arrangements brokered elsewhere. “Benue is not Rivers and I’m not Fubara,” the governor declared, drawing a distinction between his administration and the political crisis that…
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has challenged the Presidency to explain how Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) dividends paid into the Federation Account were distributed, insisting that a reconciliation exercise identified about ₦9 trillion due to states and local governments. The dispute follows the Presidency’s rejection of Makinde’s claim that the Federal Government was withholding ₦250 billion for each state, describing the allegation as false. Makinde raised the issue at the 2027 Budget Stakeholders’ Consultative Engagement at the University of Ibadan, alleging that the funds would not be released until after the 2027 general elections. He said the money could have…