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President Tinubu says Nigeria must address historical injustices to achieve security, peace

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Senator Bola Tinubu, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria said on Monday in Abuja, that the country must address historical injustices in order to achieve security and peace.

Tinubu said though steps taken to combat Nigeria’s security challenges had been mapped out before he took up the presidency, achieving security and peace required that historical injustices that had torn communities apart were first fully addressed.

He spoke in Katsina when he declared open the North West Peace and Security Summit, with the theme, “Regional Cooperation for Securing Lives and Livelihoods in North West Nigeria.”

The president assured that his administration would not rest until banditry, terrorism, and other forms of insecurity were completely eliminated from the country.

He said the country had already begun to witness a turning point in security, as the strategies adopted by the security forces, including rules of engagement employed, were beginning to yield result.

The North West Peace and Security Summit, organised by the North West Governors’ Forum, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was held at Government House, Katsina.

Tinubu, who was represented at the two-day event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, declared, “What we are witnessing across the North is an explosion of these damaged relationships, and we have come to say, enough is enough.

“Our first decision was to task our brothers from the North-west and the North-east with the defence and security of the region. Who else can better understand the complexity of the crisis of a region than the people themselves?

“This has been a turning point, and I am proud to share that the strategies we have employed have begun to provide redemption. We are not slowing down until we achieve our aim.”

Tinubu described the summit as a communal gathering to address “the afflictions that have threatened the stability and unity” of the North.

According to him, “Beyond the economic rationale that drove the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria, the formation of our great nation was inspired by the need for mutual protection. But, I ask, how can we achieve this sacred objective if one part is afflicted?

“We have long established that whatever ails any part of this federation destabilises the other. So, the issue of national security in the North-west is not a sectional agenda. We promised to make Nigeria safer, and this aim has been our topmost priority since we came to office over a year ago.”

Stating that the bold steps taken to combat the security challenges his administration inherited were mapped out even before embarking on the journey, Tinubu observed that achieving security and peace would require that the historical injustices that had torn communities in Nigeria apart were fully addressed.

He said, “We must also reverse the institutional frailties governing security and the economic dysfunctions that create vulnerabilities to crime. We must also counter the ideological mischief that has pervaded the discourse of peace and security in the region.”

The president stated that the peace and security summit became necessary to proffer solutions to insecurity and ensure a region, “Where every trade is safe, where every group is at peace, and where the policing and military presence of the state is optimal.”

In order to come up with pragmatic solutions to the security challenges in the North-west, Tinubu said his administration adopted kinetic and non-kinetic interventions designed to build the perimeters of the country’s security infrastructure.

He mentioned the Pulaku resettlement initiative as one of the non-kinetic interventions rolled out by the administration. He said it was a timely solution to address some of the root causes of disputes and insecurity in the North-west.

According to him, “Our choice of Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna states for the pilot phase is strategically planned to create positive, nationwide transformations.

“The comprehensive plan includes building residences, roads, schools, and essential facilities, fulfilling our pledge to the nation.

“This effort symbolises our commitment to sustainable development and a unified, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria, transforming our diversity into strength. Today, I believe we are going to continue comparing our ideas and thoughts to not only review our strategies and improve upon them, to make the states in the North-west stable and peaceful parts of the nation, but to assure ourselves that we cannot achieve the triumph we desire without any part of the nation being secure.”

Addressing the topic, “Securing Stability: Uniting for Peace in North-west Nigeria,” Shettima, in a release by his media assistant, Stanley Nkwocha, explained why Northern Nigeria was always considered globally as one unified people, saying the region’s unity is firmly “rooted in a culture and bond of shared interests and common pursuits”.

The summit was also attended by the immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, as well as Governors Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, deputy governors of Kaduna, Kebbi and Kano states as well as the Sultan of Sokoto and other traditional rulers.

 

 

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Generator fumes suspected for death of UNN students

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Strong indications has emerged that the use of a generator in a poorly ventilated environment may have caused the death of some students of the University of Nigeria, Nssuka.

The suspicion emerged after a survivor of the incident disclosed that a generator was operating outside the corridor of the apartment where they gathered, while the doors and windows remained shut.

According to the 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, about 10 people attended the party organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.

The gathering reportedly started around 11:30 a.m. at the host’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with participants sharing alcoholic drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting his experience, the survivor said he suddenly lost consciousness after helping one of the participants who had vomited and returning to clean the floor.

He disclosed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before eventually passing out. The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., only to discover that his friends were lying motionless on the floor.

“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that the host was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he recounted.

He said he subsequently contacted friends for assistance, before one of them eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.

The survivor further explained that the apartment was poorly ventilated, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was running outside in the corridor. A fan was also operating inside the room.

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Speed Darlington begs Burna Boy to drop case

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Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye popularly known as Speed Darlington, has apologised to Grammy-winning musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, asking him to withdraw the charges against him and promising to stop making comments about his sexuality.

Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, in which he expressed regret over the pain and embarrassment he might have caused the singer.

“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.

The singer admitted that he was wrong to assume that everyone had the same temperament, adding that he wanted an end to their disagreement.

“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.

He further pledged to refrain from making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality, making the withdrawal of the charges a condition for his promise.

“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality. “Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.

Speed Darlington also promised not to mention the singer’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.

“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.

 

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Why I left Peter Obi- Yinusa Tanko

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Yinusa Tanko, former national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, says he experienced a betrayal of trust and loyalty in Peter Obi’s camp, which led to his exit from the movement.

Tanko spoke on Thursday shortly after his unveiling as the coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign council.

Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.

He was later redeployed as Obi’s political adviser (north), a position he held until October 30, when he resigned.

However, Tanko said he never wanted to leave Obi’s camp, insisting that he was pushed out rather than choosing to exit the movement.

Tanko said although he appreciated the opportunity to serve Obi, he could not remain in a political group where his contributions were no longer valued.

“Well, you know, as you move along in politics, there may be a time when your group does not want you, does not need you or does not appreciate what you do,” he said.

“You don’t stay where you are being tolerated; you go where you are appreciated.

“As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate all the work I have done, and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity. But the only thing I have suffered in that particular movement is betrayal of trust and betrayal of loyalty.”

Tanko said he served the former Anambra governor with diligence, honesty and integrity, adding that he still held him in high regard despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.

“Everybody knows that I have served with diligence, determination, honesty and integrity. That was how I served Peter Obi, and I continue to respect him,” he said.

“But now, since they don’t want me, people who appreciate me have picked me from the dustbin and made me a bride.”

Asked whether Obi would be pleased to see him in another political party, Tanko said he could not determine what was on the former governor’s mind.

“You cannot say what is on his mind; only he can speak for himself,” he said.

He added that his new political associates had recognised his contributions to nation-building and offered him another opportunity to serve.

 

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