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Nigeria@64: We’re Winning War Against Terrorism, Says Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu said on Tuesday that his administration is winning the war on terror and banditry.

In a national broadcast on the 64th Independence anniversary of Nigeria, Tinubu said his administration’s target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism in the country.

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“On the security front, I am happy to announce to you, my compatriots, that our administration is winning the war on terror and banditry.

“Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever. As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country.

“We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home. It is an unfinished business, which our security agencies are committed to ending as quickly as possible.

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READ ALSO: Nigeria@64: Senator Urges Tinubu, Others To Alleviate Sufferings Of Nigerians

“As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms. We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this,” he added.

He, however, acknowledged the struggles of Nigerians in the challenging times, assuring that his government is on top gear to address the rising cost of living while also tackling unemployment in the country.

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“As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.

“Exactly 64 years ago, our founding fathers chose democracy as a form of government and launched the dream of a great country that would lead the rest of Africa out of poverty, ignorance, and underdevelopment, a beacon of hope to the rest of Africa and the world.

“Over six decades later, we can look back, and Nigerians worldwide can see how well we have succeeded in realising the lofty dreams of our founding fathers.

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READ ALSO: Nigeria @64: We Must Reform Or Collapse — Tinubu

“The world is witnessing and benefiting from the can-do spirit of the Nigerian people, our massive intellectual capacity, and our enterprise and industry in all vocations, from arts to science, technology to infrastructure. The dreams that our founding fathers envisaged are still a work in progress. Every day, we put our hands on the plough, determined to do a better job of it,” Tinubu said.

He advised that instead of focusing on what has been left undone and where his government has stumbled as a nation, Nigeria must never lose sight of how far the nation has come in forging and holding the country together.

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“Since independence, our nation has survived many crises and upheavals that led to the dissolution and disintegration of many other nations worldwide.

“Six years after independence, our country descended into a political crisis that led to a bitter and avoidable civil war. Since returning from the brink of that darkest moment, we have learned to embrace our diversity and manage our differences better as we continue to work towards engendering a more perfect union.

“Despite the many challenges that buffeted our country, we remain a strong, united, and viable sovereign nation.

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“Dear compatriots, our independence anniversary gives us another chance to reflect on how far we have gone in our journey to nation-building and to renew our commitment to building a better nation that will serve present and future generations of Nigerians,” he assured.

Tinubu noted that while the country celebrates the progress it has made in the last sixty-four years, it must also recognise some of its missed opportunities and mistakes of the past, saying that if Nigeria is to become one of the greatest nations on earth, as God has destined it to be, its mistakes must not be allowed to follow it into the future.

READ ALSO: Nigeria@64: FG To Unveil New National Honours Recipients

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“My administration took over the leadership of our country 16 months ago at a critical juncture. The economy faced many headwinds, and our physical security was highly impaired. We found ourselves at a dizzying crossroads, where we must choose between two paths: reform for progress and prosperity or carry on business-as-usual and collapse. We decided to reform our political economy and defence architecture,” he added.

According to him, the economy is undergoing the necessary reforms and retooling to serve Nigerians better and more sustainably.

If we do not correct the fiscal misalignments that led to the current economic downturn, our country will face an uncertain future and the peril of unimaginable consequences.

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“Thanks to the reforms, our country attracted foreign direct investments worth more than $30 billion in the last year,” he noted.

He reaffirmed that his administration is committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of regulatory processes.

“This principle guides the divestment transactions in our upstream petroleum sector, where we are committed to changing the fortune positively. As such, the ExxonMobil Seplat divestment will receive ministerial approval in a matter of days, having been concluded by the regulator, NUPRC, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.

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“This was done in the same manner as other qualified divestments approved in the sector.

“The move will create vibrancy and increase oil and gas production, positively impacting our economy,” he averred.

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OPINION: 200k – The Shameful Prize For Academic Excellence

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By Israel Adebiyi 

Education remains the most powerful tool for personal and national transformation. It is through the cultivation of knowledge, literacy, and skills that societies evolve from dependence to independence, from poverty to prosperity, and from stagnation to innovation. Nations that truly understand this reality invest heavily in their young intellectuals, not only by providing opportunities but also by celebrating and rewarding excellence in ways that inspire others to aim higher.

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The Nigerian Constitution itself recognizes this truth. Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states unequivocally that “Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.” Furthermore, subsection 3 mandates that “Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy” through free and compulsory education at all tiers. These provisions are not mere suggestions; they are guiding principles for national progress.

Beyond our national laws, Nigeria is signatory to several international treaties and conventions that place education at the heart of human rights. Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms education as a right for all. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) insists that primary education must be compulsory and free, while higher education must be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. Similarly, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights calls on governments to promote education as a vehicle for collective dignity and empowerment.

But education in Nigeria is more than just policy and law. It is part of our cultural consciousness. Through songs, elders and teachers reminded us that knowledge is wealth, and learning is the ladder to dignity. Songs like Eko Dara Pupo (“Education is very good”) captured the timeless truth that education liberates a person from ignorance. Another popular tune, Bata Mi A Dun Ko Ko Ka (“My shoes will sound proudly”), symbolizes the celebration of educational achievement and the promise of a bright future. These melodies echo in classrooms and homes, serving as cultural testaments to the high value Nigerians place on knowledge.

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MORE FROM THE AUTHOR:OPINION: Ezekwesili, The NBA, And The Mirror Of Truth

Yet, against this backdrop of constitutional guarantees, international obligations, and cultural reverence, one cannot help but question the nation’s priorities when brilliance is rewarded with a token. When 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi from Yobe State outshone over 20,000 students across 69 countries to emerge the world’s best in English Language Skills at the TeenEagle Global Finals in London, she did more than win a trophy; she placed Nigeria on the map of intellectual achievement. Her victory was a triumph of diligence, discipline, and the power of Nigerian intellect. But the nation’s response, a ₦200,000 reward, was a glaring contradiction to the weight of her accomplishment.

The ₦200,000 cheque presented to Nafisa Abdullahi was not a reward; it was an insult dressed as recognition. It was not a gesture to inspire a generation; it was a token that diminished the very essence of her victory. In a country where entertainers are showered with millions for fleeting performances, and football teams receive dollar rains for continental triumphs, how can the brightest young mind, who carried Nigeria’s flag to the pinnacle of global intellectual acclaim, be handed the equivalent of a week’s grocery bill in some households?

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This disparity speaks to a deeper malaise in our national value system. We clap louder for goals than for genius, we celebrate speed on the pitch more than brilliance in the classroom, and in doing so, we broadcast a dangerous message: that intellect is cheap, and learning is secondary. But a nation that cannot properly reward education is a nation headed for doom.

Consider this: Nafisa hails from Yobe State, a region often in the news not for academic breakthroughs but for the tragic statistics of out-of-school children. UNICEF reports that Nigeria has over 20 million out-of-school children, many of them in the North-East, with Yobe carrying a heavy portion of that burden. Yet, from such a place of adversity, a flower bloomed, and rather than water it, the nation offered her crumbs. If ever there was a story that should have been used to ignite a revolution in education, it is Nafisa’s. Where was the Yobe State government with a grand civic reception to remind its children that brilliance is not only possible but celebrated? Silence and indifference prevailed instead.

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR:[OPINION] Game Of Thrones: Ooni, Alaafin And The Ridiculing oF Yoruba Heritage

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This faulty reward system does not only dishonour one girl; it demoralises millions of students who labour in classrooms across Nigeria, dreaming that their diligence might someday earn them recognition. If what they see is that global brilliance earns a paltry ₦200,000, while entertainers and athletes are endlessly celebrated, what then do we expect the next generation to aspire to?

Nigeria must, therefore, rethink its value system. Rewarding intellectual achievement must not be an afterthought—it must be a national priority. A new framework is needed where students who bring glory to Nigeria through knowledge are celebrated with the same pomp and substance as sporting heroes. Scholarships, endowments, mentorship opportunities, and life-changing incentives should be the bare minimum. If we truly believe that education is “the most powerful weapon to change the world,” then we must treat those who wield it as national treasures, not as footnotes in ceremonial handshakes.

Nafisa’s triumph should have been a rallying point to declare to the world that Nigeria will no longer export only oil and athletes, but also intellect, innovation, and ideas. Instead, we reduced her victory to a headline and a token cheque. That is not just a missed opportunity; it is a national disgrace.

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Until we build a system that dignifies education, we will continue to reap the fruits of misplaced priorities: corruption, mediocrity, and underdevelopment. The time has come to rewrite the reward system—not for Nafisa alone, but for every Nigerian child whose shoes, one day, should sound proudly, ko ko ka, on the global stage.

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Popular Skit Maker Dies In Car Crash

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Comedian and skit maker Raji Adetola, widely known as Mr Sanku Comedy, has died after a car accident in Ibadan, colleagues and family confirmed on Tuesday.

The fatal crash occurred on Monday along the Oyo–Ogbomoso road. Photos and videos shared online showed the vehicle plunging into a ditch. Sanku was rushed to hospital with a friend who was travelling with him, but he was later confirmed dead. The condition of his companion remained unclear, though reports suggested critical injuries.

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The 2021 content creator was known for his unique storytelling and comedy skits, amassing a large following on TikTok. His final video, posted a day before his death, went viral after the tragedy. In it, he prayed not to die before reaping the fruits of his labour.

READ ALSO:Three Drown In Rivers Boat Accident

Actress Funmi Awelewa said she had been told Sanku was initially responding to treatment, but he did not survive despite prayers.

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When I saw the news online, I quickly sent one of my students who stays close to Bowen hospital, and he told me that he met one of your friends at the hospital who told us that you’re responding to treatment. I prayed……God, we prayed!!! Kilowa de bai Oloun, Haa Olorun oba oo,” she wrote on her Instagram page.

Fellow skit makers Ozain Comedy and Jidex also paid tribute, with messages shared on Instagram and TikTok.

“Rest well, soldier,” Ozain wrote shortly after influencer Jidex also took to TikTok to speak on his death with the caption, “Rest in peace.”

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Benin Consultative Forum Mourns Its President, Arase’s Death

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Benin Consultative Forum (BCF) has expressed sadness over the sudden passing of its president, Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase.

Arase, who served as the 18th Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force,died on Sunday, August 31, 2025 in Abuja hospital.

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In a statement signed by the Vice President of the Forum, Dr. Samson Osagie, and Secretary-General, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, the BCF said Arase was widely celebrated for his role in modernizing the Force.

 

He introduced innovative policing models, including the establishment of a state-of-the-art technical intelligence platform, and made history as the pioneer Head of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, where he deployed forensic and non-kinetic strategies to combat complex crimes,” the statement partly reads.

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READ ALSO: BREAKING: Former Inspector-General Of Police, Solomon Arase, Is Dead

The BCF, while describing Arase as a towering figure in Nigeria’s security architecture and an acknowledged intelligence cop within the global security network, recalled his contributions to police reforms, intelligence, law enforcement, and scholarship, especially through his writings on internal security and electoral management.

The Forum noted that Arase’s membership of the Body of Benchers was a reflection of his commitment to excellence, integrity, the rule of law, and service to humanity.

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Until his passing, he was the immediate past Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), where he brought fresh, innovative ideas to police management.

“Beyond his public service, Arase would be remembered as a philanthropist who used his influence and professional networks to uplift communities.

READ ALSO: Police Mourn Ex-IG Arase’s Death

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“Through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF), he provided scholarships to indigent students across Nigeria and championed causes that advanced education, security, and social welfare,” the BCF noted.

The BCF also highlighted his passion for his people, which inspired the formation of the Forum in December 2024 at his Benin City residence.

The BCF said his vision was rooted in building an egalitarian society where culture, security, and development went hand in hand.

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The Edo people, the entire nation, and humanity in general are highly appreciative of his humble service which he rendered with uncommon dedication, grit and compassion,” the statement read.

The Forum extended prayers and condolences to his wife, Mrs. Agharese Arase, and their children, describing his death as a monumental loss to Edo State, Nigeria, and the world.

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