Category: Press Release

Being Text of an Address by the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, on his Formal Declaration for the All Progressives Congress (APC)

I want to begin by expressing a deep gratitude to God and Ndi Enugu…

For we are indeed at a moment of reflection, gratitude and renewal.

Today, I stand before you, to announce a break from the past, and to share a decision that will shape the road ahead. This concerns our values, how we organize ourselves politically, and how we secure the future of our projects and our people.

I offer my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to this journey over the past 28 months.

At the top of that list is Ndi Enugu. At a time when confidence in political leaders had almost collapsed, you chose to believe in us.

When I declared that “Tomorrow Is Here,” it struck a chord in your hearts. You put aside long-held skepticism and stood by us. Without that trust, the transformation we see today would never have happened.

Let us pause for a moment and consider what this transformation looks like.

It looks like Smart Green Schools nearing completion and primary healthcare centres in all 260 wards.

It looks like crime down by 80%; Maternal, Under-5 and infant mortality rates reduced by 400 percent.

It looks like a Command and Control Centre with AI-embedded Security Surveillance System and 150 Distress Response Squad vehicles that guarantee safe streets and neighbourhoods.

It looks like water flowing again through new mains and restored supply.

It looks like over 1000 kilometres of paved roads.

It looks like Internally-Generated Revenue up 600%.

It looks like a fully booked International Conference Centre pouring money into our local economy.

It looks like direct flights taking off – with Enugu Air linking us to key cities across Nigeria and beyond.

It looks like 3 million visitors to Enugu by 2026 – with Nigeria’s first zipline, 4 immersive eco-tourist sites.

It looks like commuting in comfortable CNG buses at 5 world-class terminals; and having 260 Farm Estates that bring production to scale.

It looks like Hotel Presidential and Nigergas revamped; and several moribund assets roaring back to life.

Of course, it looks like winning the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Model Green State Award as the Cleanest State in Nigeria.

It looks like Enugu on the national – indeed global – map.

Ndi Enugu, Your trust and support have been the bedrock of our success, and we pledge to honour that by delivering on our election promises.

Our elder statesmen have also demonstrated generosity and foresight.

Many of you had witnessed decades of broken promises. When we approached you, we did not ask for blind loyalty but some faith in our vision.

You gave us that faith. Together, with your vote of confidence, we have achieved remarkable progress.

To my colleagues in the administration, I am grateful for your resilience. We have walked a path that often felt like a marathon without rest. Many of the ideas we put forward were dismissed as unrealistic. Yet you kept pushing the boundaries of what was possible.

Because of your dedication, today we hear applause for Enugu across Nigeria and beyond.

To the Peoples Democratic Party, which provided the platform on which we campaigned and won, I extend deep gratitude. The PDP supported us through a demanding campaign and joined in celebrating the victory.

For nearly 3 decades, the PDP and the people of Enugu walked side by side, united by shared purpose. Together, we built relationships that will always matter to me personally and to this state.

Yet, leadership sometimes demands difficult – even painful – decisions in the service of higher principles and goals. And there always comes a time when everyone must make a bold choice to determine their destiny.

Today, after a long reflection, we have made the decision to leave the PDP and join the All Progressives Congress.

This is no whimsical decision. It’s a collective move by the political family in Enugu State, comprising members of the National Assembly, members of the State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, all the Local Government Chairmen and Councillors, all political appointees and over 80% of party executives.

Over the past months, I have thought carefully about the path forward. In the end, after much soul searching and discussion, I have concluded that we must stand for the principles and institutions that honour transparency, trust, and above all – the people we serve.

For decades, the South East – especially Enugu – has stood firmly behind the PDP, showing loyalty that shaped the party’s success.

Yet despite this history, our voices were too often disregarded when it mattered most.

It has therefore become necessary to seek affiliation where our interests as a region are represented in the form of fair partnership.

We are not moving from a place of resentment or fear. We are confident of our future.

We have no axe to grind, no personal point to make. But fairness, respect and integrity must guide our choices for that future to be ours.

Today, in joining the APC, we are embracing a visionary partnership.

I have found in His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, not just a leader of our nation, but a partner in purpose, a man with the courage to look beyond today and make the tough choices that secure lasting prosperity for tomorrow.

Together, we share a conviction that transformation must be bold and disruptive – that roads, railways, and airlines must stretch out from the heart of the South East; that Enugu’s promise, its security, its schools, its hospitals, its markets, its communities – must be reinforced.

The President has shown not only interest, but a deep and vested commitment to Enugu, one that recognizes our region as a pillar of national progress.

We both share a belief that renewal does not stop at the grand highways or the balance sheets. It must reach the ward, the village, our grassroots. It is in the daily life of the farmer, the trader, the young entrepreneur that reforms come alive.

We both welcome initiatives that decentralize opportunity, that strengthen the capacity of local government, that bring seed capital and credit to our youth, and that expand healthcare and education at the community level.

Just as we do in our ward-based development initiatives, these convictions are boldly expressed in the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, an idea conceived to empower over 8.8 million Nigerians across the country’s 8,809 electoral wards.

Yes, some choices demand sacrifice. Removing subsidies, unifying our foreign exchange markets, confronting crippling inefficiency – these are not easy decisions. But these are the smart choices that free resources for investment in our people.

His Excellency, the President has shown he is not afraid to make the tough decisions for a fair and stable nation. And here in Enugu, we have been just as audacious.

This move is bigger than politics – it is about alignment at scale. It is about connecting Enugu’s destiny with the central hub of broader reforms shaping our nation.

Of course, this does raise some questions:
Will the voice of Enugu be heard now in Abuja?

How will the change affect our progress at home?

How will your lives be touched by this decision?

Let me be clear, I will represent our state and our region with the same strength of purpose as I have always done. Our Igbo DNA does not change; our destiny does not change. What changes is that our vision now finds stronger reinforcement at the federal level.

The progress you see today will not slow, and the projects we have begun will be completed. Yes, there have been challenges and delays along the way, but make no mistake – schools, hospitals, roads, and our services will be finished as promised.

To the political elite across the South East, I say this: our people are watching. What they care about most are results. True leadership is about service to the people, not service to self. Principles, not personalities, must guide us.

To Ndi Enugu, let me say this: this will not break our stride. We are a force of endeavour, and we need an ally who can match our ambition.

Let me reassure you – this is not a detour, but a conscious step towards a more compelling future.

As we begin this new chapter, I ask for your understanding, your trust, and your continued support.

Let us gather with renewed hope to build the Enugu – and the Nigeria – that our children deserve.

Finally, I want to express our most profound gratitude to Mr President for his support and encouragement of our vision. I’m confident this marks the beginning of a new era of growth and progress.

Thank you, and may God bless Ndi Enugu; God Bless Enugu State and God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Tomorrow is here….

Sixty-five years ago, our beloved nation rose with courage and with the spirit of freedom. As we mark this Independence Day, we celebrate not just the hoisting of our Green-White-Green flag, but also the sacrifices of our heroes past and indeed the resilience of our people.

On behalf of the veterans of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, both the Living heroes and those who paid the supreme price, I proudly reaffirm that Nigeria is worth every drop of sweat, every act of courage, and every heartbeat that stood firm in her defense. Our independence was not handed to us lightly, it was earned through unity, faith and the audacity to believe in our destiny as a free people.

Though challenges remain as in countries of the world, and as we never abandoned our duty posts in the face of volte faces, then as a nation, we stand firm with hope, patriotism, and a collective resolve to build a greater tomorrow. Our independence reminds us that no obstacle is insurmountable when we are united.

I call on all Nigerians to embrace peace, respect, and love, because the true strength of any nation lies in the unity of her people. The green of our flag reminds us of abundance and hope, while the white stands as a symbol of peace and purity of purpose.

Let us renew our vow to uphold justice, service, and sacrifice. Let us also honor our gallant veterans, whose loyalty and labor remain the silent foundation of our nation’s stability.

May this Independence Day rekindle in every Nigerian a burning passion for progress, a firm commitment to unity, and an enduring pride in out motherland.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Happy Independence Day Celebration

SIGN:
Dr. Emeka Norman Igwesi, Esq.,
Deputy Commandant General And National Coordinating Commandant, Nigerian Legion Corps

Fellow Nigerians,

On this auspicious occasion of our nation’s Independence Anniversary, I join millions of our compatriots across the globe to salute the courage, resilience, and indomitable spirit of the Nigerian people.

Today, we celebrate not just the freedom we won in 1960 but also, the unyielding hope that our tomorrow will be brighter, fairer, better, and more prosperous.

As we mark this day, let us remember that the true strength of a nation lies in equity and justice. These form the foundation of inalienable rights. Nigeria will only fulfil her manifest destiny when every citizen feels equal before the law, and every state and every region receives their fair share balance in the distribution of resources, opportunities, and amenities. No group, no zone, and no state should be left behind. True independence means equity in employment, fairness in representation, and justice in governance.

As a nation that is vastly polarized by bigotry and divisive rhetorics, we must find ways to mend. In this context. I add my voice to the growing call for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, not just as a gesture of reconciliation, but as a bold step towards healing, dialogue, and unity in our country. A nation cannot prosper while parts of its people remain in anguish.

Looking ahead, I pledge that under my stewardship as Governor of Anambra State, we shall pioneer a new era of:

Balanced development and job creation,

Youth empowerment and digital innovation,

Tech-based security architecture to guarantee safety in our communities,

E-Government platforms to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability, and

A strong foundation for self-sufficiency food security, especially in poultry and fish production, among other critical sectors, with a view to boost food security, create jobs and wealth, and improve overall public health and wellbeing.

We will build a new Anambra state that is productive, innovative, examplary, and above all, own comparative advantage in several niche sectors. We must return to the era of setting the pace for what Nigeria can truly become.

Let this 65th Independence Day inspire us to rise above divisions; to demand fairness, and build a Nigeria where justice flows like a mighty river, and progress knows no tribe, no creed, and no boundary. Our nation should live up to its commitment to being a nation where no man is oppressed.

This juncture is, ultimately, a time to recommit ourselves to true nation building. We must relearn how to love our neighbour and our country. The era of seasonal patriotism must be put behind us.

Happy Independence Day to our beloved Nation.
Happy Independence Day to Anambra State.
Together, we shall triumph.

John Chuma Nwosu
(ADC Gubernatorial Candidate, Anambra State)

Fellow Nigerians,

Today marks the 65th anniversary of our great nation’s Independence. As we reflect on the significance of this day and our journey of nationhood since October 1, 1960, when our founding fathers accepted the instruments of self-government from colonial rule, let us remember their sacrifice, devotion, and grand dream of a strong, prosperous, and united Nigeria that will lead Africa and be the beacon of light to the rest of the world.

2. Our founding heroes and heroines—Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Ladoke Akintola, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and other nationalists—believed it was Nigeria’s manifest destiny to lead the entire black race as the largest black nation on earth.

3. For decades, the promise of our Independence has been tested by profound social, economic, and political challenges, and we have survived.  While we may not have achieved all the lofty dreams of our forebearers, we have not strayed too far from them. In 65 years since our Independence, we have made tremendous progress in economic growth, social cohesion, and physical development. Our economy has experienced significant growth since 1960.

4. Although, it is much easier for those whose vocation is to focus solely on what ought to be, we must recognise and celebrate our significant progress. Nigerians today have access to better education and healthcare than in 1960. At Independence, Nigeria had 120 secondary schools with a student population of about 130,000. Available data indicate that, as of year 2024, there were more than 23,000 secondary schools in our country. At Independence, we had only the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology as the two tertiary institutions in Nigeria. By the end of last year, there were 274 universities, 183 Polytechnics, and 236 Colleges of Education in Nigeria, comprising Federal, State, and private institutions. We have experienced a significant surge in growth across every sector of our national life since Independence – in healthcare, infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, aviation and defence, among others.

5. Our country has experienced both the good and the bad times in its 65 years of nationhood, as is normal for every nation and its people. We fought a bitter and avoidable civil war, experienced military dictatorships, and lived through major political crises. In all these, we weathered every storm and overcame every challenge with courage, grit, and uncommon determination. While our system and ties that bind us are sometimes stretched by insidious forces opposed to our values and ways of life, we continue to strive to build a more perfect union where every Nigerian can find better accommodation and find purpose and fulfilment.
6. Fellow Compatriots, this is the third time I will address you on our independence anniversary since I assumed office as your President on May 29, 2023. In the last 28 months of my administration, like our founding fathers and leaders who came before me, I have committed myself irrevocably to the unfinished nation-building business.

7. Upon assuming office, our administration inherited a near-collapsed economy caused by decades of fiscal policy distortions and misalignment that had impaired real growth. As a new administration, we faced a simple choice: continue business as usual and watch our nation drift, or embark on a courageous, fundamental reform path. We chose the path of reform. We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today. Less than three years later, the seeds of those difficult but necessary decisions are bearing fruit.

8. In resetting our country for sustainable growth, we ended the corrupt fuel subsidies and multiple foreign exchange rates that created massive incentives for a rentier economy, benefiting only a tiny minority. At the same time, the masses received little or nothing from our Commonwealth. Our administration has redirected the economy towards a more inclusive path, channelling money to fund education, healthcare, national security, agriculture, and critical economic infrastructure, such as roads, power, broadband, and social investment programmes. These initiatives will generally improve Nigerians’ quality of life. As a result of the tough decisions we made, the Federal and State governments, including Local Governments, now have more resources to take care of the people at the lower level of the ladder, to address our development challenges.

9. Fellow Nigerians, we are racing against time. We must build the roads we need, repair the ones that have become decrepit, and construct the schools our children will attend and the hospitals that will care for our people. We have to plan for the generations that will come after us. We do not have enough electricity to power our industries and homes today, or the resources to repair our deteriorating roads, build seaports, railroads, and international airports comparable to the best in the world, because we failed to make the necessary investments decades ago. Our administration is setting things right.
10. I am pleased to report that we have finally turned the corner. The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. I salute your endurance, support, and understanding. I will continue to work for you and justify the confidence you reposed in me to steer the ship of our nation to a safe harbour.

11. Under our leadership, our economy is recovering fast, and the reforms we started over two years ago are delivering tangible results. The second quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.23%—Nigeria’s fastest pace in four years—and outpaced the 3.4 per cent projected by the International Monetary Fund. Inflation declined to 20.12% in August 2025, the lowest level in three years. The administration is working diligently to boost agricultural production and ensure food security, reducing food costs.
12. In the last two years of our administration, we have achieved 12 remarkable economic milestones as a result of the implementation of our sound fiscal and monetary policies:

i. We have attained a record-breaking increase in non-oil revenue, achieving the 2025 target by August with over N20 trillion. In September 2025 alone, we raised N3.65 trillion, 411% higher than the amount raised in May 2023.
ii. We have restored Fiscal Health: Our debt service-to-revenue ratio has been significantly reduced from 97% to below 50%. We have paid down the infamous “Ways and Means” advances that threatened our economic stability and triggered inflation. Following the removal of the corruptpetroleum subsidy, we have freed up trillions of Naira for targeted investment in the real economy and social programmes for the most vulnerable, as well as all tiers of government.
iii. We have a stronger foreign Reserve position than three years ago. Our external reserves increased to $42.03 billion this September—the highest since 2019.

iv. Our tax-to-GDP ratio has risen to 13.5 per cent from less than 10 per cent. The ratio is expected to increase further when the new tax law takes effect in January. The tax law is not about increasing the burden on existing taxpayers but about expanding the base to build the Nigeria we deserve and providing tax relief to low-income earners.
v. We are now a Net Exporter: Nigeria has recorded a trade surplus for five consecutive quarters. We are now selling more to the world than we are buying, a fundamental shift that strengthens our currency and creates jobs at home. Nigeria’s trade surplus increased by 44.3% in Q2 2025 to ₦7.46 trillion ($4.74 billion), the largest in about three years. Goods manufactured in Nigeria and exported jumped by 173%. Non-oil exports, as a component of our export trade, now represent 48 per cent, compared to oil exports, which account for 52 per cent. This signals that we are diversifying our economy and foreign exchange sources outside oil and gas.

vi. Oil production rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day from barely one million in May 2023. The increase occurred due to improved security, new investments, and better stakeholder management in the Niger Delta. Furthermore, the country has made notable advancements by refining PMS domestically for the first time in four decades. It has also established itself as the continent’s leading exporter of aviation fuel.
vii. The Naira has stabilised from the turbulence and volatility witnessed in 2023 and 2024. The gap between the official rate and the unofficial market has reduced substantially, following FX reforms and fresh capital and remittance inflows. The multiple exchange rates, which fostered corruption and arbitrage, are now part of history. Additionally, our currency rate against the dollar is no longer determined by fluctuations in crude oil prices.

viii. Under the social investment programme to support poor households and vulnerable Nigerians, N330 billion has been disbursed to eight million households, many of whom have received either one or two out of the three tranches of the N25,000 each.

ix. Coal mining recovered dramatically from a 22% decline in Q1 to 57.5% growth in Q2, becoming one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors. The solid mineral sector is now pivotal in our economy, encouraging value-added production of minerals extracted from our soil.

x. The administration is expanding transport infrastructure across the country, covering rail, roads, airports, and seaports. Rail and water transport grew by over 40% and 27%, respectively. The 284-kilometre Kano-Kastina-Maradi Standard Gauge rail project and the Kaduna-Kano rail line are nearing completion. Work is progressing well on the legacy Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-BadagryHighway. The Federal Executive Council recently approved $3 billion to complete the Eastern Rail Project.

xi. The world is taking notice of our efforts. Sovereign credit rating agencies have upgraded their outlook for Nigeria, recognising our improved economic fundamentals. Our stock market is experiencing an unprecedented boom, rising from an all-share index of 55,000 points in May 2003 to 142,000 points as of September 26, 2025.

xii. At its last MPC meeting, the Central Bank slashed interest rates for the first time in five years, expressing confidence in our country’s macroeconomic stability.

SECURITY:

13. We are working diligently to enhance national security, ensuring our economy experiences improved growth and performance. The officers and men of our armed forces and other security agencies are working tirelessly and making significant sacrifices to keep us safe. They are winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes. We see their victories in their blood and sweat to stamp out Boko Haram Terror in North-East, IPOB/ESN terror in South East and banditry and kidnapping. We must continue to celebrate their gallantry and salute their courage on behalf of a grateful nation. Peace has returned to hundreds of our liberated communities in North-West and North-East, and thousands of our people have returned safely to their homes.

YOUTH:

14. I have a message for our young people. You are the future and the greatest assets of this blessed country. You must continue to dream big, innovate, and conquer more territories in your various fields of science, technology, sports, and the art and creative sector. Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high.  We created NELFUND to support students with loans for their educational pursuits. Approximately 510,000 students across 36 states and the FCT have benefited from this initiative, covering 228 higher institutions. As of September 10, the total loan disbursed was N99.5 billion, while the upkeep allowance stood at N44.7 billion.

15. Credicorp, another initiative of our administration, has granted 153,000 Nigerians N30 billion affordable loans for vehicles, solar energy, home upgrades, digital devices, and more.

16. YouthCred, which I promised last June, is a reality, with tens of thousands of NYSC members now active beneficiaries of consumer credit for resettlement.

17. Under our Renewed Hope Agenda, we promised to build a Nigeria where every young person, regardless of background, has an equitable opportunity to access a better future—thus, the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme. The Bank of Industry is driving the programme,  in collaboration with the African Development Bank, the French Development Agency, and the Islamic Development Bank. This initiative is at the cusp of implementation. Over the last two years, we have collaborated with our partners to launch the programme, supporting our young builders and dreamers in the technology and creative sectors.

A MESSAGE OF HOPE

18. Fellow Nigerians, I have always candidly acknowledged that these reforms have come with some temporary pains. The biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living remain a significant concern to our government. However, the alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option. Our macro-economic progress has proven that our sacrifices have not been in vain. Together, we are laying a new foundation cast in concrete, not on quicksand.

19. The accurate measure of our success will not be limited to economic statistics alone, but rather in the food on our families’ tables, the quality of education our children receive, the electricity in our homes, and the security in our communities. Let me assure you of our administration’s determination to ensure that the resources we have saved and the stability we have built are channelled into these critical areas. Today,  the governors at the state level, and the local government autonomy are yielding more developments.

20. Therefore, on this 65th Anniversary of Our Independence, my message is hope and a call to action. The federal government will continue to do its part to fix the plumbing in our economy. Now, we must all turn on the taps of productivity, innovation, and enterprise, just like the Ministry of Interior has done with our travel passports, by quickening the processing. In this regard, I urge the sub-national entities to join us in nation-building.  Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes.

21. Finally, let all hands be on deck. Let us believe, once more, in the boundless potential of our great nation.

22. With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here.

23. Happy 65th Independence Anniversary, and may God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Amen.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Federal Government wishes to announce the cancellation of the Independence Anniversary parade, previously scheduled to mark the 65th Independence on Wednesday, 1st October.

The cancellation is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary, and the government remains committed to celebrating Nigeria’s 65th year of independence with dignity and enthusiasm.

Accordingly, all other programmes slated for the Independence Anniversary will remain in effect.

The Government deeply regrets any inconvenience caused by this cancellation.

The Federal Government appreciates the understanding, support and cooperation of all Nigerians, members of the diplomatic community, and invited guests, and urges Nigerians to support the reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR in making Nigeria a greater nation.

Segun Imohiosen
Director, Information & Public Relations
29th September, 2025

Tomorrow Is Here: Education is The Cornerstone of a New Society

Enugu Smart Schools: Turning Aspiration into Reality

…Being Text of Gov Peter Mbah on the Official Commencement of Enugu’s Transition to Smart Green Schools

Ndi Enugu,

I bring you very warm greetings this morning, a day we usher in a new epoch in the history of our dear state, and in the life of our children. It’s a day of celebration as much as for introspection.
Africa today is the youngest continent in the world. More than 60% of our people are under the age of 25. By 2050, our population will reach 2.5 billion, and one in every three young people on earth will be an African. This is a stark reminder that our future will be built by young hands.

This is not just a statistic; it is a summons. It means that the destiny of African nations rests on what we nurture in the minds and hearts of our children.
If we raise them well and leave them opportunity, when they inherit tomorrow; when they own it; they will shape it and defend it. If we fail them, no amount of slogans will save us.

Tomorrow Is Here is not simply a catchphrase for Enugu; it is a covenant with that future. It is the recognition that the sovereignty of our state, of Nigeria, and indeed of Africa, will be determined by the strength of our young people – their ability to think critically, to innovate, and to act with integrity.
Our sovereignty begins in the classroom. It begins with how we choose to welcome the child into the world.
And this takes time, care – and investment.

I was not born into comfort. I grew up in the slums of Port Harcourt, where every day was a struggle and nothing was guaranteed. But one thing was always clear to me: if I could learn, I could grow.
Education was my inheritance, the one possession that could not be taken away. I leaned into it with everything I had. Books became my ladder. Study became my weapon. And in time, education and some street smarts became my passport to a life of possibility.

At 28, I had graduated with a law degree in the United Kingdom after breaking through countless walls of economic circumstance. Barring a resilient spirit, I would not be standing here now.

But does it have to be that hard? Can we make it easier for our young ones? Can we level the field for them?

I have always believed quality education is not just a private benefit, but a public right. At home and at school, when a community receives and educates each child as a whole human being, it is akin to public service at the deepest level.

The habits a child rehearse – attention, curiosity, patience, empathy, self-belief – become the civic habits of our culture. A school day shaped by rhythm, responsibility, and care quietly trains the nervous system for self-regulation and the social muscle for cooperation.

Those capacities later show up as lower violence, stronger communities, and a public square that can tolerate disagreement without tearing itself apart.

The school, then, is not just a service; it is a commons where the human village renews itself.

When children combine skill with culture through science, story, maths, music, creativity, connection, and play – they join the head, the heart, and the hand and become a wholesome integrated being.

With this interdisciplinary ferment they become agile and respond to the needs of the age. We need artists who can develop a business, engineers who can think creatively, farmers with tech skills. Coupled with a strong sense of trust, purpose and civic identity, the result of this experiential learning model becomes our own social glue.

And Trust, as we are beginning to see, in our beloved state, is the hidden infrastructure on which our democracy, economy, and neighbourhoods quietly run.

Over time, this is how a society stays well. A culture that protects childhood, that teaches discernment and ambition without cynicism, spends less on rescuing from neglect and more on compounding what our care can grow.

In that sense, the journey of the child is not a private path but a public accord. As we midwife the spirit’s arrival – through surroundings that are beautiful and well designed – we cultivate the very capacities a healthy society needs to endure, to adapt, and to flourish.

The Smart Green Schools are the most personal and transformative project of my leadership to date. They are not only schools – they are my promise of a new society; my covenant with the Enugu child.
In them, Tomorrow Is Here finds its truest form.

So, what do these Smart Green schools look like? And why “Smart?” Why “Green”?
Each of the 260 Schools is designed as a complete ecosystem for learning. “Smart” means integrating technology, critical thinking and problem-solving into every subject. Each has about 25 digitally-connected modern classrooms, ICT centres, robotics and AI labs, e-libraries, and spaces for experiential learning.
They are “green” because they have renewable energy sources and smart farms where children plant, grow, and harvest, learning agriculture not as theory but as practice.

And they are inclusive. Every child is provided with free uniforms, books, meals, and tablets. Each school has its own medical clinic, reliable water systems, and community halls that anchor the school in village life. Housing for teachers is on site so that the best educators live within the communities they serve, ensuring continuity of care, and commitment.

Smart Green Schools are not just an investment in classrooms, but in the soul of our people. The habits a child rehearses, of curiosity and collaboration, become the civic habits of the culture. A generation raised in schools of innovation will build an economy of innovation. A generation raised in classrooms of fairness will create a politic of justice.

Those buildings are beyond mere bricks; we see in them children eagerly looking forward to the future.

What makes the Smart Green Schools distinctly different from the classrooms of the past is not only the architecture but the philosophy of learning.

In the old system, a child could pass through six years of schooling and still be limited to memorizing theories on a chalkboard.

In the new model, the classroom is a creativity hub; learning becomes experiential; theory meets practice, and knowledge is translated into tangible skills. Children are able to put into practice what they have learnt. This is the future we’re building.

Already, Tomorrow Is Here is attracting attention far beyond Enugu. Across Nigeria and across Africa, people are asking: what does it look like when a government invests 33 percent in the skills and soul of its children? What does it mean when a state re-imagines education not as rote memorization, but as preparation for sovereignty in a digital world?

It looks like a graduate opening a laptop in Enugu and working with clients in London or Lagos without ever leaving home.

It looks like a young woman walking from her classroom robotics lab to her family’s small business and applying her skills.

It looks like parents no longer saying goodbye at airports, but saying welcome home to children who can build careers where they are born.

It looks like streets alive with small enterprises, cafés filled with start-ups, and farms connected to global markets.
It looks like Nigeria becoming the place others dream of coming to, because the opportunities are no longer out there – they are right here. Our tomorrow is here.

This journey has not been easy. We know that every Smart Green School is not yet complete. There have been setbacks, delays, and challenges to overcome.

While some schools will open today, some will open next week, and yet some more in a fortnight.

We do not claim perfection. What we do claim is resolve. We set out with a bold vision, and boldness sometimes requires a little more time. But by all means, every school shall be open this term. No schools academic calendar will be interrupted. We have planned for every contingency.

Make no mistake: we will deliver. Because attending a Smart Green School – even if it means waiting a few more weeks – is worth it. It is the transformation of a lifetime for our children, and we ask for your patience as we finish the work. We’re doubling down on our commitment.

And perhaps this is only the beginning. Tomorrow Is Here is not only about Enugu. It is about Nigeria. It is about Africa.

True sovereignty will not be handed to us; it will be built by us. And it begins with how we educate our children today. When we equip them with the skills to innovate, the courage to lead, and a reason to hope, we reclaim our destiny. We are no longer a state waiting to be saved – we are a state shaping the future on our own terms.

If we can raise children whose minds are sharp, whose hands are skilled, and whose hearts are strong, we will no longer seek relevance on the world stage. Once we create the environment for them to thrive – and we are indeed doing so – we will set our own agenda.

Ndi Enugu, Protect these schools as if they were your own children.

These schools are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring world-class education home to Enugu. Cherish them. Defend them. Guard them as a community. Give our young people the time and space to grow, to discover, to become. Instil in them the importance of the work we do within these walls. Take shared responsibility for our future, which is walking in on two small feet every time a child enters these gates.

Support the teachers – the custodians and guardians of our future farmers, entrepreneurs, nurses, artists, engineers, lawyers and leaders.

They are the cornerstone of this transformation. Equipment and buildings matter, but machines do not teach; people do. That is why alongside every new classroom, we have invested in continuous professional development, in mentorship programmes, and in the tools teachers need to deliver child-centred and competency-based learning.

It is said that the most beautiful memories are those of childhood. The memories we’re creating for our children are lifelong. Today, these little feet take a giant leap that will remain a reference point for generations.
Today represents a triumph of vision, and a bold rebuke of cynicism.

Keep faith with the vision of Tomorrow Is Here, for beyond the walls of these schools, the entire project is taking shape.

The pupils we nurture in these classrooms will go out into the world we have prepared for them and, in time, will return to us the wealth of human potential – the truest capital of our society.

Thank you very much, Ndi Enugu.

God bless Enugu State
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY, BOLA AHMED TINUBU, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, ON THE CESSATION OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE

My Fellow countrymen and, in particular, the good people of Rivers State.

I am happy to address you today on the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State. You will recall that on 18th March, 2025, I proclaimed a state of emergency in the state. In my proclamation address, I highlighted the reasons for the declaration. The summary of it for context is that there was a total paralysis of governance in Rivers State, which had led to the Governor of Rivers State and the House of Assembly being unable to work together. Critical economic assets of the State, including oil pipelines, were being vandalised. The State House of Assembly was crisis-ridden, such that members of the House were divided into two groups. Four members worked with the Governor, while 27 members opposed the Governor. The latter group supported the Speaker. As a result, the Governor could not present any Appropriation Bill to the House, to enable him to access funds to run Rivers State’s affairs. That serious constitutional impasse brought governance in the State to a standstill. Even the Supreme Court, in one of its judgments in a series of cases filed by the Executive and the Legislative arms of Rivers State against each other, held that there was no government in Rivers State. My intervention and that of other well-meaning Nigerians to resolve the conflict proved abortive as both sides stuck rigidly to their positions to the detriment of peace and development of the State.

It therefore became painfully inevitable that to arrest the drift towards anarchy in Rivers State, I was obligated to invoke the powers conferred on me by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to proclaim the state of emergency. The Offices of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and elected members of the State House of Assembly were suspended for six months in the first instance. The six months expire today, September 17th, 2025.

I thank the National Assembly, which, after critically evaluating the justification for the proclamation, took steps immediately, as required by the Constitution, to approve the declaration in the interest of peace and order in Rivers State. I  also thank our traditional rulers and the good people of Rivers State for their support from the date of the declaration of the state of emergency until now.

I am not unaware that there were a few voices of dissent against the proclamation, which led to their instituting over 40 cases in the courts in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Yenagoa, to invalidate the declaration. That is the way it should be in a democratic setting. Some cases are still pending in the courts as of today. But what needs to be said is that the power to declare a state of emergency is an inbuilt constitutional tool to address situations of actual or threatened breakdown of public order and public safety, which require extraordinary measures to return the State to peace, order and security. Considered objectively, we had reached that situation of total breakdown of public order and public safety in Rivers State, as shown in the judgment of the Supreme Court on the disputes between the Executive and the Legislative arm of Rivers State. It would have been a colossal failure on my part as President not to have made that proclamation.

As a stakeholder in democratic governance, I believe that the need for a harmonious existence and relationship between the executive and the legislature is key to a successful government, whether at the state or national level. The people who voted us into power expect to reap the fruits of democracy. However, that expectation will remain unrealizable in an atmosphere of violence, anarchy, and insecurity borne by misguided political activism and Machiavellian manipulations among the stakeholders.

I am happy today that, from the intelligence available to me, there is a groundswell of a new spirit of understanding, a robust readiness, and potent enthusiasm on the part of all the stakeholders in Rivers State for an immediate return to democratic governance. This is undoubtedly a welcome development for me and a remarkable achievement for us. I therefore do not see why the state of emergency should exist a day longer than the six months I had pronounced at the beginning of it.

It therefore gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today. The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the deputy governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Nma Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from 18 September 2025.

I take this opportunity to remind the Governors and the Houses of Assembly of all the States of our country to continue to appreciate that it is only in an atmosphere of peace, order, and good government that we can deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. I implore all of you to let this realisation drive your actions at all times.

I thank you all.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR
President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Federal Republic of Nigeria
State House, Abuja
September 17, 2025

The attention of Chief George Moghalu Campaign Organization has been drawn to a publication by an Online Social Media Outfit in which our Principal, the Governorship Candidate of Labour Party, Chief George N. Moghalu was accused of threatening the life of a certain Peter Okoye.

The organization, would ordinarily not want to join issues with the Peter Okoye in question and other irrelevancies, but for the purpose of clarity, we wish to state as follows;

1) Be it on record that the Chairman of Labour Party known to us is Chief Ugochukwu Emeh.

2) On the allegations of threat to life, George Moghalu Campaign Organization, wishes to distance herself and her Principal, Chief George Moghalu, from the allegation, as he has no hand in it and is more occupied with restoring the lost glories of Anambra State and wishes not to be distracted in any way or manner.

3) George Moghalu Campaign Organization and Chief Dr George Moghalu see this latest affront as one of those in the past, targeted at diverting the attention of our Principal through name dropping and campaign of calumny.

4) The organization is made up of law abiding Nigerian citizens that understand and appreciate the rules of engagement concerning campaigns and elections, hence would not condescend to the level of pedestrians and thuggery.

5) George Moghalu Campaign Organization urges members of the public and most importantly the Anambra electorate to discountenance these malicious and destructive reports about our candidate as these are the machinations of fifth columnist who are out to feather the nest of their benefactors .

Signed.

Arc. Okey Chukwuogo,

Director General,
George Moghalu Campaign Organization.

Our attention has been drawn to false rumors circulating about Dr. George Moghalu’s candidacy for the Anambra State governorship. Ordinarily, such baseless claims would merit no response. However, in the interest of our supporters, party members, and well-meaning Ndi Anambra who could be misled, it has become necessary to set the record straight.

Let us state clearly and unequivocally: these rumors are entirely false. Dr. Moghalu’s candidacy is not in question. Legal actions in no way guarantee the outcome desired by those spreading misinformation. His emergence as the Labour Party’s governorship candidate followed all lawful and party procedures, was duly monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and officially published. His legitimacy is indisputable.

We are fully aware of those behind these malicious rumors. Their objective is obvious: to distract our campaign and confuse Ndi Anambra, who rightly expect visionary and effective leadership. These are desperate tactics by politicians who, having lost their primaries, have migrated to other parties and now resort to cheap blackmail and propaganda. Ndi Anambra deserve to hear what these individuals can genuinely offer, not fabricated stories.

We therefore call on all Ndi Anambra and members of the public to disregard these malicious falsehoods. Dr. Moghalu’s candidacy remains firm, anchored in law, integrity, and the will of the people. Our campaign continues, unwavering, resolute, and fully focused on delivering a better Anambra for every citizen.

Signed:
Johnson Okoye
Special Assistant on Media to Dr. George Moghalu

Communique issued at the end of the 102nd Meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) @OfficialPDPNig Today, Monday, 25th August, 2025

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 102nd meeting today, Monday, 25th August, 2025 further deliberated on the state of the Party and resolved as follows:

1.NEC expressed satisfaction over the level of preparedness of the Party at its various Organs, Chapters and Structures for the 2025 Elective National Convention scheduled for Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital on Saturday 15th to Sunday 16th November 2025.

2.NEC acknowledged with satisfaction the efforts and commitment of PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Assembly Caucus and other relevant bodies of the Party towards the success of the forthcoming 2025 National Convention at Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

3.NEC received and after extensive deliberation approved the report of the National Convention Zoning Committee which recommended as follows:

(a)That all PDP National Office positions currently in the Northern Region of the country remain in the Northern Region.

(b)That all PDP National Office positions currently in the Southern Region of the country remain in the Southern Region.

(c)That having retained the position of the National Chairman in the Northern Region of the country, the Presidential Candidate of the Party for the 2027 General Election is hereby zoned to the Southern Region.

(d)That the Regions should immediately micro-zone positions within its Region for implementation.

4. NEC also received update from the PDP Constitution Amendment Committee and directed the Committee to circulate the Draft Constitution Amendment to various Organs and Chapters of the Party for further inputs.

5.In recognition of the efforts of the National Working Committee (NWC) under the leadership of the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Umar Damagum in stabilizing the Party, NEC hereby ratifies and confirms the appointment of Amb. Iliya Umar Damagum as the substantive National Chairman of the Party with effect from today, Monday, 25th August, 2025 until the National Convention holding at Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital on 15th to 16th November, 2025.

6.NEC condemns the resort by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to State Capture through state-backed intimidation, manipulation, inducement, coercion and violence against Nigerians as witnessed in APC’s muzzling of the recent bye-elections in parts of the country.

7.NEC particularly expressed dismay and condemned the militarization of the recent bye-elections especially in Kaduna and Taraba States as well as Zamfara State where excessive security agencies were deployed in the conduct of run-off election in only five Polling Units in Kaura Namoda South State Constituency.

8.NEC declares that this action by the APC is a confirmation of APC’s desire to turn our country into a totalitarian One-Party State which is a clear and present danger to democracy and the corporate existence of our country.

9.NEC reassures Nigerians of PDP’s commitment to Democracy and the defense of the interest and wellbeing of all citizens as we work hard to further reposition our Party to regain power in 2027.

10.NEC adjourned and fixed its next (103rd) meeting to   hold on Wednesday, 15th October, 2025

Presented by

Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary

We, leaders and citizens drawn from every part of this country — diverse in ethnicity, faith and political tradition — come together compelled by a painful truth: our nation is bleeding. We stand united by one conviction that rises above all differences: silence is complicity, and inaction is betrayal.

In just two years, Nigeria has recorded at least 10,217 violent killings, according to Amnesty International. These numbers stagger the conscience. For perspective: over roughly the same period, Ukraine’s war has claimed 10,000–12,000 civilian lives, Gaza’s devastating siege has taken over 35,000, and Syria, still reeling from civil war, now averages 3,000–5,000 deaths annually. Parts of Nigeria are enduring wartime levels of slaughter, yet we are officially at peace.

The devastation at home is chilling. Benue State alone has witnessed 6,896 killed, over 450,000 displaced, entire local councils hollowed out by fear. Plateau has lost 2,630 lives, its boreholes poisoned, granaries torched, farmers forced to watch harvests rot for fear of ambush on the road to market. Zamfara has seen at least 638 villages sacked, and residents are now paying criminal levies by phone under threat of mass killings.

Similar horrors persist in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Niger, where bandits have turned entire districts into fiefdoms. Meanwhile, Boko Haram is resurging in the Northeast, regaining the ability to launch deadly assaults, kill servicemen and even attempt overruns of local governments, as seen in recent attacks on Gwoza, Damboa, Biu and Bama, forcing farmers off their fields and reviving fears of the dark days when the entire country trembled under their shadow. The Southeast, too, is gripped by relentless killings by unknown gunmen, making peace increasingly elusive.

Why Does This Nightmare Continue?

At its heart, our crisis reveals a brutal fact: the Nigerian state has surrendered its monopoly on the legitimate use of force. New armed groups flourish — Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi, Mamuda in Kwara, alongside local militias that exploit old grievances. What began as herder and farmer disputes over land and water has morphed into sectarian wars, stoked by military-grade weapons and deep distrust.

Perhaps the most alarming thing is the national silence. The ritual of press condemnations after each massacre, and the swift return to other mundane issues, is now a national pastime. This is not resilience. It is the slow implosion of a nation and a rot of its conscience.

Lessons from Around the World

Other countries, torn by even deeper divisions, found the courage to change course.

Colombia was once ravaged by guerrillas, cartels and paramilitaries. Its state lost vast territories to terror, a predicament all too familiar to parts of Nigeria today. Change came only when leaders across rival camps acknowledged they had lost control, funded local peace deals, spurred economic renewal, and reformed their security forces. This convergence of national will gradually pulled Colombia back from the brink of collapse.

Rwanda, haunted by genocide, did not look away from its ethnic wounds. It established grassroots courts to pursue accountability, reintegrated communities, and reformed security institutions to ensure the state’s reach extended to the remotest villages. Nigeria, too, bears deep scars of identity— ethnic, religious, and regional tensions, that demand similar bold, structural confrontations.

Northern Ireland, after decades of bombings and reprisal killings, only found peace when its elites decided violence could no longer shape the future. They forged power-sharing deals under local and international guarantees, proving even the deepest hatreds can be unwound.

These were not perfect journeys. They were fraught with setbacks and painful compromises. Yet they stand as enduring proof that crises on this scale are not immutable. They yield to political courage, elite consensus, and a willingness to confront hard truths. Nigeria’s path demands no less.

A Dangerous Narrative that Must End

We must resist the temptation to blame this violence on one group alone. As recent revelations in Katsina, Anambra, Benue and Plateau have shown that, while some of the attackers are foreigners with local collaborators, many of the attackers are Nigerians, sons of the soil, from various communities, who have abandoned kinship for criminality.

This is a Nigerian problem with Nigerian faces. The challenge is not ethnic, but systemic: poverty, arms proliferation, impunity, injustice, and the erosion of local governance. We must lift the veil of stereotypes and deal with the truth: criminals come from every group; justice must be blind to identity.

The way forward

We refuse to be silent accomplices. We call on the Presidency, National Assembly, Governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security chiefs, civil society, and every Nigerian of conscience: let us forge a new path.

We propose urgently creating a Presidential Task Force on National Security, with extraordinary powers and a clear mandate to coordinate and execute emergency measures to halt the violence. This Taskforce should work directly with the National Security Adviser (NSA) and all relevant security, intelligence, and humanitarian agencies.

Its mandate should include:

1. Operationalising community-based early warning systems and rapid response frameworks, ensuring that intelligence from local actors, traditional leaders, and civil society triggers immediate coordinated action, not bureaucratic delay.

2. Implementing a disarmament and reintegration programme for conflict zones, particularly in the North East, North Central and North West, combining humanitarian assistance with strategic security deployment to enable the safe return of displaced populations.

3. Driving accountability through quarterly public security reports, disclosing arrests, prosecutions, and progress made — thereby rebuilding public trust and strengthening civilian oversight.

The Presidential Taskforce must be time-bound, results-driven, and composed of experienced security professionals, non-partisan Nigerians of unquestionable integrity, and war-time decision- makers who are bold enough to use their mandate responsibly and transparently.

The body should report directly to the President but operate independently of political pressures. These are unusual times, they require unusual but constitutional measures.

A Final Word

Nigeria stands on a knife-edge. Whether we tip into chaos or climb toward peace depends on what we do next. If Rwanda, Colombia, and Northern Ireland can emerge from darker abysses, so can we, if our leaders, across the villa, government houses and Assembly, our palaces, pulpits, and barracks, take the more challenging road of reconciliation, justice, and reform.

The right of every Nigerian child — in Bokkos, Gwoza, Maru or Yelwata — to grow up without fear is not negotiable.

History will not judge the bandits. It will judge us who had the power to protect, and either rose to this moment or shrank from it.

May God grant us the courage to act, and may He heal our land.

Osita Chidoka – South East

Mohammed Abdullahi – North Central

Sergius Ogun – South South

Kadaria Ahmed – North West

Nuruddeen Muhammad – North West

Abdullahi Maibasira – North Central

Dr Ali Bappayo Adamu – North East

Basharu Altine Isah – North West

Ismaeel Ahmed – North West

Hon Dr Midala Usman Balami – North East

Frank Nweke Jr – South East

Tolu Aderemi – South West

Paul Ogbole – North Central

Opeyemi Adamolekun – South West

Jamila Bio Ibrahim – North Central

Tonye Patrick Cole – South South

Ugo Egbujo – South East

Sam Amadi – South East

Abba Bukar Abba Masta – North East