NEWS
Insecurity: Buhari Fires Back at Obasanjo, Jonathan

Says his critics are not patriotic
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday made a veiled reference to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, insisting that those who are criticizing him over isolated security challenges in some parts of the country are not patriotic.
The president who spoke at an audience with the National Executives of the Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) in the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Buhari, however, said: “Every country in the world has security challenges. While we have made significant progress in the fight against terrorism, we acknowledged that there are also new and emerging challenges like kidnapping and banditry.
“I assure you and Nigerians that we will not relent in our efforts to secure the country from criminal activities. Those who politicize the isolated cases of insecurity are not patriotic Nigerians.
“I’m confidence that this administration uses all resources at its disposal to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians and not just prominent Nigerians or those who make headlines.’’
It is recalled that Obasanjo had on Monday wrote an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, saying, “Nigeria is on the precipice and dangerously reaching a tipping point where it may no longer be possible to hold danger at bay”.
In the letter released by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi Obasanjo said he intended to use the open letter to address weighty issues. “I am constrained to write to you this open letter. I decided to make it an open letter because the issue is very weighty and must be greatly worrisome to all concerned Nigerians and that means all right-thinking Nigerians and those resident in Nigeria.”
Similarly, former Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday said insecurity has worsened in Nigeria since he left Aso Rock. He spoke as he paid a condolence visit to Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-cultural group, whose daughter, Funke, was killed by gunmen on the Benin-Ore road last week.
He said: “The issue of security must be approached from a different dimension. We cannot continue the old way because it is getting out of hand. We hope the federal and state governments will do something about it.
“Every generation face problems and this generation must find ways to solve these problems. Every government faces a problem.
“The first commercial kidnapping, because it involved money, happened in 2006 when I was the governor of Bayelsa state. From that time, it moved to terrorism in the north. Now, it is a major problem in the country.
“The federal government in conjunction with state government must design a different approach to this issue.
“I was there as president and security challenge was there but now, it is getting worse every day and we can’t continue to use the same old method.”
On corruption, President Buhari said his administration would continue to be tough on its ongoing crusade against corrupt practices in the country.
“We will continue to be tough on the cancer of corruption as you may be aware the African Union in its deliberations last year appointed me as African Corruption Champion for the continent.
“This is because other countries have seen our dedication to fighting corruption and are keen to emulate our approach,’’ he added.
The president also reiterated the determination of All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.
He noted that policies and programmes put in place by the government to support farmers and small businesses had started yielding fruitful results.
“We remain committed to lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.
“Policies put in place to support farmers and small businesses are yielding positive results and we are determined to integrate them into the larger economy.”
In a related event, President Buhari on Tuesday said any person or administration that cannot secure a country or an institution, will not be able to manage it. President Buhari President Buhari also said that the successes recorded in degrading terrorists in the North East will be extended to various parts of the country experiencing challenges, assuring Nigerians that security still tops his list of priorities.
The President, who received executive members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) led by the President, Dr Francis Adedayo Faduyile, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said offenders took advantage of the focus on the North East to commit crimes in other parts of the country.
He said: “If you cannot secure a country or institution, you cannot manage it. ” The President noted that efforts were still ongoing to improve employment level, following the success in getting many into the agricultural sector, stressing that opening up the economy for investments and getting the youths engaged will control crime rate. On health and education, President Buhari urged states and local governments to play stronger roles in complementing the efforts of the Federal Government, especially in getting more children into classrooms.
The President in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina said, “The issues of health and education are constitutional. If there are too many Almajiris in a state, then the government is not following the constitution. “
The states also have elites who are educated enough to remind their governments about their responsibility to Almajiris,.”
In his remarks, President of the NMA congratulated President Buhari for winning a second term in office, attributing his return to efforts made by the government to reposition the country, especially in health sector, like establishment of a cancer centre in University of Lagos Teaching Hospital.
Dr. Faduyile commended the President for always looking towards the NMA to appoint competent members for positions in the health sector, assuring that the medical association will continue to partner with the government to bring good health services to Nigerians.
He said there was a need to make the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) compulsory for all Nigerians, including those in the informal sector, as some special treatments, like cancer, will require funds that might be beyond the reach of many.
NEWS
21 Terrorists Neutralised in Damboa Again — Army

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have repelled a deadly attack by ISWAP terrorists in Damboa, Borno, neutralising 21 insurgents and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.
Capt. Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command, confirmed this in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Friday.
Report saya that the attack, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, targeted troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade.
Daily Asset, however, reports that the soldiers, with the support of the Air Component of OPHK, engaged the terrorists in a fierce and prolonged firefight that lasted over two hours.
Kovangiya said the troops displayed gallantry and tactical superiority during the confrontation, forcing the terrorists to retreat in disarray, leaving behind more than 21 of their fighters who were neutralised during the engagement.
“The gallant troops, supported by Close Air Support, stood their ground and repelled the attack despite the ferocity of the enemy.
“The insurgents suffered devastating losses and were forced to flee,” he said.
The spokesman said that during the exchange of fire, an ammunition storage facility within the military formation was hit by a blast, but the situation was quickly brought under control.
He also confirmed that the troops recorded minor casualties.
“Following the mop-up and exploitation operation, the following weapons and ammunition were recovered:
“Two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) three Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes, one pump-action rifle, nine AK-47 rifles, three belts of PKT rounds, eight AK-47 magazines, seven RPG bombs, two boxes of 12.7mm x 99mm ammunition, one and a half box of PKT rounds and 20 pieces of 36 hand grenades,” Kovangiya said.
The spokesman said that the success of the operation was a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of joint land and air efforts in counterterrorism operations which further reaffirmed the Nigerian military’s resolve to restore peace in the North-east.
“The bravery and sacrifice of the troops remain a symbol of national pride.
“Their unwavering commitment to defeating insurgency and restoring peace in the region is commendable,” he said.(NAN)
NEWS
Enugu Govt Sets up Human Development Council

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Friday, inaugurated the Enugu State Human Development Council at the Government House. He stressed that human capital remains the true wealth of any nation and a core priority of his administration. The Council is chaired by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, and includes State Executive Council members and heads of MDAs.
Also represented are the legislature, local governments, traditional rulers, church leaders, and civil society organisations. Mbah explained the Council aligns with his government’s emphasis on human development and social investment. He urged the members to take the task seriously and work towards tangible outcomes. “One of our top priorities is eradicating poverty and reducing the poverty headcount to zero,” Mbah noted. He added that the government’s philosophy prioritises human capital over natural resources. “Our last two budgets allocated over 50 per cent to social services,” the governor stated. In his response, Ossai assured the governor of members’ commitment to the Council’s goals. He emphasised that all government initiatives — from schools to roads — are people-focused. “All our projects aim to improve lives, and the Council will help us track and measure progress,” Ossai said. (NAN)NEWS
ASUU Demands Action, Threatens Nationwide Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the Federal Government to honour the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement or face a nationwide industrial action. ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, issued this warning during a news conference in Abuja on Friday. He stressed the importance of the government fulfilling its promises and addressing the worsening conditions in Nigerian universities.
According to Piwuna, nine critical issues remain unresolved, including the stalled renegotiation process since 2017. He mentioned withheld salaries from the 2022 strike and unpaid entitlements linked to the contentious Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). Piwuna also criticised the delayed release of revitalisation funds and earned academic allowances due to government inaction. In spite of promises to inject ₦150 billion into universities and adjust irregular allowances by 2026, he said these commitments remain unfulfilled. He highlighted the marginalisation of ASUU members at state institutions such as Kogi State University and Lagos State University. According to him, victimisation, salary denial, and job insecurity persist in those universities, undermining staff morale. On university autonomy, he said political interference has compromised the selection of leaders, citing Nnamdi Azikiwe and Abuja universities as examples. Piwuna warned that universities are becoming battlegrounds for political and economic interests, which he described as unacceptable. He called for a national rebirth through education, saying it is vital for Nigeria’s transformation and prosperity. To address the crisis, he proposed a national education summit focusing on funding, autonomy, and academic welfare. “Education empowers citizens, drives innovation, and instils values. Without it, development is impossible,” Piwuna said. He reaffirmed ASUU’s commitment to reforming Nigerian universities and urged patriotic Nigerians and global allies to support their struggle. “Our universities should be centres for solutions to national challenges. “We are open to dialogue but will not tolerate further erosion of our rights,” Piwuna said. (NAN