By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh on Thursday, facilitate with all Nigerians as they commemorate June 12, a day that symbolizes the collective commitment to democracy, freedom, and justice. He added that the legacy of the 1993 elections remains a beacon of hope and a reminder of the nation’s enduring democratic spirit.

This was contained in a statement issued by CAN, signed the CAN President, in Abuja. .The Archbishop lamented the rate of kidnappings and killings by bandits urged the Federal government take an urgent and sustained action to safeguard lives and property across the country.The statement reads in oarts, “As we reflect on this journey, we urge all Nigerians to embrace unity, peace, and mutual respect. We must stand firm against religious intolerance and violence in all forms. The government has a sacred duty to protect religious freedoms, ensure that no one is persecuted for their faith, and deliver justice to victims of religious violence.”Insecurity, including insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping, continues to threaten our nation’s stability. We call for urgent and sustained action to safeguard lives and property across the country. CAN remains committed to supporting every initiative aimed at restoring lasting peace and security.”Good governance is the cornerstone of any democracy. We call for greater transparency and accountability at all levels of government. Nigeria’s vast resources must be harnessed to address poverty, unemployment, and inequality, and to improve infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Free, fair, and credible elections are vital to sustaining democratic integrity.”We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen its systems and processes to enhance electoral transparency and public trust. In a true democracy, the rights to free speech, peaceful assembly, and press freedom must be upheld. We encourage the government to engage citizens constructively and seek inclusive solutions to national challenges.”As we mark this significant day, CAN prays for the peace, unity, and progress of our beloved country. We call on all Nigerians to remain committed to building a just, inclusive, and prosperous nation; one that honors the sacrifices of our democratic heroes.”We also appreciate the efforts of the government, security agencies, and citizens who continue to uphold the values of democracy and national cohesion.”God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he said.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said his administration introduced fundamental reforms to correct structural imbalances and reform the country’s ailing economy.The President said this in his address at the Joint Session of the National Assembly in commemoration of Democracy Day 2025 on Thursday.

He said the results of the reforms were already visible as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3. 4 per cent in 2024, with Q4 hitting 4. 6 per cent, the highest quarter of growth in over a decade.“Inflation is easing gradually, steadying the price of food staples like rice and beans. Our net foreign reserves have increased fivefold, and the Naira exchange rate has stabilised.“Our balance of payments position is positive. Our sovereign credit rating is improving as we continue to promote oil and non-oil exports. States now do not need to go about borrowing to pay salaries,” he stated.Tinubu said that in less than one year, over 100,000 Nigerians, including 35,000 civil servants, benefited from affordable consumer credit through the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP).He said this enabled them to purchase vehicles, light up and improve their homes and purchase life essentials.“This July, we will launch a bold new initiative to empower 400,000 young Nigerians, including youth corp members with consumer credit.“We are committed to giving more opportunities to young people through job creation and skills development.“Through such programmes as NELFUND, we are investing in education, vocational training, apprenticeships, and internships to ensure our youth are job-ready and future-ready,” he said.Tinubu said his administration embarked on an ambitious project to lay fibre optic cables across the nation, a transformative step toward bridging the digital divide and fostering greater connectivity.“This initiative promises not only to enhance the speed and reliability of internet access but also to revolutionise how businesses operate, how students learn, and how communities stay connected.“By extending this critical infrastructure, we are empowering entrepreneurs, enabling digital education, and providing the tools for our youth to compete in a globalised world,” said the President.He also said the recently introduced “Nigeria First” policy would further enhance progress as his administration consolidated market-driven growth.He said the improved economic performance was encouraging and validated the soundness of administration’s policy measures.“Our medium-term growth target remains an economy growing at a 7 per cent clip with a stronger manufacturing base. We must learn to produce and grow most of our food and we are on the path to achieving food sovereignty.“These and other reforms have placed the economy on a more rational footing where critical decisions regarding large-scale investment can now be made,” he said.The President said to further underpin his administration’s economic vision, he introduced a comprehensive Tax Reform Package, a vital component of the economic re-engineering.He added that his administration was fully committed to boosting the economy’s productive base.“Through investment in critical infrastructure, roads, expansion of port operations, rail, and power we are creating a new environment in which industry and manufacturing can thrive.“Our tax and fiscal policy reforms will streamline tax administration and eliminate burdensome and multiple taxes enabling our industrialists and entrepreneurs to operate in a more conducive environment.“Governance must work and deliver value to the people. As part of our tax reforms, we have provided small businesses with an exemption and established the Office of the Tax Ombudsman to ensure transparency and protect taxpayer rights,” he said.Tinubu said in line with his promise during his New Year address to the nation, he recently appointed the board of directors of the newly established National Credit Guarantee Company.He said the company backed with N100 billion in initial capital, with BOI, NSIA, CreditCorp, and finance ministry as stakeholders, would play a significant role in transforming the nation’s industrial landscape and reducing corruption. (NAN)

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno on Thursday announced a state pardon to 66 convicted persons and gifted N50,000 and N20,000 cash to each patient and inmate in the state.Report says that no fewer than 2,000 patients and 1,280 inmates were expected to benefit from the governor’s generosity at differenthealthcare facilities as well as the inmates at maximum Correctional Centre Maiduguri.

The executive pardon, the gifts and the donation of food and non-food items as well as the livestock given to the inmates were part of the line of activities marked for the celebration of Democracy Day in the state. “Let me clarify that the N20,000 cash assistance will be handed over to officials of the Correctional Centre, as stipulated by law, but you will have access to it whenever needed,” the governor said, while addressing inmates at the facility in Maiduguri.Zulum also donated 300 bags of rice, 50 jerry cans of cooking oil and five cows, in addition to the donation he made earlier to personnel at the Correctional Centre.“Based on the powers conferred on me under Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, I Professor Zulum hereby grant state and partial pardons to 66 inmates of the Maximum Custodial Centre.“I have also commuted death sentences to life imprisonment and reduced the jail terms of some other inmates as part of activities to celebrate this year’s Democracy Day.The governor also announced plans to strengthen the vocational training centre within the facility, providing intensive literacy, numeracy, and digital skills programmes for the inmates.“I have directed the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation to liaise with the management of Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre to enhance the vocational training centre, ensuring the provision of intensive literacy, numeracy and digital skills.“This will enable inmates to acquire valuable skills while serving their sentences,” he said.Earlier, the Controller, Borno Correctional Service, Mr Ahmed Bawa, commended the governor for his unprecedented support to the facility and its inmates.“This is the first time in history that we have received such immense support from Borno State Government under the leadership of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.“In May this year, the governor provided the facility with 100 bags of rice, 20 cartons of cooking oil and 10 bulls.“Today, he has visited us again. On behalf of the management, staff, and inmates, we are deeply grateful,” Bawa said.The Sarki of the inmates, Daniel Simon, who spoke on behalf of the teeming inmates, commended Zulum for his generosity.He, however, expressed happiness that the dividends of the good governance of Zulum was being felt even in the correctional centre.Meanwhile, the governor has also inaugurated 20 projects being executed by his administration in the last one year.The projects included roads, housing estates, health centres, skill acquisition centres, and mega schools.Earlier, the governor visited State Specialist Hospital at 5:00 a.m., where he interacted with patients in the Gynaecology, Antenatal, Postnatal and Emergency Wards and donated N50,000 cash to each patient as support toward their medical care.Zulum, who sympathised with the patients, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare sector and improving access to quality medical services in the state.The governor also visited the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital where he extended the same gesture by donating cash and settling medical bills for patients.“Healthcare remains a top priority of this administration. We will continue to do our best to support our people in their time of need,” Zulum said.He also flagged off the construction of two hospitals and an international conference centre.The hospital projects include the Borno Orthopaedic Hospital located at Goni Kachallari and a new General Hospital at Kaleri, both in Jere Local Government Area.(NAN)