President Bola Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his 89th birthday.

Tinubu rejoiced with the elder statesman, describing his influence in Nigeria, Africa and globally as significant.

The President’s message is contained in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Tinubu noted Obasanjo’s courage and sacrifices in service to the nation.

He recalled that Obasanjo served as military Head of State from 1976 to 1979 and handed over power to a civilian administration in 1979.

The president also highlighted his tenure as Nigeria’s first civilian leader in the Fourth Republic from 1999 to 2007.

Tinubu affirmed the former leader’s historic roles, including fighting to preserve Nigeria’s unity and advocating democracy.

He also acknowledged Obasanjo’s time in prison for opposing military rule and his efforts in advancing Africa’s political and economic interests.

“As Chief Obasanjo turns 89, we recognise the zeal and wisdom he continues to bring to Nigeria’s development,” the President said.

Tinubu commended the former president’s intellectual contributions through books and public interventions.

He prayed for more years of good health, strength and wisdom for Obasanjo as he continued to serve the nation and humanity.

The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has called for the implementation of existing laws in the country by security agencies and other stakeholders to curb the proliferation of small arms.

Abubakar made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during a consultative meeting on strengthening Nigeria implementation of the UN Programme of Action and International Tracing Instrument ahead of the 2026 Biennal Meeting of States.

The meeting was organised by the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA).

The theme of the meeting is “Ehancing National Coordination, Data Reporting and Civil Society-Government Engagement on Small Arms Control in Nigeria”.

The Etsu Nupe said the meeting was to show that relevant stakeholders had significant roles to play in the proliferation of small arms in the country.

He said the increasing rate of small arms possession by those not entitled in the country had become a source of worry, adding that there was a need to address the trend.

He also said that the increasing rate of illegal possession of the weapons was dangerous and could lead to disaster if not controlled.

He pledged the commitment of the traditional institutions to support the law enforcement agencies in the implementation of laws to control small arms possession in the country.

In his remark, Martins Igwe, the Regional Vice President, WAANSA, said the decisions reached at the meeting would be advanced to international action to complement their efforts.

He blamed the challenges of small arms proliferation in the country on lack of political will to implement some of the existing laws.

He said that one of the decisions reached at the meeting was to integrate the traditional institutions into the campaign against small arms proliferation.

Igwe said the traditional rulers would be integrated considering their roles as the custodians of the local community.

In his keynote address, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of ECOWAS said illicit arms and light weapons were threats to security, development, governance and human dignity.

Musah, represented by Joseph Ahoba, the Director, Small Arms Unit, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department of ECOWAS said every weapon moved from illicit circulation represented lives protected and communities stabilised.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), through its subsidiary, the Niger Electricity Distribution Company (NEDC), will collaborate with the Niger Government to deploy solar mini-grids and other renewable energy solutions.

Omede Odekina, Brand Marketing and Corporate Communications, NEDC stated this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Odekina said that NEDC welcomed the commendable efforts of the Niger government, under the leadership of Gov.

He noted that the initiatives included the provision of reliable 24-hour solar power to over 180 communities that had experienced little or no meaningful electricity supply for more than a decade.

““This also covers the transition of critical public facilities—such as the Government House, hospitals including the General Hospital and IBB Specialist Hospital, the Niger State Water Board, and other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, to independent solar systems.

“This move represents a significant step forward in addressing long-standing energy access challenges,” he said.

AEDC Managing Director, Chijioke Okwuokenye, added, “We fully support the Niger government’s proactive approach to expanding access to reliable electricity through renewable energy solutions.”

”These efforts complement the national push for decentralised power under the Electricity Act 2023 and demonstrate how collaboration between government, regulators, and licensed operators can accelerate progress for our customers,” he said.

Sam Odekina, Chief Business Officer and Acting Managing Director of NEDC, said that the deployment of solar mini-grids in previously unserved areas aligned perfectly with the company’s shared goal of inclusive electrification.

“As the licensed intrastate distributor under the Niger State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NSERC), NEDC is eager to partner closely with the state government on hybrid solutions and grid integration where feasible.

“The company is also committed to supporting innovative projects that deliver sustainable benefits to residents, businesses, and institutions alike.

”The NEDC fully recognises that these actions align with the decentralised and multi-source electricity framework established by the Electricity Act 2023, the establishment of the NSERC, and the ongoing domestication of relevant regulations within Niger,” he said.

Odekina said that the deployment of solar mini-grids in areas such as Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area was being supported through partnerships, including those with the Rural Electrification Agency and international donors.

He said these complemented national efforts to expand renewable energy access and reduce reliance on traditional grid extensions where they were not yet viable.

According to him, NEDC remains fully committed to working collaboratively with the Niger government, the NSERC, and all relevant stakeholders to deliver reliable, sustainable, and inclusive electricity supply throughout the state.