POLITICS
Press Week: There’s huge strength in united Nigeria – Don
Prof. Adepoju Tejumaiye of the Department of Mass Communications, University of Lagos, says there is huge strength in Nigeria being together as a country as against its dismemberment.
Tejumaiye made the assertion at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council Public Lecture, with the theme: “Nigeria and Nation Building: Overcoming The Challenges Of Security, Restructuring and Self Determination For Progressive Development”.
According to him, Nigeria does not need disintegration but devolution of powers to return the country to the pathway of growth and development.
“This country belongs to everyone of us. I am not someone that subscribes to the dismemberment of Nigeria.
There is a big strength, huge strength in unity.“Let us be together, we are going to achieve our goals but let there be sense of belonging for everybody.
“Population should not be used to share the national revenues, let revenues be shared on equal percentages and we will see that things will change,” he said.
Tejumaiye, the Professor of Media Studies and Political Communications, said that the present system is spoiling and breeding indolence because it doesn’t allow people to use their initiatives.
“Every state in this country has resources, huge. There is no reason why Nigeria should be in debt, that is the truth. What can solve it is devolution of powers.
“Decentralisation is the best way to go. Anything outside that will make this country to remain as it is. There is an urgent need for the devolution of powers to the respective federating units.
“Decentralisation of everything-The Police, Tax System, Revenue System, etc need to be decentralised. If we can get that done, then Nigeria is going to change for better,” he said.
Tejumaiye said that the system in operation before the first coup in Nigeria, where different parts of the country were developing at their pace, is the best.
He said that the country needs to go back to that system because it would solve most of the problems confronting the nation.
“There is need for serious rethinking and this is in our hands. This is the time to get things right,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, the Chairman, NUJ, Lagos State Council, said that Nigeria has raised the stakes especially in tackling the incidents of economic-induced kidnappings and other crimes.
According to Ajayi, security remains a major challenge in Nigeria but unlike what obtained in the pre-independence period, security problems escalated partly due to the diverse nature of the country.
“The trends leading to this situation are reversible, if serious proactive and sustained measures could be adopted by the government.
“The implication of this is that policy makers have the duty to arrest this drift through social justice and development,” he said.
The NUJ boss said if Nigeria is to develop, there must be leaders who were broadminded enough to campaign for justice, equity and fairness beyond narrow group interests.
The lecture was delivered by Mr Segun Adeniyi, Chairman, Editorial Board, This Day Newspapers, and the occasion was chaired by Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye.
The panel of discussants include Prof. Adepoju Tejumaiye, Head of Department, Mass Communications, University of Lagos, and Dr Jide Johnson of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ).
The press week, which started on Media with a news conference to unfold lined up activities, witnessed novelty matches on Tuesday while Thursday is slated for Chapels’ Rendezvous.
A Jumaat Service at the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque and a Gala /Award Night, at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja are slated to hold on Friday.
The council would pay a visit to the Little Saints Orphanage, Abule Egba, and Regina Mundi Old Peoples’ Home, Mushin, on Saturday while a Thanksgiving Service at the Chapel of Christ The Light, Alausa, Ikeja, is billed for Sunday. (NAN)
POLITICS
Presidency Transmits N43.5trn 2026 Appropriation Bill to Reps
President Bola Tinubu yesterday, transmitted the appropriation (Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2024/2025 bill to the House of Representatives for consideration and expected approval in accordance with constitutional and appropriation process.
Reading the letter during plenary, the Deputy Speaker, Rep.
Benjamin Kalu said that the appropriation bill is aimed at ending the practice of running multiple budgets concurrently.“Rt Honourable Speaker, the Bill seeks to authorize the issue from the consolidated Revenue fund of the federation of the total sum of N43,561,041,744,507.
“Comprising N1,742,786,788,150 for statutory transfers, N8,270,960,606,831 for debt service, N11,268,513,380,853 for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure and N22,278,780,968,673 for capital expenditure for the year ending 31 December 2025,” the President said.
According to the President, the bill provides a transparent and constitutionally grounded appropriation mechanism.
President Tinubu in the letter said that the appropriation is not only critical but time-sensitive expenditures necessary in advancing the well-being of Nigerians.
He further explained that the bill seeks to strengthen implementation discipline and accountability by requiring that appropriated funds are applied strictly for purposes specified in the schedules.
The House however adjourned to Thursday being 18, Dec for further consideration of the Bill.
POLITICS
2027 Election: Igbo’s Community Promises Votes for Eno
From Christopher Tom, Uyo
Non-indigence in Akwa Ibom State especially the Igbo’s community has promised to give the highest number of votes across the state to Governor Umo Eno come 2027 governorship elections in the state.
The Igbo community said they will not fail to vote massively for the Governor.
The President of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Hon.
Keyceey Chidiadi made this known while speaking with media practitioners shortly after the Uyo chapter of Igbo community unity day celebration 2025 in Uyo.He said Igbo’s scattered across the 31 local government Area of the state without any doubt seriously doing their businesses without any crisis, showcasing their love, unity among the indigence of the state while also contributing their quotas to boost the state economy.
According to him, the Igbo’s are about five thousand while some have not been recorded because they have not identified with the community and advise others to join the train before it’s too late for them.
He said their vote come 2027 is massively for Pastor Umo Eno without compromise because of his leadership style and developmental strive, showcasing true democracy carrying every individual along not minding the state or religion the people came from but stand on peace, unity among the people to benefit the dividend of democracy.
He called on Igbo’s resident in the state to make sure they vote here without going to their various states to maintain their voting strength as the highest numbers of people across the non-indigence communities in Akwa Ibom State.
He said they are law abiding citizens and not ready to accommodate or entertain any crisis, violence, because of their peaceful nature created by God, especially respect for the government of the day while corporate to preach peace in the state. He commended the community for embracing peace after 27 years of crisis without a leader among them, but now peace has restored to them across the communities in the state.
POLITICS
INEC Begins Display of Preliminary Voter Register in Delta
From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Delta State Office, has announced the commencement of the display of the Preliminary Voter Register for claims and objections across the state.
According to a press release by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Etekamba Udo Umoren, the exercise will begin on Monday, 15th December 2025 and end on Sunday, 21st December 2025.
The display will take place at all the 25 Local Government Area offices of INEC in Delta State between 9:00am and 3:00pm daily.
INEC explained that the exercise is in line with the Electoral Guidelines and is aimed at correcting any anomalies that may have occurred during the recent voter registration exercise.
The Commission noted that the process is essential to producing a credible and reliable voter register, which remains a key instrument for conducting free, fair and credible elections.
The Commission urged eligible voters in the state to seize the opportunity to visit INEC offices in their respective local government areas to confirm that their names and personal details are correctly captured in the register. Voters were also encouraged to report cases of omission, errors in spelling, or any other discrepancies.
In addition, members of the public were advised to raise objections to the inclusion of names of deceased persons, underaged individuals, or any other doubtful entries found in the register.
INEC reiterated its commitment to electoral integrity and called on all Deltans to actively participate in the exercise as part of their civic responsibility.
The Commission concluded the notice with a call to action, encouraging eligible citizens to register and participate in the electoral process.

