The Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, has reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amid calls for his removal.

Matawalle described recent attacks on his integrity and credibility as “coordinated, malicious, and politically sponsored.”

He said critics targeted him for opposing attempts to sabotage the President’s security agenda.

“Public service, especially in a nation facing complex security challenges, demands courage, consistency, and commitment to truth,” he said.

Through his former Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Dosara, Matawalle highlighted his achievements as Zamfara governor in tackling terrorism and banditry.

He warned that politically motivated smear campaigns would neither intimidate him nor distract him from defending the country.

“The allegations are baseless. The agenda is political. The truth is clear,” Matawalle said.

He stressed that banditry predated his administration and noted that his government worked with the federal government, traditional rulers, and security agencies to implement structured responses.

Matawalle accused detractors of fabricating stories after losing political relevance and failing personal expectations.

He detailed his security record, including establishing high-level security committees, intelligence architecture, and local vigilance units.

The former governor said he shut down telecommunications temporarily to allow military operations against bandits without hindrance.

He cited other achievements, including dismissing compromised traditional rulers, retrieving arms, requesting additional federal troops, rescuing kidnapped victims, and deporting Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining.

Matawalle also highlighted humanitarian support, including relief materials, medical care, and assistance for displaced persons and victims of banditry.

He said these interventions led to over a year in Zamfara without attacks or kidnappings, a milestone recognised nationally and internationally.

Matawalle added that he played a key role in the rescue of recently abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State despite intimidation.

He accused some political figures of exploiting the rescue for personal gain and attempting to embarrass the federal government.

“My loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains total,” Matawalle said.

He affirmed that no propaganda or political blackmail would deter him from his duty to Nigeria’s security.

Matawalle praised security officers for their professionalism during operations and said critics fear ongoing reforms in national security.

“Some of the loudest voices today work to undermine national security for election purposes,” he said.

He concluded that media campaigns would not influence the President’s judgment and reaffirmed his commitment to the Constitution, the President, and Nigeria’s security.

“No intimidation, smear campaign, or political sabotage will deter me. Justice will prevail,” Matawalle said.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, received six governors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a private session at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting, which was held away from the public eye, immediately drew attention within political circles as no details of the agenda were released.

The governors—Jigawa’s Umar Namadi, Edo’s Monday Okpebholo, Ekiti’s Biodun Oyebanji, Kogi’s Usman Ododo, Sokoto’s Aliyu Sokoto, and Kebbi’s Dr. Nasir Idris—arrived at the State House earlier in the day and were ushered straight into the President’s office for the discussion.

According to information gathered by POLITICS NIGERIA, the session lasted less than an hour.

Despite the short duration, the quiet nature of the visit has fueled speculation about the issues that may have been discussed, especially as the country continues to grapple with rising security concerns in several regions.

Insiders within the Villa did not provide any insight into the purpose of the gathering, and officials of the Presidency also kept sealed lips.

The timing, however, aligns with ongoing political consultations ahead of crucial national and party activities expected to shape the coming months.

Attempts by journalists to speak with the governors after the meeting proved unsuccessful, as they all declined to comment and moved swiftly out of the State House premises.

However, more updates will be provided as fresh details emerge.

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NastyBlaq has shared an emotional reflection ahead of the festive season as he marks his second Christmas without his mother.

“The ache still hits like the first”

In a heartfelt post, he admitted that the pain remains as sharp as it was the first year after her passing.

“This is my second Christmas without my mom, and the ache still hits like the first. I’d give anything for one more holiday with you,” he wrote, expressing the depth of his grief.

His message resonated with many who have also lost loved ones and find celebrations difficult without them.

His openness sparked a wave of empathy online, with many users joining the conversation to share their own experiences with loss, appreciation, and the lingering emotions tied to the festive period.

The comments quickly turned into a supportive space for people coping with bereavement.

Social media reactions

@My_joy_has_come: “With the rate at which people post how much they miss their mom so much I think am not even loving my mom enough as I should. God bless you mom, thank you for giving me life. Appreciation tweet for everyone who still have their mom and to those who don’t have her stay safe.”

@Men_Too_Cries: “So sorry about your mum, grieving is real and aching too. We pray you find peace within yourself to know your mum is always with you and so her prayers too.”

@Goz: “I’m sorry you’re feeling this way, brother. No competition here… it’s been 26 years for me. I just wish I could recall her face without needing to look at a photo.”

@fan_Black_Gun: “Swrs bro this hurts so bad. Lost mine this April, 10 days after her birthday.”

The reactions showed how deeply NastyBlaq’s message touched people, bringing together individuals who understand the weight of celebrating holidays without a parent.

Many encouraged him to stay strong while sharing their own journeys through grief, turning the post into a reminder of how universal and enduring loss can be.

Check the post below…

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.Presidency launches patrotism campaign

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has charged Nigerians to be ambassadors of truth and not weapons of misinformation but to always highlight the progress, innovation, and peace the country is making.
He also tasked the citizenry to embody the Citizens’ Charter of National Values through integrity, patriotism, diligence, tolerance, and excellence.
Speaking at the official launch of “My Nigeria, My Responsibility” with the theme ‘Reigniting Patrotism through responsible citizenship and leadership’, the President, represented by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, declared “Your responsibility is to own our story: Be an ambassador of truth. In the digital age, do not weaponize misinformation. Highlight the progress, the innovation, the peace.
“Your responsibility is to live our values: Embody the Citizens’ Charter of National Values through integrity, patriotism, diligence, tolerance, and excellence, in your workplace, community, and online interactions.”
He said citizens patriotism is in the taxes they pay, adding that it is the most concrete transaction of trust between a citizen and the state.
The President hinted of plan to launch the National Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute, come February 2026 to empower Nigerians.
According to him: “This will be your national toolkit to discern truth, resist manipulation, and engage ethically online, building a public sphere worthy of our democratic journey.
“Today, we are called to remember that patriotism is not a spectator sport or a title we claim only when our nation triumphs. True patriotism is an active verb. It is the choice we make every day to be responsible for our nation’s story, its progress, and its image. It is the shared understanding that the destiny of Nigeria does not rest in the hands of a select few in Abuja, but in the daily actions, words, and choices of over 200 million citizens.”
Keynote speaker and Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Kashere, Gombe state, Prof. Umaru A. Pate, said the campaign is not just a slogan but a civic faith, a call to self-accountability, to collective renewal, and to a new kind of patriotism — one rooted not merely in emotion but in thoughtful action. Pate said: “While we call on citizens to act, leadership is also reminded to earn the trust of the citizens by demonstrating accountability, prioritizing national interest over personal interest, ensuring fairness in resource allocation, strengthening institutions, and providing opportunities for the youth”.
Also speaking, Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, urged Nigerians to support government initiatives, pay their taxes, embrace and be law-abiding citizens.
Earlier in his opening address, Convener and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Hon. Nasir Bala Ja’oji, said “My Nigeria, My Responsibility” campaign – a flagship citizens’ engagement initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, emerged from the understanding that nation-building is not the task of government alone, but a collective obligation that rests upon each citizen, young or old, public or private, rural or urban.
According to Ja’oji, it’s a deliberate effort to reawaken the spirit of responsibility, patriotism, accountability, and shared ownership of the Nigerian project.
His words: “This administration has consistently emphasized that true progress is anchored on responsible citizenship. Citizens who participate meaningfully in governance, protect public infrastructure, uphold national values, and contribute positively to peace building, community development, and national unity.
“The My Nigeria, My Responsibility initiative is therefore designed to strengthen civic consciousness inspire behavioural change, and empower Nigerians to take active roles in shaping the future they desire.
“This campaign will engage communities, students, professionals, traditional institutions, influencers, and private sector actors across all six geopolitical zones.
“Through advocacy, leadership training, digital engagement, and public sensitization, we aim to cultivate a culture where every Nigerian understands that the choices they make daily, how they speak about the country, how they treat public property, how they vote, how they lead, and how they contribute directly influence the Nigeria we build.”
While appreciating the President, the SSA said under Tinubu’s leadership young people are being empowered, institutions strengthened, and a national identity rooted in pride and purpose is being rekindled.
“As we launch this campaign today, I invite all stakeholders to join hands with the Presidency in driving this new national awakening. Let us inspire our citizens to say “YES” to active patriotism and responsible citizenship and leadership.”

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By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has taken a swipe at the Federal Government over its rapid intervention in the attempted coup in the Benin Republic, saying the speed of action only highlights how slowly the government responds to the insecurity tormenting communities across Nigeria.

In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, the ADC said the development raises important questions about the government’s priorities, its respect for constitutional processes, and its commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives.

The party acknowledged that Nigeria’s prompt response in Benin was commendable, but argued that the contrast with the country’s domestic security failures is becoming too glaring to ignore.

“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomes Nigeria’s swift intervention in the Benin Republic following the announcement of a coup attempt. We commend the Federal Government for acting promptly to defend constitutional order in our neighbourhood,” Abdullahi said.

Even so, the party stressed that any such intervention must still follow constitutional procedures, noting that military or security deployment outside Nigeria requires the approval of the National Assembly, as clearly outlined in the Constitution.

The ADC also raised concerns over what it described as an inconsistent pattern in Nigeria’s foreign interventions. It recalled the government’s hesitation during the instability in Guinea-Bissau, especially at a time when a former Nigerian President was reportedly caught up in the crisis.

“Why were we not as swift in responding to the crisis in Guinea-Bissau, even when a former Nigerian President was trapped there? What determines when Nigeria acts firmly and when it delays?” the party asked.

According to the ADC, such inconsistencies only fuel speculation that Nigeria’s rapid move in Benin may have been influenced by interests outside the country, a perception it says undermines Nigeria’s credibility as a regional leader.

But beyond foreign policy, the party said the Benin action draws attention to something far more troubling; the government’s inability to act with equal urgency against bandits, terrorists, and violent criminals who continue to terrorise Nigerians.

“If Nigeria could respond decisively to threats across our borders, why has our government demonstrated such outrageous incompetence in dealing with domestic insecurity?” the ADC queried.

The party argued that no government can lay claim to defending democracy abroad while citizens at home remain at the mercy of violent groups, adding that the first responsibility of any administration is to protect its people.

“A government that can act swiftly abroad must also act decisively at home. The defence of democracy does not begin in neighbouring countries; it begins in the protection of Nigerian lives,” Abdullahi added.

Reaffirming its opposition to any unconstitutional change of government in the region, the ADC said the most effective way to prevent military intervention is for elected leaders to govern responsibly, improve citizens’ welfare, and allow opposition voices to flourish.

“The best possible safeguard against military adventurism is for elected governments to make democracy meaningful to the people by improving their lives and allowing opposition to thrive,” the party stated.

The post ADC to FG: If you can act in Benin overnight, why not protect Nigerians? appeared first on Vanguard News.

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The Okomu National Park in Edo, on Monday, said that a baby elephant, which was rescued from an oil palm plantation on November 30, was undergoing rehabilitation.

Conservator of the park, Mr Osaze Lawrence, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the park in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo.

NAN reports that the Okomu National Park, in collaboration with the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation, had rescued the male calf, about two months old, while it was wandering alone inside the Okomu Oil Palm Company plantation.

The conservator said that workers had quickly stabilised the animal and alerted park authorities.

“It was a very young elephant less than two months old; they gave it water, tried to revive it and immediately called us,” he told NAN.

He said that rangers and African Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation personnel had retrieved the calf and attempted to reunite it with its herd inside the elephant home range, but it still roamed.

“It walked some metres into the wild on its own, and we thought it had returned to the family.

“But a commercial motorcyclist later reported seeing the disoriented calf alone by the roadside.

“At that point, it became clear it could not find its herd; the best option was for us to rescue, rehabilitate and stabilise it,” he said.

He noted that the calf, which had slipped into a health crisis, was under 24-hour veterinary care at an ANI camp within the park.

“We are feeding it with the recommended milk, giving medication and monitoring its strength; it is stabilising and doing very well,” he added

He praised the synergy among national authorities, ANI, Okomu Oil Palm Company, veterinarians, as well as the international experts.

NAN reports that the rescue had drawn international attention, including that of a UK-born wildlife rescue specialist Liz O’Brien, who had flown in from Zambia, to join the efforts.

O’Brien who had gathered about15 years of experience rescuing elephants across Africa, described the case as historic.

“In Nigeria, they have never rescued an elephant like this before; this is the first of its kind,” she said.

According to her, she had travelled to Nigeria because the baby elephant required expert’s intervention, adding that hands-on training for local conservation teams, will help build long-term capacity.

“My main reason for coming was to train people here, so the knowledge stays in the country.

“You cannot always rely on people flying in; We must develop the next generation of wildlife rescuers,” she said.

Meanwhile, on the future of the calf, O’Brien advised that it would require at least two years of milk feeding and several more years of supervised exposure to the wild.

“Wild animals belong in the wild; the aim should be to return him to the area he came from when he is strong enough,” she said.

She noted that elephants needed vast spaces and zoos were not suitable.

On his part, ANI’s Project Manager at Okomu, Peter Abanyam, said that the rescue had revealed a growing conservation awareness among communities around the park.

According to him, the level of local engagement has risen significantly, with more community members showing interest in conservation employment and training.

“When the calf wandered to the main road, community members immediately alerted our gate; this. shows how much the awareness has grown,” he said.

He said that the rescue was intriguing because it involved an African rainforest elephant, which is on the list of wildlife in extinction.

He, however, warned that increased elephant movement could escalate human–wildlife conflict unless an urgent demarcation of park boundaries is completed.

“We will soon grow into a crisis if boundaries are not marked, especially in the southern part, where farms are expanding.

“Communities must know where the park begins,” he added.

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The Federal Government on Monday unveiled a N50 million Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), aimed at promoting innovation, research excellence and entrepreneurship across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

Speaking at the official launch in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the programme represented a strategic national investment in young innovators and aligned directly with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Education.

Alausa described the S-VCG as far more than a grant scheme, noting that it was designed to identify high-potential ideas from campuses and nurture a culture of creativity and enterprise among students.

He said beneficiaries would receive up to N50 million in equity-free seed funding, alongside intensive incubation, expert mentorship, and access to networks and critical start-up-building tools.

The initiative, he added, was jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund, in collaboration with the Bank of Industry, Afara Initiative, Afrilabs, the Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre, and Google.

According to the minister, the programme is open to full-time students in federal, state and private tertiary institutions from year three and above, with younger students allowed as team members.

“The S-VCG is structured to identify exceptional talent, give them a fair and credible opportunity to succeed, and inspire thousands of others to believe in their capacity to innovate.

“We know that many successful founders did not thrive on their first attempt. But their journey began with a spark.

“This programme exists to light that spark, build a new culture of confidence, and showcase to the world the depth of Nigerian ingenuity.

“Beneficiaries of the S-VCG will receive a comprehensive support package tailored to increase their chances of building viable and scalable ventures,” he said.

Alausa added that eligible ventures must have a CAC-registered business name and be rooted in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences (STEMM) fields.

He said every application would undergo thorough evaluation, with shortlisted teams pitching before a 12-member expert panel drawn from academia, industry, venture capital and government.

He added that participants would receive feedback and may be paired with complementary teams to encourage collaboration and shared innovation.

He stressed that the S-VCG was expected to accelerate research commercialisation, support intellectual property development, and position students to produce high-impact solutions with global relevance.

“Not every idea will become a start-up, but some will evolve into patents and licensable technologies capable of significant impact,” he said.

Speaking on the overview of the programme, Mr Adebayo Onigbanjo, National Programme Coordinator, Special Programme Unit of S-VCG, said the programme was designed to ignite student-driven innovation.

Onigbanjo said it was also designed to close the investment gaps that have made venture capitalists hesitant to invest in early-stage university ideas.

He said the portal had received 17,914 applications from 402 schools comprising 346 public and 56 private institutions, noting that over 1,000 applications had actually been submitted.

Also, the former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, whose board awards a $100,000 prize annually for groundbreaking scientific innovation, commended the initiative, noting its alignment with efforts to deepen scientific research and innovation in the country.

“This is how students and their mentors can develop impactful inventions that serve global needs but solve local problems,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the application portal was opened on November 17 and will close on January 23, 2026, with the evaluation process to begin immediately afterwards.

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The Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Prof. Teddy Charles Adias, has revealed that the University will be conferring Degrees on 10,272 graduating students across the various faculties of the university and postgraduate school.

Out of these, he said that 9912 students will be graduating with various first degrees, while 360 will be graduating with postgraduate degrees.

Speaking on Monday at the University Premises during a Press Brief sequel to the Maiden edition of the University’s combined Convocation ceremony billed to hold on Thursday, 8 December, the Vice Chancellor disclosed that the Convocation was a milestone in the life of the university.

He added that the University will also launch a 100 billion Endowment Fund to support the developmental needs of the university.

The weeklong activities Prof Adias maintained will also be used to honour some distinguished Nigerians who, he said, have made outstanding contributions to the nation’s development with the award of honorary degrees.

He said: We shall be conferring degrees on 10,272 graduating students across our various Faculties and the Postgraduate School. This number, 9912, will be graduating with various first degrees, and 360 with postgraduate degrees.

“We will also launch a 100 billion Endowment Fund to support developmental needs for our university, as well as honour some distinguished Nigerians who have made outstanding contributions to our nation’s development through the award of honorary doctorate degrees.

“This convocation is indeed a milestone in the life of our university. It brings together several graduating sets whose academic journeys were shaped by resilience, innovation, and dedication, especially in the years following the global pandemic and industrial disruptions.”

The Vice Chancellor also revealed some of the institution’s achievements which he disclosed as full accreditation for most of their programmes, adding that the university has introduced new ones that align with national priorities and global trends.

“Our staff and students are winning research grants and fellowships, both locally and internationally. We have improved our learning environment with new laboratories, classrooms, hostels, and digital infrastructure to support teaching and innovation.

“Beyond academics, FUO continues to contribute to community development through entrepreneurship programmes and sustainability projects across the state and the nation.”

He maintained that the university’s vision remains clear to position it as a centre of excellence, producing graduates who are globally competitive yet deeply rooted in the values of service, integrity, and innovation.

“In the coming years, we will continue to strengthen academic quality, expand research partnerships, improve digital readiness, and enhance the overall welfare of staff and students.

“These priorities are firmly captured in our strategic development plan, which guides our actions as an institution of the future.” He concluded.

He, however, asked that individuals should partner with the university to build hostels to ease the challenge of accommodation, adding, “We are calling for private partnership, build, operate and leave.

He thanked President Bola TInubu, the management and the people of Otuoke for supporting the university.

The high point of the event was the commissioning of some of the completed facilities by the Vice Chancellor.

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Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has asserted that Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis did not begin in the North, as widely believed, but in the oil-rich southern region.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Governor Sule described a recent meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum as “tense and emotionally charged,” with governors expressing deep frustration over the worsening insecurity nationwide.

According to him, kidnapping first gained prominence in the South—particularly in the Niger Delta—between 2003 and 2009, where oil workers were frequently abducted for ransom. Drawing on his extensive experience in the oil and gas industry, Sule recalled several incidents, including cases involving the engineering firm Tetra Tech, that forced some multinational companies to pull out of Nigeria.

He said the early wave of abductions was driven largely by financial motives tied to the region’s militancy and agitation for resource control. The situation, he noted, began to improve during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan following negotiations with Niger Delta militants.

Governor Sule cautioned against framing Nigeria’s insecurity along regional lines, emphasizing that kidnapping has now become a national problem. He admitted that northern leaders initially viewed the crisis as a southern issue but warned that it has since “spread everywhere” and requires a united response.

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A suspected kidnapper identified as Ibrahim Mohammed has been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, while allegedly delivering a firearm to his colleagues in the state.

DAILY POST reports that the suspect, who hails from Borno State, was arrested by the operatives within the Oluku bypass area in Benin City.

Richard Balogun, ESSC Deputy Commander, Operations, who confirmed the arrest, said the suspect and the recovered gun have since been handed over to the police for profiling and further investigation.

Balogun said there have been incessant cases of kidnapping incidents around the Oluku bypass, Benin-Akure road and environs.

He said due to the kidnapping incident, personnel of the outfit were placed on surveillance in the area in addition to regular motorised patrols.

He added that during one of the patrols, the team got credible information that a man was going to deliver a gun to a kidnapping gang in the locality.

According to him, the security patrol was intensified. A few hours later, the suspect was spotted on a motorcycle while he concealed the gun in a long bag. He was subsequently apprehended, and the said gun was recovered.

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