NIGERIA NEWS
Tinubu’s New Defence Minister: Not Yet Uhuru
By Mobolaji Sanusi
“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” ——Dwight D. Eisenhower
The Y2025 is approaching its end. In precisely five months’ time, the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be clocking three years in the saddle. Today’s not a time for passing a verdict on the president’s administration. That’ll come later, but today’s a day to look at the president’s most recent appointment of a new minister of defence in view of the exacerbating insecurity in the land. Also, the need to look at how to forestall or deescalate foreign intrusion in the nation’s internal affairs.
Tinubu, as governor of Lagos State, was known more by the catchphrase: ‘Talent Hunter.’ And as president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the federal republic of Nigeria with several federal appointments in his kitty, many believe the jury is still out on that catchphrase.
So far, the president has made appointments that have elicited mixed reactions from the Nigerian public since August 2023, when the first set of ministerial appointments of his administration were announced. However, never in the almost three years of this administration’s existence has any of the president’s appointments been widely celebrated as the president’s recent appointment of General Christopher Musa (rtd), as the country’s new Minister of Defence. Why this is so may not be unconnected with the ineptitude with which Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, minister of defence until few weeks back and his currently serving junior minister, Bello Matawalle, mishandled the recent spate of insecurity in the country. Clearly, these two appointments put to task the catchphrase of the president as a talent hunter.
No wonder that Nigerians, almost in unison, applauded the appointment of General Musa, whom the president, weeks ago sent on compulsory retirement from his erstwhile post of Chief of Defence Staff, alongside other Service Chiefs of his epoch.
Musa truly possesses a salutary profile. But despite this, he has an Herculean task ahead of him as the country’s man-of-the-moment because Nigerians truly look up to him to rescue them from amongst others, the pangs of banditry, the criminality of kidnappers and also the barbarity of armed miscreants disturbing ceaselessly, the spirit of Nigerians.
Questions: Can the retired but obviously not tired General Musa deliver Nigeria from the menace of insecurity that has become a routine recurrence in the country? Won’t the burden of expectations from Nigerians be too deafening for the new Defence Minister to bear? Being a significant part of our rotten system that created and nursed him to hierarchical recognition, will he be able to muster the requisite political will to quash our systemic monsters that might stand between him and his plans for ridding the country of insecurity? Can he stop the endemic corruption and systemic compromise that the unnamed architects of the ongoing insecurity have been inflicting on the country?
How’s Musa going to deal with the unimpressive military hardware on ground and the debilitating welfare of our military personnel, especially those on the battlefields that did not positively speak to the billions of dollars officially claimed to have over several decades allegedly spent in tackling insecurity in the country?
This military general, being a creation of this system, presumably knows what he wants to do and how. During his screening appearance before the National Assembly, he spoke smoothly and with confidence. But there is a clear distinction between talk, considered to be cheap, and implementation of the desired action necessary to bring about expected results to quell ongoing insecurity in the country.
Now is the time for Musa to walk his talk. Franz Kafka once stated that a wise man “starts with what is right than what is acceptable.” This statement should be Musa’s watchword if he intends to achieve anything meaningful as the country’s Defence Minister. Those currently responsible for the rotten state of affairs in the country will surely want him to do what is acceptable to them but to achieve anything tangible for self and country, he needs to depart from acceptable norms and take a detour to the pathways of what is right.
Yours sincerely can vividly recollect that while he was still in active military service, one or two of his video clips surfaced on the social media where he was seen lecturing his audience on what the country needs to do to win its current intractable insecurity conundrum. He should not detract from his position in those videos but stick to what he thinks should be done to effectively tackle insecurity in the country.
He was shown, in one of the videos, strongly advocating for the building of comprehensive border perimeter fences with neighbours like Niger Republic, Cameroon, Chad and Benin Republic so as to curb the infiltration and illegal crossings of insurgents into the country. He made comparative allusions to countries with similar issues that largely resolved their insecurity problems through perimeter fencing of their borders. He alluded to Pakistan that walled its borders with Afghanistan while Saudi Arabia equally walled its borders with Iraq. Musa wondered why the country was delaying in embracing this option months ago. But now that he’s now the country’s defence minister, he should make the achievement of this good idea one of his main critical priorities.
General Musa also advocated for the deployment of drones, cameras, and transponders, which he considered necessary security tools for effective border surveillance and intelligence gathering. It is sad that our country is yet to fully key into daily deployments of modern technology in combating its insecurity despite the vast resources at its firm disposal. Yet, it is still not too late if, as our new defence minister, Musa can forthwith make this happen.
The new defence minister should be focused and not be deterred by hypocritical commentators that see everything from the prisms of costs in a resource-endowed country like ours while downplaying such projects’ benefits to the security wellbeing of Nigerians. This geographical entity must be secure before there can be a government in place and even a country called Nigeria.
Musa should always ask himself about the desirability or otherwise of any project that comes to his mind. Once he is convinced that such project is really necessary for national security, he should pursue them no matter the cost outlay because a country that was recently reported to have spent a huge amount of N17.5trillion on pipelines monitoring in twelve months should be willing and ready to construct perimeter fence to protect its territory from infiltration by rampaging, mostly, Fulani herdsmen aggressors and Boko Haram/ISWAP criminal elements.
Another important battle General Musa must be prepared to wage and possibly win is that of the federal bureaucracy. Generally, bureaucracy creates a structure of rules/regulations deliberately designed to control governmental decisions. But these rules/regulations have grown to become avoidable bottlenecks of suffocating red tapism, loss of freedom to initiate, inefficiency, and sadly detachment from contemporary societal reality.
For Musa to meet up with the expectations of Nigerians, he must immediately commence how he truly plans to waltz through this government contraption called bureaucracy that is renowned for its frustrating procedures that stifle individual action and prompt problem-solving techniques. This new defence minister, that is once used to a ‘command and obey’ structure as a military general, needs a survival technique to manoeuvre the country’s bureaucracy.
More importantly, the president has removed Badaru from the defence ministry. Matawalle should also go for Musa to succeed? The allegations of insecurity misgivings heaped on Matawalle’s head by his successor as Zamfara state governor deserves the president’s revisit.
Musa truly projects an image of a fine gentleman but whether he’s President Tinubu’s best ministerial appointment so far stands to be seen in view of his also being a creation of the rotten system that spends trillions of naira on insecurity without commensurate results to show for such budgetary spendings. Time shall tell if he possesses the political will to stop the ongoing bleeding insecurity by weeding out dead woods on his paths to restoring Nigeria’s lost peace. He no doubts will need an unimpeded presidential support to deal with the unnamed power-bloc behind the country’s insecurity quagmire.
Again, time shall tell if Musa is indeed the president’s best ministerial appointee. He needs courage, confidence, undiluted determination, and presidential support to do and succeed in this insecurity extermination assignment of his.
Musa’s greatest challenge lies more in the fact that our society, as it stands today, values its privileges more than its principles. And in Dwight D. Eisenhower’s observation, any society like ours that “values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” Yours sincerely pray for Musa to survive this rotten system within which most Nigerians expect him to perform wonders.
•Sanusi, former MD/CEO of Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency, is currently the managing partner at AMS RELIABLE SOLICITORS.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, on his 58th birthday today, December 13.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised Wike’s performance in office and his contributions to national development.
A Life of Service and Courage
Joining family, friends, and colleagues in honoring Wike, the President thanked God for “a life marked by service, purpose and courage.”
Transforming the Federal Capital Territory
The President said Wike is “an audacious and result-oriented leader who consistently overcomes challenges to deliver impactful projects.”
He highlighted the Minister’s role in advancing infrastructure in the FCT, particularly resolving a 14-year delay in the construction of the Apo–Karshi Road, calling it “a significant milestone in improving connectivity within the nation’s capital.”
A Standout Performer in the Cabinet
“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal Capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers,” Tinubu said.
He also praised Wike’s resilience, “can-do” attitude, and commitment to excellence, noting that he has distinguished himself as “one of the standout performers in the Federal Executive Council.”
The Naira on Friday closed the week stronger with a gain of N1.65 against the U.S. dollar at the official market, after it traded at N1,454.41.
According to data released on the official website of the Central Bank of Nigeria, this represents a 0.11 per cent gain when compared to Thursday when it traded at N1,456.06.
The Naira, which opened the trading week with slight depreciation, experienced weeklong minimal losses trading at N1,455.38 on Wednesday.
On Monday and Tuesday, the local currency traded at N1,451.86 and N1,454.38 respectively.
(NAN)
By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
Over 1,600 delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State are set to pick the party’s governorship candidate ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The party’s electoral committee concluded accreditation of the delegates around 10am, paving the way for the primary to commence any moment from now.
The number of delegates elected for the exercise is 1,660 on the basis of five delegates per local government and the area office in Modakeke.
The venue is already filled to capacity with delegates, observers, security and INEC officials.
However, the Chairman of the Primary Committee, the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, and other officials of the party from the National Secretariat are yet to arrive for the exercise.
The post Delegates set for APC primary election in Osun appeared first on Vanguard News.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has sworn in 30 commissioners, 25 elected local government council chairmen and their deputies, as well as members of boards and commissions, urging them to contribute meaningfully to the delivery of his administration’s New Niger agenda.
The swearing-in ceremony was held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the Government House in Minna. The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, was represented by Justice Maimuna Abubakar of High Court 6, who administered the oath of office and allegiance to the appointees.
Governor Bago said the officials were deliberately selected based on their track records, expressing confidence that they would give their best in the service of the state.
He stressed the need for the new office holders to reflect on past experiences with a view to building a sustainable, prosperous and egalitarian Niger State.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, advised the newly sworn-in officials to demonstrate commitment in the discharge of their duties, noting that dedication to service would be critical to the success of the New Niger agenda.
Usman disclosed that a retreat had been strategically organised for the appointees to align them with the administration’s collective vision and define clear expectations.
The board members sworn in include those of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, the Secondary Education Board and the Law Reform Commission.
Some of the newly sworn-in officials expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to serve and pledged their commitment to the realisation of the New Niger agenda.
Meanwhile, Zamfara State has emerged as the best-performing state in the North-West zone of the Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge.
The state was announced the winner during an award night held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre on Friday.
A statement by the Governor’s spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) launched the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge in 2022, with a commitment to building a health system that delivers quality care regardless of geography or circumstance.
According to the statement, the PHC Leadership Challenge Fund is designed to promote sustainable healthcare financing and encourage Nigeria’s 36 states to compete in improving their primary healthcare services.
“Zamfara State has won 500,000 USD as the best performing State in the North West zone in the Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge.
“The award presented to Governor Dauda Lawal is a joint project of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the Dangote Foundation, and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).
“This clearly demonstrates that Governor Lawal’s declaration of a state of emergency in the Zamfara health sector is producing the intended positive outcomes.”
Amidst the national security and economic challenges, Nigerians have been advised to embrace selfless service, faith-fuelled unity and an “all hands on deck” approach to rebuilding trust and restoring hope.
The Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Oliver Aba, gave the admonition on Friday night during his sermon at the 2025 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, themed ‘Emmanuel: God With Us’, hosted by First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
He reminded the gathering, which included two former leaders, Dr Yakubu Gowon and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, serving governors and certain principal officers of the National Assembly, of God’s abiding presence with the nation in times of turbulence.
He said, “Jesus did not come to be far away from us. He came to be present… God is with us in the valley, in the storms of life and in victory…“in season and out of season.”
He maintained that communal spirit and a deep sense of responsibility are needed during a trying period when people face challenges of inflation, insecurity and social divisions.
“As a people, as a nation, when you are worried, God is with you as a Prince of Peace. Today, the Prince of Peace is ready to give us peace,” he said.
The Prelate anchored the theme Emmanuel on God’s closeness to humanity, stressing that national renewal requires love, peace and service modelled after Christ’s sacrifice.
Quoting John 3:16, he framed the season as an expression of God’s selfless love and challenged Nigerians to recommit to unity.
“We must come together so as we celebrate Christ, Nigeria can be better.”
Aside from Prelate Aba, Gowon read the First Lesson from Genesis 3:8–12, reflecting on divine accountability, while Obasanjo delivered the Second Lesson from Genesis 22:15–18, underscoring obedience and covenantal blessing.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who represented the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, read the Third Lesson from Isaiah 9:6–7 on the Prince of Peace.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, followed with Isaiah 11:1–4, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, read Luke 1:26–31.
President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem took readings from (Luke 2:4–7); the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd) (Luke 2:10–14); and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun (Matthew 2:9–12).
Mrs Tinubu, incidentally the host, concluded the lessons with John 1:1–14.
The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Archbishop Daniel Okoh, delivered the closing prayer and benediction, praying for peace, stability and protection throughout the Yuletide.
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It was an evening of the Word and merriment as the Men’s Fellowship of Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Memorial Anglican Church (AAAMAC), Ajao Estate, Lagos, hosted a memorable 2025 Couples Dinner yesterday, at Dees Hotels and Suites, Ajao Estate.
This joyous occasion was a masterful blend of love, laughter, and divine inspiration, as couples rekindled their love, strengthened their bonds, and celebrated the beauty of matrimony, while fostering a deeper connection with God and their community.
The highlight of the evening was the recognition and celebration of four exceptional individuals who were honoured with awards for their outstanding service to humanity and unwavering support for God’s work.
The awardees -Chief Emma Muogbo (Ntagu), Chief Royal Ifechukwu Asianya (Onowu Isolo), Chief Chinenye Anasoro (Igwe Benco), Chief Chukwubunna Madubom (Gbugbugaga) -were celebrated for their selfless contributions to the community and their steadfast commitment to advancing God’s kingdom. Their dedication to making a meaningful impact has left a lasting legacy within the church and the broader society.
During the award presentation, the Chairman of the Men’s Fellowship, Mr Emmanuel Okeke (Ochiagha), praised the honorees for their remarkable service, urging them to continue their impactful work. He expressed immense joy in celebrating their achievements and encouraged them to remain steadfast in their mission to serve God and humanity.
The Vicar of the church, Venerable Hezekiah Osundeyi, added a spiritual charge to the moment, urging the awardees to stay devoted to God’s work. He prayed for divine strength, guidance, and empowerment to help them accomplish even greater things for His glory.
He emphasised how their dedication serves as a ripple of hope and inspiration within the kingdom.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Chief Emma Muogbo and Chief Royal Ifechukwu Asianya expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Men’s Fellowship for the honour.
They pledged to continue serving God and humanity with humility and dedication, promising to remain a source of inspiration and support to others.
The evening was a vibrant celebration filled with love, laughter, and joy as couples came together to honour their bond and create lasting memories. It was also a testament to the power of service, faith, and community, highlighting the importance of recognising those who dedicate their lives to uplifting others. The event was graced by guests, dignitaries, and members of the church, whose presence added colour and significance to the occasion, making it a truly unforgettable gathering of faith, fellowship, and celebration.
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Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has joined the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and other eminent Nigerians at the 2025 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols held at the State House, Abuja.
The annual service, themed “Emmanuel: God With Us,” provided a solemn atmosphere for worship, reflection and national fellowship as the country prepares for the end of the year.
Governor Abiodun described the event as uplifting, noting that the exhortation by the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Oliver Aba, focused on hope, unity and selfless service.
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According to him, the message called on leaders and citizens to work together to rebuild trust, promote peace and renew faith in Nigeria’s collective future.
The service was attended by past and present national leaders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), traditional rulers, faith leaders and senior government officials.
Abiodun said the carefully selected lessons, hymns and carols reinforced the values of love, sacrifice and service that define the Christmas season.
He added that the Ogun State Government remains committed to serving the people with compassion and responsibility, expressing hope that the message of Emmanuel will inspire peace, unity and renewed dedication to the common good across Nigeria.
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NIGERIA NEWS
Monday Diamond Ani Marks Birthday with Cash Empowerment for 28 Widows in Nkanu East — Akelicious
Prominent Nkanu Son and one of the most influential youths in Nigeria Hon Monday Diamond Ani popularly known as Odoziobodo has made cash gifts to about 28 widows to mark his Birthday Anniversary.
This cash empowerment was made through Monday Diamond Foundation(MDF),a Non Governmental Organization he established in 2015.
These widows were drawn from Nkerefi,Mburubu, Nara and selected few from other communities, including a lucky woman from the Republic of Burkina Faso who lives at Nara Community in Nkanu East LGA, and was spotted at the Orie Nara Market during the surprise empowerment visit.
The cash empowerment gifts were done in two segments (Cash Transfer and Physical Presentation).
In his remarks,Hon Monday Diamond Ani said,poor widows are very Special People in the society,and should be shown love always.
Ordinarily, I don’t like posting my charity works on social media and this has been part of me over time while I run Monday Diamond Foundation (MDF). However, I decided to post this because of my American friend(s) who supported this. And this is the first time am receiving cash gift since the establishment of MDF in 2015. Over the years, i run with my personal funds, apart from the time I raised money to build a small bungalow for a family from Akpugo whose house got burnt by fire in 2021 at Iva Valley, Enugu.
On this note, I thank the following for their support (Dr Uche Ogah CON,Mr Jameson(US), Mr John Anaedo Onwubuya(John Manchester),Luis Holden US,Comr Ejimba Anthony, Prof MUNA Nweke.
These were few persons amongst my numerous friends I decided to reach out to about this and they hackened to my voice through their supports immediately.
The widows in tears of joy were so excited and prayed for Monday Monday Ani for God’s grace and blessings upon and also for the NGO.
Worthy of note; Monday Diamond Ani through the NGO has organised successful events and programs over the years,these includes:
IMT DEBATE 2015,2016,2018.
COAL CITY DEBATE 2019
SOUTH EAST DEBATE 2021
NATIONAL DEBATE 2022.
YOUTH SECURITY SUMMIT SOUTH EAST 2023.
These and many more,with a record of 187 students scholarship/bursary beneficially across the country.
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- UK-based Nigerian businessman Folowosele Adeboye has explained why many high-income earners still choose to relocate abroad.
- He cited a client who left Nigeria despite earning ₦1.5 million monthly, prioritizing his children’s future, security, and quality of life.
A Nigerian businessman based in the UK, Folowosele Adeboye, has shared a striking client story to explain why many high-earners are still choosing to relocate, a trend commonly known as ‘japa’.
The discussion began with Adeboye asking if a monthly salary of ₦1.5 million in Nigeria would be enough to dissuade someone from moving abroad.
He then revealed his client’s situation: despite earning that high income, the client relocated for the sake of his family. The primary motivations for the move were concerns over the future of their children, security, and the overall quality of life abroad.
As proof of the rapid change, Adeboye noted that after only four months in the UK, the client’s 6-year-old son’s accent had already changed to a British one.
He stressed that such a fast transformation is nearly unheard of in Nigeria.
In other news… Nigerian comedian Carter Efe has set a new record for an African streamer on Twitch, quickly reaching 10,000 subscribers. During one emotional live session, his channel pulled 7,000 viewers in under a minute.
Carter Efe cried on stream, reflecting on his journey. He noted that while his skits were often overlooked by Nigerians, his streaming efforts are now getting huge support.
The massive growth was largely driven by an invite from music superstar Davido for a joint stream. Davido joked he would need a “face shield” for their upcoming collaboration.
However, the session was not entirely smooth. Carter Efe voiced frustration with Wizkid for not showing similar support. A video call with footballer Victor Boniface also became tense over access complaints.
Despite the friction, fans are celebrating Carter Efe’s rapid success on the streaming platform.
President Bola Tinubu has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike as an “audacious top performer” and a “shining star in his cabinet” who defies obstacles and delivers results.
Tinubu made the remark while felicitating with the FCT Minister of on his birthday.
Wike clocked 58 on Friday, December 13, 2025 and was celebrated by his friends and associates.
However, Tinubu thanked God Almighty for enriching Wike with a life defined by purpose, service, and courage.
In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the president acknowledged the “ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory through infrastructure expansion, highlighting the Minister’s recent intervention that broke the 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road.’
The President commended the Minister for his resilience, “can-do attitude, and commitment to excellence in all assignments.”
He applauded the FCT Minister for his consistency towards r sults delivery and wished him strength to further his good work in the capital city.
“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers,” he added.