News
Tinubu Knocks Critics Over Student Loan Scheme
President Bola Tinubu has knocked scholars and critics of the student loan scheme introduced by his administration, saying that the scheme would be pursued with all intent in the interest of Nigerian students.
The president noted that the student loan scheme was introduced to give equal access to quality education by the students, especially the vulnerable ones towards competing with their counterparts across the world.
Tinubu who spoke at the weekend during the eighth convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) expressed displeasure to critics of the scheme, calling on them to offer advice and suggestions on how to improve it.
The high point of the ceremony was the conferment of honourary degree of the university on the senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Doctor of Public Law); Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola( Doctor of Accounting) and the Chairman House of Representatives committee on Navy, Yusuf Gadji (Doctor of Political Science)
Represented by the deputy senate president, Senator Jibril Barau, the president said education remains a crucial aspect of his agenda for the socio-economic development of the country, assuring stakeholders that his administration would ensure, “ education is accessible by all willing Nigerians through pragmatic funding and realistic policies.”
“ Student loan schemes are not rocket science initiatives, they are designed to grant access to all who are willing and who know the value of education in a way to take the burden off numerous individuals and communities who may have been intervening painfully in sending their wards to school.
“ I expect that scholars would advise the government by calling our attention to how best this could be managed in their respective institutions, rather than cast aspersions on the idea.
“ By the grace of the Almighty God, there is no going back on the student loan scheme because we are not ready to compromise good standards in education.”
He encouraged FUOYE and other institutions in the country to be above board in contributing to the development of the country with cutting-edge research and embrace the realities of a twenty-first century where technology is taking the lead.
“ Institutions of higher learning must recognize the next possible disruptions that technology may bring and must be properly positioned to mitigate the challenges and must from time to time take charge of innovations.
“ Without education playing this catalytic role, not much development can be recorded in any nation in this century. Universities in particular should be the vanguard of research, teaching, and community service in line with the tripartite mandate,” Tinubu said.
On his part, the chancellor of FUOYE, the Attah of Igala land, Dr Mattew Opaluwa said the Vice-chancellor, Professor Abayomi Fasina since his assumption in 2021, and his team, “ have brought exemplary leadership, innovation, transparency and a spirit of welfarism to advance the visions of the founding fathers.
On the challenges of funding, the chancellor called on stakeholders, especially private individuals to support the N50 billion endowment fund of the university,” to reposition FUOYE in its statutory role of providing a bedrock for the future growth and development of Nigeria.
The Ekiti state governor, Biodun Oyebanji called on universities in the country to prioritise research efforts aimed at tackling critical challenges confronting the nation as well as producing graduates who are solution providers.
Governor Oyebanji stressed the need for institutions to produce graduates equipped with the skills and mindset to tackle the pressing problems of the country head-on.
He justified the importance of nurturing a generation of problem solvers poised to drive sustainable development, urging universities to revamp their curricula to emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and entrepreneurship that could provide solutions to the problems of this country.
“As a government, we will continue to collaborate with this institution but I plead with you sir, university must put a lot of emphasis on research, we must produce solution providers, people that will help to solve the problem of this country,” the Governor said.
Speaking on behalf of the honourees, the Senate majority leader, Senator Bamidele said they valued the honour conferred on them by the university and expressed their profound appreciation for the recognition bestowed upon them
He said the honorary degree conferred on them serves as testament to their dedication, achievement, and commitment to excellence in their respective fields.
MINNA, Niger State — An engine oil seller in Minna, the Niger State capital, has reportedly sustained serious injuries after allegedly being shot during a police operation to disperse protesters.
The victim, identified as Ibrahim Mohammed Dada, was reportedly standing outside his shop at Tunga Market when he was struck by a bullet.
Ibrahim’s brother, Yakubu Dada Mohammed, said the victim was not part of the protest and was attending to customers at his engine oil stall when the incident occurred.
According to him, Ibrahim was simply trying to earn a living and support his family when a police officer allegedly fired a shot that hit him in the head and severely injured his face.
«“He was not among those protesting. He was standing in front of his shop selling engine oil when one of the police officers fired a bullet that struck his head and badly injured his face,” Yakubu said.»
Ibrahim is currently receiving treatment at Minna General Hospital, where his condition was reportedly described as critical.
The incident occurred amid protests in Minna over the reported deaths of 37 miners who were allegedly in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Reports indicate that 65 miners were arrested on September 15 and 16, with 37 subsequently reported dead while in security custody.
The protests, which began on Thursday, continued into Friday as security personnel moved to disperse demonstrators. Security forces were reportedly accused of using tear gas and live ammunition during the operation.
However, the circumstances surrounding Ibrahim’s shooting have not been independently established.
The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, appealed for calm and said the incident would be investigated.
The case has since heightened concerns over the conduct of security personnel during the ongoing protests.
By Agaji Emmanuel
Nigeria’s political landscape is once again being reshaped by alliances that do not always fit neatly into traditional party lines. As the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections, the growing political relevance of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, presents an interesting case of how personal political networks and cross-party relationships can influence the calculations of an incumbent administration.
In this regard, Wike’s relevance to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu goes beyond his position as FCT Minister or his former status as a governor of Rivers State. His greatest political value may lie in his ability to operate across party boundaries and maintain relationships with political actors who do not necessarily belong to the same political party.
The emergence of the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State is one example. The coalition has brought together politicians from different parties, including the PDP and APC, around support for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid. Wike has consistently maintained that his support for Tinubu does not mean the PDP cannot field candidates in other elections.
That position makes the political arrangement particularly unusual.
Wike Beyond the APC-PDP Divide
Wike remains a PDP politician even while serving in an APC-led federal administration. President Tinubu appointed him FCT Minister after the 2023 presidential election, creating an uncommon relationship between a former opposition heavyweight and a president whose party was on the other side of the political divide.
Rather than viewing politics solely through the traditional APC-versus-PDP prism, Wike has increasingly presented his political engagement around what he considers strategic interests.
He has openly declared his support for Tinubu’s second-term bid, while maintaining that the PDP remains free to contest governorship and legislative elections in 2027.
That distinction is important because it suggests that Wike’s political calculation is not necessarily about abandoning his party but about creating room for political alliances that transcend conventional party boundaries.
And that, in this writer’s assessment, is where his value to Tinubu becomes significant.
An Administrative Asset in Abuja
Beyond politics, Wike’s performance as FCT Minister has also strengthened his relevance within the Tinubu administration.
Since assuming office in 2023, Wike has overseen several road and infrastructure projects across Abuja and the satellite towns. President Tinubu has repeatedly publicly commended the minister, including in June 2026, when he praised Wike for the pace of infrastructure development in the capital.
The President has also specifically credited Wike with helping to turn government plans into completed road and infrastructure projects across the FCT.
Whether one agrees with every policy of the Tinubu administration or not, the visible infrastructure drive in Abuja has become one of the most prominent aspects of Wike’s ministerial profile.
Roads, satellite-town infrastructure, public facilities and other development projects have given the minister a strong administrative presence.
Wike himself has consistently attributed the progress in the FCT to President Tinubu’s support and the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
His Political Capital May Be More Important
But Wike’s political significance cannot be measured only by roads, buildings and infrastructure.
His experience in opposition politics, his former position as Rivers governor, his extensive political network and his relationships across party lines give him a political reach that may be useful to the Tinubu administration as 2027 approaches.
The question, therefore, is not simply what Wike delivers as a minister.
It is what his political network can potentially add to the administration’s broader coalition-building efforts.
The Rivers Rainbow Coalition is particularly significant in this regard. Wike has described it as the platform to further catapult President Tinubu’s victory in 2027.
News
Labour Party Candidate Takes Leadership Message to Deltans as 2027 Political Season Gathers Momentum
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Dr. Barry Avotu Johnson 1st, the Labour Party’s 2027 Delta State governorship candidate, has released a new campaign jingle designed to communicate his leadership vision and development agenda to the people of Delta State.
The release comes as political activities surrounding the 2027 governorship contest continue to intensify and amid attention to pending judicial developments concerning political and electoral matters.
The campaign jingle presents Dr. Avotu Johnson’s candidacy around a central message of quality leadership, accountable governance, economic opportunity and a new direction for Delta State.
Dr. Avotu Johnson was reported as the Labour Party’s Delta governorship candidate following the party’s 2026 governorship primaries.
“GOOD. BETTER. BEST.”
At the heart of the campaign is the GOOD. BETTER. BEST. vision, which Dr. Avotu Johnson has consistently presented as a framework for moving Delta State from existing achievements toward higher standards of governance and public service.
The campaign’s published priorities include economic development, job creation, education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment, technology, security and transparent governance.
The new jingle seeks to transform those policy messages into a memorable public campaign theme capable of reaching communities across the state’s 25 Local Government Areas.
A MESSAGE OF LEADERSHIP
Supporters of the Labour Party candidate describe the campaign as an attempt to place leadership quality and measurable governance at the centre of the 2027 Delta conversation.
Rather than focusing exclusively on political personalities, the campaign message emphasizes what it describes as competence, accountability, development and service to the people.
Dr. Avotu Johnson has also publicly linked his political programme to his long-standing advocacy for democratic participation and accountable government.
His campaign slogan, “A Good Delta. A Better Delta. The Best Delta,” has become one of the principal messages associated with his 2027 governorship project.
THE CONTEST AHEAD
The 2027 Delta governorship contest is expected to involve candidates from several political parties. A recent candidate tracker lists Dr. Barry Avotu Johnson for the Labour Party alongside candidates associated with APC, ADC, YP and ZLP, among others.
Against that political background, the Labour Party campaign says the new jingle is intended to introduce its candidate and his programme to a wider audience while encouraging voters to examine the competing candidates, their records, ideas and proposed programmes.
LOOKING TOWARD THE SUPREME COURT
The campaign’s reference to the Supreme Court reflects the wider legal and political environment surrounding Nigeria’s electoral process. However, the outcome of any pending judicial proceeding remains a matter for the Court and should not be presented as predetermined.
For the Avotu Johnson campaign, the immediate political message is clear: the Labour Party candidate intends to continue presenting himself to Deltans as a candidate focused on quality leadership and development-driven governance.
As the 2027 election approaches, the campaign jingle is expected to become an important part of the candidate’s communication strategy across radio, television, social media, community engagements and grassroots mobilisation.
For supporters of Dr. Barry Avotu Johnson 1st, the message behind the music is simple:
GOOD LEADERSHIP.
BETTER GOVERNANCE.
BEST DELTA.
Dr. Barry Avotu Johnson 1st
Labour Party — 2027 Delta State Governorship Candidate
GOOD. BETTER. BEST.
A NEW DELTA STATE IS POSSIBLE.
Police Allegedly Shoot Engine Oil Seller During Minna Protest
Beyond Party Lines: Why Wike Has Become a Political Asset to Tinubu
Labour Party Candidate Takes Leadership Message to Deltans as 2027 Political Season Gathers Momentum
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