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As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, Hon. Teejay Yusuf has called for urgent national action to address economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and other challenges confronting the country.

Yusuf, in an Independence Day message, said Nigeria had come a long way since gaining independence but stressed that the country was still far from achieving its full potential.

He noted that millions of Nigerians were grappling with economic difficulties, rising insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure and growing uncertainty about the future.

According to him, the nation’s challenges must not be ignored or allowed to undermine confidence in Nigeria’s future.

“At 66, we must move beyond celebrating our independence to confronting the challenges before us with courage, honesty and determination,” he said.

Yusuf urged the government to translate Nigeria’s enormous human and natural resources into tangible benefits for citizens through job creation, improved security, stronger institutions and better infrastructure.

He also emphasised the need for collective responsibility, stressing that nation-building should not be left to government alone.

While calling on public officials to remain accountable, Yusuf urged Nigerians to take responsibility for their individual contributions to national development.

He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to overcome its challenges, citing the country’s vast resources, talented population and resilience.

“What we need is the collective will, purposeful leadership and national commitment to turn possibility into reality,” he said.

Yusuf further urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the country, calling for sustained efforts to address existing problems, strengthen institutions and build a better future for coming generations.

He said the 66th anniversary should serve as an opportunity for citizens to reflect on the country’s progress and renew their commitment to building a nation that future generations would be proud of.

“We have endured enough. We must now build better. We have waited long enough. We must now act. The Nigeria we desire will not build itself. We must build it together,” he declared.

Yusuf concluded by wishing Nigerians a happy Independence Anniversary, praying for divine intervention to heal the country, strengthen its people, guide its leaders and restore peace, hope and prosperity.

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Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has raised concerns about his health after revealing that he is struggling to walk and has been experiencing recurring swelling in different parts of his body.

The legendary actor disclosed his health challenges during a visit to ailing Ghanaian actor Emmanuel Armah in Accra, Ghana, on Thursday.

Edochie was in Ghana for the launch of the Pete Edochie Legacy Project, an initiative established to celebrate his contributions to African cinema and storytelling.

During the visit to Armah’s residence, a video circulating online showed the veteran actor praying for his colleague and offering him financial assistance.

Speaking about his own health, Edochie admitted that his physical condition had deteriorated, making walking increasingly difficult.

“Sitting down here, I am not very well myself. Walking is a problem for me now, but I still have hope that I will recover.

“Sometimes I wake up and parts of my body have swollen up. After some time, they go down again. My hand is swollen,” he said.

Despite his health challenges, the 79-year-old actor expressed faith in his recovery, adding that he continued to place his life in God’s hands.

Edochie also prayed that his condition would not become a burden to his family and those around him.

“I just keep asking God, you are the author of life. Whenever you feel it is time for me to go, just take me. Don’t let me bother the people who are around me,” he said.

Turning his attention to Armah, Edochie expressed optimism that the Ghanaian actor would overcome his prolonged health challenges.

“Emma, I believe that you will recover someday, by the grace of God,” he said.

The revelation has sparked concern among fans and admirers, many of whom have taken to social media to express sympathy and offer prayers for the veteran actor’s recovery.

Edochie’s visit also drew attention to Armah’s prolonged absence from active acting due to health complications, which have kept the once-popular Ghanaian screen star away from the entertainment industry.

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Former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has vowed to abandon the 2027 presidential ticket with Atiku Abubakar and campaign for President Bola Tinubu if petrol sells for ₦600 per litre.

Amaechi made the declaration on Friday, October 2, 2026, during an interview on Channels Television, where he criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies and the hardship confronting Nigerians.

“If fuel comes down to 600 tomorrow, I will campaign for President Tinubu,” he said.

“Tomorrow, if you doubt, come with your camera in the morning in the house, and I will go to the fuel station, and I will buy fuel.

“If fuel has come down to this, I, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, will withdraw as the vice-presidential candidate of Atiku and campaign for President Tinubu.”

The former Rivers State governor was responding to questions about the impact of the removal of petrol subsidies and the federal government’s economic reforms on ordinary Nigerians.

He argued that the rising cost of transportation, accommodation, healthcare and other essential services had eroded the benefits of the government’s wage increase, leaving many Nigerians struggling to survive.

Amaechi cited the experience of workers at his wife’s business, claiming that some employees earning ₦70,000 monthly were spending almost their entire salaries on transportation.

“I have my wife, I have staff in her shop, and they’re asking for a salary increase. Do you know why they’re asking for a salary increase?

“Transport from where they live to the ₦70,000 you pay them in a month as wage, as their income. Transport alone takes ₦65,000,” he said.

He also expressed concern over the rising cost of accommodation, alleging that some tenants had experienced sharp increases in rent and leasing charges.

“What about house rent? That loan has increased its rent by 300%. I have somebody call me up in Lagos and tell me they’ve increased my leasing by 100%,” he said.

The ADC chieftain further argued that higher wages had failed to provide sufficient relief because of increasing living expenses and what he described as the heavy tax burden on workers.

He also highlighted the difficulties Nigerians face in accessing healthcare, claiming that he had received numerous appeals from people unable to afford prescribed medicines and medical treatment.

“How many people have died because they can’t afford drugs? How many people have called me, sent me texts asking me to pay for their drugs?” he asked.

Amaechi said the economic situation had become a major issue ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that Nigerians should prioritise their survival over ethnic, regional and other political considerations.

He described the forthcoming election as a critical decision about the country’s future, warning against Tinubu’s re-election.

“The people have not two choices, one choice to make, the choice to be alive, because Tinubu presents the choice of death,” he said.

He added that Nigerians would face further difficulties if Tinubu secured a second term, claiming that the president’s re-election could threaten the country’s future.

“The people are tired. They are hungry. The president can only help them by giving them food,” Amaechi said.

Despite his harsh criticism of the president’s policies, the former minister insisted that his position was not motivated by personal hostility towards Tinubu.

“Nobody hates Tinubu. I love Tinubu. He knows,” he said.

Amaechi’s remarks came a day after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar criticised the Tinubu administration, accusing it of worsening poverty and urging Nigerians to vote for a change of government in 2027.

Tinubu, however, defended his administration’s economic policies during his October 1 Independence Day address, arguing that the reforms were beginning to deliver economic gains.