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Just in: Southern traditional rulers advise Tinubu to end food insecurity, hardship
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Monarchs from Southern Nigeria have urged President Bola Tinubu Federal Government, to as a matter of urgency, address hunger and economic hardship in the country.
This is as the monarchs predicted a brighter future for Nigeria in 2025.
The royal fathers who spoke on the heels of the recent stampedes during the sharing of food palliatives in parts of the country, said the sad incidents further highlighted the level of desperation in the country due to economic hardship.
Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council in a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary and the monarch of Aro kingdom, His Eminence, Dr Eberechukwu Oji, expressed grief over the loss of lives during the recent stampedes in Abuja, Anambra and Oyo states.
The monarchs condoled with the families of the victims and urged Governments, event planners and security agencies to take precautionary measures to forestall similar occurrences in the future.
It read in part:”It is with profound sadness that we extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives in the recent stampede events in Anambra, Abuja, and Oyo States. These heartbreaking incidents, which occurred during events organized with goodwill intentions, are painful reminders of the fragility of life and the need for collective vigilance to prevent such tragedies in the future.
“Our hearts go out to the innocent victims, whose lives were cut short in moments that should have been filled with hope and community spirit. We stand in solidarity with their families, friends, and all those affected by these tragic occurrences.
“These events also highlight the urgent need for sustained efforts to address the economic challenges facing our nation. The desperation and overcrowding seen at these gatherings are symptomatic of deeper systemic issues that require immediate attention.
“We urge the Nigerian government to continue working tirelessly to improve the economic situation, create more opportunities, and alleviate the pressures that drive citizens to such perilous circumstances.
“Additionally, we call on event organizers across the nation to prioritize safety by involving local and national security agencies in the planning and execution of their programs. Adequate crowd control measures, risk assessments, and emergency response plans must be integral to any public event to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.”
” May we honor the memories of those who lost their lives by working together to prevent such incidents in the future”, the statement added.
Predict brighter future for Nigeria
The monarchs in a separate statement, predicted brighter future for Nigeria in 2025.
They noted the enormity of the challenges of 2024 but urged Nigerians to apply the lessons of the past year to build a stronger nation.
“As we stand at the threshold of a new year, we extend our cautious but heartfelt optimism for a brighter and more prosperous 2025 for Nigeria. While the challenges of the past year have been profound, they have also underscored the resilience, unity, and indomitable spirit of our people.
“Let us carry forward the lessons learned and the hope that together, we can create a safer, more secure, and economically stable nation.
“May 2025 bring renewed opportunities for growth, healing, and progress, as we work collectively to address the systemic issues that have held us back and strive to uplift every Nigerian.”
The monarchs further called for unity among Nigerians irrespective of their differences.
“As we welcome this New Year, let us recommit ourselves to fostering unity, prioritizing safety, and building a future where tragedies like those we have recently mourned become a thing of the past.
With determination and collaboration, we can transform our aspirations into tangible realities.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has granted an immediate waiver of fees for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the Nigerian Law School’s Abuja campus in Bwari.
Speaking during a meeting with the school’s management in Abuja, Wike also declared an “emergency” on the construction of staff quarters and other critical infrastructure to enhance the institution’s learning environment.
Responding to an appeal from the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr. Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote, Wike expressed surprise that the institution had operated without a C of O since moving to Bwari.
He described the lack of official documentation for government institutions as a trend that his administration is actively correcting.
The Minister directed the Director of Lands to waive all processing fees for the school’s C of O, and issued a firm directive to ensure the document is processed and ready within one week.
He noted that regularizing the land is essential to move the school from what he colloquially termed an “illegal session” to rightful ownership.
Beyond land matters, the Minister committed the FCT Administration (FCTA) to several high-priority projects aimed at resolving overcrowding and improving staff efficiency.
Wike announced that 10 staff quarters have already been completed and will be commissioned as part of the President’s third anniversary.
He further pledged to construct an additional 10 units using existing prototypes to save on design costs.
According to him, work is progressing on two new hostels—one for male students and one for female students—to alleviate overcrowding.
The Minister confirmed he has approved the budget for a new auditorium and questioned why the contractor had not yet moved to the site.
To modernize administrative functions, Wike directed the school to liaise with the FCTA General Counsel, to explore digitization solutions similar to ongoing efforts at the FCT High Court.
Wike emphasized that these interventions are part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader agenda to support legal education and the judiciary.
He noted that the President is currently constructing “presidential apartments” for judges to ensure their security, welfare, and autonomy.
”Anything we can do to help our children, we are willing to do that,” Wike stated, adding that the staff quarters must be treated as an emergency project to ensure rapid delivery.
Earlier, Dr. Odusote congratulated the Minister on his appointment and praised the visible infrastructure developments across the FCT, while highlighting the specific challenges of disrepair and infrastructure deficits facing the Law School.
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has assured investors that the government will stay the course on economic reforms, declaring that policy reversals will not define the current phase of the country’s economic management.
The Minister stated this while speaking at the launch of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group Private Sector Outlook 2026 in Lagos on Thursday.
Oyedele said the administration is shifting from stabilisation to measurable growth, where reforms will be judged by outcomes rather than intent.
His comments came barely 48 hours after he assumed office, following the exit of Wale Edun from the Federal Executive Council.
“We are not looking back,” Oyedele said, stressing that consistency in policy direction remains critical to investor confidence.
He warned that mixed signals or abrupt reversals could stall progress, noting that “businesses need to know that today’s decisions will still hold tomorrow.”
While pointing to early signs of macroeconomic stabilisation, including a more aligned exchange rate and improved revenue performance, the minister said these gains must translate into tangible outcomes such as job creation, productivity growth and better living standards.
He identified four priorities for driving investment in the next phase which includes, policy consistency, predictability across fiscal and regulatory frameworks, reduction in the cost of doing business, and improved access to capital.
On financing, Oyedele said the government is working to expand credit across the economy, from consumer lending to industrial financing, with support from institutions such as the Bank of Industry, to stimulate growth and unlock private sector participation.
He added that Nigeria must target stronger real GDP per capita growth to make a meaningful impact on poverty, noting that modest growth figures would not be sufficient given the country’s population dynamics.
The minister further described the current stage of reforms as decisive, where success will depend on execution. “Reforms on their own do not create growth. We need investment at scale,” he said, adding that investors respond to stable and predictable environments, not policy announcements.
On the area of productivity, Oyedele said Nigeria must move beyond consumption-driven expansion and focus on improving output and competitiveness in key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, energy and the digital economy.
He also called for deeper collaboration between government and the private sector, maintaining that economic growth cannot be delivered by public policy alone.
As the country enters what he termed a consolidation phase, Oyedele said the government would continue to deepen reforms, strengthen public financial management and improve coordination across all tiers of government.
He, however, acknowledged risks, including reform fatigue, inflationary pressures from global uncertainties, and political tensions ahead of the election cycle, but maintained that these challenges are surmountable with discipline and cooperation.
“Our task now is execution,” Oyedele said.
“This phase demands focus, consistency and accountability. That is the direction we are pursuing he added
The Federal Capital Territory FCT minister Nyesom Wike is presently holding a meeting with primary school teachers in the Territory over ongoing strike.
Watch:
Wike waives C-of-O fees for Nigerian Law School, orders emergency staff housing(Photos)
We’re not going to reverse reforms, Finance Minister, Oyedele tells investors
FCT minister Wike engages teachers over strike(Video)
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