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Nigeria @65: Akpabio urges patience with reforms, says the worst is over
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said that the country is moving in the right direction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms beginning to yield positive results.
He also appealed to Nigerians to endure the pains of the reforms for just a little while longer “in the interest of our children and future generations”.
Akpabio made the appeal in a congratulatory message personally signed by him to commemorate the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The Senate President’s statement reads in full: “My dear resilient and wonderful people of this great nation, I wish to heartily congratulate you for witnessing Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebration. At 65, we are matured and should be working for the unity of the nation and prosperity of our people.
“We salute your resilience, patience and endurance in the last two years. We deeply appreciate your support and understanding.
“In line with the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘All hands are on deck for a greater Nigeria’, I urge you to continue to bear the temporary discomfort of the ongoing reforms. We are not unaware of the pains occasioned by the reforms, but I want to assure you, very soon, this will be a thing of the past because the benefits of the reforms are beginning to manifest positively.
“Let me also congratulate our President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his demonstrated commitment to the peace and development of our dear country, Members of the National Assembly for their steadfastness in their core mandate, the Judiciary and the Nigerian people at home and in the diaspora on this auspicious occasion.
“I must tell you that Nigeria is not finished. Do not buy into the mischievous narrative that Nigeria is irredeemable. We are on the right pedestal and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is reshaping the country; we are growing and making progress.
“If we all join hands together to support the reforms, Nigeria will become better and surely get to the promised land.
“On behalf of my family, constituents, the 10th Senate and the National Assembly, I congratulate and wish you a peaceful and joyous Independence celebration”.
Proceedings in the case involving former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, were on Thursday adjourned till May 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, represented the prosecution, while Bello was represented by his lead counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu.
During proceedings, the prosecution informed the court of the need for more time to respond to applications filed by the defence, while Bello’s legal team urged the court to consider their submissions and move the matter forward.
Justice Nwite, in his ruling, adjourned the case to May 6 to allow all parties to adequately prepare and ensure a fair hearing.
Mr Bello is currently facing charges bordering on alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure as governor, allegations he has repeatedly denied.
Nigeria is set to experience one of the highest increases in food insecurity worldwide in 2026, according to the latest Global Report on Food Crises released on April 24, 2026.
The report, compiled by agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme, raised fresh concerns over worsening hunger levels driven by insecurity, economic hardship and declining humanitarian funding.
According to FAO findings, about 4.1 million additional Nigerians could fall into acute food insecurity in 2026, placing the country among those with the largest increases globally.
Reacting to the development, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Mr Alvaro Lario, said “the crisis is becoming more prolonged and difficult to contain”.
“We are no longer seeing just temporary shocks, but persistent shocks over time,” warning that the situation is placing growing pressure on global stability.
FAO noted that about 266 million people across 47 countries face high levels of acute hunger in 2025, with conditions expected to remain severe into 2026.
In Nigeria, the situation is being worsened by continued insecurity in key farming regions, rising inflation and limited access to food.
According FAO projections, over 34 million Nigerians may experience crisis level hunger between June and August 2026, during the peak of the lean season.
The FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Hussein Gadain, said the combined impact of armed conflict, climate shocks, high food prices and cuts in global aid funding is pushing more Nigerians into hunger.
The report called for urgent and sustained intervention, warning that without immediate action, millions more could slide into emergency levels of food insecurity in the coming months.
Prosecutors in Florida, United States, are seeking the d3ath penalty against a woman accused of k!lling both of her ex-husbands on the same day.
Susan Avalon faces charges in the December 17, 2025 k!llings of Timothy Fletcher in Tampa and David Scott in Bradenton, according to authorities.
The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said it will pursue the d3ath penalty in the case tied to Fletcher’s d3ath.
The investigators said the case began when Manatee County deputies responded to Scott’s shooting and alerted Tampa police.
Scott was still alive when officers arrived and told them the shooter could have been his ex-wife, authorities said.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and seeing a vehicle leave the scene. Investigators later located Avalon in Citrus County.
When questioned about her ex-husband, Avalon allegedly responded, “Which one?” according to authorities.
That response led investigators to request a welfare check on Fletcher, who was found fatally shot at his home in Tampa.
Authorities allege Avalon k!lled Fletcher before traveling to Bradenton and shooting Scott.
Avalon is charged with first-degree premeditated m8rder in Fletcher’s death and two counts of second-degree m8rder in Scott’s k!lling.
She has pleaded not guilty.
Yahaya Bello to know fate on May 6 as Court adjourns financial infractions case
Nigeria set to record largest surge in food insecurity globally in 2026-Reports
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