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…mobilise eight million members as concern grows over rising insecurity

By Gloria Ikibah

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has announced a seven-day nationwide prayer programme in response to the rising wave of kidnappings across the country, particularly the recent abductions of schoolchildren in Oyo State, Borno State and other affected communities.

The initiative, which is expected to involve more than eight million women across Nigeria, was unveiled by the President of the council, Princess Edna Azura, who expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation and the growing number of children and other citizens being held in captivity.

In a statement issued on behalf of the organisation, Princess Azura said the prayer exercise will focus on seeking divine intervention for the safe release of abducted victims, as well as peace, security and stability across the country.

The NCWS President, alongside Hajia Aisha Ringo and other national officers of the council, said the current security challenges confronting Nigeria require collective action and spiritual support from citizens, especially women and mothers.

She said: “As mothers, we owe it to our nation and to the children whose lives have been disrupted by these unfortunate incidents to pray fervently for their safe return. We must continue to support all efforts aimed at restoring peace, security and stability across Nigeria.”

Princess Azura therefore urged women, religious organisations, traditional rulers and community leaders to remain steadfast in prayers for the affected families, security agencies and government institutions working to tackle insecurity.

She also commended the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in addressing security concerns, stressing that the fight against insecurity requires the support and cooperation of all Nigerians.

According to her, the decision to organise the nationwide prayer programme was informed by the urgent need to seek God’s intervention in the nation’s affairs at a critical time.

“We see the commitment and sleepless nights being invested in tackling the nation’s security concerns. As women and mothers, we are lending our support through sustained prayers because we believe that divine intervention, alongside ongoing security measures, will strengthen efforts to protect lives and property across the country.

“As mothers, it has become necessary for us to rise and pray for Nigeria. NCWS remains committed to supporting government efforts through prayers and advocacy. We believe that with unity of purpose and faith, our nation will overcome its present challenges and emerge stronger,” she added.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, protecting children and advancing the welfare of women and families across Nigeria.

It also called on Nigerians from all walks of life to participate in the seven-day prayer exercise and remain hopeful that all kidnapped children and other victims of abduction would return safely to their families.

In separate remarks, other leaders of the organisation stressed the importance of parental responsibility in addressing some of the social challenges facing the country.

They urged parents and guardians, particularly mothers, to pay closer attention to the upbringing of their children by monitoring their associations and providing proper guidance from an early age.

According to the council’s leaders, strong family values, moral discipline and active parental involvement remain essential to raising responsible citizens and building a safer society.

The prayer initiative comes amid growing public concern over recurring cases of kidnappings and attacks in parts of the country, with calls intensifying for both community action and stronger security measures to protect lives and restore public confidence.

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…Nigeria cannot build a $1trn economy on guesswork – Abbas

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has begun moves to repeal the Statistics Act of 2007 and replace it with a new legal framework designed to modernise Nigeria’s data and statistical system for the digital era.

The move formed the focus of discussions at a public hearing on the Statistics Bill, 2025, held at the National Assembly on Monday, where lawmakers, government officials, academics, civil society groups and private sector stakeholders examined proposals aimed at strengthening the country’s statistical architecture.

Addressing participants, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, said the proposed legislation goes far beyond amending the existing law, describing it as a far-reaching reform intended to reposition Nigeria’s statistical system to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global economy.

According to Abbas, the Statistics Act currently in force was enacted nearly two decades ago under circumstances that bear little resemblance to today’s technology-driven environment.

He emphasised that credible and timely data remain indispensable for national planning, economic growth, budgeting, policy implementation and governance.

The Speaker said: “Today, we live in a fast-evolving digital age where data is generated at a velocity, veracity, volume and variety never seen before. The Statistics Bill, 2025 is not a minor amendment; it is a complete structural overhaul.

“To plan without accurate data is to build a house on quicksand. Delivering on this mandate is impossible without giving the National Bureau of Statistics timely and adequate resources, which highlights why the sustainable funding provisions in this Bill are so critical.”

Abbas argued that Nigeria’s aspiration to build a one-trillion-dollar economy will depend heavily on the availability of accurate, reliable and accessible data.

He noted that decisions on public spending, infrastructure development, social interventions and economic policies must be guided by evidence rather than assumptions.

The Speaker further explained that the proposed legislation seeks to strengthen coordination among agencies responsible for data generation, improve quality assurance mechanisms, promote digital data collection and dissemination, and provide sustainable funding for the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

He added that the reforms will bring Nigeria’s statistical system closer to international best practices, improve investor confidence, enhance public service delivery and deepen accountability in governance.

Abbas therefore called on stakeholders to actively contribute to the legislative process, as he said broad consultations are necessary to ensure the final law protects data privacy while promoting accessibility, transparency and credibility.

Also speaking at the hearing, the Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Statistics, Adeyemi Adeniran, described the bill as a necessary response to the dramatic changes taking place in the global data ecosystem.

He noted that while the 2007 Act had served the country over the years, advances in technology have transformed how data is generated, analysed and utilised.

According to him: “The increasing use of digital technologies, administrative data systems, geospatial information, Big Data, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and other emerging data sources requires a modern legal framework capable of supporting the evolving needs of the National Statistical System.”

Adeniran explained that the proposed legislation contains eight sections and 42 clauses covering key areas such as statistical governance, institutional development, data collection and management, confidentiality, accountability, funding arrangements and coordination among stakeholders.

He said the reforms will significantly improve the capacity of the National Statistical System to generate reliable and timely information required for planning, policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of government programmes.

The Statistician-General also commended Speaker Abbas and the House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development, chaired by Rep. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, for driving the legislative initiative.

Participants at the hearing, drawn from government ministries, departments and agencies, academia, civil society organisations and the private sector, are expected to submit recommendations that will shape the final version of the bill before it returns to the House for further consideration.

If passed, the Statistics Bill, 2025 is expected to provide Nigeria with a modern, technology-driven statistical framework capable of supporting national development goals and strengthening the country’s position in an increasingly data-driven global economy.

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The Federal Ministry of Finance has approved payments to more than 1,240 contractors, providing immediate liquidity support to businesses across the country and reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to meeting its financial obligations.

The approval, granted by the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, follows a diligent verification and reconciliation undertaken by the Ministry to ensure that only duly validated obligations qualify for payment.

The payments cover contractors across various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and represent a significant step in addressing long-standing payment obligations, particularly those affecting indigenous businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Contractors prioritised for payment in the most recent batch are those with verified claims in the region of ₦100 million or less. The release of funds is expected to provide immediate relief to hundreds of businesses, enabling them to return to project sites, pay workers, settle suppliers, meet financial commitments, and support economic activity across the country.

This development reflects the Ministry’s commitment to translating policy objectives into tangible outcomes by resolving inherited obligations in a transparent and fiscally responsible manner.

Over the past few months, the Federal Government has processed payments exceeding ₦700 billion across various categories of verified obligations owed to local contractors. Within the month of May alone, approximately ₦436.6 billion in transactions were processed, demonstrating a significant acceleration in payment activity aimed at unlocking liquidity and supporting economic growth.

By prioritising a large number of smaller contractors rather than concentrating payments among a few large beneficiaries, the Government is broadening the economic impact of these disbursements, supporting businesses across different sectors and regions of the country.

The latest payments are expected to strengthen confidence among contractors, suppliers, and service providers doing business with government by demonstrating the Government’s commitment to honouring duly verified obligations.

For many beneficiaries, the release of funds represents more than a financial transaction. It provides the certainty needed to sustain operations, preserve jobs, complete ongoing projects, and contribute to economic recovery and growth.

The Ministry remains committed to maintaining fiscal discipline while ensuring that legitimate obligations are settled in a timely manner going forward to substantially reduce outstanding liabilities over time, strengthen confidence in public financial management, and support the effective delivery of public services and infrastructure.