News
Insecurity: Govs disagree on need for regional outfits
Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, and his colleagues in the South-South, yesterday, disagreed over the need to set up regional security structures to checkmate the rising wave of insecurity in the country.
While Oyetola urged other geo-political zones to emulate the South-West by setting up structures such as Amotekun to rid their regions of crime, insisting that the centralised policing system is not working, chairman of South-South Governors Forum and governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, said it is better to have a centralised police system that should be strengthened for effectiveness.
Similarly, Chairman of South-East Governors Forum and governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr. Ugala Kenneth, said the issue will have to be discussed at a meeting of governors of the region.
The governors spoke on a day Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo tasked acting Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, to restore dignity to the force and rebuild broken bridges of trust with the public.
Why Amotekun became inevitable — Oyetola
Governor Oyetola, who threw the challenge at the 2nd Annual Colloquium of the Sultan Maccido Institute for Peace, Leadership and Development Studies, University of Abuja, also blamed worsening insecurity in the country on poverty and illiteracy.
He identified the sources of insecurity as “poverty which creates a gulf between the rich and the poor; inequitable allocation of resources which pits one region against the other; and injustice which makes offended parties resort to self-help and consequently take up arms against the state.”
The governor also identified “illiteracy which makes innocent citizens willing tools at the hands of unscrupulous elites and elements; youth unemployment which makes able-bodied and educated youths susceptible to crime, among others.”
He said the inability of the central police to tackle insecurity effectively led to the creation of Amotekun, the regional security network in the South-west.
“The nation’s conventional security agencies are overstretched and sorely under-funded. The Police once confirmed the sorry state of its manpower when it said the Force needs 155,000 additional hands to effectively police the nation.
“The nation’s security agencies as currently constituted are too centralised and too far from the grassroots to adequately provide the required security for the nation.
“Worse still, they are unfamiliar with the terrains where crimes take place. It is our belief that our people understand the topography of their communities more and can govern them better.
“The nation’s expansive forests have unfortunately become the hideouts of bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals. With the establishment of Amotekun, the forests of the South-West are now better policed.
‘Let other regions emulate S-West’
“The issues that make Amotekun inevitable in the South West are the same in other regions of the nation. Other regions may wish to emulate the South West to put structures in place to rid their regions of crime.
“Our recent experience where the attempts to confront armed banditry headlong in the North resulted in their incursion into the South-West and other regions that were erroneously perceived to be immune from the insecurity challenge is proof that each region has to be adequately policed for the region to know peace,” the governor said. He also called for collective and concerted efforts to deliver the security that “we desire as a nation as a people.”
His words: “Our recent experience in which insecurity has challenged education, peace, economy and other spheres of life has lent credence to Abraham Maslow’s emplacement of security as one of the foremost in the hierarchy of needs.
“This realisation underscores the need for our leaders and professionals, including traditional rulers, political leaders, academics, religious leaders and corporate leaders, to constantly collaborate to brainstorm on ensuring peace in the nation.
“Security breeds peace, economic and other developments, political stability and good governance. The converse of this is that insecurity is a destroyer of these desirable indices.
“As a people, we must realise that it is only in a safe and secure environment that optimal local commercial activities can take place; foreign investors can be attracted; goods and services can be provided; infrastructure can be built and maintained; public service can be delivered, and social and political activities can take place peacefully. “Therefore, the quest for a sustainable peaceful society must be prioritised as the collective responsibility of all citizens.
“Delivering security is not a task for the government alone. Corporate bodies and Non-Governmental Organisations need to partner with the government to achieve success. Business thrives in an atmosphere of peace. Business concerns must join the government to restore peace to the regions of the country.
“For proper security of lives and property of our people and the prompt containment of growing challenges, we must inevitably now engage our traditional institutions. Governors, particularly, cannot afford not to look in the direction of the traditional institution.
“This is because every conflict is local and as such, traditional institutions cannot be left out of the scheme. Traditional rulers know their people and also have better strategies for engaging them. Therefore, we must ride on this to be able to protect our nation from implosion.”
Governor Okowa reacts
Reacting to Governor Oyetola’s call yesterday, chairman of the South-South Governors Forum and governor of Delta, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who spoke through the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said: “Our leaders in the South-South are very much concerned about the spate of insecurity in the country and are determined to put heads together to forge a common front and possibly reduce the challenges of insecurity in the region.
“Of course, you know insecurity in the country is no longer news to anybody, and then the South-South is not spared in that insecurity which has become the bane of development across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
“But, we are also concerned that it would have been better for us to have a national security outfit and at the moment we do have them. We just pray that they are possibly equipped and empowered to be able to deal with the issues of insecurity so that we move away from tokenism of everybody having to be on their own.
“We will not shy away from addressing the challenges as it affects our people but we believe that the Federal Government needs to step up action to deal with these dare-devil criminals; that way everybody is safe.
‘BRACED Commission tasked on security outfit’
On whether the South South Governors are prepared to set up their own security outfit like Amotekun, he said: “The South-South governors have handed that over to the Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross Rivers, Edo and Delta, BRACED Commission which is a body that deals with issues of common interest in the region to work out the modalities so that we don’t just jump into setting up an outfit that is just in the name and not be able to do what it ought to do.
“But beyond that, you do know that when an outfit is set up, there are some constitutional inhibitions that will still make it impossible for some of these issues to be addressed the way we like it to. And it’s important that Nigerians begin to look at these issues rather than mounting pressure in the wrong quarters.
“For instance, you can’t have some of the heavy weapons other than small arms and light weapons. Some of those heavy weapons that are in the hands of those criminals, you cannot have them without the Federal Government giving you the license to so do. So, even if you set up your outfit, what are you going to be using to equip those outfits?
“When the ability to equip them to be able to confront these dare-devil criminals is largely still being determined by the approval to be given by the Federal Government, that tells you that where everybody should channel their energy, including the other geo-political zones, is how to make the Federal Government secure all of us and for individuals to move away from whatever will divide us.
“Let us look at what will unite us the more. Recall, I did say we will not shy away from the need to protect our people in the region. Much as we desire to do so, we are much more interested in the common good of our country where our common patrimony lies, the nation, Nigeria.”
Rebuild broken bridges of trust with the public, Osinbajo tasks Ag. IGP
Meanwhile, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday asked acting Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba Alkali, to restore dignity to the force and rebuild the broken bridges of trust with the public.
Speaking during the decoration of the acting IGP with his new rank at State House, Abuja, Osinbajo told the new Police boss he is assuming office at a turbulent time in the history of the country.
Urging him to implement community policing in order to curb growing insecurity in the land, Osinbajo said: “Let me once again, offer my congratulations to you as new Inspector-General of Police on your appointment. Your selection by Mr. President follows a rigorous process where all eligible Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General of police were considered. The president then appointed you as the most senior qualified and eligible officer.
“IG, you are assuming office at a very turbulent time in the life of our people. There are multiple threats to law, order and public safety. The role of law enforcement and particularly that of the police force as primary agency charged with maintaining law and order has never been more important. The police is our institution of first resort, the first line of defence against crime and anarchy and the first sign of the strength of the state.
“The challenges before you are indeed onerous and will test your mettle, the organisation you are leading is one that is itself facing several challenges. Your officers work still in extremely difficult conditions. And some face the threat of physical harm by terrorists, hostile non-state actors while in the line of duty but they have lived up to expectations.
“There is no question at all that there is a lot that needs to be done. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. Under your leadership, the police must now rebuild in some ways also the broken bridges of trust to the public and regain the confidence of the citizenry.
“This is an ongoing challenge, an ongoing task the police force and all of the senior members of the police force must take on as a responsibility, that of the continual process of building trust to the Nigerian people. One of the ways you can do this is by implementing the community policing policy which had already taken off and re-conceptualising policing as a task carried out in partnership with local communities and by officers who are members of these localities.
“Under your leadership, the force must live up to all of the highest standards of professional conduct and compliance with the rule of law. It must significantly improve the welfare and working conditions of its officers.”
Osinbajo also tasked the new IGP to stamp out the excesses, abuses and culture of impunity from the police force.
What to expect from me, by Alkali
Speaking with journalists after his decoration, the new IGP promised to put into practice community policing to tackle the worsening security situation in the country.
Asked what Nigerians should hope for, he said: “Hope to see improvement on where my predecessor has left. I came in at a very challenging time, I know it, I recognize it and I will work on how to improve from where my predecessor has left.
“I have been a member of the management team and we have been trying to do our best but it is not enough, there is room for improvement.
“With all the inadequacies we have, we still require everybody to be part of policing in this country. And that is why the emphasis on community policing will continue and the emphasis of collaborating with all other sister agencies will continue and we hope to have a better situation very soon.”
On whether he was coming with any change in strategy, the Acting IGP said: “Definitely, we are going to rejig our operational strategies.”
On issues of equipment and manpower, the IGP said he had the blessings of President Buhari, adding that he was optimistic that he would get more of what the police had requested through the Police Trust Fund very quickly.
On community policing, he said: “We will continue to practicalize it. My predecessor left at the theoretical stage, we have started practicalising it but we have not gone far and, therefore, all the methods of practicalising it have been put in place and we are going to continue with it, in collaboration with other stakeholders.”
Vanguard
The trial of six men accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu took a dramatic turn on Tuesday after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the alleged leakage of sensitive court evidence to social media.
During proceedings, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that video recordings already tendered as evidence had surfaced online. He alleged that the materials were published by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, and noted that the activist was present in court during the hearing.
Oyedepo urged the court to investigate how the videos were obtained and made public.
In response, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik directed the DSS to immediately probe the alleged leak. The judge ordered security operatives to determine whether any protected court materials were released in breach of existing witness-protection orders and to identify those responsible.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the investigation should proceed alongside the ongoing criminal trial, stressing that neither the defendants nor their legal representatives had admitted involvement in the alleged publication.
Counsel to the six defendants denied any connection to the leaked materials. Some members of the defence team argued that the prosecution should file a formal application supported by an affidavit if it wished to pursue the matter before the court.
The hearing also featured testimony from the prosecution’s fourth witness, identified only as “DDD,” who maintained that the defendants voluntarily made their statements and were neither tortured nor coerced during interrogation.
The witness dismissed claims that the accused were chained while giving statements, stating that they walked into the interview room unassisted. He further told the court that none of the defendants requested the presence of lawyers, family members, Legal Aid Council officials, or a Justice of the Peace before making their statements.
Following the testimony, the prosecution closed its case in the trial-within-trial after calling four witnesses.
The court adjourned proceedings to June 25 and June 30 for the first three defendants to open their defence, while the remaining defendants are scheduled to present theirs on July 1 and July 2.
Justice Abdulmalik also fixed July 20 for a ruling on the defendants’ bail applications.
The six men remain on trial over allegations of participating in a plot to topple the Tinubu administration—claims they have denied and which the court has yet to determine.
News
Good Governance: Nwoye Harps on Prudent Management of Public Funds, Engagement of Competent Hands
A Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Peace, Conflict and Development Studies (IPCDS), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Dr. Ben Nwoye, has emphasized the need for managers of public institutions, especially government-owned establishments, to prioritize prudent management of resources and the engagement of competent personnel.
Nwoye also stressed that placing qualified and capable individuals in positions of responsibility remains one of the surest ways to achieve good governance and sustainable development in any society.
The former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State and current Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party made the remarks on Monday during a good governance facility tour to the remodeled Government Technical College (GTC), Enugu, alongside PhD students of IPCDS.
He commended Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for the transformation of GTC Enugu under the leadership of Dr. Amaka Ngene, Chairman of the Science, Technical and Vocational Schools Management Board (STVSMB), noting that the institution has been transformed from a dilapidated facility into a modern learning centre.
According to Nwoye, the visit was aimed at assessing the progress made since a similar tour of the school in 2025.
He described education as the bedrock of national development and stressed the need for governments to continue investing heavily in the sector.
“The massive transformation that has taken place at GTC Enugu would not have been possible without prudent management of resources and the appointment of capable leadership,” he said.
“When we first visited, what we saw were merely buildings and classrooms without teachers or students. We were also shown videos and photographs depicting the terrible state of the institution before the intervention of the Enugu State Government.
“Today, barely a year later, we have returned to see whether the state-of-the-art facilities have become functional, and we are impressed by what we have seen. There are teachers, students, and fully operational departments.
“This success is largely due to the quality of leadership driving the school board. The desired transformation has truly taken place, and this goes beyond politics. It is about commitment, competence, and prudent management of public funds.”
Nwoye noted that the beneficiaries of the reforms are young people whose lives are being positively impacted through quality education and vocational training.
“We must commend Governor Peter Mbah for providing the enabling environment and resources needed to achieve this. More importantly, we must acknowledge the efforts of the Board Chairman, Dr. Amaka Ngene, who has driven the entire process.”
He added that practical examples such as GTC Enugu provide valuable learning opportunities for students studying governance and leadership.
“The challenge in our country is not the absence of laws but our failure to implement them. Previous boards allowed this institution to remain in a deplorable condition. What we are seeing today demonstrates what is possible when competent individuals are entrusted with leadership responsibilities.”
Nwoye expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the tour, stating that his students were impressed by the level of transformation witnessed across the institution.
“It is gratifying because when we teach governance principles in the classroom, we can now point to practical examples where those principles are being applied successfully. Sustainable development can only be achieved when education is treated as a priority,” he said.
Speaking during the tour, Dr. Ngene attributed the board’s achievements to a fortified database system, zero tolerance for corruption, truancy, and absenteeism, as well as a commitment to accountability and efficiency.
She also praised Governor Mbah for his commitment to education, describing the ongoing reforms as an education revolution in Enugu State.
According to her, the state’s investment in education has surpassed the UNESCO recommendation of 15 to 20 per cent budgetary allocation to the sector.
“Over the last three years, Enugu State has consistently allocated an average of 23 per cent of its budget to education, reflecting the governor’s commitment to human capital development,” she disclosed.
During the facility tour, the visiting students inspected several functional departments, including the automobile repair workshop, welding and fabrication unit, computer laboratory, garment-making section, and hospitality and catering department.
The facilities provide practical vocational training for senior students, equipping them with employable skills and entrepreneurial opportunities for the future.
Dr. Ngene maintained that Governor Mbah’s administration has demonstrated the impact of good governance through strategic investments in education and human capital development, adding that the results are already evident across the state.
With the successful conclusion of the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has announced plans to commence a statewide enforcement exercise against unauthorized outdoor advertisements across the state.
The Agency said the operation would target illegally displayed posters, billboards, political campaign materials, banners, and other outdoor advertisements erected without the approval and requisite permits of ENSSAA.
In a statement issued on Monday by the General Manager of the Agency, Mr. Francis Aninwike, ENSSAA said the enforcement exercise would be carried out across Enugu metropolis and all the local government areas of the state in accordance with the provisions of the ENSSAA Law 2016, which regulates outdoor advertising and signage in Enugu State.
Aninwike explained that the Agency deliberately suspended the enforcement exercise in recent weeks to allow the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election to be concluded and to avoid giving political coloration to what is essentially a long-overdue regulatory exercise aimed at restoring order, sanity, and environmental aesthetics within the state’s outdoor advertising space.
He stressed that no individual, political party, candidate, organization, or business is permitted to erect, display, or paste advertisements, including political campaign materials, without first obtaining the approval of the Agency.
According to him, political parties, candidates, and other stakeholders are advised to immediately regularize their advertisements and obtain the necessary permits before displaying campaign materials or other outdoor advertisements in any part of the state.
The General Manager noted that the proliferation of unauthorized advertisements constitutes a violation of the law, contributes to visual pollution, defaces public infrastructure, and undermines the beauty of the environment.
He emphasized that the enforcement exercise is neither targeted at any individual nor directed against any political group.
“This enforcement exercise is not targeted at any individual or political group. It is a routine regulatory action aimed at ensuring compliance with the law and maintaining a clean, orderly, and aesthetically pleasing environment across the state,” Aninwike stated.
To ensure a smooth and peaceful operation, ENSSAA said it has secured armed police escorts for its enforcement teams. The exercise will be conducted daily between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The Agency urged members of the public to comply with extant regulations and refrain from obstructing officials carrying out their lawful duties.
Aninwike reiterated ENSSAA’s commitment to sanitizing the outdoor advertising sector, enforcing compliance with relevant laws, and ensuring that outdoor advertisements across Enugu State conform to approved standards.
The application is open from June 15 and will close on June 30, 2026, according to a notice published by the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria.
The programme, coordinated by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Mission through EducationUSA Nigeria, is designed to assist academically outstanding Nigerian students with leadership potential in pursuing higher education in the United States.
According to the mission, the initiative supports access to U.S. higher education while advancing “American leadership, commercial diplomacy, and the shared economic interests of the United States and Nigeria.”
It added that the 2026 cohort aligns with the Freedom 250 celebration, marking 250 years of American leadership, innovation and democratic values.
The statement read, “Freedom250 marks 250 years of American leadership, innovation, and democratic values, and the OFP 2026 cohort will advance these priorities by preparing globally competitive talents aligned with U.S. economic and strategic interests.”
The mission said the programme also reinforces U.S. priorities on “secure, lawful, and well-managed student participation” in American higher education institutions.
It stated, “The program reinforces U.S. priorities on secure, lawful, and well-managed student participation of U.S. higher education systems, ensuring participants understand and uphold the proper use of student visas and full compliance with U.S. immigration regulations.”
It noted, “Priority consideration will be given to the highest-performing students whose academic profiles and career trajectories align with U.S. strategic interests in STEM, AI, and critical emerging technologies.”
The Opportunity Fund Programme provides financial support for essential upfront application costs, including standardised testing fees, application fees and other related expenses.
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, a clear intention to pursue post-secondary education in the United States, notable achievements, research capability, and a commitment to visa compliance and responsible participation in U.S. exchange programmes.
The statement further stressed that participants would be expected to maintain high ethical standards throughout the programme.
It said, “Participants are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and accountability, including adherence to all U.S. visa regulations.
Apply here: EducationUSA Nigeria Opportunity Fund Program (OFP) 2026 – U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria
The United States Mission in Nigeria has opened applications for the 2026 cohort of the EducationUSA Nigeria Opportunity Fund Programme, inviting qualified Nigerian students seeking higher education opportunities in the US to apply.
The application is open from June 15 and will close on June 30, 2026, according to a notice published by the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria.
The programme, coordinated by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Mission through EducationUSA Nigeria, is designed to assist academically outstanding Nigerian students with leadership potential in pursuing higher education in the United States.
According to the mission, the initiative supports access to U.S. higher education while advancing “American leadership, commercial diplomacy, and the shared economic interests of the United States and Nigeria.”
It added that the 2026 cohort aligns with the Freedom 250 celebration, marking 250 years of American leadership, innovation and democratic values.
The statement read, “Freedom250 marks 250 years of American leadership, innovation, and democratic values, and the OFP 2026 cohort will advance these priorities by preparing globally competitive talents aligned with U.S. economic and strategic interests.”
The mission said the programme also reinforces U.S. priorities on “secure, lawful, and well-managed student participation” in American higher education institutions.
It stated, “The program reinforces U.S. priorities on secure, lawful, and well-managed student participation of U.S. higher education systems, ensuring participants understand and uphold the proper use of student visas and full compliance with U.S. immigration regulations.”
It noted, “Priority consideration will be given to the highest-performing students whose academic profiles and career trajectories align with U.S. strategic interests in STEM, AI, and critical emerging technologies.”
The Opportunity Fund Programme provides financial support for essential upfront application costs, including standardised testing fees, application fees and other related expenses.
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, a clear intention to pursue post-secondary education in the United States, notable achievements, research capability, and a commitment to visa compliance and responsible participation in U.S. exchange programmes.
The statement further stressed that participants would be expected to maintain high ethical standards throughout the programme.
It said, “Participants are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and accountability, including adherence to all U.S. visa regulations.
Apply here: EducationUSA Nigeria Opportunity Fund Program (OFP) 2026 – U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria
The Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District and the Minority Whip of the Senate, Dr. Tony Nwoye on Sunday 21st June, 2026 distributed over 1,500 solar-powered streetlights for distribution across communities and 99 Wards of Anambra North Senatorial zone.
According to Dr. Nwoye, the solar streetlights will be distributed among the 99 wards that make up Anambra North Senatorial District, in fulfillment of his commitment to illuminate every nook and cranny of the zone.
Senator Dr Tony Nwoye said the gesture is aimed at improving the quality of life of the people by providing illumination in public spaces, promoting safety and security in the environments.These initiatives are primarily aimed at boosting local economies, enhancing nighttime security, and preventing crime in rural and urban areas.
The latest Distribution marks the completion of Phase 4 of the Light Up Anambra North initiative. The the Third Phase has each Ward in Anambra North getting 15 Pieces of Solar Lights each.
Speaking while handing over the solar streetlights to ward leaders, Senator Nwoye assured the people that even more projects and interventions would be brought to the district. He reiterated his determination to ensure that Anambra North, shines even brighter through sustained infrastructural development.
Senator Nwoye reiterated his Commitment in providing quality Leadership, Infrastructural development and improving the lives of the good people of Anambra North Senatorial District.
Each Political Ward in Anambra North is expected to get at least 5 Solar in this latest batch of Phase 4.
*Video of the Distribution Speaks:*
*(C) DTN MEDIA CENTRE*
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