News
Jonathan won’t contest against Tinubu in 2027 – Patience
Mrs Jonathan said rather than contest, her family would campaign for Tinubu’s re-election because Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, supported Jonathan’s 2011 presidential bid.
Mrs Jonathan, whose husband left office in 2015 after being defeated by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, spoke on Saturday during the Women Icon Leader of the Year Award organised by Accolade Dynamics Limited in Abuja.
Since leaving office in 2015, there have been calls on Jonathan to return to the Presidency every election cycle.
The latest call was made in April this year by the President of the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation, Dr Jibril Mustapha, who urged Jonathan to heed the calls to run for the office of the President.
“As the nation prepares for the 2027 elections, the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation believes that now is the time for all stakeholders to come together and support a candidate who can genuinely represent the interests of all Nigerians.
“We urge former President Goodluck Jonathan to consider this call and to step forward as a candidate who can unite our country and lead us towards a brighter future,” Mustapha said in a statement.
However, speaking on Saturday at the Abuja event, which had the daughter of President Tinubu, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, in attendance, Mrs Patience rejected the call on her husband to return to the presidential race, saying she would rather support Tinubu’s re-election in the spirit of “turn-by-turn”.
She said, “I was supposed to call her (Tinubu’s daughter) first, but I saved her for last: the daughter of our wonderful President, the President of Nigeria, the one and only we believe in—President Bola Tinubu. Iyaloja, thank you for standing with women because these are your women. Carry them along; they are with you.
“All the way, we are with you. No shaking. We will follow. Direct us, and we will follow because there is only one President at a time. We don’t have two Presidents. I am outspoken—if I don’t like something, I will say it. But if I like something, I die with it.
“I believe in one President. I believe in turn by turn. When it’s your turn, I will support you. When it’s not your turn, step back—so that the country can move forward.”
Speaking further, she said she has a longstanding relationship with Remi Tinubu that predates their time in Aso Rock.
Mrs Jonathan recalled how Oluremi Tinubu and President Tinubu supported her and her husband when they contested for the President in 2011.
She said, “I didn’t just know her (Senator Oluremi Tinubu) just because she’s the First Lady, no. We worked together. We worked as a group.
“We are groups. We worked when I was a deputy governor’s wife. We worked when I was a governor’s wife. I know her. I talked with Oluremi. Even when my husband was the vice president, Oluremi stood with her husband and supported us during our first election. They supported us. So, for me, I have a conscience. I cannot abandon my friend, whether you like it or not.
“Because, you see, this is turn by turn. Today is my turn—I will go. Tomorrow, it will be another person’s turn—then we go. And when we go, will we still meet. Where will we meet? I don’t know.
“I stand by my friend. My friend is great. I told her I would campaign with her. I’m not denying her. I’m not running. I’m not going back to the villa. If you call me, I will not go.
“I say it every day. Don’t you like how young I look? People say, “Mama, you are young, you are young!” it is because I have rest of mind, yes. I don’t want to go there—let my friend be there. Let me also ‘wahala’ her the way she used to ‘wahala’ me when I was there! Let me also tease her. And until she comes out, she will be young. But for now she won’t be young. “
She also threw her weight behind the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in governance, lamenting the repeated rejection of gender equality bills by the National Assembly.
“During Obasanjo’s time, we worked for it and the executive approved 35 per cent. My husband also maintained it. But when it comes to elective positions, the men dominate and shut us out. May God touch their hearts to understand that we are their mothers, sisters, and friends. We are not trying to take power from them—we are trying to support them.”
Jonathan described the honour as a recognition of collective efforts in the advancement of women’s health and economic well-being.
She said, “I am deeply humbled to receive this prestigious Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award. I accept this honour not just as a personal recognition, but as a testament to the tireless efforts of countless women and men who have worked alongside me to promote good health and economic development for women in Nigeria and beyond.”
She highlighted the work of her NGOs—Aurora Richard Foundation and Women for Change and Development Initiative—which have empowered thousands of women and youth through skill acquisition programmes, and supported children with critical health conditions requiring surgeries abroad.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and CEO of Accolade Dynamics, Ms. Dofan Chizaram, described the night as a tribute to both men and women who have significantly impacted Nigeria and the African continent through leadership, mentorship, and community development.
“This night is about celebrating the legends who have uplifted women and the broader community. We want to acknowledge their value while they are still with us,” Tor said.
By Chinedu Sabastine
ENUGU — Umuchigbo Iji Nike Autonomous Community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has fixed Sunday, September 13, 2026, for its annual New Yam Festival.
The cultural celebration, which is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m., is being organised under the leadership of the Executive Chairman of Umuchigbo, Hon. Chief Afam Joseph Ogbene, popularly known as Akirika Chioku 1, Na Nike Kingdom.
The festival is expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the people of Umuchigbo and Umuenwene in Iji Nike Autonomous Community, while promoting unity and communal bonding.
Ogbene, in an invitation to the festival, described the celebration as an opportunity for the people to preserve their cultural heritage, strengthen community ties and give thanks for the year’s harvest.
He said, “Our New Yam Festival is more than a cultural celebration. It is a time for us to come together as one people, appreciate our heritage and give thanks for the blessings of the year.”
According to him, the event will also provide an opportunity for sons and daughters of the community, as well as friends and well-wishers, to reconnect and celebrate together.
“We are inviting everyone to come and celebrate with us. It is a celebration of our culture, our community and thanksgiving for the new yam season,” he added.
According to the invitation, activities will commence at Ogbene’s residence on Akirika Chioku Avenue, Nome Ogba Aniji Road, Umuchigbo, before proceeding to Obodoeze Iji Village Square, Odangene, for the New Yam rites and masquerade display.
The event will also feature traditional cuisine, music and other forms of cultural entertainment.
The organisers urged sons and daughters of Umuchigbo, friends, well-wishers and members of the public to join the community in celebrating the festival.
The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of senior officers, with several major generals and brigadier generals redeployed to key command, operational and administrative positions.
The changes, approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, are aimed at strengthening the Army’s operational effectiveness.
Major General IA Ajose has been appointed the new Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI. He moves from the Department of Army Operations at Army Headquarters to take charge of military operations against insurgency in the North-East.
Other notable appointments include:
Major General AE Abubakar — Dean, Faculty of Operational Research, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Major General AM Alechenu — Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Major General RT Utsaha — Commander, Defence Headquarters Garrison.
Major General AM Umar — Commandant, Army War College Nigeria.
Major General UM Alkali — Director, Department of Civil-Military Affairs.
Major General GS Muhammed — Director General, Nigerian Army Finance Corporation.
Major General JE Osifo — Chairman, Military Pension Board.
Major General IE Ekpenyong — Director of Engineering Services, Defence Logistics, Defence Headquarters.
The reshuffle also affects several brigadier generals, including Brigadier General AA Bello, Brigadier General MS Adamu, Brigadier General MS Sule, Brigadier General I Sule, Brigadier General E Azenda and Brigadier General AS Bugaje, who have all been assigned to new command or administrative roles.
The Chief of Army Staff directed the newly posted officers to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism, dedication and a strong sense of duty.
More than 24 feared dead in suspected poisoning incident in Ondo
More than 24 people have reportedly died following a suspected poisoning incident in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The deaths were recorded in Araromi-Obu, Orita New Town and Odigbo communities, while several other residents affected by the incident are receiving treatment at various hospitals.
The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiwo Adegoroye, confirmed the incident but said he could not provide further details until medical experts conduct a professional assessment and determine the cause of the deaths and illnesses.
As a precaution, the local government has restricted the sale and consumption of sachet herbal concoctions and similar drinks being hawked in the affected communities.
Residents have been advised to avoid suspicious herbal mixtures, unverified sachet products and other substances of uncertain origin pending the outcome of medical examinations and laboratory tests.
Authorities are expected to carry out further investigations to establish the source of the suspected poisoning and confirm the exact cause of the deaths.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Residents of Umudimishi Village, Umuoru, in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, have petitioned Governor Chukwuma Soludo over the worsening menace of gully erosion allegedly caused by illegal and unregulated sand mining activities in the community.
The villagers said about 120 buildings are currently threatened by the expanding gully, with some residents already making arrangements to relocate for fear of losing their homes to the erosion.
In the petition addressed to Governor Soludo and copied to the state Ministries of Environment and Works, the villagers alleged that the activities of sand miners posed a serious threat to human lives, property and the continued existence of the community.
The petition, signed by the Chairman of Umudimishi Development Union, Nze Ibeabuchi Umeugochukwu, stated that several homes in the area were located only a few metres from the mining sites and had consequently become vulnerable to erosion.
The villagers said: “Many homesteads in Umudimishi are close to and along the line of mining by few metres and, as a result, stand eroded in the course of this ecological problem fueled by unregulated sand mining.”
They further alleged that the erosion menace was largely triggered by human activities, particularly unregulated sand mining along the Aguata-Orumba axis, where they said the soil structure was highly susceptible to erosion.
According to them, “Erosion menace is being triggered by human factor of unregulated sand mining, especially as it is in Aguata-Orumba Axis where the sand structure is prone to erosion, which is the major environmental hazard in the region.”
The community also claimed that sand mining had become the major source of environmental crises affecting Umudimishi Quarter, Umuoru Village and Uga generally.
Beyond the environmental consequences, the villagers expressed concern that the availability of quick money from sand mining was discouraging youths from learning vocational skills.
They said many youths now preferred sand mining to acquiring skills, while the worsening erosion had also discouraged residents and prospective investors from establishing businesses in the area.
The villagers therefore appealed to Governor Soludo to permanently shut down the mining sites in Umudimishi to prevent further deterioration of the already deplorable environmental situation.
They also urged the governor to direct the appropriate agency of the Anambra State Government to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the erosion sites and produce a comprehensive report with recommendations on how to tackle the problem and reclaim lands already lost to erosion.
The petitioners said urgent intervention by the state government was necessary to protect lives, homes and the remaining land in the community from further destruction.
News
Major Generals to Receive Up to ₦25.91m Yearly as Tinubu Approves New Military Pension Structure
The Federal Government has approved a new pensionable salary structure for personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, effective September 1, 2026.
The approval was communicated in a circular issued on September 3 by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
Under the new structure, the highest-ranking officers—Generals, Admirals and Air Chief Marshals—have annual pensionable salaries ranging from ₦21.9 million to ₦29.75 million, depending on their salary steps. The highest figure is equivalent to about ₦2.48 million monthly when divided by 12.
Other approved pensionable salary ranges include:
Lieutenant Generals, Vice Admirals and Air Marshals: ₦16.99m–₦25.91m annually.
Major Generals, Rear Admirals and Air Vice Marshals: ₦14.98m–₦23.9m.
Brigadier Generals, Commodores and Air Commodores: ₦13.86m–₦16.39m.
Colonels, Captains and Group Captains: ₦8.31m–₦9.49m.
Lieutenant Colonels, Commanders and Wing Commanders: ₦7.55m–₦8.74m.
Majors, Lieutenant Commanders and Squadron Leaders: ₦5.99m–₦7.01m.
Captains, Lieutenants and Flight Lieutenants: ₦5.28m–₦6.42m.
Second Lieutenants, Midshipmen and Pilot Officers: ₦4.92m–₦5.59m.
The new schedule also covers non-commissioned personnel. Warrant Officers have pensionable salaries ranging from ₦4.53 million to ₦5.17 million annually, while Privates, Ordinary Seamen and Aircraftmen fall within the range of ₦2.28 million to ₦2.49 million.
The government, however, clarified that the figures are pensionable salaries used to calculate retirement benefits and should not be interpreted as the actual monthly salaries or take-home pay of serving military personnel.
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