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By Anas Abbas

Dr Bala Muhammad, a veteran journalist and university lecturer, has called the attention of social media users to be media literate and responsible for enhancing societal cohesion

He made this call in an exclusive interview with the Department of Information and Media Studies at Bayero University, Kano. Muhammad emphasized the importance of media literacy and responsible social media usage to foster societal cohesion.

He further described social media as a “double-edged sword” for citizen journalists, noting that while it provides a platform for self-expression, it also enables individuals to become unregulated broadcasters and editors.

Muhammad urged the government to establish a social media regulatory body to mitigate the risks associated with social media, including hate speech, social disharmony, and potential anarchy. This entity would promote ethical, social media practices and ensure users understand their responsibilities.

Dr Muhammad’s call to action underscores the need for collective effort in harnessing the power of social media to promote harmony and responsible communication.

by Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, inspected the 200-bed-capacity ultramodern General Hospital in Kumo, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.  

The hospital replaced an earlier dilapidated facility and is designed to provide comprehensive healthcare services as a referral centre.

Governor Inuwa said, “The complete reconstruction of this hospital is part of our larger plan to provide quality and affordable healthcare services to the people. We inherited a completely moribund General Hospital that could not provide the required healthcare services due to a lack of necessary equipment. We had no choice but to rebuild it from the ground up.”

“We built the hospital to international standards so it can function as not only a general hospital but also a facility that can provide tertiary health services,” the governor added.

He explained that the state government has also established similar hospitals in Kaltungo and Bajoga and revitalised at least one primary healthcare facility in each of the state’s 114 political wards.

“Our performance in the health sector, from human resources to infrastructure, is evident for all to see”. 

Strategically located, the Kumo General Hospital will serve the local population and travellers along the Gombe-Yola road. 

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, conducted the governor around the facility and said it can handle complex medical cases, including heart surgeries and other medical complications.

He highlighted its modern equipment and potential to become a leading healthcare centre in the state and across the Northeast.

“In this theatre, multiple operations can be performed simultaneously, making it ideal for emergency situations and life-saving interventions,” he noted.

The Governor inspected the well-equipped laboratories, wards, maternity unit, accident and emergency complex, mortuary, powerhouse, and mini water treatment plant, among other facilities.

By Ismail Hashim Abubakar

The coming of the current President, Bola Ahmad Tinubu, on May 29, 2023, was not the beginning of the ongoing hardship that Nigerians have been grappling with. His predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, elected with high hopes, introduced severe and draconian policies such as the closure of northern borders, which Nigerians consistently condoned due to their optimistic sentiments towards the exceedingly and unanimously celebrated integrity of the former army general. 

The masses and different sections of civil society, including religious leaders and respected elites, rejected slight censure of his policies. There were genuine reports of people being corporally attacked and penalised by mobs for openly criticising Buhari, who spent almost two-thirds of his eight-year regime being excused, exculpated and defended until people finally got convinced that the man was no better than other politicians.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu had a tough time becoming President owing to his many dark records and the stigma with which especially northerners viewed him. His eight-year rule as the governor of Lagos state (1999-2007) was a period that witnessed a series of massacres of northerners in Lagos and neighbouring towns within the same Southwestern geopolitical zone. These senseless mayhems were primarily engineered and perpetrated by the OPC militias, who were said to be connected to his alleged political brigandism. This significantly made Tinubu almost infamously unsellable to northern electorates when he showed his ambition to become Nigeria’s president in 2023. 

Perhaps Tinubu was fully aware of this or was at least made to know by his northern political allies and loyalists. That was probably why, as part of image-deodorizing strategies, Tinubu paid serial visits to Ulama, especially those who might have been earlier wary, sceptical and apprehensive of his patriotism, nationalism, vision for unity, morality and religious uprightness. 

How I wish one of the religious leaders present when Tinubu paid homage to respected Shaykhs in Kano soliciting for support and courting for votes had politely but point-blank told him that due to the experiences of northerners in the crises that erupted in Lagos and Southwest, our people would never accept him until he accepted to do some conciliatory moves which might assuage the age-old void and the stigma our people viewed him. One of them was to advise him to institute a committee that would investigate the OPC massacre of northerners in October 2000, present an estimation of the lives and properties lost and pay for their compensation. He should also charge the committee to offer recommendations to forestall future occurrences and forge unity and cohesion among diverse non-Yoruba ethno-religious groups and their host community living in the Southwest. I do not doubt that although this would sound politically awkward, it would have reminded Tinubu that these religious leaders were concerned with the plight of their people. He would eventually accept any other request for nation-building that northern leaders would have tabled before him as a condition and prerequisite for his election. 

Tinubu was able to successfully navigate these hurdles when the Ulama finally accepted him and joined his campaign train, partly due to the apparent reason for promoting a Muslim-Muslim presidency. In one short video clip uploaded on Facebook, one religious leader claimed that it was the Ulama who had insisted that Tinubu must relentlessly contest for presidential post in the 2023 elections, even after he was determined to withdraw from the race (the clip is available herehttps://www.facebook.com/reel/1198771691128341/?mibextid=pX794QQbNUXe42Mf.). All of this combined to prove that the Ulama were instrumental in catapulting Tinubu to the highest political office in the country and would expectedly have weighty words in his government. 

The removal of subsidy on the very day Tinubu was sworn in, followed by similar other thoughtless and capitalist policies, had quadrupled the hardship of the masses, drastically shelving the middle class in Nigerian society and forcing people to live in perpetual agony and unprecedented misery. People now eat leaves and grasses that would otherwise only be suitable for animals. Conversely, people in government were busy allotting themselves hefty allowances and big remunerations to ascertain their luxurious lives at the behest of citizens. The president procured a multibillion Naira jet and stupendously expensive yacht from the country’s treasury, besides other juicy and crazy packages, hastily designed and approved within a year of assuming office.

 All this while, several efforts have been made by various constituencies to admonish leaders, including the Ulama, who, in their pulpits and other public platforms, called on Tinubu’s government to soften its harsh policies and make life bearable for the poor. As this went on deaf ears, about a month or so ago, winds of mass protest started blowing all over the spaces and skies of the country, signifying that Nigerians have been pushed to the extreme of the wall where they could no longer withstand the increasing stroke of hunger. 

Although with barely-known leadership and organisers, the protesters’ demands are obvious and revolve around the reinstatement of fuel subsidy, ending insecurity in all its manifestations, fighting corruption, increasing minimum wage, etc. As soon as plans to hold the protest were laid bare, the northern Nigerian cyberspace became inundated with jurisprudential deliberations on the legality of protest in Islam, with the most popular faces among the Ulama, including those who allegedly endorsed and supported the candidature of Tinubu condemning the move, declaring protest as haram and forewarning the public of its costly consequences. Only a few known clerics have issued statements that support the protest, and their views seem to have been vetoed by their counterparts in the other camp. 

This worsened the situation as youths anxious to demonstrate their grievances through the protest interpreted the anti-protest fatwa as an attempt to thwart the masses from checking on and holding leaders accountable. Fingers of blame were brandished by youths against particularly scholars who openly campaigned for Tinubu and others who are known to have partisan loyalty to the ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC) or have even served in any capacity under the APC-led state or federal government. The youths kept calling on the Ulama to form a united front, meet the president, and advise him to restore the fuel subsidy. 

In the psychology of most of the youths, since it was the Ulama who insisted that Tinubu must run, despite his alleged plan to recant the decision, but he finally bowed to the pressure of clerics, the latter have the power to force the president to make a U-turn on the removal of fuel subsidy. In the same vein, since the clerical establishment has been wielding enormous clout and their words “are” (or ought to be) highly respected in the Muslim north, the Ulama did not hesitate to voice their opinions on the planned protest, with little or no recourse to the psychology of the youths or an in-depth consideration of the precise reality of the majority of the youths. Some youths, in fact, never believe that most Ulama are passing through similar situations or do not have a full sense of their difficulty. And because the youth sometimes see some Ulama dining and rubbing shoulders with politicians, they concluded in the protest that they were helpless, with no one among elders to stand with or speak for them. Thus, they had no option but to come out en masse to protest. 

In addition, while the youths could recall a leading voice among the Ulama participating in prior protests without any condemnation similar to what was ringing in their ears, they considered the fatwa a clandestine cover given to President Tinubu. This was even conflated when the utterances of some Shaykhs sounded to be encouraging and emboldening the planned crackdown of the protest by Nigeria’s law enforcement agents, without in most cases, warning the security to protect human rights and be cautious of the sanctity of life. The protest has turned chaotic, with dozens of lives and properties worth millions of Naira lost. Still, the articulations of some Ulama reveal a disconnect with the plight of the masses. 

In my opinion, instead of the blanket condemnation of the protest, which was planned to be peaceful, albeit operationally difficult, the Ulama should have, in the first place, infiltrated the youths and hijacked the movement and, even if momentarily, emphasised to the government that they recognised peaceful protest as a constitutionally-sanctioned right and means of channelling grievances to authority. Had the youths seen religious leaders in this picture showering their blessings on the movement, they would have behaved more orderly, regained their confidence in the clerics and listened to any order that the Ulama might have issued to them, including possibly postponing the protest for some reasons. 

Scholars would have cashed in on the exuberance of the youths as a weapon to force the government to do the needful instead of appearing to have disowned the youths and cursed their movement. Since the reverse is true, the youths still feel that the federal government might have already felt encouraged and correspondingly justified not to listen to them but to also even embark on a mission to stop the protest with excessive force since the youths would be operating under an anathematised umbrella which lacked the blessings of men of God. To restore immediate sanity and stability in the strained relationship between the Ulama and the youths, the latter forming the large chunk of their following and being the backbone of any society, I below offer a few recommendations:

• The Ulama, particularly those whose anti-protest fatwas are circulating, should convene an emergency public lecture to, in vehement and uncompromising language, condemn the crackdown of protesters, warn security agencies to desist from the ongoing brutality against protesters and innocent citizens, remind them of the right of the protesters to demonstrate, call on the government to institute an investigative panel and pay compensation for families of the people killed by Nigerian security, including both among the protesters and the innocent people shot ruthlessly inside their homes.
• The Ulama should advise the government to recant its position and work towards simplifying life for Nigerians. It should immediately start by restoring fuel subsidy and reversing all financial policies that raise the price of the US dollar against the Naira. They should warn the government of possible degeneration that may escalate to anarchy if the government remains dogged and recalcitrant in responding to this request.
• The Ulama should avoid making public comments that may sound like they are absolving politicians of their commissions and omissions while discharging their duties. In line with this, the Ulama should be meticulous and extra-cautious in their dealings with politicians and political leaders. As the latter have gone far in dislodging the influence of traditional leaders, they may go to any length to destroy the career of a cleric who is not careful and gives in to their devilish desires and selfish political interests.
• The Ulama should further take the lead or accordingly guide the next measures, steps, and remedy processes that the youths are planning to resort to in place of the protest, which is fizzling out. These include the organisation of mass prayers, orientation on the need to resort to recall lawmakers and sensitising the public to strategise the public for future elections.
• Youths and protesters should avoid issuing generalised, unverifiable allegations against the Ulama and desist from making scathing comments about their persons. They should wholeheartedly accept their views or honourably reject them in favour of contrary opinions. All this should be done in good faith.
• The protesters should be careful not to allow mischievous elements within and outside the country to hijack the protest to promote perpetual conspiratorial ambitions in the land. In line with this, they should outright stop calling for a military coup and desist from waving the flag of any country.
• Muslim scholars and intellectuals need to create a forum to deliberate Nigeria’s political climate vis-à-vis Islamic leadership provisions and formulate a political vision and working formula that will take into account Islamic political values and the existing realities of Nigeria’s political setting.
• Last but not least, the federal government headed by Bola Tinubu should be cautious of its move to use force to quell dissent and remember that it is a democratically elected institution and not a military junta. Therefore, it must listen to its citizens and work towards ameliorating their conditions. It should focus on discharging its mandate and avoid meddling in the affairs of the state in a way that jeopardises its security. It should allow state governors to manage their affairs and intervene positively without the littlest detrimental political motives.

Ismail Hashim Abubakar wrote from Nouakchott, Mauritania and could be reached via ismailiiit18@gmail.com.    

By Uzair Adam

The Army said yesterday that its troops on counter-insurgency operations recorded a significant breakthrough by dismantling a gun-running syndicate that specialises in supplying arms and ammunition to terrorist groups operating in the North West.

Troops also apprehended a notorious kidnap syndicate and recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition from the suspects.

A statement by the army said, “On August 7, 2024, troops working in coordination with other security agencies arrested a notorious gun-runner, Mallam Yau Ibrahim, in Babinga Kudaru village of Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

This arrest followed an earlier apprehension of another syndicate member on July 31, 2024, by troops of Operation Safe Haven in Jos.

Among the items recovered are AK-47 rifle, AK-47 rifle magazine, 1,641 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, and 49 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition.

In a separate operation, while acting on credible intelligence, troops tracked down and arrested Abubakar Shehu, 25 years, in the Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State.

Shehu is a member of a kidnap syndicate responsible for the assassination of Alhaji Mairuga Abubakar, Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, in Orelope Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Following preliminary investigation, the suspect led troops to Okoka forest in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state, where they recovered four AK-47 rifles, a locally fabricated pistol, eight magazines, one cartridge, and 110 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

In Katsina State, troops laid ambush and neutralised a terrorist at Anguwa Boka in Faskari Local Government Area of the state.

Items recovered from the terrorists include one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, three rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, a mobile phone and assorted items.

The arrest of the notorious gun-runner, Mallam Yau Ibrahim, and the apprehension of the kidnap syndicate, as well as the elimination of a terrorist alongside the recovery of arms and ammunition, are a veritable testament of the NA’s unflinching commitment in safeguarding our nation from the scourge of terrorism and criminality

By Anwar Usman

The police in Jigawa have confirmed the death of five persons and 15 others missing in a canoe accident that occurred on Thursday in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident in a statement issued to news men in Dutse.

Mr Shiisu stated that the incident occurred at Nahuce in Taura Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

“Today, at about 1200hrs, information from a reliable source revealed that a canoe conveying 20 passengers to cross over Gamoda River at Nahuce Village capsized.

He identified the deceased passengers as Abdurra’uf Mohammed, aged 15, Suleman Ali, 20, Shafiu Mohammed, 25, Ado Nafance, 7, and Alasan Mohmmed, 16, all from Taura LGA.

Mr Shiisu said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ahmadu Abdullahi, had prayed for the restfulness of the souls of the deceased and for Allah to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Dail Reality (TDR) gathered that the incident was coming one month after a similar incident in Kwalgai Village, Auyo LGA, leading to the death of two persons and the rescue of 18 others.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A massive crowd of youths enthusiastically welcomed Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya with the green-white-green Nigerian flag during his visit to Kumo, the Headquarters of Akko LGA.

The display of patriotism was a stark contrast to recent events in other parts of the country where some youths were seen waving foreign flags.

The governor was received by a jubilant crowd from the outskirts of Kumo, who accompanied him throughout his visit, expressing gratitude for the development projects undertaken in the area.

Governor Inuwa, who inspect the newly completed ultra-modern general hospital, commission road projects and flag-off new ones, commended the youths for their patriotic spirit.

“While in some places you see the flags of other countries being raised, here, you see support and love from the people,” he said, expressing optimism about the nation’s future with such a positive youth demography.

“The enthusiasm and patriotism displayed by these young people today give me great hope for Nigeria’s future. Peaceful and patriotic youths are indeed the bedrock upon which a brighter Nigeria will be built,”Gov. Inuwa asserted.

He called on the people to maintain peace and harmony, assuring them of the government’s commitment to improving their lives.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has on Thursday, received, on a courtesy call, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) supervising the North East geopolitical region, Bala Ciroma, who was on a tour to evaluate the security situation and strengthen coordination between the police force and state authorities in the aftermath of the violent protest that erupted on August 1.  

Speaking to newsmen shortly after a closed-door meeting with the Governor, the DIG stated, “It is part of my responsibility to come around to assess security situation and to seek areas of cooperation between the respective state governments and police commissioners to enhance security in the states across the Northeast region.” 

“ I can confirm that the situation in Gombe State is calm. However, there is a need for us to fortify security around so that we can cope with any eventuality, not only in terms of the protest but also in terms of enhancing security in respect of other crimes that may be prevalent around”, the DIG added.  

Governor Inuwa Yahaya commended the DIG for his proactive approach and reassured him of the Gombe State Government’s commitment to working closely with law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and security in the state.  

The Governor further stressed that his administration has always focused on creating a safe environment conducive to growth and development and that the recent protests, while concerning, have been managed effectively by the security apparatus with people now going about their normal businesses.

By Usama Abdullahi 

Just as I was about to have my dinner last night, a call came in at about 9 pm. The name read “Sis. Hassana”. It’s my sister. Without hesitation, I picked the phone – which was jiggling on my bed – and placed it on my left ear. I couldn’t use my right hand to pick the phone because I held a cup of tea with it. Before I could say the usual hello, she sounded unusually tough on the line.

“For how long have you been dodging my calls ?” My sister queried. Right there, I knew I was in for trouble. I missed her calls on many occasions, yet I wouldn’t make any attempt to call back. I was dead guilty. So, I just made up some excuses by citing the shaky network I grapple with in Phase II as the cause. 

Like my brother, sister Hassana is the type who is trusting to a fault. For that reason, I didn’t have the slightest doubt that she wouldn’t believe me. Yes, I fortunately got away with it. Now, back to the real gist. Our conversations centered on my academics and extended to the state of the country. As expected, her major concern was my safety because she told me that she had been keenly following the happenings in Kaduna. That’s why she phoned to hear from me.

In my attempt to further elicit sympathy from her, I added that a person was reportedly gunned down in Zaria yesterday morning. She heavily sighed and I could feel her heart trembling. Naturally, women tend to be so tender, I imagined. She asked with a sober voice if I had enough provisions and warned that I should stay indoor since academic activities are temporarily on hold. She repeatedly stressed that I shouldn’t move an inch from the school. Even without being cautioned, I know I won’t be going out. I value my life so much. We’re even supposed to have our makeup practicals yesterday, but we couldn’t because of the restrictions in place.

Dear reader, I don’t expect you to read this just for the fun of it. Let it be a cautionary reminder for you to remain in your hostel, house or wherever you may be staying. A curfew has been enforced and violating it may amount to the loss of your life. Make sure you comply to stay safe because the men in uniform are not funny.

Usama Abdullahi is an undergraduate engineering student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He enjoys writing and reading in his leisure time, and can be reached via usamagayyi@gmail.com. 

By Uzair Adam

As poor Nigerians protest against hunger and biting economic hardship, another hardship has emerged, with foodstuff prices skyrocketing in markets following the relaxation of curfew by some state governments.

In Kano, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, through an announcement by the Kano Police Commissioner, Dogo Salman, relaxed the curfew from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., contrary to the previous 24-hour directive and the subsequent 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. order.

The Daily Reality learned that some local shops had begun to run out of foodstuffs due to the market closures during the hunger protests, fearing attacks from the aggrieved demonstrators who often targeted anything in their path.

As jubilation turns to grief

People were ecstatic following the return to normalcy in the state and the relaxation of the curfew. This led the leadership of the Singa market to reopen for business.

However, the initial joy quickly turned to disappointment as buyers encountered increased foodstuff prices, sparking outrage and accusations of profiteering.

A householder, Malam Ibrahim Umar, condemned the price hikes as unreasonable and merciless.

Not only government is our problem

Umar stated that it is high time that people understand that the trouble with Nigeria is not always from the government side but also us as individuals.

He said, “We must understand that we must change ourselves first. Looking at how the government is treating people, how protesters steal and vandalize properties worth millions of naira, and how our businessmen increase prices so unreasonably, it is enough for us to understand that we are the problem of our country.”

Another household member, Abubakar Umar, also shared Umar’s belief, “We need to change first as these people we are always complaining about are from among us.”

A mother of ten, Hafsat S. Shu’aibu, decried the price increase, calling on market leaders to address the root of the problem, saying, “This is too much for the poor to bear.”

As hope dies

Shu’aibu added that she has begun to lose hope that Nigeria will improve, as the problems stem from multiple sources.

She added, “People should repent to Allah and strive to change themselves because marketers and the government are not from a different world – they come from within us.”

Another household, Nuhu Adamu, lamented that despite the youth protests, he thought things would improve and the government would take steps to alleviate the suffering of the masses, but to no avail.

He stated, “After the protest against hardship, now comes another hardship that only God can save us from, as prices rise and rarely decrease in Nigeria.”

Snacks, bakery business at risk

Another person, Abdulmajid Abubakar, said bakery and snacks businesses are at risk as the price of flour, sold at 63,000 before, increased to 80,000.

He said that with the increase in the price of flour and other ingredients, they have no option but to either decrease the size of the snacks or increase the cost.

He said, “I was so disappointed to know about the increment. It is so ridiculous and unreasonable. We are pleading for government intervention.”

Game of blame

When contacted, the Chairman of the Singa market, Alhaji Junaidu Zakari, denied the increase in foodstuff prices, claiming the problem originated with dealers.

He said, “We have received numerous complaints from people and are working hard to address the issue. However, the increase is not from us but from the dealers.”

“As of now, we have started collecting remittances from our traders and dealers to determine the source of the problem,” he added.

However, a local trader who visited the market yesterday to purchase goods refuted the Chairman’s claims.

The person who wished to remain anonymous said, “They have been doing this to us and ultimately make us quarrel with people. They increase the prices first, which justifies our price increases, as business is about profit.”

We can’t fold our hands over artificial inflation

The increment in the price of foodstuffs and the recent alleged artificial inflation have prompted people to register complaints with the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission to intervene.

The Daily Reality recalled that just a few days before the nationwide protest, the commission’s Chairman, Barrister Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the commission would not stand idly by over the alleged artificial inflation in the state.

Rimin Gado spoke when people bitterly complained about the hike in the price of bread and alleged artificial inflation in the price of foodstuffs in the state, vowing not to remain idle in the face of the alleged inflation by some traders in the market.

Rimin Gado said the commission was working tirelessly to understand the root cause of the inflation and would take even “extraordinary measures to combat the menace if necessary.”

The Daily Reality learned that Rimin Gado’s assertion gave people hope at that time, and they are now looking forward to the commission’s interventions.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Gombe State government has dispatched truckloads of essential food items to all 11 local government areas of the state for onward distribution to the most vulnerable persons. 

This follows the approval of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who has continued to demonstrate commitment to the welfare of the people. 

Each LGA has been allocated 1,000 bags of 50 kg sorghum, 1,000 bags of 25 kg rice, and 1,000 cartons of spaghetti pasta. 

Beyond the distribution to the 11 LGAs, an additional 5,000 bags each of rice and sorghum and 5,000 cartons of spaghetti pasta will be distributed to a wide array of groups, including faith-based organizations, civil society groups, trade unions, student unions such as the Gombe State Students Association (GOSSA) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and Tsangaya and Almajiri schools. 

Special consideration has also been given to youths and women groups, and people living with disabilities, as directed by the Governor to ensure that the relief package reaches those who are mostly in need, especially in the face of the current economic hardship. 

This distribution is just one of many efforts by the government to support the citizens during difficult times. 

Governor Inuwa Yahaya remains committed to implementing effective measures to support the citizens and ensure their resilience, fostering social stability amid economic challenges.

The Governor also remains grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his numerous interventions and initiatives to address the economic challenges facing the nation in this challenging period.