National

By Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu

Nigeria’s preparedness for climate-related emergencies faces another important test as a strong El Niño event gathers momentum, with the potential to influence weather patterns, livelihoods, and public safety in the months ahead. For a country already grappling with recurring floods, dry spells, rising temperatures and other climate-related challenges, the development is a reminder that the consequences of a disaster are often determined long before it occurs.

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon associated with the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. This warming affects atmospheric circulation and can alter rainfall and temperature patterns across different parts of the world. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), in its September 2026 update, confirmed that the event was firmly established and expected to strengthen, with a near-certain likelihood of persisting through February 2027. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had also confirmed the onset of a strong El Niño event in its August climate update.

However, Nigeria’s implications require careful attention. El Niño does not produce identical weather conditions everywhere, and its effects in any country depend on other regional climate systems. Its influence can contribute to unusual temperature and rainfall patterns, increasing the risks of heat stress, water shortages, pressure on agriculture and, in some locations, weather-related emergencies. These possibilities make reliable forecasts, timely public information and practical preparedness particularly important.

The challenge is not simply to understand the phenomenon but to ensure that government institutions and communities are ready to respond to the risks it may create. This is where the work of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) becomes particularly relevant.

Under the leadership of its Director General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, the Agency has continued to strengthen its approach to disaster management, with greater emphasis on early warning, coordination and anticipatory action. The objective is to move beyond responding after an emergency has occurred and build systems that enable relevant authorities to identify threats, prepare communities and take necessary steps before situations deteriorate.

A significant development was Vice President Kashim Shettima’s directive in June 2026 to activate the Fusion and Trigger Room concept within NEMA. Following a meeting of the Anticipatory Action Task Force, the initiative was designed to strengthen information coordination, identify emerging risks, and support timely decisions on early action against flooding and other climate-related hazards. NEMA also disclosed that it had prioritised high-risk areas and issued flood early-warning advisories to support preparedness.

The Agency has also strengthened its operational information system. On August 4, 2026, Mrs Umar activated the National Emergency Operations Centre to improve the monitoring, collation and analysis of information on the flood situation across the country. The Centre is expected to provide a central platform for harmonising information from relevant sources and supporting coordinated decisions during emergencies.

Beyond its internal structures, effective disaster preparedness depends on cooperation among institutions with different but complementary responsibilities. This importance was reflected in the inter-agency meeting hosted by NiMet on August 21, 2026, ahead of implementing the Early Warnings for All initiative in Nigeria. NEMA, NiMet, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, the National Space Research and Development Agency, the Nigerian Communications Commission and other partners participated in discussions around the country’s 2026–2029 implementation roadmap for a coordinated, people-centred early-warning system.

These efforts are important, but their success must ultimately be measured by what happens beyond government offices and emergency coordination centres. A forecast does not protect a household simply because it has been issued. It becomes useful when the information reaches people in a language they understand and prompts them to take appropriate action.

The scale of Nigeria’s exposure to flooding illustrates the importance of this responsibility. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency identified 14,118 communities in 266 local government areas across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory as being at high risk of flooding in 2026. Such figures underline the need for local authorities to strengthen drainage systems, enforce appropriate land-use regulations, prevent construction on waterways and ensure that evacuation arrangements are in place where necessary.

Citizens also have a responsibility to take warnings seriously. During periods of intense heat, people should drink sufficient clean water, reduce unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight, wear light clothing and pay particular attention to children, older persons and people who may be more vulnerable to heat-related illness. Households should use water carefully, maintain clean surroundings and follow reliable weather updates from NiMet and NEMA.

For farmers, access to timely climate information can help guide decisions on planting, crop selection, water use and other farming practices. Communities in flood-prone areas should keep drainage channels clear, avoid dumping refuse in waterways and never attempt to cross flooded roads or moving water. Where evacuation advice is issued, residents should act promptly rather than wait until the situation becomes dangerous.

State and local governments must also translate national warnings into practical interventions. This includes investing in drainage and water-management infrastructure, strengthening local emergency committees, supporting public awareness campaigns and ensuring that vulnerable communities are not left out of preparedness plans. Traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations and the media have equally important roles in ensuring that safety information reaches the people who need it.

Ultimately, no single agency can prevent every climate-related emergency. NEMA’s responsibility to coordinate disaster management must be matched by the commitment of other government institutions and the willingness of citizens to act on credible information. The current El Niño event should therefore be treated not merely as a weather development but as an opportunity to strengthen the country’s preparedness culture.

The true measure of disaster management is not only how quickly emergency teams respond after tragedy strikes, but how many lives, homes and livelihoods are protected because action was taken early. As Nigeria navigates the months ahead, the message is clear: preparedness cannot begin when disaster arrives. It must begin before the storm.

Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu is a journalist and syndicate writer based in Abuja.

By Haroon Aremu

There was a time when Nigerians counted down to October 1 with pride. The green-white-green flag went up, the national anthem echoed, children dressed in national colours, and speeches celebrated freedom, sacrifice, unity and the promise of a great nation. On October 1, 1960, Nigeria became independent and sovereign after British colonial rule. The Union Jack came down and the Nigerian flag went up. A nation was told it had taken charge of its destiny. Sixty-six years later, the flag still flies. But one difficult question remains: how independent are we?

Not just Nigeria as a country, but the Nigerian himself. How independent is the Nigerian?

The question becomes more uncomfortable when we look beyond our borders. While some Nigerians struggle to build a life at home, another generation is packing its bags: one passport application, one visa interview, one admission letter, one job offer, one flight ticket. Then comes the familiar Nigerian word: japa. Leave. Escape. Start again. Find somewhere better, earn in dollars and build a new life.

There is nothing wrong with seeking opportunities abroad. Nigerians travel for education, safety, employment and better living conditions, while those in the diaspora contribute significantly to families and communities back home. But beneath the airport photographs and stories of “new beginnings” lies a question we rarely ask loudly enough: after leaving Nigeria, have we become more independent, or simply exchanged one set of struggles for another?

For many young Nigerians, japa is no longer merely slang; it has become an aspiration. The dream is simple: leave Nigeria, find a functioning system, earn better money, enjoy security and build a future. For someone facing unemployment, insecurity, poor infrastructure or economic hardship, the attraction is understandable.

But what are we leaving behind, and what are we building here for those who remain? If the doctor leaves, who treats the patient? If the engineer leaves, who builds? If the teacher leaves, who educates? If the entrepreneur leaves, who creates?

Perhaps this is the uncomfortable paradox of the Nigerian migration story: we are running from the country we want to see succeed.

Yet migration does not automatically mean liberation. A new passport does not erase identity, culture or social boundaries. South Africa offered a painful reminder in 2026, when anti-immigrant attacks and protests raised concerns for Nigerians and other African nationals. Nigeria condemned the killing of two citizens and began voluntary evacuation efforts, while South African authorities disputed some Nigerian accounts and called for evidence and investigation. The episode showed that changing countries does not necessarily mean escaping vulnerability.

Migration is movement, not necessarily liberation. A change of country is not automatically a change of status. A person may acquire another passport and still feel like an outsider.

Perhaps that is why Independence Day should be more than flags, fireworks and social-media graphics. It should force us to look in the mirror.

Nigeria has problems: insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure, economic hardship, weak institutions, corruption and inadequate public services. But countries are made up of people. Leaders come from the people, just as civil servants, business owners, voters, professionals and communities are part of the national story.

So, are we simply waiting for the next president, governor, minister or generation to fix Nigeria?

Nation-building is also a citizen responsibility. Yet patriotism cannot be built by telling hungry people to be patient or unemployed graduates to sacrifice indefinitely. A country earns the loyalty of its citizens by giving them reasons to believe in its future.

In 1960, political independence meant freedom from colonial rule and the transfer of responsibility for governing Nigeria to Nigerians. But political sovereignty is not the same as individual freedom. A country can be sovereign while millions remain economically vulnerable. A nation can be independent while its citizens struggle for basic opportunities. And a Nigerian can possess another country’s passport while still feeling like a visitor. That is why the real Independence Day question may not be, “Are we independent?” It may be, “What have we done with our independence?”

For Nigerians abroad, home can eventually become memory: the roadside food, weddings, family gatherings, neighbourhood noise, traffic, power outages, frustration, laughter, chaos and resilience. It is the complicated place Nigerians complain about but somehow miss thousands of kilometres away.

That is why many abroad still send money home, invest, return for family events, follow Nigerian politics and celebrate Nigerian culture. Leaving Nigeria does not necessarily mean leaving Nigeria behind. Sometimes, Nigeria leaves with you.

Perhaps japa should not be the end of the story. The Nigerian abroad can contribute knowledge, investment, expertise, networks and ideas. The Nigerian at home can contribute labour, enterprise, civic participation and community leadership.

The question should not simply be, “Why did you japa?” It should be, “What are you doing with the opportunity you found?” And for those who stayed: “What are you doing with the country you still have?”

Nigeria’s first independence was from colonial rule. The next must be from poverty, insecurity, corruption, institutional weakness, ethnic suspicion, hopelessness and the belief that nothing can change. Leadership matters, but citizens, institutions, businesses, professionals, young people and the diaspora also have a role.

So, as October 1 approaches, perhaps we should listen to the question beneath the celebration: if we are independent, why are so many of us desperate to leave? And if we leave, where exactly does our independence begin?

Nigerians should remain free to travel, but Nigeria must become a country people leave by choice, not desperation and return to without regret. Because perhaps the greatest sign of independence is not how many Nigerians can obtain foreign passports, but how many can look at their own country and confidently say: “I have the freedom to leave, but I also have a reason to stay.” Happy Independence day!

Haroon Aremu Abiodun (ANIPR) is an Associate Member of The Nigerian Institute of public relation and wrote in via exponentumera@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has attributed recent electricity supply disruptions in Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Kwara and Oyo states to gas shortages, maintenance challenges and reduced output from hydropower plants.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, acknowledged the worsening electricity situation, assuring consumers that the government was working with relevant agencies and electricity distribution companies to restore normal supply.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Adeola Adelabu, Tegbe said preliminary assessments indicated that the disruptions were not caused by a major or systemic failure of the national grid.

He explained that maintenance and operational challenges across parts of the electricity value chain, inadequate gas supply to thermal power stations and reduced water inflows into hydropower reservoirs had affected electricity generation.

The minister said the government had engaged the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Nigerian Independent System Operator and electricity distribution companies to address the challenges and accelerate ongoing maintenance.

He acknowledged the difficulties faced by households, businesses and public institutions as a result of the reduced supply.

The latest electricity allocation figures showed that the 11 distribution companies received a combined 2,926 megawatts as of 4:41pm on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company received the highest allocation of 633MW, representing approximately 21.6 per cent of the total.

Ibadan Disco received 391MW, followed by Port Harcourt Disco with 320MW. Benin Disco got 264MW, Eko Disco 256MW, Enugu Disco 253MW and Ikeja Disco 249MW.

Kano Disco received 173MW, Kaduna Disco 167MW, Jos Disco 146MW, while Yola Disco received the lowest allocation of 74MW.

The figures represent electricity allocated to the distribution companies at the stated time and do not necessarily reflect the actual power delivered to consumers.

FG clears 44 containers of abandoned power equipment

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has facilitated the release of 44 containers of electricity equipment that had been stranded at Apapa ports in Lagos, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s power infrastructure.

Tegbe disclosed that more than 300 containers had remained stranded at the ports, with some reportedly abandoned since 2014.

He said the clearance followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive after the last Federal Executive Council meeting, mandating the Ministry of Power to work with the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Ports Authority to resolve outstanding issues.

According to the minister, the first 44 containers have been released, and technical experts will inspect their contents before they are deployed.

He explained that equipment found to be serviceable would be used for ongoing electricity projects, while unusable materials would be disposed of appropriately.

The development follows the recovery of 110 abandoned containers and 216 packages by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company under its Managing Director, Jennifer Adighije.

That recovery reportedly saved more than ₦30 billion and helped unlock approximately 470 megawatts of electricity generation capacity through recovered turbines.

Although the latest clearance is expected to provide additional equipment for power infrastructure projects, the ministry has not disclosed the specific contents or condition of the 44 containers, or when the materials will be deployed.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Olujuwon Obasanjo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 after joining the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement as Special Adviser on Political Affairs.

Olujuwon announced his position on Wednesday during a visit to the movement’s headquarters in Abuja, where he was received by its National Coordinator, Sunday Asuku.

He described his appointment as an honour and commended the group for its grassroots mobilisation, community engagement and efforts to promote the activities of the Tinubu administration.

According to him, he had followed the movement’s activities for some time and was impressed by its work, expressing readiness to contribute to its objectives and the President’s second-term ambition.

“President Tinubu has started on a good note, making it necessary for Nigerians, particularly young people, to join hands to sustain the ongoing reforms and ensure continuity in governance,” he said.

Olujuwon also cited salary payments, infrastructure development and investment opportunities as areas where he believed the country had recorded progress, arguing that the gains should be sustained.

He expressed confidence that continued support for Tinubu would enable the administration to consolidate its achievements and deliver more benefits to Nigerians.

The former President’s son further disclosed that he had been a member of the All Progressives Congress since 2014.

He noted that members of his family were free to hold different political views and pursue their interests without hostility.

Welcoming him to the movement, Asuku described Olujuwon as an experienced political figure whose background in leadership and governance would strengthen the organisation’s mobilisation activities.

He expressed confidence that the new appointee would use his political experience to advance the movement’s objectives across the country.

Olujuwon’s declaration comes as political groups and parties intensify activities and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Nigerians spend an estimated ₦75 billion annually on visa application expenses, with unsuccessful applications accounting for a significant portion of the financial losses, according to a report obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to The Punch newspaper, the report estimated that Nigerians lost about €11.5 million, equivalent to approximately ₦19 billion, to rejected Schengen visa applications alone in 2025.

It highlighted the financial burden of international travel on Nigerians, particularly because visa application fees are generally non-refundable, regardless of whether an application is successful.

The financial exposure, according to the analysis, goes beyond official visa charges to include application centre fees, medical insurance, hotel reservations, flight bookings and other documentation expenses.

It estimated that an unsuccessful visa application could cost an applicant between ₦350,000 and ₦1.2 million, depending on the destination and the services required.

Canada was identified as one of the most challenging destinations for Nigerian applicants, particularly those seeking study permits. The report put the refusal rate for Nigerian study permit applications at approximately 75 per cent between January and April 2026, meaning only about one in four applications was approved.

It attributed many of the refusals to concerns about whether applicants would leave Canada after completing their studies, as required under the country’s immigration regulations.

Within the Schengen Area, Belgium reportedly recorded the highest refusal rate for Nigerian applicants at 60.3 per cent, followed by Spain at 52.7 per cent and France at 47.4 per cent.

The overall Schengen visa refusal rate for Nigerians stood at 46.9 per cent in 2025, compared with 45.9 per cent in 2024. Approximately 250,000 applications were unsuccessful during the year.

The United Kingdom recorded an overall refusal rate of 33.1 per cent for Nigerian applicants in 2025. The figure reportedly increased to 35.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, while visitor visa refusals stood at an estimated 38.6 per cent.

The report also stated that Nigerians accounted for 44.4 per cent of African visa refusals by the UK, citing a cumulative figure of 1.34 million over 21 years.

For the United States, the analysis cited an estimated refusal rate of 64 per cent for African applicants seeking F-1 student visas, compared with a global rate of 35 per cent. It identified concerns about applicants’ intentions to return to their home countries as one of the factors behind such decisions.

The report further highlighted rising visa charges in some countries. Japan, for instance, increased its visa fees for Nigerians from July 1, 2026, with a single-entry visa rising from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000, while a multiple-entry visa increased from ¥6,000 to ¥30,000.

These new charges were estimated at approximately ₦126,000 and ₦252,000, respectively. Despite the increase, Japan reportedly maintained a relatively low refusal rate of between 12 and 15 per cent for Nigerian applicants.

The analysis also listed several other destinations and their visa charges. A United States B1/B2 visitor visa costs $185, while Canada’s visitor visa and biometrics fees amount to CAD185. Schengen applicants were estimated to pay €90 in visa fees, in addition to about €35 in application centre charges.

For the United Kingdom, a six-month visitor visa was listed at £127, while a 10-year visitor visa costs £1,128.

India was described in the report as one of the more expensive destinations in the comparison, with a listed visa charge of $588, although its electronic visa options for eligible applicants reportedly cost between $25 and $80.

The report also examined the requirements for travelling to Indonesia, noting that Nigerian applicants generally require a sponsor and approval through the relevant immigration process rather than relying on visa-on-arrival arrangements. It estimated the refusal rate for Indonesian calling visas involving Nigerians at about 40 per cent.

Malaysia’s electronic visa system was identified as a comparatively affordable option for eligible Nigerian travellers, with the application fee estimated at RM126, equivalent to between ₦40,000 and ₦45,000.

The report advised Nigerians seeking to minimise financial losses to consider destinations offering visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival facilities or electronic travel authorisation, provided they meet the relevant eligibility requirements.

It listed several West African countries, including Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, Senegal, The Gambia, Liberia, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, as destinations accessible to Nigerian passport holders under regional arrangements.

Other countries mentioned as possible alternatives included Rwanda, Barbados, Dominica, Fiji, Mauritius and Vanuatu.

However, the analysis cautioned that travellers should confirm current entry requirements through official government channels before making travel arrangements, as visa policies and eligibility conditions may change.

It also noted that visa-free entry does not necessarily eliminate all travel-related expenses, while electronic travel authorisations and some online permits may still attract non-refundable charges.

The Daily Reality

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has pledged 10 buses to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abba made the pledge during a visit to the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat in Abuja on Friday, where he was received by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Bukar Dalori.

According to a statement by Yusi Buba, an APC aide, Abba expressed support for Tinubu’s administration and announced the donation to boost the party’s mobilisation efforts.

The pledge followed his unveiling of the Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation, a support platform through which he plans to organise a two-million-man mobilisation march across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Abba defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC in January. His father, Atiku Abubakar, is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s defence of government borrowing, describing excessive debt as more damaging than leprosy because its consequences can affect generations yet unborn.

Obasanjo made the remarks on Friday at the third Ajibosin Annual Symposium, held at the amphitheatre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The symposium was themed, “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Solve Grassroots Problems and Accelerate National Development.”

Tinubu had recently argued that borrowing was not leprosy, maintaining that his administration was prepared to work hard to repay whatever loans it obtained.

However, Obasanjo dismissed the argument, questioning the country’s growing debt burden and the ability of its leaders to manage the economy.

The former President, who secured a $30 billion Paris Club debt relief for Nigeria during his administration from 1999 to 2007, argued that while leprosy affects an individual, excessive borrowing places the future of entire generations at risk.

“For anybody to say debt is no leprosy is absolute nonsense. Debt is worse than leprosy, because leprosy destroys only one person. Debt destroys generations,” he said.

Obasanjo faults dependence on World Bank, IMF

The former President also criticised the policies of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), arguing that their recommendations were not necessarily designed to advance Nigeria’s development interests.

He questioned why African countries were discouraged from subsidising agriculture while developed countries continued to support their own agricultural sectors.

Obasanjo said Nigeria should develop policies based on its peculiar economic realities rather than blindly adopting recommendations from international financial institutions.

He also expressed concern over what he described as excessive reliance on foreign economic prescriptions, warning that such dependence could undermine the country’s ability to determine its development priorities.

Raises concern over naira depreciation

Obasanjo further lamented the depreciation of the naira, comparing its value against the US dollar when he started his farming business about 47 years ago with its current exchange rate.

He recalled that the naira was stronger than the dollar at the time, questioning how the country had reached a situation where the exchange rate was around ₦1,500 to the dollar.

“What has Nigeria done in 47 years that we now have N1,500 naira to the dollar? What have we done?” he asked.

He also challenged Nigerian leaders to demonstrate their understanding of the country’s economic problems through practical solutions.

Warns against foreign control of artificial intelligence

Obasanjo also cautioned Nigeria and other African countries against adopting artificial intelligence without understanding its implications and ensuring sufficient local control over the technology.

He argued that innovations developed by powerful foreign countries could be exploited against nations that lacked the capacity to regulate and control them.

“I don’t know too much technically about AI. But I know that anything that is not in your control can be abused against you,” he said.

The former President urged Nigeria to determine how artificial intelligence could serve its development priorities instead of allowing foreign interests to dictate the country’s technological direction.

Africa warned against another form of exploitation

Also speaking at the symposium, historian and political commentator, Dr Umar Ardo, warned that Africa could face another form of economic exploitation through artificial intelligence if it failed to control its data, technological infrastructure and intellectual property.

Ardo acknowledged the potential of AI to transform economies and support national development but cautioned that adopting the technology without local ownership and adequate safeguards could reinforce existing economic inequalities.

He traced Africa’s history of economic exploitation from the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism to the post-independence period, arguing that the continent had repeatedly supplied valuable resources while foreign interests controlled the technologies and captured much of the economic benefits.

According to him, the pattern continues today, with African countries exporting raw materials while importing finished products and depending heavily on foreign technology and expertise.

He cited Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported refined petroleum products despite being a major crude oil producer, as well as the reliance of cocoa-producing countries on foreign manufacturers for finished chocolate products.

Ardo warned that data generated from African citizens, businesses, hospitals, farms, languages and public institutions could become another valuable resource extracted and controlled by foreign companies.

He argued that although artificial intelligence presents significant opportunities, Africa must establish ownership of its data and technological infrastructure to benefit fully from the emerging digital economy.

The Daily Reality

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has performed Umrah in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, praying for sustainable peace, national unity and stability in Nigeria.

During the spiritual exercise early Friday, the President circled the Holy Ka’abah at the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, in worship and thanksgiving to Almighty Allah for His blessings on Nigeria and its people.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the rite, President Tinubu said the Umrah was significant for the love of Nigerians, commitment to the job and the country, and commitment to the will of Allah.

He prayed that Almighty Allah would guide the country’s leaders with wisdom, strengthen brotherhood among Nigerians and grant the nation lasting relief from insecurity and other challenges.

“I am grateful to Allah for being able to perform this Umrah. We have just prayed for our nation, for everyone to live in peace and harmony, happiness and faith in God Almighty,” the President said.

He also expressed hope that Nigeria would continue to make progress toward economic prosperity, social development and a more secure future for all citizens.

President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful, united and prosperous nation where every Nigerian, regardless of faith or background, can live in safety, dignity and harmony.

The Presidency announced the President’s spiritual exercise in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued two kidnapped herders and recovered 520 head of livestock allegedly rustled by suspected terrorists in Sokoto State.

The operation took place on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Takasaba village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Captain Tamuno Sinivie, disclosed this in a statement, saying the troops acted on credible intelligence about terrorist activities in the area.

According to him, the troops swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the suspected terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to flee and abandon the livestock and the two abducted herders.

The rescued victims were identified as Malam Sulaiman, 50, and Nasiru Sulaiman, 14. They were subsequently handed over to the Sabon Birni Local Government authorities.

Troops repel ambush in Zamfara

In a related operation, troops of Sector 2 reportedly repelled an ambush by suspected terrorists along the Anka–Guruzu Road in Zamfara State on the same day.

Captain Sinivie said the troops were conducting a fighting patrol to clear the road following reports of terrorist activities when armed men positioned on both sides of the route launched a coordinated attack.

He said the soldiers responded with firepower, forcing the attackers to withdraw after sustaining casualties.

The troops subsequently maintained their presence along the road to restore freedom of movement for commuters.

However, one soldier sustained a gunshot injury during the exchange of fire and was evacuated for medical attention. The military said the soldier was in stable condition.

Military pledges continued operations

The Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General W.B. Idris, commended the troops for their conduct during the operations and urged them to sustain pressure on terrorist groups operating in the region.

He also reaffirmed the military’s commitment to restoring peace and security across its joint operational area.

The commander called on residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations against armed groups.

The latest operations come amid continued security challenges in parts of the North-West, where communities have faced attacks, kidnappings and livestock rustling.

The Daily Reality

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly wage award for federal workers, demanding instead that the minimum salary for the lowest-paid worker be increased to ₦300,000.

The union said workers needed a substantial and sustainable salary increase rather than temporary financial support that might not benefit all eligible employees.

The proposal followed a meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to discuss workers’ welfare and measures to address the rising cost of living.

In a statement signed by its President-General, Festus Osifo, and Secretary, Nuhu Toro, the TUC also called for the implementation of the agreement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

“Our position is unequivocal: workers are not asking for favours; they are demanding social and economic justice that protects their dignity and livelihoods,” the statement said.

TUC questions implementation of previous wage awards

The union expressed concerns over the implementation of previous wage awards, arguing that the government had yet to fulfil its earlier commitments to workers.

According to the TUC, the wage award introduced in October 2023 was not fully implemented before the parties reached an agreement on a new national minimum wage in 2024.

It claimed that some workers received payments for only one or two months, while others did not receive any payment.

The union also criticised the irregular payment of the previous ₦40,000 wage award, alleging that some workers received payments covering up to four months without a consistent monthly schedule.

It further claimed that more than 80 per cent of state governments and employers in the informal sector did not implement any form of wage award.

The TUC questioned the rationale for introducing another temporary payment while, according to the union, previous commitments remained outstanding.

“How can workers be expected to trust fresh promises when previous obligations remain outstanding?” it asked.

Union seeks sustainable salary increases

The TUC maintained that a permanent salary increase would offer workers more reliable financial support than a temporary wage award, particularly as the prices of essential goods and services continue to rise.

It argued that ongoing negotiations over a new national minimum wage should not prevent the government from granting workers an urgent pay increase.

The union also noted that the economic difficulties extended beyond federal government employees, affecting state and local government workers, pensioners, private-sector employees and those in the informal economy.

It identified rising costs of food, transportation, healthcare and other basic necessities as major pressures on households.

Calls for broader economic measures

Beyond salary increases, the TUC urged governments at all levels to take practical measures to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.

It also called for the timely payment of salaries and pensions, protection of existing jobs and stronger action against exploitative labour practices.

The union further advocated renewed efforts to strengthen the productive sector and create decent employment opportunities.

The disagreement adds another dimension to ongoing discussions between the government and organised labour over workers’ welfare, wage adjustments and the economic pressures facing Nigerians.

The Daily Reality