Government
WIKE COMMISSIONS 54 CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT FOR EDO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, LAUDS GOVERNOR OKPEBHOLO’S GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT DRIVE
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has commissioned 54 construction equipment procured by the Edo State Government for the 18 Local Government Councils, describing the initiative as a major boost to grassroots economic development. Speaking during the commissioning in Benin City, Wike commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his commitment to rural development and economic empowerment, noting that the intervention would accelerate infrastructure and economic growth in local communities.
Wike said the governor had demonstrated strong support for the local government system and a clear vision for inclusive development. According to him, prioritising rural development would help strengthen the economy and improve the living standards of people at the grassroots. Wike also highlighted ongoing infrastructural development under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that recent electoral outcomes in the Federal Capital Territory reflected public confidence in the government’s performance.
In his remarks, Governor Okpebholo described the equipment handover as a strategic step towards strengthening local government administration and delivering development to rural communities across the state. He said the initiative aligns with his administration’s SHINE Agenda, emphasising that development must not be concentrated in urban centres but should reach every village, community and ward. According to the governor, the equipment would be deployed to open rural roads, improve drainage, enhance sanitation and accelerate infrastructure delivery at the grassroots. He stressed that the machines were meant for practical use and must be managed transparently for the benefit of the people.
The Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, said the governor’s actions demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the welfare of ordinary citizens. He noted that the initiative was already changing the development narrative in the state. Speaking on behalf of council chairmen, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Edo State and Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, Sunny Ekpeson, described the commissioning as a significant step towards strengthening grassroots governance and advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government. Ekpeson noted that the programme would enable local councils to deliver visible infrastructure and improve service delivery in their respective communities.
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Jarrett Tenebe, said the party remained committed to promoting good governance and sustainable development across the state. Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Edesili Anani Okpebholo, commended the administration for its inclusive governance approach, particularly the empowerment of women and efforts to improve security, healthcare and agriculture.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa; Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor; Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku; members of the State Assembly; the 18 local government council chairmen; party leaders and other stakeholders. The event marked another milestone in the Edo State Government’s efforts to strengthen local government capacity and entrench practical governance at the grassroots.
The Bayelsa State Government has approved the appointment of 18 new Permanent Secretaries into the state civil service. In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission, Mr. Buruboyefe Perekiye John, the appointments were approved by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, as part of efforts to strengthen the administrative machinery of government and enhance effective service delivery across ministries, departments and agencies.
According to the statement, the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries are: Awana Raymond; Egbuson Pere Amanda; Ogregade Ileimokumo; Ketebu Josephine Thompson; Burutolu Obalakumo Samuel; Bomotei Zachaeus Anne; Dagogo Edmundson; Enuma Charles; Salbot A. Owil; Dr. Stow Yerinbuluemi Jones; Efeke Pereyi; Doyowei Edward Pulotua; Toloko Sylvester E.; Ede-Alakere Goodluck Tarila; Torutein Ovienadu; Ogbara Fanmene Faith; Vincent Jonathan E.; and Engr. Cole Otonye James.
The Commission noted that further information regarding the swearing-in ceremony will be communicated in due course. The statement extended warm congratulations to the appointees and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of the state civil service.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says Nigeria has recorded a significant increase in birth registration over the past two years, with 14 million children officially registered.
UNICEF Country Representative to Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House in Abuja on Friday.
Abdelatef described birth registration as the first right of every child, noting that it ensures children are counted, recognised, and legally identified. She said the progress recorded in Nigeria within two years is remarkable.
“Birth registration is the first right of every child to be counted and recognised. I have served in many places, but I have not seen this level of progress achieved within two years,” she said.
She added that the birth registration system is being digitalised at health facilities nationwide to improve efficiency and access.
According to her, a bill currently before the National Assembly is also expected to strengthen the process, attributing the progress to strong national leadership.
Abdelatef commended the First Lady for her leadership and commitment to initiatives that impact children and families across the country.
She also referenced her participation at events hosted by the First Lady, including the launch of a food bank and engagements linked to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In her remarks, Tinubu acknowledged UNICEF’s longstanding support to Nigeria, emphasising that birth registration must continue until every Nigerian child is documented.
“Every child counts,” she said, stressing that legal identity and nationality are essential for integrating children into health and social services.
The First Lady said she was encouraged by the progress recorded but noted that more work remains to be done.
“We have to keep at it and make sure that every child is counted. It is not just about birth registration alone; we are also looking at birth certificates,” she said.
Tinubu also highlighted the importance of accurate population data, noting that Nigeria has not conducted a census in many years. She said focusing on registering children would help the government better plan for health, education, and other social services.
While expressing satisfaction with improvements in birth registration, the First Lady raised concerns over the high rates of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and child and maternal mortality in the country.
“Nigeria has a huge population.
When it comes to tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and child and maternal mortality, the numbers are still high, and that is worrisome,” she said.
She, however, assured that the current administration is taking steps to address these challenges and position the country for a better future.
Tinubu thanked UNICEF for its continued partnership and pledged further collaboration, noting that the organisation has consistently provided reliable data to support government planning and policy implementation.
Nigeria’s total public debt increased to N153.29 trillion as of September 30, 2025, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO).
In a statement published on its website, the DMO said the figure represents a N900 billion increase or 0.59 percent compared to the N152.39 trillion recorded at the end of June 2025.
The debt office explained that the public debt profile comprises both domestic and external debt stocks of the federal government and the subnational governments — the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the DMO, total domestic debt stood at N81.81 trillion (approximately $55.47 billion), while total external debt amounted to N71.47 trillion (about $48.46 billion).
A breakdown of the domestic component shows that the federal government accounted for the largest share, with its domestic debt rising to N77.81 trillion in the third quarter of 2025, up from N76.58 trillion in the second quarter.
Similarly, domestic debt owed by states and the FCT increased marginally from N3.96 trillion in June to N4 trillion in September 2025.
The upward trend in the debt profile reflects the federal government’s need to finance critical infrastructure and cover significant budget shortfalls.
Nigeria’s 2026 budget deficit is projected at no less than N23.85 trillion, representing 4.28 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Public discourse around borrowing remains sensitive in Nigeria, particularly amid recurring concerns about widening budget deficits and revenue allocation.
In January 2025, the DMO refuted claims in a report alleging that Nigeria’s public debt rose from N21 trillion to N142 trillion under President Bola Tinubu.
The office clarified that Nigeria’s total public debt stood at N87 trillion when Tinubu assumed office, not N21 trillion as claimed.
Earlier, on May 17, 2025, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) reported that both federal and state governments had reduced their debt burdens, citing increased disbursements from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) as a supporting factor.
The latest data from the DMO, however, shows a renewed increase in the country’s overall debt stock as of the third quarter of 2025.