General News
Tinubu Urges Health Fellows to Serve with Honour, Humility and Courage
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday charged young participants of the Federal Government’s National Health Fellowship Programme to serve the nation with honour, humility and courage, assuring them of government support in securing their career paths.
The President gave the charge while speaking at the first National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health held in Abuja.
Tinubu described the fellows as a driving force in achieving the Renewed National Health Alliance, noting that they were carefully selected from each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas as part of the programme’s second cohort.
The initiative is championed by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to strengthen healthcare delivery nationwide.
“Today, I stand here with pride that our young people are proving yet again that Nigeria’s future is not something to fear. It is something to look forward to. I thank the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, state governments and all our partners for keeping this vision alive,” the President said.
“We are working to secure your career paths through the federal structure and support from development partners. I am also aware that the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare and his team have requested state governments to host a fitting graduation ceremony for you in your states as you complete your fellowship. I thank you on behalf of a grateful nation and urge you to carry the spirit of altruism, as it will bring great rewards.”
Addressing the fellows directly, Tinubu said the programme represents a new Nigeria where talent and competence enable young people to reach their full potential.
“This administration recognises and believes in the potential of our youth. We will harness your energy to fuel our renewal and create opportunities that provide you with dignity, purpose and a pathway to leadership.”
He urged the fellows to work in synergy with traditional and religious leaders to ensure effective service delivery.
“You are the driving force that traditional and religious leaders will count on to fulfil the commitment they made today as the operational backbone of this national health alliance. Bring structures where systems are weak, data where decisions lack clarity and energy where communities seek hope. You are the youthful force behind Nigeria’s health transformation.”
The President also called on traditional and religious leaders to support government efforts toward achieving universal health coverage, stressing the importance of hope in national development.
“We are building an inclusive, united and committed society to renew the hope of our people. The keyword here is HOPE. Nothing good is achieved without our hope, and we pledge to do everything possible to renew it.”
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to sustain the fight against insecurity, expressing confidence that Nigeria would ultimately prevail.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Ali Pate thanked the President for his leadership and presented the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report, noting that the document served as a basis for dialogue at the summit.
“We have used the 2025 State of Health of the Nation Report as a basis for the dialogue. As you can see, Christian and Muslim faiths are represented to hear their feedback, and I think we have carried some important lessons from what we have heard from them,” he said.
He also commended federal and state governments for implementing the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and for promoting inclusiveness through the Health Sector Compact.
Traditional rulers and religious leaders from the six geopolitical zones attended the event, including Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Atuwatse III, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, and James Ortese Ayatse, among others.
Also present were leaders of major faith organisations, including Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, and Razaq Oladejo, Deputy President-General (South) of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, who pledged to promote community healthcare coverage within their constituencies.
The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has announced plans to institute legal action against the National Assembly and the Nigeria Police Force over the alleged use of tear gas and force against protesters demonstrating for electoral reforms.
In a statement issued Wednesday and signed by Olawale Okunniyi, Head of the group’s National Secretariat, the organisation condemned what it described as the “violent dispersal of unarmed protesters” who had gathered to demand transparency in the country’s electoral process.
The group said the incident occurred while lawmakers were deliberating on provisions it claims could weaken safeguards for electronic transmission of election results, warning that the development sends a troubling signal about democratic accountability.
According to the statement, deploying force against peaceful demonstrators undermines public trust in democratic institutions and creates the perception that state authorities are being used to shield controversial legislative actions from scrutiny.
MCE argued that citizens have both the right and civic duty to peacefully demand credible elections, stressing that suppressing dissent risks eroding democratic principles.
Demands
The organisation called for:
An immediate and transparent investigation into police conduct during the protest.
Public clarification from the legislature on its commitment to clearly defined safeguards for electronic transmission of results.
Open engagement between lawmakers, civil society, and citizens on electoral reform proposals.
The group warned that how institutions respond to public participation now would shape confidence in the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
MCE also urged Nigerians to remain peaceful and vigilant while it proceeds with legal steps against the legislature and police over the incident.
President Bola Tinubu has formally signed the Electoral Act 2026 Amendment into law.
The signing ceremony was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with principal officers of the National Assembly in attendance.
President Tinubu commended lawmakers, saying he had closely followed the amendment process and praised them for a “job well done.”
The National Assembly leadership described the amendments as a significant step toward ensuring that every vote counts and enhancing the transparency of future elections.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that lawmakers conducted a thorough review of the law before its approval. He highlighted that the amendments now allow for the electronic transmission of polling unit results to the results viewing portal—a longstanding demand by Nigerians.
Akpabio added that while manually signed polling unit results are retained, the new system will enable citizens to compare results at various stages, reducing the risk of post-election tampering.
House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas noted that reducing the election notice period from 360 to 300 days is aimed at curbing voter apathy and improving participation.
Implications for Nigeria’s Elections
Analysts say the amendment is a major step toward modernizing Nigeria’s electoral system and aligning it with international best practices.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to implement the new measures ahead of the 2027 general elections, with updated guidelines to support electronic results transmission and improved monitoring.
With these reforms, Nigeria aims to enhance credibility in its elections, reduce post-election disputes, and strengthen citizens’ trust in the democratic process.
General News
Lagos Commercial Drivers Protest Against Takeover of Routes by Seyi Tinubu’s Buses, Block VGC Road
Commercial drivers in Lagos staged a protest on Wednesday along the Ajiwe–Victoria Garden City (VGC) corridor, Ajah, bringing traffic to a standstill. The drivers claim they were instructed to stop operating their existing “korope” buses and switch to newly introduced vehicles allegedly linked to Seyi Tinubu.
Eyewitnesses reported that the drivers were prevented from operating entirely, rather than just being restricted to certain routes. Many of the affected operators said they had fully paid for their current buses under long-term purchase agreements and described the directive as unfair and exploitative.
“They told us not to use korope again, even though some of us have completed payments for our buses,” an operator said, expressing frustration over the forced transition to new vehicles.
As of Wednesday morning, movement along the Ajiwe–VGC route was heavily disrupted, with protesters occupying the road and halting both commercial and private traffic.
At the time of reporting, Lagos State authorities and Seyi Tinubu had not responded to the allegations. Drivers vowed to maintain their protest until their concerns were addressed.