General News
Tinubu Urges States, LGs to Deliver Development as Funds Increase
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged state and local government authorities to ensure that the increased funds available to them translate into meaningful development at the grassroots level.
Speaking during an interfaith breaking of fast with leaders of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) at the State House in Abuja, the President emphasised the need for accountability across all tiers of government.
Tinubu said the reforms implemented by the federal government have expanded the fiscal space for states and local governments, making more funds available for development. According to him, the responsibility now lies with sub-national governments to ensure that the resources are properly utilised to improve the lives of citizens.
The President urged the media to broaden its focus beyond the federal government and also scrutinise the activities of state and local government administrations.
“We have opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money. But how they use it is in your hands. Don’t bombard me alone; look out to the local government too,” Tinubu said.
He added that states are also benefiting from improved financial conditions, noting that many no longer need to borrow to pay workers’ salaries.
Tinubu stressed that national progress requires a collective effort among government, institutions and citizens, while describing the media as a vital partner in nation-building.
The President also acknowledged the difficult operating environment facing media organisations and commended journalists and publishers for their continued efforts in informing and educating the public.
“I don’t leave my house in the morning without going through the newspapers,” he said, describing his daily reading habit as an “addiction” that keeps him informed about national developments.
Tinubu used the opportunity to address concerns about the impact of global technology companies on Nigeria’s media industry. He pledged that his administration would support initiatives aimed at protecting the country’s media ecosystem from undue foreign influence.
He cited Lekeelekee, a new social media platform recently launched by the Chairman of THISDAY Media Group and ARISE News Channel, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, as an example of local innovation that deserves support.
The President said Nigeria must encourage indigenous technological platforms capable of competing with global digital giants.
He also assured media stakeholders that the federal government would look into concerns regarding tariffs on newsprint and broadcasting equipment, which publishers say have increased operational costs.
Reflecting on his administration’s economic reforms, Tinubu noted that difficult decisions such as the removal of fuel subsidy were necessary to prevent the country from sliding into economic collapse.
“At the time, Nigeria was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Leadership requires making decisions when they should be made,” he said.
According to the President, despite the initial hardship caused by the reforms, the country has begun to stabilise economically.
“Today, I can proudly say we are back from the brink,” Tinubu added, recalling earlier challenges such as high inflation, exchange rate instability and debts owed to international airlines.
Grand Patron of NPAN and former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, commended Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms, including the establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service and the National Single Window policy aimed at boosting government revenue.
Also speaking, President of the Nigeria Press Organisation and Publisher of BusinessDay newspaper, Frank Aigbogun, appealed to the President to intervene on import tariffs affecting the media industry.
Aigbogun also urged the federal government to protect Nigerian journalism jobs from the growing influence of big technology companies that use editorial content from local media organisations without compensation.
Earlier, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the government had begun engagements with major technology companies, including Meta and Google, over their impact on Nigeria’s media landscape.
He assured media leaders that the Tinubu administration remains committed to press freedom and will not allow foreign companies to exploit Nigeria’s media space without accountability.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the Nigerian media for its critical role in informing and educating citizens, stating that constructive criticism from journalists strengthens democracy and contributes to national development.
The President made the remarks during an interfaith breaking of fast with media executives, as well as members of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
Tinubu also commended Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of THISDAY Media Group and ARISE Media Group, for creating the Lekelekke platform, describing it as an initiative that amplifies Nigerian perspectives and challenges global dominance in the social media space.
Reflecting on his administration’s economic reforms, the President said Nigeria is steadily recovering from the economic difficulties his government inherited, particularly following key policy decisions such as the removal of fuel subsidy.
He urged Nigerians to support government efforts aimed at rebuilding the economy, emphasizing that national progress requires collaboration between leadership and citizens.
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Lauretta Onochie, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
Onochie made her position known in a post on her official X account on Friday, March 13, 2026, stating that participation in the National Youth Service Corps does not necessarily prove that an individual graduated from a tertiary institution.
The issue resurfaced following a report by THISDAY which indicated that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee had yet to dismiss a petition filed against Kalu over his NYSC documentation. The petition was reportedly submitted by the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance, triggering fresh debate about the relationship between NYSC certification and academic qualifications.
Reacting to the development, Onochie argued that the NYSC scheme and academic graduation are separate processes and should not be treated as the same.
“I know someone who took part in the National Youth Service Corps even though he did not do graduation,” she wrote, stressing that possession of an NYSC certificate alone should not be regarded as proof of completing a university or polytechnic programme.
Her remarks come as public scrutiny over the academic credentials of political figures continues to intensify. In Nigeria’s political landscape, questions about educational records have repeatedly generated debate and legal challenges.
Observers say Onochie’s comments highlight the need to distinguish between NYSC participation and formal graduation records, noting that academic certificates remain the primary evidence of educational attainment.
The statement has since sparked reactions across social media and political circles, with some Nigerians supporting her clarification while others insist that transparency in the documentation of public officials is vital for maintaining public confidence.
General News
BUSINESSWOMAN TRACY OHIRI APOLOGISES TO MINISTER DAVID UMAHI, RETRACTS CONTROVERSIAL ALLEGATIONS
Businesswoman Tracy Ohiri has publicly apologised to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, retracting controversial claims that recently circulated online and generated widespread reactions. In a video statement that surfaced online, Ohiri clarified that she never alleged the minister tied a wrapper or towel around himself to meet her in a hotel room, a claim that had fueled speculation and memes across social media platforms.
Ohiri stressed that the widely circulated allegation was never made by her. “I never said Engineer Deacon David Umahi tied a wrapper to meet me in a hotel room,” she said. She further expressed regret over the embarrassment the controversy may have caused the minister and his family. “I apologize to Minister Umahi for the embarrassment this allegation may have caused him and his family,” she added.
The apology follows earlier accusations by Ohiri in which she alleged that the minister owed her money related to a business or contractual arrangement. Some reports had also linked the dispute to claims of alleged improper advances which she reportedly rebuffed. The allegations had attracted public attention and sparked discussions among activists and social media users.
Ohiri explained that after consultations with her family, legal team, and close associates, she decided to step back from the controversy. According to her, the decision was taken to allow her family focus on their personal lives and business activities. She also expressed regret over any misunderstanding or distress that the situation may have caused.
The apology has generated mixed reactions online. While some observers view the retraction as a step toward resolving the dispute, others have questioned the circumstances surrounding the apology.