Breaking News
Security: Tinubu Declares State Of Emergency
President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency over the nation’s security training facilities, citing their outdated conditions as a threat to the effectiveness of Nigeria’s internal security agencies.
The announcement specifically addresses the training institutions of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies.
The development was confirmed by Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, who heads the National Economic Council (NEC) ad-hoc committee tasked with revamping security training institutions. Governor Mbah made the disclosure during an on-site inspection of the facilities in Lagos.
Addressing newsmen, Mbah said, “What we’ve observed today is consistent with what President Tinubu recognized when he visited the council chamber on October 23 and personally approved the inauguration of this ad hoc committee tasked with overhauling all training institutions of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“The President recognized the urgent need for bold action to restore the pride, professionalism, and confidence of our men and women in the security sector. That is precisely what we are here to validate. This committee has a mandate to report back within 30 days.
“As you know, we divided ourselves into two teams. One team, led by His Excellency Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Nassarawa State, is visiting all the training institutions in the North, while we are currently visiting the institutions in the South. We also have consultants with us, who will conduct a deep assessment of what needs to be rebuilt, re-equipped, and sustained in these training institutions.
“The President indeed sees this as an emergency. What we aim to achieve is the creation of an intervention fund for the rebuilding, renovation, and re-equipping of these institutions. As you know, the President has approved the recruitment of 30,000 police officers, which cannot be effectively implemented without adequate training facilities. This is why we are treating it with the seriousness it deserves.
“This particular facility, for example, was built around 1948. As we consider redevelopment, are we also looking at digital transformation for police training? Absolutely. We cannot rely on 20th-century systems to train a 21st-century police force. Our personnel need to acquire evolving digital skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, mechatronics, and other technologies essential for modern policing.
“Our approach is a comprehensive revamp. As the President has emphasized, you cannot expect men and women responsible for protecting our communities and upholding law and order to be trained in inhumane conditions. That is simply unacceptable, and this initiative is aimed at addressing that.
“Lastly, for emphasis, I want to clarify that this action is not reactionary. Some viewers may think this is a response to the recent comments by former President Trump, but that is not the case. This directive was issued on October 20, before any external events. This is a forward-thinking, proactive initiative by a President who recognizes that our training institutions have suffered decades of neglect.
“Our goal is to rebuild these institutions, equip them with modern facilities, and provide world-class environments for our police officers and civil defence personnel. What you are witnessing is a nationwide effort to ensure that all training institutions are brought up to modern standards and aligned with 21st-century realities.
Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, alongside the committee’s secretary, former Inspector General of Police Alkali Usman Baba, and Assistant Inspector General of Police Olatunji Disu, who oversees the Special Protection Unit (SPU), stated that the committee has 30 days to submit a comprehensive report to the NEC, which will guide the next phase of reforms.
Breaking News
Ogun State Government Announces Pension, Gratuity Backlog Clearance Between 2012 and 2020
The Ogun State Government has announced the clearance of pension and gratuity arrears owed to workers who retired between 2012 and 2020, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of retirees.
The Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media parley organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Budget and Planning.
Okubadejo explained that the backlog was linked to the Defined Benefits Scheme, under which retirees receive monthly pension payments, stressing that the present administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has not defaulted on pension obligations since assuming office.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have not missed a single month of pension payment. What we inherited were arrears tied to the Defined Benefits Scheme,” he said.
According to him, annual pension payments rose from ₦6.7 billion in 2019 to ₦20 billion in 2025, with projections showing a possible increase to ₦40 billion by 2029.
He disclosed that the state had so far paid ₦23.3 billion in gratuities covering retirees from 2012 to 2020, alongside ₦32.8 billion in outstanding gratuities for local government retirees inherited by the administration.
Okubadejo added that between 2019 and July 2, 2025, the state disbursed ₦93.26 billion in pensions under the Defined Benefits Scheme and ₦94.78 billion to local government pensioners.
He assured that the remaining backlog would be cleared as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) continues to improve, noting that over 300 workers who retired in July 2025 are currently receiving six-month palliatives pending the completion of their pension documentation.
The commissioner also described the newly approved Additional Pension Benefits (APB) as the first of its kind in Nigeria, adding that amendments to the state’s pension law would be pursued to formally integrate the scheme.
On the state’s fiscal outlook, Okubadejo revealed that the 2026 budget increased from ₦1.054 trillion in 2025 to ₦1.668 trillion, while Ogun’s economy expanded from ₦3.5 trillion in 2019 to ₦18.96 trillion in 2026.
He added that IGR grew from ₦50 billion in 2019 to ₦240 billion in 2025, with projections of ₦512 billion this year.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the 2026 budget reflects strong fiscal reforms, noting an 85 per cent budget execution rate in 2024 and sustained financial stability.
Other commissioners highlighted sectoral achievements, including massive road construction, increased healthcare funding, rail extension plans, education support programmes, and expanded housing projects across the state.
African Democratic Congress, ADC, chieftain, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to focus on the country’s future and vote for a change in leadership.
Obi spoke at a meeting with Hausa/Fulani chiefs in Abuja on Wednesday.
“We have to talk about the future of our country. All of you know what is happening to our country today. That’s why we are campaigning that you vote out this government,” he said.
He described the situation in Nigeria as dire, citing insecurity, hunger and hardship.
“today we have insecurity across Nigeria. We have hunger across Nigeria. We are suffering across Nigeria. The only thing that is working in Nigeria today is bad news. Every morning you wake up is bad news,” Obi stated.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate said a new administration would prioritize social services.
“We’re urging you to vote for a change and bring a new Nigeria, where our children will be in school. Our hospitals will work,” he added.
Obi also questioned government spending priorities, particularly in the health sector.
“today, if you’re sick in Nigeria you’re praying to Almighty God because we’re now in a country where our president spends 360 billion to buy and refit his plane and spends 36 million in capital vote for the Ministry of Health. There’s nothing working,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to use their votes to usher in what he described as a “new Nigeria” focused on improving citizens’ welfare and restoring key public services.
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