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64th Independence: Do more to address hardship, youth leaders urge Tinubu
National youth leaders, under the Forum of National Youth Leaders of all Political Parties in Nigeria( FNYLPPN), has called on President Bola Tinubu to do more in addressing the nation’s economic challenges.
Onyebuchi Chukwu, Chairman, FNYLPP, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, congratulated Nigeria on its 64th Independence Anniversary.
He said that the country had been through war and many other crises yet survived and would continue to thrive in unity.
Chukwu congratulated the nation’s heroes past, present heroes and future heroes.
He expressed confidence that the youths of Nigeria would do better than their predecessors.
“We appreciate our forerunners who fought for and achieved independence for us and the subsequent leaders who made sure that we remained independent and self-led.
“We are not where we want to be as a country but we are definitely not where we use to be and we are very confident that a better Nigeria is possible.
“However, we are aware of the crisis in the country and we are here to call on the president to do more.
“Dear President, we recognise and appreciate your efforts so far to help the country out of hardship especially among the young people; we are aware of all the programmes that you have put up to help the youths.
“We are also aware of the minimum wage increment; we appreciate the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses you introduced and the CNG-powered tricycles for the youths.
“All these and more are geared towards alleviating the hardship in the country especially among the youths; we thank you in all of them.’’
Chukwu said that FNYLPPN was worried that if much was not done and in time, the hardship could worsen the insecurity in the country.
He commended Nigeria youths for their patience with the government.
“We are also calling on the youths to continue in their calmness: we beg that you give the president more time hoping that he will do the needful in a no distant time.
“We are also aware of all the efforts of the youths of Nigeria to see that the country works including putting their lives in line to protest and draw the attention of government.
“We are not insensitive to the plight of the youths in this country but for the sake of Nigeria; we are begging our youths again to eschew protests especially now that there is too much anger in town knowing that violence is inevitable.’’
Chukwu said the group was aware of the call for protests on Oct. 1 and urged the youths to be cautious so as not to worsen the problems they were trying to solve.
He said if protest must be held, it had to be peaceful and reasonable as there was need to give the government more time and support to address the issues.
“We, therefore, call on governments in all levels from councillorship to the presidency to invest in the programmes that will help, empower and equip the youths.
“This is because we shall be shifting our attention to other tiers of government beyond the president; we are also calling on the youths to consider political offices while we call on our leaders to give Nigerian youths the chance to lead for a better Nigeria.
“As a forum, we are assuring any youth of this country who will be courageous enough to vie for any political office of our total support,’’ he said.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene