Politics
Was There Need To Celebrate This Year’s Democracy Day?
Mr Titus Achor – Business Man
I think it is worth celebrating Nigeria at 54 because there has been a lot of development in the country. It is true that some people are still unemployed but many graduates especially those in the engineering field are securing employment. Government of President Goodluck Jonathan is trying to make life better for us so we have to celebrate. It is also true that there is insecurity in the country, Chibok girls are not yet released but that shouldn’t stop us from thanking God that the country is still moving on despite all odds.
Mrs Lilian Okonkwo – Nawoj Chairman
For me, Nigeria at 54, I wouldn’t say it is so good, I wouldn’t say it is so bad. The reason is that there is always room for improvement.
We always think that things should have been better than what it is now. However, for me, I think there is reason for us to celebrate even if we have problems, after all, for those of us who are Christians, the Bible will tell you that in all things you give thanks. We haven’t done so bad even if it is not so good. I know that we have challenges talking about the insecurity problems. But you will find out that there are countries which have gone through the same challenge and it resulted to Civil War. But some how, we have been able to manage our problems and we have remained one indivisible country. And so for us as a country, that we are still one indivisible entity, it calls for celebration.
Having said that, we still have a lot of problems which we need to tackle to make the country better – corruption, self-aggrandisement of our leaders and so on. So we wish that things will get better. We wish that we move from where we are to a higher ground. I want to see a situation where we will have regular power supply so that people’s business will move forward, a situation where the insecurity in the northern part of the country wouldn’t be there and things will be better than it is now.
Despite all these, yes, the Chibok girls are yet to be found but a lot of things still have to go on.
We can’t mourn for ever, the country has to move on. In my own view, there wasn’t even much celebration this year. The celebration was in low key, you cannot compare it to what it used to be in the past. The lectures, the national honours award and a few other events that formed part of the celebration, were in order. Even when a President of the country died, the country moved forward. Amidst the situation, the country has to move on. It is like somebody having a problem and he sinks in it, no! there still has to be a way out. We still have to move forward, hoping that things will be better. We the citizens of Nigeria should also do the best we can to improve the country.
Mr Lukeman Abiodun-Printer
To me, the country is not okay. The economy is in disarray, people are not happy, things are generally tough for the masses, so what are we celebrating? Most Nigerians are living in abject poverty.
Yes, a 54-year-old man is a full-fledged man but the challenges the country is facing makes it difficult to perform. So the country is still a baby, not a man. For people in government, things are okay for them but for us, the poor masses, trying to eke a living, things are not okay. So for those in government , they can celebrate independence but for us, there is no need for celebration. Look at me now, I should have travelled to my village for Eid-el Mubarak celebration because I am a moslem but I couldn’t do that because there is no money. Even the people I worked for couldn’t pay because of lack of money. People can’t celebrate when they are hungry, , when the country does not cater for them.
Mrs Jane Beluonwu – Teacher
There was no need for independence celebration this year because Nigeria is not at peace, no happiness because of the crises here and there, Boko Haram and all the kidnappings. We can’t celebrate in the midst of all these. It is when you are happy that you celebrate. The national honours award, the independence lectures and all that should have been put on hold till next year, when the country shall have hopefull been better. Personally, I am not happy with the present day situation of things in the country. Look at the school children that were kidnapped many months ago and are yet to be found. If you are their parents or relation, will you want to celebrate independence in that state? Our leaders should give us a reason for celebration by making the country a better place.
Mr Ngozi Williams – Transporter
I think we should annually celebrate Independence Day as usual.
Before, when independence was independence, when things were moving fine, the celebration was groovy. Everybody took part in the celebration one way or the other. But this year, I didn’t see much activities. May be because of scarcity of fund and non-payment of workers salaries, the celebration was dull.
However, looking at it the other way round, abduction of over 200 girls from Chibok, Boko Haram problems and other issues, we ought not to celebrate independence this year because there are too much problems in the country. Infact, we want Nigeria to be divided. Let the northern and southern parts of this country go their separate ways so that there will be peace in this country.
Mrs Stella Njoku – Self-employed
That we are one as a country till 2014, we should celebrate and thank God. Many professed about Nigeria disintegrating and all that but we have continued to be one, that calls for celebration. Many people say there are many problems in the country so we should roll out the drums to celebrate our independence but as far as I am concerned, problems are part of life. We cannot have a problem-free society. It is not possible. A man’s ability to forge ahead despite the mounting challenges facing him makes him a man.
Having said that, I will like to add that I personally, do not buy the annual ritual of giving national awards to people. We all know that many of the awaredees do not deserve the award. Some of them are very corrupt. Some contributed to the poor economic and infrastructural state of the nation, yet we honour them, for what? So, there was nothing wrong in thanking God. We have remained one entity despite all challenges but I don’t subscribe to the national honours award.
Politics
Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.
Politics
10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement
Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”
Politics
Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
ISOPLOT Has No Legitimacy to Speak for Isoko, INYA Warns
-
Politics4 days ago
10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement
-
Opinion4 days ago
Benue Conflicts, Hope At Last?
-
Business4 days ago
NCDMB Charges Host Community Youths On Relevant Skills Development … As Promoters Handover Oloibiri Oil Museum
-
Sports4 days ago
Ronaldo Renews Stay With Saudi Pro League
-
Business4 days ago
ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP
-
Niger Delta4 days ago
EFCC Praises NDDC’S Performance … Unveils Projects In Bayelsa
-
News4 days ago
RSG Tasks Farmers On N4bn Agric Loan ….As RAAMP Takes Sensitization Campaign To Four LGs In Rivers