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Tinubu assures Northern Christians of fairness, pays tribute to APC chairman’s mother

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday declared that he has a mission to unite Nigerians and assured Christian Communities in Northern Nigeria of his administration’s commitment to ensuring fairness among all religions in the country.

President Tinubu gave the assurance during his meeting with some Christian leaders at the Headquarters of COCIN Church in Jos, Plateau State.

‘I have a mission to unite this country, ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress’, the President said.

The President, while paying tribute to the mother of the APC National Chairman, Nana Lydia Yilwatda, who died at the age of 83, said, ‘In our family, we have a strong Muslim background, and I married a Christian, a pastor for that matter, and I have never forced her to change her religion’.

He urged the clergymen to have faith in his administration. According to him, as leaders, we have the responsibility to manage religious issues for the benefit of all.

The President affirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity in the country, especially in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

‘We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders clashes’, the President said.

The president stated that his administration is revamping the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.

President Tinubu described the late Nana Lydia Yilwatda as a devoted mother during the funeral prayers.

‘The history behind this church is rooted in faith with deep acceptance in the Lord and tradition. I have been to Jos before. When we were coming here, Governor Caleb Muftwang showed me one of the bungalows, the house of Ambassador Yahaya Kwande. During the SDP days, we met there to decide the fate of MKO Abiola.

‘Today, I am grateful that I am alive and to God be the glory to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to come here to bid farewell to the mother of the community, and a humanitarian’.

The chief mourner and APC National Chairman, Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, said his mother was a hard-working woman who lived on medication for 47 years.

‘I am here to thank God for her life. My mother worked for twenty-four hours despite her health condition, supporting us and providing humanitarian assistance.

He thanked President Tinubu for his emergence as APC chairman and promised to keep the trust.

The President and Spiritual leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Reverend Dr Amos Mohzo, who spoke on behalf of the clergymen, thanked the President for his support of Northern Christians, especially by appointing them to key positions, such as Senator George Akume, who holds the post of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, who is the National Chairman of APC, among others.

The COCIN President particularly thanked the President for his response to the insecurity in Plateau and Benue and urged the President to assist victims of conflict in Benue, as well as ensure the safe return of some Christian communities who fled Borno and Adamawa to Cameroun as a result of insurgent attacks.

Mohzo assured the President of their unflinching support in his administration’s determination to actualise the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The funeral prayer was attended by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum, AbdulRazaq Abdulrahman, APC Governors, NSA Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande, Minister of State (Petroleum) Heinekin Lokpobiri, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, Special Duties Minister Zephaniah Jisalo,

Also present were the SGF, George Akume, and his predecessor, Boss Mustapha, as well as former governors Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa, Adamu Mu’azu of Bauchi, Fidelis Tapgun of Plateau, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and Rochas Okorocha of Imo.

Members of the APC National Working Committee, Senators, members of the House of Representatives, former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara, and directors from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs also attended the funeral.

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Again, Tinubu seeks NASS approval for $2.3bn, $500m borrowing, debt refinancing

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sought the approval of the House of Representatives for new external borrowing and debt refinancing totaling $2.3 billion, alongside the issuance of a $500 million debut sovereign Sukuk in the international capital market.

This was contained in a letter read on the floor of the House by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

The letter seeks the National Assembly’s resolution in line with Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office, DMO, Establishment Act, 2003.

The president said the new borrowing is aimed at implementing provisions of the 2025 Appropriation Act, refinancing maturing Eurobonds and diversifying Nigeria’s funding sources through Islamic finance instruments.

According to him, the 2025 budget provides for $9.27 billion in total new borrowings to finance the year’s fiscal deficit, out of which $1.84 billion (N1.23 trillion at an exchange rate of N1,500/$) is earmarked for external loans.

The president urged the lawmakers to authorise the Federal Government to source the funds through any of the following options:

Issuance of Eurobonds; Loan syndication; Bridge financing from book runners; or Direct borrowing from international financial institutions

He equally revealed that Nigeria’s $1.118 billion Eurobond, issued in 2018 at 7.625% and maturing in November 2025, will be refinanced to avoid default.

“This is a standard practice in debt capital markets,” the letter noted, adding that refinancing through Eurobonds or syndicated loans would ensure debt sustainability and investor confidence.

He further noted that the decision was inspired by the government’s “considerable success” in domestic Sukuk issuances, which have raised N1.39 trillion since 2017 for critical infrastructure, particularly road projects.

He said that the proposed international Sukuk will help bridge the country’s infrastructure funding gap and deepen its investor base.

“If the ICIEC credit guarantee is utilised, 25% of the proceeds will be used to repay relatively expensive debt obligations, while the balance will finance pre-identified infrastructure projects,” the letter stated.

Tinubu assured the House that the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Debt Management Office, DMO, would work closely with transaction advisers to secure the most favourable terms and pricing for all capital-raising efforts, subject to prevailing market conditions.

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PSC chairman congratulates new police constables, urges professionalism

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd) has extended heartfelt congratulations to the newly trained Police Constables graduating from various Police Colleges across the country today.

He described the passing-out ceremony as a proud moment for both the Nigeria Police Force and the nation at large.

In his message, DIG Argungu commended the recruits for their dedication and perseverance throughout their training, noting that their entry into the Force marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen internal security and professional policing.

He reminded the new officers that the Police Service Commission, which constitutionally oversees recruitment into the Force, will continue to monitor their conduct and performance as they begin active service.

The PSC Chairman also charged the new constables to contribute meaningfully to national security efforts by assisting in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other crimes threatening communities across the country. He assured them of the Commission’s continuous support through career development opportunities and capacity-building programs designed to enhance their effectiveness and welfare.

“Today marks the beginning of your noble career in service to your fatherland. I urge you to serve with honour, courage, and patriotism. Your success will bring pride to your families, the Police Force, and our great nation,” DIG Argungu stated.

The Police Service Commission remains committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and meritocracy within the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a safer and more just society.

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Don’t probe Ibas, ex-NBA President warns Rivers lawmakers

Former President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN), has cautioned the Rivers State House of Assembly against probing ex-Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.

Okocha stated this while speaking with newsmen on Monday in Port Harcourt.

He urged the lawmakers to focus on rebuilding the state through robust legislative commitments.

According to him, the House should channel its energy to accomplishing constitutional duties rather than probing.

He said that plans by the members to review as well as probe the Administrator’s spending during the six-month emergency rule were unnecessary.

Okocha said that if the probe was carried out, it could be misunderstood as a witch-hunt, since he was only deployed to accomplish a task as directed by President Bola Tinubu.

“I think Ibas deserved some honour and respect; it will be unkind if our lawmakers begin to talk about probing him since they did not appoint him, nor was he reporting to them.

“As a concerned citizen of the state, my advice to the Lawmakers is that they should ignore the plan of probing Ibas and allow the state to run peacefully along democratic lines.

“There’s an urgent need for a harmonious relationship amongst the three arms of government, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary if we must move forward,” he said.

The former NBA boss, therefore, appealed to the lawmakers to preoccupy themselves with rebuilding harmonious relationships with the various arms of government to achieve democratic stability in the state.