In a message marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day, the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, congratulated the nation but swiftly moved to highlight the disconnect between official statistics and the grim realities faced by households.

The association’s call comes on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, in which he listed out significant economic achievements. 

The President had pointed to a reported Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 4.23 per cent in the second quarter of 2025—allegedly the fastest pace in four years—and a drop in the inflation rate to 20.12 per cent. He credited these milestones to “sound monetary and fiscal policies.”

However, Archbishop Okoh stated unequivocally that while necessary, these figures hold little meaning for the common citizen. “True progress must be measured not only by statistics but by the food on every table, the security of every community, and the opportunities available to every child,” he asserted.

CAN acknowledged certain sectoral progress since independence, particularly in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Still, it warned that for millions of Nigerians, the economic reforms have translated into temporary hardship, exacerbated by a persistent rise in the cost of living, soaring food insecurity, and high rates of unemployment.

Beyond the economic distress, the Christian body voiced grave concern that persistent insecurity threatens to undermine the nation’s hard-won achievements. It cited ongoing issues of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts as major sources of pain and displacement, stressing that much more needs to be done to guarantee the safety of lives and property nationwide.

The association also flagged the “persistent brain drain,” urging the government to prioritize youth empowerment. To stem the exodus of young, skilled Nigerians, CAN called for greater investment in education, innovation, and job-creating opportunities, ensuring that the potential of the youth is fully utilized within the country.

In closing, Archbishop Okoh reminded citizens of their civic duties, encouraging Nigerians to embrace hard work, support local production, pay their taxes diligently, and remain committed to justice and equity as a unified people.

The lawmakers in a statement signed by Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu on Thursday said the report has confirmed that there was indeed a massacre at Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, despite the earlier denial of killings.

“The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives, after a thorough review of the report of the Lagos State EndSARS judicial panel, holds that the attempt by officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to cover up the now confirmed massacre of Nigerians youths by security forces at the Lekki Tollgate suggests a high-level state-backed conspiracy against Nigerians.

“The confirmation by the Lagos Panel that there was indeed a massacre at the Lekki Tollgate during the 2020 EndSARS protests in Lagos and that APC government-controlled security forces carted away bodies and mopped up evidence, places a huge burden on the Federal Government which had vehemently denied any killings,” the statement read in part.

The Minority caucus also flayed the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for “rushing to the media, ahead of the judicial panel, to insist that there were no killings at Lekki Tollgate, even in the face of testimonies of witnesses at the sad event.”

They described it as a shocking attempt to cover up details of the October 20 event demanding that justice be served.

“Our caucus is however shocked that the administration can lie in a matter that has to do with the gruesome killing of citizens, particularly our youths, and even attempt to provide official cover to the culprits.

“As representatives of the people, the minority caucus holds that killing of our young ones for having the audacity to demand justice, rule of law, and good governance in our nation is the height of wickedness which will continue to haunt the APC and its administration until justice is served.”

The Minority caucus, therefore, called on the APC-led Federal Government “not to cover up the vicious act,” but based on the findings of the Lagos panel, “the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed is expected to resign immediately or be fired by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The caucus commended the Lagos panel for “its boldness in the pursuit of truth and justice and urges other panels investigating allegations of brutality in other states not to be deterred but ensure that the truth is not suppressed.”

They commiserated with the victims of the Lekki Tollgate attack, particularly the families of those killed, and urged Nigerians to remain calm at this crucial moment.

Mr Magashi said this while responding to questions from journalists in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Friday when he led service chiefs to receive an operational brief from the headquarters of the theatre command Operation Hadin Kai.

He assured the Theatre Commander and other principal officers that the Commander in Chief of the armed forces has provided all that is required to execute the war against insurgency in the northeast and other troubled areas like the northwest and the southeast.

The Federal Government formerly approved the proscription of Boko Haram as a terrorist group in 2013, while the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the southeast was proscribed in 2017.

On the position of the bandits in the northwest Magashi says: “there’s a procedure in doing that, once the procedure is followed, they may be classified as terrorists but we are waiting for the procedure to be completed.”

Many persons, including Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, have called for the bandits to be designated as terrorists as attacks in the North-West and North-Central proliferate.

In September, the Senate had also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare them as terrorists.

The federal lawmakers also asked President Buhari to declare all the known leaders of the bandits wanted and track them wherever they are for arrest and prosecution.

ChannelsTV

A communique jointly signed by NARD President, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, and the union’s Secretary-General, Dr Jerry Isogun, on Friday revealed that the doctors have begun the process to appeal the ruling.

“As we are all aware, especially those that were present in court today (Friday), the NIC has given a ruling on the application for interlocutory injunction filed by the Federal Government,” the statement said. “We are not satisfied with the ruling.

“After consultations with our lawyers, we have instructed our lawyers to appeal the ruling and file an application for stay of execution.”

The statement is in reaction to the ruling of Justice Bashar Alkali who ordered the resident doctors to suspend their ongoing industrial action and return to work immediately, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Justice Alkali who ruled on an application by the government had also directed parties in the matter to return to the negotiating table, saying no amount of money could compensate for the loss of lives as a result of the impasse.

In demonstration of its displeasure with the decision of the court, NARD instructed its lawyers to file necessary processes, rather than ask members to return to their duty posts.

It also asked the doctors to remain calm and resolute, saying “everything depends on our firm resolve.”

“We are committed to protecting your rights within the confines of the law. We believe justice shall be ours ultimately,” the union told its members.

It stated that the court had reserved ruling on which application it would take first on Wednesday, and its lawyers argued that the court ought to hear and determine the Notice of Preliminary Objection (NPO) filed by the doctors to challenge the jurisdiction of the court before taking the application for an interlocutory injunction or any other application.

The union added that the court adjourned ruling on the argument on the matter until Friday, after which it ruled that it would take the government’s application for interlocutory injunction first while its NPO would be taken and determined along with the substantive suit.

“Also, our lawyers drew the attention of the court to our application for stay of execution of the ex parte order and that the court should take that application first. The court insisted that the government application would be taken first.

“On 15/9/21, the court ordered all parties to resume negotiations. The government refused to resume negotiations in line with the order of 23/8/21. Our lawyers reported this development to the court. We have demonstrated good faith and would continue to do so,” the statement said.

NARD accused the court of denial of a fair hearing by refusing to hear and determine its NPO before taking the government’s application for interlocutory injunction.

Source: ChannelsTV

The government said the process would be gradual, as it will make sure that vaccines are made available and accessible to all before implementing the policy.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who is also the chairman of COVID-19 Presidential Steering Committee, Mr Boss Mustapha, disclosed this at the sideline of a conference organised by the Forum of Health Commissioners in Nigeria, in Abuja.

Mustapha said: “The vaccine mandate obviously will come. Before now, the simple yellow fever vaccine, you could not travel the world without the card until Nigeria was exited from the list of endemic countries.

“Therefore, the world is gravitating towards that direction. I can tell you that by the time the western world vaccinates its people, you can’t get into any of the Western countries without the vaccine certificate.

“It has started happening in the European Union dispensation now. They have created some waivers for people that have been vaccinated. It is better we begin to prepare people at home.

“One of the reasons we want to do that with federal civil servants is because they will be travelling to perform roles on behalf of the Federal Government.

“The United Nations General Assembly will be starting very soon and we will need our people to go there. Assuming the American government says that you can’t come into the United States unless you are vaccinated, and we have not provided vaccination for our people, how will they go and prepare grounds for the meetings that will be attended by the president and other top government officials?

“It is a sequential thing and we are taking one step at a time. We realised we do not have sufficient vaccine, so we will not be able to impose those kinds of mandates on an automatic basis.”

Source: Nigerian Tribune

He also urged the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to adhere strictly to the nation’s federal character policy on appointments.

The cleric made the appeal at the first session of the seventh synod of the diocese with the theme, “Have you seen this O Mortal” which held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Idumebo-Ekpoma, Esan West Local Council of Edo State.

According to him, the uncontrolled foreign borrowings have the potential of “selling the country into slavery”, pointing out that Nigerians are disturbed by the huge loans being taken by government to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We specially request that President Buhari should henceforth repent from his borrowing culture and put Nigeria in the direction he promised during his campaign. The idea of borrowing and owing debts for generations unborn cannot continue,” he appealed.

There will be no increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, in the month of June, the Federal Government has assured Nigerians.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva, gave the assurance in a statement on Friday in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

He noted that while the decision of the government was in contradiction to the present situation in the petroleum markets, it remained committed to its engagement with the organised labour.

“Once again, it has become necessary to assure Nigerians that despite the huge burden of under-recovery, the Federal Government is not in a hurry to increase the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to reflect the current market realities.

“The current price of petrol will be retained in the month of June until the ongoing engagement with organised labour is concluded,” the minister stated.

He explained that the clarification became necessary in the light of recent reports regarding the resolution of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to increase the pump price of petrol.

Sylva warned petroleum product marketers in the country against engaging in any activities that could jeopardise the seamless supply and distribution system presently in place.

He also appealed to the people in various parts of the country to remain calm and avoid panic buying of the product.

“The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has enough stock of petroleum products to keep the nation wet,” the minister said.

Another Worry For Nigerians

Despite the assurance that the government would retain the price of petrol, Nigerians are concerned about the proposed increase of the electricity tariff for June.

This led to the resolution by the House of Representatives calling on the Federal Government to direct the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to rescind its decision on the proposed increment in view of the hard times Nigerians were going through.

A member of the House, Aniekan Umanah, had raised a motion during Thursday’s plenary that the nation’s electricity regulator should suspend the proposed increase in electricity tariff.

He faulted the decision to increase the electricity tariff at a time when Nigerians were going through hard times and governments all over the world were providing means to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Umanah decried that NERC, working with the distribution companies, had increased the tariff five times since 2015, the latest being on January 1, 2021.

Following a series of deliberations on the motion, the lawmakers mandated the House Committees on Power, Poverty Alleviation, as well as Labour, Employment and Productivity to ensure compliance with the resolution.

The Primate of the Communion Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba gave the advice at the opening of this year’s Abuja Diocesan Synod holding at the Cathedral Church of Advent Life Camp Abuja.

Archbishop Ndukuba who expressed concern over the present state of insecurity, destruction of public facilities and agitations said the conference would bring together political , traditional and other opinion leaders to profer amicable resolutions for building a strong and safe nation.

He stressed the need for state governments to take every step to secure their states and place National interest above personal ambition.

While stressing that the UNITY OF NIGERIA is not negotiable and must be defended The Anglican Primate emphasized the need to allow State Police Force in all the state of the Federation to check criminal activities at the local level.

He Commended the new style adopted by the leadership of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency in the fight against illicit drugs and called for collective efforts in making the fight a success.

According to Archbishop Ndukuba, the speed and desperations at which some Nigerians are getting involved in hard drugs is alarming and the country is becoming a strong hob for hard drugs hence there is a need for the authorities to stop the menace.

Over Five Hundred delegates from all the Archdeaconries of Abuja Diocese are attending the Synod with the theme: Planted by the waters,’ The beauty of walking with God.

KAYODE OYEDARE.