The Nigeria Union of Teachers has directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services from Monday, June 1. The action is in protest against continued abduction of teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area of the state. Recall that on May 15, 2026, gunmen stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community Grammar School, and L.A Primary School (Esiele), all in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting teachers, pupils and students. Those kidnapped include 39 students, seven teachers among which is Mrs. Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community High School, Esinele, while two teachers have been killed. The NUT directive is part of a nationwide action by the union, which also includes solidarity rallies scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026, across all state capitals to demand urgent government intervention and the safe release of abducted school personnel and learners. Speaking with The PUNCH on Sunday, President, NUT, Audu Amba, confirmed the directive asking teachers in primary and secondary schools in Oyo State to withdraw their services from Monday. Amba said, “We have directed all Teachers in Oyo state to remain at home starting from tomorrow (Monday).” A national circular dated May 29, 2026, and signed by the National President Amba and Secretary General, Clinton Ikpitibo, also conveyed the directive to state wings of the NUT. The circular directed all “public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw services indefinitely from Monday, June 1, 2026, until the abducted colleagues and learners are safely released.” The national leadership also directed all state wings of the union to mobilise for nationwide solidarity rallies on June 2, 2026, which are expected to terminate at government houses where union leaders will address the press. It added that the rallies were part of broader efforts to demand safe and secure learning environments across Nigeria. The NUT expressed deep distress over what it described as the “horrifying, inhumane and nightmarish conditions” of abducted teachers and students. The union said the victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, in Oriire Local Government Area, despite earlier warnings and appeals for strengthened school security. It recalled its previous statement titled “Stop the Attacks on Schools, Teachers and Learners Now – Not Until We Perish,” noting that it had earlier cautioned that members would be forced to withdraw services if government failed to secure the release of the abductees. According to the union, repeated appeals to security agencies and government authorities had not resulted in the safe return of the victims, leaving families and the education community in prolonged anguish. The NUT further referenced emotional appeals reportedly made by affected school officials and teachers, calling on the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, and other stakeholders to urgently intervene and secure the release of the abductees through lawful means. Meanwhile, the Oyo state Wing of the NUT has confirmed full compliance with the directive. In a circular dated May 31, 2026, and signed by State Secretary, Salami Olukayode, the union formally conveyed the withdrawal of services to all teachers in public schools across the state. The Oyo NUT said the continued detention of teachers and learners had “created fear, anxiety, and disruption within the education sector, while also eroding public confidence in school safety.” It urged members to remain law-abiding and stay safe at home while the union continues engagement with relevant authorities for the safe return of the abductees. The state wing reaffirmed solidarity with victims and their families, calling for urgent and decisive action to address insecurity in schools. Meanwhile, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Oyo State Chapter, has distanced itself from proposed protest rally. In a press statement signed by its president, Fajobi Olukunle, the association declared that it is not part of the planned protest and urged all members across the state not to participate or associate with it in any form. NAPPS acknowledged concerns over insecurity affecting schools and communities but insisted that such issues should be addressed through dialogue, constructive engagement, and collaboration with relevant authorities rather than street protests. The association also claimed that the planned demonstration appeared to be influenced more by “political considerations than genuine humanitarian concerns, noting that key education stakeholders such as the NUT, TESCOM, and other sector bodies were not officially involved.” It reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and welfare of pupils, students, teachers, and school proprietors, stressing that it would continue to pursue advocacy through lawful and responsible channels. NAPPS urged its members to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and focused on academic responsibilities. The statement read in part, “NAPPS Oyo state remains committed to advocating for the security and welfare of our pupils, students, staff and school owners through lawful and responsible channels. “We urge all our members to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and focused on their educational responsibilities.”

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has cautioned content creators, social media users and members of the public against the indiscriminate recording and circulation of police-related videos, warning that such actions could undermine security operations and demoralise officers. The IG expressed concern over what he described as the growing trend of recording police officers during routine and sensitive operations and posting such content online without proper context. Speaking during an interactive session with Crime Correspondents in Abuja on Sunday, he said, “Yes, accountability is important, and we remain committed to transparency. However, recordings and public engagements involving police officers must be done responsibly and should not be used to harass officers or undermine operational effectiveness,” he said. According to him, while the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to accountability, transparency and respect for human rights, public scrutiny must be balanced with operational realities and the welfare of officers. Disu said police personnel continue to make significant sacrifices in the discharge of their duties and should not be subjected to actions capable of discouraging them. “Police officers operate under extremely challenging conditions, often risking their lives to protect citizens and maintain public safety. It is important that public conduct and media coverage do not discourage officers who are committed to doing the right thing,” he stated. The police chief also warned against the circulation of old or manipulated videos falsely presented as recent incidents, saying such content fuels misinformation and public anxiety. “We urge members of the public and social media users to refrain from recycling old or manipulated videos capable of creating panic or undermining national security efforts. Such actions are harmful to the country’s image and stability,” he said. Disu noted that policing has become increasingly demanding, with officers working extended hours under severe operational pressures across the country. He reiterated the Force’s commitment to addressing misconduct among personnel, assuring Nigerians that officers found culpable of wrongdoing would continue to face disciplinary action in accordance with established laws and professional standards. “We have consistently demonstrated our commitment to ending impunity within the Force, and we will continue to address complaints against personnel professionally and decisively. At the same time, officers carrying out lawful duties must also be protected from harassment and deliberate misinformation,” he added. The IGP further assured Nigerians of sustained engagement between the police and the media to strengthen public trust, transparency and effective communication on security matters. Earlier, the Chairman of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Festus Fifen, called for closer collaboration between the media and the police, stressing the need for timely access to credible information during security incidents to prevent misinformation and speculation.

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State. He also directed a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to free abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area. According to a statement signed and released on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, a high-powered Federal Government delegation conveyed the presidential directives to community leaders and lawmakers during a visit to Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire LGA on Sunday, May 31, 2026. The delegation also informed leaders that their request for the establishment of a military base in the area had been transmitted to the President for consideration and approval. The development comes 16 days after gunmen struck communities in the area and took dozens of schoolchildren and their teachers captive. The delegation was led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, Onanuga said. Addressing residents in both English and Yoruba, Gbajabiamila said the President’s decision to dispatch the nation’s top security leadership to the affected communities reflected his determination to deploy every available resource to secure the victims’ release. “Mr President is deeply troubled by this incident. Whatever it takes, our children and teachers will be brought back home safely. “He has issued all necessary directives and is providing every support required by our security agencies to achieve that objective,” Gbajabiamila said. He also addressed appeals from parents and community members urging caution in the rescue operation. The Chief of Staff explained: “Mr President also saw the appeals from some parents and community members urging caution in the rescue efforts. “Let me assure you that the operation will be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated, deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to secure the safe return of the victims. “Your pain and anxiety are understood. By the grace of God, your children will return safely to your arms.” The delegation also called on the Soun of Ogbomosoland, HRM Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, at his palace to commiserate with the traditional ruler and his people. They also visited the widow of the slain teacher, Mrs Mary Oyedokun, and her two children, where Gbajabiamila delivered the President’s personal condolences to the family and promised that they would not be left to suffer. The 1,000 forest guards approved by the President will be recruited in collaboration with the Oyo State Government, Onanuga said. The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools — Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School — in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA, taking pupils and teachers captive. During the attack, a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded. A motorcyclist was also killed, and a security operative died after running into improvised explosive devices planted by the abductors during early rescue attempts. The Oriire LGA communities sit on the fringes of a forested belt that the abductors have exploited for cover since the attack.

A high-powered federal delegation sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, to visit the grieving Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities following the mass abduction of 46 schoolchildren and teachers. The presidential delegation, led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, met with distraught families and community leaders to convey the federal government`s deep condolences and firmly reinforce President Tinubu`s commitment to securing the safe release of all remaining captives. The delegation features top-tier security and government officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, and Minister of Defence Christopher Musa. The team also includes the Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe and Presidential Media Aide Sunday Dare. The officials traveled directly to the affected Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) to assess the situation first-hand and brief local leadership on active tactical operations. The deployment comes exactly two weeks after heavily armed bandits simultaneously breached three educational institutions on May 15, 2026: Community Grammar School (Ahoro-Esinele), Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), and L.A. Primary School (Esiele). During the coordinated assaults, the gunmen shot sporadically, abducting 39 students—some as young as two years old—and 7 teachers, including the school principal. The attackers subsequently retreated into the dense Oquara forest corridor, which borders neighbouring regional territories. Public anxiety and outrage have escalated across Oyo State due to the horrific treatment of the captives. A mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was brutally killed in captivity, prompting President Tinubu to declare that the perpetrators will face the "full wrath of the law". While previous rescue efforts have faced logistical constraints due to heavy seasonal rains and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted along the forest entry tracks, the National Security Adviser assured families that all joint-military forces have intensified search and rescue sweeps to bring the children home unconditionally. THENEWSCREDIT confirm that a joint tactical operation comprising the military, police, and local vigilante groups has already intensified tracking sweeps across the surrounding forest borders. The federal government has promised to address vulnerability gaps in rural schooling communities to prevent future breaches.

OGBOMOSO — The paramount ruler of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, has undertaken a high-profile condolence and solidarity visit to the traumatized Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The emergency royal visit follows a devastating terrorist raid on local educational institutions—including Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School—where dozens of students, pupils, and teachers were brutally abducted and marched into the forest. Addressing weeping parents, community elders, and local leaders gathered at the village squares, the Soun offered words of profound comfort, solidarity, and absolute assurance regarding the safety and ultimate rescue of the captives. "The safety and security of our people remain paramount, and every act that threatens the peace and stability of our land must be confronted with firmness and urgency," the monarch stated. Oba Ghandi Olaoye condemned the criminal assault on children and educators in the strongest terms. He reassured the grieving communities that the traditional institution is working hand-in-hand with state actors and military commands to ensure no stone is left unturned in bringing the victims home safely from the bandits` den. The traditional ruler’s intervention comes at a highly critical time as the true scale of the tragedy continues to unfold. According to community leaders and palace trackers: Up to 46 individuals—comprising 7 teachers and 39 students—were forced into the bush at gunpoint. Among the hostages is a vulnerable two-year-old toddler, Christianah Akanbi. One teacher was shot and killed during the initial ambush. Public outrage has since escalated following reports of the brutal execution of another captive teacher, Mathematics instructor Mr. Michael Oyedokun, while in the custody of the terrorists. A distressing video recently surfaced online showing the school`s principal, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, alongside weeping children, pleading with the Federal Government and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to negotiate a peaceful resolution to preserve their lives. In response to the emergency, the Ogbomoso traditional council and state authorities have rapidly escalated their operational counter-measures. Personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun Corps, and local hunters have successfully cornered the bandits within the dense terrain of the Old Oyo National Park, cutting off tactical escape routes into neighboring Kwara State. Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed that security forces have already arrested six logistics suspects and three local informants accused of feeding intelligence to the armed network. However, the extraction operation remains highly volatile; several local vigilantes and soldiers tragically lost their lives after encountering improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted along the bush paths by the retreating terrorists. The Soun of Ogbomosoland has strongly urged all residents across the zone to maintain collective vigilance, practice absolute calm, and continuously supply security agencies with timely, credible information to facilitate a successful rescue operation.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde approved the appointment of 20 new Executive Secretaries and General Managers across various sectors of the state civil and public service. This major administrative restructuring coincided with the appointment of the new Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs. Adenike Ayobami Fasina, following the retirement of her predecessor. While the state government announced that 20 total positions were filled to strengthen policy execution, only the first batch of key appointments has been fully published with specific names and portfolios. According to official announcements, the following individuals are among the newly appointed top officials leading key MDAs:Mr. Dairo Jacob Olutayo – Executive Secretary, OYOSUBEB.Engineer Adekola Johnson Olusegun – General Manager, OYSROMA.Mr. Adeduntan Adeniyi Mumini – General Manager, RUWASA.Mr. Mustapha Kolawole – General Manager, Water Corporation of Oyo State.Mr. Adelakun James – General Manager, BCOS. The remaining appointments among the 20 elevated officers are being finalized for roles in various health, education, and local government boards.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said state governors are considering a new national minimum wage of N100,000 amid rising economic hardship in the country. AbdulRazaq disclosed this in a Facebook post on Saturday, noting that the proposal was driven by inflation, the rising cost of living, and mounting financial pressure on Nigerian workers. According to him, state governments are engaging the Federal Government and organised labour to agree on a wage structure that balances workers’ welfare with fiscal sustainability. “State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said. The NGF chairman added that consultations were ongoing to ensure that any new wage regime would not place excessive financial strain on states. “We are actively engaging with the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that is fair to workers and sustainable for government finances,” he stated. He explained that the discussions focused on striking a balance between enhancing workers’ purchasing power and preserving governments’ ability to deliver critical public services and infrastructure projects. “The goal is to improve the living conditions of workers while ensuring that states can continue to meet their obligations and sustain development projects that directly impact citizens,” he said. He noted that while workers deserved better remuneration, policymakers must also consider the fiscal realities confronting subnational governments. The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is expected to intensify national conversations around salaries, inflation, and broader economic reforms as Nigerians continue to grapple with rising food prices, transportation costs, and other living expenses. Many workers have repeatedly expressed concerns that their current earnings are no longer sufficient to meet basic household needs amid the country’s challenging economic environment. Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage currently stands at N70,000 per month. However, several states, including Lagos, Rivers and Imo, are reported to be paying above the national benchmark as part of efforts to support workers. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has continued to push for a comprehensive review of workers’ salaries, insisting that employees deserve a living wage capable of meeting present-day economic demands rather than one that merely guarantees survival.

Today in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, hundreds of protesters took to the streets, marching from Iwo Road to the State Secretariat to demand the immediate rescue of the students and teachers kidnapped in the Oriire Local Government Area. Armed gunmen on motorcycles invaded three schools in the Oriire axis on May 15, 2026: Community Grammar School (Ahoro-Esinle), Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School (Esiele). The abductors took approximately 46 individuals, including 39 pupils and 7 teachers (such as school principal Mrs. Folawe Alamu). Two individuals, including assistant headmaster Joel Adesiyan, were killed during the attack. The kidnappers later circulated a distressing video showing the execution of one of the abducted teachers, mathematics instructor Michael Oyedokun. The mass protest in Ibadan was organized by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the Take-It-Back Movement, and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). Protesters held placards chanting "Their deaths demand action" and "Bring back our children." Protesters expressed severe anguish over the security collapse in rural schools. The demonstrators chanted in Yoruba and English, explicitly shouting: "E gba wa o! Gbogbo eyin eeyan wa, e gba wa o! Ati mo pe e n gbo wa, sugbon e dake... E wo awon eyan wa to n ku ninu igbo... We are not criminals! We are teachers!" (Translation: "Help us! All our people, help us! We know you can hear us, but you are silent... Look at our people dying in the forest... We are not criminals! We are teachers!") Demonstrators demanded immediate, direct intervention from Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the Federal Government. Education rights groups demanded a temporary shutdown of public schools to protest unsafe learning environments across vulnerable rural communities. Governor Makinde confirmed that security forces, including the military and Amotekun, are conducting intensive search-and-rescue operations. Authorities are deploying both "kinetic and non-kinetic" strategies to locate the victims deep within the forest reserves. Six suspects, including suspected informants, have been apprehended in connection with the kidnappings.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday assured Nigerians that the sacrifices they have endured over three years of sweeping economic reforms have not been in vain. This was as he disclosed that his administration’s reforms of the past three years blocked a daily haemorrhage of N18.4bn earlier lost to fuel subsidies and N8tn lost to forex arbitrage. Tinubu revealed this in his statement to mark his third year in office on May 29, 2026. “I remain deeply conscious of those sacrifices, and I assure you: your sacrifice has not been in vain. And today, I can say with confidence that Nigeria has stabilised and is moving forward again,” the President said. In the statement released on Thursday, Tinubu thanked Nigerians for bearing the cost of what he described as unavoidable structural adjustments. While acknowledging the pressures of his reforms on families, workers and young people, the Nigeria leader insisted that the foundation for national recovery had been laid. According to him, “When this administration assumed office, our nation faced profound economic and structural difficulties. “Mounting fiscal pressures, unsustainable fuel subsidies, declining revenues, exchange-rate distortions, rising debt-servicing costs, insecurity in several parts of the country, energy supply constraints, and declining public confidence in institutions all threatened our progress. “At the height of the subsidy regime, Nigeria was spending as much as N18.4bn daily to sustain petrol subsidies, over N4tn in 2022 alone, resources that could have been invested in roads, healthcare, education, housing, and critical infrastructure. “Multiple exchange rate windows and forex arbitrage created massive distortions, with Nigeria losing more than N8tn over three years to rent-seeking and speculative practices.” He argued that the administration’s decision to act swiftly on both fronts was a choice between national survival and politically convenient inaction. “The situation demanded urgent and courageous action. Difficult but necessary decisions had to be taken to stabilise the economy and prevent a deeper national crisis. “The easy choices would have been politically convenient. But leadership demands courage, especially when the right decisions are difficult.” “Had we refused to act, our nation would have drifted toward fiscal breakdown, worsening poverty, and severe economic uncertainty. Together, we chose reform over ruin and decisiveness over hesitation. We chose long-term national recovery over short-term comfort,” he stated. Acknowledging the heavy cost of the reforms on ordinary Nigerians, the President said, “These decisions came with sacrifice. The rising cost of living triggered by our measures placed enormous pressure on families, workers, and businesses. “Young people searching for jobs felt discouraged. Many questioned whether these difficult decisions would lead to a better future.” Tinubu disclosed that the Nigerian stock market had performed well under his administration. He said the All Share Index had risen from 53,000 in 2023 to a record 250,000 in 2026, a nearly five-fold increase, while overall market capitalisation had surged from N30tn to N160tn. According to the President, “Our economy is now more competitive and better positioned for sustainable growth than it was in 2023. “Public finances are improving. States and local governments have greater resources to invest in their people. Investor confidence is growing. “The stock market is booming, with the All Share Index rising from 53,000 and market capitalisation of N30tn in 2023 to a record All Share Index of 250,000 and market capitalisation of N160tn this year. Companies are declaring record profits and dividends.” On infrastructure, Tinubu said the administration had more roads under construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation at any one time than any preceding administration. He cited 2,700 kilometres of highways spanning five major corridors. They include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, the East-West Road and numerous rural access roads. He explained, “Critical infrastructure projects are advancing at an unprecedented scale. Over 2,700 kilometres of highways and major roads are under construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation. “Significant sections are already completed or nearing completion, improving transportation, reducing travel time, boosting regional trade, and creating thousands of jobs. “Rail modernisation projects are ongoing to improve connectivity, logistics, and economic integration across the federation.” In the oil and gas sector, Tinubu said reforms had reversed a period of investor flight, and that the long delayed $5bn NLNG Train 7 project was nearing completion. “The reforms we instituted have attracted billions of dollars in fresh investment from the international oil companies that had shunned our country. “The $5bn NLNG Train 7 project is nearing completion to boost LNG production capacity, exports, and dividends. “Domestic gas utilisation is expanding. Local refining capacity has improved our energy security,” he stated. On education, the President said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund had reached 1.5 million beneficiaries, disbursing more than N282bn to students who would otherwise have been priced out of higher education. According to him, “The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has provided over 1.5 million students with access to higher education, disbursing more than N282bn to ensure that no willing student is denied access due to financial hardship.” On housing, the Renewed Hope Housing Programme and the Federal Housing Authority together, he said, were delivering over 10,000 housing units across 14 states and the FCT, with major cities being developed in Abuja, Lagos and Kano. “Our Renewed Hope Housing Programme, along with that of the Federal Housing Authority, is delivering over 10,000 housing units across 14 states and the FCT, creating over 300,000 jobs and expanding access to affordable housing,” Tinubu explained. He noted that the CREDICORP consumer credit initiative was opening new economic opportunities for workers and families, and that thousands of primary healthcare centres were being revitalised while health insurance coverage was expanding. On electricity, Tinubu who acknowledged the sector’s depth of dysfunction argued that his administration is confronting the challenges headon. “For years, the power sector suffered from debt, underinvestment, and uncertainty, which weakened generation capacity and limited growth. “Today, we are confronting those challenges directly. Our administration is clearing legacy obligations, expanding transmission infrastructure, investing in renewable energy, and strengthening the national grid because no modern economy can grow in darkness,” said the President. He also cited the stabilisation of the telecommunications sector as a significant but underappreciated achievement. Tinubu said, “After years of severe operational pressures and declining investment, confidence is gradually returning to the sector. “Telecom operators are expanding networks, investing in infrastructure, recruiting Nigerian talent, and widening digital access across the country. A connected Nigeria is a more competitive Nigeria.” On security Tinubu who conceded that challenges remained, insisted that progress was being recorded in various parts of the country’s He argued, “Our Armed Forces and security agencies have intensified operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves, and criminal networks. “While challenges remain, many communities and highways are becoming safer and more economically active. “I want to assure you that this government will not relent until every Nigerian can live, work, travel, and dream in safety.” Tinubu noted that his third anniversary in office is not a celebration of completion but as a milestone on an unfinished journey. According to him, “We have not solved every problem, and we are not yet where we want to be. But the foundation for recovery has been laid. “The task before us now is clear: we must ensure that the benefits of reform are felt more directly in the daily lives of ordinary Nigerians.” He appealed for national cohesion and patience, drawing on the broader arc of Nigeria’s history. According to him, “History teaches us that great nations are not built in comfort. They are built through sacrifice, resilience, courage, and collective purpose. “Ours is a nation of extraordinary people. We survived civil war and rebuilt. We overcame dictatorship and restored democracy. “We endured hardship and remain bearers of hope. The Nigerian spirit remains strong and unbroken.” He added, “Today, the world is watching our country again, not as a nation defined by its difficulties, but as a nation determined to rise. “Across agriculture, infrastructure, power, technology, manufacturing, and industry, the signs of recovery are becoming clearer. Confidence is returning. Productivity is improving. Opportunity is expanding.” “Let us reject cynicism and division. Let us move forward together, united in purpose, disciplined in effort, compassionate toward one another, and confident in the greatness that lies ahead.”

IBADAN — Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has strongly criticized the Federal Government’s approach to establishing state police, labeling the ongoing administrative delays a "waste of time". Speaking at an event in Ibadan, the governor urged President Bola Tinubu to stop routing the process through the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and instead empower state assemblies to enact the necessary laws. Governor Makinde also made a startling historical claim regarding the regional security outfit, Operation Amotekun, revealing that Lagos State failed to join the initiative because President Tinubu—who functions as the political godfather of the state—opposed its creation. "Amotekun Was Just a Stop-Gap "Reflecting on the security architecture of the Southwest region, Makinde explained that the establishment of the Oyo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, in 2020 was never intended to be the final destination for regional security."We wanted state police," Makinde declared. "It was because we couldn`t get it that we set up Amotekun as a stop-gap measure." The governor emphasized that security remains a fundamental pillar of his administration, but argued that a decentralised, constitutional state police force is the only permanent solution to Nigeria’s pressing security challenges. Why Lagos Didn`t Join Amotekun Governor Makinde recalled the legislative unity that birthed the regional security corps, pointing out that nearly all Southwest states passed uniform laws to create the outfit. He explicitly singled out Lagos State for its absence from the arrangement, linking it directly to political directives from President Tinubu. According to Makinde, all Southwest states, except Lagos, enacted legislation to create Amotekun, claiming that Lagos did not join because of opposition from their "boss," referring to Tinubu. FG Urged to Bypass Inspector-General of Police Addressing current efforts to develop state policing frameworks, Makinde argued that involving the executive or the IGP is misguided, emphasizing that it is a constitutional issue that should be handled by the legislature. The governor urged the Presidency to stop relying on the IGP for establishing state structures. He maintained that given proper authorization, state assemblies could swiftly enact necessary legislation. Dismissing the call for memoranda from the National Economic Council as a "waste of time," he argued for direct constitutional amendment by the National Assembly. Concluding, Makinde urged the National Assembly to move forward with the necessary constitutional changes for state policing to avoid further security delays.