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‘A Pioneer Who Inspired Generations’ – Tinubu Mourns Peter Rufai
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has joined the rest of the nation in mourning the passing of former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, who died on Thursday at the age of 61 following a short illness.
In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the Rufai family, his friends, and the entire Nigerian football community.
President Tinubu described Rufai as a football icon whose legacy would forever be remembered in the annals of Nigerian sports history.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Nigerian Football Legend Peter Rufai Dies At 61
“He was a patriotic sportsman who carved his name in gold in Nigeria’s football history and across the African continent,” Tinubu said.
The President fondly recalled Rufai’s significant role in Nigeria’s historic triumph at the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia, where he was the first-choice goalkeeper.
“I recall with fond memories the heroic contributions of Peter Rufai in the historic victory of the Super Eagles at the 1994 edition of the AFCON in Tunisia,” he said.
Tinubu also praised Rufai’s performance at the FIFA World Cup, particularly Nigeria’s maiden appearance in 1994.
“He also followed up with Nigeria’s equally epoch-making first appearance at the FIFA World Cup competition, dubbed ‘U.S.A. ’94.’ Rufai was also a strong member of the team at the subsequent edition of the competition in France in 1998,” the President added.
Rufai began his football journey with Lagos-based Stationery Stores in 1980, before making a name for himself abroad.
According to Tinubu, “He played in many European countries, including Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, bringing honour to the nation and opening a new window of opportunities for young footballers in Nigeria.”
Beyond his achievements on the field, Tinubu acknowledged Rufai’s commitment to youth development and his contributions to grassroots football.
“After he retired from active football, Peter, a prince of the Royal House in Idimu, Lagos, set up the Staruf Football Academy, where he continued to inspire, mentor, and nurture young footballers,” the President noted.
Peter Rufai’s professional career spanned two decades, and he remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated goalkeepers.
His influence extended beyond the pitch, leaving a lasting impact on the future of Nigerian football.
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s prolonged absence from Nigeria, saying Nigerians deserve to know the President’s whereabouts amid the country’s security challenges.
Obi made the remarks on Arise TV on Thursday while discussing the President’s absence from the country and the situation surrounding other senior government officials.
According to Obi, the issue was not simply that Tinubu was outside Nigeria, but that he had remained abroad beyond the period initially announced for his trip.
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“It’s not just that he’s out of the country. He’s out of the country beyond the days he was supposed to be. Beyond the days they even said he was going for,” Obi said.
He also noted that Vice-President Kashim Shettima was outside the country, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio was also reportedly abroad and the Senate was not in session.
“The Vice President is not in the country. And I understand the Senate President is out of the country, the Senate is not in session,” he said.
Obi expressed concern about the situation against the backdrop of insecurity and recent incidents involving the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Niger State.
“We don’t need this level of rascality at this moment in time, when Nigerians are being kidnapped, being killed, things are… we need a country where we have somebody, where we have competence, capacity, and compassion,” he said.
Referring to the deaths recorded in Niger State, Obi said the presence of the country’s chief executive was particularly important during a crisis.
“Look at Niger State now, where 10 people… where some young people have died for nothing,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor argued that while there is a chain of command within government, delegation should not replace the physical presence of the country’s leader during critical situations.
“It is… the CEO being present is critical at a time of crisis. Not delegation. Yes, you have a chain of command,” Obi said.
He subsequently asked where the President was and insisted that Nigerians should be informed.
“Where is the President? Nigerians ought to know,” he said.
Obi also said that, if elected president in 2027, he would make his whereabouts publicly known whenever he travelled.
“If I travel today, I tell people where I am. When I become President, Charles, people will know where I am 24 hours,” he said
“That is public space, public office,” Obi added.
The comments come amid continuing public debate over the absence of the President and Vice-President from Nigeria.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has challenged the way government borrowing is accounted for, arguing that funds borrowed but not actually drawn down should not be treated as debt left behind by an administration.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday while explaining his position on borrowing during his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
“That is a wrong public accounting. Even if I had gone to bank and borrowed money, but I did not spend the money, you cannot call it debt I left,” Obi said.
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He illustrated his argument with a hypothetical ₦10 billion loan facility, saying that where only ₦500 million was actually drawn, it would be inaccurate to describe the entire ₦10 billion as money owed.
“They gave me a loan of 10 billion Naira, and Charles, I only drew down 500 million. You cannot say I’m owing 10 billion, because you know the amount,” he said.
The NDC candidate said such a practice would amount to improper public-sector accounting.
“That’s why I said it is not proper public sector accounting,” Obi said.
He also cited the former Director-General of the Debt Management Office, Abraham Nwankwo, whom he said served for 10 years, in support of his claim about his borrowing record as Anambra governor.
Obi recalled that Nwankwo invited him to his send-off ceremony and publicly explained why he had selected Obi as chairman of the event.
“He announced it to everybody in that party that the reason why he made me chairman is because I was the only governor in Nigeria who never came to his office for approval to borrow money,” Obi said.
Anambra Debt Controversy
Obi’s comments come against the backdrop of continuing debate over the debt profile he left behind after serving as Anambra State governor from 2006 to 2013.
The former governor has consistently defended his administration’s financial record, while figures and claims about Anambra’s debt during and after his tenure have generated public debate.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced the final phase of restoration works on the 330kV Kainji–Birnin Kebbi Transmission Line following the recent collapse of Tower T367 along the line corridor.
TCN, in an update issued on Wednesday, said significant progress had been recorded at the affected location in Yauri, where restoration activities are ongoing.
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According to the company, the collapsed transmission tower has now been completely dismantled and decommissioned, while the conductors and skywire have been properly aligned and prepared for the next stage of the restoration process.
TCN also disclosed that an Emergency Restoration System (ERS) tower has been moved to the site and is ready for installation.
The company said the installation would be followed by cable stringing and other associated works towards the restoration of the affected transmission line.
“Our engineers and technical personnel remain actively engaged at the site and are working hard to ensure a quick completion and restoration of the line.”
TCN said it remained committed to restoring normal bulk transmission as soon as possible and appealed to electricity consumers and other stakeholders affected by the incident for patience and understanding.
“TCN appreciates the patience and understanding of electricity consumers and other stakeholders affected by the incident and assures the public that every effort is being made to restore the line and consequently, normal bulk transmission as soon as possible.”
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