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‘After Three Years of Your Treatment, Why Is It Harder to Buy Food?’ — Atiku to Tinubu

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Former Vice President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has challenged President Bola Tinubu over the worsening cost of living, asking why Nigerians are finding it increasingly difficult to afford food after three years of his administration.

Atiku made the remarks in his Independence Day state-of-the-nation addresson Thursday while responding to Tinubu’s national broadcast marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.

Tinubu had described Nigeria as a patient undergoing painful treatment, while declaring that the country had moved beyond the emergency phase and entered an “age of prosperity.”

SEE ALSO: Nigeria@66: Tinubu Has Plunged Nigeria Into Its Worst Cost-of-Living Crisis – Atiku Slams Tinubu

But Atiku questioned the impact of the reforms on ordinary Nigerians.
“Bola, where is the prosperity?” Atiku asked.

He said a president could announce a new chapter in a speech, but could not simply announce food onto a family’s table or money into a worker’s pocket.

“Bola, you call Nigeria a patient with cancer. After three years of your treatment, why is it harder for Nigerians to buy food, pay for medicine, or even get to work?” he asked.

Atiku also questioned why government revenues could rise while Nigerians’ purchasing power continued to decline.

“Why does your government have more money while the people can afford less?” he asked.

The ADC presidential candidate further argued that a slower rise in prices does not restore the purchasing power families have already lost, while economic growth and rising exports must translate into improved living conditions.

He also criticised the removal of fuel subsidy, saying it was implemented without adequate protection for families who would bear the consequences.

According to Atiku, the policy contributed to higher petrol and transportation costs, which subsequently affected the cost of moving food and other goods.

“Three years later, the pain has an address in every home. Bola Tinubu, where is the benefit?” he asked.

Atiku also raised concerns over insecurity, saying armed groups had killed thousands and displaced families, while farmers, parents and other Nigerians continued to live with fear.

He nevertheless urged Nigerians not to surrender to despair, saying the country still had a path to recovery.

“Despair is not a strategy. We have a path to recovery, and we must take it,” he said.

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FRSC Warns Drivers After Brake Failure Kills Two in Kano Crash

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has confirmed the death of two persons in a road crash involving a fully loaded tipper truck and a Mercedes-Benz car along the Kano-Zaria Road at Dangi Underpass.

The fatal crash occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and involved a Howo tipper truck with registration number RMG 332 XA, loaded with bitumen, and a Mercedes-Benz C180 with registration number ABJ 783 GB.

According to a statement signed by the FRSC Kano Sector Public Education Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, four male adults were involved in the crash, with two confirmed dead.

SEE ALSO: DPRP’s Free Fuel Delivery Expands to Kano, Imo, Nearly 10 More States

Preliminary reports indicated that the crash was caused by brake failure in the loaded tipper truck, resulting in the driver losing control of the vehicle.

The truck reportedly slid backwards and collided with the Mercedes-Benz behind it, leading to the fatal incident.

FRSC rescue personnel and other emergency responders evacuated the victims to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, the Kano Sector Commander, Corps Commander Idris Mohammed Lawal, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.

Lawal also urged the affected families to find the strength to bear the loss.

The Sector Commander warned motorists, transport unions, construction companies and fleet operators against neglecting regular vehicle maintenance, particularly the inspection and servicing of critical components such as braking systems and tyres.

He emphasised the importance of defensive driving, urging motorists to maintain safe following distances, remain alert to changing road conditions and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on journeys.

Lawal stressed that regular vehicle maintenance, responsible driving and strict compliance with road safety regulations remain essential to preventing avoidable road crashes and saving lives.

 

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Group Demands Fair Share of NNPC Jobs for Ogoni Oil Exploration

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A call has gone to President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government, the Ogoni Dialogue and Consultation (ODC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in ongoing discussions on the future of Ogoniland.

While making the call, the Ogoni Association of Persons Living with Disabilities (OGAPWD) also demanded disability-inclusive employment opportunities and greater participation in development programmes linked to the proposed resumption of oil production in the area.

Speaking during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, OGAPWD President-General, Baridapdoo Ngo, said dialogue on Ogoniland’s future would be incomplete without the representation of persons with disabilities.

“We are not opposed to dialogue. We are not opposed to development. We oppose exclusion, discrimination and decisions that determine our future without our participation,” he said.

READ ALSO: NIPCO Gas Licences, NNPC Ltd Management Face Reps Probe

Ngo urged the ODC leadership to include nominated representatives of the association in its dialogue structures and relevant committees, stressing the need for accessible meeting venues and communication support.

He said persons with disabilities should participate meaningfully in discussions on environmental remediation, employment, security and community development rather than being invited merely for ceremonial purposes.

He pointed out that “Inclusion is not charity. Representation is not a favour. Accessibility is not a privilege. These are matters of rights, dignity and equal citizenship”.

On employment, OGAPWD expressed concern over reports that NNPC Ltd was offering 40 positions connected with Ogoni engagement under the Confidence Building Measures (CBM).

The association called on the national oil company to clarify the recruitment criteria and explain how qualified applicants with disabilities were being considered.

It demanded that at least five per cent of the 40 positions be allocated to qualified Ogoni applicants with disabilities, citing Section 29 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

OGAPWD also requested a formal meeting with NNPC Ltd and asked the company to respond to its concerns within 15 days.

The association said it supported a responsible and lawful resumption of oil production, provided the process prioritised environmental protection, transparency, public health and the rights of affected communities.

It further urged the Federal Government to address the demand for Bori State through the appropriate constitutional process, describing the issue as central to its position on Ogoni self-determination.

OGAPWD appealed to traditional rulers, political leaders, youth organisations and community stakeholders to ensure that persons with disabilities benefited from employment, skills acquisition, business support and other development initiatives.

The association urged the Federal Government, ODC and NNPC Ltd to take concrete steps to ensure that persons with disabilities were represented in decisions affecting Ogoniland’s political, economic and environmental future.

“Our message is simple: no exclusion in dialogue, no discrimination in employment, no development without inclusion,” Ngo said.

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200 Imo Teachers Benefit from NCDMB’s Effective Curriculum Training

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NCDMB Emerges Best MDA In Ease Of Doing Business Ranking

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has flagged off a five-day capacity building programme for 200 primary and secondary school teachers drawn from all local government areas of the state.

Themed “Empowering Teachers for Effective Curriculum Delivery through Digital Innovation, Modern Pedagogy and Professional Excellence,” the training is centred on four pillars, namely, “Digital Literacy, ICT Skills and Digital Teaching Tools” (Pillar 1); Interactive Lesson Preparation, Presentation, and Learner Engagement” (Pillar 2); “NERDC [National Educational Research and Development Council] Curriculum Alignment and Competency-based Lesson” (Pillar 3), and “Positive Classroom Management, Discipline and Learner Support” (Pillar 4).

In his opening remarks at the event, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by Assistant Manager, Institutional Relations and Entrepreneurship Development (IRED), in the Capacity Building Directorate (CBD) of the Board, Ms. Khadijah Jekhine, said the programme reflects NCDMB’s firm belief that sustainable Nigerian Content development begins with quality education and skilled human capital.

He described teachers as “the primary multipliers of knowledge,” adding, “When we invest in you – equipping you with digital tools, modern teaching methods, and professional excellence – we invest in thousands of young Nigerians who will become the engineers, technicians, innovators, and professionals our oil and gas industry and national economy urgently needed.”

The NCDMB boss explained that the goal of the Board is to strengthen the capacity of the teachers for effective curriculum delivery so that classroom learning becomes more practical, engaging, and aligned with the demands of the future of work. He enjoined the teachers to ensure that what they gained from the training cascades to their students, pupils and colleagues, thus raising the quality of education and building the foundation for greater indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry.

He expressed appreciation to the Imo State Government, the State Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and all collaborating partners for the strong partnership that has made the programme possible.

The programme facilitator, Dr. Anayo Nzeribe, General Manager, R&M Networks Limited, said the intervention of the NCDMB in the educational system in the State was of inestimable value as it complements the Government’s efforts to improve access to quality education and provides essential facilities for learning and teaching.

He announced that the Board has made available digital tools and other teaching aids for distribution, that each of the 200 participants would receive a laptop and accessories, among other things. In addition, each of them would receive what he termed “a handsome stipend” at the end of the training programme on Saturday (17th October).

Dr. Nzeribe, on behalf of his company and the joyous teachers, expressed profound gratitude to the NCDMB for the initiative and assured that the tools donated would be put into adequate use to enhance teaching in the State.

READ ALSO: Showunmi Urges South-East to Judge Tinubu by Projects, Not Propaganda

The State Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Professor Bernard-Thompson Ikegwuoha, represented by an official of the Ministry, Dr. (Mrs.) Benedicta Chinonye Okorie, was similarly appreciative of the contributions of the NCDMB to educational advancement in the State.

The Owerri capacity building initiative is following close on the heels of a Train-the-Trainer programme organised by the Board in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, last month, for 88 teachers of vocational and technical schools. That programme centred on industry-relevant technical skills, digital technologies, and competency-based teaching methodologies.

On the NCDMB team at the Owerri event were the Zonal Coordinator for Imo and Abia States, Dr. Emma Ohaere, and other staff of the Owerri Liaison Office, as well as Ms. Salamatu Ibrahim, Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications Division (CCD), among others.

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