President Bola Tinubu has said that democratic governance must translate into tangible economic benefits for citizens, stressing that “democracy must be felt in the pocket” as his administration continues to implement reforms aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.

Speaking in his Democracy Day address on Friday, the President said ongoing infrastructure projects across the country are helping to connect producers to markets while creating opportunities for enterprise and employment.

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Tinubu also disclosed that the National Agricultural Development Fund is set to deploy 10,000 tractors over the next five years to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food production nationwide.

Highlighting some of the gains recorded by his administration, the President revealed that more than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been certified for export.

He added that non-oil exports grew by 21 per cent in the past year, reflecting efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy beyond crude oil.

Despite these achievements, Tinubu acknowledged that many Nigerians are still grappling with economic hardship.

He said his administration remains focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards and rebuilding confidence in the economy.

According to him, the government is working to move the country “from uncertainty to stability,” with the next phase of reforms aimed at accelerating economic growth and ensuring that progress is felt at household and community levels across all regions.

The President further stated that his administration is pursuing financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local government councils, arguing that weak grassroots governance has contributed to development challenges and insecurity in parts of the country.

Tinubu maintained that strengthening local government administration is crucial to addressing insecurity and improving service delivery, adding that the Renewed Hope Agenda is designed to ensure that the dividends of governance reach every Nigerian.

He reiterated his commitment to building a more stable and prosperous nation where the benefits of democracy are visible in the everyday lives of citizens.

Hundreds of pensioners in Benue State on Wednesday took to the streets of Makurdi to protest the non-payment of gratuities, pension arrears and the failure of the government to harmonise pension payments, lamenting that many retirees are dying due to hardship and lack of access to healthcare.

The protesters, under the umbrella of the Concerned Pensioners Association of Benue State, staged a peaceful demonstration and threatened to occupy the Benue State Government House if their demands continue to be ignored.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Pay Us Our Pension, Our Members Are Dying” and other messages demanding justice, the retirees expressed frustration over what they described as years of neglect and broken promises.

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Speaking during the protest, the association’s chairman, Akosu Orban, said pensioners had exhausted all avenues of dialogue with the state government without achieving any meaningful result.

“We have exhausted all avenues for dialogue and resolution with the Benue State Government over our demands without success. That is why we have decided to embark on this peaceful protest,” he said.

According to Orban, gratuities dating back to the year 2000 remain unpaid, while pension arrears owed to state retirees stand at 38 months and those owed to local government retirees have accumulated to 62 months.

He also raised concerns over the non-harmonisation of pensions, claiming that some retirees still receive as little as N2,000 monthly despite existing provisions for improved pension payments.

“It may interest you to know that some pensioners who retired many years ago are still being paid N2,000 monthly pension. If pensions were properly harmonised, they should be receiving up to N40,000 per month,” he stated.

The pensioners lamented that the prolonged delay in settling their entitlements has pushed many retirees into extreme poverty.

“Pensioners are dying on a daily basis because they cannot afford drugs and special diets required for age-related ailments. We have become scavengers, beggars and destitute in the land we served diligently,” Orban added.

The association accused the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia of failing to fulfil promises allegedly made during the 2023 election campaign to clear pension arrears and gratuities within 100 days of assuming office.

The retirees further alleged that they withdrew several court cases against the government after receiving assurances that outstanding payments would be settled on a first-retired, first-paid basis, only for those promises to remain unfulfilled.

Warning that their patience was running out, the protesters vowed to escalate their action if their demands were not addressed.

“We are hungry and angry. If our concerns are not addressed, we will have no option than to occupy the Benue State Government House until justice is done to pensioners,” Orban declared.

Responding to the protest, Benue State Commissioner for Finance, Michael Oglegba, said the current administration inherited pension and gratuity liabilities estimated at N300 billion.

He noted that the government was making efforts to settle the obligations despite limited resources.

“That is what we inherited, but we are doing our very best to pay what we can. They have the right to demonstrate, but government, in its wisdom, is doing its best,” Oglegba said.

The commissioner added that the administration had fully paid gratuities of workers who retired since it assumed office in 2023, while also working to reduce the backlog inherited from previous administrations.

The protest highlights the growing frustration among pensioners in Benue State, many of whom say years of unpaid entitlements have left them struggling to survive.

A total of 268 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks are expected to arrive in Lagos today as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to protect its citizens abroad.

The returnees, who form the first batch of those seeking voluntary repatriation, are being transported aboard an Air Peace evacuation flight scheduled to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:00 a.m.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, is expected to receive the evacuees on behalf of the Federal Government upon their arrival.

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This was disclosed in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, who said the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, would accompany the returnees and formally hand them over to Nigerian authorities.

The evacuation follows renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which have left many foreign nationals, including Nigerians, fearful for their safety and seeking a return to their home countries.

According to the ministry, the ongoing screening exercise for Nigerians willing to return home voluntarily has been extended until Sunday, June 14, 2026, to enable more affected citizens to participate in the evacuation programme.

The ministry said the extension underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare, safety and protection of Nigerians living overseas.

It also assured that relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have made adequate arrangements for the reception, documentation and support of the returnees upon arrival.

The latest evacuation marks another chapter in the long-standing concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa, where Nigerians and other African migrants have periodically faced hostility, attacks and displacement.

Federal authorities have reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the interests of Nigerians abroad while continuing diplomatic engagements aimed at addressing the situation and ensuring the safety of affected citizens.