Eid-el-Kabir: We Must Not Lose Hope In Nigeria, Says ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) extends warm Eid-el-Kabir greetings to Muslim faithful across Nigeria and around the world as we join millions in celebrating this sacred season of sacrifice, faith, obedience, and compassion.

As a party, we recognise that this year’s Sallah is coming at an exceptionally difficult period for many Nigerians. Across the country, millions of families are struggling under the weight of rising food prices, worsening economic hardship, unemployment, and growing insecurity. Many citizens are uncertain about tomorrow, and many homes are carrying burdens heavier than they have ever known.

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Yet, even in moments like this, we believe Nigerians must not lose hope in the future of our country.

Eid-el-Kabir reminds us that faith is most meaningful in difficult seasons. This lesson is especially important for Nigeria today.

We believe deeply that beyond the hardship and frustration of this moment lies the possibility of a stronger, safer, and more prosperous nation. We believe in a Nigeria where real leadership works for the people, where young people can dream again, where farmers can return safely to their farms, where businesses can grow, and where ordinary citizens can once again live with dignity and hope.

As Nigerians celebrate this Sallah, we urge all citizens not to surrender to the despair that is widespread under this government. The darkness of today must not blind us to the possibilities of tomorrow. History has shown that nations recover when citizens refuse to stop believing in a better future.

ADC

We also call on leaders across all levels to reflect seriously on the deeper meaning of responsibility during this season.

This Sallah, we pray for peace across our country, healing for hurting communities, relief for struggling families, and unity among Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines.

Above all, we remain confident that Nigeria can still rise again.

Signed:

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary, African Democratic Congress (ADC)
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FG Strengthens Coordination, Expands Social Protection Efforts To Address Poverty, Humanitarian Challenges

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening coordination across humanitarian interventions and expanding investment in social protection programmes as part of ongoing efforts to tackle poverty, insecurity, and humanitarian challenges across the country.

The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, stated this during a courtesy visit by members of Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFinA) to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

Dr. Doro noted that the Ministry operates an open-door engagement framework that promotes collaboration among government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, and the private sector to improve service delivery to vulnerable Nigerians.

Describing poverty as one of Nigeria’s most pressing national challenges, the Minister highlighted the persistence of multidimensional deprivation in healthcare, education, housing, food security, and livelihoods.

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He explained that the situation has been further worsened by insecurity, displacement, conflict, and climate-related shocks, which continue to place enormous pressure on emergency response systems and undermine long-term development planning.

According to the Minister, poverty and insecurity remain closely interconnected, as deprivation and unemployment often heighten vulnerability to crime and instability. He stressed that strengthening social protection systems is critical not only for poverty reduction but also for promoting national stability and resilience.

Dr. Doro further highlighted ongoing reforms under the Ministry’s One Humanitarian and one Poverty Response System, an initiative aimed at harmonising interventions across agencies, eliminating duplication, and improving efficiency, accountability, and impact.

He observed that fragmented interventions, weak data integration, and uncoordinated social registers have continued to limit effective targeting and resource optimisation, noting that Nigeria’s challenge is not the absence of interventions, but the lack of effective coordination.

The Minister explained that the new framework would deepen institutional collaboration, strengthen data integration, and establish unified delivery systems to ensure that interventions reach intended beneficiaries while reducing leakages and improving transparency.

He added that despite resistance to reforms, the government remains committed to building a more accountable and technology-driven humanitarian response system capable of delivering measurable results.

He also called on development partners, donor agencies, civil society organisations, and the private sector to sustain support for efforts aimed at building a more coordinated and impactful humanitarian and social protection architecture in Nigeria.

Humanitarian

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of EFinA, Mrs. Foyinsolami Akinjayeju, stated that, although financial inclusion in Nigeria has risen to approximately 74 percent, progress driven largely by digital payments has yet to translate into stronger financial resilience for many Nigerians.

She noted persistent gaps in savings, insurance uptake, pension participation, and access to affordable credit, particularly among women and rural populations. Mrs. Akinjayeju therefore advocated a transition from access-focused financial inclusion to meaningful usage, supported by stronger Digital Public Infrastructure and improved coordination among regulators, financial institutions, and development partners.

The meeting was attended by Directors and senior officials of the Ministry, including Mr. Valentine Ezulu and Mrs. Janet McDickson, aides of the Honourable Minister, as well as members of the EFinA delegation who accompanied the Chief Executive Officer to the engagement.

Signed

Janet McDickson
Director, Information and Public Relations
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Nigerian Navy Upgrades Training, Infrastructure To Tackle Security Threats

The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers, as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.

Mr Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.

“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities,” he said.

According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.

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Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.

Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.

Mr Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the Navy’s medical services.

“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.

“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base,” he said.

He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.

The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.

“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.

In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in the Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.

Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.

Mr Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.

Nigerian Navy

“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.

He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.

Mr Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.

He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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