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ADC National Chairman David Mark Address At The Opposition Summit In Ibadan
ADC National Chairman David Mark Address At The Opposition Summit In Ibadan
Entire communities are uprooted, families shattered, and livelihoods destroyed. Fear has taken the place of freedom, and uncertainty has replaced hope.
Distinguished leaders of the opposition,
Protocols:
1. Our gathering here today is an urgent response to our nation’s call to patriotic duty. My prayer is that history will remember us, that when the nation cried out to be rescued, we answered, that when we heard the agonies of mothers that just buried their children killed by bandits, we answered, that when we saw the silent agonies of fathers and husbands who watched their daughters and wives raped by terrorists, we answered, that when struggling workers could not afford to transport themselves to work, we answered, that when children went to bed hungry, we answered, that when proud, hardworking citizens were turned to beggars; we answered. History will ask, what did we do? What role did we play? All of us here and millions who are with us but for one reason or the other are not here physically will answer positively.
2. The call to rescue Nigeria is not a mere opposition slogan. The evidence is there for all of us to see. Across the length and breadth of our country, insecurity has become a defining feature of daily life. From the avoidable protracted insurgency and terrorism, to the relentless banditry and mass kidnappings, to the steady rise of violent crimes in our urban centres, Nigeria faces a historic challenge.
3. The statistics are frightening. In 2025 alone, Nigeria recorded more than 12,000 conflict-related deaths. This figure exceeds those of countries who are actively at war, like Syria, Iraq and Yemen, combined. Nigeria is now ranked 4th in global terrorism index. Despite all the claims and posturing by government, the situation continues to get worse. While global terrorism deaths fell by 28% in 2025, Nigeria’s increased by 46%. At least 15 Nigerians are killed daily, while about 19 people are abducted. In the first three months of this year alone, about 1,400 Nigerians have been killed or abducted in different parts of the country. Entire communities are uprooted, families shattered, and livelihoods destroyed. Fear has taken the place of freedom, and uncertainty has replaced hope.
4. Yet, the government, whose primary duty it is to protect the citizens, carry on with a shocking indifference as if nothing is wrong. We are a nation that is constantly in mourning, a nation burying its citizens with alarming regularity, a nation crying out for leadership and protection. While these killings and kidnappings continue relentlessly, the APC led government is behaving as if all is well. The government is preoccupied with election matters and politics of self-succession.
5. The essence of democracy is to provide the people with a choice. When one government fails, like this government has woefully done, the constitution of our land grants the people the power to vote that government out. However, with what we have witnessed in recent times, the ruling party has done everything to deny the people of Nigeria this very right to seek an alternative. In the last three years, this government has launched major attacks on the opposition parties, all in a bid to deny the people the right to choose. They want to foist a one-party state on Nigeria. Institutions that should safeguard our freedom and protect the will of the people are increasingly under assault. The right of citizens to freely choose their leaders is being undermined. The independence of democratic institutions is being compromised. In fact, it is becoming increasingly difficult to describe what we have today as a fully functioning democracy in both form and substance.
6. Our mission to recue Nigeria is a task that must be done. When we, as members of the opposition, say that our singular objective is to rescue Nigeria, we are neither exaggerating nor engaging in political theatrics. The task before us is nothing short of a national rescue mission. It is a mission born out of necessity, compelled by the suffering of our people, and driven by the urgency of the moment.
7. I must emphasise therefore, that this responsibility is far more important than partisan sentiment, personal interest or personal ambition. What is at stake; the very survival and restoration of our country, is greater than every single one of us. It involves sacrifice by every member in the opposition. I have no doubt in my mind, that no single opposition political party, no matter how strong, can confront a system so entrenched and so determined to retain power at all costs. What we are faced with is a regime that has shown, in both words and in deeds, a willingness to weaken democratic structures and suppress opposition voices. Let’s not make a mistake about this. The move towards a one-party state is real. It has never happened before in this country, and it will not happen in our generation.
8. The government has argued that it is not their duty to help build the opposition. They are right. And we seek no such favour from them. They call what they are doing to opposition political parties ‘strategy’. I call it tyranny. But is it their duty to destroy the opposition as they have brazenly attempted to do? Can one do what they have been doing and still claim to believe in democracy, or to be a democrat? The answer is certainly NO.
9. We must not be in doubts. The forces that have sought to destabilise our various political parties will not stop. Even as we gather here, they are already scheming how to further undermine us and divide our ranks and sow seeds of discord among us. But we on our path must remember where the rains began to beat us. We must remember how we got to where we are today. We must remember what has brought us here. We must remain clear that we cannot confront the future as fragmented entities. We must be united to salvage our nation. It is for these reasons that this gathering and our dealings must be anchored on honesty and integrity. We must put all our cards faced up on the table and speak truthfully to one another. There must be no hidden agendas, no last-minute surprises, and no room for distrust. Perhaps, more than anything else, the success of our collective effort depends on our ability to build and sustain trust.
10. We are racing against time, and operating within a limited window. The urgency of our situation does not permit repeated mistakes. We must be willing to rise above narrow sentiments and reject petty parochialism that has historically divided the oppositions in this country. This is the time to rewrite the story of coalition building in Nigeria.
11. The record of the APC government is one of failure. What remains in its wake is an aggressive reliance on propaganda and a sustained assault on opposition voices. However, we will not engage in a contest of propaganda. We will not substitute truth with noise. Their reliance on propaganda only exposes a deeper problem, an inability to accept responsibility and a lack of integrity. Nigerians are watching, and they have seen through the smokescreen and the lies. They recognize a government that has failed to meet their expectations and shown no empathy for their sufferings.
12. This is why, as we have repeatedly maintained, the struggle before us is no longer a conventional political contest. This contest is between the ruling party APC, and the Nigerian people. APC is contesting against the mother who has just buried her child, against the father who works tirelessly yet cannot feed his family, against the young graduate who sees no future, and against the pensioner who has been abandoned after decades of service. We are on the side of the people. Therefore, the Almighty God is on our side.
13. Recent changes within the economic management team are themselves a tacit admission of failure. When a system is functioning effectively, you do not replace leadership. Reshuffling cabinet at this late hour cannot save them from the verdict of the people.
ADC National Chairman David Mark
14. Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen, as I conclude, let me use this opportunity to emphasise once again, that the credibility of our democracy rests on the neutrality and integrity of its electoral institutions. When the referee clearly and proudly wears the jersey of one of the teams in a match he should be officiating, then the legitimacy of the entire process is undermined. In this instance, Nigerians have lost confidence in the electoral body, INEC. INEC is no longer an impartial umpire. And if nothing changes, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan is about to preside over the most distrusted election in Nigerian history. The consequences are better left to imagination.
15. Leaders of our parties, let it be said loud and clear that at a defining moment in our history, when Nigeria stood at the edge of uncertainty, we did not falter. We did not allow personal ambition to override the desire of Nigerians for a better life. We did not collapse under the temptation of petty partisanship or self-satisfying ambitions. Instead, we chose unity over division, sacrifice over self, and country above all.
16. Let this summit go down in history as the moment when everything changed. Let this be the beginning of a decisive movement, a movement that will restore the dignity of our democracy, secure the lives of our people, and rebuild the foundations of our nation.
17. I am very confident that if we stand together with conviction, discipline, and sincerity, no force will be strong enough to stop the will of the Nigerian people. May history remember us for our courage, our sacrifice and our resolve to save our democracy and our country.
May it record that when Nigeria called, we answered with unwavering commitment, when our people needed us, we did not falter and we did not fail them.
18. And may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
News
John Momoh Calls For Stronger Diaspora Partnerships To Drive Nigeria’s Healthcare Transformation
John Momoh Calls For Stronger Diaspora Partnerships To Drive Nigeria’s Healthcare Transformation
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Channels Television, Mr. John Momoh, has called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria and its diaspora to harness global expertise for national development, particularly in transforming the country’s healthcare system.
Eereporter.com
Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 National Diaspora Day Celebration and National Diaspora Merit Awards, Momoh described the event as a celebration of excellence, patriotism, and the enduring bond between Nigeria and its citizens across the world.
Said he: “No matter how far a river flows, it never forgets its source,” hence the saying aptly captures the Nigerian diaspora, whose remarkable achievements across the globe continue to reflect an unwavering connection to their homeland.
He observed that Nigerians are making extraordinary contributions to healthcare and other critical sectors around the world, demonstrating that the country is not short of talent but must create the right opportunities for that talent to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Commending the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for providing a platform that connects Nigerians abroad with development initiatives at home, Mr. Momoh noted that “when knowledge travels back home, everyone wins.”
He emphasised that healthcare should no longer be viewed merely as a social service but as critical national infrastructure, stressing that building an effective healthcare system requires sustained collaboration among government, the private sector, healthcare professionals, and the diaspora.
According to him, Nigeria must move beyond celebrating the achievements of its healthcare professionals abroad to forging practical partnerships that promote knowledge exchange, skills transfer, research collaboration, and improved healthcare delivery.
He urged stakeholders to harness the multiplier effect of diaspora engagement, noting that this is how nations grow and achieve sustainable development.
Describing human capital as the nation’s greatest asset, Momoh remarked that “every nation’s greatest resource is not what lies beneath the ground, but what lives in its people.”
He added that his optimism about Nigeria remains unshaken, not because the country is without challenges, but because of the resilience, innovation, and determination of its people.
Addressing Nigerians in the diaspora, he thanked them for representing the country with distinction and for flying the Nigerian flag through excellence in their various professions.
He reminded them that success comes with responsibility and that patriotism is measured not only by words but by meaningful contributions to national development.
The veteran Broadcaster also encouraged young Nigerians to seize the opportunities available to them, stressing that true success is measured not only by personal achievements but by the opportunities created for others.
He congratulated recipients of the National Diaspora Merit Awards, describing the honour as recognition of excellence, sacrifice, and outstanding service to the nation.
He urged the awardees to continue opening doors for others while serving as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria’s values and aspirations.
Just In
He concluded by calling on all stakeholders to build trust, strengthen partnerships, and translate the expertise of Nigerians in the diaspora into practical solutions that will build a resilient healthcare system, improve the lives of citizens, and accelerate national development.
E-Signed
Abdur-Rahman Balogun
Head, Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit,
(NiDCOM).
Eereporter.com
Olukoyede Assures Staff Of Enhanced Welfare And Career Progression In Their 20th Anniversary
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has expressed the resolve of his administration to continuously enhance welfare of staff and create room for career progression within the Commission.
Eereporter.com
He gave this assurance at the 20th Anniversary Ceremony of the EFCC Detective Inspector Course One which took place at the Commission`s Academy in Karu, Abuja.
Olukoyede who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Commander of EFCC, CE Micheal Nzekwe stated that the Executive Chairman was always thinking of various ways to better the lives of his staff.
“The Executive Chairman is very interested in staff welfare. He is always thinking of what is next for staff, he is always talking about how the lives of staff are better in terms of welfare so that they are not distracted. In every system, career progression is something that is very important and I am glad many of you have improved yourself. As for the conversion thing that the Executive Chairman promised, it is as good as a done deal. Try as much as you can to be diligent and committed. Do not be an enemy to yourself because I see many of you becoming Chairman and Director. Take your hands away from anything that will discredit you, especially corruption”, he said.
The Director of Administration and Human Resources, Commander of EFCC, CE Femi Gbarufu recalled how the journey of the celebrants started 20 years ago.
He added that attaining 20years of service out of 35years was very commendable and further urged them to be good ambassadors of EFCC as many of them are already taking up leadership positions already.
In his goodwill message, the Director of Investigation, Commander of EFCC, CE Abdulkarim Chukkol reminded the celebrants that becoming the first set of the EFCC Inspectorate Cadre means that they are pace- setters for all sets that are coming behind, encouraging them to be of good character and role models.
“When they say course one, it means number one, so you have set the pace for others coming behind. 20 years is actually a lot, any action you take in the course of your work, think of your family and loved ones. Anyone here can be a Chairman, I wish you God`s guidance and congratulations once again” he said.
The Acting Commandant of the EFCC Academy, Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE,1 Joseph Ogwiji while addressing the celebrants stated that he was part of their training exercise which makes him familiar with their growth and progress. He encouraged them to keep upholding the tenets of integrity by abiding by their oath of service “because when an oath is broken it fights against you and when you abide by it, it works for you.
Also delivering his goodwill message, the Head, Media and Media and Publicity and Spokesperson of the EFCC, Deputy Commander of the EFCC, DCE Dele Oyewale told the celebrants that “in the journey of life, there is a position that is better than number one and the position is that of an overtaker, he urged them to continually equip themselves with excellence and integrity so that they are not overtaken.
Oyewale added that excellence should be guided jealously, encouraging officers to continually challenge themselves by letting the only competition be with themselves “as the nation is waiting for you to do well”.
In a welcome address, the Course Governor, Bala Mohammed appreciated the “EFCC for shaping, testing, challenging, refining and providing the opportunities to serve the nation through the Commission as we have evolved from young recruits into mature, responsible and respected officers.
He expressed sincere appreciation to the Executive Chairman for the recent housing initiative that enabled qualified staff to acquire homes through a transparent and rigorous ballot process, an initiative that transformed the lifelong dreams of many officers into reality.
Students
“We also thank the Chairman for the recent conversion exercise, which if followed through, many deserving officers, including members of this course, will be given opportunities for career progression. These commendable initiatives reflect a leadership approach that recognizes values, nurtures and invests in the growth and development of its personnel” he said.
The Anniversary provided opportunities for all the course members to come together, share experiences and forge a stronger union. Awards were given to the Executive Chairman, Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman, Director of Administration and Human Resources, Director of Investigation, Spokesperson of the Commission and Commandant of the EFCC Academy.
Eereporter.com
News
National Diaspora Day: Experts Advocate Mentorship, AI Skills, Healthy Living To Empower Nigeria
National Diaspora Day: Experts Advocate Mentorship, AI Skills, Healthy Living To Empower Nigeria
Experts from the fields of healthcare, education, technology, media, philanthropy, sports and the Nigerian diaspora have called for increased mentorship, investment in young people, the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), and healthy living as critical pillars for empowering Nigerian youth and accelerating national development.
Eereporter.com
The call was made during a panel discussion at the 2026 National Diaspora Day Youth Empowerment Summit, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) with the theme, “Harnessing Global Diaspora Medical Expertise to Strengthen Local Health Systems for National Development.”
Moderated by Hon. Bobby-Diggi Olisa, Youth Development Expert, Canvas Institute, New York, USA, the session brought together accomplished professionals from Nigeria and the diaspora to discuss mentorship, health advocacy, innovation, leadership and youth empowerment.
The panelists included Prof. Bisi Ademuyiwa, Breast Medical Oncologist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Founder of Rooted in Naija; Nnoruka Kenechi, Esq., Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Ms. Morenike Eniola Olasebikan, Clinical Pharmacist and Founder of Ribbon Rouge Foundation, Lagos; Ejimofor Anosike, Nigerian-American basketball star and founder of the Carriage Foundation; Dr. Faith Adole, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of U-VOL Foundation; Mr. Kierian Umeayo, Veteran Broadcaster; Christopher Okoigun, Group Head, Branding and Communications, ARCO Group; and Dr. Emiri Odogwu, Chief Executive Officer of Cecy Intelligence.
The discussion focused on mentorship, leadership, health advocacy, innovation, artificial intelligence and youth development.
Speaking on mentorship, the panelists stressed that Nigerians in the diaspora have a vital role to play in supporting young people through mentorship, sponsorship and professional networking. They encouraged participants to seek mentors, remain teachable, and use social media responsibly to build meaningful careers and become responsible leaders.
The panel also highlighted the importance of physical and mental well-being, urging young Nigerians to prioritise balanced nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep and mental health support as essential foundations for personal and professional success.
Speaking on the future of work, Dr. Faith Adole emphasised that artificial intelligence should be embraced as a tool to enhance productivity rather than replace human talent.
She urged young Nigerians to acquire AI skills and leverage the technology to strengthen their existing competencies and remain competitive in the rapidly evolving global economy.
Other panelists encouraged participants to discover their unique strengths, become solution providers, and continuously develop future-ready skills that will position them for success.
The experts further underscored that investing in people remains the most sustainable path to national development, calling for greater support for education, volunteerism, skills acquisition, and inclusive opportunities for young Nigerians.
Participants were reminded that lasting national transformation begins with empowering young people through knowledge, mentorship, innovation, and stronger collaboration between Nigeria and its diaspora.
NiDCOM
The interactive session concluded with a renewed commitment by the panelists to continue supporting initiatives that equip Nigerian youth with the skills, networks, and confidence required to excel globally while contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
E-signed
Abdur-Rahman Balogun, (mnipr)
Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NiDCOM, Abuja.
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