Economy
President Tinubu Calls For Unity, Religious Tolerance To Boost National Security
President Tinubu Calls For Unity, Religious Tolerance To Boost National Security
President Tinubu calls for unity, religious tolerance to boost national security. The president urged Nigerians to reject narratives that portray the country as intolerant of religious freedom.
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to embrace unity, religious tolerance, and peaceful coexistence to enhance national security and development.
Mr Tinubu made the call at the 4th International Conference of the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue at Bayero University, Kano.
Mr Tinubu was represented at the event by the minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris.
This was contained in a statement issued by the minister’s special assistant on media, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Monday in Abuja.
Mr Tinubu commended the Centre and the Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna, for sustaining dialogue that promotes peace and national cohesion.
“This conference continues to uphold the ideals of our nation’s peace and unity through dialogue.
“I am honoured by this invitation, ” the president said.
He described the conference’s focus on the legacy of the late Sheikh Mahmud Abubakar Gummi as timely and instructive.
Mr Tinubu said the renowned Islamic scholar played a significant role in promoting national unity during critical moments in Nigeria’s history.
According to him, Mr Gummi understood the intersection of faith and politics and worked closely with authorities after independence and the civil war to promote oneness and peaceful coexistence.
The president described Mr Gummi as a distinguished scholar, reformer, and national figure whose influence extended beyond religious circles.
He said Mr Gummi was a teacher, a reformer, an advisor, and a prodigious writer, who mentored generations to believe in the indivisibility of Nigeria, in work and in worship.
Addressing current national challenges, the president urged Nigerians to reject narratives that portray the country as intolerant of religious freedom.
“We must strengthen our resolve for a more united country.
“Recent attempts to misrepresent Nigeria as a nation that undermines religious freedom must be firmly resisted.
“Our national security is tied to our unity, togetherness, and respect for religious diversity; we must forge a united front against those who seek to divide us,” Mr Tinubu said.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property and confronting criminality across the country.

President Tinubu
According to him, his administration was working assiduously to protect life and property and to execute the fight against terror with all that is at the government’s disposal.
He disclosed that over 7,000 trained forest guards have been deployed nationwide to deny criminals access to forest corridors.
He added that efforts were ongoing to entrench community policing through state policing in line with constitutional processes.
Following the declaration of a national security emergency in November 2025, Mr Tinubu said security operations have been expanded and reinforced in states affected by banditry and terrorism.
“We have optimised intelligence-led operations to disrupt and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks,” he said.
The president also highlighted Nigeria’s security cooperation with the United States, stressing that it was focused on counterterrorism and civilian protection while respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“Our security alliance with the United States is strategic, focused on protecting vulnerable communities, and operationally led by Nigerian troops,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to uphold shared values and peaceful coexistence, describing unity as the foundation for lasting peace.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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