By Chesa Chesa
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on his 61st birthday.
Tinubu, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, joined Abbas’ family, friends, associates and constituents in Zaria to celebrate the Speaker.
The President described Abbas as an exceptional lawmaker and an invaluable partner in nation-building and the delivery of good governance.
He commended the Speaker’s knowledge, wisdom, integrity and commitment to excellence, which he said had contributed to the passage of impactful legislation and stability in the House.
“I commend the Speaker’s deep knowledge, wisdom, integrity, and drive for excellence, which are evident in the many impactful bills passed and the stability in the House. I thank him for his support in implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Tinubu said.
Abbas, who has represented Zaria Federal Constituency in the House since 2011, attended Ahmadu Bello University and Usmanu Dan Fodio University. He is also the Iyan Zazzau of the Zaria Emirate.
Tinubu prayed for many more years and good health for the Speaker as he continues to lead the House.
Nigeria @66: Gov. Idris urges Nigerians to keep hope alive, highlights Kebbi’sbgiant strides
From Shuaibu Zubair Tatu, Birnin Kebbi
As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, has called on Nigerians to keep hope alive, remain united and continue to pray for the country’s leaders at all levels to deliver on their responsibilities and advance the nation’s development.
The Governor, in a message congratulating the people of Kebbi State and Nigerians on the historic occasion, described Independence Day as a moment of national pride, sober reflection and renewed hope for a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
He said: “Independence Anniversary is a moment of pride, reflection and renewed hope for our great nation.
“Today, we honour our founding fathers whose sacrifices gave birth to Nigeria, while celebrating the resilience of our people, particularly the people of Kebbi State, who continue to uphold peace, productivity and the values that bind us together.”
Governor Idris said his administration had deliberately embraced people-centred governance, with policies and programmes designed to directly improve the welfare and living conditions of citizens.
He noted that Kebbi State now pays a minimum wage of N75,000, above the Federal Government benchmark, while maintaining regular payment of salaries and pensions.
According to him, the administration has also cleared more than N10 billion in gratuities, death benefits and arrears, while N2.11 billion was recently released to settle entitlements involving 772 retirees and bereaved families across the state.
On education, the Governor said his administration had constructed, renovated and furnished more than 2,000 schools, recruited 2,000 professional teachers, ended casualisation in the teaching profession and provided thousands of modern classroom furniture.
He added that the government had maintained industrial harmony by recognising workers as critical partners in the development of the state, while recently approving responsibility allowance for primary school teachers to further boost their morale and sense of belonging.
Governor Idris described healthcare as another major pillar of his administration, saying 22 general hospitals, 179 primary healthcare centres and 63 dispensaries had been revitalised, while more than 2,200 health workers were recruited to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
Independence: Mark urges renewed commitment to national unity
By Myke Uzendu
Former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has felicitated Nigerians on the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, urging citizens and leaders to renew their commitment to national unity, peace, stability and development.
Mark, in a goodwill message to Nigerians on Tuesday, described the attainment of independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960, as a defining milestone in the nation’s history and a testament to the resilience and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
Nigeria will mark its 66th Independence Anniversary on Thursday, October 1, 2026, with the Federal Government declaring the day a public holiday.
The ADC national chairman said the anniversary should provide an opportunity not only to celebrate the country’s achievements but also to reflect on its journey and recommit to building a nation where justice, equity, security and prosperity are accessible to all.
According to him, Nigeria possesses enormous human and material resources capable of transforming the country into a prosperous and globally respected nation, but the resources must be responsibly harnessed for the common good.
“At 66, our nation has every reason to celebrate, but we must also reflect deeply on our journey as a people. Independence was not simply the termination of colonial rule; it was the beginning of our collective responsibility to build a nation founded on justice, unity, peace and shared prosperity,” he said.
Mark stressed the importance of inclusion and mutual respect, saying Nigeria’s diversity should be a source of strength rather than division.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. Our diversity should remain a source of strength, not division. We must continue to promote national unity, mutual respect and inclusion, while ensuring that every citizen, regardless of ethnic, religious, political or geographical background, has a sense of belonging,” he said.
Nigeria @ 66: Obi promises presidential vacations in Zamfara, Borno, others, vows to return IDPs
By Myke Uzendu
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed not to spend his holidays outside Nigeria if elected president in the 2027 general elections.
The former Anambra State governor also pledged to tackle insecurity decisively and end the displacement of Nigerians from their homes.
Obi made the commitments in his Independence Day address delivered in Abuja on Thursday, saying he would use his four-year tenure to travel across the country, interact with Nigerians and gain a deeper understanding of their challenges.
He said: “As I have always done, I will lead by example. In four years as President of this great nation, I will not spend my holidays outside Nigeria. My holidays will be spent in Zamfara State; Borno State; Kwara State; Ebonyi State; Edo State; Ekiti State and other Nigerian States.
“I want to continue to see Nigeria. I want to know Nigeria. I want to spend time with Nigerians, listen to them, understand their challenges and celebrate their resilience.”
Obi also promised that his administration would make governance measurable and accountable, with a strong focus on the welfare and productivity of Nigerians.
“As President of Nigeria, I will make governance measurable, accountable and centred on the welfare and productivity of our people. Within the first year, Nigerians will begin to see the tangible impact of purposeful and effective leadership,” he said.
On insecurity, the former governor pledged to restore security across the country, enabling farmers to return to their farms, children to return to school and businesses to operate without fear.
He said: “We will confront insecurity decisively so that our farmers can return to their farms, our children can return to school, businesses can operate freely, and families can live without fear.
“No Nigerian should be forced to live in an IDP camp because his or her government has failed to provide security.”
Obi said Independence anniversaries should provide opportunities for Nigerians to reflect on the state of the nation and chart a better course for the future.
He criticised the APC-led administration, arguing that despite the promises made in 2023, Nigerians continued to face serious challenges, including widespread poverty, a large population of out-of-school children and persistent insecurity arising from terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
He said the country needed leadership that would prioritise measurable results, accountability and the wellbeing of its citizens.
