National News
Moscow Concert Hall Attack: Fani-Kayode, Pantami Say Russia is Not Alone
Moscow Concert Hall Attack: Fani-Kayode, Pantami Say Russia is Not Alone
By: Michael Mike
As the Russian Republic continues to mourn the killing of its citizens in an attack on Moscow concert hall, some prominent Nigerians including a former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode and the immediate past Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami paid a condolence visit on Russian Embassy in Nigeria with a message that the European country is not alone.
With Fani-Kayode and Pantami on the visit were a former Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Senator Basheer Mohammed; Senator Mohammed Hassan who represented Yobe South Senatorial District, a former Member of the House of Representatives, Hon Farouk Aliyu, and the Campaign Spokesperson for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the Eastern part of the country during the 2023 presidential election, Joseph Onoh.
In his remarks, Fani-Kayode expressed condolences to the Russian Federation over the attack, assuring the Russian Federation envoy, Alexey Shebarshin, that Russian is not alone in its difficult moments.
Fani-Kayode said: “It saddens our hearts that such a terrible thing could have happened at this time in our history in your country.
“As you said earlier, we suffer from similar atrocities here in the recent past. And we join our faith with you and we also reach out to you with our hearts to commiserate with you and express our condolences on behalf of millions of Nigerian people and we stand with you from beginning to end; we acknowledge the critical role that you have played in the development of our country in terms of collaboration and we need to do far more.
“We want you to be rest assured that at this difficult time and indeed, over the months and years, Russia is not alone and has not been alone. You have many, many friends here in Nigeria. As you can see, people that came here today are not just ordinary people; these are people of high calibre and they represent millions of others and we thought it was appropriate to come and express our solidarity with you.
“We believe strongly that those that were behind this, those we know already that the Russian security services have so quickly brought to book and have caught outside of those ones that have been caught, we believe strongly that we have every faith in your system that you will get to the bottom of it and know those who were really behind it.”
Fani-Kayode further told the Russian envoy that it was not just those that the Russian Federation sees that it has to respond to and brings to justice, but even those that were behind the attack needed to be identified and opposed.
He said: “And in that quest, in the advocacy of that position, we stand with you 100 percent. Not just Nigeria, if you look around the African continent, you have many, many friends and I am proud to say that I am a friend of Russia and all of us seated here, friends of Russia, we stand with you at this difficult time.
“May the souls of those who passed, rest in peace. And may God bless the President of Russia, may God bless Russia, may God be with us all,” Fani-Kayode said.
Also speaking, Pantami conveyed the heartfelt condolences of the delegation to the President and good people of Russia over the tragedy.
He said: “We stand by you, we stand by humanity, we stand always for peace, we stand for justice and we do hope that this is the last calamity that will happen in the country and we will continue to pray for your country, for our country and also for peace, stability and prosperity all over the world.
“What happened is condemnable. No any responsible person irrespective of religion, tribe or geographical location will support it. It is a clear indication of humans’ inhumanity to humans and it stands condemnable. And we will continue to be with you to support you, to encourage you to overcome the challenge and we have witnessed so many support of Russia in Nigeria and in other African countries. Your country remains a good friend of Nigeria and other African countries. So, whatever happens to you, it happens to us as whatever happens to us also happens to you.
“Once again, accept our heartfelt condolences and we will continue to pray for you and wish you all the best,” Pantami said.
Speaking earlier, Shebarshin said the attack was the will of God, saying “it happened to us, it happened to you before as many places which have been joined.”
Shebarshin expressed the appreciation of the Russian Federation to its Nigerian friends, particularly President Bola Tinubu; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar and other government officials who expressed condolences over the unfortunate development.
He however said Russia would overcome this.
Moscow Concert Hall Attack: Fani-Kayode, Pantami Say Russia is Not Alone
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to strengthen unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Director-General of the institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
He said the occasion, which signifies the end of a period of fasting, reflection and spiritual devotion, provides an opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to the values of peace, compassion and national unity.
Ochogwu urged Muslims to sustain the virtues cultivated during Ramadan—such as self-discipline, patience, charity and piety—beyond the festive period, stressing that such values are essential for building harmonious communities and strengthening the nation.
According to him, Nigerians must also rise above religious, ethnic and political differences and embrace mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as vital ingredients for national development.
“At a time when the country is confronted with complex challenges, unity of purpose and collective responsibility are crucial to overcoming divisions and building a more secure and prosperous nation,” he said.
The institute also expressed concern over recent security incidents in parts of the country, including the tragic bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State, which claimed several lives.
Ochogwu extended condolences to families of the victims, praying for the repose of the deceased and speedy recovery for those injured in the attack.
He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to its mandate of promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution across Nigeria, noting that IPCR would continue to work with government institutions, communities and other stakeholders to address the root causes of conflict.
The IPCR boss further urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and actively support peacebuilding initiatives in their communities.
“Peace is a shared responsibility, and every Nigerian has a role to play in safeguarding it,” he added.
Ochogwu also prayed that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration would usher in renewed hope, healing and unity for Nigeria while advancing peace, stability and national progress.
Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence
National News
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has restated the Federal Government’s resolve to defeat terrorism, declaring that those behind recent attacks in the country will be decisively confronted.
He noted that beyond the presidential directive to security chiefs, the Federal Government was investing more in equipment and other logistics to boost the fight against terrorism across the country.
Senator Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he visited victims of the bomb blast who are receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Condemning the gory multiple explosions in Maiduguri on Monday in which more than 100 people were affected by the incident, with over 20 confirmed dead, he described the perpetrators as barbaric, stressing that no cause justifies the killing of innocent people.
The Vice President said his visit was to sympathise with the injured and families affected by the tragedy, assuring of government’s support through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the North East Development Commission, and the Borno State Government.
The Vice President was accompanied by Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur; NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar; Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahijo, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism
FG Declares Two-Day Public Holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who congratulated Muslim faithful across the country on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Federal Government, the minister urged Muslims to uphold the core values of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice, which define the Ramadan period. He emphasized the need for Nigerians to reflect on these virtues beyond the fasting season as part of efforts to build a more harmonious society.
Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, regardless of religious affiliation, to use the festive period to pray for national peace, unity, and sustained progress, noting that collective responsibility remains key to the country’s stability.
He further encouraged Nigerians to celebrate responsibly and extend kindness to the less privileged, in line with the spirit of the season.
The declaration underscores the government’s continued commitment to promoting unity and peaceful coexistence in the country, as millions of Muslims prepare to celebrate one of the most significant festivals in the Islamic calendar.
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