President Tinubu Hails Jonathan’s Eternal Covenant Of Service At Foundation’s 10th Anniversary

*Says Nigeria’s democracy thrives because of leaders who place nation above ambition

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised former President Goodluck Jonathan as a guardian of democracy whose legacy extends far beyond his time in office.

The President described Jonathan as a profound lesson on life after public service, who preserved Nigeria’s democracy at a moment when it mattered most.

Speaking on Thursday during the 10th anniversary dinner of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Abuja, President Tinubu, who was represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the former president’s decision to establish the foundation demonstrates that “life begins anew when we leave the high offices for which we are elected.

“There can never be enough words to express the depth of our national gratitude to him,” President Tinubu said, adding that Jonathan has “remained the same guardian of our collective values since leaving office.”

The President drew a contrast between leaders who use their post-office influence destructively and those who devote themselves to serving humanity.

“Some choose a vehicle that serves only themselves, one that pursues causes capable of harming the very society that once carried them. The other group chooses a nobler path: devoting their life to the service of humanity,” he said.

President Tinubu warned that democracy across West Africa and globally has come under severe threat over the past decade, weakened by “adventurists, by extremists, by actors intoxicated by power, by those who see institutions as inconveniences and elections as formalities.”

He emphasised that Jonathan had demonstrated a crucial principle that nobody’s ambition supersedes the sovereignty of the state.

The President called for national unity and respect for democratic processes, urging Nigerians to accept electoral outcomes regardless of personal preferences.

“No matter whether our preferred candidates win or lose, we must learn to respect the wishes of those who vote differently. Because democracy offers us repeated opportunities to renew our mandates.”

President Tinubu described the foundation as a template for us everyone, noting that service is a continuum and that leaving office is not the end of one’s national duty but the beginning of a new chapter.

He said, “No government can succeed without the cooperation of its people, and no people can advance without a government that listens and leads with clarity. Our democracy stands because of people like former President Goodluck Jonathan. People who believe that the Nigerian state is bigger than any individual.”

The President congratulated former President Jonathan and his team, expressing hope that the foundation would continue to be a light on our path toward a more peaceful and prosperous Africa.

Earlier, former President Jonathan thanked Vice President Shettima, former President Ernest Koroma of Sierra Leone and other dignitaries for the honour of attending his Foundation’s 10th anniversary.

Recalling the incident that led to birthing of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, the former President said the focus of the foundation was prompted by his experience and challenges while in office as Nigeria’s leader.

He said over the years, the foundation has paid close attention and worked relentlessly on the issues of diplomacy, good governance, election management and promoting the development of democratic institutions.

Dr Jonathan expressed his condolences over the recent incidents of abduction and attack on citizens across the country, calling on political leaders to be more responsible to the issue plaguing the security and wellbeing of Nigerians.

In his remarks, the guest speaker, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, underscored the significance of functional democracy in Nigeria, emphasizing that the youths must be at the centre of all interventions.

He said that building a stable future for Africa must be anchored on the functionality of democratic institutions, effective youth empowerment schemes, a free press and an independent judiciary.

Dr Chambas extolled the leadership qualities of President Goodluck Jonathan, describing him as an African leader who believes in the values of true democracy and the sanctity of human lives, noting that the former president has proven his relevance even outside public office.

Also present at the event were former President of Sierra Leone, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma; former First Ladies, Dame Patience Jonathan and Hajiya Maryam Abacha; Former Secretaries to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim and Mr Boss Mustapha; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sen. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former Governors of Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; Sokoto, Attahiru Bafarawa; Adamawa, Boni Haruna; Plateau, Chief Jonah Jang; philantropist, Hajiya Bola Shagaya; former deputy governors; serving and former legislators; former Ministers; the Ooni of Ife, HRM, Oba Adeyey Enitan Ogunwusi, and captains of Industry, among others.

President Tinubu Hails Jonathan’s Eternal Covenant Of Service At Foundation’s 10th Anniversary

Concerns Rise Over Security and Governance In Benue State

By: Michael Mike

The Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEHUR) has expressed deep concern over the worsening security and administrative situation in Benue State under Governor Hyacinth Alia.

In a press statement read by Comrade Adebayo Lion Ogory in Abuja, CEDEHUR highlighted a series of violent incidents affecting communities across the state, particularly in Turan (Kwande LGA), Logo, Gwer West, and Agatu.

The group noted that attacks by armed herdsmen have resulted in deaths, displacement, and disruption of farming activities, a vital component of the state’s economy.

The organization also raised concerns over alleged administrative failures and financial mismanagement in several state agencies, including the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Bureau for Quality Assurance and Examination Board, Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), and the Bureau of Solid Minerals.

CEDEHUR cited reports of irregular contract awards, diversion of funds, and overall institutional inefficiency.

Further, the group reported ongoing illegal mining activities in protected areas involving foreign operators, claiming that the state government had failed to intervene. Last weekend, two young men were reportedly killed in Turan following mining activities in the area.

CEDEHUR also expressed concern over directives allegedly issued by Governor Alia restricting public gatherings without official approval, warning that such measures could undermine civil liberties.

They called for clarity from APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda regarding the party’s role in these directives.

The organization urged federal authorities, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police, to investigate allegations of financial mismanagement, human rights violations, and security breaches in the state.

CEDEHUR further appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convene a meeting with Benue stakeholders to address the escalating crisis and called for the immediate halt of illegal mining operations and political thuggery across the state.

The group warned that without swift intervention, insecurity and governance challenges in Benue could escalate, threatening lives, livelihoods, and public confidence in the state government.

Concerns Rise Over Security and Governance In Benue State

Agribusiness Conglomerate Targets Over 6,000 Jobs With Multi-million Dollar Investments In Nigeria

As VP Shettima hails decision, assures security of investments

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has hailed the multi-million-dollar investment portfolio by African agribusiness conglomerate, Export Trading Group (ETG), in Nigeria, assuring that ongoing reforms by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will guarantee the company’s investments.

According to him, the company’s interests across agro-logistics, fertilizer systems, seed production and industrial processing, among others, is commendable and fully aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

Senator Shettima stated this on Thursday when he received, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, a delegation from the ETG led by its Global Chief Operating Officer, Mr Niren Murugan.

“You have been in the country since 2010, but this time around, you have decided to play a more active role in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. This is where the action is. We have the population and abundance of resources for your investments to thrive.

“All your investment decisions are wonderful. I am particularly thrilled by your interventions especially in seed development, oil processing, fertilizer blending, and agricultural extension services, among others. I commend the efforts of your team in Nigeria in the selection of locations for the proposed Centres of Excellence,” he stated.

The Vice President urged the company to explore the abundant opportunities across the country to expand its stakes in the country’s agricultural value chain, particularly in boosting food production.

Earlier, ETG’s Global COO, Murugan, said his visit was to inform the VP of the company’s investment portfolio in Nigeria, seek high-level alignment, secure government guidance and accelerate coordination with stakeholders in the public sectors across all levels.

He announced the take-off of the company’s expanded multi-million-dollar oil processing facility in Sagamu Ogun State by the second quarter of 2026, disclosing proposed investment pipelines in fertilizer blending, seed production and integrated agro-logistics, among others.

The COO also disclosed a collaboration to establish Centres of Agro-Excellence in seven states of Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Ekiti, Jigawa, Nasarawa and Borno to serve as regional hubs for the provision of inputs, mechanisation, storage, and primary processing, among others.

On his part, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, expressed the state’s readiness to collaborate with the conglomerate to harness the vast agricultural potentials of the state.

He said the state government has, on its part, carried sweeping reforms aimed at not only boosting agricultural productivity, but in building a sub-national economy that serves the rest of the country and gives the state an edge in revenue generation and food production.

Governor Otu also spoke about the state government’s vision to attract investments in port facilities, particularly the Bakassi Deep Seaport and Calabar Port projects.

“We can match your vision end-to-end. We have the land, the mineral resources and the enabling environment to make it happen,” the Governor assured the company.

Also present at the event were the company’s Business Manager in Nigeria, Mr Ogu Goodluck; ETG’s Senior Business Development Manager, Mr Bharat Shinde, and the company’s CFO, Amin Ahmad.

Agribusiness Conglomerate Targets Over 6,000 Jobs With Multi-million Dollar Investments In Nigeria