Pastor Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer,
Citadel Global Community Church has urged the Federal Government to suspend all non-essential gatherings in vulnerable areas nationwide, and place them under emergency patrols.

Bakare made the call at a State of the Nation news conference titled: “The Darkness before Dawn” held at the Citadel Global Community Church in Lagos on Sunday.
The pastor noted that while such measures might appear as militarisation of affected communities, they remained essential and temporary steps of neutralising terrorism in Nigeria.
“The suspension of mass gatherings and increased emergency patrols measures must be taken to prevent further mass kidnappings.”

He lamented that terrorists have intensified their attacks on Nigerians from the moment the U.S President, Donald Trump, redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over allegations of a government-tolerated killing of Christians.
“In a space of one week, troops were ambushed and some killed, dozens of secondary school students abducted in Kebbi, worshippers in a Church in Kwara attacked, kidnapped, some killed and hundreds of students from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri town, Niger kidnapped.

“The level of insecurity seems to have worsened in response to the global focus on Nigeria as terrorists and bandits brazenly dared the Nigerian state.

“While we rejoice at the release of some of the kidnapped victims, including the Kebbi schoolgirls and the Kwara church worshippers, as well as escape of some of the pupils kidnapped in Niger , the continued attacks on communities further underscore the need for fundamental interventions.
“These interventions go to the very essence of our nationhood and the quality of governance in both domestic and foreign policy contexts.”

Bakare noted that years of leadership failure to confront the nation’s underlying crises finally came to a head.
“It is sad that it took the United States Congress—not the representatives elected by Nigerians (National Assembly) to convene a hearing on the lived experiences of citizens suffering under insecurity.”

According to him, to position Nigeria strategically in the shifting global order, an integrated approach is required, one that would involve a critical review of our governance structure, security architecture, and geo-economic strategy.
“From convening the Save Nigeria Group to accepting the invitation to be running mate to late president Muhammadu Buhari, to sponsoring the Nigerian Charter for National Reconciliation and Integration at the 2014 National Conference, I have been guided by a realisation.

” The best of the North and the best of the South must come together at the table of brotherhood to forge a strong and united Nigeria,” he said.

Bakare said It is the failure of state institutions over the years that transformed a local revolt into a vicious terrorist movement and other unresolved grievances.

“The state’s failure over decades , to address long-standing disputes between Hausa farmers and Fulani pastoralists allowed local tensions to mutate into a sophisticated and deeply entrenched network of terror.

“Whether the violent attacks are motivated by land grab, ethnicity, religion or all of the above, the situation is the height of failure to guarantee security and welfare of the Nigerian people.”

“The Nigerian state has a responsibility to invade camps of armed marauders who hide under the cloak of herdsmen of whatever ethnicity, and who invade defenceless communities and gleefully massacre unarmed men, women and children.

” From the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to the so-called unknown gunmen, the reaction has ranged from a revolt against the Nigerian state to sheer criminality.

“The trial and sentencing of Biafran separatist, Nnamdi Kanu, which took place at the same time that Donald Trump shifted the world’s attention to Nigeria, has tended to reopen old wounds.

” It is time for Nigeria to
truly heal from the Civil War. It is time for the Nigerian state to take concessionary steps to ensure equity for the South East.

According to Bakare, at the 2014 National Conference, the progressives were convinced that Nigeria does not need the creation of additional states.

” We strongly believed that what was needed was the consolidation of states into geopolitical zones, rather than the further balkanisation of non-viable states.

“However, for the sake of trustful give-and-take, and in the spirit of equity, we, at the Committee for Political Structure and Forms of Government, aligned with our Committee Chairman, elder statesman, retired Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, and advocated an additional state for the South East.

“Concessions such as these will lay the groundwork for genuine integration and inclusion in the South South, which includes Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers. Years of environmental degradation and resource control disputes led to militancy.”
The pastor also reiterated the call for restructuring Nigeria to ensure cohesion and unity.

“While we acknowledge ongoing efforts of President Bola Tinubu to swiftly address the situation—from the declaration of emergency on security to mass recruitment into the police force—we urge him to rise up to the occasion and restructure Nigeria.
Bakare also suggested that the Federal government should render an apology and compensation to victims of terrorism nationwide.

“This would entail opening a Victims and Survivors Register and the President would tender an apology on behalf of the Nigerian state to communities across the nation, calling each community by name, and, possibly, some of the families most gruesomely hit in the attacks.”

On the issue of state police, Bakare said that the President must not leave the process to state governors or the Governors’ Fora of the various zones.
“A nationally driven approach to devolution of policing powers will ensure that the right checks and balances are put in place to prevent subnational executive overreach.”

He said the one-year National Youth Service Corps should be replaced with a two-year scheme, the first year of which would be deployed toward military training and deployment.

The pastor called for standardisation of the nation’s Identity Management System with a view to answering the question, “Who is a Nigerian?”

He also recommended a constitutional referendum to give Nigerians a say on ongoing reforms, such that Nigerians would have the opportunity to determine how they intended to be governed.

Bakare pointed out that by directing that police officers be withdrawn from elite protection to actual policing duties, President Tinubu has already taken a step in the direction of one of our earlier recommendations.

“To Nigerians across the nation, let us not despair. Let us instead hold fast to our conviction regarding the destiny of our nation, rest assured that our story will soon change for the better,” he added.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday hosted members of the National Assembly to a special dinner at the State House Banquet Hall.

The dinner also witnessed an interactive session focused on solutions to the state of the nation.

Mrs Tinubu used the occasion to plead for the passage of the Gender Parity Bill, also known as the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, currently before the legislature.

She also canvassed deeper engagement between the legislature and the presidency in order to promote national development.

Amid the security challenges across the country, the First Lady acknowledged the leaders’ commitment to the nation and to the democratic values they collectively uphold for Nigeria.

Guests at the dinner included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo State was also at the dinner.

The gathering, according to the First Lady, was for dialogue and reflection on Nigeria’s democratic future and the centrality of women’s participation.

The First Lady said that the Gender Parity Bill offered a historic opportunity for Nigeria to reposition its democracy and strengthen national development.

“I have watched with keenness in recent months as various interest groups across our beloved nation, and even international bodies, have gathered momentum in support of this particular bill.

“Is it indeed possible for this bill to scale through? Yes, if not today, someday.

” If we do this now, the 10th Assembly will go down in the history of our legislature as the set that stood for women when it counted the most,” she said.

The First Lady urged lawmakers to seize the moment to “take care of our girls and boys.”

She said the current challenges facing millions of children, especially the girl-child and vulnerable boys in the Almajiri system, underscored the need for inclusive reforms.

“In the past few days, our nation has faced a lot of assault, especially as it concerns the future of the education of the girl-child.

” The boys, on the other hand, through the Almajiri system are deprived of basic necessities.

“This deprivation opens them up to be lured into the wrong hands.

” This is why we must prioritise reforms that restore dignity and provide safe learning environments,” she said.

Mrs Tinubu stressed that affirmative measures had improved governance quality in several countries, adding that Nigeria must not be left behind.

“Across the world, countries that have adopted varying forms of affirmative measures have seen improvements in the quality of governance, the inclusiveness of public policies, and the stability of their political systems.

“Nigeria can, and should also benefit from such progressive ideologies.

“I trust in your collective wisdom, your experience, and your patriotism to steer the nation towards a solution that is constitutionally sound and politically workable.

” Everyone, either male or female, should be given the opportunity to contribute to our shared humanity,” she said.

Akpabio, in his response, commended the First Lady for what he described as an unprecedented initiative.

He said both arms of the legislature remained committed to supporting President Bola Tinubu in stabilising the country and advancing inclusive governance.

“We are determined in the National Assembly to support President Tinubu to overcome the current enemy action in Nigeria,” he said.

He disclosed that he had written to two U.S. congressmen earlier in the day to correct what he described as “a false narrative” suggesting religious persecution in Nigeria.

Akpabio also announced that the Senate had resolved to designate kidnapping as a terrorist act carrying the death penalty with no option of fine or judicial discretion.

On the Gender Parity Bill, the Senate President pledged support, saying, “we will not want you to invite us only when women have a particular interest.”

Abbas, on his part, also praised the First Lady’s commitment to the well-being of Nigerians.

He said her advocacy had given women, peace, security and strong national visibility.

Abbas said the House recently dedicated an entire week of plenary sessions to national security for the first time in Nigeria’s legislative history.

He said members expressed overwhelming support for Tinubu’s security reforms.

On the Gender Parity Bill, Abbas said, “ women constitute almost half of our population but remain severely underrepresented in parliament.”

” This weakens our democracy and undermines national security.

“If this bill succeeds, Nigeria will take a significant step toward inclusion, justice and national stability, ” Abbas added.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee (NTPIC).
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‎The committee, chaired by Mr Joseph Tegbe, would drive the implementation of the administration’s landmark tax reforms in line with national economic aspirations.
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‎Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, announced this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
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‎He said that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, would supervise the committee’s activities.
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‎The committee, he said, would conduct extensive consultations across the public and private sectors to ensure broad-based input into the implementation process.
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‎Tegbe is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
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‎He brings over 35 years of professional experience, including his role as Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa.
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‎Mrs Sanyade Okoli, Special Adviser to the President on Finance and Economy, would serve as Secretary, while other members include Ismaeel Ahmed and Rukaiya El-Rufai.
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‎Tinubu said effective implementation of the new Tax Acts remained central to the administration’s economic transformation agenda and strengthening of public finance management.
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‎“These new Tax Acts reflect our commitment to building a fair, transparent, and technology-driven tax system that supports economic growth while protecting the interests of citizens and businesses.
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‎“The National Tax Policy Implementation Committee will ensure coherent, effective, and well-aligned implementation across all levels of government,” he said.
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‎The committee’s mandate includes nationwide stakeholder engagements, public awareness campaigns, and alignment of revenue and regulatory agencies to ensure smooth implementation of the new tax laws.
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‎It also emphasises strong inter-agency coordination, harmonisation of existing frameworks, and unified reporting throughout the transition.
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‎The committee comprises experts in tax administration, finance, law, private sector and civil society.
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‎Tegbe expressed readiness to work diligently toward successful execution.
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‎“We understand the strategic importance of these Tax Acts.

“Our committee will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation and build public trust in the tax system,” he said.
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‎Edun, on his part, said that the committee marked a significant step toward resetting the national fiscal framework for inclusive economic growth.
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‎The NTPIC is expected to enhance revenue mobilisation, reduce leakages and reinforce accountability, boosting fiscal sustainability and advancing national development goals.

The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) on Friday sensitised staff on its role in facilitating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement’s implementation across Nigeria.

In his opening remarks in Abuja, the Director General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, said implementation would include research, capacity building, policy engagement, curriculum development, and the presentation of a compendium on AfCFTA law, 2019–2025.

Sulaiman noted that NILDS was Nigeria’s premier legislative and democratic capacity-building institution mandated to strengthen governance through research, training, policy analysis, and support services provided to legislators across all levels of government.

He explained that AfCFTA presented Nigeria major opportunities by expanding market access, boosting intra-African trade, attracting investment, promoting innovation, and ultimately reducing poverty while enhancing economic growth and integration across the continent.

“On behalf of NILDS management and staff, I warmly welcome all participants, especially our virtual guests, joining this important engagement from diverse professional backgrounds across Nigeria and beyond.

“Today’s programme demonstrates NILDS’ commitment to advancing AfCFTA knowledge, launching Africa’s first AfCFTA Law and Policy Division, alongside a comprehensive compendium of AfCFTA legal instruments and policies.

“Within weeks, the Division achieved Africa’s first AfCFTA Law and Policy unit and a comprehensive legal compendium while building strategic regional and international partnerships to strengthen implementation frameworks,” Sulaiman said.

He wished participants productive deliberations and encouraged continued commitment to strengthening NILDS’ contributions to national development while advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area objectives across Africa.

Setting the tone for the event, Prof. Mohammed Ladan, Director of AfCFTA Law and Policy at NILDS, said the sensitisation aimed to equip staff with knowledge of the AfCFTA framework and NILDS’ implementation role.

Ladan emphasised that in implementing AfCFTA, NILDS staff would provide technical and legislative support while raising awareness on the AfCFTA framework to ensure effective coordination within Nigeria and across African states.

“The sensitisation event will afford staff understanding of NILDS’ specific role within the national implementation strategy, fostering technical capacity and ensuring inclusivity of relevant stakeholders in planning and execution.”

The Representative of the Nigeria Coordinating Office of AfCFTA, Dr Fatima Bello, commended NILDS for its continued efforts to ensure successful AfCFTA implementation in Nigeria, highlighting the importance of staff awareness of the legal framework.

In her welcome address, Dr Adejoke Akasanmi, Director of Training at NILDS, encouraged participants to approach the event with dedication, deepening their understanding of the AfCFTA legal framework and their contributions to policy implementation.