News From Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent condolences to Professor Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, erstwhile Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and Chairman of JIBWIS Kano State, over the death of his wife.
Hajiya Zainab Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan passed away on Friday evening after a protracted illness.
In a message to the bereaved family, President Tinubu described the late Hajiya Zainab as a virtuous woman and a pillar of support to her family and community. He said her loss will be felt by the family and all who knew her.
“I join the family in this moment of grief. I pray that Almighty Allah will grant Hajiya Zainab Aljannah Firdaus and give the family the fortitude to bear this painful loss,” the President said.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
Information & Strategy
June 20, 2026
PRAISES AS ELDER EMMANUEL TUNDE AGANBI BEGINS FINAL JOURNEY
Board of Trustees (BOT) member for the Canaan Land Golf Course and Country Club, Elder Emmanuel Tunde Oludewa Aganbi, has been described as a visionary leader who lived a God-fearing life.
‘’Elder Emmanuel Tunde Oludewa was an embodiment of compassion, selflessness and rationality. His influence and benevolent spirit will be missed by all’’
A statement from the family of prominent Nigerian lawyer, Second Republic politician and Bible translator, Deacon Stephen Ejueyitsi Aganbi, highlighted the honesty of Elder Emmanuel Tunde Oludewa Aganbi.
‘’Elder Emmanuel Tunde Oludewa Aganbi was a forthright person who lived a disciplined and Spartan life’’
The transition from the planet earth of Elder Emmanuel Tunde Aganbi occurred on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Abuja, just a few weeks before his 74th birthday.
The statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Group, Hon Felix Aganbi, said Elder Emmanuel Tunde Aganbi performed his duties as a father, brother and leader excellently.
According to the statement, men and women of integrity in Nigeria will on Friday, June 26, 2026, pay their last respect to the well-known Nigerian businessman, leader and community pillar.
‘’A service of songs will take place on Thursday, June 25, 2026, between 4pm and 6pm at Christiana Aganbi Hall, His body will lie in state from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, before an open-air service and interment. Memorial kitty in honour of Elder Tunde Oludewa Aganbi and traditional burial rites will begin from 9:00am on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Canaan Land Golf Course and Country Club’’ the statement added.
IGNORANCE AND POVERTY: THE PROBLEMS WITH DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA BY DR AUSTIN ORETTE
We have reasons to celebrate this year’s Democracy Day and reasons to be downcast. We are survivors and this darkness shall also pass. June 12 is a day that the Lord made for us. It was fought for and bled for by our forebears. We should take time to reflect on this day and ask basic questions. Do we owe any allegiance to those who died in this quest? The answer is yes. What is democracy to us? Are we ready to fight and bleed for our democracy? Are we ready to fight for justice, freedom and rule of law?
If we are, we must define our democracy in Nigeria. We must shout from the rooftops to let anyone know that this struggle for democracy and the rule of law is what will define us as free people.
Are we really free? The answer is no. For democracy to be solidly planted, we must remove all vestiges of any limitations to our collective aspirations. We can only say we are free when the people governing us have the consent of the governed, under the rule law. The present leaders behave like coup plotters. The military bequeathed this to us.
We have a chance and duty to vote them out of power. They should leave government and enjoy the economy and the security they created. This is democracy. Incumbent should never be allowed to feel entitled to any position, when their performance is zero.
We are not free when we are chained down by ignorance. We are not free when we are handcuffed by poverty and diseases that the leaders use as a weapon to keep us gullible. We are not free when we are afraid to protect our stake in this commonwealth called Nigeria.
Of all the different types of government that exist, democracy is the most difficult to practice. This is because it requires citizens’ participation. We are here today because of the intellectual laziness of a majority of our citizens. They either refuse to vote or they sold their votes.
Unenlightened citizens cannot participate in this process. The vote of ignorant people is a danger to democracy. Their votes are mined to keep in place oppressive polices that have destroyed our ability to dream as a collective people, who want to move forward.
One is amazed by how much a lot of people don’t know about our system of governance. Majority of people shouting themselves hoarse don’t even know how their local government operate and they have never attempted to attend such meetings because they don’t know and they have no curiosity in this respect. They don’t know their members in the House of Assemblies. A lot of people don’t even know they can go to the House of Assembly and watch proceedings of those they elected to represent them.
At this moment, some people still think the governors are appointed by the President. I wouldn’t blame them considering the behavior of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. He is always running to Abuja for photo up with the president.
We should also attempt to learn more about the Judiciary by going to observe proceedings at the courts.
Unless we do these things to educate ourselves and our people, we will always see democracy as an abstract concept. When things go awry, we will not reflexively call President Bola Tinubu and unknowingly give cover to non-performing state legislators. We should hold the state assemblies, senators and House of Representatives members accountable.
Our continuous bellowing Tinubu shows we don’t know the kind of government we are practicing. This lacuna could have been filled if we have responsible people in power, individuals who will teach the people their civic responsibility in a democracy.
As democrats, we must engage the voters and make them participate in their governance. They cannot do this without knowledge and they will become willing tools in the hands of tyrants and criminals who want to perpetuate themselves in power. This is the only process that will weed out autocratic and tyrannical leaders in a democratic society.
Knowledge of how we run our affairs is the antidote to the abuse of power that is personified by the NDC leadership.
The journey to freedom, Justice and the rule of law must be embarked on with knowledge and sincerity of purpose. Nigerian politicians are allergic to knowledge and are willing to spend any amount to perpetuate ignorance. It is our responsibility to stop them from using us as fertilizer for their greed and corruption.
We have collectively failed our nation by helping to elect imposters. We must use our Knowledge as a weapon to dispel ignorance, instead of using it for sycophancy.
We must stop them. The journey of democracy is perpetual vigilance.
ORETTE PROPAGATES DEMOCRATIC IDEALS
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate in Delta South, Dr. Austin Orette took a bold step Saturday in Owhelogbo, headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area, when he propagated the ideals of democracy.
‘’In every functioning democracy, political parties exist to serve the people. In Nigeria, some party leaders have unfortunately come to believe that party members exist to serve them. That mindset is dangerous. The secrecy surrounding the primary election process is increasingly becoming analogous to the operations of a cult rather than the conduct of a democratic institution. Democracy thrives on openness. Democracy thrives on accountability. Democracy thrives on trust. Secrecy destroys all three’’.
He also frowned at the recent press conference of the party’s national leadership.
‘’I watched the recent NDC press conference with disbelief and profound disappointment. What I witnessed was not leadership. It was not transparency. It was not democracy. It was a show of arrogance, confusion, and contempt for the Nigerian people’’.
Orette in a message to party faithful noted that after conducting its primary elections, the NDC leadership has failed to release the results.
‘’Instead of providing answers to anxious aspirants and party faithful, the party leadership chose to organize a press conference to justify further delays and introduce yet another bureaucratic obstacle. We were told that candidates who emerge victorious must first sign affidavits pledging not to defect from the party. What an astonishing display of political absurdity. The obvious question is: if the primary elections have truly been concluded, why have the results not been released? Why should candidates who do not even know whether they have won election be required to sign affidavits before results are announced?
He described the explanation offered by the party’s national leadership as a convenient justification for secrecy, manipulation, and control.
‘’The explanation offered by the party leadership is that they fear candidates may defect after securing nominations. This excuse is neither convincing nor constitutional. It is merely a convenient justification for secrecy, manipulation, and control. How can a political party demand loyalty from individuals when the party itself has failed to demonstrate loyalty to its members?
The Texas-based family medicine physician said an affidavit cannot manufacture loyalty.
‘’An affidavit cannot inspire commitment. Affidavit cannot replace trust. Most importantly, an affidavit cannot override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Constitution is clear. Section 40: Freedom of Association. Section 40 guarantees every Nigerian citizen the right to freely associate with others, including the right to join or belong to a political party of his or her choice. This freedom necessarily includes the freedom not to associate. No political party has the constitutional authority to imprison candidates within its structure through affidavits, undertakings, or coercive arrangements.
According to him, any law, contract, agreement, affidavit, party constitution, undertaking, or political arrangement that is inconsistent with the Constitution is null and void to the extent of its inconsistency.
‘’The Constitution is the supreme law of Nigeria. Any law, contract, agreement, affidavit, party constitution, undertaking, or political arrangement that is inconsistent with the Constitution is null and void to the extent of its inconsistency. Therefore, any affidavit that seeks to remove or restrict a citizen’s constitutional freedom of association is constitutionally defective and legally unenforceable. The Constitution already provides consequences for legislative defections. Members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly who defect under certain circumstances may lose their seats, subject to constitutional exceptions. The Constitution has already spoken on the issue. Political parties cannot create additional constitutional penalties beyond those recognized by the Constitution itself. Furthermore, the Constitution does not generally provide for the automatic removal of governors, deputy governors, presidents, vice-presidents, or many executive office holders merely because they change political parties. A political party cannot create constitutional disabilities through a private affidavit. The Constitution remains superior to every party constitution and every political agreement’’.
Orette stated that what the NDC should have done as a party was to provide answers to basic questions.
‘’What should have been a press conference dedicated to announcing primary election results became an embarrassing exercise in political paternalism. Instead of transparency, Nigerians were treated to lectures. Instead of accountability, we were given excuses. Instead of results, we were given affidavits. The refusal to release election results while simultaneously demanding affidavits raises legitimate concerns about manipulation and control. Nigerians are entitled to ask difficult questions, and party leaders have a duty to provide answers’’.
He accused the party’s national leaders of imposition and coercion.
‘’Let us be honest. This entire exercise appears less about preventing defections and more about controlling candidates. It reflects a leadership class that lacks confidence in its ability to persuade people through ideas, vision, and competence. Unable to inspire loyalty, they seek to impose it. Unable to earn trust, they attempt to enforce it. Unable to convince, they resort to coercion. This is political paternalism at its worst’’.
He said the move would enable the party to enslave elected officials.
The underlying message is clear: “We do not trust candidates to make their own decisions, so we will bind them with affidavits. Such thinking has no place in a modern democracy. If NDC were a private business, shareholders would demand a complete overhaul of its management. Leaders who fail to understand their products, their market, and their customers are eventually punished by the marketplace. In politics, the marketplace is the electorate. And the electorate always delivers its verdict.
The Nigerian political figure urged the party’s national leaders to release the primary election results
‘’The press conference was a charade. The NDC leadership knows the right thing to do. The right thing is simple: Release the primary election results. Respect the Constitution. Respect party members. Respect democratic principles. Respect the Nigerian people. Political parties are not supreme. Party leaders are not supreme. Godfathers are not supreme. The Constitution is supreme. The Nigerian citizen is supreme. Any attempt to subordinate constitutional rights to party interests is not merely wrong; it is fundamentally undemocratic. NDC paternalism must stop. The era of secrecy must end. The era of impunity must end. The Nigerian people deserve better’’.
Julius Berger approves ₦6.8bn dividend payout as profits surge
Lubasch: The values that define Julius Berger remain unchanged
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has announced strong financial performance, marked by higher revenue and profitability, while shareholders have unanimously approved a total dividend payout of ₦6.8 billion, equivalent to ₦4.25 per share. The company described the period as one defined by efficient project delivery and sound financial management.
Speaking at the company’s Annual General Meeting held Thursday in Abuja, Board Chairman Engr. Goni Musa Sheikh revealed that revenue grew by 34.1 percent from ₦566.71 billion recorded in 2024, driven by increased activity across key business segments. Profit before Tax also rose significantly by 38.5 percent to ₦40.95 billion from ₦29.57 billion the previous year. Net profit reached ₦30.17 billion, reflecting one of the company’s strongest performances in recent years, while earnings per share nearly doubled, climbing 96 percent to ₦18.69 from ₦9.54 in 2024.
Sheikh attributed the robust results to consistent delivery across the company’s four main operational areas: civil engineering, building construction, services, and diversification. He noted that Julius Berger executed several major infrastructure and building projects nationwide, reinforcing its position as a leading engineering and construction firm.
Looking ahead, he expressed confidence in the company’s growth prospects, citing its solid financial standing and technical expertise as key advantages in securing new projects both locally and across the region. He added that Julius Berger remains strategically positioned for long-term growth in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector.
Managing Director Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch emphasized that the company’s strategy continues to revolve around its core strengths in construction and engineering services, supported by subsidiary operations and regional expansion efforts. He stressed that these elements create new market opportunities beyond traditional construction.
In his address to shareholders, he declared that at the heart of the company’s strategy remain its core operational strengths in civil works, building, construction and services. He added, these strengths are complemented by the capabilities of our subsidiaries and by our regional diversification efforts, which continue to expand our market access and create additional growth opportunities beyond traditional construction activities. Importantly, the values that define Julius Berger remain unchanged, excellence, responsibility, courage and collaboration.
He said, despite the present-day economic realities, Julius Berger has remained focused, agile and disciplined in execution. Our success continues to be guided by our well-established and forward-looking strategy, explaining that, Julius Berger integrates our core construction business, the growing contribution by our subsidiaries, the second pillar, and then the third pillar is the deliberate diversification initiatives. And it’s all combined into a unified growth model designed for long-term competitiveness and sustainability.
Lubasch reaffirmed that the company’s guiding principles viz excellence, responsibility, courage, and collaboration remain unchanged. Despite current economic challenges, he said Julius Berger has maintained focus, agility, and disciplined execution, guided by a forward-looking strategy that integrates its core business, subsidiaries, and diversification initiatives into a unified, sustainable growth model.
Highlighting key project achievements, Lubasch cited the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road in Aba, Abia State, as a major success. The project involved constructing a 5.7-kilometre dual carriageway in both directions, rehabilitating existing infrastructure, and installing extensive drainage and safety systems. Commissioned in October 2025, the road has significantly enhanced mobility and commercial activity in Aba.
Commissioned with His Excellency, the state Governor in October 2025, this project has significantly improved urban mobility and commercial connectivity within Aba, one of Nigeria’s key commercial hubs. The successful delivery of this project again demonstrates our capability to execute complex urban infrastructure projects to the highest standards, Lubasch further said.
He also pointed to the newly completed Bodo-Bonny Road project, describing it as one of Nigeria’s most strategic public-private partnership initiatives. Spanning approximately 38 kilometres across difficult swamp terrain, the project includes multiple bridges and pipeline crossings. He added that once commissioned, the road is expected to boost connectivity to Bonny Island and stimulate economic growth in Rivers State.
He declared: we are pleased that the project is ready for commissioning. The road will significantly improve connectivity to Bonny Island, unlock economic opportunities and further strengthen industrial and community development within River State. This project continues to showcase our engineering expertise and our ability to deliver in technically very challenging environments.
Lubasch further highlighted other major completed projects, including the Lagos Northwest Tower, Lagos-Opebi-Mende Road, and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Centre in Abuja, reinforcing the company’s track record in delivering critical national infrastructure.