A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday reserved ruling in the bail application of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello till December 10.

The court ordered the remand of the former governor and his two co-defendants in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello is standing trial over an alleged N110 billion fraud, which the anti-graft agency, described in its charge as a breach of trust.

British-Nigerian, Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke Badenoch, yesterday emerged the leader of the UK Conservative Party,the first black  ever to lead a major political party in the country.

The former British Business Secretary,44,polled 53,806 votes to defeat ex-Home Office minister Robert Jenrick  who got 41,388 in the final round of voting that ended  a bitter four-month long contest.

She replaced former Prime Minister,Rishi Sunak as leader of the opposition party.

Moments after her election, Badenoch launched into her job, rallying party members that it was “time to get down to business.”

She was full of praise for Sunak and Mr Jenrick’s ‘energy’, but she was quick to acknowledge that the previous government had “let standards slip.”

Moments after her election, Badenoch launched into her job, rallying party members that it was “time to get down to business.”

She was full of praise for Sunak and Mr Jenrick’s ‘energy’, but she was quick to acknowledge that the previous government had “let standards slip.”

The party must woo back voters, she stressed.

“The time has come to tell the truth, to stand up for our principles, to plan for the future,” she said.

She branded Labour Prime Minister  Keir Starmer’s performance in office so far a shaky start and said this had provided an opportunity for the Conservatives to plan for the future.

Sir Keir nonetheless congratulated her for becoming the first black leader of a major UK political party.

“Congratulations, @KemiBadenoch , on becoming the Conservative Party’s new leader,” he said on his X handle @Keir_Starmer.

He added: “The first Black leader of a Westminster party is a proud moment for our country.

“I look forward to working with you and your party in the interests of the British people.”

Badenoch’s  campaign  centred on  returning  the Conservatives to “first principles” and launching  a series of reviews in the coming months to shape a new policy platform.

She was born on  January 2, 1980 in Wimbledon, London to Nigerian parents.

Her father, Femi Adegoke, was a medical doctor and the  mother, Feyi Adegoke,  a professor of Physiology.

The couple had two other children.

Kemi  grew up in Lagos but relocated to the UK at 16 years to live with a friend of her mother’s owing to the deteriorating political and economic situation in Nigeria.

She got married to banker,  Hamish Badenoch, in 2012 and they have three children together.

Fellow Nigerians, as I address you today, I am deeply aware of the struggles many of you face in these challenging times. Our administration knows that many of you struggle with rising living costs and the search for meaningful employment. I want to assure you that your voices are heard.

As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Exactly 64 years ago, our founding fathers chose democracy as a form of government and launched the dream of a great country that would lead the rest of Africa out of poverty, ignorance, and underdevelopment, a beacon of hope to the rest of Africa and the world.

Over six decades later, we can look back, and Nigerians worldwide can see how well we have succeeded in realising the lofty dreams of our founding fathers.

The world is witnessing and benefiting from the can-do spirit of the Nigerian people, our massive intellectual capacity, and our enterprise and industry in all vocations, from arts to science, technology to infrastructure. The dreams that our founding fathers envisaged are still a work in progress. Every day, we put our hands on the plough, determined to do a better job of it.

While it is tempting to focus on what has been left undone and where we have stumbled as a nation, we must never lose sight of how far we have come in forging and holding our country together.

Since independence, our nation has survived many crises and upheavals that led to the dissolution and disintegration of many other nations worldwide. Six years after independence, our country descended into a political crisis that led to a bitter and avoidable civil war. Since returning from the brink of that darkest moment, we have learned to embrace our diversity and manage our differences better as we continue to work towards engendering a more perfect union.

Despite the many challenges that buffeted our country, we remain a strong, united, and viable sovereign nation.

Dear compatriots, our independence anniversary gives us another chance to reflect on how far we have gone in our journey to nation-building and to renew our commitment to building a better nation that will serve present and future generations of Nigerians.

While we celebrate the progress we have made as a people in the last sixty-four years, we must also recognise some of our missed opportunities and mistakes of the past. If we are to become one of the greatest nations on earth, as God has destined us to be, our mistakes must not be allowed to follow us into the future.

My administration took over the leadership of our country 16 months ago at a critical juncture. The economy faced many headwinds, and our physical security was highly impaired. We found ourselves at a dizzying crossroads, where we must choose between two paths: reform for progress and prosperity or carry on business-as-usual and collapse. We decided to reform our political economy and defence architecture.

On the security front, I am happy to announce to you, my compatriots, that our administration is winning the war on terror and banditry. Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism. Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever. As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country.

We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home. It is an unfinished business, which our security agencies are committed to ending as quickly as possible. As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms. We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this.

Our government has been responding to the recent natural disasters, particularly the flooding in parts of the country. After Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Maiduguri, I also visited to assure our people that this federal government will always stand with our people in their times of trouble. At the last meeting of the Federal Executive Council, we approved a Disaster Relief Fund to mobilise private and public sector funds to help us respond faster to emergencies.

Our government has also ordered integrity tests of all our dams in the country to avert future disasters.

The economy is undergoing the necessary reforms and retooling to serve us better and more sustainably. If we do not correct the fiscal misalignments that led to the current economic downturn, our country will face an uncertain future and the peril of unimaginable consequences.

Thanks to the reforms, our country attracted foreign direct investments worth more than $30 billion in the last year.

Fellow compatriots, our administration is committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of our regulatory processes. This principle guides the divestment transactions in our upstream petroleum sector, where we are committed to changing the fortune positively. As such, the ExxonMobil Seplat divestment will receive ministerial approval in a matter of days, having been concluded by the regulator, NUPRC, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. This was done in the same manner as other qualified divestments approved in the sector.

The move will create vibrancy and increase oil and gas production, positively impacting our economy.

The more disciplined approach adopted by the Central Bank to monetary policy management has ensured stability and predictability in our foreign exchange market. We inherited a reserve of over $33 billion 16 months ago. Since then, we have paid back the inherited forex backlog of $7 billion. We have cleared the ways and means debt of over N30 trillion. We have reduced the debt service ratio from 97 per cent to 68 per cent. Despite all these, we have managed to keep our foreign reserve at $37 billion. We continue to meet all our obligations and pay our bills.

We are moving ahead with our fiscal policy reforms. To stimulate our productive capacity and create more jobs and prosperity, the Federal Executive Council approved the Economic Stabilisation Bills, which will now be transmitted to the National Assembly. These transformative bills will make our business environment more friendly, stimulate investment and reduce the tax burden on businesses and workers once they are passed into law.

As part of our efforts to re-engineer our political economy, we are resolute in our determination to implement the Supreme Court judgment on the financial autonomy of local governments.

The central concern of our people today is the high cost of living, especially food costs. This concern is shared by many around the globe as prices and the cost of living continue to rise worldwide.

My fellow Nigerians, be assured that we are implementing many measures to reduce the cost of living here at home.

I commend the Governors particularly, in Kebbi, Niger, Jigawa, Kwara, Nasarawa, and the Southwest Governors that have embraced our agricultural production programme. I urge other states to join the Federal Government in investing in mechanised farming. We are playing our part by supplying fertilizer and making tractors and other farm equipment available. Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved establishing a local assembly plant for 2000 John Deere tractors, combine harvesters, disc riders, bottom ploughs and other farm equipment. The plant has a completion time of six months.

Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion. Our economy can only thrive when there is peace.

As we work to overcome the challenges of the day, we remain mindful of the next generation as we seek to galvanize their creative energy towards a better future. We lead today with the future we wish to bequeath to our children in focus, recognizing that we cannot design a future that belongs to them without making them its architects.

Considering this, I am pleased to announce the gathering of a National Youth Conference. This conference will be a platform to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting our young people, who constitute more than 60 per cent of our population. It will provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people to participate actively in nation-building. By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow.

The 30-day Confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice. The modalities of this Confab and selection of delegates will be designed in close consultation with our young people through their representatives. Through this confab, it will be our job as leaders to ensure that their aspirations are at the heart of the conference’s deliberations. The government will thoroughly consider and implement the recommendations and outcomes from this forum as we remain resolute in our mission to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and united Nigeria.

Our government is implementing several other youth-centric programmes to give our young people an advantage in the rapidly changing world. We are implementing, amongst others, the 3 million Technical Talents programme (3MTT) of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aimed at building Nigeria’s technical talent backbone.

We have also enthusiastically implemented the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides cheap loans to our students to pursue their tertiary educational dreams. In addition, later this month, we shall launch The Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP). It is conceived as a comprehensive suite of interventions at job creation by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment that is aimed at facilitating the creation of 2.5 million jobs, directly and indirectly, on an annual incremental basis whilst simultaneously ensuring the welfare and safety of workers across the country.

As is the tradition, the government will soon announce all the beneficiaries of our national honours for 2024.

The Senate President and the Chief Justice of the Federation have been conferred with the honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). The deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives have the honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), while the deputy speaker of the House has been awarded Commander of the Order of Niger (CON).

Fellow Nigerians, better days are ahead of us. The challenges of the moment must always make us believe in ourselves. We are Nigerians—resilient and tenacious. We always prevail and rise above our circumstances.I urge you to believe in our nation’s promise. The road ahead may be challenging, but we will forge a path toward a brighter future with your support. Together, we will cultivate a Nigeria that reflects the aspirations of all its citizens, a nation that resonates with pride, dignity, and shared success.

As agents of change, we can shape our destiny and build a brighter future by ourselves, for ourselves and for future generations.

Please join our administration in this journey towards a brighter future. Let us work together to build a greater Nigeria where every citizen can access opportunities and every child can grow up with hope and promise.

May God continue to bless our nation and keep members of our armed forces safe.

Happy Independence anniversary, my fellow Nigerians!

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed sadness over the sudden death of the Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the State, Hon. Oladotun Olakanle.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Olakanle's death is a colossal loss to Onigbongbo LCDA, the All Progressives Congress, APC and Lagos State as a whole. 

Olakanle, popularly called Tant’olorun, died on Saturday after a brief illness at the age of 54.

The Governor sympathised with the immediate family of the departed, his friends and associates, members and leaders of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC), Conference 57, and the entire people of Onigbongbo LCDA over the death of the late council chairman.

He said, “On behalf of my family, the people, and the government of Lagos State Government, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the residents of Onigbongbo LCDA on the death of the council Chairman, Hon. Oladotun Olakanle. His death was a personal loss to me and a painful loss to his council and Lagos State. 

"I am saddened by the death of this fine gentleman, a loyal party man and committed democrat and public officer who had a deep understanding of local government administration and the political landscape.

“Hon. Olakanle was a loyal politician and an invaluable asset to the All Progressives Congress (APC). There is no doubt that he would be missed by the entire political class, particularly the Onigbongbo LCDA, the Lagos APC family, and the State as a whole.

"As the Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Olakanle was deeply committed to the progress and well-being of the council, and this was evident in every programme he championed and the remarkable performance of his administration in the last four years.

"He would be remembered for creating a lasting legacy and for his positive contributions to the growth and development of the Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area. 

"I pray that God will grant the soul of our beloved Hon. Oladotun Olakanle eternal rest and comfort his immediate and political family of the deceased, as well as the people of Onigbongbo LCDA."

'Pale death kicks with impartial foot at the hovels of the poor and  towers of king'.These immortal words of Horace,came to mind sudden demise of Pastor Patience Umo Eno,the wife of Akwa Ibom Governor,Pastor Umo Eno.Thee First Lady reportedly died at a hospital on September 26, 2024, surrounded by family members.

President Bola Tinubu and his wife First Lady Remi Tinubu,has joined many Nigerians including the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, in commiserating with the Governor  of Akwa Ibom.

Tinubu

President Tinubu extended his condolence to Governor Eno on the passing of his wife.

The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said he joined them in mourning the painful and profound loss of the state’s First Lady, who had supported Governor Eno’s administration.

The President affirmed that Patience Eno, as the wife to a visionary governor and an ordained gospel minister, embodied humility, resilience, and loyalty.

President Tinubu acknowledged that through her ‘Golden Initiative for All,’ she demonstrated her passion for serving the people and residents of Akwa Ibom state with love, honesty, and dedication, leaving a positive impact that will continue to inspire future generations.

According to the statement, “He trusts that her selfless service to improve the lives of women, children, and the vulnerable will forever remain an important part of Akwa Ibom’s history, a legacy that will continue to inspire and be appreciated by future generations.”

Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, urged his colleague to take heart and take it in good faith.

While commiserating with Eno, Sanwo-Olu said, “Although the Holy scriptures are clear about life and death as one of the most constant human occurrences, it is usually not very pleasant when we lose our loved ones.

“Take the death of your wife of many years in good faith and see it as the will of God.”

The governor also urged him to have solace in the fact that the First Lady of Akwa Ibom lived a fulfilled life, made positive impact, and left a lasting legacy.

According to Sanwo-Olu: “On behalf of my wife, Ibijoke and family, the government and people of Lagos State, it is with a deep sense of sorrow that I commiserate with my brother Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on the passing of his beloved wife, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno.

“I also express my deepest condolences to the people of Akwa Ibom State and the entire Eno family, as well as wives of all the State Governors in Nigeria over the demise of the Akwa Ibom First Lady.

Northern governors

Also, the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, expressed deep sympathy and commiserated with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, over the demise of his wife, Mrs Patience Umo-Eno.

Yahaya in a statement by Director-General Press Affairs, Gombe Government House Ismaila Misilli, on Friday on behalf of the 19 Northern Governors,  conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of Akwa Ibom State during this period of immense grief.

He described the Akwa Ibom First Lady as a woman of great virtue, a loving mother, and a pillar of strength to her family and the state.

He said: “Her demise has created a huge vacuum that will be difficult to fill, not only within her immediate family but across the state where her influence was deeply felt.”

The NSGF Chairman consoled Governor Umo Eno to take solace in the divine will of God and the cherished memories of his late wife, praying God Almighty to “grant the bereaved family and the entire Akwa Ibom people the fortitude to bear this great loss, and for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.”

Remi Tinubu

In her message, the First Lady described the loss as “a deeply painful one.”

She said: “The First Lady who expressed her condolences in a statement she signed on Friday, said the deceased’s kindness, humility, and dedication to her people will continue to linger.

The late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, died on Thursday, September 26 after a brief illness in the hospital, in the presence of her family, at the age of 57.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, of Lagos state,has expressed confidence that the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will not see the judiciary as just an arm of government but as a gatekeeper of justice, protector of the rights of the citizens, and defender of the constitution.

The Governor said the tenure of Justice Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria will be marked by the sharp intellect, depth of insight, and unwavering commitment to the spirit of the law for which she built a lifelong reputation, noting that her ascension to the highest judicial office in Nigeria speaks powerfully to the boundless potential of women and to the fact that excellence in leadership knows no gender.

Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke on Saturday night during a Special Dinner held in honour of Justice Kekere-Ekun, the second female Chief Justice of Nigeria, at Lagos House, Marina. 

The dinner was attended by Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; former Lagos State Governor and Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Justice Kekere-Ekun’s husband, Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun; Minister of Justice and. Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Justices of Supreme Court; Judges from Court of Appeal and federal and state high courts; legal practitioners; traditional and political leaders, among others.

Speaking during the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the dinner, where two Lagosians, Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Supreme Court and Justice Lawal Akapo of the Court of Appeal, were also celebrated for their recent elevation, is a celebration of the place of Lagos in the development of jurisprudence in Nigeria, noting that Lagos has produced many of the finest legal minds Nigeria has seen on the Bar and the Bench.

He said, “We celebrate not only your achievements but the significance of your leadership for every woman in Nigeria, for every young girl who dreams of a life of impact. Your ascension speaks powerfully to the boundless potential of women and to the fact that excellence in leadership knows no gender.

“Justice Kekere-Ekun ascension to the highest judicial office in the land tells every young girl, every aspiring woman leader in our nation, that they too can achieve the very best, that they can lead, decide, and redefine what is possible.

“At a time when Nigeria faces many challenges, your leadership of the judiciary is a steadying force and a comforting presence, one that will bring renewed strength to the pursuit of justice, equity, and fairness.

“Beyond the law, you have been a role model for many, embodying dignity, humility, and strength. As you carry forward this sacred duty, may you find strength in your roots, may you draw inspiration from the legacy of all who have come before you, may you raise judicial standards to unprecedented heights, and may you continue to lead with integrity and vision.

“I am pleased to note that Justice Kekere-Ekun has made judicial welfare one of the pillars of her leadership of the Supreme Court, and I have no doubt in my mind that the Lagos reform model will serve as a credible template for national judicial reform. We are indeed proud to have a daughter of Lagos spearheading what will no doubt come to be known as a golden age for the Nigerian judicial system.

“All of us who are in positions of leadership in the three arms of government, as we wine and dine tonight, let us strengthen our resolve to play our part in deepening collaboration, to strengthen this cherished democracy of ours.”

Speaking earlier, Justice Kekere-Ekun, who said she is deeply touched by the show of love by the Lagos State Government, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and the previous governor for their commitment to the judiciary and infrastructure.

Justice Kekere-Ekun promised to uphold the rights of people and ensure equity and justice as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. “My recent appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria is a role I did not take likely. Indeed, I appreciate that I have a very heavy responsibility on my shoulders. It is a call to lead, inspire, and champion the integrity of our judiciary. I am committed to upholding the high standard of our judiciary, promoting judicial independence, and fostering an environment where the rule of law prevails,” she said. 

Also speaking, Governor Dapo Abiodun, ex-Governor Babatunde Fashola, and other speakers praised Justice Kekere-Ekun for her courage and high level of integrity both at the Bar and the Bench, especially as a Judge at Magistrate Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court before being appointed as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

 Former governor of Ogun State, and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress,Aremo Olusegun Osoba, has called on Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu, asserting that his election to the presidency is a collective achievement rooted in Yoruba leadership.

This message was delivered at the All Progressives Congress (APC) South West Zone Assembly meeting held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos.

In a viral post on the X platform, influential political figures from the region acknowledged their essential contributions to Tinubu’s political ascent.

Osoba highlighted a crucial decision made by South West leaders in 2007, which facilitated Tinubu's transition from state politics to a national role. “Bola didn’t make himself the President of Nigeria; we did,” Osoba stated.

He elaborated, “Seventeen years ago, in 2007, after his tenure as the governor of Lagos State, we gathered at a luncheon organized by Alhaji Hamsa, our leader in the South West at that time.

“It was at that meeting we collectively decided that Bola should move from Lagos politics to the national stage, to represent the interests of the Yoruba people at the topmost level of Nigerian politics.”

The assembly also reflected on the historical challenges faced by the Yoruba people in their quest for national leadership.

Osoba remarked, “Many of us here today worked tirelessly to support the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s quest for the presidency, but he wasn’t allowed to get there.”

He further noted, “Similarly, we rallied behind the late MKO Abiola’s presidential ambition, but we lost him, and with him, the opportunity. They killed many of us because of our mission to make this country better. But we thank God that some of us are still alive to witness Bola Tinubu’s success.”

Encouraging the assembly and the wider Yoruba community, Osoba urged support for Tinubu despite any perceived shortcomings.

“Now that Bola Tinubu is there, I want to plead with all of you to accept his shortcomings. He will do better. After his first four-year term, he will serve another four years as a Yoruba son,” he stated.

As Nigeria's president since 2023, Bola Tinubu has emerged as a key figure in Nigerian politics.

Nevertheless, Osoba reiterated, “The South West Assembly’s message is clear – the Yoruba leadership stands united behind Tinubu’s presidency and remains confident in his ability to deliver on his promises during his tenure.”

President Bola Tinubu has directed his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly, UNGA in New York to enable his concentrate on addressing domestic issues, the presidency has said. .

Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said this in a statement on Thursday while revealing that contrary to the practice in recent years, President Tinubu will not be leading the Nigerian delegation to UNGA.

According to the statement, the President who recently return from China and the United Kingdom decided to forgo the UNGA trip to enable him to focus on the emerging challenges in Nigeria, especially, the devastating flood being experienced in some parts of the country.

As the leader of the Nigerian delegation, Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement and other events on the sidelines of the UNGA 79 on behalf of the President, the statement indicated.

“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.

“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.

(US).Donald Trump,has been elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, an extraordinary comeback for a former president who refused to accept defeat four years ago, sparked a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, was convicted of felony charges and survived two assassination attempts.

With a win in Wisconsin, Trump cleared the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the presidency.

The victory validates his bare-knuckle approach to politics. He attacked his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, in deeply personal – often misogynistic and racist – terms as he pushed an apocalyptic picture of a country overrun by violent migrants. The coarse rhetoric, paired with an image of hypermasculinity, resonated with angry voters – particularly men – in a deeply polarized nation.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday departed the nation’s capital, Abuja, for London, the United Kingdom where he’ll be spending two weeks out of his annual leave.
The President was seen off at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe international airport, Abuja at about 2.30pm by top government officials including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; Budget and Economic Planning Minister, Abubakar Bagudu and Minister Defence, Bello Matawalle.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had earlier on Wednesday disclosed that President Tinubu will depart Abuja for the United Kingdom to begin a two-week vacation, part of his yearly leave.
According to a release issued by Onanuga, the President will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.He is expected to return to the country after the leave expires.