Author: Our Correspondent

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration would always abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in respecting the fundamental rights of individuals, but will ensure that the prevailing peace and security of the state was not compromised.

Senator Diri stated this on Wednesday, at the 158th State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa.

The governor explained that the administration would not stop the group from holding rallies in the state but emphasised that it would be unwise and counter-productive at a time when lasting peace was being sought to address the political crisis in Rivers State.

He noted that Rivers and Bayelsa, were sister states and that whatever happened in Rivers, had a ripple effect in Bayelsa, and enjoined well-meaning Bayelsans to work with the government in maintaining law and order in the state.

His words: “Let me make this clear. We are not a government that goes against the rule of law. We cherish and protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And in so doing, we abide by every bit of the Constitution.

“A state of emergency has been imposed in Rivers State. President Bola Tinubu has the power to do so. All we can do from our end is to see how we can bring lasting peace to Rivers State.

“Bayelsa and Rivers are sister states and whatever happens, has some degree of effect on our state and vice versa. And then some people say they want to hold a mega rally and all that here.

“We are not yet in a political season. l am not stopping anybody from exercising his fundamental human rights but as the chief security officer of the state and with information at my disposal, we must keep the peace of the state. Nobody should come and rock the peace and security of this state.”

The governor noted that the proper protocol for such rallies should be followed by first informing the state government just as the wife of the President and First Lady had done about her visit to the state on Thursday, on the invitation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

He urged people of the state to turn out en masse to accord the First Lady a rousing reception.

. From the Ring Road through Emohua, Tema, Abalama to Abonnema

Infrastructure development across Rivers State is gaining momentum as key road and bridge projects move forward with pace, transforming access and mobility for communities.

From the ambitious Port Harcourt Ring Road to the Emohua-Abalama/Tema Junction Road and the Ahoada-Omoku-Ndoni Road, construction efforts are bringing new economic opportunities to the region. At the centre of these projects is construction titan, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, whose work continues to transform transport corridors, easing movement and opening up business potentials for residents.

The 15.24 km dualisation of the Emohua-Abalama/Tema Junction Road, located just outside the state capital, Port Harcourt, is already showing signs of progress. Phase 1 has been completed, while Phase 2 commenced in November 2024 despite the well-known security challenges in the area. The project, which includes drainage works and solar-powered street lighting, is expected to improve travel times and safety for road users, said Finn Drosdowski, the Project Manager recently.

Adding that work is also advancing on the Ahoada-Omoku-Ndoni Road Extension, which involves the dualisation of the 25.4km Ahoada-Omoku Road linking Ogbo Okudu Road Junction in Ahoada East to Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, the Manager said, the completion is nearing 75%, with drainage systems being installed in township areas. Some residents he further said, have been relocated as part of the project, with compensations processed for affected properties.

Julius Berger has also started the reconstruction of the Buguma-Abalama-Tema-Degema-Abonnema Road, a critical 19.6km route that connects several riverine communities.

The project, which includes drainage works and the rehabilitation of seven bridges, officially commenced in December 2024. Engineers on-site confirmed that pre-construction surveys have guided the decision to partially reuse milled road material as a sub-base to improve sustainability. In addition to local employment opportunities, the company is engaging community suppliers and ensuring that workforce training aligns with modern construction standards.

Amidst these projects, Julius Berger has stated that it remains committed to delivering the critical Ring Road Project on schedule. Awarded in 2023, the 50.15km dual carriageway is one of the most significant infrastructure developments in Rivers State, designed to connect six Local Government Areas: Port Harcourt, Obio Akpor, Ikwerre, Etche, Eleme, and Oyigbo. The project includes five flyovers and a river-crossing bridge, significantly improving intra-city movement.

At Ozuoba Flyover, workers have begun laying the connecting road to Rumumasi Flyover, while commercial activity continues around the area. Also, Rumumasi, traders and transport operators are adjusting to the ongoing construction work as traffic routes shift.

Further along, the roads linking Rumumasi to Aluu Flyover, as well as Aluu to Kala Flyover and Kala to Elelenwo Flyover, are close to completion. Near Kala Flyover, final drainage works are in progress. Meanwhile, on the East-West Road axis, crews were seen installing U-shaped drainage channels and road dividers, marking the final steps in preparing the road for use. At the terminal point of the Ring Road project a flurry of construction activities was observed as Julius Berger workers busied with U-channels and median works.

Residents’ relocations and compensation have been part of the project process, with efforts made to address these requirements. In line with its Corporate Social Responsibility, (CSR) policies, Julius Berger has constructed and maintained temporary access roads while continuing to provide employment opportunities for locals. Additionally, the company’s Young Engineers Program remains active, training future profes

By Lucy Omakpo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made sweeping reconstitution of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited board, removing the chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure and the group chief executive officer, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari.

This is contained in a statement issued today by ppresidential spokes person Bayo Onanuga.

Accordingly the new 11-man board has Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as non-executive chairman.

Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Isa Ajiya as the chief financial officer last November, has been appointed to the new board by President Tinubu.

Six board members, non-executive directors, represent the country’s geopolitical zones were also appointed. They are Bello Rabiu, North West, Yusuf Usman, North East, and Babs Omotowa, a former managing director of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas( NLNG), who represents North Central.

President Tinubu appointed Austin Avuru as a non-executive director from the South-South, David Ige as a Non-executive director from the South West, and Henry Obih as a non-executive director from the South East.

Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, will represent the ministry on the new board, while Aminu Said Ahmed will represent the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

All the appointments are effective today, April 2.

President Tinubu, invoking the powers granted under Section 59, subsection 2 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, emphasised that the board’s restructuring is crucial for enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, boosting local content, driving economic growth, and advancing gas commercialisation and diversification.

President Tinubu also handed out an immediate action plan to the new board: to conduct a strategic portfolio review of NNPC-operated and Joint Venture Assets to ensure alignment with value maximisation objectives.

Since 2023, the Tinubu administration has implemented oil sector reforms to attract investment. Last year, NNPC reported $17 billion in new investments within the sector. The administration now envisions increasing the investment to $30 billion by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030.

The Tinubu administration targets raising oil production to two million barrels daily by 2027 and three million daily by 2030. Concurrently, the government wants gas production jacked to 8 billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 10 billion cubic feet by 2030.

Furthermore, President Tinubu expects the new board to elevate NNPC’s share of crude oil refining output to 200,000 barrels by 2027 and reach 500,000 by 2030.

The new board chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is from Borno State. He is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he received a degree in civil engineering in 1984. He also obtained a postgraduate diploma in petroleum engineering from the Institut Francaise du Petrol (IFP) in Paris

He started his career in the oil industry at Elf Petroleum Nigeria and later joined Total Exploration and Production as a trainee engineer in 1985.

Musa became Total Nigeria’s Deputy Managing Director of Deep Water Services in 2015. Last year, he became an Independent Non-Executive Director at Pan Ocean-Newcross Group.

Apart from his oil industry career, Ahmadu Musa Kida is a former basketballer and the president of the Nigerian Basketball Federation(NBBF) board.

Ojulari, the new NNPC Limited Group CEO, hails from Kwara State. Until his new appointment, He was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. His Renaissance recently led a consortium of indigenous energy firms in the landmark acquisition of the entire equity holding in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), worth $2.4 billion.

Like Kida, Ojulari is also an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for Elf Aquitaine as the first Nigerian process engineer to begin a stellar career in the oil sector. From Elf, he joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991 as an associate production technologist.

Apart from working in Nigeria, he worked in Europe and the Middle East in different capacities as a petroleum process and production engineer, strategic planner, field developer, and asset manager. In 2015, he became the managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).

During his career, he was chairman and member of the board of trustees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

President Tinubu thanked the old board members for their dedicated service to NNPC Limited, particularly their efforts in rehabilitating the old Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which enabled them to resume petroleum product production after prolonged shutdowns. He wished them well in their future endeavours.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi ,Uyo

Worried about the delay in payment of their pension, the enlarged meeting of retired Primary School teachers and their next of kin have strongly appealed Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom not to allow the issue of Local Government autonomy to affect the payment of entitlements off retired and serving Primary School Teachers in the state.

The group in an 8-point resolution arrived at during an enlarged meeting held in Uyo over the weekend maintained that a situation where pension is paid from 21st of a new month is an unwholesome development as it has adverse effects on the well beings of the retirees and should be discontinued

The session in a statement endorsed by Rev Felix Cookey Chairman and Mr Emmanuel Udoaka as Secretary decried the non-implementation of the N32,000 minimum pension to pensioners in the state.

It said some of the retirees were rt to be paid for three months and implored the government to conduct the necessary verification without further delay for the interest of the aged people.

“The meeting in-session showed a heartfelt appreciation to the government for the paying of 7.5% pension contribution to the contributors and requested the Government to increase the number of Local Government Area per batch to ten”.

” We observed the continuous withholding of unpaid pension arrears as very harmful to the affected retirees. It was noted that these people retired within the last administration and have suffered from great hardship for good ten years and above now with ten months and above unpaid pension arrears.

“We appeal on our Passionate Governor to alleviate the sufferings of these people who have been legitimately calling on the Government since 2015. It was noted that only Primary School Retirees that are owed unpaid pension arrears in this state.

” We also noted with dismay none payment of 2013 and 2014 leave grant respectively. And pleaded with the Governor for intervention.

” We the Retired School Teachers and the next of kin once again thanked the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno (PhD) for the love, care and supports given to teachers retirees and indeed all Pensioners in the State.

“The meeting in-session having critically observed the Governor’s goodwill towards the plights of Retired Teachers (Living and Late) had unanimously moved a vote of Implicit Confidence on him the Executive Governor and pledged an unflinching support to his administration. It said.

They also resolved to support his future political aspiration come 2027 while appreciating the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, and the Head of Civil Service, Mr Effiong Essien for showing great concern on Retired Primary School Teacher issues.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo

Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Airlines Limited, Mr George Uriesi has said that the Airline’s support to tourism programmes in Akwa Ibom is due to its untapped economic potentials that could surpass oil revenue in the nearest future.

He has also said that their sponsorship of the inaugural edition of the Captain’s Golf Tournament at the Ibom Golf Club would help to reposition the game of golf and boost revenues for the aviation sector of the economy.

Uriesi who made this known in a remark at the end of the two day tournament at the 18 hole Ibom Golf Resort in Uyo weekend said the Airline has been unrelenting and intentional in ensuring that tourism programmes and projects in the stae get the needed support they need to thrive and grow.

The COO said that the game of golf hold immense tourism and business potentials to Akwa Ibom because of the presence of two world class golf facilities which has continued to attract major players in every sector of the economy to the state.

The Airline, he said is committed to making Akwa Ibom the premier sports tourism destination in Nigeria and would continue to assist and partner the state government and other organisations in developing the immense tourism potentials of the state.

“You can imagine the financial benefits to hotel owners and those of us in the aviation sector in particular when hundreds of golf players from within and outside the country gather here for some dayd. It is massive because the food vendors, the cab drivers and others supplying things in the hospitality sector will continue to count their gains.

“It’s just like whenever the Super Eagles play in Uyo, you discover that more than 90% of hotel rooms in the state are fully booked, days to the match and days after the match because of the influx of visitors to Uyo. You also see other businesses receiving a boost within that period more than any other time of the year.

“So not just sports tourism, tourism as a whole holds very good economic potentials for Akwa Ibom and in these times that oil revenues are facing uncertainties, it has the potential to provide revenue that could surpass that of oil in the nearest future if consciously given attention and Ibom Air is committed to supporting every programme that is geared towards this.” Uriesi explained.

He commended Akwa Ibom government for it’s continuous maintenance of facilities at the Ibom Golf Resort which has repositioned it as the most beautiful golf course in West Africa and called on the new Captain of the Ibom Golf Club and his team to sustain and improve upon the fortunes of the club.

He also assured of the commitment and continued partnership of the Airline to the club for the development and spread of the game of golf in the state.

Captain of Ibom Golf Club, Mr Isua Archibong who commended the state government, Ibom Air and other sponsors for their support to the growth of the club and the spread of the game in the state however decried the underutilization of the golf resort and assured of plans to attract more people to the club…

Archibong said the two day tournament which attracted hundreds of players from within and outside the state was meant to introduce the new leadership of the club and further expose the immense potentials and capacity of the resort as the biggest and most maintained golf course in the West African sub region.

He commended Governor Umo Eno for awarding coñtract for the renovation and upgrade of the entire resort and pledged te committment of his team to ensuring that more people embrace golf while disabusing the belief that the game was for the elites.

Ladies Captain Maryanne Cephas ,said the Ladies Section has not attracted enough players but sustained advocacy has increased awareness with many women beginning to show interest in joining the club.

The two day tournament attracted golfers from the Ibom Golf Club, Calabar Golf Club, IBB Golf and Country Club of Abuja, Ikoyi Golf Club, Port Harcourt and Aba Golf Clubs including a former Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr Nsima Ekere, a former Managing Director of the OGFTZ Mr Umanah Umanah and a former Senate Committee Chairman on Petroleum(Downstream) Mr Bassey Albert, Secretary to Akwa Ibom Government, Barr Enobong Uwah, while prizes were presented to winners in the different categories.

By Gabriel Udeh

The 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in Enugu State, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Recall that Edeoga had met with the leadership of Enugu State PDP behind closed doors on January 31, fueling speculations about his possible return to his former party.

However, at about 12 midday on Monday, Edeoga, accompanied by his supporters, drove into the PDP State office at No. 1 Charles Street, GRA, Enugu, in a convoy and was received by the state party leadership and stakeholders led by the Chairman, Dr. Martins Chukwunweike.

Addressing party faithful, Edeoga thanked Governor Mbah and his Eha-Amufu Ward III, Isi-Uzo LGA, and state party leaderships for making his return possible and smooth.

Rededicating himself to the PDP, the former LP gubernatorial candidate, said it was time for all to join hands with Governor Mbah in the great works he is doing in Enugu State.

‘I want to say that I’m happy to be here. I want to start by thanking in a very special way, the governor of Enugu State. I appreciate that what has happened today cannot begun to be conceived without his political involvement.

“By this gesture, he has demonstrated a mental state that is worthy of appreciation and that is worthy of being supported or rewarded to the extent that is humanly possible.

“A thing like this has never happened in the annals of Enugu State politics. It might look small, but it will cause a paradigm shift in the way politics is played in Enugu State. It is no longer something where you warehouse bitterness. It is no longer winner takes all. All those things that people have been trying to preach in Nigeria like accommodating everybody, are being demonstrated in Enugu State.

“So, I rededicate myself again to the PDP to make sure that the PDP remains a winning machine in Enugu State as it has always been. I am happy to be here. I appreciate all those who made it possible,” he stated.

In his remarks, Dr. Chukwunweike described Edeoga’s return as strategic for Enugu PDP, and also had the full blessing of Governor Peter Mbah, whom he said, desired a united Enugu PDP.

“Our number one term of reference upon our election as the state’s party leadership is to reunite the party. His Excellency said that we must work to bring everybody together. So, today is a major step in that direction.

“With this move and many others like it to come, 2027 general elections will be a walkover for the PDP in Enugu State. So, we warmly welcome our brother and his supporters back,” he said.

Council Chairman of Isi-Uzo, Edeoga’s home LGA, Barr. Obiora Obeagu, described his return as a very welcome development and a milestone for Isi-Uzo and Enugu PDP, an affirmation of Mbah’s leadership, and vindication of those of them who worked for the governor’s victory in the 2023 election.

“It is a welcome development. For me, I will say it is long expected, considering the conciliatory dispositions of our capable governor.

“From day one, the governor has shown that after politics, we have governance. Not minding that the major opposition came from Isi-Uzo, Governor Peter Mbah started a lot of projects there. When the Smart Schools were first being awarded, Isi-Uzo got the next to the highest. That will show you the type of a leader he is.

“Beyond the Smart Green Schools, we have Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across all the wards. We have the almost completed 21.7km asphalt road going to our farm settlements as well as the ongoing 41km Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Neke-Ikem dual carriageway to help open up the economic corridors and solve the problem of insecurity.

“These things are practical and there is nobody that will see them and will not want to come back to the PDP and join the governor in the good works he is doing to transform Enugu State.

“So, what has happened today has vindicated some of us in Isi-Uzo that supported Mbah in 2023. We made our choices then and today Hon. Edeoga is also making that same choice. It is a welcome development. I believe we are all one now and we are all going to join Governor Mbah to work for the interest of Ndi Enugu,” he stated.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) under Gombe State Governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya is allegedly keeping silent as the death toll among beneficiaries of New Nigeria Newspaper company continue to rise over their unpaid entitlement.

According to reports 109 former staff of the organisation including journalists have died with the 109th victim, Ado Umar reportedly dying on Saturday at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital Tudun Wada Kaduna.

A post on a WhatsApp platform’ of the New Nigerian Newspapers of NSGF Beneficiary, by Alhaji Idris stated that “We lost another beneficiary in person of
Ado Umar this afternoon at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital Tudun Wada Kaduna, (May Allah SWT Grant him Aljannah Firdausi)”

Two days ago a New Nigerian Newspaper beneficiary waiting for payment Mr Zakka Bitiyong of Commercial Printing Department and Radio Room was buried in Kaduna after waiting endlessly for his entitlements.

The entire NNN family has being thrown into mourning as members cried uncontrollably and over 200 storm the Whatsapp platform lamenting over the death Ado Umar, their member.

A passionate appeal message on the platform last week said “We are soliciting for prayers, one of our Former colleague Driver and also Beneficiary in person of Ado Umar (Baba Ado) have been operated for Hernia treatment at Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital Tudun Wada Kaduna”

Reports say that the number of beneficiaries in need of medical attention have gone up from 29 to 36.

NSGF, under Governor Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State raked in 7 billion naira after selling New Nigerian Newspaper properties in the name of paying NNN beneficiaries but until now no penny has been paid out of the 2.5 billion naira owed the retirees.

…Mbah has delivered beyond expectations – Sarkin Hausawa Enugu

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reassured residents of the state, especially those from other parts of the country, of fairness, equity, and justice by his government, saying his administration would never discriminate against people based on their religious, ethnic, or regional backgrounds.

Mbah, described Enugu as a cosmopolitan state, citing the example of Mallam Umaru Altine, a Sokoto State-born cattle dealer, who won the popular vote to emerge the first Mayor of Enugu in 1952 through the instrumentality of the late Premier of the Old Eastern Region, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

He called for support for his administration’s war against criminals and effort to build a prosperous Enugu State.

The governor spoke at the Eid prayers at the Central Mosque, Asata, Enugu, where he addressed Muslims the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.

Mbah, whose appointees are drawn from various parts of the country and nationalities, said Nigeria would develop faster through tolerance and togetherness.

“There are so many lessons we must have learnt during the period of Ramadan Fast. That is the lesson of love, peace, sacrifice, charity, tolerance, and togetherness.

“To tell you that we are all one before God, just as you were embarking on your 30-day fast, we also from the Christian religion also embarked on 40-day fast. So, we are one and together. Let nobody bring division between us.

“Our job in Enugu is about the people. The oath we took in office will not allow us to discriminate against anybody whether on the grounds of gender or religion or ethnicity. We are a cosmopolitan state.

“So, we want you to feel at home as you stay here in Enugu. The security we provide is not for a section of people. It is for all. You are all stakeholders in the provision of that security. If the state is safe and secure, it is for your good too.

“We are going to work with you collectively to identify those bad eggs within us across board, and we will root them out. But we will never generalise. We will never profile a whole people. It will never happen under my watch. It will not happen in Enugu State.

“We will continue to make the people the central focus of governance. The social services, roads, Smart Green Schools, Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres, and numerous others are for everybody. We have an open system. If there are areas that we have not served you well, our doors are open,” he assured.

He equally promised to reconstitute the Enugu State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board in a matter of weeks.

In his remark, Sarkin Hausawa Enugu State, Abubakar Yusuf Sambo, commended the governor for his fair, inclusive, and speedy delivery of security and democracy dividends.

“Governor Mbah is a talk and do governor. He has delivered above expectations. He made a lot of promises and we have seen them manifesting in many ways. Like I said, he came prepared. He has touched virtually every aspect of governance in Enugu State.

“The one that affects us directly is security. He abolished the sit-at-home, which had affected us and the traders from Northern parts of Nigeria in Enugu. But today, I can assure you they move with ease, and their property are secure courtesy of Governor Mbah. He has performed beyond what he promised Ndi Enugu,” Sambo said.

Speaking, the new Commissioner of Police for Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended Mbah’s strides in the area of security, promising continuous improvement on security.

“I want to say that I have worked in several places, but since I came back here under the leadership of the present governor, the difference is very very clear. With the provision of logistics by His Excellency – vehicles, equipment, and support to the security services – I do not have an option than to utilise these resources to deliver,” CP Bitrus stated.

By Achadu Gabriel, kaduna 

In an unwavering display of interfaith unity, Pastor (Dr.) Yohanna Buru, a prominent Christian leader from Kaduna, delivered a peace message amidst thousands of Muslims gathered at the Eid-praying ground in Murtala Mohammed Square on Sunday, March 30th, 2025. 

The event, which aimed to foster unity, love, and religious tolerance, was a significant step in promoting peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.

The Christian leader also expressed his congratulations to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and other prominent Islamic leaders, while noting that muslims regularly join Christians during Christmas celebrations, to further solidifying ties between the two communities.

Pastor Buru, the General Overseer of Christ Evangelical and Life Intervention Ministry, led a group of Christians to stand alongside the Muslim community in their prayers, reinforcing the importance of Christian-Muslim cooperation. 

The 2025 visit marked the fourth consecutive year Pastor Buru and his team have participated in the Eid celebrations at the central mosque, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to peace and harmony.

Notable figures, including former Governor Alhaji (Dr.) Ramalan Yero, respected Islamic scholars, and traditional leaders, women and children also attended the event, which highlighted the significance of interfaith dialogue.

Pastor Buru, known for his dedication to peace, emphasized that events like these offer an opportunity for mutual understanding. 

“We must remember that we are one family under God, worshipping the same God. Both the Qur’an and the Bible are holy books sent from one God,” he said, urging Nigerians to put aside differences and work together for a united, prosperous nation.

In his message after the prayers, Pastor Buru called for peace, unity, and love to guide the nation’s future. “Nigeria can achieve its full potential when we work together and embrace peace,” he said, wishing Muslims a joyful Eid and praying for continued peace and prosperity.

Other Christian leaders, including Reverend George John and Elder Sanda, were present, stressing the importance of promoting peace and understanding. 

The Chief Imam of the central mosque, Sheikh Habib Umar Mahmood, expressed gratitude for Pastor Buru’s ongoing support and for the opportunity to deliver his peace message at the Eid praying ground.

He said, “you are very unique and may God bless you abundantly”.

Similarly, Mal. Sunusi Surajo, a member of the Eid-praying ground committee, commended Kaduna State for its role in promoting religious tolerance and peace, praying for similar unity across all 36 states of Nigeria.

From Abel Zwànke, Lafia 

As Muslims in Nasarawa State join others across the world to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, Governor Abdullahi Sule has urged them to sustain the virtues of Ramadan by promoting peace, unity, and prayers for the state and Nigeria.

In his Sallah message on Sunday, the governor congratulated Muslims for successfully completing the 29-day Ramadan fast, emphasizing the importance of continued spiritual devotion and good neighborliness.

“As we come to the end of this year’s Ramadan fast, I felicitate with all Muslims in the state and join millions of Nigerians and brethren across the globe to mark the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr celebration,” he stated.

Governor Sule urged Muslims to remain steadfast in their faith and apply the teachings of Ramadan in their daily lives. “It behoves us all to continue to pray for the peace, security, and economic prosperity of Nasarawa State. We must reaffirm our obedience to Allah’s injunctions and follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam),” he said.

The governor also called on citizens to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing optimism that ongoing economic policies would yield positive results despite current challenges.

“We are fully aware of the hardship occasioned by some of these initiatives, but be rest assured that they are temporary. In no distant time, Nigeria will begin to enjoy the dividends of these policies,” he assured.

He further appealed to motorists and road users to be cautious and obey traffic regulations during the festive period. “I urge the Federal Road Safety Corps and other security agencies to remain vigilant and intensify efforts at controlling traffic to safeguard lives and property,” he said.

Governor Sule concluded by wishing all Muslims a happy and peaceful Sallah celebration, saying, “Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkun.”