Segun James 

President Bola Tinubu has rejoiced with former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, for his love for country and contribution to nation building.

Tinubu, who said this at the 80th birthday celebration of the elder statesman in Lagos, added that though they have been on the political divide since 1999, that has never diminished my admiration for him. 

The president, who was represented by the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Senator George Akume, noted that George’s undisguised love for the country and his State of birth, Lagos, stands him out.

Tinubu said: “I am delighted to join you all today to celebrate the 80th birthday of elder brother, Chief Olabode George who also presented his memoir formally.

“At 80, Chief George has lived a worthy life. He dedicated his life to see a prosperous country with a distinguished career in the military. As a leader of note and “Lagos boy’ as he had always proudly described himself, he has undisguised love for the country and his state of birth.

“Today’s event is thus a celebration of a distinguished Nigerian and an outstanding politician.

“It gladdens my heart when I received the letter from Chief Bode Geroge inviting me to share in the joy of the day with him, his family, friends. The invitation letter to me reflects the Nigerian and Lagos spirit and good neighbourliness.

“The event of today has again demonstrated that, as politicians, though disagree, still, the values that bind us together as members of the same household living in different rooms are more enduring and stronger to us.

“Politically. Chief Olabode George and I have been on the political divide since 1999 but that has never diminished my admiration for him. 

“In many ways, today is a very significant day. First, I am most happy for egbon, through the abiding grace of God, turned 80 years in good health despite vicissitudes of life that attended his way. 

“Two, I am equally happy and rejoice that he is alive to celebrate today in Lagos, rather than in self-imposed exile. He made a vow on national television that he would go into exile if I were to become President of Nigeria. I pleaded with him that he should have a change of heart, because we would all remain in Nigeria and work together to achieve a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria that was our collective dream.

“Since I became President, Chief George has been very gracious by offering advice and suggestions where necessary through many of his interventions on national issues. I find many of his suggestions very valuable and enriching,” the President stated.

“The memoir we are here to launch is a personal account of his life, his early life in Lagos, education, and distinguished military career. As former Military Governor in old Ondo State, his life as a politician and leader in the Peoples Democratic Party, and his public service as Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).

“I do not doubt that the memoir will provide invaluable lessons on party politics and military doctrines,” Tinubu stressed.

The two books written by the celebrant, launched at the occasion include, ‘Unfiltered: A Chronicle of Selected Speeches’ and ‘Bode George: From Cradle to the Seas to the Podium.’

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Ike Nwachukwu, who was represented by Chief Dele Ogedengbe, recalled his days with the celebrant since 1967 at University of Lagos, noting that George was a shining example to many of his contemporaries.

“In all his life, he has demonstrated remarkable resilience. He went through a lot, he was prosecuted and imprisoned before he was exonerated by the Supreme Court and yet he remained focus,” Ogedengbe added.

In his remark, Bauchi Governor, Mohammed said Bode Geroge is a cerebral personality who redefined the status of Nigerian Port Authority, NPA. “He is a detribalized Nigerian who has mentored many of us.”

On his part, Governor Makinde said the celebrant being a military man, is not a pushover.

The governor recalled George’s intervention during his declaration for governorship ambition in 2014, noting, “Thank you Baba for being part of my political journey.”

Therefore, Makinde noted, “If you are going through trials, tribulations and rough patches in life, remain focus because God has not promised us smooth sail to our destination.”

In attendance were Governors of Oyo, Seyi Makinde, Bauchi, Bala Mohammed, former Governors of Kano, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Ogun, Gbenga Daniel, Adamawa, Murtala Nyako, Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu was represented by the white cap chiefs. 

Also present were, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, Umar Damagun, Taofiq Arapaja, chairman of Lagos State Advisory Council, GAC, Tajudeen Olusi, Ladi Adebutu, Lagos Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour among others.

Obasanjo Demands Strong Ethical Values to Achieve Nation‑building

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reaffirmed that sustainable nation-building can only be achieved when economic, social, and political development are anchored on strong ethical values and a deep sense of social responsibility.

Obasanjo made this call at the weekend in Abeokuta during the maiden edition of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Training Programme for Secondary School Prefects in Nigeria, organised by the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI).

The event was attended by about 1,000 head boys, head girls, and senior prefects from secondary schools across Ogun State.

According to the former president, social responsibility is a fundamental pillar of nation-building and must be embraced by both individuals and institutions.

He described the prefect system as a crucial leadership incubator, noting that prefects, though not teachers, are entrusted with a measure of authority to maintain discipline and support school administration.

Obasanjo said, “Economic, social and political development go hand in hand with nation-building. Societal responsibility is an ethical and character obligation for individuals and organisations to act in ways that benefit the society. Social responsibility is an imperative requirement of nation-building, so long as the government also plays its part.

“A prefect is a senior pupil invested with authority by the school management to help maintain discipline and assist in low-level administration. Power is devolved to such students, whether as food prefect, sanitation prefect, or morning devotion prefect, to carry out delegated responsibilities.

“School prefects carry a little of a teacher’s authority and therefore must demonstrate exemplary conduct,” he added.

The former president, who emphasised leadership principles, urged the students to develop clear missions, visions, and goals, referencing Edwin Locke’s Goal-Setting Theory as a useful framework for personal growth and disciplined planning.

Earlier in his address, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, applauded Obasanjo’s initiative, describing it as a perfect fit for the state’s education reform agenda under Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Addressing the prefects, Arigbabu reminded them that true leadership is rooted in service, character, and influence, urging them to return to their schools as role models of discipline and excellence.

“Leadership is the courage to stand for what is right, the strength to make wise choices, and the humility to inspire others,” he said.

A member of the OOLI Governing Board, Professor Peter Okebukola,  explained that the institute was established by Obasanjo to groom emerging leaders from the family unit to global platforms.

He disclosed that Nigeria has more than 25,000 secondary schools, with the programme ultimately designed for head boys and head girls across the entire country.

He said the training seeks to unlock and strengthen the leadership potential in young Nigerians through structured capacity building.

Okebukola said, “The plan is to progressively cover the whole of Nigeria. These are leaders of today and tomorrow—future vice-chancellors, governors, senators, and even global leaders. They already have God-given talent, but training is needed to strengthen their leadership capacity.”

Ahead of Resumption of Oil Exploration in Ogoniland, FG Engages Stakeholders in Confidence-building Efforts

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The federal government has commenced confidence-building in line with the agreement it reached with Ogoni leaders as part of the efforts to resume oil exploration in Ogoniland.

It was gathered that the government had already started the rehabilitation of four key health facilities such as the General Hospitals each in Eleme, Khana, Terabor; and health centre K-Dere in Gokana.

The Ogoni leaders had demanded the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Saakpenwa/Koroma; reconstruction of the Eleme section of the East-West Road; and consideration of qualified Ogonis for employment at NNPC Limited as well as interventions on critical infrastructures in Ogoniland.

While most of the demands had been met, it was gathered that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dispatched a monitoring team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) led by Director of Energy Security, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree; Special Assistant to the NSA, Goodluck Ebelo, and Secretary of the Energy Security Working Group, Prince Austin Kabari, to the area to facilitate the engagements.

The monitoring team reportedly visited key locations such as the East-West Road, the Federal University of Environment and Technology campus, health facilities, and the proposed site for an industrial park, among others to see the extent of work.

Speaking at the weekend, the Acting Chairman of the Nyo-Khana Area Council of Chiefs and Elders, Mene Sunday Kabari-Nule, confirmed that progress was being recorded and expressed the hope that the hospital projects would help combat sicknesses in the area.

He said: “This project is for the Nyor Khana people, and they are very happy. For Taabaa as a community, it’s what they have been praying for to revive that hospital and now we have a brand-new one. You can feel happiness everywhere in the community”.

He commended the federal government for the initiative and prayed for its speedy completion.

He said: “Right now we are happy with President Tinubu and the Federal Government for bringing this to us, and we are praying that God should grant them the grace to complete the project on time so that we can start using it,” he added.

The Community Development Committee Chairman of Taabaa, Elder Prince Neekpoabie, also expressed confidence that the contract, when completed, would significantly improve health of the people

Also, the Youth President of Taabaa, Nwikeh Torue, said community youths were happy with the government and pledged maximum security for the site, assuring contractors of a safe working environment.

The Project Manager at the site, Mr. Azubuike Lucky, said that the community had been cooperative since work began, noting that most of the workers were indigenes. 

WAEC Insists Migration to Computer-Based Examinations on Course Amid Suspension Rumour

Funmi Ogundare

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) at the weekend, said it had not received any formal directive from the National Assembly to suspend its planned migration of the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) to Computer-Based Examinations (CBE).

The examination body insisted that the phased transition, scheduled to begin with pilot testing in 2026, remains on course.

The Head of the Nigeria National Office (HNO), Dr. Amos Dangut, made this known while briefing journalists after the 63rd Nigeria National Council (NNC) meeting in Umuahia, Abia state, amid widespread reports that the House of Representatives had resolved to halt the initiative.

Dangut stressed that only an official communication, not media reports or public debate, could alter WAEC’s implementation plan.
“As we speak, we are only hearing that there is a discourse at the National Assembly. We have searched and found no formal communication,” he said. 

“WAEC is a structured organisation; we act only on official directives. Whenever any directive reaches us, we will consider it and take the decision that best promotes learning and sustainable human development.”
He faulted what he described as misinterpretations of WAEC’s intentions, noting that the council never announced that all schools would write the 2026 WASSCE using computers.
According to him, the plan is to conduct pilot testing only in schools with the required ICT facilities, many of which have already volunteered. For schools without the necessary infrastructure, WAEC will utilise existing community-based CBE centres.
The HNO explained that the nationwide ICT-readiness review resulted in a three-tier classification of schools: schools not ready for CBE, which will require support or alternative arrangements; schools able to handle only objective papers on computers; and schools capable of handling all papers, objectives, essays, and practicals via computers.
This classification, he stated, guides the logistics and modalities for the 2026 examination.
Addressing concerns about the revised basic and secondary school curricula, Dangut clarified that the review was a federal government initiative and that WAEC aligns its syllabuses only to reflect approved content.
He disclosed that two newly introduced core subjects, Citizenship and Heritage Studies, and Digital Technologies, will not be examined in 2026 and 2027 due to the ongoing development of their curricula and syllabuses. “They are expected to be assessed from 2028, once full implementation begins. This means candidates for the 2026 and 2027 WASSCE diets will sit only three core subjects: English Language, General Mathematics, and one trade subject. They will then select additional subjects to reach the approved minimum of 8 and maximum of 9 subjects,” the HNO stressed.
Dangut confirmed that the federal government also streamlined trade subjects from 26 to 6, with some subjects renamed but retaining their curriculum content. He noted that Horticulture and Crop Production is one of the newly approved trade subjects derived from Agricultural Science.
In response to fears that students might be restricted in elective choices, Dangut emphasised that no candidate will be barred from registering for subjects outside their field.
“Science students will not be barred from taking Economics as an elective,” he stressed.
He also announced an extension of the period for uploading Continuous Assessment Scores (CASS), to allow schools enough time to conduct at least three assessments for students taking newly approved subjects. This, Dangut said, is to ensure fairness and compliance with registration requirements.
Addressing concerns about inadequate consultation, Dangut said unions and critical stakeholders, including the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), are represented on the Council and involved in all deliberations.
“We have never acted alone. They are all carried along in every decision,” he stated.
He urged the media to help educate the public on the benefits of CBE, noting that trials conducted so far have shown improved candidate performance, reduced malpractice below international thresholds, and strong student enthusiasm in pilot centres.

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