President Bola Tinubu has cancelled the earlier scheduled nationwide broadcast to mark this year’s Democracy Day and will instead address Nigerians through a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, June 12.

The development was confirmed in a statement released by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, on Tuesday. The presidency attributed the change to the President’s confirmed attendance at the special session of the National Assembly, where he is expected to deliver his Democracy Day speech.

According to the statement, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will now address the nation through the National Assembly as part of the events lined up for the 2024 Democracy Day celebration. All other plans remain unchanged as previously announced.”

This year’s celebration, marking the 26th anniversary of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, is themed “Consolidating on the Gains of Nigeria’s Democracy: Necessity of Enduring Reforms.” The theme underscores the administration’s commitment to reinforcing democratic principles through sustained institutional and structural reforms.

President Tinubu’s address before the lawmakers is expected to centre on the government’s reform initiatives, the imperative of national cohesion, and the shared role of citizens and public institutions in nurturing and safeguarding the country’s democratic journey.

Meanwhile a clash between protesters and security operatives looms on Thursday (today) as the Take It Back Movement, the rally organisers, has resolved to carry out a demonstration at the National Assembly, Abuja and 19 other locations across the country during the June 12 celebrations.

The protest organisers said their intention is to take their campaign against economic hardship to the political leaders.

The group earlier planned to rally against the tough reforms implemented by the Tinubu administration at Eagle Square, but later announced a change of venue.

The protest, which is expected to draw participants from various civil society groups, is aimed at dragging attention to what the organisers described as “two years of misrule, hardship, and insecurity” under Tinubu’s government.

National Coordinator, Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the shift in protest location did not alter the objective of the demonstration.

“That we earlier said the protest would hold at the Eagle Square doesn’t foreclose the fact that Nigerians cannot organise themselves at the National Assembly to protest the two years of misrule under Tinubu,” Sanyaolu said.

“The unprecedented hardship and insecurity we have experienced under his government are alarming. So, Nigerians will be turning out nationwide to protest against this, and the National Assembly is one of those spaces where Nigerians can exercise their constitutional rights. We are encouraging Nigerians to move there in their numbers tomorrow (today).”

Sanyaolu cited rising poverty, rampant insecurity, and lack of democratic accountability as key grievances.

June 12 was officially recognised as Democracy Day by the Federal Government in remembrance of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, adjudged by many as the freest and fairest in the nation’s history.

The President’s engagement with the legislative arm on such a significant day is seen as symbolic of the democratic ethos his administration seeks to uphold.

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Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governors of Enugu and Lagos States, Peter Mbah and Babajide Sanwo-Olu as well as the  former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar; the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) have expressed their sadness over the death of ex Super Eagles and rangers player/coach, Christian Chukwu

They extended their sympathy to the family, friends, and associates of the Nigerian football icon, Christian Chukwu, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 74 years. Chukwu’s departure leaves a void in the hearts of many football followers across the country.

A towering defender in Nigerian football, Chairman Chukwu captained the Green Eagles to a historic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations victory and later coached the Super Eagles, which won a bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations under his leadership.

Nicknamed “Chairman” for his commanding presence and leadership on the field, Chukwu devoted his club career to Enugu Rangers, where he won multiple national titles and led the club to continental glory with their 1977 African Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.

President Tinubu in a statement issued Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, joined the football community in mourning the loss of a legend whose contributions to the beautiful game elevated Nigeria’s status globally.

He eulogised Chukwu for a trailblazing career defined by passion, discipline, and commitment to national pride.

“Christian Chukwu was more than a footballer and coach. He was a symbol of excellence and patriotism. He brought joy to millions, mentored a generation of footballers, and stood as a pillar of Nigerian brand and sportsmanship on and off the pitch.

“His legacies will continue to live on in the trophies he won, the lives he touched, and the exciting moments he provided to football fans and spectators on the field and in the technical area. We are forever grateful for his contributions to the sport we all love, and we will always remember him with great respect and admiration,” the President says.

President Tinubu prays for the repose of the departed sportsman and comfort for his family, hoping they find solace in his enduring legacy.

Similarly, Atiku Abubakar expressed sorrow over the death of Nigerian football legend, Chukwu who died in his home town in Enugu.

In a post via his official X handle on Saturday, Atiku described Chukwu as the image of grace, discipline, and dedication, both as a player and a coach.

According to the former Vice President, the football legend’s name stands tall in the rich history of Nigerian football, saying that his absence will be profoundly felt.

He wrote, “It is difficult to grasp that Chairman Christian Chukwu, MFR, has passed on. His name stands tall in the rich tapestry of Nigerian football. From the mid-70s, when he captained our beloved Green Eagles, to that glorious triumph at the 1980 Nations Cup, Chukwu was the image of grace, discipline, and dedication — both as a player and a coach.”

In his reaction, Mbah expressed deep grief over Chukwu’s passing, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.

The governor said, “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.

“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.

“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose,” he wrote.

In the same vein Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu described the death of Chukwu as a great loss to Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, mourned the passing of Chukwu, saying the Captain of the Green Eagles, who won the African Nations Cup in 1980, was a legend.

The governor described the death of the national icon who served as both player and coach to the national team as a painful loss to the nation, particularly to football lovers.

He also extended his condolences to the Chukwu family, the Enugu State Government and the Nigerian Football Federation on the passing of the ex-player of Enugu Rangers.

The NFF, NSC and expressed deep sorrow following the death of the former Green Eagles Captain  and  head coach.

Nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for his commanding presence and leadership qualities both at club level with Enugu Rangers and with the national team, Chukwu famously lifted the Unity Cup—the first major continental title for Nigeria—on Saturday, March 22, 1980, after receiving it from then-President Shehu Shagari at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Chairman of NSC, Shehu Dikko, described the death of Chukwu as a sad development.

Dikko said, “This news came to me as a big shock. Chairman is no more. On behalf of the Commission, the entire sporting fraternity, and indeed the Federal Government of Nigeria, I extend my condolences to his family and to the whole nation. Frankly, a big iroko tree has fallen. We are the chairmen leading the sector, but Christian Chukwu was the original Chairman on the pitch.

 “He was so commanding and charismatic, decisive and assuring on the pitch, that the late Ernest Okonkwo called him ‘Chairman’—and to this day, that name is even more popular than his given name.

Similarly, in a statement yesterday, the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, described Chukwu as a towering figure in Nigerian football.

Sanusi stated that the former Enugu Rangers coach was the definition of a strong, dedicated, and disciplined leader on and off the field.

The statement reads, “We have lost a good and great man. Chukwu was the definition of a strong, dedicated, and disciplined leader on and off the field. He was not nicknamed ‘Chairman’ for nothing. He embodied strength, vision, and consistency.

“We pray that the Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest and also grant his family, friends, and the Nigerian football fraternity the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

Also, Chairman of NPFL, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, described the late Chukwu as one of the icons of league football in Nigeria.

In his tribute to the late captain of Rangers International of Enugu, Elegbeleye said the story of club football in the country can not be complete without a good mention of Christian Chukwu.

“Christian Chukwu stands out in the annals of club football. He not only spent his entire football career in our league, he equally took to coaching the younger ones and went on to win the league as a player and a coach”, the NPFL Chairman noted.

Extending condolences to the immediate family and the country’s football family, Elegbeleye said, “we certainly have lost an icon of club football in Nigeria and on behalf of the NPFL Board, Clubs, Coaches, officials and players, I wish the family the strength to endure this loss.”

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The student union leaders at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State, and the Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State have rejected the rice palliatives distributed by President Bola Tinubu to Student Union Government (SUG) Presidents in tertiary institutions across the country.

In separate statements, the union leaders criticised the gesture, stating that the distribution of rice palliatives fails to address the fundamental challenges facing Nigerian students.

The SUG President at OAU, Damilola Isaac, said he had not received any rice palliatives and would not accept them even if they were delivered.

Mr Isaac emphasised that his administration’s focus remains on advocating for better educational standards and student welfare, rather than accepting “handouts that do not address the systemic challenges facing the Nigerian education sector.”

“Whether or not the release was authentic, it has become imperative that I address this issue,” he said.

He suggested that the government should prioritise palliatives that reduce tuition burdens and improve university infrastructure.

“While the government may have intentions of goodwill, it is imperative that efforts be directed towards improving the quality of education, reducing tuition burdens, upgrading infrastructure, and enhancing opportunities for students across the country,” he said.

“I urge the general public and the entire Great Ife community to disregard the claims associated with my name in the release. Rest assured, this administration remains committed to championing the interests of Great Ife students and standing for the ideals of accountability and integrity.”

Meanwhile, the President of the Students’ Representative Council at ABU, Ibrahim Nazeer, also rejected the palliatives, stating that he would not accept his share “until he is assured that there is enough rice for his fellow students.”

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Abdulrazak Shuaibu, Mr Nazeer commended President Tinubu for initiatives such as NELFUND, which has benefited thousands of students.

He, however, stressed that his decision to reject the palliatives was driven by a sense of fairness rather than personal grievances.

“I will not accept my share unless it is accompanied by a substantial allocation for my fellow students. I want to be clear that I will only take my share if it comes with enough for a significant number of ABUSites; otherwise, I will not accept it,” he said.

“Instead of distributing rice periodically, we implore the government to concentrate on creating conditions that will enable people to afford necessities like rice on their own.”

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that two bags of 25kg rice were allocated for distribution to each SUG presidents of all universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

Mr Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Students Engagement, Asefon Sunday, disclosed that two student leaders from each zone were invited to Abuja to receive the palliatives on behalf of other SUG presidents in their domains.

Mr Sunday told PREMIUM TIMES that it is impossible for the government to distribute rice to all Nigerian students and, therefore, selected student leaders to benefit from the palliatives.

In a telephone interview, Mr Sunday explained that the beneficiaries of the palliatives include the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the National Association of University Students (NAUS) and SUG presidents of all Nigerian tertiary institutions.

One of the beneficiaries, Fahad Abdullahi, the SUG President of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that some student leaders including himself received the palliative when it was distributed last Tuesday in Abuja.

However, the SUG president at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) and the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) told PREMIUM TIMES last week that they were not aware of the distribution and had not received them.

Rice As Palliative

The Nigerian government has always been criticised for using the distribution of rice as a response to various crises, from cost of living crisis to natural disasters.

Mr Tinubu’s flagship economic policies, the removal of petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira have led to hardship and a cost-of-living crisis for Nigerians.

In less than two years of his administration, Mr Tinubu’s government has announced the distribution of rice nine times to ease hardship for Nigerians. However, the situation has only worsened, with the country’s annual inflation rate now at 34.80 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Food inflation is worse at 38.94 per cent, the NBS said.

Some students who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES questioned why the government selected only student leaders to receive the palliatives.

Oyelakin Mutiullah, a student of the University of Abuja, said the approach reflects poorly on leadership by both the government and the students’ leaders.

“Feeling that my interests are not sufficiently represented would cause me to mistrust the integrity of those who are supposed to advocate for us,” he said.

Anas Abdulrahman, a student of UDUS, wondered why some students were singled out simply because of their positions in the school.

While he commended the government for the gesture, he noted that all students are Nigerians and should be beneficiaries of such palliatives.

“We all voted for this government, and we have to be considered. Not only the leaders,” he said. “That means students will be putting mind on only election part just to get there and benefit from that kind of thing.”

Premium Times Sourced

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By Amaechi Agbo

A grateful Nigeria nation has showered National Honours and material gifts on players and officials of the Senior Men National Football Team, Super Eagles for reaching the Final of the Africa Cup of Nations championship concluded in Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu told members of the team at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja on Tuesday: “I am very proud of you. This country is proud of you because you gave us great excitement. Your performance is confirmation that we can achieve so much as a nation if we all come together and unite for positive purposes, despite our diversity.”

“You worked very hard and navigated your way through to the Final. You lifted our spirit; you made us proud and you made us smile.”

The President then conferred National Awards of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) on all the players and their officials, as well as President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

All the 25 players and their officials are now also proud owners of a flat each in the Federal Capital Territory, as well as a plot of land each also in the Federal Capital Territory.

President Tinubu described defender and vice captain William Ekong, named Player of the Tournament, as a ‘warrior’ and named Africa Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen as ‘Trojan horse’. He praised the Federal Ministry of Sports and the Nigeria Football Federation for their efforts in preparing the team for glory.

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh described President Tinubu as the biggest sports-supporting President that Nigeria has ever had, and lauded the Nigeria Football Federation for ensuring that for the first time in a long time, Nigeria has returned from a major sporting competition without any crisis or complaints of any kind by the athletes.

Responding, Ekong, on behalf of the entire, thanked the President for the awards and gifts: “I wish we are here presenting Your Excellency with the trophy, but that is not the case despite giving our very best to the campaign. We have two people in this team who have gold medals, each sitting on either side of me (Ahmed Musa and Kenneth Omeruo). In 2019, we won bronze medals. This time, we won silver medals. I believe that at the next competition, we will strike gold.”

Also at the occasion were Vice President Kashim Shettima; Alhaji Tajudeen Abbas (Speaker of the House of Representatives); Chief George Akume (Secretary to the Government of the Federation); Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (Chief of Staff to the President); Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Minister of Youth Development); Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (Minister of the FCT); Mrs Tinuke Watti (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Development), Board Members of the NFF and other top government officials.

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