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7TH LAGOS PR STAKEHOLDERS CONFERENCE: UN WOMEN AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS PROPOSE STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATING NATIONAL PEACEBUILDING
As part of strategies for promoting national peace and security, the United Nations Women has called for women’s inclusion in national peacebuilding processes to check the rate of insecurity in Nigeria.
Speaking at the seventh Lagos Public Relations Stakeholders Conference, a web edition, themed: Adopting Proper Communication Strategy, Channels and Technology for National Peace and Stability in Nigeria, held on Thursday, August 27, 2020, the Programme Specialist, Women, Peace & Security, UN Women, Peter Mancha noted that, Though women bear the brunt of major conflicts across the country, but they are largely excluded in the peacebuilding processes.
He noted that the peace architecture in Nigeria must integrate strategic mechanisms to enhance effective & efficient communications system with stakeholders. Mancha added that the traditional platforms and new media technologies should both be fully utilized for conflict prevention, including early warning and early response systems.
He submitted that, Coordination among state and non-state actors through synergy and effective communication is key; traditional/religious Institutions, women networks and CSOs are critical stakeholders in the peacebuilding process; Civil-Military Relations need to be strengthened confidence building among the public to enhance dissemination of information; the Social Media, despite the challenges of access and poor information management, remains an important instrument in peace building because of its capacity to inform and promote inclusion in the peace building process.”
Other speakers at the event included the President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Mukhtar Sirajo; President Africa Public Relations Association, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; Chief Executive Officer, Image Merchants Promotion Limited, Yushau Shuaib; Lead Consultant, NECCI Ltd, Nkechi Ali-Balogun and Chief Executive, Goldwater & RiverSand Consult, Captain Aliyu U. Babangida (Rtd).
Muktar Sirajo noted that, Public relations or communication provide a platform for a peaceful and harmonious existence among the people, given its core role of relationship building and relationship mending, where it cracks.” He added that the “Nigerian Public Relations family is available to play the leading role expected of it in bringing our people together to harness our God-endowed diversity for the pursuit of the common good.
Yushau Shuaib highlighted the roles of communicators in crisis management and advised communicators to play a leading role in promoting peace, security, stability, and good governance as well as in the settlements of disputes. He added that the government, partners, and security services can capitalize on modern communication tools, especially social media to manage the narratives in the battle of ideas to enhance intelligence gathering and promote peace through efficient and effective communication delivery.
Yomi Badejo-Okusanya calls on public relations professional to lead the narrative for national peace and security in the country. According to him, Public Relations is the missing link in achieving peace and security in the country.
Aliyu Babangida, observed that proper security communication is absent in the country. He averred that the flow of communication is not effective and that there is a need for the people to have confidence in the system.
The Convener of the event and Lead Consultant Addefort Limited, Olabamiji Adeleye, explained that the Conference has been consistent in actualizing its set vision; To be a bridge-building talker-shop for stakeholders to interact, discuss and proffer solutions to the social, political and economic challenges plaguing our nation. The focus this year is on national peace and stability because nothing meaningful can be achieved in an atmosphere of public unrest and anarchy.”
The conference is organized by Addefort Limited in collaboration with the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and Peace and Conflict.
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Update : 2027 Race: APC Pegs Presidential Form at ₦100m, Unveils Primaries Date
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The All Progressives Congress has released its timetable for the 2027 general elections, fixing its presidential primary for May 15 to 16, 2026.
According to the schedule signed by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, on Monday, the party will begin the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms at its National Secretariat from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while submission of completed forms will close on May 4.
The APC pegged its presidential form at ₦100m, comprising ₦30m for expression of interest and ₦70m for nomination.
Governorship aspirants are to pay ₦50m, while Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly forms cost ₦20m, ₦10m and ₦6m respectively.
The timetable indicates that screening of aspirants will hold between May 6 and May 8, while screening results will be released on May 11, followed by appeals from May 12 to May 13.
Photo: X/@OfficialAPCNg
Presidential primaries are scheduled for May 15 and 16, while those for the House of Representatives, Senate, State House of Assembly and governorship will hold on May 18, May 20, May 21 and May 23, respectively.
The party also fixed May 25 for the conclusion of election appeals across all categories.
The schedule shows that all primary elections will be conducted within eight days.
The party, however, granted concessions to female aspirants, youths and persons living with disabilities, who are to pay for only the expression of interest forms and 50 per cent of the nomination fees.
The timetable stated that the schedule was in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines
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Breaking : Tinubu Endorses ₦68.32 Trillion 2026 Budget, Prolongs 2025 Spending Timeline
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President Bola Tinubu has signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, authorising an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion for the current fiscal year.
He also signed a separate bill extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget from March 31 to June 30, 2026.
The budget allocates ₦4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and ₦15.8 trillion for debt service.
It further sets aside ₦15.4 trillion for recurrent expenditure and ₦32.2 trillion for capital expenditure through the Development Fund.
The presidency made the disclosure in a statement signed by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Friday.
The statement read, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which provides for an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion. He has also signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
“The N68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks N4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and N15.8 trillion for debt service. It allocates N15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and N32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure.
“With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth.
“The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and capital investments critical to driving productivity and improving the quality of life for Nigerians,” it added.
The 2026 Appropriation Act took effect on April 1, with the Federal Government commencing full implementation in line with what the presidency describes as the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tinubu also assented to the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act by three months to June 30.
The presidency said the extension would ensure the full utilisation of appropriated funds, particularly for critical infrastructure projects at advanced stages of implementation.
“The extension will ensure the full and effective utilisation of appropriated funds, particularly for critical infrastructure and development projects that are at advanced stages of implementation across the country.
“It will enable Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to consolidate ongoing works, enhance project completion rates, and maximise value for public expenditure,” the statement read.
Tinubu directed MDAs to ensure disciplined, transparent, and efficient utilisation of allocated resources, with strong emphasis on value for money and timely project delivery.
He commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for what the presidency described as their “diligence, cooperation, and patriotism in expeditiously considering and passing the budget.”
“The President reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms of government in advancing national development objectives,” the statement noted.
Tinubu also assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to deepen fiscal reforms and boost revenue generation.
“He further assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to deepen fiscal reforms, enhance revenue generation, and prioritise investments that will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen social protection mechanisms,” the statement read.
The budget, titled “The Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” was originally presented to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 19, 2025, at a proposed sum of ₦58.47 trillion.
It passed second reading in the House of Representatives on January 29, 2026, before going through further legislative scrutiny and emerging at ₦68.32 trillion at the point of assent.
During the second reading debate in January, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere had urged lawmakers to support the proposal, pointing to a projected 3.98 per cent economic growth rate for 2026, a projected drop in inflation to 14.45 per cent, improved revenues, and foreign direct investment growth.
He also cited a stabilisation of the naira at around ₦1,400 to the dollar and a rise in Nigeria’s external reserves to a seven-year high of approximately $47 billion.
When Tinubu presented the bill to lawmakers in December, he described it as a defining moment in Nigeria’s reform journey, acknowledging the pressures the process had placed on households and businesses while insisting the sacrifices were necessary.
“The path of reform is seldom smooth, but it is the surest route to lasting stability and shared prosperity,” he told the joint session.
He vowed that 2026 would mark a decisive shift to stronger budget execution discipline, announcing an end to the long-standing practice of running overlapping budgets and perpetual rollovers.
The budget’s four stated objectives are consolidating macroeconomic stability, improving the business and investment environment, promoting job-rich growth, and strengthening human capital development while protecting the vulnerable.
Key sectoral allocations include ₦5.41 trillion for defence and security, ₦3.56 trillion for infrastructure, ₦3.52 trillion for education, and ₦2.48 trillion for health.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, writing in a January op-ed, described the budget as a commitment to consolidate what was working in the administration’s reform programme and ensure that shared prosperity became “a lived reality for more Nigerians, faster.”
He pointed to expanding business activity, improving investor confidence, easing inflation, and stronger external reserves as early indicators of progress, and highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects including the Coastal Highway, Sokoto–Badagry Expressway, and Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline as evidence of the administration’s delivery record.
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Northern Muslim and Christian Youths Warn U.S. Lawmaker Against Fueling Division in Nigeria
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The Coalition of Northern Muslims and Christians Youth For Religious Tolerance in Nigeria has called for the Florida State representative and Chairwoman of the UN-WCD, Kimberly Daniels to not pretend under Christianity faith to create division between Christians and Muslims in Northern region of Nigeria for her Call on the Nigeria authority to redeploy the Honourable Minister of State for Defence Dr.Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
During the Coalition joint emergency press conference which was held in Kaduna Northwest Nigeria, the Coalition Statement which was jointly signed by Secretary General Mr. Bitrus Bahago along with his counterpart the Public relation officer Ustaz Abdullahi Abubakar,
Read: “The statements credited to Florida State representative Kimberly Daniels calling for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redeploy the Honourable Minister of State for Defence Bello Mohammed Matawalle is not necessary and terrible motive aimed at targeting Norther Muslim public office holder”
“Mrs Kimberly Daniels Should note that Nigeria is not owned by only one faith, therefore we are collectively demanding her unreserved apology for her bigotry which could affect the peaceful Coexistence and religious tolerance between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria”
The Coalition Statement further remind Mrs. Kimberly Daniels that, “even though Matawalle is only overseeing the Nigeria Navy enjoyed a Cordial working relationship with his friend a devoted Northern Christian leader General Christopher Gwabin Musa who in charge of Nigeria army and Nigeria Air force combined.
The Coalition concludes by advising Mrs. Kimberly Daniels to desist from making unnecessary bigotry demand targeting or pointing finger at a particular faith.
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