Nigeria News (Standard)
Sultan of Sokoto Urges Nigerians to Hold Leaders Accountable Amid Rising Insecurity
Traditional ruler calls for greater citizen vigilance as insecurity persists across North-West and other regions
Traditional ruler calls for greater citizen vigilance as insecurity persists across North-West and other regions
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on Nigerians to actively hold their leaders accountable in the face of continued insecurity affecting various parts of the country. The Sultan made this appeal on Monday, stressing that citizens must demand better governance and security from those in power.
Speaking in Sokoto, Sultan Abubakar III highlighted the widespread concern over insecurity, particularly in the North-West region, and emphasised that leaders at all levels have a duty to protect lives and property. He noted that the persistent challenges posed by armed groups, kidnappings, and attacks have made it critical for citizens to insist on accountability from elected officials.
The Sultan’s remarks come at a time when many communities in northern states are grappling with frequent incidents of violence and abductions. The traditional leader said the failure of leadership to address these threats effectively has fuelled public frustration and eroded trust in government institutions.
According to Sultan Abubakar III, “We cannot continue to suffer in silence while those we elected or appointed fail to live up to their responsibilities.” He urged Nigerians not to be afraid to question their leaders about security lapses and demanded more transparency regarding efforts being made to tackle insecurity across the country.
While there was no immediate response from government officials regarding the Sultan’s comments, his intervention adds to ongoing national discourse on the need for improved security measures. Observers say sustained public engagement is necessary for leaders to prioritise solutions that address both immediate threats and underlying causes of insecurity.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos State Disburses ₦15bn, Creates 320,000 Jobs Through Employment Trust Fund
LSETF says over 20,000 small businesses received funding as agency marks decade of job creation in South-West state
LSETF says over 20,000 small businesses received funding as agency marks decade of job creation in South-West state
Lagos State Government has announced the disbursement of more than ₦15 billion to over 20,000 small and medium-scale businesses across the state through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), leading to the creation of more than 320,000 direct and indirect jobs within the last ten years. The disclosure was made on Monday in Ikeja by the Executive Secretary of LSETF, Feyisayo Alayande, during a media parley where she presented the agency’s ten-year impact report.
Alayande stated that LSETF, established in 2016 to tackle unemployment and foster entrepreneurship in Lagos, has become a vital instrument for economic empowerment. She highlighted that access to finance, skills development initiatives, market opportunities and technology support provided by the fund have enabled thousands of residents and enterprises to thrive despite Nigeria’s challenging business environment.
According to Alayande, LSETF interventions have also helped safeguard more than 173,000 jobs that were at risk of being lost due to economic headwinds. Over 82,000 small businesses have benefited from capacity-building programmes organised by the fund during its decade of operation. She said: “Our focus remains on empowering Lagosians with resources and knowledge needed for sustainable livelihoods.”
She explained that since inception, LSETF has focused on inclusive growth by targeting young people and women-owned enterprises among its beneficiaries. The agency’s support covers various sectors including trading, manufacturing, hospitality and creative industries. Alayande noted that partnerships with local and international development partners have strengthened the fund’s impact across Lagos’ five administrative divisions.
While presenting the impact report, Alayande affirmed that LSETF would continue scaling up interventions in job creation and enterprise support as Lagos State aims to further reduce unemployment rates in South-West Nigeria. The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment regarding the agency’s reported achievements.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Delta Tricycle Operator Outsmarts Kidnappers, Escapes Abduction Attempt in Warri
Security agencies urge increased vigilance as residents recount growing cases of abduction along major transport routes in Delta State
Security agencies urge increased vigilance as residents recount growing cases of abduction along major transport routes in Delta State
A tricycle operator in Warri, Delta State, has narrated how he narrowly escaped from suspected kidnappers after being lured under false pretence on Monday. The incident occurred along a busy route in the metropolis, highlighting renewed concerns over rising abduction cases targeting commercial transporters in the South-South state.
According to the operator, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, he was approached by three men posing as regular passengers. After picking them up at a known junction, the suspects diverted him towards an isolated area under the guise of changing their destination. Sensing danger as one of the men tried to restrain him, the driver managed to swerve his tricycle abruptly and escaped from their grip before raising an alarm that drew the attention of passersby.
Abductions and attempted kidnappings targeting drivers and commuters have become more frequent across Delta and neighbouring states in recent months, with residents reporting similar tactics used by criminal elements. Local unions representing tricycle operators have repeatedly called for increased police patrols and more visible security presence on major roads to deter such attacks.
The Delta State Police Command has urged transport operators to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour immediately. “We are working with community leaders and transport unions to improve intelligence gathering around hotspots,” a senior police officer stated. The officer warned that criminals often exploit routine routes and low-traffic periods to perpetrate abductions, advising drivers not to travel alone during late hours whenever possible.
Authorities say investigations into Monday’s incident are ongoing, with efforts underway to identify those behind the foiled kidnapping. Meanwhile, residents are advised to exercise heightened caution as security agencies step up patrols in identified flashpoints across Warri and other parts of Delta State.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Federal, State, LG Governments Share ₦2.257trn April 2026 Revenue Nationwide
Latest revenue allocation marks significant rise as states and councils receive disbursements for critical projects and salaries
Latest revenue allocation marks significant rise as states and councils receive disbursements for critical projects and salaries
The federal, state, and local government (LG) authorities across Nigeria have shared a total of ₦2.257 trillion as statutory revenue for April 2026. The distribution, which covers all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, was concluded on Monday, June 15, according to official figures released by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).
The sharing formula follows established procedures involving the federal government, state governors, and representatives of the 774 local government areas. FAAC met in Abuja to finalise the allocation after reconciling revenue inflows for the month. The funds are drawn from oil receipts, value-added tax (VAT), and other statutory sources collected into the Federation Account.
This latest disbursement represents a notable increase from previous months, reflecting improvements in oil sales and non-oil revenue collection. The timely sharing of funds is expected to help states and local councils address salary backlogs, ongoing capital projects, and pressing social needs. Many states have faced fiscal pressure due to rising inflation and exchange rate volatility in recent quarters.
Government officials present at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to transparent allocation and prudent utilisation of public funds. State representatives welcomed the higher remittance but urged federal agencies to step up monitoring of deductions at source. The FAAC committee also called on states to intensify internally generated revenue (IGR) efforts amid continued economic headwinds.
The next FAAC meeting is scheduled for mid-July when May’s figures will be reviewed. Economic analysts say sustained high allocations could improve liquidity across tiers of government but warn that inflationary pressures remain a concern for effective service delivery.
Lagos State Disburses ₦15bn, Creates 320,000 Jobs Through Employment Trust Fund
Delta Tricycle Operator Outsmarts Kidnappers, Escapes Abduction Attempt in Warri
Federal, State, LG Governments Share ₦2.257trn April 2026 Revenue Nationwide
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