Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has said he would die a happy man if the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) could address the persistent failure of government agencies to comply with court judgments.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The renowned author criticised delays in enforcing judicial decisions, lamenting that some victims die without enjoying the benefits of justice they spent years fighting to obtain.

Soyinka made the remarks on Thursday while delivering a goodwill message at the inaugural Nigerian Ombudsman Annual Conference organised by the PCC in Abuja.

“If you can solve that for me, believe me, I will die happy,” he said, highlighting the gap between the delivery of justice and the enforcement of court rulings.

“Why is it that we cannot guarantee the implementation of the declaration of a judgment between the plaintiff, between the judgment itself, between the judges, the structure of justice and the victim?” he asked.

The Nobel Laureate also questioned why government agencies often disregard judicial decisions, even when they are delivered by competent courts in open proceedings.

“Why is it that people we know have actually died without seeing the fruits of their endeavours for justice?” he asked.

Soyinka cited cases in which citizens were forced to wait for years for government agencies to obey court orders, including directives requiring the return of confiscated passports.

He described such delayed justice as “medicine after death” and urged the Public Complaints Commission to make addressing the failure to enforce court judgments one of its primary responsibilities.

According to him, resolving the problem would help restore public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system and ensure that citizens who secure favourable court rulings can enjoy the benefits of their legal victories.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday convened a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) at the State House in Abuja, with the country’s security chiefs and heads of security agencies in attendance.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The meeting focused on security preparations for the 2027 general elections, according to reports.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), said the gathering was convened to brief the President on the country’s security situation ahead of the elections scheduled for January 2027.

Musa explained that the security officials held extensive discussions with Tinubu, who emphasised his commitment to ensuring a free, fair and credible electoral process.

The defence minister also assured political parties, citizens and other stakeholders that the military would remain neutral throughout the elections.

He said Nigerians had nothing to fear, adding that security agencies would fulfil their responsibilities to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

“Today’s meeting was to brief Mr President on the security situation within the country. You know, the elections are coming in January, and it’s important that we keep him abreast of what is ongoing. You can see all heads of security agencies are here.

“We had an intensive discussion, and Mr President made it very clear he wants a free, fair, and credible election. We must do everything possible to ensure that the country is safe and secure for the citizens to go out and vote.

“And so, we want to assure Nigerians that we are committed. We are determined to ensure that we provide safety and security for all Nigerians. Everyone should come out and vote. Vote for whoever they want.

“The president wants the atmosphere to be free, and it’s important for all other political parties to understand that the security forces are going to be neutral.

“We are going to ensure that we give everybody opportunity to go and serve, so they have nothing to worry about, nothing to be afraid of, and that nobody is going to intimidate them for whatever reasons,” Musa said.

The meeting reportedly lasted about five hours and took place in the President’s office on the first floor of the State House.

Those in attendance included the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Defence Minister Christopher Musa; and Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam.

Others present were the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the President’s Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major-General Adeyinka Famadewa (retd.).

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, also attended alongside the three service chiefs: Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.

The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Emmanuel Undiandeye, was also present.

Other participants included the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi.

Motorists travelling between Onitsha in Anambra State and Asaba in Delta State can now use the First Niger Bridge following its reopening by the Federal Government after about 38 days of closure for rehabilitation work.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, officially reopened the bridge on Thursday in the presence of government officials and traditional rulers from both states.

The bridge was closed on September 7 after damaged structural components, including steel parts around the expansion joints, were discovered.

Although the repair work was initially scheduled for completion on September 21, persistent rainfall and other challenges delayed the project.

According to The Punch, photographs of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside banners of the All Progressives Congress (APC), were displayed on the bridge following its reopening.

Speaking during the ceremony at the Onitsha end of the bridge, Umahi called on residents of the South-East and South-South regions to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He argued that the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects in the two regions provided reasons for residents to back the President.

“We have no regret supporting President Bola Tinubu. Let me declare, in opening this bridge, that I have no regret supporting Mr President.

“I am very proud to have him as my boss. He is the most qualified and eminently qualified to lead this country,” the minister said.

Umahi explained that reopening the bridge was also an opportunity to acknowledge Tinubu’s contributions to infrastructure development in the South-East and South-South.

He commended the governors of Anambra and Delta states, as well as the contractor, SKCC, for their contributions to the rehabilitation project.

“We must commend the contractors, SKCC, very highly; they have worked very well,” he said.

The minister stated that the rehabilitation was intended to improve traffic movement and enhance the safety of motorists using the bridge. However, he acknowledged that some aspects of the work were still ongoing.

Journalists present at the reopening observed that some railings had been repainted, while workers were completing finishing touches on other sections. Fresh road markings had also been applied, and CCTV cameras were installed at various points along the bridge.

During an earlier inspection, Umahi had disclosed plans to display Tinubu’s photographs on the bridge after the rehabilitation.

He also directed the removal of unauthorised advertisements from the structure, explaining that the President’s photographs would be displayed to recognise his contributions to the South-East.

The First Niger Bridge was completed in 1965 and serves as a major transport link between Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions.

Traditional rulers from Anambra and Delta states who attended the reopening ceremony commended the Federal Government for rehabilitating the bridge. They described the project as the first major rehabilitation of its kind since the bridge was opened in 1965.

Some motorists also expressed relief over the reopening, saying it would ease the difficulties associated with travelling between Onitsha and Asaba.

They explained that the closure had forced road users to take alternative routes, resulting in longer journeys and increased transport fares.