News
Democracy Day: Tension rises as protesters mobilise for mass action nationwide
….As Take It Back Protesters gather.
A clash between protesters and security operatives looms today, Thursday, June 12, 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.
President Bola Tinubu addresses a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives today as part of Democracy Day activities, setting the stage for a combustible situation, reports The PUNCH.
Tinubu had cancelled the previously scheduled nationwide broadcast in commemoration of Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Day anniversary.
The Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday, attributed the change to the President’s scheduled attendance at a joint session of the National Assembly today.
He added that the president would instead deliver his Democracy Day address directly from the National Assembly chambers.
“Due to President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled attendance at the National Assembly Joint Session, the Presidential National Broadcast on June 12 has been cancelled.
President Tinubu will deliver his address from the National Assembly,” Imohiosen said.
On the heels of the planned nationwide rallies, the police and other security agencies have beefed up security across the country.
The protest organisers confirmed to our correspondent their intention 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.
Speaking yesterday, 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.
“All Nigerians from different walks of life have been mobilised, Nigerians are coming to the streets tomorrow (today) to demand an end to bad governance.“
Nigerians have nothing to lose. Nigerians have been beaten and battered. We are like people who are on the ground; we should have no fear of falling. It is also their constitutional right to protest.
“They have no reason to fear. The worst has happened, and the only way to stop the escalating level of our sorrow, tears and blood they are witnessing is to actually do something by protesting tomorrow. We have nothing to fear and we have nothing to lose but our chains.”
The activist said despite the attacks on some coordinators in Lagos, Gombe, Bauchi and Edo, among others, the protest would go on as scheduled.
“Presently, there has been a nationwide attack on organisers, but we are not deterred. The Bauchi state executives of TIB are being hounded by the police.
“In Gombe, Cross-River, Edo and Lagos, our coordinators are being hounded. We are convinced the only way to end the era of worse governance is defiance; that is what we are going to be doing fearlessly,” he noted.
Sanyaolu, however, cautioned security agencies, particularly police, against arresting or violating the rights of citizens to protest.
The Director of Mobilisation for the protest in the Federal Capital Territory, Michael Adenola, said the movement had gained momentum among young Nigerians who are angered by the worsening economic conditions and government neglect.“
Preparations are in order. Many Nigerian youths, who have expressed frustration over the spate of killings in the country, mass unemployment, and underfunded education, have shown commitment to participate in the protest.“
Other civil society organisations have also committed to mobilising their members. Expect thousands on the streets of Abuja.”
Adenola also cautioned the security agencies to respect the constitutional rights of protesters and refrain from using force.
“Again and again, men of our security agencies have shown themselves to be uncivilised by attacking protesters unprovoked. Our call to them is to at least pretend they are civilised.
“There is no reason to bring lethal weapons to the protest grounds. Take them to Sambisa or Plateau State to combat the real insecurity, not against protesters who are civilly demanding their rights,” he added.
When asked about the police plan to manage the protest, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, referred our correspondent to the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh.
However, Adeh did not respond to calls or messages as of the time of filing this report but he FCT Commissioner of Police, Adewale Ajao, assured law-abiding citizens of protection during the protest.
He said, “We are still on engagement and discussion, until then, we won’t know. We want to advise all law-abiding citizens that they should go about their lawful businesses without harassment from anybody. We urge Nigerians to be orderly. Everybody’s right must be respected.”
Meanwhile, Sanyaolu said the protest would take place in at least 20 locations nationwide.
“In Abuja, we will converge at Eagle Square by 8.00 am. In Lagos, we have four locations: Badagry, Maryland, Agbara, and Toll Gate, all starting by 7am.
“In Akure, Ondo State, we will gather at Cathedral Junction by 8am, and in Benin City, Edo State, at the Museum Ground by 9am. In Niger State, the venue is Gida Matasa at 8am.“
In Yobe, we will meet at the Maiduguri Bypass Roundabout in Damaturu by 7:30am, while in Oyo State, it is Mokola Roundabout in Ibadan by 8am.
“In Bauchi, the protest will be held opposite the Bauchi School of ACR, Yelewam Makaranta, by 8 am.
In Osun State, it will be at Olaiya Junction in Osogbo,” Sanyaolu explained.
..….Urges support for girl child
The wife of the President of Nigeria and Founder of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the “Flow with Confidence” Menstrual Hygiene Campaign Programme in Benue State, with a call for collective action towards empowering school girls through proper menstrual hygiene management and access to sanitary products.
The programme, held at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House Makurdi, was organised under the Renewed Hope Initiative with the theme, “Empowering School Girls through Menstrual Hygiene.”
In her address, delivered by the Benue State Coordinator, Office of the First Lady and Renewed Hope Initiative State Coordinator, Scholastica Ben-Sor, Senator Oluremi Tinubu said no girl should be forced to miss school because she cannot afford sanitary pads.
The First Lady described the situation where girls resort to unsafe alternatives or stay away from school during menstruation as unacceptable, especially in rural communities, stressing that the intervention was designed to restore dignity, confidence and educational continuity for young girls across the country.
She disclosed that the Renewed Hope Initiative would distribute one-year supplies of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 school girls in rural communities nationwide, with each state and the Federal Capital Territory receiving 10,000 packs for distribution through State First Ladies and RHI Coordinators.
According to her, the initiative is aimed at supporting girls who are unable to afford sanitary products, while also promoting proper reproductive health and hygiene.
Senator Tinubu revealed that the Renewed Hope Initiative expended over N2.5 billion in procuring the customised disposable sanitary pads from a local manufacturing company, Uniglory Nigeria Limited, Ikorodu, Lagos State, and appealed to corporate organisations, agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to support the programme.
She urged Local Government Chairmen and their wives to take ownership of the intervention and ensure that the sanitary pads reach deserving girls in rural communities, warning that the items must not be sold under any circumstance.
The First Lady also called on traditional, religious and community leaders to monitor the distribution process and support efforts aimed at helping girls grow into responsible and informed adults.
Addressing the beneficiaries, she encouraged the girls to remain focused on their education, support one another and never allow stigma associated with menstruation to diminish their confidence.
“I believe in you because you are the future of this nation,” she stated, as she formally flagged off the distribution of the “Flow with Confidence” Menstrual Hygiene Packs.
Earlier in her opening remarks, Hon. Scholastica Ben-Sor welcomed participants to the programme and described the Renewed Hope Initiative as a people-oriented intervention covering health, education, agriculture, social investment and economic empowerment
She urged the participants, especially the wives of Local Government Chairmen, to pay close attention to the message of the First Lady and ensure the intervention reaches vulnerable girls at the grassroots.
Hon. Ben-Sor explained that her office had resolved to sustain the initiative annually in Benue State by complementing the sanitary pad distribution programme to reach more beneficiaries, including girls in government secondary schools, Internally Displaced Persons camps and rehabilitation centres for children with special needs.
In her remarks, wife of the Benue State Deputy Governor, Christy Sam Ode, represented by Hon. Mrs Patience Erube, described menstruation as a natural part of womanhood that should never attract shame or stigma.
She encouraged the girls to carry themselves with dignity and confidence, while paying attention to lessons on menstrual hygiene and self-care.
Different lectures and goodwill messages from health professionals and wives of chairmen of local government areas in Benue State were received at the occasion.
The event also featured an interactive session during which the school girls asked questions and sought clarifications on issues relating to menstrual hygiene, and personal safety, with the keynote speakers providing detailed responses and guidance.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, has announced plans to improve healthcare services and staff welfare through the renovation of existing clinic facilities and the acquisition of a larger healthcare centre for workers of the Commission.
Prof. Amupitan made this known during the grand finale of the 2026 International Nurses Week celebration held at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking at the event themed “Our Nurses, Our Future: Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” the INEC Chairman disclosed that the decision followed reports on the poor state of the Commission’s clinic facilities.
According to him, due process for the renovation of the Kubwa Clinic has already commenced after an assessment report was submitted to management.
Prof. Amupitan also revealed that the Commission is making arrangements to acquire a bigger clinic facility in Area 10, Abuja, to further strengthen healthcare delivery for staff.
He stressed that the nature of INEC’s operations exposes employees to significant risks, making access to quality healthcare and welfare support essential for a productive workforce.
The INEC Chairman described nurses as the backbone of healthcare delivery and commended their dedication, professionalism, and compassion in caring for people across different sectors of society.
He assured nurses and staff of the Commission’s commitment to improving welfare despite existing challenges and urged medical personnel attached to INEC to continue monitoring the health of workers and management staff.
In her remarks, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee, Rhoda Gumus, described nursing as a valuable profession to humanity and praised nurses for their contributions to healthcare delivery, disease prevention, and community wellbeing.
Other goodwill messages delivered at the event also highlighted the critical role nurses play in sustaining effective healthcare services.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Ndagi Alhassan, said that the theme of the 2026
celebration reflects a major policy direction aimed at strengthening the nursing profession in Nigeria.
Highlights of the ceremony included tributes to Florence Nightingale, presentation of awards to top INEC officials, and recognition of retired nurses for their meritorious service to the Commission.
Former Military President of Nigeria, Ibrahim Babangida, has described the theme of the 2026 study tour by participants of Senior Course 48 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, “Community Engagement for Enhanced National Security and Prosperity”, as both timely and relevant to Nigeria’s current security realities.
Babangida made this known while receiving members of the delegation at his uphill residence in Minna, Niger State.
He emphasised the importance of stronger collaboration between local communities and security agencies in tackling emerging threats across the country.
The former Head of State, who hosted the delegation alongside former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, noted that study tours serve as vital platforms for expanding the knowledge and operational capacity of senior military officers, particularly in areas of national security and civil-military relations.
The leader of the delegation, Air Commodore Obasa highlighted Babangida’s enduring contributions to military education, especially his role in establishing the Department of Air Warfare at the college.
He recalled that Babangida laid the foundation for the department on July 3, 1986. He commissioned it a year later, describing the initiative as a significant milestone in strengthening military training and national development.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu Flags Off Menstrual Hygiene Campaign in Benue
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