Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has expressed his willingness to meet with President Bola Tinubu if such an engagement would promote Nigeria’s progress and national development.

Lamido, who spoke exclusively to The Nation at Bamaina, his country home on Sallah day, said he remains open to dialogue with the President if it would advance the nation’s well-being.

Despite being a vocal PDP critic of the administration, Lamido emphasized that his openness to dialogue is driven by national interest rather than partisan politics.

“I will be more than willing. So when are we going to see him?” he said, emphasising his readiness to engage constructively.

The former governor, however, dismissed claims that he had turned down an invitation from the President to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that no such offer was ever made to him.

“When was I invited? Let me know, please. Did he send you to me? I’m hearing this from you for the first time,” he stated.

He maintained that any meaningful interaction between him and the President should be focused on national interest rather than partisan considerations.

“If it is about the progress and development of Nigeria, I am open. I will be willing to meet him,” Lamido added.

On reports linking him to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following viral images showing him with the party’s logo, Lamido described the claims as products of social media manipulation.

“In this era of social media and content creation, anything is possible. People sit in their rooms and create stories. I have not seen such pictures,” he said.

Commenting on recent developments in the country, the former governor stressed the need for Nigerians to take responsibility for their electoral decisions, noting that leadership outcomes reflect the choices made by the electorate.

“When we were campaigning, we urged Nigerians to vote right, with integrity and conscience. People voted, and whatever you put in is what you get out,” he said.

He also used the occasion of the Eid al-Fitr to felicitate with Muslims, urging prayers for peace, unity and stability in Nigeria.

“We thank Allah Almighty for sparing our lives to witness Ramadan. It was a period of repentance, prayers and supplications,” he said.

Lamido further prayed for national peace and prosperity, calling for divine guidance for leaders at all levels.

“We pray that Allah secures Nigeria, restores peace, stability and prosperity, and guides our leaders to do the right thing,” he added.

The Nigeria Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW Nigeria) has demanded full prosecution of all perpetrators involved in the attack on women in Ozoro, Delta State during a festival.

The National President, Ojobo Atuluku, made the federation’s position known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that women were reportedly harassed and assaulted during the recent Ozoro Festival.

While condemning the attacks, Atuluku said what happened was not culture but criminality.

“It was gender-based violence in its most brazen form, inflicted on women who had every right to be safe in their own community.”

According to her, all the perpetrators including organisers, participants, and enablers should be prosecuted under all applicable laws, with independent oversight to prevent compromise.

She said that investigation and sanction of traditional authorities in the affected community should be carried out.

“Where culpability, negligence, or complicity is established, we call for the removal of all implicated office holders up to and including the relevant First Class Chief under applicable chieftaincy laws.

“We demand mandatory regulation of cultural festivals to ensure compliance with human rights and public safety standards before any event is permitted to proceed.”

While acknowledging the swift action of the Delta State Police Command in arresting the alleged organiser and other suspects, she said arrests alone was not justice.

“Justice requires thorough investigation, transparent prosecution, and consequences that leave no doubt that violence against women will not be tolerated in Nigeria under any circumstance, and certainly not under the cover of tradition.”

According to her, the acts violate the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Section 34, right to dignity), the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, and the Criminal Code Act.

She said that they also breached Nigeria’s international obligations under CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol, which required the State to protect women from violence and harmful practices.

The federation also demanded comprehensive support for victims including medical care, psychosocial services, legal aid, and witness protection.

It called on the Federal Government and the state governments to enforce all relevant legal frameworks.

Atuluku also called on traditional rulers across Nigeria to recognise that leadership carried responsibility and that no cultural event should ever become a platform for abuse.

She urged civil society, professional bodies, and the media to sustain pressure until justice was fully achieved.

“This incident is not isolated. It is a stark reminder that too many Nigerian women still navigate spaces where their safety is not guaranteed.

“That must change, and it must change now.

“BPW Nigeria stands in unwavering solidarity with the victims and we will continue to advocate, mobilise, and pursue all lawful measures including strategic litigation, until every Nigerian woman’s dignity and safety are protected.

“An injury to one woman is an injury to all,” she added.

(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

The Nigerian government has signed a landmark agreement with the United Kingdom to fast-track the deportation of failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and foreign criminals.

The deal was formalised during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK by Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

This was announced by the UK Home Office on Thursday.

The agreement was made during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the UK this week.

According to the Daily Mail, there are about 961 Nigerian asylum seekers in the UK who have used up all their appeal rights.

This means they have been officially decided not to qualify for refugee status in the UK.

There are also 1,110 Nigerian nationals who are offenders and the Home Office is waiting to send them back.

The agreement will also help send back Nigerians who stayed in the UK longer than their visa allowed.