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The Management and Staff of Energy Commission of Nigeria has congratulated their Director General, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi on the occasion of his birthday.

The staffs in their birthday message applauded the leadership style of Dr. Mustapha describing him as a good manager of men and resources.

Dr Mustapha Abdullahi was also described as a man with an amiable personality and God -fearing disposition.

According to the staffs. “Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi has displayed an enviable leadership quality in the development of the sector through his significant contributions to the Commission including the energy sector that has witnessed sustainable growth in energy solutions that has also fostered appreciable levels.

“His unwavering dedication to duty, improvements to staff welfare have remained a rallying point that has continued to” encourage staff, attract admiration and support to his policies for the overall good of the sector.

While wishing the indefatigable DG a happy birthday anniversary celebration, the Management and Staff of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, ECN called on Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha to remain focused on his vision to take the Commission to the enviable heights for all and the nation at large.

The staffs lauded him as a dedicated agent of Renewed Hope which has uplifted the spirit of the workforce from its near-obscurity in its over four decades of existence.

They further commended Mr. President for appointing a sound visionary and genuinely dedicated person as Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria in the person of Dr. Mustapha, who on assumption to office had assured that under his leadership, “The ECN will set the tone for economic development based on progressive innovation and policy initiatives as envisioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.”

The Yari Foundation has concluded arrangements to organise a series of high-level summits in Lagos, Enugu and Port Harcourt as part of efforts to promote peace, national development and inclusive dialogue across Nigeria.

According to the Foundation, the summits, scheduled to hold between January 19 and 23, will bring together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, civil society, academia and the media to deliberate on critical national issues. Key focus areas include economic growth, education, leadership, peacebuilding and social development.

A statement issued by the Foundation explained that the choice of Lagos, Enugu and Port Harcourt was deliberate, noting that the cities are major commercial, cultural and industrial hubs in the South-West, South-East and South-South geopolitical zones respectively.

The Foundation said hosting the summits across the regions would ensure broad participation while underscoring its commitment to national unity and balanced development.

The statement further disclosed that each summit would feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, interactive sessions and policy dialogues aimed at generating practical and sustainable solutions to challenges confronting the country.
Participants are expected to share ideas and experiences that would help strengthen institutions, promote an enabling environment for peace and enhance sustainable development at both national and grassroots levels.

While expressing optimism about the prospects of a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, the Foundation said preparations for the events were at an advanced stage, adding that invitations would be extended to prominent Nigerians and relevant stakeholders across various sectors.

The Yari Foundation reiterated its commitment to initiatives that foster peace, dialogue, capacity building and socio-economic advancement, stressing that the forthcoming summits form part of its broader mandate to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development and national cohesion.

It recalled that the Foundation successfully organised similar summits in Abuja, Kano and Jos last year, which attracted wide participation and positive reviews from stakeholders across the country.

A socio-political group in the North West, the Concerned North West Stakeholders Forum, has praised the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for initiating the trial of Amadu Sule, a close associate of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged corruption.

Sule, the Managing Director of TMDK Terminal Limited, is facing charges related to a ₦311 billion money laundering scheme. The ICPC arraigned him recently on accusations of abuse of office and diversion of public funds, charges that he has denied.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna, the group’s Coordinator, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, described the ongoing trial as a significant step toward strengthening accountability and upholding the rule of law in Nigeria.

“The ICPC’s decision to prosecute Sule, a known ally of the former governor, sends a clear message that no one is above the law,” the statement read. “This action will help restore public confidence in the country’s anti-corruption efforts.”

The group highlighted that Nigerians have long demanded greater transparency in the management of public resources, especially by political officeholders and their associates. It expressed hope that this trial would meet public expectations for a fair and impartial judicial process.

Furthermore, the forum urged the ICPC to maintain its commitment to ensuring that the case is rigorously pursued to its conclusion. “Selective justice would undermine the integrity of anti-corruption initiatives,” the statement added.

The Concerned North West Stakeholders Forum also called on other anti-graft agencies to follow the ICPC’s example and investigate corruption allegations against politically exposed individuals across the country. “Accountability is crucial for national development. Public office holders must remember that while power is transient, the law is constant,” the group emphasized.

While urging against any politicization of the case, the forum appealed to the judiciary to handle the trial with professionalism and independence, stressing the importance of justice for national stability.

The ICPC’s trial of Sule has drawn significant attention, as it is seen as a crucial test for Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight, especially involving prominent political figures and their associates.

A Zaria-based political group, the Zaria Progressives Movement (ZPM), has dismissed the political relevance of a former Director-General of the Uba Sani Campaign Organisation and erstwhile Kaduna State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Muhammad Sani Bello (popularly known as Maina Zazzau), following his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement issued on Friday, the group said Prof. Sani Bello’s exit from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would not affect the political strength of Governor Uba Sani or influence the voting pattern of the people of Zaria.

The statement, signed by the ZPM Coordinator, Malam Yusuf Garba, said the people of Zaria are politically conscious and remain committed to good governance and sustainable development, not only within the Zaria Emirate but across Kaduna State.

According to the group, Zaria voters would continue to give their full support to the APC and Governor Uba Sani for what it described as his achievements in promoting peace and development in the state.

“The people of Zaria are known for their political focus and loyalty to leaders who deliver good governance and development,” the statement said. “The defection of Prof. Maina Zazzau does not in any way diminish the growing support for Governor Uba Sani.”

ZPM further alleged that Prof. Zazzau was removed from office as Commissioner for Education due to his inability to effectively manage the education sector, adding that his decision to join the ADC was motivated by personal grievances and declining political influence.

“We strongly believe that his defection is borne out of frustration following his removal from office and his loss of political relevance,” the group stated.

The group also commended Governor Uba Sani, describing him as a true son of Zaria who has upheld the values and traditions of the Zazzau Emirate since assuming office.

“It is not in doubt that Governor Uba Sani has consistently promoted the ideals of the Zaria people through inclusive governance and people-oriented policies,” the statement added.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the group reaffirmed its support for the governor, stating that the people of Zaria would overwhelmingly back him at the polls.

“We are fully prepared to demonstrate that the people of Zaria Emirate appreciate good governance and the achievements of our son, Governor Uba Sani, and we will reciprocate with our votes in the 2027 general elections,” the statement concluded.

Byline: Babale Amadu

Story:

The Concerned Petrol Station Workers have strongly opposed the recently announced plans by AA Rano to roll out Nigeria’s first fully automated and unmanned fuel stations this January.

They argued that the development could worsen unemployment and deepen insecurity if not properly thought out and regulated.

According to AA Rano, its stations would offer 24-hour self-service fuelling, contactless payments and real-time monitoring, eliminating the need for on-site attendants.

However, the Convener, Concern Petrol Station Workers and Rights Advocate, Comrade Ibrahim Zango in a statement on Thursday, January 8, 2026, lamented that a lot of young Nigerians who are keeping themselves busy in petrol stations may be exposed to other side of life.

“At a time when Nigeria is already grappling with mass unemployment, rising cost of living and growing insecurity, deploying job-eliminating technology without safeguards is dangerous.

“So imagine the number of AA Rano fuel stations alone, across the country and even beyond. Imagine the number of pump attendants working and earning their living from these stations.

“To us, sending us out of the job some us have been doing for decades without a robust plans will only multiply our crisis as a country,” he said.

To Zango, automation should not translate into job losses, calling on the government and relevant regulatory agencies to develop clear policies that balance innovation with workers’ welfare in the downstream petroleum sector.

He, therefore, urged the company’s leadership to remember its social responsibility to workers, stressing that many petrol station attendants today are where AA Rano chairman once started and should not be pushed out of livelihoods in the name of innovation.

By Barrister Aminu Hussaini

As Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf turns 63, Kano State marks more than a personal milestone; it reflects on a defining moment in its contemporary governance – one characterised by steady leadership, deliberate choices and a visible renewal across critical sectors of development. It is an occasion that invites sober assessment – and the evidence across key developmental indices points unmistakably to progress driven by clarity of vision, political will and unrelenting commitment to the welfare of the people.

From the outset, Governor AKY’s administration signaled a return to governance anchored on social justice and inclusive development. Education, long acknowledged as the soul of Kano’s future, has received renewed attention. Massive investments in school rehabilitation, teacher recruitment, welfare and the revitalisation of technical and vocational institutions have begun to restore confidence in the public education system. The emphasis is not only on access, but on quality – laying the groundwork for a skilled and competitive generation.

In healthcare, the administration’s interventions have been equally transformative. Upgraded facilities, improved equipment and enhanced manpower across primary and secondary health centres are expanding access to quality care, particularly for rural and underserved populations.

These efforts are gradually yielding improved health outcomes and reaffirming government’s obligation to safeguard the wellbeing of its citizens.
Infrastructure development under Governor Yusuf has been guided by a people-first philosophy.

Strategic road construction and rehabilitation projects within the Kano metropolis and across local government areas eases movement, boosting commercial activity and reconnecting communities. Complementary urban renewal initiatives – ranging from drainage rehabilitation to environmental sanitation – are addressing long-standing challenges of congestion and flooding, making Kano a safer, more functional and livable city.

Economic empowerment remains a defining pillar of the administration. Targeted support for agriculture, small and medium-scale enterprises, and youth entrepreneurship is expanding avenues for productivity and wealth creation. Farmers are benefitting from improved access to inputs and extension services, while market revitalisation efforts are reinforcing Kano’s historic status as a major commercial nerve centre of northern Nigeria.

Equally noteworthy is the restoration of order, discipline and institutional integrity in governance. A renewed emphasis on fiscal prudence, workers’ welfare and respect for traditional institutions has helped stabilise the polity and rebuild public trust. The civil service is more motivated and governance is increasingly driven by rules, processes and accountability rather than impulse.

At 63, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf embodies a blend of experience, empathy and resolve. His leadership reflects an understanding that development is not measured by rhetoric, but by tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary people. While challenges remain – as they inevitably do, the trajectory is clear and encouraging.

While challenges inevitably remain, the direction is unmistakable.
AKY’s birthday, therefore, is not merely a celebration of age, but a moment for Kano to acknowledge steady progress and renew confidence in a governance agenda that places people above politics. In celebrating Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kano celebrates continuity, renewed hope and a future being patiently and purposefully rebuilt.

In this spirit of reflection and renewed confidence, Kano joins millions of well-wishers to congratulate His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, on the occasion of his 63rd birthday. It is a celebration of a life devoted to public service and of a leadership that continues to translate vision into measurable progress for the people of Kano State.

As His Excellency marks this milestone, the prayers and goodwill of the state accompany him – wishing him sound health, renewed strength and greater wisdom to sustain the noble task of governance. May the years ahead consolidate the gains already recorded and further entrench Kano on the path of stability, prosperity and inclusive development under his steady and purposeful leadership.

Barrister Aminu Hussaini – Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State – H.E. AKY on Justice/Constitutional Matters contributed this piece

By: Dr. Pogu Bitrus

It has become imperative to respond decisively to a mischievous and intellectually dishonest article circulating under the headline “The Manufactured Middle Belt: The Untold History, Foreign Backing and the Agenda to Fracture Northern Nigeria,” authored under the pseudonym Safyan Umar Yahaya. Far from being a work of history and of social concern, the piece is an alarmist pamphlet—animated by fear and bigotry not facts, all aimed at delegitimizing the rising social and political consciousness of the Middle Belt.

The anxiety beneath the essay is unmistakable. For over a century, certain ruling blocs have exploited the Middle Belt economically, subordinated it politically, and tried to diminish it culturally. Today, as the people of the region reclaims its history,  pride and asserts its unity, anger and blackmail is the response of the losers.

The central claim—that the Middle Belt is a recent political fabrication without historical roots—is not merely false; it is a deliberate distortion built on colonial convenience and selective amnesia.

WHAT THE MIDDLE BELT ACTUALLY IS

The Middle Belt refers to the vast geographical and cultural zone inhabited by indigenous ethnic nationalities of the former Northern Region—now spanning 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory—who were never conquered or where never largely ruled by the Sokoto Caliphate or the Kanem-Borno Empire prior to British colonisation.

Put plainly: the Middle Belt consists of the autochthonous peoples of Northern Nigeria who are neither Hausa, Fulani, nor Kanuri, and who historically existed outside the authority of Islamic caliphates, notwithstanding some pockets of Emirate enclaves among it. This is not opinion; it is an established historical fact.

Long before colonial rule, the Middle Belt was home to sovereign empires, kingdoms, chiefdoms, and complex stateless societies whose political systems predated the 19th-century jihads by centuries. Among the most prominent was the Kwararafa Confederacy, centred in the Gongola – Benue Valley. Between the 18th and 19th centuries, Kwararafa repeatedly defeated and humiliated Hausa city-states such as Kano and Zaria and even challenged Kanem-Borno—long before Usman dan Fodio’s jihad of 1804.

Other well-documented polities include the Igala Kingdom, Jukun states, Nupe Kingdom, and countless Tiv, Idoma, Gbagyi, Birom, Angas, Lelna, Bwatye, Eggon, and Goemai societies among hundreds of others — each with distinct political traditions, land tenure systems, and military histories. They had a common solidarity hinged on wading off Islamisation and genocidal slave raids.

COLONIAL CONQUEST AND FORCED SUBORDINATION

The author inadvertently exposes his argument’s weakness when he ignores a crucial colonial reality: the British conquered the Muslim emirates with relative ease, largely by co-opting existing centralized hierarchies. In contrast, Middle Belt societies resisted British conquest fiercely.

British colonial records—by administrators such as Frederick Lugard and C.L. Temple—document prolonged military campaigns, punitive expeditions, and scorched-earth tactics used against Middle Belt communities from the early 1900s to the 1920s. This resistance is precisely why the British imposed Indirect Rule by force, subordinating Middle Belt peoples to Fulani and Kanuri emirs  they had never known, accepted, or recognized.

That imposition,nnot foreign conspiracy, is the historical root of Middle Belt political consciousness.

THE COLONIAL FALLACY OF “NON-EXISTENCE”

The article’s reliance on colonial maps and constitutions to argue that the Middle Belt did not exist before the 1940s is intellectually indefensible. Colonial documents recognized what served imperial administration, not indigenous reality. By that logic, countless African nations and identities would vanish simply because Europeans failed—or refused—to acknowledge them.

Even then, the claim is factually weak. The term “Middle Belt” appears descriptively in colonial correspondence as early as the first decade of the 20th century, used by administrators and missionaries to describe the non-emirate central zone of Northern Nigeria. The British deliberately refused to create a Middle Belt Region, not because it lacked coherence, but because doing so would weaken the numerical and political dominance of the Hausa-Fulani-Kanuri oligarchy that sustained Indirect Rule.

The agitation for recognition therefore predates independence; it merely became organized in the 1950s.

THE UMBC AND THE MYTH OF FOREIGN MANIPULATION

The United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) under Joseph Sarwuan Tarka did not invent the Middle Belt identity. It articulated long-standing grievances: land dispossession, political exclusion, cultural suppression, force labour,  and religious discrimination.

To dismiss the UMBC as a tool of missionaries or foreign interests is not only false but insulting. Middle Belt people and leaders were among the most educated and politically sophisticated Nigerians of their generation, many trained in Britain and elite Nigerian institutions well before independence. They required no NGO or missionary to understand injustice they lived daily.

The historical record—petitions against Native Authority abuses, resistance to emirate taxation, land struggles, and demands for self-rule—is open to anyone willing to read honestly.

THE CONTEMPORARY MOMENT

Today’s Middle Belt movement is neither separatist nor violent. It is a demand for recognition, equity, and freedom from an imposed Arewa identity that neither reflects its history nor aligns with its values. The Middle Belt does not deny the existence of Northern Nigeria; it rejects the falsehood that Northern Nigeria is synonymous with the Middle Belt.

What has long been marketed as “Northern unity” has, in truth, been a forced political marriage, sustained by coercion rather than consent.

Increasingly, the Middle Belt is stating what history has always known: this union was never voluntary!

If language must be blunt, then so be it—this relationship has often resembled political rape, and the survivors have finally found their voice.

2027 AND THE PANIC OF DECLINING HEGEMONY

The fear driving this revisionist essay is understandable. The once-boasted “monolithic Northern voting bloc” is fracturing. Demographics, political awareness, and historical truth are converging.

For the first time, Nigeria’s political establishment is confronting an uncomfortable reality: the Middle Belt is the decisive factor in national politics.

THE MIDDLE BELT, RELIGION, AND THE COLLAPSE OF OLD MYTHS

A recurring propaganda tactic is to label the Middle Belt a “Bible Belt,” as though its political awakening is a sectarian religious project. This claim is demonstrably false. The Middle Belt has always been religiously plural, home to Christians, Muslims, and adherents of African traditional religions for centuries. Even institutionally, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) disproves this caricature: its Board of Trustees and National Working Committee include Muslims, reflecting the region’s inclusive ethos. While it is true that the Middle Belt today is predominantly Christian—largely due to historical resistance to jihadist conquest and the voluntary embrace of Christianity—majority faith does not translate into religious extremism. The Middle Belt struggle is not about imposing religion; it is about ending political subjugation, cultural erasure, and systemic inequality. Reducing this legitimate quest to sectarianism is not analysis but propaganda.

Demise of the Hausa/Fulani Amalgam.

Equally misleading is the continued use of the term “Hausa-Fulani” as though it remains a coherent political or cultural bloc. Increasingly, Hausa intellectuals and opinion leaders reject this forced amalgam, insisting that there is Hausa land and there is the Middle Belt, but no natural or “Arewa” identity. The very terms “Northern Nigeria” and “Arewa” now irritate many enlightened Hausa voices who recognize them as tools historically used to sustain Fulani political dominance and economic exploitation. Recent events have further exposed this fracture: widespread violence by Fulani bandits against Hausa rural communities has shattered the illusion of a shared destiny. For decades, the Hausa masses were mobilized as demographic instruments against Middle Belt minorities; today, they are confronting the reality that they too have borne the costs of an unjust hierarchy. What is unfolding is not a Middle Belt conspiracy, but the collapse of an artificial political fiction. History, not agitation, has caught up with it.

Dr: Pogu Bitrus is the President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) and hails from Chibok, Southern Borno.

Women from 19 northern states, under the aegis of Women’s Voices for Northern Nigeria, have honoured former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, with their maiden Freedom Fighter Award, recognising him as the Best Freedom Fighter for 2025.

Presenting the award at a ceremony in Kaduna, the National President of the group, Comrade Jamila Malumfashi, said Senator Sani was selected for his unwavering stance, consistency and vocal defence of the poor, the downtrodden and vulnerable groups in society.

According to her, the former senator has over the years demonstrated uncommon courage in standing up for the masses, particularly women, through advocacy and public engagement.

“Senator Shehu Sani has consistently used his voice to defend the poor, the oppressed and women. His commitment to social justice and equity informed our decision to honour him as the first recipient of this award,” Malumfashi said.

She explained that Women’s Voices for Northern Nigeria operates across 19 states in the region and focuses on empowering women, especially widows, orphans and unemployed women who are largely dependents.

In his remarks, Senator Shehu Sani expressed appreciation to the group for organising the event in Kaduna and for finding him worthy of the honour.
He commended the organisation’s activities, particularly its skill acquisition and empowerment programmes aimed at improving the economic status of women in the North.

“I am encouraged by your commitment to empowering women through skills and self-reliance. This is the right path to sustainable development,” he said.
The former lawmaker pledged his personal support to help the group grow and to facilitate access to support from relevant agencies.

However, he advised the organisation to place greater emphasis on empowerment initiatives rather than partisan politics.

The event attracted women leaders and stakeholders from across the northern region, who described the award as a recognition of long-standing advocacy for social justice and inclusive governance.

Mishack Musa

The House of Justice has issued a global call for governments to accurately define large-scale violent crimes as terrorism or genocide where applicable. It warned that failing to properly name such atrocities undermines accountability and empowers perpetrators.

The appeal was delivered by the Founder and CEO of the House of Justice, Barrister Gloria Mabeiam Ballason, during her address at the 2025 International Bar Association (IBA) Conference in Toronto, Canada.

Drawing parallels between ongoing violence in Nigeria and the Sahel region, Ballason cited French revolutionary Maximilien de Robespierre’s observation that while individual murder is prosecuted, mass killings often lead to negotiations instead of justice. She expressed dismay that terrorism and war crimes persist in the 21st century despite available legal tools for prevention and accountability.

Speaking at a session attended by prominent legal figures such as Nigeria’s Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, Ballason stated that the primary goal must be to prevent war and terrorism altogether. She emphasized that post-conflict justice cannot undo the irreversible harm inflicted on lives, communities, and national resources.

Ballason elaborated on “psychic numbing”—a phenomenon where state accountability weakens as atrocities escalate, especially when crimes cross political lines or fall outside standard legal categories. This imbalance, she argued, allows large-scale crimes to go unpunished and leaves victims without redress.

The House of Justice aims to mobilize the public to overcome fear, confront despotism, and demand criminal sanctions against officials responsible for mass casualties, whether by direct action or negligence. Ballason stressed that public outrage over injustice must be channeled into sustained pressure for accountability.

She clarified that governments have a duty to correctly characterize conflicts. Violence intended to intimidate populations or governments for political, religious, or ideological ends should be termed terrorism, not mislabeled as communal or farmer-herder clashes. Similarly, situations meeting the legal criteria for genocide must be identified as such, avoiding any tendency to minimize or “sugar-coat” grave crimes.

Since 2014, Ballason noted, the House of Justice has pursued accountability for terrorism and mass atrocities through litigation, advocacy, and petitions aimed at barring alleged enablers and sponsors of terrorism from public office. She referenced actions taken against high-ranking officials accused of human rights abuses, negligence, and governance failures during periods of intense violence, noting these efforts operate within legal and advocacy frameworks.

The organization also renewed its call for international collaboration to tackle the root causes of terrorism, disrupt its financing, improve actionable intelligence, and foster multi-sectoral cooperation. It urged states to prioritize justice, rehabilitation, and resettlement for victims, while ensuring accountability for all involved in the “ecosystem of violence”—including financiers, instigators, collaborators, and perpetrators.

Ballason concluded that the mission of the House of Justice extends beyond legal processes, aiming ultimately to uphold the rule of law as the foundation for just societies and a safer world.

James mbaitoli

President of The United Church of Christ in Nigeria (HEKAN), Rev. (Dr.) Amos G. Kiri, has urged the Federal and State Governments to take decisive action against rising insecurity, warning that continued violence and economic hardship are eroding public confidence in governance.

Rev. Kiri made the call in his 2026 New Year message delivered during the church’s service, where he linked national unity to Nigeria’s ability to overcome insurgency, kidnappings and widespread criminality.

He noted ethnic, tribal and regional divisions have further weakened the country’s security architecture and social cohesion.

“A nation divided against itself cannot defeat insecurity. Unity is central to national survival,” he said.

The cleric expressed concern over persistent insurgency, banditry and kidnappings across several states, describing the situation as a major threat to lives, livelihoods and national stability.

Rev. Kiri also warned that the growing trauma caused by insecurity is creating long-term social damage, stressing the need for coordinated responses beyond military action.

He sympathised with families affected by violence and abductions, urging security agencies to intensify intelligence-driven operations while calling on communities to remain vigilant.

On the economy, he said the rising cost of living and food inflation have worsened citizens’ vulnerability, noting that insecurity and hunger remain closely linked.

According to him, government slogans must translate into practical action that improves safety and economic conditions for ordinary Nigerians.

“Hope must be seen in action. Nigerians want secure communities, affordable food and the freedom to move without fear,” he said.

Addressing political participation, Rev. Kiri urged Nigerians to engage peacefully in democratic processes, including voter registration and lawful civic activities, stressing that responsible citizenship is essential for accountable leadership.

He also called on political leaders to place national interest above personal or sectional considerations as the country approaches another electoral cycle.

On church matters with political implications, Rev. Kiri announced that his tenure as HEKAN president will end in December 2026, with leadership elections scheduled for October 2026, describing orderly transition as a model for democratic culture.

He said HEKAN’s 2026 theme, “We Are One in Christ,” reflects the Church’s commitment to promoting unity in a deeply polarised society.

Rev. Kiri further disclosed that HEKAN will mark its 60th Annual National Convention and 72 years of existence in 2026, noting that the church has remained active in peacebuilding and community resilience since its founding in 1954.

He acknowledged the role of international partners in supporting humanitarian and mission efforts in conflict-affected areas of Nigeria.

Rev. Kiri urged governments at all levels to prioritise security reforms, empower security agencies and protect vulnerable communities.

He expressed optimism that with unity, accountability and decisive leadership, Nigeria can overcome its security and governance challenges.

He wished Nigerians a peaceful New Year and prayed for national stability.

End