By AbdulRahman Obaje

The chieftain of the APC in Kwara state , Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia, Ph.D, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, on the occasion of Democracy Day 2026 Celebration and the third years anniversary of their administrations.

This is contained in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Friday in Abuja, Ajia described June 12 as a historic symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle, resilience, and collective aspiration for good governance.

Ajia commended President Tinubu for demonstrating courage in implementing reforms aimed at repositioning the nation’s economy, improving infrastructure, attracting investments, and strengthening key institutions of government. He noted that the administration has laid important foundations for long-term national development.

While acknowledging these efforts, he urged the President to pay greater attention to the pressing challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians. According to him, the hopes and aspirations of citizens remain the strongest mandate of any democratic government.

The Ilorin-born security expert further called for intensified efforts to secure lives and property across the country and encouraged the President to deepen youth inclusion in governance by appointing more competent young Nigerians into strategic decision-making positions. He noted that Nigeria’s youthful population represents a vital resource for innovation, nation-building, and sustainable development.

Ajia also advocated the continuation of inclusive economic policies capable of empowering local contractors, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and investors, while ensuring that the benefits of governance are felt more directly at the grassroots.

The philanthropist and business leader equally congratulated Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on the achievements recorded in Kwara State, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth empowerment, social investments, and public sector reforms.

He, however, urged the governor to devote greater attention to ward-level and community-based development projects that would create employment opportunities and empower indigenous contractors, local businessmen, women, farmers, and young entrepreneurs across the state.

Ajia further advised Governor AbdulRazaq to strengthen inclusive politics and governance by expanding consultation, participation, and representation within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and across the broader political landscape.

He stressed the need for reconciliation among aggrieved party members and stakeholders to consolidate unity and ensure the party’s continued electoral success in Kwara State.

According to him, June 12 reminds Nigerians that democracy thrives when leaders listen, citizens actively participate, and governance reaches every community, including the most remote wards.

He reaffirmed his support for both the Federal and the Kwara State Governments and expressed optimism that Nigeria would continue to advance under responsive, inclusive, and people-oriented leadership.

Ajia wished President Tinubu, Governor AbdulRazaq, and all Nigerians a peaceful and memorable Democracy Day celebration, praying for greater unity, security, progress, and prosperity for the nation.

A Presideential Aspirant on the Platform of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), His Excellency, Engr. (Dr) Yakubu Muhammed Kingsley (YMK) Nigeria salutes the steadfastness and commitment of his followers, supporters’ home and abroad in particular and Nigerians in general.

This is contained in a statement signed by Prince AbdudlRahman Obaje, Director, Media and Communication, YMK Nigeria Project Movement, on the occasion of Democracy Day 2026 Celebration.

Reiterating his commitment to grassroot development, he stressed that the need for commitment among members and stakeholders of YMK Nigeria Project Movement to consolidate gains in recent time and ensure building a formidable movement cannot be over emphasized.

He further revealed, that June 12 reminds Nigerians that democracy thrives when the people elect leaders that listen to the peoples yearning and take action, ensuring citizens active participation in governance, and engendering good governance that reaches every community.

He expresses optimism that his people-oriented leadership will continue to thrive, reaffirming his commitment to pursuing his presidential ambition.

He charges his supporters to continue to intensify efforts in their ongoing grassroot mobilization.

YMK Nigeria thereby wishes all Nigerians an exciting, peaceful and memorable Democracy Day celebration, praying for security, progress, prosperity, and unity for the nation.

…project ‘ll create 100,000 jobs, Oyebanji assures

The President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, for sustaining and promoting the spirit behind the concept of Ekiti Knowledge Zone(EKZ), saying the project has a good prognosis of becoming a viable Nigeria’s hub of Innovations, research and skill development in the future.

The President described Ekiti as the home of scholars and posited that the EKZ, as a state government propelled investment, is capable of radicalising the potentials of talented Nigerians and serve as a launchpad for their relevance at the global stage.

The President spoke on Tuesday, during the turning of the sod for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone located at Ago Araromi in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.

The President, who was represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, said education remained the most viable inheritance of Ekiti people and commended Governor Oyebanji for demonstrating visionary leadership in governing the State through strategic alliances with critical stakeholders.

Describing the EKZ project as a masterpiece, the President said it was in alignment with Singaporean vision that any economy can be unlocked through education and technological innovation, assuring Governor Oyebanji and the entire citizens of the federal Government’s support to make the project thrive.

“Under President Tinubu’s administration, we are gradually moving from dependency to sustainability and self sufficiency. We are determined to encourage research, innovation and technological development to create jobs for our teeming youths.

“We are focused about this and I thank Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his leadership and initiative”.

Also speaking at the event , Governor Oyebanji revealed that the Ekiti Knowledge Zone was conceptualised to unlock the hidden potentials of Ekiti citizens and make the state the frontliner in skill, innovation, research and human capital development worldwide.

The governor said Ekiti has been known to be intellectual hub and for having the highest number of Professors in the country, who deserves serious attention in the area of innovation.

He added that the project commenced August 12, 2013 under Governor Kayode Fayemi-led government, with the intention to build the potentials of Ekiti citizens.

Oyebanji stated that he decided to sustain the EKZ in demonstration of the continuity agenda of his government as well as making significant investment in technology, industrial development, healthcare , research, science and innovation, and many other pivotal areas of the economy that would make Ekiti epicentre of development .

“This project is part of the 30 years Development Plan of this administration in its efforts to unlock the economic potentials of our state. And we are happy that we had been able to raise $80 million financial capital through the federal government and African Development Bank. We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and AfDB for approving the deal.

“You could all remember that that the EKZ was designated as a Free Trade Zone by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. This EKZ is not only going to be the giant of innovation in Africa, but it represents a world class economic ecosystem that will serve as a catalyst for industrial development, innovation, job creation, opportunities for technology driven industries and skill acquisition platform.

“I am glad to inform you that the first phase when fully completed, over 20,000 jobs will be created in line with the local contents policy of our administration, while the entire phases is to generate about 100,000 jobs covering areas like research, science, technology, industry and education development”.

The Chief Executive Officer of CCECC, the contractor handling the project, Eric Shem, applauded the federal, state and African Development Bank for their partnership, saying their lofty contributions demonstrated how committed they are to the development of the human capital in the country.

Shem said the programme will change the future of the country by attracting investments and build the human capital, assuring that the project will be completed in record time to create employment opportunities and to meet other demands.

High profile figures at the ceremony were: the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Ayedatiwa, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Adeoye Aribasoye, former Governor Segun Oni, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Hon Ibrahim Masari, the Onijan of Ijan Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Aladesuyi, commissioners, Special Advisers, political and community leaders, among others.