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Democracy Survives: How Benin Republic Coup Failed — FG

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President Bola Tinubu yesterday commended the gallantry of Nigeria’s military for responding swiftly to the request by the Government of the Benin Republic to save its 35-year-old democracy from coup plotters, who struck at dawn yesterday.

A statement by his Special Adviser to the President, Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Federal Government, “Acting on two separate requests from the Government of Benin, President Tinubu first ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter the country and take over the airspace to help dislodge the coup plotters from the National TV and a military camp where they had regrouped.“

The Presidency said, “The Republic of Benin, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a Note Verbal, requested immediate Nigerian air support “in view of the urgency and seriousness of the situation and to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”

In the second request, the authorities in Benin requested the deployment of Nigerian Air Force assets within Beninoise airspace for surveillance and rapid intervention operations under Benin-led coordination.

The Benin government also requested Nigerian ground forces, “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed Groups.”

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, said all the requests have been fulfilled, with Nigerian ground forces now in Benin.

“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he said.

Constitutional order was upended in the Republic of Benin, Nigeria’s neighbour, when some soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri announced a coup on Sunday morning. The putschists seized the National TV and claimed they had toppled President Patrice Talon and suspended all democratic institutions.

It took some hours before the government’s loyal forces, assisted by Nigeria, took control and flushed out the coup plotters from the National TV.

In his remarks after the restoration of the democratic and constitutional order, President Tinubu saluted the Nigerian armed forces for standing firm as a protector and defender of democracy.

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2027: Tinubu Plot To Relocate Nigeria’s Capital From Abuja – Timi Frank

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Tinubu Chairs ECOWAS 67th Session

Timi Frank, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to relocate Nigeria’s capital from Abuja to Lagos upon his re-election in 2027.

Frank made this allegation known in a statement on Monday.

The former APC chieftain slammed Tinubu’s government for what he described as a ‘Lagos-centric agenda.’

He said that it has become clear to him that the President is pursuing an agenda of sidelining other regions.

According to Frank, major decisions of Tinubu’s administration are targeted to benefit Lagos State.

“It is now clear that the President’s long-term plan is to concentrate political and economic power in Lagos if given another term in office,” Frank said.

Frank also claimed that federal appointments and development initiatives under Tinubu have been largely one-sided, warning that such a trend undermines national unity.

“We do not want a president who is one-sided,” he said.

“Where are Tinubu’s MOUs tied to agricultural and livestock production in the North, industrial development in the Southeast, and oil and gas development in the South-South? None!

“Secondly, no president in Nigeria’s history has divided the country and its people along regional and ethnic lines the way this administration has done.

“There is a growing sense of alienation and division among Nigerians that is deeply troubling.

“It appears to be a deliberate strategy to impoverish certain regions, especially the North, South, and Southeast, so that citizens are economically weakened ahead of the 2027 election cycle,” Frank stated.

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BREAKING: Sultan Receives Moon Sighting Report, Announces Date of Eid-ul-Fitr in Nigeria  

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His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, has announced the date for Eid al-Fitr in Nigeria.

The Emir, who is the Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, has not reported the sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal, 1447AH, today, Wednesday, the 29th of Ramadan .

This was contained in a statement posted on the Facebook page of the Daular Usmaniyya , signed by the Wazir of Sokoto and Chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee of the Sultan’s Palace, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu.

The statement stated that the Sultan’s Palace Moon Sighting Committee had not received any reliable reports of moon sightings from anywhere in Nigeria. According to this information, Thursday, March 19, will be the day to complete the 30th day of Ramadan.

The Sultan of Sokoto has declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the day of the lesser Sallah, i.e. the 1st of Shawwal 1447AH.

He urged Muslims to use this time of Eid al-Fitr to pray for peace, unity, and sustainable development in Nigeria.

The statement said: “His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, and Chairman, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has received the moon sighting report, which showed that the crescent moon was not sighted today, Wednesday.

“Accordingly, he declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as 1 Shawwal 1447AH (the Day of the Small Prayer). He also congratulated the Nigerian Muslim community on the occasion, and wished them the guidance and blessings of God.”

“He also called for continued prayers for peace, progress, and development of the country . He also wished Muslims a peaceful and prosperous Eid. May Allah (SWT) accept our acts of worship, amen.”

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BREAKING: Nigerian Governor To Build N19.6bn Specialist Hospital, Details Emerge

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Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approves ₦19.6 billion Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola The Adamawa State government says the hospital aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Adamawa State Fintiri explains that the facility will serve as a training center and improve healthcare services in the North-East.

Yola, Adamawa State – Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has approved the construction of a state-of-the-art Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Yola. The proposed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will cost the state ₦19.6 billion, and it’s expected to be completed within 52 weeks. The landmark project is designed to significantly strengthen maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare services across the state.

The project aligns with Governor Fintiri’s commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. The hospital will also improve access to quality healthcare and position Adamawa as a referral hub for specialized medical services in the North-East region.

As reported by Daily Trust, the hospital will be equipped with modern medical technology and specialized units when completed.

The state governor explained that the hospital capable units to handle high-risk pregnancies, neonatal intensive care, pediatric emergencies, and other complex medical cases affecting women and children. Mother and Child Specialist Hospital will also serve as a training and research centre for healthcare professionals.

It will help to strengthen capacity and improve the quality of medical services within the state’s health sector. It will offer other healthcare services like advanced diagnostic and laboratory services, fully equipped operating theatres, intensive care units, emergency response facilities, and modern inpatient wards designed to provide quality care for patients.

Recall that Fintiri’s administration executed over 100 infrastructural, educational, health, and social projects across Adamawa state, transforming both urban centres and rural communities. The administration completed major road networks, flyovers, and township roads, including the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Flyover, Yola, and the Nyibango-Yolde Pate Road in Yola South.

Over 100 new primary health care centres were built, while hospitals such as Numan General Hospital and Specialist Hospital, Yola, underwent comprehensive development and modernisation.

 

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