Tinubu Vows to Secure Nigeria, Declares Unity Non-Negotiable Amid Worsening Insecurity

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to tackle Nigeria’s security crisis and preserve national unity, declaring that the country’s ethnic and religious differences must not be allowed to tear it apart.

President Bola Tinubu has declared that his administration is determined to ensure sustainable security and national unity in Nigeria, even as the country grapples with a wide range of security and socio-economic challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts. He made the remarks on Tuesday at the International Conference on National Security for Socio-economic Development, organised by Jama’atu Izalatil Bidiah wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS Nigeria) in collaboration with the Muslim World League of Saudi Arabia. Barau Jibrin, Deputy Senate President, conveyed Tinubu’s message in Abuja at the conference, which was themed “Diversity and Social Peace: A Partnership for a Promising Future”. The event, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, brought together religious leaders, policymakers, traditional rulers, academics, and other stakeholders to examine the link between peace, security, and socio-economic development. The conference came at a critical time when Nigeria and other countries are battling multifaceted security threats, including the rise of criminal groups that have made incursions into various parts of the country, from the North-East and North-West to the South-West, with attacks reported in Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, and Ogun states.

Jibrin said Tinubu’s administration is working to address Nigeria’s security challenges and ensure that the country remains united. He emphasised the timeliness of the conference, noting that Nigeria is glad the event is being held at this very important period in the life of the entire world. “Mr President is glad to assure the organisers of this very important conference of the federal government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the realisation of sustainable security in our country and, indeed, the entire world,” he said. “This government is working very hard to ensure security in our nation and is also collaborating with other countries in the world to ensure global peace. Against this background, the conference is expected to deliberate on emerging trends that pose threats to our nation, as well as international security systems, and chart the way forward as a contribution to consolidate the government’s efforts to address our national security challenges”. He added that the government is determined to make sure that Nigeria remains united as a country, despite differences, and that the people should talk and remain in this country, allowing it to remain a united nation.

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The President’s call for unity resonated with other speakers at the conference, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, who said Nigeria does not lack solutions to its challenges but needs greater commitment to implement agreed decisions. He urged religious leaders and stakeholders to deepen dialogue, strengthen mutual trust, and identify common ground in addressing the country’s challenges, while calling for stronger Christian-Muslim relations through the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). Similarly, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said Nigeria’s diversity should be regarded as a strength rather than a source of division, and warned political leaders against exploiting religion and ethnicity for temporary political advantage. Yilwatda, speaking from personal experience of communal conflict and displacement, said that when violence comes, it does not discriminate between Christians and Muslims, and urged religious leaders to preach faith without hatred, conviction without contempt, and truth without incitement. The Executive Secretary of NIREC, Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua, also said humanity remains the strongest bond among Nigerians in spite of religious differences, and that religion should promote mercy, compassion and love rather than division.

The conference also heard from Sheikh Abdullahi Lau, National Chairman of JIBWIS, who said the government must sustain efforts to address insecurity while investing in education and economic empowerment for young people, which would reduce their vulnerability to radicalisation and recruitment by criminal groups. He noted that JIBWIS Nigeria and the World Muslim League would provide a forum for regular dialogue between adherents of the two major religions in Nigeria to foster peaceful coexistence. The two-day conference, which runs from Tuesday to Wednesday, is aimed at promoting tolerance, acceptance of diversity, interfaith dialogue and cooperation among religious, ethnic and civil society groups toward building social peace.

The conference comes amid growing calls for more drastic action to address Nigeria’s security crisis. The Northern Elders Forum has demanded that President Tinubu declare a national security emergency, warning that worsening violence, kidnappings, and bandit attacks across the country pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s stability and economic survival. The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre has also called for a comprehensive probe of defence expenditure and security votes, warning that the worsening wave of kidnappings, banditry, and violent attacks has exposed deep flaws in Nigeria’s security architecture, despite the Federal Government’s allocation of N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget—the largest security allocation in the country’s history. President Tinubu has previously outlined several initiatives to address security threats, including the proposed establishment of state police forces to decentralise Nigeria’s policing structure—a reform he has actively championed, with safeguards against abuse. He has also announced plans to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions to reduce response time, strengthen the Forest Guard to pursue criminal gangs in forest reserves, and deepen intelligence gathering. The President has also maintained a firm policy of refusing to negotiate with kidnappers and other criminal groups, declaring “no deal” with criminals who demand ransom or the release of detained gang members. The government has linked part of Nigeria’s security challenges to instability in neighbouring Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic, which has intensified cross-border threats.

Ronaldo Marries Georgina Rodriguez in Intimate Portugal Wedding Ceremony

The Portuguese football icon and his longtime partner have officially tied the knot in a private civil ceremony in Cascais, surrounded by their five children and marking nearly a decade since they first met in Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez are officially husband and wife. The Portuguese football superstar and his longtime partner exchanged vows in a private civil ceremony on August 11, 2026, in the picturesque coastal resort town of Cascais, located approximately 20 miles west of Lisbon, Portugal. The couple, who have been together since 2016, confirmed their marriage with a simple yet heartfelt Instagram post featuring a photograph of their hands adorned with matching wedding bands, captioned with the words “C❤️G.” The post quickly went viral, amassing millions of likes and comments from fans and fellow celebrities within hours.

The ceremony was deliberately kept small and intimate, reflecting the couple’s desire for privacy on their special day. According to sources close to the family, only their five children were in attendance: Cristiano Jr. (16), twins Eva Maria and Mateo (9), Alana Martina (8), and Bella Esmeralda (4). The decision to exclude extended family and friends underscores the couple’s focus on celebrating their union with the most important people in their lives—their children. The wedding date carries sentimental significance, arriving exactly one year after Rodriguez announced their engagement on social media in August 2025. The couple first crossed paths in 2016 when Rodriguez was working as a sales assistant at a Gucci store in Madrid, a chance encounter that would blossom into one of football’s most high-profile relationships.

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The wedding comes at a pivotal moment in Ronaldo’s illustrious career. Just four days after the ceremony, the Al Nassr forward will kick off his 2026-27 Saudi Pro League campaign, continuing his remarkable journey in Saudi Arabian football. At 41 years old, Ronaldo remains one of the most prolific goalscorers in football history, having netted nearly 1,000 career goals across spells with Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr, and the Portugal national team. His trophy cabinet includes five Ballon d’Or awards, five UEFA Champions League titles, and the Euro 2016 championship—Portugal’s first major international trophy. The wedding also follows Ronaldo’s recent appearance at his sixth FIFA World Cup, equaling Argentina captain Lionel Messi’s record for the most appearances in the men’s tournament. Ronaldo has since confirmed that the 2026 World Cup was his final appearance on football’s biggest global stage.

In a candid post-tournament interview, Ronaldo reflected on his international career, expressing both his disappointment at Portugal’s exit and his pride in what he has achieved for his country. “I’m sad to be leaving the World Cup like this,” he said. “I gave it my all. I did my best. It was my last World Cup, yes, but I’ll now have time to reflect and be with my family. I won’t be making any rash decisions. I don’t decide anything in the heat of the moment. Now is not important whether I will continue.” He added: “I played 23 years in the national team and won three titles. Before Cristiano, Portugal had not won anything. The Euros was the most important. For me, 2016 has the same dimension as a World Cup, honestly.”

Ronaldo and Rodriguez’s relationship has been a focal point of public fascination for nearly a decade. The couple has frequently shared glimpses of their lavish yet family-oriented lifestyle on social media, from luxury vacations to quiet moments at home with their children. Rodriguez, a model and influencer, has built her own substantial following, often documenting her journey as a mother and partner to one of the world’s most recognizable athletes. Together, they have cultivated an image of a modern, blended family that transcends borders and cultures, and their wedding marks the latest chapter in a love story that began with a chance meeting in a Madrid department store.