General News
A Speech By His Majesty, Britain’s King, Charles III, during President Bola Tinubu and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s State Visit to the United Kingdom, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
Your Excellency, Mr President, and Distinguished First Lady,
Ekabo. Se Daaa Daa Ni. (Greetings! I hope you are well.)
My wife and I are delighted to welcome you to Windsor Castle here on this occasion. We are most grateful to you for travelling during this holy month, which, I acknowledge, is no small sacrifice, and so it is my particular pleasure to wish you, Mr President, peace, blessings, and an abundance of joy.
During my most recent visit to Nigeria in 2018, when I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time with your highly respected traditional leaders, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Ooni of Ife, Onitsha, Warri, and The Emir of Kano, it was self-evident that while the warmth of the Nigerian welcome remains constant, the country itself is transforming at a remarkable pace. Nigeria hasn’t merely changed. It has arrived. Yours is now a nation of over two hundred and thirty million people, half of whom are under eighteen, with the energy, ingenuity, ambition, and resolve to address the great challenges of our age.
We in the United Kingdom are blessed that so many people of Nigerian heritage, having chosen Britain as their home, are now at the heart of British life through excelling at the highest levels of business, technology, academia, law, science, sport, literature, and the arts, and public service.
I have met so many of these quiet heroes in our schools, businesses, National Health Service, and universities, including countless young people who have flourished through the work of my King’s Trust over the last fifty years. Only last week, I was delighted to host a rather lively group of them for a ‘Jollof and Tea’ Party at St. James’s Palace. I was firmly assured that the Jollof was only the best: Nigerian, of course… or perhaps Ghanaian or Senegalese. Diplomatically, I cannot remember!
But who could have imagined that, when I first visited Nigeria thirty-six years ago today, so many of those I might have met would have gone on to have such an impact in the United Kingdom. From Afrobeats filling our concert halls and Nollywood captivating our screens, to stars competing in our Premier League and adjudicating our highest courts, so much of Britain’s culture is, in truth, profoundly enriched by Nigeria. Whether they are Nigerians who have chosen Britain as their adopted place to invest, trade or study, or Britons who cherish their personal connection to Nigeria, they all represent a living bridge of over half a million people who connect our nations, Mr President, and help make our cultures richer, our shared security stronger, and our economies more prosperous.
We are proud that so many great examples of this living bridge join us this evening.
As the connections between our nations deepen every day, so too do the economic ties. Your visit has provided the opportunity to celebrate the fact that Nigeria is investing in Britain’s future as much as Britain is investing in Nigeria’s – leading Nigerian banks have chosen the City of London as a global base, examples of the best Nigerian companies have listed on London’s Stock Exchange, and UK Export Finance is supporting investment in Nigeria’s ports. In education, British schools and universities are opening their doors in Nigeria, and British and Nigerian technology companies are forming ever closer partnerships. I was pleased to see that visitors from Nigeria spent £178 million in Britain in 2024, and 251,000 people from Britain travelled to Nigeria and spent just as much, in return. In January of this year, Nigeria became the United Kingdom’s biggest export market in Africa and whilst I hear that in Nigeria the phrase ‘Made in UK.’ has always symbolised the highest quality, it evidently now has a distinctively Nigerian flavour…
The friendship between our two countries, Mr President, is a partnership of equals that has brought us both enormous benefits. It has been described to me as a deeply spiritual connection – beyond churches and mosques – a deep bond through which we have strengthened our shared security, ensured our economies are more prosperous, and empowered each other to believe in a more hopeful future.
The many dynamic connections between our two nations have deep roots and yet I do not pretend that those roots are without a shadow. There are chapters in our shared history that I know have left some painful marks. I do not seek to offer words that dissolve the past, for no words can. But I do believe, as I know you believe, Mr President, that history is not merely a record of what was done to us – it is a lesson in how we go forward together to continue building a future rooted in hope and growth for all, and worthy of those who bore the pains of the past.
This afternoon, in another part of the Castle, Mr President, you and I witnessed one such example of how we are learning from one another when we met leaders of the British Christian and Muslim communities. The gathering was a deeply meaningful symbol of what Nigeria has long shown: that people of different faiths can, do, and must live alongside one another, in peace, in harmony and in shared purpose. It was also a timely reminder of the importance of standing with you – and in us strengthening your Quick Reaction Forces, or in providing food, nutrition and protection services in Northern Nigeria – when challenges disturb the age-old balance between these communities.
Your nation, Mr President, is an economic powerhouse, a cultural force and an influential diplomatic voice from a continent that is playing an increasingly important role in the world. In a vastly interconnected global environment, one that is changing at unimaginable speed, that leadership brings responsibility – and opportunity. I heed the Yoruba wisdom – and forgive me if I say it in English… that “rain does not fall on one roof alone”. As you observed so astutely before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in 2024, “if we didn’t have this global alliance… of fifty-six member states, 2.7 billion people and a combined G.D.P. forecast soon to surpass twenty trillion U.S. dollars… there would be a need to create one”. I believe firmly that, when rain clouds gather, we can tighten the grip of friendship between us and, in so doing, reinforce the central role of the Commonwealth in our shared future.
As the world changes, these are lessons we must heed now more than ever. As the Hausa saying goes, “When the music changes, so does the dance”. We can learn from Nigeria, and the best of the UK and Nigeria’s partnership, and harness the advantage that comes from our common languages, our similar legal systems, and the web of cultural ties and spiritual connections that provide such deep trust between us, and look to the future and learn new dance steps, together.
Mr President, you have spoken, in particular, of the importance of expanding intra- Commonwealth trade by creating shared standards, regulatory and digital alignment, and removing barriers that deter investment – as the U.K. and Nigeria’s Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership is just such an example – so that our economies can grow, in harmony with Nature, and create the millions of jobs our citizens need. So as we look towards C.H.O.G.M this year, I hope far from being past its time we can demonstrate that the Commonwealth’s time has come, as you so rightly said. In achieving that, my wife and I will gain strength from seeing Nigeria take her rightful place at the heart of the Commonwealth and to standing alongside you as a friend, who believes the future is best when built together. As the Igbo say, “Knowledge is never complete two heads are better than one”.
So as I close, Mr President, in anticipation of Eid El-Fitr in Nigeria and across the world, I can only wish you and the millions of Muslims in our countries, Eid Mubarak.
And, in doing so, let me propose a toast,
To the President and people of Nigeria –
“Naija No Dey Carry Last!” (Nigerians Never Come Last)
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, said his administration has concluded arrangement to shifting its focus toward industrial waste recycling to achieve a more sustainable and consistently clean capital city.
Wike revealed this during an inspection tour of various infrastructure projects in Abuja.
The FCT Minister argued that the current culture of monthly environmental sanitation is insufficient for the long-term needs of a modern city.
He added that the traditional Monthly Sanitation only provides a temporary facelift, it does not solve the root problem of waste accumulation.
”If you do it on a Saturday, that Saturday is clean.
“But for me, that is not a very major issue. Having a dump site is not enough for you to say that the problem is solved.”
He emphasized that true waste management is an industrial necessity rather than just a routine business task.
According to the Minister, the goal is to transition from merely collecting refuse to processing it through modern technnologies.
The Minister disclosed that the FCTA is looking to move beyond the use of landfills and dump sites by establishing specialized factories.
The vision is to turn Abuja’s waste into a resource by creating new products, aligning with global best practices.
The FCTA is already receiving and reviewing offers from experts who have successfully implemented these systems in other global cities.
In addition to waste management, the Minister provided updates on critical infrastructure projects slated for inauguration during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third year in office.
Wike expressed high satisfaction with the Judges’ residences, describing the work by Gilmor as “beautiful” and “99% ready.”
He also inspected the N5 road project, which is 100% complete, and the Court of Appeal (Abuja Division).
While the Court of Appeal is 90% complete, the Minister was candid about his expectations for quality, ordering the contractor to correct several “errors” before the official commissioning.
Addressing recent criticisms regarding the executive’s role in building judicial residences, Wike dismissed claims that such projects erode judicial independence.
He pointed out the irony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) criticizing government-funded infrastructure while simultaneously accepting government sponsorship for their own activities and conferences.
”The mere fact that the executive constructs does not mean that that will lead to interference in the judiciary,” Wike stated, reaffirming that providing comfortable housing allows judges to stay focused on their work without compromise.
The Minister concluded by reiterating that the FCTA remains undeterred and focused on fulfilling its promises to the residents of Abuja through both physical infrastructure and innovative environmental solutions.
××××× Dedicates Award To FCT Residents
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has expressed profound gratitude following her recognition as the Minister of State of the Year at the 6th Edition of the Accolade Yellow Ball and Awards held at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Speaking while receiving the award as Guest of Honour at the prestigious event, Mahmoud described the honour as a reflection of the collective commitment and hard work of the entire Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the leadership of the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
The Minister noted that the recognition would further inspire her to continue contributing meaningfully to the development and transformation of the Federal Capital Territory in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She emphasized that leadership remains fundamentally about service, commitment, compassion, and creating opportunities that positively impact citizens.
Mahmoud dedicated the award to the resilient people of the FCT, particularly women, youths, and community leaders whose support and partnership continue to strengthen the administration’s resolve to deliver impactful governance.
According to her, the confidence reposed in the administration serves as a motivating force behind every policy and initiative being pursued.
She also commended the organizers of the Accolade Yellow Ball and Awards for sustaining a platform that promotes excellence, integrity, innovation, and outstanding public service, stressing that recognizing hard work and dedication is vital to building a culture of accountability and national progress.
The Minister further called on Nigerians to remain united and committed to nation-building, peace, and sustainable development, especially as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections.
She expressed optimism that through collective effort and patriotism, Abuja and Nigeria would continue to grow into places future generations would be proud of.
By Philip Nyam
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Oluwaseun Faleye, has underscored the role of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) in restoring hope and dignity to Nigerian workers who suffer injuries in the line of duty.
He made the remarks in Abuja during the presentation of prosthetic limbs to 10 beneficiaries of the scheme.
Represented by the General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mrs. Nkiru Ogunnike, the MD said the initiative continues to put smiles on the faces of injured workers by supporting their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
According to him, the ECS goes beyond statutory compensation, reflecting a humane commitment to restoring confidence and preserving the dignity of workers affected by occupational hazards.
He noted that workplace accidents often result not only in physical injuries but also emotional trauma and uncertainty about the future.
Faleye explained that for many Nigerian workers, a single workplace incident can permanently alter the course of their lives.
He however said the intervention of the NSITF through the ECS provides a second chance for victims to rebuild their lives and regain independence.
Highlighting specific cases, he cited the experiences of two beneficiaries, Daniel Etim, a staff of University of Uyo Printing Press and Festus Opkara of Tower Aluminium Laos, as evidence of the scheme’s impact.
Daniel lost his arm in May 2024 after it was trapped in an industrial machine during a routine workday, an injury which led to amputation.
“However, through the intervention of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund as administrators of the ECS, Daniel received medical support, with his treatment expenses fully covered under the Scheme.
“Beyond the payment of medical bills, the Fund extended further rehabilitative support by providing him with a prosthetic arm, reaffirming its commitment not only to compensation but also to restoring dignity, confidence, and functionality to injured workers.
“Daniel’s story underscores the broader mandate of the Employee Compensation Scheme, a social protection mechanism designed to ensure that Nigerian workers who suffer workplace injuries, disabilities, occupational diseases, or death are not abandoned in moments of vulnerability,” the NSITF MD explained.
“Similar to Daniel’s is the story of Festus, whose workplace accident dates back to 2015. Having lost his hand in a workplace incident, Festus lived for years with the emotional burden that accompanied his physical condition.
“Beyond the trauma of the accident itself was the constant public attention, the quizzical looks, and the pitying stares that made social interactions difficult,” he stated, adding that “NSITF provided Festus with a silicone prosthetic hand, helping him regain not only physical confidence but also a renewed sense of inclusion and self-worth”.
Highlighting the significance of the ECS, the MD restated that “For beneficiaries like Daniel and Festus, the interventions of the NSITF have become more than institutional obligations; they represent hope, restoration, and reassurance that injured workers are not left to navigate tragedy alone”.
To the MD, these examples speak to a frequently overlooked dimension of workplace injuries: the psychological and emotional scars that persist long after physical wounds may have healed.
“These interventions highlight the critical role of the NSITF in implementing the Employee Compensation Scheme, which continues to serve as a vital safety net for Nigerian workers in both the public and private sectors”, he concluded.
While reflecting on how his life was transformed, one of the beneficiaries, Festus Okpara enthused: ‘I thank NSITF for coming all this way to help. At least with this (a silicone artificial hand), I can go out in public and feel free. NSITF has reduced the level of trauma'”.
It would be recalled that the ten beneficiaries were among the 78 who recently got fitted with artificial limbs in the ongoing rehabilitation and reintegration program of the NSITF.”
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