FRIDAY 29TH AUGUST 2025

Gov Mbah Revamps, Upgrades Nigergas after 30-year Dormancy

Gideon Arinze

Enugu Governor of Enugu State, Dr.

Peter Mbah, on Thursday, unveiled Nigergas Company Limited, revamped and up-

graded by his administration after over three decades of dormancy.

Uduji: Mbah, Nehemiah of our time, rebuilding broken walls

Mbah said Nigergas had so far created direct employment for over 100 skilled and semiskilled workers, and would further create over 5,000 indirect jobs across distribution, fabrica- Continued on page 10 tion, transport and supplies

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Continued on page 10

NEC Moves to Fast-track $1trn Economy, Endorses Renewed Hope Five-Year Economic Plan

National Economic Council (NEC) at its monthly meet- ing, yesterday, endorsed the framework for the five-year Renewed Hope Development Plan, from 2026 to 2030.

The plan aims to consolidate Nigeria’s reform agenda and actualise the $1 trillion economy target of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The endorsement was the highpoint of the resolutions reached at the 151st meeting of the council.

NEC commended the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for kick-starting the process for actualisation of the $1 trillion economy. It urged effective

Continued on page 10

in

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Chuks Okocha and Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

nounced

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori (11th left); CBN Governor, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso (9th right); ES/CEO, Nigerian Investment Promoter, Ms. Aisha Rimi; Executive Director, Kaduna Consulting, Mr. Roberto Giannetti; and the Brazil business community at São Paulo, Brazil on Thursday

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING...

Dangote Group, Ethiopia Strike Deal to Build

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Dangote Group and Ethiopia government yesterday signed an agreement to build a $2.5 billion fertiliser manufacturing plant in the North-eastern African country, part of Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote’s efforts to end the continent’s fertiliser imports.

To be located in Gode town in Ethiopia’s South-east, the plant will produce 3 million metric tons of fertiliser per year. The deal was signed by stateowned Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) on behalf of the government.

With the agreement, Ethiopia will have a 40 per cent stake in the venture while the Dangote Group will own 60 per cent, EIH Chief Executive, Brook Taye, said at the signing ceremony in Addis Ababa.

EIH, the strategic investment arm of the Government of Ethiopia, in a statement seen by THISDAY, said the signing of

the comprehensive shareholders’ agreement will involve the development, construction, and operation of the world-class urea fertiliser production complex.

“Under the partnership structure, EIH will hold a 40 per cent equity stake while Dangote Group will maintain 60 per cent ownership of the transformative project that represents one of the largest industrial invest- ments in Ethiopian history,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the ambitious project will establish one of the world’s largest single-site urea fertiliser production complexes, with production facilities boasting a combined capacity of up to 3 million metric tons per annum.

This capacity, it said, positions the Gode facility among the top five largest urea production complexes globally, while the two entities will jointly finance, own, construct, and operate the state-of-the-art urea plants and associated infrastructure.

The comprehensive develop- ment, EIH stressed, includes a pipeline to transport natural gas from a gas processing facility in Calub and Hilala gas fields and outlines potential expansions, upgrades, and new initiatives in the production of ammoniabased fertilisers, including ammonium nitrate, ammonium

sulfate, and calcium ammonium nitrate, further strengthening Ethiopia’s position as a regional hub for fertiliser production.

“The Project Development Costs are estimated not to exceed $2.5 billion, with completion targeted within 40 months from commencement. This substantial investment

underscores the commitment of both entities to transforming Ethiopia’s agricultural sector and enhancing food security across the region,” the statement added.

The project is expected to significantly reduce Ethiopia’s dependence on fertiliser imports while creating thousands of

direct and indirect employment opportunities in the Somali Regional State and beyond.

Commenting on the deal, Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, described it as a pivotal moment, explaining that it is part of a shared vision to ensure food security across the African continent.

Oye Cautions on Abrupt Banning of Shea Nuts’ Export, Canvasses Phased Transition Period

Dike Onwuamaeze

Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics (AERE) has cautioned that the ban on export of shea nuts by the federal government without adequate transition and sector-wide consultation would undermine investors’ ongoing commitments, investment plans, and livelihoods.

Affirms

Chairman of AERE, Hon. Dele Kelvin Oye, gave the caution yesterday in a press release titled “Urgent Call for Clarification on Nigeria’s Shea Nut Export Ban.”

AERE’s caution followed President Bola Tinubu’s approval on Tuesday of temporary ban on export of shea butter for six months in a bid to transform Nigeria from an exporter of raw shea nut to a global supplier of refined shea butter, oil and

other derivatives.

Oye said, “While we recognise and commend the administration’s commitment to value addition, we caution that immediate policy reversals without adequate transition and sector-wide consultation risk undermining ongoing commitments, investment plans, and the livelihoods of many members of AERE’s trade networks.”

He drew government’s at-

tention to the potential risks of poor implementation of a good policy and requested clarification and direction from Tinubu in order to ensure that his good policies were not poorly executed.

According to Oye, the first step would be a clear communication strategy that would inform stakeholders on how the policy would help them and how they can take advantage of it.

James Emejo

Japan Credit Rating Agency Limited (JCR) yesterday affirmed the African ExportImport Bank (Afreximbank)’s A- issuer credit rating with a stable outlook.

The rating reflects JCR’s assessment of the bank’s strong strategic positioning, robust risk management framework, consistent profitability, prudent liquidity policies, and resilient capital base.

JCR also noted the bank’s

important role in supporting trade finance and economic development across Africa and the Caribbean.

The rating agency stated that it expected Afreximbank’s rating to remain stable over the next 12 to 18 months, despite external macroeconomic challenges and potential pressures in its operating environment. Reacting to the announce- ment, Afreximbank’s Senior Executive Vice President, Mr. Denys Denya, said the

affirmation reinforced the bank’s credibility in global markets and highlights its systemic importance to Africa.

In a statement, Denya said, “JCR’s rating underscores our strong fundamentals and prudent risk management practices. It strengthens our ability to diversify our funding sources, including tapping into Japan’s capital markets, to further advance our mandate of promoting and financing intra- and extra-African trade.”

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the prompt release of funds for constituency projects across the country, saying the initiative has empowered lawmakers to deliver tangible development to their people.

A statement by his media aide, Jackson Udom, yesterday, explained that Akpabio

stated this at an event where he was represented by his wife, Dr. Unoma Godswill Akpabio.

The statement explained that the occasion which happened in Akwa Ibom State witnessed a series of commissioning ceremonies in Ikono and Oruk Anam local government areas of the state.

Akpabio said the President’s swift action

Funding

has resulted in projects that are already making a visible impact in various communities.

“On behalf of the good people of Akwa Ibom NorthWest Senatorial District, I thank President Tinubu for making it possible for our lawmakers to come back home with tangible projects which is why we are gathered here today,” Akpabio stated.

L-R: Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu; Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo; and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, during the National Executive Council Meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

in Abuja

ANNIVERSARY GOLF KITTY FOR HIS GRACE, ALFRED ADEWALE MARTINS...

L-R: Mr. Fubara Anga SAN; Paul Ijasan, Cathedral Administrator; Dame Sena Anthony; Sir Peter Okene, MD Gastocks Limited; His Grace Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos; Hon. Justice Daisy Okocha (Rtd.); Msgr. John Aniagwu, Vicar General of Lagos Archdiocese; and Rev. Fr. Michael Olofinlade of Ekiti Diocese during the Anniversary Golf Kitty for His Grace Alfred Adewale Martins, organised by the Catholic Golfers Association, Nigeria at the Ikoyi Club 1938, Golf Section, Lagos, yesterday

Ojulari Pledges Renewed Transparency in NNPC, Says Oil Company Under Attack

NEITI

tasks national oil firm on public

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Bayo Ojulari, yester- day pledged to run the national oil company transparently, stressing in a separate event that the NNPC was under attack from persons who do not wish the country well.

Speaking in Abuja when the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Ogbonnaya Orji, visited him in his office, Ojulari, who was reacting to a request by the NEITI chief executive for more public disclosure, noted that under him, the release of operational documents which had hitherto been halted, had

disclosures

been resumed.

PENGASSAN says crude oil theft has significantly reduced

Specifically, he noted that the release of the NNPC monthly report has now resumed, and was improving every month to ensure that internal processes work more to ensure that information provided is more accurate.

“So I will assure you that you’ll see heightened proactive- ness from us to ensure that

we take clear note of the areas and the additional resources and we will domicile in these areas,” the GCEO added.

Ojulari promised that under him, the NNPC will work for Nigeria and sought the support of NEITI in the national oil company’s drive for more openness in its operations.

“Whatever we do is in the best interest of Nigeria.

Access Holdings Appoints Innocent Ike Group CEO, Commends Agbede’s Leadership in Transition

Nume Ekeghe

Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Innocent Ike as its substantive Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, effective Today, August 29, 2025, following regulatory approval.

Mr. Ike succeeds Ms. Bolaji Agbede, who has led the organisation as Acting Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer for the past 18 months.

Agbede, will return to her role as Executive Director, Business Support, and play a crucial role in ensuring a

smooth transition following the passing of the former Group CEO, Herbert Wigwe.

In a statement signed by the Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, the board noted Agbede’s tenure was marked by notable achievements, including the successful execution of the Company’s N351 billion rights issue, seamless hosting of two Annual General Meetings, and maintaining workforce stability.

The statement added that her leadership strengthened Access Holdings’ competitive position in the industry and provided the solid foundation for the next phase of growth.

It states: Access Holdings

today announces the appoint- ment of Mr. Innocent Ike as the substantive Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective August 29, 2025, following the receipt of regulatory approval.

“Mr. Ike will succeed Ms. Bolaji Agbede, who has served as the Company’s Acting Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer for the past 18 months and has played a vital role in driving the Company’s performance.

“Due to regulatory stipulations on the required years of experience for a Financial Holding Company’s Managing Director, Ms. Agbede will revert

Minister Bosun Tijani Listed Among 2025 TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Persons on AI

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

The TIME Magazine has named Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, among its list of 100 most influential persons in Artificial Intelligence (AI). This was contained in a press statement signed

and issued on Thursday by Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the minister, Mr. Isime Esene.

According to the state- ment, “TIME has named Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, to the 2025 TIME100 AI, a list recognising the 100 most influential people in Artificial

Intelligence (AI).

“To assemble the list, TIME’s editors and reporters examined the key stories in AI over the past year and consulted with expert sources and industry leaders for recommendations.

“The result is a list of 100 leaders, innovators, shapers, and thinkers who have a stake in the future of AI.

to her substantive role as the Company’s Executive Director, Business Support.

“During Ms. Agbede’s tenure, Access Holdco achieved significant milestones, including ensuring workforce stability and seamless transition following the demise of the former Group Chief Executive Officer; successful execution of the Company’s N351 billion Rights Issue and seamless hosting of two Annual General Meetings of the Company.

That’s our aspiration. So it’s quite impressive to see how Nigeria has supported NNPC in building that credibility… We’ll be looking for your guidance as we deepen that commitment,” he added.

While mentioning a number of gas projects that are currently ongoing, Ojulari committed to driving the needed trans- formation at the NNPC in partnership with all the other operators to raise the country’s oil and gas production profile.

“As we go through these changes, I would like to end by saying that we know that major transformations cannot be achieved without resistance. We are aware of that. We are determined to pursue this transformation. We are determined to work with all the key stakeholders to manage the resistance.

“But we are not deterred because for us, based on our experiences, based on the trust that the president has put on us as professionals, we know how to do this. We can see the light and the path to achieving it,” he said.

Earlier, Orji tasked the NNPC on the publication of its audited financial statements (consolidated and subsidiary level); monthly financial and operations reports; monthly crude oil and gas production and sales data; annual statistical bulletins with comprehensive sector data and FAAC statements of oil and gas revenues to the Federation

“These disclosures earned NNPC global recognition as a bold reform leader and strengthened investor confidence. However, while production data and audited accounts are still disclosed, several other critical publica- tions have become irregular, delayed, or discontinued, creating gaps in time-series data and reducing accessibility.

“On behalf of the global EITI and NEITI, we respectfully urge NNPC Limited to restore and sustain all discontinued disclosures on its platforms. This will not only reinforce Nigeria’s leadership in transpar- ency but also secure a stronger outcome in the upcoming EITI Validation,” he added.

NIS Announces Upward Review of Passport Application Fees

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced upward review of passport application fees.

The cost of obtaining a 32page passport with a 5-year validity has been raised from N50,000 to N100,000. Also, the 64-page passport with a 10-year validity will now cost N200,000, up from the previous N100,000.

A statement signed by the Service Public Relations officer (ACI) AS Akinlabi,

said the new rates will officially take effect from September 1, 2025.

The statement read: “In a bid to uphold the quality and integrity of the Nigerian Passport, the Nigeria Immigration Service hereby announces an upward review of Nigerian Standard Passport fees, set to take effect on 1st September, 2025.

“The review which only affect Passport Application fees made in Nigeria, now set new fee thresholds for 32-page with 5-year validity

at N100,000 and 64-page with 10-year validity at N200,000.

“Meanwhile, Nigerian Passport Application fees made by Nigerians in diaspora remain unchanged at $150 for 32-page with 5-year validity and $230 for 64-page with 10-year validity.

“The Service reiterates its commitment to balancing quality service delivery with the need to ensure Passport services are accessible to all Nigerians.”

Chinedu Eze

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Tinubu: My Global Shuttles Aimed at Growth, Job Creation, Nation’s Prosperity

Says Nigeria advanced partnerships in trade, agriculture, aviation, finance in Brazil

In Japan, he’s confident deepened ties will bring new investments in industry, technology, human capital

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, justified his frequent trips overseas, assuring Nigerians that all his diplomatic engagements with foreign nations were driven by urgent need to secure oppor- tunities that stimulate economic growth, generate employment, and promote lasting prosperity for the Nigerian people.

In a message on his verified X handle, @PBAT, shortly after returning to Abuja from engagements in Japan and Brazil, the president said he remained fully committed to the mandate Nigerians gave him in 2023, the mission of restoring Nigeria’s pride and dignity on the global stage.

He stated that during his visit to Japan for TICAD9, the delegation he led strengthened relationships that were set to attract new investments in industry, technology, and human capital development.

President Tinubu further revealed that in Brazil, the Nigerian government advanced partnerships in trade, agriculture, aviation, and finance, while also engaging with business leaders to strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s economy.

His words: “It feels good to be back home in Nigeria after our recent engagements in Japan

and Brazil.

“In 2023, you entrusted me with the responsibility of restoring our pride and dignity on the global stage, and I remain fully committed to that mission.

“Every handshake, every agreement, and every meeting is guided by one goal: to secure opportunities that translate into growth, jobs, and prosperity for

Nigerians.

“In Japan, we deepened ties that will bring new investments in industry, technology, and human capital. In Brazil, we advanced partnerships in trade, agriculture, aviation, and finance, while also engaging with our own business leaders to strengthen confidence in our Tinubueconomy.”stressed that his

administration was determined to build a Nigeria that would be confident abroad and resilient at home, and anchored on reforms that would endure beyond the present leadership.

He vowed that his government would continue to create value for every citizen while noting that Diaspora Nigerians also remained central to his admin-

istration’s agenda. His words: “This is the new Nigeria we are building together, a Nigeria built on sustainable reforms that will outlast us rather than one built on rhetoric.

“A Nigeria that is confident abroad, resilient at home, and determined to create value for every citizen, at home and in the diaspora.

INC Decries Double Standard in Nigeria’s Solid Minerals, Crude Oil Laws

Insists 3% for host communities too low

Emmanuel Addeh in

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has raised concerns over what it described as two different kinds of laws guiding the sharing of proceeds from crude oil production in the Niger Delta and solid minerals in the North.

The apex Ijaw elders

organisation made this public in Abuja at the 10th anniversary lecture of Gbaramatu Voice, themed: “Gaps and Silences in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Economy: Appraisal of Resources Control, Security and Media Dynamics.”

Speaking at the event, the President of INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba noted that

FG Inaugurates 21-man Advisory Team to End Building Collapse, Quackery, Others

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development yesterday set up a 21-man National Building Code Advisory Committee (NBCAC), in its bid to end the several challenges in the sector, including incessant cases of building collapse and quackery.

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, the Minister of State, Housing and Urban Develop- ment, Yusuf Ata, stressed that by setting up the body, the government was demonstrating its determination to ensure that every Nigerian home, office,

school, hospital, and place of assembly is built to specifications that guarantee safety, durability, and sustainability.

The National Building Code sets minimum standards on pre-design, design, construction, and post-construction stages, thereby ensuring quality, safety, and proficiency in the building industry.

After years of inactivity, Ata stated that the ministry was reconstituting the important Committee that is very critical to fixing and arresting the ‘embarrassing’ problem of building collapse and other current issues

besetting the sector.

He said: “The need to evolve a National Building Code arose from the following existing conditions of our cities and environment: The absence of planning of our towns and cities; incessant and collapse of buildings, fire infernos, built environment abuse and other disasters.

“(Also) the dearth of referenced design standards for professionals; use of nonprofessionals and quacks; use of untested products and materi- als and lack of maintenance culture.”

it was serious injustice for communities in the North to be allowed to extract their resources, while the government continues to give handouts to the people of the Niger Delta.

In Nigeria, the treatment of solid mineral exploitation in the North compared to crude oil exploitation in the Niger Delta has long been a source of perceived injustice and grievance. The discrepancies lie mainly in

how revenues, ownership rights, and community benefits are handled under existing laws and policies.

For solid minerals, the practice has been largely informal and weakly regulated, with communities and state governments in the North often directly benefiting from mining activities, sometimes through artisanal mining, royalties, or local taxes.

It is believed that federal oversight exists on paper, but

enforcement has been lax, allowing local actors significant leeway in controlling or profiting from resources in their environment.

In contrast, crude oil in the Niger Delta is governed by strict federal laws, including the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and earlier petroleum decrees, which vest exclusive ownership and control of oil and gas resources in the federal government, thereby creating a sharp contradiction.

Canada Commits $15.75m to Empower Nigerian Women Through ActionAid’s Renewed Leadership Project

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Government of Canada has pledged to support the second phase of the Women’s Voice and Leadership Nigeria (WVL-N) Project implemented by ActionAid Nigeria with 15.75 million Canadian dollars, This five-year initiative is designed to strengthen

women’s rights organisations, promote gender equality, and combat gender-based violence across Nigeria.

ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, revealed this on Thursday while highlighting the project’s objectives, stressing its ambitious outreach. He said: “In the next five years, hold us accountable.

We plan to reach 2.7 million women indirectly and 350,000 directly through the support of 188 women-led organisations working at community, local government, and state levels.”

He explained that while the project will focus on eight states, other innovation funds will cover nationwide interventions:

Chairman, Sahara Group, Mr. Kola Adesina (L), and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the president’s state visit to Brazil… recently

Abuja

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

AfDB Invests $55bn in Trade Infrastructure as FG Seeks to Deepen Trade Ties with Benin, Cameroun

James Emejo in Abuja

Director General, Nigeria Department Office, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Abdul Kamara, yesterday said the bank had invested $55 billion trade-enabling infrastructure in the continent.

Kamara said the bank had also continued to support programmes and initiatives that enhanced the meaningful participation of women and young people in the African market, thus, ensuring an inclusive continental market.

The disclosure came on a day Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry,

participation by all states and stakeholders to ensure inclusivity and accelerated growth.

The NEC meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was held at Council Chambers, State House, Abuja.

The council also asked the Accountant General of the Federation to accelerate the release of funds for the next round of the national polio immunisation campaign to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

In his remarks, Shettima, who is the NEC chairman, said the new national development plan will build on existing policies,

federal government’s aspiration of adding $100 billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through its largely unexplored creative economy potential by 2030.

Specifically, the federal government said it aims to grow the contribution of arts, culture, tourism, and the creative economy to the GDP in the next five years, with a target of over 3 million jobs.

In a communiqué signed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, after a meeting late Wednesday in Abuja, the governors pledged full support for the federal initiative, describing it as vital to enhancing the growth of Nigeria’s creative economy and tourism sectors.

The governors outlined key initiatives, including the $200 million Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF), the $1 billion Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation, and landmark projects such as the Lagos Arena, Abuja Creative City, and Renewed Hope Cultural Villages as critical to the realisation of these goals.

The communiqué, read by the Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, noted that the presentation was received from the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, represented by Mr. Obi Asika, Director General of the National Council for Arts

Trade and Investment, Mr. Nura Rimi, said the federal government remained committed to scaling up intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), particularly the full and beneficial implementation of the agreement.

Both spoke at the opening of a technical workshop on trilateral trade cooperation among Nigeria, Benin, and Cameroun in Abuja.

Rimi said trade cooperation had become essential at a time when the global trade architecture is being tested.

Represented by Director,

deepen continuity, and align Nigeria’s growth trajectory with the long-term goals of Nigeria Agenda 2050.

He described the transition as critical to sustaining the country’s economic trajectory and consolidating the admin- istration’s ongoing reforms.

The vice president stated, “Another major consideration today is the expiration of the National Development Plan 2021–2025 and the preparation of its successor, the Renewed Hope Plan 2026–2030.

“This, to us, is no ordinary transition. It is the bridge

and Culture.

“The forum received a presentation from the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, represented by Mr. Obi Asika, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture. The roadmap targets a GDP contribution of $100 billion by 2030 and the creation of over three million jobs.

“Other key initiatives include the $200 million Creative Economy Development Fund, the $1 billion Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation, and projects such as the Lagos Arena, Abuja Creative City, and Renewed Hope Cultural Villages,” part of the communiqué noted.

The 36 governors commended the reforms to strengthen intellectual property, expand tourism, and elevate Nigeria’s global presence, resolving to collaborate through state creative economy desks, co-created festivals, and adoption of the ‘Naija Season’ platform.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the establishment of the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The corporation is expected to drive investments, unlock the industry’s potential, and position Nigeria’s creative and tourism sectors for global competitiveness.

The federal government

Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mohammed Abbas, the permanent secretary stated that trade among the three countries presented a unique and strategic pathway to shared prosperity, referencing the close and familial relationships Benin Republic and Cameroun.

Rimi said the workshop was convened to jointly reflect on opportunities to deepen and refine trading mechanisms among the West African neighbours, and ar- rive at concrete, decisive, and transformational initiatives that will attract significant

between lessons learnt and ambitions pursued. The Renewed Hope Plan will consolidate ongoing reforms, deepen policy continuity, and align our medium-term strate- gies with the long-term horizon of Nigeria Agenda 2050. It’s a practical roadmap towards a $1 trillion economy by 2030.”

Shettima emphasised that the plan will be participatory rather than top-down, engaging multiple tiers of government, civil society, and private actors.

According to him, “What is even more crucial is that this plan will not be drawn from

emphasised that Nigeria’s abundant creative talents, combined with technology, art, culture, and tourism, would serve as powerful tools for economic growth and global influence.

Besides, the forum commiserated with the Kogi state Governor, Usman Ododo, over the passing of his father, Pa Ahmed Ododo, who died at 83. A minute of silence was observed in his honour.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr.

enabling investments.

He said, “These initiatives should build upon our experiences trading with each other. Importantly, we should be guided by a vision of deeper and more efficient cooperation, for the benefit of all our peoples.

“The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Invest- ment is rest assured that we will continue to collaborate extensively, as Nigeria spearheads this initiative on intra-regional trade.”

In his remarks, Kamara said the workshop was convened at a critical moment in the continent’s

the ivory towers of Abuja alone. It will be participatory. We are going to keep on engaging state governments, local governments, organised private sector, civil society, labour, youth, and tra- ditional institutions, and the conversation begins here today.”

Shettima also announced that National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) had scaled up local production of solar-powered irrigation pumps to reduce energy costs for farmers and expand dry-season cultivation.

economic integration, and it aligned with the continental priorities of deepening trade integration, accelerating the development of tradeenabling infrastructure, and policy convergence.

He commended Nigeria and Benin for the progress achieved in their ongoing trade negotiations.

Represented by Regional Integration Coordinator, Nigeria, AfDB, Ometere Omoluabi-Davies, Kamara stated that these efforts were expected to enhance economic cooperation and boost trade volumes between the two countries under the ECOWAS

to petrol-powered systems. This is an intervention to lower farmers’ energy costs, expand dry-season farming, and reinforce food security,” the vice president stated.

On the role of NEC as a problem-solving platform, Shettima urged members to maintain the council’s focus on translating policies into real outcomes for citizens.

Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and intra-regional trade flows.

The bank also hailed Benin for its leadership in regional integration.

the issue, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State told newsmen after the NEC meeting that Nigeria was recording notable gains in its renewed push against the polio virus. But Yahaya said the persistence of a vaccine-derived variant in the North-west continued to be of concern.

He said, “Distinguished col- leagues, you have made sure that this council is not a stage for applause. You are the reason it is a workshop for solutions. Let this 151st meeting echo as a continuation of our covenant.

Bosun Tijani, has disclosed that Nigeria’s digital economy will contribute 21 per cent to GDP by 2030, from the current 14.19 perThecent.minister who was was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Com- munications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu, made the disclosure in Abuja yesterday during the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill stakeholders’

“This is the story of the nation’s refusal to be hostage chain.

He stressed that the revival of Nigergas company, which was established in 1962 as part of Dr. Michael Okpara’s vision after decades of abandonment, was another proof of his ad- ministration’s commitment to reviving state-owned moribund assets and grow Enugu State’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn.

The governor stated, “What we have revived and unveiled today is not simply metal and a network of pipes; it is the restoration of purpose, dignity and productivity to a site that once symbolised Eastern Nigeria’s industrial promise.

“When we speak of the goal to grow our GDP from $4.4bn to $30bn, it is not mere posturing. It is rooted in the conviction that Enugu can become a truly diversified, self-reliant economy,

if we muster the will to do things differently to launch us to the future we dream of.”

On Nigergas’ rehabilitation model, capacity, and expansion plan, Mbah said, “We approved a full rehabilitation scheme and a management model that blends public ownership with private-sector performance discipline.

“The intention was clear: retain public ownership, but run the facility on modern, accountable, commercially viable lines.

“So, today, Nigergas returns to production with modernised equipment and clear technical specifications designed to meet immediate healthcare and industry needs.

“The plant’s installed capacity has been upgraded to produce significant volumes of medical

“Let it be remembered not only for the issues tabled but for the resolve shown. Let it move from chamber to community, from rhetoric to result.”

On preparations for the next round of the national immunisation campaign, NEC called on the Accountant General of the Federation to expedite the release of funds to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

The council also urged partners to leverage technology to strengthen surveillance and tracking systems in Nigeria’s routine immunisation programme.Throwing more light on

and industrial gases, ensuring steady local supply and reduc- ing dependence on distant, expensive suppliers.

“Crucially, the plant will supply liquid oxygen, medical and industrial oxygen, and acetylene gas to our hospitals, welders, agro-processors and manufacturers, improving clinical outcomes and reducing production costs for businesses that are the backbone of local livelihoods.

“The new plant has a capacity to produce 100 cubic metres of oxygen per hour; and 45 cubic metres of acetylene per hour.

“We will soon bring on stream these additional products: nitrogen; argon gas; carbon dioxide; and CNG stations.”

Mbah maintained that Nigergas’ revival would guarantee access to reliable medical

He stressed that recent interventions were already yielding results, recalling that the National Committee on Polio Eradication, inaugurated in December 2023, had since held several sessions to review progress and fine-tune strategies. He disclosed that while Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus in 2020, the fight had shifted to containing a circulating variant, concentrated mainly in Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. The Gombe State Governor said, “As of the 33rd epidemio- logical week in 2024, Nigeria recorded 78 cases. That figure has now dropped to 42, showing a clear downward trend.” He said Kano and Katsina recorded remarkable reductions of 65 per cent and 84 per cent, respectively, while Gombe had maintained a clean slate since

Continued on page 36

oxygen, and save lives, as well as provide on-demand industrial gases to lower operating costs, speed up turnaround, and keep workshops and factories turning.

“These improvements ripple outward: increased industrial activity strengthens our revenue base, and deepens opportunities for MSMEs,” he said.

He commended Managing Director of Enugu State Investment Authority, and the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo; the engineering firm, Ten Gas Development Ltd (a division of INDEV GROUP; and the community leaders of Emene for their roles in resurrecting Nigergas.

Dr. Abdul Kamara

DSS Charges Nine over Benue, Plateau Massacres

Alex Enumah in abuja

The Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday, filed charges against nine defendants allegedly linked to the recent deadly attacks on Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, as well as in parts of Plateau State.

According to the charge filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the defendants appeared to have been arrested across ethnic and religious lines.

No fewer than 40 persons were reportedly killed with many others injured, and hundreds displaced in both states.

President Bola Tinubu, while condemning the dastardly acts, ordered security agents to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

In the charge sheet, one Haruna Adamu and Muhammad Abdullahi of Awe LGA of Nasarawa state, and others still at large, were alleged to have on

June 13, 2025, carried out attacks against the people of Abinsi and Yelwata villages.

The offence, the DSS said, is contrary to and punishable under Section 12 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

The two accused persons were said to have conspired with Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Asara Ahnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba and Pyeure Damina and others still at large to carry out the attacks on Yelwata.

Shettima, Edun, Cardoso Urge Shift to Risk Culture for Economic Resilience

Nume Ekeghe and Kayode Tokede

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso, and President of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), Kevin Ugwuoke, have called for a national shift towards embedding risk

management as a way of life, insisting it must serve as the anchor for Nigeria’s economic resilience in the face of global volatility.

Speaking yesterday in Lagos at the 24th Annual International Conference of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), where local and international stakeholders gathered under the theme “Global Risks, Local Solutions,”

Shettima cautioned that the threats confronting Nigeria were neither remote nor abstract but immediate— spanning climate change, cybersecurity, and disruptive technologies. He stressed that building resilience must go beyond government policy, evolving into a national mindset that shapes decisions across households, businesses, and institutions.

Oborevwori Courts Brazilian Investors, Showcases Delta’s Economic Potential

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday urged the Brazilian business community to seize the vast investment opportunities available in the state, stating that Delta is strategically positioned to become a hub for trade, agriculture, energy, and industrial development in Nigeria and West Africa.

The governor made the call while delivering his remarks at the “Delta State-Focused Business and

Investment Roundtable” in São Paulo, where he highlighted the state’s natural endowments, strategic location, and ongoing reforms aimed at creating a friendly environment for investors.

According to Oborevwori, there is strong ties between Nigeria and Brazil, citing similarities in population size, agricultural potential, cultural diversity, tropical climate, and a shared passion

for football.

He described the roundtable as an avenue to forge strategic partnerships that would accelerate sustainable growth for both countries.

He explained that since its creation in 1991, Delta State has grown into one of the top five largest economies in Nigeria with a landmass of over 18,000 square kilometres and a population of more than six million people.

Oyebanji Tasks Ekiti Elders to Ensure Politicians Play by Rules

Gbenga Sodeinde in ado Ekiti

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has called for intervention of the Ekiti Council of Elders in moderating the activities of the political gladiators as the June 20, 2026 governorship poll gathers steam.

The governor said that the wise counsels of the elders,

who are majorly apolitical, and regular interfaces on issues that could inflame the polity, are required to regulate the political climate, maintain peace and stability during the electioneering period.

Oyebanji said this yesterday while inaugurating the Board of Trustees(BoT) for the Prof Joseph Oluwasanmi Wellness Centre, a subsidiary of the

Ekiti Elders’ Resort in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.

Speaking at the event, Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, commended the council for its unwavering patriotism, developmental strides and concerned for accelerated Ekiti development, which members have exhibited since inception.

Yinka Babalola Elected Rotary International President

Rotary International has announced Nigerian Rotarian Yinka Babalola as its President for the 2026/2027 Rotary year.

Babalola’s emergence marks a historic milestone, making him only the second African – and the second Nigerian – to lead the global humanitarian organisation. The first was Jonathan Babatunde

Majiyagbe, who served from 2003 to 2004.

A member of the Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Nigeria, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola was selected by the Rotary International Board of Directors following the resignation of SangKoo Yun, who stepped down to focus on recovery after cancer treatment. Babalola

will formally assume office on July 1, 2026.

Babalola joined Rotary in 1994, six years after starting out as a Rotaractor in 1988. His leadership journey has seen him serve as District Governor (2011/12), Vice President of Rotary International (2019/20), and a member of the RI Board (2018/20).

Politics

Between Buhari and Tinubu, Who is a Better President?

Etim Etim in a comparative analysis of the eight-year regime of late former President Muhammadu Buhari and that of his successor, Bola Tinubu, which is a little over two years, submits that though there are certain similarities in their policy implementation but stresses that the latter succeeded in taking some unpopular but necessary economic decisions the former shied away from.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has written a new book, his seventh, titled, ‘’Nigeria: Past and Future’’, in which he examines Nigeria’s struggles with leadership and good governance. He compares President Bola Tinubu’s administration with Muhammadu Buhari’s and writes that Tinubu’s government is “competing with Buhari’s in inefficiency”, and describes Buhari’s administration as the “worst civil administration” in Nigeria’s history. He criticizes both administrations for their poor governance, citing issues such as economic hardship, insecurity, and rising unemployment. Obasanjo recalls that Buhari had once described Shehu Shagari’s government as corrupt and rudderless but failed to live up to his own promises when he became president. Similarly, Obasanjo expresses disappointment with the Tinubu administration, saying it has brought little relief to Nigerians, particularly with the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira. Obasanjo also questions the leadership abilities of both Buhari and Tinubu, suggesting that they have failed to live up to their promises. The former president said he is ‘’getting close to his departure lounge all my writings have been aimed at making Nigeria better’’.

While we wait for responses from the Presidency, a review of the performance of the two administrations in some key areas like agriculture and food sufficiency; infrastructure; public finance; monetary and fiscal policies, and areas like civil liberties and human rights; rule of law and democratic ideals, shows striking similarities and stark differences between the two administrations. Under agriculture, Buhari made self sufficiency in food production, especially production of rice and other grains, an integral part of his administration.

According to statistics from NBS and Federal Ministry of Agriculture, there was significant increase in rice production under Buhari, from 2.5 million metric tons in 2015 to 4 million metric tons in 2017, a 60% boost.

It went further to over 9 million metric tons in 2021. These increases were mainly due to the various initiatives of the administration such as the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme. This programme financed 4.489 million farmers across 21 commodities, including rice. The program led to a significant reduction in rice imports, from 831,000 metric tons in 2014 to 26,194 metric tons in 2020. It also provided financing to smallholder farmers, and the establishment of large-scale rice processing plants.

Under President Tinubu, investments in agriculture and food production are still at policy level. On Monday, June 23, 2025, the Presidency issued a lengthy press statement titled. ‘’In push for agricultural renaissance, President Tinubu launches 2,000 tractors for mechanized farming’’. The statement noted that the president inaugurated ‘’2,000 tractors for nationwide deployment under Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanization Programme’’. The statement went further to quote the president to have said at the event that ‘’we must seize this opportunity to achieve agricultural independence. Nigeria has vast land, the people and tools. Let history recall this day as the beginning of Nigeria’s agricultural renaissance’’. There was however no mention of targets of outputs to achieve and the timelines under which they’d be achieved.

Instead, the President paid tributes to a Belarusian, Alex Sigman, as his friend and classmate at Chicago as the brain behind his agric renaissance. But in the last two years, there has been a surge in food imports. Despite increased imports, rice prices have continued to rise, with a 50-kg bag costing between N95, 000 and N105,000 in 2024, compared to N47,000 in December 2023.

To accurately assess the impact of Tinubu’s administration on rice production, more time and data are needed. However, it’s clear that both

administrations have had distinct approaches to agricultural policy, with Buhari focusing on protectionism and local production, while Tinubu has adopted more liberal trade policies. In infrastructural development, the two presidents are also taking different approaches. While Buhari concentrated on building rail network across the country, Tinubu is focusing on the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Highway.

Buhari completed the Abuja-Kaduna rail line which has so far carried over six million passengers; built and completed Lagos-Iadan rail line and Aladja-Itakpe rail line. Buhari was also in the process of obtaining funding from the China EXIM Bank for construction of Port Harcourt – Maiduguri rail line. President Tinubu is yet to build a single kilometer of rail in any part of the country; and there’s no indication of

any plan for such. But during the campaigns, the president promised to construct railway as part of his infrastructural development. It’s not yet clear when the construction would start and from where.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Ogun 2027: Race Towards Oke Mosan

Muyiwa Akintunde examines the political profile of six governorship aspirants of the all Progressives Congress ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial primary and 2027 election proper in Ogun state.

With the political party primaries for the 2027 general elections scheduled to commence not earlier than April, 2026, politicians who are interested in contesting the governorship elections in 28 of the 36 states across the country are already emerging or warming up. Off-cycle elections will be conducted in the eight other states as a result of mandate reruns necessitated by judicial interventions, among other factors. Ogun is one of the 28 states that will organise the 2027 governorship election primary anytime from eight months away.

Many aspirants are not taking chances and have already constituted campaign teams, although unofficially in order not to violate the rules governing the process; while some others continue their internal engagements within their respective political parties, heightening the political undercurrents. Political gladiators across party lines are consulting, forging alliances, and testing the waters.

From established power brokers to emerging contenders and fringe aspirants, the race is beginning to take shape.

Like all other states in the country, Ogun has three senatorial districts – Central, East, West – but civilian governors have emerged from only the first two since its creation on 3rd February 1976. Ogun West is populated by the Yewa, Awori, Egun, Ketu, Ohori, and the Anago. Political watchers have attributed the inability of the district to produce a governor to internal divisions and polarisation of its constituent groups. This fragmentation, they

argue, has repeatedly weakened the zone’s bargaining power and made it difficult to present a united front in the state’s power equation. Strong political parties therefore do not think it is worth their risks taking chances with a candidate from Ogun West. The situation has not changed and is not likely to in 2027. That leaves Ogun Central as perhaps the only option for the 2027 governorship ticket since the incumbent, who will finish the maximum two terms in office in 2027, is from Ogun East. Religion may be another consideration by the political parties. The incumbent is a Christian and has a Muslim as deputy. It is therefore almost certain that the order of the pair will be reversed for 2027 with a Muslim emerging Governor. This strategy, according to analysts, will maintain the delicate equilibrium of religious

interests in the state’s leadership structure. Another major factor may be the influence of the Presidency. All things being equal, this will tip the scales in favour of a candidate aligned with the centre’s political interests. Also, the influence of the incumbent governor and political godfathers, including former governors Olusegun Osoba (Ogun Central), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun Central), cannot be underestimated. Their endorsements and behind-the-scenes manoeuvres will likely shape alliances and ultimately the outcome of the race.

-Akintunde writes from Owu-Abeokuta.

NOTE:

PERSPECTIVE

Redefining the Cocoa Trade and Nigerian Agriculture

With a new regime for Cocoa trade in Nigeria and other part of the world, Olasunkanmi Owoyemi, a young entrepreneur, appears to be changing the game through his Sunbeth’s agribusiness institution. Raheem Akingbolu reports.

Long before the headlines, and the $700 million valuation or the rows of export-ready cocoa beans lined up for inspection, there was a silence. The kind that makes a man question his place in a system he thought he understood. In that silence, farmers waited; not for the rain, or the harvest, but for payment that never came. Their cocoa had been collected, weighed, and shipped. But days passed. Then weeks. The exporter who had promised swift settlement was nowhere to be found.

Caught in the middle was Olasunkanmi Owoyemi, barely in his twenties, standing on the shoulders of men who had trusted his word. It was not the first delayed payment they had endured. But this one felt different. There were no excuses left. No calls returned. No funds in transit. Just the heavy, familiar quiet of disappointment that generations of smallholder farmers in Nigeria understand all too well. That moment did not break him. It shaped him.

What Owoyemi understood in that silence was not just the fragility of the cocoa trade. It was the absence of structure, the absence of a functioning system. Rather than turn away, he began to build one. Today, that decision has grown into Sunbeth’s agribusiness institution, with operations spanning commodity aggregation, processing, logistics, export, and a credit system set to reshape how Nigerian farmers access the tools they need to grow.

When Owoyemi founded the company in 2017, he started with a N500 million bank guarantee and a mandate to trade. The model was simple: buy cocoa at scale, meet export quotas, move fast. While competitors raced towards volume, Owoyemi invested in structure, documentation, risk controls, and internal standards that banks noticed and farmers respected.

Having grown up learning business under the watchful mentorship of his father at Sunny Owo Ventures, he had absorbed the importance of structure early. By the time he secured his first export loan from Fidelity

Bank Plc, he was laying the foundation for what would become a reputable model.

Within five years, Sunbeth had evolved beyond a trading outfit. Processing came next, not as an expansion, but as a form of control. Cocoa quality fluctuates wildly when handled by too many hands. By investing in processing, Sunbeth could standardise output, reduce post-harvest losses, and comply with the increasingly complex specifications of international buyers. Logistics followed, then direct export relationships with top chocolate manufacturers.

By 2023, Sunbeth was exporting over 150,000 metric tonnes of cocoa, commanding more than 15% of Nigeria’s export market. But scale brought a new kind of visibility, and with it, a deeper sense of responsibility. The numbers were growing, but the farmers were not. Productivity at the base of the chain remained stagnant. Input access was still sporadic. Most farmers still planted with guesswork and borrowed with fear. Growth, for them, was still a gamble. That realisation led to Owoyemi’s most ambitious project yet: the Agric Input Bank. Launched in 2024, the Input Bank is a bet on what Nigerian farmers can achieve with structured support. It is not just a model that distributes fertilisers and seedlings. It is a closed-loop ecosystem that matches verified farmers with inputs, credit, and extension support, all tracked through a digital backbone designed to minimise waste and monitor performance. In essence, it is a private-sector operating system for

agricultural production.

The concept is simple but effective: instead of scattering support across siloed government programmes or fragmented donor efforts, the Input Bank centralises it, tying access to clear data, real-time activity, and repayment plans that align with seasonal realities. There are no handouts. No ambiguity. This is a system that views farmers not as beneficiaries, but as business partners in production, and early pilots have shown promise.

For Owoyemi, structure is a form of dignity. The ability to plan. The confidence to grow. The relief of knowing that systems, not favours, determine your success. His leadership also reflects that mindset, and at just 30, he is part of a new generation of African entrepreneurs tackling back-end reform. Under a clear 2028 roadmap, Sunbeth Global Concepts (SGC) will deepen its support for origin producers through financing, education, and technology.

Sunbeth Shipping will handle logistics across markets, ensuring speed and reliability. And SFI (Sunbeth Finance & International) will anchor the global front, securing buyers, financing, and partnerships across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Together, they form a closed-loop system designed to make agriculture work practically. Because the truth is, agriculture’s primary problem in Nigeria is not effort but structure. And if Sunbeth succeeds, it will not just transform the cocoa or farming industries; it will redefine what it means to build in Nigeria.

NLNG Literature Prize: May, Obioma, Olugbile

Emerge as Finalists, Jostle for $100,000

The journey to

the

pitch as the Advisory Board of the competition yesterday unveiled the shortlist of three.

The shortlisted novels, according to a statement

signed by NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, are: Sanya by Oyin Olugbile, The Road to the

Country by Chigozie Obioma, and This Motherless Land by NikkiOneMay. of the authors is set to win the $100,000 prize of

85 Nigerians Receive UK Chevening, Commonwealth Scholarships

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The United Kingdom has awarded 85 Nigerians the prestigious Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships to study a wide range of master’s degrees and PhD programmes in the UK in 2025. This year, 39 scholars and a fellow received the Chevening scholarships,

while 45 scholars have been awarded the Commonwealth scholarship so far. A predeparture ceremony was held in Abuja for scholars based in Abuja and environs, while a similar ceremony will be held in Lagos in September, for scholars in Lagos and nearby cities, the organisation said. At the Abuja pre-departure reception, the British Deputy

High Commissioner, Mrs. Gill Lever, congratulated beneficiaries who succeeded in securing a scholarship through the highly competitive application and interview process.

Lever said: “We are proud to see another batch of scholars depart over the next few weeks for the UK knowing that they will come back and add to a very

strong Chevening network in Nigeria.

“They will return with a lasting positive disposition towards the UK, acting as ambassadors by sharing their understanding of systems, policies, and life in the UK– and then bringing those experiences back to Nigeria and doing great things while creating a positive change in this country and the world.”

the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG)-sponsored literary competition.

The winner of the most prestigious prize in Africa will be unveiled at the grand award ceremony on the 10th of October 2025.

Reflecting on the announcement of the shortlist, the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Nigeria Prize for Literature, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, described the process of adjudication as intense, rigorous and meticulous.

Adimora-Ezeigbo described the earlier 11 long-listed books as excellent entries, adding that the challenges which the judges faced this year during adjudication were daunting and unprecedented.

She said: “The shortlist before us is exceptional. Each work distinguishes itself through masterful plotting, characterisation, and a good command of language that transports readers into imagined worlds.

“These are not merely stories, they are carefully woven realities. They are compelling in their beauty, stirring in their emotional resonance, and unflinching in their engagement with familiar yet urgent societal issues. The way the writers handled and resolved conflict highlights their skill and literary standing, making these works quite“Ouroutstanding. task, therefore, is clear. It is to choose the most deserving laureate for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, 2025.

OlasunkanmiOwoyemi

Peter Uzoho

crown

winner of the Nigeria Prize for Literature has reached its fever

Domestic

Chinedu Eze

Air travellers to domestic destinations are lamenting that the cost of flight ticket has risen astronomically, especially to Eastern destinations, as one-way ticket now cost about N350, 000 and return ticket costing about N700,000.

Domestic air travellers perceived that the sudden hike in air tick is not unconnected to the Christmas season that

is gradually approaching.

Nigerians who wished to buy tickets to travel home during the Christmas holidays have accused Nigerian airlines, especially United Nigeria Airlines and Air Peace of hiking ticket prices to Eastern destinations such as Port Harcourt, Calabar, Enugu, Owerri, Asaba, Warri, Benin, Umueri (Anambra). They complained that at the end of every year, fares to Eastern

destinations are usually higher than fares to Northern and Western destinations.

But officials of United Nigeria Airlines and Air Peace dismissed reports said they have fixed fares for the Christmas season and attributed the high fares to rush, saying that passengers may have started booking for tickets immediately they opened their inventory for the December-January winter season.

The airline officials disclosed that the fares may drop if after those who booked for the tickets did not make payment before the expiration of the booking window.

Spokesman of United Nigeria Airways, Chibuike Eloka, told THISDAY in a telephone interview in Lagos that airlines sell ticket in classes according to the demand for seats, disclosing that the lowest ticket could be between N90, 000 –N135, 000, “but

it seemed that passengers were picking tickets that were convenient to them and the prices were moving from one class of ticket to the next. United Nigeria Airlines said that even during the current off season, fares can be as high as N300, 000 for one way ticket; for example, if a traveller books Lagos to Abuja ticket under 24 hours.”

“Maybe, a lot of bookings have happened that the economy class

has gone up to premium economy, but our opening tickets starts from N90, 000 to N135, 000; so, the higher the demand, the higher the class. Even during non-peak periods at normal days, tickets can go up to N300, 000. So, this is not because it is Christmas season. It is not as if the airline fixed fare at specific price for that season. No. that is wrong information,” Eloka said.

Customs Agents Seek Waiver for Imported Goods Held Up at Ports Due to Glitches

Licensed customs agents in the country have called on the federal government to grant waiver concession on imported goods held up at the ports due to glitches and lengthy procedure of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) trade modernisation project, which resulted in

high demurrage.

In a petition addressed to President Bola Tinubu, seen by THISDAY, the agents claimed they are subjected to delays in the process of clearance, from the Trade Modernisation platform of Nigeria Customs Service, which resulted to huge Demurrage and Rent on

Terminal and Shipping company Charges on the imported goods, which is unpredictable Cost by Importers/Licensed Customs Agents running into millions.

National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), the

umbrella body of customs agents in Nigeria, Lucky Amiwero, who signed the petition said: “Most Importers/Licensed Customs Agents have to source for the amount to pay the additional charges from the banks, while some have to abandon their goods in the Port, in search of the additional

demurrage and rents to pay for the deficiency caused by Nigeria Custom Service trade modernisation Platform Called (“B” ODOGWU) that is disrupting trade in the port environment.

“We implore the federal government to urgently intervene to redress the situation in Nigerian

Ports, by granting waiver concession to importers/ licensed customs agents on Terminal and Shipping charges, to those who borrowed from bank or yet to clear their goods from the port, which is not their own making but that of Nigeria Customs Service.

Eromosele Abiodun

NAMA Receives NCAA Certificate for ATC Simulator

Stories by Chinedu Eze

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has recorded another milestone in its drive to enhance air traffic management and capacity building with the official presentation of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Simulator Certificate from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The certificate was formally presented to the Managing Director/

Chief Executive of NAMA, Farouk Ahmed Umar, by the Director of Air Traffic Control, Mr. John Tayo.

While presenting the certificate, Tayo acknowledged the vital contributions and untiring efforts of the Local Management at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), as well as the Department of Technical Evaluation and Manpower Development under the Directorate of Air Traffic Control, in making the

achievement possible.

Receiving the certificate on behalf of the agency, the MD/CE, Umar, expressed his excitement and commended the collaborative efforts that led to the successful certification. He further emphasised that the ATC Simulator will play a critical role in strengthening manpower development, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring safer skies within Nigeria’s airspace.

Obi Cubana Commends United Nigeria Airlines

United Nigeria Airlines has officially resumed scheduled commercial services into Osubi Airport, Warri, marking a significant comeback to provide safe and seamless flight operations to passengers in the route.

Air WAtCh

FG, Brazil Deal Spur Air Peace S’American Flight

The first flight, UN0548, landed in from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday, August 25, 2025, and was welcomed with a traditional water salute and a red-carpet reception for passengers.

Nigeria Airlines would stimulate economic activities in Warri and its environs.

Chinedu Eze

The flight was received on arrival by Osubi Airport Manager, Mr. Winston Ifeacho Egwuatu, who described the resumption as a welcome development for the city and its residents. He noted that the return of scheduled operations by United

“We are delighted to welcome United Nigeria Airlines back to Osubi Airport. Their return is more than just the resumption of flights— it is the reopening of Warri to greater business opportunities, commerce, and social activities.

Kwara to Begin Cargo Services at Tunde Idiagbon Airport

hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Kwara State government recently announced that it has concluded plans to begin cargo services at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin, the state capital.

Speaking in Ilorin at the event organised by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Afees Alabi, stated that the initiative was aimed at

positioning the state as a hub for agricultural and commercial exports. He stressed that the

development would also strengthen its role in national and international trade.

Spicing the Show, Stealing the Spotlight: Terra Cube in BBNaija

From the moment the BBNaija doors swung open this season, the Big Brother house has been buzzing with laughter, strategy, and unforgettable moments.

Group Business Editor

Eromosele Abiodun

Deputy Business Editor

chinedu Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Asst. Editor, Energy

Emmanuel Addeh

Asst. Editor, Money Market

Nume Ekeghe

Correspondents

Kayodetokede(CapitalMarkets)

James Emejo (Finance)

Ebere Nwoji (Insurance)

reporter Peter Uzoho (Energy)

Tucked away in the most unexpected corner of the kitchen, a quiet premium presence is making its mark; not with diary room confessions or dramatic nominations, but with a burst of aroma and a taste that transforms every shared meal into a celebration — that premium presence is Terra Seasoning Cube. This approach is not just ingenious marketing; it is an authentic fit. BBNaija thrives on real, relatable moments, and food is one of the most relatable of all. Whether viewers are laughing at a kitchen mishap or cheering on a cooking task, Terra Cube is subtly present, seasoning not just the meals but the narrative itself.

Viewers don’t merely

watch; they indulge in the unfolding drama, savour the moments of joy, and relish the sparks of rivalry that keep the audience captivated. And in a season where every second is a statement, Terra Cube has elevated the food experience, infusing everyday meals with a touch of refined flavour and premium indulgence.

Speaking on Terra Cube’s role in the show, Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group, Probal Bhattacharya, said: “BBNaija is a platform where culture, entertainment, and everyday life meet. Terra Cube’s presence in the house is about being part of the moments that Nigerians talk about the next day. When we say Unwrap Joy, Unleash Taste, we mean creating those connections that make food more than just sustenance. In the BBNaija house, every moment is seasoned with spice, with Terra Cube as the signature taste behind it all.”

Over the years, Nigeria has yearned to have direct flight with Brazil because the South American nation has strong cultural and religious affinity with the country.

There have been feeble efforts made to link the two great nations in the past but previous governments did not exhibit the determination and clout which the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has exhibited.

The federal government did not leave diplomatic gaps, but swiftly signed a very significant diplomatic agreement with the South American nation.

In aviation, the two countries signed new Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), which the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, explained, was aimed at resuming directs flights between the biggest economies on both continents on more liberal terms in order to promote trade, tourism, agriculture, education and commerce.

The Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood, said a major highlight of the visit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) formalising a direct flight agreement between Nigeria and Brazil.

“The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, alongside Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, in the presence of both heads of state,” Moshood said.

“The BASA establishes a new framework for direct air connectivity between Nigeria and Brazil, opening fresh avenues for trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.It is expected to foster stronger economic integration, facilitate cultural ties, and enhance diplomatic cooperation between both nations,” he added.

Moshood described the agreement as a strategic milestone that underscores the Tinubu administration’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s global partnerships and creating enabling environments for commerce and mobility.

In his remarks, the Brazilian President, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da

Silva commended the partnership and affirmed Brazil’s willingness to deepen its ties with Nigeria across various sectors, including aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure development.

The actualisation of this agreement will be implemented by Nigeria’s foremost carrier, Air Peace Limited.

Air Peace has received approval to operate direct flights between Lagos and São Paulo. This obviously represents a breakthrough for Nigeria’s aviation industry, an economic lifeline for traders and exporters, and a cultural bridge reconnecting Africa with South America.

The Lagos–São Paulo service will be the first direct air link between Nigeria and South America operated by a Nigerian carrier. In the 1980s and 1990s, Brazilian carrier Varig briefly operated flights to Lagos, while Nigeria Airways—the now-defunct national carrier—maintained limited connections with Latin America. But following the collapse of Nigeria Airways in 2003, such routes disappeared.

Trip between Nigeria and Brazil evokes nostalgia because of the long historical and religious ties between the two countries, especially with South West Nigeria.

A Brazilian who visited Nigeria recently threw more light on this: “It will interest you all to note that Brazil was colonised by Portugal which forced on us its religion which is Catholicism. Apart from this, the other major religion which we practiced in Brazil is African-traditional belief which emanated and was traced to Ile-Ife. Majority of us are Catholics, but all of us still have our traditional identity. For me, I am an Osun worshipper. And I am in Ile – Ife, the source of the world in State of Osun.” Having a direct flight between the Nigeria and Brazil will further strengthen these ties and Air Peace is poised to make history when it will kick off direct flight to Sao Paulo from Lagos in a schedule commercial service. Air Peace Limited, Nigeria’s foremost airline was launched on October 24, 2014, with a record of seven aircraft comprising three state-of-the-art Dornier 328 and four Boeing 737-500 SP Jets. But the airline rose and grew rapidly

Shareholders Applaud NASD’s Return to Profitability, First Cash Dividend

Kayode Tokede

Shareholders of NASD Plc have commended the

company’s board and management for their outstanding performance, which reversed years

of losses and led to the first-ever payment of a cash dividend of 20 kobo per share and bonus issue

of one new ordinary share for every five shares held as of July 29, 2025.

Despite a challenging

Zabira Marks Sixth Anniversary, Rebrand as ‘The People’s Wallet’

Sunday Ehigiator

Zabira Technologies, has rebranded to mark its sixth anniversary, unveiling a refreshed identity that positions it as “The People’s Wallet” and Africa’s trusted hub for digital finance.

Founded in 2019 as a

Dike Onwuamaeze

wallet solution, Zabira has grown into a comprehensive digital payments and asset exchange platform that allows individuals and businesses to acquire, store, swap, and grow digital assets. The rebrand underscores the company’s renewed focus on trust,

accessibility, and user empowerment.

Speaking at the launch event, the CEO and Founder of Zabira Technologies, Isaac John, said the evolution reflects the company’s mission to deliver secure, seamless, and inclusive financial services.

“Today, Zabira is expanding its reach across crypto exchange, gift card trading, and bill payments, while staying anchored on our core values captured in the acronym S.P.A.R.K; Security, People, Agility, Reliability, and Knowledge,” John said.

operating environment in 2024, NASD recorded a remarkable turnaround from its 2023 performance. This strong showing has positioned the company not only to pay a dividend for the first time, but also to issue a bonus for the second time since its inception.

During the financial year, Fee and Commission Income rose sharply by 264.28% year-on-year to N1.07 billion, up from N295.36 million in 2023. Interest Income also grew

by 43.76%, reaching N61.43 million, compared to N42.73 million in 2023.

During the company’s recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), shareholders expressed widespread appreciation for the achievements of the outgoing Chairman, Kayode Falowo, and the leadership team. In a display of camaraderie, shareholders sang a family song in his honour and praised his exemplary stewardship.

FG Drums Support for Industrialisation, Manufacturing Trade Summit Nigerian Printers Urged to Embrace Cost Effective Technologies

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, has declared that the federal government is collaborating with DMG Events to mobilise participation of critical stakeholders

in the upcoming “West Africa Industrialisation, Manufacturing and Trade Summit and Exhibition” (West Africa IMT), which would hold in Lagos, Nigeria, between October 21 and 23, 2025.

Enoh disclosed this during a ministerial press conference to mobilise support for the West

Africa IMT summit and exhibition with the theme, “Accelerating West Africa’s Sustainable Industrial Revolution for Economic Prosperity.”

He said that the West Africa IMT would provide a platform for Nigeria to position itself as the leading industrial base in West African sub-region and

the African continent.

Speaking at the press conference, the Country Director Nigeria Country Director – Nigeria & Portfolio Director DMG Nigeria Events, Ms. Wemimo Oyelana, said that the West Africa IMT Summit is a platform to unlock West Africa’s true industrial potential.

Zichis Agro-allied Industries Eyes Listing Shares on NGX

The management of Zichis Agro-allied Industries Plc, has announced plans to list its shares on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), revealing that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has registered its securities for public trading.

The Agro-allied company

in financial year ended December 31, 2024 declared turnover of N289 million, about 119 per cent increase over N132 million recorded in 2023. The company, however, closed 2024 with a profit of N56.7 million, about 238 per cent increase when compared to N16.8

million in 2023.

The shareholders of the company at the AGM approved the dividend of 5kobo per share with an option for script shares in lieu for who elect to opt for script shares.

Speaking at the company’s 2nd Annual

General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, the Chairman of Zichis Agro-allied Industries, Mr. Hezekiah Oshaba expressed that the company in 2024 was able to navigate headwinds and recorded a significant increase in turnover that impacted on profit.

Bitget Debuts First-ever RWA Index Perpetuals

Kayode Tokede

Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced the launch of the industry’s first RWA (Real-World Asset) Index Perpetual Contract.

This pioneering product

live on August 20, introduces a new way for users to trade tokenized traditional assets, starting with selected RWA products including TSLAUSDT (RWA), NVDAUSDT (RWA), and CRCLUSDT (RWA).

The RWA Index

Perpetual Contract is built on a composite of tokenized stock indices already circulating in the market. Each index contains one or more RWA tokens to track prices from different third-party issuers. For example, the AAPL RWA Index

Perpetual Contract may represent a composite of AAPL tokens issued by a couple of different thirdparty issuers.

“Similar to how existing crypto perpetual contracts derive their index prices from multiple major crypto exchanges.”

Stakeholders in the Nigerian printing industry have called for a strategic shift towards sustainable and cost-effective technologies like new advanced analogue flexo plate-making solutions, to reposition Nigeria’s printing and packaging sector for future growth.

This is as they unanimously called for collaboration among the government, private sector and technology providers to drive the country’s printing industry towards a more sustainable and profitable future.

Speaking recently at the 2025 Executive Seminar on Flexographic Printing and Packaging, the Technical Director of Randomsoft, Kunle Ogunjobi, said the event was aimed to bridge knowledge gaps in packaging, while addressing the balance between sustainability and

profitability.

Unveiling his company’s new advanced analogue flexo plate-making solution, Ogunjobi described it as a water-based, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional solvent-based systems.

Speaking, Managing Director of FAE Limited, Layo Okeowo, stressed the need for Nigerian printers to embrace modern technologies to cut costs and remain competitive.

“With plates ready in under 20 minutes and recyclable materials, flexo printing offers a lifeline for businesses seeking efficiency and sustainability,” she said.

Representing the Lagos State government, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor, Titilayo Oshodi, underscored the role of innovation in mainstreaming sustainability across the state’s economic landscape.

L–R: Non-Executive Director, NASD Plc, Kenechi Ezezika; incoming Chairman, Olayimikah Bolo; Managing Director/CEO, Eguarekhide Longe; Chairman, Kayode Falowo; Company Secretary, Omolola Ikwuagwu; Non-Executive Directors, Ariyo Olushekun and Abubakar Lawal, during the NASD PLC’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos… recently

Oluchi Chibuzor

Don’t Jeopardise Shea Sector, Alliance Warns FG, Seeks Clarity on Export Ban

Sunday Ehigiator

The Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics Ltd/ Gte has cautioned the federal government against hasty implementation of its ban on raw shea nut exports, warning that poorly executed policies could threaten investments, livelihoods, and Nigeria’s standing in global markets.

The organisation, in a statement yesterday, signed by its Chairman, Hon. Dele Kelvin Oye, commended the government’s push for local processing and value addition in the shea industry, an industry estimated to be worth $6.6

billion. The govrnment said the policy aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s industrialisation agenda and has the potential to transform rural economies and empower women.

However, the Alliance expressed concern that the sudden policy shift without adequate transition measures or stakeholder consultation could disrupt existing export contracts, discourage investors, and expose smallholder farmers to losses.

“Immediate policy reversals without adequate transition and sector-wide consultation risk undermining ongoing commitments, investment plans, and the livelihoods of many members of our

Alliance trade networks,” the group warned.

To avoid disruptions, the Alliance called for a phased and consultative rollout of the export ban, backed by clear communication from government. It urged authorities to provide financing options, technical assistance, and workforce training to help processors upgrade facilities and meet export standards.

Given the perishable nature of agricultural products and the current limited processing capacity, the group further recommended that government intervene by purchasing unsold shea stock.

Lotanna: We Launched Advancly MfB to Enhance Financial Access

The co-founder/CEO of Advancly, a fintech company renowned for deploying capital to highgrowth businesses, Julian Lotanna, has said that Advancly Microfinance Bank was launched to liberalise financial access in Nigeria.

Lotanna emphasised, in a statement that the bank was created with a clear focus: to redefine how Nigerians build credit by embedding the credit-worthiness

journey directly within the banking experience.

He said, “Advancly MfB offers a digital-first, wealthfocused banking experience designed for individuals, entrepreneurs, and impactdriven investors. We’re not asking you to switch banks; we’re asking you to invest in progress – your progress, your community’s progress – and our shared future.”

Under the flagship campaign,

#ProgressForEveryone, Advancly aims to unlock financial access for everyday entrepreneurs, retail investors and underserved individuals across Nigeria and emerging markets.

“Advancly MfB is set to unlock financial opportunities for communities across Nigeria and beyond. From institutional investors to everyday earners, financial progress should be accessible to all,” he added.

SROL Delivers Free Medical Services, Launches SegunCare in Host Communities

Over 3,000 residents of the communities of Imogbara, Odo-Ijesha and Iperindo in Osun State were impacted by free healthcare services provided by Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL. The services were provided during its 3rd Annual Community Medical Outreach, held last weekend across its host communities.

This year marked a significant milestone with the introduction of SegunCare — a new initiative from SROL that provides continuous follow-

up and support for residents with chronic conditions. This ensures that care does not end after the two-day programme but continues for them.

Reflecting on the success of the 2025 outreach, SROL Medical Services Manager, Dr. Princewill Osuchukwu, said, “Since its inception, this outreach has touched the lives of over 10,000 people, with more than 3,000 residents benefitting in just the past two days alone. The impact on their health and families cannot be overstated. What

makes this year different is the official launch of SegunCare”.

“For those battling chronic conditions, including mental illnesses that are often stigmatised in this part of the world, care cannot cease after two days.

With SegunCare, we are committed to walking the journey with them, starting with these 279 individuals. SROL is proud to provide this much-needed care and to play a role in breaking the stigma around these critical health issues in our host communities.”

Nickelodeon Viewers Expect Fun, Adventures in September Episode

Nickelodeon viewers are expecting fun, brand-new adventures and fan-fave chaos during the September edition.

In a report, the company said viewers are to also expect magical and superhero showdowns, and something epic for every family to enjoy together within the month.

And with exciting new shows launching and fresh seasons of your favourites,

the fun is bigger, bolder, and packed into every weekday.

The programme for the month include Nick (Global); The Fairly Odd Parents (A New Wish)

Where Hazel Wells, a 10-year-old girl who has recently moved to the city of Dimmadelphia because of her father’s new job.

“It is the first time she has been without her older brother, leaving her feeling lonely and unsure

of herself. All that changes when her pink-and-greenhaired neighbours next door reveal themselves as no ordinary neighbours!,” they said.

Viewers can also watch Phoebe, Max, Chloe, Billy, Nora, Hank, and Barb Thunderman for the ultimate Thunderman binge-athon, packed with super-powered adventures, sibling rivalries, and heroic fun.

Saharan Blend (Algeria), Djeno (Congo),

(Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic

Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

Stock Market Extends Profit-taking Momentum, Drops by N437bn

Kayode Tokede

The Nigerian stock market yesterday extended its downward momentum with a drop of N437 billion by market capitalisation amid sustained investors profit-taking across key sectors of the economy.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited All-Share Index (NGX ASI) lost 691.52 basis points or 0.49 per cent to close at 140,557.24 basis points with the Month-to-Date and Year-to-Date returns settled lower at +0.5per cent and +36.6per cent, respectively. Consequently, market

capitalisation shed by N437 billion to close at N88.935 trillion. Sectoral performance was mixed as the Banking (-1.4per cent), Consumer Goods (-0.9per cent) and Industrial Goods (-0.5per cent) indices declined, while the Insurance index (+0.4per cent) advanced. The Oil & Gas index

closed flat. Investor sentiment, as measured by market breadth remained negative as 19 stocks advanced, while 39 declined. SCOA Nigeria emerged the highest price gainer of 10 per cent to close at N6.05, per share. R.T. Briscoe followed with a gain of

9.80 per cent to close at N3.36, while NEM Insurance advanced by 7.96 per cent to close at N31.20, per share.

Nigerian Exchange Group increased by 7.94 per cent to close at N57.80, while McNichols added 7.04 per cent to close at N3.80, per share.

On the other side, International Energy Insurance led others on the losers’ chart with 9.62 per cent to close at N3.29, per share. Omatek Ventures followed with a decline of 8.97 per cent to close at N1.32, while Ellah Lakes shed 8.49 per cent to close at N13.68, per share.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF AUGUST/28/25

When Dr. Loretta Adams-Aliu

debuted the first collection of LBL Couture brand on December 15, 2019, it was geared towards satisfying the needs of the upwardly mobile modern woman with a touch of afrocentricity that exudes confidence.

As the Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director, Dr. Adams-Aliu, has in six years shaped the brand into more than a fashion house even more so when it rebranded to just La Belle Laurelle (LBL).

Dr. Adams-Aliu brings to the label her academic excellence as a medical doctor; entrepreneurial drive and a creative flair to each collection that is deliberately curated to showcase not only craftsmanship but also reflecting her belief that “every piece must tell a story.”

Over the last six years, her drive has pushed LBL into the spotlight while her leadership has also empowered young content creators, designers and artisans, ensuring that the brand contributes to Nigeria’s creative economy.

Love for Indigenous Names

At LBL, while fashion is more than fabric and design by weaving culture into couture, giving each collection a sense of place and identity, the unique signature of the brand is its deliberate use of indigenous names, a choice that sets the brand apart in an industry often swayed by Western influence.

This choice is not just stylistic but symbolic. By choosing indigenous names like Labake, Adesuwa, Hadiza and Chinagorom, amongst many others, LBL grounds its work in heritage, celebrating the richness of native cultures while presenting them on the global stage.

Iconic Collections for the Modern Woman

Having carved a niche in the world of women’s fashion by creating elegant ready-to-wear pieces for what it proudly calls the “Go-Getter Woman”, each collection carries the brand’s signature blend of elegance and purpose, making it a label that has become synonymous with quality and creativity.

The brand’s clientele is as diverse as it is influential, ranging from wives of top government officials to captains of industry and accomplished professionals, all making up a sisterhood of women who embody ambition and style.

With values that speak to quality, accountability, communication and integrity, LBL ensures that behind every piece is a story that speaks to the modern woman.

From the Sarah and Oduwa pencil pants to the Nosa Ankara shorts, each piece carries a distinct identity. The Amafe jumpsuits stand out alongside staples like the Letticia and Tobi pencil skirts. Dresses such as the Mabel Patchwork, Sholly Bee, Layefa, Shola Flare, Nikola, Toyosi and Emerald add a touch of timeless elegance to the collections.

Two-piece sets are equally celebrated, with designs like the

How Dr. Loretta Adams-Aliu is redefining Style, Purpose with La Belle Laurelle

For six years, La Belle Laurelle (LBL) has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most distinctive fashion houses, celebrated for its authenticity, elegance and the deliberate use of indigenous names for its collections, includingtherecentlyreleasedR&RCollection.Whileeachpieceisthoughtfullycuratedforthemodern woman, the brand’s soul remains deeply rooted in people and purpose, a philosophy that was evident in the recent Inspire Women Project that stepped beyond the showroom to celebrate hardworking women often overlooked in society. Chiemelie ezeobi writes that under the leadership of Dr. Loretta Adams-Aliu, the chief executive officer and creative director, the label continues to uplift, inspire and affirm women, reminding them in every collection and every gesture that they matter

Didi Lounge, Karen Lounge, Anisha, Labake, Eva Luxe set, Tobi, Tessy Luxe set, Adesuwa Luxe set and Onyi Luxe set. For shirts and tops, names such as the Halima, Miranda, Bunmi Wrap and Ronke complete the offering. Also, from the Amanda turban to the Halima, Aisha, Tonia, Orekelewa and Hadiza turbans, La Belle Laurelle’s bespoke headgears embody the beauty and pride of African womanhood as crowns, not made of gold but fabrics.

The Newly Launched R&R Collection

Just last week, the brand unveiled a new collection called the R& R Collection. From the Folake Jacket Set of either the two piece or three piece sets which she pegged at N75000 and N100,000 respectively, to the

Shola Flare Dress (Reloaded) of N52,500; Mojisola Adire Shirt Dress of N40,000; Shola Dress of N52,500; Chinagorom Linen two piece of N40,000; Ebowo Dress (Reloaded) of N48,000; and the Yinka Adire Boubou pegged at N37,000, this new collection screams class for the refined woman.

According to Dr. AdamsAliu, the collection was special “because it was inspired by you”, adding that they listened to feedback before creating the uniquely curated, elegant and stylish pieces that not only looks good, but also makes one stand out.

Inspire Women Project

For La Belle Laurelle, the journey has never been just about clothes or profit margins and

they recently proved that fashion can be a force for good through the Inspire Women Project, an initiative that took the brand out of the showroom and into the everyday lives of women. The project celebrated unsung heroines: women who show up daily for themselves and their families, often unnoticed and unappreciated.

On that day, some hardworking women were surprised with brandnew outfits and the joy that unfolded was nothing short of magical.

For Dr. Adams-Aliu, these are the moments that define the brand as the project reflects her belief that every piece she creates carries more than fabric and thread, rather dignity and empowerment.

Without a doubt, La Belle Laurelle is indeed more than just a fashion label for Dr. Loretta Adams-Aliu, but a boost for the modern woman she is determined to celebrate.

Dr. Loretta Adams-Aliu in some of her vast collections

What Does r emi Tinubu Want?

Tajudeen Kareem and Wale Ojo-Lanre

What does Remi Tinubu want? It is a simple question, yet profound. A question that in ordinary times might be dismissed as impertinent, but in today’s Nigeria it is not only valid — it is necessary.

In a country where First Ladies have too often been judged by the splendour of their wardrobe, the aura of their retinue, or the drama of their utterances, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has chosen to tread a different path. She has turned her tenure not into a showcase of power, but into a gallery of compassion, a mosaic of interventions, a chronicle of service.

In asking what she wants, we begin to see more clearly what she gives.

When in 2023 she launched the Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, many thought it would be another ornamental project, an appendage designed for photo opportunities. Instead, what unfolded was a fullscale social intervention platform, anchored on five thematic pillars — agriculture, education, health, economic empowerment, and social investment.

Registered as a non-governmental organisation, RHI was conceived not as a government programme, but as a bridge, a complement, and a catalyst. Its stated target was to touch lives, especially of women, children, youth, and the vulnerable. And touch lives it has.

The momentum began in March 2024, when Mrs Tinubu formally launched the Food Outreach Programme in Abuja. It was not a one-off charity. It was a structured, state-by-state, month-by-month distribution of food items to vulnerable households, persons with disabilities, widows, and the forgotten poor.

The funding came not from the federal treasury but from private sources, notably the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative and anonymous benefactors.

By October, the outreach had arrived in Ekiti State, and by December it had warmed the hearts of elderly citizens in Edo State, with 250 elders each receiving ₦250,000, food items, and free health checks. The programme is still rolling, moving from state to state, as predictable as the sunrise, delivering hope in bags of rice, beans, and oil.

But food was only the first chapter. In April 2024, the First Lady turned her eyes to the soil. She launched an agricultural empowerment scheme for South-West women, handing ₦500,000 grants to twenty women farmers in each state — Ogun, Lagos, Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, and Ondo. One hundred and twenty women walked home with funds and farm inputs, and with them the possibility of scaling up from subsistence to commercial farming. The model soon spread to the South-East and North-Central,

where similar groups of women were empowered.

In Cross River, 320 women and youths were supported and 30 Young Farmers Clubs established.

In Delta, 400 farmers were given inputs and grants. In Enugu, 400 women and youths were trained and equipped. In Ondo, through partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, 500 women petty traders received ₦50,000 each. Agriculture, once a forgotten sector for women, suddenly found itself in the embrace of Remi Tinubu’s vision.

She understood that identity is as critical as food. So on 29 August 2024, she launched a partnership with UNICEF and the National Population Commission to accelerate birth registration.

For children born between August and December 2024, commemorative certificates were issued, symbolising a new era where no Nigerian child should grow up without legal identity.

“Our children must have their rights and privileges guaranteed from the very beginning,” she said, and with those words, the faceless millions of unregistered births began to find their names written into the book of the nation.

In education, her passion has been relentless. In 2024, RHI distributed 50,000 exercise books in each state, totalling over 2 million across the country. In January 2025, she awarded 5,100 bursaries to female students in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education, gave out millions more exercise books, and launched the creation of 40 Alternative High Schools for Girls — second-chance schools for teenagers derailed by early pregnancy or child marriage.

She launched the Flow with Confidence programme to supply menstrual pads to rural girls, aiming to reduce school absenteeism caused by the

Renewed Hope Initiative, the First Lady announced a ₦1 billion donation to victims of violence in Plateau State. She was quick to clarify: not a kobo from government funds, but resources mobilised privately. It was a gesture of scale and substance, signalling that compassion can be organised at the level of billions, not just thousands.

In less than two years, the Renewed Hope Initiative has reportedly reached over 40 million households. It has fed the hungry, clothed the healthcare worker, lifted the farmer, equipped the trader, empowered the girl, dignified the elder, registered the nameless child, and inspired the artist. It has stretched its hands into every geopolitical zone, leaving behind testimonies of lives touched and burdens eased.

So, what does Remi Tinubu want?

monthly cycle.

The healthcare front has been equally transformed. In January 2025, she unveiled the distribution of 60,000 professional kits for midwives and nurses, equipping them with scrubs, shoes, and dignity. This was not just about uniforms; it was about morale, recognition, and the silent but powerful message that those who save lives deserve to be valued.

In April 2025, she repeated the gesture in the South-West, giving 10,000 kits, while simultaneously launching the Free to Shine campaign — a continental initiative aimed at eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis. By June 2025, she carried this crusade to the South-East, standing shoulder to shoulder with other African First Ladies to fight diseases that steal futures before they begin. In Bayelsa State, RHI organised free medical outreach in Otuasega, bringing doctors and medicine to a community that had long been neglected.

Creativity was not left out.

In February 2025, Mrs Tinubu pledged N100 million to the Five Cowries Art Education Initiative, designed to support 5,000 art exhibitions and expand cultural clubs across Nigeria. By this, she reminded us of Pablo Picasso’s timeless truth: “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Where many see art as luxury, she saw it as essential, as education for the heart.

Economic empowerment continued to be a steady rhythm.

In April 2025, 200 women in textile production received 400 bales of African fabric, while 1,000 petty traders in Ondo State shared ₦50 million, helping them to stabilise their businesses and feed their families.

And then, in July 2025, came the thunderclap. Through the

Certainly, our First Lady wants a Nigeria where no child grows up without identity, where no girl is denied education because of pregnancy, where no mother dies in childbirth, where no family goes hungry, where art and culture flourish, and where women have the resources to farm, trade, create, and thrive.

She wants to redefine the office of the First Lady — from ceremonial glamour to practical grace, from passive presence to active impact, from mere symbolism to enduring substance.

History will remember her not for the gowns she wore, nor the banquets she attended, but for the footprints of grace she left across Nigeria’s soil.

And so, when we ask, “What does Remi Tinubu want?” the answer becomes clear. She wants to leave behind a Nigeria touched by her compassion, transformed by her vision, and inspired by her deeds. And truly, that is the noblest want of all.

Her journey is not separate from the vision of her husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; it is in harmony with it. The President speaks of a Renewed Hope Agenda, of reviving the nation’s economy, of empowering its people, of uniting its diversity under a banner of progress.

The First Lady, in her own lane, has translated that vision into the intimate language of households — bags of food in the kitchens of widows, bursaries in the hands of schoolgirls, scrubs on the backs of nurses, and identity certificates in the names of newborn children. Where the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda paints the broad strokes of national policy, Remi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative colours in the details of daily life. Together, they are not two parallel roads, but one journey, one symphony of governance and compassion.

•Kareem and Ojo-Lanre are veteran journalists

Mrs. Remi Tinubu

COURTESY VISIT TO THE UZODIMMA...

L-R: Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo; Senator-elect, Edo Central, Joseph Ikpea; Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; and Founder/Executive Chairman, Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies, Leemon Ikpea, during a courtesy visit to Uzodimma in Owerri, yesterday

OML17: Heirs Energies Sets Ambitious

100,000 Bpd, 150mmscf/d Gas

Eyes expansion to other African nations

Peter Uzoho

Nigerian independent oil and gas producer and operator of the Oil Mining Lease (OML17), Heirs Energies Limited, has laid out its future growth plans, aiming to further raise its crude oil production from the divested onshore asset to 100,000 barrels per day and gas output to 150 million standard

cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) in the next couple of years.

The company is also looking at expanding its business to other African nations where it wants to replicate its model of excellence and good track record of cost-efficient upstream operation in Nigeria to other countries.

Chief Executive Officer of Heirs Energies, Mr. Osa Igiehon

revealed these plans yesterday during a parley with energy reporters in Lagos, describing the company as the brownfield champion because of its record of speedy reactivation of old and abandoned oil and gas wells and facilities.

Igiehon said from production of 27,000bpd at the time of takeover of OML17 in 2021, Heirs Energies quickly doubled

the output to 50,000bpd within 100Hedays.stated: “When you talk about Heirs Energies and what we want to do with OML 17, our ambition is to get the production to 100,000 barrels of oil per day. That’s our ambition. It will take us a couple of years, but that’s what we are working on.

“We’re a very close-minded company. We are not caretakers.

Output Targets

We are growers. So that’s the journey we are on. It’s not going to be an easy journey, but we are going there. As we grow the oil, we are also going to grow the gas.

“The imperative for this country, both short-term and long-term, is about increasing production. Our economy is tied to it. Our long-term sustainability is tied to it.

Nigeria, Brazil Draw Closer as Air Peace Launches Historic Direct

West and Central Africa’s larg- est carrier, Air Peace, has taken centre stage in a new chapter of Nigeria–Brazil relations with the successful launch of its maiden Lagos–Brazil flight. The airline said this milestone marked not only a breakthrough in aviation but was also a powerful symbol of connectivity and enduring partnership between Africa’s largest economy and South America’s economic powerhouse.

The airline said, in a statement signed by its management

in Lagos, that the significance of Air Peace’s expansion was underscored during a recent diplomatic meeting between President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, and President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

It disclosed that aviation featured prominently in presidents’ dialogue, with both leaders identifying Air Peace as a central player in deepening economic, cultural, and social ties between the two nations.

At a press briefing after the arrival of the inaugural flight at Murtala Muhammed

International Airport Terminal 2, Lagos, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, commended Tinubu for his remarkable contributions to the sector.

Keyamo stated that Air Peace’s achievement was the first tangible fruit of the president’s diplomatic shuttle to Brazil.

He said, “What we are seeing today is the first fruit of the diplomatic shuttle of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Brazil. In his wisdom, the President has decided to reopen and expand our economic,

NLC Inaugurates Five-man Caretaker Committee to Oversee Edo Council

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday, inaugu- rated a five-man Caretaker Committee headed by Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen, as chairman to oversee the affairs of the Edo State Council of NLC.

Other members of the Caretaker Committee inaugurated by the NLC officials from the National Secretariat led by Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday include Comrade Ochei Onyebuchi Mike-NUTGTWN, Comrade Orein Charles

Uwanle - JUSUN, Comrade Nwaneli Thankgod - MWUN and Comrade Augustine Ekanem - NUCFRLANMPE

The Adams Oshiomhole Labour House where the inauguration was scheduled to take place was placed under lock and key in an apparent move to stop the inauguration.

Service

diplomatic, and trade relations with Brazil.

“Brazil is the biggest economy in South America, and Nigeria is considered the biggest economy in Africa. Connecting these two economies was very key to both presidents.” The minister commended Tinubu for empowering the aviation sector to deliver the milestone through Air Peace.

“So we are hoping to be able to grow our gas production. We have a capacity for 100 million scf per day. There are many factors that determine what we do every day. But our ambition is to take it to at least 150 million scfs per day. So 100,000 barrels, 150 million scfs. That’s our ambition, what we think OML 17 can deliver. And we then look to grow our portfolio both in Nigeria and overseas. What we’ve done with this asset is a template.”

He said Energies boasts of about 1.5 billion barrels oil reserve which can last for 75 years going by current produc- tion level.

He called for more focus and investment in increasing production of oil and gas rather than in reserves growth because of the energy transition deadline, saying Nigeria’s current reserve can last for till the next 75 years.

“And it’s almost like you’re working against a deadline. You have to try and get as much value out before it becomes less valuable. So reserves are important, but right now, production is more important”, heIgiehonexplained.described his Heirs Energies as the “brownfield champions in Nigeria and possibly in Africa”,

He said stability has sub- stantially returned to Nigeria’s exploration and production sector as the case of oil theft has reduced, noting that currently, the company gets about 95 per cent of production that gets to the crude terminal.

He said the company had not only shown that it has big ambitions but has also demonstrated a track record of making things work and daring to enter where others chickened out.

‘Leading in a Storm’: Safari Announces Release of Dakuku Peterside’s New Book

Safari Books Limited has announced October 2025 as the release date for “Leading in a Storm”, a thought-provoking and deeply relevant new work by renowned author, public intellectual and turnaround management expert, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

A statement from the publishers disclosed the book is scheduled for international and Nigerian release, with high-profile public presenta-

tions slated for Lagos, Abuja, London and Chicago.

In an age defined by volatility and uncertainty, Leading in a Storm, offers a compelling guide to navigating crisis with clarity, calm and conviction.

Dr. Peterside, drawing on decades of high-level experience in politics, corporate governance and public administration, explores what distinguishes resilient leaders from those who falter

when the stakes are highest. This landmark book presents practical strategies across eight pillars of crisis leadership, including situational intelligence, calm confidence, sense-making, strategic decision-making, among“Crisisothers. does not build character, it reveals it,” writes Dr. Peterside, as he unpacks how true leadership is tested when order gives way to chaos.

City

Chinedu Eze

GUANGXI PEOPLE’S CONGRESS, LAGOS TOURISM MINISTRY DISCUSS PARTNERSHIP...

L-R: Secretary-General of Standing Committee of Guangxi People’s Congress & Vice Director-General of the

of the Standing Committee of Guangxi

ADC, INEC Spar over Registration Report

Party: The figures in your report suspicious

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, traded tackles over the figures in its first-week report on the new Continuous Voter registrations.

While the ADC said raised concerns over what it described as “statistically implausible” figures, INEC cautioned the political party and advised it to be circumspect with its conjectures.

According to ADC, the numbers from Osun State alone defied both historical patterns and demographic realities, with nearly 400,000 new registrations reportedly completed in just seven days.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC warned that such suspicious figures, if left unchecked, could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s entire electoral process.

The party, therefore, called

on INEC to explain how it was that in Osun State, one week’s registration exceeded the total number of new voters recorded in the state over the last four years combined, while the South West zone alone accounted for an extraordinary 67 per cent of all pre-registrations nationwide.

ADC said it viewed the first set of data released by the INEC on new Continuos Voter registrations with great concern.

‘’According to INEC’s figures, Osun State alone recorded 393,269 pre-registrations in just one week. To put this in context, Osun added only 275,815 new voters between 2019 and 2023, a period of four years. In other words, Osun has now supposedly registered more people in seven days than it managed to do in an entire electoral cycle of four years.

‘’Even at its highest point of political mobilisation in 2022, Osun has never produced more than 823,124 votes cast in the Governorship Election. Now, by some miracle, nearly 20 per cent of all eligible adults in the

state have rushed to register. This is not just unusual, it is statistically implausible.

‘’The anomalies become even more glaring when viewed in the context of the overall registration report. Across the six geopolitical zones, the South West alone accounts for 848,359 pre-registrations, an astonishing 67 per cent of the national total.

‘’By contrast, the entire South East recorded just 1,998 preregistrations. To further illus-

Commission: Be circumspect with conjectures

trate, three states—Osun, Lagos, and Ogun—make up 54.2 per cent of all pre-registrations in Nigeria, while five states combined—Ebonyi, Imo, Enugu, Abia, and Adamawa—barely recorded 4,153, or 0.2 per cent, while the entire North East recorded just 6.1 per cent.

‘’These fantastic figures suggest either another technical ‘glitch’ in INEC’s digital registration system, or a more troubling possibility of deliber-

ate manipulation of data to lay the ground for a more sinister agenda in the coming elections. In either case, INEC has some explanations to give.”

On its part, INEC noted that the opposition party could easily rely on authentic and verifiable data available from its official repositories for both ongoing and historical record of its activities.

The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi

Oyekanmi, in a statement, noted that if the party were proactive enough, a simple search of past records already in the public domain would have revealed the facts. He recalled that the commission rolled out the online pre-registration of voters on 18th August 2025, followed by in-person registration on 25th August 2025.

Continues online

Bala Mohammed: Makinde and I Will Be Perfect Match

The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, yesterday, gave indications of plausible realignment ahead of 2027, when said he and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, would make a “perfect match” if paired on a joint ticket for the 2027 presidential election.

Mohammed stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, while reacting to specula-

NMCN Inducts 92 as Registered Nurses at Osun State University

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

No fewer than 92 were inducted as registered Nurses at this year’s induction and oath taking ceremony of registered nurses of the department of nursing science, Osun State University, Osogbo. The nurses were inducted by the Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr. Ndagi Alhassan, represented by Mrs. Chioma Chubo who administered the oath on them.

Speaking at the 7th Induction Ceremony of Registered

Nurses of the University, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor, Odunayo Clement Adebooye, commended the Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the entire Council for the recent approval and implementation of the increase in the university’s quota from 150 to 200 students. According to him, “This singular gesture reflects your confidence in our university’s capacity and commitment to the training of highly skilled, competent, and globally competitive nurses. We are

deeply grateful. in recognition of the Council’s trust and in pursuit of our commitment to excellence; the university has made deliberate investments to strengthen the Faculty of Nursing, which I currently oversee pending the appointment of a substantive dean.”

Speaking on the recruitment of qualified lecturers in the department the Vice-Chancellor noted that, “We have recently recruited more highly qualified and experienced lecturers to further enrich teaching, mentoring, and research in the faculty.”

tions about him running as a vice-presidential candidate to Makinde.

The governor suggested that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) needed a Christian from the South to emerge as presidential candidate, with a Muslim from the North as running mate.

“Seyi Makinde-Bala Moham- med ticket can match even better. Because to me, it depends on what Nigerians want. If they want the continuation of this clueless administration, then it is the choice of Nigerians. But certainly they have seen the pedigree, the capacity of Seyi and my humble self at the subnational level.

“And of course, it is not only Seyi, there are so many people that may even come up. And there are so many people that can be good vice president. What we are saying is that this time around, if Nigerians are selling this option, they should be given the opportunity.

“But of course, there are so many options that, maybe, you don’t want to mention, and I don’t want to mention, that people are talking in terms of pairing. It is all these narratives that would go into the consciousness or the senses of judgment of our party people and even the presidential candidate, when he emerges.

“What I want to say is, we

Nafisa

have not absolutely chosen or narrowed down on any person. Everybody should know that PDP is open. It’s open in a manner that it is for the southerners to bring somebody. And I said with all humility, we don’t want to make the mistake of the APC.

“We need a Christian from the South to emerge as a presidential candidate so that he will lead the majority of Christian southerners to come and pick a majority Muslim vice president in the north, not to put ourselves in the cul-de-sac the way a man in APC did in 2023, when they picked a minority from the south.

Winning World Title in English Skills

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The federal government has honoured Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu, a 17-year-old student from Yobe State with the sum of N200,000 for emerging as the World’s Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, the United Kingdom. Representing Nigeria through

the Nigerian Tulip International College, Nafisa outshone more than 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations to clinch the world title.

At a special recognition ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suiwaba Sa’id Ahmad,

celebrated Nafisa’s remarkable feat and other students who excelled during the competition. They described her as “a beacon of excellence and inspiration to Nigerian youths.” TeenEagle competition is an internationally acclaimed contest that evaluates students’ proficiency in English language, critical thinking, and com- munication skills.

General Office of Guangxi People’s Congress, Lu Bo; Vice Chairman

People’s Congress, Zhang Xiaoqin; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe; and Consulate General, Chinese Embassy, Ms. Yan Luping, during a collaboration partnership meeting held at the ministry’s conference room in Lagos… recently

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

UNVEILING OF REVAMPED NIGERGAS COMPANY LTD...

L-R: Commissioner for Housing, Enugu State, Engr. Gerald Otiji; Chairman, Enugu East LGA, Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike; MD, Ten Gas Development Company, Chief Chike Madueke; Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah; Secretary to State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia; Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo; former Member, House of Representatives, Hon. Anayo Edeh and Chief of Staff, Government House, Enugu, Barr. Victor Udeh, during the unveiling of the newly revamped stateowned Nigergas Company Limited, in Enugu, Thursday.

Atiku Seeks Far-reaching Electoral Reforms to Ensure Integrity and Public Confidence

Calls for amendment of 2022 electoral act Gifts ex-Adamawa PDP secretariat to ADC

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said the ongoing voter registration exercise would only be meaningful with far-reaching electoral and judicial reforms.

He said electoral and judicial reforms were un-

dertaken to ensure electoral integrity, strengthen public confidence, and promote judicial independence.

According to Atiku, in a statement he signed, ‘’The enthusiasm of Nigerians in the ongoing continuous voter registration for PVCs as com- mendable and indicative of

the commitment of Nigerians to take their destinies in their hands in choosing their leaders in the next elections cycle.’’

Atiku, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said it was not just enough to demand that eligible voters registered for their PVCs.

‘’It is pertinent that farreaching electoral and judicial reforms are undertaken to ensure electoral integrity, strengthen public confidence, and promote judicial independence.

‘’Over time, the quality of our elections has continued to depreciate with voter

IG: Cattle Rustling Opens Corridors for Trafficking, Fuels Terrorism, Other Crimes

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has said, cattle theft, once dismissed as a rural nuisance, has now evolved into a sophisticated criminal economy.

This evolvement, he said, has now fuelled terrorism, destabilised communities, and opened corridors for the trafficking and misuse of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) materials.

He also revealed that the Sahel and West Africa were home to more than 60 million

head of cattle, representing billions of dollars in mobile assets.

Speaking at the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference, held in Cape Town, South Africa, Egbetokun noted that cattle theft has existed for centuries.

Revealing that proceeds from cattle theft were often reinvested in IED components and small arms, the IGP emphasised that this convergence made cattle theft far more than a rural crime but a multiplier of global security threats.

Switzerland

In a paper titled: “Cattle

Theft in West Africa: A Conduit for Terrorism Financing and CBRNE Threats,” Egbetokun stated, “For centuries, cattle have been central to West African identity, culture, and economy. They serve as wealth, dowry, insurance, and symbols of status. The Sahel and West Africa host more than 60 million head of cattle, representing billions of dollars in mobile assets.

“But in the face of desertification, shrinking grazing land, and farmer–herder tensions, cattle have become easy targets for armed groups. Rustling,

Pledges Support for Nigeria’s IMO Category ‘C’ Seat Bid

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has received a letter of support from the Swiss government for Nigeria’s bid for the Category ‘C’ seat on the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2026/2027 Biennium elections October/November

thisTheyear.Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, received the letter of endorsement, Thursday, in Abuja during a courtesy visit from Switzerland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Patrick Felix Egloff, noting this marks a significant step forward for Nigeria’s campaign.

Oyetola who expressed happiness for the show of support from the Swiss government stated that it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the federal government to upholding international standards, adding that Nigeria’s election will contribute to a more robust and sustainable global maritime industry.

once opportunistic, has evolved into an organised industry where livestock are stolen, laundered through informal markets, and converted into cash for crime and conflict.

“To understand the scale: a single raid of 200 cattle, each fetching around $300 in illicit sales, generates about $60,000 overnight. This is not just stolen wealth — it is quick, liquid capital for insurgents and bandits.

turnout at an all-time low during the 2023 elections.

Of the total 93.47 million registered voters, only 24.9 million persons voted in the last presidential and National Assembly elections.

“This represents a meagre 26.72 per cent voter turnout, the lowest since the return to democracy in 1999. Something needs to be done to check this slide if citizens are to continue to have an appetite for the democratic processes and the prospects that it holds.

“The issues of BVAS, electronic transmission, and all other associated issues need to be addressed to the extent that they’re constitutionally provided for in order not to leave it to the whims and caprices of judges.

‘’As Prof. Chidi Odinkalu warned in his book, ‘The Selectorate: When Judges Topple The People’, judges, once constrained arbiters of electoral disputes, have become increasingly un-

$4.2m COVID-19 Fraud:

The Osun State Government has posited it would obtain the Certified True Copy of the judgement of a United States Court that sentenced the Apetu monarch of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede to prison before making any official statement

A source informed THISDAY yesterday the government would not act based on social media reports. It would be recalled that an online report claimed

the traditional ruler was last Tuesday sentenced to 56 months in prison by the US District Judge Christopher A. Boyko.

Meanwhile, leaderships of Ipetumodu Progressive Union, IPU, have called for calm and unity among residents of the ancient Ipetumodu town, following the recent online reports of conviction of the community’s monarch, Oba Joseph Oloyede, in the United States over charges related to COVID-19 relief fund fraud.

In a public statement issued

constrained in determining who holds power — shifting legitimacy from voters to the courts.

“In some cases, this influence has extended beyond the courtroom, creating a system where a small, connected elite decides leadership under the cover of legal process,” he stressed.

He explained that the envisaged electoral and judicial reforms will return the power to the people to choose their leaders and not a conclave of interested parties.

‘’There should be an amendment in the 2022 Electoral Act, providing for: First, mandatory use of BVAS for accreditation of voters and upload of election results from all the polling units and collation centres across Nigeria without any provision for discretion to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for manual accreditation of voters.

on Thursday, the National President of the Union, Dr. Israel Akinjogbin, reassured citizens that the situation remains under control and that the community should not allow the development to disrupt their daily lives. According to Dr. Akinjogbin while the news of the monarch’s conviction has come as an unthinkable to many, it is important for the people of Ipetumodu to distinguish between the legal proceedings abroad and the peace and order at home.

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Linus Aleke in Abuja

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

AfricAn Peering And interconnection forum...

Technology

Commercial

State Service Commanders, RSIEC Express

Readiness for Rivers LG Elections Saturday

Police restrict movement from 12am to 6pm, promise stringent security, arrest suspects

Blessing ibunge in Port Harcourt

Service Commanders in Rivers State with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) have reiterated their readiness ahead of the Local Government Area elections scheduled for Saturday, August 30, 2025.

This was as the State Police Command has announced a temporary restrictions on hu- man and vehicular movement across the state, except those on essential duties.

The service commanders, comprising the Commissioner of Police, heads of Nigeria Army, Air force, Navy, State Security Service, Immigration, customs, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in a joint press briefing with RSIEC, yesterday, said they were prepared for the elections holding on Saturday across the 319 wards in the state.

Addressing members

of security agencies, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, who spoke on behalf of the service commanders in Rivers, stated that the security agencies in the state were fully prepared in terms of manpower and security deployment ahead of the elections.

“We have done due diligence. We are all synergizing for the election. We will participate fully and want it to be a success”, Adepoju said.

The CP urged members of security agencies to be careful, civil to members of the public and adhere strictly to rules and regulations governing the elections.

“We don’t want to hear complaints against security agencies. No arms at polling boot. VIPs are not allowed to come with their armed security aides to the the polling boots.All hands should be on deck.

“The security operatives

and LGA administrators have alot to do to ensure the election is a success.We have arrested,chased cultists and criminals out of the state. We are working in synergy and as a team,” he said.

Adepoju also disclosed

that “All arrangements are in place for peaceful elections. What we need is to execute it. We have a joint control room at police headquarters where each of the security agencies will be represented.

“We will have show of force

tomorrow, Friday August 29, to let people know we are ready for the election. We have our men on ground to respond to distress calls. We will assist in restriction of movement. Don’t be harsh on people.

“The military will cordon off exit and entrance in the state. People on essential duty, observers and media will be given pass. All security agen- cies should cooperate with the media and assist them when they are stranded,” he said.

Bode George: State of Emergency Extension in Rivers Beyond Sept 18 Can Trigger Crisis

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has warned that extending the state of emergency in Rivers State beyond September 18 could trigger crisis among the people of the state.

President Bola Tinubu had invoked the emergency rule following political face-off

FLIP: Oando Foundation Partners QEDA, Others to Improve Foundational Learning in Nigeria

funmi ogundare

Oando Foundation in collaboration with Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Africa, Quality Education Development Associates (QEDA), and Hilltrust Top Foundation, yesterday, unveiled the learning progress report, an initiative designed to tackle Nigeria’s learning crisis.

The report deploys evidencebased approaches to improve foundational learning especially for pupils in Ebonyi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Adamawa states.

Speaking at the Founda-

tional Learning Improvement Programme (LEARNOVATE – FLIP) dissemination workshop, in Abuja, to highlight its impact through communitybased learning hubs, localised teaching materials, the Head, OANDO Foundation, Tonia Uduimoh, called for urgent action to address Nigeria’s deepening learning crisis.

She warned that 70 per cent of children cannot read with understanding or solve basic math problems, while nearly 9 million remain out of school.

She explained that the

programme has shown that with innovation, collaboration, and community ownership, Nigeria can reverse its education challenges.

“Statistics remain sobering, and if left unaddressed, this crisis will continue to limit opportunities for our young people and weaken Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global economy,” she said.

FLIP, she noted, was launched in Adamawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, and Sokoto states to strengthen literacy and numeracy among pupils.

between the governor and his predecessor and godfather, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

George, who said the state of emergency was unwarranted in the first place, likened the scenario to the crisis that led to the “Wetie” uprising in the Western Region, and the eventual civil war of 1967 that

engagement.

Tijani said: “In quarter one of 2025, the digital economy contributed approximately N7 trillion to our real GDP, accounting for 14.19 per cent of Nigeria’s N49.34 trillion GDP. This is highly remarkable. Currently, the sector contributes 16 -18 per cent of GDP, with clear strategies to place it in place to increase this to 21 per cent by 2030.”

On the importance of the bill, he said it seeks to establish a robust legal and regulatory framework that will guide the implementation of digital governance in Nigeria and ensure the solid legal foundation required to drive digital identity, aid governance, and overall decision-making for Nigeria.

ravaged the country for three years.Speaking on “Frontline”, a political programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, he. warned the federal gov- ernment against extending the emergency rule beyond September 18 if it did not want trouble to ensue in the state.

He also warned the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral

In his remarks, the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kachifu Abdullahi, said a legal and institutional framework for the national digital economy was being built.

“This will accelerate digitisation of the Nigerian economy, when all government services are digital, and also the govern- ment is building infrastructure to connect the unconnected.

The government is doing a lot in digital literacy to educate our citizens to develop their digital fluency, so everyone will be part of it. And that will deepen financial inclusion as well,” Abdullahi stated.

The National Commissioner of Nigerian Data Protection

Ibok-Eke Ibas, to tread softly on whatever action he takes, stressing that he would give account after leaving office. “We have refused to learn from history and we have continued to repeat the same mistake. Even the situation to create a State of Emergency is not in conformity, and it will be an issue for the next general election.

Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, in his goodwill message noted that the digital economy sector was the most consistent in growth.

“I stand to be corrected. I’m not sure of any other sector where there is consistent progress in a particular sector and contributing highly to the growth of our economy,” he said.

The Director General, Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju said: “You can’t talk of a digital economy without a digital infrastructure and that’s where Galaxy Backbone comes in. The government has invested a lot in terms of infrastructure and those infrastructure are there to support the digital economy.”

L-R: Chief

Officer, CSquared Limited, Mr. Samuel Owusu Yeboah; Business Development Manager, CSquared Limited, Rochelle Bannerman; and Group Chief

Officer, Mr. Willem Marais, at the African Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) 2025 held in Lagos ... recently

Kemi olaitan in Ibadan

Governor S

DONATION OF CLEANING MATERIALS TO LAWMA BY LAFARGE...

L-R: Director, Health, Safety and Environment, Lafarge Africa Plc, Rachael Ezembakwe; Managing Director/CEO, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin; Director, Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development, Lafarge Africa Plc, Viola Graham-Douglas; Executive Director Finance, LAWMA, Kunle Adebiyi and Head, Mortar, Lafarge Africa Plc, Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, during the donation of cleaning materials to LAWMA by Lafarge

Oyo APC Raises the Alarm over Fresh N300bn Loan by Governor Seyi Makinde

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, raised the alarm over fresh N300 billion approved for Governor Seyi Makinde by the state House of Assembly.

The party, in a statement, by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, warned that the development signalled a problematic future for the economy of the state as well as the welfare of the people.

this year.

According to Yahaya, Sokoto remains the epicentre, accounting for 13 of the 23 cases reported nationwide so far in 2025.

He outlined improvements in surveillance and vaccination, saying settlements tracked with geo-coordinate data increased from 71 per cent in April to 78 per cent in June, while vaccina- tion coverage rose from 81 to 84 per cent within the same period.

The governor said, “The first round of in-between activities across 11 high-risk states reached 77 per cent of targeted settle- ments, with about 2.7 million children vaccinated, representing 83 per cent coverage.”

Beyond vaccination, Yahaya stated that integrated health services were offered, including nutritional supplements for preg- nant women, malaria prevention kits and other maternal-child health interventions, designed to boost community acceptance.

He announced that the second round of immunisation will run from September 11 to 14, 2025 across 11 high-risk states, while a broader integrated nationwide campaign will follow in October 2025.

Yahaya stated, “That cam- paign, targeting children aged 0-14 years, will deliver measles, rubella, polio and malaria vac- cines, alongside treatments for neglected tropical diseases, in a two-phase rollout to maximise coverage.

Members of the state assembly were recalled from their annual recess by the Speaker, Hon. Debo Ogun-

“To ensure effective delivery, the committee urged state deputy governors to person- ally chair task force meetings at least two weeks before each campaign round, particularly in Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto.

“Commissioners for Health and heads of primary healthcare agencies are to lead post- campaign reviews and mop-up exercises, while local government chairmen will be tasked with grassroots mobilisation.”

Yahaya further appealed to security agencies to safeguard health workers in conflict-prone areas, stressing that vaccination teams often face risks in hard-toreach or volatile communities.

He underscored the need for timely funding, revealing that the committee had called on the Accountant General of the Federation to expedite disbursements for primary healthcare funds.

He said, “Eradicating polio remains a national priority. With sustained commitment, adequate resources, and strong security backing, we can rid Nigeria of this disease once and for all.”

On cross-border risks, he cautioned that porous northern frontiers remained a weak link.

Yahaya said, “Nigeria was declared wild polio-free in 2020, but what we are fighting now is a variant that spreads easily across borders.

“Communities along the Niger and Chad borders remain vulnerable. That is why we are intensifying vaccination

doyin, to urgently reconvene on August 16 and 26, 2025 for the purpose of giving an approval to the request of Governor Makinde.

The APC threatened to mobilise citizens from all the nooks and crannies of the state to stage a violence-free protest against the administra-

coverage to ensure that no variant, whether home-grown or imported, gains ground again.”

Other highlights of the meeting included update on the account balances as at August 27, 2025 as presented by Accountant General of the Federation, Shamusideen Ogunjimi, who represented the Minister of Finance and coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

Ogunjimi gave the account balances as Excess Crude Account - $535,823.39; Stabilisation Account - N78,453,757,583.19; and Natural Resources Account - N106,727,969,527.59.

On the proposed new medium-term plan, the Budget and Economic Planning ministry urged NEC to note that the first in the series of the six five-year medium-term plan, NDP 2021 – 2025, will elapse by December 2025 and the successor in the series, NDP 2026 – 2030, christened Renewed Hope Plan 2026 – 2030 (RHP 2026 -2030) will be developed.

The accountant-general stated: that the process of developing the RHP 2026 - 2030 will be participatory, requiring the involvement of Nigerians from all walks of life; that since the process of preparing the RHP 2026 – 2030 will be participatory, three governance structures will be put in place as follows: National Steering Committee (to be co-chaired by Public and Private Sector), Central Working

tion of Makinde over what it described as its unabated profligacy, lack of transparency and gross abuse of the due process law of the land, which it claimedthe govern- ment was well known for.

“Now that Governor Makinde has convinced the whole world that he has

Group (CWG), and Technical Working Groups (TWGs); that the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning plays a central role in shaping national developments and strengthening the management of our federal system through its planning mandate; that the preparation of the new plan will effectively commence in September 2025, so that it can be completed on time for Mr. President to launch before the end of the year, as MDAs were expected to derive their 2026 budgets from the newNECplan.also said in the fullness of time, Mr. President would inaugurate the NSC, while the vice president would inaugurate CWG, and the TWGs that would be handling the dif- ferent sectors of the economy. It promised to provide all necessary support and enabling environment for the full and effective participation of state teams or representatives in the preparation of the RHP 2026 – 2030.

NEC thereafter observed the foresight of the Ministry of Bud- get and Economic Planning and the importance of kick-starting the process of creating and new National Development Plan for theCouncilCountry.also urged effective participation by all states and stakeholders to ensure inclusivity and accelerated growth. It approved the proposal for the New National Development Plan – Renewed Hope.

no good plan for the good people of the Pacesetter state with regards to their future, it is very important for all well-meaning individuals from within and outside the state to rise up to the occasion and take necessary steps to stop the heist, which he has foisted on the people since 2019.

“The fresh N300Billion loan which the Hon. Debo Ogundoyin-led legislative House rubber stamped for collection by the governor on August 19, 2025 was the third in the series in 2025 alone because the same governor got a N200bil- lion loan in March and another N110billion French Treasury Concessional loan in July making it a total of N610billion in a year that is just eight months-old.

“We should not forget that the same governor

has got over N180billion in allocations from Abuja and internally generated revenue in 2025 but the masses cannot feel the direct impact of all the huge resources in their life.

“A few days ago, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo State hinged his decision to increase the minimum wage for workers in his state to N104,000 on the availability of more funds from Abuja but in Oyo State, it is more money and more borrowing while the ubiquitous hijack and sale of private and public properties still continue unabated.

“Another question in the mouth of the citizens bothers on the inability of the governor to showcase what he has done with the over N900billion which he has obtained since he became governor in 2019.”

Gov Mb AH rE vAM p S , Up G r ADES N IGE r GAS AFTE r 30- YEA r Dor MANCY

Ogbu-Nwobodo, on his part, expressed joy that although the firm established by the Okpara administration, in partnership with Siad Machine Impianti, was abandoned for over three decades due to mismanagement, misappropriation of revenue, abuse of company resources, nepotism, and weak corporate governance, Mbah had restored the lost dreams.

Managing Director, Ten Gas Development Ltd., Chief Chike Madueke, stated that the restored Nigergas would provide training and thousands of employments for the youth of the state.

Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu; community leader and health consultant, Dr. Joy Uduji; Chairman of

Enugu East Local Government Area, Pastor Beloved Dan Anike; and a businessman, Engr. George Ndubeze Ugwu, also commended Mbah for not only breathing life into dead state-owned assets, but for also building infrastructure that made life better and enabled businesses to thrive.

“You are the Nehemiah of our time. Like Nehemiah, who came and supervised the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, you have also come to rebuild Enugu State,” Uduji said.

Speaking, Nollywood veteran actor and movie producer, Kanayo O. Kanayo, said, “It is not praise-singing, security is working here because when I come to make movies here, we usually stay out late into the night at Nike, and we are safe.”

Africa Plc at the LAWMA’s Head Office in Lagos ... yesterday

PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

NEC Mov ES T o FAST

PROMOTING ACCESS TO FINANCE…

L-R: Policy and DFS Advocacy Manager, Enhancing Financial Inclusion and Advancement (EFInA), Immanuel Umukoro; Board Director, EFInA, Prof. Janice Olawoye; Chief Executive Officer, Octave Analytics Limited, Mr. Blessing Oladeji; Chief Executive Officer, EFInA, Foyinsolami Akinjayeju; Chairman, Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads (CeBIH), Mr. Ajibade Laolu-Adewale; Chief Executive Officer, SANEF, Mrs. Uche Uzoebo, and Technical Adviser, Financial & Economic Inclusion, Presidency, Office of the Vice President, Dr. Nurudeen Zauro, at the A2F 2025 Stakeholder Engagement Workshop in Lagos…recently

Bandits Kill Two, Abduct Several Others in Niger Community

Laleye Dipo in Minna Armed bandits yesterday morning killed two members of the local vigilance group and abducted several other villagers in Akere town in the Wushishi Local Government of Niger state.

Eyewitnesses said that the gunmen numbered over 1,000 and were riding on motorcycles.

The eyewitness said apart from the local vigilance men,

The heavily armed terrorists also took over the Minna to Kontagora highway obstructing vehicular movements.

Anambra Massacre: 11 Laid to Rest in Ebonyi

Benjamin Nworie in abakaliki

The remains of 11 persons massacred in Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State were yesterday laid to rest in their various communities in Ebonyi State.

The 11 persons: Ikechukwu Nwafor; Ebenezer Nwigbo; Uche Alegu; Monday Ofoke; Chidera Utobo; Akam Okechukwu; Sunday Offim; Sunday Ugada; Clement

Ofoke; Chidera Nwogbala; and Sunday Nweke, who hailed from Izzi, Ikwo and Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, were massacred on May, 30, 2025 by gunmen when they were having Ebonyi indigenes meeting in Ogboji, Anambra State.

Seventeen persons were said to have been shot by the gunmen during the attack with the 11 of them killed while six sustained varying degrees of injuries and were treated in various hospitals.

NCS Cautions Public on Auctioning of Seized Items

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has warned members of the public against entering into discussion with any person on social media on issues pertaining to auctioning of items seized by the service

in the course of its operations. The NCS said there were laid down processes and procedures guiding auctioning of seized and forfeited items.

The Comptroller of Ogun Area 1 Command of the NCS, Mr Godwin Otunla, raised the alarm on the activities of some individuals, who went about posting false information concerning auctioning of items, with the sole aim of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.

a villager was also shot by the bandits.

The eyewitness, a community leader, said that it

was the first time such huge number of gunmen would invade the area, explaining in the past between two and

three hundred men were always part of the gunmen.

He said motorists and travelers made emergency

retreats on getting to the spot where the bandits took over the Minna to Kontagora road.

Anambra North LP Lawmakers Condemn Assembly Member’s Suspension

David-Chyddy Eleke in awka

Anambra North Labour Party Caucus in the National Assembly has condemned the recent suspension of the lawmaker representing Ayamelum State Constituency, Hon. Bernard Abuchi Udemezue by the Anambra

State House of Assembly. Hon Udemezue has recently been critical of the Anambra state gvernment. However, his trouble started after he made a social media post, revealing the emoluments of state lawmakers, including N10million quarterly constituency allowance, which

he said other lawmakers were not happy about.

In a press release by the Anambra North Labour Party Caucus in the National Assembly, the group described the suspension as hasty and highhanded.

The lawmakers including: Senator Tony Nwoye,

Hon. Afam Ogene, Hon. Idu Emeka, and Hon. Peter Aniekwe, said the suspension may have been on the prompting of the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who the lawmaker had tried to hold accountable for alleged lack of development in his area.

FRSC, EFCC Join Forces to End Economic Sabotage, Road Traffic Crashes

Kasim Sumaina in abuja

In another landmark shift in inter agency collaboration, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have sealed a strategic alliance

to stamp out economic sabotage and confront the devastating scourge of road traffic crashes (RTCs) threatening lives and draining Nigeria’s economy.

Speaking during the strategic engagement, the Executive Chairman of

the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, emphasised that the two organisations share strikingly similar mandates as they both interface directly with the Nigerian public in ways that deeply affect lives, safety, and national prosperity. He stressed that beyond combating economic crimes, the EFCC is also charged with addressing economic sabotage, an area where transport operators who flout regulations cause devastating ripple effects on national growth and citizens’ welfare.

Nigeria to Strengthen Conflict-sensitive Climate Adaptation

Michael Olugbode in abuja

The Federal Ministry of Environment, through its Department of Climate Change, in collaboration with the NAP Global Network, has launched an inception workshop aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity for conflict-sensitive climate adaptation while unveiling a new report on integrating peace building into the country’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process.

Carloha Unveils

Sunday Ehigiator

Carloha Nigeria, the exclusive distributor of Chery vehicles, has announced new initiatives aimed at transforming vehicle ownership in the country, including a bold after-sales package and plans for local

The event, held in Abuja, brought together senior government officials, development partners, security experts, and representatives from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). It marked a critical step in mainstreaming conflict-sensitivity into Nigeria’s climate policies and development planning.

Delivering the welcome

address on behalf of the Director, Department of Climate Change, Dr. (Mrs.) Eviano AguirreAwe, Deputy Director Johanna Baruge, stressed the urgency of addressing climate impacts that are increasingly exacerbating insecurity across Nigeria.

Vehicle Ownership Package, Prepares for Local Assembly

assembly.

Speaking at a media parley yesterday in Lagos, Managing Director, Carloha Nigeria, Mr. Sola Adigun, said the company is committed to making access to brand-new sedans and SUVs easier, affordable, and worry-free for Nigerians.

He noted that through innovation, investment, and training, Carloha is not only improving ownership experience but also contributing to Nigeria’s industrialisation drive.

At the centre of this strategy is the Carloha Care 6-6-7 package, which

offers customers a six-year warranty, six years of free scheduled maintenance, and a seven-day repair promise backed by a courtesy car guarantee. Adigun described the initiative as the most customer-focused after-sales service in Nigeria’s auto industry.

James Sowole in a beokuta

among us would be the measure of the strength of the whole. We would balance political force with soul force. Only then could we move to strategy: designing not just for the next month or the next year, but for the next century.

Our first strategic step was to build a foundation of accountability. We launched a Citizens’ Charter, a public commitment that allows people to measure us against our promises.

Next came our cornerstone of financial sustainability. That meant ending the leakage within a creaking civil service and tracking the flow of every penny. Every transaction was digitized, saving millions that once slipped away. We expanded the tax net – not by raising rates, but by ensuring more people contributed their fair share. We unlocked dormant state assets and turned them into new streams of revenue.

With this stronger footing, we invested first into critical infrastructure and services like water and roads, because without those basics, nothing else could move. We promised to restore water to people’s homes within the first 180 days, and we delivered, increasing water production from 2 million litres a day to 120 million litres. By the two-year mark, we had built or refurbished 1000 kilometres of roads.

We have attracted investors by building trust through a secure, transparent, and partnership-oriented environment. With our One-Stop Investment Centre, every investor experiences ease of doing business from start to finish – no bureaucracy, no hidden barriers. This model combines the stability of public ownership with the dynamism of private partnership, creating a seamless flow of investment where risks are reduced and the rewards are fair.

We will welcome 3 million annual visitors to Enugu by 2027. That vision requires infrastructure worthy of the goal – the hall you sit in today wasn’t here a year ago; the airline many of you flew in on didn’t exist last month. These are not vanity projects. They are part of building a sustainable ecosystem for a state that will be transformed within a few years.

None of this would have been possible without security. From the outset, we built a tech-driven, intelligence-led security architecture anchored in our Command and Control Centre.

With round-the-clock AI surveillance across our neighbourhoods, integrated response units, and community partnership, Enugu has recorded an over 80% reduction in violent crime. This stability is the bedrock upon which investment, jobs, and society can grow.

Education is our next frontier. We committed over 33% of our budget to education – A decision some thought was reckless. But we knew it was essential.

Our greatest asset is in the head, the hand, and the heart of our people. Refurbishing classrooms was not enough. We had to completely re-imagine education for the digital age and the future job market.

Next month, we launch 260 Smart Green Schools – one for every ward in the state. These are integrated, tech-enabled, future-facing institutions that prepare children not just to learn, but to create, to innovate, and to compete in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Each comes with free school meals, renewable energy systems, and an experiential learning culture that solves real world challenges from day one.

Alongside this, we awarded 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres, each equipped with staff quarters offering a 24-hour service. Since then, we have reduced the maternal mortality rate by

over 400% compared to the inherited national average.

Farmers now enjoy more than just market access – they are connected to industrial agro-allied centres that deliver credit, processing, and export opportunities. These centres form the backbone of an ecosystem that advances food security, expands livelihoods, and positions Enugu in the global supply chain. Agriculture now contributes considerably to Enugu’s GDP, reinforcing its vital role in our state’s economy, and placing us among Nigeria’s most agrarian states.

We have also launched Farm Estates, a 200-hectare initiative across the various wards conceived to scale up production. These are not scattered interventions; they are the threads of a single, far-reaching vision – with more than 2,000 projects already in motion and many more on the horizon. This is about building a new reality: a state where governance is judged by results, accountability is non-negotiable, and the future is owned by every citizen.

Now, I know I am speaking to lawyers. And I know that the law and governance sometimes meet each other with tension. But at our best, are we not doing the same work? Building systems of fairness and opportunities for all? That tension between the state and the Bar is

Workpl A ce S A fe TY: r ole of T H e e mplo Y ee S ’ c ompen SATI on Ac T, 2010 Labour Organization:

• Each year, over 2.8 million workers die from occupational accidents and work-related diseases.

• Over 374 million workers suffer non-fatal injuries annually, many of which lead to long-term disabilities or reduced quality of life.

• The economic cost of poor occupational safety and health is estimated at nearly 4% of global GDP annually, a staggering burden on productivity, healthcare systems, and social welfare.

These statistics are not just numbers; they are human lives, families disrupted, and dreams shattered. They remind us that workplace safety is not a privilege to be enjoyed by a few but a right owed to all.

Within the context of our own country, our peculiar socio-economic realities make workplace safety and social protection even more urgent.

1. Data Gaps: Accurate national data on workplace accidents remains limited. However, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, through its Employees’ Compensation Scheme, continues to receive increasing claims from affected workers and employers.

2. High-Risk Sectors: Industries such as construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing remain prone to frequent and sometimes fatal workplace accidents. Poor adherence to safety standards, inadequate enforcement, and limited awareness exacerbate the problem.

3. Informal economy Vulnerability: With over 80% of Nigeria’s workforce engaged in the informal economy, millions of workers remain outside structured occupational safety nets, leaving them and their families highly vulnerable in the event of accidents or diseases.

4. Cultural and Institutional Weaknesses: In

many workplaces, safety culture is weak. Employers often see safety compliance as a cost rather than an investment, while workers themselves may lack training or incentives to prioritize safety.

The outcome of these realities is clear: rising workplace accidents, preventable occupational illnesses, and increasing claims for compensation. More importantly, the loss of human capital undermines national productivity and deepens poverty traps for affected families.

Why

Workplace Safety and Social Protection Matter

Workplace safety and social protection are not optional luxuries; they are fundamental pillars of social justice, human dignity, and economic sustainability.

They ensure dignity, peace of mind, and assurance that one’s labour will not become a

potentially what keeps both sides honest. This necessary pull in different directions is, in truth, an accountability partnership – each holding the other to principles over personalities. For this to work, we must lean into dialogue, yet sharpen each other’s standards. Despite our differences our common charge is to never settle for less than a shared devotion to service and a society where the rule of law stands taller than the rule of man.

So, I invite you, as partners in this broader project of transformation, to ask: What is the deep change you are called to make in your profession, in your institutions, in your own practice?

Few things in modern times have profoundly impacted our lives as much as AI. I can see the Bar is already rising up to that challenge, trying to figure out just how the deployment of AI might disrupt or enhance the profession.

As I mentioned earlier, transformation is not tinkering at the edges – it is a reimagining of what is possible. For us in Enugu, it has meant a complete shakedown of the existing governance model, putting citizens first and delivering a future we once could only dream of.

So, as we move into our plenary, I urge you: consider our shared quest. What old assumptions must dissolve? What new possibilities must take form? And how can we, the government and the Bar, act as partners in service of a safe, secure, and soulful society?

The future of Enugu – and of Nigeria – depends on this shared spirit of transformation: bold rather than cautious, principled rather than expedient. Leadership and justice alike demand vision, courage, and integrity. They require us not just to manage the present, but to create a future worthy of our people.

Distinguished colleagues, this is not a monologue session. It is meant to be interactive. This is an opportunity to engage and gain insights on what we are doing – and the philosophy that drives them.

On that note, I yield the floor.

Thank you.

•Dr. Mbah, Governor of Enugu State, delivered the address the during “Enugu Showcase” session at the just concluded NBA Annual General Conference in Enugu

source of tragedy for one’s family. They enhance productivity, reduce downtime due to accidents, and foster industrial harmony. They reduce the burden on healthcare systems, mitigate poverty, and enhance national competitiveness.

In essence, workplace safety and social protection are as much about human rights as they are about economic development. A nation that fails to protect its workers fails to protect its future.

The Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010: A Paradigm Shift

The enactment of the Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA), 2010 marked a watershed moment in Nigeria’s labour and social security landscape. It replaced the Workmen’s Compensation Act, a law that had long been criticized for its narrow scope, rigidity, and employer-centric bias.

For decades, Nigerian workers and their families bore the brunt of a compensation system that failed to adequately recognize the evolving realities of modern workplaces. The law operated within the framework of an industrial era that no longer reflected the complex dynamics of contemporary employment relationships. Workers were often left destitute after workplace accidents, while employers faced prolonged litigation that neither restored the injured nor secured industrial harmony.

The ECA 2010 emerged as both a legal reform and a moral commitment, aligning Nigeria with international best practices, especially as recommended by the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions on occupational safety, health, and social security.

1. Comprehensive Coverage

One of the most remarkable contributions of the ECA is its expansive scope.

It applies to all employers and employees across both the public and private sectors, creating a unified national standard.

It extends protection beyond physical accidents to include:

i. Occupational injuries sustained in the course of work.

ii. Occupational diseases arising from exposure to harmful substances or hazardous environments.

iii. Permanent and temporary disabilities, whether partial or total.

iv. Mental health challenges linked to workplace stress, trauma, or hazards, an innovative inclusion that reflects global recognition of psychosocial risks.

By broadening its ambit, the ECA acknowledges the complex and evolving nature of work, ensuring that no worker is left behind simply because their injury or illness does not fit into a narrow definition.

2. Employer Contribution System

The ECA dismantled the inequitable structure of the past where individual employers bore sole liability for compensation. Under the Workmen’s Compensation Act, an employer had to directly compensate an injured worker, often leading to disputes, prolonged court cases, and financial strain.

In contrast, the ECA introduced a collective, pooled system where employers across sectors contribute to a central fund administered by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund. The Fund ensures that resources are available upfront to address claims promptly, rather than waiting for the outcome of litigation.

Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi

Governor Peter Mbah

Nathaniel Ezekiel Wins Bronze, $10,000 in Diamond League Final

Former Nigerian athlete, Salwa Eid Naser wins third 400m title for Bahrain

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Nigeria’s Nathaniel Ezekiel won a precious bronze medal in the final of the 400m hurdles event of the 2025 Wanda Diamond League final in Zurich on Thursday evening.

The American NCAA champion gave his best but was unable to repeat as he did

winning in the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League in the series final yesterday. Ezekiel clocked 47.56secs for the third place finish. Norwegian Karsten Warholm took the title in 46.70 to set a new meet record while Qatar’s 2019 Worlds bronze medalist, Abderrahmane Samba (47.56) was second.

For his effort, Ezekiel received

Catholic Golfers Honour Archbishop Adewale Martins with Golf Kitty at Ikoyi Club

Ninety golfers drawn from across the country featured in the 13th Episcopal Anniversary and 42nd Priestly ordination anniversary Golf Kitty organised in honour of the Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, the Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, at the Ikoyi Golf Club in Lagos on Thursday.

The event, organised by the Catholic Golfers Association of Nigeria, witnessed players from host Ikoyi Golf Club, Shasha Golf Club, Ikeja Golf Club, Benin Golf Club, Ibadan Golf Club amongst others. Former Chairman of Ikoyi Club, Tafa Zibiri-Aliu and other eminent members of the highbrow club were present at the ceremonial tee-off.

Speaking after the tee-off, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, expressed joy at the opportunity provided by the anniversaries golf to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the golf family.

“I am grateful for this an- niversary golf Kitty organised by the Catholic Golfers Association of Nigeria in my honour. It is an opportunity to bring the good news about Jesus Christ to the golf community,” observed the Archbishop.

He recalled the role of the Catholic Church in grassroots sports development in the country in the past and described this opportunity as another effort in the right direction.

Archbishop Martin was particularly happy with the blue and white colour chosen for the Kitty, stressing that it is the colour of Virgin Mary the Mother of Jesus Christ.

“Blue is the colour of Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. Combined with white presents a perfect picture of holiness which I see the golfers here on the course, represent. I wish the golfers great time competing for honours.”

In his speech, Chairman of the Catholic Golfers Association of Nigeria, Sir Emmanuel Okene, also expressed happiness over the event used to honour the Chief Shepherd of the jurisdiction from where the association is berthed, The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.

“He (Archbishop Martins) was installed as Archbishop of Lagos on 4th August 2012 but first ordained a priest on the 18th of September 1983. On behalf of all the Golfers and all present, I wish him happy anniversaries and many more fruitful years of celebration in good health,” observed Sir Okene.

He also recalled that the Catholic Golfers last year similarly honoured Monsignor Anaigwu with a tournament to mark his 80th Birthday here at Ikoyi Club.

He thanked Dr. Isichei Osamgbi; former Lady’s Captain, Mrs. Fatumata Coker; Sir Peter Osamgbi; and also, Dr. Austin Irabor an Anglican, who is very catholic at heart, serving as tournament director, who formed the nucleus of the planning team, working tire- lessly to make the golf Kitty a reality.

“Also in the team are Fathers Paul Ijasan, Michael Olofinlade, Nsikak Ibanga, Koyoyo and PatSirBassey.” Okene concluded that the main purpose of the golf Kitty is “Swinging for the Faith” with Catholic golfers as veritable and willing tool for evangelization.

“It is my hope and belief that this muster seed will grow strong taking the model of two strong institutions she embraces, the Catholic Church and the Game of Golf,” he concluded.

Several trophies were listed to be won in the Veterans category in the men and women; Best Net; Best Gross, and Nearest to Pin; Longest Drive in the men and women categories.

$10,000 in prize money, $3,000 more than he would have been given if his 400m hurdles event was not classified as a Diamond + discipline in Zurich. He has now earned $20,000 for his first season in the Diamond League. He got $4,000 for his third position in Eugene and $6,000 for placing second in Silesia. There was no payment for first position in Lausanne because the 400m hurdles was not Diamond League event at that Meet.

On a day that Nigeria’s big-

gest hope for top finish in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan skipped the final, a former Nigerian quarter miler now competing for Bahrain, Salwa Eid Naser (formerly Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu) won her third Diamond League trophy in the women’s 400m for her adopted country. She powered to the finish line in a new meet record of 48.70secs. She left the Paris 2024 champion Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic (49.23) in the second place while Norway’s

Henriette Jaeger was third in 49.49.

In the women’s 100m hurdles where Amusan holds the world record of 12.12secs, Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent hit the finish line in 12.30secs. She missed equaling the Meet record of 12.29 set by Amusan in 2022 by the whiskers.

Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji was second in a Swiss National Record (NR) time of 12.40secs while Grace Stark of the USA clocked a time of 12.44 to finish third ahead of Jamaica’s Danielle

Williams who had to settle for fourth place with the same time as Stark. The women’s 100m title for 2025 went to Olympic Champion, Julien Alfred, who secured the top honour in a time of 10.76secs at the Zurich Diamond League final. Jamaica’s Tia Clayton ran another sub 11s with a time of 10.84secs to finish second while Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith was third, clocking 10.94. Côte d’Ivoire’s Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith, was disqualified for a false start.

Udo-Obong Blames AFN Leadership for Nigeria’s Failure to Qualify for World Championship Relays

Duro Ikhazuagbe

With Team Nigeria completely missing all the five relay events of the 2025 World Athletics Championship scheduled to begin in Tokyo, Japan in two weeks, a former Olympic gold medal winner in 4x400m for the country, Enefiok UdoObong, has placed blame on the doorsteps of the leadership of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Udo-Obong needs no introduction in Nigerian nay African athletics circles. He is one of the very few Nigerians that can boast of winning gold and bronze medals at two Olympic Games. His yeoman service in Nigeria’s 4x400m relay at the Sydney 2000 Olympics remains engraved in the memories of track & field aficionados. He literally made possible the silver

that became gold following the disqualification of USA. Four years later, Udo-Obong was part of the Nigerian 4x400m quartet that also won bronze at the 2004 Athens Games in Greece.

Today, Udo-Obong is at the head of Saudi Arabia’s Track & Field as Technical Director. He’s doing what he knows best, tracking and training young talents from the grassroots to make the Kingdom a force in the sport in no distant future. Speaking with THISDAY from his base in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the week, Udo-Obong insisted that Nigeria should not have waited till the last minute before applying to the Japanese Embassy for visas to attend the World Relays. Nigerian athletes were denied visas to attend the event because the documents were submitted late for the trip.

“The AFN should have used the home-based quarter milers to apply for the visas early rather than waiting for our athletes coming from the NCAA in America. We all know that there was no way they were going to released early when they were in the middle of competitions for their various universities. AFN should just have used the home-based athletes for the World Relays in Tokyo. If we had applied early, there was no reason to deny our athlete those visas,” observed the Olympian.

He insisted that qualification was certainly going to be a tall order with Nigeria missing the World Relays where the World Athletics was going to pick 14 out of the 16 to compete at the Worlds.

“It was almost going to be impossible for any country

that did not attend the World Relays to qualify for the World Championship relays. The World Athletics picked the 14 out of 16 and leave room for only two teams to qualify from races. I think Jamaica got one of the ticket while all other who were not among the 14 to now fight for the only one slot remaining. That was one gamble not worth taking by AFN. It didn’t make sense to me.”

Udo-Obong stressed that with Nigeria having two strong 44secs runners in the 400m and five others running low 45secs, “We have never have it this good. The only time we came this close was, I think in the early 1980s. How come the AFN was unable to manage this team for the 4x400m to qualify for the World Championship?” queried the former international athlete.

Nathaniel Ezekiel stormed to third place finish in the Wanda Diamond League final in Zurich...last night

Nigeria-born Salwa Eid Naser (née Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu), won her third Diamond League trophy in 400m for Bahrain last night in Zurich

impRoVED RiSK mAnAGEmEnT on ThEiR minDS...

L-R: Chief executive Officer/Registrar, Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), Victor Olannye; Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance, representing the Minister of Finance, Raymond Omachi; President/Chairman of Council, CRMI, Kevin Ugwuoke; Special Advisor to the President on economic and Financial

Nigeria,

and Director,

Peter M BAH

Transformational Leadership From the Prism of Enugu State

It is a true privilege to stand before this assembly of some of the sharpest legal minds in our nation. The law, at its heart, is about order, justice, and fairness. Leadership, at its best, is about channeling those same values into building systems that uplift people. Today’s subject is Transformational Leadership – what it means, how it works, and why it matters. When we speak of transformation, we often use the word too lightly. We talk about reforms, adjustments, or new policies; but transformation is something deeper. It is not management. It is not tinkering at the edges of what already exists. Transformation is when the landscape itself changes so completely that the world you see after is unrecognizable from what came before.

The ancients spoke of transformation in the language of alchemy – seven stages through which matter itself was purified and transfigured; each stage essential in breaking down the old

The heart of transformational leadership is not about moving pieces on the chessboard. It is about changing the board, a quantum leap, a reimagining of what is possible with integrity, innovation, and critical thinking as compass points to guide the way.

When I assumed the responsibility of leading Enugu, the people who voted for me were not asking for the moon. They wanted running water. They wanted reliable public services. They wanted a modest, secure income. In short, they wanted to look no further than some dignity in their daily lives. But as I looked at the state, it was clear that incremental improvements as things stand would never deliver the future our people deserved.

thinking became our horizon and we settled for less, clinging to this familiar even as it failed us. But transformational leadership demands the audacity to envision something beyond our low expectations.

Transformation, then, is nothing less than the courage to allow one order to fall away so that a higher one may take shape.

Workplace Safety: Role

A presentation at the 65th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at tge International Conference Centre, Enugu on the 24th of August 2025

Introduction

Distinguished colleagues, esteemed members of the Bench and Bar, fellow policymakers, captains of industry, and ladies and gentlemen. It is both an honour and a privilege to stand before this distinguished assembly at the 65th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association. The NBA has, over decades, remained the conscience of our nation, a defender of rights, a champion of justice, and a custodian of the democratic ideals that gives meaning to our collective existence.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Stand Out, Stand Tall!” is more than a slogan. It is a call to courage, to excellence, and to visionary

leadership. It challenges us, as thought-leaders and nation-builders, to lift our society beyond mediocrity and to confront the existential issues that hinder Nigeria’s march toward greatness. and separating the elements so that the new could emerge.

The first spark of true change lies in the imagination – the courage to see beyond the limitations of the familiar. Too often, past disappointments dulled our hope and left us trapped in a poverty of imagination. Short term

For us, that meant grounding our work in three essentials: vision, values, and a disruptive strategy. Our vision was to grow Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, to reduce the poverty headcount to zero, and to make Enugu the preferred destination in Nigeria for business, for tourism, and for living. We imagined a state that, within eight years, would be completely unrecognizable from the one we inherited. But vision alone is never enough. It must be anchored on values. In an age when politics too often becomes self-serving, we insisted that integrity, accountability, and inclusivity would define everything we did. Our care for the weakest

of The Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010

I stand today to speak directly to one of those existential issues, the safety of our workplaces and the social protection of our workers. These are not peripheral concerns; they touch the very core of our humanity, our economy, and our pursuit of sustainable national development.

In focusing on “Enhancing Workplace Safety and Social Protection: The Role of the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010,” I aim to situate our conversation at the intersection of law, labour, and human dignity.

Work is not merely an economic activity; it is central to human identity and social progress. Through work, families are sustained, communities are developed, and nations are built. The dignity of labour, so deeply rooted in our cultural and constitutional ethos, affirms that every worker deserves protection, not just in the fruit of their labour, but also in the very process of labouring.

Yet, the paradox remains: while work empow-

ers, it can also endanger. The same factories that generate wealth can expose workers to industrial hazards; the same oil rigs that earn foreign exchange can subject workers to occupational illnesses; the same construction sites that build our cities can also claim lives in accidents. This paradox highlights the urgency of workplace safety and the necessity of social protection. It is not enough for a nation to pursue economic growth; such growth must be inclusive, humane, and protective of those whose sweat oils the engines of development. The Global Context:

Grim Realities of Workplace Hazards

Permit me to share with you the grim realities of workplace hazards, and these statistics are not mine; they were provided by the International

Minister of Labour, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi

NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN

Inclusion, representing the Vice President of

Nurudeen Abubakar Zauro,

Risk Management, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Blaise Ijebor, at the CRMI 24th Annual International Conference in Lagos…yesterday