Nigeria Leads Africa in Stock Market Returns, Up 75.5% in Nine Months, Enters Q4 With Strong Momentum
NGX market capitalisation rises N63.73trn in nine months to N163.11trn Naira appreciation boosts dollar returns
Kayode Tokede
Nigeria’s stock market has
emerged as Africa’s bestperforming equities market in dollar terms in the first nine
months of 2026, with a 75.5 per cent year-to-date (YtD) return, according to data compiled by
THISDAY across 20 African exchanges. The performance places the
Nigerian Exchange (NGX) ahead of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE), which returned 64.75 per
cent in dollar terms over the same period, as the continent’s equity Continued on page 5
Olu Jacobs Laid to Rest in Lagos, Nollywood, Nigeria Bid Icon Farewell...
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The Economist: WhyTinubu May Win 2027 Election Despite Growing Public Discontent Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Sunday Ehigiator in Lagos
L-R: Executive Vice President, Gas, Power and New Energy, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC), Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye; Group Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Dapo Segun; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and Chief Relations Officer, NNPC, Mrs. Morenike Adewunmi, during the visit of national oil company’s team to the Governor in Abeokuta…. Recently
Despite growing public discontent Continued on page 5
Lagos, Kwara, Ekiti, Plateau, Enugu Deploy CNG Buses to Cut Transport Fares Story on page 5
NORTHWEST PETROLEUM UNVEILS NEW CORPORATE HEAD OFFICE...
L-R: Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima; Executive Vice Chairman of Globacom, Bella Adenuga-Disu; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited, Dame Winifred Akpani; her husband/Managing Director/CEO of Providus Bank Limited, Mr. Walter Akpani, and Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the inauguration of Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited Corporate Head Office at Victoria Island, Lagos ... yesterday
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PDP Candidate, APM Supporters, Accord Aspirant, 3,000 Others Join APC in Oyo
The political landscape in Oyo State witnessed a major realignment yesterday as a wave of defections hit the camps of the governing Allied Peoples Movement (APM), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord, with a candidate, an aspirant and thousands of their supporters crossing over to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP candidate for Ibadan North East II State Constituency, Hon. Hammed Taoreed Ademola, abandoned his party’s ticket and led about 1,000 supporters into the APC, while a staunch loyalist of Governor Seyi Makinde in Oluyole Local Government Area, Hon. Mustapha Kazeem, popularly known as “Oba
Oluyole,” also dumped the APM and joined the APC with more than 1,000 supporters. Similarly, an Accord aspirant from Ibadan North East II, Hon. Adedapo Ojo, crossed over to the APC alongside hundreds of his supporters, with the defectors declaring their confidence that the APC would form the next
government in Oyo State. The first defection ceremony, held at a private facility on Old Ife Road, Ibadan, attracted several prominent APC stakeholders, including the state chairman, Moses Alake Adeyemo; the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli; his running mate, Adesoji Adedeji; and the
APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, among others. Speaking at the event, Ademola, popularly known as “Lucky,” said his decision to abandon the PDP ticket was informed by what he described as the political reality on the ground. “I did my due diligence and
came to realise that any ticket apart from the APC ticket is a mere tissue paper which cannot take a candidate anywhere in 2027. “We are here in our hundreds to formally join the APC, and we promise to do our best in the interest of the progressive party and our dear country, Nigeria,” he said.
LAGOS, KWARA, EKITI, PLATEAU, ENUGU DEPLOY CNG BUSES TO CUT TRANSPORT FARES Our Correspondents
Lagos, Kwara, Ekiti, Plateau and Enugu states have adopted different measures to reduce transportation costs, with the states deploying or expanding the use of CNG and government-subsidised buses following the federal government’s directive for Nigerians to begin experiencing measurable reductions in transport fares from October 1. While Kwara, Ekiti, Plateau and Enugu have commenced or expanded subsidised bus services, Lagos has taken delivery of additional CNG buses but yet to announce the commencement of a new fare-reduction scheme under the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme. Across the states, however, the response to the federal initiative has remained uneven, reflecting
differences in infrastructure, fleet availability, conversion costs and the operating challenges confronting commercial transporters. The development followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the 36 state governments to accelerate implementation of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme after his August 27 meeting with the governors. The President had directed that Nigerians should begin to see “measurable reductions in transportation costs” from October 1, urging state governments to work with transport unions and commercial operators, support vehicle conversion and fleet deployment, and facilitate the infrastructure required for the transition. However, while governmentbacked schemes in Kwara, Ekiti,
Plateau and Enugu have produced cheaper fares on selected routes, commercial operators in several other states continue to resist fare reductions, citing high petrol prices, spare-parts costs, maintenance expenses and other operating challenges. This comes as former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to emulate Germany, which recently reduced fuel tax. The Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles had stated that more than 120,000 vehicles had been converted and more than 90 refueling stations established nationwide. Also, the Presidential CNG Initiative maintained that fare reductions had already begun
on some routes and that October 1 was the point at which the federal government would begin monitoring the rollout rather than a requirement for every state to cut fares simultaneously. A THISDAY review of developments across some states following President Tinubu’s directive that Nigerians should begin to experience measurable reductions in transport costs from October 1, showed that the response varied considerably. In Rivers, Ogun, Benue, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Taraba, it was gathered that high petrol prices and other operating costs made an immediate reduction in transport fare difficult. In Plateau State, for instance, the government said it was relying on its Tin City Metro Bus scheme to provide relief for commuters while
it works towards adopting CNG. The Commissioner for Transport, Davou Gyang Jatau, said passengers travelling between Anguldi and Farin Gada, a distance of about 23 kilometres, pay N200, while a return journey covering about 46 kilometres costs N400. He described the Metro Bus initiative as the state’s most effective intervention for shielding residents from rising transportation costs, even as the government works to establish the infrastructure necessary for CNG adoption. The state had signed an agreement with the National Institute for Transport Technology, Zaria, to establish a vehicle conversion centre in Jos. However, Jatau identified inadequate CNG refuelling infrastructure as a major obstacle. The state is therefore exploring
a “mother-and-daughter” station model for gas distribution, while continuing with the Metro Bus programme. In Kwara, the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Aliyu Sabi, yesterday said the federal government had supplied the state with 20 CNG buses to cushion the effect of the increase in fuel prices in the country. He said the affected buses had commenced operations at various motor parks, conveying passengers to other parts of the state, especially on the Ilorin-Abuja, Ilorin-Lagos and Ilorin-Enugu routes, among others. The commissioner, however explained: “The state government is currently expecting another 10 buses from the federal government Continued on page 16
THE ECONOMIST: WHY TINUBU MAY WIN 2027 ELECTION DESPITE GROWING PUBLIC DISCONTENT over insecurity, economic hardship and the performance of government, President Bola Tinubu may still be re-elected in the 2027 presidential election, according to London-based The Economist Magazine. But reacting to the editorial, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) argued that the cost-ofliving crisis confronting Nigerians, rather than religion or ethnicity, would play the decisive role in determining how voters cast their ballots in the 2027 general election. While the ADC stated that it, “agreed with the story that President Tinubu is universally disliked, but we disagree that he could win the election.” Equally, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) faulted the conclusion reached by The Economist that President Tinubu could retain power in the 2027 presidential election despite his
significant unpopularity. The opposition party questioned the basis of the publication’s assessment, arguing that there was no pathway to the President’s re-election with rigging the process. But the Presidency yesterday rose in stout defence of the reforms embarked upon by President Bola Tinubu's administration over three years ago. Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956, referred to President Tinubu’s argument in his October 1, 2026 Independence address that past governments postponed difficult economic decisions and allowed distortions in the economy to deepen. President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC); former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic
Congress (NDC), are the three leading candidates in the January 2027 election. The Economist attributed Tinubu’s prospect to what it described as Nigeria’s “complicated electoral dynamics,” including political cynicism, a divided opposition, religious considerations, the advantages of incumbency and historically low voter turnout in some areas. In the article titled, ‘Nigerians Dislike Their President, But May Re-elect Him Anyway,’ it noted that Tinubu appeared relatively unconcerned about his re-election prospects despite the challenges confronting the country. It further stated that the President returned from Paris on September 29, after a month-long stay in Europe, having previously extended what was described as his “working holiday” by several days.
“On the face of it, Mr. Tinubu’s cool is surprising,” the publication stated, pointing to Nigeria’s worsening security situation and economic pressures. It added, “Nigeria is suffering a worsening security crisis, with people kidnapped and killed by bandits or insurgents on a neardaily basis.” The Economist also noted that while Tinubu’s economic reforms had been, “lauded by investors”, they had yet to translate into improved living conditions for many Nigerians. “His economic reforms, though lauded by investors, have yet to make life better for most of the country’s 240m people,” it stated. According to the magazine, the situation appeared even more politically challenging because some of Tinubu’s potential challengers were more popular in parts of northern Nigeria,
particularly areas experiencing severe insecurity and economic deprivation. It, however, argued that the President’s apparent confidence was not necessarily a reflection of widespread satisfaction with his administration. “That he is not says less about him and more about Nigeria’s complicated electoral dynamics,” The Economist stated. The publication used Borno State to illustrate the challenges facing the Tinubu’s administration, describing the state as being in the grip of an insurgency that has lasted for two decades. It argued that jihadist factions were fighting the government and one another, while making money through kidnapping, extortion and the looting of farmers. According to the publication, the violence had damaged the local economy, leaving young
people without jobs and traders without customers. It quoted a 27-year-old resident of Maiduguri as saying he was forced to travel to neighbouring Chad to sell grain because residents could no longer afford to buy it. The resident reportedly said young people “pack all their things and leave Borno state” for Chad, Cameroon or Ghana, “because if you sit down here, there is no food in this country.” The Economist stated that the President’s re-election campaign was centred on economic reforms, including the removal of the fuel subsidy, which it said had brought “a degree of stability to Nigeria”. It listed falling inflation, increased government revenue and improving investment as some of the developments associated with the reforms.
NIGERIA LEADS AFRICA IN STOCK MARKET RETURNS, UP 75.5% IN NINE MONTHS, ENTERS Q4 WITH STRONG MOMENTUM markets enter the final quarter of ßthe year. The strong performance underscored the remarkable rally recorded by Nigerian equities in the first nine months of 2026, just as market analysts cautioned that the final three months could determine whether the market sustains its momentum through year-end. Data compiled by THISDAY showed that the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange ranked third, gaining 55.64 per cent in dollar terms, while the BRVM and Ghana Stock Exchange returned 53.16 per cent and 44.23 per cent
respectively. At the other end of the performance table, the Stock Exchange of Mauritius declined 5.63 per cent in dollar terms, while the Johannesburg Stock Exchange fell 4.57 per cent during the period under review. The Nigerian market’s ninemonth rally was supported by improving macroeconomic conditions, ongoing economic reforms, firmer oil prices, improved foreign exchange liquidity and renewed investor confidence. The market capitalisation of listed equities on the NGX rose
by N63.73 trillion, representing a 64.13 per cent increase, from N99.376 trillion at the beginning of 2026 to N163.105 trillion as of September 30. The NGX All-Share Index also climbed by 95,598.64 points, representing a 61.43 per cent gain in naira terms, rising from 155,613.03 points at the start of the year to 251,211.67 points at the end of September. The strengthening of the naira has further amplified the market’s dollar-denominated performance. The naira appreciated by about 6.96 per cent against the dollar, moving from N1,429/$ at the
end of 2025 to N1,329.50/$ at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market as of September 30. For foreign investors, the combination of rising equity prices and naira appreciation has translated into stronger dollar returns. Despite the impressive ninemonth performance, investment banker and stockbroker, Tajudeen Olayinka, said the market had experienced some moderation after its strong first-half performance. Olayinka said the Nigerian stock market had performed exceptionally well during the nine-month period, but noted
that the final three months of the period had witnessed some drag on the rally recorded in the first half of 2026. “The outlook for the full year is positive, as a possible post-listing market-wide rally around Dangote Refinery IPO could be a step up to what the market witnessed in the first half of 2026. It is going to be an interesting market,” he said. The market’s September performance provided further evidence of its resilience, with total market capitalisation rising by N5.37 trillion, or 3.4 per cent month-on-month, from N157.739 trillion at the end of August to
N163.105 trillion at the end of September. The renewed international attention on Nigerian equities has also been strengthened by the country’s return to frontier-market status under FTSE Russell. Nigeria returned to the global index provider’s frontier-market classification on September 21, 2026, after a three-year absence. Market participants expect the reclassification to improve the visibility of Nigerian equities among international institutional investors and potentially support additional capital inflows from funds tracking frontier-market benchmarks.
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News Editor: Charles Ajunwa 09157401421 (sms only) Email charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com
UNVEILING REMODELLED PREMIER HOTEL IBADAN... L-R: Secretary to the Ekiti State Government (SSG), Prof. Abibat Adubiaro; SSG to Oyo State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Secretary to the Government of the COURTESY VISIT... WELCOME TO APC... Federation, Senator George Akume; Group Director,TO Odu’a Investment Company Limited/Chairman Planning Committee, Mr. Seni Adio, SAN; Chairman, Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Bimbo Ashiru and SSG to the STrATeGIC ALLIANCe SANITISe FX MArKeT… L-R: of theMrs. Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu; CEO, Impact Investors Foundation, Etemore Glover; Chair ofin GSG Nigeria Partner Chair of GSG Impact,Senator Mrs. Ibukun Awosika; ofof L-R:Director-General APC OyoGovernment, State Chairman, Moses Adeyemo; one of the defectors from Accord Party, Adedapo Ojo; Hon. Ademola (Bibiire), formerly of the PDP; Oyoand APCVice Governorship Candidate, Sarafadeen Alli,Minister and House Lagos State Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, during the inauguration ofHon. newly remodelled andHammed redeveloped Premier Hotel Ibadan, Oyo State…recently PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Bagudu; CEO ofEconomy GSG Elizabeth Boggs Davidsen, and Market Development Manager at GSG Impact, Ms. Atieno Otonglo, at the courtesy the Federal Ministry RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TEST PRODUCTION FACILITY INAUGURATION... L-R: Minister ofMember, Finance andAkin Coordinating of the ofMs. Nigeria, Wale Edun; Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede andvisit thetoGovernor, Central Representatives Hon. Alabi,Abubakar during aMinister defection ceremony heldImpact, in Ibadan…yesterday
Bloomberg: Nigeria Draws First Tranche Olu Jacobs Laid to Rest in Lagos, Edo APC, State Govt Trade Words Idris: Nigeria on Path of Economic President Tinubu Welcomes New of $5 Billion Swap With UAE Bank over N9bn Fresh Loan Approval Nollywood, Nigeria Bid Icon Farewell Renewal, Global Respect Qatar Investment Initiatives from
of Budget andand Economic Planning Abuja… recently Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, in aBabatunde StrategicAjayi; Alliance to Stimulate the forex market Abuja…yesterday L-R: Akarigbo Paramount RulerinOf Remoland, representative of Minister of Trade andin Investment, Dr. Rabiu Olowo; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Group Managing Director, Codic Pharm Ltd, Sammy
Ogunjimi; Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate Muhammad, and Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the inauguration of Codix Bio Limited held along the Sagamu-Benin expressway, Ogun State…yesterday
tranche of a $5 billion derivatives press time. drawn attention from market closing at N1,380.9/$ at the inflows, despite mounting Nume Ekeghe with agency deal with United Arab Emirates' The $5 billion facility, participants because of the official market yesterday, pressure from investors chasing reports largest lender, pressing ahead captured. approved bywhere the he National limited public disclosure compared N1,380.1/$ “In Tenebe stateinGovernor, Mr. Godwin dollar-denominated as N9 billion for the years in Kano, attended stupendous the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. figure thewith country’s emerging Oluhis infertile Jacobs’rambling, passingassets, was has been swindled byinObaseki-led Adibe emenyonu in Benin City Among those attendance Ferdinand Ekechukwu made wild and completely off-theObaseki across all sectors of the fathom projects which only "Information at the behest of the with a transaction that has been Assembly earlier this year, is surrounding its terms. The the previous day, while holding falling international prices Nigeria has accessed the first administration with State an unassailHoly Trinity School. His passion He later appeared in a number Nollywood industry. He went on announced by his oil family on were the Lagos Deputy members suggesting that state over the federal paston seven years.” isand in theMonetary imagination of online of1,700 the Edo State House of existed humongous debt profile of span scrutinized for being opaque. part of the federal government's International Fund firm atthat N1,390/$ thefilms parallel acomments pullback in the domestic tranche oflate a veteran proposed $5 able, over kilometres - aimed minister reiterated that the the government about 85 per16, cent2026. complete projects for the performing arts that developed ofThe British television productions, to“Tenebe act in hundreds of and mark September bold reform agenda, which included Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; Remains of actor, Olu Edo State is owing $35 billion. has been on a frenzy the governor, it was discovered Assembly is to the effect they Edo State chapter of the All Pro- N135 billion and $35.6 billion, unlocking economic activity and ongoing reforms by therecently Tinubu concentrating more projects Rock Result along Ahoada “The West African nation plan diversify (IMF) and Fitch market for the thirdto consecutive equities market. billion derivatives financing the removal of fuel subsidies andState, the at Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt after hetowatched a Hubert Ogunde including ‘The Goodies,’ ‘Till Death established himself as oneinsince ofthe theit handled The final burial rites Even ifofby that was what was written looking for tell the facility was notjust N9 is recalled from their external holiday former governor ofbuild Ogun Jacobs, were in interred yesterday the gressives Congress (APC), yesterday, governor is unyielding and Nigeria. Thesources Ambassador knows that stability tothat thewere world. Ieven seeabout your Nigeria's taxlies system, making Nigeria's readiness to on the- were end of the tunnel."You can't find Deji Elumoye Abuja bridging regional divides. administration not South than northern areas of the nation. section East West Road is at 60 per unification of foreign exchange rates drew about $1.5 billion in the financing and reduce cautioned while derivativeweek. The naira has come under arrangement with the United for him, he should have known he assumed office as Acting billion but a figure wrapped in or leave by the Speaker on the concert party performance at the Us Do Part’ and ‘Barlow at Large.’ most acclaimed performers in commenced in Lagos with urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to unstoppable in his characteristic Ibikunle Amosun; Lagos State at a private cemetery, following that I take Qatar very seriously. efforts as in much humanasdevelopment, easier for foreign investors to do cent momentum generated by his shifts state request a better partner thanthat Nigeria. “The aimthe iscosts. not just connectivity, economic arithmetic, but about Chairman. Responding to questions from completion, adding RCC, two of the most significant policy Minister of Information and National that the figure is wrong and can't Rather than focus secrecy N17.5 billion of state governor for last couple of weeks from a borrowing Structured as based financing can improve Analysts attributed pressure in recent sessions as Arab Emirates' largest lender, stop securing loans, noting that the design leave Edo State inhistory. ruin, Colonial Hotel in Kano. In 1978, heprosperity. portrayedforLike President Nigerian cinema. evening defined First Lady, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; a funeral service at Idris, This Present but economic opportunity,” he said. creating aand new foundation inclusive who observed his inspection Setraco have shown commitment inby We are willing to go further peace business in the country. visit toto Qatar in 2024, pledging to the Ianalways follow global issues President Bola Tinubu yesterday in Nigeria’s recent economic Orientation, Mohammed has said by be true. on reawakening histo completely which the opposition in you, the journalists immediate approval ofFirst theinto to N9 billion loan recently approved asking for a facility of N17.5 total return swap transaction a Total Return Swap with liquidity, such arrangements the resilience strong investors reposition ahead of the according to a Bloomberg He subsequently moved Mageeba in Michael Codron’s His career earned him several solemn hymns, evocative “Nigeria is really retracing its steps. growth, the Zarama section of theefforts Westto their our bilateral relations." we areaccountability, sandwiched between the of implement all difficult bilateral agreements "We are making and your have to welcomed new initiatives by billion former First Lady of Ekiti was State, Church Lekki, Lagos. “These were decisions that said theHouse country was onin the path towards "Injobs. reality,efforts. our debtYou stock is not comatose party, which isEast unable rejected andand orsustainable refused facility which according to house by the House of Assembly was few days ago, which with First Abu Dhabi Dhabi should be macroeconomic fundamentals, dollar-denominated fundraising report, marking theof first ItAbu isThe becoming anBank, important nation once development. rehabilitation Bayelsa State, Addressing the journalists, Umahi England, where heproceeds trained asare an to presentation ofthe Sirtransparently Tomand Stoppard’s honours, including thecriticisms Lifetime performances, glowing tributes, said the Qatari challenge terrorism helping Road between the countries. reform our tax in system. Going more inin Nigeria toare help fight had be They causedBank some Qatari investors to explore economic recovery, restating federal BisitotoFayemi and Minister of Art, them ado secret and fact, we ‘under to provide constructive be partofof approval. Jacobs died the age 84 after said isPresident said to be N9 billion needless and willatplunge the state bemade. N9two billion." again the comity of nations. In another development, who Umahi expressed satisfaction with the said, havein just inspected thewould work PJSC, according to earmarked refinancing debtof managed toand minimise fiscal healthy external by Dangote Refinery and but an taking reported drawdown under government’s commitment to restoring government had demonstrated our neighbours. We areUmahi conscious He directed the Minister of but by experiences ofreserves the and poverty the humanitarian opportunities in theseveral agricultural borrowed’. Emperor Tenebe expected of a viable opposition, But in its reaction, the Edo actor atevent Thefor Royal Academy play ‘Night Day’. Achievement Award atpast the still 2021 and"We humorous recollections of a asamong unfolded, after Culture, Tourism and thepeople Creative into financial distress. Tenebe, saidlike"It isaircraft important a career spanning decades turbulence, The respect thatforesight Nigeria used to have disclosed this yesterday while inspecting ongoing projects across Rivers, Delta ofPetrochemicals, Rockknown Result where we have multiple off, we are now reaching stability. The investors’ confidence and deepening maturity and in working of who is our friend and those Budget and Economic Planning, the need to depart from old area. You have done well have this if he understood he has resorted to spreading State Government stated that sector and assured that Nigeria the mammoth request by the familiar with the transaction, and supporting infrastructure and debt risks. on a steadily upward trajectory prompting ain aand facility that has attracted But earning in a swift reaction, asthe toEconomy, state, thatHannatu it is nowMusawa. in public isDramatic Art in London. Jacobs After returning to Nigeria in Africa International Film Festival life extraordinarily lived. At the him recognition one now gradually returning. Investors the ongoing of federal Bayelsa. concrete culvertsaofover the East West World Bank has noted our returnthe to opposition democratic values. the economics governance, fiscal misinformation in aAward desperate Edo APC “obviously in the House as to the for global peace and deserves helping usconstruction towas ameliorate the and Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; ways, our reforms have been developing knowledge-based remains open to structure strategic Edo State Government said it and political space that who asked not to be identified financing. Meanwhile, the naira has at $51.2 billion and sustained rotation of capital from naira scrutiny over its began building his stage career 1990, Jacobs featured in the NTA (AFRIFF) and an Icon from heart of the gathering were his Nollywood personalities atand the ofThis Nigeria’s most respected actors. fiscal have more confidence country,” roads in by Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta He said that the tough Bodo-Bonny Road Road failure in between Rivers and growth levels not seenState in over a the was as his counterpart, responsibility and debt-to-GDP ratio. curry cheap popularity. the achievements of attempt rationale for ain our facility as pained commendation. problems." Minister of of Information hard. Itomade decisions economy Qatar, but Silva, what partnerships. was perplexed to learn ofMinister what budget Edo was because they aren't authorised This transaction has, however, remained relatively resilient, foreign portfolio investment assets into dollars. and transparency. in the 1970s. In 1972, he played detective series ‘The Third Eye’ the Audio-Visual Rights Society of wife, veteran actress Joke he said. states, dismissed the claims trending construction handled by Julius Berger Bayelsa. event include Richard Mofe-Damijo, The funeral ceremony which decade,” Idris told Forbes Africa. Works, David Umahi, has disclosed itoftermed “laughable and incredibly passed few weeks ago before the According to him, "I am proud President Tinubu also noted National Orientation, Mohammed so that we could grow. We are about Nigeria?", the President The President gave the toKate speak to the media." Bloomberg reported that Boy in ‘AtoTaste Honey’ before becoming prominent gradually Nigeria (AVRS) 2022. and their sons, Gbenga and Soji. He noted thisToyosi year’s observance that the federal isainvesting Henshaw, Adesanya, was permeated by solemn ridiculous tantrums attributed to Edo State House of of Assembly your efforts bringofpeace andat ongoing reforms toa streamline Idris; and that Minister Foreign ofThe seeinginthe light at the explained. assurance atgovernment the State House, of the Kadiri, Democracy Day just trillions ofacting naira in the construction Efforts byleave THISDAY to Nigeria drew about $1.5 billion the newwhile chairman of the proceeded on without the Ruth Stan Eze,not Blessing atmosphere brought family Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Abuja receiving a special warranted celebration, buttogether sober and rehabilitation ofof roads the commencement Edo State chapter APC, Jarret of the execution independently the over the past two weeks through Maitama Tuggar, toconfirm work envoy from the Amir of across the State Obasi, Rita Dominic, Ebele Okaro, members, colleagues, friends, reflection on the journey democratic country. Tenebe where he made baseless of the budget by theofexecutive. reported drawdown from a Total Return Swap (TRS) to ensure the timely execution of Qatar, Dr. Mohammed bin Shaffy Hilda Dokubo, Ireti Rescue workers from around the trapped under rubble before the buildings. Heavy machinery reported severe shortages of dignitaries and several stars and economic renewal. Idris reaffirmed this yesterday inof Itconsolidation and spurious allegations on the isthese mostBello, disheartening that the of agreements. Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of transaction with Dhabi Doyle and Segun OC the film industry to honour the Edo Idris explained thatArinze, funds recovered an interview withFirst Forbes Africa to fiscal management ofAbu our dear State Government nowUkeje, is world yesterday intensified efforts was critical "golden window" arrivedclear in some thewhat hardest-hit essential supplies, years told72-hour that he would not board the would the airofon really every passenger hassaying a right, yourof Eze Hethe said, "To the members of Chinedu Qatar's Minister of celebration State for requesting Finance were unsuccessful. Bank PJSC, citing people familiar from fuel subsidy removal were mark the Democracy Day state by the Governor Godwin for aall facility ofOkereke N17.5 Patrick Doyle, Stephanie late actor in a night of tributes to locate survivors trapped beneath for finding survivors begins to close, areas nearly two days after the underfunding had left the country' flight because boarding had closed. happened, since the Senator and the right is limited to what is within thes the delegation, Idirectly want tointo asent big Foreign Affairs, Dr. Al-Khulaifi, being critical Obaseki-led government.” and unbroken 26 years ofrequested democratic with corollary ofsay project Calls andno text messages with the deal who andreinvested Ernest Obi. and a service of songs held inon billion lid Operators Minerals formalisation of artisanal miners also want tobegin be available part of the move d'Affairs, US Embassy, InBBC another development, the airline have made their own ICAO (International Civil Aviation Airline ofDevelopment, Nigeria (AON) Charge collapsed buildings in Venezuela the reported. disaster to clearing massive healthcare system ill-prepared for a thank you for coming to Nigeria. conveyed Amir's strong interest Addressing a press conference attached there to the said facility infrastructure projects including two rule in Nigeria. to the Minister oftoGod Finance and anonymity because they were Dele hasthe described into cooperatives amongst others. in 1942 parents from to reduce global emissions and put Organisation) Greene, in his include office on Wednesday for his contributions Minister of Aviation and Aerospace videos that covered the incident. regulation and the said that byAlake, disrupting operations David We Born are for expanding bilateral cooperation, yesterday, Tenebe had said stateto and alsograteful that thetocorridors facility iswhat not after two powerful earthquakes The worst-hit areas the piles of debris. disaster of such magnitude. expansive highway that will Dr. He defended President Bolathe Tinubu’s Patron of the North Central including Governor of Nasarawa major activities earmarked by the Ajimotokan inNigeria’s Abuja United States "Theindustry. miningThere sector mining sector on the global aviation Coordinating Minister of early the Alake lauded the United not authorised to speak publicly. Development, Festus has our Okonkwo stated the operators’ is noprovides amount ofOlawale Air Peace when itasdenied him Thursday, Egba Alake, Jacobs his thealready Nigerian entertainment was suffering aindustry. debt contained as loan tospent be in the we have experienced astaken partners announcing that aunder high-level killed more than 900 and States’ capital, Caracas, theKeyamo, coastal state Among those anxiously awaiting Thedisappointment, tragedy hasitsalso reignited ally andpeople strategic veritable for map. We have critical minerals commitment to fostering Grassroots Network State, Alhaji Abdullahi Sule and ofanetwork toavenue drive ordered that Mobilisation a probe should be viewpoint on the incident and said any ifmobilisation atincreased all, from boarding for the Lagos-Abuja flight, Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, According to Bloomberg, profile of N135 billion and $35.6 2024 fiscal budget recently in progress. I am also just glad that the longstanding Qatari business delegation will the left thousands injured in one ofand the cooperation ofand La Guaira and neighbouring rescue isCentre Natacha Diaz, criticism of Nigeria Venezuela's fragile forinthe mining trade between andinvolved the United that are in commercial demand with Nigeria in were diverseat that conducted on the incident. passengers have their but any airline that gives you any rightin former governor ofthe Edo State Wike yesterday other political stakeholders, campaign. The Secretary tonation’s Government billion. AQatar cursory perusal are under scrutiny and processing," Penta Mefforts &Amp; 2, rights Tambuwal one of them was also Kuni Tyessi Abuja wereofnot responded toofasthe of partner "Nigeria has accessed first passed. Amir greatly remembers visit Nigeria in the the coming sector development. States, especially in the area of value globally,"Alake said. sectors of the economy, stating that country' s deadliest natural disasters communities, where hundreds of whose two daughters are believed emergency response system, with Spokesman of AON and the airline operations are guided by for self-help. We have been talking currently Senator representing Edo He said, "While it is a monumenbudgetdiscussed does not reveal where different campaign trails in Akume said the initiative was These included the North of the Federation (SGF), Senator Oloyede said. LGA, Sokoto, Sokoto State. impersonation. the issues during my weeks to explore opportunities entire Speaking while receiving itChairman addition, which implies processing The minister welcomed partner- about underscores significance of the ofthe United Nigeria regulations and itatake isshopping the responsibility unruly behaviour. So,towhat North District, Adams Oshiohole, tal disaster that Edo State patrimony the project for the facility is ever in more than a century. buildings were reduced to piles of trapped inside complex residents urging authorities allow “The 2025 UTME showed the Oloyede added that 80 suspects The registrar also said that due to The Joint Admissions and Abuja and Akpor Kingdom in designed to the campaign Central Grand Rally, scheduled Georgeaviation Akume and Minister smooth in agriculture, food security, and visit last year. and of setting up ship with the US on investments in of extracted bilateral relations in between Airlines, Obiora Okonkwo, a pressof of airlines and passengers toby abide saw wasminerals avolunteers typical case unruly violated regulation. According to (JAMB) Venezuelan concrete and twisted steel. where they worked. Holding their more civilian to participate prevalence of some particular types were being interrogated the you substandard performance, four centres Board has both "Let me commend the brotherly Matriculation other critical sectors. Obio-Akpor Local Government for the President beyond the FCT for October 10, 2026, in Lafia, factories here. We would also require the mining value chain, expanding countries. of Federal Capital Territory in Lagos yesterday called by those regulations. behaviour. It is not acceptable. Air Senator Oshiomhole who had conference infractions, suggests systemic police fortechnology their involvement in the had been delisted and blacklisted for officially announced of on authorities, at Abuja leastthe 920release people grief unfolded across photograph, the distraught mother in rescue operations as thousands financing from multilateral institutions to extracting “IScenes you for your visit. I access President Tinubu emphasised relations between Qatar and 6:30a.m. Area ofofwhich Rivers State to shore and into communities across the Peace Nasarawa State, a comprehensive (FCT),LagosNyesom Wike, have thethank Federal Airports Authority “AON had had theinfull brief of is a respected airline. No matter flight on Air Hope” and improving the lives of the Fidelis David in Akure “comrades” whose contributions Blessing Ibunge Port vulnerabilities or gaps in registration examination malpractices and most technical deficiencies. He listed the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation for our local operators. We are providand processing minerals and met the US Assistant Secretary of have been confirmed dead, while affected communities as desperate said they were "all I have." remain displaced. ofup Nigeria (FAAN) to bring out Peace on thisgeoincident. Andzone. as what you think aboutprogramme it, they carryto Peace last Wednesday was denied theEnergy grassroots baseGeoffrey forthe the Air North-central political medical outreach mobilised stakeholders from State the people Ondo State. Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan among theof youthful population. “Wethan are3,300 establishing, this ing incentives for investments like mining areas. forvideo Resources, and examination administration or/ asecuring ofmatter them would beas prosecuted. centres Adventure Associate, Behind Examination (UTME) results. remained important to the boarding Harcourt CCTV of the incident, saying of fact, much as we 40 to 50as: percent of all the domestic when he arrived atsustained 6:05a.m., more others families waited near collapsed Another resident, Andreina Meanwhile, international President. He said the North-central be implemented across states in the North Central geopolitical “Today, wethe takegovernment yet another bold The Governor of Ondo State, tax waivers for mining equipment, Throwing light on reforms Pyatt, on the sidelines of the Mines He said is year, 37,000 Citizens’ Brigade and monitoring. “The Board has identified the Sheshe Supermarket, Kano, Saadatu Following poor performance development of the kingdom. the numerous challenges Olawale Ajimotokan in that it is the video from FAAN that appreciate and understand that passengers in Nigeria. 25 minutes to departure time and injuries after the twin earthquakes, structures, hoping for news of Valerio, appealed for help to rescue assistance has begun pouring into step in our ongoing commitment to Lucky Aiyedatiwa, hasNational said his worried At a strategic meeting in Abuja Grassroots Mobilisation Network the zone and a North Central zone and Rivers State towards policy of full repatriation of profits embarked upon by the federal govThe Director General, and Money conference in London about 72 per cent inofPrimary School. each “The new trends observed were presence of extraneous fingers in Rimi College of Education, Zaria. candidates in the1,000 2025inUTME, The that governor also explained Rivers State Governor, confronting the country, Abuja the youthful welfare ofpopulation our people, state, administration will continue measuring magnitudes 7.2 and past missing loved ones. Many her one-and-a-half-year-old the Rescue teams from home countries amongst others," the minister highlighted year, and weand had asurvivors fruitful Orientation Agency (NOA),to ofimproving with the National Chairman All ernment, wasregistration established Grassroots Tour and theincluding re-election ofandPresident the absence nation’s FCT, Abuja. These in the Registration Examination the detailsto of mobilise someson, of to Oncountry. how to Advocacy check the UTME results, telecommunications digital his from the monarch’s Siminalayi Fubara, has formally ensuring social inclusion and fulfilling prioritiseLanre socialIssa-Onilu, inclusion has and urging them to intensify 7.5, struck barely a minute apart engagement. Alake emphasised. revised Community Development I did analyse our have also been forced toall sleep Santiago, who remains trapped Switzerland and Mexico have Mallam have become foreigners through Citizens’ Brigade are going to be Progressives Congress (APC), support and votes across the Town Hall Meetings covering processes and they were mainly in the these candidates. This raises concerns Oloyede said: "To check the 2025 Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice solutions company, Globacom, said the promisefor of Renewed Hope for economic empowerment In his remarks, the US Ambas(CDA) guidelines andcategories: fundamentally, wewere just Agreement coronation, saying it Bola was presented the government Certificate prayers President The federal announced plans toof vulnerable launchof the onPresident Wednesday night.Girls’ The Guild second outdoors after their homes alongside family members joined local emergency influence of cartoons and Boys’ Scout and following Identity regarding potential strategies UTME results, candidates should send its Examination Preparatory Servicein issues, Prof.toNentawe Yilwatda andFraud, other geared zone towards for other thereducing Tinubu-Shettima the 19commended senatorial districts across Kashim Shettima Tinubu thehis support given to the like all,” he for declared. Tyessi in Abuja citizens through strategic partnerships theresponders, renewed frictionfor in sador want diversify our economy occasioned by a call to higher Recognition and Staff of Office Tinubu and administration. has asserted its unwavering aKuni 37,000 Citizens’ Brigade in movies which areHumanitarian foreign in of theEnumah olden and Biometric Fraud of Combined impersonation. by text message “UTMERESULT” as was specifically designed to help from quake is believed to be theelection. strongest destroyed or declared unsafe. beneath the rubble. while the United States military is A statement posted on the anti-graft's prosecution to proceed with the trial described the May 27, 2025 bail application Alex indays. Abuja political stakeholders and leaders ticket. the six North Central states, as the 2027 presidential According to Aiyedatiwa, a total with the federal government. interest of Nigeria in solid minerals, commission and the host communities; on-going plans oil. Not just for our own national service. toAlso, theAiyedatiwa new Amanyanabo primary schools across countryto .of contents, He255 also expressed optimism resolve togovernment securing freedom values and across cultures. thewho world, Nigerians Thumbprint of Candidate,” he of 3,656 candidates fall hearing withinzone this one to 55019 or 66019has using the in Computer-Based social handle X, noted thesaid. duo prayed for accelerated of theword defendants as incompetent, given of 16, beneficiaries all 18 students to“Across hit theexcel South American nation Inmedia La Guaira, residents described inequally thearchitecture disaster participating inFCT. humanitarian rescue that the sector huge hasthe forwarded forlDoctors new security to ofstressing economic survival butthat also to and Affairs Ministry. The federal yesterday of the mobilisation network, The SGF outlined three well as the Akume, is the Grand He made theHouse disclosure whilea Local Fubara said his administration Opobo Kingdom, Majesty Other he trends said, were category. Consequently, the results of that same they had used Issa-Onilu said as a in way out are known beFinancial the smartest examinations. were arraigned onglobal a six-count case. natural thephone defendants neither underto that ongoing security The Economic Crimes be for Nigerians held captive potentials tonumber rivalwere the contribution Government Areas the state secure efforts in tuneinfractions, with for the the Ondo State ofHis Assembly He revealed that Nigeria said there arejournalists ongoing discussion since 1900. toand widespread devastation ascharge, rescue warned that resources; hospitals were operations despite longstanding speaking with in Ibadan bordering on toWe the defence J.J. arrest, inthe detention, nor have appeared impersonators at laundering the point of to theResponding, candidatesthe have beencounsel, withheld.” register the registration process. of the malaise, NOA would on earth. is abriefing positive Commission (EFCC), yesterday, arraigned Speaking at workers aThis press in reduction had successfully managed the people of oilnortoduring nation's economy. generate big geo-data; the inmoney global warming. King Charles Douglas Macwill receive N75, 000 each, disbursed list of 12 nominees for the position of operations and coordinated byhow bandits. has concluded plans to soon host on 15,000 Nigerians stranded Emergency are racing teams, police officers and military struggling to cope with the influx tensions between Washington during a working visit to urging Oyo launch of $12 with million. SAN, on on underage his part reminded the before court,will being the grounds the Managing Director/Chief Executive registration the active involvement Usman, Speaking candidates, Resultthe printing be available later." aleaders Mobile App containing but someof people Abuja yesterday, Registrar JAMB, tune monthly installments ofthe N25, 000 development commissioners the State Executive transition following death Pepple Jaja, Jeki VI, interventions would yield global to discuss issues Secretary toinNiger, the Government in Cameroon, Chad and in against time to rescue those feared personnel searched damaged of casualties. Medical personnel andMeanwhile, Caracas. State. The defendants according to the court of subsisting bail applications of provided by the Administration of Officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd, Halima for three months, directly through Council for confirmation. of few CBT centres, double registration, he explained that following the reacting to the poor indigenous cartoons through mischievously tend to portray Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, revealed that the ofmigration the lateresults Amanyanabo, King Buba and the bank's Executive Director/ EFCC's statement, however, pleaded the defendants, dated May 27, 2025 and Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA) that should him toFederation, promote peace, unity of and how it affects other parts of the world would positive in the fight ofHe the Senator saidgovernor 1,000 Citizens’ Brigade their debit cards. The made this which Board withheld the results 39,834 local contents, national us in negative light. Butofthis is and attempted substitution of self by Ministry of Education’s decision performance of students in the 2025 countries under the membership be returned to Nigeria safety. Douglas Dandeson Jaja, after and inclusiveness throughout against kidnapping andinjected other George Akume, gave the values guilty” to all the charges when they prayed that the acourt should uphold a bail application but rather Chief Compliance Officer, He said theculture total amount commitment during the official would be Commissioner, set up in each of the candidates. to enforce minimum age theof precipitate UTME, the company explained that candidates outare of the over 1.9Innocent million “not and would be who we as a people. of Euro-African Dialogue on not Federal National athe succession dispute that, his reign. readOloyede to themadded following which the lead applications and admit thegranted defendants applied for bail from the comfort of their Mbagwu, before Justice Emeka Nwite criminal activities. assurance yesterday when into the scheme is N1, 219,125, 000, flag-off ceremony ofFederal the second phase promoted. 36 states and the Capital that 244 candidates 16, an exception was for the Glo Examination Preparatory applicants that sat for the exam. “To change the negative narMigration and Development. Commission for Refugees, Migrants Rotimi to“exceptionally bail. ortrains officesstudents when noronaction has of the Federal High Court,boss, Abuja for according tohim, him,"These hadsupport lasted ratives, Governor Fubara also economic of Conditional Cash national Transfer Tand erritory (FCT) toDisplaced promote "Our direct mission hethe hosted members of providing were caughtcounsel, engaging in “WhatsApp gifted” underage Service practical According theinsetting JAMB of prosecution According to variwe to are upout the state-of-the-art facility asOyedepo, a gamenew corporate facility marks homes conviction. Nigerian ownership Deji Elumoye Abuja Popularly known asontheearth, Rabat Internally Persons SAN, announced the readiness of the The prosecution counsel in his response, been taken against them. alleged fraud. to thousands ofon households. disbursement to members beneficiaries inofOndo more than 27 years. described the values as of old, stating that the runs,” subscribing to rogue groups students. ways to excel in Computer-Based the figure 96 candidates' results were our goal earth is to ous policies are geared towards Citizens’ Brigade to produce the Federation of Muslim changer that will revolutionise an expansion for Northwest must mean Nigerian capacity Process, the meeting would be (NCFRMI), Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, The recalled thatthe in young State, held atthe theBrigade Akure South Local essence ofthis was toin changing Hegovernor said the government SAN, that on terrorism murder. National Youth Service Corps in Abuja promising leaked questions. The registrar said thatand of the 41,027 Fagbemi, examinations such assubmitted Joint Admissions withheld over exam malpractices, the and Nigerians and Shettima createa Alex promote, tonarratives preserve, and Women's Associations the first thematic dialogue under disclosed at a media briefing localenumah operations and completely bordering Petroleum, athey major indigenous to compete, invent and deliver. Vice President Kashim November 2024, a total of 8,637 debit Government Secretariat yesterday. the charge having been filed by Although, pleaded not revive and rebuild the national He said their results had also been underage candidates who registered, and Matriculation Board (JAMB), decrease from 123 in the previous year. deliberately worked to ensure wrong impression that the outside positive models to rebuild the (NYSC) deployed to the state as to prolong life. toIt's not to has declared that the Northwest rewrite Nigeria’s chairmanship, which Nigeria (FOMWAN), led cards in Abuja. were distributed beneficiaries, At the event, Governor Aiyedatiwa standards of excellence player Nigeria's downstream "This headquarters brings Justice the Bolaji Olajuwon of a Fed- guilty the Inspector General of Police, was toin all the charges, the judge the values and create positive models withheld to set a stern example. only 467 met the high-performance Junior and Senior West African Oloyede said the Board remained world is having about the country . national values." conveyed government' s approval stakeholder participation in health federal government’s Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja that the selection and coronation “critical assets to the growth and is being co-chaired by Nigeria Ahmed revealed that no amounting to N647,775,000, making launched the distribution of the by its National Amirah, Dr. shorten it. The government resolute Court Abuja, yesterday, forHigh the nation' sinmulti-billion dollar however, oil andwith gas sector, it will also strategic and leadership and incompetent askedexaminations the court to ordered that they be Petroleum Companytois eral some cases, he said,Oversight the entire criteria, onedefendant. disqualified due to and Examination Council in and its Gas commitment High Court which had dismissed onegovernance. other unreliable witness testimonies, Igbintade atoilIn theand 5thgas Ministerial sector commitment to1,3,4,5,6, strengthening theKingdom new monarch were and the ofa Spain, and Wale development Rivers State.” fewer thanHope six of million people current phase significant Renewed Debit Cards to the dismissed the application bycentres two and strike out counts androof, 7 of isofdoing everything to secure remanded atmodern, the Kuje Correctional Sumaye Fadimatu Hamza. industry. provide a world-class innovation under one positioning itself for decades of syndicates colluded with CBT examination malpractice. as well as IELTS. eliminating any form of examination his no-case and quashed At lower court, Justice Raliatu those of PW9, PW10, ofon theof social safety net. thousands of beneficiaries aseffort isthe focusing youth, education were displaced inthat Nigeria, while Committee (MOC) held in Abuja Astheofpending efforts to reinforce health sector governance, concluded peacefully and The federal government has Rivers Speaking yesterday atpart the expansion Statesubmission, indigenes challenging the charge or strike strike outand the Center, hearing of including release all who are He vowed noNational According tothe Shettima, the Adebiyi environment forthe collaboration, telling investors, customers service inAppeal, changing global to register usingcharge multiple fingerprints. He bail said that the Board remained The 2025 UTME results released malpractice, adding thatthe 1,957,000 the 12-count filed against had ruled that the EFCC PW11, as well as Exhibits P59–P61. Court of Lagos Division, “We understand the economic The ofpresentation the federalofgovernment’s innovation. thousands refugees are livingat and the jurisdiction of court to try entire suit for been incompetent. their application fixed for yesterday, said that the committee state financing compliance, deepening accountability across without fresh litigation. approved N32,880,443,906.25 ceremony captured," he said. will be spared to facilitate the that regard, has approved your indicated that Governor Seyi Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan According to him, as a result of committed to providing the necessary by JAMB on May 5 had elicited candidates were verified to sit for world-class facility sends a clear professional fulfilment, and and our citizens that Northwest him by the Economic and Financial had established a prima facie case The Court of Appeal agreed, energy economy. has discharged and acquitted a that many of holds our people Social Investment (NSIP), challenges them over alleged complicity in the Responding, Policeinstitutions, lawyer, Mr. February 2, as well directed as the motion The meeting, which May elsewhere acrossProgramme the world. “Our presence just suspension has so farthe disbursed aHouse total of the Committee the holding implementing Government House, Port face under the second quarter, 2026 as the Onido ofof Ido in burning Makinde approved thewas suspension this, 3,656 with “extraneous support for persons with disabilities widespread concerns asurged morenot than Crimes Commission (EFCC). some of the counts and ordered that the was a He lauded FOMWAN for the exam while 71,705 were absent. former Director General the safe return ofcollaboration captives, while and this programme isnot a clear implemented in with message toRivers investors, clients, strategic achievement across Petroleum isappellant preparing for Speaking yesterday, while ofcandidates State of on Simon Lough, SAN, the of the 1st and 2nd defendants 13th to 14th, 2025, is expected to “We have 15,000 Nigerians who The Oyo State Government, yesthe area of authority of Ido Local on 1st of February, 2024. in that process Every Nigerian N290 billion under thetheir initiative. MOC Secretariat to issue formal improving coordination among Harcourt, Fubara congratulated BHCPF disbursement memo Assembly The Nigerians EFCC accused andtertiary his co-defendant the VIMSAS Committee; Maritime Administration fingerprints” have had results Akpobolokemi aspiring to pursue education. 1.5 million out of 1.9 million candidates According to him, 2,157 candidates thatcontributions thealone. government the Ondo State Government through demonstration complex in Port Harcourt, court toofdismiss the application challenging the jurisdiction of member its steadfast reaffirming the government's and that Northwest its workforce, partners, and decades of service in a changing feature discussions that would inaugurating the ultra-modern want to return to the country terday, suspended Gbolagade Area ofrejections Oyo State." Thewith letteryou,” readthe in part, "I wish to Government Akpobolokemi of conspiracy, open their notresults a signatory to any of the and Safetyfingerprint Agency (NIMASA), that were required, theNational monarch onOba hisInvestment emergence TheState. meeting alsoCBT approved communication all2025 36 the states to and stakeholders, andeconomy. accelerating governor added. withheld, and some centres to He said that fortothe UTME, whose released scored tocorporate sustain implementation of Rivers the Social experienced due for lacking in were merit. the court to defence. entertain suit tologistics national development, commitment to strengthening guide policy direction, shape voluntarily, and we also have stands Petroleum is poised decades stakeholders. global energy The headquarters Muritala Babalola, as the Onido Itsuspected directed Oba Babalola handof stealing, inform you that His Excellency, the Patrick and forgery in for connection Akpobolokemi, through his Committee’s accounts. Akpobolokemi, of to alleged He further disclosed that efforts Chime Eguma Ezebalike and Programme Agency (NSIPA). According to Lough, besides against them. implicated will face sanctions. a total of 501 candidates were below 200. A breakdown of the results to registration infractions, there is nobody that can say and urged him to carry along modalities to commence inclusion reiterate responsibilities relating to implementation of ongoing healthcare services nationwide. efforts among not lessinthan 100,000 foreigners cooperative describing association as of Ido Ido Local Government national security. all million government properties in Prince Executive Governor of Oyo of over ofHe service in antransfers evolving global He Collins said, examined "We particular progress recorded here should Petroleum &above Gas with alleged illegal from the Ogbonna and The court further held he fraud. Lukman Oladele, were ongoing tothe expand theState state’s Sections and 66Monday of thethat Police Ezebalike andtake Oladele had health Addressing the gathering, the are identified the within centres as lawyers successfully by Kunle JAMB released by4JAMB on showed a Northwest figure, he said, wasChairman far the one that did it.and We N754.8 other inas therefugees. selection ofenergy private sector actors the counterpart funding obligations sector reforms under the The Coordinating Minister countries origin, transit living incontenders this country Area of the state. possession todecision the Nigeria, inof exercise the powers ahe's vital partner inofpromoting The SGF underscored economy. pride in seeing an indigenous make our country harder to account of the VIMSAS Committee. Gbolahan, appealed the ruling, neither signed nor approved any Company Limited in Lagos, In a unanimous delivered among five persons charged with Acts that empower them to bring argued that by the provisions social register to accommodate more his governor expressed joy and a deep Tigh Technologies Limited, Sascon Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) that 983,187 candidates (50.29 per cent) acceptable margins and currently The government, in a letter dated of Ido localthe government. Incourt the terrorism conferred on him by Sub-section destination, explore inclusive did it,”advocacy, Fubara said. All these are theof responsibilities process, describing themthatas vulnerable Ministerial Oversight Committee and fund commitments. national agenda toward ofthe Health and Socialhailed Welfare, He wasstated originally arraigned with arguing that thenationwide. EFCC to withdrawal instructions orachieving internal yesterday, appellate and murder. The others the charge against the defendants, of theequity Terrorism Act, itwith isfailed onlysuch the peace, unity and the vital role faith-based households, stressing that sense of responsibility, noting He that while the enterprise expand dismiss." Vice President the International School, Maitama, across 11 centres scored between 160 and 199, while under investigation. 2nd ofcommission, February, 2024 and signed the state government 1&2 of Section 26 ofcooperation the Chiefs stronger of the give them policies, framework toComputer strengthen broader In his remarks, Pate Universal Health Coverage. Prof. Muhammad Pate who are several others, but the charges were link him to any wrongdoing and memos related theTerrorism alleged Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, Osiga allowed Akpobolokemi’s appeal, Section and 99 to of(24.97 the Attorney General of thereaffirmed Federation vulnerable household should be meantime, the initiative is a bold step social progress. organisations in to addressing Abuja, Wudil Information According to Oloyede, the results 488,197 5candidates per cent) "A total of 39, 834 Ali results remain by the Commissioner fortowards Local no
Umahi says FG investing trillions in construction of roads across Nigeria Affirms Nigeria's readiness for strategic partnership
Air Peace Incident: Oshiomhole Violated Aviation Mining Development: Nigeria, USto 920 Death Toll in Venezuela Earthquakes Rises Regulation, AON Alleges, Minister Orders Probe 2027: Akume, Wike Rally NorthUTME: JAMB Releases Results, Withholds 39,834 Explore Areas of Strategic Partnership
central, Rivers Support for Tinubu Places 1,426 results under scrutiny Globacom: how our product can help students excel in JAMB, other exams
Aiyedatiwa Launches FG's N1.2bn Fubara Presents Staff of Office to Opobo Conditional Cash Transfer in Ondo, Akume Assures Nigerians Monarch, Unity, Development Nominates Commissioners NOA DG: FGUrges to Launch 37,000 Citizens' Brigade Nationwide
in Captivity of Freedom
FG to Repatriate 15,000 Nigerians Stranded Abroad
Alleged Money Laundering: EFCC Arraigns SunTrust Bank CEO, Executive
Shettima: Northwest Petroleum Ready for Changing Energy Era BurningofRiversAssemblyComplex:CourtDismisses
Inaugurates ultramodern headDisbursed office of the oil and gas firm in Lagos Pate: FG Has N32.88bn Application Challenging Competence of Charge Basic for Q2Fraud 2026 Appeal CourtHealthcare Acquits Ex-NIMASA DGFund Akpobolokemi in N754.8m Case
Oyo Govt Suspends Monarch in Ibadan
support,” hepromise said. of “Renewed fulfilling the Government andPresident Chieftaincy Ahmed thanked Bola Matters, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola,
Law,sustained Cap. 28 Vol I, Lawsthat of Oyo and dialogue can left Statebehind. of Nigeria 2000positively. and by virtue reshape migration of all other enabling powers in
has vowedthe to hit hard atthe anyone, set aside Ikeja unreleased. Ofruling these, of 1,426 results no matter how highly placed, who contravenes the law.
Donald and Ochueja Thankgod. later amended to include only him Technology. Kano State and They wereWudil, last week arraigned on a seven-count criminal charge
relied onfileinadmissible evidence transfers. Act, shows that theand police have that any released charge ofbut terrorism are can also being sadly, fraudulent scored between powers to also 140 initiate 159. terrorism against them. Their lawyer, Mr. Lukman charges against the defendant.
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SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, 2026 • T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R
NEWS
UN 2027 BUDGET PRESENTATION ON THEIR MINDS...
United Nations Budget and Administration Chairman, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim (left), with the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, after a closed door meeting over the 2027 UN Budget and its presentation to the 198 member countries on 13th October 2026, held in New York…yesterday
Tinubu’s Policies Killed My Mother, Rotimi Amaechi Alleges
The Vice Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s policies contributed to the death of his mother. The former Rivers State Governor said this in an interview monitored on Channels Television. Amaechi said his mother was healthy before Tinubu assumed office, adding that he later struggled to afford the drugs she needed due to the economic hardship associated with the President’s policies. The ADC vice-presidential candidate said the removal of the fuel subsidy was supposed to improve Nigerians’ living conditions but instead worsened hardship. “The policies Tinubu introduced are killing people. I lost my mother because of the policies. We have lost people. President Tinubu’s
policies killed my mother. “Before Tinubu became President, my mother was healthy. Suddenly, when Tinubu came, it became difficult to buy drugs for my mother. I did the best I could in taking care of my mother,” Amaechi added. Speaking further, he challenged President Tinubu’s administration over the rising cost of living, saying the removal of fuel subsidy without adequate measures to cushion its effects has made life more difficult for Nigerians. He offered to withdraw as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate and campaign for Tinubu if petrol sells for N600 per litre by Saturday. “Don’t bother about my views, I will go tomorrow morning to a petrol station myself so that you can see. If fuel has come down to N600 I will campaign for President Tinubu. If fuel comes
down tomorrow to N600 I will campaign for President Tinubu. “Tomorrow, if you are doubtful come with your camera tomorrow in the morning and I will go to a filling station and I will buy fuel, if it comes down to this thing, I Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi will withdraw as the vice presidential candidate of Atiku and campaign for President Tinubu if it has come down,” Amaechi said.
He also framed the 2027 presidential election as a choice between life and death, arguing that Nigerians have only one choice to make if they want to remain alive. According to him, “Tinubu represents the choice of death.” Amaechi also accused President Tinubu’s administration of being more corrupt than that of his predecessor, late Muhammadu Buhari, arguing that the scale
of corruption under the current government was more glaring. According to the former Rivers State governor, comparing the two administrations would give the impression that there was little or no corruption under Buhari. “If you compare the two you will think there was no corruption under Buhari’s government,” he said. “(Corruption under Buhari) not
as bad as this (under Tinubu). You know the difference? The difference is that when you are corrupt you hide it, but these people are not hiding it, it’s so glaring.” Asked whether he was part of the corruption he alleged took place under Buhari, having served in the former president’s administration as Minister of Transportation, Amaechi denied being corrupt.
Dangote Foundation Launches Student Share Grant to Promote Investment Culture Sunday Ehigiator
The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has launched a Student Share Grant Initiative aimed at promoting financial literacy, responsible investing and longterm asset ownership among young Nigerians.
The initiative, according to the Foundation, is designed to broaden youth participation in Nigeria’s capital market by giving eligible tertiary institution students practical experience of the formal investment process. The programme is open to students aged 18 and above
enrolled in public and private tertiary institutions across Nigeria, subject to verification and other eligibility requirements. Under the initiative, an eligible student who successfully completes the required verification process and applies in their own name and for their own benefit
for a minimum of 10 shares in the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP) will qualify for the Foundation to fund an application for an additional 10 DPRP shares in the student’s name at no additional cost to the student.
No Law Stops Atiku from Addressing Tinubu By First Oyebanji's Second Term Will Deliver Faster Name, Says VP’s Aide
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Paul Ibe, spokesman for the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has defended Atiku’s decision to refer to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu simply as “Bola”, saying there is no Nigerian law that makes it an offence. Ibe, in a post on X yesterday, said criticism of the former Vice President’s choice of words could not be turned into a criminal offence, arguing that Section 36(12) of the Constitution requires offences and their punishments to be prescribed by written law. “Anyone claiming Atiku committed an offence should produce the law that says Nigerians must always prefix Bola Tinubu’s name with ‘President,’ ‘His Excellency’ or ‘Mr. President’,” Ibe said.
“There is no such law.” The statement followed criticism of Atiku after he repeatedly referred to Tinubu as “Bola” while discussing issues including the cost of petrol and electricity. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had described the reference as “very disrespectful and discourteous”, while presidential spokesman Sunday Dare also criticised Atiku’s manner of addressing the President. Ibe said the use of first names among political leaders was not unusual, citing former United States President Barack Obama’s public references to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel as “Angela” at official events. He also cited Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression.
Development, Inauguration Committee Assures Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State Government has declared that Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji's second term will usher in a new phase of accelerated development, with greater investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and economic growth.
The assurance came on Thursday as the Governor's Second Term Inauguration Planning Committee unveiled the programme of activities for the October 16 inauguration and presented what it described as the administration's scorecard after four years in office. Addressing journalists in Ado-
Ekiti, Chairman of the Planning Committee and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo, said the theme of the inauguration, ‘The Good Work Continues’, reflects the administration's determination to consolidate its achievements while introducing fresh interventions that will improve the welfare of
residents and deepen economic prosperity. According to him, activities marking the inauguration will begin with a Jumat thanksgiving service at the Central Mosque, Ado-Ekiti, on Friday, October 2, while other events will culminate in the swearing-in ceremony on October 16.
Obi-Kwankwaso Women Group Launches Nationwide Mobilisation for 2027 Michael Olugbode in Abuja
A women’s support group backing the presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso has commenced a nationwide mobilisation campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections, with
structures being established across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Obi-Kwankwaso National Women’s Support Group said its mobilisation drive formally commenced on October 1 following the inauguration of
its national leadership, with a mandate to deepen grassroots engagement and expand support for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential ticket. The development comes as the Obi-Kwankwaso
political movement intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections. Obi and Kwankwaso joined the NDC in May 2026, with Obi subsequently emerging as the party’s presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as his running mate.
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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R • SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, 2026
NEWS
PDP WOOS ABIA VOTERS...
L-R: Director-General of Abia State PDP Campaign Council, Chief Obinna Nwachukwu; President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Abia State Chapter, Mike Okezie, Abia PDP Governorship Candidate, Dr. Kelechi Anosike; Chairman, PDP Campaign Council, Empire Kanu, and Abia PDP State Chairman/Deputy Governorship Candidate, Amah Abraham, when AFAN endorsed Anosike as its guber candidate for the 2027 election in Abia...recently
Troops Eliminate 16 Extremists, Recover Weapons in Adamawa Nigeria, US deepen ties to combat terrorism
Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Nigerian military said troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), eliminated 16 terrorists, recovered an assortment of arms and ammunition, and thwarted
hostile incursions by extremist fighters during coordinated engagements comprising a lethal ground ambush, a precision air strike and successful defensive counter-operations across Sector 4 Area of Operations in Adamawa State.
Oyo Govt Condemns Abduction of NYSC Members in Imo
The Oyo State Government has condemned the abduction of some National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State, assuring their families that efforts are underway to secure their safe release. The victims of Oyo origins were among 19 corps members travelling from Ibadan to their respective orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen reportedly attacked two buses conveying them along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, on Thursday. The state government, in a statement issued in Ibadan
yesterday, by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, said Governor Seyi Makinde had directed that all necessary resources be deployed towards securing the release of the abducted corps members. Oyelade said the government was in close communication with relevant security agencies, the Imo State Government and the leadership of the NYSC to ensure a coordinated response to the incident. He said the safety and well-being of every indigene of the state, both within and outside its borders, remained a top priority of the administration.
Ban on Durbar, Horse-Riding Stands Despite Violations, Kano CP Declares Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano
The Kano State Police Command has reaffirmed that the ban on all forms of Durbar and horse-riding activities in the state remained in force and binding on all persons irrespective of status. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, stated this yesterday, during a press briefing held at the Bompai Police Headquarters on behalf of all security agencies in the state. CP Bakori said the briefing became necessary following reports of apparent breaches of the security
directive earlier imposed by the state government after consultations with security stakeholders. He explained that the ban was pronounced as a preventive measure to preserve public peace and avert clashes linked to the lingering emirship tussle in the state. Security sources said the disputed 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, was among those restricted from horse-riding to avoid violence, but reportedly trekked to the Nassarawa Palace, during which posters of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf were allegedly destroyed.
Also, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening military relations with the United States, particularly in counter-terrorism operations. On the Joint Task Force NorthEast, Operation Hadin Kai, the military also disclosed that three brave soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice during the fierce battle, while the wounded personnel were swiftly evacuated and are
currently in stable condition receiving medical treatment. According to a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, the troops eliminated the fighters in a series of decisive operational encounters conducted between 30 September and 1 October 2026. He said the operational momentum commenced in the Boima general area of
Gombi Local Government Area, where troops conducted a wellcoordinated ambush against a terrorist enclave, stressing that the swift tactical action resulted in the neutralisation of 16 terrorists. A subsequent exploitation of the engagement site, Captain Goni said led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, two pumpaction rifles, one Dane gun, six AK-47 magazines and a belt of pump-action cartridges, thereby severely degrading the adversary’s
combat capability and denying them freedom of action within the sector. "Reinforcing the ground operations, the Air Component of OPHK conducted a precision strike in the early hours of 1 October 2026. At approximately 4:40a.m., an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform detected a concentration of about 16 terrorists assembling alongside 15 motorcycles beneath a tree canopy in Sector 4.
Maryam Abacha: Court Orders Takeover of Disputed Victoria Island Property Restrains firm from selling, transferring property pending suit
Wale Igbintade The Federal High Court in Lagos has appointed a Receiver/ Manager to take possession and control of a disputed property atNo.68 Molade Okoya Thomas Street, off Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, in a suit filed by Dr. (Mrs.) Maryam Sani Abacha against Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa,
in an interim order issued on September 29, 2026, restrained Levitikal Realties, its directors, agents, representatives, servants and persons acting through it from selling, transferring, assigning, mortgaging, leasing, charging, alienating or otherwise encumbering the property pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction. The order was made in Suit
No. FHC/LAG/CS/1245/2026, in which Abacha is the plaintiff/ applicant and Levitikal Realties & Construction Limited is the defendant/respondent. The property is covered by a Certificate of Occupancy dated July 4, 1988, and registered as No. 32 at Page 32 in Volume 1988B of the Lands Registry Office, Lagos State. The court’s intervention followed an ex parte application
filed by Abacha on September 10, 2026, through her counsel, Adedayo Adesina, SAN. In addition to restraining the defendant from dealing with the property, Justice Lewis-Allagoa barred it from taking any step or carrying out any act calculated to interfere with, overreach, dissipate, assign, transfer, sell, alienate, encumber or otherwise prejudice the subject matter of the originating summons.
Don't Weaponise Religion, Ethnicity, CAN Warns Political Parties Ahead 2027 Elections
Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has warned political parties and candidates against exploiting religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments ahead of the 2027 general elections. Okoh gave the warning
in Abuja yesterday while delivering a press statement to mark CAN's 50th anniversary, themed ‘Walking Together in Faith: Celebrating 50 Years of CAN's Journey’. He said political leaders must not allow electoral competition to deepen divisions or expose young Nigerians to violence. "Political parties and candidates
must resist the temptation to weaponise religion, ethnicity and regional sentiments," Okoh said. According to him, Nigerians have witnessed enough bloodshed during election periods and the 2027 polls must be a contest of ideas and policies, not violence, intimidation and hate speech. "Elections should be a
contest of ideas, not a contest of violence; a competition for public service, not a licence for personal destruction," he said, urging leaders to take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters. Okoh said every Nigerian must be free to vote according to conscience without coercion or manipulation.
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SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, 2026 • T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R
NEWS
FACILITY TOUR...
L-R: General Manager, Operations, Asiko Energy Holdings Limited, Busayo Fabumi; former Director, Afolabi Oladele; Chairman, Alex Ogedegbe; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria LNG Limited, Adeleye Falade, and MD, Asiko Energy Holdings Limited, Felix Ekundayo, during completion ceremony of the Asiko Energy Holdings Limited LPG and Propane Terminal at Ijora, Lagos... recently
NNPC, Ogun Move to Revive $10bn OgunLNG Project Abiodun links LNG revival to $7bn deep sea port, blue marine SEZ
James Sowole in Abeokuta and Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) is set to invest an initial $10 billion in the development of the OgunLNG project in Ogun Waterside, Ogun State, as the long-delayed gas project enters a fresh phase of
revival. This was as a revered traditional leader and stakeholder, Olori Omoba Otunba Adejare Rewane Adegbenro, has described the proposed $7 billion Gateway Deep Sea Port and Blue Marine Special Economic Zone in Ogun State as a major boost to Nigeria's maritime and industrial capacity.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with officials of the company led by its Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Adedapo Segun, in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state, Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed that NNPC had commenced discussions with the state government on the revival of the project, which has
remained on the drawing board for more than three decades. The development comes barely a week after the Ogun State Government signed agreements with global ports and logistics giant, DP World, for the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the 10,000-hectare Ogun State
Riot Police, Students Clash as Education Protests Rage in France Riot police have clashed with protesters as thousands of students demonstrating over education standards disrupted more than 700 schools in France. Fires have burned in the streets as high school pupils and others objected to a lack of teachers, overcrowded classrooms and run-down buildings. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 1,747 people were arrested yesterday, the BBC reported.
The protests began last week in the capital Paris and have spread across the country, with cities including Montpellier, Nantes and Marseille affected. French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said things had "gone from high-school student demonstrations to a public order disturbance". Darmanin said that 735 of France's 3,700 schools were now affected "one way or another" by
the violent protests. Announcing the arrests late yesterday, Nuñez told France's TF1 television network: "We are sliding into riot and urban violence, and we are using all intermediate means to put an end to it." Meanwhile, Education Minister Édouard Geffray said the movement had been hijacked by non-students. He told French broadcaster
BFMTV that teachers had said "the people in front of me were not my students". Earlier on Friday, a 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide after protests in Belfort, north-eastern France, where a police officer was targeted. BBC Verify has now authenticated two videos that show the man, who was later identified as an officer by a minister, being beaten up.
Blue Marine Special Economic Zone, in a deal expected to attract more than $7 billion in initial investment. Abiodun described the renewed interest in OgunLNG as a significant development for Ogun State and Nigeria, noting that the project has the potential to strengthen the country’s energy supply while providing gas for industries and supporting largescale industrialisation. “Today, we just received members of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company who have come to meet with us on behalf of the Group Chief Executive Officer. They have come to discuss with us the LNG plant that was originally designed and called OKLNG, which was meant to be situated on our coastline. Now they have brought the project back to life,” the governor said. According to him, the discussions focused on land requirements, incentives and other arrangements necessary to facilitate the smooth take-off of the project, with the state
government assuring NNPC of its full cooperation. He said the project would have significant multiplier effects, particularly in employment generation and the provision of gas to industries within the economic zone, Ogun State and the wider South-west region. The governor cited the NNPC’s facility in Bonny, Rivers State, where he said about 14,000 people are employed, as an indication of the potential employment impact of the OgunLNG project. Abiodun said the revival of OgunLNG immediately after the signing of the DP World agreements was particularly significant, as the LNG project, deep seaport and Blue Marine Special Economic Zone could collectively create an integrated ecosystem linking energy, manufacturing, maritime trade, logistics and exports. “Last Wednesday, we signed an MoU on the Deep Sea Port and today we have the NNPC team here discussing the activation of the LNG plant,” he said.
Nigerian novelist and storyteller Paul Omeje will release ‘Apata Boys: Syndicate Rising’ on November 3, 2026, a cinematic crime novel set in 1980s Apata and Ibadan, rooted in brotherhood, betrayal, ambition and the pursuit of power. This was disclosed in a statement yesterday. It stated that Omeje’s creative journey began with screenwriting. “After studying Mass Communication at Auchi Polytechnic, he began writing film scripts, which are registered with the Writers Guild of America West. That foundation continues to shape his fiction, particularly the way he constructs scenes, builds tension and lets conflict unfold through character and action. “In Apata Boys, Omeje turns his attention to a community where relationships, competing
interests and the pursuit of influence collide. At the centre is brotherhood: a source of loyalty and protection that comes under pressure as ambition, power and survival begin to demand different things from those bound by it,” the statement added. “Crime creates the pressure, but people are what interest me,” it quoted Omeje to have said. “I wanted to explore what happens when loyalty, ambition and survival begin pulling people in different directions. Those choices reveal character, and those choices sit at the heart of Apata Boys.” Apata and Ibadan are central to the novel, shaping the characters’ relationships, ambitions and conflicts while grounding the story in a distinctly Nigerian reality and deepening its exploration of loyalty, power and consequence.
Nigeria @66: Our Problems Stem from Failure Paul Omeje Explores Power, Loyalty in of Values, Principles, Says Daniel Kanu 1980s Ibadan in Crime Novel Apata Boys Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Chairman of the New Deal Organisation, Prince Daniel Kanu, has blamed Nigeria’s persistent challenges on the failure of good values and principles across society, saying the country’s problems cannot be solved through politics, strikes and constant finger-pointing.
Kanu said Nigerians must look beyond the government for solutions and accept their own responsibility for rebuilding the country, especially by putting national interest above ethnic, religious and political considerations. In an Independence Day message signed by him, Kanu described President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu’s 66th anniversary address as sincere and progressive, urging Nigerians to support legitimate institutions and leadership while playing their part in fixing the country. “Nigeria is where it is today because Nigerians have failed themselves at virtually every level—both those in government and those outside government.
We must learn to tell ourselves the truth and stop indulging in self-deception,” he said. Kanu also questioned the three-day warning strike announced by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) over demands it said the government had failed to meet by September 30, 2026.
PICFI: Why Nigeria Needs Leaders With Fear of God, Humanity
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
The National President of the Petroleum Industry Christian Fellowship International (PICFI), Dr. Gift Roman, has called for leaders with the fear of God, humanity and listening ears to the people, saying Nigerians are
suffering and increasingly leaving the country in search of better opportunities. Roman made the call in Port Harcourt yesterday in an interview with journalists, during the ongoing 22nd Annual National Prayer Conference of PICFI, with the theme, ‘Bearing the Cross’.
The conference, which coincided with Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, focused on prayers for national transformation, the petroleum industry and the personal responsibilities of Christians in driving positive change. According to Roman, Nigeria needs leaders capable of providing
the conditions that would make citizens remain in the country rather than migrate in search of “green pastures”. “We want leaders that have the fear of God, leaders that will have humanity at heart, leaders that will reach out to the masses, leaders that will have listening ears to their subjects,” she said.
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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R • SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, 2026
NEWS XTRA
NIGERIAN TRIATHLON UNION ELECTION...
L-R: Treasurer, Mrs. Modupe Ofonedu; Second Vice President, Olukayode Oguntayo; President, Mrs. Ize Matebese; First Vice President, Mr. Abiona Babarinde, and Deputy Secretary General, Chief Raliat Abdulsalam, at the congress/election of the Nigerian Triathlon Union held in in Lagos... recently
Ken Ife: Nigeria Must Align Economy with ECOWAS Criteria to Lead Planned Single Currency Launch Nume Ekeghe Nigeria must urgently align its macroeconomic framework with the convergence requirements of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) if it is to play a leading role in the proposed launch of the regional single currency, the ECO, in 2027, economic policy expert, Prof. Ken Ife, has said. Ife, a Development Consultant and Lead Consultant, Industry and Private Sector Development, ECOWAS, in a note he sent to THISDAY yesterday, recalled his advocacy for a phased approach to the ECOWAS single currency nearly two decades ago, adding that countries that met the bloc’s macroeconomic convergence requirements should have been allowed to commence the currency while other member states joined subsequently. His comments came as ECOWAS intensified efforts towards the introduction of the ECO, with the regional body
reaffirming in September 2026 that the 2027 launch target remains achievable. The ECOWAS Convergence Council recently reviewed member states’ economic performance and convergence status and directed the Commission to accelerate preparations for the proposed currency. ECOWAS According to Ife, he first proposed the phased approach in about 2007 when he travelled with the then ECOWAS President to the EU-Africa Summit in Portugal. “On the matter of ECOWAS Currency. Around 2007, I travelled with ECOWAS President to EU-Africa Summit in Portugal and I advised him to start the currency with Member State that met the ECOWAS Macro-economic Convergence Criteria and others will join,” he said. He argued that the approach would have allowed countries that were prepared to move ahead while giving others additional time to meet the requirements. Ife noted that, almost two
decades later, ECOWAS continues to work with a framework of four primary and six secondary macroeconomic convergence criteria designed to promote economic stability among member states. The primary criteria include maintaining annual inflation at or below five per cent, keeping the overall budget deficit at or below
three per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), limiting central bank financing of fiscal deficits and maintaining gross external reserves equivalent to at least three months of imports. The secondary benchmarks include maintaining public debt at or below 70 per cent of GDP, positive real interest rates, exchangerate stability, improved tax revenue
mobilisation, adequate domestic funding of public investment and control of government wage bills. The ECOWAS framework has historically comprised four primary and six secondary convergence criteria, aimed at achieving greater coordination of macroeconomic policies among member states. Ife said Nigeria’s position in the regional economy made
compliance with the convergence framework particularly important. “The challenge we have is that Nigeria cannot successfully drive ECOWAS regional economy where we contribute 65 per cent of the economy but where our macro-economic framework does not align with these best practices, let alone move to comply with ECO currency,” he said.
ReachOut Nigeria Targets 100m Copies of ‘Rhapsody of Realities’ to Mark 20th Anniversary Oluchi Chibuzor
ReachOut Nigeria has announced plan to distribute 100 million copies of ‘Rhapsody of Realities’ across the country as it marks the 20th edition of its nationwide campaign. The campaign themed, ‘Celebrating 20 Years of Impact, Taking Rhapsody to Every Man’s World’, coincided with
Nigeria’s 66th independence anniversary and is expected to cover all 774 local government areas. According to a statement issued by ReachOut Nigeria, the 20th edition represented the organisation’s largest nationwide campaign since its inception in 2007, with the devotional targeted at adults, youths, teenagers, children and
people with accessibility needs across cities, towns, villages and hinterlands. The statement said the initiative began with a vision to inspire hope, promote patriotism and empower Nigerians through the message of the Christian faith. It said the campaign had, over the years, expanded beyond the distribution of Rhapsody
of Realities to incorporate humanitarian interventions and community-development projects. “Over the years, ReachOut Nigeria has grown beyond the mass distribution of Rhapsody of Realities into a nationwide movement combining evangelism with humanitarian and community-development initiatives,” the statement noted.
Demands Tighter Safeguards for Children with Disabilities Green Worship Targets N500m LASODA disabilities must be protected. The General Manager of Partnerships to Advance Bennett Oghifo for Vulnerable Children LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Disability Inclusion in Lagos
Deborah Ndinorouba
The ninth edition of Green Worship, the annual benefit concert organised by Concert for Change Foundation, is targeting N500 million to support six organisations providing care and services to vulnerable children across Nigeria. The concert, scheduled for October 10, 2026, in Lagos, would bring together gospel artistes and worship leaders, including Nathaniel Bassey, Bob Fitts, Ada Ehi, Kaestrings, Pelumi Deborah, Chimdi Ochei, Ccioma and Gospel Force. The initiative, which was formerly known as Worship for Change, is focused on raising awareness and funding for organisations caring for orphans, children with disabilities and other vulnerable children. According to the organisers, this
year’s N500 million target represents a significant step up from the N55 million raised and disbursed to five charities following Green Worship 8.0 last year. The five beneficiaries of last year’s intervention received N11 million each, with the funds supporting organisations in Warri, Minna, Lagos, Akure and Uyo. The foundation said the experience had encouraged it to set a more ambitious target this year, with the N500 million campaign expected to support six organisations: OAKonsult Disabilities Outreach in Ogbomosho; Lokola School for the Deaf and Special Needs; Excellent Child Support Initiative in Ikorodu; Festus Fajemilo Foundation in Abule Egba; AIM Special Children Centre in Kaduna; and Irede Foundation in Lagos.
The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has warned disability service providers against lapses in the management of residential homes, insisting that the safety, privacy, dignity and best interests of children with
The agency also urged providers to strengthen safeguarding measures, improve accessibility and ensure that their publicity, fundraising and documentation practices comply with child-protection and dataprotection requirements.
Oyetunde-Lawal, gave the charge on Wednesday at the 2026 Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the agency at the Lagos NUT Pavilion, NERDC Road, Alausa, Ikeja. The forum, themed, ‘Harnessing Multi-Stakeholder
State’, brought together disability service providers, government agencies and other stakeholders to examine challenges affecting the quality and safety of services available to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
NAS Provides Free Healthcare to Over 1,000 Rivers Residents
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Pyrates Confraternity through its Olympus Marino Deck, in collaboration with Barrakuda X, Aquamella X and Oxbow Marino Decks, has provided free medical services to about 1,000 residents of Opobo Kingdom in Rivers State. The outreach, themed ‘Health for All: Bridging the Care Gap in
Opobo Kingdom’, also uncovered cases of hypertension, visual disorders, malaria and parasitic infections among residents. The exercise brought together doctors, optometrists, dentists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals who provided consultations, drugs, eye and dental care, health education and enrolment support under the Rivers State Contributory Health
Protection Programme. The initiative was supported by Purple Eyes Dental Clinics and St. Patrick’s Hospital. Speaking during the exercise, NAS medical doctor, Dr. Emmanuel Kinika Orlu, said the mission was organised to address identified gaps in healthcare delivery while contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being.
“Today in Opobo, there are identified healthcare gaps that we have met today. That is being handled by a team of experts,” Orlu said. He said the services included “consultations, drug dispensary, dental care services, optometry, health insurance and health promotion and education to tell the people how to carry out preventive health.”
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OCTOBER 3, 2026 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
INSIGHT 13
SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 • THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER
INSIGHT
The East-West Road... What a waste!
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Part federal and state levels. attackssecondary and killings because notion theBuhari existence disunity among to Indeed the streets theirthat President in stock several security finally intomoney a university the disclosures of the President’s takinguniformed was how the country one of theto firstcelebrate official assignments carried of of of ritual and wealthor is polytechcompletely peoples country's achievement political frittered away billions in foreign and currency by importing goods, which can baseless. AfAWto is discover making thisthat call following the out was the approval of billions of of Naira in bailout fundsthe to enable state of Nigeria. public service organisations, nic, only obtaining be produced at home. items was major staple among arrest of suspected in Oyo State governors payThey something as basic asbeer, workers’ salaries. Granting bailout the For those example, inability of One theof such freedom. quaffed subject torice, thea recruitment require- reported a certificate does notritualists necessarily Nigerians. By banning rice importation into the country, the President on one in southern Nigeria. The local media reported funds was a huge boost to national security because the pressure of arrears first republic politicians to steer tore and ate meat, and danced, ments of currency the particular guarantee to employment. hand had saved the nation billions in foreign annually. agency. that members ofaccess the Western Nigeria Security of unpaid monthly salaries building dangerously all over the country was a the country on the right path merrily, to celebrate Nigeria's exit Yet, for many graduates, possessThe National Youth Service ritualists Corps And, on the other hand, the President has boosted domestic production Network, Amotekun, arrested suspected ticking bomb. of rice and in civil the process had nudged country into self sufficiencydoes in with the bodyprovides parts of a 73-year-old man. Ask the and they would readily of remind you of how long caused theit thirty-month war. from thenaysayers grip and chokehold ing athehigher qualification (NYSC) another example food He also creatednot millions of jobs translate for young people the rice The suspects, who apprehended in the took President Buhari to appoint his ministers and how that contributed to That protracted andproduction. fratricidal British imperialism. Those Nigealways intoinbroader of how brief thewere formal transition value chain. Boluwaji area in Ibadan, said that a Muslim collapse of the economy as if, without ministers, governance was frozen. rians hoped that their country civil warwriter, caused the especially when it cleric from education to national service Whatdecimation is most admirableof aboutopportunities, President Buhari and his government is asked them to procure some human body But buying that narrative would amount to what a famous Nigerian comesresources to recruitment into goals. security parts canforbe. After years of education, would be Adichie, transformed a truly ourYet population, the destruction its frugal management ofof scarce national to attain optimum rituals. Ritual attacks are widespread Chimamanda termed “theto danger of a single story”. the whole Recallfacilities, that since President stepped inservices. the saddle, oil revenue dropped in a Nigeria. Irrational of how to story was that many of our citizens did not know how decrepit a state graduate mayconceptions spend only about united, economically prosperous, our infrastructural and Buharirelated abysmally as if to sabotage him knowing all the big promises he made to make money or become wealthy and successful President Buhari inherited in 2015. This raises an important questwelve months serving under the and technologically developed the depredationcitizens of our economy. during his campaigns. But with the little resources that trickle in, the undergird these atrocities. Many Nigerians It was therefore necessary for him to take stock against the background tion: what happens to thecould value of strongly NYSCbelieve scheme before returning country astheNigerian-born leaders Andcooperate the military interregnums President is achieving what governments that received oil windfalls in blood money, known into of the fact that departing government did not, reportedly, full the years spent pursuing higher thelocal difficult search for sustainable not dream of. some languages as Ogun Owo (Yoruba) well with the incoming government in terms ofof leaving workable had taken over the leadership we hadhandover in the past stultified our Today, the trains develare up and running daily from Abujaatograduate Kaduna. Andcan or employment. Ogwu ego (Igbo). They think that they notes. Although President Goodluck Jonathan was gracious in defeat, many education when their country. economic and technological from Lagos to Ibadan a brand new rail track was started and completed; could become rich, or successful through ritual of his appointees were still sulking over what they saw as their personal be excluded from an opportunity Every year, thousands of graduopment as the military rulers put But since the time Nigeria citizens are already commuting daily to and fro these two major cities in the sacrifice. Unfortunately, this is not the case. losses and therefore pulled all the stops to make things difficult for the simply because of age or other ateswealth emerge from universities and the constitution country in abeyance and gained political independence seamlessly as they reap from the dividends of democracy. And with Ritual has no basis in reason, science, Buhari government. the with way thisiron-fist. government is going, before 2023 when the President even would when or polytechnics reality. Home movies as Africa Even Britain with the obvious and unpatriotic the country PDP recruitment conditions, with known certificates in their ruled ofthe from in 1960, and tillobscurantist now, behaviour leave, the entire country would be linked by rail possesses with all of its economic or Nollywood have not helped and their supporters still in government hell-bent on making person the required magic hands and hopefilms in their hearts. Chiedu Uche Okoye, Uruowulu- the itappointees has been struggling to realize its matters. These movies continue to reinforce things difficult for Buhari, the President moved on with his methodical repair advantages. educational qualification and is Unfortunately, many soon discover Obosi,Anambra State potentialities. Forfirst allthing itsheabundant Ojeifo, Abuja these mistaken notions and other superstitions. of a broken country. The did was to identify all possible sources Ainofenokhai physically capable of performing that their certificates areand easier Families, churches, mosques, other public of income toand the nation and directed that all inflows be natural human resources, institutions do not encourage the interrogation paid into one single account in line with the policy of to frame than to use in securing equable weather conditions, many of these traditional occult beliefs. There are Single Treasury Account (TSA). meaningful employment. waters lakes, ponds), T H E S AT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R no robust efforts to criticize or dispel these The TSA(rivers, policy, interestingly, was mooted by the Idris and Rufai, idrisrufai744@gmail. EDITOR YEMI ADEBOWALE and arable large landmass, it irrational paranormal claims in schools, PDP government but its penchant for imprudence DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA OGBU com colleges, and universities. So millions of and lack of accountability denied it the courage of T H E SAT U R DAY N E W S PA P E R MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO has not become an economically EDITOR OBINNA CHIMA Nigerians grow up blindly believing that they implementing the policy. What the President literally DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU prosperous and technologically CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN OGBU ADENIYI DEPUTY EDITOR AHAMEFULA could make money through ritual sacrifice of did was to gather all the nation’s money into one box EDITOR NATION’SDIRECTOR CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING ENIOLA BELLO advanced nation-state. And it human body parts. The belief has led many and locked it up with a big padlock and watched for MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU Nigerians to commit crimes and perpetrate any thief come close. a truly united has notto become THE EDITORIAL OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI he Many 'Traitors' reality TVbeen shows, atrocities. Nigerians have jailed so Who can blame the President for almost developing country, as ethnic strife as well as EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN or are undergoing trialscountries, due to ritualparanoia over the safeguard of the national treasury popular in court so many have THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE ethnic suspicion, exists among the related attacks and murder. with revelations and reports of mind-boggling looting a group of people who backstab nationalities that make Nigeria. Not too long ago, the police arrested some that took place in the 16 years of theup PDP? With T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D otherforand do everything they young each Nigerians stealing female pants, such disclosures of how billions meant But why is Nigeria still afor fighting EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA which they intended to use forelse. ritualItsacrifice. insurgency in the Northeast ended up in the pockets of can to eliminate everyone shows GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, disunited country trapped in the TH I S DAY N E WNWOGWUGWU, S PA P E R S LEMMANUEL I M I T E D EFENI ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA AfAW is asking Nigerians desist a few individuals while our gallant soldiers fought with the worst that all people cantobe butfrom with EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA rut of technological and economiDIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE ritual-related abuses because ritual money bare hands and on empty stomach, President Buhari GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLAOJOGUN BELLO, KAYODE annoying ads. DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR VICTORKOMOLAFE, DANBOYI beliefs are baseless superstitions. Nigerian was duty bound to bring sanity and accountability cal underdevelopment when it back ISRAEL IWEGBU SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH If youschools, want toand seecolleges the same behaviour media, should help in national spending. is endowed with human and DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORSASSOCIATE SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE educate and reorient the public. Theyneed should Thus, under President Buhari, the Economic and and without the ads all you to CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI material resources? reason assist in reasoning Nigerians out of this Financial Crimes CommissionThe (EFCC), which had DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO SNR.PRINTING ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH do is watch and listen to your political for thatcomatose is notforfar-fetched. As killer-superstitious absurdity and nonsense. remained years, was woken up we to resume ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com representatives and how they behave Leo Igwe directs thesee Advocacy for Alleged its duties. Apart from the trillions of Naira of looted CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI have not got our politics right, in their parliaments. Witches (AfAW) funds and property recovered from corrupt politicians DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO
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Reality is Better than 'Reality'
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political leaders, who have no probity, leadership qualities. and
TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
Dennis Fitzgerald, 28 Landale St, Box Hill, Vic, Australia
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SaturDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2026 • T H I S D AY
SaturDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2026 • T H I S D AY
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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R • SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, 2026
NEWS XTRA LAGOS, KWARA, EKITI, PLATEAU, ENUGU DEPLOY CNG BUSES TO CUT TRANSPORT FARES that will take care of workers, students, residents, among others.” This, he said, would assist the state government in complying with the federal government’s directive to make life more bearable for residents of the state. He therefore said the government would leave no stone unturned in addressing the present economic hardship facing the people of the country, especially residents of the state. Similarly, the Ekiti State Government has commenced moves aimed at reducing transport fares by 50 per cent across the state, with the deployment of CNG buses to cushion the effect of transportation costs on residents. The state governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, said the deployment of the CNG buses marked a major step in the government’s move to reduce transport costs for citizens in line with President Tinubu’s directive. He added that the state had commenced the process of cutting transport fares by 59 per cent through the rollout of 15 CNG buses donated to the state by the federal government as part of efforts to promote affordable and accessible public transportation, adding that the state would expand the fleet of vehicles to serve residents better. Governor Oyebanji, who was accompanied by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, at the official flag-off of the vehicles at the premises of the Ekiti State
Transportation Agency in Ado Ekiti, said the government would continue to explore avenues to reduce the burden on citizens. Speaking with journalists shortly after inspecting the fleet of vehicles, Governor Oyebanji expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the intervention, noting that the provision of the buses would contribute significantly to reducing the burden of transportation on the people. He added that the initiative demonstrates the commitment of both the state and federal governments to improving the welfare of the people. Speaking on the deployment of the buses, the Director-General of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency, Hon. Tajudeen Akingbolu, said routes had been mapped out for the CNG buses to operate from Ado Ekiti to Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha and Abuja, adding that the initiative would provide residents with more affordable and reliable interstate transportation while reducing the burden of high transport fares. Lagos recently took delivery of 20 additional high-capacity CNG buses from the federal government. But the state is yet to announce the commencement of the transport fare reduction scheme under the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme. The latest delivery brings the number of CNG buses in Lagos’ regulated public transport system to about 170, from approximately 150
previously, according to LAMATA Managing Director, Abimbola Akinajo. The buses are expected to boost capacity on routes with identified gaps, including the Ikorodu-Tafawa Balewa Square corridor. The Lagos State Government has not publicly announced a new fare structure, specific commencement date or routes under the federal government’s latest fare-reduction intervention. This is significant because the federal government’s directive was aimed not merely at deploying CNG buses, but at ensuring that the lower operating costs associated with CNG and electric mobility translate into reduced transportation costs for commuters. In Enugu State, the difference between government-supported transport and commercial operations is also evident. While fares have been reduced by more than 50 per cent on routes covered by government-owned CNG buses, commercial transport operators have yet to reduce their charges. The Public Relations Officer of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Enugu State chapter, Ralph Edeh, said it was unrealistic to expect operators to cut fares while fuel, spare parts and other costs remained high. “It is still within the realm of wishful thinking for anybody to ask
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transport operators to start slashing down fares when the cost of fuel, motor spare parts, among other factors, are still very high,” he said. The situation is different in Rivers State, where the NURTW chairman, Boma Tom-George, linked any reduction in fares directly to the price of petrol. “We sell as we buy. Since we are using fuel and fuel price remains where it is. It is when it is reduced that the leadership of the union will also see how to reduce transport costs,” he said. He argued that transport operators could not sustainably lower fares while their principal operating cost remained high. In Niger State, the challenge is less about the absence of government-provided CNG buses and more about deployment. The state reportedly received 100 CNG buses, but the vehicles have not been fully mobilised. While the state Ministry of Information said some had been deployed on the Suleja-Gwagwalada and Suleja-Abuja routes, the remaining buses were said to be affected by ongoing road construction in Minna. In Ogun State, operators cited a combination of high fuel prices, passenger concerns about CNG vehicles and the cost of converting petrol-powered vehicles. A transporter, Jamiu Sofela, said fares from Kuto Motor Park, Abeokuta, to Lagos remained at
N6,000, while the cost of converting government as inadequate to meet a vehicle to CNG was about N1.3 the transportation needs of millions million. of commuters. He also said some passengers In Kebbi, Balarabe Sani said high were reluctant to use CNG-powered fuel, spare-parts and maintenance vehicles because of fears about costs had pushed some commercial their safety. drivers to park their vehicles. “No cheap transport fare for now Anambra State presents another because they still rely on petrol dimension of the challenge — to power their vehicles,” he said. access to promised government In Benue State, the government- intervention. owned Benue Links transport RTEAN state chairman Joseph service has instead opted for Nwabueze said the union had not what its management described been contacted about any current as a marginal fare increase, citing incentive for drivers. higher fuel, tyre, spare-parts and He said the state had been other operating costs. allocated 100 CNG vehicles under The General Manager, Alexander an earlier arrangement but that the Fanafa, said the increase was buses had yet to reach the Southnecessary to keep the company east union, despite correspondence operating, adding that other with the relevant authorities. transport companies had made Similarly, Taraba State is yet to much wider increases. implement measures to reduce The resistance from commercial transportation costs, according operators is particularly pronounced to the state NURTW chairman, in parts of the North-west. Ahmodu Musa, who said the In Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi, union was awaiting action from transport union officials separately the state government. rejected calls for immediate fare He said the absence of alternative reductions, arguing that petrol energy sources, including CNG prices of between N1,440 and facilities, had contributed to the high N1,490 per litre had made their cost of transportation in the state. businesses increasingly difficult to sustain. CHANGEOF OFNAME NAME In Sokoto, NURTW chairman CHANGE I formerly known and addressed known and addressed asas Dan Takatuku said fuel alone I formerly NKEIRUKAMARILYN MARILYNISITUA, ISITUA,now now NKEIRUKA consumed more than 70 per cent wish to be known and addressed to be known and addressed of some drivers’ daily earnings. wish NKEIRUKA MARILYN as NKEIRUKA as In Zamfara, union member AHUCHOGU. All formerMARILYN documents All former documents Abdullahi Suleiman described AHUCHOGU. remainvalid, valid,thethegeneral generalpublic public remain the CNG buses deployed by the should shouldplease pleasetake takenote. note.
T H I S D AY, Th e S ATURDAY, N e w S PA P e r •OCtober 3, 2026
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SHOWBIZ
Ferdinand Ekechukwu- 08035011394 Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com
Unusual Praise 2026 Returns, Over 80,000 Worshippers Expected Stories by Ferdinand Ekechukwu
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ome of the biggest names in gospel music will gather in Lagos for the 2026 edition of Unusual Praise, one of the largest Catholic praise concert in Africa. The event will hold in December 11 at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), and before then on November 6, at the Basilica, Onitsha, with over 80,000 thousand worshippers expected at the event themed ‘Declare His Glory Among The Nations’. The gospel ministers lined up for the upcoming event include Bidemi Olaoba, Moses Bliss, Sunmisola Agbebi, Peterson Okopi, Chinyere Udoma, BJ Sax, and Mr. & Mrs. Revelation, with additional guest ministers, performers to be revealed at the all-night gospel spectacle, hosted by the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, Lekki. Over the years, Unusual Praise has grown into a platform that brings together thousands of worshippers in praise, evangelisation and spiritual renewal. This year’s programme will build on the platform’s tradition of using music, worship and community engagement to promote evangelisation, thanksgiving, spiritual renewal and positive social impact. Beyond music and the spiritual experience, the organising committee of Unusual Praise 2026 at a fundraising dinner in Lagos last Sunday reiterated its commitment to social impact through its dual mission of evangelisation and
Oruche, Chioke, and Igbokwe at the Unusual Praise 2026 fundraising dinner empowerment. Chairman of Unusual Praise 2026, Dr. Ike Chioke, said the organisers hope to attract increased support from funders and organisations. Chioke explained its significance thus. “Unusual Praise has become more than annual worship event. It is a movement of faith, transformation, empowerment and community development. Through the Gala Night we invite individuals and organisations to partner with a vision that continues to impact lives spiritually, socially and
economically.” Chairperson of Unusual Praise 2026, Onitsha, Mrs. Augustina Igbokwe, stressed the impact of the programme on residents, describing Unusual Praise as “not just an event, but a journey and an encounter.” She noted that the number of worshippers attending the programme had continued to increase from one edition to another, as people converged on the venue to participate in the Catholic event. “And within Onitsha, Unusual Praise is a
journey. It's not a concert. It's not an event. It's an encounter. I want you to look at it from two perspectives. Even though we tell you that it's an evangelisation as well as empowerment, but look at it deeply. It has transformed the landscape. There are thousands. We have more than 10,000, 15,000 people in Basilica worshipping God in Onitsha Praise." Igbokwe, recalled the connection of Unusual Praise with Onitsha six years ago. ‘So Unusual Praise is that journey of discovering. And on that night, people ask, why is it unusual? Why do we gather? It is unusual because you can't get a large number of people praising God in unionism, in community. It is a statement of admission, confirmation that Jesus is Lord, that God is the creator. "Unusual Praise has a long history. It started in 2011, birthed at the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy, and then it has moved to Onitsha six years ago when Onitsha was having big challenges. The archbishop asked Unusual Praise to come, and the theme that year was ‘Lifting Onitsha up to God, Jesus’. And you can't believe it. God worked in marvellous ways that Onitsha came back to normal. "And since then, when it is Onitsha Unusual Praise, you just have to come and see the crowd. It is a better experience. People come to be washed, to be cleansed. They are not coming because they want God to enrich them, but they just want to praise God. They want to worship God, and nobody lives the same. And it is an encounter that will stay with you till years to come. It's an experience."
‘Black Market’ Changes Nollywood Film Premiere Landscape
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he journey to making the screening of ‘Black Market’ a Guinness world Record feat had been part of the film project plan. The idea was to create an experience that would go beyond a traditional film premiere, and make a broader cultural statement that resonates with the project and beyond. “Right from when we were writing, way before casting or going on set, we knew this was exactly what we wanted to do. We had even locked down TBS before we went into principal photography,’ actress Omowuni Dada, who also serves as an executive producer on the project, had revealed in a chat. Reflecting on the film journey, Dada explains further. “We thought, as filmmakers, the best way to put Nigeria on the global map would be through our
craft, and that was why we decided to do this, to go for a Guinness World Record attempt with our film.” She said, “We just thought, instead of the regular ‘take your film to the cinema’, let’s do something more iconic with it, something that goes beyond Nollywood, something that is a cultural statement, not just for Lagos, not just for Nigerian creatives, but for young people and Nigerians as a whole.’ For years, Nollywood premieres have been more conventional, with a simple familiar script that sees arrival of guests, cameras work the red carpet, the cast poses for pictures, the audience watches the film, and everyone goes home. And the rest continues on social media. Crime thriller, ‘Black Market’ changed the scale of that formula on September 26, drawing an official certified Guinness World Record of over 51,000 viewers
in attendance at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos. The earlier record of 43,624 attendees was held by Filipino film Felix Manalo at the Philippine Arena in 2015. Directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and produced by Nora Awolowo, ‘Black Market’ stars Omowunmi Dada, Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Scarlet Gomez, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok, Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele D Icon, and Uzor Arukwe, among others. It follows five market women involved in a crossborder smuggling operation amid fuel scarcity and economic pressure. The plot takes a dramatic turn after the daughter of one of the women is kidnapped. The event was supported by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, alongside several corporate partners.
Omowunmi Dada
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde Honoured How Ride With Me Kept for Donating Proceeds to Charity Hennessy Artistry Port
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ctress, Omotola JaladeEkeinde has been honoured with two social impact awards after donating earnings from her film, Mother’s Love, to the education of children from underserved communities. A joint production, Omotola shortly after the film release made promise of donating 100 percent proceeds of the film to the project. The producers - Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and co-produced by Tyna Obahiagbon - pledged that 100% of net cinema proceeds after standard deductions would be donated to the NGO Slum2School Africa to support children's education in underserved communities. Omotola says her decision to give back through her film has become an inspiration to her after it resonated with many people. The actress revealed that the gesture was inspired by her desire to support children in communities such as Makoko, one of the locations featured in the film. For the honours, Omotola said she was thankful for the opportunity to combine filmmaking with giving back to society. She recalled her decision to donate the entire amount that accrued to the producers of Mother’s Love to Slum2School Africa, an organisation supporting children from underserved
Jalade-Ekeinde communities. Mother’s Love, which premiered in Nigerian cinemas on March 6, 2026, marked Omotola’s feature directorial debut, and was reported to have grossed more than N103 million during its cinema run. After deductions for exhibitors,
distributors, taxes and other expenses, N22,276,558 accrued to the producers. Omotola subsequently confirmed that the entire amount was transferred to Slum2School Africa in July to support its education initiatives. The donation was linked to the film’s focus on children from underserved communities, including Makoko, which featured in the project. The latest honours add to Omotola’s social causes alongside her career in Nollywood. Omotola described the recognition as a reflection of her gratitude for being able to combine her career with giving back to society. “I am truly grateful to God to be able to do what I love and give back through it.” The recognition adds another milestone to Omotola’s work in film, where she has built a career that spans acting, producing, and advocacy. The actress has also spoken publicly about the need for greater structure within Nigeria’s film industry and has compared aspects of her experience in Nollywood and Hollywood.
Harcourt Moving
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s Hennessy Artistry returned to Port Harcourt with another night of music, energy, and spectacle, the operation that kept artists, crew, and equipment moving without friction was managed by Ride With Me Logistics, the Nigerian company that has quietly become one of the country's go-to names for entertainment logistics. Founded by Samuel Isong, "the firm has built its reputation on a simple premise: an artist's public image depends as much on how they arrive as how they perform. For the PH event, that meant coordinating talent and VIP vehicle movement, airport transfers, event-day transportation, accommodation bookings and security — across a schedule where timing could not afford to slip. "The PH event logistics needs were distinct, considering the directive we got from Hennessy. We had to manage five different acts and their teams, and that came with its own unique challenges. But we handled it correctly because, as a company, paying attention to detail is our culture," Isong said. The Port Harcourt outing adds to a growing list of highprofile projects the company has delivered on, including Davido's 5ive Tour, Jameson City Takeover, Martell On The Move, Odumodublvck's Campus and Eastern Tours, and CKay's Campus Tour. For Isong, nights like Hennessy Artistry PH are proof that the brands supporting Nigeria's creative economy deserve the same attention as the talent on stage. With Hennessy Artistry PH now behind it, Ride With Me's calendar shows no signs of slowing — a sign that in Nigeria's entertainment industry, the real test of a good show increasingly starts long before the lights go up.
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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R O C T O B E R 3, 2026
MEMORABLE MILESTONES
Aderonke Kujore: My 10 Most Exciting Moments So Far Dr. Aderonke Kujore, an organisational leadership consultant and advocate for Educating all Nigeria Children shares 10 most exciting moments of her life and career, deemed treasured and outstanding. Ferdinand Ekechukwu brings the excerpts: 1. Becoming Sports Prefect — My First Public Experience of Leadership ne of the earliest exciting moments I can remember was being selected as Sports Prefect during my final year at International School, University of Lagos. I had played basketball for years simply because I loved the game. I wasn’t playing because I expected it to lead anywhere, so hearing my name announced as Sports Prefect came as a genuine surprise.
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2. Leaving for University at Howard University — A Whole New World of Possibilities Attending Howard University was one of the defining transitions of my life. It represented much more than earning a university degree. I had left Nigeria, spent a year away from family in Sweden, and now entered an entirely different environment, one that exposed me to new people, new ideas and possibilities for my future that I could not yet fully imagine. 3. Leading Through COVID — When Leadership Mattered Differently One of the defining experiences of my professional career came during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the United States’ economic response to the crisis, I was able to get a unique opportunity to serve the country by helping to recruit, train and lead more than 1,000 loan officers supporting the Small Business Administration; the team ensured that businesses going through hard times as a result of the pandemic got the support they needed to stay afloat. 4. Defending My Doctoral Dissertation — Becoming Dr. Aderonke Successfully defending my doctoral dissertation and graduating with my doctorate in Organizational Leadership on my 38th birthday with family and friends right by my side was an unforgettable moment. There was something particularly meaningful about reaching that milestone in leadership—the subject that had quietly followed me from being a teenage Sports Prefect in Lagos through my professional career and increasingly became central to my life’s work. 5. The Birth of My Children — Two Lives That Changed Mine No professional accomplishment could replicate the moment I became the mother of my twins. Their arrival changed not only my life but also the way I thought about success, time, responsibility and the future. Suddenly, the life I was building wasn’t only about me. I had two little people watching, learning and eventually forming their own ideas about the kind of lives they wanted to lead. 6. Completing My First Retirement Home — Building a Life I love, Not Just a Career
Completing the construction of my first retirement home was exciting for reasons that had very little to do with bricks and mortar. For so much of adult life, we are encouraged to build careers, achieve goals and keep moving toward the next accomplishment. Building that home represented something different to me. It represented intentionally creating the life I wanted outside of work—the freedom to slow down, spend time with the people I love, travel and eventually enjoy the fruits of years of work. 7. Seeing the Impact of the Aderonke Foundation Come Full Circle Some of my most meaningful moments have come through the work of the Aderonke Foundation in Nigeria. There is tremendous satisfaction in opening a children’s library, organising a program or standing before hundreds of young people at one of our leadership conferences. But some of the moments that stay with me most happen afterward. They are the messages and conversations when a young person tells me that they earned a scholarship, found a job, started something new, earned interest on their stock, took a courageous step or simply began to believe that more was possible for their life. Watching more than 1,000 young people choose to continue their leadership development through our mentoring program has been particularly meaningful. 8. Receiving the Peak Humans of Change Award Winning the Peak’s Humans of Change Award was particularly special because of the extraordinary number of people whose stories were considered—more than 500,000 entries. Recognition is never the reason I do the work, but there are moments when someone stops and says, in effect, we see what you are doing. Those moments can be deeply encouraging especially in hard seasons. 9. Becoming Chief Operating Officer — A Childhood Dream Come True Becoming Chief Operating Officer of AVF Consulting was truly a dream come true for me. As a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a corporate executive. One of my earliest examples of professional leadership was my mother. I watched her serve on the leadership team at the University of Lagos as Head of Senate and Ceremonies, and seeing her in that environment at the Senate House organizing significant events like the visit of President Nelson Mandela many years ago helped shape my own ideas about what might someday be possible for me. I carried that aspiration with me through the years as I studied, worked, accepted increasingly challenging assignments and grew as a leader. There was no straight road to the executive suite, and there were many years of hard work between the little girl who imagined herself as a corporate leader and the woman who was eventually entrusted with helping to lead an organization.
Kujore
10. The Little Moments That Turned Out to Be the Big Ones When I think about the most exciting moments of my life, I realise that many of them would never make it onto a CV or résumé. They are watching my daughter win medals at the Junior Olympics and so many other championships; hearing people repeatedly tell me what a kind and well-behaved young man my son is. They are the unexpected meals and gifts my children buy for me and the many other little ways they find to care for me. They are dancing with my father and traveling to Nigeria with my mother so she could see firsthand the work that she inspired and means so much to me. They are singing with my brother, playing basketball or riding bikes with friends, laughing with my sorority sisters, and simply spending unhurried time with people I love. They are also the conversations with young people I have mentored in Nigeria and the joy of hearing that someone has succeeded, earned an opportunity, taken a courageous step or begun to believe in what is possible for their own life. These moments don’t come with titles, promotions, awards or ceremonies. Some last only a few minutes. But when I think about what has made my journey exciting, I cannot separate my career from the people with whom I have shared my life.
TAFTA Trains 150 Female Creators to Build Sustainable
OluchiChibuzor
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he Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA) has equipped about 150 female digital creators with practical skills, tools and industry connections to help them build sustainable careers in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding creative economy. The creators participated in the maiden edition of Creator HQ, a three-day immersive programme held in Lagos, from September 28th to 30th, 2026, according to a statement. Built around the three pillars of “Create, Protect and Scale,” the programme focused on equipping participants with skills in content creation, storytelling, personal branding, intellectual property protection, monetisation, global income opportunities, brand partnerships, audience development and the business of content creation. The initiative, according to TAFTA, was part of its broader commitment to strengthening Africa’s creative economy by ensuring that emerging creatives acquire not only artistic and technical skills but also the business knowledge required to turn their talents into sustainable livelihoods. The programme was supported by the Mastercard Foundation and other partners, whose contributions helped provide participants with learning opportunities, resources and practical experiences. Unlike a conventional training programme, Creator HQ combined workshops and classroom sessions with group exercises, creator challenges, question-and-answer sessions and networking opportunities involving professionals from the creative, legal, business and digital sectors. A major highlight was the opportunity for participants to apply lessons from the programme through practical creator challenges and hands-on activities.
Outstanding participants were rewarded with content creation tools and creator kits to enable them to continue developing their work after the programme. The initiative also extended beyond the three-day event, as all 150 participants will receive press passes to the Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) scheduled for November 14 and 15 at the MUSON Centre, Lagos. The festival is expected to bring together theatre, culture and creative expression, providing the creators with an opportunity to document the event and engage with a wider creative ecosystem. Speaking on the initiative, Founder of TAFTA, Bolanle AustenPeters, said talent and online visibility were no longer sufficient for creators seeking sustainable careers. “Creators today have extraordinary opportunities to build audiences, businesses and careers through digital platforms, but
talent and visibility alone are not enough. “They also need to understand how to protect their work, create sustainable income and build structures around what they do. “Creator HQ was designed to bring those elements together and give these young women practical knowledge, access and tools that can help them take greater ownership of their creative careers,” she said. Austen-Peters said empowering women was critical to ensuring broader participation in the continent’s growing creative economy. “There is tremendous talent across Africa, particularly among young women who are already creating, influencing culture and building communities online. “Our responsibility is to help ensure that they also have the knowledge, confidence and opportunities required to turn that creativity into something sustainable,” she added.
T H I S D AY, Th e S ATURDAY, N e w S PA P e r •OCtober 3, 2026
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•Tourism •Arts&Culture Charles Ajunwa Rivers: Can AI Unlock State’s Hidden Tourism Potential? • 08064268968 • ajunwacharles@gmail.com
Blessing Ibunge
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or years, Rivers State has possessed many of the ingredients required to become a major tourism destination: a rich cultural heritage, waterways and marine resources, festivals, historical sites, a vibrant hospitality industry and a strategic location in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. Yet, much of that potential remains underdeveloped. As tourism increasingly moves into the digital age, stakeholders in Rivers State are now asking if technology and artificial intelligence (AI) provide the missing link between the state’s tourism assets and the global visitors, investors and businesses that could transform them into sustainable economic opportunities? The question took centre stage in Port Harcourt as tourism practitioners, government officials, media professionals and other stakeholders gathered to mark the 2026 World Tourism Day. The discussions revealed that the future of tourism in Rivers State may depend not only on preserving its physical attractions but also on how effectively the state uses digital technology to discover, package, market and manage them. The stakeholders called for a comprehensive digital roadmap for tourism, improved internet connectivity along tourism corridors and greater deployment of AI-powered solutions to enhance destination marketing, visitor experience and service delivery. The call reflects a broader transformation taking place across the global tourism industry, where smartphones, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, data analytics and immersive technologies are changing how tourists discover destinations, make bookings, navigate attractions and share their experiences. This is where stakeholders believe Rivers State needs to make a significant investment. Regional Editor of BusinessDay Newspaper and panelist at the event, Ignatius Chukwu, argued that the state must create investment opportunities for tourism businesses, support private-sector initiatives and strengthen its destination branding. “For Rivers State to return to its former place where it sets the pace for others to follow, it must fund tourism businesses, create investment opportunities, invest in branding and leverage artificial intelligence to sell itself to the world,” he said. The challenge, therefore, is no longer simply identifying what Rivers State has to offer. It is about creating a digital ecosystem capable of presenting those attractions to audiences beyond the state and Nigeria. A visitor planning a trip should be able to discover destinations online, obtain reliable information, view attractions virtually, make bookings, access transportation information, receive personalised recommendations and interact with tourism service providers
without having to navigate an inefficient or fragmented system. Artificial intelligence is emerging as one of the most significant technologies capable of reshaping tourism. AI-powered platforms can help destinations analyse visitor preferences, provide personalised recommendations, automate customer service, support destination marketing and generate insights from large volumes of tourism data. Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communication, Honour Sirawoo, and Chairman of the occasion, GoodLife Nmekini, separately acknowledged the potential of AI to support economic growth and tourism development. For Rivers State, the application of AI could extend beyond marketing. Smart tourism systems could provide real-time information to visitors, help tourism authorities monitor visitor flows, identify emerging attractions and improve the management of tourism infrastructure. Stakeholders identified inadequate internet access along tourism corridors, cybersecurity and data privacy as significant challenges that must be addressed if Rivers State is to build a genuinely digital tourism economy. In the digital tourism era, internet connectivity is increasingly becoming as important as roads, hotels and transportation. A tourist who cannot access reliable internet while visiting an attraction may struggle to obtain information, make digital payments, contact service providers or share experiences online. For this reason, stakeholders advocated expanded mobile broadband and improved connectivity across tourism destinations. The absence of reliable connectivity could also undermine the state’s efforts to use digital platforms to market its attractions. A comprehensive digital tourism strategy would therefore need to integrate connectivity into tourism planning rather than treating it as a separate telecommunications issue. It would also need to establish clear safeguards for personal information as more tourists and businesses rely on digital platforms. Rivers State Coordinator of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Princewill Iminabo, stressed that collaboration among tourism stakeholders would be critical to achieving meaningful transformation. He said the 2026 World Tourism Day celebration offered an opportunity for government, tourism practitioners and other stakeholders to examine practical ways of using technology to transform the sector. The global theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” he noted, underscored the growing influence of digital technology and AI on innovation, service delivery, business development and sustainable tourism. Iminabo warned against fragmentation within the sector, arguing that tourism associations needed to work together rather than operate independently.
Fubara “Tourism associations in Rivers State cannot function in isolation. We must come together as an entity to nurture tourism development in the state,” he said. The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) called for a shift away from extractive approaches to tourism towards immersive tourism that supports conservation and biodiversity. Piriye Kiyaramo of ABER argued that digital technology could provide a bridge between tourism development and environmental protection. The organisation advocated AI-powered marine monitoring and youth-led blue-tech innovation, while calling for investment in digital tourism systems that could enable tourists to report illegal fishing and record wildlife sightings.
Abia’s Heritage Revival:Turning History, Nature intoTourism Goldmine Boniface Okoro
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or decades, Abia State has been known largely for its commercial energy, entrepreneurial spirit and industrial activities. But beneath the bustle of Aba and the administrative calm of Umuahia lies a rich collection of historical and natural heritage sites. Now, the Abia State Government is seeking to turn that heritage into a major tourism attraction and a potential gateway to international recognition. The government has approved the elevation of three prominent historical sites — the National War Museum, Ojukwu Bunker and Government College, all in Umuahia — as state monuments, in a move aimed at preserving their historical significance and positioning them for possible UNESCO heritage recognition. Two natural attractions, Ibom Waterfall in Arochukwu and Ulochukwu Cave in Alayi, Bende Local Government Area, have also been designated State Natural Monuments. The development reflects a broader attempt by the government to move heritage preservation beyond simply protecting old sites and towards using history, culture and nature as drivers of tourism, employment and economic activity. At the centre of the initiative is the recognition that Abia’s history is not merely something to be remembered. Properly preserved and promoted, it can become an economic resource. Announcing the approvals after the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, said the heritage designations would strengthen efforts to preserve the state’s cultural and natural assets while improving their prospects for international recognition. According to him, the sites have been elevated to heritage status to enhance the state’s tourism potential and position them for possible recognition as UNESCO Heritage Sites. The National War Museum and Ojukwu Bunker are particularly significant to Nigeria’s modern history. Their
Otti
preservation provides an opportunity for visitors, researchers and younger generations to engage with the country’s past through physical spaces rather than historical accounts alone. The government’s ongoing intervention at the two sites appears to recognise this potential. Kanu disclosed that retrofitting of the Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum had reached about 80 per cent completion and was expected to be completed before the end of the year. Beyond preserving structures, the intervention could help
improve the visitor experience and create the infrastructure required to transform historical sites into sustainable tourism destinations. The approval for the development of the Ibom Waterfall Tourism Corridor in Arochukwu signals an attempt to create a more integrated tourism experience around one of the state’s natural attractions. Work is already underway, including the grading of access roads to the waterfall. Improved accessibility could make the difference between a natural attraction known mainly to local communities and one capable of attracting visitors from other parts of Nigeria and beyond. Abia is also looking beyond conventional heritage tourism. Aba has been designated a Creative and Innovative City, reflecting the city’s long-standing reputation for commerce, manufacturing, craftsmanship and creative enterprise. The designation could provide a platform for presenting Aba not only as a commercial centre but also as a city whose entrepreneurial culture is itself part of Abia’s heritage. The state government has commenced the erection of monuments at strategic locations to preserve the memory of people and events that have shaped Abia’s identity. One of the most significant is a monument dedicated to the heroines of the 1929 Aba Women’s Riot. Their courage, resistance and leadership remain an important chapter in Nigeria’s colonial history and women’s political participation. For Abia, the emerging heritage strategy therefore goes beyond monuments and tourist attractions. It represents an attempt to connect history, culture, nature, creativity and economic development. If sustained, the initiative could give the state a stronger tourism identity while creating opportunities for hospitality businesses, tour operators, artisans, transport providers, guides and creative entrepreneurs. The challenge, however, will be to ensure that preservation is matched by accessibility, professional management, sustained investment and effective promotion. For a state endowed with historical memories, natural attractions and a powerful culture of enterprise, the emerging strategy offers an opportunity to turn the past into an asset for the future.
T H I S D AY, Th e S ATURDAY, N e w S PA P e r •OCtober 3, 2026
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Personal Finance • with Omolabake Fasogbon • 08155131874
What Investors Should Do After Buying Shares Omolabake Fasogbon
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stock investor recently went viral after revealing a meager dividend payout on shares he claimed to have bought 18 years ago. According to the unidentified man, he had invested N20,000 in a bank’s stock for close to two decades and literally forgot about it, until the frenzy around the Dangote Refinery Initial Public Offering (IPO) jolted his memory. But a meagre return of N5,332 after all those years left him stunned, as it did many others, who left discontented remarks following his revelation. One Chukwuebuka Simayann commented: “Make una dey buy shares, make we dey buy animals and land. Imagine how many goats that your 20k for multiply for you.” Another, Adeyemi Ayodele Victor, wrote: “Y’all still don’t know say na millionaires and billionaires they gain from this thing. All your small thousands na off grid oo. Ask me make I download give u. Even though I was oblivious and naive then. But now knowledge is power.” Overall, the flood of dissenting reactions revealed skepticism and indifference in some quarters regarding shares, same with resistance among a section of the public toward to Dangote refinery IPO. Like any investment, share investment is not all smooth sailing. It responds to market fluctuations, which can bring periods of growth and downturns. The very reason experts repeatedly caution
NGX Trading floor
investors against sleeping on their shares, a mistake that likely explains the investor’s minimal gains. Notable investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett, once declared, “Unless you can watch your stock holding decline by 50% without becoming panic-stricken, you should not be in the stock market.” By the way, shares investment also carries reward beyond routine dividend payouts. Ownership offers multiple avenues for value creation that can serve investors’ needs at different times.
In addition to potential capital appreciation, shareholders of listed companies stand to receive bonus shares, additional stock issued free based on existing holdings which increases an investor’s total shareholding without any extra cash outlay. Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), for instance, recently approved a bonus issue of one new share for every seven held. Shareholders are also entitled to participate in rights issues, discounted new shares offered to existing investors when a company raises fresh
capital, as seen in Eterna Plc’s recent N21.52 billion rights issue. While these benefits are inherent, tapping them requires staying alert, as Buffett’s warning suggests. Likewise, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has repeatedly urged investors to always stay informed and adapt their investment strategy to changing circumstances. The SEC’s advice is important to note considering that corporate fundamentals, including business models, management teams, competitive landscapes, dividend policies, and broader macroeconomic factors are constantly evolving. To stay on the safer side with stocks, SEC advises that “investors should conduct research into the fundamentals and financial performance of securities, understand industry trends and seek professional guidance where necessary.” Meanwhile, there is no evidence that the aggrieved investor referenced earlier followed this advice. Investment strategist, Iking Ferry echoed the need for constant monitoring of one’s investments to avoid falling victim. “When you buy a company’s shares, you must follow the business, its financial results, management, industry, competitors, dividends and corporate actions. Most importantly, keep checking whether the reason you bought the stock still exists. “Don’t marry a stock. You are investing in a company, you are not getting married to it. Investors must know why they are buying, at what price, what they expect, how long they intend to hold, and what would make them sell,” he advised. For investors who like the disgruntled man, have not checked on their holdings in years, there is far more to review than just dividend payouts.
MarKet News
Capital Market Growth Hampered by Regulatory, Tech Governance Gaps
Stories by Omolabake Fasogbon Growth in Nigeria’s capital market remains constrained by regulatory uncertainty, technological governance risks and infrastructure deficits, stifling wealth opportunities created by digital innovation. Professor of Accounting and Finance at Lead City University, Ibadan, Prof. Godwin Emmanuel Oyedokun, raised this concerns while delivering 19th Fellowship Inaugural Lecture of the Capital Market Academics of Nigeria (CMAN) themed “Growing Opportunities through Digital Wealth, Innovation and Nigeria’s Capital Market Transformation”.
According to the market expert, Nigeria’s youthful population, expanding digital infrastructure, entrepreneurial ecosystem and growing FinTech sector all position the capital market for exponential growth and investment. He, noted, however that emerging technologies were developing faster than existing legal and regulatory frameworks, particularly around digital assets, artificial intelligence, blockchain, tokenisation and new investment products. As a way out, he advocated adaptive, principlesbased and technology-neutral regulation that would encourage responsible innovation, protect investors and maintain market stability. Furthermore, he identified as challenging the
market are issues around limited retail participation, infrastructure constraints and financial exclusion. These challenges, Oyedokun posited, require an integrated approach that connects governance, innovation, digital technologies, financial inclusion, intelligent infrastructure, and national development. He thereafter proposed ‘ GODWIN Capital Market Framework’, built around six pillars of Governance and Good Regulation; Opportunities through Innovation; Digital Wealth Creation; Wealth Inclusion and Market Deepening; Intelligent Infrastructure and Investment Ecosystem; and National Economic Transformation. “These pillars provide a strategic pathway for strengthening investor confidence, mobilising
long-term capital, broadening participation, promoting wealth creation, and connecting capital market development with national economic transformation”, he said. He added that while Investment and Securities Act 2025 provided a legal foundation for capital market, including regulation of digital assets, legislation alone cannot deliver a whole transformation. “Sustainable transformation requires effective governance, adaptive regulation, ethical leadership, resilient infrastructure, continuous innovation, investor education, human-capital development and coordinated stakeholder action,” he said.
Xiaomi Reports 22% Nigeria Smartphone Share, Unveils New Redmi Models Xiaomi has launched its latest Redmi Note 17 series in Nigeria, further strengthening its profile and market share in a segment where it currently holds 22 percent. The smartphone brand also reported strong growth across its Nigerian operations, with its Redmi Note series surpassing 500 million units in global shipments. In Nigeria, its tablet business recorded a 27 per cent year-on-year increase in volume, while its local Internet of Things (IoT) segment grew
by 66 per cent in the first half of the year. Country Manager for Xiaomi Nigeria, Vandy stated that the result was a part of wider momentum that saw Xiaomi rank 297th on the Fortune Global 500 this year, its eighth consecutive year on the list, and 229th on the Forbes Global 2000. On the newly launched comprising Redmi Note 17, Note 17 Pro, Note 17 Pro 5G and Note 17 Pro Max 5Gy, Vandy said, “We are delivering on our core promise: premium innovation made accessible to everyone without sacrificing longevity,”
Dubbed “Titan Quality,” the new lineup’s strength lies in its 10,000mAh battery that lasts up to three days, water resistance that withstands submersion under two meters of water for 72 hours, a three-meter drop resistance, and added value through after-sales support. Xiaomi Retail Manager, Nicole Ayadako added that the brand latest was a response to market realities. “Rising prices are driving up costs and are making phones expensive. And as the prices
go up, they expect better performance, lasting durability. Users need a long-term solution, not just a routine upgrade,” she said. The new models will retail in Nigeria from N379,200 for the Redmi Note 17, while the Redmi Note 17 Pro 5G starts at N559,000. The Redmi Note 17 Pro Max 5G has a starting price of N699,800. Xiaomi also announced promotional offers, including complimentary accessories for qualifying purchases made on or before October 30.
Cyber Fraud, AI Misuse Threaten Institutional Security, IIA Warns The Institute of Internal Auditors Nigeria (IIA Nigeria) has raised the alarm over growing threat from cybercrimes and financial fraud, Artificial Intelligent- driven vulnerability. IIA warned that Nigerian organisations were in danger as institutional funds, sensitive data and critical business decisions are increasingly exposed to digital attacks and manipulation by the development. Chief Executive Officer, IIA Nigeria, Mr. Don Umeha, who gave the warning at the Institute of Internal Auditors Nigeria 2026 Conference, themed “Future-Proofing Assurance in Nigeria: Confronting Cybersecurity Threats, AI Complexity and Global
Volatility,” and other internal audit leaders at the conference, called for stronger controls and earlier detection of risks threatening organisations in an increasingly digital economy. A statement quoted him to have said the transition from manual to technology-driven operations had delivered gains in productivity, accuracy and speed, but had also opened new vulnerabilities through weak passwords, intercepted transactions, manipulated records and other security gaps. According to him, a single weakness in a digital system could trigger financial losses and undermine wider organisational operations, making it essential
for institutions to identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Umeha said the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence was adding another dimension to the risk landscape, particularly where the technology was adopted without adequate controls and responsible use. He urged organisations to move beyond reacting to losses after they occur and develop stronger systems for detecting vulnerabilities, preventing breaches and containing emerging threats before they escalate. The IIA Nigeria boss stressed that technological progress should not be rejected, but its benefits must be matched by measures capable of containing the
risks that accompany digital transformation. Umeha further said internal auditing must move beyond examining completed transactions and documenting historical failures to identifying weaknesses before they result in damage. Auditors, he explained, should scrutinise organisational policies, transaction patterns and operational processes to detect vulnerabilities and introduce preventive controls before misconduct or system failures occur; warning that auditors who continue to rely exclusively on manual procedures while AI-driven systems reshape the workplace risk losing their effectiveness and relevance.
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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R O C T O B E R 3, 2026
PERSPECTIVE
Podfest Naija 2026: Bigger Story Behind the Speech W Tosin Adefeko
hen I first pitched the keynote segment of PodFest Naija to the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, he asked a couple of questions for clarity. Not long after, he said, “I will absolutely do it.” I was elated. Not simply because the Deputy Governor of our host state had agreed to speak, but because I knew I was in the presence of someone who understood the bigger purpose behind PodFest, a purpose that some people have struggled to understand. He understood the assignment. His role was not simply to come and speak to a room full of creators. It was to recognise the extraordinary talent emerging from Lagos and the role that talent is increasingly playing in shaping culture, business and the identity of a city that has become one of the world’s great cultural engines. And that is exactly what he did. He connected storytelling to Lagos, culture, technology, business and economic opportunity. His central argument was, essentially, this: Lagos is increasingly telling its own story, and the people telling that story matter. The podcasters. The filmmakers. The musicians. The writers. The designers. The developers. The entrepreneurs. They are not simply creating content. They are creating culture. And he made another point that I found particularly powerful: creators have to move from visibility to sustainable businesses. Protect your intellectual property. Build structures around your work. Understand your business model. Turn audiences into revenue. His message to “Build businesses, not just brands” is particularly relevant to the generation coming behind us. Because there is a very real difference between being popular and building an asset. And then there was the traffic comment. Of course, that became the soundbite. In context, his point was actually about the
Adefeko
enormous captive audience created by Lagos’ long commutes, people listening to podcasts, music and other digital content between Ojota and Obalende, or while crossing Third Mainland Bridge. It was delivered with the soft banter that Lagos conversations are famous for. But the subsequent reaction is also a useful reminder of the power and danger of a great soundbite. Take one line out of a 20-minute speech and you can create an entirely different conversation. And perhaps this is where message development becomes as important as speech writing, particularly
L-R: Public Relations Director of Nigeria Yongxing Steel Company, Ms. Hazel Han; Proprietress of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin Home for the Needy, Revd. Mary Agatha; Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh; Managing Director Yongxing Steel Company, Mr. Zhang Xianghai, and Father Benedict of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin, at the formal handover of a building to the Catholic Charity Home for the Needy donated by Nigeria Yongxing Steel Company, Benin…recently
Hamzat
when public figures are speaking in a politically sensitive environment. Every phrase can be isolated, interpreted and amplified far beyond the intention of the larger message. But for me, the bigger story is what the Deputy Governor actually said to that room. You are not just entertainers. You are part of the economy. Your stories have value. Your intellectual property has value. Your businesses matter. And that is fundamentally what PodFest has always been about. Creating a space where storytellers, creators, brands, policymakers and ordinary citizens can occupy the same
conversation. This year, that conversation brought together 50+ accomplished storytellers and more than 3,000 attendees, alongside brands, partners and thousands of people who simply love stories. We have created a home for thousands of people who talk into microphones, create from their bedrooms, build communities online and tell stories from their everyday lives. A place where they can meet their online favourites in real life. Listen.Learn. Collaborate. Celebrate. And dream bigger. So, for me, having the Deputy Governor of the host state stand on that stage and speak about culture, technology, investment, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, jobs, infrastructure and the future of Lagos was significant. Very significant. Because it brought the creative economy into the room where policy, government and business intersect. That, to me, is one of the biggest stories of PodFest Naija 2026. Not the soundbite. The conversation behind it. Thank you, Your Excellency, for understanding the assignment, for showing up, and for recognising that the people in that room are not simply telling stories. They are helping to tell the story of Lagos. And that story is still being written. Happy Independence Day Nigeria Adefeko is the convener Podfest Naija
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah (middle), poses for a photo with members of the National Youth Service Corps Batch ‘C’ during their swearing-in ceremony at Awgu, Enugu State...yesterday
L–R: CEO, BHM Holdings, Ayeni Adekunle; Director of Global Marketing, Communications L-R Head, Reinsurance, Special Risk and Global Client Services, Leadway Assurance, Salewa and External Affairs, The King’s Trust International, Yasamin Alttahir; Managing Director, Osakwe; Executive Director, Technical & Operations, Leadway Assurance, Olufunmilayo Africa, Allison Worldwide, Claudine Moore; Director, Africa Public Sector Banking, Amanwa; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Leadway Assurance, Gboyega Lesi; Team Citi, Hackim Abdul; and Chairman, Blackcod Asset Management Group and Group Lead, Facultative Placement & Special Risks, Leadway Assurance, Mojisola Aladeojebi;and Director, Odua Investment Company Limited, Otunba (Dr.) Bimbola Ashiru, during the Head of West & Central Africa, Willis Towers Watson, N’Gnineman Coulibaly at the Willis Africa Breakfast Convos 4.0 held at the World Trade Centre, on the sidelines of UNGA 81 in New York…recently West and Central Africa Energy Symposium 2026 in Abidjan....recently
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T H I S D AY, Th e S ATURDAY, N e w S PA P e r • •OCtober 3, 2026
Features How NNPC Is Expanding Its Social, Environmental Footprint its ESG programmes.
Peter Uzoho
80,000 trees planted Environmental stewardship was another major component of the company’s 2025 sustainability activities. NNPC Foundation planted 80,000 trees through its afforestation and reforestation initiative. Tree planting formed part of the company’s response to environmental concerns and its longer-term sustainability objectives. NNPC also developed a Net Zero 2050 strategy during the year. The strategy is intended to provide a framework for the company’s longer-term decarbonisation efforts. The company said it continued to participate in and report under key international sustainability frameworks, reinforcing its stated intention to align its activities with recognised ESG and sustainability standards.
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he Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), expanded its social, environmental and cleaner-energy programmes in 2025, with initiatives ranging from new compressed natural gas stations and cataract surgeries to workforce training, climate-smart agriculture and large-scale tree planting. Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Bayo Ojulari said the company’s sustainability agenda was increasingly being translated into measurable programmes across communities and its operations. The initiatives formed part of NNPC’s environmental, social and governance activities during the year, as the company sought to broaden the impact of its business beyond production and financial performance. CNG network expands to 19 stations One of the company’s cleaner-energy initiatives was the expansion of its compressed natural gas infrastructure. NNPC said it delivered nine new CNG sites during 2025, taking its total network to 19 stations. The expansion is part of the company’s wider effort to increase access to cleaner energy and support the development of alternative fuels within Nigeria’s energy system. CNG has become an increasingly important component of Nigeria’s efforts to broaden the use of natural gas, particularly in transportation and other applications where gas can provide an alternative energy source. For NNPC, the development of CNG infrastructure also creates a link between its gas resources and downstream energy consumption. The company’s strategy is to continue expanding cleaner-energy infrastructure alongside its traditional oil and gas operations. Healthcare programme reaches thousands NNPC’s social impact initiatives also included a major healthcare intervention. Ojulari said the company facilitated more than 6,000 cataract surgeries during the year. The programme forms part of the company’s efforts to support communities through interventions that address practical social needs.
Ojulari Cataract-related visual impairment can affect people’s ability to work, study and participate fully in economic and social activities. By supporting surgeries, NNPC said its programme was aimed at delivering direct benefits to beneficiaries in communities across Nigeria. The initiative sits alongside other social programmes focused on skills, employment readiness and livelihoods. More than 300,000 NYSC members receive training The company also reported that more than 300,000 National Youth Service Corps members received financial literacy and workforce-readiness training. The programme was designed to provide participants with skills relevant to managing finances and preparing for employment and professional life. The scale of the programme makes it one of the larger human-capital interventions highlighted in NNPC’s 2025 ESG activities. The focus on workforce readiness also aligns with the company’s broader emphasis on talent development as it transforms into a commercially
focused energy company. For NNPC, the development of human capital is becoming increasingly important as the company expands into gas, power, trading, cleaner energy and other businesses requiring specialised skills. Farmers targeted with climate-smart agriculture support Agriculture was another area of NNPC’s community intervention. The company said it supported more than 15,000 farmers with climate-smart agriculture and market-readiness training. The programme combines agricultural practices intended to improve resilience with training aimed at helping farmers understand and prepare for markets. The emphasis on climate-smart agriculture also connects the company’s community activities with its wider environmental agenda. For rural communities, improving agricultural productivity and market access can have implications for household incomes and local economic activity. NNPC said the initiative formed part of its broader effort to create tangible community impact through
Women account for 23 per cent of leadership The company’s governance and workforce agenda also featured in Ojulari’s presentation. Women represented 23 per cent of NNPC’s leadership positions during the year, according to the GCEO. Ojulari said the figure was above the global industry average of 17 per cent. The company presented the figure as part of its responsible corporate leadership agenda. It also maintained participation and reporting under international sustainability frameworks during the year. NNPC said its efforts received recognition at the 2025 SERAS Africa Sustainability Awards, where it received awards across five categories. ESG increasingly tied to business strategy The sustainability initiatives are being incorporated into NNPC’s wider corporate strategy rather than treated as separate activities. Ojulari said the company would deepen ESG performance as it moves into the next phase of its development. The company’s strategy includes expansion in upstream oil and gas, gas transmission, LNG, gas-based industries, CNG and other cleaner-energy infrastructure. That means the company’s environmental agenda is increasingly connected to decisions about the future shape of its business. See concluding part on www. thisdaylive.com
Kalu: Otti Has Failed Abia in All Sectors, I’ll MULAN Seeks Judicial Framework Run StateWith ZeroTolerance For Corruption for Islamic Personal Law in Lagos Erizia Rubyjeana
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he governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abia State, Kalu Kalu Agu, has accused Governor Alex Otti of failing the state across all sectors of its economy, stating that his administration would focus on applying public resources to the basic needs of Abia residents, with zero tolerance for corruption. Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS yesterday, Agu challenged Otti to account for the projects his administration claims to have executed, particularly more than 400 roads said to have been constructed across the state. “Let me start by making it very clear, so that I’ll be quoted beyond today, that Alex Otti has failed Abia in all sectors of the economy of Abia State, I am going in as a governor of Abia State for a proper and sincere application of the public resources to the basic needs of Abians with zero tolerance to corruption,” he said. Agu said his administration would focus public spending on areas such as hospitals. “I am not here to disrupt Abians with 10-point agenda, 20-point agenda that will be abandoned within the first two or three months.” He said public resources must be applied to the basic needs of residents. “When we apply these resources to all these sectors without tolerance to embezzlement, syphoning of public
resources into personal pockets, we will have a prosperous Abia State.” Agu also challenged the Otti’s administration to prove its claim of constructing more than 400 roads across the state. “I will sponsor your station, at least two, three journalists or correspondents or your staff to Abia State. I will bear the cost so that we will move around Abia State so that let Alex Otti or his handlers or his aides, let them come and show Abians and the whole world the 400, over 400 roads he claimed he has constructed in Abia State,” he stressed. Agu also questioned the reported spending on Hilux vehicles and challenged the state government to provide evidence of the vehicles. “And we are challenging the Alex Otti government to show us proof of the 12 vehicles, the helix vehicles they now claimed they bought with 1.17 billion Naira.” He further questioned the handling of funds allocated to the state and its local governments. “If your station will go to Ohafia local government and show one single project Alex Otti has done for the people of Ohafia local government, I will drop my gubernatorial ambition.” He later repeated the challenge over a road in Ohafia, saying. “If we go to Ohafia local government, and that road is seen to be constructed by Alex Otti I would drop my gubernatorial ambition. And it will be known to the whole world that I came here to lie to the whole world.”
Oluchi Chibuzor
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he Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN), Lagos Branch, has called for continued dialogue on the establishment of appropriate judicial structures that would enable Muslims in Lagos State to access Islamic personal law within constitutionally recognised areas. The association made the call during a courtesy visit to a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, at his office in Lagos. According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of MULAN Lagos Branch, Makinde Abdulhakeem Olasunkanmi, the visit was part of the branch’s continuing engagement with Muslim leaders, senior members of the legal profession and other stakeholders. The delegation was led by the Chairman of MULAN Lagos, Adewunmi Ismail Adebayo, who congratulated Kazeem on his leadership of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria and commended what the association described as the organisation’s visible institutional development under his leadership. Adebayo said MULAN had sought the engagement because of Kazeem’s experience in the legal profession, his service as Attorney-General of Lagos State and his involvement in the development of Muslim institutions.
He said the association was interested in building stronger relationships with individuals and organisations whose experience could contribute to professional development, access to justice, institutional growth and the welfare of Muslim lawyers. On Islamic personal law, the statement said the association canvassed constructive engagement on the possibility of creating appropriate judicial structures through which Muslims who voluntarily seek the application of Islamic personal law in constitutionally recognised areas, including marriage and inheritance, could access an organised adjudicatory framework. MULAN argued that properly constituted and regulated institutions could enhance access to justice while also generating legitimate filing and administrative revenues for the Lagos State Government. The association also called for appropriate legislative and policy consideration of the distinctions between customary and Islamic marriages, particularly in relation to marriage registration. According to the statement, MULAN stressed that such issues should be pursued through dialogue, due legal processes and engagement with relevant institutions and stakeholders. The delegation also presented its aspiration to establish a MULAN Lagos multipurpose centre in a strategic location within the state. The proposed facility, according to the statement, would provide administrative offices, meeting and training facilities and other sustainable uses that could strengthen the association institutionally and financially.
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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R O C T O B E R 3, 2026
FEATURES
How Harmony Chibuzor Built a Facebook Community
Through candid conversations, personal experiences and a willingness to address issues many people often shy away from, Harmony Lebechi Chibuzor has built a thriving Facebook community where honesty, openness and shared experiences have become the foundation for meaningful engagement. Writes, Sunday Ehigiator
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or Nigerian creators, building an audience is no longer simply about how many people see a post. Increasingly, the real measure of influence lies in what happens after people stop scrolling; whether a post starts a conversation, prompts reflection or creates a community around shared experience. For Chibuzor, that journey began without a carefully mapped-out strategy or an ambition to become a content creator. It started with curiosity. “I have always been a curious and observant person,” Harmony said, explaining that she naturally pays attention to people, conversations, experiences and the things happening around her. That curiosity gradually found expression in her content. She began sharing her thoughts and perspectives on subjects that interested her, initially without thinking about building a career or attracting a large audience. Then people began to respond. “They started following and engaging with what I was saying. That was when I realised that there was something bigger happening,” she recalled. What followed was the gradual transformation of a personal habit into a growing digital community on Facebook, connecting Harmony with thousands of people from different backgrounds and locations.
ing me; I needed to hear this,’ or ‘Your teaching has blessed me so much’. The audience didn’t just give me numbers. They gave me conversations, feedback, stories and a reason to keep creating,” she said.
From Content to Community
Turning Creativity to Business
As her audience grew, Harmony began to recognise that her content could do more than generate views and reactions. Her focus increasingly became creating conversations that make people pause and reflect. “Sometimes that means talking about relationships and sometimes simply sharing a perspective that helps someone understand themselves or their situation better,” she said. Her subjects often centre on relationship-building, selfdiscovery and personal growth, areas that resonate with young adults navigating the complexities of relationships and everyday life. But for Harmony, the value of that connection cannot be measured solely by likes, shares or follower numbers. The most meaningful feedback has come from people who say her content changed the way they understood their own circumstances. Some viewers have told her that something she shared helped them recognise that they were in an unhealthy
Building Relationships Through Different Formats
Part of Harmony’s approach has been understanding that different Facebook formats can serve different purposes. For her, Reels provide a way to communicate an idea quickly while still establishing an emotional connection with viewers. Long-form videos give her more room to explore an issue, while Live sessions create an opportunity for immediate interaction. “There is something powerful about being able to speak to people in real time, answer questions and have genuine conversations,” she said. That distinction has influenced how she approaches content. A Reel can introduce an idea. A longer video can explore it in greater depth. A Live session can turn the subject into an open conversation involving the audience. Rather than relying on one format, Harmony encourages creators to explore the different tools available to them and understand what each can contribute to their relationship with their audience.
Chibuzor relationship. Others said her content helped them realise that their partners were being unfaithful or understand that they were not receiving the kind of love they deserved. For others, the impact has been more personal and emotional. Some have told her that her videos helped them through difficult periods, even when they were thousands of miles away. “I’ve had people say things like, ‘Thank you for encourag-
The growth of Harmony’s Facebook community has also produced an unexpected development: content creation has become a business. Facebook’s expanding monetisation features have created opportunities for creators producing original and engaging content to earn from their work. For Harmony, however, monetisation represents more than an additional source of income. It has changed the way she thinks about creativity itself. “Earning from content creation has made me understand the importance of treating creativity like a business, being consistent, understanding your audience, improving your craft and being open to different opportunities,” she said. For her, the financial reward is only part of the equation. “Monetisation is not just about the money. It represents the possibility of turning your creativity, knowledge and communication skills into something sustainable.” That shift; from simply creating content to building something sustainable around creativity, reflects a broader evolution in the creator economy.
Nigeria’s Long Road from Reform to Investor Confidence Can Nigeria’s economy earn the world’s confidence while businesses struggle with high costs and households wait for relief? Festus Akanbi examines the path ahead.
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or a Nigerian manufacturer struggling with unreliable power, expensive credit and imported machinery, a sovereign credit rating may seem remote from the daily business of keeping a factory open. It is anything but. The price the government pays to borrow influences financing costs across the economy. The confidence investors place in public finances shapes their willingness to fund power plants, ports and factories. When that confidence is weak, the bill eventually reaches businesses and households. That connection gives urgency to the theme of DataPro Limited’s sixth International Rating Webinar, “Sovereign Credit Rating: Africa’s Roadmap to Investment-Grade Status”. Scheduled for 8 October, the discussion comes as Nigeria tries to convert hard-won improvements in economic stability into an enduring recovery. A sovereign rating assesses a government’s capacity and willingness to meet its debt obligations. Investment grade begins at BBB− on the S&P and Fitch scales, or Baa3 on Moody’s. Crossing that threshold can widen the pool of investors permitted to hold a country’s bonds and, if the underlying improvement
is sustained, help reduce borrowing costs. It is a measure of confidence earned over time, rather than a prize secured by declaration. Nigeria remains some distance from it. S&P Global Ratings recently upgraded the country to ‘B’, citing an improving macroeconomic profile, but that rating is still well below investment grade. The upgrade recognises progress; the distance left to travel shows how much more durable that progress must become. Cautious optimism is warranted. The International Monetary Fund estimates that Nigeria’s economy grew by four per cent in 2025 and projects 4.1 per cent growth in 2026. It reported gross international reserves of $46 billion at the end of 2025, up from $40 billion a year earlier. Yet the same assessment put the consolidated government deficit at 4.4 per cent of GDP in 2025 and warned that conditions remained difficult for many Nigerians. Inflation had risen to 15.4 per cent in March 2026 as higher fuel and food costs fed through the economy. This tension is at the heart of DataPro’s theme. Investors can acknowledge stronger reserves and a more credible policy framework while asking whether Nigeria will maintain fiscal discipline, protect its
gains against shocks and generate enough growth to improve living standards. Nigerians, meanwhile, are entitled to ask what a better credit profile would do for them. The answer begins with public spending. When a larger share of revenue goes to servicing debt, less is available for roads, schools, health care, and the power infrastructure businesses need. Better creditworthiness could, over time, lower the government’s financing costs and improve its access to longer-term capital. Those gains would matter only if public money were spent well. Cheaper borrowing used to finance weak projects would leave the country with a better-priced version of the same problem. A stronger sovereign profile could also help Nigerian companies raise capital. Investors assessing a factory, bank or infrastructure project consider the wider risks of doing business in the country: exchange-rate uncertainty, inflation, regulation and the reliability of public institutions. Greater confidence in the sovereign may improve the terms available to other borrowers, although no rating upgrade can supply electricity, clear a congested port or enforce a contract. Those tasks require action in their own right.
Adeseyoju The World Bank’s assessment captures the challenge. It says Nigeria has made meaningful progress in restoring macroeconomic stability, with stronger external and fiscal positions, but household incomes have yet to recover fully and poverty remains high. Stability has created an opportunity; the next test is whether it produces jobs and higher productivity. That makes the composition of Nigeria’s growth as important as its headline rate. Oil can strengthen export earnings and government revenue, but dependence on it leaves the budget exposed to changes in production and prices. A more resilient credit
Uzoka-Anite story requires reliable non-oil revenue and businesses that can earn foreign exchange. Agriculture, manufacturing, technology and services all have roles to play. So does a financial system that can direct long-term savings toward productive enterprises. Fiscal credibility must be built on equally practical foundations. Government needs to collect revenue fairly and efficiently, account clearly for its obligations, and show that borrowing funds assets with measurable returns. Investors will look beyond a debt-to-GDP figure to ask how much revenue is available to service debt, when obligations fall due and how much exposure is denominated in foreign currency.
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FOCus Rebuilding Nigeria’s Free Zones for Next Investment Wave
Nigeria’s Free Zones are entering a critical phase as government moves to modernise the regulatory framework, protect existing investments and position the zones to attract new capital, expand exports, create jobs and support emerging industries, writes Dike Onwuamaeze
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igeria’s Free Zones have been an important part of the country’s investment and industrial landscape for more than three decades. They were established to attract investment, increase production and exports, create jobs, facilitate technology transfer and provide an operating environment capable of competing for increasingly mobile global capital. Those objectives remain unchanged, what has changed is the environment in which the Free Zones operate. Global production and trade have evolved; services and digitally delivered exports now account for an increasing share of international commerce; Nigeria has enacted a new tax framework; Customs administration is becoming increasingly digital; the National Single Window is changing the architecture for trade facilitation. New forms of investment are emerging, while longstanding gaps in the administration and regulation of the Free Zones have become increasingly apparent. The question before government is how to ensure that the framework created more than three decades ago remains fit for the economy Nigeria is building today and this is the context for the ongoing review of Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones legislative and regulatory framework. The review did not begin with the recent public debate. Since 2024, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has worked with the Free Zone Authorities and other relevant institutions to examine the legal, fiscal and operational framework governing the ecosystem. That work became particularly important during the development of Nigeria’s new tax legislation, when the Ministry engaged extensively to ensure that the implications for existing investments and the competitiveness of the Free Zones were properly considered. With the enactment of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, the need to align the regulatory framework with primary legislation became even more pressing. The Second Schedule to the Act now expressly addresses export processing and Free Zone entities, including the treatment of sales into the Nigerian Customs Territory, consistent with section 18(1) (e) of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act, which permits an approved enterprise to sell up to 25% of its production into the Customs Territory. The Tax Act further provides for the full taxation of profits from such sales from 1 January 2028, subject to the extension mechanism provided by law. The present regulatory exercise cannot rewrite these statutory provisions; its responsibility is to ensure that the Free Zone framework operates coherently within them. This distinction matters. Market access, customs treatment, taxation and regulatory jurisdiction are related, but they are not the same thing. Whether an enterprise may sell into the Customs Territory is one question, the customs treatment of goods crossing that boundary is another, while the taxation of income arising from a transaction is another still. The statutory responsibilities of NEPZA, OGFZA, NCS, NRS and other regulators must ultimately be determined by the laws establishing their respective mandates. The ongoing review is therefore being undertaken against primary legislation, rather than attempting to use subsidiary regulations to recreate it. Indeed, one of the lessons from the history of Nigeria’s Free Zones is the importance of maintaining this hierarchy. Administrative circulars, operational guidelines and regulatory practice cannot be allowed to acquire an effect inconsistent with an Act of the National Assembly. The revised framework must give investors certainty, but that certainty must be grounded in law. This is also why the current exercise has moved well beyond the first drafts circulated for consultation. On 17 September, the Ministry convened operators, enterprises, regulators, professional advisers and other stakeholders to interrogate
Oduwole the proposed framework. Issues raised included the treatment of existing investments, transition arrangements, the export-to-domestic-sales framework, customs coordination, services supplied within the Zones, foreign exchange, tax reporting and the need to avoid multiple regulatory interfaces. Those concerns are informing the drafting now underway. The Special Economic Zones Legislative and Regulatory Reform Committee held a dedicated drafting retreat over the past weekend, involving the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, NEPZA, OGFZA and the Federal Ministry of Justice. The process has also included direct technical engagements with the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Revenue Service, the National Single Window, the Nigeria Economic Zones Association and other stakeholders, with NCS and NRS participating in the drafting process on provisions that engage their respective statutory mandates. Nigeria requires one coordinated Government interface without erasing the statutory responsibilities of individual agencies. The direction being examined is an integrated regulatory gateway in which investors do not have to navigate Government as a collection of disconnected institutions, while the legal authority of each competent regulator remains intact. Technology will be critical to making that work, but technology is not being treated as a substitute for law. The National Single Window, integrated regulatory platforms, electronic inventory systems, coordinated inspections and better data exchange can significantly improve visibility and reduce duplication. But digitalisation works best when the underlying responsibilities of institutions are clear. This is precisely why legal and regulatory reform is proceeding alongside Government’s wider trade-facilitation reforms. Another important part of the review concerns the role of private Zone Developers and Zone Management Companies. Private participation remains essential to the Free Zone model. Developers and operators invest in and manage infrastructure, premises, utilities, common services, security and the day-to-day operation of Zones. Those functions must be preserved and strengthened. What requires greater clarity is the boundary between commercial zone development and
management and public regulation. Comparative experience supports the formal recognition of Zone Developers and Zone Operators as distinct actors within the Free Zone framework, with their respective functions, rights and obligations clearly defined. This is a valid reform and consistent with international best practice. However, the NEPZA Act does not presently establish this distinct statutory architecture and it should not be created through subsidiary legislation. Formal recognition of Zone Developers and Zone Operators, including the legal framework governing their respective roles, will be provided through an amendment to the NEPZA Act - one of the tasks before the SEZs Legislative and Regulatory Committee. International experience supports that distinction. In Kenya, for example, developers, operators and enterprises are separately recognised within primary legislation, while the statutory Authority retains the licensing framework. Ghana similarly accommodates extensive private development and management while maintaining public regulatory authority. Nigeria’s longer-term legislative review is examining how a clearer Developer-OperatorEnterprise architecture can be reflected in primary legislation. The review is also looking forward - Nigeria’s Free Zones cannot remain designed exclusively around the movement of physical goods, factories and warehouses. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recently moved the Digital Free Zones initiative into its implementation phase as part of the Administration’s drive to enable Nigerian technology and services businesses to raise capital globally, employ Nigerians and export from Nigeria. That creates a wider challenge for the Free Zone framework: how to accommodate technology, digitally delivered services, intellectual property, creative industries and other modern economic activities while maintaining regulatory substance and protecting the integrity of the regime. The answer will require both regulatory innovation and, where necessary, legislative reform. Investor certainty is equally central to this work - Existing investments cannot be treated casually. Equally, an administrative arrangement cannot permanently override subsequent primary legislation. The drafting exercise is therefore considering transition arrangements capable of distinguishing lawful accrued rights and
existing regulatory approvals from administrative practices that have no continuing legal basis. That distinction protects legitimate investors while restoring certainty to the framework. A Free Zone that attracts investment, produces for export, creates sustainable employment, earns foreign exchange, develops Nigerian suppliers and transfers technology is doing precisely what the policy was designed to achieve. Government has every interest in protecting and expanding such investment. But incentives must remain connected to the economic purpose for which they exist. A modern Free Zone framework must therefore be able to measure investment, exports, employment, domestic linkages and other economic outcomes while maintaining the integrity of the concessions granted under law. This is the direction of the current reform. The drafts circulated to stakeholders were exactly that: drafts. Consultation is meaningful only if Government is prepared to change its position when legal analysis, stakeholder evidence or implementation experience demonstrates that a provision should be reconsidered. Several issues are already being reconsidered through the ongoing drafting process. The final framework will therefore not simply reproduce the consultation drafts, nor will every problem identified through this process necessarily be solved through Regulations. Where the desired reform requires a new statutory actor, a new regulatory power, a change to primary tax or customs law, or a stronger whole-of-government coordination mechanism, the proper legal instrument must be used. Nigeria’s Free Zones do not need to be dismantled, they need a framework capable of preserving what works, correcting what does not, protecting legitimate investment and opening the system to the industries and exports that will define the next phase of Nigeria’s economy. That is the work now underway. Clearly, a successful Free Zone should attract investment, increase exports, create sustainable employment, generate foreign exchange, develop Nigerian suppliers and facilitate technology transfer. The reform framework proposes a stronger focus on measuring these outcomes while maintaining the integrity of concessions granted under the law. The Nigeria Economic Zones Association (NEZA) has welcomed the consultation process while stressing the importance of protecting existing investments. Its Executive Secretary, Mr. Toyin Elegbede, said: “Our members recognise the need for a strong, transparent and well-regulated Special Economic Zones regime, and we welcome the opportunity to engage government before the framework is finalised. “Our priority is to ensure that the reforms address genuine gaps without creating new uncertainty for operators who have invested and modeled their investment on the strength of the existing regime at the time of investment. “We are encouraged that the process remains consultative and that the concerns raised by operators are being taken into the ongoing drafting work. Ultimately, we all want the same thing: a competitive Free Zones ecosystem that attracts investment, protects legitimate businesses and delivers greater production and exports for Nigeria.” The Chair of NEPZA, Hadi Mutallab, similarly said: “The reform of Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones is necessary to strengthen the integrity of the scheme and ensure that the incentives provided deliver the investment, production, jobs and exports for which they were intended. “At the same time, we must protect legitimate operators who have invested in our Zones and ensure that the transition to the new framework is clear, predictable and does not undermine existing investments. The objective should be a stronger and more competitive Free Zones regime, that addresses abuse without weakening the investors who are doing the right thing.” Indeed, Nigeria’s Free Zones need to evolve and their next chapter will depend on whether the country can build a system that protects legitimate investments, removes unnecessary regulatory friction and opens the door to the industries and exports that will define the future.
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Bennett Oghifo AUTOWORLD Carloha Goes “The Extra Mile” To Redefine Vehicle Ownership
• 08037128871 •Email: benett.oghifo@thisdaylive.com
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s the world marks Customer Service Week under the theme “The Extra Mile,” Carloha, the authorised distributor and representative of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, is highlighting how it is taking customer care beyond the traditional point of vehicle purchase to create a more reassuring and rewarding ownership experience for Chery customers across the country. For Carloha, going the extra mile is not simply about being available when customers have a complaint. It is about building confidence into the entire ownership journey—from the day a customer takes delivery of a Chery vehicle to the years that follow. This commitment is reflected in two key customer-care initiatives: CarlohaCare 6-6-7 and CarlohaCare Rescue. Six Years of Support Through CarlohaCare 6-6-7 At the heart of Carloha's after-sales proposition is CarlohaCare 6-6-7, designed to give Chery owners greater confidence in their vehicles and access to structured after-sales support. The programme provides eligible Chery SUV and sedan owners with: 6-Year Warranty covering core vehicle components, including the engine and transmission, subject to applicable terms and conditions; 6 Years of Free Service, covering applicable parts and labour under the programme; and A 7-Day Repair Promise, with a courtesy vehicle provided where applicable when a
qualifying repair cannot be completed within the stipulated period. The objective is straightforward: customers should not feel that the relationship with Carloha ends once the vehicle leaves the showroom. According to Felix Mahan, General Manager, Marketing, Carloha, “Customer service should not begin when a customer has a problem. It should begin with the commitment we make to the customer from the moment they choose our brand. Going the extra mile means creating an ownership experience where customers know that there is a system behind them—not just a vehicle in their driveway.” CarlohaCare Rescue: Extending the Extra Mile to the Road Carloha's customer-care commitment also extends to unexpected situations on the road through CarlohaCare Rescue, which provides a 24-hour roadside assistance service on highways and major roads. Customers can access the service through the 667 Rescue Number: 07000 667 667. The initiative is designed to provide assistance when customers experience situations such as vehicle breakdowns or other roadside emergencies, helping them get the support they need when they need it most. Significantly, CarlohaCare Rescue has also been extended temporarily to non-Chery vehicle owners, reflecting Carloha's broader approach to demonstrating the value of responsive automotive customer care.
Chery Tiggo 9 Changing the Conversation About Vehicle Ownership For many Nigerian motorists, the quality of after-sales support is an important part of the vehicle ownership decision. A vehicle may be technologically advanced and competitively priced, but the ownership experience is ultimately shaped by what happens after the purchase.
Carloha's approach is therefore built around the idea that the real test of customer service begins after the sale. Through CarlohaCare 6-6-7, the company is seeking to provide long-term assurance around servicing, repairs and warranty support. Through CarlohaCare Rescue, it is extending that support beyond the workshop and into the customer's everyday journey.
Toyota Targets Further LCV Market Growth With Quality, Service, Choice
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he strength and success of Toyota’s European light commercial vehicle (LCV) business was highlighted at IAA Transportation in Hannover, Germany, today where the company reflected on its achievements and set out its prospects for future growth and innovation. In the past five years, European sales of Toyota Professional LCVs have more than doubled, aiming to reach more than 165,000 units in 2026. This growth has also delivered a doubling of Toyota’s market share to more than 7%, reinforcing the role of LCVs as a strategic pillar of the company’s European business. Today, Toyota offers models in all the principal LCV segments, including compact, medium and heavy-duty PROACE vans, people carriers and the legendary Hilux pick-up, recently making its debut in an all-new ninth generation. Towards 2030 Toyota is targeting further strengthening of its European LCV market performance, based on the three pillars that have supported its growth to-date. By 2030 it aims to achieve 200,000 Toyota Professional sales and an 8% market share. It will also develop its reputation as an innovator in the segment with the roll-out of new hydrogen solutions with the introduction of the Hilux FCEV in 2028. Early target performance
of not just Toyota vehicles, but also the quality of service and associated products such as finance and insurance that are focused on meeting their business needs and priorities. Highlighting Toyota’s commitment to its multi-path technology approach, Till Conrad said: “While our BEV results are strong, we believe the scale of the decarbonisation challenge facing Europe requires every available technology to play a role. Different customers have different operational requirements, which is why there is no single solution for every business. Toyota continues to offer the right technology for the right application.”
Toyota Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) data for this model are a driving range of more than 400 km (WLTP) and the ability to tow loads of up to 2,500 kg. Till Conrad, Toyota Motor Europe (TME) Executive Vice President, Sales, said: “Scale alone is not success. If quality does not follow this pace, it’s just a number. Real success is measured by consistent standards, strong execution and a network that delivers the Toyota Professional
promise every day.” Electrification and a multi-path approach are key to growth With the introduction this summer of the all-new Hilux battery electric pick-up, Toyota offers BEV versions across its entire LCV range. BEVs now account for 22% of all Toyota Professional sales, compared to a market average of around 11%. This demonstrates customers’ appreciation
Success founded on three pillars Toyota Professional’s success in achieving sustained growth is founded on three customerfocused pillars. The first is customer choice: simply put, being able to provide each customer with the right vehicle, the right powertrain and the right package to meet their needs. Toyota’s multi-path approach increases choice, with different powertrain technologies helping drive decarbonisation while meeting diverse customer needs. Toyota recognises that a single technology solution cannot address the business requirements, mobility needs or the local operating environments of all customers, so its LCVs are offered – according to market and model – with battery electric, Hybrid 48V and diesel combustion engines.
BGK, NADDC Unveil Plans for 26th Abuja International Motor Fair
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he organisers of the 26th Abuja International Motor Fair have unveiled plans to host the event between November 10th and 13th at the Eagle Square in Abuja. The four-day event, co-organised by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC)-the major Federal Government agency that oversees the automotive industry in Nigeria and BKG Exhibitions Ltd., will bring together stakeholders across government, the automotive industry, manufacturing, finance, technology, logistics, development institutions and the private sector. A three-day conference will accompany the fair, with speakers
drawn from key automotive sectors. The conference theme is “Driving Nigeria’s Automotive Transformation: Policy, Production, and Prosperity.” Scheduled activities during the fair include the Nigeria Automotive Excellence Awards Night, Abuja Automotive Road Show, the Ultimate Test-Drive experience, a taste of five finest Abuja cuisine, exotic automobile displays, the Automotive and Future Mobility Arena, and access to professional advice and technical papers. Chairman of the Organising Committee and Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Ltd., Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu, while disclosing this years’ plans said the conference segment will feature a keynote address by NADDC Director-General, Otunba Joseph Osanipin,
and speeches from major automotive and transport stakeholders. He assured visitors of opportunities to network with industry leaders, investors, government officials and business executives, as well as discover new vehicles, technologies, products and business opportunities. Over the years, the Abuja International Motor Fair has grown into one of Nigeria’s foremost automotive exhibitions and policy dialogue platforms, bringing together government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, assemblers, component manufacturers, aftermarket operators, transport organisations, financial institutions, development partners, investors and industry professionals to promote sustainable growth of Nigeria’s automotive sector.
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Expression
Mend Fences, Not ‘Fence’
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HE National Business of September 5 welcomes us today with two headline faults: “Labour says breach of agreements cause (causes) workplace conflicts” “ANWBN senitises women on (to) business challenges, potential” “I was harassed by film producers at onset (outset)” (THISDAY, September 3) “The introduction of five new housemates seem (seems) to have taken from the usual eviction jitters and thus reenergized the....” (Source: as above) “Who says Nigeria is too tough to govern” Who pocketed the question mark? Lest I am accused of being repetitive in this column, as long as systemic infelicities in multifarious collocations keep recurring, there would be no hesitancy in highlighting them repeatedly until scholarly exactitude takes place. The next two headline flaws confirmed this infallible position: “Banks lay siege on lawmakers” A rewrite: Banks lay siege to lawmakers. “Tinubu: Three years on the saddle” Again: in the saddle. “As human beings, we are the highest evolved specie.” (FRSC Road Safety Tip, THISDAY, September 8) For the Corp Marshal’s attention: species. “Creating a smoke free environment” (Leadership on Sunday Headline, September 27) Even my racy platform of expression: smoke-free environment! Don’t you appreciate the classicality (and, of course, correctness) of the hyphenation? “Nollywood pays last respect for (to)...” (National News Headline, September 4) There is no absolute individuality in orthography and other aspects of the English language: last respects. “Combatants mend fence” (Source: as above) This way: mend fences.
“Rooney’s wife looses temper after Twitter user comment” (SATURDAY INDEPENDENT Online, September 26) In doing this weekly critique, I cannot lose my temper. “Nigerian seamstress per excellence for Dubai fashion show” (Saturday Entertainment Headline, June 4) Just seamstress par (not per) excellence. “Efforts so far to speak with the Kogi State Police Public Relation (sic) Officer has (have) proved abortive (now a cliché!)” (SATURDAY TRIBUNE, September 26) “It now takes residents leaving (living) towards the bus stop….” (THE GUARDIAN, September 4) “VC accuses lecturers of double standards” (Nationwide News Headline, September 2) There is no periphery of options here: double standard (fixed expression). “Clearance of non-CRI goods begin (begins) at ports” “Chele gets sweeping power” Get it right: sweeping powers. “…had said that DAILY SUN is (was) a credible publication, one not likely to misquote him or twist what he says in a free display of editorial freedom.” “Like (As) we have said at various fora….” ‘Forums’ also correct. “So these are the kind of things that create jobs but they take time to take off fully.” Either: this is the kind of thing or these are the kinds of things. “So the government cannot ask the Supreme Court to interprete the law.” Spell-check, always: interpret. “Meanwhile, no one can convince me that we are getting returns of any kind from either of these two countries.…” Stock phrase: either of these countries. ‘Either’ refers to ‘two’! “…the reduction in the number of vehicle accidents and casualities (casualties).”
“Self-styled armies sprung (have sprung) here and there …” “State, council relationship: chairmen pick hole (holes) in 1999 Constitution.” “This year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Emblem Appeal Week were roundedoff yesterday….” Once more, phrasal verbs do not admit hyphenation. “The private sector in conjunction with the local governments are in a better position.” The private sector…is (not are), but the private sector and the local governments are…. “At these occasions, Nigerians have been fed with these noble and esteemed virtues that differentiate the men from the boys.” Not my opinion: On these occasions “As a result, majority of the citizens do not even know of the existence of the national population policy of four children per woman.” Many people, small world: a/the majority of the citizens “There was no signs in the air” Random musings: why the discord? “The truth lies somewhere between the two extreme positions” (Already addressed) “Government has wetted the public appetite for information enough….” Get it right: whetted (note the spelling) the public’s appetite for information. “It is these people that Nigerians would ordinarily believe rather than some whose integrity are (is) in doubt.” “The research aspect of the campaign was targetted (targeted) towards (at)….” “Between 300 to 500 million people globally get malaria infection yearly, whilst a sufferer dies every fifteen seconds.” Combating the malaria scourge: between 300 and 500 or from 300 to 500 “In other words, successive budgets have failed to realize its (their) objectives of improving the living standard of the people.”
“The NEIC should swing into action right from the onset (outset in this context).” ‘Onset’ usually smacks of unpleasantness. So, why not ‘outset’ to be on the safe side? “If the demand is granted on the ground (grounds) that he would play his own role….” “Talking about renaming our institutions after our falling (fallen) heroes....” “The news out of Libya in the past five months have (had) been about killings....” ‘News’ is uncountable, by the way. “Lateef Jakande as governor of Lagos State warmed (wormed) his way into the hearts of Lagosians with a single-minded pursuit of his housing programme.” “Querying Africa’s underdevelopment has become a political discipline of it’s own as much that facts are hardly advanced in the critical political human analysis of Africa’s problems.” Possessive: its. “…promote international co-operation having due regard to the United Nations charter and the universal declaration of human rights.” In the interest of harmony, let us have regard for (not to) lexical rudiments. Gentlemen of the Press, let’s think! “All these assertions I concord (sic) with totally.” I cannot concur with gradual annihilation of the English language. “LCCI boss proffers solution on education problems” What solution do we proffer to (not on) deteriorating journalism these days? Feedback GREAT work, Mr. Ebere Wabara. I think you should extend this exercise to the works of our columnists. I thank you. Sent in by Mr. Charles Iyoha.
Nigeria At 66: The Country We Each Carry
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n every Independence Day, Nigeria becomes a country of many countries. The flag is the same green and white, the national anthem is supposed to stir the same patriotic blood, and the public holiday arrives with the same official photographs, speeches and familiar exhortations about unity. Yet somewhere between the ceremonial parade and the roadside breakfast, Nigerians are experiencing entirely different versions of the country. Ask the civil servant what October 1 means and you may get a sigh before an answer. Another public holiday? Perhaps. A moment of national pride? Certainly, for some. But if salary has been delayed, rent is due, school fees are knocking and the price of food has performed another Olympic sprint, patriotism can become an expensive luxury. The worker may love Nigeria and still wonder why loving one’s country appears to require such extraordinary personal sacrifice. The petty trader has a more immediate constitution. Her Nigeria is measured in tomatoes, transport fares, daily sales, customer bargaining and the mysterious ability of ₦10,000 to disappear before lunchtime. She does not need an economic summit to know what inflation means. The entrepreneur understands it differently: access to credit, electricity, taxation, regulation, logistics, multiple levies and the exhausting business of surviving a system that can sometimes behave as though enterprise itself is an offence requiring several permits and three queues. The bus driver and conductor know another Nigeria. They navigate potholes, traffic, police stops, fuel prices, impatient passengers and the mathematics of making enough money before the vehicle’s next mechanical crisis. Their patriotism has a steering wheel. The mechanic, meanwhile, has discovered that Nigerians may complain about everything except the price of keeping an old vehicle alive. He knows the nation’s automotive graveyard intimately - and has made a profession of resurrecting what common sense might have buried. The young tech entrepreneur inhabits yet
another republic. His Nigeria may be frustrating, but it is also a place of enormous possibility. He sees global markets through a laptop, creates products for customers thousands of kilometres away and wonders why his country can produce world-class coders, designers and digital entrepreneurs while still struggling to provide reliable infrastructure for them. The undergraduate is somewhere between aspiration and anxiety, asking whether the certificate at the end of the journey will lead to employment or merely qualify him to join the unemployment queue. For the recently unemployed, Independence Day can be painfully ironic. There is little independence in depending on relatives, friends and former colleagues for survival. The jobless graduate may have the degree, the NYSC certificate, the CV and several unanswered applications. He has heard repeatedly that Nigeria’s youth are the future. At some point, he may reasonably wonder whether the future has forgotten his address. The medical doctor sees the country from the opposite end of the life-and-death equation. She works through overcrowded facilities, resource constraints and long hours, sometimes contemplating emigration while caring for patients who cannot afford the alternatives. The journalist, meanwhile, tries to tell the country’s story while navigating commercial pressures, political sensitivities, misinformation, online abuse and the increasingly strange expectation that truth should be both instant and convenient. Then there are Nigerians whose lives polite society prefers not to discuss. The sex worker may regard Independence Day with the same practical calculation as any other working day: customers, safety, income and survival. The scrap scavenger is searching through the material remains of somebody else’s consumption, converting discarded metal, plastic and electronic components into food money. The policeman may be guarding people who distrust him, while carrying the burden of a profession in which one bad encounter can define the public’s opinion of thousands of others. The bricklayer is literally building the Nigeria in which the rest of us will live, even if the country has never quite figured
out how to build a secure future for him. The sportsman or woman knows another dimension of national identity. Put a Nigerian athlete in national colours and suddenly millions who spend ordinary days quarrelling over ethnicity, religion and politics remember that they belong to the same place. Victory can produce an astonishing national unity. Defeat can produce another familiar Nigerian response: somebody must be blamed. We are, after all, a nation that can turn a football match into a constitutional crisis. And then there is the politician, whose Nigeria is perhaps the most complicated of all. For him or her, Independence Day is simultaneously a national celebration, a political stage and an opportunity for patriotic vocabulary. There will be speeches about sacrifice, unity, development and the greatness of Nigeria. These are all perfectly respectable words. The public’s difficulty is that Nigerians have heard many of them for 66 years and are increasingly interested in the distance between the speech and the street. This is the strange beauty and burden of the Nigerian experiment: there is no single Nigeria. There is the Nigeria of the presidential villa and the Nigeria of the roadside kiosk. The Nigeria of the boardroom and the Nigeria of the motor park. The Nigeria of the private hospital and the Nigeria of the public clinic. The Nigeria of the luxury apartment and the Nigeria of the crowded room where several people sleep under one leaking roof. Yet they are not separate countries. They are competing experiences of the same country. Since 1960, we have stumbled through coups and civil war, military rule and democratic experiments, oil booms and economic crises, structural adjustment and privatisation, population explosions and technological revolutions. We have enjoyed moments of remarkable achievement and endured periods of bewildering failure. We have built universities, hospitals, industries, roads, airports and institutions - and sometimes watched them deteriorate because maintenance seems to be regarded as an optional sequel to construction. We have missed opportunities that now look almost criminal in retrospect. Oil wealth
that could have transformed generations was squandered through corruption, waste, poor planning and misplaced priorities. We have repeatedly announced grand plans, launched ambitious programmes and created committees whose reports probably now constitute a small endangered species of Nigerian literature. And yet, remarkably, Nigeria persists. The petty trader opens her stall. The driver starts his engine. The doctor returns to the ward. The journalist files the story. The mechanic reaches for his spanner. The entrepreneur tries again. The graduate sends another application. The scavenger pushes his cart. The athlete trains. The student studies. The policeman reports for duty. The mother calculates what can be cooked with what remains. Millions continue to construct private solutions to public problems. This resilience is admirable. But it can also become dangerous if we romanticise it. A country should not have to depend indefinitely on the extraordinary resilience of ordinary people to compensate for the ordinary failure of extraordinary institutions. At 66, perhaps that is the most honest way to look at Nigeria. Not as the magnificent country of official speeches, nor the hopeless disaster of permanent cynicism. We are something more complicated: a vast, unfinished experiment populated by people who have endured far more than they should have had to endure and still somehow manage to hope. That hope may be Nigeria’s greatest asset. It is also our greatest accusation against ourselves. Because every Independence Day, Nigerians demonstrate that they have not given up on the country. The question is whether the country - its leaders, institutions and political class - will eventually give them sufficient reason not to. At 66, we are still here. But being here was never supposed to be the whole achievement. Independence was supposed to be the beginning of what we could become.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, 2026 • T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R
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BACKPAGE CONTINUATION CHUKWUEMEKA CHIKELU, 22 YEARS AGO “Chikelu came into office determined not to allow the melodrama of “authority” to becloud the fact that the only reason he was reporting to work as a minister was to serve the people and the national interest. He clearly separated his person from the frills of office, lived in his own house, drove in his own car and ensured that the personal expenses of his aides were not borne by the ministry, or government. He was a methodical young man, with very pronounced personal preference for orderliness, clear targets and easily measurable results”. I continued: “For every proposal from civil servants on any issue, he would always invite me for us to address four questions: (1) How will this benefit the people and the nation?, (2) How do we measure the results?, (3) Can we work out how to make what is being proposed cost less than the figures put forward?, and (4) Would we like to do this if our money was involved and we are being asked to do this for our family? He was that thorough. At no point during his watch in the Ministry of Information and national orientation did he approve anything that violated any clear policy framework guiding such actions. He took a clear position on public “events”, ceremonies and “programmes”, making it clear that these were often excuses for wasting public funds. Any expensive programme designed without any real value to the nation was seen as a dishonest way of pretending to be working and shot down. Of course, there was consternation, irritation and subtle protest from some functionaries around him. But Chikelu always insisted that records of expenditure should not be mistaken for development, or benefit to the people in
whose name the money was being spent. Some objected to “a serious Minister” looking into the routine “chop and let others chop” in government, as if his father’s money was involved”. Not yet done, I continued: “The ministry got a totally new approach to a lot of things under him. He explained that it was an efficient information machinery, and not the high visibility of government ministers, that made the US, UK, and more advanced nations use behind the scenes efficiency to maintain effective global communication. He redefined the role of the Resident Information Officers (Chief Press Secretaries), pointing out that the nearly-defunct Federal Information Centres and other arteries of the national information network are the real engines of national communication and not necessarily the minister. The neglect and dearth of training of information officers in the ministry over the decades was proof of his position on this matter. While admitting that robust personal interventions by government information managers are important and critical for effective government communication, he maintained that when this is overdone and abused, preoccupation with political visibility undermined the information machinery and authentic communication. Generalisations and threadbare pronouncements, usually designed to satisfy political office holders, would then take the place of truth, political mobilisation and information management. He always said that government credibility suffers when the job of Information Minister is defined solely, or at least largely, in terms of appearances on the print and electronic media at every possible and impossible opportunity; to say something and show that he is
working for government. He must keep his mouth open at all times, so that whoever accused him of not talking will be quickly countered with: “I was talking but you didn’t hear, can’t you see that my mouth is open?” I continued thus: “Chikelu would argue that there were Best Practices in all human affairs, including information management and public communication. Modern nations build, develop and sustain government communication as part of the overall social process. That is why he brought into the very idea of the job of Information Minister an agenda for national reorientation on what to expect from, and demand, of that office and other institutions of state. He also was averse to the view that every critic of the government was automatically an enemy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Once government communication tries to please itself, it becomes conspiratorial, declarative, impatient and unable to present the thread that runs through the diverse activities of the state as a focused mission. That is why we have now developed a new generation of leaders, bred on a political diet of purposeless speech making and executive arbitrariness. For them, the word “authority” means ‘the right to misbehave and not be challenged’. Expertise, for them, is nothing more than facilitated upward movement, with or without ability. Capital consumption is their philosophy of leadership and most “prominent” Nigerians have been fed on this nihilistic philosophy of management for four decades. Three problems confronted Chikelu on the job, namely; (a) procuring authentic information and using credible platforms to present it; (b) separating what is useful
from what is useless; and (c) making the information available to his various publics in such a way that even if he did not win them over he would, at least, not swell the ranks of those who would not bother to listen at all. In this regard, his concern was more with (i) developing personnel skills and strengthening structures and processes in the ministry; (ii) restoring the government’s institutional capacity for distilling useful information; (iii) synchronising the activities, programmes and projections of the information and related agencies for unity of purpose and to avoid duplications and wastages; and (iv) showing that public office holders have a duty to insist on the right paradigms and not play to the gallery, even if the uninformed public opinion wanted it otherwise”. Then I was done with my comments and observations. Below is the last paragraph in the earlier mentioned article. “Rounding up our roundtable engagement, the issues agreed upon with regard to the out-going-in-coming Buhari government was that we had cause to discuss Chikelu because of his performance while in office. We agreed that Buhari should: (1) abolish security votes, since the armed forces, police and security agencies have their budgets, (2) use his party’s strength in the national assembly to cut down the pay of lawmakers, if he loves the nation, (3) be more honest in addressing the herdsmen issue, (4) forbid his new ministers from organising “Summits” and use extant records from previous summits to address the problems of their respective ministries”. Happy birthday, Nnanyelugo: Abundant blessings and God’s continued guidance.
NIGERIA AT 66: UNLOCKING LOW-HANGING FRUIT FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH governments would always declare their intention to support business operators, but end up, most of the time not living up to their promise. Without resolving the power sector crisis and guaranteeing that Nigerians have access to reasonably priced energy, the country cannot hope for significant national economic development, as businesses are forced to produce a sizable amount of their electricity due to challenges in the power sector. The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, was apparently deceived by those he claimed were electricity consumers who told him recently that their “freezers were freezing,” in a country that continues to experience constant total and partial grid collapses due to obsolete infrastructure, gas shortages, and weak grid management. According to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s April 2026 operational performance data, the 28 grid-connected plants covered by the report had an average available generation of 4,286MW from an installed capacity of 13,625MW, representing a plant availability factor of 31 per cent. These act as a barrier to widespread economic development, as many companies run their operations using generators that run on costly diesel, which drives up prices even more. Therefore, improving the country’s business environment to support domestic businesses and enthrone a friendlier investment climate remains one of the low-hanging fruits for stimulating economic growth, which, as at the second quarter of 2026, stood at 4.4 per cent. While the figure represents progress, it remains too low to
Tinubu
deliver the scale of job creation, poverty reduction and structural transformation required by a rapidly growing population. For Nigeria to achieve stronger and more sustainable growth, policymakers must move beyond rhetoric and translate reforms into lower production costs, greater investment, higher productivity and expanded domestic capacity. Today, the country’s ability to attract the much-desired foreign investment remains
low compared to its peers. Therefore, the federal and state governments must understand the fierce urgency to increase investment and expand trade in the country. It is the primary responsibility of governments to create an enabling environment where people can do business and investors would find it attractive to invest. If they can execute this successfully, businesses will thrive and the government would benefit in
terms of revenue generation. Simplifying regulations, streamlining bureaucratic processes, and fostering a more predictable business environment are not just desirable goals, but essential for Nigeria to reach its full potential. Creating a more business-friendly climate would signal to international investors that Nigeria is open for business and would encourage the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of any economy. Additionally, it reduces opportunities for corruption, promotes a level playing field for businesses, increases public trust in government, and enhances the country’s global competitiveness by making it more attractive for trade and investment in the long term. Improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria is a strategic imperative for the country’s economic future. The achievement of double-digit growth, which is the target of the government, achieving a drop in inflation and a friendly macroeconomic environment would also require a shift in policy focus. Monetary policy must be supported and sustained by a robust fiscal framework and comprehensive structural reforms. Policy reform can impact positively on the environment for ordinary Nigerians and contribute to stimulating FDI. By addressing these concerns, it would be easier for domestic and foreign investors to do business in the country. With this, Nigeria can unlock its vast potential, attract investment, create jobs, and improve the lives of its citizens.
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T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R O C T O B E R 3, 2026
ANALYSIS
Olayemi Cardoso: Long Road from Monetary Crisis to Stability Three years into his tenure as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso’s imprint on monetary policy is increasingly defined not by any single interest-rate decision, but by a broader effort to restore confidence, stabilise the naira and reimpose discipline, writes James Emejo
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fter assuming leadership of the apex bank, the most consequential feature of his tenure may not be any single interest-rate decision, foreignexchange intervention or regulatory circular, but the attempt to rebuild the operating architecture of the country’s monetary and financial system. Cardoso assumed office on September 22, 2023, amid severe macroeconomic dislocation. Foreign-exchange liquidity had become scarce, the naira market was fragmented, inflation was accelerating and confidence in the conduct of monetary policy had weakened. The CBN was also carrying a sizeable stock of inherited foreign-exchange obligations, while years of unconventional monetary and quasi-fiscal interventions had blurred the boundary between monetary management and fiscal financing.
academia, research, international consulting and banking, arguing that the diversity of experience provided different perspectives at a moment when conventional policy choices were under enormous pressure. That was particularly important because the CBN’s policy direction initially ran against the global tide. While several major central banks were moving towards monetary easing, Nigeria tightened aggressively to confront domestic inflation and currency pressures. Cardoso’s argument was that Nigeria could not simply import the policy cycle of other economies. Its circumstances were different; therefore its policy response had to be different. That philosophy ultimately became one of the distinguishing features of his tenure: policy decisions were to be justified by Nigeria’s own data and conditions rather than by international fashion.
Three years later, the landscape is materially different.
The FX battlefield
External reserves have risen above $55 billion; the banking industry has completed a major recapitalisation exercise; the foreign-exchange market operates within a more unified framework; formal remittance inflows have expanded; payments infrastructure is being rebuilt around security and interoperability; and the CBN has introduced a new generation of rules covering everything from cybersecurity and anti-money laundering to agent banking and financial-market benchmarks. The changes amount to something broader than a collection of policy measures. They represent an effort to return the central bank to a more conventional role: preserving monetary and financial stability, improving market functioning and allowing prices—including the price of money and foreign exchange—to increasingly emerge from transparent market mechanisms.
Inherited crisis
Cardoso has repeatedly stressed that the starting point matters. Three years into the job, he was unusually direct in describing the environment he inherited: confidence had been Cardoso lost not only in the CBN but in the currency itself. That meant monetary and price stability, financial-system stability The naira, he recalled, was depreciating so rapidly that households and businesses could scarcely plan. Prices changed and a more disciplined relationship between monetary policy and between visits to suppliers. Nigerians sought foreign currency fiscal operations. The CBN itself had identified compliance with its statutory mandate, as a store of value, while businesses struggled to determine what their costs would be from one day to the next. The stronger corporate governance, withdrawal from quasi-fiscal activities and improved management of foreign-exchange liquidity as central foreign-exchange crisis was only one part of the problem. Cardoso pointed specifically to the burden of Ways and pillars of the new direction. For Cardoso, that institutional reset remains Means financing. He said the CBN inherited about ₦23.7 tril- one of his proudest achievements. lion in Ways and Means advances, alongside more than ₦10 trillion in interventions. In his assessment, the combination had From intervention to orthodoxy At the heart of the strategy was a return to what Cardoso described injected enormous liquidity into an economy whose productive as monetary-policy orthodoxy. capacity had not expanded correspondingly. The CBN tightened monetary conditions aggressively when inflationary The consequence was a monetary system in which the central bank’s ability to influence inflation and financial conditions pressures demanded it, moved away from quasi-fiscal interventions and sought to make the Monetary Policy Committee more firmly had been severely weakened. The CBN’s reform agenda therefore began with a deceptively data-driven. Cardoso also credits the composition of the MPC with simple proposition: take the institution back to its core mandate. helping to navigate the crisis. He pointed to members drawn from
The foreign-exchange market became the clearest test of that philosophy. Cardoso inherited a system of multiple exchange rates in which access to different windows could determine the price at which dollars were obtained. He has since argued that the apparent advantages of some of the old official rates were misleading because access was highly uneven. The reform therefore sought to close the gap between official and parallel markets and establish a more transparent, market-based system. The CBN’s reforms included the clearance of verified FX obligations estimated at about $7 billion, while its wider framework sought to reduce arbitrage and improve transparency. The Bank says the reforms helped strengthen reserves and reduce volatility. Cardoso’s own assessment goes further. He argued that the differential between exchange-rate windows amounted to a significant implicit subsidy, estimating the economic loss at about three per cent of GDP—larger, he noted, than the estimated two per cent-plus GDP cost of the fuel subsidy. Whatever the precise accounting methodology, his central point is clear: maintaining multiple exchange-rate regimes imposed a substantial economic cost.
The subsequent reforms sought to eliminate that distortion.
The direction continued through the new FX Manual launched in May 2026, revised rules for BDC operations and measures designed to bring more foreign-currency transactions into transparent formal channels. The CBN said the Fourth Edition of the FX Manual was intended to strengthen transparency, credibility and market-driven price discovery. The latest numbers provide perhaps the strongest evidence of the external-sector transformation. By September 18, reserves had risen to $55.25 billion, the highest level in more than 18 years, according to figures disclosed around the 307th MPC meeting. Read full article online - www.thisdaylive.com
A Nation Without Purpose Cannot Find Its Way, Says Tony Sunday Ehigiator
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igeria’s greatest challenge may not simply be a shortage of resources, ideas or talented people. It may be something deeper: a crisis of purpose. That is the central argument advanced by Pastor Tony Olukoyede, President of Four Streams Academy (4SA), who believes that the country’s recurring difficulties cannot be adequately addressed without returning to the foundations of values, vision, purpose and responsible leadership. Speaking recently at the PurposeLife Center during an extended conversation with journalist and editor, Ayo Arowolo, Olukoyede described Nigeria’s difficulties as fundamentally structural, compounded by what he characterised as repeated leadership failures. His prescription was not simply geographical or political restructuring. He argues for something deeper—a foundational restructuring of the Nigerian mindset and value system. “We have to look at our value systems. What drives us?” he asks, insisting that a society must first understand what it values before it can determine
where it is going.
The Purpose Question
At the heart of Olukoyede’s philosophy is a deceptively simple proposition: everything that exists has a purpose, and anything that operates outside its purpose eventually becomes dysfunctional. He extends this principle beyond individuals to families, organisations, communities and nations. According to him, purpose provides direction, while vision becomes the pathway through which purpose is pursued. A nation without a clear sense of purpose, he argues, will struggle to develop a shared vision capable of uniting its citizens across ethnic, cultural and religious differences. This is why he believes values such as honour, respect, hard work, service, responsibility and regard for others must be deliberately cultivated from childhood. His concern is that Nigeria’s definition of success has increasingly become associated with appearances, acquisition and the pursuit of money rather than the creation of value.
Purpose Before Provision
Olukoyede describes purpose and provision as two powerful forces that should work together. People work because they have responsibilities and purposes to fulfil. Through their work, they create value. That value generates provision, which in turn enables them to fulfil their responsibilities and purpose. The problem begins, he argues, when the sequence is reversed—when people pursue money without first establishing the value they intend to create. “Value will eventually create money,” is the essence of his argument. For him, this is not merely an economic principle but a philosophy of life. The entrepreneur should ask what problem he can solve. The professional should ask what value he can add. The citizen should ask what contribution he can make to society. The underlying question becomes: “How can I be part of the solution?” It is a mindset Olukoyede believes could change not only individual lives but the behaviour of communities and institutions. He illustrates the point with an experience from Johannesburg, where he once observed motorists navigating a busy intersection without functioning traffic lights or a traffic warden. Instead of everyone forcing their way through, motorists
waited for one another and proceeded in an orderly manner. For Olukoyede, such conduct reflects something deeper than traffic management. It reflects values internalised by individuals.
The Four Streams Response
It is this philosophy that led to the establishment of the Four Streams Academy, a faith-based personal development institution designed to develop what Olukoyede calls “on-purpose leaders.” The Academy operates through four broad schools: Entrepreneurship, Governance, Leadership and Innovative Technology. Its focus, he explains, is not conventional academic education but personal development—a kind of finishing school where people can sharpen their understanding of themselves, their abilities and their responsibilities. The philosophy is built around the development of the “total man”—spirit, soul and body—and helping individuals discover, clarify and pursue their purpose. The entrepreneurship component is particularly concerned with helping people translate their abilities and talents into value creation.
GLOBAL NO SOCCER PROTECTION
THISDAY, The SATURDAY Newspaper • april 24, 2011
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news
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weekly pull-out
3.10.2026
Page. 29
George Ilenikhena
A New Eagle Has Landed
T H I S D AY, T h e sat u r day N e w s pa p e r O C T O B ER 3, 2026
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GLOBAL SOCCER
George Ilenikhena
A New Eagle Has Landed The late-afternoon sun in Uyo usually carries a heavy,humid weight,but penultimate Friday, September 25, the air inside the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium felt charged with something far more volatile: anxiety. Just 15 minutes into Nigeria’s opening qualifier for the 2027Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON),the script had gone entirely off-course.Madagascar’s EhsanKarihadsilencedthehomecrowd,capitalisingondefensivegapstoslothomeanearly opener.WithtalismanicforwardVictorOsimhenwatchingfromthesidelinesduetoaninjury, acreepingsenseofdreadbegantoripplethroughthestands.Nigerianeededinspiration,and they needed it from an unproven teenager.
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nter George Ilenikhena. Standing under the floodlights, wearing the iconic green and white shirt for the very first time, the young Al-Ittihad striker looked remarkably unfazed by the sudden mountain his team had to climb. As the clock ticked deep into the first-half stoppage time, midfielder Alex Iwobi picked up the ball, looked up, and threaded a remarkably precise, low pass directly into the eighteen-yard box. Ilenikhena’s movement was instinctive— the hallmark of a naturalborn finisher. He peeled a w a y from his marker, collected the ball, and buried it into the back o f the net. T h e stadium erupted. It w a s a n equalizer that completely a l t e r e d the psychological landscape of the match, paving the way for fellow debutant, Moses Usor to complete a 2-1 comeback victory in the second half, alongside a crucial, game-preserving save from goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. For the fans in the stands, it was the arrival of a new footballing prodigy. But for those who knew the intricate, multicontinental web of negotiations that brought the young f o rward to Uyo, the goal w a s the culmination of a quiet diplomatic masterclass— one that began not with tactical whiteboards, but with a conversation in French. To truly understand how a player born in Lagos ended up needing a Frenchspeaking coach to lure him back home, one has to trace the nomadic geography of Ilenikhena’s upbringing.
Born in Nigeria, he was just three years old when his family relocated to France. He grew up entirely immersed in t h e French footballing culture, a product of a system renowned for turning raw talent into disciplined, world-class athletes. His develop-
mental years at Amiens quickly drew the attention of scouts across Europe. He possessed a rare blend of physical power, deceptive pace, and a clinical composure in front of goal that belied his teenage years. A high-profile move to Royal Antwerp followed, where he continued to sharpen his tools on the European stage, before Ligue 1 giants, Monaco secured his services. By the time he completed a lucrative move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad, Ilenikhena was already regarded as one of the most exciting young forwards in global football. Inevitably, the French Football Federation took notice. Ilenikhena was integrated into the French youth national team setup, wearing Les Bleus’ famous jersey and appearing firmly on a trajectory toward a senior call-up for France. For the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), this was a familiar and deeply frustrating script. Over the decades, dozens of elite talents with Nigerian heritage had been absorbed into European national systems, leaving the Super Eagles to wonder what might have been. But Nigeria’s newly appointed manager, Eric Chelle, refused to let history repeat itself. Chelle, the former Mali boss who was born in Côte d’Ivoire, possessed a deep understanding of the dual-nationality dilemma. He knew that elite players primarily raised in Europe rarely responded well to bureaucratic pressure or appeals to abstract patriotism. They needed a personal connection. They needed to feel understood. According to sources with intimate knowledge of the situation, Chelle recognised that the greatest barrier between Nigeria and Ilenikhena was not a lack of affection for his homeland, but a cultural
disconnect. Having left Nigeria as a toddler, Ilenikhena’s comfort zone was entirely francophone. Taking matters into his own hands, Chelle initiated direct contact with the striker. Crucially, the coach conducted the entire conversation in fluent French. That shared language created an immediate, natural bridge between the Ivorian-born tactician and the Monaco-trained forward. Chelle didn’t just pitch a sporting project; he spoke to Ilenikhena in the language of his footballing education, explaining exactly how his specific skillset would revolutionise the Super Eagles’ attack. It was a masterstroke of emotional intelligence. Chelle personally convinced the young striker that his international future lay not in Paris, but in Abuja. Long before the official 24-man squad list for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers was emailed to journalists, the digital world had already begun to catch on to Chelle’s courtship. The first subtle clue arrived on social media when Chelle shared a video clip of a spectacular Ilenikhena goal on his personal Instagram Story. At the time, it seemed like a manager simply admiring an eligible talent, but in retrospect, it was a public declaration of intent. The definitive confirmation of Ilenikhena’s allegiance came in spectacular fashion in early September. Rather than waiting for a dry, official press release from the NFF, the young striker took control of his own narrative. He posted a striking photograph of himself on social media, proudly sporting a Super Eagles jersey while standing beside a majestic, sculpted statue of a Nigerian eagle. The caption was short, punchy, and left no room for ambiguity: “Naija”. Among the thousands of likes that flooded the post within minutes, one stood out to eagle-eyed fans: Eric Chelle’s. The public digital endorsement was the final prelude to the official squad announcement. When the call-up finally became official, the emotional weight of the decision truly hit home for the teenager. “It is an honour, and I am so proud to represent the country where I was born,” Ilenikhena later revealed, his voice carrying the genuine excitement of a young man stepping into his destiny. The very first thing he did upon seeing his name on the list was pick up the phone. “I immediately called my parents after receiving the news. They were so happy for me.” Yet, making the decision on paper was entirely different from walking into a locker room filled with continental superstars. When Ilenikhena arrived at the Super Eagles camp, he was suddenly sharing breakfast tables and training pitches with players he had only ever watched on television. The transition was daunting.
“I was shy to see them at first,” Ilenikhena admitted with a candid smile during an interview shared by the Super Eagles media team. “But when I spoke to them, I saw that they were very calm and welcoming.” The veteran players, recognising both his immense talent and his initial nervousness, wrapped their arms around the newcomer, ensuring he felt like a brother rather than an outsider. That locker-room warmth translated directly into on-field chemistry. When Osimhen’s injury forced Chelle to alter his tactical plans for the Madagascar clash, the manager didn’t hesitate to thrust his new recruit straight into the starting eleven. “Before the match, I was thinking to do my best, to give my best on the pitch, to help the team, and to score my first goal,” Ilenikhena said. His firsthalf stoppage-time equalizer proved that he possesses the temperament required for international football. It was a goal born of pure focus, erasing Madagascar’s early advantage and resetting the tone for the entire squad. Reflecting on his dream debut, the forward made it clear that he isn’t content with just being a flash in the pan. “I feel very happy and proud to score my first goal with this national team,” he said. “As a striker, my job is to score goals. This is a very big step for me in my young career. I am very happy, but I hope for more goals, to help the team in the best way possible, and to win many trophies with Nigeria.” When asked about the players who shaped his footballing philosophy, Ilenikhena’s answers perfectly bridged Nigeria’s glorious past and its vibrant present. “I watched Jay-Jay Okocha growing up, and now I watch Victor Osimhen,” he revealed. “I will continue to work hard and do my best on the pitch to make sure I am always in this team.” With his debut goal secured, Ilenikhena enters an incredibly terrifying Super Eagles attacking arsenal. Alongside Osimhen, Akor Adams, and Tolu Arokodare, Nigeria now boasts one of the most physically imposing and prolific young striking collectives on the African continent. As the road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations begins to intensify, Eric Chelle’s French connection has not only secured a generational talent for Nigeria, but it has also ensured that the future of the Super Eagles’ attack remains in incredibly safe, clinical hands. For Ilenikhena, the journey has only just begun.
T H I S D AY, T h e sat u r day N e w s pa p e r O C T O B ER 3, 2026
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GLOBAL SOCCER
One of the highlights of Independence Day Chaos in the Ring was the battle between Ezra and Muibi Lekan
L-R: Chairman, Lagos State Athletics Association, Solomon Alao; mother of 2026 World Championships bronze medalist, Mrs. Oluwajemi Ajayi at the reception organised for Ajayi for LSAAA yesterday in Lagos
Man City Whistle Blower to Lose Witness Protection The Portuguese computer hacker who released documents which led to the Premier League investigation into Manchester City is set to lose his witness protection despite his fears he could be assassinated. Football Leaks founder, Rui Pinto released a tranche of confidential football documents, including emails and financial records relating to the English Premier League side. In 2018, he shared documents with German magazine, Der Spiegel, which used them for investigations into City’s finances and alleged breaches of financial fair play rule. Last week, City were found guilty on all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons, which they have appealed. Pinto became part of Portugal’s witness protection programme in 2020 after agreeing to co-operate with authorities and provide files obtained through the Football Leaks operation. He posted on X yesterday,
Financial Regulations Breach external that the decision to terminate his participation in the programme on 10 October has put him in a “life-threatening situation”. The 37-year-old said it had left him with no alternative but to relocate to an undisclosed location for an indefinite period because of “multiple death threats” and “the serious risk of an assassination attempt”. BBC Sport has approached the Commission for the Protection of Victims of Crimes in Portugal for comment. Pinto has described himself as a whistleblower, but was convicted in Portugal of offences including illegal access to data and attempted extortion and given a fouryear suspended sentence. He wore a bulletproof vest during his first trial in 2020, which was also subject to heightened security measures. Earlier this year, he was acquitted in a second trial of 241 counts of illegally accessing email accounts belonging to a number of sports bodies
in Portugal, including Benfica. On Wednesday, Pinto turned his attention to Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, saying he had “become a cancer on football” and should “have no place in the future of the game”. Pinto repeated allegations from 2018 that Infantino intervened to help City and Paris St-Germain avoid financial fair play sanctions from European football’s governing body Uefa. Infantino’s position has recently come under increased pressure following controversial plans to sell stakes in the governing body’s competitions, such as the World Cup, to private investors. A statement from Pinto’s lawyers released on Friday said the decision to end his participation in the witness protection programme left him at heightened risk, noting legal proceedings stemming from the leaks remained ongoing, including the case against Manchester City. Pinto has set up a fundraising page to help him “survive this serious situation”, which he claims was “created by the Portuguese State”.
Lagos State Athletics Association Honours Ajayi Kanyinsola, Family The Lagos State Athletics Association has celebrated Nigerian sprint sensation and national record holder, Ajayi Kanyinsola, in recognition of his outstanding achievements on the international athletics stage, honouring him in the presence of his family and young athletes. Ajayi, an indigene of Lagos State who rose from Ikorodu to become one of the prominent names in global sprinting, was hosted by the state he proudly represented at the 2022 National Sports Festival in Asaba, where he clinched a gold medal for Lagos. From representing Lagos at the National Sports Festival to competing for Nigeria at the World Athletics U20
Championships, Ajayi’s journey has been marked by determination, consistency, and remarkable progression. The Commonwealth Games medallist currently holds the Nigerian national record in the men’s 100m, with an impressive personal best of 9.84 seconds, a mark he established earlier this year. His remarkable 2026 season has seen him deliver notable performances on the global stage. At the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, he secured two medals for Nigeria before progressing to the Diamond League Final, where he finished on the podium. He also finished fourth at the World Athletics Ultimate
Championships, following an impressive campaign that included several competitive outings during the NCAA season. A one-time NCAA 100m champion, Ajayi’s achievements have continued to place him among the leading Nigerian sprinters competing at the highest level of international athletics. The celebration was organised by the Lagos State Athletics Association, under the chairmanship of Dr. Solomon Alao, to recognise his accomplishments and acknowledge the dedication, sacrifices, and support of the family and coaches who contributed to his journey.
Super Eagles Storm Russia for October 6 Friendly The Super Eagles have arrived in Russia ahead of their international friendly against the hosts, with Kelechi Iheanacho and several other players among the early arrivals for the October 6 encounter. Nigeria’s delegation reached Russia on Friday as preparations began for the fixture at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Benjamin Fredrick, Akor Adams, Em-
manuelFernandezandPopoola defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau. Abdulrasaq are among the However, Chelle has been forced players who have joined up to make changes to his squad with the squad. The friendly after captain Wilfred Ndidi and will provide head coach, Éric defenderAkpe Victory withdrew Chelle with an opportunity from the Russia assignment. The to assess several players after reason for Ndidi’s withdrawal has Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa not been officially disclosed, while Cup of Nations qualifying Victory was forced out after sufmatches against Madagascar fering an injury in training. The and Guinea-Bissau. The Super Nigeria Football Federation Eagles defeated Madagascar subsequently confirmed two 2-1 in Uyo before suffering a 3-0 late replacements.
Blood, Brawls, Bitter Feuds: The Night Federal Palace Ring Exploded into Pure Chaos The highly anticipated “Chaos in the Ring” boxing event, which took place Thursday night on October 1, 2026, at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. Organised by Balmoral Promotions as an Independence Day special, the night featured intense drama, celebrity showdowns, and actual firecracker scares. The ring at the Federal Palace Hotel on October 1 transformed into a theater of absolute, unscripted chaos. What was promised as a night of structured celebrity exhibition bouts rapidly devolved into a wild, unforgettable spectacle where personal feuds completely overrode the rulebook. The tone was set early when Appah and Freezy squared off. Instead of a tactical boxing match, the encounter immediately became a furious, swinging brawl.Appah threw wild hooks with pure, unfiltered aggression, completely abandoning any defensive stance. Freezy countered
CHAOS IN THE RING with heavy, calculated right hands that echoed through the packed hall. The referee was practically invisible as the two men traded devastating blows, refusing to back down until security had to physically separate them long after the bell. Ghana’s Freezy however eventually dethronedAppah. Before the crowd could even catch its breath, the arena erupted for Carter Efe versus Speed Darlington. This was less of a sporting event and more of a surreal comedic tragedy. Carter Efe entered the ring with high-energy theatrics, but Akpi brought a completely unpredictable energy. Within seconds, formal boxing stances vanished. Speed Darlington began chasing Carter around the canvas, throwing unorthodox, looping punches while shouting taunts. Carter Efe fired back with chaotic flurries, sending the audience into absolute hysterics as the two internet
personalities stumbled, swung, and wrestled each other against the ropes. Efe was eventually declared the winner, and after the bout. The tension reached its absolute boiling point when Nkechi Blessing and Phyna took center stage. The rivalry between the two women had been simmering for weeks, and the ring could barely contain the explosiveanimosity.Fromtheopening sound of the bell, they bypassed all boxing technicalities. It became an intense, high-stakes scrap fueled by sheer pride. They traded fierce combinations, trading blows with an intensity that stunned the judges. The crowd roared, completely divided, as both women fought with unrelenting grit, refusing to give an inch of ground. Phyna, whose real name is Josephina Otabor, knocked out actress Nkechi Blessing in their scheduled four-round contest to make history as the winner of Nigeria’s first female celebrity boxing bout. Other interesting fixtures include Ezra vs Lekan, Kareem Ozman vs Babatunde Omotola and Basit Adebayo vs Yusuf Adeniji
Chukwue, Adams Make Serie A Top 10 African Rankings
Super Eagles stars, Samuel Chukwueze and Akor Adams have climbed into the top 10 ranking of the most valuable African players in the Italian Serie A. The duo are among six Nigeria internationals who feature among the 50 most valuable Africans in the division. According to Transfermarkt’s Serie A market-value ranking filtered for African players, Chukwueze is sixth at €20 million, putting the AC Milan winger behind Senegal’sAssane Diao, Ivory Coast’s Ange-Yoan Bonny and Evan Ndicka, Senegal midfielder Pape Matar Sarr and Ivory Coast’s Christ Inao Oulaï. The 27-year-old’s valuation comes after an eventful summer at Milan, where he scored
against Manchester United and one shot-stopper on the list. The supplied two assists in a 4-2 pre- only other African goalkeeper season victory in Wrocław. The on the chart is Senegal and AC winger, one of Super Eagles’ most Monza star Demba Thiam at valuable, also started Nigeria’s 42nd. At 21, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro 2-1 win over Madagascar in September before staying on the is Nigeria’s youngest representabench during the subsequent tive and ranks 23rd at €7m. The 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau. Monza midfielder is contracted Adams occupies joint-ninth to Inter and spent the 2025/26 place at €15m, level with Ivory campaign on loan at Pisa. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, valued Coast’s Odilon Kossounou and Cameroon’s Frank An- at €6m, is joint-24th. The Lazio guissa. The 26-year-old striker midfielder joined the Rome club joined Venezia permanently in July 2025 and has earned 19 from Sevilla in July on a con- Nigeria caps. Kevin Akpoguma completes tract running until June 2030, giving him a fresh Serie A the Nigerian six in joint-46th at platform after scoring 10 €1.5m. The 31-year-old centregoals in 37 appearances for the back is now with Frosinone and has been part of their 2026/27 Spanish club. Maduka Okoye is next, rank- Serie A squad. Together, the six ing joint-16th at €10m, with the Nigerians carry a combined Udinese goalkeeper the number market value of €59.5m.
The former Nigerian number one tennis player and Davis Cup star, Destiny Ford Da-Silva, is set to host a new nationaltennischampionshipin Lagos, with a total prize purse of 0 million naira across several categories. The Destiny Ford Da-Silva Foundation will host the Destiny Da-Silva Tennis Open Championship from 13-21 November, 2026, at the tennis section of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. The week-long championship is expected to bring
together some of Nigeria’s leading tennis players from across the country and will feature Men’s and Women’s SinglesandDoubles,Wheelchair Men’sandWomen’sSinglesand Doubles, and Men’s Veterans Singles. The Men’s and Women’s Singles champions will receive 1.5 million naira each, while the remaining prize money will be distributed across all the participating categories. The Organisers also announced a 30,000 subsidy allowance for all the main draw
Ex-Davis Cup Star Launches New National Tennis Tourney in Lagos
players for the duration of the championship. Players are expected to register throughtheirrespectiveStateTennisAssociationsaheadofthequalifyingrounds,whicharescheduled to begin on Friday, 13 November. The Main Draw will commence on Monday, 16 November, with the championship running until 21 November. The tournament represents a majornewinvestmentinNigeria’s domestic tennis calendar and is expected to attract players from different parts of the country to the National Stadium in Lagos.
Price: N400
SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, 2026 • T H I S D AY, T H E S AT U R D AY N E W S PA P E R
BACK PAGE LEAD PHOTOGRAPH
MKO DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE...
L-R: Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the official launch of the premiere of the MKO documentary in cinemas nationwide held at Wole Soyinka center for culture and creative Arts, Lagos ...recently
OKEYIKECHUKWU Chukwuemeka Chikelu, 22 Years Ago EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com
W
ithout consulting anyone, former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Chief Chukwuemeka Chikelu went and turned 60 a few days ago. He has the same birth month and date with the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The same October 1st of a country he served with exemplary diligence, patriotism and deliberate selflessness. As his Special Assistant and Chiefof-Staff, at the time, I saw first hand what it means to work with a man who understand the declaration in our constitution that the primary purpose of Chukwuemeka Chikelu government is to cater for the welfare orientation and overall disposition as a and security of the people. His tenure, minister, differs remarkably from what
we are seeing everywhere today., wherein government epitomizes the absence of its very raison d’etre. If the primary business of anyone in public office is to focus on everything that would strengthen the welfare of the people and ensure a more secure nation, then it must also be said that many who have held, and who are still holding, are in office for the wrong reasons. What we have today, after 26 years of democracy, is are harvests of kidnappers, bandits, broad spectrum poverty and robbers. We have also enthroned consumption, the cheerful squandering of humongous wealth, negative economic pressures among other unpleasant markers of our democracy. Below, reproduced in substantial
measure, is an article that appeared on this page seven years ago, under the title “When Chikelu Was Minister”. It arose from an occasion when I had to speak about my former boss and friend, Chief Chukwuemeka Chikelu, at a round table organized in Abuja, to address the crisis of leadership in Nigeria. His name came up with nostalgic reference and acclaim. The article under reference said: “As his former Special Assistant and Chief of Staff, I found myself in the rather uncomfortable situation of having to give an impromptu account of the man and what propelled him to serve Nigeria the way he did as a minister”. I started thus: Continued on page 27
OBINNACHIMA EDGY OPTIMIST
obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com
Nigeria at 66: Unlocking Low-hanging Fruit for Economic Growth
S
ince gaining independence on October 1, 1960, Nigeria has pursued one economic ambition after another, from industrialisation, diversification and inclusive growth — yet the fundamental challenge of how to turn the country’s vast natural, human and productive resources into sustained economic prosperity remains. Some of the factors that have stalled the country’s industrialisation story in the past 66 years include policy somersaults, market failures, lack of political will and market distortions. These challenges have, over the years, constrained investment,
weakened domestic production and made it difficult for industries to operate at the scale required to transform the economy. Indeed, the slow pace of industrialisation has contributed to the nation’s disappointing performance in tackling poverty and creating enough productive jobs for its growing youth population. More importantly, weak domestic production has left Nigeria heavily dependent on imports, exposing the economy to external shocks and fluctuations in global commodity prices. That vulnerability becomes particularly evident whenever commodity prices decline or global growth slows. With
a large share of domestic demand still met through imports, pressure on foreign exchange easily translates into pressure on the naira, making the currency a key barometer of the economy’s underlying strengths and vulnerabilities. Nigeria no doubt has enormous economic potential due to its abundant resources and young population. The country has the potential to manufacture many products that are currently being imported. Its investment appetite is huge and driven by many opportunities, as well as the level of return on investment. It is well documented that Nigeria has a difficult business environment.
The country ranks low in the global ease of doing business ratings as it faces challenges in areas such as getting electricity, registering property, paying taxes, and resolving insolvency. Additionally, Nigeria’s economic growth is severely hampered by corruption, which both local and foreign investors frequently point to as a major deterrent to conducting business in the country. The harsh business environment has also been largely attributed to lack of government’s commitment to policy execution, among others, as successive Continued on page 27
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