MONDAY 19TH MAY 2025

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has appealed to the federal government to deploy decisive strategies that would ensure that Marte town did not fall to Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents. Zulum, who was actively involved in coordinating security logistics till late in the night on

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the governor emphasised that his visit to Marte was to foster community cooperation, resilience and continuous support to the security agencies. He stated, “Marte was Continued on page 5 Spends night coordinating security logistics

Saturday, undertook a tour to assess the challenges faced in Marte, while also exploring sustainable solutions to foster stability.

Before Zulum's arrival, Marte was completely deserted following a Boko Haram attack last Friday, with thousands taking refuge in Dikwa town.

Tinubu Meets Pope Leo XIV, Stresses Importance of Peace and Tolerance

Pontiff

WHEN LOVE OF SPORTS UNITES FRENEMIES...

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (L) with Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, exchanging pleasantries during the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (R) exchanging pleasantries with the new Pope, Leo XIV, during his inauguration in Rome, yesterday

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Minister of State for Petroleum

Lokpobiri,

billion

Ex-US Leader, Biden, Diagnosed with ‘Aggressive’ Prostate Cancer

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones, according to a statement from his personal office yesterday.

“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing

urinary symptoms. On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” the statement said.

Biden, 82, and his family “are

reviewing treatment options with his physicians,” the statement seen by CNN said.

Biden was at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, this last weekend according to a source familiar. CNN said it has inquired about where the former president is being treated.

The news comes days after a spokesperson for Biden said the former president was recently

evaluated for a “small nodule” discovered on his prostate.

Concerns about age and health dogged Biden, the nation’s oldest sitting president, throughout his time in office and came into sharper focus following his halting debate performance against Donald Trump last June.

In February 2024, Biden underwent a physical at Walter Reed National Military Center

overseen by his physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor, who at the time said there were “no new concerns” with the president’s health and he was “fit for duty.” Biden has maintained a relatively low profile since leaving the White House but has slowly started to reemerge on the public stage. He appeared earlier this month on ABC’s “The View,” where he

TINUBU MEETS POPE LEO XIV, STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF PEACE AND TOLERANCE

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, joined other world leaders to attend the inauguration mass of the new head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican City.

Tinubu, who arrived Rome on Saturday, felicitated the new Pope on his ascendancy to Catholic Papacy.

At the end of the inauguration mass, Tinubu, like other world leaders, took his turn to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with the Pope.

Tinubu told newsmen afterwards that he felt good being part of the inauguration of the new Pope. He said his visit was "consistent in the true sense of unity in diversity and I am greatly honoured. We have to continue to work on it. It’s a work in progress for the sake of our country and the continent as a whole".

On the side-lines of the ceremony, he met with Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 poll, Peter Obi, and former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi. Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, who tweeted on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956, said, "Fayemi sighted President Tinubu, where he sat with other leaders and asked Obi to follow him to pay homage to the Nigerian leader. Obi agreed.

"On getting to the president, Fayemi broke the ice between Obi and Tinubu. He said, Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.

"President Tinubu, ever quickwitted, responded: ‘I should be the one welcoming you and Peter. I’m the Head of the Nigerian Delegation.’ The President’s response cracked up Obi, who agreed with the President.

Adviser, Media and Communication, to the minister, Nneamaka Okafor, quoted Lokpobiri as saying that key legal and governance frameworks had been concluded, while capital mobilisation discussions had recorded encouraging commitments from both member nations and private investors.

AEB, a newly established financial institution created to support energy development across Africa, seeks to mobilise capital for energy infrastructure projects in the face of declining foreign investment due to the global energy transition.

It has an initial capital target of $5 billion, with plans to scale up to $120 billion subsequently.

Funded by Afreximbank, APPO member states, national oil companies, and private sector investors, the bank is headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria.

resettled about four years ago, but unfortunately, over the last three days, it was ransacked and was displaced again.

“About 20,000 people left Marte for Dikwa. This huge number is a threat, as allowing them to stay in the camp may make

"Obi said: ‘Yes, indeed. We are members of your delegation’. Peter Obi and Fayemi are staunch Catholics and Papal knights."

Tinubu had earlier on arrival in Rome on Saturday been hosted to dinner by Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro.

In a post on his verified official X handle, the president said their dialogue was marked by a spirit of fraternity and a shared vision for peace, mutual respect, and global solidarity.

He said Nigeria deeply valued the Vatican’s longstanding goodwill and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, tolerance, and cooperation in what he described as an increasingly polarised world.

Tinubu wrote, "Upon my arrival in Rome ahead of the solemn Mass marking the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I was warmly received and graciously hosted to dinner by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State to the Vatican.

"Our dialogue was marked by a spirit of fraternity and a shared vision for the future, focusing on common values such as peace, mutual respect, and global solidarity.

“I expressed Nigeria’s deep appreciation for the Vatican’s longstanding goodwill and reaffirmed our commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, tolerance, and cooperation in an increasingly polarised world.

"As always, Nigeria remains a nation open to friendship, grounded in faith, and committed to building bridges of understanding across the world."

When he received some members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria, Tinubu urged Nigerians to use their diversity for the country's stability and rapid

Lokpobiri said, “The AEB is poised to become a transformative financing platform for energy projects across the continent. This review confirms that every critical milestone is either completed or on schedule, and we remain fully aligned with our continental partners.

“Many thanks to President Bola Tinubu for his support and commitment to seeing this project to fruition."

The minister emphasised that Nigeria’s role as host country reflected its long-standing leadership within Africa’s hydrocarbons sector.

He reiterated the stakeholders’ commitment to transparency and efficiency throughout the final preparatory stages.

“Our collective focus is on delivering a bank that catalyses investment, accelerates energy

most of the younger ones become vulnerable to recruitment by the insurgents.

“Alhamdulillah, we returned to Marte yesterday and spent the night with the support of the Nigerian Army and our volunteers. The community is

development.

The president, according to a release by Onanuga, issued a stirring call to leaders at all levels to work for the betterment of the citizenry.

Tinubu, a Muslim, said, "If we use our diversity not for adversity but for prosperity, the country's hope is stability and progress."

He said being the president of Nigeria when a new Pope was inaugurated in Rome. as historic.

The Catholic bishops were part of President Tinubu's delegation to Pope Leo XIV's installation mass on Sunday.

Earlier, Archbishop of Owerri and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, thanked Tinubu for facilitating their visits to the Vatican to bury the late Pope Francis and witness the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV.

Ugorji said the development signalled a new era of a more robust relationship between the president and the Catholic Bishops' Conference.

He said, "You are always there for us. Now that you have come to the Vatican, whenever we have our conference in Nigeria, we will also invite you, and we look forward to interfacing with you just as you were able to do with the Holy Father."

Archbishops Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Mathew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, attended the meeting with the president.

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV formally began his reign yesterday, with several world leaders, including Tinubu, United States Vice President J.D Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, among others, in attendance.

Other world leaders at the ceremony were the presidents of

security, and drives economic growth across Africa,” Lokpobiri added.

In his remarks, the APPO chief, Ibrahim, commended the pace of work, saying, “We are impressed by Nigeria’s dedication to meeting the stringent requirements for bank establishment. The collaboration we witnessed today signals a unified resolve to deliver affordable, sustainable energy to Africans.”

Echoing the same sentiment, Afreximbank's Oramah stated that the bank was ready to deploy its structuring expertise and capital base to ensure AEB was launched with the strength and credibility required to attract global co-investors.

During the briefing, the parties confirmed that a definitive launch timeline and inaugural board meeting date had been fixed and will be announced shortly.

now resettled for the second time.

“Still, my prayers to the federal government of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army are that we do everything possible to keep this town on the ground.

“Hitherto, Marte local government comprised over

Israel, Peru and the prime ministers of Italy, Canada and Australia. German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, also graced the occasion.

European royals, including Spanish King Felipe and Queen Letizia, also took their place in the VIP seats near the main altar, a Reuters report said.

Calling for unity and vowing to preserve the Catholic Church's heritage as well as not rule like "an autocrat", the Pope said as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Roman Catholics, he would continue Francis' legacy on social issues, such as combating poverty and protecting the environment.

After a first ride in the popemobile through an estimated crowd of up to 200,000 people at St. Peter's Square and surrounding streets, Leo was officially installed as the 267th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church at an outdoor Mass.

Well-wishers waved US and Peruvian flags, with people from both countries claiming him as the first pope from their nations.

Born in Chicago, the 69-yearold pontiff spent many years as a missionary in Peru and also has Peruvian citizenship.

Robert Prevost, relatively unknown on the world stage, only became a cardinal two years ago, and was elected Pope on May 8 after a short conclave of cardinals that lasted barely 24 hours.

He succeeded Francis, an Argentine, who died on April 21 after leading the Church for 12 often turbulent years during which he battled with traditionalists and championed the cause of the poor and marginalised, the Reuters report added.

In his sermon, read in fluent Italian, Leo said he would continue Francis' legacy on social issues,

Separately, Lokpobiri flagged off construction of the permanent site for Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy, Alkaleri (BOGAA), saying the move by the Bauchi State government will contribute to the federal government's human capacity development plan in the energy sector.

During the flag-off ceremony, the minister explained that the imperative to activate all available oil platforms for increased production led the president to grant approvals for the issuance of all critical regulatory licenses for the Kolmani Integrated Development Projects.

“Our objective is to make every productive oil platform count towards national growth,” the minister said.

He highlighted the president's broader agenda to harness the full potential of Nigeria’s energy sector

300 towns and villages. Now we have only one standing.

“If we cannot maintain this one, then we will lose the whole local government to the insurgents, which will be very obnoxious, and I think we will not allow this to happen.

Biden pushed back on suggestions he experienced cognitive decline in his final year in office. “They are wrong,” Biden said. “There is nothing to sustain that,” he added.

such as combating poverty and protecting the environment.

He vowed to face up to "the questions, concerns and challenges of today’s world” and, in a nod to conservatives, he promised to preserve "the rich heritage of the Christian faith," repeatedly calling for unity.

Crowds chanted "Viva il Papa" (Long Live the Pope) and "Papa Leone", his name in Italian, as he waved from the open-topped popemobile ahead of his inaugural Mass.

Vance, a Catholic convert who clashed with Francis over the White House's hardline immigration policies, led a US delegation alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also Catholic.

Vance briefly shook hands with Zelenskiy at the start of the ceremony. The two men last met in February at the White House, when they clashed fiercely in front of the world's media.

Zelenskiy and Leo were to have a private meeting later on Sunday, while Vance was expected to see the pope on Monday.

In a brief appeal at the end of the Mass, Leo addressed several global conflicts. He said Ukraine was being "martyred", a phrase often used by Francis, and called for a "just and lasting peace" there.

He also mentioned the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and said people in the Palestinian enclave were being "reduced to starvation". Among those in the crowds were many pilgrims from the US and Peru.

Since becoming pope, Leo had signalled some key priorities for his papacy, including a warning about the dangers posed by artificial intelligence and the importance of bringing peace to the world and to the Church itself.

Francis' papacy left a divided Church, with conservatives accusing

in driving economic prosperity.

“Mr. President is intentional about transforming our energy landscape into one that fuels industrial growth, creates jobs, and enhances national revenue,” Lokpobiri stated.

Commending the Bauchi State government for aligning with the national vision, the minister stated that the establishment of the academy demonstrated the state’s forward-thinking approach to energy sector participation.

He said, “With this academy, Bauchi is making a strategic contribution to the development of the human capital needed to drive our sector forward.”

The minister also pointed to the abundant fossil fuel reserves within the country and stressed the importance of local capacity in managing and sustaining the sector.

He acknowledged the ongoing

“Therefore, I am calling on the federal government and the Nigerian Army so that we can put heads together and hold our ground for this single town in this LGA to remain.”

The governor reiterated his commitment to supporting

him of sowing confusion, particularly with his extemporaneous remarks on issues of sexual morality, such as same-sex unions.

Saying he was taking up his mission "with fear and trembling", Leo used the words "unity" or "united" seven times on Sunday and the word "harmony" four times. "It is never a question of capturing others by force, by religious propaganda or by means of power. Instead, it is always and only a question of loving, as Jesus did," he said, in apparent reference to a war of words between Catholics, who define themselves as conservative or progressive.

Conservatives also accused Francis of ruling in a heavy-handed way and lamented that he belittled their concerns and did not consult widely before making decisions.

Referring to St. Peter, the 1st Century Christian apostle from whom popes derive their authority, Leo said, "Peter must shepherd the flock without ever yielding to the temptation to be an autocrat, lording it over those entrusted to him. On the contrary, he is called to serve the faith of his brothers and sisters, and to walk alongside them." Leo shook many of their hands at the end of the ceremony, and hugged his brother Louis, who had travelled from Florida.

As part of the ceremony, Leo received two symbolic items: a liturgical vestment known as a pallium, a sash of lambswool representing his role as a shepherd, and the "fisherman's ring", recalling St. Peter, who was a fisherman. The ceremonial gold signet ring is specially cast for each new pope and can be used by Leo to seal documents, although this purpose has fallen out of use in modern times. It shows St. Peter holding the keys to Heaven and will be broken after his death or resignation, Reuters said.

efforts of the federal government, through the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), in supporting human capital and technological advancement. Lokpobiri stated, “PTDF has played a critical role in ensuring that our sector is not just productive but also future-ready.”

He expressed hope that BOGAA would establish a strong partnership with PTDF to ensure the success and sustainability of its programmes.

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, thanked the federal government for its support and reiterated the state’s commitment to the academy’s success.

“This institution will serve as a foundation for skill acquisition and innovation that will benefit not just Bauchi State but the entire nation,” Mohammed said.

security agencies in attaining lasting peace in Borno State.

“On my part as the governor of Borno State, I would do everything within my power to support our gallant military in their efforts towards lasting peace in our beloved state,” he said.

Deji Elumoye and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

ENERGY BANK ON THEIR MINDS.. .

Lokpobiri; and Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation, Dr. Umar Farouk, during the meeting in preparation for the launch of the Afreximbank Energy Bank, held in Abuja…recently

SERAP Tells NNPC to Account for Alleged Missing N500 Billion

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Bayo Ojulari, to account for the whereabouts of an alleged missing N500 billion.

It said the NNPC failed to remit the amount to the Federation Account between October 2024 and December

2024, as revealed by the World Bank.

SERAP urged Ojulari to identify those suspected to be involved, surcharge them for the full amount involved, and hand them over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and prosecution.

SERAP also urged Ojulari to invite the EFCC and ICPC to

investigate the spending and whereabouts of the alleged N500 billion, and to ensure the full recovery and remittance of the money to the Federation Account without further delay.

The World Bank had last week disclosed that out of the N1.1 trillion revenue from crude sales and other income in 2024, the NNPC only remitted N600 billion, leaving a deficit of N500bn unaccounted for. The International Monetary Fund

(IMF) also recently called for the subsidy removal savings to be transferred to the national budget.

In a Freedom of Information request dated May 17, 2025 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “There is a legitimate public interest in explaining the whereabouts of the alleged missing N500 billion oil money and grave violations of the Nigerian Constitution 1999.

Akpe Lauds Century Group on Lifting of New Oil Blend

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The Director General of the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe has extended warm congratulations to Bayelsa-born business mogul, Chief Ken Etete, on the landmark achievement of lifting Obodo blend oil for international export.

In a statement on behalf of the Central Organising Committee (COC), Akpe lauded Etete's commitment and sacrifices that have culminated in this remarkable feat.

The organisers of the Governor’s tournament, also called the Prosperity Cup, expressed delight in the growth

and success of Century Group in the oil sector, acknowledging the company's significant contributions to the nation's economy.

Akpe highlighted the symbiotic relationship between the Prosperity Cup and Century Group, noting that the company's support for the tournament in the past speaks volumes about its dedication to youth and sports development in the Niger Delta region.

" When I paid a courtesy call to your corporate headquarters earlier in the year, I was excited about your commitment to support the youths of the Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta region in general. We are

TCN Seeks End to

thus quite thrilled to partner with Century Group and appreciate the trust you've placed in us over the years," he said.

The Prosperity Cup boss emphasised that Etete's leadership and vision had been instrumental in Century Group's success, particularly in the oil sector. "Your achievement is a testament to your hard work and dedication. We're not surprised, given Century Group's reputation as a leading brand in Nigeria," Akpe added.

He further noted that Century Group's support for the Prosperity Cup reflects its commitment to positively engaging youths in the

state. "Sports is a powerful tool for youth development, and we appreciate your recognition of its importance," Akpe said.

The Prosperity Cup organisers said they look forward to continued collaboration with Century Group, leveraging sports as a catalyst for youth empowerment and development in Bayelsa State, especially in this year's edition.

"We look forward to your distinguished support in this 7th edition, and are honoured to partner with Century Group. We commend your recent achievements and pray that God continues to bless your endeavors," Akpe concluded.

Power Assets

Vandalism, Wants Communities’ Buy-in

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) at the weekend decried the incessant attacks on its power assets nationwide, appealing to host communities to support the fight against the sabotage of power transmission towers. Nigeria's national power grid has been increasingly compromised by a surge in vandalism targeting the TCN infrastructure. For instance, it is believed that between January 9 and 14, 2025, over 18 transmission towers were vandalised across Rivers, Abia, and Kano states, with components stolen.

The financial toll is substantial; the federal government spent a

substantial amount in 2024 to repair about 128 vandalised towers.

TCN’s General Manager for Port Harcourt Region, Mr Akpa Anyaegbunam, who made the appeal during a sensitisation programme for youths from Ahoada East and Ahoada West areas in Igbu Ehuda, Rivers, emphasised that the vandalism of power infrastructure presented a significant setback not only to the affected communities but also to Nigeria’s overall socioeconomic development. According to him, beyond the substantial financial costs incurred in repairing damaged infrastructure, such acts resulted in prolonged power outages, thereby disrupting economic and domestic activities

for consumers.

“This is why we engaged the youths of Ahoada East and Ahoada West in Rivers State to encourage them to join the fight against vandalism of power installations in their communities,” he explained.

Anyaegbunam stressed the need for young people to actively participate in safeguarding transmission infrastructures, citing a recent incident of sabotage that led to a blackout in Bayelsa. Hundreds of youths from 19 communities in Ahoada East and Ahoada West participated in the one-day sensitisation programme.

Besides, he said the ongoing sensitisation campaign, which covers several communities in

TCN’s Port Harcourt region, was aimed at raising awareness and fostering local participation in the protection of national assets.

The top TCN official revealed that in July 2024, 20 transmission towers were vandalised along the Ahoada-Yenagoa power line, plunging the entire Bayelsa into an avoidable four-month blackout.

“The question we continue to ask is, who are the individuals vandalising these transmission towers? We are not suggesting that the youths themselves are directly involved, but no stranger can enter a community and damage infrastructure without the support or complicity of someone from that community.

“The country’s oil wealth ought to be used solely for the benefit of the Nigerian people, and for the sake of the present and future generations.”

According to SERAP, Nigerians have the right to know why the NNPC failed to remit the subsidy removal savings to the Federation Account, and why the NNPC is deliberately denying states and local governments their allocations from the Account, contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.

“Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of these missing public funds from the NNPC meant for the economic development of the country.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the

receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel the NNPC to comply with our requests in the public interest.

“The missing oil revenue reflects a failure of NNPC accountability more generally and is directly linked to the institution’s continuing failure to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.

“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding the spending of their commonwealth,” it stated.

UN Lauds Nigeria's Private Sector on Opportunities for Women

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

The United Nations (UN) has commended the private sector in Nigeria for giving women more opportunities in the workplace.

The UN women representative to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Beatrice Eyong, made the assertion at the WODDI Inspiring Women WIWS 2025 summit.

With the theme, "Bold Moves, Boundless Impacts," the event was organised by Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI), in Abuja, to inspire women to make bold moves that will bring about boundless impacts.

Speaking on the side-lines, Eyong said, "We have over 200 private enterprises that have adopted what we call women empowerment principles. Those women empowerment principles begin from how you recruit both men and women.

"In the private sector, we have about 20 per cent or 22 per cent of CEOs who are women. So, they are leading. If you look at the National Assembly, it's just five per cent but the private sector is showing a good example."

However, she stated that "we are not yet there, but we will get there”.

Minister of Women Affairs,

Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who was represented by one of her aides, advised women not to settle for less.

"It talks about taking the bold move, moving from your comfort zone to dare the odds and find your place and find your definition and find your reason for well-being. Women should not settle for less."

Addressing the issue of equal opportunities in work places, Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said, "What the women are asking for is not equality in terms of sexes. They're talking about equality in terms of appointments, in terms of the good things that are in the society.

"And at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, under the renewed hope of the present administration, under President Bola Tinubu, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Iman Suleiman Ibrahim, is not resting on her oars."

National President, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Princess Edna Azura, stated that what WODDI was doing aligned with their mandate, adding that it would help in empowering more women. Azura said, "Our mandate is to empower Nigerian women, educate Nigerian women and give them equal representation. And from what we are having from WODDI today, we are moving in the same direction.

L–R: President of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah; Minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken

KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

12TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

OF SEPLAT...

L-R: Chief Financial Officer, Seplat Energy Plc, Mrs. Eleanor Adaralegbe; CEO, Mr. Roger Brown; Chairman, Mr. Udoma Udo Udoma; Director, Legal and Company Secretary, Mrs. Edith Onwuchekwa; COO, Mr. Samson Ezugworie, and Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, Mrs. Bashirat Odunewu during the 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Seplat Energy Plc in Lagos...recently

Tinubu: We Revived NSC to Shield Nation’s Sports Sector from Vested Power Interests

Declares 22nd national sports festival open in Abeokuta

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, declared that his administration resolved to revive the hitherto moribund National Sports Commission (NSC) to shield the administration of sports from bureaucratic bottlenecks and the distractions of vested power interests.

This, according to him, reflected the seriousness with which his administration regarded sports because of the crucial role the sector plays in nation-building. He made this disclosure when he formally declared open the 22nd National Sports Festival, termed ‘Gateway Games Ogun 2024,’ in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Tinubu, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, explained that he revived the NSC after nine years of stagnation, noting that it became necessary to reorganise a sector that has placed Nigeria on the global map.

"We have chosen to shield it from bureaucratic interferences and

the distractions of vested power interests. We want it to thrive, autonomous, innovative, and focused, because we recognise its critical place in building a healthier, stronger, and more united Nigeria.

"For decades, sport has placed Nigeria on the global map, not just in glory, but in grit. From medal-winning Olympians to world-renowned footballers; from heavyweight champions in boxing to our stars on tracks and fields, we have nurtured a lineage of excellence that has made every Nigerian walk taller," he said.

The president noted that for Nigeria and its citizens, sports has graduated from a mere contest of physical strength to the soul of the nation's togetherness, and the "mirror that reflects the possibilities of a truly united nation.

"That is why, here in Nigeria, we have made sport a culture, not merely an event but a way of life. Sport, to us, is a tool for national integration, a rallying ground for patriotism, and a workshop for shaping not just the body, but

Tanzanian Mohamed Yakub Emerges WHO Africa Regional Director

Ihekweazu appointed Executive Director

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

World Health Organisation (WHO) has chosen Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi of Tanzania as next Director of WHO, African Region.

Nigeria's Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu was also appointed as Executive Director of WHO Health Emergencies Programme.

Ihekweazu, who succeeds Dr. Mike Ryan, brings to his job deep expertise in global health security and epidemic intelligence.

A statement by the organisation said Yakub Janabi was nominated yesterday during a Special Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, held in Geneva ahead of the World Health Assembly.

The special session by member states of WHO African Region to elect the next regional director was agreed upon and organised following the sudden and untimely death of Regional Director-elect, Dr Faustine Ndugulile, in November 2024.

Other candidates were Dr N’da Konan Michel Yao (proposed by Cote d’Ivoire), Dr Mohammed Lamine Dramé (proposed by Guinea), and Professor Moustafa Mijiyawa (proposed by Togo).

WHO said Professor Janabi’s

nomination will be submitted for appointment by the 157th session of WHO Executive Board, which takes place from May 28 to 29 in Geneva.

The newly appointed Regional Director will take office thereafter for a five-year term and be eligible for reappointment once.

In his acceptance remarks, Janabi expressed commitment to advancing the health of the people of the region.

“Thank you for your trust in me. I will not let you down. Your support underscores our collective resolve to build a healthier, stronger, and more united Africa,” said Janabi.

WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, congratulated Janabi saying, “As we face challenges ranging from infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases to climate change and limited health financing, we must harness African resilience and unity.

“Prof. Janabi will take the reins at an unprecedented time for the African Region, and WHO as a whole. We are grateful for his experience and expertise as we work together to navigate the challenges we face, and position our organisation to be stronger, sharper and more effective in the future.

also the mind and the spirit of our people," he stated.

On the 22nd National Sports Festival holding in Abeokuta, Tinubu said, apart from serving as a physical contest, the event is a tribute to his administration's "unrelenting commitment to preserving the spirit of sportsmanship, to investing, materially and emotionally, in a practice that defines Nigeria as a people.”

most powerful forces for national cohesion."

The president further observed that even though the choice of hosting the festival took the games to Ogun State, the excitement that came with it resonated across Nigeria, adding it was "proof that sport remains one of the

He applauded Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for playing what he described as "an exceptional host" who has opened the doors of his state to the nation to raise "the bar for what hospitality and organisation mean.

"Ogun State, long known as a gateway to knowledge, industry, culture, and excellence, has today reasserted its place as a gateway to greatness," he added. President Tinubu further implored participants to ensure that the lighting of the torch to mark the commencement of the games symbolised the bond of Nigeria's diversity.

HURIWA Demands Transparency in Federal Government's Conditional Cash Transfer Claims

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) raised concerns over the federal government’s recent claim that 2.3 million households had benefited from the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme, demanding full disclosure of the distribution process and beneficiaries’ data.

During a press briefing at the headquarters of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the director-general, Abisoye CokerOdusote announced the revalidation of 2.3 million individuals under the National Social Safety Nets project, stating that disbursements would soon begin. She emphasised the necessity of

accurate identity verification to ensure targeted support and prevent payments to deceased individuals.

However, HURIWA, in a statement by the national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, expressed deep scepticism, pointing to the absence of publicly accessible data and a lack of transparency in the programme’s implementation.

The association disclosed that it had conducted an independent opinion poll across Nigeria, involving over 50,000 respondents, none of whom had received or knew anyone who had benefited from the cash transfers.

It stated, "The government’s assertion of disbursing funds to 2.3 million households is unconvincing without verifiable evidence," HURIWA stated.

"We demand the immediate publication of the distribution framework and a comprehensive list of beneficiaries in national newspapers to enable public scrutiny."

The association also criticised the government’s management of the CCT initiative, describing the cash transfers as “audio cash” that allegedly end up enriching political affiliates rather than reaching vulnerable citizens.

HURIWA urged the government to end the opaque practices and, instead, prioritise transparency and accountability in handling public welfare funds.

According to the World Bank’s Nigeria Poverty and Equity Brief (October 2024), approximately 47 per cent of Nigerians are projected to live in poverty in 2024, with 45 million people falling into poverty since 2018/19. Similarly, IMF’s 2024 Article IV Consultation report highlighted a rise in poverty and growing food insecurity.

"It is paradoxical that the government claims to be fighting poverty through cash disbursements, while credible international organisations report an escalating poverty crisis," HURIWA remarked.

Referencing recent reports from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), HURIWA stated that poverty levels in Nigeria had continued to worsen.

NACCIMA, Partners Explore Tech Solutions to Boost Nigeria's Agric Sector

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has met with the Türkiye authorities in Nigeria, with a view to exploring the deployment of technology to boost agriculture in the country.

To this end, the Chairman of the Nigeria–Türkiye Business Council (NTBC) and National President of NACCIMA, Mr. Dele Kelvin Oye, led a high-powered delegation on a visit to the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Nigeria, Mehmet Poroy.

Oye’s entourage also comprised members of NTBC, NACCIMA and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WCCIMA), Held at the Turkiye Embassy in

Abuja, the visit served as a strategic dialogue to reaffirm shared goals and deepen Nigeria–Türkiye relations across key sectors.

The meeting emphasised a focus on agricultural innovation and mechanisation as the cornerstone of bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Türkiye, with the urgent need to enhance Nigeria’s agro-industrial productivity through the adoption of Turkish agritech solutions.

In his remarks, Poroy expressed Türkiye’s readiness to support Nigeria with advanced agricultural machinery, food technology, and mechanised systems to increase efficiency and output across the agricultural value chain.

He pledged commitment to enhancing bilateral trade and investment ties between Nigeria and Turkiye. He also commended NTBC's

efforts in promoting Nigeria-Turkiye relations, highlighting the recognition of Nigeria's strategic economic importance and regional influence.

He pledged full support for NTBCled business missions and forums, including the Nigeria–Türkiye Virtual Multisectoral Business Meetings.

Poroy announced plans for the establishment of a Türkiye Consulate in Lagos to boost trade and diplomatic engagement in Southern Nigeria and the introduction of a risk based two-tier visa screening system aimed at encouraging legitimate business travel, reducing entry barriers to ease business travel for Nigerian entrepreneurs.

A high-level delegation visit from Turkiye is scheduled for August 2025 to explore collaboration in tourism, cultural exchange, and investment. Both parties emphasised

the importance of value chain transformation through technology transfer, knowledge exchange, and local capacity building with focus on mechanised farming, post-harvest processing and packaging and storage. He identified these as key components necessary for achieving sustainable agricultural development and food security in Nigeria

On his part, Oye, while presenting NTBC’s activities, emphasised the significance of the visit in strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Türkiye and reiterated NTBC’s commitment to advancing bilateral trade relations through sustained engagement and cooperation.

NTBC’s activities listed include quarterly business exploratory trade missions to Turkiye designed for SMEs and, first time business travelers to Turkiye, among others.

FAYEMI, OBI, TINUBU EXCHANGE PLEASANTRIES AT THE VATICAN...

Sanwo-Olu Receives Premier League Trophy, Reiterates Commitment to Sports, Youth Devt

Guinness Nigeria MD/CEO commends Lagos governor As Enugu gov hosts EPL cup, seeks Guinness’ partnership to grow sports

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Sunday, received the English Premier League Trophy, saying his administration will continue to use sports as a means of engagement, social inclusion and change agent.

The trophy was officially presented to Governor Sanwo-Olu by the Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria PLC, Mr. Girish Sharma, at the Lagos House, Marina.

In a related development, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, when a team of Guinness Nigeria’s management weekend showcased the English Premier League, EPL, trophy, to him at Government House, Enugu.

Mbah expressed his eagerness to partner Guinness Nigeria PLC to accelerate his administration’s sports development effort, describing the state as the home of sporting legends, who have ruled the world of sports as well as home of abundant talents for the future.

Meanwhile, speaking during the ceremony, Governor Sanwo-Olu said that bringing the Premier League Trophy to Lagos showed that "there is something positive about our followership, enthusiasm, and the development of sports in our country, but more importantly in Lagos."

He said: "We are excited that Guinness identifies with us by bringing

the Premier League Trophy to Lagos. It is a trophy that everybody believes is inspirational. It is about using sports as a change agent.

“It is about using sports as a way of connecting to the youth demographic that we have. It is about using sports as a weapon to be able to identify the skills, capacity and capability of our young people. It is about using sports as a strong connection to be socially responsible citizens and individuals and to use it as a means of engagement."

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who earlier received Sharma and his team during a courtesy call at Lagos House, Marina, said his administration will continue to make Lagos hospitable and habitable for businesses to thrive.

He said: "We are indeed happy with what the brand (Guinness Nigeria PLC) has done, especially in sports and other socially responsible areas of endeavours.

“We are indeed happy and excited that it is one of those companies and brands that stayed in Lagos and has grown out of Lagos to other parts of the country and other parts of West Africa. So, we are happy that we continue to make Lagos home to it.

"One of the things that I am going to throw back to you is to see how some of the teams, during their summer break, can come around for two or three days.

NUC Accredits 18 Academic Programs For EKSU

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

In a landmark development of the varsity and following the October/ November, 2024 Accreditation programme conducted by the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja, the Commission has granted full accreditation status to eighteen (18) academic programmes in Ekiti State University, (EKSU) Ado Ekiti.

A statement signed by the Deputy Registrar/Head, Directorate of Information & Corporate Affairs, Bode Olofinmuagun explained that this cheering news was received with excitement by the management, staff and students of the university as it marks another major stride in the university's drive towards academic excellence and honour.

According to the letter conveying the approval, the newly accredited programmes spanned Administration, M.Sc. Business Administration, Master of Personnel Management,

M.Sc. Finance, Master of Public Administration, Master of Business Administration, Arabic Studies, Islamic Studies, Philosophy, Building and Woodwork Technology Education, Electrical and Electronic Technology, Metal and Auto Mechanic Technology, Education Christian Religious Studies, Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Science, Geology, Social Science and Psychology. The letter dated 30th April, 2025 was signed by Engineer Abraham Chundusu, NUC's Acting Director of Accreditation, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of NUC and addressed to the Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti. The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Joseph Babatola Ayodele, described the accreditation as a dream come true and a product of tireless efforts by the academic and administrative staff of the university.

“We don't bite people, we don't eat people, we are just fans. We just want to hug them and take a selfie with them. We want the teams to come and see millions of their fans and identify with the country and the state.

"We want to assure you that we will continue to make Lagos hospitable and habitable for businesses to do well and thrive. We will continue to make the environment worthwhile for every corporate organisation, because we know that it is by doing that that we can develop the economy, we can grow, and people can see a better life for one another."

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria

PLC, Mr. Girish Sharma, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and his team for the good things they are doing in Lagos State.

Sharma, who disclosed that Guinness Nigeria is 75 years old, restated his organisation's commitment to Lagos State.

He said bringing the Premier League Trophy to Lagos will give football fans across the state the opportunity to pose with the trophy is a great feat.

"I am very pleased to be here today to present the Premier League Trophy to football fans and give them the opportunity to stand next to the trophy.

“We make sure the trophy comes to Nigeria because this is one of the largest sporting nations. So, there is no

way this trophy cannot be presented to the Nigerians for them to feel it," he said.

Sharma said his organisation is honoured to be part of Nigeria, noting that the establishment of Guinness in Nigeria show how important is the country and therefore urged Nigerians to believe in Nigeria's potential as a country.

Meanwhile, it is recalled that Guinness Nigeria and the Premier League partnered to bring the iconic silverware for display in Enugu on Friday, May 16 and in Lagos on Saturday May 17 and Sunday, 18 to give EPL’s teeming fans in Nigeria the rare opportunity to experience the trophy.

Speaking during the presentation of the trophy at the Lion Building, Enugu State Government House, Mbah noted that beside putting in place legislative frameworks for sports development, his administration was also embarking on a massive reconstruction of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium and Awgu Games Village preparatory to hosting the 2026 edition of the National Sports Festival.

“Like Guinness, we regard sports as a positive force in Enugu. We are not surprised that the Guinness flagship event is being held here in Enugu. Just like Guinness, we also see sports as a platform to foster social cohesion. We are not just paying lip service to sports; we actually have our skin in the game.

China to Establish Electric Vehicle Factories in Nigeria

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria has harped on the imperative of enhanced collaboration between China and Nigeria in unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s Solid Minerals sector through the establishment of electric vehicle factories in Nigeria.

Speaking while paying a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake in his office at the weekend, HE Yu Dunhai, emphasised that Nigeria is a great country blessed with tremendous natural resources, noting that China has always placed Nigeria in a very pivotal position of her foreign policy.

Recalling the recent high-level engagement between Presidents Bola Tinubu and Xi Jinping during Tinubu’s state visit to China, Ambassador Dunhai noted that both leaders agreed to elevate

bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, creating new opportunities for cooperation.

“Chinese companies are already deeply involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing. We aim to deepen this collaboration, especially in line with President Tinubu’s eight priority areas, notably economic diversification through solid minerals,” he added.

The ambassador noted that the embassy and the Chinese government have always admonished Chinese companies operating in Nigeria to abide by rules and regulations, implement Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and adhere to environmental and safety standards, stressing that the Chinese authorities have zero tolerance for illegal mining, signifying their readiness to work with the Nigerian government to

bring suspected culprits to justice.

In his response, Alake stated that Nigeria appreciates its long-standing relations with China, acknowledging that most Chinese firms operate within legal and regulatory frameworks.

However, he expressed concern over the actions of a few operators tarnishing China’s image, referencing a recent viral video involving a Chinese national allegedly bribing local security agents.

“We've taken action against illegal operators, including some Chinese nationals. While isolated, such incidents undermine the good work of many compliant Chinese firms. We need your cooperation in ensuring that such culprits are brought to justice,” the minister asserted.

the minister also highlighted the impact of the mining marshals established to combat illegal mining

affirming that the outfit has sent the right signal in the sector, raised awareness about the menace and has consequently improved compliance to regulations by both local and foreign operators.

He reiterated that Nigeria is open for business to serious investors, stressing that investments in the nation's mining industry are now focused on local value addition.

“For years, our minerals have been exported raw to fuel foreign industrialization. That must change. We now prioritize local processing to drive Nigeria’s development. For instance, with the abundance of lithium, we want to see local manufacturing of electric vehicles and batteries,” he said. Alake urged HE Dunhai to encourage Chinese investors to commit to full-cycle investments - from extraction to processingwithin Nigeria.

QSRBN Seeks Central Regulatory Body in Construction Industry

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

President of the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN), Obafemi Onashile, has called for the establishment of a central regulatory body to be known as the Building and Engineering Commission (BEC) to sanitise the construction market.

Speaking in Abuja at the 2025 Annual Quantity Surveyors Assembly and induction of newly registered members, Onashile emphasised the urgent need for

the federal government, professionals and regulatory bodies to jointly set up the proposed organisation to curb the current challenges.

Onashile spoke on the theme: "Enhancing the Quantity Surveyors' Capacity in Building, Engineering and Infrastructure Development Contracts, Dispute Management and Resolution."

He argued that the creation of the commission had become imperative to save the sector from further unwholesome practices, especially the activities of quacks. Onashile

suggested that the membership of the proposed agency will be nominees from each of the existing regulatory bodies in the sector.

According to him, the Federal Minister of Housing and Urban Development and Minister of Works, will also have nominees in the proposed commission, lamenting that the construction market is currently open, with all sorts of quacks.

He said: “There are quacks in the market, doing all other duties. Quacks as contractors, quacks as

professionals or designers, and quacks also as surveyors.

"What we are trying to do against this is to now move beyond just controlling each profession. How do we control the market? Who goes to the market? What is available in the market? That is a major issue.

"And with this, we are saying, why doesn't the federal government and the professionals, the regulatory bodies, set up a building and engineering commission to look to control and regulate the market, the construction market.”

L-R: Former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi; Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi; and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the Pope Leo XIV installation mass in Rome, yesterday

Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com 08033025611

PDP Crisis: Of S’East Leaders’Threat to Quit Party

PDP may have itself to blame if the impending mass exit from the party as threatened by the South East leaders of the party at a recent Zonal Executive Committee meeting happens, writes Deji Elumoye.

The troubles ravaging the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a dramatic turn for the worse last week when leaders of the party from the South East geo-political zone threatened to review the zone’s relationship with the party. At the centre of the rage was the position of the National Secretary zoned to the region.

The leaders of the party in the zone had in October, 2023 nominated Hon. Sunday UdehOkoye to serve out what they see as the remaining tenure of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who vacated office to fly the party’s flag in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Imo state. They insisted that by the party’s constitution and convention, there was no way Anyanwu could return to office as National Secretary.

However, Anyanwu, and his alleged enablers, notably the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, are of the view that whereas it was moral for Anyanwu to have exited the office, there was nothing in the PDP Constitution barring him from returning to the Office of the National Secretary after losing the Imo election.

The ensuing legal tussle ended at the Supreme Court, which held that the issue of PDP’s leadership was an internal affair of the party, hence outside the jurisdiction of the court and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). But the crisis appears to be far from being over.

Therefore, rising from the South East Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) meeting of PDP attended by top party leaders, including Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who is the only PDP governor in the region; Zonal Chairman of the party, Chief Ali Odefa; the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and former President of the Senate, Senator Adolphus Wabara; the two PDP senators from the zone – Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu and Senator Augustine Akobundu; former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Sam Egwu, Achike Udenwa, the region left no one in doubt that it was no longer ready to dilly-dally with the party.

The meeting’s communique presented by Odefa reads, “It is recalled that on March 21, 2025, the Supreme Court brought to a close the protracted legal tussle over the position of the National Secretary of the PDP. The apex court, in its ruling, held that the issue of the leadership of a political party was the internal affairs of such a party and that the courts and INEC had no jurisdiction and ought not to interfere.

“Following the consideration of the report of the panel it set up to review the Supreme Court judgment, the PDP Governors’ Forum, at its April 14, 2025 meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, recommended that the South East PDP should nominate a candidate, who would serve out the remaining tenure of the National Secretary of

the Party zoned to the region.

“In adopting the PDP Governors’ Forum’s recommendation, the NWC during its 600th Meeting held at the Party’s National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Abuja, on April 29, 2025 directed the South East ZEC of our party to nominate a candidate for the Office of the National Secretary, accordingly.

“Today’s meeting was therefore convened in accordance with this directive. The South East ZEC exhaustively deliberated on the directive of the NWC and came to the conclusion that it offered a sure pathway to peace, unity, stability, and progress of our party. Consequently, the ZEC unanimously recommended Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the candidate to complete the term of office of the National Secretary.

“We also urge the NWC to uphold its decision at its 600th meeting on April 29, 2025, by ensuring that the Deputy National Secretary of the PDP functions as the Acting National Secretary pending the ratification of the nominee for the Office of the National Secretary by NEC in line with the recommendations of the PDP Governors’ Forum as adopted by the NWC.

“The South East ZEC further noted that the zone has had to go through this process for the umpteenth time, unlike what obtains in the filling of vacant national offices by other zones. It is recalled that the South East ZEC met in October 2023 and nominated Hon. Udeh-Okoye to serve out the remaining term of the National Secretary. This position was reaffirmed during the February 20, 2024 meeting of the PDP South ZEC. We also reiterated this during the meeting of ZEC in Enugu on Friday, January 25, 2025.

“The South East has consistently served as a stronghold of the PDP from inception. In its near three-decade existence,

we have given our loyalty and all to the party. Currently, while the Party has been losing key members post-2023 general election, the South East PDP is at the vanguard of strengthening the Party by rallying major opposition figures into the PDP fold.

“Therefore, we hope that this time around, the position of the South East PDP regarding the Office of the National Secretary is accorded the honour and immediacy it deserves. This would bring to a closure the needless lingering dispute over the matter. However, in the event that our position is not promptly implemented by the Party, the South East PDP, as a family, will be compelled to reconsider our relationship with the PDP going forward.”

Implications

Many, who have weighed into the ultimatum believe that the South East has a bragging right and PDP may become history should the region, which has been PDP’s backbone since it was co-founded by one of their illustrious sons and former Vice President, the late Chief Alex Ekwueme, dump the party.

Despite losing the presidential ticket of the party he built from the scratch to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1998 presidential primary in Jos, Ekwueme and Ndigbo rallied round Obasanjo in the 1999 presidential election. The South East gave Obasanjo 3.2 million votes, representing around 70 percent of the votes cast in the region in that election.

Again, despite the presidential candidature of ex-Biafra warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, in the 2003 general election, the South East mustered 4.5 million votes for Obasanjo’s re-election. This represents about 68 per cent of the votes cast in the region. Ojukwu garnered just 22 per cent of the votes in the region.

In 2007, the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua from North West swept the polls in the region even when General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) lost woefully even when he had Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN) who hails from Imo State, as his running mate.

Many, who have weighed into the ultimatum believe that the South East has a bragging right and PDP may become history should the region, which has been PDP’s backbone since it was co-founded by one of their illustrious sons and former Vice President, the late Chief Alex Ekwueme, dump the party.

In 2011, the South East gave PDP’s Dr. Goodluck Jonathan nearly five million votes (4,985,246) as against Buhari’s 21,460.

Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, could not muster up to 100,000 votes in the zone despite running with Senator Ben Obi from Anambra State as his vice-presidential candidate. He got an inglorious 76,228 votes. Although Buhari won the presidential election in 2015, he performed even worse in the South East, than he did in 2011. Abia gave Jonathan 94.18 per cent of votes as against 3.43 per cent, which Buhari got. In Anambra, Jonathan got 98.42 per cent, Buhari got 0.00 per cent. In Ebonyi, Jonathan recorded 88.94 per cent, while Buhari got 5.36 per cent. Enugu gave Jonathan 96.48 of their votes, while Buhari rallied just 2.47 per cent. In Imo, Jonathan got 79.55 per cent of the votes, while Buhari got 18.96 per cent.

It was Buhari’s worst performance nationwide, giving birth to his infamous statement at the US Institute of Peace, that he would not treat people that gave him 98 per cent of their votes the same way as the people that gave him five per cent. Although Buhari managed to get 25 per cent in a few South East states in the 2019 presidential election, the region, nevertheless, overwhelmingly voted for Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. The people of the region consider it their worst era since the end of the civil war and a price they had to pay for their loyalty to the PDP.

Meanwhile, the only time the South East departed from this pattern was in the 2023 presidential election when they cast a protest vote over what they believed was the grave injustice of denying the region the presidential ticket. They overwhelmingly voted for Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP). In the end, unlike at the inception of the present democratic era when the PDP controlled the five South East states, its fortunes have degenerated to just a governor and a sprinkle of National and State Assembly Members. Many also believe that PDP could possibly have won the presidential election had it not created a situation where Obi had to depart, therefore dividing PDP’s traditional votes nationally between him and Atiku. Today, the party’s prospects in the region look even more gloomy. According to a party chieftain, “PDP has been unfair to us; see how the National Secretary issue has dragged on because they want to please someone outside the zone, who is insulting all leaders without exception.”

Also, while Udenwa lamented that the party had taken the region for granted for too long, Wabara told the ZEC meeting, “We have been trampled upon, not taken seriously. If such a position were vacant in the South-South, it would not be like this. I mean, the usual thing is to play politics with the Igbo man,” Wabara had stated.

South East PDP leaders at a meeting of the zone held in Enugu last week

Harnessing Nigeria’s Blue Economy through Strategic Maritime Transformation

Undoubtedly, the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria, IMION, is emerging as a key force in the strategic push to unlock Nigeria’s vast Blue Economy potential. Since its inauguration in June 2024, the institute has positioned itself at the forefront of maritime research, policy advocacy, and inter-agency collaboration. With initiatives such as executive training programmes and the forthcoming course on sustainability of the Blue Economy, Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that IMION is deepening national capacity to manage ocean resources, boost maritime security, and drive sustainable economic growth from Nigeria’s coastal and marine assets

When the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION) was inaugurated on 1 June 2024 by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, with the support of Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Navy, it was more than just the launch of an institution. It was the beginning of a strategic mission to reframe Nigeria’s maritime narrative within the African continent and globally.

Established as a think tank and a confluence for international maritime discourse, IMION aims to be the nerve centre for maritime strategy, innovation, and collaboration. The institute is tasked with addressing the complex interplays of ocean governance, maritime security, hydrography, climate change, and the emerging frontiers of the Blue Economy.

Push for Maritime Security and Trade

Since its inauguration, IMION has moved quickly to actualise its mandate. Most recently, the institute concluded a two-day Executive Course on Maritime Security and Global Trade—an intensive knowledge-sharing and capacity-building programme held recently at the IMION Auditorium, NNS QUORRA, Apapa, Lagos.

It brought together key actors from across the country’s maritime landscape: the Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), alongside representatives from the private sector and academic institutions.

Inter-agency Synergy as a Strategic Priority

At the opening ceremony, the Executive Director of Administration, Commodore Isa Abubakar Ahmed, said “Unlocking the Blue Economy’s full potentials requires a strategic, sustainable approach built on research, collaboration, and public-private partnerships”, just as he underscored the need for unified maritime governance and open dialogue among stakeholders, encouraging participants to collaborate, share insights, and develop actionable solutions.

Echoing this, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (Rtd), Director General of IMION, in his keynote address, identified the Gulf of Guinea’s strategic importance to global trade and maritime security, adding that “the threats we face—piracy, smuggling, and geopolitical tensions—are transboundary and demand a concerted response”.

The Blue Economy as Nigeria’s Next Growth Frontier

At the heart of IMION’s advocacy is the Blue Economy—a term that encapsulates all economic activities related to the oceans and seas. Nigeria, with its extensive Atlantic coastline and location within the Gulf of Guinea, holds vast untapped potential in marine resources, fisheries, shipping, tourism, and offshore energy.

Rear Admiral Udofia highlighted the significance of the Federal Government’s establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, a policy milestone reflecting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s sustainable development agenda. “With over 70 per cent of the Earth covered by water and over 80 per cent of global trade moved by sea, securing and leveraging our maritime assets is no longer optional—it is imperative,” he stressed.

Thus, the Executive Course explored critical themes such as maritime security threats, their impact on logistics, regulatory frameworks, and emerging technologies. Participants examined case studies and explored practical policy solutions aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s maritime governance and trade competitiveness. The course also provided a platform for holistic learning including understanding maritime security and its significance to global trade; Identifying and assessing critical threats, including piracy, terrorism, and smuggling; Exploring international maritime regulations

and security technologies; and Formulating actionable policies and strategies.

In his lecture, Prof. Freedom Onuoha, who spoke on Maritime Threats dissected the nature, impact, and responses to maritime security threats. “Increasingly, the maritime domain has become a theatre of evolving insecurity. These threats disrupt trade, erode state authority, and compound regional instability. Despite commendable interventions, more needs to be done,” he said. Participants included senior naval officers such as Rear Admiral Daniel Atakpa, Director of Operations at Naval Headquarters; Rear Admiral Bolaji Orederu; and Navy Captain Andrew Zidon, Commanding Officer of NNS Kada, amongst others, who commended IMION for introducing advanced tools such as artificial intelligence and robotics in maritime defence.

Also in attendance was Mrs. Mfon Usoro, IMION consultant and Managing Partner of Paul Usoro & Co., who called for a national integrated maritime security strategy. “Nigeria has the assets to combat maritime crime,” she said, “but we need a coordinated framework under a single authority to avoid duplication and waste

of resources.”

Private sector representatives, including Mr. Victor Enebeli of Emsee Shipping Line Limited, urged for deeper investment in maritime infrastructure and intelligence.

“There’s too much fragmentation,” he said. “We need synergy and strategic alignment to move from maritime blindness to maritime foresight.”

The Road Ahead

At the closing session, Rear Admiral Udofia reiterated the need for continued collaboration and capacity building. He expressed appreciation to the Chief of Naval Staff for his vision and unwavering support, and lauded the contributions of stakeholders and facilitators.

“This course has shown that alone, we can do so little, but together we can do so much,” he declared. “The knowledge gained here must now be translated into concrete actions. The threats to our maritime space are real, but so too are the opportunities.”

Participants agreed on a set of recommendations including the creation of a unified maritime security coordination framework under the Ministry of Defence; the harmonisation of training and operational

standards across agencies; the promotion of public-private partnerships in technology adoption; and the institutionalisation of regular executive training programmes under IMION. IMION to Host Executive Course on Sustainability for the Blue Economy

Again, to lend weight to its drive to champion the Blue Economy, IMION is set to hold an executive course on ‘Sustainability for the Blue Economy’ in Lagos on May 22 and 23, 2025. The programme targets government and private sector leaders, particularly C-suite executives involved in policy development and implementation.

According Rear Admiral Udofia (rtd), designed to deepen understanding of maritime security and sustainability, the course covers global and regional sustainability frameworks, marine resource management, coastal community resilience, and includes practical syndicate sessions.

As times and season happen to the global maritime space, Nigeria has proven that she is committed to ocean sustainability and that the Blue Economy is not just a concept; rather vessel of national prosperity, just as IMION’s contributions have become pivotal in Nigeria’s maritime strategy.

The Executive Maritime Course participants when they toured Nigerian Navy Ship KADA

L-R: Prof Freedom Onuoha, Rear Admiral Francis Akpan (Rtd); Managing Partner, Paul Usoro & Co, Mrs. Mfon Ekong Usoro; Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia (Rtd), Director General of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria (IMION); Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu; Rear Admiral Daniel Atakpa; and the Executive Director of Administration, Commodore Isa Abubakar Ahmed, at the Executive Course on Maritime Security and Global Trade at NNS QUORRA, Apapa, Lagos, organised by IMION, recently

Cross section of participants and trainees of the executive course

Time for Action in Advocating Occupational Health, Safety Law in Nigeria

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate the ‘World Occupational Safety and Health Day 2025’, themed, ‘Revolutionising Health and Safety: the Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work’, Sunday Ehigiator makes case for the establishment of an ‘Occupational Safety Act’ in Nigeria to replace the obsolete ‘Factory Act of 2004’, so to provide sufficient protection for workers' safety and health concerns in the country

Although still in effect, the Factories Act of 2004 in Nigeria is widely regarded as obsolete due to its outdated regulations and provisions.

The Act's inability to align with modern workplace standards and emerging challenges has created a pressing need for its outright abolishment and the creation of an actual Occupational Safety Act that meets global standards, especially those set by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Many regulations within the Act are no longer relevant, failing to reflect the realities of modern workplaces and evolving technologies. New workplace hazards and challenges have emerged, which are not adequately addressed by the current legislation.

Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of the Act's enforcement, with penalties being deemed too lenient and failing to deter non-compliance. The Act requires updating to incorporate modern safety standards, emerging technologies, and international best practices. The fines specified in the Act are considered inadequate, failing to serve as a deterrent to employers.

To ensure the effective protection of workers' health, safety, and welfare in Nigeria's modern industrial landscape, experts are calling for the establishing of an actual ‘Nigeria Occupational Safety Act’, which aligns with the ILO standards.

Inadequacies of the Factories Act 2004

The Factories Act 2004 has several shortcomings that hinder its effectiveness in protecting workers’ safety and health. One major issue is the Act’s registration process for new factories. It doesn't require adherence to specific guidelines or industry regulations, instead granting the Minister of Labour and Productivity discretion to determine suitability, potentially leading to inconsistent and inadequate standards for workplace safety and health.

Also, the Act's prescribed fines for noncompliance, ranging from N500 to N2000, are woefully inadequate and fail to serve as a deterrent in the 21st century, as they can be easily paid repeatedly without significant consequence, thereby undermining the Act's effectiveness in promoting workplace safety and health.

Also, the Act’s provision for the Minister's discretionary appointment of Factories Appeal Board members, without requiring expertise in occupational health and safety, raises concerns about the board's effectiveness in representing workers’ interests, and instead suggests a potential avenue for political patronage, ultimately undermining the protection of workers' safety and health.

Furthermore, the Act’s provision allowing inexperienced workers to work under supervision, initially justified by a lack of skilled manpower, is now outdated, as the number of skilled workers has significantly increased, and consequently, permitting unskilled workers to work in factories poses a substantial risk to the safety and well-being of all workers.

Similarly, the Act’s provisions on environmental protection are inadequate, as they prioritise protecting factory workers from hazardous fumes without considering the broader environmental impact.

The Act requires workers to wear protective gear but fails to address the purification or reduction of toxic fumes, contradicting modern environmental standards and sustainable development goals.

Also, the Act's health and safety education provisions are insufficient. While it mandates protective clothing in hazardous work areas, it lacks provisions for medical checks and training on safety procedures.

The requirement for first aid boxes without medical personnel raises concerns about their effectiveness, particularly in remote factories far from medical facilities.

The Act's inquiry process also has limitations. The Commission of Inquiry, established to investigate large-scale accidents or deaths, can only make recommendations, lacking the authority to issue enforceable directives.

Additionally, the Act's definition of a factory excludes construction sites, creating a loophole in accountability and leaving workers in these

industries without adequate protection.

The ILO Standard

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) defines Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) as a multidisciplinary field that prioritises the prevention of work-related injuries and diseases, while promoting the overall health and well-being of workers.

The primary objectives of OSH include preventing work-related accidents, illnesses, and health issues, promoting physical and mental well-being, and improving working conditions.

To achieve these objectives, OSH encompasses various key aspects, including risk assessment and management.

This involves identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures to minimise or eliminate risks. By adopting a proactive approach to risk management, organisations can reduce the likelihood of work-related injuries and diseases.

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) published ISO 45001, the primary international standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S).

This standard provides a framework for managing OH&S, aiming to prevent workrelated injuries, ill health, and death, ensuring a safe and healthy workplace. ISO 45001 is a voluntary standard that organisations can adopt to establish, implement, maintain, and improve their OH&S management systems.

Safety Concerns

Statistics from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) reveal that occupational accidents and work-related diseases claim over 2.78 million lives annually, in addition to 374 million non-fatal injuries and illnesses.

This staggering number underscores the urgent need for organisations worldwide to implement effective health and safety management systems.

The importance of prioritising worker health and safety is increasingly recognised by nations and societies globally. With an estimated 40 million new jobs expected to be created annually by 2030, the demand for “best practice” standards to guide health and safety improvements will continue to grow.

Making Case for Occupational Safety Act

Speaking with THISDAY, Health and Safety Expert, Engineer Jamiu Badmos noted that, “Nigeria's current Factory Act of 2004 is

outdated and inadequate, failing to align with modern safety standards.

Despite efforts by the National Assembly under former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to pass the Occupational Safety and Health Act, it has stalled due to claims that it's an executive bill.

“This lack of progress indicates a backwards approach to safety, emphasising the need for a new law that prioritises worker safety and health.

“The proposed Occupational Safety and Health Act would establish a council for health and safety, generating job opportunities nationwide. It would also provide a framework for data collection, enabling informed decision-making and empathy-driven policies.

“This would be a significant step forward, as Nigeria currently lacks reliable data on workplace accidents and injuries.

“The importance of occupational safety and health cannot be overstated, as it encompasses not only physical hazards but also mental health and reputation. Nigeria must take advantage of existing schools and colleges that offer health and safety programs, leveraging this expertise to drive positive change. By prioritising safety and health, Nigeria can reduce accidents on our roads, create jobs, and ensure good health and well-being for its citizens.

“The impact of the proposed Act would extend beyond workplaces, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“By creating a safer and healthier work environment, Nigeria can also reduce poverty, hunger, and inequality. This, in turn, would have a positive ripple effect on the entire economy and society.

“To effect meaningful progress, the President's support is crucial in promulgating the Occupational Safety and Health Act. This would mandate states to prioritise health and safety, fostering a culture that values human life and empathy. The time for change is now, and it requires collective action to ensure a safer, healthier Nigeria.”

Also speaking with THISDAY, the Technical Adviser to the Lagos State Safety Commission, Seun Awojobi, noted that, “As a safety commission, our mandate is to ensure the safety of lives and properties through education, engagement, enforcement, sensitisation, and advocacy.

“Regarding data, Lagos State has made

significant progress. As the only safety commission in Nigeria, we have a robust database of various sectors, including hospitality, manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, and more. Data gathering is an ongoing process, and we continuously advocate for safe practices across all sectors.

“The Lagos State Safety Commission is governed by the Lagos State Safety Commission Law of 2009, as amended. This law grants us the power to make regulations, and we have already passed regulations such as the Swimming Pool Regulation.

“Other regulations in the works include Event Safety Regulation, Construction Regulation, and Regulation for Vertical Transportation Equipment.

“These regulations will further drive the conversation on ensuring safety in Lagos. At the federal level, we hope that the Ministry of Labour will pass an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act to propel safety at the national level.”

Significance

As we await the passage of the Occupational Safety Act, it is essential to recognise that safety is a collective responsibility. While legislation is crucial, organisations also play a vital role in ensuring the health and safety of their employees and stakeholders.

It is no longer sufficient for businesses to solely focus on profitability; they must also establish robust internal controls to manage risks related to occupational health, safety, environment, and reputation.

This requires a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating potential hazards, as well as investing in training and resources to support a safe and healthy work environment, while also ensuring they operate in accordance with the ISO-45001 standards.

Ultimately, organisations are accountable for the well-being of their employees and must operate ethically, complying with relevant laws and regulations. This includes providing a safe and healthy work environment, protecting employees from harm, and promoting a culture of safety and responsibility.

By taking a proactive and responsible approach to occupational health and safety concerns, organisations can not only reduce the risk of accidents and injuries but also enhance their reputation and profitability, improve employee morale and productivity, and contribute to a safer and healthier society as a whole.

Kayode Tokede

On the back of improvement in loan quality, the average Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) of eight Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), increased to 4.99 per cent in 2024 financial year compared to 3.82 per cent in 2023 financial year, an independent investigation by THISDAY has revealed.

The DMBs investigated by THISDAY are: First Holdings Plc, Access Holdings, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), Zenith Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, FCMB Group Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc.

As of 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reported a decline in the banking sector NPL ratio to 4.50 per cent, down from 4.58 per

cent September 2024.

However, most DMBs reported record earnings, underpinned by wider net interest margins. However, this profitability comes at a cost: rising defaults.

Elevated lending rates following hike in Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 27.50 per cent, double-digit inflation rate, among other factors have begun to strain borrowers’ ability to repay, contributing to the uptick in NPLs last year.

While the decline in some DMBs NPL ratio may seem encouraging, it masks troubling signs at some individual DMBs level, most especially First Holdco, FCMB Group, and GTCO with NPL ratio above the CBN 5 per cent threshold. For instance, First Holdco

The federal government has adopted a revised National Employment Policy (NEP) that is focused on creating an enabling environment for productive and employment intensive growth in Nigeria. This was disclosed last week in Lagos by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Muhammadu Dingyadi, in his opening remarks at the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) 2025 Job and Employment Fair with the theme, “Future Ready: Harnessing Digital Skills for Career Success and Employment.”

Dingyadi said: “I am delighted to inform you that the federal government on Monday, May 12, approved the adaption and implementation of the revised National Employment Policy for our dear country. The goal of the employment policy is to create the environment for productive and employment intensive growth in Nigeria.

“The review of the policy was borne out of the need to develop new strategies, which will address the challenges of unemployment and poverty, while creating economic

breached the CBN’s five per cent regulatory NPL threshold, recording a ratio of 10.20 per cent in 2024, from 4.70 per cent in 2023. First Holdco hits one of its height NPL ratio of 26.0 per cent in 2018 and the reported 10.20 per cent in 2024 is the second height in over 10 years.

First Holdco explained to analysts and investors that excluding the oil and gas name, the NPL ratio would have been 5.4per cent in 2024.

According to the financial institution, the growth in NPLs is driven primarily by only one oil and gas loan from which proactive steps have been taken to sustain the resilience of its balance sheet.

“In addition, the Oil & Gas Portfolio has been largely driven by the exchange rate impact. Loan

opportunities for productive and remunerative employment for Nigerians.”

He said that the essence of the job fair is to assist in bridging the gap between jobseekers and employers, adding that the government’s main responsibility is to engender favourable environment for job creation and ensure that jobs are created and provided to Nigeria’s teeming youth population.

According to him, “this fair promises to be a remarkable event that showcases the importance of digital competences and potential within the Nigerian economy. It

book, continuously being derisked, showcase prudent and proactive approach to risk mitigation that strengthens long-term financial position.

“Excluding the oil and gas name, the NPL ratio would have been 5.4 per cent. On the back of the robust risk management capacity, NPLs are expected to reduce to normalised levels over the year,” the lender explained.

Similarly, FCMB Group declared NPL of 6 per cent in 2024 from 4.30 per cent in 2023, while GTCO’s NPL increased to 5.18 per cent in 2024 from 4.19 per cent in 2023.

The CBN continues to enforce a maximum NPL ratio of 5 per cent for banks, underscoring its commitment to maintaining financial

present excellence opportunity for us to interact, foster ties, share knowledge and share solutions that can shape digital employability and connect jobseekers to employers in need of their skills.”

The minister said that in an era that is defined by rapid technological advancement and digital transformation, the ability to learn and apply digital skills is no longer optional but essential.

He added, “This is because the world of work is evolving at unprecedented pace and bringing new dynamics to play. From automation to artificial intelligence to

stability and encouraging prudent lending practices.

However, other DMBs that managed to keep their NPL ratios below the 5 per cent per cent mark. For example, Access Holdings posted NPL of 2.76 per cent in 2024 from 2.78 per cent in 2023.

Stanbic IBTC rose to 4.18 per cent in 2024 from 2.35 per cent in 2023, Zenith Bank fell to 4.70 per cent from 4.40 per cent, while Fidelity Bank and Wema Bank’s NPL ratio slight improvements at 3.10 per cent and 3.86 per cent from 3.50 per cent and 4.31 per cent in 2023, respectively.

The eight banks NPL by value reached an estimated N2.59 trillion in 2024, according to an independent investigation by THISDAY. This is an increase of 101 per cent when

remote collaborations to data driven decision making where nearly every industry rely on digital proficiency to not only operate but to drive and be able to compete favourably alongside with its peers.”

He pointed out that the growing disconnection of the institutions of education from practical digital competences that employers seek necessitated the theme of the fair that was focused on digital skills.

He noted that the multiplier effect of focusing on digital skills would be the development of future prone careers where skill gaps are bridged and reduced to the barest minimum.

compared to N1.29 trillion reported in 2023.

This is against the backdrop of a surge in gross customer loans, which expanded to N45.64 trillion, in 2024, representing an increase of nearly 40.6 per cent from N32.5 trillion in 2023.

One of the more striking trends in 2024 is the growing concentration of credit exposure to two traditionally high-risk sectors: oil and gas, and manufacturing. Loans to the oil and gas sector grew by 55 per cent to N11.5 trillion from N7.4 trillion in 2023. While manufacturing loans jumped 44 per cent to N6.6 trillion, from N4.6 trillion.

Dingyadi said: “Digital skills are not static but evolving. The emphasis on being future ready signals the importance of lifelong learning, agility and adaptability in any professional field. This, in no small measure, will empower individuals to embrace change rather than shy away from it. By equipping jobseekers with relevant future capabilities this theme contributes to our country’s national goals of job creation, economic growth and reduced unemployment.”

Dike Onwuamaeze

DBN Targets 2m New Jobs in Ambitious Five-year Expansion Plan

In a bold move to deepen its developmental impact and drive inclusive economic growth, the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), has unveiled a five-year strategic plan that aims to create two million new jobs across the country by supporting Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) through expanded financing, capacity building, and technical support.

Speaking during a media parley in Lagos, Managing Director of DBN, Dr. Tony Okpanachi, said the Bank’s renewed strategy, covering 2025 to 2029, will significantly scale its footprint across Nigeria’s underserved business landscape.

He said: “Moving to the future: last year we began implementing our new five-year strategy which is about scaling up. We asked, what have we done in the last five years, and how do we scale that. There’s been a lot of progress, but we believe much more is needed in Nigeria. So we are very aspirational in what we aim to do going forward.

“We’ve impacted almost 800,000 MSMEs so far, but in the next five years, we want to reach 2 million MSMEs. We aim to grow our loan book to N1 trillion in outstanding credit and on the guarantee side, we plan to increase our coverage

through our subsidiary to over N500 billion. In terms of job creation, we’ve done about 1.2 million in the last five years and now aim for at least 2 million jobs over the next five years direct and indirect.”

A core pillar of the strategy is job creation. According to Okpanachi, the bank’s interventions are designed not only to bridge financing gaps but also to serve as catalysts for employment, enterprise resilience, and national productivity. “Development is not just measured in naira and kobo, but in the number of jobs created, the number of women empowered, and the number of businesses we help to thrive,” he said.

He also added that DBN’s plan also reflects DBN’s focus on inclusive finance. Under the new targets, 40 per cent of all loans will go to women-led MSMEs, 30 per cent will be directed to youth-led enterprises and 15 per cent of disbursements will target businesses in economically disadvantaged regions

This approach builds on the bank’s strong record of inclusive lending. As of 2024, DBN had disbursed over N49 billion to 69,182 MSMEs in conflict-affected and economically challenged states such as Borno, Adamawa, Zamfara, Yobe, and Katsina. Women-owned businesses currently represent 74 per cent of DBN beneficiaries, while youth-led

enterprises make up 25 per cent.

Another priority area in the new strategy is green financing,

with DBN setting a goal of N75 billion to N100 billion in outstanding loans focused on

environmentally sustainable businesses. In addition, the Bank plans to train 500,000 MSMEs over

the next five years, significantly expanding its technical assistance and advisory footprint.

APM Terminals Completes Quay Repair Project to Enhance Operational Efficiency

APM Terminals Apapa in collaboration with NPA has successfully completed its quay apron area repair project — a critical infrastructure initiative aimed at improving operational safety, sustainability, and efficiency at Nigeria’s busiest container terminal.

In a statement signed by the Terminal Manager, Steen Knudsen, the project was said to have been delivered within the stipulated timeline through the deployment of appropriate equipment and a dedicated workforce.

Knudsen said, “The quay apron, one of the most operationally sensitive and high-risk zones within

the terminal, posed substantial challenges. Executing extensive repairs in this area without disrupting daily terminal operations required precision planning and exceptional coordination. Despite these constraints, the project was completed seamlessly, with zero safety or security incidents—a testament to the professionalism and commitment of all parties involved.

“In total, the project achieved the successful rehabilitation of 970 meters of quay surface, completed through 12,640 man-hours executed safely and efficiently. This achievement reflects the strength of collaboration between APM

Terminals Apapa, the Nigerian Ports Authority Engineering team, and all stakeholders who contributed to this vital infrastructure milestone.”

Acknowledging the vigilant supervision of the NPA Engineering Department in achieving significant progress ahead of schedule, Steen extended special recognition to the team.

He said, “In particular, we commend the unwavering leadership and oversight provided by the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; Executive Director, Engineering & Technical Services, Engr. Abba Umar; and General

Manager, Engineering, Engr. Mukhtar U. Isa, for his tireless on-site inspections and persistent coordination throughout the project.”

Knudsen also recognised Assistant General Manager, Port Engineering, Engr. Sadiq Lamuwa; Project Manager, Engr. E.S. Itodo, and the entire Project Management Team, whose dedication ensured that the highest engineering and safety standards were upheld from start to finish.

One of 60 terminals around the world owned by APM Terminals, APM Terminals Apapa is Nigeria’s largest container terminal.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, has warned importers and clearing agents against false declaration as the command tightens the noose through intelligence-driven operations.

The Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, declared this during a courtesy visit by the members of the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), in Lagos.

Shuaibu, an anti-smuggling czar, promised to deploy his wealth of experience to navigate the complexities of the unit and bring to bear intelligence-driven operations rather than stopping containers incessantly on the highways.

He said: “This command is meant to be an anti-smuggling command, but we also facilitate trade. In terms of our anti-smuggling activities, very soon we are going to showcase some of our seizures to the public. These include some illicit drugs and the suspects involved in the deal.

“I do intelligence-driven operations. What we are trying to do is to ensure that we don’t just stop any kind of containers, even those checking points you see our officers roving around, we would want to eradicate that, while we will be doing intelligence-driven operations.

“So, at any point in time, you will see that our officers will stop you

and then remove those illegal items that are supposed to be extracted from your consignment. If importers and clearing agents are honest in declaring exactly what they have in their containers, why do we need to disturb ourselves moving around with vehicles to track them? We should relax in the comfort of our office to do the operation.

“So, sometimes, if you see such officers coming out, it is because of the insincerity of the declarants or the importers. Now, we are going to be doing intelligence-driven operations, so if you see them stationed at a strategic location, it is because of the information at our disposal that we are tracking,” he explained.

Shuaibu therefore enjoined importers and clearing agents to always be compliant in their declarations, saying “if they are compliant, we don’t need to see contrabands inside their boxes”.

He enjoined the media to continue to support the NCS in sensitising the general public about engaging in legitimate trade and making honest declarations at the point of entry.

He promised to consolidate on the successes achieved earlier, collaborate and synergise with the necessary stakeholders in facilitating trade.

According to him, the command is always collaborating with sister agencies, and one of such collaborations was recently done with the Nigerian Army.

Kayode Tokede

Shareholders of TotalEnergies

Marketing Nigeria Plc have commended the management‘s N13.58 billion dividend payout and impressive performance for 2024 financial year, requesting the oil & gas company to consider paying bonus amid its nearly two decades of consistent profit generation.

The shareholders at the company’s at 47th Annual General

Nume Ekeghe and Oluchi Chibuzor

The President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Prof. Pius Olanrewaju has expressed optimism that the banks in the country will achieve the recapitalisation deadline target set by the Central Bank of Nigeria. He equally noted that where individual banks cannot raise the set capital, the exercise provides opportunities for mergers that would allow them to keep operating in

Arthur Eriye

The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has announced the approval of 22 development transactions worth nearly $3 billion in the first quarter of the year, with Nigeria named among the key beneficiaries. The funding package is aimed at supporting small businesses, enhance infrastructure, and

Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, approved the board N40 per share dividend for the 2024 financial year, translating to a total payout of N13.58 billion, up 60 per cent from N25.00 declared in 2023.

Speaking at the AGM, the National Coordinator Emeritus and Founder Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sunny Nwosu, acknowledged the impressive 2024 performance, calling on the management to

the financial ecosystem.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the body held over the weekend, Olarenwaju acknowledged that the nation’s financial sector and the economy would benefit when Nigerian banks are able to finance large transactions.

He said following the CBN recapitalisation announcement in November 2023, many banks raised substantial capital in 2024, through rights issues and public offerings, well ahead

promote sustainable development across emerging markets.Business management tools

Among the most significant investments is a $20 million loan to Loinette Capital, a company providing asset financing to small and medium-sized enterprises across Sub-Saharan Africa. This funding will enable Nigerian SMEs to access essential machinery for agriculture and

consider rewarding shareholders with bonus.

He said, “We want to find out from this company why, since 2004, they have not paid any bonus to shareholders. You have done everything to make us happy, but you have refused to give us a bonus.”

Chairman, TotalEnergies, JeanPhilippe Torres, responded that the company remains committed to rewarding shareholders, stressing

of the 2026 deadline.

According to him, “The one thing I know is that even where they cannot raise that money on their own, it gives room for merger. When you work alone, you won’t be able to work very far. But when you work with others, you will be able to achieve further results. I believe that some of them have demonstrated the fact that they can raise the money.

that, “We allocate 50 per cent of the profit before tax to the shareholders, and the rest is to run the company and mainly to maintain profitability and continue to deliver value to shareholders.”

He added that the 2024 dividend payout reflects this balance. He said, “After all that, we have to pay many things. If you calculate the ratio between the dividend paid and the profit before tax, it’s something like 50 per cent.”

About three banks have already done that, through the right issue. And I believe others too can do the same thing.

“And where they cannot do the same thing, there are options. And one of the options is that they can do work. They can join, merge with other ones, and continue to be in business. All that the government is trying to do, which we are in support of, is the fact that when those banks are financially stable, they will be able to finance large transactions. When you look at our ecosystem and our economy, we have a lot of things that need money. Our roads need money.”

infrastructure development, unlocking productivity and economic opportunities.

Another major initiative includes a $15 million loan to Incofin cvso, which will strengthen agriculturefocused microfinance institutions operating across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The loan is expected to boost financing for women entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers, advancing

financial inclusion and food security. Business loans

DFC is also investing in clean energy and climate resilience through a $35 million commitment to the Lendable Decarbonization Fund. The fund targets earlystage companies in sectors like renewable energy, agriculture, and transportation, promoting innovation in low-carbon solutions.

Nume Ekeghe

L-R: Directorate Head, Lagos Mainland, Keystone Bank, Emmanuel Ntomchukwu; Chairman Mile 12 Market, Shehu Usman; Managing Director & CEO, Keystone Bank, Hassan Imam; Executive Director, Corporate Bank & South, Nnenna Anyim Okoro and General Secretary, Mile 12 Market, Idris Balarabe at the reopening of the Keystone Bank Ketu branch in Lagos… recently

Role of Financial Innovation in Enhancing Food Security, Agriculture in Nigeria

o luchi Chibuzor narrates how Sterling Bank driving famers’ access to finance through digital solutions, customised financing, and strategic partnerships that empower them, boost yields, and strengthen food systems.

What if the key to Nigeria’s food security wasn’t more farmland - but smarter financing?

Despite boasting over 84 million hectares of arable land, many Nigerian farmers remain cut off from the financial tools they need to grow. In 2022, only 7 per cent of farming communities secured bank credit (NBS, 2022), leaving millions unable to scale operations. However, Sterling Bank is changing that narrative through digital solutions, customised financing, and strategic partnerships that empower farmers, boost yields, and strengthen food systems.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), agriculture contributes significantly to Nigeria’s gross domestic products (GDP), employing around 35 per cent of the workforce. The sector spans four key sub-sectors: crop production, livestock, forestry, and fishing.

ChAlleNgeS iN the AgriCulturAl SeCtor

The agricultural industry faces deeprooted challenges - low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, climate-related shocks, post-harvest losses, and most critically, limited access to finance. These factors have long discouraged commercial banks from engaging the sector.

However, in Lagos and Ogun States, the story is shifting. In 2022, 26% and 14% of farmers, respectively, accessed micro-credits (NBS) and nationally, the value of credit to private agriculture jumped from N853 billion in Q1 2020 to over N4 trillion by Q4 2021 1(NBS, 2022), illustrating what’s possible when financing is prioritised.

uNloCkiNg growth through FiNANCiAl

iNNovAtioN

Sterling Bank has emerged as a transformative force in Nigeria’s agriculture sector. Through its HEART strategy - an investment focus on Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation- the bank developed the Agriculture Finance Value Chain Model (AgFin). This framework has channelled billions of Naira in financing to smallholder farmers, processors, and

aggregators, enabling them to scale operations sustainably (Sterling Financial Holdings Company Annual Report, 2023).

“We’re investing in entire value chains, not just funding farms but supporting processors, aggregators, and market access,” said Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director and CEO of Sterling Bank. The bank’s approach is both financial and digital. Through collaborations with agritech startups, it delivers weather analytics, remote diagnostics, and market intelligence directly to farmers. Tools like SABEX, its commodity-trading platform, link farmers to buyers and eliminate middlemen, while initiatives like SWAY-AgFin increase financing access for women and youth. channelled billions of Naira in financing to smallholder farmers, processors, and aggregators, enabling them to scale operations sustainably (Sterling Financial Holdings Company Annual Report, 2023).

“We’re investing in entire value chains, not just funding farms but supporting processors, aggregators, and market access,” said Managing Director and CEO of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman.

The bank’s approach is both financial and digital. Through collaborations with agritech startups, it delivers weather analytics, remote diagnostics, and market intelligence directly to farmers. Tools like SABEX, its commodity-trading platform, link farmers to buyers and eliminate middlemen, while initiatives like SWAY-AgFin increase financing access for women and youth.

Managing Director Sterling Bank Limited, Abubakar Suleiman Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) and Beyond Sterling Bank convenes leading voices and changemakers at its flagship annual platform, Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA), a policy-driven forum advancing innovation, inclusive market access, and strategic collaboration across the agricultural value chain. Over the years, ASA has drawn the support and participation of respected partners including the Mastercard Foundation,

Benue State Government, Leadway Assurance, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), among others. These alliances have enriched the summit’s outcomes, powering farmer advisory programmes, nationwide radio initiatives, and evidence-backed policy dialogues designed to turn insight into action. To date, the bank has:

• Financed over one million farmers

• Disbursed more than N500 billion in agri-loans

• Trained 22,000+ farmers in modern farming techniques.

reAl-world impACt: the pAlm vAlley Story

One of the standout success stories of Sterling Bank’s agricultural financing journey is Palm Valley Nigeria Limited, a valued partner since 2019. In 2021, the company secured N276 million to finance rice and maize production for 1,500 farmers. By 2022, this support grew to N250 million, benefiting 1,700 farmers and cultivating over 1,313 hectares. In 2023, the funding increased to N461 million, expanding the project even further. By 2024, Sterling Bank provided N819 million to fund the cultivation of hybrid vitamin A maize, involving around 2,000 farmers. This growing partnership with Palm Valley is not just a testament to the bank’s success but has also attracted more partners into its agricultural financing ecosystem.

StrAtegiC pArtNerShipS

ANd the roAd AheAd

Group Head of Agric Finance and Solid Minerals at Sterling Bank, Dr. Olushola Obikanye, highlighted the value of structured commodity finance, where farmers use their harvest as collateral, a model that improves liquidity and reduces risk.

Sterling Bank’s inclusion in the Nigerian Food Systems Transformation Alliance underscores its role in shaping the country’s agricultural future. This multistakeholder platform, made up of FMCGS, financial institutions, and government agencies, seeks to build a resilient and inclusive food system by 2030.

Sterling Bank is a leading Nigerian commercial bank and one of Africa’s most progressive financial institutions, widely recognized for its bold approach to customer advocacy and ethical banking.

Looking ahead, the bank is committed to expanding access to:

• Poultry finance

• Fertilizer finance

• Equipment and asset loans. Through SABEX, it continues to bridge the gap between supply and demand, ensuring farmers get fair pricing and timely payments.

where StrAtegy deliverS reSultS

Nigeria’s agriculture sector stands at an inflection point. With smart financing, inclusive platforms, and tech-driven solutions, Sterling Bank is proving that food security isn’t just a policy goal, it’s an achievable reality. To learn more or join the AgFin initiative, visit sterling. ng/agriculture

Sterling Bank is a leading Nigerian commercial bank and one of Africa’s most progressive financial institutions, widely recognized for its bold approach to customer advocacy and ethical banking. From eliminating local transfer fees through its OneBank platform to championing inclusive access to capital, the bank has consistently led with impact. Renowned for its HEART of Sterling strategy, which focuses major investments into the Healthcare, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation sectors of the Nigerian economy, Sterling continues to build financial solutions that go beyond banking to enable dignity, mobility, and opportunity for millions of Nigerians. Explore Sterling Bank offerings at sterling.ng.

Suleiman

Obikanye

FG Set to Boost Agriculture, Food Security with ACReSAL Project

The federal government has expressed strong desire and commitment to leverage the World

Bank’s financed Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project as a key strategy to enhance agriculture and food security across Nigeria.

Dyna.Ai Launches

Operations in Nigeria

Agnes Ekebuike

Dyna.Ai, a global leader in AI-as-aService (AIaaS), officially launched its operations in Nigeria with an exclusive closed-door ‘Nigeria Dyna Day’ in Lagos, recently.

The launch saw the introduction and orientation of its suite of AIpowered products and solutions to Nigeria’s emerging financial ecosystem.

The event, tagged, “Nigeria Dyna Day” and themed, “AI Unleashed: Revolutionising Nigeria’s Financial Future,” brought together leading voices from the country’s AI, financial, fintech, telecom, and other key sectors, including representatives from government agencies and major enterprises.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman and Co-President of Dyna. Ai, Mr. Tomas Skoumal, emphasised the strategic importance of Nigeria and the broader African market, stating, “For us, it makes sense to start in Nigeria. There is no bigger country in Africa this is where the momentum is.” He noted that Africa is no longer just the future, but is actively transforming today, driven by rapid digitalization and fintech innovation. “This is the perfect time to be here,” he added, highlighting

that Dyna.Ai sees technology as a vital bridge to financial inclusion and long-term growth across the region.

Skoumal introduced Dyna.Ai’s advanced Agentic AI solutions, including its proprietary Agent Studio and industry-specific language models, designed to power intelligent automation across customer service, marketing, collections, HR and more. He also underscored the company’s long-term ambition to invest in local talent, stating, “We’re not just here to sell a product—we’re here to build infrastructure, create local jobs, and scale innovation from Nigeria to the rest of Africa.”

Delivering the keynote address at the event, Tokoni Peter Igoin, Special Assistant to the President on ICT Development and Digital Innovation, underscored the Federal Government’s vision for a secure and forward-thinking digital ecosystem.

“The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is fully committed to responsible innovation. Our approach to AI and financial technology is rooted in a positive framework. It encourages creativity while ensuring transparency, data protection, and digital security,” he said.

Firm Charts a Bold Course for Impact Financing

In celebration of its journey as a purpose-driven financial institution and its growing impact footprint, Sage Grey Finance Limited, a licensed financial institution has hosted stakeholders, clients, and development partners at its flagship event, “Advancing Impact: Sage Grey’s Way Forward,” in Lagos.

The event marked a defining moment in the company’s journey as a purpose-driven financial institution, showcasing its commitment to sustainable development and unveiling its next phase of impactfocused financial solutions.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and CEO at Sage Grey, Temitope Runsewe, stated that in today’s interconnected world, businesses cannot thrive long-term in isolation from the health and prosperity of the communities and environment they operate within.

According to him, “Ignoring this reality is no longer just a missed opportunity; it is a strategic risk. Impact and financial returns are not

mutually exclusive. We see them as intertwined forces, capable of creating a powerful synergy where positive social and environmental outcomes drive robust financial performance and vice versa.”

Since its inception in 2021, Sage Grey has built a strong reputation for delivering innovative financial solutions that drive measurable environmental and social outcomes.

With a steadfast focus on aligning its operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), the company continues to integrate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations into every aspect of its business.

“Sage Grey’s support has strengthened our efforts to make inclusive education more accessible,” said Principal of Morit International School, Patrick Mbera. “With their support, we’ve been able to expand the reach and impact of our plasticfor-fees initiative — helping more families send their children to school with dignity while promoting recycling and environmental awareness across our community.”

Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, gave the commitment in Lagos at the closing ceremony of ACReSAL project retreat, organised for members of the steering and technical committees, drawn from the nineteen Northern states that are beneficiaries of the project.

According to the minister, the ACReSAL initiative directly addresses the severe impacts of climate change, particularly desert encroachment and land degradation prevalent in 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He highlighted the potential expansion of the project’s scope, stating, “We believe that rainwater

harvesting is a significant area where ACReSAL could expand its efforts by promoting all-season farming, reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture and consistent water availability to benefit the restoration of forests.”

Also speaking at the retreat, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, lauded the significant progress made by ACReSAL project in promoting sustainable agriculture and food security in Northern Nigeria.

“Through collective efforts, we have empowered communities to adopt climate-resilient practices, revitalised degraded lands, and

strengthened food systems in 19 Northern states and the FCT,” he affirmed. Abdullahi underscored the alignment of the ACReSAL initiative with the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises agricultural transformation and food security as crucial elements for national development.

“By tackling land degradation and climate challenges, we are not only securing livelihoods but also building a foundation for a more prosperous and resilient Nigeria,” he stated.

Task Team Leader for ACReSAL and Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank,

Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, had given positive assessment of the ACReSAL project, stating that its performance in the initial two years has been satisfactory, with tangible benefits already being felt across participating states.

In her welcome remarks, Agene highlighted the project’s success in healing the land using the Halfmoon regenerative agriculture approach in Adamawa State, and mitigating flooding challenges in several states, including Katsina and Kaduna. She emphasised that ACReSAL’s interventions has largely prevented the tragic loss of lives previously experienced due to severe flooding in these regions.

CRMI Inducts NDIC Risk Management Leaders to Board of Fellows

Nume Ekeghe

In a landmark recognition of excellence in risk management, the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI) has admitted four distinguished professionals from the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) into its prestigious Board of Fellows.

The honourees, celebrated for their expertise, leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing risk management in Nigeria, were conferred with the Fellow Chartered Risk Manager (FCRM) title.

The newly inducted Fellows are, Former Managing Director, NDIC, Mr. Umaru Ibrahim, Managing Director/CEO, NDIC, Mr. Bello Hassan,Executive Director, Operations, NDIC, Mr. M. Ibrahim

and the Executive Director, Corporate Services, NDIC, Mrs. Emily Osuji.

CRMI in a statement noted that during the induction, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CRMI, Professor Ezekiel Oseni, commended the recipients for their consistent support of the Institute’s mission. He noted that their leadership has been instrumental in various milestone achievements, particularly the commencement of the Chartered Risk Manager (CRM) professional certification examination - a flagship credential that has gained significant relevance across industries in Nigeria.

Oseni highlighted that the collaboration between CRMI and NDIC has not only elevated the stature of the Institute but has also positioned Nigeria as a rising force

Kresta Laurel Advocates Technological

Raheem Akingbolu

Kresta Laurel Limited (KLL), one of Nigeria’s most respected electro-mechanical engineering firms, has called for deliberate interest and investment in building a sustainable technological framework for economic development. This was the take-home at a programme aimed at inspiring future engineers, recently organised

by the company to mark its 35 years of providing engineering related services.

The event, tagged, “the Students’ Interactive Programme,” was held at the company’s headquarters in Maryland, Lagos, and brought together engineering students from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU), and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH).

in the global risk management space.

He reiterated that CRMI has secured international affiliations with prominent bodies such as the DCRO Institute (USA) and the International Federation of Insurance and Risk Management Associations (IFRIMA). Notably, CRMI also spearheaded the creation of the Federation of African Risk Management Associations (FARMA), where it currently holds the interim presidency.

Responding, Mr. Umaru Ibrahim lauded CRMI’s strides in professionalising risk management across both public and private sectors. He encouraged the Institute to lend its expertise to national reforms, particularly the ongoing initiative to enhance corporate governance structures within the civil service.

In his keynote address, Chairman of Kresta Laurel and former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, reflected on the company’s journey and ongoing commitment to the country’s development.

“For 35 years, Kresta Laurel has led the way in Nigeria’s engineering sector by investing in knowledge development and human capacity,” he said. “Our focus has always been on building

He also recommended deeper collaboration between CRMI and other chartered professional bodies, such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), to foster a unified approach to enterprise risk governance. Speaking, the current MD of NDIC, Mr. Bello Hassan, applauded the transformative leadership of Oseni and reiterated the Corporation’s commitment to strengthening risk management in Nigeria. He emphasized that the current maturity of the risk management profession in the country does not warrant the proliferation of multiple risk institutes. Instead, he advocated for unified collaboration to project Nigeria’s risk management competence on the global stage.

a sustainable future through engineering leadership.”

The Managing Director of Kresta Laurel, Dideolu Falobi, added that the event was about more than celebrating a milestone.

“This initiative is not just about looking back—it’s about looking ahead,” he said. “We want to help young Nigerians connect their academic training with what happens in the real world of engineering.”

ARCON: Court Ruling on Social Media Regulation Will Promote

Raheem Akingbolu

The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has described the recent court judgement which confirmed the council’s power to regulate advertising content on various social media platforms as a victory for Nigerian consumers.

In a recent judgement of the Federal High Court of Lagos in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1262/2024, the regulatory council was given statutory power to regulate

advertising and marketing communications across all platforms. To this end, the council issued a strong warning to all stakeholders involved in the conceptualisation, production, dissemination and placement of advertisements in Nigeria not to abuse the sensibilities of consumers or work contrary to the provision of the law of the land.

In a statement signed by the director general and chief executive officer of the Council, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, the apex regulatory body

for advertising in Nigeria reminded all agencies, advertisers, media owners, content creators, influencers, business owners and individuals that engage in advertising activities that they are subject to the laws guiding advertising and must adhere strictly to the provisions of the ARCON Act.

“If you are advertising to the Nigerian public, you fall under ARCON’s jurisdiction. Social media is not an unregulated space,” it stated, pointing out that the Court has declared that platforms like

Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Tiktok, and others fall within the council’s regulatory purview. “As stipulated by law, all advertisements must be vetted and approved by ARCON before being made public – whether they appear on television, radio, billboards, newspapers, social media or any other channel. Advertisements that misrepresent facts, omit critical information, or are designed to exploit vulnerable audiences will not be tolerated,” the council stated.

Raheem Akingbolu

Emma Okonji

L-R: Director, Aerodrome and Airspace Standard, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Engr. Godwin Balang; HOD Aviation Business, African Aviation and Aerospace University, Abuja, Dr. Endurance Keyamo; the Coverner, Mr. Fortune Idu; Guest Speaker, Capt. Olusina Akinsete; and General Manager, General Aviation, NCAA, Capt. Wilson Tija Maikano, during the 5th Drone Technology Conference and Exhibition tagged Drone Tecx 2025 in Lagos...recently

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA:

Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 15 May-2025, unless otherwise stated.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

Enugu Earmarks N30bn for Tourism Developemt, Approves N13.8bn for First Phase

Chinedu Eze

The first zipline in Nigeria and the longest Canopy Walkway in Africa will soon be unveiled in Enugu State, as the government earmarks N30 billion for the development of tourism

The government of the state also approved the budget of over N13 billion for the development of several tourism projects in the state in the phase phase of the programme.

According to the Culture and Tourism Commissioner Mrs. Ugochi Madueke, the approval was given after the state’s exco meeting recently, signalling the kick-off of the first phase of the projects, which include Nsude Pyramid Canopy Walkway; a 600-meter canopy walkway, the longest in Nigeria and the first in the Southeast. The Canopy Walkway will start from Ugwu Uto and will slope over 500 meters to terminate at the site

of the ancient pyramids.

There will be rondavels around the hill, a lighthouse and an observatory with a restaurant that would be built on the Hilltop at about 530 meters above sea level.

There is also the Pine Forest Hotel, which already hosts lots of photoshoots but the state plans to make it more appealing with rotundas flowers and a 300-meter zipline, the first in Nigeria.

The third project is the Cross of Hope at Okpatu Hill; a 50-meter cross atop a 15-story building reaching a total height of 630 meters above sea level. This will be the tallest across in Africa.

The state government has also seriously engaged with the development of the popular Awhum waterfall, which is alluring and mystical. Additional canopy walkway and boardwalk to enhance

the experience will be added. There will also be Akwuke Beach/Atakkwu Waterpark with experience centres, food courts, and renewable energy and added to this is the Ovu Lake Golf and Resort; a golf and resort complex with experience centres, food courts, and renewable energy in addition to a boat jetty with plan to host world-class events.

It was learnt that earlier in 2024, the state hired consultants Ambassador Ikechi Uko, the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, and Queen Ebele Enemchukwu to visit all major attractions and draw up plans for at least 15 sites. After a series of vetting by Governor Peter Mba and his team, they approved the first phase for development. With the inclusion of Ovu Lake and Atakwu Waterparks, the projects will cost the state a total of N30 billion.

Excitement as Keystone Bank Reopens Revamped Ketu Branch

Keystone Bank Limited, a leading financial services provider in Nigeria, has officially reopened its fully revamped branch located at Plot 584, Ikorodu Road, Ketu, Lagos.

The reopening ceremony, over the weekend, drew the attention of business owners, customers, market leaders, and dignitaries from across the Ketu area and beyond. Declaring the branch open, the Managing Director & CEO of Keystone Bank, Mr. Hassan Imam, emphasized the strategic importance of the Ketu branch to the bank’s nationwide retail expansion and its broader commitment to customer satisfaction and financial inclusion.

According to him: “The reopening of the Ketu branch is a significant milestone in our strategic growth journey. This axis is home to a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, traders, and families. We are here to serve

NASD

them better with upgraded facilities and more personalized banking experiences.

“At Keystone Bank, we believe in growing together with our customers. That’s why we’re working round the clock to ensure they enjoy seamless, secure, and convenient banking. The return of full operations at our Ketu branch guarantees easy access to our broad range of financial services for customers in this axis.”

Imam noted that while the bank continues to deepen investments in digital banking and fintech solutions, physical branches in key commercial centers like Ketu remain essential.

Also, speaking at the event, Mrs. Nnenna Anyim-Okoro, Executive Director, Corporate Bank & South, praised the vibrant commercial ecosystem in Ketu and reiterated the bank’s long-term commitment to supporting small and medium businesses.

“The Ketu branch is not just a banking hall, it is a hub for economic empowerment. We are here to build lasting relationships and provide practical solutions to help businesses thrive, whether through accessible credit, financial literacy, or digital tools designed for growth,” she noted.

Chairman of the Mile 12 (Ketu) International Market, Shehu Usman, expressed appreciation for the reopening.

“We are truly grateful to Keystone Bank for this bold move. Many of us have banked with the institution for years, and we are glad that your office is now just a stone’s throw away from our market. Within just one week of planning for this reopening, over 100 traders and business owners in the market have opened new accounts in addition to existing customers. This shows the level of trust our community has in Keystone Bank,” he said.

OTC to Lunch New Products, Unlock Investment in Critical Sectors

NASD OTC Exchange Plc said it is warming up to unveil some innovative products and unlock investment opportunities in the real estate and co-operative societies in a strategic move to deepen its activities in the Nigerian financial market.

Although details of the concept, structure and benefits of the new products are kept under wraps, NASD’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Eguarekhide Longe said the leading OTC Exchange was awaiting regulatory approvals to make public the initiatives.

“NASD is focused on origination. To this extent we are driven by the need to be extremely innovative and propelled to drive inclusion of new business area We are going to conclude the delivery of a few novel products which we have applied to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for approval. These products will help to unlock value in untapped areas of the Nigerian financial services sector and will broaden the Nigerian Capital market. As a hint, these products will touch upon the Real Estate and the

much-untapped Nigerian Cooperative Societies. We see 2025 closing with a strong performance, if not stronger than 2024,” says Longe.

In an interactive session with some financial journalists in Lagos, he stated that despite the inclement operating environment in 2024, the Exchange demonstrated resilience and recorded significant growth.

According to him, the NASD Securities Index (NSI), increased by 223.75per cent y/y, rising to 3,002.68 basis points in December 2024, from 927.77 basis points in December 2023.

TomTom BTIVerse Challenge Heats Up in Agege with Unprecedented Show ofTalent

Just one week after a sensational kickoff in Yaba, the 2025 TomTom Breathe Through It (BTI) Verse Challenge, Barz on Wheelz rolled into Agege, turning up the volume on raw talent and street energy.

Held at the Amoo Football Pitch recently, the Agege edition drew over 100 contestants for what became a fiercely contested showdown of lyrical power, creativity, and authenticity.

Contestants delivered dynam-

ic verses, many incorporating elements from their immediate environment, proving not only their skill, but also their ability to adapt, improvise, and reflect real street stories. So intense was the level of performance that TomTom’s brand team invoked an unprecedented twist, allowing for the selection of a first runner-up in addition to the winner, underscoring the brand’s commitment to recognizing and

nurturing outstanding grassroots talent.

Crowned winner of the Agege edition was Lukuman Kamilu, also known as Leekee, whose confident delivery, smooth flow, and thought-provoking lyrics wowed both the judges and the crowd. Haruna Mohammed, aka Dannyboi, emerged as the first runner-up after delivering a gripping performance that showcased passion and lyrical maturity.

Saharan Blend

(Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic

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

L-R: Council Member, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Nkoli Edoka; Chairman, Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), Sam Onukwue; inductee and Registrar and Chief Executive, CIS, Ayorinde Adeonipekun; Director, Lagos Liason Office, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), John Briggs and Managing Director, Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE), Akin Akeredolu-Ale, during 5th Commodity Brokers Induction Ceremony in Lagos… recently

Kayode Tokede

Access Holdings Shareholders Approve N125.29bn Dividend Payout

Kayode Tokede

The shareholders of Access Holdings Plc, have approved the management payment of N125.29 billion as dividend for the 2024 financial year, representing a 67 per cent increase from the N74.6 billion that was paid in 2023.

Speaking at the financial institution’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, the Chairman, Progressive

Shareholders Association, Mr Boniface Okezie commended the financial result of the company, describing it as an exceptional performance.

He, however, urged the company to look into reducing costs, with a specific focus on the money paid to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

The chairperson of the Highly

Favoured Shareholders Association, Mrs Adetutu Shiyanbola, appreciated the Chairman and the entire board members of the company for presenting an outstanding financial report.

She also commended the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, which focused on social welfare, community development, education, and health.

The Group Chairman, Access Holdings, Aigboje

Aig-Imoukhuede noted that the 2024 financial year performance collectively reinforce that Holdings is not only a well-capitalised financial group but also one that is structurally positioned to scale sustainably, adapt to policy dynamics, and continue delivering long-term value to shareholders

He said, “Considering our strong earnings performance and continued growth, the Board of Directors has proposed a final

dividend per share of N2.05 for the year 2024. This brings the total dividend for 2024 to N2.50 per share. With this, the dividend payout for the year amounts to N125.29 billion.”

According to him, the financial performance of Access Holdings in 2024 underscores the underlying strength of our balance sheet and the resilience of our Group.

“Central to this success was our landmark capital raising

programme, through which we raised N351 billion through a rights issue.This strategic initiative made Access Bank the first Nigerian bank to meet the new N500 billion minimum capital requirement set by the Central Bank of Nigeria well ahead of the 2026 deadline,” he added.

Aig-Imoukhuede said that the rights issue significantly strengthened the company’s capital base, increasing its shareholders’ funds to N4.76 trillion.

Seplat’s Journey to Becoming Nigeria’s Energy Powerhouse

Kayode tokede writes on how Seplat Energy Plc acquired Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited from ExxonMobil in 2024, which has boosted the company’s recent performance, what the shareholders and the country’s oil and gas sector stand to benefit

In December 2024, Seplat Energy executed an $800 million acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU), a move that was described by experts as transformational for the development of not just the company, but the oil and gas industry and by extension, Nigeria’s economic growth.

The transaction is transformative for Seplat Energy, more than doubling production and positioning the company to drive growth and profitability, whilst contributing significantly to Nigeria’s future prosperity.

The completion of this acquisition has created Nigeria’s leading independent energy company, with the enlarged company having equity in 11 blocks (onshore and shallow water Nigeria); 48 producing oil and gas fields; five gas processing facilities and three export terminals.

The acquisition of the entire issued share capital of MPNU adds the following assets to the Seplat Group: 40per cent operated interest in OML 67, 68, 70 and 104; 40per cent operated interest in the Qua Iboe export terminal and the Yoho FSO; 51per cent operated interest in the Bonny River Terminal (BRT) NGL recovery plant; 9.6 per cent participating interest in the Aneman-Kpono field; and approximately 1,000 staff and 500 contractors will transition to the Seplat Group.,

The strategic deal, now operating as Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU), doubled Seplat’s production to a pro-forma 118,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) and increased its reserves by 85 per cent to 886 million barrels of oil equivalent, solidifying its ambition to be Nigeria’s leading independent energy company.

While commenting on the acquisition of MPNU at the company’s 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, the Chairman, Seplat Energy, Udoma Udo Udoma noted: “We completed the transformational acquisition of MPNU, which more than doubled our production and increased our reserves.”

“The acquired assets have a world-class history as some of Nigeria’s most important oil fields and as the new operator of these assets, we intend to invest to increase production for the benefit of all our stakeholders.”

He noted that the ambition was significantly advanced when the management completed its acquisition of the entire share capital of MPNU in December 2024, echoing that merging the business, currently called SEPN, with Seplat Energy has created a Nigerian energy powerhouse.

“I am especially pleased to report that the closing cash consideration of $800 million at completion was funded entirely from cash, new and available debt facilities, with no dilution of shareholdings. This speaks volumes to the strength of our business. The acquisition of the entire share capital of MPNU significantly advances this ambition.”

“Merging the business, which we now call SEPNU with Seplat Energy has created a Nigerian energy powerhouse with pro-forma production of 118 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day and pro-forma combined reserves of 886 million barrels of oil equivalent, an increase of 85per cent on reserves reported by Seplat Energy at the beginning of 2024,” he said.

Adding his voice, the Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy, Mr. Roger Brown, said the complete acquisition of MPNU increased reserves and production that the SEPNU assets add to Seplat Energy’s operations is significant, making the company to consolidate on its position as the leader, and this is a significant responsibility of stewardship of Nigeria’s natural resources, which the company do not take lightly.

“Along with the oil and gas producing assets we gain operating control of dedicated shallow water infrastructure and three export terminals, namely Qua Iboe Terminal, Bonny River Terminal and the Yoho Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) facility, as well as Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plants at East Area Project (EAP) and Oso,” he said.

Speaking on expansion, he said the company from being a 100 per cent onshore operator, now approximately 70 per cent of its production is offshore, and exported through three terminals which Seplat operates.

He stated that the improved security and higher volumes passing through Qua Iboe and Yoho would improve revenue assurance and diversify its export infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

“To ensure excellent execution in production operations, we are joined by about a thousand very highly skilled staff whom I know are excited to become part of the Seplat Energy family, and together we will work tirelessly to increase production and maximize the value of these assets for all our stakeholders.”

“A new integration project has been launched following the successful coming together of Seplat and SEPNU. This marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for

Seplat Energy as we unify two exceptional teams, cultures, and visions into one organisation.”

“The integration process aims to enhance our capabilities, drive sustained growth, and maximize the potential of our combined strengths.

The Integration Management Office (IMO) has been established to serve as the hub for this process,” he said.

Company’s 2024Fy perFormanCe

Udoma noted that the 2024 full year (FY) performance of the business met the management expectations.

“The year was truly transformational for the development of our business. Our core business delivered another year of safe and reliable operations, achieving key targets for production and operating efficiency, which supported another year of strong cash flow generation and shareholder returns,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Seplat Energy, Mrs. Eleanor Adaralegbe, noted that 2024 was a strong year for the company because in addition to the strong oil and gas production from its onshore business the management completed the transformational acquisition of MPNU in December 2024, an acquisition for the entire shallow water operations of Exxon Mobil in Nigeria.

“For our financial results, 2024 results benefited from higher production particularly oil production from the consolidation of SEPNU for the final 19 days of the year; total revenue reached a record of $1.116 billion(N1.652trillion) reflecting a higher output partially offset by modestly lower oil price realisations. The group adjusted EBITDA reached $539 million(N796billion) including $99 million contribution from SEPNU and this represented a 20.3per cent increase on 2023;

“After taxes of nearly $235 million, our net profit was approximately $145 million. We generated $383 million cash from operations and our Net debt increased to $898 million following the completion of the acquisition of MPNU but despite this, our pro-forma net leverage of 0.7 times was flat on 2023 as the company maintained its strong balance sheet.”

“We maintained good credit ratings in international markets, and this helped us to refinance our $650 million bond in March 2025, where our yield priced inside the comparable Nigerian Government Sovereign bond, a first for Seplat. We look forward to further improvements in key financial metrics in 2025 as a bigger company.”

“The board approved/recommended a core dividend of $ 3.6 cents per share (N55.27 per share) for the final quarter of 2024 subject to appropriate withholding tax (WHT). This brings the total core dividend declared for 2024 to $13.2 cents per share (N202.66 per share), a 10 per cent increase on 2023.”

“In addition, following a review of Seplat’s operational performance and business outlook, the Board has decided to declare an additional special dividend of $ 3.3 cents per share (N46.06 per share) (subject to appropriate WHT).

“The 4Q 2024 and special dividends will be paid to shareholders whose names appear in the

Register of Members as at the close of business on 9 May 2025 (LSE) and 12 May 2025 (NGX).

“This brings the total dividend declared for 2024 to $ 16.5 cents per share (N253.33 per share), a 10per cent increase on 2023. The payment of the special dividend reflects the board’s continued confidence in the outlook for the Company and is underpinned by a strong balance sheet.”

He added that the company would review its dividend policy through 2025 as part of the overall capital allocation policy of the enlarged group.

Commenting also on 20244FY performance, the Chief Operating Officer, Seplat Energy, Mr. Samson Ezugworie, said 2024 was a year of significant achievement across the entire spectrum of our existing business topped up with the addition of SEPNU Assets in December; 2024.

Gas expansion and sustainability drive

The headline’s promise of reshaping Nigeria’s energy map is vividly realised in Seplat’s leadership in the gas sector and its commitment to sustainability. The company achieved a 128 per cent in gas production in 2024, driven by the Sapele Integrated Gas Plant (SIGP) and Oben facility improvements, positioning it as “one of the biggest gas producers in the country.”

Seplat’s onshore gas processing capacity is approximately 850 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd), with offshore facilities at Oso (600 MMscfd) and EAP (1 BCF/day) contributing to a total capacity of nearly 2.5 BCF/day. This expansion aligns with Nigeria’s push to leverage gas for domestic and industrial use, as well as exports.

The ANOH Gas Plant, a joint-venture project, is a cornerstone of Seplat’s gas strategy. It achieved mechanical completion on December 29, 2023, without an LTI across 11 million man-hours, and is ready for commissioning once the OB3 pipeline’s river crossing is completed in Q2 2025.

Ezugworie noted: “This is a top priority for the government, and we monitor progress on a continuous basis as a key pipeline infrastructure which is critical to the commencement of full operations of the 300 MMscfd joint-ventureoperated ANOH Gas Plant. Seplat is also exploring export opportunities, including sending gas to Nigeria LNG (NLNG).”

In 2025, our production guidance to the market is 120,000 -140,000 boepd working interest and as seen from our first quarter (Q1) results we reported 131,561 boepd which is in line with our guidance.”

“We are focused on reviving existing wells in the SEPNU asset, investing in more drilling campaigns in our onshore assets and increasing gas volumes with the activities at SIGP.” sustainability and transForminG lives

On sustainability, Brown said: “ Beyond our social and environmental interventions in the communities where we operate and in Nigeria as a whole, we are also looking inwards.”

“The company recently launched our culture framework in 2024, called SF-InPACT (Seplat First, Inclusivity & Respect, Performance-driven,

Agility, Confidentiality and Trust), which was the result of extensive internal workshops and reviews. We designed the new culture framework to strengthen our business, through greater employee engagement, collaboration and transparency. I’m pleased to say that this resulted in an improved employee engagement score in our annual staff survey.

“From a business perspective, we continued to review various projects within our New Energy division, and while we elected not to make an investment decision in 2024, this was largely due to the timing of the completion of the MPNU acquisition. We will continue to explore opportunities in power generation and renewable energy that have the potential to add value to our core operations.”

He noted that the company’s vision is transforming lives through energy — goes far beyond powering homes, transport and industry.

“We are deeply committed to creating social value that enhances lives by improving education and healthcare, and by fostering entrepreneurship in our communities. By embedding social development goals into our strategy, we not only contribute to improving Nigeria’s energy landscape, but also help to drive progress in healthcare, education and personal empowerment.”

“As part of our long-term social development initiatives in healthcare and education, we reached the notable milestones of conducting 100,000 eye tests in our Eye Can See programme, and over one thousand teachers supported through our various educational programs.

“In 2024, we launched the Youth Entrepreneurial Program (YEP) as part of our social investment initiatives, equipping young people with hands-on training in renewable energy systems to prepare them for sustainable careers in the clean energy sector. “

“The YEP is a pathway to real economic opportunities, enabling participants to contribute to Nigeria’s energy transition while securing economic empowerment for themselves and their communities. The program also highlights our strategic commitment to increasing access to energy and fostering local enterprise, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal Target 13.3—building knowledge and capacity to tackle climate change.”

Future perspeCtive oF the Company

The Chairman of Seplat Energy,Udoma stated that the management believes the future is very bright for the newly enlarged Seplat Energy.

“We plan to invest in both our Onshore and SEPNU businesses to increase production in both divisions, at the same time investing in maintenance and integrity activities to ensure the infrastructure will continue to support production well into the future.”

“Our gas division will grow rapidly with the enormous gas resources offshore as well as the already established gas business onshore.”

He stated that for the management to ensure the long-term sustainability of its business, it will continue to focus on three key areas, which are driving social development, focusing on environmental care and reporting and lastly, maximising returns for all stakeholders.

“These key areas ensure that business can be financially sustainable while caring for the environment in which we operate and the communities of stakeholders with whom we interact,” he said.

udoma

Brown

This Week In Tech

From 2G to 5G: How Nigeria’s Internet Usage, Data Consumption Evolved in Five Years

Over the last five years, Nigeria’s internet usage has undergone rapid changes. Data consumption and mobile subscriptions have soared, reflecting both the country’s growing connectivity and the increasing dependence on mobile internet.

2019-2020 – THE CATALYST FOR CHANGE

In 2019, Nigeria’s internet market was already experiencing a steady growth trajectory. According to data garnered from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), by December 2019, the total number of active internet subscriptions stood at 125.98 million. This was a notable increase from 2018, reflecting growing access to mobile internet as more Nigerians embraced smartphones.

However, 2020 marked a dramatic shift in the country’s internet consumption patterns. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily life, forcing schools, businesses, and social interactions online. This massive shift to digital platforms caused a surge in data usage across the country.

By December 2020, the total number of active internet subscriptions had increased by 22.5%, reaching 154.29 million, while the volume of data consumed surged by 66.5%, rising from 123,648 terabytes in December 2019 to 205,880 terabytes.

The increase in data consumption was primarily driven by the widespread adoption of online education, remote work, and virtual events. For many Nigerians, mobile internet became the lifeline that enabled them to stay connected, and this trend paved the way for more expansive data usage in subsequent years.

A RAPID SURGE IN DATA CONSUMPTION: THE 2021 MILESTONE

Amid the disruptions caused by the pandemic, Nigeria’s internet usage continued to rise in 2021. Active internet subscriptions decreased slightly by 8% from 154.29 million in 2020 to 141.96 million in 2021. This decline, however, did not reflect a drop in mobile internet engagement but rather the deactivation of unverified SIM cards following the National Identification Number (NIN) linkage policy implemented by the Nigerian government. On the other hand, data consumption saw a growth of 68.2%. By December 2021, the volume of data consumed reached 350,165.39 TB, a notable increase from the previous year. This spike was consistent with the global trend of heightened digital consumption, driven by continued lockdowns, work-from-home mandates, and the transition to online learning.

BROADBAND PENETRATION

EXPANDS: 2022’S CONNECTIVITY

LEAP

In 2022, Nigeria saw a significant leap in broadband penetration, marking a milestone in the country’s internet journey. The number of active internet subscriptions grew by 9.06%, reaching 154.85 million by the end of the year. Alongside this, broadband

Nigeria’s internet and mobile data landscape has been on an upward trajectory. The country is on track to become one of Africa’s most connected nations, with a growing number of users consuming ever-increasing volumes of data.

subscriptions expanded by 15.9%, pushing the broadband penetration rate up to 47.36%.

This expansion in broadband access was particularly critical as more Nigerians embraced 4G networks for faster, more reliable internet services. By the end of 2022, 80.86% of Nigerians were covered by 4G LTE/WiMAX mobile networks, while 2G and 3G coverage stood at 93.9% and 86.82%, respectively. This progress in network infrastructure laid the foundation for the digital revolution that was about to unfold.

Additionally, total data usage rose dramatically, increasing by 46.77% from 353,118 TB in 2021 to 518,381.78 TB in 2022. This was a reflection of the growing appetite for high-speed internet, fuelled by streaming services, online gaming, and remote work.

GROWTH IN SUBSCRIBERS AND DATA: 2023 AND BEYOND

In 2023, Nigeria’s internet subscriber base continued its upward trajectory. In Q1, the number of active internet subscribers stood at 157.55 million, representing a growth of 8.02% from the previous year. By Q2, the number rose to 159.5 million, with Lagos leading the pack as the state with the highest number of internet subscribers. Lagos’ dominance in internet usage reflected its status as Nigeria’s economic and technological hub.

The data consumption trend showed continued growth. By Q3 2023, Nigeria had 160.17 million active internet subscribers, with Lagos once again at the top, followed by Ogun and Kano. Despite the rapid increase in subscriptions, Bayelsa remained one of the states with the lowest subscriber numbers, highlighting the regional disparities in access to technology.

The final quarter of 2023 saw 163.84 million active internet subscribers, a 5.81% increase from Q4 2022. The trend continued

with a steady rise in data usage, reflecting the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s internet landscape.

2024: A MINOR SETBACK AND MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS

The year 2024 brought both challenges and opportunities. Active internet subscriptions dropped to 139.2 million in December, a significant decline from the previous year, due to the deactivation of SIM cards not linked to National Identity Numbers (NIN). This was coupled with a drop in overall mobile connections, as teledensity fell from 103% to 76.1%.

However, data consumption continued to rise. Despite the decline in active subscriptions, Nigeria consumed a record 973,445 TB of data in 2024. This growth was a testament to the nation’s increasing dependence on digital platforms. By the end of 2024, mobile internet penetration had shifted. 4G usage surpassed 2G, signalling Nigeria’s steady progress toward more advanced mobile technologies. MTN held the lion’s share of the market, with 51.39% of subscriptions, while Airtel followed with 34.3%.

2025: THE TARIFF HIKE DOESN’T SLOW DOWN GROWTH

In 2025, despite a significant increase in data tariffs by 50%, Nigerians continued to consume data in massive quantities. By March 2025, data consumption surged to 995,876.10 TB, an 11.5% increase from the previous month. Mobile subscriptions also saw growth, with the number of active subscriptions rising to 141.5 million.

MTN remained the market leader with 75.62 million subscribers. Despite the tariff increase, the appetite for mobile data alongside the country’s overall internet consumption seems insatiable.

DEMOGRAPHICS: WHO IS DRIVING NIGERIA’S DATA BOOM?

The surge in internet usage across Nigeria is primarily driven by a combination of urbanisation, demographic shifts, and technological advancements. Urban centres such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are at the heart of this data boom, benefiting from superior infrastructure and robust economic activity.

These cities, with their higher concentration of businesses, educational institutions, and entertainment hubs, naturally see the highest levels of internet engagement. However, rural areas are gradually narrowing the gap. As 4G networks continue to expand and smartphones become increasingly affordable, more people in less urbanised regions are gaining access to the internet.

Demographically, the most significant drivers

of Nigeria’s data consumption are young Nigerians aged 18 to 35. This group enthusiastically embraces streaming platforms, social media, and e-commerce, making them the largest consumers of data. According to DataReportal, internet penetration among the youth is significantly higher compared to older generations, reflecting the deep integration of digital platforms into their daily lives. In terms of gender, the gap in internet access is gradually closing. More women are gaining access to smartphones and affordable data plans, contributing to increased online engagement across gender lines.

Socioeconomic status also plays a role in shaping data consumption patterns. While those from higher income brackets naturally consume more data, budget-friendly mobile data offerings have democratised internet access, enabling individuals from various income levels to participate in the digital ecosystem. This has helped create a more inclusive digital environment where a broader cross-section of society can engage with online services, from e-commerce to education and entertainment.

Nigeria’s telecom sector is led by four major operators: MTN, Airtel, Globacom (Glo), and 9mobile. MTN Nigeria holds the largest market share with 72.22 million internet subscribers as of December 2024, followed by Airtel with 47.41 million. MTN and Airtel have demonstrated strong growth, adding 1.61 million and 1.24 million users respectively, while Globacom and 9mobile have seen stable or slight declines.

MTN and Airtel’s combined revenue from voice and data services reached N3.67 trillion in the first half of 2024, reflecting the lucrative nature of data subscriptions in Nigeria’s telecom market.

FACTORS FUELING DATA SURGE

Nigeria’s data consumption boom is driven by several factors. Streaming services and social media platforms are at the forefront, with Adeolu Ogunbanjo, president of NATCOMS, highlighting that “streaming is driving this surge.” Video streaming and social media are now the dominant forces in data usage.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward remote work and e-learning, significantly increasing data demands. E-commerce platforms like Jumia, Konga, and Paystack have also played a pivotal role in driving data consumption by facilitating online shopping and digital banking. Furthermore, the rollout of 4G and the initial deployment of 5G networks have improved internet speed and reliability, encouraging even greater data usage across various sectors.

NIGERIA’S INTERNET FUTURE

Nigeria’s internet and mobile data landscape has been on an upward trajectory. The country is on track to become one of Africa’s most connected nations, with a growing number of users consuming ever-increasing volumes of data. While the market has faced setbacks, the demand for digital connectivity remains resilient, with mobile internet users continuing to push the boundaries of consumption.

PERSPECTIVE

A New Song at NIMASA

Workers of the agency express delight at a fresh air of incentives. Vincent Obia writes.

is known for.

Johnson Asok (not real name) wasn’t sure whether to proceed with a voluntary retirement plan he had made after working for nearly 20 years at the agency. With ample experience gained from various departments of the organisation, he felt a bit of boredom and lack of excitement in his job.

“Moreover, there was no new incentive to put in more. In fact, frustration had begun to set in,” said Asok, who works in the Maritime Labour Services Department of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). “The coming of the new director-general tended to worsen my confusion, as no one knew what lied ahead, especially with regard to incentivisation of work.”

But after more than one year of Dr. Dayo Mobereola’s stewardship as Director-General of NIMASA, Asok said his vocation now had a clear direction, and he was motivated to work more, perform better, and achieve more.

In Nigeria’s increasingly volatile employment market, quitting a job with NIMASA without a better alternative lined up is a far-fetched adventure. And having the motivation to go the extra mile to achieve results seems even more distant.

“But Mobereola has brought a fresh air of motivation, creating a system that encourages you to see the need to work harder, and look forward to a promising tomorrow. He has brought more value and purpose to what we do here,” Asok said.

For most people in NIMASA, there is a deeper sense of justification for hard work following a fresh package of incentives introduced by the director-general. And they are not shying away from telling it like it is.

“We, the grateful and observant members of staff, write to acknowledge and commend your visionary leadership and your unwavering commitment to the welfare and professional development of NIMASA personnel,” some staff of the agency, under the aegis of “The Encouraged Staff,” wrote recently, in a letter to the director-general.

They stressed, “Your tenure has brought with it a breath of fresh air. The staff have benefited immensely from enhanced access to training opportunities – both local and international – broadening our horizons and equipping us to deliver on the agency’s core mandate with renewed competence.”

The concerned workers added, “Staff welfare has also taken a commendable turn. Gone are the days

INTERVIEW

when options were forced upon us.

“The introduction of expense cards usable across all electronic platforms is a bold and welcome step, restoring dignity and personal choice to how staff celebrate and manage their entitlements.”

The above notes capture what the staff feel for Mobereola, NIMASA, and the President Bola Tinubu government. It is a common workplace principle that people are motivated to work better or take action when they are incentivised with cash and kind rewards.

Workers at NIMASA see the new system of incentives introduced by Mobereola beyond the material worth.

“The significance lies not just in the value, in terms of naira and kobo, but more importantly, in the new injection of a sense of appreciation and worth for the work we

do,” said another staff, who desired not to be mentioned.

The new sentiments come a few months after some within the agency had sought to take the NIMASA boss up on certain matters bordering on staff welfare. They accused him of throwing staff and their welfare under the bus.

But he has shown much inclination to prioritise workers’ welfare, in an apparent riposte to the critics.

Beyond the internal stakeholders, Mobereola is also gaining the confidence of the agency’s external stakeholders. Staff see the commencement of the long-awaited disbursement process of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) as “a clear testament to your focus on inclusive development and industry growth”.

The new song at NIMASA didn’t come out of nowhere. It fits into a pattern of purposeful leadership that Mobereola

A passionate technocrat with over 30 years’ experience in transport infrastructure development, he has led projects that revolutionised transportation and improved lives.

Whether it is the reshaping of the Lagos transport landscape as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), successful implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and emergence of the state’s rail system, articulation of the Lagos State 20-year Strategic Transport Master Plan, or, internationally, membership of an eminent group of professionals commissioned to provide solution to London’s transport challenges, Mobereola’s successes remain momentous reference points in Nigeria and beyond.

Upon assumption of duties at NIMASA in March 2024, he promised effective communication and innovation.

“I do not doubt that every individual within our organisation has the potential to achieve greatness,” he had said.

He added, “We will, therefore, ensure that we build a purpose-driven organisation by investing in our staff, processes, and the entire system to achieve our mandate.

“I aim to foster an environment of innovation, collaboration and synergy, creating an atmosphere that encourages the development of our employees’ skills, talents, and creativity.”

NIMASA staff are full of commendation for their director-general.

Mobereola told the inaugural senior management retreat for the agency’s operational staff in Lagos, recently, “Our success as a team depends largely on the commitment of our operational staff.

“We will continue to provide an enabling environment that supports capacity development on a continuous basis. Our vision to become the leading maritime administration in Africa, advancing Nigeria’s global maritime goals, is only achievable when staff remain dedicated to their duties.”

But there are a few things the staff would like Mobereola look into as he seeks to boost morale, motivation, and institutional stability.

One is the issue of staff promotions, pending since 2024. The second is the upping of remunerations in line with current economic realities.

They are positive that Mobereola would be favourably disposed to their concerns, and there would be quick resolution of the issues.

Oladapo Ojo: Via ‘Edu-tainment’, We Want to Make Learning of Science Fun

Oladapo Ojo, is a serial entrepreneur who is ‘addicted’ to innovative undertakings. He runs one of the biggest audio-visual studios in West Africa with massive investment in the production value chain with the edu-tainment and value chain landscape. Recently, his company, JustMedia, completed the first season of the University Duel and SMART Challenge competitions. He spoke on the challenges of organising such first of its kind contest.

Kindly give us the background to University DUEL Competition.

Thank you, let me take a few steps back to 2004 when JustMedia our marketing, 7communications company, began providing content and marketing communications support to some discerning organizations such as Guinness, GSK Lucozade Boost, Nestle and so on. By 2008, we discovered that Nigerians/Africans were net consumers of technology with little or very low-tech contribution. From our interactions with young people on our various projects at the time, we found that over 80% of them especially the females were not interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. They believed in an unfounded myth that the sciences especially mathematics were too difficult to understand; scientists are boring beings and in most cases STEM is not so relevant to activities outside the classroom. We then figured that to correct this situation, we would need more Africans especially the youths to be actively involved in STEM.

That was how we found our niche in education which was to make STEM more engaging, fun and to dispel the myth among students (especially in secondary schools) that STEM fields are difficult and unattractive.

Tell us how University DUEL Differs from other Traditional Quiz Competitions?

University DUEL competition differs from traditional quiz competitions in its approach to making STEM education fun and interactive using technology all the way through its execution From Online Registrations- schools, students, the CBT, the format of the TV show which is fully automated using algorithm to shuffle over 7,000 questions cutting across many topics. While traditional quizzes focus on rote memorization, University DUEL competition is an annual contest amongst top institutions

where outstanding students collaborate and compete in the areas of critical thinking, problem solving, analytics, sustainable environment, general knowledge and innovations.

The aim is to aid the thought processes of students through out-of-the-box solutions to complex business and societal problems using technology in order to impact lives and change the community. The aforementioned are the things that we can say clearly sets University DUEL apart from traditional quiz formats.

STEM seems to be the driving force behind your projects and I see you have produced a couple of STEM based

shows even before University DUEL can you tell us about them?

Indeed, we have created and produced a number of STEM based competitions before University Duel. The basic idea for us was to make STEM education more engaging and attractive to African students. We focused on Africa because we recognized Africa has a teeming youth population, so we sought to make STEM education more appealing so as to empower young people to understand the need to, practice, and participate in STEM fields so they can also start producing technology that will impact lives and engender positive change in our continent.

We created and launched Cowbellpedia a national mathematics quiz show for secondary (Junior and Senior) schools in Nigeria in 2015. Cowbellpedia became highly successful by showcasing students’ mathematical prowess. For five consecutive seasons we produced/ managed the project which had over 250,000 students representing over 50,000 high schools participating in the competition.

In 2017 we launched SPAK a science (Physics; Chemistry; Biology and Math) competition for secondary school students (SS2/Year 11). Interswitch saw the potential in the project and became the headline sponsor in 2018. They renamed it InterswitchSPAK. SPAK is the acronym for Speed, Perseverance, Accuracy, and Knowledge.

With an annual grand prize of over 35M million Naira worth of scholarship, InterswitchSPAK competition has engaged hundreds of thousands of secondary school students across Nigeria. The competition features: a national qualifying exam, a knockout stage for the top 81 students and a 13-week TV studio quiz competition to determine the best STEM student in Nigeria

In 2023, we decided to bring attention to Food production in Africa through STEM so we launched Brightest, an agricultural science competition for senior secondary school students in Nigeria with the support of OCP Africa, foremost Fertilizer firm with footprints in over 14 African countries and BlackCountry Farms. That is quite some work you have done to Support STEM education at the secondary school level. Now that you have University Duel, do you still have plans for the secondary schools?

Thank you and yes we always have plans for secondary schools but, let me put this in context. The University DUEL project is a part of the DUEL brand, a robust STEM initiative with a wide range of touchpoints: University Duel, this is where the best of undergrads from across Nigerian Universities converge to compete on STEM knowledge in determining the BEST University Champion. SMART Challenge, (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant & Time-bound) here the focus is to get our Undergraduates to focus on identifying and applying their STEM knowledge in solving real life problems - business, community within our society. High School Duel, since 1859 when the first high school was founded in Nigeria, they have over the years produced thousands of leaders both in the public and private sector. HSD is the platform to encourage Nigerians to give back both physical and mental infrastructures to their alma mata. STEMCup is designed to address some of the gaps within our Govt tertiary institutions. STEMCup challenge is where the best institution wins a STEM endowment/ CHAIR in the winning school.

The success of InterswitchSPAK in Nigeria led to the launch of InterswichSPAK Kenya in 2019 thus replicating the vision and resounding success of making Africans embrace STEM the more. NOTE:

Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola (right), presenting a plaque to Coordinator, Western Zone, NIMASA, Gloria Anyasodo, during a retreat organised by the Operations Directorate of the agency, in Lagos, recently.

Ojo

WEST AFRICA AUTOMOTIVE SHOW 2025...

L-R: Marketing Manager, Bolt Super Lubricant, Mr. Chinagozim Onuoha; Head of Operations, Amaka Ogbuagu; Sales Representative, Chiamaka Chukwuma; and Communications Associate, Mr Chidubem Ogbuagu, during a press conference on the West Africa Automotive Show 2025 in Lagos…recently

Oil Theft: Again, Army Arrests 38 Suspects in Niger Delta

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies have arrested 38 suspected oil thieves and deactivate 28 illegal refining sites in various communities of Niger Delta region.

The troops who made the achievements between May 12 and 18, this year, also recovered over 700,000 litres of stolen products and destroyed several locally made boats used for the criminal acts in the region.

In the statement signed and made

available to journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, said the suspects perpetrated the crime in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.

Noting that the Division has continued to intensify the crackdown against crude oil theft (COT) and associated crimes across the region, Danjuma said in various anti COT operations conducted in Rivers State, particularly around Okolomade, Orashi and Ozochi Forests, troops made

significant inroads.

He said: "During the operations, troops traced an illegal connection seated directly on a Wellhead at Ozochi Forest. In a follow-up operation conducted, troops discovered over 200 sacks of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) with over 300,000 litres of stolen crude in cooking ovens and 300,000 litres of stolen AGO confiscated.

“Other seizures included six cooking ovens of 100,000 litres capacity each, four reservoirs, six receivers, pumping machines and generators. Also recovered were hoses used for transporting the

stolen products over a distance."

He disclosed that three suspected oil thieves were taken into custody in connection to the malfeasance.

He also disclosed that around Alode junction in Eleme, Rivers, following credible intelligence, troops swooped on a truck with two Lagos State Registration Numbers LSR 546 YH and LND 974 XD loaded with over 45,000 litres of stolen AGO parked at the junction.

Similarly, operations conducted by the troops at Obiafor Forest, led to the arrest of five suspected oil thieves,

CJN Warns Legal Practitioners, MULAN against Integration of AI Into Legal Framework

It may disrupt Nigeria's established cultural norms, values

Shittu in Ilorin

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, at the weekend warned legal practitioners in the country, especially, members of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the nation's legal framework.

Justice Kekere-Ekun gave the warning at the MULAN's 16th annual general conference in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

She said that legal practitioners should use of AI with critical minds before its integration into legal frameworks so

Lagos

that it does not disrupt the country's established cultural norms and values.

The Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ibrahim Sulaiman, declared the conference open.

The event was also attended by the Deputy Chief Registrar of Ilorin Division of Federal Court of Appeal, Falilat Oluwatoyin Orire and other top lawyers in the country.

The CJN, represented by the Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Hon. Justice Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi, JCA, described theme of the conference, "Artificial Intelligence,

Law and Religion in Nigeria," as apt and timely, saying that AI is simply the replication of human intelligence in machines that are premeditated to think and act like humans.

"However, it remains to be seen that as Ummah in the legal profession, we owe it a duty to scrutinize with critical minds, before we allow the integration of this said AI into our legal framework, to ensure that it does not distort or tamper with our divine laws and principles well guided according to the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him).

CJN stated: "Adversely, if nothing

is done to ensure the foregoing, there is every tendency that the AI will not only disrupt our established cultural norms and values but will also influence our well-founded religious principles among other adversities, as it is known to have no empathy and contextual sensitivity necessary to handle cases involving personal and communal relationships fittingly".

Judtice Kekere-Ekun said that, "Significantly, and due to the dynamism of our society, the Nigerian legal system must be kept abreast with this new development so as not to be left behind in adapting to this novel AI in the adjudication of cases in Nigeria".

Commends Ojaja Mall Developers Over Iconic Infrastructure in Hospitality Sector

The Lagos State Government has commended developers of Ojaja Mall over the opening and handover ceremony of the 300-shopping complex that houses a 30-room boutique hotel and a cinema hall to boost local economic activity.

According to the realtors, the building is the first of its kind designed with both functionality and aesthetics bringing a mixture of leisure, entertainment and hospitality.

Speaking at the event, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu,

represented by his Senior Adviser on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, said that the project further signifies growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) of the state especially in the hospitality sector.

“This project is an extraordinary project. It's something that is beyond the standard of what we know in Lagos. There's a hotel and cinema together, so it's like a one-stop shop and you don't really have to go outside for anything.

“And I have been told that they will have a 22-hour power supply, which is extraordinary. So, I would like

to say congratulations to the realtors that have put this edifice down and also congratulations to kabiyesi as well too, for putting his brain to work and also bringing this place to life.

“This shows that the GDP of Lagos State would be affected by this project positively. And also, it shows that they would employ as well too. So, it's something that the Lagos State Government is proud of and also something that we're proud to associate ourselves with,” the governor said.

Commending the project, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,

said the project represents more than commerce.

According to him, “It gives me great pride to see Ojaja Mall completed and fully subscribed. This mall represents more than commerce; it embodies culture, empowerment and progress.

“To all investors and business owners stepping into this space, I bless your endeavours and urge you to carry forward the legacy of royal commerce with pride and responsibility.”

Responding, the Group Managing Director, Digital Space Capital, Dr. Olubukola Abitoye, said completion represents fulfillment of a dream.

who were alleged to have established a new illegal bunkering site in the area.

In the process, the troops discovered a locally made reservoir, situated 300 meters away from an abandoned Wellhead laden with over 25,000 litres of stolen crude in the area.

Danjuma stated: "At Olughighi area, a wooden boat loaded with over 10,000 litres of stolen crude hidden in the Creeks was demobilised. While, the ongoing clearance operations conducted by troops along Imo River led the deactivation of Seven illegal refining sites, with 31 drum pots, 10 drum receivers demobilized, 38 sacks and over 7,000 litres of stolen products recovered".

He said: "A sting operations conducted at a makeshift accommodation at Amahausa Community in Ahoada East LGA, led to the recovery of over 50 sacks of illegally refined crude oil estimated to be over 2,500 litres".

In Bayelsa State, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, an illegal refining site with Six ovens, receivers as well as reservoir with over 2,000 litres of stolen products was deactivated by

the troops in operations in the area. in an operation at Isonogbene Creek in Southern Ijaw, troops deactivated an illegal refining site with over 1,500 litres of stolen crude in a reservoir. In a related development, in Delta State, troops projected anti COT operations into Ughoton Creeks in Warri South LGA, where three active artisanal refineries with multiple holding facilities, sacks and Six drums containing over 3,600 litres of stolen crude and AGO were handled appropriately. Also, at Wellhead 3 Olomoro Flow station in Isoko South LGA, troops intercepted a truck with Registration Number MUS 948 XN loaded with crude oil close to the flow station. Danjuma disclosed that the driver was arrested and is being interrogated accordingly.

He added that "In Akwa Ibom State, along Abak - Ikot Abasi road, in Abak LGA, troops intercepted a Mini bus with Registration Number BMT 459 XA Akwa Ibom State loaded with over 1,170 litres of illegally refined AGO stocked in nylon bags", added that the driver of the bus has been arrested.

In continuation of efforts to guarantee adequate provision of potable water, sanitation and hygiene to residents, Ekiti State Government has taken delivery of 110 solar-powered pumps and accessories for the construction of another set of 110 WASH facilities across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 22 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State.

The State Commissioner for infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, made this known in Ado Ekiti, explained that the project is being executed under the World Bank-backed program for Result arrangement, the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Program, which aims to improve access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services, particularly in underserved communities of benefitting states.

Aluko stressed that the idea of buying the pumps in bulk was to save cost and ensure standardization of pump quality and after-installation servicing. According to him: “the broader project is our SURWASH program and part of what we have been doing in the past two years is actually to ensure access to water and sanitation in urban and rural areas.

“We have been constructing boreholes, sanitation and toilet facilities in schools, health centers and communities over the past two years with 121 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities rehabilitated and 64 solar powered boreholes constructed.

“The current installment is 110 WASH facilities consisting of anchored-in solar powered boreholes to be located in 55 schools and 55 health centers across the State with each LGA and LCDA getting two units, additional two units for each LGA

Oluchi Chibuzor

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Hammed

BENCHMARKING VISIT TO GHANA...

Kalu Urges JAMB to Commission Independent Audit of its Examination Infrastructure

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ben Kalu has called on the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to commission an independent, transparent audit of its entire examination infrastructure.

This audit, Kalu said, should involve external professionals, system engineers, and academic measurement

experts to scrutinize every aspect of the Computer Based Test (CBT) engine, question delivery, answer validation, and result collation processes.

In a related development, a Muslim group, Daaru-r- Rahmat Islamic Society (DARMAT) has commended the credibility and accountability of the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Prof. Ishaq Oloyede over the inadequate and glitches that marred the 2025 UTME results.

The group appealed to Nigerians to see the errors as a human error and the body is working round the clock to address the issue.

Meanwhile, the deputy speaker noted the examination body must also implement stronger deployment validation protocols and real-time monitoring mechanisms to prevent recurrence.

Kalu made the call on Sunday in Abuja while addressing a press conference on the 2025 JAMB Unified

Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Technical Crisis.

He stressed the events surrounding the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) have shaken public confidence in one of the nation’s most critical gateways to opportunity.

He emphasised the mass outcry that followed the release of this year’s results, and the subsequent technical review, demands not only transparency but decisive action to restore faith in our educational system.

Tinubu's Industrial Agenda, Senate's Automotive Industry Patronage Bill Excite Indigenous Motor Manufacturers

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Nigeria's indigenous automotive industry are optimistic that good times are imminent following the expected positive impact of the historic bill on local vehicle procurement and the 2025 industrial agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The Local Automotive Industry Patronage Bill, 2025 seeks to make it mandatory for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to procure at least 75 percent of their official vehicles from Nigerian manufacturers.

Reacting to the Vehicle Procurement Bill, the Roxettes Group, a major player in local motor manufacturing and assembly, lauded the Senate for

coming up with the "visionary piece of legislation".

Group Chairman/CEO of Roxettes Group, Dr Kaycee Orji, said that it was a welcome development that both the Presidency and the National Assembly are demonstrating a shared ensure to uplift Nigeria’s manufacturing sector through legislative action and intentional policy.

"This Senate bill aligns perfectly with the robust policy direction laid out by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration has within the first half of 2025 launched three landmark industrial policies," he said.

Tinubu’s industrial policy thrust is hinged on a tripod of Nigeria First Policy, which mandates all MDAs to prioritize Nigerian-made goods

and services; End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Policy, and Credicorp Mobility and Manufacturing Credit Scheme(CMMCS).

The ELV introduced a sustainable recycling ecosystem for decommissioned vehicles and promoting environmental responsibility while the CMMCS unlocks structured credit access for individuals and enterprises to acquire locally manufactured vehicles, machines, and equipment.

Orji described the unfolding legislative and policy frameworks as "a defining moment for Nigerian manufacturing" adding that it signals that "Nigeria is rising, and we are proud to be part of the vanguard of that rise”.

According to him, "these policies,

taken together, signal the boldest government-led push for industrial renewal in recent Nigerian history".

He said: "It is a clear message that President Tinubu is not only serious about reviving manufacturing - but is taking practical steps to empower it through procurement, sustainability, and credit financing.

“We are deeply inspired by the unprecedented alignment between the Presidency, the National Assembly, and key agencies like NADDC and CREDICORP”.

The Roxettes Group, through its subsidiary, the Roxettes Motors, which is the first motor manufacturing and assembly company to be located in Abia State, has started rolling out different vehicle brands at Obuaku City, Ukwa West Local Government.

PEEF, Livestock Ministry Explore Innovative Solutions to Animal Husbandry

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The People Expertise and Excellence Foundation (PEEF) and the Ministry of Livestock Development have agreed to collaborate in developing innovative ways to accelerate livestock development in the state.

This position is contained in a statement on Sunday by PEEF Spokesperson, Abdulrasheed Yusuf and made available to THISDAY in Abuja.

The statement explained the agreement was reached when a

delegation of PEEF led by the Board of Trustee Chairman (BoT) Engr. Abdullah Bukar and the Executive Secretary Dr. Musa Rabiu paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, in his office on Friday.

It quoted the minister saying that being a PEEF member, he was excited about the partnership opportunities with the Foundation especially in technology solutions to livestock management in Nigeria.

He said PEEF as a group of

experts and an intellectual melting point can bring their expertise to bear on the programmes of his ministry.

It added that the minister approved the ministry’s collaboration with PEEF on its forth coming annual conferences with the theme: leveraging technology for an improved livestock sector in Nigeria.

The statement added that to demonstrate his endorsement of the PEEF’s Annual Conference in November, 2025, the Minister called for joint planning committee with

representatives of both parties.

Earlier in his address, PEEF’s BoT Chairman said PEEF is excited about the knowledge sharing opportunity and is willing to share best practices with the ministry.

Bukar used the opportunity to congratulate the minister on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and commended his work thus far.

He reiterated that livestock development is an area PEEF is passionate about and is interested in adding value.

While commending the swift apology of the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and his team, he noted it did not erase the trauma, disruption, and uncertainty experienced by the young people and their families.

He recalled that Nigeria unfortunately lost a UTME candidate to suicide, consequentially triggered by the ensuing results of this technical glitch.

The Deputy Speaker stressed the technical glitch experienced by JAMB was not a failure of the students, nor a deliberate act of sabotage, but a preventable human error within our system.

According to him, “We must not underestimate the toll this has taken.

Parents and candidates have voiced legitimate concerns about the hurried scheduling of re-sit examinations, the overlap with ongoing WAEC assessments, the psychological strain, and the logistical burdens of traveling to distant centres on short notice.”

Kalu stated that reports from the re-sit examinations held on Friday

included complaints of difficult questions, time management issues, more technical glitches, poor centre coordination, and a lack of adequate support for those still affected.

He added: “JAMB must immediately review all available technical and independent reports including those from third-party educational technology companies that have gathered candidate-level data to fully understand the scope and implications of the crisis.

“Only by triangulating internal findings with external audits can we ensure that no affected candidate is left behind.

“Now that the rescheduled examinations have concluded, I urge JAMB to commission an independent, transparent audit of its entire examination infrastructure.

“This audit should involve external professionals, system engineers, and academic measurement experts to scrutinise every aspect of the CBT engine, question delivery, answer validation, and result collation processes.

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

A political interest group, the Bauchi Legacy Legislators (BLL), has commended the President Bola Tinubu administration for keeping to its campaign promise of continuing operations at the Kolmani Oil area and other frontiers in the North.

The commendation came in response to the declaration by the Group Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr Bashir Bayo Ojulari, in an interview with BBC recently, that operations at the Kolmani Oil wells would soon return in earnest.

In a statement by the leader of the group, Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara, the group urged the Tinubu-led federal government to make the exploitation of Kolmani Oil and Gas reserves a reality with the attendant benefits to the communities, state, region and the country in general.

In February, 2025, at the commissioning of a constituency project of Senator Shehu Buba at Toro local government area of Bauchi State, Dogara had called on the federal government to resume Kolmani Oil operations. He also appealed to the federal government to construct the Kafin Zaki and Zungur/Bagel dams which would create thousands of jobs, boost agricultural activities and add hundreds of megawatts of electricity to the national grid.

The Bauchi Legacy Legislators also called for the implementation of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi -Gombe-Yola high way amongst other laudable initiatives of the government.

The group noted that with the actualisation of the stated projects and programmes, the support for the re-election of Tinubu for a second term, if he presented himself, was a done deal in the state and North East geopolitical zone.

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

L-R: Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, and Ag. Director General, National Communications Authority (NCA), Ghana, Edmund Fianko, during a benchmarking visit of the NCC to the NCA in Ghana…recently

COURTESY VISIT BY TETRA PAK WEST AFRICA TEAM TO MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT...

Saraki: Buhari Harassed, Intimidated Me

Because I Opposed Uncurbed Borrowings

Explains why senate presidents after him became rubber stamp to the executive Traces nation’s problems to accidental leaders, docile followers Lauds Kwara’s determination to embrace PDP’s vision

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said at the weekend that the reason ex-President Muhammadu Buhari harassed and intimidated him was his opposition to habitual uncurbed borrowings.

Saraki stated that while he was being harassed by the Buhari administration, the Nigerian elite and ordinary people stood aloof, a situation he said had affected his successors’ performance in office.

Appraising the current political dynamics in Nigeria, Saraki concluded that subsequent presidents of the senate had had to become subservient to the executive, learning from his ordeal.

Arguing that no senate president would like to be subjected to the kind of intimidation he and his team faced under Buhari, Saraki agreed that persons who occupied the position after him had become a rubber stamp to the executive arm of government.

The former Kwara State governor spoke at the 2025 Reunion Gala Celebration of King's College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) of North America, Houston, Texas, United States. His presentation was themed, “Empowering the Future from Legacy to Infinity.”

Saraki was presented with the Rex

E. O. Akpofure Award for Outstanding Achievement during the event.

Other prominent Nigerians, who attended the event, were the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; a renowned Nigerian-American Paediatric Surgeon, Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye; President of Toronto Raptors, Mr. Masai Ujuri; and a Nigerian-American Physician, Dr Sam Dagogo-Jack.

Saraki laid Nigeria's political challenges on the feet of leaders, who were never prepared for the arduous task of governance. He took a swipe at professionals who insisted that politics was dirty and, therefore, not for persons with integrity.

Saraki's tenure as senate president from 2015 to 2019 was marked by a frosty relationship with Buhari, including political rivalry, legal confrontations, and institutional clashes.

The discord began with Saraki's controversial ascent to the senate presidency in June 2015. Defying the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership's preference for Ahmad Lawan, Saraki had secured the position with support from opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators.

Tensions escalated as Saraki faced multiple legal challenges, including charges of false asset declarations related to his tenure as Kwara State governor.

Although many of the charges were dismissed, the timing and persistence

of the cases led people to believe that Saraki was being politically persecuted by the executive branch.

The relationship further deteriorated when Saraki defected from APC to PDP in 2018, citing marginalisation and lack of internal democracy within the ruling APC.

The defection intensified efforts by APC loyalists to remove him from the senate presidency, culminating in a failed impeachment attempt in August 2018.

Despite occasional attempts at reconciliation, the period was marked by legislative-executive standoffs, including delays in confirming presidential nominees and passing key legislations, as well as the failure of Buhari to assent to many legislations by the Saraki-led senate.

Since Saraki left the position, the label of subservience had been particularly associated with his successor, Lawan, as well as the current senate president, Godswill Akpabio, who were accused of failing to assert their independence, with bills and policies from the executive passed with minimal debate or opposition.

Saraki stated, “The legislature under my leadership was silenced, harassed, assaulted, bullied, and blackmailed, and the executive deliberately frustrated the passage of good laws, initiatives, and recommendations that

would have been highly beneficial to our society.

“We were like orphans. The elite and ordinary people kept quiet, were nonchalant, and stayed aloof. Now, years after we left office, subsequent leadership of the National Assembly would rather be a rubber stamp and play dumb because they do not want to go through the harrowing experience that Saraki went through.

“I could have agreed with everything the Presidency under Buhari wanted and cut deals with them all the way. I would have been a good ally. Thus, when I read posts on social media or stories in the traditional media criticising the current National Assembly and praising our tenure, I just shrug my shoulders and feel unconcerned.

“This is a big failure of followership, and it is an enabler for the continuous failure of leadership. These sad developments are indications that our institutions are weak. Instead of building institutions, we are building strong men and women.”

The former senate president pointed out that his experience in governance had shown that many people elected into key offices got there without any idea or plan of what policies, programmes, and projects they wanted to execute and what changes they wanted to effect.

House Committee Tasks FERMA on Quality Road Maintenance Projects

The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has enjoined the agency to ensure delivery of quality road maintenance projects so that contracts are not repeatedly awarded for same projects in every budget circle

The Chairman, House Committee on FERMA, Hon Aderemi Oseni attributed about 80% reasons for the frequent breakdown of rehabilitated roads to poor service delivery by contractors, a situation he said would no longer be tolerated by the President Bola Tinubu administration.

The Committee urged the Authority to henceforth award

roads maintenance contracts only to quality contractors with professionals in their employment who would adhere strictly to the bills of quantity as specified in the contract Speaking in Owerri, the Imo State capital, while on oversight function of FERMA projects in the South-East geo-political zone, the Committee chairman similarly urged the engineers from the Federal Ministry of Works who usually inspect and approve such contracts before final payment to insist on standards and strict adherence to the bill of quantity for such contracts

Hon. Oseni however expressed satisfaction with the level of work being done by FERMA South-East during the committee's oversight visit

to Imo and other states in the zone

The committee during a briefing with FERMA officials to review the progress of 2024 appropriation contracts reports. praised the agency's efforts, emphasizing the need for optimal utilization of public funds earmarked for road maintenance in the 2024 budget.

The committee also charged contractors to prioritize quality jobs, warning that those who fail to meet standards would be replaced.

Oseni assured the committee would address challenges hindering FERMA's operations, including poor funding and logistics issues, in collaboration with the executive arm of government.

During the inspection tour,

Hon. Oseni and other committee members reviewed a completed road maintenance project on the Owerri-Aba Road, expressing optimism about the potential for quality road infrastructure in the country.

On the issue of poor funding and other logistics challenges militating against smooth operations of FERMA in the execution of its mandate, raised by officials of the agency, the House Committee chairman promised to liaise with the executive arm of the government for solutions "We are fully aware of the challenges hindering efficient service delivering of FERMA we are ensuring that they're well addressed".

According to him, these people run the government on whims and caprices, or at best rely on proposals from the “government scammers”, who patronise every government in power.

He advised everyone in the audience to show more interest in politics.

Saraki said, “We should decide that from today, we will no longer keep quiet while our country is being misgoverned. We must always intervene when we see a wrong candidate being fielded, a wrong policy being implemented, or a wrong project being sited.

“We must leave our comfort zone.

With the level of education, experience, and exposure available to those of you present here, Nigeria needs your involvement in her governance.

“You can participate by either contesting elections or supporting the emergence of those you believe are capable and can make a difference.

“Your voice and resources can push good candidates into offices.

All of you here must play key roles at the various levels.”

The former senate president maintained that while Nigerians continued to excel as individuals, everywhere, the country had failed as a collective, emphasising that the country has remained unable to fulfil its manifest destiny as a leader in Africa and the world.

Saraki questioned how the country could have a constellation of global stars, and yet not a leader globally, pointing out that the issue of why Nigeria has not produced leaders who will take the country to the promised land or achieve genuine development is one that will not go away soon.

According to him, “We have failed because our best hands and heads refuse to venture and offer themselves for leadership. Those who constitute the followership have also failed to play their good roles by being discerning in choosing leaders.

The Lagos State Government over the weekend stated that the full enforcement of the ban on usage and distribution of Single Use Plastics (SUPs) will commence statewide on the 1st of July, 2025.

Speaking at Alausa Secretariat, during a courtesy visit by management of TETRA PAK West Africa Limited, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab said the state has been very strategic and intentional about the ban of Single Use Plastics (SUPs).

According to him, "the decision to ban Single Use Plastics in Lagos since the begining of 2025 was an existential decision which is the aftermath of several factors; Lagos being a coastal state below the sea level with the smallest land mass of 3,575 square kilometre of land with about 10% of the country's population; That alone is a recipe for crisis. We did not just wake up whimsically and choose to ban styrofoam food packs in 2024".

"When we announced the ban of Styrofoam food packs in 2024, we also announced that in the next

12 months we are taking out all single use plastics; Within the space of almost 18 months now, we believe that we have given everyone the opportunity to transition: bearing in mind that enforcement did not commence since January this year, but we are going to start by July 1,2025 and heavens will not fall".

Wahab explained that the state officials is constantly engaging the Food and Beverages Recyclers Alliance (FBBRA) and about 70% compliance rate has been recorded. He added that if government has had conversations with FBBRA Members earlier in the year and after a 12 months cycle with an additional six months to allow the people get their bearing, then everyone concerned must to be fair to the state stressing that it is a call for the responsibility of the extended producers to the state.

"When producers with due respect, seek to undermine the system and seek to do things that are not done in any civilised country, we must be insistent that the right things must be done by making them responsible" he added.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

L-R: Head, Marketing and Portfolio Management, Tetra Pak West Africa Limited, Mr. Sunday Clement; Team Consultant, Tetra Pak West Africa Limited, Miss Oyeyemi Marvellous; Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji; Managing Director, Tetra Pak West Africa Limited, Mr. Haithem Debbiche; Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab; and Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, during a courtesy visit by the Tetra Pak West Africa Limited team to the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja over the weekend

Tony Icheku in Owerri

TOTAL ENERGIES AGM...

Obi Condemns Killings in Imo, Calls for Arrest, Prosecution of Criminals Involved

Former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, Peter Obi, has condemned the killing of 32 persons in Imo State by unknown gun men.

The Labour Party chieftain said the continued killings were a pointer to a poignant reminder of Nigeria's collective failure as a nation, He also called for the identification, arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators, describing it as another level of embarrassing barbarism in Nigeria

In a statement posted on X, Obi said, "Again, we have been confronted with another senseless killing in the country, this time in Imo state, where about 30 people were murdered by gunmen.

“This marks yet another level of embarrassing barbarism in a society already battling an unprecedented level of insecurity. Violent killings, horror and fear have continued

to define our daily lives in our nation.

''This inhuman act must be condemned by all. We cannot expect to build a responsible society of humans when we continually desecrate human life without provocation. Such a level of violence and criminality must not continue to have a place in our nation.

''These recurring attacks, violence and killing are a poignant reminder of our collective failure as a nation, gradually losing sense of the sanctity of life and becoming accustomed to terror. The time is now to break this ugly trend of senseless killings in our nation.

''The government must, at this point, rise up to its duties of protection of lives and property. Nigerians cannot continue to live in fear for their lives. Such a level of insecurity is not only inimical to human development but also hinders economic growth and development.

''I urge the government to investigate, arrest and bring the perpetrators of this mayhem to book. I extend my sincere

Army Responds to Allegations of Sexual Exploitation of Widows of Fallen Heroes

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Nigerian Army has responded to the viral allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation of widows of fallen heroes in the course of processing their deceased husbands' benefits.

The Service stated that it took all allegations of sexual harassment or exploitation very seriously. This response followed a trending publication on social and traditional media platforms alleging neglect of widows of fallen soldiers and raising concerns of sexual harassment and bribery during the processing of death benefits.

The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Apollonia Anele, in a statement, said no formal complaints had been received through its Human Rights Desks or investigative channels at the time of this response.

She encouraged any widow with credible evidence to report such misconduct through established

complaint mechanisms to enable prompt disciplinary action.

Stressing that the Nigerian Army recognised the emotional and socioeconomic challenges faced by the families whenever their breadwinners pass on, the Army spokesperson said the force remained firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance for abuse or exploitation.

Anele explained that, contrary to the claims of neglect, the Nigerian Army had institutionalised a robust welfare system that provided death benefits to the next-of-kin (NOK) of deceased personnel.

These benefits, she said, included the gratuity paid by the Military Pension Board, while the Nigerian Army paid for the burial expenses. This, she said, was in addition to the COAS's financial support and Group Personnel Accident Insurance. Others, according to her, were the Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme (NAWIS), Benevolent Funds, Group Life Insurance, and death gratuity.

condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones in this very tragic occurrence. May God grant them eternal rest,” he said.

Meanwhile, Obi, has lifted five young Kaduna State entrepreneurs with various sums of money to expand their businesses.

The five individuals were among the participants who excelled at the Kaduna small

and medium scale enterprises exhibition, tagged SMES HUB Programme organised by Hassan Adamu during the weekend at the ancient power house of the Northern Nigeria.

Obi who was invited as a special guest at the event aimed at showcasing the ingenuity of the youths and their determination to be entrepreneurial or business

owners was represented by the National Coordinator of Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko.

The five recipients of Obi’s empowerment supports were a lady chef, Ummu Kurthum of the Qrusty's Dishes & Pastries who emerged first position, Aminu Ahmed Nu'uman who is in culinary business with the business name, Sufac Food Industry took Second Position

while the third position went to Joel Tirom Muah, equally a lady whose business name is Pherobies & perfumes.

The consolation prices went to Moses Ojo whose interest is footwear and goes with the business name MO Footwears & Appeals and Hajara Jafar Muhammad another female participant whose business name is Gimbiya Integrated Firm.

CAS: NAF Has Evolved Into Global Force

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, weekend, said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said has grown and developed into a significant global force in its over six decades of existence.

Speaking at the NAF Day 2025 Inter-denominational Church Service to commemorate NAF's 61st anniversary at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force Protestant Cathedral, NAF Base Asokoro, Abuja, Abubakar, reiterated that the NAF has evolved into a global force in terms of air power capabilities.

Represented at the Interdenominational Church Service by the Chief of Policy and Plans (NAF), Air Vice Marshal Harry Etukudo, the CAS praised the Service's contribution to guaranteeing peace and security,

as well as defending democracy in the West African sub-region.

"Over the years, the Service has evolved, and its order of battle and capabilities have also improved tremendously. Now, with the challenges the country is facing, the NAF has continued to use air power to suppress and deny terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements the freedom of action.

“The achievements of the Service across all theatres of operation would not have been possible without successive good leadership in the NAF."

Abubakar also applauded the veterans who gave their all in the defence of Nigeria's unity and territorial integrity.

In his homily during the church service, the Director of Chaplaincy Services (Roman Catholic), NAF Headquarters, Group Captain Cyril Akuh,

called for oversight of churches, as some ministers of the gospel were misinterpreting and misleading many away from salvation.

He said though the Nigerian Air Force has made tremendous progress since its establishment in 1964, it is still not where it ought to be.

"When the Nigerian Air Force was established by an Act of Parliament in 1964, it was charged with the statutory role of protecting the country's territorial integrity through the air.

You will agree with me that the Nigerian Air Force has performed creditably well in discharging this constitutional role as a fighting force.

"The testament to this is the obvious role that the Nigerian Air Force has played in providing aerial

surveillance and air power support to surface forces in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of crime and criminality that have besieged our country for over a decade," he said.

Reiterating the dominance of the Nigerian Air Force in Africa, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said, "If you look across sub-Saharan Africa, how many Air Forces are contending with the kind of internal security threats that Nigeria is currently confronted with?

“Nigeria is battling one of the biggest security threats in Africa, and we have been able to contend with it. The Nigerian Air Force stands out as a formidable and resilient Air Force, not just in Africa but in the world."

Delta Central APC Passes Confidence Vote on Tinubu, Oborevwori, Dafinone, Denies Rift

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the central part of Delta State has passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Senator Ede Dafinone, even as it denied alleged disunity and Rifts within the ranks of the party in the state.

Leaders of the party in Delta Central Senatorial District made this known during a meeting yesterday at the residence of Dafinone, chaired by Delta Central APC leader, Chief Paulinus Akpeki.

The party leaders also called for cohesion and cooperation from party faithful as the APC grows stronger in the state.

Dafinone, while speaking dismissed rumours of a disagreement between him and former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

“There is no rift between myself and Senator Omo-Agege. We must not allow baseless rumours to distract us from our collective goals,” he stated.

He pointed out that Oborevwori’s defection to the APC has made him the party’s

leader in Delta State, and tasked party members to support his leadership towards strengthening the party.

Akpeki urged members to work together to strengthen the party’s presence across Delta State even as he described the political landscape as evolving while stressing the need to remain focused and unified.

He described the governor’s defection as a significant and game-changing moment for the party, while urging members to embrace it.

However, the motion to pass

a vote of confidence on Tinubu, Oborevwori, and Dafinone was moved by State Financial Secretary, Mr. William Deniran, and seconded by State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo. Other party leaders in attendance were Chief of Staff to Senator Dafinone, Chief Adelabu Bodjor; members of the State Working Committee: Special Leader, Mr. Mudiaga Okorefe; State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo;member, State Executive Committee, Chief Digbame Ubu and Assistant Legal Adviser, M.K. Okpako, among others.

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

L-R: Managing Director, TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc, Samba Seye; Executive Director, Olubunmi Popoola-Mordi; Chairman, Jean-Phillipe Torres; and Company Secretary, Mark Mannok, during the company’s 47th Annual General Meeting in Lagos, last Friday SUNDAY ADIGUN

AMCON INTERACTION WITH ASSET MANAGEMENT PARTNERS...

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Reno Omokri: Shadow Government Anathema to Presidential System

An author and strong supporter of the Bola Tinubu administration, Reno Omokri, yesterday argued that the idea of a ‘shadow government’ was alien to the presidential system of government.

Arguing that shadow government is a treason, Omokri stated that shadow governments are only allowed in parliamentary democracies, where the roles of head of state and head of government are separated.

“You do not form a shadow government in a presidential system of government because a presidential system is a republican democracy, meaning that the president is both head of state and head of government.

“Forming a shadow government under a presidential system of government is treason. You cannot try it in the United States. And by Section 1 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution."

“Shadow governments are allowed in a parliamentary system because Westminster forms of government do not have separation of powers, unlike presidential systems of government, and the executive and legislature are fused. So, to provide checks and balances, a shadow government is provided for in the constitutions of parliamentary democracies,“

Omokri emphasised.

A Nigerian political economist and former presidential candidate, Prof. Pat Utomi, recently initiated the ‘Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government,’ aiming to provide alternative policy perspectives and constructive critiques of the current

Be Receptive to Correction, APC National Secretary, Basiru, Tells Governor Adeleke

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

An All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in Osun State, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, has again taken a swipe at the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke and cautioned him to be receptive to correction, warning against his penchant for attacking those who offer useful advice.

Adeleke, reacting through his spokesman, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, took offence in Basiru’s advice on how his administration was making life unbearable for the people of the state.

A statement by Basiru stated that he would not stop at anything in giving useful advice to Adeleke as anything that happens to Osun could affect him and others.

According to the former commissioner, who currently chairs the National Sugar Development Commission (NSDC), he expected that the incumbent government would not take his advice because from day one, it liked to be praised, even for the littlest of things.

“The reaction is yet another sad example of the administration's inability to engage in constructive discourse. Instead of addressing clear failures, the government continues its descent into baseless abuse, theatrical name-calling, and hollow propaganda.

“It is important to remind the Adeleke administration that governance is not about trading insults but about responding to accountability with facts.

A government that has failed across critical sectors cannot hide behind slogans and solar lights that barely last a week.

“While the administration boasts of a 40 per cent debt reduction, it conveniently hides the fact that Osun's federal allocation has increased by over 300 per cent. What the Adeleke government claims as financial discipline is simply the benefit of increased federal oil receipts, not strategic fiscal management and discipline.

“Governor Adeleke has denied the widespread reports of teachers disengagement since assuming office. Why did Adeleke sack about 5000 teachers employed by his predecessor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola? Two and a half years after, why has he not engaged them again?” he asked.

Meanwhile, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, has refuted claim regarding the status of certain individuals allegedly employed into the civil service at the tail end of the immediate past administration.

The PDP described the remarks as mere crocodile tears from a sore loser.

The party reminded Basiru that the Osun State civil service was governed by established laws and could not be manipulated for political vendetta.

It noted that many APC loyalists were hastily and unlawfully absorbed into the civil service in the twilight of Oyetola’s administration, not through due process but as a political trap for the incoming PDP government.

administration's governance.

Launched on May 5, 2025, the initiative, he said, comprises members from various opposition parties and seeks to address perceived gaps left by a passive opposition.

However, the Department of State Services (DSS) filed a lawsuit against Utomi on May 13, 2025, arguing that the formation of a shadow government is unconstitutional and poses a threat to national stability.

But Omokri stated that to form and participate in a shadow government, one must first be an elected Member of Parliament and a member of the party that came second during the general election. Even in England, he pointed out that a party that came in third or lower cannot form a shadow government, positing that if they do, it will be considered treason to the state.

“I deeply admire Professor Pat

Utomi. I sent this message to him privately before releasing it publicly as a mark of my sincere respect for him.

“I, therefore, urge Professor Pat Utomi, my friend and a great democrat, to consider the facts I have stated above and, after verifying them to be true, reconsider his actions and bring them in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

“In addition to sending him the statement before going to press, I had a lengthy conversation with Dr Utomi, who assured me as a gentleman that he would not go ahead with the idea of a shadow government but would change the concept and bring it more in line with the Nigerian Constitution. “But whatever decision he makes, Dr. Pat Utomi will continue to be a highly respected person to me and my family,” he Omokri added.

DSS Arrests 'Wanted Kidnappers’ at Abuja, Sokoto Hajj Camps

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Eagle-eyed operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in a well-cordinated covert operation on Sunday arrested two high-profile suspected kidnap kingpins as they made to depart Nigeria for Saudi Arabia to observe the holy pilgrimage.

Security sources disclosed that the suspected kidnap kingpins had been on the DSS radar for over a year, and that screening at Hajj camps in different parts of the country offered the operatives the opportunity to arrest them.

According to the sources, DSS officers nabbed both kidnap kingpins at the Abuja and Sokoto Hajj camps.

While suspected kingpin Yahaya Yakubu, who lives in Paikon - Kore village in Gwagwalada area council of the FCT, was nabbed at the Abuja

Hajj camp,

Zamfara-born Sani Aliyu Galadi was arrested nearly 750 kilometres away, at the Sokoto Hajj camp

DSS officers at the point of screening of both camps were able to recognize Zango and Aliyu, and promptly arrested them.

According to the security sources, Yakubu and Aliyu alias Mai Boxer, who is suspected to be responsible for attacks by bandits in the SokotoZamfara axis, were oblivious of the fact that DSS officers were still on the lookout for them.

According to a source, Yakubu presented his passport alongside other Muslim travellers from Abuja who were on their way to observe this year’s hajj.

“It was this afternoon during the screening at the hajj camp in airport when the DSS operatives apprehended him and whisked

him away,” he said.

An official at the Muslim pilgrims welfare board, who didn’t want his name mentioned, also confirmed the arrest of the suspect.

The source added that Aliyu has been flown from Sokoto to the DSS headquarters in Abuja.

Eagle-eyed operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in a well-cordinated covert operation on Sunday arrested three high-profile suspected kidnap kingpins as they made to depart Nigeria for Saudi Arabia to observe the holy pilgrimage.

Security sources disclosed that the suspected kidnap kingpins had been on the DSS radar for over a year, and that screening at Hajj camps in different parts of the country offered the operatives the opportunity to arrest them.

According to the sources, DSS

officers nabbed both kidnap kingpins at the Abuja and Sokoto Hajj camps. While suspected kingpin Yahaya Yakubu, who lives in Paikon - Kore village in Gwagwalada area council of the FCTwas nabbed at the Abuja Hajj camp, Zamfara-born Sani Aliyu Galadi was arrested nearly 750 kilometres away at the Sokoto Hajj camp

DSS officers at the point of screening of both camps were able to recognize Zango and Aliyu, and promptly arrested them.

According to the security sources, Zango and Aliyu alias Mai Boxer, who is suspected to be responsible for attacks by bandits in the SokotoZamfara axis, were oblivious of the fact that DSS officers were still on the lookout for them.

The source added that Aliyu has been flown from Sokoto to the DSS headquarters in Abuja.

Lagos Govt Pioneers New Approach to Reduce Maternal Mortality

Says 7,800 lives saved in 2024

Segun James

The Lagos state government has successfully implemented a new system called MamaBase, a maternal health initiative developed as a collaboration between the state government and public health experts at the Maternal and Reproductive Health (MRH) Collective.

In 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that 79,500 Nigerian women died from childbirth-related causes, nearly 29 per cent of global maternal deaths. Lagos, one of Nigeria’s most densely populated states, was named as accounting for a majority of the mortality.

As part of its response to such a negative figure, the state government in response provided resources and

support for scientists working at MRH Collective to pilot the “MamaBase” initiative in the state. Through this medical revolution, about 7,800 lives were saved in 2024, with the MamaBase programme built on a data-driven framework called M.I.L.E.S. (Mapping, Identifying, Linking, Educating, and Supporting).

The state government worked with the MRH team to implement the programme that identifies at-risk pregnant women, connects them to antenatal and delivery care, and provides consistent support and follow-up throughout pregnancy and postpartum recovery.

According to the Founder and Chairman of MRH Collective, Prof. Bosede Afolabi: “The results speak for themselves. Our goal was to stay with every woman from

start to finish, and what we’re particularly happy about is that the Lagos State Government was a willing and able partner in every facet of our journey.”

Between October 2023 and September 2024, the team from the Lagos State Government and MamaBase recruited 7,883 pregnant women across Lagos. Of those, 99.9 per cent survived childbirth, it was learnt.

The governor said that this is a dramatic improvement compared to the national maternal mortality rate of 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births, with more than 80 per cent of the women delivered in health facilities with skilled birth attendants, and 60 per cent completed four or more antenatal visits, an essential indicator of safe outcomes.

“The programme achieved a maternal mortality rate of just 123 per 100,000 live births, nearly 10 times lower than the national average,” it said.

According to the Special Adviser on Health to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi: “MamaBase aligns with the government’s goal of building a more inclusive, resilient health system, one that prioritises preventive care, strengthens primary healthcare and ensures that no woman is left behind during pregnancy and childbirth. “As a government, we have consistently demonstrated this commitment and are proud to be a part of developing this model that will potentially save the lives of many women, not just in Lagos, but across the entire country".

L-R: Group Head

Resolution, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Usman Abubakar; Executive Director, Resolution, Mr. Adeshola Lamidi; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gbenga Alade; Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Lucky Adaghe; and Head, Legal Department, Mr. Albert Nwanozie, at the AMCON Interaction with Asset Management Partners (AMPs) in Abuja, last Saturday

REMOTE PILOT COURSE GRADUATION CEREMONY…

Director, Corporate Services, Caverton Helicopters, Ayo Omueti (left); Chief Operating Officer, Caverton Offshore Support Group (COSG), Rotimi Makanjuola (fiffth left);Director, Maintenance, Caverton Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)/ Course Instructor, Ravi Kumar (middle) and 10 female participants sponsored by National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), trained on Remote Pilot Course, during graduation ceremony at the Caverton Aviation Training Facility Centre, lkeja, Lagos...recently

SSANU, NASU Committee Rejects Sharing Formula of Approved N50bn for Varsities

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in abuja

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has rejected the distribution formula adopted for the disbursement of the N50 billion Naira approved by the Federal Government for University based unions.

They urged the federal government to immediately

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

review and reverse the recommended allocation formula, saying that going ahead with the unfair distribution will only breed avoidable resentment and trigger widespread industrial disharmony.

In a joint statement, signed by SSANU president, Mohammed Ibrahim and General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemo, the two unions said the decision to give members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) 80 per cent of the N50 billion and other unions 20 per cent

“In times like these.”

is totally unacceptable.

JAC said: “We have received, with utter disappointment, the information that 80 per cent of the sum has been allocated solely to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), while the

remaining 20 per cent is expected to be shared among SSANU, NASU and NAAT.

“This lopsided arrangement is grossly unfair, provocative, totally unacceptable, and capable of creating industrial disharmony,

thereby further accentuating the teaching/non-teaching dichotomy in Nigerian universities,”.

The statement argued that, “Non-Teaching staff of Nigeria Universities are not secondclass citizens but are critical

stakeholders who contribute immensely to the day-to-day functionality, administrative efficiency, research excellence, technical operations, and overall development of the Nigerian Universities system.”

Edo Community Petitions IG over Alleged Invasion, Killing by Police

Adibe Emenyonu inBeninCity

The people of Enwan in AkokoEdo Local Government Area of Edo State have petitioned the Inspection General (IG)of Police and other security agencies including the police, State Security Services (SSS), calling for investigation into the alleged invasion and killing of a young man in the community

by men suspected to be policemen. They also want investigation into the way and manner the suspected policemen allegedly came in a private vehicle said to be long to a private university in Ekiti State on the alleged instigation of one Dr. Babtunde Wahab said to be a staff of the university who they accused of “spreading false, defamatory, and inflammatory narratives across social

Anglican Bishop Calls for Unity for National Progress Firm Charges FG on Policy Consistency

The Archbishop of Ibadan Province (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Williams Aladekugbe, has called for unity among believers across all denominations in order to achieve development in the country.

The cleric, who described the current situation in the country as a global phenomenon, enjoined the body of believers, political leaders and Nigerians to rely on God and not government to bring about the desired change.

He made the call while speaking with journalists shortly after presenting his Presidential address at the third session of the 9th Synod of the Diocese of Ibadan North, held at St. Paul’s Anglican Churxh, Yemetu, Ibadan, with the theme,

Aladekugbe, who is the President of the Synod and Bishop, Ibadan North Diocese, said at a time when insecurity, poverty, flooding, diseases, among other challenges have become a growing concern across the globe, Christians must not be discouraged but move closer to God, insisting that believers must be united in praying, fasting to get the various problem resolved.

According to him, “No doubt, we live in a very perilous time as a nation. It’s like things are not working the way they should work. Is it insecurity? Is it poverty? Mention it, that we go through.

“But my charge to everyone is that at a time like this, let us be closer to God more than ever before. Let us pray more. Let us study our Bibles more.”

Group Flays Cost of AbaPort Harcourt Road Project

A group, the Abia Collective has urged President Bola Tinubu not to allow himself to be connected with ongoing fraudulent activities being carried out by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, especially the Aba-Port Harcourt road project.

In a statement issued in Umuahia, the state capital yesterday, signed by the National Coordinator, Mazi Ken Orji Okoye, the group queried the contract sum for the Aba-Port Harcourt road being carried out by the state government.

According to Okoye, the project set to be inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu is a drain pipe on the resources of the state.

To this end, the group has urged President Tinubu not honoru the invitation for the inauguration of the road, saying that doing so would amount to giving support

to fraudulent practices which is contrary to the philosophy of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“We have appraised the information emanating from the Government of Abia State with respect to the ongoing Aba-Port Harcourt road and we have come to the conclusion that it is a drain pipe on the resources of our dear state.”

“For us, it is a drain pipe because of the humongous price tag considering the fact that the state government is committing the sum of over N36 billion on a road of just six kilometers.

“Perhaps, the state government needs to come out and explain the contract specifications with regards to the materials that are being used for the actualisation of the project.”

Sunday Okobi

Nigerian pharmaceuticals company, May and Baker Nigeria, has charged the federal government to ensure consistency of its policies in the pharmaceutical sector to moderate the prices of drugs in the Nigerian market. This was communicated by the

company’s Managing Director, Mr. Patrick Ajah, on the sidelines of a walk to mark the World Hypertension Day which was held at the weekend.

Ajah opined that the devaluation of the naira places a huge strain on procurement of raw materials needed for production as many of these items are sourced abroad. Hence,

and mainstream media platforms allegedly justify the said invasion that resulted to the killing of one Mr. Cosmos.” In a petition addressed to the IG with copies to the Police Service Commission, lawmakers representing the area in the Senate, House of Representatives and the Edo State House of Assembly by the Chairman, Enwan Progressives Forum Elders Council, Dr. Steve

Momoh, Chairman, Enwan Progressives Forum, Israel Omokhafe and Legal Counsel, Enwan Progressives Forum, Mrs Rachael Akerele and made available to journalists in Benin City yesterday said the action of the police was unprovoked as they shot and killed Cosmos while he and others were trying to enquire from the police, their mission in the community.

to Moderate Prices of Pharmaceuticals

he stated that while government policies such as the pooled procurement for pharmaceutical products and the executive order waiving duty on import of raw materials are welcome, these initiatives need to be sustained to make for affordability of drugs within the country.

According to him, “It costs money to produce these drugs.

When you make us come down on price, it means we are compromising our profit. Many companies have collapsed in recent times and it’s not good. We need to increase capacity for local companies to take care of our people instead of depending on foreign companies but if you do not encourage local companies, it is not going to work.”

FCTA Mulls New Bus Terminals for Bwari, Gwagwalada Councils

Olawale Ajimotokan in abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike said the FCT Administration will establish new bus terminals in the Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils to enhance transportation in the FCT.

He disclosed this over weekend during an inspection of the ongoing renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC) and the upgrading of the Ushafa, War College, and Army Checkpoint roads in Bwari Area Council.

addressing the menace of car robbery, commonly known as “one chance.”

He noted that when established the new bus terminals in the satellite towns, would complement existing facilities in the city centre, significantly improving transportation for residents. He also highlighted the crucial role the terminals will play in

“We have agreed to establish one bus terminal in Gwagwalada and one in Bwari. This will ensure that people can safely and securely travel from Bwari and Gwagwalada to various parts of the city, including Mabushi, Kugbo, and the Central Business District bus terminal. By providing these designated terminals, we aim to eliminate the problem of ‘one chance’ and ensure the safety of commuters,” Wike said. He reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to bridging the infrastructural gaps in the FCT, stressing that the focus of the Renewed Hope Agenda extends beyond the city centre to include the development of satellite towns.

Rivers Decries High Rate of Hypertension Cases

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Prof Chizindu Alikor, has decried that there is high cases of people living with hypertension disease in the state.

Prof Alikor, who spoke at an event to mark the World Hypertension Day organised by RSUTH in conjunction

with the Rivers State Hospital Management Board and Nigerian Cardiac Society, in Port Harcourt, regretted that people do not do regular check on their health status, which has led to the increase in the cases of the disease.

According to him, in every 10 adults seen in the state, three of them may have high blood pressure, even without knowing their status.

Speaking with journalists, at a free medical checks at the Rivers State Secretariat Civil Servants Clinic, Alikor noted the importance of always checking the blood pressure.

“We have decided in collaboration with the Rivers State Hospital Management Board and also the Nigerian Cardiac Society to come mark the World Hypertension Day

at the Rivers State Civil Servant Clinic.”

“Is important we know that of every 10 adult you see, research has shown that 3 to 5 of them are hypertensive. Is also important we know that 1/3 of those who are hypertensive do not know that they are hypertensive. Even among those who are on medication, 1/3 of them are not on optimal blood pressure control.”

Stakeholders Urge Tinubu to Address Injustice in Somolu APC Primaries

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos State has taken a new dimension as some stakeholders and party loyalists have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what they describe as an injustice in the party’s chairmanship

selection process.

At the centre of the controversy is Hon. Bowale Sosimi, a grassroots politician and long-time APC loyalist, who was reportedly endorsed as the consensus candidate by the local party structure.

However, in a last-minute twist, his name was dropped

in favour of another aspirant, leading to widespread anger and allegations of manipulation.

According to a statement, this is not the first time Hon. Sosimi has faced such a political setback. “In 2017, his name was similarly withdrawn from the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) list after a last-minute change to the party’s nomination process — a move allegedly orchestrated by the late Senator Bayo Osinowo. The decision eventually paved the way for Hon. Abdul Hamed Salawu (Dullar), who has now completed two terms as chairman.”

‘Environmental Degradation Posing Serious Public Health Risks’

Adinoyi in Jos

Medical Laboratory Scientists have urged the federal government to take urgent steps towards addressing environmental degradation and pollution, warning that they pose serious public health risks nationwide.

The warning came at the 19th Annual Public Health Lecture of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), held at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Jos, Plateau State.

Speaking at the event National President of AMLSN, Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi, described environmental

pollution as “a public health emergency” that must be taken seriously.

He said: “Environmental health is foundational to public health. When our air is unsafe to breathe, our water unsafe to drink, and our lands unsafe to farm, then the very fabric of community health is compromised.”

Highlighting the widespread impact of environmental contaminants from illegal mining in Plateau, Zamfara, and Niger states to oil spills and gas flaring in the Niger Delta on public health, Ifeanyi linked them to respiratory diseases, cancers, and childhood lead poisoning seen among Nigerians.

“The public health significance of this issue is profound. Contaminants from mining activities introduce heavy metals into the food chain, causing neurological, renal, and reproductive disorders. Airborne particulates from gas flaring trigger cardiovascular ailments and cancers. Polluted water fosters vector-borne diseases and undermines maternal and child health”, he warned.

He therefore, called for a review and strict enforcement of environmental laws, curbing of illegal mining and oil exploration, and greater involvement of medical laboratory scientists in environmental disaster response.

Labour Party House Member, Others Join APC in Enugu

Gideon Arinze inEnugu

The member representing Udi/ Ezeagu federal constituency at the House of Representatives on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), Sunday Umeha, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) Enugu State.

Other members of the LP in Igboeze South Local Government Area, Including business man, Joshua Ogbonna also joined the APC.

Announcing his defection during a mini-rally at Ibagwa-Aka, in

Igboeze South Local Government Area, yesterday, Umeha said that the decision to join the ruling party was “because of the need to connect to the centre and bring his people closer as according to him, there are a lot of advantages in plugging to the center.”

Umeha stated that the APC has served the interest of Igbos at the federal level through the execution of infrastructure projects like the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu-Port-Harcourt Expressway and the 2nd Nigeria Bridge.

“Joining the party presents an

opportunity to connect and tap into the abundance of resources at the centre for the good of our people,”he said, adding that another rally that would officially usher him into APC would still come up in his local government area, Ezeagu.

Receiving the defectors, the Enugu State Chairman of APC, Ugochukwu Agballah described it as unprecedented in the history of decampment in Enugu state and a clear sign that the party was ready for the 2027 elections in Enugu state.

Okpe Union Warns Voters ahead of 2027

Yinka Olatunbosun

The Okpe Union in Delta State has called on politicians and persons who have been given the opportunity to occupy various political leadership positions all over the country to remember that their primary responsibility is to ensure the welfare of the citizens and stability of the Nigerian polity.

The Union also urged elected government officials to face their roles squarely rather than being distracted or fixated on the next round of elections.

The position of the Okpe Union on the state of the Nigerian Nation was presented to the press by the President General of the Okpe Union (Worldwide), Prof Igho Natufe. He said: ‘’There is no basis for the electorate to consider re-electing incumbents who do not deliver on the promises they have made to their constituents which constitute a social contract. It is with good governance which in turn translates to the improved well-being of the people that increases the confidence the people would have in the democratic process which we must acknowledge, has not been very high amongst the people

of Nigeria in recent times.

The union advised the National Assembly not to wait until close to the next general elections before embarking on whatever electoral reforms for the polity.

‘’In time past, whenever the tinkering of the Electoral Act is delayed and brought too close to another round of general elections, political interests have created tensions which influence the review and amendment processes that the outcomes usually do not reflect the desire of the electorate for a template that ensures credibility of the electoral process.’’

N351m Fraud: Firm Petitions IG over Alleged Conspiracy to Truncate Prosecution

A financial consultancy firm, Rosiyke Financial Consult Limited, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IG) over what it described as an alleged attempt to compromise and derail the prosecution of a pending criminal case involving N351 million.

The petition, dated May 15, 2025, was submitted by the firm’s legal representative, Ernest Annie Nwoye.

It concerns Charge No: ID/24069C/2024, currently

pending before a Lagos High Court.

In the petition, the firm urged the IG to investigate the conduct of two police officers, Superintendent of Police (SP) R.N. Maiguru and Inspector A.I. Aminu over their alleged roles in actions that could affect the integrity of the case.

According to the petition, the case originates from a July 2022 transaction in which one Ms. Rukkaya Dantata allegedly received N350.9 million from the firm to facilitate the remittance of $580,000 to suppliers in China.

While Ms. Dantata reportedly confirmed receipt of the funds during an inquiry by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), the telex confirmations she later presented were allegedly found to be falsified.

Despite the serious nature of the allegations, she was reportedly granted bail and not detained, an outcome the petitioner attributes to alleged high-level interference.

A subsequent repayment arrangement reportedly fell through after she and her guarantor became unreachable.

PDP Condemns Arrest of Social Media Influencer in Bayelsa

Olusegun Samuel in yenagoa

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caretaker Committee in Bayelsa has condemned the arrest and detention of the Director of New Media of the Pro-Wike group, Ms Awudumu Reigneth, New Associates.

According to the party, Reigneth’s ordeal might not be unconnected to her membership of the Pro-Wike group.

The party expressed sadness

over the harassment of party loyalists which they alleged is being orchestrated by the Senator Douye Diri-led administration in Bayelsa State.

The Publicity Secretary of the Bayelsa PDP Caretaker Committee, Derri Alasuote Wright, in a statement, noted that Ms Reigneth is being held unlawfully over ‘’alleged trumped-up charges, including cyber-bullying, purportedly fueled by her right to free

speech and expression.’’

Wright decried the descent to dictatorship in the state and urged the Diri administration to borrow a leaf from former President Goodluck Jonathan and President Bola Tinubu, both of whom faced harsh criticisms on social media but tolerated dissenting views.

‘‘We wish to remind Governor Diri that we are in a democracy, and we will not allow any form of dictatorship or tyranny.”

Wale Igbintade

MUST BE A HARDWORKING

to package this young man for export to countries whose populations are falling due to apparent shortage of masculine vigour. In Japan, for example, the population declined from 128 million people in 2010 to 124.4 million people in 2023, and is further expected to fall to 97 million by 2050. Last year, 1000 Japanese women together produced only 1.3 kids, compared to 44.5 kids produced by 1,000 Niger Republic women and 34 kids by 1,000 Nigerian women. Pray, where will Toyota, Sony, Hitachi, Datsun, Sanyo and Daihatsu get engineers and technicians in the coming years to produce hi-tech vehicle and electronics, or even to catch fish in the Pacific Ocean? Other countries with very low birth rates include Hong Kong, South Korea, Ukraine and Italy. Where will Samsung, Hyundai, LG and other chaebols get engineers to produce semiconductors, smart phones and KIA cars in years to come? In Russia too, where men are badly needed to wage war in Ukraine, the population is expected to fall from the current 146 million to 121 million by 2050. The former Red Army will soon have smaller battalions to wage war. Even China, its roaring economy may ultimately falter because its population is expected to drop from the current 1.4 billion to 1.3 billion in 2050 to below 800 million in 2100 AD. Dizzying economic growth and lifting 500 million out of poverty within three decades is coming at a high price. All through the centuries, smallish Chinese men performed optimally in their beds even while they were tilling rice fields, building the Great Wall and building canals to tame the Yangtze and Huang Ho rivers. But now, with increasing prosperity, they are no longer performing optimally and the Communist Party may soon seek foreign help. Why can’t we package this man from the Abuja estate for lucrative export to these countries? I blame the Nigeria Export Promotion Council for failing in its duties.

N47

STUD

Can’t it see that crude oil prices are falling this year, and oil itself may no longer be our main export commodity, either because it has been drained out of the ground, or because oil thieves have taken all of it, or because Oyinbo engineers have found a technological alternative to fossil fuel and no one needs petrol or even Compressed Natural Gas again? The relevant committee of the National Assembly should hold an urgent public hearing to determine why NEPC, despite its huge budget, failed to harness a lucrative national export item when it is sitting on its laps.

At the ceremony in question, NIDCOM chairperson Mrs. Abike Dabiri Erewa said NIDCOM, NAPTIP and Ministry of Youths must all join hands together to stop the trafficking of women within the country and across our borders. That is ok; we should stop our young women from being trafficked abroad because we are short of beautiful young girls here in Nigeria. Not only will they fill the skilled labour gaps where our young men today are increasingly failing, but they are the sisters, wives, mothers and aunties of tomorrow who will incubate, birth, nurture, discipline, socialise, educate and orient the next generation of Nigerians. No, we cannot afford to export them legally or illegally through trafficking.

The boys, however, are a different matter, especially a vigorous one such as the stud at the Abuja Estate. Why, we have a surplus of them. You see, if one young man unaided can impregnate 19 women within a short period of time, what will we do with all the surplus energetic young men? All those nineteen women already impregnated by this lone stud will not be available for action again for nearly two years, nine months of pregnancy, a lot of sickness and many more months before weaning. That leaves us with a lot of frustrated young men standing idly by for all that long.

TRILLION LATER:

Consider the scale of the resources at stake. In just two fiscal years, the 36 states collectively budgeted ₦47.75 trillion—more than the entire annual budgets of fifteen African countries combined. Nearly twothirds of the ₦15.26 trillion shared from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in 2024 alone poured into state and local government coffers. If we juxtapose this level of resource allocation against on-ground performance, the discrepancy becomes glaring. The problem is not just underperformance, but the complete misalignment of priorities. Too many governors approach governance as an extension of political campaigns—prioritising visibility over value, short-term optics over long-term transformation. When numbers of that magnitude yield potholes, empty hospital wards, absence of classrooms and unpaid teacher salaries, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Nigeria’s problem is not scarcity but squandering—of money, of opportunity and, ultimately, of hope.

Seven lenses offer a clear view of what has gone right and wrong by this mid-term point. The first lens—security—exposes the fault line in Nigeria’s federal structure. Governors rail against constitutional limits on their power to command police and security formations, yet few have exploited the tools within reach: credible local intelligence networks, robust coordination with federal agencies and transparent funding of community-based initiatives. Where such steps have been taken—Niger’s vigilante partnership in the north-central or Ondo’s Amotekun collaboration in the south-west—kidnapping incidents have fallen. Where they have not, violence has spread across farming belts, choking food production and inflating prices for the urban poor.

Education and health, the twin pillars of human capital, reveal a different kind of failure: one of imagination. Nearly every inaugural address in 2023 bristled with promises of “world-class” schools and “21st-century” hospitals; two years later, many of those promises rest on foundation trenches already filling with weeds. Instead of innovation, there’s inertia. An exception glimmers in

Some years ago when the then Minister of Agriculture in the Buhari Administration, Chief Audu Ogbeh, was toying with the idea of importing ox semen from Holland and Argentina in order to improve the yield of our local cattle, I warned him to desist. It was the former Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture’s Livestock Department Dr. Junaidu Maina who once said our local cattle breed are not suitable for ranching because they are temperamental. They will gore a herdsman or even a passerby at the slightest opportunity. I warned Chief Ogbeh that if he resorted to importing foreign semen, it will worsen the temperament of our local bulls who will be made to sit idly by while the cows are being artificially impregnated. The same thing may be happening with our local boys. Just one boy impregnates 19 women; what does he want eighteen other boys to do? That is where the Export Promotion Council comes in. It should package a brilliant advertorial and print a colourful brochure on the vigour of young Nigerian men. It should then acquire a NAFDAC or SON number; invite investors to properly feed, clothe and groom them for suitable appearance before Japanese, Korean and Chinese maidens. I know it is not easy because we need special schools to train them on the cultural expectations of those societies.

Many years ago, I sat alongside my daughter to watch the Chinese cartoon film Mulan. I saw in there how marriage-age Chinese girls are sent to a special center to be trained and prepared to handle husbands and in-laws. In Nigeria we have similar centers in Calabar, though it is said they specialize in fattening would-be brides. Unlike Caucasian and Asiatic men who think slim is beautiful, African men believe plump is best. Especially in one part of Nigeria that I refuse to name. You see, any vigorous animal should be treated as a showpiece national asset. During

one of his televised media chats, President Olusegun Obasanjo once told the story about his 1980s visit to Cuba. After visiting the countryside, he returned to Havana and met Comrade Fidel Castro. Fidel asked him whether he saw one champion cow that produced 30 litres of milk a day. Obasanjo said he expressed surprise how Castro, with all the national and international issues on his plate, will know about such a cow. Fidel then said, “When you were Head of State of Nigeria, didn’t you pay close attention to wells that produced your crude oil? That cow is my oil well.”

In which case, State House should identify this young man in the Abuja estate, pay close attention to him, deploy dieticians to feed him well, send doctors to properly take care of his health, procure supplements to increase his vigour, provide him with adequate security cover and a motorcade, bestow him with a national honour of at least GCON, package him well and publicise him at a special promotional event attended by all foreign ambassadors and high commissioners in Nigeria, especially those from countries with low birth rates, and then offer to lease him to them in order to shore up their sagging populations.

We must retain the copyright. We will not sell; we will only lease. At the turn of the 20th century when American engineer Howard Hughes invented the oil drilling rig, he refused the rig; he will only lease it to another oil driller. When a US Senate committee accused him of monopoly, Hughes said, “No, no. There is no monopoly. Anyone who does not want to lease the Hughes tool to drill for oil can use an axe and a shovel.” We will not sell our vigorous young man. We can only lease him out for short periods, at a high premium. Any country with a declining population that does not want to lease the Nigerian Super Stud can go use their flabby and flagging men.

A MID-TERM REALITY CHECK FOR STATE POWER

Enugu, where a Smart-School initiative has equipped classrooms with broadband, tablets and a curriculum that blends coding with civic education. Enrolment has climbed; learning outcomes, measured by early literacy tests, are inching upward. Kaduna state's innovative healthcare approach, based on unified health data and health insurance, stands out. Yet the overall picture remains grim: strike-weary teachers, phantom waivers for healthcare equipment and maternity wards that rely on kerosene lanterns when the grid fails. Beyond such isolated examples, most states show no sign of high-level thinking or policy creativity.

Agriculture ought to be the foundational line of defence in a country where food inflation has breached 30 per cent. While Nigeria remains food insecure, most states depend on subsistence farming with no value chain development. Most states still treat farming as a social welfare programme rather than a business. Seed subsidies are distributed moments before the rains, storage silos lie rusted by the roadside, and farm-gate produce spoils because feeder roads crumble in the wet season. Credit is scarce and land titling opaque. Agro-processing—a key link to job creation and economic diversification—is almost non-existent.

However, a handful of states, such as Enugu, Ebonyi,Cross River, Jigawa, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Benue, Oyo, Lagos, and Niger, have taken commendable steps toward establishing agro-industrial hubs, supporting farmers with inputs, and investing in storage and logistics. Enugu with the farm estates and special agro industrial zone, Cross River with its oil palm estate and cocoa-processing plant, Jigawa with an irrigation-backed rice cluster, Lagos with the Imota rice mill and Niger with massive investment in farm equipment, irrigation and integrated livestock zones—show how targeted investments can lengthen the value chain, generate jobs and expand internally generated revenue. These pockets of promise, however, remain the exception.

The economic-growth lens sharpens the argument. The National Bureau of Statistics

has yet to publish state-by-state GDP figures for 2023 and 2024, but the lived experience is instructive. Outside a few commercial hubs—Lagos anchored by services, Rivers by oil, Ogun by manufacturing estates—most states have not shifted from consumption to production. The manufacturing sector, a crucial driver of employment and foreign exchange, is in decline across over 90% of states due to poor infrastructure, unreliable power supply, and insecurity. Governors prefer to tout road construction projects—many overpriced, poorly executed, or outright abandoned—as evidence of development. Yet, these projects often have little to no economic multiplier effect. Internally generated revenue averages a paltry 15 per cent of total receipts nationwide, leaving states dangerously exposed to the ebb and flow of oil-derived FAAC transfers. In effect, the governor's campaign is based on the rhetoric of entrepreneurship but governed by the mathematics of entitlement.

Infrastructure is where rhetoric and reality collide most visibly. Billboards display smiling portraits beside “legacy projects,” yet many of those projects are mere political capital— roads resurfaced in an election year using substandard asphalt, bridges that crack under their first flood, housing estates marketed to middle-income families who cannot afford them. Procurement rules are bent to favour cronies; oversight committees meet seldom, if at all; and whistle-blowers quickly learn that silence is safer than scrutiny. In the most egregious cases, contractors are mobilised with hefty advances, abandon the site after clearing the bush, and reappear at campaign rallies to pledge loyalty to the governor’s “vision."

That pattern bleeds into the final lens: good governance. Most governors have failed to develop precise policy thrusts or articulate a developmental vision for their states. There is an over-reliance on propaganda and political theatrics, while serious policymaking is neglected. Public participation is minimal, budgets are not people-oriented, and many citizens are unaware of what their governments stand for. This absence of clarity has created a vacuum of leadership at the subnational level.

As hunger, unemployment, and hopelessness deepen, people are increasingly disconnected from state structures.

That said, there are high points worth noting. Niger and Enugu States have made meaningful efforts to create a welcoming environment for private investors, simplify bureaucratic processes, and offer incentives that have drawn interest in sectors such as power and agriculture. A few other states have demonstrated courage in tackling previously ignored sectors, experimenting with innovative educational models or agricultural partnerships. How many state governments in the 20242025 fiscal year published their annual budget, budget implementation report, Internally Generated Revenue monthly report (IGR), current debt profile, audited statement and policy statement on their website? Abia, Enugu, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Anambra, Niger and Ekiti may be the only exceptions. Ebonyi gets credit for subjecting its proposed budget to referendum before legislative approval. Compared to the 2022 survey, states were less open and transparent in 2024. The inference to draw is that most state governments do not care about transparency and citizen engagement.

As we enter the second half of this administration’s tenure, the questions confronting Nigerians are profound. Will governors use the remaining time to recalibrate their strategies, articulate clear policy goals, and invest in transformational projects? Or will the next two years mirror the first—marked by more trial and error, corruption, and politically motivated showmanship? What should Nigerians demand in the remaining two years of this cycle? These questions merit immediate consideration.

Midterm reviews may not be codified in Nigerian law, but they are an important democratic tool. They serve as a moral and civic audit of our leaders’ stewardship. For citizens, civil society, and the media, this is a moment to hold governors accountable—not just for what they have done, but also for what they have failed to do. Half-time is over. The second half beckons, and the scoreboard is visible to everyone looking.

MONDAYSPORTS

After Surviving Near-death Experience, Taiwo Awoniyi Grateful to Be Alive

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has said that he is “grateful to still be here” after having surgery on a serious abdominal injury.

The 27-year-old was put in an induced comaafter being taken to hospital, badly hurt when colliding with the post against Leicester while trying to reach an Anthony Elanga cross.

Awoniyi had emergency surgery and was woken from the induced coma on Wednesday evening, with medical staff now monitoring his progress.

But after scoring to put Nottingham Forest back on the route to qualification for UEFA Europa League with a 2-1 win against West Ham yesterday, Awoniyi’s team-mate Morgan Gibbs-White celebrated with a shirt bearing the Nigerian forward’s name.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side also warmed up in T-shirts with

Awoniyi’s name and number on the back, plus the message “we are all with you Taiwo” on the front.

“This season has been one of the most difficult of my career but through it all, I have felt the love. With the grace of God, I am grateful to still be here, to still be fighting, to still be smiling, and to be in good spirits.

“To my team-mates, coaches, staff and the entire Forest family, thank you for your well wishes, seeing you all on your visit to the hospital lifted my spirits more than words can say.

“I’m with you all the way and I can’t wait to be back out there with the boys doing what I love.”

The win at West Ham left Forest in seventh place, but just one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who they host on the final day of the season, and Aston Villa in the gripping battle for a Champions League place next season.

Osimhen Hits Double in Turkey as Galatasaray Retain League Title

Victor Osimhen last night made history in Turkey after he completed a league and cup double with Galatasaray. The Nigerian striker scored his 36th goal in all competitions this season as Galatasaray beat Kayserispor 3-0 to be crowned  champions of the Turkish Super Lig.  He scored the opening scores after 26 minutes. It is the third straight season they will win the league championship Last week, Osimhen scored twice for Galatasaray to beat Trabzonspor 3-0 and clinch the Turkish Cup.

Last night, Galatasaray only needed a draw to beat closest rivals Fenerbache to the coveted league crown. They will feature in the moneyspinning UEFA Champions League next season.

Osimhen is also on course to be crowned the Goal King of the Turkish League.

He has thus far netted 25 goals in 29 appearances in the league, 4 goals ahead of his nearest rival with two rounds of matches to the end of the season.

Flying Eagles Beat Egypt in Shootouts to Win Fifth Bronze

Olawale Ajimotokan

The Flying Eagles yesterday won a fifth third-place at the U20 AFCON, when they beat hosts Egypt  4-1 on penalties after scores stood at 1-1 at full time.

Two years ago the Junior Eagles trounced Tunisia 4-0 to also record a podium finish.

Egypt shot ahead after just three minutes through Omar Hassan after they sprung the offside trap of the

U20 AFCON

Flying Eagles.

Nigeria dominated the first half, created the better chances, but failed to put them away.

They were duly rewarded immediately at the restart, when Bidemi Amole fired home after he was set up by another substitute Divine Oliseh.

Striker Precious Benjamin was

denied by a point-blank save by the Egypt goalkeeper on 67 minutes, before Oliseh missed soon after in front of an empty goal.

As the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival officially kicked off in Abeokuta yesterday, the Chairman of the Southwest Games, Akogun Lanre Alfred, has sent a stirring message of goodwill to the contingent of athletes and officials representing the six Southwestern states of Nigeria, urging them to compete with honour, unity, and distinction.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Dr. Alfred extended heartfelt commendations to Ogun State for not only winning the hosting rights of the prestigious festival but for transforming the city of Abeokuta into a vibrant arena of national sporting pride.

“I salute the Government and People of Ogun State for rising to the occasion,” Dr. Alfred stated.

“Particularly, I commend His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his visionary leadership, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment to youth and sports development. This National Sports Festival already bears the marks

of excellence and grandeur, a true testament to his passion for nation-building through sport.”

Dr. Alfred, who leads the regional sporting body responsible for harmonising and advancing athletic development across Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States, described the festival as a defining platform for Southwest athletes to shine not only on the track and field, but also in character, discipline, and sportsmanship.

“Our contingent is not merely here to win medals,” he said. “They are here to exemplify the values that make the Southwest a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sporting excellence—resilience, teamwork, and the pursuit of greatness.”

He noted that the Southwest

remains a bedrock of talent and innovation in Nigeria’s sporting history, with a long lineage of world-class athletes, coaches, and administrators emerging from the region.

According to him, this legacy must not only be preserved but deepened through intentional investment in sports infrastructure, youth mentorship, and regional collaboration.

“This festival is more than a competition—it is a celebration of national unity, the power of dreams, and the potential of our youth,” he remarked. “Let the Southwest contingent take centre stage, embodying the pride of their people and the promise of a stronger sporting future for Nigeria.”

Sanwo-Olu Receives English Premier League Trophy

Segun James Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, received the English Premier League Trophy in Lagos. The league is scheduled to round of next Sunday. An elated Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to use sports as a means of engagement, social inclusion and change agent with the youth. The trophy was officially presented to Governor SanwoOlu by the Managing Director/ CEO of Guinness Nigeria PLC, Mr Girish Sharma, at the Lagos House, Marina.

“there is something positive about our followership, enthusiasm, and the development of sports in our country, but more importantly in Lagos.”

Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Sanwo-Olu said that bringing the Premier League Trophy to Lagos showed that

He said: “We are excited that Guinness identifies with us by bringing the Premier League Trophy to Lagos. It is a trophy that everybody believes is inspirational. It is about using sports as a change

agent. It is about using sports as a way of connecting to the youth demographic that we have. It is about using sports as a weapon to be able to identify the skills, capacity and capability of our young people. It is about using sports as a strong connection to be socially responsible citizens and individuals and to use it as a means of engagement.”

Nigeria survived a major scare in stoppage time during which Egypt hit the post twice in a rare attack as they had been pegged back in their own half of the pitch. In the ensuing penalty

Substitute goalkeeper Rufai Abubakar saved two of the kicks by Egypt.

Leon and Orion Football Club have emerged champions of the Ikorodu division as the 2025 Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Soccer tournament qualifying round continues across the five divisions of Lagos.

Leon & Orion FC secured a hard fought 6-3 victory over New Generation Football Club in the final decided at the weekend and claimed the sum of N500,000 as winners of the qualifiers in Ikorodu.

Both finalists secured their spots for the main tournament while the last automatic qualification spot was grabbed by Evergrin Football Club following their narrow win over Marine Boys Football Club in the third place match.

New Generation FC got N300,000, Evergin FC smiled home with N100,000. As the side with highest number goals scored, the champions, Leon and Orion FC got N50,000 while the top scorer of the Ikorodu divisional qualifiers, Oluwafemi Famakinwa was also rewarded N50,000. A total of 94

goals  recorded across eight matches in the OGA division.

Programme Manager, Akin Odunsi Eshinlokun expressed excitement with the quality of teams and soccer artistry displayed by players during the qualifiers in Ikorodu.

In his words: “ The eight teams in Ikorodu truly gave good Accouts of themselves, with the qualified teams from this division and what we saw at Ikeja in the previous week, i make bold to say that the best teams are making their way to the state tournament later in the year”. The qualifying tournament will continue in Epe with eight teams competing for spots between May 24th to 30th.

Sixteen teams across the five divisions in Lagos will compete in the main event later this year. With three teams each qualifying from the divisions, the overall best loser will claimed the remaining one spot at the end of the divisional qualifiers.

Morgan Gibbs-White celebrated his goal at West Ham on Sunday with a shirt bearing Taiwo Awoniyi’s name

Alfred

Leon and Orion FC players celebrating winning the Ikorodu Division of the Spires 5-Aside tournament yesterday

shootout, Nigeria converted all four kicks through Emmanuel Chukwu, Israel Ayuma, Kparobo Arierhi and Tahir Maigana.

MAHMUDJEGA

VIEW FROM THE GALLERY

Must Be A Hardworking Stud

Astory that was trending in Nigeria at the weekend, of a young man who impregnated nineteen different women at an Abuja estate, reminded me of the five-star American General Douglas MacArthur, whose biography I read long ago in secondary school. As Supreme Commander of Allied Powers [SCAP] in the Pacific during World War Two, he led the way to the defeat and conquest of Japan. After the Empire of Japan surrendered in 1945 and US troops occupied it, President Harry Truman appointed MacArthur as Military Governor of Japan and Head of the Military Government of the Occupation. In that capacity he presided over war crimes trials, demilitarisation of Japan and the creation of a new, Western-style Japanese constitution.

MacArthur then made Japan, whose political system was previously dominated

by aristocrats, militarists and industrialists, to hold its first free-wheeling democratic elections in 1947. The candidate who got

the highest votes in the elections turned out to be Tokyo’s most prominent prostitute and brothel owner. Japanese officials gleefully went to inform MacArthur of this fact, hoping to shame him that liberal democracy is a decadent system unfit for Japanese society.

After calmly listening to the story, MacArthur asked how many votes she got. Nearly half a million, he was told. The gruff American General then said, “She must be a hard working woman.”

While visiting the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission [NiDCOM] headquarters in Abuja last week, Director General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons [NAPTIP], Hajiya Binta Adamu Bello, announced that her agency busted a baby factory inside an Abuja estate and rescued nineteen women who were found to have been impregnated by the same man. Hajiya Binta was alarmed; she clearly viewed it as a monumental scandal; she declared that

DAKUKU PETERSIDE

BENEATH THE SURFACE

trafficking should be declared a national emergency and she called on all government agencies to put heads together in order to stem it. Chairperson/CEO of NIDCOM, Mrs. Abike Dabiri Erewa, apparently agreed; she also called for inter-agency collaboration to fight the menace.

Why didn’t these two grand women see the positive side of it? One [obviously young] man who can impregnate 19 women at a go, within a short period of time, must be a very hard working man, to quote MacArthur. He could actually be an export-grade national asset. Instead of gnashing their teeth, NIDCOM and NAPTIP should collaborate with NAFDAC, SON, Ministry of Commerce, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Export Processing Zones, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, Ease of Doing Business, Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Local Content Development Board

Continued on page 46

N47 Trillion Later: A Mid-Term Reality Check for State Power

The halfway mark of any journey invites a reckoning, and politics is no exception. In mature liberal democracies, the reckoning is built into the calendar: midterm elections test the strength of the governing party by subjecting its record to the electorate’s cold appraisal. One of the defining features of American-style liberal democracy is the midterm performance review, typically carried out through congressional elections. These elections serve as a referendum on the executive arm of government, allowing citizens to reward or punish the party in power based on its performance. In this model, electoral outcomes are influenced more by lived experiences and perceptions of government efficacy than by party loyalty or ethnicity.

However, Nigeria, which claims to have adopted the American-style presidential model of democracy, lacks

such institutionalised midterm reviews. Our electoral system is structured around endof-term verdicts, often distorted by electoral

manipulation, weak accountability systems, and voter apathy. More curiously, we have observed an inverted pattern: the worse a government performs, the more its ruling party appears to be rewarded at the polls—2015 being the most notable exception, when an incumbent president lost his seat. Against this backdrop, the question arises: Will the current 2023–2027 political cycle be any different? This column initiates a de facto midterm review by evaluating the performance of Nigeria's 36 state governors at the halfway point of their tenures. The focus on governors is deliberate: state executives are often closer to the people, are more accessible, and are directly responsible for delivering basic services such as education, healthcare, road infrastructure, and local security coordination. More importantly, they control significant fiscal resources. Their decisions impact economic growth, job creation, food security, and poverty alleviation.

In Nigeria, every gubernatorial term glides

past its midpoint in near silence. Only a handful of columnists, civil-society groups and citizens pause to ask whether those who promised transformation in May 2023 have delivered even modest change by May 2025. That silence is costly. It allows underperformance to harden into habit and propaganda to pass for progress, until the electorate wakes up on election day to discover that four years have passed.

The indices for the performance of our governments presuppose that in a democracy, direct government involvement in development can advance society. That may be true in the cases of social development—education, healthcare, and poverty reduction. However, governments must deploy the resources at their disposal to promote private sector initiatives. That is an area where the Nigerian system seems to lack clarity and focus.

Continued on page 46

Chairman, Nigeria Governors' Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq

General MacArthur

L-R: His Majesty Olu of Warri Kingdom, Ogiame Atuwatse iii, with His Majesty Zulu Kingdom in Nongoma, South Africa, Misuzulu KaZwelithini; during the signing of Royal Pledge for collaboration in social economic development, cultural exchange and investment opportunities between the two kingdoms at the Zulu Palace in South Africa. recently