Recapitalisation: Banks in Race to Scale CBN’s Hurdle
Nume Ekeghe
With
with a few still weighing their options. For instance, among the Tier 1 banks, Zenith Bank Plc successfully
L-R: Former Minister of Works, Raji Fashola; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Kadri Hamzat; President Bola Tinubu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola and Prof. Shaffideen Adeniyi Amuwo, during the Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Dodan Barracks prayer ground Lagos…yesterday
Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Okon Bassey in Uyo
After weeks of speculations and mounting political pressure, Governor
Continued on page 5
Tinubu Urges Support, Prayers for Brave Soldiers Defending Nigeria
WELCOME TO THE APC...
L-R: Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu; Deputy Governor, Akwa Ibom State, Akon Eyakenyi; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State; Chairman Progressives Governors' Forum, Hope Uzodimma; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, at the Uyo residence of the Senate President, shortly after the official defection of Governor Eno from the PDP to the APC…yesterday
Deji Elumoye, Alex Enumah, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja, Wale Igbintade in Lagos and Segun Awofadeji in Gombe
President Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, paid glowing tribute to former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), late Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, who died at the age of 88. Likewise, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, led by the CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Deputy President of the
Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, northern governors, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, senior lawyers, including a former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bayo Ojo, paid glowing tributes to the late Uwais, who died yesterday, describing him as a distinguished jurist who made lasting contributions to Nigeria’s justice system.
Confirming his passage, the Uwais family said in a statement wrote: “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihir Rajiun. It is with a heavy heart, full of gratitude to Allah Subahanahu Wata’ala, that
we announce the passing away of our father, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, former Chief Justice of the Federation.”
Born on June 12, 1936, in Zaria, Kaduna State, Justice Uwais was a towering figure in Nigeria’s legal landscape.
Known for his integrity, intellect, and dedication to reform, his career spanned more than four decades of public service.
He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in London in 1963
and began his legal career as a State Counsel in Northern Nigeria.
He was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1979 and became Chief Justice of Nigeria in 1995, a position he held until his retirement in 2006.
Justice Uwais was a staunch advocate for judicial independence and led major efforts to reform Nigeria’s electoral and legal systems.
In 2007, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua appointed him to chair the Presidential Electoral Reform Committee, which produced the
TINUBU URGES SUPPORT, PRAYERS FOR BRAVE SOLDIERS DEFENDING NIGERIA
Our Correspondents
President Bola Tinubu yesterday called for more prayers for the military and security agencies currently making sacrifices to keep the nation safe, particularly those confronting terrorists and bandits.
The President, who observed the Eid-al-Adha prayers at the Eid Ground in Dodan Barracks, Lagos, told newsmen that the security agencies and vulnerable citizens should top the prayer list.
Also, as Muslims around the world marked the 2025 Eid-el-Kabir celebration yesterday, prominent political leaders and State Governors extended warm greetings to the Muslim Ummah, calling for reflection, unity, and fervent prayers in the nation.
Likewise, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, extended their heartfelt felicitations to the officers, soldiers, airmen, airwomen, and families of the Nigerian military, applauding their steadfast commitment, gallantry, and selfless service to the nation.
Oluyede, also hosted an Eid-el-Kabir luncheon for frontline troops of Operation Fansan Yamma Sokoto, in appreciation of their sacrifices and dedication to national security.
According to President Tinubu: "We should remember to pray and give to those who are very vulnerable in the spirit of the season, which is sacrifice. We must unite, remain our brothers'
keeper, and give to our neighbours. We should show love to everyone.
"We must also pray hard for our troops to keep us safe. They are making sacrifices in the challenges that we face from terrorism and banditry today. We must pray for them specifically, remember their sacrifices, and continue to behave well as citizens".
Earlier at the prayer ground, Chief Imam of Lagos State, Suleiman Oluwatoyin Abu-Nola, urged the Muslim faithful to remember and reflect on Abraham's sacrificial life.
"The whole essence of today is sacrifice. We must learn to make sacrifices for our family, nation, and community. We must render our service to Allah, not men," he said.
The Chief Imam called on worshipers to live in peace and consider the needs of their neighbours, the poor and vulnerable.
"If we are to see the Nigeria of our dreams, we must be ready to make sacrifices. We must unite as Nigerians to make progress. We must rise above tribal sentiments. Whether you are Igbo, Yoruba, or Hausa, we must live above ethnic sentiments," he said.
Apart from President Tinubu, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; his Marine and Blue Economy counterpart, Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of State, Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Femi Hamzat; and the former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, were at the prayer
ground.
Also at the Eid ground were the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Mudashiru Obasa; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chairman of the BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu; Group Chief Executive of Oando, Wale Tinubu; and President Tinubu's friend and longtime ally, Prof. Shaffideen Amuwo.
Meanwhile, Oluyede and Abubakar, extended their heartfelt felicitations to the officers, soldiers, airmen, airwomen, and families of the Nigerian military, applauding their steadfast commitment, gallantry, and selfless service to the nation.
A statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Apollonia Anele, stated that the COAS hailed the Nigerian Army's resilience in the face of security challenges, describing the troops as a beacon of courage and sacrifice whose efforts continue to inspire national pride and unity.
According to him, "Your unwavering commitment, selfless devotion, and unflinching resilience in defence of our fatherland are deeply appreciated."
Eid-El-Kabir, he noted, symbolises the essence of sacrifice, a virtue that mirrors the daily lives of soldiers across theatres of operation.
He urged troops to remain resolute and draw renewed strength from the spiritual significance of the season.
Reflecting on the Nigerian Army's
collective achievements over the past year, the COAS acknowledged the gradual restoration of peace in many parts of the country, attributing the gains to the unmatched bravery, loyalty, and professionalism of the troops.
“Many of our gallant warriors bear the marks of battle; some carry visible scars, others live with the memories, and some have paid the ultimate price in service to our great nation. We honour their legacies and stand with their families during this festive period. Their heroism remains etched in our national memory," he stressed.
Oluyede, also hosted an Eid-el-Kabir luncheon for frontline troops of Operation Fansan Yamma Sokoto, in appreciation of their sacrifices and dedication to national security.
The event aimed to provide troops with a sense of home during the festive season, while fostering camaraderie and esprit de corps.
Lt.-Gen. Oluyede commended the troops for their significant role in combating terror networks and maintaining national unity, peace, and security. He urged them to remain resolute in their mission to defeat adversaries.
The COAS represented by Commander Nigeria Army Cyber Warfare, Major General Adeleke Ayannuga, Oluyode reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing welfare initiatives to boost troop morale and assured the troops of his support
DESPITE PUSHBACK, GOVERNOR ENO FINALLY DEFECTS TO APC
Umo Eno yesterday officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), marking a dramatic shift in the political landscape of Akwa Ibom State.
Despite strong pushback from within his party and loyalists, Eno’s move signalled a bold realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development further worsened the woes of the PDP. He is the second PDP governor to defect in the past three months. The first was Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevweri, who joined the ruling party with his entire cabinet and former Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.
“I have decided to progressively move to the APC," Eno said while addressing party leaders and his supporters in Uyo.
“Our government has always been an inclusive government, which will never change," he added.
The governor at the event wore a cap with the trademark APC (Jagaban) inscription and that of the ARISE Agenda of the PDP, which gave the impression he was only joining another vehicle to reach his preferred destination in 2027.
The governor said the decision followed “three months of wide consultation” with critical stakeholders across the State.
"Today, fellow Akwaibomites, we are gathered here to witness change while equally affirming the constancy of our collective values and defining ethos as a State.
He added: "For some time now, the political space, particularly in this State and the nation in general, has
been awash with the news of my likely movement from the PDP, the platform that had provided the levers and ladder of my political ascendancy to the position of Governor of this State.
“The discussions have elicited various layers of analysis in the process. Today, I am here to answer some of those nagging questions. Like the Dalai Lama had said, we should always be open to change but not let go of our shared values.
"Earlier this morning, I submitted my formal Letter of Resignation from the PDP to my Ward Chairman, same copy was sent to both the State Chairman as well as the National Chairman. I have therefore, decided to Progressively move to the APC.”
Eno, expressed gratitude to the PDP for their support during his
RECAPITALISATION: BANKS IN RACE TO SCALE CBN’S HURDLE
raised N290 billion through a combined rights issue and public offer, which was oversubscribed by 160 percent. This brings its total qualifying capital to N614.65 billion—comfortably above the N500 billion benchmark. Similarly, Access Bank also completed its N351 billion rights issue, offering 17.77 billion shares at N19.75 each. With this, Access Bank has met the CBN requirement, pushing its capital to N594.90 billion.
Also, Guaranty Trust Bank launched a dual-track capital programme valued at N400.5 billion, and has already raised N209.41 billion through its public offer. As of now, GTB is entering its second phase of capital raising.
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) recently concluded a rights issue that was oversubscribed by N251 billion, which pushed UBA’s capital to N355.2 billion, leaving it with a N144.8 billion gap which the bank
is optimistic would be closed before the end of the year.
For Providus Bank, an innovative and tech-driven financial institution, which recently acquired Unity Bank, the bank is making serious progress with its business combination deal. It is presently awaiting necessary regulatory approvals for it to launch the second phase of its recapitalisation exercise.
Fidelity Bank is also making significant progress. The bank has already raised N127 billion and has received regulatory approval for a N231.97 billion private placement. This followed a N40.98 billion rights issue and a 100.78 percent subscribed public offer of N188.38 billion. As it stands, Fidelity’s capital is at N305.56 billion, and it’s projected to hit the N500 billion mark after the next phase of its recapitalisation programme.
In the same vein, Stanbic IBTC Holdings and Sterling Financial
Holdings Company are steadily moving forward. Stanbic completed a N148.7 billion private placement and awaits the outcome of its public offer. The bank’s capital currently stands at N109.26 billion but it’s expected to rise to N257.96 billion. Sterling raised N67.5 billion in a rights issue, which was 103 percent subscribed, and anticipates reaching a post-recapitalisation capital of N262.26 billion.
FCMB is addressing a capital shortfall of N374.71 billion. So far, it has raised N147.5 billion through a private placement and completed a N110.90 billion rights issue, bringing its capital to N266.23 billion. A source at the bank told THISDAY that the financial institution is upbeat in meeting the required capital base before the deadline.
Wema Bank, which holds a national banking license, recently closed a N150 billion rights issue.
landmark “Uwais Report.”
That report recommended farreaching reforms, including the creation of an Independent Electoral Offences Commission and a more transparent process for appointing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Highly regarded for his humility and principled leadership, Justice Uwais is survived by his wife, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, a lawyer and human rights advocate who served as Special Adviser and Coordinator
He charged them operational progress to tamed the activities of insurgency.
The COAS conveyed President Bola Tinubu's commendation and Nigerians' appreciation for the troops' efforts in defending the country.
Also, the CAS, Abubakar, in a Sallah message he personally signed, wrote:
"As we celebrate this blessed occasion of Eid-el-Kabir, I extend my warmest greetings to all Muslim faithfuls across the Nigerian Air Force and the nation at large. May this season of sacrifice, reflection, and gratitude bring peace to our hearts, unity to our ranks, and renewed strength in our service to the nation."
Shettima Calls for National Unity
Vice President Kashim Shettima called on Nigerians to embrace national unity, collective sacrifice, and continued support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration in order to achieve lasting peace and prosperity in the country.
He urged Nigerians to look beyond their differences and work together for national progress.
The Vice President, who made the plea yesterday, during the Eid al-Adha prayers at the National Eid Ground along Airport Road, Abuja, described Eid al-Adha as a solemn occasion rooted in the legacy of Prophet Abraham’s obedience and sacrifice—values he said
tenure, stating that it was time for him to make a progressive move.
The Governor said he decided to join the APC due to his admiration for President Bola Tinubu and the need for Akwa Ibom State to align with the federal government to reap continuous benefits.
Eno, also assured the people of Akwa Ibom State that he would continue to work tirelessly for their benefit, regardless of party affiliation.
But notably, the immediate past Governor of the State, Udom Emmanuel; former National Legal Adviser of the PDP, Emmanuel Enoidem, among others, shunned the ceremony.
Three commissioners, mostly former Governor Emmanuel's nominees, which included Prof. Eno Ibanga (Works and Fire Service); Iniobong
An additional N50 billion private placement has been approved by shareholders, which could push Wema’s capital to around N267 billion.
FirstBank’s parent company, FBN Holdings, has raised N187.6 billion from a 25 percent oversubscribed rights issue and is now preparing a N350 billion private placement. With its current capital at N251.34 billion, a successful placement would raise its total to N601.82 billion.
Among the smaller players, Premium Trust Bank has raised N177 billion, successfully covering a N174 billion capital gap, and it’s now awaiting regulatory confirmation. Jaiz Bank, a non-interest financial institution has also taken steps to beef up its capital just like its peers.
Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, CBN, Philip Ikeazor, recently explained that some banks have completed and met the requirements, while others are doing theirs in two
of the National Social Investment Programmes under former President Muhammadu Buhari. President Tinubu in mourning the Ex-CJN, said the nation has lost a phenomenal jurist and statesman who served Nigeria with honour, courage and exceptional integrity. Tinubu in the tribute stated, inter alia: "I join family members, friends, proteges and well-meaning Nigerians in mourning this respected patriot and statesman, who passed away today as we mark Eid-Al-Adha.
were essential to building a strong and united Nigeria.
According to him: "This is a period of sober reflection, a season of reaching out to the indigent among us, of building bridges of brotherhood and sisterhood. Life is a marathon, and as individuals, we can run faster, but we can wear out easily. But as a family, as a collective, as a nation, we can gain greater traction and reach our desired destination."
Kwara Governor Tasks Muslim Faithful on Peace, Unity
Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, yesterday called on the Muslim faithful to continue to promote peaceful coexistence, support sustainable development efforts, and reject anything that undermines the growth and unity of the country. Also, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu DanladiSalihu, enjoined the Muslim faithful to glorify Allah's names, seek for His blessings and protection and show love to their neighbours.
A statement issued in Ilorin by Governor AbdulRazaq and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye to mark the celebration of Eid Kabir, the governor also urged them to remain steadfast in their faith in God and in the shared commitment to the Nigerian project.
Ememobong (Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport) and Mr. Emem Almond Bob (Finance), tendered their resignation from the cabinet.
It was gathered that other former Governor Emmanuel's allies who refused to defect included some House of Assembly lawmakers, but the Speaker, Udeme Otong and majority of the members joined the train of the defectors.
A local government chairman loyal to former Governor Emmanuel, Gideon Uwah of Etim Ekpo LGA, also refused to follow Eno to the APC
"I have tendered my resignation to the governor in compliance with his directive that his appointees who are unwilling to join him on the political journey to the APC should resign," one of the cabinet members, Ememobong wrote in his resignation letter.
phases.
“So they (the banks) have been to the market once and are coming back again. We have about one year to go, and as we progress, maybe there could be a few marriages as some people tend to leave it towards the tail end.
“So far so good, the big banks are among those that have met and have their plans clear that they will meet the deadline. This is a very robust plan that allows you to step down your licence category if you think you will have a problem. So, you don’t have to be a national bank if you cannot afford N200 billion; you can afford to be a regional bank. So, one of them has indicated that they intend to be a regional bank because the plan accommodates everybody,” he added.
Commenting on the exercise, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by his wife, Ekaette Unoma; the Chairman of the Progressives Governors' Forum (PGF), Dr. Hope Uzodima; the State APC Chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo; Governor Bassey Otu, of Cross River state, and others urged Governor Eno not to worry about those not willing to move with him. The Imo State Governor, who received Eno, into the APC, lauded his smart move, assuring him that all rights and privileges of the national party would be accorded him.
Speaking for the Senate President Ekaette Unoma, assured Eno, not to be mindful of those he could not persuade into the APC, saying the Governor has President Bola Tinubu, and her husband, as his major pillars.
Nigeria, Dr. Tony Okpanachi, advised commercial banks to ensure that with increased capitalisation, stronger balance sheets, they channel their funds to ventures and sectors that not only offer commercial returns but also support developmental goals, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Also, the Head of Financial Institutions Ratings at Agusto & Co., Ayokunle Olubunmi, noted that the recapitalisation drive has reflected strong shareholder support, as most of the over N2.5 trillion raised in the past 14 months have come from rights issues. He said the exercise has added a buffer to the financial system, putting banks in a stronger position to withstand macroeconomic shocks and better support economic growth. Olubunmi also highlighted the importance of the initiative in Nigeria’s broader vision to become a $1 trillion economy.
AGRICULTURE ROUNDTABLE AGENDA...
L-R: President, Ogranisation for Technology Advancement in Cold Chain in West Africa, Mr. Alexander Isong; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Agriculture and Food Systems, Dr. Rotimi Fashola; Chief Executive Officer, Ecotutu Limited, Mr. Babajide Oluwase; Lagos State Commissioner, Agriculture and Food Systems, Mrs. Abisola Olusanya; Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Mr. Ayo Sotinrin; and Group Executive Director, Corporate and Marketing services, Origin Tech Group Nigeria, Mr Olusesan Ayeni, during the 2025 Ecotutu Cold Chain in Agriculture Roundtable Agenda, Held in Gbagada, Lagos. recently
Adelabu: FG Committed to Tackling Power Sector Challenges
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, yesterday, said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is already fixing the foundational structural issues which have bedevilled the power sector over the years. This was just as he described the ongoing improvement in power supply across the country as a tip of the iceberg when compared with what is to come in the next few years.
Adelabu while speaking with journalists shortly after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the Agodi Prayer Ground, Ibadan, expressed optimism that in the next few years, the sector will deliver far more improved service which will see power supply serving every Nigerian home, household, businesses, institutions and industries.
He said, "Let me say that the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. Rome was not built in
a day. And for you to build a solid building, there must be a very solid and reliable foundation. The power sector had some serious foundational structural issues which we have been able to correct with this administration.
"The little improvement that you have seen is just a tip of the iceberg. You still witness major improvement in power supply."
According to him, the President has promised that he is going to light up the entire country and he is not relenting of that promise, stating that he still reiterated it on Thursday at the ceremony held in Port Harcourt where a power plant was inaugurated.
"President Tinubu assured that his major objective is to make sure that he electrifies every Nigerian home, household, businesses, institutions and industries. And I can tell you that we are not relenting. What you have seen is just one and a half years.
"I resumed this job in September 2023. This is just end of May and
Marwa Mourns Late Prof. Jubril Aminu
Chairman/Chief Executive
Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), said former Minister of Education, Prof. Jubril Muhammad Aminu was an epitome of knowledge who made positive impacts in medicine, education, foreign policy, politics and oil industry, all sectors where he served Nigeria at different times.
Marwa in a statement yesterday, said the death of Aminu on Thursday 5th June, “is a monumental loss that leaves a multitude of people grief-stricken in Nigeria and outside the shores of this country. Even at 85, we would have loved to see him live much longer, for many more
years, so that Nigeria can continue to benefit from his depth of knowledge and wealth of experience that cuts across critical sectors of human development.”
He said the outpour of tributes in the past 24 hours is an indication of Prof. Aminu’s far-reaching influence and impact across various spheres of life, all of which further exacerbated the sense of loss for Nigerians.
“Yet, in our state of bereavement, we cannot but celebrate the life and times of an extraordinary man, an epitome of knowledge who, until he passed on, was and is still one of Nigeria’s finest examples in medicine and academics, where he made lasting impacts,” Marwa added.
Pastor Adegboyega Opens Up on Battle Against Cancer
Nigerian-born UK-based pastor and founder of the Salvation Proclaimers
Anointed Church (SPAC) Nation, Tobi Adegboyega, has revealed that he is battling cancer.
In a sermon seen on X (formerly Twitter), Adegboyega shared details of his diagnosis and recent major surgery with members of his congregation.
“I was diagnosed with cancer. Yes, you heard me right. I’ve been dealing with cancer for the past few months or even more. I just had a major surgery, that’s why I am
not there today. I have just fought the battle and I feel the verdict to continue to live was given to me by God for a new level, for a new stage,” he added.
Adegboyega described his recovery as a divine second chance.
In December, an investigation by the UK Charity Commission found "serious misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration" of his church.
But Adegboyega had dismissed these allegations.
you have seen a little. I promise you that within the next one year, you are going to see major improvement that will develop our industries, that will resuscitate our small and cottage businesses, that will bring happiness back to homes where everywhere is lit up and there will not be darkness,” he said.
Adelabu stated further that Oyo State too will soon witness another level of service delivery in the sector as the federal government recently concessioned the Ikere Gorge Dam to improve supply.
"In Oyo State, we have so much potential and we have done so much.
We just witnessed the Ikere Gorge hydro power plant which we just concessioned. This started in 1979. It was abandoned. But we got it and we said we must bring light back to Oke Ogun, light back to Oyo State. So, we have been able to achieve it.
"You have seen a lot of substations approved for Oyo State under the administration of President Tinubu. They say charity begins at home, Oyo State must witness improved lights, improved power supply.
"But I am appealing to our people that they should just trust us, they should be patient and retain the confidence and Nigeria, Oyo State
will never remain the same. As you heard, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is going to light up the entire Nigeria and Oyo State will also witness it."
Speaking on the importance of Eid-el-Kabir, the minister appealed to Nigerians not to lose the lesson of the celebration, noting that the festivity is about sacrifice, peace and loving each other virtues that are essential for the sake of national peace, development and prosperity.
Adelabu said, "This is another Eid-el-Kabir celebration, we thank Almighty Allah for sparing our lives to witness this year's celebration. We
give him all the thanks, all the glory, all the honour.
"The lesson of this celebration should not be lost in the ceremony. It is about sacrifice, it is about peace, it is about loving each other for the sake of national peace, development and prosperity.
"We must be ready to sacrifice for the well-being of our family, of our neighbours, of the entire state and the entire country. We must love each other, we must preach peace, we must preach harmony, peaceful coexistence. Because if there is no peace in any nation, growth and development is far from such a nation.
Ensure Security of Govt Facilities, Ibas Tells Traditional Rulers
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has urged traditional institution in the state to step-up its collaborative efforts in safeguarding public infrastructure in their respective domains
He made the call while declaring open the 121st and 122nd Combined Quarterly General Meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt.
He emphasised that traditional rulers are custodians of the traditions of the land and therefore, play crucial roles in peace-building.
The Sole Administrator, who was represented by the Secretary to the
State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika, observed that traditional rulers must take deliberate steps within their communities in securing government facilities against theft and vandalism.
"Recall that on my assumption of office as the Administrator of Rivers State, I engaged with you at the Government House as part of my consultation with critical stakeholders with the sole aim of maintaining peace, law and order in our dear state.
“In our African tradition, we say when the roots of a tree begin to decay, it spreads death to the branches. This proverb reminds us of the foundational role traditional institutions play in the life of our
communities. You, our revered traditional rulers, are the roots custodians of culture, guardians of heritage, and stabilisers of society.
“As royal fathers, you play a major role in peace building and its sustenance in your various communities and kingdoms.
You must take deliberate steps in securing government facilities in your communities to guard against theft and vandalism."
Ibas, noted the myriad complex and interrelated challenges faced by the communities including security, social, economic, cultural, and others.
He stressed that "But as our ancestors taught us, rain does not fall on one roof alone. We must rise
together, support one another, and speak with one voice for the good of our people. Let this meeting be a reminder that unity is our greatest strength."
The state administrator maintained that his administration will not shield traditional rulers linked to disruption of peace and also reassured them of his desire to partner meaningful ideas from the institution to make the state greater.
In his remarks, Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Eze Chike Amadi WorluWodo, thanked the administrator for attending the meeting and working assiduously for the peace and development of the state.
MRA Condemns NEITI’s Call to Amend
FOI Act to Punish Alleged ‘Misuse’
Sunday Ehigiator
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) yesterday, condemned the recent call by the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, for an amendment to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, to impose punitive measures on “fake CSOs” allegedly "misusing" the law to blackmail public institutions, describing the call as an attempt to discredit the Act and weaken it. In a statement issued in Lagos, MRA said such a proposal was not only ill-conceived but deeply troubling as it undermines the spirit and purpose of the FOI Act, which was enacted to guarantee a right of access to information, promote transparency, and combat corruption, adding that “suggesting
punitive measures based on vague, subjective and unsubstantiated claims of ‘misuse’ poses a huge risk of the Act becoming a tool for silencing journalists, researchers, civil society actors, as well as other citizens and members of the public who legitimately seek information.” MRA’s Programme Officer, Ms. Ayomide Eweje, said in a statement that “We reject any narrative that seeks to criminalise the exercise of a fundamental right under the guise of protecting public institutions. The appropriate response to concerns about abuse of the FOI Act, even if such concerns are legitimate, is institutional transparency, including routine compliance with the Act by all public institutions to ensure its effective implementation and rigorous enforcement of the current mechanisms for ensuring compliance so that no public institution
or official is put in a vulnerable position where they can be blackmailed.”
She described as illogical NEITI’s claim that “fake NGOs” had hijacked the FOI Act and were using it to blackmail public institutions, arguing that since every person has a right to request information under the Act, there is no need for anyone to pretend to be representing a nongovernmental organisation, whether fake or genuine, in order to use the Act; and that when public officials disclose any information requested from them, there is no way they can be blackmailed as any information that is obtained from any public institution under the FOI Act is effectively information that is publicly available and has no blackmail value.
Besides, Eweje noted, if public institutions have grounds for withholding requested information, they also cannot
be blackmailed for denying such requests for information as they will be standing on solid ground, adding “you can only complain of blackmail if you have done something wrong or even criminal, in which case the appropriate response should not be to amend the Act to protect public officials or institutions engaged in wrongdoing or criminal activities.” She observed that blackmail and extortion are already criminal offences contained in various Federal and State laws in virtually all the States of the Federation and that there is no conceivable reason why anyone using the FOI Act to blackmail public institutions or officials or to extort money or other favours from them cannot be prosecuted under the existing criminal laws without amending the FOI Act to introduce the offences into it.
FOCUSING ON ONLINE CHILD PROTECTION...
L-R:
How Trump-Musk Feud Over Sweeping Tax Cut Bill Escalated
Sunday Ehigiator with agency report
A simmering fight between the world’s most powerful man and the world’s richest man spilled into public view yesterday, as President Donald Trump and Elon Musk traded attacks and threats online in view of the whole world.
Tensions rose a few days ago when Musk criticised the bill for Trump’s agenda as a “disgusting abomination.” Trump finally responded yesterday, telling reporters in the Oval Office that, “Elon knew the inner workings of the bill.”
The president suggested Musk, who owns Tesla, was upset with the bill on tax credit meant to incentivise electric vehicle purchases. Musk and his allies bristled at the suggestion. Then, the online jabs began, according to NBC News. Musk suggested Trump would have lost the 2024 election without Musk’s
massive donations.
Trump replied the federal government could end the billions of dollars in contracts with Musk’s companies, primarily SpaceX and Tesla. Musk, in response, claimed the president was in the so-called “Epstein files.” Musk also suggested Trump should be impeached. The attacks didn’t end there. It’s clear, now, that the bromance between the two is dead and the collateral damage left in the feud’s wake could last for weeks, months or even years. And Republicans are caught in the middle.
Just a few months ago, Musk indicated he would put $100 million into political committees associated with Trump.
That money never came and now, it won’t, a Musk adviser said. “He does not give a f--- about Republicans or the RNC, or House seats, or whatever,” the adviser said. “He will blow them up; he will.”
Republican Rep. Don Bacon, who
Amaechi Hasn’t Won Anything Politically Since Splitting from Wike, Says Olayinka
Mr. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Adviser to the Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, yesterday, took a swipe at former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, insisting that Amaechi has not recorded any political victory since his split from Wike. This rebuttal came after Amaechi’s recent remark dismissing Wike while implying that they are not on the same level, and that he won’t exchange words with “children.” Olayinka, in a fiery reaction during an interview with ARISE NEWS, questioned the credibility of such a claim, pointing out the political evolution of Wike from local government chairman to being the driving force behind Amaechi’s rise to power.
He said, “Since Wike and Rotimi Amaechi parted ways, tell me one thing that Rotimi Amaechi has won politically. Give me one election that Rotimi Amaechi has won since Wike went his way and Amaechi went his own way. Amaechi has not won a single election since that time.”
He added, “This person that he called children, was the one in 2007 when Rotimi Amaechi ran to Ghana and was hiding under the wrapper of his wife, Wike was the one leading the charge to bring Rotimi Amaechi back as governor. When the Supreme Court gave judgement that Rotimi Amaechi should be the governor of Rivers State, Amaechi was in Ghana. Who went to Ghana to go and bring him? He could not face the fire here. He let Wike be here to face that fire.”
Highlighting Wike’s strategic role in Amaechi’s emergence as governor, Olayinka added, “These children that he said were the Director General of his campaign in 2011, Wike was the one who led Rotimi Amaechi’s campaign to elect him in 2011.”
According to him, Wike defeated Amaechi in 2015, 2019, and again in 2023, consolidating his power base while Amaechi struggled to remain politically relevant. He said, “Then this same child, defeated him in 2015. This person defeated him in 2019. He defeated him in 2023.
represents a competitive Nebraska district, said of the fight: “There’s a good verse in Proverbs: ‘Stay out of fights.’ I’m staying out of this one.”
Meanwhile, a White House official yesterday said Trump was not interested in talking with Musk, signalling the president and his former ally might not resolve their feud over the sweeping tax-cut bill any time soon.
The White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said no phone call between Trump and the Tesla CEO was planned for the day.
Earlier, a different White House official had said the two were going to talk.
In interviews with several U.S. media outlets, Trump said he was focused on other matters.
"I'm not even thinking about Elon.
He's got a problem, the poor guy's got a problem," he had told CNN. Trump may get rid of the red Tesla Model S that he bought in March after showcasing Musk's electric cars on the White House lawn, the official said.
Tesla shares rose yesterday, managing to claw back some steep losses from the previous session when it dropped 14 per cent and lost $150
billion in value, the largest single-day decline in the company's history.
Musk's high-profile allies have largely stayed silent during the feud. But one, investor James Fishback, called on Musk to apologise. "President Trump has shown grace and patience at a time when Elon’s behavior is disappointing and frankly downright disturbing," Fishback said in a statement.
Emir of Kano Cancels Sallah Durbar Celebrations, Horse Riding
Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano
The 16th Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II has ordered all District Heads and traditional rulers to suspend all arrangements for the Sallah Durbar celebrations across the state.
The Emir made the announcement, citing the importance of preserving peace
and stability in the state, as well as credible intelligence suggesting possible attacks on him during the period.
He said his decision was influenced by meetings with the Kano State Government, where they presented evidence of plans to exploit his movement to spark unrest in Kano.
“We are directing all our District
Heads, Wards and Village Heads to strictly adhere to the postponement and stay in their location to avoid any unforeseen circumstances,” he said.
While commending the state government for their unrelenting efforts to forestall any security challenges, the 16th Emir prayed for a peaceful Sallah celebration in and around the ancient city.
Earlier, the Emir had extended an invitation to all District Heads to bring their horses and participate in the Sallah Durbar celebrations. In a swift reaction, the state Police Command imposed a ban on all Durbar activities, stating that it remains in effect and will be strictly enforced during the 2025 Eid-El-Kabir celebrations due to ongoing security concerns.
Access Bank Asks Court to Freeze MTN’s Assets over Alleged N181bn Debt
Wale Igbintade
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered MTN Nigeria Communications Plc to appear before it and show cause why the reliefs sought by Access Bank Plc and three other firms over an alleged N180.95 billion debt should not be granted.
Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the
Anambra
directive while ruling on an ex parte application in Suit No: FHC/L/ CS/1004/2025, filed by Access Bank and three companies in receivership: Multi-links Telecommunications Limited, Capcom Telecoms Limited, and Cyancom Limited.
The applicants, represented by Mr. Kunle Ogunba (SAN), sought an interim injunction restraining MTN from withdrawing, tampering
with, or dissipating funds across all its accounts in Nigeria up to the sum of N180,946,560,000.00, allegedly owed to Multi-links.
They also requested an order restraining MTN from dealing with or disposing of its assets, including shares, funds, and property, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.
"An order of interim injunction
Community Raises
the
restraining the all financial institutions (including but not limited to Banks) within the territorial jurisdiction of this Honourable court from dealing with and/or operating the defendant’s account wherever found within the jurisdiction of this honourable court pending the hearing and final determination of the Motion on Notice filed in this suit herein
Alarm over Erosion Threat,
as US-based
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
Ekwulobia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has raised the alarm over threats of erosion in their area, saying that if nothing was done urgently, the community may be wiped out.
With recent torrential rainfall, gully erosions in the area have continued to
Attorney Seeks FG, UN Interventions
expand, eating into homes and farmlands, causing locals to migrate out of their homes.
A United States-based attorney and public health expert, Dr. Okwudili Ezike, who conducted journalists around erosion sites in the community said the threat was beyond the state government, while calling on the federal government and United Nations agencies for rescue.
Last month, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo while receiving President Bola Tinubu tabled the menace of erosion in the state before him, saying that even though Anambra is second smallest state in landmass, it has continued to depreciate in size due to erosion. Tinubu had promised to intervene.
But during inspection visit on erosion sites at the weekend, Ezike said the problem in the community was beyond the state government. He said the federal government needs to liaise with United Nations agencies to tackle the problem. He said, "We have nine villages in Ekwulobia, and each has devastating ecological situation. We are calling on the federal government and other United Nations agencies to come to our aid.
Melissa Enoch
Digital Creator, Ify Okoye; Actress, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman; Internal Audit, Nigerian Communications Commission, Stella Erebor; Comedienne/Actress, Emanuella Samuel; Safety Policy Manager, Africa, Middle East & Turkey (AMET), Meta, Sylvia Musalagani, and founder of The Mummy Summit, Nicole Chikwe, during the launch of Instagram teen accounts in Lagos…recently
Saraki: PDP Remains Only Viable Opposition
Anambra PDP appeals to Obi, others to return Ex-governor's camp kicks, says
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the only credible opposition force capable of providing a strong challenge in Nigeria’s democratic space ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This was as the Anambra State chapter of the PDP had pleaded with the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, to return to the party. Obi defected to LP when he felt he could not achieve his presidential ambition within the PDP fold.
But in swift reaction, sources in Obi's media camp and the Obidient Movement said that their principal is a member of the Labour Party for now.
Speaking during a strategic engagement with party stakeholders, Saraki, who is the Chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, expressed optimism over the party’s capacity to regain stability and mobilise effectively despite the current wave of defections.
He noted that while some members have exited the party, an encouraging number of new entrants have continued to swell its ranks nationwide.
“The only viable opposition party remains the PDP,” Saraki declared.
“Yes, we are experiencing some challenges, but I am confident in our ability to overcome them. There is already positive momentum. People are returning to the party and new members are joining. This speaks volumes about the enduring strength
of our platform,” he added.
Saraki emphasised that rebuilding efforts were already yielding results, citing recent meetings of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and ongoing reconciliation activities.
He said these efforts were designed to reposition the PDP for a stronger, more united outing in the next election cycle.
“We started early, and that gives us an advantage. We have two solid years to do the necessary groundwork. Some members may still leave, but many more are joining us.
“What is most important is that our foundation remains strong, and our resolve to present a credible alternative remains unshaken,” he stated.
The former Kwara State governor, who also completed his re-registration
as a member of the PDP, described the response from grassroots supporters as highly encouraging.
He said the level of enthusiasm among both old and new members, particularly at the ward and local government levels, signals a resurgence of confidence in the party’s mission and direction.
“People are associating with the PDP again. They want to be seen and counted as members of this party. That says a lot about where we stand with the masses. Our base remains active and energized,” he said.
Saraki attributed the renewed interest in the PDP to growing dissatisfaction with governance at the federal and state levels.
He pointed to rising insecurity, unemployment, hunger, and a
NLC, Catholic Bishops Seek Mitigation Against Flood Disaster
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
As Nigerians mourn the loss of lives and destruction of homes and infrastructure resulting from recent devastating flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger State, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have demanded proactive and preventive measures to mitigate the risk of future disasters in the country.
perceived lack of responsive leadership as key drivers of the public’s yearning for change.
“People are tired of the current state of affairs. They are yearning for a return to purposeful leadership and credible governance. That is what the PDP represents,” he added.
He assured party members and supporters nationwide that the PDP leadership is committed to internal reconciliation and strategic rebuilding, all geared toward repositioning the party to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
“Democracy cannot thrive without a vibrant opposition. We must all be ready to make personal and collective sacrifices to strengthen the democratic process. That is our commitment in the PDP,” he submitted.
Meanwhile, the Obidient Movement camp also insisted that the 2023 presidential candidate is a member of the coalition's camp.
“The committee extends an open invitation to all aggrieved and former members of the PDP in Anambra, particularly our revered former governor, Mr. Peter Obi, to return home and reunite with the now rejuvenated and restructured PDP.
“We will gladly welcome our brothers and sisters back to join us in the collective quest for a better Nigeria,” he said. He told the Anambra electorate to support Mr. Jude Ezenwafor and his running mate, Mr. Francis Okeke, in the November governorship election while urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a fair, transparent, and impartial electoral process.
“We call on the good people of Anambra to remain steadfast in their historic support for the PDP and to come out en masse to vote for our candidates,” he said.
shared humanity, and a terrifying reminder of the utter breakdown of security in our land."
Urge FG to be cautious in energy transition
In a statement signed by the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of Owerri Archdiocese, the bishops said scale of the disaster calls for urgent, coordinated relief and rehabilitation efforts to restore hope and dignity to the affected communities.
"We commend the government’s response so far but urge more comprehensive and compassionate action to support the victims, alleviate their suffering, and rebuild the devastated areas. At the same time, we call on the authorities to take proactive and preventive measures to mitigate the risk of future disasters and better protect vulnerable communities," said the Bishops.
The Bishops also condemned what they described as "utterly barbaric massacre of innocent citizens in Benue State."
They said, "These cold-blooded attacks on defenceless communities where countless have been slaughtered, homes destroyed, and families left in anguish—are an affront to God, a stain on our
In the same vein, the NLC lamented the losses of lives and property from the massive flood in Mokwa Niger State.
A statement signed by the acting President of NLC, Comrade Audu Amba, urged governments at all levels to take robust steps to ensure that such disasters are prevented or mitigated.
It suggested some steps to include, periodic structural audit and maintenance of existing dams in the country and the building of catchment dams near big dams such as Lagdo Dam.
"Governments at all levels should also improve on natural disaster risk
forecasting, warning and evacuation processes.
"Since Mokwa is situated in a flood-prone location, it necessitates that extra measures be put in place to channel rainwater and occasional discharges from nearby dams into surrounding water bodies in order to minimise devastation to human lives, the built-up environment and properties.
"This requires conscious efforts by the government to build large storm drains, which must be properly covered to prevent siltation and refuse dumping by irresponsible persons.
"It is unfortunate that when disasters like the Mokwa flooding happen, it is the poor people and workers who are in the frontline of the impact," it said.
Actuarial Professionals Take Advocacy to Ekiti, Woo Students
Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) has decried the shortage of professional actuaries in Nigeria, revealing that only 28 practitioners remain in the country.
The Executive Secretary, FRC, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, disclosed this during the Nigerian Actuarial Development Programme (NADP) advocacy outreach held in the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.
Olowo, who spoke at the outreach with the theme: ‘Building Capacity for Actuarial Excellence in Nigeria’, described actuary as a lucrative enterprise in Nigeria and abroad that demands skilled professionals, but no graduates are willing to pursue it as a career.
He maintained that students' interest in the profession has reduced drastically, making it difficult for the professional body to compete in the labour market like other professions. Olowo, who was represented by the Assistant Director, Directorate of Standards, FRC, Olasunkanmi Ayinde, emphasised the importance of actuaries, saying they are responsible for setting accounting and financial reporting.
"Our profession sets standards, promoting good corporate governance, regulating the audit profession, protecting investors, enhancing market efficiency, amongst others," he noted.
Olowo also said Actuarial Science is operated in six universities in the country, and revealed that the FRC, through the NADP, decided to return
tuition fees to the best students across the six universities, adding that they would also refund their payment if they decide to write any professional examination.
"We are recruiting Nigerian students and professionals to pick up interest in natural science because there's an emergency in Nigeria, a country that produces more than 65,000 accountants, thousands of auditors, bankers, tax practitioners, insurance, only for us to have about less than 30 actuaries,” he added.
He said the body would expose students and people who might be interested to the easier ways of learning the ropes of the profession.
"Actuaries are the ones that help you to mitigate your risk, they solve future
problems of business, they strategise and look forward to helping the organisation to avoid risk, to determine what kind of investment they can invest in and what not.
“They assist in market development, risk management, evaluation and reserving but unfortunately, we have about 28 in Nigeria, and due to even capital, we have to resort to bringing in actuaries from South Africa and Kenya, which makes all these 28.
"The issue is more to make Nigeria a hub for producing actuaries. It's a very lucrative job, more lucrative but unfortunately, most Nigerians are not aware. Out of the 273 universities in Nigeria, only six are offering Actuarial Science, and this is the fifth university we are visiting".
The PDP made the call after the enlarged meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) to review the state of the party and chart a way forward in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
The communique, which was signed by Chidi Chidebe, Chairman of PDP in Anambra, said alliances with ideologically incompatible political formations in the guise of coalitions would likely not yield the desired success.
In a significant step towards enhancing online safety for teenagers, Meta has launched Teen Accounts on Instagram in Nigeria.
This, it explained, was part of its broader commitment to ensuring safe, private, and positive online experiences for teens across Africa.
The global organisation noted that as more Nigerian teens join Instagram, it was crucial to prioritise their safety and privacy.
“Parents want to feel confident that their teens can use social media to connect with their friends and explore their interests, without having to worry about unsafe or inappropriate experiences.
Teen Accounts were designed to better support parents and give them peace of mind that their teens have the right protections in place.
“Teen Accounts have built-in protections that limit who can contact them and the content they see, and we’ll automatically place teens in Nigeria into Teen Accounts, and teens under 16 will need a
He announced the unanimous nomination of Chief Clems Ezike to fill the vacant position of National Ex-Officio from Anambra.
Chidebe urged the South-east Zonal Executive Committee under Chief Ali Odefa to recognise and transmit the same to the national secretariat. He commended the party leadership for a successful National Executive Committee meeting on May 27 and expressed satisfaction with the template for resolution of its internal crisis.
parent’s permission to change any of these settings to be less strict,” it added.
Key protections offered with Teen Accounts include: Private Accounts: Teen accounts are set to private by default and teens under 16 can only change this setting with parental guidance; Messaging Restrictions: Teens can only receive messages from people they are already connected to; Sensitive Content Control: Teen Accounts are automatically set to see less sensitive content in search results and recommended content in Explore, Feed and Reels; and Limited Interactions: Teens can only be tagged or mentioned by people they follow, and the strictest anti-bullying feature, Hidden Words, is enabled by default. Others are: Time Limit Reminders: Notifications prompt teens to exit the app after 60 minutes of daily usage; Sleep Mode: Enabled from 10p.m. to 7a.m., this feature mutes notifications and sends automatic replies to DMs overnight.
DUBAR PROCESSION IN ZARIA...
HRH, Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, during a Durbar procession shortly after Eid-el-Kabri prayers in Zaria Emirate, Kaduna Nigeria...yesterday
PHOTO: KUNLE OGUNFUYI
A REVIEW OF AKIN ADESINA’S DECADE
JIBRIL AMINU: A STAR DEPARTS
HWJOSHUA J. OMOJUWA pays tribute to Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank
C.DON ADINUBA pays tribute to Jibril aminu, one of nigeria’s best and the brightest
ave you ever wondered what it’d look like to have a President of Africa? Someone to decide the policy direction, infrastructural fate, and help advance prosperity across the continent. I have. In deed, there may never be one. It takes a lot uniting many of the individual countries, one cannot begin to imagine what it’d take bringing Africa under one sovereign umbrella.
Based on today’s realities, the closest to a President of Africa would be the President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Some could argue whoever leads the African Union (AU) ought to take precedence, but whilst that position probably has more political bearing, by design, it doesn’t leave development in its wake the way the AfDB has done across the continent. The numbers could not be more impressive.
ith the death on Thursday, June 5, of Jibril Aminu, former Minister of Education, former Minister of Petroleum, former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, former Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) President, former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), former University of Maiduguri Vice Chancellor, former Professor of Medicine at Howard University in Washington, DC, and a former senator of the Federal Republic, Nigeria has lost one of its brightest and most liberal citizens. I lost a friend and confidant.
When former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, a versatile intellectual, was running to get the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket in the late 1990s, I strongly recommended Aminu to be his running mate because of his intellectual acuity and moral integrity. People who write about Aminu being the best medical student in Ibadan in 1965 may not know that while a medical student he won a national essay competition dominated by arts students, many of whom later became distinguished academics in English and other disciplines in the humanities. Despite the high public offices he occupied for decades, his lifestyle was modest. In any case, Aminu was a prominent member of G-34 which Ekwueme led admirably and sat by his side at the All-Politicians Summit at Eko Hotel in Lagos which government security agents disrupted because Dr Ekwueme and his group were known to be fiercely opposed to Abacha’s plot to be a life president.
He is no President of Africa and has never pretended to be one, but in the last decade, Nigeria’s Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has filled in that role far too many times to not get one wondering, what if? It is a tough ask to capture a decade’s worth of an extraordinary run in a short piece, but a few things stand out. It was quite beautiful to watch him extend his gratitude to leaders across Africa who have impacted his work in different ways, more so when he reeled out names of Nigerian leaders and their shades of support, whether it was President Goodluck Jonathan nominating him for the role, or President Buhari who not only backed his re-election but stood with him when he needed support at a time his re-election came under threat. In the end, he won a unanimous re-election. The AfDB Group president’s gratitude was also reserved for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, specifically thanking them for replenishing the Nigeria Trust Fund at $500m for the next 15 years.
Adesina’s leadership at the AfDB has been exemplary. When he assumed the presidency of the bank in 2015, as in the many decades before, the continent was running short on its development indices and expectations. This was about the time commodity prices were taking a dip around the world. The bank stepped in. The AfDB under his stewardship has consistently advocated for Africa’s development, with a focus on improving the continent’s infrastructure, increasing access to energy, improving agricultural productivity, and fostering sustainable development.
Adesina’s major accomplishments have been built on the bank’s High 5s. Five key priorities that would shape the development agenda for Africa. These are: Light up and power Africa; Feed Africa; Industrialize Africa; Integrate Africa; and Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa. Through these priorities, Adesina sought to direct the bank’s resources toward projects that have gone on to accelerate the continent’s economic transformation.
Under his leadership, the AfDB has facilitated billions of dollars in investments aimed at providing critical infrastructure. Take the $3.2 billion standard gauge railway which connects Tanzania to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. Massive development of the transport corridor in East Africa linking Addis Ababa to Nairobi and Mombasa. This helped to reduce travel time from three days to one whilst expanding
Yet, for many years I almost loathed Aminu. When David Ogbodo, then his Special Assistant who was to become the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group General Manager, requested Okey Ndibe and myself in Orji Uzor Kalu’s office in Apapa, Lagos, in 1986 or 1987 to meet the Minister of Education with the flattering words of “he will certainly like you for your brilliance”, we were aghast. The press was projecting Aminu as a jihadist, a regional Troubadour, a Fulani irredentist, a dull minister, a hater of southern progress in modernity, etc. When we narrated to Goddy Nnadi, then The Guardian Education Correspondent, of our invite to meet the minister and he made a spirited effort to present different image of the minister, we were disillusioned. It was years before we realized we were casualties of conditioned imagination. It took Ogbodo’s persistent effort for me to change my mind and meet Aminu. The meeting was scheduled to last for not more than an hour in his Park View Estate residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, but it went on for over four hours as we discussed practically everything under the firmament, including international affairs. I queried him on all kinds of issues based on preconceived notions, and he was not just brilliant but also candid. I saw someone who thought little of Sani Abacha, then Nigeria’s military ruler. He spoke against the system in the North which was keeping millions of people in poverty and ignorance, saying he recognized the system the first time when he was a pupil and an attempt was made to deny him a scholarship at Barewa College, despite his stellar record, because he was from an unknown family. He railed against this system years later when we went to see a former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Gambo Jimeta, who was also from Adamawa
State, in his office in Abuja. He was in a hurry to see the North modernize and develop fast but met a lot of obstacles.
trade between both countries by some 400 percent. There is the Kazungula bridge. This connects Zambia to Malawi and Namibia, helping to boost regional trade down south. There is the Senegambia bridge, connecting Senegal and The Gambia. One could do an entire book on the infrastructural interventions alone, with every region of the continent benefitting from strategic infrastructure intended to advance continental trade, fast-track commerce and boost productivity.
“Being is one thing; becoming aware of it is a point of arrival by an awakened consciousness and this involves a journey.” Ngugi wa Thiong’o, In the Name of the Mother: Reflections on Writers and Empire
In the pantheon of African literary giants, few names resonate with as much power, consistency, and ideological clarity as Ngugi’s wa Thiong’o. For over six decades, the Kenyan novelist, playwright, essayist, and activist has been a relentless advocate for the cultural and political liberation of Africa. His work—spanning fiction, non-fiction, drama, and theory—has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of colonialism, language, resistance, and identity.
Ngugi’s legacy is especially poignant for us in Nigeria, where the struggle for cultural decolonization continues to echo in our literature, politics, and educational institutions. Like Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka, Ngugi’s elevated African thought on the global stage, but his path has been uniquely defined by his bold rejection of the colonial languages and paradigms that dominate African discourse.
One of Ngugi’s most enduring contributions is his radical approach to language. In his seminal work Decolonising the Mind (1986), he argued that language is not merely a tool of expression—it is a vessel of memory, culture, and consciousness. To write in colonial languages, he warned, is to surrender the African soul to imperialism.
In a bold act of resistance, Ngugi’s abandoned English altogether and began writing in his native Gikuyu, starting with his prison novel, Devil on the Cross (1980). His
THE AFDB UNDER HIS STEWARDSHIP HAS CONSISTENTLY ADVOCATED FOR AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT, WITH A FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE CONTINENT’S INFRASTRUCTURE, INCREASING ACCESS TO E NERGY, IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY, AND FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
He Spoke AgAINST THe SYSTem IN THe NorTH wHIcH wAS keepINg mIllIoNS of people IN poverTY AND IgNorANce, SAYINg He recogNIzeD THe SYSTem THe fIrST TIme wHeN He wAS A pupIl AND AN ATTempT wAS mADe To DeNY HIm A ScHolArSHIp AT BArewA college, DeSpITe HIS STellAr recorD, BecAuSe He wAS from AN uNkNowN fAmIlY
message was clear: African stories must be told in African languages to truly reclaim their authenticity. In our own Nigerian context— where English dominates education, media, and literature—Ng’g’s position challenges us to re-evaluate how we honour our mother tongues.
Ngugi’s early novels remain powerful explorations of the Kenyan and Africa colonial experience and continue to speak to broader African realities. In Weep Not, Child (1964), his first novel and the first major novel in English by an East African, we meet Njoroge, a young boy who believes education is the path to freedom. Set against the backdrop of the Mau Mau rebellion, the story is a haunting tale of shattered dreams as Njoroge’s world collapses under the weight of colonial violence and betrayal. The story mirrors countless African youths’ aspirations—and the systems that undermine them.
In The River Between (1965), Ngugi’s presents a spiritual and cultural struggle between two Gikuyu communities divided by colonial religion and tradition. Waiyaki, the novel’s tragic hero, seeks to reconcile the conflicting forces of education and indigenous heritage. His failure is a metaphor for the difficulties faced by those caught between modernity and ancestral values—a tension familiar to many Nigerian communities facing cultural erosion.
Pointedly, Ngugi’s life was revolutionary as his writing. His co-authored play I Will Marry When I Want (1977), performed in Gikuyu with local villagers, critiqued Kenya’s neocolonial elite and their exploitation of the poor. For this, he was arrested and detained
Aminu, a medical professor, was distraught to see Dr Datti Ahmed, who was a year ahead of him at medical school in Ibadan, lead the false, dangerous but popular and effective propaganda in the North that polio immunization was a strategy by the West to depopulate the Muslim community. Aminu was alarmed that the future of a generation of Northerner children was being destroyed. He tasked me with a strategy to counter the anti-immunization campaign without hurting his political and social standing before the mass of the people who were being led by the nose by a self-serving elite. He jumped at my proposal when I submitted it, and people like Simon Kolawole, a patriotic, selfless Nigerian and sound professional who was then editing Thisday, The Saturday Newspaper, helped with the implementation. The strategy was effective, as immunization against the deadly six child diseases resumed in the Northwest and Northeast during the time of President Olusegun Obasanjo who spared no effort or resources to end polio and other diseases that paralyzed mostly children from poor homes.
The Desert to Power initiative, which aims to create the world’s largest solar zone in the Sahel region, is a prime example of how the bank is pursuing energy security for the continent. Through these projects, Adesina has solidified the AfDB’s position as a crucial player in Africa’s economic integration. He has also been a tireless advocate for Africa on the global stage. His advocacy for African economies to have more representation in global financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) helped put the spotlight on Africa’s development needs. He also raised his voice on critical global issues, such as the impact of climate change on African countries, the need for debt restructuring, and equitable access to vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
His leadership at the AfDB was instrumental in pushing for greater investment in Africa’s future workforce. Recognizing that Africa’s demographic dividend could either be a blessing or a curse, Adesina has championed the need for investments in education, skills training, and job creation, particularly for Africa’s youth.
Aminu liked the Yoruba for their sense of justice and social activism, and admired the Nnewi people in Anambra State for their accomplishments, ranging from education to manufacturing to entrepreneurship to their sense of community and to their love of motherland. He cherished his traditional sobriquet of Oyimba Nnewi, Friend of the Nnewi People, perhaps more than any other. His knowledge of Nnewi’s history and even that of neighbouring towns was amazing. At once humorous and profound, Aminu once turned to me, after a discussion on the Igbo and their strategy of self-development, and said: “You must help Ebonyi stop being the North of the Southeast!”
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Africa needed to stand for itself. As countries across the continent faced lockdowns, rising unemployment, and economic contractions, the AfDB responded swiftly. The bank released $10 billion in emergency funding to help African countries fight the virus and mitigate the economic fallout. One of Adesina’s landmark moments during the pandemic was securing a $3 billion bond issue to help address the immediate needs of African governments in their fight against COVID-19. This was not only a demonstration of the financial strength but also its commitment to supporting Africa’s most vulnerable nations during an unprecedented crisis.
He was distressed that even though Adamawa State at a point had so many sons in strategic positions like the Chief of the Air Staff, Chief of the Army Staff, the Chief of the Naval Staff and others during the military regime, it was not developing rapidly. The elite there liked to live in Kaduna and later Abuja; from there they would fight themselves viciously, thus leaving their home in a state of arrested development. Apart from Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako who built a humungous farm in the state, Aminu brought almost every other thing that made Adamawa State have some economic base in the 1990s.
Beyond the specific policies and projects, what stands out most about Adesina’s leadership is his focus on building partnerships across the continent. His ability to bring together governments, the private sector, and civil society has been one of his defining traits. From the African Union’s Agenda 2063 to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), he has been a vocal supporter of pan-African initiatives that aim to create a unified and prosperous Africa.
As his tenure draws close, there’s no question that Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s leadership of the AfDB has been nothing short of historic. His work, passion, and unwavering commitment to Africa’s prosperity have had a lasting impact on the continent’s trajectory. Whilst the title of "President of Africa" may not exist, Akin Adesina’s influence in shaping Africa’s future stands out. He is set for a historic bow this September.
When he intimated me of his plans to sponsor Nyako to become the next Adamawa State governor, I encouraged him. In 1997 when Bart Nnaji, then holding a big professorial chair in engineering at the University of Pittsburgh in the United States, was receiving an honorary doctorate from the Federal University of Yola, he, General Ike Nwachukwu, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and myself drove in the same car from Abuja to Yola while Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, the Enugu State immediate past governor, and Professor Julius Onah, the Enugu State University Vice Chancellor, drove in another to Yola where we were received by Nyako who the next day took us to his magnificent farm. We were awed.
Omojuwa is chief strategist, Alpha Reach/BGX Publishing
Adinuba was the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment from 2018 to 2022
THE ENDURING LEGACY OF AN AFRICAN
without trial by the Kenyan government—a stark reminder that speaking truth to power in Africa often comes at a price.
Furthermore, His prison memoir, Detained: A Writer’s Prison Diary, is a compelling chronicle of artistic defiance. For Ngugi’s , the pen is not just mightier than the sword—it is a sword. A sword of justice. He remains a living example of how literature and activism can and must coexist in the African context.
Indeed, Ngugi’s was never content to see colonialism as a thing of the past. In works like Petals of Blood (1977), he exposes how African leaders, post-independence, often perpetuate colonial systems of exploitation, enriching themselves at the expense of their people. The novel’s grim portrayal of greed and betrayal resonates powerfully in postcolonial Nigeria, where dreams of nationhood are too often undermined by corruption and inequality. He saw colonialism as lingering shadows of underdevelopment and state capture in Africa particularly in his home country of Kenya.
Ngugi’s challenges us to confront neocolonialism in all its forms—economic, cultural, and political. His work reminds us that political independence means little without cultural self-knowledge and sovereignty.
Ngugi’s later works, especially Wizard of the Crow (2006), offer an imaginative rethinking of African modernity. Set in the fictional Republic of Abur’ria, the novel is a sweeping satire of dictatorship and greed. Through magical realism and folklore, he crafts a vision of an Africa that is both humorous and tragic—an Africa where the absurdities of power mimic real-life authoritarian regimes.
What makes Wizard of the Crow remarkable is not just its critique of tyranny, but its faith in the possibility of change. Ngugi’s urges us to imagine new African futures— grounded in justice, rooted in culture, and open to the world without being overrun by it.
Interestingly, Ngugi’s wa Thiong’o’s influence is not confined to Kenya. His works are studied in universities across Nigeria, Africa, and the global South. His call to decolonize African knowledge systems resonates in contemporary movements such as Rhodes Must Fall and Decolonise the Curriculum. Generations of African writers—from Chimamanda Adichie to Tsitsi Dangarembga—walk through the literary and ideological paths he helped clear.
As Africa grapples with questions of identity, governance, and global relevance, Ngugi’s voice remains one of the most courageous and consistent. He has taught us that decolonization is not just a historical event—it is a cultural and intellectual project that must continue until Africa fully owns its voice.
Ngugi’s wa Thiong’o is more than a writer. He is Africa’s conscience. And as we honour his towering legacy, we are reminded that literature—when committed to truth—can shake empires, awaken nations, and heal the soul of a continent. Kwaheri hayati Ngugi Thiong’o! Orovwuje is a Lagos-based international development consultant and public affairs analyst specializing in human rights, policy advocacy, and African
Anambra’s erosion Menace
Anambra State is arguably the erosion capital of Africa. As of today, the state reportedly has over 1,000 active erosion sites. The figure was around 950 as of April 2022 according to the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
Soludo made the revelation during a roundtable meeting with the task force team of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) held at Bon Hotel, Awka, the state capital.
The team was in Anambra for a three-day workshop that centred on the organisation’s Additional Financing (AF) Implementation Completion and Result Report Mission (ICRM) which took place at the International Convention Centre in the capital city.
At the event, which drew participants from 22 other states of the federation with NEWMAP interventions, the governor lamented the devastating impacts of gully erosion in the state.
Soludo was represented in the two events by his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim. Just a year later, the Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu, an engineer, revealed that erosion sites in the state had hit 1,000 based on his findings. He made the revelation while unveiling the state’s programme for the 2023 World Earth Day (WED) in Awka.
While lamenting that Anambra was losing arable land to gully erosion, the Environment Commissioner revealed that new erosion sites were still emerging in the state. From 2022 to 2025, available reports show that more erosion sites have emerged in various parts of the state.
Currently, a very deep gully is threatening the fence of Amanuke General Hospital, Amanuke in Awka North Local Government Area of the state, as well as the family home of Mr. Humphrey Onyekaomelu which shares boundary with it.
In fact, if urgent action is not taken, both the hospital’s fence and the residential building may cave in anytime soon. In Nnewi South, many communities in that LGA are currently battling with erosion issues. The same applies to parts of Nnewi town in Nnewi North LGA.
Erosion sites in Agulu community, Anaocha LGA; Nanka and Oko communities in Orumba North LGA are still very much active. In fact, the trio is regarded as the headquarters of gully in the state.
Erosion issues in the three communities are so bad that their residents reportedly spend each day in fear, not knowing when and where the next landslide would take place. So far, scores of lives have been lost, properties worth several millions of Naira destroyed even as farmlands and economic trees have been
swept away.
The Federal Polytechnic, Oko is under a serious threat. Already, a part of the institution’s perimeter fence has been pulled down by a very deep gully and some buildings near it threatened.
In other parts of the state, there have been a series of reports about the devastating impacts of gully erosion. There is hardly any community in the state that does not have its own share of the erosion issues.
The Environment Commissioner, Odimegwu, lamented during the NEWMAP’s workshop that over 70 per cent of the state’s land mass was reportedly at the risk of gully erosion. He had said: “Anambra today is faced with an existential threat from the scourge of erosion; we are the state with the second highest population density in Nigeria and alongside that, we have the most active number of erosion sites.
“It’s being reported that circa 70% of the land in Anambra State is at risk of gully erosion. This is the precarious state we are in, with less than 3% of our erosion menace under control, we not only ask for more, but wish to charge NEWMAP and her funding partners to declare a state of emergency on Anambra’s erosion menace.”
Obinna Odogwu, obinnaodogwu77@gmail.com
The Dignity of civil Service
The national Orientation Agency has warned popular Abuja car dealer known as Sarkinmoto over a viral skit he made to promote one of his automotive products. According to the NOA, the video does a great disservice to civil servants at a time Nigerians are writhing under increasing social pressure from get-rich-quick schemes.
In the video, the car dealer asks the Artificial Intelligence in his car if civil servants can afford it, to which the Artificial Intelligence replies that maybe in 2062.
The video is as odious as they come in a country where social media is increasingly becoming a cesspit where moral values are corrupted and incinerated. For many Nigerians, working for the government is as good as it gets, whether as civil servants or as public servants. This is not surprising. In a country where unemployment is rife and social security bordering on zero, the job security provided by the civil service and the regular pay, especially in the federal civil service, is an oasis in the wilderness everywhere else.
Civil servants form and forge the lubricant that keep the wheels of the government turning. They toil, thread and thresh to keep the mills of the government grinding away. They hold the full length of the red tape and often toil away thanklessly to ensure that the government continues to function properly.
Yet, in a country where many perverse problems are disguised as prudence, civil servants have somehow become part of Nigeria’s myriad problems. Much like those who become public servants and remorselessly refine the art of ripping off the government, and reaping where they did not sow, civil servants have become symbols of Nigeria’s bureaucratic corruption.
There have been mind-boggling stories of civil servants transitioning into millionaires out of nowhere, despite the blatant insufficiency of their salaries, allowances and other emoluments.
In recent times, it has become a commonplace to equate civil service in Nigeria with public service in terms of sheer sleaze. In fact, in the eyes of many Nigerians, civil servants are just as corrupt as their counterparts in the public service.
cHAIrMAN eDITorIAl BoArD oLUsEGUn adEniyi
eDITor NATIoN’S cApITAl iyobosa UwUGiarEn
THe oMBuDSMAN KayodE KomoLaFE
this DAY
EmmanUEL EFEni
DIvISIoNAl DIrecTorS shaKa momodU, PETEr iwEGbU, anThony oGEdEnGbE DepuTY DIvISIoNAl DIrecTor oJoGUn
This perception, confirmed partly by the prosecution of many civil servants in high-profile corruption cases, has contributed to ruining the reputation of civil servants around the country. But it does not have to be so. In fact, it was never meant or made to be so.
Civil service is first about civility, dignity, and integrity in service to the country. As a collection of the people who keep the country’s bureaucracy going, the civil service is at the core of a county’s development or lack of it.
Invariably, those who serve in the civil service of any country should draw pride and a deep sense of fulfillment from the fact of rendering service to their country. This is crucial to their well-being and the sense of patriotism they will invariably bring to the key contributions they make to their country.
Ike Willie-Nwobu, Ikewilly9@gmail.com
NIGERIAN ACTUARIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME...
L-R: Assistant General Manager, (Underwriting) Guinea Insurance Plc, Mrs. Adebowale Adesokan; Head, Sustainability Reporting Unit, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), Dr. Abubakar Abdulrazak; Head, Special Project, FRC, Mr. Oladele Oladejo; Partner, MBO Audit and Consult, Mr. Samuel Adesokan; Assistant Director, Directorate of Actuarial Standards, FRC, Mr. Olasunkanmi Mufutau Ayinde; Mr. Olasunkanmi Ayinde, and Professor of Actuarial Science at UNILAG, Prof. Ismaila Adeleke, during the Nigerian Actuarial Development Programme (NADP) advocacy outreach held in Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti…recently
Oversight: Senate Suspends Procurement Processes in Federal Agencies
Backs NCDMB push to boost Nigerian talents in oil industry
The Senate has ordered the suspension of procurement processes in some federal government agencies whose management failed to honour its investigative hearings.
Also, Senate Committee on Local Content, led by its Chairman, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, yesterday
rounded off its oversight visit to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, with a promise to work with the board to fully Nigerianise workforce in the oil and gas sector of the country.
The red chamber has consequently directed the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPE) to ensure strict
UN Body to Host School Debate against Tobacco, Nicotine Risks
As part of a sustained commitment to educate children against the danger and risks of tobacco and nicotine consumption, the United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNA-Nigeria) organised debate competition for secondary schools has gathered momentum with the Enugu centre ongoing.
The President of the association, Prof. Oluremi Olutimo, who gave insight to the competition during the 2nd edition of the UNA-Nigeria World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2025 Debate Competition in Lagos, said the theme of the event: ‘Empowering the Next Generation to Stand Against Tobacco’ underscores the objective.
compliance with its directive.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Procurement, Senator Olajide Ipinshagba, gave the order at a news conference yesterday.
Ipinsagba, who represents Ondo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, threatened that his panel would take further legislative sanctions against any federal agency that continuously hinder it from carrying out its oversight functions.
The panel chairman said his committee’s mandate was to safeguard the resources of the Nigerian people by ensuring that procurement practices are transparent, competitive, and fair.
He clarified that his committee’s inquiries and oversight responsibilities were not ceremonial.
He said they were essential to ensuring the judicious use of public funds and promoting good governance.
collaboration with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
“I am directing that all procurement processes be suspended for agencies that fail to appear before this Committee.
“We are committed to full compliance with the Public Procurement Act and will not hesitate to recommend disciplinary action, including penalties, against individuals or agencies who continue to show flagrant disregard for the law.
“We owe that to the constituents who depend on us to ensure that their resources are managed effectively and responsibly,” he added. In another development, the Senate Committee on Local Content delegation was taken on a tour of the NCDMB's Nigeria Oil and Gas Park (NOGaPS) project, located in Emeyal 1 in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, which is already being occupied.
He said the participating schools were from both public and private schools across the six education districts in Lagos and Ogun states.
The four finalists in the debate competition held in Lagos were Supreme Education Foundation Schools, Magodo, Ikeja; Ikeja High School, Ikeja; Wellspring College, Isheri Ikosi, and Peaceville International Academy, Redemption Camp, Ogun state.
Olutimo said all the schools were brilliantly exceptional as they showed depth of their research, presentation skills and knowledge of the topics; and how important the topic was to them.
Olutimo said that UNA-Nigeria decided to organise the competition to create awareness and curb the menace which was spreading like a pandemic in the society; and schools were not free from it.
The Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA) organisers have announced the PharmAccess Foundation SafeCare Award categories as part of the upcoming NHEA 2025, marking a decade of strategic collaboration between NHEA and PharmAccess Foundation.
This long-standing partnership continually beams a spotlight on healthcare facilities that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to quality improvement and performance on the internationally recognised SafeCare Quality Platform.
Two distinct categories will be celebrated at this year’s award. The first is the PharmAccess Most Active Public Facility on the SafeCare Quality Platform. The nominated facilities are; Orile Agege General Hospital, Ikorodu General Hospital, Ibeju- Lekki General Hospital, and Lagos Island Maternity Hospital.
The second category is the PharmAccess Most Active Private Facility on the SafeCare Quality
Platform. This private category is the facility with the highest SafeCare quality score and level. The nominees are; South Shore Women's and Children's Hospital, R-Jolad Hospital, Lifeline Children Hospital, and Lakeshore Cancer Centre. These eight facilities were nominated following a rigorous data-driven evaluation process that considered performance metrics, quality improvement practices, and consistency in engagement with the SafeCare digital platform, which benchmarks clinical standards using internationally recognised indicators.
Speaking on the significance of this award, the Country Director of PharmAccess Foundation Nigeria, Njide Ndili, stated, “The SafeCare methodology promotes structured quality improvement. These nominees have demonstrated a clear commitment to enhancing patient safety and clinical excellence. We are proud to continue this partnership with NHEA in recognising healthcare providers who are using data and innovation to improve outcomes.”
The Senator said, “I stand before you as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement to address a pressing issue that strikes at the heart of our democratic principles.
“It has come to our attention that several agencies and institutions have repeatedly and unapologetically flouted our invitations to appear before the Committee.
“This lack of cooperation and blatant disregard for due process is unacceptable,” he noted.
“When agencies refuse to attend hearings or fail to provide requested documentation, they undermine not only the authority of this Committee but also the core principles of accountability and responsible leadership.
“Let me be clear: any agency or institution that continues to ignore our invitations will face serious consequences. Such defiance will not be tolerated.
“Effective immediately, in
“I urge all agencies to take this warning seriously.
“Cooperation with the Senate Committee is not only a legal obligation, it is a civic duty to uphold the values of transparency, integrity, and service to the Nigerian people,” Ipinsagba said.
He stressed the need for the Senate and the federal agencies to work together to ensure that procurement processes reflect the highest standards of accountability and ethics.
Senator Thomas, who led the lawmakers on the oversight visit, said the mandate of the committee is to ensure that Nigerians benefit maximally from the natural resources in oil and gas. He promised that the committee will work hard to create an enabling environment that fosters the growth of businesses, promote jobs creation and develop critical assets and skills, which NCDMB plays a vital role in achieving.
Glo Felicitates Muslims on Eid-el-Kabir, Harps on Sacrifice, Unity
Technology Company, Globacom, has congratulated Nigerian Muslim faithful on this year's Eid-el-Kabir, urging them to continuously adhere to the principles of love, dedication, and sacrifice embodied by Prophet Ibrahim.
In a goodwill message, the company urged Muslims to see the occasion as an opportunity for reflection, prayers for Nigeria’s
Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia
The Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA) Worldwide has condemned the gruesome murder of CSP Baba Ali Mohammed, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Rano in Kano State, an indigene of Nasarawa State.
It was reported that late CSP Muhammad Ali, the DPO of Rano Division in Kano State, was attacked by youths leading to his death in the hospital.
In a statement issued in Lafia, yesterday, signed by ECDA’s President, Mr. Mandy David Abuluya, the group expressed profound sympathy with the deceased family, Aren Eggon,
economic prosperity and a renewed commitment to promoting peace, unity, and development in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammed.
The company also extended congratulations to all Nigerian Muslims who successfully completed the Hajj pilgrimage.
Globacom called upon them to remain steadfast, guided by the profound lessons of commitment, dedication, and obedience to divine authority, as demonstrated by
"We call on Muslims to use this occasion to continue living up to the tenets of their faith through acts of charity, peaceful coexistence with their neighbors, and obedience to the injunctions of the Holy Quran. The joy of Eid is giving " Globacom affirmed.
Nasarawa State Government, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Eggon nation over the killing.
The association called for an immediate, comprehensive investigation to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure swift justice.
"The brutal assassination of CSP Mohammed demands urgent action," the statement read. "We call on the Inspector General of Police and the Kano State Government to conduct a thorough probe into this heinous crime. Those responsible must face the full force of the law to deter future attacks on security personnel."
The ECDA emphasised that protecting law enforcement officers from mob violence and criminal elements is a non-negotiable duty of the government. It urged police authorities to provide adequate compensation to CSP Mohammed's family, including full educational support for his children through university graduation.
"This gesture will honour his sacrifice and reassure security personnel that their service is valued," the group stated.
Highlighting systemic failures, the ECDA connected the killing to broader national challenges. "This tragedy mirrors the murder of Bako Angbashim, DPO of Ahoada in Rivers State, Eggon son and Nasarawa State indigene.
Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son—a supreme act of faith that Eid-el-Kabir commemorates.
Globacom assured Nigerians of its commitment to delivering highquality telecommunications services throughout the Sallah period and beyond, guaranteeing a seamless communication experience for its subscribers.
If those sworn to protect us are not safe, what hope remains for ordinary citizens?"
The association further called for policy reforms to address root causes of violence, including youth unemployment, ethnocentrism, and religious bigotry. "Government must prioritise programmes that reduce social unrest and create inclusive stability. Without tackling these issues, such atrocities will persist."
ECDA concluded by demanding all tiers of government fulfill their constitutional duty to protect both security agents and civilians: "Nigeria's safety hinges on securing its protectors. We urge immediate action to prevent further bloodshed."
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
CHILD DEDICATION SERVICE...
Deputy Speaker, Kalu Drums Support for Tinubu
Urged to desist from encouraging 'self-serving group' to speak for S'East
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has said that the South-east geopolitical zone should use the next general election to reciprocate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's efforts aimed at giving Ndigbo a sense of belonging.
This was as the Deputy Speaker has been urged to desist from encouraging "illegal and self-serving group" to appropriate the authority of speaking for the South-east zone.
Kalu stated that Tinubu has been intentional in drawing Ndigbo closer to the centre thereby ending the much
talked about marginalisation of the South-east zone.
Kalu, who was speaking at the inauguration of over 20,000 members of the Renewed Hope Partners at Bende, the headquarters of Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, stated that Tinubu has been intentional in drawing Ndigbo closer to the centre thereby ending the much talked about marginalisation of the South-east zone.
He cited the establishment of the South East Development Commission(SEDC) as a unifying gesture from Mr. President. Kalu described the SEDC as a long-awaited initiative that marks
a new era of inclusion and progress for the South-east zone, given that past federal administrations had ignored implementation of the 3Rs (reconciliation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation) after the Nigeria/Biafra Civil War.
According to him, "for the South-east, this moment marks the end of a long wait" because 55 years after the civil war ended, "we can now say with pride that the federal government has finally made good on its promise of inclusion.
"Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the South East Development Commission has not only been
established but is fully operational, with a confirmed board and leadership at its helm," the Deputy Speaker said.
Kalu charged the members of the RHP to spread the gospel of Renewed Hope Agenda down to the grassroots and get the people to key into the project of re-electing Mr. President come 2027.
His clarion call to RHP members that thronged the venue of the event was, "We must protect the Renewed Hope mandate,” adding that Tinubu is a unifier, who strongly believes that "in brotherhood we stand."
He urged the entire South-east zone to embrace the Renewed Hope
UK Gov’t Advises Citizens against Travelling to Parts of Nigeria, Cites Security Concerns
Sunday Ehigiator
The United Kingdom’s (UK) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advisory for Nigeria, warning British nationals to exercise extreme caution when travelling to the country due to security concerns.
The FCDO advised against all travel to certain areas in Nigeria, including the NorthEastern states of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Gombe, as well
as the North-Western states of Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara.
According to the FCDO, the warning became important to avoid the risks of being involved with illegal drugs, including cannabis.
“This includes the risk of arrest if you are found carrying drugs when transiting,” it said.
The advisory also warned against travelling to the riverine areas of Abia, Delta, Bayelsa, Anambra, Rivers and Imo States in the South-East, but Enugu was
not included, and South-South parts of Nigeria.
“No travel can be guaranteed safe,” it said.
The FCDO further noted that, “if you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance.
Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.”
The FCDO noted that there was a high threat of terrorist attacks in Nigeria, particularly in the north-eastern part of the country.
Terrorist groups, including Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) and Boko Haram, are active in the region and have carried out attacks on civilians, security forces, and aid workers.
In addition to terrorism risks, the FCDO warns of a high risk of kidnapping in Nigeria, particularly in the northwestern part of the country. British nationals are advised to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to stay safe.
Veteran Highlife Musician, Mike Ejeagha Dies at 95
Veteran highlife and folklore legend, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha, passed away yesterday, at the age of 95. Ejeagha died in Enugu, following a prolonged illness.
Commenting on his demise, which was announced on X (formerly Twitter), the social media users stressed that the deceased left great legacy promoting Igbo culture, resonating values, teaching
morals through your stories and music and entertaining the world.
Ejeagha had over 37 albums and five singles to his credit. His 1960 song 'Ofu Nwa Anaa' shot him to fame. He is a native of
Imezi-Owa in Ezeagu LGA of Enugu State.
In 2024, his 1983 hit, ‘ Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo,’ went viral because of skit maker Chukwuebuka Amuzie, Brain Jotter.
Foundation to Host Free Medical Outreach in Anambra
As part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, the Marcel Ofomata Foundation is set to host a two-day free medical outreach this August, reaching residents in the communities of Isuofia, Nanka, and Igboukwu in Anambra State.
This initiative reflects the Foundation’s enduring commitment to improving community health, advancing well-being, and ensuring access to essential medical care for underserved populations. Inspired by the tremendous success
of its 17th Free Medical Mission, the outreach will provide residents with comprehensive health services at no cost. Participants will receive free medical consultations and diagnostic services. The outreach will also offer treatment for common conditions and carry out minor surgical procedures where necessary. In addition, there will be eye screenings, with free prescription glasses given to those in need. Laboratory testing will be available, and the Foundation will also conduct health education sessions focused on
preventive care and wellness practices. The two-day event is scheduled to take place on August 13 and 14, 2025, beginning each day at 9a.m. On the first day, activities will be held at the Ozalla Primary Health Center in Isuofia. On the second day, the outreach will be conducted simultaneously at two venues: the Palace of the Igwe in Nanka and Landmark Hotel, Umudebe, Igboukwu.
Speaking ahead of the outreach, Abayomi Disu, Programmes Director of the Marcel Ofomata Foundation,
remarked, “This 2-day outreach is not only a response to urgent community health needs — it is also a celebration of 10 years of impact and service. Our goal is simple: to reach the unreached and bring healing where it’s needed most.”
The outreach is open to all residents of Isuofia, Nanka, Igboukwu, and surrounding towns. Everyone is encouraged to attend and take full advantage of this opportunity to receive free, quality healthcare from trusted professionals.
Agenda, not just as beneficiaries but as strategic partners in Nigeria’s political and economic transformation under the Tinubu administration.
The Deputy Speaker, who represents Bende federal constituency, described RHP as “a movement
of purpose, unity, and national transformation" which would take Tinubu’s message of love to all the five states of the South-east zone using Abia as a springboard. "We are empowering a formidable network of grassroots ambassadors. You
Summit Highlights Funding Gap in Media Enterprises
Labake Fasogbon
The need to simplify funding access for media entrepreneurs to improve their output and ensure industry sustainability has been reiterated at a Media Roundtable Summit convened by Blanche Aigle Communications in Lagos, recently.
Media executives, experts and investors who gathered for the summit tabled out sector's challenges and likely pathway under the theme, ‘Africa’s Media Renaissance: Building a Thriving Industry at the Intersection of Storytelling, Business, and Technology’.
Organisers of the summit explained its timeliness to address growing demand for content innovation and sustainable growth. Specifically, Founder of Blanche Aigle Communications, Nene Bejide, urged a need for stakeholders to be prepared for a boom in the sector with local digital ad spendings projected to exceed $400 million by 2025. She posited that Africa's vibrant creator economy remained untapped, hence requiring bold investment, regulatory reform, digital transformation and collaborative leadership to unlock the sector's opportunity.
L-R: Friday Ogbonna; Mrs. Mary Ogbonna; Mrs. Damilola Akerele; and Pastor-in-Charge Area 25, Tobi Akerele, during the child dedication service of Baby Kingsley Ogbonna held at RCCG Restoration Parish, Ejigbo, Lagos...recently
From Ijebu to the World: All Eyes on the Dazzling Ojude Oba Festival
Tomorrow, the ancient city of Ijebu-Ode will once again awaken to the thunder of hooves, the shimmer of asooke, and the jubilant cry of a people bound by culture, heritage, and splendour. As the morning sun spills gold over the palace of the Awujale, thousands will pour into the historic square — not merely to observe, but to belong. This is not just a festival; it is a living archive of Yoruba resilience, elegance, and kinship. The Ojude Oba Festival, once a sacred show of loyalty to the king by Muslim subjects, has evolved into an awe-inspiring pageant of culture, fashion, and identity, drawing the eyes of the world to Nigeria’s southwest. It is here that tradition dances with modernity, where families parade not just their wealth but their values, and where even pain finds redemption—as seen last year in the dignified, defiant presence of Mr Steeze, a cancer survivor turned cultural icon. In 2025, Ojude Oba is poised to outdo itself, not with spectacle alone, but with a deeper narrative of global relevance, cultural diplomacy, and spiritual return, writes Adedayo
Ojude Oba—literally “The King’s Forecourt”—is woven into the very soul of the Ijebu people. What began over a century ago as a devout Muslim homage to the Awujale has now evolved into a beacon of interfaith unity and Yoruba cultural pride.
At its heart lies the ‘regberegbe’ system— age-grade societies whose entrances, salutes, and declarations of loyalty form the festival’s rhythmic core. These groups, such as Egbe Bobakeye, Egbe Arobayo, and Egbe Gbobaniyi, are not merely decorative; they are custodians of history and harmony.
Standing at the spiritual and ceremonial centre of it all is Oba Sikiru Adetona, the revered Awujale. His modernising spirit has transformed Ojude Oba from a local thanksgiving rite into a continental phenomenon.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State captured it best during the 2024 festival, saying, “Ojude Oba is not only a cultural heritage for the indigenes of Ijebuland, it has now become a significant event that attracts local and foreign tourists… a catalyst for development and a symbol of unity.”
To witness Ojude Oba is to see fashion become language. Each year, the square transforms into a sartorial battlefield, as families don custom-designed aso-ebi that blend heritage with haute couture. Sequins glint like dew in the sun, gele headwraps defy gravity and physics, and agbadas flutter like royal banners in the wind. “Name the popular fabric—from aso-oke, sanyan and alaari to damask, lace and cashmere—and Ojude Oba is there to show you the possibilities of grandeur,” says Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Hon Kayode Akinmade.
“Want to witness the best of Ijebu culture? Your destination is Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, and the dateline is Sunday, June 8. Held on the third day after Eid-el-Kabir, the festival, which means “The King’s Forecourt,” is famous for parades by various groups, including the Regberegbes (sons and daughters of the Ijebuland/age grades); horse riders, and cultural troupes, traditional dances, music, and fashion, and homage to the Awujale, the paramount ruler of the Ijebu Kingdom.
“To be sure, cultural festivals abound around the world, including the carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with its elaborate floats, costumes, Samba music and street parties; Diwali in India with the lights, fireworks, lanterns, and decorations; the Chinese New Year with its lion and dragon dances; the Tomatina Festival in Spain famous for its tomato-throwing battle, music, and feasting; the United States’ Mardi Gras in New Orleans with its colorful parades, costumes and Jazz music, or the Holi in Nepal and India, replete with colors, powders and water.
“Nigeria has its Durbar Festival with colorful display of horses and cavaliers paying homage to the Emir in Katsuba, Kano, and Kaduna; Eyo Festival in Lagos famous for its masquerades and traditional rituals; Osun Festival of fertility featuring traditional worship and offerings; the Argungu Fishing Festival, a bare-handed fishing competition accompanied by water sports and wrestling in Kebbi State; and, of course, the New Yam Festival celebrated in Benue State (Ige-Agba Festival) and Enugu State (Mamanwu Festival).
“But Ojude Oba, the Ijebu festival of homage
to the Awujale, is in a class of its own. It is, quite simply, Nigeria’s biggest festival of steeze, the dandiest exploration and presentation of royal couture marking the Ijebu homecoming, reunion and sheer majesty,” Akinmade added. Here, top designers and stylists are booked months in advance. Tastes range from the demure to the daring, but all share a singular goal: to honour identity through elegance. In this, the festival becomes a cultural catwalk where tradition kisses modernity— where every thread tells a story. From the dazzling gele skontolo headwraps that seem to defy physics, to the princely sweep of agbadas and the sparkle of luxury wristwatches,
the fashion is more than style—it is narrative, legacy, and even subtle resistance.
As fashion historian Temitope Adeoti explains: “Ojude Oba is where you come to see African fashion not as costume, but as a living, breathing expression of culture.”
But fashion here is more than aesthetic—it is politics, power, memory, and even protest. It is how a people insist they are still here—unbowed, unapologetic, and irreplaceable.
At the arena known as the “Glass House”, the wealthiest participants shine, while the Awujale, dignitaries, and regberegbe groups command the main pavilion. It is a full-throttle showcase of elegance and identity—what Akinmade calls “a festival that many in Yorubaland envy because it is unmatched in splendour and glory.”
Last year’s edition delivered one of the most
talked-about moments in recent festival history. Amidst the glamour, dazzling crowds, and booming horse displays rode Mr. Steeze —a man whose story quietly gone viral weeks before. That man was Farooq Oreagba. Having survived a gruelling battle with cancer, he appeared not as a patient but as a prince. Draped in an emerald agbada and sunglasses, he waved from horseback like a man reborn. It was not merely his defiance of illness that moved the crowd. It was the symbolism: that even pain could be adorned with dignity. That survival, too, is a kind of pageantry.
His appearance wasn’t just inspiring—it was iconic.
“Do you remember last year with Oregba and his steeze, the picture that became iconic, a reference point for those who love fashion and class?” Akinmade reminds us. #SteezeTheSurvivor trended across West Africa—a testament to how survival, like heritage, demands pageantry and presence.
Ojude Oba is no longer Nigeria’s best-kept cultural secret. It has captured international attention—from global tourism boards and documentary filmmakers to fashion magazines, travel influencers, and heritage tourists. Ac- cording to cultural economist, Dr. Modupe Ajayi: “Ojude Oba is quietly becoming Nigeria’s most exportable cultural product… The tourism potential is enormous.”
Foreign missions are now collaborating with Nigeria’s tourism board to spotlight the 2025 edition globally. Travel packages sell out months in advance, and hotels in Ijebu-Ode are already fully booked.
The festival also serves as a platform for creatives like Yusuf Dongo, whose three-year project—a sculptural metal horse—will debut this year.
“Ojude Oba is the perfect platform to exhibit this masterpiece,” says Dongo. “It’s a space for dialogue, networking, and creative exchange.” All eyes are now on the 2025 edition, and expectations are sky-high. This year’s festival is primed to outdo itself.
From interactive livestreams and drone coverage to digital archives, organisers are merging technology with tradition. New age-grade societies will debut.
Traditional horse riders from neighbouring towns are expected. A special royal tribute—a fusion of spoken word, drumming, and Yoruba opera—will honour Oba Adetona’s decades- long reign.
In a world grappling with fractured identi- ties and fading traditions, Ojude Oba stands proud—radiant, rooted, and resoundingly relevant. It is more than a moment of colourful spectacle; it is a ritual of remembrance and rebirth—a gathering of souls who understand that culture is not inherited.
It is performed, protected, and passed on.
As Lagos-based poet Remi Ayotunde eloquently puts it: “Ojude Oba is not about nostalgia. It’s about remembrance as resistance. It reminds us that Nigeria still has a soul—and that soul wears aso-oke.”
From the regal regberegbe processions to the shimmering gele crowns that defy gravity, from the Awujale’s blessings to stories like Mr. Steeze’s that stir the soul, Ojude Oba is both a mirror and a message. It tells us what it means to belong—to a place, a people, and a purpose. And as the world watches again this June, it won’t just be witnessing a Nigerian festival. It will be witnessing Africa in full regalia—proud, poetic, and powerfully alive.
• Participants at the 2024 Festival
• Oreagba
Adejobi
Ferdinand Ekechukwu - 08035011394
Email: ferdi_adthisday@yahoo.com
Efe Irele: Nollywood Tests Your Patience, Confidence, Creativity
Actress, Efeilomo Irele, simply known as Efe Irele, is stepping into her power, on screen and behind the scenes as a filmmaker. Irele opens up about staying grounded in the spotlight. The model, entrepreneur also talks about her career journey, navigating Nollywood, and most interestingly, her new film, which explores the fragile bond between mother and daughter, layered with cultural tension. Ferdinand Ekechukwu brings the Excerpts:
Yournewfilm,‘MyMotherisaWitch’isgetting thebuzzonewoulddesire.Howareyoufeeling about the release?
I’m feeling incredibly proud and humbled.
‘My Mother Is a Witch’ is such an emotionally charged film, and seeing how audiences are connecting with it in cinemas has been very rewarding. It’s been a labor of love from myself, my fellow producer, Victoria Akujobi, and the entire team—including our phenomenal director, niyi Akinmolayan.
It was intense. African mother-daughter relationships are complex, and this story doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight they carry. It was challenging in many ways—both as an actress and as a woman. I had to tap into parts of myself I didn’t even know were there. And acting opposite Mercy Aigbe, who brought so much depth to her role, made it even more powerful.
Was there a scene or moment on set that was especially challengingormeaningfulforyou?
Yes, the scene where my mother (Mercy Aigbe) came back earlier than expected from her trip and found me laying my head on the laps of my boyfriend (neo Akpofure). She went out to call the neighbours that there was thief in the house. I got injured a bit shooting that scene.
Honestly? I don’t see myself like I have “arrived.” I’m still a work in progress and I try to get better so one day I can be seen as one of the greats of nollywood.
Nollywood is evolving rapidly, both in storytelling and opportunities. What’s one thing the industry has taught you aboutyourself?
That I’m more resilient than I ever imagined. This industry is demanding. It tests your patience, your confidence, and your creativity. But it’s also shown me the power of consistency, and that telling authentic stories is worth every challenge.
What are some changes you’d love to see in Nollywood, especiallyforwomeninfilm?
More women behind the camera, as directors, writers, producers. We need more female-driven narratives that break stereotypes. I also hope we get to a point where women are valued not just for their looks but for their artistry, leadership, and vision.
Who is Efe Irele at her core?
I’m someone who loves to have fun and surround myself with people that love me. even though I can be free spirited, at my core, I’m a quiet, introspective person who’s passionate about impact, whether through storytelling or supporting children with autism.
I’m still evolving, but I try to lead with love and authenticity. What’sthebestpieceofadviceyoureceivedthatyou’dlove topassontoyoungwomenlookingtobreakintotheindustry? Making an impression every single time on set, from your relationship with the crew members, to fellow actors, to directors, be as good as you can. Also, see every scene as a chance to “kill it”. People are watching.
Angela Okorie, Regina Daniels Clash with Messy Exchanges
Ferdinand ekechukwu
Loath or love her, Angela Okorie, the self-acclaimed Legit Queen is just an embodiment of controversy. The kind nollywood needs, like Hollywood, to keep the scene spicy.
But not knowing when to draw the lines becomes the actress, singer’s greatest albatross, as seen in the social media faceoff between her and Regina Daniels, 24.
While Angela, 49, seems to derive pleasure from controversy, whether induced by substance or depressed as some have alleged, she sees it as strategy to sustain her brand which she had in recent time acknowledged controversy puts
her in the limelight. This isn’t the first time, for those who have followed her, its seasonal for her to engage in controversies.
Within a short space of time during the week, Angela switched from one controversy to another as if switching characters in a movie role. That’s from her surprise appearance at colleagues Ruby Orjiakor and Moc Madu’s wedding that in a way renewed her rivalry with colleague, Destiny etiko.
Many couldn’t even recall whose wedding it was as Angela, etitko trended. Though she may be forgiven for the scene that played out at the wedding, she has made it clear that she owes no one an apology for that. Most who would agree with her already blamed the MC for recognizing her presence and calling her out to perform while ‘drama doll’ etiko was
having her shine spraying the celebrant ‘bundle by bundle’.
Then, to the vitriolic clap backs that ensued between her and younger colleague, Regina Daniels, 24. What began as a message of ‘forgiveness’ quickly escalated into one of the most explosive online exchanges nollywood has seen in months. Regina was first to respond to Angela regarding comments addressing fellow actress Mercy Johnson.
Angela had during a live Instagram session made some claims about Mercy’s alleged health struggles and her personality. She went on to say that, despite past grievances with Mercy, she had chosen to let go of the bitterness. “Mercy Johnson not feeling well, and honestly feel for her and want the best for her, and want her to win.”
Ifeoluwa Fatogun Celebrates First AMVCA Win Tiwa Savage Ready with Another
even after almost half a decade making films cutting across industries and a large scope of stories including documentaries, commercials, originals, music videos and other creative works, Ifeoluwa Fatogun has very recently had a career feather added to her hat after winning her very first Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award.
The eleventh edition of the AMVCA, which was held on May 10, 2025, in Lagos, nigeria, saw uber talents in the African film industry—like Ifeoluwa—get recognised and awarded for their works and contributions towards further growing the continent’s film industry and creative ecosystem at large.
It is in this light that film director ebi Atawodi of Zobo Studios and producer Ifeoluwa Fatogun were celebrated for having made the Best Documentary film in the motherland since the last edition of the awards ceremony at the most prestigious award for excellence in film and television in Africa.
This comes with plausible pride for both filmmakers as in a system where creativity is not very often appreciated, seeing creatives like the aforementioned putting maximum effort into telling the stories that matter is a phenomenon that shouldn’t only be recognized, but also applauded, putting into consideration the very many fundamental, foundational structural challenges they must have to overcome in order
to create world-class pieces.
The awarded film, “Dundun”, is a documentary that follows the story of a traditional Yoruba craftsman, Hassan Ayanyemi and how he makes a traditional music instrument from scratch. The instrument is a drum called “Dúndùn” and it is peculiar for how it mimics the human voice with every beat.
It requires a great level of skill to both make and use the drum efficiently, but this film goes beyond that, into the history of this musical tool, how its use transcends the borders of nigeria into diaspora regions of the Yoruba race like Brazil, Cuba and some other parts for West Africa, and its importance in culture.
The nigerian government has gone into the world borrowing market, cap in hand, looking for billions of dollars to finance its 2025 budget. President Bola Tinubu is not even sure that his usually generous Senators were ready to rubber stamp the loan approval as the desperate search for a second term in office moves into high gear.
But his government does not realise that the music industry in nigeria is a huge source of money supply that it can utilise to get all the money it needs for any of his huge legacy projects such as the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and other such projects his government is pursuing if it does things the right way.
The nigerian music industry is probably the biggest money spinner in the world right now, with a crop of superstars who can bring the world down if they wanted to.
There is no venue that it’s artistes cannot fill up internationally, whether it is London’s 02, new York’s Madison Square Garden or stadiums anywhere that nigeria’s top acts cannot fill up anywhere in the world. From Tiwa Savage to Davido, Flavour nabania to Wizkid and from Burna Boy to Rema and tens of other top nigerian acts.
But nigerian governments in the past and present have never bothered to invest in the infrastructure
to enable these talents to blossom at home and improve their works. They never cared about how the Beatles and Rolling Stones in the sixties generated heavy income for British government and how the music industry generated wealth for the nations with appropriate infrastructure that made London the music capital of the world in the sixties.
As the world awaits the fourth album of nigeria’s top international female act, Tiwa Savage and the first single that emerged from that sizzling effort, there is no doubt that the immensely talented singer and songwriter Tiwa has come up with another blockbuster if your judgment is based on the first single extract from the album - “You 4 Me”
Ferdinand ekechukwu
Tony Amadi
efe Irele
regina Daniels Angela Okorie
Ifeoluwa Fatogun
Tiwa Savage
Sylvia Musalagani: Why Online Protection is Important for Teenagers
In today’s digital age, when young people are more connected than ever, the internet offers endless opportunities for learning, creativity, and social interaction. However, it also exposes teenagers to a range of risks, from cyberbullying and online predators to misinformation and data privacy breaches. Safety policy manager, Africa, Middle East & Turkey at Meta, Sylvia Musalagani, who is a leading advocate for online safety, emphasises the introduction of Teens Account by her organisation and the importance of prioritising online child safety. Excerpts:
A civil society organisation recently expressed concern that 36 million child internet users in Nigeria are at risk and called on the National Assembly to introduce legislation to protect them and today we have Meta launching Instagram Teen Account, how do you reconcile that?
Yes, we’ve seen a lot of countries coming up with regulations to make it safer for children to participate in the online environment, which is a great thing. It’s something that we welcome at Meta and a lot of these regulations put in place different requirements for online platforms to adhere to that would make it safer for children’s experiences online. But with that said, we are not waiting to be regulated in order to make the environment safer for children. For over a decade now, we have been working on child safety, or child online protection, coming up with different policies, tools and resources, as well as partnerships to address this. So the Teen Accounts is one initiative that we’ve developed to address child online safety. It’s an account designed to help parents and their teens feel confident with the time the teen is spending on social media platforms, ensuring that they are safe and experience age-appropriate experiences that make them have positive experiences on social media. So, it does respond to a lot of regulatory concern.
Is Nigeria the first country in Africa where you are launching the Teen Account?
No. We are launching across Africa. We did our first launch in South Africa in May, then we followed up closely with Nigeria, just to ensure that we are bringing more awareness to the existence of teen accounts. You know Nigeria has many young people who are using social media. The country has teens who are using social media. And so we know parents in Nigeria also want to feel confident that their teens can use social media to connect and explore their interests without having to worry about unsafe and inappropriate experiences. So as I mentioned, we’ve been spending over a decade working on this issue, and so for us, launching this in Nigeria, is very important to us, because we want the teens in Nigeria to have access to this new feature made for them. That would allow them to enjoy Instagram, and have safe and age-appropriate experiences.
How is this teen’s account different from a normal Instagram account?
So with teen accounts, we have applied the strictest safety and privacy features by default. It has features that include limiting interactions with unknown adults, restrictions on certain types of content, as well as built-in tools that give parents more oversight over what their teens are doing. So these protections are enabled automatically.
Musalagani
Do parents have visibility or control over how their teen uses Instagram?
Yes. Within the teen accounts, we have the parental supervision feature, which is available for 13 to 15-year-olds, meaning that for these teens to access or use teen accounts, they will be enrolled automatically. All teens are enrolled automatically, but parents are able to use a parental supervision tool to set a time limit on. You will know how much time your teenagers spend on Instagram; monitor who they meet online, who they are following, and also the reports they are making, which is very important for them to understand. The parents can also approve or deny the safety settings put in place. And so they have the sensitive control feature, which limits the kind of content that the child interacts with and the parent has access to make sure that if they want to turn it off, which we do not recommend, they can do so. What this means is that anything they are doing requires parental approval. Whatever the child is doing on the phone, the parent is able to see it. But there are limitations because we also have to consider child privacy. I can tell you a little bit about how we enroll teens into the accounts, which is automatic. They will receive safety notice or a notice on their Instagram, just letting them know that they have been enrolled onto teen account, and they can send
a link to their parents so that they can enable the parental supervision feature. So, once the parent turns on the parental supervision feature, they’re able to put in place time limits. For instance, saying that I only want my child to spend two hours, or less than 30 minutes or I want to limit using the phone when we’re having dinner or having homework. We also have sleep mode, where the parents can set a limit on the notifications that come in when the child is sleeping, meaning that it turns off the notifications. The parent is also able to see the friends list or the followers’ list of that child and know who exactly is your child interacting with. You know teens don’t want things to be imposed on them. They want the parents or guardians to have more oversight, not necessarily control. They want to enjoy the internet, and I know a lot of parents approach the internet from a place of fear. But when you put in place an environment where they can have such a conversation, then you demystify a lot of things, and you are able to build trust, which is very important in addressing safety issues. As a parent, you want when your teen sees something on the internet that he or she is not comfortable about, to call you.
These safety measures, have they been tested?
Since the launch of the Teen Accounts globally, we have seen that 94 percent of teens have been enrolled. Also, 97 percent of the parents who were surveyed by a research commissioned by Meta also said their children find the teen accounts to be very beneficial to them. It’s something that we’re seeing that has great results everywhere we’ve been launching. We recently launched in South Africa. The reception was great from both the policymakers, from the parents, as well as the teens.
What measures are you taking to ensure that you sensitise communities and groups that have expressed concerns about child internet users?
Having events like the one we had the day we launched the Teens Account in Nigeria, where we brought in various stakeholders, parents, creators and influencers, who can share this information on their social media pages is one. We also have government officials from the agencies that are responsible for child online protection. We were even in Abuja, where we had a roundtable with stakeholders such as policymakers and civil society.
Specifically highlight those things Meta is doing to safeguard teens online?
As I mentioned, for over a decade, safety has been the focus for us and has been a priority. We’ve developed policies. We restrict the age, making sure that we do not allow anyone below the age of 13 to set up accounts. We have policies that do not allow Child Sexual Abuse material on our platforms and go beyond that to address bullying, harassment, and nude content.
Firm Leverages Foreign Partnership to Boost Local Cloud Service
Indigenous technology company, Unitellas Edge Cloud, has reaffirmed its commitment to a strengthened digital infrastructure in Nigeria with its latest efforts perfecting deployment of edge cloud innovation within the country.
This move supports the ‘Nigeria First Policy’ focus on data sovereignty, which prioritises domestic storage of sensitive government and citizen data.
Unitellas is leveraging its age-long relationship with foremost U.S.-based edge cloud provider, Zadara to build edge cloud infrastructure within the country, thus empowering Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Speaking on this development at a press conference in Lagos, recently, Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Smith Osemeke, justified local cloud infrastructure, arguing that traditional public cloud services, hosted in faraway data
centers in Europe or the United States are ill-suited for real time applications, such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He stressed that beyond enhancing national security, localised cloud offers greater efficiency and cost savings for enterprises, supported by its ultra-low latency and high-volume data processing crucial for real-time monitoring in oil and gas drilling and financial transactions.
“With data centers situated within the country, users experience faster and more reliable service delivery, which is essential for maintaining business continuity and customer satisfaction. Partnering with Zadara, we aim to address common enterprises and public sector challenges which will ultimately boost their bottom end.
“By allowing clients to pay in naira, we have been able to eliminate forex issues, making cloud services more affordable and improve performance for Nigerian businesses.”
Osemeke maintained that adoption of local cloud would
expedite national mandates for Nigeria Data Protection and Sovereignty, stressing the need to embrace homegrown digital solutions for national prosperity.
“Locating our cloud services in Nigeria, we are generating significant cost savings for the nation and assisting businesses in reducing expenses through our cloud-native operational cost model. By partnering with major data center providers, we are able to provide services on a subscription basis, allowing clients to pay only for what they use, in addition to our auto-scaling features that enable customers to dynamically adjust their resource usage based on demand,” he said.
Addressing concerns on power and cooling limiting adoption of local infrastructure, Osemeke said the company facilities are of term with global uptime standards, while its alliance with carrier-neutral data centres ensures fair marketplace exposure and referral opportunities from the data center itself.
Labake Fasogbon
The ChUMMIeS
The Man Who Carried a City: Lanre Alfred Celebrates Sanwo-Olu at 60 with Landmark Book
Sunday Ehigiator
Renowned prose stylist and biographer, Dr. Lanre Alfred, has released a seminal new work titled, “The Man Who Carried a City,” a richly layered literary biography of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. The release of the book marks a heartfelt tribute to the governor’s 60th birthday, which comes up on June 25, 2025.
Alfred, often hailed as the “Doctor of Letters” for his lyrical style and meticulous documentation of contemporary Nigerian history, has once again delivered a compelling account of leadership forged in adversity and refined by vision.
This new title, which stands as his eighth book, joins a distinguished collection of works such as ‘Titans…The Amazing Exploits of Nigeria’s Greatest Achievers, Pacemaker – Triumphs of Igho Sanomi at 40, and Dapo Abiodun: The State House As His Pulpit.
In “The Man Who Carried a City,” Alfred meticulously captures the evolution of Sanwo-Olu’s public life, from his formative years to his emergence as the governor of Nigeria’s most complex metropolis. Published by Old English Partners, the all-colour, all-gloss coffee table book spans fourteen chapters and over 250 pages, adorned with high-resolution photography and rendered in Alfred’s signature poetic prose.
The book opens with the chapter titled, “The Clockmaker’s Spawn,” which traces Sanwo-Olu’s upbringing and early influences, drawing metaphoric lines between timekeeping and his approach to governance: precise, anticipatory, and deeply structured.
Another standout chapter, “Lagos in His Lungs,” explores how Sanwo-Olu’s entire being is fused with the soul of the city, how his professional, spiritual, and civic sensibilities breathe in rhythm with Lagos’ heartbeat.
In “The Politics of Listening,” Alfred paints Sanwo-Olu not as a man merely issuing directives but as a public servant deeply attuned to the pulse of his people, translating citizen voices into state policy. Other powerful chapters include “His Tailored Creed”, which explores how his fashion reflects governance philosophy; “2020… The Year Lagos Trembled”, a haunting portrait of Sanwo-Olu’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and #EndSARS crisis; and “Legacy as a Living Covenant,” a visionary meditation on Lagos’ future under his stewardship.
The foreword to the book, penned by Olawale Olaleye, Deputy Editor of THISDay newspaper, reinforces the depth of Alfred’s literary offering. Titled “His Burden of Grace”, Olaleye describes the biography as “probing and profound,” adding that “Dr. Alfred’s book has not only done justice to the leadership of Sanwo-Olu as he steps into the sixth floor on June 25th, 2025, it
has also done so without taking anything away from the truth of the accounts of his stewardship thus far.”
Olaleye writes further, “From one crisis to another, Governor Sanwo-Olu has experienced such hard-to-believe baptism of fire in the last seven years… Yet, he has taken his travails of leadership with equanimity and rare grace, a quality that sets him apart and establishes a different standard for whomever eventually succeeds him.”
Alfred explained that the decision to write “The Man Who Carried a City” was not merely a literary endeavor, but a heartfelt tribute to a man whose governance defies the noisy theatrics of politics and replaces it with quiet, consistent devotion to the people. “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,” Alfred noted, “is not simply a public servant. He is a civic artisan, meticulous, selfless, and deeply humane. He governs with empathy, listening more than he speaks, and building more than he boasts.”
Alfred continued: “We all know that these days, governance has been reduced to soundbites and spectacle, but Sanwo-Olu has shown that power can be wielded with grace, and leadership can thrive on humility. He has mastered the difficult art of presence; of being visibly committed to the people without being performative. This book is my way of preserving that rare philosophy of service.”
Citing the country’s chronic amnesia as a critical flaw in its cultural and political memory, Alfred said, “One of the great failings of our nation is our inability to document the journeys of those who have truly served. Nigeria is poor not for lack of heroes, but for lack of memory. We do not archive greatness when it blooms among us; we let it wither in silence. I wrote this book because Sanwo-Olu’s story—his sacrifices, his vision, his silent triumphs—must not be left to the mercy of rumour or forgetfulness.”
For Alfred, the Governor’s legacy is not just brick and mortar, rails and bridges, it is the quiet strength of a man who bore the weight of Lagos with uncommon composure, from the darkest moments of 2020 to the enduring pressures of rebuilding a megacity. “It would be unjust to history,” he said, “to let such a profound burden of grace pass undocumented.”
According to Alfred, this volume is more than a birthday gift; it is a civic intervention. He regards “The Man Who Carried a City” as a historical compass for youth and leaders alike, especially in a time when society yearns for authentic role models.
The biography not only chronicles the achievements of Governor Sanwo-Olu, from infrastructural renaissance to social investment, crisis management to cultural revitalisation, but also captures the soul of the man behind the office. In “Ibijoke”, a moving chapter on the First Lady of Lagos, Alfred explores the bond between husband and wife as a stabilising
force in Sanwo-Olu’s journey, depicting love not as leisure but as legacy.
With “Sixty Portraits in a Single Soul” as its poetic coda, the book closes by distilling six decades of service, sacrifice, and civic calling into a gallery of defining moments that mirror not just Sanwo-Olu’s life, but Lagos itself.
As Nigeria looks toward the future, “The Man Who Carried a City” stands as both a mirror and a map, reflecting the trials of leadership and charting paths for those who would dare carry a city on their backs.
L-R: Brand Manager, Sandtex Paints, Mr. John Ogunwale; Head Of Commercial, CAP Plc, Mr. Oyelere Atoyebi; Group Managing Director of International Partners Nigeria Limited, Dr. Ameena Koguna; Retail Expansion Manager, CAP Plc, Yinka Oguntuase;and Regional Sales Manager, CAP Plc, Saidu Yusuf, at the launch of the new state-of-the-art retail experience center in Kano recently
L-R: Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, UAC Foods Limited, Oluyemi Oloyede; General Manager, Commercial, UAC Foods Limited (Awardee), Ayo Awosika; and Group Managing Director, UAC of Nigeria PLC Folasope Aiyesimoju, at the UAC of Nigeria PLC’s Excellence Awards Ceremony to celebrate exceptional employee contributions across the group’s companies held at Victoria Island, Lagos…recently.
L-R: Director, Industrial Office Development, James Cubitt Architects, Hakeem Ibitowa; Chairman, James Cubitt Architects, Alan Davies; Managing Partner, James Cubitt Interiors, Jacqueline Aki; and Manager Projects, James Cubitt Interiors, Oluwafemi Sotubo during The Mixer an evening of Connection, Conversation and Forward Motion to celebrate The Africa Trade Center by James Cubitt Architects and James Cubitt Interiors held in Lagos….recently
L-R: Managing Director, Purepay at Interswitch Group. Akeem Lawal; Group Head, Business and Digital Services, Providus Bank, Elliott Sangoleye; Country Manager and Area Business Head, West Africa, Mastercard, Dr. Folasade Femi-Lawal; Ex Super Eagles Player, Joseph Yobo; and Chairman, Committee of e-Business Industry Heads (CeBIH), Ajibade Laolu-Adewale at the Mastercard UEFA Finals Live Viewing Event in Lagos …recently PHOTO SUNDAY ADIGUN
Sanwo-Olu
Alfred
•Tourism •Arts&Culture
Charles Ajunwa
As Young Nigerian Creatives Unveil ‘Unilife’
Charles Ajunwa writes on the unveiling and launch of ‘Unilife’, a Nollywood movie drama series in Lagos
Last Sunday’s premiere and launch of Unilife, a Nollywood drama series by young creative Nigerians, had all the trappings of the Oscars. The event which took place in Lagos, attracted movie enthusiasts from all walks of life cutting across all ages. The theme of the movie drama series centred on “where secrets, love and danger collide”.
In his welcome address, Executive Producer, Olatunde ‘ED’ Ayoola, said the launch of the drama series was a fulfilling amount of work.
“Hopefully it’s the beginning of many coming forward. I wanted to share with you some words about how we got to where we are from my perspective. A couple of years ago, Frank Macaulay, my childhood friend, messaged me and said, ‘hey, I’m going to be in Dubai, where I live, attending a film conference. Are you around to catch up?’ And we did. And it was a wonderful catch up with my dear old friend, Frank. And during the course of the conversation, he described to me why he was in Dubai for the conference, what he was trying to do, the idea and dream that he had about making a series called Unilife.
“I don’t know anything about the film industry. But as he described it more and more, it wasn’t only the idea of the Unilife series. He shared with me bits of the script and it looked fantastic and sounded fantastic. I was quite captivated by it. But it was more so what he represented. He described to me all the 9jaStudios, all the boot camps, the workshops, and the training.
“It was all about helping people at the very beginning of their journey in their acting careers and supporting them as best as we can to help them achieve their dreams. That’s what got me about this, because I have been looking for avenues to support young Nigerians in their careers. This turned out to be that.
“Fast forward, we’re here today at the launch event of the Unilife series, an immensely proud moment. I hope you enjoy this series. But please, as you’re enjoying this series, please remember what it represents for us.
It represents what we as young Nigerians can achieve if we work together and we support each other and we put the effort into what it is we’re doing. You’ll see the actors and the whole crew of the film that created the Unilife series. What we can achieve. So let’s make this a success.
“Let’s make the evening a success. Please
enjoy it. Let’s make the launch and the series itself a success because we want to do more with the same principle of supporting and helping to bring up young Nigerians towards their dreams and towards their fulfillment. I’ve invested in Frank Macaulay’s dreams. I’m so proud of having done that. So proud to have him as a friend. So proud of the whole crew that created the Unilife series. Please keep that in mind. Take the enjoyment from this series, but take even more enjoyment from what it represents.”
An elated Frank Adekunle Macaulay, the brainchild of Unilife, said “We want to give encouragement like the executive producer said to young adult Nigerians that maybe tomorrow will be the superstars. Our motto is - we train the actors of tomorrow today, the stars of tomorrow today and it’s not just about acting.”
According to him, the journey to create anything starts with one step. “That step is the beginning. There are many up and down trails along the road. Today, I’m really happy that all of you have attended. But you know, a tree does not make a forest.” He thanked all the actors and crew, technical team, camera people and investors for being part of this dream. According to him, talent thrives through training together without which one can’t achieve anything.
He revealed that Unilife is about hypocrisy. “Every character has two sides. If you watch
unilife, you’ll notice that every main character is struggling.”
On how he came up with the idea of Unilife, he said, “It started with wanting to build a studio, it started with wanting to work with young people because I had worked with young people in the UK and then it grew from there.”
It was not all rosy as he faced challenges during the writing of the movie. “I’m a Nigerian and when we face challenges, we tend not to buckle. It gets to the point where you start carrying more and more load and you manage somehow to make it work and that’s something that we are able to do. But I’ll tell you this, you want challenges, traffic, NEPA, you know cantankerous drivers, you know it goes on and on. But it’s more to do with how do you overcome your obstacles? Is your cup half full or half empty?
Speaking on what inspired the decision to have Script Acting Boot Camp (SABC) as back up for his production, Macaulay said, “As you can see, when I am talking, I am talking with subtext, I am bringing in different elements. Now, having gone through life myself, I have fallen down many times. That is the truth. It has not been rosy, but every time I have fallen down, because of the training that my father and mother gave me. I remember my father one day telling me, why are you crying? He
said, if you don’t stop crying, get up and move on. I will give you something to cry about. That thing had a subconscious effect on me, and so whenever I have fallen down, when he is saying, look at Bode over there. He only did half of what I did. Look how far he has gone. Self-pity. And self-pity is a dangerous thing.”
Afolabi Silver, who directed the movie, said SABC made it easier for him. “Working with young actors in Unilife, SABC made it easier for me and for everybody because we trained them, we understood them. Even casting made it even easier because I saw a little bit of everybody in the characters that they played.”
On where he finds the passion to keep going, Silver said, “Passion is the key element to any ambition and having the actors together, the crew together, and having a compassionate and loving and caring person, like Mr. Frank, as the showrunner and the producer, if you were around during the production, you would see how much he cared.”
The movie stars Wale Ojo, Lucille Love Oputa, Oladaye Folaranmi, Peculiar Adunni Anthony, Rubelle Diamond, Iyang Victor, Mercy Essien Emmanuela, Prince Ejiroghene Badare, Celia Okechukwu and Promise Agbor. Other crew members include Kenechi Oraghalum (Associate Producer, Christopher Fasipebi (Visual Effect Supervisor), Adeniyi Adeniyi (Writer) and others.
VCP Hotel Introduces Laser, Aesthetics Centre
The Victoria Crown Plaza (VCP) Hotel has introduced a laser and aesthetics centre, marking a significant shift in the hospitality landscape in Nigeria.
This development, described by the Chairman, Mr. Emeka Ofor, as a game-changer, integrates high-end wellness and aesthetic services into the hotel’s already impressive array of offerings, positioning it as a complete relaxation and hospitality destination.
For nearly two decades, VCP Hotel has built a stellar reputation as a premier business and conference hotel. Its sophisticated conference facilities, combined with exceptional service, have made it the go-to destination for corporate clients. However, with the demands of modern travellers evolving rapidly, VCP has stepped up to meet these expectations by adding a new layer of luxury and care to its operations.
“We realised that when people stay with us, particularly business travellers, they’re not just looking for a place to rest. They want an experience—a place where they can unwind, recharge, and leave feeling better than when they arrived,” Ofor explained.
“This led us to create a world-class laser and aesthetics centre, allowing guests to indulge in advanced treatments alongside traditional relaxation amenities.”
The newly launched laser and aesthetics centre is not just an addition—it’s a transformation. Guests can now access a range of treatments that cater to both their physical and aesthetic well-being, turning VCP into a true one-stop hospitality.
Among the standout features of the new centre, including its facial room, designed for specialised skincare treatments that rejuvenate and restore. Adjacent to this is the relaxation centre, a tranquil space where guests can enjoy therapeutic massages
and saunas, expertly tailored to melt away stress and fatigue.
The international-standard laser room stands out as a highlight of the facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology for advanced skin treatments. It offers services ranging from laser therapy to skin rejuvenation procedures, all performed by licensed professionals with years of expertise.
The inclusion of glutathione therapy, known for its skin-enhancing
properties, demonstrates VCP’s commitment to providing a holistic approach to beauty and wellness.
These facilities have been designed with sophistication and comfort in mind, reflecting VCP’s unwavering dedication to quality.
A team of skilled doctors and nurses lead the centre, ensuring every guest receives expert care in a luxurious environment.
The introduction of the laser and aesthetics centre enhances VCP Hotel’s appeal to its core audience—business travellers. The grind of meetings and conferences can be exhausting, but with the new services available, guests can transition seamlessly from work to relaxation.
After a long day of negotiations or presentations, they can unwind with a rejuvenating facial, enjoy a calming massage, or address aesthetic concerns such as skin rejuvenation or dental care, all without leaving the hotel. This innovative approach not only elevates the guest experience but also reinforces VCP’s reputation as a pioneer in the hospitality industry.
Victoria Crown Plaza Hotel has spent 18 years building a legacy as one of Nigeria’s leading business and conference hotels. The introduction of the laser and aesthetics centre represents a bold reimagining of this legacy, embracing the future of hospitality where wellness, aesthetics, and relaxation are seamlessly integrated
“This is not just about adding another service,” Ofor emphasised. “It’s about redefining what it means to offer world-class hospitality. We want every guest to leave feeling not just satisfied but transformed—whether they’ve come for business, leisure, or both.”
The move also reflects a commitment to meeting international standards, both in terms of the treatments offered and the expertise of the professionals delivering them. VCP Hotel’s dedication to excellence ensures that guests receive the very best in care, comfort, and results.
L-r: producer/Showrunner, ‘unilife’, Frank Adekunle Macaulay; Director, Afolabi Silver; and Visual effect Supervisor, Christopher Fasipebi, at the unveiling of the Nollywood movie drama series held at unilag estate, Magodo, Lagos
Chairman, Victoria Crown plaza (VCp) Hotel, emeka Ofor
Umeha: Why I Left Labour Party for APC
A member representing Udi-Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Enugu State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sunday Umeha, recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, from Labour Party. He speaks with Adedayo Akinwale, about what informed his decision. Excerpts:
Since the commencement of the current democratic dispensation, in 1999 and the advent of All Progressives Congress (APC) how will you assess the impact of the party, in the South East, especially under President Bola Tinubu, and what informed you dumping the Labour Party (LP)?
Generally speaking, APC prior to 2023 might not be all that interesting to many. But since the assumption of office of President Bola Tinubu, there have been very far-reaching decisions and policies that this administration has brought in. And those things appear to be the cornerstone upon which many now troop into APC. So, the APC currently under the reign of President Tinubu has done very well by my assessment. I said so because: One, you look at the boldness and courage of the President to have declared the removal of fuel subsidy the very first day he took over as President. Many people in the past concurred with the fact that fuel subsidy was a scam, but no government took any step to deal with it. Secondly, another remarkable achievement is the issue of tax reform. And he did that through the introduction of about four bills in the National Assembly. Those bills have been considered. And if you also look at the security aspect, the security architecture, if you had followed up the last APC National Summit, you would have seen the two years’ account of the performance of this current regime. And one of the key presentations there was made by the National Security Adviser to the President, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. You look at the security indices of Nigeria prior to 2023 and where we are post-2023. You will see that Nigeria has made a lot of impact in the security sector. I agree with you to some extent that yes, it might not be a bed of roses for us at the moment, but if there is no pain, there may not be any gain.
President Tinubu’s recent visits to South East states, which is considered not too much of a stronghold for him, especially going by the results of the 2023 elections, you will find out that he has visited three states and two of them are opposition states. What does this say about the President?
It goes ahead to reaffirm the personality of President Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian, as a pan-Nigerian, as a Nigerian who believes in the unity of the country. For those who have followed him very well or have read about him, you know that this is not the first time he is showing this type of attitude of all-inclusiveness. When he was the governor of Lagos State, he inculcated in his administration people outside the South-west enclave. You have many south-easterners in his administration, some serving as SSAs and some serving in different capacities. You also have others from the northern part of the country. And that shows the unity in his posture, the unity in his administration. So, coming on board as the president, I’m not surprised seeing him trying to carry everybody along because there was a time in this country where a particular president described the southeast as a dot in a circle. But today, the South-east is now a home for this administration. You can see the president visiting Imo state, though that is an APC state, but he capped it off by his visit to Enugu, an opposition state. Now, recently the visit to Anambra
State, that shows a sense of inclusion, a sense of understanding. It shows the disposition of Mr. President to carry the people along. And also it gives a special feeling to the people of the South-east, the Igbo, that truly APC government is their government.
Because if you look at the achievement of APC within these two years, particularly in the South-eastern region, you will marvel. For example, you look at the South East Development Commission, its establishment. This was a bill that was introduced about the 7th or 8th Assembly. It has never seen the light of day. But just within one to two years in the 10th Assembly, the president assented to it to tell you that actually he has a place in his heart for the people of southeastern Nigeria.
Look at the continuous developmental projects going on in the southeast: Enugu-Port-Harcourt Express road; Enugu-Anita Express road, Second Niger Bridge; the second access way to the Second Niger Bridge, the flyover or the interchange going on in Eke Obinagu, that’s along Enugu-Abakaliki Express Road, The Makurdi-Obollo-Afor-Opi- 9th Mile Road. So when you look at all these things, within two years, we are not talking about four years, we are not talking about eight years, this is what he has done for the people of the South-east. Before now, we have been crying that Igbo are marginalised. But today, the APC government is showing Igbo that sense of belonging, showing them truly you are part and parcel of Nigeria and you own equal rights with other parts of Nigeria.
Now let’s talk about you. You were elected on the platform of the Labour Party, but now you are in the APC. What informed your decision to move to the APC?
It’s not far-fetched. What I am telling you now was among the reasons, but principally, the leadership crisis in Labour Party was the major reason why I decided to look for another destination, another home. The Labour Party at the moment has not less than three factions or divisions in its national leadership rank: You have the ones led by Julius Abure, you have the other one led by Senator Nenadi Usman, and you have the one led by Lamidi Apanpa. All three divisions claim to be the authentic national leaders of the Labour Party. Every effort was made collectively, individually, to see whether this thing can be cut so that we can coexist as a family, but it proved to be abortive.
You witnessed the mass defection from the party to other political parties. Some of us who are leaders in the party decided to wait to see if we could solve the problem, but the problem continued to exacerbate. But at a point, I said, well, the major reason I am here is to represent my people. Let me look for alternatives. So I had to go to them. We discussed as a family from the ward level to local government, then to the larger constituency. We sat for several months discussing this. And at the end of the day, they came up with a decision that we’re going to APC.
Are your constituents happy with your defection?
Yes, it’s obvious. I don’t think there has been any defection that has carried the level of support my defection elicited. This is because it was a consultative defection. This is because it was a defec-
tion owned by the people. It was the choice made by the people, not by me.
Though you have tried to list some of the things but in concrete terms what will your membership of the APC do for your people?
The major reason why I joined the APC is because my people need the intervention of the government in critical areas. These areas include, but not limited to the following: Infrastructure: We want intervention of the government at the centre in the area of roads construction. And at the moment, I can tell you that it’s already gaining the attention of the relevant authorities. I have already tabled it before them. So I can tell you with every sense of sincerity that that will be done. Employment: How many of my people are in the civil service? We want a situation where we have access to civil service jobs. When we talk about empowerment we talk about skill acquisition programs and training that at the end of the day they will have take-off grants to carry out these businesses without reliance on white collar jobs.
Another area of concern is the health sector. If you come to Ezeagu, you can’t point at any single good hospital in the entirety of Ezeagu local government. The same goes to Udi local government. So we are looking at using this platform — the APC government, to see how we can attract a standard hospital in our constituency.
We are also looking at how we can use this government to ensure that at least every community or every ward in this federal constituency has a functional solar powered borehole so that they have access to clean water.
No doubt APC has become a moving train, how attractive do you think the party is to the people of Enugu State?
If you look at the high level of defections going on in Enugu State and when I talk about these defections it is defections from Labour Party to APC, defections from ruling PDP at the state to APC and it’s not happening in just a particular zone. You go to Igbo-Eze South, go to Nsukka Local Government, go to Igbo-Etiti, go to Udenu, go to Uzouwani, go to Ezeagu, go to Udi, go to Oji River, Aniri, go to the Nkanus, you see Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Enugu North, Enugu East, Enugu South, on a daily basis APC is receiving who are coming in.
In the face of these ongoing realignments, how will you assess the gains and otherwise of your new party, the APC?
In this realignment, APC Enugu seems to be the most beneficial, not only in terms of number, not only in terms of quality of people entering into the party, not only in terms of the strategic positioning of the APC in Enugu State, but I also tell you in terms of infrastructure and in terms of inclusion in governance.
Umeha
TRIBUTE
Alphonsus Eba: At 50, My Heart is Full of Gratitude to God
As he marks his 50th birthday, Alphonsus Eba, a lawyer, politician, and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State, takes a moment to reflect on a journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and divine grace. Eba shares the milestones that have shaped his life, the lessons learned along the way, and why turning 50 fills his heart with deep gratitude to God. Joseph Ushigiale brings the excerpts
Let me use this opportunity to thank God Almighty, for the gift of life, the privilege of seeing this day. I was born on the 8th day of June 1975. It happened to be on a Sunday. This year, 8th of June is also a Sunday. And the best way I felt I should mark this day is to come before my Creator, God Almighty, to say thank you. That is why I tagged it ‘Birthday of Thanksgiving.’
To God be the glory. What will be my regrets? Honestly, my heart is full of gratitude to God, and this gratitude will overshadow whatever regrets if any. God has been so kind to me. In 50 years, there is nothing I have cried to God for that he has not done for me. The only regret is not having my beloved father to celebrate this day with me. My father could have turned 80 years on the 6th day, but I lost him almost two years ago. I wish he was alive to celebrate his 80th birthday, because we had planned to have a joint celebration. But I know it is God that gave him to us, and God has called him to himself. Nothing to regret about, but to thank AlmightyGod.HowdoIratemyself?Thetiger,they say does not speak of its tigritude. But from what people say about my person, I will still leave that to be their judgment. What you have to say about me is left to you. On this day of my birthday, I will listen to the various comments that people have said about me. But from what I have read so far, it is on a positive note. Reputedly, Alphonsus Ogar Eba is a humble young man, he is hardworking, he is generous,honest,alovingfamilyman,unassuming, downtoearth,courageous,fearless,intelligent,has the fear of God, etc, all these positive things. But i also accept the comment that i am also gentle and very stubborn. I take all of them as compliments, butforme,Imustsaythatthisisoneveryhappyday in my life. I thank God Almighty, I thank my parents, I thank my wife and my children, brothers, sisters and friends. I thank my bosses who contributed to my growth, the former Governor of the State, Ben Ayade and his family, Prince Bassey Edet Otu and family including all appointees of government, my colleaguesintheparty,schoolmates,mycolleague statechairmen,allmyaidesworkingwithmeandmy neighbors.IjustthankGodthatastheycelebrateme today, may celebration not cease from their lives.
Are you nursing any political ambitions ahead 2027?
The answer to your question is No. If you have followed my political life from my days in Fidelity Promotions,asocialclubin1991, justwhenIwasstarting life and when I later became Secretary General andlaterPresidentofthatsameclubdowntowhenI gotintotheuniversityandmyfriendscalleduponme torunforthePresidentofourdepartmentandlater my membership of the Student`s Representative Assemblyintheuniversity,myrepresentationatthe NANS, National Association of Nigerian Students and then finally at the Student Representative Council of Nigerian law school in Lagos. In all of this, it was not as if I put myself out to aspire, but the call of my friends and their support was what brought me and led me through. Even when I came to party politics, the real political game and found myself aspired for the House of Assembly in Yala 1 in 2010-11 and 2015. It was all again the call by my people, my community, their trust and confidence in me, and the consensus that was reached that I shouldrepresentthemthatmademerun.Andeven in2015,whenmythenGovernor, BenAyadecameon boardandmademeDirectorGeneralofDueProcess and Price Intelligence Bureau in the state and later gave me this opportunity and platform to become chairman of the party, I did not at any such time put myself out. So for me, aspiration has never been one thing that I am so much about. Only recently
President Bola Tinubu, made me the Chairman of the governing board of the Rubber Research Institute in Benin. That will run maybe for the next four years. So like the bible says, ‘do not be anxious of what you shall eat or what you shall put on, for everything shall take care of itself.’ I do not believe in aspiring, I just believe that let every day come and let God take charge of my life.
You were the first APC Chairman pan-Nigeria who first moved the motion for the adoption of PresidentBolaTinubuandGovernorBasseyOtu forasecondtermbeforeitassumedabandwagon twist, what informed that decision?
Let me first commend you for having the rich knowledge and deep institutional memory of the fact that I was the first APC Chairman Pan-Nigeria toofficiallyendorsePresidentBolaAhmedTinubu and his Vice, Sen. Kashim Shetima alongside the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, and his Deputy, Dr. Peter Agbe Odey, as President, Vice President, Governor, and Deputy Governorrespectively,fortheofficesofthePresident of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that of the Governor of Cross River State. Yes, the saying that the steps of the righteous are ordered and ordainedbyGodAlmightyiswhatIcanreallysaywas the wisdom and drive or the brain behind that. You know,forme,Ihadlookedatthepoliticaltrajectory of Nigeria and knowing clearly that four years was too short a time for any President to perform to the satisfaction of the populace, and judging from the history of the last experience from 1999 till date, apart from the demise of our then President, may his soul rest in peace, President Umaru Musa Yar `adua, every other person that has come on board was expected to spend eight years in office. Infact,itbecameevenclearthatwiththedemiseof the President, the then Vice President, Goodluck Jonathanwasonlyexpectedtocompletehistenure. President Buhari that followed did his eight years. So for us, our dear President, Bola Tinubu, was not to do otherwise. But two years, or even less, into his administration, there became an unholy gang up of politicians who felt that the President should not be given an opportunity to run his full course. The saying that Nyanga dey Sleep, Trouble Come Wake am, again, made us to say, Oh, the opposition woke us up too early to fight for what is right, fair and just. So, I, alongside my State Executive Committee members, saw the need because of the track record of the performance of all that
I have mentioned, and the need to give them time to complete their tenure of four years, and to have another four years, We were divinely guided. And I must say, it was nothing more than, or less than, divine guidance.
CrossRiverStatehastraditionallybeenknown as a PDP-controlled state how did you flip it in favour of the APC?
Honestly,IcanonlygiveandreturnallglorytoGod Almighty.IfyouaskmehowIdidit,Iwouldsayitwas not an effort that I solely achieved. But credit must begiventotheformerGovernorofCrossRiverState, Senator Ben Ayade. And I say this with every sense of sincerity. I recall that it was the most difficult decision to take at the time. In 2020, there was an attempt, while we were still in the PDP, to make me theStateChairmanoftheparty,butwehadinternal andexternalforcesthatfoughtthethen-governor. In fact, the Congress list from the ward level to the chapterlevelwasalltamperedwithbythethenNWC ofPDPontheinstructionsofsomeexternalforces. That battle raged for over a year. It only became imperative for the then-governor to chart a new politicalcourseforCrossRiverState.Hetookavery courageous decision, very bold, very daring, that a lot of people at the time did not believe. The feeling then was, how could a young Ben Ayade stand to challenge two former Governors who refused to decamp with us? The then Governor, Liyel Imoke, and Donald Duke were all in the PDP together, but theyrefusedtodecamptotheAPC.Onthe20thday of May 2021, when the then Governor, Ben Ayade took that decision, in what was described as the highest socketing to the centre and the first and ever socketing of Cross River State to the center. So if you ask me how I did it, I must place in proper perspectivethatcreditshouldbegiventoBenAyade. Yes,ImustalsothankGodforthewisdomheusedin doingwhatwasright,fair,andjust. Thatdecisionwas his insistence on a young man with so much energy whom God has prepared to serve the party from a senatorial district that has never produced the state chairmanship of the party to be considered.
Leading the Way:
Nigeria’s Teen
Girls Saying No to Pressure
“The future is female” isn’t just a catchy slogan, it’s a vision taking shape in Nigeria today.
Acrossthenation,community initiatives are empowering young women to support the community while improving Nigeria’s economy. Blending traditional values with modern strategies, these programs equip teenage girls with the skills, confidence, and support needed to excel in a rapidly changing world.
IncitieslikeKadunaandLagos,innovativeprograms aretakingroot.Onesuchinitiativeoffersteenagegirls mentorship, practical skill-building workshops, and a network of supportive peers. The goal is clear: to provide a secure environment where young women can learn, grow, and chart a positive path for theirs and their families’ futures.
Known as SKY Girls, this initiative has been quickly gaining support among educators, parents, and the girlsitserves.Ratherthanimposinganexternalculture, SKYGirlsfocusesonreinforcinglocalidentityandpride while introducing useful skills for navigating today’s world.Theprogrammeincludesinformativemagazines, creativeevents,andpracticalworkshopsthatpromote personal development and entrepreneurship.
Educators in the communities where they operate report encouraging changes. At Yason Schools in Kaduna, Mrs. Dinah Timothy observes that the program has inspired some students to launch small businessesduringschoolholidays—aninitiativethat not only helps support their families but also builds essential life skills. “Our girls are now managing their healthandfinanceswithnewfoundconfidence.They
managetheirperiodsbetterandtheirpersonalhygiene has never been so good. They now take pride in being girls,” she says.
Parents,too,arenoticingtheimpact.Mr.FridayDaniel, whosedaughterDinahfacesphysicalchallenges,shares thatSKYGirlshassignificantlyboostedherself-esteem. “Before,mydaughterstruggledwithconfidence.Now she’s not afraid to stand up to peer pressure and has startedsavingmoneyfromherpart-timehairdressing job.Sheisnowdreamingofabetterfuture.Theprogram teachesherpracticalskillsandencourageshertothink like an entrepreneur” he explains.
Daniel revealed that he was initially skeptical about theSKYGirlsmagazines—akeytooltheprogramuses to engage teenage girls. Determined to ensure the content was appropriate and safe for his daughter, he took the time to read through the issues himself. Now,henotonlysupportsthematerialbutalsoactively ensuresshereceivesit.“Themagazinesareincredibly informative,”heexplains.“Mydaughterwassoinspired that she even bought a small savings box to help her save more. Just the other day, she asked if she could go get a sieve because she wanted to make Zobo for the family—a recipe she learned from the SKY Girls magazine.”
While SKY Girls has already achieved impressive success, it is essential for the program to deepen its engagement with community members and key stakeholders. Strengthening these relationships will help build broader support, ensure sustainability, and amplify the impact of the movement as it continues to grow.
ese Aluko
Imaginary, Not Imagined, Enemy
“HE said the salvation of the country cannot (could not) be found in any of the existing political parties.”
“7 LGAs violent-prone (violence-prone) in Bayelsa elections—NGO”
“Pa Ukoha was a selfless community leader, (otiose comma) who committed his personal resources to the upliftment (uplift) of Igbere community.”
“Mbah handsover (hands over) 65 security vehicles to police”
“Here are the personalities that grace (who graced) the occasion.”
“Two of England’s most successful clubs will on tomorrow (delete ‘on’) go head-to-head in the Premier League as Manchester United take on Liverpool.”
“Incessant fuel tanker fire (fires) worries (worry) Obi of Onitsha”
“…so that our people will live a prosperous, safe and secure lives (life) in their environment (environments)….”
“…as cost of raw materials skyrocket (skyrockets)”
“Even a child in this nation knows that the police derives (derive) its (their) enabling and operational authority from the dictates of the Centre….” “In Kano, Police allegedly shoots (sic) tanker driver over bribe” Its Editorial was equally not left out in this particular police howler: “Nigerians would no doubt be happier to hear from the Nigerian Police what it is (they are) doing to enhance its (their) capacity….”
“The ban on tinted glasses is even more reprehensible because the security benefits it can deliver is (are) far from certain.”
“Gov, Reps demand his arrest over (for) inciting comments on 2027”
“A week’s trail on the heels of pirates reveal (reveals) how Nigerians lose billions of Naira to the kingpin….”
“Court remands Edo lawmaker in prison over unlawful possession of firearm” The lawmaker
was remanded in custody—not in prison!
“That is why the Presidency must show more leadership and tact before jumping into a battle just because it thinks it has the power to crush the enemy—real or imagined.” Get it right: the enemy—real or imaginary.
“Nigerian scientists have failed woefully.”
THE SUNDAY INTERVIEW: …have failed abysmally (not woefully)
“Let me also make this point that our scientists have not done creditably well over the years.” No overkill: either creditably or well.
“Insurgents await ransom, assure on ex-minister’s safety” ‘Assure’ is a transitive verb. It must take an object.
“Restoring sanity on (to) the road should be the first tangible step if he is serious about….”
“The result was that what was supposed to be a consensus agreement willingly entered into by….” ‘Consensus agreement’? Next time, just choose one.
“It was flurry of activities in Abuja last week.…” A flurry or a hive of activity….
“The minister said government’s desire to licence (sic) a second carrier is born out of the…” General view: borne out.
“Knowing fully well that Abacha was a key factor in the Babangida regime.…” Intelligent commentary: knowing full well.
“What is good for the goose should be good for the gander.” Fixed expression: what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
“Some blind beggars on a street in Lagos Island” Beggars in a street on (not in) Lagos Island.
“…Catholic cardinals who converged at (on) the Vatican for a three-day meeting….”
“Manhunt begins for killers of award winning (award-winning) police chief.”
“…writes (writes to) the president to intimate him of (to) the hardship ravaging the land.”
“The civil servants have got pay rise, yet their purchasing power have (has) been decimated.”
“The ITSC equipment was damaged early this week by a heavy rainstorm....” In the interest of telecoms, delete ‘heavy’-–which is contextually otiose, just like ‘heavy downpour’!
“Every moneybag (moneybags) wants you to know when he is celebrating….” ‘Moneybag’ is the sac used in putting money, while the owner is a moneybags.
“A professional must update his knowledge in his chosen career otherwise he becomes a mediocre.” The way we write: otherwise he becomes a mediocrity or mediocrist. ‘Mediocre’ is an adjective that cannot function as a noun except in a collective manner (the mediocre).
“The emergence of vigilante (vigilance) groups to combat the activities of men of the underworld is only symptomatic of lack of faith in the ability of the police to guarantee….”
“The assurance from the IGP is therefore supposed to act as a soothing balm.” Is a balm not supposed to soothe? Does it do the opposite?
“…it will be much more so with one involving a police personnel.” ‘Personnel’ is a collective term. Use ‘policeman’, ‘officer’ or ‘cop’.
“But how do we prevent hunger next year when politicians will engage themselves (one another) in a do or die (do-or-die) battle for re-election.”
“The race to Government House in Kano has began in earnest as….” Without any effort: The race has begun….
“…those who would have uttered (what?) them reduced everyone to spectators while they reached for each other’s throats.” Get it right: each other’s throat or one another’s throat (depending on context).
“Knowing what to wear and how to compliment (complement) it goes a long way….”
“The state, therefore, does not deserve the treatment being currently meted to it”. Classical expression: being meted out to it.
“Chief of Naval Staff advocates for increased productivity via industrialization” When used as a verb, ‘advocate’ does not admit ‘for’. Let us avoid verbiage in headline casting: Naval Chief advocates increased productivity.
Two Years After: The Cost of Tinubu’s Charge
It is one thing to inherit a broken economy; it is a far more devastating affair to worsen it with the speed and confidence of a man who thinks noise is strategy. On 29 May, 2023, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over the reins of Nigeria’s battered ship, the more optimistic among us clung to the possibility that a Lagos-proven manager had come to steady the vessel. Two years later, the joke now runs that at least Buhari took eight years to grind the poor to paste - this one used under 24 months.
Let it be said without fear or favour: we were already suffering. The Buhari administration had administered a cocktail of economic coma and fiscal hallucination, with debt overhangs, subsidy schizophrenia, and a knack for appointing square pegs to police circular holes. By 2023, public outcry over his profligacy and aloofness had risen like heat from the Sahara. We thought we’d hit rock bottom. We didn’t realise someone else had a drilling machine. Nigerians didn’t expect magic. They only hoped for a chance to breathe, perhaps a less erratic pulse in the cost of living. What they got instead was a full-frontal collision with an economic philosophy that believes pain is the first sign of progress.
Within hours of his inauguration, President Tinubu boldly declared that “subsidy is gone.” Just like that. No transition plan, no safety net, no cushioning structure for the masses. Overnight, the price of petrol doubled, then tripled, as transporters adjusted to new realities, traders passed the burden on to buyers, and the market spun into a chaos that economists would later call “the predictable turbulence of reform.” To the ordinary man, it was the beginning of an unending nightmare. If Buhari brought Nigerians to their knees, Tinubu appears determined to teach them how to crawl. In two short years, the cost of living has mutated from burdensome to catastrophic. Market women now calculate prices with a calculator, a prayer, and a blood pressure monitor. Children are withdrawn from private schools to public ones, only to find the latter equally struggling - no teachers, no chairs, and sometimes no classrooms. The naira, floated in the same carefree spirit that launched the subsidy removal,
did not just sink - it dissolved. From ₦460/$ before Tinubu to over ₦1,600/$ at its peak in 2024, the currency has become a certified punchline in local and foreign exchange circles. A teacher earning ₦70,000 monthly in 2022 had some measure of dignity; today, that same amount buys shame in bulk.
Every metric of public welfare is in retreat. Electricity tariffs have quadrupled while supply remains epileptic.The same officials who lecture citizens on sacrifice arrive meetings in convoys of SUVs guzzling petrol that taxpayers subsidise indirectly through government allocations. The minimum wage, still locked in a decades-old time capsule, barely competes with the price of a 25kg bag of rice. The more the government talks about reforms, the less food there is in the kitchen. Every policy pronouncement is greeted not with applause but with anxiety - because the last ten announcements brought nothing but hunger, bills, and confusion.
Tinubu’s economic team - technocrats, bankers, and investment charmers - may have designed a blueprint to attract foreign capital, stabilise macroeconomic indices, and boost investor confidence. But it has become painfully clear that the blueprint was photocopied from foreign models with no regard for Nigerian peculiarities. The economy cannot be stabilised by theories that ignore the realities of the man who sells recharge cards in Iyana Ipaja or the single mother running three jobs just to buy cooking gas. Structural adjustments without structural compassion only breed structural chaos.
Meanwhile, the administration continues to celebrate milestones - floating the naira, harmonising FX windows, introducing tax reforms, securing billions in pledges from international investors. On paper, it all looks impressive. But in the markets, schools, and hospitals where Nigerians live real lives, there is no sign of this progress. Garri, that reliable barometer of economic distress,
“For the university to recommend that students should pay for the damages while they have….” A common mistake: except in legalese, ‘damage’ cannot be pluralized.
“…rather than investigating and finding out who were involved and check against future re-occurrence: Beyond recurrence, can an event yet to take place happen in the past?
“…the university is pointing its accusing fingers in the direction of the lecturers.” True idiom: point a/the finger. No inclusion of ‘accusing’ or inflection of ‘finger’.
“It is our belief that we members of the alumni association of our Alma Mata (Alma Mater) have unique roles to play in the restoration of sanity on our university campus.” It is…restoration of sanity to (not on) our campus.
“Isn’t it funny that it is the beak with which a bird builds it’s (sic) nest that it uses to scatter it.” Possessive: its
“…the AU summiteers concentrated almost exclusive (sic) on the political independence and liberation of countries in (on) the continent.”
“Monday’s action, which started at dawn, was as a result of the breakdown of series of negotiations…” An agendum: a series of negotiations.
“According to investigations, the deceased was said to be resting alone in his room at about 9.p.m….” Every reporter should be decisive based on timing which description to use: either at or about 9 p.m. The two cannot co-function.
“According to the source, the institution has a very high percentage of failure in the last academic year.” Reported speech: the institution had (not has). “… that the authorities of the institution was (were) still waiting the result of the police analysis of the bomb”.
“…in the next three years, its per capital income would have ...” This way: per capita income.
“Then it was catalogue of misses for the Super Eagles.” In the spirit of qualification: a catalogue of misses.
now shares shelf space with imported pasta in price. Even tomatoes, tatashe, peppers have grown wings. Families now share meat like national cake, two slices per Sunday meal. Some have eliminated it altogether. Yet, in the corridors of power, the mood remains jubilant.
The most unforgivable irony is that while the populace battles with despair, the political elite have shifted their gaze to 2027. Power play, zoning arithmetic, factional alignments, party loyalty tests - these now dominate public discourse from Abuja to state capitals. Governance has taken a back seat to politicking. New appointees are weighed not by competence but by electoral usefulness. Budgets are drafted with eyes on vote banks. Projects are announced with 2027 hashtags. It is business as usual, except business is booming only for the few who control public coffers.
There is no respite in sight. Social safety nets are mere headlines. Palliatives, once a stop-gap, have become a mockery - bags of rice distributed like alms to citizens whose taxes sustain the luxury lifestyles of their oppressors. Hospitals lack basic drugs. Universities, choked by strikes and underfunding, are producing graduates who will queue endlessly for jobs that don’t exist. Security remains fragile. Bandits still conduct operations with impunity. In some rural areas, the government exists only on NTA news bulletins.
The Nigerian spirit - often romanticised as resilient - is simply weary. People are not coping. They are adapting in desperation. Youths have embraced migration as ambition. Betting shops are more frequented than libraries. Spiritual houses overflow with supplicants seeking divine exemptions from economic reality. The nation is not surviving on policy. It is staggering on instinct, side hustles, miracle alerts, and the occasional intervention from a relative abroad. And yet, the noise from the top persists: that we are “on course.”
It must be said, plainly and without varnish, that the true measure of leadership is not in attending summits or quoting GDP figures on primetime television. It is not in the number of foreign trips, nor in the size of delegations that follow ministers to conferences
in Dubai or Brussels. It is in the price of bread in the market. It is in whether a man who earns a minimum wage can feed his family without contemplating crime. It is in the security of rural farmers, the dignity of teachers, and the hopefulness of young graduates. It is in the sense of belonging that every citizen should feel, not just during election seasons, but in everyday transactions with their nation.
If two years of bold economic transformation has left the majority of Nigerians poorer, angrier, and more anxious, then what exactly are we celebrating?
If the prize of reform is unending hunger, unlivable wages, and an elite class floating in opulence while the majority sink in despair, then it becomes urgent to ask - at what point does reform become ruinous? At what point does change stop meaning progress?
Governments are not elected to dazzle foreign investors or tick IMF compliance boxes. They are elected to serve citizens, to protect livelihoods, and to create an environment where survival is not a full-time occupation. The Tinubu administration must realise that Nigerians are not statistics on a dashboard or props in political theatre. They are humans - wounded by years of unfulfilled promises, exhausted by the sheer audacity of each new wave of suffering dressed up as reform, and increasingly disenchanted with a system that seems allergic to empathy.
Two years on, the applause is fading, the slogans are tired, and the hunger is loud. If the remaining two years continue at this trajectory - deaf to public outcry, blind to market realities, and drunk on the praise of foreign observers - the only thing left to float may be the memory of what it felt like to be a citizen with hope. And in that grim forecast, not even the most eloquent economic adviser can spin prosperity out of poverty, nor craft an election campaign glossy enough to cover the stench of unmet expectations.
UNLOCKING AFRICA’S INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSFORMATION
the world's largest untapped hydropower and geothermal reserves, to abundant solar irradiation, wind corridors and newly discovered gas.
Africa needs to scale—urgently and decisively. In 2024, the continent added over 6.5 GW of utility-scale capacity to its grid. By comparison, India added 18 GW in renewables alone, and the United States added 48.6 GW. To meet its development goals, Africa must double or triple its annual energy buildout. This is not just an infrastructure challenge—it is a strategic economic imperative.
Building integrated African grids is no longer aspirational—it is essential. Cross-border interconnectors and regional power markets are key to unlocking scale, attracting investment, and stabilising supply. The priority now is to mobilise finance for intra-pool transmission links— to strengthen existing regional power pools—and inter-pool interconnections that can lay the foundation for a truly continental power system.
Africa’s ability to move goods and people reliably and efficiently is central to its industrialisation and trade ambitions. A new cycle of infrastructure development is underway—but it must be more integrated, investor-driven, and future-focused.
According to the report, the continent is entering a third wave of port privatisation – characterised by new investment partners and increased hinterland trade facilitation. To be competitive and serve as efficient regional gateways, ports must make better use of technology and enhance the maintenance and operations of common marine infrastructure.
Railway investment is picking up across the continent, with new models that prioritise private capital, anchor industries, and regional trade corridors. Projects like the Lobito Corridor are unlocking mineral wealth while supporting new agricultural
and fuel supply chains.
However, road infrastructure remains a high-need, high-impact investment area, especially in for landlocked and hinterland agricultural centres. Updated data reveals sharp disparities in road quality and density, with limited private participation outside of mining corridors. Policy reforms, including viable PublicPrivate Partnership frameworks and corridor-based tolling models, are needed to attract investment in road rehabilitation and rural connectivity.
Similarly, airports offer untapped potential to overcome Africa’s vast geography and boost intra-African trade—particularly through upgrades to cargo handling, customs efficiency, and air freight logistics.
Clearly, Africa’s industrial future depends on turning raw materials into value-added products and the report focuses on refining, fertilisers, and steel— three sectors that must sit at the heart of Africa’s structural transformation. Each reflects a strategic convergence of urgent needs (energy and food security), natural advantages (gas and strategic minerals), and industrial opportunity. Together, they also account for some of the largest and most persistent items in Africa’s import basket, making them foundational to building a more self-sufficient, resilient, and competitive African economy.
Steel is becoming Africa’s industrial imperative. Without it, the continent cannot build its infrastructure or expand its manufacturing base. Considering the upcoming surge in African iron ore production, a continental steel strategy is needed to link upstream resources in West Africa with downstream value chains.
The oil refining sector offers a critical opportunity to build Africa’s energy security. Brownfield investments— estimated at $16 billion—are urgently
JIBRIL AMINU: A STAR DEPARTS
not more than an hour in his Park View Estate residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, but it went on for over four hours as we discussed practically everything under the firmament, including international affairs.
I queried him on all kinds of issues based on preconceived notions, and he was not just brilliant but also candid. I saw someone who thought little of Sani Abacha, then Nigeria’s military ruler. He spoke against the system in the North which was keeping millions of people in poverty and ignorance, saying he recognized the system the first time when he was a pupil and an attempt was made to deny him a scholarship at Barewa College, despite his stellar record, because he was from an unknown family. He railed against this system years later when we went to see a former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Gambo Jimeta, who was also from Adamawa State, in his office in Abuja. He was in a hurry to see the North modernize and develop fast but met a lot of obstacles.
Aminu, a medical professor, was distraught to see Dr. Datti Ahmed, who was a year ahead of him at medical school in Ibadan, lead the false, dangerous, but popular and effective propaganda in the North that polio immunisation was a strategy by the West to depopulate the Muslim community. Aminu was alarmed that the future of a generation of Northern children was being destroyed. He tasked me with a strategy to counter the antiimmunization campaign without hurting his political and social standing before the mass of the people who were being led by the nose by a self-serving elite. He jumped at my proposal when I submitted it, and people like Simon Kolawole, a patriotic, selfless Nigerian and sound professional who was then editing
needed to upgrade existing refineries, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with cleaner fuel standards and environmental sustainability. At the same time, new greenfield refining capacity must be developed to meet projected demand and reduce reliance on imported fuels. To ensure energy self-sufficiency, future refining hubs must be backed by robust coastal storage facilities, pipeline networks, and rail logistics—enabling efficient distribution across borders and into landlocked markets.
To the President/CEO, AFC, Samaila Zubairu, there is a need for coordinated action to unlock financing opportunities in infrastructure investment in the continent.
Zubairu noted that, “the world has changed and there is a different focus now from traditional development partners to focus on defense and rearmament of their respective economies and of course, the factionalisation of the world.
“What that means is that this is an opportunity for Africa. That is because, as you seek to industrialise your economy and focus on defense, it means you need secure supply chains. Of course the minerals for that is in Africa. So, Africa is not relevant; we are essential.
“I say that because it underpins one our main theses of what needs to change in Africa. The one thing that must change is that we must stop exporting raw materials and embark on transformation. It is the transformation that creates quality jobs that leads to increased savings. The only way to increase the pool of savings is by having higher-quality jobs. We have always advocated that as Africans, we must take ownership of our development and fund it.”
Zubairu stressed the need for the right structures for regulatory reforms in the continent, so as to make investment in infrastructure attractive.
Kenyan economist, banker and former Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, Patrick Njoroge, noted that good macropolicies and economic stability are the key attraction for infrastructure financing. He, also urged banks in the continent to do more in terms of infrastructure financing.
However, Rwandan economist and former president of the African Development Bank, Donald Kaberuka, stressed that the domestic resources are not anywhere near the amount required to transform infrastructure in the continent. From the foregoing, beyond funding, there is an urgent need for stronger policy coordination across African countries. Too often, infrastructure projects are derailed by bureaucracy, political instability, or lack of continuity in leadership. Governments must align national development plans with regional infrastructure blueprints. Strong institutions, transparent procurement processes, and a focus on governance are essential to build investor confidence. Africa has the resources, talent, and growing political will to transform its infrastructure landscape. What is needed now is bold action: to implement policies that attract private capital, to think regionally rather than nationally, and to embed transparency and innovation at every level.
Therefore, Africa’s future hinges not on potential, but on execution. The need to unlock opportunities for infrastructure transformation is no longer a matter of ambition but a matter of urgency. Roads, railways, energy, and digital connectivity are not just development goals; they are lifelines for economic independence, social equity, and regional integration. With visionary leadership, bold financing, and a commitment to regional cooperation, Africa can shift from being infrastructuredeficient to infrastructure-driven.
THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper, helped with the implementation.
The strategy was effective, as immunisation against the deadly six child diseases resumed in the Northwest and Northeast during the time of President Olusegun Obasanjo, who spared no effort or resources to end polio and other diseases that paralyzed mostly children from poor homes.
Aminu liked the Yoruba for their sense of justice and social activism, and admired the Nnewi people in Anambra State for their accomplishments, ranging from education to manufacturing to entrepreneurship to their sense of community and to their love of their motherland. He cherished his traditional sobriquet of Oyimba Nnewi, Friend of the Nnewi People, perhaps more than any other. His knowledge of Nnewi’s history and even that of neighbouring towns was amazing. At once humorous and profound, Aminu once turned to me, after a discussion on the Igbo and their strategy of self-development, and said: “You must help Ebonyi stop being the North of the Southeast!”
He was distressed that even though Adamawa State at a point had so many sons in strategic positions like the Chief of the Air Staff, Chief of the Army Staff, the Chief of the Naval Staff and others during the military regime, it was not developing rapidly. The elite there liked to live in Kaduna and later Abuja; from there they would fight themselves viciously, thus leaving their home in a state of arrested development. Apart from Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako who built a humungous farm in the state, Aminu brought almost every other thing that made Adamawa State have some economic base in the 1990s.
When he intimated me of his plans to sponsor Nyako to become the next Adamawa State governor, I encouraged him. In 1997 when Bart Nnaji, then holding a big professorial chair in engineering at the University of Pittsburgh in the United States, was receiving an honorary doctorate from the Federal University of Yola, he, General Ike Nwachukwu, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and myself drove in the same car from Abuja to Yola while Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, the Enugu State immediate past governor, and Professor Julius Onah, the Enugu State University Vice Chancellor, drove in another to Yola where we were received by Nyako who the next day took us to his magnificent farm. We were awed. We marvelled at his innovative abilities. So, when Aminu sought my opinion on his plans for the erstwhile naval chief, I didn’t hesitate to support them.
Yet, no sooner he became a governor than Nyako, as Aminu lamented, began to behave like another Nigerian politician. Nyako’s deputy, Bala Ngalari, a bright Christian lawyer who used to practise in Maiduguri, became the governor when Nyako was impeached. Like most people from the Northeast, he has tremendous respect for Aminu.
Aminu’s political star was almost dimmed in 2007 for supporting former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida to succeed President Obasanjo. Vice President Atiku, a fellow Fulani from Adamawa who wanted to become the president, felt bad, and so began a recall process against him.
Aminu tasked me with a counterstrategy. The courts still had integrity, and I suggested a court action which Olisa Agbakoba, founder of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), would lead because
of not just his professionalism but also visibility and political astuteness. The senator quickly ran to the judiciary, which saved him the dubious distinction of being the first National Assembly member to be recalled if his traducers had succeeded. For some reason, Agbakoba did not handle the case.
Aminu served with aplomb. That’s why he held numerous offices. As the NUC Executive Secretary, for instance, he was instrumental to the emergence and rapid rise of Nigeria’s second-generation universities at Benin, Port Harcourt, Jos, Calabar, Maiduguri, Kano and Sokoto.
Under his leadership, the NUC grew from a one-room office to a major national institution. As the petroleum minister, he started the process of indigenizing the petroleum sector in a concrete way by awarding marginal field oil licences to Moshood Abiola, Mike Adenuga, Arthur Eze, and many others. Edoreh Agbah, who was to retire as an NNPC General Manager, summarized Aminu’s tenure with this understandable hyperbole: “Before Aminu, there was no Minister of Petroleum, and there has not been since he left the office”. He was the only former petroleum minister invited to speak at oil and gas meetings. A liberal Nigerian enamoured of talent, his closest confidant was David Ogbodo, a lawyer from Enugu State who stood with him to the very end, and even after death.
May the Almighty grant mercy to Aminu, a most accomplished Nigerian who related with all and sundry with dignity regardless of their status, creed or place of birth.
•Adinuba was the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment from 2018 to 2022.
Jetour T2 Traveler Adventure-ready Aesthetic SUV Now in Nigeria’s Auto Market
Lovers of sport utility vehicles in Nigeria have a new arrival in the local market to celebrate, the uniquely crafted Jetour T2 Traveler.
According to Jetour, the new 4X4 SUV is where the spirit of adventure meets modern luxury.
Jetour T2 is a large SUV known for its spacious interior, advanced safety features, unique styling and a balance of power and fuel efficiency.
Designed for thrill-seekers, the SUV is considered a traveler’s delight as it is indeed a rugged SUV that also combines bold design with impressive performance.
It is built to excel on both city streets and off-road adventures and offers a formidable combination of features designed to enhance one’s outdoor experience.
According to Jetour Nigeria, the model is an all-terrain off-road vehicle with extra cargo space offering users indulgent travel experience.
The new SUV built to provide road-smart technology is designed for the comfort of both passengers and cargo, with multiple configurations and high-quality materials.
Spacious Interior
One of the unique features of the Jetour T2 is the availability of ample room for passengers and cargo with its multiple seating configurations
Technology
The vehicle offers a blend of style and
functionality, with a driver-centric layout, easy-to-reach controls and a 15.6-inch display integrated for infotainment and vehicle info.
Engine
The vehicle is available in a four-cylinder 2.0 litre turbo engine.
One of its features accounting for the high performance, is the XWD – Fully Automatic Intelligent 4WD With its powertrain engine, it delivers a ferocious 390Nm of torque and 187kW output
effortlessly powering through every adventure.
The five-seater vehicle has a dimension of L:4785 W:2006 H:1880 and enjoys Dual Clutch Auto Transmission.
Advanced safety features
The Jetour T2 comes with driver and passenger, front and rear seat airbags, Automatic Emergency Braking System, Electronic Parking Brake, Auto Hold System, 360° Surrounding Camera (2D/3D Panoramic Parking), 540° Panoramic Parking Sensor, with Lane Departure Warning System.
Waterways Safety: CFAO Yamaha Partners With LASWA, Distributes Over 100 Life Jackets
In a proactive move to enhance safety on Lagos’ inland waterways, CFAO Yamaha, in collaboration with the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), has launched the first phase of its “King of the Waterways” safety campaign.
The initiative kicked off with the distribution of over 100 life jackets at Liverpool and Ebute jetties, two of the busiest water transport terminals in the state.
The campaign is designed to promote a culture of safety among boat operators and passengers, especially as water transportation continues to grow in popularity across Lagos.
Speaking at the event, The Managing Director of CFAO Yamaha, Mrs Sylvia Omlenyi, emphasised the importance of the initiative, saying “This campaign is about saving lives. We are proud to partner with LASWA to ensure that every journey on our waterways is a safe one. Lifejackets are not just accessories—they are essential.”
Also, at the event was the Group Managing Director of CFAO Mobility, Mr. Denis Martin, who said, “At CFAO, safety is not just a priority it’s a responsibility. Through our ‘King of the Waterways’ campaign, we are reaffirming our commitment to the communities we serve by ensuring that every journey on our waterways is safer and more secure. Our partnership with LASWA is a testament to what can be achieved
when the public and private sectors work together for the greater good.”
LASWA officials echoed this sentiment, noting that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to reducing waterway accidents and fatalities.
In the same vein, local boat operators welcomed the gesture with enthusiasm and gratitude, as the Chairman of Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Babatope Fajemirokun said, “This initiative is a powerful reminder that safety on our waterways is a shared responsibility. At ATBOWATON, we are proud to support efforts like the ‘King of the Waterways’ campaign that not only provide essential safety gear but also foster a culture of awareness and accountability among operators and passengers alike.”
Excellence, Reflection
Toyota (Nigeria) Limited (TNL) celebrated a night of appreciation, excellence, and reflection at its 2025 Awards Night held in Lekki, Lagos, recently.
The prestigious event brought together customers, dealers, government officials, and members of the media, all of whom have contributed to the company’s continued growth and dominance in the Nigerian automotive industry.
Delivering the keynote address, Managing Director, Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo paid glowing tributes to the company’s loyal customers and strategic partners, describing them as the cornerstone of Toyota’s enduring success in Nigeria.
“We have come a long way together,”
TIPS OF THE WEEK
Nine Car Battery Maintenance Tips for Peak Performance
Your car’s battery supplies the power for the air conditioning, lights, radio and most importantly, starting your vehicle. A dead car battery can leave you stranded on the side of the road, unable to start your vehicle. Not to mention, if your car has both battery and alternator problems, your battery could even die while the car is still running. These are all reasons why car battery maintenance is so important.
On average, car batteries last three to five years as long as you maintain them properly. Read on to learn valuable car battery maintenance tips to prolong your battery’s life.
Signs Your Car Battery Is Dying
You may notice warning signs that you have a battery problem. Here are a few weak battery indicators to look out for:
The battery/charging warning lamp is illuminated.
The starter motor cranks the engine slowly. Dim incandescent headlights, particularly at idle.
Electrical problems with the radio, heated seats, etc.
However, not every failing battery reveals itself through obvious symptoms. To avoid being stranded by a battery problem, have an auto mechanic inspect the battery at every oil change to make sure the cables and fan belt are tight.
9 Car Battery Maintenance Tips
Below, we’ve listed tips to care for your vehicle’s battery based on our decades of industry experience.
1. Keep the Battery Clean
The buildup of dirt, grease and grime causes corrosion, which can lead to performance issues. To combat this, make sure to periodically clean the car battery. Here’s a how:
Step 1: Remove the connecting cables, starting with the negative cable and then the positive cable.
Step 2: Apply a mixture of baking soda and water to the areas with corrosion.
Step 3: Scrub the terminals and rinse.
Step 4: Apply petroleum jelly to prevent further corrosion.
Step 5: Reattach the cables, starting with the positive cable and then the negative cable.
2. Regularly Drive the Vehicle
A car battery can only last a month or two without driving before it dies. Therefore, you should avoid letting your car sit parked for extended periods. Experts recommend driving your car at least once a week for 30 minutes to keep the battery charged.
3. Protect the Battery from Extreme Temperatures
Extreme cold and heat can damage your car battery, so it’s important to take certain measures to protect it. If you live in a hot climate, park in the shade or use a car cover to combat the heat. On the other hand, if you live in a cold climate, try to park your car in a garage or invest in a battery blanket for added protection.
4. Check the Battery Fluid Levels
It’s important to check the electrolyte levels regularly if you can. If the battery fluid levels are low, top it off using only distilled water. Be careful not to use tap water or overfill since diluting the electrolyte can damage the battery.
5. Limit Short Drives
Ade-Ojo said. “Our relationship with our customers is one of mutual benefits and shared progress. We do not take your loyalty and patronage for granted, and we remain fully committed to continuously improving our operations and promptly responding to your evolving needs.”
He emphasised Toyota’s unwavering mission to deliver a “measurable and memorable motoring experience” through the supply of quality vehicles backed by reliable after-sales service, genuine spare parts, and a nationwide dealer network — the most expansive in Nigeria’s auto industry.
“In fact, we remain the only auto brand in Nigeria with such a comprehensive and strategic dealer network,” he noted. “This has enabled us to create multiple customer touchpoints across the country, particularly in the after-sales segment of the value chain.”
Driving short distances can weaken your car battery because starting the car requires significant energy, and quick trips don’t allow enough time for the battery to fully recharge. Try to limit drives of less than 10 miles to avoid shortening your battery’s lifespan. However, we understand that short trips are inescapable, especially if you live in a metropolitan area. Consider combining errands or going for a long, scenic drive from time to time to reduce the negative impact of short trips on your car’s battery.
6. Avoid Using Electronics When the Engine is Off Your car’s battery allows you to turn on the lights and play the radio while the car is off. However, this also causes the battery to drain. While playing the radio for a few minutes is okay, avoid doing so for prolonged periods.
(Source:AAA)
Jetour T2 Traveler
Ibrahim Famuyiwa of lagos State water Authority (lASwA); Managing Director of CFAo Yamaha Motor Nigeria limited. Sylvia omlenyi; official of ebute Jetty; Group Managing Director, CFAo Mobility, Denis Martin; Head of Marketing and Communication, CFAo Mobility, Funmi Abiola; and Business Head, Marine and power product, Alademodi Abiola at the presentation of life jackets in partnership with lASwA in lagos… recently
l-r: Chairman, Toyota Nigeria limited, Chief Michael Ade.ojo; Admin officer, Zenith Bank plc, Clement eremena; Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria, Kunle Ade-ojo, and Senior Assistant Manager of Zenith Bank, Chinwe onyido, at the presentation of the auto company’s evergreen Award to the bank at the Toyota Nigeria Award Night in lagos… recently
Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen etched his name into Galatasaray’s history after the Nigerian star raised his tally to 35 goals, thus surpassing the legendary Mario Jardel, who held the previous record with 34 goals. The Nigerian striker now holds the record for the most goals scored by a foreign player in a single season for Galatasaray.
Last Sunday, Victor Osimhen, was officially crowned the 2024–25 Turkish Super Lig Golden Boot winner, rounding off a sensational debut campaign with Galatasaray.
The 26-year-old forward scored 26 goals in the Turkish top flight, finishing five clear of closest rival Krzysztof Piatek and six ahead of third-placed Youssef En-Nesyri.
Osimhen’s prolific scoring not only secured him the league’s top scorer honour but also powered Galatasaray to the Super Lig title to confirm his immense value to the Turkish giants.
Although it had long been anticipated that Osimhen would clinch the award, confirmation came following the conclusion of the Super Lig season on Sunday.
The former Napoli star now joins an elite group of players to win Golden Boots in two different top-five European leagues, having also claimed the Serie A top scorer award in 2022–23 with another 26-goal campaign that helped Napoli end their 33-year wait for the Scudetto.
Osimhen also enters the history books as the first Nigerian ever to win the Turkish Super Lig Golden Boot.
He becomes just the fourth African to claim the honour, following in the footsteps of Morocco’s Aatif Chahechouhe (2014), Senegal’s Mbaye Diagne (2019), and Gabon’s Aaron Boupendza (2021).
Osimhen is also one of three Nigerians to win a league Golden Boot this season, alongside Tolu Arokodare (Genk, Belgium) and Cyriel Dessers (Rangers, Scotland), in what has been a standout year for Nigerian strikers in Europe. Galatasaray are reportedly desperate to keep him and are prepared to meet his Napoli release clause. However, strong interest from the Premier League, Serie A, and Saudi Pro League has made his situation the subject of intense transfer speculation.
Sources close to the club say Osimhen was given until yesterday to make a final decision on his future.
Meanwhile, Nigeria manager, Eric Chelle expects Europe’s top sides to show interest in Osimhen after the striker helped Galatasaray to claim the Turkish title.
The 26-year-old is set to return to parent club Napoli after scoring 37 goals in 41 games during his season-long loan in Istanbul.
He has one year remaining on his contract in Italy but is expected to leave Naples as he is not part of coach Antonio Conte’s plans. With his club future uncertain, Osimhen was left out of the Super Eagles squad for the international friendly away against Russia yesterday.
“Victor is, for me, the best striker in the world,” Chelle told BBC Sport Africa.
“For him, it was difficult to come for this game because he played a season with a lot of pressure.
“The reality is there is a transfer window. During this time, a player like him is not focused at 100 per cent.
“I need to protect him physically and mentally, because maybe he will go (and get a transfer move).”
“Maybe a club like Manchester United. Or maybe Chelsea, Barcelona or Real Madrid.”
Osimhen, an Under-17 World Cup winner in 2015, is second on Nigeria’s all-time list of top scorers with 26 goals.
He spearheaded the Super Eagles attack at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where the three-time African champions finished as runners-up, and has been crucial in reviving the side’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria only picked up three points from their first four matches when Osimhen was absent with injury, but the striker netted three goals when he returned in March as the Super Eagles secured a win over Rwanda and a draw against Zimbabwe. Chelle says he has “never seen a competitor” like the former Wolfsburg and Lille front man.
“He wants to win everything during training. It’s crazy,” the 47-year-old added.
“When the training session finishes, he wants to stay on the pitch and score again and again.
“I think maybe even when he sleeps, he wants to score too.”
Interestingly, With Manchester United deter-
mined to add firepower to their attack, former Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel has suggested Osimhen as a potential solution.
Osimhen is regarded as one of the most lethal goal poachers in European football.
After a stellar season-long loan at Galatasaray, where he netted 37 goals in 41 appearances, he returns to Napoli but is expected to move on.
Following a fallout with head coach Antonio Conte last summer, the Italian club appear intent on cashing in. Galatasaray are keen to sign him permanently, while Saudi Pro League side AlHilal have also expressed interest.
Several Premier League clubs, including United, are monitoring his situation.
Reflecting on his compatriot’s future, the former Chelsea star, Obi expressed his desire to see the striker move to England rather than Saudi Arabia.
“I hope there is still a Premier League move for him this summer,” Mikel told Metro.
“I don’t want to see him in Saudi right now because he still has so much to offer in Europe. It would be a shame to see him go there.”
Had he been Osimhen’s agent, he admits he would have pushed him towards Stamford Bridge.
“It is a shame he didn’t come to Chelsea, the club he supported as a kid growing up, but they have decided to go in a different direction (signing Liam Delap), which is fine.”
With Chelsea securing Delap, that move now seems highly unlikely.
Mikel believes both Arsenal and United need the 2024-25 Turkish Super League Golden Boot
winner but insists United require him more due to their lack of a forward with his attributes.
“I think Arsenal and Manchester United both need a striker. I don’t think Hojlund is the guy for Manchester United.
“He works hard, but he is not the player who will fire them into the top four or win them trophies. So, for me, Manchester United might be the right destination.”
“Maybe Arsenal, United, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are all options. Let’s see what happens.” United’s striker search continues, and without Champions League football, landing top targets has proven challenging.
Despite United’s struggles, Mikel suggests Osimhen may not be discouraged by the club’s absence from Europe’s top competition.
“Maybe he would say, ‘I will give it a season.’ Knowing he is in the squad with a few other signings that Ruben Amorim brings in, the players he wants, it is something Victor might consider. Maybe he would think about sacrificing a season.”
Mikel also revealed that Osimhen feels he has unfinished business in Europe.
“I’ve had a few conversations with him.
“I won’t say much about what those conversations were, but he is working to make sure he ends up in a top, top European league where he can showcase his talent and compete to win the Champions League.”
Osimhen leading the line ahead of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumod in Amorim’s United attack next season? That could be something special.
Galatasaray players celebrate with Osimhen as he breaks club’s goals scoring record
Depleted Super Eagles Come from Behind to Draw Russia in Moscow
Nigeria came from behind to earn a draw in a first-ever senior international match against Russia.
The Super Eagles arrived in Moscow full of confidence after winning the Unity Cup in west London last week, though they can perhaps take even more confidence at securing the result without several key names such as Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina.
Those absences did open the door for the likes of Victor Boniface and Christantus Uche to impress, but it was Tolu Aro-
kodare who made the most of the opportunity and has staked a claim to start the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa later this year.
As for Valery Karpin’s Football Union of Russia, who have been suspended by FIFA and UEFA since October 2022, it’s the first time they have failed to win since October 2023 - a run that stretched across eight games.
The hosts took the lead just before the half hour mark and slightly against the run of play, though the creation of the goal - albeit fortuitous - was
sublime.
Danil Krugovoy got forward from left-back and sent in a teasing cross intended for teammate, Nikolay Komlichenko in the middle. However, Semi Ajayi couldn’t help but get the final touch as he sent the ball into his own net.
Just over a week ago, Ajayi forced an own goal at the right end as Nigeria beat Ghana in the Unity Cup semi-final but on this occasion, luck was not on his side. Despite not creating much either side of the goal, the Super Eagles were unlucky to be behind at the break.
Brilliant Sinner Beats Djokovic to Set up Alcaraz’s Final
.World’s best two women’s players, Gauff, Sabalenka face off today
Top seed, Jannik Sinner teed up the French Open final against Carlos Alcaraz that many expected after edging past Novak Djokovic in a tense last-four contest.
Italy’s Sinner won 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) to end Djokovic’s hopes of winning a standalone record 25th Grand Slam title.
Defending championAlcaraz moved into his second successive Roland Garros final after eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti retired injured in the fourth set of their semi-final earlier
FRENCH OPEN
yesterday.
Sinner, playing only his second tournament back after a three-month ban for failing two doping tests, meets the Spanish second seed on Sunday.
The pair were the clear favourites before the clay-court Grand Slam tournament and will now write another chapter in their developing rivalry.
Alcaraz led 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 2-0 when Italy’s Musetti, aiming to reach his first major final, was
We
Crafted Experiences with Guinness Premier League Trophy Tour, Says Yinka Bakare
Congratulations on the successful Premier League Trophy Tour. From a strategic marketing perspective, how did this initiative reinforce Guinness’s brand equity?
forced to end the match early.
“It’s never fair. I want to win but not like this,” said Alcaraz.
Meanwhile, for the first time in seven years, the best two women’s players in the world will meet in a Grand Slam final when Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff face off at the French Open.
A new women’s singles champion will be crowned either way, with world number one Sabalenka seeking a fourth major singles title and secondranked Gauff a second.
United Athletics Series End in Lagos
Over 500 students from schools across the local government and local council development areas of Lagos participatedinaone-day United athletics series
The series put together by Culture Rush in collaboration with School Games, LASUBEB and the Lagos State Sports Commission was to discover talents in the track and field event for both Lagos State and the country at large
The series which took place at UNILAG Sports Center stadium
of the University of Lagos saw participants compete in 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 4×400 meters relayandlongjump in the boys and girls’ category. Organiserofthechampionship Adeyemi Egbeoluwa, says the decision to embark on the event was for early discovery of talents at the grassroots level who would be nurtured to take over from the ageingonesevenashecommended the Lagos State Sports Commission and the State’s Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB)
for their support.
He explained that there’s plan to have an U-14, U-15 and U-16 categories and to also establish an academy where the selected children will be camped and trained to become world beaters in athletics.
He expressed happiness with the spirit of sportsmanship and enthusiasm expressed by the children even as he promised to leverage on the successes recorded to move athletics forward at the grassroots level.
Showmax Set for FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Nations League Finals, Others
While the thrilling finale of the Premier League may have drawn to a close, Showmax Premier League is excited to announce that the beautiful game is far from over.
Football fans across Africa can look forward to an exhilarating off-season filled with world-class action, ensuring not a single moment goes by without live football entertainment.
The football feast includes the highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup, on Sunday, 15 June 2025, where the planet’s elite clubs will battle it out for the prestigious global trophy.
Thetournamentalsofeatures a galaxy of European giants, includingpowerhousessuchas Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea,Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, and Red Bull Salzburg.
Adding to the star power, global icon Lionel Messi will lead his team, Inter Miami, into the competition, alongside strong South American contenders like Botafogo, Palmeiras, and Flamengo.
This monumental tournament will be held in the United States, culminating in a spectacular final at the iconic
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. ButtheFIFAClubWorldCupisjust the beginning of Showmax Premier League’s comprehensive off-season offering. Fans can also look forward to the intense drama of the UEFA Nations League Finals, a biennial international football competition contestedbytheseniormen’snational teams of the member associations of UEFA.
Thistournament, kicking off with the semi-finals on 4 June 2025, provides a competitive platform for Europe’s top nations, where footballing titans like Germany, Portugal, Spain, and France will vie for continental supremacy, battling through the semi-finals to reach the highly anticipated finals.
Thank you. This wasn’t just another brand campaign—it was a landmark cultural moment. Guinness Stout is synonymous with boldness, authenticity, and celebration. By bringing the Premier League Trophy to Nigeria, we tapped into a shared national passion while reinforcing our identity as a brand that champions greatness. It offered an emotive and meaningful platform to deepen consumer engagement and reaffirm our position at the intersection of culture and lifestyle.
Guinness has had a longstanding relationship with football.Howdidthisparticulartourbuildonthatlegacy?
Football has always been a key cultural touchpoint for us, not just as a sport but as a unifier and source of pride. Over the years, Guinness has supported the game through fan-based events, and notably, our previous partnerships with Nigeria’s national teams. We’ve also been involved in past Premier League broadcast sponsorships, helping bring the game closer to millions of Nigerian fans. This tour was a continuation of that legacy. It was about reigniting the passion and taking it a step further by bringing the Trophy home to where so many dreams begin.
WhywereEnuguandLagos chosen as the host cities for this activation?
Our choice was both deliberate and symbolic. Enugu is
known for its deep-rooted football culture and loyal fan base—qualities that align closely with the Guinness brand ethos. Lagos, on the other hand, represents Nigeria’s energy, diversity, and innovation. Together, these cities capture the duality of the Guinness consumer: heritage and ambition. This tour was about celebrating both our origins and our forwardthinking spirit.
Beyond showcasing the trophy, what sets the fan experience apart from conventional activations?
At Guinness, we don’t simply stage events—we craft immersive experiences. This tour was no exception. Fans didn’t just see the trophy; they became part of the celebration. We introduced customised Guinness fan jerseys, a Live Scan station where fans could predict outcomes to win exclusive merchandise, and signed memorabilia, including jerseys autographed by Premier League legends. A few lucky fans even walked away with a grand prize that celebrated their passion in a truly unforgettable way. It wasn’t just a viewing; it was a celebration of identity and community.
What distinctive value does Guinness Stout bring totheseculturalandsporting occasions?
Guinness Stout is more than just a beverage—it’s a symbol of richness, depth, and substance. Its unmistakable black and gold profile and bold flavor are a metaphor for character and resilience. In moments of collective celebration—like a matchday or a milestone win—it’s the pres-
ence of Guinness that elevates the experience. We’re not just accompanying the moment; we’re helping to define it.
WhatmessagedidGuinness Nigeriaaimtoconveythrough the Trophy Tour?
The message is clear: Guinness stands beside our consumers during their most passionate and defining moments. Whether you’re celebrating a football victory, enjoying downtime with friends, or reflecting on personal wins, Guinness is the drink of choice for those who live boldly and authentically. We bottle that spirit in every brew, and this tour was a visual and emotional expression of that belief.
Shouldconsumersanticipate more of these high-impact brandexperiencesfromGuinness in the near future?
Absolutely. The Premier League Trophy Tour is just one of many expressions of our long-term vision. We are continually exploring new ways to engage meaningfully—whether through sports, music, food, or digital innovation. For us, every experience is an opportunity to elevate the consumer journey and reinforce our brand’s role as a cultural mainstay. There’s plenty more on the horizon, and we’re excited to keep creating moments that matter.
Spurs Sack p ostecoglou 16 Days after e uropa League w in
Ange Postecoglou has been sacked as Tottenham manager 16 days after leading them to victory in the Europa League final.
A 1-0 win over Manchester United in Bilbao brought Spurs a first major trophy for 17 years. However, it came towards the end of their worst Premier League season, with the London club finishing 17th after losing 22 of their 38 matches.
The Australian told fans
“Season three is better than season two” as they gathered at a victory parade to mark European success in his second campaign.
But the 59-year-old’s time in north London has ended two years to the day after Spurs announced he would join them from Celtic on a four-year contract.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been tipped as a leading contender to replace
Postecoglou. Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Fulham’s Marco Silva, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino - now managing the United States - are among the other candidates to have been considered.
Spurs said in a statement Postecoglou would be remembered for delivering “one of the club’s greatest moments” in becoming only the third manager to win them a European trophy.
Arokodare rescues Super eagles from russia;s blushes as Nigeria draw russia
L-r: MD/CeO, Guinness Nigeria; Girish Sharma with Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the premier League Trophy Tour by Guinness at the State House, Marina, Lagos recently
Marketing and Innovations Director, Guinness Nigeria; Yinka Bakare
PAYING SALLAH HOMAGE…
OBINNA CHIMA
Unlocking Africa's Infrastructure Transformation
Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey.
While the continent faces a substantial infrastructure financing gap, it also possesses immense untapped potential. From energy and transport to water and digital connectivity, infrastructure is the backbone of economic growth and regional integration. However, to unlock the full benefits of this transformation, Africa must move beyond traditional funding models and adopt innovative partnerships, private sector engagement, and long-term planning grounded in data and sustainability.
This was the key submission of experts during the virtual launch of the 2025 State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report,
yet underexplored truth: Africa already holds over $1.1 trillion in domestic capital, from pension and insurance funds to public development banks and sovereign wealth funds.
At a time when global capital is constrained and Africa’s needs are urgent, the report reframes the conversation, showing that unlocking these internal resources is not just possible but essential.
After making the case for unlocking domestic capital pools, the report returns to Africa’s core infrastructure sectors—energy, transport and logistics, industry, and digital infrastructure — to highlight actionable opportunities for transformation, regional integration, and scale.
and Africa’s place in the global data economy.
The Chief Economist and Director of Research and Strategy at the AFC, Dr. Rita Babihuga-Nsanze, pointed out that capital allocations in the continent remains heavily concentrated in shortterm assets, mainly government securities and money market.
For her, rather than viewing Africa’s infrastructure gap as a constraint, it should be seen as an opportunity. She noted that Africa's energy future is about building the integrated energy systems that will power its industrial transformation, not just connect 600 million people to electricity. These systems must make full use of Africa's vast and diverse energy resources - from the Africa Finance Corporation’s (AFC) flagship publication on Thursday.
This year’s edition underscores a powerful
It highlights that Africa must shift from fragmented generation toward interconnected systems for economic sovereignty, manufacturing competitiveness,
Jibril Aminu: A Star Departs
ith the death on Thursday, June 5, of Jibril Aminu, former Minister of Education, former Minister of Petroleum, former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, former Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) President, former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), former University of Maiduguri Vice Chancellor, former Professor of Medicine at Howard University in Washington, DC, and a former senator of the Federal Republic, Nigeria has lost one of its brightest and most liberal citizens. I lost a friend and confidant.
When former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, a versatile intellectual, was running to get the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) presidential ticket in the late 1990s, I strongly recommended Aminu to be his running mate because of his intellectual acuity and moral integrity.
People who write about Aminu being the best medical student in Ibadan in 1965, may not know that while a medical student he won a national essay competition dominated by arts students, many of whom later became distinguished academics in English and other disciplines in the humanities. Despite the high public offices he occupied for decades, his lifestyle was modest. In any case, Aminu was a prominent member of G-34 which Ekwueme led admirably and sat by his side at the All-Politicians Summit at Eko Hotel in Lagos which government security agents disrupted because Dr Ekwueme and his group were known to be fiercely opposed to Abacha’s plot to be a life president. Yet, for many years, I almost loathed Aminu. When David Ogbodo, then his Special Assistant who was to become the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group General Manager, requested
Okey Ndibe and myself in Orji Uzor Kalu’s office in Apapa, Lagos, in 1986 or 1987 to meet the Minister of Education with the flattering words of “he will certainly like you for your brilliance”, we were aghast. The press was projecting Aminu as a jihadist, a regional Troubadour, a Fulani irredentist, a dull minister, a hater of southern progress in modernity, etc. When we narrated to Goddy Nnadi, then The Guardian Education Correspondent, of our invite to meet the minister and he made a spirited effort to present different image of the minister, we were disillusioned. It was years before we realized we were casualties of conditioned imagination. It took Ogbodo’s persistent effort for me to change my mind and meet Aminu. The meeting was scheduled to last for
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L-R: Beere Aderinsola Osoba; President Bola Tinubu; former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, Mrs. Yinka Osoba-Apata; her baby, Kitan and Mrs. Kemi Osoba-Hassan, when the Osoba family paid a Sallah courtesy visit to the President in Lagos…yesterday
