Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The US State Department
Says Nigeria strategic partner, deal will improve nation’s fight against terrorists has approved potential sales of munitions, precision bombs and precision rockets to Nigeria for an estimated cost of $346 million (about N532 billion), the Pentagon said yesterday.
(DSCA)
9 made a determination approv-
www.thisdaylive.com
AON lifts flight ban on passenger NCAA withdraws criminal complaints against KWAM 1, flight ban reduced to one month
FAAN to engage fuji star as ambassador for proper airport security protocol Captains’ licences to be restored in one-month after undergoing mandatory professional re-appraisal Seadogs welcome reconciliation moves, reiterate call for equal justice
Chinedu Eze, Wale Igbintade in Lagos and Micheal Olugbode in Abuja
An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court yesterday struck out all charges against Miss Comfort Emmason, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour and assault aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on Sunday. This followed an earlier disclosure by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, that after consultations with aviation
9 stakeholders, public appeals, and expressions of remorse, it was
Moves to tackle poverty Declares 7-year moratorium on new varsities, polytechnics, colleges of education Says proliferation weakening quality, resources spread too minimal Okays N493bn target for Kano–Katsina road upgrade, Carter bridge construction
R–L: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Head of Civil
of
Didi Esther Walson-Jack; and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, during the
L–R: National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.); and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, during the inauguration of the new operational vehicles for some senior NDLEA staff in Abuja, yesterday
President promises to change narrative, reposition sector as industrial hub Audu: Revitalising local steel output to reduce Nigeria’s $4bn annual import bill
Deji Elumoye and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday sounded the alarm that the lingering troubles of the Ajaokuta Steel Company had gone beyond an economic setback and had morphed into a dangerous sovereignty risk.
Once touted as Nigeria’s industrial crown jewel, its decades-long paralysis now casts a shadow over the nation’s economic security and strategic independence, the President stated.
Tinubu, in his keynote address at the Inaugural Stakeholders Summit on the Development of the Steel Sector in Nigeria in Abuja, argued that the sector holds the key to unlocking the full measure of Nigeria’s industrial“Howpromise can we build, manufacture, or defend ourselves without the material that enables all three? Steel is more than an industrial input. The steel
industry symbolises so many of our unrealised hopes, and it holds the key to unlocking the full measure of Nigeria’s industrial promise. It is the material expression of national strength.
“It builds our bridges, powers our industries, supports our defence, and lays the founda- tion for a modern economy. No nation has achieved true development without mastering steel. For decades, Nigeria has aspired to do so—but we have not yet succeeded.
“My administration is chang- ing the narrative. It is with great optimism that I welcome you to this important gathering,” Tinubu, who was represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, stressed.
He explained that the summit was the first of its kind, pointing out that it marked a defining moment in the life of the nation.
He added: “It is a moment to reflect on the road we have travelled, acknowledge the chal-
Departs
lenges we have faced, and, above all, chart a bold new course for the future. Today, we turn our at- tention to a critical conversation, one that holds the potential to shape the future of our nation’s industrial landscape.”
Tinubu outlined ongoing efforts by his administration to revamp legacy projects in
the sector, such as the Ajaokuta Steel Company, the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria, the National Iron Ore Mining Company, and the Delta Steel Company (now called Premium Steel and Mines), among others. Declaring open the sum- mit, the President noted that his administration has since
established a solid bureaucracy in ensuring the steel sector becomes the engine for national transformation. This, he said, followed the creation and reconfiguration of the Ministry of Steel Development on assumption of office in 2023, with a mandate to lead the charge in industrialisation.
Tinubu outlined some of his administration’s efforts at transforming the sector to include the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Tyazhpromexport (TPE) and its consortium “to rehabilitate and operate the Ajaokuta Steel Plant and the National Iron Ore Mining Company in Itakpe.
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) yesterday declared that it secured a court victory over the case brought against it by former federal lawmaker, Senator Ifeayin Ararume.
In a statement in Abuja by the national oil company, it
President Bola Tinubu will today, August 14, 2025 depart the nation’s capital, Abuja , for a two-nation trip to Japan and Brazil.
The President will stop over in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, before proceeding to Japan. In Japan, President Tinubu will attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in the City of Yokohama from
August 20 to 22. With the theme “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa,” TICAD9 will focus on Africa’s economic transformation and improvements in the business environment and institutions through private investment and innovation. It will also promote a resilient and sustainable African society for human security, peace, and stability. In addition to attending plenary sessions on themes linked to the conference, the
Nigerian President will hold bilateral meetings and meet the chief executive officers of some Japanese companies with investments in Nigeria. Initiated in 1993 by the Japanese government and co-hosted by the United Na- tions, UNDP, the African Union Commission, and the World Bank, TICAD is a triennial conference held alternately in Japan and Africa. The last one took place in August 2022 in Tunisia.
disclosed that by winning the case it avoided damages to the tune of N5 billion.
THISDAY recalls that the case revolved around the appointment of Ararume, a former lawmaker and businessman, as a NonExecutive Chairman of the NNPC in September 2021, shortly after the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) came into effect.
However, even before he resumed, his appointment was cut short abruptly on January 17, 2022, when
then-President Muhammadu Buhari, through a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, removed him from the position and replaced him with Margaret Chuba-Okadigbo. No official explanation was provided for the decision.
Feeling wronged, Ararume approached the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 12, 2022. In his suit, he sought an order nullifying his removal, reinstating him to the chairmanship,
awarding him N100 billion in damages, and declaring all decisions made by the NNPC board in his absence null and void. He argued that his removal was arbitrary, in breach of the PIA, and without due process. On April 18, 2023, Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered judgment in Ararume’s favour. The court ruled that his ouster was unlawful and violated both the provisions of the PIA and the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. In- nocent Barikor, has affirmed that investments in the circular economy value chain have the potential to increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
Barikor, made this statement recently during a meeting with the management of a plastic packaging recycling (rPET) company, Sonnex in Lagos. He assured the team that the Nigerian government prioritises circular economy, noting that the draft National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations, soon to be gazetted was one of
the efforts to strengthen the legal framework for circular economy implementation in Nigeria. He said: “Circular Economy falls under the presidential priorities for the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Minister is very keen on the success. Apart from tackling the problem of waste, green jobs have been created.
The federal government yesterday disclosed that at least $980 million has been mobilised in the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) sector of the Nigerian energy industry, with daughter stations growing from just seven to 350 in the last 18 months.
Programme Director of the Presidential CNG Initiative
(PCNGI), Michael Oluwagbemi, disclosed this in a keynote address in Abuja during the the launch of the NASENI-Portland CNG daughter station, auto conversion as well as training centre.
Besides, Oluwagbemi pointed out that the number of vehicles so far converted has risen from about 4,000 to 100,000, highlighting that over N720 billion has
been invested by private sector players in acquiring CNG trucks and building daughter stations.
According to him, the PCNGI has deliberately worked with the industry to roll out conversion incentives for adoption, including provision of conversion kits for transport unions, with up to about 90 per cent discount.
Stressing that the response from the public has been rapid,
Oluwagbemi stated that industries like Bua, Nigerian Bottling Company, among others, have more recently invested around N720 billion to acquire not just CNG trucks, but also in daughter stations.
“We used to have just seven conversion centres in Nigeria. I’m going to report to you that just 18 months later, actually 12 months of implementation, since
Wale Igbintade
Amnesty International has hailed the start of a landmark trial over catastrophic oil spills in the Niger Delta as a “historic moment” for the Bodo community, which has fought nearly two decades for justice.
The trial opens today against Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited (RAEC), the firm that took over Shell’s onshore oil operations in Nigeria after the oil giant divested in March 2025.
The case seeks account-
ability for environmental destruction caused by two major spills from poorly maintained Shell pipelines in 2008, which devastated vast mangrove habitats and crippled local livelihoods.
“Almost two decades since oil spills by Shell’s then-subsidiary, SPDC, devastated huge swathes of mangrove habitat, the Bodo community has a final chance for justice,” said Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria Director.
“Shell admitted responsibility over a decade ago, but their
promised clean-up is far from complete. Contamination still poses serious health risks to tens of thousands of people. It is shameful that it has taken so long—and required legal action—for those responsible to face their obligations. This trial is long overdue and should finally deliver the justice and remediation the Bodo people deserve. A just transition to clean energy must include holding polluters accountable for past harm.”
In 2008, two massive oil spills occurred in a creek near Bodo, with crude oil leaking
Tinubu Nominates Louis Odion, Ummusalma Rabiu as Executive Commissioners of FCCPC
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has nominated Louis Odion as Executive Commissioner, Operations, and Ummusalma Isiyaku Rabiu as Executive Com- missioner (Corporate Services) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The nominations, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by presidential
spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, are subject to confirmation by the Senate in accordance with the provisions of the FCCPC Act, 2018.
Odion from Edo State is a veteran journalist and former Senior Technical Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Media. Before that, he was Commissioner for Information in Edo State.
Odion holds two Master’s degrees, one in Modern War
Studies from the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom, and the other in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Ummusalma,Lagos. 35, from Kano State, and a holder of a degree in Business Administration founded the Usir Foundation, a non-profit organisation that empowers underprivileged individuals and communities through education, skills development, and humanitarian initiatives.
continuously for five weeks on each occasion.
Shell reached a settlement with the community in 2014 but has yet to clean up the heavily polluted waterways, despite a mediation process launched in 2015.
After years of legal wrangling, the UK Court of Appeal ruled in October 2024 in favour of Nigerian communities, clearing the way for a full trial.
we started implementation in May of last year, we now have well over 315 conversion centres across the country.
“From just five states that have CNG ability to dispense CNG fuel, and the ability to convert, and of course ability to train and to enable manpower, we’re now able to increase that number to 20. We are on track before the end of the year to have at least 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to have CNG capacity,” Oluwagbemi added.
Highlighting the need for collaboration in the industry, the PCNGI programme director thanked NASENI-Portland for raising the bar in terms of partnership in the CNG segment of the energy sector.
“I’m pleased to report to you that just 18 months later, we’ve tracked over $980 million worth of investments in the CNG sector. This easily is the fastest growing sector in the country today, and continues to grow in leaps and bounds. Our last mandate was to regulate and to work with regulators for growth.
Komolafe,
“This mandate is very critical, because without clear regulations in and out of the industry, it’s going to be impossible for both investors as well as participants to do so, to engage,” he em- phasised.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive of Portland Gas, Folajimi Mohammed, said that with the ongoing CNG transformation, Nigeria was set to lead the future in terms of clean energy, noting that beyond commissioning the facility, the partnership was also about nurturing a vision.
“It is a vision of a Nigeria with cleaner energy, where transport operators enjoy lower costs of fuelling, where our environment is cleaner and we breathe easier, where the promise of sustainable goals is not an aspiration but a reality.
“This CNG autogas station with NASENI-Portland stands as a bold declaration that Nigeria is ready, capable and determined to lead the cleaner energy future. It is the product of innovation, persistence and resilience and an overall partnership.
Key leaders and stakeholders in the Nigerian oil and gas industry will gather in Lagos today to chat ways of pioneering the future of energy in the country and across Africa as the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Among the high-profile stakeholders expected to set the tone for discussion at the event are the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil),
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe; and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mr. Bayo Ojulari.
At the event with the theme: “NAPE @50: Pioneering the Future of Energy in Africa”, participants would recognise and celebrate a legacy of excellence and impact by the association as some of
its policy recommendations have helped in shaping and transforming the oil and gas sector in Nigeria and Africa, such as the Frontier Explora- tion and the African Energy Bank (AEB).
Speaking at a press conference heralding the anniversary celebration, President of NAPE, Mr. Johnbosco Uche, recalled how a group of visionary Nigerian geoscientists came together 50 years ago to build an institution dedicated to excellence, professionalism, and national development.
L–R: Treasurer, Wema Bank Plc, Adeola Ajai; MD/CEO, Pan African Payment Settlement System (PAPSS), Mike Ogbalu; and Executive Director, Corporate, Treasury & North Bank, Wema Bank Plc, Kayode Bakare, during PAPSS management courtesy visit to Wema Bank on the launch of PAPSS on
ALAT, in Lagos, yesterday
Funding key to purchase of heavy, quality armament, says CDS Declares country witnessing remarkable transformation under Adedeji
James Emejo in Abuja
Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, yesterday, hailed the nation’s armed forces and other security personnel for their dedication in securing the country.
Adedeji said President Bola Tinubu’s security agenda was yielding concrete results.
He also declared that for the first time in a long while, FIRS had been able to meet its 2025 tax revenue target for the oil and gas sector, alluding to the relative peace in the oil producing communities as well as the remarkable reduction in oil theft.
The FIRS chairman spoke when the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and his team paid him a visit at Revenue House, Abuja.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dare Adekanmbi, Adedeji attributed
the increase in tax revenue from oil production activities to the peace in the Niger Delta, which led to greater profits for the oil companies and higher tax revenue for the federation.
He said the development was in line with Tinubu’s avowed commitment to taxing prosperity and not poverty, adding that prosperity can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace.
Adedeji highlighted the importance of stakeholders in the security sector to the sustenance of peace in the country.
He said, “The armed forces are critical stakeholders and you are central to the sustenance of peace in the country. The Coordinating Director, Large Tax Group made a presentation at the management meeting today on tax collection to date.
“And I am glad to say that, for the first time in a long while, we met our oil and gas
target which is actually as a result of the peace that has been maintained where oil and gas facilities are located. And this is because production is happening and companies are making more profit from it.
“To strengthen the morale of our security operatives, President Bola Tinubu is com-
mitted to your welfare as well as giving them state-of-the-art equipment and machinery to work with.”
Adedeji added, “Just a month ago, the president approved the disbursement of a huge amount of money for 1,550 units of housing estate for security personnel. This
underscores that the president appreciates what you are doing for the country. And as you can see now, you are also critical to our success.”
He also pledged to support the successful hosting of the forthcoming African summit for Chiefs of Defence Staff, to be hosted by Nigeria in Abuja.
He said, “We will always be open to collaborate in order to sustain peace, to increase prosperity and develop our dear nation. On behalf of the president and all of us at FIRS, we thank you for the good job you are doing in maintaining peace and safety for all of us.”
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Nigeria’s crude oil production growth slowed in July, even as other key members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) posted robust increases, new OPEC data has shown.
According to the group’s Monthly Oil Market Re-
The Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) has called for early deployment of insolvency tools by businesses in the country amid the evolving financial landscape.
Speaking recently at an event in Lagos, President BRIPAN, Chimezie Victor Ihekweazu (SAN), stressed that early engagement is crucial for effective business recovery.
He affirmed that BRIPAN boasts of well-trained pro- fessionals who have been tested in several insolvency processes, matters that cut across different jurisdictions and are competent to support business recovery and enable failing businesses and challenged businesses to come back to life. According to him, preventing business failure has a significant multiplier effect on secondary obligations, families, professional engage- ments and even the entire
economy.
“The truth about it is that insurgency sets in at least a period of two, a year or two, preceding the actual state of insurgency. So, within those periods, once the indications begin to show it is important that insurgency practitioners are engaged to support those businesses with the knowledge so that those businesses can be rescued and that effective business recovery can be achieved within the scope of the law and practice in Nigeria.
port (MOMR), rooted in self-reported data, Nigeria pumped an average of 1.507 million barrels per day (bpd) last month, a marginal rise of just 2,000 bpd from the 1.505 million bpd recorded in June. This represented one of the smallest month-on-month increases among OPEC members with available data, underscoring the country’s continued struggle to ramp up production despite recent government pledges and security interventions in the
Niger Delta.
By contrast, some of Nigeria’s peers recorded far larger gains. Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s largest producer, boosted output by 165,000 bpd to 9.525 million bpd, while the United Arab Emirates added 108,000 bpd, bringing its production to 3.141 million bpd. Iraq and Kuwait also posted increases of 65,000 bpd and 25,000 bpd respectively, while Venezuela lifted output by 15,000 bpd.
However, Nigeria’s latest production figures still remain above the 2023 average of 1.187 million bpd, but the month’s subdued growth raises concerns about the country’s ability to hit its medium-term target of 2 million bpd.
In the past, persistent pipe- line vandalism, crude theft, and infrastructure downtime had plagued Africa’s largest oil producer, eroding its capacity to take full advantage of higher global oil prices. But the authorities maintain that these challenges are subsiding.
Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIoTA), in col- laboration with the Plateau State Government has announced plans to host the 2025 North Central Zonal Transport Conference in Jos, the state capital. This was disclosed at
a press briefing attended by members of CIoTA, the Hon. Commissioner for Transport, media representatives, and other transport stakeholders.
The conference, scheduled to hold from 23rd to 29th August 2025 at the Crispan Hotel, Jos, will focus on the theme: “Transforming Transport Infrastructure
for Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria.”
Speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Davou Jatau Gyang, noted that the conference will bring together leaders from all states in the North Central region to brainstorm on solutions to transportation challenges.
Emmanuel Addeh
in Abuja
The federal government yesterday said it is set to unlock over $150 billion in dormant land capital to boost economic growth across the country through the National Land Registration, Documenta- tion and Titling Programme (NLRDTP).
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa announced the rollout at a Stakeholders’ Workshop on:
“The Nigeria Land Registration, Documentation and Titling Programme” (NLRDTP) in Lagos, themed “Moving from Inception to Implementation”.
The NLRDTP workshop organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Lagos state government took place at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Badamasi Haiba, said.
The minister stressed that Nigeria’s current land adminis-
tration system leaves less than 5 per cent of land formally titled, leaving individuals to live on lands without secure proof of ownership.
Besides, he said this leaves billions of naira in potential Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) untapped for the state governments, and an estimated $300 billion in ‘dead capital’ for the federal government.
He stated that the “Land4Growth” Programme is not just an administrative reform
I nubu TA rge TS 7% g ro WTH b Y 2027,
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, said Nigeria’s goal of $1 trillion economy by 2030 required growth of at least seven per cent annually from 2027.
Tinubu described the target as “not just economic, but a moral imperative,” as higher growth was the surest way to tackle poverty.
He cited the July 2025 International Monetary fund (IMF) Article IV report, which he said endorsed Nigeria’s economic trajectory and the need for investment-led growth.
The president also ordered a sweeping review of deductions and revenue retentions by the country’s major revenuegenerating agencies, in a move to boost public savings, improve spending efficiency, and unlock resources for growth.
agreed that the charges should be withdrawn.
Keyamo, in the statement made available on his social media platform, X (Twitter), stated that the government took the decision after reviewing her incident as well as the case of the Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, known as Kwam 1 involved in the Valujet Flight. This, he said included appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors.
However, at the Ikeja Court, Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami discharged Emmason after the police withdrew the five-count charge against her.
Emmason, arraigned on Monday, had been granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties— one of whom was required to be a blood relative and provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government. Unable to meet the bail conditions, she was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
At yesterday’s hearing, Police Prosecutor Inspector Oluwabunmi Adeitan informed the court of “new developments” and tendered a letter from the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Airport Command, dated August 13, 2025, requesting the withdrawal of the charges under
The directive issued at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at Council Chambers, State House, Abuja, which was presided by the president, applied to Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NU- PRC), and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, made the directive public while speaking to newsmen after the FEC meeting. Edun stated that Tinubu specifically called for a reassessment of NNPCL’s 30 per cent management fee and 30 per cent frontier exploration deduction under the Petroleum
Section 72(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2015, for further investigation.
The defence counsel, Adams Atakpa, did not oppose the application.
Following confirmation that the withdrawal was unconditional, Magistrate Salami admonished the 26-year-old to “exercise wisdom” in future, warning that she “might not be this fortunate in another matter.”
Immediately after the proceedings, Emmason was whisked away in a waiting car, while her family members shielded her from speaking to journalists.
Earlier yesterday, Keyamo explained: “In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the aviation sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of recent.
“Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public. If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.
Industry Act (PIA).
The president tasked the Economic Management Team, led by Edun, to present actionable recommendations to FEC on the best way forward.
Tinubu said the directive was part of efforts to sustain reforms that had dismantled economic distortions, restored policy credibility, enhanced resilience, and bolstered investors’ confidence.
According to him, the reforms have created a transparent and competitive business environment attractive to local and foreign investors in critical sectors, such as infrastructure, oil and gas, health, and manufacturing.
Reaffirming the Renewed Hope Agenda, Tinubu said Nigeria’s goal of $1 trillion economy by 2030 required growth of at least seven per cent annually from 2027, a target he described as
“As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved, from all the evidence available to us and those available to the public.
“It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injus- tice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.”
ing a possible foreign military sale to the Government of Nigeria of munitions, precision bombs, and precision rockets and related equipment for an estimated cost of $346 million.
“The Defence Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today (Wednesday),” a state- ment said.
Nigeria’s insecurity remains one of its most pressing challenges, driven by a mix of armed banditry, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgencies in the North-East, farmer–herder conflicts in the Middle Belt, separatist agitations in the South-East, militancy and oil theft in the Niger Delta, and rising urban crime.
but a deliberate economic strategy under President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to turn land from a dormant asset into a productive engine for prosperity, for individuals, states, and the country as a whole.
“It is designed to replace our fragmented, opaque, and paper-based system with a digitised, transparent, and efficient national framework”, heDangiwaexplained.informed that the
“not just economic, but a moral imperative”, as higher growth is the surest path to tackling poverty.
He cited the July 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV report, which he said endorsed Nigeria’s economic trajectory and the need for investment-led growth.
Emphasising grassroots empowerment, the president pointed to the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme, a ward-based initiative covering all 8,809 wards across the country. The programme is designed to lift economically active citizens through micro-level poverty re- duction strategies in collaboration with states, local governments, and private partners.
He stated that public investment accounted for just five per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due
Furthermore, the Minister stated: “In the case of the unruly passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, on the Ibom Airline on Sunday, the 10th of August, 2025, I have conferred with Ibom Airline to withdraw the Complaint against her today. When the Police took her Statement in presence of her lawyer, she exhibited great remorse for her conduct.
Continued on page 43
These threats have led to significant loss of lives, displacement of millions, disruption of agriculture and commerce, and a heavy burden on security forces.
The federal government has responded through a multipronged approach. Militarily, it has launched and sustained operations such as Hadin Kai, Safe Haven, and Whirl Stroke, while increasing the deployment of troops, air power, and special forces to Besides,flashpoints. it has invested in new military hardware, including fighter jets, drones, and armoured vehicles, and has sought closer security cooperation with neighbouring countries in the Lake Chad Basin. On the policy front, it has strengthened border security, passed laws
programme aims to increase formal registration of land titles by at least 50 per cent within 10 years, deploy standardised, interoperable Land Information Systems (LIS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), strengthen state land agencies and registries and unlock over $150 billion in dead capital.
Some of the objectives of the “Land4Growth” programme, according to the minister include: Securing land rights for individuals, communities,
to low savings, stressing that optimising “every available naira” is vital, especially under current global liquidity constraints.
Shedding more light on the president’s directive, Edun said macro-economic indicators were improving, with a more stable exchange rate, easing inflation, rising revenues, and debt-to-GDP ratios now within range.
He described savings as the foundation of investment and said the president’s directive aimed to quickly raise public sector savings by reviewing deductions and retention practices.
Edun further stated that he presented two memoranda before Wednesday’s FEC meet- ing — a $125 million Islamic Development Bank financing for infrastructure in Abia State, covering 35 kilometres of roads in Umuahia and 126 kilometres in Aba; and a plan to refinance N4 trillion in outstanding electricity sector obligations.
According to him, the electricity debt resolution will be executed in phases, with the first phase expected within three to four weeks under the coordination of the Debt Management Office and other agencies.
FEC also approved four major proposals from the Ministry of Power in a renewed drive to reform and strengthen the country’s national electricity grid.
Minister of Power, Adebayo
targeting terrorism financing, and initiated programs like the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy.Non-kinetic efforts include community policing expansion, dialogue with some armed groups, and socio-economic interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of violence, such as unemployment and poverty.However, persistent attacks in several regions and continued displacement indicate that while government measures have had some tactical successes, insecurity remains a deep-seated problem that requires sustained, coordinated, and transparent action over the long term.
But according to the US defence statement, the Government of Nigeria has requested
and businesses, unlocking land’s economic potential as a driver of credit, investment, and housing delivery, increasing States’ IGR through vibrant, formal land markets and efficient property taxation, and more. Dangiwa
Adelabu, told reporters that the measures were aimed at modernising ageing transmission infrastructure, improving supply reliability, and meeting rising electricity demand nationwide. Adelabu stated that the first approval was the release of N13 billion for compensation on rightof-way acquisitions under the Lagos Industrial Transmission Project, funded through a $238 million development loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
He said the project was targeted at boosting supply to key industrial clusters in Lagos, which accounted for a large share of Nigeria’s manufacturing output. The minister said, “This funding covers compensation to property owners and communities affected by the transmission lines’ route. Once completed, the Lagos In- dustrial Transmission Project will ensure that our industrial estates have the dedicated, stable power they need to drive economic growth and create jobs.”
He stated that the other three approvals centred on the procurement and installation of high-capacity transformers to replace weak, overloaded, and obsolete units on the national grid. The equipment procurement was valued at $34 million, with an additional N5.2 billion for associated costs.
Continued on page 44
to buy 1,002 MK-82 general purpose 500 lb bombs; 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups (AFGs) for 500 lb Paveway II GBU-12 and 515 MXU-1006 AFGs for 250 lb Paveway II GBU-58.
“(Also involved is ) 1,517 MAU-169 or MAU-209 computer control group (CCG) for Paveway II GBU-12/ GBU-58; 1,002 FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes; and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) all-up-rounds (AURs) (consisting of one each WGU-59/B guid- ance section (GS); high-explosive warhead; and MK66-4 rocket motor.
“The following non-MDE items will also be included: FMU-139 joint programmable
Continued on page 42
The management and staff of FDGS ENERGY GROUP OF COMPANIES LTD
felicitate with Otunba Olusola Adewumi on the auspicious celebration of his Sixty Years Birthday
SIGNED: Management
IFB NUMBER: REA-AFDB-NEP-IMG-MST1
Employer: RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AGENCY
Project: NIGERIA ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT - NEP
Contract title: DEVELOPMENT OF UTILITY ENABLED INTERCONNECTED MINI GRIDS - MINIMUM SUBSIDY TENDER (AFDB-NEP)
Country: NIGERIA
ADB Loan No.: 200200003401
AGTF Loan No.: 5050200000551
Procurement Method: Open Competitive Bidding (International)
IFB OCBI No: AfDB-NEP/OCBI/IFB/IMG-MST-01
Issued on: Thursday, 14th August 2025
1. The Federal Government of Nigeria has received financing from the African Development Bank hereinafter called the Bank toward the cost of the Nigeria Electrification Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the Contracts for Development of Utility Enabled Interconnected Mini Grids - Minimum Subsidy Tender “For this contract, the Borrower shall process the payments using the Direct Payment disbursement method, as defined in the Bank’s Disbursement Guidelines and procedures for Investment Project Financing, except for those payments, which the contract provides to be made through letter of credit.”
2. The Rural Electrification Agency now invites sealed Bids from eligible Bidders to Develop Interconnected Mini Grids in Eight Clusters of unserved /underserved communities around Three (3) Distribution Companies (DISCOS). The communities are spread across Seven (7) states: Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Plateau, Bauchi, Kaduna and Kebbi, and packaged into Eight (8) Lots as follows:
The contract period is estimated to be Twelve (12) months from the commencement date.
3. Bidding will be conducted through the Open Competitive Bidding (International), OCBI procedures as specified in the Bank’s Procurement Framework for group funded operations, October 2015, IFB and is open to all eligible Bidders as defined in the Procurement Framework.
4 Interested eligible Bidders may obtain further information from the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) – Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), Attention: Taiwo Olawoyin, afdbnep.procure@rea.gov.ng . and inspect the bidding document during office hours i.e. 09.00am to 17.00pm at the address given below:
5. The bidding document in English language may be purchased by interested eligible Bidders upon the submission of a written application to the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee of Two Hundred T h o u s a n d N a i r
www.remita.net by generating Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) in favor of Rural Electrification Agency – Nigeria Electrification Project. The document can be collected by the bidder or sent by courier upon additional payment of Twenty Thousand Naira (N20,000.00) for places within Nigeria, Forty Thousand Naira
(N40,000.00) for places in Europe and West Africa, and Sixty Thousand Naira (N60,000.00) for all other countries to cover the cost of delivery
6. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 11.00 am (WAT), 30th September 2025. Late Bids will be rejected. Bids will be publicly opened in the presence of the Bidders’ designated representatives and anyone who chooses to attend at the address below on 30th September 2025 at 11.00am (WAT).
7 All Bids must be accompanied by a “Bid Security” of the amount specified in the Bid Data Sheet (BDS).
8. Attention is drawn to the Procurement Framework requiring the Borrower to disclose information on the successful bidder’s beneficial ownership, as part of the Contract Award Notice, using the Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Form as included in the bidding document.
9. The address referred to above is:
Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP) Attn: Taiwo Olawoyin – Senior Procurement Specialist, PMU – NEP
The Centurion Building, 15th Street, Constitution Avenue, CBD, Abuja.
E-mail: afdbnep.procure@rea.gov.ng
In line with its constitutional mandate to educate and engage Nigerians on government activities and national development, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a two-week nationwide campaign focusing on government policies, national values, security awareness, disaster preparedness, and national identity.
Speaking at a press conference held at the NOA Headquarters in Abuja, the Director General of the Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, stated that the nationwide enlightenment campaign is designed to tackle some of the most critical issues facing the country today, stressing that the initiative represents a coordinated national reawakening that speaks directly to the core of Nigeria’s identity, safety, values and development.
Issa-Onilu noted that the nationwide civic engagement will cut across all 36 states and the FCT, reaching the 774 LGAs through press conferences and grassroots outreach in markets, schools, motor parks, religious centres, and community halls to ensure wide public participation.
Onilu, who stated that NOA has partnered with 200 media houses, including radio and TV stations, with messages broadcast in 72 Nigerian
local languages, also added that the agency has developed the Explainer newsletter to provide detailed information on government activities.
On values reorientation in curbing extreme sign-out practices among students, Onilu revealed that the Agency, at both state and local government levels, is collaborating with schools, parents, and student leaders to promote safe, value-based celebrations that emphasise discipline, dignity, and patriotism.
The DG further described the national symbols as essential tools that unite the people beyond tribe or tongue, stressing that NOA will revive respect for these symbols, integrate civic education into schools, and inspire pride in our shared heritage.
While speaking on flood mitigation and disaster preparedness, he noted that with NiMet’s projections indicating high flood risks in 27 states, the agency will mobilize communities to clear drainage systems, encourage timely relocation when necessary, and ensure strict compliance with early warning advisories.
For national security awareness, the DG disclosed that the Agency will use community dialogues, media engagement, and grassroots outreach to promote vigilance, encourage timely reporting, and foster trust between citizens and security agencies.
Speaking on how the Agency plans to actualise the campaigns, he said IEC materials in English and major Nigerian languages will be widely distributed, while daily radio, TV, and social media campaigns will be conducted to reach Nigerians nationwide, alongside the establishment of feedback channels, including toll-free lines, to encourage citizen engagement.
In his closing remarks, he urged the media, traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, student organizations, and all community stakeholders to unite with the Agency in mobilising Nigerians nationwide for the upcoming two-week campaign.
In line with its constitutional mandate to educate and engage Nigerians on government activities and national development, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a two-week nationwide campaign focusing on government policies, national values, security awareness, disaster preparedness, and national identity.
NOA, FRSC Synergise
In a move to drive grassroots awareness and acceptance of government policies, programmes, and activities, the Ogun State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has engaged critical stakeholders at the Palace of the Akarigbo of Remo Land in Sagamu Local Government Area of the State.
Speaking at the Palace of the Akarigbo of Remo Land, the Acting State Director of NOA, Mrs Oyebisi Andu, said the purpose of the visit is to engage the paramount ruler of the community on government policies, and also to drive community engagements and acceptance of the programmes.
Mrs Andu also stated that the visit aimed to seek further support from the traditional ruler, particularly because of the forthcoming by-election in
Sagamu, and Ikenne Federal
Speaking further, she urged the Paramount Ruler of Remo Land, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, to leverage both his official and traditional influence to mobilise and encourage residents of Remo Land to turn out in large numbers and actively participate in the forthcoming byelection, emphasising the importance of exercising their civic responsibility.
State, and Local Governments to their respective communities.
The state director further implored the Royal Father to consistently engage the Baales in the Sagamu axis and surrounding areas, encouraging them to actively disseminate the programmes and policies of the Federal,
While speaking on government programmes, the State Director urged the traditional ruler of Remo Land to consistently provide technical and logistical support to youths in the area, enabling them to benefit from federal government interventions— particularly the Federal Government’s Digital Industrial Park Youth Empowerment Initiative.
In response, the Akarigbo of Remo Land, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, said he has been sensitising residents on the importance of the by-election and pledged continued support to ensure a peaceful and credible process.
Oba Ajayi noted that he had deployed town criers across the communities to mobilise residents for the by-election, adding that public response has been encouraging.
The Kogi State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have agreed to raise public awareness on safe driving practices during the rainy season. While speaking on Kogi FM 94, the NOA State Director, Mr. Patrick Edogbanya, highlighted the serious risks associated with the wet season, noting that flooding and worsening road conditions continue to endanger lives and disrupt movement across the state.
Mr Edogbanya added that the Agency would continue to intensify its public sensitisation efforts across communities to ensure residents are well-informed and adequately prepared for the challenges typically associated with the rainy season.
In his words, the FRSC Sector Commander, CP Kumar Tsukwam, assured the public that the government is actively working to improve road infrastructure and mitigate the risks faced by road users during this period.
He also urged road users to avoid speeding and ensure their vehicles, especially wipers and brakes, are in good condition, stressing that faulty cars increase the risk of accidents during the rainy season.
In a bid to eradicate violence against women and promote their empowerment through improved quality of life and social change, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has partnered with the Centre for Women’s Health Information (CEWHIN), in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, to convene a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Ogun State.
Speaking at the town hall meeting, the Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officer (COMO) in Ijebu-Ode, Fashola Paul, reaffirmed the Agency’s unwavering commitment to grassroots enlightenment, noting that NOA remains dedicated to providing timely, credible, and culturally relevant information that empowers communities to take informed actions, particularly in addressing issues affecting women and promoting gender equity.
He noted that good home training lays the foundation for a better society, which ultimately leads to a stronger nation, stressing that parents must avoid covering up their children’s wrongdoings but instead speak up, provide proper guidance, and raise them with sound values rooted in the way of God.
The Co-founder of CEWHIN, Mrs Odukoya Atinuke, emphasised that adopting effective and inclusive leadership styles at all levels of society can significantly reduce the incidence of violence against women and girls, noting that when leaders lead with empathy, fairness, and accountability especially within homes, communities and institution.
noa.gov.ng
The North-West Zonal Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has expressed its readiness to support the Nigeria Police in combating insecurity and curbing social vices in Kaduna State.
During a visit to the Kaduna State Police Command, Zonal Director of NOA, Mallam Hamisu Abubakar, outlined the Agency’s mandate and mission, stressing the importance of supporting security efforts through public awareness and community collaboration.
Mr Abubakar said NOA is ready to join forces with the police to educate
Nigerians on the need to eschew vices and be securityconscious. “The agency will mobilise Nigerians to assist and support security efforts, “ he said.
He also said, “ The NOA will also continue to mobilise Nigerians to assist, support and complement the efforts of security agencies in curbing cases of kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities by sharing verified information with the police.”
In response, Kaduna State Commissioner of Police,
Muhammad Rabi’u, welcomed the visit and commended NOA for its ongoing public enlightenment efforts, emphasising how such collaborations strengthen security and foster community trust.
The Commissioner of Police, who urged NOA to intensify awareness campaigns on genderbased violence and illicit drugs, also stressed the importance of such campaigns in addressing social vices.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Zamfara State has emphasised the importance of corps members aligning with national values as they take on responsibilities in community development.
Addressing the Batch B Stream 1 Corps Members in Gusau, NOA State Director, Mr. Aminu Ibrahim, urged them to uphold national values and embrace their community development roles as a vital step in contributing to nationbuilding.
He advised them to protect government property, support made-in-Nigeria goods and services, treat national symbols with respect, and avoid spreading misinformation by verifying facts before sharing any information online.
The State Director also encouraged them to learn the indigenous languages of their host communities, embrace
local cuisines, and wear one another’s traditional attire, highlighting the cultural exchange as beneficial to their integration and personal growth.
Mr Ibrahim further urged the corps members to respect the traditions, cultures, customs, and values of their host communities, while also encouraging them to contribute meaningfully through Community Development Services by initiating projects that will positively impact the lives of the people.
He director , who cautioned the corps members about the upcoming elections slated for August 16, also urged them to uphold integrity and avoid any form of electoral malpractice throughout the process.
The Rivers State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has charged residents of the state to engage actively in electoral processes as a means of promoting active citizenship.
While addressing viewers during a call-in programme on NTA in Port Harcourt, the State Director of NOA, Mr. Edward Banigo, emphasised the importance of citizens actively participating in periodic elections, describing them as the cornerstone of democracy and a vital opportunity to elect leaders of their choice.
Mr Banigo, who urged the electoral body to ensure that the election meets the minimum standards of transparency, fairness, peace, and inclusivity to earn the trust of the electorate, also noted that any deviation from these long-established principles could breed doubt and apathy, thereby making NOA’s task of voter mobilisation even more challenging.
While pointing out time and timing as major concerns, he expressed hope that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission would conduct the polls in accordance with the laid-down rules guiding the body. The State Director attributed electoral malpractices to a declining value system driven by the unchecked pursuit of wealth, noting that the Federal Government introduced the National Values Charter through NOA to restore integrity and civic responsibility.
The Oyo State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged all eligible voters in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency to turn out en masse for the forthcoming byelection scheduled for August 16, emphasising that voting is a vital civic duty.
Speaking during an interview with NTA Ibadan on matters related to voting, the State Director of NOA, Mr Sinmiat Akande, emphasised that voting is both a right and a civic duty, urging the electorate to vote peacefully for the candidate of their choice.
Mrs Akande, however, emphasised that only eligible voters whose names appear on the register and possess a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) will be permitted to vote, noting that voting by proxy is not allowed under any circumstances.
The state director added that accreditation and voting will take place simultaneously and advised voters to remain patient and orderly at polling units to ensure a smooth and hitch-free process. She also assured the public that INEC, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders including NOA, has put all necessary measures in place to ensure a smooth, credible, and transparent election, where every legitimate vote will count without fear or favour.
Presidential candidate of the african Democratic Congress in the 2023 general election, Mr Dumebi Kachikwu, in this interview in abuja opens up on the internal crisis rocking his party, the alleged hijack by some northern political elites, and why he believes Nigeria must choose meritocracy over tribe or religion. He also speaks on his ambition ahead of the 2027 poll, among other issues. sunday Aborisade brings excerpts:
You recently raised the alarm about a plot to hijack the ADC. Can you explain what is happening within your party?
Absolutely. What we’re seeing is a coordinated, brazen attempt by a group of mostly old political actors—what I call a coalition of geriatrics—to hijack the ADC and use it as a vehicle for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential ambition. This is not speculation anymore; it is a reality that has unfolded right in front of our eyes. A few weeks ago, I warned Nigerians that this was in motion. They laughed. Today, the plot is laid bare. These individuals, hiding behind the façade of a “coalition of hopefuls”, have no interest in party ideology or structure. Their sole aim is to hijack a platform—any platform—and push Atiku’s ambition through the back door.
You mentioned that Peter Obi and others are being duped. Can you elaborate on that?
Yes. I warned that Peter Obi, among others, was being misled into believing this was a genuine coalition of like minds. But it’s clear now: Atiku’s men are the ones strategically embedded across this so-called coalition. Obi is being told, in very clear terms, that he can never win in the North as an Igbo man and should therefore settle for being Atiku’s running mate.
They’ve even dragged in former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is now allegedly offering Obi the role of Coordinating Minister of the Economy in exchange for his support. What’s happening is not about unity—it’s about manipulating the same old divisions of region, religion, tribe, and tongue to maintain power.
So what is your main concern here? Is it about political betrayal or something deeper?
It’s far deeper. My concern is that meritocracy—what I campaigned for in 2023—has been completely abandoned.
Nigeria cannot progress when our politics continues to be dictated by region and religion instead of capacity and competence. But sadly, I must admit now that the Nigerian political ecosystem does not allow ceteris paribus—equal conditions. The playing field is rigged, and the same old actors are working hard to keep
it that way.
You’ve presented some documents regarding alleged fraud in the ADC. Can you tell us more about that?
A - Yes. To take control of the ADC, these individuals needed to clear legal obstacles, including ongoing litigation about Ralph Nwosu’s illegitimate claim to the party chairmanship. So what did they do? They forged the signatures of several ADC state chairmen and presented these forgeries as terms of settlement at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt (Appeal No:CA/PH/225/2023). The court, unaware of the forgery, adopted this as a judgment. I’ve presented the judgment and passport copies of the real chairmen whose signatures were forged. We’ve since submitted petitions to law enforcement agencies. This is criminal, not civil—it’s fraud, and it must be treated as such.
What about Senator David Mark’s sudden emergence as ADC Chairman?
Another tragic comedy. Ralph Nwosu, who has no legal authority to act on behalf of the party, anointed David Mark as party chairman and issued him a membership card. Sections of the media ran with this farce. Less than two months later, Ralph Nwosu was still signing letters to INEC as National Chairman, even after supposedly handing over to Mark. This is a fraud so monumentally stupid it defies belief, yet it’s happening in full view of INEC, the courts, and the media.
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance a gency, Hon. aderemi Oseni in this interview gives insight into the politics of opposition forces ahead of 2027, ongoing road infrastructure projects being executed by President Bola Tinubu as well as the condition of a ll Progressives Congress in Oyo State, among others. Raheem Akingbolu brings excerpts:
Opposition parties have formed a coalition against President Bola Ahmed ahead of 2027. With this coalition, is his re-election not threatened?
In every democracy, opposition is a critical element that defines both politics and governance. For me, the recent coalition of opposition parties is in line with democratic practice. However, we are not threatened at all by what they are doing. First, this administration is undertaking key reforms that will make Nigeria a prosperous nation if we push it through. It is a matter of time. We will all see that President Tinubu means well for Nigerians. Second, the coalition has not come up with credible alternatives. If they think President Tinubu is not governing right, they should bring forward what they will do differently. But they have failed to offer Nigerians credible alternatives. Nigerians are not fools. They are intelligent people who are looking for credible alternatives. Third, the coalition comprises diverse interests that have been tested in different capacities at the national and state levels. But they all failed the people. After they betrayed public trust at one point or the other, what do they want to offer now? As for us in the APC, we are not threatened by the coalition of opposition parties. We are confident of victory in 2027. Our record of achievements will speak for us, and the electorate will cast their ballots based on what we have done. The truth is it will be misleading to say that the so-called coalition is not making noise. But there is
a difference between noise that is result-oriented and noise that is purely attention-seeking. For me, they are a group of people making noise to gain some attention. As a one-time formidable opposition party, APC offered Nigerians credible alternatives. We also complained with the strength of our people-centric policies and programmes. And we earned
public trust and won the 2015 presidential election. Some of them were in our fold then. They knew how we leveraged our position as the leading opposition party to defeat the ruling party. They know they are not serious at all. We are waiting for them in 2027. God willing, many of them will join us very soon.
As Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on FERMA, how will you assess
the ongoing road projects embarked by this present administration?
The road infrastructure projects are not just commendable, but quite daring and impressive. With the state of our economy at the time President Bola Tinubu assumed office, he was able to embark on the development of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, SokotoBadagry Superhighway and Ibadan-IleshaAkure-Benin Highway, among others. And the execution of these projects is progressing steadily. This is no doubt audacious, and we must commend Mr. President for taking such bold moves. Because of my oversight responsibilities, I have been to these project sites, whether in the South-east or North-east, South-south or the North-central, South-west to the North-west to evaluate the quality and stage of these road project execution. Honestly, it is impressive and massive. The projects, especially those legacy projects of the president, are creating a good number of jobs for our young people nationwide. In terms of quality, the projects are of international standards. When you look at all these legacy projects, we should be proud of what this government is doing. It may seem as if we would not be able to achieve all these expectations in eight years. However, you can never rule out the impact the projects already have and will have on our people across the federation.
For 28 years, Sunday Agbogun, a former Staff Sergeant (SSGT) of the Nigerian Army, Sunday, has continued to seek redress over his alleged wrongful dismissal from service, writes Alex Enumah . In a recent appeal to the president, Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, and the Chief of Army Staff, he prayed that they be gracious enough to pay him his dues for the years he spent serving his fatherland
Twenty eight years after, former Staff Sergeant (SSGT), Sunday Agbogun remains undaunted, displaying the never say die spirit of a courageous soldier facing severe, life threatening circumstances. Enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1968 with enlistment number 63NA/159887, he was wrongfully dismissed from service in December 1988.
Despite several petitions, appeals, and interventions from various quarters, including the National Assembly, the army has reportedly refused to right the wrong. Yet, the ex soldier remains undeterred in his pursuit of justice.
Calls for Reinstatement or Compensation
Since his wrongful sack, Agbogun has written to successive Chiefs of Army Staff seeking his recall to the army. In recent times, however, he is praying the army to be gracious enough to pay him his dues for the years he spent serving his fatherland.
As a Senior Non Commissioned Officer (SNCO) of the Nigerian Army, Agbogun had acquired several military and civilian qualifications, including the Brigade Ordnance Warrant Officer (BOWO), the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps (NAOC Stm B1), Provision Control and Act Specialist (P, C and A), CQMS, RQMS, and Army Certificates of Education 1st Class (ACE 1) as well as GCE O Level. He also fought on the side of the Nigerian Army during the civil war.
Latest Petition to the Authorities
In his latest petition to the Chief of Army Staff, copied to the Chief of Defence Staff, the Minister of Defence, and the President, the ex soldier, through his lawyer, E. O. Ejike of E. O. Amadi Chambers, “most humbly solicits that upon the reconsideration afore stated, our client be considered and graciously listed for gratuity and pension in the best interest of justice.”
The petition, dated May 25, 2025, was received at the army headquarters, Abuja, on July 4, 2025. It is titled: Re: Wrongful Dismissal from Nigerian Army of SSGT Sunday Agbogun: Need for Redress, dated 23 September 2022. Complaint of Wrongful Dismissal of 63NA/159887 SSGT Sunday Agbogun from the Nigerian Army: Clarion Call and Appeal for Reconsideration and the Justice of His Ordeal, dated January 10, 2024.
“On the strength of the foregoing, we most humbly write further on the instructions of our client, soliciting that the wrongful dismissal of our client, who fought in the Nigerian civil war and served the Nigerian Army for over 23 years before his ordeal as a Staff Sergeant, be revisited and considered in the best interest of justice,” the petition read in part.
The Beginning of the Ordeal
In the complaint of January 10, 2024,
the ex soldier disclosed that his ordeal started in 1975 when he was transferred to the headquarters of the 2 Airmobile Brigade, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he served in several capacities. He recalled that in 1987, he, WOII Adewale Olashe, and Sergeant Rufus were arrested by intelligence personnel for allegedly impersonating and extorting ₦6,000 from an expatriate civilian named Mr. Chevrotin at Geo Services Ltd, Trans Amadi Road, Port Harcourt.
The petitioner explained that the following day, after their arrest, an identification parade was conducted. Mr. Chevrotin identified WOII Adewale Olashe as the person who claimed to be an intelligence officer, while he exonerated Rufus and Agbogun.
“In fact, the expatriate further stated that he had never seen our client and Sergeant Rufus in his lifetime,” counsel said. Despite this exoneration, Agbogun was still detained for days and released with a directive to produce one Uche (a civilian) said to have been with Olashe during the extortion.
The Trial and Sentencing Agbogun claimed that he found Uche, who admitted receiving an unspecified amount of money from the expatriate and promised to refund it. While Uche was subsequently released from detention, Agbogun was charged with impersonation and extortion before Lt. Col. Charles (then commander of the brigade) and the Garrison Adjutant.
“After the charge was read to our client, Lt. Col. Edemaneha asked our client the whereabouts of the said Mr. Uche, and our client informed him that he did not know. He thereafter found our client guilty of the offence as charged.
“That consequently, our client was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and was also summarily dismissed from the Nigerian Army without an opportunity of fair trial according to the universal rule of natural justice,” the lawyer claimed.
According to him, throughout the investigation and trial, Agbogun was never allowed to make any statement, whether oral or written, or to call any witness before being pronounced guilty and sentenced.
Dissatisfied, the ex soldier wrote a petition on 18 January 1988, highlighting the errors in Col. Edemaneha’s trial and calling for a review of the ordeal that led to his conviction and dismissal from the Nigerian Army. He also sought reinstatement. “Nothing has been done to that effect to this date,” he lamented.
He further recalled that after serving the six month imprisonment term, Captain A. Y. Abass (as he then was), who initially investigated the matter, wrote on 15 July 1988 to the Nigerian Army’s Legal Department urging them to review the case. The said letter was addressed to one Captain Ahmadu (as he then was) and copied to Col. Ayinla (as he then was).
Based on the said letter, the
Adjutant General also ordered that Agbogun’s case be reconsidered. Captain Abass, in pleading on behalf of the ex soldier, pointed out that it would be in the interest of justice to reconsider the case because the prime suspect, WOII Ademale Alashe, was acquitted of the charges.
“That in furtherance to the above, the Commanding Officer of the 2 Airmobile Brigade, Port Harcourt, made passionate appeals to the headquarters of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, vide letters dated 2 May 1989 and 15 May 1989, urging that our client be reinstated as it is evident that our client was never given a fair trial.
“Yet all these efforts yielded no result,” he said. Rather than heeding the appeals, “Col. J. I. Ayinla (as he then was), on behalf of the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, wrote a letter to the Adjutant General urging him to consider our client’s case closed and also attached documents allegedly implicating our client in yet other offences, inter alia, cocaine trafficking, a very serious allegation which our client till then knew nothing about.”
Based on the fresh allegation, the Army Chief wrote to the Nigerian Police Force directing that the Police investigate the matter. The Police completely exonerated Agbogun, describing the allegation as a deliberate falsehood.
Others who also fought for Agbogun’s reinstatement to no avail included Major A. Y. Abbas (the then Captain Abass), who was the Brigade Intelligence Officer, and WOII Adolphus Sederum, both now deceased.
“It is our client’s passionate appeal that the Nigerian Army reconsider his case, which indeed is pathetic in nature, especially considering the scheme of events leading to his unjustifiable dismissal and those thereafter, and see to it that our client is paid his pension and gratuity for serving the Nigerian Army meritoriously for over twenty years, fighting the Nigeria Civil War for the Nigerian Government in the then 1 Division under the Ordnance Corps in Abakalki/Afikpo 2 Brigade.
“Recourse may also be had, for purposes of reference and clarification, to the report of the Board set up by Col. Ismaila Yoube which exonerated our client of all the allegations. Col. Ismaila Yoube is the immediate past Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, who may be a point of reference for convenience, as these are fresh facts in support of our client’s case or appeal.
“We most humbly appeal that justice be done to our client and his service to our fatherland appreciated,” the petition added.
Princewill Osuchukwu
At Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), we recognise a truth often overlooked in the extractive sector: the health of our operations is inextricably linked to the health of our host communities. A mining site cannot thrive in isolation. When the people around us are healthy, productive, and supported, our business environment is more stable, our workforce is stronger, and our long-term sustainability is assured.
This isn’t just corporate goodwill but sound business sense. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) is clear: investment in health systems delivers economic and social returns that ripple far beyond clinics and hospitals. For companies like ours, it also translates into safer operations, lower absenteeism, improved community relations, and a social licence to operate that endures.
Since the start of our operations, SROL’s annual comprehensive medical outreach has reached and benefitted over 10,000 people from our host communities and beyond –offering free screenings, consultations, treatments and even surgeries for a wide range of health needs.
In 2024, during our annual community medical outreach, we piloted an initiative that has since taken root as one of our proudest commitments: SegunCare. Named in honour of our CEO, Segun Lawson (whose dedication to both staff and community well-being has been unwavering), SegunCare was designed to go beyond one-off consultations was created to provide ongoing care and follow-up for residents of our host communities living with chronic conditions, including hypertension,
diabetes, chronic kidney disease and other illnesses. We found that a lot of host community residents with chronic conditions were going untreated because of financial constraints.
That pilot year changed lives.
Over 100 residents received sustained medical attention, medications, and monitoring— many for the first time. And we learnt something powerful:
treating immediate health needs is important, but addressing longterm conditions is transformative.
This year, during our 2025 community medical outreach (scheduled for the 22nd and 23rd of August), we will officially launch SegunCare as an ongoing program. Not only will it continue to support those with chronic physical illnesses, but it will also include care for psychiatric and
mental health conditions. In too many of our host communities, mental health is neglected, stigmatised, and unsupported. We believe it’s time for that to change.
From providing essential medications to facilitating specialist consultations, SegunCare represents a holistic approach to health. Alongside treatment, the program delivers health education and personalised advice on lifestyle changes – such as diet adjustments, exercise, stress reduction, and other preventive measures – empowering residents to take charge of their long-term well-being.
It is not free to deliver, and without the commitment of management, it would not be possible. But in our view, the returns—measured in healthier families, improved productivity, and stronger community bonds—are worth every naira. The lesson we’ve learned applies across industries: companies cannot ignore the public health context in which they operate. The well-being of host communities is not an optional add-on to CSR but a core part of operational risk management and business continuity. In sectors like mining, where the social licence to operate is fragile and often contested, proactive investment in community health is a stabilising force.
SegunCare is our commitment, but it is also an invitation. We invite other companies to recognise the public health link in their operational footprint, align with global goals like SDG 3, and take bold steps to make health and well-being central to their sustainability strategies. Because when our communities thrive, so do we.
•Osuchukwu is SROL Medical Services Manager
Tetra Pak, the global leader in food processing and packaging solutions, has achieved the Platinum Medal from EcoVadis, the world’s most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings. This remarkable recognition places Tetra Pak among the top 1% of over 130,000 companies assessed globally – a testament to its deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices.
Executive Vice President, Tetra Pak Global, Lars Holmquist disclosed: “This achievement reflects the determination of everyone at Tetra Pak to drive our sustainability transformation, together with stakeholders across the value chain. The resulting Platinum EcoVadis rating demonstrates our shared passion for continuous improvement and commitment to embedding longterm sustainability across every part of our operations and value chain."
The rating underscores Tetra Pak’s efforts to integrate sustainability into
the core of its business across all four EcoVadis assessment categories: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.
This success further illustrates Tetra Pak’s purpose: to make food safe and available, everywhere, and to protect what’s good –food, people and the planet. This purpose forms the basis of their sustainability agenda, which focuses on five interconnected areas - food systems, climate, nature, circularity and social sustainability - the company takes a whole value chain approach to sustainability, working closely with suppliers, customers and other stakeholders to embed it into every part of its business. In 2024, this included the formation of a dedicated Sustainability Excellence team, building capabilities in processes, systems, data and people, and integrating sustainability more fully into
daily operations.
A key driver of the result was the identification of opportunities to deepen transparency and a strong cross-functional collaboration. For example, in 2024 Tetra Pak’s supplier engagement programme, 'Join Us in Protecting the Planet', supported 29 suppliers to set validated science-based climate targets. Emissions from purchased materials were reduced by 15% compared to the 2019 baseline, driven by improved volume allocation and close collaboration with suppliers through the Join Us in Protecting the Planet initiative. Beyond the Supplier engagement programme, Tetra Pak launched a new Supplier Code of Conduct, built on 15 fundamental principles and designed to enhance human rights and environmental due diligence efforts in the supply chain.
This milestone is particularly significant for Tetra Pak West Africa, where the company continues to partner with governments, food producers, and stakeholders across the value chain to advance food safety, reduce environmental impact, and support inclusive, sustainable development.
Tetra Pak is a world-leading food processing and packaging solutions company. In West Africa, the company partners with food producers to ensure millions of people have access to safe, nutritious food daily. With over 24,000 employees globally and a strong regional presence, Tetra Pak promises to “Protect What’s Good” – food, people, and the planet.
EcoVadis is a globally recognized platform that rates companies’ sustainability practices across more than 220 industries and 180 countries. The Platinum Medal is the highest distinction awarded, recognizing outstanding performance in corporate sustainability.
www.thisdaylive.com
THE FRAUGHT POLITICS OF KADUNA BABAYARO MUHAMMAD DOGO reckons that there is a significant erosion of ElRufai’s influence
See page 21
AND WE WILL WIN!
MIGUEL DÍAZCANEL BERMÚDEZ memorialises Fidel Castro, former President of Cuba
See page 21
INTERCEPTION OF PROTECTED BIRDS
opinion@thisdaylive.com
PAT ONUKWULI reflects on how recent in-flight confrontations reveal the urgent need to balance safety with justice and dignity in Nigeria’s aviation sector
If the Nigerian sky could speak these past few weeks, it would sigh. It would speak not of gentle flights or safe landings, but of tempests that rose inside its belly, storms of voices, tempers, and clashing wills.
In at least three different scenes, the aviation sector became the stage for dramas that could have been lifted straight from the crowded heart of Balogun or Ochanja markets: Comfort Emmanson’s violent confrontation with Ibom Air crew on the Uyo–Lagos route; another passenger’s defiant tussle during disembarkation; and KWAM 1’s extraordinary blockade of a ValueJet aircraft on Abuja’s tarmac.
They played out like acts in an unplanned theatre, passengers and crew improvising lines of anger and accusation. At the same time, the nation watched, popcorn in hand, through the lens of shaky smartphone videos.
It must be stated clearly: safety is the first rule in aviation, but not the only one. Aviation, in its purest form, is about trust. When passengers step into an aircraft, they surrender themselves to the laws of aerodynamics and the competence of strangers. They agree, without bargaining, that safety is the highest rule, switching off their phones, stowing their bags, fastening their belts. In return, the crew pledges to guard their lives as fiercely as their own.
Philosophy offers a vital compass here. Aristotle, in his Nicomachean Ethics, teaches that some things are ends in themselves, while others are means to those ends. Safety, precious as it is, is a means, the road, not the summit. The summit is human flourishing, or eudaimonia. If in securing safety we destroy dignity, we have reached the road but lost the journey.
Immanuel Kant, the German Enlightenment philosopher, approaching from a different path, insists that people must always be treated as ends in themselves, never merely as tools for another goal. Even in the enforcement of safety, the humanity of those governed must be respected. A passenger is not simply a potential threat to order but a bearer of dignity whose rights remain intact at 35,000 feet and throughout the journey.
The ultimate purpose is the preservation of life, and in preserving life, dignity must also be maintained. Authority without justice becomes
tyranny; safety without respect descends into cold, mechanical control.
In Nigeria, however, the way rules are enforced quite often bears the stamp of another era, one of barked orders and public humiliation. Whether at a police checkpoint in Okene, in the glare of a soldier’s torch on the Enugu-Okigwe Road, or the tense aisle of an aircraft, the tone of an instruction can turn from directional to intimidating in an instant.
The viral video of Ms. Comfort Emmanson is Ibom Air’s side of the story. In it, the narrative is straightforward: she refused to switch off her phone, escalated into violence, and was restrained.
But law, real law, demands more than one narrative. It requires the principle of audi alteram partem, which means hearing the other side.
The Nigerian Bar Association, acting with the sobriety of a guardian of the rule of law, issued a pointed statement on August 12, 2025, condemning the treatment meted out to Ms. Comfort Emmanson as “reckless” and “a violation of the dignity of the human person” guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution.
The Association described the incident as one in which Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped in public view, and filmed in a state of extreme vulnerability, an occurrence which, in their words, should be a source of national shame in any society that claims to be civilised.
The NBA further observed that the video footage appeared to show a flight attendant physically preventing Ms. Emmanson from leaving the aircraft, an act they noted could amount to false imprisonment under Nigerian law.
The NBA reminded the airline that the aggrieved party cannot decide the punishment. A lifetime ban, decreed
unilaterally, is not justice but judgment in one’s cause. They demanded the ban’s withdrawal, a public apology, and an impartial investigation involving the NCAA, FAAN, and the Ministry of Aviation.
They condemned the filming and distribution of her nudity as not just immoral but criminal, calling for prosecution of those responsible. And then, in a decisive stroke, they pledged free legal representation to ensure her case did not vanish into the quiet corridors of forgotten injustice.
These headline-grabbing quarrels are not isolated storms; they are the thunderclaps of a deeper weather pattern. They speak to an aviation culture where enforcement is often reactive, where crew see passengers as unruly, passengers see crew as arrogant, and regulators watch from a safe distance. The unreported skirmishes, the arguments at check-in, the raised voices at boarding gates, are the quiet drizzle beneath the public downpour. It is tempting to focus solely on the shortcomings of passengers. After all, an aircraft is not a commercial bus where disputes with the driver can be entertained mid-journey. Yet a culture of safety must exist in tandem with a culture of respect. When either is neglected, mistrust inevitably assumes a central role in the relationship between crew and passengers.
If Nigerian aviation is to rise above these storms, the change must be deliberate. Airlines must invest in training that not only drills safety procedures but also cultivates emotional intelligence and conflict deescalation. The NCAA must ensure that enforcement is not only firm but lawful, proportionate, and humane. Passengers must understand that compliance is not submission but cooperation, and that safety rules are not optional suggestions. The nation must recognise that dignity is not a privilege reserved for the calm and compliant; it is a right that accompanies every traveller from the departure lounge to the final gate, and one that must endure even in moments of turbulence. The sky, in its silence, offers a lesson: storms pass, but their memory lingers in the places they strike.
Dr. Onukwuli, a legal scholar and public affairs analyst, writes from Bolton, UK.
reckons that there is a significant erosion of El-Rufai’s influence
Once a towering figure in Kaduna State’s political landscape, Mallam Nasir el- Rufai is losing relevance. In just two years, the former governor, known more for his assertive and polarizing policies, has tumbled from the enviable height of calling the shots and a kingmaker in Kaduna politics. Presently, he finds himself at odds with both the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), two opposition parties which he has recently courted after his dramatic exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A recent press release by the Kaduna ADC, signed by Ahmed Tijjani Mustapha, delivers a stern rebuke to El-Rufai, accusing him of flouting due process, engaging in disruptive tendencies, and attempting to hijack the party for personal gain. This development, coupled with the SDP’s unprecedented 30-year ban on him signals a significant erosion of El-Rufai’s influence in his home state and raises critical questions about the ADC’s trajectory as it seeks to establish itself as a credible alternative to the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
El-Rufai’s political journey until recently, has been nothing short of remarkable. As a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and two-term governor of Kaduna State, he earned a reputation as a technocrat with a penchant for bold reforms. His tenure in Kaduna was marked by ambitious infrastructure projects, urban renewal initiatives, and a hardline stance on security, but incidentally fraught with controversies. Policies such as the mass sacking of teachers and the demolition of properties alienated significant segments of the population, while his perceived intolerance of opposition fueled accusations of authoritarianism. These actions sowed seeds of resentment that now appear to be bearing fruit.
El-Rufai’s departure from the APC in March 2025, citing a misalignment of values, was a calculated move to reposition himself within Nigeria’s evolving political landscape. His flirtation with the SDP and subsequent overtures to the ADC are no more than attempts to leverage his national profile and grassroots influence in Kaduna to lead an opposition coalition against President Bola Tinubu’s administration in 2027. However, his approach—marked by a disregard for party protocols and an apparent assumption that his stature would grant him automatic control— has backfired spectacularly.
First, the SDP’s decision to expel El-Rufai and impose a ban on him from associating with the party was a blow to his ego, and political ambitions. The party’s National Working Committee (NWC), in a statement issued on July 28, 2025, by National Publici-
ty Secretary Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, accused El-Rufai of attempting to destabilize the party through “unconstitutional and deceptive political maneuvers.” The SDP revealed that El-Rufai never registered at his ward level in Unguwar Sarki, Kaduna North Local Government Area, as required by the party’s constitution, yet claimed on social media to be member “001” of the ward’s register. This act, coupled with his alleged alignment with the ADC while simultaneously claiming SDP membership, was deemed a violation of party principles.
The Kaduna State chapter of the SDP further distanced itself from El-Rufai, with State Chairman Adamu Idris and Publicity Secretary Darius Kurah asserting that he was never a registered member. The SDP’s decisive action, ratified by its ward and state executives, exposed El-Rufai’s waning influence in Kaduna, where local party structures rejected his overtures outright.
The ADC’s press release, issued on August 4, 2025, by Ahmed Tijjani Mustapha, compounded El-Rufai’s troubles. The Kaduna ADC accused him of attempting to create a faction within the party through “acts of subterfuge” and aligning with rival political interests, notably remnants of his SDP network. Mustapha’s statement was unequivocal: the ADC would not serve as a “personal political vehicle” for El-Rufai or any individual seeking to undermine its democratic ideals. The party’s leadership emphasized its commitment to due process and internal democracy.
The ADC’s rebuke is particularly significant given El-Rufai’s prominent role in the broader opposition coalition, which has adopted the party as its platform for the 2027 elections. His failure to formally register with the ADC in Kaduna, coupled with accusations of trying to hijack the party, mirrors the SDP’s grievances and suggests a pattern of behavior that prioritizes personal ambition over party loyalty.
Dogo,
a public affairs analyst and good governance campaigner, writes from Abuja
MIGUEL DÍAZ-CANEL BERMÚDEZ memorialises Fidel Castro, former President of Cuba
Fidel Castro Ruz, historic leader and Commander in Chief of the Cuban Revolution, celebrates his 99th birthday yesterday, in the prime of his life.
I write this in the present tense because that's how I feel and because that's how the celebration is unfolding for the beginning of a symbolic year for Cuba and for all those around the world who recognize the significance of his revolutionary leadership.
I'm speaking of the centennial or the eternity of a man who remains alive in time, even when the physical, the material, turned to ashes almost a decade ago and he left it clear that he didn't want statues or monuments in his memory.
What not even he could decree was the impossible, that is, his oblivion. And there he remains, alive and present as only the eternal is. Because that destiny, as history has proven so many times, is not decided by anyone, only by the enduring power of the ideas of those who have guided hundreds, thousands, millions of human beings to achieve their dreams of emancipation and
and a challenge. An example and a source of sleeplessness.
I feel he remains at the forefront, as in the Sierra or at Girón. Every time threats grow, when necessity compels, when the blockade seems to close all exits, the question arises spontaneously: What would Fidel do?
The good fortune of having known him, of having seen him act, and of having received his guidance many times, makes the answers easier: they are in the people, in their infinite reserves of dignity and talent. And in the indispensable unity of all revolutionary forces around Martí's ideal of achieving all justice.
He was supported by those certainties that we understand science and innovation as a pillar of government management. And with the talent, the solid material foundation he created, and the audacity of the country's men and women of science and thought, which he shaped for the future that is
justice.
Fidel is eternal, not by his own choice or by those of us who try to follow in his footsteps and continue his immense work of social justice. He achieved that status by interpreting, synthesizing, and making his own the magnificent accumulation of Cuban, Latin American, Caribbean, and universal pro-independence, anti-colonial, anti-imperialist, and Marxist ideals that preceded him, placing himself at the forefront for all time.
In his intense public speeches or in his long private conversations, he displayed a total command of that infinite wealth of knowledge, dazzling the most diverse audiences from the first word to the last. But what has truly immortalized him is everything he said that he transformed, every action turned into work.
In these markedly Fidel-inspired days, when each of us displays, in books, videos, traditional media, or social media, the Fidel who accompanies us, we are taking credit for that eternity, to our own heartfelt emotion and that of others who feel the same. Or to the hateful denial of those who cannot bear the dazzling vitality of his ideas.
In my case, as you might imagine, Fidel is not just present. He is a constant: a guide
now present, we faced and defeated the pandemic and continue to strive to overcome even seemingly insurmountable obstacles like the blockade and our internal inefficiencies.
In Fidel's history, from his student years to his undeniable presence today, there is an infinite number of lessons, and they all coincide on one point: he never allowed himself to be defeated by circumstances. Even the greatest blows from his adversary only served to elevate his stature as a leader to a higher level.
Examining each of his battles, one can see the deep motivations that this leader, born from his very core, always awakened in this courageous people, turning setbacks into victory. Then we understand the full meaning of the farewell Che Guevara dedicated exclusively to him before leaving for other lands of the world, which the Cuban people made an irrevocable goal: Until victory, always. Never forgetting the Homeland or Death that makes it possible. Nor the optimism in a word: We will win!
Bermúdez is President of Cuba
Editor, Editorial Page PETER
ISHAKA
Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
The interception by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of a consignment of more than 1,620 endangered birds at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos indicates that this age-old illicit trade is still alive and thriving. And it poses a huge threat to Nigeria’s biodiversity and security. The birds consisted of ringneck parakeet’s parrots and green and yellow fronted canaries. They are protected species. Transporting them legally to Kuwait would have required proper documentation and permit from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). But despite being a signatory to CITES treaty, Nigeria has over the years become a notorious hub and transit route for illegal wildlife trafficking.
There are legal procedures for moving birds or other biological resources from one country to another. And it is not a crime if done with the proper permits. For example, if a parrot species no longer exists in Kuwait but is found in Nigeria, Kuwait can apply to reintroduce it. The request is sent to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then to the Ministry of Environment, and finally to the Federal Department of Forestry, where the CITES desk is located. Scientists there will assess the request, and if approved, the origin and destination of the birds are recorded, customs in both countries are informed, and the birds undergo health checks before being transported, according to the explanation by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF). Since no such process was followed, the intercepted birds were being smuggled out of Nigeria.
Nigeria should do more to protect its wildlife
armed groups can buy many AK-47 rifles, which cost around ₦1.5 million each. This shows how wildlife trafficking can directly fund violence. Tracing where these birds came from can also reveal areas where armed groups operate, since the birds are taken from the wild. Unfortunately, Nigeria is both a source and a transit country for wildlife trafficking.
This is not just a case about birds, it is about security, biodiversity conservation, and Nigeria’s international obligations
T H I S D AY
EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU
DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE
MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO
DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU
CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI
EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN
THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE
T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA
GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU
DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE
The NCS has said the birds will be handed over to the National Parks Service (NPS), as directed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, which is important to prevent them from re-entering the illegal trade. While wildlife can be used sustainably, it must follow legal procedures and avoid overexploitation. To regulate biodiversity conservation in Nigeria, we have the Endangered Species Act of 2004, which incorporates CITES principles, and the National Park Service Act. These are the main laws protecting these species. Meanwhile, the West Africa spokesperson for an international non-governmental organization, ‘Wild Africa’, has described the seizure as a sign of positive change in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking, as Nigeria is a major hub in the global trade in protected species. The NCF has said it would visit the Customs to study the seized birds to profile them but authorities in the country should do more.
Wildlife crime is often underestimated by law enforcement officers who may see it as harmless. However, it is linked to other serious crimes, including insurgency and banditry. For instance, according to the NCF, an elephant tusk can sell for about $20,000, and certain rare birds for $40,000. With $40,000—about ₦60 million—
DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI
SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI
CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI
DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
While the Ministry of Environment handles policy, enforcement is done by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), an agency established to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment. It functions as a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Environment and is responsible for enforcing environmental laws, regulations, and standards. This is therefore not just a case about birds, it is about security, biodiversity conservation, and Nigeria’s international obligations. Wildlife crime should be taken seriously, with strong cooperation among security agencies to combat it. hile we commend the NCS for the seizure, we urge Nigerians to take more seriously the issue of environmental sustainability.
Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.
The moral blindness of our political leadership is becoming ever more alarming. At a time when the world is witnessing the unspeakable atrocities being committed against the people of Gaza, even nations with long histories of unwavering support for Israel are beginning to distance themselves. Yet, Nigeria’s silence—and worse, any hint of complicity—speaks volumes.
Do our leaders not understand that aligning with those responsible for mass atrocities not only betrays our moral obligations but also emboldens those who seek to weaken, divide, or even dismantle Nigeria? Such a posture offers our adversaries deeper insight into our vulnerabilities, while stripping us of the moral capital we so desperately need in an increasingly unstable world.
This must be resisted. Every Nigerian of conscience must raise their voice against any policy or gesture that signals
solidarity with those perpetrating genocide. To do otherwise is to dine with the architects of human suffering and to willingly smear our nation’s reputation in the blood of the innocent.
Let us not forget: South Africa has brought Israel before the International Court of Justice, charging it with crimes against humanity for its actions in Gaza. By even appearing to side with the perpetrators, we risk not only international condemnation but the erosion of our standing as a nation that once stood firmly against apartheid and oppression. History will remember where Nigeria stood in this moment. Let it be on the side of justice, not complicity and not sycophancy.
Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training (CEDDERT), Zaria
A public warning has gone out that fake Labubu dolls might be dangerous with choking risks for children although all I have seen on TV is adults clamouring to buy them. Why is anyone surprised that fake dolls might be poorly made and thus could fall apart? Being fake isn't dangerous by itself as we have not seen many deaths by faked Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, or Chanel handbags but who knows what the future holds?
What might also be fake is the value for money as the dolls, real or fake, are just the latest fad toy that everyone must follow until they eventually end up in the bottom drawer or the family pet chews them.
Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia
The president, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, has revealed that foreign brands are tapping into Nigeria’s online market through the .ng domain name, which is Nigeria’s identity in cyberspace.
In his July monthly statement, Akinsanya said major foreign brands such as Jumia (jumia.com.ng), Samsung, Shopify and others, are taking good advantage of Nigeria’s .ng
domain name to grow their businesses in Nigeria and beyond.
According to him, the foreign brands have demonstrated the power of localising digital identity with .ng domain name to drive geo-targeting to the Nigerian market, recognising the importance of adapting to local expectations in a culturally nuanced and digitally informed environment.
“The affordability of the .ng domain and the targeted options it offers across its various extensions (.com.
ng, .org.ng, .gov.ng, .name. ng, and more), have further contributed to its growth,” Akinsanya said.
He further explained that in an increasingly interconnected global economy, a country’s digital identity is as crucial as its physical borders. For Nigeria, the .ng domain represents not only the country’s unique identity on the internet but also a key pillar in shaping a thriving, secure, and selfsustaining digital economy. Managed by the Nigeria Internet Registration
Association, the .ng domain has become a source of national pride, innovation, and economic opportunity, attracting not just local businesses and institutions but also international businesses and brands looking to tap into Africa’s largest economy.
The .ng domain is how we identify as Nigerians online. It’s more than just a web address; it’s our digital address. It signifies that we are building and owning our space on the internet, Akinsanya further
said.
Highlighting other benefits that the .ng domain name offers, Akinsanya said it could instantly communicate business presence, commitment, and relevance to the Nigerian market. It helps build credibility and overcomes the scepticism often associated with foreign websites, especially in critical sectors like e-commerce, finance, and education.
“For startups, SMEs, and global giants alike, it
offers a cost-effective way to build credibility, connect with the local audience, and align with Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. As Nigeria continues to grow as Africa’s digital powerhouse, the adoption of .ng domain name by foreign entities is expected to rise. This not only reinforces Nigeria’s economic potential but also affirms that the road to Africa’s digital future runs through the .ng,” Akinsanya added.
Emma Okonji
Mastercard has released its latest whitepaper that harnesses the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa, a pan-African study of the continent’s readiness, opportunity and roadmap for responsible AI adoption.
The whitepaper
provides detailed insights into how AI, if deployed responsibly and inclusively, can unlock transformative outcomes across the continent’s major industries, including agriculture, healthcare, education, energy and finance.
With Africa’s AI market projected to grow from $4.5 billion
in 2025 to $16.5 billion by 2030 according to a recent report from Statista, the report presents a clear case for multi-stakeholder collaboration and investment. It highlights how Africa’s unique demographics, mobilefirst infrastructure and entrepreneurial spirit position it as an active
architect of the future.
Commenting on the report, Division President, Africa at Mastercard, Mark Elliott, said: “Africa’s engagement with AI is already reshaping lives, not just in labs, but in farms, clinics and classrooms. To unlock its full potential, we need investment in infrastructure, data,
talent, and policy. At Mastercard, we believe responsible, locally rooted AI can drive inclusive growth and connect more people to opportunity.”
The whitepaper outlined the potential positive impact of AI on digital infrastructure, policy and governance, research
and development, local language processing and investment into Africa. It also explores how AI can accelerate job creation, with up to 230 million digital jobs projected by 2030, and increase access to formal finance through AI-enabled credit scoring and fraud prevention.
Stories by Emma Okonji
To ensure effective service delivery and smooth management of the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment in the Diaspora, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has upgraded its diaspora enrolment platform. The upgrade process, which was successfully completed, will, amongst many other benefits, provide a seamless, robust, more secure, efficient and effective NIN service delivery to Nigerians in the Diaspora. Consequently, NIMC Diaspora Front-End Partners (FEPs) have been onboarded on the upgraded system with intensive training to equip the FEPs
The Vice-Chancellor of Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Rivers State, Professor Marwan AlAkaidi, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to delivering world-class education, following high praise from a visiting delegation from the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) led by Dr. Charles Ariye. Al-Akaidi extended his appreciation to the PAP delegation for their visit and reaffirmed the university’s dedication to upholding the
founding vision of its late founder, Dr. Herbert Wigwe. He emphasised the institution’s continued commitment to delivering innovative and transformative education, supported by the University’s Board of Trustees
under the leadership of Professor Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), as well as the strategic oversight of the Governing Council, chaired by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Hon. Justice Amina Augie, JSC (Rtd.).
Legarly.com, a Lagosbased startup, has entered Africa’s legal tech space by officially launching the Legarly. com platform with a mission to transform how legal professionals across Africa manage their practice, bringing automation, structure, and simplicity to the heart of legal service delivery. Designed specifically for lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel, Legarly is an all-in-one cloud-based platform that streamlines core legal processes, from matter management
and client onboarding to invoicing, document sharing, and automated reminders.
Speaking about the initiative, Co-founder and CEO of Legarly, Akintunde Dare, said: “We built Legarly to solve real problems that legal practitioners
face every day. From disorganized files and missed deadlines to inefficient client tracking, the legal profession has long needed a solution that truly fits its workflow. Legarly is our answer: simple, powerful, and tailored to the African legal market.”
with the prerequisite knowledge on the application and effective management of the new system.
While all the Diaspora FEPs are required to obtain and activate their NIN enrolment licenses on the upgraded platform within the next forty-eight hours (48 hours), diaspora applicants can access enrolment services from the compliant FEPs.
The Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUB) received a significant boost in its quest to produce globally competitive graduates, following the donation of a multimillion-naira Tech Experience Centre by the Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation (LSEF).
The facility was commissioned on behalf of the founder of LSEF, Leo Stan Ekeh, by the President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Dr.
Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu.
The centre is equipped with the latest Zinox computers, powered by the iPower renewable energy suite, which features high-performance solar panels and certified lithium batteries. It is also connected to a 24-hour, non-disruptive satellite internet service powered by Starlink, a service that the LSEF has committed to funding for the next five years.
The continent’s most urgent infrastructure need isn’t concrete, it’s foundational learning, writes Femi Awoyinfa
In a village school just outside one of the capital cities in Nigeria, a primary three pupil stares blankly at the blackboard. She’s ten years old and still unable to read a simple sentence. She is not alone. Across sub-Saharan Africa, nearly nine out of ten children cannot read or understand a basic text by age ten. This isn’t just a crisis of education, it’s a crisis of development. Africa is standing at a demographic crossroad. Over the next 25 years, the continent’s population will swell past 2.5 billion, with more than 40% under the age of 15. This youth bulge is often cited as an opportunity for innovation, growth, and global relevance. But numbers don’t educate themselves. Unless urgent investments are made in foundational learning: basic literacy and numeracy in the early years, this demographic dividend will become a debt.
The World Bank calls it “learning poverty”. In sub-Saharan Africa, it is among the worst in the world: 89%, compared to 58% in South Asia and just 9% in high-income countries. And the consequences are staggering. The Bank estimates that poor foundational learning costs low and middle-income countries up to $129 billion annually in lost productivity and lifetime earnings. The learning crisis is not
isolated; it undercuts progress in every sector. It shows. In Nigeria, with over 200 million people, there are fewer than 100 practicing oncologists, Ethiopia, with a population 120 million, has only about 1,200 public sector surgeons. These shortages are not due to a lack of ambition. They are the downstream effects of weak education systems that have failed to equip the next generation with the tools to learn, specialise, and
lead. There is also the additional effect of brain drain among the country’s educated youth. By contrast, India’s decades-long investment in basic education has helped it build a health workforce of over 2.7 million doctors.
This is not for lack of effort.
Over the past three decades, governments, donors, and civil society have poured billions into basic education. But the right combination of effectiveness, affordability, and scale has proved stubbornly out of reach.
A reminder that good intentions alone don’t teach children to read.
The roots of the problem run deep, but some green shoots are beginning to emerge. In Kenya and Nigeria, digital platforms like EIDU are offering early evidence of what scalable, cost-effective innovation can achieve. EIDU, currently reaching over half a million pupils, uses mobile technology to support teachers and track student progress in real-time. The results are promising. In schools where it operates, the lowest performing 25% of pupils show the most progress, gaining the equivalent of an extra half year of learning.
Beyond scores, EIDU’s impact has the potential to
ripple outward boosting teacher motivation, attendance, punctuality, pupil engagement and equipping educators with practical tools. In Nigeria, state governments like Oyo and Katsina have integrated the approach into selected public classrooms. These local experiments are not silver bullets. But they do signal a shift: a recognition that the foundations of literacy must be rebuilt before we can speak of transformation.
Governments across the continent must now act with intent. Fixing foundational learning does not grab headlines like new bridges or airports, but its absence is felt in every sector, from health to governance to employment. It is the missing infrastructure in Africa’s development blueprint.
The time for marginal reforms is over. African leaders must back foundational learning with serious public investment, measurable targets, and a willingness to embrace both local ideas and external innovations. If not, the youngest continent on Earth will grow up unprepared for the world they are meant to shape.
The future of Africa is young, but if that future can’t read, it can’t lead.
• Mr. Awoyinfa is a global leader in international development
James emejo writes on the need to strengthen regulatory and enforcement mechanisms to plug tax leakages
Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) pose a significant danger to Nigeria and the broader African continent, undermining economic development, fueling instability, and hindering progress towards sustainable development goals.
IFFs, which include money gained illegally or transferred and used illicitly, deprive countries, particularly Nigeria, of vital resources, weaken governance, and exacerbate social and economic inequalities.
Nigeria is currently confronted by significant challenges related to IFFs, including corruption, tax evasion, and illegal exploitation of natural resources. These flows significantly impact the country’s ability to address poverty, improve infrastructure, and achieve sustainable development - and greatly impacted on the amount of revenues declared for any fiscal period.
The development has continued to present major concerns to the federal government, especially the apex revenue agency in recent times.
Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, said IFFs remained one of the most critical challenges facing the economy, calling for urgent measures to safeguard national resources, and build a resilient, equitable future.
Speaking at the opening of the national conference on Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) with the theme, “Combating Illicit Financial Flows: Strengthening Nigeria’s Domestic Resource Mobilisation” in Abuja, Adedeji reaffirmed FIRS’ unwavering commitment to lead with purpose and remain a convening force for collaboration, and a vigilant steward of the country’s fiscal sovereignty.
He lamented that illicit financial flows through tax evasion, profit shifting, money laundering, and trade mis-invoicing.
He said these do not merely represent financial wrongdoing but constitute structural drain on the economy, depriving government the resources needed for inclusive development.
According to him, the scale of these outflows, especially through aggressive tax avoidance by multinationals exploiting opaque global arrangements, continued to threaten the country’s fiscal stability.
Adedeji said, “Each unaccounted dollar undermines governance, erodes trust, and translates into lost infrastructure, inadequate public services, and deepening inequality.
“Like many other resourceconstrained nations, we lose billions annually through these illicit conduits—making this conference not just a policy dialogue, but a national imperative.
The FIRS chairman, however,
declared that under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, “we have entered a new era of fiscal reform”.
Specifically, he pointed out that the current tax reforms efforts signaled the present administration’s strong commitment to overhauling the tax system, modernise the legal framework, and institutionalise transparency in revenue collection.
“At the Federal Inland Revenue Service, we are responding with a deliberate, multidimensional strategy. First, we are championing voluntary compliance by promoting taxpayer education and simplifying systems. Our goal is to foster a culture where compliance is driven by trust, not fear.”
According to the FIRS boss, responding to the menace of IFF required an agile, intelligence-led, and globally coordinated to achieve positive results.
He said at FIRS, “We are harnessing technology and intelligence. We have launched an ambitious digital transformation programme, including the establishment of a tax intelligence and automation department. With real-time analytics, integrated third-party data, and anomaly detection, we are building a tax system that is proactive, smart, and secure.
“This is not just about digital infrastructure but digital vigilance. We recognise that combating IFFs demands collective action. As the designated coordinating agency under the Proceeds of Crime Act (2022), FIRS has established the Proceeds of Crime Management and Illicit Financial Flows Coordination Directorate.
“This unit is leading implementation efforts, supporting asset recovery, and coordinating with law enforcement, the judiciary, private sector actors, and international development partners.
“We are also reviewing Nigeria’s Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs), some of which-due to outdated clauses-may inadvertently enable profit shifting.”
Adedeji said, “I have personally initiated renegotiations with several jurisdictions to align our treaties with present economic realities and to close loopholes that facilitate capital flight.
“Let me be clear: criminal networks adapt quickly. Whether through secrecy jurisdictions, the manipulation of beneficial ownership, or digital innovations, illicit actors continue to outpace traditional enforcement. Our response must therefore be agile, intelligence-led, and globally coordinated.
COUNTRY: Federal Republic of Nigeria
NAME OF PROJECT: SPECIAL AGRO-INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING ZONES PROGRAM
Ref No: NCO/SAPZ-1/IFAD/CONS/CQS/045/2025
1. The Federal Republic of Nigeria has received financing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (“the Fund” or “IFAD”) and on - lend to Ogun State Government towards the cost of Special AgroIndustrial Processing Zones Project (SAPZ), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for the recruitment of consulting services, for which this REOI is issued.
The use of any IFAD financing shall be subject to IFAD’s approval, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the financing agreement, as well as IFAD’s rules, policies and procedures. IFAD and its officials, agents and employees shall be held harmless from and against all suits, proceedings, claims, demands, losses and liability of any kind or nature brought by any party in connection with Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones program.
2. This request for expressions of interest (REOI) follows the general procurement notice that appeared in Thisday and Daily Trust newspapers on 17th April 2023, on the IFAD website and on UNDB on 17th April 2023. The client now invites expressions of interest (EOIs) from legally constituted consulting firms (not individual consultants) (“consultants”) to conduct Communication Audit on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) on Nutrition among Targeted Beneficiaries in 16 LGA of Kano State. The services include:
(i) Conducting communication audit across 8 LGAs in Kano State, targeting key beneficiary groups, including Smallholder farmers, Women and caregivers, Youth and adolescents, Community leaders, Health and extension workers, People with disabilities (PWD)
(ii) Desk review of existing nutrition-related communication materials and interventions including Key informant interviews (KIIs) with stakeholders, Focus group discussions (FGDs) with community
communication channels used in the communities.
More details on these consulting services are provided in the preliminary terms of reference (PTOR) which can be obtained from the address below between 10am – 4pm on working days or obtained from the website: sapz.gov.ng. The consultant may sub-contract selected activities provided that said services do will not exceed 20% of the total consultancy work.
3. Before preparing its EOIs, the consultant is advised to review the preliminary terms of reference attached as Annex 1, which describe the assignment and Annex 2 that details the evaluation of the technical qualifications. The two annexes as well as the EOI submission forms can be obtained at www.sapz.gov.ng
4. The consultant shall not have any actual, potential or reasonably perceived conflict of interest. A consultant with an actual, potential or reasonably perceived conflict of interest shall be disqualified unless otherwise explicitly approved by the Fund. A consultant including their respective personnel and affiliates are considered to have a conflict of interest if they a) have a relationship that provides them with undue or undisclosed information about or influence over the selection process and the execution of the contract, b) participate in more than one EOI under this procurement action, c) have a business or family relationship with a member of the client’s board of directors or its personnel, the Fund or its personnel, or any other individual that was, has been or might reasonably be directly or indirectly involved in any part of (i) the preparation of this expression of interest, (ii) the selection process for this procurement, or (iii) execution of the contract. The consultant has an ongoing obligation to disclose any situation of actual, potential or reasonably perceived conflict of interest during preparation of the EOI, the selection process or the contract execution. Failure to properly disclose any of said situations may lead to appropriate actions, including the disqualification of the consultant, the termination of the contract and any other as appropriate under the IFAD Policy on Preventing Fraud and Corruption in its Projects and Operations.
5. All consultants are required to comply with the Revised IFAD Policy on Preventing Fraud and Corruption in its Activities and Operations (hereinafter “IFAD’s Anticorruption Policy”) in competing for or in executing, the contract.
a. If determined that a consultant or any of its personnel or agents, or its sub-consultants, sub-contractors, service providers, suppliers, sub-suppliers and/or any of their personnel or agents, has, directly or indirectly, engaged in any of the prohibited practices defined in IFAD’s Anticorruption Policy or integrity violations such as sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse as established in IFAD’s Policy to Preventing and Responding to Sexual Harassment, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in competing for, or in executing, the contract, the EOI may be rejected or the contract may be terminated by the client.
b. In accordance with IFAD’s Anticorruption Policy, the Fund has the right to sanction firms and individuals, including by declaring them ineligible, either indefinitely or for a stated period of time, to participate in any IFAD-financed and/or IFAD-managed activity or operation. The Fund also has the right to recognize debarments issued by other international financial institutions in accordance with its Anticorruption Policy
c. Consultants and any of their personnel and agents, and their sub-consultants, sub-contractors, service providers, suppliers, sub-suppliers and any of their personnel and agents are required to fully cooperate with any investigation conducted by the Fund, including by making personnel available for interviews and by providing full access to any and all accounts, premises, documents and records (including electronic records) relating to this selection process or the execution of the contract and to have such accounts, premises, records and documents audited and/or inspected by auditors and/or investigators appointed by the Fund.
d. Consultants have the ongoing obligation to disclose in their EOI and later in writing as may become relevant: (i) any administrative sanctions, criminal convictions or temporary suspensions of themselves or any of their key personnel or agents for fraud and corruption, and (ii) any commissions or fees paid or to be paid to agents or other parties in connection with this selection process or the execution of the contract. As a minimum, consultants must disclose the name and contact details of the agent or other party and the reason, amount and currency of the commission or fee paid or to be paid. Failure to comply with these disclosure obligations may lead to rejection of the EOI or termination of the contract.
e. Consultants are required to keep all records and documents, including electronic records, relating to this selection process available for a minimum of three (3) years after notification of completion of the process or, in case the consultant is awarded the contract, execution of the contract.
6. The Fund requires that all beneficiaries of IFAD funding or funds administered by IFAD, including the client, any consultants, implementing partners, service providers and suppliers, observe the highest standards of integrity during the procurement and execution of such contracts, and commit to combat money laundering and terrorism financing consistent with IFAD’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Policy
7. Procedure: the selection process will be conducted using the Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) Method as laid out in the IFAD Procurement Handbook that can be accessed via the IFAD website at www.ifad.org/project-procurement. The client will evaluate the EOIs using the criteria provided in Annex 2. The shortlisted consultant(s) will be provided with the detailed TORs and asked to submit a detailed technical and financial offer The evaluation will include a review and verification of qualifications and past performance, including a reference check, prior to the contract award.
8. Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
9. Any request for clarification on this EOI including the PTOR should be sent via e-mail to the address below no later than 19th August, 2025 at 12 noon local time. The client will provide responses to all clarification requests by 21st August, 2025.
10. Submission Procedure: please submit your expression of interest using the EOI submission forms provided for this purpose, which can be downloaded from the website referred to above. Your EOI should comprise one (1) original copy of each EOI form annexed to this document. EOIs shall be submitted to the address
A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.
An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the
floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
GUIDE TO DATA:
Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 12 August-2025, unless otherwise stated.
Oluchi Chibuzor
First City Monument Bank Ltd. (FCMB) has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to roll out the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women course to promote entrepreneurship.
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women is a global initiative that helps foster economic growth by providing entrepreneurs around the world with practical education, interactive activities, and instruction by educators from top business schools reaching over 200,000
entrepreneurs. Built by Goldman Sachs and delivered through the University of Leeds, 10,000 Women Online education program is open to all SMEs, granting access to all ten courses and eligibility to join the 10,000 Women alumni community.
Building on a legacy of empowering women entrepreneurs, FCMB, through its SheVentures initiative has significantly contributed to the empowerment of female entrepreneurs in Nigeria over the last five years. The program has provided zero-interest
loans totaling up to N800 million and offered training and mentorship to thousands of womenled SMEs.
Commenting on the initiative, the Managing Director, First City Monument Bank, Yemisi Edun, said: “Empowering women entrepreneurs is essential to driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth. This program will enhance their skills and also unlock new opportunities for their businesses, aligning with our purpose of fostering inclusive and sustainable growth.”
APM Terminals Kano has announced a record 51% increase in Through Bill of Lading volumes for its half year period, from January to June 2025.
In a statemente, Terminal Manager, Steen Knudsen said, “When compared with the 2024 half-year period from January to June, we observed a notable percentage increase (51%) in TBL (Through Bill of Lading) volumes in 2025.
“This increase in volumes is as a result of concerted and collaborative efforts from the Kano team, working with the Apapa team to ensure that
we move more volumes tin and out of the hinterland seamlessly through Apapa port.”
Knudsen added that the terminal in May 2025 also handled the highest number of gate-out units since January 2024. In May 2025, the terminal had handled 139 container units at the out gate, higher than each monthly units handled at the out gate from January to June 2024.
“Kano’s gate-out performance in May marked the highest monthly total since January 2024, highlighting a significant milestone.
This achievement reflects the unwavering dedication of our Kano team to operational excellence. By implementing Lean methodologies, standardizing processes, and eliminating inefficiencies, the team has successfully enhanced terminal performance and set a new benchmark for success.
“The recent volume growth is a strong testament to the strategic investments made at our Kano facility— particularly the comprehensive refurbishment of office spaces, yard and yard equipment,” he said.
Ejiofor Alike
The management of 11plc (formerly, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc) has effected some changes in its manpower sourcing in a bid to boost service delivery to stakeholders.
As part of the changes, employees engaged by the former manpower firm would be absorbed
by the new vendor in spite of the ongoing changes . According to a statement issued by the company, any entitlement due to the affected employees of the old vendor will be settled by the old vendor in line with their terms and conditions of their employment .
“11plc reaffirms that all it’s valued service providers and their employees will be competitively compensated.
Management remains committed to ensuring that all service providers are supported to boost productivity levels in the company,” the statement explained.
Dun & Bradstreet, a global leader in business decisioning data and analytics, has secured 29 awards in G2’s Summer 2025 rankings, underscoring the company’s strong market presence and commitment to innovation across its core platforms, which are D&B Hoovers™, D&B Connect™, and D&B Risk Analytics.
According to a statement by the company, the recognition spans prestigious categories
such as Grid Leader, Best Estimated ROI, and Easiest Setup, highlighting the company’s role in driving enterprise growth, operational efficiency, and data-driven risk management.
D&B Hoovers™, which earned 15 awards, including Summer 2025 Grid Leader and Grid Leader Enterprise, provides sales and business development teams with precise prospecting tools and reliable company intelligence.
D&B Connect™ collected
11 awards, including Summer 2025 Grid Leader and Best Estimated ROI (Mid-Market), for its ability to help organizations clean, unify, and enrich B2B data to improve marketing and operational performance.
D&B Risk Analytics secured three awards, among them Grid Leader (Mid-Market) and Easiest Setup (Enterprise), reflecting its effectiveness in helping companies assess supplier risk, meet compliance requirements, and monitor ESG performance.
KayodeTokede
The Nigerian stock market yesterday depreciated during the midweek session as investors profit-taking in Lafarge Africa Plc and 20 others triggered N121 billion loss. As Lafarge Africa dropped by 2.14per
cent to close at N137.00 per share, the Nigerian Exchange Limited AllShare Index (NGX ASI) declined by 191.09 basis points or 0.13 per cent to close at 145,864.80 basis points from 146,055.89 basis points it opened for trading. Similarly, the overall
market capitalisation value shed N121 billion to close at N92.284 trillion from N92.405 trillion it closed for trading the previous day.
Despite the overall dip, market breadth turned positive with 53 gainers against 21 losers, reflecting sustained buying interest
from bargain hunters even amid profit-taking pressure. FTN Cocoa Processors, Learn Africa, Prestige Assurance, R.T. Briscoe, Tripple Gee & Company and Caverton Offshore Support Group recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent each to close at N6.93, N7.70,
N2.42, N3.74, N5.17 and N7.92 respectively, per share.
AXA Mansard Insurance followed with a gain of 9.99 per cent to close at N19.48, while Ellah Lakes and Consolidated Hallmark Holdings up by 9.96 per cent each to close at N17.66 and N5.63
respectively, per share. On the other hand, Thomas Wyatt Nigeria led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent to close at N3.42, per share. UPDC followed with a decline of 7.94 per cent to close at N8.00, while Legend Internet lost 6.35 per cent to close at N5.60, per share.
Globally, research and development, R&D, on women’s health has been vastly neglected despite the integral role it plays in maternal survival, childhood health, and poverty reduction. To tackle this, the Gates Foundation recently announced a $2.5 billion commitment through 2030 to accelerate R&D-focused exclusively on women’s health. This fund will support the advancement of more than 40 innovations in five critical, chronically underfunded areas, particularly those affecting women in low- and middle-income countries. From AI ultrasounds to self-injectable contraceptives, Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that these new waves of solutions aim to close the blind spots in women’s health
“Investing in women’s health has a lasting impact across generations. It leads to healthier families, stronger economies, and a more just world. Yet women’s health continues to be ignored, underfunded, and sidelined. Too many women still die from preventable causes or live in poor health. That must change. But we can’t do it alone.”
Those were the words of Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, who is passionate about closing the persistent gaps in funding and research for women’s health.
Big words one might say, but for the foundation, the overarching objective has always been to bring together governments, philanthropists, investors, and the private sector to co-invest in women’s health innovations, help shape product development, and ensure access to treatments for the women and girls who need them most.
Undoubtedly, research and development on women’s health has been vastly neglected despite its central role in maternal survival, childhood health, and poverty reduction.
Backing words with action, the Gates Foundation recently announced the largest ever commitment to women’s health research and development (R&D), pledging $2.5 billion over the next five years to accelerate innovations in areas it says have been long neglected.
Essentially, the target of the foundation’s investment across five high-impact areas of a woman’s lifespan is on Obstetric care and maternal immunisation to make pregnancy and delivery safer; Maternal health and nutrition by supporting healthier pregnancies and newborns; Gynecological and menstrual health through advancing tools and research to better diagnose, treat, and improve gynecological health and reduce infection risk; Contraceptive innovation through offering more accessible, acceptable, and effective options; and Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by improving diagnosis and treatment to reduce disproportionate burdens on women.
Areas of breakthrough potential include research into the vaginal microbiome, firstin-class therapeutics for preeclampsia, and non-hormonal contraception. Included in the commitment are investments that will support data generation and advocacy to help ensure product uptake and impact upon approval.
Accordingly, the five priority areas were selected based on a combination of data and evidence about where innovation can save and improve the
most lives, direct insights from women in low-and-middle income countries about their needs and preferences, and the persistently high rates of misdiagnosis caused by gaps in medical knowledge and training. They also reflect the unique challenges faced in low-resource settings, making these areas especially ripe for broader public and private investment to drive meaningful, scalable impact.
Speaking during a media briefing on Monday, 4 August, Dr. Anita Zaidi, President of the Gender Equality Division, The Gates Foundation said: “We are committing $2.5 billion over the next five years to women’s health innovations, and this represents the largest ever commitment to women’s health R&D that has ever been made.”
She added: “I am proud, as the president of the Gender Equality division, that we are able to make this commitment to women around the world. This will impact positively the lives of hundreds of millions of women around the world.”
Dr. Zaidi, a paediatrician, who has been with the foundation for 12 years, explained that the Gender Equality Division, now almost five years old, had inherited a “long legacy” of maternal health work. That work, she noted, had contributed to a 40 per cent decline in maternal mortality since 2000.
“However, it hasn’t been enough and there are many areas of women’s health, beyond maternal health, that continue to remain extremely neglected and ignored. These are areas that have
three things in common. They are very ignored for funding from an R&D perspective. They have a huge burden around the world. And in the next five years, we feel that there are innovations that can be accelerated to make these available and accessible to women around the world.”
She highlighted potential advances, including AI-enabled obstetric ultrasound that “may not need any technical person” and self-administered contraception such as patches. “Twopoint-five billion sounds like a big number. It is a big number. But when you look at the need, it’s really just a drop in the ocean,” she added.
Dr. Ru-fong Joanne Cheng, Director of the Women’s Health Innovations team and an obstetrician gynaecologist, said the objective was to reimagine R&D so that it was centred on the needs of women and girls, particularly in low-resource settings.
“Only one per cent of research and development funding goes to female specific conditions outside of oncology,” she said. “At the same time, more than 90 per cent of drugs approved for use in the United States lack adequate data for use in pregnancy. These gaps have real consequences. Women spend 25 per cent more of their time in poor health, and a woman dies in childbirth every two minutes. It’s time to change that.”
The $2.5 billion will support more than 40 innovations across maternal health, nutrition, STIs, gynaecology
and contraception, alongside efforts to fill data gaps, strengthen reproductive biology research and ensure product introduction strategies are in place.
“When we improve health for women, we also improve health for their families, for their communities, and for the economy,” Dr. Cheng said. “For every $1 invested in women’s health yields up to $3 in economic growth.”
Dr. Moses Obimbo Madadi, Professor at the University of Nairobi, described the announcement as “very good news” and “a good starting point” for addressing women’s health crises in low- and middle-income countries. In 2023, for example, about 182,000 women were lost because of pregnancy-related complications,” he said. “Excessive bleeding after childbirth… contributed about 40 per cent of this number.
He noted that pre-eclampsia accounts for about 20 per cent of maternal mortality in the region, but “these challenges are made possible because we lack tools for timely diagnosis” and face shortages in skilled healthcare workers and strong referral systems.
Dr. Madadi called for more investment in emerging fields like microbiome science, which could help prevent preterm births and stillbirths, and said: “We should be able to deploy AI and… change the trajectory of our women and health indicators to make sure that our women herself and every child is also safe.”
In addressing barriers, Dr. Zaidi said women’s health had long been ignored in medical research, with “the male body… the default answer.” She explained that the foundation had consulted widely to produce a public “opportunity map” for women’s health R&D, informed by women themselves and advocates from the Global South.
Dr. Cheng added: “It’s only been since 2016 that the NIH… required that researchers report out the results in a disaggregated way… We do have some catching up to do, and there’s some urgency to it.”
Dr. Madadi remarked: “If this condition were to be suffered by men, there would be a G7 meeting held to try and get a solution… We treat it as a peripheral issue, other than making it a centrepiece of our research.”
NOTE: Story continues in the online
On behalf of the Council and good people of Nsukka Local Government Area, I extend a warm welcome and heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, on this momentous occasion. Today, we celebrate the commissioning of the state-of-the-art Nsukka Modern Transport Terminals, including Holy Ghost Terminal 1, Holy Ghost Terminal 2, Abakpa Terminal, and Garki Terminal – a testament to his administration's vision and commitment to excellence.
I also congratulate Your Excellency on the launch of the new Enugu State Transport Management System and the introduction of 100 CNG buses, complemented by over 100 modern bus stations constructed for the comfort and safety of Ndi Enugu. This achievement marks another milestone in your administration's efforts to realize your ambitious vision of growing Enugu State into a $30 billion economy
Notably, Your Excellency's recent flag-off of the construction of the 5,000-shop capacity Nsukka International Market demonstrates your dedication to economic growth and humaneness. This project will not only accommodate those affected by the transport terminal construction but also boost our local economy.
The Nsukka Modern Transport Terminal stands as a shining example of your determination to transform Nsukka and the Enugu North Senatorial Zone. We look forward to more achievements under your leadership. Thank you, Your Excellency Tomorrow is here!
Signed: Engr. Jude Asogwa Chairman, Nsukka LGA
Nigeria was a prime medical tourism hub in the 1960s. It is hard to believe but no less true. The destination, usually for both the rich and even royalty, was the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan. But so much has changed since then.
Every year, countless Nigerians and other African elite travel to Europe, India and Saudi Arabia, and other overseas countries for medical care, spending billions of dollars in the process. Nigeria alone is estimated to have lost about $2.39 billion on medical tourism in 2024 alone, a significant financial outflow that highlights the pressing need for Africa to address and manage the economic impact of citizens seeking healthcare abroad.
What does this mean for Africa?
Medical tourism and the attendant capital outflow not only drain resources; it stunts capacity building and skills transfer, stymies efficient healthcare service delivery, and ultimately exacerbates the healthcare gap on the continent. There is also the issue of brain drain and widening infrastructure gap as African medical practitioners migrate to the west due to poor health infrastructure and poor remuneration, thus aggravating an already bad healthcare situation.
Access to affordable healthcare and world class medical facilities remains a challenge in much of Africa where the Africa Health Agenda International Conference Commission has noted that more than 50% of the continent’s 1.3 billion people lack access to basic healthcare services.
The paucity of healthcare infrastructure and lack of access to healthcare in Africa is location agnostic with the challenge impacting both urban and rural dwellers with the latter bearing much of the brunt.
There has also emerged a twotier health system despite attempts to operationalise rural healthcare initiatives. This means that those on the lower rung of the economic ladder end up dying from what should ideally be non-fatal health conditions.
The result is a resort to private medical healthcare locally or abroad for those who can afford it. The World Bank estimates that 50% of healthcare spend in Africa goes to private medical providers but they face limitations in terms of lack of cutting-edge medical equipment and technology for advanced medical interventions and manpower.
If health is indeed wealth, then Africa’s medical tourism junket is squandering much needed resources that could be channelled into enhancing healthcare infrastructure, healthcare delivery, capacity building and skills transfer.
Recent health emergencies like Ebola, COVID-19 and Mpox, seasonal outbreaks of cholera, Lassa fever and others as well as a rise in noncommunicable diseases like cancer and cardiovascular diseases highlight not just the fact that Africa bears a disproportionate share of the global disease burden but focuses attention on the yawning gap in Africa’s healthcare systems.
The so-called scarcity nationalism and vaccine diplomacy which was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when rich countries stockpiled and hoarded essential medical supplies and vaccines is a sobering reminder of why we must strive for our own centres of healthcare excellence.
This focuses renewed attention on calls for a decolonisation of the global health care system and infrastructure which continues to privilege the west while marginalising the global south. Africa must be independent politically, economically and health wise because entrusting our healthcare needs to others presents both security and economic risks to our continent.
To put this in context, global health spending reached $9.8 trillion in 2022—but low and lower-middle income countries received less than 3.2% of that amount. This disparity reflects a broader challenge: many African governments continue to invest relatively modestly in healthcare, allocating an average of just 7.4% of their national budgets.
This falls short of the 15% commitment made under the 2001 Abuja Declaration, where African Union member states pledged to
prioritise health spending by allocating at least 15% of their national budgets to healthcare. While there has been some progress over the past two decades, the gap remains significant.
Looking ahead, growing pressures— including shifting geopolitical priorities, declining Official Development Assistance (ODA), shrinking foreign reserves, and rising debt—are likely to compound these challenges and make access to healthcare, including medical tourism, even more difficult.
There is an urgent need, now more than ever, to reinforce investments in resilient, local health systems that can withstand global shocks and meet the needs of African populations.
How can Africa course correct?
Collaborative synergies between the government, private entities and other stakeholders should be encouraged even as African nations are urged to honour the 2001 Abuja Declaration.
The collaboration between the government and private entities should take the form of broad Public-Private Partnerships. An example is the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) Abuja, a tertiary-level multispecialty medical institution developed by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with King’s College Hospital, London with the support of the federal government of Nigeria.
The centre which commenced operations on June 5,2025, is expected to create around 3,000 jobs and serve more than 350,000 patients from Nigeria and other African nations in its first five years.
The vision for the AMCE is not just
to provide top-notch healthcare, but to serve as a catalyst for the transformation of the African health sector. It is also making a bold statement to the world that Africa is finally taking its destiny in its hands in terms of healthcare sovereignty and contributions in setting global healthcare standards.
The AMCE is, therefore, more than just a crucial component of Afreximbank’s network of healthcare facilities which aim to address brain drain, decrease medical tourism, foster job creation and facilitate capacity building and skills transfer in the health sector.
It is a space for developing and supporting healthcare professionals as a hub of innovative research, development, and education delivering comprehensive services in oncology, haematology, cardiovascular care, and general medical and surgical services. Its African Life Sciences Foundation is expected to not just drive research into intractable “African diseases” like sickle cell and malaria which have hitherto received scant attention from western researchers, but also produce a cure in five to seven years
The success of AMCE Abuja will validate Afreximbank’s proof of concept and hopefully, open a new era signposting Nigeria and indeed Africa as a prime medical tourism hub by tackling the challenge of inadequate healthcare infrastructure and diagnostics facilities, saving the billions of dollars expended on outbound medical tourism, expanding research into diseases of interest to people of African descent and building an ecosystem that will outlive us all.
Edited by nseobonG okon-ekonG |
Nseobong Okon-Ekong reports that the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority has introduced SafePlay, a centralised, state-mandated self-exclusion system, which allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from all licensed gaming platforms in Lagos, for periods ranging from a few months up to permanent bans
In a significant move to address the growing concern of gambling addiction, the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) has launched SafePlay, a digital self-exclusion tool designed to help punters manage their gambling behaviour.
Unveiled on August 6, 2025, at Ikeja, the platform is the first of its kind in Nigeria. It is a unified, state-backed solution aimed at reducing gambling-related harm.
At the core of SafePlay is a simple yet powerful idea: to give gamblers the ability to opt out of betting activities for a defined period across all licensed operators in Lagos. Once a user initiates it, every connected gaming platform must enforce the restriction. During this period, excluded users must also not receive promotional messages or marketing materials. SafePlay is developed and managed by Safegaming Technologies for LSLGA, a company founded by Mr. Kayode Lawal, who also serves as its CEO.
“This is not just a regulatory
requirement. It is a human-centred solution that puts the well-being of the punter first,” said Mr. Bashir Are, CEO of LSLGA, during the launch event. “We are proud to introduce this tool as part of our broader commitment to building a responsible, ethical, and inclusive gaming ecosystem.”
SafePlay is a centralised, state-
The acquittal produced sharply divided responses. The company’s compliance officer testified during trial that this was “a civil matter that has ended up in Criminal Court.” In contrast, the complainant stated he was forced to report to the police after being turned away when attempting to claim his winnings, reports Iyke Bede
The courtroom fell silent as Justice A.M. Nicol Clay read her verdict. After three years of legal battles, Green Lotto (Brentwood Service) and its former sales manager, Charles Akhenamen, walked free, acquitted of all criminal charges in a high-stakes N72.7 million lottery fraud case. While the judgment settled this dispute, legal experts say it also underscores broader challenges
facing Nigeria’s betting industry. It all began on January 29, 2021, when businessman Sunday Nwachukwu placed what he believed was a winning bet. Through agent Clement Gregory, he staked N330,000 on numbers 26 and 65 in Green Lotto’s Bonanza game.
mandated self-exclusion system introduced by the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority. It lets individuals voluntarily exclude themselves from all licensed gaming
platforms in Lagos, for periods ranging from a few months to permanent bans.
A fast-growing mobile trivia campaign is redefining how Nigerians engage with casual gaming, offering cash prizes and travel opportunities to participants who can answer questions on sports, entertainment, and general knowledge. The Markov Games AI Millionaire Promo, which began on June 1 and runs until December 31, 2025, has already attracted over 300,000 registered users, with more than 150,000 actively participating. The competition is anchored on two platforms: ‘2CanPlay’ and ‘Football Mania,’
each catering to different interests, from general trivia to footballfocused challenges.
L–R: Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Kamar Olowoshago; GM, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Arc. Gbolahan Oki; Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore; and Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, during a 1-Day Sensitisation Programme on the Incessant Building Collapse in Nigeria and launch of the Lagos Certified Structural Integrity Programme (CSIP) at Tafawa Balewa Square, yesterday
One of the university-based unions, National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), has opposed the federal government’s offer to float a loan scheme, known as Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), for
university workers. NAAT also condemned an order by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, revoking the University of Abuja land.
In a statement signed by the NAAT president, Comrade (Hon). Ibeji Nwokoma, the union said after a careful
study of the loan document, it became clear that it offered no real benefit but “will perpetually enslave the workers”.
The union said workers accepting the loan amounted to taking their salaries in advance, adding that there are NAAT cooperatives to take care of the short-term financial needs of
members.
The statement read in part, “The attention of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has been drawn to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s (FGN) publication captioned, ‘Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF)’, a Federal Ministry of
UNIZIK research centre celebrates Nigeria’s 30 years in WTO
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
Former Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Nige- rian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Professor Muhammed Ladan, has urged Nigerian leaders to leverage digital trade and economic diversification to boost the economy.
The charge came as the Professor Ngozi Egbuna International Centre for Regional Integration and Trade Research at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, held a hybrid interna- tional conference to celebrate Nigeria’s 30 years as a member of World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Ladan, who was the lead
paper presenter at the confer- ence, said while Nigeria had made efforts to diversify its economy, challenges remained in developing a competitive manufacturing sector due to factors like unreliable electricity, infrastructure deficits, and competition from imports.
He said, “The future prospects for Nigeria in the WTO depend on effectively addressing these challenges and leveraging opportunities for digital trade and economic diversification.
“While Nigeria has made efforts to diversify its economy, challenges remain in developing a competitive manufacturing sector due to factors like unreli-
able electricity, infrastructure deficits, and competition from imports.“Nigeria has the potential to diversify its economy beyond oil by investing in sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and technology. Developing a robust digital economy can create new opportunities for trade, innovation, and job creation.”
Ladan bemoaned the infrastructure deficit in the country, adding that Nigeria has also faced some challenges due to trade policies. He, however, praised the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for their push to promote intra- trade in Africa.
Onuminya Innocent
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General O. O Nafiu, has commended the governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu, for his administration’s unwavering support to the NYSC scheme in the state.
General Nafiu made the commendation during an official
working visit to Sokoto State, where he met with Governor Aliyu and other top government officials.
The visit was part of the NYSC Director General’s routine tour to engage with critical stakeholders and strengthen the scheme’s relationships with stateDuringgovernments. his meeting with Governor Aliyu, General Nafiu
expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and highlighted the state government’s kind gestures towards the NYSC scheme.
These gestures include the recent approval for the renovation of Wamakko Camp, provision of office vehicles and accommodations, and the upward review of corps members’ state allowances from N5,000 to N10,000.
The Professor of Regional Economic Integration Law and Practice in Africa stated, “Nigeria has faced trade deficits in services and income, highlighting the need to strengthen domestic sectors to reduce reliance on imports. Tapping into digital trade opportunities requires addressing issues like regulatory fragmentation, cybersecurity, and limited access to digital markets for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Education and TETFund funded programme and the purported revocation of seven thousand (7,000) out of eleven thousand (11,000) hectares of Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja) land by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
“After carefully perusing the document on TISSF loan, NAAT views it as a distraction, and therefore rejects it and wishes to make it categorically clear that her members do not need a loan that will perpetually enslave them as it amounts to taking their salaries in advance since there are NAAT cooperatives to take care of the short-term financial needs of members.”
NAAT, instead, urged the federal government to pay all outstanding arrears legitimately earned by its members, which included payment of three and a half months of withheld salaries, payment of seven months ar- rears of Occupational Hazard Allowance (OHA), and release of third-party deductions for the two months of withheld salaries that were paid.
NAAT said government should pay other entitlements owed members, including pay- ment of 11 months’ arrears of Responsibility Allowance (RA), payment of 12-month arrears of 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase, payment of four-month arrears of wage award, payment of arrears of the N30,000 minimum wage to omitted NAAT members (implemented in 2019) as well as the release of supplementary funds to pay the outstanding claims of Earned Allowances of NAAT members. On the revocation of University of Abuja land by the FCT minister, NAAT condemned what it described as the unilateral and arbitrary action of the minister. It said the minister’s action violated the laws governing the university, which required amendment by the National Assembly for the action to be legally valid.
NAAT emphasised that the land was not just an asset that could be disposed of at will, but also a national treasure belonging to the institution.
2027: S’West APC Leaders Unite Behind Tinubu, Recruit Canvassers in 2,000 Wards
The South West Zonal Executives Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has concluded plans to recruit Canvassers in all 2,000 electoral wards across all states in the Southwest in preparation for the 2027 presidential election.
The committee stated this yes- terday after a meeting in Akure, Ondo State capital, to brainstorm and design programmes for President Bola Tinubu’s second term ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting, attended by
the six chairmen of the party in the zone and National Executive Council (NEC) members, discussed ways to support the president’s re-election bid.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, South West Zonal Chair- man of APC, Isaac Kekemeke, said they met to discuss on how they would recruit canvassers in all wards across all states in the Southwest in preparation for the 2027 presidential election.
He explained that the Canvass- ers would avail the people at the grassroots and all wards the efforts and results of President Tinubu’s socio-economic policies
and programmes for the develop- ment of the federation.
Kekemeke explained that the committee had assessed and evaluated the economic policies and various programmes being introduced and implemented by the Tinubu government and discovered that he had done creditably well.
He disclosed that they also based their verdict on the comments and assessments of experts, international organisa- tions and international financial institutions on his performances across different sectors, which were positive.
L–R: Former DG, Debt Management Office (DMO), Prof. Abraham Nwankwo; Director, Centre for Regional Integration and Trade Research, Prof. Ngozi Egbuna; and former Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and Professor of Regional Economic Integration Law and Practice in Africa, Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, during a conference to celebrate Nigeria’s 30 years as a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) …recently
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has said that the present administration will not relent in strengthening the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to achieve its role of stamping out the drug trafficking and abuse because of its strategic value to the success of the country’s national security architecture.
The NSA stated this in his remarks at the presentation of 46 new vehicles to strategic commands and formations of NDLEA on Wednesday at the anti-narcotics agency national headquarters in Abuja, during which he commended the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) and his team for their sustained commitment, discipline and energy in transforming the NDLEA into a result-oriented force against one of the most destabilising threats to Nigeria’s national well-being: illicit drugs.
He said: “I commend the
Chairman, General Mohamed Buba Marwa, for his discipline, commitment, and transformative leadership. Under his watch, NDLEA has become a result-oriented force addressing the grave threats posed by illicit drugs that undermine our national security, social stability, and public health.
“This event is not just about commissioning vehicles, without the mobility to swiftly reach danger points, intercept traffickers and move resources where they are most needed, our fight is severely constrained. The link between drug trafficking and insecurity is systemic.
“Criminal gangs thrive on drug profits, insurgents and armed groups fund their activities with it. Countless young Nigerians fall victim to addiction, with devastating consequences for families and communities.
“This is why the renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prioritizes drug control as a pillar of our national security strategy. The
President’s unwavering support through funding, inter-agency cooperation, and policy align- ment has directly enabled today’s“Thesemilestone. vehicles will be deployed nationwide to amplify NDLEA’s operational presence, strengthen deterrence, and ensure that no trafficker escapes justice. As the lead agency for drug control, arrest, seizure, and investigation and prosecution,
NDLEA will continue to receive the full backing of the Office of National Security Adviser, which will also coordinate its efforts with other security and regulatory agencies, including the National Police Force, Nigerian Customs Service, NAFDAC.”
He however challenged NDLEA officers to view the commissioning as a call to action: to do more, remain
vigilant, act within the law and uphold the highest standards of Heprofessionalism. noted that: “The NDLEA is not only building lives, but also restoring dignity and shaping national policy. In light of the pandemic, this commissioning is a call to action. Use these resources responsibly, act within the law, and remain vigilant.”
In his welcome address,
Marwa said the event is symbolic of the continuous effort to reposition the agency as a modern, efficient and respected organization as well as a reflection of the sustained commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to equipping institutions that stand on the front line of the country’s national security and public health.
Ibunge
An organisation, Connected Development (CODE) has called for the domestication of Freedom of Information (FoI) Act in Rivers State and other parts of the country where it is yet to be domesticated.
The call was made yesterday, at a town hall meeting organised by CODE, with support from OXFAM, for Host Community Development Trust Fund
(HCDT), in Port Harcourt.
The FoI Act was signed into law in 2011 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, with aims to promote transparency and accountability in governance.
The Act gives a person or organisation the right to access information from government agencies, the federal civil service, private and public organisations providing public services.
While states like Imo, Anambra, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Osun, Ogun and others have domesticated the act, Rivers State and few other states are yet to localise the law.
In his presentation at the programme, Charles Uffort,
Rivers State supporter of Connected Development, told the participants, other individuals, groups to seek for the domestication of the FoI Act for easy access to documents from the government and corporate organisation.
Noting that communities are yet to clearly understand their positions in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Uffort stated that with free access to FoI act, the people in the state can be able to get some of the government and oil companies documents for knowledge and proper demands.
“We push for the domestica- tion of the FoI Act, because it
helps the host communities to get information, be it from the government or oil companies. It will give communities the knowledge of actual budgets meant for projects in their communities and it will be honoured by all.
“Our call now is to ask the community members and the state to make sure all the states including the Federal Capital Territory, domesticate the law. Some states have domesticated it while some have not, including Rivers State. So, we are asking citizens of the state to join their voices in calling on the government to make sure that it’s domesticated”.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will begin screening for over 500 exceptional candidates below 16 years of age seeking admission into tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session between September 22 and 26. The policy aligns with the Ministry of Education’s directive setting 16 as the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions.
Speaking during the meeting, Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq
Oloyede, said three venues have been selected for the screening: Lagos, Abuja, and Owerri.
He said Lagos will host 397 candidates, Owerri 136, and Abuja 66.
Oloyede, who noted that out of 41,027 underage candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examina- tion (UTME) more than 40,000 did not scale the first hurdle, explained that the screening is to ensure that only exceptional and well-prepared underage candidates gain admission.
“People have been doing it
in other parts of the world. We are not reinventing the wheel,” he said.
During the meeting, a subcommittee led by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja presented its report on the planned assessment, stating that candidates will face subject-specific tests followed by a brief oral interview.
The committee also resolved to request result details from the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to verify the eligibility of some shortlisted candidates before they appear for interviews.
Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
A socio-cultural group in Edo State, Etsako Consciousness (EC), has faulted the appoint- ment of Prof. Victor Adetimirin Olawale as Vice Chancellor of Edo State University, Iyamho, alleging injustice against Prof. Ganiyu Oboh, who reportedly topped the screening exercise.
Professor Ganiyu Oboh is said to be a native of South Ibie in Etsako West LGA.
The group in a statement signed by the chairman, Mr. Imonikhe Paul, accuse the institution Governing Council, chaired by Professor Olusegun O. Akinyinka, from the South West supported by a council dominated by members from the same ethnic group of
nepotism, in appointing Prof. Olawale over Prof. Oboh. They appealed to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo to investigate the process that led to the recom- mendation of Prof. Olawale as Vice Chancellor of Edo State University, Iyamho, arguing the process disregards merit and undermines the integrity of the institution.
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Edo State, Ebonwoyi Edith; Director of External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy Plc, Chioma Afe; EDO State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu; Director, Corporate Services, Seplat Energy Plc, Dr. Steve Ojeh; Chairman, Senior Secondary School Board, Edo State, Dr. Maureen Ehoraghon and Senior Manager, Social Performance and Corporate Social Investment, Seplat Energy, Esther Icha, at the NEPL/Seplat Energy JV 2025 Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) onboarding workshop in Benin City, Edo State…yesterday
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, reiterated its position on anti-party activities by some members, including the Minister of the FCT,
Nyesom Wike and former Benue State governor, Samuel Samuel, demanding a one hundred per cent loyalty from members or face disciplinary action.
The party also denied that it
was wooing former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 elections.
Recently, several members
of the party, including members of the leadership, had claimed that the party was wooing either Jonathan or Obi to fly its presidential ticket for the 2027 general election.
Former national secretary
Oluchi Chibuzor
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has condemned a video showing the unlawful killing of a hippopotamus in Etsako Central LGA, Edo State by a local vigilante.
According to the foundation, the river hippopotamus involved is a species currently classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
In a press statement released yesterday, NCF unequivocally condemned the act in the strongest terms.
For the organisation, the hippopotamus’ death did not happen in a vacuum, noting it is the consequence of habitat destruction and climate-driven environmental changes.
According to the statement, “While populations of this species endure in pockets across Nigeria, recent estimates indicate that only about 100 individuals remain nationwide, underscoring the critical importance of their protection.
“Additionally, Nigeria historically hosted a subspecies of the pygmy hippopotamus, Choeropsis liberiensis heslopi, which once
inhabited the Niger Delta region. Unfortunately, this subspecies is now considered locally extinct.
“The killing of a hippo especially one from such a diminishing population is not only a violation of national wildlife protection laws, but a blow to our nation’s natural heritage. But even when the killing is borne out of fear or economic desperation, it remains illegal and immoral.”
However, commenting, the Director General of NCF, Dr. Joseph Onoja, said the event highlighted the need for law enforcement agents to stand firm against wildlife crime.
Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
The Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Stakeholders has thrown its weight behind the recent declaration by the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, that the Niger Delta will support only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued after an
emergency consultative meeting, the coalition commended Dr. Otuaro for what it described as a “bold and strategic” call to unite the region in continued support of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the group, its convener, Bodmas Kemepadei noted that President Tinubu’s administration has demonstrated unprecedented commitment to the peace,
stability, and development of the Niger Delta.
The coalition highlighted key interventions such as the expansion of PAP’s budget for education, South- South Development Commission, Funding of Niger Delta Development Commission, vocational training, and empowerment schemes as proof of the President’s dedication to the region.
He explained that Hippos play vital roles in our ecosystems, from maintaining wetland health to supporting biodiversity. According to him, “The hippo’s death did not happen in a vacuum. It is the consequence of habitat destruction and climate-driven environmental changes.
fuzes; bomb components, impulse cartridges, and highexplosive and practice rockets; integration support and test equipment,” it noted.
Stressing that the potential deal includes US government and contractors’ technical, engineering, and logistics personnel services as well as other related elements of logistical and programme support, the statement put the total estimated programme cost at $346 million.
This proposed sale, it said, will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa, the US added.
Besides, the proposed sale, according to the statement, will improve Nigeria’s capability to meet current and future threats
Ogidi is caretaker c’ttee head
of the party, Prof Jerry Gana; the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Barrister Ibrahim Abdullahi; and the former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido were in the forefront of those agitating for either Obi or Jonathan as the presidential candidate of the PDP in 2027.
Addressing the media yesterday day, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said the party was not aware.
“But I tell you this, today, this party has many very qualified, exceedingly qualified, performing governors that can set up the place to become president of this country.
“So the question you’re asking me, is Jonathan contesting? Ask him. I don’t speak for President Jonathan. You go ask him. You have access to
through operations against terrorist organisations and to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
In the same vein, the US stressed that Nigeria will have no difficulty absorbing these munitions into its armed forces, explaining that the proposed sale of the equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
“The principal contractors will be RTX Missiles and Defense, Tucson, AZ; Lockheed Martin Corporation, Archibald, PA; and BAE Systems, Hudson, NH. At this time, the US. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor,” the US added.
Implementation of this
him. I know. So, ask him. “It’s not for me to speculate. That’s your imagination. Are we talking to Obi? I don’t know why you’re asking that question. Ask Obi, who is talking to him?’’ Ologunagba said.
Speaking on indiscipline and anti-party activities, Ologunagba said, ‘’We demand absolute loyalty from members of the party and nothing more.”
When asked if absolute loyalty excluded members of PDP working for another political party, he answered, wondering if it was possible to get absolute 100% from him?
‘’Loyalty is a personal thing and when you’re in a party like this, we have said we demand it. If at any point we find out that you don’t give it, the constitution will kick in. I addressed that earlier.
proposed sale, according to the statement, will not require the assignment of any additional US government or contractor representatives to Nigeria.
“There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial “Actualrequirements. dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department’s Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, PoliticalMilitary Affairs Outreach, at T_Outreach_PM@state.gov,” it added.
L-R: Chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Sunday Adepoju Onitiri;The Vice Principal, Baptist Mode High School, Ikola, Mr. Adeyinka Ajagbe;Head Girl, Idideoluwa Osinawo; Head Boy, Daniel Isoh; Principal, Mrs. Alice Arawole; and Guest Minister, Rev. Timothy Sonde, at the valedictory and graduation ceremony of Baptist Model High School held in Lagos ... recently
Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has applauded President Bola Tinibu over the arrest of Abubakar Abba, leader of Mahmuda, one of the terror groups in Nigeria by the Department of State
“Subsequent to the withdrawal of the complaint by the Complainant, the CP of Airport Command and the Police Prosecutor will immediately take the remaining steps to facilitate her release from Kirikiri Prisons within this week.
“I have also conferred with the leadership of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and have appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. The details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently,” the Minister said.
On Kwam 1, he said, “In the case of KWAM 1, the NCAA (Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority) is to reduce his flight ban to a one-month period. FAAN will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
“Having publicly demonstrated penitence, the NCAA is also to withdraw its criminal complaints against KWAM 1 earlier lodged with the Police.
“In the case of Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the copilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of ValueJet, the NCAA is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban, after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. The details will be announced by the NCAA.”
Keyamo also said he has directed all relevant aviation agencies in collaboration with other complementary agencies to retrain and prepare “our aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant
Services (DSS ).
The Terror leader, Abba, was said to have been captured in Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, and has been taken to Abuja for further
and disruptive passengers and how to de-escalate potentially explosive situations. The retreat will be fully covered by the press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions.”
Keyamo said the airlines would also have their own session, where the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travelling public would be in full focus.
“These above decisions were taken by government and the airline operators purely on compassionate grounds, as government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved.
“We are also sending a clear message that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies,” the Minister added.
In a separate post on his X handle, Keyamo clarified that, “it is common practice all over the world that a repentant offender is made to preach publicly against the exact conduct from which he has repented. It is akin to Community Service. It is not paid for and it is voluntary service.
“Unfortunately, in Nigeria, some would assume that once you hear the word ‘Ambassador’ it is a big position that comes with the perquisites of office. No, it is not. It is for free. It is not the first time it is happening in Nigeria and it will not be the last . Examples abound of such roles given to repentant persons
investigation.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, posted on Facebook, Bago described the move as a demonstration of Tinubu’s
by previous governments in Nigeria.
“Whilst the aviation agencies are considering using KWAM 1 for such a role, in my discussion last night with the AON, they are also looking at the option of using Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who has also shown remorse, as their own Ambassador for good passenger conduct.
“It is left for the AON to work out those details since she has been actually released from prison custody today based on my earlier statement. Whilst the usual suspects can continue to question our decisions on this issue, we firmly believe we have been fair to all.”
Meanwhile, the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), in a statement by the NAS Cap’n, Dr Joseph Oteri, said the Minister’s intervention, which emphasised de-escalation, reconciliation, and capacity building for aviation security personnel, was a welcome step towards addressing public concerns about fairness and consistency in enforcement.
“From the outset, NAS made it clear that our position was not to excuse or defend unruly behaviour, but to insist that all offenders, whether high-profile or unknown, must face the same lawful consequences for breaches of aviation safety protocols.
“The Minister’s acknowledgement that wrongs were committed on all sides, and his move to review the cases holistically, aligns with our call for justice that is even-handed and corrective, not selective,” Oteri said.
The Association, however,
commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Bologi, the governor said, “Yes, it is true. I can confirm that the leader of
cautioned that the clemency granted in the cases should not be misconstrued as tolerance for misconduct in the aviation sector.
“While compassion is a virtue, deterrence is a duty. Going forward, every passenger and airline staff must understand that safety rules are non-negotiable, and enforcement must be blind to status, influence, or public sympathy,” Oteri stressed.
NAS also welcomed the Minister’s directive for a retreat to retrain aviation security per- sonnel and review airline staff conduct, noting that improved crisis management, unbiased enforcement, and respect for human dignity during interventions will go a long way in restoring public trust in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The Association urged the NCAA, FAAN and airline operators to follow through on the planned reforms, ensure transparent monitoring of enforcement, and intensify public awareness campaigns on passenger conduct and penalties.
“Air travel is a shared responsibility. Passengers must respect safety protocols; airlines must treat customers with professionalism; and regulators must apply the law equally. If these principles are upheld, the unfortunate incidents of recent weeks will serve as a turning point for safer, fairer skies,” Oteri said.
In its contribution, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) strongly condemned the treatment of passengers involved in recent airline incidents, describing
Mahmuda, which is one of the most dangerous terror groups in West Africa, Abubakar Abba, has been arrested by the DSS.
“As you read, he was apprehended alive through
certain actions by airport and airline personnel as “a clear affront on human dignity” and a breach of both Nigerian and international human rights standards.
Speaking at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, reaffirmed the NHRC’s commitment to protecting the dignity of all persons, regard- less of the circumstances, and demanded urgent reforms in the aviation sector to prevent a repeat of such violations.
Ojukwu stated: “@Torture and inhuman treatment are absolutely prohibited,” stressing that the prohibition of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment was an absolute right that cannot be suspended under any circumstances.
He cited Nigeria’s obligations under the 1999 Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention Against Torture, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The NHRC boss noted that acts such as physical assault, stripping a person naked, public shaming, and unnecessary exposure of intimate body parts as seen in one of the incidents, amounted to torture under Nigeria’s Anti-Torture Act, 2017.
The Commission further condemned the recording and online dissemination of such incidents, calling it “a secondary form of harm and further degrading treatment.”
The NHRC boss charged airlines as a matter of responsibility to ensure their operations and
an intelligence-led operation by the DSS. This is a huge victory for us as a people and as a government, and President Tinubu deserves commendation for this cheering news.
personnel do not contribute to rights violations.
He added: “@Proper protocols and de-escalation training could have produced different results in both incidents,” urging aviation authorities to mandate comprehensive human rights training for all airline and airport staff, and to sanction any entity found to have breached rights protections.
He called on the Ministry of Aviation and other aviation regulators to immediately review protocols for handling unruly passengers to ensure they comply with human rights standards including rights to dignity, safety, fair hearing, and freedom from torture.
Ojukwu also urged prosecutorial and investigative agencies to swiftly prosecute any individuals directly implicated in human rights abuses under the AntiTorture Act, while pledging support to all victims in line with its statutory mandate. He disclosed that NHRC has issued an advisory to all aviation authorities and stakeholders on the right to dignity and protection against torture in aviation operations in Nigeria., noting that the advisory aims to safeguard both passengers and airline staff from human rights violations during flight operations.
The NHRC boss assured that the Commission would continue to monitor developments to ensure accountability in both cases.
He insisted that: “Our duty is not only to protect the rights of passengers, but also those of crew members and airline staff.”
L–R: Senior Special Assistant to Enugu State Governor on Media, Uche Anichukwu; wife of the Baba Aladura and Prelate of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (ESOCS), Prophetess Elsie Bob-Manuel; the Prelate, ESOCS, His Most Eminence, Dr. David Bob-Manuel; Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah; General Secretary of ESOCS, His Eminence, Dr. Napoleon Emuchay; and the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Benjamin Osita Okoh, during a courtesy visit to the Governor at Government House, Enugu, on the sidelines of ESOCS Centenary Celebration
Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has said the only way the fight against corruption could succeed in Nigeria was only where there was diligent investigations and non-partisan prosecution.
The breakdown included two units of 150MVA 330/132kV transformers; three units of 100MVA 132/33kV transformers; five units of 60MVA 132/33kV transformers; and two units of 30MVA 132/33kV transformers.
Adelabu stated, “These transformers will be deployed strategically across the grid to relieve overloaded facilities, improve voltage stability, and accommodate the increased transmission capacity we are building.”
Adelabu described Nigeria’s national grid as an ageing system, much of which had been in operation for over five decades and was operating beyond its intended lifespan.
He said, “Many of the transformers, cables and related components are weak and prone to failure. Regular maintenance and timely replacement are essential if we are to achieve a stable, reliable and effective grid that meets the needs of households, offices, small businesses and industries.”
He assured that the latest approvals represented a significant step in the Tinubu administration’s broader power sector reform agenda, aimed at eliminating transmission bottlenecks, reducing system collapses, and laying a foundation for sustainable economic growth through improved electricity access.
FEC also approved a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in a bid to halt the proliferation of under-utilised institutions and refocus resources on improving existingMinisterones.of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, told newsmen that a memo he presented before the council was approved,
According to a statement by Obi, ‘’The arrest and interrogation of the former Governor of Sokoto State, Rt Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has opened up an
stressing that access to tertiary education in Nigeria is “no longer the problem”.
Alausa said unchecked duplication of federal tertiary institutions had led to alarming inefficiencies, poor infrastructure, inadequate staffing, and declining student enrolment.
According to him, several federal universities operate far below capacity, with some having fewer than 2,000 students.
In one northern institution, the minister disclosed, there were 1,200 staff serving fewer than 800 students.
He said, “This is a waste of government resources. Today, we have 199 universities where fewer than 100 candidates applied through JAMB for admission. In fact, 34 universities recorded zero“Theapplications. situation is not limited to universities. Out of 295 polytechnics nationwide, many had fewer than 99 applicants last year, while 219 colleges of education recorded similarly poor enrolment. Sixty-four colleges of education had no applicants at all.”
Alausa warned that if the trend continued, Nigeria risked producing poorly trained graduates, losing international respect for its degrees, and worsening unemployment as thousands of ill-prepared graduates entered a saturated job market.
The moratorium, he stressed, will enable the government to mobilise resources to upgrade facilities, recruit qualified staff, and expand the carrying capacity of existing federal tertiary institutions.
“If we want to improve quality and not be a laughing stock globally, the pragmatic step is to pause the establishment of new federal institutions. This way, we can sustain the respect the world has for our graduates,”
existing contradiction apparent in the fight against corruption in the country.
‘’I have always reiterated that the sincerity of leaders is what is needed to tackle corruption in our ‘’Andsociety. I look forward to the
the minister said.
He pointed out that Nigeria currently had 72 federal universities, 42 federal polytechnics, and 28 federal colleges of education, in addition to hundreds run by states and private investors. There are also specialised institutions, such as colleges of agriculture, health sciences, nursing, and innovation enterprise institutions, many of which are also under-enrolled.
Notwithstanding the mora- torium, the minister disclosed that FEC also approved nine new universities. He explained that these were not fresh proposals but long-pending private applications, some dating back over six years, that had already undergone rigorous evaluation under the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“When we came in, there were about 551 applications for private universities. Many had been in limbo for years because of inefficiencies in the NUC’s processing system,” he said.
The minister said his team overhauled the process, deactivating more than 350 inactive applications and introducing strict new guidelines with clear timelines. Out of 79 active applications, nine met the criteria and were approved, he said.
“These are private investments where billions of naira have already been spent on infrastructure. It would have been unfair to deny them approval because of past inefficiencies. But this does not affect the moratorium on federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education,” Alausa stressed.
He added that similar moratoriums were already in place for new private polytechnics and colleges of education to prevent a further glut of poorly subscribed institutions.
The minister applauded
time when the anti-corruption fight in this country will be under one law that applies to all, no matter who is involved, and not one targeting political opponents and perceived enemies of the incumbent government.
‘’I expect the anti-graft
Tinubu for backing the reforms, saying the decision reflects the administration’s determination to deliver “world-class” education to Nigerians.
Adelabu stated, “Mr President believes fervently in education and has given us the mandate to ensure every Nigerian has access to the highest quality of education comparable to anywhere in the world.”
He said the seven-year freeze was intended to be a reset button for Nigeria’s tertiary education system, shifting focus from quantity to quality.
FEC also granted approval for the construction of modern bus terminals in each of the country’s six geo-political zones at a total cost of N142,028,576,008.17.
Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, told newsmen that the contract was awarded to Messrs Planet Project Limited.
According to him, the terminals will be located in Abeokuta (South-west), Gombe (North-east), Kano (North-west), Lokoja (North-central), Onitsha (South-east), and Ewu in Edo State (South-south).
Alkali described the project as the first direct Federal Government intervention in road transport infrastructure beyond road construction. He said the choice of locations was based on economic viability.
He explained that the absence of purpose-built bus terminals to cater for millions of Nigerian commuters had contributed to rising cases of crime, road traffic accidents, and proliferation of arms and ammunition on the country’s highways.
Alkali stated, “This is the first time government is having an intervention in road infrastructure apart from road construction. In spite of the significance of
operatives to be guided by their conscience and the rule of law ifthey hope to achieve much in wiping out corruption in our ‘’Thesociety. rules of evidence and fact must replace impressions and preconceptions. In a credible fight against corruption, the public must be convinced that the rules are even and the subjects are not arbitrarily selected by the political convenience of the powers that be. A corruption free Nigeria is possible only if our fight is transparent,’’ Obi said.
road transportation in Nigeria, there are no bus terminals that address the interest of millions of commuters. This has resulted in increased crime, road traffic accidents, and the spread of arms on our Alkalihighways.”
said the initiative was conceived by the Ministry of Transportation to improve road transport safety, enhance passenger comfort, and boost economic activities.
FEC also earmarked a total of N493 billion for two major infrastructure projects: the upgrade of the Kano–Katsina Road and the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos State. Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, who disclosed this to reporters, stated that significant cost revisions had been made to the 152-kilometre Kano–Katsina Road due to prevailing economic condi- tions. The road had previously been divided into two sections by the former administration.
According to Umahi, “Section One, covering 74.1 kilometres, was initially awarded in 2013 at N14 billion and revised to N24 billion. It has now been updated to N68 billion. Section Two, spanning 79.5 kilometres and awarded in 2019 for N29 billion before increasing to N46 billion, has been further adjusted to N66.115 billion.”
The combined cost for both sections now totalled around N134 billion, with N6 billion allocated in the 2024 budget and N34 billion in the 2025 budget for Section One, the minister said, adding that Section Two will receive N80 billion across the same two years.
On Carter Bridge, Umahi detailed findings from under- water assessments conducted in 2013 and 2019, which revealed severe damage to the bridge’s substructure caused by illegal
sand mining, erosion, and corrosion of piles and piers.
Julius Berger, the contractor responsible for underwater and structural repairs, advised that the bridge was beyond salvaging and recommended complete replacement.
Umahi said, “The cost of constructing a new Carter Bridge is estimated at about N359 billion, and discussions have been initiated with Deutsche Bank regarding potential funding.”
The minister stated that similar underwater structural problems were found in the Third Mainland Bridge, with rehabilitation estimated at N3.8 trillion and new construction at N3.6 trillion.
He stated, “FEC approved the engagement of at least seven specialist contractors under an EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing) framework to conduct detailed investigations, design, and bidding for both rehabilitation or new building options for Carter and Third Mainland bridges.
“Additionally, the council sanctioned the advertisement of public-private partnership (PPP) bids for these projects.” Umahi also listed other bridge interventions that received FEC approval to include Jalingo Bridge in Taraba State, Ido Bridge (which was burned and required removal of three spans), Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State, Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, a damaged bridge on the Abuja-Kogi route, bridges between Lagos and Ibadan af- fected by vehicle impacts, Jebba Bridge in Kwara State, and the Itokin–Ikorodu Bridge in Lagos. He said, “These emergency works will be articulated and forwarded to Mr. President for approval through the Minister of Finance.”
Hammed shittu in Ilorin
Six persons, including the father of the suspected kidnapper, have been reportedly killed in Share, the headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The incident, according to THISDAY checks, happened at the Share cattle market last Tuesday, and the ugly development,, however turned into a pandemonium.
a suspected kidnapper,, whom they tied andtookn to the police station.
It was gathered that the vigilance group deployed in the market had arrested
A judge at the Federal High Court, Owerri, Justice Nicholas Oweibo, has ruled on a case already on appeal at the Court of Appeal, raising tension, and concerns about judicial overreach.
The case between members of Afor Oru Timber Dealers Association, Ahiazu Mbaise (appellants), and Nze Raymond Erege and others (respondents) involved a dispute over the land where the timber
market is situated.
Unsatisfied by an earlier ruling by an Owerri High Court, the appellants had proceeded to the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, for a stay of proceedings.
However, despite full knowledge of the application for stay of proceedings pending in the Court of Appeal, the judge sat on the matter on July 24, 2025 and issued an order of bench warrant against the appellants.
Residents of communities along the Mararrabar Kankara–Dutsinma–Katsina highway have berated the federal government, Katsina State Governor Dikko
Umaru Radda, and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over the shameful neglect of one of the busiest federal roads in the state.
It was gathered that the Mararrabar Kankara–Dutsinma–Katsina road, which serves as a major link between several local government areas and the state capital, has
deteriorated to an almost impassable condition.
Once regarded as a strategic route for farmers, traders, and inter-city commuters, the road is now riddled with deep potholes, eroded shoulders and collapsed drainage channels.
Residents said the situation worsened after the federal government abruptly halted the ongoing rehabilitation works awarded to Vipan Global Investment Resources, an indigenous contracting firm.
A source told journalists in Ilorin yesterday that the information of the arrest of the suspected kidnapper got to his father, who allegedly mobilised other members to the market to free his son from the vigilance group.
said to have attacked one vigilance group member who responded swiftly, resultingino the father’s death.
Upon getting to the market, the old man was
Following this development, the whole
market was plunged into pandemonium, with both sides taking to a free-for-all with guns sporadically fired unhindered, and in the end, no fewer than five corpses were counted.
segun James
Following the rising cases of building collapse nationwide, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for the urgent establishment of a National Building
Tribunal to fast-track the prosecution of offenders in cases of structural failure.
The governor said this was important because professional negligence in the built environment amounts to “a form of social violence.”
Speaking at a one-day sensitisation programme on ‘Incessant Building Collapse in Nigeria’, and the launch of the Lagos Certified Structural Integrity Programme (CSIP) organised by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday in Lagos, the governor said the time had come to move from “reactive responses to proactive strategies” in addressing the persistent tragedy of building collapse across the country.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth wing of the party has said that it cannot be intimidated by the Obidient Movement or the youth wing of
the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
APC’s National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, stated this yesterday in Abuja during the unveiling of the Data Centre of the ruling party.
He explained that the
goal of the centre is to make the ruling party appealing to Nigerian youth nationwide.
Israel stressed that the centre would also be used to gather data, training, skill development and empowerment of the young population in Nigeria.
“I think the reality is that there’s no institution that is rising as fast as the APC national youth wing. This, where you are sitting now today, is an example. We are prepared. The youth of our party are now ready to take things on.
An organisation, Patronage of Nigerians United Kingdom(UK), has urged Nigerians in Diaspora to appreciate, honour, and work more closely with their local elected representatives in the UK.
In a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Manchester, UK, the President of the group and former Ogun State gubernatorial candidate
in the 2019 election, Adewale Omoniyi, praised four Nigerianheritage councillors in Greater Manchester and Trafford for their outstanding contributions to community welfare. According to him, these councillors have not only championed community projects but have also stepped in personally to resolve urgent issues, including preventing deportations, assisting stranded Nigerian students with accommodation.
Nume Ekeghe
Six Nigerian innovators have emerged as the top winners in Ecobank Nigeria Limited’s InnovateX Competition, sharing a total of N20
million in cash prizes.
At the grand finale held at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, Lagos, Bukola Luka of Afrimetrics, Neighborly, and Feedipay clinched the top three spots in
the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) category, winning N3 million, N2 million, and N1 million respectively.
In the Creative category, ISIO took home N3 million, Leadforge received N2 million, and Zulana was awarded N1 million. The winners emerged from a pool of 20 finalists who competed at the event.
Pe T er Ob I , J O n ATHA n A n D ‘One-Term’ arrangement that the presidency should rotate between the North and South—was meant to foreclose the aspiration of Jonathan who was then the incumbent president. The stake was raised higher on 21st November 2010 when the Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) led by the late Mallam Adamu Ciroma endorsed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ‘consensus PDP presidential candidate’ from the region. Other northern aspirants, including General Ibrahim Babangida and Dr Bukola Saraki, were encouraged to withdraw from the race for Atiku. And they all did.
In accepting the PDP ‘northern mandate’ at the time, Atiku called on Jonathan to perish his presidential ambition. “The unity of this country, equity and justice require that existing agreements freely entered into by individuals and groups be respected,” Atiku stated while canvassing the same argument that is now being used to attack his aspiration for the presidency. “We are a diverse people who recognized early in our history that national unity, fairness and equity require that we share positions of power among our diverse peoples. That is what we call zoning/ rotation of public offices.”
theSouth-Easttomakeahugesacrificetoserve onlyoneterm;tovouchtodosoandindeedto dosoasanaffirmationthattheycanbetrusted as integral players in Nigeria. This aspect will alsobringtoclosureresidualdiscomfituresfrom theNigerian-Biafrancivilwar.Suchaguarantee is one the entire South-East zone has to make, regardlessofwhetherthepresidentialcandidate is Peter Obi or not.
Before I conclude with my take on the substance of Obaze’s thesis, I believe he overstated his case with the idea that “the ultimate selling point” of Obi’s proposal “is that a President committed or constrained to one term will not be saddled with re-election responsibilities and will inevitably focus on his or her legacy projects and programmes, and other good governance deliverables and dividends.”
multiplicity of opposition platforms and presidential aspirants, I am yet to see a serious commitment from the opposition to defeat the incumbent in a presidential election that is just about 17 months away. I also believe that there is merit to Obi’s aspiration beyond the narratives being pushed by his army of online supporters. In my January 2023 column, ‘How far can Peter Obi Go?’ in the days preceding the last presidential election, I alluded to this issue:
Although Jonathan contested the PDP presi- dential primaries where he defeated Atiku, the support he enjoyed from a section of the northern political establishment, including then serving governors, was said to be conditional: He would spend only one term in office. His attempt to renege on that ‘agreement’ ended in defeat when he sought re-election in 2015. Ironically, this same cold calculation that worked against Jonathan in the past has now made him the most preferred politician when it comes to which southern candidate should challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. The main attraction for the hegemons behind the idea of a Jonathan-for- president campaign is that he and Tinubu are the only two southerners who are statute-barred from seeking another term in office should they win the next election.
While it is easy to see the sectional machination behind the lobby to have Jonathan run in the 2027 general election, aspiring under such a compromised arrangement has dire implications for him and the ambition of Peter Obi. That is because the only platform under which the former president can run is the PDP whose leaders are already openly pleading with Obi to come back and possibly become their presidential candidate for the 2027 election. But the real issue at this point is whether ‘the North’ (interestingly, that is supposed to include me) would trust the promise of Obi to spend only one term in office if elected. The permutations that go into such high-stakes political conversations in Nigeria are about ‘sharing the national cake’. Apparently, the political elite in each of the major ethnic groups do not feel satisfied unless the man doing the sharing is one of their own. Considering the pattern in the distribution of opportunities, especially under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administrations since 2015, it is difficult to fault their concerns. Obi’s promise is based on appeasing group aspiration, in this case, the desire of the North to produce the 2031 president based on the oscillation
of power between the two regions. That is precisely where the problem lies. In the event Obi wins, the compelling argument from his kinsmen in 2031 would then be that the Southwest held the presidency for 12 years with another eight years in the number two office, while the North held it for about 11 years plus 17 years in the vice presidency. Even the South-south held the presidency for five years plus three years in the vice presidency. Why then would a president from the Southeast spend only four years in Aso Rock and leave?
On Monday, Mr Oseloka Obaze, a respected retired international diplomat who served as Secretary to the State Government when Peter Obi was Anambra governor, responded to that question. In his treatise titled, ‘Imperatives of single-term presidency’, Obaze explained that “the one-off single-term presidency debate is what Nigeria requires to move forward... it will address several distressing and persisting concerns, some subliminal and others, transparently concrete.” But he also admitted that Peter Obi’s declaration was “necessitated by political realities well beyond his control.” The ‘core North’, Obaze further argued, should support Obi’s plan in its enlightened self-interest “since their unfettered support for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023 in a secular state like Nigeria has yielded less than the desirable dividends.”
In what he described as “applying the Doctrine of Necessity” to give effect to Obi’s proposition, Osaloka highlighted what he considers the benefits, and they are worth rehashing here:
mentFirst,itkeepstheNorth-Southzoningarrangeintact.Second,itofferscommongrounds forthepoliticaloppositiontorallytoaconsensus andformaformidablebloccapableofunseating theincumbentPresident.Third,itguaranteesthe North(whethermonolithicornot)theuncontested assumption of the presidency in 2031, for an eight-year term, just as was the case in 2015. Fourth,itguaranteestheSouththattheirzoned eight-yeartenure,2023to2031,willberespected. Fifth,itreassurestheprogressiveelementswithin theSouth-West,especiallythoseinpoliticalopposition,thatinseekingtounseattheirkithand kin they will not be accused of breaching the zoningarrangementduetoethnicconsiderations. Sixth,andperhapsthemostsalient,itcompels
D OYI n Ab IO l A : A Tr AI lbl A zer A n D Ic O n just to me, but to every intern. A little over a year later, after my national youth service, she approved Awoyinfa’s recommendation that I be hired five ranks higher than a typical graduate. I had no connections, no pedigree, just words and work. Awoyinfa gave me my first break and Dr. Abiola allowed him to give me the wings to fly.
Concord Press was a dream like Nigeria. It was built to be great, to change the way journalists worked and lived. It was the dream of MKO Abiola and Doyin Abiola was the overseer. Then the skies over Nigeria got poisoned by the dictators’ gunpowder. They crippled Concord and left it to die. They didn’t just disable journalism - they killed the hope of a nation too.
We reconnected almost two decades later when I started the long journey working on a documentary film about MKO and the June 12 elections. And that was when I really got to know her. We would visit and talk. In London and Lagos. For hours and hours. She proudly called me her younger brother and I called her
aunty Doyin. She was caring and doting. Because I travel a lot for work, she once instructed me to bring my wife over to London for a visit so she could thank her for accommodating my schedule in her busy life. When she learned I
I beg to disagree. In the United States from where we copied the presidential system of government, the idea of a single term tenure was vigorously debated at the 1787 constitutional drafting convention in Philadelphia. Although Thomas Jefferson—the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and third president— initially canvassed a single seven-year term, he later became an advocate for “service for eight years with a power to remove at the end of the first four.” But it was Gouverneur Morris—often described as the ‘Penman of the American Constitution’ for writing the Preamble—who reportedly persuaded the convention that the one-term limitation would “destroy the great motive to good behaviour.” And he was backed by another Founding Father, Oliver Ellsworth who argued that a president “should be re-elected if his conduct prove worthy of it. And he will be more likely to render himself worthy of it if he be rewardable with it.”
From 1830 under Andrew Jackson to 1913 under Woodrow Wilson and 1983 under Ronald Reagan, this same idea of a presidential single term has elicited interesting conversations. In fact, in 1947 under President Harry Truman, during the debate on the 22nd Amendment which eventually culminated in limiting a president to two terms of four years in 1951, the American Senate defeated a single six-year term proposal by a vote of 82 to one. So, there is really nothing special about the idea. Besides, a constitutionally enshrined single-term tenure will not work for us in Nigeria. In fact, it could work against our democracy as has happened in jurisdictions where constitutional change on tenure of the president has occurred. The argument would then be that since such a law cannot be retroactively applied, the incumbent president would take the first shot! We have seen such political mischief at play in many African countries in recent years.
What the foregoing suggests is that the real selling point of Obi’s pledge is not that a single term is better than the current renewable term of four years but rather that he (Obi) has decided that, to assure the North of his commitment to the zoning arrangement in the country, he would spend only one term in office if elected president in 2027. This may be good politics, but the bigger challenge for Obi is that with a
had helped man the Nigerian desk at Amnesty International USA during parts of the Abacha years, another connection formed. She shared stories rarely heard, battle scars unseen, strategies never published. Stories that still make my heart ache for what Nigeria could have become. She never stopped honoring the memory of MKO. Speak to her for five minutes and his name would come up. Not out of grief but pride, and regret for what Nigeria could have become if the man they freely voted for to lead them was allowed to rule. She spoke of global lobbying. The nights of strategy. The grand deceptions. The conversations with Mandela and the world’s other moral giants. She carried all of it with grace and fire. And she spoke of how MKO chased her and won her heart. How the man who always got what his heart desired conquered the heart of Nigeria’s preeminent female journalist. But the biggest gift she shared with MKO was their daughter, Doyinsola – the Doyin in Mama Doyin. She loved Doyinsola with every breath in her. There’s this twinkle in her eyes whenever
boxes....PeterObi’saspirationtickssomeimportant Therewasarevealingexchangelastweek inoneoftheWhatsAppchatgroupstowhichI belongbetweentworespectedIgboprofessionals duringadiscussiononwhatPresidentOlusegun Obasanjo’sendorsementofObimeans.Thefirst one wrote: “One nation, two oracles. One in Minnaandtheother,inAbeokuta.OneNorth. OneSouth.BalancedRepublic!”Notlongafter camethisripostefromthesecondperson:“Typical! Onceagain,theSoutheastisbeingmarginalized… notevenhalfanoracle.Goddey!”
Although the interactions were in a lighter mood,Ibelievethesecondpostsoundedtruer thanthewritermayhaveintended.Ifonewere toextrapolate,theonlyreasonwhywehavean ‘Oracle’inAbeokutaandanotheroneinMinna is because they have led Nigeria at different epochs. To the extent that we have not had a democraticallyelectedcivilianpresident(ormilitary leader with sufficient time in office) from the Southeast,Nigeriahasalsonotbeenblessedwith an‘oracle’fromtheregion.Giventhetripodal(as inWaZoBia)natureofourpoliticalarrangement in Nigeria, one can then surmise that there is a value in Obi’s aspiration that transcends his personalambition…
While we cannot continue to run our nation based on elite-fuelled manipulations that have nothing to do with the welfare of the downtrodden of our society, we must also confront our demons. The psychological exclusion of an important ethnic group from presidential power poses a serious problem that needs to be resolved by members of the political elite. I don’t know whether Obaze’s thesis will move the needle in the ongoing conversations about 2027, but it is nonetheless significant within the broader context of the North-South power rotation that has, even if by default, become an elite consensus in Nigeria.
Registration for the 2025 RCCG TEAP Teens Career Conference for teenagers and young adults has closed. Those that registered but haven’t received their conference number should send an email to info@rccgteapteens. ng or text 08023092793. The conference will be streamed live on our website at https:// rccgteapteens.ng/watch-live and on our YouTube and Facebook social media handles. Interested online participants can also join via Zoom on https://rccgteapteens.ng/zoom-meet. The live broadcast will start at noon (12.00 PM).
she speaks about her and there’s a magical connection between them when they share a space. Her grandkids always seem to energize her even as age slowed her down. Watching her play with them, I often wondered how she managed to balance so much love and legacy. But that was her secret: she knew that the future must be nurtured - both in boardrooms and family rooms.
Some people come into this world and quietly pass through it, content to mark their presence. Others write their own chapters. But then there is Doyin Abiola - who don’t just write chapters, she wrote new volumes. She cleared a path through the darkness and made space for generations of African women journalists to shine. She held up a light and dared the world to follow it.
You ran a great race, Aunty Doyin. Knowing you was a privilege. Walking in the glow of your light was an honor. Now, you can rest in heavenly peace.
•Oyamendan, a Nigerian-American filmmaker, wrote in from Los Angeles
Duro Ikhazuagbe
Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, tipped off their 2025 AfroBasket campaign in flying start yesterday in Luanda, Angola as the 2015 champions handed out a convincing 77-59 win against Madagascar.
D’Tigers who are aiming to build on the success of
their female counterparts D’Tigress, who won their fifth consecutive continental title a fortnight ago in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, were focused as they kicked off their campaign from the first quarter, winning it 18-14.
The Indian Ocean Island nation however fought back, gamely, to take the second quarter 23-20, leaving D’Tigers with a narrow one
point lead at 38-37.
The Nigerian lads how- ever went into overdrive mode, dominating the third quarter 17-9, to stretch their lead to 55-49 going into the final fourth quarter.
They continued from where they stopped in that crucial final 10 minutes with solid defensive play, good ball movement and shooting. D’Tigers won the
fourth quarter 23-13 with overall final scores at 77-59.
Expectedly, Caleb Agada, who plays for Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya, capped his return to the national team with incredible all-round display with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. He really showed why he was central to Al Ahli winning the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) championship.
The National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF) has commemorated the 36th anniversary of football legend, late Samuel Okwaraji, while also asserting its commitment to honouring his legacy through sustained efforts to improve players’ welfare and safety in the sport.
Okwaraji slumped and died on August 12, 1989 at the National Stadium, Lagos while representing the Super Eagles in a World Cup qualifier against Angola.
NANPF President, Sunday Abe, who spoke at a memorial event held in Okwaraji’s honour, underscored the
association’s dedication to safeguarding the health, well-being, and rights of professional footballers across the country.
He said: “Samuel Okwaraji made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country. His memory serves as a solemn reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive safety standards in Nigerian football.
“Beyond tributes, we are transforming this remembrance into action by prioritising Players’ welfare at every level of the game.”
Abe also added that NANPF had been actively collaborating with key stakeholders to enhance player welfare through better health screening protocols, emergency response systems, and
comprehensive insurance coverage.
He said that the ongoing campaigns aim to educate footballers about their rights, access to medical care, and the importance of both physical and mental well-being.
“Player welfare is not a privilege — it is a right,” he emphasized. “As we honour Okwaraji, we also demand concrete steps to prevent such tragedies from ever happening again.”
Stan Okoye was next in the leaderboard of contribution to the D’Tigers success with 13 points, while Ike Nwamu added 12 points.
After this opening game win, D’Tigers now have a
tough customers in their next game on Friday as they take on defending champions Tunisia. D’Tigers final group stage fixture will be against Cameroon on Sunday.
With uncertainties surrounding Ademola Lookman’s future in the Italian Serie A following the acrimony that his ambition to leave Bergamo this summer transfer window has created, there appears light at the end of the tunnel as Atalanta CEO, Luca Percassi, would be meeting with the Nigerian in England.
According to Sky Italiavia FCInterNews, Percassi is currently in the United Kingdom, officially to negotiate a potential deal for Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz.
However, it has been suggested that Percassi may also be holding private discussions
with Lookman amid ongoing transfer tensions.
The Nigerian international has reportedly refused to return to Bergamo, Atalanta’s base in Italy, thereby signaling his clear preference for a move away to Inter Milan. He has already agreed personal terms with the San Siro team.
While details of the proposed meeting between Percassi and Lookman remain unconfirmed, a credible source hinted yesterday that the Atalanta CEO may have either met Lookman in England or somewhere else away from the media spotlight, to directly address the standoff.
Following two days of intensive coaching clinics, young table tennis players from 12 states and 28 clubs across Nigeria will begin competition today, Thursday, August 14, at the 6th Efunkoya U-15 Table Tennis Tournament.
The event will take place at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Top coaches and former stars have guided the participants through the fundamentals of the sport, preparing them with essential
skills and exercises ahead of the tournament.
Hundreds of players under the age of 15 years are expected to compete in the three-day, five-event tournament. Winners will be rewarded with prizes and educational scholarships in recognition of their performance.
Tournament referee, John Peters, emphasised the organisers’ commitment to strict age verification, ensuring that only eligible players participate.
Both coach Eric Chelle and the Home-based Eagles have come under heavy fire after they crashed out of the delayed African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) following a 4-0 thrashing by Sudan.
“The coach has to share in the blame because he is in charge of the team,” blasted former Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze.
“The team were a disgrace.
The players have shown they’re not good enough to be called up by the Super Eagles.
“They failed to take the opportunity they got through the CHAN.”
Former NPFL star Victor Ezeji was equally critical of the team.
“They were very, very poor,” he lamented.
“They have kept disappointing us.”
Journalist Eze Chukwu said Eric Chelle ought not to have led the team to CHAN.
“The coaches who qualified the team for the tournament ought to have been allowed to take full charge,” he said.
“The bigger worry now is how this scandalous outing will impact on our World Cup qualifiers next month with Eric Chelle still in charge of the Super Eagles.”
FiRS ChAiRmAn hoSTS miLiTARy ChiEFS...
L-R: Major General Olufemi Akinjobi (retd); Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; and Air Vice Marshall Precious Nnamdi Amadi, during a visit to the FIRS Chairman at the Revenue House in Abuja… yesterday
olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com
Mr. Peter Obi, former Anambra State Governor and LP (Labour Party) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, recently pledged he would serve only one term if elected president in 2027. Essentially to reassure political leaders from a section of the country of his commitment to the zoning arrangement. “Longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service — however brief — that defines true statesmanship,” Obi wrote in a statement reaffirming his pledge while also referencing the late South African icon, Mr Nelson Mandela and former American Presidents Abraham Lincoln and J.F. Kennedy, as worthy examples. “My vow to serve only one term of four years if elected President is sacrosanct.”
Before we proceed to the practicality of Obi’s promise under the current dispensation in Nigeria, it is important to first put it in proper
context. While there is nothing in the constitution that precludes any politician from seeking the
While we cannot continue to run our nation based on elitefuelled manipulations that have nothing to do with the welfare of the downtrodden of our society, we must also confront our demons. The psychological exclusion of an important ethnic group from presidential power poses a serious problem that needs to be resolved by members of the political elite
presidency of Nigeria based on which part of the country they hail from, there is an unspoken arrangement that guides presidential elections every season. It is within this context that Dr Goodluck Jonathan has suddenly become the darling of the same politicians who conspired to upend his presidency in 2015, after failing to prevent his elevation to the office four years earlier in 2011.
gu EST COL um NIST
Perhaps we should take the story from May 2010. Following the death of my principal, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, there was a strong agitation in the North that only politicians from the region should contest the 2011 presidential election on the platform of then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). That proposition—based on the zoning
Idon’t like phone calls from Nigeria in the middle of the night. Nothing good ever comes out of the Nigerian night. They are hardly ever social calls. They rarely carry laughter or warmth. It’s almost always a buffet of needs crying to be met - survival needs, medical emergencies, tuition troubles and more. So, when my phone lit up last Tuesday under the blistering Californian summer sun and I saw a familiar Nigerian number, I picked up gladly. Calls from home, when the sun is still high, usually bring lighter fare - nostalgia, gossip, or simply a shared laugh across time zones. But the voice that greeted me was heavy, hollowed by grief. A voice that belonged unmistakably to the night. And, in that single breath before the words landed, I realized it was night in Nigeria. “Mama Doyin is gone,” the voice said.
There is only one Mama Doyin in my universe. And she was not merely a woman. She was a
force. A woman who looked at the skies and thought that is just the baseline for professional beginnings. A woman never content with following footsteps. She created her own path, and in doing so, blew the door of opportunities open for Nigerian female journalists and a generation of men too. She didn’t rise by jumping through hoops. She soared over them.
Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola. Not merely a name, but a monument. Not just a woman, but a whirlwind. Not a story told, but a life lived in distinction. Before her, newsrooms were largely male spaces. Women were often relegated to the sidelines - as typists, secretaries, low-level reporters. Not senior reporters and never editors. But when she arrived, she didn’t wait for a chair to be pulled out. She took a seat at the table. She became the first female editor of a
Nigerian national newspaper, topped it up by becoming the first editor-in-chief of a national newspaper. And not just any paper - the mighty Concord Press.
In a profession once walled off to women, she didn’t just break the wall, she rebuilt the architecture. When others stopped at success, she aimed for significance. Where others settled, she started anew. She didn’t wait for tomorrow to arrive. She picked up a torch and lit the way for it. She was fearless. When the military bared its teeth, she did not flinch.
I first met her at Concord. I was a young intern surviving on the weekly fifty-naira transport stipend. My editor, Mike Awoyinfa, believed I deserved more and argued I should be paid per article like a freelancer. She said yes. Not
Continued on page 46