THURSDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER 2025

Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Presidency yesterday

Tinubu: Our govt’s bold economic reforms already yielding fruitful results Says bleeding has stopped, haemorrhage is gone, the patient is alive Declares that in two years Nigeria now respected globally declared that the nation was witnessing a historic shift in its public finances, with non-oil

revenues driving the country’s strongest fiscal performance in decades.

Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, who revealed the statistics, stated that between

www.thisdaylive.com

Benue, Plateau Killings: DSS Arraigns Nine Prime Suspects

One pleads guilty to unlawful possession of firearms Files fresh charge against suspected gunrunner arrested with seven M16 rifles

Insecurity: Tinubu Pushes for State Police, Hails Civilian JTF

Badaru says terrorists exploiting porous borders to wreak havoc in West Africa

Gov Lawal: With control over security agencies, I can end banditry in two months North-east governors canvass resumption of oil exploration President to inaugurate 6,000MT lithium plant in Nasarawa

Alex Enumah in Abuja Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday arraigned nine individuals before a Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged

Benue and Plateau states.

TINUBU RECEIVES SOUN OF OGBOMOSO...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomes Soun of Ogbomoso, His Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaywe (Orumogege III), and his delegates to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

GITEX EXHIBITION WALKTHROUGH AND WELCOME ADDRESS EVENT...

L-R: Director-General/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; GITEX Global Organiser/CEO of Kaoun International, Trixie Lohmirmand; IFC Regional Director, Central and Anglophone West Africa, Dahlia Khalifa; UAE Consul General in Lagos, Mr. Salem Al Jaberi; and Commissioner of Innovation, Science and Technology, Lagos, Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, during the GITEX exhibition walkthrough and welcome address event, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday

Tinubu Orders SGF to Issue Circular on Health Insurance in MDAs

Appoints governing council members, VCs for federal universities of education in Kano and Zaria

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to issue a service-wide circular to all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on the implementation of mandatory health insurance in line with the National Health Insurance Act, 2022.

He, however, called for further, closer, and constructive engagement with the Private Sector on the Act to ensure that businesses are not unduly constrained.

The President’s directive, according to a statement issued yesterday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, covers five key areas.

First, all MDAs must enrol their employees in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) health insurance plan. Where desired, MDAs may take up supplementary private insurance coverage in

accordance with the NHIA Act.

All entities participating in public procurement must present a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of their eligibility documentation.

This certificate confirms compliance with the mandatory health insurance requirement and serves as a condition precedent for continuing any procurementrelated engagement.

The presidential directive also compels all MDAs to require applicants to present valid NHIA Health Insurance Certificates as a precondition for issuing and renewing licenses, permits, and other official approvals.

According to the directive, the NHIA would establish a digital platform to enable easy verification of Health Insurance Certificates, ensuring transparency and accessibility.

Finally, the directive compels all MDAs to work with the NHIA to develop internal

procedures to verify the authenticity of the submitted Health Insurance Certificates and ensure consistent compliance monitoring.

The presidential directive aims to expand health coverage, safeguard workers, reduce out-of-pocket health expenditures and promote

accountability in public and private sector engagements.

The NHIA Act, 2022, stipulates compulsory health insurance for Nigerians and mandates NHIA to ensure health coverage for all persons in Nigeria and undertake necessary measures to achieve its objectives.

Three years after the Act was enacted, national health insurance coverage remains alarmingly low despite recent progress in the health sector.

The President also appointed Abdurrazaq Abubakar Nakore, an engineer, as Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano. He also named Prof. Abdullahi Tukur Kodage as Vice Chancellor of the university. Nakore, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, was Executive Secretary of the Rural Electricity Board in Jigawa State.

Improved Security Will Impact Positively on Cancer Control Efforts, Says Zainabu Bagudu

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Former First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr. Zainab ShinkafiBagudu, has said that security agencies can play central role in the effort to advance national cancer control programme.

Speaking at an awareness lecture organised by National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) as part of its 2025 Health Week in Bwari, Abuja, Bagudu

said effective security and policing are crucial to improved cancer outcomes as it will provide conducive atmosphere for carrying out sensitization on disease prevention.

Zainabu Bagudu told the security personnels during the Executive Intelligence Management Course 18 (EIMC 18) that they can help to counter myths and misconceptions about cancer, safeguarding medical supply chains to prevent diversion, pilferage, and vandalism of cancer medicines and vaccines.

The 10-month executive

program convened about 80 participants from six African countries, including Nigeria and Rwanda, representing institutions such as the Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Immigration Service, Airport Authorities, State Governments, and Federal Ministries.

In her address, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu highlighted that cancer remains a global health crisis, causing nearly 10 million deaths annually. She stressed on how health and security are interdepen-

dent, and that the role of security agencies is central to advancing national cancer control efforts.

Zainabu Bagudu emphasized that effective security and policing are crucial to improved cancer outcomes, outlining five priority areas to include; supporting dissemination of accurate information through security networks to counter myths and misconceptions about cancer, safeguarding medical supply chains to prevent diversion, pilferage, and vandalism of cancer medicines and vaccines.

Nume

United Bank for Africa (UBA)

Court Orders British Airways to Pay Nigerian Passenger N50m for Breach of Contract UBA, Mastercard Unveil Prepaid Card to Deepen Financial Inclusion

Plc has partnered Mastercard to launch a new prepaid card aimed at accelerating financial inclusion and expanding access to digital payments across Africa.

The product, unveiled recently, was designed for individuals without traditional bank accounts, particularly young adults, gig workers, and low-income earners who often face barriers to accessing formal financial services. The

card allows users to load funds, make local and international transactions, and manage spending securely and flexibly.

Nigeria’s financial access gap remains significant, with more than 28.9 million adults still unbanked.

Analysts say the rising demand for digital-first tools among freelancers and youth makes the prepaid solution timely.

In a statement, Group Head, Retail & Digital Bank- ing, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Shamsideen Fashola,

who noted that that was a demonstration of the bank’s customer-first approach, stated that the bank was committed to ensuring that every Nigerian is banked and gets the best service.

“This collaboration with Mastercard is yet another dem- onstration of our customer-first approach. We are committed to providing practical solutions that meet the everyday needs of Nigerians, and this card will make payments simpler, safer, and accessible to all,” Fashola added.

Wale Igbintade

Justice Ibrahim Kala of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has ordered British Airways to pay N50 million in damages to a Nigerian passenger, Mr. Stephen Osho, for breach of contract of carriage and unfair treatment.

Delivering judgment, Justice Kala held that Osho

successfully proved that the airline violated its obligations under the international contract of carriage when it failed to provide the service for which he had fully paid.

The court found that the passenger suffered undue hardship, inconvenience, and financial loss as a result of British Airways’ conduct.

In its defence, British

Airways argued that Osho was responsible for his own predicament and urged the court not to award compensation.

Counsel for the airline further contended that, if any costs were granted, they should not exceed N60,000. The court dismissed the argument as untenable in light of the facts before it.

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Ekeghe

COURTESY VISIT BY THE DG NIMC TO THE INEC CHAIRMAN...

L-R: DG, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Dr. Abisoye Odusola, and INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a courtesy visit by the

to the Chairman in Abuja, yesterday

To Curb Sundry Abuses, FCCPC Issues Regulations on Online, Digital Lending Practices

Lenders mandated to register with commission or risk

James Emejo in Abuja

Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection

Commission (FCCPC), Mr. Tunji Bello, yesterday, announced the release of Digital, Electronic, Online, or NonTraditional Consumer Lending

Regulations (DEON Consumer Lending Regulation), 2025, to address longstanding consumer complaints and a variety of issues.

The landmark regulations, made pursuant to Sections 17, 18, and 163 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (2018), sought to

Nigeria, Poland Deepen Trade Ties with Inaugural Economic Forum in Lagos

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The inaugural Polish–Nige- rian Economic Forum will take place on September 11, 2025, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, marking a major step in strengthening bilateral trade and investment between both countries, a statement made available to THISDAY said yesterday.

Organised by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in

Abuja, the one-day forum will bring together leading business executives, government officials, and experts from both countries to explore opportunities for enhanced cooperation.

With more than 15 Polish companies showcasing innovative technologies and industrial expertise, the forum will highlight opportunities in IT and cybersecurity, infrastructure, energy management, housing, oil & gas (downstream), CNG and autogas, and medical equipment, the

statement added.

The event represents the largest Polish–Nigerian business-to-business (B2B) event of 2025, designed to deepen partnerships and stimulate economic growth on both sides.

The embassy said that the high-level discussions will focus on Poland’s economic success story, strategic areas for bilateral cooperation, and sustainable finance as a driver of growth.

Speakers will include top Polish officials, Nige- rian decision-makers, and

Ooni Global Celebration: Ife Monarch to Mark 10 Years of Reign with Pan- African Festival

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, will between November 30th to December 7th, mark the 10th anniversary of his coronation with a landmark international festival themed, “A Reign of Peace, Culture and Unity.”

Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Ile- Ife, Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi

noted that Ooni as the spiritual leader of the Oodua race has redefined traditional leadership for a modern era.

Queen Ogunwusi made it clear that the reign of the Monarch has been a beacon of peace, cultural preservation, and socio- economic advancement, restoring Ile-Ife as undisputed cradle of Yoruba civilization and the spiritual heart of Africa.

According to her, “Since ascending the throne in 2015, Ooni had consistently championed initiatives that have touched lives both within Nigeria and across theShediaspora.”remarked that as a custodian of Yoruba culture, Ooni has played a pivotal role in cultural diplomacy and Pan-African unity, serving as a bridge between Africa and her diaspora.

industry experts committed to building bridges for shared prosperity.

The participation of KUKE (Polish Export Credit Agency) and BGK (Polish Development Bank), according to the statement, underscores the role of export credit and development financing as key enablers of this cooperation.

N100 million fine, others primarily safeguard consumers by establishing a comprehen- sive framework.

The blueprint aimed at addressing exploitative practices, data privacy violations, abusive loan recovery tactics, harassment, and anti-competitive behaviour by certain digital lenders and their partners within Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital credit market.

The framework mandates transparency, fairness, responsible conduct, data privacy, and accessible redress mechanisms, all under the oversight of FCCPC. They were a crucial step towards regulating the country’s rapidly expanding digital lending sector.

Announcing the gazetting and commencement of the regulations in Abuja, Bello

said, “For too long, Nigerians have endured harassment, data breaches, and unethical practices by unregulated digital lenders. These regula- tions draw a clear line that innovation is welcome, but not at the expense of rights and dignity of consumers, or the rule of law.

“These regulations provide the legal tools to hold violators accountable and promote responsible digital finance. No consumer should be harassed, defamed, or lured into unsustainable debt under the guise of digital lending.”

The regulations, which came into effect on July 21, 2025, establishes a robust legal framework to register, monitor, and sanction all forms of digital and non-traditional lending in Nigeria.

T2 Seals Another Mega Deal with Knot Solutions to Drive End-to-End Digital Transformation

Emma Okonji T2, a telecoms company and Knot Solutions, a leading digital transformation company based in India, have signed a multi-million-dollar strategic partnership, aimed to modernise T2’s business support systems (BSS) and operations support systems (OSS).

The partnership will help drive T2’s mission to become Nigeria’s Digital Lifestyle Partner and ushering in a digital renaissance in telecoms.

The high-profile signing ceremony held during the ongoing Gitex Nigeria, brought together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.

The partnership marks a significant milestone in T2’s four-phase transformation strategy: Stabilisation, Mod- ernisation, Transformation, and Growth as T2 positions itself for a powerful comeback in Nigeria’s competitive telecoms sector. The structured approach underscores its commitment to restoring competitiveness,

driving customer-centric innovation, and enabling Nigeria’s digital future. With strategic initiatives such as national roaming already underway, and a recent multi-million-dollar infrastructure deal with Huawei, creating a powerful dual-pronged strategy that modernizes network opera- tions, access to infrastructure and digital customer engagement platforms, T2 is poised to redefine the digital experience for millions of Nigerian customers.

DG

PhOtO: JuLIus AtOI

CANCER AWARENESS HEALTH WEEK...

Founder, Medicaid Cancer Foundation and UICC President Elect, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu (L), and Commandant of the National Institute for Security Studies, Mr. Joseph Odama, after delivering a cancer awareness lecture to the Executive Intelligence Management Course 18, as part of their 2025 Health Week, held at the institute in Abuja on Tuesday

At PIC Summit, Alausa,

Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Others

Push for Removal of Barriers to Gender Inclusion

Education minister says FG clearing financial, cultural obstacles to learning Nigeria can’t achieve $1tn economy if women are relegated, insists minister

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, yesterday said the federal government was putting in place policies and programmes to ensure that all barriers to gender inclusion in Nigeria’s education system are removed.

Speaking in Abuja at the Gender and Inclusion Summit 2025 (GS-25) organised by Policy Innovation Centre (PIC), an initiative of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Alausa stressed that the arguably 15 million out-of-school children in the country was unacceptable to the Bola Tinubu administration.

To this end, he stated that the government was taking action to ensure nobody is excluded from getting an education whether due to paucity of funds, insecurity or as a result of cultural barriers.

Alausa listed several ongo- ing programmes by the federal government, including those

focusing on the menstrual health of women; the school feeding programme, which is currently being reworked, reinforcement of security in risk-prone areas, among others. According to him, there’s currently massive infrastructure revamp in the schools, in col- laboration with sub-national governments, explaining that the efforts are already yielding tangible results nationwide.

At the programme themed: “New Voices and New Ap- proaches for Accelerating an Inclusive Society,” Alausa emphasised that the Bola Tinubu administration takes education and gender inclusion seriously, which accounts for why he has the largest female appointees in a long time.

“So we’re tackling the problem from the centre, and we’re beginning to see good results. We’re using data, we’re using technology, and we’re advancing. The President places a lot of emphasis, on women, on girls, and he’s done

this before. He did it even when he was governor of Lagos state,” he pointed out. Alausa, while commending the leadership of PIC for the annual programme, highlighted the cultural and ethnic sensitivity of some of the issues surrounding the out-of-school children phenomenon, stating that

consultations were ongoing with sub-national governments to ensure all misconceptions are dealt with.

Also speaking, the Min- ister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, while assuring that the conversations will directly inform policies under the current administra-

tion, argued that Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a $1 trillion economy cannot be achieved if women, who represent over 50 per cent of the population, remain consigned to the margins.

“Already, women own 43 per cent of MSMEs in Nigeria, yet only 9 per cent of them have access to formal

credit. Women representation in leadership remains below expectation, and girls in rural areas are still twice as likely to be out of secondary school as boys. These, amongst others, are stark reminders of the barriers we must continue to confront. But they are also signals of where the greatest opportunities lie,” she stated.

Establishment of Flight Data Centre Commitment to Aviation Safety, Says NCAA Boss

Chinedu Eze

Director-General, Civil Aviation (DGCA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has described the establishment of Flight Data Centre by Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as a clear declaration of Nigeria’s commitment to aviation safety. Najomo made this known yesterday while declaring open a one-day training

EU, International IDEA Launch Project to Strengthen Civil Society in Nigeria

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

European Union (EU) and International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) have launched CSO Strengthening Bridge (EU CSO-Bridge) project, an initiative designed to enhance the credibility of civil society organisations (CSOs) and improve regulatory and operational environment in Nigeria.

Funded by the EU and implemented by Interna-

tional IDEA, the project will run for 36 months and build on the gains of the recently concluded EU-funded Agents for Citizen-driven Transformation (ACT) Programme. The project launched on Monday in Abuja aim to create an enabling environ- ment for CSOs to thrive and contribute to Nigeria’s sustainable development agenda, particularly in governance, accountability, and inclusive development.

At the launch, Head of

the Governance, Peace, and Migration Section at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Reuben Alba Aguilera, reaffirmed EU’s longstanding commitment to supporting Nigeria’s civil society.

Aguilera described the EU CSO-Bridge Project as a continuation of EU’s efforts to build a sustainable civic space, where CSOs could effectively contribute to democracy and national development.

workshop for frontline managers for the flight data centre held at the authority’s headquarters in Abuja.

The NCAA director-general stated that the flight data centre was so significant that it was personally commissioned by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

Najomo said, “We are investing in your capacity and competence. This is more than a training programme — it is an investment in our

collective future and a clear statement of our commitment to excellence.”

He explained that the centre allowed for proactive collection, flight data analysis, and identification of potential safety deficiencies with a view to addressing them before they could escalate into serious incidents or accidents.

Najomo stressed the need to move oversight methodol- ogy from compliance-based to performance-based, from being reactive to being proac-

tive and predictive.

The DGCA commended Director of Special Duties, Mr. Horatius Egua, and his team for their dedication to making the vision of NCAA — becoming one of the world’s leading Civil Aviation Authorities in Africa – a reality.

In his goodwill message, Egua recalled how the project, which had been in limbo since 2016, became a reality following the approval of the DGCA.

FG Declares Friday Public Holiday to Mark Eid-Ul-Mawlid

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The federal government has declared Friday, 5th September 2025, as a public holiday to commemorate the celebration of Eid-ul-Mawlid, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the federal

government, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, extended warm felicitations to Muslim Umah in Nigeria and across the world on this occasion Tunji-Ojo enjoined the Muslim faithful to reflect on the virtues of peace, love, humility, tolerance, and compassion as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad

(PBUH), stressing that these values remain essential in building a united, prosperous, and progressive nation. He further called on Nigerians, regardless of their religious beliefs, to use the occasion to pray for the peace, security, and stability of the country, while supporting the federal government’s efforts in fostering national harmony and sustainable development.

Reuters: Dangote Refinery’s Petrol Unit to Go Offline for Two Weeks

OPEC oil output rose in August amid supply revival, survey shows Cartel may consider further oil output hike on Sunday Oil price falls 2%

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The petrol producing unit at Nigeria’s 650,000 barrel-per-day Dangote refinery has been taken offline due to catalyst leaks and other issues, with repairs expected to take at least two weeks, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters yesterday.

The refinery’s 204,000 bpd Residue Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCCU) has been offline since around August 29, industry monitor IIR Energy said in a note.

The sources requested anonymity to discuss confidential information. Dangote did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The massive Dangote refinery has sharply ramped up operations since it opened last year, reshaping global oil and fuel trade flows. The refinery’s first exports of petrol to the United States are expected to reach New York later this month, data from ship tracking service Kpler showed. However, the refinery has also struggled with frequent

outages, the report said. The plant’s RFCCU was expected to run at lower rates through October after a string of issues earlier this year, Reuters reported in May.

The anticipated length of the current outage is weighing on petrol availability in the Atlantic Basin, lifting U.S. refiners’ profit margins on the fuel, market sources said, despite the unofficial end of the U.S. summer driving season earlier this week.

The U.S. petrol futures crack spread - the difference in the

price of the fuel versus the price of crude oil - gained nearly 3 per cent on Wednesday to the highest level since August 19. It had jumped more than 8 per cent on Tuesday.

Besides, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) bolstered crude production last month as the group and its allies continued to revive halted supplies, according to a Bloomberg survey.

OPEC raised output by 400,000 barrels a day — roughly the amount planned — to 28.55 million barrels a day, the survey

In S ecur ITY: T I nu B u Pu SH e S for S TAT e Pol I ce, H AI l S cI v I l IA n JT f

President Bola Tinubu yesterday reviewed the security situation in the North-east geo-political zone, saying the efforts of the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in curbing insecurity in the region had further reinforced his belief

in the creation of state police. This is coming on the heels of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) call on the President to declare a state of emergency in Northern Nigeria, citing the ‘extraordinary’ scale of insecurity and the government’s constitutional and international obligations to protect lives. In the same vein, Governor

Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state has said that banditry would become history in his state in just two months if he had control over federal security outfits, stressing that he is aware of the movements of every bandit kingpin operating in the state.

Tinubu also commended the resilience and collaboration of governors in the North-east zone,

noting that despite daunting security and developmental challenges, the region has recorded remarkable progress in stabilisation, resettlement, and social services.

“I have looked more carefully at the security situation. I see the efforts of civilian JTF and communities. This has again provoked my thinking on state

Pl AT e A u K I ll I ng S : DSS Arr AI gn S nI ne Pr I me Su SP ec TS

Those arraigned were Terkende Ashuwa (46 years) and Amos Alede (44 years), named in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/448/2025; Haruna Adamu (26) and Muhammed Abdullahi (48) in the charge marked: FHC/ ABJ/CR/449/2025; and Halima Haliru Usman (32) in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/ CR/450/2025.

Others were Timna Manjo (46) and Nanbol Tali (75 years) in the charge marked: FHC/ ABJ/CR/451/2025; Danjuma Antu (62) in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/452/2025 and Silas Iduh Oloche, named in a six-count charge marked: FHC/ ABJ/CR/453/2025.

Out of the nine, only Manjo pleaded guilty to two out of the four counts contained in the charge on which he was arraigned with Tali.

Manjo pleaded guilty to counts one and three on the charge sheet.

The counts, two of which Manjo pleaded guilty, were, “That you, Timnan Manjo of First Baptist Church, Mangu LGA, Plateau State and Nanbol Tali of Cocin LCC, Heipang, Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State, Adults, males, sometime between July and August, 2025, at Barkin Ladin LGA, Plateau State, without licence, did engage in buying and selling of two locally fabricated AK47 rifles at the rate of N3,000,000, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 9 of Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.

“That you, Timnan Manjo of First Baptist Church, Mangu LGA, Plateau State, adult, male, sometime in July, 2025,

at Mangu LGA, Plateau State, without licence, did engage in buying of three long-range Revolver Rifles at the rate of N60,000 each, from one Chomo, for resell, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 9 of Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.

“Ashuwa of Ukpam village and Alede of Akawe Tokula Polytechnic (both of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State) are alleged, in a threecount charge, to have, in July, attended at Couch Bar, Daudu village, a meeting in connection with acts of terrorism.”

They were also said to “knowingly solicit or render support by receiving material assistance of locally-made guns and AK47 rifle from one Alhaji Uba for the commissioning of acts of terrorism to wit: causing destruction to private property resulting in an economic loss of 12 cattle in Ukpam age, Benue State.

“Adamu of Kasono village and Abdullahi of Jangar Gare village, both in Awe Local Gov- ernment Area, Nasarawa State are, in a four-count charge, said to have, on June 13 “participated in a meeting alongside Musa Beniyon, Bako Malowa, Ibrahim Tunga, Azara Ahmlnadu, Legu Musa, Adamu Yale, Boddi Ayuba and Pyeure Damina among others, which in your knowledge is concerned and connected to the commissioning of acts of terrorism and killings in Abinsi and Yelwata Villages, Guma LGA, Benue State.” Adamu and Abdullahi were also accused of “knowingly concealing information about planned acts of terrorism and

killings in Abinsi and Yelwata Villages, Guma LGA, Benue State between 13th and 14th June, 2025, which you know to be of material assistance in apprehending and preventing the commissioning of acts of terrorism, but failed to disclose the information to any law enforcement or security officer.”

Mrs. Umar of Unguwan Boka, Faskari LGA, Katsina State, was alleged, in a fourcount charge, to have on July 7 at Barkin Ladi LGA and Jos North LGA of Plateau State, of attempting to render support for the commission of acts of terrorism by providing material assistance and transportation of 302 rounds of AK-47 rifle live ammunitions.

She was also said to have, on the same date, had in her

possession 302 rounds of AK-47 rifle live ammunitions.

In a four-count charge, Manjo of First Baptist Church, Mangu LGA and Tali of Cocin LCC, Heipang, Barkin Ladi LGA, both of Plateau State, were said to have sometime in August 9 at Barkin Ladin LGA, Plateau State, had in their possession a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle without a license.

Manjo was, in count three, accused of engaging in the buy- ing of three long-range revolver rifles at the rate of N60,000 each, from one Chomo, for resell.

He was also said to have engaged in buying of two locally-fabricated AK-47 rifles at the rate of N300,000 from one Vom, which he allegedly “resold to an unidentified Reverend at the rate 400,000.”

ger IA’ S n on-o I l r evenue

the N14.6 trillion recorded in the same period in 2024.

The figures were released same day President Bola Tinubu declared that his government’s bold economic reforms, which aim to restore Nigeria to its enviable position, were already yielding fruitful results.

According to the data from Onanuga, N15.69 trillion came from non-oil sources, accounting for three out of every four naira collected while describing the figures as a decisive break from decades of dependence on crude oil“Thisexports. is a watershed moment for our economy. For the first time in decades, oil is no longer the dominant driver of government revenue. Reforms, compliance, and digitisation are powering a more resilient economy,” Onanuga stressed.

showed. Group leader Saudi Arabia accounted for just over half of the increase.

The cartel and its partners have fast-tracked the return of shuttered production in recent months in a bid to reclaim global market share. The extra barrels have so far only put modest downward pressure on crude prices, but threaten to unleash a major surplus in the coming months, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

International benchmark Brent futures are down 9 per cent this year, trading near $68 a barrel

police. We can work with the National Assembly to design a framework that guarantees local ownership while ensuring political neutrality,” the President declared.

Speaking while receiving members of the North-east Governors’ Forum led by Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, at the State

In a five-count charge, Antu of Jos North, Plateau State was alleged to have, “sometime on 27th June, 2025, along Kabong Primary School, Jos North LGA, Plateau State, without licence, did have in your possession three live rounds of 9mm ammunition, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(1) of Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) of the same Act.”

He is also alleged to have “sometime on 27th June, 2025, along Kabong Primary School, Jos North LGA, Plateau State, knowingly render material support for the commission of acts of terrorism in Plateau State, by transporting two locally fabricated pistols firearms

Continued on page 34

Tinubu had underscored the performance on Tuesday while receiving a delegation of the Buhari Organisation led by Senator Tanko Al-Makura at the State House, Abuja, say- ing the numbers are proof that government reforms to expand the revenue base and strengthen compliance are working.

He said: “We have laid the foundations for a fairer, stronger fiscal system that will deliver for all Nigerians.

“Our revenues are growing because we are making every naira count, and because Nigerians are responding to reforms that are in the interest of the country.”

Tinubu has consistently argued that stronger fiscal foundations are critical to achieving his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President’s remarks came against the backdrop of criticism from some quarters about the state of the economy, particularly inflationary pressures and hardship linked to subsidy removal and exchange rate unification. His reference to revenue growth during the meeting with the Buhari Organisation was partly aimed at countering those narratives.

The Presidency further explained that the boost in revenue is already being felt across the federation through unprecedented disbursements from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

In July, monthly allocations to states and local govern- ments crossed N2 trillion for the first time in history, giving subnational governments more resources to invest in food

House, Abuja, Tinubu said his administration had, in just two years, turned the economy around, supported resettlement of displaced persons, and pri- oritised infrastructure, health, and education.

“Our history since we came into office has been about facing challenges with determination. We campaigned, convinced Nigerians, and won elections. Ever since, we have confronted the realities of governance.

“Together, we can beat our chest that the economy has turned around and displaced citizens are returning to their homes under roofs provided by resettlement and housing programmes,” he said.

Particularly, the President lauded Yobe State for producing outstanding students despite disruptions and praised regional efforts in security, housing, and agriculture and also assured the governors of continued federal government’s support to consolidate the gains already made.

On food security, Tinubu highlighted his administration’s push for mechanisation saying that the nation is currently driv- ing towards food sovereignty.

“Soon, each zone of Nigeria

Continued on page 36

security, infrastructure, and social services.

It also revealed that, for the first time in years, the federal government has not borrowed from local banks in 2025, signalling an end to the pattern of deficit financing that weighed heavily on the financial system.

The Presidency attributed the surge in non-oil inflows to a combination of reforms. Customs automation, digitised tax filings, tighter enforcement, and broadened compliance are credited with raising efficiency and plugging leakages. According to released figures, the Nigeria Customs Service collected N3.68 trillion in the first half of the year, surpassing its target by N390 billion and already meeting 56 per cent of

Continued on page 35

Benue,

Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Linus Aleke and Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

in London. While the downturn offers some relief for consumers and a win for President Donald Trump, it threatens financial pain for producers including Saudi Arabia, which is grappling with a budget deficit, and America’s shale industry.

Dangote

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI

Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com

08033025611 sms only

Olawepo-Hashim: Zoning of 2027 Presidential Ticket to South By PDP Can’t Stand Test of Time

astute businessman and prominent member of the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, in this interview speaks about salient national issues including recent decision of PDP National Executive Committee to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the southern part of Nigeria saying that decision cannot stand the test of time. Chuks okocha brings excerpts:

The Peoples Democratic Party recently zoned the presidential ticket of the party to the south. Does it not militate against your ambition?

A - Yeah, I said it’s not personal, or about my ambition. It’s an issue of fundamental human rights. The Constitution of Nigeria does not allow any political party to exclude anyone from running for public office that he is qualified for on account of where you come from. That’s discriminatory. The Constitution does not allow it. And that resolution, though taken in error, is inconsistent with precedence in the party. No party in the history of Nigeria has ever zoned presidency.

They didn’t do it in Action Group. They didn’t do it in NCNC. They didn’t do it in NPN. They didn’t do it in PDP either when it was formed. Okay? When the party was formed, though after the annulment of June 12th, there was a preponderance of sentiment that, look, in order to have peace, let’s have a candidate from Southwest. But that was against the circumstance of that era. But the leaders of the parties and the founders of the parties never precluded anybody from outside Southwest from contesting. Dr. Alex Ekueme from Southeast contested. Alhaji Abubakar Rimi from Northwest contested. In 2003, President Obasanjo, as a sitting president, ran a primary in the Eagle Square. He didn’t insist, I want automatic ticket. And at the end of the day, you had Gemade from North Central, Alhaji Rimi from Northwest, Dr. Alex Ekwueme from Southeast, they contested alongside Obasanjo. So, when people feel that there is a preponderance of sentiment, what leaders do is that they allow their delegate votes to speak for them.

They don’t pass a resolution shutting the door around a region. This terrible practice started under Dr Goodluck Jonathan, when Jonathan was afraid to put himself up for a contest at the PDP convention. And some people came and said, you should have automatic ticket. And the consequence of it was that a number of governors from a certain section of the country walked out of that convention and went and joined the All Progressives Congress. That’s how APC came into power. And PDP was house-treat. After 16 years, Jonathan threw away the PDP victories and traditions that have been built for a long time. Because of this kind of thing that he did, I’m sorry to say that those who are advocating to zone the presidency to the south are the same people saying that President Bola Tinubu should return. So, it’s a default campaign for Tinubu to come back. They just want to liquidate the PDP completely as a political party. And they are the ones also sitting on the NEC of the Labour Party, sitting on the NEC of every party.

Tinubu wants to be a sole candidate, like Abacha. That’s all this is all about. It’s not only unconstitutional. Now, we have gone through this kind of road before, under late General Sani Abacha. When GDM, UNCP, all these people said they had adopted Abacha. You had MD Yusuf, former Inspector General of Police, who was insisting, I’m going to run against Abacha, even at the GDM convention. So, when I make up my mind to formally declare, as I will do at the end of the year by the grace of God, this kind of resolution cannot stop me from running.

If they have made a decision, is there any likelihood of you challenging such a decision in the court?

It’s not a binding decision. Even the national chairman in his interview on BBC clarified that very clearly. I also learned that somebody who was on TV, one of the senators today,

olawepo-Hashim

said, look, yes, this decision has been passed, but it does not preclude anybody from running. It doesn’t have any binding effect. Yeah, they may be relying on some things that have been smuggled into the constitution of the PDP in the days of darkness to say, oh, once this is like this, it comes like this, then they can quote any section of the PDP constitution, which was not there when the PDP was founded. They put it there in the era of darkness and decline of the party to play games, you know. But whatever section of PDP constitution or new importation into the PDP constitution, different from when we created it, as a people’s party, all those things will be expunged at the next national convention. Even if they have such provision that contradicts the constitution of Nigeria, such provisions will have to be expunged.

I know some lawyers are already

making their memo up for that. It will come up at the national convention. So it cannot preclude me from running if I so decide to run, because, I mean, to be clear, you are going to have many NEC meetings before the primaries. This is not the final NEC meeting. The provisions of the party constitution even allows for special convention. If you need to have a special convention and you have enough signature to call the second convention over constitutional matters, you will call it. So, I mean, the people who are pushing this thing are very young people in politics. You know, we’ve been through all these before, and we’ve tackled all these kind of things. We will not allow any totalitarian importation into the politics of the PDP.

Will this your action not be considered as anti-party, even as the FCT chapter of the party has adopted you as a candidate? No, what is anti-party about it? If Nyesom Wike is campaigning to put Tinubu into office,

It’s an issue of fundamental human rights. The Constitution of nigeria does not allow any political party to exclude anyone from running for public office that he is qualified for on account of where you come from. That’s discriminatory. The Constitution does not allow it. And that resolution, though taken in error, is inconsistent with precedence in the party. no party in the history of nigeria has ever zoned presidency.

and it’s not anti-party. So it’s me that is saying that the PDP must have a formidable candidate that is competent, you know, that is doing anti-party? I don’t understand.

Well, I’m not afraid of such task, because we fought this as early as year 2000. Let me give you one circumstance. We have fought this kind of thing in PDP before, and as I say, these boys who are coming, they have loads of money. Some of them were SAs to some of our junior colleagues in the party. They are now governors, and they think they can just do anything they like in the PDP. It will not happen. Let me tell you something. You know what happened in the year 2000? I was Deputy National Public Secretary of the PDP. We were elected for two years. Suddenly some of our members felt that we should change it to four years because governance and chairman are four years. So I was the chairman of the group of 54 NEC members. Dr Chris Ngige was the secretary at that time. Harry Marshall and all of them were part of it, Ibeshi and all of us. And we said, gentlemen, you cannot change two years tenure to four years. They said they would do it at NEC. Some of them said, ah-ah, Gbenga, but this thing will benefit us. You are still behaving as if you are a students’ union leader. This thing will benefit you. Why should you be kicking against it? I said, because it is not right.

So they passed the resolution at NEC. Then we went to the special convention and defeated the NEC resolution. And the convention said, look, in as much as you want, two years will be changed to four years. Even if it is changed to four years, it cannot be applied retroactively. You cannot benefit from it. You have to participate. So this is not the first time we are seeing this kind of aberration.

So I am talking about all these boys. All these boys, they were not in politics at that time. All these boys that are going around, running around the PDP. They have not joined politics. Most of them have not joined politics at that time I’m talking about. We went to the National Convention and we defeated it. All right? It caused a lot of uproar in the party. So if I’m in this party, this kind of thing cannot happen. You understand what I’m saying? No matter who is behind the resolution, whether they are governors or whatever they are.

What you are telling me is that this decision will be challenged at National Convention or subsequent NEC meetings? It will be challenged at subsequent NEC meetings and subsequent national conventions, as we did in the year 2000, when some of our colleagues wanted to change. And so I’m telling you that at that time, it was my tenure that was going to be changed from two to four. I would have benefited. I kicked against it because it was wrong. So I’m not kicking against this because I want to run for presidency.

I’m kicking against it because it is wrong. It is not correct. You do the correct thing. You do things that are sensible. I learned that one of our respected elders went on TV today defending this aberration. He was one of those who defended the tenure extension at that time. And we defeated them at the national convention. So this is a democratic party. The beauty of the PDP is that it’s a democratic party. It’s not like the APC where they don’t have meetings. They don’t contend over issues. They wink at each other and they’ll pass instruction. That’s the beauty of the PDP.

POLITY

Tinubu’s Investment Drive: Bold Gains, But One Lingering Case Could Derail Investor Confidence

By Princess G. Adebajo-Fraser

When President Bola

Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, one of his foremost challenges was how to reposition Nigeria as a credible and attractive global investment destination. The country’s image had taken a beating — from worsening insecurity to currency instability to decades of policy inconsistencies that left many investors wary of committing capital.

Yet within months of assuming leadership, Tinubu has aggressively reset Nigeria’s investment narrative. His foreign policy outreach and dynamic engagement with global partners are already producing tangible results. Recent international visits yielded over $30 billion in investment commitments, focused on agriculture, livestock, food security, and industrial development. These sectors are not only critical for Nigeria’s economic recovery but also directly linked to poverty alleviation and job creation, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where underdevelopment and insecurity have long fed into each other

This level of commitment signals renewed confidence in Nigeria’s future. It also represents a shift in tone: for the first time in years, global investors are beginning to see Nigeria not merely as a risk but as an opportunity.

Tinubu’s efforts deserve commendation. Yet, as history repeatedly shows, optimism in the investment world is fragile. A single unresolved dispute can cast a long shadow, threatening to unravel the progress already achieved. For Nigeria, that shadow comes in the form of a 20-year-old investor dispute that refuses to go away.

A Legacy Dispute That Refuses to Die

Nearly two decades ago, a group of American investors injected close to $1 billion into Nigeria’s energy sector. The expectation was that this capital would fuel growth in a sector critical to Nigeria’s development. Instead, what followed was default by the government/energy players’ JV, resulting in massive losses for the investors.

Nigeria’s courts eventually ruled in favor of the investors, ordering both a refund and compensation. But successive governments have failed to honor that judgment. Despite persistent efforts at dialogue and mediation — led by Fraser Consulting on behalf of the investors — no resolution has been implemented till date.

The investors, having shown extraordinary patience, are now at the breaking point. Reports suggest they are preparing to file a suit in the United States against the Federal Government of Nigeria.

This is not simply a matter of unpaid debts. It is a litmus test for Nigeria’s credibility in the global marketplace. At stake is the very perception of Nigeria as a trustworthy destination for foreign capital.

Why This Matters for

Tinubu’s

Drive

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is not just about money flowing; it is about confidence, trust, and stability. Investors are not gamblers — they are partners seeking certainty that contracts will be respected, judgments will be enforced, and their capital will be protected. History offers sobering lessons. Countries that failed to protect investor rights quickly found themselves isolated. Conversely, those who prioritized investor protections became magnets for growth.

Vietnam is a prime example. Two decades ago, its economy was struggling. Today, it draws in over $28 billion in FDI annually, thanks largely to its robust legal framework, respect for contracts, and commitment to investor security.

Rwanda, once scarred by genocide, made deliberate reforms to protect investors and streamline business processes. Today, Kigali is a recognized hub for innovation and international investment in East Africa.

Ghana, Nigeria’s West African neighbor, avoided reputational damage by ensuring arbitration mechanisms were respected. This has allowed Ghana to consistently attract foreign investment despite its smaller market size.

Nigeria, with its population of over 200 million, abundant natural resources, and a youthful workforce, should be leading Africa in attracting global capital. Instead, unresolved disputes like the American investors’ case send the wrong signal: that even when Nigerian courts rule, enforcement may not follow. If this dispute escalates to the U.S.

courts, the story will shift. Instead of headlines about $30 billion in new commitments, the global narrative will be about Nigeria being sued in America for defaulting on obligations. That perception could deter new investors just when Nigeria is beginning to regain momentum.

The Broader Context

Investor confidence is not built overnight. It is earned through consistent actions that show a government’s seriousness about reforms. Tinubu has made strides:

He has eliminated fuel subsidies, a politically difficult but fiscally necessary move.

He has re-engaged with multilateral and bilateral partners.

He has unlocked record levels of investment commitments in just months. But confidence can collapse overnight if unresolved issues are left to fester. The American investors’ case is not just about one group; it represents the broader question: Can Nigeria be trusted to honor its word?

It is worth noting that Nigeria has faced similar reputational setbacks in the past. The P&ID case, in which the government was accused of mishandling a contract dispute, almost cost Nigeria $11 billion in damages. That case severely damaged Nigeria’s credibility although the revelations later effected a level of damage control. Allowing another similar dispute to escalate — especially in the U.S. courts could be disastrous before the election period.

The Way Forward: Urgency and Resolve

The solution is both simple and urgent: settle the dispute now.

1. Direct Presidential Intervention: President Tinubu should personally intervene to ensure the court

judgment is honored and claims, compensation paid immediately. His political capital and reformist credibility give him the authority to act decisively.

2. Signal of Commitment:

By resolving this case quickly, Nigeria would send a powerful signal to the world: “We respect our investors, we honor our contracts, and we are serious about growth.”

3. Institutional Reforms:

Beyond one case, Nigeria must institutionalize mechanisms for investor protection — including strict enforcement of arbitration outcomes and judicial rulings.

4. Transparent Communication:

The government should actively publicize both its $30 billion gains and its willingness to resolve old disputes. Transparency builds credibility.

Comparative Advantage and Opportunity

Nigeria is uniquely positioned to outperform peers if it learns from global examples. Vietnam leveraged manufacturing; Rwanda leaned into services and technology; Ghana built credibility with arbitration. Nigeria, with its scale and resources, can excel in all three if it builds trust.

Global investors are hungry for opportunities in Africa. But they are also cautious. They will go where contracts are secure, judgments are respected, and governments act decisively. Nigeria can be that destination — but only if it closes the credibility gap.

A Defining Moment

President Tinubu’s investment diplomacy is off to a strong start. He has restored optimism, brought in record commitments, and rebranded Nigeria as open for business. But momentum can vanish overnight if legacy disputes remain unresolved.

The National Patriots commend the president for his bold steps so far and appreciate his approval of the investors’ claim. But we appeal to move beyond approval to implementation. Prevent this dispute from escalating into a global embarrassment.

Nigeria’s economic future depends not only on attracting new money but also on keeping faith with those who believed in us first.

If Tinubu secures both — welcoming new investors while honoring old commitments — he will not only be remembered for $30 billion in pledges but for restoring Nigeria’s credibility and unlocking its true potential.

•Princess G. Adebajo-Fraser MFR is founder, The National Patriots; International Consultants, Perception Management Expert.

President BolaTinubu

ProPerty & environment

Adekunle Awolaja: I Want a Sustainable AfRES With Physical Base in Nigeria

adekunle awolaja, an Estate surveyor and President of the african Real Estate society (afREs), tells Bennett Oghifo how afREs evolved in West africa and his efforts to ensure its spread across the sub region, particularly to the Frenchspeaking countries. He desires a sustainable afREs and for it to have a physical base in Nigeria. He also speaks on afREs’ conference coming up in Lagos this month

Tell us about the evolution of AfRES

The African Real Estate Society (AfRES) was founded in 1997 as part of the International Real Estate Society (IRES). AfRES is one of six sister societies within IRES. In North America, there is the American Real Estate Society (ARES); in South America, the Latin American Real Estate Society (LARES); in Europe, the European Real Estate Society (ERES); in Asia, the Asian Real Estate Society (AsRES); and in the Pacific region, covering Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and neighboring areas, there is the Pacific Rim Real Estate Society (PRRES). Together, these six societies make up a global network dedicated to advancing real estate knowledge. AfRES held its first annual conference in 1998 in Maputo, Mozambique. The drive to bring AfRES to Africa was led by Prof. Karl-Werner Schulte, a German academic, who had long been part of the International and European Real Estate Societies. He recognised the importance of Africa having its own platform within the global network, and his efforts laid the foundation for AfRES. In the early years, the society was dominated by Southern and Eastern Africa. West Africa became more involved later, largely through the efforts of the late ESV Akin Olawore, a Nigerian professional and mentor to many. After attending the 2006 AfRES conference in Tanzania, he returned home determined to ensure Nigerian participation. In 2007, we went to Ghana with the collaboration of the national body of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV). The Lagos State branch of NIESV went to explore Ghana to see if they could join us. Olawore had mobilised colleagues and reached out to Ghana, leading to strong representation from West Africa. At the AfRES conference in South Africa in 2008, Nigeria brought not less than 70 delegates while Ghana contributed

28. That was when the West African chapter of AfRES became fully established. In 2009, Nigeria hosted its first AfRES conference at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos. Since then, the conferences have rotated among Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa. Over time, AfRES has grown into a continental platform for knowledge exchange and professional development. I became the President of AfRES in 2023, and before then I was the Chair of AfRES Nigeria in 2009, the ViceChair of West Africa in 2010. I have also chaired several conferences, including the 2018 conference in Abeokuta. We’ve rotated the AfRES conference among

the three chapters. After Abeokuta we went to Arusha, Tanzania. We will hold the next conference this year (September) in Lagos. My focus throughout my tenure has been on expanding the society’s reach, strengthening regional collaboration, and deepening the link between academics and practitioners.

What are the objectives of AfRES?

The aim of AfRES, like its sister societies, is to promote real estate research, education, and professional networking. It was originally established by academics but has grown to include developers, investors, practitioners, policymakers, and professionals in every area of real estate. From inception, the vision has been to connect the “Gown and Town” – ensuring that research findings can be applied directly to real estate practice and policy development. AfRES has also built strong professional ties with institutions across the continent. We regularly organise activities that fulfill the society’s three pillars – education, research, and practice. For education, we have partnered with universities like Covenant University in Nigeria and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana to host real estate summits and seminars. For research, we have encouraged collaborative projects and academic exchanges. For practice, AfRES often participates in professional conferences organised by national institutions such as the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) and the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS). I have personally attended the Ghana Institution of Surveyors’ annual conference several times – in 2022, 2023, and 2024 – continuing a tradition of mutual exchange that has existed for years. The late Mr. Eseogheva also ensured that Ghanaian colleagues, including leaders like Emmanuel Martey, who is both a traditional king and a past president of GhIS, were regular participants in AfRES conferences in Nigeria. He attended our

gatherings in Ibadan (2016), Abuja (2017), and Lagos (2019), strengthening the ties between our two countries. Through these collaborations, AfRES has remained faithful to its mandate: promoting real estate education, fostering impactful research, and creating opportunities for practitioners to network and grow. Even though COVID-19 disrupted some of these efforts, we quickly resumed activities afterward and have continued to expand our programmes.

What has been your contribution so far to AfRES?

What I have tried to do is to expand the frontiers of AfRES beyond what we have. One of my greatest achievements has been the Francophone Project, where we thought of having an incursion into the Francophone countries of West Africa. We also had a thought of having incursion into the Portuguesespeaking countries- six of them. First of all are the French-speaking countries. They are the majority. For a long time, AfRES was dominated by English-speaking countries, even though much of West Africa is French-speaking. After years of planning, I was able to launch AfRES Francophone in Dakar, Senegal on May 30, 2023. The Mayor of Thies was a Surveyor. The conference brought together delegates from Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Cameroon, Mauritania, and Guinea. Any conference that we have now, we will be having the French and English-speaking countries. This was a historic moment because it gave French-speaking Africa an active voice in AfRES. Eventually, AfRES will be known in all of Africa. We have made incursion into the Caribbean and we’ve AfRES in diaspora for African real estate practitioners in the diaspora.

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

Awolowo House Pulled Down for New Technology Mall

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The iconic Awolowo House, in the heart of Ikeja, Lagos and a symbol of innovation since 1978 has been demolished.

The building, managed by Wemabod, a subsidiary of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, owned by the six South-west states of Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti is to be rebuilt into a modern and magnificent technology haven called Awolowo Technology Mall.

knowledge, spirit of discovery, and excellence.

The redevelopment of the Awolowo Technology Mall, is to commemorate and immortalize legendary nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s legacy of innovation, quest for

The Managing Director of El- Salem Nigeria Limited, Mr Ben Gbade Ojo,stated in Abuja that the new Awolowo Technology Mall would more than double the previously available commercial space of Awolowo House from 4,800 sqm to over 9,000 sqm.

Gbade Ojo, whose company is in partnership with Wemabod to develop the Awolowo Technology Mall added that the Awolowo Technology Mall, now famously called A.T Mall, was a place where top-notch information technology companies would set up shops and offices to exhibit and market the latest information

communication technologies and systems, as well as where the latest ICT products from global technological companies could be found in Nigeria.

“It is a place where leading ICT experts congregate and set up shops and offices, a place where ICT training is carried out by global ICT geniuses and where ICT puzzles find ready

answers, and ICT problems find well-tailored solutions. You will likely find at the A.T Mall, any ICT product or electric product available in the world, and you may not need to travel outside Nigeria for the product. Whatever technology products or services you are in need of, come to A.T Mall, Ikeja, and you will get them,” he said.

Julius Berger Wins Award of Excellence in CCESSA Delegate Conference

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

The Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA) affilliated

to TUC, has commended leading construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for its continual exceptional support towards construction and civil engineering senior staff

association of Nigeria, stating that the company deserves an award for maintaining a good relationship with CCESSA.

Speaking during the delegates conference, last week, CCESSA’s National President, Otunba Comrade Ayodeji Adeyemo emphasized on the long-standing relationship between CCESSA and Julius Berger Nigeria PLC praising the company’s continual support to the Association.

“Julius Berger Nigeria PLC has been very supportive of the CCESSA body and because of how they’ve been supporting they’ve been a pillar to CCESSA and CCESSA dims it fit to honour Julius Berger Nigeria

PLC for consistency and for the support they have been getting. CCESSA is a body of all construction workers, senior staff construction workers, just as we have NSEU for junior staff. For senior staff, it’s CCESSA.

Speaking on behalf of the company after receiving the award at the first quadrennial delegates conference of CCESSA over the weekend, the Director of Administration, Julius Berger Nigeria PLc, Alh. Dr. Kaita Abdulaziz said, “on behalf of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, we want to say a big thank you to CCESSA for the recognition of Julius Berger. Julius Berger and CCESSA. Reminding the Association

the essence of collaboration and unity, the Director said, you know, we work together, we collaborate together, you know, for the betterment of all the workers and also the company as well. And we have a robust working relationship with CCESSA and we are also looking forward for more collaboration together.

At the Award presentation ceremony were the Director, Administration, Alh. Dr. Abdulaziz Kaita, National President, Julius Berger Senior Staff Association, Comrade Erayokan Silvester; and General Secretary, Julius Berger Senior Staff Association, Comrade Jamiu Akinola, among others.

L-R: National President, Julius Berger – Senior Staff Association, Comrade Erayokan Silverster; Director, Adminstration, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Alh. Dr. Kaita Abdulazziz; and General Secretary, Julius Berger – Senior Staff Association, Comrade Jamiu Akinola, during the presentation of Excellence to the Director on behalf of CCESSA

Awolaja

FEaturEs African Security: Nigeria Leads from the Front

Edward Gabkwet

In a statement on 21 January 2025 at the end of its 9842nd meeting, the United Nation Security Council (UNSC), through the Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Amina J. Mohammed, reiterated what has since become the new security reality confronting the African continent: that terrorism is the most significant threat to peace, security and sustainable development across the African continent.

According to her, Africa has become the epicentre of global terrorism, with SubSaharan Africa accounting for 59 per cent of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide. She also revealed that in the last 3 years, terrorism-related deaths have soared past 6,000, making up more than half of all global fatalities.

In this surge of the deadly scourge, she further revealed, Burkina Faso led the world in terrorism deaths with a staggering 68 per cent increase with no solution in sight. Painting an even austere picture of the threat’s complexity, Dr Amina Mohammed further noted that Al-Qaida and Da’esh affiliate groups such as Al-Shabaab in Somalia, the Allied Democratic Forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama in Mozambique, continue to unleash horrific violence.

These groups, according to her, are not only terrorizing communities but also inflicting unspeakable acts of sexual and gender-based violence, assaulting children and forcibly recruiting them into their ranks.

She then warned that the marginalization of youths, coupled with soaring unemployment, has left an entire generation vulnerable to being recruited byextremist groups. To confront the situation, she recommended evolving new strategies and innovative approaches to counter the scourge with, “regional cooperation as the linchpin of any effective counter-terrorism strategy”.

Similar worries were voiced by the African Union through its Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye. According to Adeoye, the gravity of the threats via the exponential growth of terrorism in Africa is overwhelming and startling, with over 3,400 terrorists’ attacks recorded on the continent in 2024 alone resulting in over 13,900 fatalities. He then advocated for African leaders to proffer,

“African solutions to African problems that works for all.”

Nigeria’s past approach to regional and sub-regional security have propelled her to the centre stage of African affairs in general and in West African security matters in particular. Her commitment to regional integration in the areas of peace, defence and security has been crucial to the successes recorded so far in these areas.

The size of its large population, its market, enormous natural resources as well as its considerable military capabilities rightfully bestow on Nigeria the role of a regional hegemony. Over the past decade or so, the security challenges posed by terrorists and insurgents operating in the Northern region have tested the resolve of Nigeria’s Armed Forces.

However, through sheer determination and collaboration with militaries of contiguous nations, these threats have been largely contained, albeit with pockets of attacks on soft targets. Precision air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force in the early hours of 23 August

2025, on terrorists’ hideouts at Kumshe near the Nigeria-Cameroun Border in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, as well as the recent arrest of 2 key leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Abu Baraa, the group’s Amir (leader), and Mahmuda, the deputy Amir, are strong pointers to the gains of close synergy and collaboration between the various security agencies as well as with neighbouring countries to jointly eliminate the common threats of terrorism.

Therefore, Nigeria’s experience in counterterrorism operations as well as the renewed vigour emplaced to checkmate the nefarious activities of terrorists aptly qualifies her to lead the call for a united African front in the fight against terrorism on the continent.

The gathering of the Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) from the 54 African countries at the Maiden African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja to fashion out Africa-led solutions to the continent’s myriads of security challenges is therefore apt and could not have come at a more auspicious time. Without doubt, it tallies with the growing consensus that Africa

is stronger when it comes together, act with a shared purpose and partner with each other in the right way, to solve shared and common challenges.

It also aligns with the notion that fragmentation of counter-terrorism efforts only serves the perpetrators who thrive by sowing divisions, hence the need for a united and urgent response focused on fostering unity of purpose, dialogue, trust and coordinated action. This is beside the well-known fact that the dynamic and transnational nature of terrorism reinforces one truth: a threat to security anywhere is a threat to security everywhere.

Accordingly, the Summit presents an avenue for the CDS’ to engage in dialogue on shared defence and security mechanisms to enhance defence capabilities amongst their various nations. With the theme, “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaborations,” the Summit would cover 4 thematic areas, including: Initiating Discussions on Collective Strategies for African Security Issues; Facilitating Collaborative Response to Peace and Security Issues in Africa; Developing Mechanisms for Integrating the Private Sector into Africa’s Defence Efforts; and Establishing a Roundtable for the Initiation of Homegrown Solutions to Africa’s Defence Needs. It is equally good that the Summit will highlight Africa’s R&D and defence capabilities through an exhibition to hold on the sideline of the Summit.

At this point, Nigeria’s CDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa and his team must be commended for initiating the Summit and seeing to its realization. The Summit, currently underway in Abuja, further cements Nigeria’s enviable position in championing Africa’s unity and leading from the front. But beyond the optics, much more would be expected out of this Summit in terms of tangible strategies and solutions to change the tides against terrorists operating on the continent. Finally, this positive momentum must be encouraged and sustained because the cost and damages that terrorism and insurgency inflict to African nations and societies are monumental and debilitating.

•Gabkwet, a serving Airman and former NAF spokesperson, writes from Abuja

Lagos State Domestic, Sexual Violence Agency Records 8,692 Cases in One Year

Esther Oluku

The Lagos state Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has recorded a total of 8,692 cases between August 2024 and July 2025, the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, has said.

This figure comprise 3,685 cases of domestic violence, 243 cases of defilement, 244 cases of child abuse and physical assault, 99 cases of rape, 48 cases of sexual harassment, and 25 cases of sexual assault by

penetration were recorded.

Other cases include 41 cyber harassment, 32 threats to life, and 726 familyrelated disputes related to custody, neglect, abduction, and child labour and 3,090 children identified as having suffered emotional abuse due to exposure to domestic violence at home.

Pedro made these disclosure at a press briefing in Lagos as part of activities to kickstart the 2025 Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness month billed for September.

He stated that the trend for the year under

review shows a significant increase in reported cases during the month of September and October, a decline in the month of December, and a surge in the month of January stressing that sensitization and advocacy plays a key role in stemming the tide of sexual and gender based violence in society.

Represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos state Ministry of Justice, Hameed Oyenuga, he explained that the goal of the exercise is to strengthen SGBV awareness across the

state to foster safer spaces for children, adults, families and working professionals.

"The theme for this year is SGBV?...”IT CONCERNS US ALL".This is based on the compelling need to ensure that residents of Lagos realize that SGBV is not a respecter of age, class, creed or economic status, and as such, a collective effort which requires everyone to own the zero-tolerance narrative is most compelling."

He explained that the awareness will run through the month of September with Turn Lagos Purple

campaigns, advocacy walks against SGBV, market and couple sensitisation exercises, survivor day, symposium and engagement of Ministries, Departments, Agencies and private sector, safeguarding and child protection week and end with a Governor's awards night.

"By the end of Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, the Lagos state government hopes to achieve stronger relationship with the media and significant increase in the number of reported cases, especially through

the Toll-free hotline.

"Also, we hope to achieve reduction in the incidence of Domestic and Sexual Violence, substantial data regarding the dynamics of Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abusers, and policy formulation targeted at preventive measures.

He further noted that the state is committed to boosting the morale of service providers and frontline personnel who work to prevent and respond to SGBV cases, while also strengthening partnerships with stakeholders.

General CG Musa, Chief of Defence Staff

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Backs Suicide Prevention Bill,as 16,000 Nigerians

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South Senatorial District, has reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the Suicide Prevention Bill currently before the Senate. The bill, which passed its first reading in February, seeks to decriminalize attempted suicide and establish a comprehensive framework for suicide prevention and mental health support in Nigeria.

The senator made this known when he received members of the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Working Group, a coalition of psychiatrists, mental health practitioners, legal experts, civil society organizations, and advocates, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja to appreciate his sponsorship of the bill and to brief him on upcoming activities ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. Speaking during the visit, Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh, convener of coalition, Continental Representative for LifeLineInternational and former President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, said the law criminalizing attempted suicide has become a major barrier to help-seeking in the country.

“When you criminalize attempted suicide, you stigmatize people who are already vulnerable. According to WHO, Nigeria records about 16,000 suicide deaths annually, and that is a conservative figure because many cases go unreported. Most of the victims are young people, between ages 15 and 29. This is a crisis that must be urgently addressed,” Professor Sheikh stated.

He explained that the proposed bill not only seeks to expunge punitive laws against attempted suicide but also provides for service delivery, funding, training, helplines, and data systems to strengthen prevention and response mechanisms nationwide.

Responding, Senator Ekpenyong commended the coalition for their advocacy and acknowledged

femi awoyinfa

Die Every Year by Suicide

the underreported nature of mental health issues in Nigeria.

“Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions affect millions of Nigerians, yet they are poorly understood and rarely prioritized. Suicide prevention is an issue that requires government attention, sustained education, and sensitization” he said.

The senator assured the group that he would champion the bill when it comes up for second reading, pledging to work with his colleagues to ensure robust debate backed by strong data and evidence. Other coalition

members, including psychiatrists, psychologists, lawyers, and mental health advocates, emphasized the urgent need for legislative backing to implement suicide prevention policies, citing Nigeria’s high youth suicide rate and the growing economic and social costs of untreated mental health challenges.

“For every recorded suicide, there are at least 20 more attempts. In Nigeria, every delay in passing this bill means more lives lost”,

Aisha Abdullahi Bubah Executive Director of The Sunshine Series stressed that Nigeria must act decisively.

The advocacy group announced plans to mark World Suicide Prevention Day with public sensitization campaigns, media engagements, and policy dialogues. They also extended an invitation to Senator Ekpenyong to participate in the Vanguard Mental Health Summit in October, themed “Stemming the Rising Tide of Suicide in Nigeria.” If passed, the Suicide Prevention Bill will mark a historic shift in Nigeria’s mental health and public health landscape, ensuring that those at risk are treated with dignity, care, and support rather than stigma and punishment.

Renewed Hope: Time for Citizen Engagement

Nigeria’s government has promised a new era under the banner of “Renewed Hope.” Yet for most citizens, government is not experienced in Abuja’s policy documents but in the everyday encounters with public facing institutions: police officers at checkpoints, financial crimes officials, drug enforcement agents, airline staff, or local traffic officials. Too often, these interactions are marked not by service but by intimidation, indifference, or outright abuse.

Recent viral videos of citizens being brutalized by public and private officials highlight a deeper problem: the erosion of trust in the very institutions meant to serve. This is not a minor distraction. It is a governance crisis. One that undermines government’s promise to place the citizen first. It erodes trust.

Past Lessons, Forgotten Promises Nigeria has tried to tackle this before. In 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo launched SERVICOM, the Service Compact with All Nigerians. Its aim was simple: citizens deserve timely, transparent, and effective public services, and government officials must be held accountable for delivering them. For a time, SERVICOM gave Nigerians a glimpse of what a service-oriented government might look like. But without sustained political backing, momentum ebbed and the program was left to languish.

Other countries have succeeded where Nigeria faltered. Rwanda’s Imihigo performance contracts bind officials to measurable service-delivery targets. Ghana’s digital reforms have cut corruption while speeding up basic services such as passport issuance. This is similar to what has recently been achieved by Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Hon. OlubunmiTunji-Ojo. In India, the Digital India initiative has transformed access to government services for hundreds of millions,

marrying technology with political will. The message is clear: citizen engagement programs can work, but only when they are continuously nurtured and embedded in governance.

Restoring Hope in Nigeria’s Institutions

For Nigeria’s government, this is an opportunity not to invent something new, but to renew and reimagine SERVICOM as a flagship Citizen Engagement Initiative under the Renewed Hope agenda. Such a program should rest on three pillars:

1. Professionalizing the Frontline: The policeman, the road safety officer, the immigration or customs official, the civil servant behind the counter; these are the true faces of government. Their conduct determines whether citizens see the state as protector or predator. Reorientation programs must embed a customer-service culture, build communication skills, and set clear standards of accountability. Recognition through annual awards

for exemplary service can foster healthy competition and incentivize improvement.

2. Technology for Transparency: Citizens need a simple, reliable way to report grievances and track resolutions. A digital platform either through web and mobile platforms should serve as the central hub for complaints, feedback, and monitoring. Estonia, with far fewer resources than Nigeria, has digitized almost all citizen–state interactions. Nigeria can follow suit. Done well, such a system does more than log complaints: it signals seriousness, builds transparency, and generates data to improve services over time.

3. Public Awareness and Partnership: Even the best designed reforms fail if citizens do not know their rights or how to demand them. A broad communication campaign led by government agencies, reinforced by civil society and community groups, can make engagement a national habit. Citizens must come to see themselves not as subjects of state power, but as stakeholders in governance.

Leadership as the Missing Ingredient Programs succeed when leaders champion them and fail when leaders abandon them. The lesson of SERVICOM is not that Nigerian citizens are apathetic, but that reforms without political guardianship cannot last. The Presidency must make Renewed Hope Citizen Engagement a personal priority: monitoring progress, demanding accountability, and rewarding excellence across all sectors.

Leadership is not measured only in good intentions or catchy slogans.

It is measured in whether the Nigerian public are treated with dignity by the very institutions meant to serve them. Every encounter with a public official is a test of government integrity. Fail that test often enough, and no amount of rhetoric can restore trust.

Why Now?

Nigeria faces daunting economic headwinds, sluggish growth, inflationary pressures, fiscal strain. In such an environment, citizens’ patience is short and skepticism high. A visible, well-publicized effort to humanize government and deliver daily improvements in service delivery could provide the government with something more valuable than money: credibility.

Rebuilding trust is not a luxury; it is the foundation of effective governance. And trust begins not with distant policy, but with how Nigerians are treated at the points where government and citizens interact.

The Renewed Hope agenda will stand or fall not on catchy phrases, but on the lived experiences of the Nigerian public. If the government embraces a Citizen Engagement Initiative that is serious, sustained, and citizen-centered, it can begin to restore faith in its institutions. If not, hope will curdle into disappointment, and disappointment into cynicism.

The choice before Nigeria’s leaders is stark. The government can allow daily abuses to define the administration in the minds of its citizens, or it can seize this moment to transform those interactions into proof that governance can be dignified, responsive, and accountable. The time to act is now. Renewed Hope must be more than a promise. It can come alive and must be felt in every encounter with government, in every service, in every citizen’s daily life.

•Femi is a management consultant and international development leader. He can be reached on fawoyinfa@ gmail.com

s enator a suquo e kpenyong with stakeholders at the event

www.thisdaylive.com

Thursday September 4, 2025 Vol 27. No 11114

opinion@thisdaylive.com

EL-RUFAI VS TINUBU AND UBA SANI

ADAMS ADAMU argues that the attacks on Tinubu and Sani are unfortunate

See page 21

BUILDING A COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE

China will continue to stand side by side with African countries, and work toward building a community with a shared future for mankind, writes YU DUNHAI

See page 21

EDITORIAL

THE ULTIMATUM OF RESIDENT DOCTORS

The government should provide credible leadership in settling these lingering university crises, writes MONDAY PHILIPS EKPE

THIS RECURRING FG-ASUU TANGO

When I watched the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, on television last week denying the existence of any signed agreement between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), I knew that our public universities could slip into another round of crisis anytime. Not even the clarification which came 24 hours later that it wasn’t the wellknown 2009 document that he was referring to could quench my fears. For decades, these institutions have gone through different conflicts, many of them bordering on employer-employee disaffections.

Now, the country has real reasons to be apprehensive. On Tuesday last week, protests were staged on many campuses across the federation by lecturers to draw the attention of the government and whoever cared to listen to the effect that they were tired of holding onto the short end of the stick. Whether those marches have been taken seriously by the authorities is yet to be determined. Several statements are being issued by ASUU and its branches. Benin Zone’s reaction is particularly blunt: Nigerians should be prepared to hold the government responsible in the event of shutdowns.

As its coordinator, Monday Igbafen, put it, “It (government) is yet to sign the draft renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement which our union views as a significant milestone in the resolution of the issues at hand. At the moment, the federal government is still unwilling to pay up years of arrears of promotion entitlements, still pays lip service to the duty of adequately funding education and continues to be reluctant to release our withheld three and a half months’ salaries and third-party deductions. It is unimaginable that, in the face of the daily exponential increases in the cost of basic services and goods in Nigeria, university lecturers have been abandoned to grapple with the harsh realities of an abysmally poor salary structure they have had to endure for 16 agonising years. Nigerians should be aware that this is a critical moment in the history of university education in the country, as it is currently on the precipice.”

Yes, the system is at the cliff’s edge, living dangerously and putting at avoidable risk the destinies of millions of Nigerian youths and, ultimately, the nation’s present and future. Today, the remunerations and welfare of the

teachers are among the most miserable in the country. Nothing to blame only this government for but something to worry about that the end of this cycle of industrial disequilibrium and disenchantment may just not be in sight. My personal justification is that in the last three years alone, I’ve written on this subject six times, including this one. First published in THISDAY and also in other newspapers, they all reinforce the feeling that lasting solutions may still be far away. I’m compelled to reproduce some paragraphs here.

“Pick Your Fights, ASUU Members” was published on July 21, 2022 in the heat of the last nationwide strike. It read thus: “Not too many people are aware that the bulk of the monies in contention is for the revitalisation of the various institutions, which means that individual lecturers will not gain directly from them. What concern can be more noble than that? But for the struggles embarked upon by the past generations of dons, a large percentage of the amenities in our institutions would not have been.”

“Nigerian Public Universities’ Limbo Moment” was also out on September 01, 2022 as that strike action lingered: “The union’s weakest point in this protracted and painful drama is its public communication strategies. If well-conceived methods exist within the organisation at all, they are clearly ineffective. No matter how brilliant any goal for the general good is, adequately communicating it to the relevant publics should be paramount in the chart of priorities.”

“ASUU and Two Super Ministers” came out in November, 2022: “What will go into history is that (Chris) Ngige and (Adamu) Adamu, two federal cabinet members most relevant to the industrial atmosphere in our public university system, are mishandling the conflicts that

seek to tear down this aspect of tertiary education. I have argued repeatedly that ASUU cannot completely exonerate itself. The arguments and weapons of yesterday which the union seems stuck with won’t work today. Its glorious years were largely in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s when the country was run mostly under unitary, military governments and most of the universities were owned by the federal government.” Ngige gladly midwifed the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA) to checkmate ASUU.

On August 22, 2024, “Before the Next ASUU Strike” warned about the repercussions of a looming industrial action then: “Truth is, some ASUU leaders, activists and members have given themselves away as people with doubtful, less than exemplary interest in the overall wellness of education at the peak. There’re many stories of anti-social behaviours amongst them which validate this worrying image. But then, to casually dismiss the agitations of the dons would be simplistic, diversionary and defeatist. To ignore the insincerity, nonchalance, and outright irresponsibility of successive governments in the issues that have bedevilled our campuses for too long would even be more destructive.”

And, finally on October 17 last year, I put out a poser, “Who Will Save Our Public Universities Now?” which read in part: “It is bad enough that allowing the climate on our campuses to degenerate to needless frequent down-tooling has taken some shine off the noble profession of lecturing. We’re now faced with the reality of the worsening of this discomfiting situation. No government worth its name should have as a goal a deliberate design to subdue or conquer the spirit of workers, least of all, people entrusted with the tasks of the moulding of minds and impartation of knowledge.”

One can only hope that fatigue hasn’t set in. Like some of the administrations before it, the government of President Bola Tinubu is yet to exhibit sincerity of purpose in this regard. Time has come for the lecturers to prioritise their own personal concerns and stop acting like godfathers of the citadels of learning. At a time when the very survival of ASUU members is in jeopardy, doing otherwise would be senseless.

Dr Ekpe is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

China will continue to stand side by side with African countries, and work toward building a community with a shared future for mankind, writes

YU DUNHAI

BUILDING A COMMUNITY WITH SHARED FUTURE

On September 1, 2025, President Xi Jinping solemnly proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus Meeting held in Tianjin, China. With its profound insight into the times, broad humanistic commitment and clear value orientation, this initiative aims to address a pressing subject of our times which has attracted high attention from the international community, namely what kind of global governance system to build and how to reform and improve global governance. It further contributes Chinese wisdom and proposes a Chinese approach to strengthening and improving global governance, injecting more stability and certainty into a turbulent world.

Today, transformative changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, while the lingering gloom of Cold War mentality, hegemonism, and protectionism continues to cast a shadow. Humanity is confronted with unprecedented challenges as the world enters a new phase of turbulence and transformation, and global governance now stands at a critical juncture. The world is in greater need of strengthening global governance than ever before, and the GGI comes at an opportune time. Regarding it as the fundamental guideline to uphold the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and practice the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, the GGI seeks to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system and work together for a community with a shared future for humanity.

To be more specific, the GGI embodies five core concepts: First, adhere to sovereign equality. All countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, shall have the right to participate in, make decisions in and benefit from the global governance as equals. Second, abide by the international rule of law. There shall be no double standards, and the self-defined rules of a few countries must not be imposed upon others. Third, practice multilateralism.The irreplaceable and crucial role of the United Nations in global governance must be given full play.Fourth, advocate a people-centered approach. It is essential to ensure that people of all nations jointly participate in global governance and share in its outcomes. Fifth, focus on taking real actions. More tangible results should be delivered, and global governance should avoid lagging behind the times or becoming fragmented.

The above five core concepts advocated by the GGI are closely aligned with the inherent needs of China-Africa and China-Nigeria cooperation. Africa, which includes 54 United Nations member states, is the continent with the largest concentration of developing countries. It is not only an important participant in global governance but also a major force

driving global multi-polarization. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country and major economy, serves as a critical growth engine on the continent and an influential representative of the Global South. It is also a key strategic partner for China in Africa. It is fair to say that China-Africa and China-Nigeria cooperation not only enjoy a solid historical foundation but also correspond to practical needs of reforming the global governance system and transforming the global order.

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations, which represented a pioneering practice by the international community in initiating global governance. In 1971, African countries strongly supported the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations, with Nigeria casting a sacred vote in favor. This moment marked the beginning of the joint participation of African nations and the People’s Republic of China in global governance. In 1992, China worked closely with the Group of 77, in which African countries served as a major force, ultimately leading to the incorporation of the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” into the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Since the 21st century, China has actively promoted solutions to address the under-representation of African countries in the United Nations, advocating that the Security Council reform must genuinely reflect international fairness and justice, prioritize correcting historical injustices faced by Africa, and support special arrangements to address Africa’s demands as a priority. In 2022, China took the lead in explicitly expressing support for the African Union’s accession to the G20 and facilitated the formal admission of the African Union as a member of the G20 the following year. The Beijing Declaration issued at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024 emphasized that China supports African countries in playing greater influential role in global governance, particularly within inclusive frameworks addressing global issues, and will continue to support Africa-related priorities in G20 affairs.

H.E. Dunhai is Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria

ADAMS ADAMU argues that the attacks on Tinubu and Sani are unfortunate

EL-RUFAI VS TINUBU AND UBA SANI

The former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, is at it again. Never one to shy away from controversy, he has once more revealed the depths of his political desperation and arrogance. On Sunday, during a live appearance on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, the former governor unleashed yet another torrent of half-truths, and contradictions against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his successor in Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani. It was a familiar script. Nigerians have watched El-Rufai’s antics for years. He thrives on bluster, posturing as a knowit-all, always angling for relevance. This time, however, his outbursts bordered on the ridiculous. The self-acclaimed reformer not only painted President Tinubu’s government black, but also attempted to delegitimize the sterling achievements of Governor Uba Sani, who has, in less than two years, demonstrated maturity, inclusiveness, and competence in government.

Among the more bizarre claims was El-Rufai’s attempt to belittle Governor Sani by dismissing him as his “boy” and “mentee.” What a strange and arrogant declaration! The people of Kaduna know that Uba Sani is no one’s errand boy. Long before his governorship, he was a renowned activist, human rights defender, and legislator who distinguished himself in the Senate. Unlike El-Rufai, whose style of governance was high-handed and divisive, Uba Sani has shown himself to be calm, level-headed, and committed to inclusive governance. Today, under his watch, Kaduna is enjoying a new dawn of peace, stability, and progress. The attempt to reduce this outstanding performance to the supposed patronage of a “godfather” is not only petty—it is insulting to the intelligence of the people of Kaduna.

Even more disturbing was El-Rufai’s contradictory rhetoric on the scourge of banditry. In one breath, he said that repentant bandits deserve nothing but death. In the next, he suggested that five percent of them should be spared. Nigerians are confused, and rightly so. This is the very same man who, during his own tenure as governor, admitted to paying off bandits in the hope of buying peace, a policy that backfired spectacularly and emboldened criminal gangs.

Governor Sani, in contrast, has approached the security challenge with sobriety and strategy, strengthening partnerships with security agencies while prioritizing dialogue with local communities to restore trust and cooperation. Unlike in the immediate past administration, Kaduna, today, is inching closer to sustainable peace.

Perhaps the most laughable of the comments was his prediction that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would come a distant third in the 2027 presidential elections. One wonders where he gets his mathematics from. Is it from the same arithmetic that had him losing in the recently conducted by-election? Or the same political calculus that has left him in the wilderness, abandoned by even his closest allies?

The truth is simple: President Tinubu, despite the tough policy reforms his government has embarked on, remains a visionary leader with the courage to take difficult decisions in the best interest of Nigeria. His Renewed Hope Agenda is already stabilizing the economy, rebuilding critical sectors, and setting Nigeria on the path to sustainable growth. Nigerians may groan under temporary discomforts, but the majority understand that these are the necessary birth pains of genuine reform.

One of the starkest differences between Kaduna’s immediate past administration and the current one lies in approach to governance. El-Rufai’s years in office were marked by division, arrogance, and heavyhanded policies that deepened ethnic and religious fault lines in Kaduna. He thrived on controversy, often dismissing dissenting voices with characteristic disdain.

Governor Sani, on the other hand, has prioritized inclusiveness and dialogue. He has reached out to all segments of Kaduna’s diverse population, fostering peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic and religious groups. His calm demeanor and humility have earned him the respect of both allies and opponents. In just a short time, he has proven that leadership is not about noise and bluster, but about results and trust-building.

Adamu writes from Kaduna State

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

THE ULTIMATUM OF RESIDENT DOCTORS

Authorities should honour agreements freely entered

For the umpteenth time, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the federal government to implement the agreement reached on the welfare of its members. Failure to comply with these demands within the time frame, it says, may lead to another “industrial disharmony”.

According to NARD, a substantial number of resident doctors remain unpaid for their 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund. There is also outstanding five months’ arrears arising from the 25 per cent/35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure review, as well as other related issues.

This frequent face-off between health workers and government at all levels has not only left an indelible stain on the image of the public health care system in the country, but it has also brought untold hardship to many Nigerians. Authorities in the health sector must try to resolve the dispute with NARD. Given the experience of recent years, this new threat bodes ill for the country. With such strikes, patients requiring healthcare in most government hospitals across the country would either be turned back or left unattended to. Many who may require emergency services and without enough funds to seek healthcare in private hospitals could be left to die.

that may need their services in the hospitals. A new mechanism or dispute resolution platform should be explored.

Incessant strikes are hugely inimical to the health of the economy and, in many ways, disruptive of the social order

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

We fully support the aspirations of resident doctors in terms of their welfare, conducive working environment, training and recognition of their contribution as sacrosanct to an efficient healthcare system and a better society. However, we are of the view that a strike will not resolve the list of problems confronting Nigeria's healthcare system now. As previous cases have proven, parties would still return to the negotiating table after several lives have been lost. A more strategic way to resolve this logjam can be attained without bringing untold hardship to patients and other citizens

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE

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

Letters to the Editor

Meanwhile, we do not believe that the federal government is adopting the right approach to this problem. Healthcare delivery is critical to the well-being of any society. But over the years, the attention of government, both at the state and federal levels, is at best half-hearted. The resident doctors are not demanding anything new. Their strikes often result from government failure to honour agreements freely entered. Lack of continuity of dialogue and diligent oversight by relevant stakeholders in government have over the years contributed to this perennial challenge. If the government realises after signing agreements that it lacks either financial wherewithal or that existing instruments do not support proposed actions, officials ought to reconvene the parties for another round of talks. That they never do this explains why the problem persists.

This is not an auspicious moment to dither on the issue of healthcare for the people. It is not lost on Nigerians that their president and many of his top officials seek solution abroad for their own medical challenge at a time our people are practically left to their own devices. The time has come for the federal government to overhaul its collective bargaining machinery with a view to ensuring effective implementation of agreements. Incessant strikes are hugely inimical to the health of the economy and, in many ways, disruptive of the social order.

Beyond addressing the current challenge with NARD, the federal government needs to urgently improve the quality of lives of healthcare professionals by making deliberate efforts in that direction. This will not only help to reduce brain drain and medical tourism—two ‘monsters’ that should easily be blamed on insensitivity of government—but also help in the bid to revamp the health sector in the country.

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 HEALING POWER OF A HUG

Founder, Women and Wards Mission | Certified Marriage & Family Counselor

In today’s world, screens have replaced face-to-face conversations, and silence sometimes is louder than meaningful physical connection and conversation. Many quietly struggle with depression, grief, loneliness, or the pain of feeling abandoned and rejected. Yet, the simple act of a hug carries extraordinary healing power. A hug can lift a heavy heart, calm anxious thoughts, and ease the weight of sorrow. HUG, silently communicates: “You are not alone. You are loved. You are understood.”

Research confirms that hugs release oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine, which are natural chemicals that reduce pain, calm anxiety, and lift mood. They lower stress, strengthen immunity, and even aid recovery from illness. Beyond biology, hugs nourish our humanity, reminding us

of our shared need for connection and compassion. I have developed the H.U.G. Principle, inspired by the spirit of God: H for Healing; U for Understanding; G for Gratitude. Healing begins when we feel understood. My book, titled H.U.G., invites readers to embrace these three principles through personal stories, reflections, and practical exercises. It’s a guide to emotional, spiritual, and physical wholeness. Let’s be deliberate in valuing the gifts God has given us: the gift of human touch, nature’s beauty, and the opportunity to empathize with others. Start with your home—give hugs freely, listen with understanding, and express gratitude.

Dola Nancy Bankole, Founder, women and wards mission, certified marriage and family counselor

NOT THREE STOOGES

The current meeting of global leaders, well at least three major ones and a few minor leaders is a great show but what will it lead to?

The three main actors, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un, and Xi Jinping aren't three amusing stooges but rather three bullies. They have been involved in wars, have nuclear weapons, and massive egos but what are they planning to do with them? They are likely to release a joint statement about cooperation and world peace, but the reality is they are consolidating an 'Eastern' alliance to challenge the western version led by the USA. Be prepared for some challenges to the world order. I must admit however that they do know how to stage a military parade with precision and grandeur unlike Trump's pathetic birthday show.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

Stakeholders Harp on Enabling Environment for Telecoms Infrastructure Development, eGovernment Adoption

Emma Okonji

Industry stakeholders have stressed the need for an enabling business environment that will enhance telecoms infrastructure development and boost e-government adoption for effective service delivery to the citizens.

The stakeholders said this at the just concluded Nigeria eGovernment Summit 2025 in Lagos, with the theme: “PublicPrivate Partnership for Effective eGovernment

Service Delivery,” organised by DigiServe Networks Services.

In one of the panel sessions that was chaired by the Lagos State Commissioner, Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Olatubosun Alake, the lead paper presenter, who is the Commissioner, Science and Technology, Cross River State, Dr. Justin Beshel, said the adoption of digital governance for effective service delivery, was no longer optional, but an

initiative that has come to define the future of every public service delivery.

According to him, Nigeria’s economic competitiveness depends on strong telecoms infrastructure as the backbone for e-government, adding that e-government adoption is central to building fast, impeccable, transparent and efficient government.

“Telecoms infrastructure enables access to connectivity, digital identity and data

interoperability. Nigeria still faces infrastructural gaps, especially in rural broadband penetration, last mile connectivity and affordable internet,” Beshel said.

He identified the barriers to e-government adoption to include: Infrastructure deficit; Policy misalignment; Digital issues; Trust; and Security.

To address the identified issues in Cross River State, Beshel said the state government has engaged in public-private

partnerships in the areas of data centres, revenue automation, and cloud services.

He insisted that it would be impossible for government to do it alone and achieve good results, hence the need for publicprivate partnership and an enabling environment, for effective service delivery to the citizens.

He added that the PPP models would allow the private sector to bring in capital and innovation that would enhance governance.

Other panelists that are also commissioners of Science and Technology from other states like Edo, Kogi, Katsina, Gombe and Nasarawa states, who also stressed the need for enabling business environment that will enhance e-government adoption, called on state governments that were yet to implement free Right of Way (RoW) charges in their respective states, to do so without further delay.

Emma Okonji

Africa is uniquely positioned to become a central player in the global critical mineral value chain as worldwide demand is expected to more than double by 2040, according to the latest Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) report, which reveals Africa’s unique opportunity to

transform from raw material supplier to strategic industrial partner.

The report, which is its Africa Series, titled: “Africa’s Critical Minerals Moment: A Strategic Blueprint for Sovereign, Sustainable, and Scalable Growth,” outlines how African nations can leverage their vast mineral endowments to

move beyond traditional extraction models and capture significantly greater value across the entire mining-tomanufacturing value chain.

Analysing the report, Managing Director and Partner at BCG Johannesburg, Tycho Moencks, said: “Africa is no longer on the sidelines of the global minerals

race – it’s increasingly positioned at the centre. With the world’s energy transition accelerating and nations scrambling to secure resilient supply chains, Africa has what the world needs. More importantly, for the first time in generations, the continent has the leverage to shape – not just serve – the next global industrial era.”

The report identifies Africa as home to some of the world’s largest production hubs for cobalt, copper, platinum group metals, and manganese, alongside vast undeveloped reserves of lithium and rare earth elements.

According to the report, critical minerals, which are defined as materials strategically essential

to modern energy systems and digital technologies while subject to growing supplydemand imbalances including high levels of geographical concentration in a few countries, are becoming the foundation of 21st -century economic power.

From Revenue Leaks to Revenue Peaks: Commercial Levers That Drive Bottom Line Improvements

Toluwaleke Adenmosun

This article outlines how organisations can transition from revenue leakage—caused by internal inefficiencies and process gaps—to revenue optimisation through strategic commercial levers. It introduces five levers: Attraction, Capture, Optimisation, Retention, and Growth, and provides insights for embedding a revenue optimisation culture. The goal is to help businesses improve profitability, cash flow, and valuation by operationalising these strategies.

At the core of every enterprise, the pursuit of sustainable returns is a primary objective. Profitability comes from earned revenues exceeding the costs of generating them. Therefore, in the quest for growth, companies should pay attention to optimizing sources of revenues and plugging revenue leakages.

What is revenue leakage?

Revenue leakage is the loss of potential income caused by inefficiencies, process gaps, or control failures, resulting in revenue earned but not properly captured or collected. Common causes include pricing and billing errors, contract gaps, inefficient collections, and system breakdowns. Companies lose an estimated 1–5% of EBITA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes and Amortization) annually to poor contract management and weak payment follow-up.

Though subtle, leakage quietly erodes margins and undermines profitability. Research shows that up to 42% of organisations

experience revenue leakage despite investments in ERP systems (MGI Research). Its consequences include:

1. Reduced profit margins;

2. Cash flow constraints;

3. Lower company valuation;

4. Limited funds for growth initiatives; and

5. From leakage to optimisation.

High-performing businesses know that sustainable profitability is not just about cost control but also about unlocking untapped revenue. A revenue optimisation lens challenges organisations to go beyond sales growth and systematically activate commercial levers that block leakages and capture full value.

What is revenue optimisation?

Revenue optimisation is the strategic

maximisation of revenue growth through pricing, demand management, and marketing, without undermining customer satisfaction.

Pricing Strategy: Setting optimal prices based on value, competition, and customer willingness to pay.

Demand Management: Using market intelligence to align resources and production with demand.

Marketing Strategy: Targeted campaigns and personalised engagement to drive sales.

FIve CoMMeRCIaL LeveRS FoR Revenue oPTIMISaTIon

Organisations can systematically activate five levers to unlock sustainable profitability:

1. Attraction – Drawing new customers

through strong value propositions, branding, product portfolio, and effective communication.

2. Capture – Converting interest into revenue via sales enablement, incentives, and efficient sales channels.

3. Optimisation – Extracting maximum value through smart pricing, upselling, cross-selling, promotions, and product exit strategies.

4. Retention – Deepening relationships through loyalty programs, churn prevention, win-back actions, and advocacy.

5. Growth – Expanding revenue through new markets, partnerships, product lines, and both organic and inorganic strategies. Together, these levers provide a cohesive framework to capture incremental revenue, enhance customer lifetime value, and sustain bottom line improvements.

eMBeDDIng a Revenue oPTIMISaTIon CuLTuRe

Culture is the fuel for revenue optimisation. By aligning team values with shared goals, organisations empower employees to drive growth strategies. A culture that prizes flexibility, innovation, and communication transforms revenue optimisation from a strategy into a way of life.

Leaders play a central role by modelling desired behaviours, integrating revenue goals into performance systems, and reinforcing a revenue-centric mindset across all levels.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Minimum Wage: neCa Commends Imo, ebonyi govt, urge others to Do Same

Oluchi Chibuzor

The Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, has commended some state governors for increasing the minimum wage for their workers in the face of difficult economic realities.

Oyerinde made

this disclosure while featuring on a local TV program in the wake of recent announcement of minimum wage increase by the governments of Imo State and Ebonyi State, recently.

Imo State recently approved a new minimum wage of N104, 000 for its civil servants while Ebonyi State followed suit

by raising the minimum wage for its civil servants to N90,000.

While urging other governors to toe the same path, he attributed the response on the part of the two states to either the increased inflow from the federation account, prudent management of resources or productivity of the workers.

Canon, Proxynet Collaborate to empower

He explained that states have no excuse not to pay their workers beyond the minimum wage especially in the face of economic realities. He stressed that it was in the best interest of sub nationals to review the wages of their workers so as to enhance their productivity.

“Workers are the key drivers of the economy.

with new Solutions

And whatever will increase productivity or drive motivation especially with the fuel subsidy removal and other reforms carried out should not be toyed with,” he said.

He also urged the

Stories by Emma Okonji

governors to deploy the increased inflow from the federal government to address other economic issues so as to enable the minimum wage become more sustainable for the workers.

Canon, a global leader in imaging and optical products, and Proxynet Communications, a renowned provider of innovative IT and enterprise solutions, have entered into a strategic partnership dedicated to delivering advanced imaging and video production technologies to organisations across West Africa.

The Global Alliance for Fair and Inclusive AI has announced the appointment of Nigeria’s Oyetola Idowu as its new Global AI Delegate to the United Kingdom, reinforcing the organisation’s mission to champion ethical, fair, and human-centred

The collaboration combines Canon’s cuttingedge imaging solutions with Proxynet’s expertise in providing tailored IT and enterprise services across

artificial intelligence across healthcare, public services, and digital infrastructure.

The Alliance, led by the Executive Board Member & CEO, Mohamed Al Marri, while announcing the appointment, said: “As GAFAI’s Global AI Delegate to the UK, Idowu will

various industries.

Speaking on the initiative, Regional Sales Manager at Canon, Taichi Ito, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Proxynet Communications to expand the reach of Canon’s world-class imaging solutions in

represent GAFAI at regional and international forums to promote transparent and accountable AI; support the establishment of the GAFAIUK chapter, fostering collaboration among regulators, academia, industry, and civil society; lead or contribute to projects

West Africa. “Proxynet’s strong industry presence, technical expertise, and commitment to customer satisfaction align seamlessly with Canon’s mission to empower organisations with innovative tools for communication and creativity.

applying responsible AI in public health, service delivery, and digital inclusion, and provide regular reports, insights, and recommendations on UK developments in AI that align with GAFAI’s principles of ethics, fairness, and human-centred design.”

Zinox Technologies, in strategic partnership with KongaCares, is launching an ambitious interest-free ‘Computerize Nigeria’ initiative, a transformative corporate social responsibility programme designed to support the government’s vision to produce worldclass human capital from Nigerian higher institutions.

The programme, according to Zinox, represents a unique opportunity for stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s digital future while ensuring measurable impact.

“Understanding that the cost of technology can be prohibitive for

many institutions, the Computerize Nigeria Flexipay initiative offers remarkably flexible payment terms. This payment structure removes traditional financial barriers while ensuring sustainability and accessibility for educational stakeholders across different economic levels. The interest-free arrangement demonstrates Zinox’s commitment to social impact over profit maximization.

“The model is backed by quarterly donor reports, ensuring that contributors, whether government agencies, alumni associations, NGOs, or well-meaning Nigerians, see how their support is transforming classrooms and communities.

Glo: Committed to Network Infrastructure Expansion @ 22

Since its commercial rollout with per second billing system in August 2003, and having clocked 22 years in telecoms service delivery, Glo, the third entrant into Nigeria’s GSM market has continued to invest billions of dollars in network infrastructure, writes Emma okonji

Globacom’s 22 years in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry has been one of the most strategic statements in Nigeria’s investment story. It is a story of how a Nigerian company walked where foreign companies fear to tread. It is a story of a Nigerian company committing billions of dollars on investment in a money-guzzling sector. Since its launch in 2003, Globacom has been a significant player in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, driven by massive investments in technology. The company’s strategy has been to challenge the status quo and introduce innovations that have shaped the market.

PEr

SECoNd BIllING

One of Globacom’s most impactful early moves was the introduction of per-second billing in 2003, a first in the Nigerian telecommunications market. At a time when other networks charged per-minute, the investment in a new billing system directly benefited customers and forced competitors to adapt. This was followed by the launch of 2.5G internet service in 2004, offering data services at a time when other Nigerian telcos had not yet recognized the full potential of mobile data.

A landmark investment came in 2011 with the launch of the Glo-1 submarine cable, the first individually owned

submarine cable system on the continent. Globacom’s investment in the Glo 1 submarine cable system represents a significant and strategic move to enhance telecommunications infrastructure and provide improved connectivity in Nigeria and across West Africa.

The Glo 1 cable system was a massive investment, with almost $1 billion initial investment from Globacom alone. This distinguishes it from many other cable systems in the region that are owned by a consortium of companies. This full ownership gives Globacom complete control over the cable’s operations and capacity.

This 9,800-kilometre fiber-optic cable connects Nigeria to the United Kingdom and is a major piece of infrastructure that significantly increased internet bandwidth availability in the country. The Glo-1 cable is credited with helping to crash the cost of internet services and providing the backbone for more affordable and faster data access for Nigerians.

The cable’s initial capacity was designed for a minimum of 640 Gbit/s, which has since been upgraded to 2.5 Tbit/s to ensure the availability of faster internet bandwidth to customers.

Glo 1 INvEStmENt

The investment in Glo 1 was aimed at providing a high-capacity fiber-optic link, leading to faster, more reliable, and more affordable internet and telecommunications services. It has enabled clearer calls, faster data speeds, and a better overall user experience for Globacom subscribers.

Glo 1 has proven to be a resilient and reliable piece of infrastructure. During instances of fiber cuts that affected other submarine cables in West Africa, Glo 1’s durability and robust construction helped Globacom maintain uninterrupted services for its customers, ensuring they could continue their operations seamlessly.

The availability of high-speed, reliable internet has had a significant impact on a nation’s economy. The Glo 1 cable facilitates foreign investment, supports businesses, and enables services like e-commerce, teleconferencing, and telemedicine.

Globacom has consistently invested in its mobile network infrastructure, ensuring the deployment of top-ofthe-range technology for the benefit of Nigerians. The company was the first in Nigeria to deploy 3G, 3.5G and the 4G LTE networks, which it initially launched in several cities in 2016. This was a crucial step in providing highspeed mobile broadband to subscribers.

NEtwork ExPaNSIoN

It continues to invest in network expansion, with recent announcement of major upgrades to its infrastructure. This includes deploying new 4G LTE sites, extending fiber optic coverage to more locations, and even relocating fiber cables damaged by ongoing road constructions.

In addition to its core network, Globacom has explored other technological avenues, such as offering cloud storage services to its customers. These services, like Glo Cloud, provide a way for users to back up and access their files, photos, and documents securely, further integrating the company’s services into the digital lives of its subscribers.

To take care of present needs and future demands, the company is also completing the deployment of several hundreds of new sites across Nigeria. That aside, the network has this year alone deployed thousands of 4G LTE sites across key cities and locations across the country, while 150 new ones are being deployed currently to scale up the number.

To complement this, there has also been a massive upgrade of the backhaul capacity in terms of microwave and fiber, as well as a well-planned improvement in the core network, which is going on seamlessly.

New Initiatives to reposition rmaFC

raheem akingbolu takes a historical look at the operations of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, highlighting efforts by its current leadership to revolutionise and redefine revenue allocation and fiscal federalism

AMAFC is one of the 14 Executive bodies established by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Among its fundamental powers and functions are; to monitor the accruals of federally-generated revenues to the Federation Account and disburse same to the three tiers of government.

RMAFC also has the task to periodically review from time to time the Revenue Allocation formulae and principles in operation to ensure conformity with changing realities, determine remuneration packages appropriate for political, public and judicial office holders as well as advise governments at all levels on the ways to improve their internally-generated revenues.

Paragraph 31, Part 1 of the 3rd schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) states inter alia, that Members of the Commission are appointed by Mr. President as those ‘who in the opinion of Mr. President are persons of unquestionable integrity with requisite qualifications and experience.

Founded in 1988, RMAFC has had distinguished Nigerians as chairmen and members over the years.

Lt. Gen. T. Y. Danjuma (rtd), was the pioneer chairman from 1988 to 1993, followed by late Chief Ernest Shonekan February to November 1993, who was later appointed by General Ibrahim Badamasi

Babangida (rtd) as Head of Interim National Government after the military president stepped down over widespread protests aftermath of the annulment of June 12 presidential poll. The commission was re-constituted after the exit of Shonekan with Engr. Hamman A. Tukur, a seasoned technocrat as Chairman and thirty 37 members appointed from 1999 to 2010. In May 2010 late Alh. Salisu Jega succeeded Tukur as acting chairman until December 2010 when Engr. Elias N. Mbam, a former Minister of State for Finance, was appointed chairman with 20 board members.

The current chairman, Mohammed Bello Shehu, earlier served as secretary to the commission, was elevated to the position of substantive chairman of the commission when appointed by late President Muhammadu Buhari as successor to Mbam, who stepped down to contest gubernatorial election in his home state of Ebonyi in 2023.

Shehu, a prolific writer with numerous publications to his credit such as ‘The Gathering Storm: Boko Haram’, ‘Which Way Northern Nigeria”, ‘The United States Presidential Election’, ‘The Way Forward, Towards 2015 Election’, ‘Internally Displaced Persons in North East and International Humanitarian Interventions: An Appraisal 2020.

He had had his job well cut out for as his stint as secretary had acquainted

him with the administrative structure and operations of the commission.

An insider in the real sense of it, Shehu resolved to chart critical pathways to the success of the commission by promising to deploy a robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure to facilitate online real-time monitoring of all revenue generating agencies to prevent revenue leakages, digitize revenue disbursement from the Federation Account to the three tiers of government.

RMAFC is also positioned to attract and retain highly skilled manpower through good remuneration packages and appropriate conditions of service; digitize and track in realtime the investments, dividends, returns, and properties held in trust by any Government Corporation, Corporate Entities in trust on behalf of the Federation.

Critical areas the chairman promised to look into include the review of the horizontal Revenue Allocation Formula (RAF) regularly without waiting for intervention funds from the Federal

Government; establish and build a training institute and Research Centre for continually building capacity of the employees and other relevant stakeholders; enhance revenue accruals into the Federation Account; build effective synergy and institutional cooperation between the commission and the revenue-generating agencies; minimize leakages and ensure transparency and accountability in the management of federation revenue; and ensure up-to-date records and availability of information on Federation Account revenues.

T2, Huawei Partner to Boost Core Network Infrastructure

T2, Nigeria’s telecoms operator has signed a landmark strategic partnership with Huawei, a global leader in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), to modernise its core network infrastructure.

At a high-level signing ceremony held in Lagos recently, senior executives from both companies gathered to mark the beginning of the transformational journey. Representing T2,

were the Chief Executive Officer, Obafemi Banigbe; the Chief Operating Officer, John Vasikaran; the Chief Technical & Information Officer, Ayodeji Adedeji; Vice President, Corporate Services, Ifeloju Alakija; and Vice President, Brands and Communication, Seni Ogunkola.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Banigbe said: “This agreement is more than a contract — it’s a catalyst. Huawei has been a trusted partner throughout

The ongoing efforts, according to Globacom, will lead to enhanced service delivery, superior network quality, and expanded coverage. Additionally, customers can expect faster data speeds and improved overall network performance.

Globacom targets to add over a thousand new sites over the next one year, with a focus on adding more LTE sites to the existing ones to deepen its reliable data reach. It is also focused on extending fiber to many of its hub sites for greater reliability to provide a more robust delivery of service.

The company is also focused on minimizing carbon emission in its operation with an increasing expansion of hybrid power, relying more on battery power than the use of generators across its sites nationwide. This comes at a great investment cost too.

our journey, and this next chapter reaffirms our shared commitment to innovation, reliability, and excellence. With Huawei by our side, we’re not just upgrading our network, we’re future-proofing it.”

Echoing Banigbe’s vision, CEO of Huawei Nigeria Carrier Business, Jiang Junyong, emphasised the strength of the alliance, said Huawei is proud to support T2’s bold transformation journey.

Through these strategic and continuous investments in network infrastructure and customer-centric technologies, Globacom has positioned itself as a major force on the Nigerian telecommunications landscape, consistently driving innovation and shaping the future of connectivity in the country.

Globacom, in the last two decades and more, has pioneered several ‘firsts’ in the Nigerian telecoms market, including being the first to launch per-second billing, crashing SIM card and call costs, and being the first to introduce 2.5G GPRS and 4G/LTE technology nationwide.

The Glo 1 submarine cable, connecting Nigeria to the UK, also became the first for Globacom on the continent.

Globacom was also the first to introduce advanced services like Blackberry, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), and mobile banking to the Nigerian market.

New Initiatives to Reposition RMAFC

Realizing that RMAFC could not achieve these noble objectives alone, Shehu quickly embarked on paying courtesy visits to relevant MDAs, development partners, top government functionaries, elder statesmen, media executives, community and religious leaders to build partnership and consensus within the policy environment, governmental institutions, academic community, CSOs and the media as a measure of reciprocity, the commission has lately become a beehive of activities receiving courtesy calls and visits by governors.

The commission has also reviewed the Vertical Revenue Allocation Formula for sharing of revenues amongst the three tiers of government.

For instance, following the presidential approval to recover all lost revenue from the public and private sector from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019, the commission engaged the services of a consortium of forensic consultants able to establish huge revenue leakages to the tune of N6.9 trillion.

Worried by the incessant revenue leakages especially in the oil and gas sectors, RMAFC also paid working visit to the Minister of Defence to seek the cooperation and collaboration of defence and security forces in the area of stopping crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, monitoring of crude oil exports terminals and partnership in the joint verification of crude oil installations and investments across the Niger Delta region.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating

Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed during a FAAC retreat in Asaba, Delta State, that the federal government was pursuing key policy measures and expenditure projections aimed at economic reforms and diversification, efficiency in domestic revenue mobilization, fiscal discipline and debt management and inclusive economic growth.

In the area of indiscriminate granting of waivers and tax exemptions, the commission has observed that waivers and exemptions which ought to be granted to small businesses as incentives for expansion to generate jobs and grow the economy, are granted to large and well-established businesses thus, leading to huge revenue loss that should accrue to the Federation Account.

It has also been observed that most of the concessions granted are abused by the beneficiaries as the benefits do not accrue to end users.

Decrying the high cost of governance in Nigeria, over the years, the commission observed with dismay that the ugly trend has continued to generate public concern and discourse because of its negative implications on investment, industrial expansion, infrastructural development, and growth of the real sectors of the economy.

The incumbent chairman, expressed his worry over the developments, “It is more disturbing with the realization that the three arms of government are all involved.”

Glo: Committed to Network Infrastructure Expansion @ 22

Dr. Elizabeth Alonge Advocates for Investment in Breastfeeding, Activation of National Policy on Infant,Young Child Feeding

World Breastfeeding Week 2025 may have ended, but the conversations it sparked about infant nutrition, maternal health, and supportive environments for mothers remain urgent. In Nigeria, where exclusive breastfeeding rates are still low, Dr. Elizabeth Lola Alonge, Founder of the Child Health Advocacy Initiative (CHAI), has urged government, civil society, and communities to act decisively in breaking barriers that prevent women from breastfeeding their babies, just as she also harped on the need to activate the National Policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding, Chiemelie Ezeobi reports

Although World Breastfeeding Week 2025 has come and gone, the campaign continues to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding for babies and mothers while promoting supportive environments for breastfeeding families.

Speaking on this, the Founder of Child Health Advocacy Initiative (CHAI), Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Lola Alonge, said the low rates of breastfeeding in Nigeria remain a major concern.

Why Breastfeeding is Important

With more than 80 per cent of nursing mothers in Nigeria not practising exclusive breastfeeding and another 20 per cent not breastfeeding at all despite the reported health and social benefits, she noted that many mothers lack proper breastfeeding education and are exposed to misinformation from aggressive formula marketing.

“Cultural beliefs, myths, and family pressures often discourage exclusive breastfeeding. Additionally, many mothers resume work early after childbirth without adequate support for breastfeeding at workplaces or public spaces. Healthcare workers also lack adequate training to support breastfeeding mothers. All these create barriers to what should be a natural, supported practice.”

On why mothers should care about breastfeeding, Alonge explained: “Breastfeeding is nature’s first immunisation. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months provides all the nutrients a baby needs, boosts the immune system, reduces risk of infections, and promotes healthy growth. For mothers, it lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, aids postpartum recovery, and strengthens the mother-tochild bond. Beyond individual health, breastfeeding also promotes family well-being by reducing healthcare costs and ensures children grow into healthier adults who contribute more meaningfully to society.”

She noted that women and babies require strong institutional support to make breastfeeding successful.“Women need skilled counselling from pregnancy through postpartum, baby-friendly hospital policies that support immediate skin-to-skin contact, early initiation of breastfeeding, and rooming-in. Continuous follow-up care, access to lactation consultants, and practical help addressing breastfeeding challenges like latching or low milk supply are vital. Health facilities should provide breastfeeding education, not just for mothers but also for family members, as support from the home is equally critical.”

Role of Civil Societies

Highlighting the role of civil societies, she added: “Civil society organisations can play a transformative role by raising awareness, providing community-based education, supporting peer counsellor programmes, and advocating for better breastfeeding policies at national and local levels. At CHAI, we visit health facilities regularly to counsel mothers on exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding.

“We also have an online platform called CHAI NUTRIMUMS where we counsel mothers regularly. We tackle misinformation and resist unethical formula marketing through sensitisation campaigns. To promote breastfeeding in public, CHAI developed an innovation called ‘Mamajoy breastfeeding suite’—a mobile private room that can be placed in shopping malls, airports, offices, churches and other public spaces.”

On the group’s plans during the recently concluded World Breastfeeding Week, their activities included community sensitisation events in various LGAs, a breastfeeding walk to raise awareness, visits to hospitals to celebrate with new mothers, healthcare worker training, media advocacy, and collaboration with faith-based and women’s groups to spread the breastfeeding message. This was just aa they launched a digital breastfeeding support platform to connect mothers with lactation consultants and peer support groups.

Enforcement of Policies

Alonge stressed that enforcement of existing policies is critical: “The National Policy on Infant and Young Child Feeding needs to be actively implemented and monitored.

Government must invest in training health workers on breastfeeding counselling and enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes by regulating formula advertising and ensuring accountability for violations. Workplaces in both public and private sectors must be mandated to provide paid maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks, and lactation spaces. Legislation without enforcement is meaningless. We need civil society and the media to hold authorities and companies accountable.”

Smart Economics of Breastfeeding

She also described breastfeeding as “smart economics.”“Breastfeeding is a low-cost, high-impact intervention. It reduces household spending on infant formula, cuts healthcare costs by preventing childhood illnesses, and contributes to cognitive development, which leads to higher educational achievement and productivity in adulthood. WHO estimates that increasing breastfeeding rates could save countries billions annually in health expenses and lost productivity. Breastfeeding supports economic growth, reduces poverty, and fosters a healthier, more capable future workforce.”

Import of Maternity Leave

On the need for maternity leave, she stated: “Absolutely. Paid maternity leave allows mothers time to recover from childbirth and establish exclusive breastfeeding without the pressure of returning to work too soon. The International Labour Organization (ILO) recommends at least 14 weeks of paid leave, but for exclusive breastfeeding to succeed, six months would be ideal. Nigeria’s current leave policies fall short, especially in the private and informal sectors, where most women

work. Expanding paid leave is essential for maternal and child health.”

Explaining why many women are unable to breastfeed for as long as they wish, Alonge said: “Many women face social, economic, and practical challenges such as early return to work, lack of family support, physical difficulties like pain or poor latching, and lack of access to lactation consultants. Some are influenced by marketing of formula milk or discouraged by myths and misinformation. Without supportive policies, skilled guidance, and enabling environments, even motivated mothers may find it hard to continue breastfeeding.”

Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

She emphasised the steps that ensure successful breastfeeding. “The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, developed by WHO and UNICEF, are key. These include early initiation within the first hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, skin-to-skin contact and rooming-in, on-demand feeding, no use of bottles or formula unless medically necessary, continued breastfeeding for up to two years alongside complementary foods, regular support and follow-up from health professionals, community and peer support, educating family members and employers, and empowering mothers with accurate, culturally appropriate information.”

Breastfeeding as Public Health Imperative

Addressing the campaign against formula milk promotion, she remarked: “Formula milk can be life-saving when breastfeeding is not possible, but it is not equivalent to breastmilk. The pushback is against unethical marketing that undermines breastfeeding by promoting formula as superior or necessary. This misleads mothers and erodes breastfeeding culture. The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes exists to protect mothers from commercial exploitation and ensure breastfeeding remains the norm, not the exception.

“Breastfeeding is a public health imperative, not just a personal choice. NAFDAC is actively implementing the International Code in Nigeria. The agency just inaugurated BMS State Multi-Sectoral Technical Committees in 32 states to enforce the code and national regulations at the state level. We look forward to seeing the state committees perform to expectations.”

Dr. Alonge concluded with a strong message: “The call to action is clear: Invest in breastfeeding, invest in the future. Let us create a Nigeria where every child receives the best start in life, and every mother is supported to nourish her baby naturally, confidently, and with dignity.”

Dr. Alonge

Insurance Reform Law Raises Stakes for Nigerian Operators, Says DataPro

Kayode Tokede

Nigeria’s insurance industry is bracing for sweeping changes following the signing of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a law that analysts say could transform the sector into a stronger and more resilient pillar of the economy.

The law, described by experts as the most ambitious reform in decades, consolidates outdated regulations and introduces tougher requirements. These include higher capital thresholds, a risk-based capital framework, an expansion of compulsory

insurance, and stronger consumer protection measures.

According to the Managing Director of DataPro Limited, Mr. Abimbola Adeseyoju the reforms will test the industry’s adaptability while forcing operators to rethink their models. “An insurer’s strength is closely linked to the economic and regulatory context in which it operates. The NIIRA 2025 has significantly changed this context by consolidating outdated laws and mandating riskbased capital,” he said in the company’s September Briefs, a monthly economic outlook.

With just a 12-month

window for compliance, the Act is expected to accelerate mergers and acquisitions as weaker firms seek to meet new capital requirements. Larger operators may benefit from scale, but smaller insurers could still survive through niche offerings or customer loyalty, Adeseyoju observed.

The expansion of compulsory insurance— covering group life assurance, public buildings and government assets—is also expected to generate new revenue streams.

“Insurers with strong distribution and compliance strategies will be better positioned to achieve sustainable growth,” he added.

WWB, PreCEFI Push for Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion in Nigeria

Sunday Ehigiator

Women’s World Banking (WWB), in partnership with the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI), has convened a high-level stakeholders’ workshop in Abuja to accelerate women’s digital financial inclusion (WDFI) in Nigeria.

The workshop brought together key players from the public and private sectors, including the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN), Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Bank of Industry (BOI), Deposit Money Banks, Microfinance Institutions among others

Speaking at the event, Dr. Nurudeen Zauro, Technical Advisor on Economic and Financial Inclusion to the President, said the partnership between PreCEFI and WWB was vital to aligning national and global strategies. “Both prioritize

listening to women, designing services around their realities, and scaling impact. This workshop is about accelerating progress towards Nigeria’s trillion-dollar economy aspiration,” he stated.

Also speaking, Uche Uzoebo, CEO of SANEF, praised WWB’s role in strengthening financial inclusion and stressed the importance of agent banking in reaching underserved women, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

Bitget Adds Apple, Google, Others to Its RWA Futures Lineup

Kayode Tokede

Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 innovator has announced the expansion of its Real-World Asset (RWA) Index Perpetual Futures, effective as users can access Apple (AAPL), Alphabet/ Google (GOOGL), Amazon (AMZN), Meta (META), and McDonald’s (MCD) perpetual contract, rounding out Bitget’s offering of

tokenized equities with unmatched diversity and global appeal.

This latest expansion builds on the success of Bitget’s initial RWA futures launch featuring Tesla, Nvidia, and Circle, delivering an industry-leading suite that empowers users worldwide to diversify through globally recognizable brands. Bitget continues to pave the way for tradfi-DeFi convergence as all RWA Index Perpetual

Futures now available on Bitget.

Why this matters, according to the CEO at Bitget, Gracy Chen “Diversified Exposure to Global Equities: By tokenizing equity indices of industry leaders like Apple, Amazon, and Meta, Bitget democratizes access to global stocks all on a cryptonative platform without traditional brokerage hurdles.

Propak Set to Hold 12th Edition of Printing Packaging Exhibition

Propak West Africa has said that it will next week hold the 12 edition of West Africa’s leading exhibition and conference for the packaging, plastics, printing and processing industries.

“Shortly the doors at the Landmark Centre, Lagos will be open and welcome more than 5,500 industry professionals all eager to discover the latest technology and equipment for their organisations, factories and supply lines. If you haven’t already, make sure you register to attend

and witness for yourself more than 250 global brands who could be the missing link to take your business to the next level.

“As ever the exhibition floor is packed full of companies that make up the global and regional leaders in the manufacturing space and there are live working machines to witness across all four halls of the Landmark Centre. Whether its new plastic packaging, sachets for food or labels for pharmaceuticals, all is available at Propak,” it said

in a stataement.

“Off the floor there’s lots to discover across the three days in the conference rooms with each day tailored to suit a slightly different segment of the industry. The first day sees the Propak West Africa Summit – Shaping the Future of Packaging, a highimpact conference designed specifically for production and packaging professionals across the region, with a sharp focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in manufacturing and packaging operations.

Saharan Blend (Algeria), Djeno (Congo),

(Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic

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

Merey (Venezuela).

Stock Market Drops by N1.35trn in Three Days as Profit-taking Persist

Kayode Tokede

The stock market section of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) dropped by N1.35 trillion in the first three days in September 2025 amid investors profit-taking in large-mid capitalised quoted companies.

Specifically, the market capitlisation that opened

trading in September 2025 at N88.769 trillion, dropped by N1.35 trillion in its Month-till-Date (MtD) to close yesterday at N87.416 trillion.

Analysis of trading numbers showed that in the first day trading day in September 2025, market capitalisation dropped by N362.8 billion to close at

N88.407 trillion.

The following day, the market capitalisation depreciated by N622.95 billion or 0.7 per cent to close at N87.784 trillion.

The market capitalisation dropped further to N87.416 trillion, about N367.3 billion decline from N87.784 trillion the previous day.

Similarly, the NGX All-

Share Index declined by 1.55 per cent or 2,138.34 basis points to close September 3, 2025 at 138,157.16 basis points.

On market outlook, Afrinvest Limited said, “We expect cautious trading sessions as lingering profittaking and weak investor sentiment exert pressure on key sectors, likely extending the market’s downward trend.”

Meanwhile, at the close of trading activities yesterday, the market sentiment remained subdued, as shown by a negative breadth with 14 stocks advancing compared to 43 decliners.

Secure Electronic Technology recorded the highest price gain of 9.09 per cent to close at 96 kobo, per

share. Consolidated Hallmark Holdings followed with a gain of 8.53 per cent to close at N4.20, while John Holts rose by 7.94 per cent to close at N6.80, per share. Cadbury Nigeria appreciated by 5.45 per cent to close at N58.00, while Wema Bank rose by 5.31 per cent to close at N20.80, per share.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED ASOF SEPTEMBER/3/25

Gamin G Week

Edited by nseobonG okon-ekonG | gamingweek1117@gmail.com

What Manja Lee’s Story Reveals About Africa’s Growing Gaming Culture

Iyke Bede reports that Nigeria’s gaming landscape is becoming increasingly competitive and rewarding, with a number of standout players who have built loyal followings through skill and consistency. One of them is Ayere-Victor Ehinome, popularly known as Manja Lee, who has amassed more than 500,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok combined. Like many professionals, he began playing early, cutting his teeth in Nigeria’s underground gaming circles long before the scene moved into the mainstream

Since 2015, Africa’s gaming landscape has experienced dramatic shifts, amassing 77 million players. That figure catapulted to 186 million in 2021, and it continues to climb, revealing the continent’s ravenous appetite for games. Just last year, it hit a new high of 349 million players. These trends reveal three defining pillars: better internet access, a culture that now embraces gaming as more than a pastime, and, of course, the big bucks.

Currently, the continent generates a revenue of $1.8 billion, primarily from mobile games, which account for 87 per cent of the market. Nigeria is the second-largest market, with revenue of $300 million and around 42 million players (2021 estimate).

As Africa’s gaming market grows and gains recognition, so too do the gamers behind the pads and screens.

“Collaborating with global brands like Spotify, Roblox, TikTok, and now Red Bull shows just how far gaming in Africa has come.”

• Manja Lee

In Nigeria, particularly on social media, several standout players have built loyal followings through their skill and consistency. One of them is Ayere-Victor Ehinome, popularly known as Manja Lee, who has amassed more than 500,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok combined. Like many

professionals, he began playing early, cutting his teeth in Nigeria’s underground gaming circles long before the scene moved into the mainstream.

Today, his audience is split between active gamers and a growing base of passive consumers — people who may not play themselves but eagerly watch gameplay as entertainment.

“My roommate encouraged me to share my gameplay online. To my surprise, my very first video went viral, and that moment really sparked my journey as a creator,” said Manja Lee. “The real breakthrough came in 2023 when I won my first national award as the Best ‘Call of Duty Mobile’ Content Creator. That recognition opened the door to bigger opportunities, with brands and companies reaching out and advertising offers coming in. Not long after, I decided to leave my job as an auditor and fully commit to content creation.”

Furthermore, the gamer has earned the coveted TikTok Top Creator Award (Gaming), establishing him as one of Africa’s brightest gaming streamers. For Lee, the honour is more than bragging rights; it reflects the trajectory of gaming in Africa and his role in inspiring others to take up the mantle of building stronger communities.

“Collaborating with global brands like Spotify, Roblox, TikTok, and now Red Bull shows just how far gaming in Africa has come. It tells us that the industry here is no longer overlooked.”

Meet Winners in ongoing MTN Mega billion Promo

MTN Nigeria’s ongoing Mega Billion Promo continues to transform lives across the country. Since its launch on June 23, 2025, the campaign has disbursed over N579 million to 3,121 customers, with prizes ranging from N15,000 to N10 million. Some of the winners shared that life-changing moment.

FeMi YusuF

10 MillioN Naira WiNNer

Port Harcourt-based mariner, Femi Yusuf, couldn’t believe his luck when he saw his number displayed on the Mega Billion live show.

“I heard about the MTN Mega Billion Promo on air, so I decided to give it a try. I started loading MTN with N100 and N200, hoping that one day I might be a winner. Honestly, I did not believe it. By the end of the show, my number appeared. I called my wife and shouted, ‘Babe, come, come, come!’”

His wife recalled the moment vividly.

“I saw the number. He had left his chair and was sitting on the floor. I told him to calm down. Then they started calling him live on air,” the wife. “I couldn’t believe my eyes. I started screaming and ran inside. Came out again. I was screaming.”

“I was short of words, but I kept saying thank you. Thank you, MTN. Thank you, MTN. With my Momo account, the money was paid on the fifth day after the announcement that I won. My family and I are grateful,” said Yusuf. “We will continue using MTN everywhere we go,” He said. “Y’ello to Nigerians. Y’ello everybody. This is the latest millionaire in town. ”

GeorGe ekPo, beNiN-baseD FaTher -1 MillioN Naira WiNNer

George Ekpo said he was in complete disbelief when he received the call confirming his N1 million win.

“I was actually surprised. I never expected it. When I got the call from MTN, I was in disbelief. Something just said I should just answer the call. They called like three times. I decided to just pick the last one,” Ekpo said. “Then, the customer service representative spoke to me and asked me some questions. I answered. I didn’t actually believe it.”

Even after visiting the customer service centre to confirm his win, Ekpo continued to walk up and down in astonishment.

“I’ve never won something like that before in my life, so it was just a surprise to me. My daughter, my newborn, actually gave me hope,” Ekpo added. “This is going to cover a lot of expenses. Keep opting in, playing, and keep winning.”

aNN alele -N5 MillioN WiNNer

Ann Alele, a petite trader and student of Theology, also joined the list of winners. “I just want to appreciate MTN for their good, for their promo. It is five million Naira. I am testifying that it is real. It is not fake. MTN is real. So, I say again, thank you, MTN,” she said.

Having never taken part in a promo before, Alele described her win as shocking.

“I have never taken part in a promo, but I’ve been hearing. I didn’t know whether it was true because I had not participated before,” said Anele. “So, this one shocked me to my bones. This one is real because I saw it. I hold it. I want to appreciate you, MTN.”

In a country where promotions are often met with scepticism and many doubt that winners are genuine, MTN has gone to great lengths

to build trust. Independent auditing partners oversee the draws and prize disbursements, ensuring transparency and accountability. Every winner is verified and prizes delivered promptly, reinforcing confidence in the Mega Billion Promo.

TaiWo oDejobi - N5 MillioN

Deborah obuhoro

N5 Millio N Wi NN er

For Deborah Obuhoro, the win was immediate and deeply emotional. She was visibly overwhelmed during an at-home video interview.

Taiwo Odejobi, a Civil Servant working as a messenger at the Ogun State Ministry of Education, never expected to win, especially since she had never been to school. “I am so happy because I have never won this kind of prize in my life. With the little salary I earn, I manage myself with it. I just recharged airtime. Sometimes, I recharge N100 or N200 airtime,” she said.

Her win came unexpectedly, thanks to her child.

“On a certain day, one of my children said he saw a certain code on my phone. He said he pressed the code. Not long after, they called me and told me I had won. I had never participated. It was my child who said he pressed the code, and by God’s mercy, it worked.

“I never expected to win something like this, especially because I didn’t even go to school. I really appreciate MTN. To everyone using MTN, keep using MTN. My win is not fake. It is real,” she added.

Azare Consulting Limited, an approved local vendor for Technology Transfer Agreements (TTAs) in the Nigerian gaming sector, in partnership with the Association of Nigerian Bookmakers (ANB), has announced plans to host a sensitisation workshop to educate operators on the latest directives from the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).

Themed “Driving Compliance, Enabling Growth: Understanding NOTAP’s New Directives for the Gaming Sector,” the workshop will bring together key stakeholders, including gaming operators, foreign technology providers, regulators, and compliance experts. The event comes at a pivotal time as NOTAP directives now require all gaming operators with foreign technology partners to register and secure approval for their agreements. This compliance step ensures that operators can access the official Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) foreign exchange window for payments to foreign partners, while also promoting technology transfer and local content development.

Speaking on the upcoming workshop, Chibuzor Fagbule, General

“I’m so excited. MTN actually gave me the best gift of my life,” she said. “I just got a popup message asking me to dial *900# to opt in. Luckily for me, I received a call from 300 on my birthday, telling me I had won five million Naira. I was so happy.”

Deborah shared how difficult life had been before the win.

“Growing up has been very difficult for me. It’s not been easy getting jobs, taking care of myself, my siblings, and my family. I’ve never even had a million naira in my account. Now I’m five million naira rich. It’s like a dream come true,” Obuhoro said.

These stories are a small glimpse into the lives transformed by the MTN Mega Billion Promo. From first-time participants to repeat entrants, the campaign continues to offer Nigerians the opportunity to turn simple daily actions into life-changing rewards.

The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Azare Consulting, Association of Nigerian Bookmakers to Host Sensitisation Workshop

Manager of Azare Consulting Limited, stated, “This initiative is not just about regulatory compliance; it is about creating a more resilient and competitive Nigerian gaming industry. By working closely with NOTAP, operators can unlock new business opportunities while ensuring that value is transferred locally.”

STRENGTHENING PUBLIC SAFETY...

L-R: General U. S. Edom; Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins; Commissioner of Police, Adekimi

Defence, Dr. Umar Muhammed; and Kwara State

NHIA Seals MoU with FMCs, Private Hospital to Expand Emergency Maternal, Neonatal Care in Lagos

Targets reduced out-of-pocket spending, lower maternal, neonatal mortality

National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three Lagos-based health facilities to expand access to Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care

(CEmONC), in a bid to reduce maternal and new-born deaths, while cutting down on out-ofpocket expenses for vulnerable households.

The agreement, signed on August 29 at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute Metta, in Lagos, brought on board FMC Ebute Metta, FMC Epe, and

Outreach Signature Women and Children Centre, Lekki, as partner facilities in the neonatal component of the Director-General/CEOscheme. of NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, who led the signing, assured the facilities of prompt settlement of validated claims for services rendered to eligible women and

new-borns.

Ohiri said, “We are insurance. We honour validated claims from inception. By entering this contractual agreement, we are assuring you: go ahead and treat these women and new-borns, and the NHIA will honour its commitment.”

He explained that the initia-

Institute of Virology to Promote Research on Lassa Fever, Other Emerging Viral Diseases

Says withdrawal of US grant stalling research on HIV-AIDS

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

As part of efforts to address the infectious diseases burden in Nigeria, Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN) said it would encourage more researches into various types of infectious diseases confronting Nigeria with a view to finding lasting solutions to them.

The institute said the research on HIV-AIDS vaccine had slowed down due to the suspension of grant by the United States.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday ahead of its third Annual Scientific Symposium, to be

held in Abuja, Chief Executive Officer of IHVN, Dr. Patrick Dakum, said the institute had decided to promote lo- cal research efforts in order to help address emerging threats of infectious diseases in the country.Dakun gave key insights into the theme of this year’s symposium and its expected outcomes, saying it will consider ways to significantly advance health research and strengthening of health systems in Nigeria and beyond.

He explained that one of the areas that the institute was also paying attention to was disease surveillance and how

best the country could utilise research efforts to resolve local health issues.

According to Dakun, part of the reasons for embarking on the research is to find out why some of the infectious diseases persist despite series of sensitisation on the importance of good hygiene practice by the people living in high risk areas.

While speaking on the areas of focus for the research, Executive Director, International Centre of Excellence, Professor Arash’le Abimiku, said the institute was engaging in research on some infectious diseases prevalent in the

CVR: Group Tasks Eligible Voters to Participate in INEC Registration Exercise

Registration exercise ahead of 2027 general elections in the country.

A group, the Obidient Movement, North Central Nigeria has called on the eligible voters, particularly youth from age of 18 years and above, to register in the ongoing Independent National Electoral Commission’s Continuous Voters

The spokesperson of the movement in the North Central zone, Mr. Emmanuel Idakwo, made this appeal in a statement made available in to journalists in Lokoja yesterday. Idakwo explained that contrary to the popular

belief that votes no longer count, noted there is no better other ways to exercise their civic franchise.

He urged eligible voters to come out en mass to register, collect permanent voters card and vote in on election day, stressing the statement is a mere rhetoric and manipulations by political elites.

country, including Lassa Fever.

In the case of Lassa Fever, one of the key health challenges facing the country, Abimiku said the institute was interested in research on how vaccines could be used to tackle the disease scourge.

She said a lot of clinical trials for candidate vaccine for Lassa had taken place across West Africa, adding that Liberia, Senegal, Nigeria, and one other country are participating in that.

tive was part of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, spearheaded by the Coordinating Minister of Health, to expand universal health coverage with equity at its core.

He stated, “The government’s priority has been to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. NHIA was tasked with improving financial access to care, particularly for those who cannot pay out-of-pocket. This partnership with both government and private facilities is a step in that direction.”

The NHIA boss disclosed that over 3,000 women had already benefited from a pilot maternal health financing programme in 20 facilities nationwide, following an initial test in four centres.

He said, “Encouraged by this success, government has directed us to expand to women with obstetric complications, focusing on the five leading causes of maternal death. We tested the model, and now it is being scaled up nationwide.”

Managing Director/CEO of Outreach Signature Women and Children Centre, Dr. Efunbo Dosekun, hailed the agreement

as a breakthrough. But Dosekun stressed that financing must be matched with stronger capacity building.

She stated, “Financing has not always reached the poor, illiterate women who need it most. This MoU changes the picture. But financing alone cannot guarantee quality. We must also train more hands and establish a functional referral network to prevent avoidable disabilities and brain injuries in children.”

Medical Director of FMC, Epe, Dr. Adeleke Adesola, commended NHIA for selecting the centre as a pilot hub and pledged full support for the scheme.

Chief Medical Director of FMC, Ebute Metta, Dr. Saheed Ogunme, underscored the importance of a sustainable health financing model.

He said, “Healthcare requires deliberate government interven- tion. In the UK, services are tax-funded; in the US, largely insurance-driven. Nigeria must define its sustainable path. NHIA’s intervention is commendable, but broader financing clarity is crucial.”

ISPON Pushes for Stronger Safety Education Reforms in Nigeria

The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) has renewed calls for comprehensive safety education reforms across the country, stressing the need to instill a culture of safety in workplaces, communities, and public spaces.

The call was made at the Abuja Safety Summit themed “Safe Cities, Sustainable Tomorrow: Pathway to Responsible Development.”

ISPON President, Chief Udezi Stephen, emphasized

that membership of the institute is a statutory requirement for anyone practicing as a safety professional in Nigeria.

“ISPON membership is a must for anybody that wants to practice as a safety professional in Nigeria,” he declared, warning that there are legal penalties for individuals and organisations that fail to comply with the ISPON Act.

“For an individual, it is 100,000 Naira... For an organization that employs a person that is not a member of ISPON, that organization

can be fined a minimum of 500,000 Naira,” he explained. Highlighting the institute’s role in streamlining safety training nationwide, Udezi stressed the need for proper accreditation of training bodies. He noted that: “The body that is licensed and qualified and asked to do safety training in this country is the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria.” He further underscored the importance of building a safety-first culture across Nigeria.

Ojo; Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (CON); Comptroller, Civil

Comptroller, Immigration Service, Ibrahim Hussaini Ayuba, after a Security Council Meeting at Ahmadu Bello House, Ilorin, Kwara State on Monday

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Sunday Ehigiator

FRSC 8TH ANNUAL LECTURE SERIES...

L-R: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume; Wife of the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Hajia Nafisat Shehu; Vice President, Kashim Shettima; Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed; and Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Shehu Alkali, during the FRSC 8th Annual Lecture

at

Conference Centre of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday

Shettima Declares FRSC Annual Lecture Series Open, 8 Years After

Canvasses partnership as leverage to adopt global best practices in safety issues As Oyebanji tasks commission on regular interface with commercial drivers, reduction in accident

Kasim Sumaina, Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Wednesday, declared open the Federal Road Society Corps (FRSC) Eighth Annual Lecture series.

The last annual lectures were held in 2017. The decision to resuscitate the lecture series in 2025 was hinged on the need to utilise global partnership as leverage to domesticate global best practices as remedial action on the road safety issues in Nigeria and in Africa as a whole.

In a related development, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State expressed sat- isfaction with the activities of FRSC, Ekiti State Command, assuring the agency of a more robust collaboration in its drive to ensure effective traffic management and significant

reduction in road accidents. Oyebanji, who stated this while receiving in audience the new Sector Commander, Ekiti Sector Command, Corps Commander Sanya Adeoye, at the Governor’s Office, AdoEkiti, on Tuesday stressed the need for FRSC to continue to improve on its current pace of traffic management by organising regular interface with commercial transporters in an effort to further reduce road accidents to barest minimum.

The vice president tasked stakeholders in the sector to address the challenges of emerging trend in road transportation using global partnership as leverage to adopt global best practices on road safety issues.

Shettima, in his keynote address at the occasion in Abuja, stated that the theme of FRSC’s Eighth Annual Lecture Series, “Road Safety Management and Emerging

Transportation Trends: Global partnership and Optimal Performance,” was timely.

The vice president stated, “The purpose of the Annual Lecture series underscores the need for the Corps to review performance, identify needs as well as create awareness on the challenges of road safety

management in Nigeria.

“Consistent with these objectives, I believe that the lecture series will open up new vistas for driver education, policy makers and the general public to imbibe best practices and innovations on roadShettimasafety.”said, “It is on

record that previous lecture series yielded highly beneficial insights leading to improvements on safer driving habits and attitudes through evidence-based guidance and sustained enlightenment campaigns that also translated into improvements in the capacity of road safety

transport operators as well as responders to road crashes.

“I wish to commend the FRSC for its numerous laudable achievements which placed Nigeria on focus as a lead country in road safety management in the West Africa sub-region as well as in Africa in general.

FG Expresses Commitment to Ensure NCGC Shares 60% of Credit Risk with Financial Institutions Supporting MSMEs

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The federal government has expressed commitment to continue to provide institutional support and guidance to ensure that the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC) delivers on its mandate of sharing up to 60 per cent of credit risk with financial institutions supporting Micro, Small and

Police Nab 5,936 Suspects, Recover 6,312 Prohibited Arms, Ammunition in One Month

The Nigeria Police yester- day revealed its operatives across the federation had nabbed no fewer than 5,936 suspected criminals, includ- ing arms traffickers, and recovered 6,312 prohibited arms and ammunition during coordinated operations carried out over the course of one month. The police stated that the arrest of the suspects and recovery of weapons formed part of the force’s

intensified efforts to bolster national security, combat organised crime, tackle gunrunning, and significantly reduce the proliferation of prohibited firearms and ammunition across the Paradingcountry. the recovered weapons during a press conference at the FIDIRT Base, Guzape, FCT, the force Olumuyiwaspokesperson, Adejobi, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, said the force had apprehended 715 armed

robbery suspects, 306 kidnappers, 533 murder/ homicide suspects, 149 suspects for unlawful possession of firearms, 371 suspects for sexual offences, 590 suspected cultists, and 3,272 suspects for various other crimes.

Adejobi stated that the coordinated operations, particularly by detectives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), led to the rescue of victims, arrest of suspects, and recovery of several dangerous firearms.

Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The government stated that this would help unlock the much-needed financing for MSMEs and manufacturers, facilitate diversification, and protect the economy against external shocks.

Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, gave the assurance on Wednesday, when the board members of NCGC, led by its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bonaventure Okhaimo, paid her a courtesy visit in Abuja Uzoka-Anite praised the

NCGC leadership for the rapid and professional manner in which the company was established, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen Nigeria’s industrial capacity and foster inclusive growth.

In a statement by the minis- try’s Director, Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, the minister stated that the success of any institution rested on the calibre of its people.

“I have full confidence in the leadership and management of

the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited to deliver on this vital mandate,” she said.

The statement added, “Dr. Uzoka-Anite emphasised that the ministry will continue to provide institutional support and guidance to ensure NCGC delivers on its role of sharing up to 60 per cent of credit risk with financial institutions, which will help unlock the much-needed financing for MSMEs and manufacturers, facilitate diversification, and cushion the economy against external shocks.”

Osun State Govt Affirms Confidence in Deputy Gov, Prof Wale Oladipo

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Osun State Government has reaffirmed full confidence in the deputy governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, and Chairman of University Council, Professor Wale Oladipo, describing the recent event in Ife Federal Constituency as a family dispute being resolved by

the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement by the Com- missioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the state government described Adewusi, Oladipo, and other leaders involved as deeply loyal and committed stakeholders who could not be involved in any anti-party

activities. While commending the conflict resolution decisions already taken by the state leadership of the party, the government stated that Ad- ewusi and Oladipo remain trusted top state officials who were pillars of grassroots support and pivotal to the progress and sustainability of the administration.

Series,

the

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI.

Linus Aleke in Abuja

JOLLY TRIVIA CASH PRESENTATION...

L-R: Globacom’s Head of VAS, Mojeed Aluko; Tetragrammaton’s Representative, Tolulope Aminu; ₦1 million Jolly Trivia winner, Sunday Efenure, with his son, Lawrence; and Emmanuel Okoro of Tetragrammaton, during the Jolly Trivia cash presentation, at Globacom’s Adeola Odeku office in Lagos, yesterday

ADC to First Lady: National Library is a Right, not a Gift

Says Nigeria’s intellectual heritage must not depend on charity

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the federal government to immediately take responsibility for completing the long-abandoned National Library of Nigeria project in Abuja, warn-

ing that a national monument of such importance should not be left to private charity.

Reacting to recent comments by First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, who announced her intention to support the library’s completion as part of her

birthday celebrations, the ADC expressed appreciation for her gesture, but stressed that the National Library cannot be reduced to a personal pet project.

According to the party, the National Library, established by an Act of Parliament in 1964, is

the custodian of Nigeria’s col- lective memory and intellectual heritage.

In this regard, its completion and long-term maintenance, the ADC argued, must be prioritized through transparent, sustainable and predictable national funding,

UK’s BII Commits $7.5m Debt Investment into Baban Gona to Scale Agricultural Impact, Boost Food Security

As agreement targets 140,000 farmers in Northern Nigeria by 2029

Oluchi Chibuzor

British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, has committed a $7.5 million debt investment with Nigerian agri-tech platform, Babban Gona, to boost food security and climate resilience for smallholder farmers in Northern Nigeria.

In addition to improving food security and economic outcomes, a core component of the investment is building climate resilience of smallholders.

This is as the BII’s support would help scale Babban Gona’s innovative model,

enabling farmer-led enterprises to access local bank funding to improve yields, economic models, incomes, and climate resilience for around 140,000 farmers in Northern Nigeria by 2029.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lagos, yesterday, the UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Florence Eshalomi, said, Babban Gona’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when people invest in Nigeria’s agriculturalAccordingfuture. to her, “Today, I’m proud to stand alongside British International Investment (BII) as we announce a $7.5 million investment into Babban Gona, a pioneering social enterprise

transforming smallholder agriculture in Nigeria.

“This investment will help scale an innovative, tech-enabled model that empowers farmers with access to finance, training, and services, boosting yields and incomes while building climate resilience.

“From early-stage UK support through Propcom Maikarfi to this milestone investment, Babban Gona’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when we invest in Nigeria’s agricultural future. This partnership reflects the UK-Nigeria commitment to sustainable, inclusive growth, and I’m excited to see the impact it will generate.”

Glo Rewards Subscribers with Millions in Jolly Cash Awards

Excitement filled the air on Monday as telecommunica- tions powerhouse, Globacom, rewarded seven lucky subscrib- ers with millions of naira in its Jolly Product Cash Award scheme which continues to deliver both entertainment and empowerment to Nigerians. The ceremoniesprize-presentation held across multiple cities across the country

featured winners from different categories – Jolly Life lottery, Jolly Wheel, Jolly Win, and JollyTheTrivia. star of the day was Sunday Efenure, a 69-year-old technician from Edo State, who clinched the ₦1 million top prize in the Jolly Wheel promo.

Speaking after receiving his cheque at Gloworld, Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island, Lagos,

Efenure admitted he had doubts when first informed of his win.

“With the rate of scams in the country, I didn’t believe it. My wife told me to check, and I even asked my son to make verifications about it. When he confirmed it was real, I hurried down to Lagos. I am grateful to Glo for this life-changing reward,” he said with visible joy.

For the West Africa Regional Director and Head of Office for Nigeria, BII, Benson Adenuga, said their partnership with Bab- ban Gona is a great example of how BII is using catalytic capital to support innovative, high-impact business models that transform lives and economies.

capable of discharging 9mm ammunition calibre, three live rounds of 9mm ammunition and one five round of 8mm ammunition and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 13 (1) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

After the defendants pleaded to the charges, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that they should be remanded in DSS custody and be granted access to their lawyers.

As it relates to the charges involving Ashuwa, Alede and Halima Umar, Nwite adjourned till October 2 for trial.

He adjourned the charge involving Adamu and Abdullahi to October 9 for the commencement of trial, while the charges involving Manjo, Tali, Antu and Oloche were adjourned till October 17 for trial.

not through goodwill donations

ADC said that it acknowledged and appreciated the thoughtful gesture of The First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, in drawing attention to the abandoned National Library of Nigeria project in Abuja as part of her birthday celebrations.

However, as a responsible party, ‘’we must firmly state that the National Library of Nigeria cannot, and must not, be reduced to the status of a personal pet project of any individual, no matter how well-intentioned.

‘’The National Library is a living repository of our collec- tive memory and intellectual heritage. It is the custodian of Nigeria’s story, culture, research, and knowledge production. It is not just another building.

‘’It was established by an Act of Parliament in 1964, as a para- statal of the Federal Ministry of

Similarly, on Wednesday, DSS filed a fresh five-count charge against suspected gunrunner, allegedly arrested with seven M16 assault rifles – Huzaifa Ahamad Haruna (aka Huzaifa Dogo).

Some counts in the charge read, “That you, Huzaifa Ahamad Haruna (aka Huzaifa Dogo) of Dogo village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, Adult, male, sometime on 30% August, 2025, at Barkin Ladi LGA and Mangu LGA of Plateau State, did knowingly render support for the commission of acts of terrorism by providing material assistance for and transportation of seven M-16 assault rifles with serial numbers:0700422; 24006914; 00513011; 07000135; 24007165; 07000417; and 07000822, as well as seven empty magazines in a green

Education to ensure that future generations have access to the wealth of knowledge needed to build a progressive and enlightened society. Therefore, for sustainability purposes, the library and its projects must be funded through national budgetaryAccordingprovisions.’’ to Abdullahi, ‘’Now that Mrs. Tinubu has shown interest in the National Library, what is required is not personal charity, but presidential attention. The First Lady should use her influence to impress upon President Tinubu the urgency of completing this project through budgetary allocations.

‘’From what we know, the responsibility for its funding was at some point shifted to TETFUND. This explains why there were no direct budgetary allocations for the library in both the 2024 and 2025 budgets.

coloured Opel Vectra vehicle with Reg No: BSA-732-AE (Plateau), and thereby com- mitted an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 13 (1) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“That you, Huzaifa Ahamad Haruna of Dogo village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State, adult, male, sometime in March, 2025, at Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State, did knowingly render support for the commission of acts of terrorism by providing material assistance for and transportation of five M-16 assault rifles from Dogo Village, Barkin Ladi LGA to one Wakili Julde in Wase LGA, Plateau State, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 13 (1) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Benue,

CHEQUE PRESENTATION CEREMONy...

L-R: Group Head, Consumer Liability, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Abubakar Etamesor; the Bank’s Retail Cluster Head, Lagos Island, Mrs.

Iriogbe; Divisional Head, Personal Banking, Mr. Adetunji Lamidi; one of the winners of ₦1 million in the sixth draw of the FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 10, Mr.

Yusuf; and Product Officer, Classic Segment, Mr.

Death Toll Rises to 60 in Niger Boat Accident

At least 60 people died and dozens were rescued after a boat carrying over 100 passengers capsized in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State, local officials said on Wednesday. The vessel departed from Tungan Sule in Malale district on Tuesday morning, heading to Dugga for a condolence visit, when it struck a submerged tree stump near Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government Area.

its full-year goal.

The Presidency insisted that the overperformance was not a one-off windfall, but the result of systemic changes.

Similarly, the Federal Inland Revenue Service has expanded digitised tax administration, bringing more businesses and individuals into the net. While inflation and exchange rate revaluation contributed to the uplift, government officials emphasise that the bulk of the gains stem from policy and institutional reforms.

Despite the rosy picture, the Presidency cautioned that the revenue performance still falls short of the scale of investment Tinubu envisaged in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

“Revenues are rising, the base is broadening, and reforms are working. But the task ahead is to turn these numbers into real relief for Nigerians, in better schools, hospitals, roads, jobs, and food security. What matters now is ensuring the benefits are felt across the country,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Tinubu yesterday declared that his government’s bold economic reforms, which aim to restore Nigeria to its enviable position, are already yielding fruitful results.

According to Tinubu, the country’s economy is now stable and attracting interest from around the world.

The President made this disclosure at the State House, when he received the Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Oladunni Olaoye, Orumogege III, in audience with some other royal fathers.

Tinubu said, “Years of neglect and self-deception, fake records,

smuggling, and all of that denied Nigeria the necessary revenue for progress and development.

“Then we were confronted again with arbitrage trading of currency, an illusion of selling papers, corruption all over the place, and the integrity of the country and its economy being extremely and adversely challenged.

“We had to take those actions. With your prayers, patience, perseverance and great understanding, I’m glad to tell you today that the economy is stabilised. The bleeding has stopped. Haemorrhage is gone; the patient is alive.”

The President also said the establishment of NELFUND was to ensure that no student would drop out because of poverty.

He affirmed that everybody has a right to education, saying it was the, “greatest weapon you can give to human beings against poverty; that’s what we are doing. We have remained aggressive on our infrastructure. And it’s just two years.”

Tinubu thanked the Soun of Ogbomoso for crediting his administration with the bold decisions taken immediately upon resumption of office.

He noted that the people of Ogbomosoland were already feeling the modernisation and transformation introduced by the monarch, who promised to strengthen traditional institutions.

The President promised to engage the Ministers of Power, Water Resources, Agriculture, and Works to look into the visiting monarch’s requests, stating that they could make Nigeria self-sufficient in agriculture.

Earlier, the Soun commended the President for his strides, which “only a bold leader could

Abdullahi Baba Ara, chair of Borgu Local Government Area, said the casualty figure was“Therising.death toll of the boat incident has risen to 60,” Baba

have recorded. Removing fuel subsidy has shown us that it is the right decision, and we can see the effects.”

Oba Olaoye said the foreign exchange reforms and introduc- tion of NELFUND have made it easier for many students to continue their schooling without considering dropping out.

The royal father also com- mended the President for awarding the contract for the dualisation of the OyoOgbomosho Road, which had been abandoned for decades, pointing out that the road would spur economic activities as a significant gateway to the North.

The paramount ruler, however, requested the President’s intervention in the water and power supply in Ogbomoso, the upgrading of the General Hospital in the town into a Federal Medical Centre, as well as the establishment of a research institute to enhance the development and transformation of the famous ‘Ogbomoso mangoes and cashew nuts’ into a viable agricultural enterprise.

Oba Olaoye thanked the President for appointing Ogbo- moso sons to his administration, notably the Federal Inland Revenue Service Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, and the DG of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Debo Adedokun.

On the entourage of the Soun of Ogbomosoland were five other Kings representing the five councils in Ogbomosoland, namely High Chief Samuel Otolorin, the Areago of Ogbomosoland; HRM, Oba Oyetunji Adeyeye, the Alajaawa of Ajaawa; HRM Oba Bolarinwa Ezekiel Olajide, the Onisapa of Isapa; HRM Oba Babatunde Amao, the Aale Oke-elerin,

Ara told Reuters. “Ten people have been found in serious condition and many are still being sought.” The incident occurred around 11 a.m.

Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district head of Shagumi, told Reuters he was at the

and HRM Oba Prof. Akinola John Akintola, the Olokin-apa of Okin-apa.

Others were High Chief Ogundare Oluwakemi Rebecca, Iyalode of Ogbomosoland; Prof. Sola Adepoju, former DG Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria; Chief Tunji Olaniyi, a businessman, and Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Atanda Owodunni, the Aare Musulumi of Ogbomo- soland.

Also present was the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, a prominent ‘son of the soil’ who doubles as the Agbaakin of Ogbomosoland.

Sanwo-Olu: Lagos Committed to Nigeria’s $1trn Economy

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, said his administration was dedicated to creating a future where innovation, technology, and digital solutions fuel sustainable growth, inclusivity, and prosperity.

He said Lagos, as the economic heartbeat of Nigeria and a shining beacon of opportunity across Africa, was committed to showcasing technology, building partnerships, innovation, and laying the groundwork for Nigeria’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

Sanwo-Olu spoke during the GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference 2025 Ceremony held in Lagos. GITEX, which is the largest gathering of tech visionaries and decision-makers, is being attended by global tech leaders like IBM, Meta, MTN, AWS, and Cisco, along with a vibrant array of homegrown startups. It highlights the power of col- laboration and underscores

scene shortly after the ac- cident.

“I was at the scene yesterday around 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. The boat carried more than 100 people,” Muham- mad said. “We were able to recover 31 corpses from the river. The boat was also recovered and removed.”

Lagos’s crucial role as a hub for innovation, where visionaries, investors, and policymakers unite to shape the future.

Sanwo-Olu said GITEX Expo Nigeria 2025, being organised by the Lagos State Government in partnership with KAOUN International, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), aligns perfectly with his administration’s vision to establish Lagos as the pulse of Africa’s digital future.

He said: “Today, as we explore the GITEX Nigeria Tech Expo and Future Economy Conference, we are doing more than just showcasing technology; we are building partnerships, sparking innovation, and laying the groundwork for Nigeria’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

“Lagos is not just a city; it is a movement. With 23 of Nigeria’s fastest-growing companies, as highlighted by the Financial Times, Lagos embodies a vibrant innovation ecosystem fuelled by supportive public policies, dynamic private enterprises, and a resilient startup culture.

“Events like GITEX Nigeria amplify our collective efforts. They create exciting new opportunities for talent development, expanding digital infrastructure, and forging strategic partnerships that will help us reach our economic goals.

“We are not just crafting a digital Nigeria; we are shaping a digital Africa that will inspire the world. I encourage each of you to embrace this moment, connect, innovate, and help create a future that reflects our boldest dreams.”

He added that four victims were buried on Tuesday in accordance with Islamic rites, and that women and children made up the majority of the deceased.

Sanwo-Olu also commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, for his visionary leadership, especially in advancing AI infrastructure and inclusive digital solutions, which are transforming Nigeria’s position in the global digital landscape.

A statement by the Special Adviser – Media and Publicity, to the Lagos Governor, Gboyega Akosile, noted that the minister’s efforts reflect the shared commitment to drive innovation for national development.

In his address, Tijani said Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, was already under intense pressure from rapid urbanisation, pointing out that the city welcomes about 2,000 new residents every day.

He said such growth makes the demand for strong digital infrastructure even more urgent.

The minister also highlighted government-backed initiatives aimed at boosting innovation and research, including a new programme scheduled to begin on October 1, which will support an additional 75 research projects in the digital sector.

He explained that the initiative would deepen participation from Nigerian researchers, entrepreneurs, and the diaspora.

Tijani also stressed the importance of collaboration between startups, corporates, and government in scaling innovation and building resilience across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

He said Nigeria must build a resilient global digital system that goes beyond merely keeping pace with developments if it is to secure its future in the digital economy.

Abigail

AbdulRasak

Uche Martins, at the cheque presentation ceremony to Yusuf, in Lagos, yesterday

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

DIASPORA/HOMELAND PARTNERSHIP...

L-R: Special Adviser on Diaspora Matters to Enugu State Governor, Barr. Olangwa Ezekwu; Member, Shola Agbola Goodwill Ambassador (SAGA) Foundation Canada Inc., USA branch, Mr. Ukay Obasi; Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah; and Founder, SAGA Foundation, Dr. Shola Agbola, at Government House, Enugu, on the sidelines of the donation of medical equipment and supplies to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, yesterday

will have a training and main- tenance centre for mechanised agriculture. This is the path to achieving food security,” he noted.

Besides, he stressed that despite distractions from early political manoeuvres, he remains “laser-focused” on governance and on delivering dividends of democracy.

NEF urges Tinubu to declare state of emergency in North

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Northern Nigeria, citing the ‘extraordinary’ scale of insecurity and the government’s constitutional and international obligations to protect lives.

The forum lamented that state security agencies remain overstretched, under-resourced, and in some cases complicit through inaction, leaving citizens vulnerable while eroding public trust in government.

In a communiqué signed by the spokesperson of NEF, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, the forum expressed grave concern over the spate of violent attacks, ab- ductions and killings across the region, warning that continued inaction could threaten Nigeria’s stability and regional peace.

The NEF recalled the August 19 attack on a mosque in Unguwan Mantau village, where armed assailants killed at least 27 worshippers during early morning prayers, leaving several injured and displacing hundreds

The prolonged insecurity in Northern Nigeria remains one of the country’s most pressing challenges, marked by a mix of violent extremism, banditry, communal clashes, and farmerherder conflicts.

“In light of the above dis- turbing concerns, the Northern Elders Forum calls upon the Fed- eral Government of Nigeria to urgently fulfill its constitutional responsibilities and international obligations by: Declaring a State of Emergency in Northern Nigeria, acknowledging the extraordinary scale of the crisis,” the communiqué stated.

Over the past decade, the region has been destabilised by the Boko Haram insurgency and its splinter group, the Islamic State in West Africa Province

(ISWAP), which continue to stage attacks, particularly in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.

Beyond insurgency, large parts of the North-west and Northcentral zones face widespread banditry, with armed groups engaging in mass abductions, cattle rustling, and attacks on rural communities, creating a humanitarian crisis and displac- ingDespitethousands.government efforts, including military operations, peace dialogues, and security collaborations with neighbouring countries, progress has been uneven. The insecurity continues to undermine economic activity, discourage investment, disrupt education, and weaken social cohesion across the North.

Besides, NEF, in the statement, condemned the execution of 35 abductees in Zamfara State despite ransom payments, as well as two separate attacks in Kaduna State’s Kauru and Kudan LGAs, which left eight dead and eight others severely injured.

NEF said: “These incidents are not isolated cases, rather they are part of a persistent pattern of organised criminal violence and banditry that have claimed thousands of lives, displaced hundreds of thousands of citizens, undermined food security, economic cripple activity, and Inflicted deep psychological and social trauma on individuals and several communities.

“The NEF observes with deep regret that the state security architecture remains inadequate, overstretched, and in some cases complicit through inaction and silence, leaving citizens vulnerable and helpless while eroding public trust in government institutions.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, NEF argued that Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), states that the inherent right to life shall be protected by law, and no one shall arbitrarily be deprived of life.

“The recurring atrocities in Northern Nigeria constitute serious breaches of these obligations, and in their scale and persistence, will amount

to crimes against humanity under international law and humanitarian cases,” it added.

As part of its demands, the forum urged the federal gov- ernment to deploy adequately trained, armed, and equipped security forces with clear rules of engagement to protect civil- ian populations and secure international border regions.

In addition, it urged the gov- ernment to: “Provide adequate compensation, rehabilitation, and humanitarian assistance to victims including displaced persons, in line with international humanitarian standards.

“Strengthen border control and regional cooperation with neighbouring states under ECOWAS and the African Union protocols, to stem cross-border incursions by armed criminal groups and “Engage interna- tional partners, including the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN), for technical and humanitarian support.”

The NEF emphasised that continued inaction or insufficient responses to all the security challenges will not only exacerbate human suffering, but also jeopardise national cohesion, democratic sustainability, stability of the polity, and regional peace.

The elders forum called on the government to act immediately, decisively, transparently and in full alignment with Nigeria’s domestic and international obligations, pledging to continue monitoring developments while engaging stakeholders nationally and internationally to ensure urgent relief for affected Northern communities.

Badaru says terrorists exploiting porous borders to wreak havoc

Still on insecurity in the North, the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, yesterday said that terrorists were exploiting porous borders, weak governance, and deep socio-economic disparities to wreak havoc in West Africa and the Sahel region, stating that modern-day terrorism has assumed a more complex and dangerousDeclaringcharacter. open the Regional Conference on “Combating Emerging Terrorist Groups and Strengthening Sustainable Security in the ECOWAS Region

and the Sahel” – organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA) in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, the minister also noted that terrorism has become one of the greatest threats to peace and stability in West Africa and the Sahel.

He stressed that terrorism takes root in communities where grievances are left unaddressed and spreads through ungoverned spaces where institutions are absent.

While acknowledging that these realities are stark, the minister emphasised that they do not define the region’s destiny. Rather, he stated that they are challenges that governments must confront collectively with determination, innovation, and solidarity.

He said: “We are dealing with adversaries who are adaptive, highly networked, and increasingly sophisticated in their methods. Their collaboration with international terrorist organisations has created a web of instability that stretches across borders. They exploit encrypted communication platforms, deploy unmanned aerial systems, and radicalise vulnerable youth online.

“This evolution underscores the urgency of our meeting today. Terrorism, insurgency, and insecurity are not abstract threats – they are existential challenges that endanger our people, our economies, and our shared future.

“This conference is therefore more than an opportunity for dialogue; it is a call to action. We are gathered here to forge consensus, mobilise resources, and design strategies that are both proactive and region- specific. The future stability of ECOWAS and the Sahel will depend on the decisions we take here – and the commitments we follow through afterwards.”

Proferring workable solutions, the minister said the operationali- sation of the ECOWAS Standby Force must be pursued with renewed vigour.

He added: “Harmonisation of legal frameworks across member states will ensure that terrorists and their support networks find no safe haven. The creation of a regional counterterrorism task

force, fully trained and equipped for rapid deployment, is an initiative we must embrace.

“At the same time, capacity building is essential. Our forces require not only modern equip- ment but also advanced training to meet the evolving challenges of counterterrorism. Thirdly, we must address the root causes of radicalisation. Military force is necessary but not sufficient.

“Poverty, unemployment, exclusion, and poor governance provide fertile ground for extremist ideologies. Investing in education, strengthening community resilience, and ensuring good governance are equally critical to our long-term security. Winning the hearts and minds of our populations will deny extremist groups the local support they seek to exploit.”

In his welcome address, the National Coordinator of the NCTC, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, stressed that these groups are not only multiplying but also exploiting digital spaces and new technologies to fight, radicalise, and recruit—especially among theThisyouth.evolving threat, Laka said, demands that the region match their adaptability with resilience, innovation, and stronger collaboration across borders.

Noting that sustainable secu- rity is not solely about military action but about winning hearts and minds, restoring trust in governance, and investing in human development, Laka stated that it is in this spirit that Nigeria established the NCTC under the Office of the National Security Adviser, to coordinate the country’s counterterrorism efforts.

Gov

Lawal: I can end banditry in two months with control over security agencies

Besides, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state has said that banditry would become history in his state in just two months if he had control over the security outfits in the country, stressing that he is aware of the movements of every bandit kingpin operating in the state.

In a viral video clip, the governor explained that his major constraint in the ongoing fight against banditry is the lack

of direct control over security agencies.

He emphasised that the security chiefs in the state only take orders from Abuja, lamenting that although the state has dozens of tracking facilities which it has fixed across the state just to help security in tracking the bandits, it still has limitations.

“I swear to Almighty Allah, wherever a bandits’ leader is located within Zamfara state, I know it and if he goes out, I know. With my mobile phone, I can show you where and where these bandits are today. But we cannot do anything beyond our powers.

“If today, I have the power to give orders to the security agencies, I can assure you, we will end banditry in Zamfara state within two months. Most of the time, I shed tears for my people because I can see a problem but because I don’t have control over the security agencies, I cannot order the security operatives to act in time.

“There was a time, the bandits invaded Shinkafi local government and I was sitting here when the security operatives were alerted but they refused to go to Shinkafi simply because they were not given orders from Abuja. This is the problem we are facing but we trust God and surely, He will come to our rescue,” he added.

The governor lamented that despite these challenges, the state government has continued to support security agencies with logistics and running costs, add- ing that records are available for anyone who wishes to verify. He further recalled that about two months ago, the Zamfara state government distributed 150 patrol vehicles to the security agencies including police, army, the Department of State Service (DSS) and civil defence with a view to helping them improve in doing their jobs.

The governor added that apart from the thousands of person- nel recruited as Community Protection Guards (CPG), his administration had also hired over 2,000 local hunters from Borno and Yobe and brought them into Zamfara to comple- ment the conventional security operatives fighting banditry in

In S ecur ITY: T I nubu Pu SH e S for S TAT e Pol

STAKEHOLDERS WORKSHOP ON MAINSTREAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)...

L-R: Representative of Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, Builder Yusuf Kehinde; Director, Environmental Impact Assessment, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Olasunkanmi Sojinu; Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji; Director, Sanitation Services, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Hassan Sanuth; and Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, and Director, Planning and Design, Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Oluremi Ibikunle-Makanju, during the Stakeholders’ Workshop on mainstream Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and other safeguard instruments into developmental initiatives in Lagos State, held at Watercress Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos State, yesterday

the state.

“I am doing all these despite the fact that I have no control over the security agencies. But because it’s my responsibility to protect the lives and properties of the people of Zamfara as the chief security officer of the state.

“I have said it on several occasions that if the bandits are fighting because they lack some basic needs, I will provide them with whatever they lack; if they are lacking water I will provide them with water, if they are lacking schools, I will build schools for them just to have peace in the state,” he said.

He said that despite the chal- lenges his administration faces in tackling banditry, he would not relent in his efforts to end the menace, while appealing to the people of the state to be patient as the government continues to do all it can to address the problem.

He further lamented that the major problem was the politicisation of the banditry issue in Zamfara State by certain individuals.

“I want to remind those undermining our efforts in the fight against banditry that their actions are destroying the state, not Dauda Lawal as governor,” he stated.

Lawal recalled that during the just concluded bye-election, a large number of soldiers and other security personnel were deployed to the state with all sorts of war equipment to cover an election that took place in six wards.

Banditry: El-Rufai can’t disown APC, declares Baba-Ahmed

Similarly, the vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has faulted former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his recent allegation that the government is paying bandits, claiming that the former minister cannot absolve himself from the blame.

Baba-Ahmed, who spoke during a television programme monitored by THISDAY, accused the ruling All Progressives Con- gress (APC) of using insecurity as a political tool.

“El-Rufai cannot run away because he is part of it. My grudge with Nasir’s statement

is that he was part and parcel of the APC from 2013. Like he told you, he was one of the architects of it all. All of a sudden, he has come to absolve himself. No. Nasir is part and parcel of all that has been going on. We suffered, we are victims of Nasir’s misrule in Zaria,” he alleged.Baba-Ahmed alleged that insecurity had been “politicised and orchestrated” by the ruling APC.

“I am in so much pain, believe me. Nigeria should be a great country, yet we have people destroying us by the hour. Insecurity has been part of APC’s game, and Nasir is saying it.

“I think he is right, the government has been paying them. Insecurity has been the APC’s way of staying in power.

That is my candid, firm opinion, strengthened by the kind of unfortunate comments like that of Nasir,” he said.

He also criticised the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for dismissing El-Rufai’s remarks.

“The reaction of ONSA is not disputing what Nasir has said. Nasir should be writing some comments and statements by now. If the Office of the National Security Adviser will take this statement with levity, then Nuhu Ribadu was never a policeman. Nasir should be writing to the police, to the court. If the position of the government is to be paying bandits, then we don’t have a nation,” Baba-Ahmed added.

El-Rufai had sparked contro- versy when he alleged recently that both the federal government and Kaduna State Government were worsening insecurity by empowering bandits.

UN: 1,364 children recruited by armed groups in W/Africa in 2024

Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) has said that no fewer than 1,364 children were recruited by armed groups in 2024 across six countries in West Africa. The global body also revealed that there were 466 cases of sexual violence and 14,364 school closures in the region due to insecurity within the period under review.

UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa

and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, made this revelation while delivering a keynote address at the Regional Conference on Com- bating Emerging Terrorist Groups and Strengthening Sustainable Security in the ECOWAS Region and the Sahel.

Simão, who stressed that West Africa and the Sahel have become the epicentre of global terrorism, regretted that these numbers represent stolen futures, fractured communities, and deepening fragility.

He said: “The global terror- ism landscape is shifting at an alarming rate. According to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, West Africa and the Sahel accounted for most of the fatalities in 2024—an increase from the previous year. Among the 10 countries most impacted by terrorism globally, five are in our region. The increase is not only in the number of attacks and victims, but also in sophistication, as groups forge alliances and expand their operational reach.

“Terrorist activities are also spreading into sensitive border zones, such as the Tambacounda region between Mali, Senegal, Guinea, and Mauritania, and into protected areas like Park W, Arly, and Pendjari, which straddle Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These incursions threaten livelihoods, biodiversity, and eco-tourism—proving that no space is beyond the reach of violent extremism.

“We cannot ignore the impact of political tensions between neighbouring states in the region. These disputes undermine governance, erode cooperation, and create security gaps that terrorist and criminal networks exploit. Meanwhile, climate change continues to act as a threat displacement,multiplier—driving intensifying resource conflicts between farmers and herders, and forcing entire communities into precarious livelihoods.”

Terrorist groups, he said, exploit these vulnerabilities, embedding themselves in marginalised communities and using local grievances as recruitment tools.

In this context, the UN commended ECOWAS for its recent successful demarche with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to preserve the free movement of goods and people.

“This achievement shows that

dialogue can still prevail, even amid profound political and security crises. The cooperation between ECOWAS and the African Union in counterterrorism is showing positive developments, with the recent initiative to establish a Joint Threat Fusion and Analysis Cell to coordinate information and intelligence sharing between states,” he said.

He highlighted that terrorist organisations have shown a trou- bling ability to adapt—exploiting ungoverned spaces, inflaming community grievances, and employing advanced technolo- gies such as drones, encrypted communications, and cyber tools to execute strikes with greater precision and heightened psychological impact.

The Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security at the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, represented by Dr Cyriaque Pawoumotom Agnekethom, said that fighting terrorism remains one of ECOWAS’s top priorities in achieving collective security as a foundation for regional stability, prosperity, and deeper integration.

“As a region and a continent, we must continually intercept and suffocate the supply chains on which terrorist networks thrive—such as weapons and ammunition, fuel for their vehicles, the illicit flow of funds through conventional and non- conventional platforms, drugs, and the control of dual-use items like fertilisers and batteries used to fabricate Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other accessories,” he stated.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, stated that the activities of terrorists—ranging from kidnappings and banditry to transnational trafficking and violent radicalisation—pose direct threats to individual states and to the security and stability of West Africa and the Sahel as a whole.

For Nigeria, he said, the Armed Forces have been at the forefront of confronting these threats.

Represented by the Chief of Defence Operations, Maj. Gen. Emeka Onumajuru, the CDS revealed that from sustained counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations in the North-East, to combating banditry in the North-West and violent extremism in the North-Central,

Nigerian troops continue to make sacrifices to safeguard lives and preserve stability.

North-east governors canvass resumption of oil exploration

Earlier, during the meeting Tinubu Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Borno Governor, Zulum , thanked the President for sustaining the fight against insurgency and supporting environmental mitigation in theHeregion.outlined priority de- mands, including sustained military operations in the Lake Chad basin, funding for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), completion of critical road projects, and renewed oil exploration in Kolmani and Lake Chad.

He said: “The region having suffered so much environmental and developmental setbacks arising from long periods of neglect and abandonment, we wish to leverage on Mr. President’s renewed hope agenda to reverse these ugly trends by giving special attention to us in the following “Resumptionareas. of oil exploration in the frontier wells in particular Kolmani and Lake Chad wells; continued military operations in the shores of the Lake Chad, Dajin Madama, Mandara Hills, Sambisa Game Reserve, Mansur, Yelwa, Futuk, Kolmani areas, Karin Lamido Forest among others and provision of funding to MNJTF for military operation in the Tumbus of the Lake Chad.”

The Borno governor also pledged the support of North-east governors to the President in his bid to provide good governance in the country.

He said: “The North-east governors hold you in high esteem and all of us have resolved to partner with you in your determination to provide good governance for Nigeria with a view to leaving behind lasting legacies and landmarks for the country.”

President to inaugurate 6,000MT lithium plant in Nasarawa

Also, Tinubu will visit Nasarawa State later this month to inaugurate a newly completed 6,000-metric-ton lithium process- ing plant, in what government officials described as another milestone in Nigeria’s push to

curb raw mineral exports and expand domestic value-addition, it was learnt yesterday.

Governor Abdullahi Sule, who disclosed this to reporters on Wednesday evening after a closed-door meeting with the President at the State House, Abuja, said the new plant, located in Nasarawa Local Government Area, was built by Chinese investors and is twice the size of the 3,000MT facility launched in the state in 2023.

Sule explained that the Presi- dent promised to perform the inauguration immediately after returning from his upcoming visit to France.

He said: “They said they were going to build a bigger one…they have just concluded building it, and it is ready for commissioning. Mr. President promised that on his return from his short vacation, he’s going to come to Nasarawa to commission theTheproject”.Nasarawa plant, he said, is one of several Chinese-backed projects springing up across the state after exploratory surveys confirmed commercial-grade lithium deposits.

The federal government had in recent years adopted beneficiation policies to ban unprocessed lithium exports and encourage investors to set up in-country processing hubs, following examples in Indonesia’s nickel and Zimbabwe’s lithium sectors.

Sule noted that the investors were drawn by the sheer quality and scale of deposits in Nasarawa, describing the plant as a step toward positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for lithium-ion battery and solar panel“Becausemanufacturing. of how excited they were with the quality of lithium and the commercial deposit they noticed, they fulfilled their promise to build something bigger,” he added.

Sule also linked the investment flow to reforms implemented under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the naira’s exchange rate, which he said had boosted states’ revenues.

“Instead of borrowing from the banks, we are now utilising the improved resources that we have,” the governor said, adding that infrastructure expansion in Nasarawa is benefitting directly from federal fiscal reforms.

dEEPENiNG

PaRTNERsHiP …

Again, Gunmen Abduct Monarch in Kogi State

ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

Suspected gunmen have abducted a second-class traditional ruler and the District Head of Bagaji Odo, His Royal Highness David Wada, in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State. THISDAY gathered that the monarch, who was said to have been returning

Police to Announce New Spokesperson as Adejobi is Redeployed to Delta

Linus aleke in abuja

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) yesterday stated that arrangements are being finalised for the announcement of a new Force Public Relations Officer(FPRO).

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said in a statement that he has approved the posting of the current FPRO, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, as the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Department of Operations, Delta State Command.

This deployment, he said, underscores the confidence of the Force leadership in Adejobi’s wealth of experience, professionalism, and capacity to further strengthen operational strategies within the Command.

He said: “I commend DCP Adejobi for his exceptional service as Force Public Relations Officer. His professionalism, commitment, and remar-kable contributions to enhancing the image and communication strategies of the Nigeria Police Force have been outstanding.”

Greenus Capital Secures $23m for Agric Processing Firm

A finance house, Greenus Capital Limited, has raised $23 million in debt financing for Johnvents Industries Limited, reinforcing its role as a leading provider of strategic advisory and capital solutions for midmarket corporations in Africa.

Greenus Capital is an Africa-focused advisory firm committed to unlocking capital and growth opportunities for highpotential, middle-market businesses.

Acting as the financial adviser, originator, and

arranger, Greenus Capital led the complex transaction that drew funding from development finance institutions led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). According to the statement made available to journalists, the deal was spearheaded by Chief Executive Officer of Greenus Capital, Mr. Olakunle Odeyemi, whose leadership has positioned the firm as a trusted partner in delivering innovative financing solutions across the continent.

from a traditional council meeting in Abejukolo, headquarters of the Omala Local Government Area, was waylaid at Ojuwo Ugweche at gunpoint and was taken into the bush.

The incident happened

around 5 p.m. last Monday, as the locals noted that while the monarch was being taken away by a commercial motorcycle operator, they ran into an ambush at a dangerous Ugweche spot, and were forcibly commandeered

into the bush, as the rider escaped by the whiskers.

The Ojuwo Ugweche, notorious for its kidnapping, was routinely manned by vigilantes and security personnel; however, on that fateful day, there was no security

personnel at the scene. Meanwhile, the state government had drafted the military and other sister security personnel to the local government area, yet insecurity and other crimes continue unabated in the area.

NASENI Unveils N250m Innovate Naija Challenge for Young Innovators

sunday Ehigiator

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has launched InnovateNaija, Nigeria’s biggest innovation competition, with a prize pool of N250 million to support homegrown inventions

in science, engineering, and manufacturing.

The initiative, backed by the Presidency, the NASENI Innovation Hub, and AfriLabs, will officially kick off today, September 4, 2025, at the GITEX Nigeria 10x Stage, Landmark Event Centre, Lagos. Designed to inspire and showcase the

nation’s brightest minds, InnovateNaija will identify and fund transformative ideas capable of addressing Nigeria’s unique challenges and advancing technological growth.

Under the scheme, 37 state-level winners — one from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT — will

be selected through public voting. Each will receive a N2.5 million grant to develop their innovations. The top 15 will progress to the grand finale at the NASENI Invention Fest in Abuja, February 2026, where they will pitch their solutions before expert judges and stakeholders.

Telcos Urged to Guide against Mast Collapse, Noise Pollution in Osun

yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Telecommunications companies currently operating in Osun State have been admonished to guide against the rampant falling of masts, oil spillages on mast sites, and noisy power-generating sets.

Speaking with journalists in Osogbo yesterday on the importance of environmental impact assessment reports for masts in the state, Ms. Morenike George-Taylor, director of Operations and Project Management at Global Transactions Nigeria Limited, explained that the rate of mast falling in the state and the noisy pollution is too alarming.

According to her, “We hear the news of masts falling, oil spillages on mast sites, and noisy generators. Protecting the environment, whether from noise pollution, contamination, or otherwise, is something that should concern us all.

Origin Tech Chair Urges Nigerians to Key into Tinubu’s Agric Sector Vision

Raheem akingbolu

The Executive Chairman of Origin Tech Group Nigeria, Prince Samuel Joseph Samuel, has admonished Nigerians to key into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of agricultural revolution captured in his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and as encapsulated in the Greener Hope Agricultural Productivity Programme (GHAPP) as a catalyst for unlocking the nation’s economic potentials.

Samuel reiterated this position while receiving the Governing Council members of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU-Ile-Ife, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, in continuation of talks around developing robust partnership between the university and the group. Samuel said: “Agriculture is key to Nigeria’s growth potential.”

PricePally, GSMA Climate Project Slash Post-Harvest Losses

PricePally, in partnership with the GSMA Innovation Fund, has successfully completed its Climate Resilience and Adaptation Project, delivering transformative impact for

more than 750 smallholder farmers nationwide and emboldening them to profitability. Designed to make farming predictable, profitable, and climate-smart, the initiative

tackled some of the deepest cracks in Nigeria’s food system, which include rampant post-harvest losses, poor access to markets, and farmers’ financial vulnerability.

According to statistics, agriculture employs nearly 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population, with smallholder farmers producing a staggering 98 per cent of the nation’s food.

L-R: Manager, Commercial Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Bunmi Falana; Agbeyewa Technical Partner on Mechanisation from Brazil, Mr Pascoal D Andrea Filho; Vice President, Operations,

Ekong Calls for Massive Support for Eagles Against Rwanda on Saturday

“We know the gravity of the games

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong, has called on Nigerian fans to stand firmly behind the team as they prepare to take on Rwanda and South Africa in the two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers within the next one week.

Speaking in Uyo yesterday before Coach Eric Chelle had the first full compliment of all invited 23 players in camp,

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Ekong, confirmed that Eagles are well focused on the task ahead, which is to pick all six points from Rwanda and South Africa.

“The boys are very focused, and we’re looking forward to the game on Saturday (against Rwanda).

“I want to thank the fans

...Fans to Pay N3,000 &

Football fans will pay the sum of N3,000 and N1,000 respectively to watch Saturday’s 2026 FIFA

against Rwanda and South Africa”

for their support, and I ask them to continue encouraging us—be there in the stadium on Saturday, keep praying for us, and rally with everyone else in TheNigeria.” Al Kholood central

N1,000

defender in the Saudi Arabia Pro League insisted that the Super Eagles are not unaware of the consequences of not winning the Saturday clash with the Amavubi in Uyo and the clash with South Africa’s

Bafana Bafana on Tuesday in Bloemfontein.

“It’s going to be an important set of games for us, starting on Saturday. We know the gravity of this game, and we’ll remain focused on our

to See Eagles, Amavubi Clash

World Cup qualifying match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. According to NFF’s Director

Fatodu: Lagos Dominance in NYG Result of Investment in Grassroots Sports

Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, has described Lagos dominance of the swimming event at the ongoing National Youth Games in Asaba as a validation of the state’s government investment in grassroots sports development.

The swimming event at the ongoing 9th National Youth Game was concluded on Tuesday, with Team Lagos finishing tops with 23 medals;

19 gold 4 silver ahead of Edo State in distant second with 10 medals, 3 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze while the host, Delta state completed the top three with 2 gold, 10 silver and 5 bronze medals.

Fatodu noted that the dominance displayed backed by exceptional performance of Lagos athletes was orchestrated on remarkable investment, competent human resource and managerial acumen, and

effective leadership of Lagos State Sports Commission.

“It’s actually a testament, validation of the resources, support, and infrastructural improvement that Mr Gov- ernor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is doing. The manifestation of that investment is what we have seen in the performances of our athletes and the outcomes in terms of multiple gold medals that Lagos athletes have gotten in this event.

“There’s no better way to rate the performance than what we have seen in terms of the multiple gold medals the swimmers have earned.

It has actually reaffirmed the position of Lagos State as the leader in swimming in Nigeria. It has also further proven that currently Lagos swimmers U-15 athletes are actually the best across Nigeria, and we will continue to do better.”

Organisers of Delta Principal’s Cup Pick Sept 18 for Kickoff

The quest to unseat Ogbomro Grammar School, Ogbomro, Uvwie, as the winners of the Delta Principal’s Cup sponsored by Zenith Bank has started after the organisers of the tournament released a timeline for the 2025 edition.

Ogbomro Grammar School, Ogbomro, Uvwie, defeated Umutu Secondary School 2-0 in the final of the seventh edition

of the revamped Principal’s Cup played on November 7, 2024 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State. According to the 2025 Timeline, the registration by schools for the competition will take place between Monday, September 8, and Friday, September 12 at various secondary schools within Delta State.

The organisers said there will be press briefing on Tuesday, September 16 at the Ministry’s Conference Room before the official kick-off of the tournament at the St. Patrick’s College, Asaba, on Thursday, September 18, with the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, expected to take the official kick-off of the eight edition of the championships.

The organisers also an- nounced that the preliminary stage of the Zenith Bank/ Delta Principal Cup will take place across all the Local Government Areas of the state from Monday, September 22 and will end on Thursday, September 25, with screening taking place each day before the kickoff of games by 2pm everyday.

of Marketing and Sponsorship, Alizor Chuks, tickets for the VIP section will go for N3,000 and the popular seats will sell for N1,000 at designated centres within the Uyo metropolis from Friday morning.

“It is important to let the general public know that the NFF Security Committee has declared total war on all ticket manipulators this time. Ticket fakers and racketeers will be dealt with.

“All tickets will be scanned at the gates. All intending spectators are advised to buy their tickets from accredited ticket sellers. Fake ticket sellers or

holders will be arrested and prosecuted.”Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State police command has assured of adequate security for players, fans and visitors already in the state for the big game.

“All arrangement has been put in place to ensure a hitch-free World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Rwanda this coming Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo,” the Commis- sioner of Police (CP), Baba Mohammed Azare, said while briefing Journalists at the State Police headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.

Great Britain End 12-year Wait for EuroBasket Title

Great Britain ended their 12-year wait for a EuroBasket victory with a shock 89-83 win over Montenegro in Finland.

In their final Group B match, Myles Hesson and Akwasi Yeboah led scoring for Britain with 25 and 23 points respectively.

GB sit 48th in Fiba’s world rankings, 32 places below Montenegro.

However, both teams will exit EuroBasket at the group stage because of fourth-placed Sweden’s superior point differ-

ence, with the top four from each group advancing to the last 16.

In Britain’s most recent EuroBasket appearances, in 2022 and 2017, they lost all five group matches each time, with their last EuroBasket win having come against Germany in 2013.

The British squad is one of six from the 24 EuroBasket nations - and the only one in their group - not to contain at least one active NBA player.

Bayelsa Backs Prosperity Girlsto Lift WAFU B Trophy

Chairman of Bayelsa State House of Assembly Committee on Sports and Youth Development, Hon. Tare Porri, has thrown his weight behind Bayelsa Queens winning the sub- regional title for a second time after first lifting it in 2022.

The Prosperity Girls have been having a good run in the tourna- ment that serves as qualifiers for CAF Women’s Champions League and will on Friday at CKB Stadium, Yamoussoukro, meet home side, ASEC Mimosas to determine who among them will be crowned champions of the tournament.

In an interview with our correspondent, Hon. Porri declared that he’s happy with the performance of the team and is looking forward to see- ing them overrun their Ivorien counterparts in the epic finals even as he congratulated the team for doing the country proud in Cote d’Ivoire.

“First on behalf of the good people of Bayelsa State, I want to congratulate the Prosperity Girls for not only winning their semi- final match but emerging victorious in all the matches they have played so far in the tournament.

Super Eagles players at training yesterday in Uyo ahead Saturday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda

mEETinG WiTh ThE noRTh EAST GoVERnoRS FoRUm...

PAT U TOMI

gu EST COL um NIST

Doyin Abiola, A Truth Champion Takes a Bow

This one is tough for me. The youngest of the troika departed first, breaking a pattern that started during the June 12 struggle, but continued long after.

As professionals who abhorred impunity which reached its apogee in the annulment of the Presidential elections of June 12th 1993 rallied under a banner, The Cocerned Professionals, friendships with bonds thicker than blood emerged. One such connection brought an IT engineer and entrepreneur Tunde Akinleye and I together in shared values espousing the paths of justice, freedom and a passionate commitment to the advancement of the Common Good.

Both Tunde and I admired the courage, intellect and loyalty to family of a woman who recognized the power of the cause that was June 12 but cared much for the safety of her husband Chief MKO Abiola who won the elections of that day.

The three of us, Dr Doyin Abiola, Tunde and I began to meet frequently, usually on Sunday evenings at my home to discuss Nigeria.

Dr Abiola, pioneering woman in the editorial chair in Nigeria and board room gladiator brought a heart for a new Nigeria to the meetings.

A bona fide public intellectual, she found materials written in continents far away that show how we can be better governed she quickly brought it to our attention. I recall that she was travelling abroad when she became exposed to the book by

Jonathan Tepperman titled The Fix: How Nations Survive and Thrive In A World in Decline. She could hardly wait to get back to Lagos for us to discuss the book.

One weekend, the Easter weekend of 2015, many were agitated by social media outcry on an alleged threat by the Oba of Lagos to drown those who did not vote for his preferred candidates at elections in the Lagoon. We decided to meet in the morning.

I had already tried to pour water on the flames in comments I made for which Oba Akhiolu told me

his daughter had told him he owed me a debt of gratitude. There really was no point in allowing a jocularly remark in poor taste lead to increased tensions so I thought it fit call for calm.

Dr Abiola and I were waiting for Tunde to arrive when former Nigerian Breweries MD Festus Odimegwu showed up and urged we go with him to Abeokuta to see General Obasanjo. I was not so enthusiastic for a variety of reasons. But it is not easy to escape a Festus Odimegwu forecourt pressure so we found ourselves on the way to Abeokuta.

There was quite a crowd in the Living room. President Obassnjo sighted us and shouted Festus why are you bringing this my enemy to my house, referring to me. I quickly retorted : people like you deserve enemies.People wondered who could be saying that but the retort seemed to energize and excite President Obasanjo.

Our host detached himself from the crowd and went to lunch with us. When we were leaving, after more than four hours of bantering, Dr Abiola remarked that this was peculiar enmity. ‘You and Obasanjo pretend to be enemies or frenimies, as you call it, but what I can see is that the man loves you but cannot manage

“My friends who worked for Dr Abiola when she was CEO of the Concord group said she was a tough but fair boss. They remember her as sharp witted editor and slow to anger leader, who was patient while but could keep the heat of deadlines up.”

to find a way of controlling you.

Dr Abiola spoke many more truths. And Tunde Akinleye had a masterful way of disagreeing with her without being disagreeable. And then Tunde who had just finished serving as Chairman of Ikoyi Club found cancer was threatening. Dr Abiola also began to complain more about her health. Nothing prepared us for the sequence. Tunde was quite disciplined so I was confident he would overcome. He fought with bravery but bowed to heaven’s call. I too began to look poor health in the face.

My friends who worked for Dr Abiola when she was CEO of the Concord group said she was a tough but fair boss. They remember her as sharp witted editor and slow to anger leader, who was patient while but could keep the heat of deadlines up.

Dr Abiola did not get to say farewell. I was away during her last months working on books. But I will always remember the passion with which she argued on matters of injustice. I pray she make a strong plea for Nigeria up there, that Nigeria may rise up again.

I know that patriotic Nigerians will miss her just as the media fraternity and Intellectuals will. I pray for sweet repose of her soul, immortality for her in the hearts of men and fortitude to her family especially for her beloved daughter and grandchildren.

•Patrick Okedinachi Utomi, founder, CVL is Professor of Political Economy

Doyin Abiola

L-R: Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Ahmadu Umoru Fintiri; Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni; Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya; Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Bala Mohammed; and Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, during the President’s meeting with the North East Governors Forum, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI