Author: Nouman Ali

The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), which coordinated the re-election campaign of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has thanked residents of the state for their support that secured the governor’s victory at the polls.

The council, in a statement jointly signed on Friday by its Director-General, Senator Lere Oyewumi, and Secretary, Prince Bola Ajao, also appreciated traditional rulers for their prayers and support throughout the election period.

The council said the victory reflected the people’s confidence in what it described as the Imole vision and their desire for continued development and good governance in the state.

It said, ‘We extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to the good people of Osun State for the confidence, support, prayers, sacrifices, and unwavering commitment demonstrated throughout our journey.

‘The victory we celebrate today belongs, first and foremost, to God Almighty and to the good people of Osun State. It is a testament to the strength of your faith in the Imole vision and your determination to see Osun continue on the path of progress, development, and good governance.’

The council also commended traditional rulers for their counsel, prayers and contributions to their communities.

‘To our Royal Fathers and Traditional Rulers, we salute your wisdom, dignity, and invaluable counsel. Your leadership remains a pillar of our communities, and we deeply appreciate your prayers and support,’ it said.

Religious leaders were also recognised for their prayers, guidance and commitment to peace, unity and the wellbeing of Osun State.

The council said the victory belonged to all residents of the state, including those in the diaspora, and urged them to remain united.

‘To every citizen of Osun State-at home and in the diaspora, we see and value you. You will never be taken for granted. This moment belongs to all of us,’ it said.

The council acknowledged that the campaign was not without challenges but said the outcome demonstrated the importance of collective support for a shared vision.

It stressed, however, that the electoral victory should be viewed as a renewed responsibility to serve the people.

‘As we celebrate this milestone, we are conscious that victory itself is not the destination. It is a renewed responsibility to serve, to listen, to unite, and to deliver on the aspirations of the people,’ the council said.

It pledged that the trust placed in the administration would not be taken for granted.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ending persistent power outages, by setting a target of increasing electricity supply to about 3.5 gigawatts (GW).

He spoke at the Lagos State High-Level Strategic Power town hall meeting held to examine the state’s electricity challenges and develop practical solutions to improve generation, transmission and distribution.

The engagement brought together key stakeholders across the electricity value chain, including regulators, distribution companies, transmission operators, investors, asset managers and representatives of the Federal Government.

Speaking at the event, Special Adviser to the President on Power and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power Sector Reset and Restoration, Dr Rilwan Babalola, said the challenge facing Lagos and Nigeria was no longer simply about generating more electricity, but building a functional and sustainable electricity market.

Babalola said the country must move away from a system in which government continuously acted as buyer, guarantor and absorber of losses across the electricity value chain.

He said the proposed Clean Lagos Electricity Market (CLEM) could provide a model for converting Lagos’ huge electricity demand into a structured and investible market through demand aggregation, bilateral contracting, open access, payment assurance and transparent settlement.

He said the proposed initial 500MW CLEM project must first demonstrate that electricity could be reliably delivered, properly metered and paid for before the model was expanded.

Babalola said stakeholders must establish the location of demand and customers, sources of electricity and gas, the capacity of the network to deliver the power, appropriate tariffs and a transparent payment system for generators, network operators and gas suppliers.

He highlighted the opportunities created by the decentralisation of the electricity sector following constitutional amendments and the Electricity Act, which allow states to establish and regulate their electricity markets.

He, however, cautioned against fragmentation, stressing the need for coordination between state electricity markets, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), interstate electricity trading and national transmission network.

Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, said the town hall was convened to end what he described as the ‘culture of blackout’ in Lagos.

Ogunleye said the state had conducted studies and assembled critical stakeholders to identify the challenges affecting electricity supply and agree on practical solutions.

He disclosed that Lagos currently receives less than one gigawatt from the national grid, despite the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) having the capacity to transmit about 3.5GW.

The commissioner said the state was working to secure an additional 2GW, with the ultimate objective of moving towards 3.5GW of electricity supply.

He said achieving the target would enable more electricity feeders to operate and improve power supply to homes, businesses and industries across the state.

Ogunleye added that newly-inaugurated substations would strengthen the state’s electricity infrastructure, while the government would work with distribution companies to monitor selected feeders and measure improvements in supply.

On electricity tariffs, he said consumers should not be made to ‘pay for darkness’, stressing that improved metering and infrastructure must accompany any tariff increase.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC), Temitope George, identified inadequate generation and transmission capacity, energy theft, vandalism and non-payment of electricity bills as some of the major challenges confronting the sector.

George said electricity demand in Lagos, which had previously exceeded 1,500MW, had recently fallen below 1,000MW.

She urged consumers to pay for electricity consumed, warning that non-payment distorted the electricity market and ultimately affected the ability of other consumers to enjoy reliable supply.

The regulator also disclosed that the state was restructuring its existing Independent Power Projects to make them bankable without placing excessive pressure on government finances.

George said Lagos was also exploring embedded power generation to complement electricity from the national grid and reduce dependence on the national system.

She said the ongoing decentralisation of the electricity sector should lead to a more efficient electricity market in Lagos.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer in the June 20 Ekiti State governorship election, Dr Wole Oluyede, has declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 general election.

He made his position known yesterday when he visited Governor Biodun Oyebanji at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti.

Oluyede informed the governor of his decision to work for Tinubu’s victory in the January 2027 presidential election.

He also discussed with Governor Oyebanji issues relating to the development and progress of Ekiti State, as the governor prepares to begin his second term on October 16.

Receiving Oluyede, Governor Oyebanji praised him for an act of statesmanship and his commitment to the progress of Ekiti State and national development.

Oyebanji expressed appreciation for Oluyede’s decision to support President Tinubu, saying his gesture demonstrated a shared commitment to the development of Ekiti and Nigeria.

Nigerian filmmaker and media consultant Akorede Adebowale, popularly known as Obj, has announced his intention to contest a seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adebowale, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the entertainment and media industry, is the National Secretary of the TAMPAN Guild of Directors.

He is seeking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to represent Iwajowa Local Government Area in the Oyo State House of Assembly.

The filmmaker said his decision to enter politics was driven by a desire to contribute to human capital development, particularly through talent discovery, development and deployment within his constituency.

Adebowale also pledged to prioritise his constituents’ welfare and social security if elected.

‘I want to bring Human Capital Development in the area of Talent discovery, Development and Deployment. The most important thing for me is my people; their social security and wellbeing are secure under my leadership,’ he said.

Senator Salihu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mustapha, one of the 15 aggrieved governorship aspirants following the party’s May 2026 governorship primary in Kwara State, announced his resignation after weeks of consultations with political stakeholders, supporters and constituents across the senatorial district and the state.

Although he has not officially announced his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a photograph purportedly showing a PDP Kwara Central senatorial nomination ticket bearing his name is already in circulation.

In a statement announcing his resignation, Mustapha said recent developments within the APC in Kwara had prompted him to reconsider his political direction.

He said he did not take the decision lightly, adding that politics should be driven by ‘people, principles and purpose’.

Mustapha said it had become necessary to chart a new course when a political platform no longer sufficiently aligned with those convictions and the aspirations of the people.

He thanked the APC leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the relationships and experiences he gained during his years in the party.

The senator, however, assured his constituents, supporters and political associates that while his political platform might change, his principles and commitment to the people would remain unchanged.

‘I remain steadfast in my service to the people of Kwara Central, Kwara State and Nigeria at large,’ he said.

Reacting to the development, the Kwara State chapter of the PDP described Mustapha’s resignation as a ‘devastating confirmation’ that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had failed both his party and the people of the state.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the PDP said the resignation of a serving senator and founding APC figure had exposed what it described as the deepening crisis within the ruling party in the state.

The opposition party accused AbdulRazaq of relying on ‘propaganda, social media optics and image laundering’ to conceal the alleged leadership crisis in the APC.

It described the party as a ‘runaway car heading to doom, yet being controlled by a blind and deaf driver.’

The Authentic Nigeria Football and Allied Sports Supporters Club (ANFASSC) has written to President Bola Tinubu, appealing for a structured dialogue involving the Presidency, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to address what it describes as a sustained decline in Nigerian football.

In the letter, copied to Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, ANFASSC – recognised by the Confederation of African Football and endorsed by FIFA – stressed it was not seeking government interference in the NFF’s statutory independence under FIFA and CAF rules, but a partnership-based engagement to chart ‘a new, progressive course’ for the sport.

The club’s request is threefold: a transparent dialogue between the Presidency, the NSC, the NFF and recognised stakeholders; a shared push to build a ‘modern, well-governed and competitive football ecosystem’; and a timeframe from the President’s office for when such engagement could begin.

ANFASSC’s appeal traces Nigerian football’s slide from the peak of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA U-17 World Cup double under the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF, which took office in October 2014, through to the current administration of Ibrahim Musa Gusau, in office since October 2022.

The Super Eagles missed the 2015 and 2017 AFCON tournaments, and the decline has deepened since. Nigeria’s U-23 side missed both the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, while the CHAN Eagles missed the 2022 edition of their tournament. The Flying Eagles were eliminated from 2027 U-20 AFCON qualification after a 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in August, and Nigeria’s U-17 side failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations and, in turn, the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Most significantly, the Super Eagles were eliminated by DR Congo on penalties in the November 2025 African play-off final, missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after losing their play-off to South Africa.

ANFASSC noted this marks the first time both the Super Eagles and Super Falcons will be absent from their respective World Cups in the same cycle.

‘ANFASSC does not raise these concerns to assign blame but to responsibly highlight a pattern that calls for thoughtful, forward-looking intervention,’ the letter states.

The club said it envisions the requested engagement leading to renewed investment in grassroots and age-grade development, stronger coaching structures, improved player and official welfare, and a more transparent governance framework, and offered itself as a ‘constructive partner’ in the process.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Darlington Nwauju, has applauded the three-year scorecard of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Describing Tunji-Ojo as a dedicated, visionary and committed minister, Nwauju said the minister had transformed a hitherto redundant ministry.

The former Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the APC recalled that Tunji-Ojo was among the 45 ministers Tinubu appointed, and that Tinubu assigned him to an unpopular ministry known only for headlining announcements of national public holidays.

But he said, ‘In the last three years, the Interior Ministry underwent measurable reforms and, in a particular instance, last year received parliamentary commendations for surpassing the revenue generation target set for it by the National Assembly for the 2024/25 fiscal year.

‘For those of us who believe that there is a serious need to deliberately inject fresh blood into every leadership stratum in this country, Dr Tunji-Ojo stands as empirical evidence. Having been tried and having delivered beyond the imaginations of naysayers.’

He said the Interior Minister remained a source of pride to the people of Ondo, the youth demography in the country and a silver lining for visionary and impactful leadership.

He said the minister hit the ground running as soon as he was appointed, mobilising funds through corporate social responsibility to the tune of N585 million to pay court fines and compensation for 4,068 indigent inmates in November 2023, as part of measures to decongest the custodial centres nationwide.

He said that, as part of the prison reforms introduced by Tunji-Ojo, many Master’s, undergraduate and PhD candidates had successfully completed their studies, with numerous others enrolling for NABTEB/NECO examinations.

‘Other empirically verifiable projects/policies like the remodelling/upgrade of the National Fire Academy; launch of ECOWAS national biometric identity card (ENBIC); a new NIMC Act 2026 empowering NIMC as the mother certification authority for Nigeria’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI),’ he said.

Nwauju said under the minister, the immigration services in the country witnessed a turnaround following the digitising of expatriate quota and resident permit processes, and the inauguration of a Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre, the first of its kind in the 62-year history of the NIS

‘These are all testaments to performance delivery, which speaks volumes of an accountable leadership paradigm,’ he said.

He added, ‘It is my time-tested principle and belief that politics and governance should and must be about the good of the greater majority. In that light, the Interior Ministry under Dr Tunji-Ojo’s watch has promoted over 75,000 paramilitary officers, with elevations across various ranks, thereby ending years of career stagnation.

‘There is also an ongoing recruitment exercise of 60,000 youths into the four paramilitary agencies under that Ministry.’

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the domestic steel industry after executing a major sub-lease and operations pact to unlock over $1.3 billion in private-sector investment for the full revival of the dormant Delta Steel Company.

The agreement, signed between the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, and Premium Steel and Mines Limited (PSML), marks a decisive step towards reactivating the Ovwian-Aladja steel complex in Delta State.

Under the operational framework, the Federal Government is resolving longstanding raw-material supply bottlenecks by guaranteeing sustainable iron-ore access from NIOMCO to power the steel plant’s operations.

The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, emphasised that the resuscitation forms a core pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at accelerating local manufacturing, driving import substitution, and creating high-value jobs.

‘The revival of Delta Steel Company is not merely about bringing an old industrial facility back to life,’ Minister Audu stated. ‘It is about restoring Nigeria’s capacity to produce steel locally, creating opportunities for our young people, supporting downstream industries, and strengthening the foundation for sustainable industrialisation.’

Commissioned in 1982 as an integrated greenfield complex with a capacity to produce one million metric tonnes of liquid steel annually, the Delta Steel Plant suffered years of operational decay-peaking at just 25 per cent capacity before shutting down entirely.

Efforts to privatise the asset in 2005 were stalled by financial distress, leading to its acquisition by PSML via the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in 2015. The facility has remained inactive as a fully integrated plant ever since.

Under the newly executed agreement, PSML has committed to injecting over $1.3 billion into raw-material exploration, site rehabilitation, and modernising the production lines. Commercial operations are targeted to resume within 18 to 24 months, returning the complex to its full capacity of 1 million tonnes of liquid steel per annum.

The Ministry outlined key economic deliverables expected from the deal, including a capital injection of over $1.3 billion in direct foreign/private investment into Nigeria’s real sector, creating about 5,000 direct jobs and over 20,000 indirect jobs across logistics and fabrication chains.

The deal is expected to ensure immediate upstream commercial reactivation of NIOMCO and the expansion of the Ajabanoko iron-ore deposits, target a push of 10 million tonnes of annual liquid-steel capacity by 2030, and increase freight transport along the Central Rail Line and the full deployment of the DSC Jetty for maritime logistics.

The Minister noted that the government will closely monitor progress to ensure the firm adheres strictly to the 18 to 24-month timeline.

‘The Federal Government is committed to working with responsible private-sector investors to unlock the enormous potential of Nigeria’s steel sector, while ensuring that investments are supported by the necessary raw materials, infrastructure, policy coordination, and an enabling business environment,’ Audu added.

The Ministry of Steel Development commended the strategic collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in finalising the agreement, reiterating that actualising local steel production remains central to positioning Nigeria as an industrial hub across Africa.

Newly promoted Coventry City will launch their Premier League campaign tonight at the Emirates Stadium with new marquee signing Taiwo Awoniyi targeting a statement debut against defending champions Arsenal.

The former Nottingham Forest forward, who completed his move to Coventry to bolster Frank Lampard’s attack, is set to spearhead the Sky Blues’ frontline in their first top-flight fixture in 25 years.

Speaking at the club’s Ryton training ground ahead of the curtain-raiser, Awoniyi made no secret of his intentions for the campaign ahead:

I think for sure, goals. Like I said, goals. And hard work as well. To give everything for them,’ Awoniyi said.

The 29-year-old Nigerian international, who described himself as a ‘quiet dreamer’ inspired by his father, also shared light-hearted insight into his life offline. Asked to name the most high-profile contact stored in his phone, Awoniyi pointed to Super Eagles teammate and Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen.

‘Oh, Victor Osimhen. Of course, Osi-goal, number one!’ he laughed.

Reflecting on his career path, Awoniyi cited his FIFA U-17 World Cup title with Nigeria and his move into the Premier League as his crowning moments so far – a standard he hopes to build on when Coventry face Mikel Arteta’s side in London.

Arsenal enter the opener buoyed by a 3-0 Community Shield win over Manchester City, but Lampard’s side will be eager to write a new chapter on their top-flight comeback. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 WAT.

The Coalition for Good Governance in Africa (CGGA) has commended the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Chris Ona Najomo, for his leadership and efforts to strengthen regulation in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

In a statement issued on Friday by its President, Mohammed Kudu, the coalition said Najomo should not be held solely responsible for the broader challenges facing the industry, arguing that aviation requires coordinated efforts by regulators, airlines, airport operators, government agencies and other stakeholders.

The group said its assessment of Najomo’s tenure emphasised safety oversight, consumer protection, regulatory efficiency, and efforts to create a more predictable environment for investment.

It also highlighted his more than four decades of experience in aviation, including previous roles within the NCAA and the airline industry.

CGGA said the NCAA’s efforts on aircraft financing and investment were particularly significant, citing Najomo’s engagements with global financiers and lessors to reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s aviation market and its commitment to international regulatory frameworks.

The coalition noted that at the Nigeria Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit in April, Najomo identified capital, confidence and capacity as key pillars for the sector’s growth and reaffirmed the NCAA’s commitment to enforcing the Cape Town Convention and IDERA framework.

Kudu said Najomo’s reforms should be assessed within the broader effort to improve the industry rather than against every challenge experienced by passengers and operators.

‘Our assessment of Capt Chris Ona Najomo’s stewardship shows regulatory leadership focused on strengthening the systems within its mandate. From safety oversight and consumer protection to regulatory predictability and efforts to attract investment into aircraft acquisition, there are clear indications of an administration working to improve the operating environment.’

The coalition said it was unfair to make the NCAA director-general the sole explanation for challenges involving several institutions and stakeholders across the aviation value chain.

It also commended Najomo for promoting engagement with industry stakeholders and international partners, describing sustained collaboration as essential to addressing longstanding constraints in the sector.

CGGA stressed that the NCAA’s regulatory responsibilities were distinct from those of airlines, airport managers, air navigation service providers and other government institutions involved in aviation operations.

The group urged stakeholders to avoid allowing legitimate disagreements to develop into prolonged confrontations that could undermine efforts to improve Nigeria’s aviation sector.

‘The aviation industry needs a collaborative approach at this stage. Stakeholders have every right to raise concerns and demand accountability, but such engagement should be constructive and directed towards solutions. We believe the reforms being pursued by the Federal Government and the regulatory steps under Capt. Najomo should be given the opportunity to translate into sustainable gains. The interest of the travelling public and the long-term development of Nigerian aviation must remain greater than individual or institutional disagreements,’ Kudu said.

The coalition said the government’s efforts to create a more investment-friendly aviation environment would require consistency and cooperation from all actors.

It pointed to the NCAA’s continuing emphasis on regulatory standards and the implementation of international aviation frameworks as important steps towards improving investor confidence and supporting the growth of Nigerian airlines.

CGGA also urged the NCAA to maintain its focus on passenger protection, safety regulation and enforcement, while calling on airlines and other operators to comply with established rules.

The group said meaningful improvement in aviation would not come from regulatory action alone, but from sustained cooperation among the regulator, government, operators, investors and passengers.

‘We call on all stakeholders to sheath their swords and allow the positive steps being taken by the administration to cascade into meaningful gains for the country. Nigeria needs an aviation sector that is safe, efficient, competitive and capable of supporting economic growth. That objective will not be achieved through blame trading. It will be achieved through responsible regulation, compliance, investment and cooperation,’ the statement said.