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The trial of the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Abubakar Sirika and three others before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) could not proceed on Monday as the prosecution sought vacation of the day earlier scheduled for continuation of cross-examination of the third prosecution witness (PW3), Engineer Isaiah Ganiyu Yesufu, by the defence team.

The former minister, who served in the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his younger brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, and two companies, Al-Buraq Limited and Enginos Nigeria Limited, alleged to be owned by the former minister’s brother, before Justice Suleiman Belgore, sitting at Garki, Abuja.

The defendants are facing a 10-count charge bordering on abuse of office, criminal breach of trust and use of position for gratification.

The former minister was accused of using his position to award various contracts to his younger brother to the tune of about N19.4 billion.

He was further accused of conferring unfair advantage upon Enginos Nigeria Limited by using his position to influence the award of contract for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,345,586,500.

EFCC further alleged that the former minister used his position to influence the award of contract for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport for the sum of N3,811,497,685, among other allegations.

According to the prosecution, the offences, allegedly committed in Abuja between August, 2022 and May, 2023, contravene provisions of Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, Section 17(b) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004 as well as Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Acts of the Federal Capital Territory and punishable under the same Acts.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them, by EFCC on behalf of the Federal Government.

At yesterday’s resumed sitting in the case, counsel for the former minister, Joseph Kwahar, holding the brief of Kanu Agabi SAN and counsel for the second defendant, Hafiz Matanmi, informed the court that they received a letter from the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, seeking the vacation of today’s date.

They added that the prosecutor, however, wanted the case to continue today, Tuesday, October 27.

With no objection from the defence team, Justice Belgore then adjourned to today for continuation of cross examination of the PW3, Engineer Yesufu, who is the Director of Certification, Compliance and Monitoring with Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP).

Yesufu had, while being crossed-examined by counsel for the former minister, Kanu Agabi SAN, told the court Senator Sirika neither issued nor signed any letters awarding contract for construction of a terminal building at the Katsina Airport.

He further told the court that Sirika did not participate in the Aviation Ministry’s ministerial tenders board proceedings leading to the award of the contracts.

‘I am aware that the first defendant (former minister) is on trial for violation of procurement processes. As far as I know, he did not participate in the ministerial tenders board’s proceedings.

‘He (Sirika) did not issue or sign any of the letters awarding the contracts,’ the PW3 told the court.

The PW3 further told the court that procurements in the Ministry of Aviation were being regulated by the Public Procurement Act, under which the ministry’s permanent secretary was the accounting officer of the ministry.

According to him, the permanent secretary as of the time the contract was awarded, Mr Abel Enitan, had the responsibility of ensuring that the ministry complied with the Public Procurement Act, adding that, ‘the permanent secretary has responsibility for liabilities in the breach of the Act.’

THE Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has demanded an end to casualisation of labour and exploitation of contract workers, insisting that employment must guarantee workers job security, fair remuneration and dignity.

The union also asked for the regularisation of eligible casual and contract workers, equal pay for work of equal value and the immediate payment of outstanding salaries and other legitimate entitlements, warning that employment arrangements designed to deny workers their rights undermine the principles of decent work and social justice.

NASU president, Comrade (Dr.) Makolo Hassan, made the demands in his address at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, in Abuja, where he identified workers’ rights, fair wages and secure employment as fundamental issues requiring urgent attention from government and employers.

Hassan maintained that decent work should go beyond the availability of jobs to include fair treatment, adequate remuneration, workplace security and respect for workers’ fundamental rights.

‘Decent work is a fundamental workers’ right, not a privilege to be granted at the discretion of employers,’ he declared.

He argued that the principles of decent work could not be upheld, while workers were denied their salaries, promotions, wage awards, pensions, gratuities and other legitimate entitlements.

The NASU president said the union would remain resolute in challenging employment practices that expose workers to insecurity and exploitation, particularly arrangements that deprive casual and contract employees of the benefits and protections enjoyed by their counterparts in regular employment.

‘We unequivocally reject the increasing casualisation of labour and the exploitation of contract employment arrangements designed to deprive workers of job security, fair remuneration, dignity and their rightful benefits,’ Hassan said.

He described such practices as unjust and unacceptable, stressing that workers should not be denied fair treatment simply because of the nature of their employment contracts.

The union, he added, would continue to demand equal pay for work of equal value, the regularisation of eligible casual and contract workers, the protection of workers’ rights and the immediate payment of all outstanding entitlements.

The demand comes amid wider concerns over the quality and security of employment in Nigeria, where workers face rising living costs and mounting pressure on their earnings.

For NASU, Hassan said, the protection of workers must include ensuring that employment provides a sustainable livelihood rather than leaving people vulnerable to arbitrary decisions, inadequate remuneration and the denial of benefits.

He also called on employers to respect collective bargaining, freedom of association and the right of workers to organise, describing these as fundamental trade union rights that must be protected in every workplace.

According to him, employers must negotiate with workers and their unions in good faith rather than impose conditions unilaterally, intimidate employees or victimise union members.

He warned that attempts to weaken workers’ collective voice could undermine industrial harmony, insisting that sustainable industrial peace depended on justice, dialogue and mutual respect.

‘Employers must negotiate with workers and their unions in good faith; they must not impose conditions unilaterally, intimidate workers, victimise union members or engage in activities that are aimed at trying to stop or weaken workers’ efforts to organise collectively,’ he said.

Hassan further urged government, labour and employers to strengthen tripartite consultations before introducing major economic decisions affecting workers, while making dispute-resolution mechanisms more effective and responsive.

Beyond employment security, the NASU president argued that decent work must also be reflected in wages that can sustain workers and their families.

He said the N70,000 national minimum wage had become grossly inadequate amid increases in the prices of food, transportation, housing, electricity, healthcare and other essential commodities.

He therefore called on the Federal Government to initiate an urgent review of the minimum wage in line with prevailing economic realities, alongside periodic wage reviews and cost-of-living adjustments to protect workers’ purchasing power.

Hassan said workers deserved not merely a minimum wage but a living wage capable of guaranteeing decent living conditions.

He also called for a national employment strategy focused on apprenticeship, technical and vocational education, industrial skills development and the creation of formal, decent jobs, particularly for young Nigerians entering the labour market.

According to him, the country must move beyond temporary empowerment programmes that offer neither career progression nor economic security, towards sustainable employment opportunities that enable young people to build stable careers.

The NASU president also called for stronger social protection for workers and vulnerable Nigerians, including prompt payment of pensions and gratuities, settlement of outstanding retirement benefits and improved protection for those working outside the formal economy.

He said traders, artisans, transport workers, domestic workers, technicians and self-employed Nigerians contributed significantly to national productivity but often lacked adequate social insurance, pension coverage and labour protection.

Hassan maintained that protecting workers’ rights and improving their conditions of service were essential to national development, adding that economic progress must be measured by decent employment, fair wages, reduced poverty and improved living standards.

He urged workers to remain united in defending their rights, while calling on government and employers to place workers’ welfare at the centre of employment policies and industrial relations.

The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) has warned that demolishing historic buildings would amount to destroying the stories, traditions and collective memories that define Lagos’ cultural identity.

The guild called on the Lagos State government to strengthen efforts to preserve the state’s historic structures, as neglect and uncontrolled urban development could erase important links to the city’s past.

President of BCPG, Alhaji Yusuf Sulaiman, and other built-environment professionals made the assertion at a seminar organised by the guild’s Lagos Island branch to mark the 90th birthday of Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, head of the Olusi Royal House of Lagos, at the Olusi Palace, Oke Arin, Lagos Island.

A lecturer at the University of Lagos’ Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, Dr Abisoye Eleshin, said the destruction of historic buildings went beyond the loss of physical structures, as it also wiped out the stories, traditions and collective memories associated with them.

She urged planners and construction professionals to pay greater attention to traditional palaces, religious buildings, and other structures that reflect the history of Lagos communities, rather than concentrating solely on prominent architectural landmarks.

Stakeholders at the seminar identified the Olusi Palace as one of the historic properties requiring urgent preservation, citing its cultural, educational and tourism value.

Sulaiman said the palace was among 23 heritage buildings identified on Lagos Island, while previous government planning documents had recognised the need to protect historically significant sites across the state.

He cited the Lagos State Metropolitan Master Plan of 1980 and the state’s 2009 strategic plan, which identified 43 heritage sites across Lagos, but lamented that many had not received adequate attention.

He urged the government to translate heritage recognition into concrete conservation measures, noting that preserving the palace could attract visitors interested in Lagos’ history and cultural traditions.

The pioneer president of BCPG, Builder Kunle Awobodu, said the palace also demonstrated the construction expertise of earlier generations of Nigerian builders.

He explained that retaining such structures would provide students of architecture, engineering and other built-environment professions with opportunities to study traditional building techniques and understand the evolution of construction practices.

Professor Olumide Adenuga advocated systematic documentation, regular structural assessments, appropriate repairs and sustainable funding to ensure the survival of historic buildings.

He added that suitable heritage properties could be adapted into museums, cultural centres and other public facilities without destroying their historical character.

Responding to the concerns, the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Olumide Olayinka Abiodun, outlined possible approaches to heritage protection, including government acquisition and management, preservation restrictions with possible support, and conservation arrangements that allow families to retain ownership.

Prince Olusi, recalling the former splendour of the palace compound, said it once featured extensive gardens with apple, palm and coconut trees, alongside hibiscus and roses.

He lamented the deterioration of the property and appealed to the government to revisit earlier preservation plans.

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said the 2027 general election could be postponed if the Ebola outbreak in the country spreads widely enough to warrant such a measure.

The Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, disclosed this while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, saying the government would prioritise public health if the outbreak became severe.

The 2027 general election is scheduled to begin in January, with political parties and aspirants already making preparations for the polls.

However, the NCDC boss said there was currently no need to consider postponing the 2027 election, expressing hope that the outbreak would not disrupt the electoral timetable.

‘We hope the election will not be postponed, but if the thing gets wide enough, that might be considered. As at now, there is no need for that,’ he said.

The NCDC chief also dismissed suggestions that the government could use the outbreak as a political tool, insisting that public health concerns should not be politicised.

‘We in the health sector did not use disease issues as a political weapon,’ he said.

Idris explained that Nigeria had been monitoring developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the outbreak originated, and had anticipated the possibility of the disease reaching the country because of population movements, international flights and activities at ports of entry.

‘This Ebola thing started in DRC a couple of months ago and we were tracking. They said for you to track again there is a possibility that it may get here due to our population movement, flight into this country, and ports of entry, yet it came. No government will use Ebola as a political weapon,’ he said.

He maintained that any consideration of postponing the election would depend on the extent of the outbreak and the public health situation, rather than political interests.

…Weyinmi Oritsejafor, Managing Director of Passport Legacy Nigeria, welcomed Mr. Thomas Anthony, CEO of Grenada’s Investment Migration Agency, for an evening of conversations on second citizenship, global mobility and investment opportunities.

Passport Legacy, a Swiss-owned investment migration and advisory firm, hosted an evening cocktail in Lagos on October 20, bringing together clients, investors and partners for conversations around second citizenship, international mobility and investment opportunities, with special guest Mr. Thomas Anthony, Chief Executive Officer of Grenada’s Investment Migration Agency (IMA).

The event provided an opportunity for guests to engage directly with Grenada’s investment migration leadership and gain insights into the country’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, its international mobility benefits and the investment opportunities available to prospective applicants. The evening also created a platform for clients, partners and the Passport Legacy team to connect and explore the wider role of investment migration in long-term family and wealth planning.

In her opening address, Ms. Weyinmi Oritsejafor, Managing Director of Passport Legacy Nigeria, highlighted the firm’s wider advisory offering beyond citizenship and passport acquisition. She explained that Passport Legacy operates under PL Group, which also encompasses real estate, government advisory and private client services, supporting clients with a range of international investment and lifestyle needs.

‘We are not simply a passport company; we do so much more than passports. Investment migration is just one facet of the services we provide,’ Oritsejafor said, emphasising the firm’s commitment to providing solutions that extend beyond the initial citizenship process. She noted that many clients continue to work with the firm after completing their citizenship programmes, seeking assistance with other personal, investment and international advisory needs.

Oritsejafor also highlighted the group’s real estate presence across Cyprus, Greece, Thailand, Bali and Dubai, alongside its government advisory work with Argentina and São Tomé and Príncipe. As Managing Director, she oversees Passport Legacy’s Nigerian operations across its Lagos and Abuja offices, supported by a team focused on client advisory and application processing.

The evening’s special guest, Mr. Thomas Anthony, CEO of Grenada’s Investment Migration Agency, delivered an address outlining Grenada’s position as an investment and citizenship destination. He discussed the country’s economic landscape, international market access, investment opportunities and the benefits of its Citizenship by Investment programme for individuals and families considering greater global mobility.

Anthony highlighted Grenada’s access to international markets through regional economic arrangements, including the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and discussed the opportunities available to investors considering business activity in the country. He also explained the potential relevance of Grenadian citizenship to individuals exploring the United States’ E-2 Treaty Investor visa route, which is available to eligible Grenadian nationals who meet the applicable investment and business requirements.

Addressing the programme’s processing timeline, Mr Anthony stated that decisions on clean applications could be made within approximately six to eight months of submission, depending on the circumstances of each application. He also discussed the real estate investment route, noting that investment performance and completion timelines should be considered alongside the broader benefits of the programme.

A key point of discussion was the distinction between the duration of an investment and the permanence of citizenship. Responding to questions from guests about exiting a real estate investment after the prescribed holding period, Mr Anthony explained that the subsequent disposal of an eligible investment does not, in itself, terminate citizenship once it has been lawfully granted, subject to the applicable laws and programme requirements.

He further highlighted the intergenerational implications of citizenship, explaining that Grenadian citizenship may be passed to eligible subsequent generations in accordance with the country’s citizenship laws and registration requirements. This, he noted, makes citizenship planning a consideration that can extend beyond the immediate applicant to future family generations.

The interactive session allowed guests to gain clarification on investment requirements, potential returns, citizenship rights and the practical considerations involved in choosing an investment migration programme. The discussions reinforced the importance of understanding both the immediate benefits and long-term responsibilities associated with international citizenship and investment decisions.

The formal program concluded with a networking session, allowing guests to engage with Mr Anthony, the Passport Legacy team and fellow attendees. The gathering emphasised the firm’s commitment to building lasting client relationships and creating opportunities for informed conversations between investors, advisers and program representatives.

Through engagements such as the cocktail evening, Passport Legacy continues to position investment migration within a broader conversation about international opportunities, private client advisory and legacy planning, helping individuals and families consider solutions aligned with their long-term ambitions.

About Passport Legacy

Passport Legacy is a Swiss-owned investment migration advisory firm operating under PL Group. Beyond citizenship and residency advisory, the group offers services in real estate, government advisory and private client services. Passport Legacy Nigeria operates from offices in Lagos and Abuja, supporting clients as they navigate international mobility and investment opportunities.

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), has called for strengthened measures to prevent the spread of Avian Influenza through effective control of animal movement, strict adherence to biosecurity protocols, enhanced surveillance and improved stakeholder collaboration across the poultry value chain.

Head of the Department of Animal Health and Reproductive Services and National Programme Coordinator of the Avian Influenza Control Programme, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Mitchell Alao, made the call. He spoke on behalf of the Government, at a workshop on Strengthening the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), held in Keffi, Nasarawa State, on October 22.

Dr. Alao explained that the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service plays a critical role in controlling the movement of animals during Avian Influenza outbreaks, noting that effective movement restrictions are essential to preventing infected birds from spreading the disease to unaffected locations.

He identified disease surveillance, effective risk communication and sustained engagement with stakeholders across the poultry value chain as key measures for containing outbreaks, stressing that animal movement control remains central to preventing further transmission.

‘The idea is to keep the disease in the location, where it has occurred. It is basically like covering something with a blanket so that what is covered does not escape. The Quarantine Service is there to ensure that affected birds are not moved out of locations where an outbreak has occurred,’ Dr. Alao explained.

The director emphasised the need to build institutional capacity and strengthen collaboration with relevant security agencies and government institutions, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, state governments and local government authorities.

He noted that such partnerships would enhance regulatory compliance, improve enforcement and support a coordinated response to Avian Influenza outbreaks across the country.

Dr. Alao further disclosed that the US$350,000 intervention grant provided by FAO through its Technical Cooperation Programme for Emergencies to support Avian Influenza control in Nigeria, is expected to end in April 2027.

In his presentation, FAO Country Team Lead for Livestock in Nigeria, Dr. Otto Vianney, informed that the organisation had developed a digital tool for collecting data on animal movement globally, describing the initiative as a means of improving the monitoring and tracking of animal movements.

Dr. Vianney explained that the workshop was designed to assess the extent to which animal movement contributes to the spread of animal diseases in Nigeria, while strengthening public awareness, community education and understanding of preventive measures.

He also outlined the four pillars of the Good Emergency Management Practices (GEMP) Framework as prevention and preparedness; early detection and early response; eradication and recovery; and coordination and communication. He noted that these pillars provide a structured approach to managing animal health emergencies and reducing the impact of disease outbreaks.

Also speaking, the Zonal Commander, North Central, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Dr. David Shehu, said strengthening the control, monitoring and surveillance of poultry transportation was not intended to restrict trade, but to protect investments, safeguard national food safety, sustain the supply of essential animal products to millions of households and preserve jobs across urban and rural communities.

Dr. Shehu identified key priorities for maintaining a productive and profitable poultry sector to include strict enforcement of biosecurity measures during animal movement, proper documentation, regular updating of designated control posts, prevention of illegal and unregulated animal transportation, promotion of public-private partnerships, shared responsibility, technology integration and strict compliance with existing regulations.

He, however, highlighted challenges confronting the Agency, including porous alternative routes, poor compliance with regulations, inadequate infrastructure and the risks associated with the transportation of live animals.

A major highlight of the workshop was an inspection visit to the Garuku Toll Gate along the Akwanga Road in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, to assess animal movement procedures and the effectiveness of existing monitoring and control measures.

During the exercise, NAQS officers inspected three vehicles transporting livestock. The first vehicle was conveying nine cattle from Lafia, while the second truck was transporting a mixed consignment of cattle, goats, sheep and poultry. Temperatures of 35.9°C and 34.7°C were recorded during the inspection.

The third truck was conveying 35 cattle from Adamawa State to Warri, Delta State, with a valid animal movement permit.

Following the inspection, Dr. Vianney urged NAQS officers to be more proactive in carrying out their responsibilities, emphasising that effective monitoring, surveillance and control of animal movement were essential to preventing the spread of transboundary animal diseases and protecting Nigeria’s livestock industry.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development reiterated the importance of sustained collaboration among government agencies, development partners, security institutions, livestock farmers, transporters and other stakeholders in strengthening animal disease prevention and control systems, safeguarding livelihoods and promoting a resilient and productive livestock sector in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry.

FORMER President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has urged African countries to move beyond supplying labour to ageing economies and invest in skills, technology and enterprise to make their workforce more competitive globally.

Adesina said Africa’s growing population could become a major economic asset if governments equipped young people with the knowledge and capabilities needed to drive productivity, innovation and industrial development.

He made the call at the inaugural Seyi Tinubu Colloquium, held recently in Lagos, where he delivered an address titled: ‘Africa Next: Building the Demographic Asset Class.

‘Africa, therefore, should not aspire merely to supply labour to an ageing world. We should aspire to supply capability to a changing world,’ he said.

He stated that Africa’s demographic advantage would depend not simply on the number of people available to work, but on the quality of education, skills and employment opportunities available to them.

He said governments should strengthen education and vocational training, align learning with labour-market needs and expand opportunities for workers to acquire skills relevant to emerging industries.

Adesina described education as an investment in national productive capacity, warning that unemployment, underemployment and skills mismatches could undermine the continent’s development prospects.

‘Our young people are not the liability. Wasted potential is the liability,’ he said.

He argued that the failure to translate young people’s potential into productive employment often reflected weaknesses in the systems meant to prepare and support them, including inadequate education, healthcare, infrastructure and access to finance.

The former AfDB president also urged African countries to prepare workers for changes driven by artificial intelligence (AI), insisting that the continent must do more than consume technologies developed elsewhere.

‘We must become a creator, an adapter and a shaper of AI,’ he said.

He called for technologies that respond to African languages, businesses, markets and development needs, alongside investments that enable workers to adapt to changing workplace demands.

Adesina further emphasised the need to connect skills with capital, technology and markets, saying young people require access to finance and business support to turn their ideas into enterprises capable of creating jobs.

He cited the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme, which received $178 million in AfDB financing towards its $618 million funding package, as well as the bank’s $100 million commitment to support a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank model.

He said Africa’s ability to develop a competitive workforce would depend on whether its economies could productively deploy the skills young people acquire.

Adesina’s message was that the continent must move beyond providing workers to the global economy and build the capabilities to compete in higher-value activities, create businesses and drive innovation.

He maintained that investing in people would be critical to turning Africa’s demographic growth into economic prosperity.