Author: user user

Leading contender in the governorship race on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, has reiterated his commitment to transforming the agricultural landscape of the state through massive investment in rural infrastructure, farmer empowerment, and value-chain development, if elected into office, come 2026.

It would be recalled that the gubernatorial hopeful, Oyebamiji, was recently unanimously endorsed by critical APC stakeholders across all local governments in the state, ahead of the forthcoming party primary scheduled for December 13, 2025.

Speaking during his ongoing statewide consultation tour, the former Commissioner for Finance said his vision was to build a new Osun anchored on productivity, integrity, and inclusiveness.

According to Oyebamiji, his policy on agriculture is aimed at making agriculture profitable, sustainable, and a key driver of Osun’s economic growth, saying that the journey to a greater Osun had already begun with the support of the people and party stakeholders.

‘Osun is blessed with vast arable land and hardworking people. Under my leadership, we will raise the bar of agricultural business by investing in rural infrastructure, empowering farmers, and building value chains that make agriculture profitable and sustainable,’ he said.

Oyebamiji expressed deep appreciation to the leadership and members of the APC across the state for their unwavering support and belief in the AMBO Vision, assuring them that their confidence would not be misplaced, even as he pledged that Osun would become a model of good governance and shared prosperity with their continued support.

‘I am sincerely grateful to our respected leaders and all party faithful for their unwavering confidence and commitment. Together, we will build a new Osun anchored on productivity, integrity, and inclusiveness. The journey to a greater Osun has begun, and with your continued support, we will make Osun a model of good governance and shared prosperity,’ he said.

The governorship aspirant described the warm reception and enthusiastic turnout witnessed during the local government consultations as both humbling and inspiring, noting that the experience further strengthened his conviction that APC remained the party of the people in Osun.

This was just as he noted that the series of engagements across communities and local governments had provided deeper insights into the needs, aspirations, and resilience of Osun people, reaffirming his readiness to build on the solid foundation of progressive governance and reposition the state for sustainable development driven by innovation, transparency, and inclusivity.

‘From one community and local government to another, our people have demonstrated clear belief in our shared vision for a more prosperous and productive Osun. The support received is a testament that our message is resonating deeply with the grassroots,’ Oyebamiji said.

Dominion University, Ibadan, on Saturday, produced 24 first-class graduates and 106 others who graduated with various academic distinctions during the university’s third convocation ceremony.

In his address at the event, which was held on the school premises located at Km 24, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Oyo State, the Chancellor of the University, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun, said:

‘We believe in our graduates, that they will soar no matter the challenges in the nation. They will make a difference by the grace of God.

My advice to the graduating set today is to be strong, visionary, and proactive; not to remain still, but to trust God as they embark on the journey of life. The eagle loves the wind, while other birds run away from it; the eagle sees the wind as an opportunity to soar higher. I believe that as they face challenges, with what we have invested in them spiritually, they will be able to overcome such challenges.’

Speaking on what distinguishes Dominion University graduates from their peers, Bishop Adelakun added:

‘Apart from being trained academically, our students are also moulded spiritually – and that is the unique advantage of graduates from Dominion University.’

In his charge to the graduates, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Abel Olorunnisola, said:

‘As you leave the university and move on to diverse vocations and callings in life, I would like to leave you with a charge , to dare to be different in whatever you choose to do henceforth.

To dare to be different is a call to be courageously distinct; to be bold in your difference. It is a call to rise above the ordinary in this world.’

The highlight of the event was the presentation of prizes to graduates who distinguished themselves academically.

The Kogi State Government has expressed profound gratitude to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for appointing Major General Waidi Shaibu, a proud son of Kogi State, as the new Chief of Army Staff.

In a statement issued by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo described the appointment as a clear demonstration of the President’s commitment to fairness, equity, and merit in national service.

Governor Ododo noted that the elevation of Major General Shaibu is a source of pride and inspiration to the people of Kogi State, stressing that his record of professionalism, discipline, and dedication to duty distinguishes him as a fine officer and true patriot.

The Governor expressed confidence in the ability of the new Chief of Army Staff to strengthen the Nigerian Army, defend the nation, and sustain ongoing efforts to improve security across the country.

While congratulating Major General Shaibu on his well-deserved appointment, Governor Ododo assured the President of the unwavering support and loyalty of the government and people of Kogi State to his administration.

He also prayed for divine wisdom and protection for the new Army Chief as he discharges his duties in service to the nation.

The Presidency has stated that the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have led to a massive drop in food prices across the country, with major staples recording reductions ranging between 40 and 55 percent.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, disclosed this in a statement on Friday titled ‘Nationwide Food Price Drop – A Testament to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Economic Impact.’

Data released alongside the statement by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications claims that a big bag of dry onions, which sold for ?202,500 in February 2025, now sells for ?25,000, while a 50kg bag of local rice has dropped from ?95,000 to ?40,000. Similarly, imported rice now sells for ?70,000, down from ?106,000 earlier in the year.

Other major staples have also witnessed considerable reductions – maize fell from ?90,000 to ?30,000 per 100kg, brown beans from ?210,000 to ?50,000 per 100kg, and tomatoes (big basket) from ?130,000 to ?25,000. Palm oil (25 litres) also dropped from ?35,000 to ?28,000, while yam (medium tuber) now sells for ?3,600 down from ?4,125 in February.

Dare stated that the decline in food prices is a reflection of the success of Tinubu’s agricultural and economic policies, which he said have boosted local production, improved logistics, and enhanced food supply chains nationwide.

‘The recent significant drop in food prices across Nigeria stands as clear evidence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing economic reforms and commitment to improving the living standards of Nigerians,’ the statement read.

He added that the government’s interventions in the agricultural sector and support for local farmers have helped stabilise prices, reduce inflationary pressures, and improve citizens’ purchasing power.

‘The drop in food prices is more than just a market adjustment – it is proof that the economic direction under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is yielding measurable results. The reforms are restoring stability, boosting local productivity, and putting Nigeria firmly on the path to sustainable growth and prosperity.’

In its effort to make the ADC the party to beat come 2027, the African Democratic Congress has inuagurated its interim leadership in Adamawa amid splinter group.

North East zonal vice chairman, Mr. Babachir Lawal maintained that the newly inaugurated leadership was legitimate and had followed due process. He stated that the National Working Committee (NWC) had approved the new structure, and warned that the party would not tolerate acts of indiscipline or defiance.

ý

ýBabachair who was a former Secretary to Federal Government noted that ‘the new leadership is the substantive one because due diligence has been followed in line with the constitution of the party’.

ý

ý’The national chairman of the party Sen David Mark has assured all and sundry that ADC will be governed strictly according to constitutional provisions noting that anyone who disagrees with that has no place in this party’.

ý

While urging members to uphold peace and unity within the ADC he added that ‘every politician is entitled to be insulted it is our right but it should not affect the way we behave’.

‘Let us cooperate with the new committee, that were selected with the guidelines as designed by the founding fathers of the ADC before the merge and this has been authenticated and approved by the National Working Committee’.

‘We are sure that what we are doing today is legal, approved, and will serve as the instrument to govern the party in this state,’ he said.

ý

ýThe newly selected chairman, Hon. Sadiq Dasin, in his acceptance speech isdescribed his emergence as a child of necessity, noting that his leadership came after repeated attempts to reconcile the Shehu Yohanna and Mustapha Arabi factions failed.

ý

ýHe pledged to restore unity and inclusiveness within the party, promising that women and young people would play a greater role in shaping its future direction.

ý

ýHe said 60 percent of elective positions in the coming congresses will be reserved for women and youth, in recognition of their strategic importance to success of the party.

ý

ýHe also assured that his administration would conduct transparent and credible congresses across wards and local governments in Adamawa.

Those inugrated includes former governor of Adamawa state, Senator Umar Bindow, Senator Ishaku Abbo, Senator Abdulazi Nyako among others

A coalition of interest groups from Yoruba-speaking communities, under the aegis of the Yoruba Assembly (YA), has called for strategic collaboration among governments, traditional rulers and stakeholders across the South West and neighbouring regions to address the growing insecurity in the geo-political zone.

The coalition made the call during its conference, themed: ‘Democracy and the Future of the People,’ which held in Lagos, expressing deep concerns over recent intelligence reports suggesting a possible incursion by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) into states like Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, and Osun.

YA, in its resolution, condemned recent killings in parts of Kwara, Kogi, and Itsekiri land, noting that any attack on the children of Oduduwa was an attack on all Yoruba people.

It, however, urged the Yoruba people to remain vigilant and be prepared to resist any threats to their security and survival, calling on the Federal Government to ensure the safety of Itsekiri communities in Delta State and Yoruba populations in both Kogi and Delta states.

‘Yoruba people in Kogi and Kwara are facing what amounts to a declaration of war. Itsekiri communities are being sidelined, with pipeline protection contracts handed over to their adversaries. These injustices can no longer be tolerated. Justice must be served before it’s too late,’ the coalition said.

This was just as it reiterated its call for the restructuring of Nigeria along pre-independence regional lines, saying that such model remained the most viable solution to the country’s lingering security and governance challenges.

The Convener of the Assembly, Hon. Olawale Oshun, in his keynote address, raised concerns over what he described as armed opposition to democracy, allegedly sponsored by fascist elements who he said believed they had an exclusive right to control Nigeria’s political and economic systems.

‘We warn military adventurists to stay away from politics. Any attempt to truncate democracy at this point will lead to unprecedented violence,’ Oshun cautioned.

Other prominent speakers at the event included Chief Dele Asaju, Dere Jarikpe, representing the Itsekiri people; veteran journalist, Comrade Adewale Adeoye; Rasaq Arogundade; Wasiu Afolabi, Rasaq Olokooba, Taofik Adeyemi, among others.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and members of the Rotary Club of Bauchi Central on Friday organised a walk to create awareness on polio as well as commemorate the 2025 World Polio Day.

Participants included Polio Survivors Groups (PSGs), Fathers for Good Health (F4H), Mama2Mama, U-Reporters, volunteers, and other community-based advocates.

The procession moved through the busy streets of Bakaro, Karofi, and Kofar Dumi before terminating at the Bayan Fada Primary Healthcare Centre amid musical fanfare, drumming, and trumpeting to draw the attention of the general public to Nigeria’s polio-free status.

Among the participants in the walk were victims of polio who rode in their wheelchairs, while others walked with crutches to highlight the negative effects of not allowing children under five to be vaccinated against polio and the ongoing measles-rubella vaccination campaign.

At the end of the 4km walk, both UNICEF and the Rotary Club of Bauchi Central reaffirmed their joint commitment to sustaining Nigeria’s polio-free status through renewed collaboration with government and community stakeholders.

Speaking at an event in Bauchi to mark World Polio Day on Friday, UNICEF Global Special Behavioural Change Manager and Head of World Polio Outbreak Response, Dr Panchanan Achari, said the organisation remains focused on ensuring that every child, regardless of location, has access to life-saving vaccines.

According to him, the 2025 celebration theme, ‘End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere,’ reflects the global call to action to protect all children from preventable diseases.

Dr Achari commended Nigeria’s progress in eradicating the wild poliovirus but emphasised that collective action must continue until total eradication is achieved.

‘We are closer than ever to ending polio, but we must not relent. Every child must be reached, especially those in hard-to-reach communities,’ he stated.

He also noted that vaccination not only prevents polio but also strengthens health systems, contributes to community resilience, and helps fight other preventable illnesses.

He called for stronger investment in primary healthcare and the integration of services such as nutrition, maternal health, and sanitation to ensure holistic child well-being.

‘UNICEF will continue working with the Nigerian government, Rotary International, WHO, and community leaders to build vaccine confidence and counter misinformation. The last mile is always the hardest, but it is also the most important,’ Dr Achari said.

In his remarks, the President of the Rotary Club of Bauchi Central, Adeyemi Adekunle, said Rotary International remains committed to ending polio and sustaining a healthy future for children.

According to him, ‘World Polio Day is not just a time to celebrate progress; it’s a time to renew our resolve. Polio survivors remind us of what is at stake. Their resilience inspires us to keep polio at zero.’

He recalled Rotary Club’s historic contribution to global polio eradication since its establishment in 1905, describing the organisation as a key driver of community health initiatives worldwide.

Rotary, he said, continues to mobilise resources and volunteers to support immunisation campaigns, community education, and healthcare outreach in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners.

Adeyemi Adekunle added, ‘Rotary will keep working hand in hand with our partners to ensure that no child is left behind. The fight against polio has brought the world together before and it must continue to unite us until the job is done.’

Both UNICEF and Rotary reaffirmed that sustained commitment, innovation, and collaboration at all levels from global organisations to local community groups are critical to achieving a world free from polio.

In an interview, one of the polio survivors, Dahiru Abdullahi, thanked UNICEF and Rotary International for their care and support. He added that polio is real and urged people not to discriminate against survivors but to include them in all government programmes.

He also called on citizens to accept the polio vaccine to help reduce the spread of the disease in society.

Prominent South East businessman and philanthropist, Prince (Dr.) Arthur Eze, has been unveiled as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM).

The unveiling ceremony, which held on Friday in Abuja, featured the formal presentation of an appointment letter to Prince Eze by the university’s board and management team.

Speaking during the event, the founder and president of the university, Comrade Isaac Balami, said Chief Eze was appointed in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education, philanthropy, and national development.

He described the billionaire businessman as a man who has consistently used his wealth to uplift people and institutions, noting that his leadership would bring immense value to the young university’s vision and mission.

Balami said: ‘Our leader and chairman, Prince Dr. Arthur Eze, chairman of the governing council of the newly licensed Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic and Management, courtesy of Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmad Tinubu.

‘We are presenting this to you not just as a leader who has distinguished himself on the African soil, but as a global citizen.

‘You founded an airline and operated one of the biggest aircraft hangars in Europe, based in Stansted Airport, and you understand aviation very well. This responsibility is for you to guide us the way you have guided others.

‘We are totally submissive to your leadership, your guidance, and your prayers. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Senate of the university, chaired by Prof. AVM (Rtd.) Paul Jemitola, who is also the Vice Chancellor, we congratulate you, sir.’

In his acceptance speech, Prince Arthur Eze expressed appreciation to the university’s founder and management for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to support the institution’s growth and success.

He noted that the vision of the university aligns with that of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in promoting innovation, education, and human capacity development.

Prince Eze, a renowned figure from the South East, is widely celebrated for his philanthropy and unwavering commitment to national growth and leadership development across Africa. Described by many as one of the cleanest businessmen on the continent, Eze has made significant investments in both the public and private sectors.

The Isaac Balami University of Aeronautic and Management, which recently received its operational licence, aims to provide world-class education in aviation, engineering, technology, and management.

Reflecting its national outlook, the university’s appointments cut across all regions of Nigeria. While the founder hails from the North East, the governing council chairman is from the South East. The institution is located in the South West, with its registrar from the North Central and pro-chancellor from the South West.

Industry leaders have emphasised financing, policy and innovation as catalysts for sustainable Africa’s energy future.

They urged that Africa must begin to look for solutions that ensure energy fuel factories, light homes and sustain livelihoods.

Speaking at a forum preceding the 2025 Private Sector ESG Forum, in Lagos, Head of Risk and Capital Management at Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Tosin Leye-Odeyemi, offered a candid assessment of the financing landscape for sustainability.

She pointed out that transition financing isn’t a buzzword, but the backbone of implementation, urging the need to de-risk sustainability investments and build blended finance structures that attract both public and private capital.

‘If we want transformation, we must build financial systems that reward responsibility and long-term value creation,’ she said.

Leye-Odeyemi stressed that unlocking climate finance would require a clear link between sustainability outcomes and financial returns, urging the private sector to innovate around green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and capital markets instruments that reflect Africa’s development priorities.

More suggestions on the subject matter, she said would form the fulcrum of discussion when all stakeholders gather for the 2025 Private Sector ESG Forum in other to chart course for Africa’s energy future.

Themed:’Energy Security and Decarbonisation: Bridging the Gap for a Sustainable Future,’ it’s expected that the forum will help redefine how African businesses lead the transition, anchoring the continent’s growth on sustainability, equity, and shared prosperity.

The Industry leaders said the summit underscored the urgent need for Africa to collectively design a transition model that reflects its unique realities, one that tackles energy poverty while advancing environmental responsibility and economic inclusion.

Earlier in her opening remarks, Chair of the ESG Forum Technical Committee and External Affairs Director, BAT West and Central Africa, Odiri Erewa-Meggison, articulated the central dilemma of Africa’s sustainability journey: how to power development without compromising the environment.

‘Africa must not merely import global sustainability standards; we must define our own context. Our conversation is not just about reducing emissions, it is about expanding opportunity. We must begin to look for solutions that work for us; solutions that ensure energy fuels factories, lights homes, and sustains livelihoods,’ she said.

Erewa-Meggison emphasised that the forum aims to play a key role as a rallying point for action, anchored on collaboration between private sector actors, policymakers, and financiers.

She noted that the transition must be pragmatic, ensuring equity for communities and industries that still struggle with basic access to power.

‘The transition is not only about what we stop doing, but what we build in its place: innovation, local capacity, and inclusive progress,’ she concluded.

Bringing the agribusiness perspective, Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at TGI Group,Yosola Onanuga, explored the intersection of food, energy, and climate resilience. ‘Food security and energy security are inseparable. By integrating renewable energy into agricultural production and processing, agribusinesses can lower costs, reduce emissions, and build resilience for communities most vulnerable to climate shocks.’

Head of Business Communication and Sustainability at BAT West and Central Africa, Halimat Shuaibu, reflected on the broader purpose of the ESG Forum: to move Africa from conversation to measurable impact. ‘This Forum is a collaborative commitment to align profit with purpose, and growth with responsibility,’ she said.

The media launch, which preceded the ESG Masterclass on October 28 and the main Forum on October 29, highlighted the forum’s growing role in driving sustainable business transformation, climate resilience, and corporate responsibility.

It is my honour to greet everyone gathered for the Byte Busters Coding Club Showcase – students, teachers, parents, project assistants, partners and friends. Today is not simply an event; it is an audit of progress and a preview of possibility. In two years, this flagship initiative of the Odu’a Investment Foundation has moved from blueprint to daily practice across our communities, giving young learners the confidence to build, to present and to collaborate.

I commend Professor Seun Kolade and the DEFINED leadership team for exceptional stewardship, and I thank our headteachers and mentors who make learning safe, structured and joyful. I am equally grateful to the Foundation’s Board members and the many volunteers whose patient work ensures that resources reach the classrooms where they matter most.

What stands out to me is not only the quality of the projects on display, but the growth they represent. We have witnessed pupils who began with the very basics now working in teams to produce functioning applications and customised websites. Along the way, they have learnt problem-solving, communication, time management and responsible digital behaviour – the habits that make technical skills useful and trusted in real life.

Byte Busters is also about fairness. Talent is universal, but opportunity rarely is. By situating learning within schools and strengthening local capacity, we are making sure that geography and income do not decide a child’s digital future. This approach – practical, accountable and inclusive – will remain our operating standard as the programme scales.

The next phase is about scale and reach – taking Byte Busters deeper into under-served communities across all six South-West states so that many more pupils can access these path-breaking opportunities. We will prioritise expansion to schools and neighbourhoods where digital access is lowest, strengthening centres with devices, connectivity, and age-appropriate progression routes for 11-16s: micro-certifications and badges, inter-school hackathons and mentoring circles. This way, our pupils will build confidence and continuity into post-secondary options. This is how momentum becomes a movement – and it is where the commitment of our six owner states is decisive.

I therefore invite our state governments and other stakeholders at home and in the diaspora to join us in expanding this work. Commit for the long term. Fund what lasts. Help us strengthen the pipeline from classroom curiosity to career capability.

To our young innovators: your effort has brought us here. Keep learning, keep building, and keep lifting one another as you go.