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The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved judgment in a case filed by the Osun Government against the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for withholding statutory allocations due to its 30 local government councils.

The apex court reserved the judgment after taking arguments from Mr Musbau Adetunbi, SAN, counsel to the Osun government and Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN, counsel to the AGF.

Justice Uwani Aba-Aji who led the seven-man panel of justices that heard the matter said that the date for the judgment delivery would be communicated to all parties when ready.

The state government had filed the suit against the Attorney-General of the Federation for withholding its statutory allocations due to its 30 local government councils since March 2025.

Adetunbi noted that the state government had 10 reliefs, 11 grounds and an affidavit of 35 paragraphs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state government had filed an application to withdraw an earlier one filed against the AGF on the subject matter.

In the originating summons, the state is asking the apex court to compel the Federal Government to release all seized funds and to stop what it described as ‘an unconstitutional and arbitrary seizure’ of local government revenues.

He argued that the AGF had ignored subsisting judgments of the Federal High Court, Osogbo delivered November 30, 2022 and the Court of Appeal (June 13, 2025), which affirmed the legitimacy of council chairmen and councillors elected on Feb. 22.

The state said the AGF, in a March 26, 2025 letter had advised that the funds be withheld pending resolution of a local government crisis.

But the state government maintained that the appeal court ruling had already settled the matter, nullifying the October 2022 polls conducted under the previous administration.

Among reliefs being sought by the Osun government is a declarations that the AGF lacks constitutional power to seize local government funds, that his actions contravene valid court judgments.

It also prayed that all withheld allocations be released directly into the accounts of the duly elected councils. It also wants a perpetual injunction restraining future seizures.

It claimed that the seizure, suspension, withholding and/or refusal to pay the allocations and revenues due to the constituent local government councils of the plaintiff state is unconstitutional, unlawful, wrongful and ultra vires the powers of the defendant.

The state also raised five issues for the Supreme Court’s determination, including whether the AGF is constitutionally bound under Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to enforce the rulings of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, and whether his March 26, 2025 directive to withhold funds can stand in the face of the appellate judgment.

The state had also simultaneously filed another suit at the Federal High Court, Osogbo, challenging the Chief Judge’s decision to transfer an earlier case on the same funds from Osogbo to Abuja for hearing by a vacation judge.

It warned that proceeding with the Abuja case while the apex court is seized of the matter could result in conflicting judgments.

The state government described the Federal Government’s actions as ‘an affront to the rule of law,’ insisting that only the Supreme Court can conclusively resolve the constitutional issues. He cited precedents such as A.G. Kano State v. A.G. Federation (2007) and RMAFC v. A.G. Rivers State (2023).

The state had equally accused the AGF of ‘self-induced urgency,’ noting that he delayed responding to originating processes for over 80 days before filing an affidavit of urgency on Aug. 13.

It argued that the Chief Judge’s transfer order ‘casts the lot of the court with the AGF’ and risks creating a perception of bias.

The state government argued that the the AGF was wrong in his letter recognizing APC Local Government chairmen when the matter was pending before court of records.

It also predicated its case on the ground that the election that brought in the APC officials as Local Government chairmen and Councillors had been nullified by a Federal High Court and upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

However, in opposition, the AGF represented by Akin Olujimi SAN argued a preliminary objection where he urged the apex court to dismiss the case of the plaintiff on various grounds.

Among others, the Olujimi argued that the plaintiff lacked locus standing (Legal power) to bring the case before the Supreme Court to invoke the original jurisdiction because the matter is between two political parties.

Domestic gas remains the engine of prosperity for Nigeria and Africa in general- from powering homes, to fuelling industry and providing a cleaner alternative for cooking and transportation.

Director, New Energy, Seplat Energy Plc, Okechukwu Mba, who spoke during a panel discussion at the AEW, titled: ‘Beyond Exports: Developing Commercially Viable Domestic Gas Markets’, said stakeholders need to ensure that the challenges in the gas to power value chain from molecules at the wellhead to electrons in homes are addressed for Nigeria to realise the goal of increased power supply to Nigerians.

Mba spoke at the 2025 Africa Energy Week (AEW) held in Cape Town, South Africa.

He also emphasised the importance of a commercially viable power sector which is critical to achieving growth in the domestic gas market.

This, he explained, informed the company’s huge investment in gas processing capacity devoted to the domestic market, including the ANOH gas plant which is expected to come on stream before the end of the year.

According to Mba, ‘Bankable anchor customers are needed to underpin the development of new gas projects whilst identifying infrastructural challenges in power transmission and distribution as well as the liquidity crises in the power sector as two areas that require urgent attention in order to unlock new gas projects. He highlighted that the firm currently supplies gas to five power stations in Nigeria which underscores its commitment to the power sector, noting that gas is well positioned to provide reliable and affordable base load energy to drive to economic growth.

Speaking further, he revealed that the firm adopts a comprehensive approach to growing the domestic gas market. ‘Beside investments in pipeline gas projects, Seplat is also investing in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facilities,’ he added.

In addition to the significant volumes of butane now supplied to the domestic market from its NGL plant in Bonny River Terminal, Seplat Energy also intends to commence delivery of LPG from its Sapele and ANOH gas plants before the end of the year. This, Mba said, will make Seplat Energy one of the leading suppliers of LPG, displacing biomass and providing a cleaner cooking fuel that will improve the health and living conditions of Nigerians. He added that Seplat Energy’s investment into CNG was to make gas available to customers not currently connected to the domestic gas pipeline network.

Mba stated that the company plans to take its operated gas production to over 1Bcf/d by 2030, while noting that the recent incentives granted by government to the gas sector will aid the achievement of this goal.

In a related development, the Director External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, who featured in a panel discuss on: ‘Bureaucracy or Bridge? Tailoring Global ESG Approaches for African Realities’, said in all the company’s moves to drive access to reliable and affordable energy for Nigerians, ESG fundamentals are strongly upheld and practicalised.

According to her, the peculiarities of the Nigerian people and Africa at large remain very germane in implementing Seplat Energy’s ESG framework and affirming its commitments.

She said: ‘For a truly successful and impactful ESG implementation, it is highly imperative to move from a ‘one size fits all’ mindset, to a co-created framework and implementation that is focused on value creation and empowers African nations to define their own sustainable growth plan. One that ensures ESG principles become a bridge across industries and countries driving growth and not a bureaucratic exercise.’

‘Adapting ESG to local needs is key. Therefore, we should explore customising global ESG frameworks to address the unique socio-economic conditions, developmental challenges, including infrastructure, education and healthcare, as well as vulnerabilities to climate change and economic empowerment, across the continent.’

Speaking to the company’s model, she noted that: ‘At Seplat Energy, our approach has been a regular and systematic process of identifying and analyzing the development ‘gaps’ in our areas of operation and partnering with our communities to define project goals, prioritise resources and develop effective strategies to achieve them.’

The Federal High Court in Abuja has set aside an interim order of forfeiture made against some properties linked to Alhaji Abubakar Ismaila Isa Funtua.

The interim order was made on August 27, 2024, in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1197/2024.

Justice Emeka Nwite had granted it pursuant to an ex-parte application made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an order of interim forfeiture of properties (in rem) without conviction.

Alhaji Abubakar Ismaila Isa Funtua, who has an interest in the properties, through his legal team led by Femi Atteh (SAN), filed an affidavit to show cause why the final forfeiture order should not be granted.

The team also applied to set aside the interim order.

Justice Nwite agreed with the submissions of Funtua’s legal team that the EFCC ‘concealed’ and ‘suppressed material facts’ and failed to show that the properties were proceeds of crime or from unlawful activities.

The Judge held: ‘That an order is hereby made that the properties (1) Plot 467 Cadastral Zone, Durumi District, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; (2) MH 401, Maitama Heights, Plot 47, Maitama District, Abuja; and (3) MH 601, Maitama Heights, Plot 47, Maitama District, Abuja are not acquired from proceeds of crime or from unlawful activities.

‘That the application for final forfeiture is hereby refused.’

Justice Nwite knocked the EFCC for acting beyond its powers.

He held: ‘It is not the duty of the applicant/respondent (EFCC) to enforce a loan transaction that went sour or subtly use its statutory powers to ensure adherence to the loan contract.

‘Additionally, the averment by the applicant/respondent at paragraph 9 of their Counter Affidavit to the Affidavit to Show Cause that the respondent/applicant and Teleology Nigeria Limited embezzled depositor’s funds loaned to them without collateral by conniving with Keystone Bank officials is not only laughable but a desperate attempt at making an act a crime where none exists.’

The court in its judgment raised a poser: ‘The question that agitates the mind of the court is: was the loan given to the respondent/applicant with the understanding that it was depositors’ money or was the loan given to the respondent/applicant as money belonging to Keystone Bank Limited?

‘To answer this question, the law is that money deposited in a bank does not legally remain the money of the depositor.

‘Once deposited, ownership of the money passes to the bank, and the bank becomes a debtor, while the customer (depositor) becomes a creditor.

‘Therefore, when a bank grants a loan, it is lending its own money even though those funds were sourced from deposits made by customers.’

Justice Nwite held that the loan issue had earlier been resolved.

He stated: ‘Lastly, the filing of this instant application is an attempt to subject the respondent/applicant (Isa Funtua) to double jeopardy.

‘Keystone Bank Limited had gotten a judgment in its favour for the loan granted to the respondent/applicant, and now the applicant/respondent is seeking to recover the properties in dispute in respect of that same loan.

‘I sincerely do not want to make the inference from the circumstances of this case that the applicant/respondent is trying to enforce the judgment of this court through the back door.

‘Now, the applicant/ respondent is in this court seeking to forfeit the properties in dispute on the allegation that the properties were bought using the loans granted by Keystone Bank Limited for personal use and that same were not secured.

‘It must be stated right from the outset that loan transactions are between parties, and it is those parties that have the right to seek the enforcement of those loan transactions.

‘The applicant/respondent is/was not a party to the loan transactions, deed of debenture or deed of charge.

‘It had no right to pursue the course of Keystone Bank Limited by stylishly trying to recover the loans for Keystone Bank Limited under the pretext that the respondent/applicant acquired the properties through unlawful activities/proceeds of crime by virtue of Section 17 of the AFA.

‘The applicant/respondent (EFCC) has been warned severally by this court and the Appellate courts that it is not a debt recovery agency.’

The court found and held that ‘it is not for the applicant/respondent (EFCC) to suddenly wear a cloak of a guardian angel or commercial messiah or a commercial midwife to rescue the bank from the consequences of its own negligence’

The judge also slammed EFCC for failing to disclose the existence of other related cases on the matter.

‘The failure on the part of the applicant/respondent to disclose the existence of Suit Nos.: FHC/ABJ/CS/297/2023 and the FHC/ABJ/CS/1971/2024 merely because it was not a party cannot hold water in the circumstance of this case.

‘The applicant/respondent failed to carry out its responsibility by conducting due diligence, assuming that it was not aware of these material facts, which is fatal to this application.

‘However, I am not inclined to believe that the applicant/respondent was not aware of this material fact merely because it was not a party to the suit.

‘The applicant/respondent (EFCC) clearly concealed this fact from the court because it knew that if the court was aware of the two suits, particularly FHC/L/CS/297/2023, which is pending at the Court of Appeal, it would not have made the order of interim forfeiture.

‘On the whole, I am of the humble view that the respondent/applicant has shown that the properties in dispute were not gotten from an unlawful activity or from proceeds of crime. I so hold.

‘In view of the above findings of the court, this court finds that the applicant/respondent concealed, suppressed material facts and failed to show that the properties were obtained from unlawful activities or from proceeds of crime.’

It was not the first time Isa Funtua would floor EFCC in a court case.

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory had slammed N2million general damages against the EFCC for infringing upon the rights of this Businessman.

Justice Aminu Abdullahi, on May 21, 2025, declared Funtua’s arrest, interrogation and continued threat to arrest and detain him without informing him in writing of the allegation against him within 24 hours as unconstitutional.

He held that the commission violated the applicant’s fundamental rights as guaranteed by Section 35(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The judge restrained the defendants and their agents ‘from violating the constitutional rights of the claimant by further arresting or threatening to arrest, detain and/or arraign the claimant without complying with the provision of Section 35 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended)’.

EFCC, its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede and Head of AMCON Desk at EFCC, Mr Bawa Kaltungo, were the defendants.

The claimant had prayed the court to determine whether EFCC’s failure to inform him in writing of the facts that gave rise to the allegations against him for which he was arrested is a breach of his rights.

He sought a declaration restraining the defendants or their agents from further arresting or threatening to arrest him without complying with the provisions of Section 35(3) of the 1999 Constitution.

Funtua sought N100million general damages from the commission for infringing on his rights.

The claimant stated that on February 2, 2024, while in the United Kingdom for medical treatment, he received a letter of invitation dated January 31, 2024.

He said he cut short his medical treatment to honour the invitation.

During interrogation, he demanded to know the petition or allegation against him, but the officers refused to inform him, only telling him they were acting on ‘orders from above’.

In another judgment by Justice M.O. Olajuwon, Federal High Court in Abuja on July 3, 2024, discharged an ex-parte order made on May 7, 2024, empowering the EFCC to instruct the managing directors of banks to stop all outward payment, operation or transactions on accounts linked to Isa.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has assured National University Commission that Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies is ready for admission this month.

The minister spoke when he received an NUC team on Resource Verification in his Iragbiji, Osun State home, on a mission to ascertain preparedness of the school for takeoff.

Oyetola told the delegation, led by NUC’s Academic Planning Deputy Director, Dr. Victoria Pillah, to consider inadequacies seen as temporary, urging the team to resource-verify the university to beat end-of-October admission deadline.

He said: ‘We are grateful to Federal Government for considering the community worthy of not just an institution, but a university that’s specialised.

‘We are working to develop the permanent site. We tried to ensure that the takeoff is in the facilities we have, as we have made it up to a reasonable level.

‘I can assure you that given the speed at which we are yearning to develop the permanent site, in two to three years, we would do better than you could expect.

‘I have friends and associates willing to support the university once we decide to move to permanent site. So, whatever inadequacies you may observe, it’s temporary.

‘I can assure you in your next visit to the permanent site, you would see progress in the permanent site.

‘We don’t want to miss this year’s matriculation. You know the university in Iyin-Ekiti and this were born on the same day. So, we don’t want to be left behind. We appreciate the efforts you can put in place to ensure the university is resource-verified.’

The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Rasheed Odundun IV, who earlier received the team in his palace, lauded Federal Government, Oyetola, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, and other prominent influencers over their high stakes in the establishment of the University.

The monarch also thanked the Minister’s wife, Mrs. Kafayat Olaitan Oyetola for her love for the community as demonstrated by her goodwill and support, especially since the establishment of the new University.

Appreciating the monarch , the Minister and the host community, the Team Lead, Dr. Pillah said the delegation was impressed by the hospitality of the community, as well as the development and resources the new University has been able to acquire within a short period of time, promising that the NUC would objectively resource-verify the University for possible immediate takeoff.

Similarly, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Mufutau Atayese, on behalf of the management, inclusive of the Registrar, Mr. Muritala Afolabi, the Bursar, Mr. Akeem Adeagbo and the Varsity Librarian, Prof. Lawal Wasiu, also thanked the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other stakeholders, especially Oyetola, and the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, as well as Oba Olabomi.

Forming the composition of the team for the Resource Verification were eight Professors drawn from different Universities, and nine experienced resource-examiners from the NUC.

On the courtesy call to the Minister were the Founder of Pathfinder College of Heath Technology, Iragbiji, and Chairman of the University Implementation Committee, Mr. Bisi Olaboopo, members of his committee, the community Spokesperson, Dr. Jimoh Olorede, and the Chief of Staff to Aragbiji, Alhaji Olayide Oladiti, among others in attendance.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday officially flagged off the National Measles-Rubella Vaccine Introduction Integrated Campaign in Abuja.

She said the exercise was a collective resolve to end vaccine-preventable childhood diseases and safeguard the nation’s future.

Mrs. Tinubu described the event as ‘a declaration of our collective resolve as a nation to say ‘No More’ to the diseases that steal the future of our sons and daughters’.

The First Lady said measles and rubella remain among the leading causes of blindness, disability, and child mortality.

She noted that rubella infections during pregnancy could lead to blindness, deafness, or congenital heart defects in unborn children.

Mrs. Tinubu said: ‘A vaccine in a vial does not save a child. A vaccine in a clinic does not protect a community. Protection only becomes real when that vaccine is injected into the arm of a child.’

She urged mothers to take their children for vaccination and fathers to support them.

The First Lady also appealed to traditional and religious leaders to use their clout to dispel misinformation and encourage nationwide participation.

According to her, their previous role in the success of the HPV vaccine rollout still resonates.

Mrs. Tinubu reaffirmed her personal commitment to promoting vaccine uptake and pledged to mobilise governors’ wives, spouses of local government chairmen, and women’s groups to ensure that no child was left unprotected.

The First Lady hailed the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and development partners – WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and the Gates Foundation – for their partnership and dedication to Nigeria’s public health goals.

‘With this vaccine, our children will be protected against two deadly diseases and enjoy a lifetime of safety and protection. These vaccines are safe, effective, and free,’ she said.

Declaring the campaign open, the First Lady said the event represented ‘a pathway to hope and a promise of progress’.

She prayed for divine blessings on Nigerian children, mothers, and the nation.

The campaign set in motion a nationwide drive expected to reach approximately 106 million children aged nine months to under 15 years in two phases.

The campaign also integrates vaccination efforts against polio and the rollout of the HPV vaccine among adolescent girls, combining resources to optimize health impact.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described the event as a ‘historic moment for Nigeria’s health system’ and the largest integrated health campaign on the African continent or anywhere else in the world.

The campaign, the minister announced, targets over 100 million Nigerian children, covering measles, rubella, polio, malaria, HPV, routine immunisation, and neglected tropical diseases.

He said the initiative reflected the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in prioritising health as a key pillar of national development.

‘The President is healing this country, unifying it through health, and inspiring national confidence,’ Pate said.

The minister hailed the Renewed Hope Agenda for repositioning healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

He said primary health care utilisation had risen from 10 million visits per quarter in 2023 to 47 million in the second quarter of 2025, while the government planned to make 4,800 additional PHCs fully functional by the end of 2025.

He paid tribute to frontline health workers who he said ‘risk their lives to deliver vaccines and healthcare services to the last mile’.

Pate added: ‘As Her Excellency flags off this campaign today, let us join her with conviction. The children we vaccinate and the trust we build will define the health legacy of an entire generation.’

Also, Education Minister Olatunji Alausa warned that sanctions would be imposed on school administrators who shut ting vaccinators from accessing their schools.

Represented by the ministry’s Deputy Director Peter Ojonuba, the minister described the campaign as a critical investment in Nigeria’s future and educational progress.

‘It is a day to ignite hope for healthier children, stronger communities, and a bright future for our beloved Nigeria,’ he said.

On behalf of the Gates Foundation, the Deputy Director of Immunisation and Disease Control in Nigeria, Yusuf Yusufari, said the foundation remained steadfast in supporting Nigeria’s immunisation and primary healthcare drive.

‘Today, like we did two years ago, we stand united behind one goal: that no child and no woman in Nigeria-or anywhere-should be left unprotected from preventable diseases,’ Yusufari said.

The deputy director cited Nigeria’s progress in routine immunisation, which has risen from 33 per cent in 2016 to over 60 per cent currently, alongside new vaccine introductions, such as pneumococcal, rotavirus, HPV, and now measles-rubella.

He warned that over two million Nigerian children have not received a single vaccine, the second-highest figure globally.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Senior Programme Manager for Nigeria, Tarcile Mballa, said: ‘We have witnessed immunisation coverage rise from 27 per cent in 2001 to 67 per cent in 2024, a testament to collective commitment.’

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), stressed the importance of protecting children’s health as a national priority.

Oba Ogunwusi lauded the efforts of health officials and public officers for their dedication to sensitising Nigerians about rubella and other deadly diseases.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, noted that advocacy and education, rather than enforcement, were crucial for Nigeria’s rubella vaccine campaign to succeed.

‘We defeated polio not by force but by convincing people that the vaccine is safe. We held seminars with religious leaders to educate communities and show that the vaccine is not anti-childbirth or harmful in any way,’ the Sultan said.

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Daniel Okoh, expressed support and optimism for the initiative to protect children and strengthen public health nationwide.

Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has assured that the state is fully prepared and safe to host the 2026 edition of the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA).

He gave the assurance on Tuesday when he led a NUGA delegation and the management team of the University of Calabar on an inspection tour of facilities at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

The governor described Calabar as a youth-friendly, peaceful, conducive, and welcoming city with a serene and green environment that makes it ideal for hosting national and international sporting events.

‘The field we are standing on today has produced some of Nigeria’s greatest football icons, including Uwenm Ekarika, Etim Essien, and John Okon, among others.

‘The first captain of the national football team was a Calabar man, who led the team to England for competitive matches,’ Otu said.

Expressing gratitude for the return of NUGA to Calabar after 35 years, Otu said he was confident the event would be a huge success.

He expressed optimism in the capacity of Dorncklaimz Enamhe, Executive Secretary of NUGA 2026 Local Organising Committee (LOC), to deliver memorable games.

The governor highlighted Calabar’s deep historical connection to sports, noting that it was the first city in Nigeria where football was played.

‘Enamhe is known for his dedication and commitment to any responsibility entrusted to him. I have no doubt he will deliver on this national assignment,’ he said.

Otu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sports development, saying that in the past two years, the state government has significantly promoted sporting activities and restored their pride of place in Cross River.

Enamhe said that Calabar has the greenest stadium in Nigeria, the best basketball court, and a world-class Olympic-size swimming pool, among others.

He said that Calabar is home to table tennis, with world-class champions.

‘Calabar is home to the biggest carnival in Africa, where youths will properly interact. Unical hosting NUGA after the 35th is huge for the state,’ he said.

A British Airways (BA) flight from London to Abuja was forced to make an emergency diversion to Barcelona, Spain, after Prof. Osita Obierika, died mid-air.

Obierika, a retired Air Vice Marshal (AVM) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), was a former Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Training Command, Kaduna and a directing staff at the National Defence College, Abuja.

The Octogenarian was said to have been returning to Nigeria from the United Kingdom where he was being treated for cancer.

According to reports, the aircraft departed London’s Heathrow Airport at 11pm on Sunday and was to arrive Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by 5am on Monday.

However, around 1:30am, the pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted to El Prat Airport in Barcelona, Spain.

A source who confirmed his death said there were many senior officers at the Abuja airport awaiting his arrival before news of his death filtered in.

It was gathered that the incident caused distress among passengers especially a pregnant woman said to have required urgent medical attention.

British Airways apologised to passengers for the disruption, assuring them of support and alternative travel arrangements. The airline said a replacement aircraft was deployed to continue the journey to Abuja, with the flight rescheduled to depart Barcelona at 2:50pm local time and arrive in Abuja around 5:45pm.

It was not immediately clear if Obierika’s remains were deposited in Barcelona or arrangements were made to return his body to Nigeria on the new flight.

A native of Enugu-Ukwu in Anambra State, Obierika was a distinguished elder statesman who was fondly called Prof.

He remained active after retirement, delivering lectures on national security at public events including a 2021 lecture at Baze University on ‘Security Sector Reform in Nigeria and the 4th Industrial Revolution’.

Big Brother Naija Season 10 winner, Imisioluwa Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, has officially received her grand prize of ?150 million, which includes a brand-new SUV and ?80 million in cash.

The presentation ceremony took place in Lagos on Tuesday, where Imisi was seen proudly holding her symbolic cheque and posing in her new SUV – a moment that quickly went viral on social media.

After spending 72 days in the Big Brother Naija house with 29 other contestants, Imisi emerged victorious in the highly competitive ’10/10′ edition, defeating strong finalists such as Dede and Koyin.

Fans and fellow housemates took to various social media platforms to celebrate her victory, hailing her as one of the most deserving winners in the show’s history. Many praised her calm personality, emotional intelligence, and consistent authenticity throughout the season.

Imisi, a 23-year-old actress and fashion designer from Oyo State, captivated audiences across Nigeria and beyond with her creativity, resilience, and relatable nature.

Her journey in the house showcased a mix of wit, warmth, and confidence that resonated deeply with viewers, ultimately earning her 42.8% of the total votes in the grand finale.

Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited has officially opened its Enugu office, bringing over three decades of financial expertise to the Coal City.

The Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, describing the company’s presence as a ‘strategic boost’ to the state’s economic transformation agenda.

Speaking to newsmen, Afrinvest Group Managing Director(GMD), Dr. Ike Chioke, said the firm had long considered expanding to Enugu but found the right environment under the current administration of Governor Peter Mbah.

‘We had planned to come into Enugu three years ago during the administration of the former governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, but it did not materialise. When Peter Mbah came on board and began transforming Enugu into a business-friendly environment, the urgency to open this office increased,’ Chioke said.

He explained that Afrinvest would bring its broad experience in investment banking, asset management, securities trading, trusteeship, consulting, research, fintech, and microfinance to help businesses in Enugu grow sustainably.

Chioke noted that many successful Igbo-owned enterprises collapse after the founders’ demise due to weak governance structures.

‘There are standardised ways of ensuring business continuity, raising capital, and hiring the right people. That wealth of expertise which we’ve long provided clients in other regions is what we’re gladly bringing to Enugu,’ he said.

He added that the firm’s expansion aligns with its ‘Aku Luo Uno’ (think-home) philosophy of the Igbo and pointed out that Afrinvest already enjoys a strong relationship with the state through its sponsorship of Rangers International Football Club.

In his remarks, Deputy Governor Ossai described Afrinvest’s arrival as ‘timely and transformational,’ emphasising that the company’s range of services will strengthen Enugu’s investment ecosystem.

‘Businesses cannot thrive where support services that drive investments do not exist. The kind of services Afrinvest offers- from capital mobilization to business structuring- are the very backbone of a sustainable economy,’ he said.

Ossai urged Afrinvest to help local entrepreneurs move beyond personality-driven business models toward structured, multi-generational institutions.

‘We Igbo people are known for strong personalities. Everyone wants to own an Ifeanyi Ossai Nigeria Limited. But we must evolve to build systems like Guinness or Nigerian Breweries that outlive their founders,’ he noted.

He also encouraged Afrinvest professionals to engage with the state’s numerous tertiary institutions to inspire students and young entrepreneurs toward building sustainable, knowledge-based enterprises.

‘With the number of universities in Enugu, we should be leading a knowledge-based economy. I urge Afrinvest to visit these institutions and help shape the next generation of business leaders,’ he said.

The Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa has resumed academic activities after months of lingering labour dispute that resulted in shutting down the institution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the resumption followed intervention of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa as students and staff members were seen moving at the main campus while the liaison office was open.

The minister had summoned parties to the industrial dispute that left the Polytechnic located on the banks of River Nun in Bayelsa shut since July 11 to a mediatory meeting on Sept. 29.

Mr Ebifiye Etebu, Chairman of Non-Academic Staff Union at the Polytechnic told NAN on Tuesday that work resumed on Monday in compliance with the minister’s directive.

‘Following mediation by the Minister of Education, we resumed work on Monday and normalcy has returned on campus and the liaison office at Yenagoa,’ Etebu said.

James Ebilade, a student of National Diploma, Electrical Engineering Department, applauded the Minister for brokering a truce that resulted to the reopening of the school.

‘The prompt mediation of the Minister and subsequent resumption is highly commendable. We the students heaved a sigh of relief hearing with the news of resumption.

‘The resumption is a reality as both academic and non-academic staff members are on ground,’ he said.

NAN learnt that the governing council of the polytechnic held an emergency council meeting at the weekend ahead of Monday’s resumption and set up a panel to investigate allegations against the Rector, Dr Lukman Agbabiaka.

The unions, Non-Academic Staff Union, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in the polytechnic had withdrawn their services alleging high handedness and breach of the Polytechnic Act.

NAN gathered that the probe panel was mandated to report its findings in three weeks in line with the directives of the minister.

The workers had kept the institution under locks for alleged violation of the Polytechnic Act by the Rector who took the three unions to court over labour disputes whereas the governing council was statutorily mandated under the Act to handle labour related matters.

When contacted for reaction on current developments, Mr Nimizuo Pereseigha, Public Relations Officer of the institution declined comments.