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The Kogi State Government has announced that it will begin strict enforcement of the ban on trailer parks across the state with effect from October 29, 2025, in line with the directive of Ahmed Usman Ododo, governor of the state.

Kingsley Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications, disclosed this in Lokoja, pointing out that the decision followed credible intelligence reports that some trailer parks in the state, particularly those located at Zariagi and Osara have become hideouts for criminal elements.

‘The government cannot fold its arms while such facilities are used to compromise the security of lives and property in the state. ‘The directive of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is clear. From October 29, 2025, the state will begin full enforcement of the ban on trailer parks. Intelligence at our disposal shows that some of these parks, especially those at Zariagi and Osara harbor criminals who threaten the peace and security of our people. This is a proactive and preventive measure. We have decided to move ahead of the criminals instead of lamenting after lives might have been lost. Government will not allow that to continue,’ he said.

The commissioner revealed that security agencies across the state have been strictly briefed to enforce the order without compromise, stressing that violators will face the full weight of the law, noting that the enforcement is backed by law, as Governor Ododo has already signed into law a bill banning the movement of articulated trucks during the day.

Fanwo urged operators to comply before the enforcement date and called on residents to support the government’s action, stressing that protecting lives and securing communities remain the top priority of the present administration.

Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, a frontline stakeholder of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Friday congratulated the newly elected ward, local government, senatorial, and state executives of the party in Kwara State following the just-concluded congresses.

In a statement signed by l Abdulrahman Aliagan, his Director of Communications, and made to journalists, Ajia described the successful conduct of the congresses as a positive step toward repositioning the PDP for greater electoral success in the state.

He commended the outgoing executives for their steadfastness and loyalty to the ideals of the party’s founding fathers, despite not being in power.

According to him, Kwara remains unique in Nigeria for its consistent loyalty to the PDP, unlike in some other states where party leaders’ commitments are often questionable.

‘There are questions about whether some leaders are genuinely working for the PDP or for the APC. But in Kwara, our outgoing executives never compromised. They held the structure together, remained faithful to our founding ideals, and kept the party alive despite back-to-back electoral losses. This resilience deserves commendation,’ Ajia said.

He also urged the new executives led by State Chairman, Adamu Isa Bawa, to see their emergence not as an avenue for personal gain but as a call to service and strategic preparation for the 2027 general elections.

He described Adamu Isa Bawa as a trusted, calm, easy-going, and dogged party man who has consistently demonstrated loyalty to the PDP over the years. Ajia further charged the new executives at the state, senatorial, local government, and ward levels to work collectively, analyze past setbacks, and adopt deliberate strategies to reclaim power.

‘As a candidate in the last general election, I witnessed firsthand the overwhelming support of the people for our party. I do not believe Kwarans have rejected the PDP; rather, there are systematic manipulations that have been used to rig us out.

‘This is the reality we must confront. Our task now is to move beyond routine party politics-we must be deliberate, strategic, and united in our approach to winning back power,’ he emphasized.

Ajia also called on the new leadership to reconcile with members who left the PDP for third-force movements, warning that internal divisions cannot deliver victory.

‘The PDP in Kwara has remained distinct. We must continue to distance ourselves from the confusion at the national level so that our people, who still have faith in us, are not left stranded. At the same time, we must broaden our political calculations to align with national dynamics, ensuring that our people benefit from the dividends of democracy-addressing insecurity, poverty, unemployment, youth restiveness, decayed infrastructure, and poor social amenities,’ he noted.

Ajia further acknowledged the unwavering support of the PDP national leader, the President of the 8th Senate, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who he said has remained committed to strengthening the party at both state and national levels.

Reiterating his own commitment, Ajia assured party faithful that he would continue to work with other stakeholders to ensure the PDP emerges stronger and victorious in 2027. He urged the people of Kwara State to embrace the PDP as the credible alternative.

‘Our people deserve better. The PDP remains the most viable platform to restore hope, provide purposeful leadership, and usher in genuine development for the good of all Kwarans,’ Ajia declared.

Tunde Bakare, founder of the Citadel Global Community Church and a prominent voice in Nigeria’s political discourse, has once again stirred conversations with his refusal to bow to pressure from political heavyweights urging him to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Speaking at the maiden edition of the Citadel School of Governance Dialogue Series in Lagos, Bakare made it clear that his political convictions remain rooted in principle, not party persuasion.

The event, themed ‘Nigeria at 65: Historical Reflections, Futuristic Projection’, drew leaders, scholars, and civic participants who came to discuss the country’s democratic journey and what lies ahead. But the conversation took a political turn when Bakare revealed that several influential figures had approached him to align with the ADC, a party many see as positioning itself as an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Bakare, the pressure has been both persistent and personal. ‘There has been a lot of pressure on me from who is who to join ADC,’ he said. ‘They come to my home. Even while I was abroad, the hierarchy of that party kept calling, saying they needed my voice.’

He disclosed that the persuasion extended beyond casual invitations, noting that a former governor and a former minister from the South-West were among those urging him to make the move. In a political climate where defections have become a common survival strategy, Bakare’s revelation underscores how political parties continue to court prominent individuals to bolster their credibility ahead of the next electoral cycle. However, Bakare’s response was firm. ‘I am not going to take part in ADC,’ he declared. ‘The last time I knew about ADC was about a plane that crashed. I wish them well, because we need a robust opposition. But you don’t birth a child called APC and then try to kill it yourself. We are not going to have another Awolowo Akintola crisis in the South-West.’

His reference to the historical rivalry between Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Akintola, which fractured the political landscape of the South-West in the 1960s, drew attention to what he perceives as a potential repeat of political division within the region. For Bakare, unity, not factional competition, remains the antidote to the region’s and by extension, the nation’s political instability.

The cleric’s statement also sheds light on the fragile state of political alliances within Nigeria’s democratic system. With the 2027 elections drawing nearer, several parties have intensified efforts to recruit new members, especially from among public figures who command credibility and public trust. Bakare’s name, long associated with advocacy for good governance, continues to hold sway both in religious and political circles. While many recall his previous involvement in politics-particularly his role as running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011 Bakare has since positioned himself as a moral voice in governance rather than an active partisan player. His refusal to join ADC appears to reinforce this stance.

Political analysts have interpreted his comment as a subtle message to political actors in the South-West who may be plotting new alignments. By invoking the historical tension between Awolowo and Akintola, Bakare is cautioning against repeating the mistakes of the past where personal ambition and rivalry undermined collective progress.

Some also see Bakare’s statement as a reminder of the importance of ideological commitment in politics, something that has become increasingly rare in Nigeria’s shifting political terrain. ‘Bakare is not just rejecting ADC; he is rejecting the culture of opportunism that dominates our politics,’ said a political commentator at the event.

The cleric’s decision to stay away from the ADC does not, however, mean he is retreating from political engagement. His comments during the dialogue series suggest that he remains deeply invested in Nigeria’s future. He spoke passionately about the need for ethical leadership, national unity, and youth-driven innovation as key factors that could shape Nigeria’s next phase of development.

For Bakare, politics is not merely about party membership but about purpose. He emphasised that true leadership requires consistency and conviction, not the constant shifting of allegiances. ‘We must rise above political manipulation,’ he said. ‘If our goal is truly to rebuild this nation, then we must focus on building character before seeking power.’

Observers note that Bakare’s position reflects a growing sentiment among Nigerians who are disillusioned by endless defections and recycled political faces. His refusal to join ADC may resonate with citizens who view integrity as a rare commodity in the country’s leadership.

Nonetheless, his remarks may not sit well with some of his political peers who see party expansion as essential to challenging the dominance of the ruling APC. The ADC, for instance, has been trying to reinvent itself as a home for reform-minded politicians and technocrats. Bakare’s rejection could therefore be a symbolic setback for those seeking to use his influence to strengthen the party’s image.

Still, his call for a ‘robust opposition’ reflects an understanding of the need for political balance in a democracy. Bakare acknowledged that Nigeria’s system benefits from competing voices and ideas-but insisted that such competition must not come at the expense of unity.

Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, two journalists with Jay 101.9 FM Jos, Plateau State who were earlier arrested and detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have been released following public outcry and pressure from the station’s management.

The journalists were arrested on Saturday while covering the burial ceremony of the late mother of Nentawe Yilwatda, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the COCIN Church in Jos. Their arrest, which was initially shrouded in uncertainty, was later confirmed to have been carried out by the DSS.

An eyewitness told BusinessDay that the journalists had captured footage showing DSS operatives preventing some pastors from gaining access to the church premises where the funeral service was taking place.

The eyewitness also confirmed that the security personnel were screening attendees, and in the process, some clerics were denied entry.

The video, which was uploaded to the station’s official website, reportedly drew the attention of the security agency and led to the arrest of the reporters.

In an official statement signed by Clinton Garuba, Managing Director, Jay FM, released to journalists on Sunday in Jos, said the journalists documented this in line with their duty to report public interest matters.

Jay FM maintained that their actions were lawful, ethical, and carried out in full observance of journalistic standards.

The management expressed deep concern over the arrest, describing it as arbitrary, illegal, and a gross violation of press freedom and human rights.

Jay FM condemned the actions of the DSS, insisting that their staff were simply performing their journalistic duties.

Efforts to secure the release of the journalists were initially rebuffed, according to the management, but the pressure eventually led to their freedom. ‘Further to our earlier statement regarding the arrest of our staff, Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, who were assigned to cover the burial rites of the late mother of the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, at the COCIN headquarters Church, we wish to inform you that they have been released.

‘Upon confirming that the DSS was holding them, frantic efforts were made to secure their release. Although our efforts were initially rebuffed, they were eventually released. ‘This event has once again prompted us to draw attention to the disturbing issues of press freedom violations, human rights abuses, and the erosion of the rule of law by security agencies.

‘We want to reiterate that as professionals, our staff did what journalists are trained and ethically mandated to do: they documented an incident on video for public record and accountability,’ the statement read.

Jay FM maintained that journalism is a public service profession and should not be criminalised. ‘To criminalise this duty is to criminalise truth itself,’ the statement added, as it warned security agencies against treating journalists as enemies of the state.

The station further urged the DSS to operate within the confines of the law, warning that Nigeria is a democracy, not a military regime. It stressed that power must be exercised with civility and respect for the rights of citizens, including members of the press.

Reaffirming its commitment to truth and accountability, Jay FM called on Nigerians, the media, and the international community to resist any attempt to gag the press. ‘When journalists are silenced, democracy dies in darkness,’ the statement warned. The incident has drawn criticism from press freedom advocates and the broader media community who see it as part of a growing pattern of intimidation against journalists.

Despite the oil wealth accruing to Nigeria yearly, the entrepreneurial class, and the vast majority of impoverished citizens are constantly improvising for survival.

Sancho Nwobuisi Chukwu, professor of Monetary Economics and International Finance at the Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, said the situation is made worse by the conflicts raging across the various geopolitical zones of the country.

Chukwu, while delivering the 119th Inaugural Lecture of the university, titled: ‘Dynamics of Ehianomic Economy, The Loses And Nigerian Experience,’ said greater investment in peace building mechanisms will guarantee effective national development and curb the various conflicts in the country.

He pointed out that economic crises, terrorism and other forms of conflicts in the country have brought unbearable consequences on the people, leaving fractured communities and stalled socio-economic development in their wake, while recommending the institution of peace building mechanisms to promote economic planning and development.

Chukwu noted that institutionalizing peace within the Nigerian economic framework ensures that development is built on strong foundations.

‘By treating peace as a public good essential to investment, productivity, and national cohesion, Nigeria can move from managing crises to prevention, turning potential conflict zones into engines of inclusive prosperity,’ he said.

The lecturer said that wars and other forms of conflicts impose costs on all sectors of the economy particularly those who depends on stability of investments, adding that the multiple episodes of conflicts has inflicted severe economic consequences on families, individuals and organisation.

Chukwu said wars, insurgency and other forms of national unrests leads to displacement of families, individuals and organisations and destroys critical national assets and infrastructure.

He explained that conflicts induced displacement has had devastating effects on labour markets, educational attainment and economic productivity, adding that the ripple consequences of dislocating families and fragmenting communities in the country. He further identified ordinary Nigerians, whom he described as the dispossessed majority, as the ultimate and greatest losers who he said bears the brunt of conflicts and macroeconomic instability in the country as against the political class, power brokers, contractors and urban elites among others who benefits from redistributed resources arising from the socioeconomic dislocations.

Chukwu pointed out that in the midst of several economic and social conflicts Nigerians has continued to devise and chart alternative resilient methodologies for survival and adaptations to prevailing situations in the country.

He described Ahianomics as not a mere terminology but a paradigm, an economic consciousness rooted in adaptability and survival, adding that it describes an ecosystem where households, entrepreneur and institutions are perpetually in the process of economic improvisation for survival.

‘In this model, resilience is currency and survival is strategic. It is an economy where formal structures often give way to informal ingenuity and where scarcity breeds not just innovations but a redefinition of value itself,’ he said.

Chukwu told newsmen that Ahianomics depicts the social ills in the Nigerian society, an invasion of the human society where everybody are in the search for means of survival, to make ends meet, due to the poor economic policies, infrastructure deficit, and the government’s inability to sustain equitable health care and lack of educational opportunities in the country.

He further called on the government at all levels to invest in employment generation urging local governments to build industries and factories with products of comparative advantage.

The lecturer who condemned the quality of empowerment programmes being initiated by the political class for the vulnerable in the society advised that people should be taught how to fish rather than giving them pieces meal as empowerment.

‘Politics is now the means of survival. Without politics, nothing comes on the table. So I urge our leaders to ensure that everything goes round. In a situation where one person accumulates more wealth than others is painful. Government should see how we can accommodate our brothers and sisters to be better of,’ he said.

Bayern Munich stretched their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to four points, following a 3-0 win away at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

Luis Diaz scored either side of Kane’s strike to secure a comfortable win for Vincent Kompany’s side that took full advantage of a slip from Borussia Dortmund.

Dortmund dropped points earlier in the day, as the second-placed side play out a 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig.

Both sides will meet in a top-of-the-table clash after the international break.

Bayern Munich will welcome Borussia Dortmund, their closest challengers in the Bundesliga, to Allianz Arena on Saturday, October 18, hoping to further extend their lead at the summit.

While Eintracht Frankfurt, will resume their campaign with a trip to Freiburg on Sunday, October 19. The reigning champions Bayern only took 15 seconds to find the breakthrough as Diaz stole in at the far post to convert Serge Gnabry’s cross for the fastest Bundesliga goal of the season.

Kane had an effort ruled out for offside and Frankfurt captain Robin Koch’s attempted clearance cannoned off his own crossbar as Bayern pressed to extend their advantage.

Dino Toppmoller’s men thought they had found a way back when Jean-Matteo Bahoya curled an effort into the top corner only for it to be disallowed after a video assistant referee (VAR) review for a handball by Ritsu Doan in the build-up.

Kane then settled Bayern’s nerves by giving them a two-goal cushion to take to the interval and also hit the woodwork in the second half but was withdrawn late on after picking up a knock to his ankle following a clash with goalkeeper Kaua Santos.

The Bayern defence stood firm against a Frankfurt side who had scored 17 goals in their first five league games before Diaz sealed a 10th consecutive win at the start of the 2025-26 season for the Bavarians with his second of the game.

In Port Harcourt’s Mile 1 Diobu, life unfolds with a restless energy that fills the day. From the early hours of morning until late afternoon, the stretch of road where the Business Day newspaper house is located becomes a melting pot of trade, movement, and survival.

At first glance on a walk with Kelechi Nwaocha, a senior journalist, the scene looks ordinary a marketplace like many others across Nigeria. But a closer walk reveals the layers of a city bursting at its seams. Traders set up their tables side by side, often selling the very same items.

Fruit baskets and student’s school materials compete for buyers’ attention, each seller convinced that their voice will rise above the chorus.

Others spread their wares directly on pedestrian walkways, narrowing the space for passersby who must dodge both goods and oncoming vehicles.

The road itself is a constant drama. Hawkers snake through the gridlock, drivers honk and shout for passengers, while pedestrians push against the tide of noise and movement. In the rush, safety is often an afterthought. On one side of the road, a group of schoolchildren stand hesitantly, waiting for the chance to cross. With no traffic lights, no zebra crossings, and no one to guide them, each step forward feels like a gamble. For drivers, too, the risks are visible. Reckless overtaking, sudden stops, and the ever-present fear of brake failure hang over a road already made narrow by traders spilling into the street. Accidents here are not just possible-they are almost predictable.

And yet, amid the chaos, life continues to find a way. Incomplete and abandoned buildings that line the area have become shelters. Inside them, families and individuals create homes out of scraps, covering windows with zinc sheets and nylon to keep out the wind. These improvised shelters may be fragile, but they provide something far greater than walls: the dignity of having a place to belong.

Still, Mile 1 Diobu is not only about hardship. It is also about accessibility. On this single stretch, one can find almost everything needed for daily life: a bustling market, churches like the nearby Anglican church, banks, filling stations, and even the newspaper office itself. For residents, convenience is never far away.

Mile 1 Diobu is a paradox crowded yet vibrant, chaotic yet indispensable. It is a place where survival is played out every day on a stage shared by traders, schoolchildren, drivers, and worshippers. For anyone who pauses to watch, the street tells its own story: of struggle, resilience, and the unending rhythm of life in Port Harcourt.

Every October 5, the world pauses to celebrate its most under-celebrated heroes: teachers. Since 1994, World Teachers’ Day has marked the anniversary of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, reaffirming the rights, responsibilities, and professional dignity of those who nurture every generation.

‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ – African Proverb

This year’s theme, ‘Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession’, is more than a slogan; it is a global call to rebuild the culture of teaching as a collective enterprise rather than an isolated struggle.

Nigeria’s teachers: Heroes in a broken system

Nowhere is this call more urgent than in Nigeria, where the teaching profession stands at a dangerous crossroads. Despite being the backbone of national development, teachers in Nigeria operate under conditions that test both endurance and hope: overcrowded classrooms, poor remuneration, delayed promotions, weak professional support, and systemic neglect.

According to UNICEF, Nigeria faces a shortfall of over 380,000 qualified teachers at the basic education level, while UNESCO estimates that more than 23 percent of current teachers are unqualified or underqualified. In some rural and conflict-affected states, one teacher may handle more than 100 pupils, often without access to digital or instructional materials.

These are not just statistics; they are symptoms of a deeper malaise: a fragmented and isolating teaching culture. Across much of Nigeria’s education system, teachers work in silos.

Professional development opportunities are rare, mentorship structures are weak, and schools seldom provide time or resources for teachers to learn from one another. The result is predictable: declining teaching quality, low morale, and increasing attrition.

Collaboration as the missing ingredient

Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession is not a luxury; it is an imperative. But collaboration must go beyond the buzzword. It requires deliberate design: time, structure, incentives, and leadership support. Teachers must have space to co-plan lessons, reflect on outcomes, observe peers, and exchange strategies.

When teachers collaborate effectively, they transfer knowledge, distribute innovation, and sustain learning continuity, even in challenging environments. In Lagos State, for instance, some public-school clusters have experimented with Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), peer-driven sessions where teachers jointly assess lesson outcomes and plan instructional improvements. Early results show improved teacher confidence, better classroom management, and stronger student engagement.

Such initiatives, if scaled and institutionalised nationwide, could shift the culture from isolation to cooperation and rebuild the integrity of the teaching profession. However, critics rightly argue that collaboration cannot substitute for fair pay, better recruitment, or infrastructure reform. No amount of teamwork can compensate for unpaid salaries, overcrowded classrooms, or decaying facilities. Collaboration must therefore complement, not distract from, the urgent need to fix teacher welfare and working conditions.

Others warn that overemphasising collaboration risks stifling creativity or personal agency, especially if it is imposed from above. That too is valid. Collaboration should be authentic, not bureaucratic: built on trust, shared goals, and voluntary engagement rather than compliance rituals. Teachers should see it as empowerment, not surveillance.

Learning from global models

In Finland and Singapore, two of the world’s best-performing education systems, teachers are trained and supported to operate as reflective teams. Lesson planning, peer observation, and shared research are part of daily routines, not extracurricular privileges. The result is higher teacher satisfaction and stronger learning outcomes.

Nigeria can draw lessons from these models, adapting them to local realities through teacher networks, digital learning communities, and cluster mentorship schemes. These innovations could make collaboration a practical norm across all education tiers.

Reclaiming professional dignity

Recasting teaching as a collaborative profession is about restoring professional dignity and systemic coherence. It acknowledges that no single teacher, however brilliant, can transform education in isolation. The classroom is no longer a private fiefdom; it is a shared ecosystem that thrives on collective intelligence.

To make this vision real, policymakers must rethink how schools are structured, scheduling collaborative hours within the timetable, funding peer-learning activities, and recognising teamwork in teacher appraisal. The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), SUBEBs, and school leaders should anchor this reform agenda, aligning incentives with collaboration and professional growth.

If Nigeria is serious about reversing its education decline, it must begin by empowering those who power learning. On this World Teachers’ Day, we must not only celebrate teachers; we must commit to rebuilding the profession as a community of learning, not a colony of isolation.

As UNESCO and its partners remind us:

‘It is only through effective cooperation at all levels that we can build truly inclusive, equitable and resilient education systems worldwide.’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu believed deeply that his October 1 broadcast was a huge success, what with avalanche of breakthroughs backed by both government and independent data. Members of his government also felt happy for what they considered the success of the broadcast. Out there, however, most citizens insisted that the figures did not bear true connection with what they go through in hardship everyday.

Whatever be the case, none debunked the figures ranging from slowing inflation from 34% to about 20%; surging foreign reserves of up to $42bn; huge trade surplus with non-oil export surging to almost $7bn per year; numerous companies now posting jumbo profits; and government revenue hitting high heavens.

What was hidden in all of that was the striking credit indirectly given to Samuel Ogbuku, the man who has piloted the affairs of the once ridiculed Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The broadcast did not mention names of performing government CEOs but any credit given to a sector was deemed to have been given to the concerned CEO.

The President said the management style of the oil region was the reason for the new prosperity Nigeria is witnessing, which is hinged on oil boom.

Tinubu said: ‘Oil production rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day (mbpd) from barely one million in May 2023. The increase occurred due to improved security, new investments, and better stakeholder management in the Niger Delta.’

Many underlined the operative words in the credits to be ‘better stakeholder management’. Before Ogbuku came, the region was on fire and the NDDC seemed helpless.

The difference was that the youths never connected with the Commission. They saw their role only as that of troublemakers, the only way to attract attention and some cash.

Ogbuku came with a face of ‘activist’ and a brother in the trenches. No one could lay bigger claim to agitation and activism. He knew the language, he created part of the language. Many of his colleagues in the past spoke with guns, he spoke with logic to show why the region deserved more. He became a kind of spokesman for the agitation. When he was appointed Managing Director, many saw him as their leader now in a position to do better; their voice. It thus became difficult to spit at his voice, or his name in the creeks.

The president mentioned other factors that led to the new prosperity. ‘Furthermore, the country has made notable advancements by refining PMS domestically for the first time in four decades. It has also established itself as the continent’s leading exporter of aviation fuel.

‘The Naira has stabilised from the turbulence and volatility witnessed in 2023 and 2024. The gap between the official rate and the unofficial market has reduced substantially, following FX reforms and fresh capital and remittance inflows. The multiple exchange rates, which fostered corruption and arbitrage, are now part of history. Additionally, our currency rate against the dollar is no longer determined by fluctuations in crude oil prices.’

Tinubu said under his leadership, the economy is recovering fast, and the reforms they started over two years ago were delivering tangible results. ‘The second quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.23%-Nigeria’s fastest pace in four years-and outpaced the 3.4 per cent projected by the International Monetary Fund. Inflation declined to 20.12% in August 2025, the lowest level in three years. The administration is working diligently to boost agricultural production and ensure food security, reducing food costs.

‘In the last two years of our administration, we have achieved 12 remarkable economic milestones as a result of the implementation of our sound fiscal and monetary policies:

‘We have attained a record-breaking increase in non-oil revenue, achieving the 2025 target by August with over N20 trillion. In September 2025 alone, we raised N3.65 trillion, 411% higher than the amount raised in May 2023.

‘We have restored Fiscal Health: Our debt service-to-revenue ratio has been significantly reduced from 97% to below 50%. We have paid down the infamous ‘Ways and Means’ advances that threatened our economic stability and triggered inflation. Following the removal of the corrupt petroleum subsidy, we have freed up trillions of Naira for targeted investment in the real economy and social programmes for the most vulnerable, as well as all tiers of government.

‘We have a stronger foreign Reserve position than three years ago. Our external reserves increased to $42.03 billion this September-the highest since 2019.

‘Our tax-to-GDP ratio has risen to 13.5 per cent from less than 10 per cent. The ratio is expected to increase further when the new tax law takes effect in January. The tax law is not about increasing the burden on existing taxpayers but about expanding the base to build the Nigeria we deserve and providing tax relief to low-income earners.

‘We are now a Net Exporter: Nigeria has recorded a trade surplus for five consecutive quarters. We are now selling more to the world than we are buying, a fundamental shift that strengthens our currency and creates jobs at home. Nigeria’s trade surplus increased by 44.3% in Q2 2025 to ?7.46 trillion ($4.74 billion), the largest in about three years. Goods manufactured in Nigeria and exported jumped by 173%. Non-oil exports, as a component of our export trade, now represent 48 per cent, compared to oil exports, which account for 52 per cent. This signals that we are diversifying our economy and foreign exchange sources outside oil and gas.’

Critics may shout, citizens may frown, but no one has put forward any counter figures or said oil has not increased. Many thus admit that the president has a right to beat his chest or gloat. Many say by giving Ogbuku and the board free hand alone, Mr President changed the free fall of the NDDC. Managing directors before him without guarranted terms found it difficult to initiate any schemes, but did what they could with the funds available. They seemed to operate with ‘make hay while the sun shines’.

But Mr President seemed to get it right not just by leaving the MD but giving the Commission a board with tenure, and setting the team on bond: They signed what to deliver per quarter. Funds were also guaranteed, such as the first ever N1trn grant to add to their 2015 budte into N1.9trn. The President was said to be right to state that management strategy did the magic in the Niger Delta. What the funds did:

President Tinubu was said to be right to go on to state what he did with prosperity. He said: ‘Under the social investment programme to support poor households and vulnerable Nigerians, N330 billion has been disbursed to eight million households, many of whom have received either one or two out of the three tranches of the N25,000 each.

‘The administration is expanding transport infrastructure across the country, covering rail, roads, airports, and seaports. Rail and water transport grew by over 40% and 27%, respectively. The 284-kilometre Kano-Kastina-Maradi Standard Gauge rail project and the Kaduna-Kano rail line are nearing completion. Work is progressing well on the legacy Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway. The Federal Executive Council recently approved $3 billion to complete the Eastern Rail Project.’

The world is taking notice of our efforts, he stated. ‘Sovereign credit rating agencies have upgraded their outlook for Nigeria, recognising our improved economic fundamentals. Our stock market is experiencing an unprecedented boom, rising from an all-share index of 55,000 points in May 2003 to 142,000 points as of September 26, 2025.

‘At its last MPC meeting, the Central Bank of Nigeria slashed interest rates for the first time in five years, expressing confidence in our country’s macroeconomic stability.’

On security, he said: ‘We are working diligently to enhance national security, ensuring our economy experiences improved growth and performance. The officers and men of our armed forces and other security agencies are working tirelessly and making significant sacrifices to keep us safe. They are winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes. We see their victories in their blood and sweat to stamp out Boko Haram Terror in North-East, IPOB/ESN terror in South East and banditry and kidnapping. We must continue to celebrate their gallantry and salute their courage on behalf of a grateful nation. Peace has returned to hundreds of our liberated communities in North-West and North-East, and thousands of our people have returned safely to their homes.’

In mentioning areas of danger, the Niger Delta for once escaped mention. A security official in the region said at a conference (Make-In-Nigeria) that Rivers State and the Niger Delta are the most peaceful in Nigeria at the moment. He said in most other regions, people no longer go to farms.

How Ogbuku did it:

The greatest thing he may have done is consultation and consensus, building trusts. This was impossible in the past. With Ogbuku, analysts said, the youths were prepared to listen.

Ogbuku once whispered some of his strategies with a team of top editors in Nigeria. He said the youths operated in the past with mindset that whoever got access to the NDDC Tower was a millionaire overnight. What Ogbuku said he did was to open up the tower to every youth. It was a deal: feel free to enter, meet whoever you wanted to, but no violence, no noise; deal. So, youths move in and out and go away.

Next was, no sacred cows. If any benefit came, it was put openly on the table. If you get this time, everyone will see it. Next time it is another person. That way, the youths saw that the benefits were going round.

The next was data. He forced all youths to be captured in a database with what you want and what you can do. That way, it was easy to identify the youths and their needs and skills. The era of collect and sell died overnight.

He expanded the foreign postgraduate scholarships by creating 400 slots in local universities and 200 in UK universities. Opportunities went to more persons.

The era of collecting jobs and funds and flee died. The era of work without pay also died. Some sense returned, some prosperity retuned. While big-ticket projects of billions of naira were going on, small ones like solar light were also introduced to take care of people with small needs. The mouths speaking good about the NDDC and Ogbuku multiplied over the few speaking evil.

Evidence:

When youths in all regions roared in anger and declared national or nationwide protests, the FG saw that the NDDC became a rallying platform to appeal to the youths of the Niger Delta. Surprisingly, the youths listened and agreed to obey the voice. This had never happened in the past, for youths of the region to listen to anybody, let alone to a voice from the NDDC. They chose to give Mr President a chance to prove his promises.

Many leaders in the region were seen falling behind the NDDC leader in the hours of fear and tension. Nothing evil happened. Reason: There has emerged a platform to talk and be talked to. It came during the Stakeholders Forum of the region held in 2024. Now, Mr President can talk of pipelines not being burst, oil facilities not being bombed, and oil workers not being captured and killed. Something made this happen, somebody made this happen.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) have officially approved the sale of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) to UAC of Nigeria PLC (UAC), and the transaction has now been closed.

This was disclosed by The Coca-Cola Company on Friday October 3, 2025, thereby bringing to a close the transaction made earlier in the year.

On July 30, 2025, both companies made the announcement of an agreement for the sale of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited), by The Coca-Cola Company to UAC.

‘We are pleased to have received regulatory approval for this transaction. We look forward to a smooth transition and to seeing Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) thrive under UAC’s ownership,’ Eelco Weber, managing director, Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited), said in a statement. employees