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The Federal Government has unveiled the Tertiary Institution Governance and Transparency Platform (FTIGTP), aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, enhancing trust and operational efficiency nationwide.

Speaking in Abuja, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa described the platform as a ‘major milestone’ in Nigeria’s journey to restoring public confidence in the management of tertiary institutions.

Alausa explained that, for the first time, Nigeria would have a unified system providing real-time visibility into student enrolment, government funding, and other critical metrics across all tertiary institutions.

He said the platform would cover TETFund allocations, NELFund interventions, research grants, and institutional performance indicators, creating a single, integrated framework for monitoring and assessing tertiary education outcomes in Nigeria.

The minister added that the platform would end years of fragmented, inconsistent data collection across institutions, replacing multiple reporting formats with a unified, accurate, and accessible digital system.

Alausa emphasised that FTIGTP was not just a data collection tool but a reformed instrument designed to drive efficiency, results-based management, and stronger governance across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

‘Institutions will now be required to submit data quarterly, with financial reporting tied to performance and eligibility for future government funding, ensuring accountability and better resource allocation nationwide.

‘For many years, tertiary education data has been scattered across platforms, paper reports, and inconsistent submissions, limiting oversight and trust,’ he said, highlighting the need for a centralised, reliable information system.

According to him, the FTIGTP will serve as a single nationwide source of accurate data, providing financial transparency, enhancing accountability, discouraging fund misuse, and fostering public trust in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

The minister called for full cooperation from vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts nationwide, stressing that successful implementation depends on institutional compliance and a shared commitment to transparency and efficiency.

The House of Representatives yesterday held a marathon closed-door session that lasted for about three hours before resuming plenary.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided, called for a motion for the House to dissolve again into an executive session at 12:02 p.m.

The meeting was believed to be connected to issues surrounding debts owed to indigenous contractors by the Federal Government.

The protesting contractors, demanding payment for executed projects, blocked the main entrance and exit gates of the National Assembly complex, preventing vehicular movement in and out of the premises.

Security operatives were seen trying to control the situation as staff and visitors were stranded outside the complex.

Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) is set to host an event aimed at reshaping how entrepreneurship is taught in schools, with teachers at the centre of the conversation.

The event, tagged SET4LYF: National Convening on Teaching Entrepreneurship with a Focus on Teachers, will take place today.

It will bring together educators, policymakers, and private sector partners to discuss practical strategies for integrating entrepreneurship into the classroom.

Ahead of the event, JAN on Tuesday held a virtual media parley to brief reporters and stakeholders on the vision and objectives of the initiative.

Speaking during the session, Country Director of SET4LYF, Mr. Olaolu Akogun , explained that the initiative-School-to-Work Educational Transitions for Long-Term Youth Fulfilment (SET4LYF), is designed to prepare Nigerian secondary school girls, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and persons with disabilities (PWDs) for the future of work, entrepreneurship, and higher education.

‘We want to be inclusive, bridging the gap with this program. Inclusion is very important to us,’ Akogun said. He noted that the program aims to reach participants across 31 states, with a deliberate inclusion target of 5 percent girls with disabilities and 10 percent internally displaced girls to ensure equitable access to entrepreneurial learning opportunities.

According to him, empowering teachers is at the heart of the initiative. ‘Teachers are the catalysts for entrepreneurship education. We want to equip them with the right mindset and tools to inspire creativity, innovation, and leadership in the next generation,’ he added.

Akogun stressed the need for government and institutional support to sustain the impact of the program.

‘For anything to thrive, it needs the right environment. We need the support of the government and other development partners,’ he said.

The upcoming convening will assemble educators, school leaders, government representatives, NGOs, and private sector partners to explore actionable ways to make entrepreneurship education more practical and inclusive in Nigerian schools.

It will also serve as a platform for sharing success stories, identifying gaps, and building collaborations that will enable teachers to become effective enablers of innovation and self-reliance among young Nigerians.

Interested participants and stakeholders can register through JAN’s website at www.janigeria.org or follow its social media platforms @janigeria for updates.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC), once regarded as a low-profile regulator operating quietly within Nigeria’s complex financial ecosystem, has in recent years risen to both national and international prominence. This transformation was epitomised by the election of its Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, as Chair of the 41st session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR). The prestigious appointment affirmed his outstanding leadership and expertise in corporate reporting, while placing Nigeria firmly on the global stage of financial regulation.

From October 2023 to 2025, the Council’s story has been one of vision, collaboration, and measurable reform. Under Olowo’s dynamic leadership, each of FRC’s seven directorates, departments, and units has evolved into a driver of change-collectively advancing transparency, accountability, and investor confidence across Nigeria’s economy.

Building a profession from scratch

Among FRC’s standout achievements is the bold move to develop Nigeria’s actuarial profession from the ground up. Through the Nigerian Actuarial Development Programme (NADP) and the creation of a Technical Working Group, the Council has set in motion a sustainable framework to strengthen actuarial practice. A major milestone in this effort is the issuance of Nigeria’s first comprehensive Actuarial Regulatory Framework-the Nigeria Actuarial Practice Regulation (NAPR 2025)-released as an Exposure Draft.

In adopting the International Standards of Actuarial Practice (ISAPs 1-8) and localising them as the Nigerian Standards of Actuarial Practice (NSAPs), FRC has filled a decades-long gap in the insurance, pensions, and risk-management sectors. Yet, Olowo’s vision extends beyond regulations-it focuses on building the human capital to sustain them. Through nationwide actuarial education initiatives, the Council has reached more than 5,000 university students and 800 secondary school pupils, inspiring a new generation to pursue actuarial science. The sponsorship of six university students for the Society of Actuaries professional examinations and one candidate for a Master’s degree in Actuarial Science, alongside partnerships with the National Insurance Commission, the National Pension Commission, the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Nigerian Actuarial Society, and global bodies such as the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in the United Kingdom, the Society of Actuaries in the United States, and The Actuarial Society of Kenya, underscores a strategic blueprint: reform the system, then grow the talent to sustain it.

By initiating the integration of Actuarial Science into Nigeria’s secondary school curriculum, the FRC under Olowo’s leadership has planted the seeds of a self-sustaining ecosystem-one that will, in years to come, anchor stronger pension funds, more reliable insurance models, and a more data-driven national economy.

Reengineering corporate governance

Corporate governance has long been one of Nigeria’s Achilles’ heels-undermined by weak oversight, opaque decision-making, and boardroom complacency. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has boldly taken on this challenge, driving a new wave of reforms across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.

A major milestone in this effort is the development of the National Public Sector Governance Code (NPSGC), with a comprehensive implementation roadmap spanning 2026 to 2029. For the first time, governance standards are being designed not only for corporations but also for public institutions that manage taxpayers’ resources. Through active engagements with the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the FRC is ensuring inclusivity, broad consultation, and genuine ownership of the process at every level of government.

Simultaneously, under Dr. Olowo’s leadership, the Council is finalising the Not-for-Profit Governance Code (NNFPGC)-a pioneering initiative aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and ethical management within Nigeria’s NGO and charitable sectors. These two landmark codes, now awaiting Ministerial approval, reflect FRC’s determination to institutionalise integrity and restore trust across all spheres of governance.

But the Council’s work extends beyond rule-making. Its partnerships with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the rollout of the SME Corporate Governance Guidelines (SME-CGG) and Business Integrity Certification (BIC) demonstrate an inclusive strategy-one that brings small and medium enterprises, as well as social enterprises, into the governance fold. In a political and economic landscape often constrained by weak institutions and ethical lapses, these reforms stand as practical instruments for rebuilding confidence, enhancing accountability, and embedding a culture of responsible leadership in Nigerian business and public life. The FRC’s approach represents more than compliance-it is a deliberate reengineering of the governance architecture to support sustainable growth and long-term national credibility.

Raising the bar on audit quality

No financial system can be credible without trusted audits-and the FRC is ensuring Nigeria’s audit ecosystem meets global standards. Over the past year, the Council conducted its first comprehensive practice reviews across 16 audit firms, including the Big Four, covering 143 audit engagements. A new rule now mandates auditors to report suspected client non-compliance, generating over 680 compliance submissions and reinforcing ethical discipline within the profession.

Under Olowo’s leadership, the Council has hosted the Inaugural Leadership Summit for Auditors, drawing 764 participants, and expanded international collaborations with bodies such as the PCAOB (USA), IRBA (South Africa), and ICAG (Ghana). Recent milestones-like a Memorandum of Understanding with the Financial Reporting Oversight Board (Gambia) and the UK-Nigeria Exchange and Training Improvement Programme (ETIP)-have further elevated Nigeria’s standing in global audit regulation. By fostering deeper cooperation with ICAN and ANAN and organising joint sensitisation sessions with nearly 900 practitioners, the Council is nurturing a culture of trust and accountability-striking that delicate but crucial balance between regulator and regulated in pursuit of higher audit quality.

Driving transparency in the public sector

Reforming public finance management remains one of Nigeria’s most persistent governance challenges. Over the past two years, under the leadership of Dr. Olowo, FRC has tackled this head-on with pragmatic, far-reaching measures. Through four regional training programmes on accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) held in Abuja, Kano, Lagos, and Uyo, the Council has trained over 576 public sector accountants-strengthening the foundation of financial integrity across ministries, departments, and agencies. This initiative promises more accurate, comparable, and transparent financial statements-vital for better budgeting, donor confidence, and responsible governance.

Sustainability reporting has become the new frontier of corporate accountability, and under Olowo’s leadership, Nigeria has taken bold regulatory strides to align with global best practices. With the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the FRC led the adoption of IFRS S1 and S2 sustainability standards in Nigeria. Working closely with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Chairman, the Council launched a national roadmap for sustainability reporting and has sustained leadership in its implementation. Early adopters-including Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, MTN Nigeria, and Seplat Energy-have championed two consecutive reporting cycles (2023 and 2024), positioning Nigeria among global pioneers in sustainability disclosure compliance.

In less than a year, adoption of the IFRS S1 and S2 standards has grown from 4 to 35 entities. Over 202 organisations and 1,705 professionals have benefited from intensive, hands-on training through 32 sector-specific engagements and regulatory roundtables-signalling a strong appetite for transparency on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Strategic partnerships with NIRC, GIZ, FSDA, PAFA, and the ISSB, as well as collaborations with SEC, CBN, NGX, and NCCC, reflect a unified national commitment to embedding sustainability into Nigeria’s corporate culture. The hosting of the 2nd Regulatory Roundtable on Sustainability Reporting further cements Nigeria’s emerging reputation as a continental thought leader in responsible reporting.

In January 2024, the FRC operationalised the Directorate of Valuation Standards-an overdue reform aimed at introducing order, consistency, and credibility to Nigeria’s valuation landscape. Within its first year, the Council inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) to develop Valuation Regulations, released the Draft Regulation for public exposure, and trained over 200 professionals across four zones. Membership in the International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC) now enables global benchmarking, while the publication of a national Valuation Guide provides practitioners with clear reference points. The engagement of more than 923 stakeholders reflects broad industry support for this reform. In a country long troubled by asset valuation controversies in public projects, mergers, and banking collateral, the FRC’s standardisation drive is both timely and transformative.

Recognising the indispensable role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in national development, the FRC has also advanced financial inclusion. In partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Council organised a Train-the-Trainers Workshop on Accounting and Financial Reporting for MSMEs in December 2024. By producing a pool of certified national trainers and simplified reporting tools, the initiative has demystified accounting for small enterprises-empowering them to access finance, formalise operations, and contribute more meaningfully to economic growth. This aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s vision to lift millions of MSMEs into the formal economy and build a more transparent, inclusive financial ecosystem.

Digital transformation and institutional visibility

A modern regulator cannot thrive without technology-and the FRC has embraced this truth with remarkable results. The Council now operates Nigeria’s first National Repository Portal for the electronic filing of financial statements, heralding a new era of transparency, efficiency, and accessibility. Complementing this innovation are a Document Management System (DMS) and a Learning Management System (LMS), which have automated internal processes and enhanced capacity building. The integration of the Council’s database with the National Identification Number (NIN) verification system has further strengthened data integrity and credibility.

Under the leadership of Dr. Olowo, the FRC has also undergone a profound image transformation. Through the publication of the FRC Newsletter (ISSN 3092-9520), consistent media engagements, and improved stakeholder relations, the Council’s voice has become clearer and more authoritative in shaping national discourse on financial accountability. The launch of Nigeria’s first Journal of Financial Reporting and Corporate Governance has further established the FRC as a thought leader, providing a platform for research-driven policy dialogue, professional education, and regulatory innovation.

Recognising that effective regulation begins with inclusion, the Registration Unit has expanded the Council’s oversight base significantly-registering 31,799 professionals, 715 firms, and 14,657 companies in just two years. Active engagement with professional bodies such as ICAN, ANAN, NIESV, ICSAN, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strengthened collaboration and unified standards across sectors. These efforts are not merely administrative; they have created a traceable and accountable professional community, ensuring that Nigeria’s financial ecosystem is manned by qualified and verifiable actors.

Beyond these digital and outreach reforms, Dr. Olowo has professionalised the FRC itself. The Council now operates the full complement of seven Directorates, following the activation of the Directorates of Valuation Standards and Actuarial Standards, alongside the establishment of the Sustainability Reporting Unit. Notably, the creation of an Islamic Financial Services Division now provides regulatory guidance for non-interest financial reporting-reflecting a deep sensitivity to Nigeria’s diverse financial system. His leadership proves that reform is not only about changing rules but about rebuilding trust-between regulators and practitioners, and between citizens and their institutions. Two years on, the FRC has not just redefined financial reporting-it has redefined effective public service leadership in Nigeria.

The Senate yesterday raised concern over crude oil losses estimated at more than $300 billion the nation allegedly incurred through decades of theft, collusion, and poor oversight in the Niger Delta region.

This was contained in the interim report of its Ad Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, chaired by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North).

The report, titled: ‘Interim Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Incessant and Nefarious Acts of Crude Oil Theft in the Niger Delta and the Actors,’ exposed alleged systemic failures and called for sweeping reforms across the oil and gas sector.

Nwoko said the committee discovered ‘systemic irregularities, poor measurement standards, and weak enforcement’ across the petroleum value chain, factors that have made crude theft a multi-billion-dollar racket.

‘Our assessment shows widespread lapses in monitoring, metering, and regulation.

‘We have, therefore, recommended strict enforcement of international crude measurement standards at all production sites and export terminals,’ he said.

His committee’s 40-page interim report, which outlines urgent recommendations, also urged the Federal Government to deploy modern surveillance technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to monitor pipelines and export routes.

Other key proposals in the report include:

‘Establishment of a Maritime Trust Fund to strengthen maritime security and inter-agency intelligence sharing;

‘Creation of special courts for the speedy prosecution of crude oil theft cases;

‘Full implementation of the Host Communities Development Trust Fund under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA); and

‘Immediate handover of abandoned wells to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for effective management.’

In their contributions, the senators raised red flags over the recovery plan.

Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) lauded the committee’s efforts but cautioned that the recovery of stolen funds falls outside the Senate’s constitutional purview.

‘We can trace and document the losses, but recovery is for agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC). The committee should provide detailed figures, company names, and locations,’ he said.

Ningi alluded to a consultant’s data that pointed to $81 billion in lost revenue between 2016 and 2017, and another $200 billion unaccounted for from 2015 to date.

The Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Solomon Adeola, agreed, stating: ‘The Senate’s duty is to expose wrongdoing, not recover funds.’

Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe North) suggested that the final report should identify all ‘actors’ involved in the theft network.

‘The title includes ‘the actors,’ and we must name them: the companies, the individuals, and illegal refinery operators. We need well-by-well and rig-by-rig data,’ he said.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) urged caution, reminding his colleagues that the report remained an interim submission pending the final verification.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio applauded the committee’s ‘courageous and painstaking work’ but agreed that recovery actions belong to executive agencies.

‘Our job is to track and trace. Recovery is the responsibility of the appropriate authorities.

‘However, the estimated $300 billion loss is staggering, and the Senate will insist on full accountability,’ Akpabio said.

The Senate President directed the Nwoko committee to continue its work and return with a comprehensive final report detailing named actors, specific loss figures, and actionable steps.

Chair of Aladewe Ride, an e-hailing service, Yomi Akingbade has lauded President Bola Tinubu for appointing Service chiefs.

Akingbade said Tinubu’s decision to sack the ‘non-performing’ Service chiefs is a move long overdue.

He noted that insecurity persisted due to their incompetence, poor coordination, and policy failure.

‘From the forests of Zamfara to highways of Abuja-Kaduna, creeks of Niger Delta to shores of Gulf of Guinea, insecurity flourished under their watch. Kidnapping, banditry, insurgency, and piracy became our daily realities. It became imperative to sack them and make new appointments,’ he said.

Akingbade hailed National Assembly for ensuring swift transition in the security leadership.

‘President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service chiefs in furtherance of efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen the national security architecture. We must also appreciate the National Assembly for being prompt with the screening and approval’.

Former Nigeria internationals Godwin Opara and Ifeanyi Udeze will mentor the quarter-finalists of the ongoing Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Soccer Tournament.

The former Super Eagles players will be at the Stables Sports Centre in Surulere between November 8th and 9th for a mentorship session with the players before their respective matches.

Okpara, who played as a defender, was part of the Super Eagles squad to the 1998 FIFA World Cup, 2000 Africa Cup of Nations as well as the 2000 Summer Olympics Sydney Australia.

Udeze, who played as a left-back, made 35 appearances for the national team from 2000-2005. Udeze featured for Nigeria at the 2002 African Cup of Nations as well as the edition in 2004. He was also part of the Super Eagles squad to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan.

The former Eagles stars will engage the players on football lessons and the lifestyle and character expected of an up-and-coming footballer.

The last eight (8) teams in this year’s championship will square up this weekend for a place in the semi-finals.

On Saturday, New Generation FC will lock-horns against Greater Tomorrow FA, and Chekas United will file out against Wasola football club. In the games on Sunday, defending champions White Tigers FC will lock-horns against All Saints football club, while Papa SA will play face-off against Blood and Sand FC.

The 2025 Spires 5-Aside Naija Street Soccer Tournament, which got underway on Sunday, October 26th , will come to a close with a grand finale on Saturday, November 15th .

I’ve met brilliant people on the streets of Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Jos, Gombe, Kano, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Uyo, Enugu, Nnewi, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Not just people who can talk big ideas, but young men and women who can build, who can sell, who can make things happen – the kind of people who can turn a N10,000 idea into something that feeds a family. Yet every time I talk to them, there’s a familiar sadness in their eyes, a mix of drive and exhaustion. It’s not that they don’t have ideas. It’s that they don’t have systems. Talent can start a fire, but systems keep it burning.

That, in simple terms, is Africa’s biggest challenge – not a shortage of skill, creativity, or passion. Those we have in abundance. What we lack are systems that help ordinary people transform their spark into sustainable impact. We’ve repeated a lie so often it sounds like truth: that Africa has a talent problem. The truth is, we don’t. What we have is a conversion problem. Every year, our universities, polytechnics, and training centres produce millions of graduates – dreamers, creators, and innovators – but only handful ends up building enterprises that survive beyond the first year.

It’s not because they’re lazy or unserious; it’s because the ecosystem around them is broken.

They face barriers on every side. Information poverty keeps them from making informed business decisions. Market disconnect ensures they don’t know how to find or retain customers. And then there’s execution fatigue – they’re doing everything alone, without structure, support, or a framework to help them scale. Yet these same people have the same drive as their peers in Singapore, South Korea, or Finland – countries that invested early in systems, not slogans.

We love inspiration in Africa. We love motivational quotes and loud conferences. We love to say ‘Don’t give up.’ But inspiration without structure is just emotional caffeine – it gives you a rush, then a crash. If motivation alone built nations, Nigeria would be an economic superpower by now.

Systems are what separate success stories from survival stories. Look at Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore, and Finland – countries that transformed their economies within a generation. They didn’t do it through speeches. They built robust systems that allowed talent to flourish: education systems that taught problem-solving, industries that encouraged innovation, and policies that supported entrepreneurs instead of stifling them.

In Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew didn’t just preach hard work. He built frameworks for accountability, innovation, and excellence. Finland stopped teaching rote memorization and focused on problem-solving – and became a global education model. Meanwhile, we’re still teaching young people to memorize states and capitals instead of how to solve problems in their communities.

I’ve watched young men with potential fall through the cracks. They start with a small dream – maybe a tech idea or a tailoring business. They work day and night, hustling to feed themselves and their dream. Then one day, they burn out. Not because they’re not talented, but because there was no ladder for them to climb. That’s what happens in countries without functioning systems. Talent keeps trying to climb, but the ladder is broken – there’s no access to finance, weak policy support, little business education, and a near absence of mentorship. The painful truth? For every young Nigerian that ‘makes it,’ there are hundreds of equally talented ones who never get the chance. We must fix the ladder, not just cheer the climbers.

Africa’s future will not be defined by politicians or its biggest corporations, but by its builders – those who take raw ideas and craft them into systems that others can build upon. We need a generation of people who stop asking for opportunities and start building the platforms that create them.

So, what can we do? We need to teach systems thinking early, not just dream selling. We must reward execution, not eloquence. We must invest in entrepreneurial infrastructure – not just conferences that motivate for a day but change nothing. And we must build collaboration between academia, government, civil society, and business.

Above all, we must change the narrative. Let’s stop calling failure ‘laziness’ when it’s really ‘system failure.’ If we get this right – if we build systems that help people translate potential into performance – Africa will no longer be known as the land of untapped talent, but as the continent of unstoppable builders.

Everywhere I go, I meet young people who still believe. They’re not waiting for government jobs or foreign aid – they just want a fair chance. They remind me that hope is not dead in Africa; it’s just waiting for structure. And so, as I tell every aspiring entrepreneur I meet: your idea is the seed, your skill is the soil, but the system – that’s the rain. Let’s make it rain.

A coalition of individuals and groups, Concerned Niger Delta Youth Leaders, has condemned allegations against Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, describing them as baseless.

The leaders in a communique in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday said they ‘stand in solidarity with Ogbuku’ and lauded his leadership.

The communique was signed by 32 youth leaders; Josaiah Voke a.k.a Ocean, Zoroaster Efe a.k.a Zoro, Martin Ovweghre alias Don Tilo, Ken Akpos alias Akpos Marine, Dairus Ovire, Aburu Newton alias Stone, Imeabe Saviour Oscar, Ayibatari Edward alias Tari and Okadigbo Emmanuel, etc.

The youth leaders said: ‘We stand in solidarity with Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and laud his leadership and commitment to development of Niger Delta.

‘We acknowledged the projects undertaken by NDDC under Ogbuku, which align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘Notably among them is the ‘Light Up Niger Delta Initiative’, which has brought streetlights, economic boost, security to our various communities, people-oriented projects, programmes across the Niger Delta region and has also improved the lives of countless Niger Delta residents.

‘We can confidently say that we have never had it so good in the Niger Delta Region. The NDDC, under Dr. Samuel Ogbuku leadership, has brought hope and development to our communities.’

Describing the allegations against Ogbuku as malicious, the Niger Delta youth leaders said they were all ‘a desperate attempt to undermine the progress being made in the region’ under the NDDC boss.

FIFA announced a new annual award called the FIFA Peace Prize which will be given to its first winner during the 2026 World Cup finals draw in Washington D.C. next month, world soccer’s governing body has said.

Dubbed the ‘FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World’, FIFA said it was created to ‘reward individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace’.

‘In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it’s fundamental to recognise the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace,’ FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.

‘Football stands for peace, and on behalf of the entire global football community, the FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World will recognise the enormous efforts of those individuals who unite people, bringing hope for future generations.’

U.S. President Donald Trump had announced in August that the World Cup draw will take place on December 5 at the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, where 48 teams will learn their group stage opponents.

‘We are uniting the world, Mr President, uniting the world, here in America, and we are very proud of that,’ Infantino had told Trump before letting him hold the World Cup trophy.

Trump had aggressively lobbied for the Nobel Peace Prize this year and the White House had criticised the Nobel Committee’s decision to grant it to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado last month.

The World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11-July 19, with a record 104 matches in 16 host cities.