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The Enugu State government has appointed former national hurdler and AFN Performance Director Victor Okorie as Chairman of the Enugu State Athletics Association Board.

His inauguration conducted by the state’s Commissioner for Sports, Ike Ekweremadu Jr, also saw 10 other members unveiled to drive a fresh era of track and field development in the state.

Meanwhile in a goodwill message, Coach Chukwuashi hailed the appointments and urged the new board to bring passion and integrity to the job.

Okorie, visibly elated, thanked Ekweremadu for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to revive Enugu’s dominance in athletics.

‘We’ll give everything to restore Enugu to the top of Nigerian athletics,’ he vowed.

A respected figure in grassroots sports across the South East, Okorie’s new mandate includes preparing the state’s athletes for the upcoming National Sports Festival and other major competitions.

The board members include:

*Victor Okorie

Coach Elizabeth Chukwuashi

Onovo Boniface

Henry Nwosu

Eze Justus

Agu Justin

Emeka Benjamin Chukwu

Chris Onwuzuruike

Ephrem Ochonma

Ken Onuaguruch

John Ikpechi

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the Federal Government has released ?2.3 billion, representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears to universities across the country.

The fund is expected to be used to clear the salary backlogs as well as promotion arrears of teaching and non-academic staff in public universities.

The Minister explained that the disbursements, processed through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), reflected President Bola Tinubu Administration’s resolve to clear inherited backlogs and enhance the welfare of academic and non-academic staff in the tertiary education sector.

In a statement on Wednesday by Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo the Minister said: ‘A total of ?2.311 billion, representing Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears, has been released through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to universities. Benefiting institutions should begin to receive payment alerts anytime from now.’

Alausa said that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Finance and the OAGF, is finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to Nigerian University Pension Management (NUPEMCO), expected to be completed in the coming days.

The Minister added that the government has approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university staff salaries beginning from 2026.

He noted that this will ensure prompt, predictable, and sustainable payments going forward. In addition, funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities, with corresponding budgetary provisions made to sustain the initiative.

According to Alausa, these measures demonstrated the government’s strong commitment to improving academic staff welfare and addressing long-standing challenges that have persisted for decades.

‘Within the last twenty-six months, the Federal Government has paid a significant portion of outstanding obligations while maintaining open communication with all academic and non-academic unions of tertiary institutions.

‘The Federal Ministry of Education assures that these engagements are being conducted truthfully and in good faith. However, while the government remains committed to improving staff welfare, it will only enter into agreements that are realistic and financially sustainable,’ Alausa stated.

He explained that the Yayale Ahmed Negotiating Committee continues to serve as a bridge between the Federal Government and the tertiary institutions’ unions, ensuring that all pending welfare-related issues are addressed through honest and mutually respectful dialogue.

‘Negotiations are being conducted sincerely, mutually, and respectfully,’ he added.

Alausa noted that the federal government will not engage in unsustainable fiscal practices.

‘Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system,’ he said.

The Minister stressed that all commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.

He commended President Tinubu for his unwavering dedication to the education sector, noting that several challenges that had persisted for decades are now being tackled decisively under his administration.

Alausa expressed optimism that the current wave of reforms and fiscal interventions will usher in lasting industrial harmony, restore confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, and strengthen institutional capacity for national development.

It is strange that, after all that the city of Warri, in Delta State, suffered in lives, limbs and resources for years at the turn of the century, some are imagining another spasm of bloodbath. Yet, in human experience over centuries, we have never foresworn wars in spite of documented blood trails.

It makes sense, however, to strike a note of warning to all those who are obliterating commonsense in the former vibrant metropolis. They stand the risk of wiping out Warri from the face of the earth if they continue with their rancour.

It all began with a new effort to remap the city for the next round of elections. Even though the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it has not concluded its redistricting effort or what is called the delineation of constituencies, divisive rhetoric has fouled the air.

Although it is taking ethnic shapes, it is actually the politicians across the various political parties who are fuelling the fire. In the quest to win elections, they seem ready to slaughter one another.

The major ethnic group in the centre are the Itsekiris, Urhobos and Ijaws. They have been neighbours for centuries, and have engaged in all that neighbours do. They trade together, party together, intermarry, and they betray linguistic affinities, cuisines and fashion sense. They suffer and battle common foes like want and diseases. The differences in their ways of life are often subtle.

It is this cooperation that welded them together into a formidable region and strengthened Warri into a commercial and cultural powerhouse. To help its prosperous run, oil was discovered in its environs and a major refinery sprung up in its precinct.

Warri became, especially in the 1970’s and 1980’s, one of Nigeria’s iconic places for work and leisure. With proud ease, the residents called it Wafi, or oil booming city, and they called themselves Wafarians. Pride became hauteur and hauteur led to ominous complacency. It was in the midst of this feeling that hate developed.

It was a fight between the Ijaws and Itsekiris over a delineation, and hell broke loose. The two ethnic groups went after each other. Day and night, slaughter defined time. Waves of violence moved from street to street. Innocents died in their thousands.

The leaders of both groups acquired arms, stoked the rhetoric and drums of war. It began during the military era, and even soldiers on both sides supplied arms and strategy. It was the war of brothers.

If in the past they did what neighbours did, the only feature of their relationship was bloodletting. So terrible was it that no one wanted to come into the city. Those who had made home of the place wanted to leave. And they left not to return.

What was lost was its soul. That soul was characterised by great business names, like Shell Corporation, Texaco, Chevron, John Holt, Leventis. That meant jobs of high value had left the city, and it also implied that its cherished men of means and middle-class culture disappeared.

When commerce goes, people go, and the result is a rump of its culture. When the hostilities ended, they faced a new battle to bring back its halcyon days.

For decades, that has been the challenge. If the big businesses have not forgotten the bad memories, the politicians atop the tribes seem to have.

The governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has focused on infrastructure programmes while lamenting that he is trying to bring life to it when some politicians want to snuff it out. He has set up a peace committee.

We hope that commonsense will prevail over malice and the greed of the politicians will not becloud them to the appeals of the better angels of the city.

For centuries, civilizations have consistently associated certain products with their places of origin. For instance, wines from Bordeaux, silks from Suzhou, olive oil from Tuscany and numerous similar examples.

The ancient Greeks and Romans in their wisdom, knew that the quality of a product(s) was shaped by the land it came from, and today, that timeless truth is enshrined in modern Intellectual Property law through what we now call Geographical Indications (GIs).

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a GI is a sign used on products that originate from a specific place and possess specific qualities, reputation, or characteristics essentially attributable to that origin. GIs protect the reputation of producers, preserve traditional knowledge, and create commercial value by linking authenticity with geography.

For Nigeria, a country of extraordinary natural resources, agricultural diversity, and cultural craftsmanship, the absence of a clear legal framework for GIs represents a vast, unmined economic opportunity.

The Global Legal Framework

Geographical Indications are protected under several international agreements, two of which Nigeria is a party. Key among them are:

The Paris Convention (1883 – Nigeria is signatory) which is the first to recognize indications of source as part of industrial property.

The Madrid Agreement (1891) and its Protocol (1989), extending protection against false or deceptive indications of origin.

The Lisbon Agreement (1958) and Geneva Act (2015), creating an international system for registering and protecting appellations of origin.

The TRIPS Agreement (1994 – Nigeria is signatory) administered by the World Trade Organization, which mandates GI protection and provides special safeguards for wines and spirits.

These instruments recognize that GIs are not merely marketing labels but legal rights tied to geography and reputation. They protect communities against misappropriation and ensure that the benefits of authenticity flow to the people and regions that created it.

Nigeria’s Legal Reality

Nigeria currently lacks a dedicated or sui generis Geographical Indications law. However, Section 43 of the Trademarks Act allows the registration of certification marks, which can indirectly serve GI-like functions by certifying the geographical origin or quality of goods.

This partial protection has enabled certain products, like Ofada rice, Ijebu garri, and Aso-Oke fabrics to gain regional distinction. Yet, without a specific GI regime, Nigeria cannot fully claim or enforce ownership over its indigenous brands internationally. Certification marks protect a product’s reputation but not the deep territorial and traditional link between place, people, and product, which is the very essence of GIs.

As WIPO’s 2019 Module on Geographical Indications notes, ‘the essential link between the product’s quality and its geographical environment is what distinguishes GIs from other forms of Intellectual Property protection.’ That link remains legally invisible in Nigeria today.

Forcados Crude: A Case for Industrial GIs

Consider Forcados crude oil, produced in the Burutu area of Delta State. This light, sweet crude with a specific gravity of approximately 31.5° API and sulfur content of 0.22%, is prized globally for its high yield of valuable distillates like gasoil. Its composition is uniquely tied to the geology of the Niger Delta.

For example, in 2025, Forcados crude oil became the major driver of Nigeria’s total crude output. Yet, despite its distinctive geographical characteristics, it enjoys no clear GI protection or framework. The danger in such development is that international traders can blend or rebrand similar crude oils under the same name, eroding both value and origin identity.

If registered and protected as a Geographical Indication, Forcados crude could become Nigeria’s first industrial GI, demonstrating that GI protection laws apply not only to agricultural or artisanal goods but also to extractive resources with specific origin-based qualities. This approach could redefine Nigeria’s IP economy and strengthen its export credibility.

Why Geographical Indications Matter

Across the world, GIs have become powerful tools for economic development and cultural preservation.

India’s Darjeeling tea and Basmati rice have achieved global dominance through GI protection.

Ethiopia’s Sidamo and Yirgacheffe coffees generate premium prices for local farmers after reclaiming ownership from foreign brands.

South Africa’s Rooibos tea now commands a thriving export market thanks to GI certification.

The premium value attached to Swiss wristwatches perfectly illustrates the advantage of Geographical Indication protection. Because the use of the ‘Swiss Made’ label is strictly regulated by law, only watches that meet specific standards of origin and quality can bear it, ensuring authenticity, maintaining consumer trust, and preserving the brand’s global reputation.

The lesson herein is clear: when a product’s reputation is tied to its origin and legally protected, value remains within the community. Producers gain bargaining power, consumers enjoy authenticity, and the state benefits from increased exports and tax revenue.

Nigeria, with its wealth of regional products such as Benue yam, Nsukka yellow pepper, Bida brass works, Kano leather, Aba shoes, Afikpo masks, and Forcados crude, has the raw material for a thriving GI ecosystem.

China’s Cultural Ambition and Africa’s Ownership Challenge

China’s recent announcement to establish its first national museum dedicated to African history and culture highlights a different but related challenge, which is cultural ownership. While this initiative may not breach GI law (since GIs protect goods, not institutions), it raises a vital question: who owns Africa’s identity and how is it represented globally?

If African artifacts, textiles, or symbols are curated and commercialized abroad without corresponding legal or economic returns to their countries of origin, it mirrors the same vulnerabilities seen in Nigeria’s unprotected GIs heritage without ownership and identity without income.

For Nigeria, the message is clear: just as our cultural heritage must be protected from misrepresentation, our geographical heritage, from oil to fabric to food and numerous others must be secured under the rule of law.

The Economic Roadmap Forward

To unlock the value of GIs, Nigeria should take the following steps:

1. Enact a Geographical Indications Act, a standalone law that defines, registers, and enforces GIs in line with WIPO and TRIPS standards.

2. Establish a GI Registry, preferably housed under the Trademarks, Patents, and Designs Registry to document and certify qualifying products.

3. Empower Producers’ Associations: Cooperatives should manage production standards, traceability, and quality control for GI-certified goods.

4. Launch Public Awareness Campaigns to educate farmers, artisans, and exporters on the financial benefits of GI protection.

5. Engage International Partners: Nigeria can collaborate with WIPO, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), and the African Union’s IP Office to secure reciprocal protection abroad.

These steps will not only elevate Nigeria’s reputation in international trade but also localize prosperity, ensuring that communities reap the rewards of their geographical uniqueness.

Conclusion: Law as a Catalyst for Prosperity

Geographical Indications are not mere technicalities of IP law; they are instruments of economic sovereignty. They transform culture into capital, identity into export power, and local heritage into global competitiveness.

Nigerian artisans, farmers, and innovators have long created products of global value. What remains missing is the legal machinery to capture that value. A dedicated GI framework could redefine Nigeria’s export economy, hence, ensuring that Forcados crude, Ofada rice, Aso-Oke and others command the recognition and premium they deserve.

‘Now, imagine if the phrase ‘Made in Nigeria’ were not just a slogan, but a legally recognized mark of origin, a protected Geographical Indication reserved solely for products certified by competent regulatory agencies. Such a framework would transform perception into policy, instilling confidence in international consumers while empowering local producers to reap the full economic value of their innovation, craftsmanship, and authenticity. It would be more than branding; it would be a national economic strategy.’

Consequently, to fully unlock the benefits of Geographical Indication (GI) certification, Nigeria’s regulatory bodies, especially the Standards Organization of Nigeria and related agencies must take a cue from Switzerland and urgently step up their efforts. They need to enforce strict quality control not only on imported products, but on those originating from Nigeria before they are exported; ensuring that consumers everywhere can trust in the authenticity and premium quality of goods and services that bear the Nigerian name.

In a world increasingly defined by intellectual property, protecting the geography of our genius and effective quality control regulations may well be the next frontier of Nigeria’s economic independence.

Ivorian international Jonathan Bamba has stirred debate after omitting the Super Eagles from list of favourites for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Despite Nigeria finishing as runners-up in the last edition hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, the AFCON 2023 winner, failed to shortlist the three-time African champions among likely to lift the trophy.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, the Lille forward backed his country to perform strongly despite the fierce competition expected at the continental showpiece.

‘I have an excellent feeling about it. The team is good, with a rotating squad. Despite the injuries, the team remains competitive. It’s great,’ Bamba said.

‘I don’t know if we are favourites, but I have a good feeling about this CAN.

‘We know the favourites – Senegal with its top players, Morocco also present, and Algeria too. But in this kind of competition, you may be the favourite, but it’s the pitch that speaks,’ he noted.

Bamba’s omission of Nigeria – finalists just months ago – has sparked mixed reactions among fans, who believe the Super Eagles deserve recognition after their impressive run at the last edition where they finished with the silver medal.

With the tournament drawing closer, his comments could serve as added motivation for Nigeria as they seek redemption and a fourth continental title in Morocco.

Senator Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East) on Wednesday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pitched tent with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He blamed internal wrangling and a collapse of discipline and unity within the party for his actions.

In a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Senator said his defection marked ‘a time for change’ in his political journey, describing the PDP as a party that had lost its cohesion and purpose.

‘This is a notice of my defection from the PDP to the All Progressive Congress. The Bible says that there is a time for everything,’ he said.

He recalled his long service to Bayelsa State under several administrations, including his roles as Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism; Executive Chairman of the Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board; Special Adviser on Establishment Affairs; and Chief of Staff to the state government.

He expressed gratitude to the PDP for the opportunities it provided him to serve, acknowledging that his rise to the Senate was made possible by the party and its former leadership.

‘The fact that I stand today as a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is due to the benevolence of the Peoples Democratic Party when it was intact and the goodwill of numerous well-wishers,’ he stated.

However, he lamented that the party had degenerated into chaos.

‘It is most astonishing and deeply disheartening to observe that the world’s proud and largest political party in Africa has been torn into shreds due to internal wrangling,’ he said.

‘The centre can no longer hold. The umbrella has been bastardised, and the umbrella is leaking profusely.’

He further criticised what he called ‘the incongruousness of the opposition in political diplomacy’ within the PDP, noting that consultations across political divides led him to his decision.

‘I have finally arrived at the inevitable conclusion that addressing progressivism, thinking progressively, and acting progressively is the only way to renew hope for all united Nigerians,’ he said.

‘I am therefore constrained to formally declare my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party.’

He announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying, ‘I declare my resignation to the All Progressives Congress from today, the 29th of October, 2025.’

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Preparedness for the Single-Use Plastics Ban in Nigeria has proposed the introduction of a green tax on industries involved in the production of polypropylene – one of the most widely used materials in plastic manufacturing.

According to the committee, the move aims to tackle Nigeria’s growing plastic waste crisis and ensure that manufacturers bear responsibility for the environmental costs of their operations.

Speaking at the committee’s inaugural meeting in Abuja, Chairman Hon. Terseer Ugbor (APC, Benue) said the House will also consider legislation to regulate polypropylene production and promote recycling as part of a broader national strategy to reduce pollution and protect public health.

Ugbor described plastic pollution as a growing menace, warning that the unchecked use of polypropylene-based products has placed enormous pressure on Nigeria’s already strained waste management systems.

‘Polypropylene’s environmental impact is substantial and disturbing,’ he said. ‘During production, it releases toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene, putting workers and nearby communities at risk. It is responsible for enormous carbon emissions and relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to resource depletion.

‘As waste, polypropylene isn’t biodegradable, it lingers in landfills for up to 500 years, polluting our oceans and harming marine life in the process.’

The lawmaker said the committee will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to design policy frameworks for the proposed green tax and integrate polypropylene recycling into the national waste management system.

‘Nigeria cannot afford to continue on this path of environmental neglect,’ Ugbor added. ‘Our industries must take responsibility for the ecological footprints they leave behind.

This committee will work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that sustainable, environmentally responsible solutions are not just recommended but implemented.’

Nigeria ranks among the top 20 countries globally contributing to marine plastic pollution. Studies by the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimate that the country generates over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with less than 10 percent being recycled.

Major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are the worst affected, with clogged drainage systems and waterways littered with plastic waste contributing to frequent flooding and water contamination.

Environmental experts warn that improper disposal of polypropylene and other plastics contaminates soil, groundwater, and food sources, while burning plastic waste releases toxic emissions that worsen air quality and increase respiratory illnesses.

Only a few private firms currently engage in large-scale recycling, while the absence of a coherent national policy continues to hinder sustainable waste management efforts.

With the committee’s proposal, lawmakers hope to stimulate investment in recycling, strengthen enforcement of environmental standards, and align Nigeria’s waste management policies with global climate and sustainability goals.

Ugbor said the committee would also hold public hearings with manufacturers, recyclers, and environmental experts to ensure that any proposed levy or regulation is both effective and fair.

‘This is not about taxation,’ he emphasized. ‘It is about responsibility, sustainability, and protecting the future of our environment and our people.’

In the complex theatre of Nigerian politics, loyalty often meets betrayal, and courage is tested by power. Today, as the political winds shift across the nation, the story of Murtala Yakubu Ajaka is not just about one man’s fall from political grace; it is a mirror reflecting the conscience of Kogi politics and a question that demands the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Ajaka was not a latecomer or opportunist in the All Progressives Congress (APC). His commitment to progressive politics predates the APC itself. From the formative years of the Action Congress (AC), Ajaka played a pioneering role, serving as Deputy State Secretary of the now-defunct AC in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter and later as National Assembly Liaison Officer in 2006.

When the ACN, ANPP, and CPC merged in 2013 to form the APC, he was not a bystander. He was one of the coordinators who midwifed that delicate political merger. As the pioneer Head of Protocol of the APC, he was instrumental in establishing the organizational discipline and communication structure that became the backbone of the party’s national machinery.

Between 2014 and 2022, Ajaka’s profile continued to rise, not through political desperation, but through steady service and tangible results. As Special Assistant to the National Secretary in 2014, then as Special Adviser to the National Chairman in 2020, and later as Deputy National Publicity Secretary at the 2022 APC National Convention, Ajaka earned a reputation as one of the party’s most disciplined and effective strategists.

His loyalty to the progressive cause was unquestionable, his relationships with key national figures cordial, and his commitment to President Tinubu’s vision unwavering. When the 2023 presidential campaign began, few politicians in Kogi State matched Murtala Ajaka’s enthusiasm and sacrifice for the success of the APC and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. At a time when political survival dictated neutrality or silence, Ajaka stood firmly with Asiwaju. He donated 46 vehicles to Governor Yahaya Bello’s campaign network for Asiwaju’s presidential project, financed major grassroots mobilization drives, and deployed his influence in Kogi East to secure what became one of the most surprising and decisive wins for Tinubu in a region not traditionally favourable to the APC. That victory in Kogi East was no accident; it was the product of Ajaka’s deep grassroots engagement, years of relationship-building and genuine credibility among the electorate.

Yet, no sooner had the presidential election been won than the seeds of betrayal began to germinate. After eight years in power, Governor Yahaya Bello sought to anoint his successor, not based on merit or equity, but from a narrow lens of personal loyalty and ethnic alignment. Bello handpicked his protégé, Usman Ododo, who hails from the same local government area as himself, to continue his political dynasty.

A crucial fact that must be clearly stated is the political injustice orchestrated against Murtala Ajaka, by the administration of Yahaya Bello. A kangaroo committee was deliberately constituted in Ajaka’s own ward under the governor’s directive, with the sole aim of suspending him from the APC. The committee carried out this assignment with calculated precision, culminating in the official announcement: ‘APC suspends NWC member, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka.’

This politically motivated action was not merely administrative; it was a humiliation designed to silence a man whose influence and credibility had grown beyond the governor’s control. The suspension marked a defining moment in Ajaka’s political journey, pushing him to seek refuge in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he could freely pursue his vision for justice, good governance, and the emancipation of the people of Kogi State.

Ajaka did not rebel out of spite; he reasoned, appealed, and urged Governor Bello to consider fairness, balance, and the broader unity of Kogi State. But Bello’s mind was made up. Faced with blatant injustice and the moral impossibility of endorsing it, Ajaka made the principled decision to leave the party he had helped build, demonstrating that integrity and courage outweigh loyalty to individuals when democracy and fairness are at stake.

The 2023 Kogi gubernatorial election that followed was one of the most controversial in the state’s history. Despite massive intimidation, structural bias, and administrative manipulation, Ajaka’s campaign ignited a political renaissance across Kogi East. From Ankpa to Dekina, Idah to Ofu, and down to Omala, the people saw in him a genuine alternative, a leader with history, vision, and courage. The turnout was overwhelming, the enthusiasm organic. When the votes were counted, Ajaka emerged as the people’s choice in several local governments, but the announced result told a different story. INEC’s confirmation of prefilled ballots in parts of Kogi Central and Kogi West became a national embarrassment.

Yet, beyond the numbers and legal battles lies a more profound political question: How did a man who gave so much to the APC, from its birth to its greatest national victory, become its casualty? The answer lies in the dangerous personalization of power that has plagued some state chapters of the APC, where loyalty to individuals now supersedes loyalty to party ideals. In Kogi, that pattern reached its peak under Yahaya Bello. Ajaka’s humiliation, from attempted suspension, political isolation, to orchestrated smear campaigns – was not only an attack on one man but on the very foundation of fairness and justice that President Tinubu has long preached as the soul of progressive politics. Today, months after that contentious election, Ajaka remains unbroken and his influence undiminished. His stronghold in Kogi East stands as a fortress of political conscience, a reminder that truth and loyalty, though delayed, can never be defeated. The people who voted for him have not moved on. Across communities, his name still commands respect; his movement still inspires hope. This enduring strength is not a coincidence but a reflection of authenticity. In an era when many politicians depend on state power to remain relevant, Ajaka’s relevance flows from the people themselves.

For President Tinubu, who has always been known as a builder of men and a respecter of loyalty, the case of Murtala Yakubu Ajaka presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is moral: how to reconcile the injustice done to a loyal soldier without undermining party discipline. The opportunity is strategic: to rebuild APC in Kogi State around fairness, inclusivity, and the genuine progressives who fought and bled for its survival.

Ignoring Ajaka’s ordeal may sustain a temporary political calm, but it risks deepening disillusionment among the rank-and-file members who still believe that hard work and loyalty should count for something. There can be no true reconciliation in Kogi without acknowledging the wrongs of the past. The Presidency and the APC national leadership must look beyond the surface and address the alienation of genuine party men who were side-lined for refusing to serve individual interests. Murtala Yakubu Ajaka represents not rebellion but resistance to impunity, imposition, and the death of internal democracy. His story is the conscience of Kogi politics, and perhaps the moral compass the APC must rediscover if it must remain credible in the state. As the dust of the last election settles, one truth endures: the people’s love for Ajaka in Kogi East is not fading. It is rooted in gratitude, in shared struggle, and in faith that one day justice will prevail. Kogi State cannot afford to remain trapped in the politics of exclusion and entitlement.

The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must find its echo in Kogi, where hope was denied but not destroyed. Reconciling with Murtala Ajaka, not through token gestures but through genuine recognition of his role and relevance, will be a powerful statement that loyalty, service, and truth still matter in the APC.

For a man who helped build the party from scratch, fought for its victory, and paid the price of truth, Ajaka remains a living testimony that betrayal does not end a political journey; it only refines it. His strength today is proof that conscience cannot be defeated by conspiracy. The unfinished story of Kogi’s political conscience still bears his name, and in its final chapter, history will vindicate him, not as a man who lost an election, but as one who refused to lose his integrity.

Senate has commenced the screening of newly nominated Service Chiefs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This followed the arrival of the nominees into the Senate chamber alongside their family members and other senior members of the Armed Forces.

The delegation was led into the Chamber by the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Basheer Lado.

This followed a motion moved by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele suspended Order 12 on floor privileges to allow strangers into the chambers and for the Senate to resolve into a Committee of Whole to do the screening.

The motion was seconded by Senator Osita Ngwu, the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate.

The new Service Chiefs for screening and confirmation include the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke and Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas.

Before the screening commenced the Senate Leader moved that since the Senate earlier screened General Oluyede for the position of Chief of Army Staff, he should be regarded as a class captain leading the other nominees for the screening.

After the motion was seconded by Senator Ngwu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said it would be right to allow Oluyede to relieve his experience in his previous office as COAS and his perspective on the way forward as the CDS.

Thereafter, Oluyede took the podium and began introducing himself.

He said his experience as COAS was both challenging and rewarding.

On the challenges, he said: ‘We know the resources are not enough. The enablers are not enough. It makes it difficult to prosecuting the fight against bandits and terrorists.’

He said it is incumbent on the country to develop its own equipment to prosecute wars and other forms of insecurity due to skyrocketing cost of importing arms and armament.

He said there is something special about being a soldier. As a soldier you have to sacrifice your entire life. As an ordinary person, when there is a threat you are expected to retreat but as a soldier you are expected to go forward.

He also called for strengthening the Nigeria Police Force to be able to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.

‘At present, the military is doing some of the work the police are supposed to do,’ he said.

At this point, Senate President Akpabio requested senators that Oluyede be allowed to take a bow since he was formerly screened and approved by the chamber as CDS.

The request was approved by the Senators.

Segilola Resources Operating Limited (SROL), a subsidiary of Thor Explorations and operator of Nigeria’s first commercial gold project, Segilola Gold Mine in Osun State, has participated as a Gold Sponsor at 2025 Nigeria Mining Week in Abuja.

During the week, SROL hosted its Second Annual Stakeholder Reception at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The event convened over 100 industry’s top voices, policymakers, regulators, financiers, legal experts, and development partners. Also present were Faruk Yabo, permanent secretary of Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development; Prof. Innocent Bariko, director general of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency; Simon Nkom, director general of Mining Cadastre Office; and Prof. Olusegun Ige, director general of Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA).

They were joined by senior representatives from Babalakin and Co., ENR Advisory, VUKA Group, Africa Finance Corporation, Bank of Industry, and other key institutions shaping Nigeria’s mining.

The reception served as a strategic forum to align visions across sectors, foster transparency, and reaffirm SROL’s commitment to responsible mining as a driver of economic and social development in Nigeria.

Segun Lawson, chief executive of Segilola, lauded stakeholders who supported its journey, saying ‘it took courage to build what we have. It takes courage to do things differently, to build mines not just for profit, but for people, planet, and posterity.

”At Segilola, we chose a path grounded in responsibility and driven by innovation, committing to a sustainable future for Nigerian mining.’

Guests engaged with the tangible results of SROL’s livelihood restoration programs, community-led initiatives designed to build resilient and diversified local economies. These efforts exemplify the company’s inclusive development model and its enduring commitment to sustainable growth.

Throughout the Nigeria Mining Week, SROL played a leading role in shaping discussions around the future of the industry.

As a Gold Sponsor, the company contributed to high-impact conversations through keynote addresses, panel discussions, and thought leadership sessions focused on regulatory evolution, sustainable finance, and sector-wide transformation.

SROL’s exhibition booth served as a hub of engagement for stakeholders eager to connect with the team behind Nigeria’s pioneering gold mine.

As Nigeria’s mining renaissance gathers momentum, Segilola Resources Operating Limited stands at its forefront-proving that responsible mining can drive lasting transformation. The Second Annual Stakeholder Reception was not merely a reflection of progress but a reaffirmation of SROL’s vision for a future where communities, industry, and sustainability thrive together.