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At the recently concluded annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund held in Washington D.C, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Director-General, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa, spoke on the theme: ‘Pathway to Prosperity: Unlocking Green Jobs For Women and Youth Through Renewable Energy Access.’ In this interview with SEGUN KASALI, the DG illuminated more on focus of his address and many other issues.

Could you please give us a brief on your participation at the meetings?

We were there to share the transformative agenda of President Bola Tinubu and how that transformation is driving rural prosperity in Nigeria. Even though the core of the theme of the conversation is around rural electrification using renewable energy, but we looked at renewable energy as if it is not the end goal. It is a fundamental enabler. It is a catalyst for everything else because when there is power, connectivity follows. And when connectivity arrives, it ignites every other transformation. It empowers people with technology to achieve 10x leap in productivity and getting opportunities, efficiency and so on. And there is the need for countries like Nigeria to bridge that gap which is also at the core of engagement for young persons.

What are the efforts from NITDA to bridge this gap?

We have challenges in the area of energy and so on, which is the battle we need to win. But fighting the battle of today should not take our attention away from shaping our future. The future is about technology. It is about AI. AI is a general-purpose technology. It’s going to be more powerful than electricity. It will transform everything we do from agriculture to finance to education to anything you can think of. So, at NITDA, we’ve been intentional and strategic when it comes to positioning Nigeria on how to lead in AI transformation. We started by establishing a centre, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. Then we crafted our national strategy because without strategy you won’t know your choices and you won’t have a direction. But the strategy is giving us a direction on where we are going. And our vision is clear. It’s about building sustainable, responsible and inclusive AI system that will foster sustainable development across the country.

What is your vision for the agency?

Our vision is to make Nigeria a digitally-empowered nation, fostering inclusive economic growth through technological innovation. Technology on its own is not a vertical sector, but permeates across horizontal every critical sector. How can we use technology to enhance productivity and efficiency in agriculture, health, in finance, in education, in anything you can think of, trade, commerce, everything? So, today technology is pervasive, it is integrated everywhere. So, our vision as an agency is to catalyse that adoption and accelerate.

How do you see the agency evolving in the next five to 10 years and what role will need to play in shaping the future of the Nigerian digital space?

So our strategy also is clear. As we win today, we need to shape the future. Technology evolves, and as it evolves, you need to evolve with it. So, we have a strategic roadmap and action plan with eight strategic pillars. The first one is to foster digital literacy and cultivate talent, which we are implementing to win the battle of today. To create jobs for our citizens, to make sure every citizen has access to digital infrastructure and services. To make sure we use technology to drive national prosperity and inclusivity. The second pillar is on creating robust technology research ecosystem, which is more futuristic. The first one is to help us win today and the second one is to shape our tomorrow, where we focus on AI, that’s the Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, blockchain, additive manufacturing, UAV, and AI. That’s the six technologies we are looking at. They are all general-purpose technology. They cut across all economic sectors, and they can drive growth and national prosperity.

Do you have trust issues with your stakeholders? And if you do, how do you build that trust?

So for me personally, my leadership philosophy is about trust because I believe that when there is trust, everything will become simple. So as an ecosystem, government is working with everyone, and we are reinventing our social contract with the ecosystem. We are engaging them. We are co-creating and co-designing everything. The president is clear. He wants to build an economy that is private sector-led, but government-enabled. So, to achieve that is not something government will sit in the office, use armchair theory to come up with policies and regulation. But government engages the ecosystem players to co-create and co-design policies and regulations. So, that is what will help us to rebuild the trust because already we have trust deficits. We were coming from a situation whereby governments and private sector were not engaging. We’re playing blame game. But today we are in a situation whereby government and private sector sit together in a room to co-design and co-create initiatives. And we jointly own and implement those initiatives. To strengthen that, the president also approved a new PPP policy where government can use private sector funds to build infrastructure that can create value and drive national prosperity and inclusivity. So at the digital sector also, we are exploring this. How can we use private sector to build digital public infrastructure? One key example is Project Bridge launched by our minister to roll 90,000 fibre optics kilometres. Another one is our Digital Literacy for All, which we are partnering with private sector to develop our national digital fluency. When you do that, you have more users. Our citizens will embrace technology and use it. That can create value. When value is created, private sector captures the values.

Can you please share some stories on NITDA transformation initiatives and how it has impacted Nigeria?

NITDA was established in 2001 to implement the national IT policy. When the agency was established, less than 500,000 Nigerians were using computers. And ICT was contributing less than 0.5% of our GDP. But today, we have more than 130 million Nigerians with access to the internet. That means they are not just using computers, but they have access to the internet, which is more than 51% of our population. And today, ICT is contributing more than 17% of our GDP. So look at this. And this is just ICT, not digital economy because when you talk about digital economy, it’s beyond ICT. Digital economy is any economy that has been stimulated by technology. Today, you cannot talk about finance sector without technology. You cannot talk about entertainment without technology. Technology is embedded in everything. So, if you can rebase the GDP contribution, digital economy contribution will be more than that 17%. Then part of the recent success stories of NITDA is like the data protection, which has created an industry and led to establishing a new autonomous commission. The president signed the Nigerian Data Protection Act into law in 2023. And also, our approach to building our digital sovereignty because also as a nation, we need to have a capacity for our digital self-determination. Today, we don’t control our data. We don’t control the systems we use. We don’t even have digital infrastructure that can help us to succeed in the future. So we are working with the private sector as well to come up with policies that can help us create the enabling environment for us to achieve our digital sovereignty as a nation.

How do you plan to address digital divide in Nigeria, ensuring that everyone has access and opportunity to digital?

So, we look at digital divide from two angles. Firstly, the accessibility of the digital technology and the second one is the literacy because access without literacy is meaningless. We want people to have the technology and use it meaningfully. In the area of access, we do a lot of intervention in building digital economy centres around the country. From 2023 to date, we’ve built over 220 digital economy centres. And our target is before 2027, we are going to build over 500 centres. And we also have an initiative, Project 774, where we want to have at least a centre in every local government. This will provide connectivity to people. And also I mentioned about Project Bridge, which is also to provide connectivity. And in terms of digital literacy, we are implementing the National Digital Literacy Framework through an initiative called Digital Literacy for All in three buckets. The first one is in the formal education; integrating digital literacy and skills into our formal education. We have worked with the Ministry of Education to develop digital literacy and skills curriculum, which has been approved and the president has directed for implementation to start immediately. Now we are training teachers on how to start teaching digital literacy and skills. We’ve done a proof of concept with some universities on making digital literacy a general studies in universities and now we are working with NUC to mainstream that so as to make digital literacy a general studies the same way every student take English and Mathematics. Now you must take digital literacy and skills. We are also partnering with NYSC to ensure that every Nigerian, the market women, the motor park workers, our senior citizens, people in the religious places have basic digital literacy as well. Then the third one is about the workforce readiness. We want all public servants as well to be digitally literate. We are already implementing this also in partnership with Office of the Head of Civil Service. It is already a mandatory skills requirement for anybody to join public service today. And if you are already in the service, it’s a requirement for you to get promotion. So, this is the way we are ensuring or working to make sure we bridge the digital divide in Nigeria to drive rural prosperity.

What plans do you have for youths?

We have many initiatives to catch them young. Like the first one I mentioned is integrating it into our formal education because from kindergarten to tertiary institutions, digital literacy and skills will be part of the formal education. So, as they go through the education journey, they will be empowered with what they need to know. Then in addition to that, all those centres we have, we run programmes, mostly during vacations where we empower these children with the basic digital skills as well as to expose them to the technology. Then we have other initiatives for the teens and young adults, where they can join to build skills as well as to challenge them to come up with innovative solutions. Like we have the Idea Hatch, which runs across the country where we get younger people with innovative ideas, place them for a three-to-six-month programme in an innovation hub to help them turn those ideas into products and services. The target for that initiative is at the end of the programme, you have a product ready for market or at least you develop your minimum viable product that you can go to anywhere and accelerate it. And we do this in partnership with some stakeholders like JICA, which they provide a seed fund for the best students, as well as to also help them with international exposure. Recently, during the Japan Africa Summit in Tokyo, they sponsored about six young startups, mostly women because we have the Idea Hatch and we have an Ignite initiative, which targeted women. The Idea Hatch is for everyone, but because also we have a gender inclusion strategy. That focuses more on achieving parity between men and women. We have other initiatives focusing specifically to women.

How is NITDA supporting innovations and entrepreneurship in the Nigerian eco-tech system?

We have the Nigerian Startup Act, which is the legal and institutional framework we use to support innovation. The Act also was co-designed and co-created with the ecosystem. It was not just government that sat in the office to come up with legislation. We co-created it together. The Act has a roadmap and helps the startup to orchestrate their journey from ideation to impact. So, part of the institutional framework is to have the consultative forum, which has been established where startups have been registered. They have an online community because we also developed the startup engagement portal. They use that portal to engage as an online community. Through the portal, they have selected their own leaders that will represent them at the National Digital Economy and Innovation Council. The council will be chaired by Mr President. The vice-president is the vice chair. Under the council, we have many ministers, including the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, while NITDA is the secretariat. Through that council, we will be presenting policy proposals that will help create and shape activities within the startup ecosystem.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing the Nigerian digital economy and how is NITDA addressing them?

That will also include cybersecurity and energy equity. Major challenges are around talent, infrastructure, access to capital, and risk. In terms of the talent, technology or talent is the people component of technology. Technology makes our lives better, but people make the technology better. For you to build a thriving digital ecosystem, you need to have that talent pool. That’s the reason we are integrating digital skills into our formal education. Also, we have an initiative, a talent acceleration programme with 3 million tech talents, which we are using as a stock gap to create the talent pool that will help us build our digital offerings. In the area of capital, it’s also a big challenge because we don’t have people in Nigeria that provide a patient capital for these innovators. We don’t have people investing in innovation. Most of our investors invest in the conventional sector, where there is a hedging and risking mechanism. Most of the capital today comes from the West, particularly the US. That framework is creating some patient capital. We are also creating capital for impact. Recently, through our partnership with JICA, we are creating a patient fund of about $14 million, which is going to be for impact. Other initiatives of Mr. President, like the youth entrepreneurship and innovation bank, which is going to be an initiative supported by African Development Bank and other development partners. It is going to establish a fund that will help provide capital for the innovation ecosystem. Also, we have the IDICE, which has reached an advanced stage in terms of implementation. All these initiatives will help us address the capital challenge. The third one is infrastructure. We have an infrastructure deficit. Mostly, you get this infrastructure in big cities like Lagos and Abuja. For us to succeed and drive national prosperity, we need to democratise access to this infrastructure across the country. That’s why we are rolling the connectivity project. We are pushing for hyperscalers to come and build the compute power within Nigeria. We are also coming up with policies that will help us to have a clean data set and open data, because you need data to innovate. We have the National Data Strategy. We have established the Nigerian Data Protection Commission, and we have a legislation, the Act. We are driving data classification now. That will help us also to know what can go into the public cloud and what can stay in-country. These are the challenges and what we are doing to address those challenges so that we can create an enabling environment for technical innovation.

Aside JICA, what other notable partnerships have you been able to choose from?

We have many partners we are working with locally and international partners. I mentioned JICA. We are working with COICA. We are working with big techs like Cisco.

It’s helping us building content for all the digital literacy initiatives. They are doing it as part of the CSR. We are not paying for it. Our citizens can go and take the courses online and globally recognised certificates and it counts for the degree programme. We are partnering with Google, Microsoft, and we are partnering with even Huawei from China and other development partners like DCO, the Digital Corporation Organisation. We are partnering with ITU to do some events and activities. And before also, we worked even with the World Bank to implement some initiatives targeted at women. Okay, I was going to talk about women. Before also, we have an IGNITE initiative, which is supported by JICA. We also have initiatives we are doing with GIZ. Like today, we are launching an initiative in partnership with GIZ and the umbrella body of traders in Nigeria, which is about digital trust mark. Then we also partner with EU and FCDO from UK. We’ve worked with USAID from the US before and even the US government. We have very good relationships. So, we have a broad list of partners. We work together, both from international organisations and local ones.

Looking at all what you’re doing with the agency, at what point would you say you have achieved your aims and objectives?

For me, I see it as an infinite gap. It doesn’t have a clear end line. When we reach the objectives of today, we are going to set the goals for tomorrow. So, it keeps evolving because when you have a finite target and that means you will not strive continuously. So, we have our leadership principles. For everything we do, we make clarity. We unleash energy. We build trust.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that about 24,000 ad hoc staff of all categories will be deployed in 5,718 polling units during the Anambra State governorship election slated for Saturday November 8, 2025.

The National Commissioner Supervising Anambra and Chairman Tenders Board Committee, ?Dr Kenneth Ikeagu, disclosed this while addressing journalists during a press conference at the INEC state headquarters in Awka, on Saturday.

Ikeagu also said apart from the ad hoc staff, about 540 journalists have been accredited to cover the election, adding that the commission is fully prepared and committed for the governorship poll in line with its commitment to credible and inclusive elections.

He said the Commission has been implementing a comprehensive plan of activities covering logistics, technology, training, stakeholder engagement, and security coordination, including the conduct of a mock accreditation exercise which was conducted across selected polling units in three senatorial districts of the state on Saturday.

The exercise, according to him, is to test the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, assess its efficiency, and evaluate the process of uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal ahead of the main election.

Selected polling units include Anambra Central: Awka South (Amawbia II – Igwédimma Primary School I and II), Idemili North (Nkpor II – Ububa Village Square, Ifeadigo Hall), Anambra North: Oyi (Nteje III and IV – Girls Secondary School, State Primary School), Anambra East (Aguleri II – Central School, Umunoke Public Square I) and Anambra South: Aguata (Ekwulobia I and II – Central School, Urban Girls Secondary School), Orumba North (Ajalli I – Primary School, RCM KDT School).

He said the exercise was aimed at evaluating logistics, operational readiness, and general preparedness ahead of the governorship poll.

According to him, ‘The Commission has been implementing a comprehensive plan of activities covering logistics, technology, training, stakeholder engagement, and security coordination, including the conduct of a mock accreditation exercise which was conducted across selected polling units in three senatorial districts of the state today(Saturday).

‘We carried out a mock accreditation and other voting exercise today and the process went seamlessly. Accreditation took place seamlessly under six minutes and voting happened within 36 minutes.

‘The exercise is to test the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, assess its efficiency, and evaluate the process of uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal ahead of the main election.

‘For the November 8, 2025 election, we are deploying about 24,000 ad hoc staff of all categories in 5,718 polling units across the state, with 540 accredited journalists also covering the election. The commission is fully prepared and committed for the forthcoming governorship poll in line with our commitment to credible and inclusive elections.

‘The collection of PVCs is ongoing across wards and it is ending on Sunday, October 25. The collection exercise will not be extended unless there is a special directive from the head office to that effect. We don’t have the total figure of those that have collected at the moment, but at the end of the day, we will announce the figure.

‘We assured the electorate of prompt arrival of electoral materials, the commission has arranged for boats and has released funds for boats that will convey electoral officers and materials to the riverine areas in the state.

‘Materials will be leaving on Thursday afternoon and if they leave that time, and election is on Saturday, there is no way there will be late arrival of materials. We are very much prepared for this election.

‘Anambra people are very knowledgeable and they have been adequately enlightened on how to vote and when to come out. We said election will start by 8:30am and it will end by 2:30pm. If you are on the queue within this time, you are going to cast your ballot.’

On the number of people that have so far collected their PVCs since the collection started on Wednesday, October 22, Ikeagu said he does not have the figure as the exercise is still ongoing, adding that at the end of the exercise, the number of those that have collected their PVCs will be announced.

After the exercise, the team expressed satisfaction with the level of progress achieved so far, commending both INEC staff and residents for their cooperation. It also urged voters to remain patient, law-abiding, and orderly as preparations continue.

About 16 governorship candidates from 16 political parties are contesting for the election on November 8, 2025 to challenge the incumbent governor and the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who is also seeking a reelection.

The practice of Facility Management (FM) is undergoing a significant transformation. Once seen merely as a routine maintenance function, facility management has evolved into a strategic discipline that adds measurable value to buildings, organisations, and the environment. The contemporary practice of facility management has transformed to a professional discipline that coordinates and integrates people, places, processes and technology in ensuring the functionality, wellbeing, comfort, safety and efficiency of built environment.

Urban areas are the commercial heartbeat of every nation which are characterised by a built environment of buildings, roads, and infrastructures. They are centres for commerce, administration, and industry which present unique challenges and opportunities that are reshaping how Estate Surveyors and Valuers approach the management of built assets, including buildings and physical infrastructures. With urban renewals and redevelopments, the built environment is remodeled and developments of vertical structures, particularly in high land value areas, are becoming a normal trend which is creating greater opportunities for professional in facility management practice. Lagos is a major urban area among other cities in Nigeria.

One of the present and most pressing issues in Lagos as well as other major cities in Nigeria is energy efficiency and sustainability. With increasing electricity tariffs and the high cost of running generators, property owners and managers are turning to alternative energy sources such as solar systems and hybrid power solutions. Estate Surveyors and Valuers managing facilitated residential estates, commercial complexes, and corporate buildings are now expected to champion energy audits, promote green maintenance practices, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Sustainability is no longer a luxury; it is an operational necessity in major developing cities and ever-expanding property market.

Equally transformative is the impact of technology on facility management. The introduction of Smart building systems, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Computer-Aided Facility Management (CAFM) software is redefining service delivery. At present, forward-thinking firms are adopting Internet of Things (IoT) devices that monitor water usage, energy consumption, and security in real time. This digital shift has made facility management more predictive, data-driven, and efficient. Estate Surveyors and Valuers who embrace technology are finding themselves better equipped to meet client expectations and manage complex facilities in high-density urban areas.

Another emerging issue is the outsourcing of non-core services such as cleaning, security, landscaping, and waste management. While outsourcing allows firms to focus on strategic management, it also introduces challenges in quality assurance and accountability. The professional Facility Manager, often an Estate Surveyor and Valuer, must coordinate multiple service providers while maintaining performance standards. In a dynamic city like Lagos, where property users are highly demanding, maintaining this balance requires both technical skill and professional integrity.

In addition, occupant satisfaction and user experience have become central to facility management practice. Property occupiers, whether in residential estates or office complexes, now demand comfort, safety, and responsiveness. Facility managers must, therefore, go beyond fixing faults and routine maintenance; they must create environments that enhance productivity, promote wellness, and ensure value for money. The adoption of post-occupancy evaluations and regular feedback mechanisms has become crucial in sustaining client trust and property value.

Despite these advancements, the sector still struggles with policy inconsistencies and a lack of standardization. Lagos, being Nigeria’s economic hub, needs a clear policy framework to guide public and private facility management operations. Professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) must continue to advocate for standardized practices and ethical conduct. Only through professional regulation and collaboration can the facility management industry in Nigeria, particularly Lagos, achieve global best standards.

In conclusion, the future of facility management lies in integration, sustainability, and innovation. Estate Surveyors and Valuers must position themselves not only as maintenance experts but as strategic asset managers capable of optimizing costs, improving performance, and enhancing user satisfaction. The days of reactive management are over; our urban centres demand proactive facility managers who can harness technology, promote sustainability, and deliver measurable value in an increasingly competitive property market.

The Kano State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a bandit network and intesified security operations in Makoda Local Government Area to curb criminal activities.

Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, who confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the suspects were captured during a coordinated midnight operation by the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and Shanono Division.

He explained that the operation, conducted around 2am on Friday, followed credible intelligence from residents of the Farin Ruwa community in Shanono Local Government Area.

Bakori said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly working with bandits attempting to infiltrate Kano State.

He added that efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the group.

‘The vigilance and cooperation of Farin Ruwa residents were instrumental in the success of this operation. We urge the public to remain alert and promptly report any suspicious movement to security agencies,’ the statement quoted the Commissioner as saying.

Meanwhile, the police have initiated peace talks to resolve the recurring clashes between herders and farmers in Barebari Ward, Makoda Local Government Area.

According to Bakori, meetings chaired by the Area Commander of Dambatta, ACP Mohammed Gwarzo, and a follow-up session led by the Commissioner at the command headquarters, were held to ensure lasting peace in the area.

‘The command remains resolute in its efforts to protect lives and property and ensure that Kano State remains peaceful and secure,’ Bakori assured.

The Federal Government has approved the appointment of Professor Haruna Faruk Abdulrasheed as the first substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Kontagora, Niger State.

The Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, Professor Francis Adedayo Faduyile, announced the appointment during a press briefing held in Minna over the weekend.

According to Professor Faduyile, ‘At the Governing Council meeting held on October 24, 2025, the fifth meeting of the first Governing Council of the institution, a decision was reached to fill the vacant position of Vice-Chancellor.

Earlier, on August 27, 2025, an advertorial was published for the position, with a six-week deadline for applications. By October 8, 2025, when the deadline elapsed, six candidates had applied.’

He explained that, in compliance with the Act establishing the university, a search team was constituted to visit other universities to identify qualified professors who might not have applied on their own.

However, after visiting three universities, no additional candidates were found. Consequently, the Governing Council proceeded to set up the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board, the body responsible for conducting interviews and reviewing applications.

‘The Selection Board held several meetings and, on October 21, 2025, interviewed the six candidates. The Federal Character Commission was invited to supervise the process, while resource persons were also involved to support the interview exercise,’ Professor Faduyile stated.

He added that the Governing Council deliberated on the report of the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board, adopted its recommendations, and unanimously approved the candidate who scored highest during the selection process.

‘Today, I am pleased to inform the public, the Kontagora community, and Niger State at large that Professor Haruna Faruk Abdulrasheed has been appointed as the first substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Kontagora,’ he declared.

Professor Faduyile further announced that the new Vice-Chancellor is expected to assume office on November 4, 2025.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has conferred the title of Yeye Bobajiro Oodua on a business magnate, Dr. Afolashade Shona-Aluko, in recognition of her philanthropic contributions and support for the less privileged.

The installation ceremony, held on Sunday at the Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State, was attended by family members, friends, and associates of the new chief.

The event began with traditional rites inside Ile Nla, an ancient royal court within the palace premises. As part of the process, Dr. Shona-Aluko was taken to significant sites within the palace, including Ile Moremi, Iya Moolu, and Ile Ase, for prayers.

The final rites were conducted at Ila Nla by the Ooni, the Obalufe of Ile-Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura; the Lowa Adimula, Oba Adekola Adeyeye; and other traditional chiefs.

During the ceremony, Dr. Shona-Aluko, dressed in white attire and adorned with coral beads, was decorated with akoko leaves, handed a royal horsetail, crowned with beads, and presented with a golden sword of authority symbolising strength, wisdom, and responsibility.

In his remarks, the Ooni described the new titleholder as a compassionate and dedicated woman whose commitment to humanity had positively impacted many lives.

He said, ‘This distinguished woman has truly demonstrated an exceptional commitment to humanity. Her consistent efforts toward the welfare of the less privileged have not gone unnoticed. I have watched her work with admiration, the compassion, generosity, and genuine love she extends to those in need.

‘In recognition of her selfless service and positive impact on society, I deemed it fit to honour her with this chieftaincy title. It is my prayer that this recognition will further inspire her to continue her good works. Those whose lives you have touched and lifted are the true testimonies of your kindness. You are a shining example of womanhood and leadership. May Almighty Olodumare continue to bless you, strengthen you, and multiply your grace.’

Responding, Dr. Shona-Aluko appreciated the Ooni for the honour and pledged to remain committed to humanitarian causes.

She said, ‘I want to appreciate my father, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, for finding me worthy of this honour. I see this as a call to do more, and I want to assure Kabiyesi that I will continue to serve humanity and support initiatives that promote unity, peace, and empowerment among the people.’

After the traditional rites, the new Yeye Bobajiro Oodua, accompanied by her husband and family, moved to the Oodua Hall within the palace for a reception attended by dignitaries, traditional rulers, priestly chiefs, captains of industry, Nollywood actors, and business associates.

Among those present were Prince Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule, Fathia Balogun-Williams, Muyiwa Adegoke, Foluke Daramola, Ebun Oloyede, and Olaniyi Afonja.

Gospel musician Yinka Ayefele thrilled guests with live performances that added colour and excitement to the occasion.

Children have been urged to remain steadfast in their commitment to God’s word, as obedience to His teachings remains the best offering they can give in gratitude for His mercy and faithfulness.

This message was delivered during the 30th children anniversary celebration of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Ife, Agbowo, Ibadan.

The event, with the theme, ‘What Shall I Render to the Lord,’ was drawn from Psalm 116:12.

Teenage preachers Adeleke Oluwanimilo and Merciful Adeyemo, who delivered their sermons in Yoruba, emphasized the importance of knowing God and living according to His will. They spoke on the blessings that come from walking with God, the dangers of ingratitude, and the distinction between physical blessings, available to all, and spiritual blessings, which are reserved for those who follow God’s ways.

They described the 30th anniversary as a time for thanksgiving, highlighting how the children’s ministry has produced many outstanding individuals excelling in various professions.

Earlier, the children’s coordinator, Pastor Samuel Ogungbemi, reflected on the ministry’s journey, noting that despite challenges, it has made remarkable progress in nurturing children’s physical and spiritual growth.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s mission to raise children grounded in Christian values who can positively influence their generation through academics, leadership, and faith.

Anniversary chairperson Dr. Olutosin Otekunrin and co-chair Mrs Flora Jegede commended the steady growth of the ministry and expressed gratitude to the church for raising children in God’s ways from an early age.

They urged parents to be good shepherds, not only meeting their children’s material needs but also nurturing their spiritual lives through love and biblical teaching.

They further encouraged children to obey and honor their parents and teachers, while calling on parents to continue supporting the church’s children’s ministry in mentoring the next generation of believers.

A highlight of the event was the graduation of 15 SS2 students into the youth church. Coordinated by Pastor Ogungbemi and Femi Alabi, the ceremony featured the presentation of certificates signed by five officials, symbolizing the quality of training received by the graduates.

The pastors prayed for the graduates, charging them to uphold the virtues they have learned and to be good ambassadors of their families and the church. They also wished them success in their future endeavours.

THIS 206-page and 13-chapter book authored by a veteran journalist, Chief Remi Oyeyemi, the Bobagunwa of Imobi-Ijesa, is the latest addition to the growing literature on both autobiographies and biographies of eminent personalities in our society, particularly in Ijesaland. The putting together of this compendium, in the words of the author, is ‘to situate Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi within the continuum of recent development efforts in Ijesaland and record, for posterity, his pathfinding role’ as well as ‘a documentation of Asiwaju’s roles in the recent wave of development in Ijesaland.’ This attempt at chronicling the life and times of this prominent Ijesa son will, without mincing words, not only be beneficial to the author as it will have his name immortalized but also provide an ample opportunity for the younger generation the Asiwaju story and learn from his life of service to Ijesaland in particular and humanity in general. And of course the author thought right because there is a limit to human memory, especially if not put in black and white. Hence his apt reference to Burke’s admonition to ‘look forward to posterity’ to remind us of the enduring importance of documenting and celebrating the contributions of leaders for generations yet unborn, just as it also compels us to ‘look backward to the ancestors,’ to trace the influences of family, mentors, education and career on A?íwájú ?láyínká Fásúyì’s outlook, just as he stress the need for chronicling his leadership role in the recent development efforts, not only for his people, but also for the Yoruba nation and indeed, the wider world.

It is therefore not surprising that the author decided to deliberately defy the usual chronological order of starting a biography from the family lineage, birth, childhood or formative years of the person on which it is being written. Rather, he chose to begin with the palace of the Owa Obokun Adimula project, a landmark intervention which is symbolic of the rebirth of communal confidence, albeit without forgetting Asiwaju’s background, family influences, education, career, marriage and leadership trajectories, not as a separate narrative but as context to help the reader understand the deep-seated passion that drives his lifelong commitment to community-driven development.

The author dedicates the first chapter of the book, entitled: ‘The First Challenge: The Palace of Owa Obokun Adikula’, to the pivotal role which Asiwaju played in the building of the new, modern and befitting palace of the Owa Obokun Adimula after three previous unsuccessful attempts. The rebuilding of the palace was necessitated by the condition of the building which, by all standards, was not only unbefitting for the paramount ruler but also fell short of the dignity and heritage of Ijesaland. Needless to say that Asiwaju’s anxiety was fired by the challenge thrown at him by His Imperial Majesty, the late, ?ba (Dr) Adekunle Aromolaran, during his installation as the first Asiwaju of Ilesa on Saturday, 22nd October 2016, to build a new palace for the Owa Obokun Adimula. As a demonstration of his avowed commitment to the cause of Ijesaland, Asiwaju Fasuyi, in 2017, first introduced a bursary scheme for students of public secondary schools who were writing the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), in the six local government areas in Ij?`?àland, a scheme which tremendously added value to the lives of the beneficiaries. It is to his eternal credit that he supervised the building of the new palace, rallying members of Ijesa Development Association, both at home and in the Diaspora, to raise a whooping Three Hundred and Sixty-Three Million Naira. From the groundbreaking on March 9, 2020, the structure rose steadily and was fully completed by November 11, 2020, with the grand commissioning following on Saturday, December 26, 2020. According to the author, this was not merely a construction achievement; it was a testament of faith, vision and unity, crowned with unmistakable divine favour. It was equally a demonstration of probity, project leadership commitment, absolute transparency in project’s operation and ultimately, accountability which culminated in the surplus of thirty-six million naira after the completion of the palace and making dedicated provision for its maintenance becoming the seed fund for the Ij?`?àland Geriatric Centre, a fitting continuation of the culture of service and development that defined the palace project.

The Ijesaland Geriatric Centre, as contained in the third chapter, was a product of the power of will by Asiwaju Fasuyi. He assembled a three-member Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), under the Chairmanship of a former Minister of Health and former Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, to provide technical support and advise on the segment of healthcare that the project should prioritize, for maximum impact. Other members of the Prof. Biodun Ilesanmi, a former Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and erstwhile Chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors of Federal Teaching Hospitals as well as Prof. Oyewusi Gureje, Africa’s foremost scientist in Psychiatry and globally-acclaimed authority in his field.

The centre, fully equipped with medical equipment, furniture and fittings upon completion, was officially commissioned on Thursday, March 31, 2022, with an impressive N109 million surplus and an additional N24 million separately earmarked for its maintenance.

It was indeed the back-to-back delivery of these two monumental community projects – the Owa Obokun Adimula palace and the without any financial or material support from any tier of government, was what finally convinced the former governor of ?`?un State, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola, to heed the passionate calls of the Ìj?`?à people and approve the upgrade of the defunct ?`?un State College of Education, Ilé?à, to a full-fledged University. That historic announcement, made at the hospital commissioning on 31st March, 2022, marked the birth of the University of Ilé?à the first university in Ij?`?àland. Faith truly makes the impossible possible and unity makes it unstoppable.

The second chapter delves on the family background of Asiwaju Fasuyi, beginning with the business acumen and the undying spirit of his father, Chief Jacob Olowookere Fasuyi, a man whose illustrious exploits earned him the sobriquet: ‘Oke Baba Okuta’ (the Hill that Supersedes the Stone), which forms the title of the chapter, thus encapsulating courage, resilience and perseverance in the face of the vicissitudes of the business world of the Osomaalos, with its special variation of turbulence.

The famous Chief Jacob Olowookere Fasuyi of the renowned Ereja Square, whose business traversed many Yoruba towns, was elected as the National Patron of the Ijesa Osomaalo, hosting an annual party for the Osomaalo giants and chieftains. He was, however, not without his ups and downs in the business world, as he lost thirteen lorries in his transport business. It was indeed a harrowing era in his life trajectory which, ordinarily, could have permanently incarcerated the courage of others and incapacitated the will and determination of many. The Osomaalo, who had been written off by many on account of this experience, however, climbed the valleys of economic tribulations up to the flatlands of business stability as a prelude to the new heights of prosperity. It is on record that he also had his foray into local politics, earning him the position of a National Leader in the defunct National Council for Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC), it with his conferment of the A?hípá of Holy Trinity Church, ?m?f?, Ilesa, in demonstration and justification of his wealth and affluence in the society.

Chief Olowookere must have inherited industry and hard work from his own father, Pa Fasuyi Anjorin Fatuwase a notable and multi-talented artist, sculptor, bead maker, bronze caster and blacksmith who made a name for himself and was very comfortable from his trade. Indeed, Pa FasuyiFatuwase belonged to the generation of those successful Ijesas who pioneered the construction of multi-storey buildings commonly called ‘upstairs buildings’ in the 1890s.

Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi, the fifteenth of the twenty-three children sired by his father, watched his father, Chief Olowookere, as he managed the turbulence of affluence. He also watched and lived through the experience of how the sweetness of wealth and comfort could go sour and be replaced with the looming threat of failure. Asiwaju equally watched his father luxuriating in his trajectory of success and managing the challenges thrown at him and the fluctuations of life as he lived among his seven wives.

Olayinka’s ‘ freshly-minted’ mind which the author referred to as his tabula rasa watched how his father lived and thrived, how he acted as a leader, playing a key role in facilitating the selection and installation of an ?wa Obokun of Ijesaland as well as how other powerful elements paid to his father. He watched his father resuscitate his business, as he bounced back from the rocky valley and how his beloved dad trudged through the stone to rise from economic comatose. He was not just taking everything in, he got enormously impressed and inspired, thus shaping his upbringing, mindset, relationship with people and general disposition towards life and humanity.

Asiwaju Fasuyi is the third child of the six children of his mother, the late Madam Felicia Sijuwola Fasuyi, a successful business merchant and daughter of the late Chief Komolafe Farinloye, the renowned Chief Priest to the ?wa Obokun Adimula, ?ba Oduyomade Aromolaran I who reigned from 1920 to 1942, who was installed as the ?egbua of Ilé?à by ?ba Arom?laran I in 1933. His experience living with Chief Komolafe Farinloye, his maternal grandfather for about 10 months also had its own impact in the life of little Olayinka, as it opened his eyes to the spiritual powers of the Yoruba people.

Olayinka’s mother, Sijuwola, was a perfect study in humility and a strong lady. Her humility was a perfect cocoon for her inner strength, her quiet determination in the face of any adversity and her clarity of where she was headed served her in an excellent stead. ‘Ìyá Alá??’, as she was popularly referred to, was the darling of everyone, young or old. Even though in every polygamous family, the tendency for competition was a given one, however, ‘Ìyá Alá??,’ would not simulate this. All the children in the family were her children, regardless of whom the mother was. She was always there for everyone. Everyone and anyone depended on her for support in times of need. She was always reliable and dependable. She was seen as loyal, trustworthy and rocklike. In fact and, indeed, many children of the other wives came to believe in her and made her their confidant. Her peaceful disposition endeared her to many and many in the family cannot remember when she was involved in any verbal altercation with anybody. She treated the older wives with deference and respect. The younger one was not treated differently too.

Without mincing words, whatever A?iwaju ?layinka Fasuyi might have become today is a reflection of the nature of his environment while growing up. His encounter with the vagaries of different personalities, his relationship within the family with his parents, grandparents, siblings (Deaconess Mobolaji Abeke Ojo (now late), Mrs Florence Folaju, Mrs Omolola Oladeji, Chief Oladejo Akanni Fasuyi (late) and Mrs Olusola Coker) and half-siblings formed the totality of the experience that shaped his personality and worldviews. It should, however, be stated that his socialisation process was not limited to the family.

And just the author rightly noted, when a human being traverses the world, he would encounter the plain grounds, the valleys and the mountains. All of them will pose different challenges, test him, teach him and imbue him with the skill set to further advance him to his destiny. He would encounter nature as it were and come off comprehending some things that would form the fundamental variables of his own unique character. This appears to be exact picture of Olayinka Fasuyi’s life metamorphosis. Thus, it was not a strange experience for him to go through the mills of nature in different measures and in as many ramifications in his formative years. From his halcyon days of bumbling and bubbling as an infant of Madam Sijuwola, his mother, Chief Olowookere, his father, and other members of the family, through the brief sojourn with his maternal grandfather, Chief Komolafe Farinloye, the ?egbua of Ilesa to his days at Otapete Methodist Primary School in Ilesa and his epoch at the historical Ilesa Grammar School, Asiwaju’s life was shaped.

He started his elementary education at the famous Otapete Methodist Primary School, Otapete, Ilesa in 1962 and was there until 1968 where he made friends with people like Ropo Siyanbola, Ayinde Ajewole, Ishola Tanimowo, Oladapo Fasuyi and Yínka Familusi, a friendship that still endures till today. He could also not but remember Mr D.D. Layinka who taught him in Primary Four who he defined as a divine gift owing to the ‘most positive impression’ that he left on his mind as well as Mr David Odeyemi Ajibade, the headmaster, who was regarded as a ‘special creature’ because of his affection for all. In 1969, ?layinka Fasuyi gained admission into Ilesa Grammar School for his secondary education, full of promise and energy. Like many teenagers, he was drawn to the excitement of youth, friends, parties, and the allure of living big. With easy access to his father’s resources, he sponsored gatherings and cultivated a flamboyant lifestyle that earned him the nickname ‘Young Millionaire.’

United States President, Donald Trump, has announced an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports following a negative television commercial that featured a speech by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

Officials in Ontario said the ad, which criticises Trump’s tariff policy, will be pulled from the airwaves next week.

However, Trump stated in a social media post that since the ad aired during Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night, he decided to increase duties on Canadian goods.

‘Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now,’ Trump said in a post on his social media platform.

Earlier in the week, Trump had announced that trade talks with Canada were being suspended over the commercial, which debuted earlier this month.

According to ABC News, the ad includes audio excerpts from Reagan’s 1987 address, delivered when he imposed duties on certain Japanese products. In the speech, Reagan warned about the long-term economic risks of high tariffs and the potential for a trade war.

Trump also claimed, without providing evidence, that the ad ‘was Canada’s hope that the United States Supreme Court will come to their ‘rescue’ on Tariffs that they have used for years to hurt the United States.’

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case this term concerning Trump’s extensive tariff policy.

In response to the controversy, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute said on social media Thursday evening that the Canadian ad campaign used ‘selective audio and video’ of Reagan and ‘misrepresents’ what he said in the address.

The foundation added that it was reviewing possible legal actions.

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that its operatives intercepted a substance suspected to be hard drugs worth N562,500,000 along the Gbaji-Seme Road in Lagos.

The Comptroller of the unit, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, made the disclosure during a brief handing over that took place in his office recently.

According to Comptroller Shuaibu, the interception took place at about 1700 hours on the 17th of October, 2025, when a patrol team, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Uduak Monday.

The suspect was reportedly found in possession of a nylon bag tightly wrapped with sellotape.

He stated that upon examination, the contents of the bag were discovered to be Ice Crystal Methamphetamine weighing 25 kilograms, with an estimated street value of N562,500,000.

Shuaibu said that ‘the seizure underscores the unit unwavering commitment to combating smuggling in all its forms and highlights the importance of robust inter-agency collaboration.’

The Comptroller added that the unit remained resolute in its mission to work in synergy with relevant agencies and stakeholders to dismantle smuggling networks operating within the zone.

He also disclosed that the seized substance had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

While receiving the exhibit and the suspect on behalf of the Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, the Commander of Narcotics, Lagos State Strategic Command, CN Abubakar Liman, was quoted as commending the collaborative efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service in the fight against drug trafficking.

He said, ‘The contributions of the NCS in the ongoing war against drugs trafficking are remarkable. We will continue to update the unit as the trial of the suspect progresses in court.’

Liman also commended the Unit ‘for deepening the realization of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two agencies.’