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Again, Nigerian authors under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) is ready for this year’s convention. ANA’s convention is a yearly offering. It is an offering that has now entered its 44th edition. These have been unbroken years when authors, young and old, have been meeting to brainstorm on writing and on literary matters affecting Nigerians and the rest of the world. As a matter of fact, ANA has been consistent in its forward movement when it comes to discussing the growth and development of literacy, literature and other matters affecting the state of the nation-state.

Fortunately this year’s convention theme is: Nigerian writer and the urgency of the nation-state. It is a theme that demands immediacy in terms of the sort of heated dialogue it is expected to generate. To be handled by Professor Udenta Udenta, a seasoned human rights activist and literary scholar, the nation, Nigeria, no doubt, needs to be salvaged from lots and lots of ills. There is the ill militating against education. Insecurity in the land is rife. There is the problem of the fall in the standard of education. Nigeria seems to be in a serious verge in all spheres.

As authors, sensitive and intelligent people, given to writing and observing and calling for corrections, the theme demands that Udenta goes straight to the point. He is expected to rally fellow writers based on the hotness and depth of the issues he will hammer on. A nation where teachers at all levels are daily being neglected, where the wrong academic decisions are made to the detriment of the development of the intelligentsia, needs to be properly reappraised. It is the role of writers, creative people generally to take note of the ills in the society and then redirect government’s attention to them all. Therefore the theme of this year’s convention is timely. It is also topical and consistent with the annals of the times.

The convergence of authors at Mpape, Abuja, where the writers village named after General Mamman Vatsa, the soldier poet is located will be quite unique. When the theme is thrown open by Udenta, it is the work of the rest of the authors to tear at the heart of the matter. Is it not the dog that says – throw the food out for me and let the fight be between me and the unseen spirits? Let Udenta tear open the core of the urgencies of the nation-state. It is then that the authors will cover their faces with baskets and tell the king, the leaders, the truth, the bitter truth that will help to refocus attention on the nation-state.

It is time to tell leaders the blatant truth about he deplorable situation in all spheres in the literary circle of the society. And authors themselves need to sit up where they are too relaxed.

It is not always good to play the blame game. Everyone has a role to play to see that the country, the nation-state makes steady progress. Writers have to raise the stakes, be punchy, be decisive, be all out to play the politics of writing with clear decorum. Even as the stage play this year written by Denja Abdullahi, a former president of the association is on the person of Mamman Vatsa, authors are also instructed to learn one or two lessons about his courage, his versatility, his drive for equity, for prosperity and for the growth of ANA. It was his love for the things bright and beautiful that gave ANA one of the best portions of lands at Mpape in Abuja.

Today ANA ranks itself as one of the luckiest national bodies and associations in Nigeria. Today, it is easier to hear authors brag that ANA has the largest writers’ village and resorts in Africa. But it is not a feeble bragging. It is true. Therefore as authors converge as from 30th of this month till November 2nd at Mpape, it is time to rethink Nigeria. It is time to elevate creativity and keep the dreams of the founding fathers evergreen and creamy in the hearts and souls of the living and the dead.

Writing has to be given the best attention for that is why Vatsa created and mapped out that vast portion of land for creativity. It is hoped that the play will do justice to the life and times of one man who lived for his colleagues both in the military and in the creative world. Vatsa lived for poetry. He lived to see that literature never took the backseat. Even when it seemed some of his colleagues were developing some sort of envy, he never gave up. That courage to map out that big portion of land just for the purpose of writing is wholly commendable.

And it is also good to see that the leadership of ANA over the past years has consistently and continuously paid attention to the development of the writers’ village. Today, it is a glorious and flourishing encampment where hotels, conference centres, libraries and all sorts beckon. Even enemies of ANA can testify today that the association has successfully proved their critics wrong. As the convention draws closer, booksellers are equally advised to seek for ways to market their books. It is going to be an era of books. People will have to seek for books. Books in all facets of human endeavour will be on display. As usual, it will appear to be a festival of books or if you like a carnival of books. Local and international authors will be felt via their works, works that have permeated people’s consciousness over the years.

ANA has a way of bringing all together to make the convention a memorable one. The time for this is here again. People who have other related articles of trade will be there. Different designs of cloths and fashions, caps, writing materials of all cadres will be in vogue. There will be tourists too who will just visit for the sake of sightseeing. All of them will add unprecedented vibes and energy to the 44th convention of ANA.

Once upon a time in the Republic of Renewed Hope, the people awaited a miracle – not the biblical kind, but something even rarer: an increase in oil production.

Every week, the palace couriers announced new ‘strategies,’ ‘frameworks,’ and ‘optimization blueprints.’ Each came with glossy PowerPoints, expensive consultants, and carefully worded optimism. Yet, the oil barrels refused to appear.

At the center of it all was the palace’s Energy Whisperer – a well-spoken, self-declared ‘reform-minded’ visionary with a fondness for roundtables and buzzwords. Her mission? ‘Unlock value from legacy assets.’ Her method? Endless committees, task forces, and memos promoting block level divestments.

She spoke of transformation, restructuring, and sustainable optimization. But in the oilfields, the wells yawned in boredom. Rigs sat idle, workers sighed, and the only thing growing was the stack of memos evocating a personal (not national) agenda.

Meanwhile, the nation’s Chief Barrel Keeper, a seasoned hand who understood the gritty mechanics of the industry – the pipelines, the reservoirs, the corrosion, the crude realities – watched helplessly as committee meetings replaced drilling plans.

‘Madam Whisperer,’ he once muttered, ‘barrels only appear by well-work, get out of the way and let the work be done.’

But the Energy Whisperer was undeterred. She launched Project Hope 2.0, followed by The Petroleum Cost-Effectiveness Initiative (PCEI), and then the crowd favorite, National Asset Protection and Regulatory Summit (NAPRS). Each launch came with a fresh logo and a new promise that ‘production will soar.’

And yet, two years in, production remained flat – not from sabotage or OPEC cuts, but from pure neglect and self-interest disguised as reform.

Soon, whispers began to spread across the land: perhaps the Whisperer’s energy was better spent whispering than producing energy. Her PowerPoint slides and memos had become the new oil – endlessly refined but never sold.

The Chief Barrel Keeper grew tired of the noise. ‘Let’s drill,’ he said. ‘Let’s maintain. Let’s produce.’ But every time he tried, a new ‘presidential directive’ arrived from the palace, signed in gold ink and filled with buzzwords like ‘synergy,’ ‘stakeholder realignment,’ and ‘value unlocking.’

But in the time, the kingdom had achieved something extraordinary: the greatest missed opportunity for oil production growth in the land’s history raged unfettered.

When the Energy Whisperer stood before the press, she smiled proudly. ‘We are repositioning for sustainable value creation,’ she declared, as the production graph quietly slid down the page behind her.

In the villages, the people nodded politely. They had learned long ago that in the Republic of Renewed Hope, under the aegis of the Energy Whisperer, words flow faster than oil.

And so, new barrels remain elusive – not underground, but under bureaucracy and unnecessary distractions.

Moral: In a land where strategy replaces substance, and directives replace drilling, the ground may be full of oil – but the treasury will keep running on empty.

A Group of Concerned Lagosians has expressed its unflinching support for the state government over removal of illegal structures in parts of the state.

According to a statement issued by the Concerned Lagosians, yesterday, it frowned at the 30-day ultimatum issued to the Lagos State Government by the Igbo National Union Worldwide (INU-W), over the removal illegal structures in the state.

The group expressed displeasure over INU-W purportedly 30-day ultimatum to the Lagos State government, an action it describe as a deliberate attempt to revive what it called ‘ old and divisive tendencies, reminiscent of the 1952 NCNC episode in Lagos.’

It noted that the removal of illegal structures in all parts of the state was not targeted against any individual tribe or a group of persons.

Rather, Nigerian authorities including Lagos State, were doing so in their resolve to uphold the law and order without fear or favour and to give Lagos a befitting world class status.

‘Furthermore, we call on all individuals and groups occupying unauthorized structures to cooperate with the government for the overall peaceful coexistence.

Historical misjudgments must not be repeated. The Yoruba of Western Nigerian government cherished strict compliance of building regulations, ensured public safety, and promoted orderly urban development.

The Lagosians drew attention to a recent statement by a group, calling itself the Igbo National Union Worldwide.

‘However, in today’s Nigeria, silence has too often been misconstrued as acquiescence.

‘While millions of Igbo residents in Lagos are peaceful, law-abiding, and respected, the Lagos State Government’s current actions to remove illegal structures should not be misconstrued.’

It accused some people of attempting to impose external leadership on the Yoruba nation, stressing its unflinching support for the Lagos State Government and all Western development matters.

‘Lagos thrives on the rule of law and mutual respect -principles that some lawbreakers abused, thus issuing threats or ultimatums against lawful government action. Such threats could be counterproductive, an attempt to browbeat Lagosians in their own homeland.

That erroneous impression must be corrected. People must voluntarily comply with planning regulations and remove such illegal constructions before the government’s action, it stated.

‘Ordinarily, such a statement from an obscure body would not merit serious attention when the government is striving to make the state safe and prosperous home for all Nigerians and foreign residents alike and were not targeted at any group.

They form part of a consistent, city-wide effort to enforce members of our cosmopolitan community to obey the laws. But it is regrettable that a few elements appear to accuse the State Government over the enforcement of urban and regional planning laws.

These measures are applied uniformly, without discrimination, and are essential to make the city clean and habitable to the residents.

Lagos state possessed a distinct identity and worldview that are second to none, which protects lives and property from the hazards of unregulated construction.

The path forward must be cooperation, and that generosity must never be mistaken for weakness. All residents are welcome and not confrontation. The Yoruba are known for their accommodating spirit, but detest the Igbo ultimatum to the Lagos State government.

We urge the leadership of the Igbo National Union Worldwide to embrace dialogue. People resident among us must continue to respect our culture, institutions, and laws.

They need to engage constructively with relevant government agencies on legitimate urban and Land Use Acts, not provocation.

In conclusion, those unwilling to abide by the Laws of Lagos State and the Land Use Act should blame themselves because land administration resides in the governor of each state and should seriously reconsider their continued contravention of those laws.

Lagos belongs to all who live and work peacefully within it, but it remains, unmistakably, a Yoruba homeland.

The issuing of ultimatums and threats must cease forthwith.

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has pledged to end the 15 years of epileptic power supply in Ibarapa zone of Oyo State.

Adelabu, who is also a gubernatorial aspirant of All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2027, said Ibarapa residents would begin to see improvement in electricity supply because his Ministry has secured fund for the completion of three power substation in the zone.

Speaking in Eruwa while meeting APC leaders, stakeholders and members in Ibarapa zone, the Minister noted that adequate electricity supply in Ibarapa region has become a major concern to him.

Ibarapa land consists of seven towns of Eruwa, Lanlate, Igboora, Idere, Ayete, Tapa, and Igangan.

Adelabu promised to complete the three power substation before he leaves office as Power Minister, adding that work will commence on them in the next one week.

According to him: ‘We’ve identified and diagnosed the issue of electricity in Ibarapa. Previously, the challenge was scarce resources, but we have now secured the release of sufficient funds to complete the substation in Ibarapa and upgrade the existing infrastructure.

‘As you can see, we’ve started delivering transformers as part of our efforts. Similarly, we’ve begun lighting up road sides and major clusters. Ibarapa, please relax; I give you my word that the project will be completed and commissioned before I leave office.’

Adelabu, during a consultation and reconciliation meeting with stakeholders of the party in Ibadan city, which was organised by Oyo State APC Reconciliation Team, Ibadan Southwest chapter urged leaders, stakeholders and members of the party to embrace genuine reconciliation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Minister said the step became necessary so that members of the party can be in unity, speak with one voice and wrestle power from People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2027.

According to him, all party members should set aside their difference and forge alliances.

The Minister, who said his governorship ambition is not a do-or-die affair maintained that the state belongs to progressive and must return to progressive fold in 2027 elections.

A former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Matters and Social Events, Dr. Waripamo-owei Dudafa, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Dudafa, who was a member of the Bayelsa Assembly, made the announcement in a statement on Sunday.

In the letter of his resignation to the Chairman, PDP, Southern Opokuma/Ayibabiri Ward 8 in Kolokuma Opukuma Local Government Area, he said that his decision to quit the PDP followed a period of deep reflection and consultation with his political associates, supporters, and family members.

‘Throughout my time with the party, I have been deeply committed to our shared values and goals, and it has been an honour to work with so many dedicated individuals,’ he noted.

He stated that the unresolved disputes, particularly at the national level, had significantly impeded their ability to move forward, rather it had created an environment of conflict that’s no longer conducive to advancing the shared values and objectives of the PDP.

‘In this regard, I wish to formally announce my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This decision was not taken lightly but after due consultation with my friends, political associates, and family members who have stood by me over the years,’ he stated.

Dudafa, who is a son figure to former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan revealed his switch to the APC and urged his supporters to remain steadfast.

Political observers believe his resignation could signal realignments ahead of future political developments in Bayelsa and at the national level.

Amid the hustle of campus life, sleepless study nights and an unending competition for seats in lecture halls brimming with sweaty faces, an unspoken rule quietly shapes how students see themselves and others.

Conversations about sexual purity often linger in the shadows, yet when they surface, they are almost always tied to female gender-treated either as a fragile virtue to guard or a heavy burden to bear.

At Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Sunday Excellence, a 400-level Public Administration student shared a story that runs deeper than her academic pursuit. From an early age, she observed how society often weighed heavier expectations of sexual discipline on the female child than the male.

Rather than rebel against this pressure, Excellence made a deliberate choice that she would walk the path of chastity, not out of fear, but as a conviction she chose to live by.

Being the firstborn, she understood the responsibility of setting a positive example not only for her younger siblings but also for those who looked up to her.

‘Definitely, Yes. I know if I have a pregnancy out of wedlock, that’ll be the end of my education -at least for that moment. Aside from this, as a first born daughter, I have to set an example for my younger siblings – both male and female; even other young ones that look up to me,’ Excellence said.

‘Sexual purity to me means no sexual immorality. It also means that if I’m abstaining from sexual activities, my mind and my thoughts must be clean and not dirty. Even with what I watch or download online.

‘My faith balanced the foundation on how my upbringing shaped my perspective about sexual purity. Upbringing warned me about the dangers of pre-marital sex while my faith expounded better on why I should be sexually pure.’

She explained that this double standard (of prescribing different rules for the different sexes) gives many young men a sense of unchecked freedom, allowing them to act without restraint, while women continue to bear the heavier judgment when it comes to premarital sexual expectations.

‘Because of the inequality that’s already embedded in our culture, institutions and minds, guys grow wings and even do worse,’ Excellence said.

‘Society passes more warnings to the female gender, excluding the fact that sexual behaviour is between both the male and female genders.

‘The male gender is excluded from the standards laid down by the society. Even when there’s a repercussion, the female gender faces more shame and stigmatisation than the male gender.’

Responsibility should be on both genders

Excellence emphasises that sexual discipline should be seen as a responsibility for both male and female genders, not a burden only on females.

‘Young men should understand that the pressure is overwhelming and even depressing. And the responsibility or pressure should be on both genders, not majorly on the female,’ she argued.

‘Nobody should be more pressured than the other.. Let the pressure reach everybody. Society must see both genders as equal entities, especially when it comes to sexual purity. Everybody must be included in sex education, disadvantages of sexual immorality, etc.’

More balanced approach to sexual discipline advocated

Folorunsho Sunday, a corps member and graduate of the Polytechnic of Ibadan, Oyo State, echoes Excellence’s view, calling for a fairer approach where men and women alike bear equal responsibility for their sexual behaviour.

‘I will want men to be held accountable for their actions. Also, men should be able to have a role model who is worth emulating that can transform their sexual behaviour or reasoning. And promoting equal responsibility for sexual discipline requires a determined approach that involves education, culture, and individual accountability or transparency.

‘A balanced relationship will bring about a lot of positive things to take-off in such a relationship, because it will give room to open communication; it will also increase trust and reduce pressure on the two partners, while bringing about equitable dynamics, where both parties share responsibilities and understand the circumstances,’ Sunday said.

You can’t impose sexual equality

Sunday is of the belief that while sexual purity is a universal expectation, it is not something that can be imposed or shaped by a collective societal standard.

‘Sexual purity is actually expected of everyone. It is the process of being faithful or abstinence from sexual activities before marriage.

‘Equality can’t be shaped in our society because it has never been so ordained. Besides, equality, though necessary, is mostly abused and/or misused by the female gender, in terms of power and freedom. These opportunities, in most cases, are always misused. So, if they (females) are not able to manage these, then the idea of equality between the genders will continue to be a mirage,’ Sunday said.

Lasisi Romoke, a second-year Sociology student at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), shares the view that society applies unequal standards to men and women when it comes to pre-marital sexual behaviour.

‘Society often stigmatizes a lady that engages in pre-marital sexual behaviour because the expectation is for women to hold themselves till marriage, to be modest and undefiled,’ Romoke said.

‘However, the expectations on men are less stringent, because men are known to be dominant and freer in their choices. And this, clearly, is an inequality.

For Ekeke Samuel, a 300-level Pharmacy student at Osun State University, however, true equality in matters of sexual discipline can only be achieved if men, too, commit to abstinence.

‘Abstinence is what would make men take equal responsibility for sexual discipline -a situation where boys and unmarried young men abstain from sex until they’re married,’ Samuel said.

Embarrassed on behalf of the men

Michael Charity, a final-year Mass Communication student at Adekunle ajasin university Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), emphasises that sexual purity goes beyond physical actions, describing it as both a matter of the heart and a deliberate choice.

‘Sexual purity is not just by physical action,’ Charity said. ‘It also has to do with the heart because there’s a way you can actually not engage with physical fornication or adultery without the heart or a premeditation of such a thing.

Charity remarked that she would feel embarrassed for any man applauded for actions that would earn her condemnation, viewing such praise as a clear sign of society’s harmful double standards.

‘I just feel ashamed for them since they don’t have shame,’ she said.

‘I’m always angry and like ‘what’s happening here’? And I’ve seen different cases on social media where guys will come online to make videos that ‘sexual purity is an old school thing, that a man should at least have sex with a lady before getting married to them’ and I’d be like ‘I’m ashamed for you people.”

Organise sexual purity programmes for men too

For Charity, the way to address the issue of sexual discipline is by making it a shared effort. She believes that instead of targeting only women, programmes and discussions about sexual purity should also include men.

‘The positive approach is that focus shouldn’t be on females alone. I’ve noticed that programmes on sexual purity are always organised for ladies; and you hardly see any male there. That is not the way to go. I would like programmes on sexual purity to be organised for brothers as well,’ she stated.

‘I’ve seen cases whereby members of the male gender openly express the belief that if anyone should worry about sexual disciplined, it should be the female. They feel they have the right to do whatever they like and have sex with different ladies. ‘It’s normal for a guy to cheat but a sin for a lady to cheat,’ one even said.’

However, the students’ remarks reflect the message of Hebrews 13:4, which uphold marriage as honorable and the marital bed as pure, while warning that God will judge those who practice immorality or adultery.

Historical context of sexual purity

Sexual purity is an idea with deep roots in religious and social traditions. Historically, it was tied to a woman’s worth and marriage prospects, later expanding into Christian ideals of premarital chastity and marital fidelity.

Today, society unfairly burdens female gender with the responsibility for sexual purity while excusing the male, creating a double standard that shames women but spares or even praises men for the same behaviour.

Expert’s view

Pastor Adewuyi Adegbite, a Computing Sciences lecturer at AAUA, linked harsher judgment of female sexual impurity to societal perceptions of gender and purity.

He said: ‘It is about the physiological composition of male and females. The female body most times gets easier attention and they have more body parts that get attention of the opposite gender than the male.

‘When females dress wrongly or showcase impurity, most of the time it is the opposite gender that most evaluates them, because men are moved by what they see more while females are moved by words.

‘That is why you will notice that society condemns men saying immoral things more because females are moved more by that, while the same society condemns females dressing in a revealing way because it attracts the male more.’

Psychological impacts of shaming women while sparing men

Adegbite noted that the unfairness of shaming women for sexual impurity while excusing men ‘is very bad because it’s a two-party thing,’ citing the biblical story of the adulterous woman, where the crowd sought her condemnation but spared the equally guilty man.

‘Shaming a woman makes a woman feel the right to do it, which is not right. If any have to be brought to book, it should be both of them (male and female) because both of them are involved,’Adegbite explained.

Fostering equitable and healthier approach to sexual discipline for both genders

To foster equitable and healthier approach to sexual discipline, Adegbite called on religious and community leaders to provide proper sex education for both genders, stressing it should not be treated as taboo.

‘We just keep telling people the need to be sexually pure. There should be proper orientation. Sex education is necessary at different levels and people should have the right knowledge due to different ideologies that promote impurities.

‘The best is for the religious community and the community to educate people. People should be educated properly on sex education. We shouldn’t put sex as something bad. Sex should not be talked about as a taboo,’ Adegbite urged.

It is no longer news that the Lagos State Government has been planning to relocate the Computer Village, the biggest ICT hub in Nigeria, currently located within Ikeja, to Katangowa, in the Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area. What is actually news and worrisome is the 18-month relocation ultimatum, which was handed down to the traders recently by the commissioner.

The State Government first announced the relocation to Katangowa in 2017 under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. While the plan was initially slated for completion within that year, it faced multiple delays.

Now, exactly on September 25th, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, said that an 18-month deadline has been given to the traders to move to the new site. Given that the Commissioner said this last month, it means that the deadline will be in March 2027.

Will this date be achievable? According to him, the state government has provided the necessary infrastructure and facilities at the Katangowa site to ensure a conducive business environment once the relocation takes effect.

However, a visit to the New Site last week by this reporter revealed that virtually nothing is on the ground at the new site. Apart from a few building foundations built by the first Developer ‘Bridgeways Global Project Ltd,’ the place is overgrown with weeds and has been turned into a dumpsite by traders at ‘Super’ and traders from the ‘Black Gate’ markets, which are markets surrounding the proposed new computer market site, referred to as ‘New Site’.

A lone LAWMA tractor was sighted a little far from the overgrown new site. There was no infrastructure or any activities going on there, except for people who occasionally strolled into the site to relieve themselves.

The major road that leads into the market through the newly constructed Lagos state ICT Park gates, ‘Ahmed Mohammed Rd,’ is not motorable as major work seems to be going on there, albeit sluggishly.

A signboard conspicuously displayed by the road stated it was being constructed by ‘Tzipium Nig Ltd’ and had a duration of six months to finish the work. How far they have gone in the six months could not be ascertained, as none of the workers refused to speak with our correspondent.

The first Developer, Bridgeways Global Project, has been in court with the Lagos State Government and its Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development for what they called ‘unlawful termination of its concession agreement for the development of the ICT Business Park Katangowa’.

Just recently, on October 12, the case came up before Justice Mathias Dawodu at the Ikeja High Court. Justice Dawodu ordered all parties to maintain the Status quo ante pending the determination of the substantive suit. The case was adjourned to December 9 2025.

Computer Village is the most prominent phone hub in Nigeria, contributing about N300 billion annually to the economy, according to Omobola Johnson, former Minister of Information and Communications Technology.

Computer Village is home to about 3,000 information technology small and medium enterprises. A business report estimates that about N1.5 billion is generated daily, explaining the state’s interest in relocating the market.

Some traders at the Computer Village, however, expressed deep skepticism over the government’s renewed push to relocate the market to Katangowa.

Speaking anonymously, one trader told our correspondent that the latest effort had been met with widespread unhappiness and a lack of faith, as similar relocation proposals in the past had failed to produce clear outcomes or transparent processes.

The trader raised concerns over the government’s approach, particularly its failure to provide official documentation confirming the authority of traders over the designated Katangowa site.

According to him, the land was originally secured during the administration of former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2005-2006.

He insisted that traders want direct allocation of the land so they can manage development themselves, rather than relying on contractors whose projects may be subject to political changes.

‘Relocation discussions have been going on for 15 to 19 years, right from Tinubu’s second regime,’ the trader said, adding that successive governments, including the current administration during its first tenure, have only repeated unfulfilled promises involving contractors.

The claim that the new site would address congestion and fire safety, with facilities such as hospitals and access roads, was described as ‘political excuses.’

The trader noted that the Abule Egba site, acquired nearly two decades ago, remains waterlogged and inaccessible.

He further alleged that a contractor previously engaged in the project is still in court with the government over a terminated contract and money collected from traders.

The trader emphasised that without transparent allocation and proper documentation, the proposed relocation risks becoming yet another cycle of empty promises.

Some of the traders, however, said, ‘Instead of outright relocation of the market, there should be an extension.’

Speaking with our correspondent, the Chief Executive Officer of Network Solutions, Wale Adedoyin, in his office in Otigba Street within Computer Village, said that the Computer Village Market, Ikeja, should be left to continue existing while an extension of the market should be created at Katangowa.

‘People do not want to hear about computer village relocation, but extension. Many traders have built buildings here. They have invested heavily, so where will they get N15m to N20m to start buying shops again,’ lamented Adedoyin.

‘They want to force people to buy those shops, not considering the tough economic situation or the reality on the ground. Up till today, 14th October, they have not laid a newspaper on the ground in Katangowa, and you are saying 18 months? Is 18 months feasible? The answer is no,’ responded Stephen of Tech Paramount, in the Computer Village.

However, one of the leading members of the Task Force in charge of ‘Super’ and the ‘New Site’ markets said that if the government is serious about building the market and relocating the traders within the next 18 months, it will be done.

The Task Force member who pleaded anonymity and who was being addressed as the Babaloja said he had no authority to speak to journalists as he was not the chairman of the market.

Pointing at the lone LAWMA tractor vehicle within the site, he said it was for the clearing of the supposed site of the new computer village market.

Mum was the word at the number 20 Otigba Street office of the Iyaloja of Computer Village, Hon. Abisola Azeez.

Her staff said she was not in her seat. Though they provided her telephone number, calls to her were not picked up.

Nigerian entrepreneur and co-founder of Lounge One and Paper Hospitality, Adegbe Ogbeh, has urged the government at all levels to deepen collaboration with private investors to revitalise the nation’s hospitality sector and boost economic recovery.

He spoke in an interview in Lagos, noting that public-private partnerships (PPPs) remain the most effective way to improve service delivery, expand infrastructure, and generate sustainable revenue in the hospitality industry.

Ogbeh, who also co-founded Blessmi, a digital fundraising platform that helps Nigerians access support for medical and educational needs, said stronger collaboration between government and private investors is key to revitalising the sector.

‘Public-private partnerships can improve service quality, increase efficiency, and generate more revenue. There’s an excellent opportunity for partnership in delivering public-facing services like driver’s licences, passports, building permits, and even tourism operations.’

A lawyer by training, Ogbeh has spent over two decades blending legal insight with entrepreneurial drive to build businesses that combine service, innovation, and social impact. He believes Nigeria’s hospitality sector can thrive if properly structured around collaboration and accountability.

‘My legal background plays a key role, especially in managing partnerships. Getting the details right builds comfort and trust, which are essential for lasting relationships,’ he said.

Ogbeh’s foray into hospitality began almost by chance when a friend introduced him to an opportunity at the Abuja domestic airport. That encounter led to the birth of Lounge One, now one of Nigeria’s leading airport hospitality brands.

‘Lounge One started almost by accident,’ he recalled. ‘But Paper Hospitality was a deliberate step into private-sector innovation. Having travelled widely, I wanted to create something in Abuja we’d be proud of while giving the city a fresh experience.’

The ventures have since grown beyond lounges to include airport pharmacies and high-end hospitality services across several locations.

Ogbeh said despite inflation and rising operational costs, investment in the hospitality sector has remained steady, driven by optimism about Nigeria’s long-term recovery.

‘Consumers have reduced discretionary spending, but investors are positioning for a rebound from 2026,’ he said.

He identified power supply, high rent, and inflation as major obstacles limiting growth.

‘Inflation has impacted every aspect of hospitality,’ he said. ‘But with resilience and the right adjustments, the sector will continue to expand.’

According to Ogbeh, Nigeria’s hospitality industry is becoming more visible globally, thanks to social media and the creativity of local entrepreneurs.

‘Private-sector innovation and social media are key drivers of Nigeria’s hospitality growth,’ he said. ‘The weaker naira also makes the country more attractive to foreign tourists while boosting local tourism.’

Ogbeh believes Nigeria has the cultural vibrancy and workforce to build a thriving tourism economy if supported by better legal frameworks and stronger investor protection.

‘The sector offers strong opportunities for semi-skilled labour,’ he noted. ‘But we need improved security and legal structures to attract investment while maintaining ease of entry.’

Beyond hospitality, Ogbeh co-founded Blessmi, a local alternative to global crowdfunding platforms that often restrict Nigerian users.

‘We created Blessmi as an accessible platform for Nigerians,’ he said. ‘The response has been positive, especially in medical fundraising.’

He emphasised that while social impact is important, entrepreneurs must first build financially viable ventures.

‘A healthy business is better positioned to support social causes. Otherwise, you’re running a charity,’ he said.

Ogbeh attributes his ability to manage multiple ventures to strong partnerships and effective leadership.

‘I’ve been fortunate to have excellent partners and co-founders, and that’s something I plan to continue in future ventures,’ he said.

He described accounting as one of the most overlooked but crucial elements of business success.

‘Accounting is the second most important factor after your business model. Many businesses fail because of poor accounting,’ he advised.

Ogbeh said Paper Hospitality plans to expand into at least two African countries, while Lounge One is targeting four new airports, including one international location.

‘We’re aiming for new African markets and more airports,’ he said.

On future community projects, he reaffirmed his commitment to social impact through Blessmi.

‘The scale of need in Nigeria means we must all do our part. We are each other’s keepers,’ he said.

To young Nigerians venturing into hospitality, Ogbeh offered a simple but vital piece of advice:

‘Get an accountant, or borrow one. No matter how great your idea is, without proper accounting you can’t grow or position your business effectively,’ he said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), has concluded the deportation of 192 foreign nationals convicted of cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and related financial crimes in Lagos State.

The exercise, which began on August 15, 2025, marked the final phase of the repatriation of offenders linked to one of Nigeria’s largest coordinated cybercrime crackdowns. The last batch of 51 convicts-comprising 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian-was deported on October 16, 2025.

According to EFCC sources, the deported convicts were among 759 suspects arrested during a major sting operation on December 10, 2024, at Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The operation, conducted based on credible intelligence, targeted a sophisticated cybercrime and Ponzi scheme syndicate operating under the cover of Genting International Co. Limited.

Investigations revealed that the convicts were involved in large-scale online fraud, identity theft, and cyber-enabled Ponzi operations, with networks reaching both local and international victims. They were found to have trained Nigerian recruits and managed digital platforms designed to defraud unsuspecting investors.

The Federal High Court in Lagos convicted the foreigners on charges bordering on cybercrime, money laundering, and fraudulent investment schemes. Following their sentencing, the court directed their deportation in accordance with Nigerian immigration laws.

The first batch of 42 convicts-mainly Chinese and Filipino nationals-was deported on August 15, 2025. Subsequent batches were flown out between August and mid-October. The final deportation brings to a close a coordinated inter-agency operation led by the EFCC with support from the NIS and NCoS.

The deported convicts include nationals from China, the Philippines, Tunisia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Timor-Leste.

Stakeholders at the InnerCity Mission Global Roundtable Conference have urged individuals, governments, and international organizations to take urgent, coordinated action to end hunger and poverty-describing both as systemic injustices that rob people of their dignity and potential.

The conference, held recently in Lagos to mark World Food Day and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, was organized by the InnerCity Mission. It brought together federal lawmakers, civil society leaders, clerics, institutional partners, and intergovernmental representatives to chart sustainable solutions for social transformation.

Participants also toured the first out of six InnerCity Mission Food Bank and its 100% free school in Ikeja, where hundreds of vulnerable children receive education, daily meals, and healthcare at no cost.

Speaking at the event, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Founder of the InnerCity Mission, described the forum as a ‘call to collective responsibility,’ aimed at challenging global systems and inspiring transformative action.

‘Hunger and poverty are not just economic conditions-they are systemic injustices deliberately perpetuated by structures that limit human potential and deny people their God-given right to live with dignity,’ he said.

Represented by Pastor Arise Emmanuel, Oyakhilome emphasized that behind every statistic of hunger lies a human story.

‘Every figure of a hungry child or a family living below the poverty line represents interrupted dreams, lost opportunities, and preventable suffering,’ he stated.

He noted that the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI) continues to tackle these challenges through three key pillars-access, influence, and control.

‘Access allows us to deliver food, education, healthcare, and social protection to communities. Influence helps us shape national and global policies, while control empowers local communities to take charge of their own future,’ he explained.

Highlighting the mission’s global footprint, Oyakhilome revealed that the InnerCity Mission Network currently operates 19 free schools across Nigeria, Malawi, Fiji, Liberia, Uganda, the Central African Republic, and India, providing children with education, meals, school supplies, and healthcare. He added that the mission has a target to distribute seven billion free meals in 2025 and five billion free meals has so far been distributed globally.

In her remarks, Pastor Omoh Alabi, Director of the InnerCity Mission for Children, said the organization’s impact proves that local solutions can address global challenges.

‘We don’t always have to look abroad for help. Hunger is a global problem, but we have demonstrated that distributing billions of meals is achievable with local innovation and collaboration,’ she said.

Alabi called for renewed investment in agriculture and youth engagement in the sector, describing it as a ‘dignified and divine profession.’

‘God has given us fertile land. When we sow, food will come. The solution is within us-we only need to act,’ she added.

She also urged policymakers to provide tax incentives for organizations addressing hunger, strengthen food supply chains, and create policies that make agriculture attractive and sustainable.

In her words, Ms. Augustina Ogbuigwe, Manager of the InnerCity Mission Food Bank, described the facility as ‘the house that houses all the food programs of the InnerCity Mission for Children,’ serving as a lifeline to orphanages, schools, families, and entire communities through structured feeding programme and outreach initiatives.

‘From here, we serve orphanages, school-age children in our free education programme, and families enrolled in our Family Support Programme,’ she explained. ‘We also carry out community food outreaches to reach those in underserved areas.’

‘Every month, we have households who benefit from this food bank. We have partners all over the world who support our work by donating food items,’ she said. ‘Every food item here is a donation from our partners, and today we are delighted to show what God is doing through us to help the less privileged.’

She added that the facility’s ground floor is dedicated to the storage and packaging of large grains such as rice, beans, and dairy products, which are sorted and prepared for distribution to beneficiaries.

The conference showcased the InnerCity Mission’s ongoing humanitarian initiatives and reaffirmed its global mandate to ensure that ‘no child goes to bed hungry and no family remains trapped in poverty.’