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The forum of state chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday dissociated itself from the lawsuit currently before the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to halt the planned elective national Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

Speaking with newsmen, chairman of the forum and chairman of the party in Edo state, Tony Aziegbemi, took a swipe at some of their colleagues, Austine Nwachukwu (Imo) and Amah Abraham Nnana (Abia), for dragging the party to court seeking to halt the PDP convention.

He said as a result of this, the Forum has decided to suspend the two Chairmen, while calling on the National Working Committee to take disciplinary action against any NWC member found to be directly or indirectly connected to the court case.

Aziegbemi said, ‘We distance ourselves completely from the suit and the plan to use it to stop the PDP from holding its National Convention. This is not right. We want to state clearly that we are solidly behind the Damagum-led NWC, and we will give our full support to ensure a hitch-free convention.

‘The evil plot of the APC to turn Nigeria into a one-party state will never succeed. We hope other organs of the party will draw inspiration from our decision. We must all stand firm and make the right choices.’

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been recognised as the best State Traffic Management Agency of the Year at the 2025 Nigeria Transport and Logistics Leadership Summit and Awards.

According to the organisers, the recognition followed a rigorous nationwide nomination and online voting process that identified LASTMA as Nigeria’s leading state traffic management institution.

The award, they noted, celebrates the Authority’s consistent commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and the promotion of road safety and traffic efficiency in Lagos State.

Receiving the award on behalf of the General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, LASTMA’s Director of Logistics and Transport, Mr. Jubril Oshodi, expressed gratitude to the organisers and the voting public for acknowledging the Authority’s efforts in ensuring traffic fluidity and promoting a disciplined motoring culture across the state.

He dedicated the honour to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, describing him as a visionary leader whose commitment to modernising the state’s transport architecture has positioned LASTMA as a national model for traffic management.

Oshodi also commended the leadership of the Ministry of Transportation for their support and strategic guidance in enhancing the Authority’s operational impact.

In his post-award remarks, the General Manager, Mr. Bakare-Oki, described the award as an honour and a renewed call to higher service, reaffirming LASTMA’s resolve to uphold professionalism, discipline, and innovation in line with global best practices.

He said the Authority remains committed to leveraging technology, training, and stakeholder partnerships to tackle Lagos’s evolving challenges of urban traffic management.

The summit featured keynote addresses from top figures, including the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’id Ahmed Alkali, and the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed.

The Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI) has opposed the proposed establishment of the Chartered Institute of Enterprise Risk Management of Nigeria by the National Assembly, describing it as a duplication of existing institutions with identical mandates.

In a memorandum submitted to the House Committee on Commerce, the Registrar of CRMI, Victor Olannye, said the bill seeking to establish the new institute overlaps with the functions of the already existing Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria.

‘Upon careful review of the bill, we wish to draw the Committee’s attention to certain issues surrounding the proposed legislation, specifically its overlap with existing laws and its implications for the integrity of the legislative process,’ he said.

Olannye explained that the 9th National Assembly had already passed the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria Act No. 39 of 2022, which was duly assented to by the President and gazetted, thereby conferring legal status on the institute.

‘The Act comprehensively governs and promotes the practice of risk management in Nigeria, including professional certification, regulation, and the advancement of the profession,’ he said.

He pointed out that the primary objective of the proposed Chartered Institute of Enterprise Risk Management of Nigeria, to control and promote the practice of risk management, is already fully addressed by the 2022 Act.

‘As such, the proposed bill duplicates functions and responsibilities already legislated under the existing law,’ he stated.

Olannye noted that the legislature has consistently frowned upon the unnecessary proliferation of professional bodies, particularly when their mandates are already covered by existing legislation.

‘Creating overlapping institutions not only leads to inefficiency and confusion within the profession but also undermines the integrity of the legislative process,’ he added.

He therefore urged the Committee to consider dropping the bill, warning that allowing it to progress would ‘contradict existing legislation (Act No. 39 of 2022), create legal and institutional conflicts, undermine the principle of avoiding duplication and redundancy in laws, and weaken the credibility and authority of the legislature’s previous actions.’

Olannye stressed that maintaining the integrity and coherence of the legislative framework was paramount, urging the Committee to uphold the existing law and reject the proposed bill.

He commended the Committee for its diligence and professionalism, saying, ‘The Governing Council wishes to commend the Committee for its unwavering diligence and commitment to upholding the principles of lawmaking. Your meticulous approach to legislative oversight and your dedication to ensuring that every bill aligns with the broader goals of national progress reflect the highest standards of legislative professionalism.’

He added that the Committee’s integrity and thoughtfulness were instrumental in strengthening Nigeria’s governance framework and fostering public trust in the National Assembly.

The Operation Whirlwind of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has sealed Adeola Ade PLC Filling Station along Owode-Apa Road in Badagry, Lagos State, and intercepted 1,980 jerricans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) each measuring between 25 and 30 litres totaling 49,500 litres, within the Lagos and Ogun axis to forestall further diversion of national resources and to protect public safety.

The station’s staff, it was gathered, were reportedly caught filling plastic kegs with petrol, intended for illegal transport across the border and a suspect, identified as Adeola Ismail was apprehended by Customs operatives.

The operation was part of a week-long sting by Operation Whirlwind, a Customs task force operating in Zone ‘A’, which also seized seven vehicles used as means of conveyance, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ?80,452,000.

Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General , Kola Oladeji said the seizures were made within the last seven weeks following sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering operations.

Oladeji disclosed that the prohibited itens were discovered at several flashpoints in Badagry, Lagos, Ajilete, Ijoun, Ilaro, Owode Idiroko, Eree, Ado-Odo, and Obada Imeko in Ogun State.

The National Coordinator disclosed that the illegal products were carefully concealed and being prepared for illegal export to the Republic of Benin before his officers swooped on them and seized the items.

The successful interceptions, he added, forms part of the broader mandate of the special task force to tackle economic sabotage in the downstream oil sector and ensure that petroleum products remain available and affordable to Nigerians.

He stated further subsequently investigation traced links to a retail outlet identified as Adeola Ade PLC Filling Station, located along Owode-Apa Road in Badagry, Lagos State.

Upon inspection, he said, they discovered serious infractions bordering on improper handling, storage, and potential illegal sales of PMS. In line with existing laws and regulatory procedures, the filling station was immediately sealed to forestall further diversion of national resources and to protect public safety.

During a routine perimeter sweep around the sealed station, he said, operatives apprehended a male suspect later identified as Adeola Ismail.

He was arrested outside the crime scene following his suspicious behaviour and preliminary links to the illegal activities traced to the sealed premises. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody for questioning and profiling.

After 48 hours, upon representation by his legal counsel, he was granted administrative bail by the Legal Unit of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU Zone A), pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations.

Oladeji emphasised that the interception and enforcement action demonstrate Operation Whirlwind’s firm commitment to the Federal Government’s directive to dismantle smuggling networks, safeguard national resources, and promote transparency and accountability in petroleum product distribution.

He noted that the task force’s operations align with the policy direction of the Federal Government, which seeks to restore integrity to the downstream oil sector through effective monitoring, enforcement, and collaboration with other relevant agencies.

The Whirlwind Coordinator commended the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), under the leadership of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for the strong institutional backing and support provided to the operation, as well as the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for their strategic leadership and guidance.

He also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), field officers, and patriotic Nigerians who continue to supply credible intelligence that enhances the fight against economic sabotage.

He reaffirmed that the Customs led operation will sustain its surveillance efforts, deepen inter-agency cooperation, and promote public enlightenment on the dangers of smuggling and diversion of petroleum products.

Oladeji urged Nigerians to support the campaign by reporting suspicious activities to relevant authorities.

Relatives, friends and other sympathisers could not hold back their tears on Wednesday during the Service of Songs organised for the deceased Arise TV anchor, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, who died when armed robbers stormed her apartment in Abuja.

The service of songs, which attracted many mourners in black attire including her father, mother and siblings, was held at the Corpus Christi Cathedral in Port Harcourt.

Delivering the homily, Rev. Fr. Ezeunara Charles, described the event as emotional and recalled the last time he visited the bereaved family he was asked to prepare for a bigger celebration.

The priest said they were also preparing to attend the traditional wedding of Somto when the tragedy occurred.

He asked members of the congregation to reflect on what they would be remembered for after their demise describing death as a sure reality.

He said though Somto’s life was brief but it was impactul describing her as someone special.

The priest said: ‘What will you be remembered for when you die? The reality is that as human being we must die. We are gathered here because of sommy. Nobody saw it coming. We lost somebody special. I want to beleive she is a good woman. I listened to her tributes.

‘I was prepared to go to her traditional marriage. She served in various capacities. Her memories linger. She was a good woman and I console the father and the mother. She was young and she will live forever in our memory.

‘I encourge us to be strong. God is aware. God will not abandon us. Nigeria will become better. Lets change our ways and embrace the path of goodness’.

The Officiating Priest, Rev.Fr. Prof. Columbus Ogbijah, described the deceased as a bright star and the darling of her family.

‘But she is no longer with us. We commit the parents, siblings and family and all of us mourning her passing that God in his wisdom will console us and guide us in our faith’, he said.

The Representative of the Arise Television, Andy Omano, said Somto was a great asset to the Arise news crew.

Omano said her life was short but impactul describing her death as painful.

Omano said: ‘Sommy was a great assets to Arise TV. She was with us for a short time but she made her marks. We want to give God thanks that we had the opportunity of working with her. It is painful that she wont be with us again. She lived a short but impactul life’.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has called on African governments to scale up funding and collaboration in tackling climate change, warning that the continent remains highly vulnerable to its growing disruptions.

Speaking at the African Climate Forum (ACF) 2025 in Abuja, Keyamo said Africa stands at a crossroads, constrained by persistent gaps in finance, technology, capacity, and policy that have hindered progress from ambition to implementation.

Represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Foreign Direct Investments and Capital Improvement Programs, Obafemi Bajumo, the minister stressed that Nigeria’s hosting of ACF 2025 reflects its commitment to bridging these gaps – not only to meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but also to protect lives, livelihoods, and the future of its people.

‘Our commitment to climate action is not merely an obligation but an opportunity – an opportunity to build resilience, create green jobs, and secure a sustainable future for Africa,’ he said.

Keyamo noted that the theme of this year’s event, ‘Bolder, Greener, and Better Steps: Closing Transition Gaps in Africa,’ underscores the urgency of turning transition gaps into bridges for equitable growth.

He said the forum seeks to align global opportunities with local priorities while ensuring that no country, community, or sector is left behind in the climate transition process.

‘Across our continent, we are already feeling the effects of rising temperatures, desertification, flooding, and food insecurity. Yet this moment presents a chance for Africa to turn vulnerability into strength through bold reforms and decisive climate commitments,’ he added, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership in advancing Nigeria’s climate agenda.

In his remarks, Prof. George Nwangwu, Director-General of the Global Centre for Law, Business and Economy (GCLBE) and convener of the forum, described ACF as a beacon of hope and collaboration in global climate action.

He highlighted that at COP29, developed nations pledged $300 billion annually by 2035 to support developing countries in climate mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage efforts, while a broader roadmap was outlined to mobilise $1.3 trillion annually from both public and private sources.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said he got President Bola Tinubu’s permission to be absent during the Council of State meeting.

Prof. Joash Amupitan was nominated as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission during the meeting.

Wike stated this during the commissioning of the Access Roads in Sector Centre B, Dakibiyu District, in Abuja.

He dismissed as false and mischievous reports that he deliberately boycotted the meeting over dissatisfaction with the appointment of the new INEC.

‘On Thursday, we had a flag off and I told the Minister of State, FCT, to represent me at the Council of State meeting.

‘I had already told Mr President that I would not be available because of other engagements we had already put in place, and so, the honourable minister of state represented the FCT in that meeting.

‘We have to be careful when people carry unnecessary propaganda and blackmail. But in spite of those things, be focused; you will achieve your results.

‘They said I did not attend because I was not happy that my own nominee was not taken,’ he said.

Wike maintained that he works for President Tinubu and that his delivery of projects in the FCT has silenced the critics.

‘I work for Mr President. Mr President’s judgment, as far as I’m concerned, in this country has always been how to put this country in the right perspective.

‘Be focused. When you start delivering, the achievement will silence all critics. Today they have nothing again to say,’ he said.

Wike also commended President Tinubu for providing the right leadership, which according to him paved way for the achievements made by the FCT Administration.

‘I have always said, when you have the right leadership, you can achieve the expected results. President Tinubu, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has shown the right leadership.

‘People are talking about the achievements we have made. It is because we have the right leadership. When you have the right leadership, you get things right,’ he said.

A group of Igbo businessmen in the United States has raised the alarm the Free Nnamdi Kanu Now protest planned for October 20 is a ploy by the presidential candidates in the 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore and Atiku Abubakar to delay Kanu’s ongoing trial.

Atiku, who was the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the last general election publicly backed the planned protest, the brainchild of Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the election.

In a statement, the group said it was worried by the activities of what it described as the ‘rhethoric by self-serving politicians who lost relevance at the polls and now want to use the plight of our dearly beloved brother, Nnamdi Kanu, to score cheap political points.’

The statement, under the aegis ‘Njiko Amaka’ and signed by Chiefs Emeka Ejidike, and Okey Anosike, chairman and secretary respectively, warned that the planned protest had the capacity to scuttle Kanu’s trial.

According to the group: ‘We have watched with concern the activities of Sowore on the ongoing trial of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu. As if that isn’t worrying enough, Atiku Abubakar, who has never organized nor joined any protest to free his violence-ravaged region, has joined Sowore.

‘Ndigbo have a wise saying about a tortoise that spent years in a dung pit. On the day of his release, Mr. Tortoise began to holler for his captors to quickly set him free, forgetting that he’d spent years in the pit.

‘This aptly captures the condition we found ourselves with our brother, Nnamdi Kanu. He spent years in detention without trial. Now that the prosecution has shown genuine commitment to speed up his trial, this is the wrongest of times to do anything that might jeopardize the trial,’ noted the group.

‘The question well-meaning Nigerians should ask Sowore is why his sudden interest in leading a protest for Kanu at the same time he is facing criminal charges for calling President Bola Tinubu an unprintable name?

‘Another question well-meaning Nigerians should ask Atiku Abubakar why he is more interested in Nnamdi Kanu when his ‘brother’ Mohammed Usman aka Khalid al-Barnawi, who masterminded the 2011 bombing of the UN building in Abuja, has been in detention since April 2016?

‘Atiku is from the North. So is al-Barnawi. Why Atiku left out al-Barnawi, who had been in detention since 2016, and jumped on the case of Nnamdi Kanu, who was re-arrested in June 2021, is best known to him. All we know is that only evil motives drive a man to cry more than the bereaved.

‘We advise all well-meaning Nigerians to see through the self-serving antics of Sowore and Atiku who do not wish Nnamdi Kanu and definitely, Ndigbo, well, to avoid them like a plague.

‘We are happy that Ndigbo are not in short supply of worthy torchbearers who can plead the cause of Ndigbo. We have five governors, 15 senators, and scores of Representatives. Even today, Governor Peter Mbah assured that a political solution was being worked out on Kanu. We do not want fifth columnists to scuttle this.’

Nigeria is deepening engagement with international development partners to attract more Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and strengthen the country’s project pipeline through renewed collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).

High-level bilateral discussions between the Federal Ministry of Finance and representatives of JICA and MIGA held on the sidelines of the ongoing World Bank Group and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington D.C.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite and members of the Nigerian delegation.

The talks focused on exploring new opportunities for cooperation aimed at boosting investor confidence, expanding private sector participation, and supporting Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms.

According to a statement from the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Nigerian government reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging international partnerships to accelerate economic growth and development.

‘The Nigerian Government remains committed to working with international development partners to drive sustainable growth, create jobs, and strengthen critical sectors of the economy,’ the statement said.

JICA and MIGA, both long-term development partners, expressed their readiness to continue supporting Nigeria’s development agenda, particularly in areas such as infrastructure financing, project guarantees, and investment facilitation.

The ministry’s statement further noted that the collaboration between Nigeria and these agencies is expected to open new avenues for investment and deepen economic cooperation. ‘As Nigeria continues to prioritize economic diversification and growth, the collaboration with JICA and MIGA is expected to play a key role in unlocking new opportunities for the country,’ it added.

The meeting also reflected the growing confidence of international development agencies in Nigeria’s reform agenda and the government’s commitment to creating a stable environment for investment and business growth.

Both JICA and MIGA have been active partners in supporting development initiatives in Nigeria and across Africa through financial guarantees, technical assistance, and partnerships aimed at mitigating investment risks and promoting inclusive growth.

Nigeria has secured its third major gas investment in 18 months, with Shell approving a $2 billion Final Investment Decision (FID) for a new offshore gas development in the HI Field, located in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 144.

The project is expected to deliver about 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscf/d) from 2028 – roughly one-third of the gas requirements of the Nigeria LNG Limited’s Train 7 project.

President Bola Tinubu welcomed the investment, describing it as another clear vote of confidence in Nigeria’s economic reforms and energy policies.

‘This major FID announcement by Shell, their second in one year, is a clear validation of our wide-ranging reform efforts and a signal to the world that Nigeria is fully open for business and investment,’ the President said.

The new decision brings total upstream investment commitments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to over $8 billion since Tinubu assumed office in 2023.

The announcement followed earlier approvals of the Ubeta Non-Associated Gas project and the Bonga North deepwater development, both seen as cornerstones of the administration’s energy revitalisation drive.

Together, the Ubeta and HI gas projects will supply up to 15 percent of the total feedgas requirements of the NLNG’s Trains 1 to 7, underpinning energy security and export reliability.

These investment inflows, it was gathered, are the result of targeted reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, coordinated through the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy.

The reforms include fiscal incentives, streamlined regulatory processes, reduced contracting costs, and faster approval timelines – measures now enshrined in law.

The HI gas field, discovered in 1985, is being developed under Presidential Directive 40, which introduced a new fiscal framework to attract Non-Associated Gas investment in onshore and shallow offshore zones.

Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Arowolo Verheijen, said the HI and Ubeta projects will solidify the foundation for NLNG’s Train 7 and enhance domestic energy access.

‘With the Ubeta FID and now the HI FID, we have secured the gas supply needed to make NLNG Train 7 not just possible, but transformative. These projects will strengthen Nigeria’s LNG exports, expand LPG availability for households, reduce imports, and boost foreign exchange earnings. And this is only the beginning – more FIDs are on the horizon’, Verheijen stated.

Shell’s Upstream President, Peter Costello, affirmed the company’s long-term commitment to Nigeria’s energy sector.

‘Following recent investment decisions related to the Bonga deep-water development, today’s announcement demonstrates our continued commitment to Nigeria’s energy sector, with a focus on Deepwater and Integrated Gas.

‘This project will grow Shell’s leading gas portfolio while supporting Nigeria’s ambition to become a more significant player in the global LNG market’, Costello said.

The NLNG Train 7 expansion, to which the new projects will contribute, is expected to increase Nigeria’s LNG capacity by 8 million metric tonnes annually, a 35 percent boost over current production.

The expansion will also stimulate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, strengthen SME participation in host communities, and expand the country’s clean energy footprint.

President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining a stable investment climate.