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Kwara Assembly approves constitutional amendment on state police

The Kwara State House of Assembly has approved a proposed alteration to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide a legal framework for the establishment of state police.

The approval followed deliberations during plenary after the Speaker read a letter from the Clerk of the National Assembly requesting the state legislature’s consideration of the proposed constitutional amendment.

Leading the debate, Mogaji Oba Abdulkadri, the House Leader, highlighted the potential benefits of state policing in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

Other lawmakers who contributed to the debate supported the proposed amendment, arguing that state police would bring law enforcement closer to the people and strengthen the protection of lives and property.

They expressed optimism that decentralising policing would enhance security operations and enable law enforcement agencies to respond more effectively to threats at the grassroots level.

Following the approval, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, Speaker of the House, directed Ahmed Olayiwola, the Clerk of the Assembly, to formally communicate the House’s decision to the National Assembly for further legislative action.

Meanwhile, residents of the Kwara State capital have expressed mixed views on the proposed state police framework, with some welcoming the initiative while others called for broader public consultation.

Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, described the proposed state police framework as a welcome development that could help address security challenges at the grassroots.

He said decentralising the security architecture would bring policing closer to communities and improve the protection of lives and property.

‘If we have our own state police, security will be closer to the people, making it easier to protect lives and property at the local level,’ he said.

Yusuf added that his local government was prepared to support the implementation of state policing, noting that community-based security arrangements were already being deployed to tackle criminal activities.

‘In response to the security challenges in our state, we have already been working with local vigilantes to protect our communities. We also collaborate with local hunters and forest guards, who have played a vital role in maintaining security and controlling criminal activities,’ he said.

He expressed confidence that the experience gained from these existing arrangements would support the successful implementation of state policing at the local level.

Similarly, Aliyu Musa, a public analyst, described the proposed amendment as a welcome development in view of Nigeria’s contemporary security challenges.

He said the initiative could bring about a significant shift in the country’s security architecture but stressed the need to prioritise local intelligence in preventing and combating crime.

Musa also urged authorities to ensure that rural communities received adequate attention in the deployment of state police personnel.

‘Local intelligence should be top-notch as a way of making greater impact on crime prevention,’ he said.

However, Florence Emmanuel said the state legislature should have provided an opportunity for residents to express their views before approving the proposed amendment.

Emmanuel said she learnt about the Assembly’s decision through a radio broadcast, arguing that public engagement would have enabled citizens to contribute to discussions on such an important security reform.

‘We just heard on the radio that the bill has been approved by the State Assembly. Ideally, the Assembly should have called people and heard their views about it before approving it,’ she said.

She, however, acknowledged the potential benefits of the proposed reform, adding that public consultation would have made the process more inclusive.

‘Nothing is bad about the move, but at least they should have allowed citizens to express their views and contribute to it,’ she noted.

The proposed state police framework comes amid persistent security concerns across parts of Nigeria, including kidnapping and violent attacks, which have intensified calls for a more decentralised and community-responsive policing system

Government officials say efforts to resume talks for a Cyprus settlement continue

The liberation and reunification of Cyprus remain a top priority, Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou said on Sunday at a memorial service honouring those who fell and the residents of Trachoni Kytheras who were killed in cold blood during the 1974 Turkish invasion.

‘We honour our missing, displaced persons, prisoners of war, those who suffered, and those who remain trapped in the occupied areas, all those who continue to suffer the consequences of the barbaric Turkish invasion and the ongoing occupation,’ Antoniou said in his memorial address at the Church of Apostle Andrew in Platy Aglantzia.

He said that ‘ending the occupation, and achieving the liberation and reunification of our homeland, remain our top priority. Despite the difficulties, obstacles and challenges, we remain committed to the major effort to resume negotiations for a settlement of the Cyprus issue, on the basis of the agreed framework, with respect for the negotiating acquis and the principles, values and law of the European Union.’

He stressed that ‘in the face of Turkey’s ongoing crime, our response is clear: We will never accept or legitimise the fait accompli created by the illegal invasion. Nor will we abandon our efforts, because inaction serves Turkey’s narrative that two states exist on the island and that a solution based on the agreed framework cannot be achieved.’

‘Our vision is for the Republic of Cyprus to evolve into a truly free state throughout its entire territory, without an occupying army and without guarantor powers with unilateral rights of intervention,’ Antoniou said.

President continues efforts to resume Cyprus talks, Energy Minister says

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Energy Minister Michael Damianos said on Sunday that the President and the government are continuing efforts to resume meaningful negotiations on the Cyprus issue, aiming to achieve a viable and workable solution. He was speaking at the National Memorial Service for the Heroes of Lakatamia.

He stressed that ‘paying tribute to our heroes is inextricably linked to the effort to end the occupation and reunify our homeland. Resolving the Cyprus issue remains our greatest national priority.’

Damianos said President Nikos Christodoulides and the government are continuing efforts to resume meaningful negotiations aimed at reaching a viable and workable solution to the Cyprus issue, based on relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, international law, and the principles and values of the European Union.

‘Our goal is a free and reunified Cyprus, a modern European state where all citizens can live in security, peace and dignity. A homeland without occupying troops, outdated guarantees and dividing lines, offering prospects and hope to future generations,’ he said.

Government committed to resumption of substantive negotiations

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The Government remains committed to the resumption of substantive negotiations from where they were left off at Crans-Montana, with a view to reaching a solution based on United Nations Security Council resolutions, compatible with the EU acquis and the values of the European Union, which would reunite the country, its people, institutions and economy, Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Marinos Mousiouttas said on Sunday, in Nicosia.

He was delivering the memorial address at the national memorial service for the people of Palaikythro.

Cyprus, the Minister said, is an EU member state, and the occupation of part of its territory constitutes the occupation of European territory.

‘We convey this message at every European and international forum, through a multidimensional and active foreign policy with a clear Western and European orientation,’ he added.

However, he said, no diplomatic struggle could be won unless the country was strong internally, noting that domestic and foreign policy were inextricably linked.

‘A country living under occupation, without a resilient economy and credible defence capabilities, has no leverage on the international stage and is inevitably left isolated,’ he added.

‘For this reason, we are consistently investing in strengthening our country’s deterrent capability and enhancing every citizen’s sense of security,’ he said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.

GDP will beat 2.1% forecast, PM says

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) to reassess its GDP outlook after key economic indicators improved.

Speaking on the weekly Talk with the Anutin Cabinet programme on Saturday, Mr Anutin said new data showed stronger-than-expected performance across key sectors.

He said foreign investment in the first half of the year was already 30% higher than the total for all of last year, while exports grew by more than 20%, at times approaching 25%.

Employment and corporate and personal income tax collections were also rising, and government stimulus measures had helped circulate money through the economy, he said, suggesting the economy was outperforming the earlier 2.1% growth projection.

“How can the economy still grow by only 2.1%? GDP growth this year will definitely not be 2.1%,” he said.

Mr Anutin said the NESDC’s initial assessment, after a review of its calculation methods, assumptions and data, indicated an improvement.

The revised figure is still being assessed after consultations with the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries and other business groups, he said.

He said the growth figure is important for investor confidence, as being seen as a low-growth economy could limit investment opportunities.

The government’s overseas visits are aimed at expanding trade, investment and international cooperation and positioning Thailand as a capable business partner, not a country seeking assistance, he said.

Mr Anutin said Thailand should compete for investment on its workforce, transport infrastructure, logistics, domestic market and regional supply-chain links rather than cheap labour or electricity.

Its transport networks give investors based in the country access to not only a domestic market of about 70 million people but also the wider Asean market of around 700 million, he said.

On energy, he said the government is promoting household clean-energy generation to cut electricity costs and allow surplus power to supply industry and public services.

He said hosting the IMF-World Bank meetings creates opportunities for bilateral talks, business matching and international cooperation while demonstrating Thailand’s ability to host major global events.

The government hopes to build on the meetings to attract more business, investment and tourism, added the prime minister.

ýLagos records 32 deaths on Coastal Road, Otedola Bridge as LASTMA unveils festive plan

ýMore than 860 traffic incidents and 17 deaths were recorded on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road between January and October this year, while the Otedola Bridge corridor logged 365 incidents and 15 fatalities over the same period, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), disclosed.

ýOlalekan Bakare-Oki, general manager of the authority, disclosed the figures on Thursday during a media briefing organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation in Lagos, raising fresh concerns over road safety along major transport arteries facing heavy vehicular pressure.

ýBakare-Oki said that the high casualty figures reinforced the urgent need for stronger safety advocacy, improved emergency response, and more effective traffic management across the state.

ýHe explained that the agency had expanded its operational focus beyond conventional traffic control to encompass public engagement and rapid incident response on state roads.

ý’Over the years, LASTMA has been able to evolve from a mere traffic control organisation into a sophisticated institution that has focused on road safety, citizens’ engagement, and quick response to traffic incidents on Lagos roads,’ Bakare-Oki said.

ýHe noted that Lagos faced persistent mobility challenges due to its compact landmass and intense vehicular concentration, which placed immense strain on existing transport infrastructure.

ýLagos occupies approximately 0.4 percent of Nigeria’s total landmass but accounts for one of the highest concentrations of vehicles in West Africa, creating a persistent imbalance between available road capacity and traffic volume.

ý’Our core responsibility is to ensure seamless mobility despite this limitation. Our concentration has been on the major crossing points, especially to reduce the damage on these roads,’ Bakare-Oki said.

ýHe revealed that the agency was collaborating with federal authorities to investigate the underlying causes of road deterioration and traffic accidents along the Otedola Bridge-Kara axis. A joint inspection team led by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos and the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation recently examined the corridor to evaluate structural and operational vulnerabilities.

ýBakare-Oki added that technical assessments would extend beyond Otedola Bridge to encompass other high-density transport links requiring targeted interventions.

ýMeanwhile, LASTMA is expanding operational readiness ahead of the December festive period, during which heightened commercial activity, leisure travel, and tourism historically increase gridlock across the metropolis.

ýBakare-Oki said the agency would deploy more than 2,000 personnel to high-density hubs, including Victoria Island, Lekki-Ajah, Surulere, and Ikeja, to maintain traffic flow and curb congestion. Heavy-duty recovery vehicles will also be pre-positioned at strategic locations to expedite the clearance of broken-down vehicles and reduce crash response times.

ýThe agency will also introduce a 24-hour operational shift system, deploying personnel on overnight duties from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to manage late-night traffic.

ý’For Detty December proper, LASTMA has put in place robust traffic management. We have done it before; it is not new to us. But what we are bringing in this time is to step up our traffic management,’ Bakare-Oki said.

Nestlé Nigeria Commissions smart boreholes to boost water regeneration project

In furtherance of its water regeneration initiative, Nestlé Nigeria has commissioned eight smart boreholes and water treatment facilities to serve communities in the Agbara axis.

These facilities form part of a wider programme spanning the Agbara catchment in Ogun State and the Abaji catchment in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Water Regeneration Project is structured around four connected pillars: Water access, delivered through 24 climate-smart boreholes-eight in Agbara and 16 in Abaji; Water quality, supported by treatment plants, routine monitoring, the National Water Quality Advocacy Campaign and practical water safety guidance; Water conservation, advanced through rainwater harvesting systems; and Water governance, strengthened through community water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) committees and governance training.

These measures provide local oversight, clarify responsibilities for safe operation, preventive maintenance, fault reporting and water quality checks, and strengthen community ownership to protect the long-term value of the infrastructure.

For Nestlé Waters and Premium Beverages, the water regeneration project links measurable community impact with watershed resilience, responsible water management and business continuity.

It provides an integrated model in which infrastructure expands access, treatment safeguards quality, rainwater harvesting supports conservation, advocacy strengthens stewardship and local governance sustains performance.

Speaking at the commissioning, Business Executive Officer, Nestlé Waters and Premium Beverages, Nestlé Nigeria Plc., Olutayo Olatunji said: ‘The Agbara commissioning is an important milestone within our wider Water Regeneration Project and reflects Nestlé’s commitment to helping regenerate local water cycles.

By combining treated water infrastructure with local governance and performance monitoring, we are creating a model that improves access, strengthens watershed resilience and delivers enduring value. As we finalise the remaining scope, our focus remains on rigorous delivery and measurable outcomes that benefit communities and support business continuity.’

Also speaking on the project, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, said: ‘Commissioning a facility is only the beginning; ensuring that it continues to provide safe, reliable and sustainable service is the true measure of success. It is encouraging that this initiative places strong emphasis on governance and water stewardship through the development of a governance training manual for water regeneration and stewardship.’

In his address, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, added: ‘This project demonstrates what strategic public-private collaboration can achieve. By working with regulators, local authorities and host communities, Nestlé has supported an ecosystem for sustainable and equitable access to safe drinking water. The initiative advances Sustainable Development Goal 6 and aligns with Nigeria’s environmental priorities.’

Welcoming the project on behalf of the host community, His Royal Majesty, Oba Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade, Olute III, the Alagbara of Agbara Kingdom, said: ‘Today is a day of gratitude for the people of Agbara. Safe water touches every part of our lives: the health of our children, the dignity of our homes and the hopes of our families.

‘Today, it has come closer to all of us. But Agbara has received more than boreholes; we have received a responsibility.

‘As custodians of this land, I charge our chiefs, Baales, WASH committees and every resident to treat these facilities as our own, guard them against misuse and report faults promptly. What has been started here today, Agbara will sustain for our children and for generations yet unborn.’

Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Victoria Uwadoka, said: ‘Through the National Water Quality Advocacy Campaign and the National Water Quality Handbook developed with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and OPS-WASH, we are helping to take water safety knowledge beyond project sites into homes, schools, communities and institutions. Access alone is not enough. Water must be safe, it must be protected, and communities must have the knowledge to manage it responsibly.’

The commissioning of the projects in Agbara reflects the strength of collaboration among public authorities, regulators, traditional institutions, community leaders, WASH Committees, OPS-WASH and other technical partners.

As the Abaji sites are completed and handed over, Nestlé Nigeria will maintain its focus on disciplined delivery, transparent validation and strong local ownership to create lasting value for communities, strengthen watershed resilience and support the long-term sustainability of the business.

Sustainability can extend boundary of value beyond the balance sheet

A snapshot of an organisation’s financial position is important for planning and decision-making. However, a financial reporting-only approach has many limitations in understanding an organisation’s value.

One notable gap is that financial reporting cannot capture value creation from events, as it is best suited to recording the accounting consequences of transactions.

Sustainability can play a crucial role in bridging this gap by creating value beyond the financial reporting balance sheet and enabling credible reporting on a more comprehensive concept of organisational value.

Organisations that take a deliberate approach to sustainability implementation understand the business imperative and can link sustainability investments to overall business performance in the short, medium, and long term.

Today, much of an organisation’s value lies outside the traditional financial reporting balance sheet.

Therefore, sustainability should be viewed as an integral part of how an organisation creates tangible and measurable value.

For example, listed organisations that have embraced sustainability appropriately have seen their share prices increase over time.

Organisations have improved their reputation and increased their brand value through sustainability initiatives and investments.

Therefore, a traditional accounting balance sheet would ordinarily not reflect the brand value generated through these initiatives, except during mergers and acquisitions, as provided for in accounting standards like IFRS.

Similarly, investments in sustainability-linked product innovation and development often fail to meet the accounting criteria for balance-sheet recognition. They get captured when revenue from sales transactions is recorded.

Organisations that invest in building synergies through partnerships and resilient supply chains may be viewed from a cost perspective rather than through the holistic sustainability lens of the competitive advantage and capabilities these investments provide. One model that clarifies this concept well is the Integrated Reporting Framework’s integrated thinking.

It recognises that organisations create value beyond financial capital. As such, it uses a six-capital framework to report on value creation.

These include manufactured capital, intellectual capital, human capital, social and relationship capital, natural capital and financial capital.

From a reporting perspective, it enables organisations to go beyond financial transactions and assess value through events that financial reporting might not ordinarily capture.

The integrated report is a credible way for organisations to report on value creation, covering both financial and sustainability performance.

Rotary Club zone 2, D9111 offers free eye care, cataract surgery to Lagos residents

The Rotary Club Zone 2, D9111, has held a two-day free eye screening and cataract surgery exercise in Lagos State.

The event, which came under the theme, ‘Free Cataract Surgery Outreach’, brought together beneficiaries, medical professionals, and Rotary members to provide access to quality eye care services.

Speaking at the event, President, Rotary Club of Gowon Estate, Lagos, Ibiam Festus explained that the decision of Rotary Zone 2, D9111 to embark on a free cataract surgery outreach was informed by a deep concern for community health, the economic hardship faced by vulnerable people, and Rotary’s commitment to humanitarian service.

According to him, Cataracts can cause severe visual impairment and blindness, adding that the outreach seeks to help affected individuals regain their sight, independence, dignity, and confidence.

‘Many people, particularly low-income earners, cannot afford cataract surgery. Providing free surgery removes a major financial barrier to treatment’, he added.

To him, restoring sight enables beneficiaries to return to work, support their families, and contribute meaningfully to society.

He explained that the initiative tagged ‘The Mission for Vision’ (M4V) reflected the importance of identifying genuine health challenges within the communities and developing practical interventions that address them.

He affirmed that the project demonstrates Rotary’s commitment to service, collaboration, and creating lasting impact through sustainable community interventions.

‘By mobilising Rotary Clubs, healthcare professionals, volunteers, and other stakeholders, Zone 2 can reach more people than individual Clubs might be able to serve alone,’ he added.

He recalled that during the two-day exercise, which held at Royal Estate LASU Isheri road Egbeda and Sango Primary Health Care, Agege, about 342 patients underwent eye-screening while total cataract patients identified were 83 in the two days screening exercise.

‘After the screening exercise, patients identified with eye conditions are referred for further medical evaluation and appropriate treatment.

‘Those diagnosed with cataracts are assessed for eligibility for free cataract surgery, while other patients receive the necessary medical advice, prescriptions, or referrals.

‘This demonstrates the importance of taking healthcare services closer to people who need them.

‘The initiative aligns with Rotary District 9111’s broader Mission for Vision programme, which supports free cataract surgeries and eye-care services for people in need.

‘The motivation is simple; no one should lose their sight or remain unnecessarily blind because they cannot afford treatment.

‘Zone 2’s decision represents a commitment to transforming lives, restoring hope, strengthening families, and demonstrating that Rotary is not merely an organisation that talks about service but one that takes practical action to improve human lives’, he said.

On her part, Chairman 2026/2027 Mission for Vision District 9111, Chandra Nalode said the eye screening and the surgery exercise were aimed at restoring sight to the needy, reaffirming Rotary’s commitment to disease prevention and community health.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to BusinessDay Sunday commended Rotary for the life-changing intervention, noting that the free surgery will restore their sight and give them a new life.

The Mission for Vision (M4V) programme is said to be an annual initiative of Rotary District 9111.

Fobally Gallery, RCCG City of David host 2-week Christian art exhibition in Lagos

To celebrate the beauty, power, and majesty of God through art, Fobally Gallery Ltd, in collaboration with Saviorite Limited and the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Lagos, has commenced a 2-week Christian art exhibition in Lagos.

The exhibition, which came under the theme, ‘Creation Speaks’, is a showcase of powerful artworks that reflect the beauty, glory and truth of God’s creation.

Speaking at the event, Creative Director of Fobally Gallery Ltd, Abiola Folasade, affirmed that the ongoing exhibition actually aimed at letting all artists know that the gifts, the artistic talent they have, were given by God.

According to her: ‘Most of the artists were born with that talent. They just up-skilled it through formal education. So, God is the giver of talent. The exhibition is a call for reflection for artists and for the people, the society at large’.

Highlighting the theme of the exhibition, ‘Creation Speaks’, Folasade said it was designed as a spiritual encounter, not just an art show.

‘As people walk through the exhibition, we pray that the weary will find rest; the discouraged will find hope; the lost will find Jesus and believers will be reminded of God’s faithfulness from Genesis to Revelation,’ she added.

While stating that art bypasses arguments and speaks directly to the heart, she said that the exhibition hoped to engage culture and redeem the arts for God’s kingdom.

‘God is the first Artist; creativity is divine. For too long, the Church has been silent in the art and culture space. This exhibition is our statement that excellence is worship and beauty is ministry.

‘We want to raise a new generation of Christian artists who know that their talent is a calling.

‘We also want to show the wider society that the gospel is beautiful, intelligent, and relevant’, she submitted.

On the collaboration between Fobally Gallery Ltd, Saviorite Limited, and RCCG City of David, Fobally Gallery Ltd boss said it models unity in the body of Christ, emphasising that the exhibition will also create a platform for artists to be celebrated and supported; families and schools to learn about God through creativity; the public to have a wholesome, uplifting experience in the city.

She expressed optimism that the exhibition will not just be seen, but heard adding, ‘the Holy Spirit will use colors, forms, and stories to speak to every visitor. That Lagos, and Nigeria, will see that the Church is a place of beauty, truth, and excellence.

‘The purpose of ‘Creation Speaks’ is to let God’s creation speak again of His glory, His gospel, and His call on our lives’.

Speaking also, the presiding Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Victoria Island Lagos, Kayode Pitan who was represented by Trevor Akindele, described the exhibition as a unique platform to inspire faith and creativity through art.

While the Director Saviorite Limited, Jide Aiyegbusi, who also spoke at the event, had the Christian art exhibition as a direction from the Holy Spirit, noting that the theme of the exhibition was given to them by God.

To Aiyegbusi, who is an elder in the Redeemed Christian Church of God and a British trained Graphic Designer: ‘God has created us in His own image and in His own likeness. And whatsoever we have, God wants us to use it to honor Him, to glorify His name. God wants us to use whatever we have, our profession, our talent, our faith, to honor His name. And that is what we are here to do’.

On her part an artist, Stella Awoh Mofunanya, expressed excitement over what she described as the first Christian Art exhibition in the RCCG and added that it brought Christian artists together.

‘Some years back, some Christian artists were throwing away their works. Some said that it has to do with rituals, but this exhibition has given Christian artists opportunity to showcase their God’s given talents.’

However, she encouraged artists in the society to work harder adding, ‘art is money making machine now. People are buying artworks and they keep it like gold and resell. Art work is appreciated now.’

One of the exhibiting artists, Peacemaker described his art work as an expression of images that show the truth that God created the whole world.

‘This exhibition resonates well with the faith we preach that God made the whole world and Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. Whom the world must receive’, he said.

Art works displaced at the ongoing exhibition include a curated collection of: Paintings- depicting biblical themes, nature, and God’s glory; Sculptures and Installations-reflecting on creation, redemption, and hope.

Others were; Mixed media – works that blend faith, culture, and contemporary expression and; Live art sessions and artist talks- insight into the creative process as ministry.

Social media guidelines given to NACC staff

The regulations, published in the Royal Gazette on Oct 22, require NACC Office officials to refrain from using social media for non-work-related purposes during office hours if such activities affect efficiency or create the impression they are neglecting their duties.

Issued under Section 144(2) of the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption, the guidelines aim to uphold ethical standards, protect official confidentiality and safeguard the agency’s image.

Officials are prohibited from posting inappropriate comments or information affecting the nation, religion or monarchy, as well as disclosing confidential government information or material that could compromise sensitive operations.

The rules also ban photo or videos featuring officials wearing uniforms or clothing bearing NACC insignia if they could damage the agency’s reputation.

Sanwo-Olu charges CIS to deepen capital market participation, promote financial literacy

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) to deepen capital market participation, strengthen professional capacity and promote financial literacy among Nigerians.

Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Friday during a courtesy visit by the principal officers of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, led by its President and Chairman of Council, Fiona Ahimie, at Lagos House, Ikeja.

He noted that Nigeria’s capital market has recorded significant growth in recent years, commending professionals and investors for their contributions to the development of the sector.

Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed the need to deepen the market through increased public awareness, financial literacy and broader participation, particularly among Nigerians who may not fully understand the opportunities available.

He observed that many people are not familiar with investment opportunities beyond their daily financial needs, calling for deliberate efforts to educate the public on savings, investment and wealth creation.

The governor, who pledged his administration’s support for the CIS, expressed support for initiatives aimed at expanding financial literacy and developing more professionals to strengthen the capital market.

Governor Sanwo-Olu congratulated Ahimie on her emergence as the first female President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, describing her appointment as a significant milestone for the professional body.

He expressed confidence in her leadership, urging the new Council to sustain the Institute’s achievements while advancing professionalism, public engagement and capacity development within the capital market.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos remains committed to supporting professional institutions and economic activities capable of promoting investment, creating jobs and improving opportunities for residents.

He also highlighted the importance of professional expertise in governance, noting that collaboration between public and private sector practitioners could improve institutional effectiveness and strategic development.

Speaking earlier, the President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Fiona Ahimie, congratulated Governor Sanwo-Olu on his association with the Institute, noting that his professional background and experience in public service made the engagement particularly significant.

Ahimie said the Institute’s annual conference, scheduled for November 4 and 5 in Lagos, would provide an opportunity to discuss the development of Nigeria’s capital market and the need to expand financial literacy and investment participation.

She noted that the Institute is collaborating with the Office of the Vice President on initiatives to train 10 million Nigerians in financial literacy and capital market participation.

According to her, the programme is expected to improve public understanding of investment opportunities and encourage more Nigerians, particularly young people, to participate in the capital market.

Ahimie also disclosed that the Institute is working towards establishing a N5 billion endowment fund to support capacity development and professional training.

The visit by the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers’ leadership underscored the importance of collaboration between the Lagos State Government and professional institutions in advancing financial literacy, investment awareness and economic development.